An Appeal by James White

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 6, 1863

An Appeal

By James White

TO THE GENERAL CONFERENCE COMMITTEE IN BEHALF OF NEW ENGLAND.

Dear Brethren: We regard the New England States as an important field of labor at the present time, for the following reasons:—

1. These States were the especial field of the great Advent movement in 1843 and 1844, and although distracting influences have since prostrated the cause, there are thousands in these States who have sunken down under these influences, and have laid down the cross, whom we doubt not would revive under the proclamation of the third message by discreet and faithful men.

2. The people of New England are generally thorough-going and will promptly co-operate with laborers sent among them, and make this field a comparatively easy one, if the cause can be kept free from fanaticism. And nothing but organization and order, and cheerful submission to those who have charge of the work, can do this. The great temptation for a while with the restless ones will doubtless be to bolt and throw off the very restraint they need to keep them where they should be.

But, dear brethren, the cause in the East has suffered under many embarrassments. While our most efficient laborers have been breaking and cultivating new ground in the West, the more feeble, and some of them of poor judgment, and tending to fanaticism, have occupied this field. And while organization, spiritual gifts, and systematic benevolence, have proved a perfect success in Michigan, a large portion of New England has dreadfully suffered for want of judicious men to hold these things before the people in a proper light.

3. The evidence that "the angel of mercy is hovering over the East," and that efforts should be made to "strengthen the things that remain, and proclaim the message to those who have not heard it," makes this field one of deep interest to those who believe.

Elder Loughborough feels that this is his field of labor at present, if you so decide. He is just the man to have charge of the work in the East. His mild, kind manner, and his refined sense of propriety in a minister's public and social and private life, not only save him from wounding the cause he labors to build up, but these excellent qualifications enable him to make a good impression wherever he goes. His firm and persevering efforts on organization, systematic benevolence, &c., added to his preaching talent, and the qualifications before mentioned, make him, with the blessing of God, the man to build up churches, and have the especial oversight of the work in the East.

But this is a wide field, and we think there should be another efficient laborer from the West in this field. Bro. Hull would be just the man, could he labor under the influence and care of Bro. Loughborough. Bro. Cornell would be an excellent man to enter new places in the East, if Bro. Loughborough could follow and build up churches, and take the general oversight of the work.

And, if it be your decision, we are ready to labor in the East (or wherever you may appoint,) six months, one year, or until our work be done. Mrs. W. has been pleading for the East for more than six months, and now that we are here, with our children, we unitedly feel that this is our more especial field of labor at present. To leave our good home and brethren at Battle Creek, the Office with all its activity, and the cheerful faces in its several departments, and our very dear and faithful brethren in Michigan who have ever stood by us in the hottest of the fight, and the noble span of God's creatures which have so cheerfully and speedily taken us over long roads to our appointments in that good State, is no small sacrifice. But we cheerfully make the sacrifice at the call of duty. If this be duty, and we pilgrims here strike out by faith, in one sense homeless, God will raise us up a hundred fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters, with whom we shall find a hundred welcome homes.

But it should be borne in mind that the friends of the cause in New England, with the exception of Vermont, are very few and poor. These however can give laborers good homes when they come among them, and something more. But at present it will be the privilege of brethren in New York, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, and the West to do much to support this mission. The few friends in New England sent the message West, and in doing so some of them sacrificed considerable of their property. For example, one brother gave Bro. Bates $50 to bear his expenses on his first trip to Indiana and Michigan, when the Jackson brethren received the Sabbath. The first trip we made to New York, we earned the money to pay traveling expenses in the hayfield, in feeble health. By such sacrifices, and such exertions, has the truth been planted in the West. Now is a chance for western brethren of their abundance to return the compliment. Michigan alone can put $2000 into the treasury of the General Conference fund, this present autumn, and not feel it.

To hand out means to individuals rashly, in the absence of organization, is expensive folly. But with our present organization, and faithful General Conference Committee, which controls missionary labor, and the General Conference fund designed to sustain missionary labor, those who withhold from this treasury, fearing somebody will be personally benefited, are far gone with that spirit of tight-fisted stinginess which borders hard on insanity.

But, thank God, organization is a success; the General Conference is a success; and the Publishing Association is a perfect success. It cures the jealous ones to see the leaders in the cause urging organization, so that the publishing department, and themselves also, are put into the hands of trustees and committees whom they can help elect annually. And the stingy ones are either leaving, or getting cured of their malady. Speculation! The Devil himself would be ashamed to repeat the word under the present circumstances of the cause. Mrs. W. and self put $35 into the General Conference fund last June; but we now increase it to $100.

And would it not be well to say to our brethren who are laying up treasures on earth, that it is a fearful thing for them to withhold of their abundance the little which the cause of truth demands? Systematic benevolence is a light draft on their liberality. This is not a twentieth part of the annual increase of the property of many. Will they pack down the green-backs with a miserly hand at this late hour, and let missionaries feel that they must narrow up their efforts for want of means? These men want books and tracts to give where they cannot sell. The steam-press should run six days in every week, and those who want our publications, and cannot buy them at present low rates, should have them free. We would suggest that the trustees of the Association appropriate two or three hundred dollars' worth of publications to the eastern mission, if in your judgment the mission be right. The grand object of the Association was to be a mighty engine to propel the cause of truth. We say, let it be an active, energetic institution. Give it wood and water, and let it steam away. Let the green-backs come in, and the packages, bundles, and boxes of books roll out to give light to the world.

Dear brethren, we shall be glad to hear from you in reference to this hasty appeal for New England as soon as possible. Time is flying, and if a strong effort is to be made for the East, arrangements for the winter's campaign should be made as soon as possible.

Topsham, Me., Sept. 24, 1863.

P. S. Who will have $100 in the General Conference fund during 1863? Who $50? Who $25? Who $10? to be paid before Jan. 1st, 1864?

J. & E. G. White, $100 Fall in, brethren!

REMARKS. We are happy to lay before the readers of the Review the above Appeal from Bro. White. We feel the greatest interest in the New England mission, and heartily approve of the suggestions above made. It is universally conceded, we believe, that those who are already occupying any missionary field, best understand the wants of that field. The committee, therefore, feel disposed to acquiesce in any decisions that Brn. White and Loughborough may make in regard to labor in that section. It will be in accordance with the mind of the committee that Bro. Cornell labor in the East as suggested, and that Brn. White and Loughborough continue there as long as they feel it duty so to do. We would also urge upon every lover of the cause, to remember this mission in their liberalities that it be not crippled for lack of means. The trustees of the Association also fully coincide with the Appeal in relation to tracts, and cheerfully appropriate as below.

JOHN BYINGTON, J. N. ANDREWS, G. W. AMADON, } General Conference Committee.

For the object above set forth, S. D. A. Publishing Association (in tracts) $250,00 Elder John Byington, 50,00 Robert Sawyer (Office hand), 25,00 Other laborers in the Office, 25,00 Church at Battle Creek (s. b.), 25,00 Church at Jackson, (s. b.), 25,00 Church at Tompkins (s. b.), 5,00