p. 172 | The Cause by James White

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Michigan · Oct 27, 1863

The Cause.

By James White

Review No. 20 is received. The lecture on tobacco by J. C. Jackson, M. D., in Nos. 19 and 20, is a rich thing. Those still indulging in the use of this poison can afford to read it twice.

The reports from different States of the progress of the work, and the state of the cause, are most cheering. Iowa is coming up, thank God. We want more small preachers, like Bro. Sanborn, to go through the ranks and set things in order. We have always had too many large ministers, smart debaters, and the like. They lead the people astray. They attract the admiration of the people to them, so that they very much lose sight of Christ, and the humble path of truth and holiness. This is one reason why the cause prospers no better where our smart ministers labor. These smart men can reform so as to lead the people to Christ, and leave them hanging upon his arm. Then young disciples will be in a state of mind to be further instructed by any of Christ's little ministers, instead of being the especial pets of some smart preacher, refusing to take milk unless it be fed to them from his spoon.

The brethren can also reform as to their conduct toward these smart men. They are generally ready to exchange old well-tried laborers for a young stranger, if he be smart and pleasing in his preaching. They show a preference for him, and even flatter him. They should know that there are very few men of little experience who can receive such treatment and not be ruined.

There are able men among us. For this let us thank God; but we should treat them in a manner not to ruin them. Those who have thrown their whole strength into their preaching talent are generally very deficient in other things. Let them understand that to deliver sermons that they have preached over and over, in an able manner, is a work of small importance compared with building up churches and feeding the flock of Christ. He who does not excel in delivering those discourses he has repeated a hundred times, when preaching is his only business, and he has abundance of time to read and improve his discourses both in matter and manner, should be regarded as a blockhead.

We are glad to see father Byington in the field, with plenty of work before him. His age and experience makes him an invaluable laborer in the cause. Let all the churches love him, care for his comfort, and value and reverence his judgment, and godly instruction. He has fought the battles of life well. By his diligent hand, sound judgment, and correct habits, he has acquired a competency for this life, and to open his hand wide to the wants of the widow, orphan and unfortunate, and for the cause of Christ. He has ruled his house well, and now has the pleasure of seeing his children respectable and most of them loyal to the God of heaven. The labors of such a man are worth more to the cause than half a dozen of young striplings who think they are smart.

We want more of these small preachers, men who have a good share of common sense and practical godliness. The cause needs more men who have acted well their part in the world before they entered the ministry. Elder Sanborn was a poor boy; but by good habits and correct ideas of things, he became an independent, thorough farmer. Such a man will succeed anywhere God calls him, and he will be just as thorough in the work of God, as on his farm. When will the church learn to properly estimate the labors of such men, and do not overvalue the labors of those who can only repeat over and over before the audience a set of lectures in a pleasing manner.

The cause wants small men. It must have laborers. The fields are white and all ready for the harvest. We have been wanting smart men, looking and longing for smart men. Now let us pray God to raise up laborers.

Let the desire be for laborers, and the prayer be, O Lord, send out laborers into the wide harvest field.

We could not attend the conference at Manchester in consequence of the delay of the work on the charts. Bro. and sister Loughborough went on without us. We are all in health and good spirits, here with our old friends, Bro. S. Howland and family. Our children will remain here at present and work on the charts with Bro. Howland. Fort Howland will probably be our headquarters for about one year, during which time we hope to see the cause revive in the East. Bro. Loughborough feels at home in this field. There are many new places ready for Bro. Cornell to enter. May God bless their labors.

We were encouraged to see the Association and a few friends in Battle Creek, Jackson and Tompkins showing their interest in the eastern mission by liberal donations. We hope this interest will spread all through Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, New York and Pennsylvania. Now is the time to act, brethren. The future is uncertain.

We now design to be in Battle Creek, November 14, and make a tour to Allegan, Monterey, Wright, Fair Plains, Lapeer, Oakland and Memphis, and wish to be addressed upon it at Adam's Center, Jeff. Co., N. Y., or at Battle Creek. We shall have the cloth charts with us at $3,50 a set; printed on fine paper, backed with bleached cotton and varnished, $4,50; on paper, backed with cloth, not so well finished, $3,50 a set. They can be had by addressing Elder James White at Topsham, Maine, or at Battle Creek, Mich.