Who is Responsible? by S. Rogers

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Michigan · Oct 10, 1865

Who is Responsible?

By S. Rogers

AFTER reading the account of Bro. White's sickness, and seeing the care-worn condition of many others that labor in this cause, I was led to ask the above question, while looking around and contemplating the state of the church. It seems to me that the churches never have needed the labors of God's servants more than at the present time. But, dear brethren and sisters, have we valued their labors as we should in the past? Have we done all that we could to make their burdens light, and their labors pleasant and easy? Please follow me in the past for a few moments, and while we review the past, may it be the motive of each of our hearts to learn our faults, that we may humbly confess them; and that we may in the future stand in a place where we can help hold up the hands of those who labor for us in this cause.

How did you stand when Bro. White first introduced the subject of Organization? Did you feel to oppose him on that? Did you talk and write your feelings to others? Did you realize the effect of so doing? If not, may the Lord help you to see and feel as you should.

When the subject of Systematic Benevolence first came up, how did you feel? Was this all right in your mind, or did you feel afraid it would not work well, and so throw out a few doubts about it to others? Think you this made the burden any lighter for Bro. W. to bear? When we came down to the time that our nation was thrown into great distress and perplexity on account of war, when our people were so greatly perplexed in the event of the impending drafts, then think of the burden that fell upon Bro. W. He was called upon, as standing at the head of this people, to speak out his mind in regard to our duty toward this nation; and when he had done this with care and caution according to the light he had, (and I verily believe it was just what God wanted him to say at that time) how did you receive it? Were you thankful for it, or did you come out in opposition to the position taken? Think you this helped lighten the burdens of our brother?

And not the least among Bro. White's burdens are the duties that rest upon him to speak forth the wants of the cause to the brethren. Many have been the urgent calls for means; how have we responded to them? Not quite one year ago, Bro. W.* made an urgent appeal for means for the Eastern mission; if my memory serves me right, he and his family headed the subscription list with one hundred dollars; and he gave an invitation for others to do as their feelings should prompt them; and the receipts show just how deeply they felt. Have you felt inclined to find fault with Bro. W. if things did not go at the Office just to suit your mind? Or has he spoken most too plainly against some wrong course you have pursued? Or have you felt like one of old, that Bro. W. was 'taking too much upon himself? Now, dear brethren and sisters as time would fail me to speak of all the burdens of this kind, and many others, let us sum up these things, and see who is responsible, in a measure for the present condition of Bro. White. But not Bro. White alone is worn down with cares and burdens of this kind. We see Bro. Loughborough, on returning home from his Western tour, worn down with cares of this sort, and there are others in the same condition. Dear brethren, as there has been a day of fasting and prayer set apart, to ask the Lord to raise up the sick, is it not as necessary that we confess our faults, as it was for good old Daniel to confess his, and the faults of his people, before we can expect the Lord to hear and answer our prayers for good.

Shall we go on in the future as in the past, till our preaching brethren have worn out in trying to correct our faults, and poor sinners have perished for the want of their labors? Rather shall we not try and get right, and keep right, that we may be a help in this cause instead of a hindrance. May we choose the latter, is the prayer of your unworthy brother.

S. ROGERS.

Wright, Mich.