The Cause | AdventAI

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 12, 1871

The Cause.

THERE has never been a time when the friends of the cause of Bible truth, and pure religion, have so much to encourage them as at the present. The cause, in all its branches, is being placed upon a footing that is truly gratifying.

When we accepted positions of importance at Battle Creek, a little more than two years since, a general discouragement was upon the work at head-quarters, which affected the cause more or less everywhere. By reason of bad management, our institutions located in this city were much embarrassed, and their very existence was threatened. Our people had donated liberally to create capital stock, and to know that their free-will offerings to the Lord and his cause were not managed in the love and fear of God to his glory, had a discouraging and depressing influence upon the donors.

And here we will state, that probably on no point will the people of God be more keenly stung than on the unfaithful use of means they have consecrated to the Lord’s cause, by those who stand at the head of charitable enterprises. Such men stand in a very responsible place. If they are unfaithful, they are sure to discourage the liberal, dry up the streams leading to the treasury, and make the cause to languish for want of means. Men who stand at the head of charitable institutions must be self-sacrificing men, consecrated to the work of God, hating covetousness.

When we returned to our position at Battle Creek about two years since, the Publishing Association was paying ten per cent on $6,000, the Office was destitute of stock, no cash on hand, they had overdrawn some at the bank, and our stock of books on hand was comparatively low. By the blessing of God we have paid all interest-bearing notes, have $5,000, worth of stock on hand, and $6,000 more in books than two years since, and by New Year’s shall be in our new building which costs $10,000, and all bills paid. This has been accomplished by the closest application to business which has fearfully worn us. But with great pleasure we here express gratitude to God who has sustained us, and to those with whom we have been associated for their faithful co-operation.

As we leave this work for the rest that change may give, it is with feelings of love and thanksgiving to our faithful God that he has permitted us to see the publishing work raised to that state of prosperity it enjoyed when we were stricken down six years since; and that it has been, during the past two years, greatly increased. And we would here state that if those who may manage this work in time to come think it an easy task, that they can work leisurely, selfishly, and carelessly, and see the work prosper, they will find themselves greatly disappointed.

Two years since our Health Reform Institute was seeing its darkest time. Heavy debts were upon it. And in consequence of shaken confidence in its management, patrons were very few. At first we saw no other way than to sell out, and refund what was left to those who had taken stock. But on second thought faith revived, and by the grace of God we were able to declare that God would vindicate every appeal to his people in the several Testimonies to the Church respecting health reform and the Health Institute. We have worked in accordance with our faith, and with the blessing of God, and the co-operation of faithful friends at the Institute, and also abroad, it has been gradually rising, and is now enjoying a full tide of prosperity.

The Health Reformer has added 1500 subscribers the last ten months, and with energetic co-operation of the friends of reform, it can reach 10,000 in one year from this date. Here is a charge of our choice. When restored to our usual strength, God willing, we will labor temperately in this most encouraging field, until the Health Institute, Reformer, with hygienic tracts, pamphlets and books, shall stand on a level, in point of prosperity, with the Publishing Association, with its numerous works.

We have been too willing to work. And our people made a mistake in putting so much work upon us that it has broken us down, and compelled us to lay it all off at once. We have been asked to remain in positions in which we have been placed, and go away from the work, and rest. This we cannot do. If our people put responsibilities upon us, we cannot so easily lay them off. The man that can, is the very man that is totally unfit to occupy such positions. Our people have tried this kind, and have seen the result.

God is with his people. He has met them graciously at all their camp-meetings, and is ready to bless the labors of his self-sacrificing, toiling servants everywhere. Mrs. W. returns from New England with good news. Her relation of blessed facts and incidents relative to the good camp-meeting in old Maine, made us feel almost well again. We long to meet the brethren in New England with renewed strength, and the power of the gospel. Oh, for a nearness to God! Brethren, the fields are white. Put in the gospel sickle. It is now good fishing ground almost anywhere. Drop in the hook, brethren, in faith, and keep at the work.

Laborers are wanted. They are wanted at Battle Creek. They are wanted everywhere. Men are wanted who can labor in God. Self-sacrificing laborers are wanted. Men are wanted who can labor, and toil, and sacrifice, and endure, in view of pay in the next world. God, in his providence, has matters prepared, pertaining to his cause, to our hand, and now he calls for laborers. When laborers shall volunteer, from the farm, from the shop, from various professions, and from the schools, and consecrate all to God, as did those who first entered upon the work, then shall we see the cause prosper gloriously.