The fifth annual session of this Association convened at Martin in connection with the camp-meeting.
FIRST MEETING, OCT. 16, AT 9 A. M.—After the opening exercises and the reading of the minutes of the last annual session, very encouraging reports were listened to from superintendents of various schools.
The Chair, being authorized, appointed the following named persons to act as committees: On Nominations, J. B. Yates, W. H. Parker, and A. M. Fry; on Resolutions, I. D. Van Horn, S. J. Yates, and S. Moore.
Adjourned to call of Chair.
SECOND MEETING, OCT. 19, AT 9 P. M.—The Committee on Nominations reported for President, W. D. Dortch; Vice-President, W. H. Parker; Secretary, J. T. White.
A motion was made to accept the nominations by considering each name separately, which was done, and those persons duly elected.
The following resolutions were presented:
Resolved, That we express our gratitude to God for the prosperity of the Sabbath-school work in our Conference the past year, and we pledge ourselves to increase our efforts to make this branch of the cause more effectual to the great object of saving our children.
Resolved, That Sabbath contributions be encouraged in all our Sabbath-schools, and that the proceeds of the same be used to furnish the Instructor, maps, books, and other helps for the benefit of the schools.
These resolutions were adopted by a rising vote, and the meeting adjourned sine die.
J. T. WHITE, Sec. W. D. DORTCH, Pres.
GENERAL CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS.
By Uriah Smith; George I. Butler
TWENTY-THIRD ANNUAL SESSION.
(Continued.)
SEVENTH MEETING, Nov. 6, 2:30 P. M.—Eld. G. G. Rupert opened the meeting with prayer. Minutes of last meeting approved. The question before the meeting being on the adoption of the report of the Committee on Resolutions, and the point under discussion being the first resolution, namely, a resolution that ministers should pay tithes, the subject was but little further discussed; and the general opinion expressed being in favor of the resolution, it was unanimously adopted.
The second resolution—pertaining to secret societies—drew forth remarks as lengthy and earnest as greeted the first one. No diversity of opinion was found to exist on the resolution itself; the discussion was confined chiefly to the question as to what would be the most expedient attitude for us to maintain toward the question whenever circumstances called for a stand to be taken. It seemed to be the prevailing opinion that this matter could generally be left to the individual concerned and the occasion. The resolution was adopted with no dissenting voice.
Resolution 3 was adopted without discussion.
While the question was pending on the adoption of resolution 4, the Conference took an adjournment to such time as the chairman should convene them again.
EIGHTH MEETING, Nov. 7, 2:30 P. M.—The brethren were led in devotional exercises by Eld. R. M. Kilgore. Record of previous meeting approved. The question before the Conference being on the adoption of the fourth resolution, the motion unanimously prevailed. The following additional resolution was then introduced:—
“Whereas, The third angel’s message has been committed to us to give to the world, and we now have but three laborers in Great Britain where there are forty millions of English speaking people; therefore—
5. “Resolved, That, in consideration of the magnitude of the work to be done in Great Britain, it is our duty to send two more able ministers to engage in the work in that mission.”
Some earnest words were spoken in reference to the subject involved in this resolution, and our duty in regard to sounding the warning to the earth’s remotest bounds, and the motion to adopt was heartily sustained.
The Committee on Fields of Labor then presented a partial report as follows:—
Your committee appointed to consider the wants of destitute fields, would report as follows:—
“Recommendation 1. That Eld. S. H. Lane and wife go to England to take a leading part in the British mission, and the printing work of that mission.”
“Rec. 2. That Eld. R. F. Andrews be sent to the British mission, to labor in Scotland and Ireland, as the way may open.”
“Rec. 3. That W. C. White go to Europe when the proper time arrives, and assist in the publishing work.”
“Rec. 4. That Eld. R. M. Kilgore take the Presidency of the Illinois Conference, made vacant by the resignation of Eld. Andrews.”
“Rec. 5. That Eld. M. B. Miller go to Texas, and take the Presidency of that Conference.”
“Rec. 6. That Eld. J. D. Pegg go to Texas to labor in that Conference.”
“Rec. 7. That West Virginia be united to the Ohio Conference, and that Eld. C. H. Chaffee move to and labor in that field.”
“Rec. 8. That we accept the generous offer of the Indiana Conference to furnish a tent to West Virginia.”
“Rec. 9. That Arkansas be united to the Missouri Conference, and that Eld. J. G. Wood labor for a time in that field; that Eld. G. G. Rupert visit Alabama and spend as much of the winter there as possible; also that Bro. Blackmon of Missouri join him in labor in that field.”
“Rec. 10. That Eld. Butler spend the greater part of the winter in Battle Creek, laboring especially for the church, the College, and our other institutions located there.”
“Rec. 11. That Eld. E. R. Jones go to the Pacific Coast to labor in California or the northern Conferences, as the wants of the cause may demand.”
“Rec. 12. That Eld. Wm. Ostrander take the Presidency of the Colorado Conference when Eld. Jones goes to California.”
“Rec. 13. That Eld. H. W. Decker go to the Upper Columbia Conference in time to attend their next camp-meeting.”
“Rec. 14. That Eld. S. N. Haskell go to California in time to attend the fall camp-meeting, and as soon after this as possible go to Australia to superintend the establishing of a mission there; and that Eld. J. O. Corliss and other laborers who may be selected go at the same time to labor in the mission.”
W. C. WHITE,
O. A. OLSEN,
W. H. LITTLEJOHN,
G. G. RUPERT,
R. CONRADI,
Com. on Destitute Fields.
Recommendations 1 and 2, after affecting remarks by the parties mentioned in them, and the delegates from Indiana and Illinois, were adopted. By request recommendation 14 was next taken up for consideration, when the following substitute was offered by Eld. Butler:—
“That Eld. S. N. Haskell, as soon as possible, go to Australia to superintend the establishment of a mission there; and that Eld. J. O. Corliss and other laborers who may be selected go at the same time to labor in the mission; and that Eld. Haskell return at least early enough to attend the California camp-meeting in 1886.”
While the question was pending on the substitution of the foregoing for the original recommendation of the committee, the Conference adjourned to call of the Chair.
NINTH MEETING, Nov. 9, 2:30 P. M.—Prayer by Eld. R. F. Andrews. Before resuming the regular business, on a tacit suspension of the rules, a little time was taken to consider the question of the continuation of this Conference. It was finally decided by vote that the delegates make no arrangements for the future which will interfere with their remaining at this meeting two weeks longer.
The regular business being resumed, and the question pending, being on the adoption of the substitute for the 14th recommendation of the Committee on Fields of Labor, offered by Eld. Butler, after some discussion, the substitute was withdrawn. The question being now on the adoption of the original recommendation, it was seriously objected to by some and urged by others. After remarks by Elds. Haskell, Butler, White, and Waggoner, it was referred back, without instructions, to the committee.
Recommendation 3 was then read, and the following substitute was offered by Eld. Butler:—
“That Eld. W. C. White go to Europe to assist in the purchase of machinery for our houses in Bale, Switzerland, and Christiana, Norway, and in the placing of the publishing work there on the proper basis, and in counseling and assisting in all branches of the work in Europe.”
This substitute was by vote accepted, and the recommendation was then adopted.
Recommendation 4 was then adopted.
Recommendations 5 and 6 were referred back to the committee.
Recommendations 7, 8, 9, and 10 were adopted without much discussion, and the Conference adjourned to the call of the Chair.
TENTH MEETING, Nov. 10, at 2:30 P. M.—Eld. J. H. Waggoner opened the meeting with prayer. Minutes of last meeting read and approved. The regular business being further action on the report of the Committee on Fields of Labor, the remaining recommendations, Nos. 11, 12, and 13 were adopted without discussion.
The following resolution was then presented and after brief discussion adopted:—
Whereas, We realize that there is no neutrality in the cause of God, and that they who gather not with Christ scatter abroad, and that they who do not work weaken and discourage those who do work; and we know that there are many, especially in Battle Creek, whose lives are unprofitable in their present position; therefore—
6. Resolved, That we request and urgently call upon those who are doing no work in the cause here, to move to destitute fields where they may be of service to the Master; and further—
Resolved, That a Committee of three be appointed to canvass the Sabbath-keepers and report to the Conference or to the church, the names of those who it may appear have a duty to the cause in this respect.
On motion of Eld. Rupert, Eld. Waggoner was requested to preach a sermon to the Battle Creek church on the subject of this resolution at some time during this session of the Conference.
The Committee on Licenses presented their report, recommending that credentials and licenses be granted, as follows: For credentials, Geo. I. Butler, S. N. Haskell, J. Fargo, W. C. White, O. A. Olsen, J. G. Matteson, B. L. Whitney, Mrs. E. G. White, A. A. John, A. B. Oyen, M. C. Wilcox, J. H. Durland, Wm. F. Killen, L. P. Hodges, S. H. Kime; for licenses, A. A. Meredith, W. R. Foggin, E. Hoff, Wm. M. Baird, J. R. Wait, N. B. England; for ship missionary, Geo. R. Drew.
The report was amended by adding for credentials the names of R. F. Andrews, E. G. Olsen, and S. H. Lane, and then adopted.
The desire having been expressed by certain ones to present to the Conference some theological views which were to them of great interest, it was—
Moved, That the Chair appoint a Committee of eight to act with himself, to consider any theological questions which may be brought before it.
This motion prevailing, the Chair appointed as said committee, S. N. Haskell, J. H. Waggoner, U. Smith, W. C. White, R. F. Cottrell, D. M. Canright, I. D. Van Horn and E. W. Farnsworth.
It was further—
Moved, That the Chair appoint a committee of four to act with the General Conference Committee to consider a plan of more perfect co-operation between the publishing houses in Battle Creek, Mich., and Oakland, Cal.—Carried.
The Chair appointed as said committee, S. H. Lane, E. W. Whitney, R. A. Underwood, and Dan T. Jones.
A communication from Norway concerning the publishing interest in Christiana and the plan of the European Council in reference to the further prosecution of the work there, was read and referred to the General Conference Committee.729
An interesting communication from Eld. D. T. Bourdeau respecting the progress of the work in France, and the encouraging prospect before the cause there, was read, after which the Conference adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ELEVENTH MEETING, Nov. 11, 2:30 P. M.—Prayer by Eld. H. Nicola. Minutes read, and with one correction approved.
The Nominating Committee reported, recommending that the following persons be chosen to the offices named: For President, Eld. Geo. I. Butler; Secretary, U. Smith; Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. M. J. Chapman; Treasurer, A. R. Henry; Executive Committee, Geo. I. Butler, S. N. Haskell, O. A. Olsen, W. C. White, and J. Fargo.
The report of the committee was adopted, as the voice of the Conference.
The subject of the preparation of a new hymn book for the general use of our people, being introduced, it was—
Moved, That a committee of five be appointed to draw up a plan of action on which this work should proceed. This motion prevailed.
The Committee on Fields of Labor further reported as follows:—
“Recommendation 15. That the recommendation for Eld. M. B. Miller to go to Texas be withdrawn.”
“Rec. 16. That Eld. J. D. Pegg go to Texas to labor under the direction of Eld. Kilgore until the next Texas camp-meeting.”
“Rec. 17. That Eld. J. F. Hanson labor in Chicago as much as his other duties will permit.”
“Rec. 18. That Eld. J. C. Mickelson go to Kansas, and labor among the Scandinavians there.”
“Rec. 19. That Eld. G. G. Rupert spend several months in North Carolina, as the way may open, and that he labor in other southern fields as the General Conference Committee may advise.”
“Rec. 20. That Ontario be a mission field, and that Eld. T. M. Stewart go there to labor.”
“Rec. 21. That Delaware and Maryland be a mission field, and that Eld. O. F. Guilford go to this field to develop and establish the work.”
“Rec. 22. That Eld. J. S. Shrock go to Pennsylvania to labor among the Germans, and that Eld. Conradi go with him for a time to assist and counsel in the work.”
On a motion to adopt, recommendations 15 and 16 were sustained. An amendment to No. 17 was offered by adding that the Scandinavian church in Chicago be transferred from the Wisconsin Conference to the Illinois Conference. This was ruled out of order as not coming within the province of the committee’s action. A motion to lay the recommendation on the table was lost, and the recommendation was adopted. The remaining recommendations of the report passed without extended discussion.
At this point another resolution was offered as follows:—
7. Resolved, That we express our heartfelt gratitude that the way is opening to extend our work into Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina, and other destitute fields in this country, as well as in the Province of Ontario, in Scotland, Ireland, etc.; and we suggest that the attention of those friends who are acquainted with these fields, and who may be able to give counsel in regard to them, be specially called to this part of the work.
The adoption of this resolution was moved, when the Conference adjourned to the call of the Chair.
TWELFTH MEETING, Nov. 12, 2:30 P. M.—Prayer by U. Smith. Minutes of last meeting read and approved. The pending question being on the adoption of resolution 7, it was spoken to by Eld. S. N. Haskell, and adopted.
The committee called for in resolution 6, was appointed as follows: S. H. Lane, R. A. Underwood, C. L. Boyd.
The committee on hymn book was appointed as follows: I. D. Van Horn, H. W. Decker, M. H. Brown, R. F. Andrews, and Wm. Ostrander.
The Committee on Fields of Labor completed their report as follows:—
“Recommendation 23. That Eld. F. D. Starr go to the North Pacific Conference.”
“Rec. 24. After more mature consideration, we recommend that Eld. H. W. Decker go to California so as to labor several months in that State before attending the Upper Columbia camp-meeting.”
“Rec. 25. That, in view of the great importance of spreading the truth to earth’s remotest bounds, and of opening a mission in Australia as soon as possible, Eld. S. N. Haskell go to Australia next May, taking with him a competent corps of laborers to establish a mission, and that he return in time to attend the next General Conference.”
“Rec. 26. That, in view of Eld. Haskell’s going to Australia, Eld. E. W. Farnsworth go to New England to labor.”
“Rec. 27. Also, that Eld. D. M. Canright go to labor in New England, after attending some general meetings in various Conferences with Eld. Butler.”
“Rec. 28. That Eld. J. O. Corliss and Bro. Wm. Arnold prepare to go with Eld. Haskell to Australia.”
“Rec. 29. That Northern Dakota from the 46th parallel be united to the Minnesota Conference.”
“Rec. 30. That Eld. G. C. Tenney labor in this field, and with Eld. O. A. Olsen, as he may be needed, in general meetings.”
“Rec. 31. That Kentucky and Tennessee interchange laborers as the presidents of these Conferences may agree.”
After the adoption of recommendation 23, No. 24 was amended by recommending that P. H. Cady be added to the Wisconsin Conference Committee, and that Eld. Breed be chairman of the committee on Eld. Decker’s departure. As amended, it was carried. All the remaining recommendations were adopted without dissent.
Moved by Eld. S. H. Lane, That Michigan be invited to furnish North Carolina a brand new 50-foot tent by the first of May next.—Carried.
Eld. J. H. Waggoner moved the adoption of the following resolution:—
Whereas, We have received light from the Testimony of the Spirit that the health reform is a part of the present truth, and it having suffered neglect, both from our ministers and people; therefore—
8. Resolved, That we urge upon all our people, both ministers and churches, the duty and necessity of renewing their interest in this important subject; and we further request that articles on this subject be again published in our church paper.
This being heartily adopted, the matter of an improved form of diary for ministers was introduced by Eld. E. P. Daniels, when it was—
Moved, That a committee of five be appointed to take the matter into consideration, and report at this session of the Conference.—Carried.
The following brethren were appointed as said committee:—
E. P. Daniels, G. K. Owen, J. H. Waggoner, S. H. Lane, and R. M. Kilgore.
Moved, That the General Conference Committee take into consideration the circumstances of the Chicago mission, and make such recommendation concerning it as they may deem necessary.
Moved, That the Chair appoint a committee of three to present a plan for the preparation of a book containing a full list of the shareholders in our various incorporated institutions.—Carried.
W. C. White, U. Smith, and J. H. Waggoner were appointed as this committee.
Moved, That the matter of the Year Book for 1885 be referred to the foregoing committee.
Adjourned to the call of Chair.
U. SMITH, Sec. GEO. I. BUTLER, Pres.
(To be continued.)
THE CONFERENCE.
Of the meetings held during the past week, all of which have been good and encouraging, we take time to mention only the occasion of Sabbath, Nov. 15. In the forenoon, Eld. Waggoner spoke, in accordance with the instructions of the Conference, in regard to the duties and responsibilities of church members, and the propriety of their locating where they could be of the most use. The dangers into which many are liable to fall were faithfully pointed out. The discourse was a stirring one, delivered with freedom; and it made a deep impression upon the congregation.
In the afternoon sister White spoke with freedom on Matthew 18, bringing out clearly the fundamental principles which should characterize our relations to God and to one another. As she drew her remarks to a conclusion, she requested a few front seats to be vacated that if any wished to seek the Lord especially, they might come forward. These seats were soon filled, and more were cleared and occupied, and so on till nearly two sections of seats were filled with earnest seekers. To see them, as the last rays of that Sabbath’s setting sun were throwing their mellow beams through the building, coming from the gallery and from all parts of the house, and pressing in to the places prepared for those who wished to seek the Lord, was a most cheering and impressive sight.
After prayers by Elds. Haskell and Butler, those who had come forward repaired to the east vestry to the number of some three hundred, where they had opportunity for a more individual work. It was a good move, and a day long to be remembered.
THE COMING THANKSGIVING.
By Ellen G. White
Our Thanksgiving is approaching. Will it be as it has been in many instances, a thanksgiving to ourselves? or will it be a thanksgiving to God? Our Thanksgivings may be made seasons of great profit to our own souls as well as to others, if we improve this opportunity, to remember the poor among us. God has placed his poor in our midst, and he identifies his interest with them. Those who for Christ’s sake relieve their necessities thus show that they would gladly do the same for Jesus; but as they cannot manifest their love to Jesus in person, they do their acts of sympathy, their deeds of love and beneficence, to him in the person of his saints.
There are among us poor persons who need not have been thus if they had manifested wise forethought and careful Bible economy when they had opportunity and ability to earn wages. But they spent all as fast as it came, indulging in things they might have done without, and lacking nothing for their own comfort. Their desire to dress as nicely as their relatives or friends, the desire to gratify their fancy so to provide for their tables as to make a good showing before friends or relatives who love not the truth, makes them very liberal to themselves, which results in their really doing injustice to themselves, to their families, and those whose capital they are using.
Many need not be poor if they were self-denying and economical. When in possession of health, they should improve the opportunity when money comes in, to practice economy and lay by a certain sum weekly, resolving not to touch it even if for some meals they were obliged to eat salt and potatoes, or porridge and bread. This self-denial would be of the greatest advantage to the health. And if wages were low, or money scarce, it would be a gratification to know that there was something to fall back upon.
There are families where enough is wasted to support a small family. Such the Lord is testing. He will let them experience pinching want,—the only way in which they can learn the lesson that it is not selfish indulgence or chasing after pleasure that brings peace and contentment. Real moral worth, the love and fear of God, opens fountains of pleasure that are never dry.
While there are those who are in poverty through extravagant habits of living, there are also those who bear the curse of God for their dishonesty. They profess to be Christians; but they have overreached, thinking it was very cunning to deceive, to prevaricate, to obtain means under false pretences, to take that which was not their own. God cannot bless this class. They will eventually come to want.
But these are the degraded poor, bearing the present penalty for their evil course, preparatory to the final judgment of God, and the reward they will receive according as their deeds have been. While he bears long with the perversity and iniquity of those who profess to be Christians, but who are so only in name, God never forgets, and he will punish their transgressions and visit their iniquities. There are poor among us who have done the best they could; but misfortune and sickness seem to be their lot. Their homes are not attractive because they cannot make them so. They have no money to indulge in the gratification of luxuries or those things their tastes desire. The plain necessities of life are all they can afford. There are many such ones to whom it is exceedingly galling to be obliged to depend on charity in the least sense. But, brethren and sisters, God has placed these very ones in our midst to test and prove us, to keep our dispositions Christ-like. God withholds nothing from us; we are the recipients of his mercies. Day by day and hour by hour, God is giving to us generously; and shall we for one moment look down upon the poor as though in God’s sight we were better than they? God forbid! Never let the hungry cry of the destitute and afflicted ones come up to God against us; for every tear and every pressure of suffering want bears a cry up to heaven,—a grave charge upon some one of God’s favored ones.
There are a hundred ways that can be devised to help the poor in so delicate a manner as to make them feel they are doing us a favor by receiving our gifts and sympathy. We are to remember that it is more blessed to give than to receive. The attentions of our brethren are most liberal to those whom they wish to honor, and whose respect they desire, but who do not need their help at all. Custom and fashion say, Give to those who will give to you; but this is not the Bible rule of giving. The word of God declares against this way of gratifying self in thus bestowing our gifts, and says, “He that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.”
Now a season is coming when we shall have our principles tested. Let us begin to think what we can do for God’s needy ones. We can make them through ourselves the recipients of God’s blessings. Think what widow, what orphan, what730poor family you can relieve, not in a way to make a great parade about the matter, but be as a channel through which the Lord’s substance shall flow as a blessing to his poor. As you look upon your own children, consider how many there are just as good and noble who have but little to cheer or make them glad. They may be orphans, with no home, no father, no mother, subject to temptations and influences calculated to lead them to ruin when these days of festivity occur. Who has a care for these homeless ones? Whose doors are open to them? Let the widow and the orphan be remembered.
But this does not embrace all your duty. Make an offering to your best Friend; acknowledge his bounties; show your gratitude for his favors; bring a thank-offering to God. How many want a share in our College at Healdsburg, Cal.? How many want to present a thank-offering to God through the College at Battle Creek? How many want to invest something in our school at South Lancaster? Brethren and sisters, eat a plain dinner on Thanksgiving day, and with the money you would spend in extras with which to indulge the appetite, make a thank-offering to God. What will you do for our new school just dedicated at South Lancaster? This school is at present in the greatest need. Will you do something for it?
Everything seems to have degenerated into mixing the spurious with the genuine. Thanksgiving is almost entirely perverted. Instead of being a day of solemn gladness and gratitude to God, it has become a day of jollification, self-indulgence, and gluttony. Self interposes for attention, for gratification, for indulgence. This is a thanksgiving and oblation made to self to the forgetfulness of God and all his benefits to us. Let nothing interpose to detract glory from God.
How much good might be done if we would make a right use of our associations with one another! Every one who has received of the heavenly benefits is under obligation to shed some light on the pathway of others. In all our associations we are to be witnesses for Christ. Then all those who truly love God will cease their idolatry of self. Let this be the case in the coming Thanksgiving. Employ your powers to a better purpose than in cooking a variety of food with which to gratify your appetites. Employ that time in becoming missionaries for God’s cause, seeking how much you can do to turn the attention from self to the Lord our Creator. Gather up the offerings. Set the mind to running in a different channel than has been your custom. Let your works correspond with your faith. See what you can do toward turning your thoughts heavenward in place of upon earthly appetite and selfish indulgence. Wisely improve your powers in gathering up the smaller and larger offerings for the Master, and thus present a true thanksgiving to God. Make the most of your social position and influence to advance the interests of God’s cause in the earth. There have been so few true Thanksgivings to God! Everything has been turned from God and heaven to earth; and now let us make every effort in our power to turn the mind back to God, away from earth, away from selfish interests, and away from self-serving. We know but little of the experience of self-denial. We must know more of it, weaving benevolence into our daily experience.
There never was a time when we needed to begin to understand our duty to God as now. Let the questions be asked in sincerity, Am I a Christian (Christ-like)? Am I showing my loyalty to God, and interestedly engaged in his service? Am I doing his word as well as hearing it? Let every one, young and old, feel the responsibility of his stewardship. All are in their Master’s service. If those who profess to be Christians expend money needlessly when there are so many missionary enterprises that demand all the means that can be spared by every one of us, they are unfaithful servants. When about to purchase some article that is not essential, remember that the means thus invested, if not necessary for health or comfort, is so much retained for selfish purposes that ought to have been invested in the cause of God. It might have added some really necessary article of food or apparel to the needy poor around us. Cannot we, upon the coming celebration of Thanksgiving, make a thanksgiving for others through our thoughtful sympathy and deeds of love and kindness? We may bring rays of sunshine into many a heart that has long been desolate.
How many in the Christian world will upon this Thanksgiving obey the injunction of Christ, “When thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind, and thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee; for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.” Instead of inviting those who have many good things in this life, and who cannot appreciate the favors of a feast, invite to your homes the needy, the poor, the widow, the fatherless. To the ones who have an abundance we have shown honor; but the ones who were really in need, who would esteem our favors as of great value, we neglect because they are poor, as though they did not belong to the Lord’s family. The poor as well as the rich are under God’s care. Then let us keep Thanksgiving in God’s own way, and no longer follow the customs of the world, selfishly heaping our favors upon a few favorites, and neglecting the ones precious in the sight of the Lord, though slighted and neglected by those who profess to be the children of God.
The pampered, the indulged, need to be in the place of the poor for a year, if not longer, that they might learn by experience what it is to be straitened in purse, to be humbled by slights, to be neglected, to want for sympathy, to put up with inconvenience, to lack many things necessary for comfort. This experience would give a different mold to the character. It would open eyes now selfishly blind; and when placed back where there was an abundance at their command, their sympathies, which are now sealed to everything but selfish interests, would become extended and deepened.
Brethren and sisters, will you this Thanksgiving live and act the Christian as well as bear the name? Remember the words of Jesus: “I was an hungered, and ye gave me no meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink; I was a stranger, and ye took me not in; naked, and ye clothed me not; sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. . . . Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not unto one of the least of these, ye did it not unto me.” Matt. 25:42-45. Never let it pass from our minds that Christ identifies his interest with suffering humanity. And we are to work for them as he worked for us. Jesus says, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” We may show our love and benevolence to Jesus in the person of his saints, saying as did David, “All things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.”
When the blessing is pronounced on the faithful, unselfish worker, the question arises from the lips of him receiving the blessing, “When saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?” They knew not that they had done any wonderful thing. The works of love and mercy had been the natural result of their love for Jesus. When the heart is filled with the heavenly-born principles of true faith and devotion, there will be an immediate kindling of love toward Jesus, the author of redemption; and the very same works of benevolence which characterized the life of Jesus, will be wrought out by his followers, in gratitude, in devotion, in acts of mercy,—the natural fruit borne by a branch of the Living Vine.
If there is in us the love of Jesus, who hath loved us, and given himself for us, then we shall reveal the spirit that is in us by doing as Christ has done. “Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.”
The poor we have always with us; and opportunities are thus granted us of testifying to our love for Jesus in the person of his saints. Jesus linked himself with humanity in ties of close brotherhood. He sympathized with the poorest of the race. On the coming Thanksgiving, let us take our stand on the platform of love to our Redeemer. I shall look with interest for the reports of the coming Thanksgiving; for I believe it will be to all who will work as did Christ, the best and happiest of their lives. E. G. WHITE.
UNITY AND HARMONY CHARACTERIZE THE WORK OF GOD
By Roswell F. Cottrell
THERE is harmony in all the work of God. What he has promised, he is sure to perform; and the work which he begins is sure to move onward to its completion. He chooses human instruments through which to carry forward his work, and always sustains the instruments of his choice as long as he sees best to use them. And if a change becomes necessary, it is made in a way to preserve the unity and harmony of the work. His work is never reversed or revolutionized in its course. No faction can arise and succeed in giving a new shape or direction to the work. Rebellions may arise in the camp, but they will always fail to establish a new lead. The rebellion will fail, and the work will move on. Being the work of the Lord, and not of men, he will preserve its unity and harmony to the end.
The work of God in leading Israel from Egypt to Canaan furnishes a good illustration of this subject. God had promised Abraham to do this more than four hundred years before; therefore it was a special work to fulfill the promise. But the Lord chose human instruments through which to accomplish the work. He chose Moses and Aaron as leaders of the people, not because they were infallible; for their fallibility was manifested, and the facts are on record for our learning. Rebellious factions did arise; but God did not suffer them to overthrow his established order and change the course of events. Even Aaron himself was implicated in one of them; but by God’s mercy he was restored to favor, in answer to his prayer and by a frank confession of his sin. But the most noted rebellion, that of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, was of such a nature and magnitude that God interposed in speedy judgment, and put it down by a special and astonishing miracle: “The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan, and covered the company of Abiram. And a fire was kindled in their company, the flame burned up the wicked.” The work remained on its original basis. It was not subverted at all. God still stood by his chosen instruments till he saw best for them to lay down their work. And when Aaron was to die, a successor was provided. The garments of the high priest were put upon his son Eleazer. So also when Moses was about to die, he prayed God to “set a man over the congregation.” Accordingly the Lord chose Joshua to take the place; and Moses laid his hands upon him and gave him a charge; and thus the work moved on in unity and harmony. There was no break in it from the time they left Egypt till the tribes of Israel were settled in the promised land.
Now let us make an application of these known principles to the work of God in our own time. About eighteen hundred years ago God promised by his servant John certain special warnings or messages of truth, to be proclaimed in the world as the closing work of the gospel of salvation, and for the preparation of the living saints for translation at the coming of the Son of man. Rev. 14: 6-14.731These messages have been announced in the given order; and the third and last has been on its way for nearly forty years. When I received it thirty-three years ago, I “received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God.” There is no other consistent way of receiving it; for if it is not the word and work of God, it is a base counterfeit, and should be rejected. It has every appearance, however, of a work of God; and the evidences of the truth of our position are accumulating continually as time passes on. Being a work of God, nothing can defeat it, or turn it from its destined course, as designed in the prophecy, nor revolutionize it, and thus destroy its unity. It will go steadfastly onward without a break, until its work is accomplished.
At several points in the brief history of this work, fanatical and factious ones, who claimed a part with us in the work, have attempted to correct the work and improve the plan of operation, by substituting other instrumentalities for those already in the work. They were evidently moved by the same motives which actuated Korah, Dathan, and Abiram; that is, to assume the leadership, and correct what they claimed to be errors and abuses. But each instance of rebellion has proved a failure. The cause has not suffered, but has been relieved, by their departure. The words of Gamaliel have proved true in each case: “If this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought.” These factions have come to nought; while the message from Heaven has moved on without interruption, its divine origin becoming more and more apparent from the fact that it cannot be overthrown.
As it has been in the past, so it may be in the future. Other factions and fanaticisms may arise, designed by Satan to impede the work, and bring our cause and name into disrepute. I write this for the benefit of honest souls who may not be aware of Satan’s devices. If the work in which we are engaged be the work of the Lord, of which I have no doubt, no attempt against it can prosper. Any faction which steps out and takes a lead against the united wisdom of the body, is not of God; and to join such a faction is to fall into the ranks of the enemy, and to be found fighting against God.
In conclusion, I would express my gratitude to God for the unity of the work in which we are engaged. The work is one in all the world—throughout the United States, the countries of the old world, and the islands of the sea. I do thank God for this seal of the genuineness of the work. The evident design of the third angel’s message is to bring the remnant of God’s people into that state of unity for which Jesus prayed. And he has given to his chosen servants that measure of wisdom and discernment in organizing the work and providing for its increase in all the world, which has secured this result in all nations where the truth has gone or may go. Jesus will return to a united church—such as he left on earth when he ascended to heaven. None have claimed infallibility. None have assumed the leadership of God’s heritage. The Lord has done the work in fulfillment of his word of promise; and he will finish it gloriously. Unity and harmony will still be more and more its characteristics, till it ends in the preparation of God’s people in the finishing touch of immortality, and translation to those mansions which Jesus has gone to prepare. The highest aspiration of the writer is to have some part in the work, be it ever so humble, to the end of the work, or to the end of life. This request being granted, the eternal future is safe.