Cause in New York
55
hardly a response has been made. Some would have answered the
call if their worldly interests would have been advanced by so doing.
But as there was no prospect of increasing their means by coming
to Battle Creek, they could see no duty to come. “To obey is better
than sacrifice.” And without obedience and unselfish love, the richest
offerings are too meager to be presented to the Possessor of all things.
God calls upon the brethren and sisters in-----to arise and come
up to the help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord against the mighty.
The reason why there is so little strength among those who profess the
truth is that they do not exercise the ability that God has given them.
Very many have wrapped their talent in a napkin and hid it in the earth.
It is by using the talents that they increase. God will test and prove
His people.
Brother and Sister I have been faithful burden bearers in the cause
of God, and now their children should not stand back and let the
burdens rest so heavily upon them. It is time that the powers of the
less-worn minds of the children should be exercised and they work
more especially in the Master’s vineyard.
Some of the brethren and sisters in New York have felt anxious
that Brother and Sister K, especially Sister K, should be encouraged
to labor among the churches. But this is the wrong place for them to
[58]
prove themselves. If God has indeed laid upon them the burden of
labor, it is not for the churches; for these are generally in advance of
them. There is a world before Brother and Sister K, a world lying in
wickedness. Their field is a large one. They have plenty of room to
try their gifts and test their calling without entering into other men’s
labors and building upon a foundation that they have not laid. Brother
and Sister K have been very slow to obtain an experience in self-denial.
They have been slow to adopt the health reform in all its branches. The
churches are in advance of them in the denial of appetite. Therefore
they cannot be a benefit to the churches in this direction, but rather a
hindrance.
Brother K has not been a blessing to the church in-----, but a great
burden. He has stood directly in the way of their advancement. He has
not been in a condition to help when and where they needed help the
most. He has not correctly represented our faith; his conversation and
life have not been unto holiness. He has been far behind, and has not
been ready or willing to discern the leadings of God’s providence. He