The Work in the Cities
Oakland, California,
April 1, 1874
I dreamed that several of our brethren were in counsel considering
plans of labor for this season. They thought it best not to enter the
large cities, but to begin work in small places, remote from the cities;
here they would meet less opposition from the clergy and would avoid
great expense. They reasoned that our ministers, being few in number,
could not be spared to instruct and care for those who might accept
the truth in the cities, and who, because of the greater opposition they
would there meet, would need more help than would the churches in
small country places. Thus the fruit of giving a course of lectures in
the city would, in a great measure, be lost. Again, it was urged that,
because of our limited means, and because of the many changes from
moving that might be expected from a church in a large city, it would
be difficult to build up a church that would be a strength to the cause.
My husband was urging the brethren to make broader plans without
delay and put forth, in our large cities, extended and thorough effort
that would better correspond to the character of our message. One
worker related incidents of his experience in the cities, showing that
the work was nearly a failure, but he testified to better success in the
small places.
One of dignity and authority—One who is present in all our council
meetings—was listening with deepest interest to every word. He spoke
with deliberation and perfect assurance. “The whole world,” He said,
“is God’s great vineyard. The cities and villages constitute a part of
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that vineyard. These must be worked. Satan will try to interpose
himself and discourage the workers, so as to prevent them from giving
the message of light and warning in the more prominent as well as in
the more secluded places. Desperate efforts will be made to turn the
people from truth to falsehood. Angels of heaven are commissioned
to co-operate with the efforts of God’s appointed messengers on earth.
Ministers must encourage and maintain an unwavering faith and hope,
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