An Appeal to the Brethren in Battle Creek
Cooranbong, N. S. W.,
1898
Why is it, brethren, that you continue to keep so many interests
bound up in Battle Creek? Why do you not listen to the counsels and
the warnings that have been given you regarding this matter? Why do
you not take decisive steps to establish centers of influence in many
of the large cities? Why do you not encourage the Michigan Tract
Society and the International Tract Society to establish their offices
in cities where there is much missionary work to do, and where their
secretaries and other workers may engage personally in missionary
work, acting as leaders in important enterprises? Move out, brethren,
move out, and educate your workers to labor for those outside the
camp. Why do you hide your light by continuing to remain in Battle
Creek? Go out, brethren, go out into the regions beyond.
There is much work to be done, and our experienced workers
should strive to place themselves where they will come in direct contact
with those needing help. They can do comparatively little in Battle
Creek. Is it right, brethren, for you to keep your light hid under a
bushel or under a bed? Is it not better that you do that which the
Lord has plainly indicated you should do? Resolve now that you
will give up your preference, your way, and that you will obey His
voice. Seek the Lord most earnestly, with humble, fervent prayer for
wisdom and for success in this endeavor. Then take the light from
under the bushel, away from the place that seems most favorable for
your financial interests, and from under the bed, away from the place
most convenient for your comfort, and put it on a candlestick, that it
may give light to all that are in the house.
A crisis in missionary effort is upon us. There is a great work to
be done, and if this work is earnestly done in Battle Creek, if it is
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faithfully done throughout the churches in Michigan, if it is vigorously
prosecuted in all our older churches and strongholds of influence, we
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