East and the West
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self-sacrificing help enough to fill half the places where the people are
all ready to hear the truth, and many to receive it.
New fields of labor, entirely new, must be visited; many will have to
go a warfare at their own charges, enter such fields with the expectation
of bearing their own expenses. Here, I saw, is a good opportunity
for the stewards of the Lord to act their part and support those who
carry the truth to these places. It should be a great privilege for these
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stewards to render to God that which belongs to Him. By so doing
they will discharge a Scriptural duty and free themselves of a portion
of their earthly treasure, which is now a burden to many who have an
abundance. It will also add to their treasure in heaven.
I saw that the Eastern tent should not be carried over and over the
same ground. If need be, those who accompany the tent should go a
warfare at their own charges; they should pitch the tent where the truth
has not been presented, and the tent when thus pitched should be well
supplied with laborers.
I saw that there had been a failure in going over the same old
ground, year after year, with almost exactly the same gifts. If possible,
the most acceptable gifts should be obtained. It would be better,
and accomplish more good, if there were fewer tent meetings, and a
stronger force, or company, with different gifts to labor. Then there
should be a longer tarry in a place where an interest is awakened.
There has been too much haste in taking down the tent. Some begin to
be favorably impressed, and there is need that persevering efforts be
put forth till their minds become settled and they commit themselves
on the truth. In many places where the tent has been pitched, the
ministers stay till the prejudice begins to wear away, and some would
then listen with minds free from prejudice; but just then the tent is
taken down and sent on its way to another place. The rounds are gone
over, time and means spent, and the servants of God can see but very
little accomplished through the tent season. But few are brought to
acknowledge the truth, and God’s servants, having seen but very little
to cheer and encourage them, and call out the gift within them, lose
instead of gaining in strength, spirituality, and power.
I saw that special efforts should be made in the West with tents; for
the angels of God are preparing minds there to receive the truth. This
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is why God has moved on some in the East to move to the West. Their
gifts can accomplish more in the West than in the East. The burden