x
Testimonies for the Church Volume 7
laid the foundation of the great cereal food interests which have been
developed in later years, though the work of manufacturing has passed
largely from our hands. Still in the times of volume 7 we were operat-
ing quite a number of our own health food production centers, and in
[8]
some cities health restaurants were being conducted. Several chapters
appearing in volume 7 gave counsel regarding this work, urging that it
might be conducted in such a way as to leave a telling influence for
the distinctive message that this people are heralding to the world
.
The messages during the times of volume 7 also mark the calls
to advance in city work. Though these were to be followed by other
urgent appeals which appeared in succeeding years, the needs of our
great cities were first brought before our people in a general way in
the opening section of this book. The work to be done was not limited
to conference workers. Laymen from the ranks were to be drawn
into an ever-expanding task in the great centers of population. A great
evangelistic program was begun which was to continue for many years
.
When volume 7 was published, Seventh-day Adventists had been
conducting active work for more than a half century. The passage of
the years meant that there was an enlarging number of workers who
must lay off the armor and drop their burdens. Such had sacrificed and
labored to build up the cause of God, but now when the time had come
for them to drop their work and let younger hands lift the burdens,
there was no provision for their support. The need and the remedy was
clearly revealed to Mrs. White, and in her closing messages of volume
7 she sets forth in tender words the responsibility of the church to its
aging workers. The fruit of her call for a fund from which to care for
the needs of such retired workers is seen today in the sustentation plan
which was brought into being a few years after the issuance of this
volume
Thus volume 7 is devoted to only a few lines of instruction, but its
vital counsels are far-reaching and have borne rich fruit
.
The Trustees of the
Ellen G. White Publications
.
[9]