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Gospel Workers 1915
is greatly displeased with this neglect of His faithful servants. Our
people should be as willing to assist these persons when in adverse
circumstances as they have been to accept their means and services
when in health.
God has laid upon us the obligation of giving special attention to
the poor among us. But these ministers and workers are not to be
ranked with the poor. They have laid up for themselves a treasure in
the heavens that faileth not. They have served the conference in its
necessity, and now the conference is to serve them.
When cases of this kind come before us, we are not to pass by on
the other side. We are not to say, “Be ye warmed and filled,” [
James
2:16
.] and then take no active measures to supply their necessities.
This has been done in the past, and thus in some cases Seventh-day
Adventists have dishonored their profession of faith, and have given
[428]
the world opportunity to reproach the cause of God.
It is now the duty of God’s people to roll back this reproach by
providing these servants of God with comfortable homes, with a few
acres of land, on which they can raise their own produce, and feel that
they are not dependent on the charities of their brethren. With what
pleasure and peace would these worn laborers look to a quiet little
home where their just claims to its rest would be recognized! ...
Our Sanitariums a Refuge for Workers
Often these ministers need special care and treatment. Our san-
itariums should be a refuge for such, and for all our worn workers
who need rest. Rooms should be provided where they can have a
change and rest, without continual anxiety as to how they are to meet
the expense. When the disciples were worn with labor, Christ said to
them, “Come ye yourselves apart, ...and rest awhile.” [
Mark 6:31
.] He
would have arrangements made whereby His servants now may have
opportunity to rest and recover strength. Our sanitariums are to be
open to our hard-working ministers, who have done all in their power
to secure funds for the erection and support of these institutions; and
at any time when they are in need of the advantages here offered, they
should be made to feel at home.
These workers should not at any time be charged a high price for
board and treatment, neither should they be regarded as beggars, or in