An Earnest Appeal

BROADER PLANS OF OPERATION

It is truly gratifying to witness the present progress of the cause. To learn that persons of moral worth and mind, not only of the American people, but those from other nations in our country, are joining our ranks, is very encouraging. EAAP 16.1

But when we consider the extent and magnitude of the work to be accomplished, as marked out in prophecy, the brief period in which it must be done, we are forced to the conclusion that God requires of us broader plans and more vigorous efforts. It seems that the providence of God is far in advance of us. EAAP 16.2

God is wonderfully moving upon the minds and hearts of the people of other tongues in our country. We should have had works printed in the German, French, and Swedish languages, as well as in the Danish, several years since. These manifestations are very wonderful, and should stir our people greatly. EAAP 16.3

Bro. Matteson has done a good work for the Danish and Norwegian people, in translating our works, and in getting out their monthly. God will bless him and his people if they humbly persevere, and push the work onward in the name and strength of God. EAAP 17.1

We are very happy to learn, through the Review, of the work of the Lord by Bro. Lee among the Swedes. In the Lord he must put his trust, as he has done under his discouragements, and he will have strength and wisdom to win souls to Christ. EAAP 17.2

There are no reasons why missions among the French, Germans, and Swedes in our country may not be as successful as the one among the Danes and Norwegians, if the same energy and self-sacrifice can be manifested in the men who may lead out. But those who engage in such missions will find, if they are successful, that the work is no child’s play. We found this to be the case, especially in the early history of the work, among the American people. EAAP 17.3

The fields are all white and ready for the harvest. There is not only a want of publications in different languages, and men filled with the spirit of their mission to preach to the people of other languages in our own country, and scatter publications among them, but we must send men to Europe to establish the work there. EAAP 17.4

And there should be those to preach the truth, and circulate our works in our principal cities. It was in the great thoroughfares of travel that our Lord gave much of his public instruction, where people of all nations heard him and spread his fame abroad. The larger cities, and smaller ones also, must be entered, and tons of our publications in the different languages circulated. When one of our larger cities shall be entered with a tent, a daily paper must be established in connection, as an advertising medium of the meetings in the tent, and of our publications, and to give the substance of each day’s lectures for the instruction of the reading masses. We have altogether too long made child’s play of the message which God has committed to us to give to the people. Let us from this time have our efforts correspond with the magnitude and importance of the work, or let us abandon our profession. EAAP 17.5

There are scores of men in the ranks of Seventh-day Adventists who have become literally rich since they embraced the message. And when our General Conference Committee, in a judicious manner, lay plans broad enough, our wealthy brethren, and our brethren in more moderate circumstances, will back up the work with their means. EAAP 18.1

We have recently been looking over the broad field relative to our publishing interests. We think the time has come to stereotype our standard books, pamphlets, and tracts, and at the same time take two sets of plates, one for a branch office on the Pacific coast, and one for the Atlantic. This would reduce the cost of our publications, and the need of capital and office room at Battle Creek. Paper is but a trifle higher in San Francisco than in Battle Creek. It is made on the coast of Maine, and shipped to the Pacific coast. And on the Atlantic coast, stock is cheaper than in Michigan. The day is not far distant when our publications will be printed from duplicate plates, both on the Pacific and Atlantic coasts. This will greatly reduce our type setting, and our heavy freights on publications from the interior to the east and to the west. EAAP 18.2

God is willing to do great things for his cause on the Pacific coast. He has shown his willingness to work for his cause and people in California, especially in the year past, in sending them help when they needed it most in the sad state of things last fall, and in greatly blessing the labors of his servants the present season. EAAP 19.1

The General Conference Committee is disposed to extend the work up the coast, to Oregon and Washington Territory. The friends of the cause on the Pacific coast should have the cash ready to liberally help establish a Branch Office and Health Institute on their coast in 1874. EAAP 19.2

We would here state that those who may regard these suggestions as extravagant should understand that little has ever been accomplished in our cause without laying plans, and without persevering efforts to execute them. Those of our people who have neither faith nor interest in the prosperity of the cause, but have been willing to shut themselves up to their own interests in this life, have never been ready to second our plans and efforts to extend and push forward the work. It is of no use to appeal to such in reference to laying broader plans. EAAP 19.3

But in hope that our words will be felt, we do appeal to our General Conference Committee, to the State Conference Committees, to the picked men at Battle Creek, and to the officers of our Tract and Missionary Societies. The General Conference Committee, seeing the pressing wants of the cause, should lay their plans wisely and well, sufficiently extensive to meet present and future demands. EAAP 19.4