Letters have come to me with such questions and statements as the following:-  {1888 657.2} 

     Sr. White; why is every canvasser working for Bible Readings? I was canvassing for Vol. IV. but the president of our conference advised me to take Bible Readings. I received a rich blessing in canvassing for Vol. IV. I had success, and thought I would throw my whole energy into the work of bringing that book before the people. Every one who bought it was pleased with it, and some purchased a second copy to give to their friends. But I was told that all the canvassers were working for Bible Readings, and as this seemed to be the order of things, I took that book. Would it not be pleasing to the Lord for me again to take up Vol. IV?  {1888 657.3} 

     I certainly mistake our canvassers, if with proper instruction--having the matter set before them in its true bearings-- they would choose to give the field entirely to Bible Readings, to the neglect of Vol. IV. If it should prove that they will not receive counsel, if they are unwilling to do the work so essential at this time,-- to bring before the people the very books that the world should have,-- then there is only [one] course left for me; that is, to raise and train a company of canvassers for this special work,-- men and women who shall work not merely to please themselves, not merely for gain, but to do the work of God, to bring before the people the warnings of God to them. This I proposed to do some time since, but was urged to wait a little. Some of the leaders in the canvassing work felt that it would not be the right thing for me to have a separate canvassing company organized, that it would throw things into confusion. Then the promise was given that last spring the canvass for Vol. IV should be pushed as that for Bible Readings had been. I believe that our brethren meant to do just as they said; but why did they not do it? I waited, but nothing has been done. Now if the leading brethren give it as a hopeless task, I will wait no longer for them to turn the tide. I still believe that those who are working in the canvassing field will see their duty when the situation is fairly placed before them.  {1888 657.4}

 
 


Comments

John Robert Cofer
07/31/2010 16:45

Dr Betts Here are two quotations (there are many more) speaking about the working agencies of God's Church. You will find that all working agencies were never supposed to under conference control and that working agencies that are not controlled by some conference are still a part of God's Church as long as they are abiding in the Spirit and the Truth!! :


When my advice was asked in reference to the Madison school, I said, Remain as you are. There is danger in binding every working agency under the dictation of the conference. The Lord did not design that this should be. The circumstances were such that the burden bearers in the Madison school could not bind up their work with the conference. I knew their situation, and when many of the leading men in our conferences ignored them, because they did not place their school under conference dictation, I was shown that they would not be helped by making themselves amenable to the conference. They had better remain as led by God, amenable to Him, to work out His plans. 8MR 202

The Lord has wrought with you, enabling you to act your part as His workman; but there are other workmen also who are to act their part as His instrumentalities. These help to compose the whole body. All are to be united as parts of one great organism. The Lord's church is composed of living, working agencies, who derive their power to act from the Author and Finisher of their faith. They are to carry forward in harmony the great work resting on them. God has given you your work. But He has other instrumentalities, and to them He has given their work, that all may become, through sanctification of the truth, members of Christ's body, of His flesh and of His bones. Representing Christ, we act for time and for eternity; and men, even worldly men, take knowledge of us that we have been with Jesus and have learned of Him. 8T 174

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