Document: James White, “Gospel Order,” The Review and Herald 4, no. 25 (December 27, 1853): 196, 197. HTML, PDF.
Contents: Fourth and last of the series. There is something for all to do, even the poor who have only two mites.
Highlighted text was quoted by C. C. Crisler in Organization, pp. 53, 54.
[p. 196]
...
Gospel Order.
We have stated that to arrive at and preserve gospel order will be a work of labor, care and mental suffering to those who are called to labor for the spiritual good of the flock. They must be holy men of God, called and chosen by the Great Head of the church, having all the qualifications set forth in the New Testament. If such men go forth to “preach the Word,” and every where labor to establish the order of the gospel, a great work will be immediately accomplished.
But the labor, care and responsibility of this great work does not rest alone upon a few preachers.—Where are the fathers and mothers in Israel? men and women of experience to bear burdens, give wise counsel, and labor for the spiritual advancement of the young and inexperienced? Such should fill their place in the church. “Helps, governments,” &c., are as necessary as teachers. And it is a fact that there are many brethren of experience and sound judgment who are better prepared to give counsel than the young and inexperienced preacher.
The whole church should be taught to feel that a portion of the responsibility of good order, and the salvation of souls rests upon her individual members. God wants no idlers in his vineyard. He hates careless, slothful christians. Am I my brother’s keeper?” inquired Cain. Some professed christians wound the Saviour, burden the church, and murder their own souls by their heedless course. In one sense we are our brother’s keeper. God will accept nothing less of us, than that we love our brother as we do ourself. Let all feel this, and act it out, and the church will at once rise in union, strength and good order.
But while the gospel minister is under the most solemn obligations to labor for the welfare of the flock, the gospel also requires the church to sustain him in this work. The Bible is plain on this point.
1. The church should sustain him by their prayers. “Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds.” Col. 4:3.
“Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course and be glorifled.” 2 Thess. 3:1.
“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance [p. 197] and supplication for all saints; and for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in bonds; that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.” Eph. 6:18-20.
2. The church should be ready to see and to supply the temporal wants of those called to labor in word and doctrine.
“Who goeth a warfare at any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that plougheth should plough in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.
If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power: but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.
Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple, and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel. But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void. For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, wo is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!” 1 Cor. 9:7-16.
“Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh, shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit, shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” Gal. 6:6.
“Let the elders that rule well, be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine. For the scriptures saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The laborer is worthy of his reward.” 1 Tim. 5:17, 18.
Those who give evidence that they are called to the work of the gospel ministry, who possess those qualifications pointed out in the Word, should be regarded as the servants of the Most High.
“And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake.” 1 Thess. 5:12, 13.
“Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation: Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever.” Heb. 13:7, 8.
“Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.” Verse 17.
The idea of stated salaries, of making a traffic of the gospel, has disgusted many. And some are in danger of taking the other extreme, to have nothing to do with supporting the gospel. We would call the attention of such to the order of the gospel. Who can but admire Paul’s plan in raising collections? He says:
“Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.” 1 Cor. 16:1, 2.
The Apostle would have “every one” take a part in this act of benevolence. The interest, and united effort, of “every one” of the church was to be enlisted in this work. And, certainly, this plan would work as well in supporting the gospel. Nothing could be better calculated to create and preserve sweet union in the body of Christ, than for all its members to unite in such acts of duty and love, as God hath prospered them. Let the poor remember the widow’s two mites. “And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in than all they which have cast into the treasury: for all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.” Mark 12:41-44.
This is a time that calls for the united effort of all. The way is fast opening for the present truth to be extensively proclaimed. Men are giving themselves wholly to the work of preaching the world-despised, yet crowning truths of the gospel; and they must be sustained. The gospel requires it of the church. And all will share the blessing in acting their part in this work, as the Lord has prospered them. The poor are not excluded from any of the blessings of the gospel.
Publications should be put into the hands of all candid readers. And all can do something in this work. The circulation of the Review should be greatly increased, and, certainly, all who profess to believe the truths it advocates, should at least pay the expense of the copy they read. We toil freely and gladly to send out light and truth through this medium, and the gospel requires of those for whom we thus labor that they should hold up our hands by each sending in the small sums necessary to defray the expenses of the paper.
We might here offer an apology for many brethren who have not been instructed in their duty, and before whom a bad example has been set. Our publications have, in times past, been handed out by some in a manner calculated to give the impression that they cost little or nothing. The Review also has been urged upon many in the same manner. And if anything has been said by such in regard to sustaining the cause, the impression has been given that only a few quite wealthy brethren should do this. That they should at once sell their possessions and use their means to sustain the cause. This has led those of more limited means to look at the more wealthy to do all. We are sorry that they have been thus taught, and invite them again to look at the case of the poor widow. Jesus did not give his approbation to her course unmeaningly. It is a lesson to even the very poor of the flock. Those in comfortable circumstances, who neglect the Lord’s treasury, and even receive from that treasury without making any effort to replace it, should feel greatly rebuked by it.
Some seem to get the idea that the gospel is to be supported in some miraculous manner, and never think of acting a part themselves. Let such learn their duty from the plain word of God. They are required to act themselves, instead of waiting for God to work miracles. The interest of all the church should be enlisted in this work. And let every one do his part as the Lord hath prospered him. Such a course would secure love and union, and the smiles of Heaven would be upon the church. We will give a precious extract from a letter written by St. Paul to his brethren at Rome, and leave this subject for the present. It is excellent, and we must be allowed to give nearly one whole chapter. Let every sentence be carefully read and considered. It comprises much of our Christian duty.
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world; but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office.
“So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts, differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; or ministry, let us wait on our ministering; or he that teacheth on teaching; or he that exhorteth, on exhortation; he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
“Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another. Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. Bless them which persecute you; bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.” Rom. 12:1-18.