People are encouraged to settle in Battle
Creek, to give their influence to the building up of a modern
Jerusalem. This is not after God's order. Thus other places are
deprived of facilities that they should have. Enlarge ye; spread
ye; yes, but not in one place only. Go out and establish centers
of influence in places where nothing, or next to nothing, has
been done. Break up your consolidated mass; diffuse the saving
beams of light into the darkened corners of the earth. A work
similar to that of an eagle stirring up her nest needs to be
done.
"Moab hath been at ease from his youth,
and he hath settled on his lees, and hath not been emptied from
vessel to vessel, neither hath he gone into captivity: therefore
his taste remained in him, and his scent is not changed."
Jeremiah 48:11. This is true of many of the believers who are
coming to Battle Creek. Many have a spasmodic zeal in battle,
but their light is like that of a meteor that flashes across
the heavens and then goes out.
Let God's workmen who have the interests
of His cause at heart do something for the colored people in
the Southern field. Let not God's stewards be content merely
to touch this field with the tips of their fingers. Let those
at the heart of the work plan in earnest for this field. Many
have talked about it, but what are they doing as the stewards
of God's means? Why do they feel at liberty to bind up God's
capital of means in Battle Creek? Why do they do the very things
that they have been warned not to do? The matter is becoming
serious, for warnings and entreaties have been given in vain.
The arms of power in Battle Creek are being extended more and
more widely, seeking to control the work far and near, and to
crush that which they cannot control. I lift my voice in protest.
The spirit that now controls is not the Spirit of the Lord.
The Lord has blessed Battle Creek again and again by pouring out His Spirit upon the church and the workers, but how few have cherished the influence of the Spirit. How few have expended their money as God has directed. Means has been expended in educating those who knew the truth, while fields that are wholly unenlightened have been neglected. Had ministers gone out as Christ has commissioned them, had they used the gifts entrusted them to carry the light to those in darkness, they would have obtained far more knowledge of God and of Christ than they have obtained by seeking additional education in our schools.