The East and West

Dear Brethren:—God has shown me some things in vision in regard to the East and the West, which I feel it my duty to set before you. I have seen that God has been opening the way for the spread of the present truth in the West.T03 7.4

I saw that it requires much more power to move the people in the East than in the West, and that, at present, but very little can be accomplished in the East. I saw special efforts should be made at the present time where most good can be accomplished.T03 8.1

The people in the East have heard the proclamation of the second coming of Christ, and have seen much of the display of the power of God, and have fallen back into a state of indifference and security, where it is almost impossible to reach them at present. After uncommon efforts are made in the East, with the best gifts, but very little is seen accomplished.T03 8.2

I saw that the people in the West could be moved much more easily than those in the East. They have not had the light of the truth, have not rejected it, and their hearts are more tender and susceptible of the truth, and the Spirit of God. The hearts of many in the West are prepared already to eagerly receive the truth; and as the servants of God go out to labor for the salvation of precious souls, they have much to encourage them in their arduous work. As the people are anxious to hear, and many embrace the truth, the gift which God has given his servants is called out and strengthened. They see that their efforts are crowned with success.T03 8.3

I saw that ten-fold more has been done in the West, with the same effort, than has been done in the East, and that the way is opening for still greater success. I have seen that much can be done in Wisconsin, and still more in Illinois, at present, and that efforts must be made in Minnesota and Iowa, to spread the truth there. It will take effect in many hearts there. There was a large, very large field of labor spread out before me in vision, which has not yet been entered; but there is not half self-sacrificing help enough to fill the places where the people are all ready to hear the truth, and many to receive it.T03 8.4

New fields of labor, entirely new, must be visited, and many will have to go a warfare at their own charges, or enter such fields with the expectation of bearing their own expenses; and here, I saw, was a good opportunity for the stewards of the Lord to act their part, and support those who carry the truth to these places. It should be a great privilege to render to God that which belongs to him. This will be the steward's duty, and by so-doing they will have discharged a scriptural duty, and freed themselves of a portion of their earthly treasures, which is now a burden to many who have an abundance. It will add to their treasure in heaven.T03 9.1

I saw that the Eastern Tent should not be carried over and over the same ground. Those who go with the Tent should go, if need be, a warfare at their own charges, pitch the Tent where the truth has not been presented, and then when the Tent is pitched in these places, it should be well supplied with laborers.T03 9.2

I saw that there had been a failure in going over the same old ground, year after year, with almost exactly the same gifts. Obtain the most acceptable gifts if possible. I saw that it would be better, and accomplish more good, if there were less Tent meetings, and a stronger force, or company with different gifts to labor. Then tarry longer in a place where there is an interest awakened. There has been too much haste in taking down the Tent. Some minds begin to be favorably impressed—it needs persevering efforts till their minds are settled, and they commit themselves on the truth. In many places where the Tent has been pitched, they stay till the prejudice begins to wear away, and some would then listen with minds free from prejudice, but just then the Tent is taken down, and on its way to another place. The rounds are gone over, time and means spent, and the servants of God can see but very little accomplished through the Tent season. But very few are brought to acknowledge the truth, and God's servants have seen but very little to cheer and encourage them, and call out the gift within them; therefore instead of their increasing in strength and power, they are losing strength and spirituality.T03 9.3

I saw that special efforts should be made in the West with Tents, for the angels of God are preparing minds in the West to receive the truth. This is why God has moved on some in the East to move to the West. Their gifts can accomplish more in the West than in the East. The burden of the work is in the West, and it is of the greatest importance that the servants of God should move in his opening providence.T03 10.1

I saw that when the Message shall increase greatly in power, then will the providence of God open and prepare the way in the East for much more to be accomplished, than can be at the present time. God will then send some of his servants in power to visit such places, where little or nothing can now be done, and some who are now indifferent will be aroused, and will take hold of the truth.T03 10.2

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