The Time has Come, by H. C. Miller

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 6, 1866

The Time has Come,

By H. C. Miller

WHEN every one who professes to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus should be up and at work with all the ardor of which he is capable. Do not say, "Oh, if I could only preach as such an one does, I would go into the field," and then because you cannot do it, do nothing. "In a large house there are many vessels." Does the little cup say, Because I am not the great kettle I can hold nothing? "Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?"

Shall we, because we have not the gifts that others have, because we cannot be apostles, shall we fail to use the gifts we may possess? Because we are not prophets shall we refuse to be helps? This would be unwise. Now although we have not been set in the church as apostles, yet there is work for each and all. Paul does not say that God has only set apostles, as the extent of the gifts, but prophets, teachers, helps, &c., but no drones.

Now there is a way in which all may work. How easy it is for the most unlearned and diffident brother or sister to put a tract into the hands of a sinner, or some thoughtful friend, or investigating neighbor? Who cannot speak a word, no matter how simple or weak it may seem? God hath chosen the foolish things of this world to confound the wise, and weak things of the world to confound the things that are mighty. Then speak that word for Christ. Reformations repeat themselves. Their characteristics are similar. When God saw the necessity of arresting the sinfulness of the papal church, he raised up a Luther, a Melancton, a Zwingle, a Farrel, who could write, speak, and reason well, and others who could teach and lead small bodies of those who were converted by the truth spoken by the others. Others furnished the means to print these thoughts and truths. Others bought and scattered them. How they did work, readers of the History of that Reformation know. The result was, the work rolled on with a power and success that none could resist.

Let us do likewise. Let not the foot say, Because I am not the brain I can do nothing. Work, work. Do you want the Lord to come quickly? Do you want your ears gladdened with the loud cry of the third angel? Do you want to see the whole earth lightened with his glory? Then work, work, for short is the time; and the night cometh, when you can no more work. Scatter the books. Scatter the tracts. Circulate the papers. Speak the words. Put forth the efforts, and then pray, and your hearts shall be gladdened by the latter rain.

H. C. MILLER.

Chicago, Ill.