An Incentive to Greater Earnestness by Francis M. Wilcox

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 23, 1915

An Incentive to Greater Earnestness

By Francis M. Wilcox

It is most gratifying to learn from the report of the statistical secretary, Brother H. E. Rogers, that during the second quarter of the present year there was shown a net increase in the membership of the North American Division Conference of 1,831. This is the largest gain ever reported for any quarter. The total number of believers in North America now stands at 75,436. The net increase was obtained by deducting the membership at the beginning of the quarter, plus the number of deaths, removals, and apostasies, from the total membership at the close of the quarter. A much larger number were baptized; namely, 3,025. This shows that on an average more than one thousand persons were baptized every month, or over two hundred and thirty every week during the entire quarter.

This is truly an encouraging showing; but is it the full measure of our power of evangelization?—Nay, verily. Of ourselves we could not have accomplished even what has been done. The more than three thousand souls who were won to Christ during the second quarter of this year were gained because of the workings of the Spirit of God through our poor, feeble efforts. But in the work of the Holy Spirit there are no limitations. God can accomplish even greater results in the future if we will but consecrate ourselves more fully to his service, and become free and open channels through whom his grace can flow out to the world.

What Heaven has accomplished through our feeble efforts, and to a great extent in spite of our comparative indifference and coldness, should be an incentive to greater earnestness on our part. Let us seek for that power which Jacob obtained, the power to prevail with God and with man. Then shall we become true Israelites indeed.

But while we shall fail of the very object of our existence if we do not carry to the world the message which God has given us, and while if we carry that message with the true spirit of consecration and zeal it will inevitably produce fruits in bringing men to a saving knowledge of Christ, yet at the same time we must remember that our real strength does not consist in increased membership. We may report the quarter's work for the encouragement of the believers, we may thank God for the results achieved, but in no spirit of self-glory or satisfaction should we number Israel. Rather should we ever bear in mind the great field which is still untouched, and the much greater results which might have been recorded in the past had we been more faithful in proclaiming the message we bear.

Let us praise God for what he has accomplished in spite of our unworthiness and unfaithfulness. To him belongs the glory for every achievement.

F. M. W.