A Day of Fasting and Prayer by Arthur G. Daniells

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 11, 1910

A Day of Fasting and Prayer

By Arthur G. Daniells

Our brethren who met together in the recent council in New York to study the problem of carrying forward our work in the cities on a larger scale and with greater efficiency, found themselves facing a great and difficult task. It is great because humanity, the world over, is massed together in cities. To give our message to the cities means practically to give it to the world. Therefore the city work is a world-wide undertaking.

This task is difficult because of the conditions in the cities. To a large extent, city life is opposed to religious life. City life is strenuous. The work to be done is under regulation, contract, time limit, supervision, etc. There can be little variation and delay. Women as well as men do the work, and all are kept under high pressure continually. Those who have time and strength for anything besides work are kept at fever heat by stimulating attractions of every description. Under these conditions the plain affairs of the gospel do not appeal very strongly to men and women.

Then there is the difficulty of getting into the homes of the people. They do not live in single, detached houses like those of the rural districts, but in blocks of solid buildings, and great apartment houses from five to fifteen stories high. Here they are guarded by locks, bolts, servants, elevator operators, and uniformed guards. These and many other conditions make the movement in behalf of the cities great and difficult. As we studied its various phases, we felt overwhelmed with its magnitude. We felt that we must have the special help of the Lord or we should surely fail. Our need of a large number of consecrated, efficient workers, of more means, of more wisdom, and especially of more power from God, has led to the appointment of a day of fasting and prayer. We felt, as we struggled with this stupendous undertaking, that if our brethren and sisters were made acquainted with the situation, they would gladly unite in earnest, importunate prayer for divine help. Additional information will be given in the REVIEW and in the union and local conference papers. Sabbath, September 17, is the day set apart for united prayer and fasting by our people throughout the United States and Canada.

A. G. DANIELLS.