Untitled article by A. G. Daniells

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 18, 1910

Our Work for the Cities—No. 3

By A. G. Daniells

FROM a careful study of the problem of giving our message to the cities, it is evident that it means a world-wide evangelistic movement. The cities are in all parts of the world, therefore the endeavor to reach them must be world-wide. Moreover, the endeavor to reach the masses in the cities must be of an evangelical character. It must be made by the proclamation of the truth publicly, and from house to house in various ways. Administrative and institutional work is not the primary work called for in the demand upon us to work the cities.

That a world-wide evangelistic work is required to answer this call in behalf of the cities, is plain from a study of both the call to do the work, and the methods by which it can be done. Here are some of the statements that are made in the call to do this work:—

The spiritual darkness that covers the whole earth to-day is intensified in the crowded centers of population. It is in the cities of the nations that the gospel worker finds the greatest impenitence and the greatest need. In these same wicked cities there are presented to soul-winners some of the greatest opportunities. Mingled with the multitudes who have no thought of God and heaven, are many who long for light and for purity of heart. Even among the careless and indifferent, there are not a few whose attention may be arrested by a revelation of God’s love for the human soul.

The cities everywhere are calling for earnest, whole-hearted labor from the servants of God.

The conditions that face Christian workers in the great cities, constitute a solemn appeal for untiring effort in behalf of the millions living within the shadow of impending doom.

With heart and soul and voice they must respond to the summons of the Master of the vineyard to enter the cities, and work as laborers together with God for the winning of precious souls.

A little has been done in years past, it is true, in a few cities; but in order to meet the mind of the Lord, those in responsibility must plan for the carrying forward of a broad, well-organized work. They must enter into this campaign with a determination to make God their trust, and to labor with unflagging zeal. Thus they will be enabled to do a strong, solid work, and will gain confidence to continue the effort in other places.

These quotations are all taken from a single article written by Sister E. G. White on “Warning the Cities,” and printed in the REVIEW of April 7, 1910. By a careful reading of these statements it will be seen that the place where the work is to be done is “the great cities,” “in the cities of the nations,” “the cities everywhere,” “the world,” the “whole earth.” The work to be done is to reveal “God’s love for the human soul,” to bring multitudes under the “converting influence of Bible truth,” to labor for the winning of souls.

The same outline is given in the following brief statement from Sister White in “An Appeal to Ministers and Church Officers:”—

We have done only a small part of the evangelical work that God desires us to do among our neighbors and friends. In every city of our land there are those who know not the truth. And out in the broad world beyond the seas there are many new fields in which we must plow the ground and sow the seed.

These statements, “the evangelical work,” “in every city of our land,” and the “broad world beyond the seas,” all join together, showing clearly that a great work is intended. And, naturally, God’s people are admonished to take hold of this work with zeal and determination. “With heart, and soul, and voice they must respond to the summons of the Master of the vineyard to enter the cities, and work . . . for the winning of precious souls.” Again: “In order to meet the mind of the Lord, those in responsibility must plan for the carrying forward of a broad, well-organized work. They must enter into this with a determination to make God their trust, and labor with unflagging zeal.”

This counsel must surely appeal to every one who loves this cause, and who has a clear conception of what is to be done in order to finish the work. The very work here outlined is the pressing need of the hour. The everlasting gospel, as revealed in the threefold message of Revelation 14, must be preached in all the world, “to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,” and then the end will come. The hour has come for this to be done. Everything is ready and waiting for it. And now an earnest appeal comes to the church to enter at once upon a great evangelistic campaign that will reach to the uttermost parts of the earth, and continue until the work is finished.

Thus it is plain that the call to work the cities means far more than the working of a few cities in the Eastern part of the United States. It surely means that, and it means that we should enter those cities at once in earnest; but we should understand that the strong, efficient, evangelistic campaign begun there must extend to the perishing masses the world over. And for such a grand, soul-winning movement, we may thank God with full hearts, and give ourselves unreservedly to the work.

In next week’s issue we shall see who are called to this work, and how it is to be carried forward.

A. G. DANIELLS.