Untitled article by Arthur Grosvenor Daniells

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 25, 1910

Our Work for the Cities—No. 4

By Arthur Grosvenor Daniells

The instruction that has been given us by the spirit of prophecy regarding city evangelistic work, relates to all the general features of this great problem. One very important question that presents itself as soon as we begin to realize the greatness of the task is this: Upon whom does the responsibility for doing this work rest? Does it belong to a few ministers who possess special gifts for city evangelistic work? Does this great responsibility rest upon leading men in official positions? or is it placed upon all who are connected with our cause? The following statements, taken from Sister E. G. White’s article in the REVIEW AND HERALD of April 7, 1910, will answer this question very clearly:—

God desires his people to labor in perfect harmony in an effort to carry the truth into the cities. I am bidden to keep this matter before the attention of the believers, until they shall be aroused to a realization of its importance. Let not ill-advised lips utter words of discouragement, but let every one in responsibility unite in planning for the accomplishment of this work, knowing that He who has led his servants hitherto will not fail them in this time of special need.

The believers in every church should be aroused to take hold of this work. Let ministers, physicians, and all who know the truth, go about the Lord’s work in a sensible way, with Bible in hand, and with heart open to receive divine instruction.

From the light that God has given me, I know that his cause to-day is in great need of the living representative of Bible truth. The ordained ministers, alone, are not equal to the task. God is calling not only upon the ministers, but also upon physicians, nurses, canvassers, Bible workers, and other consecrated laymen of varied talent who have a knowledge of present truth, to consider the needs of the unwarned cities. There should be one hundred believers actively engaged in personal missionary work, where now there is but one. Time is rapidly passing. There is much work to be done before satanic opposition shall close up the way. Every agency must be set in operation, that present opportunities may be wisely improved.

The Lord is calling upon men and women who have the light of the truth for this time, to engage in genuine personal missionary work. Especially are the church-members living in the cities to exercise, in all humility, their God-given talents in laboring with those who are willing to hear the message that should come to the world at this time.

From this instruction it is perfectly plain that the responsibility of giving the message for this hour to the cities of the world rests upon all who are connected with the message. Every one occupying a position of responsibility is counseled to “unite in planning for the accomplishment of this work.” This means General, union, and local conference presidents and their associates on the committees. It includes all who have

consented to accept responsible positions of leadership in the cause.

But this responsibility is not confined to those occupying official positions. This is a work in which the ministers are to take an active part; but “the ordained ministers, alone, are not equal to the task. God is calling not only upon the ministers, but also upon physicians, nurses, canvassers, Bible workers, . . . to consider the needs of the unwarned cities.”

But the responsibility does not end there. The instruction says: “Especially are the church-members living in the cities to exercise, in all humility, their God-given talents in laboring with those who are willing to hear the message that should come to the world at this time.” And yet more: “The believers in every church should be aroused to take hold of this work.”

From this we can all see where this responsibility rests. It is placed upon the whole denomination. That is encouraging; for, when all our people come to realize the part the Lord has given them in this work, and take hold of it in the name of the Lord, it will be done.

And here another question of great importance should be considered. It is this: How can this stupendous work ever be accomplished by so few, and with such small visible resources? Much valuable instruction bearing upon this question has been given, but only a few statements can be presented here. One of the ways for the achievement of great victories is this:—

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. For the accomplishment of all that God calls for in warning the cities, his servants must plan for a wise distribution of the working forces.

In order that the work in the cities may be carried on as rapidly as possible, careful attention should be given to the distribution of laborers who are qualified to engage in this work. While it is in the order of God that strong institutional centers be maintained in connection with the publishing, educational, and medical work, yet it is not his design that institutional work shall be carried forward in a way that will tie up too many men of special talent, and thus rob the field of the help that these men could render in the proclamation of the message.

If more of an effort than is now put forth were given to the sending out of the living missionary to preach the truth, many, many souls would be aroused and won to Christ. While Jesus ministers in the true sanctuary above, he is by his Holy Spirit working through his earthly messengers. The word of the living preacher will often accomplish even more than the printed page. As the Lord’s servants go forth trusting in divine power, the Master of the vineyard will work through his chosen ministers, bestowing upon them his Spirit, and fulfilling to them the assurance, “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.”

The labors of the apostles in the early Christian church were characterized by wonderful manifestations of the power of God in the lives of the believers. Through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, multitudes were brought to a knowledge of the truth as it is in Christ Jesus. The needs of the world to-day are no less than they were in the days of the apostles. Those who labor for souls in these times of impenitence and unbelief, must yield themselves wholly to God, and work in unison with heavenly intelligences. The power of the Holy Spirit will accompany the labors of those who dedicate their energies and their all unreservedly to the completion of the work that must be done in the last days. Angels from heaven will co-operate with them, and many will be brought to a knowledge of the truth, and will gladly cast in their lot with God’s commandment-keeping people. Means will flow into the treasury; strong laborers will be raised up; the unwarned fields of the great regions beyond will be entered; and the work will soon close in triumph.

This counsel relates to the faithful efforts we are to put forth. We are to take hold of this work with “heart and soul,” and “plan for the carrying forward of a broad, well-organized work.” All are to “enter into this campaign with a determination to make God their trust, and to labor with unflagging zeal.” We are to “plan for a wise distribution of the working forces.” When we have done all this, we may confidently expect great things from the Lord.

The more thoroughly we study the call that has come to us through the spirit of prophecy to enter upon this city evangelistic campaign, the more deeply we are impressed that this is the greatest problem before us to-day. It sounds like the last call to arms in the great conflict of the ages. It is a call to the greatest soul-winning effort we have ever made. It must be a call to the finishing of the work committed to us. May the Lord help us all to respond as we should.

A. G. DANIELLS.