Are We Like Noah? by A. CARTER

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 15, 1910

Are We Like Noah?

By A. CARTER

A. CARTER

In “Patriarchs and Prophets” we read: “The sins that called for vengeance upon the antediluvian world, exist to-day. The fear of God is banished from the hearts of men, and his law is treated with indifference and contempt.” Through the goodness of God, the antediluvians had an abundant supply of the blessings of life. “Their sin consisted in taking these gifts without gratitude to the Giver, and debasing themselves by indulging appetite without restraint. . . . A similar condition of things exists now.”

This being so, it is very evident that there is most urgent need for faithful

witnesses for God, possessed of a Noah-like spirit, who will yield themselves and all they possess to the solemn work of warning the world of threatened destruction and of the nearness of Christ’s second coming.

The faith, sincerity, and earnestness of Noah were proved by one thing,—“all that he possessed, he invested in the ark.” His steadfastness was seen in his faithfulness in warning the world for one hundred twenty years, and at the same time preparing for the great crisis by building the ark. There is much more need now for a complete consecration than in the time of Noah, inasmuch as a vaster number of people are in danger, and the opened doors of opportunity are so many. Instead of an unbelieving and scoffing world, which was then faced by one family, there are now many thousands who are calling for help, and are filled with a yearning for light and a hunger for the bread of life. In his day Noah would never have been content simply to pay his tithe. No; he willingly invested “all that he possessed” in God’s work.

How few Christians in modern times have done that! A conspicuous example of men of faith is George Müller,—a man raised up by God in these days to show his professed followers what might be accomplished if they possessed a trusting, childlike faith in him. Does any one who has a few hundreds or thousands of dollars to invest hesitate about using it to meet one of the many calls the Mission Board is receiving? Let this statement in the inspired Word suffice: “The Lord is able to give thee much more than this.” 2 Chron. 25:9. George Müller and other noble workers have proved the truth of this promise, and received more and yet more to use for God. A few months ago we read in the REVIEW of a German brother who is now working his farm, not for his own gain, but for the benefit of God’s work in connection with the third angel’s message. This Noah-like spirit should be more general.

Who will follow the noble examples cited? In “Christ’s Object Lessons” we read: “God claims the whole world as his vineyard.” And again: “The Lord had instructed his people that he was the owner of the vineyard, and that all their possessions were given them in trust to be used for him.”

How few of us look at material things and our true position in this world from God’s view-point! This important matter of stewardship for the Lord is one of those things we all need to learn more fully about. It seems to be true that “there is a stupor, a paralysis, upon the people of God, which prevents them from understanding the duty of the hour.” Surely there is grave danger in this condition, and only the Great Physician is able to help us. Let us therefore, in private and in congregations and in little companies, call upon him to save us from this sad state, and to anoint our eyes with eye-salve, that we may see.

Sanitarium, Cal.