p. 3 | Important Changes by A. G. DANIELLS

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Jul 1, 1909

Important Changes

By A. G. DANIELLS

DURING the late General Conference there came to this people, through the spirit of prophecy, earnest appeals in behalf of the cities, especially those in the South and the East. The following brief quotations show the urgency of these appeals:—

Behold our cities and their need of the gospel. The need of earnest labor among the multitudes in the cities has been kept before me for more than twenty years. Who is carrying a burden for our large cities? . . . What is being done in the Eastern cities where the advent message was first proclaimed? The cities of the West have had advantages, but who in the East have been burdened to take up the work of going over the ground that in the early days of the message was baptized with the truth of the Lord’s soon coming? The light has been given that the truth should go again to the Eastern States where we first began our work, and where we had our experiences. . . . “Repeat the message; repeat the message,” were the words spoken to me over and over again. “Tell my people to repeat the message in the places where it was first preached, and where church after church took their position for the truth, the power of God witnessing to the message in a remarkable manner.”

In connection with this counsel regarding the cities, a message came to Prof. W. W. Prescott, calling him to this work. To him the word came: “I am instructed to say to Elder Prescott, You are needed in the fields that are opening for evangelistic work; and when you make the Lord your trust, and, like a little child, cast your helpless soul upon your Saviour, he will be your righteousness, he will be your sanctification, he will be your power to reach the people by the messages of truth. Wonderful reformations will be seen, and there will be an awakening and a conversion of many souls who are now ignorant of what is the truth for these last days.”

Brother Prescott began at once to plan for public work in the cities. Arrangements

were made to release him from the editorship of the REVIEW AND HERALD and Liberty, also the chairmanship of the board of trustees of the Review and Herald Publishing Association. Elder W. A. Spicer has been chosen editor of the REVIEW, Brother C. M. Snow has been made editor of Liberty, and Elder F. M. Wilcox has been elected president of the board of trustees. Brother Spicer will remain secretary of the General Conference, but will be given more help. Professor Prescott, as one of the associate editors of the REVIEW, will continue to furnish articles on important features of our message and work.

It is no light matter to make a change in the editorship of our church paper, and the subject was carefully considered, but we are confident that the conclusion reached will meet with the approval of our people. Brother Spicer’s wide acquaintance with all denominational affairs, and his intimate touch with many fields, as secretary of the General Conference, in addition to his varied experiences in editorial work, will be of special advantage to him in carrying the new responsibility thus placed upon him.

The instruction that came to us regarding the work now to be done in the cities of the East where our message was first proclaimed, made a deep impression upon those attending the Conference. A number of the ministers located in the West began to think seriously about responding to the call for more help for the East. We are surely in the closing hours of our work. Great wisdom is needed that we may move in harmony with the Lord’s purpose. Let all pray that the special blessing of God shall attend the larger efforts we shall endeavor to make in behalf of these cities.

A. G. DANIELLS.