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Increasing Confidence

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 29, 1909

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 86, No. 30.

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Increasing Confidence

By GEO. O. STATES

GEO. O. STATES
In the fifty-seven years that I have been a Sabbath-keeper, nothing has ever so inspired confidence in the final triumph of the third angel's message as do the Bulletin reports of the General Conference. Just as far back as I can remember, when there were only a few of our people in the Eastern States, and Elders M. E. Cornell and J. B. Frisbie began giving the message in Michigan, our people believed that this truth would go to every part of the world, and that there would be gathered out one hundred forty-four thousand from all nations. These grand truths used to inspire our very beings. As I read the proceedings of the Conference, and the reports of the delegates from nearly every part of the world, telling how the message was spreading, I could almost hear their voices, and I said, “This is the truth, and I know it is.”
Courage, brethren and sisters; the city is almost in sight. We have no time to look at the mistakes of our brethren. Doubtless they have made mistakes, and do still make mistakes; we all do. The servant of the Lord has said: “But when, in a General Conference, the judgment of the brethren assembled from all parts of the field, is exercised, private independence and private judgment must not be stubbornly maintained, but surrendered. Never should a laborer regard as a virtue the persistent maintenance of his position of independence, contrary to the decision of the general body.”
As I carefully read the proceedings, and saw how strongly our leading brethren differed on vital questions which affected the interests of the work; how the questions were freely discussed, and when they were finally acted upon, were passed unanimously by a rising vote, I said, “Thank the Lord for the spirit of prophecy. Our leading brethren believe, and practise what they preach.” “Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together [all united] shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the Lord shall bring again Zion.”
Now let these brethren and sisters who were permitted to attend this World's Conference go to their respective fields of labor and spread that spirit of unity among the laborers that could not attend, then let all the laborers go out and infuse that spirit through the rank and file, all standing firmly on the Word of God and the spirit of prophecy which God placed in this church from the very beginning will start, and the message will swell into the loud cry, and a short work will the Lord make in the earth. “For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.”
I believe, brethren and sisters, that if all our laborers would do this, and give the message with the old-time ring, it would soon swell into the loud cry, the power of God would be seen, and the sick would be healed. “I asked the angel why there was no more faith and power in Israel. Said he, ‘Ye let go of the arm of the Lord too soon. Press your petitions to the throne, and hold on by strong faith. The promises are sure. Believe ye receive the things ye ask for, and ye shall have them.’ I was pointed to Elijah. He was subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly. His faith endured the trial.” “If the enemy can get the desponding to take their eyes off from Jesus, and look to themselves, and dwell upon their own unworthiness, instead of dwelling upon the worthiness of Jesus, his love, his merits, and great mercy, he will get away their shield of faith, and gain his object, and they will be exposed to his fiery temptations. The weak should therefore look to Jesus, and believing in him, they can then exercise faith.”
During the five years, and more, since my nervous breakdown, many times I have gone before the Lord in secret and asked him if I might not be laid away to rest, for it did seem to me that if I could not have a part in giving the message, I would rather await the first resurrection. Brethren and sisters, my very life is bound up in this truth, and since reading the reports of the Conference, I have wondered if I have learned the lessons God has for me in my terrible affliction, and if I have come to the place where I can say, “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” I need your prayers as I work in the quiet of my home to build up my health, that I may have that submissive spirit that our Example had when he said, “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” If I should be healed and have a part in the loud cry, those who know my affliction would say, Surely that is the work of God.
Cedaredge, Colo.