Our Missionary Work and Why It Is Important by I. G. BIGELOW

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 16, 1913

Our Missionary Work and Why It Is Important

By I. G. BIGELOW

(Concluded)

I. G. BIGELOW

The Lord says that when this gospel of the kingdom has been preached unto all the world, “then shall the end come.” It is especially important that the church in this generation engage earnestly in proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom of God, for all things tell us that we are living in the generation during which the end will come. The more we study the Word of God and the testimonies of his Spirit, the more firmly are we convinced that we are living not only in the last generation, but in the last of the last generation.

I quote from that excellent tract “Home Missionary Work,” page 6, last paragraph:—

Diligence in the Master's Work

“Are we endowed with the Holy Spirit so that with heavenly wisdom we may meet the emergencies of this age and counteract, as far as possible, the movements of this world? It is no time now for the watchman to become sleepy, and cease to be a sentinel upon the walls of Zion. Peculiar and rapid changes will soon take place; and if the church is not asleep, if the followers of Christ watch and pray, they may have light to comprehend and appreciate the movements of the enemy.”

This is in harmony with the advice of Christ, “Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” Luke 21:36. Distress and perplexity of nations, great disturbance of the seas, and strong men becoming weak with fear as they look upon the judgments of God, are all to be harbingers of the coming Master.

“The judgments of God are in our land. The Lord is soon to come. In fire and flood and earthquake, he is warning the inhabitants of this earth of his soon approach.”—“Words of Encouragement to Workers,” page 26.

In this time there is set before us the importance of our work:—

“O that the people may know the time of their visitation! We have no time to lose. We must make more determined efforts to lead the people of the world to see that the day of judgment is at hand. Our understanding needs to be quickened by the Holy Spirit. We need to stand constantly in a humble, contrite attitude, that we may see the Lord’s design and be prepared to make known his will from day to day, not only in word but in deed. O, if our people would feel as they should the responsibility resting upon them to give the last message of mercy to the world, what a wonderful work would be done!”—Ib.

Reference is made here to the wonderful work that might be done, but let us read again on page 18 of this tract:—

“My soul was agonized as I saw the indifference of our people who make so high a profession. The blood of souls will be on the garments of very many who now feel at ease and irresponsible for souls that are perishing around them for want of light and knowledge. They have come in contact with them, but never warned them, never prayed with or for them, and never made earnest efforts to present the truth to them. There has been a wonderful negligence on this point. . . . God requires personal service at the hands of every one to whom he entrusts his truth. Not one is excused. Some may feel that if they give of their substance, they are excused from personal efforts. But God forbid that they should deceive themselves in this. Gifts of means do not fully meet the requirement of God, for the duty is but half done. He will accept nothing short of yourselves. You must work to save souls.”

“Let no one think that he is at liberty to fold his hands and do nothing. That any one can be saved in indolence and inactivity is an utter impossibility.”—Id., page 7.

According to what we have been told by our Master, all must work; but all can not preach, then what can we do? Again we are not left in darkness and doubt:—

“In visions of the night representations passed before me of a great reformatory movement among God’s people. . . . Hundreds and thousands were seen visiting families, and opening before them the Word of God. . . . On every side doors were thrown open to the proclamation of the truth.”—“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. IX, page 126.

I believe this means missionary visiting and Bible work, but this is not all. Let us read again:—

“The great and wonderful work of the last gospel message is to be carried on now as it has never been before. The world is to receive the light of truth through an evangelizing ministry of the word in our books and periodicals. Our publications are to show that the end of all things is at hand.”—Id., page 61.

We can, then, all be preachers, for there is not one who can not handle our books and periodicals, either to sell or to give away.

According to what we now have before us, I believe it is logical for us to say in conclusion: “Our missionary work” is to “do the first works” of the church, and with even greater zeal, if possible, than we did our first works when we accepted the truths of this message, being instant in carrying this gospel of the kingdom to those who know it not.