When the Time Came by W. A. S.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Jan 28, 1915

When the Time Came

By W. A. S.

FOLLOWING the days of tribulation to the church, foretold in prophecy,—the persecutions of the days of papal power,—Christ declared that the signs of the latter days would begin to appear.

True to the divine word, when the days of tribulation were cut short, about the middle of the eighteenth century, the signs of the approaching end began to appear.

The latter days had come, the time when the Lord was to do a special work in enlightening the world with gospel truth, according to the angel's word to Daniel the prophet:—

“But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.” Dan. 12:4.

Just in these times was born the great movement of modern missions, which has changed the face of the earth and prepared the way for a quick work in this last generation of the judgment hour.

In speaking the word of courage and making appeal for missionary advance, even in the serious times of this present war, British missionary leaders have been frequently referring to the fact that the modern missionary movement began amid times of war and distress. The Chinese Recorder makes a good statement of the facts:—

It was at a time of acute and widespread distress that the present Protestant missionary movement had its birth. In 1793 the French Revolutionary government declared war upon Great Britain, involving finally Holland, Prussia, Spain, Sardinia, and Austria. . . . The Treaty of Amiens (1802) secured peace for fifteen months, and then (1803) commenced the gigantic struggle against Napoleon, which lasted twelve years. Every country in Europe passed through the havoc of this prolonged war.

Britain, with one or two brief intervals, had been at war for over twenty years, and had piled up a huge debt of six hundred million pounds. The condition of the people was miserable in the extreme, and the land was full of discontent. Yet this was the period that gave birth to the,—

Baptist Missionary Society (1792) London Missionary Society (1795) Church Missionary Society (1799) Religious Tract Society (1799) Sunday School Union (1803) British and Foreign Bible Society (1804)

Nothing could stay the dawn of the new era of world-wide enlightenment and increased knowledge. The time had come, and the agencies for the beginning of the work were raised up by Providence.

This may well give us courage for increased missionary activity in our own world-wide work. The time has come for the finishing of the work. Many lands and many tongues lie still beyond us. The third angel's message must be carried to all. The work will be done though amid a world in arms. The sure word of prophecy promises it; and the Lord's people will be strengthened and blessed and energized to do it.

W. A. S.