Evidences of the Lord’s Leading in the Move to Washington
By E. K. SLADE
The Lord is indeed leading in the planning and prosecuting of the great closing work committed to this generation. This is clearly evident to all who will carefully listen to the voice of God; for he has declared, “The Lord shall guide thee continually.” The Lord does not intend that his people shall grope in darkness; but even in a time when spiritual darkness prevails, the promise to those who love the light is, “The way of the righteous is made plain.” Our wise and all-seeing Leader has said, “I will guide thee with mine eye.” It is not merely that we may escape the pitfalls and snares of the enemy that the Lord so carefully leads his people. His purpose is that they shall be a light to the world, in order that they who choose to bow down to an impostor and usurper may be without excuse. Recent developments must make it evident to all that it was the guiding hand of God which led to the establishment of our offices and institutions at Washington, and that, too, at the proper time. Many seriously and honestly questioned the propriety of such a move at the time it was made, but those who had carefully heeded the voice of the spirit of prophecy and were careful students of the fulfilment of prophecy knew that the Lord had a wise and well-founded purpose in giving instruction that such a move should be made. Just at this time the greatest issue of the age is on,—an issue involving the question of who shall be worshiped or obeyed in matters pertaining to our relation to God only. We are living in the time in which the man of sin is to be fully revealed. Steps are being taken that will result in a full revelation of the man of sin. The Lord calls for obedience and worship that will recognize him as the only rightful ruler, and an observance of the Sabbath that points to him as our Creator and Redeemer. In this great controversy involving the question of who shall be obeyed and worshiped there will be an enforced recognition and observance of an institution which will test every person on the question of obedience to the King of the universe. A jealous but loving God requires our obedience to his law. A cruel rival ruler will seek to compel obedience to a counterfeit law. We have witnessed the untiring efforts that have been made during the past few years to get our legislators at Washington to make laws enforcing the recognition of Sunday as a day of worship. Many legislators have committed themselves to this wicked thing unwittingly, at the earnest request of men who are located at Washington for reasons that must be apparent to all. When such laws are finally adopted, our government will have committed itself to an unrighteous principle completely at variance with the principles upon which it was founded. It is our work to see to it that before this is done, the great and vital principles involved have been brought vividly to the attention of all. It is not difficult to recognize the wisdom of the move leading to the establishment of our conference headquarters and the locating of the Religious Liberty Bureau at Washington just at this time, making it possible to carry on a vigorous campaign for the cause of liberty. These faithful efforts of our brethren have been recognized and felt even by the enemies of liberty. Washington is the one chief point of interest to-day in connection with the developments leading to the formation of the image to the beast. We should recognize and appreciate the evidences of God’s guiding hand in this matter, and we should be led to see in this that he leads his people, and that he also leads the leaders of his people. We are led to ask, Do we fully sense the magnitude of these two great movements which will lead to the full revelation of the true character of the gospel, the “mystery of godliness,” and the full revelation of the man of sin, the mystery of iniquity? In view of the magnitude of this work, do we fully sense the responsibility resting upon us of clearly placing the principles of truth before the people, that they may wisely and intelligently choose whom they shall obey and worship? Is not this the time that God’s people are to go forth and proclaim this Sabbath truth more fully? Shall we not now as never before do all in our power to have our neighbors and friends understand what there is involved in the Sabbath and Sunday questions? Is it merely by chance that our Sabbath-school lessons take up these important themes just at a time when such prominence is given to these principles in the recent developments in Washington? While the eyes of all nations will witness the developments that lead to the making of the image to the beast, it is designed that the attitude of God’s faithful people at Washington and elsewhere toward these developments shall be such as will carry to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people a faithful warning of what these things mean.