The Work Progressing by R. F. COTTRELL.

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 20, 1866

The Work Progressing.

By R. F. COTTRELL.

WHEN the Lord sets his hand to a special work, such as his present work of giving the last warning to mankind, and of preparing the remnant of his people for translation, the work moves steadily onward to its completion. There is no such thing as retarding the work or turning it back. Men may engage for a while in the work of the Lord, and then turn back to the service of Satan, and try to hinder the work of the Lord, but they cannot stop it. An irresistible power is moving it onward; it will prove a perfect success.

‘But what I was intending to say is that the work is not flagging, but deepening in the hearts of the believers. The spirit of humility is increasing in the church, and the spirit of boasting diminishing. The reception of so much light as God is giving to his people, has led the carnality of the heart to exaltation to a feeling that “I am rich and increased in goods and have need of nothing.” But a perceptible change is taking place. It is being discovered that a theory, though true, cannot save men—that light may be enjoyed among the icebergs, and yet men perish for want of heat. The truth will only sink men deeper in condemnation, unless they are sanctified through it. Light is given in vain to the blind. It is possible that people may feel that they are rich and increased in goods and have need of nothing, when in fact they are poor, and miserable, and wretched, and blind and naked.

Many have heard the arguments in favor of the truth without being moved to obedience, Those arguments may be presented again and again, and with as little effect. Such want the solemn realities of the judgment placed before their mind, and appeals to their conscience to move them to act. They need not so much to be instructed as to what the truth is, as to be moved to obedience to their own convictions of duty. So that while the believers are being admonished to seek righteousness and meekness, to get a preparation for the coming of the Lord and make sure work for eternity, out-siders who are present that have had instruction in the theory of the truth, are moved upon by stronger motives, than they could be by all the arguments in favor of the theory that could be presented.

The preaching of the servants of God is taking this turn, and it is doubtless by the impulse of the Spirit of God. They have a burden for the church; and are admonishing believers to make clean work for the judgment. And if anything will move those out of the church who know the truth, this will. It is comparatively easy to convince men's judgments. It wants stronger motives to move to obedience and to a crucifixion of the carnal mind.

The work is advancing. The preaching and the exhortations are taking this more solemn, practical, powerful form. The close of probation—the Judgment upon the living is nearing, and the Spirit of God is moving out the powerful testimony to prepare the church for it. When the church heed the warning, the message will move with mighty power.

R. F. COTTRELL.