FUTURE ENLARGEMENT OF THE REVIEW.
By Daniel T. Bourdeau
My silence on this subject has not arisen from a lack of interest in it, or in the prosperity of the Review. Since my connection with the cause of present truth, I have ever viewed the Review as a mighty and indispensable means of advancing the last message of mercy, and am highly pleased with it in its present improved and enlarged form. It now presents advantages as to space, matter and arrangement, which it could not before its enlargement. Evidently the cause would have been hindered in its progress, had the Review remained as it was. For it could not, with its limited space, meet the wants of the message, and did not correspond with the magnitude of this work. And according to my judgment, the same reasons which were urged for the past enlargement of the Review, will soon demand an addition of four more pages to its present size. The additional expense will be but a trifle when compared with the benefits resulting from such a move, and will be readily met by those who have manifested a willingness to sanction and sustain the past enlargement, as well as by new subscribers. Money is insignificant when compared with the prosperity of the cause; and those who have the cause at heart will cheerfully sacrifice of their means to advance it. We should bear in mind the magnitude of this work, and what it is destined to accomplish. The numbers of believers are increasing and will doubtless greatly multiply until hundreds of thousands will embrace the message. For though there will be but 144,000 who will eventually be sealed by the message; yet I think that from the nature of the work thus far, we may safely conclude that a much greater number than this will receive the truth; but some of them will fall by the way. In this large company there will be men and women of intellect, learning and experience, who will be an ornament to the cause. As the message arises in power and holy influence, a class of minds will be reached, which require the living and burning testimony, and a mighty influence—all the benefits and advantages of the message—to wrench them from the influences that keep them away from the truth; and they will eagerly take hold of the message. This is what we may reasonably infer. It will take more power to move some than others, according to the difference in their surroundings. Then will the history of the acts of the apostles be acted over by the church; and then will many of the priests, or preachers, be obedient to the faith; and others who are filling important stations in this government will also believe the truth; though, as Paul says, “not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.” These will be a few in number in comparison with the rest of the believers; yet they will be numerous when compared with the wise and mighty who have embraced the truth in the past. The number of ministers will multiply. And all these will deem it a privilege and a duty to speak to us through the Review by sermons, reports, historical facts, facts for the times (showing the signs of the times, which will increase as we near the end), etc., as their minds and calling will lead them. We will all be happy to hear from such, especially as they search out the honest, even to the isles of the sea, and to the remotest parts of the inhabitable world. How thrilling with interest to the sacrificing people of God to hear from such; and to also grant those who come out on the truth under their labors, room to give us their rich experiences through the Review; that, though absent from each other, and, perhaps, not permitted to see one another in this life, we may be made near by the truth and the blood of Christ. But such cannot be free to carry out their convictions in this respect, and must necessarily be cramped, unless the Review is previously enlarged; for even now as the editor informs us, and as the reflective mind can easily discover, we are troubled for want of room in the Review. There is talent among us which ought to bring rich productions for its columns, and which would do this had we more room. And besides all this, truth is progressing and we need more space to bring it out in all its comprehensiveness and importance. What shall we say, beloved brethren and sisters? Shall we have the Review enlarged, that it may have more influence and holy attraction, to help mightily in bringing about the work which I have alluded to, and to better accommodate us now? Methinks I hear you say, as with one mind and with one voice, “The Review will be enlarged.” In many respects, the Review and our works have a pre-eminence over the living preacher. They speak to more than any preacher can personally. They can be sent where we cannot send preachers, and can say more in time than one preacher would say. While all cannot hear from every one of our ministers, all can read the productions of our active preachers, in the Review, especially if we enlarge it. Some would not go and hear the living preacher, who would read the Review and our works, if they were wisely introduced to them. Some of the believers cannot hear the living preacher regularly; but all can read from our ministers every week, in the Review. How many have embraced the truth from reading it; and how many have been enabled to keep pace with the message by light received from it. A good work is started in Michigan or elsewhere; and in one or two weeks the sound of it goes with the heavenly endorsement all through the field; and glorious results are immediately seen in the advancement of the churches, and of the lonely ones in the way of holiness. I would say in conclusion, I am confident that the Review will be enlarged. All that each one should be anxious about is, having the privilege and honor of encouraging and sustaining the anticipated enlargement by their means, by their pens, or by getting new subscribers, or by all of these means. This work will surely proceed; for the Lord is in it.
D. T. BOURDEAU.