Untitled article by H. F. PHELPS

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Third-day, August 20, 1867

WHAT IS DUTY?

By H. F. PHELPS

MATT. ix, 37, 38. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest.

These words of our Saviour are full of meaning and are as applicable to this present time as to any other since the days of Christ, if not more so.

For some time I have been meditating upon them, and in the midst of my cogitations, No. 3 of Review came to hand with Bro. Waggoner’s piece entitled “A Neglected Duty.” Brethren please read it again. The reasons there presented are good, conclusive to my mind that the time has come; that it is an imperative duty for God’s people now at this time to inquire concerning this thing. “The fields are already white to the harvest.” Many are the calls, fields opening everywhere; but who shall go? Often have I thought of these words of Christ, as I have seen the urgent calls for help from California and other places; souls starving for the truth; perishing for lack of knowledge; and the church—where is she? Getting rich! not realizing her condition, nor her duty. Let us arouse, be zealous and repent. The Lord spare this people a little longer. It may be we shall awake. If not, dreadful indeed will be our condition. Grown lukewarm, gone to sleep, with the sound of the most solemn truths ever proclaimed to the world, greeting our ears! The faithful Witness calling upon us to awake, to buy gold, white raiment and eyesalve! When shall we awake! Will it be when it is too late? Will it be only to see that we have gone to ruin with others hanging to our skirts?

A few years ago and this message was stayed in its onward march, by a most desolating war, which threatened to send privation and mourning to the hearts of all, both North and South. The war was the whole theme of discourse. What then? A united cry was raised that the winds might be held till God’s servants were sealed. God heard the prayers of his people. The winds were stayed. We expected to see the work of God move forward; but how were we disappointed. The watchmen were smitten down by disease brought on by undue burdens, being overtaxed both physically and mentally. What then? Another cry that they might be healed. The great Helper of Israel heard again.

“Man’s extremity is God’s opportunity.” Every time we have been brought to a stand point, where we could go no farther unless God interposed, according as we have humbled ourselves and asked, God has shown a willingness to hear and work as we were willing and ready that he might work. We have a duty to do here. We are walled in upon every side; before us the Red sea, behind, our enemies, who rejoice over us; upon either side we have impregnable mountains, the world, the flesh and the Devil, to war against. If we stop here we are lost. We must go on or perish. May God help us to do right.

As I read Bro. W.’s remarks, “If our brethren neglect this duty much longer, they will have to appropriate a season of prayer and fasting for the Lord to continue the labors of those in the field,” I thought, why not appropriate a season of prayer and fasting, that God would send out men, who feel the solemnity of this work, and are endowed with a good degree of his Spirit, to aid those already in the field, that their labors be not so heavy.

Again I say, please read the article again in No. 3, present volume, and then prayerfully consider the question, What shall we do?

H. F. PHELPS.

Pine Island, Minn.