The Need for a Quick Work Abroad by H. J. JEWELL

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 9, 1908

The Need for a Quick Work Abroad

By H. J. JEWELL

H. J. JEWELL

As we read the reports of the General Conference Committee Council, and of the union conferences in America in regard to increasing contributions to foreign missions, the hearts of the workers in distant fields are made to rejoice, for it is a step in the right direction, and means, if thoroughly carried out, a reviving of the spirit of God's people, and a shortening of the time before the setting up of the everlasting kingdom. Assuredly there has never been a time in the history of the world when the cause of God needed funds and consecrated workers as now. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit will not be much longer delayed.

India is fast falling in line with other large and more civilized countries of the world. Corruption has largely to do with much of the business of the country; abuse of justice, Sunday-law agitation, strikes, riots, and labor troubles are coming to the front, and a serious revolutionary spirit is taking hold of the natives, which prophesies anything but peace.

India is not the only country with these threatening clouds hanging over it, and God's people are not in darkness as to their meaning. Angels are now holding the winds of strife and bloodshed, that the message may be more easily carried. India, as well as every other country, is now open to the truth.

There are many laborers in America who would come over and help us, but they have not the means, and our conference treasury can not supply their needs. Consequently the cause of God is crippled. Many of our faithful laborers in distant fields are being laid away before their time on account of the heavy burdens and lack of help. Had relief come, their lives might have been lengthened, and many precious souls have been saved as a result.

At our general meeting held in Calcutta a year ago last January, the call was sent out to the home land for laborers, but these calls can not be supplied readily. Yet we work, and patiently watch for good reports, and when word comes of “the plan to double the number of our workers in the mission fields,” we take courage, and say, with the brethren, “Surely this is not an unreasonable undertaking.”

As it was in the days of Noah, so it is now. God's Spirit will not always strive with man, but he is now going to make a quick work and end all this delay. Piteous calls have for several years come from Burma, from the Karens, a nation of several millions of people who want to learn of this great truth. Their traditions tell them of a Saviour who is coming to them, and this message is what they are longing to hear. Some have come many miles to hear our workers when there was opportunity.

Dear friends, these people are looking for the Saviour. Who will come and teach them? Calls are coming from the Madras Presidency for some one to come and instruct them, but there is no one to go. We need a worker in Ceylon. Several laborers have been located there, but have been called away.

“Brethren and sisters, would that I might say something to awaken you to the importance of this time, the significance of the events that are now taking place. . . . And while the powers of darkness are stirring up the elements from beneath, the Lord God of heaven is sending power from above to meet the emergency by arousing his living agencies to exalt the law of heaven. Now, just now, is our time to work in foreign countries.”—“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. VI, page 18.

We are also told that the Lord will not send upon the earth his judgments, until he has sent his watchmen to give the warning. Never before has our

work made such progress in India as in the past two years, in developing real, earnest Christians. Truly God's hand is leading in it all. But from these three hundred million people are coming more calls than can be answered. Many precious souls are waiting to be taught, but ‘how shall they hear without a preacher? and how shall they preach, except they be sent?’ And how can they be sent unless God's people in every land press forward and lift?

“The crisis is fast approaching. The rapidly swelling figures show that the time for God's visitation has about come. Although loath to punish, nevertheless he will punish, and that speedily. Those who walk in the light will see signs of the approaching peril; but they are not to sit in quiet, unconcerned expectancy of the ruin, comforting themselves with the belief that God will shelter his people in the day of visitation. Far from it. They should realize that it is their duty to labor diligently to save others, looking with strong faith to God for help.”—“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. V, page 209.

Our workers in Mussoorie have rented a hall, and sent out neat circulars with a hearty welcome to all. Lectures and Bible studies on present truth, including healthful living and rational treatments, are given several times a week, and are well attended. We hope to have a good report from this station later in the season. Several of our faithful laborers have been stricken down with heat and disease this summer, but God has heard the prayers of his servants, and is restoring them to health. The battle is growing fierce, and the trump is sounding louder, but it will last only a little while longer. May the glad day be hastened when victory is ours.

Calcutta, India.