p. 19 | Prepare for the Soon-Coming Crisis by E. R.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 8, 1912

Prepare for the Soon-Coming Crisis

By E. R.

The crisis toward which the ages have been tending is gradually appearing above the horizon. Steadily on toward the world's climax marches the present generation. Evil forces are being definitely welded together for the last great struggle between truth and error. Prominent in the contest for supremacy in this land of freedom is the dark specter of the papal propaganda, and Protestantism seems powerless to meet the issue.

Facing this crisis and these conditions stand the remnant people, who are being marshaled under the banner of Prince Immanuel through belief in, and acceptance of, the messages of Revelation 14. Upon this people has been bestowed the honor of bearing aloft the banner of truth, and of proclaiming the doctrines of religious liberty which the Reformers

of the sixteenth century in a measure espoused. The subject of religious liberty is the very message for this time. And, so far as equipment with which to meet these crises and conditions is concerned, we are well fortified to do battle.

The knowledge of the fact that we as a people are so highly favored of God ought to be a source of great satisfaction. But how are we relating ourselves individually to this great trust committed to us? What is our personal experience day by day in regard to the messages for this time? and how shall we meet the crucial test which will come to each of us? Some thoughts on these questions from the recent volume, "The Acts of the Apostles," by Mrs. E. G. White, are pertinent at this time:—

Firmest Trust Required

“All who in that evil day would fearlessly serve God according to the dictates of conscience, will need courage, firmness, and a knowledge of God and his Word; for those who are true to God will be persecuted, their motives will be impugned, their best efforts misinterpreted, and their names cast out as evil. Satan will work with all his deceptive power to influence the heart and becloud the understanding, to make evil appear good, and good evil. The stronger and purer the faith of God's people, and the firmer their determination to obey him, the more fiercely will Satan strive to stir up against them the rage of those who, while claiming to be righteous, trample upon the law of God. It will require the firmest trust, the most heroic purpose, to hold fast the faith once delivered to the saints.

“God desires his people to prepare for the soon-coming crisis. Prepared or unprepared, they must all meet it; and those only who have brought their lives into conformity to the divine standard, will stand firm at that time of test and trial. When secular rulers unite with ministers of religion to dictate in matters of conscience, then it will be seen who really fear and serve God. When the darkness is deepest, the light of a godlike character will shine the brightest. When every other trust fails, then it will be seen who have an abiding trust in Jehovah. And while the enemies of truth are on every side, watching the Lord's servants for evil, God will watch over them for good. He will be to them as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.”—The Acts of the Apostles, pages 431, 432.

Things Written Aforetime

“In the experience of the apostle John under persecution, there is a lesson of wonderful strength and comfort for the Christian. God does not prevent the plottings of wicked men, but he causes their devices to work for good to those who in trial and conflict maintain their faith and loyalty. Often the gospel laborer carries on his work amid storms of persecution, bitter opposition, and unjust reproach. At such times let him remember that the experience to be gained in the furnace of trial and affliction is worth all the pain it costs. Thus God brings his children near to him, that he may show them their weakness and his strength. He teaches them to lean on him. Thus he prepares them to meet emergencies, to fill positions of trust, and to accomplish the great purpose for which their powers were given them.

“In all ages God's appointed witnesses have exposed themselves to reproach and persecution for the truth's sake. Joseph was maligned and persecuted because he preserved his virtue and integrity. David, the chosen messenger of God, was hunted like a beast of prey by his enemies. Daniel was cast into a den of lions because he was true to his allegiance to heaven. Job was deprived of his worldly possessions, and so afflicted in body that he was abhorred by his relatives and friends; yet he maintained his integrity. Jeremiah could not be deterred from speaking the words that God had given him to speak; and his testimony so enraged the king and princes that he was cast into a loathsome pit. Stephen was stoned because he preached Christ and him crucified. Paul was imprisoned, beaten with rods, stoned, and finally put to death because he was a faithful messenger for God to the Gentiles. And John was banished to the isle of Patmos ‘for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.’”—*Id., pages 574, 575.

Reasons for a Large Offering

One of the most striking signals to the advocates of religious liberty to sound the warning against the beast and his image is the fact that the Lord is still holding the winds of religious intolerance and persecution. It is now over a century since certain religious elements in this country first brought influence to bear upon Congress with the hope of securing a national Sunday law, but up to the present time they have failed. No one who is acquainted with the powerful and influential organizations that have been working to secure religious legislation can doubt that God's hand has been seen in the success attending the work of the Religious Liberty Department in its efforts to stay this evil work.

It must be evident to all that, as the result of the repeated victories which the Lord has been giving us, our enemies will be aroused in the future to greater activity in their efforts to bring about a union of church and state. Some of the forces with which we must reckon in our campaign are the Papacy, the National Reform movement, the Church Federation, the Lord's Day Alliance, the New England Sabbath Protective League, the Christian Endeavor Society, the Epworth League, and the Baptist Young People's Union.

The rapid strides being made by the Roman Catholic Church of late can not fail to impress all that we are in the very closing crisis of the third angel's message. The spectacular functions of the Catholic Church are significant; such as, the eucharistic congresses; Vanutelli's celebrated dedicatory service of St. Patrick's Church, in Greater New York; the Pan-American Thanksgiving occasions, the third of which was held Nov. 30, 1911, in St. Patrick's Church, Washington, D. C., all of which are designed to bring the Catholic Church in this country into great popularity with the executive, judicial, and legislative branches of our government; the celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the elevation of Cardinal Gibbons to the priesthood, held in Baltimore, Md., when the wheels of the national government almost ceased to revolve in Washington as the result of attendance at this function by distinguished officials, from the President down.

The great attention now being paid the appointment of three American cardinals is indicative of the rapidly growing influence of the Roman Catholic Church in America. The same may be said of the annual conventions of the Federation of Catholic Societies. The work of the Paulist Fathers in conducting non-Catholic meeting, so called, and the work of that church in changing and revising encyclopedias, histories, and schoolbooks, eliminating all features of Roman Catholic history which they do not wish the people to be familiar with, are performing their part in deceiving the people. Catholic activities in seeking political positions in municipal, State, and national governments, and the utilization of the public press by the Catholic Church, and its attempt to limit the freedom of the press by a proposed amendment to the post-office law, are all designed to overthrow the principles of religious freedom upon which this nation is founded. (Upon this point see article entitled “The Freedom of the Press Endangered,” in the magazine Liberty, first quarter, 1912.)

Besides the Roman Catholic Church, with her various schemes to undermine the principle of religious freedom upon which this government was founded, we have the efforts of false Protestantism, as reflected in the movements of the various associations already mentioned, in their work to bring about a union of church and state in this country.

With this tremendous array of forces to meet, with the whole world as an easy prey to their sophistries, it must appeal to all that we shall need to unite as never before in this great battle for the principles of religious freedom. Prayer will be one of our greatest and most effective sources of strength in the conflict, but this must be supplemented with a true spirit of sacrifice. Means will be required to prosecute the work in the circulation of literature by which the multitudes may be warned before it is too late. Our conferences should place the magazines Liberty and Protestant in the hands of State, county, and municipal officials, as well as in the hands of others in the prominent walks of life. “American State Papers” should be supplied to State legislators and other State officials. Besides this, funds will be required to meet the expense of opposing Sunday-closing campaigns, which are not confined to any one locality.

By an action of the General Conference Committee, the religious liberty annual offering is to be equally divided among the General, the union, and the local conferences. Our earnest prayer is that a spirit of liberality may characterize each one as he contributes to this important work.

Questions on the Paper Read

What are the remnant people facing at the present time?
What has been committed to this people?
What questions should appeal to each of us?
What is urgently needed in order to stand in the evil day?
Who only will be prepared to stand in that crisis?
Name some Bible characters whose experiences are to serve as lessons for us?
What fact stands as a signal to us to sound the warning against the beast and his image?
What circumstance will arouse the enemies of our message to greater activity in behalf of church and state union?
Name some of the forces and spectacular events engaging general attention.
What two things will assist in furnishing us with the strength we need in meeting the conflicts?
In the face of these rapidly culminating crises, what should be our attitude in regard to Liberty, the Protestant, and “American State Papers”?
How shall we relate ourselves to the important question of funds with which to prosecute the religious liberty work?

NOTE TO THE LEADER: Before reading the paper, announce that questions upon the subject of the paper will be asked members of the congregation. In this connection it will be well to emphasize the points which suggest the different questions.

RELIGIOUS LIBERTY DEPARTMENT. Washington, D. C. E. R.