Where Are You Standing in the Contest?
By H. W. MILLER, M. D.
The reports of the great battles in the far East have certainly called the attention of God's chosen people to the fact that we are nearing the climax, and that we are engaged in a warfare of far greater import, the ultimate object of which is to save our foe, and make him a loyal subject of Christ's kingdom. “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.” 2 Cor. 10:4. “Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Eph. 6:13-17. By analogy we can learn much from the present war, when compared with the reform movement which we are waging against Babylon. We see in Japan a country that has developed during a period of years synchronic with that of the third angel's message, and a country that has become so powerful that it pulled down one of the world's greatest “strongholds.” Some of the same problems with reference to enlisting soldiers, supporting them, transporting them to the field of action, have to be met in recruiting our mission stations and sending workers to new fields. While the present warfare is carried on in a limited area, our battle-field is the world. The enemy has planted fortresses in every inhabitable portion of the globe, and is re-enforcing them, so that they become more impregnable every day. Especially can we attest to the truth of this statement in China. The longer the workers are delayed from entering the fields, the greater the difficulty. Should we not learn the lesson from the Japanese, to strike when the blows will count? The enemy knows he has this message to meet in every human heart, and seeks to hold his captive as long as possible, as delay means so many more stored in his prison-house, the grave. And China stores one million away in his prison every month. His army numbers 426,000,000 strong here; in India, 300,000,000; in Japan, 46,000,000; in Africa, 200,000,000; which totals a little over half the population of the world. Against these vast armies there have only been skirmishes at the outposts. While we shall not conquer by numbers, yet it is evident that every Seventh-day Adventist should enlist for service, if the work is to be carried on with the same rapidity with which the signs of the times are fulfilling. Our Captain is brave, and he will stand in the front rank. “For the Lord your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.” Deut. 20:4. It is claimed that every family in Japan has performed some part in the great war, and shared in the victory, as well. Should not every one who loves his fellow men and the soon appearing of his Saviour, give till he feels it, either himself or of his treasure, however small or great? In the days of Moses and Joshua, all the children of Israel were soldiers. And God has appointed every man his work in the great battle of to-day. If for love of country and corrupt10rulers, men will gladly lay down their lives, and fathers and mothers will part with their children, should not the Christian, with greater enthusiasm; press to the front to save men, when his reward is eternal life, and his ruler God? If we have to be driven on the train by the point of the bayonet, as many of the Russian soldiers were, the result will be a failure. Such recruits only stir up internal commotion, and hinder the operation of the loyal subjects. I am told by other missionaries and natives that in the war between China and Japan, the wounds of the Chinese were mostly in the back. The people have no love for the rulers or officials. Some became soldiers because they were forced to do so, and others thought it an easy way of getting their board and clothing. At the present time the soldiers of China regard the position simply as a means of getting their living. If there is any fighting to be done, they prefer to be away from it. But a government can never depend on such soldiers for protection or victory. The Christian soldier must have love for God and love for man as his propelling motive to make him a soul-winner. Such a soldier will work regardless of temporal supplies, whether in storm, facing batteries, or in prison. It would not be a difficult proposition for us here in China to hire plenty of men, if we had funds, to preach eight and ten hours each day any special doctrine we wished them to propagate. They would be baptized, and put on the whole outward garb of Christianity. And I doubt not that the services of such men could be secured in every country. But should their salary stop, their talking would stop; should their friends persecute them, they would resign. Such preachers correspond to the Chinese soldiers. There is loyalty needed in our work to make it successful,—not a loyalty to man, but a loyalty to God,—a loyalty that will cause us to follow our Leader, no matter how difficult the road, even though it lead to the grave. “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.” Rev. 12:11. Battles are not fought without the loss of lives. The Japanese general, Nogi, lost his two sons in the siege of Port Arthur. But he conquered. This sacrifice touched even the heart of the stern Russian general, Stoessel, so that he wept. The Christian soldier must not count his life too dear to lay down for King Emmanuel. If he does not meet embankments, mines, and wire entanglements in his experience, it is quite good evidence that he is not very far toward the front. But when he sees his companions falling at his side, he begins to realize that the battle is on, and he must be in the midst of it. When he meets these entanglements, Paul says, “Count it all joy.” The mission fields are calling for such recruits to strengthen the stations and to advance the work farther beyond. Their workers and funds are needed. Shall we rally to the task of pressing the battle to the front? or shall we allow the mission fields to be besieged by the enemy, and have the Port Arthur experience repeated in the distant lands? It is a fact that stations have passed through the Port Arthur experience. But let us rather pray God that this experience shall be one of the past, and let each one find out where he is standing in the great movement which is to reach every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. And may there be many volunteers for the front ranks is our prayer from the distant fields, that all may receive the words, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”