The Coming Week of Prayer
By G. A. Irwin
By action of the General Conference Committee, taken at the spring session, December 9-16 was set apart as the time for this important occasion. At this same meeting, persons were selected to prepare suitable readings for each of the days of the session. These readings have all been prepared, and will be printed in THE REVIEW AND HERALD in ample time for the paper to reach all parts of the field before the meetings begin. The envelopes for the offerings, on which are printed appropriate Scripture mottoes, as well as the instruction to the individual as to how to use them, will be sent from the general office direct to each church. Having made all the arrangements from the general office we can for the present to contribute to the success of this meeting, we now appeal to conference officers to make mention of the time appointed for this season of prayer at an early date in their respective papers, or by private correspondence, and urge the elders and other local church officers to begin to plan at once for a full attendance of our brethren and sisters. The past season has been one of unusual temporal prosperity. God has not only blessed us with abundant harvests, but has kept us in peace as a nation, and preserved us as a people from unusual disasters and calamities. Shall we not show our appreciation of God's goodness and love by gathering in our accustomed places of worship at the appointed time, to talk of his goodness and tell of his love? And not only so, but let us plan to bring a large thank-offering and a liberal free-will offering to be used in carrying the message to those who know it not. We have just recently been told that “the Lord is to do a strange work very soon. The experiences of the day of Pentecost will surely be repeated.” As a people we greatly need a special blessing from the Lord to revive our faith and interest in the work of the Lord for this time. Shall we not at the coming meeting make it our special business to seek the Lord until he shall come and rain righteousness upon us? Begin at once to think about this meeting. Talk about it in your homes. Pray about it and for it at the family altar. Plan to attend every meeting. Watch the papers for further announcements and plans, and make it a point to co-operate with every suggestion that will contribute to the interest and success of this week of prayer. Do not forget the time, December 9-16.