The Call of the Hour by John G. Walker; N. W. Allee; Wm. Covert; S. B. Horton; E. K. Slade; E. W. Webster; G. F. Watson; Wm. Guthrie

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Nov 16, 1905

The Call of the Hour

By John G. Walker; N. W. Allee; Wm. Covert; S. B. Horton; E. K. Slade; E. W. Webster; G. F. Watson; Wm. Guthrie

Brief Messages From Conference Presidents

A Time of Test

THE coming week of prayer will again bring us to a test, revealing whether we are still in sympathy with the world, or have decided in our hearts to follow the Saviour in a life of self-sacrifice and self-denial. How thankful we should be, brethren and sisters, for the glorious privilege of helping in so good a cause, not only with words of good cheer by pen and voice, but with our means also. Let us try to do more this year than last. JOHN G. WALKER, of North Dakota.

Hastening the Work

“For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness; because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.” Rom. 9:28.

The Lord accomplishes his work upon the earth through those whom he has appointed to represent his cause here. His providence has opened wonderful opportunities by which this work may be done. Precious privileges are afforded his people of being “his helping hand.” This work is to be “cut short in righteousness.” During the week of prayer we may individually share in aiding to forward this great message to the last generation of men. Brethren and sisters of the Tennessee River Conference, let us prove our interest and sincerity in this cause by contributing of our means to carry the precious truth to other lands. N. W. ALLEE, of Tennessee River Conf.

For Greater Things

THE announcement of another week of prayer impresses us with thoughts of the rapid flight which time has made. But what about the message of truth we bear? Have we cast the life-line into the regions beyond as skilfully as we have strengthened our stakes at home?

It is true that something has been accomplished, but could we not have done much more if all our energies had been worked toward such an end? Have we not reached an era in the proclamation of the third angel’s message when delay should be regarded as criminal neglect of duty? It seems that even the angels engaged in accompanying our missionaries to fields of labor are restless for greater things than we yet have done. Our Captain is ready to lead us to any height, or against any strongholds now in the hands of the enemy. That which is essential on our part, is the courage to go. Shall not the year 1906 mark the opening of the mightiest campaign ever inaugurated under the auspices of this denomination? Has not the time fully come when our brethren with large properties should contribute thousands to the world-wide enterprise of giving the soul-stirring and soul-winning message of our Lord’s soon coming, to every nation, people, and tribe? The gifts from the purses and the standards in consecration and piety should register higher numbers and greater degrees than have yet been marked by this people. May we not hope for an undivided and hearty co-operation by all, that the truth may win its way to certain victory?

May the coming week of prayer carry us far toward the realization of our fondest hopes and most ardent desires. Shall we not lay aside the cares of business, and enter upon the appointed period with faces toward the sunrise of that bright day which will never be followed by the night? WM. COVERT, of Northern Illinois.

What It Must Mean

APPRECIATING, as we must, the ominous movements of the world powers to-day, the pulsations of which plead for peace in one breath, and for war the next moment, evidencing the “distress of nations with perplexity;” and viewing, as we must, the demoralizing tendency of the times in the social fabric of the body politic, menacing home and business relations; and looking with concern, as we should, upon the utter inability of the church in Babylon to fulfil her obligations to a fallen world because of the substitution of forms for the power of godliness; and realizing, as we should, that the threefold message of Revelation 14 must now as never before be given with a loud voice to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people whose lands are fast ripening; and, lastly, sensing, as we doubtless will, our great need of power from on high to properly prepare us for this last-day gospel commission, and thus to finish the work entrusted to us by the Lord in this generation, the approaching week of prayer must mean to us one of the final opportunities afforded for getting ready for the harvest. May its influence arouse and strengthen our hope for “that glad day.” S. B. HORTON, of Louisiana.

When God Blesses

He blesses for service, and not for selfish interests. That we may freely receive we must be willing to freely give. He whose hand reaches out to minister to the needy world at the same time that he reaches up to God that he may be blessed to serve, will not be turned away empty. In every possible condition and phase of need, this is the principle upon which God’s blessings are bestowed. He gives us of the water of life that there may flow from us into the desert places about us “rivers of living waters.”

The great unwarned world is appealing to us on every hand. Hitherto unentered fields are throwing their doors wide open for the minister, the missionary, and the message for this time. By these conditions a direct appeal is made to every believer of the truth. As we enter upon the week of prayer, can we hope for God’s blessing to be freely bestowed in answer to our appeals, while turning a deaf ear to the appeals thus coming to us? I believe that if we enter into the week of prayer with a burden for the work committed to us, praying to be fitted in every way for the accomplishment of that work, bountiful gifts will be bestowed upon the Lord’s people at this time. E. K. SLADE, of East Michigan.

One More Week of Prayer

DECEMBER 9-16 has been set apart for the week of prayer this year. It is time for us to ask, What is its meaning to us and to the world for 1905-06? What is its opportunity, its responsibility, and its load of blessings for us?

It Should Mean

to all our people throughout the world that 1906 must show the greatest record we have ever made in mission work; that we, by the most liberal contributions ever offered, will say to our Mission Board, No longer hold back from our needy missions; go ahead with new and broader enterprises. We will stand back of you. This work must be finished without further delay.

To the world it means the saving of thousands, if we make haste with our message, who might die without the light if we delay longer. It means the closing up of this work, and the hastening of the coming of the glorious kingdom of Christ on earth, and immortality,—the end of sin and sickness and death. The speedy bringing about of this glorious result is left in the hands of this people.

Yes, the significance of this occasion is very great. The needs of the world and of our various missions, as presented in the REVIEW and other papers the past year, only can convey to us what this opportunity really means. Those appeals have brought tears to the eyes of those of us who have seen these needs face to face out in the fields, and perhaps to many others. The inability of the worker to answer all the urgent calls that press upon him daily, while he, like a spirited horse held in by bridle and bit, is almost fretting his soul away to speed the work to a glorious end, is, perhaps, a little more wearing on him than the privations that he and his family undergo, at times, because the treasury is so low that he is deprived of many of the luxuries those enjoy who stay at home, or even of the bare necessities of life. But he makes no complaint; only words of courage and cheer and news of some progress reach

our ears from him.

The dark shadows about him and his work are lighted up by the glories of heaven, and dispersed before they reach us. But if he had plenty of means at hand, he would not only be free from thoughts of his own and his family’s wants, he would also be free from the heavier burden and worry of not being able to answer the many calls; he would have a lighter heart, which would make his work easier, and his life longer and more useful. New outposts could oftener, and with less time and energy, be established, and we here at home would have greater joy at seeing the work go faster.

The past two years this sacrificing body of people has carried the burden of establishing our denominational headquarters at the capital of the nation. That opportunity was successfully improved; the board is cleared of that; and now we are ready for—

“The Opportunity”

of this people for mission work. Let this opportunity be as well improved as was the former, and heaven and earth will rejoice at the results of this week of prayer. Instead of recruiting and strengthening our missions the past two years, they have languished, and the work has halted while we were improving our last opportunity, and so nobly doing the work the Lord told us to do,—to establish the work at Washington. Many of our ardent missionaries were called home, and held here waiting for the present opportunity of this people to supply the needed funds to send them back to their waiting work, and to supply them with needed help.

The Responsibility

of this week of prayer is the responsibility of Seventh-day Adventists to support in their tasks those whom we send to the front, and to complete this work as soon as possible; and this responsibility each one of us pledged himself to take when we espoused this glorious cause. It is not a light one; but if all will unite in carrying it, it will be lighter upon a few already heavily burdened souls; it will be met and finished sooner, and its—

Load of Blessings

will be seen and felt in the churches, the homes, and in the lives of the members; in the neighborhoods, the country, and in the world; reaching wider and wider until their ripples touch the eternal shores, and cause the harps of heaven to sound with the jubilee song begun here upon earth. O brethren and sisters, let us pray much that we may be led fully to understand its meaning and its responsibilities, and enjoy the blessings of the week of prayer of 1905, and soon triumph in the glorious completion of this good work. E. W. WEBSTER, of South Carolina.

Preparation for a Greater Work

THE year 1905 is fast drawing to a close, and we are again reminded of the mercy shown to us by a never forgetful and always forgiving Heavenly Father. In view of all this, how fitting that we should set apart a time for thanksgiving and seeking his face for strength to begin the duties of the coming year. Every one living at this present time who entered into the week of prayer service last year with full purpose of heart, will say, Thank God for the help that I received back there. But, beloved, the coming year will bring to us greater responsibilities, heavier burdens; and a greater march toward the kingdom must be made. This being true, we need more of the wisdom, grace, and love of God than we had during the year that is now closing. O that every Seventh-day Adventist would not only say, but do the things that would make each one, young and old, a greater power in this world and in the closing message than ever before! And, dear ones, while some who were with us last year will meet no more with us while we sojourn here, there are others who will meet with us for the first time as a result of the work we did then. As the years come, and as our burdens broaden, more men and more money will be needed. Would you not be glad to see a much larger gift this year than this people has ever given? I am sure our Saviour, yes, all heaven, would be glad; for a greater work could be done, the end of sin would sooner come, and we be gathered home. G. F. WATSON, of Colorado.

Power Needed for Service

Now the day is far spent, the night is at hand, and there can be delay no longer. Shall we not, therefore, rise in the strength of our God and bear the word in haste to a perishing world? To do this we must have power; but the manifestation of spiritual power in our lives involves the reception of the Holy Spirit. Therefore to do this work we must have the Spirit; for “if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” Knowing these things, beloved, how shall we approach the week of prayer that is just before us? The prayer of the Master is that we might all be one; the admonition of Paul, that we should be of one mind; that of James, that we come nothing doubting; while Peter tells us to humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God that he may exalt us in due time, “casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you,” and likewise to be sober and vigilant. Only a few more such feasts will be ours to enjoy on this earth. Let us come to this one in God’s way, with the burden of an unsaved world resting upon us, and he will abundantly bless us. Let the ninth of December find us “all with one accord in one place.” Let us come with our possessions devoted and our lives consecrated to the service of the Master. God will then set his seal to the work, and we shall see his cause advance in these provinces as never before. May God bless you all and prosper his cause that a great victory may be speedily gained for him. WM. GUTHRIE, of the Maritime Conf.