Strengthen Ye the Weak Hands
By J. S. Washburn
ONE of the marked signs that the coming of the Lord is near is thus described in Luke 21:26: “Men’s hearts failing them for fear.” Trembling, discouragement, fear of dangers present and future, the reaction from the terrible nerve, mind, and heart strain under which humanity is laboring to-day,—this is one of the marked signs that the day of the Lord is at hand. If Satan can discourage God’s people in the work given them to do, they will accomplish nothing. How comforting, then, are the words found in Isa. 35:3, 4: “Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompense; he will come and save you.” To our loyal brethren and sisters in every part of the world, whose eyes are turned toward Washington at the present time, I am thankful to say that the largest, and in many respects the most encouraging meeting ever held by Seventh-day Adventists in Washington, D. C., was the meeting at Lafayette Opera House, Sunday evening, February 19. A large number of people of a most excellent class filled the main auditorium and the first gallery. There were also quite a number in the gallery above. Elder Luther Warren spoke on the subject of the power and working of Satan as contrasted with the power and working of Christ in the last days. Let us take up any work that God gives us with courage. The end is in sight. Let us be strong to do his work. Now, dear brethren, there is one special work which is not finished. Let us finish it while the day lasts, for the night will soon come, when no man can work. I refer to the work of selling ‘Christ’s Object Lessons.’ In future I shall give a few statements from those who have had interesting experiences. In this article I can quote only one statement, and that is from Brother W. C. Sisley, with whom nearly all our people are acquainted:— “I have had a very precious experience in selling ‘Christ’s Object Lessons,’ both in the States and in England. I have sold over three hundred copies without interfering in the least with my regular work. Most of the books were sold to business men, and I have been surprised to find how many of these men are interested in spiritual things. One notable case: A keen business man, when approached, I found to be a Sunday-school superintendent. We were both melted to tears while I showed him the pictures illustrating the prodigal son. I could see nothing but the amazing love of Christ in these pictures. He bought thirteen copies—one for each of his twelve teachers, and one for himself. The blessings received while selling these books are still invaluable to me.”