Such a Time as This by William Ambrose Spicer

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Apr 13, 1905

Such a Time as This

By William Ambrose Spicer

Was ever a time like this, when everything in the universe so appealed for alertness and activity in service? It is easy to see that the intensity of the most closing days of the advent warning is to make the old young again, and the young old. Those who have grown gray in the message are young in hope and strength for service as the end hastens on, and the youth are responding to the call with something of the steadiness and determination of maturity.

The other day we in Washington bade Godspeed to Brother W. H. Anderson and family, as they left us to plant the standard in a new field, farthest yet in our work toward the very heart of Africa.

During the ten years in Africa, death had come into the old home in Indiana, and Mother Anderson had been left alone. Now the question was whether

or not the children should remain to cheer her in her loneliness. It was for her to decide. She told us that she could not think of keeping them from Africa, and from the needy souls waiting in the darkness beyond the Zambesi. So she decided to leave the old home and go with them.

Though over sixty years of age, she is on her way to Barotseland, at her own charges, in order to keep the children in the field of service. God grant that it may not be, as she told us, to end her days in Africa, but to be kept in loving service until the glory of the Lord’s appearing shall flood all the Dark Continent. The Mission Board should have provided a strong helper to join the Anderson party, but it was not possible to do so with the resources in the mission treasury. May Mother Anderson’s spirit of service kindle a flame that shall yet send consecrated helpers to join them.

It need not take long to do this work when this spirit animates every heart, and all understand that the work is to quickly carry the sound of this message to those who have never heard it. In some of our annual camp-meetings we have seen the consecrated youth rising in scores to volunteer for service anywhere. We have seen the rank and file of fathers and mothers rise en masse to say that they would hold the ropes at home and stand by those who go. It is a glorious privilege to fall into line with the call of Providence when the last things are being done. Who that believes the third angel’s message can help but throw all of life and strength and means into the work that is to finish it?

W. A. S.