Notes of Progress by Irwin Henry Evans

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 9, 1915

Notes of Progress

By Irwin Henry Evans

THE progress and growth of the third angel’s message is ever good news to the remnant church. It matters not from what country nor concerning what people the news may come; the mere fact that souls have been saved, accepting Christ as their Saviour and believing in the message for this time, cheers and rejoices the heart.

Our message is clear and definite. Since apostolic days there have been no greater truths pronounced, no message in stronger setting, than the message of Rev. 14:9-12. That announcement of the third angel is clear, distinct, definite. It is set in time; it is heralded in power; it closes in triumph.

It is a thing to be coveted to have a part in proclaiming this great world-wide message. To be a worker in it means to be a worker with Heaven. It assures to the godly, consecrated workman the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. It connects humanity with Divinity. It makes a weak man strong, and a strong man mighty. It unites omnipotent strength with mortal men, and, working together with God, they become instruments for Heaven to use.

In this final, closing conflict, none can afford to be onlookers. By each one there is a work to be done that means more than earthly gain or loss. In the day of God’s preparation, it means much for every man to stand at his post and do full work. It means much to the individual; it means much to the cause of God.

Some have thought the work was finished, or nearly so, in this country. But when we read the entreaties and warnings given us by the servant of the Lord upon this point, we find that our work here is far from completed. We are now in the midst of the largest ingathering of souls in our entire denominational history. Our work will not be finished in this land till we have won the last soul that can be persuaded to accept Christ and obey all his commandments. The church has never had such an ingathering of souls as now. The fields are white for harvest, and we must pray that more reapers be sent to garner in the precious grain. Let us look for a moment at the growth of our work since the beginning of 1913:—

At the close of 1912 we had 63,865 church members; at the close of 1913 our membership was 67,268. At the close of 1914 it was 72,015; and on June 30, 1915, we had 75,436 members.

In 1914 we had 7,337 baptisms; for the first two quarters of 1915 we had 4,580 baptisms. In 1914 we increased the tithe by $68,824 over the year 1913, and our offerings to foreign missions by $115,852. Our literature sales were increased by $196,221 over those for the previous year.

It is evident from these statistics that God has a great work to be finished in the North American Division Conference. Shall we now cease our labors?—No; surely the time has come when every church member should put his hand to the work and do his full share.

We have more tents in the field this year than ever before. There is reported a good attendance of those not of our faith at these meetings. The public press is more favorable to printing articles, and is giving more space to articles setting forth our views than ever before in our history; our literature is being more freely bought and distributed than in former years; our people are doing more missionary work than at any time before; the donations to foreign missions are larger than at any time since we began our work; our tithe is larger; and never before have the laity taken such an interest in winning souls to Christ as at the present time.

The North American Division workers are resolved to increase the church membership so that by Dec. 31, 1915, it will reach 80,000. This means that during the remainder of this year 4,536 must be added to our church membership, above all losses. Can this be done?—Surely it can. It is not a task too great for us to compass by the help of the Holy Spirit. But it means that every Seventh-day Adventist must do definite work for God.

Remember we want to start the new year with a membership of 80,000 souls. This does not include Europe and other fields; it is 80,000 church membership in the North American Conference. How can we reach this?

First, let every member pray for the workers in tent efforts, that God’s blessing may be with them in a very definite way in bringing souls to Christ.

Second, let every tent company set itself the task of bringing to Christ a

definite number of souls. This will help every worker to have something definite before him in his daily work.

Third, every canvasser, Bible worker, and institutional helper should plan to bring some soul to Christ this year.

Fourth, our young people should plan to work for those out of Christ. There is a mighty field for service among the young.

Fifth, teachers should plan to lead every student in their schools to Christ.

Sixth, every church member should try to win some lost soul.

This means that every church member from now on shall try under God to lead a soul to Christ. Our work is not yet finished. When the harvest is white for the sickle, we must do double work for God. Some of us can do manifold more than we have done. Prayer will do much. This is the time for prayer. It is the day of God’s power, and his people must be willing. Though the work is great, we have a mighty God as helper.

During all the past ages since the plan of salvation was laid, God has been planning for this very time. Far more prophecies reach their fulfillment in these days and at this time than in any previous period of the world’s history. We are now in the finishing of the mystery of God. All the unfulfilled lines of prophecy are fulfilling before our eyes. Never was there a time when the hand of God could be seen more clearly shaping all things according to his word. We know not how much longer we shall have time to work. It is high time that we do our full duty, that when the work is finished we may receive our reward.

I. H. EVANS.