p. 12 | A Mute but Eloquent Macedonian Cry

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 20, 1911

A Mute but Eloquent Macedonian Cry

By Theo. Valentiner

THEO. VALENTINER

Since the days of Paul many Macedonian cries have gone out to Christendom; but never have they come from more directions, oftener, or in quicker succession than in our own days. The Word of God is being fulfilled; and those who were not God's people are now, in all lands, asking for the one true God.

In his all-wise providence, as the time for a quick, closing work has come, and in harmony with his word that there should be delay no longer, God has opened all countries, and with the open doors has also given a hunger and thirsting after the glad tidings. Ethiopia is stretching out her hands; the isles of the sea wait for his salvation; from all peoples, nations, and tongues comes the call: “Come over, . . . and help us.”

Soon the night will be here, when no man can work. Whoever, therefore, desires to have a part in this great work, or to put his means into it, must act promptly. After the work is done, our help and our money will be of no use. In heaven, with all its privileges and joys, one privilege will no longer be ours,—the privilege of bringing sinners to the Lord. That must be done here, and now.

Sometimes people speak of hard fields and of easy fields; and often that field is deemed hardest whose people have never heard of the true and living God. But is that so? Has not experience taught us that such souls often accept the Lord Jesus and his truth more readily than those who have known of him, but have had simply a form of religion, in which they trusted? While the heathen trusted in vain gods, others have been taught to trust in the precepts and ceremonies of their church. That was the case with many of the Pharisees, the strictest sect of the Jews; that has been, and is to-day, the case with many who belong to so-called Christian churches. According to Paul's admonition to Timothy, this “form of godliness” will especially prevail in the latter days.

There was a time when even Martin Luther trusted in the doings of self, or self-righteousness, instead of in Him who is made unto us righteousness, wisdom, redemption, and sanctification,—Jesus, and him crucified. Saul did the same before he became Paul. But he who could make a Paul out of a Saul, and who made a great Reformer of Martin Luther, can do the same thing to-day in any soul that does not resist his Spirit. Therefore, “where sin abounds, grace doth much more abound.” God's power is sufficient to regenerate any heart he can help, whether by many or by few.

In the past I have read of what professed heathen and professed Christians have done to become “saints,” and to try to make sure their entrance into the kingdom; how they have afflicted themselves, done all kinds of penance, etc., in their attempt to save themselves. But I had to go to Colorado to get among people, for the first time in my life, with whom such things happen in so gross a form that one must hear and see in order to believe and comprehend that such things are possible,—although a finer form of self-righteousness is a daily occurrence.

Near Swink, Colo., about six miles from Rocky Ford, poor, ignorant Mexicans afflicted themselves in so horrible a manner, especially during Lent, with the thorny cactus plants, that the blood ran down in streams from their tortured bodies. Often the long, sharp thorns broke off in their flesh, causing inflammation, and sometimes death. In the latter event it is believed that the person is surely saved. This torture is followed by others. The most common is that of climbing, with bare knees and feet, half a mile or more over a rough road, strewn with cactus plants or thorns,—a painful procedure every foot of the way. This affliction generally closes with a feast, at which eating and drinking, after the long fast, is the main attraction. Often great excesses are indulged in, and all this is done to make sure of salvation. The feast expresses the joy of the people over the salvation which they think they are sure of.

Twelve miles from Rocky Ford, poor, ignorant Mexicans were found tied to crosses, and unmercifully scourged with these cacti by others. Mr. —, of that city, and members of his family were witnesses of this sad spectacle, which he related to me one evening while I made a visit at his home. All such things these poor people submit to, because they desire to be saved, and this is represented to them as being necessary.

Now it is true that we should crucify self daily, but not in this way. We should crucify our sinful lusts and desires; but that can be done only through the Spirit of God. Affliction of self helps not at all, and gives to-day as little satisfaction as it gave in Martin Luther's time, or as it gives in heathen lands.

Is not this conduct of these Mexicans an eloquent appeal, or Macedonian cry, to our young people to prepare to work for such poor souls? Whoever saves one soul has done more than he would have done by gaining the whole world. The Mexicans are easily won, if their confidence can be secured; and God, for whom nothing is hard, seems to bestow especial grace. I know of a case near Swink, where, a few years ago, the only child of a poor Mexican mother was taken sick. The doctor gave no hope, and the despairing mother sought aid of an American neighbor, who had had a remarkable experience in praying for some children who were ill. The mother asked this woman to pray that her child might be made well. But the lady answered that she had no burden, she could not pray for it. If the child recovered, it would be raised in her heathen, Catholic way, and not to the glory of God. The mother implored her, but in vain. Finally the Christian woman told the mother that she ought to give herself to the Lord Jesus, and promise him to bring up the child for him if he would heal it. Then this poor mother, actuated by her love for her child, threw herself on her knees, and for the first time in her life she prayed, in simple, plain words, but with such fervor that the lady was astonished. A mother's love induced her, in spite of her inbred prejudices, to give herself to Jesus, and

to pray. Soon afterward prayer was offered for the healing of the child, and the Heavenly Father heard, and the child recovered.

When the doctor came the next morning, he was astonished to find the child alive, and all the more when he saw it was well. He had given it but a few hours to live, and now asked what other doctor had been called, and what medicine had been given. When told that the child was healed, he expressed his unbelief, but admitted that it seemed a miraculous healing.

God will certainly give power to all who hear and answer the Macedonian cries in this and other countries. Who feels a burden to go into needy fields to serve as God's representatives in building the temple of God, and point poor souls to the great Sin-bearer, the Physician who can save all that come to God through him? God will certainly do a great work when his children in faith go to work solely for his honor,—in a faith which is effectual through the knowledge of all the good that we have in Christ Jesus. Philemon 6, German Version.

College View, Neb.