What Are We Doing? by C. M. S.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 5, 1911

What Are We Doing?

By C. M. S.

WE sometimes congratulate ourselves that we are one of the most wide-awake denominations in the world; but the truth is that we have been sleeping when we should have been awake. We have not half realized the importance of our message, nor the craft and cunning of our foes.

Within the past few months there have been swift and striking developments in this country and abroad, which prove beyond doubt that events we have calmly looked for, half expecting and half doubting, to take place some years hence, have been taking place right under our eyes, and we did not realize it. While we have been planning the details of a long campaign in the various departments of our work, the enemy has been diligently forging shackles with which to bind us and close up our unfinished operations.

In seemingly peaceful tranquillity we have gone on planning this and that, not realizing that a gigantic combination has actually been formed in this country which will soon be in a place where it can, with one turn of the political screw, close down our institutions, prevent the distribution of our literature, and prohibit the public proclamation of our message.

There are some even in our own ranks who lightly regard the idea that any such thing will happen, at least in the near future. These seem to feel that we shall be permitted to go on in the even tenor of our ways until it shall please God to call the work finished, and to call the workers home. Such are out of touch both with the spirit of the times and with the spirit of prophecy.

That there is to be no such smooth sailing for our bark is plainly declared in the following from the spirit of prophecy:—

According to the truth we have received above others, we are debtors to impart the same to them. We have no time to lose. The end is near. The passage from place to place to spread the truth will soon be hedged with dangers on the right hand and on the left. Everything will be placed to obstruct the way of the Lord’s messengers, so that they will not be able to do that which it is possible for them to do now. We must look our work fairly in the face, and advance as fast as possible in aggressive warfare. From the light given me of God, I know that the powers of darkness are working with intense energy from beneath, and with stealthy tread Satan is advancing to take those who are now asleep, as a wolf taking his prey. We have warnings now which we may give, a work now which we may do; but soon it will be more difficult than we can imagine.—“Testimonies for the Church, Vol. VI, page 22.

We have from the same source these additional words of warning:—

The work which the church has failed to do in a time of peace and prosperity, she will have to do in a terrible crisis, under most discouraging, forbidding circumstances. The warnings that worldly conformity has silenced or withheld, must be given under the fiercest opposition from enemies of the faith. . . . The members of the church will individually be tested and proved. They will be placed in circumstances where they will be forced to bear witness for the truth.—“Testimony for the Church,” No. 32, page 219.

The servant of God has warned us again upon the point of wakefulness, watchfulness, and diligence in work. She says:—

Would that I might say something to awaken you to the importance of this time, the significance of the events that are now taking place. I point you to the aggressive movements now being made for the restriction of religious liberty. God’s sanctified memorial has been torn down, and in its place a false sabbath, bearing no sanctity, stands before the world. And while the powers of darkness are stirring up the elements from beneath, the Lord God of heaven is sending power from above to meet the emergency by arousing his living agencies to exalt the law of heaven. . . . As America, the land of religious liberty, shall unite with the Papacy in forcing the conscience and compelling men to honor the false sabbath, the people of every country on the globe will be led to follow her example. Our people are not half awake to do all in their power, with the facilities within their reach, to extend the message of warning.—“Testimonies for the Church, Vol. VI, page 18.

The burden of the Lord’s messenger is very plain in this matter, and it requires little discernment to see that arrangements are actually being made now to bring about the very conditions of which she speaks. The federations of world powers and religious bodies now going on will erelong bring about those “most discouraging, forbidding circumstances.” The federations now formed and forming are as certain to bring about oppression and hindrance to our work as night is certain to follow day. Rome purposes to dominate the earth. She purposes to use the United States of America and other English-speaking countries to lead the rest of the world back into the “true fold.” That is why she is centering her energies now upon America and Great Britain. That is the reason for the great federation of her numerous secret societies in these countries; and knowing that fact, we are not at a loss to understand what relation the federations of Protestant societies bear to that work of hers, and what the result will be when their forces are joined against this message and those who are bearing it. It is time to awake, to put on the armor, and to stand fast here or to go there, as He may command.

C. M. S.