Fulfilling Prophecy’s Appeal by J. S. Washburn

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Feb 12, 1914

Fulfilling Prophecy’s Appeal

By J. S. Washburn

“DISTRESS of nations, with perplexity; . . . men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth,”—these are among the signs given in Christ’s great prophecy, that show the coming of the Lord to be very near.

Surely the prophecy of “distress of nations, with perplexity,” is fulfilled in a most striking manner, and it is true also that men’s hearts are failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth. The drying up of the Turkish Empire, now proceeding with alarming rapidity, is appealing to the hearts of worldly men, who realize that a great crisis hangs over the world.

Surely the fast fulfilling prophecy appeals to all men who read and think, to get ready for the world’s great crisis. There was never a better time to appeal to the people for our mission work at home and in foreign lands.

Two years ago one of our sisters in Memphis gave the Harvest Ingathering number of the Signs to a wealthy woman, with an appeal for a gift for mission funds. The woman replied that she did not believe in our teaching, and that she would sooner see the heathen lost than to see them become Adventists. She finally threw our sister a dollar, asking that it be given to some poor person in Memphis, and said that it must not be used to make Adventists at home or in foreign lands. The sister who had asked for the gift was not discouraged, and later, when the woman was visiting in New York, she wrote her a very kind letter, earnestly appealing to her especially in regard to the prophecy of Turkey and its rapid fulfillment. Our sister was very joyfully surprised to receive a check for twenty-five dollars “for your missionaries.” What a change had come over this wealthy woman during the year! It was the solemn and unanswerable appeal of fulfilling prophecy that wrought the change of heart. This wealthy lady and her daughter belong to a family of prominence, and while on a recent tour in Europe, were entertained by the German emperor on his royal yacht, the crown prince showing them special attention.

The hearts of men of the greatest intellect and holding the highest positions, are trembling at the impending crisis. Now, just now, is our opportunity to appeal to persons in every position in life, with God’s mighty message of solemn warning and glorious promise.

J. S. WASHBURN.