Submission by GEO. O. STATES

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 23, 1909

Submission

By GEO. O. STATES

GEO. O. STATES

Recently as I looked over the Review and read the sad news of the death of Elder J. M. Rees, whom I had known so long, and then called to mind that for over five years my health has been so broken that I could do but little to advance the cause which is dearer to me than life, and that all that time my financial circumstances have been such that I have had to draw from the precious tithe for support, it seemed to me there was certainly a mistake somewhere. I left the house and went down into the woods by the creek, and pleaded with the Lord. I said, “Lord, you know I can’t labor to advance the message, and you know how tired I am; why can’t you lay me away to rest until the first resurrection?” It seemed as though my lot was more than I could bear. As I was pleading with the Lord, after a time these words came to me as forcibly as if spoken with an audible voice: “Be still, and know that I am God.”

Then I thought of Paul’s experience,—of his thorn in the flesh, and how the Lord said, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” As if satisfied, the apostle adds: “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

Then came thoughts of Elijah’s experience as he sat under the juniper tree when tired nature had given out. “He

requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.” I carefully read his experiences as recorded in the nineteenth chapter of 1 Kings. While he slept, the angel ministered to his necessities. How did God look upon his suffering servant? Did he forsake him because despondency and despair had seized him?—O, no. Elijah was prostrated with discouragement. All day had he toiled without food. When he guided the chariot of Ahab, running before it to the gate of the city, he was strong of courage. He had high hopes that Israel, as a nation, would return to their allegiance to God, and be reinstated in his favor. But the reaction which frequently follows elevation of faith and marked and glorious success, was pressing upon Elijah. He was exalted to Pisgah’s top, to be humiliated to the lowest valley in faith and feeling. But God’s eye was still upon his servant. He loved him no less when he felt broken-hearted and forsaken of God and man than when, in answer to his prayer, fire flashed from heaven, illuminating Carmel.

Those who have not borne weighty responsibilities, or who have not been accustomed to feel very deeply, can not understand the feelings of Elijah, and are not prepared to give him the tender sympathy he deserves. God knows, and can read the heart’s deep anguish under temptation and sore conflict.

As I read these things over, and remembered that for years I have worried over various matters pertaining to the third angel’s message, I thought, as in Elijah’s case, God has thousands who are firm for the truth and will stand amid all the surrounding influences. I want to say to those who have grown gray and have worn out in the message, God loves us, and this message is going soon to swell into the loud cry which we have talked about for so many years.

Cedaredge, Colo.