p. 10 | Editorial by Editor

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 26, 1910

Editorial

By Editor

“ALL power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations.” No one in close touch with the Master discounts foreign missions or home missions.

First Foreign Funds. — The first appeal to us for a foreign mission fund was launched by James White in the REVIEW, Nov. 30, 1869. He called for two thousand dollars with which to aid the forty or fifty believers in Europe, mostly in Switzerland, of whom word had been brought through the coming of James Erzenberger, sent as a delegate to America to look us up.

How the Seed Was Carried. — It was by a wandering and uncertain brother, named Czechowski, that the seeds of this truth were lodged among the rocks of Switzerland, to bring forth the first fruitage of the message in Europe. After working with our people for a time in America, he joined the First-day Adventists, who sent him to Europe, where he preached the Sabbath along with the advent doctrines. And still that early planting is bearing fruit, even though later the human agent again forsook the Sabbath.

Call of Providence.— The appeal for this first foreign mission fund emphasized the special providence leading us abroad; and how often since has the way into new fields been pointed out by special providences that called us to hasten on. Elder James White wrote: —

Those who recognize the present as the period for the spread in all Christian lands of the great truths connected with the third message of Revelation 14, can hardly fail to see the providences of God in the raising up of this people in Europe. And what makes the work appear still more remarkable and providential, is that it has been accomplished independent of our agency and help. It has even been carried forward by those who take the greatest pains to oppose Seventh-day Adventists. While they were doing this, our people had not the least idea that they were raising up a body of Seventh-day Adventists. And while we acknowledge the hand of God in this, we feel humbled in view of the probabilities in the case; namely, that in consequence of our fears to trust money with Brother Czechowski, and our lack of care to patiently counsel him as to its proper use, God used our most decided opponents to carry forward the work. And while we acknowledge the hand of God in this work, in which we took no part, and feel that we have cause for humility on account of our past unfaithfulness, let us see to it that we come fully up to present duty.

IN the list of those who gave for the making up of this first foreign mission fund appear the names of many early believers who were always giving and lifting, as the calls came, until the day of their death. And some who gave then, are still giving. Did they ever regret their investments, through all the years, in the cause of God? — Nay, verily. It was a “laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come,” that they might “lay hold on eternal life.” The sacrifices made, the money given, the lives laid down in service, are all written in the books of heaven; and now to us comes the finishing of the work.