Your ShelfYour Projects

Editorial

8%

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 15, 1912

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 89, No. 7.

Read the full edition

Editorial

By Editor

Editorial Correspondence

COLLEGE VIEW, NEBR., JAN. 31, 1912.
Ten days of Bible study and seeking of God. This has been the experience of the three hundred gospel workers assembled here from the twelve State conferences composing the Northern and Central Union conferences. The meetings have been marked with a spirit of earnestness and devotion. The instruction has been timely and practical. It has been evident to all that God has led the minds of his servants; and as day by day precious truth has been imparted, or the word previously spoken enlarged upon and emphasized, the Spirit of truth has carried the messages to appreciative and receptive hearts. Many, if not all, have obtained more exalted ideas than ever before of the sacred character of the gospel message, and of the holy calling and dignified character of the gospel ministry. With these has come a sense of the unworthiness of the human agent to follow this high calling, and of the great need of the sanctifying, vivifying power of the Holy Spirit in order to meet the requirements of the gospel commission. The Spirit has convicted some of unconfessed sin; and joy of heart has been experienced as wrongs have been made right, and differences between brethren adjusted and forgiven.
Both Sabbaths of the institute were days of unusual blessing. The ministers met by themselves for special seeking of God. Hearty confessions were made by some, and many earnest prayers were offered. In consequence, hearts were made tender, and conviction and earnest purpose entered anew into every life. This spirit had its deepest and fullest expression in the afternoon of the last Sabbath, when after scores had spoken and much time had been consumed in testimonies of praise and thanksgiving, the entire congregation, numbering nearly two thousand persons, arose as one man in answer to the call for unreserved consecration to God for a life of service in the finishing of this work.
To the writer this seemed a supreme moment, the entering upon a new era, both in the personal experience of those taking part in the service and in the history of our denominational work. Before us were men like Elders J. H. Morrison, R. F. Andrews, and J. S. Hart, whose whitened hairs spoke of long years of service in this blessed cause. Long have these and other pioneer workers waited for the fulfilment of the blessed hope of Israel. Others were there, some strong in manhood’s vigor, others young and filled with zeal and energy and ambition,—all constituting the family of the Lord, the waiting army ready for service where the providence of God shall lead.
We have seen many consecration services, but this meant more to us than previous ones because more was involved to those who made the consecration,—a deeper conception of personal need, a higher appreciation of the call of the Master, a more complete surrender to the divine will.
We can not of course forecast all the results in a personal or general way which will come from this excellent meeting. We are confident, however, that it will bring to our ministry in the Middle West a new power in gospel labor. It will bring to our churches, through the ministry of these earnest men and women, a new uplift in spiritual life and blessing; and we believe that the results seen in soul-saving and in bringing to those in darkness a knowledge of the blessed gospel, will a thousand times compensate the effort and expense and time involved in this communion service of the last few days.
Such gatherings of our ministers have been held altogether too infrequently during the last few years; but the recognition of their need which is being felt by all, and the reaching out after more of the power of the Holy Spirit, are a significant omen in these eventful days upon which we have entered.
We are living in a time when we can expect God to do great things for his people; when, through the power of his Holy Spirit, we may attempt great things for God. Of this awakening, the spirit of prophecy in “Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. IX, page 126, speaks:—
In visions of the night representations passed before me of a great reformatory movement among God’s people. Many were praising God. The sick were healed, and other miracles were wrought. A spirit of intercession was seen, even as was manifested before the great day of Pentecost. Hundreds and thousands were seen visiting families, and opening before them the Word of God. Hearts were convicted by the power of the Holy Spirit, and a spirit of genuine conversion was manifest. On every side doors were thrown open to the proclamation of the truth. The world seemed to be lightened with the heavenly influence. Great blessings were received by the true and humble people of God. I heard voices of thanksgiving and praise, and there seemed to be a reformation such as we witnessed in 1844.
These are the times our eyes are soon to see in connection with the work of God in the earth. This spirit will soon take possession of his people. May all who read these words so consecrate themselves to God that they shall have a part in this blessed refreshing from the presence of the Lord. F. M. W.