The Loud Cry-What Is It? by W. E. Gillis

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

The Loud Cry—What Is It?

By W. E. Gillis

W. E. GILLIS

“The time of test is just upon us, for the loud cry of the third angel has begun in the revelation of the righteousness of Christ, the sin-pardoning Redeemer. This is the beginning of the light of the angel whose glory shall fill the whole earth.”—Mrs. E. G. White, in the Review and Herald of Nov. 22, 1892.

This testimony, written nineteen years ago, gives us a hint as to the real character of the loud cry. It is a call to perfection; for the righteousness [right-doing] of Christ was perfect in all points. It is a call to be just the opposite of what the angel of Rev. 18:1 declares to be the condition of the popular churches. It is a call to be so separated from the world and its foibles that all will immediately discern who serves God and who serves him not.

In “Spiritual Gifts,” Vol. I, pages 138, 139, we have this statement: “The work of this angel [Rev. 18:1] comes in at the right time to join in the last great work of the third angel’s message, as it swells to a loud cry. And the people of God are thus prepared [by the message of this angel] to stand in the hour of temptation which they are soon to meet. . . . This message seemed to be an addition to the third message, joining it as the midnight cry joined the second angel’s message in 1844.”

Now, what are the conditions? The people of God are in a spiritual state which demands a message of which the midnight cry of 1844 was a type. Then, in order to know the nature of the work and the object to be accomplished, we must review the experiences of the fall of 1844.

Referring to the opening chapters of “Rise and Progress of Seventh-Day Adventists,” we learn that the disappointment of the spring of that year had brought into the ranks of the believers a feeling of uncertainty, and a strong tendency to say, by word and action, “My Lord delayeth his coming.” Many manifested a desire to maintain a strong hold upon the things of this world, so that in the event of a failure in the fulfilment of the expectations of the advent message they would still have a name and a place among men.

Here was a condition of affairs that could result only in disappointment and shipwreck of faith to all who yielded to it. The midnight cry discovered to the believers the fallacy of such a position, and pointed out to them the only course that they could possibly take if they would meet the Lord in peace. “Ye can not serve God and mammon.” “This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.”

In reviewing the history of that time, it will be noted that the midnight cry was not given by a different people, but by those who had given the first message. They studied and followed on to know the will of the Lord in their trying experience, and the giving of the message was a strong factor in preserving their integrity in the truth.

To show how thorough a knowledge was had of the necessary preparation that must be made to meet the coming Saviour, we quote from “Rise and Progress” an extract taken from the Midnight Cry of Oct. 3, 1844. Every point made should appeal with much emphasis to our people in the present testing hour. The excerpt is as follows:—

“It requires the same faith that led Abraham to offer up Isaac, or Noah to build the ark, or Lot to leave Sodom, or the children of Israel to stand all night waiting for their departure out of Egypt, or for Daniel to go into the lions’ den, or the three Hebrews into the fiery furnace. We have fancied that we were going into the kingdom without such a test of faith, but I am satisfied we are not. This last truth brings such a test, and none will venture upon it but such as dare to be accounted fools, madmen, or anything else that antediluvians, Sodomites, a lukewarm church, or sleeping virgins, are disposed to heap upon them.”—“Rise and Progress of Seventh-Day Adventists,” page 54.

Under date of Oct. 10, 1844, was published the now memorable article known as “Storrs’s Flat Rock.” In it occur these stirring lines:—

“How shall we be ready for that day?—Believe God’s truth, and venture out upon it, by strong faith that gives glory to God. . . . Venture now, and venture all.”—Id., pages 54, 56.

Here are principles that must ever characterize the advent people if they would be accounted worthy of life when the Saviour appears. Here are the principles of the church in Philadelphia that was prepared to meet the Lord in the fall of 1844; the church for whom the revelator finds no words of censure; the type of the church that must finally meet the Lord of glory.

Following the passing of the time in 1844, the work of the third angel of Revelation 14 developed, and with it a wealth of literature and knowledge of the truth of God. As the years passed, the Laodicean message became necessary, and was proclaimed to our people. In 1888 began the spiritual awakening referred to in the opening quotation of this article. The Saviour was now being given his true place in the last great message. As new knowledge marked the beginning of the midnight cry of the

former message, so, as was indicated in “Early Writings,” new knowledge ushered in the loud cry.

“Not I, but Christ, be honored, loved, exalted; Not I, but Christ, be seen, be known, be heard; Not I, but Christ, in every look and action, Not I, but Christ, in every thought and word.”

For nearly a quarter of a century this loud cry has been swelling, and the aged servants of God are listening, O, so expectantly! for the harmonies that will mark its triumph. What hinders? The greatness of the work?—No, not that. This work can not be accomplished at all until the advent people have heeded the message, “Awake, awake, put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments [the robes of Christ’s righteousness—the wedding garment], O Jerusalem.” And then will the Lord cut the great work short in righteousness.

The great essential feature of the loud cry and of the third angel’s message has been briefly stated, the details may be found in the world-wide ramifications of the work of this people.

Shanghai, China.