Preparedness by E. K. Slade

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 2, 1916

Preparedness

By E. K. Slade

E. K. SLADE

In a recent speech on preparedness, President Wilson said: “I know that we are daily treading midst the most intricate dangers—not of our own making nor under our own control; and no man in the United States knows what a single week or a single day or a single hour may bring forth.” There are conditions and impending events confronting us infinitely more important than the precipitation of war between our government and a hostile power, as serious as that might be. The time is at hand when that part of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream which the prophet Daniel describes in the following words, is about to come to pass: “Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and break them to pieces. Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshing floors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.” Dan. 2:34, 35.

This event calls for a special preparedness on the part of men and nations. The conflicts about us may divert our minds from the great issue. We cannot afford to ignore the counsel, “Prepare to meet thy God, O Israel.” More than national existence or prestige is involved, for mankind is to be prepared for eternal existence in God’s presence. He is to be made meet to be a partaker of the inheritance of the saints in light. To meet and be with him who dwelleth in “the light which no man can approach unto” calls for a preparation that concerns us more than any combination of earthly events. Heaven’s glory is to fill the earth, and only heavenly nature will be able to endure it. The preparation required is purity of heart and holiness. “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” To cherish one sin or to come short of victory over one wrong practice is a state of unpreparedness that will place us in the class of those who ask for rocks and mountains to cover and shelter them from his glory.

A few years ago a submarine boat sank, and its crew of eighteen men perished. The boat was well built and well equipped, and seemed to be perfect throughout. When it was raised and brought into dry dock, it was discovered that a very small gravelstone had lodged in a valve, preventing its perfect seating. It would seem strange that anything so small could work such harm. By this tiny defect, this almost unnoticeable obstacle, this massive and mighty iron monster of the deep became a useless, helpless, and defunct mass of metal and machinery at the bottom of the sea. Thus it will be with the unprepared. A very small defect will defeat the divine plan. To be prepared for that day is to have every defect removed. Little sins are big in their results. They make ineffective and inoperative all that pertains to God’s glory in us and in our eternal welfare. This is the day of salvation, the day of preparation.

Mount Vernon, Ohio.