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CHRIST OUR ONLY HOPE

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Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jul 22, 1880

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 6, No. 28.

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CHRIST OUR ONLY HOPE.

By James White

Our Lord illustrates his relation to the church and the dependence of the disciple upon the Master by the figure of the vine and its branches. He says: "As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches. He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit; for without me ye can do nothing." John 15: 4, 5.
In our past brief history as a people, we have the clearest evidence that the power of Christ has been with us, when we have been humble, obedient, and consecrated to the specific work to which God has called us. The crosses, in point of religious faith, which we have to bear, are many. We are out of harmony with the religious world on almost every point. Here is the second advent cross, the cross of the doctrine of life and immortality alone through Jesus Christ, the cross of the perpetuity of spiritual gifts, and the Sabbath cross. The popular church, united with the world, is against us, and without the power of Christ and the presence of his angels to go with us to battle, the contest is an unequal one. Unless the Lord shall go before our people, and with us in our walk, we shall utterly fail. But Christ strengthening us we can do all his righteous will.
But, thank God, all power in Heaven and in earth is given to Christ, our conquering leader, and Satan is a conquered foe. In the strength of Christ our people must and will arise. Indications are favorable with the church at Battle Creek. We are holding the fort. Meetings increase in interest, and seasons of prayer are exceedingly precious and profitable.
Responses to, the appointment of the day of humiliation, fasting, and prayer, from all parts of the field are favorable. Our people will not wait till the 24th. They have already engaged in the work of returning to the Lord in earnest. He hears our earnest prayers, and meets us, even while far from him. J. W.