"THEY"? WHO ARE THEY? by R. F. Cottrell

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, Cal. · Jan 22, 1880

"THEY"? WHO ARE THEY?

By R. F. Cottrell

The ship's crew, those who are fully enlisted and have all their interest on board, when speaking of the movements of the ship will say, We sailed so and so, or we expect to take this course or that. Consequently when one is heard saying that they have sailed this way or that, the natural inference is, that he does not belong on board, but is only a passenger.

So in the matters of the church, and the work in which we are engaged. Those whose hearts are in the work, being fully committed to its interests, will identify themselves with each advance movement. They will speak of what we have done, or intend to do; of the duties wherein we have been behind, and of the improvements which we, by the grace of God, intend to make. But when one says, They have done this or that; they have erred; they expect too much from us; and, perhaps, they are making money, we may safely infer that such ones count themselves out. Their interest is for themselves, and not for the common cause.

The cause is one. It is the cause of truth, and is for the salvation of men. In its prosperity we rejoice. If it is increased in strength, we feel that God is giving success to our feeble efforts. If our institutions are acquiring means to carry the work forward, we are enriched. And as the truth is spreading abroad to "many peoples, and nations, and tongues," and kingdoms, we feel like sharing the labor, the sacrifice, and the joy. Our interest is all on board; and we know that our labor is not in vain in the Lord. There is a rich harvest to be gathered; and they that sow in tears shall reap in joy. R. F. COTTRELL.