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The Truth Marches On

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 28, 1916

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 93, No. 48.

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The Truth Marches On

By William Ambrose Spicer

THE word that comes to us from Europe, in these days of war, has a cheering lesson not only for the present, but for all future time, as we look forward to the stormy days which prophecy forewarns us will be seen before the end.
Tumult and strife and war may rage, but God carries on his work, and souls are won to Christ amid it all. Above angry nations and overruling all is the living God, seeking to save. Even in the countries directly involved in the conflict, the cause of truth has not ceased to make remarkable headway. Amid seemingly impossible conditions, in some regions, the believers have seen the Lord’s arm made bare in wondrous ways, and the result as given in the report that Secretary Dail sends from Europe, is that 4,351 were baptized into the faith last year; and even these figures are incomplete. It means that well toward 5,000 persons have stepped into the pathway of the advent people in one year, the great majority living in countries immediately affected by the great conflict.
On a recent visit to our work in the British Union Conference, I was eyewitness to the good cheer and steadfastness of the believers in the Lord’s service, even in times of great stress and strain. The Spirit of God is speaking to hearts, and the workers are being guided to those who are waiting for the truth.
The lesson of the hour is that we are not to be dismayed, but are to trust God to care for his work, no matter what may lie before us as times of trouble break upon the earth. “Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. . . . The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.”
However, if our brethren and sisters whose service God is blessing in trying times could speak with one voice to us in countries outside the area of conflict, they would say, Push your work with all your consecrated powers and resources while you still have peace in which to work.
But it is reassuring to see how the message of God speeds on even amid tumult and distress. Nothing can stay the movement that John in vision saw spreading swiftly to every nation and tongue and people till the last repentant soul was gathered out. W. A. S.