p. 222 | The Connecting Link by F. M. W.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 6, 1913

The Connecting Link

By F. M. W.

MANY times in the history of this movement have we rendered, and most justly, praise to God for the advancement that has been made. Year by year we take note of the gain in membership, of the increase in church funds, of the enlarged sale of our denominational literature, of the new mission fields that have been entered, and of scores of other points which indicate the progress that has been made during the last twelve months. We are thankful for the many agencies that have been brought into being in the promotion of this cause; for our publishing houses, schools, and sanitariums.

But while we consider with gratitude all that has been accomplished, we stand almost speechless as we contemplate the work that remains to be done. We have sent missionaries to many lands, but we have touched, as it were, only the outer fringes of vast territories. We have made but a beginning among the many millions of unwarned. How shall we fulfil the commission entrusted to us? How shall we carry to all nations, peoples, tongues, and kings the message for this last day, of which the Lord has made us the bearers? We can never accomplish this work through material agencies. The message can never be given alone through the influence of our publishing houses, schools, and sanitariums, nor even by men and means.

We have accomplished much in the past for the reason that we have taken hold in some small degree upon the arm of the Lord. We have accomplished so little, comparatively, for the reason that we have trusted so largely to our own resources, and have by this means obstructed so greatly the working of divine power. If the work committed to us shall be accomplished, this order must be reversed. There must come in between us and God a connecting link. We must take hold of the resources of heaven, the strength of Omnipotence, in order to accomplish in God's way and in God's time the work that he has given us to do.

In the world's business everything is brought down to the computation of dollars and cents, and is viewed from a cold, commercial basis. There is danger that we shall view the work of God in this manner; that in the enumeration of facts and the contemplation of figures, we shall seek to measure our strength, to number Israel, as did David of old, and not recognize that a higher, divine power must spiritualize our energies if we shall accomplish successfully the work committed to us.

The principle of the old covenant was doing by works. It is necessary for us to work, to show our faith by our works; to labor and toil and sacrifice, and die, if need be, for the cross of Christ; but O, let this be but the result of a living, transforming, inspiring faith that shall fill our hearts and souls and become the actuating motive of all our efforts! As righteousness is obtained by faith, so this work must be accomplished by faith. Prayer and faith must be the links that connect us with the power from on high. This all-prevailing prayer, this simple, childlike faith, we need to-day. Before these, mountains will fall, the barriers will be removed, the darkness will be dissipated, and life and light and energy will flow through the material agencies of God's work, causing them to throb and pulsate with mighty power.

In Ezekiel's vision of God's throne he saw many wheels, wheels within wheels, a beautiful and glorious mechanism. But that which made the wheels powerful in the accomplishment of God's mighty purpose was the spirit that was within them. The need of the church of God to-day is more of this spirit. A spiritual dearth has entered into the lives of some of our church-members. Leanness of soul, lives without fruit bearing, are apparent in every company of believers. There is needed to-day in our ranks the divine touch. This is needed above men, above silver and gold, above institutions, above conference organizations. And when the Holy Spirit fills the hearts of God's people, the gold and the silver will not be withheld. Offers for hard and enduring service will not be lacking. The treasury of the church will be filled to overflowing. Thousands will respond, "Here am I, Lord; send me." This spirit of consecration must precede the day of power. For this consecration let us plead. Let us humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, knowing that in his own time and in his own way he will exalt us and manifest before us the power of his saving truth.

F. M. W.