Ministerial Institute at Philadelphia
By G. B. Thompson
EVER since the beginning of the work of the third angel's message, we have looked forward to a time of a great refreshing, or the latter rain, by means of which that work will be speedily forwarded in the earth, and our absent Lord return. God's Word has promised it; the Testimonies of the Spirit have spoken frequently of it, and exhorted us to prepare for it; and the time has fully come. Only by such an outpouring of spiritual power can the stupendous work before us be done. Never by mere force of numbers and increase of machinery, can we warn these great cities given over to sin and pleasure. Never by keen argument, attended by human power and ingenuity, can we reach the millions before us yet unwarned, both at home and abroad. With human strength the task is utterly hopeless, and we might well despair. Be the appropriation of funds ever so large, and the aggregation of workers ever so experienced and well trained, without God's Spirit in great measure they are but a drop in the ocean of lost humanity among whom they mingle. To finish the work there must be a tremendous spiritual awakening among us, not alone among the workers, but in every church. This is the crying need of the hour. It is for this that we should fervently and continuously intercede with God. We must increase our pace, and we should begin now. Not long ago the servant of God said: “Recently, in visions during the night season, a representation passed before me. Among God's people there seemed to be a great reformatory movement. Many were praising God. The sick were healed, and other miracles were wrought. A spirit of intercession was seen, even as was manifested before the great day of Pentecost. Hundreds and thousands were seen visiting families, and opening before them the Word of God. Hearts were convicted by the power of the Holy Spirit, and a spirit of genuine conversion was manifest. On every side, doors were thrown open to the proclamation of the truth. The world seemed to be lightened with a heavenly influence. Great blessings were received by the true and humble people of God. I heard voices of thanksgiving and praise, and there seemed to be a reformation such as we witnessed in 1844.” Those who had the privilege of attending this institute seemed to stand on the threshold of some such experience as that described above. Certainly a large measure of the Holy Spirit was present. It was not some special occasion in the institute, but it was a daily experience throughout the meeting. A study of the Word brought a conviction of sin. All lightness, joking, and jesting were put away. Not a single criticism was heard from the beginning till the close. The one absorbing thought which took possession of every heart was the desire to be free from sin, that we might be anointed with God's Spirit for service, and not simply warn men with God's message, but save their souls as well. Everything else was secondary to this. As the great work of the ministry was exalted, a terrible burden rested on hearts to be true soul-winners. This seemed more desirable than anything else in life. To preach God's message with power to reach hearts seemed to be the great goal desired. In no meeting that the writer has ever attended has such universal seeking of God been seen. Men prayed and agonized for victory. Getting a new experience was more important than hours of sleep. Seasons of prayer extended far into the night. A general prayer-meeting was arranged for 6:30 A. M.; and although the workers were widely scattered in a large city, nearly all were present every morning. A spirit of earnest, importunate prayer was with us. As day by day the conviction of sin deepened, wrongs were made right. Where jealousy, envy, and evil-surmisings had existed among workers, they were confessed and put away. Some went to those against whom they had entertained wrong feelings, and made things right. Motives were looked into, and hearts were searched by the Spirit of God. The emptying which must precede an infilling of spiritual power went on day by day. And the Lord did not disappoint us. He came not alone to convict, chasten, and correct, but also to bless, strengthen, and encourage. After the humbling of heart came the joy of the Lord. All were encouraged to believe that a new era had dawned; that the call to work the cities meant a strong evangelical effort, attended by a great ingathering of souls. Personally, I feel a profound conviction that the same work, only in a deeper and fuller measure, should be begun in every union and local conference. That this revival work should begin with us as ministers and workers seems fitting; but having received from God the fulness of his blessing, we should carry it to all our churches, and to the world, that there may be a spiritual awakening, not in one section of the field, but as far as the message extends. The time is here for this work. The Lord is waiting to bestow his Spirit on hearts that are clean. It is not some Holy Ghost message apart from this truth that is demanded, but the message of the third angel, proclaimed with the Spirit of God sent down from heaven.15 There is no other way to finish this work. We have compassed this mountain long enough. It is now time to arise, and follow the pillar of cloud as it moves toward the promised land. But this means an individual work. Before the flood of blessing can come, there must be a period of cleansing and of earnestly seeking God, a putting away of sin, a cleansing of heart, a repenting of sin; there must be the voice of weeping and supplication, the decrease of self, and the increase of Christ. And surely the time has come for this work to begin. Why delay? Why should we not each begin now? The day of God is here. The end is almost in sight. Human probation is about to end. The cup of earth's wickedness is almost full. There is no time now for delay. In 1844, or more than sixty-six years ago, the hour of the investigative judgment began. Of this there is no doubt. The work of this heavenly tribunal will soon end, and the High Priest lay down his censer forever. This solemn truth ought to stir our hearts as never before to pray and to forsake sin. The time of the latter rain is here. We need it. We must have it to finish the sacred work of God committed to our hands. We believe that the blessing sent of God at this meeting, if used aright, will result in bringing renewed success to our work in the East.