Your ShelfYour Projects

The Secret of the Church's Power and Prosperity

8%

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 27, 1911

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 88, No. 17.

Read the full edition

The Secret of the Church's Power and Prosperity

By D. H. K.

We have long believed, and have been taught, that the fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah has its application in the last days. The message it contains applies, therefore, especially to the remnant church. First, a reform is called for in Sabbath observance. The church designated here is admonished no longer to do her own works on God's holy day, but to “call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable.” Verse 13. Second, she is called upon to be less selfish, and to manifest an interest in the poor and needy.
When she responds to this appeal, she will be distinguished from all other churches. Even by the nations she will be called “the restorer of paths to dwell in.” Her two leading characteristics will be Sabbath observance and Christian Help work; and because of her activities in these lines, her “seed shall be known among the Gentiles,” and her “offspring among the people: all that see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the seed which the Lord has blessed.” Isa. 61:9.
In the midst of the universal selfishness and moral darkness that cover the earth, God's church will be engaged in the most unselfish work,—that of ministering to the poor, the fatherless, the widows, and the sick. She will be carrying good cheer to all. “A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation. God setteth the solitary [or orphans] in families.” Ps. 68: 5, 6. Therefore, “pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” “He doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger, in giving him food and raiment. Love ye therefore the stranger.” Deut. 10:18, 19. God loves by giving; so we are to love the stranger by giving him food and raiment. This will be true medical missionary work. It will be the gospel in practise.
When the church does the work appointed her of God, his glory will be seen upon her. Then the promise to her is: “The Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising” (Isa. 60: 1-3); and, “the wealth of the nations shall come unto thee.” Verse 5.
There are many wealthy persons who would gladly give of their abundance to help the needy. They do not have the time to search them out, and know very little of the misery, suffering, and poverty that exist. But should the needs of these be presented to them, and could they see self-denying and unselfish effort on the part of the church to help them in a sane way, many would entrust the church with means to carry forward such a work. In this manner the breach between the rich and the poor might be made up, so that the bounties entrusted to the one could through the church flow to the other; and both the rich and the poor would be blessed,—one in giving, the other in receiving. It would be appropriate for the church to appeal to those who have been entrusted with means to help the unfortunate. The one who asked for the loaves for his friend who was in need, received as many as he asked for. The promise still is, “Ask, and it shall be given you.”
The time was when the church undertook to do a work known as Christian Help work, which included everything called for in this chapter. Many to-day can testify that when she did this work, the wealth of the Gentiles came to her. Numerous experiences and incidents might be related, showing how marvelously God wrought in supplying her with means to help the needy. The church became the channel through which the blessings which God had bestowed upon the rich might flow to the poor and needy. But a time came when the church became less active in such work, and as a result the means from the Gentiles ceased to flow unto her. Her members lost the spiritual and physical blessing which always accompanies such labor.
The church is designed to be merely a channel through which temporal and spiritual blessings may flow to the needy. Stripped of all selfish ambition, she receives to impart; she lives to bless. Though poor, she is able to make many rich. Such a church will to-day be recognized, not only in heaven, but by the Gentiles of the earth, as God's church. I wish to quote a comment upon this chapter, found in “Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. II, pages 25, 34, 36:—
“Good deeds are the fruit that Christ requires us to bear; kind words, deeds of benevolence, of tender regard for the poor, the needy, the afflicted. When hearts sympathize with hearts burdened with discouragement and grief, when the hand dispenses to the needy, when the naked are clothed, the stranger made welcome to a seat in your parlor and a place in your heart, angels are coming very near, and an answering strain is responded to in heaven. Every act of justice, mercy, and benevolence makes melody in heaven. The Father from his throne beholds those who do these acts of mercy, and numbers them with his most precious treasures. ‘And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels.’”
“The prophet is addressing Sabbath-keepers, not sinners, not unbelievers, but those who make great pretensions to godliness. It is not the abundance of your meetings that God accepts. It is not the numerous prayers, but the right-doing, doing the right thing, and at the right time. It is to be less self-caring, and more benevolent.”
“Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doing before mine eyes; cease to do evil; learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat of the good of the land: but if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.” Isa. 1:16-20.
D. H. K.