The Mission of the United States

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 1, 1910

The Mission of the United States

UNDER this head the United Presbyterian of August 4 speaks of the unique position of the United States among the nations of earth, and of the work it was set to do:—

The United States stands alone as no other nation does, and has opportunities given to none other. It therefore has a peculiar, special mission. By this we mean that God has raised it up to a peculiar position among the nations, and has given to it a power and an opportunity to be a great blessing to all the world. To use this opportunity and exercise this power for the betterment of the world, is its mission. In the fulfilment of this mission will be found its greatness. For greatness is not in wealth, nor in political power, but in the working power for the help and uplift of others. The United States is a new nation on a new soil and on new principles. In an age of tyranny and wrong a multitude of people sought freedom in escape to a new land. They founded a nation on the broad principles of personal freedom and equality, of intelligence and Christian faith. The nation grew without rival neighbors. There were no inheritances of ill will, no traditions of enmity, no causes of friction beyond what are common to the imperfections of human nature. There was no one to dispute its right to its territory, or to lay a hand on its growth in wealth and power. It is a nation founded on the brotherhood of equal rights and the supremacy of law. . . . Unless we make an exception of the war with Mexico, it has waged no war of conquest.

This statement of the position of the United States among the governments of men is fully borne out by the statement of the prophetic Word. Would that it might continue its mission of pointing the way to greater light and liberty! But the prophet says, in Rev. 13: 11, that there will come a denial of its lamblike principles; and, turning its back upon the goal for which it started, it will make an alliance with evil. It is then that it will speak with dragon voice, and seek to compel men to worship the principles of evil from which in its earlier history it sought to free men. We may not hope to save the nation from taking the fateful step, but we may be

the means in God's hands of saving individuals. Character only will survive the wreck of time. Earthly governments will pass away; but by the grace of Christ, individuals may be saved forever. The need of the world to-day is a personal Saviour.