p. 11 | Women and the Message by Mrs. Luella B. Priddy

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 13, 1910

Women and the Message

By Mrs. Luella B. Priddy

MRS. LUELLA B. PRIDDY

THIS is a day of great privileges for women. In past ages they have not had such freedom as they now enjoy. Many avenues of work now open up to them as freely as to men. This great change that has come over the world is not without significance. It is one of the things that the providence of God has brought to pass, to prepare the world for the last great day.

God designs that women as well as men shall have a part in carrying the third angel's message to the world. The day in which we live is no ordinary time. The last great conflict with the powers of darkness is being waged, a battle whose issues are victory or death to every soul. It is the climax of all the ages.

There are many kinds of work in which women can successfully engage, and the spirit of prophecy tells us that their work is needed. We see a world full of sin, and sickness, and sorrow, which nothing can relieve but divine grace transforming the life. The people need to be taught how to live the Christian life in their own homes. They can not be fed on the cold left-overs of a dead, past experience; but if women whose hearts throb with the love of souls will carry them the truth to their own doors, warm from the heavenly courts, honest souls ready to listen will be found.

Modest, godly women, who have gotten the victory over their own besetments, and have learned to make their own homes the abode of peace and righteousness, have a great opportunity before them. Seventh-day Adventist women who have the light on health reform and on home duties that has been shining out for years through the Testimonies and other denominational literature have a great responsibility resting upon them. They can not hide their light under a bushel and be guiltless. Much of the sin and neglect that we see in the world are the result of ignorance. People need to be led to see what their responsibilities are, and how they are to meet them.

This is not a work apart from the message, but a very practical application of it. There are precious souls everywhere who desire to make their lives what they should be; and when they learn that we have light for them on these topics in which they are interested, they have confidence in the religion that we profess, and they will gladly listen to the truth we offer them, and will read our literature that is full of the gospel message.

It would seem like a Herculean task that God calls us to do, to help carry the message to the world, burdened as women usually are with many cares; but God never lays any duty upon a single soul without providing a way to perform it. His grace is always sufficient. His power will enable even a limited opportunity to count greatly for the salvation of souls. With the abundant facilities provided for us, we can each find something to do.

To women who have long been sheltered within the precincts of the home, it often costs an effort to get out among the people, but God blesses those who do it. We need to come close to the people whenever we can, in order to reach them. The Lord gives most encouraging promises to women who take part in the work at this time.

“Women may take their places in the work at this crisis, and the Lord will work through them. If they are imbued with a sense of their duty, and labor under the influence of the Spirit of God, they will have just the self-possession required for this time. The Saviour will reflect upon these self-sacrificing women the light of his countenance, and this will give them a power which will exceed that of men. They can do in families a work that men can not do, a work that reaches the inner life. They can come close to the hearts of those whom men can not reach. Their labor is needed.”—Testimonies for the Church, Vol. VI, page 116.

With such wonderful promises as these, we can take up our work with glad hearts, knowing that God will bring results from our humble labors.

Reading from the same volume, page 118, we find this instruction: “All who work for God should have the Martha and the Mary attributes blended,—a willingness to minister, and a sincere love of the truth.” Martha looked carefully after the ways of her household, but Mary sat at the feet of Jesus. Such women may be a power for good.

There is a class of women in the world who thirst for excitement and notoriety. They are willing to do almost anything rather than take up the humble everyday duties that lie in their path. These they consider too narrow for them. Such have cast odium upon women's engaging in gospel work, in the minds of many people, and the influence of their work really lowers the standard of piety. But a modest, discreet woman carrying the truth to the people is usually received with favor.

A thorough knowledge of housewifely arts is a necessity to any woman, whether she lives in a family or in an institution. She is constantly meeting with duties that require a domestic training. A true woman can not wholly escape them. She will not wish to escape them, but she will not regard these duties as the all in all of life. She will recognize in them a divinely appointed training-school to fit her to meet the needs of a lost world.

The Lord has given every one the blessed privilege of laboring in his vineyard. When Christ rode into Jerusalem, and the multitude began to rejoice and praise God, he said, “If these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.” Luke 19:40. So in this day we have reached a time when the message must go, and we can not hold our peace.

Dear sisters in Christ, let us join hands, and pledge ourselves to do what divine power enables us to do in this continuous missionary campaign, pressing together that there be no gap in the ranks. Let us seek God for that anointing with the heavenly eye-salve, that even the most secluded ones among us may see the opportunities God has for us. No doubt we shall find giants in the way, but David slew a great giant with a small pebble from the brook, and Christ dwelling in our hearts by faith can make us strong in the power of his might.

This message will soon triumph gloriously, and we may triumph with it. We may share in the toils and trials a little longer, and then receive a royal welcome, an abundant entrance into the heavenly mansions. We have every incentive to be faithful.

Ellesmere, Ontario.