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An Onward Movement

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 30, 1909

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 86, No. 52.

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An Onward Movement

By George A. Irwin

The week of prayer is now a thing of the past, but we trust that such a blessing has come to God’s people through its observance that a new impetus with which to begin the new year will be given to the work of the third angel’s message.
The spirit of union and harmony that pervaded the meetings at the head of the work is an omen of good. The message is one, though made up of different branches and departments for convenience and better administration.
In union there is strength; division brings weakness. It is when God’s people pay heed to the entreaty of the great apostle, “I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment,” that they will go forth “fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners;” for the Holy Spirit will be their teacher and leader, and nothing can resist his influence. Difficulties that to the doubtful seem insurmountable vanish before the onward march of a united people whose entire trust is in the God of Jacob.
After the prophet Jeremiah had delivered the prophecy regarding the captivity of Judah because of her sins, in order to impress upon the minds of the people that God did not utterly forsake them, the Lord instructed the prophet, through a dream, to purchase a field in Anathoth, of his cousin, and weigh him the money for it, and take a deed therefor properly signed and sealed according to law, in the presence of witnesses, and place the document in the hands of Baruch; all of which he did. “And I charged Baruch before them, saying, Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; Take these evidences, this evidence . . . which is open; and put them in an earthen vessel, that they may continue many days. For thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; Houses and fields and vineyards shall be possessed again in this land.” Jer. 32: 13-15.
Even after complying with this instruction from the Lord as an evidencethat he would not forget his people, the prophet himself, as he thought of the length of time covered by the prophecy, and the strength and power of the great universal kingdom into whose hands they would fall, was well-nigh staggered, but after reflection and prayer he broke out with these words, “Ah Lord God! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great might and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee.” If we, like the prophet, will follow the Lord’s instruction, we too shall see that there is “nothing too hard” for the Lord. The same God that spoke a world into existence from nothing, and made man from the dust of the ground, can as easily control the elements, or change the plans and purposes of both men and nations, and make them conform to, and conserve, his purpose in regard to his work and people.
If we shall successfully accomplish the work that is before us, we must be united in our plans and efforts and move forward in faith. The Lord expects great things of us now, and we can accomplish great things if we all properly relate ourselves to one another and to the work. The ministry alone can never accomplish the work that is to be done; it will require the united and hearty co-operation of all in our ranks. Each one is responsible for the success or failure of the work just in proportion to his ability and opportunity. No one will stand clear in the day of final account who remains idle or indifferent in a time like this.
A turning-point is before us in our work. It is not the honor of men, but the cause of God, that is at stake in all this. Reproach in the form of debts must be lifted from our institutions. Enterprises already under way, and that are badly needed properly to represent our work, should be pushed to completion at once. Advance moves in new fields must also be made. How sad it would be if in a time like this, when we are being tested, we should allow a desire for ease or self-gratification to control us! Had our Saviour done this, we would have been lost; and should we succumb to these desires, souls will be lost that might have been saved had we been true and faithful to the trust committed unto us. It is no time now to talk doubt or discouragement, for it is written of the tarrying time, “If any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.” But, beloved, I am “persuaded better things of you;” that you “are not of them who draw back unto perdition,” but that you are of them that “believe to the saving of the soul.” So let us consecrate anew our all to the Lord, and be ready, when the call comes for means to advance the cause of God, to respond heartily to the full extent of our ability, or if it is for personal service, to respond quickly, saying, “Here am I, send me.”
G. A. IRWIN.