Rejoicing in the Progress by W. A. S.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 26, 1909

Rejoicing in the Progress

By W. A. S.

BECAUSE we talk of the progress of the advent message, and rejoice to see it flying swiftly toward every nation and people, some who seem to have lost hope in the message have said that this rejoicing indicates a Laodicean state of the church, a feeling that we are rich and in need of nothing.

Of course the critic, who does not rejoice in this progress, feels that he escapes this temptation—he is all right; in fact, to hear the criticisms, he is rich and increased in goods, needing nothing, while the advent people are going wrong.

Now, the rapid opening of land after land by our work, and the onward sweep of this definite message and movement, have brought to view such a multiplication of needs that rebuke our slowness to respond, that the progress already made brings no temptation to fold our hands in self-satisfaction. The rapid progress, at which we rejoice, has the very opposite effect upon hearts in sympathy with the last message. Every step onward but shows how much more should be done, and shows the more clearly that our only hope is in the mighty power of God.

But what if there were no progress to rejoice in? Then this could not be the advent movement that John saw in vision, flying swiftly to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. Thank God, there is just such a movement. It rose at the definite time, it is flying swiftly to the world, and it bears the definite message of preparation for the Lord’s soon coming. And everywhere it sets men and women to the confessing and putting away of sin, and the humbling of self. W. A. S.