p. 4 | Mustering In by C. M. S.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 25, 1907

Mustering In

By C. M. S.

A CALL has gone out into the world that is designed to bring out of the world a people that shall stand loyally for God against a program that is designed by the author of evil to deceive and ruin the last generation of men. For six thousand years good and evil, light and darkness, have been working toward the culmination of a conflict which is to determine who is to be the ruler of this world—God or Satan. In point of numbers, that conflict might have been decided long ago; for the majority in this world seem always to have been opposed to the rule of righteousness in the life, and their actions have been in harmony with their feelings in the matter.

There must come a culmination. This conflict of the ages, with its dower of misery, sin, and death, could not go on forever. The physical strength of the human race could not stand up under the strain forever—it is not standing up under it now. The downward tendency of the physical man is easily discernible from decade to decade. Military boards are compelled from time to time to reduce the height limit for army recruits and to make the physical tests less exacting in order to keep the necessary number in the ranks. More than that, the proportion of insane to the entire population is steadily and rapidly increasing. What does it mean?—It means that if the race should go on from generation to generation as it is, the physical man would be unable to endure the strain of the conflict, and would go to pieces. The only hope for this world is in the second coming of Christ; and we can have no legitimate hope of meeting him in peace when he does come unless we enlist in his service in obedience to his last call for faithful bearers of his last message.

It is a hopeful omen that we see so many now laying aside various occupations, and enlisting for this final conflict. A spirit has come among our people such as we have never seen before—a spirit, a feeling, that the work needs them, and that they must not longer hesitate between the service of the world and the service of Christ.

This spirit of a desire to enlist in the closing message is particularly striking among the younger generation, and they are taking hold of the work with the energy and freshness of youth. It is an encouragement to the hearts of the veterans in the service to see this striking movement among the young. There is something striking also in the remarkable success that is attending the work of many of these young recruits, especially in the book and periodical work. Years ago men were taught that they were not to consider themselves failures in the canvassing work unless they had canvassed at least three or four weeks without taking a single order. They are unable to make such a test now, for some of them have sold hundreds of dollars' worth of books in that length of time during the recent months.

What does this mean?—God is setting his hand to the work to make it a short work, and his Spirit is striving with the hearts of men. They who yield to it will be a power for him. They who refuse are putting themselves in a place of terrible danger. The times are urgent; the generation is nearing its close; God must have workers, and he can not wait and dally with those who are uncertain whether to serve him or not. The powers of evil are mighty at the present time. They who are to be his must now come up to the help of the Lord against the mighty.

John says, "I have written to you, young men, because ye are strong, . . . and have overcome the wicked one." If ever the professed followers of Christ needed strength, they need it now. Against them are focusing the accumulated cunning of him who is the chief of deceivers and conspirators. It will take strength to overcome this wicked one. It will not be the strength of the natural, physical man. It must be a strength that is superior to the human, or defeat is certain. There must be no trusting in our own strength; "for our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." Eph. 6:12. If that admonition was necessary in the days of Paul, much more is it necessary now in our days. There is no strength but Christ's that can be called strong in comparison with the strength of the principalities of darkness with which we must contend.

Heaven does not send us out unarmed into this struggle. "Wherefore take up the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; withal taking up the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God." Eph. 6:13-17.

There is the armor, and there is the source of strength. Moreover, such provision would never have been made were it not that God foresaw that it would be needed. To go about in our own strength at such a time is to invite destruction. To go with any less armor than God has provided is to set our wisdom above his, and make every vital part vulnerable to the shafts of the devil.

While Satan is mobilizing his forces in all the world, it is a glorious spectacle to see consecrated young men and women being mustered into the service of God and drilling in his camp. The convention at Mount Vernon speaks volumes for the more rapid progress of the third angel's message. Said one, "The call of the hour is for consecrated young men and women to give their lives to this service." And they are answering the call. The establishment of the Washington foreign mission training-school is another long step toward the completion of this work. Let us take courage; the conflict will be short, but it will take all there is of us, coupled with all Heaven has promised us, to make us conquerors. The blessed part of it is that the victory is certain and near at hand, and we may be victors. C. M. S.