A Solemn Duty and a Blessed Privilege by J. S. Washburn

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

A Solemn Duty and a Blessed Privilege

By J. S. Washburn

How brief the time before the close of this great work no man may know. He only to whom the future is an open book has his eye upon the date. Doubtless, if for a moment we could look forward through the eyes of him who sees the future as clearly as the past, we would be startled to know how near that event is.

Is there anything that has brought our work to the favorable attention of the people more than the sanitariums and the sending out of our literature? When help is given to the publishing houses and sanitariums, the gospel is being thus proclaimed. Note the following solemn words sent to us through the spirit of prophecy:—

The end of all things is at hand. The signs foretold by Christ are fast fulfilling. The nations are angry, and the time of the dead has come, that they should be judged. There are stormy times before us, but let us not utter one word of unbelief or discouragement. Let us remember that we bear a message of healing to a world filled with sin-sick souls.

May the Lord increase our faith, and help us to see that he desires us all to become acquainted with his ministry of healing and with the mercy-seat. He desires the light of his grace to shine forth from many places. We are living in the last days. Troublous times are before us. He who understands the necessities of the situation arranges that advantages should be brought to the workers in various places, to enable them more effectually to arouse the attention of the people. He knows the needs and the necessities of the feeblest of his flock, and he sends his own message into the highways and the byways. He loves us with an everlasting love.

J. S. WASHBURN.