What the Plan Means by Arthur G. Daniells

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 25, 1902

What the Plan Means

By Arthur G. Daniells

From Victory unto Victory

There is now a great movement on foot in this country in behalf of the sale of “Christ’s Object Lessons.” This movement must not prove a failure. We have put our hands to the plow, and there must be no turning back. We have all acknowledged that it is our duty to rise up immediately and sell a definite number of books for every believer, and have said that we will do our duty. To fail will be to prove untrue to our great Leader, and to our own convictions as well. This must not be. The battle must be pressed until it is gloriously won.

After the enthusiasm of the first week’s effort abates, shall we begin to slacken our pace and allow the movement to dwindle out, and thus fail to win a complete victory? If we allow this, we shall lose much—far more than the financial loss involved in the failure to sell a certain number of books. In the instruction given us, we are told that by this plan the Lord is testing His people. The more I study this question, the more deeply I am impressed with the idea that there is far more in it than the raising of a certain sum of money for the payment of our school debts.

In what respect is the Lord testing His people by this plan? Is it simply on the point of selling a stated number of books for the raising of a certain sum of money? This will certainly be a part of the results if the plan is faithfully carried out; but I cannot believe that this embraces all there is in the test.

What the Plan Means

The carrying out of this plan means service on the part of God’s people. It means the accomplishment of practical, definite work. An equal apportionment of the task in the Lake Union Conference means that at the present time every believer in this message, in the States of Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana, should sell a certain number of copies of “Christ’s Object Lessons.” But as the conditions, opportunities, and powers of all are not equal, some must sell more than others. Some must share the burdens of their weaker brethren. But when each one has done his duty, the number will be sold, and the task accomplished.

Thus every believer is encouraged to engage in personal labor for the Lord and His fellow men. And still more: he is not only encouraged to put forth efforts, but is taught how to do the work successfully. This means a great victory to the cause of God. Through the apostle Peter the Lord says: “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” I Peter 4:10.

In the “Testimonies for the Church” it is said: “Every soul should take an active part in advancing the cause of God. Whatever our calling, as Christians we have a work to do in making Christ known to the world. We are to be missionaries, having for our chief aim the winning of souls to Christ. To His Church God has committed the work of diffusing light and bearing the message of His love. . . . We are to encourage souls, to attract them, and thus win them to the Saviour. If this is not our interest, if we withhold from God the service of heart and life, we are robbing Him of influence, of time, of money and effort. In failing to benefit our fellow men, we rob God of the glory that should flow to Him through the conversion of souls.”—Vol. VI, page 427.

The Danger

These statements place before us most important considerations. They put us in possession of a great secret. They show us how to grow in grace, how to gain personal victories, how to lead men and women to Jesus, and thus to make life a grand success. But right here is where the enemy will deceive us if possible. And according to instruction given through the same source, our enemy is meeting with altogether too much success, as is plainly stated in the following warning:—

A great work is to be done in the world, and what efforts are we making for its accomplishment? The people have had too much sermonizing; but have they been taught how to labor for those for whom Christ died? Has a line of labor been devised and placed before them in such a way that each has seen the necessity of taking part in the work?

It is evident that all the sermons that have been preached have not developed a large class of self-denying workers. This subject is to be considered as involving the most serious results. Our future for eternity is at stake. The churches are withering up because they have failed to use their talents in diffusing light. Careful instruction should be given which will be as lessons from the Master, that all may put their light to practical use. Those who have the oversight of the churches should select members of ability, and place them under responsibilities, at the same time giving them instruction as to how they may best serve and bless others.

God expects His Church to discipline and fit its members for the work of enlightening the world. An education should be given that would result in furnishing hundreds who would put out to the exchangers valuable talents. By the use of these talents, men would be developed who would be prepared to fill positions of trust and influence, and to maintain pure, uncorrupted principles. Thus great good would be accomplished for the Master.—Id., pages 431, 432.

The Meaning of the Test

To me it is as plain as a sunbeam that the carrying out of the plan given us for the sale of “Christ’s Object Lessons” will do for Seventh-day Adventists just what the Lord, in the instruction just quoted, tells us should be done. And in this way the Lord is testing His people, to see whether they will take the first simple steps required to make them the missionaries of this age. If they will, the cloud will lift, and we shall take our journey from this mountain which we have compassed altogether too long.

This is truly a supreme moment for us. If we fail in a task so light, so simple, so thoroughly feasible, and so easy of accomplishment, what can the Lord ever expect of us? This task is a very light one compared with the mighty work God has given us to do; and if we cannot do that which is small, on what basis can we hope ever to accomplish that which is great? On the other hand, if we courageously and resolutely press this work to a successful finish, we shall have learned the way of victory, and shall have laid a stepping-stone to greater service.

My convictions that we are on right lines in this campaign for the sale of “Christ’s Object Lessons” daily deepen. My courage grows stronger. I feel more determined than ever to see this thing through to a successful finish. I earnestly pray that every conference president and committee will grip this movement, and hold it steady until it is completed. Do not waver in the least. Do not listen to discouraging reports. Do not permit the conference laborers to give up the work, nor to fail in successfully working out their part. Remember the instruction already quoted, to the effect that the people have had enough sermonizing, but not enough straight, effective work. We are too superficial. We must come down and place our feet flat on the earth, and do something. This will give our people a new hold. It will revive their courage. It will help them to see that the days of miracles are not all past. It will help them to feel that we are safe in undertaking large things.

A. G. DANIELLS.