The New Volume by Editor

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 27, 1878

The New Volume.

By Editor

We enter upon volume fifty-two of the REVIEW AND HERALD, under full motion. Notwithstanding the rapid growth and greatly increased activity in the cause of the third message within a few years past, we see no indications that any of the work has been spasmodic or impulsive, to be followed by a reaction, but that all has been a steady, healthy growth, created by the necessities of the case, and the permanent demands of the work upon us.

While it has been necessary to add new departments, it has also been necessary to enlarge the old ones. And this is not confined to the publishing work alone. In all departments there is growth and progress, and the borders of our Zion are enlarging upon every hand.

The news from the far East is very cheering. Two companies of Sabbath-keeping Adventists developed within the past few months in Egypt, one at Alexandria, the other at Cairo, each numbering more than the church in Naples, shows what progress is being made in that direction. There is something thrilling in the thought that away there in the land of the Pharaohs, in sight of the pyramids, where Moses lived and Israel toiled in bondage, there is a people turning to the ancient Sabbath which they observed, and preparing for the advent of Christ from Heaven.

The developments of the past few years give us an indication of what we may look for in the future; for the cause of God never goes back. From a private letter just received from Bro. Andrews, who writes from Bienne, Switzerland, we take the liberty to extract the following sentences:—

“I am glad you can speak of such prosperity in the work of God. It would do me much good to see the great things which God is accomplishing in America. But there are yet much greater things in reserve that we shall see before long. We see many tokens of good in Europe.”

This we fully believe. Much greater things are yet to be seen. The REVIEW, during the coming volume, and the few volumes that may yet be published before the end, will be the faithful exponent of these things. We can say without any boasting (for the nature of our work and message holds us to this conclusion) that we believe that the REVIEW, from this time forth, will contain more matter that is of real, stirring interest and vital importance to him who can discern spiritual things, than any other paper published in the land. In this statement we of course include with the REVIEW all other papers published by Seventh-day Adventists, which are doing the same work. The specific questions with which it deals, the Sabbath reform, the commandments of God, the worship of the beast, the formation of the image, the reception of the mark, the exposure, to its full extent, of the great apostasy, and the complete recovery of the church therefrom, besides the more general themes of the coming of Christ and the end of this age, are, and are more fully to be, the real living issues of the hour. Alas! that so many have lost sight of these issues, and in their efforts at the exposition of prophecy are like those who beat the air. It is a terrible thing to lose chart, compass, rudder, and anchor, and drift aimlessly about, at the mercy of wind and wave, as too many are doing.

While each year strengthens our conviction of the entire truthfulness of our position, which may now be said to amount to a demonstration and to positive knowledge, there is one feature which is not so pleasant to contemplate; and that is, that the REVIEW has no wider circulation. A paper filled with the most important truth, with clear arguments and with stirring reports, is just as good for ten times ten thousand subscribers as it is for ten thousand alone. And the thousands who are waiting to be benefited by it, ought to have it. Since the time when the solemn admonition came to this people, that we were not doing one-twentieth what we should do, doubtless some progress has been made in this direction. But suppose we have made only half the progress we should have made, and that ten times what we are doing yet remains to be done; this, if carried out, would give the REVIEW a vastly wider field than it now fills.

This work justly claims from us whatever of interest and energy a human being is capable of manifesting. A work in which the Creator of all worlds and the hosts of holy angels are interested, should not be treated by us with indifference. As individuals we are nothing; but the work of God is very precious and sacred. God could do his work with better agents than we; but he kindly permits us to have a part therein. Shall we, by unfaithfulness, forfeit this privilege?

That for which we are preparing is the coronation of the King of kings. Angels wait with intense interest for that auspicious event; the earth groans for it; the wicked are ripe for it. Let the church make haste to be ready for it. That will be the greatest gala day the universe has ever seen. Then will be witnessed the most brilliant assemblage, the grandest procession, the most stupendous scenes, ever set forth in all the realms over which God presides, since time began. Let our course here and now be such that on that day we may not stand as condemned culprits, plunged in deepest anguish, but as honored guests, clothed in robes of light and unutterable joy. The day is at hand.

We expect the volume of the REVIEW upon which we now enter will be one of surpassing interest.