MISSIONARY WORK IN THE THIRD ANGEL'S MESSAGE.
By Stephen N. Haskell
The work in which we as a people are engaged is, in many respects, unlike all other denominational enterprises. It is not a work which presents one or two main features merely, but every point of practical Bible truth is made a specialty. It not only inculcates the Sabbath reform, but every good principle contained in the Bible. We believe in heeding the instruction of the apostle to eat and drink to the glory of God, and to dress modestly, as becometh the church of Christ. “Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing gold, or of putting on of apparel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit.” These truths are presented before the world as a specialty, having in view a definite object, namely, a preparation to meet God. To this generation it is said: “If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb; and the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever; and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.” Rev. 14 : 9–11. This truth is not of such a character that it makes no difference whether men believe it or not; but it presents as a warning against its rejection the most awful threatenings found in the Bible. It restores every lost or downtrodden truth of past centuries as presenting salvation to the receiver, and condemnation to those who reject it. The message is given in haste. Men and women who listen to this solemn warning will be witnesses of the outpouring of the vials of God's wrath; and those who reject it will receive the same, and be destroyed thereby. “And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth: and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshiped his image.” Rev. 16 : 2. This is a warning which will never be given but once. There are prophecies which refer to events like the rise and fall of nations, which are repeatedly fulfilled, as those concerning “wars and rumors of wars”; but not so in this case. Like the rising of the sun as it lights up the eastern horizon, dispelling the fog and mist until the whole earth is lightened with its cheering rays, so it is with this work. It is represented in prophecy as small in the beginning, but gradually increasing as it gathers truths from every part of inspiration, until it goes forth in majesty and power, arresting the attention of people and nations, from the king on his throne to the humblest peasant in his cot. It will present itself before the world as embracing every genuine reform. And when the message has gone to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, has gathered together in the truth the meek of the earth, and they have enlisted under the blood-stained banner of Prince Immanuel,—then the curtain drops upon the scene, and the wicked are destroyed from the face of the earth. This people will have a different experience from those who have seemingly learned everything necessary to their advancement, and graduated in spiritual things. They will have the experience of genuine reformers; not learning to-day that the light of yesterday was darkness, but gathering additional light, and thus growing in grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Ways and means will be devised to carry forward this work upon a larger and still broader scale, until the influence of it will be felt to earth's remotest bounds. The commandments of God and the faith of Jesus embraces all the practical truths applicable to the present time. God will honor this message. Those who have no other earthly interest, and whose lives are devoted to the promulgation of this cause; although they may be despised by men, will be honored in Heaven. It is not a high-sounding title which gives vitality and power to this work, but the spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ witnessing to every unselfish act. It may be the sending of the Signs of the Times to some unknown person, if it be done in love and faith, that the Spirit of God will make fruitful of good results. Therefore the first inquiry of the heart should be, How much can I do? How much of means, or of physical and mental strength, can I put into this cause during the few remaining days of my probationary time? How much of my past life can I redeem by using what I have acquired of means, experience, learning, and ability in this closing work? It is solemn but still glorious to live in these closing moments of the world's history. May God give us wisdom, integrity, and courage to finish our work, that with joy we may exclaim with the apostle, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”
S. N. HASKELL.