At Such a Time as This by H. C. HARTWELL

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 4, 1907

At Such a Time as This

By H. C. HARTWELL

At such a time as this,—when the world is given over to greed and avarice; when men are bending every effort, even committing dreadful crimes, in order to gain worldly wealth and power; when judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off, and truth is fallen in the street; when error and every wind of doctrine is blowing; and when superstition, distrust, and uncertainty

are in the very air,—it is a glorious thing to know the truth.

The wise man has said, “Buy the truth, and sell it not.” It is the pearl of great price, it is more precious than rubies, and all the things that man can desire are not to be compared unto it. He who knew all things said concerning the Scriptures, “Thy word is truth.” “The Bible came fresh from the Fountain of eternal truth, and throughout the ages a divine hand has preserved its purity. It lights up the past, where human research in vain seeks to penetrate.” It also illuminates the future, and in the prophecies are unfolded the history of the world to the close of time; it also reveals bright glimpses of the eternal world, when we shall see His face, and sin and evil shall be no more.

But though there are many Bibles in the land, though thousands of churches rear their lofty spires, though immense institutions of learning and schools of every kind are being built to-day, yet darkness covers the earth, and gross darkness the people. Instead of looking upon the sure word of prophecy as “a light that shineth in a dark place,” “the vision of all is become . . . as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I can not; for it is sealed.” The inspired record is largely regarded as foolishness, and theories of evolution and modern science are set forth to explain the origin and destiny of creation. The blind are leading the blind. False teachers are constantly arising, and thousands are being carried away by their deceptions.

As Daniel and John, in ancient times of moral darkness, were raised up to bear testimony for God, so “he has called us out from the world that we may be witnesses for his truth; and all through our ranks, young men and women should be trained for positions of usefulness and influence.”

Such a preparation can not be obtained in the schools of the world, where “lessons containing falsehood” are taught. It was not the education which Moses acquired in Egypt that prepared him for the important work of his life, but in communion with the Great Teacher he learned the lessons of humility and true wisdom that enabled him to bear with meekness and undaunted courage the trials which befell him as the great leader of Israel.

“We know that there are many schools which afford opportunities for education in the sciences, but we desire something more than this. The science of true education is the truth, which is to be so deeply impressed on the soul that it can not be obliterated by the error that everywhere abounds.” “One great object of our schools is the training of youth to engage in different lines of gospel work. The people everywhere are to have the Bible opened to them. Young men are needed for this work; God calls for them.”

Daniels and Esthers are wanted to-day to represent the truth. “We shall have to stand before magistrates to answer for our allegiance to the law of God, to make known the reasons of our faith. And the youth should understand these things.” To each of them the question comes, “Who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

H. C. HARTWELL.