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The Rising Note of Inquiry

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 29, 1906

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 83, No. 48.

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The Rising Note of Inquiry

By W. A. S.

BORN of the special outpouring of the Spirit of God, there is a rising note of inquiry in all the world. Week by week the correspondence from the field bears witness to this. It is the time for thoughtful people to inquire, and for those who know the way to respond.
The prophetic description of this time represents the call of inquiry coming out of Seir, from beyond the borders of Israel. It is the cry from the regions beyond. The Revised Version puts the call and the answer thus:—
“One calleth unto me out of Seir, Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night? The watchman said, The morning cometh, and also the night: if ye will inquire, inquire ye: turn ye, come.” Isa. 21: 11, 12.
It is the definite exhortation to people in this day and generation to make inquiry concerning the things of God, and the times in which we live. Here are some words from the fields showing how this rising note of inquiry is all abroad.
Brother L. F. Hansen, of Rangoon, Burma, says: “The interest in our work is steadily increasing. In fact, at this time there is truly a great stir in the borders of the camp.”
From the West Indies, Brother J. A. Strickland writes: “In busy offices and marts of trade we find busy men and women stopping to exchange a word, and asking questions about Adventism.” “There is an awakening throughout all our territory.”
From Amoy, China, Brother W. C. Hankins writes: “Thus with almost no effort on our part, the Spirit of the Lord is causing this work to spread much after the manner of a prairie fire.”
Word comes from the Australasian Union Conference: “Calls are coming from various places, and all the State conferences are offering to the union any of their laborers.”
What do these calls mean?—They mean that the time has come when those who will inquire the way are now to raise the cry, “Watchman, what of the night?” It means also that every watchman is to be wide awake, crying out, “The morning cometh, and also the night.” Never was there such a time. To sleep now and to fail now, when the calls come to throw every resource into service, means eternal failure. But it is a glad time, for the final answer to the world's cry of need and inquiry for the way of truth will be the coming of the Lord Jesus.
W. A. S.