p. 3 | Some Facts by Editor

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Dec 3, 1903

Some Facts

By Editor

Editorial

Some Facts

WE are in the closing days of this world's history. Only a little remnant of time remains. In this generation the mystery of God will be finished, according to the words of the prophets. The majority of the people now living on the earth will behold the King coming on the white cloud. This great consummation is delayed only by the slow progress in giving the warning message, to prepare a people to stand in the day of God, and the end will not come until this gospel of the coming King has been preached in all the world for a witness to all the nations. This advent movement has now been in progress for threescore years and ten, in exact fulfilment of the prophecies, and there is no other movement in the earth giving a message which holds out any hope of hastening the coming of the Lord. This advent message is the true message for the world in this generation, and it is the only hope of a world in confusion and darkness. Upon the believers in this message rests the responsibility, under God, of shedding light upon the pathway of those who are stumbling and falling, of declaring God's prophetic message to every nation and kindred and tongue and people, and of bringing an end to this time of rebellion against God and his law. Those who have the light will lose the light and their own souls, if they do not let that light shine forth to those in darkness and peril. There is woe for those who neglect their privilege and duty at this time.

Some Questions

Do the fifty thousand Seventh-day Adventists in the United States really believe that it is time now to finish the work of the gospel quickly, and to bring the end? Do you believe it? Does this people seriously feel the responsibility of being the voice for the final offer of mercy and salvation before the close of probation and the judgment decree which will determine the eternal destiny of the fifteen hundred millions of their fellow beings? Do you feel it? Does this people realize that the only possible hope of doing the work committed to them lies in their being strengthened with might by the Spirit in the inner man, and in having a new experience of consecration to service under the quickening power of that Spirit? Do you realize it? Is this people mightily stirred by the intensity of the conflict between the armies of Satan and Emmanuel, and do they see that the climax is just at hand? Are you stirred, and do you see what it means? Do this people appreciate the fact that the judgments of God are already in the earth, in fire and famine, in tornado and tumult, in floods and droughts, and that the hand of God has been stretched out in judgment even upon the institutions connected with this movement because of determined departure from his counsel? Do you appreciate it? Is this people clear, in this hour of God's judgment, from the terrible indictment drawn by inspiration itself of being a nation of robbers, in withholding the tithes and offerings which by divine right of ownership belong to the Possessor of heaven and earth? Are you clear? What answer will this people make to the calls of God's providence which are now urging those who have strength and ability to give them in service, and those who have means to make large deposits in the bank of heaven; that the work of this message may not be hindered? What answer will you make? Will this people disappoint their pleading Redeemer? Will you disappoint him?

Some Conclusions

It is time to wake out of sleep. It is time to break away from the fatal lethargy which is casting its influence over us. It is time to let heaven and earth know that we believe in the message of the third angel of Revelation 14, and that we are willing to risk all upon the certainty of its speedy triumph. Therefore, we will unitedly wait upon God with repentance and humiliation in view of our neglect and failure in the past. Therefore, we will during this coming week of prayer unitedly send up earnest petitions to our High Priest, that he will send us help from the sanctuary, that we may be equipped for the closing campaign. Therefore, we will prove the Lord by bringing all the tithes into the storehouse, and we will greatly increase our offerings for the extension of this message in all the world, that our Lord may see quickly of the travail of his soul and be satisfied. Therefore, we will believe with a mightier faith, we will work with a greater zeal, and we will give with a more liberal heart. Therefore, we shall see of the salvation of God, and the coming of his kingdom will be hastened. “Praise ye the Lord.”

Some Figures

THERE are at least fifty thousand Seventh-day Adventists in the United States. At least fifty thousand dollars is needed at once to relieve present embarrassment, and to provide for the immediate future of this work. Some ought to give by the thousand. Some ought to give by the hundred. All ought to give according to their ability. If this is done at this season of the annual offering, an unusual sum will be provided for enlarging the present undertakings, and for entering upon new undertakings in behalf of this message. We earnestly pray that the Lord will move upon his people to make large figures when they write down their annual offerings this year. Some of us will not have the privilege of doing it next year. None of us will have the privilege for many years. Will you do your share to make the annual offering $50,000?