SHALL WE DELAY HIS COMING?
By E. A. Sutherland
My heart is deeply burdened for the youth, for the hope of the cause lies in the rising generation. I have been studying carefully the experiences of the children of Israel, for in their history as divinely recorded is to be found our own life-work. God's people are repeating the history of the forty years' wanderings between Kadesh-barnea and the promised land. Over forty years ago we heard the call of deliverance in the proclamation of the First Angel's Message. There was before us, as it were, the eleven days' journey to the promised land. When the denomination reached Kadesh-barnea, instead of going up to possess the land, spies were sent up who brought back an evil report. The way appeared hard; there were walled cities in the land, and these cities were full of giants. We dwelt upon difficulties until victory became impossible. To us have been spoken the words, “Your carcasses shall fall in this wilderness. . . . Doubtless ye shall not come into the land, . . . but your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, them will I bring in, and they shall know the land which ye have despised.” Have you thought that you and I who are to-day in the prime of life might have seen the immortal state while yet in our childhood? The only reason we did not was because the previous generation failed to reveal the fullness of Christ. We have now taken the place of those who have fallen asleep. A second time we approach the promised land. We have reached the time described in the thirty-second chapter of Numbers. Success to the whole people depends upon united effort, one mighty forward march. But just as Israel was then ready to go forward, two tribes asked the privilege of remaining on the east side of Jordan. “This land,” said they, “is good enough for us.” The same expression many, by act, if not by word of mouth, are using to-day when a call comes for volunteers to go into new fields. Hearken to the words of Moses: “Shall your brethren go to war, and shall ye sit here? And wherefore discourage ye the heart of the children of Israel?” There were then some who would go over. There are to-day some who would go. Why do others discourage their brethren? Do we realize that we may have to remain in this world many more years because of a failure to move forward when the opportunity is given? Vigilance on the part of a few men cannot accomplish the work before us. God waits for His people as a body, and He is to-day waiting for us. Again He says to us, as to Gad and Reuben when the army reached Jordan, “If ye turn away from after Him, He will yet again leave them in the wilderness; and ye shall destroy all this people.” Can it be that to-day the destiny of the world depends upon our course of action? Does it mean that we may delay His coming for many more years by our insubordination? We fail sometimes to understand how we may hinder. We have been told, for instance, that hundreds should be in the canvassing work where now there is but one; young people should be able to go out, Bible in hand, to teach people the truths of the Scriptures; thousands are needed to teach the children; hundreds, yes, thousands, of others should carry the gospel of health. Not passive goodness, but activity, intense activity, will save our people. I tell you that when I think of these things, when I see a few men struggling to carry the load, while the masses are indifferent, my soul cries out, “Shall your brethren go to war, and shall ye sit here?” I appeal to the young people, those who, should Israel be numbered, would be among the armed men: Come forward and offer your services. Do not falter any longer. Press in, find your way into our schools for a training. Work, work as though your life depended upon it, for in reality it does. I am anxious to correspond with every person who feels the burden to work. A way can be provided for you.