HOW SHALL THEY HEAR WITHOUT A PREACHER?
By W. H. Thurston
EVERYTHING is astir with the intensity of the times. Men’s hearts are failing them, and the Macedonian cry, “Come over . . . and help us,” is being repeated from every land. The time has come for the world to hear the gospel, but “how shall they hear without a preacher?” People everywhere are waiting for us to bring them the message of mercy. Who will go? Who will give freely of their means, and from now on pay an honest tithe, that the gospel work be not hindered? “But,” says one, “have we not been sending missionaries all over the world, and isn’t a good work being done?”—Yes, we have sent many abroad, and the work is well started in many places; but we want to increase the number tenfold, yes, a hundredfold, that the message may go with power and rapidity to earth’s remotest bounds. It is the gospel to all the world in this generation, brethren and sisters. It can be done; it shall be done, for God has pledged His word, and we all want a part in doing the work. “Stir up thyself, and awake to my judgment, even unto my cause, my God and my Lord.” And let all say with Joshua, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” And let us serve Him in spirit and in truth, and bring all the tithe into the storehouse, that there may be sufficient funds for the finishing of the gospel in this generation. “All that men enjoy they receive from the Lord’s great firm, and He is pleased to have His heritage enjoy His goods; but all who stand under the blood-stained banner of Prince Immanuel are to acknowledge their dependence upon God and their accountability to Him by returning to the treasury a certain portion as His own.”—“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. VI. One of our brethren told me recently that he had never prospered so well and enjoyed so much of the blessing of God as he had since he began keeping an accurate account of the Lord’s money and paying an honest tithe. It is sure to be so, for the Lord has promised. The time has come for God’s people everywhere to be transferring their treasures. Many can sell a part of their farm, and turn the money into the gospel work. All should curtail expenses, and give as God has prospered them, bringing all the tithe into the storehouse. It has been my experience in foreign field work that the brethren and sisters there manifest a deeper interest in the progress of the message and the coming of the Lord than we do in the home field. Why is this? Are we growing cold? Do we feel that the Lord delayeth His coming? Let us all renew our faith and hope, and claim the promise. “Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry.” “Behold, He cometh.” “This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.” Some are alive to the situation, but we desire that every one should be stirred with the message for this time, and be up and doing while the opportunity affords. In some parts of the world our churches are saying to the minister, “Go work for souls that are perishing, souls that are still in darkness. We who know the truth will care for ourselves, keep up the meetings, and pray for you as you go.” “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel.” We hope all our churches will soon join in this sentiment, put away all differences, and prepare to meet the Lord. “Behold, He cometh.” He is coming in this generation. Let us all believe it. Let us talk it. Let us pray it. Let us show it in our lives, and be loyal to God in all things. “The tithe . . . is holy,” and belongs to the Lord. Don’t lose the blessing longer by withholding the Lord’s money, but turn it all into the treasury, and hasten our welcome into the city of God. “Behold, the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet Him.”