A SOLEMN PLEA by P. T. Magan

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 4, 1900

A SOLEMN PLEA.

By P. T. Magan

In a Testimony referring to the work of the RELIEF OF THE SCHOOLS, recently received from Sister Ellen G. White, are the following important words:—

“There are, in the providences of God, particular periods when we must rise in response to the call of God, and make use of our time, our intellect, our whole being,—body, soul, and spirit,—fulfilling to the uttermost of our ability the requirements of God. Just now let not the opportunity be lost. Let all work together. . . . Do your best at this time to render to him your offering to carry out his specified will; and thus make this an occasion for witnessing for him and his truth. . . . Means will be gathered for the relief of the schools.”

In this we are called upon to bear in mind that the opportunity is now given us, and that a work is to be done if it is done just now. Much money is required for the material fund of “Christ’s Object Lessons.” Small gifts are appreciated, but gifts of hundreds of dollars ought to come in.

Long ago in the Testimonies the following wonderful plea was made to our brethren whom God had blessed with money:—

“Many that are first shall be last, and the last shall be first. I was shown those who receive the truth, but do not live it. They cling to their possessions, and are not willing to distribute of the substance to advance the cause of God. They have not faith to venture and trust God. Their love of this world swallows up their faith. God calls for a portion of their substance, but they heed it not. They reason that they have labored hard to obtain what they have, and they can not lend it to the Lord for they may come to want. ‘O ye of little faith.’ That God who cared for Elijah in the time of famine will not pass by one of his self-sacrificing children. He who has numbered the hairs of their heads will care for them, and in days of famine they will be satisfied. While the wicked are perishing around them for want of bread, their bread and water will be sure. Those who still cling to the earthly treasure, and will not make a right disposition of that which is lent them of God, will, instead of laying up their treasure in heaven, lose everlasting life.”

“God in his providence has moved upon the hearts of some of those who have riches, and has converted them to the truth, that they with the

substance may assist to keep his work moving. And if those who are wealthy will not do this, if they do not fulfill the purpose of God, he will pass them by, and raise up others to fill their place who will fulfill his purpose, and with their possessions gladly distribute to meet the necessities of the cause of God. In this they will be first. God will have those in his cause who will do this.

“He could send means from heaven to carry on his work; but this is out of his order. He has ordained that men should be his instruments, that as a great sacrifice was made to redeem them, they should act a part in this work of salvation, by making a sacrifice for one another, and by thus doing show how highly they prize the sacrifice that has been made for them.

“I was directed to James 5: 1–3: ‘Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.’

“I saw that these fearful words apply particularly to the wealthy who profess to believe the present truth. The Lord calls them to use their means to advance his cause. Opportunities are presented to them, but they shut their eyes to the wants of the cause, and cling fast to their earthly treasure. Their love for the world is greater than their love for the truth, their love for their fellow men, or their love for God. He calls for their substance, but they selfishly, covetously, retain what they have. They give a little now and then to ease their conscience, but have not overcome their love for this world. They do not sacrifice for God. The Lord has raised up others that prize eternal life, and that can feel and realize something of the value of the soul, and they have freely bestowed their means to advance the cause of God. The work is closing; and soon the means of those who have kept their riches, their large farms, their cattle, etc., will not be wanted. I saw the Lord turn to such in anger, in wrath, and repeat these words: ‘Go to now, ye rich men.’ He has called, but you would not hear. Love of this world has drowned his voice. Now he has no use for you, and lets you go, bidding you, ‘Go to now, ye rich men.’”

“Oh, I saw it was an awful thing to be thus forsaken by the Lord,—a fearful thing to hold on to a perishable substance here, when he had said that if we will sell and give alms, we can lay up treasure in heaven. I was shown that as the work is closing up, and the truth is going forth in mighty power, these rich men will bring their means and lay it at the feet of the servants of God, begging them to accept it. The answer from the servants of God will be, ‘Go to now, ye rich men.’ Your means is not needed. Ye withheld it when ye could do good with it in advancing the cause of God. The needy have suffered; they have not been blessed by your means. God will not accept your riches now. ‘Go to now, ye rich men.’”

And now we plead with those whom God has blessed with money that they will come to the help of the Lord against the mighty.

Not long ago the Testimonies came advising our brethren to do a certain thing. This thing was greatly opposed, and was never done. Afterward certain brethren wanted to do it; but the word came back: You are too late. Once you had the opportunity, but it is now past; and if you attempt to do it, God will disconcert you as he did the children of Israel when they endeavored to go into the land of Canaan after having received the report of the unfaithful spies and manifested a lack of faith. God is testing us now in this matter. Gifts of sacrifice are needed. Everywhere the people are going to sell the books. We plead that the money may come in with which to pay for the material.

P. T. MAGAN.