Gideon's Army by R. F. Cottrell

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 12, 1872

Gideon's Army.

By R. F. Cottrell

At the sound of the war trumpet, a host of thirty-two thousand rallied to the standard of Gideon to be led against the mighty host of the Midianites. But the Lord said there were too many; he could not give the Midianites into their hands, lest they should take the glory to themselves.

So a proclamation was made, by the direction of the Lord, that whoever was fearful and afraid should depart and return home, whereon twenty-two thousand departed, leaving ten thousand. But the Lord said there were still too many; so they were brought down to the water to drink, and there the Lord chose out three hundred only to go to the battle, men that by faith could do the Lord's bidding and give him the glory and praise of saving them from the mighty host of their enemies.

At the sounding of the proclamation, “The hour of his Judgment is come,” a mighty host was rallied in expectation of the second advent. But the great disappointment of 1844 came, and the fearful and faint-hearted returned to their former homes. Still there remained a respectable force who would not quit the field. But when they were directed to the waters of truth, and tested by the commandments of God, but a small handful were found to commence the mightiest work in the history of the Church—that of proclaiming the last fearful warning of probationary time. May that few ever humbly give God the praise and glory due to his name, and may they live to see the glorious victory achieved. And may you, dear reader, and the writer, share in the glory soon to be revealed.

R. F. COTTRELL.