Your ShelfYour Projects

Reflections

25%

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 19, 1872

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 39, No. 14.

Read the full edition

Reflections.

By R. F. Cottrell

THE appointed time is come, the days of humiliation and prayer. While I seek the face of the Lord to-day, my brethren, believers in the truth for this time, the true-hearted, those who feel the importance of the work of God and the worth of souls, all over this land and in other lands, are engaged in the same. The Lord will hear the united voice of his people. The harvest is big, and he will send forth laborers. It is laborers that are wanted, not ministers alone, but ministers and people. None are to be idle. All have a portion of work assigned them.
I cry to the Lord to send laborers into his harvest. Why? Because the field is great and the laborers are few. We that are in the field are few. There is a vast amount of work to be done. But while we cry for help, are we doing what we can? It is inconsistent for me to plead for help while I am not doing my best. What interest has the idler in the field to cry for help? He has not enough interest in the work to take hold of it himself. His cries for help will not be heard. They will not enter into the ears of the Lord. They lack faith—a faith that shows itself in works. Help, when sent, will not help the idler. It is the laborer only that can appreciate the help when it comes.
Then while we ask for laborers, because the work is too great for us, let us see to it that we are doing what we can. No other course is consistent. And is it not the design of the Lord in teaching us to pray for laborers, to awaken us as individuals to do our part of the work. What will avail our prayers, unless we work? This is the test of our faith. Then let it have this effect on me: to arouse me to labor in the Lord's harvest. While I cry to God for help, let me do what I can. If all will do this, a large number of laborers will immediately be in the field, and the work will go on as never before. Brethren, let us share in the answer of the prayer. Let each say, Here am I; send me. R. F. COTTRELL.