p. 135 | Let Us Labor by M. Wood

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 8, 1873

Let Us Labor.

By M. Wood

THE religion of Jesus is unalterable in its very nature. It is founded on the perfections of Jehovah, and on the necessities of man. Its promises and precepts, its prospects and privileges, are the same to-day as they ever were. It was the privilege of the early Christians, not only to labor for Christ, but to suffer for him. Their path was by no means a pleasant one. There were obstacles to be met, sacrifices to be made, and crosses to be borne. When we read the acts of the apostles, and the epistles which they wrote, we can but admire their character, and devotion to the Saviour. Their spirituality of mind, purity of heart, simplicity of spirit, contempt of the world, patience under suffering, love for the brethren, dependence on the Saviour, and their oneness in seeking to save perishing souls, caused them to shine as lights in the world; and all who beheld them were constrained to confess that they were not like other men. The world saw the change and persecuted them for it.

The field for labor is as broad to-day as it ever was. The necessity of consecrated hearts and willing hands to advance the cause of truth and win souls to Jesus is much greater to-day than in the days of the primitive believers. We are living under the third and last angel’s message. What is done must be done quickly. The world is our field. The necessities of man demand our united efforts to perform a work of mercy. Surely we have never been invited to engage in an enterprise of such magnitude, such grandeur and glory. Our chief aim should be to induce sinners to seek God and turn away their feet from trampling upon his holy law.

Let us consider the nature of the tract and missionary enterprise, reflect upon the dignity of its object, the high moral powers which are called forth in its execution, the simplicity, benevolence, and efficacy, of the means by which God’s truths are to be proclaimed, the alarm sounded, and a people gathered together to meet Jesus.

Did man ever engage in a more noble work than do these societies, which take the law of God for their platform and the religion of Jesus as a standard of holiness? We know of no enterprise that is so noble, honorable, and profitable as that of soul-saving. It is one in which all can engage, and, if honest and faithful, receive, not only the blessing of God, but the wages which he has in store for the faithful laborers. And those who are engaged and interested in the distribution of books, papers, tracts, and all periodicals appertaining to the present truth, are engaged in a holy work, and can well afford to bear the contempt of those who point the finger of scorn; for this act on the part of the scorner is a fulfillment of prophecy, a sign that these scoffers will soon meet their doom, unless they receive the truth; and this should wake us up to renewed energy and greater activity in the Master’s cause, that if possible we may win them to Christ.

It is written that in the last days there shall be scoffers. We regret that it is so. We regret that men who profess to be waiting the Master’s return should point the finger of scorn, and oppose an enterprise whose chief object is to turn sinners unto holiness and teach the commandments of God.

As we have entered the ranks of those whose mission it is to sound forth the glad tidings that Jesus soon is coming, let us then beware of compromising our principles and conceding to the practices of the world from a mistaken notion of conciliating the prejudice of the ungodly, or winning them to the truth. Such conduct will only excite the contempt of the world, and cause the Almighty to frown upon our efforts. No, we shall be singular if we are holy. We must be consistent if we would be useful. We must expect reproach if we boldly confess Christ before men and steadily maintain that marked distinction which forms the line of separation between commandment-keepers and commandment-breakers. Let us be like Caleb and Joshua, who declared with humility and integrity of heart, “As for me and my house we will serve the Lord.” M. WOOD.