p. 100 | Progress of the Work by John Nevins Andrews

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 10, 1874

Progress of the Work.

By John Nevins Andrews

It is a source of great satisfaction to know that the cause of truth is steadily advancing. The truth of God is more precious than fine gold. It comes from the throne of God, and it is as pure and elevated as is the divine nature. God sends it forth into the world to enlighten those who sit in darkness. Whoever will follow its guidance will make his way at last to that very throne from which the truth first shone forth.

The extension of the knowledge of the truth is therefore a cause of the sincerest joy. And it is apparent that God is adding his blessing to the efforts of his servants to advance the work, and is giving to them wisdom to devise the most efficient means for this object. The press is, under God, the right arm of our power. We are taking steps by means of the tract and missionary work to bring the truth before many thousands of the people. God is in this work. His providence is opening the way; his Spirit is leading his servants; and the people generally have a mind to work.

The February number of the True Missionary is a most excellent number. The two articles from Bro. White, headed, “A Great Work” and “Our Institutions,” are to me most cheering. They set forth the progress of the work, and breathe the spirit of true consecration to it. It is wonderful to see how the way is opening before us to bring men to the knowledge of the truth. We must sacrifice, we must labor, we must toil, and we must never faint. Now is the time to have part in the work of ingathering in the great harvest. “He that reapeth receiveth wages and gathereth fruit unto life eternal.” We can all respond to these calls by giving of our means, and by putting forth personal effort to distribute reading matter to those who have a willingness to read. There are very few so poor that they cannot do something. When we deny ourselves in some things, that we may be able to help in the cause of God, it is noticed by the Lord. God regards not the greatness of the sum given as he does the greatness of the heart which gives. And he estimates this by the cost to ourselves, and by the interest which we take in his work.

Those who sacrificed their means in the cause of present truth when it was in its feebleness made an investment that will bring to them immense returns. We cannot hope that money given now will tell as much as though it had been given then. But it will tell nevertheless, and it is one of the greatest of all privileges granted to us in this life that we can put our means into the cause of God. That cause God could sustain without us, but he has given to his people the privilege of sustaining it, that they may secure to themselves an infinite reward. And having committed this to us, he holds us responsible to fulfill our sacred trust.

And we have now in the present aspect of things the greatest possible encouragement to make sacrifices for God, and to actively labor in his cause. In time past, men have given because they had faith, when the appearances were by no means encouraging. Now we see the hand of God set to the work and that he is opening the way so that all may have an opportunity to work for him. Many are gladly responding. Those who from worldliness, or carelessness, or love of ease, or from any other cause, neglect or refuse to take part in the sacred work will make a great and fatal mistake. Let us all come up to the help of the Lord. We now have opportunity to do it. God is willing to accept our poor services if rendered with a cheerful and self-sacrificing spirit. God is infinitely gracious to give to us the privilege of sharing in his work. Let us show that we have a heart to sacrifice in the cause of Him who gave his Son to die for us. J. N. A.