p. 61 | THE PROSPECT by Jas. Sawyer

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 17, 1876

THE PROSPECT.

By Jas. Sawyer

Our enemies may feel jealous because the work of God goes forward in the earth; but this is only what must be expected. When we consider the history of the past, we find this has always been the case. Unconverted men will act toward those upon whom the blessing of the Lord rests just as Cain did toward Abel. A jealous man will develop his character after awhile. Societies, corporations, governments and nations, cannot always dissemble.

There is yet to be developed a two-horned beast power that will speak as a dragon. Rev. 13:11. Where God's truth is vindicated this principle will take root, grow, and finally show itself in its cruel, destroying character. It is not a legitimate result of the vindication of truth; but it is an antagonism which presents itself because the truth is there. There never was a Christian who enjoyed God's blessings but has felt the withering influence of jealous-hearted relatives, acquaintances, and false brethren. It cannot be otherwise. The human mind is so constituted that when there is a neglect of the exercise of the higher functions of our mind; or, in other words, when true religion is neglected, jealousy with all its accompanying train of tormentors presses in to rule us and influence those around us for evil.

We have an example of this in the Jewish nation. When Christ and his apostles began to carry on a successful work in Judea, the rulers and high priests began to be jealous. It resulted in the final rejection and overthrow of the nation.

Another example presents itself in the case of the Romans. When true religion began to be successfully carried into parts of their empire, it stirred the pagan priests, and jealousy took root. The rulers whose authority was upheld by pagan subjects, began to be jealous of Christian churches, and persecutions and martyrdoms immediately followed.

It will be noticed that the enemy has used two elements of opposition—hatred and flattery. One or both of these, he employs to accomplish the overthrow of every Christian believer.

When martyrdom could not stop the progress of truth in the earth, flattery was called in to aid the Roman rulers in accomplishing their object. Some points of Christian faith were embraced by the pagans, and bishops became jealous of each other as the propagators of different doctrinal points gained many adherents. And here again flattery failed, and persecution and martyrdom again became the order in the work of the enemy.

This is the way the work has been going on in the past. We have no expectation that the future will be better.

In a letter recently received from Sweden, from a brother who has been a teacher for many years, we learn that he is now compelled to leave his avocation on account of the opinions he entertains of the Advent faith. The State or Lutheran religion prevails in that country. Where Methodists and Baptists have succeeded in Sweden, it has been by pressing their way through persecution. But these two religious denominations have gained quite a foothold there, and this has produced a more tolerant spirit in matters of religion than has formerly existed.

Bro. Ekdahl feels the need of friends. We were very glad to learn from his last letter that his daughter, eighteen years of age, had copied all his finely written translations which have been sent for publication in the Swedish HAROLD. It is remarkable that a man in a foreign country should, without a teacher, so master the English language in a year as to be ready and apt in translating. We cannot help thinking that his heart is in the work. God must be helping Bro. Ekdahl. We hope he has consecrated himself fully to the work.

Although this dear brother finds himself forsaken of friends, he will remember there is One who will never forsake him, One who has stood up for the despised, has succored the needy, visited the lonely, comforted the mourners, relieved the sick, and who sends his angels to help every one of his faithful children. Angels do his errands. Jesus knows all about his children's wants and sorrows. Although many snares are laid for their feet, yet he delivers them from the hand of the fowler.

May persecution's iron hand be kept off from this dear brother, and may God keep him from falling! May the Lord bless Bro. Ekdahl, Larson, and Swaden, who are now beginning to let their light shine in Sweden. We hope to hear encouraging reports from them often, although their way will at times be hedged up.

Although in the past the Swedish work has had its share of withering influences to contend against, yet the prospect is encouraging that faithful and tried souls are coming up to the help of the Lord, that the right will be vindicated, and that truth will prevail. God will be honored, and jealousy, with all its kindred meanness, must find an unlamented grave.

From Kansas, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana, we have encouraging letters from our true friends. God will help us. He has set his hand to gather out a people from every nation. He will help this Swedish mission. He will deliver all who put their trust in him. Glory be to his name, the prospect is cheering. Jas. SAWYER.