SHALL YOUR CHURCH BE REPRESENTED?
By E. A. Sutherland
The readers of the REVIEW have noticed that a special course of instruction has been arranged at the Battle Creek College for church officers and lay members of the Battle Creek College school district. This course is intended to prepare persons to do a work in the churches and neighborhoods that the Lord says should be done. And the Lord has also said that the churches should select persons to receive this brief training that the College is prepared to give. The affairs of this world have reached a tension that can not last much longer. Everything is waiting for the sealing work to be completed. New fields are opening, and the people are calling for the gospel. Will our churches hold the ministers from going? Will they continue to consume upon themselves the tithes and offerings that ought to be used in sending laborers to the regions beyond? The truth has been going largely by argument, but God now wishes it to be lived out in the churches. It is almost impossible to stir up our neighbors by the ordinary methods of preaching. There must be a new method pursued, which is to live the word of God before them. This is the object of the Winter School. It is to teach our brethren and sisters how to carry the third angel's message to the people, in a simple, effective way. The message must now go with power. Of the first angel's message it is written: “Angels were sent from heaven to arouse those who had become discouraged, and prepare them to receive the message. The work did not stand in the wisdom and learning of men, but in the power of God. It was not the most talented, but the most humble and devoted, who were the first to hear and obey the call. Farmers left their crops standing in the fields, mechanics laid down their tools, and with tears and rejoicing went out to give the warning. Those who had formerly led in the cause were among the last to join in this movement.” And likewise it is said: “Thus the message of the third angel will be proclaimed. As the time comes for it to be given with greatest power, the Lord will work through humble instruments, leading the minds of those who consecrate themselves to his service. The laborers will be qualified rather by the unction of his Spirit than by the training of literary institutions.” These are impressive truths, and should stir us to see where we are. We shall endeavor to give such a course of training in the things of the Spirit of God, that those who enter into the spirit of the teaching will not rest until a spirit of work is caught in the churches where they live, that will arouse all who are really looking for the soon coming of Jesus, to work as the believers did in 1844. Those who attend the Winter School should enter before the middle of January. Send for the Winter School Announcement. E. A. SUTHERLAND.