AGITATE IT by Dudley Marvin Canright

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 25, 1871

AGITATE IT.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

Yes; in order to have reformation, we must first have agitation. We must get the attention of the people, get them to thinking and considering. We must show them that we are in earnest, or they will think our cause is of little account. Reformers must be aggressive, must be agitators. Of every one who is worthy of the name, and who accomplishes any thing for his Master, it will be said, “He stirreth up the people.” Says Dr. Johnson:—

“No cause was ever carried by negation. Christianity could never have pushed its way around the world by negation. And thus every reform must be agitated. It must not content itself with letting evil alone. He who sees a fellow-being in danger and does nothing to assist, is guilty of the next thing to murder.”

Has God sent us out with a great and testing truth? with a last warning message? Is there salvation in the work? Is it to decide men’s destiny? What if they do cry out, Let us alone? Shall we therefore desist and let them perish? God forbid! Let us cry the louder. See that man freezing to death. He is almost gone. How easy and comfortable he feels! Try to arouse him, and he will be angry with you. Will you then leave him to die? No; but shake him the harder. So we must do, or men will be lost, and God will be angry with us.

D. M. CANRIGHT.