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Shall Satan Succeed?

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 5, 1906

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 83, No. 27.

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Shall Satan Succeed?

By H. F. KETRING

H. F. KETRING
“I SAW that Satan bade his angels lay their snares for those who were looking for Christ’s second appearing, and keeping all the commandments of God. Satan told his angels that the churches were asleep. He would increase his power and lying wonders, and he could hold them. ‘But,’ said he, ‘the sect of Sabbath-keepers we hate; they are continually working against us, and taking from us our subjects, to keep the hated law of God. Go, make the possessors of lands and money drunk with cares. If you can make them place their affections upon these things, we shall have them yet. They may profess what they please, only make them care more for money than for the success of Christ’s kingdom or the spread of the truths we hate. Present the world before them in the most attractive light, that they may love and idolize it. We must keep in our ranks all the means of which we can gain control. The more means the followers of Christ devote to his service, the more will they injure our kingdom by getting our subjects. . . . Discourage and dishearten their ministers; for we hate them. Present every plausible excuse to those who have means, lest they hand it out. Control the money matters if you can, and drive their ministers to want and distress. This will weaken their courage and zeal. Battle every inch of the ground. Make covetousness and love of earthly treasures the ruling traits of their character. As long as these traits rule, salvation and grace stand back. Crowd every attraction around them, and they will be surely ours. And not only are we sure of them, but their hateful influence will not be exercised to lead others to heaven. When any shall attempt to give, put within them a grudging disposition, that it may be sparingly.’—“Early Writings,” pages 128, 129.
It will be seen from the foregoing speech made by the prince of demons to his associates that the prime object of their campaign against the “Sabbath-keepers” is to cause their destruction. This he is determined to accomplish by making them care more for money and the pleasures of this world “than for the success of Christ’s kingdom.” He knows that when the traits of “covetousness and love of earthly treasures” rule, “salvation and grace stand back,” and he will “have them yet.”
Thus, upon this fourth of July, he is going to crowd the world in upon us, to get us to devote our means to worldly enjoyment, so that it may not be used to advance Christ’s kingdom and the truths that Satan hates. He is determined to control the money matters and “drive their ministers to want and distress.” The object of this is to “weaken their courage and zeal.”
While many of our ministers and workers have left their friends and comfortable homes in this country, and have gone to foreign lands, and are there deprived of many of the comforts of home, can it be possible that Satan will cause us so far to forget God’s cause and our dear brethren in other lands that we shall spend money unnecessarily, for mere selfish gratification? He says that if he is successful in this, he will have us yet.
O my brethren, shall we not deny ourselves these selfish pleasures, and encourage our families to do the same? God’s message is speeding to the ends of the earth. Almost every field is entered. Soon Jesus will come. O, let us who know this truth have a part in heralding his coming to a dying world!
South Lancaster, Mass.