Three Stirring Appeals
By Arthur G. Daniells
One of the most encouraging and cheering omens of the cause, which the Seventh-day Adventists are carrying forward, is the earnest appeals constantly coming to them from distant lands for missionaries. This is what the prophet Isaiah said would be our experience. Here are his words: “Arise, shine; for thy light is come. . . . Darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall rise [shine] upon thee. . . . And the Gentiles shall come to thy light. . . . Lift up thine eyes round about, and see: all they gather themselves together, they come to thee.” Isa. 60: 1-4. These words are surely being fulfilled to-day. From different lands enveloped in gross darkness the people are coming to the light. And as they become enlightened, they gather together, and literally come to us. They look to us for instruction and leadership. They appeal to us for experienced missionaries who can help them give the light to their fellow men. These appeals bring fresh and increased obligations to us. They are not simply mute appeals rising from appalling conditions. They are actual, definite calls from living souls—from our brethren and sisters in the third angel's message, who are living in the dark heathen lands. In Korea there are four new churches of about two hundred members. These new believers are like tender lambs in the midst of wolves. They need a wise-hearted, loving shepherd to care for them, guarding them from the perils surrounding them, and leading them on to glorious victories. The work now going on in Korea is remarkable; it is a clear proof that the latter rain is falling there. The appeal of these dear souls for at least one teacher of experience should receive a prompt and hearty response from us. Then there is that remarkable work the Lord has wrought in that theological seminary at Amoy, China. Whose heart has not been stirred by the reports we have received from Elder J. N. Anderson regarding this experience? By leading Brother Kei to embrace the truth, the Lord has added to his cause an educated Christian Chinaman, who is master of a difficult dialect spoken by many millions in that dark land. Brother Kei has already written a tract of seven thousand words on the Sabbath question. Some of his friends stand ready to furnish means for printing it as soon as it has been approved by our missionaries in China. Brother Anderson says: “Will you please search out a faithful man of experience to take charge of the work, and give mold to the labors of those whom the Lord is leading out?” Can we think of doing less than this? In Rangoon, Burma, there is a little company of Sabbath-keepers rejoicing in the third angel's message. They understand that this message must be given to the millions of Burma. It is new and strange to them, and they feel that they need at least one man of experience to lead and guide the work in that country. They earnestly plead for this, and while waiting, they are working. They are translating and producing a little literature to give to the people. Here is something very definite and pressing for which every believer in this message should pray during the week of prayer, and until the calls are answered. We should pray the Lord to send conviction to the hearts of those who should go to these three countries. We should pray that they may be willing to go, and that all obstacles to going shall be moved out of the way. We should pray the Lord to move upon the hearts of those who have means that can be spared to send these laborers and support them, to feel it their duty to give liberally to this end. And we should pray for willing hearts to be convicted of our personal duty to go or give. In fact, this is the real purpose of prayer. We can not instruct the Lord about the situation. We do not need to suggest that he should pity those dear souls. But our prayers for them will result in bringing some of us into clearer light regarding our duty. They will fill us with pity, compassion, and love. They will open the doors of our vaults, and bring out our treasure for the needs of those fields. Then let there be earnest, continued, importunate prayer that these three stirring appeals to this people shall be quickly answered. An annual offering of eighty thousand dollars will make it possible to send laborers to those fields early in 1905.