p. 8 | The Call of the Hour

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Dec 8, 1904

The Call of the Hour

Brief Contributions From Conference Presidents

AT the last moment before the week of prayer, we are glad to present the following earnest testimonies from conference presidents, stirring words of battle cheer and of exhortation for such a time as this. Notice throughout the united sound of the keynote of the message—the finishing of the work and the coming of the Lord.

Shall We Answer the Call?

WE are asked to raise eighty thousand dollars during the week of prayer for the extension of the work into new fields, and the support of our beloved brethren and sisters who have gone at the call of God as missionaries into all parts of the world. Shall these faithful servants of God be sustained in the field, and others sent to meet the increasing calls coming from all parts of the world? What shall we answer? Self-denial may be required on our part, but the recompense will be a hundredfold.

We are but stewards of the means entrusted to our care by God. In this call God is testing our loyalty to him. We have been thrilled by the reports of the progress of the work in foreign lands. The earth is to be lightened with the glory of the third angel’s message. Thrice blessed are those who respond to the divine call of God to service. Let us unite to “afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance.” Ezra 8:21.

The following solemn words from the pen of Mrs. E. G. White were printed some time ago in the REVIEW. Note their import:—

“The work of God, which should be going forward with tenfold its present strength and efficiency, is kept back, like a spring season held by the chilling blast of winter, because some of God’s professed people are appropriating to themselves the means that should be dedicated to his service. Because Christ’s self-sacrificing love is not interwoven in the life practises, the church is weak where it should be strong. By its own course it has put out its light, and robbed millions of the gospel of Christ.”

“Why is it that there are not more missionaries in the field to-day? Why are the calls that come in from every land for men to spread a knowledge of the truth passed by unheard? Is it because there are none to send? The laymen, though they have the precious light of truth, excuse themselves on the plea that they can not preach. But this excuse will not avail. Laymen can minister. It is their privilege to lay hold of divine power with one hand, and with the other to reach forth to save humanity. To defraud God is the greatest crime of which man can be guilty; and yet this sin is deep and wide-spread.”

“Through the prophet Malachi, God says: ‘Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.’”

Shall we not hear this exhortation? Shall we not change the order of things, and co-operate with Christ?

Thus is pointed out one of the sins that keep back the power of God from his people. May this and every barrier to the progress of the message and its triumph be removed from the church during this week of prayer. To this end may we all unite earnestly in the week of prayer, with a spirit of consecration of all our powers for service to God, who has bought us with an infinite price. R. A. UNDERWOOD, of Northern Union.

A Message and a Mission

THE Lord appeared unto Solomon at one time, and said: “I have heard thy prayer, and . . . if my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” We have a message and a mission, but we are not giving that message and fulfilling our mission as it is our privilege, and as God would have us. This is evident from the fact that we are compelled, just now, to retrench in the great mission fields.

We are not “tied up” for want of workers to go to needy fields, though more could be used than are prepared to go, but it is the lack of means that causes retrenchment and delay in our missionary operations. The Macedonian call is being sounded clear and distinct, “Come over and help us;” and the Mission Board is actually having to say, “No, we have not the means with which to go.”

The week of prayer is not for the sole purpose of raising money, but it is for earnest study, meditation, and prayer, that we may sense more fully the time in which we are living, and our great need. Every soul should be stirred with the earnest appeals, and should respond to the call of the hour. We have not asked for eighty thousand dollars because we thought that in so doing we might get sixty thousand dollars. Let no one reason in this way. The condition of the fields, the growth of the work, and the pressing, earnest calls from the mission fields demand all that has been asked. The liberality of our loyal believers in the past has been appreciated, and the givers have been blessed in giving. It is true that there are many calls for means, but this is an evidence that the work is advancing, and new fields are being entered. Forsake not the assembling of yourselves together during the week of prayer, but plan your work so you can attend all the meetings and receive all that God has for you.

W. H. THURSTON, of Canadian Union.