Another Opportunity by E. W. Webster

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Nov 17, 1904

Another Opportunity

By E. W. Webster

E. W. WEBSTER

Another week of prayer, with its blessings and privileges, its opportunities and responsibilities, is upon us. Are we prepared, or preparing, to share in all these? Not because it is the custom to hold it, not simply because it is the time we are expected to give for missions, should we improve this opportunity well, but because of the pressing needs of the cause we profess to love, because the opportunity, once lost, will never come to us again, and also for our own soul’s good.

The mile-stones of the way are flying past like telegraph poles seen from a swiftly moving train. As the train nears the union station, it seems to increase its speed, and the objects about us barely flash upon our vision, and are gone. As the sub-stations are passed, but a moment’s stop is made, if any, in such a hurry seems our train to get us to our destination. So it is with this on-speeding message.

My brother, my sister, do you realize how swiftly we are going on toward eternity, the car of truth carrying us to the city of God? Already we have passed the four great sign-boards,—Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome; passed the ten kingdoms, and the work of the little horn; passed the speaking of the “great words” it was to utter, and are only waiting to see it cast into the lake of fire at the coming of the Lord. Dan. 7:11.

While we have been waiting for this, we have had a work to do—to hasten with this message of the kingdom to every nation and kindred and tongue and people. We have been slowly doing this; and all along the way others have united with us, to join in the closing work of the third angel’s message, and to have part in the glorious results. These have all helped to swell the work, and to-day self-sacrificing, faithful messengers are hastening to all the world with the cry, Get ready, get ready, get ready. Many who can not go themselves are nobly sacrificing to send forth those who can go. They will all be rewarded together.

But there is a great work yet to be done. Thousands upon thousands of people are yet to be warned of the coming day. Many are to take part in the great and noble effort to give the warning, and to share at last in the glorious rewards. But the lines are closing in about us, the way is becoming harder, the labor more difficult. And still there are open doors more abundant, and hands outstretched to plead the harder for help. The longer we wait in giving this help, the harder and more callous will men’s hearts become. If we do our duty now, and do it quickly, the sooner and more easily will it be accomplished, and we be at rest in our Father’s house.

What is our duty? And are we ready for that duty? The answer to the first question comes from the lonely, struggling, weary brother and sister whom we have sent to the front. See them toiling almost night and day amid ice and snow and bitter, howling winds, or under the burning heat of a tropical sun in malaria-laden lands, struggling on in their strenuous efforts to give the last message to a sin-laden and unappreciative world. See the faces, the care-worn brows, forms bending under the load that we, and God, have laid upon them! See them toiling from early morning till late at night; and when others are sleeping, hear them pleading with God for the salvation of the souls for whom they are laboring, and for the success of the work their brethren in their home lands have sent them to do. Perhaps the last boat did not bring them the funds which they expected, and which they needed for their work and for their food and clothing. And deeper marks of care appear upon their beloved faces. But I see them again, after another season with God, a calmer trust, a more determined purpose, and a glow of happiness lighting up their features.

And hark! I hear a song of joy, shouts of praise and victory, as the truth, through their earnest labors, wins souls to Jesus. Then, from amid the trials and fears, the burdens and wants, the arduous labors and heartaches, come cheering reports to our home papers, telling of the advancement of the truth, breathing forth such courage and faith and cheer that our own hearts are made to rejoice, but carefully hiding all the dark shadows of mission life and work. In this land of liberty and plenty we do not know the pressing cares and wants and difficulties coming to them. And perhaps the Lord uses the words of cheer and hope born of these difficulties and trials, maybe even of imprisonment, to stir up and stimulate us in our comfort and ease. O, if we only knew all, how quickly we would speed the help which we have in abundance that would rejoice their hearts, make their work lighter, prolong their lives and useful services, and hasten the glorious rest! Our duty is plain in this opportunity.

We ourselves, brethren, must answer the question, Are we ready for that duty? Now is the time to know clearly what our individual duty is, and to be ready to answer its call, and answer it aright. If we are not fully ready for that duty, now and during this week of prayer is the time for us to prepare for it. Set the heart to meet the responsibilities and share the blessings. Be determined to gain a deep experience at this time. How much for this life and for eternity may turn on the manner in which we improve this opportunity!

Aside from the aim of securing rich spiritual blessings, and also to make sure of those, we should plan now to make such a liberal offering as will rejoice the hearts of our lonely, sacrificing laborers far from home, and will help to speed on their work to a glorious consummation. Never again will this opportunity come; 1904 will soon be past forever. What will its closing record be in our individual accounts in heaven of the manner in which we improve this last grand opportunity of the year? We shall each decide what that record will be. Let us show our faith in this closing work of the everlasting gospel (Rev. 10:7) by our works, and thus make that faith perfect.