A Continuous Campaign by Editor

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Nov 10, 1904

A Continuous Campaign

By Editor

It was a part of the recommendation concerning this winter missionary campaign that it should be the beginning of a work which should go steadily forward until this warning message shall have been given to the whole world, and our Lord shall come. This is a reasonable and sensible view to take of our present situation. It marks out a plan of action which is in harmony with the vital truths of our message. It indicates an increasing confidence that, with the Captain of the Lord’s host as our Leader, we can win a sure and speedy triumph in vindication of his truth, and come to Zion with many trophies of the glorious victory.

A brief consideration of our present situation will show clearly the propriety of conducting a continuous campaign, with a determined purpose that the whole world shall hear this truth in the shortest possible time. The testimony of prophecies fulfilled and fulfilling show that we are far along in the last generation, and that the time of the promise is here. The great earthquake of Lisbon in 1755, and the darkening of the sun and moon in May, 1780, and the close of the “time and times and half a time” of the prophet Daniel in 1798, and the falling of the stars in November, 1833, and the close of “the hour and day and month and year” of the sixth trumpet, indicated by the passing of the supremacy of the Ottoman empire on Aug. 11, 1840, and the close of the twenty-three hundred days (years) in 1844,—all these events and dates within a single century constitute a series of prophetic steps which lead up to the close of all definite time prophecies, and bring us to the place where we may know that “He is near, even at the doors.” The lack of

power in the professed church of Christ, the departure of some from the faith, the unprecedented accumulation of wealth by the few at the expense of the many, and the increasing distress among the nations,—all these conditions existing at the same time, as foretold in the Scriptures, further emphasize the nearness of the end. The one thing which delays the final triumph of God’s people is their own lack of zeal and devotion in sounding the warning message. “Ye can churches of the living God, . . . consider how your lack of faith, of spirituality, of divine power, is hindering the coming of the kingdom of God.” “Arouse, and consecrate yourselves unreservedly to the work of giving the light of truth for this time to those in darkness. Catch the spirit of the great Master Worker. Learn from the Friend of sinners how to minister to sin-sick souls. Remember that in the lives of his followers must be seen the same devotion, the same subjection to God’s work, of every social claim, every earthly affection, that was seen in his life. God’s claims must always be made paramount. Christ’s example is to inspire us to put forth unceasing effort for the good of others.

“God calls upon every church-member to enter his service. Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted to others, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Every one must learn to work, and to stand in his place as a burden-bearer. Every addition to the church should be one more agency for the carrying out of the great plan of redemption. The entire church, acting as one, blending in perfect union, is to be a living, active missionary agency, moved and controlled by the Holy Spirit.”

We are encouraged to believe that leaders and people are awakening to a larger sense of their responsibilities, and that they will respond to the demands of the hour. The missionary spirit is certainly being aroused. The missionary zeal is certainly increasing. The missionary tide is certainly rising. Conferences are voting men and means. Volunteers are offering themselves for the fields. The results of missionary efforts in distant lands were never so encouraging as now. “For that the leaders took the lead in Israel, for that the people offered themselves willingly, bless ye Jehovah.” We thank God, and take courage.

Now let the work go forward with increasing enthusiasm, with a growing zeal, in the power of the Spirit, in a continuous campaign, until the earth shall be lightened with the glory of this message, and “the kingdom of the world is become the kingdom of our Lord, and of his Christ: and he shall reign forever and ever.”