Gideon Bands by George B. Thompson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Nov 3, 1904

Gideon Bands

By George B. Thompson

We like the spirit of the recommendation recently passed by the young people in one of our largest churches, in which they banded themselves together to assist to the extent of their ability “in carrying on this mighty missionary campaign which is to know no cessation until this gospel of the kingdom is carried to every nation, tongue, and people.”

It is just such Gideon bands as these that should be organized everywhere. With three hundred consecrated soldiers, Gideon won a complete victory over the Midianites, who “lay along in the valley like grasshoppers for multitude.”

In the ranks of this denomination there is an army of not less than ten thousand noble young people, qualified to enter upon just such a campaign as is outlined above,—a campaign in which the Commander will never sound the note of retreat, and which will not end until the banner of victory is unfurled upon the last rampart of the foe. Such an organized host of young soldiers, wholly consecrated to God’s service, will constitute an army invincible to any forces which they will encounter. One can chase a thousand, and “two put ten thousand to flight.” At this ratio ten thousand are able to cope with at least fifty million.

For threescore years the work of this message has been in progress, and some of the true soldiers of the cross are stationed in about every nation under heaven. Now there is the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, indicating that these united forces are on the move as never before to invade the remaining territory, finish the work, and go home forever.

We do not want to see any of our young people miss the joy of a part in this work. It is no time now for them to be looking for a position in the secular pursuits of the world. They should enlist in the army of the Lord, to fight under a Captain who has never met a defeat. To what more noble purpose could parents dedicate their sons and daughters?

To-day in the far East a terrible conflict is being waged, and some of the bloodiest battles in history are being waged, and thousands of young men are perishing on the field of carnage in loyalty to their country. Shall they be more loyal to their ruler than we are to our Commander? They labor for a corruptible crown, we an incorruptible.

A special campaign has been planned and a forward movement commenced against the entrenched forces of the enemy. A call is extended to all the young men and women to volunteer for service till the close of the war. We feel convinced that this call will not fall on stony ground. Our hearts have been stirred as we have read of the old Scotch missionary, who after an active campaign of a quarter of a century among the millions of India, fainted while pleading for help before the General Assembly in Edinburgh for the benighted people of this dark land. When he revived he was carried to the platform, and in a trembling voice said, “Fathers and mothers of Scotland, is it true that you will not let your sons go to India? I have spent twenty-five years of my life there. I lost my health, and I have come back with sickness and shattered health. If it is true that we have no strong grandsons to go to India, I will pack up what I have, and be off to-morrow, and I will let those heathen know that if I can not live for them I will die for them.” This is the spirit which should actuate us in the closing days of the controversy against sin.

Do you long for rest beyond the din of the raging conflict? So do I. Yet there is something better even than this. You have heard, perhaps, of the man, who, homesick and discouraged in his work, dreamed that he died, and was taken to heaven where he beheld all the glory and indescribable beauty of the celestial home

of the redeemed. When he had finished, One whom he recognized as the Redeemer, came to his side in a shining chariot, and bade him enter. He was taken to a place where, looking over the battlements of heaven, he could see the dark, lost planet from which he had come. Then the Saviour said, “Will you remain up here, and enjoy these mansions that I have prepared, or go back to yon dark earth, and warn these men, and tell them about me, and my kingdom, and the rest that remains for the people of God?” Which do you prefer?

The greatest privilege open to mortals is to give themselves for the lost. Your own spiritual life depends on your active efforts for souls. God will grant you his Spirit as you go forth in the field to seek the lost sheep. Do not delay beginning this work, but enter at once into an active warfare, and thus hasten the coming of the Lord.

G. B. THOMPSON.

Chairman S. S. and Young People’s Department.