A Call From the Universe to Seventh-day Adventists
By Arthur G. Daniells
SURELY every Seventh-day Adventist who reads the words that head this article will be deeply impressed with their significance. A call from the universe to Seventh-day Adventists. What does this mean? It is based on a remarkable statement made in an unpublished testimony, dated Jan. 10, 1904. That statement reads as follows:—“Everything in the universe calls upon those who know the truth, to consecrate themselves unreservedly to the proclamation of the truth as it has been made known to them in the third angel’s message.” Seventh-day Adventists can well afford to turn aside for a time and study earnestly the meaning of this instruction. Mark the parts of this statement, and see how pointed, how specific, and yet how comprehensive the message is. Everything in the universe calls upon those who know the truth. God, Christ, the angels, the redeemed in heaven, the loyal inhabitants of unfallen worlds, God’s people on the earth, perishing sinners, the whole suffering, groaning creation,—everything in the universe calls upon those who know the truth. Who are they who know the truth? The Lord says that his “law is the truth.” “All thy commandments are truth.” Ps. 119:142, 151. The apostle John said of those who have the third angel’s message, “Here are they that keep the commandments of God.” Rev. 14:12. Certainly those who keep the commandments will know the truth. And who are they but Seventh-day Adventists? Is it not to them that everything in the universe calls— To consecrate themselves unreservedly to the proclamation of the Truth? To consecrate themselves; not their means nor their children only; not a few of their brethren chosen for the ministry; but to consecrate themselves unreservedly—soul, body, and spirit, sons and daughters, houses and lands, cattle and sheep, silver and gold, all without any reserve—to the proclamation of the truth. To proclaim is to announce, declare, promulgate, publish, spread, disseminate. It is this that everything in the universe calls upon those who know the truth to consecrate themselves unreservedly to do. And this truth is to be proclaimed— As it has been made known to them in the third angel’s message. The truth that has come to us in the third angel’s message is the eternal truth of the living God. That truth arrested our attention, convicted us of sin, converted us to God, separated us from the world, and made us Seventh-day Adventists. There is to be no departure from it. No spurious metal, no alloy, is to dim the fine gold. Until the Lord comes, Seventh-day Adventists are to proclaim earnestly and unceasingly to the uttermost parts of the earth the truth as it has been made known to them in the third angel’s message. This is but a dim, faint outline of the meaning of that thrilling call that comes from the universe to Seventh-day Adventists. The apostle Paul recorded in the Word of God a call that came to him from Macedonia, but to-day the servant6of the Lord records in the inspired instruction now being given to the church, a call to his people from the universe. In character, the calls are alike. “Come over . . . and help us” was the call that came from Macedonia. And now, to-day, in the closing struggle of the great conflict, everything in the universe summons us who know the truth, to make it known to those who do not know it. It is to answer this call that very definite, practical plans have been arranged for a general missionary campaign this winter. The ministers, Bible workers, and canvassers who are devoting all their time to this work can not do it quickly enough. God has promised that he will “finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness.” To do this he calls every one who knows the truth to active, practical service. “It is an eternal law of Jehovah that he who accepts the truth that the world needs, is to make it his first work to proclaim this truth.” “The world is our field of missionary toil.” “The battle-cry is sounding along the line. Let every soldier of the cross push to the front.” —“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. VII, pages 13, 12, 17. The service thus rendered for God to our fellow men brings a blessing not only to them, but to those who render the service as well. “The transforming power of Christ’s grace molds the one who gives himself to God’s service.” In view of this thrilling call to service and the blessings that are to attend a genuine response, this whole denomination should take hold of the work of God this winter with a zeal, a devotion, and an enthusiasm we have never manifested in our history. Who will make the unreserved consecration the universe calls for?