The Four Colossal Alls
By Editor
The great commission is still in force. Its commands and its promises are the same to-day as if they were uttered only yesterday. Its simple statements have been the marching orders and the unfailing strength of the church through centuries of conflict. In the words of Joseph Cook: “The sublimest and most effective words known to human history are those in which the Lord Jesus Christ proclaimed the four colossal alls as the foundation of the kingdom of the one God in the Christian church. Where in the whole range of recorded thought is there anything possessing such scope and sublimity? ‘All Power is given unto me. Go ye, therefore, and disciple all nations; teaching them to observe all things. And lo, I am with you all the days.’ So closes the first Gospel, reaching the seventh heaven in the height of the outlook. These four alls—all power, all nations, all commands, all times—from our Lord’s supreme commission to his disciples, are the four corner-stones of the historic church.” This commission comes with a new meaning to those who carry the closing message to this generation. Our absent but soon-coming Lord encourages us with the inspiration of the four colossal alls to address ourselves to the mighty undertaking of proclaiming the final warning in a single generation. “All power” is pledged for the success of this movement. “All nations” constitute the field of operations. “All commands” are the warp and woof of the message. “All times” cover every time of need and insure the continual presence of the great Leader with the bearers of this message. On the banner on which is inscribed our motto, “The Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus,” let us also write the four colossal alls, and press forward with renewed courage. Our Commander is a Conqueror. THERE are indications of decidedly better days for the work of God as represented in the third angel’s message. Hindrances are now being removed. Conditions which forbade the outpouring of the Holy Spirit are being remedied by a separation from the evil thing. Loyal hearts are being quickened, and fresh courage is springing up. The recent experience has not been a pleasant one, but it is already yielding good fruit. From various parts of the field are coming responses from those who recognize the crisis through which we are passing, and who declare themselves unhesitatingly for the original platform of this message. There are also encouraging indications of an increasing spiritual power in the labors of the workers, to which special reference is made elsewhere in this department. For these tokens of good we are thankful, and urge all to hold fast, and to fight the good fight of faith without wavering.