Shall We Be Free? by William C. White

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Nov 26, 1903

Shall We Be Free?

By William C. White

In the days of ancient Israel, when the Lord was stirring the hearts of his people to arise and cast off the yoke of bondage, and free themselves from oppression and servitude, it sometimes happened that at first a portion of the people took part in the battle, and when they saw that the Lord was working with them, and that victory was theirs, they sent forth messengers throughout all the land, carrying the glad news that the day of deliverance had come, that God had given them the victory, that the enemy had been turned back, and that all were called to come and make the victory complete. In response, there was a grand rally, and the oppressors were completely vanquished and driven out of the land.

“Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.”

When “Christ’s Object Lessons” was given to our colleges, and our publishing houses, our Tract Societies, and our people were invited to unite in its publication and sale, I spent several days in working out plans and making calculations as to the probable results of the effort, and then wrote to Brethren Haskell, Magan, and others that I dared to hope that one hundred and fifty thousand dollars might be realized by the effort.

Already about two hundred thousand dollars has been realized from our united effort to cast off the yoke and free ourselves from the bondage of debt; and there are books in the hands of our people which will net us upward of fifty thousand dollars more. Surely “the Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad. Turn again our captivity, O Lord, as the streams of the south.”

A decisive battle has been fought. A great victory has been won. The power of the oppressor is broken. The enemy has been put to flight, but the fleeing hosts have not yet been exterminated or driven out of the land. Thousands of our people have taken part in this battle for the deliverance of our schools. Thousands are enjoying an advanced Christian experience because of this effort. And there are thousands who have not yet done what they could, and who have not yet participated in the blessings which accompany personal experiences in the work.

There are, we believe, thousands of our people who feel that it is their duty to take part in the struggle; they believe there is a blessing in it, and they mean to have that blessing, but many circumstances have hindered. It is a case of procrastination and drowsiness. Shall we not send runners throughout the land, calling them to the battle? It is action, not looking on, that brings strength and courage. If our people in all the churches will just now rally to the work, the new recruits and the veterans marching side by side, we can clear the land of our school debts this winter. By an earnest rally just now, we may make “the gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abiezer.”

Let us read the exhortation, and some of the promises contained in the first call to this work.

A Call to All Our People

“We shall call upon the people to help to the utmost of their ability just now. We shall call upon them to do a work which will be pleasing to God in purchasing the book. We shall ask that every available means be used to help to circulate this book. We shall ask that the whole field be supplied with canvassers. We shall call upon our ministers, as they visit the churches, to encourage men and women to go out as canvassers, to make a decided forward movement in the path of self-denial by giving part of their earnings to help our schools to get out of debt. Surely they can do this much to help the Master.”

“A general movement is needed, but this must begin with individual movements. Let each member in each family in each church make determined efforts to deny self. Let us have the whole-hearted co-operation of all in our ranks. Let us all move forward willingly and intelligently to do what we can to relieve those of our schools that are struggling under a pressure of debt.”

“The schools must be helped. Let all lift harmoniously and help as much as they possibly can. Great blessings will come to those who take hold of this matter just now. Let no discouragement be offered by our ministers, as though it were not a proper thing to do. They should take hold of this work. If they do it aright, cheerfully, hopefully, they will find it a very great blessing. The Lord does not force any man to work, but to those who will place themselves decidedly on his side, he will give a willing mind. He will bless the one who works out the spirit which he works in. God will make the movement for the help of our schools a success if it is made in a free, willing spirit, as to the Lord. Only in this way can be rolled back the reproach that has come upon our schools all over the land. If all will take hold of this work in the spirit of self-sacrifice, for Christ’s sake, and for the truth’s sake, it will not be long before the jubilee song of freedom can be sung throughout our borders.”

“The movement I have suggested will result in reconciliation. It will unify the churches.”

A few months later another call to this work contained these words: “Have faith in God. He gave me the idea of giving ‘Object Lessons’ for the relief of the schools. He is testing his people and institutions in this thing, to see if they will work together and be of one mind in self-denial and self-sacrifice. Carry forward this work without flinching, in the name of the Lord. Let God’s plan be vindicated. Let his proposition be fully carried out and heartily indorsed as the means of uniting the members of the churches in self-sacrificing effort. Thus they will be sanctified, soul, body, and spirit, as vessels unto honor, to whom God can impart his Holy Spirit. By this means they will accomplish the work God designs to have done.”

“Stir up every family, every church, to do the very utmost of their power, every one consecrating himself to God, putting the leaven of evil out of his heart, out of the home, and out of the church. Let every family make the most of this the Lord’s opportunity. Let self-denial and self-sacrifice be revealed.”

“My brethren, after you have done all you can do in this work for the schools, by sanctified energy and much prayer, you will see the glory of God. When the trial has been fully made, there will come a blessed result. Those who have sought to do God’s will, having laid out every talent to the best

advantage, become wise in working for the kingdom of God. They learn lessons of the greatest consequence to them, and they will feel the highest happiness of a rational mind. This is the result that will surely come if you fulfil the purpose of God. Peace and intelligence and grace will be given. It is the design of God that we should all glorify him, regarding his service as the chief end of our existence. The work that God calls you to do he will make a blessing to you. Your heart will be more tender, your thoughts more spiritual, your service more Christlike. ‘If ye abide in me,’ Jesus said, ‘and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.’ In considering these things my spirit rejoices in God.”

“You will need to have patience with the tardy ones, who do not feel the necessity of doing anything promptly, thoroughly, earnestly. They have so much to say, so much unbelief to express, and so much criticising, that they lose the peace and joy and happiness in the purposes of God before they can decide to move. We must become men and women of God’s opportunity. I am so glad that so much harmonious action has been shown in striving to carry out this purpose of God, and to make the most of his providences.”

Difficulties and Opportunities

Difficulties are often like doors. They mark the entrance to opportunities. Obstacles may be used as stepping-stones to higher attainments.

Difficulty Number One.—“The ground has been burned over.” “If I offer ‘Object Lessons’ to the people in our neighborhood, they will say, ‘I have had that book for a year;’” or, “Four or five of your people have tried to sell me that book, and I am tired of hearing about it.”

Ways to Avoid This Difficulty.—Take the “Story of Joseph,” a beautiful little book for children, which is published and sold on the same plan as “Object Lessons,” in behalf of the colored mission schools in Mississippi, and offer it first. Then ask if they have “Christ’s Object Lessons,” and if not acquainted with it, bring out a copy and show its value. If they have seen it, and rejected it, tell briefly of what it has done for our schools. Also speak of its value, and offer them another opportunity to secure a valuable work, and also to help clear the balance of our school debts.

Difficulty Number Two.—“There is so much else to do. We have the Capital and Labor number of the Signs to sell, special numbers of our health journals, tracts to distribute, pamphlets and small books to sell, and ‘Education’ to introduce everywhere. Then how can we make another canvass for ‘Object Lessons’ now?”

Answer.—It is just because we have so much to do that we can make a success of closing up the campaign with “Christ’s Object Lessons.” Those who sell “Education” can ask if the family has a copy of “Object Lessons.” Those who sell small books and pamphlets can make a similar inquiry, and wherever there is a family without it, speak of its value, and secure, if possible, an order.

So also with those distributing tracts or selling the Signs. Always have a copy of “Christ’s Object Lessons” along, and wherever it is consistent, speak of it. If the family has it, learn how it is liked. If not, introduce it, or say a word about it that will pave the way for its introduction at a later visit. “In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that.” Let us go on to victory.

W. C. WHITE.