p. 3 | A Chance by Editor

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Sep 3, 1903

A Chance

By Editor

Editorial

A Chance

ON a sign posted in a prominent thoroughfare we read the other day, "Socialism will give you a chance," and at once we thought, "And it gives only a chance." The plan of establishing equality by a more equitable division of the wealth of the world, and of maintaining that equality by legislative enactments, commends itself to those who would hope to be the gainers by this new adjustment, but the results, after all, would be those of mere chance. The whole thing rests upon a wrong principle. Character is the most valuable possession, and is the only real title to all other possessions. This is the law of the new kingdom, and its results reach into eternity.

A Certainty

WHAT the socialists are seeking after, and many of them with all sincerity of purpose, is provided for in Christianity. All the things of the kingdom belong to each subject of the kingdom, but he can receive only such a portion of his whole inheritance as his cultivated capacity will enable him to appropriate to the highest purposes. Christianity does not simply give each one a chance; it gives each one a certainty. "He shall reward every man according to his works." "Godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come." That reorganization and readjustment of things which men are seeking after through some plan of human devising can only be realized in "the restoration of all things" when the Saviour comes for his people, and only that gospel which cleanses the human heart from sin, the real cause of all these troubles, can provide a relief from the ills which have come upon the world through the transgression of divine principles. There can be no substitutes for the gospel of Christ. It alone can heal and restore. A certainty is better than a chance.

Loving His Appearing

THE crown of righteousness will be given "at that day" to all them "that love his appearing." It is "unto them that look for him" that he will appear "the second time without sin unto salvation." It is thus evident that those who share in the glories and the joys of the second advent will be expecting the return of their Lord, and will have their hearts set on this event. Those who "love his appearing" will never be heard saying, "It makes no difference when the Lord comes if we are only ready." This is simply a way of expressing indifference concerning the coming of the Lord, and this feeling of indifference indicates a lack of personal faith in the prophecies and the signs of the day of God. Such persons will not be ready for the experiences which will come to the waiting people of God. Those who "love his appearing" will have a faith which will sustain them through "a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation," and which will bring to them the deliverance promised to those "found written in the book." Those who "love his appearing" will consecrate their time, their talent, and their means to the work of "hasting the coming of the day of God." They will seek "those things which are above," and will in spirit anticipate the joys of that day through the fellowship of the Spirit to be poured out in the time of the latter rain. It will be easy to distinguish between those who really "love his appearing" and those who make the second advent simply a part of their creed. "By their fruits ye shall know them." And the time of test is even now upon us, and revelations will be made which will bring surprise and pain to many hearts. O that the Lord may increase the love of his appearing in the hearts of his people!

The Time of the Promise

WE are living in the time of the latter rain, and in this time we are instructed to ask for rain. There is nothing in the divine purposes or promises to prevent, but rather everything to favor, the reception of the fulness of the Spirit's presence. But there must be such a faith in the promises and such a fellowship with the divine purpose as will actually lay hold upon the desired blessing. God's remnant people, although they are scattered over the face of the earth, ought to continue "with one accord in prayer and supplication," as did the disciples in the time of the promise just before the day of Pentecost, and the prayer of faith will bring the desired blessing. Let the daily prayer be, "Father, give me thy Spirit." Let the daily consecration be, "Wholly thine for evermore." And the daily experience will be, "God with us." In this time of the promise let each one seek to realize the fulfilment of the promise.

Saving Sinners

THE work of Jesus is to save sinners. "Faithful is the saying, and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." "The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." This was the one purpose of his life of toil and sacrifice while he was upon the earth, and now that he has entered into heaven "to appear in the presence of God for us," he still gives himself to the same purpose. "He is able to save to the uttermost them that draw near unto God through him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them." Those who are truly representatives of Jesus in the earth will heartily consecrate their lives to the same work of saving sinners. It will be the one ambition of their being to turn men "from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God." The one consuming

desire of their hearts will be to make known the love of Jesus to those who are strangers to it, to minister his saving grace to those who are ready to perish, and thus to extend the triumphs of the cross. These are "laborers together with God." They become God's helping hand in reaching and rescuing those who have been held in the bondage of sin, and they are permitted to share in the joy which pervades heaven when a sinner repents and accepts the salvation of Jesus. To show no interest in the work of saving sinners is to deny in a very emphatic way that we have any personal connection with Jesus and his work, and really classes us with those who identify themselves with the kingdom of this world and the prince of this world. "He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathered not with me scattereth abroad." Just now there is an emphatic call for those who know the message of salvation to sound it abroad in all lands. In the cities and in the country, in the highways and in the byways, in many fields, this saving truth should be made known, and earnest efforts should be put forth to save the lost. Each one can do something. Let each one take up the work nearest at hand, and thus build over against his own house. The time is short, and the labor is great. Be diligent.