WHAT ARE WE DOING? by H. J. Jewell

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Dec 10, 1902

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 28, No. 50.

WHAT ARE WE DOING?

By H. J. Jewell

In Matthew 24 and elsewhere in God’s Word we are told of the condition of things in the last days, and in such plain words that we can not be mistaken. Now if we will study the Word as we should, looking to God for wisdom and understanding, and comparing the Word of God with the world as it is to-day, we can not fail to see that the time is at hand when our Saviour will come again and take His waiting people home, when this old earth of sin and darkness will be made new and all sin forever destroyed.

Look about us to-day and see the awful calamities on land and sea,—fires, train wrecks, riots, wars, and bloodshed everywhere; volcanoes bursting forth in all parts of the world, destroying thousands of lives, people trembling with fear not knowing what will come next.

Think of these things and ask yourself if you are prepared for Christ’s coming and what you are doing to warn the world of that great event.

Chinese River Boat Propelled by Foot-power.

Can not the people of God do more to save the dying millions who know not God? Why are so many idle? Every day is precious. Inactivity is a sure sign that we are losing ground to the enemy. Our motto should be, Work and pray. We can not compromise with sin. We are either in the light or in the darkness. Let us put forth our mightiest efforts to bring the precious truth God has given before all the world, and thus be channels through which God can pour forth His blessings. God has told us that in the last days He would pour out His Spirit upon all flesh. Joel 2:28, 29; Acts 2:17. Our Saviour told us to preach the Gospel to all the world, and promised that all things that were done by Him we could do if we only believed. Mark 16:15-18. The Holy Spirit is now hovering over this sinful earth, moving upon men, waiting to be received by them for service. Why can we not open our hearts and receive it in such a measure that our work will be blessed of God as was the work of our Saviour?

If God’s people would only awake and shake themselves free from the dust and sins of this world and do as God commands, “Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins” (Isa. 58:1), God would work mightily.

If we feel that we lack wisdom, let us ask of God, who giveth to all liberally and upbraideth not; but let us ask in faith, nothing wavering. Believing, we shall receive. James 1:5-7.

Let us be faithfully obedient. If we turn away our ears from His instructions, from hearing His law, even our prayers are an abomination to Him. Prov. 28:9.

Let us not become entangled with the sinfulness of this world. When we are tried, let us lean upon the mighty arm of God; for He can and will uphold us at all times. Isa. 41:10. If we can not go to the uttermost parts of the earth to carry the light God in His great love has given, we can comfort sorrowing

hearts all around us, we can pray for those who are in darkness, and we can live such lives of faith and nearness to our Master that we will carry power in our face, word, and actions, and thus many opportunities will come to us of telling others of the One who has done so much for us.

Sanitarium, Cal. H. J. JEWELL,