GREAT BRITAIN by H. P. Holser

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · May 28, 1896

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 22, No. 22.

GREAT BRITAIN.

By H. P. Holser

ONE of the best evidences of the power of the Gospel message for this time is the readiness with which it frees people from the bondage of custom. Compared with the United States, the people of Europe are much more custom bound, traveling in the beaten track of centuries; and it is generally conceded that of the leading nations of Europe, England is in some respects one of the most conservative. To-day, as in every age, the tendency of prevailing custom is to hinder people from enjoying the freedom of the Gospel. The Gospel means liberty; customs mean bondage; and the older the custom, the greater its hold on the mind. In every age, to accept the Gospel meant to break with prevailing customs of the day,—to undergo sort of a social ostracism.

The masses are led; very few have independence of mind and character to stand alone; hence more than ordinary power is required to induce them to break with old established customs, and stem the heavy tide of the world. But this very power is seen in the Gospel as in nothing else. It was seen in the first century among the heathen under the preaching of the apostles. It is seen to-day in Great Britain under the preaching of the same Gospel. While many are there turning back from a partial reformation to the hoary traditions of Rome, others are making long strides in advance to a complete reformation, or the good old Gospel. This at once gives them freedom from the erroneous social and religious customs which hold the masses in bondage.

During the past year, the Third Angel’s Message has scored marked victories in “Old England.” To many, “all things are become new.” The change has been so great that in some cases the individuals were thought to have lost their mind, and were sent by their employers to the physicians. This is but a repetition of what Paul refers to when he says that those who accepted the cross in his day were counted fools by the wise of this world. But the interesting feature in England is that those who pronounce insane such as accepted the Gospel, profess themselves to believe the Gospel. This is a forcible illustration of how far the so-called gospel of to-day is departed from the true. But, altho the “god of this world” has so greatly blinded the people, “the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ” is shining unto them, dispelling the darkness and deceptive power of sin. Since the beginning of our work in this field there has been no time when the power of the truth was so manifest as at the present. Much literature has been circulated; the truths for this time are taking hold of the people, and, filled with the courage of conviction, many are taking a bold stand for the Lord. Our laborers in this field are unable to occupy all the openings for presenting the truth. It is quite evident that the time has come for the closing work of the Gospel to go with power. This is seen both in Great Britain and other fields in Europe. A decided change has taken place in the last two years. According to the prophetic word, we may expect to see this cheering work continue and increase till the whole earth is lighted with the glorious Gospel.

H. P. HOLSER.

Basel, Switzerland, April 24, 1896.