p. 17 | History - Making

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 17, 1901

History - Making.

The Jews who walked and talked with Jesus of Nazareth were looking for the Messiah, but in Him they saw only the carpenter's son. Since they recognized Him as only a man, He could not be to them a saviour. As a church we, Seventh-day Adventists, pride ourselves on our ability to read the handwriting of God in the history of nations. We stand before the people of the world as teachers of history and prophecy. Are we as keen in the interpretation of events in which we have a part to act as we are in history made by other people? If we were, would we not to-day read into the denominational history of the past few months a much deeper significance? I have thought of the question often, and asked myself, Am I as blind as the brethren of Jesus?

The matter is well illustrated by the work of our last General Conference. Previously to that meeting we had reached a place where further progress seemed impossible. Then were given to God's people the plans for reorganization. To me this means as much for our people as did the organization of the camp of Israel at Sinai for them.

God has come to us, plainly saying that He desires to walk in our midst. His pillar of cloud overshadows this people. There is a mighty work of conquest before us. One man alone cannot lead the people. There should be leaders—captains of tens, of hundreds, and of thousands—throughout the camp of Israel. Where are they? The success of the new organization will never be complete until there are hundreds of men ready to carry forward the work of the denomination.

On the one hand, we are confronted by these facts,— facts which are actually stupendous. On the other hand, we find that just at the time that light came on methods for carrying on the work of the denomination, the way opened for our oldest educational institution to leave Battle Creek. Year after year we had waited for the lifting of the pillar. God had promised that He himself would give the signal for the advance. Why did He bid us go forward at the time He did? Undoubtedly there is a reason, and to us is given the privilege of tracing the divine handwriting in these events.

The need of workers has always been great; with reorganization it would be greater. Battle Creek College has prepared many workers, but the training-school was in the future to have placed upon it greater responsibilities. It must give a different training; it must do more than ever before. This is the reason for the change in its location; this is the reason the change was made when it was made. Reorganization meant a scattering of power rather than a centralization of authority. How fitting, then, that the institution which trains laborers should be the first to heed the call to leave the city.

Men now standing at the head of the work see these things, and are daily praying that the Spirit of God may move upon the hearts of men and women to prepare to fill positions of responsibility. There are men bound down by business who should be devoting their entire energy to the advancement of the Third Angel's Message. I know that this is true, for as I write, there is a letter before me from a man who makes this confession. The powers of darkness will hold all who will not make a desperate effort to free themselves. To-day salvation depends upon forsaking all. Nothing should hold us back.

So keenly has the situation appealed to the General Conference, that Elder Daniells and Professor Prescott will both devote much of their time to work with the students in Emmanuel Missionary College during the winter term. Never has more faithful effort been made to offer students the advantages of an education. Ministerial laborers, canvassers, teachers, medical missionaries—all will find exceptional advantages during the coming winter.

We shall be glad to correspond with any who contemplate taking work. The winter term opens Jan. 8, 1902. Write us of your aspirations and plans. Address E. A. Sutherland, Berrien Springs, Mich.