The Week of Prayer by A. J. B.

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

The Week of Prayer.

By A. J. B.

Pastors W. W. Prescott, I. H. Evans, and A. G. Daniells occupied the Tabernacle pulpit, Sabbath, December 14, speaking in the order mentioned. The burden of the entire service was, “Prepare for the Week of Prayer.” The first speaker impressed upon the minds of all present, in a forcible manner, the greatest need of Seventh-day Adventists in Battle Creek, and everywhere, just now; namely, a revival of the Advent spirit. It is the absence of this burning desire to proclaim the soon coming of Christ that “takes off the keen edge” of this work. We need a revival of the Spirit of God.

The second speaker showed most plainly that God’s purpose in sending His people a special blessing is that they may be better prepared to do something for Him. A thank offering should be made during the Week of Prayer, which begins Sabbath, December 21. Those who have good homes, regular wages, and the comforts of life, know but little of the sacrifices and hardships endured by our missionaries in foreign lands. He told of one missionary whom he visited, who, being obliged to pay twenty-five dollars a month for rent, one dollar a pound for butter, two dollars a bushel for potatoes, nine dollars a barrel for flour, etc., still preferred to serve his Master in that foreign field, going without the common necessities of life, rather than to take life easy in his native land. This brother received but small wages. Other examples of self-sacrifice were also mentioned. Those better situated should devote at least a portion of their means to the work in foreign fields, that the treasury of the Mission Board may be filled. This money will not be used to make life easier for those already in foreign fields, but will be spent in sending out new laborers. Do not wait until the last minute, but begin to plan now, and to ask the Lord how much He wants you to give.

Pastor Daniells concluded the service by making a strong and logical appeal for the greatest yearly contribution yet offered by Seventh-day Adventists. Instead of sending out only 300 missionaries this year, we should plan to send out at least 1,000 men and women. Three important points should be borne in mind during the Week of Prayer: (1) the necessity of receiving a personal blessing; (2) the raising up of an army of consecrated workers; (3) the necessary means for the support of these workers and those already in the field. And, in order to pray aright for workers, each one should hold himself or herself ready to answer the prayer personally if necessary. The speaker then showed conclusively that at least $100,000 should be raised at this time by this people. The light of present truth has done much for us. Figuring the yearly drink bill of this nation at $20 a person, the health-reform message saves this people $300,000 a year, which they might otherwise consume in drink. Abstinence from tobacco alone saves another $300,000. Then, our refraining from attending balls, theatricals, our discarding of jewelry and adopting plain dress, saves the denomination still another $300,000. If everything were counted up, it would be found that more than $1,000,000 is saved yearly to this people by this precious message. And are we not all better off without these things? Then, is it not reasonable enough to expect a donation of at least $100,000?

A. J. B.