Missionary Appeal from Westphal and Ogden at Battle Creek
Most of the ministerial brethren were away from Battle Creek, Sabbath, August 24, at the Michigan camp-meeting at Lansing; but Brethren J. W. Westphal and A. R. Ogden, on their way to their new field of labor in South America, called, and kindly gave us an expression of their feelings from a missionary point of view, in reference to the great work we are set to accomplish for the world in this generation. It was a continuation of the same spirit which ran through the General Conference. The former dwelt upon the depth of appreciation we should feel for the open book of revelation which God has given us, and how we should show our appreciation by uniting with the heavenly host in seconding and sending forth to all, the gracious invitation to “come.” John wept much because no one was found worthy to open the book. One of the elders told him not to weep, for a worthy One had been found to open the book. And when the book was opened and the glorious revelation brought forth, the four living beings and the four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, and opened their lips in ascription of praise to Him, saying, Worthy the Lamb to open the book. Rev. 5: 3-8. Brother Ogden gave an earnest exhortation to awake out of sleep and hold the Third Angel’s Message as a reality, not as a mere theory. Of every one that is called by the name of the Lord, God says, “I have created him for my glory.” Isa. 43:7. We glorify Him by contributing to the support of His work. Our sympathy, prayers, and means should follow the Lord’s cause, like a mighty wave, to help it forward in the earth. How soon could the seventy-five thousand Seventh-day Adventists send the gospel of the kingdom to all the earth; and when this is done,—“then shall the end come.”