p. 687 | OUR OPPORTUNITY by J. B. Greenwood

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 23, 1900

OUR OPPORTUNITY.

By J. B. Greenwood

It comes to us every day. In these times of awe-inspiring interest — yes, of grandeur to those who know the truths revealed in God’s word concerning the second coming of Christ and the portentous events to occur just prior to that glorious consummation of the Christian’s hope — what an incentive there is to labor earnestly to herald the glad tidings of salvation! The world is rushing madly on toward the vortex of wickedness, strife, and war, which will end in universal ruin. Already we perceive the outer currents and eddies of that maelstrom into which all nations of earth are being rapidly and irresistibly drawn.

What is our duty? Souls are to be saved! Among these nations are honest-hearted men and women who now are drifting with the tide. Many of them are anxiously studying the situation, and realize that a crisis is rapidly approaching, the nature of which, though they can not fathom it, fills them with dread forebodings. These must be warned in order that they may flee from and escape the impending destruction. God wishes us who know his truth for these times, to be “minutemen.” This is our opportunity,— to be always ready for work right where we are. In our daily intercourse with friends, neighbors, business acquaintances, let us hold up the light of truth; let us “watch for souls as they that must give an account,”—watch to make, and to take advantage of, opportunities to proclaim the message.

We can not all go out into the field to preach, or hold Bible readings, or give all our time to selling publications; but we can all do something. The experience of one brother, given below, is right to the point:—

“We get our milkman, our oilman, vegetable-man, grocer,—in fact, our near neighbors,—to reading the Signs of the Times, then we ask them to subscribe for a year. In this way a number of those now taking the paper were induced to do so. Our little boy, eight years old, very much enjoys delivering the papers, and often sells them. He sometimes takes orders for three months. Since the message came to us, we have never failed to pay for a few copies of the Signs, with which to do missionary work.”

This work with the Signs arouses an interest to hear more of the truth, and prepares the way for further literature. Let us all make a liberal use of this “pioneer,” and keep always on hand a supply of tracts and other publications.

J. B. GREENWOOD.