Columbia Co., Wis by S. W. Pack

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 22, 1871

Columbia Co., Wis

By S. W. Pack

From Bro. Pack.

DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: I desire to express my gratitude to God that he has given me such light to see where I stand in this world's history; to know that Jesus is soon to come the second time without sin unto salvation. The columns of the REVIEW being open that we may speak one to another, we ought to avail ourselves of the opportunity, and exhort one another daily, and so much the more as we see the day approaching. Heb. 10:25. In Mal. 3:16, we read, “Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another; and the Lord hearkened and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name.” This ought to inspire us to advance the cause of truth. It appears to me the injunction of the apostle Paul referred to above is applicable especially to us; for while most of the religious denominations are expecting a good time coming, sounding the peace-and-safety cry and looking for a temporal millennium, we are looking for the day of trouble; Dan. 12:1; the destruction of the wicked and salvation of the righteous. We are living in a solemn time; some are giving up the truth, departing from the faith, and denying the Lord who bought them. This ought to stimulate us in our Christian warfare. Our language should be that of Joshua, Let others do as they will, “as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” O, let us take heed to the faithful and true witness in his exhortation to the Laodiceans. Oh! how offensive to God is this lukewarm condition! “I would that thou wert cold or hot,” or in other words, I wish that you were either wholly for me or wholly against me. As we are living in this age of the church, let us not feel exalted and think we are increased in spiritual goods and need nothing, and know not that we are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, destitute of spiritual life which makes the cause in which we are engaged to be in a languishing condition. If we had more of the love of God shed abroad in our hearts, more of the spirit of Christ, we should see more of a pressing together and less dissension. It is high time now that we wake up to a sense of our danger and our duty, and try to help each other on the way to Zion.

To us are committed great and precious truths. What are we doing to spread these truths? Are we circulating as many tracts as it is in our power to do? It was the tracts that was the means of bringing me into the truth when preaching and private discussion failed to convince me on a single point. I know of a church that bought some tracts more than two years ago, and many of them still remain uncirculated. This is like burying the one talent in the earth. Had the money these tracts cost been put into the Office, it would have helped advance the cause, but as these tracts lie in the desk at the church from one year to another, they are doing neither the cause nor the church any good; this should not be. Now if each member on the Sabbath were to take only seven tracts and distribute one every day during the week, and so on until not one is left, then get another supply; what an immense amount of good might be done!

“Little strokes fell great oaks.” When we think of the sufferings of our blessed Saviour, and how much he has done for us and is still doing, we ought to do more in return. Let us, while life is ours, improve the precious moments; work while the day lasts; and let each one see what he can do to advance the cause of Christ. Without an effort there is no prize; without a cross there is no crown; without we suffer with and for Christ, we cannot expect to reign with him. Let us consecrate ourselves anew to the service of God; let us pray unitedly for the outpouring of his Holy Spirit, and for his blessing upon us and our works, for the working time will soon be past. Soon Jesus will come in power and great glory. Then let us be prepared to meet him in peace. Oh! that we could realize that the harvest of the earth is almost ripe, and Jesus will soon make his appearance to reap a doomed world. Many, I fear, who should be giving the alarm are fast asleep. To such I would say, “Wake up, wake up, and be doing! for the night cometh! work for Jesus while the day lasts. Work for the spread of the glorious truth of the third angel’s message and the coming of Christ in his kingdom, for the honor of his Father’s law, and for the salvation of a perishing world, so that we may receive the welcome plaudit: Well done! and be partakers of that inheritance which is incorruptible and undefiled, and that fadeth not away. What a glorious calling is ours! How glorious is the Christian’s hope! May God help us all to walk worthy of our high calling for his dear Son’s sake. Your brother in Christ.

S. W. Pack.