The Loud Cry by A. M. Lindsley

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 22, 1872

The Loud Cry.

By A. M. Lindsley

We remember years in the past when much was said and written about the loud cry of the third angel. Something of the spirit that will attend the closing work was begotten in the hearts of the faithful ones, who, looking forward to that time, brought it near by faith. But we have tarried quite a number of years, and the loud cry has not yet gone out in its fullness.

But shall we for this reason doubt that the work is going on? Shall we grow so cold and half-hearted that it will be but a little remove from our present standing to eat and drink with the drunken, and smite our fellow-servants, saying in effect, “My Lord delayeth his coming”? Oh, no! while some fall out by the way, let the true-hearted wait on the Lord, and watch his opening providence.

This work is a great work. It has, through all these years, been assuming features of permanent foundation—collecting and combining forces of power, which will ere long be felt in forwarding the work to its completion. A preparatory work has also been going on in developing character in the church.

We have found that the Laodicean message belongs to us, with its truthful description of our case, its stirring, thrilling admonitions to be zealous, and repent. Have we done it? Have we sought for the anointing? Are we clothed with the garments of righteousness? Do we possess that love that will stand the test? Let each one answer these questions with all honesty. Oh! how humiliating to be compelled to own that we have not all been faithful. Some have fallen; but God’s mercy still lingers. Let us arouse, and, calling to mind former days, gird ourselves anew for the conflict.

This is the day of God’s preparation. Link after link of prophecy, reaching down to their fulfillment, and different chains stretching away into the future, bind with interest the minds of the students of prophecy, gathering force as they hasten on, all pointing to one grand, culminating center—the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the setting up of his kingdom. Does the view savor of dullness? Listen. “Fear, and the pit, and the snare, are upon thee, O inhabitant of the earth. And it shall come to pass, that he who fleeth from the noise of the fear shall fall into the pit; and he that cometh up out of the midst of the pit shall be taken in the snare; for the windows from on high are open, and the foundations of the earth do shake. The earth is utterly broken down, the earth is clean dissolved, the earth is moved exceedingly, . . . the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it; and it shall fall and not rise again.” Isa. 24: 17–20.

This is in process of fulfillment. Old earth totters. It trembles under premonitions of her final death struggle. Passing away is written on everything; nothing so abiding as the word of God which we have as a sure guide in this evil time. Looking these things fairly in the face, shall we longer sleep on the verge of destruction? Has not the time come to fully awake? Will it not be pleasing to God if we now yield all to him? Doing this, will not his people occupy the position where he can use them to his glory? for nothing short of this will accomplish their part of the work. A prepared state of heart must necessarily and inevitably be the condition of God’s people before he can pour upon them the fullness of the blessing of his Spirit, to aid in swelling the loud cry. As we see the rapidity with which Scripture is being fulfilled, has it ever occurred to those who are not making progress, that there is great danger of their names being dropped, while others will be raised up to take their places? This will doubtless be true in many cases. The recording angel is on his way, and as our days are swiftly passing, we should be able to say at the close of each, “I have made some progress.” God’s great work is going on in all its minutia; let us not fail of a share therein.

A. M. Lindsley.