Present Wants of the Cause.
By Roswell F. Cottrell
Those who have been waiting for an opportunity to use their means judiciously for the benefit of the cause of truth, cannot fail to see that the time is fully come when it can be invested to good advantage. We have come to an important point in the history of the last message, a point that will test the sincerity of those who profess to love it, and show what is their real faith in the work of the Lord. For our good, and not because he is needy, the Lord has laid on us the duty to labor for the advancement of his cause and the salvation of our fellow-men. Our faith and love must be tested, not because God does not know what is in our hearts, but because he wants us to discover what is there, so that we may put away our wrongs that we may be saved. The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked. And while we fancy that we have faith and love, and are willing to do and suffer in the cause of human salvation, the trial of our faith, love, and liberality may bring to light the fact that we are unbelieving, selfish, and covetous. Now we have the opportunity to prove ourselves whether we are in the faith, and test our love and liberality. And let me say to any who may look upon the suggestions of Bro. White, or Bro. Butler, in regard to what is necessary to be done for the advancement of the work, as a selfish dunning for means, that such are too141far from faith in God and confidence in his work to enjoy the approval of God and insure their final salvation. I write thus, my brother, my sister, for your good, and out of a sincere desire for your conversion and salvation. The tenth of the increase is not all that is needed now. We have been robbing God in tithes and offerings. Besides our tithes, liberal offerings are due; and, with all, we shall not cancel our past indebtedness. Some have so much on their hands, in the shape of wild and unprofitable lands, that to pay tithes on it all, according to the supposed value, would, with their actual income, be really embarrassing. They would not be able to meet it and their current expenses. The remedy for this is, to put these lands on sale at figures that will insure a sale, and not their retention, put the avails into the cause in the shape of offerings, and then pay t. B. on what remains. There must be a waking up to a sense of duty and the demands of the times, or we shall be lost. While I speak to others, I speak to myself. I have been far behind my duty in encouraging a spirit of labor and sacrifice. By the help of God, I mean to amend. The fields are white; but where are the reapers? Let us take hold of the work, each one in his own sphere, and God will reward our efforts. If we will walk out by faith, he will help us. Do you believe it, brother? do I believe it? Our actions will tell. We do not want to be deceived. God is giving us a chance to prove ourselves. Let us improve it while we may. The Lord's work will move forward. It will not fail. We may share in it. But if we do not move, others will take the crown. There are crowns enough for all the victors. All may so run as to obtain. Let us so run as to gain the prize and lay hold on eternal life. It is no time to look back. Remember Lot's wife. Let go the world, and lay up treasure in Heaven. The believing heart which is truly in sympathy with the work of the Lord will rejoice and take new courage at these calls for an enlargement of the work and renewed consecration and greater faithfulness in labor in every department of the great work. Such will be cheered with the prospect of soon seeing the work accomplished, and will be in earnest to renew their zeal. Their faith will not falter at the greatness of the work; but will say, It will be done; for it is God's work; he has promised, and he will fulfill. Let me do what I can; let me share in the work; but God will do the work, and all the glory shall be his.