FOREIGN MISSION by James White

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 4, 1878

FOREIGN MISSION.

By James White

Eld. S. N. Haskell brings information in reference to the work in Italy and in Egypt which is of the deepest interest. The way seems fully open for Dr. Ribton of Naples, Italy, to spread the present truth in those countries. Nothing can more fully confirm our brethren that the present movement relative to the third message is of God than the fact that the way is opening for its proclamation.

That which constitutes a sign of the times must be a matter of prophecy. When such prophecies are fulfilled and fulfilling, we have the signs before us which constitute a strong evidence that we have the truth. And there is no sign so calculated to strengthen the waiting people of God as the present progress of the third message.

Wars, famines, and pestilences are given as signs of the end; but as these have existed all along they cannot constitute a definite sign. In the history of the past, we have wars and rumors of wars, and then peace; famine, and then plenty; pestilence, and then general health; earthquakes, and then the bowels of the earth seem to be quiet. These are growing more frequent, and as they gradually increase will be strong evidence of the comparative nearness of the end.

But the third message is given but once. It is the last message. The preparatory work of the loud cry of the message when the work will be cut short in righteousness has now been in progress more than thirty years. The Lord has led his people out on the subject of organization, systematic benevolence for the support of the ministry and the advancement of his cause, and through the spirit of prophecy has brought his people into such harmony and unity of action that the Lord can finish this great work, with even humble instruments, in a short time.

In behalf of the Seventh-day Adventists of America we say to Elds. Andrews, Bourdeau, Ertzenberger, Ribton, and others, Be of good cheer. You have the warmest sympathy of your American brethren. You have their prayers; and let them, from every land, go up in faith and unity to the throne of grace, that success may attend our efforts.

And while we pray, let us act the part that God would have us act in the answer of our own prayers. This great work will require not only men of means, but men who will study to show themselves approved of God, workmen that need not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth, men of energy who can risk their lives, men who give all, and can say as Paul has said, “I die daily.” And while such men shall take their lives in their hands and go forth to their last reaping, those who have the means to put the truths of the message in print, should cheerfully give of their money to support the cause.

We have made an appeal for ten thousand dollars to support our missions in Europe besides the ten thousand already raised to establish the press in Switzerland. A portion of the ten thousand has been pledged and a few hundreds have been paid. We pledged for Mrs. White and self five hundred dollars during the present year. We now raise that pledge to one thousand dollars. We have paid two hundred, and by the very first mail we send one hundred dollars more to Eld. Andrews, to be forwarded to Bro. Ribton to give him immediate assistance in his present work. The missionary fields are opening everywhere. If those who manage these missions could command one hundred thousand dollars, it could at once be appropriated to the advancement of the cause. May God move upon the hearts of those brethren who have a surplus.

Some have been talking of waiting until the “selling time” should come. We would say to such, That time has come. In a little from this those who refuse the mark of the beast cannot buy nor sell. Then the gold and silver of those who withhold it now will in anguish be thrown into the streets; but neither their gold nor their silver will be able to deliver them in the day of the Lord’s fierce anger. Now is the time to work for God; and no one need to wait for any further light or any further appeal to their liberality only as the wants of the present message are appealing to them at the present time.

JAMES WHITE.