A REVIVAL NECESSARY by Roswell F. Cottrell

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 16, 1879

A REVIVAL NECESSARY.

By Roswell F. Cottrell

As a people, we need a revival; and we must have it; and the truly faithful, those who are so consecrated to the cause and work of God as to make it the first object of their lives, will soon share in a revival, a refreshing from the presence of the Lord. The fulfillment of prophecy in our progress and present position in this work, indicates that the Lord is about to pour us out a blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.

It may be asked, What sign indicates the approach of this promised blessing? It is the bringing in of all the tithes and offerings. The true system of tithes and offerings has been reached; and the true-hearted will respond to it; and when all do this, the promise will be fulfilled.

There has been backsliding with us in many respects. Selfishness is the chief cause. Covetousness is the greatest danger to the church. Self-caring, self-gratification, is the natural fruit of depraved human nature. It is the great object of the gospel to overcome and extirpate this selfish covetousness, and to form a character like that of Him who sought not his own, but “gave himself for us.” Nothing can help us in this work more than to render God his own, that which he has reserved to himself, and no longer rob him in tithes and offerings. Nothing can more recommend us to the favor of Heaven than driving out selfishness by labor for the salvation of souls for whom Christ died.

The faithful and true will now bring in their tithes and offerings, and the blessing will follow. When the door is opened, the faithful and true Witness will come in and sup with us, and we with him. Let all prepare for the refreshing, having our vessels ready to receive the blessing. Let each individual consecrate himself to God with all that he has, giving to God not only the means which have been selfishly kept back, but his energies, his whole being, and the promise will be fulfilled.

Those who have faith in God and the present truth will act. I know a minister whose total receipts for the past year were only $165. Out of this he has paid the tithe, the one-third, donations to State and General T. M. Society, and for clubs of SIGNS and COLLEGE RECORD, amounting in all to $63.56.

It is not necessary that all should give a like proportion of their income; but it is better to make some free-will offerings besides, than to fall short of the tenth. The work of God in saving men is closing. No one will regret that he had a part, a liberal part, in this work. The time of reward is coming. It is right to covet a full share in that reward. Now the just shall live by faith. It is time to have faith and prove it by works. Those who have faith in God and the truth will not fear the consequence of venturing upon God’s promises. He says, “Prove me now herewith.” It is his will to give us a large blessing and an abundant entrance into his kingdom. And in closing up the great controversy, he will have an example set before the world such as has not been seen since the apostasy from the zeal and purity of the primitive church. Then, when all can see that the war of the wicked is against truth, righteousness, and unfeigned love, God will deliver his people and cut off his enemies. Who shall live when God shall do this? My brother, my sister, we may share in this triumph.

R. F. COTTRELL.