The Great Work by James White

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Oct 21, 1875

The Great Work.

By James White

THE position taken by S. D. Adventists, that the present is the period for the closing warning to the world, shows a great work to be done in the brief future. And evidences multiply from all parts of the world-wide harvest field that God's hand has been set to the accomplishment of this vast work. We wish now to speak more particularly of the cause in Europe.

One mail before that which brought Eld. Andrews's report in this week's SIGNS of the discovery by Eld. Ertzenberger of more Christian Sabbath-keepers in Prussia, brought a letter from Eld. H. W. Decker of Wisconsin stating that he and Bro. Bartholph of that State had visited a company of Prussian Sabbath-keepers in the city of Milwaukee who believe in the soon coming of Christ, and have given up tobacco and have a leader, not long since from Prussia, who is a good speaker. They receive a monthly magazine from Eastern Prussia published in defense of the Bible Sabbath. Their leader says that there is quite a large company of Christians in that part of Prussia who observe the Sabbath of the Lord.

The very next mail brought us the statements from Eld. Andrews that Eld. Ertzenberger had found another company of Christian Sabbath-keepers in Prussia, and that they had received the light from still another body in Eastern Prussia. Without doubt Eld. Andrews and Eld. Decker both speak of the same body in Eastern Prussia. Three bodies of Christian Sabbath-keepers have been found in Prussia: first, the two score or more first found by Eld. Ertzenberger; second, the eight souls recently visited by Eld. Ertzenberger; and, third, those in Eastern Prussia referred to by Elders Andrews and Decker. And it is quite evident that the first and the third did not know that each other existed, from the fact that Eld. Andrews learned nothing of the third nor of their magazine, when with the first in Prussia.

And now we wish to mention the remarkable agreement of these three companies on four important particulars, both among themselves and also with the Seventh-day Adventists in America: first, the Bible Sabbath; secondly, the near second coming of Christ; thirdly, Christian baptism by immersion only; and, fourthly, Christian temperance that excludes the use of tobacco. And what makes this agreement really wonderful is that the two larger companies knew nothing of each other, and none of those in Prussia, nor the company in Milwaukee, Wis., had any knowledge whatever that there was such a body on the globe as the Seventh-day Adventists.

We look upon our own existence as the wonderful work of God as we follow the car of Providence down the track of Prophecy in the messages of Rev. 14:6-12. But what seems still more wonderful in the existence of these Prussian Sabbath-keepers is their agreement with themselves and with us on the four points named, while having no knowledge of each other, or of our people. This can be accounted for in no other way than that God by his word and Spirit has moved directly upon the hearts of these Prussians, and has put in their minds and written upon their hearts the very truths for this time which he was moving out men to preach and to publish in America. And be it understood that these Prussian Seventh-day Adventists do not trace their existence back to past centuries; but their conversion has been in the period of the third message, since 1844 when the temple of God was opened in Heaven Rev. 11:19, at the close of the 2,300 days of Dan. 8. and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament.

How wonderful is the work of God? As we view this work in the light of the revelation and providence of the great God we are led to repeat the words of Eld. Andrews, "God has gone out before us. It is most certainly a call to us to follow." In answer to Eld. Andrews's inquiry, "What shall be done for Germany?" we answer, Let the light shine in Germany, to which thousands of Seventh-day Adventists in America will respond, Amen. The time has come for action. A thousand pages of our best tracts and pamphlets should be translated and printed in the German language before New Years. Urgent calls for our smaller works in German to circulate in our own country have been growing more urgent for the last fifteen years. And now the call comes over from Europe. Our people are ready to contribute to any amount needed to meet the expense. Elder Smith, Prof. Brownsberger, and Doctor Kellogg, who stand at the head of the work at Battle Creek, should at once provide for the accomplishment of this. Small editions should be hastened through the press for immediate use. If we wait to secure that degree of perfection we may desire, we may incur the displeasure of Him who requires the best we can do now, to be improved upon as we have opportunity. And may God make Eld. Ertzenberger a blessing to the German people, and may he raise up others who, with the aid of our publications in their language, shall let the light shine in Germany. This brother had a free ticket at our table and in our home during nine months when he was in America, and we feel that we have some claims on him as interpreter for the French and German, should God send us to Europe.

It is evident that Eld. Andrews needs the help of some one who can speak and write in French, and assist him in translating and publishing. And as Eld. D. T. Bourdeau has had his mind greatly exercised in reference to a mission to France, it may be the will of God that Eld. B. should join Eld. A. in the work in Europe. Especially for those who read and speak the French language Eld. B.'s labors are needed in this country where he has labored ardently and successfully, both with the Americans and the French. But God may have a still more successful field of labor for him among the crowded masses of the kingdoms of Europe to whom he could speak in his mother tongue. We can only suggest, and pray the Lord to direct.

There is nearly $3,000 in the missionary treasury at the disposal of the General Conference Committee. Eld. Andrews is one of that committee. We need not state that when he needs means for his own personal wants, or to publish he has only to send his orders to Review and Herald, Battle Creek, Mich., and the required sums will be immediately forwarded. We make this statement for the benefit of those in limited circumstances who have had their sympathies greatly moved by Bro. A.'s frequent allusions to means in his reports. Before the treasury shall be emptied a thousand liberal and able friends of the cause will of their abundance cast in more. God speed the cause in Europe. J. W.