NEEDED AT PRESENT by A. J. Harris

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Sep 3, 1894

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 20, No. 43.

NEEDED AT PRESENT.

By A. J. Harris

A FITTING up for the battle is the present need of everyone who names the name of Christ. As the agents of Satan are at work, it is now necessary for the agents of Christ to be sounding the alarm.

It is very plain to everyone who has any interest in the missionary work that there never was a more favorable time to work than at present. Many are the ways now open for the spread of the message. Those who are visiting from house to house, scattering tracts, talking to their neighbors, and reading the Bible with those who desire to know about the word of God, find all that they can do. And those who have been doing this kind of work of late are unanimous in testifying that it is the best work in which they ever engaged. Personal work strengthens the one who engages in it; and, from past experience, we know that in telling others of the love of God, we are watering our own souls.

Doors are open everywhere for Bible readers; many are inquiring for the truth; they are anxious to have the truth made known to them. The one who seeks God for wisdom, and takes his word to mean just what it says, regardless of his own desires and inclinations, or the one who really wants God's ways and will to be his, “shall know of the truth;” and such a person will be an able instrument in the hands of the Lord for bringing the last message with an understanding heart to these open doors.

The Lord is calling for consecrated workers, for those who have given up all for the cause of truth, whose interests are all centered in the cause of Christ. Harmony will exist, and whatever the word says, the Christian can say, “That is for me, for God said so.” There is no contradiction of the Scriptures in the mind of the child of God, for he knows that his God, the Creator of the universe, is endowed with all wisdom and all knowledge; and wherein “there are things hard to be understood,” he knows that God, “who cannot lie,” has spoken them, and there can be no conflict in his statements, nor discord in his voice. He says, “Consider what I say, and the Lord give thee understanding.” We are dependent upon him for understanding, and he will, in his own good time, impart to us the necessary knowledge, when we comply with his commands. All wisdom and knowl

edge come from the Lord, and he will not force this upon anyone; but we can have these things by partaking of them.

“Practice what you preach” should be the motto of every Christian. Watchfulness is required, that the acts of the life may be in strict accord with the profession.

We need the whole armor on. Before us we see nothing but discord, trial, and perplexity. The one who does not look beyond this life for better times will never see them; but to be able to look beyond this life needs a preparation that can be obtained only by the help of God. The preparation that is needed is the armor of God, which cannot be purchased with money, for it is a gift. It can only be had in one way, and that is by yielding up self, accepting Christ as the only source of strength, the only way of life,—“putting on the Lord Jesus Christ.” God has promised to fight our battles, even to carry us through to the final end. But he can only carry those through who will loose their grasp upon the things of this world, and lay aside doubt, for doubt destroys the very foundation of the Christian hope. Christ cannot come into a heart that is not emptied of self, and which keeps doubt standing at the door.

Our present need is a present Saviour at the present time. A. J. HARRIS. Battle Creek, Mich.