Inventions Advancing the Gospel
By Editor
Macaulay said that, "barring the alphabet and the printing-press, those inventions which abridge distance have done most to further the progress of humanity." This statement is worthy the serious consideration of all who are interested in the spread of the Gospel. The probation of the present sinful world is lengthened by the long-suffering of God (2 Peter 3:9), for the sole purpose of giving all the world an opportunity to hear the Gospel, and accept salvation if they will. All the inventive genius which men possess is the gift of God, and designed for the furtherance of His cause in the earth, altho, like other blessings, it has been sadly perverted to sinister purposes. Therefore, all the "inventions which abridge distance" are, in God's providence, especially adapted to the speedy dissemination of truth. Prominent among these are the postal and express systems, the telegraph and telephone, the application of steam and electric power to conveyances by land and water. When we reflect that without these appliances the Gospel was carried into all the known world within thirty years after the ascension of Christ, it is wonderful to think of what might be done at the present time if all who profess discipleship were true to the real Gospel message—"the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus"—and were inspired with the primitive zeal. The Lord "will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness; because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth." Rom. 9:28. This refers to the closing of the Gospel work, and it is evident that "those inventions which abridge distance" are called out by the Lord for this very purpose. Will the people of God appreciate this fact, and utilize them for their legitimate end? or will they allow the adversary of souls to monopolize them to the detriment of the Gospel?