To believe the Bible in its entirety is to trust God implicitly. The faith of Seventh-day Adventists in the immediate coming of Christ is based upon the promises of Jehovah as given in His word. But in considering these promises, it is well to embrace all the conditions attached to them. That is to say, we ought carefully to study those things to be fulfilled, which must precede the glorious revelation of the Lord's personal advent.
At our last stockholders' meeting, Jan. 28, 1907; lunch generously provided by the ladies of Mountain View Church. The building is now occupied, tho not quite completed. Work is more than we can do at present. Before many months the congestion will be relieved.
First of all, let us emphasize the Saviour's own words which tell us that "this Gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come." Matt. 24:14. It is well to note that the Gospel of the Lord's kingdom MUST BE SOUNDED IN ALL PARTS OF THE WORLD as a witness to the nations, before the message can culminate in the Lord's coming. This is indeed a great work which with only human power would be impossible for many reasons. The greatest of these is that without a cementing force, no unity of purpose could be maintained, by which to bring those in darkness to see "eye to eye" in preparation for the Lord to "bring again Zion." Isa. 52:8.
By consulting the apportionment of funds by the General Conference, it will at once be seen that the division of the $150,000 now being raised was a wise one, looking to the end in view. No single portion of the field receives a major part of this money, but it is assigned to each section, according to the revelation of its needs. We call attention to the fact that Great Britain receives $10,000 for its educational work. Considering for a moment the wide range of influence that country has over other nations, and the amount of good it may accomplish by this, all must agree that this entire amount is needed there. Crossing the North Sea to Scandinavia, with its extended connection with other parts, we must see that the $2,000 devoted to educational work there is none too much to meet its needs.
Coming to the Western World, we note the struggling efforts to establish a school in the West Indies, in which to educate the people of that region for a part in the Master's work. We believe the $4,000 to be given there is a modest sum for that region. Turning to the west coast of South America, we witness the strenuous efforts there made against papal error; and why should not that country have the sum of $2,000 with which to establish a modest printing plant and a school?
Viewing our own country, and the work assigned it in God's providence, why should we not prepare ourselves at once to discharge the responsibility that we know rests upon us? The sooner we place all our institutions on a basis from which they may become instrumental in carrying out the plans they are designed to accomplish, the sooner will God be able to give through their united work the resonant cry which will arrest the attention of the entire universe. In this establishment of centers of influence in various parts of the world, we may see the wisdom of God. He designs that His last message shall attract men by its harmony and sweetness of tone. To become thus it must sound thru an instrument fitted to give the positive notes of rhythm and harmony.
Makers of band instruments well know that to make the exit-end of the contrivance no larger than the entrance, no amount of breathing thru it would produce the desired sound.13Therefore such instruments end in greatly enlarged proportions, and in bell-shaped form, in order to give the proper volume and beauty of tone. The closing notes of the third angel's message to be produced by the breath of God, must have the instrument thru which they are to be produced given the proper proportion and shape. The larger and more extended the bell of the instrument, the wider the range of sound that will be produced.
In the closing of this message, God wants coworkers who will be willing to give the material of which to make the great instrument thru which His Spirit may herald forth the speedy coming of the Master to judgment. Why should not every one esteem it a rare privilege to be invited as a partner into such a firm, and for such a work? Why should not the necessary funds for this preparatory work be on their appointed mission now?
