THE accounts from different parts of the field are encouraging. The brethren stand firm. The excitement on definite time has not moved them. Why should it? Their position in all respects being explainable, they cannot be shaken. The true Sanctuary and its cleansing is the link connecting the past with the present and future. Other adverse influences have as little effect upon those who know their true position from the word of God. It is a matter of great encouragement, that a few restless spirits, who have been a perplexity and burden to the cause, have taken a stand by themselves. If they continue their present work till they draw out from the Lord's flock all of their kind, it will afford everlasting relief to God's people. If we still pursue our work, and do our duty and no more, and let the Lord take care of the jewels, we shall soon see them all united with the body in spite of the Dragon. We are happy to learn that the brethren in Orangeport, Barre, Mill Grove, Clarkson and Parma, are united and free.
A number have stopped the REVIEW (not Sabbath-keepers) since the commencement of the present volume, but not as many as might be expected; and their places have been fully filled, and perhaps more by new subscribers. We have no real cause of discouragement. The REVIEW has been freely and fully sustained, and will be. Those who have the cause at heart will cheerfully see to this. The debts of the Office, of which we spoke last week, have not been occasioned by the publication of the REVIEW; but by the publication of large editions of important works very much needed. We expect that the Office will be relieved immediately by the sale of Tracts, and payment for the REVIEW in advance. This is a favorable season of the year to spread the truth before our friends, and all who will listen to its voice. They now have more time to read our works and compare them with the Scriptures of truth. We now earnestly invite our friends to aid us by purchasing our works for circulation, and thus do their duty to their fellow-men.
By untiring efforts the cause has been advanced in times past, and God calls on all, by his word and providence, to arouse themselves to greater zeal in this glorious work. There can be no doubt respecting this being the period of the third call to the great supper. See Luke xiv, 15-24. The Master is now saying to his servants, "Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled." From this we may learn that the message is not to the proud and rich. Self-righteous professors have not an ear to hear. They will seldom open their houses of worship, or come to hear us. But our message is to the mixed multitude, in the highways and hedges, rich and poor, professors and non-professors. "He that hath an ear, let him hear." We may also see that greater efforts are required now than formerly. "Compel them to come in," is the language employed, which signifies the earnest entreaties to be used to constrain men to come to the truth. We must labor zealously and patiently to accomplish anything for God. We must sacrifice for the truth in this last compelling message as we never have before, and as others before us have not done. In the highways and hedges we must call unto our fellow-men to come into the Lord's house, "whose house are we," says Paul, "if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end." We should take the best, and all proper means to get them out to hear the message, the brethren and sisters should talk it by the fire-side, and they should judiciously scatter publications far and near.
The providence of God is opening the way for the message to be brought before the people. From all parts of the field are calls for some one to come and preach the truth. The people wish to hear. This is encouraging, yet it is painful that there are so few among us to go with the message. "The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest." Let one united cry go up to the Lord of the harvest for laborers, to enter the wide fields already white for the gospel sickle. Formerly we have not been able to get access to the people; now the people want to hear, and in many places are calling for some one to come and preach the message to them. The church should keep pace with the opening providence of God. By her faith, her sacrifices and her faithful warnings and entreaties, she can accomplish the great work left to the remnant church to perform. The destinies of souls hang upon her faithfulness. O that the church of God could feel the importance of this hour, and the responsibility that rests upon her. Time is flying. The command has gone forth, "Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in," yet but few feel that they have a part to act in this matter. Dear reader, awake to your own condition, the shortness of probationary time, and the importance of acting a part for God and his cause, while you may. How sad the lamentation, how dreadful will soon be the wail—"The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved." Jer. viii, 20.
It is a matter of great encouragement that God has blest every effort judiciously put forth to advance his cause. We would here mention the Tent-meetings held the past season in Michigan and New England. It was rather an experiment, but has met with far greater success than was expected. Much can be done with Tents, and but little can be accomplished in the summer season in any other way. For example—One year since at our conference in Springfield, Mass., a good Hall was obtained, and the people were notified by hand-bills, and through a daily paper, yet on First-day but few were present excepting believers. But on the 6th inst. 1200 persons were assembled to hear the word at the Tent-meeting held in that city. It is thought that there should be as many as five Tents moving next season. Brethren, make up your minds to work for God, and to see the cause advance gloriously. Be ready with your means to act well your part.