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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park, Washington, D. C. · May 30, 1912

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 89, No. 22.

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Editorial

By Francis M. Wilcox

The Lonely Ones

THE great heart of Infinite Love yearns tenderly for every disciple of the Master, wherever his lot in life may be cast. Particularly does the Master have a care for the lonely and desolate ones among his waiting children. These have a double burden to bear, and recognizing this, the Lord stands ready to hold out his hand to aid and succor them.
In his all-wise purpose the Israel of God is scattered abroad throughout the earth. Some are gathered in large companies, others in little groups, and some there are who, unaided and alone so far as human Christian fellowship is concerned, are endeavoring to hold up the standard of truth. Here is a single family, the only one in the neighborhood or in the surrounding country who believes the precious truths which bind us together as a people. In another place, perhaps away back in the mountains or in a home on the broad prairie, is a lonely brother or sister, who, in the fear of God, is seeking wisdom and strength from day to day to live a life of loyalty and righteousness. Or perhaps in the heart of some great city there is found the lonely one, surrounded by a multitude of fellows, and yet alone after all, with no one near of like precious faith to whom he can go for sympathy and counsel, in whom he can confide the joys and sorrows of Christian experience.
How blessed it is for these lonely ones to feel that although deprived of the human associations for which their hearts so many times long, they may have a Companion who "sticketh closer than a brother." The blessed promise of Jesus, "Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world," is for us to-day as well as for the disciples to whom it was directly addressed; and particularly may the lonely ones draw strength and courage from this assurance of divine companionship. The consciousness of this presence of the Master is the true basis for courage. It is made such in the word of the Lord to Joshua: "Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." Why should not Joshua be strong with this assurance? and why should not we be strong wherever our lot may be cast when we have this blessed promise of companionship with the Lord? And this companionship may be made through faith so real, so practical, so helpful in every daily experience that we shall be able to realize that we have indeed walked with the Lord hand in hand, and that we have talked with him face to face, as a "man speaketh unto his friend," even as did Moses of old. This blessed companionship, this sweet communion, it is the privilege of every child of God to enjoy.
Our very desolation may be made an avenue whereby we may take hold of heavenly strength. Like the mighty oak which stands out by itself all alone, and in wrestling with the storms and winds takes deeper rootage, and firmer hold upon its foundation, so God designs that the trials and afflictions of life, the sorrow and sadness, the difficulties and perplexities, shall be the means of driving us nearer to him and of leading us to lean more heavily upon his strong and mighty arm.
God has set his children in these lonely places as heralds of the light. Through them he will demonstrate to their fellows that it is possible, even under forbidding temporal circumstances, in the face of temptation and trial, in spite of mockery and ridicule, to obey God and live out the truth for this day and generation. He demonstrated that through Lot in Sodom; through Abraham wandering among the tribes of ancient Canaan; through Joseph in Egypt; through Daniel and his companions in the Babylonian court; through Jesus in Nazareth, a city so wicked that Nathaniel questioned if any good thing could come from it. He is demonstrating the same power of his blessed gospel to-day in the experience of this people. God has given to the lonely ones a great commission.
Dear lonely ones, be loyal to the right. Be true to God just where you are. In your neighborhood be messengers of light and blessing. Do not shut yourselves away from your fellows. Visit them in their homes, especially those who are suffering from sickness or disaster. Invite them to your homes. Be neighborly, be obliging. Prove yourselves liberal, generous, broad-minded men and women. Do not compromise the truth. Do not for a moment trail the gospel banner in the dust, but demonstrate that the truth of God has not dried up your soul, nor narrowed your sympathies, nor made you less neighborly or less helpful in your life among men.
Speak the truth in love. Stand ready always to give a reason of the hope that is within you, with meekness and fear, but use good sense and careful judgment in the manner of its presentation. Do not by indiscreet words or unwise methods bring the holy truth you profess into disrepute. Circulate our good literature, and let that speak. That enters into no personal controversy, as you may be tempted to do.
If the way opens, gather your neighbors into your home for a little prayer band, or the wandering children together on Sabbath or Sunday for a Bible study. Demonstrate to those around you that your religion is not an experience of gloom, but one of joy and hope and courage. Forget your loneliness and lack of Christian fellowship in your daily communion with the Lord Jesus Christ, and then go forth from his presence radiant with joy, to dispense to those around you the light and blessings which you have received from him. Thus laboring, God will bless you in order that you may be a blessing to others. You will then fulfil his great purpose, and be the means, through his grace, of bringing salvation to your fellows.
F. M. W.