Editorial by Editor

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park, Washington, D. C. · Jun 13, 1912

Editorial

By Editor

Stand Fast in the Faith

Every great undertaking has its time of supreme trial, its great crisis up to which all other trials and all lesser crises have led. In every great battle there has come a time when men and officers have felt that they must literally anchor themselves to the ground, or the day would be lost. At such a time they have thrown aside everything that would hinder the most effective fighting; and with pieces loaded and bayonets fixed, they have waited for the charge which they must repel or suffer defeat. Then it is the officers walk along the lines calling out, "Steady, men, steady!"

That is where we stand to-day. The greatest conflict of the ages is nearing its culmination. At such a time there comes to us this admonition from our great Commander: "Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong." True it is, that admonition has been applicable in all ages; but now, when the forces of the enemy of souls are making the final assault, that admonition has a deeper significance, and should sound the louder in our ears. The din of the conflict may deaden our sense of hearing; the sophistries of the enemy may deplete our ranks like exploding shells; or here and there a leader may go over to the enemy, and so bring discouragement into the hearts of the rank and file. Then is the time when we should listen to the voice of the One in command: "Stand fast . . . quit you like men, be strong."

Many of those who help win an earthly battle go down in death, and never see the fruit of their sacrifice, never know that a victory was won. Not so in this struggle. Every loyal participant is bound to be a living victor. He will know of the victory, and share in its fruits.

For nearly two thousand years there have been on record these words of our Saviour: "Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be." Prophecy fulfilled and fulfilling indicates most surely that we are nearing the time when those words are to meet their fulfilment. This earth will not be a pleasant place at that time for those who have refused to accept God's last message to the world. Having chosen a doomed world instead of an inheritance in the new earth, they must perish with the world. But the way is open for every soul in this doomed world to meet that day of the world's doom with rejoicing. There will be a company that will look up and say: "Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is Jehovah; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation." Isa. 25:9.

We can be among the class that will call for the rocks and the mountains to fall upon them and hide them from the face of the Saviour who died to save them, or we can be among the class who will at that same time lift up glad hands and glad faces to welcome that same Saviour. The rewarding is with him, but the choosing is with us. Therefore, "Stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong." C. M. S.