OUR PRESENT WORK by Editor

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 10, 1856

"OUR PRESENT WORK."

By Editor

THIS is the caption of an article in the REVIEW, Vol. ii, No. 2. The truth it then expressed, is no less truth now. It expressed our most solemn conviction then, and the experience of four years confirms us in the truth expressed. God has blest the preaching of the message to the salvation of souls, and has not especially blest other messages. Neither has he blest the labors of those who have mixed up other matters with the message. From the very first that we took part in spreading the third message, (which was at the very commencement,) we have plead with our brethren, through the REVIEW, in public meetings and private interviews, to closely adhere to the leading truths connected with the message, and not suffer their minds to be called off on subjects not emphatically present truth. Satan has desired to destroy the remnant, and many who have embraced the message, and bid fair to be a help and ornament to the cause, have finally made shipwreck of faith, in consequence of being led imperceptibly from present truth.

Brethren, be not deceived. Be warned by the sad experience and overthrow of hundreds of Advent believers, who have been led from the truths of those angels' messages from heaven, to dwell on points not necessary to our salvation. You have not forgotten what touched your finest feelings, convicted you of transgression, and after you received the message into your heart, filled you with peace and joy. It was present truth. It was the message.

Would you bring others to the keeping of the "Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus?" then go to them with the truths that stirred your soul, and accomplished the work for you. We have one God, one Saviour, one gospel, one hope, and the message God has given us is a unit. It shows us our duty now. If received into the affections, it will do for us the work nec

essary to be done now. It leads to immediate consecration, and action in the cause, and brings present salvation to those who thus embrace it. Here we will give large extracts from

THE ARTICLE.

"In laboring to accomplish our whole duty to God and the scattered flock, it is important to understand our present work clearly. With pleasure we look back to those happy years when the servants of the Lord were fervently, and with one united voice proclaiming the coming of the Lord. They were not then running off into views which had no particular bearing upon the main question, but the burden of every called and chosen servant was, "Fear God and give glory to him, for the hour of his judgment is come." While they were thus united, God blest their labors everywhere, and the cause moved on gloriously. But during the delay, or tarrying time in 1844, distracting views sprung up, and fanaticism began to appear. These, however, were swept away by the seventh month cry, like the dew before the sun, and in the closing up of the message of the second angel, every voice was again raised in concert in proclaiming, 'Behold the Bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet him.'"

"Many believe that the time has come to sound the last note of warning to the scattered people of God. If it is really so, and we fully believe that it is, then may we not expect to see the same oneness of views, and united effort among those who believe, as was witnessed during the messages of the former angels? We believe that we may. It is true that we have passed through the long dark night of scattering, and the flock has become faint and scattered by a strange diversity of views. And as they are now being gathered to the truth, many will be inclined to hold on to erroneous views received in the time of scattering. Therefore it should be a very important part of the present work of those who teach the truth, to lead the minds of the brethren from distracting views, and to show them that they must be united in the third message, as we were in the former ones. Under the present unfavorable circumstances, a powerful effort must be made to hold up the truths closely connected with this message, in their clear light and importance, so that precious souls may feed upon them, and rejoice in them, and thus lose sight of the errors and darkness that have so long enveloped them."

"Those who gave the two former messages with success, dwelt almost entirely upon the leading ideas expressed by the two angels. Those who are especially called of God to give the third, we think, will not wander far from the leading ideas expressed in the message of the third angel, to dwell on disputed points, not particularly meat in due season. The third angel's message opens before the mind a wide field of truth, important to our present salvation. The "patience of the saints," the "Commandments of God," "the Faith of Jesus," and the awfully solemn warning against the worship and mark of the beast and his image, are themes perfectly calculated to inspire faith, and lead believers to consecrate themselves and all they have to the Lord. These subjects when investigated open the plan of salvation clearly, and do not fail to show our present work. No other subjects will move the heart, and revive the faith of the fainting flock like these. In fact all others seem to be ineffectual."

"The story of "Meshullam" may please the ear, and the "age to come" occupy and divide the mind; but we fail to see that they are accomplishing anything at this time in leading souls to "the Commandments of God, and the Faith of Jesus." In fact, these things are calculated to captivate the mind, and keep some from throwing their whole interest into the present work of salvation. Let those who believe that a good work has been already accomplished by the proclamation of the message of the third angel, for a moment reflect, and they will readily see that the subjects closely connected with this message, have alone accomplished this glorious work. And judging the present and future by the past, we may learn what is "meat in due season" for the household, and also our present work. Said St. Paul to the Corinthians, [Chap. ii, 2,] "For I determined not to know (or make known) anything among you, save Jesus Christ and him crucified." That was then particularly present truth; for there was the cross to preach him who had just been condemned and crucified. And Paul preached, or made known to them that only which was necessary to their salvation through Jesus Christ. An example truly worthy of our imitation."

"We are far from calling any portion of the Bible unnecessary. All Scripture is "profitable." But if there are not certain portions of the Word, and certain subjects particularly applicable to any one time more than another, why has our Lord urged upon our consideration the figure of the wise and faithful servant, giving to the household meat in "due season?" Or why does Peter speak of the "present truth?" If we consider these things properly, we shall see that at this time, when all our energies should be employed in spreading the third message, to save souls now, that are sinking in the mire of unbelief, our minds should not be drawn from those truths so necessary to our present salvation,"

"Many have looked on too long in silence, while they have seen those important truths connected with the present message impiously tramp'ed under foot without making any effort to help vindicate and advance the cause of truth. Now the door is open almost everywhere to present the truth, and many are prepared to read the publications who have formerly had no interest to investigate. Now we may all do something for the Lord who has done so much for us. To those who love and rejoice in the present truth, we would say, there are others who would prize it as highly as you do, if they could have it taught to them in its purity. Efforts, under discouraging circumstances have been been made by self-sacrificing brethren to get the truth before many of you, and you will certainly feel called upon to help others. Often has the poor widow's mite been freely cast into the treasury of the Lord to publish tracts, and to send to you the servants of the Lord, to preach the Word to you and to carry to you the publications. And if you love the truth, and love your brethren who do not see the light as yourselves, it will be your greatest pleasure to help send the truth to them."

J. W.