A Message for You by William A. Spicer

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park, Washington, D. C. · Sep 25, 1913

"A Message for You"

By William A. Spicer

IN making his report of evangelistic labor at the meeting of the Northern California-Nevada Conference, Elder W. S. Holbrook related a suggestive experience. Over many and various paths, in these days of the hastening of the work, the Lord is drawing truth-seeking hearts to the message for this hour:—

He was holding meetings in a certain place in northern California. One evening he met a Methodist lady. As they shook hands, he was just conscious of the fact that she looked at him most intently, with an earnest, searching look. He thought nothing of it at the time; but later, she said that when she first met the strange minister at the meetings, as they shook hands, a voice seemed to say to her, "This man has a message for you." She thought at first it must be that he had come from her old home State and that some of her friends had sent a message to her; but, on second thought, it was apparent that that would not account for the impression being put into her mind so really and tangibly. She waited, and listened to the preaching. As she heard the message of Rev. 14: 6-14,—of the hour of God's judgment come, and the call to the keeping of "the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus,"—she knew well enough what the "message" was that the minister had for her. She accepted it, and is rejoicing in the blessings that come with it to every believing heart.

Mere impressions amount to nothing unless they come of God's Spirit to lead to the sure foundation of his blessed Word. That is the voice that speaks with authority. Nothing else counts. But the work of witnessing is to be closed quickly, and the God of heaven is able to use many ways to turn the hearts of his children to the way of light. He can speak to every heart on earth. That is our courage as we look toward the world's vast millions, and think of the carrying of the last message to all. The Lord will do it. He is able. And incidents like this related suggest to us how his Spirit is striving with hearts everywhere, and how the Lord will lead some in one way and others in another, gathering out all who will respond in the swift closing years of this generation. We shall see it. "I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them." Isa. 42: 16.

W. A. S.