The Third Angel’s Message
Sister D. S. Gardner writes from Bristol, Vt., “BRO. SMITH: I have just read Review No. 8, Vol. xvi, and have been much interested, and I trust profited. I feel an increasing interest in the Review, and all the efforts of God’s people to speed on the knowledge of present truth. Do we realize that the Third Angel’s Message is the last call of mercy? It is even so—and upon those who have heard and embraced it a great responsibility rests. “To them is committed this great work of sounding the alarm; and should we prove unfaithful, God will reject us and raise up those who will give the solemn warning. I have felt stirred up of late as I have read the calls for help, for laborers and means to sustain them, and have read of the pressing wants of God’s chosen servants. We cannot mistake our duty here; it is plain. The warning must be given; the messengers must be sustained. They are not sent out to battle at their own charges; and if our hearts are in the work, it will be a privilege for us to give freely of the means the Lord has made us stewards over, to help in this good cause. But do not some excuse themselves and feel that they are not able to do anything, who have much more than the poor widow who cast into the treasury of the Lord her two mites? They do not esteem it as much a privilege to give as she did. Well, the Lord loveth a cheerful giver. First, a willing mind is accepted of the Lord, and then according to what a man hath, and not according to what he hath not. How plain. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. Rom. viii, 14. And God so loved the world that he gave his only Son to die for the world. Again, If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. Jesus freely gave himself to suffer the mockings of cruel, wicked men, and the awful agonies in the garden of Gethsemane, the hidings of his Father’s face, and finally to die upon the cross; for whom? For angels that kept not their first estate? No; for us to whom the word of this salvation is sent. “And shall we not esteem it a great privilege, and praise the Lord that he permits us to be workers together with him. Yes, if we have the Spirit of Christ, we shall. I have often thought how exactly the gospel plan of systematic benevolence is suited to God’s people. The poor have a chance to lay up a treasure in heaven as well as the rich. Some object to it for fear we shall become like the old churches. Others think we ought to hold our property in common. I believe the direction of the apostle Paul, is the best course for the church to pursue. Then, again, we are told that it was for the poor saints at Jerusalem that the collection was to be taken. Very true; but were there none of the apostles and preachers that dwelt at Jerusalem? Paul says in another place, If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? But, says one, I believe in giving to the messengers, but have my doubts about putting down in a book what I give; I think it is better to hand to them as we have done and not have any system about it. But there was order in the Jewish church, why should there not be in the gospel. May the Lord grant us more of his Holy Spirit that we may discern the path that he would have us walk in at all times.”