WE HAVE A MESSAGE by Editor

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 21, 1861

WE HAVE A MESSAGE.

By Editor

We are told by the wise man to do with our might whatsoever our hands find to do. Eccl. ix. 10. As it is not probable that Solomon would counsel evil deeds, we may understand that whatsoever good things we find to do, those we should do with our might; and hence the common version of this passage is doubtless not far from correct, "Whatsoever thy hands find to do for the Lord, that do with thy might."

To every believer in the third message we need not say that we have found something to do; something to do for the Lord; something to do with our might. Not to speak of individuals who all have some part to act in this work, not to speak of churches who have an influence to exert, not to speak of preachers who go forth to perform the toilsome and self-denying part assigned to them, we come to the REVIEW which also has its office to fill.

We all rejoice that we have a special object before us; we are also glad that the REVIEW has a special work in which to engage. It would be hard to conceive of a more unpleasant position than to have no object or aim in view; to be laboring and yet know not to what end we were striving. Such however seems to be the position of some of the journals of the present day. There are some papers coming to this Office, the object of which it is difficult to discover, even though we sit down and ask ourselves soberly and candidly what the design of their publication is, and why they should be issued and supported. They are not publishing any new truths; those which were long since brought out and are now to a great extent entertained among the people, they are not advocating so well as they are advocated by others; while in many points they are positively behind the providence of God, behind the opening truths of his word. What can be the object of such journals? With how much zeal and courage can their publication be carried out?

In cheering contrast with this, yet with no invidious feeling, we look at home and see that those engaged in issuing the REVIEW do it with the happy consciousness that it occupies no such aimless position. No: we have an object before us, a special work to do, a special message to proclaim. We have truths which we know are in advance of any yet apparent among any other people. When the REVIEW goes out, it goes with an object, it goes out to teach truths that are definite and distinct, truths which are to prepare men for the great crisis before us, ripening them for the harvest of the earth, truths upon which God has set his seal, truth which it is the only messenger in the land engaged in proclaiming. And when, brethren, you lend it your support, you may know that you are supporting a paper which has a specific work before it, a work, too, which it is intently bent upon accomplishing.

Yes, we have a message, a soul-stirring, sanctifying, God-given message. This thought is enough to open in all our hearts an unfailing spring of hope, animation and courage. May the REVIEW ever be faithful in the proclamation of this message. May it, through the hearty co-operation of all its friends, and the blessing of God, accomplish its object and fulfill without lack or failure its glorious mission.