The one Great Concern by M. E. Darling

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 22, 1864

The one Great Concern.

By M. E. Darling

DEAR brethren and sisters: We are looking for the coming of the Saviour. We have seen the signs fulfilled of his advent near. We have seen the glorious light of present truth, and our hearts have burned within us as we have thought upon it. The world lieth in wickedness. God's people are to be brought out from Babylon. Upon us, truly, upon every one of us, there rests a great responsibility. We are not our own.

We who have embraced the truth must go forward or be left behind. The ranks of the remnant are being sifted, and every thing that can be shaken will be shaken, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain.

Oh, you who are holding on to the world, you who are looking for ease and comfort here, and yet professing an interest in present truth, up, and look around you. The word says to you, Rise up, for this is not your rest. Would you go to Mount Zion with the people of God? Yes, you reply, I would go. But stop, the world will not go there, and if you hold the world in one hand, the world will hold you, and you must share in its ruin.

Now, now is the time for us to press together. To cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord.

Thousands now are rallying to the standard of truth. Thousands outside are waiting for it. Let us all come up together, searching our own hearts as in the light of eternity.

Oh for that spirit of self-sacrifice and devotion, to the cause of our Master, to the welfare of perishing souls, that will count no sacrifice too dear to win a soul, to strengthen a weak one, to call back an erring one. God give us all that spirit, for Jesus' sake.

The fields are white for the harvest, the laborers are few. Brother, sister, however humble or obscure may be your station, have you made a full sacrifice? Are you fully in the cause of your master? If so, you are prepared to help hold up the cause of truth by staying up the hands of its ministers. But if not, depend upon it, though you pray for laborers your influence tends to hold them back from the harvest field. Oh let your prayers go up in living faith. Ensamples for the flock yourselves, walking blameless, and with a conscience void of offense, you can consistently pray for and help along with carrying the truth to others.

The cause does not want laborers now in answer to half-hearted prayers, which go up from those who are themselves joining the world, seeking its friendship, its pleasures, or wealth. No. It wants those whose souls are given to the work, and we all want to be with them. Let the body of Christ be one.

Brethren and sisters let us pray for this, that the Lord will send forth laborers into his harvest. That the loud cry of this message may speedily go forth, and the earth be lightened with its glory. Let us be sober and watchful, always abounding in the work of the Lord. Then when the chief shepherd shall appear, we shall not be ashamed before him at his coming.

Yours in the patience of the saints,

M. E. DARLING.

Preston, March 4, 1864.