Signs of the Times, Vol. 13, No. 8. (2/24/1887)

Signs of the Times

Feb 24, 1887

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Feb 24, 1887

EXTRACTS FROM A LATE APPEAL FROM SISTER WHITE.

By Ellen G. White

God will work for us just in accordance with our faith. At the slow rate our people in many States are working, it would take a temporal millennium to warn the world. The angels are holding the four winds that they should not blow until the world is warned, until a people has decided for the truth, the honest of heart have been convicted and converted. Their power, their influence, and their means will then flow in the missionary channel. This is putting out the money to the exchangers, that when the Master shall come his stewards may present the talents doubled in the ingathering of souls to Jesus Christ. But the wealthy farmers are some of them acting as if in the day of God the Lord only would require of them to present to him enriched, improved farms, building added to building, and they say, "Here, Lord, are thy talents; behold, I have gained all this possession." If the acres of their farms were so many precious souls saved to Jesus Christ, if their buildings were so many souls to be presented to the Master, then he could say to these men, "Well done, good and faithful servant." But you cannot take these improved farms, or these buildings into Heaven. The fires of the last days will consume them. If you invest and bury your talents of means in these earthly treasures, your heart is on them, your anxiety is for them, your persevering labor is for them, your tact, your skill is cultivated to serve earthly, worldly possessions, and are not directed or employed upon heavenly things. And you come to look upon the means invested for larger plans in extending the work as so much means lost which bring no returns. This is all a mistake, because the earthly is exalted above the eternal. While the heart is on earthly treasures it can only estimate such; it cannot appreciate the heavenly treasure. It is fully occupied just as the devil wants it should be; and the eternal is eclipsed by the earthly.

Now there are many diligently at work just as though their salvation depended upon their wonderful economy in investing means in the cause of God, as though the least money they consumed in plans and efforts to broaden and build up the work of God was a virtue. And money is held in farms and in business as though their salvation depended upon the improvements to be made upon their earthly property. Do these men know that they are bound up in selfishness? Do these men know that they are robbing God every day of their lives? Do they know that they are devoting their time, their physical and mental talents, in laying upon the foundation, hay, wood and stubble? All the improvements of years will be consumed with the fires of the last day, and if they themselves are saved, it will be only as by fire.

Their whole life-work is in ashes. The reward that they might have gained if they had been faithful stewards is lost, eternally lost. A host of souls that they might have saved are not saved, because of their neglect. All their powers God had given them to prove them as probationers, whether they are worthy to be intrusted with eternal riches. And there are many whose testimonies have been heard in meetings in continual cautions, lest some advance move shall be made calling for some of their means to reflect light to the world. They are found so buried up with earthly things that they have no right estimate of the eternal riches, and would not prize Heaven if it were given them. Their taste, their appetite, their pursuits, their inclinations, are all of an earthly, worldly character; they are unfitted for Heaven; they perish with their treasures. All our talents are to be used to the utmost. We are required to develop our abilities by exercise until they have reached the highest standpoint in doing,—your farming? your building? No; but God's work, as stewards of the grace of God.

Your powers are to be used as a blessing to the world. To take God's intrusted talents and employ them for earthly, selfish, worldly purposes, and neglect the work of God in winning souls to Christ,—unfaithful servants is charged upon all who do this and neglect a sacred responsibility. It is a fearful thing to take the powers of the body and of the mind, given you to be employed to be a blessing to the world, and use them in such a way that God is not honored. It is also a fearful thing to fold up the talent in a napkin, and hide it in the earth, or world, for fear God would demand it of you. This will be the cutting off of our own hopes of an eternal reward; it is the forfeiting of the crown of life, and showing that we have no esteem for an eternity of bliss. God calls upon you who have the precious light of truth to no longer have your time and talents devoted to selfish purposes, and thus lost to humanity, and lost to God, by folding up your talents and hiding them in the earth. All these talents must be employed to bring glory to the Giver. Accept your God-given responsibilities and take up your cross, denying yourself, or you cannot be disciples of Christ. God did not design that you should devote brain, bone, and muscle to earthly employments; he intended you should improve your talents to fill some grand and noble place in God's plans, in saving of souls, and in doing God's work. The selfish thoughts and feelings have dried up your souls. The moisture of Heaven is not upon many of you. You are as dry as the hills of Gilboa that were not visited by dew nor rain. Grand opportunities are being lost and you are shriveled and dying spiritually of non-use of your talents. You cannot fulfill your solemn responsibilities to God unless you are transformed in character.

Your unconscious influence in your spiritual attitude of selfish love of the world, is saying to the world, "My Lord delayeth his coming." Your guilt is similar to that of the inhabitants of the old world. You are planting and building, and your works testify that you are not looking and watching and waiting for our Lord's appearing.

How can you who are men and women blessed with so great light, so high and sacred privileges, render an account to God why you have done so little as his servants? why you have fulfilled life's grand works so unworthily? God lays responsibilities in your hands to do his work, to educate, to train all your powers to do his work with that efficiency which shall earn for you the "Well done, good and faithful servant." Wherein does this faithfulness consist? in your withdrawing your interest, your time, your influence, from the work of God, and devoting all your powers to earthly, selfish, purposes? No, the blessing will be pronounced upon those who yoke up with Christ in doing his work. Ye are laborers together with God. You will reveal to the world all the faith you have. You are not all compelled to go to heathen lands; there are souls just as precious in the sight of God and valuable as your own soul right within your own borders. And how few, very few, workers are employed in giving the message of warning in the large cities! What excuse will you have prepared to offer to God for this terrible neglect of your God-given responsibilities? These souls unsaved within your reach, I was shown, will confront you in the day of judgment. You worshiped your farms, you worshiped your money, you prided yourself upon your wisdom as wise financiers in worldly affairs; but how does all this weigh with God? He said of the rich man, "Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee; then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?" Now the application: "So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God." The Lord has given you light in testimonies of warning, of reproof, and counsel, but you do but little in accordance with the light given. The words of Christ are explicit, but you are not doers of his words. "Ye cannot serve God and mammon."

There are those who do not realize that their influence reaches beyond their present life into eternity. In every life there are opportunities to accomplish much good. We are leaving impressions upon those around us for good or for evil; we are directing others in the current of thought, and their characters in a heavenly channel or in a cheap, earthly direction. We are preachers to the world, and bear a testimony in our works, in our words, and in our deportment, whether we believe the truth in heart. We are confirming

our profession of faith by our works, or denying our faith by our works. "By their fruits ye shall know them." Are you, my brethren, testifying to the world that you are getting ready to move? Do your works show that you are men and women who are waiting for your Lord? Is the heavenly country the theme of your conversation? Do you talk of the home of the blest, of the blessed Jesus in whom your hopes of eternal life are centered? Do you act before the world and in their presence as though you care more for their souls than for your cattle, your houses, and your lands? Do you contemplate that Christ sacrificed his majesty, his honor and glory, to bring salvation within your reach and save every son and daughter of Adam? He for our sakes became poor, that we through his poverty might be made rich. "We are laborers together with God." When he ascended on high he left his work in the hands of his followers to carry it forward, as he has given us an example in his self-sacrificing life. He went about doing good. Do you follow his example in this? Does your own business seem of greater importance than the precious souls Jesus came to the world to save? Oh, that I could open many eyes that Satan has blinded. Oh, that pen and voice could have an influence to arouse you from your paralysis. Oh, that you could see that you are doing nothing while all Heaven is engaged in intense activities to prepare a people to stand in the great day of God.

We are called to have a superior faith, because of increased light above the light of God's ancient people. Whosoever will be the friend of the world, is the enemy of God. The times in which we are living call for you who believe, to arouse, to put the armor on. You have not done any too much, but not enough. The natural consequence of works in accordance with your faith is an increased knowledge of truth and experience in heavenly things, a higher degree of consecration of all our powers and all our possessions to God; and the more firmly we walk in the path of faith, the greater will be our separation from the world, and from darkness. We will come closer and still closer to the side of the Great Light of the world. Christ is coming. We shall enter upon the year 1887 before this reaches you. Will you give to God a New Year's offering? Will you consecrate yourselves, soul, body, and spirit to God? Will you lay upon his altar that which belongs to God? Will you cut loose from the world, and will you evidence that you believe the truth? Will you cease to rob God in tithes and in offerings? "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it." MRS. E. G. WHITE.

HOW SOME HAVE HELPED THE CAUSE.

By Stephen N. Haskell

BROTHER A was anxious to help the cause of present truth, and when its wants were presented to him, his heart was stirred. He felt that he would be glad if possible to do something that would relieve it from its embarrassment. Having a few thousand dollars in the bank, and realizing the insecurity of banks in these days, owing to the frequent unfaithfulness of those who have charge of such institutions, he took his money which he had on deposit and placed it in the cause, but was particular to receive a note bearing as high a rate of interest as he had been previously receiving. Thus Brother A felt greatly relieved. He had eased his conscience, bettered his circumstances, and, in a sense, helped the cause; for under its financial embarrassment it could better afford to pay interest than to be deprived of the means which should have been freely given by those who were able.

Brother B pursued a somewhat different course. He also felt anxious to help the cause, and made liberal pledges, but it was a time when it was difficult to dispose of property, and when subsequently called upon to help, he said that he had made liberal pledges, and as soon as he found a chance to sell to advantage, he would pay them and do even more. Finally a buyer came, and offered him within a few hundred dollars of what he thought his place was worth. Brother B did not, however, feel like making any sacrifice on what he considered the actual value of his property, but when he was offered his price he would sell. Thus he held his property, while his pledges remained unpaid, feeling content in the thought that when the Lord wanted him to sell he would send him a purchaser. But the buyer didn't come, and the means needed to help in the emergency had to come from some other source.

Brother C also thought over his finances to see how he could help along the work. He had money at interest, and was enjoying a good degree of health so he could earn his living expenses; therefore he gave the interest on his money in full every year. This certainly was doing well. He felt that he had done the best he could. Had he not given all his interest? Most certainly he had. Could he be asked to do anything more?

Brother D adopted another method. He could not sell his farm for what he thought it was worth, but having lived in the neighborhood many years, and been an economical farmer, he said to himself: "This thing will I do: as long as my farm pays me the interest on three or four thousand dollars, I will do more than simply give that. I will borrow money, and place it in the cause, paying the interest from my income on the farm until I sell it." So he borrowed $4,000, and placed it in the Third Angel's Message. Year after year, for many years, he has earned the interest on the money, and given the cause the benefit of the principal. All can readily see that this has helped the cause, and it was a sacrifice on his part.

Brother E pursued an entirely different course, because he was under different circumstances. He had notes and mortgages out, and it was a very easy thing for him to give the interest, as he was not dependent upon it. So thought he, "I will dispose of my notes and mortgages, and place my money in the cause without interest, giving it the benefit of the entire amount; and I will donate from my substance as the needs of the cause demand, and will so arrange the matter that, should I die, the money never can be drawn from the cause of God."

Brother F heard the same plea for means, and a statement of the condition of the missions and realized that help must be furnished to relieve them from their embarrassment. He also had a few notes at interest and owned a nice farm. After duly considering the matter, he decided that he would better sell and give alms, even though it was at a sacrifice. He had also read in the book of the law that the people anciently were to value their property according to the number of years to elapse before the year of jubilee. He thought that the evidence was conclusive that the Lord would soon come. He did not leave a stone unturned in his efforts to sell, which he did finally at a sacrifice of over a thousand dollars. He also disposed of his notes, and placed their value in the cause of present truth. Having disposed of his property so as to be released from care and perplexity, he found he had much time to labor. He did not feel that God had called him to preach, so he began to sell our publications. Although he was not considered a successful canvasser, he paid his expenses and some more. He enjoyed a peace of mind that gave constant joy, and he felt that God had blessed him. He also read Rom. 13: 12-14 and thought that it applied to him. We leave it with our friends to judge which of these brethren took the wisest course and came the nearest to making a covenant with God by sacrifice. S. N. H.

IS IT A SACRIFICE?

By Stephen N. Haskell

THE spirit of sacrifice is an essential element in the Christian religion. The expression is used to describe such acts as partake of the same spirit that brought Christ to this earth. It was a renunciation by him of the glory which he had with the Father before the world was, and the humbling of himself, even to the death of the cross, that we might be saved. It is a spirit of disinterested benevolence, a yielding of that which is precious to us for the good of others. The first religious service of which we have any account was a sacrifice by man, prefiguring the death of Christ upon the cross. In the Mosaic economy, the sacrifice of animals and the gifts of the first-fruits were numerous, and when the people lost the spirit of giving the best, so that their labor and service was merely formal, the offerings were not acceptable in God's sight, and the people became estranged in their hearts from God.

Malachi, the last prophet of the Old Testament, testifies that the Jews had lost the proper spirit, as they offered for sacrifices the blind, the lame, and the sick, and such animals as were worthless. They had gone so far that they would not even shut the doors of the Lord's house, or kindle a fire upon his altar for naught. They must be paid for everything that they did in the service of God. They also said, "What a weariness is it!" and they snuffed at the services of the Lord's house, and brought that which was torn, and the lame, and the sick. God then pronounces the following curse upon them: "But cursed be the deceiver, which hath in his flock a male, and voweth, and sacrificeth unto the Lord a corrupt thing; for I am a great King, saith the Lord of hosts, and my name is dreadful among the heathen."

Every work of reform has been carried forward by those who possessed a spirit of sacrifice. In the early history of this message, it was sustained almost exclusively by the offerings and donations of the poor. Many a man gave of his substance until he was reduced to poverty, and though in many instances God afterwards blessed such ones temporally, there are living witnesses to-day who can testify that their farms and all their earthly possessions were consumed in sustaining the Third Angel's Message in its early history. Our brethren since that time have been called upon to help the cause of God in a special sense. Our work is an aggressive one. From the beginning it has been as it was in the days of Luther, Wesley, and other reformers; it is a reformatory work from beginning to end. We never expect while probation lasts that we shall reach a time when we shall cease to enter new fields. When the work is finished the Lord will come, and the saints will be taken from this earth. We have a special warning to give to the world; and when that warning has been given, and has produced its effects, the saints will be gathered. We must enter new fields, and gain new conquests as individuals, and as a people, and this will continually call for an increased outlay of means.

Help will be needed as long as probation lasts. In the closing of this work, when the half-hearted and world-loving professor sees that probation is really ending, he will bring his money and lay it at the feet of God's servants, but there will be no use for it. Then James 5:1-3 will be literally fulfilled. But at the present time means are wanted. Men and women are called upon to sacrifice whatever talents they possess. Our brethren have given nobly to help the work in the past, and many have pledged liberally of their means to help in the present crisis; but the question arises, Who makes real sacrifices to advance the truth of God? Is it those who make pledges that they will give of their means, and then refrain from disposing of their property until they can get the highest market price, while the cause is left to suffer? If such individuals conclude that they have done their duty, when God's providence opens the way for a disposal of their property but they hold on in hopes of getting the full value, they will find that they have made a mistake. The Jews were to reckon the value of their land in proportion to the number of years to the jubilee. Do our brethren and sisters take this into account in their efforts to dispose of their property?

Again, our institutions are the safest places in which our brethren can deposit their means. Banks are failing almost constantly, and every worldly enterprise is insecure; but the institutions planted in the interests of present truth, and sustained by our people as a body, can never fail so long as they are devoted to that work, and so long as there is a demand for the truth. Our brethren are induced to place their means in these institutions to help forward the work. This is a good move, and by this means the cause is carried forward; but if they merely loan their money to our institutions, and receive as much interest as they would in the banks, or from outside parties, is there any sacrifice in this? We think not. Would it not be far better, if we have means in the world, to take it and sacrifice at least the interest, giving the cause the use of the money, and have it so arranged that should the individual die, the money could not be drawn out from the work of God by heirs or those who would not recognize that it had been consecrated to a sacred work. There would be some sacrifice in this.

But we often hear it said, "We have a few hundred or a few thousand dollars out at interest, and every year we give the income to the Lord." Now it would help the work of the Lord far more to place the principal without interest in our institutions. Then the institution not only gets the benefit of the interest on the money, but the money itself, and so long as they hold it, it counts the same as though it had been actually given.

The time has come when "sell and give alms" is present truth. The cause is languishing in almost every part of the field. Funds are wanted in every department of the work. Missions are to be established in fields which are untouched as yet, and those already established must be sustained. These missions bring no money back to our institutions to pay those who loan their money with interest. But if our brethren have money out at interest, we think it would be commendable, and they would manifest a spirit of sacrifice, if they would take that means which they have, and if they cannot give it, at least place it in the cause without interest. Some of our brethren have borrowed money to the extent of the worth of their property, and from the proceeds of their farms have paid the interest, loaning the principal to our institutions. We do not say that this is the duty of all, and in fact it would be unnecessary for all to do this if those who have means had a disposition to place it in the cause without interest.

A few days since we received several hundred dollars from an individual who thought that a great sacrifice had been made in taking the money from the bank and loaning it to our institutions, though it is safer than in the bank, and at the same time he is receiving more interest than could be obtained at the bank. Certainly there could be no sacrifice in this.

We have often feared that as the demands of the work for means are great, and we have encouraged our brethren to loan their means by paying interest, as has been done in the past, they would get a false idea of sacrifice. There are cases in which widows or individuals who are feeble have means, and depend upon the income from the same for support. In such cases we think it perfectly right and proper that interest be paid; but for our brethren to loan to the Lord, and place their money in a safer place than any worldly institution, and then require as much interest as they would in the world, we think is a great mistake if they think by so doing they are making a sacrifice. We hope none of our brethren will be deceived in this matter, but that they will make such sacrifices as God will be pleased to accept, and that the spirit of sacrifice will run through our people far and near. May the Lord bless our brethren in this respect. The Lord is coming soon, and we want to prepare to meet him, and do our work, and transact our business in such a manner that God can accept the efforts which we put forth. This spirit is what God requires. It is the Lord's cause and the Lord's work, and none of our institutions in any way contribute to the advantage of any individual. S. N. H.

MISSIONARY WORK BY CORRESPONDENCE.

By Ellen G. White

Our missionary paper is doing its work everywhere, and is opening the way for the truth to be more fully presented. This paper has been made a blessing to very many souls. All should feel the deepest interest to have it a spiritual messenger, full of life and plain, practical truth. In the Christian world there are many starving for the bread of life. The SIGNS OF THE TIMES, laden with rich food, is a feast to many who are not of our faith.

Our brethren do not all see and realize the importance of this paper; if they did, they would feel greater personal interest to make it intensely interesting, and then to circulate it everywhere. All who have a part to act in the preparation of matter for this pioneer sheet, are engaged in a sacred work, and they should be connected with God; they should be pure in heart and life. Then God can work with them and give them wisdom that they may become intelligent in the knowledge of the truth. God sees the motive of each worker, and will impart his grace in rich measure in accordance with the spirit in which the labor is done. This silent preacher, the SIGNS, enriched with precious matter, should go forth on the wings of prayer, mingled with faith that it may do its appointed work in shedding the light of truth upon those who are in the darkness of error.

Calls are coming in from all directions, not only from persons of our faith, but from those who have become interested by reading our publications; they say, Send us a minister to preach to us the truth. But there is a great want of laborers. We have to answer, There is no man to send among you. Many are obliged to be content with the silent preacher until God shall send them the living messenger. Let all our brethren take this to heart, and by personal effort in faith and hope contribute to the SIGNS OF THE TIMES; for in sending matter that is alive, in speaking by the pen words bearing the holy unction, they are preaching to thousands. The great lack of men to go from place to place and preach the word, may be in a great degree supplied by tracts and papers, and by intelligent correspondence.

If all would realize the necessity of doing to the utmost of their ability in the work of God, having a deep love for souls, feeling the burden of the work upon them, we should see hundreds engaged as active workers who have hitherto been dull and uninterested, accomplishing nothing. They have felt that there was nothing of importance in this tract and missionary work,—nothing worthy of their especial interest. Yet it is a fact that the circulation of our papers is doing even a greater work than the living preacher can do.

All can do something. Some can do more than others, but all should become intelligent as to how they can work most successfully and methodically in spreading the light of truth, by scattering our publications. We meet with young and old who profess to be children of God, yet who have not grown an inch for years. A Christian indeed will grow in knowledge of the truth; and as he is sanctified through the truth, he will become more and more like Jesus, and more desirous to save souls, the purchase of his blood.

Those who are co-laborers with God will have no disposition to engage in the various expedients for amusement; they will not be seeking after happiness and enjoyment. In taking up their work in the fear of God, and doing service for the Master, they will secure the most substantial happiness. Connected with Jesus Christ they will be wise unto salvation. They will be fruit-bearing trees. They will develop a blameless life, a beauteous character. The great work of redemption will be their first consideration. Eating and drinking and dressing, houses and lands, will be secondary matters. The peace of God within will force off the withered or gnarled branches of selfishness, vanity, pride, and indolence. It is faith and practice that make up the Christian's life. We do not meet the standard of Christianity by merely professing Christ and having our names upon the church book. We should be individual workers for Christ. By personal effort we can show that we are connected with him.

Our sisters have been too willing to excuse themselves from bearing responsibilities which require thought and close application of the mind; yet this is the very discipline they need to perfect Christian experience. They may be workers in the missionary field, having a personal interest in the distribution of tracts and papers which correctly represent our faith. All cannot go abroad to labor, but all can do something at home. Many occupy their time in needless stitching, and trimming, and ruffling of their own and their children's clothing, and thus lose golden moments in which they might improve their talents by efforts to get the truth before others. We should, as Christians, have an abiding sense that our time, our strength, and our ability have been purchased with an infinite price. We are not our own, to use our moments in gratifying our fancy and our pride. As children of the light, we should diffuse light to others. It should be our study how we may best glorify God,—how we can work to save and bless souls for whom Christ died. In working to bless others, we shall be gathering strength and courage to our own souls, and shall receive the approval of God.

We are so much wrapped up in our selfish interests that our hearts are not allowed to take in the needs and wants of humanity; we

are lacking in deeds of sympathy and benevolence, in sacred and social ministering to the needy, the oppressed, and the suffering. Women are needed now,—women who are not self-important, but who will work with the meekness of Christ wherever they can labor for the salvation of souls. All who have been partakers of the heavenly benefits should be anxious that others who do not have the privileges they have enjoyed of seeing and hearing the evidences of truth, should have the truth in papers and tracts. They will not merely desire that others may have this benefit, but will act their part to accomplish this object.

Those who work for God will grow in moral and spiritual power, while those who devote their time and energies to serving themselves, will dwarf, and wither, and die. Our sisters, the youth, the middle-aged, and those of advanced years, may act a part in the closing work for this time; and in doing this as they have opportunity, they will obtain an experience of the highest value to themselves. In forgetfulness of self, they will grow in grace. By training the mind in this direction, they will learn how to bear burdens for Jesus.

The souls saved by their personal efforts will be more precious to them than fashionable dress. The white robes given them by Christ, and the jeweled crown as their reward for their unselfish efforts in the salvation of souls, will be more valuable than needless adornments. The stars in their crowns will shine forever and ever, and will a thousand times repay them for the self-denial and self-sacrifice they have exercised in the cause of God.

TO THOSE WHO FEEL ANXIOUS TO WORK BUT DO NOT KNOW HOW TO BEGIN.

APPEALS to our brethren and sisters have become quite common. Every month a special appeal is prepared with the greatest care and sent to all parts of the field. Sometimes we have almost feared that they would become so common that our brethren would not realize their importance, and give that heed to them that they should. The truth is that we are upon the verge of the eternal world, and there is great danger of many of our brethren and sisters failing of the kingdom of God. The Bible most clearly presents the fact that among those who profess to be the children of God two classes will be developed. There is a constant conflict between the two great armies led by the Prince of light, and the prince of darkness. Satan is constantly putting forth the most determined effort to gather souls under his banner, by causing the spirit of lethargy and stupidity to come over those who profess to believe the present truth. On the other hand, Jesus Christ, with all the holy angels, is diligently at work, pressing back the powers of darkness, and rescuing souls from the wiles of Satan, and placing them under the blood-stained banner of Prince Immanuel.

Those who are true soldiers of the cross of Christ will not be idle spectators of the great conflict that is being waged between light and darkness, but they will be studying and planning how they can help forward the work of God. They will be co-laborers with Jesus Christ, in disseminating the light of truth to redeem the purchase of his blood from a slavery of sin and death. Men and women who can be co-workers with their self-sacrificing and self-denying Redeemer are wanted in every part of the field. By unselfish acts of kindness, and by special efforts to prepare themselves to know how best to bring the truth to others, they will find pure happiness and rich joys.

Rest and peace will be found in a forgetfulness of self, and an earnest, persevering effort to save souls from the darkness of error. But those who shirk these responsibilities, and seek for rest in their present surroundings, will find themselves destitute of spiritual joy and divine peace, and cannot be partakers of Christ's glory. Churches are strong only as they are working. Each member should feel the responsibility of doing his part in strengthening, and encouraging, and building up. Union and love should exist in every heart. The truth spreads and the work prospers when living, active workers commend it by personal effort, characterized by piety, beauty, and true holiness. There is no people so favored with special privileges and blessings as those whom God has made the depositaries of his law. No one should be idle in the vineyard of the Lord.

All are not qualified to do the same kind of work, yet there is something for all to do. Men and women are needed to act a part in this great work of carrying forward the truth by holding Bible-readings, and circulating our periodicals and publications. This work has not been taken hold of as it should have been, and our object in this appeal is to encourage in some way the spirit of labor among our brethren and sisters. The larger part of the members of our churches are not working Christians. They are living as though there was no great danger pending. They think they are safe if they only continue to profess the truth without putting forth any special efforts. Not only men are wanted, but women also, who will set their hearts and minds to become intelligent in regard to the very best manner of working for the Master, and qualifying themselves for doing that part of the work to which they are best adapted.

Continue reading: HOW CAN WE QUALIFY OURSELVES TO LABOR