Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Feb 8, 1892
OUR WORK A MISSIONARY WORK.
By Elder S. N. Haskell
BY ELDER S. N. HASKELL.
THE nature of the work of God in the closing scenes of this world's history is emphatically a missionary work. The proclamation of the First Angel's Message is: "I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him, for the hour of his judgment is come." "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come." "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." "And the third angel followed them," that is, the first and second angels which went to every nation, kindred, and tongue, and people. This is the work God has committed unto his people.
In his word we have set before us the living example of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. From his example and the instruction he gave and the example of the early apostles who were with him and took up the work when he ascended to heaven, we learn of the true missionary work. It is from these examples and the inspired teachings that we gather all the light we have on this all-important subject. From a few Bible expressions we learn that it is the same spirit and motive which actuated Christ, his early disciples, and all Christians to the end of the world.
In the fourth of Luke and the first verse we read, "And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan." Mark the expression, "being full of the Holy Ghost." Now concerning the early disciples, who took up this work of Christ after he ascended to heaven, to whom the Saviour said, "Ye shall be witnesses unto me . . . unto the uttermost parts of the earth," we read, "And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost." When the Saviour entered upon his work, he was "filled with the Holy Ghost." When the disciples took it up, they "were all filled with the Holy Ghost." After being filled with the Holy Spirit, they were charged by their enemies with being drunk with new wine, but Peter vindicated them. It was because every man heard them speak in the tongue in which he was born. It stirred them and gave them a zeal uncommon and about which the proud Pharisees knew nothing.
Now concerning the Christians we read in Ephesians: "Be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit. Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs." Here again occurs the same expression. And when filled with the Spirit we will speak to one another with psalms and spiritual songs. In the eyes of the cold professor, we shall appear as different from the mere formalist as an intoxicated man does from the sober man. There will be a sincerity, a devotedness, and a zeal inspired by the Spirit, that will arrest the attention of others. "Behold, how these brethren love each other." The zeal that should actuate those looking for the second coming of Christ should be as great as that of the early apostles.
But the question may be asked, How shall this zeal be manifested? We answer, In the same manner as it characterized Christ and the early disciples. Of Christ his own brethren thought he was beside himself. It was the same with the early disciples on the day of Pentecost. "These men are full of new wine," said the looker on. Christ went about doing good; self-interest was forgotten in the interests of others. We look abroad throughout christendom and there is no denomination but to a greater or less extent is stirred with the missionary spirit in this nineteenth century. Almost continually there is a stream of young men and women flocking to China, India, and Africa as missionaries. Do we possess the same zeal and spirit? Many of these go with a promise of but little if any remuneration. Within the arrangement of the present organization of this people, there are open doors for everyone. They are needed for missionaries of both sexes, as teachers, preachers, Bible workers, canvassers, corresponding secretaries, as well as managers both home and abroad. There never was a greater demand for workers than now; also for means to prosecute an aggressive work. Instruction is imparted by our periodicals in both the home and foreign field. Are these taken and studied by families and individuals? Where are the men and women who this day will consecrate themselves and their means to the cause of Christ? Where are those who will empty themselves, as others have done, and say, "Lord, here am I, send me."
Zinzendorf was a wealthy German lord, but he emptied himself of his honor, his wealth, his home, his friends, and his all for Christ. When he was about to have his estate confiscated, he secured it all to the Herrnhutters (Moravians). After making a full surrender, he said, "Lord, I surrender it all up." Immediately after he said: "I have but one passion—it is He, it is He alone. The world is the field, and the field is the world; henceforth that country shall be my home where I can be most used in the service of Christ." He was thought to be beside himself. It is reported that he baptized the first convert in this country, and that was near what now is known as the State of Georgia. Through his influence the Herrnhutters sent forth their missionaries to the remotest corners of the earth. He virtually became the founder of the denomination known as the Moravians, one of the greatest missionary denominations in the world. The same spirit has existed and does to some extent yet exist in our midst as a people. Names might be mentioned. But this practical consecration does not exist among us as it should.
Do we hear it said, What can I do? Begin in your own church. Visit the sick; take Christ to the sick and desponding; do not think at first you must press home some peculiar idea, but tell the story of the cross of Christ. Then take with2you those periodicals that are especially prepared, and let them read. Send them to those at a distance and correspond in a manner that will bring men and women to our Lord Jesus Christ. Be faithful in the circle in which God has placed you, and leave an influence that will tell for God there. If God has a wider field of usefulness for you, he will open the way.
Then there are others who can go into the foreign fields and support themselves. To such we say, Go, and let a godly life tell that you are a Christian. Some can make themselves useful as nurses, and looking after the poor. In every phase of Christian life there are open doors for those who possess the Spirit of Christ. The missionary spirit can no more live in a heart and not show itself than can water exist and there not be a moisture arise from it. It is the Spirit of Christ. It is the Christian religion. It is all there is to life. Home missionaries in all our churches are wanted. Children should be instructed in every principle of the Christian religion, and before their youthful minds should be placed the nature of the work of Christ in the earth. Tell and read to them such anecdotes as will inspire them with the true missionary spirit, that will lead them to think of souls for whom Christ died. Let them learn to sacrifice. Let them feel the importance of self-denial for others' good. Work is everywhere to be done; the world is full of hearts which are bleeding from wounds that nothing but the gospel of Christ administered by those who have felt its subduing power can heal.
But, first of all, get the heart imbued with the Spirit of Christ. Know that your sins are forgiven, that you have the evidence of divine acceptance. God is more anxious than we are to impart to us the assurance of his love. Will we accept it, and then work out as he works in? Will we make life real and earnest? Will we begin now, right where we are, will we begin to educate ourselves in the school of Christ, by self-denial, by prayer, by encouraging the missionary spirit in ourselves and others?
THIS EXTRA.
By Editor
THE fact that the publishers of the SIGNS incur considerable expense in issuing this extra is evidence that they deem the matter it contains very important. When every article shall have been carefully perused, the candid, conscientious reader will realize a benefit. When the matter of helping the Lord's cause with our means as well as with our good will is presented from the standpoint of the word of God, it becomes clear that the benefit is not confined to the special institution or enterprise that is assisted. The word always shows that "it is more blessed to give than to receive."
When the pressing financial wants of the cause are presented to the people, there is a great tendency to view the matter from the side of helping only, rather than from the point of investment with a certainty of incalculable gain. Why is it that there is not more eagerness to sell all for the purpose of purchasing the "pearl of great price," or the "field" wherein has been found the "hidden treasure"? Why is it that there is not more anxiety to invest in the "city which hath foundation," and in real estate that we can keep forever, on the strength of God's promises of everlasting profit? Is it because of unbelief? Read the pointed articles in this supplement, and think of these things.
When the speculations of this world are brought to notice, they generally receive marked attention. Now God offers opportunities for investment, which his word assures us are far better than any offered by the world. It is the part of wisdom on the part of Christians to stop and consider the opportunities that are so graciously offered for unfailing investment. For your own benefit, give this paper a careful reading.
FAITH AND WORKS.
By Mrs. E. 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 is 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 brings 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.
BURYING TALENTS IN THE EARTH.
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.
TRANSFORMATION NECESSARY.
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.
ACCOUNTABILITY TO GOD.
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.'3Do 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.
OUR CALLING AND WORK.
By Dan. T. Jones
BY ELDER DAN. T. JONES.
SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS are, by the doctrines they hold and their relation to those about them, forced to be a missionary people. To accept the situation and act upon it is the only consistent thing we can do. We believe that God has given us light and truth in advance of that held by the Christian people about us; moreover, we believe that this light and truth which we have received embrace a message, symbolically represented by the three angels of Revelation 14, which is to go to all the world just before Christ comes, to ripen the world for the final harvest. The acceptance of such a faith lays at the door of those who profess it grave responsibilities.
It has been God's plan ever since the gospel was instituted to work through man for the salvation of men. A gentleman prominently connected with the great missionary movement that is now agitating the Christian world lately said that he seriously questioned whether God had ever converted a soul or ever would convert one without in some way connecting man with it. Addressing the church, the apostle says: "But all things are of God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and gave unto us the ministry of reconciliation, to wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, . . . and having committed unto us the word of reconciliation, we are ambassadors therefor on behalf of Christ." 2 Cor. 5: 18-20, Revised Version.
As in the natural world electricity does not pass from one object to another without a conductor, so in the spiritual world the work of God for the salvation of man must pass through the channel that He has ordained. Man must be connected with it. Man's part in the work of converting souls may sometimes be very slight,—a word spoken, a line written, a tract or paper handed to an individual or sent through the mails. An act in standing out for truth and right may be, and often is, used by God for the salvation of men. When a people have departed from the truth and gone into darkness and forgotten the laws of God, the Lord has revealed himself to individuals who were loyal to him, and through them revived a knowledge of the truth in the earth. This principle is illustrated by the calling and work of such men as Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, Hezekiah, the prophets, Martin Luther, and others, and by the calling of Israel as a nation, through whom God designed to let the knowledge of himself and the light of the gospel go to all the world. Had Israel been true to her high calling, instead of the majority of the people of the earth groping in the darkness of heathenism, forgetting God and his truth, all the nations of the world would have received, through the chosen people, a knowledge of the true God, and have heard the gospel of salvation.
The fact that so much depends upon the work of even the disciples of Christ makes it of the greatest importance that every possible effort should be made to reach our fellow-men with the truth of God. Even the smallest acts that we do—and everyone can do something—may, through the blessing of God, accomplish much. The Lord says, "In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand, for thou knowest not which will prosper, this or that, or whether both will be alike good." Everyone who accepts the Third Angel's Message is called to work in some capacity for the spread of the gospel of the kingdom. In the closing invitation of the gospel, the true witness says, "LET HIM THAT HEARETH SAY, COME."
As the closing work of the gospel is to be a thorough work that will develop a perfect people, so the Lord has caused to be recorded the failings of his people in the past, that we may be admonished thereby, and avoid falling into the same errors that marred and destroyed their work. Their lack of faith, their murmurings, their faultfindings, their idolatry, their temptings of Christ, their failures to receive the message of God as he gave it to them, their neglect of the work which he gave them to do, these and many other things are "written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come."
It is the duty of one as much as another to become an active worker in the Lord's vineyard. The fact that we may not be able to devote much time to the work, or do something that will seem large in our own eyes and in the eyes of those who look on, does not excuse us for devoting no time at all to working for God, or in neglecting to do the little that we might do for the spread of his truth. The Lord judges "according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not." The mites of the poor widow who had no more, were in the sight of God a greater offering than the shekels of the rich who had an abundance left. The same principle holds good in the missionary work. The smallest act performed or sacrifice made in the name of Christ, with an unselfish motive and in the spirit of love, cannot fail to accomplish good, and will receive its reward. The greatest demonstration is not an evidence of the greatest power. God was not in the wind, though it rent the mountains; nor in the earthquake, though it shook the hills; nor in the fire, though it consumed the forests; but he was in the still, small voice which said, "What doest thou here?"
In the parable of the talents each man received a portion, but it was the man that received the one talent who failed to make a satisfactory use of that which was committed to his trust. Likewise there is danger that those who have but little of time or talent or means to use for God, will neglect to use what they have because it is small, and will therefore fall under the condemnation of a "slothful and wicked servant." "Who, then, is that faithful and wise steward, whom his Lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his Lord when he cometh shall find so doing." "Therefore to him that knoweth to do well, and doeth it not, to him it is sin."
IS IT A SACRIFICE?
By Elder S. N. Haskell
BY ELDER S. 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 account4was 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 were merely formal, the offerings were not acceptable in God's sight, and the people became estranged in their hearts from God. All acceptable sacrifices were consumed, and when consumed it was an evidence of God's acceptance.
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. The call for means to-day is more urgent than any time in the past history of this work. We can but thank and praise God when we see the openings from those fields which have hitherto been closed to the truth. But shall not we, as a people, come up to the work of the Lord in a time like this?
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 those who would not recognize that it had been consecrated to a sacred work? There would be some sacrifice in that.
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 crippled 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. Some of 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 would place it in the cause without interest.
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.
OUR WORK.
By Uriah Smith
BY ELDER U. SMITH.
THE Lord declares, concerning his people, by the mouth of the prophet: “I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth and warn them from me.” If God has given to us special truths for this time, which no true Seventh-day Adventist will deny,—truths which are not found in other movements and with other people, what is our duty with reference to them?—It is our duty to make them known to all the people, in the simplest and most direct way possible.
And there are but two ways in which to do this. These are by word of mouth and by the printed page. People must hear them or read them, one or the other, or, better still, both. Every individual believer has his influence to exert within the circle of his relatives, friends, and neighbors; but ministers, teachers, canvassers, colporters, Bible workers, and correspondents are engaged more directly in the work. Would that there were a hundred of all these classes where there is now but one.
And thus to preach and circulate literature and make known to the people the light of this message, would not seem to require a great amount of elaborate machinery. We have often felt that there was danger of getting up so much machinery that most of the energy, talent, and time of the ablest workers in the cause would be all absorbed in running the machine, and establishing very fine grooves in which the work should move, when they could be better expended in the direct work of the gospel field.
Organization in certain lines, and to a certain extent, is of course indispensable. But may it not be multiplied to too great an extent, and drawn out to too fine points?
We can easily recall times in the past when everyone’s ambition seemed to be to go out into the field where people were sitting in darkness, and make known to them the special truths for this time, and bring them to the light and to Christ. And then there were everywhere in the home field accessions to the ranks of men and women who would be bone and sinew to any cause. It is not so much so now. Where is the numerical growth that should have been seen during the past few years in Michigan and other States that might be named? A writer in another denomination recently published a remark which may be applicable to our cause as well. He said, “What we need is not more harness, but more horse.”—Review and Herald.