Review and Herald, Vol. 79, No. 4. (1/22/1901)

Review and Herald

Jan 22, 1901

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 22, 1901

AN APPEAL FOR THE CANVASSING WORK

By Ellen G. White

MRS. E. G. WHITE

The importance of the canvassing work is kept ever before me. This work has not of late had the spirit and life infused into it that were once given by the leading agents who made it a specialty. Canvassers have been called from their evangelistic work for the people in townships and cities to engage in other work. This is not as it should be. Our canvassers, if truly converted and consecrated, can gain access to hearts and homes, and place the truth before a large class of people.

We have the word of God to show that the end is near. There is a great work to be done, and there is no time to be lost. A world is to be warned, and as never before men are to be laborers with Christ. The work of warning has been given to us. We are to be channels of light in the world, reflecting to others light from the great Light-bearer. The words and works of all men are to be tried. Let us not be backward now. That which is to be done to warn the world must be done without delay. Let not the canvassing work be left to languish. Let the books containing the light on present truth be placed before as many as possible.

The presidents of our Conferences, and others of responsible positions, have a duty to do in this matter, that the different branches of the work of God may receive equal attention. Canvassers are to be educated and trained to do the work required in selling the books upon present truth which the people need. There is need of men of deep Christian experience, men of well-balanced minds, strong, well-educated men, to engage in this branch of the work. The Lord desires those to take hold of the canvassing work who are capable of educating others, who can awaken in promising young men and women an interest in this work, leading them to take up the book work and handle it successfully. Some have the talent, education, and experience that would enable them to educate the youth for the canvassing work in such a way that much more would be accomplished than is now being done.

Those who have thus gained an experience in this work have a special duty to perform in teaching others. Educate, educate, educate young men and women to become canvassers who will sell those books which the Lord by His Holy Spirit has stirred men to write. God desires men to be faithful in educating those who accept the truth, that they may believe to a purpose, and work intelligently in the Lord’s way. Let these inexperienced persons be connected with experienced workers, that they may learn how to carry on the work. Let them seek God most earnestly. These may do a good work in canvassing if they will obey the words, “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine.” Those who give evidence that they are truly converted, and who take up the canvassing work, will see that it is the best preparation they could have to fit them for other lines of missionary work.

If those who know the truth would practice it, methods would be devised for meeting the people where they are. It was the providence of God which in the beginning of the Christian Church scattered the saints abroad, sending them out of Jerusalem into many parts of the world. The disciples of Christ did not stay in Jerusalem or in the cities near by, but they went beyond the limits of their own country, into the great thoroughfares of travel, seeking for lost sheep, that they might bring them into the fold. To-day the Lord desires to see His work carried forward in many places. We must not confine our labors to one locality.

We must not discourage our brethren, weakening their hands so that the work that God desires to accomplish through them is not done. Too much time should not be occupied in fitting up men to do missionary work. Instruction is necessary; but let all remember that Christ is the Great Teacher, the source of all true wisdom. Let young and old consecrate themselves to God, take up the work, and go forward, doing their work in all humility of mind, under the control of the Holy Spirit. Let those who have been in school go out into the field, and put to a practical use the knowledge they have gained. If canvassers will do this, using the ability God has given them, seeking counsel of Him, and combining with the work that of the missionary evangelist, their talents will increase by exercise, and they will learn many practical lessons that they could not possibly learn in school. The education obtained in this practical way may properly be termed higher education.

There is no higher work than evangelistic canvassing; for it involves the performance of the highest moral duties. The agencies set in operation for its accomplishment need always to be under the control of the Spirit of God. There must be no exalting of self. What have any of us that we did not receive from Christ? We must love as brethren, revealing this love by helping one another. We must be pitiful and courteous. We must press together, drawing in even cords. Perfect harmony and unity of spirit must exist among the workers who handle the books that are to flood the world with light. Only those who live the prayer of Christ, working it out practically in their lives, will stand the test that is to come upon all the world. Those who exalt self place themselves in Satan’s power, preparing to receive his deceptions as truth. The word of the Lord to His people is that we lift the standard higher and still higher. If we obey His voice, He will work with us, and success will crown our efforts. In our work we shall receive rich blessings from on high, and shall lay up treasure beside the throne of God.

If we only knew what is before us, we should not be so dilatory in doing the work of the Lord. There are ministers and workers who will present a tissue of nonsensical falsehoods as testing truths, even as the Jewish rabbis presented the maxims of men as the bread of heaven. These are given to the flock of God, as their portion of meat in due season, while the poor sheep are starving for the bread of life. Even now there seems to be a burning desire to get up something startling, and bring it in as new light. Thus men are weaving into the web as important truths a tissue of lies. This imaginary food that is being prepared for the flock will cause spiritual consumption, decline, and death.

We are in the shaking time, the time when everything that can be shaken will be shaken. The Lord will not excuse those who know the truth if they do not in word and deed obey His commands. If we make no effort to win souls to Christ, we shall be held responsible for the work we might have done, but did not do because of our spiritual indolence. Those who belong to the Lord’s kingdom must work earnestly for the saving of souls. They must do their part to bind up the law and seal it among the disciples.

Some flatter themselves that the Lord will give them another chance, that there will be a second probation. Fatal delusion! Just now, day by day, hour by hour, we are building for the last great day. We are trading on our Lord’s money, and at His coming He will reckon with us, and we shall have to give an account of what we have done with His goods. As responsible beings we are working for time and for eternity, making our records in the books of heaven, and preparing our reward or punishment. Our reward will be proportionate to our work. “My reward is with me,” Christ declares, “to give to every man according as His work shall be.” He will expect results from every one. Let those who are seeking an easy time arise and shine, for their light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon them.

The Lord desires that the light which He has given on the Scriptures shall shine forth in clear, bright rays, and it is the work of our canvassers to put forth a strong, united effort that God’s desire may be accomplished. A great and important work is before us. The enemy of souls realizes this, and is using every means within his power to lead the canvasser to take up some other line of work. This order of things should be changed. God calls the canvassers back to their work. He calls for volunteers for the canvassing work, those who will put all their energies and enlightenment into the work, helping wherever there is an opportunity. The Master calls for

every one to do the work given him according to his several ability. Who will respond to the call? Who will go forth to work in wisdom and grace and the love of Christ for those nigh and those afar off? Who will sacrifice ease and pleasure, to enter the places of error, superstition, and darkness, working earnestly and perseveringly, speaking the truth in simplicity, praying in faith, doing house-to-house labor? Who at this time will go forth without the camp, imbued with the power of the Holy Spirit, bearing reproach for Christ’s sake, opening the Scriptures to men and women, and calling them to repentance?

God has His workmen in every age. The call of the hour is answered by human agencies. Thus when the divine voice cries, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” the response will come, “Here am I; send me.” Let all who work effectually in these lines feel in their hearts that they are doing the work of the Lord in ministering to souls who know not the truth for this time. They are sounding the note of warning in the highways and byways to prepare a people for the great day of the Lord, which is to break upon the world. We have no time to lose. We must encourage this work. Who will go forth now with our publications? To every man and woman who will co-operate with divine power, the Lord imparts a fitness for the work. All the requisite talent, courage, perseverance, faith, and tact will come as they put the armor on. A great work is to be done in our world, and human agencies will surely respond to the demand. The world must hear the warning. When the call comes, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” send back the answer, clear and distinct, “Here am I; send me.”

ARE YOU A BUSINESS CHRISTIAN?

New-York Indicator

This is a strange question, isn't it? It is taken these days, as a matter of fact that in business everybody has a clear field for looking out for himself, for cracking good bargains; in short, everybody is expected to look out for himself, and himself only. But right here true Christianity shines brightest. And the sweet principle Jesus left, of doing unto others as we would they should do unto us, will have in it, when exercised, reacting power for great good, coming back in good will from those about us.

As an illustration how such actions work, we clip the following experience from an exchange:—

“Two neighbors, A. and G., called at the home of J., when substantially the following conversation took place:—

“A. ‘Mr. J., I have come to buy potatoes.’

“G. ‘Well, so have I.’

“J. ‘All right, gentlemen; I have about ten bushels to sell. How many do you each want?’

“A. ‘I want at least that many, and have the money to pay for them.’

“J. ‘Neighbor G., how many do you want?’

“G. ‘Well, I want about ten bushels also, and was intending to ask you to wait on me for the money; but as you can get the cash, you will doubtless not wish to sell to me.’

“J. ‘I’m not so sure of that. Mr. A., you have the money; you can buy potatoes anywhere. Neighbor G. has not the cash, and so must buy where he can be trusted. I will let him have the potatoes.’

“This was the beginning. Later, J. called G.’s attention to certain tracts, books, papers, etc., inviting him to read and investigate. This he willingly did, with the happy result that he fully believed and accepted the truth.

“This is no fancy sketch. G. is now dead; but he died rejoicing in the truth of God. J. still lives, and still lets his light shine. A. has passed away, but during his lifetime many times spoke in the highest terms of his neighbor who refused cash in order to sell to a needy neighbor on credit. From this simple act of Christian courtesy there has gone forth a wave of influence, the complete results of which can not be known till the time when all the acts of our lives are made manifest.”

“NOT A CLOUD IN SIGHT”

C. H. KESLAKE

(New Brunswick, N. J.)

THE financial world is just now gasping because of the unprecedented rise of stocks, especially of railroad stocks, both as to number and price, which has but recently occurred. The greatest day that Wall Street, New York,—the heart of finances in this country,—ever knew was Friday, Jan. 4, 1901. On that day, in two hours, nearly two million railroad shares were sold, involving in the aggregate, in round numbers, eight hundred million dollars.

Notwithstanding the fact that the highest price ever paid for such shares was paid at this time, a noted operator on the “Street” is reported as saying, “We are far from the top price.” Speaking of the cause of this remarkable rise, the same man is reported to have said, “The present advance in stocks, as I view it, is primarily caused by the people of this country, who are beginning to realize the enormous growth of business which has taken place in the United States during the last few years.”

The foregoing statements would be of no particular value to the readers of the REVIEW, but for the fact that they are another illustration of the fulfillment of the Scriptures pertaining to the last days, one sign of which was to be the heaping together of wealth, and furnish the significant phrase found at the head of this article.

The deals consummated last week are not only remarkable because of their magnitude, but because of the fact that they place many of the leading railroads under the control of a few men,—three men, to be specific,—the weight of whose influence has already been often felt, the victims of which have been invariably the poor, and of whom it is said that a person could travel from Southampton, England, to far China, and every foot of his long journey pay money to this triumvirate.

What these deals mean will be realized in a short time by further advances in the price of coal and other things; for the railroads involved penetrate into the richest anthracite regions in the country, and their markets will be absolutely controlled by these three men, only to result ultimately in their further enrichment, although their wealth is now almost beyond computation.

Thus another turn of the wheel of fortune (?), a further opening of the throttle, has brought the great engine of time nearer to that point when the fateful words of James 5:1 will be heard: “Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.” “Their land also is full of silver and gold, neither is there any end of their treasures; their land is also full of horses, neither is there any end of their chariots.” Isa. 2:7.

Of the future of finance the operator already quoted—himself a multi-millionaire—says, “I can not see a cloud in sight.”

So engrossed are these men in their heaping together of wealth that they can not see that the very course they are taking is but hastening the great day, which is silently speeding on its way, when, in the glory of His majesty, the Lord “ariseth to shake terribly the earth.” Isa. 2:19. And “in that day a man shall cast his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which they made each one for himself to worship, to the moles and to the bats.” Verse 20.

Not a cloud in sight! Such is man's view of the situation. But long ago it was written, “My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.” Isa. 55:8. And God's thoughts concerning the future are thus expressed: “Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand; a day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds; and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations.” Joel 2:1, 2.

In the world of finance, in the world of statecraft, in the world of religion,—in all of these yes, on every hand, the delusive cry is being heard, “Peace and safety.” But of such a time of fancied security, it is written, “Sudden destruction cometh upon them, . . . and they shall not escape.” 1 Thess. 5:1. On every hand Satan is tightening his grip upon the world; the death rattle can be heard.

All is ready for the final collapse. One thing alone staves off the woeful day—the unreadiness of God's people. But the sealing work is going on, and soon such will have been sealed in their foreheads with the seal of the living God. To all the cry comes, “Get ready, get ready, get ready.”

CONSECRATION

By Mrs. C. W. Thayer

MRS. C. W. THAYER

I bring it all to thee, dear Lord, this tangled web of mine, That thou mayst straighten out these snarls, and make thine image shine Within this frail and sinful flesh, that all around may see That there is help for them in God—since thou art cleansing me.

When morning stars again shall sing, and the redeemed shall come From every nation, land, and clime, back to their long-lost home, I would be with them in that day, when sin’s dark reign is o’er, And join the chorus as it swells in praise from shore to shore.

Thy righteousness, O Lord, not mine, must be my robe of white, And I must wear it now, and shine where lingers still the night. While I behold thy glorious face, and loving, longing gaze, Changing, I shall reflect thy light in clear and steady rays.

I bring my heart to thee, dear Lord (too long it has been stone), That thou mayst melt it with thy love, and make it like thine own. My neighbor, thou hast said, should be as dear as self to me, And, loving thus those whom I see, I prove my love for thee.

Lord, I would hear thy voice proclaim, “Behold now all things new!” Come, O ye blessed! to the home my love has made for you.” I would be kneeling at thy feet, and see thy lovely face, And join redemption’s wondrous song—forever saved by grace.

Christ, the Rock of Ages

“CHRIST is the Rock of ages, to whom all weary, thirsty, wandering souls are invited to come for rest. No floods nor storms can carry away that safe and sure retreat. Amid all the changes and agitations of the world, the Rock of our salvation stands firm. . . . The Rock of ages stands to-day, amid all the wastes and conflicts of the world, offering rest to the weary, and the water of life to the perishing.”

THE MESSAGE FOR THE NEW CENTURY

By W. P. Pearce

W. P. PEARCE (Goshen, Ind.)

“This is the day that we looked for; we have found it, we have seen it.” Lam. 2:16.

Centenary anniversary! We hail this privilege. Providence and circumstance have so united to make us witnesses of a century’s death and a century’s birth. Sad the one, joyous the other. Play softly Saul’s “Dead March” at the obsequies of the one, and sing loudly Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus” at the inauguration of the other. Drape the tomb of the one; and garland the cradle of the other. Eulogize the one for its discoveries and inventions, its humanitarianism and religion; and wish the other greater advancement, greater prosperity, and its termination more stupendous. Farewell, 1900! Welcome, 1901! Rest sweetly, thou nineteenth century! Activity distinguish thee, thou twentieth! Peace to thy ashes, sixth millennium! Blessings crown thee, thou prophetic seventh!

Unlike are the circumstances of the present compared to those of Jeremiah’s day, yet the same thing is now true, as then—the point of view is everything. Distance and magnitude can not be estimated and appreciated by lowland observation. “Come up hither” (Rev. 11:12) was the utterance of the great voice in the Apocalypse. Higher on the mountain side and rocks and lochs and sea below sparkle like diamonds or reflect like mirrors; while trees, bathed in the sunlight, shine like shafts of glory or pillars of fire. High on this Mt. Blanc of the centuries, we look backward, forward, upward,—backward, a magnificent panorama of six thousand years; forward, the outlines of beauty, curtained by mists; upward, clouds of purple and vermilion, through which “the glorious lamp of heaven” shines, giving verdure of fields, color of flowers, and youth and beauty.

Look backward! How does the account of weeks and years and decades stand with you? Would to God that all wrongs, all jealousies, all secret and public sins, could be blotted from the past; and all good, all sweet thoughts and acts, shine as the stars in the firmament of heaven. But—

“Past things are past and over, The tasks are done, the tears are shed. Yesterday’s errors let yesterday cover; Yesterday’s wounds, which smarted and bled, Are healed with the healing which night has shed.”

Look forward! Right-about face, please. Let there be a look forward.

The wonderful century is no more. Forces have been set in motion that have changed the face of the whole earth, and revolutionized the history of the world. The wonderful transforming power of Aladdin’s lamp is being outdone, and millions are gazing into the unknown precinct, and asking: “What will the future bring forth? What?”—I know not, but would exhort you, in Solomon’s words: “Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.” Good advice, is it not? Let the millions of beings heed it, and what will result?—A transformation. Character will be at its best; vice will disappear, and sickness decline. The highwayman will break his club; the incendiary will extinguish his torch; and the murderer will throw away his dagger. Nations will be a unit in disbanding their armies and dismantling their fortresses and spiking their guns. King Alcohol will be throttled, monopolies crushed, strikes ended, and, in one sentence, it will be “on earth peace, good will to men.”

“But will it be?” you ask. I’m afraid not. There will doubtless be a greater increase in knowledge; a multiplicity in invention; accumulation of greater wealth; a bringing of lands and cities together by steam and electric appliances as never before; a means of communication with other planets; the Isthmian canal begun and finished; doubtless a railroad bridge across Bering’s Strait, thus connecting Asia and America; ships passing through the air as well as the sea; but with all these things, I am bound to confess, with the dying Gibbon: “When I look forward, all is dark and doubtful.”

Where these wars will end, I know not; to what extent these monopolies will run, I can not tell; how much power the rum traffic will wield, I am ignorant; how long some of our cities will be dens of infamy and slaughter, God alone knows; but this I do know, that some day there will be the demolition of empires, and the incineration of the earth; and that before that time, there will be for you and me new experiences. There will be golden to-morrows and stormy to-morrows, prosperous to-morrows and to-morrows of adversity. We shall hear the music of running brooks and singing birds coming from the great organ of nature; and when the vox humana stop is pulled out, we shall catch the tremolo of aching hearts and bruised emotions.

May God prepare us for that future. Not knowing it, we should prepare for it. Carefully let us pick our way, let us carry the light of truth along its dark corridors; and should you want a charm which is a preventive of disaster and a sure promoter of happiness, usefulness, and blessedness, take with you Jesus Christ, who is “all, and in all” (Col. 3:11), and “over all, God blessed forever.” Rom. 9:5.

But there is a look upward.

It is ascension day. Christ is coronated by the cloud, which throws her mantle around His shoulders, and Father and Son kiss each other. Below, loving eyes are uplifted, when two men “in white apparel” interrupt them. “Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven.” True—

“Looking forward strains the eyesight; Looking upward opens heaven.”

It is to man alone that God has given this upward look. Looking backward, sometimes gives pain; looking forward creates worry; but looking upward gives comfort and hope. “Look up, and lift up your heads,” cried Jesus, “for your redemption draweth nigh.” Luke 21:28.

As we enter upon this century, somehow I feel we are being ushered into the most important epoch of the world’s history. Instead of being engrossed with the things of this life, we ought to look upward, and pray, with Dean Alford:—

“O dawn millennial day! Come, blessed morn! Appear, Desire of nations! rend thy heavens, And stand revealed upon thy chosen hill!”

That day is near. Talk of jubilee days and coronation days! Why, that day will be a grand holiday. Saints will throw off the infirmities and disabilities incident to this life, for the vigor of immortal youth. Every hot brain will then be cooled, every tearful eye be dried, every breaking heart be healed, and every desert place of the soul made to rejoice and blossom as the rose. Then the dogs of war will be chained; the frightful scars of earth will be effaced; the groans of suffering earth and its noble citizens will give place to hosannas; sin and vice will slink away into the darkness of hell; and God’s people will attend the marriage feast of the Lamb, and from that day there will be a sweetness, a blessedness of a Sabbath rest, which shall last forever.

“But, pastor,” you say, “why do you think the twentieth century is the seventh millennium, and that this seventh is the age of the coming Christ?” I answer, Because God’s word portrays it; and the existing events corroborate it.

Look at the physical signs. Mark and Luke specify those of the heavens, distress of nations, storms and floods, and famines, which “are the beginnings of sorrows.” Mark 13:8; Luke 21:25. Are they not now in force?

Look at the intellectual signs. Daniel speaks of the increase in knowledge (Dan. 12:4), and with it “there shall come,” said Peter, “in the last days scoffers.” 2 Peter 3:3. Has history ever recorded the like in a greater degree?

Look at the commercial signs. Never were nations so concerned in commerce. Germany wants to equal England. Europe wants to stem the progress of the United States. Luke tells us that before “the day when the Son of man is revealed” (Luke 17:30), it shall be as in Lot’s day, when “they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded.” Verse 28. Was there a fact ever verified more than this to-day?

Look at the political signs. Paul tells us the cry of peace, which the ambassadors at The Hague sent forth, that when the people cry, “Peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh” (1 Thess. 5:3); and the isles of the sea and the whole of Europe are realizing this.

Look at the social signs. Paul sounded the warning cry to Timothy when he said: “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud,” fierce, and lustful. Any reader of the daily papers will not dare to refute this assertion.

Look at the spiritual signs. Paul declares, “That day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed” (2 Thess. 2:3); “that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils” (1 Tim. 4:1), “unthankful, unholy, . . . lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof” (2 Tim. 3:2-5); so that Christ’s question might well be asked: “When the Son of man cometh, shall He find faith on the earth?”

Religiously, we are in a bad state. Nominally, the United States numbers millions of Christians; practically, they can be counted by thousands. Doubt me? Answer me then: Why so much publicity of vice? Why so many divorces? Why so many unholy, dishonest failures in business? Why so many corrupt persons in the Church?

Christ is coming! That’s my cry. Christ is coming!

“The times are prophets now, They preach impending doom; Let each repentant bow, And saints prepare for home. We wait for Jesus from the skies; Soon shall His glories greet our eyes.”

Christ is coming! Lift up your heads. It will aid you to be straight in your character; manly and womanly in your bearing; and lofty in your aspirations. To be enraptured with the earth and earthly things is to be like the Duke of Alva when asked by King Henry IV if he had observed certain eclipses that had occurred that year. “No,” was the reply, “I have had so much business to attend to upon earth that I have had no time even to look up to heaven.”

Look up, I pray you. He’s coming—the King of kings. He’s coming—the Friend of friends. He’s coming to dry our tears, to heal our hearts, to stop our sighs, to remove our poverty, to take us to himself. Oh that He’d come now! Come while I am preaching, come while I may be looking, come while I am hoping, come while the organist prepares to play, and God’s people to sing, the doxology, come, and—

“Come, quickly come, great King of all; Reign all around us, and within; Let sin no more our souls enthrall, Let pain and sorrow die with sin. Come, quickly come; for thou alone Canst make thy scattered people one.”

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