Review and Herald, Vol. 78, No. 1.
CANVASSING, A BRANCH OF GOD'S WORKPage 1
CANVASSING, A BRANCH OF GOD'S WORK
By Ellen G. White
THE canvassing work, properly carried on, is missionary work of the highest order, and is as good and as successful a work as can be done in placing before the people the important truths for this time. The importance of the work of the ministry is unmistakable; but there are many who, though hungry for the bread of life, have not the privilege of hearing the truth from the lips of God's delegated preachers. For this reason it is essential that the publications containing these important matters be placed before the people, that the truth given us of God may go where the living preacher can not go. In this way the attention of many will be called to the important events that are to occur in the closing scenes of this world's history. God has ordained the canvassing work as a means of presenting before the people the light contained in these books, and canvassers should have impressed upon them the fact that the work of bringing before the world as fast as possible the books which are necessary for their spiritual education and enlightenment is the very work the Lord would have them do at this time. We can not too highly estimate this work; for were it not for the work of the canvasser, many would never hear the truth. It is true that some who buy the books will lay them on the shelf or place them on the parlor table, and seldom look at them. Still God has a care for His truth, and the time will come when these books will be sought for and read. Sickness or misfortune enters the home, and through the truth contained in these books God sends peace and hope and rest. His love will be revealed to their souls, and they will understand the preciousness of the forgiveness of their sins. Thus the Lord co-operates with self-denying human workers. There are others who, because of prejudice, will never know the truth unless it is brought to their doors and left in their homes. The canvasser may find these souls, and minister to them according to his God-given ability. He can do a line of work, of house-to-house labor, more successfully than any others. He can become acquainted with the people; he can pray with them, and can understand their true necessities. There is much responsibility resting upon the canvasser. He should go to his work prepared to explain the Scriptures, and nothing should be said or done to bind his hands. If he puts his trust in the Lord as he travels from place to place, the angels of God will be round about him, giving him words to speak, which will bring light and hope and courage to many souls. Let the canvasser remember that he has an opportunity to sow beside all waters. Let him remember, as he sells the books which give a knowledge of the truth, that he is doing the work of God, and that every talent is to be used to the glory of His name. God will be with every one who seeks to understand the truth, that he may set it before others in clear lines. God has spoken plainly and clearly, and we are to make no delay in giving instruction to those who need it, that they may be brought to the knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus. God calls upon us to lift up the standard. As God's standard-bearers, we are ever to show our colors, revealing in our lives that we are keeping the commandments of God. Then let canvassers go forth with the word of the Lord, remembering that those who obey the commandments, and teach others to obey them, will be rewarded by seeing souls converted, and one soul truly converted will in turn bring others to Christ. Thus the work will advance into new territory. The lost sheep of God's fold are scattered in every place, and the work that should be done for them is being neglected. From the light given me, I know that where there is one canvasser in the field, there should be one hundred. Canvassers should be encouraged to take hold of this work, not to canvass for story books, but to bring before the world the books containing truth so essential for this time. The time has come when a large work should be done by the canvassers. The world is asleep, and as watchmen they are to ring the warning bell to awake the sleepers to a sense of their danger. The churches know not the time of their visitation. How can they best learn the truth?—Through the efforts of the canvasser. Thus the reading-matter is brought to those who otherwise would never hear the truth. Those who go forth in the name of the Lord are His messengers to give to the multitudes who are in darkness and error the glad tidings of salvation through Christ in obeying the law of God. All who consecrate themselves to God to work as canvassers are assisting to give the last message of warning to the world. I have been instructed that even where the people hear the truth from the living preacher, the canvasser should carry on his work; for though much wearing labor is put forth by the minister in speaking to the people, much of the truth is not retained in their minds. The printed page is therefore essential not only in the work of awakening minds to a realization of the importance of the truth for this time, but that hearts may be rooted and grounded in the truth, and established against darkness and deceptive error. Papers and books containing the messages of truth are the Lord's means of thus keeping the truth continually before the minds of the people. These publications will do a far greater work than can be accomplished by the ministry of the word alone. Through the work of the canvasser, the silent messengers of truth that are placed in the homes of the people, enlightening and confirming men and women, will strengthen the gospel ministry in every way—for the Holy Spirit will impress minds as they read the books, just as He impresses the minds of those who listen to the preaching of the word by God's delegated ministers, and the same ministry of angels attends the books that contain the truth as attends the work of the minister who is educating the people as to what is truth. Thus the faithful, consecrated canvasser will lay up treasure beside the throne of God. “AT EVEN, OR AT THE COCK-CROWING, OR IN THE MORNING”
If the Lord should come in the morning
As I went about my work,
The little things and the quiet things
That a servant can not shirk,
Though nobody ever sees them,
And only the dear Lord cares
That they always are done in the light of the sun,
Would He take me unawares? If my Lord should come at noonday,
The time of the dust and heat,
When the glare is white, and the air is still,
And the hoof-beats sound in the street;
If my dear Lord came at noonday,
And smiled in my tired eyes,
Would it not be sweet His look to meet?
Would He take me by surprise? If the Lord came hither at evening,
In the fragrant dew and dusk,
When the world drops off its mantle
Of daylight, like a husk,
And flowers in wonderful beauty,
And we fold our hands and rest,
Would His touch of my hand, His low command,
Bring me unhoped-for zest? Why do I ask and question?
He is ever coming to me,
Morning and noon and evening,
If I have but eyes to see,
And the daily load grows lighter,
The daily cares grow sweet,
The Master is near, the Master is here,
I have only to sit at His feet. Safe in a Father’s Arms
By Chauncy Hare Townshend
Oh, what a load of struggle and distress
Falls off before the cross! The feverish care;
The wish that we were other than we are;
The sick regrets; the yearnings numberless;
The thought, “This might have been,” so apt to
press
On the reluctant soul; even past despair,
Past sin itself — all — all is turned to fair,
Aye, to a scheme of ordered happiness,
So soon as we love God, or rather, know
That God loves us! . . . Accepting the great pledge
Of His concern for all our wants and woe,
We cease to tremble upon danger’s edge!
While varying troubles form and burst anew,
Safe in a Father’s arms, we smile as infants do!
— Chauncy Hare Townshend. “WHOSO READETH, LET HIM UNDERSTAND”
By P. M. Howe
In nearly all, if not in all, our churches there are three classes: (1) Those who take the REVIEW and read it; (2) those who take the REVIEW and do not read it; and (3) those who do not take the REVIEW, and so, of course, can not read it. Many of those who do take and read the REVIEW, read in a hurried manner, and soon forget its instruction. It really seems to me that all the good that can possibly be gained by the weekly visits of this church paper must be obtained by a careful study and consideration of its pages. There is an alarming lack of consecration and spiritual life in many Seventh-day Adventist homes. The Bible, and the REVIEW, which is a true guide to Bible study, are both spiritual. These, if heeded, will insure a consecrated, spiritual atmosphere in the home. What is needed is a revival of “home work.” Much that is published week by week in the REVIEW alone is, in part, if not altogether, lost upon the REVIEW family because it is not read, and put into practice in the daily life. If we were converted and followed the leading of the Holy Spirit, there would be no need that the publishers should spend time and money to increase the circulation of the paper. The churches, all scattered abroad, would be the living epistles of the blessedness of the weekly visits of the REVIEW. Every one who reads would say to his brother or sister, “Come and see.” It is too bad to spend precious time and money, and take up space in the columns of our church paper, to encourage church-members to subscribe. Not long ago a brother said to the writer: “The REVIEW is too dear. We have lots of reading-matter, papers, etc., in our home. Why don’t they put the paper down as cheap as other papers are?” My answer was, “If you will take the paper for five years, read it prayerfully, and then conscientiously believe it too dear, I will pay the $7.50, making you a present of the papers.” Dear readers of the REVIEW family, what would you take for your interest in Nos. 50 and 51? What would every live church elder and deacon take for the special letter relative to the canvass for “Christ’s Object Lessons” in No. 50? What would you, fathers and mothers who profess belief in the Third Angel’s Message, exchange for the timely warning given in the same article to come out and be separate from the world to save your children? and what compares in value with the first-page article, “Words to Parents,” in No. 51? Would you allow a thought of a comparison between the blessed REVIEW AND HERALD and some secular weekly or daily sheet for one moment to tarry in your mind, if you sensed the solemnity of these days and the importance of a consecrated life, devoted wholly to God and His cause, for yourselves and your children? Oh, may the Lord help every one of us to awake out of sleep! You and I are responsible for the increased circulation of the REVIEW. Every English-speaking Seventh-day Adventist family in the world should read this paper for 1901. Why do not the elders see to it that every one is visited and reasoned with until a sense of the need is felt? No wonder that churches are in trouble or dead. They do not know the truth; they do not discern the signs of the times; they are not looking for Jesus to come soon. Let us cease to criticise the paper, let us read and believe. Let us pray for the managers and the editors, that Christ may continue to give them the true light. Thus the REVIEW will be the faithful watchman on the walls of Zion, crying out the right hour of this dark world-night of sin, to save us from being surprised and overcome by the enemy. Then will the words of the Lord, “Arise, shine; for thy light is come,” be fulfilled in us. Then will 1901 be a year of advancement in Christian growth and true missionary work; then the message will be carried to regions at home and abroad. What a mighty work may be done if we unitedly go forth in Jesus’ name. “Wherefore He saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.” “Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” “The last shall be first.” May we arise to take advantage of our opportunity to hasten the coming of Jesus. He is saying, by the Spirit, “Behold, I come quickly.” For January Am I
By Companion
IN a coat of gleaming armor,
Like a warrior I set forth;
With a snow cloud for my banner,
I march from the frozen North. The wind is my brazen trumpet,
My spear an icicle bright;
A million courier snowflakes
Ride before me through the night. But though we come in the tempest,
Which I and my comrades love,
'Tis not a desolate message
We bear you from above. The words I shout through my trumpet
Sound not like a battle-cry,
But ring out clear, “A happy new year!”
For January am I! A PUZZLE SOLVED
By J. S. Olive
Do we not often meet persons who are so disagreeable that one would rather cross the street than encounter their forbidding frowns and harsh words? They seem to have great power to sting every one they meet. Some are so proud of their humility that you can not live in the same house with them. They snub, and contradict, and mortify one at every turn. And yet they profess to be Christians — to love the Saviour, and to be getting ready for His coming. We dare not conclude that they are not sincere. Why is it, then, that they are so intensely disagreeable? When sad and lonely, and longing for help and sympathy, I am always disappointed if I look to them. “Things that are equal to the same thing, are equal to each other.” So it follows that if we were each like Christ, we should enjoy each other’s company. Then comes the solemn question, “Lord, is it I?” And I fear it is all my fault. No doubt part of it is; and yet I know that the more like Christ many seem to be, the better I love them. Passing under an apple tree in the autumn, I picked up a large, sound, red apple, but as soon as I tasted it, I threw it away. What was the matter? I like apples. This was surely an apple — a good, large, sound one, which had been blown from the tree by a hard wind; and yet it was so hard, so sour, so acrid, so utterly unfit to eat, that one slight taste was enough. What was the matter? It was from a good tree, and was sound to the core. It was simply unripe. The thought came to me, Perhaps that is what ails us disagreeable Christians. We are simply unripe. We may be Christians, as Peter and John were, when we wish to call down fire from heaven on all who do not think, and say, and do just as we do; but surely we are unripe Christians. We may not quite desire to call down fire on others, and yet if we needlessly wound, and hurt, and neglect them, we are still unripe Christians, if Christians at all. May the sunshine and dew of heavenly grace ripen us, till we wholly please the Lord; then we shall surely each please the other “to his good for edification.” Then we can say, If our fellowship in Jesus be so sweet now, what heights of rapture shall we know when we meet round His throne! WHEN WAS GOD'S ETERNAL PURPOSE REVEALED?
By H. F. PHELPS
This must be a question of great interest to all who would understand the “deep” things of God. And in this study, as in all others pertaining to the study of God’s word, we may rest in the assurance that while “the deep and secret things belong to God,” “those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children forever.” There is a purpose in this, too: it is “that we may do all the words of this law.” Deut. 29: 29. Then whatever is revealed upon this question, or upon any other, may be ours to know; for it belongs “unto us and to our children forever.” And so we read: “Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus [when?] before the world began.” 2 Tim. 1: 9. Again: we read concerning the “fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ,” that this was “according to the eternal purpose which He purposed in Christ Jesus.” Eph. 3: 9, 11. This makes it plain that the “eternal purpose” of God, though “hid in God,” was purposed “in Christ Jesus;” that is, Christ was to be the agent in the hands of the Father, in the revelation and final accomplishment of that purpose. And it was “given [to] us in Christ Jesus [even] before the world began.” Inasmuch as it is said that God “created all things by Jesus Christ,” it becomes a self-evident proposition that the creation of all things was embraced in the “eternal purpose” of God. It follows also that the beginning of creation’s work was the beginning of the revelation of that purpose which had been “hid in God,” through eternal ages, but which was to be made known, or revealed, through Jesus Christ. This must be plain to every thoughtful mind. But now let the mind enlarge to take in some of the eternity of the past. There must have been a beginning of this revelation, a beginning of the work of creation. And this must have been the very beginning of the revelation of that same eternal purpose. Preceding this beginning, there must have been, according to Rom. 16: 25, R. V., “times eternal,” when there were no worlds, no created being, not even an angel; in fact, there were only three beings—God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit; these three persons in the Godhead. But this condition of things could not always continue; for the happiness of the Godhead is perfected in making others happy. And so we read, “For thy pleasure they are and were created.” Inasmuch as when God made man in His own image, and then said that it was “not good that the man should be alone,” so also it was not best that the Godhead should dwell alone. More than this, God knew that it would be for the greatest happiness that man should have a home; and so this world was beautified for the abode of man; and the Eden, that beautiful garden in which was found everything that was “pleasant to the sight, and good for food,” was given as a home to the man that God had created. And now methinks there must have been another home, even the home of the Godhead, which was used as the pattern for the Eden home. And we read, again: “A glorious high throne from the beginning is the place of our sanctuary.” Jer. 17: 12. It is therefore only a reasonable conclusion to say that God created His own home first, and beautified it as His own dwelling-place, even “our sanctuary” above; and that everything that was made to grow in the garden of Eden was patterned after that which was made to grow in the home of the Godhead first of all. That God has a home, a dwelling-place, the Scriptures do certainly teach. SCRIPTURE STUDY
By C. P. Whitford
C. P. WHITFORD
(Orlando, Fla.) A SERIES of meetings was begun in Memorial Chapel, Jacksonville, Fla., November 16, conducted by Elder L. H. Crisler, assisted by the writer. The number in attendance has not exceeded fifty at any time, but the few who do attend pay respectful attention to the word spoken. Four First-day Adventist ministers have attended, one evening each. They have an organized company of believers here, numbering one hundred and fourteen. Up to the time of writing we have held eighteen services, and have said nothing specially about the law or the Sabbath; but our First-day Adventist friends are discussing the question quite vigorously. At a meeting recently held, the pastor conducted a Bible study, considering the question, “Does the law of ten commandments, as given to Moses, apply to modern Christians?” Many texts supposed to prove that Christians are no longer under obligation to keep the law of God as expressed in the ten commandments were read, and commented upon. The pastor said that he had received a letter from a brother, saying that if any one would take the affirmative side on one or all of three propositions relating to the law and the Sabbath, he would take the negative. The challenge was evidently intended for us. But we are not here to engage in strife and contention, but rather to preach the gospel of peace. Therefore we shall continue to heed the injunction of Holy Writ, “Preach the Word.” 2 Tim. 4: 2. And the Word says: “All His commandments are sure. They stand fast forever and ever” (Ps. 111: 7, 8); “all His commandments are righteousness” (Ps. 119: 172); and “my righteousness shall not be abolished.” Isa. 51: 6. In the fifth chapter of Matthew, Jesus says, “Think.” He says, further, “Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.” All will not be fulfilled as long as the heavens and earth remain, for it is declared, “The heavens shall pass away.” 2 Peter 3: 10. Heaven and earth have not yet passed away, therefore every jot and tittle of the law is for Christians now. Remember “it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than for one tittle of the law to fail.” Luke 16: 17. In other words, it is easier for the heavens and the earth to be removed and pass away, than for one jot or tittle of the law of God to cease to be as obligatory to-day as it was the day it was given. The Scripture says: “Every one of thy righteous judgments [commandments] endureth forever.” Ps. 119: 160. Then how long will the law of God remain unchanged?—Forever. But, says one, can’t we except the Sabbath commandment? Well, I do not presume to know, but the Lord does know, and He says, “All thy commandments are truth.” Ps. 119: 151. And “His truth endureth to all generations.” Ps. 100: 5. “I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be forever: nothing can be put to it, nor anything taken from it.” Eccl. 3: 14. Great and good men—Christians—of the past have acknowledged the truth of these clear and direct statements of Scripture. John Wesley said: “It was not the design of Christ to revoke any part of the law. Every part of it remains in force upon all men in all ages. Neither time, place, nor circumstances make it liable to change.” The Methodist discipline says: “No Christian whatever is free from obedience to the commandments which are called moral.”—Article VI. Mr. Spurgeon, of England, said: “The law of God is a divine law, holy, heavenly, perfect. There is not a command too many: there is not one too few.” We are glad to be in company with these great and good men on so important a question as the one under consideration. “Sin is the transgression of the law.” 1 John 3: 4. “All have sinned.” Rom. 3: 23. Therefore I have sinned. Have you sinned?—No; not if the law is done away; for “where no law is, there is no transgression.” Rom. 4: 15. But if you have not sinned, what becomes of the text that says “all have sinned”? Does not all include you? How will our no-law friends show the harmony between the texts cited and those read by them in support of the theory that Christians are no longer under obligation to keep the ten commandments? The charge of God to all His servants is, “Preach the word.” The Word says, “Here are they that keep the commandments of God.” Rev. 14: 12. But those who do have the courage of their convictions, and keep the commandments of God, including the fourth, which says, “The seventh day IS [not was] the Sabbath,” are beginning to realize the fulfillment of Rev. 12: 17, which says, “The dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God.” If the remnant Church “keep the commandments of God,” then the commandments of God have not been abolished. Many who suppose they are opposing positions taken by Seventh-day Adventists on the law and Sabbath question, labor under a misapprehension as to just what we do believe and teach. Consequently they set up before the people a man of straw, and then combat it with a zeal worthy of a better cause. It is assumed that Seventh-day Adventists teach that men must keep the ten commandments in order to be saved. A greater mistake was never made. We do not so believe nor teach. We do, however, believe in keeping the commandments, not as a means of salvation, but because of salvation from sin. It is not the unsaved man that keeps the commandments. It is the saved man. It is the man who has the spirit of obedience in his heart. Such a person will obey every known requirement of God. He will delight to do God’s will, because the law of God is in his heart. Ps. 40: 7, 8. Surely we can not save ourselves by keeping the commandments. The Saviour says, “Without me ye can do nothing.” John 15: 5. Without Him we can not keep the commandments. The mission of Christ to this world was not only to pay the penalty for our having transgressed the holy law of God, but to save us from transgressing it in the future. Titus 2: 11-14. Christ did not come to destroy the law. He came to keep it, to magnify it. Isa. 42: 21. If the law could have been destroyed, Christ need not have died. His death was to satisfy the demands of an eternal and unchangeable law. The law demanded death, because of transgression. The law is perfect, holy, just, and good. Sin is anything unlike the law. “Thou shalt call His name Jesus: for He shall save His people from their sins.” Matt. 1: 21. As “sin is the transgression of the law” (1 John 3: 4), this is equivalent to saying, He shall save His people from transgressing the law. The law of God is a transcript of the divine will. It is the character of God himself expressed in written form. It would be as reasonable to talk of abolishing God himself, as to talk of abolishing the principles that constitute His very being. It is absurdly ridiculous and ridiculously absurd to talk of changing even a “jot or tittle” of the law of God. To do such a thing would be to dethrone God himself; for the ten commandments are the constitution of the government of heaven. Seventh-day Adventists have good reasons for believing and teaching as they do, and everybody is invited to come and study with us just what God says. We believe that it would be well pleasing to the Lord if all would do so; for His word says: “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” 1 Thess. 5: 21. As far as I know, Seventh-day Adventists are the only people that do not teach salvation by the law. We believe and teach that from the time of sin in Eden, until Christ comes, salvation is secured through Christ alone; while others say that before the first advent of Christ, salvation was through the law. Seventh-day Adventists are blamed for talking about the law. The people are to blame for our talking about it. The law in the old dispensation was, and now is, an epitome of the living law in Christ. And the people try to make out that the one contradicts the other. Under the covenant of grace, God requires of man just what He required in Eden—perfect obedience. The believing sinner, through his divine substitute and surety, renders obedience to the law of God. Christ kept the law perfectly, and through Him the believer shall not perish, but have everlasting life. Mercy granted to man is the reward of the merit of Christ, “who gave himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” Through the plan of salvation God can be just, and the justifier of him that believeth in Jesus. Death will be the reward of every one who is seeking vainly to fashion a righteousness of his own that will fulfill the claims of the law of God. Unless Christ is the ground of our hope, we shall not inherit eternal life. By His word God has bound himself to execute the penalty of the law on all transgressors. Again and again men commit sin, and yet they do not seem to believe that they must suffer the penalty for breaking the law. They parade their good intentions before the Lord, try to make themselves believe that the law is abolished, and soothe their consciences by pleading His mercy! But the only ground of hope for the fallen sons and daughters of Adam is to turn from their sins, and accept the righteousness of Christ, giving up all hope of salvation on the ground of self-righteousness. We wish it to be distinctly understood by everybody that we do not teach salvation by the works of the law; “for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.” Gal. 2: 16. Therefore the Lord can save no man because of his good works; but when a man is adjudged to be righteous by the Lord because of his faith, obedience, which is the fruit of faith, will be manifest in his life. “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Rom. 5: 1. A Royal Repast
By S. O. James
SET a repast of that which the King furnishes you; and if your guests are of the royal line, they will not complain. S. O. JAMES.