WHEN I think of the history of our work during the past ten years, I can but say, See what the Lord hath wrought. Mercifully he has been working to shed light upon the pathway of his people. In spite of the hindrances that have been met with in the work, we need not feel sadness, except as we see a failure on the part of God's people to follow their Leader step by step.
It is God's purpose that his people shall be a sanctified, purified, holy people, communicating light to all with whom they come in contact. It is his purpose that by exemplifying the truth in their lives, they shall be a praise in the earth. The grace of Christ is sufficient to bring this about. But let God's people remember that only as they believe and work out the principles of the gospel, can he make them a praise in the earth. Only as they yield their God-given capabilities to his service, will they enjoy the fulness and the power of the promise whereon the church has been called to stand. If those who profess to believe in Christ as their Saviour reach only the low standard of worldly measurement, the church fails to bear the rich harvest that God expects. "Found wanting" is written upon her record.
A great work is before us,—the closing work of this world's history. Solemn indeed is the time in which we are living, and heavy are the responsibilities resting upon us as a people. The third angel's message is now to be proclaimed, not only in far-off lands, but in neglected places close by, where multitudes dwell unwarned and unsaved. Our cities everywhere are calling for earnest, whole-hearted labor from the servants of God. The message for this time is now to be proclaimed earnestly in the great business world. Day after day the centers of commerce and trade are thronged with men and women who need the truth for this time, but who gain no saving knowledge of its precious principles, because earnest, persevering efforts are not put forth to reach them where they are.
The spiritual darkness that covers the whole world is intensified in the crowded centers of population. It is in the cities of the nations that the gospel worker finds the greatest impenitence and the greatest need. And in these same cities are presented to soul-winners some of the greatest opportunities. Mingled with the multitudes who have no thought of God and heaven, are many who long for light and for purity of heart. Even among the careless and indifferent there are not a few whose attention may be arrested by a revelation of God's love for the human soul.
The conditions that face Christian workers in the great cities constitute a solemn appeal for untiring effort in behalf of the millions living within the shadow of impending doom. Men will soon be forced to great decisions, and they must have opportunity to hear and to understand Bible truth, in order that they may take their stand intelligently on the right side. God is now calling upon his messengers, in no uncertain terms, to warn the cities while mercy still lingers, and while multitudes are yet susceptible to the converting influence of Bible truth. Often the needs of the cities have appealed to those who understand by the prophecies what is coming upon the earth, and yet comparatively little has been done to enter these cities with the warning message of present truth. The Spirit of the Lord is still urging men to undertake this work with new courage and zeal, and never cease7the effort until a thorough work is done.
For years the pioneers in our work struggled against poverty and manifold hardships in order to place the cause of present truth on vantage-ground. With meager facilities they labored untiringly, and the Lord blessed their humble efforts. The laborers of to-day may not have to endure all the hardships of those early days. The change of conditions, however, should not lead to any slackening of effort; and now, when the Lord bids us proclaim the message with power in the crowded centers of population, shall we not respond as one man, and do his bidding? Shall we not plan to send messengers all through these fields, and support them liberally? Shall not the ministers of God go to these crowded centers, and there lift up their voices in warning to the multitudes?
In the cities are people of all nationalities, many of whom, if earnest effort is put forth, will accept the truth. These will be specially qualified to carry the message to their own countrymen. How long shall these teeming centers of population be neglected? If our brethren will use their God-given ability in this work, angels of heaven will go before them, to make an impression on the hearts of the people for whom they labor. The Lord has many who have not yet bowed the knee to Baal.
I appeal to those who for many years have known the truth. It is time to wake up the watchmen. I have expended my strength in giving the message that the Lord has given me. The burden of our cities has rested so heavily upon me that it has sometimes seemed that I should die. The work in the cities is the essential work for this time, and is now to be taken hold of in faith. When the cities are worked as God would have them, the result will be the setting in operation of a mighty movement, such as we have not yet witnessed. May the Lord give wisdom to our brethren, that they may know how to carry forward the work in harmony with his will. With mighty power the cry is to be sounded in our large centers of population, 'Behold, the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.'
Individual Effort
The ordained minister alone is not equal to the task of warning the world. God is calling, not only upon ministers, but also upon physicians, nurses, canvassers, Bible workers, and other consecrated laymen of varied talents, who have a knowledge of present truth, to consider the needs of the unwarned cities. There should be one hundred workers actively engaged in personal missionary work where now there is but one. Time is rapidly passing. There is much work to be done before Satanic opposition shall close up the way. Every agency must be set in operation, that present opportunities may be wisely improved.
The Lord is calling upon the men and women who have the light of truth for this time to engage in genuine, personal missionary work. Especially are the church-members living in the cities to exercise, in all humility, their God-given talents in laboring with those who are willing to hear the message that should come to the world at this time. There are great blessings in store for those who fully surrender to the call of God. As such workers undertake to win souls for Jesus, they will find that many who never could be reached in any other way will respond to intelligent, personal effort.
DOUBLE COTTAGE, ERECTED BY OUR MISSIONARIES ON SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST PROPERTY AT MOKANSHAN
A working church is a living church. Church-members, let the light shine forth. Let your voices be heard in humble prayer, in witness against the intemperance, the folly, and the amusements of this world, and in the proclamation of the truth for this time. Your voice, your influence, your time,— all these are gifts from God, and are to be used in winning souls to Christ. Visit your neighbors, and show an interest in the salvation of their souls. Arouse every spiritual energy to action. Tell those whom you visit that the end of all things is at hand. The Lord Jesus Christ will open the door of their hearts, and will make lasting impressions upon their minds.
Strive to arouse men and women from their spiritual insensibility. Tell them how you found Jesus, and how blessed you have been since you gained an experience in his service. Tell them what blessing comes to you as you sit at the feet of Jesus, and learn precious lessons from his Word. Tell them of the gladness and joy that are found in the Christian life. Your warm, fervent words will convince them that you have found the pearl of great price. Let your cheerful, encouraging words show that you have certainly found the higher education. This is genuine missionary work, and as it is done, many will awake as from a dream.
The Nearness of the End
Listen to the voice of Jesus, as it comes sounding down along the line to our time, addressing the professed Christian who stands idle in the market-place, 'Why stand ye here all the day idle? . . . Go ye also into the vineyard.' Work while it is day; for the night cometh, in which no man can work.
The Saviour declared that before his second coming, there would be wars and rumors of wars, and earthquakes in divers places. The reports that reached us of the terrible earthquakes in Italy and Sicily tell of another fulfilment of the signs of the end. These calamities are becoming more and more frequent, and each report of calamity by land or sea is a testimony to the fact that the end of all things is near. The world is filled with iniquity, and the Lord is punishing it for its wickedness. As crimes and iniquities increase, these judgments will become more frequent, until the time shall come when the earth shall no more cover her slain.
The judgments of God are hanging over our cities. We know not how soon they will be visited by just such a calamity as recently befell Italy. I pray for the deep movings of the Holy Spirit on the hearts of God's people, that this message,—the last message of warning,—may be given without delay. The day of the Lord is hastening greatly. The end is nearer than when we first believed.
Everything in this world is in an unsettled state. The nations are angry, and preparations for war are being made. But though there is among the nations an increasing unrest, though they are mustering their forces, they are as if held back from action by an unseen power. The angels are holding the8four winds until the servants of God are sealed in their foreheads.
Soon strife among the nations will break out with an intensity that we do not now anticipate. The present is a time of overwhelming interest to all living. Rulers and statesmen, men who occupy positions of trust and authority, thinking men and women of all classes, have their attention fixed upon the events taking place about us. They are watching the strained, restless relations that exist among the nations. They observe the intensity that is taking possession of every earthly element, and they realize that something great and decisive is about to take place, that the world is on the verge of a stupendous crisis.
A moment of respite has been graciously given us of God. Every power lent us of Heaven is now to be used in working for those perishing in ignorance. There must be no delay. The truth must be proclaimed in the dark places of the earth. Obstacles must be met and surmounted. A great work is to be done, and to those who know the truth for this time, this work has been entrusted.
As a Lamp That Burneth
I am instructed to speak words to our people that will give them courage to do diligently the work that shall come to them in this their day of opportunity. I am instructed to urge the necessity of personal consecration, and the sanctification of the whole being to God. Let each one inquire, Lord, what wouldst thou have me to do, that the vigilance of Christ may be seen in my life, that his example may be followed by me, that I may speak sincere words, which will help souls in darkness? O how I long to see church-members clothed with their beautiful garments, and prepared to go forth to meet the Bridegroom! Many are expecting to sit down to the marriage supper of the Lamb, who are unprepared for the coming of the King. They are like the blind; they do not seem to discern their danger.
The Lord calls upon you, O church that has been blessed with the truth! to give a knowledge of this truth to those who know it not. From one end of the world to the other must the message of Christ's soon coming be proclaimed. The third angel's message—the last message of mercy to a perishing world—is so precious, so glorious. Let the truth go forth as a lamp that burneth. Mysteries into which angels desire to look, which prophets and kings and righteous men desired to know, the church of God is to make known.
It is our privilege to see the work of God advancing in the cities. Christ is waiting, waiting, for places to be entered. Who are preparing for this work? We shall not say that we are destitute of laborers. There are some workers, and for this we are glad. But there is a greater, a far greater work to be done in our cities. Far greater self-denial is to be practised in order that the word of life may be carried from place to place, and from house to house. More and more, men and women are going forth with the gospel message. We thank God for this. But we need a greater awakening. We slide back into self-indulgence; we do not exercise to the utmost the virtues that Christ has promised if we ask in faith. That which we receive from Christ we must give to others. Just as surely as we receive, so surely must we give. None who receive the grace of Christ can keep it to themselves. As soon as Christ becomes an abiding presence in the heart, we shall not be able to see souls perishing in ignorance of the truth and be at rest. We shall make any sacrifice that we may reach them; and none of us are so poor that we can not make daily sacrifices for Christ.
The influence of the work we are doing will be felt through all eternity. If we will work in harmony with one another and with heaven, God will demonstrate his power in our behalf as he did for the disciples on the day of Pentecost. Those days of preparation, in which the disciples prepared themselves by prayer and a putting away of all disunion, brought them into such close relation to God that he could work for them and through them in a marvelous manner. To-day God desires to accomplish great things through the faith and works of his believing people. But we must stand in right relation to him, that when he speaks to us, we may hear and understand his voice.
Let not unbelief come in; for God's work is to go from city to city, from country to country. The plans of the enemies of God may be laid to defeat his work; but have faith that Jehovah will remove all obstructions to its progress. Talk faith, work in faith, and advance in faith. Obstacles will be removed as we lay hold of the promises of God. Let the Lord's people go forward, and their hearts will be made strong.
What is the promise to those living in these last days?—'Turn you to the stronghold, ye prisoners of hope: even to-day do I declare that I will render double unto thee. . . . Ask ye of the Lord rain in the time of the latter rain; so the Lord shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain.'
The Lord's Jewels
Children's Lesson — No. 1
The Lord's Jewels
TAKE a potato, wheat, corn, rice, a flower, and some silver and gold coins to illustrate this lesson. Keep all covered till needed.
Show potato. What is it good for? Show the wheat. Why do we prize wheat? Produce corn. What is made of corn? Take a handful of rice. In what countries is rice most used for food?
But Here are some silver and gold. What are they good for? Money buys the things we need. Where are vegetables, grain, and other things we eat stored? Where do we keep money?
Show some fragrant flower, and let the children smell it. Use a picture if you can obtain no flower. Read Phil. 4:18. The kind deeds we do are like sweet, fragrant flowers.
Read Rev. 5:8. Our prayers, when they come from sincere hearts, are like perfume. They come to God as sweet incense.
We send flowers as gifts to friends. Kind acts and earnest prayers come before God, fragrant with faith and love.
Some things are kept more carefully than money. They are called “precious stones,” or “jewels.” Name some, such as pearls, rubies, sapphires, and diamonds. Tell how costly they are. Some are worth immense sums of money. Such are kept carefully guarded in the safest places, and prized for their beauty.
A lady was once shown the gems and jewels belonging to some of her friends. Then they asked to see hers. She had no pearls nor diamonds, but she called her children to her side, and said, “These are my jewels.”
God has jewels. They are his children. Mal. 3:16, 17. Each of us may be one of his jewels.
Sing to close, “When he cometh to make up his jewels,” No. 852, “Christ in Song.”
The Imminence of Christ’s Appearing
By G. B. Thompson
G. B. THOMPSON
(Reading for Sunday, December 11)
For more than threescore years we have been looking forward to the time when the mystery of God would be finished, probation closed, and our blessed Lord return in all the fulness of his indescribable glory to receive his people to himself. This has been our hope through all these years. For it we have toiled, prayed, and sacrificed. Inspired by this blessed hope, many have given up home and loved ones, and gone to the ends of the earth to unfurl the banner of the message.
While waiting for the consummation of their hope, many faithful pilgrims have fallen asleep, and in the silence of the tomb are waiting the return of the Life-giver. Many more worn and aged pilgrims, who have long been journeying toward the heavenly Canaan, have their eyes upon the signs which indicate the soon return of their King, and are hoping to see him come in glory and power.
And, bless the Lord, we have not followed a false hope, or a cunningly devised fable. The coming of Jesus is a reality. Jesus is coming, personally, and in glory beyond the power of any pen to describe.
And this great event is near, even at the door. That to which prophets and holy ones through centuries and ages past have looked forward, is to be realized in this generation.
Let us review, briefly, some of the many familiar and infallible evidences which show that this is the truth.
In 1844, at the close of the 2300 prophetic9days, or years, of Dan. 8:14, the cleansing of the sanctuary in heaven began. This is the judgment, the final work for the salvation of man. Beyond this there is no Mediator nor probation for a lost race. This solemn truth is revealed through the sanctuary, that great center of Christ’s ministry, around which most of the glorious truths of the message radiate.
Let us think soberly of what this means. It should really startle us. Sixty-six years ago the heavenly tribunal, at which we each have a case pending, opened, as described by Daniel and the beloved John. Dan. 7:9, 10; Rev. 20:11-13. Just think! This was before most of those now living on the earth were born. For sixty-six years the record of those whose names are in the book of life has been under the scrutiny of the unerring and faithful Judge. This work can not continue much longer. The verdict, settling forever the destiny of each individual, will soon be rendered. Beyond a doubt the close of probation is near at hand.
To those who really believe this solemn truth, the things of this earth will have but little value. They will live in view of an expected jubilee. Instead of adding house to house, and farm to farm, and increasing the size of a surplus bank account, they will place their treasures in the bank of heaven, to be preserved in eternity, not in perishable gold, but in blood-washed souls.
Are we really living as those who “wait for their Lord, when he will return from the wedding”? When, if not now, do the words, “Sell that ye have, and give alms,” apply?
When we trace down the long lines of prophecy contained in the Book of God, we find that they all focus in the time in which we are living. For more than fourteen centuries we have been living in the time symbolized by the feet and toes of the image of Daniel 2, waiting for the stone to smite the image, destroy all earthly kingdoms, and establish on earth the fifth universal kingdom—the kingdom of Christ.
The same is true of the seventh, eighth, ninth, and eleventh chapters of Daniel. History shows the fulfilment of the events foretold by the ancient prophet with great accuracy. Not much longer will the militant church wait for the final consummation of these great events. Michael, the great Prince, who standeth for the people of God, is soon to stand up, and the saints of God will be delivered, “every one that shall be found written in the book.”
The events predicted by the exiled seer on Patmos are either fulfilled or fulfilling all around us. Study the seven churches, the seven seals, and the seven trumpets. The fulfilment of these lines of prophecy is traced by the pen of the historian. We live in the midst of the very closing events in these prophetic lines.
The part our own nation is to act in the closing struggle of the prolonged controversy on earth (Rev. 13:11-18), is being rapidly fulfilled. When we took the position, years ago, that the principles upon which this republic is founded would be subverted, there was hardly a cloud as large as a man’s hand to show the fulfilment of that statement. But to-day we see Congress besieged by strong organizations, and efforts being made to undermine the pillars of Constitutional liberty. These efforts, when successful, will result in the formation of an image to the beast, and will fan into a flame the smoldering embers of a religious tyranny, resulting in persecution for the people of God, as foretold by the prophet.
For more than threescore years we have looked forward to this work, knowing it to be a signal of the near coming of the Lord. To-day the mutterings heard indicate that the storm is not to be much longer delayed.
BAPTISMAL SCENE IN PERU, AMONG THE INCA INDIANS
The period when those who revere God’s law can neither “buy nor sell” is near at hand. It is no time now to fix our affections on the things of earth; but, like those who indeed wait for their Lord when he returns from the wedding, we should invest our treasures in the work of God.
The signs in the heavens, on the earth, and in the sea, foretold by the Saviour, which were to appear as heralds of the end, have either appeared or are being fulfilled all about us. History, as well as eye-witnesses, testifies to the fulfilment of the signs in the heavens. The nations are perplexed and angry. Armies are being increased; huge warships are being constructed and navies strengthened. The most deadly implements of destruction are being invented. The world is becoming one vast arsenal. The tramp, tramp, of hundreds of thousands of men training for slaughter is heard. The heathen nations have awakened from the slumber of centuries, and are preparing for the inevitable conflict. It will be a terrible hour when the flower of manhood in every nation meet on the field of battle, with the most improved weapons of slaughter in their hands. Then will appear more precious than ever before the hope which reaches beyond the strife and turmoil of earth.
These events tell us that the end is at hand. When these things are seen, “then,” says Jesus, “shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.”
But most striking of all signs is that of the warning message sent to all the world, announcing that the book of human history is about made up, and the curtain is soon to drop on the final act in the drama of this world. None, it would seem, could well mistake the import of this sign. Unbelievers may deny the fulfilment of the prophecies, and scoffers may sneer at the heralds of Christ’s coming, and seek to parry their force by some scientific guess. But who can explain this great warning message being sent to the world, announcing that the hour of the judgment has come, and that the Son of man will soon come, except on the basis that the end is near? If the day of God is not at the door, why this message now?
And if this message is not from Heaven, how can the Lord ever warn the world of the end? The proclamation of the flood sent by the Lord through Noah was the surest evidence that the deluge was at hand. And “as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” The clearest sign that Jesus is coming is the warning sent of God of that event. God has sent such a message. It has nearly reached the limits of the earth. As surely as God’s Word is true, so surely will the end come next. It is at the very door.
The recital of these evidences of the soon coming of our blessed Redeemer is a familiar story to this people. We know, in theory at least, that the Lord is soon coming. But we fear there is danger that, knowing these things, we shall let them slip; that our hearts will become cold and selfish; and we, becoming overcharged with the cares of this life, shall allow the day of God to take us unawares.
Some who once believed in the coming of the Master will be found saying, by their actions, “My Lord delayeth his coming.” Herein lies our danger. There is danger that the nearness of the end will not seem so real to us as it did years ago. If it does not, there is something wrong with our spiritual perception.
Years ago the servant of the Lord said: “I saw that God’s people are on the enchanted ground, and that some have lost nearly all sense of the shortness10of time and the worth of the soul. Pride has crept in among Sabbath-keepers,—pride of dress and appearance. Said the angel, ‘Sabbath-keepers will have to die to self, die to pride and love of approbation.’”—Early Writings, page 33.
“On the enchanted ground;” “some have nearly lost all sense of the shortness of time;” “pride has crept in;” “Sabbath-keepers will have to die,”—these are solemn statements. Let us take them home to our hearts, and seriously ask, “Lord, is it I?”
The great apostle, looking down to our time, said: “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.” Rom. 13:11, 12.
Who are here exhorted to awake?—Not the unbelievers, nor the nominal professors, but those who know the end is near. The call to awake is given to those who have fallen asleep on the enchanted ground. It is a trumpet call from the Almighty, sounding anew in the ears of those who have “lost nearly all sense of the shortness of time,”—a call to get ready to meet him.
Listen to these stirring words from the Spirit of God: “Prophecy is fast fulfilling. More, much more, should be said about these tremendously important subjects. The day is at hand when the destiny of every soul will be fixed forever. This day of the Lord hastens on apace. The false watchmen are raising the cry, ‘All is well;’ but the day of God is rapidly approaching. Its footsteps are so muffled that it does not arouse the world from the deathlike slumber into which it has fallen.”—Special Testimonies, published 1898.
The great and terrible day of God, the day when he will visit the inhabitants of the earth, approaching with muffled footsteps! How important that we watch, lest we be found among the sleeping virgins! Again I quote: “The solemn fact is to be kept not only before the people of the world, but before our own churches also, that the day of the Lord will come suddenly, unexpectedly. The fearful warning of the prophecy is addressed to every soul. Let no one feel that he is secure from the danger of being surprised.”—Ib.
Let me ask, in closing, Are we living as those must live who really expect the Lord to come in a little while? Do our lives testify to our neighbors and all about us that we are really getting ready for the coming of the Lord? Have the cares of life crowded secret prayer and the reading of the blessed Bible from our lives? Do the sleeping virgins without oil in their lamps really represent our spiritual condition? If the day of God should burst upon us, would we be taken unawares, surprised, off guard, unready?
How unspeakably glorious will it be to be found ready and waiting when Jesus comes! How the prospect of that event should cheer our hearts! Then the disappointments and sorrows of earth will be ended, and with Jesus and the faithful of all ages we shall bask in the eternal joys of the heavenly land. “Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not, the Son of man cometh.” Matt. 24:44.
