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A Clarion Call

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Mar 2, 1905

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 82, No. 9.

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A Clarion Call

By W. H. Thurston

W. H. THURSTON
During the week of prayer many, if not all, either read or heard others read the earnest calls for help from regions beyond. These calls are for workers and for means to support the work and carry it on to completion.
No doubt all have made their annual offerings ere this, and feel a source of satisfaction, but the responsibility and the blessing do not end here. Like the seed, which absorbs the dew and the rain, and requires more and more in its process of development, so this work requires more men and means year by year as it develops and extends into new territory.
Men and women have responded to the commission, severing the ties that bound them to friends, relatives, and native land, and have gone to all parts of the world to carry the gospel of salvation to perishing souls. They did not have to go, but, actuated with the spirit of the Master, and moved with compassion on the multitude of unsaved, they have gone forth to the harvest. On reaching the vast fields, north, south, east, and west, they find open doors and great opportunities. They soon find themselves taxed beyond their strength, ministering to soul and body, and they exclaim, in the language of Scripture, “The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few.” “Come over . . . and help us!” is the Macedonian call. “Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest.” Other men and women are moved by the same spirit that actuated those already in the mission fields, and are saying, “Here am I; send me.”
“Herein is love,”—a love for souls and a desire to go to earth’s remotest bounds with the gospel of the kingdom, the last message of mercy to the world. As in the days of the apostles, “The sword of the Spirit, newly edged with power, and bathed in the lightnings of heaven, cut its way through unbelief;” so be it in these days.
Hundreds of people are accepting the truth in the mission fields, and thousands are waiting for the opportunity—waiting for us. Why should we not as a people arise to our privilege and send forth these consecrated workers, called of God to the ministry, and provide means as well, for the advancement of the work in all lands? Money is what is needed just now, and all the time, to keep the work moving, and why shall it not be forthcoming? Many calls are being made for money, and this will continue until the work is finished, and all that we have is transferred to the city that hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
This question of raising means for the mission fields has been very carefully considered by the Mission Board, and it is agreed that if the ten-cent-a-week envelope plan is adopted by all our people, in addition to the annual and some special offerings from time to time, there will be sufficient funds for carrying on and enlarging the work in all lands. A systematic effort, an unceasing effort on the part of all week by week, making it a part of our regular business to see that the mission fields are supplied with men and means, is the only solution of the great problem. The call is urgent, and demands our attention. We can not pass this matter by indifferently, and remain loyal to the cause we love.
Faithful workers are ready to move on at the Master’s bidding, and rich fields of toil are awaiting them. Shall we say, Go on, and annex new territory for God, pledging ourselves to provide the means each month necessary for the work? How can we do otherwise and prove ourselves true to our mission and our message?—It is impossible. We have entered the field, and we shall maintain our possession and completethe work, under God, or miss our calling. To succeed in this undertaking, and accomplish the work committed to us, in this generation, demands the hearty co-operation of every Sabbath-keeper, spirit, soul, and body.
Ten cents a week from all will keep the financial stream flowing, and we shall soon be able to fill the world with fruit. The readers of the REVIEW are quite familiar with the work being done the world over, and are mindful of the calls for men and means. What shall be our answer?