ONWARD by S. N. Haskell

Seventh-Day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Thursday, January 1, 1880

FromAdvent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 55, No. 1

ONWARD

By S. N. Haskell

BY ELD. S. N. HASKELL.

The cause of present truth is onward; yes, onward. The victory has already been determined. The Captain of our salvation has gotten the victory over the enemy of all righteousness. He purchased the field, and the jewels it contains, by his own blood. “I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death.” The earth, which is groaning under the curse, will again bloom in immortal beauty. “The eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing; for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.”

About a quarter of a century ago, the third angel’s message of Rev. 14:9–12 commenced to be proclaimed by a few individuals, who, in their poverty, learned to trust in God for the success of the truth which they taught. The work spread from one State to another, and the demand for reading matter has increased until the providence of God has furnished facilities for issuing it in quantities to supply the millions. God has a special design in the promulgation of the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, in this age of the world. First, the message of the third angel is to warn the world of the approaching Judgment, and bring before the people those truths which will prepare the receiver for the second advent of Christ; second, it is to gather out a company from every kindred, tongue, and people, who will purify themselves in obeying the truth, and when Christ comes be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye. “For the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible.” This mortal will then put on immortality, grace will triumph, and the purchase of Christ’s blood will be fully redeemed.

In the history of this work, during the last quarter of a century, “Onward to victory” has ever been its motto. Men have connected themselves with it, who have run well for a season, but after a time have become weary and fallen out by the way. Others of perverse minds, who, because they could not improve upon God’s plan, prophesied its failure, renounced the simple truth, and became lost in the moral darkness of the world. But the cause itself has quietly explored new fields, gained new victories,—secured more worthy friends, until the banner of truth waves in every civilized nation, and in the islands of the sea. No reformatory step connected with this work has been a failure. The principles of health and temperance have become so thoroughly diffused among the believers in the Sabbath reform, that tobacco is discarded by them, pork is unknown as an article of diet, and tea and coffee and other injurious stimulants are fast disappearing. Social festivals (such as are commonly resorted to for the support of the gospel, where the friendship of the world is courted, and church-members eat and drink with the drunken) never had an existence among S. D. Adventists.

Tract and missionary societies have been organized, and have spread themselves from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean. Denmark, Norway, Egypt, Italy, Switzerland, and England are now also represented in the general organization, and millions of pages of reading matter, containing truths for the last days, are being mailed to all portions of the civilized world.

The greatest evidence which S. D. Adventists can have of the speedy return of their Lord is the spread of these truths. Nations may rise and fall; the elements may manifest their fury in tornadoes and tidal waves; the old earth may groan under its curse; and the internal, pent-up fires cover the mountain sides with melted lava; famine and pestilence may carry devastation throughout the land; yet the four angels have their mission to hold the winds of strife until the servants of God are sealed. Those who aid in spreading this light and truth are thus co-operating with God, Christ, and angels.

Educational interests have not been altogether lost

sight of. While the different nationalities are represented among our people, a place has been provided where they can receive the instruction necessary to qualify them for the work of God. Here the sciences are taught, and such practical instruction given as will qualify men and women for usefulness in this cause.

Do we realize to what period we have arrived in the progress of this last message of mercy, and our nearness to the closing scenes of this world’s history? The providence of God gives force to the spirit of prophecy, which for years has been appealing to us to “cut loose” from the world, and get ready to meet the Lord when he returns from the wedding.

The only dark feature to this whole subject is the coldness and stupidity of God’s people in reference to the times in which we live. The faithful and true Witness has assured us of the result of this apathy if it is continued: “I will spue thee out of my mouth.” The work is onward, and soon those who have co-operated in this work with their prayers, means, and efforts, will wear the victor’s crown.