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Review and Herald, Vol. 81, No. 21.

My Bosom Friend
Earlier text: My Bosom Friend

The Call of God to Our People at This Time

By Arthur G. Daniells

ONE of the special and exceedingly helpful features of the cause of the third angel’s message in the early days of its history was the deep, personal interest manifested by all its followers in all that pertained to its advancement. The laymen as well as the ministers, and the women as well as the men, studied the truths of the message, read the papers and books that were printed, and planned together with the deepest interest for the wide and rapid extension of the cause. Every one identified with the movement had its welfare and growth at heart. This led to active service and continual sacrifice by all the believers. The results of all this were most gratifying; the hearts of the brethren and sisters were made continually to rejoice, and the cause prospered and grew.
The personal, individual interest felt by our people in behalf of this cause in its early days must be manifested by all who are identified with the movement until it has fully accomplished its purpose. This is of more value than either money or numbers. With this the cause is sure to triumph. Without it the movement must fail.
In searching for the causes of the warm interest the first believers in this message felt for its prosperity, it is easy to see that one of them was the policy of the leaders to make all the people well acquainted with the plans that should be adopted to carry the work forward. The plans were discussed in general councils, and fully and frequently presented to all the people through the papers and by special messages. This laid the burden and responsibility of the whole cause on the hearts of all the people.
Our strong confidence in this way of doing has led the officers of the General Conference to state and restate as publicly and widely as possible every detail of the plans for the removal of our denominational headquarters from Battle Creek to Washington, and the development of plans at the new headquarters. We have availed ourselves of every good opportunity we have seen to counsel with our people and secure their advice. We have also published as widely as we have known how every important plan laid and step taken to carry into effect the counsel and instruction we have received.
We are more grateful than we can express that we now have the presence and counsel of Sister White while we lay the foundation of our work at Washington. We do not want to make serious mistakes that it will take years to undo. Time is too short, money and energy are too precious, for this. We need the same divine guidance to-day that Israel needed when they were commanded to build the sanctuary in the wilderness, and later the temple at Jerusalem. It is our privilege to have it, and praise God, we are receiving it. We were not left in our weakness and ignorance to determine finally where we should locate. The Lord sent definite and positive instruction through his servant to help us in our perplexity and give us assurance.
Neither have we been left to ourselves to determine how the work should be started and carried forward in Washington. The same definite instruction that assured us that we should locate at Washington tells us how the work should be started. The plan outlined by the spirit of prophecy is altogether different from any conceptions the committee had in mind. But we recognize the wisdom of the Lord’s plans, and cheerfully adopt them.
We earnestly desire that all our people shall fully understand and appreciate this point. So far as we know, our plans for building are not exceeding nor varying in the least from the plain instruction given to us in the written Testimonies. We are determined to follow this counsel to the letter. This is the only consistent course to take as long as we profess the confidence we do in the source of this counsel. What else could Moses and Aaron, and the leaders, and all the people of Israel do but heed the instruction given? Faithful and prompt obedience was both their joy and their safety. Their response was so hearty and prompt that before the sanctuary was completed, it was necessary for those who had charge of the work to send word to all the people that they had given an abundance for that purpose, and to bring no more gifts for the building.
What a blessed experience for Israel! and what a glorious example for the church in all subsequent time! The work of God was loyally supported by his people, and no dark clouds of debt could overshadowed it. This may be both the experience and the example of God’s people to-day. We praise God that up to this hour this is our experience so far in the establishment of our headquarters in Washington.
The spirit of prophecy has repeatedly pointed out that the purchase of the Memorial church was a necessary step in making that city our headquarters. At the dedication of the church, Sabbath, May 7, the trustees handed over the deed to the General Conference Corporation without a cent of indebtedness against the property. During the year 1903 and thus far in 1904 the brethren and sisters from all parts of the field cheerfully sent in gifts until they are now told that there is enough. The surplus in hand after paying all bills was turned over, with the deed, to be applied on the Washington fund. This is a remarkable record. The hand of the Lord is in it.
Somehow this experience gives us assurance that a new era has dawned upon this cause, and that what has been done for the Washington church is an indication of what will be done in establishing the enterprises there that we are instructed to build up. Indeed, may it not be a foreshadowing of our future experience as a people everywhere? God grant it. We have groaned long enough under the crushing burden of debt. So far in the removal to Washington and the purchase of land, we have received from the hands of our dear people enough to meet all expenses. The scenes presented to Sister White lead her to urge us to press this work forward with all possible haste. She says we have not come here a day too soon, and that there must be no delay.
We are studying the wisest economy, that no greater burden may be placed upon our brethren and sisters than the Lord sees they can bear. We shall not presume upon their liberality, nor abuse the trust reposed in us. We shall follow the counsel given to build plainly, yet substantially.
But, economize as we may, it will take one hundred thousand dollars to start the work as we should. This is the amount named by a large company of leading brethren who attended the Washington Council last October. The amount seems great, yet when we think of seventy-five thousand loyal, liberal believers in this cause who have been signally blessed and prospered by the good hand of our God these many years, we are certain this entire amount can be given during 1904, so that the work need not be delayed, nor a single dollar of indebtedness incurred.
There are ten thousand persons identified with this cause whom God has so abundantly blessed with means that they could contribute one hundred thousand dollars to the Washington work without doing themselves or any one an injustice. Is the following estimate unreasonable?
25 persons donate $1,000 each $25,000
50 " " 500 " 25,000
100 " " 100 " 10,000
200 " " 50 " 10,000
400 " " 25 " 10,000
1,000 " " 10 " 10,000
1,500 " " 5 " 7,500
2,500 " " 1 " 2,500
5,775 $100,000
According to this estimate of the ability of our people,—an estimate which I believe all our brethren will agree is reasonable,—ten thousand persons could easily provide the amount required. If all our people could see the situation in all its bearings, as it has been presented to Sister White, and as those who are on the ground see it, the required sum would quickly be met.
But many who are well able to give may not be sufficiently impressed by what shall be written to respond. We ought to have at least twenty-five one-thousand-dollar donations, and fifty five-hundred-dollar gifts. That will provide one half of the full amount, and make the raising of the remainder quite reasonable and certain. We are praying for this. Our faith lays hold of it. We rejoice more than we can express over the four one-thousand-dollar offerings that have come to us. If our brethren of means could witness the joy that is felt at headquarters on receipt of these gifts, they would know that these are not empty words.
Brother Washburn, who has been chosen by the General Conference Committee to bear the special and wearing burden of raising this money, is working early and late, believing that the God of Israel will move on the hearts of his people to offer willingly for this work. He believes that many who read the reports and appeals sent out will be impressed by the Spirit of God to give, and that they will not refuse to obey their convictions. May we not ask all who are in harmony with this important move to unite with us in prayer for the needed funds? And let every one be true to his personal convictions.
A. G. DANIELLS.

Plague Threatens Central Africa

THE New York Times discusses in a recent editorial the possibility of the spread of bubonic plague over central Africa. This possibility is suggested by the outbreak of the plague among the Chinese coolies collected at Hongkong for shipment to South Africa, to furnish labor in the mines. Precaution will no doubt be taken to prevent carrying plague-stricken coolies into Africa, but, as the Times observes, “the plague is a subtle malady, with a long period of incubation, and it may well happen that cases of it in its primary stages will escape the vigilance of the quarantine examiners, and be forwarded with clean bills of health, when they are really bearers of infection.”
Regarding the consequences of an outbreak of the plague at the Rand mines, the Times says:—
“The white populations could measurably protect themselves from it, as they do elsewhere; but once started among the blacks, there is no telling where it would end, or estimating the period of its continuance. Call the whole black population of equatorial Africa in round numbers a hundred millions, or rate them at any reasonable estimate, and the loosening of such a contagion among them, to creep on from year to year with the unconquerable persistency characteristic of the disease, would assure an outcome none the less tragic because most of its ravage would remain unrecorded.”
The British government has given up the fight against the plague in India, and no doubt if the disease should get a foothold among the African tribes, it would have to be allowed to run its course.

The Test of the Spirits

By L. A. S.

THERE is a vast difference between the spirit of prophecy and the spirit of popery. A prophet always spoke with authority; he was always a leader of the people; but he was in no sense a pope. It was not the authority of his teaching, but its character, that constituted the test on this point.
The test by which we are to try the spirits and know which of them is of God, is given in 1 John 4:2, 3. “Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: and every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come, and even now already is it in the world.”
The spirit that is of God always exalts Jesus Christ as the hope of sinners. It exalts him as the one only, yet all-sufficient, means of salvation. It emphasizes the importance of the atonement of Christ, whereby divinity is united with humanity, and God is revealed dwelling in human flesh. It sets forth Jesus Christ dwelling in human flesh as the mystery of godliness through which comes salvation.
Every spirit which does not exalt Christ as the Saviour of sinners, on the other hand, is not of God. Any teaching which results, either directly or indirectly, in belittling or obscuring in any way the all-important doctrine of Christ our Saviour, and the atonement, as the means of our salvation, is not of God, but is the spirit of antichrist. That spirit is everywhere abroad to-day, not only in the world, but in the church.
The papal spirit exalts man in the place of God. Any teaching which exalts human authority and human wisdom, which calls attention to any man in the place of Christ, or by which any man exalts himself to the position of lord over God’s heritage, is inspired by the spirit of antichrist.
Apply this test to any religious system which is prominent in the world to-day, or to the teaching of any individual who is a religious leader among the people, and the result will show whether it is from God or from another source. It is a simple test: Does the teaching exalt Jesus Christ as the Saviour of sinners? Is this its whole aim and purpose? Or does it, in any degree, call the attention away from Christ to something else? Does it exalt any man, or any human authority? Does it make some human mind the interpreter of God’s Word, the guide into spiritual truth, in place of the divinely appointed teacher—the Holy Spirit? One thing is certain,—the devil will never be connected with any teaching which seeks wholly and entirely to exalt Christ as the one all-sufficient Saviour of sinners. Any teaching which does this—any person whose work is of this nature—is beyond all question directed by the Spirit of God. L. A. S.

Methodist Bishops Declared Non-Effective

Methodist preachers of Philadelphia at a recent weekly meeting entered a unanimous protest against the enforced retirement of Bishop Foss by action of the Methodist General Conference at Los Angeles, Cal. By a secret ballot of the conference, Bishop Foss and four other bishops — Andrews, Liallalieu, Vincent, and Walden — were declared “non-effective,” in other words, superannuated, or to have outlived their usefulness. One other bishop — Merrill — had the prescience to be retired by his own request; but it is usually the case that the victims of this turning-down vote come to the session without any consciousness that they have become “non-effective,” and the decision of their brethren to that effect is a painful surprise, which must often carry with it a deep sense of injustice. It is stated on seemingly good authority that the Methodist Church is coming under the rule of “young blood,” which demands young preachers and youthful church officials. A significant feature of the conference was the proposed lowering of the standard of church discipline touching worldly amusements, making abstinence from these hereafter to be only advisory instead of mandatory.

Note and Comment

AN English view of the uselessness and harmfulness of Sunday legislation is expressed in the following from a London exchange:—
One strong plea made on behalf of Sunday laws is that, without these, the workers would be deprived of their day of rest. But it is a grave question whether this religious legislation does not do more harm than good. Major-General Sir Reginald Hart, commanding the Thames District, says in the Daily Telegraph “that there is more drunkenness, debauchery, and immorality generally on the first day of the week than on any other of the seven, that the younger soldiers loaf about on Sunday for want of something to do till the public houses are open, and then spend their time there till with fuddled brains they are turned out to engage in even less edifying pursuits.” It is hopeless to think of circumventing the devil with carnal weapons, such as human laws. Legislation concerning matters of religion is always evil, and the Christian can have nothing to do with it. He does not trust in the arm of flesh.

Labor Unions and the Open Shop

By L. A. S.

THE labor unions are determined not to yield on the issue of the open shop. At a recent meeting of the Central Federated Union in New York City, Secretary Morrison, of the American Federation of Labor, said of the effort now being made by employers’ associations to force the recognition of the open shop:—
The American Federation of Labor is trying to organize as thoroughly as possible, so as to fight the new movement.
If one shop is composed of union men, and another shop is composed of non-union men or has any non-union men, then not a union man should work in that shop. We stand for that recognition of the union which means the employment of only union men. The American Federation of Labor has now a membership of 1,800,000. It has gained 400,000 members during the past year. On May 24 a dual organization, the American Labor Union, will be merged in our body.
There is, as these words show, every prospect of a tremendous struggle in the immediate future between employers’ associations and the labor federations to determine which of them “owns the country.” It seems that peace is to be sought only through force, and even if attained in that way, it is not likely to be long maintained. “As the days of Noah were,” when “the earth was filled with violence,” “so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” L. A. S.

Loving — Living — Working

By Susie Bradford Thompson

“That the world may believe.”
ON the heights of self-denial, Love with sorrow blends, As One prays, in hour of trial, For his friends:— “Keep these one in us, O Father! That all men may know They are my disciples, truly— Loving so!”
As he hears their faith’s confession— “Do ye now believe?” Lo! my loving, parting blessing— Peace—receive! “In the world is tribulation; But ye need not fear; I have overcome it for you, Be of cheer!”
Not alone for those disciples, Jesus’ prayer was heard; But for us who have believed Through their word! “Keep them one, O Holy Father! That the world may know Thou hast sent me—when they see these Living so!”
Blessed Jesus! o’er earth’s turmoil We thy voice have heard. May we e’er in loving union Keep thy word! While we love and help each other, Men beholding, see That we are thy true disciples— Loving thee!
Church of Jesus Christ! Awaken! Founded on the Rock, View the judgment scenes, unshaken— Fear no shock! Mission workers! speed the tidings Swift to dying men— Jesus leaves his Father’s glory— Comes again!
Like a radiant, bannered army— Church! be strong and fair! One in heart, God grant ye meet him, In the air! “One in heart!” we will remember! “That the world may know” God sent Jesus! when they see us. Working so!
— Susie Bradford Thompson, in the World’s Crisis.

Words of Encouragement

By Ellen G. White

MRS. E. G. WHITE
We need to understand the meaning of the instruction given in the first chapter of second Peter. “Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ,” writes his second epistle, “to them that have obtained like precious faith” with himself. In order that we may realize the importance of God’s claims upon us, we need constantly to cherish the faith that the early Christians cherished.
This faith is obtained not through any righteousness of our own, but “through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.”
To those who have obtained the faith that filled the hearts of Christians in Peter’s time, are written the words: “Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord.” In the light of this instruction, how important it is that we give strict attention to the formation of character! He who by faith daily lays hold firmly upon the invisible One, will reveal the character of Jesus. With lowliness of heart he will accept Christ’s invitation to the weary and the heavy laden. Instead of unloading his burdens upon his neighbor, with whose heart-sorrows and burdens he is unacquainted, he will seek rest by taking upon himself the yoke of Christ. Let us abide in Jesus. Then he alone—formed within, the hope of glory—will appear in our every word and deed.
“According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue.”
Before us there has been placed an open door, which no man can shut. In the third of Revelation we read: “Behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it.” Why are we so slow to enter this door? The promises given us are yea and amen. Christ declares: “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.”
Are we not inexcusable for unloading all our troubles upon our neighbors? Are we not thus insulting God? Is not this why there is among us so much spiritual feebleness? Why do we not take everything to the Lord in prayer? He stands at the head of humanity, enabling men through his sacrifice to become partakers of the divine nature,—to lay hold upon an infinite power that will transform them into the likeness of the Divine.
In co-partnership with Christ, we are to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling, by doing the works he bids us do. We are to be meek and lowly. Trials sometimes come to lead us to humble ourselves before him, and to depend wholly upon him for grace and guidance. We can not afford to live without Christ’s presence; for perfection of character comes only through the gift of his righteousness. When we are in trouble, let us go to him instead of to some defective human being. We have a friend in Jesus, and we are without excuse for placing upon our brethren and sisters the burdens that our Saviour alone is able to bear for us.
Peter writes of “the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord.” To know Jesus, is to know that he is my personal Saviour—to know that he pities me, that upon his sympathizing heart he bears the wounds of my transgressions.
My brethren and sisters, this is the great Medical Missionary, the greatest Medical Missionary that ever stood on earthly soil. Sometimes when I speak of him, it seems as if the fountain of my heart would break at the thought of how wicked the world is to-day, notwithstanding the fact that they have among them a Medical Missionary ready to help them at any time.
Let us guard against speaking words that discourage. Let us resolve never to engage in evil-speaking and back-biting. Let us refuse to serve Satan by implanting seeds of doubt. Let us guard against cherishing unbelief, or expressing it to others. Many, many times I have wished that there might be circulated a pledge containing a solemn promise to speak only those words that are pleasing to God. There is as great need for such a pledge as there is for one against the use of intoxicating liquor. Let us begin to discipline the tongue, remembering always that we can do this only by disciplining the mind; for “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.”
Through the help that Christ can give, we shall be able to learn to bridle the tongue. Sorely as he was tried on the point of hasty and angry speech, he never once sinned with his lips. With patient calmness he met the sneers, the taunts, and the ridicule of his fellow workers at the carpenter’s bench. Instead of retorting angrily, he would begin to sing one of David’s beautiful psalms; and his companions, before realizing what they were doing, would unite with him in the hymn. What a transformation would be wrought in this world if men and women to-day would follow Christ’s example in the use of words!
“Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”
Little do we realize the prevalence of evil among those who claim to be Christians. We, as believers, are exhorted to cultivate the Christian graces. Immediately after holding before us the hope of escaping from the corruption that is in the world through lust, the apostle further declares: “And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity [love].”
Daily we have a sum to prove; daily we are to add these graces to the character we are perfecting. Faithfulness in the carrying out of this scripture in the life-practise, will result in the conversion of hundreds and of thousands, as upon the day of Pentecost.
“For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and can not see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.”
When we submit to the solemn rite of baptism, we testify to angels and to men that we are purged from our old sins, and that henceforth, having died to the world, we will “seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.” Let us not forget our baptismal vow. In the presence of the three highest powers of heaven,—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,—we have pledged ourselves to do the will of him who, over the rent sepulcher of Joseph, declared, “I am the resurrection and the life.” Christ forgives every penitent sinner, and as the forgiven one, at the time of baptism, rises from the watery grave, he is declared a new creature, whose life is hid with Christ in God. Let us ever remember that it is our high privilege to be purged from our old sins.
Faithfulness to our baptismal vow gives the heart-preparation needful for saving souls. O how many we might save! As I look over the congregation before me, I realize that there is a work for every church-member to do. All may not have lived up to their baptismal vow; but let every erring one do all in his power to redeem the past, turning from the path that has led astray, to the path of humble obedience. You, my brother, my sister, are to win heaven, and a life that measures with the life of God. You know not how soon your own life may be taken away. Have you secured the better life? Make sure of salvation, I beg of you, while you still have the opportunity.
“Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.”
This is the only election regarding which the Bible speaks. Fallen in sin, we may become partakers of the divine nature, and attain to a knowledge far in advance of any scientific learning. By partaking of the flesh and the blood of our crucified Lord, we shall gain life eternal. In the sixth of John we read: “Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life. . . . It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” None need lose eternal life. Every one who chooses daily to learn of the Heavenly Teacher, will make his calling and election sure. Let us humble our hearts before God, and follow on to know him whom to know aright is life eternal.
“Give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”
Here are your life-insurance papers. This is not an insurance policy the value of which some one else will receive after your death; it is a policy that assures you a life measuring with the life of God,—even eternal life. O what an assurance! what a hope! Let us ever reveal to the world that we are seeking for a better country, even a heavenly. Heaven has been made for us, and we want a part in it. We can not afford to allow anything to separate us from God and heaven. In this life we must be partakers of the divine nature. Brethren and sisters, you have only one life to live. O let it be a life of virtue, a life hid with Christ in God!
Unitedly we are to help one another gain perfection of character. To this end, we are to cease all criticism. Onward and still onward we may advance toward perfection, until at last there will be ministered unto us an abundant entrance into the heavenly kingdom.
“Wherefore,” says Peter, “I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth. Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance.”
Supposing we were to cherish a remembrance of the bright chapters in our Christian experience, and dwell upon these in our testimony meetings; would not this be pleasing to God? If unbelievers are present in these meetings, they will recognize the right ring in such testimonies. Why?—Because angels of God are with those who have gained a personal knowledge of Christ Jesus, and these angels will impress hearts.

The Work in Washington

In the city of Washington there is much to be done. I am thankful to God for the privilege of seeing the land that has been purchased for our institutional work in this place. The securing of this land was in the Lord’s providence, and I praise God that our brethren had the faith to take this forward step.
As I look over this city, I realize the magnitude of the work to be accomplished. Let every professed Christian feel the necessity of self-denial. Let every one guard against the tendency to expend, for the gratification of mere vanity, money that belongs to God,—especially in this time when our people are making every effort possible to build in the capital of the nation memorials that will stand in vindication of present truth. Let us study the use of every penny. Some may have formed habits of extravagance; let all such now choose another way—the way of obedience and self-denial.
God now calls upon every believer in this center to act his individual part in helping to build up the work that must be done. If you do your duty faithfully, you will find no time for dwelling upon the little trials and annoyances and perplexities that come to you. As the result of laboring earnestly to provide facilities for the salvation of unbelievers, and for the training of many of our own people for soul-saving service, you will find that your souls are refreshed with heaven’s richest blessings.
In some respects the situation in Washington reminds me of our pioneer experiences in Cooranbong, Australia. There we secured fifteen hundred acres in the heart of the woods, and began the work of establishing a school. With willing hands the workmen toiled early and late. One by one, at great personal sacrifice to many of our dear brethren and sisters in Australia, the school buildings were erected.
Before this work was finished, the problem of providing a meeting-house at Cooranbong arose. This problem proved to be a perplexing one. It seemed that we had done about all we could, and that it would be impossible to raise means sufficient for erecting a suitable house of worship. Finally, during a council meeting in which the matter was receiving consideration, I offered to go through our settlement, and try to secure gifts of labor and material. Accompanied by my secretary, I visited the workmen living for miles around, and solicited help. Just at this time it happened that several of the carpenters who had been laboring on the school buildings, were temporarily out of employment; and these men generously responded, offering to work on the proposed meeting-house at a very low wage,—less than one half the usual rate. Several worked for nothing a portion of the time.
The erection of the meeting-house was pushed forward rapidly. In the providence of God, two hundred pounds came to me from the Wessels family in Africa, just as we were ready to secure lumber; this money brought great relief, as it enabled us to proceed without delay. Many smaller gifts came in. Within a remarkably short time, the building was completed.
May not we hope to have here in Washington some experiences similar to those we had in Australia, and to receive the same blessings that we received there? May God help us to do what we can in this place. May he give us hearts willing to make sacrifices. O, I am thankful, so thankful, that the work which for nearly twenty years I have hoped would be done at the nation’s capital, has now been begun! As we plan and labor, let us do a great deal more praying than talking. If we lean heavily upon the Mighty One, and live on the plan of addition, the heavenly graces will be multiplied unto us, and we shall see of the salvation of God.
Sometimes I hardly know how to express my gratitude to God because the work in this place has actually begun. We are to remember that we can now see simply the alpha; we desire to see the omega. Having begun, let us not cease our efforts before completing the work. Christ declares, “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.” He has been with us at the beginning; and he will round out all the work we shall do, if by faith we continue to walk in the way in which he leads.
Let us talk faith, and not unbelief; let us praise God, and go forward. The Lord is good, and greatly to be praised. At every step let us praise him from whom all blessings flow.
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