Earlier text: Our Refuge in That DayKnowing the Truth and Proclaiming It to Others
By G. W. Wells
“EVERYTHING in the universe calls upon those who know the truth to consecrate themselves unreservedly to the proclamation of the truth as it has been made known to them in the third angel’s message.” These striking words from the spirit of prophecy set before us very clearly the duty of all “who know the truth;” and for us to fail to respond to such a mighty call as this will surely prove fatal. Unmistakable evidence is given us of the nearness of the end, and truly what we do to carry forward this message must be done quickly. The working of satanic agencies in these last days calls upon us to organize our forces and press the battle forward with greater vigor than ever. To us, as a people, has been intrusted the last message of warning to be given to a perishing world. To no people has been given a greater work. If we get the view of its importance that Heaven designs, we shall see to it that nothing else absorbs our interest or turns our attention away from the one great purpose God sets before us. We should look with favor upon every plan, and heartily engage in every enterprise that has for its chief object the bringing of the message before the world and its hastening to a glorious completion. We are told that “those who have the spiritual oversight of the church should devise ways and means by which an opportunity may be given every member of the church to act some part in God’s work.” “Give special study to the work that can be done by the laity,” and it is further stated that “the work of God in this earth can never be finished until the men and women comprising our church membership rally to the work and unite their efforts with those of the ministers and church officers.” It seems, as the end draws nearer, it will be necessary for us to redouble our efforts and become more and more vigilant. This is no time to slacken our interest. We must keep in mind that we are “watchmen;” it is fatal to sleep now. The Lord has told us that we are asleep, and that the death stupor is from Satan; so God in mercy to our souls is calling upon us to arouse. “Everything in the universe calls upon” us “who know the truth” to proclaim it. All heaven is interested in carrying forward the work Christ came to do. The angels who have hitherto restrained the winds of strife among the nations of the earth, are loosing their hold, and the world is stirred with the spirit of war. At the same time we are told that “all over the world men and women are looking wistfully to heaven. Prayers and tears and inquiries go up from souls longing for light, for grace, for the Holy Spirit. Many are on the verge of the kingdom, waiting only to be gathered in.” Surely God will not let the end come while there are honest souls in the world, looking up to heaven, stretching out their hands, praying for light. These seeking ones will find what they long for, and God is calling upon us to search them out. “It is not learned, eloquent speakers that are needed now, but humble, Christ-like men and women, who have learned from Jesus of Nazareth to be meek and lowly, and who, trusting in his strength, will go forth into the highways and hedges to give the invitation, ‘Come; for all things are now ready.’” Surely the coming of Christ is near and hasteth greatly. The time in which to labor is short, and men and women are perishing. O, that all our hearts would be stirred and the Holy Spirit come upon us, leading us to greater activity in personal soul saving! Thus will the work be completed, the cruel reign of sin be brought to a close, and the blessed Lord will come. Teaching Children Heavenly Truths
By John Keble
Oh, say not, dream not, heavenly notes
To childish ears are vain;
That the young mind at random floats
And cannot reach the strain.
Dim and unheard the words may fall,
And yet the heaven-taught mind
May learn the sacred air,
And all its harmonies unwind.
— John Keble, in the Christian Year. “Art thou weary, tender heart?
Be glad of pain.
In sorrow richest things will grow
Like flowers in rain.
God watches, and thou wilt have sun
When clouds their perfect work have done.” I HAVE little hope for a man who goes through his life saying, “What is the harm?” What kind of attainments can a man make in moral life if his one great question is, “What is the harm?” and he does not replace that quotation with this other, “What is the very best thing that is now open to me?” For next to the bad, this mood is the worst of the best. One Thing at a Time
By E. K. Warren
No matter how much you have to do, remember you can only do one thing at a time. You can get through it all by doing one thing at a time, and that's the only way you can get through. You are lost if you try any other way.—E. K. Warren. Concentration Resists Temptation
By H. C. King
EVERY time you hold yourself rigorously to the task that is appointed to you for the time, definitely attend to it and carry it through with concentrated attention, you are adding to your power to resist temptation.—H. C. King. Our Buoyant Hope
By C. M. S.
To the Adventist there is one great hope, and around that all other hopes revolve. That hope is the hope of our Lord's return. In that hope we find consolation, and toward its consummation we look with hearts glowing with fervent expectancy. In the consummation of that hope lies the blessed fulfillment of every good promise our Lord has made his faithful children. Out of his sorrow and chagrin Adam looked with tear-dimmed eyes to the day when the promised Seed should retrieve the inheritance that once was his, and repair the ruin wrought through the domination of the great rebel. It is in the loving providence of God that Adam does not see the fearful results that have followed his disobedience and the usurpation of his dominion by the fallen light bearer. Some have declared that it does not matter whether we believe in the soon coming of our Lord or not. Such have given little heed to the admonitions of the Word of God. Our Saviour himself cautions and admonishes us in these words:— “Let your loins be girded about, and your lamps burning; and be ye yourselves like unto men looking for their lord, when he shall return from the marriage feast; that, when he cometh and knocketh, they may straightway open unto him. Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them sit down to meat, and shall come and serve them. And if he shall come in the second watch, and if in the third, and find them so, blessed are those servants. . . . Be ye also ready: for in an hour that ye think not the Son of man cometh.” Luke 12: 35-40.
It is very clear from this what is our Lord's estimate of the importance of believing in the doctrine of the second advent and looking for that event and being ready for it. He who anciently had his loins girded and his lamp burning, was ready for a journey and expecting to take it. That is the attitude which the Lord would have his children assume toward his return for his people—ready and waiting for their Lord. He makes it even more explicit. “Be ye yourselves,” said he, “like unto men looking for their lord.” It is not sufficient to believe the doctrine and be ready for the event. The Saviour wants us to look as if we believe it and are ready for it. He requires that our very attitude, as we mingle with others, shall testify to them that we are looking for his return, hoping for it, expecting it, and glad for the omens which indicate that it is soon to take place. How can we demonstrate all this to the world?—By what we do not do, as well as by what we do; by the places we keep away from, as well as by the places we frequent; by the things in which we do not invest, as well as by the things in which we do invest; by the things we leave unsaid, as well as by the things we utter. But on the positive side, we testify in daily living, in words spoken in season, in our attitude toward every principle of the gospel, in the interest we take in the promulgation of the message at home and abroad, and in a strong, positive, consistent testimony wherever testimony can be given. To look as if we believe it—that is the duty of every Adventist. The blessing of our Lord, by his own declaration, rests upon those who are looking for their Lord's return. There is no blessing pronounced upon those who are not interested in that doctrine. The Saviour further declares that he will “gird himself, and make them [those who have been watching for him] sit down to meat, and shall come and serve them.” There is no such distinction promised for those who say, “My Lord delayeth his coming,” and who seem to take comfort and consolation in that “delay.” To them his coming will be as the coming of the “thief in the night.” It will be sudden, and will take them unawares. But in the text above quoted, we find more than a mere admonition, more than simple advice. We find a positive command: “Be ye also ready.” But it is a command accompanied by the reason for giving it: “for in an hour that ye think not the Son of man cometh.” In the giving of that command and that reason for the command, our Saviour is not speaking to the unconverted world, or to men in general. He is speaking to his own avowed followers. We may have the time of his return very nicely figured out. We may say that he cannot come until after this has been done, or that has been done; or that when a certain work has been accomplished, we know he will come. But the Saviour's word remains true—“in an hour that ye think not the Son of man cometh.” This emphasizes the importance of living each day and hour as if in expectancy of that event. There is no scripture which gives us warrant for feeling that we can be easy and comfortable this week or this year, for the Saviour cannot come for some time yet. He who does that virtually says, “My Lord delayeth his coming.” And when he says that, the devil is on hand with myriad suggestions as to how to employ his time profitably and pleasurably while waiting for the9 Lord. In that attitude is a fatal snare. If we are earnestly looking for that blessed hope, and earnestly and faithfully seeking to be ready for that glorious event whenever it shall come, we have in that very thing one of the most certain safeguards of the soul. More than that, it is a buoyant hope. It lifts us over difficulties that would otherwise be insurmountable. On the ship of that hope we sail through troubled seas, unharmed and unalarmed. On the other hand, that hope is such a sure anchor to the soul that he who has it cannot drift. By it we are anchored to that which is within the veil; and the length of the chain does not matter; for we cannot, with such an anchorage, drift beyond the haven of God's love and his immediate protection. It is indeed “the blessed hope.”
C. M. S. HOME missionary work begins at home. Many who have a burden to work for God in fields beyond, whose sympathy has been awakened by listening to the relation of touching missionary incidents, or who are attracted by the halo and romance which in their minds surround working in a foreign land, need to begin working for the Master in their own homes. A man who will sit in the house and let his wife bring in the wood and water, who grumbles if his meals are not ready, who chafes under his wife’s reasonable requests for money with which to buy the necessities of life, or the woman who has no time to instruct her children, but sends them out with evil companions on the street in order to be rid of them, hardly measures up to the standard of those who should be licensed by conferences to preach or do Bible work, or to the standard of those who should be sent out as missionaries to foreign lands. The true missionary will wait neither for a more opportune time nor for a more favorable place in which to begin work for God. He will seek to represent his Master right where he is. In the home, in the church, in his own neighborhood, he will manifest that spirit which will gather with Christ and not scatter abroad. He is a poor candidate for a larger field who cannot obtain the witness of his own family and brethren and sisters regarding his missionary spirit. The Guiding Voice
By W. A. S.
How One Soul Was Directed to the Right Way
THE Holy Scriptures are the voice of God to men. “It shall talk with thee,” we are told in Proverbs. The Bible does talk to us; and we are to listen to it as if the words were being spoken directly to us for the first time. It is God speaking words of life to the soul. But as in olden times the Lord sometimes spoke to children of his in a direct way, by his Spirit or by an angel, so in leading forward his work since the Bible record closed, the same living God has at times, without doubt, sent a word of encouragement or counsel direct to some soul. Not often, it is true; for God has made his written Word the guide and the test of all, the perfect and complete rule of life and doctrine. “If they hear not Moses and the prophets,” said Jesus of those who had the written Word in olden time, “neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.” Luke 16:31. But sometimes a directly intervening word, supernaturally spoken, has turned the feet into the way of Holy Scripture, or guided through trouble or danger. Such an incident is recorded in the experience of a mother in Israel, Mrs. Mary Kinzer, whose faithful life closed several years ago in Oklahoma. In the brief life sketch in the obituary notice we are told:— She gave her heart to God in early life, and with her parents joined the Lutheran Church, but later on she united with the Presbyterian Church. Nineteen years ago, as she was studying the Sunday school lesson one day, and was committing the fourth commandment to memory, she thought that she heard a voice at the door say, “You are not keeping it.” She went to the door, but saw no one, and it troubled her greatly; but two weeks later one of our tents came to her neighborhood, and she heard the Sabbath truth and the advent message, which she with joy and gladness of heart accepted.—Southwestern Union Record, Feb. 28, 1911. There is nothing incredible in the idea that an angel should speak with audible voice to a child of God, when to the glory of God, seeing all the angels are sent forth to minister to those who shall be heirs of salvation. There is a promise: “And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.” Isa. 30:21. Most often the providential admonition has come by special impression as of the Spirit, the ear of conscience hearing some word of Holy Scripture, or by conviction of heart and mind without the audible voice. It matters not. But these incidents out of the ordinary, appearing in the story of God’s work in modern as well as in Bible times, are faith-strengthening reminders that God is watching over his work on earth, overruling and intervening, and sending his angels still to and fro to guide his children into the way of life. “That thy name is near thy wondrous works declare.” Ps. 75:1. Not afar off, but near, thank God, in these closing days of earth’s history. Sabbath Observance
By F. M. W.
“If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable; and shalt honor him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.” Isa. 58:13, 14. Is the Sabbath of the Lord observed as carefully by Seventh-day Adventists as in the early years of their experience? This is a question which we believe is worthy of careful consideration. We have received a number of letters during the last few months with reference to this subject. Conscientious brethren and sisters write from different sections of the country of the carelessness and indifference which they see gradually creeping into the church with reference to the observance of this holy day. It would certainly be unfortunate if at the present time in the history of our work and in the history of the world, when conditions on every side indicate that we are rapidly nearing the end of all things, any of the truths of this message should grow old and appeal to us with indifference. The natural tendencies of the human heart, the spirit which accompanies our busy lives, the example of our neighbors in the observance of the first day of the week,—these and many other conditions naturally tend to lead us to be careless regarding the Sabbath of the Lord. We must fortify our souls against these influences. One sister inquires if it is in harmony with the spirit of Sabbath observance to go to public libraries Sabbath afternoon and spend time in reading and study. Another feels concerned about some of our brethren who regularly take their children for a walk along the city streets on Sabbath afternoon, spending time viewing the shop windows and the various articles placed on display. A brother comes with the inquiry as to whether it is in harmony with the true spirit of Sabbath observance for our people to go to public parks and listen to the playing of bands, or to go to other churches and listen to recitals and sacred concerts. We feel that indulgence in these and similar practices is foreign to the spirit of true Sabbath observance. The surroundings, the environment, and the associations are such as to take the mind away from God and the contemplation of his works, and to lead it into channels of worldly thought. We believe it much better for the children of the Lord to sit quietly in their own homes, or in some quiet, secluded place, and spend the hours of the Sabbath reading, than to go to the public library, where there is continual temptation to spend time in poring over the daily newspaper or current journals, or reading books not strictly of a religious character. We believe that a walk in the country or in the suburbs of the town would be in harmony with the spirit of the holy day, and would prove much more conducive to spirituality than strolling about the business section of the city. And we believe it would be much better to remain at home or gather in our own church and sing the songs of Zion than to go out into the park and listen to the playing of a band, or even to other churches to listen to sacred concerts. A true regard for the Sabbath of the Lord will minimize travel by public conveyance on that day just as far as possible. It is to be regretted that there is not seen that carefulness in the matter of railroad travel on the Sabbath at the present time that there used to be. We realize that some of our ministers are obliged to travel on that day. Meetings which they must attend and appointments for religious services which they are compelled to make necessitate this. We believe that Heaven takes into account works of necessity in this way, but we see some in our church at the present time who do not hesitate to make10 journeys for their own personal pleasure or business advantage, occupying the Sabbath for such purposes. And some who perhaps would hesitate to start off on a journey by railroad on Sabbath do not hesitate to serve their own pleasure and convenience by the use of the street car. The principle is the same. We believe that just as far as possible the use of all public conveyances on the Sabbath day should be avoided. Where their use is made necessary for attendance at the regular services of the church, or for the meeting of appointments on the part of our ministers, as far as possible the tickets should be bought and necessary business arrangements made before the Sabbath begins. Some make the Sabbath an occasion for the entertainment of their friends and for social visiting. This is to be regretted. It is very appropriate that families should meet together for Bible study, for prayer, for religious conversation, or for the singing of religious songs. But such gatherings should be carefully safeguarded, that they do not degenerate into social functions which will serve in no way the glory of God or the spiritual betterment of those taking part in them. The question of Sabbath observance needs to be agitated anew in all our churches. Our ministers and church officers should sound a warning against laxity in this matter. The standard of Sabbath observance among Seventh-day Adventists should be raised. Many make the mistake of turning the Sabbath into a feast day. Often on that day, when the physical energies are relaxed, and when there is the least need for a liberal diet, and the digestive powers are less capable of assimilation, we find the tables of many families loaded with pastries and highly seasoned foods which are not a part of the regular diet upon the six working days. We believe that this is a mistake. Food of a simple nature for Sabbath needs would tend greatly toward the spiritual enjoyment of the day. The following words from the servant of the Lord are worthy of careful reading in this connection:— On Friday let the preparation for the Sabbath be completed. See that all the clothing is in readiness, and that all the cooking is done. Let the boots be blacked, and the baths be taken. It is possible to do this. If you make it a rule, you can do it. The Sabbath is not to be given to the repairing of garments, to the cooking of food, to pleasure seeking, or to any other worldly employment. Before the setting of the sun, let all secular work be laid aside, and all secular papers be put out of sight. Parents, explain your work and its purpose to your children, and let them share in your preparation to keep the Sabbath according to the commandment. . . . Let not the precious hours of the Sabbath be wasted in bed. On Sabbath morning the family should be astir early. If they rise late, there is confusion and bustle in preparing for breakfast and Sabbath school. There is hurrying, jostling, and impatience. Thus unholy feelings come into the home. The Sabbath, thus desecrated, becomes a weariness and its coming is dreaded rather than loved. We should not provide for the Sabbath a more liberal supply or a greater variety of food than for other days. Instead of this the food should be more simple, and less should be eaten, in order that the mind may be clear and vigorous to comprehend spiritual things. Overeating befogs the brain. The most precious words may be heard and not appreciated, because the mind is confused by an improper diet. By overeating on the Sabbath, many have done more than they think to dishonor God. While cooking upon the Sabbath should be avoided, it is not necessary to eat cold food. In cold weather let the food prepared the day before be heated. And let the meals, though simple, be palatable and attractive. Provide something that will be regarded as a treat, something the family do not have every day. . . . In pleasant weather let parents walk with their children in the fields and groves. Amid the beautiful things of nature tell them the reason for the institution of the Sabbath. Describe to them God’s great work of creation. . . . If we desire the blessing promised to the obedient, we must observe the Sabbath more strictly. I fear that we often travel on this day when it might be avoided. In harmony with the light which the Lord has given in regard to the observance of the Sabbath, we should be more careful about traveling on the boats or cars on this day. In these matters we should set a right example before our children and youth. In order to reach the churches that need our help, and give the message that God desires them to hear, it may be necessary for us to travel on the Sabbath; but so far as possible we should secure our tickets and make all necessary arrangements on some other day. When starting on a journey, we should make every possible effort to plan so as to avoid reaching our destination on the Sabbath.—Testimonies for the Church, Vol. VI, pages 355-360. We cannot mark out the precise way in which each one should observe the Sabbath of the Lord. It is a matter which must be determined largely by the individual conscience. But the nearer we come to God, the more faithfully we study his Word, the more earnestly we seek him in prayer to know the right way, the more particular we shall become with reference to the observance of his holy day. If there is any question in our minds as to what we should do, let us choose the conservative side, the side we know to be absolutely safe. And let us go to no place on the Sabbath of the Lord where we feel in our hearts that the Master himself would not go, and where we would not be willing he should find us when he comes.