Sin is a hateful thing. It marred the moral beauty of a large number of the angels. It entered our world, and well-nigh obliterated the moral image of God in man. But in his great love God provided a way whereby man might regain the position from which he fell in yielding to the tempter. Christ came to stand at the head of humanity, to work out in our behalf a perfect character. Those who receive him are born again. “As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God.”
Christ saw humanity, through the working of the mighty growth of sin, demoniacally possessed by the prince of the power of the air, and putting forth gigantic strength in exploits of evil. But he saw also that a mightier power was to meet and conquer Satan. “Now is the judgment of this world,” he said; “Now shall the prince of this world be cast out.” He saw that if human beings believed in him, they would be given power against the host of fallen angels, whose name is legion. Christ strengthened his own soul by the thought that by the wonderful sacrifice which he was about to make, the prince of this world was to be cast out, and men and women placed where, through the grace of God, they would regain what they had lost.
What does the Lord require of his blood-bought heritage?—The sanctification of the whole being,—purity like the purity of Christ, perfect conformity to the will of God. My brethren and sisters, God requires this of us. Into the holy city there can enter nothing that defileth, or maketh a lie. God’s word to us is, “I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.” “Ye shall be holy unto me: for I the Lord am holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should be mine.” “Ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” “In him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power.” He “gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”
We can, we can, reveal the likeness of our divine Lord. We can know the science of spiritual life. We can honor our Maker. But do we do it? O, what an illustrious example we have in the life that Christ lived on this earth! He has shown us what we can accomplish through co-operation with divinity. We are to seek for the union of which he speaks when he says, “Abide in me, and I in you.” This union is deeper, stronger, truer, than any other union, and is productive of all good. Those who are thus united to the Saviour are controlled by his will, and are moved by his love to suffer with those who suffer, to rejoice with those who rejoice, to feel a deep sympathy for every one in weakness, sorrow, or distress.
Higher than the highest human thought can reach is God’s ideal for his children. He wants our minds to be clear, our tempers sweet, our love abounding. Then the peace that passeth knowledge will flow from us to bless all with whom we come in contact. The atmosphere surrounding our souls will be refreshing.
But how few there are who are making determined efforts to reach this ideal. Satan is trying to keep the people of God dwarfed, feeble, un-Christlike. And too often he is successful. In our churches there are many who have not the spirit of the Master, many who act as if they were in the world merely to please themselves. They forget that the enemy is assailing all who profess to be children of God, trying to overcome them, so that they will disappoint and dishonor the Saviour. They forget that the purity and unselfishness that characterized the life of Christ must characterize their lives, else in the day of God they will be found wanting, and will hear from his lips the irrevocable sentence, “Cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
I have been especially instructed in regard to the danger of drawing apart, and of evil speaking and contention. We need to bow before God in repentance because of our lack of love for one another, and for him who died for us. The gold of love and faith is not abundant among us. Many are holding on to the truth with but the tips of their fingers. The precious time that should be spent in speaking of the Saviour’s power to save, is being spent by many in carrying evil reports. Unless they make a decided change, they will be found wanting. Unless they have an entire transformation of character, they will never enter heaven. A deep, thorough work needs to be done in the hearts of those who profess to be children of God. Until they reveal the faith that works by love and purifies the soul, very little genuine work for God will be done in the world.
Let our people take up their appointed work,—the work of soul-saving. Let them not think that upon them has been laid the burden of watching and criticizing the work of others. Those who put their whole souls into the work that God gives them will have no time to criticize the efforts of their fellow workers, no time to weaken the hands of those who are straining every nerve and muscle to advance the work.
Let not any man or woman feel that he or she has been appointed to carry evil reports from church to church, and from conference to conference. I have been grieved beyond measure to see how easy it is for persons to spend precious time in this cruel work. The proclamation of the first, second, and third angels’ messages is now to be our burden. Those who spend their time in thinking and speaking evil are bringing to the foundation, material represented by hay, wood, and stubble, which will be consumed by the fires of the last days. They will one day see that their time has been spent in weakening churches, institutions, and conferences.
God hates all such work. He will call to account all who engage in it. Let those who fear God and believe his word put a guard on their lips. Let them be determined not to speak words7that will injure the cause of God, or give a wrong representation of the work being done in any of his institutions. Let them be careful not to speak words that will be a temptation to some one else to withhold the confidence and the words of courage that ought to be given to those who are severely tried, and who, perhaps, work early and late to fulfil the many calls of duty, until it seems as if mind and body would give way under the strain.
Words of suspicion and distrust, like the thistle-down carried by the wind, are scattered far and wide, and can never be recalled. Un-Christlike speech lies at the foundation of nine tenths of all the difficulties that exist in the church. Satan’s agents are industriously trying to get professed Christians to speak unadvisedly. When they succeed, Satan exults, because God’s followers have hurt their influence. We have no time, in these solemn moments, to contend with one another. Those who give way to evil-thinking and evil-speaking do not realize how much time they cause others to lose. God’s servants have been called upon to settle difficulties between brother and brother, and time has been spent in this way that belonged to souls ready to perish,—time that ought to have been devoted to the fulfilling of the gospel commission.
My brother, my sister, be afraid to find fault, afraid to talk against your fellow workers. You have enlisted to fight against Satan’s forces, and you have no time to fight against your fellow soldiers. The truly converted man has no inclination to think or talk of the faults of others. His lips are sanctified, and as God’s witness he testifies that the grace of Christ has transformed his heart. He realizes that he can not afford to talk discouragement or unbelief. He can not afford to be harsh or faultfinding. He has not received orders to punish the erring and sinful by heaping abuse upon them.
Speak words of kindness, words of uplifting; for this is the fruit borne upon the Christian tree. Overcome all harshness. Eternity alone will reveal the harm that harsh words do to those who utter them, and to those who hear. Hold firmly to the One who has all power in heaven and earth, and although you often fail to reveal patience and calmness under provocation, by no means give up the struggle. Resolve again, this time more firmly, that you will be an example of Christian patience. Remember that those only will enter heaven who have overcome the temptation to think and speak evil.
“The work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever.” Christ will be to his people all that these words express if they will heed the invitation to come to him. He will be to them life and power, strength and efficiency, wisdom and holiness. God calls upon us to live the Christ-life, to reveal this life to the world. When we do this, prejudice will vanish, and difficulties will adjust themselves. We shall gather about the great Missionary, our hearts filled with gratitude and love.
My brethren and sisters, instead of spending your time looking for and talking of the shortcomings of others, give yourselves to the work that Christ did when in this world. How untiringly he labored! In the temple and the synagogues, in the streets of the cities, in the market-place and the workshop, by the seaside and among the hills, he preached the gospel and healed the sick. His life was one of unselfish service, and it is to be our lesson book. The work that he began we are to carry forward.
Brethren and sisters, how much work have you done for God during the past year? Do you think that it is those men only who have been ordained as gospel ministers that are to work for the uplifting of humanity?—No, no! Every one who names the name of Christ is expected by God to engage in this work. The hands of ordination may not have been laid upon you, but you are none the less God’s messengers. If you have tasted that the Lord is gracious, if you know his saving power, you can no more keep from telling this to some one else than you can keep the wind from blowing. You will have a word in season for him that is weary. You will guide the feet of the straying back to the fold. Your efforts to help others will be untiring, because God’s Spirit is working in you.
Have you told those with whom you have come in contact what banner you are serving under? Have they been able to see, by the Christlikeness of your words and acts, that you are a true follower of Jesus. O that our hearts may be deeply impressed with the importance of living holy lives, that the world may take knowledge of us that we have been with Jesus, and have learned of him. Christian worth does not depend upon brilliant talents, lofty birth, wonderful powers, but on a clean heart,—a heart which, purified and refined, reflects the image of divinity. It is the presence of him who gave his life for us that makes the soul beautiful. It is not eloquent speakers that are needed so much as humble, earnest workers,—men and women who have a childlike trust in God. It is the men of prayer that are men of power. They will be enabled to lead sinners to the marriage supper of the Lamb.
My brethren and sisters, do not allow trifling things to absorb your time and attention. Keep your mind on the glorious themes of the Word of God. A study of these themes will give you a strength that will carry you through the trials and difficulties of the last days, and bring you to where you will walk with Christ in white, because you are worthy. In the Word of God, studied and obeyed, we possess a spiritual guide and instructor by which the worst forms of evil in ourselves may be brought under the discipline of his law. If the teachings of this Word were made the controlling influence in our lives, if mind and heart were brought under its restraining power, the evils that now exist in churches and in families would find no place. Upon converted households the purest blessings would descend, and from these households an influence would go forth that would make God’s people a power on the side of truth.
But there are many in our churches who know little of the meaning of the truth for this time. They have not searched for the truth with humble, contrite hearts. I appeal to the members of our churches not to disregard the fulfilling of the signs of the times, which say so plainly that the end is near. O, how many who have not cared for the salvation of their souls will soon make the bitter lamentation, “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved!”
O, that we would remember that it is court week with us, and that our cases are pending! Now is the time to watch and pray, to put away all self-indulgence, all pride, all selfishness. The precious moments that are now by many worse than wasted should be spent in meditation and prayer. Many of those who profess to be keeping the commandments of God are following inclination instead of duty. As they are now, they are unworthy of eternal life. To these careless, indifferent ones, I would say, Your vain thoughts, your unkind words, your selfish acts, are recorded in the book of heaven. The angels that were present at Belshazzar’s idolatrous revelry stand beside you as you dishonor your Redeemer. Sadly they turn away, grieved that you should thus crucify him afresh, and put him to open shame.
“Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings? He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hand from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil; he shall dwell on high: his place of defense shall be the munitions of rocks. . . . Thine eyes shall see the King in his beauty: they shall behold the land that is very far off.”
On Christ’s coronation day he will not acknowledge as his any who bear spot or wrinkle or any such thing. But to his faithful ones he will give crowns of immortal glory. Those who would not that he should reign over them will see him surrounded by the army of the redeemed, each of whom bears the sign, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. They will see the head once crowned with thorns crowned with a diadem of glory.
In that day the redeemed will shine forth in the glory of the Father and his Son. The angels of heaven, touching their golden harps, will welcome the King, and those who are the trophies of his victory,—those who have been washed and made white in the blood of the Lamb. A song of triumph will peal forth, filling all heaven. Christ has8conquered. He enters the heavenly courts accompanied by his redeemed ones, the witnesses that his mission of suffering and self-sacrifice has not been in vain.
Spirit and Power of the Message in the Early Days
By Stephen N. Haskell
S. N. HASKELL
(Reading for Monday, December 12)
The last work of Moses was to write the book of Deuteronomy. The Hebrew title to this book means “repetition.” Lest Israel should forget their early experience, God rewrote the laws and reviewed their history. He would have us also remember all the way that the Lord has led us.
Six years before the destruction of Jerusalem, the book of Hebrews was written. In this book the apostle exhorts the brethren in these words:—
Call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;9and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used. For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
The mind of the apostle is then carried down to the near coming of the Lord, thus showing that the experience of the people of God at this time will be similar to that of the Christians at that time, and that, therefore, they will need the same exhortation:—
For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.
The apostle applies this instruction to those living near the second coming of Christ. An object-lesson for our day and experience can be found in the book of Acts, where is recorded the early experience of the disciples. Many of these experiences will be repeated shortly before the coming of the Lord. The message to the Ephesian church also is full of instruction for us.
These words become especially applicable to the people of God at the present time. Three steps are required of them to return to their first love:—
They are to remember from whence they are fallen.
They are to repent.
Then they must do their first works.
The prophecies of Daniel and Revelation were the study of the people of God in the early history of the advent movement. The words of the prophets were sweeter to them than honey and the honeycomb. They fed upon the sacred pages.
The believers were social in their church relationships also. They took pains to visit one another, that they might study the blessed hope together. They talked over their experience, and especially the truths that had led them to become a separate people.
Business was secondary. The progress of the work, the gathering in of souls, was the theme of conversation. They forgot their trials, which were not few. Their meetings were well attended. If any of their number were sick, their homes were visited, and earnest prayer was offered. Time and again, in answer to the earnest prayer of God’s people, the sick were restored. There are many today who are rejoicing in God that were brought from death’s door in those times. It was not because they feared death that they desired to live, but that they might bear witness to the truth.
Our brethren and sisters were not then as numerous as now, neither were the modes of conveyance what they are at the present time. It was not uncommon to drive from ten to twenty-five miles for a general meeting. Unconverted friends were brought to these meetings, as well as the sick and afflicted. Meetings were held for several days at a time, and souls were converted. My mind reverts to the visit of Elder James White and his wife and Brother J. N. Andrews to the Washington, N. H., company, when all the young people and backsliders connected with the company were converted. Many of those converted at that meeting are still laboring in the cause. Elder E. W. Farnsworth was one of the number.
THE CHURCH AT WASHINGTON, N. H.
Opposition and persecution were greater then than at the present time. But this was what they expected. They took joyfully the spoiling of their goods. They rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer for Christ’s sake. Some arrests were made because it was said they disturbed the peace by praying for the sick in the night season. On one occasion, in the State of Maine, the sheriff and his posse of six men came to a place where our brethren held their meetings. The power of God was manifestly present as the sheriff ordered the arrest of the leader. There was such an excitement over the matter, and such an interest taken in the case, that they concluded to use the meeting-house for a court room. But no two of the witnesses agreed in their testimony, and the trial became a scene of confusion and sport for those present. As they could find nothing with which to accuse them, the prosecuting attorney said, “We understand that you have some strange songs you sing.” The leader, Elder Damon, replied that they had, and if desired, they would sing him one. The old meeting-house rang as all joined in singing,—
“As I was down in Egypt’s land,
I heard, and my heart was glad,” etc.
They were released, and the court was dismissed. They all returned to their homes happy that they were counted worthy to suffer for the truth. But amid it all, souls were converted, and rejoiced in the truth.
At that time we had no foreign missions. Our people were mostly very poor. A few had some means, and they, as in the days of the apostles, sold their possessions, and distribution was made as the poorest had need—not carelessly scattered to encourage idleness, but the suffering were helped. The cause was built up. Some would give nearly their all to purchase facilities to spread the truth. I have yet to learn that one such individual ever came to want. God watched over them, and his providence provided for them. God is the same today. If we sacrifice to carry forward his cause, God will bless us. When the Saviour comes, and the angels are sent to gather the redeemed, the Saviour will say, “Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.” Ps. 50: 5. If we make no sacrifice, shall we ever be gathered? Now is the time for sacrificing; by and by will come the gathering. Will you be gathered in that day?
Notes of Early Experiences
How They Studied the Word
Sister White has written:—
My husband, Elder Joseph Bates, Father Pierce, Elder Edson, and others who were keen, noble, and true, were among those who, after the passing of the time in 1844, searched for the truth as for hidden treasure. I met with them, and we studied and prayed earnestly. Often we remained together until late at night, and sometimes through the entire night, praying for light and studying the Word. Again and again these brethren came together to study the Bible, in order that they might know its meaning, and be able to preach it with power. When they came to the point in their study where they said, “We can do nothing more,” the Spirit of the Lord would come upon me, I would be taken off in vision, and a clear explanation of the passages we had been studying would be given me, with instruction as to how we were to labor and teach effectively. Thus light was given that helped us to understand the scriptures in regard to Christ, his mission, and his priesthood. A line of truth extending from that time to the time when we shall enter the city of God, was made plain to me, and I gave to others the instruction that the Lord had given me.
Of a little meeting in Maine, in 1849, the book “Life Sketches of James and Ellen G. White,” gives an interesting picture. A teacher of error, who had misled souls and troubled the church, was present. While engaged in a season of prayer, the Spirit of God rested upon one brother. “His face was white, and a light seemed to rest upon it.” In the name of God he bade the troubler depart, and the man fled in fear.
The power of God descended something as it did on the day of Pentecost, and five or six who had been deceived and led into error and fanaticism, fell prostrate to the floor. Parents confessed to their children, and children to10their parents, and to one another. Brother J. N. Andrews, with deep feeling, exclaimed, “I would exchange a thousand errors for one truth.” Such a scene of confessing and pleading with God for forgiveness we have seldom witnessed. That meeting was the beginning of better days to the children of God in Paris, to them a green spot in the desert. The Lord was bringing out Brother Andrews to fit him for future usefulness, and was giving him an experience that would be of great value to him in his future labors.
Beginning of Periodical Work
In a recent REVIEW, Sister White reported her visit to the Middletown, Conn., camp-meeting last September, repeating the story of the beginning of our periodical work in those days of small things, but of great faith and consecration. In the same spirit of simplicity and trust our missionary work should be taken up to-day, when the facilities are so abundant:—
It was in Middletown, about 1849, that my husband began the publication of our first paper, a small sheet called The Present Truth. We were then living in Rocky Hills, seven miles from Middletown, and my husband often walked back and forth between the two places, though he was then lame. When he brought the first number of the paper from the printing-office, we all bowed round it, and with humble hearts and many tears besought the Lord to let his blessing rest upon the feeble efforts of his servant. My husband then directed copies of the paper to all who he thought would read it, and walked seven miles to the Middletown post-office, carrying the precious papers in a carpetbag. Again and again, before the papers were taken to the post-office, they were spread before God, and earnest prayers, mingled with tears, were offered to God that his blessing might attend the silent messengers. Very soon letters came, bringing means to help in the publication of the paper, and bringing also the good news that many souls were accepting the truth.
“As Ye Go, Preach”—“Instant in Season”
Elder Corliss’s series on early experiences gives this incident: Elder M. E. Cornell, now sleeping, was driving through Jackson, Mich., on his way to a place where he was to accept the pastorate of a First-day Adventist church:—
He heard that Brother Bates was holding meetings there, and determined not to hear him. But after driving through the town, he became so troubled over the matter that he turned about, and went to the meeting. It happened that Brother Bates was just talking on the Sabbath question. After listening for a few minutes, he turned to his wife, and said: “Angie, this is the truth; I must obey it.” “But,” she said, “what about your engagement for the year to come?” “That will have to be canceled,” he said, characteristically, and so the matter was settled. He then started north for Tyrone, the residence town of Sister Cornell’s parents. Arriving in the neighborhood, he saw John P. Kellogg (the father of Dr. J. H. Kellogg) in the field raking hay. “Hold the horse,” he said to his wife, “while I go and give Brother Kellogg the light.” Jumping over the fence, he ran to the place where Brother Kellogg was working, exclaiming, “I have light for you, Brother Kellogg.” “Well,” said Brother Kellogg, as he leaned on his rake, “what is it?” In a few moments the simple story was told, Brother Kellogg was convinced, and had resolved to obey. Turning as abruptly as he had come, Brother Cornell rejoined his wife, telling her of the victory just gained for the truth. Before reaching home, another neighbor was met, and he also promised to obey the truth. Arriving at the parental home, nearly the first thing was to repeat the simple message to the inmates, with the result that the next Sabbath quite a company of the neighborhood met together for worship.
What This Denomination Exists For
By E. W. Farnsworth
E. W. FARNSWORTH
(Reading for Sunday, December 11)
Seventh-day Adventists are ordained of God to do a specific work. That work is to enlighten the world concerning the coming of Christ in this generation. That which will advance this work is proper and right for a Seventh-day Adventist to engage in; and that which will not advance it, is not proper for him to engage in.
These angels flew. Wings symbolize swiftness, celerity.
The eagle's wings on the back of the lion in the seventh chapter of Daniel are interpreted as meaning, “Their horses also are swifter than the leopards, and . . . they shall fly as the eagle that hasteth to eat.” Hab. 1:6-8.
So also the four wings on the leopard indicated the great celerity of movement in the Grecian army.
So, likewise, the angels who bring from heaven the last message this world will ever hear, have wings with which they fly to “every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.”
The King's business requires haste. We are to speedily carry what he has to say to all parts of the world.
Another feature of the message is made prominent by its own language. The angel declares what he has to say “with a loud voice.” Verse 7.
“And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice.” Verse 9.
“And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. And he cried mightily with a strong voice.” Rev. 18:1, 2.
“And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven. . . . His face was as it were the sun . . . and he . . . cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth.” Rev. 10:1-3.
What do these repeated and intensified expressions mean?—They are descriptive of the power and definiteness with which this latter-day message is to go to all the world. They describe the unqualified positiveness and certainty with which the warning message is to be given. There is no mental reservation on the part of those who truly give it. There can be no saying in their hearts, “My Lord delayeth his coming.” With all the assurance and conviction that can be begotten by the testimony of the Scriptures and the anointing of the Holy Spirit, they go forth to proclaim their message.
This is the work God has given Seventh-day Adventists to do. He has given it to no one else, and he has given them nothing else to do. They have one mission while they live, and only one, and that is to give the message of the third angel. Anything that does not pertain to this work is not legitimate for them to do.
Another prophet describes their mission as follows: “Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand.” Joel 2:1. Something startling and tremendous is about to occur. “The day of the Lord cometh.” An alarm must be given. The world must be aroused and warned.
And yet another prophet bears this testimony: “Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.” Isa. 58:1. Such a message as this, the Scriptures declare, must be given, “and the Scripture can not be broken.” Therefore God has ordained that the people whom he has called out from the world should go to every nation and country, and declare the truth that he has made known to them.
This people stands related to their work, to the world, and to God as did John the Baptist. Seven hundred years before his birth the prophet heard “the voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” Isa. 40:3. Centuries passed by, till, at last, a man began to preach in the wilderness just as the prophet had foretold. When asked who he was, he replied, “I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.” John 1:23.
John was simply a “voice;” so Seventh-day Adventists are to be the “voice” of the angel referred to in the scriptures previously quoted.
The voice of John was heard only in the wilderness of Judea; but the voice that the prophet heard giving the last message was sounding in ringing tones to “every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.”
John went only to his own people in the wilderness; but Seventh-day Adventists must go to every nation, every kindred, every tongue, and every people.
The work of John was to prepare a people to meet Christ at his first advent, when he came in lowliness as a sin-bearer, a sin-cleanser; but the work of Seventh-day Adventists is to prepare a people to meet Christ at his second advent, when he comes as “King of kings, and Lord of lords.” His mission then is not to cleanse men from sin, but to translate those who are cleansed and prepared to behold his glory.
If it was necessary that a message be given to prepare a people to meet Christ at his first advent, how much more is it necessary that one should be given to prepare men to meet him when he comes in glory!
The Saviour, when speaking of this message, and its close, said, “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” Matt. 24:14. This is the climax of the gospel.
To emphasize this fact, the Saviour taught that this generation would not pass till all these things are fulfilled. And then, as if to extinguish the last doubt, he lifts his hand to heaven, and exclaims, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.”
This makes more emphatic our mission and work. Every one to whom the light comes should be a light-bearer. The one all-absorbing thought should be the proclamation of the message. Every plan and purpose should be, will be, colored by the faith we have in this message. That which will form the object of our constant contemplation will be this gospel work. Every plan for labor, the arrangement and furnishings of our dwellings, the buying and selling of property, the education of our children, the disposition we make of our money—and in truth every act and plan of life—will be made with direct reference to the light that God has given us—the third and last angel's message.
Every faculty of our mind and body must be given to this work. Our money should be devoted to the same purpose. Our thoughts in the day, and our dreams in the night, must be of this work. “But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none; and they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not; and they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.” 1 Cor. 7:29-31.
