RECENTLY there was held in Boston, Mass., the triennial general convention of the Episcopal church, at which the Archbishop of Canterbury, who was visiting this country for the first time, was present. A feature of this convention was a plea for closer union with the Church of Rome, made by Rt. Rev. William Doane, bishop of Albany. “If we can only find the place where the ways parted,” said Bishop Doane, “it is not impossible to find the place where we shall meet again.”
It ought not to be difficult to find the place where the ways of Romanism and of Protestantism separated, if that is what the bishop has in mind; and the Church of Rome would doubtless be quite ready for a reunion with the Protestant bodies at that point. Such a reunion would involve no change on the part of Rome; while on the part of Protestants, however, a return to the parting of the ways would involve the surrender of the cardinal Christian doctrine of justification by faith.
Bishop Doane saw no objection to such a degree of oneness with Rome as would involve a recognition by Episcopalians of the primacy, though not the supremacy, of the Roman see. “It is easy to acknowledge a primacy,” he said, “because of the antiquity of the Roman see, and because of its splendid service in the early days.” The question of the union of the church with her divine head, Jesus Christ, which is of far greater moment than any problem of uniting church bodies can be, seems not to have received any of the bishop’s thought. Yet this is the real and only problem of church unity, from the Christian standpoint. If there is union with Christ, no other union is necessary; two individuals who are united with Christ must necessarily be in union with each other. And if union with Christ is lacking, no other union is of any consequence.
Church legislation, which was considered at the convention, embraced a proposition to change the name of the church, omitting from it the word “Protestant.” Such a change of name might be consistent at this time, if nothing more.
Such incidents are straws showing which way the religious wind is blowing.
Note and Comment
The thirteenth session of the Universal Peace Congress closed in Boston, October 8, an unusually large amount of business having been transacted. A carefully prepared paper on the economic causes of war was read at the session, stating that formerly the chief cause of war was the desire for plunder, and that now the chief cause is the desire for expanded markets. During the year since the last congress, ten arbitration treaties have been signed, but as yet no such treaty has the signature of the United States. The congress refused to express disapproval of the large and growing navy of the United States. A resolution was indorsed providing for a regular international peace congress, which is spoken of as being, “perhaps, a first step toward the political organization of the world as one body.”
Quiet Atheism in Popular Fiction
By L. A. S.
The “quiet atheism” of recent works by prominent writers of fiction, is a subject of comment by a London journal, the British Weekly. Four of the “best-selling novels of the day” in England, are described as having this characteristic. If the four novelists who wrote these works “are truly describing the English life of to-day,” the Weekly says, “then Christianity has disappeared from our country.” The four writers to whom the Weekly refers are Mr. Anthony Hope, Mr. Barry Pain, Mr. Seton Merriman, and Mr. Jerome K. Jerome. Of the absence of religion in their latest works the Weekly says:—
Mr. Hope has much to say of men and women in the greatest tribulation, deceived and deceiving, sinning and suffering, driven through anguish even to despair. But he never suggests that Christianity came once into their minds. They never pray, they never think of God, they do not fear God, or love God, or repent before God. They do not seem to know that a God exists. . . . Mr. Pain’s assumption appears to be that religion . . . is, though not a hypocrisy, an absurd delusion. Mr. Seton Merriman, whose moral tone was quite very high, never once suggests the action of Christian forces. He could draw noble men and noble women, chivalrous, honorable, brave, sincere, faithful unto death. But they were never re-enforced, so far as we can remember, by supernal powers, nor did they ever need such reinforcement. The atmosphere is purely pagan, though the paganism is of the loftiest and most heroic type. In Mr. Jerome’s book his sky is low and the heroism near, though within the limits there is much kindness and good fellowship.
The decadence of religious faith is characteristic of the times, and the popular literature of the day is one of the principal channels through which this decadence is spreading. To some it appears that Christianity is soon to be wholly lost. But the Bible student knows that this condition of things was foreseen and foretold by him who views the end from the beginning. “When the Son of man cometh shall he find faith on the earth?” When atheism seems about to triumph, then the Son of man will come, and in the end the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. L. A. S.
A Call to Service
By Ellen G. White
MRS. E. G. WHITE
We are living in the very last days of this earth's history. All the signs that our Saviour predicted would herald his second advent are being fulfilled. We must earnestly continue laboring until the work given us to do is finished. As we see and sense the perils of the last days, and as the powers of darkness press more heavily than ever upon us, should not we, as Bible believers, do our very best work?
We see before us a special work to be done in the time when the whole earth shall be filled with the light and the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. The prophecies in the eighteenth of Revelation will soon be fulfilled. During the proclamation of the third angel's message, “another angel” is to “come down from heaven, having great power;” and the earth is to be “lightened with the glory.” The Spirit of the Lord will so graciously and universally bless consecrated human instrumentalities, that men, women, and children will open their lips in praise and testimony, filling the earth with the knowledge of God, and with his unsurpassed glory, as the waters cover the sea.
The proclamation of the gospel is the only means by which God can employ human beings as his instrumentalities for the salvation of souls. As men, women, and children proclaim the gospel, the Lord will open the eyes of the blind to see his statutes, and will write his law upon the hearts of the truly penitent. To my brethren and sisters I am bidden to say: Let the work of proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ be directed and made efficient by the agency of the Holy Spirit. Let not one believer, in the day of trial and proving that has already begun, listen to the devising of the enemy. The animating Spirit of God, working through human agencies, leads the believers to be of one mind, one soul, unitedly loving God and keeping his commandments,—preparing here below for translation.
If the families around you are opposed to the truth, strive to lead them to yield to the claims of Christ. Work patiently, wisely, considerately, winning your way by tender ministry of love. Present the truth in such a way that it will be seen in all its beauty, exerting an influence that can not be resisted. Thus the walls of prejudice will be broken down.
If this work were faithfully done, if fathers and mothers would work for the members of their own families, and then for those around them, uplifting Christ by a godly life, thousands of souls would be saved. When God's people are truly converted, when they realize the obligation resting on them to labor for those within their reach, when they leave no means untried to rescue sinners from the power of the enemy, the reproach will be removed from our churches.
Do we realize how large a number in the world are watching our movements? From quarters where we least expect it, will come voices urging us forward in the work of giving to the world the last message of mercy. Ministers and people, wake up! Be quick to recognize and seize every opportunity and advantage offered in the turning of the wheel of providence. God and Christ and the heavenly angels are working with intense activity to hold in check the fierceness of Satan's wrath, that God's plans may not be thwarted. God lives and reigns. He is conducting the affairs of the universe. Let his soldiers move forward to victory. Let there be perfect unity in their ranks. Let them press the battle to the gates. As a mighty Conqueror, the Lord will work for them.
Let the gospel message ring through our churches, summoning them to universal action. Let the members of the church have increased faith, gaining zeal from their unseen, heavenly allies, from a knowledge of their exhaustless resources, from the greatness of the enterprise in which they are engaged, and from the power of their Leader. Those who place themselves under God's control, to be led and guided by him, will catch the steady tread of the events ordained by him to take place. Inspired with the Spirit of him who gave his life for the life of the world, they will no longer stand still in impotency, pointing to what they can not do. Putting on the armor of heaven, they will go forth to the warfare, willing to do and dare for God, knowing that his omnipotence will supply their need.
The Winter Missionary Campaign for 1904
By Arthur G. Daniells
A. G. DANIELLS
Our brethren and sisters who are reading our papers are aware that for weeks preparations have been in progress for a long, vigorous, successful missionary campaign during the coming winter.
A winter missionary campaign by Seventh-day Adventists is a happy idea. It is consistent with our profession. It is an economical, efficient plan for doing a great and good work for our fellow men. It is practicable, and easy to be carried out.
The winter missionary campaign is designed to give every believer in the third angel's message an opportunity to do something to give that message to some one else. Its fullest aim is to place the light of this message in every home in the United States.
This is to be done chiefly by the distribution of our literature. Every preparation possible has been made by earnest, practical men to aid our people to sell, loan, and give our papers, tracts, and books to all the people of this country this winter.
This literature sets forth the truth of the gospel as it has been made known to us in the third angel's message. Every phase of gospel truth is brought out in various papers, tracts, pamphlets, and books. Without the slightest difficulty a selection can be made to meet any error we may want to correct.
The work is so simplified by the variety, character, and expense of the publications that every one can do something. During the month of November a general effort will be made with our papers. Special numbers of The Signs of the Times, The Southern Watchman, and Life and Health will be issued for the work during that month. Every one can exercise his personal choice as to which of these papers he will use, or whether he will work with all of them.
Our work with these papers need not, and should not, close with the month of November; but it is planned that strong, earnest, universal efforts shall be made during the whole month with these papers.
Following November, tract work and book selling should be taken up. Tracts telling about the coming of the Lord, the meaning of what is taking place around us, the evils of religious legislation, etc., should be scattered over this land like the falling leaves of the forests. Thousands of our people should spend December selling “Christ's Object Lessons” and “Story of Joseph” in behalf of our schools and the colored work. Thousands more should devote the whole winter to the sale of our trade and subscription books.
This, dear brethren and sisters, is, in brief, the aim and the practical meaning of the winter missionary campaign. Its full meaning can not be summed up. The judgment alone will reveal the full results. But we can here and now see enough in this to thrill our hearts and9lead us to intense and prolonged effort.
This Sabbath, October 29, has been set apart as a missionary convention day. A full statement of the general plans of work will be found on the second page of the REVIEW dated September 29. This is a work that calls most earnestly to every conference officer, minister, and church elder in our ranks. Brethren, will you take hold of this work, and lead the hosts of the Lord in blessed service this winter?
In connection with this missionary convention, it should be decided by every church member what papers he will work with during the month, and immediate steps should be taken to secure a full supply to work with. In order to get in a full month's work, earlier arrangements should be made for material. Good leadership in our churches is needed at this time for large, effective service. Where does this responsibility of leadership rest if not with our ministers and church elders?
“Ministers and people, wake up! Be quick to recognize and seize every opportunity and advantage offered in the turning of the wheel of providence. . . . Let the gospel message ring through our churches, summoning them to universal action.”
Brethren and sisters, let us heed God's call to service. A mighty Niagara of human beings is pouring over the falls down into perdition every day that comes and goes. This terrible stream will not cease to flow until Jesus comes. He can not come until this gospel of the kingdom, revealed in the message given to us, has been preached in all the world. And that can be done only by the people whom God has been pleased to make his representatives in the earth.
“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.” — Unpublished Testimony, dated Jan. 10, 1904.
Shall not every believer in this message answer this call from the universe?
Opportunities to Work for God
WE shall not need to go far to find the opportunity to work for God.
Convention Program
By W. A. Spicer
THE readings for the missionary convention, Sabbath, October 29, are printed herewith. Where no outline program is suggested in local conference plans, leaders in the churches will readily shape the services according to circumstances, to make the occasion most profitable. Various readers might be appointed to read, rather than have one person present all the matter. Certainly the readings should be followed by a very practical consecration service. Where the time can be given to the convention, it might be profitable to give a few minutes after each reading to open discussion or testimonies on the subject of the reading. Let us make the service bright, spiritual, and very practical.
We shall be glad to have the brethren and sisters send in short, pointed notes of missionary experience or helpful suggestions, for use in these columns during the winter campaign. Such reports will encourage the workers, and suggest ways of service.
W. A. SPICER,
Secretary.
Some of the Best Ways to Use Periodicals and Tracts
Work With Our Papers
Of his work in New York City, Brother George A. King, our veteran book and periodical solicitor, says:—
“I call at every door and leave a copy of the Signs, telling the people that it is a sample copy, and is free. A week later I call with another, and if possible secure the orders of those who are interested. I arrange to call later upon those who have not decided about subscribing. The work of following up those who are interested, but have not yet subscribed, then becomes a natural matter. I emphasize the fact that this paper contains that which the newspapers leave out; that instead of stories, crimes, and advertisements, this paper deals with righteousness, Bible thought and study, with the evidence of divine revelation, and the fulfilment of the Scriptures occurring about us on every hand. I keep before the people the great fact that it is the best all-round religious paper in the world. Many subscribe without any canvass at all. In old colonial times the publishers gave the people copies of their papers, and invited them to subscribe, and they did. It can be done to-day.”
Brother King makes a business of securing yearly subscriptions. He rarely accepts anything else. In a letter, accompanying the preceding suggestions, and with reference to this fall campaign, he says:—
“Be sure you make a strong pull through the whole nation for yearly subscriptions.”
Dedication of Profits to Missionary Work
Many of our workers have found that the dedication of profits on the sale of a publication to some good missionary enterprise has been very helpful. The minds of thousands of our readers will at once turn to their experience with “Christ’s Object Lessons,” but the same principle may be applied to other publications as well. Brother Jasper Wayne, of Iowa, has applied it to the circulation of our periodicals, with the following result:—
“In the last six months I have received over seventy dollars net on four hundred copies of the Capital and Labor Signs of the Times. This profit, which goes to foreign missions, has been collected from those outside our own faith, and was given cheerfully on the presentation of the needs of the cause. This is the way I presented the matter to the people:—
“Mr. A, I am carrying on a missionary enterprise, and wish to invite you to take part with me. Doors are now open for us in the fields beyond, which we wish to enter at once. The entire net proceeds of the paper I am selling go to this fund. I am sure you will not only be interested in this missionary enterprise, but in the paper itself. (I then proceed to show the paper, with a silent prayer for success.) Now Mr. A, I wish to interest you in this enterprise to the extent of not less than twenty-five cents. We have the men and women who are willing to sacrifice their lives in this blessed work, and we lack means for their support; therefore, we are willing to divide the blessing with you.”
“This plan not only brings the twenty-five cents, but often more. It also brings a ray of light and life into the heart that will not soon fade away. Brethren and sisters, here is indeed a golden opportunity, a threefold blessing; for the people need the message the paper contains, the foreign missions need the money, and we need the experience.”
In a private talk with Brother Wayne, he informed us that he is planning to use the special third angel’s message series of the Signs, as follows: He will take the first number and canvass the people, stating that there will be a series of four. He will make the same statement concerning the need of mission fields, and will ask for fifty cents for the series. He will then either deliver the four papers or have them sent from the office. In both cases he will, at the conclusion of the series, again visit the people in the interests of a year’s subscription.
The Personal Delivery Plan
The personal delivery plan of circulating papers is certainly the most effective way of developing an interest; for it gives the worker a weekly opportunity of learning how the truths which the paper contains are being received. The way this plan is worked up is as follows:—
A regular canvass of the individual is first made, with the request for a trial subscription for one month, or for three months. The worker then explains to his customer that these papers will be delivered personally each week. The very promise of a true missionary call each week is often sufficient to secure the order, even though the customer may not be so much impressed with the value of the paper. Therefore, how important it is that the worker should go with just the right preparation from above.
A Suggestion to Inexperienced Workers
You will find the gift of a tract on the general subject of the paper for which you are working a very helpful way of introducing yourself and entering homes. When the customer comes to the door, state that you are working in the interests of religious literature, a portion of which is free. The door will then usually open, and you will be given opportunity to tell about your paper. The gift of the tract establishes you at once in the mind of your customer as a missionary. Try it.
Experiences with Tracts
“As a general thing, I find tracts particularly good in following up an interest already awakened,—for example, at the close of a meeting or Bible study, or in connection with a conversation or letter,—but I have also found that properly selected tracts may be lent one at a time in a very profitable manner. The way we have done this is as follows:—
“We present the matter to the church and ask for volunteers, assign territory to each, and supply him with a sufficient number of the first tract in the series to cover his territory. We then begin work, leaving a tract in each home where a family cares to read, with the promise that we will call the next week for it, at which time we will lend them a second. This work should be followed up with Bible readings, or at least with an earnest effort to secure subscriptions for our missionary periodicals. The tracts we have used have been on such subjects as ‘Signs of the Times,’ ‘Coming of the Lord,’ and ‘The Messages.’ GEO. W. PETTIT, Asst. Mission. Sec., Pac. Union Conf.”
Our Young People; Their Privileges and Responsibilities
By M. E. Kern
M. E. KERN
A Call to the Young
The little child naturally desires to help its parents. Perhaps all can remember the joy that came to them when they were first permitted to help father or mother in their work. And the very help that was rendered cultivated and strengthened the love for parents. So in the church; it is a joy to know that the Saviour will not only permit us to help him in the sacred work of soul winning, but that he desires our help. Read 1 Cor. 3:9; Mark 13:34; John 17:18.
With what joy, then, shall our young people hear this message, which has been sent to them: “There are many Christian youth that can do a good work if they will learn lessons in the school of Christ from the Great Teacher.” “We have an army of youth,” we have further been told, “who can do,” not a little, but “much,” with proper direction and encouragement. Our young people must be encouraged to take up this work; for, as it is with the child in the home, so is it with the children in the church—if they are not encouraged and permitted to work when young, work is likely ever after to be regarded as drudgery.
An Important Time
The great conflict between good and evil has been going on for ages. Jesus has given his life a ransom for the souls of men. He sits to-day at the right hand of God, mediating in behalf of sinners. But the work will soon close. Soon Jesus will come, and all the holy angels with him, to reap the harvest of the earth. In the time of this closing work all heaven is astir. The message of the soon-coming Saviour is going to the world. The angel of mercy still lingers until every soul has made its decision. “There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth” (Luke 15:10), and the inhabitants of other worlds rejoice at the tidings of a ransomed soul.
What a grand privilege to live in this time, and have a part with Jesus in his work!
“We are living, we are dwelling,
In a grand and awful time;
In an age on ages telling—
To be living is sublime.”
True Success
There is in the heart of every young man and woman a desire to be successful in life. To succeed one must have a definite purpose, and the character of that purpose will determine the character of the success. The highest aim, the noblest purpose, ever set before the youth is presented to the young people of Seventh-day Adventists to-day. It is, as we are told by the spirit of prophecy: “The heaven-appointed purpose of giving the gospel to the world in this generation.” (See “Education,” page 262.) The cause of God to-day needs the strength and energy and tender sympathies of our young people. With the fresh vigor and enthusiasm of youth, with the adaptability to labor under varied circumstances, they are especially fitted to carry this message to all the earth. The world, too, is bidding for our young people; but shall we not turn our backs upon its enticements, and devote ourselves to the work in which God and the angels are interested—the only work that can bring true success? Not only the salvation of others, but our own salvation depends upon it.
A Training for Heaven
Have you sometimes asked yourselves, dear young people, why you are so weak spiritually, and why you do not make more rapid advancement? Listen to the answer, in this quotation from “The Desire of Ages,” page 640: “It is because this work is neglected that so many young disciples never advance beyond the mere alphabet of Christian experience. The light which was glowing in their own hearts when Jesus spoke to them, ‘Thy sins be forgiven thee,’ they might have kept alive by helping those in need. The restless energy that is so often a source of danger to the young might be directed into channels through which it would flow out in streams of blessing.” “The law of service is the connecting link which binds us to God,” and “those who reject the privilege of fellowship with Christ in service, reject the only training that imparts a fitness for participation with him in his glory.” (See “Christ’s Object Lessons,” page 324; and “Education,” page 264.) Do you realize that the essence of heaven’s joy is the spirit of self-sacrificing love? If you have been rescued from the power of sin, can you be content to do nothing to rescue others? Would you be happy to live with Jesus, who will ever bear the marks of his sacrifice for us, and not have done something to help him rescue the perishing? Do you realize that to reject the responsibility of laboring for souls is to miss the final reward?
A Definite Call
The Lord has made a definite call to the young people of Seventh-day Adventists to enlist in the work. “Young men and young women, can not you form companies, and, as soldiers of Christ, enlist in the work, putting all your tact and skill and talent into the Master’s service, that you may save souls from ruin?” “Who of our youth will give themselves to God for the purpose of laboring for the salvation of their fellow youth?” —Mrs. E. G. White, in Signs of the Times, May 29, 1893.
Who will respond to the call? It will mean a radical change for many of our young people. But instead of planning how much we can get out of life for ourselves, we should plan how much we can put into life,—how much of service, how much of bringing to others the joy of salvation.
Example Before Us
When Jesus was only twelve years old, he said, “I must be about my Father’s business.” “From his earliest years he was possessed of one purpose, he lived to bless others.” —“Desire of Ages,” page 71. It was his meat and drink to do his Father’s will, and to finish his work. John 4:34. Joseph in Egypt and Daniel in Babylon are examples of what God can do through young men. He wants to show to the world in this time what he can do through young men and women who are wholly consecrated to his service. Let our young people adopt the motto of William Carey, “Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God.” Let them make it the great business of their lives to work for souls. “I should have told him to mind his own business,” said a gentleman to his wife, when she told him that a man of God had spoken to her about her soul. “If you had heard him speak,” was the reply, “you would have thought that it was his business.” If we devote our lives to this work, God will make us to understand our business, and will give us success.
Conclusion
What are the privileges and responsibilities of the great army of Seventh-day Adventist young people? They have the most exalted privilege of being soul winners in this closing work of God on earth; and God has placed upon them this burden and responsibility.
And there are opportunities for service everywhere. This great missionary campaign affords a special opportunity for work. “Go to work whether you feel like it or not.” Put away your fearfulness, and make a beginning, and you shall know the joy of service.
Let parents encourage their children to work, for only in this way can they be fitted for heaven. In “Education,” pages 270, 271, we read: “With such preparation as they can gain, thousands upon thousands of the youth and those older in years should be giving themselves to this work. Already many hearts are responding to the call of the Master Worker, and their numbers will increase. . . . With such an army of workers as our youth, rightly trained, might furnish, how soon the message of a crucified, risen, and soon-coming Saviour might be carried to the whole world!”
“Have you found the heavenly light,
Pass it on;
Souls are groping in the night,
Daylight gone.
Hold thy lighted lamp on high,
Be a star in some one’s sky;
He may live who else would die,
Pass it on.”
“Be not selfish in thy greed,
Pass it on;
Look upon thy brother’s need,
Pass it on.
Live for self, you live in vain;
Live for Christ, you live again;
Live for him, with him you reign.
Pass it on.”
In Closer Touch with Foreign Fields
By A. T. Robinson
A. T. ROBINSON
During the camp-meeting at Omaha, September 1-14, and the ten days’ General Conference Council which followed at College View, nothing was more stimulating to the hearts of the people than were the talks of the brethren from foreign fields. Elder Conradi told us how the truth is going forward in the European General Conference, which embraces one third of the world’s population. In this field, with one ordained minister to each seven or eight million, three thousand souls have accepted present truth during the past two years. Elder Conradi told us that at some of their general meetings, people of twenty-one different languages praised God for the light of the third angel’s message.
Brother John Lipke spoke of the work in Brazil, South America, and Brother W. H. Anderson, who has spent eight years in the Matabele Mission, related stirring incidents connected with the work there.
Our conference [Neb.] voted to place at the disposal of the Mission Board, to be called to the work in foreign fields, five of our laborers. The conference also instructed its executive committee to appropriate quarterly an amount sufficient to cover the salary of such laborers as may be working in some foreign field.
This is a glorious move, and will bring joy to the hearts of our people. Brethren and sisters, when sending in your tithe, remember that quite a substantial portion will be passed along to pay the salaries of such of our workers as shall be called to other fields. Let us all pray that the Lord may move upon such of our workers as he would have go into the great unworked part of the Master’s vineyard, that his blessing may so attend the work, both at home and abroad, that when we shall again meet in annual conference, we may not only rejoice in what shall have been done, but be in a position to send additional workers abroad another year. We can never take any backward steps in this work. Those who do so are sure to be left behind while the great message of salvation moves grandly forward until the world shall be prepared for the coming of our King.
At a meeting of the newly elected conference executive committee, it was voted that for each laborer selected from our conference to labor in fields beyond our borders, an appropriation of one hundred dollars from our surplus fund be placed at the disposal of the General Conference, to be used for transportation expenses of such laborers.
Spread of the Message to the Pacific Coast
By J. O. CORLISS
Experiences of Former Days— No. 13
Spread of the Message to the Pacific Coast
J. O. CORLISS
DURING most of the year 1868 Elder White remained at his home, near Greenville, Mich., and completed the story of his early labors in the advent message, which was issued in the autumn in book form, under the title of “Life Incidents.” During the preceding winter, while this book was being prepared, Elder J. N. Andrews spent much time at the White homestead, discussing with Brother and Sister White ways and means by which to hasten the pace of the message.
In the meantime, as though Providence had ordered affairs, Dr. M. G. Kellogg arrived from California, and remained several weeks. During his stay he pleaded earnestly that something be done to proclaim the message on the Pacific Coast, on the ground that everything was then ripe for its introduction there. His visit to the East on that occasion was at the instance of a mere handful of Sabbath-keepers residing in San Francisco, who, having heard that the General Conference would meet in Battle Creek early that year, had induced Brother Kellogg to take what was then that long journey to Michigan, to plead their necessities.
When the conference convened in May of that year, the leading brethren were all agreed that the time had come to send the truth to California. The only question which seemed hard to settle was as to who ought to go to that distant field. Ministers were scarce, and the territory of the Middle West was an inviting one, having then been worked only in a desultory way. Many attractive fields were near at hand, and the problem of providing more distant parts with laborers was an entirely new one. And yet, strange as it may now seem, our people in general then believed that time was about to close.
So anxious were those who had the matter in hand that no mistake be made, that no one ventured to suggest the names of those who ought to go. Not even was a “distributing” committee appointed. Matters seemed to rest, indeed, for several days, awaiting developments. Finally when the question was asked as to who had been called of God to undertake the mission, Elder J. N. Loughborough acknowledged that his mind had been greatly exercised in that direction, because of realistic dreams which had followed him for several nights. After this the matter was soon settled by a vote to send him and Elder D. T. Bourdeau to the Pacific slope as soon as the necessary arrangements could be completed.
Everything being in readiness, these brethren left New York, June 24, going via the Isthmus of Panama, and landed in San Francisco on July 19. Arrangements were quickly made for setting up their tent in Petaluma, and meetings began August 13. So great was the interest in the message in that vicinity, that at that series of meetings, and the one which followed it, three hundred dollars' worth of publications was sold.
To many, the opening of the Pacific Coast Mission was the beginning of the end. Some said that surely time could not last much longer, now that the message had gone so far abroad. One result of this sentiment was very marked, — money and goods were freely given to hasten the Lord’s work in the earth, and few were found who were laying up treasure on earth.
Looking back to that time, it seems almost inexplicable that people did not then see the broad stretch of missionary ground to be covered before the Master could possibly return to earth to gather its final harvest. But without doubt their judgments were clouded by the thought that the United States having so many foreign-born dwellers, the reception of the truth in this country would affect all the countries of the world, by its alien element sending the message in writing to their native lands.
But as time went on, this idea was quite thoroughly dispelled. To meet the theories of those who based the time of the Lord’s coming by the march of events about Constantinople, Elder White would frequently say, during the last few years of his life: “We are not to determine the nearness of the Lord’s coming so much by the trend of the Eastern question, as by the progress of the third angel’s message in the earth. Watch the growth of the message, brethren.”
This is sound sentiment for to-day as well. When the contributions of men and means toward mission enterprises shall have given the message to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, then and not till then, may we expect the12Master’s return. But if the people were so disposed, this could be accomplished in an incredibly short time. May the event rapidly hasten.
— Washington Gladden
By Washington Gladden
Consolation
In the bitter waves of woe,
Beaten and tossed about
By the sullen winds that blow
From the desolate shores of doubt,
Where the anchors that faith has cast
Are dragging in the gale,
I am quietly holding fast
To the things that can not fail.
*I know that right is right,
That it is not good to lie;
That love is better than spite,
And a neighbor than a spy;*
I know that passion needs
The leash of a sober mind;
I know that generous deeds
Some sure reward shall find;
That the rulers must obey,
That the givers shall increase;
That duty lights the way
For the beautiful feet of peace;
In the darkest night of the year,
When the stars have all gone out,
That courage is better than fear,
That faith is better than doubt.
*And fierce though the fiends may fight,
And long though the angels hide,
I know that truth and right
Have the universe on their side.*