The Review and Herald
March 19, 1901
Help for Our Scandinavian Institutions
In the name of the Lord I appeal again to our people in behalf of our institutions in Scandinavia. These institutions are in peril, and all who can should act their part without delay in delivering them. Let there be a consecrated, united effort to lift these institutions out of the difficulty into which they have fallen. RH March 19, 1901, par. 1
Those who love and serve God should feel the deepest interest in all that concerns the glory of His name. Who could see the institutions where the truth has been magnified, where the Lord has so often revealed His presence, where instruction has been given by the messengers of God, where the truth has been sent forth in publications that have accomplished great good,—who could bear to see these institutions passing into the hands of worldlings, to be used for common, worldly purposes? God would certainly be dishonored if His institutions were allowed to fall into decay for want of the money which He has intrusted to His stewards. Should this happen, men would say that it was because the Lord was not able to prevent it. RH March 19, 1901, par. 2
These things mean much to our brethren and sisters in Scandinavia. They will be sorely tried if their facilities are cut off. Let us make an effort to prevent them from falling into depression and discouragement. RH March 19, 1901, par. 3
Promptness of decision and action is necessary in this work. At the Week of Prayer there should have been a clear understanding of this matter in every church, and with the appeal before them, the people should have given their offerings to the place where holy interests are imperiled. Why is it that our ministers and church-members are not more prompt in their decisions in regard to the subject of the greatest need? When the Lord places before us an appeal to be responded to, just at the time when offerings are to be made by our people, let the ministers and church officers take up the matter earnestly and vigorously. Let them as stewards of God decide what is to be done, and then do it. This is absolutely necessary when our institutions are in so great peril. RH March 19, 1901, par. 4
The embarrassment of the Scandinavian institutions should have been thoroughly understood. Prompt measures should have been taken to relieve these institutions, which are just as sacred in the sight of the Lord as are our institutions in America. The hands of those connected with these institutions should not be weakened because of their embarrassment. RH March 19, 1901, par. 5
Let all who love the Lord now act their part for the relief of these institutions. Do not allow the name of Christ to be reproached. There are those who have little faith, who with some flimsy excuse will try to discourage others from doing anything. It only needs a discouraging word to rouse and strengthen selfishness in the soul. Do not listen to those who would tempt you. Do not begin to censure and condemn. Waive the questions that will arise as to how the difficulty has come about. It is sufficient for us to know that distress has come upon our brethren, in whom we have confidence as the Lord's servants. Do what you can now to help those who need help. Those who do this work with faithfulness will be among the number to whom the Saviour's words apply, “Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.” RH March 19, 1901, par. 6
One part of the ministry of heavenly angels is to visit our world and oversee the work of the Lord which is in the hands of His stewards. In every time of necessity they minister to those who, as co-workers with God, are striving to carry forward His work in the earth. These heavenly intelligences are represented as desiring to look into the plan of redemption, and the angelic hosts rejoice whenever any part of God's work prospers. RH March 19, 1901, par. 7
Angels are interested in the spiritual welfare of all who are seeking to restore the moral image of God in man; and the human family are to connect with the heavenly family in binding up the wounds and bruises that sin has made. Angelic agencies, though invisible, are co-operating with visible human agencies, forming a relief-association with men. The very angels who, when Satan was seeking the supremacy, fought the battle in the heavenly courts, and triumphed on the side of God; the very angels who shouted for joy over the creation of our world, and over the creation of our first parents to inhabit the earth; the angels who witnessed the fall of man and his expulsion from his Eden home,—these very heavenly messengers are most intensely interested to work in union with the fallen, redeemed race for the salvation of human beings perishing in their sins. RH March 19, 1901, par. 8
Human agencies are the hands of heavenly instrumentalities; for heavenly angels employ human hands in practical ministry. Human agencies as hand-helpers are to work out the knowledge and use the facilities of heavenly beings. By uniting with these powers that are omnipotent, we are benefited by their higher education and experience. Thus, as we become partakers of the divine nature, and separate selfishness from our lives, special talents for helping one another are granted us. This is Heaven's way of administering saving power. RH March 19, 1901, par. 9
Is there not something stimulating and inspiring in this thought, that the human agent stands as the visible instrument to confer the blessings of angelic agencies? As we are thus laborers together with God, the work bears the inscription of the divine. The knowledge and activity of the heavenly workers, united with the knowledge and power imparted to human agencies, bring relief to the oppressed and distressed. Our acts of unselfish ministry make us partakers in the success that results from the relief offered. RH March 19, 1901, par. 10
With what joy and delight heaven looks upon these blended influences! All heaven is watching those agencies that are as the hand to work out the purposes of God in the earth, thus doing the will and purpose of God in heaven. Such co-operation accomplishes a work that brings honor and glory and majesty to God. RH March 19, 1901, par. 11
Oh, if all would love as Christ has loved, that perishing men might be saved from ruin, what a change would come to our world! Christ's life was a life of pure benevolence, of disinterested labor. He assumed human nature for no other purpose than to display the glory of God in the happiness of man. To accomplish this He gave His life. All that Christ is, He is to the true believers. All that Christ has, He has for us. We are heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ. How then can we hesitate and draw back when Christ asks for our co-operation in His great work? The Lord is giving us opportunity to manifest our faith and our love for Him by making a sacrifice for the relief of His institutions. RH March 19, 1901, par. 12
My brethren, the Lord is soon to come, and every talent He has intrusted to us is to be returned to Him with usury. He calls upon His people to use for His glory the goods He has lent them. Let those who have means at once return to the Lord His own to help the institutions out of their embarrassment. Let those in responsible positions set a right example. Every noble, Christian instinct in the men in responsible positions should lead them to plan and work with greater earnestness for the relief of our institutions than they would for the saving of their own property. Let all try to do something. Delay not for a day or an hour. Look over your affairs, and see what you can do to co-operate with the Lord in helping His suffering institutions. RH March 19, 1901, par. 13
Let the people of God think of the eternal consequences of rightly employing their property. Let them bring their offerings to the Lord, saying, “Lord, we who have been intrusted with thy goods freely give thee of thine own.” RH March 19, 1901, par. 14
Large sums are needed; but if you can give only a small amount, remember that the Lord will accept your gift. Remember that you are placing this money in the hands of Christ in the person of His afflicted brethren. Thus God regards it. RH March 19, 1901, par. 15
Since God sees fit to delegate angels to minister unto all who are in need of help, we know that if we do our part, these heavenly representatives of omnipotent power will be commissioned to help in this time of special need. I hope and pray that everything which can be done may be done. If all will now do what they can, the difficulty will soon be in the past, no more to harass the cause of God. RH March 19, 1901, par. 16
There is a great work to be done in Europe. The cause of God there is not to become a stone of stumbling or a rock of offense to unbelievers. The institutions there are not to be closed, or given into the hands of those not of our faith. The Lord's servants in Europe are to rally to recover what has been lost, and the Lord will work with them. And I call upon our people in America to co-operate with their brethren in Europe in this effort. RH March 19, 1901, par. 17
We often fail of doing that which the Lord has planned, because we insist on carrying out some whim of our own. I pray that the Lord will fill our hearts with an intense desire to know and to do His will. From unfeigned lips let the prayer go forth, “Let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel.” Let us work with heart and mind and soul. God's purpose will be accomplished if men and women will act their part in His great plan. Let us now be God's helping hand to relieve our institutions in Scandinavia. RH March 19, 1901, par. 18