General Conference Bulletin, vol. 3

THE PEOPLE OF THE WORLD

L. A. HOOPESS. N. HASKELL

“And in that day did the Lord God of Hosts call to weeping, and to mourning, and to baldness, and to girding with sackcloth: and behold joy and gladness, slaying oxen, and killing sheep, eating flesh, and drinking wine: let us eat and drink; for to-morrow we shall die. And it was revealed in mine ears by the Lord of Hosts, Surely this iniquity shall not be purged from you till ye die, saith the Lord God of Hosts.” Isaiah 22:12-14. GCB October 1, 1899, page 87.13

“Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; but ye have set at naught all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; when your fear cometh as a desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirl-wind; when distress and them say, Spare thy people, O Lord, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?” Joel 2:15-17. anguish cometh upon you. Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: for that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord.” Proverbs 1:24-29. GCB October 1, 1899, page 87.14

These words have an application at the present time. The two classes will manifest themselves. Every one of us will take sides in these perilous times. The habits and customs of the world are wrong. God’s people will take an opposite course. GCB October 1, 1899, page 88.1

We are on trial before the heavenly universe, and the course we pursue should be in marked contrast with that of the world. Thousands of dollars are spent each year in pleasure-seeking, feasting, and giving gifts after the customs of the world during the holidays. The scantiness of our gifts and offerings to the cause of Christ, and the feebleness of our efforts in God’s service, mark us as unfaithful stewards. If we were doing the best we could, then we would not be condemned. GCB October 1, 1899, page 88.2

The last years of probation are fast passing into eternity. The day of the Lord is surely but noiselessly and stealthily approaching. We now should use every power of our being to obtain not only a right education ourselves, but impart such an education to our children; and by so doing, sprinkle the lintel of our door-posts with the blood of the Lamb, so the destroying angel will pass by our houses. God calls upon us to arouse and give the message of warning to the world that is asleep and dead in trespasses and sins. He calls for freewill offerings from those whose hearts are in the work, and that feel for souls for whom Christ died. Satan is playing the game of life for the souls of men, and never have his attractions been greater, his efforts more earnest, to take captive the people of God and their children than now. Children are being trained for the wrath of God. Satan is seeking in various ways to obtain the means from God’s people, or to tie it up in some manner, that it may not find its way into the cause of God to save souls at the present hour. Shall we be ignorant of his devices? Shall we not discern the needs of this time? GCB October 1, 1899, page 88.3

Missionaries in foreign fields, in some instances, are in straits for food for their families. The treasury of the Foreign Mission Board is empty, and is thousands of dollars behind at the present time. The offerings during the holidays are one of the principal means of replenishing the treasury. Whatever we receive and enjoy are the blessings of God to us. God is pleased to have his heritage enjoy his goods. But let us not forget to show an appreciation of the blessings we enjoy by investing in and supporting the missionary work which must be done to fulfill the commission Christ gave the disciples: “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature,” “baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” All who are under the blood-stained banner of Prince Immanuel are under obligation to honor the Lord with their substance, with the first-fruits of all their increase. Shall we do it? GCB October 1, 1899, page 88.4

There are only two places in the universe where we can deposit our treasures. The avenues, or rivulets, into these banks are various. Through pleasure-seeking, giving to those who give to us, because they give to us, treasures go into the great store-house of Satan. On the other hand, by gifts, tithes, and offerings to the cause of God, our treasures go into God’s store-house. Let the words of the prophet be brought home to every soul: “Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return? Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee?—In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. Bring ye all the tithes into the store-house, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of Hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of Hosts. And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord of Hosts.” Malachi 3:7-12. GCB October 1, 1899, page 88.5

Here is a most wonderful promise of temporal as well as spiritual blessings. The Lord does not propose to come to this earth and lay down gold and silver to carry forward his work; but he supplies men with these resources, and asks them to return to him a portion he has given to them, with the assurance that he will continue to keep the supply good. And the one purpose above all others set before his people is that these gifts should be used to sustain workers in the harvest-field. By so doing we cooperate with God in the work of saving souls. Then with Christ we are sharers in the reward. “Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” My brethren, it is not the returning to God of his entrusted gifts that make men poor, but it is the withholding of them, it is the hiding of them in the earth, and feeling that it is a burden to impart to others for the salvation of souls for whom Christ died. If men will only become channels, God will supply the means. This he has promised to do. It is by hiding our talent in the earth that we rob ourselves of the increase and the multiplying of the talents. They who put they two and five talents out to usury received four and ten; and to them it was said, “Enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” The increase of talents added joy to Christ, and we become participants of that joy. “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? for ye are our glory and joy.” 1 Thessalonians 2:19, 20. My brethren and sisters, do you think it will pay? GCB October 1, 1899, page 88.6

The heart of God is moved toward those who are longing for a knowledge of the truth, and we his servants are so careless respecting these souls for whom he died. It was for this world that Christ wept in agony, for this world he was crucified. God gave his only begotten Son to save sinners, and he desires us to love others as he has loved us. Those who have had great light and privileges in this much favored land should show their love of souls by letting these rays of light flash on the pathway of others. One soul is of more value to heaven than a whole world of property, houses and lands, or money. If the sacrifice of Christ in coming to this world, all marred by sin, and dying for it, was made to save one soul, it would be the duty of the inhabitants of the earth to sell their possessions in order to secure that soul for eternity. GCB October 1, 1899, page 89.1

The following is from a published Testimony, under “Birthday and Holiday Gifts.” GCB October 1, 1899, page 89.2

“On birthday anniversaries and at the holiday season people are accustomed to make gifts to one another. The thoughts, the interest, and devotion are directed to human beings, while God is forgotten. On birthday occasions the children are taught to expect gifts and attentions for themselves. Too often self-gratification is the lesson given. The mind is turned away from God to self. This is as Satan would have it; but Christ desires to teach us a different lesson. On these occasions he desires that our thoughts shall be turned to God’s great goodness in the work of salvation, and he invites us to unite with him in his mission of sacrifice. For our sakes Christ gave himself to a life of self-denial and poverty. He was without luxuries, without adornment, without houses or lands. He said, ‘Foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.’ He gave himself as a sinless offering, that men might have opportunity to return to God. To-day the heavenly Watcher waits to see who will appreciate this inestimable gift. He is waiting to see who will show their gratitude to him by self-sacrifice for those he died to save.... Upon no occasion let words be written or spoken that will cause the people to think that they are not expected to give to the cause of God. No man in any position has a right to say by pen or voice, ‘We will not call upon you for large offerings this year.’ Thus they encourage others to think they have done all they should do. It will be time enough for us to think this when we can look up to heaven and say, ‘Lord, we have called upon thee so much that we will not ask thee for gifts this year.’ How would human beings live if the blessings of heaven were not constantly flowing to them? God gives constantly that we may give constantly. There is no time when gifts and offerings should not be presented in accordance with the resources which God has provided. The most costly service we can render, the most precious offering we can bring, is but meager when compared with the wonderful gift of God to our world.” GCB October 1, 1899, page 89.3

“Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6. “Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11. To whom is Christ born?—“To you,” “unto us.” Then it is to me. It is to my family, and if I receive him, and make a personal application of this scripture, the promise belongs to me, to my family, to my church, or to the position in which I may be placed. GCB October 1, 1899, page 89.4

Then let your offerings the coming holidays be as you appreciate him. Have you any choice keepsakes? Are they too precious for an offering to Christ? It would be pleasing to God if it were in the heart of every man, woman, and child to be represented in this year’s annual offering. Read 2 Samuel 24:18-25; 1 Chronicles 29:6-17. GCB October 1, 1899, page 90.1

S. N. HASKELL. GCB October 1, 1899, page 90.2