General Conference Bulletin, vol. 1
THE GOSPEL IN THE REGIONS BEYOND
L. T. NICOLA
[FIRST READING FOR FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27.]
THE gospel “is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.” It knows no country boundaries, no race prejudices, no social distinctions. It is designed alike for Jew and Gentile, for Greek and barbarian, working effectually in him that believeth, regardless of race, color, or previous social environment. God “hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth.” For every individual, gracious provision has been made in the redemptive scheme. Christ died for all, and all are alike precious in his sight. GCB October 1, 1896, page 757.7
The gospel was to be preached not only to all nations, as nations, but to “every creature.” And this is the purpose of God concerning his gospel, not alone in a general sense, but in a specific sense as well. The special phases of the gospel are to go to all men. Great emphasis is placed upon this fact in its bearing upon the closing gospel work - the proclamation of the coming of the Lord, and the setting up of his kingdom. Says our Saviour: “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” The messenger who bears to the world the significant proclamation of the near approach of the judgment of the great day, has for his burden the “everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.” GCB October 1, 1896, page 757.8
This, then, is the field of our operations, and the scope and magnitude of the gospel message for to-day. Very naturally, we are led to consider from time to time the progress it is making, and to determine, if possible, our future relations to its promulgation. These questions it will be the purpose of the following paragraphs to discuss. GCB October 1, 1896, page 758.1
THE PROGRESS OF THE WORK
Since our last week of prayer many bright pages of victory and triumph have been recorded in the history of our missionary operations. As never in the past, the Lord’s presence has attended his work and workers, impressing hearts, and demonstrating that the power promised in the great commission is as potent and effective to-day as ever before in the history of the church. True, all has not been sunshine and apparent blessing. In some instances the seed has been sown in weakness and weariness, and in many cases watered with tears. Threatening clouds have presaged darkness and defeat, and yet, in the darkness and trial not once has perplexity given place to doubt and despair. The work is not of man but of God, and this our missionaries have realized during the past year. That which to man may appear the greatest failure, in God’s providence may become the grandest success. Hence, in the face of adversity and trial, it is for the laborer to sow the seed, leaving with God the final result. GCB October 1, 1896, page 758.2
During the last twelve months every mail has brought words of encouragement from our laborers. In our older mission fields, in South Africa, in Australasia, in Great Britain, in Scandinavia, in Central Europe, and in Germany and Russia, there have been many unmistakable signs showing that the message is gathering power, and coming to occupy in the closing history of the race the position appointed of God. In these mission fields the seed which has been sown in the past is now germinating, and Sabbath-keepers are springing up in almost every city, to testify by their words and lives to the power of the truth for these times. GCB October 1, 1896, page 758.3
No less significant are the evidences of God’s leadings in the newer and pioneer missions. In every country entered, the Spirit of God has preceded our workers, and hearts have been made receptive to the influence of the message. In the islands of Polynesia and the West Indies larger gains than for any preceding year have been reported. In several groups where deep prejudice has existed, unusual interest is manifested, and leading government officials have embraced the truth for these times. GCB October 1, 1896, page 758.4
Before the gospel light in Mexico and Central America, darkness and ignorance are, in a measure, being dispelled; and Catholicism is losing its hold, to give place to a purer worship, and a more enlightened Christianity. Our medical mission in Guadalajara is proving a power for good in its double capacity of ministering both to the souls and bodies of men. It is now sowing the seed, patiently waiting for the future to bring the full fruition of its hopes. But already some of the first-fruits are beginning to appear - a token of the rich harvest to be gleaned in the fulness of coming days. GCB October 1, 1896, page 758.5
In the South American states unusual opposition has been manifested against the message by the religious press, thus showing the prominence our work is gaining. But the Lord, as in the days of the apostles, is causing even the wrath of man to praise him, and in consequence believers are the more being added to our ranks. Two native ministers in Chile, one of them an especially earnest and devoted Christian, have espoused the cause, and are publicly advocating the same before their churches. This agitation is quite unaccountable, since it has not been caused by our efforts. It indicates that God is working even outside of the human agent, in carrying forward the message. Of this our missionaries in Brazil and Argentina have been forcibly impressed as they have found from time to time whole families practising the principles of the message with no knowledge of others who held the same or similar views. GCB October 1, 1896, page 758.6
God’s special leadings have been seen in the work in the great Orient. While but a comparatively small beginning has been made, let us trust that the work in Calcutta may prove a beacon light, penetrating the surrounding darkness, and that sparks from this kindling may become independent fires in other places, lighting the benighted wayfarer to God. When the school for Hindu children was established, it was thought that a government instructor would have to be secured to teach Bengali. But in this God had anticipated our needs, and an estimable young lady, a teacher of both Bengali and Hindustani, was led to accept the truth, and to volunteer her services for the school work. The medical missionary work, already begun on a small scale, is removing Hindu prejudice and breaking down social distinctions and caste barriers. GCB October 1, 1896, page 759.1
In the interior of benighted Africa, laboring for the save and barbarous natives, we have five missionaries. After months of industrious effort, they had succeeded in building them comfortable but rude dwellings, and a little chapel building for school and religious purposes. The rebellion of the Matabeles ruthlessly swept away the labor of their industry, destroying their crops, mutilating their buildings, confiscating their cattle, and causing them to flee for their lives to Buluwayo, the capital of the territory. After months of anxiety spent in that place, besieged the larger part of the time by the blood-thirsty Matabeles, peace has been patched up, and our missionaries have again returned to the scene of their former operations; not to meet smiling, cheerful faces of loved friends, not to enter pleasant homes and beautiful dwelling-houses, but to view in part a scene of desolation, and the destruction of that which they so long and earnestly sought to upbuild. But they have returned with glad and joyful hearts, willing to labor for the master under such difficulties, and rejoicing that they are accounted worthy to suffer for his name. How greatly they need the sympathy and prayers of our people, that the God of all comfort may cheer their hearts in this hour of trial, and strengthen them for what he has for them to do. It would be too early to report any visible results from their labor; and yet we are glad to say that the natives surrounding the mission farm have the utmost confidence in our missionaries, and on their return manifested a deep interest to learn further the ways of right. GCB October 1, 1896, page 759.2
But if our laborers in Matabeleland have been subjected to great danger, those on the Gold Coast are placed in a still more perilous position. True, they have had nothing to fear from man-made weapons, but they have had to meet and combat the deadly influences of the climate on that coast. When it is stated that last year in Cape Coast Castle, the scene of our operations, out of an average of forty white people in the town, thirty-eight succumbed to the deadly diseases incident to that climate, it will be seen under what danger our missionaries are laboring. Two of their number, the little children of Brother and Sister Kerr, have fallen victims to disease; Brother Riggs, to save his life, has been compelled to retire from the field. The others, while suffering at times most seriously, have in mercy been spared. Under the many clouds overshadowing their work, they are pressing on with courage and hope, believing that in God’s providence their suffering of body and travail of soul will result in salvation to some honest hearts from among Africa’s great multitude. GCB October 1, 1896, page 759.3
Thus in every land and clime the work is onward. Our mission stations now nearly encircle the globe. In thirty-one different languages and dialects is the printed page going to earth’s remotest bounds, freighted with the message of God for to-day. The pillar of God’s presence moves before his people. He has “set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea. And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.” GCB October 1, 1896, page 759.4
The gathering call is sounding. Over hill and mountain, through valley and glen, and across plain and prairie, its notes are echoing to-day; and in every nation, and from every walk of life, honest hearts are responding to the invitation. No great demonstration is accompanying the proclamation; but silently and without ostentation the Spirit is gaining an entrance into the hearts of men. Here and there lights are established, the rays of which are penetrating the surrounding gloom. For all that is being accomplished, the glory belongs to God. The instrumentalities he has employed have been weak and worthless, that the praise should be to the glory of his grace and not to the genius or might of man. How great is the privilege to-day of being co-workers in his service. And in his service all may have a part. To every soul he has given talents of intellect, of strength, or of money, to use for him. If the talent is small, so much greater the need to improve it. The work will soon close, and if we would have a part in carrying it forward, we must soon begin. If we sow in tears, we shall reap in joy; and if we partake of Christ’s sufferings and labors in this world, we shall share with him the glory and the joy that come as the reward of right doing. As Christ gave his life for us, so may we in return give our lives and labors of love for the salvation of those who are without his saving grace to-day. F. M. WILCOX. GCB October 1, 1896, page 759.5