The Gospel Herald
September 1, 1908
An Important Offering
“The present is an opportunity we cannot afford to lose. We call upon all our people to help to the utmost of their ability.” GH September 1, 1908, par. 1
“There should be a hundred workers where now there is but one.” GH September 1, 1908, par. 2
“The Lord's treasures are at hand, entrusted to us for just such emergencies.” GH September 1, 1908, par. 3
“The Lord calls upon his people to make offerings of self-denial. Let us give up something that we intended to purchase for personal comfort or pleasure. Let us teach our children to deny self, and become the Lord's helping hands in dispensing his blessings.” GH September 1, 1908, par. 4
“The sums which you give may be small when compared with the necessities of the work,” continues the Testimony, “but be not discouraged. Have faith in God. Hold fast the hand of infinite power, and that which seems hopeless at first will look different. The feeding of the five thousand is an object-lesson for us. He who with five loaves and two small fishes fed five thousand men, besides women and children, can do great things for his people today.” Testimonies for the Church 6:465. GH September 1, 1908, par. 5
“The work there needs means, God has given warnings, but they have not been heeded. Church-members in America who have pleasant homes and surroundings, should remember the Southern field. It is in need of special attention and support.... The work which should have been done in that field has not been done. GH September 1, 1908, par. 6
“Why do you neglect this work? God has made it your duty to deal with this poor, oppressed race as their circumstances demand. Let the work go forward. Encourage the people who are favorably situated to help in this field. GH September 1, 1908, par. 7
“There are men who will tell you that the work in the South has been misrepresented, that it is not so arduous as it is made to appear. Let no one suppose that the Southern field is an easy place to work: for it is the most difficult portion of the Lord's vineyard, and soon it will be even more difficult. The greatest wisdom must be exercised. All connected with the work must be as wise as serpents and as harmless as doves.” GH September 1, 1908, par. 8
“I call upon every church in our land to look well to your own souls. ‘Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?’ God makes no distinction between the North and the South.” GH September 1, 1908, par. 9
“Sin rests upon us as a church because we have not made greater effort for the salvation of souls among the colored people. Let us do what we can to send to this class laborers who will work in Christ's name, who will not fail nor be discouraged. We should educate colored men to be missionaries among their own people. We should recognize talent where it exists among that people, and those who have ability should be placed where they may receive an education. GH September 1, 1908, par. 10
“The converting power of God must work a transformation of character in many who claim to believe the present truth, or they cannot fulfil the purpose of God. They are hearers, but not doers of the Word. Pure, unworldly benevolence will be developed in all who make Christ their personal Saviour. There needs to be far less of self and more of Jesus. The church of Christ is ordained of God that its members shall be representatives of Christ's character. He says, ‘You have given yourselves to me, and I give you to the world. I am the light of the world: I present you to the world as my representatives.’ As Christ in the fullest sense represents the Father, so we are to represent Christ. Let none of those who name the name of Christ be cowards in his cause. For Christ's sake stand as if looking within the open portals of the city of God.” GH September 1, 1908, par. 11
This work “has been touched with only the tip ends of our fingers,” compared with that which must be done, Is it not high time we were taking hold of it in a whole-hearted way, never to let go until the great Master himself says, “It is enough”? GH September 1, 1908, par. 12