The Review and Herald
December 12, 1893
An Appeal for the Australasian Field
(Concluded.)
Angels of God are waiting, desiring with intense desire that those who claim to believe the truth shall become agents through which, by co-operation with them, they shall be able to communicate light to the world. All heaven is interested in the work that is going on in the world, and the angels desire that men shall become channels by which divine grace may flow to those who are famishing for the waters of life. In new and fresh aspects the truth is to be presented through living agencies to those who are in the darkness of error, who are dead in trespasses and sins. God created all things by Christ Jesus, that now unto principalities and powers in heavenly places might be made known by the church the manifold wisdom of God. Wake up, my brethren and sisters, before you sleep the sleep of death. God has shown you that he is willing to do great things for you. The salvation of the human soul is the one object of most intense interest to the heavenly host. The value of the soul is infinitely above silver and gold; and why is it that you who have a knowledge of the truth do not impart it to others? It is the highest duty of every Christian to let the light God has given shine forth in steady rays. Have you been converted from error to truth? Have you, through faith in Jesus Christ, been made partakers of his love? Then go to work to save souls that are ready to perish. Personal effort must be put forth, if men who are lost are to be convinced that they are in need of a Saviour. The work of saving souls is not confined to the delegated ministers. To every man God has given his work. Every soul that has been enlightened has a work to do, a mission to perform. Each one is to trade diligently with the talents intrusted to his care. Converted himself, the Christian is to present to others the truth as it is in Christ Jesus, and win souls to Jesus. RH December 12, 1893, par. 1
The Lord has blessed many of you of late. What reason did you assign for this enlightenment? Did you think that God had blessed you simply that you might sit down and be happy, while others were left to perish for the want of the knowledge and experience that you have obtained through the mercy and forbearance of God? Were you willing to be content and gratified that you had received so rich a blessing? The Holy Spirit was imparted to you in order that you might become agents by which God could communicate that blessing to others. Every true believer is a light that will shine amid the moral darkness of the world. “Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” “Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savor [it will not communicate its saving qualities,] wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.” The religion that does not reveal itself in good works, in true righteousness and goodness, in saving the souls of poor sinners, is of no value in the estimation of God, and it will not save the souls of those who possess it. RH December 12, 1893, par. 2
Soldiers of Christ are now wanted to push the battle to the front. Marshall under the bloodstained banner of Prince Emmanuel, wear his armor, and press the battle to the gate. The gospel of the kingdom of Christ must go into new countries, and enter new provinces. We are laborers together with God. Brethren and sisters, why hover about the churches? Study the parable of the lost sheep, and go forth as true shepherds, seeking the lost one who is in the wilderness of sin. Rescue the perishing. RH December 12, 1893, par. 3
Christians will have the mind of Christ, and be co-workers with him. To every one work has been allotted, and no one else can be a substitute for another. Each one has a mission of wonderful importance, which he cannot neglect or ignore, as the fulfillment of it involves the weal of some soul, and the neglect of it the woe of one for whom Christ died. God has appointed his children to give light to others, and if they fail to do it, and souls are left in the darkness of error because of their failure to do that which they might have done, had they been vitalized by the Holy Spirit, they will be accountable to God. We have been called out of darkness into his marvelous light, in order that we may show forth the praises of Christ. RH December 12, 1893, par. 4
In the Australasian field we not only need ministers, but faithful workers who will do their God-given work in the way he has appointed that it should be done. Who of those who have been so greatly blessed in the outpouring of the Spirit of God, have fallen again into slumber? Arouse, before it is eternally too late. By your slothfulness you are not only imperiling your own souls, but you are endangering the cause of God, since he has given to every man his work. The converting power of God must daily come upon all the churches, that they may stand in the strength of Christ, rooted and grounded in the faith, holding forth the word of life. Do not wait until some one shall lift you up, and take all the burden. Let every soul in the churches consecrate himself to God, and lay all that he has on the altar, going forth by faith into the highways and byways of the world, and in a humble, Christ-like spirit, doing what he can, as he has opportunity, to sow the seeds of truth. Sow beside all waters, presenting the truth as it is in Jesus. By a godly example, by earnest expostulation and entreaties, compel the lost to come in to be prepared for the marriage supper of the Lamb. To neglect the work of saving souls is a great sin; for it is neglecting to save souls for whom Christ died. RH December 12, 1893, par. 5
It is evident that the love of Christ does not warm our own hearts, if we have nothing to say to others of its power, if we do nothing to kindle in the hearts of others the love of God. If Christ abides in the soul, it will not be possible to be indolent and indifferent. The salvation of sinners demands that every Christian shall act his part, and put forth a certain measure of positive power. “Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.” The word must be spoken in season and out of season to those who are beguiled by Satan, and led to do evil things. Satan is working through his agents, and shall the soldiers of Christ exert no positive influence to save souls that are walking in the broad road to death? The voice of invitation and entreaty is to sound, crying, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world!” Let no one wait for the sinner to come to him, asking for counsel and advice. Go forth into the wilderness to seek and to save that which is lost. The most special self-denial is to be practiced, the most earnest effort is to be made to save those who are ready to perish. Imbued with the Spirit of Christ, the true worker will not fail nor be discouraged. RH December 12, 1893, par. 6
Not one who has been made the depositary of truth, will be excused in the day of judgment for the non-employment of his talents, given for the sake of the salvation of souls. In the great day of God every case will appear exactly as it is, and no one will be able, in view of the terrible consequences of the neglect he has been guilty of, to render an excuse; but as the eye of God rests upon him, he will stand condemned and denounced. RH December 12, 1893, par. 7
Wake up, brethren and sisters in our churches, and watch unto prayer. Educate the youth in such a way that they shall understand that it is not possible for them to live a Christian life, and to increase in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and yet not be actively engaged in trading upon the talents that God has given,—diffusing to others the knowledge of the truth. Individually we are to put to use our knowledge of the truth in instructing the ignorant, in enlightening those who are in darkness. We are to seek wisdom of God in all things, and then improve every opportunity that is possible, to make the path of duty plain to others. When each one does the duty that lies nearest him, how sinful will appear the thought of devoting God-given powers to the pursuit of amusements. O what sin and guilt we are living in when not earnestly using every jot of influence we possess to advance the kingdom of Christ in the world. Souls are perishing, and few have any concern about it; but those who are indolent in serving the Master, though they may even be employed in the work, will, through neglect of prayer and watching, neglect all other duties, and lose at last all interest in religious things, and be themselves ready to die, except they repent, and return unto the Lord. Why not meet the expectation of the heavenly intelligences, and “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling?” “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Do all things without murmurings and disputings: that ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither labored in vain.” RH December 12, 1893, par. 8