Manuscripts and Memories of Minneapolis

THE PRESENT CRISIS

The closing work of the gospel is one in which all heaven is interested. The third angel’s message will be more extensive, and will accomplish in the world what no other special message has ever accomplished. It is not only to be prophesied before the kings and potentates of earth, but it is to go to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people. Revelation 10:11; 14:6. “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15), was the divine commission of our Lord and Saviour. The earth is to be enlightened with its glory (Revelation 18:1); but this work of carrying the gospel to every creature has been committed to God’s people. The different organizations among Seventh-day Adventists which relate to publishing, preaching, canvassing, etc., are all designed solely to bring about this end. It is necessary that our people be aroused to the interests of the cause, and be prepared for every emergency. God’s providence has truly gone before us, and prepared the way for the truth in a remarkable manner. He has revealed to us by the light of his prophetic word what is coming upon the earth; and oftentimes most important opportunities are presented to us. If these are seized upon, great victories are gained. These are crises in the work of God; as with two contending armies, a great victory is gained by a decided move at the right time, or lost by a failure to appreciate the situation, resulting in delay. Such experiences have been common in the history of this work, and they will grow more important and more frequent as we near the end. MMM 399.11

There was a time during the late civil war when our brethren were being drafted and sent into the army. Eld. J. N. Andrews went to Washington in behalf of our people, but failed to secure the relief desired. There was no remedy from the Government, and, as a last resort, after leaving no means untried, a season of fasting and prayer was entered upon by our people. God heard their prayers, and in a few weeks our people were delivered. But what confidence could we have had that God would hear our prayers, if we had not at first done all we could? Before us at the present time is one of the greatest dangers that our people have ever experienced. For many years we have looked forward to the time when the Constitution of this Government would be so changed as to sanction the enforcement of the observance of the first day of the week. This movement means a national religion; it also means that our free public labors will come to an end; our liberty as Sabbath-keepers be taken from us; and in connection with this will come the close of probation and the time of trouble. But there is a great work to be accomplished, in giving the truth to the world; and if we neglect to do this work in a time of peace and under favorable circumstances, we shall be obliged to do it under the most trying circumstances in which we have ever yet been placed. God will have the people warned, and this work of warning he has committed to his people. There are thousands of conscientious, God fearing people who have no knowledge of the light which God has committed to us. If these do not have the light presented to them by those to whom God has committed it, when we can do so under favorable circumstances, we must then bear testimony in courts and prisons, and it may be by instruments of torture. MMM 399.12

Those who have carefully read what is called the “Blair Bill,” which is now before Congress, cannot fail to see in that bill the Sunday question; and yet there are thousands of people who have no knowledge of the real nature of this question. Were this bill to pass, and the law be enforced, we should in a very short time find ourselves involved in difficulties far greater than any of us have ever imagined. Are we prepared as a people to enter upon this trying time? Would we rather confess the truth then than now? Would we not much prefer to do that work as we are now situated, than under the circumstances which will exist at that time? If we are prompt and decided in our efforts to place the light of the nature of this bill before the people, and seek God with all our hearts, he may grant us a lengthening of our tranquillity, and we thus gain an experience that will better prepare us for the trying scenes when they do come. It would be true wisdom for us to take advantage of the present opportunity, and place before the people the light, as far as it lies in our power. We cannot believe that our brethren will let pass this opportunity of helping our situation as a people, by refusing to respond to the present call. MMM 399.13

It is in view of enlightening the people on the nature of the Constitutional Amendment and such legislation as is contained in the Blair Sunday-bill, as it can be enforced under the proposed religious amendment to the Constitution, that the American Sentinel has been published. It is not, nor has it been, the object of the paper to make ourselves as a denomination in any way prominent, but to present those principles which, when once received, will prepare hearts to appreciate our position when we are brought into notice by the Government. It reaches a class of people who cannot at present be reached by the peculiar features of our faith. Already, it has made friends with some of the legal profession, who have become favorable to our views of the fulfillment of prophecy, which they before considered as imaginary and fanciful. It is utterly impossible, and inconsistent with the nature of the case, to think that the men of the world, whose minds are absorbed with the political issues of the day, will consider the peculiar features of our faith from a denominational stand point. What we mean is, that those peculiar features of our faith which are distinctly denominational would not be acceptable to them; but there are portions of the truth involving a political question in which they are interested. It requires but a moment’s consideration for any thinking mind to see that when a national religion is formed, the liberty of the people is taken away. This point they can appreciate, and having seen this point and its bearings, and having become acquainted with it through the people who will be brought into straight places when such a time comes, they will be prepared to defend the principles, and in the final crisis many will cast their lot upon the side of truth. MMM 399.14

There has been a special edition of the American Sentinel prepared, and sent to our tract society secretaries throughout the country. The design of this is that they, with the officers, should at once place it in the hands of the people. It unmasks the question now before Congress; it shows its nature, and also vividly brings to view the object of the National Reform party, in uniting with the Prohibition party, and in laboring to secure as universal an interest as it can. There is no better time to present this to the people than when their minds are sharpened by the political contest. They are then prepared to read anything that has a bearing upon the political issues of the day. We do not ask our brethren to go to the polls and vote; neither do we advise them to enter into any political discussion nor even religious controversy with people; but simply to hand them the paper, stating that the nature of it is to unmask the real state of things that will exist if certain points are carried, which are now before Congress. In so doing, even the enforcement of Sunday should not be mentioned, but simply the fact that the rights of American citizens are involved in some of the political questions. Let the American Sentinel itself make its impression on the minds of the people. Let the truths it contains affect the hearts of the people, without any party spirit. This will be as God would have it. Should we present the matter ourselves, and argue the case, showing the position in which we, as a people, should be placed, were the bill to carry, it would probably close the ears of many; but if they can be led to see the political bearing of the question, and that their own liberty as American citizens is in danger, many will be aroused to think for themselves. MMM 399.15

It is a false idea which is sometimes entertained, that we must give to the people all the truth at once. The language of our Saviour to the first twelve as he sent them out, “Be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves” is applicable to us. If the Saviour, after three and a half years with the [End of Selection.] MMM 399.16

The Review and Herald

“Sanctify them through Thy Truth; Thy Word is Truth.”
Battle Creek Mich., October 23, 1888
URIAH SMITH. Editor.
L. A. SMITH. Assistant Editor.
GEO. I. BUTLER.
S. N. HASKELL. Corresponding Editors. MMM 400.1