The Review and Herald
January 18, 1912
City Work
I am instructed to bear a message to all who are interested in the proclamation of the truth for these last days. To us has been entrusted enlightening, saving truth, and all about us are multitudes who have never yet been enlightened. To these we must proclaim the life-saving truths of the third angel's message. We are to hunt for souls, laboring with all diligence to communicate to others that which is for their eternal welfare. RH January 18, 1912, par. 1
The unwarned multitudes are fast becoming the sport of the evil one. Satan is leading men and women into many forms of folly and self-pleasing. Many are seeking for that which is novel and startling; their minds are far from God and the truths of his Word. At this time, when the enemy is working as never before to engross the minds of men and women, we should be laboring with increasing activity in the highways and in the byways. With diligent, disinterested effort we are to proclaim the last message of mercy in the cities—the highways; and the work is not to end there, but is to extend into the surrounding settlements and in the country districts,—into the byways and the hedges. RH January 18, 1912, par. 2
All classes are to be reached. As we labor, we shall meet with different nationalities. None are to be passed by unwarned. Jesus is the gift of God to the entire world, not to the higher classes alone, and not to any one nation, to the exclusion of others. His saving grace encircles the world. Whosoever will may drink of the water of life freely. RH January 18, 1912, par. 3
“Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” In every place the gospel invitation is to be given; for “how ... shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?” RH January 18, 1912, par. 4
The Lord is speaking to his people at this time, saying, Gain an entrance into the cities, and proclaim the truth in simplicity and in faith. The Holy Spirit will work through your efforts to impress hearts. Introduce no strange doctrine into your message, but speak the simple words of the gospel of Christ, which young and old can understand. The unlearned as well as the educated are to comprehend the truths of the third angel's message, and they must be taught in simplicity. If you would approach the people acceptably, humble your hearts before God, and learn his ways. RH January 18, 1912, par. 5
We shall gain much instruction for our work from a study of Christ's methods of labor and his manner of meeting the people. In the gospel story we have the record of how he worked for all classes, and of how as he labored in cities and towns, thousands were drawn to his side to hear his teaching. The words of the Master were clear and distinct, and were spoken in sympathy and tenderness. They carried with them the assurance that here was truth. It was the simplicity and earnestness with which Christ labored and spoke that drew so many to him. RH January 18, 1912, par. 6
The Great Teacher laid plans for his work. Study these plans. We find him traveling from place to place, followed by crowds of eager listeners. When he could, he would lead them away from the crowded cities, to the quiet of the country. Here he would pray with them, and talk to them of eternal truths. RH January 18, 1912, par. 7
The sympathy that Christ ever expressed for the physical needs of his hearers won from many a response to the truths he sought to teach. Was not the gospel message of deepest importance to that company of five thousand people who for hours had followed him and hung upon his words? Many had never before heard truths such as they listened to on that occasion. Yet Christ's desire to teach them spiritual truths did not make him indifferent to their physical needs. Weary mothers were in that company who, with their children, had followed him through the day. Christ understood the situation, and he was “moved with compassion” toward them. RH January 18, 1912, par. 8
“When the day began to wear away, then came the twelve, and said unto him, Send the multitude away, that they may go into the towns and country round about, and lodge, and get victuals: for we are here in a desert place. But he said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they said, We have no more but five loaves and two fishes; except we should go and buy meat for all this people. For they were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, Make them sit down by fifties in a company. And they did so, and made them all sit down. Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and brake, and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude. And they did eat, and were all filled.” RH January 18, 1912, par. 9
Then he said to the disciples, “Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost. Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.” RH January 18, 1912, par. 10
In this command there was a lesson for every soul in that large company. It was a lesson that should be stamped upon the minds of old and young, the learned and the unlearned. It should be valued by parents, and its instruction carried into the home. That little morsel of food, with Christ's blessing upon it, multiplied in the hands of the disciples, until that which remained after all were satisfied, was greater than the original supply. RH January 18, 1912, par. 11
This should be a great encouragement to Christ's disciples today. Christ is the great center, the source of all strength. His disciples are to receive their supplies from him. The most intelligent, the most spiritual- minded, can bestow only as they receive. Of themselves they can bestow nothing for the need of the soul. We can impart only that which we receive from Christ; and we can receive only as we impart to others. As we continue imparting, we continue to receive; and the more we impart, the more we shall receive. Thus we may be constantly believing, trusting, receiving, and imparting. RH January 18, 1912, par. 12
Heavenly agencies will cooperate with all who will follow on to know the Lord, working for the extension of Christ's kingdom. Then let the words spoken be earnest and intelligent, revealing the sanctifying power of the Spirit of truth. The humblest worker, if his heart is imbued with the spirit of Christ, can win souls to him; for with such a worker the angels of God can cooperate, speaking to the soul, and opening heart and mind to receive the truth. RH January 18, 1912, par. 13