General Conference Bulletin, vol. 4

WEEK OF PRAYER READINGS INTRODUCTORY

H. E. OSBORNE

(To be read just before the Reading for Sabbath, December 21.)

At the last session of the General Conference a decided testimony was borne, calling for a change and a complete reorganization. Acting upon this instruction, some marked changes were made in the outward form of the organization and the general policy. Since the time of the General Conference the large general meetings and conferences have been held in the different parts of the field, and an effort has been made to extend to the local conferences the work of reform which was inaugurated at the General Conference. At the autumn council of the General Conference Committee, held October 23 to November 3, a general review of the situation in America and Europe was given, from which it appeared that in the most of the local conferences the plans for a new order of things had been cordially welcomed, and a hearty spirit of cooperation had been manifested. So far as the outward forms of organization and the general policy of making a more earnest effort to extend the message in the regions beyond are concerned, it is evident that encouraging progress has been made during the last few months. For this we ought all to be thankful, and press the battle with increased assurance. GCB October 1, 1901, page 561.1

But beyond this whole question of outward organization and general policy, and more important than all else, is the matter of individual reorganization and personal experience. The real change which was called for will not be accomplished until each individual has learned to recognize and depend upon the power of an indwelling life rather than upon the forms through which that life ought to be manifested. This is the real issue in this whole movement for reform. Changes in the forms of administration may remove hindrances, and open the way for progress in the right direction, but the real work is in the transformation of the heart and life of individual believers. GCB October 1, 1901, page 561.2

This annual time of prayer is the opportunity of the whole people to respond to the Lord’s call for a change. There ought to be a great religious awakening. This week of prayer should be a season of genuine spiritual refreshing. Has this annual occasion degenerated into a mere custom, and its observance into a mere formality? If so, it may be only one more hindrance, one more cause of self-righteous Pharisaism, instead of a means of much-needed blessing. “But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.” GCB October 1, 1901, page 561.3

The Lord has shown his tender regard for his people and his work by revealing the true situation, and calling for a return to right principles. And there is more than an ordinary significance in this call. The failure to respond to the messages of light and truth in the past has hindered the progress of this message, and delayed the coming of the Lord. The very people who were intended to be the channel of light to the whole world, missionaries of truth, have so far lost their peculiar character as the representatives of the heavenly principles that a reproach has been brought upon the Lord’s work. It is indeed time for a change. GCB October 1, 1901, page 561.4

Shall not the central thought in this week of prayer be “Power for service and consecration to service”? Let all the stumblingblocks be taken out of the way. Let all differences be healed. Let all seek to be of one heart and one soul, and let all continue “with one accord in prayer and supplication.” “Lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees.” Gather in those who have strayed away, and reach out after those who may be helped. “Therefore also, now, saith the Lord, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping and with mourning: and rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him?” GCB October 1, 1901, page 561.5