The Review and Herald
April 20, 1905
The Work for This Time
I have a message to bear to our people. For weeks I have not been able to sleep for more than a few hours each night. I am thinking, praying, and planning for the work in Washington. Shall the work at the capital of our nation be hindered for lack of funds? Shall the number of laborers be limited to a very few, when many should be improving the present opportunity to call the attention of the people to the truth for this time? I pray that those of our people who have means to spare will at this time place it in the Lord's treasury, that his purpose for the advancement of his cause may be carried out. This is the Lord's opportune time for the working of Washington and the surrounding suburbs. RH April 20, 1905, par. 1
Night after night I am standing before the people, bearing a very positive testimony, and pleading with them to be wide-awake, and to take up the work of circulating our literature. I have seen men and women agitated in regard to present truth, and in need of some one to lead them into clearer light. Night after night I am urging our people to awake from their spiritual slumber, and do their utmost to help in this great crisis in the work in Washington. RH April 20, 1905, par. 2
God is looking down from his throne, and is sending his angels to this earth to co-operate with those who are teaching the truth. Read the record of the experience of Philip and the eunuch. “The angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet. RH April 20, 1905, par. 3
“Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. RH April 20, 1905, par. 4
“The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth; in his humiliation his judgment was taken away; and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. RH April 20, 1905, par. 5
“And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, Of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. RH April 20, 1905, par. 6
“And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water; and the eunuch saith, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip saith, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. RH April 20, 1905, par. 7
“And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing. RH April 20, 1905, par. 8
“But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.” RH April 20, 1905, par. 9
This incident shows the care that the Lord has over every mind that is susceptible to the truth. We see how closely the ministration of heavenly angels is connected with the work of the Lord's servants on this earth. RH April 20, 1905, par. 10
A burden was placed upon Philip to enter new places, to break up fresh ground. Direction was given him by an angel who was watching for every opportunity to bring men into connection with their fellow men. Philip was sent “toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.” This brought him into touch with a man of wide influence, who, when converted, would communicate to others the light of truth. By the Lord's working through Philip, the man was convinced of the truth, and was converted and baptized. He was a highway hearer, a man of good standing, who would exert a strong influence in favor of the truth. RH April 20, 1905, par. 11
Today, as then, angels of heaven are waiting to lead men to their fellow men. An angel showed Philip where to find this man, who was so ready to receive the truth, and today angels of God will guide and direct the footsteps of those workers who will allow the Holy Spirit to sanctify their tongues and refine and ennoble their hearts. RH April 20, 1905, par. 12
There is no place in America of greater importance than Washington. The recent developments in that place show that our brethren moved there none too soon. Angels of heaven directed their course in planting the standard of truth in Washington. Men of influence are being aroused to study the truth for this time. No opportunity should be left unimproved to establish the work firmly in this important place. And our efforts are not to stop there. In many cities the truth has not yet been proclaimed. Workers are to come to the front; men and women who are wise in reaching human minds are to be set at work in every place where there is an opening. Every one who is interested is to be judiciously labored for. The men in high places are to hear the message of truth. Angels of heaven will unite with the Lord's appointed ministers and medical missionaries, aiding them to exert on the minds of the people an influence in favor of the truth. RH April 20, 1905, par. 13
Philadelphia and other important places should be worked. Evangelists should be finding their way into all the places where the minds of men are agitated over the question of Sunday legislation and of the teaching of religion in the public schools. It is the neglect of Seventh-day Adventists to improve these providential opportunities to present the truth that burdens my heart, and keeps me awake night after night. RH April 20, 1905, par. 14
Instruction has been given me that there is a withholding of the tithe that should be faithfully brought into the Lord's treasury, for the support of the ministers and missionaries who are opening the Scriptures to the people, and working from house to house. These workers are to do their best, as the Lord's light-bearers. As they walk humbly with God, angels of heaven will co-operate with them, making impressions on minds. In the past angels of God have stood beside his messengers, as they have raised the standard bearing the inscription, “The commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus.” The ministers and evangelists who are laboring in the Lord's vineyard, must be supported. We may have a part in the work by bringing to the storehouse means for the sustenance of the Lord's chosen ones. RH April 20, 1905, par. 15
In the place of complaining of the officers of the General Conference because they can not respond to the multiplied calls for men and means, let our church-members bear a living testimony to the power of the truth by denying self, and giving liberally for the advancement of the work. Let our sisters save by refusing to put expensive trimmings on their garments. Let every unnecessary expense be cut down. Let every family bring their tithes and offerings to the Lord. RH April 20, 1905, par. 16
Most earnest work is now to be done in proclaiming the message of present truth. Every voice is now to harmonize; every believer is to unite in urging obedience to the law proclaimed from Sinai. Let us unite with the angels of heaven in presenting to our people in every place the necessity of paying a faithful tithe and of bringing to the Lord liberal gifts and offerings. RH April 20, 1905, par. 17
Never was there a more important time in the history of our work than at present. The message in the third chapter of Malachi comes to us, holding up before us the need of honesty in our relations to the Lord and his work. My brethren, the money that you use to buy and sell and get gain will be a curse to you if you withhold from the Lord that which is his. The means entrusted to you by the Lord for the advancement of his work should be used in sending the gospel to all parts of our world. RH April 20, 1905, par. 18
The curse of God will surely come upon those who rob him in tithes and offerings. “Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts. And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord of hosts.” RH April 20, 1905, par. 19
Shall we not, as a people, come up to the help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord against the mighty? Shall we not with humble hearts confess our sins of neglect? Shall we not return unto the Lord his own? Then he will impart his goods to those who are faithful, that they may do still more for the advancement of his work. RH April 20, 1905, par. 20
Thousands upon thousands are perishing in sin, and a lack of means is hindering the proclamation of the truth that is to be carried to all nations, and kindreds, and tongues, and peoples. There are men ready to go forth as the Lord's messengers, but because of a lack of means in the treasury they can not be sent to the places where people are begging for some one to come and teach them the truth. RH April 20, 1905, par. 21
Our heaviest burden at the present time is for the work in Washington. Angels of God are co-operating with those who are lifting the standard of God's holy law in this important place. Will you help these faithful workers? Will you send in the means needed in order for the necessary buildings to be erected? Let the members of every church now do all in their power to raise the fund necessary for the completion of the buildings that are so much needed in Washington. The work must be quickly established at the capital of our nation. Will you not, my brethren and sisters, see that the necessary means are supplied for the accomplishment of this work? RH April 20, 1905, par. 22
St. Helena, Cal.,
March 28, 1905.