September 1, 1849
Dear Brethren and Sisters
In this time of trial, we need to be
encouraged, and comforted by each other. The temptations of Satan are
greater now, than ever before; for he knows that his time is short, and
that very soon, every case will be decided, either for Life, or for Death.
It is no time to sink down beneath discouragement, and trial now; but we
must bear up under all our afflictions, and trust wholly in the mighty
God of Jacob. {RH, September 1, 1849 par. 1}
The Lord has shown me that his grace
is sufficient for all our trials; and although they are greater than ever
before, yet if we trust wholly in God, we can overcome every temptation,
and through his grace come off victorious. {RH, September 1, 1849 par. 2}
If we overcome our trials, and get
victory over the temptations of Satan, then we endure the time of our
faith, which is much more precious than gold, and are stronger, and
better prepared to meet the next. But if we sink down, and give way to
the temptations of Satan, we shall grow weaker, and get no reward for the
trial, and shall not be so well prepared to meet the next. In this way we
shall grow weaker, and weaker, until we are led captive by Satan at his
will. We must have on the whole armour of God, and be ready at any
moment, for a conflict with the powers of darkness. When temptations and
trials rush in upon us, let us go to God, and agonize with him in prayer.
He will not turn us away empty; but will give us grace and strength to
overcome, and to break the power of the enemy. O, that all could see these
things in their true light, and endure hardness as good soldiers of
Jesus. Then would Israel move forward, strong in God, and in the power of
his might. {RH, September 1, 1849 par. 3}
God has shown me that he gave his
people a bitter cup to drink, to purify and cleanse them. It is a bitter
draught, and they can make it still more bitter by murmuring,
complaining, and repining. Those who receive it thus, must have another
draught; for the first does not have its designed effect upon the heart. And
if the second does not effect the work, then they must have another, and
another, until it does have its designed effect, or they will be left
filthy and impure in heart. I saw that this bitter cup can be sweetened
by patience, endurance and prayer, and that it will have its designed
effect upon the hearts of those who thus received it, and God will be
honored and glorified. It is no small thing to be a Christian, and be
owned and approved of God. The Lord has shown me some who profess the
present truth, whose lives do not correspond with their profession. They
have got the standard of piety altogether too low, and come far short of
Bible holiness. Some engage in vain, and unbecoming conversation; and
others give way to the risings of self. We must not expect to please
ourselves, live and act like the world, have its pleasures, and enjoy the
company of those who are of the world, and reign with Christ in glory.
{RH, September 1, 1849 par. 4}
We must be partakers of Christ's
sufferings here, if we would share in his glory hereafter. If we seek our
own interest, how we can best please ourselves, instead of seeking to
please God, and advance his precious, suffering cause, we shall dishonor
God, and the holy cause we profess. {RH, September 1, 1849 par. 5}
We have but a little space of time
left to work for God. Nothing should be too dear to sacrifice, for the
salvation of the scattered and torn flock of Jesus. Those who make a
covenant with God by sacrifice now, will soon be gathered home to share a
rich reward, and possess the new kingdom forever and ever. {RH, September
1, 1849 par. 6}
O, let us live wholly for the Lord,
and show by a well ordered life, and godly conversation that we have been
with Jesus, and are his meek and lowly followers. We must work while the
day lasts, for when the dark night of trouble and anguish comes, it will
be too late to work for God. Jesus is still in his Holy Temple, and will
now accept our sacrifices, our prayers, and our confessions of faults and
sins, and will now pardon all the transgressions of Israel, that they may
be blotted out before he leaves the Sanctuary. When Jesus leaves the
Sanctuary, then he that is holy and righteous, will be holy and righteous
still; for all their sins will then be blotted out, and they will be
sealed with the seal of the living God. But those that are unjust and
filthy, will be unjust and filthy still; for then there will be no Priest
in the Sanctuary to offer their sacrifices, their confessions, and their
prayers before the Father's throne. Therefore, what is done to rescue
souls from the coming storm of wrath, must be done before Jesus leaves
the Most Holy Place of the Heavenly Sanctuary. {RH, September 1, 1849
par. 7}
The Lord has shown me
that precious souls are starving, and dying for want of the present,
sealing truth, the meat in due season; and that the swift messengers should
speed on their way, and feed the flock with the present truth. I heard an
Angel say, "speed the swift messengers, speed the swift messengers;
for the case of every soul will soon be decided, either for Life, or for
Death." {RH,
September 1, 1849 par. 8}
I saw that those who had the means, were
required to help speed those messengers, that God had called to labor in
his cause, and as they went from place to place, they would be safe from
the prevailing pestilence. But if any went that were not sent of God,
they would be in danger of being cut down by the pestilence; therefore
all should earnestly seek for duty, and be sure and move by the direction
of the Holy Spirit. {RH, September 1, 1849 par. 9}
What we have seen and heard of the
pestilence, is but the beginning of what we shall see and hear. Soon the
dead and dying will be all around us. I saw that some will be so
hardened, as to even make sport of the judgements of God. Then the slain
of the Lord will be from one end of the earth, to the other; they will
not be lamented, gathered, nor buried; but their ill savor will come up from
the face of the whole earth. Those only who have the seal of the living
God, will be sheltered from the storm of wrath, that will soon fall on
the heads of those who have rejected the truth. {RH, September 1, 1849
par. 10}
In Hope,
E. G. White, {RH, September 1, 1849
par. 11}
August 25, 1874 Tithes and Offerings.
By Mrs. E. G. White.
Divine wisdom has appointed, in the
plan of salvation, the law of action and reaction, making the work of
beneficence, in all its branches, twice blessed. {RH, August 25, 1874
par. 1}
He that gives to the needy blesses others,
and is blessed himself in a still greater degree. God could have reached
his object in saving sinners without the aid of man; but he knew that he
could not be happy without acting a part in the great work in which he
should be cultivating self-denial and benevolence. {RH, August 25, 1874
par. 2}
That man might not lose the blessed
results of benevolence, our Redeemer formed the plan of enlisting him as
his co-worker. By a chain of circumstances which would call forth his
charities, he brings man under the best means of cultivating benevolence,
and keeps him habitually giving to help the poor, and to advance his
cause. He sends his poor as the representatives of himself. A ruined
world is drawing forth from us by their necessities talents of means and
of influence to present to them the truth, of which they are in perishing
need. And as we heed these calls, by labor and acts of benevolence, we
are assimilated into the image of him who for our sakes became poor. In
bestowing, we bless others, and thus accumulate the true riches. {RH,
August 25, 1874 par. 3}
There has been a great lack of
Christian benevolence in the church. Those who were the best able to do
in the cause of God for its advancement have done but little. {RH, August
25, 1874 par. 4}
God has mercifully brought a class
to the knowledge of the truth, that they might appreciate its priceless
value in comparison with earthly treasures. Jesus has said to these,
"Follow me." He is testing them with the invitation to the
supper which he has prepared. He is watching to see what characters they
will develop, whether their own selfish interests will be considered of
greater value than eternal riches. Many of these dear brethren are now by
their actions framing the excuses mentioned in the parable. {RH, August
25, 1874 par. 5}
"Then said he unto him, A
certain man made a great supper, and bade many, and sent his servant at
supper-time to say to them that were bidden, Come, for all things are now
ready. And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said
unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see
it; I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have bought five
yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them; I pray thee have me excused. And
another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. So that
servant came, and showed his lord these things. Then the master of the
house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets
and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and
the halt, and the blind." {RH, August 25, 1874 par. 6}
This parable correctly represents
the condition of many professing to believe the present truth. The Lord
has sent them an invitation to come to the supper which he has prepared
for them at great cost to himself, but worldly interests look to them of
greater importance than the heavenly treasure. They are invited to take
part in the things of eternal value; but their farms, their cattle, and
their home interest, seem of so much greater importance than obedience to
the heavenly invitation that they overpower every divine attraction, and
these earthly things are made the excuse for their disobedience to the
heavenly command, "Come; for all things are now ready." These
brethren are blindly following the example of those represented in the
parable. They look at their worldly possessions, and say, No, Lord, I
cannot follow thee, "I pray thee have me excused." {RH, August
25, 1874 par. 7}
The very blessings which God has given
to these men, to prove them, to see if they will render "unto God
the things that are God's," they use as an excuse that they cannot
obey the claims of truth. They have grasped their earthly treasure in
their arms, and say, I must take care of these things; I must not neglect
the things of this life; these things are mine. Thus the hearts of these
men have become as unimpressible as the beaten highway. They close the
door of their hearts to the heavenly messenger, who says, "Come; for
all things are now ready," and throw it open, inviting the passage
of the world's burden and business cares, and Jesus knocks in vain for
admittance. {RH, August 25, 1874 par. 8}
Their hearts are so overgrown with
thorns and cares of this life that heavenly things can find no place.
Jesus invites the weary and heavy laden, with promises of rest if they
will come to him. He invites them to exchange the galling yoke of
selfishness and covetousness, which makes them slaves to mammon, for his
yoke, which he declares is easy, and his burden, which is light. {RH,
August 25, 1874 par. 9}
He says, "Learn of me; for I am
meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls." He
would have them lay aside the heavy burdens of worldly cares and
perplexities, and take his yoke, which is self-denial and sacrifice for
others. This burden will prove to be light. Those who refuse to accept
the relief Christ offers them, and will continue to wear the galling yoke
of selfishness, tasking their souls to the utmost in plans to accumulate
money for selfish gratification, have not experienced the peace and rest
found in bearing the yoke of Christ, and lifting the burdens of
self-denial and disinterested benevolence which Christ has borne in their
behalf. {RH, August 25, 1874 par. 10}
When the love of the world takes
possession of the heart, and becomes a ruling passion, there is left no
room for adoration to God; for the higher powers of the mind submit to
the slavery of mammon, and cannot retain thoughts of God and of Heaven.
The mind loses its remembrance of God, and is narrowed and dwarfed to the
accumulation of money. {RH, August 25, 1874 par. 11}
Through selfishness and love of the
world these men have been passing on with less and less sense of the
magnitude of the work for these last days. They have not educated their
minds to make a business of serving God. They have not an experience in
that direction. Their property has absorbed their affections and eclipsed
the magnitude of the plan of salvation. While they are improving and
enlarging their worldly plans they see no necessity for the enlargement
and extension of the work of God. They invest their means in temporal
things, but not in the eternal. Their hearts are ambitious for more
means. God has made them the depositaries of his law, that they might let
the light so graciously given them shine forth to others. But they have
so increased their cares and anxieties that they have no time to bless
others with their influence, to converse with their neighbors, to pray
with them, and for them, and to seek to bring them to the knowledge of
the truth. {RH, August 25, 1874 par. 12}
These men are responsible for the
good they might do, but from which they excuse themselves because of
worldly cares, and burdens, which engross their minds and absorb their
affections. Souls for whom Christ died might be saved by their personal
effort and godly example. Precious souls are perishing for the light
which God has given to men to be reflected upon the pathway of others. But
the precious light is hid under a bushel, and it gives no light to those
who are in the house. Every man is a steward of God. To each the Master
has committed his means which man claims as his own. He says,
"Occupy till I come." A time is coming when Christ will require
his own with usury. He will say to his stewards, "Give an account of
thy stewardship." Those who have hid their Lord's money in a napkin
in the earth, instead of putting it out to the exchangers, or those who
have squandered their Lord's money by expending it for needless things,
instead of putting it out to usury by investing it in his cause, will
receive no approval of the Master, but decided condemnation. The
unprofitable servant in the parable brought back the one talent to God,
and said, "I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou
hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strewed, and I was
afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth; lo, there thou hast
that is thine." His Lord takes up his words: "Thou wicked and
slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather
where I have not strewed; thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to
the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own
with usury." {RH, August 25, 1874 par. 13}
This unprofitable servant was not
ignorant of God's plans, but he set himself firmly to thwart the purpose
of God, charging him with unfairness in requiring improvement upon the
money intrusted to him. This very complaint and murmuring is made by a
large class of wealthy men, professing to believe the truth. They are
like the unfaithful servant afraid that the increase of the talents God
has lent them will be called for to advance the spread of truth;
therefore they tie it up, by investing it in earthly treasures, and
burying it in the world, thus making it so fast that they have nothing,
or next to nothing, to invest in the cause of God. They have buried it,
fearing that God would call for some of the principal or increase. When
at the demand of their Lord they bring the amount given them, they come
with ungrateful excuses why they have not put the means, lent them by
God, out to the exchangers, by investing it in his cause, to carry on his
work. {RH, August 25, 1874 par. 14}
He who embezzles his Lord's goods
not only loses the talent lent him of God, but loses eternal life. Of him
it is said, "Cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer
darkness." The faithful servant who invests his money in the cause
of God to save souls, employs his means to the glory of God, and will
receive the commendation of the Master, "Well done, thou good and
faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." {RH, August
25, 1874 par. 15}
What will be this joy of our Lord? It
will be in seeing souls saved in the kingdom of glory. "Who, for the
joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and
is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." {RH, August 25,
1874 par. 16}
The idea of stewardship should have
a practical bearing upon all the people of God. This parable of the
talents rightly understood will bar out covetousness, which God calls
idolatry. Practical benevolence will give spiritual life to thousands of
nominal professors of the truth who now mourn over their darkness. It
will transform them from selfish, covetous worshipers of mammon, to
earnest, faithful co-workers with Christ in the salvation of sinners.
{RH, August 25, 1874 par. 17}
The foundation of the plan of
salvation was laid in a sacrifice. Jesus left the royal courts, and
became poor, that we through his poverty might be made rich. Every one
who will share this salvation, purchased for them by such an infinite
sacrifice by the Son of God, will follow the example of the true pattern.
Jesus Christ was the chief corner stone, and we must build upon this
foundation. Each must have a spirit of self-denial and self-sacrifice.
The life of Christ upon earth was unselfish, marked with humiliation and
sacrifice. And shall men, partakers of the great salvation which Jesus
came from Heaven to bring them, refuse to follow their Lord, and to share
in his self-denial and sacrifice? Says Christ, "I am the vine, ye
are the branches. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh
away. And every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it that it may
bring forth more fruit;" The very vital principle, the sap which
flows through the vine, nourishes the branches, that they may flourish
and bear fruit. Is the servant greater than his Lord? Shall the world's
Redeemer practice self-denial and sacrifice on our account, and the
members of Christ's body practice self-indulgence? Self-denial is an
essential condition of discipleship. {RH, August 25, 1874 par. 18}
"Then said Jesus unto his disciples,
If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his
cross, and follow me." I lead the way in the path of self-denial. I
require nothing of you my followers but that of which I your Lord give
you an example in my own life. {RH, August 25, 1874 par. 19}
The Saviour of the world conquered
Satan in the wilderness of temptation. He overcame to show man how he may
overcome. He announced in the synagogue of Nazareth, "The Spirit of
the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to
the poor; he hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach
deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set
at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the
Lord." {RH, August 25, 1874 par. 20}
The great work which Jesus announced
that he came to do was intrusted to his followers upon the earth. Christ
as our head led out in the great work of salvation, and bids us follow
his example. He has given us a world-wide message. This truth must be
extended to all nations, tongues, and people. Satan's power was to be
contested, and he was to be overcome by Christ and also by his followers.
{RH, August 25, 1874 par. 21}
An extensive war was to be
maintained against the powers of darkness. And in order to do this work
successfully, means were required. God does not propose to send means
direct from Heaven, but he gives into the hands of his followers talents
of means to use for the very purpose of sustaining this warfare. {RH,
August 25, 1874 par. 22}
He has given his people a plan for
raising sums sufficient to make the enterprise self-sustaining. God's
plan in the tithing system is beautiful in its simplicity and equality.
All may take hold of it in faith and courage, for it is divine in its
origin. Here are simplicity and utility combined, which it requires not
depth of learning to understand and execute. All may feel that they can
act a part in carrying forward the precious work of salvation. Every man,
and woman, and youth, may become a treasurer for the Lord. They may be
agents to meet the demands upon the treasury. Says the apostle, "Let
every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him."
{RH, August 25, 1874 par. 23}
Great objects are accomplished by
this system; for if one and all accept it, each is made a vigilant and
faithful treasurer for God; and there would be no want of means to carry
forward the great work of sounding the last message of warning to the
world. The treasury will be full if all adopt this system, and the
contributors will not be left the poorer. Through every investment made,
they will become more wedded to the cause of present truth. They will be
"laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the
time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life." {RH, August
25, 1874 par. 24}
As the persevering, systematic
workers see that the tendency of their benevolent efforts is to nourish
love to God and their fellow-men, and that their personal efforts are
extending their sphere of usefulness, they will realize that it is a
great blessing to be co-workers with Jesus Christ. The Christian church
as a general thing are disowning the claims of God upon them to give alms
of the things which they possess to support the warfare against the moral
darkness which is flooding the world. Never can the work of God advance
as it should until the followers of Christ become active, zealous
workers. {RH, August 25, 1874 par. 25}
Every individual of the church
should feel that the truth which they profess is a reality, and they
should be disinterested workers. Some rich men feel like murmuring
because the work of God is extending, and there is a demand for money.
They say there is no end of the calls for means. One object after another
is continually rising demanding help. We would say to such that we hope
the cause of God will so extend that there will be greater occasions, and
more frequent and urgent calls for supplies from the treasury to
prosecute the work. {RH, August 25, 1874 par. 26}
If the plan of systematic
benevolence was fully adopted, and carried out to a man, there would be a
constant supply in the treasury. The income would flow in like a steady
stream constantly supplied by overflowing springs of benevolence. {RH, August
25, 1874 par. 27}
Almsgiving is a part of gospel
religion. Does not the consideration of the infinite price paid for our
redemption leave upon us solemn obligations pecuniarily, as well as lay
claim upon all our power to be devoted to the work of the Master? {RH,
August 25, 1874 par. 28}
We shall have a debt to settle with
the Master by-and-by, when he shall say, Give an account of thy
stewardship. If men prefer to set aside the claims of God, and grasp and
selfishly retain all that he gives them, he will hold his peace at
present, and continue frequently to test them by increasing his bounties,
and by letting his blessings flow on, and these men pass on receiving
honor of men, and without censure in the church, but by-and-by he will
say, "Give an account of thy stewardship." Says Christ,
"Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it
not to me." "Ye are not your own; for ye are bought with a
price," and are under obligation to glorify God with your means as
well as in your body, and in your spirit, which are his. {RH, August 25,
1874 par. 29}
"Ye are bought with a
price," not "with corruptible things, as silver and gold, but
with the precious blood of Christ." He asks the return of the gifts,
he has intrusted to us, to aid in the salvation of souls. He has given
his blood; he asks our silver. {RH, August 25, 1874 par. 30}
It is through his poverty that we
are made rich, and yet, will we refuse to give back to him his own gifts?
{RH, August 25, 1874 par. 31}
God is not dependent upon man for the
support of his cause. He could have sent means direct from Heaven to
supply his treasury, if his providence had seen that this was the best
for man. He might have devised means whereby angels would have been sent
to publish the truth to the world without the agency of men. He might
have written the truth upon the heavens, and let that declare to the
world his requirements in living characters. God is not dependent upon
any man's gold or silver. He says, "Every beast of the forest is
mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. If I were hungry, I would not
tell thee; for the world is mine, and the fullness thereof."
Whatever necessity there is for our agency in the advancement of the
cause of God, he has purposely arranged for our good. He has honored us
by making us co-workers with him. He has ordained that there should be a
necessity for the co-operation of men, that they may keep in exercise
their benevolent affections. {RH, August 25, 1874 par. 32}
God has in his wise providence
placed the poor always with us, that while we shall witness the various
forms of suffering and of necessity in the world, we should be tested and
proved, and brought into positions to develop Christian character. The
poor God has placed among us to call out from us Christian sympathy and
love. {RH, August 25, 1874 par. 33}
Sinners, who are perishing for lack
of knowledge, must be left in ignorance and darkness, unless men shall
carry to them the light of truth. God will not send angels from Heaven to
do the work which he has left for man. He has given all a work to do, for
the very reason that he might prove them and that they might reveal their
true character. Christ places the poor in our midst as his
representatives. "I was an hungered," he says, "and ye
gave me no meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink." Christ
identifies himself with suffering humanity in the persons of the
suffering children of men. He makes their necessities his own, and takes
to his bosom the woes of the children of men. {RH, August 25, 1874 par.
34}
The moral darkness of a ruined world
pleads to Christian men and women to put forth individual effort, to give
of their means, and of their influence, that they may be assimilated into
the image of Him who, though he possessed infinite riches, yet for our
sakes became poor. The Spirit of God cannot abide with those to whom he
has sent the message of his truth, who need to be urged before they can
have any sense of their duty to be co-workers with Christ. The apostle
enforces the duty of giving from higher grounds than merely human
sympathy, because the feelings are moved. He enforces the principle that
we should labor unselfishly with an eye single to the glory of God. {RH,
August 25, 1874 par. 35}
Christians are required by the
Scriptures to enter upon a plan active benevolence which will keep in
constant exercise an interest in the salvation of their fellow-men. The
moral law enjoined the observance of the Sabbath which was not a burden,
except when that law was transgressed, and they were bound by the
penalties involved in breaking it. The tithing system was no burden to
those who did not depart from the plan. The system enjoined upon the
Hebrews has not been repealed or relaxed by the One who originated this
plan. Far from its being of no force now, it was to be more fully carried
out, and more extended, as salvation through Christ alone should be more
fully brought to light in the Christian age. {RH, August 25, 1874 par.
36}
Jesus made known to the lawyer that
the condition of his having eternal life was to carry out in his life the
special requirement of the law, which consisted in his loving God with
all his heart, and all his soul, and all his mind and strength, and his
neighbor as himself. When the typical sacrifices ceased at the death of
Christ, the original law, engraved in tables of stone, stood immutable,
holding its claims upon man in all ages. And in the Christian age the
duty of man was not limited, but more especially defined and simply
expressed. {RH, August 25, 1874 par. 37}
The gospel, extending and widening,
required greater provisions to sustain the warfare since the death of
Christ, and this made the law of almsgiving a more urgent necessity than
under the Hebrew government. Now God requires, not less gifts, but
greater than at any other period of the world. The principle laid down by
Christ is that the gifts and offerings should be in proportion to the
light and blessings enjoyed. He has said, "For unto whomsoever much is
given, of him shall be much required." {RH, August 25, 1874 par. 38}
The blessings of the Christian age
were responded to by the first disciples in works of charity and
benevolence. The outpouring of the Spirit of God, after Christ left his
disciples and ascended to Heaven, led to self-denial, and self-sacrifice
for the salvation of others. When the poor saints at Jerusalem were in
distress, Paul writes to the Gentile Christians in regard to works of
benevolence, and says, "Therefore, as ye abound in everything, in
faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your
love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also." Here benevolence
is placed by the side of faith, love, and Christian diligence. Those who
think that they can be good Christians, and close their ears and hearts
to the calls of God for their liberalities, are in a fearful deception.
There are those who abound in a profession of great love for the truth,
and as far as words are concerned, have an interest to see the truth
advance, but do nothing for its advancement. The faith of such is dead,
not being made perfect by works. The Lord never made such a mistake as to
convert a soul, and leave it under the power of covetousness. {RH, August
25, 1874 par. 39}
The tithing system reaches back
beyond the days of Moses. Men were required to offer to God gifts for
religious purposes before the definite system was given to Moses, even as
far back as the days of Adam. In complying with God's requirements they
were to manifest in offerings their appreciation of his mercies and
blessings to them. This was continued through successive generations, and
was carried out by Abraham who gave tithes to Melchizedek, the priest of
the most high God. The same principle existed in the days of Job. Jacob,
when at Bethel an exile and penniless wanderer, lay down at night
solitary and alone with a rock for his pillow, and there promised the
Lord, "Of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth
unto thee." God does not compel men to give. All that they give must
be voluntary. He will not have his treasury replenished with unwilling
offerings. {RH, August 25, 1874 par. 40}
God designed to bring man into close
relationship with himself, and in sympathy and love with his fellow-men,
by placing upon him responsibilities in deeds that would counteract
selfishness, and strengthen his love for God and man. The plan of system
in benevolence, God designed for the good of man, who was inclined to be
selfish, and to close his heart to generous deeds and actions. The Lord
required gifts to be made at stated times, being so arranged that giving
would become habit, and benevolence felt to be a Christian duty. The
heart opened by one gift was not to have time to become selfishly cold,
and to close, before it bestowed the next. The stream was to be
continually flowing, thus keeping open the channel by acts of
benevolence. {RH, August 25, 1874 par. 41}
As to the amount required God had
specified one-tenth of the increase. This is left to the conscience and
benevolence of men, whose judgment in this tithing system should have
free play. And while it is left free to the conscience, a plan has been
laid out definite enough for all. No compulsion is required. {RH, August
25, 1874 par. 42}
God called for men in the Mosaic
dispensation to give the tenth of all their increase. He committed to
their trust the things of this life, talents to be improved and returned
to him again. He has required a tenth, and this he claims as the very
least that man should return to him. He says, I give you nine-tenths,
while I require one-tenth; that is mine. When men withhold the one-tenth
they rob God. Sin offerings, peace offerings, and thank offerings, were
also required in addition to the tenth of the increase. {RH, August 25,
1874 par. 43}
All that is withheld of the tenth
which God claims of the increase is recorded in the books of Heaven as
robbery against God. Such defraud their Creator, and when this sin of
neglect shall be brought before them, it is not enough to change their
course and begin to work from that time upon the right principle. This
will not correct the figures in the heavenly record for embezzling the
property committed to them in trust to be returned to the lender.
Repentance for unfaithful dealing with God, and for base ingratitude, is
required. {RH, August 25, 1874 par. 44}
"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 store-house, 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." {RH,
August 25, 1874 par. 45}
A promise is here given, if all the
tithes shall be brought into the store-house a blessing from God will be
poured upon the obedient. {RH, August 25, 1874 par. 46}
"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." If all who
profess the truth will come up to the claims of God, in giving the tenth
which God says is his, the treasury will be abundantly supplied with
means to carry forward the great work of the salvation of man. {RH,
August 25, 1874 par. 47}
God gives man nine-tenths, while he
has claimed one-tenth for sacred purposes, as he has given man six days
for his own work, and has reserved and set apart the seventh day to himself.
For, like the Sabbath, a tenth of the increase is sacred. God has
reserved it for himself. He will carry forward his work upon the earth
with the increase of means he has intrusted to man. {RH, August 25, 1874
par. 48}
God required of his ancient people
three yearly gatherings. "Three times in a year shall all thy males
appear before the Lord thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the
feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of
tabernacles; and they shall not appear before the Lord empty. Every man
shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord thy God
which he hath given thee." No less than
one-third of their income was devoted for sacred and religious purposes.
{RH, August 25, 1874 par. 49}
Whenever God's people, in any period
of the world, have cheerfully and willingly carried out his plan in
systematic benevolence, and in gifts and offerings, there has been a
standing promise that prosperity should attend all their labors just in proportion
as they obeyed his requirements. When they acknowledged the claims of
God, and complied with his requirements, honoring him with their
substance, their barns were filled with plenty. But when they robbed God
in tithes and in offerings, they were made to realize that they were not
only robbing him, but themselves; for God limited his blessings to them,
just in proportion as they limited their offerings to him. {RH, August
25, 1874 par. 50}
Some will pronounce this as one of
the rigorous laws binding upon the Hebrews. But this was not a burden to
the willing heart that loved God. It was only when their selfish natures
strengthened by withholding, that men have lost sight of eternal
considerations, and valued their earthly treasures above that of souls.
There are even more urgent necessities upon the Israel of God in these
last days than were upon ancient Israel. There
is a great and important work to be accomplished in a very short time,
and God never designed that the law of the tithing system should be of no
account among his people, but that instead of this, the spirit of
sacrifice should widen and deepen for the closing work.
(To be
Continued.)
-
{RH, August 25, 1874
par. 51}
***
The Continued Part II
December 15, 1874 Tithes and Offerings.
E.G. White
Systematic benevolence should not be
made systematic compulsion. It is free-will offerings that are acceptable
to God. True Christian benevolence springs from the principle of grateful
love. Love of Christ cannot exist without corresponding love to those
whom he came into the world to redeem. Love to Christ must be the ruling
principle of the being, controlling all its emotions and directing all
its energies. Redeeming love should awaken all that tender affection and
self-sacrificing devotion that is possible to exist in the heart of man.
When this is the case, no heart-stirring appeals will be needed to break
through their selfishness and awaken their dormant sympathies, to call
forth benevolent offerings for the precious cause of truth. {RH, December
15, 1874 par. 1}
Jesus has purchased us at an
infinite sacrifice. All our capabilities and all our influence are indeed
our Saviour's, and should be dedicated to his service. By doing this, we
show our gratitude that we have been ransomed from the slavery of sin by
the precious blood of Christ. Our Saviour is ever working for us. He has
ascended up on high and pleads in behalf of the purchase of his blood. He
pleads before his Father the agonies of the crucifixion. He raises his
wounded hands and intercedes for his church, that they may be kept from
falling under temptation. {RH, December 15, 1874 par. 2}
If our senses could be quickened to
take in this wonderful work of our Saviour for our salvation, love, deep
and ardent, would burn in our hearts. Our apathy and cold indifference
would then alarm us. Entire devotion and benevolence, prompted by
grateful love, will impart to the smallest offering and willing sacrifice
a divine fragrance, making the gift of priceless value. But, after all
that we can bestow is yielded willingly to our Redeemer, be it ever so
valuable to us, if we view the debt of gratitude we owe to God as it
really is, all we may offer will seem to us very insufficient and meager.
But the angels take these offerings, which to us seem poor, and present
them as a fragrant offering before the throne, and they are accepted.
{RH, December 15, 1874 par. 3}
We do not, as followers of Christ,
realize our true position. We do not have correct views of our
responsibilities as hired servants of Christ. He has advanced us the
wages in his suffering life and his spilled blood, to bind us in willing servitude
to himself. All the good things we have are a loan from our Saviour. He
has made us stewards. Our smallest offerings, our humblest services,
presented in faith and love, may be consecrated gifts to win souls to the
service of the Master, to promote his glory. The interest and prosperity
of Christ's kingdom should be paramount to every other consideration.
Those who make their pleasure and selfish interest the chief objects of
their lives are not faithful stewards. {RH, December 15, 1874 par. 4}
Those who deny self to do others good, and devote themselves and
all they have to Christ's service, will realize the happiness which the
selfish man seeks for in vain. Said our Saviour, "Whosoever
forsaketh not all that he hath cannot be my disciple." "Charity
seeketh not her own." This is the fruit of that disinterested love
and benevolence which characterized the life of Christ. The law of God,
in our hearts, will bring our own interests in subordination to high and
eternal considerations. We are enjoined by Christ to seek first the
kingdom of God and his righteousness. This is our first and highest duty.
Our Master expressly warned his servants not to lay up treasures upon the
earth, for in doing so their hearts would be upon earthly, rather than heavenly,
things. Here is where many poor souls have made shipwreck of faith. They
have gone directly contrary to the express injunction of our Lord, and
have allowed the love of money to become the ruling passion of their
lives. They are intemperate in their efforts to acquire means. They are
as much intoxicated with their insane desire for riches as the inebriate
for his liquor. {RH, December 15, 1874 par. 5}
Christians forget that they are
servants of the Master, that they themselves, their time, and all that
they have, belong to him. Many are tempted, and the majority are
overcome, by the delusive inducements which Satan presents to invest
their money where it will yield them the greatest profit in dollars and
cents. There are but few who consider the binding claims that God has
upon them to make it their first business to meet the necessities of his
cause, and let their own desires be served last. There are but few who
invest in God's cause in proportion to their means. Many have fastened
their money in property which they must sell before they can invest it in
the cause of God, and thus put it to a practical use. They make this an
excuse for doing but little in their Redeemer's cause. They have as
effectually buried their money in the earth as the man in the parable.
They rob God of the tenth which he claims as his own, and in robbing him
they rob themselves of the heavenly treasure. {RH, December 15, 1874 par.
6}
The plan of systematic benevolence
does not press heavily upon any one man. "Now concerning the
collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of
Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of
you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no
gatherings when I come." The poor are not excluded from the
privilege of giving. They may act a part in this work, as well as the
wealthy. The lesson Christ gave in regard to the widow's two mites shows
us that the smallest willing offerings of the poor, if given from a heart
of love, are as acceptable as the largest donations of the rich. {RH,
December 15, 1874 par. 7}
In the balances of the sanctuary,
the gifts of the poor, made from love to Christ, are not estimated
according to the amount given, but according to the love which prompts
the sacrifice. The promises of Jesus will as surely be realized by the
liberal poor man, who has but little to offer, but who gives that little
freely, as by the wealthy man who gives of his abundance. The poor man
makes a sacrifice of his little which he really feels. He really denies
himself of some things that he needs for his own comfort, while the
wealthy man gives of his abundance, and feels no want, and denies himself
nothing that he really needs. Therefore, there is a sacredness in the
poor man's offering that is not found in the rich man's gift; for the
rich give of their abundance. God's providence has arranged the entire
plan of systematic benevolence for the benefit of man. His providence
never stands still. If God's servants follow his opening providence all
will be active workers. {RH, December 15, 1874 par. 8}
Those who withhold from the treasury
of God, and hoard their means for their children, endanger the spiritual
interest of their children. They place their property, which is a stumbling-block
to themselves, in the pathway of their children, that they may stumble
over it to perdition. Many are making a great mistake in regard to the
things of this life. They economize, withholding from themselves and
others the good they might receive from a right use of the means which
God has lent them, and become selfish, and avaricious. They neglect their
spiritual interests, and become dwarfs in religious growth, all for the
sake of accumulating wealth which they cannot use. They leave their property
to their children, and nine times out of ten it is even a greater curse
to their heirs than it has been to themselves. Children relying upon the
property of their parents, often fail to make a success of this life, and
generally utterly fail to secure the life to come. The very best legacy
parents can leave their children is a knowledge of useful labor and the
example of a life characterized by disinterested benevolence, showing by
their works that the true value of money is only to be appreciated in the
good that it will accomplish in relieving their own wants, the
necessities of others, and in advancing the cause of God. {RH, December
15, 1874 par. 9}
Some are willing to give according
to what they have, and feel that God has no further claims upon them,
because they have not a great amount of means. They have no income that
they can spare from the necessities of their families. But there are many
of this class who might ask themselves the question; am I giving
according to what I might have had? God designed that their powers of
body and mind should be put to use. Some have not improved to the best
account the ability that God has given them. Labor is apportioned to man.
It was connected with the curse, because made necessary by sin. The physical,
mental, and moral well-being of man makes a life of useful labor
necessary. "Be not slothful in business," is the injunction of
the inspired apostle. {RH, December 15, 1874 par. 10}
No person, whether rich or poor, can
glorify God by a life of indolence. All the capital that many poor men
have is time and physical strength and this is so frequently wasted in
love of ease, and in careless indolence, that they have nothing to bring
to their Lord in tithes and in offerings. If Christian men lack wisdom to
labor to the best account, and to make a judicious appropriation of their
physical and mental powers, they should have meekness and lowliness of
mind to receive advice and counsel of their brethren, that their better
judgment may supply their own deficiencies. Many poor men who are now
content to do nothing for the good of their fellow-men, and for the
advancement of the cause of God, might do much if they would. They are as
accountable to God for their capital of physical strength as is the rich
man for his capital of money. {RH, December 15, 1874 par. 11}
Some who ought to put means into the
treasury of God will be receivers from it. There are those who are now
poor who might improve their condition by a judicious use of their time,
by avoiding patent rights, and restraining their inclination to engage in
speculations in order to obtain means in some easier way than by patient,
persevering labor. {RH, December 15, 1874 par. 12}
If those who have not made life a
success were willing to be instructed, they could train themselves to
habits of self-denial and strict economy, and have the satisfaction of
being distributors, rather than receivers, of charity. There are many
slothful servants. If they would do what it is in their power to do, they
would experience so great a blessing in helping others that they would
indeed realize that it is "more blessed to give than to
receive." {RH, December 15, 1874 par. 13}
Rightly directed benevolence draws
upon the mental and moral energies of men, and excites them to most
healthful action in blessing the needy and in advancing the cause of God.
If those who have means should realize that they are accountable to God
for every dollar that they expend, their supposed wants would be much
less. If conscience was alive, she would testify of needless
appropriations in the gratification of the appetite, and in ministering
to pride, to vanity, and to amusements, and report the squandering of
their Lord's money, which should have been devoted to his cause. Those
who waste their Lord's goods will have to give an account of it to the
Master, by-and-by. {RH, December 15, 1874 par. 14}
If professed Christians would use
less of their wealth in the adorning of the body, and in beautifying
their own houses, and would consume less in the extravagant,
health-destroying luxuries upon their tables, they could place much
larger sums into the treasury of God. They would thus imitate their
Redeemer, who left Heaven, his riches, and his glory, and for our sakes
became poor, that we might have eternal riches. If we are too poor to
faithfully render to God in the tithes and offerings as he requires, we
are certainty too poor to dress expensively; and to eat luxuriously; for
we are wasting our Lord's money in hurtful indulgences to please and
glorify ourselves. We should inquire diligently of ourselves, What
treasure have we secured in the kingdom of God? Are we rich toward God?
{RH, December 15, 1874 par. 15}
Jesus gave his disciples a lesson
upon covetousness. "And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The
ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully; and he thought
within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to
bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns,
and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.
And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many
years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him,
Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee; then whose
shall those things be which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up
treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God." {RH, December 15,
1874 par. 16}
The length and happiness of life consist
not in the amount of our earthly possessions. This foolish rich man in
his supreme selfishness had laid up for himself treasures that he could
not use. He had lived only for himself. He had overreached in trade, had
made sharp bargains, and had not been exercised by mercy or the love of
God. He had robbed the fatherless and widow, and defrauded his fellow-men
to add to his increasing stock of worldly possessions. He might have laid
up his treasure in Heaven in bags that wax not old. Through his covetousness
he lost both worlds. {RH, December 15, 1874 par. 17}
Those who humbly use to the glory of
God the means that he has intrusted to them, will receive their treasure
by-and-by from the Master's hand with the benediction, "Well done,
good and faithful servant; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."
{RH, December 15, 1874 par. 18}
When we consider the infinite
sacrifice made for the salvation of men, we are lost in amazement. When
selfishness clamors for the victory in the hearts of men, and they are
tempted to withhold their due proportion in any good work, they should
strengthen their principles of right by the thought that he who was rich
in Heaven's priceless treasure turned away from it all, and became poor,
He had not where to lay his head. And all this sacrifice was in our
behalf, that we might have eternal riches. {RH, December 15, 1874 par.
19}
Christ set his own feet in the path
of self-denial and sacrifice, which all his disciples must travel, if
they would be exalted with him at last. He took to his own heart the
sorrows which man must suffer. The minds of worldly men frequently become
gross. They can only see earthly things, which eclipse the glory and
value of the heavenly. Men will compass land and sea for earthly gain, and
endure privation and suffering to obtain their object, yet will turn away
from Heaven's attractions and not regard eternal riches. Men who are in
comparative poverty are usually the ones who do the most to sustain the
cause of God. They are generous with their little. They have strengthened
their generous impulses by continual liberalities. When their
expenditures pressed close upon the income, their passion for earthly
riches had no room or chance to strengthen. But many, when they begin to
gather earthly riches, commence to calculate how long it will be before
they can be in possession of a certain sum. In their anxiety to amass
wealth for themselves, they fail to become rich toward God. Their
benevolence does not keep pace with their accumulation. As their passion
for riches increases, their affections are bound up with their treasure.
The increase of their property strengthens the eager desire for more,
until their giving to the Lord a tenth is considered by some a severe and
unjust tax. Inspiration has said, "If riches increase, set not your
heart upon them." Many have said, "If I were as rich as such an
one, I would multiply my gifts in the treasury of God. I would do nothing
else with my wealth but use it in the advancement of the cause of
God." God has tested some of these by giving them riches; but with
the riches came the fiercer temptation, and their benevolence was far
less than in the days of their poverty. A grasping desire for greater
riches absorbed their minds and hearts, and they committed idolatry. {RH,
December 15, 1874 par. 20}
He who presents to men infinite
riches, and an eternal life of blessedness in his kingdom as the reward
of faithful obedience, will not accept a divided heart. We are living
amid the perils of the last days, where there is everything to divert the
mind and allure the affections from God. Our duty will only be discerned,
and appreciated when viewed in the light which shines from the life of
Christ. As the sun rises in the east and passes toward the west, filling
the world with light, so the true follower of Christ will be a light unto
the world. He will go forth into the world as a bright and shining light,
that those who are in darkness may be lightened and warmed by the rays
shining forth from him. Christ says of his followers, "Ye are the
light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid."
{RH, December 15, 1874 par. 21}
Our great Exemplar was self-denying,
and shall the course of his professed followers be in such marked
contrast to his? The Saviour gave all for a perishing world, not
withholding even himself. The church of God are asleep. They are
enfeebled by inaction. Voices come to us from every part of the world,
"Come over and help us;" but there is no answering movement.
There is a feeble effort now and then; a few show that they would be
co-workers with their Master; but such are frequently left to toil almost
alone. There is but one missionary from our people in all the wide field
in foreign countries. {RH, December 15, 1874 par. 22}
The truth is mighty, but it is not carried into practice. Money
alone is not sufficient to be laid upon the altar. God calls for men,
volunteers, to carry the truth to other nations, and tongues, and people.
It is not our numbers or our wealth that will give us a signal victory;
but it is devotion to the work, moral courage, ardent love for souls, and
untiring zeal, that never flags. {RH, December 15, 1874 par. 23}
There are many who have looked upon
the Jewish nation as a people to be pitied, because they were constantly
taxed for the support of their religion; but God, who created man and
provided him with all the blessings he enjoys, knew what was for his best
good. And he has, through his blessing, made their nine-tenths worth more
to them than the entire amount without his blessing. If any through their
selfishness robbed God or brought to him an offering not perfect,
disaster and loss were sure to follow them. God reads the motives of the
heart. He is acquainted with the purposes of men, and will mete out to
them in his own good time as they have merited. {RH, December 15, 1874
par. 24}
The special system of tithing was
founded upon a principle which was as enduring as the law of God. This
system of tithing was a blessing to the Jews, else God would not have
given it them. So also will it be a blessing to those who carry it out to
the end of time. Our Heavenly Father did not originate the plan of
systematic benevolence to enrich himself, but to be a great blessing to
man. He saw that this system of beneficence was just what man needed.
{RH, December 15, 1874 par. 25}
Those churches who are the most
systematic and liberal in sustaining the cause of God, are the most
prosperous spiritually. True liberality in the follower of Christ identifies
his interest with that of his Master. In God's dealing with the Jews and
his people to the end of time, he requires systematic benevolence
proportionate to their income. The plan of salvation was laid by the
infinite sacrifice of the Son of God. The light of the gospel shining
from the cross of Christ rebukes selfishness, and encourages liberality
and benevolence. It is not to be a lamented fact that there are
increasing calls to give. God, in his providence, is calling his people
out from their limited sphere of action, to enter upon greater
enterprises. Unlimited effort is demanded at this time when moral
darkness is covering the world. Worldliness and covetousness are eating
out the vitals of God's people. They should understand that it is his mercy
which multiplies the demands for their means. The angel of God places
benevolent acts close beside prayer. He said to Cornelius, "Thy
prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God." {RH,
December 15, 1874 par. 26}
In the teachings of Christ, he said,
"If ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will
commit to your trust the true riches?" The spiritual health and
prosperity of the church is dependent in a great degree upon her
systematic benevolence. It is like the life blood which must flow through
the whole being, vitalizing every member of the body. It increases love
for the souls of our fellow-men; for by self-denial and self-sacrifice we
are brought into a closer relation to Jesus Christ, who for our sakes
became poor. {RH, December 15, 1874 par. 27}
The more we invest in the cause of
God to aid in the salvation of souls, the closer to our hearts they will
be brought. Were our numbers half as large, and all of these devoted
workers, we should have a power that would make the world tremble. To the
active workers, Christ has addressed these words, "Lo, I am with you
alway, even unto the end of the world." {RH, December 15, 1874 par.
28}
We shall meet opposition arising
from selfish motives and from bigotry and prejudice, yet with undaunted
courage and living faith, we should sow beside all waters. The agents of
Satan are formidable; we shall meet them and must combat them. Our labors
are not to be confined to our own country. The field is the world; the
harvest is ripe. The command given the disciples just before he ascended
was, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every
creature." We feel pained beyond measure to see some of our
ministers hovering about the churches, apparently putting forth some
little effort, but having next to nothing to show for their labors. The
field is the world. Let them go out to the unbelieving world and labor to
convert souls to the truth. We refer our brethren and sisters to the
example of Abraham going up to Mount Moriah to offer his only son at the
command of God. Here was obedience and sacrifice. Moses was in king's
courts, and a prospective crown was before him. But he turned away from
the tempting bribe and "refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's
daughter; choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God,
than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach
of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt." {RH, December
15, 1874 par. 29}
The apostles counted not their lives
dear unto themselves, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer
shame for the name of Christ. Paul and Silas suffered the loss of all
things. They suffered scourging, and were in no gentle manner thrown upon
the cold floor of a dungeon in a most painful position, their feet
elevated and fastened in the stocks. Then did repinings and complaints
reach the ear of the jailor? Oh! no. From the inner prison, voices broke
the silence of midnight with songs of joy and praise to God. Deep and
earnest love for the cause of their Redeemer, for which Paul and Silas
suffered, cheered them. {RH, December 15, 1874 par. 30}
And as the truth of God fills our
hearts, absorbs our affections, and controls our lives, we also shall
count it joy to suffer for the truth's sake. No prison walls, no martyr's
stake, can then daunt or hinder us in the great work. {RH, December 15,
1874 par. 31}
"Come, O my soul,
to Calvary."
Mark the humble life of the Son of
God. He was a "man of sorrow and acquainted with grief." Behold
his ignominy, his agony in Gethsemane, and learn what self-denial is. Are
we suffering want? so was Christ, the majesty of Heaven. But his poverty
was for our sakes. Are we ranked among the rich? so was he. But he
consented "for our sakes to become poor, that we through his poverty
might be made rich." In Christ we have self-denial exemplified. The
sacrifice of Christ consisted, not merely in leaving the royal courts of
Heaven, and in being tried by wicked men as a criminal and pronounced
guilty, and being delivered up to die as a malefactor, but in bearing the
weight of the sins of the world. The life of Christ rebukes our
indifference and coldness. We are near the close of time, when Satan has
come down, having great wrath, knowing that his time is short. He is
working with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them which perish.
The warfare has been left in our hands by our great Leader for us to
carry forward with vigor. We are not doing a twentieth part of what we
might do if we were awake. The work is retarded by love of ease and a
lack of the self-denying spirit of which our Saviour has given us an
example in his life. {RH, December 15, 1874 par. 32}
Co-workers with Christ, men who feel
the need of extended effort, are wanted. The work of our presses should
not be lessened, but doubled. Schools should be established in different
places to educate our youth preparatory to their laboring to advance the
truth. {RH, December 15, 1874 par. 33}
Already a great deal of time has
been wasted, and angels bear to Heaven the record of our neglects. Our
sleepy and unconsecrated condition has lost to us precious opportunities
which God has sent to us in the persons of those who were qualified to
help us in our present need. Oh! how much we need our Hannah More to aid
us at this time in reaching those of other nations. Her extensive
knowledge of missionary fields would give us access to those of other
tongues that now we cannot approach. God brought this gift among us to
meet our present emergency; but we prized not the gift, and he took her
from us. She is at rest from her labors, but her self-denying works
follow her. It is to be deplored
that our missionary work should be retarded for the want of knowledge how
to gain access to the different nations and localities in the great
harvest field. {RH, December 15, 1874 par. 34}
We feel anguish of spirit because
some gifts are lost to us that we might now have if we had only been
awake. Laborers have been kept back from the whitening harvest. It
becomes the people of God to humble their hearts before him, and in the
deepest humiliation to pray the Lord to pardon our apathy and selfish
indulgence, and to blot out the shameful record of duties neglected, and privileges
unimproved. In contemplation of the cross of Calvary the true Christian
will abandon the thought of restricting his offerings to that which costs
him nothing, and will hear in trumpet tones,
"Go, labor in my vineyard,
There's resting
by-and-by." {RH, December 15, 1874 par. 35}
When Jesus was about to ascend on
high, he pointed to the harvest fields, and said to his followers,
"Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel." "Freely
ye have received, freely give." Shall we deny self that the wasting
harvest may be gathered? {RH, December 15, 1874 par. 36}
God calls for talents of influence
and of means. Shall we refuse to obey? Our Heavenly Father bestows gifts
and solicits a portion back, that he may test us whether we are worthy to
have the gift of everlasting life.
E. G. W. {RH, December 15, 1874 par. 37}
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