(Concluded.)
EGW
“Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” In order that you may do this, pray, pray in faith, for that knowledge and wisdom and grace which the Lord Jesus alone can give you; and when you receive it, communicate to others. Thus souls will be saved, and there will be rejoicing in heaven. “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; that they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.” A living church is one that is engaged in earnest work for the Master. Christ's prayer to his Father was that through the sanctification of the truth his disciples might be one in him. They are to deny self. They are to consecrate every ability to his service; through patience, goodness, mercy, sympathy, and love representing our Saviour to the world. Through the influence of the Holy Spirit, all are to labor for the unity of love, that they may bring others to the knowledge of the truth. The Christlike devotion of those who stand in the wondrous light that shines from Calvary will recommend the followers of Christ and his service to the world. RH July 2, 1895, par. 1
May the Lord give the missionary spirit to his church. Then the workers will go into the harvest-field, pleading with our Heavenly Father that his Holy Spirit may go with them, that they may hold forth the words of life to those who are hastening to death. There are those in all our cities who have not had the truth presented to them; who have not heard the warning message of the Lord's soon coming; who have not heard that the end of all things is at hand. Unless messengers go to them in the Spirit of Christ, how shall these people hear the gospel invitation? How shall they know that their sins may be forgiven through the mercy of a crucified and risen Saviour? Aggressive warfare must be entered upon with a devoted, self-sacrificing spirit that many know nothing about. As opportunities offer, as doors open, and the word of life is brought to the people, opposition to the truth will start into operation. The door that is open to the missionary will also be open to the opposer of truth. But if the truth is presented as it is in Jesus, the hearers are responsible for its rejection. RH July 2, 1895, par. 2
Those who will not accept the last solemn message of warning sent to our world, will pervert the Scriptures; they will attack the character, and make false statements in regard to the faith and doctrines of the advocates of Bible truth. Every possible means will be employed to divert the attention. Shows, games, horse-races, and various other kinds of amusement will be set in operation. An intense power from beneath will stir them up to oppose the message from heaven. RH July 2, 1895, par. 3
What shall be done to meet our responsibilities? How shall we make proper use of the opportunities presented? There must be prayer, earnest, humble prayer; there must be determined wrestling with God for the endowment of his Holy Spirit. “Put me in remembrance,” says the Lord; “let us plead together; declare thou, that thou mayest be justified.” Take your Bibles and present the promises of God before the throne of grace. He says: “Ask, and it shall be given you.... For every one that asketh receiveth.... If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children; how much more shall your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?” Believe that the Lord does just as he says he will. Go to work in faith. Hold fast to every point of vantage-ground gained. However strong the opposition may be, there must be no weakening. Hold fast by faith. Work and pray, watch and wait, hope and trust, leave everything to God. He can thresh mountains with a worm. RH July 2, 1895, par. 4
The church that would prove successful in the Master's service must be an aggressive one. Its members must not allow their interest in the work to flag. Heavenly intelligences are ready to co-operate with the human agent to press forward the work. At whatever cost press the battle to the gates of the enemy, yea, storm the very citadel. Do not allow yourselves to fail nor to be discouraged. Christ's authority is supreme, his power is invincible. Through the Holy Spirit the Lord works with the human agent. “He hath anointed us to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent us to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called Trees of Righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.” The Sun of Righteousness has arisen; Christ is waiting to clothe his people with the garments of salvation. And “he shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth; and the isles shall wait for his law.” “His glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.” RH July 2, 1895, par. 5
The Lord does not wish to have one true soldier of the cross remain in ignorance or darkness. He calls us up, high up above the earth, that he may show us the vast confederacy of evil that is arrayed against us. He would remind us that “we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” But he assures all who are engaged in this warfare that they are fighting under the “Captain of the Lord's host,” and that the angels of heaven are assisting them in their struggle for the “crown that fadeth not away.” Let us rally under the banner of Prince Immanuel, and in the name and strength of Jesus press the battle home. RH July 2, 1895, par. 6
There are souls perishing. They must know the terms of salvation. They must be taught that the conditions of acceptance are the same now as they were in Adam's day,—obedience to all God's commandments. Many appear to be entombed in the darkness of ignorance, intrenched behind an invincible barrier, full of error taught them by priest and ruler; but bear in mind that heavenly intelligences are working with the human agents. The Holy Spirit can pierce the stronghold of unbelief. Jesus is leading his army to the field of battle. Listen to his proclamation, “Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” Our General leads to victory, for he is a mighty conqueror. RH July 2, 1895, par. 7