SUNDAY AFTERNOON SERVICE
June 1
J. O. CORLISS, of California, spoke in the large pavilion at 2:30, on the subject, “The Certainty and the Nearness of the Lord’s Coming, and the Preparation Needed.” “Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.” 2 Peter 1:12. Thirty-five years after the death of Christ, it was necessary for Peter to remind the believers what he had said to them.GCB June 3, 1913, page 256.1
It was a blessed experience for the disciples to be associated with their Lord, but he must needs leave them. So he placed before them a hope: “Let not your hearts be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” John 14:1-3. And the truth we have to-day is the ultimatum that the Saviour placed before them. That time is now at hand. “Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.” Matthew 24:44. The call is to be ready, not to get ready.GCB June 3, 1913, page 256.2
There will be many people living on the earth who will not be looking for Christ’s advent. Our position may be such that we will be satisfied with our present surroundings, and we may not give that close attention to the future that we would if our circumstances were different. These things may take us by surprise when the events spoken of in the Word of God shall burst upon us. People are planning for many hundred years ahead. Some seem to think that the world is going on forever and forever. We Seventh-day Adventists ought to look for the event according to the faith that was taught us when we received the message.GCB June 3, 1913, page 256.3
Christ’s second coming will be literal; he will come in all the glory of his Father and of the holy angels, accompanied by thousands of thousands and ten thousand times ten thousands of holy angels. That event will be the greatest since the creation of the world. The glory will strike the wicked with death, but to them that look for him will he appear again the second time without sin unto salvation. Christ comes not as a babe in the manger; not to sweat in Gethsemane; not to die on the cross; but he will come triumphant, in all the glory of his Father and of the holy angels.GCB June 3, 1913, page 256.4
But we must be like him, for “it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” This perfection will not be our own, but one wrought out in us through Jesus—“Christ in you, the hope of glory.” The human will be crushed out, and the divine will be there. The preparation to meet our Saviour in peace will be not only because the image of the Son of God will be in us.GCB June 3, 1913, page 256.5
But “who shall be able to stand?” The investigative judgment is now going on in heaven; and the time is hastening when we shall face the realities of the eternal world, when every secret thing will be brought into judgment, when “there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”GCB June 3, 1913, page 256.6
But Jesus Christ, our Advocate, will represent those whose names are written in the book of life. “He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.” Revelation 3:5.GCB June 3, 1913, page 256.7
JOYS AND DIFFICULTIES OF MISSION LIFE
WASe
In giving his report for Nyasaland, J. C. Rogers prefaced it with the following outline of the joys and difficulties of mission life:—GCB June 3, 1913, page 256.8
Joys
1. Obeying our Lord’s commission, “Go ye into all the world.”GCB June 3, 1913, page 256.9
2. Imparting light to receptive minds.GCB June 3, 1913, page 256.10
3. Answering inquirers after the ways of God.GCB June 3, 1913, page 256.11
4. Leading them little by little to Christ.GCB June 3, 1913, page 256.12
5. Helping them up from their often fallings.GCB June 3, 1913, page 256.13
6. Hearing one say, after years of labor, “I want to be a Christ man.”GCB June 3, 1913, page 256.14
7. Teaching them more of God’s ways, and training them to be teachers.GCB June 3, 1913, page 256.15
Difficulties
1. Too many duties, and care of all the people in sickness, etc.GCB June 3, 1913, page 256.16
2. Rampant heathenism,—polygamy, witchery, intemperance, immorality.GCB June 3, 1913, page 256.17
3. The burning, teasing, tearing tropical sun. “I was strong as a bull, and for many months I fought the sun sickness that was ripping and tearing my surface and nervous tissues to pieces.... During this period, under a tropical sun, rotten with malaria, and suffering from a few minor afflictions, I did the work of five men.” (Jack London, in John Barleycorn.)GCB June 3, 1913, page 256.18
4. Heathen suspicion, and silent opposition, traders, mines, jobs.GCB June 3, 1913, page 256.19
5. Fevers, sleeping sickness.GCB June 3, 1913, page 256.20
6. Insects “How great a matter a little fly kindleth” (the tsetse, mosquito, jigger).GCB June 3, 1913, page 256.21
A LETTER
WASe
HARTFORD, MICH., May 28, 1913.
To the brethren and sisters assembled in General Conference: Greeting!GCB June 3, 1913, page 256.22
It was the privilege of the undersigned to attend the meeting in Battle Creek, Mich., fifty years ago, when the General Conference was first organized. We are among the few survivors of that event, and, though we could not be present at the jubilee anniversary, we felt that it would be a privilege to give in our testimony.GCB June 3, 1913, page 256.23
While this message has been penetrating to the dark corners of the earth, our kind Heavenly Father has spared our lives and kept us in the faith, and has given us children true to this message. Our hearts are thrilled with joy as from time to time we read of the progress of the work; and it is our prayer that merely human plans may find no place in the proceedings of this Conference, but that everything may be done in harmony with the mind and Spirit of God. And in the final triumph, may we be gathered with the unnumbered redeemed host is our prayer.GCB June 3, 1913, page 256.24
ALFRED AND MARY CASTLE.PHOTO-Ready for the journey, Nyasaland.