SETTING FORTH THE NEEDS OF THE PRESENT SITUATION, AND THE WORK TO BE DONE AT THIS TIME

L. T. NICOLA

[READING NO. 1, SABBATH, MAY 16 - PART I.]

AT different times in the past, circumstances have arisen which made it proper for the General Conference Committee to issue an appeal to our people, and call for a special season of prayer and fasting in which to consider important matters, while seeking the Lord with contrition of heart for his special guidance and blessing in the work.GCB April 1, 1896, page 687.3

To-day we are confronted with a condition of things that calls for earnest and prayerful consideration. The work is rapidly increasing on our hands, and the need of promptness in answering the many urgent calls for help cannot be questioned when it is realized that the time for labor is so short. Here, however, we meet the serious obstacle of an exhausted treasury. Many circumstances have contributed to lessen the inflow of means for the support of our missionary work. Hard times, financial disasters, failure of crops in certain localities, — all these things have had their influence; but can it be that God’s closing work in the earth shall be hindered, and souls perish, on account of such reasons as these? Is not God as well able to do great things for his people today as he has been in the past? — He most certainly is. Man’s necessity is His opportunity.GCB April 1, 1896, page 687.4

But our people are not awake to the urgency of the present needs. Two things must be brought about: first, a renewed consecration to God of all we have, and a deeper Christian experience generally; second, a more decided and uniform effort to contribute of our means to the missionary work, even to the extent of denying ourselves things that we think we need, in order that we may have something to give to the Lord.GCB April 1, 1896, page 687.5

The General Conference Committee, in its late meeting, gave much attention to the situation, and it was decided to issue an appeal to our people, placing the serious condition of things before them, so that all might have an opportunity to understand the urgency of the situation. It was also decided, as has been announced, to appoint May 16 and 17 as days of prayer and fasting, at which time this appeal could be read in our churches, and carefully studied.GCB April 1, 1896, page 687.6

As a committee we feel it to be our privilege and duty to communicate freely with our brethren and sisters concerning these matters, because we know that they are equally interested with us in every question that pertains to the work of the message and its advancement in the world. We therefore ask you, dear brethren, to give this matter most serious attention, and unite earnestly with us in seeking the Lord for the enlightenment of his Holy Spirit, so that we may fully understand the solemnity of our time, and the obligations we are under to God and to his work in the earth.GCB April 1, 1896, page 687.7