So widely separated from other continents by the broad waters of the Pacific is Australia, that it seems like another world. Numerous islands cluster about it, and dot the Pacific. In many of these islands missionary work has been established through the efforts of various denominations, and English-speaking people are found even in the islands where the majority of the inhabitants are little better than heathen. To these islands of the sea many publications have been carried, and these silent messengers of the truth are doing the work to which they were appointed. The Lord has stirred the hearts of his people to make the efforts that have been made, that the inhabitants of these far-away islands may know the truth, and understand the times in which we are living.HM September 1, 1892, Art. A, par. 1

A number of churches have been raised up in Australia, New Zealand, and Tasmania, and yet the work of enlightening the people of these lands is almost at a stand-still for want of the living witness. From the light which the Lord has given me, we have no time to waste in pleasing ourselves; for now is the time to work in warning the children of men of the coming of our Lord in the clouds of heaven. Now is our day to work for these lands. Let every interest minor to this work stand aside. God calls upon those who have had the light of truth, to become a light unto others. Believers in Christ, by the present needs and privileges, you are summoned to appear, and become witnesses for your Lord. The Lord says to all who have tasted of his goodness, “Ye are my witnesses.” He bids every one who trusts in him repeat his message to the world, saying, “I, even I, am the Lord and beside me there is no Saviour.” The unbelieving world is waiting for your testimony, and I beseech you by the mercies of God to arise and meet their expectation. Darkness is covering the earth, and gross darkness the people; and amid the moral night that is settling upon the world, I beseech you who believe, to testify to those who sit in darkness that there is light, and that none need walk in darkness; for the true light now shineth.HM September 1, 1892, Art. A, par. 2

Satan and his evil angels, combined with wicked men, are seeking by every possible device to bear before the world a testimony against the truth of God's word. The enmity of Satan against Christ is determined and unrelenting, and in the great controversy between good and evil, while Satan and his confederacy are bringing in their false testimony against God and his truth, in order that men may not receive the love of the truth, but believe a lie. Who is burdened of soul to make plans or devise means whereby agencies may be put in operation for the advancement of truth? Will those who profess to believe the truth stand in idleness, when Satan and his hosts work with intense activity for the overthrow of the cause of truth? Will the professed followers of Christ allow him to preoccupy the field? Who will be a volunteer to witness for God in these far-off lands? Who will open the Scriptures to those who are ignorant of the words of life? Who will let his light shine out to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death?HM September 1, 1892, Art. A, par. 3

The Saviour has said, “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him” He says again, “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent.” Mohammedanism has its converts in many lands, and its advocates deny the divinity of Christ. Shall this faith be propagated, and the advocates of truth fail to manifest intense zeal to overthrow the error, and teach men of the pre-existence of the only Saviour of the world? O how we need men who will search and believe the word of God, who will present Jesus to the world in his divine and human nature, declaring with power and in demonstration of the Spirit, that “there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” O how we need believers who will now present Christ in life and character, who will hold him up before the world as the brightness of the Father's glory, proclaiming that God is love!HM September 1, 1892, Art. A, par. 4

The dying world is before you, and you can find work to do anywhere in its borders; but what are you doing for the salvation of those for whom Christ has died? God in his providence has been preparing the way for the coming of the living agent to all lands, that men may hear the good news of salvation. All things are now ready, and the angels wait for the co-operation of those who believe the truth for these last days, that they may go forth, and work with the followers of Christ in drawing souls to God.HM September 1, 1892, Art. A, par. 5

All heaven is interested in man's salvation, and the work may be done speedily, the kingdom of God may come, and the earth be filled with the knowledge of God as the waters cover the sea. The great desire of the heavenly intelligences is that the character of God, so long misrepresented and misinterpreted, may be rightly represented before those who have been deceived by the devices of the enemy. Satan has imputed to God his own attributes, and is it not now time that the name of Christ should be great among the heathen? God calls for those who have been enlightened to fall into line, and begin aggressive warfare on the strongholds of the evil one.HM September 1, 1892, Art. A, par. 6

Sabbath after Sabbath many of you hear the voice of the living preacher, but how many feel the need of bringing the truth into your practical life? How many realize that light is given you that you may reflect it upon others? There is great need that the people should be educated that they may do the part of the work that has been appointed unto them to do; but the education of church members has been neglected. If the minister would instruct his people, he might have an army to help him in diffusing the light when a crisis comes in the work. Each member of the church should do the work for which he is best adapted, and the work could be so arranged that everything would move off harmoniously, and the prosperity of a working church would be manifested in the vital interest which would spring up among those who put their energies into the cause of Christ.HM September 1, 1892, Art. A, par. 7

When souls are first converted to the truth, they should be instructed as to what Christ expects from them in living, whole-hearted service,—that he invites them to be laborers in his moral vineyard. However trembling may be their efforts, however imperfect their work, they should be patiently and lovingly borne with; for if they are meek and lowly in heart, the Lord can turn what appears to be defeat, into signal victory. Every soul born of the Spirit of God is to grow up into Christ, the living head. Under apprenticeship to Christ, those who profess his name are to become apt scholars, learning how to co-operate with heavenly intelligences in drawing souls to Christ. To every one the Lord has given his work.HM September 1, 1892, Art. A, par. 8

But instead of doing the work the Lord has appointed to be done through human agencies, many are idling away the precious moments of probation. Satan has come in to preoccupy the field, and he has filled the hands of those who should have been laborers together with God, with work that causes him to exult, because the cause of Christ is left to languish by those who profess to be the followers of Jesus. The instruction of Paul to the Ephesians is applicable to us, and we should heed the exhortation. He says, “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation where-with ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” “But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.” “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.”HM September 1, 1892, Art. A, par. 9

From the inspired words which we have quoted, we can see that many workers are needed in the cause of God, in order that the saints may be perfected. The reason of the weakness of the church is made manifest, for these workers are lacking. No man has entered into the work of educating the members as to the duties devolving personally upon them. Men should be trained for the work of training others, that order may be found in the church, and that each one may do for the Master according to his God-given ability. It is not a matter to be deplored that those who accept the truth are differently organized and endowed; for there is work for every one, and if the people of God reach to the measure of the fullness of Christ, there must be earnest work for the individual members of the body of Christ, “that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive, but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ; from whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.”HM September 1, 1892, Art. A, par. 10

Mrs. E. G. White

(Concluded in our next.)

July 1, 1892

September 1, 1892