Dear Fellow Workers:
For a long time I have carried in my heart a great desire to discuss, or shall I say confer, with you regarding the serious subject suggested by the questions heading this study. I say serious subject, because it is indeed a very serious one. It seriously concerns you and me, for it. vitally affects the supreme purpose of our ministry. The subject to which I refer is this: Is that great event, the second coming of Christ, being delayed? If not, what explanation can we give for the passing of "this generation" of Matthew 24:34? If it is being delayed, what is causing the delay? And further, what can be done to remove the cause, and to hasten His coming?
We are well aware of the strong faith and positive teaching of the pioneers in this message regarding the signs of His coming as given by our Lord and recorded in Matthew 24. We are also aware of their positive views and teaching regarding "this generation" of verse 34. They sincerely, whole-heartedly believed that the signs recorded in that chapter were sure heralds of His coming. They believed and taught with great assurance that "this generation," which "shall not pass away, till all these things shall be accomplished," was the generation in which they were living, and that the Saviour would come in that generation.
More than fourscore years have come and gone since those earnest, God-fearing leaders reached these conclusions. The Saviour has not yet come. Those pioneers are now in their graves. But the conclusions they reached and the deep convictions that moved them did not go to their graves with them. The faith of those fathers and mothers in Israel has laid hold of hundreds of thousands of intelligent men and women in all parts of the world, and inspired them to join in giving the great proclamation.
In this all true believers rejoice. But the passing of so large a part of the generation without the coming of the glorious event for which we looked so hopefully, is causing anxiety, uncertainty, and questioning in the minds of many. Were the pioneers right in. their interpretation and teaching of the Scriptures regarding the signs of the second coming of our Lord? Were they right in their interpretation of Christ's statement about "this generation"? Are we still to believe and teach what they believed and taught? Are we to look for the Lord to come before the remnant of the generation upon which they had entered passes? Is it possible that something has delayed His coming? If so, what can it be? Can this hindrance be removed and His coming be hastened?
These are some of the thoughts that are running through the minds of many of our people. How can any thoughtful, sincere believer in the message we hold help feeling disturbed and anxious as the years roll by without bringing the long-looked-for event? Personally, I confess to feelings, at times, of great concern and sadness of heart. It has fallen to me to take part in the last tender farewells to some of our noble leaders—J. N. Loughborough, Uriah Smith, George I. Butler, S. N. Haskell, and our dear Sister White. It has seemed terrible to look into the lifeless faces of those saints who had to go down into the dark valley instead of living until translation day. To see my saintly mother, who for sixty years had cherished the fond hope of seeing the Saviour come, go down disappointed, has been one of the most heart-piercing trials of all in this matter.
Now I realize that thousands of my fellow ministers and brethren and sisters have shared in all that has brought sadness to my heart and uneasiness to my mind. We can all see just what is ahead of us unless the Saviour comes very soon.
Here I raise a burning question: Can anything be done to change the situation? And with confidence in what God has revealed to us I make bold to answer, Yes; something can be done that will hasten that long-lookedfor event.
First of all I wish to make a concise statement of the convictions that still press upon my heart at the close of fifty-two consecutive years in this ministry:
1. That the signs of His "coming, and of the end of the world," as recorded in Matthew 24, occurred at God's appointed times to warn the world of coming doom and the church of the glorious consummation and realization of its hope.
2. That it was God's purpose that the Saviour should come to the generation that recognized these signs as heralds of the day of God.
3. That that generation began not later than 1844, when the hour of His judgment came.
4. That from that day there was laid upon God's people the solemn, yet glorious responsibility of hastening the coming of the day of God.
5. That there was also left with the church the awful responsibility of delaying the coming of that day.
6. That because of their failure to co-operate fully with the Lord, His people have hindered the progress of His work and the speedy consummation of His purpose.
7. That we, ministers and people, should now speedily and deeply repent of our great wrong, and by the grace and power of God make such a complete change of life and service and such a full surrender to God's purpose that He can use us in quickly finishing His work, so that the Saviour may come for His people.
I am aware that some who may read these statements of my faith regarding the subject under discussion will not agree with me. However, I believe that my statements have a sound basis in the word of God.
The question of the most serious concern in this study is the possibility that God's people possess the power either to hasten or to delay any of God's purposes and plans. The Bible account of the great exodus movement—the removal of the children of Israel from Egypt to Palestine—shows very clearly that the course pursued by the people delayed their entrance into Canaan forty years. The whole story shows that it was the Lord's, purpose to lead into the land of Palestine the very individuals He led out of Egypt. He made a wonderful beginning. He succeeded in getting them all up to the southern boundary of the land. There the orders were given to go in and take possession of the land.
But here the unbelief, fear, refusal, and insubordination of the people (the church, Acts 7:37-39), defeated the purpose of God. This is made very clear by the account given in the first chapter of Deuteronomy. After holding the people at Horeb long enough to instruct them in all things relating to their salvation, the Lord said: "Ye have dwelt long enough in this mountain." Deut. 1:6. They were instructed to go northward to the border of Canaan; to "go in and possess the land," as "far as the great river, the river Euphrates." Verses 7, 8.
They journeyed to Kadesh-barnea near the border. There they were told by Moses: "Behold, Jehovah thy God hath set the land before thee: go up, take possession." Verse 21. How clearly this shows that it was the Lord's purpose and plan to take into the Promised Land the whole nation that He led out of Egypt. How terribly sad, how dreadful the sequel! Says Moses: "Yet ye would not go up, but rebelled against the commandment of Jehovah your God." Verse 26.
