The world has passed through a period of "good times"—perhaps the best times, materially, it has ever experienced—into a state of depression so widespread and so difficult to overcome that we have no difficulty in recognizing it as one of the signs of our Lord's soon return—"distress of nations, with perplexity." But we should be neither perplexed nor surprised, for repeatedly we have been warned of these very things. "Christians should be preparing for what is soon to break upon the world as an overwhelming surprise," the servant of God has told us; and those who have made the preparation should be prepared to sound the call, "No retreat!" even while others surrender and give way. We have the very message for such conditions as prevail at the present time; therefore we should work more faithfully than ever, and may confidently expect better results.
Our larger cities present a sad picture today. Thousands are without work, or money, or any hope of brighter days ahead. Many are driven almost to insanity by their inability to provide for their families, and by the dark outlook. They see nothing ahead but distress and fear.
Added to all this is the fact that it is more difficult to awaken an interest in spiritual things than it was twenty-five years ago. People are not studying the Bible now as they did then; many know little about it, and have rejected what they do know. The laws of God and of man are alike disregarded, and the people are taught to look to human wisdom for their instruction and guidance. Therefore it is difficult to bring them to the point of sorrow for sin and of surrender to God.
As we look upon these throngs of discouraged, sad-hearted souls, we can understand better the compassion that so often filled the heart of the Master as He looked upon the multitudes who thronged Him. But He had a message of hope for them; and I find that it is not difficult to interest people today in the hope of the soon-coming Lord.
It is high time for us to reap large results where the faithful colporteurs have sold our large books. Now is our opportunity to go, with the spirit and the power of our Saviour, into the byways and hedges, and compel the people to come in.
This time is our best time, because it is likely to be our last time. It will prove a blessing to the church if the members give themselves to prayer and to deep heart searching, which will lead to a closer walk with God, to more careful Sabbath observance, and to more zeal in the things of God. When these conditions prevail in the church, new members will flow into it, and the work will be finished.
Monmouth, Ill.
