On every hand we hear the words "depression" and "hard times." And within our memory there were never such problems to meet, in persuading breadwinners to accept the Sabbath message. Multitudes are without work or money, yet expenses continue, and the pressure increases with every passing day. There is time, but little money,—and welcome hands are outstretched for anything that is free.
But is not this our golden opportunity to place in the hands of the idle something that will point them to the better land to come, and to the living of a better life here? Is not this the time to press into the openings created, and hold cottage meetings or house-to-house Bible studies?
If anyone has the solution for present-day problems, the Bible student has. And while God does not hold out ease or prosperity to those who join His ranks, He does hold out the only hope for remedy, in salvation from sin here and in a sure hope of eternity.
We are given a picture of the last days: "Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. . . . And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh." Luke 21:26-28. Again we read, "Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh." James 5:8. These hard times were foretold centuries ago, with the expectation that if prosperity did not cause God's people to live unselfish, godly lives, the heavy hand of adversity might.
Surely, with all the promises of His word and the portrayal of the last great struggles of humanity written in advance, we should go forth with renewed courage, assuring people that He who has never failed will not fail now to fulfill His word and give to His faithful children their reward. The only reason that God has waited this long, is that the remnant of His people might be gathered in. As in 1914 the winds of strife swept over the world to bring complete destruction, but the four angels were commissioned to hold them back, so today God declares, "Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads." Rev. 7:3. "Account that the long-suffering of our Lord is salvation," we are admonished in 2 Peter 3:15. Years ago we had the message from the Lord that not one in twenty was ready to be saved. Surely it ought to arouse us and cause us as workers to search our own hearts to see if we have profited by the straight testimony, and are gaining "the victory over every besetment, over pride, selfishness, love of the world, and over every wrong word and action."—"Early -Writings," p. 71. Sensing the times in which we live, and the enormity of the task, God's Spirit-filled people will go forth as that other angel joins the three preceding ones, and the earth is lightened with his glory.
Anticipation is usually greater than realization, but not so in the closing days of this world's history. "There shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book." Dan. 12:1. "All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." 2 Tim. 3:12. We have told others that if they would step out by faith and obey God, He would work for them, and they would not suffer. We too are to be tested. And God will as materially work for us as He has for them.
It has been easy for us to tell others how to walk by faith when most of us have had a dependable salary to count upon each month; for we have been backed by a denomination that not only pays its ministers and Bible workers during actual service, but gives them sustentation when unable to serve. We have been supported by a denomination which for over eighty years has enlarged its responsibilities, increased its salaries, and always met its requirements. Therefore we have feared nothing but apostasy or inefficiency as a cause of discontinuance from the pay roll. Though many of us have given up father, mother, children, houses, lands, pleasures, and earthly benefits, we also are to be tested to the limit to see if we are serving merely for the job, the privilege of being thought well of, or for any other benefit; or if, like Job, we can say, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him."
Depression will doubtless cause all conference workers finally to be dropped from the pay roll, and persecution may silence the ministry even by imprisonment. It may hinder our farmers from harvesting their crops. It may cause all the breadwinners to lose their jobs, until the hour finally comes when they will not be able to buy or sell. Yet their love for this truth and for the salvation of souls will cause them to go out proclaiming the nearness of the end, despite it all.
We are told, The work of God in this earth can never be finished until the men and women composing our church membership rally to the work, and unite their efforts with those of ministers and church officers."—"Gospel Workers," p. 352. Many are doing this very work now.
Not a few local church elders are spending a large part of their time holding cottage meetings or Sunday night services in their churches, organizing their churches into working bands, and going out with them into actual service—and this not for a salary, for they do not expect to be repaid even for the expense incurred in their endeavors.
So depression will be a blessing when it causes us to pray for deeper consecration and the complete infilling of the Holy Spirit for service. Then the cry of suffering humanity will cause us to share our bread with the hungry, bring the poor to our houses, clothe the naked, visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, minister to the sick, being "ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh" us "a reason of the hope that is in" us, "with meekness and fear." As we give to others we shall receive, and God will provide for our needs in a miraculous way.
Bakersfield, Calif.
