The church today may learn a lesson from the ' world. It is a lesson in real self-denial. We see this in the zeal and courage of our young men to give their all in the service. We see it in the many citizens who buy bonds, who give up vacations, who work in dangerous, hard places, and make other sacrifices to help the war. We see it in the women as much or more than in men—young wives whose husbands are overseas, or mothers whose sons are gone. Millions of Americans now deny themselves luxuries in order that they may serve their country. It is a sacrifice for victory.
Not since the Civil War have we seen its equal in this country, and seldom in history has a nation done of its own choice what we are doing. It is also true in other countries. This is as it should be, and every child of God will give unstinted support to his own country.
There is, however, another sacrifice for victory that should never be forgotten. It is the victory of the great gospel cause, especially in foreign missions. It is difficult for us human beings fully to enter into the pain and sorrow of others. We do not sense as we should the deep, urgent need for help in our large, world-wide mission work. The Lord has been generous to us all. He has given us an abundance of good things. He wants us to have what we need for ourselves and our children, but He also teaches us economy and the spirit of self-denial for the sake of others. To the advent church He has commanded the great privilege of sending the gospel message to all mankind. This
vent cause has come into the world to stay. her religious movements have lasted but a short time to come to nought. Many worldly concerns all about us are failing. In fact every enterprise now, with the exception of God's work, will go down. As we understand this advent movement, there is yet an immensely larger work before us than we have yet accomplished. This larger work may employ different methods, and we are told that "it will be more difficult than we can imagine."
The times offer fertile soil for false revivals. The mind of man now has entered into a strange state. With many, emotions and snap decisions have become a stimulant and substitute for clear thinking. The mentality of our age seems purposely prepared by evil angels for their full and final control of the human race. Passion, envy, hatred, fear, often inspired by pride of race, having reached flood tide, are ready to burst the last bulwark. This war-weary age is eagerly looking for a change, and many are longing for gospel light.
If we inquire as to the cause of the marvelous growth of the advent movement, the answer is that it is the mission zeal and the spirit of self-denial of our people. The need today for larger mission giving is very urgent. In writing this we are thinking of the Week of Sacrifice. The plan is that every denominational worker shall give a week's salary. To do this in spite of the high price of living is a real but joyful sacrifice. The plan is, further, that we ask all our members to join with us in denying themselves to help the cause of God with a liberal offering. We do hope that many will do this. It does seem as though this year, when the world shows the spirit of self-denial as it does for the cause of liberty, we must not fail in manifesting the same spirit for the cause of salvation. The date of this important week for missions is November 18-25, the same as the Week of Prayer, and the date for the offering is November 25.
