THE WEEK OF PRAYER

L. A. HOOPES, G. A. IRWIN

IMPORTANCE OF THE OCCASION. Introductory

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Reading for Sabbath, December 22.

Another year has nearly run its course, and will soon be considered as among the things of the past; but before we bid it a final farewell and turn to welcome its successor, let us recall for a moment its most important events, and draw therefrom the lessons they are designed to teach the child of God. Instead of that universal peace that had been expected from the council of nations, the year has been characterized by cruel and bloody wars, involving nearly all the principal powers of the Old World, as well as our own country. In these wars many thousands of human lives have been destroyed, two republics have been overthrown, the oldest kingdom in the world has been brought to the verge of dismemberment, millions of dollars have been, and are still being, spent in war equipments, to carry out the ambitious, covetous desire of men and nations, to extend their borders, and make themselves a name in the earth.GCB July 1, 1900, page 153.1

To the politician and statesman, who view these things from the human standpoint, they are the harbinger of better days, of world-wide greatness and prosperity, when this temporary upheaval shall have adjusted itself to the onward march of advancing civilization. But the student of prophecy sees in these events an altogether different picture. He sees in them what the lone watcher on Patmos saw, as recorded in the book of Revelation. He sees in them the anger of nations, the drying up of the great river Euphrates, that a way might be prepared for the kings of the East. He sees in them the three unclean spirits going forth to the kings of the earth and the whole world, to gather them to the battle of the great day of God Almighty. He sees in them the soon coming of the Lord as a thief, putting an end to all things earthly, and bringing reward to his servants the prophets, and to the saints, and to them that fear his name, both small and great.GCB July 1, 1900, page 153.2

But while all this can be so clearly seen, the remnant church which God has called to stand in the breach, fail to see how far short they come of measuring up to the standard required in such a time, and why they are so lacking in power to impress the solemn truth for this time upon the hearts of the people. But the Lord, in love to his people, and for the sake of those who may yet be reached by his truth, and saved in his kingdom, has revealed to us the cause of our weakness, in the communication that follows; and as it shall be read, may the Lord impress each soul with the principles of truth contained therein, and his own need of having them thoroughly incorporated into his daily life.GCB July 1, 1900, page 153.3

GEO. A. IRWIN, President General ConferenceGCB July 1, 1900, page 153.4