THE WEEK OF PRAYER

There is one item in the proceedings of the recent Conference, of which we trust all the readers of the Review have made a careful note; and that is the appointment of a week of prayer, Dec. 15-22. And we trust not only that all have made a careful note of this matter, but that all feel to acquiesce heartily in the arrangement, and are preparing to enter into the spirit of it, and to derive the good which may be gained by such special efforts to humble ourselves before the Lord.MMM 412.11

Special articles and Bible readings are being prepared for the meetings to be held on this occasion, which no doubt will present timely and appropriate subjects for the consideration of all.MMM 412.12

Remember that Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 19 and 20, are set apart as days of humiliation, fasting, and prayer, and Sabbath, Dec. 22. as a day of praise and thanksgiving. We believe that, if the preceding portion of the week of prayer is properly observed, such blessings will have been received, that when Dec. 22 shall come, praise and thanksgiving will flow forth spontaneously from every heart.MMM 412.13

Let there be no misunderstanding. It is not advocated that we should not specially seek the Lord, and should expect no blessing before the week of prayer,-not by any means,-but we should begin now to seek him and his righteousness earnestly, and to examine our hearts and prepare our spirits before him, put away wrongs and enter into his favor, that we may be prepared for the special exercises, and, may we not hope, for the special blessings also, of the appointed season. Consider these facts:-MMM 412.14

1. Every season of this kind heretofore observed, has proved a spiritual blessing to our people.MMM 412.15

2. Every reason which has called for the appointment of any such occasion in the past exists in intensified form at the present time.MMM 412.16

3. Our missions, in behalf of which this week of prayer is more particularly appointed, have been established in the providence of God, and must be sustained.MMM 412.17

4. These missions are now burdened and crippled by lack of means and lack of help.MMM 412.18

5. The harvest is great and the field continually enlarging, which makes the need of laborers more keenly felt.MMM 412.19

6. The Master is Boon coming to reckon with his servants, and what is done must be done quickly; but more than this, in so far as we are now behind what we should have been, on account of deficiencies in the past, in addition to current duties, we have now to make up that lack,-redeeming the time.MMM 412.20

Will not considerations like these move every one to more earnest action?MMM 412.21

Remember the “council of church, Sabbath-school and T. and M. officers to be held on Sabbath, Dec. 8, to prayerfully consider this matter, and lay definite plans to carry out the same successfully.” It will be quite essential to the success of the arrangement that this recommendation be carefully complied with.MMM 412.22

And then remember that on Monday evening, Dec. 24, or, if preferred, on the day following, the 25th, is the time when we arc to show how large a place this branch of the Lord’s cause has in our hearts, by the means wt contribute to help it forward. The holiday offerings of years past have wonderfully helped the missions, and lifted heavy burdens from many weary and anxious hearts which have felt the responsibilities of this work upon them. Shall not these hearts be again made glad by still more generous contributions the present year? Shall not the precious cause be saved from threatened loss? Shall not the ground already gained be held with a still firmer tenure? Shall not more gifts this year be diverted from a wrong or useless channel, to one of the noblest of purposes? What say you, brethren? Think on these things. “The Lord loveth a cheerful giver;” and how much do you prize his love?MMM 412.23