The Work in New Fields
[
Remarks before the Swiss conference, Friday, September 11.
]
I have been deeply interested this morning in listening to the reports
of labor from the various fields. I have been connected with the work
in America from its very commencement, and understand something
about the difficulties to be met when the cause is in its infancy. We
have seen the work go hard, and we have seen of the salvation of God
in the presentation of truth. The reports we have heard here sound the
same as those we have heard in America. Those who accept the truth
in this country have a great cross to lift; and when they do take their
stand firmly, our brethren no doubt feel as we did when the work first
started. One soul who embraced the truth was regarded of more value
than mountains of gold. We wept and rejoiced, and could scarcely
sleep. Our hearts were so filled with gratitude, and so closely united
in love and sympathy, that we wanted to praise God day and night.
The Piedmont valleys have been spoken of. From the light that
I have had, there are, all through these valleys, precious souls who
will receive the truth. I have no personal knowledge of these places;
but they were presented to me as being in some way connected with
God’s work of the past. He now has an advance step for this people
to take. Those who labor in these valleys must take a deep interest in
their work, or they will not succeed. The third angel is represented
as flying through the midst of heaven. The work is one that must be
done quickly. They must keep in working order, laboring intelligently
and with consecration, and be prepared by the grace of God to meet
opposition. They are not only to preach, but to minister. As they go
forth to labor, they are to make personal efforts for the people, coming
heart to heart with them, as they open to them the Scriptures. There
may at first be only a few here and there who will accept the truth; but
when these are truly converted, they will labor for others, and soon,
with proper efforts, larger companies will be raised up, and the work
will move forward more rapidly.
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