Chapter 52—Through the South to the Conference of
1901
“Our efforts in missionary lines must become far more extensive,”
wrote Mrs. White shortly before her return to America in 1900. “A
more decided work than has been done must be done prior to the
second appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ. God’s people are not to
cease their labors until they shall encircle the world.”
“Let the gospel message ring through our churches, summoning
them to universal action. Let the members of the church have increased
faith, gaining zeal from their unseen, heavenly allies, from a knowledge
of their exhaustless resources, from the greatness of the enterprise in
which they are engaged, and from the power of their Leader. Those
who place themselves under God’s control, to be led and guided by
Him, will catch the steady tread of the events ordained by Him to take
place. Inspired with the Spirit of Him who gave His life for the life
of the world, they will no longer stand still in impotency, pointing to
what they cannot do. Putting on the armor of heaven, they will go
forth to the warfare, willing to do and dare for God, knowing that His
omnipotence will supply their need.”
Testimonies for the Church 6:14
.
Centers of Influence and of Training
With the rapid development of missionary operations in many
lands during the nineties, there had arisen perplexing administrative
problems regarding the distribution of workers and of means. Some
advocated one policy, some another. There were those who urged the
[380]
immediate occupation of the strongholds of heathenism by large forces
of workers, while others held to the policy of carrying on a vigorous
campaign in unoccupied regions of the home land, as, for example, the
Southern States of America, and in those countries where the efforts of
the workers were rewarded with encouraging and substantial results.
These advocated that difficult heathen lands be entered only as the
providence of God might plainly open the way.
300