The Urgency of Evangelism
by Ellen White
The work which the church has failed to do in a time of peace and prosperity, she will
have to do in a terrible crisis, under most discouraging, forbidding circumstances. 5T 463
The Lord designs that the presentation of this message shall be the highest, greatest
work carried on in the world at this time. 6T 11
We should now feel the responsibility of labouring with intense earnestness to impart
to others the truths that God has given for this time. We cannot be too much in earnest. .
. .
Now is the time for the last warning to be given. There is a special power in the
presentation of the truth at the present time; but how long will it continue?--Only a
little while. If there was ever a crisis, it is now.
All are now deciding their eternal destiny. Men need to be aroused to realise the
solemnity of the time, the nearness of the day when human probation shall be ended.
Decided efforts should be made to bring the message for this time prominently before the
people. The third angel is to go forth with great power. 6T 16
We have no time to lose. The end is near. The passage from place to place to spread the
truth will soon be hedged with dangers on the right hand and on the left. Everything will
be placed to obstruct the way of the Lord's messengers, so that they will not be able to
do that which it is possible for them to do now. We must look our work fairly in the face,
and advance as fast as possible in aggressive warfare.
From the light given me of God I know that the powers of darkness are working with
intense energy from beneath, and with stealthy tread Satan is advancing to take those who
are now asleep, as a wolf taking his prey. We have warnings now which we may give, a work
now which we may do; but soon it will be more difficult than we can imagine. God help us
to keep in the channel of light, to work with our eyes fastened on Jesus our Leader, and
patiently, perseveringly press on to gain the victory. 6T 22
We are nearing the close of this earth's history. We have before us a great work,--the
closing work of giving the last warning message to a sinful world. There are men who will
be taken from the plough, from the vineyard, from various other branches of work, and sent
forth by the Lord to give this message to the world.
The world is out of joint. As we look at the picture, the outlook seems discouraging.
But Christ greets with hopeful assurance the very men and women who cause us
discouragement. In them He sees qualifications that will enable them to take a place in
His vineyard. If they will constantly be learners, through His providence He will make
them men and women fitted to do a work that is not beyond their capabilities; through the
impartation of the Holy Spirit, He will give them power of utterance. . . .
The common people are to take their place as workers. Sharing the sorrows of their
fellow men as the Saviour shared the sorrows of humanity, they will by faith see Him
working with them. 7T 270-272
Are we to wait until the fulfilment of the prophecies of the end before we say anything
concerning them? Of what value will our words be then? Shall we wait until God's
judgements fall upon the transgressor before we tell him how to avoid them? Where is our
faith in the word of God? Must we see things foretold come to pass before we will believe
what He has said? In clear, distinct rays light has come to us, showing us that the great
day of the Lord is near at hand, "even at the doors." Let us read and understand
before it is too late. 9T 20
We have a most solemn, testing message to give to the world. But too much time has been
given to those who already know the truth. In the place of spending time on those who have
been given many opportunities to learn the truth, go to the people who have never heard
your message. Hold your camp meetings[* NOTE.--SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CAMP MEETINGS OF
EARLIER YEARS WERE GREAT EVANGELISTIC AGENCIES DRAWING LARGE, ATTENTIVE, NON-ADVENTIST
AUDIENCES. IN THE FREQUENT MENTION OF CAMP MEETINGS IN THIS VOLUME THE CONTEXT CLEARLY
INDICATES THAT IT IS THE TENT MEETING OF LARGE EVANGELISTIC POTENTIALITIES THAT IS USUALLY
REFERRED TO. SEE EV 82,83 FOR STATEMENTS DESCRIBING SUCH MEETINGS.] in cities where the
truth has not been proclaimed. Some will attend the meetings and receive the
message.--Letter 87, 1896. EV 20
Time is short. Workers for Christ are needed everywhere. There should be one hundred
earnest, faithful labourers in home and foreign mission fields where now there is one. The
highways and the byways are yet unworked. Urgent inducements should be held out to those
who ought now to be engaged in missionary work for the Master. EV 22
We do not realise the extent to which Satanic agencies are at work in these large
cities. The work of bringing the message of present truth before the people is becoming
more and more difficult. It is essential that new and varied talents unite in intelligent
labour for the people. EV 31
We are altogether too narrow in our plans. We need to be broader minded. God wants us
to carry out in our work for Him the principles of truth and righteousness. His work is to
go forward in cities and towns and villages. . . .
We must get away from our smallness and make larger plans. There must be a wider
reaching forth to work for those who are nigh and those who are afar off.-- Manuscript 87,
1907. EV 46
The solemn, sacred message of warning must be proclaimed in the most difficult fields
and in the most sinful cities, in every place where the light of the great threefold
gospel message has not yet dawned. Everyone is to hear the last call to the marriage
supper of the Lamb. . . .
Countries hitherto closed to the gospel are opening their doors, and are pleading for
the Word of God to be explained to them. Kings and princes are opening their long-closed
gates, inviting the heralds of the cross to enter. The harvest truly is great. Eternity
alone will reveal the results of well-directed efforts put forth now. GW 27
The message we have to bear is not a message that men need cringe to declare. They are
not to seek to cover it, to conceal its origin and purpose. Its advocates must be men who
will not hold their peace day nor night. As those who have made solemn vows to God, and
who have been commissioned as the messengers of Christ, as stewards of the mysteries of
the grace of God, we are under obligation to declare faithfully the whole counsel of God.
We are not to make less prominent the special truths that have separated us from the
world, and made us what we are; for they are fraught with eternal interests. God has given
us light in regard to the things that are now taking place in the last remnant of time,
and with pen and voice we are to proclaim the truth to a world, not in a tame, spiritless
way, but in demonstration of the Spirit and power of God. HM NOV.01,1893
The spiritual darkness that covers the whole earth today, is intensified in the crowded
centres of population. It is in the cities of the nations that the gospel worker finds the
greatest impenitence and the greatest need....
The record of crime and iniquity in the large cities of the land is appalling. The
wickedness of the wicked is almost beyond comprehension. Many cities are becoming a very
Sodom in the sight of heaven. The increasing wickedness is such that multitudes are
rapidly approaching a point in their personal experience beyond which it will be
exceedingly difficult to reach them with a saving knowledge of the third angel's message.
The enemy of souls is working in a masterful manner to gain full control of the human
mind; and what God's servants do to warn and prepare men for the day of judgement, must be
done quickly.
The conditions that face Christian workers in the great cities, constitute a solemn
appeal for untiring effort in behalf of the millions living within the shadow of impending
doom. Men will soon be forced to great decisions, and they must have opportunity to hear
and to understand Bible truth, in order that they may take their stand intelligently on
the right side. God is now calling upon His messengers in no uncertain terms, to warn the
cities while mercy still lingers, and while multitudes are yet susceptible to the
converting influence of Bible truth. RH APR. 7,1910
Evangelistic work, opening the Scriptures to others, warning men and women of what is
coming upon the world, is to occupy more and still more of the time of God's servants. RH
AUG. 2,1906
As I consider the conditions in the cities that are so manifestly under the power of
Satan, I ask myself the question, What will be the end of these things? The wickedness in
many cities is increasing. Crime and iniquity are at work on every hand. New species of
idolatry are continually being introduced into society. In every nation the minds of men
are turning to the invention of some new thing. Rashness of deed and confusion of mind are
everywhere increasing. Surely the cities of the earth are becoming like Sodom and
Gomorrah.
As a people we need to hasten the work in the cities, which has been hindered for lack
of workers and means and a spirit of consecration. At this time, the people of God need to
turn their hearts fully to Him; for the end of all things is at hand. They need to humble
their minds, and to be attentive to the will of the Lord, working with earnest desire to
do that which God has shown must be done to warn the cities of their impending doom. RH
JAN.25,1912
The cities must be worked. The millions living in these congested centres are to hear
the third angel's message. This work should have been developed rapidly during the past
few years. RH JUL. 5,1906
We are now living in the closing scenes of this world's history. Let men tremble with
the sense of the responsibility of knowing the truth. The ends of the world are come.
Proper consideration of these things will lead all to make an entire consecration of all
that they have and are to their God. . . .
The weighty obligation of warning a world of its coming doom is upon us. From every
direction, far and near, calls are coming to us for help. The church, devotedly
consecrated to the work, is to carry the message to the world: Come to the gospel feast;
the supper is prepared, come. . . . Crowns, immortal crowns, are to be won. The kingdom of
heaven is to be gained. A world, perishing in sin, is to be enlightened. The lost pearl is
to be found. The lost sheep is to be brought back in safety to the fold. Who will join in
the search? Who will bear the light to those who are wandering in the darkness of error?
RH JUL.23,1895
Earnest efforts must be made to lead men and women to place themselves on the Saviour's
side. In this work there is need of divine help and of untiring vigilance. No one is to
sleep at his post of duty. Every capability must be put to use to win for Christ a victory
against the powers of darkness. RH MAR.02,1905
The voice of duty is the voice of God. The gospel demands from Christians unreserved
consecration of soul and body. The Lord claims the highest service that men and women,
aided by divine grace, can offer. In childhood, youth, and age, human beings of every
rank, high and low, rich and poor, belong to God. They are to withhold nothing from him.
Each one is to stand at his post of duty in the great enterprise of saving souls. RH
MAR.02,1905
When I think of the many cities yet unwarned, I cannot rest. It is distressing to think
that they have been neglected so long. For many, many years the cities of America,
including the cities in the South, have been set before our people as places needing
special attention. A few have borne the burden of working in these cities; but, in
comparison with the great needs and the many opportunities, but little has been done.
Where is your faith, my brethren? Where are the workmen? . . .
Shall we not plan to send messengers all through these fields, and support them
liberally? Shall not the ministers of God go into these crowded centres, and there lift up
their voices in warning to multitudes? At such a time as this, every hand is to be
employed. RH NOV.25,1909