Making Wills

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The making of wills is a matter that we should consider carefully. We should not treat it as a delicate question that should not be introduced, fearing to create nervousness with feeble persons whose span of life is nearly run out. Those having means should consider all the probabilities regarding life, and the proper use of their means, and make everything right, clear, and thorough as the Lord’s responsible agents. All that you and I possess of talents is loaned us on trust that we may trade with it. By improving these talents we acquire more talents to invest for the Lord.

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Time is short. I have a message to my brothers and sisters, whose life history must soon close; is it not best to set your house in order? Look well into these matters. What disposition are you making of the Lord’s capital of means? Consider, What shall I do with my responsibilities of houses and lands or of my effects? God help you in this decision. Now, while you have your reason, work carefully that God’s cause shall have placed to its advantage all the means that can be properly devoted to it.

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Decisions for All Time.

Relatives have a fair chance to live by their own industry. Do not spoil them by throwing responsibilities upon them, in the will that you make, that they know not how to manage. You are now making decisions for all time in reference to the future good of the Lord’s grand gospel missionary work, that even after you are dead, your entrusted means may be at work in carrying the message into new places, thus adding new territory to the Lord’s kingdom. You must now, while alive, make diligent, faithful work, that after your death gifts and offerings may come into the treasury of the cause of God. By making this provision you express your interest in the work of God, which must be sustained and the standard of truth lifted in new places. Your treasure is loaned to you in trust and is the Lord’s. Now, you are to select stewards of God to pass the same along. Your helping hand may be still in death, yet your works follow you through living, faithful stewards as your representatives, and you are thus fulfilling your appointed work. Said Christ to John, «Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them.»

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With Christ everything was made subordinate to His Father’s kingdom and the great, grand work of saving souls. Redemption was the key note. He left His royal throne, laid aside His royal crown, laid off His royal robe, and submitted to a life of humiliation. «For your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich.» And the same devotion, the same subjection of every social relation and endearment, is to be ever paramount in His disciples.

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Trust Funds.

He that loveth God supremely will not because of that love his parents or other relatives less. The love of Christ leads His disciples to carry out the will and ways of God expressed in the wills of His servants that are dead, waiting for the morning of the resurrection. Our capital, entrusted of God, is not to be recklessly signed away to men and women who would serve themselves and not the Lord. «He that loveth father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.» This caution is not designed to lead us to disregard relatives or friends, yet the test comes to every soul, Will you receive Christ and acknowledge Him as your Redeemer.

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Some relative, father, or mother, or friend, may say, «You can no longer call me father, or mother, or friend, if you accept Jesus of Nazareth.» This very test did come to many, and at the sacrifice of even the dearest friends they could but say, «He gave His life for me. He died that I might live.» What a scene was represented at the cross! What an example to the beloved disciples of filial affection! «Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple standing by, whom He loved, He saith unto His mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith He to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.»

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We are now in a special period of the earth’s history. Let every one look unto Jesus and copy the example that He has given us. Means must come into the work just now when doors stand open on every side, and the voice is heard, «Come over and help us.» Shall the higher classes that are now interested be left without light, because it takes money to work in the large cities? The higher class halls are very expensive; the coal bill to heat a house or hall in winter is large: but shall lands be left unsold; shall the houses which could be sold beside the one we live in be retained? Shall it be left until the sweet voice of Mercy is no longer heard, and the door is shut? Now , we are to let out light shine forth to the world, opening the way.

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Give To God His Own.

The Medical Missionary work is the helping right hand of the Gospel; therefore when the gospel is preached there must be a most thorough effort made to establish sanitariums. As people accept the truth they will feel called out to labor for souls, making plain and distinct God’s plan of salvation. Then as souls decide for the truth and become willing to come out from the churches, meeting houses must be built. Where are the men who have means to help? See the requirement in Luke 12. Sell that ye have and give of God’s own property, that of which He has made you stewards.

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It is now time to work to set in order the things that need to be done. «Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.»

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An Appeal to the Aged.

We wish that all who are becoming old and feeble would make a wise disposition of their means, giving freely back to God that which is His own. Some need the interest on their money to support them while they live. These can lend their money at reasonable interest to our publishing or medical institutions, and make arrangements that it shall be used in missionary work after their death. Wise and faithful men should be chosen as their stewards, and clear and thorough work done to ensure the use of their means in the very way that they wish. Then they will know that their treasure is to be used to warn the world of its coming doom. We have no time to delay.

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To those who have purchased lands which have increased in value, I am commissioned to say, Will you now show your appreciation of the truth, your appreciation of the value of souls, by disposing of these lands and using the proceeds to furnish facilities for the working of our cities? In very truth those lands belong to Him who made heaven and earth, and you are His stewards, «Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.»

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God has men of opportunity ready to work in the cities if the way is opened before them. Thousands are hungering and thirsting for the Word of Truth; let it come to them; let your gifts and offerings dow into the treasury to sustain the work, and God will send the workmen. There have been presented to me many in the cities who are praying for light, and a knowledge of gospel truth. May the Lord impress upon us all the importance of making the advancement of the last gospel message our very first business.

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My heart aches as I consider all the beautiful and proud possessions of the wealthy men of our great cities. These great establishments, with all their earthly equipments, will soon become worthless heaps of rubbish, consumed by the fires of the last day.

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None of us can purchase Heaven. Not one can use anything which he claims as his possession, to make reconciliation with God for his sins or for the sins of others. None can purchase favor in that time when «the earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it; and it shall fall and not rise again.»

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Consecrate All to God.

The atonement of Christ makes all who will be saved His own chosen. All that stand as Christ’s faithful soldiers will consecrate themselves and all their small and their large possessions to the Lord, to advance His work in this world. Their humble homes, and necessary equipments for business will be used as lent of God. Surplus property will be disposed of for Him. God’s full sovereign grace is exercised to save to the uttermost all who shall come to Him. The divine honor is most jealous and uncompromising. «By grace are ye saved, through faith; and that not of yourself: it is the gift of God.»

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God calls upon men of tact and ability to present the message of His unbounded love to a fallen world. The rich men of the world may now give themselves to Jesus Christ. «A city that is set on a hill can not be hid.» The Lord calls for speakers,-He calls for men who can present the science of salvation in the most clear, winning, and convincing manner. The men who have gifts are now to use them. The workers must begin in decided earnest and create an interest in the teeming population of our cities. Every thing upon the earth is to be revolutionized. Great cities are to hear. The Greater New York is to be worked. The neglected Southern States are to be worked. Foreign fields must be entered and faithfully worked. Immense responsibility rests upon the monied men. A message from God’s word needs to come to all the Christian churches of our land.

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God will guide His messengers in the adoption of new methods to arrest the attention of men, and convince their judgment. He will give skill and understanding in the use of effective illustrations to arrest the attention of the people.

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Who will come to the front to assist in this great work? Who will dispose of houses and lands now? Who will bring forward their hidden treasures? Who will draw from their bank accounts? Who will provide means for the workers who are willing to enter the great cities of our world?