We should be thankful that in this present confusing night we have the privilege of heralding the Word of Life—warning people about the direction current history is leading them, and causing them to flee the wrath that is to come.
As we read of the events about us, it seems that the dams holding back divine judgment are already breaking. It is our duty as heralds to lift our voices like trumpets, and warn the people to flee from the wrath to come, making their calling and election sure thorough the grace of Christ.
We cannot meet the present need through human intellect, or by earthly eloquence or power. With the apostle Paul, we say, "And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power."
This dark hour is also a time to rejoice in the privileges of spiritual showers, and of proclaiming our Savior, "the same yesterday, today, and forever." May the Lord strengthen and brighten our hearts, deepen our convictions, give fresh courage and inspiration, and it there be one whose limbs have begun to wax feeble, may such a one be strengthened and renewed.
In connection with our duty as heralds, we have a responsibility as contenders. Jude saw the danger and wrote, "It was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered to the saints." If we maintain our place as successful heralds, we must, as successfully be contenders against unbelief, against hindrances seen and unseen, against all that exalts itself against the knowledge of God. We have come to the Kingdom for such a time as this. As we are armed with the faith of our fathers, the citadels of Satan cannot prevail against us.
We have God's message, but it needs the support of our conduct. People are not only listening to us; they are watching our lives. We are called to separation not only from gross evil, but from many pleasant things as well. It requires self-sacrifice, but as a church we must make it. May we be strengthened against personal contentment, selfish desire, and all of self that crowds our Lord into second place. May we see our Savior and His cross, catch a fresh vision of salvation for all, and may our determination be renewed to wage untiring warfare against the gates of hell. Because God is with us, we cannot fail.
We cannot speak too carefully about the need in our inner lives. We need to contend not only for power in our message but also for power in our lives that our hearts may be preserved from all evil.
We are a cooperative Fellowship, and I hope we may ever be. May we never deteriorate to merely an organization.
God has set certain offices in the Church that should be respected. At the same time, our Lord reminded us that we are all brethren. Those who have providentially been placed in a position of rule must avoid lording it over God's heritage and choose rather to be servant of all. Let us go forth bound together in Christian love, cooperation, and unity, praying that God may make us a mighty torrential force to carry forward the great work of God to which we have been called.
E. S. Williams was general superintendent from 1929–49. He was baptized in the Spirit at the Azusa Street Mission and later served as pastor of Highway Tabernacle in Philadelphia before his election as general superintendent. This is Brother Williams' keynote address at the 17th General Council in Memphis, Tennessee, September 1937. It is adapted from The Pentecostal Evangel, October 2, 1937.
