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PEACE, and JOY, an exuberant well-being. This GREAT WORK is God's
INSTRUMENT in preparing the way to BRING THAT ABOUT OVER THE WHOLE
EARTH. God is using US in this GREAT WORK OF HIS. Oh, Brethren,
HOW we should REPENT of our letting down -- our neglect -- our
increasing worldly interests these past few years.
The 30% annual increase in income began slacking off about
four years ago -- after 35 years averaging close to 30% annual
increase. That means a corresponding slacking off in the GROWTH
OF GOD'S WORK!
WHAT WAS THE CAUSE? The living HEAD of this Work, Christ,
has shown me!
The CAUSE was a corresponding SLACKING OFF in the urgent
PRAYER LIFE of 51% or more of all our brethren in God's Church.
The CAUSE was a slacking off in our interest in private Bible
study -- and in our ZEAL for GOD'S Work, and for looking forward
toward HIS KINGDOM. The CAUSE was a corresponding and increasing
interest in material pursuits and pleasures -- and a tendency to
criticize, perhaps the ministry, perhaps those Christ has placed
under Him at HEADQUARTERS.
Let's not dodge the real issue -- let's not deny the REAL
CAUSE -- let's not PASS THE BUCK! Our own personal, individual
SALVATION is at stake. For each one of us!
I have gone to the THRONE OF GRACE about this present
financial situation, and I know that the living HEAD of this
Church, Jesus Christ, has shown me THE REAL CAUSE -- not merely of
the present situation, BUT OF THE DIMINISHING INCREASE IN INCOME --
and consequently IN THE ENTIRE SCOPE AND POWER OF THE WORK these
past three and four years!
I want to add right here something I recorded in my
Autobiography.
"In January, 1920, the well-known statistician Roger Babson
was the speaker at one of our Association of Commerce luncheons
then being held each Wednesday in the Cameo Room of the Morrison
Hotel. Through the Advertising Club, a division of Chicago
Association of Commerce, I had been a member of the Association
for some years.
"We were then at the very height of a wave of postwar
prosperity.
"'Gentlemen,' said Mr. Babson, 'we are about to enter the
worst business depression that our generation has ever experienced.
I advise you all to set your houses in order. I advise against any
further plans of expansion until this depression has passed over.'
"Seated at tables in that large room were leading bankers
and business executives of Chicago. I glanced around. I saw
amused smirks animate the faces of many prominent men.
"Through the next few months of 1920 business activity