Items For Prayer And Praise
By Lois J. Stucky
"Attempt great things for God; expect great things from God." These are the words of William Carey, noted pioneer missionary to India. If you have not read the little item by that title on the opposite page, be sure to do so. We do not know who wrote the exhortation under that title – it is reprinted from an early issue of Herald of His Coming – but it displays clearly the spirit in the heart of Brother and Sister Moore as they brought into being Herald of His Coming fifty years ago.
After their marriage in 1937, Brother Moore continued his ministry as a traveling evangelist and Bible teacher, and Sister Moore accompanied him, giving herself to prayer and both of them leading prayer groups for revival. All their earthly possessions were packed into their car as they traveled from place to place.
In 1941 they were in Los Angeles, vitally engaged in a prayer ministry at a church, where they had use of a very humble, rent-free room for living. A printer friend offered to publish a paper for them if they would pay for the newsprint. They had been given funds by a friend to print tracts which Brother Moore had written. The friend graciously agreed they might use the funds instead to publish the paper. And so they accepted the challenge and poured out the message burning in their hearts in an 8-page tabloid, which they titled, Herald of His Advent, expecting it to be the only issue. The response was good, however, and encouraged them to print a second issue and then a third. Soon they realized God was calling them to publish monthly.
Having neither training nor experience in publishing, they were cast on the Lord for His enabling. Their faith had been exercised through the years of depending on the Lord for supply of their personal needs. They had tried the promises of God and found them good. They had believed the Lord and found Him faithful. This new challenge demanded far more faith, more praying and more fasting. Because they wanted to follow the Lord wholly, they were willing for it.
Less than a year and a half after the first Herald of His Advent paper was printed, Brother Moore wrote: "We want our many friends to share with us the blessing of the Lord. Starting out in August, 1941, with a few names, and with Mrs. Moore and myself doing practically all the clerical work, mailing, etc., God has seen fit to wonderfully bless Herald of His Coming – for which we praise and thank Him. 'The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and He addeth no sorrow with it' (Prov. 10:22).
"As tears come to my eyes while I read letters from many, many friends, far and near, I want to share the blessings with all who have a part in this Gospel work. We are all laborers together with God. To HIM be the praise and glory forever!
"Now, instead of one room, God for Jesus' sake has bountifully given us an office, desks, equipment, a loyal, faithful band of willing, eager workers – here in Los Angeles – and so very many precious friends all over this country and abroad, friends who pray for us and for God's continued and increasing blessing on the work, that God may be glorified – friends who give and give sacrificially, gladly, joyfully to the support of the paper with its last-hour trumpet-call message – friends who write in from grateful hearts and tell of inspiration, help, blessings, encouragement received as they read the paper – friends who write and tell us how they are passing on the paper to others that they, too, may share the blessing of the Lord.
"We have a heartfelt appreciation to ALL who are joining in this work for the Lord – and oh, how we praise the Lord for His great mercy and goodness to us – and His blessing on the work!"
The Moores found that when $500 was needed to print and mail, as they earnestly fasted and prayed for His provision, God sent in the amount through faithful friends. When $10,000 was needed, He faithfully brought that amount to them as they continued in fasting and prayer. As the ministry grew and larger funding was required, God faithfully provided as they sought Him.
As workers were needed, God put it on the hearts of some to come and join themselves to the little band of zealous workers. Always the Herald home and office and furnishings were humble and would have been considered by many as outdated – but they were comfortable and adequate. To those glad to be a part of a ministry God was blessing, they were sufficient. God gave contentment and joy. His blessing is a treasure that surpasses ease and luxury.
And now, after fifty years, we echo the words of Brother Moore: "Oh, how we praise the Lord for His great mercy and goodness to us – and His blessing on the work!" He continues to be faithful. He has brought the ministry through dearth and through waters and through fire. And it has been as He said: "When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee" (Isa. 43:1-2).
Herald of His Coming ministry is His and He has preserved it, "in spite of all our many mistakes and failings" Brother Moore used to say, and we say the same today. As we seek to keep our hearts right with Him, He shows mercy and He brings us through.
Fifty Years Nearer His Coming!
Many, many supporters and workers of the Herald have finished their course in victory and in faithfulness and have gone on to their reward during these fifty years. The mantle and the labors and the stewardship have fallen on others of us.
Friends, we serve the same faithful God as they did. His promises urge us to believe for great things as they did, and even greater things perhaps. It is up to us to keep ourselves separated unto the Lord, to keep our eyes on the goal, to attempt great things for God and to expect great things from Him, to keep the faith and to faithfully occupy till our Lord comes – all in utter dependence upon Him!
Conditions in the world have become worse and worse in many respects in these fifty years since the Herald's first call was sounded for prayer and revival and preparation for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. The worsening conditions are too much for man, but they are not too much for God. When He moves in great power, when He outpours His Holy Spirit, marvelous things happen! That which was counted impossible comes to pass. Seemingly hopeless cases are totally changed. What a mighty God we serve! What a privilege to serve Him! Our assignment may seem small and perhaps insignificant in the light of the great need and in the light of what others are able to do, but if we put our heart into doing what God bids us to do, our efforts will count and there will be reward. So let us press on together for revival in our day!
To bless our many faithful friends, we borrow some further words of Brother Moore: "May the blessing of the Lord, which maketh rich, and addeth no sorrow with it – be upon the lives, upon the homes, upon the efforts of all our many friends here in the office, all throughout the States and abroad, far and near, and may the Blood of Jesus Christ, our adorable Lord and Savior, the blessed and only begotten Son of God, protect us one and all in these trying days."