A Few Thoughts on the Gifts.
By E. B. Saunders
LEARNING from the Review, that some in Iowa make the Gifts an excuse for their disaffection, I have been led to the following thoughts: Visions must proceed from one of three sources: 1. From God; or 2. From Satan; or 3. From a human source. The test our Saviour gave by which to try false prophets, is very simple. "Ye shall know them by their fruits." Matt. vii, 16. But let us simplify the question by showing first of all, that the Gifts received by the S. D. Adventist people, are not from a human source. 1. They sometimes correct the previous teaching of the one through whom the visions are given. 2. They often correct, or reprove persons whose conduct and even name had been previously entirely unknown to the one having the vision. 3. Individuals have been reproved by them, for thoughts or deeds known only to themselves, but which were afterward acknowledged. Either one of the above tests show that the source of the visions is beyond human knowledge or foresight. Hence we are shut up to one of two positions, either that they are from the Lord, or from Satan. The simple test is to try them by their fruits; if the fruit is bad, they are from an evil source; if good, they must be from a good source. The Gifts acknowledged by S. D. Adventists, have stood in the forefront of the message since its rise; and many disaffected spirits are ready to admit that the message is from God, and that they have confidence in the work. But the work in all its symmetry and beauty, is the result of having, though not based upon, the spirit of prophecy in the church, to correct errors and purge out the false-hearted. Therefore, if the Gifts in the church are from an evil source, then the work of God has been influenced by Satan from its commencement; which is absurd. And even some of those who dislike the visions, would be unwilling to admit that Satan has had so much to do with the glorious present truth. The Gifts have led very many, who had begun to go astray from God, to return and love him and his law. On the contrary, none have ever been led to forsake the law of God by the influence of the gifts. Thus far the fruit has been good. Isa. viii, 20. Again, the testimonies exalt Jesus and make him the only hope of salvation; and in reading them we are often admonished to follow him as our great Pattern. Though we may have a lofty conception of the beauty of the character or person of our Lord, yet a perusal of the testimonies will make him appear as altogether lovely, and worthy of our highest notes of praise. Thus the fruit is good, for they do not deny Jesus. 1 John iv, 1-6. The Gifts nowhere teach contrary to the word of God, nor lead us to forsake the Bible, like the teachings of Spiritualism. But the Bible is often referred to, as the Book of books—the word of God; and we are entreated to receive it as the word of God. In this we discover only good fruit. Thousands will testify that they have been led to make a more perfect consecration of themselves to God, by the teaching of the testimonies; and that much rubbish has been removed from their hearts, and in consequence they have drawn much nearer to God. Here good fruit is also seen. While those who have openly denounced the visions, have generally taken such a course as to disgust even the wicked, by manifesting a corrupt spirit, and at last made shipwreck of their faith altogether. A corrupt tree cannot bring forth good fruit." The fruit of the testimonies is good, hence, the source from which they spring is good.