Two Kinds of Doubters by C. H. DRYER

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 6, 1909

Two Kinds of Doubters

By C. H. DRYER

C. H. DRYER

The Bible brings to view two classes of doubters. One class throw away their faith, give up all, and go to ruin; while the other accept evidence, receive correction, and come off victorious. To the first class belong such men as King Saul and Judas Iscariot, who, failing to realize their expectations, gave themselves up to the control of the enemy.

There is another class of doubters who are even more numerous, and especially in these days. Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, in Moses’s time; Absalom, Ahithophel, and others in David’s time; and Joab and Abiathar in Solomon’s time, all furnish examples of a class of doubters. Their history is “written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.”

Some of these men apostatized early in life, when the cause was young; others, as Joab and Abiathar, stayed by it even through troublous times, and then in old age turned traitors, and went to ruin.

Many years ago the spirit of prophecy warned this people that a shaking, or sifting, time would come, in which many a bright light would go out in obscurity. To-day we are seeing that prophecy fulfilled. Ministers and laymen, once bright lights and teachers in Israel, are turned to the enemy, and are opposing the work and cause they formerly loved and served; and the end is not yet.

A lesson may be learned from the experience of Thomas. He wanted proof. The Lord mercifully gave him the required evidence, but added, “Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.”

John the Baptist, of whom Jesus said, “Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist,” in a terrible crisis, imprisoned and forsaken, deprived of all privileges and his work cut short. Under these trials his faith trembled, and for the moment doubts came in; but notice this: he did not begin to oppose the work of Christ; he did not show a fighting spirit, and try to tear down the work; he did not circulate evil reports, and claim that all was going wrong. Only a little while before, John the Baptist had baptized Christ, and pointed him out as the Lamb of God. John had borne witness: “He must increase, but I must decrease.” He had rejoiced in seeing Christ’s work move forward even when his own work was decreasing; and yet under a terrible pressure he doubted. Notice the course he pursued: He sends disciples to Jesus, and asks, “Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?” This was a fair way to do business, and to settle any question. There was nothing underhanded or calculated to undermine the work in this way of doing things.

Christ’s answer and manner of dealing with John’s doubts are indeed worthy of our careful attention. He did not attempt to explain all about himself, and to present arguments, as he might have done, from the Old Testament scriptures and prophecies. He simply said, “Go and show John again those things which ye do hear and see.” John had already heard of Christ’s works; yet Jesus continued: Tell him how “the blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached unto them. And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.” And so far as the record goes, we have every reason to conclude that John was not offended, and that he accepted the evidence which Christ gave him of his work.

Christ says, Tell John how the work is going, that the blessings of Heaven are attending it; and John had the right spirit, and was convinced. If the unsettled and doubting ones in these days would act wisely, they would go directly to God with their doubts, and, asking for light and deliverance, they would receive according to their faith and needs. But many present-day doubters write to some other unsettled soul, and shortly a regular correspondence is carried on; later visits are made, and thus the doubting one is helped into the darkness; and “how great is that darkness!”

Truly we have reached the time when the love of many is waxing cold because of prevailing iniquity. But there will be a remnant company who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. This remnant church comes in contact with the powers of earth, the beast and his image, and gains the victory. They are seen on the sea of glass, and sing the song of Moses and the Lamb. This unpopular message, starting in poverty and obscurity, without friends or earthly support, has moved forward successfully, doubling in membership in nearly every decade, with all lines of work increasing, until to-day it is encircling the earth.

If this unpopular message were of men, it would have long ago come to naught. But heaven is back of it, and its blessings are attending it. And when we consider the situation, compare statistics, and see the growth of the cause, we are made to realize that we can no longer fully comprehend the magnitude of the work.

Our schools are nearly all full.

Our publishing houses are crowded with work.

The canvassing work is rapidly growing.

The periodical work is greatly increasing, and the membership, tithes, and offerings in conferences and mission fields are steadily advancing, and unity and harmony prevail generally throughout our ranks.

If the ones who are opposing all organization had the spirit of John the Baptist,—“He must increase, but I must decrease,”—if they were children in malice, there would be no unkind feelings harbored; for children quarrel and fall out with one another, and in a few minutes are playing again as though nothing unpleasant had happened. Let us become as little children in the exercise of forgiveness, and let not the sun go down upon our wrath; then we shall no longer hold grudges, and fall out by the way. Let us take our eyes off from men, and view the work from Heaven’s way of measuring success, and not allow the human to eclipse our view of the divine.

As in Paul’s day, even so now men are arising, “speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.” But “the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.” 2 Chron. 16:9.

“The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished.”

Granville, Mass.