p. 85 | J. N. ANDREWS by John Nevins Andrews

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 9, 1869

J. N. ANDREWS

By John Nevins Andrews

TESTIMONY NO. 17.

This excellent work came to hand a few hours since, and I have just completed its careful perusal. It is truly the testimony of the Spirit of God to the people who are awaiting the advent of Jesus. It embraces practical instruction adapted to a very great variety of cases. No experienced Christian can read the exhortations, rebukes, entreaties, admonitions, reproofs, counsels, and instructions, and not see that these are wisely adapted to the nature of the cases set forth. Whence, then, these words of wisdom? Who can read them with candor and not acknowledge the counsel of the Faithful Witness?

First in the work is an extended account of the sufferings of the Son of God, and instruction drawn from this of the highest practical value. It is calculated also to shed much light on the subject of the atonement, and the relation of the death of Christ to the law of God. I have spoken of this already, as it has been published in advance in a 16-page tract. I wish a copy of it could be in the hands of every person who can read the English language.

After this excellent treatise concerning the death of the Son of God, there follows a very large amount of testimonies relating to individuals. The names, of course, are not given, and with them the mass of readers have no concern. But in the reproofs and instructions given, all do have a most vital interest. Each case may be taken as the representative of a class, and from the counsel given to each individual case, that class is faithfully admonished. How solemn and heart-searching are these words of warning! How faithfully do they lay open the evil nature in man! Yet who can say that these things are in one particular more searching than the warnings and reproofs of the Bible? And how little is there in these words of solemn warning that flatter the pride of man! How little that seeks the favor of any by words of peace to those who are at ease in Zion.

After the various messages of reproof relating to individual cases, there follows most excellent counsel and warning to ministers of Christ. No one can read this without acknowledging that these are instructions of the highest practical value. And now shall they be heeded by us who are specially addressed? What account shall we render in the Judgment if we go on in the spirit of carelessness and neglect and slothfulness, so faithfully reproved in this solemn admonition? Shall we be workmen that need not to be ashamed, or shall we be unskillful in the word of righteousness from neglect of that book whose words came from Heaven? Shall we be able to help the people of God because we have a living experience in divine things, by which we are able to lead them forward in the things of God? or shall our experience be inferior to those with whom we labor, so that we shall bring them down to our own low plane of action?

The work concludes with a faithful testimony respecting moral pollution. It is very humiliating that such a warning is in place. But it is manifestly in place, and may its warning voice be heeded by old and young.

I commend the book to the people of God everywhere. May it be read thoughtfully, prayerfully, and often. Do not think it an occasion of rejoicing that another is the person who receives the reproof when you are also guilty of that very sin. The Spirit of God speaks to you. Thou art the man.