Untitled article by Editor

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · December 17, 1867

THE ADVENT REVIEW.

By Editor

A REVIEW is “a second or repeated view, a re-examination, a re-survey.” It is further, “a revision, a second examination with a view to amendment or improvement.” In literature it is “a critical examination of a new publication, with remarks.” As a periodical it is one which contains as a prominent feature the “examination and analysis of new publications.”

All of these features, as relating to the great doctrine of the Second Advent, pertain, in a greater or less degree, to the Advent Review; and we have ever considered that we had cause for congratulation, that so appropriate a name was providentially chosen for this periodical. One of its special objects is a review of the past great Advent movement. What Adventist who shared in that movement can look back upon it but with a thrill of joy, and can but long for manifestations of the Spirit of God, in equal power, in connection with the work now? And how can a person possibly enter with any enthusiasm upon the new theories and schemes devised since 1844, which oblige him to give up all the work previous to that time, either as erroneous or premature? If God was not in the work then, will any Adventist tell us at what point he has been in it since that time? But if God was in it, can any one standing in the counsel of God give it up? And yet, with the exception of those who observe the Seventh-day, what company of Adventists recognize this movement as a fulfillment of prophecy, or give it any place in their present theory? What company, if they do not openly declare it, do not by their actions, that still stronger method of conveying ideas, intimate that it is to be given up as an entire failure, ignored and forgotten?

We cannot be too thankful that we have not been left to slide from the foundation so securely laid in 1844 for the Advent movement of these last days, nor to cut loose from the safe moorings then so providentially provided. This has saved us, and it is the only thing that could save any one, from chasing all the ignes fatui of new times that have distracted and scattered the great majority of the once harmonious body of Advent believers. Every Advent theory that has been devised, which ignores the past work, is a castle in the air, a pyramid without a base, a building without a foundation.

The past we delight to review. The single error under which we then labored in reference to the advent of Christ, being now so fully and clearly explained, and the explanation having not only relieved a difficulty, but thrown a new flood of light upon our pathway, the whole work from its commencement to the present time, is luminous with the glory of God. We can rest our faith upon it in all the joy of unwavering assurance.

But our paper is not alone a Review. We herald the Sabbath. A reform must be enforced upon this great and fundamental truth. But why do you make so much more of the Sabbath than of any other commandment? We answer, All parts of the law are with us equally sacred. We only dwell upon that point where men misled by ignorance, and entrenched in prejudice, persist in violation. The reason for this is illustrated by the little parable of the tree and axe. “Why, says the tree to the axe, ‘do you continually keep hitting in the same place?’ ‘How else,’ says the axe, ‘shall I get you down?’” So it is with the huge systems of error and false practice against which we have to contend in these last days. By continually hitting them in the same place, with those divine truths which show their falsity, we can wear them away till in the minds of the honest, they will totter and fall. Line upon line, precept upon precept. The fire and hammer of the truth must be kept in vigorous play. Men may try to make their assertions stand that the first-day of the week is the Sabbath, or that there is no Sabbath, in face of the plain declaration of the Bible that the Seventh-day is the Sabbath, and they will always fail. That truth still stands immutable; and nothing makes it look clearer and stronger, than the absolutely puny effects which result from the great efforts that men make against it, with so much flourish of trumpets, and sweat and toil.

The Review now enters upon a new volume. Thirty volumes of its testimony, and seventeen years of its history are in the past. As the cause seems to be entering upon a new era, the paper must catch the flame, and exhibit new life and interest. This it will do; for the paper is but a reflection of the work abroad. We trust its brightening flame may carry light during the coming volume to many who now sit in darkness, and from its quiver there may issue many polished shafts of truth which shall carry conviction to waiting and honest hearts.

The end of all things is at hand. The day of accounts is approaching. With this ever in view may our correspondents write, and the Review be published. The time will come, and that before long, when the last communication will be written and prepared for the paper; the last type will be set; the last paper be issued; and its testimony be closed up forever. It will then be no source of satisfaction to any to think that they have written aught for its columns with hard and bitter feelings, with a censorious spirit, or for selfish or partisan ends; but it will be a satisfaction to be able to say, I have ever tried to write with a sincere desire for the good and salvation of souls, and with an eye single to the glory of God.

That when its testimony is finished, all will have been said, that should have been said, and everything omitted, that had better not been said, will perhaps be too much to expect. But to come as near to this as possible—let this be our labor.