p. 3 | Editorial by Editor

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Apr 6, 1905

Editorial

By Editor

"Just and True"

SOME of the experiences through which we are passing show how utterly foolish it is to place any confidence in the flesh, or to depend upon the stability of any human support. In this time of test that which appeared to be wheat often turns out to be chaff, and that which was depended upon as pure gold proves to be largely alloy. Not all those who have heard and professed the truth, but only those who have been true to their convictions and have obeyed the truth are like the wise man “who built his house upon the rock.” When, under the pressure of disappointed hopes and of the shock of the apparent betrayal of trust, we are almost tempted to cast away our confidence, it is a comfort to anticipate one strain of the song of Moses and of the Lamb, and to rest in the assurance, “Just and true are thy ways, thou King of ages.”

“When all around my soul gives way, He then is all my hope and stay,”

We must not lose confidence in Divinity when the frailty of humanity is revealed. We have had due warning: “Cursed is the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm. . . . Blessed is the man that trusteth in Jehovah.” “It is better to take refuge in Jehovah than to put confidence in princes.” In this hour of judgment every man is writing the decision in his own case, and is making it clear to angels and men whether he believes in himself or in God. The experience, not the theory, of justification by faith lays the glory of man in the dust, and the fruits of justification are seen in a life of loyalty to God and his truth. But amid all the storm and stress and wrecked hopes and shattered confidence there remains as a blessed fact the unchanged and eternal character of the ever-living God. “Just and true are thy ways, thou King of ages.” “Hope thou in God.”

Individual Experiences

EACH one has his own battle to fight, and each one knows the plague of his own heart. The trials through which each one passes are to him as severe as he can bear, and are therefore as great to him as those endured by others who are capable of bearing more. But to each one is given the assurance, whether his trials be absolutely great, or relatively small and yet great to him, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as man can bear: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation make also the way of escape, that ye may be able to endure it.” Temptations endured and victories gained in trial are the experiences which develop that strength of character which, through the working of the might of divine grace, will make one a conqueror not only over some particular manifestation of sin, but over sin itself. Thus will sin be barred out of the new earth because it had already been barred out of the hearts of those who are translated from this old earth. “All chastening seemeth for the present to be not joyous but grievous; yet afterward it yieldeth peaceable fruit unto them that have been exercised thereby, even the fruit of righteousness.” “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation; for when he hath been approved, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” It is the hour of trial which reveals the genuineness of our Christian experience.

“Never of Providence dare to complain; Sunshine and storm both must ripen the grain; Tried is the gold that the purest will shine, Crushed is the vintage that yieldeth the wine. He who the end from beginning can tell, Works for thy good, for he doeth all well: This, that prepares for the mansions of rest, Ever remember—’tis all for the best.”