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Editorial

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Mar 23, 1905

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 82, No. 12.

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Editorial

By Editor

A Distinct Call
THE very circumstances of our present situation constitute an emphatic call to those who know the truth to be true to their mission, and to give the people of the whole world the saving message for this generation. What do we see?—Crime and lawlessness increasing so rapidly that sober men are becoming alarmed; a manifest weakening of the very foundations of civil and social society; a concentration of wealth and the control of the leading industries of the world in the hands of a few; a strong tendency to paternalism in government, and to the exercise of increased power by the general government; a repudiation on the part of many religious leaders of doctrines—which are essential in such a Christianity as was taught by Christ and his apostles; a growing demand for religion to be recognized, taught, and enforced by the state; and with all the rest the definite expectation of a general revival of religion without recognizing the necessity of restoring the foundations of Christianity which have been either undermined or entirely overthrown. These are simply the bold outlines of the picture of the present situation in the world. Some thoughtful persons are beginning to realize to a certain extent the peril of the time, and are casting about for a remedy; but for lack of the clear light of prophecy and a positive divine leadership, they are unable to cope with the situation, and are often moved to adopt methods of reform which will only increase the troubles. We can see more and more clearly that God’s message of reform, a reform based upon the writing of his unchanged law upon the heart by the eternal Spirit, is the only remedy for the situation, and that this remedy must be applied to each individual member of society instead of to society as a whole. This calls for the proclamation of the third angel’s message in the highways and in the byways,—the everlasting gospel in its purity and power,—the message which reveals the causes of the perils that confront us, and the inevitable result of the rejection of God’s law, and teaches “repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” Let us respond to the urgent demand for this message.