Editorial by Editor

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · May 4, 1905

Editorial

By Editor

We Shall Know

In that city whose light is the glory of God we shall comprehend many things that are perplexing to us here. After the problem of sin is solved, and the trail of the serpent is no more, we may see the hand of love in some dealings which seem now to involve unnecessary hardship. The cup of present bitterness may be only the necessary preparation for quaffing the cup of future sweetness. When a dear friend is laid to rest, when a loved companion is taken from us, when a faithful worker suffers martyrdom at the post of duty, then when for the time we are almost crushed and overwhelmed, the unaided reason can not satisfy the questionings of a troubled spirit, and it is only in the divine revelation, the Word of our God, that we can find comfort and hope. The glory shining from the cross of Calvary pierces the darkness, and in its light we read: “What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.” Where natural sight fails, faith extends the vision beyond the bounds of time, and things are viewed in their eternal setting. The look into the open grave is not the last look.

“There will be a glorious dawn; We shall meet to part no never, On the resurrection morn.”

Much has been revealed to us, and more we shall know when this mortal puts on immortality. Yet a little while and many mysteries will become plain, and trying experiences will be justified. We shall know.

Signs of Life

The unmistakable evidences of life are now being exhibited on every side in this northern hemisphere. The fields are carpeted with uncounted spires of grass. The trees are rapidly putting forth their leaves. Many flowers are already brightening the landscape with their blossoms of varied colors. All nature is putting on her summer attire. But this apparently sudden change is the result of a preparation made during a time of little outward indication of any activity. Nevertheless it would not be pleasing to God or man if the life should always so work in secret that the outward evidences of transforming power should be lacking in this spring season. So it is in the experience of individuals and movements. Some definite results are expected. A Christian ought to bear fruit to the glory of God; otherwise his religion is a mere intellectual philosophy. A church ought to exert a positive influence for practical righteousness in a community; otherwise it may degenerate into a mere social club of rather an exclusive sort. A denomination which has any valid excuse for existence ought to be able to show that the interests of the kingdom of Christ have actually been advanced, and that the coming of the Redeemer has been really hastened, through its instrumentality. A paper which represents a live movement ought to report some concrete work and present proofs of progress. The ability to criticize these who are doing something, and to show up any supposed mistakes, is at best simply the proof of a perverted life and a misapplied energy. There are some professedly reform movements which seem to have hardly sufficient strength to stop, even when their failure is manifest. Their only hope appears to be in attaching themselves to the weak places in other movements, and in thus maintaining the appearance of an existence. Sooner or later the individual and the movement that are unable to exhibit any genuine signs of life will fade away into oblivion. This is natural and inevitable.