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Editorial

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Jun 15, 1905

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 82, No. 24.

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Editorial

By Editor

Losing the Message

THE message of God for this generation is not merely a set of words and phrases, and this message is not given by merely expounding certain texts of Scripture, even though those texts constitute the setting for some very essential phases of this truth. The very essence of this message is such a revealing of righteousness both in the teaching and in the life as will be an effective rebuke to the sins of the time, wherever they appear, and will place the messenger at open enmity with all unrighteousness. Just as soon as one persists in compromising with unrighteousness, either in himself or in any one else, he will begin to lose his message, and it may be but a short time before the loss will be total. Sometimes it is sufficient to state principles, but there come times when it is necessary to make a personal application of the principles. John the Baptist not only taught the principles governing the family relation, but he also fearlessly declared to Herod concerning his brother’s wife, “It is not lawful for thee to have her.” Nathan not only related to David the parable of the ewe lamb, but he also said, “Thou art the man.” In either of these special cases the messenger would have been unfaithful if he had failed to make the specific application of his principles. In these last days iniquity abounds, and many nominal preachers of righteousness hesitate to bring their lessons home to the consciences of the people because so many of the offenders sit in the pews. Even under these circumstances it is easy enough to mouth the phrases of truth, but there is no message in them. It is possible for the professed teachers of the third angel’s message to do the very thing to which they themselves have called attention in other preachers, and thus lose their message. The times demand a sturdy and uncompromising righteousness, and this message must have substance as well as form. Only so can the right standard be maintained.