Editorial by Editor

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Dec 24, 1903

Editorial

By Editor

An Encouraging Promise

THROUGH the prophet Isaiah the Lord speaks these words to us: “Fear not, O Jacob my servant; and thou, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen. For I will pour water upon the thirsty land, and streams upon the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring.” It is upon the thirsty land that the water is poured. It is upon the dry ground that the streams come. The parched land is in itself a plea for water, and this mute appeal is regarded. So our need is our most effective plea. A sense of our need is the first step toward the supply of that need. Let us not be afraid to present our need, in humble faith, to him who is able and willing to supply our need through Christ Jesus.

The Original Message

WHEN the Lord started this advent movement, under angelic guidance, he gave to his servants the very message which would prepare the way for his coming. The need of the world in this last generation, the supreme effort of Satan to hide the revelation which God has made of himself, and the truth to be proclaimed to save from latter-day delusions all who are willing to receive light and salvation, have all been in the mind of God from the beginning. The developments of these days which come like a shock to us do not take him by surprise. He has foreseen and provided for them. And in the original message by which this people has been called out from the world is to be found the very presentation of the gospel which is needed at this time. The blessed truths of this original message have been coming out with greater clearness, and the wondrous fulness of their meaning and the striking way in which they meet the needs of this time have been more distinctly seen, but the fundamental truths of this threefold message will remain unchanged. There is no provision, or demand, or place, for a new theology in this advent movement. “Woe to him who shall move a block or stir a pin of these messages. The true understanding of these messages is of vital importance. The destiny of souls hangs upon the manner in which they are received.” We are confident that a special blessing in personal experience will come to every Seventh-day Adventist who will prayerfully seek for a better knowledge of the original message for this generation, in order that he may translate that message to others. There is plenty of room for growth in this original message, but so long as we remain under the guidance of the Spirit of truth, we shall never outgrow it. Do not be moved away from the original message.

“Emmanuel”

THE great fact of the gospel is God manifest in the flesh, “God with us.” The time of the year when the Saviour was born is of minor consequence, and is not known, but the “good tidings of great joy” should be made known at all times of the year. The shepherds in the field, the angel of the Lord, the glory of the Lord, the announcement of the birth, the babe in the manger, the multitude of the heavenly host, and the chorus of praise,—“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men,”—these should be ever-present experiences to those whose confidence for salvation from sin rests in the daily union of divinity with humanity. “Greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”

“Eternal depth of love divine, In Jesus, God with us, displayed, How bright thy beaming glories shine! How wide thy healing streams are spread! “To thy sure love, thy tender care, Our flesh, soul, spirit, we resign; O, fix thy sacred presence there, And seal the abode forever thine!”