Editorial by Editor

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 28, 1903

Editorial

By Editor

With Authority

THERE is authority in the principles of truth and righteousness. This was the basis of all the authority which Jesus revealed. “The multitudes were astonished at his teaching: for he taught them as one having authority.” The scribes and Pharisees based their estimate of authority upon the position of the teacher, and not upon the principles which he taught; and they were therefore offended at Jesus because he was only the son of a carpenter, and had no official standing. Having departed from the principles of truth and righteousness, they had lost the authority of these principles, and had attempted to substitute in its place the authority of position. Right here is the essential difference between the mystery of godliness and the mystery of iniquity, between Christianity and the papacy. It is the principle of Christianity that the authority is in the thing taught, and not in the teacher or his official position. It is a principle of the papacy that the authority is in the teacher because of his official position. When the pope speaks as a man, a mere individual, he is not infallible, but when he speaks ex cathedra, sitting in the chair of Peter, he is infallible, and his utterances have the authority of infallibility. There is a constant danger that the papal principle shall be adopted in the Christian church. When a teacher has gained the reputation of being a teacher of truth, there is the constant tendency to accept what he may teach thereafter as truth simply because he teaches it, and not because of the authority of the teaching itself in the conviction which it carries to the heart of the hearer. This is purely and wholly papal. Those who have the message against the papacy and all that pertains to it must be on their guard lest they adopt the very principles which they ought to expose and repudiate.

A Response

A DEFINITE note was struck at the recent General Conference. The fact was emphasized that we are in the last of the last days, and this people was called upon to accept the responsibility under God of finishing the work of giving the advent message to all the world in this generation. This definite note sounded out among the people, and a hearty response is coming from them on every side. Many prayers ascended to God in behalf of the General Conference. Many loyal believers hoped that it would mark the beginning of a new experience in this message. And when they read of the keynote which was sounded, and of the call that was made for a rally upon the solid advent platform, they thanked God, and took courage. To all these believers we wish to say, Cast not away your confidence. “Hold fast that which thou hast.” This advent movement has received a new impetus. Bands are being broken, and this message is being delivered from interpretations and policies which have imperiled it. The outlook is hopeful. The greatest factor in the success of this work will be in our personal relation with God and our experience in the daily revelation of righteous principles. Let courage and hope fill our hearts as we gird ourselves anew for the closing work.