New and Old

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Jul 28, 1904

AT the close of a series of parables relating to the kingdom of heaven Jesus said, “Every scribe who hath been made a disciple to the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is a householder, who bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.” Those who work the mine of truth diligently will have things new and old to present to their hearers, but the new things will not contradict the old, and it will not be necessary to throw away the old in order to receive the new. The old, old story is ever new, and the old truths may have the freshness which characterizes living things, but the fundamental truths of the gospel revelation do not need to be readjusted to meet the fickle demands of human philosophy or to harmonize with the latest scientific theories. We might as well settle it once for all that God is greater than man, and that divine revelation is a more reliable foundation than human reason, and that “the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.” There is an appetite now for new things, and sensationalism in religion is at a premium among the modern Athenians who spend their time “in nothing else, but either to tell or to hear some new thing.” Only recently a clergyman of some influence openly advocated sensationalism in the pulpit as being absolutely necessary in order to command and hold the attention of a modern congregation. The greatest and only sensation needed is that which is produced by the presence and working of the Holy Spirit, and it is the lack of this agency which leads men to attempt to substitute something else for it. Now is the time for the loyal disciples of the kingdom of heaven to present the old but ever new truths of salvation in that scripture setting which adapts them to the needs of the present hour,—the special message of warning and preparation for the last generation. The teachers of the third angel’s message will bring from the treasure-house of the Word things new and old, and the oldest will be ever new, and the newest will be ever old.