The Advent and Sabbath Message by F. M. W.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 14, 1913

The Advent and Sabbath Message

By F. M. W.

THIS is an age of changing emphasis in religious teaching. Doctrines that a few years ago were held as cardinal by the Christian church are now discounted by many professed Christian teachers. The great Book of truth is no longer regarded as the final appeal in matters of faith. Human philosophies and reasonings have supplanted in many hearts the old-time Christian faith of the fathers.

This condition of things chronicles a sad departure from Bible teaching. That it would come, the Scriptures of Truth clearly indicate. But though every religious teacher in the world might proclaim a new gospel, it would not affect one iota the truth or stability of the old. The truth of God remains unchanged through the ages. Heaven’s plan for the salvation of the human family is precisely the same today as it was in the days of Wesley, of Luther, and of the apostle Paul.

Different ages have marked the discovery and development of new truth, but these new truths have taken their places as a part of the great setting of truth of which Christ is the central figure. And while this is true of the great system of truth during the centuries, it has been true of every special truth that God has given to his church. There was no changing emphasis in the message which Noah proclaimed. For one hundred and twenty years he preached the coming of the flood, and so far as the record shows there was no departure in the last days of his ministry from the original message of warning which he bore to the people. In the warning to the world of the coming deluge of fire there will be no occasion for a change of emphasis regarding the message or any feature of the message.

Years ago this church adopted the name Seventh-day Adventists. This name was chosen because it represented the distinctive features of the faith of this people, and the message which they were called upon to proclaim. The commandments of God and the faith of Jesus,—this has been the watchword of this movement since its origin, and it will continue the motto till the work closes. Years ago this journal was named THE ADVENT REVIEW AND SABBATH HERALD. For years it has reviewed the growing evidences of the soon coming of our Lord. It has stood as the herald of the Sabbath truth. This name today as truly represents its message as when it was first chosen.

Allied with the advent and Sabbath truths have been other important doctrines designed to correctly represent the plan of salvation and meet the existing erroneous teachings of the religious world. Among these have been the nature of man; the state of the dead and the question of final awards; gospel finance or the Bible plan for the support of gospel work in the earth; Christian temperance in its relation to the physical and spiritual life; the principles of Christian and civil liberty, denying the right of the state to interfere in matters of conscience wherein is not involved civil conduct; the prophecies relating to this special age; the great plan of salvation as symbolized in the ministry of the earthly sanctuary service, and as carried on in antitype by our great High Priest in the heavens above; the work of the judgment; the resurrection; and the future home of the people of God. These for the most part are the great cardinal principles upon which this movement has been built. These great truths were preached by the pioneers in this message. Elders James White, Joseph Bates, J. N. Loughborough, and others whose heads have grown white in the service of this cause, preached this message in their early ministry. Those still living are preaching it today. It was timely in the days of their youth, it is more timely now.

Occasionally a brother has discovered some new ray of light. He has felt that it demanded marked emphasis, but has learned in a little time that it was a detail, perhaps an important detail, of the great system of truth with which this movement began. We need still to place emphasis upon these cardinal truths. These today constitute our basis of operation. Let not the enemy drive us from this proposition or switch us off from this base. No additional light which will ever come to this people will call for changing emphasis. Light will come; we should search for it, and gladly receive it, but it will never bring separation from these fundamental principles, and there will always be found for it its proper setting in the circle of truth.

These specific truths have made us a separate and distinctive people. May God forbid that we should ever lose this distinctive character. We may increase our facilities, we may add to our equipment, we may place before our youth higher ideals of attainment, we may raise the standard of education in our schools. All this should be done, but it should be done with the one purpose in view of giving to the world this second advent message, of conserving among men the truth of the Sabbath of the Lord. Losing this objective, we lose all. In the pursuit of this purpose is our salvation as a denomination and as individuals.

F. M. W.