A Knowledge of the Message by F. M. W.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 9, 1911

A Knowledge of the Message

By F. M. W.

THERE was a time in our history when Seventh-day Adventists had an excellent knowledge of the Scriptural reasons for their faith. They were able for the most part to give a reason for their hope to every inquirer. We question if nearly so large a proportion would be able to do this at the present time. Many of the older members of our churches who accepted the truth through reading or the preaching of the word years ago, have allowed other questions to come in and absorb their thoughts, to the exclusion or the forgetting of the Bible knowledge which they once possessed of the fundamental features of this message. A large number of young people have come into the church through parental influences who have never had the privilege of listening to a course of lectures on the doctrines held by Seventh-day Adventists.

In the expansion and reorganization of our work during the last decade, with the demands of our foreign missionary operations and the new issues in the way of religious liberty, temperance, and other questions which have arisen, many of our ministers have preached to our churches but little on doctrinal subjects. The result of all this has been to create a constituency who are not well founded upon the peculiar fundamental doctrines composing the message for this time. This is a source of weakness in our cause that should be remedied.

Preaching upon the practical duties of Christian experience, upon home living, the duties we owe to our neighbors, our duty to the heathen,—all these are necessary and occupy an important place in the gospel message; but preaching of this character should not take the place of the plain presentation of the doctrines of Scripture. The reasons for our observance of the Bible Sabbath, our faith in the coming of the Lord, the state of the dead, the destiny of the wicked, the sanctuary in its various phases, the three angels’ messages,—all these subjects should be so plainly taught to the members of the Seventh-day Adventist church that they will become the groundwork of a strong, practical, living faith.

Sometimes we wrongly divide gospel preaching into doctrinal and practical teaching. In reality no such division exists. The most practical themes in all the world to-day are those subjects which constitute the framework of this great movement in which we are engaged. True, they may be presented in a cold, listless, formal manner that will awaken no response in the hearts of the believers, but they may likewise be presented with such power and with so much of the softening, subduing Spirit of God that they will awaken hearts, create new desires, new impulses, new purposes, and result in a great reformation in our churches.

The time of great peril is before us. Error must be met in every form; delusions of every hue and color will present themselves before our people. How can they stand in the perils of the last days if they are not fortified by the Scriptures of truth? In the great temptations which Satan will bring to bear against them, how can they resist his devices unless they meet him with a “Thus saith the Lord?” It was in this way that our Saviour met the temptations of Satan in the wilderness. “It is written;” “it is written,”—this was the one continual argument with which he met the assaults of the enemy. Upon our ministers, upon our church officers, rests the burden of thus seeking to fortify our people.

The efforts of the young people’s department is most commendable in seeking to bring about on the part of our young people, a study of the doctrines of the message. Surely our young people everywhere should embrace this opportunity. It should not be a superficial effort. The end in view is not a formal recognition in the Standard of Attainment certificate which is bestowed; the end to be attained is a knowledge of the Word of God, a thorough understanding of the fundamental principles that have called us into existence as a people.

We appeal to our brethren and sisters everywhere to acquaint themselves as never before with the truths which we hold so dear. This can be done, of course, only by a study of the Scriptures of truth. As never before we should acquaint ourselves with the Word of God. Let us improve well the little time of peace that God now allots us, and prepare ourselves for the events which are soon to take place upon the earth.

F. M. W.