Our Literature by Isadore L. Green

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 12, 1911

Our Literature

By Isadore L. Green

ISADORE L. GREEN, M. D.

THOSE who fail to read the REVIEW AND HERALD, week by week, or who read it carelessly, sustain an incalculable loss, with which nothing except a neglect of the Bible or the Testimonies can compare. Such are certainly losing their interest and confidence in the third angel’s message, or they would need no admonition to read and note thoughtfully the weekly progress of this world-wide missionary effort. Those whose hearts beat in unison with the laborers who are pushing the work with energy and sacrifice, that God’s Word may find its fulfilment in this generation,—the preaching of the gospel to the whole world and the establishment of his kingdom,—will find their spirits aroused and their whole being responding with an Amen, Lord Jesus, hasten the accomplishment of thy work in the uttermost parts of the earth.

They will look forward to the weekly coming of the REVIEW as the appearing of a most welcome instructor and friend. They will eagerly glean the golden fruit from every department, and be helped by the cheering, soul-inspiring, heaven-born thoughts. As they read the summaries of work done in both foreign lands and the home land, they can but marvel, and say as did Jeremiah: “Ah Lord Jehovah! behold, thou hast made the heavens and the earth by thy great power and by thine outstretched arm; there is nothing too hard [wonderful] for thee.” Jer. 32: 17. Truly the answer returned by Jehovah is coming to God’s people as it did to Jeremiah: “Behold, I am Jehovah, the God of all flesh: is there anything too hard for me?” Facts and statistics fully prove that there is nothing too hard for the Lord.

Those who have not read the reports from the biennial conference have missed a spiritual feast. As we read and enter into the blessed spirit of that occasion, our confidence in the speedy culmination of the third angel’s message is increased. To follow a detailed account of each day’s service and note that the same spirit had brought all these nationalities to see eye to eye, and had caused all to speak the same heavenly language, makes one appreciate more than ever the strong declaration of Paul in Gal. 3: 27, 28: “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ did put on Christ. There can be neither Jew nor Greek, there can be neither bond nor free, there can be neither male nor female; for ye are all one man in Christ Jesus.” A forcible statement was this of the fact that all are one in Christ, and that the closing message of mercy can and will unify all peoples, kindreds, and tongues.

To read the pages of our church paper without prejudice is an antidote for all divisions, strifes, and false doctrines; it is to see that we are on the home-stretch and marching on no uncertain orders.

We never ought to think of doing without our good denominational paper. In these days of peril when evil men and seducers are becoming worse and worse, and when the love of many is growing cold, we must keep in touch with the centers of the work, and not neglect the reading of the Word of God. The instruction we get from week to week in the REVIEW is profitable and helpful in daily living.

It is sad but true that those who regularly neglect to read the REVIEW week by week, also grow negligent in reading the Scriptures and allied literature, and too frequently turn to fiction and unprofitable reading. When this happens, the result is a certain departure from truth essential to salvation. Spiritual starvation and inanition are the result. Such a person, being unnourished, becomes a weakling, and, as expressed in medical phraseology, anemic, until a bad condition is reached from which there is no recovery. The spiritual appetite is easily perverted; that keen relish for the Word of God is lost. The spiritual needs increase, but not being aware of his condition, he neglects, almost unconsciously, the essential elements for spiritual uplifting and moral strength.

The REVIEW should be found in every Seventh-day Adventist family, and it would seem that if we were all working harmoniously and perseveringly to occupy the place designed of God for us in his vineyard, we would gladly sacrifice, if necessary, that we might have its weekly instruction and encouragement. Let us rally around our good church paper, and thereby strengthen the hands and hearts of those who are praying for heavenly guidance in seeking to have its pages filled with the choicest and best, and that which will be the most helpful to all its readers.

If we are anxious to know what is going on throughout the denominational ranks, which now encircle the globe, let us read the statistical reports, so faithfully and untiringly compiled. Any one who has been interested in these matters in a practical way knows that the preparing of statistics is a tedious undertaking. It is search and research, comparing and aggregating, calculating figures and relative values, until the head swims; yet this is frequently and punctiliously done. Week by week, month by month, and year by year the work goes on increasing in proportions, enlarging and developing, until one is amazed at the mass of important data. History is being made fast, and we are a part of it, willingly or unwillingly.

Brethren and sisters, let us stand by the ancient landmarks. They are safe guides leading to the heavenly port where God’s people are so soon to enter.

Watertown, N. Y.