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An Open Letter

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 22, 1910

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 87, No. 51.

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An Open Letter

By A. SMITH

A. SMITH
Satan is waging a bitter warfare against those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. But there is no way by which he can so effectually damage the cause of God as by the professed friends of the truth. Brother, sister, your name is doubtless on the church-book, and you are known as a Seventh-day Adventist. But I hear you speak disparagingly of our people in general and of the action of conferences, of ministers, and of workers in particular. You sometimes compare our people unfavorably with other churches, especially with those who make professions of holiness while they trample the Sabbath underfoot. But I never heard you make any specific confession or admission of your own misdeeds; nor have I ever heard of your going in the spirit of love to those whom you criticize, telling them the things you have said about them, and endeavoring to save them.
Do you blame me, therefore, for thinking that you feel that you are better than your brethren, and more holy than others?
Perhaps you sometimes absent yourself from meeting because there are wrongs existing in the church. But if you are better than your brethren, your presence and influence are greatly needed by the church. Is it not true that you are certainly losing your love of the truth? You are in a place where some fanatical movement may pick you up, and sweep you away from the foundations of our faith.
Christ is the Organizer and Controller of the forces carrying the third angel's message. To speak disparagingly of his agencies is to interfere with his work and disobey his command. James 4:11.
But is it not true, you ask, that mistakes are made by ministers and other workers, and even by conferences?—Yes, even as mistakes are made by you. But if you have a duty to correct them, see that you go about it in Christ's appointed way. Cultivate confidence and brotherly love as you would cultivate choice plants in your garden or conservatory. Get into the habit of speaking of the commendable things in your brethren. Eph. 4:31; 5:1, 2.
Grandville, Mich.