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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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Editorial

By Editor

We reproduce here the notes that filled and turned the first column of our first paper, the Present Truth, brought out by James White, at Middletown, Conn., July, 1849:—
“Wherefore, I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth,” 2 Peter 1:12.
It is through the truth that souls are sanctified, and made ready to enter the everlasting kingdom. Obedience to the truth will kill us to this world, that we may be made alive, by faith in Jesus. “Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth.” John 17:17. This was the prayer of Jesus. “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” 3 John 4.
Error darkens and fetters the mind, but the truth brings with it freedom, and gives light and life. True charity, or love, “rejoiceth in the truth.” 1 Cor. 13:6. “Thy law is the truth.” Ps. 119:142.
David, describing the day of slaughter, when the pestilence shall walk in darkness, and destruction waste at noonday, so that “a thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand,” says:—
“He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust; his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.” Ps. 91:4.
The storm is coming. War, famine, and pestilence are already in the field of slaughter. Now is the time, the only time, to seek a shelter in the truth of the living God.
In Peter’s time there was present truth, or truth applicable to that present time. The church has ever had a present truth. The present truth now is that which shows present duty, and the right position for us who are about to witness the time of trouble, such as never was. Present truth must be oft repeated, even to those who are established in it. This was needful in the apostle’s day, and it certainly is no less important for us, who are living just before the close of time.
For months I have felt burdened with the duty of writing and publishing the present truth for the scattered flock; but the way has not been opened for me to commence the work until now. I tremble at the word of the Lord, and the importance of this time. What is done to spread the truth must be done quickly. The four angels are holding the angry nations in check but a few days, until the saints are sealed; then the nations will rush, like the rushing of many waters. Then it will be too late to spread before precious souls the present saving, living truths of the Holy Bible. My spirit is drawn out after the scattered remnant. May God help them to receive the truth, and be established in it. May they haste to take shelter beneath the “covering of Almighty God,” is my prayer.
These pioneers saw and understood the necessity of quickly carrying the message of truth to the world. The vast scope of the field itself was but dimly seen; and from year to year it has opened before this people, always with its call to stretch every nerve to press the battle ever onward. The same message that began the work, and that has built up the cause of present truth in many lands, will finish the work. The divine sign-post points us straight on, without delay, toward the unwarned fields. Those notes of July, 1849, were written a long time ago. We have delayed doing the work committed to us. It is the Lord’s plain command to go into all the world with the message; “and then shall the end come.”