p. 12 | Are We Lowering the Standard? by E. K. SLADE

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 12, 1907

Are We Lowering the Standard?

By E. K. SLADE

E. K. SLADE

The third angel’s message is to call out a people that will stand as an object-lesson of simplicity and piety, serving as a rebuke to the prevailing ways of the world in the last days. The enemy will exercise all his artfulness to lead us to lower the standard of the Christian life and conform to the ways of the world in every way possible. The church, in its individual members, will be tested to the utmost on this point. Many times we are led to feel that on the part of some the standard is being lowered. Special light touching upon almost every phase of life, has been provided for these last days, that the children of God may stand out from and above the sordid things of this world as a peculiar people, to show forth the virtues of him of whose household we are permitted to be members. It is hard to conceive of a more deplorable condition of things than for our young people or others to feel that about all that is required on their part to become a Christian and unite with the church is to make a profession. Those bearing the responsibility of seeking for souls, should give most careful heed to this matter, that it may be understood by all that to go forward in baptism and unite with the church means to take a stand upon a plane far above the ways of the world. Its pleasures and pastimes, its mad rush for selfish gratification, are wholly foreign to a true child of God.

Our ministers and teachers, and especially those who are laboring for the young, should endeavor, as never before, to hold up a high standard for those who are being called out at this time. The world is going mad over races and pleasure seeking, ball games, excursions, and summer outings; in fact, life is considered extremely tame and hardly worth living unless there is mixed in much of the exciting and that which will contribute to the satisfaction of the selfish nature.

As public laborers and church officers, shall we not use greater care than ever before to hold the standard high? Should the example of any professed Christian serve to set a standard that will be lower than that which the Lord has indicated? Avoid holding out to the young or any others an opportunity of entering into church relationship at this time that will not mean coming out from the world and taking a stand upon a high plane such as this great movement calls for. It is easy to get young people to unite with the church if we will bring the standard low enough. Any plan or policy of work that will lower the standard and remove the sacrifice to make it easy for one to get into the church should be discountenanced.

Holly, Mich.