The Primitive Faith and Power
By W. A. S.
The glorious period in every denomination that has had a message of light for the world is the primitive period. Methodism, with all its millions, must look to the early pioneer days for its glory and power. The thoughtful and earnest in Methodism bewail the loss of the simplicity and fervor of former times. Now, what can keep this Seventh-day Adventist denomination from losing its primitive simplicity? There is but one thing that can preserve us, and keep this people from decay. That is the primitive hope that was the genesis and inspiration of the advent movement—the hope of the soon coming of Christ in power and glory. The apostle says: “We know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And that every man that hath, this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” 1 John 3: 2, 3. The worldliness, the lack of enthusiasm for the work, the loss of the first love, the shrinking from downright sacrifice, the entrance of speculative ideas, the choosing of side issues,—all begin in the loss of the living hope of the soon coming of Jesus. The coming of Christ is more than a doctrine to be preached about. It is the one overwhelming, overmastering truth to be lived day by day. The power and glory of that event are the forces that must prepare our souls for that great day. The hope of the soon coming of Jesus transforms the soul day by day. We need the revival of this hope in our midst to-day. We must talk of it, and face it, and pray about it, until the hope of the coming of the Lord is a very real thing in the life. The primitive hope will hold us to the primitive simplicity, and restore the power of the early days, and lead on to the fulness of power in the blessed latter rain. When early advent believers expected soon to see Jesus, they found that hope a power that wrought wondrously in the life. We have waited long, so long that the tendency is to think of the coming of Christ as still a long way off. But now it is swiftly approaching, truly as a thief with muffled tread. The very time of waiting is evidence that now the Lord is even at the door. Much is to be done; but God is able to do it—is doing it before our eyes. It is the advent hope only, the “blessed hope,” that now must prepare our hearts to do the work before us, and that will hold us true to the primitive faith and simplicity of this advent movement. Let us dwell with this glorious theme until it becomes the constant inspiration of our lives. We shall learn to love the blessed hope with all the depth of our souls. And it is only to those that “love his appearing” that the Master will bring unto the crown of life. We must win that crown.