p. 9 | Liberty Not License by E. K. Slade

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 20, 1906

Liberty Not License

By E. K. Slade

E. K. SLADE

As an excuse for a strange or questionable course this claim is often made: “O, we believe in religious liberty!” Some have seemed to feel that almost any course is justifiable under that heading, as if religious liberty gave license to almost any belief or practise, according to the conscience or caprice of the individual. Acting upon this idea, persons have not only disregarded and ignored the special truths that stand for

unity and harmony of action, but they have also lightly esteemed the rights and privileges of others. True religious liberty is altogether a different thing from this. It is true that there is to be an individuality in our Christian experience, and there are rights and privileges to be enjoyed by the individual that no power can usurp, and by the exercise of which no man or set of men will be in the least disturbed or wronged. The practise of such religious liberty will minister to the welfare of others rather than otherwise. There is no way in which we can construe religious liberty to mean such a thing as will admit of practises in religious matters that will ignore the rights of others, or that will have any tendency toward separation or disorganization.

The gifts that heaven has bestowed upon the church are to bring all to the unity of the faith. The greatest argument in all the world to present before unbelievers, by which they may know that we are followers of the Lord, is to permit them to see such a state of union in the church as the Saviour prayed for in his memorable prayer. I have seen persons disregard the most vital and essential principles of Christianity in exercising what they term their individuality and religious liberty. Most trifling points will be made much of to the ignoring of the great underlying principles of the message, the message and the unity of the church being set aside as of little importance.

There are those who have followed such a course to that extent that they have lost all confidence in the denomination and in the organization of the work, and their course tends only to separation and individual independence. They can see no good in the church and no need of organization. This is one of the most dangerous positions that one can possibly take. Nothing pleases the enemy better than for members of the church to take a position to say disparaging things of the church and bring in an element of disunion and separation. I am glad to say that I have been permitted to know of but few in our ranks who are taking such a course as this, but to see any one taking such a position only emphasizes the importance of our heeding the words, “Press together.”

We have no place for any sort of religious liberty that will allow any and every sort of belief and practise to come into the church and be freely fellowshiped. There are many things that are not to be fellowshiped in our churches. Let that idea that no one can be disfellowshipped from the church be forever abandoned, for it is not in harmony with the light the Lord has given us. Church officers and church-members everywhere should take a stronger and firmer stand for organization and discipline in the church. Some will say, “Are we not to let love govern in these matters, and be more lenient?” I would say in reply to such a question that there is no love in lax, loose ways in the matters of the church.

The nearer we follow the light the Lord has given relative to such things, the more fully will true love govern. When one intimates that organization is not necessary, or that this denomination is not the true church, but that there is a sort of invisible or imaginary church that is the true church, let it be remembered that this people called Seventh-day Adventists, notwithstanding their weaknesses and many mistakes, is the church of God in the earth. It is so recognized by all heavenly intelligences, and it is to stand as such in name and nature before all the world. The enemy will be pleased to have persons within the church pull off to one side and endeavor to advance the idea that the organization is faulty or unnecessary, and that it is proper to take an independent course, which is sure to bring in theories and practises that are decidedly wrong. As a people we need to be more loyal to organization, more proud of our denominational name, and more earnest in our endeavors to enter into that unity of faith and practise that will make the church a mighty instrument in the hands of God for finishing the great work that is committed to it at this time. Then will be enjoyed the greatest and truest liberty that it is possible for us to experience.

Holly, Mich.