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GEO. O. STATES

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 16, 1906

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 83, No. 33.

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GEO. O. STATES

By GEO. O. STATES

Lessons from Past Experiences —No. 3

GEO. O. STATES

In those early days, when our people met for worship, they talked about this wonderful gift which God had placed in the remnant church, and they studied the Bible statements regarding this gift. Brethren and sisters in visiting one another in their homes talked about the message, and all believed the coming of the Lord was indeed very near.
As soon as one member of a family received the truth, he was not satisfied until the rest of the family received it. The believers felt that they were living on the borders of the eternal world, and that they would be lost unless the rest of their families received the truth.
I well remember how we used to study “Experience and Views” and other early writings of Sister White, and how wonderful these things seemed to us. In our home mother used to read them to us children, and tell us that these things were what the Lord showed Sister White in vision.
As I visit our churches at the present time and find so many families with members not in the truth, I can but think that if there was that earnestness that characterized our people back there, we should see a difference in this respect. It is a sad fact that there are many families among us whose children, brought up in the truth, went out into the world as they grew up. Apparently, there was not power enough in the truth to hold them.
Why is this? I will tell you what I sincerely believe is the cause, and that is that the Testimonies are not read and heeded as they once were. In those early days as fast as the Lord gave us light through the writings of his servant, they were secured by all our people and read. When a late Testimony was out, the elder of the church would mention it, and ask how many wanted a copy. We used to have reading circles where we came together and studied them. I believe if there was more of this among us, there would not be so many children leaving the truth as soon as they become of age.
“It is a solemn and terrible truth that many who have been zealous in proclaiming the third angel’s message are now becoming listless and indifferent. The line of demarcation between worldlings and professed Christians is almost indistinguishable. Many who were once earnest Adventists are conforming to the world, to its practises, its customs, its selfishness. Instead of leading the world to render obedience to God’s law, the church is uniting more and more closely with the world in transgression. Daily the church is becoming converted to the world. How many professed Christians are slaves of mammon! Through lack of zeal for the promulgation of the third angel’s message, many others, while not apparently living in transgression, are nevertheless as verily lending their influence on the side of Satan as are those who openly sin against God. Multitudes are perishing; but how few are burdened for these souls! There is a stupor, a paralysis, upon many of the people of God, which prevents them from understanding the duty of the hour.”
It is some years since these solemn words were given to this people, and yet they are more applicable to-day than when first written. Let us ponder them, and may they sink with deep weight into all our hearts.
Cedaredge, Colo.