Early and Later Experiences
By Editor
It is plain that we are being called to return to the first principles of this advent message. There was a simplicity and directness of faith, and a positiveness of statement concerning the truth in those days, which carried conviction to the hearts of those who heard the message. Without elaborate facilities, without the complete system of organization which has since been perfected, and without large institutions, the early pioneers in this movement went forth to the people with the simple truth of the coming of the Lord and the preparation needed to meet him in peace. They warned and entreated with tears, under a sense of the solemnity of the time and the value of souls, and God gave them much fruit of their labors. Under these labors there were persons converted to this message who have been loyal to the work for nearly half a century. Later years have brought a somewhat different experience. A new generation of preachers of the Word has entered the field. The simplicity of the early times has to a considerable degree been discarded. Much more money is spent in institutions and other material facilities, and these things have to some extent been depended upon for success, instead of remembering that it is only by the power of the Spirit that any real success is attained. It is evident that the time has fully come for a reform in some of our plans and methods, and that we must recognize in the message itself a power greater than in all merely human facilities. It will be an unfortunate time for this movement when the early days of the message are forgotten, and to prevent this it will be well to rehearse frequently the experiences of those who under God established this work. We are sure that the following extracts from one of Sister White's personal letters will be interesting and profitable, as bearing strongly upon this very question:— We must study to find out the best way in which to take up the review of our experiences from the beginning of our work, when we separated from the churches, and went forward step by step in the light that God gave us. We then took the position that the Bible, and the Bible only, was to be our guide; and we are never to depart from this position. We were given wonderful manifestations of the power of God. Miracles were wrought. Again and again, when we were brought into strait places, the power of God was displayed in our behalf. At such times, souls were convicted, and amidst the scorn and derision of the opposing churches, they bore testimony in favor of the truth. “So mightily grew the word of God, and prevailed.” Under the preaching of the truth, men were converted, and were “instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord.” I was then very young, but I believed the message, and the Spirit of the Lord was upon me. I was guided by the Spirit to act an important part in the work of the Lord for this time. I have lost none of my faith in the message. After the passing of the time in 1844, we were a disappointed people, few in numbers. We sought the Lord most earnestly, and read and re-read his commandments. We saw wherein we had been working and walking contrary to them, and then we thanked the Lord for our disappointment. The fourteenth chapter of Revelation was most diligently studied, and we discerned the meaning of the words, “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” Light was given us on the claims of the law of God. We were convicted that the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord, and we began to observe it as holy unto him. The world has accepted a false rest-day, and has dishonored the Creator of heaven and earth. The false is reverenced in the place of the true. God's Sabbath is trampled under the feet of men. What excuse can those who do this give for placing the first day of the week where the seventh should be, and for making laws compelling its observance? God's condemnation will rest upon all who have thus disregarded his commands. Seventh-day Adventists need to search the Scriptures, that they may know the reasons of their faith. Christ says, “Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” We are living in the close of this earth's history. Let no one say in his heart, “My Lord delayeth his coming.” Prophecy is fulfilling. Soon Christ will come with power and great glory. We have no time to lose. Let the message sound forth in earnest words of warning. We must persuade men everywhere to repent and flee from the wrath to come. They have souls to save or to lose. Let there be no indifference in this matter. The Lord calls for workers who are filled with an earnest, decided purpose. Tell the people to be instant in season and out of season. With the words of life upon your lips go forth to tell men and women that the end of all things is at hand. Let us keep our souls in the love of God. The note of warning must be given. The truth must not languish upon our lips. We must rouse people to immediate preparation; for we little know what is before us. My faith is as strong as ever that we are living in the last remnant of time. Let every teacher present an open door before all who will come to Jesus, repenting of their sins. We are not only to watch; we are to pray and work and wait. It is refreshing and encouraging to read these words of personal experience and earnest exhortation from one who has been connected with this work from its rise, and who knows so well the experiences of the present time. The early believers laid hold upon fundamental principles with such a fullness of consecration that they can say, after more than five decades of self-sacrificing toil, “I have lost none of my faith in the message.” Some of the later adherents to this truth, after an apparent delay in the realization of their hopes, begin to say, “My Lord delayeth his coming,” and they are becoming absorbed with the cares and pleasures of this life. Those whose experiences are still fresh and strong must raise a mighty cry, announcing with a quickening power that the Lord is near, even at the doors. The advent faith and hope must be revived, and the message of warning must be quickly carried to every land. For this work let us gird ourselves anew.