PURPOSE OF THE TESTIMONIES.
By A. J. B.
Some of our people do not receive the benefit they should from the Testimonies. The reason for this is that they do not apprehend the real purpose of these messages; namely, “to leave men and women without excuse,” and to assist in “bringing them back to the Word that they have neglected to follow.” (Vol. II, page 455). As indicated by the running title at the head of every other page of the bound volumes, the Testimonies are intended especially “for the Church.” This fact should always be borne in mind. Instead of being proud of the fact that we have six bound volumes of the Testimonies, containing an aggregate of 3,997 pages of reproof and admonition, Seventh-day Adventists should feel grieved that their conduct has been such as to call forth this amount of reproof and special instruction from the Lord. While a monument of God’s long-suffering and mercy toward His people, these books are also a monument of shame to the waywardness of His Church—to their neglect of Bible study. Do these statements astonish you? Listen: “You are not familiar with the Scriptures. IF YOU HAD MADE GOD’S WORD YOUR STUDY, with a desire to reach the Bible standard and attain to Christian perfection, YOU WOULD NOT HAVE NEEDED THE TESTIMONIES. It is because you have neglected to acquaint yourselves with God’s inspired Book that He has sought to reach you by simple, direct testimonies, calling your attention to the words of inspiration which you had neglected to obey, and urging you to fashion your lives in accordance with its pure and elevated teachings.”—Id., page 605. This same neglect of earnest Bible study is what so disables some of our ministers that they are unable to preach an entire sermon from the Bible, and the Bible alone. Some who profess to believe the truth have so utterly lost sight of the true purpose of the Testimonies that, to use the words of one of the members of our present Pastoral Committee of the General Conference, “they actually try to prove, from the Testimonies, that the Bible is true.” Every true Seventh-day Adventist is a true Protestant; and, whether he be a minister or a layman, as a Protestant, he should be able to prove from the Bible, and the Bible alone, the doctrines which he holds to be true. Brethren and sisters, let us take the right course to prevent the coming of still other messages of reproof. Let us prayerfully, earnestly study the Word. A. J. B.