Preaching the Truth by Asa Smith

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 14, 1907

Preaching the Truth

By Asa Smith

ASA SMITH

THERE is much that is good, and much good Christian work can be done, without placing any special emphasis upon those doctrines that make us “a peculiar people.” But we have no excuse for being a separate people except to preach those very doctrines; and when we begin to work only on lines that are common to all Christian people, just then we begin to lose the very life and spirituality that is found in our message.

Our work is based on Rev. 14: 6-12, and we dare not compromise nor soften it to meet popular favor. That message calls for the fear and worship of the true God because the “hour of his judgment is come;” it also announces the fall of Babylon, and calls the honest souls to come out of the fallen churches; and, finally, it gives the most solemn and important warning the world has ever heard. We must tell what the “beast” is, and what his “image” and his “mark,” that the people may know how to escape. To do this will make us unpopular, but if we do not do it, we fail of accomplishing our purpose as a people in this world.

In singing we can be preaching the truths of the message; but much of our later music is losing the real spirit of the third angel’s message. There is a tendency on the part of many, even some of our workers, always to have the “latest” popular song-book. It may contain many good songs, but they do not emphasize the peculiar and special truths which we preach. I am satisfied that much of the love of the message has been lost to both old and young among Seventh-day Adventists by the use of so many “new” songs. I mean songs that do not contain the advent spirit. We hear more such songs as “There is sunshine in my soul,” than “How shall we stand in the judgment?” or “He’s coming again.” To be sure, the Christian, and especially the one who expects to live to see Jesus come in glory, ought to have sunshine in his soul and to sing it, but the general spirit brought in by such music is not one that calls to mind the admonition of 2 Cor. 13: 5, and 1 Cor. 10: 12. On the contrary, the popular church songs cause us to feel that our own songs which contain the peculiar truths of our message are “old” and not “up to date.” But in fact the “new” songs are used by all church people, while our “old,” peculiar songs are new to them.

Music originated in heaven. Lucifer was leader of the heavenly choir. Because of pride and self-exaltation he was cast out. He came to this earth, persuaded man to sin, and usurped his dominion. In his efforts to get men to join his rebellion, he has not failed to make use of his musical ability. Through this medium he has entered the hearts, homes, and churches unawares.

That which does not inspire to higher thinking and better living is not from above.

Reiswig, British Columbia.