For the Defense of the Gospel
By Editor
In this age of intense worldliness and materialism there is constant need of emphasizing the fact that spiritual truth is more valuable than any other possession, and that the ability to perceive and to appropriate revealed truth is more to be desired than the ability to acquire wealth. “What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” God has called us “unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.” It is therefore our privilege to live in constant fellowship with our risen Lord. Although at the right hand of the Father, he does not forget those for whom he gave his life, and he longs to draw us into the closest communion with himself. In the hour of sorrow he will comfort us; in the hour of trial he will strengthen us; in the hour of conflict he will give us the victory. Let nothing rob us of the fellowship of Jesus. “You know not how soon the crisis may come. It is stealing gradually upon us, as a thief. The sun shines in the heavens, passing over its usual round, and the heavens still declare the glory of God; men are still pursuing their usual course of eating and drinking, planting and building, marrying and giving in marriage; merchants are still engaged in buying and selling; publications are still issuing one upon another; men are jostling one against another, seeking to get the highest place; pleasure lovers are still attending theaters, horse-races, gambling hells, and the highest excitement prevails; yet probation’s hour is fast closing, and every case is about to be eternally decided. There are few who believe with heart and soul that we have a heaven to win and a hell to shun; but these few show their faith by their works. The signs of Christ’s coming are fast fulfilling. Satan sees that he has but a short time in which to work, and he has set his satanic agencies at work to stir the elements of the world, in order that men may be deceived, deluded, and kept occupied and entranced until the day of probation shall be ended, and the door be forever shut.” For the Defense of the Gospel
The fact that some were unfaithful to their profession of the truth did not cause the apostle Paul to waver or to cease bearing his testimony in behalf of sound doctrine. He knew that he was “set for the defense of the gospel,” and he remained loyal to him who had appointed him to his work. The example of this staunch defender of the truth is an inspiration for all time. While it is true that in a certain sense the gospel needs no defense by any one, yet it is in the divine plan that human agencies shall be used as witnesses for the God of heaven to bear testimony against those who would substitute human philosophy for the truth of the gospel. So it was in the time of the Reformation from popery when Luther and his associates wielded the sword of the Spirit against the corrupters of the message of salvation by faith in Christ. So it should be now when the successors of the Reformers are proving untrue to their inheritance, and are repudiating some of the most fundamental principles of true Protestantism. And the same principle applies in the case of this advent message. It is time for those who love the truths which have separated this people from other denominations, and which constitute the last movement in the earth in behalf of a pure gospel, to stand firmly in defense of these truths even when some who have been companions in arms depart from them. A plain testimony should now be borne in behalf of the original platform of this advent message. The Lord has his servants who are now “set for the defense of the gospel.” Let them speak the truth in love.