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Advance Moves

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Oct 20, 1904

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 81, No. 42.

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“Advance Moves”

From an article in The Southern Watchman with this title, written by Elder George I. Butler, we take the following paragraphs:—
There is no hope for the future of this work unless the same thrilling truths [as were taught in the early days] take their rightful positions in our cause everywhere. If it was important then that the nearness of Christ’s coming should be dwelt upon, it is now of far greater importance that it be made impressive and set forth as imminent; for surely his coming is nearer than when we first believed. Never in the history of the advent proclamation was it so important that the great fundamental principles of our faith should be constantly impressed.
Everything indicates the necessity for a full return to the old landmarks,—the making prominent of the truths which have made us a people. There has been far too much wandering after strange doctrines, which, for the time being, have led us away from the “old paths.”
In the council at College View a hopeful realization of these facts seemed to be prominent in the minds of many of the leading brethren. The writer had to leave when the meeting was a little more than half through, because of the pressing duties needing attention in Florida just prior to the camp-meeting to be held there. The preaching of Sister White and Elders Haskell and Farnsworth and others was very timely indeed. It had the good old ring of other days.
The plans for advance moves made in the council were most encouraging and hopeful. The writer can not enter into all the particulars of these plans, but only speak of them in a general way. Doubtless others who have these matters in charge will do so fully.
In general, an advance movement is in contemplation for the circulation of our literature, and for the dissemination of the principles of our faith.
The dear old REVIEW AND HERALD, our oldest paper, our denominational organ, will lead out in this advance movement. It will lay before our people the importance of such a step, and give valuable instruction calculated to arouse them to the necessity of earnestly working for the salvation and enlightenment of our fellow men to prepare them for the scenes that are coming upon the earth.
As the REVIEW is published at the headquarters of the denomination, and under the special supervision of those called by our people to take a leading part in this movement, it is to be expected that its instructions will be most valuable and timely. We trust all who read this article will have the benefit of all this instruction.
The Signs of the Times, our leading pioneer paper, ably edited and quite generally known all over the globe, will also participate in this general missionary move. Its program contemplates the issue of four special numbers devoted to the leading and most important doctrines held by our people.
Knowing, as we all do, the enterprise of the Pacific Press, its marked ability in getting out special numbers, the large circulation that each of these special numbers has had, and the general favor with which they have been received by the public, we shall of course expect that great things will be accomplished by this effort. We certainly desire that great good may result from it to the cause we all love. We trust that many hundreds of thousands of copies will be circulated all over the world, and that multitudes now in ignorance will be made acquainted with the precious truths for this time.
God’s truth is one. Our only aim should be its rapid and thorough promulgation. We long to have the whole world become acquainted with it. We desire ourselves to do our utmost in its advancement; and we never mean to be so narrow in our views that we can not most heartily rejoice to see the most complete success attend any and every agency God is employing with which to enlighten the world. Let the Lord work by whom he will and can, and we shall be glad.
Our own little Watchman will also endeavor to do what it can in this same grand work. This article is already too long to lay out anything like the program we have in view. We shall aim to do our best to follow on in the same work that our larger, better-equipped, and older papers are seeking to accomplish.
We are in hearty sympathy with the spirit of this article. We believe that the time has fully come for a revival of the real spirit of the advent message, and for unity of action on the part of all believers in extending a knowledge of this saving truth. There is life, and light, and salvation for the people of this generation in the genuine advent message, preached “in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,” and in this message of the coming of the Lord is the hope of the world. Let us labor earnestly and unitedly for the prosperity of every part of the Lord’s work in every part of the world-wide field.