Important Instruction for Every Seventh-Day Adventist Testimonies for the Church, Volume VIII
By Editor
The warnings, counsels, and instruction which have come to this people through the spirit of prophecy since the rise of this denomination have exerted a marked influence in the development of this movement to give the closing message in the earth. Since the appearance of the first little volume in 1851, entitled “Experience and Views,” many thousand pages have been written and published under various titles. In 1855 there was published “Testimonies for the Church,” No. 1. Successive numbers have appeared from time to time, as the interests of the work have demanded, until this latest issue, number 36. When fanaticism or apostasy has threatened the success of this work, as has been the case at different times in its history, the instruction through the spirit of prophecy has invariably been of the greatest value in pointing out with clearness the departure from “the truth of the gospel” and in directing the believers into right paths. Thus unity has been preserved, and the efforts of the enemy to overthrow the work have been defeated. We seriously question, however, whether any previous number of these Testimonies was ever issued which contained instruction more timely or better calculated to meet the needs of the hour than this last number. We have entered upon the perilous times which are peculiar to the last days. During the last two years we have passed through some remarkable experiences. Two of the largest institutions connected with this movement have been destroyed by fire. An effort has been made to force upon this denomination such teaching as, when carried to its logical conclusion, would remove the old landmarks of truth, and undermine the foundation of this threefold message. The headquarters of the denomination have been removed from Battle Creek, Mich., to Washington, D. C., and a new start is being made to establish institutions in a representative way in which the pure principles of truth shall have their proper place. A careful study of “Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. VIII, will answer many questions which may have arisen in the minds of the believers, and will throw light upon many perplexing difficulties. If any have been in a measure confused by the developments of the last year or two, and have not understood the reason for some of the movements made and some of the plans followed, these difficulties will be cleared away by a thoughtful reading of this book. A full synopsis of the table of contents of this issue of the Testimonies has already appeared in the REVIEW, giving a good idea of the general ground covered, but we desire by a still further analysis of the instruction given to indicate the scope and trend of the book, especially in its dealing with our present situation. There are five sections, or general divisions, of the volume. Section one is entitled “Present Opportunities.” It emphasizes the fact that we have a special work to do in this generation, a special message to give, corresponding to the work of John the Baptist. It deals with the power promised for this work, the world-wide field of this work, and closes with a most encouraging view of the outcome of the great conflict between truth and error. The study of this section prepares the mind of the reader to understand and to appreciate what follows. Section two is entitled “Counsels Often Repeated.” In this section will be found the true explanation of the destruction of the printing establishment at Battle Creek—the neglect to follow the oft-repeated instruction of the Lord given both to the workers in the office and to the members of the church. In some respects it is a parallel to the instruction given to the children of Israel after the overthrow of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar. No mere outline can do it justice. It must be read thoughtfully. Section three is entitled “Letters to Physicians.” The true basis of the medical missionary work is here set forth, and its place in the closing work is clearly indicated. This is done by bringing together the counsel which has been given in correspondence covering a series of years, thus showing that it is not for lack of proper instruction that the mistakes have been made which have brought so much embarrassment into our work of late. The reading of this section will set at rest any fears that the medical missionary work may be set aside if it, as the right arm of the message, is not allowed to take the place of the message itself. True medical missionary work can never be divorced from this message. Section four is entitled “Be on Guard.” In this section are presented the dangers which have threatened this denomination and its work through the effort to carry out the idea “that the medical missionary work would be greatly advanced if all our medical institutions and other medical missionary interests were bound up under the control of the medical missionary association at Battle Creek.” It gives clear reasons why this plan can not succeed, and places the burden of responsibility for this work where it properly belongs. “The medical missionary work is God’s work, and in every conference and every church we are to take a decided stand against allowing it to be selfishly controlled.” “In establishing and developing medical institutions, our brethren must not be asked to work in accordance with the plans of a kingly, ruling power. A change must be brought about. The plan to fasten every medical institution to the central organization at Battle Creek must be relinquished. This plan God forbids.” Our limited space will not permit extended quotations from this section, but the instruction given is of the utmost importance. Section five is entitled “The Essential Knowledge.” It brings out the difference between the true and the false teaching concerning the nature and being of God, and sounds an emphatic warning against the character of some of the teaching which has recently been given within the denomination. “Already there are coming in among our people spiritualistic teachings that will undermine the faith of those who give heed to them. . . . Those who continue to hold these spiritualistic teachings will surely spoil their Christian experience, sever their connection with God, and lose eternal life.” “The enemy is seeking to divert the minds of our brethren and sisters from the work of preparing a people to stand in these last days. His sophistries are designed to lead minds away from the perils and duties of the hour. They estimate as nothing the light that Christ came from heaven to give to John for his people. They teach that the scenes just before us are not of sufficient importance to receive special attention. They make of no effect the truth of heavenly origin, and rob the people of God of their past experience, giving them instead a false science.” Brief extracts can not do justice to this section. It must be read as a whole to be appreciated. The warning and instruction are most important. We do not write carelessly when we say that “Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. VIII, ought surely to be read by every Seventh-day Adventist. We are entering upon a new experience in this work. A forward movement has begun. The message that “there shall be delay5no longer” is beginning to be realized. This volume of the Testimonies deals with the present crisis in our work in such a clear way that all who are willing to receive the light which it gives concerning our present situation and the plans for the future will be able to go forward understandingly, and will know how to relate themselves to each branch of our work on right principles. We feel that we shall confer permanent benefit upon every Seventh-day Adventist who can be induced to read this book. Do not delay. Secure it at once.