God's Message for To-day
By H. J. Farman
I REJOICE in the revival of the old-time message which the REVIEW is now sounding forth. It is “meat in due season,” “the present truth,” which Peter says we are to be “established in.” 2 Peter 1:12. Nearly twenty years ago I first heard the truth, and began to advocate it. Then it was like fire shut up in my bones; I could no more keep quiet about the Sabbath and the other truths of the message than I could refrain from telling the people about Jesus when he forgave my sins. There was some definiteness to the message. Its clear-cut points stood forth as beacon lights along a rocky shore to warn the mariner of coming danger. I remember of saying to one of my brethren when I first began teaching the message, “How much different it is preaching this truth than it was preaching First-day Adventism. I have something to tell the people.” For years I taught the message, and it was fruitful in the salvation of many. Some of them are still alive to praise God for the third angel's message, and some have fallen asleep in Jesus, awaiting the last trump to sound when they will come forth clad with immortality. In those days the people knew what the third angel's message meant, and pointed it out to others. In like manner all understood the sanctuary question, the nature of man, the intermediate state, the punishment of the wicked, the mark of the beast, and the seal of God. A large share of our people were then taking the Bible Reading Gazette, and holding Bible studies with their neighbors. The tithing question and the spirit of prophecy were well understood, and a practical experience in the blessing of obedience was gained. No preacher would have thought of going out to preach the truth without teaching these doctrines as the leading part of his message. Then the reports from the different laborers which were printed in the REVIEW from week to week, all told of fruit gathered for the Master, and in many cases large churches were raised up. In recent years there has come over the whole denomination a radical change, both in fruit bearing and in teaching. In my own experience I have realized a change, and have often felt much concerned about it. This, especially the lack of fruit bearing, has been a source of discouragement. Jesus made fruit bearing a test of discipleship, and a sure evidence of a call to the ministry. John 15:5-8. Many times I have resolved to return to the old landmarks, and make straight paths for my feet to walk in. But it is not easy, after one has been led away so slyly and so far, to get back. For several months past in almost every sermon I have directed the attention of my hearers to the near coming of Christ. But this is not sufficient; this could be preached in many of the churches without a dissenting voice. The people must be told what the Lord requires of them in order to be saved. The commandments of God and the patience and faith of the saints are the leading features of our message. Rev. 14:9-12. The following quotation from the REVIEW of October 8, “Our forces have been much scattered, and our efforts have been to a large degree fruitless for years, because we have been persuaded to smother this message in gospel generalities,” seems to me a very fitting statement of our experience in the few past years, or at least it fits my case well. I have no doubt that God was in the teaching of “righteousness by faith.” He intended it and Christian Help work and the message, “Receive ye the Holy Ghost,” to be closely associated with the preaching and the practise of the Sabbath truth; but in most cases Satan perverted this plan by making these things the leading features, while leaving out the cardinal points of the message. The truths which God intended to be a help in swelling the message into a loud cry, being separated from the message, soon lost their power, and something new was sought. I would not for a moment want to drop any of the helps that God has given us to advance the message, but by all means let us drop the “gospel generalities.” What an amount of time, energy, and money have been spent in beating all around the message, and yet not hitting it. It occurs to me that the time has fully come to aim directly at the mark, and hit it. Paul's testimony to the Philippians expresses my determination. Chapter 3:13, 14. Were it not for God's great mercies and wonderful promises, such as are recorded in Micah 7:18-20 and Jer. 3:13-15, there would be reason for discouragement, but with these promises complied with on our part, God will surely fulfil his part, and we may arise and shine as lights in the world. Isa. 60:1-5; Phil. 2:15. Therefore be strong and of good courage.