DANGERS WITHIN by Clarence Santee

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 30, 1900

DANGERS WITHIN.

By Clarence Santee

CLARENCE SANTEE.

(Oakland, Cal.)

While the walls are solid, and the gates are shut and barred, there is little danger—if the enemies are all on the outside. But when the enemy is on the inside, and so closely disguised that a faithful soldier can scarcely discern between the true and the false, a time of general doubt and uncertainty is sure to exist. No man can tell where lies the point of danger, nor against what to guard.

I have thought much of this lately, as I have seen the tendency among many, even among some of the older laborers among us, to accept and teach “new views,” which, though at first seeming perfectly safe, have elements in them that will undermine all the foundations of present truth.

We get a new idea, then begin to try it. And as it seems to harmonize with the points first compared, our interest deepens, and we believe that God has given us special light. Conviction gains upon us until we are certain. Now comes the danger. If this idea is of God, it will stand every test that God has given—even the severe test of waiting. If it is not of God, it will be pushed to the front regardless of the cautions God has given. An error is in danger if sober counsel, judgment, and time for thought are allowed. He who has the truth can well afford all these. It will keep.

We are in the time of greatest danger now. God has said that “prophecies are being fulfilled, and stormy times are before us. Old controversies, which have apparently been hushed for a long time, will be revived, and new controversies will spring up; new and old will commingle,” and “this will take place right early.” “The storm is gathering, the clouds are loading, ready to burst upon the world, and to many it will be as a thief in the night.”

Where then is our safety? God has given instruction which, if followed, will lead every soul in the right path. If men rise up among us with what they believe to be “new light,” it should be carefully withheld until it has been considered by the men of counsel and experience in the body. Listen to what the Lord says: “God has not passed his people by, and chosen one solitary man here and another there as the only ones worthy to be intrusted with his truth. He does not give one man new light contrary to the established faith of the body. In every reform men have arisen making this claim. . . . One accepts some new and original idea which does not seem to conflict with the truth. He talks of it and dwells upon it until it seems to him to be clothed with beauty and importance; for Satan has power to give this false appearance. At last it becomes the all-absorbing theme, the one great point around which everything centers; and the truth is uprooted from the heart. . . . There are a thousand temptations in disguise prepared for those who have the light of truth; and the only safety for any of us is in receiving no new doctrine, no new interpretation of the Scriptures, without first submitting it to brethren of experience. Lay it before them in a humble, teachable spirit, with earnest prayer; and if they see no light in it, yield to their judgment.”—“Testimony for the Church,” No. 32, pages 47–49.

If this counsel had been followed, where would be all the side issues of to-day? I have noticed that these issues are usually taken to young, inexperienced laborers; and when the Testimonies are referred to as a safeguard, there is a restless, dissatisfied spirit. Those who listen to these theories become uncertain upon all points of faith. When we begin to tear down, none know what must go next. Another thing upon which we may think soberly is the fact that those who are exercised over “new light” can never come together and agree. Each one is intrenched in the ideas of self. May God help us, dear ministering brethren, to heed his counsel, and carry these things to brethren of experience only, “and if they see no light in it, yield to their judgment.”

Again: it is written, “Let no messages be proclaimed until they have borne a careful scrutiny in every jot and tittle.” “In our work no side issues must be advanced until there has been a thorough examination of the ideas entertained, that it may be ascertained from what source they have originated. Satan’s angels are wise to do evil, and they will create that which some will claim to be advanced light, and will proclaim as new and wonderful things; and yet, while in some respects the message is truth, it will be mingled with men’s inventions, and will teach for doctrine the commandments of men. . . . At first it may be thought positively right, but after a while it is seen to be widely divergent from the path of safety, from the path which leads to holiness and heaven.”

If men who have become entangled in this snare would be willing to abide by God’s counsel,—even though they think they are free from danger,—if they would be willing to stand by these directions of the Spirit of God, there would be a barrier raised up against the worst phase of Satan’s deceptions. Departures from these counsels can never bring unity, but will only divide and scatter and weaken the force of the people of God. “If poison is received in the hand, it will soon affect the heart.” May the Lord give us hearts to heed.