Our Periodicals by H. F. Phelps

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 6, 1879

“Our Periodicals.”

By H. F. Phelps

Something like one year since, the writer sent to the REVIEW Office an article headed as above, in which he made some remarks as to the good qualities of the REVIEW, Instructor, and Reformer. In speaking of the REVIEW, I said that it was the only paper which taught the soon coming of our Master, and at the same time fearlessly taught the people the necessary preparation, namely, the keeping of the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. I said it in all sincerity, believing it to be the truth. I shortly received a letter with two copies of a paper claiming to stand on equal grounds with the REVIEW, in teaching the necessary preparation to stand in the day of the Lord. An editorial, headed with the commandment, “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor,” accused the article in question of breaking this commandment. Although, having charity enough to believe that it was done ignorantly.

During the past year, I have taken time to briefly survey our positions, the teachings of the REVIEW, and having taken the pains to find out, and to read something concerning the teachings of those claiming an equal share in this great work, I am compelled to reiterate my former declaration with still greater emphasis. We are of course speaking of papers published in the English language. The following are two of many reasons which might be offered for this position:

1. Those who are fearlessly teaching the people the necessary preparation, are brought to view in Rev. 14: 9-12. And no one can claim to be teaching the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, in the sense of the prophecy, only those who are giving the third angel’s message. For here we find, in language too plain to be misunderstood, the most fearful warning and threatenings to be found in the word of God, and this against those who are found worshipers of the beast and receivers of his mark. Now, how is it possible for any one to claim to have, or keep, the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, who denies the application of the work of the two-horned beast to this government, placing it centuries in the past, while the very punishment there spoken of is the unmixed wrath of God. Can they be giving the third angel’s message? Nay, verily.

2. They deny the sanctuary question, as it is understood, being inseparably connected with the work of the third angel’s message. Denying this question, we are left entirely in the darkness of midnight; for we cannot tell anything concerning the position of our great High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary; and, denying this, it seems to me we are in darkness as to the hour of God’s Judgment; in fact, the whole work of the Judgment is shrouded with a mist we are not able to penetrate. There is a halo of glory around this question, if rightly understood, which illuminates our pathway, by which we are able to see that our work is according to the sound teachings of God’s word, and by which we may know that the glad morning will soon dawn upon us. But, denying it, we are left in darkness, doubt, and uncertainties.

So I say further, that I am glad we have a paper that not only teaches the necessary preparation, “the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus,” but one that is also consistent and harmonious in all its teachings. I can say, The truth of God never looked clearer to me than at the present time; and, to those who walk in the light, it will shine more and more unto the perfect day.

Truly, the truth shines out clear from the page of inspiration, and thousands are ready to receive it if they can only hear; but how can they hear without a preacher, and how can they preach except they be sent? Oh! let the cry go up to the Lord of the harvest that he will send forth more laborers; for truly the harvest is great, but the laborers are few. May it be the language of my heart, What wilt thou have me to do? H. F. PHELPS.