THE SPIRIT OF THE MESSAGE.
The assertion may be threadbare, but though oft-repeated I venture to make it again, that we may be well versed in the theory of the third angel’s message, and yet be nearly or quite destitute of its spirit. But what is the spirit of this message? It is precisely the same spirit that has attended every message that has ever been given in harmony with God’s will. God’s messages to mankind have varied according to the time or the circumstances under which they have been given; but the spirit has always been the same. In short, the spirit of the message is the Spirit of God, working in us to will and to do of his good pleasure. The great deception that shall come upon all the world to try them does not exempt those who have a knowledge of the truth; but it shall come upon all who do not receive the love of the truth. We may read our beloved papers, the REVIEW and the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, and our other publications, and exclaim with enthusiasm, “How glad I am that I have learned this truth,” and then lay our papers away very carefully, as the miser packs down his bags of gold; but have we the love of the truth? Ah, no! we have only read and admired. If we had the spirit of the truth we should never rest contented until we had sought out some one not fully acquainted with it, and succeeded in getting him interested in reading it. We may be at some pains to go and hear preaching, we may enjoy a real mental feast while hearing the word expounded, and rejoice that we can understand it. But does this prove that we have the love of the truth? No; we have only had our feelings aroused. The Spirit of God would beget within us a burning desire to have some unconverted person listen to the truth, become interested in it, and embrace it. Oh that we all had the love of the truth—the spirit of the message!