p. 36 | ADVANCING LIGHT by B. F. Cottrell

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 31, 1878

ADVANCING LIGHT.

By B. F. Cottrell

It was revealed to the prophet Daniel that in the time of the end knowledge should be increased. To fulfill this, there must be advancement, as we believe, in the knowledge of revealed truth. But every advance step will tell in the same direction. There are those who make use of this text as applying to various speculations of their own, though instead of a straight-forward advancement in one direction, every new position overthrows the preceding one. This may be illustrated by the various times that have been fixed for the ending of the prophetic period of 2300 days, of Dan. 8:14. Every new position in time-setting has, as a matter of necessity, overthrown the preceding one, so that none can be true but the last, if that is. Is this advancement? Is it an increase of knowledge? Far from it. Every step in true advancement remains firm. Truth after truth is brought to light, forming a chain of which every link is good. Every step in the stair-way of truth stands firm. But in the production of false theories, every step they climb they fall back one, at least.

The increasing light on the fulfillment of prophecy has brought us, unavoidably, to the last message of warning to mankind. Rev. 14: 9-12. Every step of progress in the light stands firm; and the evidences cannot be gainsaid; they carry rational conviction to all to whom they are presented. The fundamental principles, upon which the present truth has been developed as a building fitly joined together, are acknowledged by all Protestant commentators. So the foundation stands firm, and the superstructure is symmetrical and beautiful.

Every attempt to revise this foundation must prove a failure—it has been so, and it must be so. Yet there have been, and probably will be, persons that become elated with some new light on these fundamental principles. If it were not for the disastrous consequences of following false lights, it would be amusing to see how sanguine they are of their wild and fanciful views, wondering that their marvelous light had not been discovered before.

If we love the truth, it will be better not to meddle with the foundation to revise it. The car of truth will move onward to the consummation. The engine of God's providence never rolls backward. We have not chosen our position. Prophecy and Providence have brought us inevitably to where we are. There is work for all to do. Let all be engaged in the work; for Satan finds some mischief still for idle hands to do. The battle is to be fought out “on this line.” Onward, then, to victory.

B. F. Cottrell.