ESSENCE OF CONFUSION AND INCONSISTENCY.
By D. T. Bourdeau
The greater the light, the greater the darkness and confusion which follow its rejection. This saying is indeed verified by the course of those who once enjoyed the light of present truth, but have turned against it. Such often talk of contradictions in the Testimonies, etc., but overlook the very essence of confusion that exists among themselves, as well as the unparalleled union that exists among those who stand by the messages and kindred truths. The following are some of the many contradictions of the class of opposers in question:— 1. Some deny the perpetuity of spiritual gifts; others maintain it. 2. Some repudiate health reform, appealing to the Bible (which, however, does not sustain them, for truth cannot contradict truth); others advocate it in the strongest language from a Bible and scientific standpoint. Yet the former are fellowshipped and we are denounced on health reform. And why? I know of no other reason than this: It happens that a sister among us has written and spoken on this subject, and wields a mighty influence upon the learned and the unlearned in favor of Christian temperance. 3. Some believe there will be probation after Christ’s coming, and that the Jews will then be restored, thus taking off the edge of the numerous warnings to the sinner respecting the coming of Christ and the day of wrath, and quieting the consciences of many who ought to be aroused; others discard that doctrine, as we do. 4. Some fix the year of Christ’s second coming; others do not, and, in this respect, are on the side of the Bible. 5. Some deny the personality of the devil, while others maintain it. 6. Some deny the pre-organization or pre-existence of the Saviour; others believe in it. 7. Some deny the resurrection of the wicked (a cry of peace and safety); others believe in it. 8. Some believe in the messages and two-horned beast as we do; others try to put these in the past and to obscure the Bible doctrine of the sanctuary, and deny the genuineness of the advent movement! 9. Some place the plagues in the future and just before the second advent; others place most of the plagues in the past. 10. Some deny our application of the seal or sign of the living God to the Sabbath; others admit this application. The former might as well say that the first-day Sabbath, as based on tradition, is not the sign of the papal authority, and deny the truth ad infinitum. 11. Some say that they do not object to health reform from a health standpoint, yet teach that the Bible allows us to eat and drink as we please, and censure those who discriminate between healthful and unhealthful food and habits, saying they (we) are giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils!! Query: Is the Bible against health? and are the teachings of devils superior to those of the God of the Bible? 12. Some say they do not pretend to attack the character of Sr. White, and admit that if we live according to her teachings we will surely be saved; yet, this child of God they call Jezabel, and accuse her of being inspired of the devil! Surely, a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand. We have reason to thank God for the harmony that exists in the teachings of Seventh-day Adventists. But where are those drifting who, having acknowledged the truth, turn against it? They may claim they have the truth; but if you undertake to reject what they deny in the aggregate, you will abandon nearly every doctrine held by Seventh-day Adventists; you will be like a ship without a captain and without a definite chart and compass, which is in constant danger of making shipwreck. Let those who oppose us with the cry of division and contradictions, first see to it that they present a united front and exhibit the precious jewel of consistency. D. T. BOURDEAU.