Editorial by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Apr 10, 1893

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 19, No. 23.

Editorial.

By Editor

"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable."—2 Tim. 3:16.

HE who desires to be led of God will be sure to find God ready to lead him. But he who would be led of God must be ready to go where and however God may direct. He must not choose his own way and then expect God to adopt it as his own.

OFTEN the experiences of this life are the means employed of God to fit and mould us after the divine Pattern. If we can regard them as such, and seek God for help to learn the lesson designed, life's experiences will be sweetened thereby, and every trial and occupation will be looked upon as fraught with solemn import. God is at the helm in light and darkness, in joy and in sorrow. Remembering this, may we commit all to his faithful care.

LET us never consider for one moment that we know all of God or his truth. The more we know the larger will become our power to see what we do not know. This will make our ignorance appear so great in comparison with our knowledge that it will seem to us that we really know nothing, or but little at best. The true basis upon which to build is to realize that we of ourselves know nothing as we ought to know it. To such knowledge and humility God can add heavenly wisdom, and the praise and glory will be to God and not to man.

WHEN Christ ascended to the Father, "he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men." These gifts cover a wide range in their uses. "He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers." This he did "for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ." God will have a symmetrical work developed, and so he uses in its upbuilding those means and agencies which will develop every part. The prophet does not fill the place of the apostle, nor the teacher the place of the prophet, nor yet the apostle and prophet the place of the teacher. God gives to each his own peculiar gift and office with its peculiar functions. One cannot boast over the other, for all derive their powers from God, and each is necessary to the "perfecting of the saints, . . . and the upbuilding of the body of Christ," in its own special sphere.

THE servants of God in this work go out to the world with a faith and courage never before known. They realize as never before how all things work not only together for good to them who love God, but all things are contributing to the spread of the gospel of Christ. In the words of Samuel Longfellow:—

"The truths ye urge are borne abroad By every wind and tide; The voice of nature and of God Speaks out upon your side. "The weapons which your hands have found Are those which heaven hath wrought, Light, truth, and love—your battleground The free, broad field of thought."

Our field is the world. Our mission, to preach the Word, to preach Christ Jesus. And while our weapons are not carnal but spiritual, yet are they mighty through God to the pulling down of the strongholds of Satan both without and within.