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A Positive Message

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park, Washington, D. C. · Jul 24, 1913

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 90, No. 30.

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A Positive Message

By Editor

THIS number contains an excellent article from Elder D. E. Robinson, giving some additional historical data relating to the darkening of the sun and the falling of the stars, in fulfilment of prophecy. We shall be very glad to print at any time data of this character relating to the important dates and phenomena connected with the fulfilment of the prophetic word. We believe that the future will bring to light much valuable information of this nature. We have by no means reached the end of Bible knowledge or of historical research.
We do not believe, however, that the developments of the future will set aside important conclusions which have already been reached. Our position as a people has been taken after much earnest prayer and painstaking study, and we believe that a point has been reached in the development of our message where we can rest with assurance on the fundamental principles that constitute the foundation of the system of truth we hold.
While in the face of evidence any position, however revered or time-honored, should be abandoned, we by no means consider that this will be made necessary as the outcome of future research. Hence our workers and the students in our schools should bring to the study of the prophecies and to their interpretation as represented in the faith of this people, an attitude of mind and spirit of study that will seek to confirm rather than disprove the positions taken. In fact this mental attitude will largely determine the value and weight of evidence.
Casting aside old-time beliefs, the spirit of higher criticism in the world counts as unworthy of credence the faith of the Fathers, only as such faith measures up to the estimate of its reasoning and the deductions of its philosophy. There is danger that this spirit of higher criticism may influence our study of the Scriptures of Truth. It requires no great amount of knowledge to question accepted interpretations of Scripture. It is easy to set the minds of our fellows revolving around unimportant and doubtful details the decision of which either way in no measure affects the strength of the great argument of truth. To this experience we are not now called in the history of this movement. "It is better," as expressed by another, "to know a few things than to know so many things that are not so."
Our message is not one of negation, but one of assurance and power. We need to preach positive truth. Let us teach with assurance and conviction. Let us seek to strengthen the things that remain. Let us seek to build up and not tear down; to cultivate confidence rather than doubt. This spirit will make for the strengthening of faith, confidence among brethren, and assurance and power in the proclamation of the gospel message.