The Third Message and Its Work
By Editor
We are living in a time of unprecedented solemnity and importance. The word of the Lord standeth fast forever; and that word assures us that the great day of decision, the day of rewards and punishments resultant upon a finished plan of salvation is near at hand. The mighty truths which have called us out from the church and world, cannot be shaken; so neither can they be overlooked nor doubted by the honest in heart. In view of this, what might we expect? Nothing less, to be sure, than that a great movement would take place relative to these truths, and a people be called out to take their stand upon them, and raise the standard before the world. Such a movement we believe is now going forward, recognized in prophecy as the third message of Rev. xiv. And this work has peculiarities which we must not overlook. From the very nature of the case the movement must be unlike anything that has gone before it. As this people, living in the last generation, are as a church, as a body, destined for translation, they must enjoy a degree of separation from the world, hitherto unknown; and as their testimony is designed to ripen the harvest of the earth—a portion for the heavenly garner, and a portion for the wine-press of the wrath of God, there must be among them a harmony of feeling and a unanimity of sentiment to a greater degree than would be essential to any other cause. It will not therefore do for each one engaged in this work to set up an individual and personal standard by which to gauge the actions of his associates, and the sentiments they may entertain, and to which if they do not conform, unity of action and harmony of feeling can no longer exist. Individual feelings, individual prejudices, and individual views, must be held in abeyance to the voice of the body; and this none will consider an unsafe course, or fear that they will enslave their consciences thereby, except such as have misgivings about the Good Shepherd’s being able to lead his little flock safely through to that kingdom which it is the Father’s good pleasure that they should ultimately possess. We have said that this work would naturally be peculiar. Nothing like it can be found in the past, save that by which this was, perhaps, prefigured; namely, the deliverance of Israel from the land of Egypt. And as well ought a stray Israelite have thought to run away from the pillar of cloud and fire, and to find and possess Canaan alone, as for individuals at the present time to think of going on disconnected from the body. Union being thus essential to our progress as a people, where might we expect the enemy would attack us most fiercely? Answer: Upon this very point. To alienate the hearts of brethren, and sow discord in their midst, would naturally be his greatest aim, and, if accomplished, would be his greatest triumph. The apostles were well aware of this artifice of our great enemy; and hence their many exhortations to the disciples on this point. Then let us, brethren, not being ignorant of his devices, endeavor to heed their admonitions. Thus doing, a ready and effectual defense will be raised against him. What chance is there for discord and division when all are governed by these words of the apostle: "Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and the same judgment." 1 Cor. i, 10. Read also Rom. xii, throughout, marking such declarations as this: "Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love, in honor preferring one another," also 1 Pet. v, 5, "Yea, all of you be subject one to another." In endeavoring to find for ourselves a correct position, and pursue an upright course, let us never forget that perils, numerous and hidden, lie in our path, and that an enemy of six thousand years' experience in malicious and deceptive acts, is intent upon our ruin. Trials peculiar will arise; let us bear them well. Questions, perplexing to some, will come up; let us consider them with sobriety and calmness; all the while pressing together for the unity of the Spirit, and keeping our eye fixed on the great pole-star of our faith and hope. Beyond the short seasons of conflict and peril that lie before us, scenes of surpassing glory rise to our view; and soon it will be ours to reach the bright hills and fair plains of the heavenly Canaan, upon which now the eye of faith reposes in infinite and quiet delight.