The Cause is Onward by James White

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 14, 1860

The Cause is Onward.

By James White

ALMOST every week the brethren are cheered with the intelligence that more churches are being raised up, besides the individuals in all parts of the field continually joining the people of God who keep his Sabbath. This week's paper contains a good share of cheering intelligence.

And this work is not confined to the west of the lakes, as will be seen by reports from Mich., Penn., and New York. Our brethren in other fields, who consecrate all, time, talent, strength, health and life to the cause, and go into the work as western preachers do, bearing a plain, pointed testimony, have success also. With such a consecration, it is the privilege of God's servants to have a corresponding faith, and enjoy corresponding victory in their own souls, and sustaining power.

The work is of God. He lives and reigns. His ministers may believe in him fully. Let all his people praise him for his wonderful work, and pray that his blessing and sustaining power may attend the labors of those who give the message.

We have a plain and pointed testimony. God help us to give it as we find it in the Bible. It is a cutting rebuke to sinners in Zion, a reproving warning to the world. Temper down and smooth the message, ye who dare. You might as well plaster an oven with butter. Our soul is sick of hearing from half-consecrated lips, "O that is too severe—too harsh—a wrong spirit," &c.

We would not here say a word to influence the incautious of little experience to be rash. No, let the Bible correct such also, and guard them against the extreme to which they are exposed. But we feel particularly at this time for those who are going to sleep under the influence that the testimony of the third message must be smoothed, and great efforts must be made lest somebody will be offended.

The truth, when preached as it should be, will offend the majority. God's word for it. The honest will then decide for the truth, and come out strong. God help our preachers to bear a plain, pure testimony, and all the church to say amen, that the cause may move on gloriously. J. W.