THE CAUSE by Editor

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 23, 1861

THE CAUSE.

By Editor

Several worthy brethren have referred to our remarks a few weeks since under this caption, and we are much gratified to find that our views and feelings accord with theirs. We would not give an alarm where there is no danger; neither would we cry, Danger, without pointing out the danger, and the way of escape. The brethren who have spoken through the Review, with many others whose testimonies we do not give, all agree that there is cause of alarm in view of our low state as a people.

We solemnly believe that the greatest cause of the present sad state of things, has been the reluctance on the part of the most able preachers among us to bear that plain, scriptural testimony that condemns and displeases the carnal mind. With some of these there has been not only a reluctance, but a spirit of opposition. These are men of fine feelings, of cool and candid judgment, who will command respect anywhere, and are just the men to unsheath the sword and let it cut, for they can do it skillfully. "For the word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Heb. iv. 12.

These dear brethren should not let their tender feelings lead them to temper down the message to the carnal ear, but should cultivate a love for the plain testimony of God's word. If they would reach many hearts, and see men and women come on to the truth decided and strong, they should take up this cross, and present the naked truth in all its testing, convicting power, that men may be fully convicted and soundly converted. God requires this at their hands. The sinking cause of truth, and the dangerous condition of many precious souls, call upon them to take their stand. The less cautious among us, in consequence of this lack, seeing and feeling it deeply, are in danger of moving incautiously, and exerting a distracting influence. Such a state of things among our preachers shakes the confidence of the brethren in them all, and has a most discouraging influence on the cause everywhere. But let those who have shunned responsibilities and the plain testimony come up to the help of the Lord, and this stand will regulate and put new life into the whole body.

It has been the plain testimony that has brought our people up to that state of consecration where they would act a liberal part in the cause. But let the influence of those who have been opposed to the unflinching testimony and have despised reproof, bear rule, and all be molded to their ideas, and in less than two years we could not run a single tent, or sustain a weekly paper. And you would see these very ministers turning to some trade, or to the cultivation of the soil. These brethren have not been aware that they were casting a stupefying influence over the cause, and our object in these remarks is to arouse them to the real state of things, that they, with all our brethren, may see and feel, and hereafter shun that death-like influence which has chilled and wasted the vitality of the cause.

As we designed to speak plainly in this article, we will come a little closer. The inquiry is frequently made, "Why does Bro. M. H. Cornell have such success?" This question is worthy the consideration of all our preachers. His great success cannot be in consequence of superior talent, or wisdom to direct his labors. The advice of others has been of great service to Bro. C. And there is nothing peculiar in his voice or manner of reasoning to draw the hearts of the people. But he is a special instrument in the hands of God in raising up church after church. Why is this? It is evidently because of his faithful testimony. He presents the message as though he believed it, and expected his hearers to believe it also. He opens the truth as it is in God's word, and hands it to the people in its testing form, and brings them to a decision. And there is another thing very worthy of notice, that these churches generally come out strong, and grow stronger and stronger.

There are other causes of our low state besides the want of the faithful testimony; but they generally grow out of this. Let all our ministers be united in bearing a strong testimony for the truth and against wrongs existing among us, and the causes of discouragement will be speedily removed.