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GOD EMPLOYS MEANS

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The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 3, 1862

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 20, No. 1.

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GOD EMPLOYS MEANS.

By J. Clarke

The Review is the organ of a people recently arisen, who are trying to act in harmony with God's Spirit, and we believe that God is in this movement, and is leading our leaders. Thus far we have full confidence that he has done so, and while we hold to the faith of the third and last message of God to man [see Rev. xiv, 9-12], we fully believe God will direct our elders, messengers, and leaders; and when he fails to do this in any case, it will be because of failure on their part or the church.
Whenever God would do anything for his people in ancient times, he first set in motion some agency which directed and controlled the movement; as, for instance, in the exodus from Egypt, and in the return from Babylon. Leaders were appointed of God in each case, and strict order was observed.
Again, look at the agencies set in motion on the day of Pentecost. How the apostles, and elders, and deacons, had the oversight of the church; how, both in word and doctrine, the church looked up to the leaders, as to God-ordained men; and as long as the church walked in the light, they were not disappointed in their leaders.
God moved upon Peter to advance a step from Judaism, and the church followed. Paul, too; with what confidence the churches looked to him! Wo! wo! unto the church when she can no longer trust her leaders.
Mankind are fallen from their first high estate, and by long continuation in this vile world, men have contracted wrong views of truth; their judgments are perverted, and the noblest powers of mind are weakened, almost destroyed. In this sad state of things our hope is in God, who has led out thus far a people under the message of the third angel, and the means employed have been human beings, whom God has fitted up for the work. God is with these men; they have (under God) led us thus far, and shall we not still sit under their teaching, who have so long labored for us in word and doctrine? J. CLARKE.