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Editorial

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 29, 1914

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 91, No. 5.

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Editorial

By Editor

The Present Situation and Our Opportunity

NEVER in our history as a people has there existed a time possessing such grand opportunities for advancing the kingdom of God as may be found today. This particular time is unique in the history of our work, and for that matter, in the history of the world. Old-time controversies have been revived. The forces of good and evil stand face to face for the final conflict. On the one hand, the principles represented by the "beast" of Revelation 13 are rapidly gaining the ascendancy. Opposing these principles in the providence of God is a world-wide agitation which is appealing to many people.
Never, since the days of papal domination, have the times appeared so propitious for the papal power of Rome as in the days in which we live. Particularly is this true in Protestant lands. Stealthily and determinedly, openly and covertly, with pomp and pageantry, and at the same time silently and insidiously, has the papal system been promoting and advancing its own interests and designs among the nations of men. Before Protestants were awake to her purposes, Rome had intrenched herself in the strongholds of the nations. Her emissaries and agents occupy many leading positions in the educational and political life of the people. Sanguine of the ultimate success of her plans and purposes, she has become bold and outspoken. She is boasting of her power and of her progress.
At these bold assumptions the Protestant world has taken alarm. Particularly is this true in the United States. An almost spontaneous protest has arisen from every quarter of the country against the designs of the Roman Church. Patriotic societies have been organized to safeguard the Constitutional liberties of the people against Rome's maneuvering. Lecturers have taken the field. Publications voicing this protest are being widely circulated. The Protestant ministry has been aroused; mass meetings of protest have been held; and the Protestant church has joined in the chorus of earnest protestation against the efforts of Rome to secure for herself official recognition, and privileges which are accorded to no other denomination.
This feeling is deep-seated. It is not a passing sentiment. The wave of agitation is still rising. Everywhere the Protestant world is awakening to the dangers which threaten it. Much of this agitation, of course, arises from partisan feeling, but comparatively few recognize the relation of this question to the closing work of the gospel.
This situation affords us as a denomination such an opportunity as we have never had before. We recognize that this very condition of things is a fulfillment of the prophetic word. Upon us rests the duty, and to us is accorded the privilege, of making the people acquainted with the true bearing of these questions. The willingness of men everywhere to read literature relating to the subject should serve to arouse us as never before to give the warning message which God has committed to us.
Nor are we wholly unprepared to meet this demand. In the good providence of the Lord this movement is provided with a wealth of literature bearing upon this very condition of affairs. Our missionary journals, the Signs of the Times (weekly and monthly) and the Watchman, can be used with excellent effect. No one can read these journals for several issues without understanding something of what these things mean. But particularly should liberal use be made of the Protestant Magazine and of Liberty, also of the Protestant and the Religious Liberty Leaflets. These publications will acquaint the people with the meaning of these vital questions. These excellent journals, dealing with these specific features of the truth for today, should be scattered by the thousands of copies. The Protestant Magazine at the present time should have a circulation of one hundred thousand copies in this country. Already men and women are identifying themselves with this movement as the result of reading this magazine. Liberty should be circulated as generously.
It is to be regretted that some of our people, in place of using the excellent literature which deals with these questions in their proper setting, have turned to outside publications, to sensational journals, largely religio-political in their character, and unfairly partisan as well as personal in their zeal. We do not question but that these journals may accomplish good; and if we had nothing better to circulate, it might be well for us to aid in their circulation rather than to remain indifferent in view of the crisis upon us. But when there has been prepared to our hand literature which deals with these great issues in a proper spirit, and in a dignified and Christian manner discusses these questions in their true setting and in their relation to the prophecies of the Word of God, it surely is to these journals that we should turn.
This controversy involves great and far-reaching principles. We are to deal with the principles rather than indulge in personalities. We cannot afford to array ourselves against Romanists as such. We have no fight to make against the members of the Roman Catholic Church. Their souls should be as precious in our sight as the souls of any of our fellows, and we should relate ourselves to this controversy in that dignified, Christian manner which will win to the truth our Catholic neighbors, instead of embittering them against the denomination we represent and the principles we hold.
Let us be careful to avoid the partisan spirit which is actuating many of the opponents of Romanism today. Nor can we afford to be classified with this partisan opposition. The wild, emotional, and partisan spirit which manifests itself in impassioned address, in the use of strong language and invectives against Romanism; which applauds the utterance of personal charge and thrust against some of the advocates of that church,—this spirit is foreign to the quiet, dignified spirit of the Master, and to the spirit in which this gospel should be given to the world. Seventh-day Adventists should not pose as anti-Romanists. They should stand before the world as the ambassadors of God, as the messengers of the gospel of peace and good will and salvation to all mankind.
We earnestly urge our people to recognize this wonderful opportunity which in the providence of God has opened before them. Let our church officers now rally their members; let our ministers everywhere sound the call to action. Our danger as a people is in missing our opportunity. God has given to us a knowledge of the truth for this very time, for this very situation, for this very issue before us. Shall we meet his purpose? The curse of God anciently rested upon Meroz because its people failed to come up to the help of the Lord against the mighty. Judges 5:23. May heaven grant that the curse of Meroz shall not rest upon this people, but that it shall be said of us, They have done what they could. Who will recognize the opportunity which heaven has opened before us, and who will step into the opening to do the work that God wants done in sounding abroad his warning message for this day and generation?
F. M. W.