Pulling in Even Lines

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 22, 1914

Pulling in Even Lines

It is fitting that we should be stirred by the startling events which are now taking place in the world. As never before, in the situation which now exists in Europe, we can see the fulfillment of prophecies indicating the close of earth's history and the coming of the Lord. But while we recognize the situation which exists in the political world, we should not ignore conditions existing in the social, industrial, and religious worlds equally significant. Nor should we forget that we have been made the conservators of a complete, full, and well-rounded gospel message for those in darkness. We must not drop out any of the links in the great chain of truth due the world at the present time.

Word comes of one brother who, upon hearing of the beginning of hostilities in Europe, ordered three thousand copies of one of our Sabbath tracts for distribution among his neighbors. In this he showed a keen appreciation of the situation. He recognized that in the great crisis between truth and error of the last days, the early conclusion of which the present European war presages, the Sabbath of the Lord is to play a prominent part, and he felt that the present European situation was a call to him to awake and present the truth on the Sabbath question to his neighbors.

We need to advocate today the doctrine of life in Christ as a safeguard against the great delusion of Spiritualism which is continually enlarging its scope and influence among the nations of earth.

We need to note carefully the rapidly shaping events fulfilling the prophecy of Revelation 13. In times of war as well as in times of peace the influences of evil represented in this chapter are steadily pursuing their purposes in the world. The great conflict before this movement is with the beast and his image. We cannot ignore the Roman peril. We cannot afford to forget that it exists. This message is a message of God warning against it, and we should be faithful and diligent in giving that message to the world.

We have reached the hour of God's judgment. We are to make men acquainted with that solemn fact. The law of the ten commandments constitutes the standard of judgment in the heavenly assize. Men are to be called from the worship of the creature to that of the Creator. God alone is to be exalted in every life. We need today to present to the world the gospel message in its fullness.

We need to pull in even lines; to present the gospel message in its fullness, instructing the people not only in one phase of the truth, but in all phases. And while we should respond earnestly in times of crises and center our forces at the vital point of attack, let us not permit our attention to become so engrossed in one line of truth, or in the presentation of one point, as to neglect others of equal importance. We need to pray for heavenly enlightenment that we may be able to know when to give the trumpet a certain sound. We need to pray for well-balanced judgment and for the spirit of harmonious cooperation. We need to cultivate the spirit of keeping step and moving in order. Let us avoid that spirit of conservatism which tends to stagnation and death, and also that spirit which would lead us to move ahead of God's providence. Let us watch the pillar of cloud and of fire, and stand still when it stays, and move forward when it advances. Keeping close to God and close to our brethren will prove our safety in the days before us.