p. 148 | Extremes

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 5, 1864

Extremes.

It is a common saying, and, probably, a true one, that if the Devil cannot succeed in holding persons back from duty, he will, if he can, push them over the mark. If this maxim be true, then we may readily account for the extremes which have existed in religious experiences in all past time. These extremes, then, are not the result of true religion. Christianity neither teaches nor sanctions them. And the well-instructed, sincere Christian, will be free from these extremes which so often appear to mar the cause of Christianity, because he has learned to guard against the weaknesses of his own nature, and the wiles of the Devil.

Formalists, who fall far below the standard of Bible religion, may boast of an even experience, of being free from extremes. But their cases in the sight of Heaven may be far worse than those who, in striving to drink of the living waters of Christian experience, and for want of instruction fall into extremes. That there have been extremes among Adventists, none should deny. But these are by no means chargeable to the Bible doctrines they hold, but rather to the fact that their instructions in mental and spiritual discipline have not been proportionate to the stirring sentiments which have moved them to vigorous action. Seventh-day Adventists, without proper instruction and discipline, may be in greater danger of extremes than others, in proportion as their standard of moral rectitude and Christian consecration is higher than theirs. But let those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus be well instructed, and they cheerfully embrace the discipline of the sacred Scriptures, and they will grow stronger, stand firmer, become deeper and still deeper rooted in the principles of righteousness, and grow up in true holiness. Such will be free from extremes.

Seventh-day Adventists are in danger of the spirit of the world. They are not in greater danger than others; no, their faith is calculated to cast a shade over the things of this world, and lead them to set their affections on the things of the world to come. But while having to do with the things of time and sense in this age when the world with its treasures, pleasures and mirth is the all-absorbing theme, they are in danger of being overcome by the spirit of this world; hence the many exhortations of holy Scripture so applicable to our time.

Luke xxi, 34. "And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting and drunkenness and the cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares."

1 Pet. iv, 7. "But the end of all things is at hand, be ye therefore sober and watch unto prayer."

2 Pet. iii, 11. "Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness?"

And they are in danger while witnessing the fact that the worldly, the rich, the proud and the vain fall into temptations and snares, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition, of falling into the opposite extreme, which renders them incapable of doing all that good in the world they should do. Christians should be active and not worldly, economical and not stingy, neat in dress and appearance, and not proud, cheerful and not light and vain. They are the salt of the earth, the light of the world, a city set upon a hill. They may keep separate from the spirit of the world without putting their light under a bushel.