Reform vs. Fanaticism by R. F. Cottrell

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 11, 1865

Reform vs. Fanaticism.

By R. F. Cottrell

"And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places; thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, the repairer of the breach, the restorer of paths to dwell in." (Paths to be frequented. Bernard.) Isa. lviii, 12.

"Luther effected nothing new in the world, as he has been falsely charged; he did not raise a building for the future that had no connection with the past; he uncovered, he opened to the light of day the ancient foundations, on which thorns and thistles had sprung up, and continuing the construction of the temple, he built simply on the foundations laid by the apostles. Luther perceived that the ancient and primitive church of the apostles must, on the one hand, be restored in opposition to the Papacy, by which it had been so long oppressed; and on the other, be defended against enthusiasts and unbelievers, who pretended to disown it, and who, regardless of all that God had done in times past, were desirous of beginning an entirely new work." D'Aubigne. Hist. Ref. Vol. iii, p. 80.

Our Bible text predicts a reformation, and, as we believe, the last reformation, when the true people of God will turn away their feet from trampling on the Sabbath, as is expressed in the verse which immediately follows. And it sets forth the characteristics of every true reformation. A real reform removes the rubbish of tradition and discovers the ancient foundations, repairs the breach in the wall that has been broken down, and restores the old paths for the people to walk in. It lays no new foundation, but refers us continually to the Bible—to the foundation of prophets and apostles, Jesus Christ being the chief corner stone.

But every real work of reform will be encumbered with fanatical spirits hanging about its skirts, and trying to divert the attention of the people from the work of God, professing great illumination from the Spirit of God and imagining that they are especially called to some important work, a work entirely at variance with the work of God.

The text we have quoted from the History of the Reformation is in harmony with our Bible text. Luther's was a work of real reform. Although as a man he was not infallible, yet God led him in his work, step by step. But fanaticism, taking advantage of the excitement of the times, reared its unsightly head in the midst of the reformers, assuming to take the work into its own hands, and carry it forward with a vengeance. So while Luther had the venerated traditions of Romanism to contend with on the one hand, on the other, he had to defend the Reformation against the reckless spirit of fanaticism, which would pervert its principles, revolutionize it in its course, and instead of a blessing, make it a curse to humanity.

It is no wonder then, that, as the last work of reform is moving forward, disorderly spirits should appear, with their wild schemes and delusive dreams, and their disgusting come-out-ism that outrages all decency and would disparage any cause with which it is connected. The truth must stand up against long-cherished error on the one hand, made venerable by age, and on the other, vindicate itself from any connection with this wild and untamable spirit of fanaticism, which claiming relationship to the cause, is still its very worst enemy. But God will vindicate his cause and bring to naught every thing that shall rise up against it.

Fanatics generally claim to be especially led by the Spirit of God—that they are chosen instruments in his hand. This is no less than claiming a degree of inspiration. Every people who claim to have a special mission from Heaven virtually claim this: indeed every Christian is, in some degree, led by the Spirit of God. The spirit of fanaticism however is always found in opposition to the Spirit of truth. These two spirits or inspirations are in the world. We are directed in the word of God to try them. How shall this be done? Our text gives us information on this point. The Spirit of truth builds upon the old foundations, and leads into the old paths. It adheres closely to what God has taught by his Spirit in former times—it exalts the Bible. This is the character of the inspiration which we, as a people, profess to have in our midst. It points us to God's dealing in the past, from the beginning of the world, and instructs us that the same God is the one with whom we have to do. That his law and his ways are immutable. That as his judgments are on record in the past, so he cannot now look upon sin with approbation.

The opposite spirit, the spirit of fanaticism generally teaches something new and strange. To illustrate, I give an example which I heard a minister relate to his audience not long since. A lady that had especial spiritual exercises was told by the spirit, on a cold winter night, to arise from bed, go out without dressing and walk three times round the house, then come in and go into a cold room and there kneel down in a certain corner to pray. I cite this as an example. Fanaticism is for going on some pilgrimage—it is for going out to some particular place to meet the Lord, instead of waiting, in the way of well-doing, for the Lord to come as he has promised. Its votaries must go to some Nauvoo, Beaver Island, Utah or Celes-ta, to set up the kingdom and do the work which God has promised to do, while they think very little of what he requires them to do to meet him in peace.

Let the servants of God still labor on in the work of repairing the breach, and of restoring the ancient paths of the people of the Lord. God will crown their labor with success. The Spirit that builds upon the ancient foundation of apostles and prophets, is the same Spirit that inspired those ancient men of God.

R. F. COTTRELL.