Autumn Council of the Executive Committee of the North American Division Conference
By Irwin H. Evans; George B. Thompson
Final Report
The following actions constitute the final report of the meetings of the Division Conference Executive Committee Council held at Loma Linda, Cal.
Financial Policy
The efforts being made to deliver our conferences and institutions from the bondage of debt are bringing courage to our people everywhere. The following recommendations reaffirming this policy were passed:—
Whereas, We recognize with gratitude8to God the earnest and responsive way in which our people are rallying to relieve our institutions from the debts with which they are encumbered; and,—
Whereas, We realize at the same time the strong tendency to increase the liabilities of our various institutions so that some are becoming more deeply involved in debt,—
We recommend, That a continual, active, and determined effort be made by all union and local conferences and by boards of management of institutions, to liquidate the liabilities of the institutions for which they are responsible, and that as a people we in no way relax our energies until conferences and institutions are free from the burden and bondage of debt.
That regardless of pressing demands we extend no institutional or conference work of any kind on borrowed money and advance no enterprise faster than money is in hand with which to enlarge the work.
That we guard against carelessness in the use of money, and urge our workers to practice economy in all lines of work with which they are engaged, and study and pursue plans of advancement which are efficient and economical.
The Gospel Ministry
With a view of strengthening and building up a strong ministry, the following recommendations, after careful consideration, were passed:—
Whereas, The work of the gospel ministry is a sacred and holy work, and only those should be encouraged to enter it who renounce the world, sin, the love of display, and worldly pleasure, and who are willing to lead humble, self-sacrificing, Christian lives, that by precept and example they may preach the pure gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; and,—
Whereas, The third angel’s message and our world-wide work demand a growing, progressive, educated ministry, who can preach the message to all classes, and who give evidence of a divine call to the ministry, not only in their own experience, but in the judgment of the brethren,—
We recommend, That all candidates for ordination to the gospel ministry shall be carefully examined in Bible doctrines, their ability correctly to expound the same, and their confidence in and loyalty to the denominational organization.
We recognize that God often calls to the gospel ministry men of limited education, but whose mature judgment and practical experience in life, with rich spiritual endowment, give them a special fitness for the work of the ministry. The fruit of their labors has demonstrated the genuineness of their call, and we esteem them highly for their works’ sake.
We recommend, That these workers, in the exercise of the ability which God has given them, seek by every reasonable means to increase their efficiency. By the opportunities offered in the Fireside Correspondence School, in the Ministerial Reading Course, and in general reading and study, this increased efficiency may be obtained.
That young men who are planning to enter the ministry, avail themselves of the opportunities offered in our denominational training schools to secure a good education, and that they be encouraged
as far as possible to complete not less than fourteen grades of school work before they are ordained to the gospel ministry.
We further recommend, That all under twenty-five years of age now laboring in the ministry, as either ordained or licensed preachers, who do not possess an education equal to fourteen grades of work, be encouraged either to attend our denominational training schools or to take work in the Fireside Correspondence School, until the educational standard of fourteen grades has been reached.
That all our ministers shall pursue the Ministerial Reading Courses and such other regular courses of study as they can take consistently with their gospel work.
That the ordination of men to the gospel ministry shall be governed as follows:—
1. The committee on ordination shall consist of the union conference committee, with such members of the General and Division Conference Committees as may be present, and such other ordained ministers of experience as may be invited in; and if the candidate be for work in a foreign department, the secretary of that department be consulted.
2. The union or local conference executive committee believing that one of their workers should be ordained to the gospel ministry, shall by vote recommend said person to their union conference committee for examination for ordination.
3. The chairman of the union conference committee shall take up the question of the ordination of a candidate at a meeting of the committee, and if the vote is favorable, shall call the candidate to appear before the committee on ordination, or a subcommittee appointed by the same, for examination in harmony with these recommendations.
4. Those passing satisfactory examinations and giving full proof of their call to the ministry, shall be recommended to their respective local conferences for ordination at the earliest suitable occasion.
We further recommend, That the arrangements for the ceremony of ordination be in the hands of the representatives of the General or Division Conference who may be present, together with the union and local conference presidents; and that the service in general be conducted as follows:—
Let there be a sermon on the ministry, if possible; then a short history of the one chosen for ordination; then the prayer, followed by the charge, and lastly the welcome.
Whereas, Our rapidly advancing work oftentimes affords opportunity for men to do efficient service for the Lord who are worthy to be engaged in the work because of their deep spiritual experience and ability to organize and lead in missionary work, but who are not sufficiently qualified to enter the regular ministry; therefore,—
We recommend, That we recognize the call of these persons to a service which may or may not be a call to a life work, by giving them missionary credentials.
Whereas, The union conference is called upon to adjust matters when the local conferences become burdened with too heavy a force of laborers; therefore,—
We recommend, That whenever additional regular laborers are to be added
to the pay roll of the local conference, the union conference officers be consulted.
That credentials shall be revocable at such time, and for such cause, as the conference granting them deem it unwise for the person to continue in the work of the gospel ministry.
That ministerial credentials be renewed only to such as give their undivided time to the sacred work of the ministry to which they were set apart by ordination, except in cases where ordained ministers are employed by the conference in other lines of conference or institutional work. It is understood that this does not apply to aged or infirm workers who may receive their support from the sustentation fund or from private income.
That where ministerial credentials are not renewed, the authority to administer the ordinances of the church, to perform marriage ceremonies, etc., be not recognized.
That where for any cause ministerial credentials are revoked or are not renewed, and application is made to another conference for their renewal, this request be not granted without consultation with the local and union conferences previously granting the credentials. This does not preclude the right of appeal.
Church Building in London, England
Whereas, The General Conference Committee Council, at a recent meeting, took the following action regarding a proposal to raise a fund for a church building in London, England:—
“Voted, That we ask the North American Division to waive for this purpose the arrangement we have made to make no special appeals aside from the regular mission funds, and that in case this arrangement is agreed to, we proceed to raise the funds required by calls appearing in the REVIEW, listing subscriptions also in the REVIEW;” therefore,—
Resolved, That we concur in this recommendation, and by calls in the REVIEW AND HERALD, and in other proper ways, try to raise $10,000 for the erection of a church in the metropolis of the world. This is not to apply on the Twenty-cent-a-week Fund.
Study of Sabbath School Lessons
Whereas, Our spiritual life depends on personal, continuous study of the Word of God, and our Sabbath school lessons afford the best means for daily Bible study; therefore,—
1. We recommend, That every Seventh-day Adventist family set aside some time each day, preferably in connection with the family worship, for the study of the Sabbath school lesson.
2. That the ministry promote this as they visit the homes of Sabbath keepers, also by speaking publicly of its importance, and in other ways as there is opportunity.
Los Angeles Hospital
In order to equip and properly complete the medical college at Loma Linda, Cal., it will be necessary to build in Los Angeles a hospital requiring an outlay of approximately $60,000. The constituency of the medical college voted to erect this building when the funds have been provided, so that there will be no further increase of indebtedness. A memorial was presented, suggesting that the necessary9funds to this end be raised by the women of the denomination, and that a committee of sisters be appointed to promote this work. This was agreed to by the council, and the following recommendations, outlining a plan to begin the work, were passed:—
We recommend,—
1. That the name of this organization be “The Women’s Committee on the Los Angeles Hospital.”
2. That an organization be perfected, consisting of a chairman, a secretary, and a treasurer who shall be the treasurer of the North American Division Conference.
3. That Mrs. S. N. Haskell be invited to call together such representative women as it may be deemed best, to perfect this organization.
4. That the territory in which this committee shall operate shall be North America.
5. That a representative woman be selected in each union conference, and in such local conferences as may be deemed advisable, to aid in carrying forward the work.
6. That this work be carried forward by means of articles in the REVIEW AND HERALD, the union conference papers, by correspondence, and by personal solicitation.
7. That this whole work be carried forward under the coöperative counsel of the Treasury Department of the North American Division Conference.
8. That all expenses connected with this movement be met from the funds collected by this committee.
Bermuda Islands
Feeling that the work in the Bermuda Islands could be carried forward more effectively if connected with some union conference, it was suggested by the General Conference Committee that it be considered a part of the Atlantic Union Conference. It was—
Voted, That we concur in this arrangement, with the understanding that the workers now on the island be a part of the staff of the Atlantic Union Conference.
Foreign Department
In view of the vacancy existing in the Foreign Department by the death of Elder O. A. Olsen, and in harmony with the request received from the department itself, it was—
Voted, That Elder C. W. Flaiz be appointed secretary of this department, with the understanding that he will look after his conference work until the time of the union conference session.
Member of Executive Committee
There being a vacancy on the executive committee owing to the resignation of Brother L. M. Bowen, Elder F. M. Wilcox, editor of the REVIEW AND HERALD, was elected a member of the committee to fill the vacancy.
Adjourned.
I. H. EVANS, Chairman;
G. B. THOMPSON, Secretary.
Our Plans
By J. S. Rouse
J. S. ROUSE
“I WOULD ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel.” What a grand testimony from a man who had passed through as many trials and difficulties as had the apostle Paul!
We build many castles in this life, but more air castles than real ones. How many times we have made very definite plans for ourselves to follow, and have felt very much gratified at the thought of seeing such plans carried out. But, lo, something happens to us, and our plans go to pieces, just as did the plans of the great apostle.
Paul planned to go to Rome, but not in chains, as he finally did. He says, however, that those chains were a pass into the palaces of kings, and thus he enjoyed the privilege of preaching Jesus to the rulers of the nations. Again, Paul planned to go to Damascus, but not in blindness. He started to carry out this plan with great pomp, having with him his servants, and papers from the priests and rulers at Jerusalem which gave him power to bind all who believed on the name of the Lord Jesus. Paul and his servants were marching toward Damascus, expecting soon to carry out their plans, when suddenly there shone a bright light, and the voice of Jesus was heard. Right there, very suddenly, the plans of the apostle were changed. He was blind, but ready to work in harmony with plans which God had for him.
Instead of going to Ananias to bind him, he went to ask for prayer. At the intercession of Ananias, Paul's sight was restored. He remained in Damascus to be taught the gospel, received the Spirit of God, and became a great power in carrying the gospel to the Gentiles. What a blessing to Paul and the gospel that his plans did not carry!
Let us so relate ourselves to God that when the time comes for us to lay off the yoke, we can say, as did the apostle Paul, “I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel.”
Clinton, Mo.
Thoughts — Words — Deeds
By Francesca
A THOUGHT today and a deed tomorrow,
And so through life, as it flows along,
We make our characters base or noble
Surely and steadily, weak or strong.
Every thought which we think in the morning,
And every act we perform at noon,
Is a link in the chain we have forged at even;
Oh, let us remember that night comes soon!
And night puts an end for a time to labor;
We must cease work when the light dies down;
But on God's great morrow the chain shall bind us
To joy or woe we have made our own.
— Francesca.
Selfish Policy Versus Principle
By Mrs. Iva F. Cady
MRS. IVA F. CADY
We learn in James 3: 14-18 that there are two kinds of wisdom in the world. There is a wisdom that is not from above. It is earthly, sensual, devilish, and is characterized by bitter envying and strife in the heart. Confusion and every evil work come as a result of this wisdom. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy; and the results of this wisdom are righteousness and peace.
Now, may we not say that there are two kinds of policy, just as there are two kinds of wisdom in the world? and that the policy that is identical with prudence is the wisdom that comes down from above, while selfish policy is the wisdom of this world? The latter has no place in Christianity.
It was selfish policy that controlled Pontius Pilate when he gave Christ over to be crucified, though he believed him to be innocent. He saw that Jesus was not popular with the Jews, and feared that it would result to his own disadvantage if he should protect him from their wrath.
He who has true wisdom, or Christian policy, is “easy to be entreated.” He does not have an iron will that must either rule or ruin. He yields to others when he sees he is mistaken, and does not stubbornly justify himself in his own way. Are we not told to submit ourselves one to another? and can any of us safely say that it is the other one who should always submit, and that we never should? We should always be ready to yield our way in order to keep peace when the question does not involve principle, even though we cannot see that we are wrong. Yet, some are so determined to have their own way that they will leave no stone unturned in order to get it, even working against and seeking to injure the reputation of good men who conscientiously disagree with their policy.
We have the record of King Joash, who when a babe was saved from death by his aunt, the wife of Jehoiada, the10priest. Jehoiada and his wife guarded and cared for him tenderly, and when he was seven years old placed him on the throne. He learned from them the way of the Lord, and was faithful in serving him until after Jehoiada’s death. 2 Chron. 24: 1-14. But after the priest’s death, the princes of Judah came and made obeisance to the king, and he hearkened unto them and departed from the Lord, leading the mass of the people with him, as is usually the case with a man in such a position. Simply because he was flattered by the obeisance of the princes, he yielded principle for selfish policy, and was influenced by them to take a course which he knew to be wrong. Trouble came upon Judah and Jerusalem because of this their trespass. The Lord sent prophets to them to lead them back into the right way, but they would not give heed. Finally “the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, which stood above the people, and said unto them, Thus saith God, Why transgress ye the commandments of the Lord, that ye cannot prosper? because ye have forsaken the Lord, he hath also forsaken you.”
But instead of heeding the warning given them of the Lord, they stoned Zechariah to death in the court of the house of the Lord. And this terrible deed was done at the commandment of the king himself, who thus remembered not the kindness which Jehoiada had shown to him, but killed his son. Verses 19-22. If Zechariah had not reproved the king, but had flattered him as did the princes, his life would no doubt have been spared, for Joash would have been pleased with him under those circumstances. How many there are in the world today who cannot bear reproof! If a person questions the wisdom of any word or act of such, they count him an enemy, and instead of treating him as Christ has told us we should treat our enemies, by doing good to them, they work in various ways to injure his reputation and put him down.
If Zechariah had taken the course that some do in this day, he would not have reproved the king and the people as he did. In disagreeing with their policy, he was bringing in discord; this they could not bear, and so had him put out of the way. Should he not have remained quiet and tried to preserve unity? That is the course that some would take. But Zechariah was true to principle, though it cost his life. And may we not be the same, even if it costs us something in the way of worldly advantage?
The professed followers of the Lord have not always been ready to hear the truth, but have sometimes taken it upon themselves to oppose and persecute those who were giving them the message sent them by God. In view of these things, should not we be guarded lest we take a similar course? Do not we believe that we should make God first and be true to principle, whether it pleases men or not? As far as lies in us, we are to live peaceably with all men, but not by disregard of principle. In every issue, we are to take our stand with those who are upholding the right, and be true to the Lord.
We are told that if we have respect of persons, we commit sin. “To have respect of persons is not good: for for a piece of bread that man will transgress.” Prov. 28: 21.
Moses, in giving his charge to the seventy elders chosen to be his helpers, said to them, “Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; but ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is God’s.” Deut. 1:17. We are neither to respect persons in judgment, nor be afraid of the face of man.
Spend Money Only When You Have It
“NEVER spend your money until you have it.”
Getting Ready for the Sabbath
By T. E. Bowen
T. E. BOWEN
ALL down through the ages a sharp contest has centered about true Sabbath keeping. Before the question of a false day for the Sabbath was injected into the subject, the proper observance of the day, and what its desecration means, was a live question for the people of God.
When the hosts of Israel crossed the Red Sea, they were ignorant in a large degree of the sacredness of the Sabbath. These people had been slaves in Egypt. They had been made to forget God and his law and his Sabbath. The law was made in Eden and was given to man. The importance of obedience had been eclipsed, and the Sabbath especially had been disregarded in Egypt. So it was necessary for the children of Israel to be brought out of Egypt and taught the importance of honoring God by keeping his law, including the Sabbath. God, through Moses and Aaron, plainly and patiently taught them what they should do in preparing for the Sabbath, and how the day should be observed.
The Manna in the Desert, and the Sabbath
When the manna was given, a double portion fell on the sixth day. When the rulers told Moses that the people had gathered twice as much as usual, Moses said: “This is that which ye will bake today, and seethe that ye will seethe; and that which remaineth over lay up for you to be kept until the morning.” The next morning, speaking of the manna which had been kept from the day before, Moses said: “Eat that today; for today is a Sabbath unto the Lord: today ye shall not find it in the field. Six days ye shall gather it; but on the seventh day, which is the Sabbath, in it there shall be none.” Ex. 16: 23-26
Instruction Regarding Sabbath Keeping
Moses continues: “The Lord hath given you the Sabbath, therefore he giveth you on the sixth day the bread of two days; abide ye every man in his place . . . on the seventh day.” Verse 29.
Notwithstanding all this plain instruction from God, some went out into the field on the Sabbath to gather manna; but they found none.
One man thought the instruction to bake or seethe on Friday the manna for Sabbath unnecessary. In his home the food for Sabbath was not prepared on the sixth day, but was left to be prepared the next day.
A Sabbath Breaker Punished
“While the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man that gathered sticks upon the Sabbath day. And they that found him gathering sticks brought him unto Moses and Aaron, and unto all the congregation. And they put him in ward, because it was not declared what should be done to him. And the Lord said unto Moses, The man shall be surely put to death: all the congregation shall stone him with stones without the camp. And all the congregation brought him without the camp, and stoned him with stones, and he died.” Num. 15: 32-36.
Under the theocratic form of Jewish government the punishment for Sabbath breaking was death by stoning. God made this man an object lesson. Had he not been severely punished, not only the whole congregation at that time would have had little regard for God's law and for his Sabbath, but all subsequent generations would have regarded violation of divine law a light matter. It was as much the violation of the Sabbath to gather up those sticks in defiance to what God had said, as to have gone out and worked all day before the congregation.
Getting Ready for the Sabbath Before It Comes
Our work is to close with the sixth day. We are to “remember” the Sabbath by getting ready for it before it comes. The Sabbath begins at the going down of the sun. Lev. 23: 32; Mark 1: 32. God's day begins then. What labor of our own we do after that, is a violation of the Sabbath. Our food should be prepared, our clothes should be in readiness, our baths taken, our shoes blacked, our shaving done, our fuel in readiness for use on the Sabbath— all before the setting sun. With our farm work done, our housework done, our families gathered into our homes, how appropriate to greet the Sabbath by all gathering around the family altar.11joining in songs of praise and the study of God's Word, and in humble, earnest prayer for Heaven's blessing, as we enter upon the day made holy by him who spread out the heavens and created for us our earthly home. What sight can be more pleasing to heavenly angels than this?
“Everything that can possibly be done on the six days which God has given to you, should be done. You should not rob God of one hour of holy time. Great blessings are promised to those who place a high estimate upon the Sabbath, and realize the obligations resting upon them in regard to its observance. . . .
“When the Sabbath commences, we should place a guard upon ourselves, upon our acts and our words, lest we rob God by appropriating to our own use that time which is strictly the Lord's. We should not do ourselves, nor suffer our children to do, any manner of our own work for a livelihood, or anything which could have been done on the six working days. Friday is the day of preparation. Time can then be devoted to making the necessary preparation for the Sabbath, and to thinking and conversing about it. Nothing which will in the sight of Heaven be regarded as a violation of the holy Sabbath, should be left unsaid or undone to be said or done upon the Sabbath. God requires not only that we refrain from physical labor upon the Sabbath, but that the mind be disciplined to dwell upon sacred themes. The fourth commandment is virtually transgressed by conversing upon worldly things, or by engaging in light and trifling conversation. Talking upon anything or everything which may come into the mind, is speaking our own words. Every deviation from right brings us into bondage and condemnation. . . .
“Those who are not fully converted to the truth, frequently let their minds run freely upon worldly business, and although they may rest from physical toil upon the Sabbath, their tongues speak out what is in their minds; hence these words concerning cattle, crops, losses, and gains. All this is Sabbath breaking. If the mind is running upon worldly matters, the tongue will reveal it; for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.”—“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. II, pages 702, 703.
Reasons Why I Do Not Keep Sunday
By C. F. Campbell
C. F. CAMPBELL
BECAUSE I cannot find any command in the Bible to do so, and where no law is there is no transgression. Rom. 4: 15; 5: 13.
Because the day before the first is the Sabbath according to the commandment. Luke 23: 56; 24: 1.
Because every plant that my Father has not planted shall be rooted up. Matt. 15: 13.
Because I cannot find any record where it was blessed or sanctified, or any promise of reward to those that observe it.
The True Church
By A. N. Durrant
A. N. DURRANT
“Who is she that looketh forth as the morning, fair as the noon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners?” Cant. 6: 10. It is the true church of God, with Jesus Christ, the “Captain of our salvation,” as her leader.
Yes, “terrible as an army with banners,” and going forth “conquering, and to conquer”—this is the picture drawn by inspiration. Of the early church it was said, “With great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all;” “and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the Word of God with boldness.” Acts 4: 33, 31. Then the word of the Lord, like a keen-edged sword, pierced through unbelief, even to the breaking down of the stronghold of Roman heathenism.
But what gave the church this great power?—The endowment of the Holy Spirit after they had prepared themselves for it. “They were all with one accord in one place.” They had put away all known sin and selfishness.
The church was powerful when she was pure, as symbolized by the “white horse.” Rev. 6: 2. But how soon the scene was changed! The heavenly anointed apostles had scarcely all died when apostasy came with its desolating and iniquitous working, ushering in the “world’s midnight.”
The apostate church is not the “comely and delicate woman” and “chaste virgin” (Jer. 6: 2; 2 Cor. 11: 2) that is to meet the return of her Lord without “spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing” (Eph. 5: 27). But the third angel’s message is calling out the honest in heart, from the corruptions of this church, and is bringing together those who hold the “faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 3; Rev. 14: 12; 12: 17), to stand, uncondemned, as the “glorious church” at the coming of the Lord.
Have we truly come out of Babylon by not partaking of her sins? If not, how can we as individual members of this church receive the fullness of the Spirit? How can we meet the Lord without spot or wrinkle? Do we long for the wonder-working power of apostolic days? Then let us “cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” 2 Cor. 7: 1.
Grenada, British West Indies.
The Unpardonable Sin
By Elbridge M. Adams
The Holy Spirit — No. 2
The Unpardonable Sin
ELBRIDGE M. ADAMS
BLASPHEMY against the Holy Ghost, that which Jesus said could not be forgiven, and John called the “sin unto death,” and David “the great transgression,” has been the theme of serious thought and much discussion. No doubt many conscientious persons have thought themselves guilty of this sin. Believing that the clearest and fullest answer to the question, “What is the sin against the Holy Ghost?” can be obtained from a knowledge of the office and work of the Holy Spirit, I wish to present for your consideration some things concerning this divine agency.
By comparing 1 Cor. 3:16 with 1 Cor. 6:19 it is manifest that the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Ghost are the same. And though some with little thought upon the subject have believed that the Holy Ghost made its first appearance in the earth at Pentecost, such scriptures as Neh. 9:20, Isa. 63:11, and Acts 7:51, 52, plainly show that the Holy Spirit was in the earth before Pentecost. The following selection from “The Acts of the Apostles,” page 53, bears directly on this point:— “From the beginning God has been working by his Holy Spirit through human instrumentalities for the accomplishment of his purpose in behalf of the fallen race. This was manifest in the lives of the patriarchs. To the church in the wilderness also, in the time of Moses, God gave his ‘Good Spirit to instruct them.’ And in the days of the apostles he wrought mightily for his church through the agency of the Holy Spirit. The same power that sustained the patriarchs, that gave Caleb and Joshua faith and courage, and that made the work of the apostolic church effective, has upheld God’s faithful children in every succeeding age. It was through the power of the Holy Spirit that during the Dark Ages the Waldensian Christians helped to prepare the way for the Reformation. It was the same power that made successful the efforts of the noble men and women who pioneered the way for the establishment of modern missions, and for the translation of the Bible into the languages and dialects of all nations and peoples.”
Good Desires From the Spirit
The natural man is an enemy of God, and consequently of all that is good. “The carnal mind is enmity against God.” Though the perverted nature of man is filled with sin, and has no desire for a better life, God does not leave man in this hopeless condition. “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed.” This that convicts of sin and thus makes one dissatisfied with oneself and leads one to desire better things is the Spirit. “And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin.”
Born of the Spirit
Good desires are not enough. The sinful life must die, and give place to a new and better life. This change, which is imperative for all who would enter the kingdom, is known as the new birth, and is accomplished by the same Spirit that brought to the heart its first good desires. “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”
Growth by the Spirit
As physical babes must grow unto maturity and develop the powers of a full-grown man, so must spiritual babes. Paul speaks of “babes in Christ,” in his first letter to the Corinthians. We find that the agent God employs in teaching and thus developing his children is the Holy Spirit. “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth.”
Sealed by the Spirit
The climax of this work is called the sealing. Those only who have continued faithful can be sealed. For the promise of salvation is to those who “endure unto the end.” That man who can truly say at the end, with Paul, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith,” will be sealed by the Holy Spirit. “Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.”12
“The office of the Holy Spirit is distinctly specified in the words of Christ: ‘When he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.’ It is the Holy Spirit that convicts of sin. If the sinner responds to the quickening influence of the Spirit, he will be brought to repentance, and aroused to the importance of obeying the divine requirements. . . .
“Having brought conviction of sin, and presented before the mind the standard of righteousness, the Holy Spirit withdraws the affections from the things of this earth, and fills the soul with a desire for holiness. ‘He will guide you into all truth,’ the Saviour declared. If men are willing to be molded, there will be brought about a sanctification of the whole being. The Spirit will take the things of God and stamp them on the soul. By his power the way of life will be made so plain that none need err therein.”—Id., pages 52, 53.
From this we can see that there is no phase of the Christian life in which the Spirit has not a vital part to act. What, then, is the sin that cannot be forgiven? It is the rejection of the Holy Spirit, the one agency ordained of God whereby he can draw the sinner to himself, for the work of the Holy Spirit is to prepare the way for repentance. And one has not committed the unpardonable sin so long as he has any good desires. For it is the Spirit alone that brings these good impulses to the heart.
The sinner does not arrive at a condition of absolute depravity by one act, but by a series of acts called “presumptuous sins,” from which the psalmist says if one keeps himself he will not be guilty of “the great transgression.” “Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.”
Presumptuous sin is a deliberate departure from right doing. It may begin in some seemingly minor lapse, by a failure to attend prayer meeting; by wearing ornaments and gaudy clothing, when God has enjoined modest apparel; by neglecting the principles of health reform, which God has so mercifully given us; by holding in little esteem and heeding not the instruction God has been pleased to give through his servant to the remnant church; by being careless of the Sabbath and the house of worship; by neglecting Bible study; by giving way to that angry word or that impatient act; by harboring unkind feelings toward another; by criticizing; by lack of unity; by not paying a faithful tithe; by not giving freewill offerings; by not giving our lives to God for service anywhere and in any way he may desire; by being ashamed of God, his work, or his people; by not loving the brethren; by exalting self; by not assisting one in need when it is in our power to do it; by despising the poor and respecting the rich. In these ways and in many others we may be taking steps toward “the great transgression,” and be grieving the Holy Spirit, which brings these things to our attention.
Whenever we are guilty of sins of omission or commission there is a pricking of conscience. This is described by the prophet Isaiah in these words: “And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.”
Brethren, let us take heed, God has said, “My Spirit shall not always strive with man.” There is a limit even to God’s mercy. And when there is no more remedy, it will be said, “The wicked have passed the boundary of their probation; the Spirit of God, persistently resisted, has been at last withdrawn.”—‘The Great Controversy,’ page 614 Another sentence from the same source (page 627) ought to cause serious reflection: “The severity of the retribution awaiting the transgressor may be judged by the Lord’s reluctance to execute justice.”
Shall we not make a covenant this day with God, that, by his grace, we will no more grieve his good Spirit even in those things we may call unimportant? Thus we shall take no steps in the way toward “the great transgression,” the sin that cannot be forgiven.
Is There Grass on Your Path?
THE earliest converts to Christianity in Africa were very earnest and regular in their devotions. There were no private places for retirement in their huts, so each had a separate spot in the thicket to which he would go for communion with God.
The paths to these little Bethels became distinctly marked, and when a convert began to decline in the ways of God, it soon became manifest to his fellows.
“Brother,” they would say to remind him of his duty, “the grass grows yonder on your path.”