Earlier text: The Perplexing Problem of Worldly ProsperityA Statement of Facts Concerning Our Present Situation
By Arthur G. Daniells
It is quite generally known among Seventh-day Adventists that for years there has been more or less trouble between the main body and the medical missionary branch of this cause. The differences that have existed have been dealt with principally by the General Conference Committee and the Medical Missionary Board. Naturally the men who have been members of these committees have been most prominent in this long-continued controversy. These unhappy differences have been a reproach to our cause, and a source of deep regret and sorrow to the members of the General Conference Committee connected with it. The real causes of this trouble have not been fully known by all our people. Many have been wholly at a loss to account for the existence of such a controversy in our ranks, and have remained confused and perplexed. Many who have ventured to form an opinion regarding the causes of the difficulty have done so, to a large extent, from the representations that have come to them in various ways from those prominent in the difficulty. In view of all the circumstances, it could hardly be expected that our people should form an intelligent, correct, and generally harmonious opinion regarding these differences, and the wisdom of the course pursued by those whose positions have forced them to take an open, prominent part in them. And it is not surprising that some, looking from a distance, have feared that the whole thing was an uncalled-for, humiliating wrangle between men. Such a condition of things certainly calls for a plain, accurate, reliable statement of facts. This is due our loyal people, who are not in possession of the information they should have, to make the situation clear to them. One of the reasons why such a statement has not been published long ago has been the hope that in some way these differences would be adjusted, and this regrettable controversy brought to an end. And, while hoping for such a settlement, many and varied efforts have been made to bring it about. At times it has seemed as if these efforts had been crowned with success; but the trouble is still with us, and it is growing more serious as time wears on. In making a statement regarding this controversy, the first thing to be said is that it is not simply and only a disagreement between men. It is true that the men bearing the responsibilities of leadership on both sides of the conflict disagree; but the disagreement is not the cause of the trouble; it is but a result of it. The real difficulty with which we are dealing is due to a conflict between principles. The men disagree because the principles for which they stand are at war. These principles can never be changed nor harmonized. While they exist, they will clash; and while men stand for conflicting principles, the men must of necessity disagree. The only possible way to secure harmony is for one or the other of the parties to abandon the principles for which it stands. But men who have a profound conviction that the principles for which they stand are right, do not readily abandon them. If one side or the other in a controversy can not be convinced of error, the conflict must continue. Thus it has been, and still is, with this long-continued controversy in our cause. Those whose responsibilities in this denomination have made it necessary for them to take an active part in this conflict are well acquainted with its character. They know how vital the questions are which are involved. They have studied, weighed, and analyzed them many times, with many persons. If discussion, argument, reasoning, and marshaling of evidence to support positions taken, would bring contending parties into harmony, these difficulties would have been settled long ago. A very remarkable feature of this trouble is the fact that through it all—from its beginning until this day—the voice of the spirit of prophecy has spoken to all parties, declaring in clear and unmistakable language just what and where the wrongs are, and the true and only way out of the difficulty. It is not strange that men should differ regarding even the most vital questions. But it is a matter of surprise that they should continue to differ about questions concerning which the spirit of prophecy, which they all profess to accept and follow, has given the most positive instruction. For twenty years the testimonies of the spirit of prophecy have been naming the precise causes of this disturbing evil in our midst. Hundreds of pages of manuscript have been written, dealing exhaustively with every detail of these causes, defining them, pointing out their subtle, dangerous character, and telling just what course to take to get rid of them. The evils which are mentioned, emphasized, enlarged upon, and made more prominent than all others, in these writings, and which are, therefore, the primary causes of our trouble, are these:— First, the danger of a false, subtle, ruinous philosophy creeping in through the medical leaders, and swinging this people away from the truth of the gospel as revealed in the third angel’s message. Second, plans of administration which, if carried out, would make the medical missionary work the body instead of the right arm of this cause, and would give to a central board of management and a single individual a controlling, dominating power that would utterly pervert God’s plan of organization. Third, a failure on the part of many of our ministers and people to appreciate the value and importance of the principles of health reform, and to give them the earnest support they should. These evils and their remedy have for twenty years been kept before us by the spirit of prophecy. Had the warnings, reproofs, and instruction that have come to us, been received and obeyed, the differences that now exist would never have arisen. The following quotations from the Testimonies contain some of the evidence upon which the foregoing statements regarding the causes of our trouble are based. First, the danger that deceptive teaching will lead us away from the truths which have made us a separate people. In 1898 there was published by our pioneers a little volume called “Spiritual Gifts,” containing views that had been given Sister White in vision. One of the chapters is entitled, “A Firm Platform.” The following paragraph taken from that chapter should be read with great care:— I saw a company who stood well guarded and firm, giving no countenance to those who would unsettle the established faith of the body. God looked upon them with approbation. I was shown three steps,—the first, second, and third angels’ messages. Said my accompanying angel, “Woe to him who shall move a block or stir a pin of these messages. The true understanding of these messages is of vital importance. The destiny of souls hangs upon the manner in which they are received.” I was again brought down through these messages, and saw how dearly the people of God had purchased their experience7It had been obtained through much suffering and severe conflict. God had led them along step by step until he had placed them upon a solid, immovable platform. I saw individuals approach the platform and examine the foundation. Some with rejoicing immediately stepped upon it. Others commenced to find fault with the foundation. They wished improvements made, and then the platform would be more perfect, and the people much happier. Some stepped off the platform to examine it, and declared it to be laid wrong. But I saw that nearly all stood firm upon the platform, and exhorted those who had stepped off to cease their complaints; for God was the master builder, and they were fighting against him. They recounted the wonderful work of God, which had led them to the first platform, and in union raised their eyes to heaven, and with a loud voice glorified God. This affected some of those who had complained and left the platform, and they with humble look again stepped upon it. —“Early Writings,” page 121. From this it will be seen that nearly fifty years ago the Lord warned us that some connected with this cause would feel dissatisfied with its platform, declare that it was laid wrong, want improvements made so that it might be more perfect, and the people much happier. But the angel of the Lord declared: “Woe to him who shall move a block or stir a pin of these messages. The true understanding of these messages is of vital importance. The destiny of souls hangs upon the manner in which they are received.” In 1903, forty-five years after those statements were published, a Testimony was written, entitled “Decided Action to Be Taken Now.” In this Testimony the following view is given:— During the past night, I have been shown more distinctly than ever before that these sentiments have been looked upon by some as the grand truths that are to be brought in and made prominent at the present time. I was shown a platform, braced by solid timbers, the truths of the Word of God. Some one high in responsibility in the medical work was directing this man and that man to loosen the timbers supporting this platform. Then I heard a voice saying, “Where are the watchmen that ought to be standing on the walls of Zion? Are they asleep? How can they be silent? This foundation was built by the Master Worker, and will stand the storm and tempest. Will they permit this man to present doctrines that deny the past experience of the people of God? The time has come to take decided action.” . . . The enemy of souls has sought to bring in the supposition that a great reformation was to take place among Seventh-day Adventists, and that this reformation would consist in giving up the doctrines which stand as the pillars of our faith, and engaging in a process of reorganization. Were this reformation to take place, what would result?—The principles of truth that God in his wisdom has given to the remnant church would be discarded. Our religion would be changed. The fundamental principles that have sustained the work for the last fifty years would be accounted as error. A new organization would be established. Books of a new order would be written. A system of intellectual philosophy would be introduced. The founders of this system would go into the cities and do a wonderful work. The Sabbath, of course, would be lightly regarded, as also the God who created it. Nothing would be allowed to stand in the way of the new movement. The leaders would teach that virtue is better than vice, but God being removed, they would place their dependence on human power, which, without God, is worthless. Their foundation would be built on the sand, and storm and tempest would sweep away the structure.—“Testimonies for the Church,” Series B, No. 7, pages 38, 39. During the forty-five years that passed between the publication of these two Testimonies, many messages have been given warning the medical leaders of the danger of wandering from the clear, true light of the first, second, and third angels’ messages into the mist and fog of false philosophy. Some of these will be given in the next issue. President General Conference. Caesar and the American Republic
THE Chicago New World (Catholic) says in speaking of the popularity of the nation’s present chief executive:— Those who are familiar with the history of Caesar’s struggle with the Roman senate will easily recognize how history is repeating itself even in detail in the case of President Roosevelt. The present chief executive of the nation is the fearless and uncompromising champion of popular rights against plutocratic privilege. A more important question than that of the outcome of the struggle between the chief executive and the senate, is suggested by this statement. If Roman history is repeating itself in this nation, how far is that repetition to go on? Are we now in the last days of the American republic, as the Roman republic was in its last days when Caesar was at its head? And is the Rubicon about to be crossed, and a Caesar elevated to supreme power in this nation, to be followed ere long by a Nero? The trouble with the Roman republic in Caesar’s time was in the condition of its people. There is a very ominous similarity between conditions now and then. A CATHOLIC journal, which speaks of the nation’s chief executive as “our ruler,” says that Pope Pius IX “seems to have a great admiration” for the president, and is pleased to find in all his writings no “expression of anti-Catholic sentiment.” He has decided, it is stated, to send a wedding present to the president’s daughter. The papacy seeks to ride on the crest of every wave of popular sentiment. THE beef trust is in the position of a criminal who escapes punishment because under the provisions of the law in this country he can not be compelled to testify against himself. The whole plea of the beef packers now is that they were promised immunity from prosecution by Commissioner of Corporations Garfield, and that on the strength of this assurance they gave him access to the secrets of their business, and that the evidence so secured is the basis upon which the government is now proceeding against them. This, of course, is a clear admission that there is a trust in the beef business, which has been proceeding in violation of the federal law. The trust apparently cares little about the admission of its guilt if it can escape the penalty of the law. It is not law and the machinery of civil government that constitute the real surety of peace and the protection of rights in human society, but respect for law. Respect for law is the spirit of civil government, without which the letter is dead and worthless. This is a force with which men who set themselves above their fellows have often failed to reckon. Destroy respect for law, and all the laws on all the statute-books of the land would not restrain anarchy for a single day. Of late years much has been done by a class of men in this country to destroy popular respect for law, and examples illustrating the process are frequently to be noted. A recent and conspicuous example of this kind evoked some very pertinent comment from a New York journal, to which the following reference is made by Mr. Bryan’s paper, the Commoner:— The New York American makes some very pertinent suggestions to Mr. Henry H. Rogers, who is just now showing a disposition to laugh at the courts. The American points out to Mr. Rogers that he owes a great deal to the courts, and is profiting, perhaps, more than any other man, by the respect the people have for our legal institutions. His example of contempt is not a good one, for if the people should suddenly take a notion to treat the courts and the law as Mr. Rogers is treating them, pray what would become of Mr. Rogers and his elaborate system for the exploitation of the people? Mr. Rogers is comparatively secure in his position now because the people have respect for the courts and for the law. But if they lose that respect and follow the example of Mr. Rogers, they might decide to seize all that Mr. Rogers has accumulated, and snap their fingers at the courts which now protect him. Mr. Rogers should think for a while on what might happen to him and his millions if he should finally succeed in destroying public respect for the law. Mr. Rogers is treading on dangerous ground. Godly Sorrow Worketh Repentance
By Ellen G. White
Lessons From the Life of Solomon—No. 21
“Godly Sorrow Worketh Repentance”
Twice during Solomon’s reign the Lord had appeared to him with words of approval and of counsel. Soon after he ascended the throne, the king passed through a remarkable experience at Gibeon, where the Lord, after promising him wisdom, riches, and honor, admonished him to remain obedient and humble. “Walk in my ways,” he counseled the youthful king, “to keep my statutes and my commandments.” And after the dedication of the temple, “the Lord appeared to Solomon the second time,” and exhorted him to remain true to his sacred trust. “Walk before me,” the Lord pleaded, “as David thy father walked, in integrity of heart, and in uprightness, to do according to all that I have commanded thee.” As the reward of obedience, the Lord declared, “I will establish the throne of thy kingdom upon Israel forever, as I promised to David thy father, saying, There shall not fail thee a man upon the throne of Israel.” Plain are these admonitions, wonderful are these promises of prosperity on condition of obedience; and yet of him who in circumstances, in character, and in life, seemed favored above all others, it is recorded that “his heart was turned from the Lord God of Israel, which had appeared unto him twice, and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods: but he kept not that which the Lord commanded.” Solomon’s apostasy was so complete, his heart became so hardened in transgression, that his case seemed well-nigh hopeless. But the Lord in his infinite mercy forsook him not. By terrible judgments and by words of stern rebuke he sought to arouse the king to a realization of the sinfulness of sin. God’s protecting care was removed, and adversaries were permitted to harass and weaken him. “The Lord stirred up an adversary unto Solomon, Hadad the Edomite.” “And God stirred him up another adversary, Rezon, . . . captain over a band,” who “abhorred Israel, and reigned over Syria. And Jeroboam, . . . Solomon’s servant,” “a mighty man of valor,” “even he lifted up his hand against the king.” God spoke to Solomon not only by means of these judgments, but also through a prophet, who delivered the startling message: “Forasmuch as this is done of thee, and thou hast not kept my covenant and my statutes, which I have commanded thee, I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant. Notwithstanding in thy days I will not do it for David thy father’s sake: but I will rend it out of the hand of thy son.” When Solomon heard this terrible denunciation, he awoke as from a dream. His folly began to dawn upon him in its true light. By his own bitter experience, he had learned the emptiness of a life that seeks in earthly things its highest good. He had erected altars to heathen gods, only to learn how vain is their promise of rest to the soul. And now, in his later years, Solomon returned to drink at the fountain of life. For him at last the discipline of suffering accomplished its work. The history of the king’s wasted years, with their lessons of warning, he by the Spirit of inspiration recorded for after generations. And thus, although the seed of his sowing was reaped by his people in harvests of evil, the life-work of Solomon was not wholly lost. Chastened, broken in spirit, trusting not in his own power, but in the power of Him that is “higher than the highest,” he acknowledged that “the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart.” Whenever left to their own devices, he confessed, “they have sought out many inventions.” And “because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.” Through his own experience Solomon learned that, “though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him: but it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God.” In meekness and lowliness Solomon “taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs.” He “sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth.” “The words of the wise,” he declared, “are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd. And further, by these, my son, be admonished.” “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” The true penitent does not put his past sins from his remembrance. He does not, as soon as he has obtained peace, grow unconcerned in regard to the mistakes he has made. He thinks of how many have been led into evil by his wrong course, and he tries in every possible way to help those whom he has led into false paths. The clearer the light that he has entered into by returning to the Lord, the stronger his desire to set the feet of others in the right way. He does not gloss over his wayward course, making his wrong a light thing, but lifts the danger-signal, that others may take warning. He walks humbly and carefully, his eyes fixed on his Leader. Solomon’s later writings reveal that he realized the wickedness of his course, and sought to warn those who were in danger of going astray. With sorrow and shame he confessed that in the prime of manhood, when he should have found in God his comfort, his support, his life, he had lost sight of the rich experience of his youth and of the signal blessings bestowed at the time of the dedication of the temple. How sad the confession recorded in Ecclesiastes! For a time, he had turned from the light of heaven and the wisdom of God; he had confounded idolatry with religion. After the king repented, and returned to his allegiance to God, he made a special appeal to those who were still in the earlier years of life. His yearning desire to save others from the bitter experience through which he had passed, is clearly revealed in this touching appeal:— “Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun. Yea, if a man live many years, let him rejoice in them all; but let him remember the days of darkness, for they shall be many. All that cometh is vanity. Rejoice, O young man, in9thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment. Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for youth and the prime of life are vanity”—they soon pass away. “Remember also thy Creator in the days of thy youth,
Or ever the evil days come,
And the years draw nigh,
When thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;
Or ever the sun,
And the light,
And the moon,
And the stars,
Be darkened,
And the clouds return after the rain:
In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble,
And the strong men shall bow themselves,
And the grinders cease because they are few,
And those that look out of the windows be darkened,
And the doors shall be shut in the street;
When the sound of the grinding is low,
And one shall rise up at the voice of a bird,
And all the daughters of music shall be brought low;
Yea, they shall be afraid of that which is high,
And terrors shall be in the way;
And the almond tree shall blossom,
And the grasshopper shall be a burden,
And the caper-berry shall burst:
Because man goeth to his long home,
And the mourners go about the streets:
Or ever the silver cord be loosed,
Or the golden bowl be broken.
Or the pitcher be broken at the fountain,
Or the wheel broken at the cistern;
And the dust return to the earth
As it was,
And the spirit return unto God
Who gave it.” Christ, the gift of the Father to our world, is the hope and efficiency of the penitent. In him all hopes of eternal life center. He is our advocate in the heavenly courts. He is interceding in our behalf. Without his grace, no progress in spiritual grace can be made. The penitent can not take one step in sincerity, in truthfulness, in righteousness, without the help of the Lord Jesus. For this help let us most earnestly plead. Through no power of his own could Solomon have broken from the snare of Satan. By no human means could he have been cleansed from the defilement of sin. Without divine help, he would have sunk lower and still lower. Only by coming to Jesus in humility and contrition, with heartfelt confession of sin; only by making a full surrender; only through the merits of Christ’s righteousness, could he hope to be freed from the snare of the enemy, and be cleansed. “Godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of.” True repentance can never be mistaken. It bears fruit that testifies to its own genuineness. Self is subdued; Christ is magnified. The words and deeds of the truly penitent bear witness that theirs is a repentance that needs not to be repented of. They will offer earnest petitions for fresh grace, for new supplies of strength, for the efficiency and power of the Holy Spirit, promised to all who ask in faith. The truly penitent soul will reach high attainments of holiness, peace, and joy. But he will never forget that he owes it all to the Saviour. A sense of deep humiliation and contrition will fill his heart, and he will bow low before God. Walking by Faith
By John Newton
By faith in Christ I walk with God,
With heaven, my journey’s end, in view;
Supported by his staff and rod,
My road is safe, and pleasant, too. I travel through a desert wide,
Where many round me blindly stray;
But he vouchsafes to be my Guide,
And will not let me miss my way. Though snares and dangers throng my path,
And earth and hell my course withstand,
I triumph over all by faith,
Guarded by his almighty hand. The wilderness affords no food;
But God for my support prepares,
Provides me every needful good,
And frees my soul from wants and cares. With him sweet converse I maintain;
Great as he is, I dare be free;
I tell him all my grief and pain;
And he reveals his love to me. Some cordial from his Word he brings,
Whenever my feeble spirit faints;
At once my soul revives and sings,
And yields no more to sad complaints. I pity all that worldlings talk
Of pleasures, that will quickly end;
Be this my choice, O Lord, to walk
With thee, my Guide, my Guard, my Friend!