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Review and Herald, Vol. 93, No. 44.

Special Mention

Review and Herald

Sep 7, 1916

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 7, 1916

Special Mention

By FREDERICK GRIGGS

The Need of a Medical School in Our System of Education

SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS conduct a system of schools with one great purpose in mind,—to prepare as speedily as possible a trained army of workers for service in the cause of Christ. The cause of Christ is of great length and breadth, and embraces all legitimate lines in the life and work of man. Christ was a medical missionary. He taught and he healed; and in doing this, he set an example for the church. It is the will of our Father in heaven that men should be well physically, as well as mentally and spiritually. Christ pronounces a special blessing upon those who minister to the physical need of the people.
A system of Christian education which does not provide for instruction in medical lines is manifestly faulty, and does not deserve to be styled Christian, for it lacks an essential preparation for working as Christ worked. True education qualifies its possessor for efficient service for others; and this service is most generally related directly or indirectly to bodily comfort. The saving gospel of Christ may be most effectively imparted to those who are relieved of physical suffering.
These principles relate to all grades of Christian schools. Christian help work—ministering to the poor and ill—may be and should be performed by little children as well as by those who are older. Teaching pupils to do this work and inculcating a love for it is a fundamental part of the duty of the teacher. But this ministry is not confined to that which children and youth can do, great and important as that work is. It involves a work for which special education must be obtained, but in and through which the same spirit of unselfish service must be shown.
During the last hundred years, and especially during the last quarter of a century, great advance has been made in the scientific treatment of disease. This great advance in medical learning has come about, in the purpose of God, not that men relieved from physical ailment may continue to serve self, but that they may serve others. Of this knowledge the devout Christian may well desire to possess himself in order that he may be of more benefit to his suffering brothers.
Christian help work and simple treatments are a necessary part of Christian education, and must be taught in all grades of all schools; but the more advanced work, because of its nature and expense, can find place only in schools specially provided for it. Hence the necessity of at least one good medical school in the system of schools of a Christian people.
Seventh-day Adventists have a system of schools because the schools of the world, or of any other denomination, cannot give instruction in which the spirit of our message finds place. We cannot obtain our ministers from the theological schools of other denominations. No more can we obtain from worldly medical schools physicians who can conduct their work in the spirit of that greatest of all medical missionaries—Christ.
Shipwreck of faith is a danger which confronts our youth, in general, in attending those schools in which faith finds no special place in their teachings, and the danger is none the less, but rather greater, in attending medical schools operated without distinct religious motives. This has been demonstrated, for in these medical schools many a bright young person who otherwise would have been saved to our cause and to the kingdom of God, has met just this shipwreck of faith.
We conduct a system of schools to educate our youth for unselfish service for humanity. The possibilities for such service are very great in the medical work, and the possibilities for selfish gain are correspondingly great. The ideal which is held before the student during school time, generally becomes a fixed one for life time. Hence the further necessity of having a school in our educational system where those who are taking a medical course may have fixed for life, in mind and in heart, the ideal of unselfish service—a service which leads their fellow men to Christ. Our system of schools is manifestly imperfect without such a school. Rightly organized and conducted, it will reflect an influence upon all other schools that will vitalize the teaching of ministry for the sick and needy, and will thus be a great help in bringing and holding all our schools of all grades to their God-given work in making our youth efficient in the work and mission which Christ established when here on earth.
FREDERICK GRIGGS.

Shall We Tarry Longer?

JOSHUA, although selected to lead Israel after the death of Moses, did not have all the gifts that had been bestowed upon Moses. When Joshua entered upon his work, the Lord gave him the following charge: “Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them. . . . Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. . . . For then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” Joshua 1:1-9.
Moses died on the borders of the Promised Land; but before his death he wrote much instruction, even giving detailed directions in regard to dividing the land, etc. The Lord told Joshua that his success depended upon carefully following the instruction which had been given by the prophet of the Lord before he was laid to rest.
It is worthy of note that the Lord told Joshua to be strong and very courageous in carrying out this instruction. While Moses lived, the people feared the reproofs from the Lord, delivered through his faithful messenger; but after he had been laid to rest, it required strength and courage to press forward and carry out the instruction which had been given.
The prophet of the Lord, whom God raised up to lead this people, has been laid to rest just on the borders of the Promised Land; but her instruction remains,—instruction for the prosecution of every branch of the work. In this instruction are found very definite directions regarding the equipment of our medical school at Loma Linda.
From a communication written by Sister White, Oct. 11, 1909, we quote as follows:—
“Our people are now being tested as to whether they will obtain their wisdom from the greatest Teacher the world ever knew, or seek to the god of Ekron. . . . Shall we represent before the world that our physicians must follow the pattern of the world before they can be qualified to act as successful physicians? This is the question that is now testing the faith of some of our brethren. Let not any of our brethren displease the Lord by advocating in their assemblies the idea that we need to obtain from unbelievers a higher education than that specified by the Lord.
“The representation of the great Teacher is to be considered an all-sufficient revelation. Those in our ranks who qualify as physicians are to receive only such education as is in harmony with these divine truths. Some have advised that students should, after taking some work at Loma Linda, complete their medical education in worldly colleges. But this is not in harmony with God’s plan. God is our wisdom, our sanctification, and our righteousness. Facilities should be provided at Loma Linda, that the necessary instruction in medical lines may be given by the instructors who fear the Lord, and who are in harmony with his plans for the treatment of the sick.”—Medical Evangelistic Library, No. 6, pp. 28, 29.
The next year, January, 1910, Sister White wrote the following to a committee of our brethren who were appointed to attend to the interests of the school:—
(Concluded on page 19)

A Glimpse of the Work under the Apostle Paul’s Oversight

By W. A. S.

THE apostle Paul’s commission to the Gentiles led him to the regions now known as the Levant and southern Europe. Associated with Paul were other apostles, as Barnabas and Apollos, with many evangelists and other laborers. But as the chosen apostle to the Gentiles, the responsibility of general oversight fell to him. He certainly had that spiritual gift of “government,” so important in administering a work in which many are engaged. He was an organizer, as testified by every glimpse of his labors as given us in the very brief record. His writings, more than any others, emphasize again and again the organic unity of the church of Christ, and the importance of recognizing order and organization in gospel service.
As churches multiplied in all parts of his field, Paul was continually visiting them, or sending laborers among them, building them up in faith and unity. As the work grew, and particularly as disorderly and evil elements began to develop, it is plain from his epistles that the responsibility of his apostleship—bringing “the care of all the churches”—laid upon him a heavy burden. 2 Cor. 11: 28. It was with him “daily.”
As the churches increased in the different provinces, those geographically located together were evidently grouped so as to act together as a conference of churches. Thus, “the churches of Galatia,” “the churches of Macedonia,” “the churches of Asia,” “all Achaia,” etc., were given direction by the apostle as to concerted action to be taken, or sent salutations to churches in other parts. When the general fund was to be made up for the Judean believers, Paul wrote to the Corinthians: “As I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.” 1 Cor. 16: 1. The second epistle to the Corinthians shows that this instruction was for the churches of “all Achaia,” of which province Corinth was the center. The churches were instructed to make up the gift, and to appoint individuals to go with it to Jerusalem. “Whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send.” The Macedonian churches had the same instruction, and sent one of their number, “chosen of the churches,” to join in carrying the bounty to Judea. 2 Cor. 8: 19. Thus each group of churches acted in concert, as one provincial or state conference organization, and had their chosen and appointed delegates or agents to look after certain work.
Again: we find Paul appointing ministerial laborers to the general oversight of provinces or conferences. Timothy was assigned to the province of Asia for a time, with instruction from Paul as to the ordering of the churches, the appointment of elders and deacons, and the care of the general interests of the churches grouped together in that province. See First Timothy. Titus was assigned to Crete: “For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldst set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee.” Titus 1: 5.
As the one in charge of the work in Crete, Titus was asked to see that Zenas, the lawyer, and Apollos, when they should arrive, were sent forward on their journey, provided with means so that nothing should be lacking to them. Titus 3: 13. Those were not the days of bank drafts and postal remittances; but the instruction to Titus, and other similar references, show provision of funds available for the conduct of the work. As Paul told the Corinthians, the Lord who ordained men to the ministry of the temple in former times, had also made provision for their support. “Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.” 1 Cor. 9: 14. They were familiar enough with the manner of supporting the Lord’s work in the former time, by tithes and offerings: “even so,” says Paul, it was ordained that the work of the gospel should be carried forward.
While Paul acted with the authority of an apostle, called to the general oversight or “care of all the churches,” he assumed no arbitrary authority over any. “Not for that we have dominion over your faith,” he wrote, “but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.” 2 Cor. 1: 24. Though evil men often represented him as self-seeking and arbitrary in his work, assuming authority not belonging to him, he was really servant of all. He counseled his associate workers, not as an overlord, but as a fellow laborer, a comrade in the common service. But as some one must lead out in all associate work, there was necessity in gospel effort for a directing supervision to keep all interests moving harmoniously forward. Hence ministers, like Mark, Timothy, Titus, Silas, Tychicus, Artemas, Crescens, and many others, were sent here and there, called to come and go, appointed to one field and then to another, all responding as the loyal soldiers of Christ that they were. They recognized the increased efficiency given to their labors by organization and union of effort.
The unity of the world-wide work was provided for in the supervision of the committee of apostles, ordained to lead out in and develop the work of the whole church. Paul’s visits to Jerusalem to counsel with the other apostles, as well as his constant teachings, bear witness to his efforts to maintain union and coöperation between the churches in all the world. They were all members of the one body, Christ the head,—“from whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.” Eph. 4: 16.
The member is connected with the head only as it is a part of the body. Independent of the body, the hand or foot would be severed from connection with the head. The head can move the finger or the hand only as the finger or hand is united with the body.
The gifts and offices set in the church were to preserve the oneness and compactness of the body of Christ, the church, even after the first apostles had passed away. The churches were “set in order” by the appointment of proper officers. This was an important part of the ministerial oversight, and as Paul appointed Timothy to attend to this in Asia, and Titus in Crete, he gave instruction as to the qualifications of officers.
The elders were ordained to take “oversight” of the local church, not as “lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.” 1 Peter 5: 3.
Careful selection was also to be made in filling “the office of a deacon,” as assistants to the elders in the administration of church work. 1 Tim. 3: 8-15. The work of deaconess was also recognized. Rom. 16: 1, A. R. V., margin.
The church was an organized body, officered and equipped for harmonious and concerted service, every member having his responsibility and individuality before God, while this very relationship to God bound the members together in sacred fellowship with one another.
W. A. S.

Let Us be Careful

By L. L. C.

Our greatest enemies are our own mistakes. Little inaccuracies of statement have done and are doing much harm in the world. Opponents of our message delight to point to any misstatement made by an Adventist, whether it be made through carelessness or through ignorance.
A good example of the current stories which are passed from one person to another without examination as to their truthfulness, is the one that Queen Victoria, holding a Bible in her hand, said that this Book was the secret of England’s greatness. On investigation, all that can be found is that Queen Victoria once said that Christianity was the secret of England’s greatness. Of course one may say that the two statements amount to the same thing, as Christianity is based on the Bible, but still Queen Victoria should be credited with what she really said.
There is a report quite widely circulated that D. L. Moody kept the seventh-day Sabbath before his death. This has been emphatically denied by his son. The facts of the case seem to have been that, having so much preaching to do on Sunday, Mr. Moody found that he needed some time for rest. For that reason he would do nothing on Saturday, in order that he might be in good condition for his preaching on Sunday. This, of course, is very far from any seventh-day Sabbath keeping.
Recently an attack has been made upon us, based largely upon our position concerning the origin of Sunday. Seventh-day Adventists have associated the Sunday institution with both paganism and the apostasy, and rightly so. It is well, however, that we be guarded in our statements, and that we have a clear understanding of the historical connection. It is well to remember that paganism is not one religion, but many; and because there are some pagan religions which have no fixed seven-day week with a recurring worship on the first day of the week, does not prove that no pagan religion had it.
There are two forms of paganism which are thought of in connection with the Roman Empire, the old paganism and the new. The old paganism of the Greeks and Romans was a polytheism with a whole pantheon of gods, in which Zeus and Jupiter respectively, not the sun god, were supreme. The week, or period of seven successive days, was not introduced into the Roman calendar till after the reign of Theodosius (fourth century after Christ), according to the Encyclopedia Britannica (see art. “Calendar”). The Greeks divided their months into ten-day periods, and the Romans had an eight-day period, each ninth day being a recurring market day. There are places, however, in the literature of the late Roman Empire (first century before Christ) where Romans used the astrological week of seven days in connection with many of the Eastern superstitions of that period. The most important of these Eastern superstitions was the new paganism called “Mithraism,” which spread over the Roman Empire in the first centuries of the Christian Era. As faith in the old polytheistic paganism waned among the Romans, this new monotheistic paganism spread rapidly, and in the middle of the third century seemed on the verge of becoming the universal pagan religion. Mithraism, in which the sun was worshiped under the legendary name of “Mithra,” had many resemblances in religious rites to those of Christianity under the apostasy which gave rise to the Papacy. We quote from the Encyclopedia Britannica concerning this form of paganism:—
“The most interesting aspect of Mithraism is its antagonism to Christianity. Both religions were of Oriental origin; they were propagated about the same time, and spread with equal rapidity. . . . The struggle was the more obstinate because of the resemblances between the two religions, which were so numerous and so close as to be the subject of remark as early as the second century, and the cause of mutual recrimination. The fraternal and democratic spirit of the first communities, and their humble origin; the identification of the object of adoration with light and the sun; the legends of the shepherds with their gifts and adoration, the flood, and the ark; the representation in art of the fiery chariot, the drawing of water from the rock; the use of bell and candle, holy water and the communion; the sanctification of Sunday [italics ours] and of the twenty-fifth of December; the insistence on moral conduct, the emphasis placed upon abstinence and self-control; the doctrine of heaven and hell, of primitive revelation of the mediation of the Logos emanating from the divine, the atoning sacrifice, the constant warfare between good and evil and the final triumph of the former, the immortality of the soul, the last judgment, the resurrection of the flesh, and the fiery destruction of the universe, are some of the resemblances which, whether real or only apparent, enabled Mithraism to prolong its resistance to Christianity. At their root lay a common Eastern origin rather than any borrowing.”
The new Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia also says in its article on Mithra:—
“In theory, ritual, and practice Mithraism parodied or duplicated, after a fashion, the central ideas of Christianity. The birth of Mithra and of Christ were celebrated on the same day; . . . both regard Sunday as sacred.”—The New Schaff-Herzog, Vol. VII, p. 419, art. “Mithra,” “Mithraism.”
Inasmuch as Mithraism had become at that time so prevalent in the Roman Empire, and the astrological, or seven-day, week was then known to the Romans, the decree of Constantine in favor of the “venerable day of the sun” is seen to have been intended not only to please the apostatizing Christian church, but also the believers in the new paganism, with its sanctification of Sunday.
Without question, the Roman Catholic Church found it easy to urge Sunday keeping upon those who may have been keeping Sunday as Mithra worshipers. Cardinal Newman (Roman Catholic) frankly acknowledges that pagan rites were frequently taken over into the early church. He says:—
“Confiding then in the power of Christianity to resist the infection of evil, and to transmute the very instruments and appendages of demon worship to an evangelical use, . . . the rulers of the church from early times were prepared, should the occasion arise, to adopt, or imitate, or sanction the existing rites and customs of the populace, as well as the philosophy of the educated class.”—“An Essay on the Development of Christian Doctrine,” pp. 371, 372.
Dr. Killen, in his preface to “Ancient Church,” states the same thing:—
“In the interval between the days of the apostles and the conversion of Constantine, the Christian commonwealth changed its aspect. . . . Rites and ceremonies of which neither Paul nor Peter ever heard, crept into use, and then claimed the rank of divine institutions.”
The apostasy which led to the formation of the Papacy began to work in very early times. Paul says that it was working in his day, “The mystery of iniquity doth already work.” 2 Thess. 2:7. It is not to be supposed that any of the apostles would think of adding aught to the commands of Christ as given to us in the New Testament, where we find no “Thus saith the Lord” for Sunday keeping. Paul did not establish Sunday, and he said, “If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.” Gal. 1:9. The apostle John, though using the expression “the Lord’s day,” which is a term designating the true Sabbath (Isa. 58:13), in no place speaks of the sanctification of Sunday; and he warns us in Rev. 22:18, “I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book.”
We are told in 2 Tim. 3:16, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” Through the Scripture which has been given to us we “may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” There is then no room left for Sunday keeping.
Sunday sanctification was added through tradition without divine authority, and assimilated the Sunday keeping which came from the paganism of Mithraism. We thus see that the Sunday institution is rightly associated with both paganism and apostate Christianity. There is no reason for any who follow the Bible, and the Bible only, to keep any other day than the seventh-day Sabbath, the memorial of creation, the day which was blessed and sanctified by God and kept by Christ and his apostles, and which will be kept in the new earth.
L. L. C.

Organization

By G. B. T.

As I go about, occasionally I find some who say they do not believe in organization. Others say they do not believe in any general organization; that it is dangerous and popish.
In what way is organization dangerous? Without it we have disorder, confusion, chaos, and this condition is dangerous.
I go to the station to take the train west. The great engine, with its long train filled with human beings, pulls in on time. The engineer descends from the cab, oil can in hand. I approach him and ask the schedule of his train. He says, “I have no schedule, or time card. This road has no head. We have no organization. I am as experienced as any engineer on the road. I know how to run an engine, and I take orders from no one. I recognize no man as head.” I ask him if he has any information as to the trains traveling east. He says he has none, and does not expect any; that it is nobody’s business how he runs his train, or where he passes the train traveling in an opposite direction. My curiosity being aroused, as I am to take this train, I ask him as to his speed regulations. He says, “I run as fast as I please. No one gives me any orders. I have no time-table dictating what time I am expected to reach a certain town, or whether or not I am to stop. I get there when I please, and stop or go by, just as the notion strikes me.” After such a conversation, in the interest of my own safety I would conclude to walk, rather than travel on a road that had no head and no organization. A wreck is only a question of time.
We go into a great department store filled with merchandise of every kind. It has no head, or manager, no organization; everything is in confusion. The man on the tenth floor, in the millinery department, concludes he ought to have on his floor some cooking utensils or hardware from the basement department. Without counsel he has some pots and kettles brought up and put on a shelf in the corner. The man in charge of things on the fifth floor, where carpets are sold, decides he would like to have a side line of perfumery or dishes, for those who might inquire for them, so he has some brought up. Hardware is scattered from the basement to the top. Shoes are sold all over the building, but with one price on one floor, and another price on some other. Jewelry is everywhere, and nowhere in particular. Each man is a law unto himself; he takes his orders from no one. No attention is paid to the financial plans adopted by the firm for paying bills or for collecting from customers; each salesman in the store puts in operation a plan of his own. You go in and make some purchases. One salesman puts the proceeds in his pocket; another has a cash register; still another has a different system of recording sales. How long would it take a business run on such lines, without any organization and with no one at the head, to go into utter bankruptcy? — Not long, to be sure.
How long would a government exist with no organization, and no system of doing business, either at home or abroad? How efficient would be the mail service with no system, no one at the head? Would letters reach their destination as quickly as they do now? How would Congress get on, think you, with no one to preside, and no rules for preserving order? Think of our foreign policy, with no Secretary of State, no systemized arrangement, nor any well-defined policy; but each man in each country refusing to take counsel from any one, and running affairs according to his own notion. The nation would be quickly ruined.
Further illustrations of the folly of having no organization are quite unnecessary. No one in his right mind would contend for a minute that secular business could possibly be carried forward without any organization or systematic arrangement for doing the work.
It is equally absurd to claim that organization in the church is unnecessary or dangerous. Without organization those who are aggressive, domineering, and tyrannical would come to the front, as in a mob. With organization, these elements are held in check, and the people in the body have charge of things. It is to be expected that these domineering elements would argue, from the fact that they are held in check, that there is despotism somewhere, but this does not prove it.
There is order in heaven. We read of “the armies which were in heaven.” Rev. 19:14. An army is an organized body of soldiers, becoming disorganized only when they are being routed. The ministers of God—the angels—are fully organized. The Lord desires the same system and order for his church. “God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.” 1 Cor. 14:33. Indeed, God is not the author of confusion, disorganization, and turmoil in the churches. He desires that just the opposite shall be seen—peace and order.
The kingdom of darkness is also an organized kingdom. We are told that we wrestle against principalities, and against the rulers of the darkness of this world. Having arranged his army of lost angels into organized rebellion, to destroy God’s people, Satan would be most happy indeed if he could succeed in destroying organization from among the remnant, against whom his most determined efforts are being waged. Notice the following:—
“Satan well knows that success can only attend order and harmonious action. He well knows that everything connected with heaven is in perfect order, that subjection and thorough discipline mark the movements of the angelic host. It is his studied effort to lead professed Christians just as far from Heaven’s arrangement as he can; therefore he deceives even the professed people of God, and makes them believe that order and discipline are enemies to spirituality; that the only safety for them is to let each pursue his own course, and to remain especially distinct from bodies of Christians who are united, and are laboring to establish discipline and harmony of action. All the efforts made to establish order are considered dangerous, a restriction of rightful liberty, and hence are feared as popery.”—Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 1, p. 650.
Here is another statement equally strong:—
“O how Satan would rejoice to get in among this people, and disorganize the work at a time when thorough organization is essential, and will be the greatest power to keep out spurious uprisings, and to refute claims not indorsed by the Word of God. We want to hold the lines evenly, that there shall be no breaking down of the system of regulation and order. In this way license shall not be given to disorderly elements to control the work at this time. We are living in a time when order, system, and unity of action are most essential. And the truth must bind us together like strong cords in order that no distracted efforts may be witnessed among the workers. If disorderly manifestations appear, we must have clear discernment to distinguish the spurious from the genuine.”—Special Testimonies to Ministers and Workers, No. 3, pp. 60, 61.
We are profoundly thankful for the simple, yet efficient system of organization which has been developed, by which this message can be advanced in an orderly way in all parts of the world. Suppose we should break up into fragments, and each church be separate from every other church, how, for instance,could a strong, aggressive work be carried forward in foreign fields among the millions who are yet to be warned? Scarcely a church among us could supply the funds to support even one missionary. But when all are united upon a plan, then through an organized, systematic arrangement, the strongest and most aggressive work ever done by a denomination of equal membership can be and is being successfully carried forward. The same applies in the home fields and in all other lines of work. It is this systematic organization which Satan would be pleased to destroy. But he will not be able; it will stand till the end.
G. B. T.
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