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IS IT OF GOD?

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The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 2, 1867

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 30, No. 3.

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IS IT OF GOD?

By Jos. Clarke

Sometimes, remarkable manifestations appear among those professing to be the people of God; sometimes in one way, sometimes in another; and it is not always that brethren are agreed, as to the origin and cause of these manifestations.
There are however scriptural tests, to which we may bring these things, and there should be in every church the gift of discernment to determine as to such manifestations as purport to be miraculous.
It is certain that much trouble and perplexity might have been spared the church, had the gift of discernment been more fully developed in the past; and from what we have witnessed of the dealings of God, we are satisfied that he is desirous that his people should possess this precious gift.
When any remarkable development takes place in an individual we naturally inquire, Is the individual a person of undoubted piety? Have the church confidence in such an one? What is the tendency of the alleged gift? Does it have the effect to produce reform in the church and produce union and harmony? Does the person exercised and the adherents of the same, manifest a heavenly spirit? Are they patient toward those who disbelieve in the manifestation? Do they become more holy and lovely? Are they willing to leave the matter with the Lord? Or on the contrary do they fret and rage because it is not received? Of late some new gifts purport to have arisen. What are the fruits as seen in those exercised thereby?
JOS. CLARKE.