A Certain Sound by Editor

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Jan 25, 1906

“A Certain Sound”

By Editor

As the counsels and warnings given through the spirit of prophecy come to the brethren in the field, and they understand our present situation, they are taking their positions on the right side in this crisis. We have been confident that they would do this. While some are departing from the faith, and this creates considerable local stir where these influences center, yet it can not be truthfully said that there is a split in the denomination. The rank and file of the people and of the ministers are true to this message, and will not be led into apostasy.

As an illustration of this, we quote the following article written by Elder R. C. Porter, the president of the Missouri Conference, and printed in the Workers' Record. The title of the article is “A Certain Sound,” and we copy it entire:—

Of late a measure of uncertainty has been felt as to the attitude of some who occupy positions of responsibility in the work in Battle Creek toward the definite message which is committed to this people to proclaim to the world in this generation. Testimonies have repeatedly appealed to those in positions of trust in Battle Creek to persuade them to turn from worldly plans and methods to the spiritual, as the important character of all our plans of business and methods of procedure, in the education of our youth, and the preparation of laborers in this work. Of late the Testimonies have become decided that there was danger of pursuing a worldly policy in our educational plans, and especially directing that our educational plans should be in harmony with our faith in the near coming of Christ and the principles of our fundamental platform as a people, “the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.”

Recent Testimonies are more explicit in warning of the danger of turning from the principles of the faith in the educational work in Battle Creek. The instruction now given is that it is positively unsafe to send our young people to that place to obtain an education on account of skeptical influences with reference to our message and work which are prevalent in that place.

It is sad that such warnings must be given, but they are timely. The trumpet is being given a certain sound. It will be well if all who profess faith in the message heed the warnings now being given, and step firmly upon the solid platform of the third angel's message. It is said of the law of God that he that offends in one point is guilty of all. This is no less true of the message for our time. He that steps aside from faith in one point of the message will soon lose faith in the message as a whole.

The times are perilous. Let us pray for those in danger; but let us be sure that by our firm stand upon every point of truth we encourage them to walk in the path of safety. It is no time now for any false sympathy to be manifested. “Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.”