WOULD IT?

Seventh-Day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Thursday, February 19, 1880.

FromThe Review and Herald, Vol. 55, No. 8

A writer in one of our exchanges expresses the opinion concerning our work as S. D. Adventists, that if we would drop some of our peculiar views, such as the mortality of man, and the perpetuity of spiritual gifts, it would tend greatly to the advancement of our cause, and result in a rapid increase of converts to our views. It is in reference to this opinion that we ask the question which constitutes the heading of these lines, “Would it?”

This writer would not say, Drop the Sabbath, because he believes that is a truth that may not be neglected. But that is the very feature of our faith we are oftenest advised to drop, by those who become interested in our views of prophecy, but who do not want to keep the Sabbath. And if we look over the entire field of our faith, we find that different ones, according to the compromise which their inclination or interest prompts them to suggest, advise us to drop nearly every feature of our faith. If we should heed them all, but very little would at last be left.

And this is not with all a mere matter of talk. So firmly persuaded have some felt that a much greater work could be done if only some particularly objectionable point of faith were abandoned, that they have raised their colors with the offensive article expunged, and endeavored to rally the expected multitude to the new movement.

This has been especially true in reference to the doctrine of spiritual gifts. If that were only dropped, some have thought, then the movement would sweep all before it. These persons have doubtless been led into their misjudgment concerning the result of such a step by this fact: They have probably heard very many people say, Well, I could get along well enough with most of your views, if it were not for your doctrine of spiritual gifts; that awful subject of the visions I cannot receive. But do these persons who make such remarks rush to the standard of those who set out to preach substantially the same doctrines with the visions left out? Not by any means. That is not what they intended at all. And what does this show? It shows that they did not want to receive any of the truth, and so made the visions an excuse for not receiving it. And when these are dropped, then some other point is seized as the objectionable feature, like the Sabbath, the nature of man, the second advent, etc.

These excuses are too transparent to deceive any one; for no honest man will refuse to obey whatever truth he clearly perceives, because something else is taught in connection therewith which he cannot accept. If the subjects of the Sabbath, the nature of man, and spiritual gifts are presented to any one, and he perceives the truth of the perpetuity of the Sabbath, he is no less bound to receive and practice that truth than if he could indorse what was taught on the other subjects. And he who will not do this shows a degree of dishonesty which must certainly jeopardize his hope of Heaven. We have therefore learned not to judge of the tendency of any doctrine by the course of such persons concerning it.

And what has been the result with those who set out to proclaim the doctrines of S. D. Adventists with spiritual gifts left out? Suddenly their minds seemed to become enveloped in bewildering darkness, and their hold to relax on the great pillars of our faith, which are as firmly established as any truths of the word of God. From that point they have drifted away, till we now behold them floundering in the midst of a theoretical and spiritual chaos. They are carrying on no important enterprises. They are gaining no marked accessions to their ranks. And they scarcely have financial strength to publish an apology for their abnormal existence.

The conclusion to which we are led by all our reasoning and all our experience on this subject is, that if at any time the Lord has a special truth to be proclaimed, he will bless its proclamation, however unpopular it may appear to the world. And without God’s blessing we can do nothing. We may erect a theory of pleasing proportions, trim away all its crosses lest it shall offend some one, deck it with flowers to make it attractive, and thus try to win multitudes to its support. But if it is not the truth which in the development of God’s plans, and the unfolding of his purposes, belongs to that time, all our efforts will be but as “sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal.” We therefore think it best to make it our object to proclaim a whole truth*, humbly and sincerely, and leave with the Lord all questions of influence and numbers.

Can we spare any of the more crossing features of our faith? Even as it is, we have a sharp contest continually to keep ourselves from being drawn insensibly away into a spirit of worldliness, pride, and formality. And how much worse would it be had we fewer features of faith to strongly remind us of the separation which we ought to maintain! Rather than surrender any unpopular features, the probability seems to be that still closer truths will be necessary, to test to the last degree any remains of the carnal mind that we may still be inclined to cherish in our hearts.