Earlier text: The Meeting PlaceA Statement of Facts Concerning Our Present Situation—No. 8
By Arthur G. Daniells
In the last article of this series some of the counsel concerning organization which was given to the General Conference of 1901 was quoted, and mention was made of the fact that steps were taken to carry out this instruction. As a result certain changes were made, the most important of which were these:— 1. The organization of union conferences and union mission boards in all parts of the world where either the membership or the staff of workers make it advisable. 2. The transfer of the ownership and management of all institutions and enterprises of the cause to the organizations with which they are by location directly connected. 3. Making all the leading lines, such as the Sabbath-school, educational, medical missionary, religious liberty, and publishing work, departments of the General Conference, and placing the chairmen of these departments on the General Conference Committee. 4. Enlarging and strengthening all conference committees and mission boards by placing on them men especially qualified to represent the evangelical, educational, medical missionary, and publishing interests of the cause. 5. Placing the responsibility of attending to the details of the work in all7 parts of the world, upon those who are located where the work is to be done. 6. Arranging an organic connection or union of all the parts of our organization and field by placing on the union conference committees the presidents of local conferences who are elected by the local churches; and further by placing on the General Conference Committee the presidents of union conferences, the superintendents of union mission fields, and the chairmen of all department committees. Thus every church, every department of work, and every institution in the denomination is represented in local and union conferences, and in the General Conference as well. These changes have brought into existence thirteen new union conferences, three union mission organizations, thirty new local conferences, and a number of local mission boards. They have also brought into the management of the affairs of the cause a large number of persons representing the whole field and the whole work. The members of the General Conference Committee have been increased from thirteen to thirty-two. At least four hundred persons have been added to union and local conferences and mission boards. The General Conference does not now own nor manage a single institution except its offices at headquarters. Having turned over to union and local conferences and mission boards the details of the work, the officers of the General Conference are free to devote themselves to the general interests of the cause throughout the world, and especially to establish and develop new missionary stations in foreign lands. Thus we are working away from a centralizing policy toward an administration that is as wide as the world, and that establishes local, responsible government wherever it can be done. As previously admitted, it was right that the General Conference should have been reproved and set right before all the people. But it was to have been expected that the other organizations to which the instruction applied should have accepted and followed it. And this was looked for by the one through whom the reproof was given. It was here that the Medical Missionary Association made a fatal mistake. While the General Conference delegates were doing everything they knew how to destroy their centralizing policy, the members of the Medical Missionary Association, under the suggestions of its leaders, were doing all they could to establish and strengthen their plans of centralization. This is plain from the records of their meetings published in the General Conference Bulletin of 1901. After the president of the association had plainly declared that it was the plan of the association to tie with “two knots” all medical institutions and associations to the “central body,” so that it would be “impossible for these institutions to exist without this body, and to maintain their corporate life without this corporation,” he asked the members to “vote adopting this mode of procedure, and recommending that it shall be continued, and that all the sanitariums organized and incorporated shall be incorporated on a similar plan, so that they shall be tied to this [central] body.” And it was unanimously voted “that it is the sense of this body that this plan be adopted universally.” The president thanked the members of the association for this vote, saying, “It will back up the Medical Missionary Board, and make it feel a little stronger in carrying out the principle.” And yet this principle had been utterly condemned by the spirit of prophecy in the early part of the conference, and the conference itself was doing all in its power to get rid of the principle. The two bodies in the same conference were working in opposite directions. They have certainly had very opposite experiences. The General Conference has steadily grown in the favor and confidence of our people, and never faced a brighter outlook than it does to-day. The Medical Missionary Association has ceased to exist. This whole experience teaches an important lesson. The time has surely come for the finishing of the work, and the Lord has been dealing with his people in reference to this great fact. He has been reorganizing the forces to prepare for the final conflict, and any part of the former organization which neglected to follow warning and counsel was necessarily set aside, as the word has gone forth that there shall be no more delay. Therefore even in the difficulties and perplexities which have brought us to our present situation, we may find encouragement. It is time that the mystery of God should be finished. Some unpleasant truth is told by Dr. Andrew D. White in these words:— Simply as a matter of fact, the United States is, among all civilized nations of the world, the country in which the crime of murder is most frequently committed and least frequently punished. Our record is now larger than any other country in the world. This is an unenviable distinction, and indicates a condition which is a peril to the republic. And this condition will not be improved by continuing to preach that the law of God has been abolished. No-law teaching encourages lawlessness. AMONG the resolutions adopted at a recent meeting of the Secular League of this city are the following:— That we deplore the easy acquiescence of members of Congress in the demand of the “Christian Lobby,” leading to the offering of numerous bills which assume the actual union of church and state; that several examples of this perilous facility, are bills offered at this session of Congress: One for the increase of chaplains in the army and navy; one for building chapels at forts, and one (S. 1725), offered by Senator Taliaferro of Florida, for the donation of a site to the Baptist church, of Rock Sink, Fla., and an appropriation of money to build a church on the site—this last being in flagrant violation of a statute of the United States. That such bills indicate a lamentable indifference of politicians to religious legislation, and reveal the plan of the “Christian Lobby” to multiply entering wedges to prepare the way for the perfect union of the church and state. That it is the duty of every member of Congress to vote down these bills, and to prevent religious legislation in any form whatever. If all those who claim to believe the gospel of Christ were as sound in their views on religious liberty as these secularists, there would be no need for secularists to protest against the unchristian demand of professed Christians for religious legislation. In a recent issue of the World's Crisis (First-day Adventist) we note the following, addressed to the editor:— I am deeply impressed with your idea of the union of the various branches of Adventism. What a sad spectacle in many places to see little bands of these various branches struggling to maintain services, when if they could be brought together on the great truths which we all hold in common, aggressive work might be done for God and souls. While Seventh-day Adventists have accomplished nothing of which to boast, the fact nevertheless that they have carried the advent message to almost every country in the world, civilized or savage, indicates that on the part of that branch of Adventists who stand for “the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus,” some aggressive work for God and souls has been accomplished. The manifestation of spiritual life and aggressive work in the spread of the gospel depends upon union with God rather than upon the joining of hands by organizations of men. The truth of God is always aggressive, and the three angels described in Revelation 14, with their gospel messages proclaiming the hour of God's judgment, the fall of Babylon, and the warning against the worship of the “beast” power, do the most aggressive gospel work accomplished in this generation. It is “not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord.” Revive Thy Work
By Eliza H. Morton
REVIVE thy work, O Lord, we pray,
'Cast not aside.
Our feet are wandering in a maze,
Be thou our guide. The days are growing short and dark,
Thy coming near,
A storm is gathering in the East,
Hearts fail with fear. The hosts of evil are abroad,
Be thou a wall
About thy people, and a hedge,
Lest many fall. The sparks men kindle will deceive
Us with their glow,
Unless the Spirit gives us power
The truth to know. Revive thy work within our hearts
Till self is dead,
And on the words of love and life
Our souls are fed. Come thou within, thy knock we hear,
O welcome Guest!
Thy presence leaves no place for sin,
Or vague unrest. Thy work will be revived when all
Thy chosen stand
As soldiers ready to obey
Their King's command. Our talents and our time and wealth
To thee belong,
O let thy Spirit do its work
And make us strong! The Truth as It Is in Jesus
By Ellen G. White
There are many in this age of the world who act as if they were at liberty to question the words of the Infinite, to review his decisions and statutes, indorsing, revising, reshaping, and annulling at their pleasure. We are never safe while we are guided by human opinions, but we are safe when we are guided by a “Thus saith the Lord.” We can not trust the salvation of our souls to any lower standard than the decisions of an infallible Judge. Those who make God their guide and his word their counselor, behold the lamp of life. God’s living oracles guide their feet in straight paths. Those who are thus led do not dare to judge the word of God, but ever hold that his word judges them. They get their faith and religion from the word of the living God. It is the guide and counselor that directs their path. The word is indeed a light to their feet and a lamp to their path. They walk under the direction of the Father of light, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. He whose tender mercies are over all his works makes the path of the just as a shining light, which shineth more and more unto the perfect day. The word of God is to be our spiritual food. “I am the bread of life,” Christ said; “he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.” The world is perishing for want of pure, unadulterated truth. Christ is the truth. His words are truth, and they have a greater value and a deeper significance than appears on the surface. All the sayings of Christ have a value beyond their unpretending appearance. Minds that are quickened by the Holy Spirit will discern the value of these sayings. They will discern the precious gems of truth, though they may be buried treasure. How needful for all who are workers in the cause of God to ponder these things, that they may guard against self-sufficiency. If men are self-sufficient, the Lord leaves them to their own human wisdom. We are not to trust in self, or make self our god. Pride, selfishness, and all desire for self-exaltation place human agents in a position where the Holy Spirit can not work with them. In no case can the Holy Spirit co-operate with the methods and plans of self-sufficient men. It is not for any one to seek to be a great preacher or a wonderful evangelist. All who realize the dignity and elevated character of the message they bear will hide in Christ, realizing that their security and efficiency come from God. Men may turn from one doctrine to another, and yet know nothing of the meaning of the words, “A new heart also will I give you.” Accepting new theories merely does not bring new life into the soul, even though the church that is entered may be established on the true foundation. A connection with the church does not take the place of conversion. To have one’s name placed on the church roll is not of the least value unless the heart is truly changed. This question is a serious one, and should be fully entered into, and its meaning realized. Men may be members of a church. Apparently they may work religiously, performing a round of prescribed duties from year to year, and still remain unconverted. There are those who write in regard to religious matters. But although they delight to do this work in defense of Christianity, they may yet be unconverted. A man may preach pleasing, entertaining sermons, but he may be far from Christ as regards genuine experience. He may be self-sufficient, and exalted to the pinnacle of greatness, yet never have experienced the inward work of grace that transforms the character. Such a one is deceived by his connection and familiarity with the sacred truths of the gospel, which have reached the intellect, but have gone no deeper. The truth has not been brought into the inner sanctuary of the soul. By his conscience every honest Jew was convinced that Jesus Christ was the Son of God, but the heart, in its pride and ambition, would not surrender. When the truth is held as the truth only by the conscience, when the heart is not stimulated and made receptive, the mind only is affected. But when the truth is received as truth by the heart, it has passed through the conscience, and captivated the soul by its pure principles. It is placed in the heart by the Holy Spirit, who reveals its beauty to the mind, that its transforming power may be seen in the character. Unless a man is renewed in the spirit of his mind by the transforming power of the Holy Spirit, he will become restless and dissatisfied, because he has not died to self. “Come unto me,” Christ said, “all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Again Christ says, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” Without me ye can do no good thing, any more than could Cain. Of what advantage is any system of religion to one who has not been transformed in character by the Holy Spirit’s power. It is as saying without doing. It is a confession of faith, without works. He who really believes the truth will live a life of unselfishness; for the truth is elevating, refining, and sanctifying in its influence. The true minister of the gospel will not stand before the people to speak smooth words, to cry, Peace and safety. He realizes the dangers that threaten the soul, and he presents the truth as it is in Jesus. The truth comes from his lips clear, plain, decided, as if he fully believed that the words spoken will be a savor of life unto life or of death unto death. The words of the minister who knows that he has the Spirit and power of God, will awaken the conscience of his hearers. Truth must become truth to the receiver, to all intents and purposes. It must be stamped on the heart. “With the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength.” This is the service that God accepts. Nothing short of this is counted by him as pure and undefiled religion. The heart is the citadel of the being, and until that is wholly on the Lord’s side, the enemy will gain constant victories over us through his subtle temptations. If the life is given into its control, the power of the truth is unlimited. The thoughts are brought into captivity to Jesus Christ. From the treasure of the heart are brought forth appropriate and fitting words. Writing to Timothy, Paul says, “Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.”9 “All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution,” he says again. But this should not intimidate one soul. What can give such sunshine to the soul as the evidence of sins forgiven? What can impart true nobility if it is not the restoration of the moral image of God in man? Whence can peace come to the soul if not from the Prince of Peace? To what source can we look for help but to him who can give us light in the midst of darkness? Christ has promised to send us the Comforter, whose work it is to establish the kingdom of God in the soul. Full and abundant is the provision that has been made that we may have mercy, grace, and peace. Why, then, do human beings act as if they entertained the idea that the truth is a yoke of bondage?—It is because the heart has never tasted and seen that the Lord is good. The soul that cherishes the love of Christ is full of freedom, light, and joy in Christ. In such a soul there are no divided thoughts. The whole man yearns after God. He goes not to men for counsel, to know what is duty, but to the Lord Jesus, the Source of all wisdom. He searches the Word of God, that he may find out what standard has been set up. Can we ever find a surer guide than the Lord Jesus? True religion is embodied in the Word of God, and consists in being under the guidance of the Holy One in thought, word, and deed. He who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, takes the humble, earnest, whole-hearted seeker, and says, Follow me. He leads him in the narrow way to holiness and heaven. Christ has opened this path for us at great cost to himself. We are not left to stumble our way along in darkness. Jesus is at our right hand, proclaiming, “I am the Way.” And all who decide to follow the Lord fully will be led in the royal path, yea more, in the path cast up for the ransomed of the Lord to walk in. God calls upon his people to reveal him. Shall the world manifest principles of integrity that the church does not maintain? Shall a selfish desire to be first be shown by the followers of Christ? Shall not the principles cherished by them be unselfish, laid upon the true foundation, even Christ Jesus? What material shall we bring to the foundation? Shall we bring wood, hay, and stubble, or gold, silver, and precious stones? Shall we not distinguish sharply between the chaff and the wheat? Shall we not realize that we must receive the Holy Spirit in our hearts, that it may mold and fashion the daily life? Morning and Evening Worship
By Stephen N. Haskell
The sanctuary service was taken from the view given Moses of the heavenly sanctuary, and the counterpart of that service consists of Christian duties which are in harmony with Christ’s work in heaven. The highest type of Christianity is faith and works. Faith without works is dead, being alone. These works are to keep step with Christ’s work in heaven. There were three articles of furniture in the first apartment in the earthly sanctuary—the table of showbread, or “bread of his presence,” the candlestick with its seven lamps, and the golden altar of incense. Heb. 9:2; Ex. 40:4, 5. The services connected with each of these articles taught essential, practical truths for every Christian. It is impossible to co-operate with Christ in his work as our high priest without a knowledge of these truths. In view of this fact, the prophet said, “Wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation: the fear of the Lord is his treasure.” Isa. 33:6. What lesson was taught by the altar of incense and its service? It was the work of the priest to burn sweet incense upon the golden altar when he dressed the lamps every morning and evening. Ex. 30:7, 8. During this ceremony the whole multitude of the people were without, praying. Luke 1:9–11. It was at the time of this service that the angel Gabriel appeared to Zacharias and announced the birth of John. Luke 1:11–15. Several events are associated together, namely, the offering of the morning and evening burnt offering, the offering of incense, the trimming of the lamps, and the morning and evening worship on the part of the people. Here lies the foundation of morning and evening worship in families, with a promise of God’s special blessing. The families that neglected family worship in the days of Jeremiah were classed among the heathen, as shown by the following: “Pour out thy fury upon the heathen that know thee not, and upon the families that call not upon thy name: for they have eaten up Jacob, and devoured him, and consumed him, and have made his habitation desolate.” Jer. 10:25. The judgments of the Lord fell upon those who burned strange incense. Lev. 10:1–3. But David prays, “Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.” Ps. 141:2. Daniel considered praying three times a day, with his face toward Jerusalem, of such importance that rather than compromise this privilege he went into the lion’s den. Daniel 6. Over one hundred psalms testify to the fact that David was a man of prayer and praise. “Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.” Ps. 55:17. Again, “O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.” Ps. 95:6. In heaven there is an altar and censer with incense, and a service conducted by our great High Priest answering to this earthly morning and evening prayer. “There was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand.” Rev. 8:3, 4; 5:8. The incense represents the righteousness of Christ that makes our prayers acceptable in God’s sight. Much incense is added, so when family worship is instituted on earth, the prayers of the family ascend, and Christ adds much of his righteousness, which makes them acceptable before God. Christ rose early in the morning to pray. Cornelius had his season for prayer, and while praying was visited by the angel and instructed to send for Peter. The angel found Peter during his noon-time season of prayer. Acts 10. Peter and John attended the regular hour of prayer at the temple. Acts 3:1. Elijah and the prophets of old had their regular seasons of prayer. It was at the time of the evening oblation that the Lord answered Daniel’s prayer. The Lord will hear prayer at all times, but he that regards morning and evening worship will find that the Lord especially regards it, and at such times there is an abundant supply of grace given to impart strength and wisdom to overcome the temptations of Satan. “He Goeth Before Them”
By T. E. BOWEN
It is said of the true shepherd, “He goeth before them.” The sheep need the shepherd to guide them. They love to follow, but do not know the way. All this is speaking of the Great Shepherd. He knoweth his sheep. “When he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.” The sheep do not have to be told their true shepherd is before them. This they know. And, furthermore, it is said, “A stranger will they not follow.” They will not follow him simply because he is a stranger. There is great significance in all this just now. Some people are getting terribly perplexed because the people of God will not follow them. They blame everything and everybody except the right cause—themselves. The trouble is significantly apparent. They have the scent of the stranger upon their garments. Their voice betrays them. Christ goeth on before his people. The Good Shepherd's voice can be heard ahead calling, “This is the way,” “follow me.” He is still on the old highway cast up for the remnant of the Lord to walk in, even the “path of his commandments.” And rejoicingly his people are following. It requires true humility of soul to follow the Lord. Simply admitting10 by this humble act of following that we are wholly ignorant of the way, utterly unable to guide ourselves through this dangerous way by which God's own are to go, trusting everything to the Guide—this is the test of true discipleship to-day. “DOWN amid the depths of heathen darkness
There are heroes true and brave.
Shrinking not from death, or toil, or danger,
They have gone to help and save.
But hear them crying, ‘Do not leave us
’Mid these dreadful depths to drown;
Let us feel your arms of prayer around us,
Hold the ropes as we go down.’ Worldliness in the Church
By W. M. CROTHERS
In Rev. 12:12 we read these words: “Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.” Again we read, in 2 Thess. 2:9, 10, that the coming of Christ is immediately “after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness,” and from Matt. 24:24 we learn that these deceptive workings will be of a nature calculated to “deceive the very elect,” and (verse 12) that because of the abounding iniquity, “the love of many shall wax cold.” We are also told that “in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves;” and this self-love will manifest itself in covetousness, boasting, pride, blasphemy, disobedience, etc., and those who are guilty of these sins will have “a form of godliness,” but will deny “the power thereof” (2 Tim. 3:1-5); and (1 Tim. 4:1) some of them “shall depart from the faith,” etc. That Satan’s wrath, in all its various manifestations, is especially directed against believers in the third angel’s message is made plain in the following words, which are found in Rev. 12:17: “And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus.” One of Satan’s most successful devices for seducing God’s people is to create in them a love for the attractions of the world, its wealth, honor, pleasures, pomp, fashions, dress, etc., and by this snare many of God’s people have been drawn into the pit of sin and destruction. When God brought Israel out of Egypt, he intended that they should be “an holy people unto the Lord;” the Lord chose them “to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth.” Deut. 14:2. He purposed that they should not conform to the habits and practises of the surrounding heathen nations, but that they should be separate and distinct, and upon this condition was based God’s promise of blessing and salvation. But with this Israel soon became dissatisfied, and in the time of Samuel they demanded that a king should be set over them that they might be “like all the nations.” 1 Sam. 8:4, 5. But in desiring a king they rejected God, who had hitherto been their king and ruler, and they soon became not only “like all the nations,” but even worse than the nations God had cast out before them. They worshiped the heathen gods, and descended to the lowest depths of moral degradation and vice. The experience of Israel is a warning for God’s people to-day. To us the command is given, “Come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” 2 Cor. 6:17, 18. And of the true child of God, Jesus has said, “Ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world” (John 15:19); and again, “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.” John 17:14, 16. This same truth is more emphatically stated by James in the fourth chapter of his epistle and the fourth verse: “The friendship of the world is enmity with God. Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God,” while in 1 John 2:15 we read, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” Love of God and love of the world can not both occupy the same heart, any more than Christ and Satan can dwell in the same sanctuary. The sixteenth verse mentions some of the things of the world in a way which implies that they are the things which appeal strongly to the child of God—the “lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.” But notwithstanding these plain words of instruction, the church of God is not yet free from these pollutions. Far too many of those who profess to be looking and waiting for the coming Saviour desire to be like their unbelieving, worldly neighbors, and are indulging in worldly pleasures and pastimes, and following worldly customs and fashions, to an extent which makes it difficult to distinguish between them and the world; and although in direct conflict with the Word of God and the “testimony of Jesus,” which they profess to believe and teach, they are offended if spoken to about their course. Members of the church now indulge in practises which, twenty years ago, would not have been tolerated. This departure from the word and from the early practise and simplicity of advent believers is, perhaps, most conspicuous in the matter of dress and adornment. Some, through lack of knowledge, and others almost in defiance of divine instruction, are conforming to the fashion and style of the world in wearing apparel and in the use of articles of adornment, both useful and useless, which are specifically forbidden. For the instruction of those who lack knowledge, and for the admonition of those who are disregarding light, I give below quotations from, and references to, passages in the Bible and the Testimonies which should govern us in all these matters and practises. In regard to the wearing of gold and jewels we have the following instruction: “In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, . . . not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array.” 1 Tim. 2:9. “Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold.” 1 Peter 3:3. Read also Isa. 3:16-24; 2:17-22. “Instead of seeking golden ornaments for the exterior, an earnest effort should be put forth to secure that wisdom which is of more value than fine gold.”—Testimonies for the Church, Vol. IV, page 644. On page 645 we read as follows: “But many who profess to be children of God feel no scruples against conforming to the customs of the world in the wearing of gold and pearls and costly array. Those who are too conscientious to wear these things are regarded as narrow minded, superstitious, and even fanatical.” Let the entire chapter from which these quotations are taken be read. After quoting with approval Peter’s instruction as cited above, the writer says: “The mass of professed Christians utterly disregard the teachings of the apostles, and wear gold, pearls, and costly array.”—Ibid., Vol. I, page 460. Again, in Vol. IV, page 630, after quoting 1 Tim. 2:9, 10, she says, “Here the Lord, through his apostle, speaks expressly against the wearing of gold.” Concerning the wearing of rings we have the following: “That ring encircling your finger may be very plain, but it is useless, and the wearing of it has a wrong influence upon others.”—Ibid. These words are addressed both to the married and to the unmarried. But it is argued that these prohibitions apply only to things of no practical use. Let those who make this excuse read the following: “God calls upon the young to deny themselves of needless ornaments and articles of dress, even if they cost but a few dimes, and place the amount in the charity box. He also calls upon those of mature age to stop when they are examining a gold watch or chain,” etc.—Ibid., page 511. “Some have been so unfortunate as to come into possession of gold chains or pins, or both, and have shown bad taste in exhibiting them, making them conspicuous to attract attention. I can but associate these characters with the vain peacock, that displays his gorgeous feathers for admiration.”—Ibid., Vol. III, page 367. Concerning ornaments and jewelry of every kind, these words have been spoken: “To dress plainly, and abstain from the display of jewelry and ornaments of every kind is in keeping with our faith.”—Ibid., page 366. Then to display or wear any kind of jewelry or ornament, is not in keeping with our faith. In Vol. I, page 20, the servant of the Lord expresses her surprise that a sister should have been baptized and admitted to membership in the church while neglecting the apostle’s instruction regarding dress. She says: “My mind was peaceful and happy till I noticed the gold11 rings glittering upon this sister’s fingers, and the large showy earrings in her ears. I then observed that her bonnet was adorned with artificial flowers, and trimmed with costly ribbons arranged in bows and puffs. My joy was dampened by this display of vanity. . . . I expected that the minister would give some whispered reproof or advice to this sister; but he was apparently regardless of her showy apparel, and no rebuke was administered.” The entire space of the REVIEW might be filled with the rebukes and warnings God has sent to his people against the display of pride and vanity, and against following the fashions of the world; yet these things are becoming more and more conspicuous and prevalent among those who profess to be the peculiar people of God. The outward display, however bad as it is on account of the influence it exerts, is a trifling matter as compared with the condition of heart from which it springs. “O the pride that was shown me of God’s professed people! It has increased from year to year, until now it is impossible to designate professed advent Sabbath-keepers from all the world around them.”—Mrs. E. G. White. The conditions now are no better than when these words were written. How long shall we disregard God’s word? “If the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him.” Let us heed this injunction and remove the reproach from God’s cause and from his church. [This beautiful book is now well started on its mission of carrying hope and comfort and instruction to the many millions in this dark world who need the light. As I write, I have before me twenty-five beautiful letters, written by our most experienced physicians and ministers, in which they have expressed their great joy and satisfaction that such a book has been prepared for distribution in the homes of the people. One of our workers accompanied his letter by a quotation which he says has proved a great blessing to him, and to many others to whom he has passed it on. We give the quotation in full just as our brother copied it, believing that it will carry cheer and comfort to other hearts as it has to his, and trusting that the Spirit of God may prompt many to place this book in their neighbors' homes.—E. R. PALMER, Secretary Relief Bureau.] Many who sincerely consecrate their lives to God's service are surprised and disappointed to find themselves, as never before, confronted by obstacles and beset by trials and perplexities. They pray for Christlikeness of character, for a fitness for the Lord's work, and they are placed in circumstances that seem to call forth all the evil of their nature. Faults are revealed, of which they did not even suspect the existence. Like Israel of old, they question, “If God is leading us, why do all these things come upon us?” It is because God is leading them that these things come upon them. Trials and obstacles are the Lord's chosen methods of discipline and his appointed conditions of success. He who reads the hearts of men, knows their characters better than they themselves know them. He sees that some have powers and susceptibilities which, rightly directed, might be used in the advancement of his work. In his providence he brings these persons into different positions and varied circumstances that they may discover the defects in their characters which have been concealed from their own knowledge. He gives them opportunity to correct these defects, and to fit themselves for his service. Often he permits the fires of affliction to assail them, that they may be purified. The fact that we are called upon to endure trial shows that the Lord Jesus sees in us something precious, which he desires to develop. If he saw in us nothing whereby he might glorify his name, he would not spend time in refining us. He does not cast worthless stones into his furnace. It is valuable ore that he refines. The blacksmith puts the iron and steel into the fire that he may know what manner of metal they are. The Lord allows his chosen ones to be placed in the furnace of affliction, to prove what temper they are of, and whether they can be fashioned for his work. The potter takes the clay, and molds it according to his will. He kneads it and works it, he tears it apart, and presses it together. He wets and then dries it. He lets it lie for a while without touching it. When it is perfectly pliable, he continues the work of making of it a vessel. He forms it into shape, and on the wheel trims and polishes it. He dries it in the sun, and bakes it in the oven. Thus it becomes a vessel fit for use. So the great Master Worker desires to mold and fashion us. And as the clay is in the hands of the potter, so are we to be in his hands. We are not to try to do the work of the potter. Our part is to yield ourselves to be molded by the Master Worker. “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” I Peter 4:12, 13. In the full light of day, and in hearing of the music of other voices, the caged bird will not sing the song that his master seeks to teach him. He learns a snatch of this, a trill of that, but never a separate and entire melody. But the master covers the cage, and places it where the bird will listen to the one song he is to sing. In the dark, he tries and tries again to sing that song, until it is learned, and he breaks forth in perfect melody. Then the bird is brought forth, and ever after he can sing that song in the light. Thus God deals with his children. He has a song to teach us, and when we have learned it amid the shadows of affliction, we can sing it ever afterward.