The Gospel Herald
1900
January 1, 1900
Individual Responsibility
The following selections are from a private letter written on the camp ground at Maitland, New South Wales, Australia, November 6, 1899: GH January 1, 1900, par. 1
“How little we can do in our own power to help the people that are misled by the false theories that are ever kept before them by their false shepherds. Our earnest cry to God is, “It is time, O Lord, for thee to work: for they have made void thy law. Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.’ We are in the midst of troublous times. Catholicism is making sure and decided inroads, embracing in its cruel arms the Protestant world. In disloyalty, men and women are making void the law of God, and he will punish them for their iniquity. The earth shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.’ The Lord is slow to anger and great in power: and will not at all acquit the wicked; the Lord has his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.’ GH January 1, 1900, par. 2
“If ever there was a time when those who claim to be Christians should be all that the name comprehends, it is now. Are we following Christ in very reality? As Seventh-day Adventists we must be on watch, guarding every point lest the enemy shall set up his standard among us. There is not one semblance of an excuse for our churches to be indifferent and careless. If ever there was a time when the members of our churches should see if they have oil in their vessels with their lamps, it is now, just now, without a moment's hesitancy or delay. This is an individual work. We are to look earnestly to our own standing and accountability. While the Protestant world is being led by the wily sophistry of Catholic doctrines, while the mystery of iniquity is gathering to itself the world of professed Christians, what are we about? Are those who know the truth for this time anchored in Bible doctrine? Are our weapons, ‘Thus sayeth the Lord: ‘It is written?’ Is our anchor cast within the vail? Are we individually rooted and grounded in gospel truth, so that we may be established, strengthened, and settled in the faith? Are we, as those who have the knowledge of the mysteries of God, those to whom God has committed the living oracles, loyal and true to our stewardship? Those who are truly converted will reveal, as missionaries for God, what the truth means to them in its transforming efficiency and sanctifying power. If we are weighted with the treasures of eternal truth, we shall proclaim to a world perishing in sin what it signifies to have the sanctifying, redeeming love of Christ in the soul... GH January 1, 1900, par. 3
“The world would not be what it now is if professed believers in Christ were receivers of his divine nature. It is the example of men who claim to believe the truth, but who do not practice the truth, that detracts from the influence of Christianity. They hold the truth as a theory, but unrighteousness surely characterizes their course of action. Many reveal that they are far away from Christ, because they are destitute of Christianity. Please read the ninth and tenth chapters of Ezekiel. Should we not seek to understand the work which God requires us to do? Its results are sacred and awful. If one thread of selfishness is woven into God's service, He is greatly dishonored. Unless those who have knowledge of the truth are sanctified through the truth, their profession counts for nothing, and their condemnation will be proportionate to the light granted them, which they have not honored by walking in the light as Christ is in the light. Truth as it is in Jesus is the creating power of Christ. Those who claim to have advanced light must reveal the influence of that light in their words, their deportment, their voice, their actions, at all times and in all places. GH January 1, 1900, par. 4
The first work of teachers, physicians, directors, is to submit themselves to the yoke of Christ. They must obey the words, ‘Take my yoke upon you, and learn of Me.’ This is the result of keeping self under the sanctification of the truth. Our first business, and that which should always be made the highest, is to expel from the soul-temple everything that will not harmonize with Christ. His Spirit must abide in us by faith. We are to keep the heart with all diligence, ‘for out of it are the issues of life.’ Then pleasant words will be spoken, notwithstanding that temptations are pressing in to occupy the soul-temple. The devil is not dead.” GH January 1, 1900, par. 5