Spirit of Prophecy Counsels Relating To Church-State Relationships

Required Military Drill

(Written in Switzerland Sept. 2, 1886)

“We have just said farewell to three of our responsible men in the office who were summoned by the government to serve for three weeks of drill. It was a very important stage of our work in the publishing house, but the government calls do not accommodate themselves to our convenience. They demand that young men whom they have accepted as soldiers shall not neglect the exercise and drill essential for soldier service. We were glad to see that these men with their regimentals had tokens of honor for faithfulness in their work. They were trustworthy young men. SPCCSR 191.2

“These did not go from choice, but because the laws of their nation required this. We gave them a word of encouragement to be found true soldiers of the cross of Christ. Our prayers will follow these young men, that the angels of God may go with them and guard then from every temptation.—Manuscript 33, 1886. (Published in Selected Messages 2:335.) SPCCSR 191.3