The Review and Herald
March 9, 1911
A Study of Principles—No. 1
Duty to Enlighten the People
D. E. Robinson
The following is a compilation from the writings of Mrs. E. G. White regarding our treatment of opponents, the crisis that will come on account of the enforcement of unrighteous laws, and the duty of Seventh-day Adventists to do all in their power to avert the crisis and to enlighten the people regarding the issue. The following principles have a vital bearing on this subject, and have through the years been advocated by Mrs. White: RH March 9, 1911, par. 1
1. It is the duty of all who know the truths of the third angel's message to labor in every way possible to teach the binding claims of the law of God to friends, neighbors, and the people generally. RH March 9, 1911, par. 2
2. Great care should be exercised not to arouse bitterness or unnecessary prejudice, that would cut us off from influencing those for whom we labor. We are warned against making harsh or denunciatory statements regarding opponents of truth, or against rulers and statesmen; and we are advised “to conform in all things to the laws of the state,” even to the extent of waiving some of our rights, “when we can do so without conflicting with the law of God.” RH March 9, 1911, par. 3
3. In our work, we are to watch for special opportunities to do effective labor. When the minds of the people are agitated regarding Sunday laws, it is an opportune time to enlighten them concerning the principles involved. We are to teach in a positive way the binding claims of God's law, rather than to attack or denounce men, some of whom may be acting conscientiously, and possibly are susceptible to the truth, if it is presented in a winning way. RH March 9, 1911, par. 4
4. There are special advantages pertaining to the use of Sunday as a day for general missionary effort in behalf of those who should be warned of the impending crisis. RH March 9, 1911, par. 5
5. In the final crisis, the issue will be not merely in regard to refraining from labor on Sunday, but it will be over the disregard of the Sabbath. In Mrs. White's writings on this subject, almost invariably it is pointed out that the issue will be over the exaltation of the spurious, and the trampling upon the Sabbath of Jehovah. RH March 9, 1911, par. 6
It is believed that as these points are made clear by the writings of the Spirit of Prophecy, Seventh-day Adventists will appreciate more highly the teaching found in “Testimonies for the Church,” Volume IX, regarding our methods of labor when Sunday laws are being rigidly enforced. RH March 9, 1911, par. 7
In the summer of 1886, several of our brethren were arrested in the southern states for Sunday labor. In Maryland and Massachusetts, also, the Sunday laws were enforced against Seventh-day Adventists. Elder G. I. Butler, who was at that time president of the General Conference, wrote to Mrs. White, asking for her counsel regarding the duty of our people in the crisis that then seemed to be coming upon them. The following was written in reply: RH March 9, 1911, par. 8
“You inquire in regard to the course that should be pursued to secure to our people the right to worship God according to the dictates of their own conscience. This subject has been a burden on my soul for some time, whether to take such a course of action as you suggest would be a denial of our faith, and an evidence that our trust was not fully in God. But I call to mind many things God has shown me in the past in regard to the draft, and other things of a similar character. RH March 9, 1911, par. 9
“I can speak in the fear of God and say, It is right that we should use every power we have to avert the pressure that is being brought to bear upon our people. Were our people spiritualized by the truth, they would exercise love toward all men, and great care not to provoke those who have accepted as the Sabbath a spurious institution introduced by the Papacy to take the place of God's holy Sabbath. The fact that they do not have the Bible argument in their favor, makes them all the more angry and determined to supply the lack of argument by the power of their might.... RH March 9, 1911, par. 10
“Everything in God's world—men and doctrines, and nature itself—is fulfilling God's sure word of prophecy, and accomplishing his grand and closing work in this world's history. We are to be ready, and waiting for the orders of God. Nations will be stirred to their very center. Support will be withdrawn from those who proclaim God's law as the only standard of righteousness, the only sure test of character. And all who will not bow to the decree of the national councils, and obey the national laws to exalt the Sabbath instituted by the man of sin, to the disregard of God's holy day, will feel not only the oppressive power of the Papacy, but the oppression of the Protestant world, who will seek to enforce the worship of the image of the beast.” RH March 9, 1911, par. 11
From another manuscript, written in Europe about the same time, we take the following instruction, pointing out our duty to enlighten the minds of the people, and speaking of the special opportunities to do this when the Sunday question is brought before the public: RH March 9, 1911, par. 12
“While Satan has been making a success of his plans, the people of God have failed at their post. God had an earnest work for them to do for the honor of his law. The religious liberties of the people are at stake; and yet the watchmen failed to discern clearly the deceptions of the enemy, and to give the trumpet a certain sound.... RH March 9, 1911, par. 13
“There are many who are at ease, asleep as it were. They say, If prophecy has foretold the enforcement of Sunday observance, the law will surely be enacted. And having come to this conclusion, they sit down in calm expectation of the event, comforting themselves with the thought that God will protect his people in the day of trouble. RH March 9, 1911, par. 14
“But God will not save us if we make no effort to do the work he has committed to our charge. We must be found faithfully at our posts, watching as valiant soldiers, lest Satan shall gain an advantage which it is our duty to prevent. We should diligently study the Word of God, and pray in faith that God will restrain the powers of darkness; for as yet the message has gone to comparatively few, and the world is to be lightened with its glory. The present truth regarding the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus has not yet been sounded as it must be. There are many almost within the shadow of our own doors for whose salvation no personal effort has been made. RH March 9, 1911, par. 15
“We are not prepared for the time when our work must close. We must take a firm stand that we will not reverence the first day of the week as the Sabbath, for it is not the day that was blessed and sanctified by Jehovah, and in reverencing Sunday we would place ourselves on the side of the great deceiver. The controversy over Sunday observance will open the subject to the people, and an opportunity will be given to present the claims of the genuine Sabbath .... RH March 9, 1911, par. 16
“There are many who, if they understood the spirit and the result of religious legislation, would not do anything to forward in the least the movement for Sunday observance. The world is overborne with falsehood and iniquity, and those whom God has made the depositaries of his law and of the pure religion of Jesus, must be determined to let their light shine. If they do nothing to disabuse the minds of the people, and through ignorance of the truth our legislators should abjure the principles of Protestantism and give countenance and support to the Roman fallacy, enforcing allegiance to the spurious sabbath, God will hold his people, who have had great light, responsible for their lack of diligence and faithfulness. But if the subject of religious legislation is judiciously and intelligently laid before the people, and they see that through Sunday enforcement, the Roman apostasy would be re-enacted by the Christian world, and that the tyranny of past ages would be repeated, then whatever comes, we shall have done our duty. RH March 9, 1911, par. 17
“The man of sin has thought to change times and laws. By trying to compel the conscience, he is exalting himself above God. But God's people should work with persevering energy to let the true light in regard to the law shine upon the people, and thus to withstand the enemies of God and his truth. When the law of God has been made void, and apostasy becomes a national sin, the Lord will work in behalf of his people. Their extremity will be his opportunity. He will manifest his power on behalf of his church.... RH March 9, 1911, par. 18
“As faithful watchmen we should see the sword coming, and give the warning, that men and women may not pursue a course through ignorance that they would avoid if they knew the truth. The Lord has enlightened us in regard to what is coming upon the earth, that we may enlighten others, and we shall not be held guiltless if we are content to sit at ease with folded hands, and quibble over matters of minor importance.... RH March 9, 1911, par. 19
“The people must not be left to stumble their way along in darkness, not knowing what is before them, and unprepared for the great issues that are coming. There is a work to be done for this time in fitting a people to stand in the day of trouble, and all must act their part in this work. They must be clothed with the righteousness of Christ, and be so fortified by the truth that the delusions of Satan shall not be accepted by them as genuine manifestations of the power of God.” RH March 9, 1911, par. 20
Sanitarium, Cal.