Australasian Union Conference Record
April 1, 1904
Danger in Speculative Knowledge - Part 3
A Renewal of The Straight Testimony
The Lord calls for a renewal of the straight testimony borne in years past. He calls for a revival of spiritual life. The spiritual energies of His people have long been torpid, but there is to be a resurrection from apparent death. AUCR April 1, 1904, par. 1
By prayer and confession of sin we must clear the King’s highway. As we do this, the power of the Spirit will come to us. We need the Pentecostal energy. This will come; for the Lord has promised to send His Spirit as the all-conquering power. AUCR April 1, 1904, par. 2
Perilous times are before us. Everyone who has a knowledge of the truth should awake, and place himself, body, soul, and spirit, under the discipline of God. The enemy is on our track. We must be wide awake, on our guard against him. We must put on the whole armor of God. We must follow the directions given through the Spirit of Prophecy. We must love and obey the truth for this time. This will save us from accepting strong delusions. God has spoken to us through His Word. He has spoken to us through the “Testimonies” to the church, and through the books that have helped to make plain our present, duty and the position that we should now occupy. The warnings that have been given, line upon line, precept, upon precept, should be heeded. If we disregard them, what excuse can we offer? AUCR April 1, 1904, par. 3
I beseech those who are laboring for God not to accept the spurious for the genuine. Let not human reason be placed where divine, sanctifying truth should be. Christ is waiting to kindle faith and love in the hearts of His people. Let not erroneous theories receive countenance from the people who ought to be standing firm on the platform of eternal truth. God calls upon us to hold firmly to the fundamental principles that are based upon unquestionable authority. AUCR April 1, 1904, par. 4
Seek The First Love
Into the hearts of many who have been long in the truth there has entered a hard, judicial spirit. They are sharp, critical, fault-finding. They have climbed upon the judgment seat to pronounce sentence upon those who do not conform to -their ideas. God calls upon them to come down, and bow before Him in repentance, confessing their sins. He says to them: “I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast -left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.” They are striving for the first place, and by their words and acts they make many hearts sore. AUCR April 1, 1904, par. 5
Against this spirit, and against the false religion of sentimentalism, which is equally dangerous, I bear my warning. Take heed, brethren and sisters. Who is your leader, — Christ, or the- angel that fell from heaven ? Examine yourselves, and know whether you are sound in the faith. AUCR April 1, 1904, par. 6
The Word of God Our Safe-Guard
Our watchword, is to be, “To the law and to the testimony ; if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” We have a Bible full of the most precious knowledge. The Scriptures, given by inspiration of God, are profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. Take the Bible as your, study-book. All can understand its instruction. AUCR April 1, 1904, par. 7
I call upon our ministers, physicians, and all church members to study the lessons that Christ gave His disciples just before His ascension. These lessons contain instruction that the people need. AUCR April 1, 1904, par. 8
Eternal life is obtained only by eating the flesh and drinking the blood of the Son of God. “Verily, verily, I say unto you,” Christ declared, “He that believeth on Me hath everlasting life. ... I am the living bread which came down from heaven ; if any man eat of this bread, he shall, live forever ; and the bread that.I will give is My flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. . . Whoso eateth My flesh, and drinketh My blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is meat indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He that eateth My flesh, and drinlceth My blood, dwelleth in Me, and I in him. . . . It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing; the words that I speak nnto you, they are spirit, and they are, life.” AUCR April 1, 1904, par. 9
Christ calls upon His people to believe and practise His word. Those who receive and assimilate this word, making it a part of every action, of every attribute of character, will grow strong in the strength of God. It will be seen that their faith is of heavenly origin. They will not wander into strange paths. Their minds will not turn to a religion of sentimentalism- and excitement. Before angels and before men, they will stand as those who have strong, consistent Christian characters. AUCR April 1, 1904, par. 10
In the golden censer of truth as presented in Christ's teachings, we have that which will convict and convert souls. Present, in the simplicity of Christ, the truths that He came-to this world to proclaim, and the power of your message will make itself felt. Do not present theories or tests that Christ has never mentioned, and that have no foundation in the Bible. We have grand, solemn truths to present. “It is written,” is the test that must be brought home to every soul. AUCR April 1, 1904, par. 11
Men may still learn the things that belong to their peace. Mercy's voice may still be heard calling, “Come unto Me, 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 light.” It is only when spiritual life is given, that rest is found, and lasting good secured. We must be able to say, in storm and tempest, “My anchor holds.” AUCR April 1, 1904, par. 12
Let us go to the Word of God for guidance. Let us seek for a “Thus saith the Lord.” We have had enough of human methods. A mind trained only in worldly science fails to understand the things of God; but this same mind, converted and sanctified, will see the divine power in the word. Only the mind and heart cleansed by the sanctification of the Spirit can discern heavenly things. AUCR April 1, 1904, par. 13
Brethren, in the name of the Lord I call upon you to awake to your duty. Let your hearts be yielded to the power of the Holy Spirit, and they will be made susceptible to the teaching of the word. Then you will be able to discern the deep things of God. AUCR April 1, 1904, par. 14
May God bring His people under the deep movings of His Spirit. May He lead them to arouse, to see their peril, arid to prepare for what is coming upon the earth. AUCR April 1, 1904, par. 15
Mrs. E. G. White