The Review and Herald
July 20, 1905
Lessons From the First Epistle of John
[A talk at the General Conference by Mrs. E. G. White, May 25, 1905.]
(Concluded.)
“He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.” RH July 20, 1905, par. 1
We are not to watch for an opportunity to find fault, if a brother does not speak exactly as we wish him to speak. Perhaps God does not want him to speak as you want him to. His words may cut you to the quick, but even then you are not at liberty to find fault. The talent of speech was given to us that we might speak, not words of faultfinding, but words of counsel, words of encouragement, words of reproof. Because we are not to find fault, this does not mean that we are to pass by things that are wrong, without saying a word. If you see one doing wrong, go right to him, and tell him his fault in the way outlined in the Scriptures. In the meekness of Christ tell him the truth, and you may save his soul from death. But if you gloss over the mistakes, leaving those who have made them to think that they have done nothing wrong, you must share in the punishment, because you were unfaithful to your trust. RH July 20, 1905, par. 2
If we desire to see the King in his beauty, we must here behave worthily. We must outgrow our childishness. When provocation comes, let us be silent. There are times when silence is eloquence. We are to reveal the patience and kindness and forbearance that will make us worthy of being called sons and daughters of God. We are to trust him, and believe on him, and rely upon him. We are to follow in Christ's steps. “If any man will come after me,” he says, “let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” “So shall he be my disciple.” It may be a heavy cross to keep silent when you ought to. It may be a painful discipline; but let me assure you that silence does much more to overcome evil than a storm of angry words. RH July 20, 1905, par. 3
Here in this world we are to learn what we must be in order to have a place in the heavenly courts. We are to learn the lessons that Christ desires to teach us, that we may be prepared to be taken to the higher school in the courts above, where the Saviour will lead us beside the river of life, explaining to us many things that here we could not comprehend, and teaching us of the mysteries of God. There we shall see the glory of God as we have never seen it here. We get but a glimpse of the glory now, because we do not follow on to know the Lord. RH July 20, 1905, par. 4
John writes, “And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.” RH July 20, 1905, par. 5
Talk it, pray it, sing it, and remember that you must eat of the leaves of the tree of life here in this world, if you would know the healing power of the grace of God. When words are spoken that tempt you to feel provoked, ask the Lord Jesus to give you a taste of the healing brought by the tree of life. Get your mind on some subject of eternal interest, and it will be easy for you to keep still when you ought to keep still, and to speak when you ought to speak. RH July 20, 1905, par. 6
“I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake. I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one.” RH July 20, 1905, par. 7
Are you not glad, young men, that this word of encouragement has been spoken to you? O, what a grand work is this,—to overcome the folly and wickedness that prevails in our world! Young men, God will watch over you, and will give you strength, if you will put on every piece of the armor, and be ready to resist the tempter when he seeks to lead you astray. We are striving for heaven, for a life that measures with the life of God. Keep your eyes fixed on the Author and Finisher of your faith. RH July 20, 1905, par. 8
“I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.” RH July 20, 1905, par. 9
“Because ye are strong.” Do not spend your time reading magazines and novels. Read your Bible. You have many temptations to meet and overcome. You have a great truth to proclaim. Only by a constant study of the Word of God can you gain the strength needed for this work. Put novel reading out of your lives. You have none too much time in which to gain an understanding of what saith the Scriptures. The Lord wants the young men in his cause to stand where they are worthy of being entrusted with sacred responsibilities. RH July 20, 1905, par. 10
Do not encourage any appetite for stimulants. Eat only plain, simple, wholesome food, and thank God constantly for the principles of health reform. In all things be true and upright, and you will gain precious victories. RH July 20, 1905, par. 11
Remember that you can not overcome the wicked one unless you have on every piece of the armor. Do not be turned away from the truth by supposition or sophistry. If you once allow Satan to tamper with your mind, you will find that it is not easy to break away from him. But if you confess your sins before God, and take hold of his power, sophistry will have no power over you. RH July 20, 1905, par. 12
“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.” There is a great work before us. There are cities to be warned. If you go forth into the work accompanied by the grace of God, success will attend your efforts. The power of heaven will be with you. The righteousness of Christ will go before you, and the glory of God will be your rearward. Let us thank God that provision has been made for every emergency. We can take hold of Christ's righteousness, pleading with him to cleanse us from all iniquity. RH July 20, 1905, par. 13
“For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.” He has carried on a faithful warfare against the enemy. He has built himself up in the most holy faith. RH July 20, 1905, par. 14
“Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.” RH July 20, 1905, par. 15
Brethren and sisters, at all hazards we must hold fast to the truth. I am so glad that it is not yet too late for wrongs to be righted. I am so grateful for all the precious promises given us, that we may have courage and faith and hope, and that we may stand firm on the platform of eternal truth. RH July 20, 1905, par. 16
There is one thing that I want to ask those assembled at this conference to do: pray earnestly for the blessing of the Lord. I am glad to know that you are having early morning meetings. These meetings are of the highest value. Every time you come together at one of these meetings, lay your hearts open before God, and do not be afraid that your experience will be spoiled if you make confession. Take the stumbling-blocks out of the way. May God give us light that will clear away everything which would prevent us from having that love for one another which we should have. RH July 20, 1905, par. 17
I want you to pray that God will give me strength; for I have received instruction from the Lord, and I want to give it to you. And pray also for yourselves. We want to see the glory of God at this meeting. May he help you to press to the light. RH July 20, 1905, par. 18