We Face the Dawn
Farewell, old year, and welcome, new! The one is history; the other is- an opening opportunity. The one records achievements, and failures; the other presents a summoning challenge and a gladsome privilege. For our successes let us humbly give God the glory; from our failures let us learn the needful lessons. Then let us lift our heads and rededicate our lives, for we face the dawn, the day of God's power. May 1929 be a year of personal growth in grace, and glorified service in hastening our Lord's return, is the prayerful New Year's wish of Your Association Secretaries.
The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit
In the Bible Echo of Nov. 15, 1893, there appeared an article by Mrs. E. G. White, in which the doctrine of the Holy Spirit is brought to view in a manner which impels serious reflection. As this periodical is not generally available to our workers, and in view of the fact that just at this time through the Reading Course study, ministers and conference workers are giving special thought to the subject of the power, personality, and work of the. Holy Spirit, a brief quotation from the article is presented as follows:
" In the teachings of Christ, the doctrine of the Holy Spirit is made prominent. What a vast theme is this for contemplation and encouragement! What treasures of truth did He add to the knowledge of His disciples in His instruction concerning the Holy Spirit, the Comforter! He dwelt upon this theme in order to console His disciples in the great trial they were soon to experience, that they might be cheered in their great disappointment. He said: ' These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, 'which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.'
" The world's Redeemer sought to bring to the hearts of the sorrowing disciples the strongest solace. But from a large field of subjects, He chose the theme of the Holy Spirit, which was to inspire and comfort their hearts. And yet, though Christ made much of this theme-concerning the Holy- Spirit, how little is it dwelt upon in the churches! The name and presence of the Holy Spirit are almost ignored; yet the divine influence is essential in the work of perfecting the Christian character. Some are not at peace, not at rest; they are in a state of constant fretfulness, and permit impulse and passion to rule their hearts. They know not what it means to experience peace and rest in Christ. They are as a ship without anchor, driven with the wind and tossed. But those whose minds are controlled by the Holy Spirit walk in humility and meekness; for they work in Christ's lines, and will be kept in perfect peace, while those who are- not controlled by the Holy Spirit are like the restless sea."
How we have neglected this fundamental truth of the doctrine of the Holy Spirit! How can we as ministers experience the success we should in our work while giving the blessed Holy Spirit such a small place in both life and service? How can our dear people rise to the plane of joyous, victorious living while they know so little of the Spirit's presence and power? If, from a large field of subjects, Christ " chose the theme of the Holy Spirit," can we rightly consider any other theme more vital than this?
In my recent study of this theme I have been greatly blessed. It has clarified my vision regarding the problem of the finishing of our work; it has made union with Christ, our Source of wisdom, righteousness, and power, appear more essential and real than it has ever seemed to me before. We reach the Father only through His Son; we reach the Son only through the Holy Spirit; only by the Holy Spirit do the Father and the Son dwell in us. What emphasis, then, should be put upon the command to be " filled with the Spirit."
We must not drift from this vital message of the power, personality, and work of the Holy Spirit. It furnishes the key for deliverance from our sad, perilous situation, and points out the way of advance. First, there must come a revival of true godliness, accompanied by suitable reformation; second, a filling with the Spirit, even the latter rain in a mighty empowering for personal victory through righteousness and true holiness; third, the " loud cry " of the third angel's message, increasing in volume and extent through the preaching of present truth for the hour in demonstration of the Holy Spirit's power; and fourth, the sealing of sin-cleansed, righteousness-filled saints, and then the glorious translation.
We must preach repentance with a power that will convict and convert hearts, and this power is available only through the infilling of the Holy Spirit. How often we have read, " The presence of the Spirit with God's workers will give the proclamation of truth a power that not all the honor or glory of the world could give," and yet how little this has actually meant to us! " The work of the Holy Spirit is immeasurably great. It is from this source that power and efficiency come to the worker for God; and the Holy Spirit is the Comforter, as the personal presence of Christ to the soul." This greatest gift which Heaven could bestow upon the heralds of the gospel is freely offered. " As you empty the heart of self, you must accept the righteousness of Christ. . . . If you open the door of the heart, Jesus will supply the vacuum by the gift of His Spirit."
Truly " we need the Pentecostal energy. This will come; for the Lord has promised to send His Spirit as the all-conquering power." " Morning by morning, as the heralds of the gospel kneel before the Lord and renew their vows of consecration to Him, He will grant them the presence of His Spirit, with its reviving, sanctifying power. As they go forth to the day's duties, they have the assurance that the unseen agency of the holy Spirit enables them to be laborers together with God.'"
With such assurance uppermost in our mind, with full and complete compliance with all conditions, we enter upon a new year of vast opportunity and of marvelous results.
A. G. Daniells.
Auckland, New Zealand.
