Team work!—Some work well alone, but have difficulty in teaming up with associate workers. They are individualists by inclination, and sometimes by cultivation. But .in "the army of the Lord," as with armies of the nations, success depends upon merging our efforts for common achievement and united results. We must work together with man and with God.
Preconceptions!—There is danger that we, the avowed expositors of prophecy, shall attempt to forecast the course of prophetic fulfillment, and by having our eyes fixed on the course anticipated, shall fail to recognize the actual accomplishment of the divine prediction. This we cannot afford to do. Our own safety, and the effectiveness of our witness to the world, depend upon the open mind, the honest heart, and the courageous spirit.
Sin!—The sense of sin is passing from multitudes. Continual indulgence in iniquity has so blunted the moral perceptions that transgression no longer shocks and alarms the soul. That is one of the damning effects of sin. There rests upon us responsibility for proclaiming the divine standard which remains unchanged. We must cry aloud and spare not in disclosing the appalling breakdown of restraints that have deterred in the past. The sin problem must remain the vivid issue, and full redemption its blessed antidote.
Prophecy!—It is regrettable that depreciative words are occasionally uttered concerning some limitation noticeable in the prophetic expositions of Uriah Smith. This is most unbecoming. A pioneer in systematic prophetic interpretation, his labors stand as an imperishable monument despite their limitations. They were not faultless, but they constituted a masterful contribution in the field, and his name is revered by all thoughtful students of prophecy in this movement. Some phases of latter-day prophetic fulfillment had not developed to the place where certain features could be discerned in his day. The test of time had not then accomplished its corrective work upon details. But assuredly divine help was given him, and denominationally we shall ever be justly proud of the record left. So venerating the past, we press on to confirm all truth, to enlarge our understanding, and to recognize the final developments in prophetic fulfillment. This calls for certain adjustments and enlargements in exposition, and Uriah Smith would doubtless have been among the first to make them were he living today, and had access to the information now available.
Sustain!—Sympathy and not censure should mark our public allusions to those who bear the responsibilities of state throughout the world in these strange days when a baffling haze obscures the pathway out of present involvements. With the very foundations of nations crumbling, and a power from beneath casting a fatal spell over mankind, tragic the lot of those who guide the destiny of nations today. No wonder men are in the grip of fear. Despair would fill our own hearts if our vision had not been opened to see the coming Deliverer. We should pray for our rulers.
Modesty!—The true scholar is modest and humble. Real students and investigators sense the painful limitations and incompleteness of human knowledge. They realize that finite man knows only "in part." They recognize the illimitable reaches of fact and information lying beyond the wisest of men. It is only the superficial and arrogant who, having made a little skit into the realm of research, feel themselves competent to dogmatize upon the deep things of theology, history, or science. For our own sakes, and especially for the fair name of the cause we love, let us remember our own limitations, and cultivate humility.
Limitations! —IT is wholesome frankly and frequently to confess that there are many things in both the Bible and the Testimonies which we do not yet understand. Even inspired apostles studied diligently to fathom the deep things of God, as recorded in Sacred Writings. For one to assume to understand or answer every problem that arises, weakens instead of inspires confidence, so far as the informed and thoughtful are concerned, in both his judgment and his conclusions. Honest admission of human limitations creates confidence in the minister's honesty and sincerity. It constitutes a testimonial to his integrity of character.
Fitted!—It does not follow, that because a man has forsaken all to follow Jesus, and labors at a ministerial wage, he is therefore above question as to spiritual fitness for leadership. Peter, James, John, and the other disciples had done this when they responded to their call. But Peter was unconverted until after the betrayal and repudiation. And James and John were political strugglers for position until after Christ's ascension. It is not unfair to interrogate a worker's spiritual condition, for he is responsible for the condition of the people. Rather, committees are recreant if they do not. God make us all converted preachers.
L. E. F
