Honorable!—It is both honorable and Christian for one to acknowledge an error in word or writing. Contrariwise, it is ignoble and unchristian to hedge and seek to cover a patent mistake. Candid acknowledgment under such circumstances lifts the person involved in the estimation of all whose opinion is worth having.
Danger! —The ever-menacing danger in spiritual work is that we shall drift into doing the things of God in a secular way, relying upon human wisdom, earthly devices and processes, and worldly plans and provisions. Theoretically we rely upon God and spiritual power, but in practice we tend to rest back upon our own efforts and acumen.
Discussion!—Sound, irrefutable conclusions are reached through frank, friendly discussion, wherein one's comrades search his position, bringing to light its weaknesses, confirming its truths, modifying its extremes, and driving the proponent to buttress every point with inescapable evidence and logic, thus to prove every proposition to the satisfaction of others. We need more of that type of group study.
Focal!—The cross is the focal point of time and eternity. The priestly ministry of Christ, the judgment, the second advent, the redemption of the saints, and the final eradication of sin and sinners from the universe, are all based thereon and spring therefrom. Never should the incomparable historic transaction of the cross be minimized in order to. magnify the present wondrous work of priestly mediation of that atoning act. It was on the cross that reconciliation was effected between God and man, that sin's penalty was paid in full through the God-man's vicarious, atoning death, thus constituting the sole ground for all subsequent intercession in the heavenly courts, which applies the benefits won on Calvary.
Impulse!—Too often in committee meetings we act upon impulse, swayed from our own convictions by some one's strong opposition—or perchance, championship of the item under discussion—instead of calm, reasoned judgment and courteous Christian candor in expression of personal though differing convictions. We often, like sheep, follow the lead of the chairman, secretary, or some other dominant personality. There is room for wholesome improvement.
Fitted! —The difficult specifications in a prophetic outline are like the odd pieces in a puzzle picture. Each separate part must find its designated place if a perfect reproduction is to result. If a single piece is forced, whittled to fit, or otherwise arbitrarily adjusted, a perfect picture is hopeless. So also in prophetic demand and historic response. Each and every fact and requirement must match without forcing, else the result is a distortion. We need the patience and persistence of the puzzle lover in solving the remaining enigmas of little blocks of prophecy.
Submergence!—The more we bid for popular recognition and the larger we grow numerically, the greater the tendency to lose the simplicity and distinctiveness inherent and involved in our threefold message. The trend is toward conformity to the ways, dress, habits of Sabbath keeping, dietary, etc., of the world about. But favorable attention sought at the price of submergence of the unpopular but testing phases of present truth will bring a harvest of tragedy.
Plagued! —Apostasy, moral lapse, financial or other perfidy, come periodically to plague or to chasten the church. Thus has it been through the centuries back to the Master's disciple band, and prior to that, through the Mosaic dispensation,—yes, even to Lucifer in the beginning. Institutions or conferences should sympathize rather than criticize when an individual goes "wrong" in a sister organization. We are not independent entities, but parts of one coordinated whole. When one suffers, all suffer in the end.
Institutionalism! —There is the ever-present danger that the glamour that attaches to institutions shall dim the vision of the direct gospel appeal. There is real danger that we shall permit institutionalism to supersede direct evangelism, tying up vast sums of money and occupying the time and thought of a disproportionate number of workers in work that is laudable but less direct. We must preserve the balance.
Returners!—Through the centuries some have separated from the church to become opposers of the faith, and many, alas, never to return. Some, however, seeing their tragic mistake, and confessing their wrongs against the church and its leaders, have returned. They have earnestly sought to counteract the baleful effect of opposing word, act, and influence exerted during the time of disaffection. Such returns bring confusion to remaining opposers, cheer to all who have acquaintance with the past estrangement, and joy to the heavenly intelligences, who yearn over every straying sheep until it returns to the heavenly Shepherd's fold.
L. E. F.