Supreme!—Our allotted work will not be finished by clever plans or frenzied activities. It will not be consummated by overflowing coffers nor by lavish human talents. Rather, it will be by the outpouring "latter rain" of the Spirit in this time of the "latter rain." This constitutes our supreme need and should be our supreme quest. This is our great challenge personally, as a body of workers and as a movement. There are wheels, and multiplied wheels within wheels. But we need the Spirit surcharging all to a degree that matches our increasing needs and our expanding facilities. There is intensive motion and activity. It is not, however, in earthquake or whirlwind, but in the still small voice speaking to the soul that our hope lies.
Crucial!—There come to every denomination hours when unavoidable decision must be made as to whether it will go on to perfection, advancing with unfolding, expanding truth, in harmony with its divinely appointed nature; or whether it will drive its stakes and say, "Thus far and no farther," and proceed to codify its positions and to account truth a static thing. The far-reaching import of such a decision hour will probably not be sensed at the time, but will nevertheless mark the• dividing line between Heaven-designed progression and earth-devised stagnation. Often there is a sharp clash between the two conceptions, and the conflicting attitudes that ensue. And often the future course of the church is determined, and its very destiny involved, in some issue that appears unannounced, and ofttimes uninvited.
Candor!—The candor of the Bible is one of its distinguishing marks of divine origin and wisdom. The sins of Moses, of David, of Peter —these, and many others, have been read to the admonition of the multitudes through the centuries. It is true that atheist, infidel, and critic have brazenly exploited them from of old. But God had a fundamental purpose in their recording, the carrying out of which begets confidence in the Bible and its Author. Had we been writing the history of the past, and biographical notes on those men of God, we would doubtless have omitted or softened the sordid, distasteful episodes, lest others stumble over and misjudge the followers of God by them. We do it today. It is well that God did not leave the content of the Inspired Book to human discretion. His ways are always better, truer, more candid than ours. Hiding facts breeds distrust. It is the forthright honesty and candor of God's word that begets confidence in His power and His grace to transform.
Honesty!—He is not honest who continues to repeat as truth what he comes to find is at variance with truth. If he refuses to swing into alignment with truth, he becomes a subverter of truth, violating both its spirit and its letter. Following such a course, neither can he respect himself, nor can others have confidence in his moral integrity. He who blindly or obstinately reiterates a disproved point, argument, or date simply because it has been accepted without investigation in the past, or was early put into print,—contending that some soul might be confused or discouraged by the correction,—has thereby missed his way by fatuous reasoning. It is refusal to rectify at such a juncture that shakes confidence, and that more seriously than some are wont to think. Let men close their lips concerning the traditions or inaccuracies blindly or tenaciously held by others if they refuse to correct their Own.
Associates!—It is a wholesome practice for every worker to spend time frequently in association with those who have had as much—and preferably more—in training, experience, or achievement than he, and whose knowledge or attainment he genuinely respects. It adds to one's information and stimulates to achievement. It safeguards against misconception or bias. It aids in keeping a level head and in holding a steady course. It helps, or should help, to keep one humble. The man who stands alone at the top of a pyramid of his fellows is apt to become giddy, to lose his balance, or to become egotistical and domineering. Such association will help him to avoid the "big head," and to retain his balance. After all; the committee form of church government is a wise safeguard in our work. The one-man decision, while it has seeming advantages—particularly of speed—has many drawbacks that counteract its advantages.
Negligence!—Woe to the minister who receives the name of an interested person, one persuaded of truth as held by Seventh-day Adventists, and desiring Bible studies, but who months later admits he has not even been near the inquirer! In the case of an officer of the State, gross negligence or malfeasance in office would be the term applied for failure to carry out his sworn commission. Yet it is a much more serious, yes, fearful thing, for a spiritual guide to neglect souls standing at the parting of the ways, seeking the kingdom of God. We are glad that such strictures are but rarely applicable, for most of our men are only too eager to follow up every possible clue that may lead souls to Christ.
L. E. F.
