Recognition!—A weak man may for a time ride on the momentum created by a strong predecessor, seemingly without much effort, and so sometimes eliciting a comparison unfavorable to the hard-working predecessor. Thus the idea gains currency that "no man is indispensable," as matters seem to be going forward about as strongly and flourishingly as before the change. Superficial thinking! How would the momentum have been gained or the sturdy structure have been upbuilt had there been a little man in responsibility at the time? Let us not derogate the labors of a giant in energy, foresight, and ingenuity to accommodate the sincere but constricted efforts of the average man. Let us give honor to whom honor is due and recognition to the labors of the strong.
Extremism!—Nothing so sets back the cause of spiritual advance as an outbreak of extremism. A man may be cold, legal, spiritless; but if he be informed, logical, and efficient, little will usually be said or done about his lack. He will, by not a few, be denominated "safe." But let him become an enthusiast, and the hot cry of "danger!" or "fanaticism!" is sure to be raised. And there is danger, very real danger, when enthusiasm goes beyond its proper bounds. Yet who is to say that enthusiasm's fire is so much worse than no fire at all? One extreme is as disastrous as the other. Ours is primarily a spiritual work. Therefore, our supreme need, as laborers, is true spiritual enduement from above. Instances of regrettable extremism must not deter the rest of us from seeking the true supply for this greatest and most obvious need. Let us pray for rain in this time of the latter rain.
License!—True freedom is a beautiful, heaven-born thing, embracing life's noblest impulses and expressing its highest concepts. Liberty of soul is, of course, its supreme manifestation, and is therefore dear to every Seventh-day Adventist. But soul liberty is subject to incessant attack, both by subtle temptation and through open assault. It is marked for constant misunderstanding, misrepresentation, and abuse. Indulgence seeks ceaselessly for secret refuge under her wings, and license parades brazenly beneath her ensign. Freedom from restraint and indulgence of carnal appetites are not manifestations of true liberty, but of that false thing that wriggled out of the pit. License, intellectual or physical, is the devil's counterfeit of liberty. This vicious perversion will, if countenanced, wreck all spiritual life, and eventually ruin the soul. Examples are not hard to find. Among them are the mighty who have fallen.
Ecclesiasticism!—We had occasion recently to visit one of the leading liberal theological seminaries of America. With magnificent appointments of Gothic design, the stately cloisters were beautifully impressive. Even the hardware on the doors was in the ecclesiastical form of a cross. The rich marble halls and costly, winding staircases enhanced the picture. Those connected with the institution were most courteous and helpful. Remarkably well informed, they discoursed learnedly upon historical theology and modern "isms"—into which category Seventh-day Adventists are allocated. There was an atmosphere of keen intellectualism, of critical appraisement, of scientific aloofness—a detachedness from the vital, throbbing issues of redemption swinging toward their close and consummation. The word "Ichabod" —"the glory is departed"—could not be kept from my mind. It rang in my ears. It peered at me from the very walls. Here was a name to live, but death! Destructive criticism abounded about the religion of the Jews, the Christian faith, and the Holy Book for both. But there was no life, no message, no vision, no resemblance to God's message for the hour. Babylon is indeed fallen! We are to call out from her the honest ones.
Concealment!—The dissemination of historic facts is the surest way of maintaining confidence in any historic point that by its very nature can be substantiated only by knowledge of the full body of facts. Contrariwise, any reticence or concealment concerning the facts, however sincere and high-minded the intent, invites inescapable questioning. Perhaps wholly unjustified, nevertheless restriction of information to which all are entitled creates the suspicion, either concealed or expressed, that there is something that cannot be known without loss of confidence. Obviously, therefore, confidence maintained by such procedure is but false confidence, destined, if continued, to end in a crash. The concept that only a few elect souls can with propriety have acquaintance with all available source evidence, is basically unsound. Intelligence is not confined to a few. Let in the light, and it will banish darkness. Spread abroad the facts, and they will dispel misconception, misunderstanding, rumor, and distortion. Truth has nothing to fear. If it had, it would not be truth. Partially concealed truths are but half truths that can only satisfy some for a time, and others not at all, Concealment is the greatest enemy of truth, which in its very nature is open, frank, transparent. Let the full facts be known.
L. E. F.
