Danger!—There is an ever-persisting danger that in our educational work and concepts we shall, with our marked growth and expansion, shift away from the founding objective of our distinctive school system, which was the specific preparation of our youth for the specific work of giving God's special message of warning and entreaty to a world soon to end. The trend is now, on the part of some, toward that of a general education chiefly to fit for life in this present workaday world. The concept that we are to center much of our time and effort on preparing the bulk of our youth to take their rightful place in the competitive economic structure of today—witnessing to the truth, but economically independent—is a plausible but perilous sophism which will lead to grief if followed. We need most earnestly to study the revealed blueprint anew. We must keep our principal emphasis on the primary objective. We are to plan not for decades and generations to come, but for a quick work—and then translation day. Beware of the spirit of "My Lord delayeth His coming."
Sidelines!—The full-time worker in this cause is engaged to give his entire time, thought, and effort to the interests, problems, and projects of this movement. Like Paul, he should be able to say, "This one thing I do." He cannot of right be dividing his interests and his time on side lines—house building or real-estate speculation, or other projects that cut into his energies and lessen the sum total of his results for God. Whether or not these actually augment his income, such a procedure—drafting upon time and strength—is unethical and unfair to the vast majority of his associates who have dedicated their full energies to the cause, conscientiously eschewing all side lines. Definite disapproval by our worker body should be registered as a deterrent to the occasional transgressor.
Veracity!—Fidelity to the facts of truth should characterize every telling of the story of the truth's advances. And this principle of veracity includes in a preeminent sense the recital of missionary experiences. Sometimes—though it is not at all general—visitors to a mission field, and occasionally missionaries themselves, have, upon return to the home bases, told of advances that have greatly astonished other workers on furlough from those very scenes, because of the material enlargement upon the facts. The reaction from exaggeration and distortion is decidedly unfavorable, not only upon others, but upon one's own soul. And aside from results, the procedure is inconsistent and wrong in and of itself. We are to tell the truth truthfully. God is never glorified by misrepresentation. Let the facts tell their eloquent story.
Banalities!—A random survey of the words in a group of anthems, such as frequently are sung by our larger church choirs, will often reveal an utterly message-less and non-Adventist content. In some instances they are little better than "vain repetition." Others disclose a Roman Catholic slant, or at least a distorted theology in the lyric. The score, too, is frequently of the distinctively liturgical and occasionally Catholic motif. These alien elements in anthems ought never to obtrude into the worship of Seventh-day Adventists. We are not to trifle with the banalities of Babylon. Many of the complicated anthems have but little more than an esthetic appeal. The interest is drawn toward the rendition rather than the message, which is contrary to the very purpose and spirit of true worship in song. "Specials" that are consonant with this message should have an exalted simplicity and a heart appeal that lift the soul toward God. They are not to entertain or to dazzle with their brilliance. They should be but transparent mediums to voice the unspoken needs of the congregation —spirit-born aspirations and heartfelt praise toward the Maker and Redeemer of all. Let us ever watch our choir music, for it is the savor either of life unto life, or of death unto death.
Plagiarism!—Occasionally some worker indulges in the unethical procedure of taking another's production,—an article or sermon report,--modifying it slightly, and reprinting it for local distribution over his own signature in connection with his own meetings. Such a course, call it what you will, is none other than plagiarism. The fact that it is employed in a Christian cause to win souls does not make right and proper a clear violation of recognized literary ethics and moral principle. Such acts doubtless spring from carelessness, thoughtlessness, or unfamiliarity with this common law of literary usage. In any event, it should be banned among all heralds of righteousness, truth, and justice.
L. E. F.
