Editorial Postscripts

Adaptation!—He who is wise will accommodate his evangelistic methods to different conditions for the duration of the war. The upheaval in auto transportation, the stag­gered and longer hours of war work, and the intensity of concentrated effort all have one central message for us—we must accommodate our ways of working and our methods of evan­gelism to changed conditions. We must reach the people through adapted methods. Some have failed to do this and are bewildered and distressed because former methods are not bringing former results. Some are expending large sums of money for publicity and are exerting almost frenzied effort to get war workers out to evangelistic meetings five nights a week, but are failing. If, because of emergency conditions, people cannot come to us, we must go to them. That has been imperative in other countries. Let us be alert enough to keep pace with the altered times and circumstances.

Limitations!—A strange con­ception obtains with some—that appointment to official position automatically confers wisdom; that membership on some committee, commis­sion, or board conveys specialized knowledge and judgment on ministerial, sanitarium, col­lege, or publishing house matters. One does not suddenly become a financial, institutional, editorial, musical, evangelistic, pastoral, de­partmental, administrative, theological, or peda­gogical expert, as the case may be. Knowledge comes by study, travel, aptitude, experience, observation, and the exchange of information. And specialized knowledge comes only through prolonged, intensive and extensive application, coupled with natural gifts and aptitudes. Some never will become expert in finance, writing, musicianship, or linguistics. They haven't the bent. If they are wise, they will not attempt to pose or function as experts in lines outside their range.

Music!—There are some who advocate sending our youth to Babylon's schools of sacred music for training in the presentation of her best music in our churches and for music directing in the popular churches of the world. But such counsel is fraught with peril. What rightful place have Adventists in adorning the music of the churches of Babylon? Or what concord hath the remnant church with the mu­sical motifs of Babylon? We cannot safely clasp hands with Babylon in this field any more than in doctrine. Her concepts of truth are perverted, her songs pertaining to the kingdom of God are wholly misconceived, her phrasings concerning the second coming of Christ are built upon a misapprehension—that of His com­ing to dwell among men in this present world. Time is too short and the issues are too funda­mental for compromise. Our mandate is to call the honest in heart out of the ranks of Babylon, not to lull them to sleep within her pale or to receive her principles and practices into our church. The advent ministry should sound a clear note in such matters.

Critical!—We as workers have become exceedingly critical of each other. We criticize our presidents, our evangelists, our teachers, our editors, our research workers, our institutions, and our Autumn Council actions. One action is declared to be "inspired and weak ;" another is oratorically condemned as "cursed with adjectives"—the criticisms usually springing from those who probably could not prepare actions nearly so acceptable. (It is infinitely easier, be it remembered, to criticize than to construct.) Professional and depart­mental jealousy_ too often enter the picture. Brethren, these things ought not to be. We should call a halt. The oratorical tricks of the political haranguer have no rightful place in the councils of the church of God. The rebuke of the brethren should be upon such unworthy at­tempts. We should turn our criticisms inward upon ourselves. Then we would have less to say about the weaknesses of others. Weak and defective though our brethren are, we need to see them through God's eyes as the object of His supreme love. When tempted to criticize, let us instead pray for the brethren.

Originality!—The desire to be original has proved the undoing of more than one worker who used to walk in our midst. The penchant for originality for originality's sake, can become a curse to a minister. For example, instead of seeking a stronger and more appeal­ing way of presenting established truth, such seek new and brilliant ways 'of interpreting prophecy that lead to new and different con­clusions, which in turn contravene positions of the movement confirmed by the Spirit of proph­ecy. Beware of this enticing temptation. When our interpretations weaken our solidarity of witness and minimize or decry the distinctions of God's last separating message to men, we should stop to see just where we are going. And if others are doing so, we should stop them and ask where they are going.    

L. E. F.