We have just returned from two University Extension Schools and an extended itinerary in the Far Eastern Division, one of the most interesting but restless areas of the world. But in spite of national and international tensions it was heartening to witness the calm courage displayed by our church members and our leaders. The Advent hope means more in some places in the world than in others. That which brings fear to the world, however, brings courage to the church, because the most distressing circumstances are recognized as signs of our Lord's near return.
Many things impressed us, but nothing more than the spirit of earnest prayer so evident among our workers, both those from overseas and our fine national brethren. Petitions ascend continually for the cause of God everywhere. Daily our people are praying for the presence of the Holy Spirit upon the approaching General Conference session. The Advent people are one people in every country of earth as we sing in the grand old hymn,
We are not divided, all one body we, One in hope and doctrine, one in charity.
And never was that more true among loyal Seventh-day Adventists than it is today.
A General Conference session convenes every four years to study the needs of the organization and to elect men and women to positions of responsibility. Naturally we can expect changes in personnel, for that is one of the purposes of such a gathering. But such changes are made to meet needs, not just for the sake of change.
The work of God demands the strongest leadership possible, and when experienced directors are chosen to occupy positions of trust we can be assured that they are workers whose lives are wholly dedicated to God.
Having observed, over a period of many years, responsible committees at work we have every reason for confidence in the judgment of our brethren. No group of men can lightly esteem their charge when they are delegated to nominate leaders for the work that is distinctly God's and not man's. And we can be sure that whoever may be called to assume such grave responsibility the Lord will through them lead His cause in triumph. The immediate future may be obscure, but the ultimate future is glorious.
The Holy Spirit may not speak with audible voice as He seems to have done in the long ago when He said, "Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them," yet His guidance is nevertheless recognizable to all whose eyes are anointed with heavenly eyesalve.
There is always much preliminary preparation for such a session, and as this issue comes off the press the executive officers from our headquarters at Washington and our great and rapidly growing overseas divisions are studying the needs of the church in every area of the world. After this important administrative counsel the big session convenes in San Francisco, where actions will be taken affecting God's work in all the earth.
To those newly appointed to heavy tasks no finer counsel could be given than the opening words of King David to Solomon: "Be thou strong therefore, and shew thyself a man: and keep the charge of the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and his testimonies, . . . that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest" (1 Kings 2:2, 3).
It is good to seek God's counsel before and during the session, but should we not continue our petitions to our heavenly Father on behalf of those upon whom will rest the heavy burden of leadership for the next quadrennium? Choosing men is not our only responsibility; we must support them with our confidence and our prayers.
These words from Quiet Hints to Growing Preachers reveal the wisdom that comes only with ripening years:
"No matter with what wisdom and fidelity a man may labour he leaves a parish in an unsatisfactory condition. Everything is incomplete, much is perverted and wrong, there is more or less friction, appalling inefficiency, and on all sides a wide chasm yawns between the actual and ideal. A new man on coming into such a field—espedaily if he be without experience—is apt to feel that things would not be as they are had his predecessor done his work with greater ability and wisdom. Upon this departed man as upon a scapegoat are saddled all the sins of the parish, and the new pastor, eager to prove himself superior to all who have gone before him, proceeds to break to pieces the parochial machinery, and to create a new set of agencies which will usher in the golden age. Poor man, later on he will discover under a juniper tree that he is no better than his fathers." —Page 21.
To speak well of one's predecessor is always wise even though one may think he had his shortcomings. It may be discovered that what seemed like an error in judgment was actually the evidence of wisdom. Time has a way of teaching us, provided we are willing to learn.
Paul's sage counsel to Timothy, a younger worker, is pertinent to all of us. He writes: "Some people have gone astray into a wilderness of words. They, set out to be teachers . . . , without understanding either the words they use or the subjects about which they are so dogmatic" (1 Tim. 1:6, 7, The New English Bible).* How true! Not all who talk are talking sense. To be called to posts of leadership in an hour like this is a sobering challenge. But we can be assured that "the future is as bright as the promises of God."
Him whom we trust for the future is the One who has led us in the past. Then follow Him with confidence and courage knowing that the greatest days for the Advent Movement are just ahead of us. To our ministers and workers everywhere, to those newly called to greater tasks and to those whose loads may have been lightened, we say in the words of the hymn writer, Norman Macleod:
Courage, brother! do not stumble,
Though thy path be dark as night;
There's a star to guide the humble;
Trust in God, and do the right.
Though the road be long and dreary,
And the end be out of sight,
Tread it bravely, strong or weary;
Trust in God, and do the right.
Some will hate thee, some will love thee,
Some will flatter, some will slight;
Cease from man, and look above thee;Trust in God, and do the right.
Simple rule and safest guiding,
Inward peace and shining light,
Star upon our path abiding;
Trust in God, and do the right.
R. A. A.
The New English Bible (D The Delegates of the Oxford University Press and The Syndics of the Cambridge University Press 1961