WHEN I first learned about the plan to issue a special number of THE MINISTRY magazine emphasizing the role of the Spirit of Prophecy in the life and development of the church, particularly here in Europe, I became immediately enthusiastic about the idea.
I am eager that all of our members and church leaders throughout our wide spread division understand perfectly the important and helpful part the Spirit of Prophecy has played in the progress of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Not just in the early days, but today and tomorrow too. We still have a great work to do. We will always need the Spirit of Prophecy counsels.
It is my hope that we can take this issue of THE MINISTRY and have it translated into French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, and possibly other languages spoken within our field.
Personally, I feel a deep debt of gratitude to God for bestowing upon this church, through the writings of the Spirit of Prophecy, a wondrous gift of love.
In my administrative work in Inter-America and in other areas of the world field, I have felt that God holds me responsible for encouraging plans to secure more and more translations of the Ellen G. White books in the language of the people in my field. Here in the Trans-Mediterranean Division we recently voted to set into motion and implement a plan to publish fourteen Ellen G. White books in our territory within the next few years. It gives me a feeling of satisfaction to know that the brethren have chosen this line of emphasis to enrich the spiritual lives of our people.
The Bible is of primary importance. Here we have the Word of God. The Spirit of Prophecy is important too. Here we have an inspired commentary to define truth, to correct those who err from the teachings of the Scripture, and to bring us all back to a proper understanding of God's will in every urgent detail.
I would say to all our workers in the Trans-Mediterranean Division and around the world using the language of the servant of the Lord:
Perilous times are before us. Everyone who has a knowledge of the truth should awake and place himself, body, soul, and spirit, under the discipline of God. The enemy is on our track. We must be wide awake, on our guard against him. We must put on the whole armor of God. We must follow the directions given through the spirit of prophecy. We must love and obey the truth for this time. This will save us from accepting strong delusions. God has spoken to us through His word. He has spoken to us through the testimonies to the church and through the books that have helped to make plain our present duty and the position that we should now occupy. The warnings that have been given, line upon line, precept upon precept, should be heeded. If we disregard them, what excuse can we offer? Testimonies, vol. 8, p. 298.
