December 1974 Issue

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J.R. Spangler

The open letter on the cover, addressed to our General Conference president, calls attention to the specifics we need to consider in responding to the renewed emphasis on revival and reformation which comes from the 1974 Annual Council. . .

Jesus Our Covenant

Raymond H. Woolsey

IF THE most honest man in the neighborhood one never known to break a promise, whom banks trusted without question were to promise to do a certain thing that was well within his power to do, and were this man voluntarily to sign to that undertaking in the presence of a judge and put up all his possessions as surety, we would certainly understand that he intended to keep his promise. We would also know that he considered the matter extremely important. . .

IF THE most honest man in the neighborhood one never known to break a promise, whom banks trusted without question were to promise to do a certain thing that was well within his power to do, and were this man voluntarily to sign to that undertaking in the presence of a judge and put up all his possessions as surety, we would certainly understand that he intended to keep his promise. We would also know that he considered the matter extremely important. . .

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When is a Church Too Large?

Orley M. Berg

WHAT is the ideal size of a church? When has it become too big? When should it think in terms of fostering a new congregation in an adjacent territory? These are questions that might bring a variety of responses. . .

WHAT is the ideal size of a church? When has it become too big? When should it think in terms of fostering a new congregation in an adjacent territory? These are questions that might bring a variety of responses. . .

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"My People Perish"

Leo Ranzolin

"MY PEOPLE perish for want of knowledge." * This is the Lord's complaint in Hosea 4:6. The people in the days of Hosea were starving for real food, the Word of God, and it was the priests who were to blame for this famine. . .

"MY PEOPLE perish for want of knowledge." * This is the Lord's complaint in Hosea 4:6. The people in the days of Hosea were starving for real food, the Word of God, and it was the priests who were to blame for this famine. . .

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Hold Fast to These Three

Ernest Lloyd

"Now abideth faith, hope, love, these three" C\ Cor. 13:13, A.R.V.). "Faith, hope, love" the indestructibles, the abiding things! The apostle Paul in his beautiful message to the church makes it clear that "these three" will abide. They were placed by God in the very heart of man in the beginning. , ,

"Now abideth faith, hope, love, these three" C\ Cor. 13:13, A.R.V.). "Faith, hope, love" the indestructibles, the abiding things! The apostle Paul in his beautiful message to the church makes it clear that "these three" will abide. They were placed by God in the very heart of man in the beginning. , ,

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Baptism A Legitimate Church Priority

Edward Earl Cleveland

THE HOT sun shone brightly against the sparkling waters of the Caribbean. Ten thousand people lined the seashore singing hymns, awaiting the beginning of the baptism. History was made that day as 644 people were immersed in water in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins. Four hundred and eighty of them were brand-new Seventh-day Adventist Christians. The others were backsliders and Christians who sought a renewal of their faith. . .

THE HOT sun shone brightly against the sparkling waters of the Caribbean. Ten thousand people lined the seashore singing hymns, awaiting the beginning of the baptism. History was made that day as 644 people were immersed in water in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins. Four hundred and eighty of them were brand-new Seventh-day Adventist Christians. The others were backsliders and Christians who sought a renewal of their faith. . .

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Fishing for Bass

Ritchie Christianson

WHEN YOU go fishing for bass you may catch a bluegill; but when you go fishing for bluegill it isn't very likely that you will come up with a bass. When Jesus compared the work of evangelism with fishing He knew that some men would be easier to catch than others, just as some fish are easier to catch. . .

WHEN YOU go fishing for bass you may catch a bluegill; but when you go fishing for bluegill it isn't very likely that you will come up with a bass. When Jesus compared the work of evangelism with fishing He knew that some men would be easier to catch than others, just as some fish are easier to catch. . .

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Preparation for Marriage

N.R. Dower

PERHAPS the greatest single neglect in the whole human experience is proper preparation for marriage. Yet whether we realize it or not, people are being prepared for marriage. It is my firm conviction that the tragic results evident in so many homes are the product of this preparation. . .

PERHAPS the greatest single neglect in the whole human experience is proper preparation for marriage. Yet whether we realize it or not, people are being prepared for marriage. It is my firm conviction that the tragic results evident in so many homes are the product of this preparation. . .

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Control Systems and Evolution

Eric Magnusson

THE ARGUMENT about the most plausible explanation for the origin of plants and animals on this planet is difficult to win. The idea of Creation can receive only indirect support from scientific evidence, because the creative acts were supernatural events and therefore lie outside the realm of science. . .

THE ARGUMENT about the most plausible explanation for the origin of plants and animals on this planet is difficult to win. The idea of Creation can receive only indirect support from scientific evidence, because the creative acts were supernatural events and therefore lie outside the realm of science. . .

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"If I Be Lifted Up"

C.R. Stanley

"THE MYSTERY of the cross ex plains all other mysteries." The Great Controversy, p. 652. Locked up in this statement is a profound truth, which, when fully grasped and acted upon, can greatly improve our private and public ministry. There is a mysterious power emanating from the cross that draws men heavenward. . .

"THE MYSTERY of the cross ex plains all other mysteries." The Great Controversy, p. 652. Locked up in this statement is a profound truth, which, when fully grasped and acted upon, can greatly improve our private and public ministry. There is a mysterious power emanating from the cross that draws men heavenward. . .

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Sin, Stress, and Sanity

Colin Standish

WHATEVER became of sin? Since 1973 when Karl Menninger's book raised this question, there has been a noticeable shift in emphasis of the role played by both clergymen and the church in the treatment of the mentally ill and the maintenance of mental health. . .

WHATEVER became of sin? Since 1973 when Karl Menninger's book raised this question, there has been a noticeable shift in emphasis of the role played by both clergymen and the church in the treatment of the mentally ill and the maintenance of mental health. . .

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"By Their Fruits . . ."

Jere Wallack

How could a church struggling to launch an educational program and build a school, also planning a new church structure how could it finance an effective program to meet the community's ever-present needs and thus share the Good News?

How could a church struggling to launch an educational program and build a school, also planning a new church structure how could it finance an effective program to meet the community's ever-present needs and thus share the Good News?

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Water

Elsa Lonergan

WATER is extremely important to health. One does not have to travel very far to realize the great advantage that comes in combating disease because of the growth of public health practices of pure water supply and of sewage disposal systems. Several diseases have practically been eliminated since pure water supplies have been regulated by laws. . .

WATER is extremely important to health. One does not have to travel very far to realize the great advantage that comes in combating disease because of the growth of public health practices of pure water supply and of sewage disposal systems. Several diseases have practically been eliminated since pure water supplies have been regulated by laws. . .

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What's Big About "Big Week"?

William C. Hatch

BIG WEEK last year gave me an opportunity to walk in the moccasins of a literature evangelist. Arthur Page, publishing secretary of the Colorado Conference, challenged me to train with him as a literature evangelist. I admit that I was at first reluctant to accept this challenge. . .

BIG WEEK last year gave me an opportunity to walk in the moccasins of a literature evangelist. Arthur Page, publishing secretary of the Colorado Conference, challenged me to train with him as a literature evangelist. I admit that I was at first reluctant to accept this challenge. . .

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Midnight and Morning

8706

THE FIRST verses of the section that begins with Daniel 11:36 refer to the system of antichrist in the last days. This church-state union soon to take place will duplicate the error of religious leaders and statesmen in the Middle Ages. It will endeavor to compel men to worship contrary to the dictates of conscience. Nonconformists will be boycotted and finally sentenced to death. (See Rev. 13:13-18.)

THE FIRST verses of the section that begins with Daniel 11:36 refer to the system of antichrist in the last days. This church-state union soon to take place will duplicate the error of religious leaders and statesmen in the Middle Ages. It will endeavor to compel men to worship contrary to the dictates of conscience. Nonconformists will be boycotted and finally sentenced to death. (See Rev. 13:13-18.)

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The Gift of Understanding

June Strong

AT THE last holiday season I was asked to speak to a Methodist women's group on "My Most Memorable Christmas." That took some thought. . .

AT THE last holiday season I was asked to speak to a Methodist women's group on "My Most Memorable Christmas." That took some thought. . .

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