March 30, 1911

A Study of Principles—No. 4

D. E. Robinson

EGW

As our brethren in various places are called upon to meet issues in which our religious freedom seems to be assailed, it is well to bear in mind the cautions found in Testimonies for the Church 6:394-401. This instruction is taken from a letter written October 13, 1895, to one who at that time stood with us as an advocate of religious liberty principles, and is entitled.RH March 30, 1911, par. 1

“Our Attitude Toward the Civil Authorities”

“By some of our brethren many things have been spoken and written that are interpreted as expressing antagonism to government and law. It is a mistake thus to lay ourselves open to misunderstanding. It is not wise to find fault continually with what is done by the rulers of government. It is not our work to attack individuals or institutions. We should exercise great care lest we be understood as putting ourselves in opposition to the civil authorities. It is true that our warfare is aggressive, but our weapons are to be those found in a plain ‘Thus saith the Lord.’ Our work is to prepare a people to stand in the great day of God. We should not be turned aside to lines that will encourage controversy, or arouse antagonism in those not of our faith.RH March 30, 1911, par. 2

“We should not work in a manner that will mark us out as seeming to advocate treason. We should weed out from our writings and utterances every expression that, taken by itself, could be so misrepresented as to make it appear antagonistic to law and order. Everything should be carefully considered, lest we place ourselves on record as encouraging disloyalty to our country and its laws. We are not required to defy authorities. There will come a time when, because of our advocacy of Bible truth, we shall be treated as traitors; but let not this time be hastened by unadvised movements that stir up animosity and strife.RH March 30, 1911, par. 3

“The time will come when unguarded expressions of a denunciatory character, that have been carelessly spoken or written by our brethren, will be used by our enemies to condemn us. These will not be used merely to condemn those who made the statements, but will be charged upon the whole body of Adventists. Our accusers will say that on such and such a day one of our responsible men said thus and so against the administration of the laws of this government. Many will be astonished to see how many things have been cherished and remembered that will give point to the arguments of our adversaries. Many will be surprised to hear their own words strained into a meaning that they did not intend them to have. Then let our workers be careful to speak guardedly at all times and under all circumstances. Let all beware lest by reckless expressions they bring on a time of trouble before the great crisis which is to try men's souls.RH March 30, 1911, par. 4

“The less we make direct charges against authorities and powers, the greater work we shall be able to accomplish, both in America and in foreign countries. Foreign nations will follow the example set by the United States. Though she leads out, yet the same crisis will come upon our people in all parts of the world.RH March 30, 1911, par. 5

“It is our work to magnify and exalt the law of God. The truth of God's holy Word is to be made manifest. We are to hold up the Scriptures as the rule of life. In all modesty, in the spirit of grace, and in the love of God, we are to point men to the fact that the Lord God is the Creator of the heavens and the earth, and that the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord.RH March 30, 1911, par. 6

“In the name of the Lord we are to go forward, unfurling his banner, advocating his Word. When the authorities command us not to do this work; when they forbid us to proclaim the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, then it will be necessary for us to say, as did the apostles: ‘Whether it be right in the sight of God to harken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we can not but speak the things which we have seen and heard.’ Acts 4:19, 20.RH March 30, 1911, par. 7

“The truth is to be set forth in the power of the Holy Spirit. This alone can make our words effective. Only through the Spirit's power will victory be gained and held. The human agent must be worked by the Spirit of God. The workers must be kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation. They must have divine wisdom, that nothing may be uttered which would stir up men to close our way. Through the inculcation of spiritual truth we are to prepare a people who shall be able, in meekness and fear, to give a reason for their faith before the highest authorities in our world.RH March 30, 1911, par. 8

“We need to present the truth in its simplicity, to advocate practical godliness; and we should do this in the spirit of Christ. The manifestation of such a spirit will have the best influence upon our own souls, and it will have a convicting power upon others. Give the Lord opportunity to work through his own agents. Do not imagine that it will be possible for you to lay out plans for the future; let God be acknowledged as standing at the helm at all times and under every circumstance. He will work by means that will be suitable, and will maintain, increase, and build up his own people.RH March 30, 1911, par. 9

“The Lord's agents should have a sanctified zeal, a zeal that is wholly under his control. Stormy times will come rapidly enough upon us, and we should take no course of our own that will hasten them. Tribulation will come of a character that will drive to God all who wish to be his, and his alone. Until tested and proved in the furnace of trial, we do not know ourselves, and it is not proper for us to measure the characters of others and to condemn those who have not yet had the light of the third angel's message.RH March 30, 1911, par. 10

“If we wish men to be convinced that the truth we believe sanctifies the soul and transforms the character, let us not be continually charging them with vehement accusations. In this way we shall force them to the conclusion that the doctrine we profess can not be the Christian doctrine, since it does not make us kind, courteous, and respectful. Christianity is not manifested in pugilistic accusation and condemnation....RH March 30, 1911, par. 11

“We should remember that the world will judge us by what we appear to be. Let those who are seeking to represent Christ be careful not to exhibit inconsistent features of character. Before we come fully to the front, let us see to it that the Holy Spirit is poured upon us from on high. When this is the case, we shall give a decided message, but it will be of a far less condemnatory character than that which some have been giving; and all who believe will be far more earnest for the salvation of our opponents. Let God have the matter of condemning authorities and governments wholly in his own keeping. In meekness and love, let us as faithful sentinels defend the principles of truth as it is in Jesus.”RH March 30, 1911, par. 12

Maintain the Affirmative

At times when there has been agitation over the question of enacting Sunday laws, our brethren have been counseled to improve the many opportunities presented for sowing the seeds of truth. On one occasion when the minds of men were dwelling on the Sabbath question, the following instruction was given to one who had long stood as a champion in religious liberty work:RH March 30, 1911, par. 13

“Say to the people: Know yourselves of the doctrine. Let not your lips utter a sentence of doubt. Do not come before the people with an uncertain sound. Know what is truth, and proclaim truth. Christ's teaching was always positive in its nature. Never, never utter sentiments of doubt. Bear with a certain voice an affirmative message. Lift him up, the Man of Calvary, higher and still higher. There is power in the exaltation of the cross of Christ....RH March 30, 1911, par. 14

“Christ is to be preached, not controversially, but affirmatively. Take your stand without controversy. Let not your words at any time be uncertain. The Word of the living God is to be the foundation of our faith. Gather up the strongest affirmative statements regarding the atonement made by Christ for the sins of the world. Show the necessity for this atonement, and tell men and women that they may be saved if they will repent and return to their loyalty to God's law. Gather all the affirmatives and proofs that make the gospel the glad tidings of salvation to all who receive and believe on Christ as a personal Saviour.”RH March 30, 1911, par. 15

Exhortations to Diligence

The following extracts from Mrs. White's correspondence set forth the necessity and importance of prompt and energetic action to present the truth clearly before the people, when efforts are being made for the enforcement of Sunday laws. In a letter written from Cooranbong to Brethren E. R. Palmer and A. G. Daniells, June 28, 1897, she said:RH March 30, 1911, par. 16

“I can not see light in your leaving at this special time for western Australia. You can see, in Saturday's Daily Telegraph, the notice of the meeting of the council of churches in Sydney, to bring about that which they have hitherto been unable to accomplish,—the recognition of God in the government of the nation.RH March 30, 1911, par. 17

“Now is our time to work. Leaflets and periodicals, giving plain warnings, should be scattered everywhere. I think meetings should be held in halls, to see if the matter can not be presented so as to let in light.RH March 30, 1911, par. 18

“I can not say much, but I can say, Now is not the time for you to leave for Western Australia, when there are important issues to be urged upon the people. I do not think that we are half awake. We are not doing one half what we ought to do, and should have been doing right along for months. True, something has been done, but much more is required to be done.”RH March 30, 1911, par. 19

To elder S. N. Haskell, August 30, 1894, she wrote:RH March 30, 1911, par. 20

“We are in the midst of stirring times just now. Brother Shannon, who lives in Sydney, has been arrested and prosecuted for working on Sunday....RH March 30, 1911, par. 21

“We think that now is the time to take advantage of the circumstances, and proclaim the truth to the people. Magistrates, lawyers, and men in high positions, are anxious to know something of the Seventh-day Adventists. They desire to be enlightened as to our views and our principles.... Just now there is a wonderful stir in Sydney. This prosecution has awakened an intense interest....RH March 30, 1911, par. 22

“We are expecting some brethren from Melbourne every day.... We all feel that Elder Corliss, Elder Colcord, or Elder Daniells should be here, to make as much as possible out of the interest created by this prosecution. We are expecting that some one will arrive today, and shall be disappointed if no one comes.... Some one should be on the ground just now.”RH March 30, 1911, par. 23

Mountain View, Cal.