Chapter 2—Early Fanaticism to be Repeated
Removing the Landmarks
Our people need to understand the reasons of our faith and our
past experiences. How sad it is that so many of them apparently place
unlimited confidence in men who present theories tending to uproot
our past experiences and to remove the old landmarks! Those who can
so easily be led by a false spirit show that they have been following
the wrong captain for some time—so long that they do not discern that
they are departing from the faith, or that they are not building upon the
true foundation. We need to urge all to put on their spiritual eyeglasses,
to have their eyes anointed that they may see clearly and discern the
true pillars of the faith. Then they will know that “the foundation of
God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are
his” (
2 Timothy 2:19
). We need to revive the old evidences of the faith
once delivered to the saints.
Every conceivable fanciful and deceptive doctrine will be presented
by men who think that they have the truth. Some are now teaching
that children will be born in the new earth. Is this present truth? Who
has inspired these men to present such a theory? Did the Lord give
anyone such views?—No; those things which are revealed are for us
and our children, but upon subjects not revealed, and having nought to
do with our salvation, silence is eloquence. These strange ideas should
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not even be mentioned, much less taught as essential truths.
We have reached a time when things are to be called by their right
name. As we did in the earlier days, we must arise, and, under the
Spirit of God, rebuke the work of deception. Some of the sentiments
now expressed are the alpha of some of the most fanatical ideas that
could be presented. Teachings similar to those we had to meet soon
after 1844 are being taught by some who occupy important positions
in the work of God.
In New Hampshire, in Vermont, and in other places we had to resist
the stealthy, deceptive work of fanaticism. Presumptuous sins were
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