Chapter 10—On Publishing Conflicting Views
Unity of Utterance—Those who speak to the people through our
periodicals should preserve unity among themselves. Nothing that
savors of dissension should be found in our publications. Satan is
always seeking to cause dissension, for well he knows that by this
means he can most effectually counteract the work of God. We should
not give place to his devices. Christ’s prayer of His disciples was,
“That they all may be one; as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee,
that they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that Thou
hast sent Me.”
John 17:21
. All true laborers for God will work in
harmony with this prayer. In their efforts to advance the work, all
will manifest that oneness of sentiment and practice which reveals
that they are God’s witnesses, that they love one another. To a world
that is broken up by discord and strife, their love and unity will testify
to their connection with heaven. It is the convincing evidence of the
divine character of their mission.—
Testimonies for the Church 7:156,
157
(1902).
“No one has the right to start out on his own responsibility, and
advance ideas in our papers on Bible doctrines, when it is known that
others among us hold different opinions on the subject, and that it will
[75]
create controversy.”—
Testimonies for the Church 5:534
(1889).
Present a United Front—Letters came to me from some attending
the Healdsburg College in regard to Brother-----’s teachings in regard
to the two laws. I wrote immediately protesting against their doing
contrary to the light which God had given us in regard to all differences
of opinion, and I heard nothing in response to the letter. It may never
have reached you. If you, my brethren, had the experience that my
husband and myself have had in regard to these known differences
being published in articles in our papers, you would never have pursued
the course you have, either in your ideas advanced before our students
at the college, neither would it have appeared in the Signs. Especially
at this time should everything like differences be repressed. These
young men are more self-confident and less cautious than they should
48