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Gospel Order
The Lord has shown that gospel order has been too much feared
and neglected. [
The Adventists were of all churches, and at first
they had no idea of forming another church. After 1844 there was
great confusion, and the majority were strongly opposed to any
organization, holding that it was inconsistent with the perfect liberty
of the gospel. The testimony and labors of Mrs White have always
been opposed to fanaticism, and in the instruction given through her,
organization in some form was early insisted upon, as necessary to
prevent confusion.
] Formality should be shunned; but, in so doing,
order should not be neglected. There is order in heaven. There was
order in the church when Christ was upon the earth, and after his
departure order was strictly observed among his apostles. And now
in these last days, while God is bringing his children into the unity
of the faith, there is more real need of order than ever before; for, as
God unites his children, Satan and his evil angels are very busy to
prevent this unity and to destroy it. Therefore men are hurried into
the field who lack wisdom and judgment, perhaps not ruling well
their own house, and not having order or government over the few
that God has given them charge of at home; yet they feel capable
of having charge of the flock. They make many wrong moves, and
those unacquainted with our faith judge all the messengers to be like
these self-sent men. Thus the cause of God is reproached, and the
truth shunned by many unbelievers who would otherwise be candid
and anxiously inquire, are these things so?
Men whose lives are not holy and who are unqualified to teach
the present truth enter the field without being acknowledged by the
church or the brethren generally, and confusion and disunion are the
result. Some have a theory of the truth, and can present the argument,
[98]
but lack spirituality, judgment, and experience; they fail in many
things which it is very necessary for them to understand before they
can teach the truth. Others have not the argument, but because a
few brethren hear them pray well and give an exciting exhortation
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