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no man a title of honor indicating his control of their conscience or
their faith.
If Christ were on earth today, surrounded by those who bear the
title of “Reverend” or “Right Reverend,” would He not repeat His
saying, “Neither be ye called masters; for one is your Master, even
Christ”? The Scripture declares of God, “Holy and reverend is His
name.”
Psalm 111:9
. To what human being is such a title befitting?—
The Desire of Ages, 613
(1898).
No Right to the Title “Reverend”—There must be no lowering
of the standard as to what constitutes true education. It must be raised
far above where it now stands. It is not men whom we are to exalt and
worship; it is God, the only true and living God, to whom our worship
and reverence are due.
According to the teaching of the Scriptures, it dishonors God to
address ministers as “Reverend.” No mortal has any right to attach this
to his own name or to the name of any other human being. It belongs
only to God, to distinguish Him from every other being. Those who
lay claim to this title take to themselves God’s holy honor. They have
no right to the stolen word, whatever their position may be. “Holy
and reverend is His name.” We dishonor God when we use this word
where it does not belong.—
The Youth’s Instructor, July 7, 1898
.
Little Men Handling Great Subjects—The ministers of the
gospel are to present truth in its simplicity, through the blessing of
God making the Scriptures profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for
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correction, for instruction in righteousness. “Rightly dividing the word
of truth”—this is the word that should be spoken of all our ministers.
But far, far from this, many of the ministers have departed from
Christ’s plans. The praise of men is coveted, and they strain every
faculty in an effort to hunt out and present wonderful things. The Lord
bids me counsel them to walk humbly and prayerfully with Him....
Be willing to be little men handling great subjects.—
Manuscript 62,
1905
.
None Remarkable Men—We have no great men among us, and
none need try to make themselves what they are not, remarkable men.
It is not wisdom for a single individual to strike out as though he had
some great talent, as though he were a Moody or a Sankey.—
The
Review and Herald, December 8, 1885
.