Avoiding Display and the Sensational
127
and corrupted up to the high standard of the law of God.—
Manuscript
7, 1900
.
Refrain From All Theatrical Display—I have a message for
those in charge of our work. Do not encourage the men who are
to engage in this work to think that they must proclaim the solemn,
sacred message in a theatrical style. Not one jot or tittle of anything
theatrical is to be brought into our work. God’s cause is to have a
sacred, heavenly mold. Let everything connected with the giving of
the message for this time bear the divine impress. Let nothing of a
theatrical nature be permitted, for this would spoil the sacredness of
the work.
I am instructed that we shall meet with all kinds of experiences
and that men will try to bring strange performances into the work
of God. We have met such things in many places. In my very first
labors the message was given that all theatrical performances in con-
nection with the preaching of present truth were to be discouraged
and forbidden. Men who thought they had a wonderful work to do
sought to adopt a strange deportment and manifested oddities in bodily
exercise. The light given me was, “Give this no sanction.” These
[138]
performances, which savored of the theatrical, were to have no place
in the proclamation of the solemn messages entrusted to us.
The enemy will watch closely and will take every advantage of
circumstances to degrade the truth by the introduction of undignified
demonstrations. None of these demonstrations are to be encouraged.
The precious truths given us are to be spoken in all solemnity and with
sacred awe.—
Manuscript 19, 1910
.
Danger of Sensational Teachings—You may be sure that pure
and undefiled religion is not a sensational religion. God has not laid
upon anyone the burden of encouraging an appetite for encouraging
speculative doctrines and theories. My brethren, keep these things out
of your teaching.—
(Australasian) Union Conference Record, March
15, 1904
.
Avoid Fanaticism—We are not to encourage a spirit of enthusiasm
that brings zeal for a while, but soon fades away, leaving discourage-
ment and depression. We need the bread of life that comes down from
heaven to give life to the soul. Study the Word of God. Do not be
controlled by feeling. All who labor in the vineyard of the Lord must
learn that feeling is not faith. To be always in a state of elevation is