Peril of Extreme Views
161
course that will make differences or create dissension. We should not
give the impression that if our particular ideas are not followed, it is
because the ministers are lacking in comprehension and in faith, and
are walking in darkness.
Your mind has been on an unnatural strain for a long time. You
have much truth, precious truth, but mingled with suppositions. Your
extreme ideas and strong language often destroy the effect of your best
efforts. Should many accept the views you advance, and talk and act
upon them, we would see one of the greatest fanatical excitements that
has ever been witnessed among Seventh-day Adventists. This is what
Satan wants.
[180]
Leave Mysteries Alone
Now there are in the lessons of Christ, subjects in abundance that
you can speak upon. And mysteries which neither you nor your hearers
can understand or explain might better be left alone. Give the Lord
Jesus Christ room Himself to teach; let Him by the influence of His
Spirit open to the understanding the wonderful plan of salvation.
There is a time of trouble coming to the people of God, but we are
not to keep that constantly before the people, and rein them up to have
a time of trouble beforehand. There is to be a shaking among God’s
people, but this is not the present truth to carry to the churches
The ministers should not feel that they have some wonderful ad-
vanced ideas, and unless all receive these, they will be shaken out and
a people will arise to go forward and upward to the victory. Some of
those who are resisting the very principles of the message God has
sent for this time, present just such cases as yourself. They point to
your extreme views and teachings as an excuse for their neglect of
receiving the Lord’s messages.
Satan’s object is accomplished just as surely when men run ahead
of Christ and do the work He has never entrusted to their hand, as
when they remain in the Laodicean state, lukewarm, feeling rich and
increased with goods, and in need of nothing. The two classes are
equally stumbling blocks.
Some zealous ones who are aiming and straining every energy
for originality have made a grave mistake in trying to get something
startling, wonderful, entrancing before the people, something that they