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Counsels to Writers and Editors
acknowledged as standing at the helm at all times and under every
circumstance. He will work by means that will be suitable, and will
maintain, increase, and build up His own people.
Hasten Not the Stormy Times—The Lord’s agents should have
a sanctified zeal, a zeal that is wholly under His control. Stormy times
will come rapidly enough upon us, and we should take no course of our
own that will hasten them. Tribulation will come of a character that
will drive to God all who wish to be His, and His alone. Until tested
and proved in the furnace of trial, we do not know ourselves, and it is
not proper for us to measure the characters of others and to condemn
those who have not yet had the light of the third angel’s message.
If we wish men to be convinced that the truth we believe sancti-
fies the soul and transforms the character, let us not be continually
charging them with vehement accusations. In this way we shall force
them to the conclusion that the doctrine we profess cannot be the
Christian doctrine, since it does not make us kind, courteous, and
respectful. Christianity is not manifested in pugilistic accusations and
condemnation.
Many of our people are in danger of trying to exercise a controlling
power upon others, and of bringing oppression upon their fellow men.
There is danger that those who are entrusted with responsibilities will
acknowledge but one power,—the power of an unsanctified will. Some
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have exercised this power unscrupulously, and have caused great dis-
comfiture to those whom the Lord is using. One of the greatest curses
in our world (and it is seen in churches and in society everywhere) is
the love of supremacy. Men become absorbed in seeking to secure
power and popularity. This spirit has manifested itself in the ranks of
Sabbathkeepers, to our grief and shame. But spiritual success comes
only to those who have learned meekness and lowliness in the school
of Christ.
We should remember that the world will judge us by what we
appear to be. Let those who are seeking to represent Christ be careful
not to exhibit inconsistent features of character. Before we come fully
to the front, let us see to it that the Holy Spirit is poured upon us from
on high. When this is the case, we shall give a decided message, but
it will be of a far less condemnatory character than that which some
have been giving; and all who believe will be far more earnest for the
salvation of our opponents. Let God have the matter of condemning