On Publishing Conflicting Views
51
same work, to prepare a people to stand in the day of the Lord, one in
faith, one in purpose.
The Sickle [
The Sickle was a short-lived missionary paper pub-
lished in Battle Creek, Michigan, in 1886.
] was started in Battle Creek,
but it is not designed to take the place of the Signs, and I cannot see
that it is really needed. The Signs of the Times is needed and will
do that which the Sickle cannot. I know if the Signs is kept full of
precious articles, food for the people, that every family should have
it. But a pain comes to my heart every time I see the Sickle. I say it is
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not as God would have it. If Satan can get in dissension among us as a
people, he will only be too glad.
I do not think that years will wipe out the impressions made at our
last conference. I know how these things work. I am satisfied that we
must have more of Jesus and less of self. If there is difference upon
any parts of the understanding of some particular passage of Scripture,
then do not be with pen or voice making your differences apparent and
making a breach when there is no need of this.
Unity on the Fundamental Truths—We are one in faith in the
fundamental truths of God’s word. And one object must be kept in
view constantly; that is, harmony and co-operation must be maintained
without compromising one principle of truth. And while constantly
digging for the truth as for hidden treasure, be careful how you open
new and conflicting opinions. We have a world-wide message. The
commandments of God and the testimonies of Jesus Christ are the
burden of our work. To have unity and love for one another is the great
[work] now to be carried on. There is danger of our ministers’ dwelling
too much on doctrines, preaching altogether too many discourses on
argumentative subjects when their own soul needs practical godliness.
There has been a door thrown open for variance and strife and
contention and differences which none of you can see but God. His
eye traces the beginning to the end. And the magnitude of mischief
God alone knows. The bitterness, the wrath, the resentment, the
jealousies, the heart burnings provoked by controversies of both sides
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of the question cause the loss of many souls.
May the Lord give us to see the need of drinking from the living
fountain of the water of life. Its pure streams will refresh and heal us
and refresh all connected with us. Oh, if the hearts were only subdued
by the Spirit of God! If the eye was single to God’s glory, what a flood