Not Kingly, but Christlike Leadership
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in General Conference affairs should be maintained in the management
of the publishing work and the sanitarium work. One is not to think
that the branch of the work with which he is connected is of vastly
more importance than other branches.—
Testimonies for the Church
8:232, 233
.
God has not set any kingly power in the Seventh-day Adventist
Church to control the whole body or to control any branch of the work.
He has not provided that the burden of leadership shall rest upon a
few men. Responsibilities are distributed among a large number of
competent men.—
Testimonies for the Church 8:236
.
One Rule for Directors and “Inferiors”—Let men in responsi-
ble positions consider to a purpose that there is not one rule of action
for the men in authority and another for the class who are expected
to submit to their decisions; not one rule for the director and another
for the supposed inferiors. I say supposed, for many who are treated
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as inferiors are men whose principles and course of action are such
as heaven approves. They may be regarded as inferior in this world
of iniquity, of semblance and sham, but in the sight of God they are
counted more precious than gold, though it be tried with fire; they
shall be found unto praise, and honor, and glory at the appearing of
Jesus Christ. The true learners of Christ, combining faith and truth
and righteousness in their life practice, will keep the way of the Lord;
there will be no conniving in selfish practices. Every path that God
has not marked out for men to pursue is that of the destroyer.
I have risen a long while before day to write these words, for I
see a great deal that needs to be done in heart and practice for men
in authority who are very officious to make laws and restrictions for
others, while they themselves do not obey the law of God. They
will learn sometime that there is prosperity and happiness in no other
path than the way of the Lord. Men’s reason may be obscured, the
conscience seared by long practice in their own way, but it is not a way
of peace or security. Wherever the peace of God reigns in the heart,
there is the tenderness and love of Christ.—
Letter 75, 1895
.
God the Chief Director—It was shown me that those who preside
over our institutions should ever bear in mind that there is a chief
director, who is the God of heaven. There should be strict honesty
in all business transactions in every department of the work. There
must be firmness in preserving order, but compassion, mercy, and