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The Publishing Ministry
Should there be no guard against the publication of erroneous
theories, our own publishing houses would become the agents for
disseminating false theories. Writers make a world of one or two items
of theory, which others cannot regard as important, and then the writer
thinks his ideas are greatly belittled.
Two or three days ago I received a chart from one who professes
to be a Sabbathkeeper in California, and he feels very sore over the
fact that the Pacific Press does not pay respect to his productions, and
accept the light he would present to the world.
[100]
There will be gods many, and lords many that will be struggling
for recognition; but should the persons that feel such a burden to pour
out something original upon the world walk humbly with God, in
meekness and contrition of spirit, the Lord would recognize them and
give them the grace of His Holy Spirit in order that they might do
the very work, according to their ability, which God would have them
do.—
Letter 49, 1894
.
Necessity of Diversity in Writing—The Lord gave His Word
in just the way He wanted it to come. He gave it through different
writers, each having his own individuality, though going over the same
history. Their testimonies are brought together in one Book, and are
like the testimonies in a social meeting. They do not represent things
in just the same style. Each has an experience of his own, and this
diversity broadens and deepens the knowledge that is brought out to
meet the necessities of varied minds. The thoughts expressed have not
a set uniformity, as if cast in an iron mold, making the very hearing
monotonous. In such uniformity there would be a loss of grace and
distinctive beauty.
We are not to feel that we must speak the very same things, giving
the same representation in the same words, and yet there is to be unity
in the diversity. All the different testimonies unite to form one whole,
as the books of the Bible are brought together, and bound under one
cover.... One must not labor to have everything that comes from his
mind entirely different from that which comes from another man’s
mind. But he is to follow in the line where the Spirit of the Lord
shall direct; then there will be different figures and different ways of
presentation that will interest and educate different minds.—
Letter 53,
1900
.