Let us listen to the words of Christ, the divine Teacher, as they fall from His lips upon the ears of the disciples, who press closely around Him, and upon the ears of the scribes and Pharisees, who watch His every movement, and listen to His every word, hoping to hear something which they can use as an accusation against Him. The vast multitude listen also to words full of grace and truth, spoken in a clear, musical voice. Such words they have never heard from the rabbis.
(RH May 28, 1901, Art. A, 1)
“Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets,” Christ says; “I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.”
(RH May 28, 1901, Art. A, 2)
Our eternal well-being has not been left in uncertainty. We need not depend upon the writings of “the Fathers,” or upon commentators, for explanations regarding the law of God. When these men have told us all that they in their human intelligence can, we find that they do not agree. We see such a diversity of opinions that were we to follow them in deciding what is truth, we should be left in confusion and uncertainty. The Lord has told us not to follow these human guides, but to take everything claiming to be Bible doctrine to the Scriptures. “Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples. And I will wait upon the Lord, that hideth His face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for Him. Behold, I and the children whom the Lord hath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the Lord of hosts, which dwelleth in Mount Zion. And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead? To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.”
(RH May 28, 1901, Art. A, 3)
“The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.” This light was shining forth as Christ in His sermon on the mount gave the true exposition of the law. The traditions, maxims, and false interpretations which had been brought in, had buried the precious jewels of truth beneath a mass of rubbish. Christ rescued these precious jewels, and placed them in the framework of truth. He bade them stand fast forever, to shine in their natural luster, commending truth to the intellect, arousing the slumbering conscience, leading the people away from human tradition to the word of God. Christ taught the people to ask, “What saith the word of the Lord?” I have a soul to save. I cannot afford to be mystified when my eternal well-being is at stake. Because my minister refuses to examine the Scriptures with a heart free from prejudice and stubbornness, because he refuses to admit the binding claims of the law of God, shall I do the same? Shall I refuse to lift the cross? Shall I be guided by preconceived opinions? Shall I lose the way to heaven because the shepherd cries in my ears, Peace, Peace, The Fathers, The Fathers? Shall I turn from the cool snow waters of Lebanon to the turbid streams of the valley?
(RH May 28, 1901, Art. A, 4)
Many among those who were listening to Christ were not seeking for evidence of the truth of His teaching. Of this they had had altogether too much. What they desired was not evidence, but an excuse to evade truths of eternal importance, which had for their foundation a “Thus saith the Lord.” They did not wish to obey; for obedience involved a cross. So today many refuse to put their will on the side of God's will. They refuse to conform their lives to the great standard of righteousness. They have educated and trained their God-given intellect to make of none effect the law of Jehovah, treating it as a code of moral embarrassment, a yoke of bondage. In the lives of transgressors they see the result of disobedience, yet they will not yield. They are not willing to reason from cause to effect, because Satan has blinded their minds by his sophistry, clothing the truth with a shadow of darkness. Paul's words to the Galatians, “Who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth?” come sounding down along the line to our time.
(RH May 28, 1901, Art. A, 5)
But whether the world, or the Church, which has joined hands with the world, obeys or disobeys, the law of God maintains its binding claims, notwithstanding the fact that men claim to have refuted every argument in its favor. The truth still lives; the light still shines; it cannot be put out. In the Dark Ages the Bible was set aside; it was burned. Men tried to banish it from the earth; but how signally they failed! The law of God may be ignored, despised, rejected, trampled upon, but it is still the great standard of righteousness, immutable and indestructible. It is eternal, like the character of Jehovah.
(RH May 28, 1901, Art. A, 6)
The keenest intellect may try to the utmost of its capacity to make void the law, but behold, the intellect of the greatest men perishes. Men build themselves up, full of a desire for high titles rather than for a growth in grace, but they go down to the grave. Their ambition perishes with them. Their eloquence and genius are forgotten. But God's holy law, unchangeable, eternal, and immortal, will stand firm forever and ever.
(RH May 28, 1901, Art. A, 7)
God will test all, even as He tested Adam and Eve, to see whether they will be obedient. Our loyalty or disloyalty will decide our destiny. Since the fall of Adam, men in every age have excused themselves for sinning, charging God with their sin, saying that they could not keep His commandments. This is the insinuation Satan cast at God in heaven. But the plea, “I cannot keep the commandments,” need never be presented to God; for before Him stands the Saviour, the marks of the crucifixion upon His body, a living witness that the law can be kept. It is not that men cannot keep the law, but that they will not.
(RH May 28, 1901, Art. A, 8)
Today men dare to charge Christ with being a Sabbath-breaker. Those who repeat this charge, made by the scribes and Pharisees, place themselves on the side of the enemy of God, and directly contradict Christ's teaching. With sacrilegious words the Pharisees charged Him with transgression, and if they could have fastened [this] crime upon Him, as they flattered themselves they could do, they would have been able to prove that He should be sentenced by the very law He had given. But they could not prove in a single instance that His works were not in perfect harmony with the law.
(RH May 28, 1901, Art. A, 9)
In His human nature Christ rendered perfect obedience to the law of God, thus proving to all that this law can be kept. He endured the death penalty himself, not to abrogate the law, not to immortalize sin, but to take away sin. It is because He has borne the punishment that man can have a second probation. He may, if he will, return to his loyalty. But if he refuses to obey the commands of God, if he rejects the warnings and messages God sends, choosing rather to echo the words of the deceiver, he is willingly ignorant, and the condemnation of God is upon him. He chooses disobedience because obedience means lifting the cross, practicing self-denial.
(RH May 28, 1901, Art. A, 10)
The natural mind leans toward pleasure and self-gratification. It is Satan's policy to manufacture an abundance of this. He seeks to fill the minds of men with a desire for worldly amusement, that they may have no time to ask themselves the question, How is it with my soul? The love of pleasure is infectious. Given up to this, the mind hurries from one point to another, ever seeking for some amusement. Obedience to the law of God counteracts this inclination, and builds barriers against ungodliness. Each person, as a rational human being, is under the most sacred obligation to obey the law. The Spirit has been provided to enable all to do this. Those who transgress the law by resting on the first day of the week instead of on the seventh, bear false witness to the world. God desires His people to uphold the dignity of His law by resting on the seventh day, His memorial of creation.
(RH May 28, 1901, Art. A, 11)
The ability to enjoy the riches of glory will be developed in proportion to the desire we have for these riches. How shall an appreciation of God and heavenly things be developed unless it is in this life? If the claims and cares of the world are allowed to engross all our time and attention, our spiritual powers weaken and die for lack of exercise. In a mind wholly given up to earthly things, every inlet through which light from heaven may enter is closed. God's transforming grace cannot be felt on mind or character. The talents that should be used in active piety are ignored and neglected. How, then, can a response be made when the invitation is heard, “Come; for all things are now ready”? How is it possible for a man to receive the commendation, “Well done, good and faithful servant,” when he has been disobedient, unthankful, unholy? He has trained his mind to disregard God's plainest requirements. He loves the things of earth more than the things of heaven.
(RH May 28, 1901, Art. A, 12)
An Appeal for the Southern Field
EGW
There is much that should be done in the Southern field. This long-neglected field must be given attention. Again and again the needs of this field have been pointed out, but very little has been done to redeem the neglect of the past. We hope that there will now be a decided awakening, and that our people will remove the reproach, by doing the work God has so decidedly laid upon them.
(RH May 28, 1901, 1)
Schools and sanitariums must be established in the South. No time should be wasted before this work is taken up. There is need also of a well-equipped printing press, that books may be published for the use of the workers in the South. I have been instructed that the publication of books suitable for use in this field is essential. Something in this line must be done without delay.
(RH May 28, 1901, 2)
I visited Vicksburg on my way to the General Conference, and I saw that in the buildings erected by the workers there, a good object lesson had been given to the people. Economy has been practiced in every line. The buildings are inexpensive, yet neat and tasty.
(RH May 28, 1901, 3)
At Nashville I was surprised to find a printing office filled with busy workers. This office, with its furnishings, has been purchased at as little cost as possible. Everything about it is neat and orderly. The countenances of the workers express intelligence and ability, and the work they do is a valuable object lesson. But a larger building is needed; for many lines of business will open up as the work is carried forward. There is much work to be done in the South, and in order to do this work, the laborers must have suitable literature, books telling the truth in simple language, and abundantly illustrated. This kind of literature will be the most effective means of keeping the truth before the people. A sermon may be preached and soon forgotten, but a book remains.
(RH May 28, 1901, 4)
The Lord has placed means in the hands of His people to be used in this work. I call upon my brethren and sisters to give of their means to provide a suitable publishing house for the Southern field.
(RH May 28, 1901, 5)
God has placed us in a world which He himself has described as full of His goodness. The blessings which He has provided are without number, amply sufficient for the carrying forward of the work of letting the light of truth shine forth to the world. Sin has prevailed, and has marred and seared the world with its curse, but still the Lord in His mercy is working out His divine plan for filling the earth with His glory. His bounty is inexhaustible.
(RH May 28, 1901, 6)
I appeal to those who know the truth, to help the work in the Southern field. This is my burden. I am instructed to call upon those who have means, to give of their money to the Southern field, that the Lord's work be not hindered.
(RH May 28, 1901, 7)
Nashville is to be made a center for the work. From this place will go forth an influence which will establish the work as the Lord may prepare the way. Let those who labor in the interest of the cause of God lay the necessities of the work in the South before the wealthy men of the world. Do this judiciously. Tell them what you are trying to do. Solicit donations from them. It is God's means which they have, means which should be used in enlightening the world. There are stored up in the earth large treasures of gold and silver. Men's riches have accumulated. Go to these men, with a heart filled with love for Christ and suffering humanity, and ask them to help you in the work you are trying to do for the Master. As they see that you reveal the sentiments of God's benevolence, a chord will be touched in their hearts. They will realize that they can be Christ's helping hand by doing medical missionary work. They will be led to co-operate with God, to provide the facilities necessary to set in operation the work that needs to be done.
(RH May 28, 1901, 8)
For God's people to be selfish with their means at this time, would be to give the victory to Satan. Covetousness is idolatry. It can not grow and strengthen without great loss of souls to Christ. God has done great things for us. Should not every heart expand with generous emotion, filled with a determination to return to the Lord His intrusted talents, that the work of restoring His moral image in man may be accomplished?
(RH May 28, 1901, 9)
Will our brethren awaken to a sense of their responsibility? Will they give liberally, that the work in the South may be so established that it may be self-sustaining? This world was established and is supported by the charity of a benevolent Creator. We are supported by God's compassionate love. He is the giver of all we have. He calls upon us to return to Him a portion of the abundance He has bestowed upon us. Think of the care He gives the earth, sending the rain and sunshine in their season, to cause vegetation to flourish. It is the great Husbandman who gives life to the seeds planted in the earth. He bestows His favors on the just and on the unjust. Shall not the recipients of His blessings show their gratitude to Him by giving of their bounties to help suffering humanity.
(RH May 28, 1901, 10)
Will you not strive to be like Jesus? Will you not be His helping hand? Will not you who claim to be sons and daughters of God, members of the royal family, show the world that truth expels selfishness from the heart?
(RH May 28, 1901, 11)
We may well feel that it is a privilege to be laborers together with God, to trade upon His goods by setting in operation that which will carry out His purposes in our world. Should we, receiving day by day the tokens of God's love and goodness and compassion, use our time and strength in self-serving, while the cause of God is languishing, and provision is not made for carrying forward to completion His purpose for the sanctification of the beings He has created and redeemed?
(RH May 28, 1901, 12)
The Lord Jesus calls upon me to set these things before believers and unbelievers. Be merciful, even as your Father in heaven is merciful. Think of the great gift God has made you, even the gift of His Son. Think of what he has done to secure your salvation. Your sinful condition demanded a sacrifice. In your spiritual destitution you had nothing to offer. Christ came to this world, and on the cross offered himself as a sacrifice for you. You are not your own; for you have been bought with a price; “therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.” He “so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
(RH May 28, 1901, 13)
Behold the substitute which heaven has provided for you! Herein is love! God has given you amazing proof of His love, a proof which defies all computation. We have no line with which to measure it, no standard with which to compare it. God gave His beloved Son as a propitiation for our sins.
(RH May 28, 1901, 14)
What more can I say? Can we refuse the request of Him who has done so much for us? God invites us to let our gratitude flow forth in gifts and offerings. He calls upon us to be His merciful, helping hand, to bear His blessings to needy, perishing souls. He who, to save you from eternal death, gave up His only begotten Son, asks you to give to His work your worldly possessions. He asks for loving, compassionate service. This He does to test you; and in asking, He calls only for His own; for all you have is His. To test your allegiance to Him, He permits you to handle His goods. He wants you to make all you possibly can of yourself, because then you will have more capabilities to return to Him. You will impart, and receive to impart. Call to mind each day what God is to you. Talk of His perfection, of His glory, and with this in mind, ask yourself what you can do for Him. Remember that He has intrusted you with His goods. Repeat over and over, “This God is my God forever and ever.” Those who in this life give willingly and cheerfully to God are laying up treasure in heaven. They will at last come into possession of an eternal weight of glory.
(RH May 28, 1901, 15)