NOT FOR PUBLICATION QUOTATIONS CONCERNING THE COMING CRISIS COMPILED BY DAVID PAULSON, M.D HINSDALE, ILL NOT FOR PUBLICATION tonm Whitt Library ANDREWS UNIVERSITY QUOTATIONS CONCERNING THE COMING CRISIS Compiled, by David Paulson, M.D. at Hinsdale, 111. This compilation does not include any quotation on this subject which may be found in any of the writings from the pen of Mrs. I* G* White which are easily available* R. and H- Dec. 18, 1388 "It does not seem possible to us now that any should have to stand alone* But if ever God has spoken by me, the time will come when we shall be brot before councils before thousands for His Name's' sake, and each will have to give the reason for his faith. Then will come the severest criticism upon every position that has been taken for the truth. We need, then, to study the Word of God, that we may know why we belitve the doctrines we advocate. We must critically search the living oracles of Jehovah." R. and H.- Dec. 11, 1888 "Have you that Intensity of seal, that piety and devotion, which will enable you to stand when opposition is brot upon you? If God has ever spoken by me the time will come when we shall be brot before councils, and every position of truth which we hold will be severely criticised. The time that we are now allowing to go to waste should be devoted to the charge God has given us, of preparing for the approaching crisis. Much time should be spent in prayer that our garments of character may be washed and made white in the blood of the Lamb." Missionary Sketches, p. 158 "In the day of fierce trial He will say; 'Come, My people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about the; hide thyself as it were for a little moment; until the indignation be overpast.' What are the chambers in which they are to hide? They are the protection of Christ and holy angels." "The people of God are not at this time all in one place. They are in different companies and in all parts of the earth. They will be tried singly, and not in groups. Everyone must stand the test for himself." R. and H.- Apr. 23, 1889 "Parents, ask yourselves the solemn question, 'Have we educated our children to yield to paternal authority and thus trained them to obey God, to love Him, to hold His law as the supreme guide of conduct and life? Have we educated them -2- to be missionaries for Christ? To go about doing good?' Believing parents, your children will hare to fight decisive battles for the Lord in the day of conflict."............."The tender mercies of this power will be displayed in prison cells and dungeons. Already preparations are advancing and movements are in progress which will result in making an image of the beast. Events will be brot about in the earth's history that will fulfill the predictions of prophedy for these last days. Coming events are casting their shadows upon our pathway. Are we preparing our children for the great crisis? Are we preparing ourselves and our households to understand the position of our adversaries and their modes of warfare? Are our children forming habits of decision, that they may be firm and unyielding in every matter of principle and duty? I pray that we may all understand the signs of the times, that we may so prepare ourselves and our children that in the time of conflict Sod may be our refuge and defense." Sen. Conf. Bulletin, 1891, p. 257 "In the absence of persecution, there have frifted into Our ranks some who appear sound, and their Christianity unquestionable, but who, if persecution should arise, wtauld go out from us. In the crisis, they would see force in the specious reasoning that had had an influence on their minds. Satan has prepared various snares to meet varied minds." "When the law of Sod is made void, the church will be sifted by fiery trials and a larger proportion than we now anticipate will give need to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. Instead of being strengthened when brot into strait places, many prove that they are not living branches of the True Vine; They bore no fruit and the Husband-man takes them away." B. and H.o June 8, 1897 "All who will gather warmth from the coldness of others, courage from their defections, and loyalty from their treason, will triumph with the Third Angel's Message." £. and H.- Dec.11, 1888 "d Great crisis awaits the people of God. Very soon our nation will attempt to force upon all the observance of the first day of the week as a sacred day. In doing this, they will not scruple to compel men, against the voice of their own conscience, to observe the day the nation declares to be the Sabbath. In view of this, there must be, among God's commandment-keeping people, more spirituality and a deeper consecration to od, and a zeal in His work that has never yet been reached, to hold aloft the banner of God's truth. When declension danger threaten the church, there will be more praying, more fasting be the faithful few, and the Lord will answer the prayers offered to Him in sincerity, and at the same time He will come forth as an Avenger because of the guiltiness of of the evil workers. He will be a Protector for 'He will avenge His Own elect which cry day and night unto Him, tho He bear long with them.'" R. and H.- Dec. 24, 1889 "There is a work to be done for this time, in fitting a people to stand in the day of trouble, and all must act their part in this work. They must be clothed with the righteousness of Christ and be so fortified by the truth that the delusions of Satan shall not be accepted by them as genuine manifestations of the power of Qod. Years have been lost but will you now awake? £. and H.- lug. 22, 1893 "The whole world is to be stirred with enmity against Seventh-Day Adventists because they will not yield homage to the papacy by honoring Sunday the institution of this anti-christian power. It is the purpose of Satan to cause than to be blotted from the earth, in order that his supremacy of the world may not be disputed." R. and H.- June 15, 1897 "Instead of those who have the light of truth allowing jealousy and evil—surmisings to come in and weaken their love and union one with another, their united prayers should ascend to heaven for the Lord to arise and put an end to the violence and abuse which are practised in our- world. More prayer and less talk is what God desires, and it would make His people a tower of strength." R. and H.- Dec. 24, 1889 "Instead of increased power as we enter the perils of the last days, weakness, dissension, and strife for supremacy, are apparent. But if we had a connection with the Qod of heaven, we should be mighty in Him, and yet we would talk with all lowliness of mind, having self hid in Jesus. But now both spiritual and natural feebleness and death are depriving us of workers. Qod alone, by His Holy Spirit, and arouse us from the slumber of death." "The Bible will be open from house to house, and men and women will find access to these homes and minds will be opened to receive the Word of Qod. And when the crisis comes, mauy will be prepared to make ri^ht decisions even In the face of the formidable difficulties that will be brot about thru the deceptive mirables of Satan. Altho these will confess the truth and become workers for Christ at the eleventh hour, they will receive e^oal wages with those who have wrot thru the whole day. There will be an any of steadfast believers who will stand as firm as a rock thru the last test. But -4- where in that army are those who have been standard—bearers? Where are those whose voices have sounded in proclaiming the truth to the sinning? Some of them are not there. We look for them, but in the time of shaking they have been unable to stand and have passed over to the enemy's rank......We need now the courage of God's faithful servants of old; not one wavering, uncertain note should come from the watcher's trumpets*H Gen. Conf. Bulletin, 1891, p. 257 "The Word of God plainly declares that His law is to be scorned, trampled down, by the world. There will be an extraordinary prevalence of iniquity. The professed protestant world will form a confederacy with the man of sin, and the church and the world will be in corrupt harmony. Here the great crisis is coming upon the world.. The Scriptures teach that popery is to regain its lost supremacy, that the fires of persecution will be rekindled thru the time-serving concessions of the so-called protestant world. In this time of peril we can stand only as we have the truth and the power of God. Men can know the truth only by being themselves partakers of the divine nature. We have need now for more than wisdom in read- ing and searching the scriptures; and if we come to God's work with humble hearts, He will raise up a standard for us against the lawless element." E. and H., Jan. 1, 1889 "The crisis is now upon us. The battle is to be waged between the Christianity of the Bible and the Christianity of tradition. Is there not a criminal neglect in our present sleeny condition? There must be a decided advance movement among us. We must show to the world that we recognize, in the events that are now taking place in connection with the National Beform Movement, the fulfillment of prophecy." E. and H.- Dec. 18, 1388 "Some think that because it has been revealed in prophecy that our nation shall restrict the consciences of men, it must surely come; and that as we make an effort to preserve our liberty, we shall be acting the part of unfaithful servants, and thus come under the condemnation of God. This peril now threatens the people of God; and what are we going to do? (>*11 we not assist in lifting the standard and in calling to the front those who have a regard for their religious rights and privileges? God calls upon us to awake." B. and H.- Dec. 11, 1888 "The prophet saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth holding the four winds of the earth, that they should not blow on the earth nor on the sea, nor on any tree. Another angel ascending from the east cried to them saying Hurt not the earth neither the sea, nor the trees till we* have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.' This points out the work we now have to do, which is to cry to God for the angels to hold the four winds until missionaries be -5- sent to all parts of the world, and shall have proclaimed the warning against disobeying the law of Jehovah." B. and H— Jan. 1, 1899 "It is essential that we be much in prayer to Qod, that His voice and His pwwer may be manifested in behalf of this people, and that the angels may hold the four winds until the truth is more fully proclaimed, and the servants of Qod are sealed in their foreheads. Qod is not pleased with the atti-tude of Hi8 people." B. and H.- Dec. 24, 1889 "If they do nothing to disabuse the minds of the people, and thru ignorance of the truth our legislature should adjure the principles of protestantism and give countenance and support to the Boman fallacy, the spurious sabbath, Qod will hold His people who have had great light, accountable for their lack of diligence and faithfulness. But if the subject of religious legislation is Judiciously and intelligently lain before the people, and they see that thru Sunday enforcement the Boman apostasy would be re-enacted by ihe Christian world, and that the tyranny of past ages would be repeated, then, whatever comes, we shall have done our duty." B. and H.- Apr. 15, 1890 "Qod is going to bring around a condition of things where the good men and women in authority will have an opportunity to know what is truth indeed, and because the people will not bow the knee to the image, and receive the mark of the beast in the hand or in the forehead, but will stand to the truth to compel the conscience." B. and H— Dec. 24, 1889 The watchmen have been asleep but may Qod grant that they may not sleep the sleep of death. Let all who are standing upon the walls of Zion give the trumpet a certain sound. It is a solemn time for Qod's people, but if they stand close to the bleeding side of Jesus He will be their defense. He will open ways that the message of light may come to great men, to authors, and law-makers. They will have opportunities of which you do not dream, and some of them will boldly advocate the claims of Qod's downtrodden law." B. and E.- Jan. 1, 1889 "Let not the commandment-keeping people of Qod be silent at this time, as tho we gracefully accepted the situation. There is the prospect before us of waging a continuous war at the risk of imprisonment, Qf losing property and even life itself, to defend the law of Qod, which is being made void by -6- the laws of men. This Bible text will he quoted to us, 'Let every soul he subject to the higher powers. The powers that he are ordained of God.•" E. and H— March 25, 1890 "The time is coming when we shall he separated and scattered, and each of us will have to stand without the privilege of communion with those of like precious faith." E. and H— May 17, 1887 "There will he women who will become tempters, and who will do their best to attract and win the attention of men to themselves. First, they will seek to win their sympathy, next their affection, and then to induce them to break God's holy law." E. and H.- Apr. 13, 1890 "When the legislature frames laws that exalt the first day of the week, and put it in the place of the seventh day, the device of Satan will he perfected." Sp. of Proph., Vol. LV, 404 "Combining the temperance reform with the Sunday movement, they represent themselves as laboring to promote the highest interests of society; and those who refuse to unite with them are denounced as the enemies of temperance and to give it plausibility." Ibid., 150 "Let there be a revival of the faith and power of the early church, and the spirit of persecution wiil be revived, and the fires of persecution will be rekindled." E. and H.- Dec. 18, 1888 "Satan... will come impersonating Jesus Christ, working mighty miracles, and men will fall down and worship him as Jesus Christ. N® *ball be commanded to worship this being, whom the world will glorify." Gen. Conf. Bulletin, 1893, p. 16 "Now, just now, is our time to work in foreign countries. A.8 America, the land of religious liberty, shall unite with the papacy in forcing the consciences of men to honor the false Sabbath, the people of every country on the globe will be led to follow her example." E. and H.- March 9, 1886 "There is one pointed in prophecy as the man of sin. He -7- ls the representative of 8at&&. • • Here is Satan's right-band man, ready to carry on the work that Satan conmenced in heaven, that of trying to amend the law of ^od. And the Christian world has sanctioned his efforts by adopting this child of the papacy—the Sunday institution. They have nurished it and will continue to nurish it until Protestantism will gibe the hand of fellowship to the Roman power. Then there will be a law against the Sabbath of Qod's creation, and then it is that God will do a strange work in the earth. "God keeps a record with the nations. The figures are swelling against them in the books of heaven; and when it g^n have become a law that the transgression of the first day of the week shall be met with punishment, then their cap will be full." Sen. Conf. Bulletin, 1891, p. 249 "There is a point in human iniquity when it is time to interfere, and terrible are the issueT...The long-suffering of "od is wonderful because He puts constraint upon Eis own attributes; but punishment is none the less certain. Every century of profligacy has treasured up wrath against the day of wrath; and *hen the time comes and the iniquity is fullm then God will do Eis strange work. It will be found a terrible thing to have worn out the patience of God; for the wrath of God will fall so signally and strongly that it is represented as being unmixed with mercy. The very earth will be desolated." "It is at the time of the national apostasy when, acting on the policy of Satan, the rulers of the land will rank themselves on the side of the man of sin—it is then that the measure of guilt is full; the national apostasy is the signal for national ruin." £. and E.- June 14, 1897 "Protestants will work upon the rulers of the land to make laws to restore the ascendency of the man of sin. . . Roman Catholic principles under the care and protection of the State. This national apostasy will speedily be followed by national ruin.11 Sp. Of Proph., IV, 277-278 "The image is made to the first, or leopard-like beast, which is the one brot to view in the Third Angel's Message." "By this first beast is represented the Roman Church, an ecclesiastical body clothed with civil power. The image to the beast represent another religious body clothed with similar power. The formation of this image is the work of that beast whose peaceful rise and mild professions render it so striking a symbol of the United States. Here is found an image to the papacy." "When the churches of our land, uniting upon such points of faith as are held by them in common shall influence the State to enforce their decrees and sustain their institutions, then will Protestant America have formed an image of the Soman heirarchy* Then the true church will he assailed with persecution, as were ^od's ancient people** -9- QUOTATIONS FROM PUBLISHED AND UNPUBLISHED TESTIMONIES CONCERNING THE PRESENT NECESSITY OH THE PART OP STEEP CHURCH UMBER TO SEEK POR MORS TRUTH PROU THE BIBLE S. S. Worker, Jan., 1889, and Teat, on S. Si Work, 1900, p. 30 "Great truths that have Been neglected and unappreciated for ages will be revealed by the Spirit of God, and new meaning will flash out of familiar texts. Every page will be illuminated by the Spirit of Truth." US., W. 145a, >97 "God's Spirit has illuminated every page of Holy frit; but there are those upon whom it makes little impression because it is imperfectly understood. When the shaking comes, by the introduction of false theories, these surface readers, anchored nowhere, are like shifting sand. They slide into any position to suit the tenor of their feelings... .Daniel s°d Revelation must be studied, as well as the other prophecies of the Old and Hew Testaments, Let there be light yes, light , in your dwellings. For this we need to pray* The Holy Spirit, shining^ upon the sacred page will open our understanding that we may jqiow what is truth. We can appropriately say as said the disciples when Jesus walked with them on their way to Banana, after He had risen from the dead, 'Then opened He their understanding, that they might understand the Scriptures*'" MS., Uay 27, 1896 T.M.H. 113 "Here is need of a much closer study of the Word of God; especially should Daniel and the Revelation have attention as never before in the history of our work. We may have less to say in some lines in regard, to the Roman power and the papacy; but we should call attention to what the prophets and apostles have written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit has so shaped matters, buth in giving of the prophecy and in the events portrayed, as to teach that the human agent is to be kept out of sight, hid in Christ, and that the Lord God of heaven and His law are to be exalted. Read the book of Daniel. Call up, point by point, the history of the kingdoms there represented. Behold statesmen, councils, powerful armies and see how Sod wrought to abase the pride of men, and lay human glory in the dust. . • The light that Daniel received from God was given especially for these last days. The vision he saw by the banks of the Ulai and the Hiddekel. . . are now in process of fulfillment, and all the events foretold will soon come to pass. • . Consider the circumstances of the Jewish nation when the prophecies of Daniel were given." MS., B.157, '12 "Let us give more time to the study of the Bible. We do not understand the Word as we should. The Book of Hevelation opens with an injunction to us to understand the instruction which it contains. . . When we as a people understand what this hook means to us. there will he seen among us a great revival. We do not understand fully the lessons it teaches, notwithstanding the injunction given ut to search and study it*" Test., Vol. VI, 59 "To the .Apostle John on the Isle of Patmos were revealed the things which God desired him to give to the people. Study these revelations. Here are themes worthy of our contemplation, large and comprehensive lessons which all the angelic host are now seeking to coraraonicate.n Prom pamphlet, "Bolling Back the Reproach." "Daniel is standing in his lot and in his place. The prophecies of Daniel and John are to he understood; they interpret each other. They give to us truths which all should understand. These prophecies are to he witnessed in the last day8. By their fulfillment in these last days they will explain themselves." MS., B. 16, '00 "In the past teachers have declared Daniel and the Revelation to he sealed hooks, and the people have turned from them. The veil whose apparent iy stery has kept many from lifting it, God's own hand has withdrawn from these portions of His Word. The very name Hevelation contraindicates the statement that it is a sealed hook. Hevelation means that something of Importance is revealed. The truths of this hook are addressed to those living in these last days. We are standing with the veil removed in the holy place of sacred things. We are not to stand without. We are to enter, not with careless irreverent thots, not with impetuous footsteps, hut with reverence and godly fear. We are nearing the time when the prophecies of Revelation are to he fulfilled. "We have the commandments of Qod and the testimony of Jeses Christ which is the Spirit of Prophecy. Priceless gems are to he found in the Word of God. Those Who search this work should keep the mind clear. Never should they indulge perverted appetite in eating or drinking. If they do this, the hrain will oe confused. They will he unahle to hear the strain of digging disp to find out the meaning of those things which relate to tha closing scenes of this earth's history* “When the hooks of Daniel and the Revelation are better understood helievers will have an entirely different religious experience. They will he given such glimpses of the open gates of heaven that heart and ming will he impressed with the character that all must develop in order to realize the blessedness which is to he the reward of the pure in heart. The lord will bless all who will seek humbly and meekly to understand that which is revealed in the Revelation. This hook con- 11- tains so orach that is large with immortality and full of glory that all who read and search It earnestly receive the blessing to those 'that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep th6se things which are written therein.' "One thing will certainly be understood from the study of Revelation; that the connection between Qod and His people is close and decided." MS., K. 59, '96 "A wonderful connection is seen between the universe of heaven and this world. The things revealed to Daniel were afterward complemented by the Revelation made to John. . . These two books should be carefully studied. Twice Daniel inquired, liow long shall it be to the end of time? 'And I heard, but 1 understood not: Then said I, oh, ny lord, what shall be the end of these things? And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed to the time of the end1.... "It was the Lion of the Tribe of Judah who unsealed the book, and gave to John the revelation of what should be in these last days. Danielstood in his lot to bear his testimony which was sealed until the time of the end, when the first angel's message should be proclaimed to our world. These matters are of infinite importance in these last days; but. . 'the wicked shall do wickedly and none of the wicked shall under stand. • How true this is! Sin is the transgression of the law of God, and those who will not accept the light in regard to the law of God will not understand the proclamation of the first, second, and third angel's messages. The book of Daniel is unsealed in the revelation to John, and carries us forward to the last scenes of this earth's history." R. and H., Aug. 17, 1897 "Those who eat the flesh and drink the blood of the Son of God will bring from the books of Daniel and the Revelation truth that is inspired by the Holy Spirit. They will start into action forces that cannot be repressed. The lips of children will be opened to proclaim the mysteries that have been hidden from the minds of men." R. and H. Aug. 31, 1897 "We are standing on the threshold of great and solemn events. Many of the prophecies are about to be fulfilled in (juick succession. Xvery element of power is about to be set at work. Past history will be repeated; old controversies will arouse to new life, and peril will beset God'6 people on every side. Intensity is taking bold of the human family. It is permeating everything upon the earth." R. and H., Peb. 25, 1890 "When the churches become living, working churches, the -12- Holy Spirit will be given in answer to their sincere reauest. Then the truth of God’s word will he regarded with new interest, and will he explored as if it were a revelation just from the courts above." Test., Vol. V, 707; and, "Gospel Workers", 298 "The fact that there is no controversy of agitation among God's people should not he regarded as conclusive evidence that they are holding fast to sound doctrine, there is reason to fear that they may not he clearly discriminating between truth and error. When no new questions are started by investigation of the Scriptures, when no difference of opinion arises which will set men to searching the Bible for themselves, to make sure that they have the truth, there will he many now, as in ancient times, who will hold to tradition, and worship they know not what." "God will arouse His people; if other means fail, heresies will come in among than which will sift them. . . The Lord calls upon all who believe His word’ to awake out of sleep. Precious light has cmne, appropriate for this time. . . This light should lead us to a diligent study of the Scriptures and a most critical examination of the positions which we hold. God would have all the hearings and positions of truth thoroly and perseveringly searched with prayer and fasting. Believers are not to rest in suppositions and ill-defined ideas of what constitutes truth. Whatever may he man's intellectual advancement, let him not for a moment think that there is no need for there and continuous searching of the Scriptures for greater light. AS A PEOPLE WE ABE CALLED INDIVIDUALLY TO BE STUDENTS OP PBOPEBCY. We must satch with earnestness that we may discern any ray of light which God shall present to us. We are to catch the first gleamings of truth; and thru prayerful study clearer light may he obtained which can he hrot before others. "When God's people are at ease and satisfied with their present enlightenment we may he sure that He will not favor them. t is His will that they should he ever moving forward to receive the increased and ever-increasing light which is shining for them. The present attitude of the church is not pleasing to God. There has come in a self-confidence that has led them to feel no necessity for more truth and greater light... Q«^wills that a voice shall he heard arousing His people to ^ Pol. VI, 407 "WE SHOULD PEAE TO SKIM THE SUBPACE OP THE TOED OP GOD." Vol. V, 703 "God intends that, even in this life, truth shall he ever unfolding to his people." (Study also—II, 692; 650; 129-30) B. and H., Peh. 18, 1890 A "W ^ere is a point of truth that you do not understand, -13- upon which you do not agree, investigate; compare scripture with scripture; sink the shaft of truth down deep into God's word. You must lay yourselves and your opinion on the altar of God, put away your preconceived ideas, and let the Spirit of Heaven guide you into all truth. . . The Holy Spirit is wanting in our work. Nothing frightens me more than to see ths spirit of variance manifested by oar brethren. Ve are on dangerous ground when we cannot meet together like Christians and courteously examine controverted points. I feel like fleeing from the place lest I receive the mold of those who cannot impartially examine the evidences of a position that differs from theirs, are not fit to teach in any department of God's cause. . When a message is presented to God's people, they should not rise up in opposition to it. They should go to the Bible, comparing it with the law and the testimony, if it does not bear this test, it is not true. God wants our minds to expand. We may have a feast of good things every day; for God can open the whole treasure of heaven to us." ^ „ US., X. 56, >96 "We are living in most solemn times. The gospel in the old and new Testaments is not to be contempleted from a narrow aspect, as one or two men, or even many men, may view it. How large, how broad, how extensive is the gospel... "No one needs to be deceived if he will make the word of God his study. How little is the book of Hevelation studiedl It is a hidden mystery to the religious world...but it especially concerns us who are living in these last days. 'Blessed is he that readeth.' Study Hevelation in connection with Daniel; for history will be repeated. We, with all our religious advantages, ought to know far more today than we do know." Christ's Object lessons, p. 133 T.M.H. 116 "ingels desire to look into the truths that are revealed to the people who with contrite hearts are searching toe word of God, and praying for greater lengths, and breadths and depths and heights of the knowledge which He alone can give. As we near the close of this world's history, the prophecies relating to these last days especially demand our study. The last book of the aew Testament scriptures is full of truth that we need to understand. Satan has blinded the minds of many so that they have been glad of any excuse for not the Hevelation their study. But Christ thru His servant John has here declared what shall be in the last days." MS., W. 1, '02 "The books of Daniel and the Hevelation should be bound together and published. A few explanations of certain portions might be added, but I am not sure that these would be needed. This is the suggestion that I made to Elder Haskell which resulted in the book he published. The need is not filled by this book. It was my idea to have the two books >Wnd together, Hevelation following Daniel. The object is to -14- bring these books together, shoving that they both relate to the same subjects." (See also Test., Yol. Till, 160) MS., 139, '03 T.M.H. 117 "The vision that Christ presented to John, presenting the commandments of God and faith of Jesus, is to be definitely proclaimed to all nations, peoples, and tongues. The churches, represented by Babylon, are represented as having fallen from their spiritual state to become a persecuting power against those who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. To John, this persecuting power is represented as having horns like a lamb but as speaking like a dragon* As we near the close of time there will be greater aad still greater external parade of heathen power; heathen die ties will manifest their signal power, and will exhibit themselves before the cities of the world. And this delineation has already begun to be fulfilled.* By a variety of images the Lord Jesus represented to John the wicked character seductive influence of those who have been distinguished for their persecution of Qod's people. All need wisdom carefully to search out the mystery of initialty that figures so largely in the winding up of this earth's history. . . In the very time in which we live the Lord has called His people and has given than a message to bear. He has called them to expose the wickedness of the man of sin who has made the Sunday law a distinctive power, who has thot to change times laws and to oppress the people who stand firmly to honor Him by keeping the only true Sabbath, the Sabbath of creation as holy unto the Lord." > Test., Yol. VI, 61-2 "The perils of the last days are upon us. . . Let not the solemn scenes which prophecy has revealed by left untouched. If our people were half awake, if they realized the nearness of the events portrayed in the Eevelation, a reformation would be wrot in our churches, and many more would believe the message. Ye have no time to lose; God calls upon us to watch for souls as they that must give an account. Advance new principles and crowd in the clear-cut truth. It will be as a sword cutting both ways. But be not too ready to take a controversial attitude. There will be times when we must stand still and see the salvation of God. Let Daniel speak, let the Bevelation speak and tell what is truth." B. and K.- March 25, 1890 ^4 "Ye must not think, 'Yell, we have all the truth; we understand the main pillars of our faith, and we may rest on this knowledge.' The truth is an advancing truth, and we must walk in the increasing light. A brother asked, 'Sister Vhite, do you think we must understand the truth for ourselves? Why can we not take the truths that others have gathered together and believe them because they have investigated the subjects and then we shall be free to go on without the taxing of the nosers -15- not think that these men who have hrot out the truth in the past were inspired of God?' I dare not say that they were not led of Qod, for Christ leads into all truth; hut when it comes to inspiration in the fullest sense of the word, I answer, "Ho. I believe trait $o& has given them a work to do, "but if they are not fully consecrated to God at all times, they will weave self and their peculiar traits of character into what they are doing; and will put their mould upon the work and fashion men in religious experience after their own pattern. It is dangerous for us to make flesh our aim. We should lean upon the arm of Infinite power. God has been revealing this to ue for years. We must have living faith in our hearts, and reach out for larger knowledge and more advanced light. "We do not claim that in the doctrines sought out by those who have studied the word of truth, there may not be some error; for no man that lives is infallible. But if God has sent light, we want it; and God has sent light, and let every man be careful how he treats it. . . Our brethren should be willing in a oandid way to investigate every point of controversy. If a brother is teaching error, those who are in responsible positions ought to know it; and if he is teaching truth they ought to take their stand at his side. We should all know what is being taught among us, for if it is truth we need to know it.” B. and H.- Dec. 20, 1892 A "There is no excuse for anyone in taking the position that there is no more truth to be revealed, and that all our expositions of Scripture are without error. The fact that certain doctrines have been held as truth for many years by our people, is not a proof that our ideas afe infallible.