Daily Living

Ellen G. White and Racism, Part II

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It is important that the counsel of Ellen White regarding segregation of the black and the white races be understood within the context of the time and the situation. Slavery had not too long been abolished when she wrote her counsel. See, we must go retrospectively to Mrs. White’s time, and consider the fact that this was a very unpleasant situation for both black people and white people. When she made certain statements under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, they were for that time. They were not for all time. Slavery was still deeply rooted in the hearts of the greater number of white people, unrestrained by civil laws that are in effect today.

It was God’s intent that, with the passing of time, the misunderstandings and the negative attitudes and behaviors would be dissolved, and both blacks and whites would live, work, worship, and play together in love, unity, and peace. It was God’s intention that the church, and I am most specifically referring to the Seventh-day Adventist Church, would be the entity that would be the paradigm for such a revival and reformation. Dr. Ciro Sepulveda, in his book Ellen White on the Color Line: Race in a Christian Community (Biblos Press, Leominster, MA, November 1997), highlights that in the 1870s several Adventists were actively advocating putting an end to segregation by starting a model colony where black and white Adventists would live together.

No Visible Color Line

It was reported in the February 1877 issue of the Review and Herald that a white lady in Missouri had a school for Negro children. The students, most of whom were orphans, ranged from 6–24 years of age. Ten of her pupils could read and write. John Harvey Kellogg raised several orphans in his home—African-Americans, Mexican-Americans, Asian-Americans, and others. A young Negro man accepted the Seventh-day Adventist message in Reno, Nevada, where Ellen White spoke. He went on to attend what is now known as Pacific Union College in Angwin, California, and became the first black pastor of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. All of this would seem to indicate that the color line was certainly not as visible in the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the 1870s and the 1880s as it was in the larger society where white and black students were unable to mingle.

Segregation Came Into the SDA Church

With the passage of time, however, the color line, which Ellen White referred to in her sermon in 1891, had clearly entered the Seventh-day Adventist community. After the death of Mrs. White in 1915, the Seventh-day Adventist Church slowly put on the trappings of a segregated institution. As early as the 1920s, blacks were not permitted to intermingle with whites in many of the institutions run by the church. Black young people from New York City could not go to the Greater New York Conference campgrounds for recreation because of their skin color. At the Review and Herald cafeteria in the General Conference, the skin color of black ministers barred them from walking in the front door. In 1943, the Washington Sanitarium admitted a light-skinned African-American woman as a patient, but when they discovered her identity, she was wheeled out of the hospital—shortly afterward she died of pneumonia.

Not only had the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the United States become segregated, but also, Ellen White’s counsel was now being used to justify segregation. In his book, Dr. Sepulveda quoted a contemporary of Ellen White, Lewis H. Christian, author of The Fruitage of Spiritual Gifts (Review and Herald Publishing Association, Washington, DC, 1947), as saying that Ellen White did not teach the ideas so common today in what is sometimes called “Race Equality.” He said she taught that there should be opportunity for all to advance, but she did not teach that there should be a mingling of the races. He said that she stated very clearly that the colored people should have their own church organization (that has not yet happened) and church buildings. (That also has not yet happened. The buildings in which the black people worship belong to the organization.) Mr. Lewis further stated that some, at first, were opposed to the idea, but experiments have proven that the Spirit of Prophecy was from the Lord. He added that she condemned the idea that there should be mixed marriages between the colored and the whites.

Did Ellen White Change?

Dr. Sepulveda asks the question, “How then do we understand the transformation of Ellen White? How did she go from ardent abolitionist, who opposed the values of the leadership of the country, to a defender of the culture?” He shows that the process that transformed Ellen White did not start with L. H. Christian. In fact, many years before her death, the leaders of the church were becoming more and more unhappy with her Testimonies. Many felt uncomfortable with the pressure that Ellen White was exerting on them. Although a few leaders were willing to challenge her on her position, many were clearly irritated with her. They did not want to hear it.

He goes further to show that it was not only the liberal branch of the church that developed distaste for Ellen White but also the conservative side. So on both sides she was not accepted. She had no friends on either side anymore, because she was dealing with a delicate issue, something that no one wanted to stir up.

Light From Heaven

As early as 1868, Ellen White had written, “From what has been shown me . . . .” No one can dispute that when she says, “I have been shown.” “From what has been shown me, Sabbathkeepers are growing more selfish as they increase in riches. Their love for Christ and His people is decreasing. They do not see the wants of the needy, nor feel their suffering and sorrow. They do not realize that in neglecting the poor and the suffering they neglect Christ, and that in relieving the wants and suffering of the poor as far as possible, they minister to Jesus.” Testimonies, vol. 2, 24.

So what we are dealing with here, my brothers and my sisters, is an attitude problem. People will accept Ellen White’s counsel when it suits them. But when it goes up against their preconceived opinions, they question her credibility and reject the counsel.

Personal Judgment vs. God’s Instruction

She recognized this would happen, and in 1888, she wrote: “You have talked over matters as you viewed them, that the communications from Sister White are not all from the Lord, but a portion is her own mind, her own judgment, which is no better than anybody else’s judgment and ideas. This is one of Satan’s hooks to hang your doubts upon to deceive your soul and the souls of others who will dare to draw the line in this matter and say, this portion which pleases me is from God, but that portion which points out and condemns my course of conduct is from Sister White alone, and bears not the holy signet. You have in this way virtually rejected the whole of the messages, which God in His tender, pitying love has sent to you to save you from moral ruin. . . .

“There is One back of me which is the Lord, who has prompted the message which you now reject and disregard and dishonor. By tempting God you have unnerved yourselves, and confusion and blindness of mind has been the result.” Selected Messages, Book 3, 68, 69.

Additional Counsel

I would like to share with you several Ellen White quotations on the brotherhood of mankind. She wrote: “Whoever of the human family give themselves to Christ, whoever hear the truth and obey it, become children of one family. The ignorant and the wise, the rich and the poor, the heathen and the slave, white or black,—Jesus paid the purchase money for their souls. If they believe on Him, His cleansing blood is applied to them. The black man’s name is written in the book of life beside the white man’s. All are one in Christ. Birth, station, nationality, or color cannot elevate or degrade man. The character makes the man. If a red man [American Indian], a Chinese, or an African gives his heart to God, in obedience and faith, Jesus loves him none the less for his color. He calls him His well-beloved brother.” Ibid., Book 2, 342.

“We are one brotherhood. No matter what the gain or the loss, we must act nobly and courageously in the sight of God and our Saviour. Let us as Christians who accept the principle that all men, white and black, are free and equal, adhere to this principle, and not be cowards in the face of the world, and in the face of the heavenly intelligences. We should treat the colored man just as respectfully as we would treat the white man. And we can now, by precept and example, win others to this course.” Ibid., 343.

All Men are Equal Before God

“Christ recognized no distinction of nationality or rank or creed. . . . Christ came to break down every wall of partition. He came to show that His gift of mercy and love is as unconfined as the air, the light, or the showers of rain that refresh the earth.

“The life of Christ established a religion in which there is no caste, a religion by which Jew and Gentile, free and bond, are linked in a common brotherhood, equal before God. No question of policy influenced His movements. He made no difference between neighbors and strangers, friends and enemies. That which appealed to His heart was a soul thirsting for the waters of life. . . .” Ibid., 485.

“When the Holy Spirit moves upon human minds, all petty complaints and accusations between man and his fellow man will be put away. The bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness will shine into the chambers of the mind and heart. In our worship of God there will be no distinction between rich and poor, white and black. All prejudice will be melted away. When we approach God, it will be as one brotherhood. We are pilgrims and strangers, bound for a better country, even a heavenly. There all pride, all accusation, all self-deception, will forever have an end. Every mask will be laid aside, and we shall ‘see him as he is.’ [1 John 3:2.] There our songs will catch the inspiring theme, and praise and thanksgiving will go up to God.” Review and Herald, October 24, 1899.

Jesus says, “By this shall all [men] know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” John 13:35.

The Larger Prayer

By Edna D. Cheney

At first I prayed for Light:
Could I but see the way,

How gladly, swiftly would I walk
To everlasting day!

And next I prayed for Strength:
That I might tread the road
With firm, unfaltering feet, and win
The Heaven’s serene abode.

And then I asked for Faith:
Could I but trust my God,
I’d live enfolded in His peace
Though foes were all abroad.

But now I pray for Love:
Deep love to God and man,
A living love that will not fail,
However dark His plan.

And Light and Strength and Faith
Are opening everywhere;
God only waited for me, till
I prayed the larger prayer.

http://www.angelfire.com, cited October 2, 2003.

Pastor Ivan Plummer ministers through the Emmanuel Seventh Day Church Ministries in Bronx, New York. He may be contacted by telephone at 718-882-3900.

The Power of Speech, Part I

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[Editor’s Note: Steps to Life Ministries, just as every Christian ministry and church, occasionally struggles through a crisis. More often than not, a contributing factor, and perhaps the major component of such crises, has to do with speech. Believing this to be a spiritual problem, we have chosen to seek counsel from the Bible and from the Pen of Inspiration. God is able to heal all of our wounds and to bring us into the harmony and unity that we need to do His work, if we comply with certain conditions laid down in inspired writings. If you have been experiencing strife in your relationships, it is our prayer that you will find the counsel presented in this series beneficial.]

“Many, many times I have wished that there might be circulated a pledge containing a solemn promise to speak only those words that are pleasing to God. There is as great need for such a pledge as there is for one against the use of intoxicating liquor.” Review and Herald, May 26, 1904.

Pledge

I will “guard against speaking words that discourage.” I “resolve never to engage in evil-speaking and backbiting.” I “refuse to serve Satan by implanting seeds of doubt.” I will make a “solemn promise to speak only those words that are pleasing to God.” I will, by the grace of God, “begin to discipline the tongue, remembering always that [I] can do this only by disciplining the mind.” “No evil reports will be carried” by me. “Tattling and gossip will cease.” By the grace of God, I will “abstain [from evil] speaking and evil surmising.”

Signed

_______________________________

“Through the help that Christ can give, we shall be able to learn to bridle the tongue. Sorely as he was tried on the point of hasty and angry speech, he never once sinned with his lips. With patient calmness he met the sneers, the taunts, and the ridicule of his fellow workers at the carpenter’s bench. Instead of retorting angrily, he would begin to sing one of David’s beautiful psalms; and his companions, before realizing what they were doing, would unite with him in the hymn. What a transformation would be wrought in this world if men and women today would follow Christ’s example in the use of words!” Review and Herald, May 26, 1904.

“Little do we realize the prevalence of evil among those who claim to be Christians.” Ibid.

“Unitedly we are to help one another gain perfection of character. To this end, we are to cease all criticism. . . . Supposing we were to cherish a remembrance of the bright chapters in our Christian experience, and dwell upon these in our testimony meetings; would not this be pleasing to God?” Ibid.

“Let us talk faith, and not unbelief; let us praise God, and go forward. The Lord is good, and greatly to be praised. At every step let us praise him from whom all blessings flow.” Ibid.

“An earnest effort should be made in every church to put away evil-speaking and a censorious spirit. Severity and fault-finding must be rebuked as the work of Satan. Mutual love and confidence must be encouraged and strengthened in the members of the church. Let all close their ears to gossip and censure. Direct the tale-bearer to the teachings of God’s word. Bid him carry his complaints directly to those whom he thinks in error. This united action would bring a flood of light into the church, and close the door to a flood of evil.” Ibid., November 30, 1886.

“Selfishness, pride, envy, malice, evil surmising, back-biting, gossiping, and tattling, have been cherished among them, until the Spirit of God has but little to do with them. The prayers of some who profess to know God are, in their present state, an abomination in the sight of the Lord. . . . While they profess to be servants of Jesus Christ, they are servants of the enemy of righteousness, and their works testify of them that they are not acquainted with God, and that their hearts are not in obedience to the will of Christ.” Pamphlet 159, 69, 70.

Backbiting

Backbiter is defined as: (1) one who attacks the good name of another or is an evil speaker, and (2) to go about as a slanderer or a spy. A slanderer is one who makes statements injurious to another’s reputation or well-being or makes a malicious statement or report of another.

1 No backbiters will be in heaven.

“The teacher can do much to discourage that evil habit, the curse of the community, the neighborhood, and the home—the habit of backbiting, gossip, ungenerous criticism. In this no pains should be spared. Impress upon the students the fact that this habit reveals a lack of culture and refinement and of true goodness of heart; it unfits one both for the society of the truly cultured and refined in this world and for association with the holy ones of heaven.” Education, 235.

2 Backbiters are as bad or even worse than cannibals.

“We think with horror of the cannibal who feasts on the still warm and trembling flesh of his victim; but are the results of even this practice more terrible than are the agony and ruin caused by misrepresenting motive, blackening reputation, dissecting character? Let the children, and the youth as well, learn what God says about these things.” Ibid.

3 Backbiting is a sin worthy of death.

“In Scripture, backbiters are classed with ‘haters of God,’ with ‘inventors of evil things,’ with those who are ‘without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful,’ ‘full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity.’ It is ‘the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death.’ Romans 1:30, 31, 29, 32. He whom God accounts a citizen of Zion is he that ‘speaketh the truth in his heart,’ ‘that backbiteth not with his tongue,’ ‘nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbor.’ Psalm 15:2, 3.” Ibid., 235, 236.

4 We are not to cooperate with the evil speaker.

“Spirituality has been almost killed, because the spirit of backbiting has been allowed to enter. Why do we speak words of blame and censure? To be silent is the strongest rebuke that you can give to one who is speaking harsh, discourteous words to you. Keep perfectly silent. Often silence is eloquence.” Child Guidance, 551.

5 James White classed the backbiter with those having an evil spirit.

“In a vision given me at Saratoga Springs I was shown a company in Vermont with a woman among them who was a deceiver, and the church must be enlightened as to her character lest poisonous error should become deeply rooted among them. I had not seen the brethren in that part of the State with my natural eyes. We visited them, and as we entered Brother B.’s dwelling a woman came forward to receive me whom I thought to be Sister B.’s mother. I was about to salute her when the light fell upon her face and lo! it was Mrs. C., the woman I had seen in vision. I dropped her hand instantly and drew back. She noticed this and remarked upon it afterwards. The church in Vergennes and vicinity collected together for meeting. There was confusion of sentiment among them. Brother E. E. held the age to come and some were in favor of S. Allen, a notable fanatic, who held views of a dangerous character which if carried out would lead to spiritual union and breaking up of families. I delivered the message in the Sabbath meeting which the Lord had given me. Sunday noon Mrs. C. was talking quite eloquently in regard to backbiting. She was very severe, for she had heard that speeches had been made against her fanatical proceedings. Just then Sister B. entered saying, ‘Will you please walk out to dinner?’ Mrs. C. instantly replied, saying, ‘This kind goeth not out save by fasting and prayer. I do not wish any dinner.’ In a moment my husband was upon his feet. The power of God was upon him, and the color had left his face. Said he, ‘I hope it will go out! In the name of the Lord, I hope it will go out!’ and said he to Mrs. C., ‘That evil spirit is in you, and I hope it will go out! I rebuke it in the name of the Lord!’ She seemed to be struck dumb. Her glib, smart tongue was stilled for once.” Life Sketches of James White and Ellen G. White (1880), Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association, Battle Creek, MI, 1880, 285, 286.

6 We are not to discourage others by engaging in evil speaking and backbiting.

“Let us guard against speaking words that discourage. Let us resolve never to engage in evil-speaking and backbiting. Let us refuse to serve Satan by implanting seeds of doubt. Let us guard against cherishing unbelief, or expressing it to others. Many, many times I have wished that there might be circulated a pledge containing a solemn promise to speak only those words that are pleasing to God. There is as great need for such a pledge as there is for one against the use of intoxicating liquor. Let us begin to discipline the tongue, remembering always that we can do this only by disciplining the mind, for ‘out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.’ Matthew 12:34.” Our High Calling, 291.

7 Backbiting drives away the Holy Spirit.

“The church in —— need sifting. A thorough conversion is necessary before they can be in working order. Selfishness, pride, envy, malice, evil surmising, backbiting, gossiping, and tattling have been cherished among them, until the Spirit of God has but little to do with them. While some who profess to know God remain in their present state, their prayers are an abomination in His sight. They do not sustain their faith by their works, and it would have been better for some never to have professed the truth than to have dishonored their profession as they have. While they profess to be servants of Christ, they are servants of the enemy of righteousness; and their works testify of them that they are not acquainted with God and that their hearts are not in obedience to the will of Christ. They make child’s play of religion; they act like pettish children.” Testimonies, vol. 3, 52.

8 We are not to listen to a speaker who is backbiting.

“When we listen to a reproach against our brother, we take up that reproach. To the question, ‘Lord, who shall abide in Thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in Thy holy hill?’ the psalmist answered, ‘He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbor, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbor.’ [Psalm 15:1–3.]” Ibid., vol. 5, 58.

9 All backbiters are disapproved of God.

“[Psalm 15:1–5.] Here the backbiter is excluded from abiding in the tabernacle of God and dwelling in the holy hill of Zion. He that taketh up a reproach against his neighbor cannot receive the approval of God.” Ibid., 615.

10 Backbiting is one of the reasons the church is feeble.

“Envy, evil surmising, backbiting, and faultfinding—let these not be named amongst Christ’s disciples. These things are the cause of the present feebleness of the church. We have a perfect pattern, even the life of Christ. It is to be our eager desire to do as He has done, to live as He lived, that others, seeing our good works, may be led to glorify God. The Lord’s blessing will rest upon us as we seek to bless others by doing the work that Christ came to this world to teach us how to do.” The Upward Look, 117.

11 Satan, if he can, will keep us backbiting one another until Jesus comes.

“My brethren, clear your souls before God. Cease your criticizing and fault-finding. Satan will keep you at this till the Lord comes, if he can. He knows that thus he can most effectually hinder the Lord’s work. Backbiting is cannibalism. God calls upon His people to have nothing to do with it, but to come to Him, that they may have light and life and salvation. We need the wisdom that comes from above. Pure, this wisdom is, ‘peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated.’ [James 3:17.] If it were not, the love of the Father would not have been so constantly exercised toward us.” The General Conference Bulletin, April 2, 1903.

12 We can be rid of the spirit of back-biting today.

“There are churches in which the spirituality has been almost killed, because the spirit of backbiting has been allowed to enter. Why do we speak words of blame and censure? To be silent is the strongest rebuke that you can give to one who is speaking harsh, discourteous words to you. Keep perfectly silent. Often silence is eloquence. My brethren, you will never enter heaven with a spirit of faultfinding. I ask you to get rid of this spirit before you leave this meeting. Do not take it back with you to your home churches. Ibid., April 6, 1903.

13 We are not to listen to a complaint until we have positive evidence that it is true.

“Here not only the one who makes the complaint is condemned, but the ones who take up this reproach, who cherish it, and repeat it. If reports come to you against the Sanitarium [a ministry; a person], do not receive them till you have positive evidence that they are true.” Review and Herald, September 15, 1885.

14 Refuse to listen to a tale about your neighbor until the Bible rule is followed.

“When any one comes to you with a tale about your neighbor, you should refuse to hear it. You should say to him, ‘Have you spoken of this matter to the individual concerned?’ If he has not done so, tell him he should obey the Bible rule, and go first to his brother, and tell him his fault privately, and in love. If the directions of God were carried out, the flood-gates of gossip would be closed.” Ibid., August 28, 1888.

15 There is no rest or happiness as long as we retain unsanctified traits of character.

“There are those who have only a nominal faith; they draw nigh to God with their lips, while the heart is far from him; but the true wrestler for the victory has a real, living faith, which is implanted in his heart by the Holy Spirit, and it makes every difference in the world with his life and words and actions. He has an aim in life, a living purpose, which shapes the character. This hope is not vague; it rests on a solid basis, which is the truth. It braces the soul for trial, and nerves it for duty, irrespective of inconvenience or inclination. A stubborn, willful spirit is not of Christ, but of Satan; hence, it will not be cherished by him who has the mind of Christ. All impurity of thought will be overcome, and the mind will be trained to pure and holy thoughts. Backbiting and evil speaking will be put away. Jealousy and selfishness will be overcome, for they are Satanic, and not Christlike. Bitter are the fruits of self-indulgence, of unsanctified traits of character. There is no rest or happiness in a life of opposition to God. But sweet is the joy and peace experienced by those who close the door to Satan, and open it to Christ.” The Signs of the Times, October 12, 1891.

16 We can become agents of Satan even while professedly in the Lord’s service.

“When the converting power of God is felt upon the heart, altogether different results will be seen. A person who will allow any degree of suspicion or censure to rest upon his fellow workers, while he neither rebukes the complainers nor faithfully presents the matter before the one condemned, is doing the work of the enemy. He is watering seeds of discord and of strife, the fruit of which he will have to meet in the day of God. He is backbiting; he is taking up a reproach against his neighbor; he is doing a work that will separate very friends. He is striking directly at the reputation of his brother; and envy, jealousy, and evil surmisings are awakened, which endanger the soul’s salvation. He is hedging up his brother’s way, binding his influence; and God will hold him accountable for this work.” Pamphlet 066, 26.

17 What will happen when we really have the love of Christ within?

“Let no one become so self-centered that he will fail to see that the Lord has appointed to every one a work. Let each do his best. This is all that the Lord requires of any one. Let our people read to a purpose the instruction given in the seventh chapter of John. The lessons of this chapter are not carried out in their daily practise. The Lord is not glorified in their lives, because they do not cherish love for one another. When their hearts are filled with the love of Christ, backbiting and criticizing will cease. No longer will Seventh-day Adventists weaken one another’s hands; for they will love one another as Christ has loved them.” Pamphlet 151, 49.

18 We must have a thorough repentance.

“I feel deeply concerning the church at Battle Creek, where are located our important institutions. This great heart of the work sends forth to every branch of the work either a healthy or a sickly and diseased influence. The true condition of the cause of God in Michigan is deplorable. But few realize the spiritual lethargy that prevails. The church at Battle Creek have not made thorough work in repenting and confessing their past sins. Many today hate the light which discovers their wrongs and errors. False repentance is deceiving souls to their ruin. Persons will make spasmodic efforts and appear to feel remorse for their course of action, but do not become converted and soon evidence that the heart is untouched. All the good impressions are soon effaced, and they will return to their same course of fault-finding, whisperings, backbiting, and reporting evil which they have felt troubled over. They declare to others by their own course of action that their repentance is not genuine, that their sorrow was not godly sorrow.” Pamphlet 155, 12.

19 When peace flees and God’s servants are martyred . . .

“How far you will be left to work as Satan’s agents to oppress, to accuse, to wound, and bruise the soul, we cannot determine. But the Lord’s eye is over all. He knows every thought, every deed, every action, and he will judge you as your works have been. I never so longed for Jesus to come as at this time, that the wickedness of the wicked might come to an end. If every member of the church would try to find what good there is in one another, what a Heaven we should have on earth! Cherishing bitterness and suspicion toward one person makes us feel hard and cold and distrustful of everybody. The peace of Christ has no place in the heart that thinketh evil. The mischievous talk about Prof. Bell, Dr. Kellogg, and different ones, is purely the work that Satan instigates. Division, distrust, jealousy, evil-surmising, are sown as thistle seeds are cast to the winds. Satan puts his magnifying glass before your eyes, and everything is viewed as he wills it. Peace flees away. The false tongue should be treated with hot coals of juniper. Dr. Kellogg has made mistakes,—he has erred. His errors have injured my husband. Dr. Kellogg sees his mistakes and feels them, and has confessed them; while those who were more guilty than he is abusing his mind in placing things before him in an exaggerated light, and relating as facts things which had no foundation in truth, led him to feel an assurance that his feelings were correct. His mind was kept stirred up by reporters, tattlers, mischief-makers, and false reporters. My husband was hunted to death, and those who have acted their part faithfully for Satan saw him in his coffin removed from the strife of tongues. He died of a broken heart, and the Lord let him rest. I hold no grudge against any one. I felt to the very depths of my soul over the treatment my husband received, and I have forgiven those who have done this work. I pray the Lord to forgive them. I warn you not to do to another as you have done to him. And when you begin your attacks upon one and then another that do not agree with your ways and please your fancies, I am determined to resist your influence and stand up for the oppressed. Will you send others to their death by your persecuting tongues, your suspicions, your envies, your jealousies? Will you cultivate the worst traits of character in indulging in censuring, backbiting, and falsehood? Is this the element that you love, and will you choose this atmosphere which is the poison of hell? What think you of Jesus? You may talk of his love, you may praise and bless his name, you may adore him all you please; but cease your praise and your flatteries of finite men, and also cease your wicked fault-finding, cease to murder character.” Pamphlet 155, 20, 21.

20 How to make things harder for the evil-tongued persons.

“If these steps [Matthew 18] have not been taken, do not listen to a word, close the ears, and refuse to take up a reproach against your neighbor; listening to the reports of evil is lifting or taking up the reproach. If there were no brethren and sisters to take up the reproach against their neighbors, evil tongues would not find so fruitful a field in which to labor, backbiting and devouring one another.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 12, 281.

21 The need of looking on the bright side.

“God is displeased to have brethren suspiciously pick up an item here, and a jot and tittle there, and construe these tidbits into grave sins. Complaining, faultfinding, and backbiting will be carried on to a large extent among the people when encouraged by the influence of the men engaged in the solemn work of the ministry. To disdain another’s work because it is not in your line of work is an offense to God. It is no less a sin when men who occupy positions of trust engage in it. If you, my brother, were to go into a field where are precious things, shrubs and flowers, and pass these by unnoticed, and begin to complain of the thistles and the briers and unsightly shrubs, and present these as the representation of what was in that field, would it be just? Should you not rather have gathered the roses, the lilies, and the precious things and carried these away, thankful that such blessings did exist, acknowledging that there were things of precious value in that field?” Ibid., 381.

22 Do not listen to reports of faults of your brethren.

“Ministers and lay members of the church displease God when they allow individuals to tell them the errors and faults of their brethren. They should not listen to these reports, but should inquire, ‘Have you strictly followed the injunction of your Saviour? Have you gone to the offender and told him his faults between you and him alone, and has he refused to hear you? Have you carefully and prayerfully taken two or three others, and labored with him in tenderness, humility, and meekness, your heart throbbing in love for his soul? If the Captain’s orders, in the rules given for the erring, have been strictly followed, then an advance step is to be taken. Tell it to the church, and let action be taken in the case according to the Scriptures. Then it is that heaven will ratify the decision made by the church in cutting off the offending member if he does not repent.

“If these steps have not been taken, close the ear to their complaints, and thus refuse to take up a reproach against your neighbor. Listening to the reports of evil is taking up a reproach. If there were no brethren and sisters to do this, evil tongues would soon cease, for they would not find so fruitful a field in which to work in backbiting and devouring one another. . . . ” Ibid., vol. 15, 138.

23 Why Satan will constantly tempt us to backbite.

“The unity of the church is the convincing evidence that God has sent Jesus into the world as its Redeemer. This is an argument which worldlings can neither withstand nor controvert. Therefore Satan is constantly working to prevent this union and harmony, that unbelievers, by witnessing backbiting, dissension, and strife among professed Christians, may become disgusted with religion, and be confirmed in their impenitence. God is dishonored by those who profess the truth while they are at variance and enmity with one another. Satan is the great accuser of the brethren, and all who engage in this work are enlisted in his service.” Ibid., 143.

24 How to lose the Holy Spirit and the blessing of God on the church.

“There are those who cherish a spirit of envy and hatred against their brethren, calling it the Spirit of God. There are those who go up and down as talebearers, accusing and condemning, blackening character, inspiring hearts with maliciousness. They carry false reports to the doors of their neighbors, who, as they listen to the slander, lose the Spirit of God. Not even the messenger of God, who bears to the people His truth, is spared.

“This sin is worse than the sin of Achan. Its influence is not confined to those who cherish it. It is a root of bitterness, whereby many are defiled. God cannot bless the church till it is purged of this evil that corrupts minds and spirits, the souls of those who do not repent and change their course of action.” Ibid., vol. 18, 147.

25 Judge by the fruits on the tree.

“ ‘The tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! . . . The tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. . . . The tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison’ (James 3:5, 6, 8). [Psalm 15:1–3 quoted.]

“In a letter to my husband you express surprise that he judges of you as he has, but your fruits have testified of you. You may feel friendless, but if you do you may thank yourself for it. ‘For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God’ (1 Peter 2:20).” Ibid., vol. 19, 33.

26 Do not talk of the deficiencies of your brethren.

“For Christ’s sake, for your soul’s sake, I entreat you, do not talk of the deficiencies of your brethren! Go to work for yourself. Do not any longer grieve the Holy Spirit of God. . . . [Psalm 15 quoted.]

“The ministers whom you condemn God has ordained to do a work for which He has not qualified you. Money cannot supply your deficiency. Your prejudices, preferences, dislikes, your sweeping condemnation of both the Healdsburg College and the Health Retreat, have been active influences in encouraging fault-finding, jealousy, evil surmising throughout all the churches. When your ideas and expectations are not met, you have talked out your dissatisfaction, but God has not prompted you in your independent spirit, in your accusation of His instrumentality. There can be no unity where such things exist. Confidence cannot live amid suspicion and evil surmisings.” Ibid., vol. 20, 97.

27 Breaking the third commandment . . .

“We may make mistakes, and we may have to ‘admonish one another.’ [Romans 15:14.] But there has come into the churches at Oakland and the surrounding community a spirit of backbiting, of faultfinding and evil-speaking, which demonstrates that you are not converted. Words are uttered that never should pass the lips of a Christian. My brethren and sisters, when you have nothing better to speak of than something about the faults of others, remember that ‘silence is eloquence.’ Cease to dwell upon the shortcomings of others. Keep the tongue sanctified unto God. Refrain from saying anything that might detract from the influence of another; for by indulging in these words of criticism, you blaspheme God’s holy name as verily as you would were you to swear. I am instructed to present these things before you, that you may see how you dishonor the name of Christ Jesus. [Verses 15, 16, quoted.]” Sermons and Talks, Book 1, 367.

28 Spirit of the devil.

“What testimony does Peter bear? ‘Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, as new born babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: if so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.’ [1 Peter 2:1–3.] Here again the same principle is brought out distinctly. No one need make a mistake. If as new born babes you desire the sincere milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, you will have no appetite to partake of a dish of evil speaking, that all such food will be at once rejected, because those who have tasted that the Lord is gracious cannot partake of a dish of nonsense, and folly, and backbiting. They will say decidedly, ‘Take this dish away. I do not want to eat such food.’ It is not the bread from heaven. It is eating and drinking the very spirit of the devil; for it is his business to be an accuser of the brethren.” The Kress Collection, 64.

[All emphasis supplied.]

To be continued . . .

Pastor Grosboll is Director of Steps to Life Ministry and pastor of the Prairie Meadows Church in Wichita, Kansas. He may be contacted by e-mail at: historic@stepstolife.org, or by telephone at: 316-788-5559.

Music in the Home

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[Editor’s Note: This sermon was presented at the Steps to Life Camp Meeting, July 2003. The conversational style of the speaker has been preserved.]

God has made parents responsible for their children. Parents, you are responsible to feed, clothe, and house your children. You are responsible to raise them correctly. You are responsible to keep them safe. You would know what to do to protect your child if he or she ran out in front of a car, wouldn’t you? Would you just ask, “What can I do?” Of course, you would not. If your child started to drink a glass of poison or if he or she started to smoke a cigarette or started to drink a can of beer, you would not hesitate to take action immediately, because you are responsible. You are also responsible, and it is just as important, to protect your children from the music from below, whether it is a bedlam of noise or pretty, schmaltzy music, which is a mockery of Christ.

You must not hesitate to take proper action, if your child is in danger. No excuses! Do not tell your child that it is all right for him to listen to strange music as long as he wears earphones or goes to his bedroom and shuts his door so you don’t have to hear it. Teach him that he must avoid it even at his friends’ houses, and that is hardest of all. Teach him to be bold and to stand up and say to his friends, “I can’t listen to music like this. If you have to listen to it, I can’t stay.” Do whatever it takes. It shouldn’t be any harder than to say, “No, I won’t smoke a cigarette,” or “No, I will not take a drug.”

My great-grandson, Adam, went with his mother and grandfather to eat in a Turkish restaurant. While Adam was ordering his meal, he noticed that there was terrible rock music playing, so he said to the waiter, “Will you please play some Turkish music? We are in a Turkish restaurant.”

The waiter said, “We don’t have any Turkish music.”

Adam, speaking in a voice like he was some kind of royalty and expected to be obeyed, said, “Well, then, I want classical music, please.” The waiter found a radio station that had classical music, and Adam’s mother said it was the best music she had ever heard in a restaurant in all of her life. Teach your children to stand up boldly for what is right.

Musical Opportunities

Give your children musical opportunities. Acquire small, inexpensive instruments for them to have at home when they are very young. If they are interested, provide music lessons for them when they are a little older, but please, don’t force your child to take lessons. As a music teacher, I know force doesn’t work. Take your children to good music concerts. What kind of concerts? Good ones! There are a lot of bad ones; don’t go there.

What kinds of songs should our children listen to at home and in Sabbath School? Don’t give your children little repetitious ditties. They don’t need that any more than you do. Don’t use songs set to secular music. If your children happen to know the secular songs, when they sing the tune—even with religious words—they will think about the secular words. Even if they don’t know the secular words, secular music is not appropriate for sacred songs. That’s not why it was written. If the music is appropriate for the words you are using, chances are the words aren’t spiritual, either. This applies to adult music as well. You cannot legitimately mix sacred and secular music.

Teach children real songs—not entertainment. You may be surprised. Teach them songs like, “O Worship the King.” It has meaning—teach it to them. Teach them what the words mean. Make sure they understand.

Don’t downplay children’s capabilities. Teach them Seventh-day Adventist songs. Teach them to sing like the angels sing. How do the angels sing? Ellen White tells us: “Their [the angels’] singing does not grate upon the ear. It is soft and melodious . . . . It is not forced and strained . . . .” Selected Messages, Book 3, 333. Isn’t that wonderful? It should be soft singing, not shouting, not a bedlam of noise. Angels sing softly.

“Some think that the louder they sing the more music they make; but noise is not music. Good singing is like the music of the birds—subdued and melodious.” Evangelism, 510. Don’t forget that! Don’t think you have to sing loudly.

Musical Movement

The best kind of movement you can use with the children singing is to teach them some songs with signs. Do not use raucous, boisterous movement. If they need exercise, go outside and play. A religious meeting is not the place to get exercise. There are quite a few songs that you can sign with. One such song is, “Kum Bah Ya.” Another nice song with signage is, “To My Father’s House.” The lyrics say, in part, “Oh come and go with me to my Father’s house.” Children really enjoy these songs.

Hymnals

Perhaps you would like to make a personal, family hymnal for use in your home. Your church may have decided it is not satisfied with the Church Hymnal that is being used. Although it contains many wonderful hymns, there may be some songs that make you uncomfortable. You may not know why you feel ill at ease, but you would really rather not sing them.

A gentleman by the name of Dr. Oliver Beltz once told me that he was on the committee to choose the songs for the earlier (1941) Church Hymnal. Years later, another gentleman, John Thurber, shared with me that he was on the committee to choose the songs for the (1985) Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal. [Both hymnals are published by Review and Herald Publishing Association, Washington, DC.] So I have a little insight into the choosing of the songs for each of these hymnals.

Both men told me similar stories. Each said that there were times when the people on the committee wanted to include songs that they knew he would not approve. So, not notifying him, they called a committee meeting and put the songs in while he wasn’t there. Both committees did that! You can’t take either of these hymnals and think that everything in it is good.

I promise you that putting your own hymnal together is a very difficult job, but you may find it well worthwhile. I will never give anyone a list of songs and say, “These are good, use them.” I don’t believe in that, but I will give principles and ideas and as much help as I can.

Guidelines

If you do decide to make your own hymnal, let’s look at some guidelines to help you in your selection of songs.

1 Choose music that is worship-centered. What does that mean? Worship-centered means that you are worshipping. Who do you worship? There are only two beings in the world and in the universe to worship—God or Satan. A person chooses music that is centered towards worship-ping either one being or the other. That’s the choice you make.

2 Choose music that is Christ-centered and not I-centered. Many people have difficulty with this concept, but as you study the hymns, in time, you will get a feel for it. As you examine a song, ask these questions: Who is the center of this song? About whom am I singing? Am I singing about myself, or am I singing about Christ? An example of a song that may be a challenge to judge is the song, “Not I, but Christ.” It has the word I in it a number of times, but the message of the words is centered on Christ.

I once presented a music seminar in a church in West Virginia. A man came to the meeting primed for an argument with me. He wanted to prove to me that it is all right to sing I-centered songs. In the seminar, we were discussing a number of songs, and regarding one of them, I said, “You know, I’m quite uncomfortable with this song. Although the music seems to sound all right, the words seem very I-centered to me.”

This man said, “We must have songs about our experience.” Do we? Do you need to have a song about your experience? We all have experiences, and they are I-centered!

The devil doesn’t want me to share all these things with you. For several months prior to camp meeting, he has been pouring out his whole arsenal on me. I have nearly gotten to the end of my rope. I knew God was taking care of me, but it still had an affect inside my body. It was affecting me both physically and emotionally. Since arriving at camp, we have had trouble with the computer. It had been working beautifully when I left home. We have spent one whole afternoon trying to get the computer to work and have been on the telephone with the computer service desk for a solid hour. That’s how much the devil has been working! Do you think I am going to write a song about my experience with the computer? No! I am so happy and joyful that God is the Victor, though, that I am going to be singing, “Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow,” and other songs of praise.

3 Don’t choose music that is harmful. Yes, music can harm you. It can hurt your body; it can hurt your mind; it can hurt your spirituality. Don’t choose that kind of music.

4 Choose music that will allow the angels to join in with the singing, music that is subdued and melodious like the song of the birds, as stated in the Ellen White quote cited previously. Do you have birds around your house? At our house, we feed the birds, so we are really, really surrounded with them. I love to hear them sing. We should sound like birds singing. I don’t think we could have any higher ambition than that. Birds sing softly and melodiously.

5 Do not choose music meant for entertainment. What does this include? Pop music; nightclub, crooning music; music with warm fuzzies—that’s entertainment music.

6 Do not choose music that is only emotion-based or sensual. I have had this theory for a long time, and I was so happy when I discovered it in the Spirit of Prophecy. I think that all of our talks, all of our sermons, and all of our music should include both emotion and intellect. I think if you leave out one or the other, or overbalance one way or the other, you’ll be getting into trouble.

I know of a very prominent pastor who preaches such emotional sermons. I heard him preach about heaven one time, and it was so wonderful. That sermon really affected me, but you know, those sermons don’t last very long. You go away from church realizing that it was just emotion in the sermon. There was no intellect in it at all. You don’t really remember what was in it, and you feel let down, perhaps empty, because you were not spiritually fed. That is why Mrs. White so often refers to the need of balance in our lives. [See Sons and Daughters of God, 161-163.]

7 Do not choose music with false theology. Review all the words carefully.

8 Choose songs in which the words and the music match. Don’t mix secular and sacred. Beyond that, don’t choose a real happy, uplifting kind of tune to sing about something that is very serious and solemn. For instance, don’t sing a song about Marching to Zion when the words are saying something about the love of God. It doesn’t fit.

9 Choose music that will draw each individual and the congregation closer to God.

Juanita McElwain earned her PhD in Music Therapy from Florida State University. She has taught music on all levels from preschool to college graduate. She has worked as a music therapy clinician with the mentally retarded. Her areas of expertise in research include the effects of music on brain waves and the effects of music on headache. She has given numerous seminars on the power of music, which include good and bad effects of music, rock music, sensual music, music in worship and mind control through music throughout the United States and in Europe. She and her husband are presently retired in West Virginia. She may be contacted by e-mail at: juamce@meer.net. Additional articles from Dr. McElwain’s camp meeting presentations will be printed in forthcoming issues of LandMarks.

The Power of Speech, Part II

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Editor’s Note: Steps to Life Ministries, just as every Christian ministry and church, occasionally struggles through a crisis. More often than not, a contributing factor, and perhaps the major component of such crises, has to do with speech. Believing this to be a spiritual problem, we have chosen to seek counsel from the Bible and from the Pen of Inspiration. This article continues with a collection of counsel compiled to help heal wounds and bring harmony and unity.]

One sin unconfessed and unrepented of, will close for you the gates of the city of God.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 12, 40.

The Measure of Forgiveness

“If your brethren err, you are to forgive them. When they come to you with confession, you should not say, I do not think they are humble enough. I do not think they feel their confession. What right have you to judge them, as if you could read the heart? The word of God says, ‘If he repent, forgive him. And if he trespasses against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.’ Luke 17:3, 4. And not only seven times, but seventy times seven—just as often as God forgives you.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 249, 250.

No Compromise with Evil

“The gospel makes no compromise with evil. It cannot excuse sin. Secret sins are to be confessed in secret to God; but, for open sin, open confession is required. The reproach of the disciple’s sin is cast upon Christ. It causes Satan to triumph, and wavering souls to stumble. By giving proof of repentance, the disciple, so far as lies in his power, is to remove this reproach.” The Desire of Ages, 811.

Sincere Confession Essential

“Many, many confessions should never be spoken in the hearing of mortals; for the result is that which the limited judgment of finite beings does not anticipate. . . . God will be better glorified if we confess the secret, inbred corruption of the heart to Jesus alone than if we open its recesses to finite, erring man, who cannot judge righteously unless his heart is constantly imbued with the Spirit of God. . . . Do not pour into human ears the story which God alone should hear. . . .

“Your sins may be as mountains before you; but if you humble your heart, and confess your sins, trusting in the merits of a crucified and risen Saviour, He will forgive, and will cleanse you from all unrighteousness. . . . Desire the fullness of the grace of Christ. Let your heart be filled with an intense longing for His righteousness.” The Faith I Live By, 128.

Pentecostal Energy Needed

“The Lord calls for a renewal of the straight testimony borne in years past. He calls for a renewal of spiritual life. The spiritual energies of His people have long been torpid, but there is to be a resurrection from apparent death. By prayer and confession of sin we must clear the King’s highway. As we do this, the power of the Spirit will come to us. We need the pentecostal energy. This will come; for the Lord has promised to send His Spirit as the all-conquering power.” Gospel Workers, 307, 308.

Search Heart for Lurking Sin

“In this great day of atonement our work is that of heart-searching, of self-abasement, and confession of sin, each humbling his own soul before God, and seeking pardon for himself individually. Anciently every one that did not on the day of atonement afflict his soul, was cut off from the people. God would have us work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. If each will search and see what sins are lurking in his own heart to shut out Jesus, he will find such a work to do that he will be ready to esteem others better than himself. He will no longer seek to pluck the mote out of his brother’s eye while a beam is in his own eye.” Historical Sketches of the Foreign Missions of the Seventh-day Adventists, 213.

Destroy Root of Bitterness

“The prejudices and opinions that prevailed at Minneapolis are not dead by any means; the seeds sown there in some hearts are ready to spring into life and bear a like harvest. The tops have been cut down, but the roots have never been eradicated, and they still bear their unholy fruit to poison the judgment, pervert the perceptions, and blind the understanding of those with whom you connect, in regard to the message and the messengers. When, by thorough confession, you destroy the root of bitterness, you will see light in God’s light. Without this thorough work you will never clear your souls. You need to study the word of God with a purpose, not to confirm your own ideas, but to bring them to be trimmed, to be condemned or approved, as they are or are not in harmony with the word of God. The Bible should be your constant companion. You should study the Testimonies, not to pick out certain sentences to use as you see fit, to strengthen your assertions, while you disregard the plainest statements given to correct your course of action.” Life Sketches of Ellen G. White, 326.

“Take your brother right by the hand, and ask him to forgive you. It will not hurt you to get down on your knees, if necessary to do so. Get all the roots of bitterness out of the way. Have all these feelings blotted out by hearty confession one to another. Do not be satisfied with a sort of general confession. Come right to the point. Let the blood of Jesus cancel your wrongs in the Book of Life. You want to be set free, that you may perfect holiness in the fear to God.” Review and Herald, August 14, 1888.

Confession of Sin

“The Scripture bids us, ‘Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed.’ James 5:16. To the one asking for prayer, let thoughts like these be presented: ‘We cannot read the heart, or know the secrets of your life. These are known only to yourself and to God. If you repent of your sins, it is your duty to make confession of them.’ Sin of a private character is to be confessed to Christ, the only mediator between God and man. For ‘if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.’ 1 John 2:1. Every sin is an offense against God and is to be confessed to Him through Christ. Every open sin should be as openly confessed. Wrong done to a fellow being should be made right with the one who has been offended. If any who are seeking health have been guilty of evilspeaking, if they have sowed discord in the home, the neighborhood, or the church, and have stirred up alienation and dissension, if by any wrong practice they have led others into sin, these things should be confessed before God and before those who have been offended. ‘If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.’ 1 John 1:9.” The Ministry of Healing, 228, 229.

Danger of Rebellion

“It is hardly possible for men to offer greater insult to God than to despise and reject the instrumentalities He would use for their salvation. The Israelites had not only done this, but had purposed to put both Moses and Aaron to death. Yet they did not realize the necessity of seeking pardon of God for their grievous sin. That night of probation was not passed in repentance and confession, but in devising some way to resist the evidences which showed them to be the greatest of sinners. They still cherished hatred of the men of God’s appointment, and braced themselves to resist their authority. Satan was at hand to pervert their judgment and lead them blindfold to destruction.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 402.

“The enmity that is cherished toward the servants of God by those who have yielded to the power of Satan changes at times to a feeling of reconciliation and favor, but the change does not always prove to be lasting. After evil-minded men have engaged in doing and saying wicked things against the Lord’s servants, the conviction that they have been in the wrong sometimes takes deep hold upon their minds. The Spirit of the Lord strives with them, and they humble their hearts before God, and before those whose influence they have sought to destroy, and they may change their course toward them. But as they again open the door to the suggestions of the evil one, the old doubts are revived, the old enmity is awakened, and they return to engage in the same work which they repented of, and for a time abandoned. Again they speak evil, accusing and condemning in the bitterest manner the very ones to whom they made most humble confession. Satan can use such souls with far greater power after such a course has been pursued than he could before, because they have sinned against greater light.” Ibid., 662, 663.

Disposal of Sin

“Some men’s sins are open beforehand, confessed in penitence, and forsaken, and they go beforehand to judgment. Pardon is written over against the names of these men. But other men’s sins follow after, and are not put away by repentance and confession, and these sins will stand registered against them in the books of heaven.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 7, 916.

True Confession

“Confession of sin, whether public or private, should be heartfelt and freely expressed. It is not to be urged from the sinner. . . .

“True confession is always of a specific character, and acknowledges particular sins. They may be of such a nature as to be brought before God only; they may be wrongs that should be confessed to individuals who have suffered injury through them; or they may be of a public character, and should then be as publicly confessed. But all confession should be definite and to the point, acknowledging the very sins of which you are guilty.” Steps to Christ, 38.

“Confession will not be acceptable to God without sincere repentance and reformation. There must be decided changes in the life; everything offensive to God must be put away.” Ibid., 39.

“The examples in God’s word of genuine repentance and humiliation reveal a spirit of confession in which there is no excuse for sin or attempt at self-justification.” Ibid., 41.

Erroneous Ideas of Confession

“There are confessions of a nature that should be brought before a select few and acknowledged by the sinner in deepest humility. The matter must not be conducted in such a way that vice shall be construed into virtue and the sinner made proud of his evil doings. If there are things of a disgraceful nature that should come before the church, let them be brought before a few proper persons selected to hear them, and do not put the cause of Christ to open shame by publishing abroad the hypocrisy that has existed in the church. It would cast reflections upon those who had tried to be Christlike in character. These things should be considered.

“Then there are confessions that the Lord has bidden us make to one another. If you have wronged your brother by word or deed you are first to be reconciled to him before your worship will be acceptable to heaven. Confess to those whom you have injured, and make restitution, bringing forth fruit meet for repentance. If anyone has feelings of bitterness, wrath, or malice toward a brother, let him go to him personally, confess his sin, and seek forgiveness.

“I [Ellen White] recognize, on the other hand, the danger of yielding to the temptation to conceal sin or to compromise with it, and thus act the hypocrite. Be sure that the confession fully covers the influence of the wrong committed, that no duty to God, to your neighbor, or to the church is left undone, and then you may lay hold upon Christ with confidence, expecting His blessing. But the question of how and to whom sins should be confessed is one that demands careful, prayerful study. We must consider it from all points, weighing it before God and seeking divine illumination. We should inquire whether to confess publicly the sins of which we have been guilty will do good or harm. Will it show forth the praises of Him who has called us out of the darkness into His marvelous light? Will it help to purify the minds of the people, or will the open relation of the deceptions practiced in denying the truth have an after influence to contaminate other minds and destroy confidence in us?” Testimonies, vol. 5, 645, 646.

Unforgiving Receive no Mercy

“He who is unforgiving cuts off the very channel through which alone he can receive mercy from God. We should not think that unless those who have injured us confess the wrong we are justified in withholding from them our forgiveness. It is their part, no doubt, to humble their hearts by repentance and confession; but we are to have a spirit of compassion toward those who have trespassed against us, whether or not they confess their faults. However sorely they may have wounded us, we are not to cherish our grievances and sympathize with ourselves over our injuries; but as we hope to be pardoned for our offenses against God we are to pardon all who have done evil to us.” Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, 113, 114.

Set Things in Order

“God requires things to be set in order. He calls for men of decided fidelity. He has no use in an emergency for two-sided men. He wants men who will lay their hand upon a work, and say, This is not according to the will of God. It is this miserable thing in dealing with wrongs that God has condemned. The work that will meet the mind of the Spirit of God has not yet begun in Battle Creek [Michigan]. When the work of seeking God with all the heart commences, there will be many confessions made that are now buried. I do not at present feel it my duty to confess for those who ought to make, not a general, but a plain, definite confession, and so cleanse the Lord’s institutions from the defilement that has come upon them.” General Conference Daily Bulletin, March 2, 1899.

“It is not yet too late to redeem the neglect of the past. Let there be a renewal of the first love. Search out the ones you have driven away; bind up by confession the wounds you have made. Many have become discouraged in the struggle of life whom one word of kindly cheer and courage would have strengthened to overcome. Come close to the great heart of pitying love, and let the current of that divine compassion flow into your heart and from you to the hearts of others. Never, never become cold, heartless, unsympathetic. Never lose an opportunity to say a word that will encourage hope. We can not tell how far-reaching may be the influence of our words of kindness, our efforts to lighten some burden.” Pacific Union Recorder, April 10, 1902.

Be Reconciled to Thy Brother

“I [Ellen White] am instructed to say that there are sins between man and his God that no other human being need know anything about. If the one on whom such sins rest will make his peace with God, the Lord will forgive him, and the burden will roll off his soul. He will then make confession to his fellow-men, if he has wronged them, and as he confesses, God will be merciful, and will forgive his sin.

“One such confession is an evidence of the presence of the miracle-working power of God, and it leads to other confessions, not general confessions, but confessions of particular wrongs that have existed between brethren. God values above gold or silver the one who makes such a confession. ‘I will make a man more precious than fine gold,’ He says, ‘even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir.’ [Isaiah 13:12.]” Ibid., December 1, 1904.

“During the past night I [Ellen White] seemed to be standing before a large company of believers. I was saying to them, Now, at the very beginning of this meeting, is the time for you individually to search your own hearts and discern your individual needs. Have you committed wrongs and concealed them? If so, you have a work of confession to do. You have not to confess the sins of your neighbor or your brother, but you need to come to God in repentance and confession of your own wrong-doing.” Ibid., May 6, 1909.

“A brother said he was laboring to find rest for his soul, but he does not feel free. He said that he had felt an antipathy to a certain brother. He begged his brother to give him his hand and forgive him for his feelings. This confession was well wet down with tears.” Review and Herald, May 4, 1876.

“Now, as the old year is passing away and the new year coming in, is a good time for those who have cherished alienation and bitterness to make confession to one another.” Ibid., December 26, 1882.

An Individual Work

“Are we by repentance and confession sending our sins beforehand to Judgment, that they may be blotted out when the times of refreshing shall come? This is an individual work,—a work which we cannot safely delay. We should take hold of it earnestly; our salvation depends upon our sincerity and zeal. Let the cry be awakened in every heart, ‘What must I do to be saved?’ ” Ibid., August 28, 1883.

“We each have a work to do that no one can do for us. The Lord would be pleased to see us humble our hearts before him, confessing our sins, and righting every wrong that exists between us and our brethren. There is danger that the adversary will suggest that we need not humble our hearts before God; that we need not make confession to our brethren of the wrongs we have done them in speaking of their faults, magnifying their errors, putting wrong constructions upon their words, and letting into our hearts enmity against them. Some have entertained such feelings. Alienation, prejudice, and jealousy have ruled in hearts, and love for Jesus and for one another has been supplanted by these weeds of Satan’s planting. Brethren, shall we let the enemy triumph by allowing these wrongs to go uncorrected?” Ibid., March 4, 1884.

To be continued . . .

Pastor Grosboll is Director of Steps to Life Ministry and pastor of the Prairie Meadows Church in Wichita, Kansas. He may be contacted by e-mail at: historic@stepstolife.org or by telephone at: 316-788-5559.

The Power of Speech, Part III

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[Editor’s Note: This article continues a compilation of counsel given to strengthen and encourage anyone who is struggling through a crisis caused by the “Power of Speech.”]

One brother said that he had been impatient, and had not kept up the family altar. He thought that his wife would now be in the faith had he set before her such an example as a Christian should. Another had cherished hard feelings against his brother, and he made this confession that the wound might be healed.” Review and Herald, October 28, 1884.

Neglect Not Duty

“Whatever the neglect of duty, of parents to children or of neighbor to neighbor, let it now be understood and repented of. If we have sinned against the Lord, we shall never have peace and restoration to his favor without full confession and reformation in regard to the very things in which we have been remiss. Not until we have used every means in our power to repair the evil, can God approve and bless us. The path of confession is humiliating, but it is the only way by which we can receive strength to overcome. All the dropped stitches may never be picked up so that our work shall be as perfect and God-pleasing as it should have been; but every effort should be made to do this so far as it is possible to accomplish it.” Ibid., May 22, 1888.

“Suppose that one brother misjudges another. He might have had opportunity to learn whether his suspicions were well founded; but instead of waiting to do this, he repeats to others his surmisings. Thus evil thoughts are stirred in them, and the evil becomes wide-spread. And all the time the one pronounced guilty is not told of the matter; there is no investigation, no inquiry is made directly of him, so that he may have an opportunity either to acknowledge his fault or to clear himself from unjust suspicion. A serious wrong has been done him because his brethren had not the moral courage to go directly to him and talk with him freely in the spirit of Christian love. From all who have thus neglected their duty, confession is due; and none will shrink from it who deem it of any importance for them to seek to answer the prayer of Christ. . . . How can this prayer be answered by one who has wronged his brother, and whose heart is not softened by the grace of Christ so that he will make confession? How can his brethren, who know the facts, still have unshaken confidence in him, while he seems to feel no conviction of the Spirit of God? He is doing a wrong to the whole church, and especially if he occupies a position of responsibility; for he is encouraging others to disregard the word of God, to pass along with sins unconfessed. Many a one will say in heart, if not in words, ‘There is an elder of the church; he does not make confession of his errors, and yet he remains an honored member of the church. If he does not confess, neither will I. If he feels that it is perfectly safe for him not to show any contrition, I, too, will risk it.’ ” Ibid., December 16, 1890.

Sin Will Stand Until . . .

“There are sins and mistakes and errors to be confessed. The record has been made in the books of heaven, but when confession is made from contrite hearts, the words of the apostle are fulfilled, ‘If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.’ [1 John 1:9.] God requires repentance and confession, and restitution will always follow genuine repentance. If you have prevaricated, if you have borne false witness, if you have misjudged and misinterpreted your brother, if you have misstated his words, ridiculed him, if you have injured his influence in any way, go right to the persons with whom you have conversed about him, with whom you have united in this work, and take all your injurious misstatements back. Confess the wrong that you have done your brother; for your sin will stand charged against you in the books of record until you do all that lies in your power to correct the evil your words have wrought. When you have done all that God requires of you, pardon will be written against your name.” Ibid., May 28, 1889.

Stubbornness of Heart

“By repentance and confession you can have pardon registered against your name; or you can resist the conviction of the Spirit of God, and, during the rest of your life, work to make it appear that your wrong feelings and unjust conclusions could not be helped. But there stands the action, there stands the evil committed, there stands the ruin of those in whose hearts you planted the root of bitterness; there are the feelings and words of envy, of evil-surmising, that grew into jealousy and prejudice. All these testify against you.” Ibid., December 16, 1890.

“If you indulge stubbornness of heart, and through pride and self-righteousness do not confess your faults, you will be left subject to Satan’s temptations. If when the Lord reveals your errors you do not repent or make confession, his providence will bring you over the ground again and again. You will be left to make mistakes of a similar character, you will continue to lack wisdom, and will call sin righteousness, and righteousness sin. The multitude of deceptions that will prevail in these last days will encircle you, and you will change leaders, and not know that you have done so.” Ibid.

“You who have erred and have made crooked paths for your feet, so that others who look to you for an example have been turned out of the way, have you no confession to make? You who have sowed doubts and unbelief in the hearts of others, have you nothing to say to God or to your brethren? Review your course for years in the past, you who have not formed a habit of confessing your sins. Consider your words, your attitude, you whose influence has counteracted the message of the Spirit of God, you that have despised both the message and the messenger. After seeing the fruit borne by the message, what have you to say? Weigh your spirit, your actions, in the balance of eternal justice, the law of God: ‘Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, . . . and thy neighbor as thyself.’ [Mark 12:30, 31.] Unless your sins are canceled, they will testify against you at that day when every work shall pass in review before God.” Ibid.

An Appeal to the Churches

“There is to be in the churches a wonderful manifestation of the power of God, but it will not move upon those who have not humbled themselves before the Lord, and opened the door of the heart by confession and repentance. In the manifestation of that power which lightens the earth with the glory of God, they will see only something which in their blindness they think dangerous, something which will arouse their fears, and they will brace themselves to resist it. Because the Lord does not work according to their ideas and expectations, they will oppose the work.” Ibid., December 23, 1890.

“If we would offer acceptable prayer, there is a work to be done in confessing our sins to one another. If I have sinned against my neighbor in word or action, I should make confession to him. If he has wronged me, he should confess to me. So far as is possible, the one who has wronged another is to make restitution. Then in contrition he is to confess the sin to God, whose law has been transgressed. In sinning against our brother, we sin against God, and we must seek pardon from him. Whatever our sin, if we but repent and believe in the atoning blood of Christ, we shall be pardoned.” Ibid., February 9, 1897.

“Our names are registered as Christians. We go to the Lord’s table; we profess to be sons and daughters of God, members of the Lord’s family, children of the Heavenly King. But too often those who claim to love Jesus, deny him by their lack of confidence in one another. Too often evil is watched for, actions are viewed in the worst light, words are misconstrued and misinterpreted. Many talk earnestly about the faults of others, but their own faults trouble them little. If they would devote their voices to the confession of their own sins, it would be better. God knows the ways of his children. Every word, every thought, every motive, is open before the eyes of him who sees all things.” Ibid., April 27, 1897.

“Holiness to God through Christ is required of Christians. If there are wrongs in the church, they should receive immediate attention. Some may have to be sharply rebuked. This is not doing the erring one any wrong. The faithful physician of the soul cuts deep, that no pestilent matter may be left to burst forth again. After the reproof has been given, then comes repentance and confession, and God will freely pardon and heal. He always pardons when confession is made.” Ibid., December 11, 1900.

Act Your Part

“My brethren and sisters, prepare the way, that you may come to God and be forgiven. Act your part in the work of confession. It is not your brother’s sin that you are to confess, but your own.” Ibid., April 8, 1902.

“Those who have laid stumbling-blocks before the feet of the inexperienced, clouding with doubt the minds of those who have not a personal knowledge of the Lord’s dealing with his people in the past, can undo their work only by making their confession as broad as their influence for wrong has been, reaching all to whom, by their resistance of the Holy Spirit, they have brought uncertainty and confusion.” Ibid., June 3, 1902.

Words of Penitence

“On the day of Pentecost the Infinite One revealed himself in power to the church. By his Holy Spirit he descended from the heights of heaven as a rushing, mighty wind, to the room in which the disciples were assembled. It was as if for ages this influence had been held in restraint, and now heaven rejoiced in being able to pour upon the church the riches of the Spirit’s power. And, under the influence of the Spirit, words of penitence and confession were mingled with songs of praise for sins forgiven. Words of thanksgiving and of prophecy were heard. All heaven bent low to behold and to adore the wisdom of matchless, incomprehensible Love. Lost in wonder, the apostles and disciples exclaimed, ‘Herein is love.’ 1 John 4: 10. They grasped the imparted gift. And what followed?—Thousands were converted in a day. The sword of the Spirit, newly edged with power, and bathed in the lightnings of heaven, cut its way through unbelief.” Ibid., January 13, 1903.

“We are living in the great day of atonement, when every person should confess his sins, that the conviction of the Spirit of God may come to his heart. If you think that there is something standing between you and God, go to him, and ask him to help you to make the confession necessary in order that the wrong, whatever may be its character, may be taken out of the way. And ask him to help you not to repeat the wrong.” Ibid., May 18, 1905.

“God will always accept confession, if the evil that has been done is repented of.” Ibid., May 31, 1906.

Repair the Evil

“I write plainly, in the hope that every effort may be made on the part of all to remove from them the frown of God. Whatever the neglect of duty, of parents to children, or of neighbor to neighbor, let it now be understood and repented of. If we have sinned against the Lord, we shall never have peace and restoration to his favor without full confession and reformation in regard to the very things in which we have been remiss. Not until we have used every means in our power to repair the evil, can God approve and bless us. The path of confession is humiliating, but it is the only way by which we can receive strength to overcome. All the dropped stitches may never be picked up so that our work shall be as perfect and God-pleasing as it should have been; but every effort should be made to do this so far as it is possible to accomplish it.” Ibid., November 19, 1914.

“The record of every life is written in the books of heaven. Every sin that has been committed is there registered. Every regret for sin, every tear of repentance, every confession of guilt, and the forsaking of every darling sin, is also recorded. When the judgment shall sit and the books are opened, every case will have to stand the test of the law of God. God has a law by which he governs intelligences both in heaven and in earth. Jehovah is the supreme Governor of nations, and no greater or more fatal deception could take hold on human minds than that which leads men to declare that the law of God has been abolished. Were this so there could be no judgment; for there would be no rule by which character could be tested, and actions weighed. But we read that the judgment is to sit, and that the books are to be opened, and that every man is to be rewarded according as his works have been. If God has no moral standard by which to measure character, there can be no judgment, no reward.” The Signs of the Times, May 16, 1895.

“Make confession to the ones you have injured. If others manifest wrong feelings toward you, or have injured you, carry them some token of regard. Tell them that you do not want anything of contention or division to exist between you; for this dishonors God. Then, tho you may not be able to soften the heart of the one who has wronged you, tho your kindness may be repulsed, you have done your duty, and God will bless you. He will give you His peace of mind and His grace. He will increase your trust in Him. Then you can bring your offering to God. Bring soul and voice and being to His altar, to be used to glorify Him, and He will accept the offering.” Ibid., March 15, 1899.

Forsake the Sin

“We must never forget that God ascribes sin to the one who transgresses; it is not registered against Satan, but against the sinner. God never accepts the agency of Satan as an excuse for the committal of one sin. When there is any excuse for a seemingly wrong act, it is not sin. Satan triumphs when he hears the professed follower of Christ offering excuses for his defects of character. Sin unrepented of, unconfessed, can never be blotted from the books of God’s record. Through faithful, thorough confession of sin, the heart is cleansed from its moral impurity. There must be a forsaking of the sins the Lord has reproved, before the soul can stand acquitted before God, humbled and repentant, realizing that he has served Satan, pleased him, glorified him, and dishonored his Lord.” Ibid., December 13, 1899.

“If a hasty word is spoken, take it [back] by confession as soon as possible, and heal the wound and keep in the sunshine and you will not only be happy yourselves, but be a blessing to others.—Letter 22, 1870, pp. 3–5. (To Edson and Emma White, December 16, 1870.)” Manuscript Releases, vol. 3, 297.

Spirit of God Insulted

“The words and actions of every one who took part in this work will stand registered against them until they make confession of their wrong. Those who do not repent of their sin will, if circumstances permit, repeat the same actions. I know that at that time the Spirit of God was insulted, and now when I see anything approaching to the same course of action, I am exceedingly pained. The people of God have had an opportunity to see what is the work these agents are doing, and yet those who are opposed to the points of truth which they brought out will, if occasion affords them a chance, make it appear that they are not in harmony with them, as much as to say, Beware of what they teach, for they carry matters to the extreme; they are not safe men.” Ibid., vol. 15, 83, 84.

“I have had to vindicate myself and my brethren, press with all my powers against the prejudice, unbelief, false statements and misrepresentations until it almost gives me a nervous chill to think of the blindness and unreasonable Phariseeism that has been adjusted as a garment about men in prominent positions. If they have changed their course of criticism and scattering the seeds of doubt and unsettling the confidence of the churches in the testimonies, I ask, who is the wiser for it? What confession and restitution and restoring of confidence have they done? Will the past be blotted out of the books of heaven where they are registered without one humiliation on their part for wounding and bruising the souls of God’s people by their jealousies, evil surmisings and opposition to that which is pure Bible truth, just because they were unwilling it should come from the source which the Lord chose to send it?” The Ellen G. White 1888 Materials, vol. 2, 676, 677.

Do Not Censure Others

“You must confess your faults without censuring any other one.” Testimonies, vol. 1, 322.

“You have been very close with us in regard to your true feelings, but have sympathized with others, and expressed great dissatisfaction of James’ [White] course, and have received sympathy in return. Your manifesting so much suffering of mind has awakened strong sympathy in others, when you had no foundation for such feelings but your own imagination wrought upon by a tempting enemy. Your appearance has exerted the worst possible influence. If you had felt aggrieved, Bro. White was the one for you to have gone to and freely unburdened your mind to him, then you would have been convinced that your feelings arose from prejudice, misunderstanding, and misconstruction of his words. God’s frown is upon these things. That a company so closely connected in his work as Uriah [Smith], Harriet [Smith], and James, should be so exclusive and secretive as you have been. Those who labor together in that Office, their souls must be one, every separate interest should be laid aside, and they should have perfect confidence in each other, and perfect frankness and openness. And I saw that this must be so. Your influence has been against this. I saw that things in that Office must go forward with entirely different feelings and from different principles or God will have everything in that Office turned upside down. For months Harriet, you have felt wrong, acted wrong, spoken wrong, and been controlled by the enemy. You may call your feelings grief, but you have not realized your condition. You have at times manifested anger, and you have been selfish. The present truth has rested very lightly upon you, and selfishness has woven itself closely with nearly all you do. It is the natural besetment of your family, and it is a sin which God has rebuked them for, but which they would not confess. You have never realized it as it is. Your influence instead of strengthening and helping Uriah has hindered him, and planted in his breast feelings which would never have existed there if you had been consecrated to God. Your influence, appearance and actions have had just that strong influence on the wrong side that the Lord showed me two years ago that they would have, unless you stood in the counsel of God, consecrated to his service, with your judgment sanctified by his Spirit. Had you heeded the vision given you and Uriah two years ago you would have saved much; but you neglected all that light, chose your own views of matters, have been free to make confidants of those you should not, but have been very close and secretive to us, whom of all others you should confide in. This is the greatest injustice.” Pamphlet 016, 15–17.

God Wants to Save Us

“The Lord is anxious to save us. He is anxious that everything separating us from Him should be put away, that our hearts may beat in unison with heaven. It is time to be in harmony with God. Let us spend a little while in clearing the King’s highway. If we have been indulging in the sin of telling others’ faults, let us confess it before the Lord and before our brethren. When probation ends it will come suddenly, unexpectedly—at a time when we are least expecting it. But we can have a clean record in heaven today, and know that God accepts us; and finally, if faithful, we shall be gathered into the kingdom of heaven.” Sermons and Talks, vol. 1, 378.

“In Oakland, in Battle Creek, and in other places where the deep movings of the Spirit of God have been felt, the people confessed their sins, and made restitution for their wrongs. The servants of God desired to make clean work for eternity. They confessed their jealousies, evil-speaking, mur-murings, and uncleanness. They desired to have Jesus dwell in their souls, but he can never abide in hearts that are full of uncleanness. We must brush out the corners with the dust-brush. We must not hide our evils. Of course we should not expose evils to the public that are matters to be confessed to God alone. But while it is a disgrace to sin, it is no disgrace to confess sins. I entreat you, Do not rest until your souls stand free before God. You may have ten-fold more success in influencing others than you have had in the past.” Review and Herald, March 12, 1889.

To be continued . . .

Pastor Grosboll is Director of Steps to Life Ministry and pastor of the Prairie Meadows Church in Wichita, Kansas. He may be contacted by e-mail at: historic@stepstolife.org or by telephone at: 316-788-5559.

Power of Music, Part I

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There is truly power in music. Music itself has effects on people, which take place whether or not they believe it or are aware of it. Some of these effects can be measured objectively. Some of them are dangerous and detrimental, and some of them are beneficial. Some of the effects of music, as various scientists have studied them, will be described in this study.

There are people who think that there is no power in music. They believe that music has no effect on them, and they are often very vocal in expressing their belief. The reason they are vocal is because they are afraid that their favorite music will turn out to be in the detrimental class. It is safer for them to pretend that it does not matter what kind of music you listen to and what kind of music you use in worship. If music does not have objectively measurable effects, then it all boils down to a matter of taste, what kind of music you like. Such people claim that there is no good or bad music as such, it all depends on the use made of it.

It seems that the vehemence of the differences in such taste should in itself warn us that music does have a strong effect on us. If there were no kick to it, no one would have very strong opinions about it. There may very well be things in life that are neither good nor bad in themselves, but are good or bad as they are used. Music is not one of them.

Is Music Neutral?

One author addressed this objection in this way: “The whole premise of using secular music as a vehicle to carry a sacred text is based on the erroneous assumption that music itself is neutral. The only people in the history of music
that have promoted that idea are twentieth-century Christian apologists . . . . No secular musician or music historian of any age has ever believed that music is neutral. Every generation except this one has realized the power and influence of music without or apart from the words.” Woetzel, Kurt, “Is Music Neutral?” “The Heresy of Claiming that Music is Neutral,” http://www.wayoflife.org/

If music in itself has measurable effects, then it is just not true that it does not matter what kind of music we use. If music has any effect at all, then there is good and bad music, and we must examine music to find out which is good and which is bad. It cannot be a question of anyone’s taste or anyone’s opinion. Combining good Christian lyrics with the adversary’s music does not sanctify the evil. It defiles the good.

There are many ways in which the power of music may be seen. “Music has the power to by-pass our conscious focus of attention. We can actually become the music. And conversely, we are what we listen to.” John Beaulieu, Music and Sound in the Healing Arts, Station Hill Press, Barrytown, New York, 1987, 14. Beaulieu claims that people can be recognized by the type of music they listen to. An illustration of this occurred when he was in music school where there were people who liked to listen to only Bach and other people who listened to only Beethoven. He and his friends sat in the student lounge and picked out the Beethovens from the Bachs. The Bachs walked fast with a bounce. The Beethovens walked slower, more straight forward, and always looked very serious.

Scott recognized that the prevailing theory is that styles of music are merely the outcome and expression of civilizations and national feelings—that is the civilization comes first, and its characteristic species of music afterwards. But Scott believed that the truth is actually the reverse: an innovation in musical style has invariably been followed by an innovation in politics and morals. (See Cyril Scott, Music: Its Secret Influence Throughout the Ages, The Aquarian Press, Northamptonshire, England, 1958.)

The Ayatollah Khomeini must have believed this, because when he became the leader of Iran, one of his first acts was to outlaw all forms of music other than traditional Iranian. Beaulieu, 15. The results of such actions appear to be long-lived. The author met two Iranian ladies in Sweden who still wear scarves on their heads. When questioned, they said they had been wearing them ever since commanded to do so by Ayatollah Khomeini, even though they are now living in Sweden, and they did not wear them before the time of Ayatollah.

Music can Inculcate Ideology

A number of governments have been convinced that music could be used to inculcate ideology in their citizens. One example is the musical manipulations of the Stalinist regime in the 1930s. Shostakovich claimed to have made professional sacrifices in order to maintain peace with the bureaucracy.

After the revolution in China in 1966, Chairman Mao declared flower gardens and music with a beat to be unlawful. He promoted revolutionary operas such as the “Red Lantern” which were designed to lead to total allegiance to socialism.

From his log cabin in the woods, Thoreau warned that music can destroy civilization. “Even music can be intoxicating. Such apparently slight causes destroyed Greece and Rome, and will destroy England and America.” Tame, David, The Secret Power of Music, Destiny Books, Rochester, Vermont, 1984, 10.

From ancient times up to the nineteenth century, these theories were quite widely accepted. The philosophers of ancient China, India, Egypt, and Greece all would have agreed with Thoreau. They explained in detail what music would maintain the welfare of the state and the well-being of the individual. They also warned in detail what music would have deterious effects on both individual and nation.

Confucius condemned several styles as morally dangerous. “The music of Cheng is lewd and corrupting, the music of Sung is soft and makes one effeminate, the music of Wei is repetitious and annoying, the music of Chi is harsh and makes one haughty.” Ibid., 14.

In addition, music could also affect entire nations: “If one should desire to know whether a kingdom is well governed, if its morals are good or bad, the quality of its music will furnish the answer.” Ibid., 37. Confucius thought that music should be one of the first elements of education and that either its loss or corruption was the surest sign of the decadence of a nation.

Musical Laws

In fact, musical science was considered so important in ancient China that the government prescribed rules of music by general decree. It fixed the fundamental note Kung and the dimensions of the pipe that gave it, which served as a universal standard of measurement. This was carved on public monuments. Each founder of a new dynasty carefully created a new music in order to give a new character to his empire and traveled through the land to be certain it was used exclusively. In Li Chi, one of the Chinese canonical books, it tells that the music of Emperor Yao was sweet and pleasant, that of Chun tried to imitate that of Yao’s, that of Hsia was grand, noble, and majestic, that of Shang and Chou was masculine, courageous, and active. (See D’Olivet, Fafre, Music Explained as Science and Art, Inner Traditions International, Rochester, New York, 1987,59.)

In Egypt, the laws controlling music were engraved in the temples.

Plato claimed that the corruption of the Athenians began when they abandoned the ancient musical laws. He believed that music should be considered one of the first elements of education and that the state should regulate the musical education. He thought that inclinations of men could be recognized by the type of music they liked or admired. And further that music had an irresistible influence on the form of government and that no change could be made in music without making a corresponding change in the constitution of the state. Ibid., 59, 43.

The author heard about some children in England who hear only baroque and earlier music in both their school and home. They are deliberately being protected from rock music. The report is that they are very healthy and well-behaved children.

In addition, the author met a family in Finland with a two-year-old son. After spending four hours in the presence of the child, the author was astonished at how well-behaved the child was and questioned, “How can this be?” Part of the answer was that he has heard only classical music in the home and has been protected from rock music outside the home as much as possible.

Considering the actions of Ayatollah Khomeini, Beaulieu comments: “What would happen to American reality if we passed laws that people could only listen to early country and western?” Beaulieu, 35.

Even though we have no such laws regulating music, America has a form of music that has permeated the country and has spread throughout the whole world. If it is indeed true that an innovation in musical style has invariably been followed by an innovation in politics and morals, what are the effects which rock music is having on our country and the world? Perhaps Thoreau’s prophecy that music will destroy England and America should be examined.

Reprinted from The Lord is My Song, Print-Quik, Inc., Madison, Tennessee, 2002, 41–44.

To be continued . . .

Juanita McElwain earned her PhD in Music Therapy from Florida State University. She has taught music on all levels from preschool to college graduate. She has worked as a music therapy clinician with the mentally challenged. Her areas of expertise in research include the effects of music on brain waves and the effects of music on headache. She has given numerous seminars on the power of music, which include good and bad effects of music— rock music, sensual music, music in worship, and mind control through music—throughout the United States and in Europe. She and her husband are presently retired in West Virginia. She may be contacted by e-mail at: juamce@meer.net.

The Power of Speech, Part IV

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[Editor’s Note: This article continues a compilation of counsel given to strengthen and encourage anyone who is struggling through a crisis caused by the “Power of Speech.”]

1 What should we do if someone has wronged us?

“Let us take the words of Christ. If the man has done you an injury, go to him, and between you and him alone seek to set the matter right. Do not go to any one but himself. If he refuses to hear you, then take two or three others, and go to him again; but do not publish it in the church or out of the church. When you have done your duty, if he still refuses to hear you, then let the church take it up; but let them deal gently with the erring. Do not even listen to the gossiping tongue. If one comes to you with an evil report, ask him if he has been to the offending brother, as the Bible directs. If he has not, refuse even to hear him. Nine-tenths of the church trials might be avoided, if all would, in the spirit of kindness and love, pursue the course marked out by Inspiration. This can only be done by breaking down everything like a spirit of self-righteousness.” The Signs of the Times, January 6, 1887.

2 Whose name are we pledged to protect?

“Only that which is pure and lovely and of good report is it safe for us to follow. Human beings are under the most sacred obligations to God to be holy and uncorrupted; for they have been bought with a price, even the precious blood of the Son of God. By their baptismal vows they are solemnly pledged to do nothing which will bring an evil report upon the Christian name. Before the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, the professing Christian pledges himself to discourage pride, covetousness, unbelief. And as the true Christian seeks to fulfill this pledge, he grows in self-distrust. Constantly he places more dependence upon God. His reverence and love for the Saviour continually increase, and he is a living witness for his Master. He realizes what it means to be a child of God. He has a realizing sense that the cleansing blood of Christ secures for him pardon and elevation of character. In spirituality he grows like the lofty cedar. Daily he holds communion with God, and he has a treasure-house of knowledge from which to draw. He is mighty in the knowledge of the Scriptures. His fellowship is with the Father and the Son, and he knows more and still more of the divine will. He is filled with a constantly increasing love for God and for his fellowmen.” Medical Ministry, 127, 128.

3 What created the frenzy that resulted in the crucifixion of Jesus?

“I [Ellen White] had been, during the forty-five years of experience, shown the lives, the character and history of the patriarchs, and prophets, who had come to the people with messages from God, and Satan would start some evil report, or get up some difference of opinion or turn the interest in some other channel, that the people should be deprived of the good the Lord had to bestow upon them. . . . I could but have a vivid picture in my mind from day to day of the way reformers were treated, how slight difference of opinion seemed to create a frenzy of feeling. Thus it was in the betrayal, trial, and crucifixion of Jesus. All this had passed before me point by point.” Selected Messages, Book 3, 121.

4 What feelings are we not to allow to arise?

“Our ministering brethren are too often imposed upon by the relation of trials in the church, and they too frequently refer to them in their discourses. They should not encourage the members of the church to complain of one another, but should set them as spies upon their own actions. None should allow their feelings of prejudice and resentment to be aroused by the relation of the wrongs of others; all should wait patiently until they hear both sides of the question, and then believe only what stern facts compel them to believe. At all times the safe course is not to listen to an evil report until the Bible rule has been strictly carried out. This will apply to some who have worked artfully to draw out from the unsuspecting, matters which they had no business with and which would do them no good to know.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 96, 97.

5 What is our moral obligation in regard to our countenance?

“While we are exhorted not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together, these assemblies are not to be merely for our own refreshing. We are to be inspired with greater zeal to impart the consolation we have received. It is our duty to be very jealous for the glory of God and to bring no evil report, even by the sadness of the countenance or by ill-advised words, as if the requirements of God were a restriction upon our liberty. Even in this world of sorrow, disappointment, and sin the Lord desires us to be cheerful, and strong in His strength. The whole person is privileged to bear a decided testimony in every line. In features, in temper, in words, in character, we are to witness that the service of God is good. Thus we proclaim that ‘the law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul.’ Psalm 19:7.” Ibid., vol. 6, 365.

6 What are we to do with any evil report that we hear?

“When Jesus was on earth, and saw a scene of contention and strife, He would raise His voice in the notes of a melodious song, praising God. The presence of God would be felt; the hearts of those who had been contending would respond to the influences of the Spirit; and they would unite in the song. When some one comes to you with an evil report of some one else, do not take up the reproach and talk it over, either in the family or in the church. Do not add your complaints to those of others.” The General Conference Bulletin, April 6, 1903.

7 What other words and actions are a breaking of God’s Law?

“Every unkind criticism of others, every word of self-esteem, is ‘the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity.’ [Isaiah 58:9.] The lifting up of self in pride, as if you were faultless, the magnifying of the faults of others, is an offense to God. It is breaking the law which says, ‘Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.’ [Matthew 19:19.] The injunction is given, ‘Be kindly affectioned one to another.’ [Romans 12:10.] We have no right to withdraw our confidence from a brother because some evil report comes to our ears, some accusation is made or supposition is suggested that he has done wrong. Frequently the evil report that is brought to us is made by those who are at enmity with God, those who are joining the enemy in his work of accusing the brethren. Those who are unmindful of the Saviour’s words, ‘Take heed therefore how ye hear’ [Luke 8:18], allow their unsanctified ears to hear wrong, their perverted senses to imagine wrong, and their evil tongues to report wrong.” Review and Herald, May 7, 1895.

8 What underhanded method will Satan use to destroy God’s people?

“Satan well knows that all his strength, together with that of his angels and evil men, is but weakness when opposed to the faithful, united servants of the Great King, even though they may be few. In order to overcome the people of God, Satan will work upon elements in the character which have not been transformed by the grace of Christ; he will make these the controlling power of the life. Unless these persons are converted, their own souls will be lost, and others who regarded them as men led of God, will be destroyed with them, because they become guilty with them. Satan endeavors to create suspicion, envy, and jealousy, leading men to question those things that it would be to their soul’s interest to believe. The suspicious ones will misconstrue everything. They will call an atom a world, and a world an atom. If this spirit is allowed to prevail, it will demoralize our churches and institutions.” The Home Missionary, January 1, 1892.

To be continued . . .

Pastor Grosboll is Director of Steps to Life Ministry and pastor of the Prairie Meadows Church in Wichita, Kansas. He may be contacted by e-mail at: historic@stepstolife.org or by telephone at: 316-788-5559.

What If . . . Almost

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An American poet, John Greenleaf Whittier, once wrote, “Of all the words of tongue or pen, the saddest are these, ‘It might have been.’ ” If that is true, then one of the most tragic words in human language must be the word almost.

What if and almost speak of aborted opportunities and missed chances. Have you ever played the What if and Almost games in your life?

What if I had accepted that job across the considered how Almost impacts our spiritual lives, and how our lives would be affected if Jesus had played the game of What if?

Our Worth

What if Jesus would have said, “Never mind, those people are not worth My life”?

Paul wrote, “both Jews and Gentiles . . . are all under sin.” And he continued: “There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Their throat [is] an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps [is] under their lips: Whose mouth [is] full of cursing and bitterness: Their feet [are] swift to shed blood: Destruction and misery [are] in their ways: And the way of peace have they not known: There is no fear of God before their eyes.” Romans 3:9–18.

These verses describe not only the people of Paul’s time but each one of us—without the loving mercy of Jesus Christ and His atoning blood.

When these words were penned, God, looking over all the people, could not find a single one who feared Him or sought after Him. The people had either abandoned or corrupted their worship of Him. They not only had turned their backs on God but they had turned against their brethren, thus showing the evil propensity of human nature in general.

What if God was to search our souls today? Could He find a single one with the “fear of God before their eyes”?

Through our actions, words, and music we have corrupted our worship to Him. Ignoring the counsel we have been given, we do not, in our churches, approach His throne with respect or reverence. “The angels veil their faces in His presence. The cherubim and the bright and holy seraphim approach His throne with solemn reverence. How much more should we finite, sinful beings, come in a reverent manner before the Lord, our Maker!” The Faith I Live By, 41.

As Paul described, by our malicious and wicked words we bury, as it were, the reputations of all men. We practice the habits of lying, defamation, and slandering, thus wounding, blasting, and poisoning the reputations of others. Destruction is our work, and misery to us and to the objects of our malice is the consequence of our murderous conduct. We have no peace in ourselves, and we certainly do not allow others to live in quiet.

With very little variation, these are the evils in which the vast mass of mankind delight and live. Without Christ’s death on the cross, we could hope for nothing more.

What We Deserve

What if Jesus had said, “Forget it! You all get what you deserve forever—death”?

“For the wages of sin [is] death.” Romans 6:23. “Sin is the transgression of the law.” 1 John 3:4. Whatever sin may promise of pleasure or advantage, the end to which it necessarily leads is the destruction of body and soul.

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23.

“From the opening of the great controversy it has been Satan’s purpose to misrepresent God’s character and to excite rebellion against His law, and this work appears to be crowned with success. The multitudes give ear to Satan’s deceptions and set themselves against God. . . . Through Satan’s temptations the whole human race have become transgressors of God’s law.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 338.

Even if it is just one little, darling sin that is cherished, the Scripture is clear. What we deserve is death. What we have the opportunity to receive, as a result of Christ’s mercy and atoning blood, is eternal life. “By the sacrifice of His Son a way is opened whereby they [sinners] may return to God. Through the grace of Christ they may be enabled to render obedience to the Father’s law.” Ibid.

With the redeeming grace of the crucified Jesus, this what if has a very different ending.

“The Lord cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity.” Isaiah 26:21. “But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth?” Malachi 3:2. “Jesus, our Redeemer, . . . suffered more than we can be called upon to suffer. He bore our infirmities and was in all points tempted as we are. He did not suffer thus on His own account, but because of our sins; and now, relying on the merits of our Overcomer, we may become victors in His name.” Testimonies, vol. 4, 86.

Because Jesus did not play the What if game, we may have eternal life, as a result of His sufferings, death, and resurrection.

Almost Released

What if Pilate had released Jesus? He almost did. Upon examining Jesus, Pilate found no basis for the charges against Him. Neither did Herod. Pilate did not see that Jesus had done anything to deserve death, so he told the gathering that he would release Him. But the chief priests, the rulers, and the people—with one voice—cried out their desire to have Barabbas (imprisoned for an insurrection in the city and for murder) released instead. (See Luke 23:13–24.)

Pilate may be the most infamous almoster in history, because he almost released Jesus. He almost lowered the gavel and said, “Not guilty.” He almost dismissed the charges against this innocent Man, but then he conceded to the demands of the people.

What a difference it would have made in our perception of Pilate if he had stood firm to principle and released Jesus. He almost did it, but he did not. He had the authority to do it. All he had to do was speak the word decisively, and Jesus would have been set free. He did it, almost.

“If at the first Pilate had stood firm, refusing to condemn a man whom he found guiltless, he would have broken the fatal chain that was to bind him in remorse and guilt as long as he lived. Had he carried out his convictions of right, the Jews would not have presumed to dictate to him. Christ would have been put to death, but the guilt would not have rested upon Pilate.” The Desire of Ages, 732.

Father, Forgive Them

So Jesus was released to His death. Soldiers went about their tasks. They were used to crucifying people. They had done it many times before. First, they laid the cross upon the ground, then they placed Jesus upon it, driving sharp spikes through His hands and feet. Then they hoisted the rough wooden cross into the air and dropped it into the hole that had held crosses before. Perhaps they even drove stakes into the ground around the cross to steady it. And then they were done. Jesus was crucified.

There He hangs between heaven and earth. Looking through tears and blood, He could see the faces of the people who had gathered around Him. Perhaps he was looking for familiar faces, but He did not see Peter or James or Andrew or Bartholomew. The soldiers gather underneath the cross and begin throwing dice, gambling for His robe.

Do we see a little bit of ourselves in the soldiers at the foot of the cross? Sometimes we are so close to the cross and yet so far away. Almost we decide to look upon the Saviour and accept His love and grace, but then we become distracted. They were right there, right next to the blood that was dropping to the ground. They could hear the cries of pain. They could look up at any time and see Jesus, but their minds were on other things—on the material things of life.

Jesus began to pray. “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing. Father, forgive the soldier who drove the nails into my hands. Father, forgive Pilate who found me innocent but sentenced me to die anyway. Forgive Annas and Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin and all the rest. And Father, forgive the Christians who will meet in [your church] in [your town] in 2004, because their sins nailed Me here, too. Yes, Father, forgive them all.”

What if you and I prayed that kind of prayer? Would it bring us to our knees before our Saviour? Would it make a difference in our lives and in the lives of those around us? “We are not forgiven because we forgive, but as we forgive. The ground of all forgiveness is found in the unmerited love of God, but by our attitude toward others we show whether we have made that love our own. Wherefore Christ says, ‘With what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged; and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.’ Matthew 7:2.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 251.

What if He had Escaped?

Scientists tell us that self-preservation is a very basic instinct. Whenever we encounter danger, we automatically seek to protect ourselves. If we stumble, we put our hands out to break the expected fall. If we are riding in an automobile and suddenly it appears that we are going to crash, we automatically brace ourselves—even though experts say that is not the wisest thing to do. We automatically do it, because self-preservation is a basic instinct in man.

So the enemies of Jesus gathered beneath His cross. They reasoned that Jesus would want to save Himself. They thought that if He really was the Son of God then He had the power to come down from the cross. That would be the natural thing to do. But when Jesus did not save His own life, they assumed He did not have the power and therefore was not the Son of God. “He saved others; himself he cannot save,” they mocked among themselves. (See Mark 15:29–32.) That was their conclusion—a logical conclusion but a false conclusion.

You see, Jesus could have saved Himself. He could have saved Himself by not going to Jerusalem. He could have stayed in Galilee. He could have saved Himself by escaping from the Garden of Gethsemane. He could have saved Himself when He was in Pilate’s judgment hall. He chose not to escape.

What if Jesus had escaped and saved Himself? Well, Jesus could not have saved Himself and us, too. There is no greater love than “that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13.

What if we try to save ourselves? “You cannot save yourself from the tempter’s power, but he trembles and flees when the merits of that [Jesus’] precious blood are urged.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 317. “You want your own way, and do not rend your heart before God, and with brokenness and contrition cast yourself all broken, sinful, and polluted, upon His mercy. Your efforts to save yourself, if persisted in, will result in your certain ruin.” Ibid., vol. 2, 89. “You cannot save yourself by any good work that you may do. The Lord Jesus has not made you a sin-bearer.” Selected Messages, Book 3, 325.

“The cross of Christ is our only hope. It reveals to us the greatness of our Father’s love and the fact that the Majesty of heaven submitted to insult, mockery, humiliation, and suffering for the joy of seeing perishing souls saved in His kingdom. . . . Save yourself and your household, for the salvation of the soul is precious.” Testimonies, vol. 4, 502, 503.

What if we are almost persuaded to accept Jesus, His sufferings, His death on the cross, and His resurrection? “To be almost persuaded, means to put aside the proffered mercy, to be convinced of the right way, but to refuse to accept the cross of a crucified Redeemer.” Sketches From the Life of Paul, 260. [Emphasis supplied.]

Oh, friend, that is a game you do not want to lose. Do not decide to wait for a more favorable opportunity; it may never come. That is a what if you want joyously to testify that you did. That is an almost you want to report as fully accepted.

“It is perilous to the soul to hesitate, question, and criticize divine light. Satan will present his temptations until the light will appear as darkness, and many will reject the very truth that would have proved the saving of their souls. Those who walk in its rays will find it growing brighter and brighter unto the perfect day.” Review and Herald, September 3, 1889.

A LandMarks staff member, Anna Schultz writes from her home near Sedalia, Colorado. She may be contacted by e-mail at: jschu67410@aol.com.

Serving Cheerfully

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Several years ago, a friend of mine—a busy wife and mother—was living a full life; there was hardly time to sit down. She was occupied with many mundane things like diapers and laundry and crayons and playdough. Once in a while she would lament that there was no time for ministry. At such times I would try to encourage her, pointing out that her ministry at that time was in her home. “Their own household is the first missionary field in which parents are required to labor. Those who leave the home garden to grow up to thorns and briers, while they manifest great interest in the cultivation of their neighbor’s plot of ground, are disregarding the word of God.” Review and Herald, March 21, 1882.

One night, as she was washing the dishes (which were the last hurdle before tucking in the little ones), her mind wandered off in the direction of ministry again. She wondered whether she should be leading Bible studies or be involved in more active evangelism. She was certain God wanted her to do something for Him, but what could it be?

Service to God

Suddenly she knew what He wanted her to do. He wanted her to do the dishes!

But wasn’t there something else He would want her to do? Yes, there was something else. He would want her to do them cheerfully! “The humble round of duties which women have come to regard as a wearisome task should be looked upon as a grand and noble work. It is the mother’s privilege to bless the world by her influence, and in doing this she will bring joy to her own heart.” The Adventist Home, 234.

As she thought about this, she realized what she had known all along. God had called her to be a wife, mother, and homemaker. Because of this, all the mundane things she did were sanctified, holy, purposeful, and honoring to God, and she should offer them all to Him. Not only that, she should find contentment and satisfaction in knowing she was doing these things unto the Lord. “If any man minister, [let him do it] as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified . . . .” 1 Peter 4:11.

When Christian homemakers view their work in this way, it makes all the difference. Work, hard work, no matter how humble the task, is our service to God. If this is true of digging ditches, or washing dishes, certainly it is so when it comes to rearing our children. My friend had a congregation of two right in her home—a Bible school with two students enrolled! “The more fully the spirit of true ministry pervades the home, the more fully it will be developed in the lives of the children. They will learn to find joy in service and sacrifice for the good of others.” Child Guidance, 36.

Drudgery or Duty to God?

When the mother views managing her home as drudgery, it becomes just that—drudgery. But if she views it as her duty to God, it becomes a joy and a delight. “Many a home is made very unhappy by the useless repining of its mistress, who turns with distaste from the simple, homely tasks of her unpretending domestic life. She looks upon the cares and duties of her lot as hardships; and that which, through cheerfulness, might be made not only pleasant and interesting, but profitable, becomes the merest drudgery. She looks upon the slavery of her life with repugnance and imagines herself a martyr.” The Adventist Home, 248.

If your home is disorganized and untidy, or downright dirty, you are not honoring God in your responsible duties as a wife and mother. We are to learn to manage our households. (See 1 Timothy 5:14.) It is our duty before the Lord, and as such, we must do it well. However, we should remember that all things should be done in a balanced manner.

“In some families there is too much done. Neatness and order are essential to comfort, but these virtues should not be carried to such an extreme as to make life a period of unceasing drudgery and to render the inmates of the home miserable. In the houses of some whom we highly esteem, there is a stiff precision about the arrangement of the furniture and belongings that is quite as disagreeable as a lack of order would be. The painful propriety which invests the whole house makes it impossible to find there that rest which one expects in the true home.

“It is not pleasant, when making a brief visit to dear friends, to see the broom and the duster in constant requisition, and the time which you had anticipated enjoying with your friends in social converse spent by them in a general tidying up and peering into corners in search of a concealed speck of dust or a cobweb. Although this may be done out of respect to your presence in the house, yet you feel a painful conviction that your company is of less consequence to your friends than their ideas of excessive neatness.” The Adventist Home, 152.

Train the Children

One time, when my friend’s children were still very young, I stopped by for a visit. “How do you keep your house so clean?” I asked. She thought for a moment, and then responded, “I work really hard—all the time.” As she accepted the duties of mother and homemaker as her God-given ministry, she realized that she should teach her children more responsibility about the home, thus relieving herself of some of the duties: “Very early the lesson of helpfulness should be taught the child. As soon as strength and reasoning power are sufficiently developed, he should be given duties to perform in the home. He should be encouraged in trying to help father and mother, encouraged to deny and to control himself, to put others’ happiness and convenience before his own, to watch for opportunities to cheer and assist brothers and sisters and playmates, and to show kindness to the aged, the sick, and the unfortunate. . . .

“Parents, help your children to do the will of God by being faithful in the performance of the duties which really belong to them as members of the family. This will give them a most valuable experience. It will teach them that they are not to center their thoughts upon themselves, to do their own pleasure, or to amuse themselves. Patiently educate them to act their part in the family circle.” Child Guidance, 36.

Other Activities Limited

Being committed to a clean home and clean children rules out many other activities. It can mean little time for creative activities, not too many long phone calls, and not much socializing. The home and the children are the first priority. Bathing the children, keeping their clothes clean, feeding them, and teaching them are all part of a full-time job that requires planning, stamina, and a heart that is committed to work.

Hard work is good for us. It strengthens us and builds character. “The formation of a good character involves hard work and severe self-denial; but it richly repays the effort.” The Signs of the Times, August 23, 1883.

Idleness is an evil that is destructive. It is also an evil that is accompanied by many other sins. It tears down our families and is dishonoring to God. When you are working hard at home, you do not have time to watch degrading television shows; you do not have time to spend your money recklessly; and you do not have time to fritter on the phone. Your hands are too full of your duties.

“For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.” 11 Thessalonians 3:11–13.

Do Not Neglect Rest

Certainly I do not mean by this that work excludes all recreational activities and visiting. Anything can be taken too far. The children are more important than your particular cleaning schedule, and we all need rest. Mothers must be able to know when to lay the work aside. But just as our work is “unto the Lord,” so our rest should also be unto Him. This principle helps to establish guidelines for both work and rest. He must bless our rest for us really to enjoy it. He must bless our work for it to be truly fruitful.

Hard Work Rewarded

“[Hard work] is a resistance of the devil. It is the obtaining of daily victory over selfishness, pride, and folly, and the daily cultivation of love, mercy, and beneficence.” The Signs of the Times, August 23, 1883.

Hard work always bears fruit over time. Children who are loved and fed and washed, and taught to love God, grow up to become productive saints in the household of God.

“The mother’s work is given her of God, to bring up her children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. The love and fear of God should ever be kept before their tender minds. When corrected, they should be taught to feel that they are admonished of God, that He is displeased with deception, untruthfulness, and wrongdoing. Thus the minds of little ones may be so connected with God that all they do and say will be in reference to His glory; and in after years they will not be like the reed in the wind, continually wavering between inclination and duty.” The Adventist Home, 233.

God-Appointed Work

“The Christian mother has her God-appointed work, which she will not neglect if she is closely connected with God and imbued with His Spirit.” The Adventist Home, 234.

“And whatsoever ye do, do [it] heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.” Colossians 3:23, 24.

Maybe it is time that we all searched our lives to see if we are faithfully serving God in our homes. Not only serving Him, but serving Him cheerfully!

____________________________________________________________________________

A member of the LandMarks editorial staff, Anna Schultz writes from her home near Sedalia, Colorado. You may contact her by e-mail at: jschu67410@aol.com.

You Can be Happy!

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Like so many others, I was in search of happiness. I did not expect to find it where it was—in Christ alone. The more I studied from God’s Word, the more I realized that happiness was to be found in exactly the opposite of what I expected—not in receiving but in giving! Satan tries hard to becloud our minds in understanding this important subject, for which every human being is so hungry and desirous. What a privilege to understand, know, and experience this true happiness!

For this reason, I would like to share a few inspired quotations and Bible verses with others that want to find true happiness. If you will follow the true path to happiness, you shall never be sorry for it!

Those who find wisdom find happiness

“Happy [is] the man [that] findeth wisdom, and the man [that] getteth understanding.” “She [is] a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy [is every one] that retaineth her.” Proverbs 3:13, 18.

What is the way to find true happiness?

“Seeking the good of others is the only way to find true happiness.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 9, 380.

“If the Christian lives a humble, self-sacrificing life, peace and joy in the Lord will be the result. But the greatest happiness experienced will be in doing others good, in making others happy. Such happiness will be lasting.” Testimonies, vol. 1, 161.

“For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.” “If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” John 13:15, 17.

“ ‘All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.’ [Matthew 7:12.] The Saviour taught this principle to make mankind happy, not unhappy, for in no other way can happiness come.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 18, 114.

“He that hath mercy on the poor, happy [is] he.” Proverbs 14:21.

Why is it that so many people don’t find happiness?

“Very many who are seeking for happiness will be disappointed in their hopes, because they seek it amiss, and are indulging in sinful tempers and selfish feelings. By neglecting to discharge the little duties and observe the little courtesies of life, they violate the principles on which happiness depends. True happiness is not to be found in self-gratification, but in the path of duty. God desires man to be happy, and for this reason he gave him the precepts of his law, that in obeying these he might have joy at home and abroad. While he stands in his moral integrity, true to principle, and having the control of all his powers, he cannot be miserable. With its tendrils twined about God, the heart will be full of peace and joy, and the soul will flourish amid unbelief and depravity.” The Signs of the Times, November 11, 1886.

“In many ways, life’s happiness is bound up with faithfulness in common duties.” Education, 216.

“There are many youth who, because they cannot find happiness in plans of their own devising, will not accept it in God’s appointed way. They wonder over their unhappiness, and count their best friends—those who discern their difficulties—their enemies. They cling with tenacious grasp to their impressions and their ideas of just what they must have and what they must do in order to be happy, but they lose sight of the fact that the Lord rules alone, and that He is shaping circumstances.

“God says, ‘My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways. . . . For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.’ [Isaiah 55:8, 9.] Then let finite beings be humble and submissive in their desires, realizing that God uses many influences which it is beyond their power to control. We must take self in hand; we must do our duty faithfully; and in this work peace and rest and happiness will come.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 18, 316.

“When you eat the labor of your hands, you [shall be] happy, and [it shall be] well with you.” Psalm 128:2.

Happiness comes from within, not from outside.

“Our comfortable condition is made by the tone of our feelings within. None can but be happy if they take the happy with them. If we are connected with heaven, the content and peace and happiness of heaven will be ours. Our slights, our neglects, our sorrows and griefs, will not, cannot, depress the heart that is borrowing its strength and serenity from heaven.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 14, 315.

“Happiness is inward, and not outward; and so, it does not depend on what we have, but on what we are.” Henry van Dyke, http://www.worldofquotes.com, (February 22, 2004).

“Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” Abraham Lincoln, http://home.att.net/~quotesabout/abrahamlincoln.html, (February 22, 2004).

“Do not think to find happiness in selfish amusement. . . . True happiness is found only in the Master’s service. In him who is the Light of the world we shall find comfort and hope. Our happiness comes not from what is around us, but from what is within us; not from what we have, but from what we are.” The Youth’s Instructor, January 23, 1902.

The only Person that can make us happy

“The presence of Christ alone can make men and women happy. All the common waters of life Christ can turn into the wine of heaven. The home then becomes as an Eden of bliss; the family, a beautiful symbol of the family in heaven.” The Adventist Home, 28.

“It is the duty of every married couple studiously to avoid marring the feelings of each other. They should control every look of fretfulness and passion. They should study each other’s happiness in small matters as well as in large, manifesting a tender thoughtfulness in acknowledging kind acts and little courtesies. These small things should not be neglected; for they are just as important to the happiness of man and wife, as food is to sustain physical strength. The father should encourage the wife and mother to lean upon his large affection. Kind, cheerful, encouraging words from him to whom she has entrusted her life-happiness will be more beneficial to her than any medicine; and the cheerful rays of light that such sympathizing words will bring to the heart of the wife and mother, will reflect their own cheering beams upon the heart of the father.” Review and Herald, July 18, 1899.

“Husband and wife are to be faithful to each other so long as life shall last, ever revealing the self-sacrifice that leads to the truest happiness and the highest perfection of character.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 18, 121.

“It is the little attentions, the numerous small incidents and simple courtesies of life, that make up the sum of life’s happiness; and it is the neglect of kindly, encouraging, affectionate words, and the little courtesies of life, which helps compose the sum of life’s wretchedness.” The Adventist Home, 108.

The only source of happiness

“The reason why some are restless is that they do not go to the only true source of happiness. They are ever trying to find out of Christ that enjoyment which is found alone in Him. In Him are no disappointed hopes. Oh, how is the precious privilege of prayer neglected!” My Life Today, 158.

“Prayer is communion with God, the Fountain of wisdom, the Source of strength, and peace, and happiness.” Testimonies, vol. 7, 42.

“The home of our first parents was to be a pattern for other homes as their children should go forth to occupy the earth. That home, beautified by the hand of God Himself, was not a gorgeous palace. Men, in their pride, delight in magnificent and costly edifices and glory in the works of their own hands; but God placed Adam in a garden. This was his dwelling. The blue heavens were its dome; the earth, with its delicate flowers and carpet of living green, was its floor; and the leafy branches of the goodly trees were its canopy. Its walls were hung with the most magnificent adornings—the handiwork of the great Master Artist. In the surroundings of the holy pair was a lesson for all time—that true happiness is found, not in the indulgence of pride and luxury, but in communion with God through His created works.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 49.

“He who heeds the word wisely will find good, And whoever trusts in the Lord, happy [is] he.” Proverbs 16:20.

How is true happiness found?

“It is in a life of service only that true happiness is found. He who lives a useless, selfish life is miserable. He is dissatisfied with himself and with everyone else.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 8, 422.

What religion is necessary for health and happiness?

A graceful, positive attitude, whatever the circumstances of our lives, is a source of health and happiness.

“Pure and undefiled religion is not a sentiment, but a doing of works of love and mercy. This religion is necessary to health and happiness.” Ibid., vol. 16, 72.

“Upon obedience depends the life and happiness, health and joy, of men, women, and children. Obedience is for their well-being in this life and in the life to come.” Ibid., vol. 19, 154.

“Happy is he who keeps the law.” “Happy [is] the man who is always reverent.” Proverbs 29:18; 28:14.

“Little expenses must be carefully guarded against. To deny one’s self in little as well as in great things is necessary to prosperity and happiness.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 19, 326.

“Happy [is he] who [has] the God of Jacob for his help, Whose hope [is] in the Lord his God.” Psalm 146:5.

“The essence of true religion is a desire to be useful to others, to lighten their burdens and lessen their cares, to do not merely the most pleasing things, but all that needs to be done. It calls for the crucifixion of selfishness. Happiness will come to those who live this religion.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 10, 54.

“Never will the human heart know happiness until it is submitted to be molded by the Spirit of God.” Review and Herald, February 10, 1903.

What brings us intense happiness?

“As through Jesus we enter into rest, heaven begins here. . . . Heaven is a ceaseless approaching to God through Christ. The longer we are in the heaven of bliss, the more and still more of glory will be opened to us; and the more we know of God, the more intense will be our happiness.” The Desire of Ages, 331.

Suffering for your eternal happiness

“Oh, why are we so sensitive to trial and reproach, to shame and suffering, when our Lord has given us such an example? Who would wish to enter into the joy of their Lord while they were unwilling to partake of His sufferings? What! the servant unwilling to bear the humility and shame and reproach which the Master bore unselfishly for him! the servant shrinking from a life of humility and sacrifice which is for his own eternal happiness, by which he may finally obtain an exceedingly great, an eternal reward!” Testimonies, vol. 2, 491.

“Behold, happy [is] the man whom God corrects; Therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty.” Job 5:17.

Our happiness depends on our faith and obedience

“Our future happiness depends on our active faith in the Word of God, including His will.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 17, 49.

“All your happiness, peace, joy, and success in this life are dependent upon genuine, trusting faith in God. This faith will prompt true obedience to the commandments of God. Your knowledge and faith in God is the strongest restraint from every evil practice, and the motive to all good.” Messages to Young People, 410.

“None are so happy and entirely safe as those who have that faith that works by love and purifies the soul.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 18, 128, 129.

“Do you have faith? Have [it] to yourself before God. Happy [is] he who does not condemn himself in what he approves.” Romans 14:22.

“Let us adore Him who is our life, our hope, our eternal happiness.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 19, 142.

“Happy [are] you, O Israel! Who [is] like you, a people saved by the Lord, The shield of your help And the sword of your majesty!” Deuteronomy 33:29.

“God would have you pure and free and happy.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 18, 52.

“Happy [are] the people who are in such a state; Happy [are] the people whose God [is] the Lord! Psalm 144:15.

Pass It On

By Kurt Kaiser

I wish for you, my friend,

This happiness that I’ve found.

You can depend on Him,

It matters not where you’re bound;

I’ll shout it from the mountaintops,

I want my world to know:

The Lord of love has come to me,

I want to pass it on!

http://www.cs.wisc.edu/~walter/VeGe.doc, (February 22, 2004).

Bianca Vaughn, a homemaker and mother, is an English to Romanian language translator. Originally from Romania, she now lives in Hawaii with her husband and son. She may be contacted by telephone at: 808-965-0222.