APPENDIX G - THE MASTER CHART AND THE PILOT AT THE PORT ^{1See pp. 975, 976.}

Uriah Smith’s view of the relationship of the Spirit of prophecy to the Bible, the Master Chart for man and the church, appeared in a Review and Herald editorial, here given in digest form:PFF4 1240.1

Envision an ocean vessel starting for a faraway foreign port. The owner provides the captain and crew with a master chart, giving full instruction and direction for the voyage—the course, mileage, speed, currents and cross currents, and a host of other details. The chart covers the long voyage from the port of sailing to the port of destination. It is the indispensable guide. It locates the islands and continents to be passed, and marks out the ports of call. It gives ocean soundings, and shows the general contour of the coast, indicates major rocks and reefs, as well as the clear channel into the harbor at last. ^{2Adapted from Uriah Smith, The Review and Herald, Jan. 13, 1863, p. 52.}PFF4 1240.2

But this same master chart, which reveals all this, indicates that when the ship nears the final harbor a pilot will be provided, who will give special help on riding in on the tide, steering the vessel around the shifting sand bars, avoiding hidden reefs, jutting rocks, sunken ships, or other local obstructions, or conditions—all in harmony with the general course outlined on the master chart. Thus the harbor will be safely entered.PFF4 1240.3

When at last the land of destination is in sight and its general contour can be checked as corresponding to that outlined on the chart, there is gladness and certainty on the part of the ship’s officers. The port of desire is clearly at hand. But there are many hazards attendant on entering the harbor—stormy weather, the run of the tide, tricky sand bars, sunken ships, shallows, and the like. But just at the time and place indicated, the pilot’s craft appears, and soon he is received aboard. What, then, if some of the crew rise up and say, “We have the master chart, and our instructions that have brought us in safety all the way from the distant port of embarkation. We see the harbor before us, and do not need or want this pilot. We will simply follow the master chart. That is ample for us.”PFF4 1240.4

But are such protesters, who would now reject the special services of the pilot foretold and provided in accordance with that chart, actually heeding the master chart? The answer is obvious. Similarly, the Spirit of prophecy was given to help pilot the ship of Zion through the perilous tides and shoals, and the rocks and bars and storms of the last times, by indicating the clear, safe channel for the church, as well as by pointing out the lurking perils that are marked out in general on the Master Chart—the Bible—as existent near the harbor. And the guidance of the living pilot is based upon, and is simply the detailed application of, the over-all outline of basic Bible prophecy. Through acceptance of this provision, the ship will come safely to dock in the harbor of destination.PFF4 1240.5