It has been said that order is heaven’s first law. We see a demonstration of this in all the universe of God, in the movements of the heavenly bodies, the planets in their orbits, and of our own solar system, every planet circling around the sun, and all the different systems around God himself. We see it in the vegetable world, in the different laws that regulate vegetable growth, every tree bringing forth its own kind. While there is variety, they are all bound together by one universal law. We see it in the animal creation, and especially in our own bodies. That probably is the best illustration of organization; for the apostle Paul uses it to show the organization that God has established in the church. There is a relationship of each part of the body to every other part, all acting under the direction of a common head, a common central power. This principle God incorporated in connection with his church in the world.GCB May 28, 1909, page 200.15

When man was created, God placed him under law, pointing out his duty to God and to his fellow men. When sin entered the world, the Lord gave the system of types and offerings regulating the sanctuary service, the order of the priesthood, and the order of the sacrifices. We have a system of organization in all that. Then in the New Testament dispensation, just as soon as Jesus Christ established his work, he established a church for carrying forward that work in the world.GCB May 28, 1909, page 200.16

The purpose of organization in connection with the work of God in the world is primarily to conserve the work of God, and to promote its advancement. This is the reason God has had a people bound together by a system of organization. That organization has grown with increasing demands.GCB May 28, 1909, page 200.17

When God gave the children of Israel a system of organization in the wilderness, it did not all come in a moment, because the people would not have been prepared to enter fully into such an organization. There came modifications as in the changes proposed by Jethro, the father-in-law of Moses, concerning the plan of governing Israel. In the New Testament church, after the first plan of church organization had been established, there arose a demand for advanced steps to be taken on the part of the apostles.GCB May 28, 1909, page 200.18

The value of organization is great. First, it gives a definite, united purpose to the people of God. Second, it gives concerted effort in the accomplishment of that purpose. Third, it gives greater volume, and that greater volume brings greater power into the movement. And fourth, it gives increased resistance against the attacks of the devil upon the people and truth of God.GCB May 28, 1909, page 200.19

True organization has several essentials. First, it should be a natural one, an outgrowth of the needs which exist. Second, it should be just as simple as possible to meet these needs. As in mechanics, so in the work of God, the simpler the organization, the greater the saving of energy. Third, the organization should be a practical one, which will produce results. It is results that the world wants; it is results that the church of God wants. Fourth, we should have an adaptable organization. We can not calculate accurately to-day what the needs of the work will be to-morrow. We need plans that will meet the growing needs of the work of God. Fifth, it should be a harmonious organization. As every part of the body is in harmony with every other part, so in the church there should be harmony between every department of its work.GCB May 28, 1909, page 200.20

So much on the general principles and organization of the general work. I will speak now a few words with reference to the Missionary Volunteer movement. The originator of this movement is God himself. Organization comes from the Lord, and this particular work in which the young people are engaged is in response to his call. I read: “Young men and young women, can not you form companies, and as soldiers of Christ enlist in the work, putting all your tact and skill and talent into the Master’s service, that you may save souls from ruin?” “Will the young men and young women who really love Jesus organize themselves as workers, not only for those who profess to be Sabbath-keepers, but for those who are not of our faith?” “Let them unite together upon some plan and order of action. Can not you form a band of workers, and have set times to pray together, and ask the Lord to give you his grace, and put forth united action? You should consult with men who love and fear God, and who have experience in the work, that, under the movings of the Spirit of God, you may form plans and develop methods by which you may work in earnest and for certain results.”GCB May 28, 1909, page 200.21

Here an organization is called for. It is God’s call to the young people for service. To what are they called?—They are called to organize, that they may more effectively work for others than in an individual capacity. To whom is this call given?—To the young men and women of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.GCB May 28, 1909, page 201.1

There comes a time in connection with this closing work when the Lord says the time has come for a definite plan of operation to be begun in behalf of the young people of this denomination. Past plans, methods, and policies have not accomplished that which the Lord designs to be accomplished by this people. God calls the people of this denomination to a new plan of work.GCB May 28, 1909, page 201.2

What shall be our relationship to this work and to this organization? I believe it should be one of loyalty. I can not disassociate these two ideas in my mind, that loyalty to this work means loyalty to the truths making up this message, and to the organization which the people of God have adopted for the conservation of these truths and carrying them to the world. Suppose for a moment a plan is adopted in a church and set in operation. Suppose the individual says, I do not like that general plan, and I propose to operate on a plan of my own. Suppose another takes this course, and another one, and another one, and that spirit becomes contagious. Finally you will have every one of that church operating on his own plan. Organization is broken down, and unity destroyed. This is contrary to the principle of organization. This is just as true of the plan of the general work. I believe, where a general plan is proposed and adopted by this people, every church and local and union conference should rally to the support of that plan and principle. Such united and loyal effort will bring force and power into the work of God. I quote:—GCB May 28, 1909, page 201.3

“I would rather give up almost any cherished opinion as to method and policy, in order to be united with others in carrying forward the work itself, than to hold to any certain method, and bring discord. There is an advantage in unity. Our workers, our people, feel the inspiration of doing the same thing as nearly as possible at the same time that all other believers are engaged in that same work or study.GCB May 28, 1909, page 201.4

“One might wonder why it is necessary in drilling an army to teach men to make one certain motion all at the same time. They are not fighting, they are not accomplishing anything apparently, but after all as you watch a line of men, a thousand or more of them, standing absolutely in line, and at the word of the commander, you see every white-gloved hand come up at once, and you see that white line running away down the ranks, there is something that stirs your heart, something that gives you the impression of force, of definiteness, of aim and direction and unity, that means strength. That is why men of the world, in battles of the world, drill to do the same thing, to work together; for the benefit of it all comes in the crisis on the battle-field. It is that thing that keeps men from losing their heads and running wild.GCB May 28, 1909, page 201.5

“The doctrine of individualism is being preached to this denomination with all the energy from beneath. I thank God that the gospel of Jesus Christ is not a gospel of individual independence; it is a gospel of unity. The last stage of defeat on the battle-field is the cry, ‘Every man for himself;’ and then follows the rout. It is when men stand together, shoulder to shoulder, united, steady, that they can face the foe; but when it comes to individualism in the battle-field it is a rout. So in this work. Whatever may be the solution of the problems, I for one would wait any length of time to see the whole world-wide ranks come into line, rather than to press out of the ranks and have my own way for a little time.”—Mt. Vernon Convention Report, pages 112, 113.GCB May 28, 1909, page 201.6

There is a difference between principle and method. I would stand against all the world for a principle of right. Every man must take that stand if he is true to God. But when it comes to method and organization, I will take the plan, the system adopted by my brethren, and will harmonize with that system, because a poor plan with united action is better than a good plan with divided effort.GCB May 28, 1909, page 202.1

A SONG SERVICE

WASe

On Tuesday evening the Foreign Mission Seminary Choral Society, under the direction of Brother Clemen Hamer, rendered a musical program, “The Holy City,” by Gaul. Seventy-two voices composed the chorus. The program was much appreciated, from the introductory Scripture lines, “My soul is athirst for God, yea, even for the living God: when shall I come to appear before the presence of God?” to the closing chorus, “Great and marvelous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.” “Before the mountains were brought forth, on the earth and the world were made, thou art from everlasting.”GCB May 28, 1909, page 202.2

“ALLELUIA! AMEN.”

OUT OF DARKNESS INTO LIGHT

WASe

In connection with Elder McVagh’s report of the Southern Union Conference, Thursday morning, May 27, he related how one of the students at the Oakwood school came to connect with the institution. He said:—GCB May 28, 1909, page 202.3

“Weako Kiya, a student from Africa, the first son of the principal wife of a chief of the Kroo tribe, was reared in the midst of heathenism. His mother is the daughter of another tribe. During the earlier years of his life, no missionaries had entered the land of his people. Not until his eight year did he wear clothes, and not until after attaining his majority did he learn of the existence of white people.GCB May 28, 1909, page 202.4

“Weako has traveled considerably in the African interior, having visited lower Egypt and crossed the Sahara. So desirous was he of visiting the white man’s country, that at about the age of thirty he walked for two and a half months, a distance of about 800 miles, in order to reach the West Coast seaport of Monrovia, the capital of Liberia. His passage to Liverpool, England, was paid with a quantity of coffee sufficient to fill a room 6 x 12 x 6 feet.GCB May 28, 1909, page 202.5

“Remaining in London for about six weeks, in the care of kind friends, he was sent on, via New York City, to Claflin University, Orangeburg, S. C., where he studied for about two years. Upon the death of his father, he returned to his home in Africa, but hastened back to America after a sojourn of about nine months. It was soon after this that his attention was called to the third angel’s message; and now he is in attendance at the Oakwood School, with the full purpose of fitting himself for a life of service among his own people in Africa.GCB May 28, 1909, page 202.6

WASHINGTON (D. C.) SANITARIUM ASSOCIATION

WASe

A meeting of the constituency of the Washington (D. C.) Sanitarium was called according to appointment, May 27, at 10:30 A. M., G. A. Irwin in the chair. A full quorum was present.GCB May 28, 1909, page 202.7

On motion of F. Griggs, duly seconded, it was voted that the chair appoint a committee of five, on nominations and resolutions, to report at a future meeting.GCB May 28, 1909, page 202.8

The chairman named as this committee the following persons: G. B. Thompson, H. H. Burkholder, L. F. Starr, B. G. Wilkinson, W. H. Heckman.GCB May 28, 1909, page 202.9

On motion of B. G. Wilkinson, duly seconded, the meeting adjourned to 10:30 A. M., June 3.GCB May 28, 1909, page 202.10

G. A. IRWIN, Chairman,
D. H. KRESS, Secretary.

CAUSES AND TREATMENT OF STOMACH DISEASES

A BIBLE-WORKERS’ COUNCIL