Adventist Review General Organ of the Seventh-day Adventist Church August 30, 1979
Accepted in Christ Page 3 Homeless houses Page 7 Why a church manual? Page 12 Update Page 24
sincere y is lost. anthems of the 1estiai choir, God hears the cries of the weakest human being." The prayer-meeting leader —Christ's Object was granted more than Lessons, p. 174. grace to endure when she adopted the "Knee-high View." See page 9. THIS WEEK Adventist Review Contents makes the dramatic design on the portable sanitary receptacle, she pillars. might have given up before the General Articles Pages 3-13 Bright as they are, these colors experiment was fairly under %IF Columns and Features are but a dim shadow of the way. However, after a year of Response From Readers 6 majesty of the heavenly courts, country living, she reached a 129th Year of Continuous Publication For the Younger Set 15 where angel choirs sing anthems verdict. Read Mrs. Haubrich's EDITOR Family Living 14 in praise to God. Yet through the experience on page 5. Kenneth H. Wood From the Editors 16 resounding music God hears the Update (p. 24) reports on the ASSOCIATE EDITORS Newsfront 19-31 prayers of His children. "Never work of the Office of Human Don F. Neufeld, Leo R. Van Dolson Update 24 ASSISTANT EDITOR is one repulsed who comes to Relations and Ministry profes- Jocelyn Fay Religious Newsbriefs 26 Him with a contrite heart."— sional-growth seminars for News Notes 28 Christ's Object Lessons, p. 174. clergy of all faiths. ASSISTANT TO THE EDITOR Back Page 32 Eugene F. Durand "Is Country Living Worth Art and photo credits: ADMINISTRATIVE SECRETARY Our cover picture was taken It?" asks Katherine Haubrich. Cover, p. 9, Skip Baker; p. 3, Corinne Russ by Skip Baker, photographer in Had she known when they Review; p. 5, Ed Greene; p. 8, EDITORIAL ASSOCIATE the Review and Herald art de- moved to the country that it Concerned Communications; pp. Aileen Andres Sox partment. Shining through a would be six weeks until their 11, 15, H. Armstrong Roberts; EDITORIAL SECRETARIES vivid stained-glass window in the well was dug, and two months all other photos, courtesy of the Pat Alden, China Bamabas Washington Cathedral, the sun before they could put away the respective authors. ART Director, Byron Steele Designer, G. W. Busch CONSULTING EDITORS LETTERS Neal C. Wilson, Charles E. Bradford, W. Duncan Eva, W. J. Hackett, Richard Ham- mill, C. D. Henri, Alf Lohne, M. S. Nigri, G. Letters submitted for publication should to me that there are thousands whom certain of the details are Ralph Thompson, Francis W. Wemick contribute ideas and comments on articles or material printed in the ADVENTIST REVIEW. who understand just how I feel. being made known for the first SPECIAL CONTRIBUTORS They should be brief, not exceeding 250 Think of all the mothers there time. This should throw definite C. 0. Franz, K. H. Emrnerson, R. R. Figuhr, words, and must carry the writer's name, Robert H. Pierson, B. L. Archbold, W. T. address, and telephone number (although this are. light not only on how Mrs. White Clark, R. S. Lowry, Edwin Ludescher, M. L. number will not be printed). Letters must be Many have said wistfully, Mills, Enoch Oliveira, K. S. Parmenter, W. legible, preferably typewritten, and double- was inspired but also on how the R. L. Scragg, C. D. Watson spaced. All will be edited to meet space and "Enjoy your children while they Biblical writers were inspired. I literary requirements, but the author's mean- are young; they grow up so see no reason for thinking there EDITORS, NORTH AMERICAN ing will not be changed. Views expressed in UNION EDITIONS the letters do not necessarily represent those quickly." With God's help I was much of a difference be- Columbia, Franklin W. Hudgins of the editors or of the denomination. have determined to do just that, tween the two. We have ample Southwestern, George Schram Someday I want to say "Enjoy evidence that it was of God, and EDITORS, SPANISH EDITIONS Inter-America and North America, Humberto your children" to my children the details as to how the Holy M. Rasi, Wanda Sample, Raul Villanueva People problems with loving memory in my eyes Spirit worked should be greatly South America, Gaston °ooze In "Closing the Church's and voice, and not regret. appreciated. EDITOR, PORTUGUESE EDITION Back Door" (July 5) the author Incidentally, I just heard water EDWIN R. THIELE R. S. Lessa questions whether a mother's running. My 18-month-old was Porterville, California EDITORS, AFRO-MIDEAST EDITION working outside the home con- sitting with her feet in the sink, Jack Mahon, Jean Thomas tributes to the high incidence of both socks and one shoe soaked I have been reading the excel- CORRESPONDENTS, child abuse, incest, divorce, and (the other shoe lost sometime lent articles in the REVIEW on WORLD DIVISIONS how Ellen White carried on her Afro-Mideast, Jack Mahon; Australasian, runaways. before), with the hot water run- Gordon A. Lee, Robert H. Parr; Euro-Africa, As a psychology resident who ning. Now my 3-year-old wants work of writing. The presenta- Pietro Copiz; Far Eastern, M. G. Townend; tion of how she accomplished so Inter-American, Tutio R. Haylock; Northern deals with victims of the abuse me to see what he's created from Europe-West Africa, Paul Sundquist; South on a professional basis, I know clay. I'd better get busy! much is clear and understand- American, Arthur S. Vane; Southern Asia, able, as well as greatly needed. A. M. Peterson; Trans-Africa, P. J. Salhany from experience that problems GLENDA MARCHWIER I'm afraid that many do not un- CORRESPONDENTS, arise because people don't know Columbus, North Carolina NORTH AMERICA how to deal effectively with their derstand how inspiration worked UNIONS: Atlantic, Geraldine I. Grout; Ca- AR at the cutting edge in the preparation of the Bible or nadian, A. N. How; Central, Clara Ander- feelings. They bottle them up, son; Columbia, Franklin W. Hudgins; Lake, only to explode occasionally. As an Adventist seminary in the work of Mrs. White. Some Jere Wallack; North Pacific, Morten Juberg; They don't know how to share have taken extreme views of her Northern, Halle Crowson; Pacific, Shirley teacher who has the privilege of Burton; Southern, Oscar Heinrich; South- themselves, and because they daily "dividing the word of and her work as the messenger of western, George Schram the Lord to this people. They don't, their marriages soon dis- truth," I want to thank you for UNIVERSITIES: Andrews, Kevin McClan- integrate. Rape, incest, and child the fine series of articles on "The need help. ahan; Loma Linda, Richard Weismeyer My main purpose in writing is abuse are brought about basically E. G. White Historical Writ- CIRCULATION by people's inability to deal with ings" (July 12, 19, 26, Aug. 2, to ask whether, and to express Manager, Edmund M. Peterson their feelings of powerlessness 9, 16, 23) and particularly for the hope that, what is appearing Associate Manager, Robert Smith and/or anger in controlled ways "The Battle for the Bible" (edi- in the REVIEW will come out in Editions in English, French, Portuguese, that lead toward solving the torial, July 26). These articles book form for permanent use. I Spanish, and Braille are available. issues. am sure that such a book would TO CONTRIBUTORS discussed issues we all face not Unsolicited manuscripts are welcome. but JEANNE FLEMING, PH.D. only in the classroom but in our be of great help to our people. notification as to acceptance or rejection may Kelso, Washington private study and public preach- R. R. FIGUHR be expected only if accompanied by a ing. Once again the ADVENTIST St. Helena, California stamped, self-addressed envelope. Motherhood REVIEW The series of articles is being An index is published in the last Review of has proved it can move ► June and December. The Adventist Review is Re "Righteousness—Family with balanced motion at the reprinted. See the August 23 indexed in the Seventh-day Adventist Period- Style" (July 19). church's cutting edge. Back Page for details. ical Index. Although most days as a LAWRENCE T. GERATY The Adventist Review (ISSN 0161-1119) is mother are rewarding and Berrien Springs, Michigan published every Thursday. Copyright © 1979 Changes needed Review and Herald Publishing Association, joyous, I have yet to meet a 6856 Eastern Avenue NW., Takoma Park, mother who does not experience The series on Ellen White's Although belated, this letter is Washington, D.C. 20012, U.S.A. Second- class postage paid at Washington, D.C. Sub- days of utter despair and frustra- writings is excellent and should in response to Robert H. Pier- scriptions: one year, US$19.95. Single copy, tion. mean much to our people, both son's survey on needed changes 50 cents. One day when I was feeling to those who already know some in the church (Feb. 9 and Oct. 5, Vol. 156, No. 35. misunderstood the thought came of the details and to others for (Continued on page 17) 2 (898) ADVENTIST REVIEW, AUGUST 30, 1979 Accepted in Christ
It is not God's will that we should be distrustful and torture our souls with the fear that God will not accept us because we are sinful and unworthy.
By ELLEN G. WHITE
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only The name of Jesus gives me access to the Father. His ear, begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not His heart, is open to my faintest pleading, and He perish, but have everlasting life. " supplies my deepest necessities." This message is for the world, for "whosoever" It is the righteousness of Christ that makes the penitent means that any and all who comply with the condition sinner acceptable to God and works his justification. may share the blessing. All who look unto Jesus, be- However sinful has been his life, if he believes in Jesus lieving in Him as their personal Saviour, shall "not as his personal Saviour, he stands before God in the perish, but have everlasting life." Every provision has spotless robes of Christ's imputed righteousness. been made that we may have the everlasting reward. The sinner so recently dead in trespasses and sins is Christ is our sacrifice, our substitute, our surety, our quickened by faith in Christ. He sees by faith that Jesus is divine intercessor; He is made unto us righteousness, his Saviour, and alive forevermore, able to save unto the sanctification, and redemption. "For Christ is not entered uttermost all that come unto God by Him. In the atone- into the holy places made with hands, which are the ment made for him the believer sees such breadth, and figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us." The intercession of Christ in our behalf is that of presenting His divine merits in the offering of Himself to the Father as our substitute and surety; for He ascended up on high to make an atonement for our transgressions. "If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: and he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for our's only, but also for the sins of the whole world." "Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins." "He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them." From these scriptures it is evident that it is not God's will that you should be distrustful, and torture your soul with the fear that God will not accept you because you are sinful and unworthy. "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you." Present your case before Him, pleading the merits of the blood shed for you upon Calvary's cross. Satan will accuse you of being a great sinner, and you must admit this, but you can say: "I know I am a sinner, and that is the reason I need a Saviour. Jesus came into the world to save sinners, 'The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.' I have no merit or goodness whereby I may claim salvation, but I present before God the all-atoning blood of the spotless Lamb of God, which Jesus stands in the holy of holies, now to appear in the presence of taketh away the sin of the world. This is my only plea. God for us. We are complete in Him only as we abide in Him by faith. ADVENTIST REVIEW, AUGUST 30, 1979 (899) 3 length, and height, and depth of efficiency—sees such But because we are thus represented before the Father, completeness of salvation, purchased at such infinite we are not to imagine that we are to presume upon His cost, that his soul is filled with praise and thanksgiving. mercy, and become careless, indifferent, and self-indul- He sees as in a glass the glory of the Lord, and is changed gent. Christ is not the minister of sin. We are complete in into the same image as by the Spirit of the Lord. He sees Him, accepted in the Beloved, only as we abide in Him the robe of Christ's righteousness, woven in the loom of by faith. heaven, wrought by His obedience, and imputed to the Perfection through our own good works we can never repenting soul through faith in His name. attain. The soul who sees Jesus by faith, repudiates his When the sinner has a view of the matchless charms of own righteousness. He sees himself as incomplete, his Jesus, sin no longer looks attractive to him; for he repentance insufficient, his strongest faith but feebleness, beholds the Chiefest among ten thousand, the One alto- his most costly sacrifice as meager, and he sinks in gether lovely. He realizes by a personal experience the humility at the foot of the cross. But a voice speaks to power of the gospel, whose vastness of design is equaled him from the oracles of God's word. In amazement he only by its preciousness of purpose. hears the message, "Ye are complete in him." Now all We have a living Saviour. He is not in Joseph's new is at rest in his soul. No longer must he strive to find tomb; He is risen from the dead, and has ascended on some worthiness in himself, some meritorious deed by high as a substitute and surety for every believing soul. which to gain the favor of God. "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with Complete in Christ God through our Lord Jesus Christ." The sinner is justified through the merits of Jesus, and this is God's Beholding the Lamb of God, which taketh away the acknowledgment of the perfection of the ransom paid for sin of the world, he finds the peace of Christ; for pardon man. is written against his name, and he accepts the word of That Christ was obedient even unto the death of the God, "Ye are complete in him." How hard it is for cross is a pledge of the repenting sinner's acceptance humanity, long accustomed to cherish doubt, to grasp with the Father. Then shall we permit ourselves to have a this great truth! But what peace it brings to the soul, what vacillating experience of doubting and believing, be- vital life! In looking to ourselves for righteousness, by lieving and doubting? Jesus is the pledge of our accep- which to find acceptance with God, we look to the wrong tance with God. We stand in favor before God, not place, "for all have sinned, and come short of the glory because of any merit in ourselves, but because of our of God." We are to look to Jesus; for "we all, with open faith in "the Lord our righteousness." face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are Jesus stands in the holy of holies, now to appear in the changed into the same image from glory to glory." You presence of God for us. There He ceases not to present are to find your completeness by beholding the Lamb of His people moment by moment, complete in Himself. God, which taketh away the sin of the world. Standing before the broken law of God, the sinner cannot cleanse himself; but, believing in Christ, he is the object of His infinite love and clothed in His spotless righteousness. For those who believe in Christ, Jesus A photographer's prayer prayed: "Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is By PAUL E. MILLER truth. . . . That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that Lord, take me, the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the Negative that I am, glory which thou gayest me I have given them; that they Developed in the solutions and washes. may be one, even as we are one." "0 righteous Father, Crop out those scratches, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, Selecting the portion You desire; and these have known that thou hast sent me. And I have Enlarge to the maximum, declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the Treating the flaws, defects, and blemishes love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I To produce a better image; in them." Expose me to the Light Who can comprehend the nature of that righteousness The needed time, which makes the believing sinner whole, presenting him Burning in where more detail is needed, to God without spot or wrinkle or any such thing? We Dodging out weaknesses. have the pledged word of God that Christ is made unto us Fix, wash, and dry to produce a fitting positive: righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. God grant Thine image. that we may rely upon His word with implicit trust, and Only then frame and display enjoy His richest blessing. "For the Father himself In an appropriate place to best be used by You. loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God." Reprinted from Signs of the Times, July 4, 1892. ❑ 4 (900) ADVENTIST REVIEW, AUGUST 30, 1979 Is country living worth it? With no mortgage hanging over our heads, no eight-hour-a-day job to maintain, I pictured myself becoming the ideal mother.
After moving to the country, the author and her sons became aware of God's presence as never before. By KATHERINE HAUBRICH
My back ached from hauling water from a spring. No country. With no mortgage hanging over our heads, no matter how many times I flipped on the light switch, eight-hour-a-day job to maintain, I pictured myself be- nothing happened. The faucets did not produce their coming the ideal Christian mother, spiritually strong, expected output, and it seemed terribly quiet without the leading her little flock in a country setting. telephone to jar me into action. The day before, my That was a year ago. Now I have had time to evaluate children had killed a copperhead snake that had slithered the frustrations as well as the joys of our move—a move out from under our mobile home. that was made after months of earnest prayer for guid- "Is it worth it?" I wondered as I prepared our evening ance. meal on the Coleman stove. "Has the Lord led us here?" Today as I walked through our woods upon the path- We had come to Tennessee from another State two and way my sons recently cleared, I listened to the spring one-half weeks before. Had I known when we arrived concert that filled the air. We did not need to go to the that it would be six weeks until our well was dug, and birdhouse at the city zoo to hear birds chattering and two months before we could put away the portable joining in symphony. We did not need to visit the sanitary receptable, my despair would have been mag- arboretum to walk through a rain forest of tall beech nified even more. trees, flowering dogwood, May apples, wild orchids, and Being a single parent with four sons to raise, I had lovely ferns edging a small stream. These were ours found that I could not keep up the rigorous schedule of daily. And though no mortal ear but ours hears my sons' full-time employment to maintain our modest but lovely musical interlude on Sabbath evenings as we welcome home in the city. Escalating real estate prices in the area the day of rest, and none but heavenly beings harmonize had provided an out for my predicament. Selling our with our hymns of praise, God hears, and we are aware home, I had purchased land and a mobile home in the of His presence as never before. Each morning it is a joy to wander up and down the Katherine Haubrich is a homemaker living in Parsons, rows of vegetables we planted and see the green tops Tennessee. poking through the soil. We all shared in the tilling and ADVENTIST REVIEW, AUGUST 30, 1979 (901) 5 digging, the additions of lime, rotted sawdust, and fer- RESPONSE FROM READERS tilizers that finally made the soil usable instead of a potter's delight. We would have difficulty finding some- thing as exciting as the little whiskers of green coming through that someday will be our lawn—now only a 6-by-20-foot patch, but hard won. Not only is our water free from chemicals but my son More on the method who has asthma is now able to bicycle ten to 15 miles and still breathe at the end. At the same time we've had our of crucifixion share of problems. One Sunday this past winter, after the sixth break in our water pipes, my eldest son decided that Re Dr. Horn's article Figure 1). This seems also about crucifixion in the days to account for the fact that he wanted to pass on to one of his brothers the "won- of Christ (April 12). the iron nail, about one- derful knowledge" of how to repair them. We feel the Dr. Horn brought out quarter inch in diameter, knowledge he has gained in plumbing experience will be several points that helped was bent back 180 degrees, me to realize the extent of a rather awesome feat if it useful to him in future years. My practical knowledge what Christ went through were bent by striking a knot has increased too, for I had never used saw or hammer for me. After gaining a faint of wood, as had been pre- before, but I have now added the installation of two comprehension of the agony viously surmised. Dr. Yadin and shame that Jesus expe- stated that Jehohanan must screen doors and a temporary front porch (still standing) rienced in the process of have been draped over the and the removal of one bedroom wall to my meager list crucifixion, I cannot even cross with the backside of of accomplishments. begin to conceive of the ter- his knees supporting the rible weight of sin that weight of his body from the Recently, my two middle sons, ages 11 and 12, pained Him far more than crossbeam. produced 15 loaves of whole-wheat bread, every whit as the nails ever did. If we Shortly thereafter, Vil- tasty as mine. My youngest son has grown to love knew all that Christ endured helm Moller-Christensen, of for us, we would undoubt- the Museum of Medical flowers, whether wild or "domestic," and delights in his edly be far more eager to History, University of Co- own flower-gardening projects. All of us have acquired sacrifice a few of our pre- penhagen, wrote an article aching but well-developed muscles from chopping wood cious luxuries for Him. (ibid. , vol. 26, No. 1, pp. While doing some re- 35-38) in which he stated for our wood stove. search for a course in that Dr. Yadin's interpreta- Christology recently, I hap- tion of the rather obscure Invaluable lessons pened to run across the ac- tomb inscription, on which count of the discovery of the he had based his argument Because there was no church school in the area last remains of Jehohanan, the that Jehohanan had been year, all four boys spent the year taking home-study crucified Jew. It might be of crucified upside down, was interest to note that there are somewhat strained. He be- courses. Although they missed the classroom environ- two other explanations of lieved that Jehohanan had ment and eagerly look forward to our hoped-for school why the nail was driven been crucified in the tradi- this year, they have gained invaluable lessons in self- through both of the ankles. tional pose, right side up Professor Yadin, of the He- with arms outstretched and discipline and study habits that will carry them through brew University, proposed, legs parallel to the upper the remainder of their school years. on the basis of an inscription body, not to the arms. Two evenings ago, after my children were in bed, a on the side of Jehohanan's Moller-Christensen took tomb, that he had been cru- Yadin's idea that the feet mocking bird perched in a nearby cedar tree and, to my cified as Peter was, upside were nailed between two great delight, began going through his entire repertoire of down. (Israel Exploration boards, instead of being mimed forest songs. Through him I heard the crickets, Journal, vol. 23, No. 1, pp. nailed directly to the cross, 18-22.) Dr. Yadin hypothe- and reached the conclusion frogs, jays, doves, and a host of other feathered friends sised that, after the feet had that the boards themselves "singing" an evening song outside my window. Not been placed between two must have been nailed to the wanting my sons to miss this, I hooked up the tape wooden boards, the nail had cross, with the ankles nailed been driven through one between. recorder and recorded our bird-friend's concert. After a board, both ankles, and fi- We will probably never time he seemed to be through, and I decided to play it nally out through the second know the exact method back. Sitting listening to the tape by the window, I was board. The nail was then whereby Christ was cruci- deliberately bent back with fied. Certainly the Roman thrilled as I heard the bird's songs repeated. The mocking a hammer in order to keep it executioners did not take bird heard too. Apparently he seemed to think he had from becoming loose (see special pains to make Him found the perfect mate, because he began warbling along comfortable. Perhaps as Figure 1 more becomes known about with the tape, repeating chirp for chirp and song for the methods of crucifixion in song. Christ's time, we will un- At such times, broken pipes and red mud on the carpet derstand more clearly how much God was willing to go are forgotten. Only the closeness of heaven and the love through in order that we of a heavenly Father come to mind. He stoops to delight might someday be able to us with little things. He who owns the cattle on a walk and talk with Him. thousand hills has loaned to us, for a time, this place. DELMER A. JOHNSON Berrien Springs Though it be humble, we shall rejoice and be glad in Michigan it. ❑
6 (902) ADVENTIST REVIEW, AUGUST 30, 1979
six times greater than for nonteen-agers. To these im- mature youngsters, marriage seems to be an adventure to Homeless houses be tried and tried again as the mood or circumstance dictates. Divorce and remarriage are dramatically In his book Lay My Burden Down Benjamin A. increasing in the Adventist Church. Botkin describes the way marriages were performed in the days of slavery. The slavemaster would say to the What can be done to prevent boy, "Do you take this girl for your wife?" And to the this trend and to bring greater girl, "Do you take this boy for your husband?" If there stability to the Adventist home? were so much as an affirmative nod, master and mistress would hold the broom and ask the children to jump over it, and they were married. Marriage was intended to be a temporary arrangement rather than a lifelong, binding commitment. Many modern-day marriages are entered into almost as casually. Unfortunately, trends indicate that some Adventists are accepting these godless norms of marriage. By their actions, such church members question whether God By C. D. HENRI meant what He so emphatically declared in His Word: "Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, As our giant jet plane circled slowly over the great, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one sprawling metropolitan area, we could see ugly ghetto flesh" (Gen. 2:24). "What therefore God hath joined apartments and dilapidated tenements crowded one together, let not man put asunder" (Matt. 19:6). "The against another. I wondered how many of those mon- wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; strous concrete-and-brick structures actually housed but if her husband is dead, she is at liberty to be married homes. to whom she will; only in the Lord" (1 Cor. 7:39). The city soon passed from view, and we were flying These texts are plain, pointed, authoritative, and con- over the suburban area with its spacious homes, beautiful clusive. Who among us has the divine permission to lawns, and swimming pools. Again the question badg- abrogate, nullify, water down, or in any way change ered me. How many of those beautiful houses were what God has said? Marriage is intended to be a lifelong actually homes? The words of Edgar Guest ran through commitment that God expects should endure "until death my mind: "It takes a heap o' livin' in a house t' make it do us part." home." It does take a heap of loving, a heap of under- standing, and a heap of patience to make a house a home. What can be done? The World Almanac reveals these startling figures for The fact is that divorce and remarriage are dramati- 1976: Of 2,132,000 American marriages, there were cally increasing in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. 1,072,000 divorces, or approximately 1 divorce for What can be done to prevent this trend and ensure the every 2 marriages. Of those who said, "I do," one half, stability and permanence of marriage and the home? in less than ten years, said, "I'm through." What a As far as success and happiness in the home are tragedy! concerned, wives must recognize their husbands as the Modern marriage increasingly has become merely a foundation of the home, the support on which the super- trial period of living together that can easily be severed in structure of family, children, love, and happiness, to a every State in the Union for desertion, felony, cruelty, great extent, depend. The image the wife holds of the alcoholism, impotency, adultery, nonsupport, or even husband's role is an important factor. Seemingly, every separation for more than three years (see The World wife wants to reform and change her husband into the Almanac, 1977 ed.). ideal she has for him. By using the right techniques, she Scores of other more trivial excuses such as untidi- may accomplish some changes. But there are wrong ness, incompatibility, gambling, laziness, and even techniques that are counterproductive, such as lecturing snoring have become acceptable reasons for divorce in him on his shortcomings, admonishing him with tears to some States. Add to these excuses the problem of child change his evil ways, making him aware continually of marriage, and the situation is compounded. With the what she disapproves about him, and nagging in general. consent of parents or guardians, girls marry at 14 and Such practices lead the husband to agree with Solomon boys at 15 years of age in some States. No wonder that that "it is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than brides under 20 and grooms under 21 account for 60 with a brawling woman in a wide house" (Prov. 21:9). percent of the divorces. The divorce rate for teen-agers is By using love, patience, understanding, and an abun- dance of "tender, loving care," a wife can help her C. D. Henri is a general vice-president of the General spouse become a willing, understanding, patient, and Conference. loving husband who will never be a party to the breakup ADVENTIST REVIEW, AUGUST 30, 1979 (903) 7 of the home. When love and understanding are practiced, any other single environmental factor, broken homes are the home is securely bound together. often the cause of delinquency problems. It takes the Among the delightful characteristics a Christian cooperative effort of both father and mother to train woman possesses, a happy, understanding disposition children most adequately. can do much in leading her husband to adore her. Such a "In His wisdom the Lord has decreed that the family disposition outranks sex appeal, good housekeeping, and shall be the greatest of all educational agencies. It is in even gourmet cooking. the home that the education of the child is to begin. Here is his first school. Here, with his parents as instructors, Husbands help provide the climate he is to learn the lessons that are to guide him throughout Husbands, too, are responsible for helping provide a life—lessons of respect, obedience, reverence, self-con- home climate that will make it possible for the wife to trol. The educational influences of the home are a de- achieve this all-important ingredient. His Christian atti- cided power for good or for evil. . . . Upon all parents tude, patience, understanding, and proper response there rests the obligation of giving physical, mental, and to pleasant and unpleasant situations in the home, will spiritual instruction. It should be the object of every greatly enhance her ability to be a happy, loving, and parent to secure to his child a well-balanced, symmetrical understanding wife. When husband and wife regard and character. This is a work of no small magnitude and treat the other as the most wonderful person in the world, importance—a work requiring earnest thought and prayer a heavenly, happy home will result that cannot be broken no less than patient, persevering effort."—Counsels to asunder. Parents and Teachers, p. 107. Most men are by nature deeply affectionate, needing Family members' roles only the right circumstances, a loving and understanding mate, and the proper emotional climate to demonstrate Each member of the family has an important role to their affection. To consider men as purely sexual beings, assume. In a special sense "the mother is the queen of interested in their mate only for the moment, is a gross the home, and the children are her subjects. She is to rule misconception. Often their love is more practical than her household wisely, in the dignity of her motherhood. verbal. Her influence in the home is to be paramount; her word, Women are fundamentally loving and lovable crea- law. If she is a Christian, under God's control, she will tures. Their basic drive and aspiration in life is to love command the respect of her children. Tell your children and to be loved. Normally they will exert every power of exactly what you require of them. Then let them under- their being and exercise every facility at their command stand that your word must be obeyed."—Ibid., p. 111. to fulfill this mission in life. They work and sacrifice, not The father has an important role to play too. It is the for themselves, but for those they love. husband's responsibility to provide an atmosphere of The family is the most remarkable of all man's social worship, discipline, loving care, duty, and work. A institutions. It originated in Eden and was founded by the home characterized by such an atmosphere will be stable Creator. No other institution is older and more universal. and secure. It is, of course, the institution responsible for procreation Children should be an asset in the home, a means of and child rearing. Because the family has more to do drawing parents closer to each other. Many young people with the child's ultimate behavioral patterns than does quarrel with their parents, despise their schoolteachers, viewing them as stupid and ineffective, and have the mistaken idea that getting married will settle their prob- lems. The work of the Holy Spirit and the power of God will help us make our homes what God intended they should be. We cooperate by providing good role models and giving some of our leisure hours to our children. By associating with them in their work and play, we win their confidence. When we have done all that we can do and our children still go astray, we should not despair. There is hope. Many children have returned in later life to the ideals demonstrated before them in their early years. In these days of eroding family relationships, broken homes, and runaway and delinquent children, Christian parents need to claim the promises of God and do their utmost to make their homes the ideal that God intended they should be. Beautiful, Christlike characters, not It takes more than an architect's plans to make a home. It takes love, beautiful houses, make homes the happy foretaste of understanding, and patience, gifts that Christ is willing to supply. heaven God intends them to be. ❑ 8 (904) ADVENTIST REVIEW, AUGUST 30, 1979
COVER STORY The prayer meeting I attended the other night was on the topic "The Wonders of Prayer." Whittier's tender hymn "We May Not Climb the Heavenly Steeps" fit- Knee-high view tingly introduced the thought for the evening. Especially appropriate was the line that reads, "We touch Him in life's throng and press, And we are whole again." Whatever we lose "in life's One of the church members presented the study, throng and press" we can find sitting down as she shared her ideas. again if we get down After the study, volunteers from the audience related incidents of answered prayer. Strangely, all of these on our knees. incidents involved the finding of lost articles. The stories were remarkably similar in that either the lost articles were found immediately after the prayer, or directions for finding them had come clearly into mind. In most cases those praying had seen the object about which they By MARY H. MOORE had been praying immediately upon opening their eyes. A knee-high viewpoint had helped them find their ob- jects. Summing up, the prayer-meeting leader drew this important lesson: "If you have lost anything, you will find it on your knees. We have heard God's children tell tonight of God's response to their daily physical needs, but what they have said is particularly true of spiritual things. Whatever you have lost 'in life's throng and press'—sweetness of temper, peace of mind, victory over temptation, nearness to God, a vision of the right way—it can be found again if you adopt the knee-high viewpoint." It seems that there has to be a kneeling of the heart and will before there can be an effective kneeling of the knees. Our loving Father wants to draw us into that receptive mood of faith, love, and submission before He lets our eyes light on the object of our request. Our prayer-meeting leader set me thinking. How appropriate her lesson! Later we learned why she had been seated during her presentation. She was suffering such pain as a result of adhesions from surgery that standing was difficult. Al- though it had been several years since her surgery, she was still having trouble. Often she had prayed for heal- ing, but God's answer apparently had been an allowing of her weakness to persist so that she might be kept dependent on Him for physical strength and be constantly reminded of her need for spiritual strength. In praying for help to conduct our prayer meeting, she had asked, not for relief from pain, but for grace to endure. As we had knelt in prayer during the meeting, her pain had been relieved. Fittingly, that night as she had assumed a knee-high viewpoint, being drawn into a receptive mood of trust and confidence in God, she had received more than she asked for. Taking time to touch Christ amid the throng and press of life, she had been made "whole again." ❑
The late Mary H. Moore was for many years a proof- reader, copy editor, librarian, and editorial assistant at Southern Publishing Association, Nashville, Tennessee. ADVENTIST REVIEW, AUGUST 30, 1979 (905) 9
The Seventh-day Adventists and the members of a few other religious organizations believe that the second Union ruling coming of Christ is imminent and, because they desire to hold themselves ready for this event, they avoid entan- glement in what they regard as worldly associations, provides including labor unions. For this reason they are opposed to the so-called union shop or other forms of union security clauses in collective bargaining contracts which for Adventists require payment of dues to a certified union as a condi- tion of continued employment. A Catholic bishop urges AFL-CIO This matter recently came before the U.S. Supreme Court in a case involving David Anderson, a Seventh- affiliates to implement the union day Adventist from southern California. The Supreme policy that provides a means of Court refused to overturn a lower court ruling that the accommodating themselves to genuine Civil Rights Act of 1964 was violated by the firing of Mr. Anderson who had refused, because of his religious individual religious scruples. beliefs, to join or support his local union while accepting its services (the record shows that he was reinstated twice through the efforts of the union when he was fired by the company for refusing to work on Saturday, the Adventist By MSGR. GEORGE G. HIGGINS Sabbath). Mr. Anderson is an employee of the Convair Aero- Reprinted by permission from Msgr. Higgins' column entitled "The Yardstick" space Division of General Dynamics, whose collective appearing in 15 Catholic papers on July 18, 1979. bargaining contract with a local of the International Association of Machinists includes a union shop provi- sion. Mr. Anderson refused to join his IAM Local or to accept an alternative offered by the union: a payroll deduction equivalent to dues as either a fee for services About the author: or a contribution to a charity designated by the union. He Msgr. George Higgins has been a key figure in the did agree, however, to contribute, in lieu of dues, an National Conference of Catholic Bishops, with head- equivalent sum directly to a charity of his own choice. quarters in Washington, D.C., for many years. Cur- rently he is Secretary for Special Concerns. Thereupon Anderson was fired, at the request of the I first met him in 1965 when the Seventh-day local union, for failing to comply with the union security Adventist Church testified before Congress to seek provision of the Convair-IAM collective bargaining some type of relief from compulsory union member- ship and agency shop fees. Learning that he was a contract. Anderson, predictably, sued the union. He lost strong advocate of religious liberty, I approached him in the U.S. District Court but, last September, the U.S. with the request that, even though the Catholic Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the lower court on the Church favored labor unions, he support the right of Seventh-day Adventist church members to avoid basis of a provision of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This joining or financially supporting labor unions. provision rules out religion as a consideration in the work I found him willing to give his wholehearted sup- place unless an employer demonstrates that he is unable port to our right to practice religion as we understand it. He did not, however, agree that a national law "to reasonably accommodate to an employee's . . . should be passed to make this possible, but chose religious observance or practice without undue hardship instead to urge the AFL-CIO to recognize the reli- on the conduct of the employer's business." gious convictions of Seventh-day Adventists con- cerning labor unions. His strong encouragement Circuit Court Judge Shirley M. Hufstedler ruled that helped influence the Executive Council of the AFL- the company and the union had not met these conditions CIO to issue a statement on "Union Membership and and that neither "did anything to accommodate Ander- Religious Objectors" on September 20, 1965, that stated that the "Executive Council declares it to be son's religious beliefs." the policy of the AFL-CIO that unions should ac- This controversy over exempting workers from union commodate themselves to genuine individual reli- membership on religious grounds has been kicking gious scruples." Some 14 years later, Msgr. Higgins is still a strong around for many years. The Supreme Court now seems advocate of religious liberty, as is evidenced in his to have settled it once and for all. In my opinion that's syndicated ,column, which appears in 15 Catholic just as well, although I think it would have made much papers, entitled "The Yardstick." The following ar- ticle appeared under the date of July 18, 1979. better sense for the parties to settle the issue out of court W. MELVIN ADAMS, Director by a voluntary agreement. This is what the national General Conference Department of Public Affairs AFL-CIO strongly urged its affiliates to do when this and Religious Liberty matter was before the Congress in 1965. An effort was made in '65 to amend the Taft-Hartley Act to take account of the sincere convictions of the
10 (906) ADVENTIST REVIEW, AUGUST 30, 1979 Seventh-day Adventists and others who object to union membership on religious grounds. AFL-CIO President George Meany was in complete sympathy with the stated purpose of this proposed amendment, but, in a letter to the House Labor Committee, he questioned the advis- ability of going the legislative route. He pointed out that "there is considerable variance in the nature and extent of religious objection to participation in unions." Some wish to participate in union meetings and other union objectives, and object only to participation in picket line activity. Others desire a lesser degree of participation. "I am confident," Mr. Meany assured the Committee, "that unions and employers can work this matter out satisfactorily with the particular religious groups in- volved." Shortly thereafter, the Executive Council of the AFL- CIO, at the urging of President Meany, adopted an official policy statement which reads in part as follows: "We strongly urge all national and international unions affiliated with the AFL-CIO, that have not already done so, to: '1. Immediately adopt procedures for respecting sincere religious convictions as to union membership or activities; and 2. Undertake to insure that this policy is fully and sympathetically implemented by all local unions.' " It seems to me that all AFL-CIO affiliates would be well advised to implement this policy statement as soon as possible. They should have done so years ago, on their own initiative, but now that the Supreme Court has declined to reverse the circuit court's decision in the Anderson case, they have no choice in the matter. That is to say, if they fail to implement the Federation's policy recommendations, they will have only themselves to It is the policy of the AFL-CIO that unions should accommodate them- blame if they are compelled to do so by court action. selves to the genuine religious beliefs of Adventists and others.
Statement by the AFL-CIO Executive Council on Union Membership and Religious Objectors September 20, 1965
In connection with consideration by the Congress which the AFL-CIO supports. These provisions be- of repeal of Section 14(b) of the Taft-Hartley Act, come operative where there are no voluntary agree- representatives of certain religious groups testified ments covering these matters. It is the conviction of that some of their members have personal religious the AFL-CIO that such voluntary union agreements convictions which may stand in the way of their are the best method for handling such matters. formally joining unions or, to varying degrees, par- Therefore this Executive Council declares it to be ticipating in or financially supporting union activities. the policy of the AFL-CIO that unions should ac- A number of national and international unions have commodate themselves to genuine individual reli- in the past worked out arrangements with particular gious scruples. We strongly urge all national and religious groups for handling this problem of indi- international unions affiliated with the AFL-CIO, that vidual religious objectors, but other unions have not have not already done so, to: yet done so. 1. Immediately adopt procedures for respecting The Senate Labor Committee has incorporated in sincere personal religious convictions as to the bill repealing Section 14(b) provisions giving to union membership or activities; and religious objectors the option of contributing to a 2. Undertake to insure that this policy is fully and nonreligious charity, designated by the union, sums sympathetically implemented by all local equal to union dues and initiation fees—provisions unions.