Weekly News and Inspiration for Seventh-day Adventists June 8, 1989

FOR THIS HOUR: The Prophetic Basis of

God's Acres, 8 Can Suicides Be Saved? 13 WANTED:

49 Why not be one? BY WILLIAM G. JOHNSSON Q ome time ago we received a letter from Brian Bur- together; in fact, larger churches need lots of help. L./gess, a student at . He Many of our pastors encourage members to get the wrote: "As a college student and Adventist constitu- Review. But pastors are busy people, with many pro- ent, I would like to thank the staff of the Adventist grams to look out for. That's why we're appealing to the Review for an attractive and informative weekly news grass roots, to the spirit of pure volunteerism. and inspiration publication. It is very enlightening We're not offering any financial incentives. No gim- and enjoyable to receive a free copy of the Adventist micks. We're looking for people who believe in the Review, provided weekly to all students by our col- Review and its ministry, and who want to be part of the lege. I would encourage other college students to read team. People who will be part of the 4,444. this publication so that they will be informed of im- portant church matters." hat will boosters do? Basically, encourage other What is happening at Atlantic Union College? The Wmembers to read and subscribe to the Review. administration, following the enthusiastic lead of pres- The goal, of course, is to make your church like the ident Larry Geraty, decided to buy the Review at bulk Beaufort, South Carolina, church—every family sub- rates and make it available to every student. scribing. The dormitory deans at Atlantic Union College report If you step forward to be one of the 4,444, you'll hear that the free issues are read—they don't find them in the from one of the Review staff. You will receive a packet trash cans. of materials to get you started. Because you have joined the team, we will print your name in the Review. You r. Larry Geraty is an Adventist will also receive a quarterly newsletter for boosters. DReview booster. He encourages This will be a one-year commitment—to June 30, his faculty and students to get and 1990. read the . He is one Think about it. Pray about it. If you decide this is what of the 4,444. you want to do, write us, giving your name, address, Why 4,444? Because the North telephone number, church membership, and name of American Division has 4,444 church pastor. Kindly have your pastor also sign the churches. We are looking for at least letter—we want him to know of your decision. one booster —a volunteer—in every SDA church in North America. Our address: The 4,444 So if you are a member of the SDA Church, subscribe Adventist Review Office to the Review, and would like to promote it in your local 12501 Old Columbia Pike church, you can become one of the 4,444. Silver Spring, MD 20904-16089 We don't mind if more than one person in a church steps forward to boost the Review. Boosters can work If you wish, just fill out the blank below, clip, and mail.

Yes! Your name I will be an Address Adventist Review Telephone number booster. Church membership Pastor's name Pastor's signature 2 (594) ADVENTIST REVIEW, JUNE 8, 1989 ADVEIVTIST REVIEW June 8, 1989

General paper of the Seventh-day Adventist Church Editor William G. Johnsson Associate Editors Roy Adams Myron K. Widmer News Editor Carlos Medley Assistant Editors Eugene F. Durand Kit Watts Editorial Assistant Soul food, p. 14 Home, sweet chapel, p. 16 Blind, he leads the sighted, p. 20 Jackie Ordelheide Administrative Secretary Corinne Russ Editorial Secretary EDITORIALS DEVOTIONAL Edith Wilkens Art Director 4 The Power of Enthusiasm 14 The Word of God Stephen Hall Designer While enthusiasm may be abused, our "All who will come to the Word of God Bryan Gray church services could stand a lot more of for guidance . . . will understand what Marketing Gil Anderson it, both in the pulpit and in the pews. saith the Scripture." Ad Sales by Roy Adams by Ellen G. White Orval Driskell Subscriber Services Larry Burtnett 5 "Go, Buy a Field" WITNESS Consulting Editors Neal C. Wilson, Charles E. Bradford, Wal- God asked Jeremiah to defy common lace°. Coe, D. F. Gilbert, Robert J. Kloost- sense, for in times of dire crisis a state- 16 Home, Sweet Chapel erhuis, Kenneth J. Mittleider, Enoch Ol- Fifty times a "nonprofit hobby" has iveira, Calvin B. Rock, G. Ralph Thompson ment of faith is not enough; we must take Special Contributors turned their place into Mayers' House of Kenneth H. Wood, George W. Brown, Ger- positive action. by Kit Watts ald J. Christo,Ottis C. Edwards, Bekele Weddings. by Marge McNeilus Heye, Edwin Ludescher, J. J. Nortey, Jan Paulsen, Walter R. L. Scragg, Joao Wolff LIFESTYLE Africa-Indian Ocean Editions Editor, Jack Mahon NEWS Inter-American Edition 8 God's Acres Editor, Adalgiza Archbold South American Editions What else could you call a place where 17 6 Newsbreak Editor, R. S. Lessa, Portuguese; editor, Rolando Itin, Spanish needy people have found a temporary 18 Worldview How to Subscribe Subscription prices: US$31.97 for 40 issues. US$41.97 for 52 home in a large house with a 17-acre or- Islanders kept ancient Sabbath. Blind pas- issues. To place your order, send your name, ange grove? tor shows the way. Youth witness to ski- address, and payment to your local Ad- ventist Book Center or Adventist Review by Harold and Joan Lance ers. She quilts for teens at 93. Subscription Desk, Box 1119, Hagers- town, 21741. Single copy, $1.50 U.S. currency. Prices subject to change DEPARTMENTS without notice. To Writers We welcome unsolicited manuscripts. Notification of acceptance or 10 For Such an Hour 12 Children's Corner rejection may be expected only if accom- The end-time prophecies of Daniel and panied by a stamped, self-addressed 13 Faith Alive! envelope. Address all editorial corre- Revelation gave our pioneers their self- spondence to 6840 Eastern Avenue NW., Washington, D.C. 20012. understanding as a new movement. Sec- 22 Bulletin Board The Adventist Review (ISSN 0161- 1119) is published 40 times a year, each ond of an eight-part series. 23 Letters Thursday except the first Thursday of the month. Copyright 0 1989 Review and by Hans K. LaRondelle 24 Reflections Heralds Publishing Association, 55 West Oak Ridge Drive, Hagerstown, Maryland 21740. Second-class postage paid at Ha- gerstown, Maryland 21740. Postmaster: send address changes to Adventist Re- COMING NEXT WEEK view, 55 West Oak Ridge Drive, Hagers- town, MD 21740. Editorial office Fax number: (202) 722- A "Fathers and the Spiritual- jah (the Tishbite) and the pro- 6354. Scripture quotations marked NASB are ity of Their Children," by phetic Elijah (John the Bap- from the New American Standard Bible, 0 The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, Lauri Denski-Snyman. A fa- tist). 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, ■ 1977. Texts credited to NIV are from the ther's committed presence is "A Year for Friendship," by Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright 1973, 1978, by the Interna- critical to a child's emotional Noelene Johnsson. In this Year tional Bible Society. Used by permission of and spiritual well-being. of Homecoming we must care Zondervan Bible Publishers. Texts cred- ited to RSV are from the Revised Standard ■ "The Remnant Church as not only for the purity of our Version of the Bible, copyrighted 1946, 1952 ®1971,1973. the End-Time Elijah," by Hans church, but for the aching Cover photo by Meylan C. Thoresen K. LaRondelle. We follow in hearts that seek our fellow- Vol. 166, No. 23 the tradition of the historic Eli- ship.

ADVENTIST REVIEW, JUNE 8, 1989 (595) 3 EDITORIALS

and howling and hollering to in- crease the general state of excite- ment and expectation. Only sick- ness would bring on drowsiness at such a meet. The scene changes. It is Saturday morning and the service is in HE POWER progress. What a contrast! T But, you say, since when has the hoopla at a ball game become the OF ENTHUSIASM model for our church services? Why shouldn't there be a contrast? The magine that you have just wit- god), is a neutral passion—at any question misses the point. The con- nessed a violent kidnapping of rate, as we know it today. And its tention here is that there is a vital Iyour neighbor's child. You have power for good or ill centers upon ingredient, present at the typical come to inform the rest of us of the the particular cause or object that sports event, that is missing from incident and to suggest appropriate drives and inspires it. our churches. And that ingredient is action. I dare you to keep your When Saul of Tarsus became Paul enthusiasm. hands in your pockets, or folded in the apostle of Christ, his enthusiasm front of you, while you relate this focused on a new cause, thereby Let's Bring It Back story. I dare you to keep your voice changing from a lethal to a life- Who is to blame for this? We all in a modulated monotone—that giving force. We see this transfor- are, I think. And in the writings of sweet drone so conducive to slum- mation in evidence as he stood in Ellen G. White we have an eloquent ber at the eleven o'clock hour on the governor's judgment hall in Cae- call to bring it back: Sabbath morning. No, you would be sarea. Surrounded by the rich and "There is too much formality in excited and breathless about it. powerful, this Spirit-filled enthusi- our religious services. The Lord Your hands would wave, your eyes ast virtually exploded from the im- would have His ministers who would flash, your entire body pact of the message of Jesus upon preach the Word energized by His would speak to us. That's enthusi- his own soul. Enraptured by the Holy Spirit; and the people who asm. And there is power in it—for matchless Person he once despised, hear should not sit in drowsy indif- good or for ill. he spoke as if beholding the invis- ference, or stare vacantly about, Power for Evil ible, completely lost to his sur- making no responses to what is said. roundings. . . . These dull, careless professed An example of the evil power of His callous audience sat spell- Christians are not destitute of am- enthusiasm was Saul of Tarsus: bound and transfixed at this living bition and zeal when engaged in "Breathing threats and murder exhibition of enthusiasm under the worldly business; but things of eter- against the [early] disciples of the Spirit. Unable to stand it any longer, nal importance do not move them Lord," he boldly requested letters of Festus broke the tension. "Paul," he deeply. . . . The spirit of the world authorization from the leaders in shouted, "you are out of your mind! has paralyzed them. The truths of to hunt down believers in Your great learning is driving you God's Word are spoken to leaden Damascus and bring them to Jeru- mad" (Acts 26:24). ears and hard, unimpressible salem in chains (Acts 9:1, 2).* Our Great Need hearts. . . . Where the church is All through the centuries people walking in the light, there will ever holding unpopular beliefs have That is the kind of enthusiasm we be cheerful, hearty responses and been subjected to every form of in- need today: a spiritual electric words of joyful praise" (Testimo- dignity and violence by enthusiasts. power, a contagious fire that sets us nies, vol. 5, p. 318). The Nazis provide us with one of all ablaze and gives new spunk and Jesus said, "I am the way, and the the most notorious examples of the vigor to our life and witness. It truth, and the life" (John 14:6). As kind of wicked insanity to which would transform dead church ser- Adventists we have found the way, enthusiasts can descend. And, as vices into spectacles of the Spirit. and we believe we have the truth. someone has noted, "the cultists, Sports capture the attention and But, if you will allow it, we need to bigots, and terrorists of today are en- imagination of our youth because pray for the life—the zeal, the fire, thusiasts to a fault." there is enthusiasm there. No one the enthusiasm! sleeps at the ball game. The whole Power for Good stadium is alive. Cheerleaders urge * Bible texts in this article are from the New But enthusiasm, notwithstanding the players on. Bugles and whistles American Standard Bible. the origin of the word (from the and trumpets and other noise ma- ROY ADAMS Greek enthusiasmos, possessed by a chines mingle with the shouting

4 (596) ADVENTIST REVIEW, JUNE 8, 1989 ises: "I will restore . . ." "I will re- build . . ." "I will save . . ." What's the Word? Are there times today when the Lord says to us, as He once did to Jeremiah, "Go, buy a field"? It's not what we expect from God GO, when we're fighting for our lives in some personal or church crisis. We BUY A FIELD" ask Him for answers. We want His deliverance. We want a miraculous lire day God told Jeremiah to go lem, Jeremiah immediately peace. But maybe we should go buy buy a field Jerusalem was about weighed out 17 shekels of silver. He a field. to fall. called in witnesses. With great cer- It may seem utterly foolish to us Nebuchadnezzar, in his third emony he signed documents of pur- when people choose to go back to and final siege, was closing in on chase. Then he commanded his school when they are old. Or ex- the capital. And if old Jeremiah scribe to seal them in an earthen jar. change profitable careers for low- had said it once, he'd said it scores (Jars were the archives of the an- paying jobs or volunteer mission of times. Jerusalem was about to cient world, the kind to which we work. But maybe they have heard fall. are indebted for the Dead Sea the word of the Lord and are invest- The king had placed him in scrolls.) Jeremiah wanted his ing in a field. prison for such seditious talk. But What about us? Are the battering anyone standing on the city wall rams even at our gates? could see the sun glittering upon the What shall we do if we have lost enemies' weapons. ometimes a job? or are suffering abuse at the Twice before, the Chaldeans had s hands of a spouse or parent? if we raked the land—looting, torturing, face sudden divorce? or discover killing, capturing. Daniel had now God asks us to someone we love has fallen prey to been a hostage in Nebuchadnezzar's cancer, to AIDS? Is it time to buy a court for nearly 20 years. Ezekiel, defy common field? snatched up in the second invasion What shall we do when problems more than 10 years ago, still lived sense. surface in the church? When dis- with thousands of exiles in a Baby- crimination binds our hands and lonian internment camp. stifles our voice? When some in po- Jeremiah's words weren't good sitions of authority seem careless, for the morale of an embattled city records put in a clay jar, he said, "so overbearing, or insensitive? When or for people feeling the pangs of they will last a long time" (Jer. bad judgment or poor policies go hunger and the fear of the sword. 32:14, NW). unchecked? "This is what the Lord, the God of Jeremiah was an old man, but he The word of the Lord may be "Go, Israel, says: I am about to hand this was no fool. He knew his own buy a field." For in times of dire city over to the king of Babylon, prophecies. The Exile would last 70 crisis a statement of faith is not and he will burn it down" (Jer. years. He would never return to enough. We must take positive ac- 34:2, NIV). Jerusalem was about to plant a crop or harvest it. And it was tion. We must buy ground. And we fall. absolutely crazy to pay full market must lay plans to occupy it. value for land already captured by Jeremiah never farmed his land. Prophetic Hint the enemy. He died in Egypt, kidnapped (and As the nation collapsed, as king, But above the din of war Jeremiah then stoned, some say) by his own priests, and people abandoned all heard the word of the Lord. He people, the remnant people. But as commitment to the covenant, the bought the field. long as Scripture speaks, it shall tes- Lord visited Jeremiah in prison (Jer. As battering rams were raised tify that in those dark and terrible 32:6-8) with an enigmatic message: against the ancient fortress—which, days before Jerusalem fell, Jeremiah his cousin would come selling real by his own word, could bring only bought a field. estate. destruction—he bought the field. In But Jeremiah took it as a pro- an hour of crisis he defied common phetic hint. When cousin Hanamel sense: he invested in a future that showed up, urging him to buy a did not seem to exist. He bought the KIT WATTS field a couple of miles from Jerusa- field. He camped on God's prom-

ADVENTIST REVIEW, JUNE 8, 1989 (597) 5 NEWSBREAK

Finnish Crusade Finishes With Record Bap- Adventist Student Wins tisms. An evangelistic crusade in Tampere, Finland, ended April 23 with 35 people joining the Adventist Church, reports Raimo Lehtinen, Finland Union Con- National Geography Bee ference communication director. This represents the ifteen-year-old Jack Staddon from a one-room school highest number of baptisms for a single campaign in I in Great Bend, Kansas, claimed the top prize at the Finland in recent years, he says. first National Geography Bee on May 19. The son of an Planning for the campaign began in 1987 with pastors Adventist minister, Staddon received a $25,000 college and members conducting Daniel seminars and home scholarship from the National Geographic Society Bible studies, and distributing cards. (NGS), which sponsored the nationwide competition. More than 1 million fourth through eighth graders ADRA to Build Children's Center in Armenia. from 15,000 schools in the United States and its terri- Staff members from the Adventist Development and tories participated in area and state runoffs. NGS cre- Relief Agency International (ADRA) currently are ne- ated the competition after a Gallup poll showed that gotiating an agreement with health officials in Armenia Americans between the ages of 18-24 placed last in that will open the way for construction of a children's geography knowledge in the nine countries surveyed. rehabilitation center, reports Ray Tetz, ADRA public Among the 54 finalists joining Staddon in Washing- relations director. ton, D.C., was Toma Selfa, 14, an Adventist student The proposed center in Yerevan will treat children from Orofino, Idaho. Selfa attends a three-teacher maimed and crippled by the earthquake that devastated school. Both students were able to attend the finals the country on December 7, 1988. It will have an in- because competition organizers, upon the request of an patient capacity of 70 children and an outpatient ca- Adventist teacher, shifted the schedule to accommo- pability of serving 50 children daily. date Adventists and Orthodox Jews. The ADRA delegation is also selecting sites for the In addition to winning the scholarship money, Stad- construction of four or more remote clinics. don held a press conference, attended a tribute orga- nized in his honor at the Silver Spring, Maryland, AHS Officials Embark on China Mission. A church, and was interviewed on ABC's Good Morning, team of eight consultants and administrators represent- America. ing Adventist Health System/West recently embarked on an educational mission in the People's Republic of China, reports Rita Wilcox, AHS/West spokesperson. WORLD CHURCH The group presented two week-long seminars for hos- pital administrators, in Shanghai and Beijing, and dis- Brazil Crusade Brings in the Sheaves. An evan- tributed excess medical supplies and equipment do- gelistic crusade in Campos, Brazil, resulted in more nated by several hospitals. than 160 new members through baptism (see below) on The trip was made in response to a request from the May 6 with Ken Mittleider, a General Conference vice Chinese Ministry of Public Health. president, as evangelist. Before the crusade, Mittleider said, many of those baptized had been contacted by local workers and vol- unteers through Revelation seminars. Elder Jose Cor- GENERAL CONFERENCE reia, East Brazil Union Conference president, coordi- Appeals Court Hears Trademark Case. A three- nated the Campos evangelistic team. Another 175 judge panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the people are being prepared for future baptisms. Ninth Circuit, in San Francisco, heard oral arguments in the case of the General Conference Corporation of Seventh-day Adventists vs. Seventh-day Adventist Congregational Church on May 11, reports Robert W. Nixon, associate general counsel of the General Con- ference. Attorneys for the Congregational Church, located in Hawaii, and a group of amici curiae (friends of the court) urged the court to reverse the decision of the U.S. district court, which had ruled in favor of the General Conference and upheld its right to the trademark of "Seventh-day Adventist." Counsel for the General Con- ference urged the court to affirm the lower court's rul- ing. A decision in the case is expected within three to six months.

6 (598) ADVENTIST REVIEW, JUNE 8, 1989 AR Editor Elected to ACP Board. At the annual Arkansas Community Center Opens. Local pub- Associated Church Press (ACP) convention in Toronto, lic officials joined Adventists in Gentry, Arkansas, for Ontario, May 17-19 Adventist Review news editor Car- the grand opening of the Total Life Community Center los Medley was elected to the association's board of on April 30. directors. Medley, the only Black on the board, is the The new 6,000-square-foot center provides clothing first Adventist to serve in this capacity in recent years. and services for local residents. In the first three months In the volunteer position Medley will help plan of 1989, the center assisted 403 people with clothing, ACP's 1990 convention. ACP, a professional associa- food, and bedding, and volunteers donated 630 hours. tion for religious journalists, has more than 170 member Among the programs conducted at the center were an independent and church-owned publications. informational program for medical and social work pro- fessionals and a defensive driving course. Adventist Journals Win Eight Awards. Advent- ist journals won eight awards in a competition spon- sored by the Associated Church Press. The awards were ALSO IN THE NEWS announced May 16 during a banquet at ACP's annual Evangelicals Unite to Save Chinese Custom. convention in Toronto, Ontario. Three evangelical ministries are combining efforts to Liberty magazine won an award of merit in the Mag- produce a hymnal for the house church movement of azine News Story category. A story published in In- China that they hope will revive a dying custom— sight, which was based on a factual event, won an learning scripture through song—reports news Net- award of merit in the fiction category. work International. Journals receiving honorable mention include the The ministries, Open Doors with Brother Andrew, Adventist Review, magazine photography with an ar- World Home Bible League, and an unnamed mission, ticle or caption; Insight, cover (four-color); Message, are producing a hymnal designed solely for distribution table of contents; Ministry, general excellence and fea- to Chinese house churches. ture article; Signs of the Times, magazine photography According to an Open Doors spokesperson, "with with article or caption. about 20 percent of house church believers still illit- The competition attracted more than 600 entries from erate and the Bible still scarce, this is as effective a way 85 publications. as any to give Chinese believers a knowledge of the Word of God." GC Relocation Delayed. Delayed by heavy rains and construction holdups, the relocation of the Ad- Service for Credit. Sophomore Jennifer Wells (left) ventist Church's world headquarters has been resched- attempts to teach English to a Mexican kindergartner in uled for June 13-22, reports Donald F. Gilbert, General Durango, Mexico. Jen- Conference treasurer. nifer is among the first The heavy rains made it impossible to complete the students at United blacktopping and landscaping for a transit-user parking Methodist-related lot required by the county government. The weather Brevard College in also prevented the installment of a liner in the storm- 8 North Carolina who water management pond. IT), perform community Because of the delay, the church will have to pay service as part of their higher rent for June to the new owners of the Central graduation require- and South buildings. It is expected that every depart- ments, reports Reli- ment, except the Adventist Development and Relief gious News Service. The college's unique program in- Agency and the Risk Management Services, will be tegrates community service with academic studies. moved by July 1.

NORTH AMERICA CHURCH CALENDAR UC Alumnus Gives $1 Million Grant to School. June 9 Celebration of Recovery retreat begins in Union College president John Wagner has announced Berrien Springs, . that Max Christianson, a member of the Union College Call (616) 471-3558 for information. board of directors, and his wife, Elsie Mae, are pledging June 10 North American Missions Offering $1 million to Union's Midwest Foundation for Higher June 24 Thirteenth Sabbath Offering for the Euro- Education. Africa Division The Christiansons are giving the money as a chal- July 1 Vacation Witnessing Emphasis lenge to other donors to give an additional $1 million July 1 Church Ministries Day in endowment gifts to Union's foundation. July 22 Home Study International Promotion Day

ADVENTIST REVIEW, JUNE 8, 1989 (599) 7 LIFESTYLE

abeth moved away, the tenting fam- ily moved into the vacated apart- ment downstairs. They lived there cp approximately one year. The Swaps Begin 0 • We soon learned of special friends of the tenting family who needed a place to stay. They had been sleeping in their station wagon, so we moved them into the tent. Living in the tent wasn't as safe as we would have liked, since on weekends groups of drunken young people would sometimes park near the edge of our grove. But where else could we put them? Then we thought about the motor home. We owned it jointly with some other family members. So we invited the second family, with their two children, to move out of the tent and into the motor home. Here they stayed for several months, until a member of my family needed it. Now where would our temporary GOD'S ACRES residents go? In the early days of building our What else could you call a place where house it occurred to us that we 17 people have found a temporary home? might someday want a travel trailer as a place for somebody to live. BY HAROLD AND JOAN LANCE that build it." Some refer to it now Eventually we found a 24-foot used as the house that God built. This is trailer. Our guests moved in and the story of how it happened. lived there six months. We chose a site in a 17-acre or- We had also hoped to put a mo- ange grove. With three bedrooms in bile home on the property for an the main house and two in the apart- agricultural worker. After much ment we added below, it seemed to looking (because they were so be more house than we rLeeded. costly), we finally located one in Still, we dedicated it to the Lord and Bakersfield. I bought the mobile waited to see how He would use it. home on a telephone bid for prob- The first person in need proved to ably one third of its retail value. It be a member of our own family, one took a long time to get it set up with of our daughters and her 2-year-old, the decks, carpet, carport, sewerage, About seven years Elizabeth. We were so thankful we lighting, propane gas hookup, etc. had added the apartment. After several months we finally got ago we built a house. Then about three years ago a fam- clearance for someone to move in. ily of five that didn't have a place to The first tenting family, which Into the fireplace man- live came by. The house was full at had moved into the apartment the time, but we wanted to do some- downstairs, now moved into the tel we carved these thing. Since they had their own tent, mobile home. The second tenting we told them to camp on the edge of family, which had lived in the mo- words from Psalm our orange grove. They provided tor home and then the travel trailer, 127:1: "Except the their own food, but used our bath- now moved into the apartment. rooms, laundry facilities, and extra That left the travel trailer and the Lord build the house, refrigerator. They were in the tent tent vacant. for about six months. A young Guatemalan whom we they labour in vain When our daughter and little Eliz- had helped to get his amnesty pa-

8 (600) ADVENTIST REVIEW, JUNE 8, 1989 pers asked if we had a place where and they liked to help. Teaching Some days the situation was hard. he could live. We suggested he try them to work in the orchard and to Washing clothes, for example, be- the travel trailer. care for tools was, at times, quite a came a problem. For instance, some- Another building on our property challenge. I probably have three or times the person sent to do a family's that we call the blockhouse became four picks around the grove washing did not complete the job, vacant in early January 1988. We "planted" where young users have leaving things behind in the washer committed it to the Country Life res- left them. Still, it's been an oppor- and dryer. And things like that. taurant ministry. We told Country tunity for learning. But the greatest challenge has Life that if they needed a place for The children did jobs such as been to discover what Jesus might somebody, we would make that sweeping the walks, watering the do. Would He turn some people available. So a young couple from plants, or stacking wood in the away, or would He try to help them? Country Life moved into our block- wood box. They were paid for doing When we struggle to know what is house and commuted back and these little chores. They kept track our duty, we find peace in remem- forth to their mission in Los Ange- of their time on a chart in the garage. bering that the Lord won't ask us to les. Another young couple, just back Once a month we had payday. do a thing that we don't have the from the Philippines, stayed with The children touched our lives in capacity to do. If we are faced with them temporarily while they also other ways. They knocked on our a situation that is beyond our capac- helped at Country Life. door anytime. We could tell which ity, beyond our ability or our re- We were now full except for the child it was just by the sound we sources, it is not our problem. It is motor home. A few weeks later a heard. Some rang the doorbell in a the Lord's. But usually the question single mother with two teenage unique way. One knocked like a is What shall I do about the chal- children and no place to stay came woodpecker. lenges and opportunities that are to our attention. We invited them One of the girls, age 12, came to within my reach? into the motor home. practice the piano in our house be- Working with these particular fore and after school. When we dis- families has been within our capac- Shelter in Storm covered she was musical, we found ity. In our view, the Lord gave us We saw ourselves as providing a a teacher in La Sierra to give her this place so that we could help place of transition for all these peo- piano lessons for a very reasonable them. And the Lord has resources ple. They were not there to stay. price. All the children attended our beyond ours to help them. A friend While they were with us, they had little grade school in Ontario. Since of ours, for example, ran across a the benefit of living in the country, my office is in Ontario, I usually little portable sewing machine for working in the orchard and learning took them to school. I loved the chil- $5 that had no foot. She bought a some practical skills. We hoped dren. Every one of them is dear. Ev- foot for $12, and the machine they would gather economic ery one of them has promise. worked beautifully. It ended up strength as well as spiritual direc- with one of our families. It's been tion while they were with us. Ride Sharing our joy to see this mother learn to Why have we done all this? We Mother Dirksen (Joan's mother) sew for herself and her children. believe that the Lord has blessed us visited us often, sometimes staying The "house that God built" has beyond anything we deserve. We for three months at a time. During a been ours to share with all whom said early on that whatever He gave recent stay she realized how great the Holy Spirit leads to our door. to us was His, and we were com- the demand was for our car. Some- "Unless the Lord builds the house, mitted to using it for missionary body was always using it. We they labor in vain who build it" (Ps. purposes. At the time we just didn't needed it to pick up the children at 127:1, NASB). ❑ know what form that would take. school, meet doctors' appoint- Having 19 people living together ments, and go on other errands. It Adapted with permission from ASI News, July- on our property has had both re- was not easy for her. We didn't al- August 1988. wards and challenges. It's definitely ways have the car to take her where a plus in terms of enriching our lives she wanted to go. Harold and Joan and keeping us aware that God is Joan and I had been praying that Lance lived on using this property to help others. somehow we could get an extra car. their orchard Each family provided its own food. We needed it badly. To our suprise property near Except for the few hours they worked one day Mother remarked, "What Ontario, Califor- in the grove, they were on their own. you need around here is another nia, where We were together as a group only on car." The Lord had planted that Harold was a Friday evening for vespers. thought. She told us to look around trial lawyer for The six children among us were for a used car. When we found a more than 30 years. Recently he has between the ages of 9 and 16. They used Mustang to fill the need, she taken up full-time duties as presi- liked to know what was going on, paid for it. dent of Outpost Centers, Inc.

ADVENTIST REVIEW, JUNE 8, 1989 (601) 9 Second in an eight-part series on the prophetic basis of Seventh-day Adventism. For Such an Hour The Prophetic Basis of Adventism

he focus of the Advent awakening, both before history of Israel and the Christian church; and and after 1844, was on the end-time prophecies William Miller adopted this approach. On the basis Tof Daniel and Revelation. And it was in the light of this Protestant historical method (as it is properly of these prophecies that our pioneers began to de- called), the Millerites associated Daniel's "time of velop their theological self-understanding as a new the end" with the French Revolution and the sub- movement in Christian history. Believing they were sequent captivity of the pope in 1798. Furthermore a specially chosen people, they employed for them- (and this was a crucial issue for them), the little horn selves such designations as "the remnant church," of Daniel 8 was identified as Rome in its pagan and "the remnant people of God," or simply "the papal phases.' remnant." I Sabbath-keeping Adventists inherited this histor- Through these designations they gave evidence of icist approach to the apocalyptic prophecies of Dan- their belief that they were, indeed, the final segment iel and Revelation—the same method followed by of the church foreseen in Revelation 12. In figurative the Church Fathers and by the Protestant Reformers language John described the faithful remnant of the and expositors since the sixteenth century. These Christian era, living in the last generation before early church leaders had all applied the apocalyptic Christ returns: "And the dragon was wroth with the prophecies to the history of God's covenant people woman, and went to make war with the remnant of through the ages, from Daniel's time to the second her seed, which keep the commandments of God, advent of Christ. And this traditional approach came and have the testimony of Jesus Christ" (verse 17). to be known as "the standard Protestant inter- From their inception, Seventh-day Adventists pretation." 3 have claimed that they constitute the historical ful- Daniel's forecast of four consecutive world em- fillment of that prophecy. pires was invariably recognized, by both Jewish and Christian expositors following this method of inter- The Historical Approach pretation, as pointing (in sequence) to Babylon, The question immediately arises: How can this Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome.' claim be justified? How can it be established that This view of an unbroken succession of world Revelation 12 deals specifically with the end of the powers identifies imperial Rome as the fourth world Christian era and with the final crisis of the Christian power to have dominion over God's covenant age? According to what principle of Bible interpre- people since Daniel's day. Rome dominated from tation do Adventists determine "the time of the end" 168 B.C. to A.D. 476, and persecuted not only of Daniel's apocalyptic prophecies (Dan. 8-12)? And Jews but also Christians, until Emperor Constan- what, essentially, are the implications of this rem- tine officially adopted as the state nant theology? religion. When the Roman Empire finally collapsed The traditional Protestant interpretation of proph- and broke up into independent small nations ecy applies the prophecies of (A.D. 476), Europe gradually Daniel and Revelation to the BY HANS K. LARONDELLE came under the religious and 10 (602) ADVENTIST REVIEW, JUNE 8, 1989 political rulership of the papal government. Roman his readers from his time on down through the ages emperors were succeeded by papal rulers. of redemption history. He goes past the violent death of Messiah (Dan. 9:25-27) to the emergence of the The Accepted Interpretation anti-Messiah, or antichrist. He also predicts God's For more than 300 years Protestant Bible expositors judgment upon that evil power. have pioneered the general interpretation of certain Daniel's sacred foreview covers the history of key elements of the prophecies of Daniel and Reve- God's people under both the old and new dispensa- lation. tions. Its unique characteristic is the feature of de- For example, the apostate "little horn" of Daniel 7 terminism with respect to the time period allotted to and 8 and the self-willed "king" of Daniel 11 have the antichrist supremacy. In this context Daniel uses been identified with the papacy, in view of that pow- the term "the time of the end" to designate, not the er's religio-political claims and persecutions during end of time, but rather an indefinite timespan that the long Middle Ages. An integral part of this line of precedes the final judgment by Messiah (Dan. 12:1) prophetic interpretation was the symbolic time and the resurrection of the dead (verse 2). prophecy of the three and one-half "times" (Dan. The beginning of this final apocalyptic "time of the 7:25; 12:7). Protestant expositors viewed this period end" will come, however, at the appointed time (also identified with the 1260 "days" of Revelation (Dan. 11:35). This point of time seems to coincide 12:6, 14 or the 42 "months" of Revelation 11:2) as the with the completion of the 1260 years of papal do- predicted time of oppression of the gospel and its minion, in 1798 (Dan. 7:25), and with the consequent proponents. Most considered this prophetic time pe- restoration, beginning in 1844, of the downtrodden riod as the age of papal supremacy from A.D. 533/538 sanctuary truth, with the knowledge of the priestly to 1793/1798.5 ministry of Christ. LeRoy Froom notes that the year-day principle of prophetic calculation also "came to be well-nigh uni- End-Time Unsealing versally accepted by Christian expositors." 6 Further- The symbolic visions of Daniel were not fully un- more, it was the common understanding of European derstood by the prophet himself (Dan. 12:8) and and American expositors that Paul's prophetic out- could not be comprehended before the time of the line in 2 Thessalonians 2 was progressively fulfilled end had arrived. The interpreting angel said, "But in pagan and papal Rome.' For more than three cen- you, Daniel, close up and seal the words of the scroll turies Protestant Bible expositors agreed that the dark until the time of the end. Many will go here and there Middle Ages fell within the scope of Daniel's apoc- to increase knowledge" (verse 4, NIV). alyptic prophecies. It helps to know that in the Hebrew the definite It remained for the nineteenth-century Advent article is given with the word knowledge, and there- awakening in both Europe and America to shift the fore indicates that the knowledge of the book of Dan- general attention of Christian expositors from Daniel iel, which had been sealed, was later to be under- 7, with its focus on the symbolic three and one-half stood in its true import." The angel further stresses times, or 1260 years, of the Middle Ages, to Daniel 8, that "none of the wicked will understand, but those with its emphasis on the 2300 prophetic days and its who are wise will understand" (verse 10, NW). Ear- appointed "time of the end" (Dan. 8:14, 17, 19).8 The lier the angel had made a divine connection between crucial linchpin for the certainty that the 2300-year Daniel 8 and 9 by means of the 70 weeks of years in period of Daniel 8 did end in 1844 was the conclusion Daniel 9 (see Dan. 9:22-24; cf. 8:14). that its beginning date was identical to that of the 70 It is difficult to escape the conclusion that God had weeks of Daniel 9. This connection became accepted hidden in Daniel 9 to 12 a sealed or coded message widely in the nineteenth century.' intended exclusively for the time of the end. The The historicist method thus required a thorough purpose of that message would be to prepare a people knowledge of both Scripture and history. to stand before God, purified from false worship and Parallel to this development in their progressive wickedness, and ready to meet their God. understanding was a shift of focus from Revelation If the prophetic visions of Daniel 8-12 point dis- 13, with its persecuting beast, to Revelation 14, with tinctly to the period immediately preceding the sec- its flying angels announcing the judgment hour and ond advent of Christ, then the divine end-time un- the end of the world. sealing of Daniel's apocalyptic prophecies will have a very practical consequence. The increase of the Time of the End knowledge of Daniel's book will result in a true re- The phrase "the time of the end" is found only in vival of apocalyptic studies and in a renewed hope the apocalyptic section of the book of Daniel (five of the nearness of the day of deliverance. times in Daniel 8-12). Daniel's unique expression is Froom said of Daniel 12:4: "It obviously is a forecast not completely identical to the familiar phrase "the of the . . . revival in prophetic exposition that came last days" or "the latter days," which is used 14 times under the simultaneous awakening in the nineteenth by the Old Testament prophets. While the classical century, in both the Old World and the New." 11 prophets usually connect their own time and place And decades ago James White had noted that the directly to the future age of the Messiah, Daniel leads promised increase of knowledge in Daniel 12:4, 10

ADVENTIST REVIEW, JUNE 8, 1989 (603) 11 did "not refer to the progress in scientific discoveries, Thus God took care that history and prophecy but to the subject of the end." He pointed out that "the agreed. And prophecy for Adventism, in the words of truly wise, the children of God, understand the sub- Froom, was and is "the rainbow of promise, painted ject upon which knowledge increases in the time of by the fingers of God." ❑ the end, while the wicked, however scientific, do not REFERENCES understand. The facts in the case are . . . against the 1 See documentation in P. G. Damsteegt, Foundations of the Seventh-day Adventist Message and Mission (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Pub. position that the prophetic statement relative to the Co., 1977), p. 243. increase of knowledge in the time of the end has 2 See Damsteegt, Chapter II. 3 A. Pieters, Studies in the Revelation of Saint John, p. 43; as cited in D. reference to the discoveries of the scientists." 12 F. Neufeld, "Biblical Interpretation in the Advent Movement," in G. M. Hyde, ed., A Symposium on Biblical Hermeneutics (Washington, D.C.: Worldwide Awakening Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 1974), p. 112. 4 See LeRoy E. Froom, The Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers (Washington, The promise of Daniel 12:4 points to the thrilling D.C.: Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 1946-1954). 5 See Froom, ibid. rise of a worldwide awakening of the prophetic end- e ibid., vol. 3, p. 11. time message of Holy Scripture. The significance of 7 See ibid., vol. 4, charts on pp. 393, 397. 8 Ibid., chapter 9. this text dawned upon the Christian consciousness as g /bid., pp. 389, 390. 1° See ibid., vol. 4, Appendix A, pp. 1209, 1210. soon as the year 1844, with its bitter experience, had 11 Ibid., p. 1209. passed. Only then did they understand the meaning 12 Signs of the Times, July 22, 1880, p. 330. See James White, Bible Adventism (Battle Creek, Mich.: SDA Pub. Assn., n.d.; reprinted Nashville: of the threefold reforming message of Revelation 14. Southern Pub. Assn., 1972), pp. 70-76. From the start Seventh-day Adventists considered themselves as reformers whose unique foundational platform was Bible prophecy. As the remnant people Hans K. LaRondelle is professor of God, they felt charged before God, as was ancient of theology at Andrews Univer- Israel, to enlighten the whole world with the gospel sity Theological Seminary in in its fullness. It is their calling to be the last gospel Berrien Springs, Michigan. movement that restores the apostolic faith and com- pletes the Reformation under the end-time banner of "the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus" (Rev. 14:12; cf. 12:17).

CHILDREN'S CORNER

any more bad things happen to them. Mr. and Mrs. Job weren't getting along very well, and became almost MRS. JOB BY BONNIE MOYERS like strangers (Job 19:17). How sad that they couldn't comfort each e can read a whole book in Job told her she was speaking fool- other and make each other feel bet- the Bible about Job and all ishly. ter. Whis troubles. But the Bible But let's imagine for a moment But the Bible doesn't say they sep- doesn't say too much about Job's how awful it would be to lose ev- arated and filed for divorce. So Mr. wife. Her name is not even given to erything you had, all in one day: and Mrs. Job must have stayed mar- us, and she went through every- food, clothes, house, barn, farm an- ried, made up, and had a second thing that Mr. Job did, except for imals, furniture, land—everything. family. They were once more breaking out in boils from head to A death in a family is sad enough, blessed with seven sons and three toe. but to have seven sons and three beautiful daughters. The story ends Mrs. Job is first mentioned in daughters — all the children — die at happily, with Mr. Job living 140 Scripture the day her husband one time must have been terrible years longer and seeing four gener- broke out in boils and sat among the indeed! Think of all the sadness, ations of his family grow up. ashes, scraping his sores with a bro- crying, and arrangements for so Mrs. Job must have done well as a ken piece of pottery. Mrs. Job many funerals! And on top of that, wife and mother. We read no more blamed God for all their problems almost all of Mr. Job's servants of her making harsh, bitter remarks. and said to her husband, "Are you were killed. Maybe she wasn't such a bad person still unshaken in your integrity? In addition, Mrs. Job didn't feel after all. We may even meet her in Curse God and die!" (Job 2:9, NEB). well either. She must have felt that heaven someday. I want to be there, What a dreadful thing to say! Mr. she simply couldn't stand to have don't you?

12 (604) ADVENTIST REVIEW, JUNE 8, 1989 FAITH ALIVE!

clergy possess more than one talent. As with most laity, most pastors have a variety of gifts and find per- sonal satisfaction in change and a variety of experiences. Second, a number of pastoral and evangelistic talents are required for the functioning of local, union, divi- SUICIDE sion, and General Conference opera- tions. These include promotional, BY CALVIN B. ROCK supervisory, instructional, and orga- nizational aspects of the work. ince people who commit sui- mother there. We listen in vain for Third, effective ministers serve as cide cannot be saved, why do the rapturous song of triumph from excellent role models for younger Swe allow their funerals in our the mother. The angels receive the clergy. Men and women who have churches? motherless infants and conduct proved successful in pastoral or them to the tree of life" (Selected evangelistic endeavors at the congre- "People who commit suicide can- Messages, book 2, p. 260). gational level are much more likely not be saved"! Are you sure? I am Since God grants eternal life to to understand and inspire other not. There are, you see, various some infants who never made a com- clergy when serving in a leadership kinds of suicide. I believe that those mitment to Christ, do you not find it capacity. Their experience provides who kill themselves to make state- reasonable to believe that He will also a wider pool of knowledge from ments of revenge or display, or who save persons whose healthy Christian which to draw—therefore, greater le- do so because of despondency experience, and finally their lives, verage and credibility. brought about by an ungodly life- disintegrated as a result of unwel- All of these are morally defensi- style, are guilty of murder with no corned and un- ble reasons for opportunity for repentance. invited mental moving from However, other types of suicide or emotional My own concept of the church pas- occur, such as those involving per- deterioration? torate to con- sons who suffer depression because Of course, we love of God does not ference office. of chemical imbalance not attribut- do not really One reason, able to wrongful lifestyle. The ques- know. How- exclude the possibility of however, is tion here is whether God holds one ever, I see such a suicide's salvation. not defensi- responsible for decisions made with mercy as ble: the view seriously impaired mental faculties. highly consis- of the pastor- Many healthy, clear-thinking tent with God's great love. ate as a lesser role or a stepping- Christians become so affected by ac- In any event, the cause of death stone to the "higher" calling of an cident, disease, or the ravages of age should not be the determining fac- office job. It is, of course, an honor that they are no longer lucid. Per- tor when considering a funeral re- to be asked to take responsibility in sons thus impaired often make de- quest. A congregation's response conference work. But the attitude cisions very inconsistent with their should be guided by its mission to that disparages the pastorate, mak- prior normal state. Occasionally heal and to restore—not the need to ing it appear a less desirable or a these decisions involve self- protect itself from criticism. preliminary phase to a more exalted destruction. My own concept of the status, is destructive to morale and love of God does not exclude the hy are so many of our out- function. possibility of their salvation. standing pastors and evan- No doubt if we did more to sup- We find an example of how this Wgelists placed behind desks port and reward pastors/evan- principle works in a broad sense in in conference offices? How unfor- gelists, fewer of them would look our prophetess' 1858 discussion of tunate to rob our churches of such beyond present duties to a future in children who die before reaching talent. Our pastors need to have office leadership, and fewer office the age of accountability—that is, their priorities adjusted. leaders would think it demeaning to before they can discern right from return to the pastorate when their wrong. "As the little infants come Several reasons exist for asking office days terminate. forth immortal from their dusty individuals with outstanding pasto- beds, they immediately wing their ral and evangelistic ability to serve Calvin B. Rock serves as a general way to their mother's arms. They in conference departmental or ad- vice president of the General Con- meet again nevermore to part. But ministrative capacities. The first ference. He holds doctoral degrees many of the little ones have no has to do with the fact that most in religious ethics and ministry. ADVENTIST REVIEW, JUNE 8, 1989 (605) 13 DEVOTIONAL

than thirty years, was of pure, disinterested benevolence. Can we wonder that men were THE WORD OF GOD astonished at His teaching? "He taught them as one having author- A Storehouse of Knowledge and Power ity, and not as the scribes." The teaching of the scribes and the BY ELLEN G. WHITE save. In Him was no guile or sin- Pharisees was a continuous repe- fulness; He was ever pure and tition of fables and childish tradi- undefiled; yet He took upon Him tions. Their opinions and ceremo- our sinful nature. Clothing His nies rested on the authority of divinity with humanity, that He ancient maxims and rabbinical might associate with fallen human- sayings, which were frivolous and Clad in the vest- ity, He sought to redeem for man worthless. Christ did not dwell on ments of humanity, that which by disobedience Adam weak, insipid sayings and theories had lost, for himself and for of men. As one possessing higher the Son of God came the world. In His own character authority, He addressed His hear- Jesus manifested to the world the ers, presenting before them mo- down to the level of character of God; He pleased not mentous subjects; and His appeals Himself, but went about doing carried conviction to their hearts. those He wished to good. His whole history, for more The opinion of all, expressed by

14 (606) ADVENTIST REVIEW, JUNE 8, 1989 ORGANIC BROWN RICE many who were not able to keep ery mind that yields itself to his sug- Did you know that Lundberg silent, was "Never man spake like gestions and is willing to make of Brown Rice is called "The this man." none effect God's holy law. Best" by East West We need to humble our hearts, magazine? If you by Careful Study and with sincerity and reverence rice, we think you'll The Bible teaches the whole will search the Word of life; for that of God concerning us. "All scripture mind alone that is humble and con- agree. is given by inspiration of God, and trite can see light. The heart, the About 50 years ago our father and is profitable for doctrine, for re- mind, the soul must be prepared to mother moved our family from the proof, for correction, for instruction receive light. There must be silence Midwest Dad taught us that it was in righteousness: that the man of in the soul. The thoughts must be important to care for the soil. He always said "Leave the soil in better condition than you found it" He was one of the Christ did not dwell modem pioneers at on weak, insipid sayings and using soil- enriching theories of men. crops, rotations, straw and stubble incorporation, and other ecologically sound farming God may be perfect, throughly fur- brought into captivity to Jesus practices. nished unto all good works." The Christ. The boastful self- teaching of this Word is exactly that confidence and self-sufficiency We have grown organic rice for 18 needed in all circumstances in must stand rebuked in the pres- years. During that time, we have which we may be placed. It is a suf- ence of the Word of God. The Lord found a symbiotic relationship ficient rule of faith and practice; for speaks to the heart that humbles between caring for the environment it is the voice of God speaking to the itself before Him. and growing organic rice. This soul, giving the members of His fam- relationship produces high quality ily directions for keeping the heart Last Appeal organic rice and preserves the with all diligence. If this Word is Stirring times are before us, and environment studied, not merely read, but stud- it is fatal to be careless and indif- When you purchase Lundberg ied, it furnishes us with a store- ferent. "Yet a little while, and he organic rice, you receive the highest house of knowledge which enables that shall come will come, and will quality organic rice and support this us to improve every God-given en- not tarry." We cannot afford to be symbiotic relationship. dowment. It teaches us our obliga- disobedient to God's requirements. tion to use the faculties given us. The wrath which the impenitent lundberg ar4CallY Guided by its precepts, we may ren- are now treasuring up against that cr.* Brown der obedience to God's require- day when the judgment shall sit, ..tit Rice ments. and every case shall be judged, ac- WW1 Wit cording to the things written in the Need for Humility books of heaven, will soon burst We also offer exotic and exciting rice All who will come to the Word of upon them. Then the voice of blends, hot and cold cereals, rice God for guidance, with humble, in- mercy will not longer plead in be- syrup sweeteners, flours, and energy quiring minds, determined to know half of sinners. bars, in addition to our long grain, the terms of salvation, will under- If the invitations given now are short grain and sweet brown rice. stand what saith the Scripture. But refused, if we persist in disobedi- Please give them a try. those who bring to the investigation ence, we shall have no second pro- of the Word a spirit which it does bation. "Choose you this day whom For free information on these and not approve will take away from the ye will serve" — God or mammon. other brown rice products, please search a spirit which it has not im- Now, while it is called today, if ye write to: Lundberg Family Farms, parted. The Lord will not speak to a will hear His voice, harden not your P.O. Box 369, Dept mind that is unconcerned. He heart, lest it be the last invitation of Richvale, CA 95974. wastes not His instruction on one mercy. ❑ who is willingly irreverent or pol- From the Review and Herald, Aug. 22, 1907. luted. But the tempter educates ev- ItLundbergi FAMILY FARMS. li ADVENTIST REVIEW. JUNE 8, 1989 WITNESS

tion of Mayers' House of Weddings. Since that time, as a team, Doris and Earl Mayer have hosted about 50 weddings in their home chapel. A Moving Experience Converting their living and din- ing rooms into a chapel is no easy task, but Doris calls it "fun work." Earl backs their pickup truck to the front door of their large, lovely Southern colonial home, only a stone's throw from the entrance to Paris Mountain State Park, and to- gether they hoist the large pieces of furniture onto the truck. These they keep in the garage and one bedroom until the bridal couple and guests have left. Then the process is re- Sharon and David Brown stand in front of Mayers' House of Weddings, versed. If weddings come close to- where they were married. gether, the Mayers leave their fur- niture in storage and use the family room. Weddings usually take place on Sunday, but occasionally an HOME, SWEET evening wedding is scheduled when a couple requests it. For the token sum of $150, a cou- CHAPEL ple can use any of the items Doris has collected over the years. She A "nonprofit hobby" has turned their place feels that the Lord leads her to stores into Mayers' House of Weddings 50 times. where she can purchase gowns at a fraction of their original cost. The BY MARGE McNEILUS taste of helping to plan weddings bride has her choice of more than 60 and had a wonderful time doing so. wedding gowns in sizes from 4 to The Mayers, a middle-aged couple 201/2, bridesmaid and flower girl with four grown children, come from dresses, veils, hats, slips, shoes, flo- Milton, Wisconsin. Earl, a machine ral arrangements, candelabra, and designer able to find employment al- tuxedos for the men. Doris often al- most anywhere, was seeking a ters the gowns and tuxedos for just warmer climate in which to live. the right fit prior to the wedding. They found this in Greenville, South The bridal couple usually furnish Carolina, but had no idea of the Chris- their own minister, but if they do tian outreach that would follow. not have one, Doris and Earl contact In 1980 Doris came home from one with whom they have a stand- Perhaps growing up shopping and told her husband, "I ing arrangement. found the most beautiful wedding A reception can also be held at the in a family with five gown!" Since they had been mar- Mayers' for an additional fee. This ried for more than 30 years when was not an option until recently, girls and only one boy she made this announcement, Earl when they did host one. The event helped Doris Mayer simply responded, "That's nice." went so smoothly that they decided However, when she told him that to offer this additional service. The fall in love with wed- she had put it on layaway, he sat up wedding family furnishes the re- and took notice. Rather vehemently, freshments within strict guidelines dings. When her two he asked, "You did what?" Doris the Mayers have set: no alcohol, cof- replied that she wanted to help fee, or ham. daughters married in some girl who could not afford it to As the guests arrive for the wed- have a nice wedding. ding, soft recorded music plays in the 1970s, she got a This led in 1982 to the inaugura- the background. As many as 45 fam-

16 (608) ADVENTIST REVIEW, JUNE 8, 1989 ily members and friends seat them- selves in the chapel, where the chairs are divided into two sections, leaving an aisle. Doing It All The Mayers keep very busy dur- ing the ceremony, with Doris serv- ing as coordinator, organist, florist, and poser of the wedding photo- graphs, which are taken by Earl. The bride and groom receive a small al- bum of photographs. The Mayers re- tain a set of prints, giving the couple the negatives, enabling them to get any enlargements they desire. Earl, with his strong, clear voice, usually sings two songs that the bride chooses from his repertoire. Doris tries not to become emotional while playing the organ, but admits that Charlotte and Steve Mason pose with Doris and Earl Mayer on their wedding day. she does anyway at times. Earl terms this Doris's "nonprofit hobby." It fills her desire to provide a Christian wedding in a small chapel setting, including the finery I can't imagine a girl going to a of a large wedding on a smaller scale, as a way to help provide sta- courthouse in jeans and coming bility to a new marriage. "I can't imagine a girl going to a courthouse out feeling married." in jeans and coming out feeling mar- ried," explained Doris on the na- tional TV show Home this past July, respondence course card, and the Doris recalls how in January 1988 where the Mayers had an opportu- books Happiness Wall to Wall, by a wedding scheduled in their home nity to tell about their home wed- , and To Know had to be postponed for a week be- ding business. Says Earl, "When the God, by . Each Bible cause of a 13-inch snowfall. No one bride walks down that aisle, she can carries a message of love from the in their subdivision could get to feel that it is her day." Mayers on the flyleaf and the sug- church that Sunday. Since their gestion that the couple keep in home was set up for the wedding, Gifts That Witness touch, as well as the Mayers' ad- they invited their neighbors in for The Mayers' gifts to the bridal dress and phone number. That church. Thirteen people fellow- couple include a Bible, with a cor- number has been used more than shipped that day and had a great once as the Mayers have received time singing, reading stories to the calls for counseling, and as couples children who came, and sharing Bi- have spread the word about the ble verses. When the meeting closed weddings. with prayer, all felt they had expe- Doris and Earl feel they gain the rienced a wonderful spiritual inter- biggest blessing. As each beautiful action. wedding ends, they beam when To sum up their feelings, Doris they add another pair of "children" says, "We look back with pleasure to their list. Their greatest desire is and thankfulness to the blessings that someday, at the great wedding God has given us through this feast in heaven, some man and unique ministry." ❑ woman will come up to them and say, "Remember us? We were mar- Marge McNeilus is bookkeeper/sec- ried in your home!" That will bring retary for the family business in the greatest thrill of all to this in- Dodge Center, Minnesota. She is a Doris and Earl Mayer spiring couple. sister to Doris Mayer.

ADVENTIST REVIEW, JUNE 8, 1989 (609) 17 WORLDVIEW

Sabbath in Papua New Guinea Predates Christian Era Islanders rested on seventh day before missionaries arrived.

obably few Seventh-day Advent- which also means 'day of rest.' " abstaining from work and meeting ists realize that the seventh-day "All right," I said, "if both the together one day a week. But, he Sabbath was observed in the South Motu and Aroma languages call Sat- pointed out, they held their Mara Pacific islands even before the com- urday 'the day of rest,' why do the Vakula one day too early. He sug- ing of Adventist missionaries. people around here worship on gested that they change. In 1946 my wife and I were sent to Sunday? Why don't they call Sun- Kualua told me how he went a small medical outpost on the day 'the day of rest'?" home from this meeting wondering sands of Aroma beach in Papua, The national pastors told me that about all he had heard. some 72 miles (116 kilometers) east all along that part of the Papuan That night he had a dream that of Port Moresby. One day I was dis- coast the people traditionally had remained etched in his memory. cussing with the mission staff some kept the seventh day as a day of rest. "Someone in bright-white clothes outreach plans that involved letting Thus the name "day of rest" in all came to me and stood right there," the thousands of village people the local languages. Intrigued, I Kualua said, pointing to a spot. "He know something special was to hap- asked to be told the whole story. told me that I wasn't to change with pen on a certain Sabbath. Talking in They suggested that I'd get the the rest of the village people. In- Motu, I said the meetings would be best account by talking with an Ad- stead, I was to continue to keep our held on Laga-ani Dinana, the words ventist named Kualua. This is what traditional day until another White for Sabbath. he told me. man came who would teach the But when I suggested that the ad- same day we had always observed. herents of the London Missionary Kualua's Story "I waited for some years. Then Society (LMS) would surely think Back in the early days of the Aus- when Pastor Ross James came to live we meant Sunday if we used the tralian administration of Papua, the at Aroma, I and my family asked word for Sabbath, Pastor Lui Ofi, government divided the territory him what day he kept—for we Pastor Tauku, and others spoke up. into spheres of influence for the var- hadn't forgotten the dream. He told "No. They'll know that we're speak- ious mission bodies wishing to us that he kept the seventh day, not ing of our Sabbath. They'll know work there. the first. what day we mean. Laga-ani Di- The Anglicans were allocated one "We questioned him further. And nana is the name of that day." area, the Methodists another area, when we knew for certain that he Again I objected. "But the words and the LMS yet another. The LMS did keep Mara Vakula, we decided Laga-ani Dinana mean 'day of rest' was granted responsibility for much that we'd attend his mission." —and for them, that's Sunday." of the Papuan coast, including the About two years ago Pastor Ross Again the pastors made it clear to eastern section, where Kualua and James visited Australia, and I met me that we weren't using Adventist his family lived. him at the retired workers' meetings terminology. We were simply using When the first LMS missionaries at the Waitara church in Sydney. I the name in the Motu language for came to the Aroma coast, they were asked him if he recalled the events the day known in English as Satur- amazed to find that the locals fol- I've outlined. day. lowed a weekly cycle, and that the Pastor James's face lit up. "Cer- That staggered me. So I asked seventh day of each week was set tainly. I remember that day well. I about the local Aroma language. aside as the Laga-ani Dinana or remember Kualua and his family, "What name does it give for Satur- Mara Vakula. and how the work in the Aroma dis- day?" The day wasn't a worship day. trict opened up when they discov- "In the Aroma language the Rather, it was a day of no work. If ered that I worshiped on the day name for Saturday is Mara Vakula, there was to be a village discussion, that traditionally had been their day this was the day. So while there of rest." By Lester N. Hawkes, who was a mis- were often meetings on Saturdays, So I had confirmation of Kualua's sionary to Papua New Guinea for they weren't really religious meet- story from the pastor involved. Un- many years before his retirement. ings. fortunately, it never occurred to me Adapted with permission from the The LMS missionary told the peo- to ask Pastor James just what year South Pacific Division Record. ple that they were quite correct in this incident happened. However,

18 (610) ADVENTIST REVIEW, JUNE 8, 1989 according to the Seventh-day Ad- kaka language, in the bush areas be- what the older names were. But ventist Encyclopedia, page 957, he hind Hula, used the word Koe Pog- when I spoke with the patriarchal began his work in Aroma in Decem- Ma, which again indicates a "day to group, it was different. ber of 1931 —a mere 15 years before cease labor." The older people were thrilled to my wife and I took up work among But only once did I find a lan- think that someone knew words the Aroma people. guage in which the word had a ves- from their own language —even tigial meaning of worship. I was dis- though they had ceased to be used. A Day to Do Nothing cussing with Pastor Yori Hibo the And they confirmed again that it Naturally, after talking with languages in the area behind Port was true: in earlier times they had Kualua I developed deep interest in Moresby. There the traditional abstained from normal garden work the matter of a traditional day of rest name for the seventh day is trans- on the seventh day. among the Papuan people. As I lated, in the main, as "day of rest" They told me that it had been an moved around and met people in a —but it does carry the connotation enjoyable rest day. Occasionally position to give further information, of worship as well. they'd go fishing on the seventh I found, for instance, that in the The last time I was in the Aroma day. Or they'd hold a village con- Domara district, 18 miles (30 kilome- district, in 1980, I found that among ference. Or they'd do whatever ters) or so east of Aroma, the local the younger generation there was no struck their fancy at the time. But I people had also observed the seventh knowledge at all of the old words. could detect no suggestion at all that day as a "day to do nothing." They've now slipped from use. The it was considered a day for worship. In the Hula area the language in- people have used the English names Still, to find a group with knowl- cluded the name Puka Omana, for the days of the week (Sunday, edge of a weekly cycle was amazing which again translates "day of rest" Monday, etc.) for so long that the enough, for there's no natural phe- or "day to do nothing." The Papa- younger generation doesn't know nomenon to indicate a week. The sun indicates the year. The moon marks out the month. But nothing marks out a week. The week must have been handed down to them from the distant past —too far back for anyone to know Radio when and where. For their forebears to have selected the idea of one day In Pietarsaari, in the in that week to be set aside for dif- Boosts Swedish-speaking sec- ferent activity was a further inter- tion of Finland, a radio sta- esting point. But the selection of the Literature tion features a program seventh day of the week to be the through which listeners day that was different from the rest may buy or sell items by of the week has to be more than co- Sales calling the station. One incidence. November morning our lo- I can only assume that the origin cal literature evangelist heard a lady call the station to ask of this Papuan rest day dated far where she could buy The Bible Story books. back into antiquity, back beyond the Immediately the literature evangelist called the station and time of Christ, maybe even back to told the speaker she had the set plus a smaller set, My Bible the dispersion of the nations at the Friends. The speaker announced her phone number. time of the Tower of Babel. Soon the telephone began to ring. She received 10 calls that The concept of the seventh day of day and many orders! the week as a "set-aside day" is Because many of the calls came from the village of Larsmo, found in many languages. For ex- the following week the literature evangelist went there. At ample, some European languages Larsmo and nearby villages she has sold 40 sets of Adventist refer to Saturday as Sabado or some books since the radio program. A few weeks after the pro- variant of the word Sabbath. But it gram, the wife of the Lutheran minister of Pedersore called came as a surprise to me to find the to order four sets of The Bible Story for different institutions same thought reflected in the lan- in the area. guages of one of the world's more isolated areas, an area where it was By Esa Rouhe, assistant news editor, Finland SDA Church. obvious that the concept of a week and a weekly day of rest couldn't have been introduced by Christian missionaries.

ADVENTIST REVIEW, JUNE 8, 1989 (611) 19 Harare, Zimbabwe, with a total membership of 1,800. Blind Pastor Helps During the Harvest 90 campaign, Pastor Phiri has had a yearly bap- tism goal of 300. During 1988 he Hundreds See Jesus reached that goal by the end of May. He may be handicapped, but he is nampton Phiri, a Malawian Phiri is fortunate to have a very certainly harvesting! Liby birth, has lived most of his life special wife, Juliet, who graduated Not only has Phiri had to develop in Zimbabwe, Africa. Becoming from Solusi with a two-year minis- his memory more than the average blind at the age of 2, he attended a terial diploma. She is employed by person, but he has also developed primary school for the blind, did his the church, and also preaches. Juliet his talent for singing. Inspired early secondary schooling by correspon- helps her husband train church of- in life by the Kings Messengers dence, and ficers as they conduct seminars and quartet from South Africa, he cur- struggled for a other important meetings together. rently sings with a mixed choir, college degree Between them, they are responsible which he also trains. Many count it in a school not for four churches and seven compa- a privilege to hear this man raise his geared toward nies in and near the capital city of voice in praise to God. blind students. Although this was not easy, he persevered because he Youth Witness at Skiing Event wanted to "work for the The world championship com- very positive. City officials Lord." I petition in Nordic skiing showed their approval of the Today, Phiri brought about 100 sportsmen project by granting financial aid. has his bache- and other team members to One large family had come to lor's degree in Lahti, Finland, this past Febru- Lahti from different parts of Fin- theology from ary. Because Finnish skiers won land. They came to the tent, Solusi College three times in the first competi- tasted the cereal, and were of- in Zimbabwe. tion, a great crowd of spectators fered the massage. "This was the He has worked also descended upon Lahti. Ad- best thing we found at Lahti," one year with ventist youth saw the event as an they said as they left the tent. the blind and opportunity to serve the people, Prior to the event, the young Dampton Phiri spent another and evangelize, as well. people secured copies of Steps to year as a secondary school boarding About 1,500 feet from the ski- Christ in different languages, in- master. For the past four years he ing stadium, the youth pitched cluding Russian, German, and has worked as a Seventh-day Ad- an army tent with a sign inviting French. These were left in places ventist pastor, being ordained in people to step in and warm where they would be available to 1988. themselves by the stove. They the sportsmen, such as in their Pastor Phiri receives materials offered free warm juice and Ad- rooms. This was done in cooper- and articles in braille from five or- ventist health food supplied by ation with the chaplains of the ganizations. After preparing his ser- Finn-Nutana, the Adventist world championships. mons, he preaches from memory. food company of Finland. The The Adventists in Lahti will He also gives Bible studies from young people talked with those occupy a new church building in memory, with some notes typed in who came, giving them litera- a few months, situated just across braille. Pastor Phiri dictates to his ture, health magazines, Voice of the street from the sports village. fellow helpers who then read for Prophecy cards, and Steps to The world championship orga- him. Christ if they showed an inter- nizers wanted to use the church The pastor conducts church est in God. Physiotherapists for worship, but had to be told board meetings and he baptizes. even offered a free shoulder that it would not be ready in Church elders or young people take massage. time. him on his visitation rounds, usu- The tent remained open for ally traveling by foot. four days, 24 hours a day. The By Esa Rouhe, assistant news reaction of the people proved editor, Finland SDA Church. By Janice Erntson, secretary, Zam- besi Union.

20 (612) ADVENTIST REVIEW, JUNE 8, 1989 I guess that's probably where I got my start." Since that humble begin- Head Dedicates Hand ning she has made more than 1,000 quilts. She plans to keep on sewing as long as she can. "I've already and Heart to Helping started again. I have two or three quilt tops in my room right now, Nonagenarian makes quilts for neglected teens. and I'll be putting a back on them soon. I'm going to save them for someone who needs them." mma Head, a 93-year-old resi- time how the materials looked to- Mrs. Head said her favorite quilt Edent of the Roswell, New Mex- gether and whether her work was pattern is called "brick" or "post- ico, Nursing Home, labored good enough," said Amos. card" because the material is cut in diligently for three months "She's not doing it just to be a rectangular shape that reduces to make 12 quilts for doing something; she's the amount of sewing. Quilts made youngsters at the thinking about the with this pattern are also stronger nearby Assurance needs of others. and can stand up to more wear and Home. She had We're very proud tear. heard about the of her accomplish- "People don't make quilts like abused and neglected ments." they used to. Most folks back then teenagers at the home Mrs. Head revealed didn't have the money to buy a and wanted to do some- that she has loved to sew quilt. Most of us made our own thing for them. since she was 10 years old. clothes, too. We had lots of material "The young people are very "Mother taught us to make our scraps and didn't let anything go to appreciative anytime people do own underwear out of flour sacks. waste." things for them and show they care," said Ron Malone, executive director. "I know they will like the CAREERS IN DENTISTRY quilts—they are so beautiful. She re- ally surprised us by this great act of SEMINAR kindness." July 9 - 13, 1989 Mrs. Head told Malone she would be glad to make even more quilts for the home. "Just call and tell me how Is the Careers in Dentistry Seminar for you? many you need and I'll make them for you," she offered. She also gave • If you are interested in Dentistry or Dental Hygiene the seminar gives Malone some linen napkins to take the opportunity to determine if the dental field is for right for you. to the children. Dolly Amos, activities director at • It shows you — through lectures, laboratory experience, and clinical obser- the nursing home, said Mrs. Head vation — exactly what is required to receive a degree in Dentistry or Dental delighted everyone with her pile of Hygiene. quilts. "She cut and sewed every day for three months. I didn't know • It delivers the present and the future of dentistry, as well as the relation- if she would be able to finish them ship between Dentistry and Dental Hygiene. all. She said she was going to make one for each child. She continued For further information, call 1-800-422-4558. until she completed her task." Mrs. Amos said the elderly woman en- A fee of $50 will cover the seminar, materials, and the joys making quilts for people and farewell supper. Housing is provided on campus for an ad- will doubtless continue making ditional $50. them for others who need them. Pride in Helping Loma Linda University "It is her life; she takes pride in School of Dentistry her work. She kept asking the whole Loma Linda, California 92350 By Don Welch, Roswell, New Mex- ico, church.

ADVENTIST REVIEW, JUNE 8, 1989 (613) 21

BULLETIN BOARD

Reginald Dietel Rice, Jr., to serve in medical elec- Adventist Volunteer Service To New Posts tive service, Scheer Memorial Hospital, Kathmandu, Regular Missionary Service Nepal, of Loma Linda, California, left April 8. Cameron Jay Johnson, to serve in medical elec- Harold G. Moore, to serve in medical elective Nick Allen Walters, to serve in medical elective tive service, Scheer Memorial Hospital, Kath- service, Scheer Memorial Hospital, Kathmandu, service, Bangkok Adventist Hospital, Bangkok, mandu, Nepal, of Loma Linda, California, left Nepal, of Redlands, California, left April 7. Thailand, and Phosfe (Ornopia) Walters, of Loma April 8. Rebecca Eileen Piatini , to serve in medical elec- Linda, California, left April 10. John Lee, to serve in medical elective service, tive service, Bella Vista Hospital, Mayaguez, Puerto Seoul Adventist Hospital, Seoul, Korea, of Loma Rico, of Loma Linda, California, left April 7. National Returning Linda, California, left April 9. Phyllis Gertrude Reid, to serve as director of Pymart Manunkittiwongsa, to serve as director, Eugene Harold Lickey, to serve as guest conduc- nursing, Karachi Adventist Hospital, Karachi, Pa- Public Relations/Marketing departments, Bangkok tor at hymn festivals/choral clinics, Seventh-day kistan, and Thaddeus Reid, of Sherwood Park, Al- Adventist Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand, left April Adventist Mission of Singapore, Singapore, of Cal- berta, Canada, left April 10. 13. istoga, California, left April 17. Obituaries FARLEY, Ida Elcy —b. Feb. 26, 1889, Wenham, (SPECIAL Mass.; d. Jan. 5, 1989, Bellevue, Mich. She taught school for two years before serving with her hus- band, Richard F., a minister and Bible teacher in PEOPLE Virginia, New Jersey, Maryland, and Ohio. Survi- vors include three daughters, Anna Belcher, Evelyn Conkell, and Mabel Cowling; one son, William; eight grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

HARTIN, Lewis Herbert—b. June 1, 1894, Monc- ton, N. B.; d. Dec. 23, 1988, Sidney, B. C. He taught for nearly 50 years at various Adventist academies and colleges in the United States, including Atlan- tic Union College, , and Ca- nadian Union College. He wrote the commentary on Corinthians for The SDA Bible Commentary. Sur- vivors include his wife, Elsie.

HEMPEL, Arthur E.—b. Oct. 17, 1904, Seattle, A Wash.; d. Jan. 30, 1989, Yountville, Calif. He was a teacher and dean of boys at Mount Ellis Academy. He and his wife served in the Inter-American Di- vision—in Trinidad, and Barbados, where he be- Why Did We Go? came president of Leeward Islands Conference. In "I went with my parents to India when I was 5 1944 he returned to the United States, where he subsequently pastored in Idaho, British Columbia, years old," Dennis writes, "and lived there until I and southern California. Survivors include his reached adulthood. There I had seen real needs and wife, Evelyn; one son, Arthur, Jr.; one brother, real challenges, and so decided to rejoin my heart Melvin; and 7 grandchildren. in the Third World. In college my wife and I set our JOYCE, Samuel Graham—b. May 8, 1896, Porta- sights on this goal, and we have never looked back. down, Ireland; d. Jan. 23, 1989, Fortuna, Calif. For "Our work among the Karen people has required 40 years he served as a pastor-evangelist in the British Isles, Ireland, Canada, and Michigan. After establishing jungle schools and clinics, finding vol- retirement in 1960, he continued pastoring in Cal- unteer workers, training health workers, organiz- ifornia. Survivors include his wife, Mabel Grace; ing members into churches, and locating pastors to three sons, Dennis, Allen, and Donald; two daugh- ters, Molly Brown and June Graubard; 17 grand- shepherd them. children; and numerous great-grandchildren. "We are happy where the Lord has now placed us, and we would be happy to continue serving Him SHEPARD, Alice Catherine—b. Feb. 19, 1899, Saugatuk, Mich.; d. Jan. 31, 1989, Loma Linda, here." Dennis and Lila Tidwell with their two children Calif. For 44 years she served as a teacher and prin- began their mission career in 1973. cipal, including positions as director of elementary education at Broadview College, Union College, and Madison College; dean of women at Atlantic If you wish further information about mission service, please Union College; and hospital hostess and reception- write to: G.C. SECRETARIAT INFORMATION SERVICE ist at White Memorial and Madison hospitals. She 6840 Eastern Avenue NW., Washington, D.C. 20012. retired in 1971. Survivors include one brother, Hi- land A. Please indicate your (1) profession and years of experience, (2) highest academic degree and/or licensure, (3) marital status, (4) type of service interest (regular employment or short-term Volunteers Needed volunteer service). G.C. SECRETARIAT Volunteers to teach conversational English and engage in other helpful activity are needed in Asia, INFORMATION Africa, Middle East, Taiwan, and China. For more SERVICE information call (301) 680-6000, or write, Adventist Youth Service Office, 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20904-1608.

22 (614) ADVENTIST REVIEW, JUNE 8, 1989 LETTERS

Debate Continues from College of Medical Evangelists? Reader interest in the new AHS CARROL GRADY The proposed salaries of admin- wage scale is high. So far, 37 letters Washington, D.C. istrators are small enough when you have come in. Two favor the in- consider what a great difference is crease and 35 oppose it. Editors made by educated, committed indi- After reading the news report on AHS administrators and con- viduals in contrast to the mediocrity the AHS wage scale debate (Apr. gresspersons seem to have one thing we saw in the past, and as we con- 20), I read the beautiful profiles of in common—a desire for huge in- tinue to see in Adventist hospitals the Far Eastern Division nurses Ger- creases in pay for less-than-stellar job over much of the rest of the world. trude Green and Nantje Twijnstra in performance. The WILLIAM A. ILES "A Lifetime Is Not Long Enough," American people Orlando, Florida by Terrie Dopp Aamodt. put an abrupt In the same issue you published end to the con the article "If I Were a Rich Man gressional pay in- The action taken by the General . . . ," by John M. Fowler, and Tony crease. AHS ad- Conference Spring Meeting brought Campolo's "Which Jesus . . . ?" ministrators ap- grief to my heart for two reasons: Were these three features your sub- pear to have been First, the realization that the denom- liminal answer to the AHS debate, more successful in ination's medical missionary work in or am I giving you more credit than convincing the GC Committee of their North America has died and been re- you deserve? BOB EDWARDS need for a 42 percent pay increase! placed by an equity interest in a Malibu, California AHS executives can now be paid up to deeply indebted "system" within the five times the salary of the president of high-risk health industry. (I under- the General Conference. One wonders stand that AHS has a debt of about where the line is drawn between need $1.5 billion—which equals about The Adventist Review stated that and greed. 200 percent of its equities—and that AHS salaries come entirely from W. R. JONES Ooltewah, Tennessee less than 5 percent of its employees AHS revenues. Wrong. These sala- are Seventh-day Adventist.) ries originate mainly from the pock- Second, that our church leader- ets of taxpayers and patients. At a time when salaries for some ship chose to ignore the basic Chris- STEVE RIEHLE tian principle of self-denying ser- Santa Maria, California missionaries are being reduced, the pockets of a select few are being vice found in the Bible and Ellen silver-lined. FRED E. SCHLEHUBER White's writings. Retired Missionary DANIEL E. HERZEL, CPA AHS is big business any way you Harrison, Arkansas Washington, D.C. look at it. AHS leaders want to run it like a big business in order to com- pete. I want to urge the church lead- After reading the report, I mentally ers to allow this by giving serious I heard in the news that the gov- went to a statement God's penwoman consideration to reorganizing AHS ernor of Ohio receives a salary of wrote: "We are not to follow the prac- as an independent, private, profit- $65,000 a year. I doubt he receives a tices followed by worldly physicians oriented entity. Cut all formal ties "competitive community" rate. for gain. . . . God is not deceived by with the church and let AHS chart PASTOR LARRY D. MAYS the plea that worldly customs have its own course. JOHN ANDERSON Lucasville, Ohio been conformed to for the sake of ob- Lodi, Texas taining patronage and gaining a standing. . . . He has not given any man license to rob another man of his Just as in the days of J. H. Kellogg, How ironic that the news regard- money because he can do this under the tail is wagging the dog. ing the salary increase for AHS top the name of medical missionary ART MILLER, M.D. administrators appeared in the work" (Letter 8, 1901). Days Creek, Oregon same issue as "Which Jesus Do You The laypeople of the Adventist Believe In?" The $150,000 annual Church long for more church lead- salary and bonuses for the presi- ers who will stand for principle and Maybe it's time the entire hos- dents of our largest hospitals could not for expediency. True mission- pital system, including doctors be viewed as "conspicuous con- aries are never bought. The church and nurses, got back to the medi- sumption" by the homeless and will sadly regret the decision of the cal missionary concept. Did this those struggling to survive on the small majority. whole problem start when Loma minimum wage. MARGIE JOHNS SHERMAN A. NAGEL, M.D. Linda University changed its name Mount Juliet, Tennessee Angwin, California.

ADVENTIST REVIEW, JUNE 8, 1989 (615) 23 REFLECTIONS DIRECT LIGHT iust outside the chain-link fence garden with its earliest rays, warm- Perhaps there was a spiritual les- Jthat marks our family's suburban ing the earth while the dew still glis- son in the fact that God made it nec- lot is a 20- by 100-foot garden plot tens on their leaves. essary for the Israelites to gather we borrow from the vacant field I've pondered the parallels be- manna early in the morning. "Morn- next to us. The first year we raised tween the growth of those plants in ing by morning they gathered it, each a garden, it was only 10 feet wide, my garden and the spiritual growth as much as he could eat; but when the but it has crept westward a foot or of Christians. Many Christians are sun grew hot, it melted" (Ex. 16:21, two each spring. "planted" at the same time. They RSV). My own experience has been When the Oregon spring rains sprout within the garden of the that I had better gather my heavenly abate long enough for the ground to church family, receive the same in- manna first thing or the heat of the dry, I rototill the soil to a fine moist struction in Sabbath school and Bi- day's activities melts away further bed for planting seeds. The rows run ble classes. They rub shoulders with opportunities. east to west. The young plants break other Christians and generally grow The text also tells me this is a through the ground and for the first up in "the light" of the church. daily matter; I can't "tank up" one week stand the same height the en- Yet some Christians flourish, morning and go for several days be- tire length of the rows. But then the fore needing a refill. differentiation begins. I've noticed "Consecrate yourself to God in it year after year. the morning; make this your very The plants at the western end of hi- are first work," Ellen White once wrote. the rows grow taller, greener, and "This is a daily matter. Each morn- sturdier. At the end of four weeks some plants ing consecrate yourself to God for they are twice as tall as the plants that day." nearest the fence. By harvesttime in my garden She also said: "As the flower the ears of corn at the western end of turns to the sun, that the bright the rows are plump and full. The so puny? beams may aid in perfecting its pitiful plants next to the fence are so beauty and symmetry, so should we underdeveloped as to be worthless. turn to the Sun of Righteousness, Why are they so puny? that heaven's light may shine upon The soil next to the fence is the while others merely exist. Some us, that our character may be devel- same; it gets rototilled as well and bear much fruit of the Spirit. God's oped into the likeness of Christ." 2 receives the same amount of fertil- love flows out of their lives in caring Observing both garden and sacred izer as the western edge. The eastern actions and in the shouldering of writings leads me to conclude that end probably gets more water be- church responsibilities. But others it's the direct light, first thing in the cause the hose reaches it easier. And need constant encouragement. morning, that makes both plants plants at both ends of the rows re- They seem barely able to hang on to and Christians robust, bursting with ceive the same amount of daylight their own experience, let alone have growth and bearing much fruit. ❑ and darkness. anything left over to share. Is the crucial difference the expo- Steps to Christ, p. 70. Crucial Difference sure to the direct light of God first 2 Ibid., p. 68. The only difference, and appar- thing in the morning, basking in His Jim Robertson ently it is the crucial difference, is presence, soaking up the warmth teaches Bible that the plants closest to the fence and life He brings? Is personal time at Portland Ad- don't receive the direct morning alone with God what makes Chris- ventist Acad- sunlight. They are shaded by shrubs tians flourish? emyin Portland, planted inside the yard next to the "Morning by morning he wakens, Oregon. fence. By contrast, the sun reaches he wakens my ear to hear as those the plants on the western edge of the who are taught" (Isa. 50:4, RSV). BY JIM ROBERTSO\ 24 (616) ADVENTIST REVIEW, JUNE 8, 1989