KELLOGG REVISITED • BELIEVERS IN BEIJING

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WEEKLY NEWS AND INSPIRATIO

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LE 1 I ERS

Upside Down am grateful to the Adventist Review and another very significant change. Thank you for the challenge of to Gordon Bietz for "Turning the World Accepting the fact of pluralism in our "Turning the World Upside Down" Upside Down." He is a conference church is helpful in preventing schis- (Aug. 18). Along with a needed prayer president who knows the gospel is matic fragmentation of the church. for revival and reformation, it is time about actually changing the world, not Although this is inevitable in most that an earnest plea go up to God for a just touching up the veneer. He knows, organizations that develop a large mem- vision to match the hour to which the too, that without constant renewal of bership, I feel that this has been kept to church has come. vision we will simply perish as a peo- a minimum. Perfectionism is indeed Proverbs 29:18 cautions us that ple. being addressed. I do like the emphasis "where there is no vision, the people Similar convictions drive others in that I read in our literature. We are per- perish." Those words have great signifi- the church—and should drive us all! fect in Christ. cance for more than just the "lost" in Charles Scriven, President A more realistic concept of the con- the world. They have deep meaning, Columbia Union College tributions of Ellen G. White has been too, for those of us who peer out Takoma Park, Maryland noted. Her literary dependence on other through our stained-glass windows. The fine authors is accepted. This has been settling of the American continent OnLine Edition a forward thrust. called for men and women to match the We at the little church of Fremont, Calling attention to our weaknesses mountains. The heralding of God's last Michigan, pray that you will not stop as a church—including divorce, child call to Planet Earth demands no less making the OnLine Edition videos, abuse, adultery, crises in Adventist vision and devotion. because we cannot afford the satellite families, etc.—has been frank and of May God grant His remnant church a NET '95. Mr. and Mrs. Sham Gill importance to the edifying of the body clear perspective with respect to our Newaygo, Michigan of Christ. Acting as though these prob- present duty and a zeal to execute it that lems do not exist is tantamount to living will not flag until Jesus comes to claim We are receiving many letters along a lie. Christians certainly must not be His bride. Frank Stanyer these lines. But OnLine Edition and guilty of such. College Place, Washington WorldStory are still available via I disagree 100 percent with those who videocassette. The best programs from say that our church is going down the It is true that frequently we make every three months of satellite transmis- tube. We can thank God for the many "majors out of minors." When the love sion can be obtained each quarter on a positive changes that have taken place. and power of the gospel (the good news subscription basis. Call 1-800-901- Paul W. Jackson, M.D., F.A.C.S. that Jesus died for us) truly grip us, we 7171 or write Adventist Communication Chester, Pennsylvania will desire to walk closely in cadence Network, 12501 Old Columbia Pike, with Him in every respect, including Silver Spring, Maryland 20904. The church is made up of human beings biblical, not human-made, standards. with carnal natures, very much the "He that saith he abideth in him ought Changes in the Church same as those who made up ancient himself also so to walk, even as he I read "Reforming the Church" (Aug. Israel, who wandered through the walked" (1 John 2:6). 11) with intense interest. I have been a wilderness on their way to Canaan. Yes, a genuine Christian will see member of the church for 55 years. Within a year after the Exodus they had today's catastrophic and monumental Having attended three of our educa- built and worshiped a golden calf. needs and reach out in love to all, tional institutions, I have come to the Human carnality is no different today. which includes one's own life example conclusion that significant improve- Anything related to sin has a constant in conduct, decorum, and lifestyle. ments have occurred. deteriorating effect. This indeed turns our present world A greater gospel emphasis is being In my lifetime of promoting and "upside down." Henry A. Uhl made than in the past. The preaching of encouraging our beloved church, I have Chattanooga, Tennessee assurance of salvation is indeed a sig- been painfully aware of a constant drift- nificant plus for the church. I have ing of the members' spirituality. We noted a greater emphasis on studying hear so very few sermons today ringing Though called to be the remnant and to the Scriptures. We are also more cog- with Christian Adventism. With secu- walk the road that Jesus walked, the nizant of the error of proof-texting. larism and liberalism creeping stealthily church still exhibits an absolutely suffo- There is indeed a greater emphasis into our ranks, it may not be long until cating tendency to major in minors: on the salient doctrine of grace. The too many of us may be worshiping a while Rome burns, we haggle over jew- recognition that we are not saved by "golden calf." Ted Herr elry. lawkeeping—that saved people will Retired Pastor But not everywhere and not always. I want to be obedient out of love—is Sequim, Washington

2 (1090) ADVENTIST REVIEW, OCTOBER 13.1994

ADVENTIST 1'

OCTOBER 13, 1994

DEPARTMENTS ARTICLES

2 Letters ANCHORPOINTS 6 Newsbreak 8 Graves Will Open 18 Children's Corner Is death simply an inevitable part of living? The destiny of everyone who lives on Planet Earth? Or is it something more 21 The Way It Was than just a one-way ticket to a hole in the ground? 22 Bulletin Board by Greg A. King

23 Reflections EDITORS REPORT 16 "Do you want that with or with- 13 China—With Our Believers in Beijing-2 out?" EDITORIALS Join an associate editor on the church's first official visit to China in more than 45 years. Visit an Adventist church and 4 Kellogg Revisited hear the requests placed before the government and Protestant church leaders there. by Myron Widmer 5 Unloving Critics or Uncritical Lovers? LIFESTYLE 16 Decisions, Decisions NEXT WEEK "To be, or not to be." If only all our decisions were that simple! by Joyce Rigsby "Report on Annual 20 No fear! Council" Much of the WORLD REPORT agenda for next year's General Conference 20 Beyond Fear session will be For youth and young adults "it's a jungle out there." But after decided by this year's a taste of faith, what is there to fear? by A. Allan Martin Annual Council. Read about the issues that will be debated for the

next nine months. Cover photo by Dennis Crews

General paper of the MarliatIng Repieseidative manuscripts. Manuscripts must include Subscription queries and changes University Press and the Syndics of the Seventh-day Adventist Church Ginger Church address, telephone number, and Social Security of address: Call toll-free 1-800-456- Cambridge University Press 1961, 1970. number, where available. Notification of rejec- 3991 or 301-791-7000, ext. 2436. Reprinted by permission. Text credited to NN Editor Wiliam G. Johnsson Consulting Editors: Robert S. Folkenberg, tion may be expected only if accompanied by a are from the Holy Bible, New International Associate Editor Roy Adams Matthew Bediako, D. F. Gilbert, Robert J. stamped, self-addressed envelope. Address all The Adventist Review (ISSN 0161-1119) Version. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, Associate Editor Myron K Widmer lOoosterhuis A C. likCkre Kenneth J. Weider, editorial correspondence to 12501 Old is published 40 times a year, each International Bible Society. used by permission News Editor Carlos Medley Leo Ramiro CaVn B. Rol, G. Bach Ronson Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20904-6600. Thursday except the first Thursday of of Zandman Bible Publishers. Bible texts cred- Assistant Editor Stephen Chavez Special Contributor= Bryan Ball, M. E. Editorial office fax number (301)680-6638. each month. Copyright © 1994 Review ited to NRSV are from the New Revised Assistant Editor Kit Watts Cherian, P. D. Chun, Israel Leito, Edwin and Herald' Publishing Association, 55 Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © Editorial Assistant Ella Rydzewski Ludescher, J. J. Nortey, Jan Paulsen, L. D. Subscription prices: US$36.97 for 40 West Oak Ridge Drive, Hagerstown, 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of Administrative Secretary Chitra Barnabas Raelly, Ted N. C Wilson, Joao Wolff issues. US$48.97 for 52 issues. Add $10.20 Maryland 21740. Second-class postage the National Council of the Churches of Christ Editorial Secretaries Carol Jednaszewski African-Indian Ocean Editions Editor, postage for addresses outside North America. paid at Hagerstown, Maryland 21740. in the USA Used by permission. Bible texts -=.Lelra Japheth Agboka To place your order, send your name, Postmaster: send address changes to credited to RSV are from the Revised Standard Art Director Bill Kirstein Inter-American Edition Editor, Adalgiza address, and payment to your local Adventist Adventist Review, 55 West Oak Ridge Version of the Bible, copyright © 1946, 1952, Designer Steve Trapero Archbold Book Center or Adienfist Review Subscription Drive, Hagerstown, MD 21740. 1971, by the Division of Christian Education of Design Assistant Gen W. Busch South American Editions Editor, R. S. Desk, Box 1119, Hagerstown, MD 21741. the National Council of Be Churches of Christ Ad Sales Melynie Tooley Lessa, Portuguese. editor, Werner lityr, Swish Single copy, US$/25. Prices subject to change Texts credited to NEB are from The New in the U.SA Used by permission. Subscriber Services Larry Burrell To Writers: We welcome unsolicited without notice. English Bible. The Delegates of the Oxford Vol. 171, No. 41.

ADVENTIST REVIEW, OCTOBER 13, 1994 (1091) 3 EDITORIAL

Kellogg Revisited

ohn Harvey Kellogg stood only five Sanitarium a cutting-edge institution for with the central character, who is fic- Jfeet four inches tall, but by any histor- health care. With accommodations for tional, one finds Kellogg, his brother ical measure he was a towering figure. more than 1,000, its guest list was a Will, and other historical figures such as Controversial also—in his own time and, veritable Who's Who—John D. C. W. Post. Blurring the boundary in a surprising twist, again today. Rockefeller, J. C. Penney, Montgomery between history and fiction still further, Seventh-day Adventists look back on Ward, George Bernard Shaw, Dale the book reproduces photographs from Kellogg with mixed feelings in this Carnegie, Will Durant, Homer the Battle Creek San. 150th anniversary year. History tinges Rodeheaver, Bill Tilden, William An example: Boyle develops our assessment of this giant: his book Jennings Bryan, Ivan Pavlov, Thomas Kellogg's conflict with his ne'er-do-well The Living Temple, condemned by Edison, Eddie Cantor, Admiral Richard adopted son, George. George, it turns Ellen White because of its pantheistic Byrd, Luther Burbank, Booker T. out, was the arsonist behind the fires that ideas, but which Kellogg published Washington, Billy Sunday, Amelia destroyed the San and the Review and anyway; his bitter dispute with General Earhart, and more. And patient number Herald buildings in 1902. In an auda- Conference president A. G. Daniells; 100,000?—Wiliam Howard Taft, pres- cious final chapter, Kellogg catches his gaining control of the denomina- ident of the United States. George as he is about to torch the new tion's premier institution and wresting The separation of this institution and San and, after a fierce battle, drowns him it from the church; his repudiation of this man from the Seventh-day in a vat of macadamia butter! Ellen White's prophetic role; his being Fact: Kellogg did have an adopted disfellowshipped in 1907. son named George, who caused him It's difficult for us to give John What was he— much grief. But the real George had Harvey Kellogg his due. But the facts nothing to do with the fires, and died in of history are also these: Kellogg pos- 1966 (not 1907) in Flint, Michigan (not sessed marvelous gifts, ranging from crackpot or genius? Battle Creek). And no macadamias surgeon to inventor, educator, adminis- were involved. trator, writer, and public speaker. And I found The Road to Wellville tedious the leaders of society of his day recog- Adventist Church precipitated a crisis reading despite its startling turns of plot. nized them and came to him, making of proportions that we can hardly grasp But it obviously appeals to others, per- Battle Creek a mecca for the rich, the today. Our movement seemed ready to haps because it's the smoker's revenge, famous, and the powerful. split down the center, weakened beyond the backlash from lovers of steaks and During his long career Kellogg per- recovery. But at this time of grave oysters, martinis and champagne. formed more than 22,000 surgeries. stress, Ellen White brought counsels of Boyle's book lampoons John Harvey Respected by Drs. Charles and William hope. The church appeared about to Kellogg and what he stands for. He Mayo of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, fall, but it did not fall. comes across as the commandant of the 7. Minnesota, and by other prominent Now, nearly 90 years later, Kellogg food gestapo, the crazy inventor of physicians, Kellogg's skills were offi- is making waves again. He emerges in crazy foods and crazy machines. cially recognized by his election to the comic-sinister light in a novel set in And that is grossly unfair and untrue. American College of Surgeons. Battle Creek in 1907, The Road to Kellogg had his eccentricities and aber- Although his brother Will eventually Wellville, by T. Coraghessan Boyle rations, but overall he was no quack; he became czar of the breakfast cereal (Viking, 1993). The book sold well in was no charlatan. His major emphases industry, John Harvey was its inventor. hardcover and has progressed into have brought better health to millions. Cornflakes, peanut butter, caramel- paperback; now a movie by the same Hollywood should have a field day cereal coffee, and many other formu- name is about to appear. with The Road to Wellville. I prefer to las—about 80 in all—flowed from When friends from Loma Linda stick with the facts. Kellogg's creative mind. He singlehand- University sent me a copy of The Road edly changed the American breakfast. to Wellville last year, I read it with inter- Kellogg made the Battle Creek est—and growing frustration. Along WILLIAM G. JOHNSSON

4 (1092) ADVENTIST REVIEW, OCTOBER 13, 1994 EDITORIAL

kr. Unloving Critics or Uncritical Lovers?

ertain people are committed to dollar is being used exactly as it should The critical lover can see the ‘,....straighteningC out the church. They be. Our ministers—every last one—are church's negatives and its positives, its take pleasure in broadcasting the the best on the planet. They bring us pluses and its minuses, its triumphs and church's every weakness through let- meat in due season. "Adventist educa- its defeats. And though covering a mul- ters, pamphlets, cassettes, and video- tion does not cost," they say. "It pays!" titude of sins on the part of the church,' tapes. They even tip off the media when Our hospitals are the finest—all of the critical lover does not do so at the 14 problems arise in the church. They find them. Our local churches are all warm expense of honesty and integrity. joy in seeing the church's laundry and friendly. All our institutions are just The Old Testament prophets were washed all out in the open. great—from the local conference to the definitely members of this third cate- We might refer to these people as General Conference, handed down to us gory—people like Isaiah, Jeremiah, unloving critics of the church. For them from the Lord. Haggai, and Malachi. They did not V the church is up to no good. If the dis- These are the uncritical lovers of the mince words. And neither did their New cussion is about the tithe, then the church. Testament counterparts. Look at the church is not using it for the purpose People in this group never raise the writings of Paul or Peter or John. Jesus, intended. There is waste and misman- tough questions. They kowtow to the greatest of them all, also uttered the agement—even misappropriation. "superiors" and can't think of a single strongest denunciations of all—against Thousands of members, they claim, time when the church ever made a mis- an established church on the verge of have become disenchanted and are take. For as long as they can remember, collapse. "[He] did not suppress a word sending their funds elsewhere. Our they've been able to say a hearty amen of truth, but He uttered it always in schools, having thrown out the to every action or decision taken by love." And "tears were in His voice as blueprint handed down to us, are going "the brethren." He uttered His scathing rebukes,' the down the drains. They're expensive, tears of a critical lover of the church. worldly, mediocre. Our teachers are Critical Lovers Critical lovers of the church are eas- incompetent and unconsecrated. I picked up the idea for this editorial ily misunderstood. Their motives According to these critics, our col- from one of my professors way back at become suspect, not only by the other leges and seminaries are busy graduat- university. Like him, I find something two groups but also by the rank and ing ministers who cannot preach, give deeply troubling about both these file. Yet the church desperately needs Bible studies, or visit. The local church groups. On the one hand, the church, them if it is to move forward with is dead or dying. The church's lead- however imperfect, obviously could not strength and vision into the twenty-first ers—on all levels—are in it for show always have been wrong. And on the century, should time continue. and for the publicity it brings. It's all a other hand, however divine its origin, it Therefore, members of this group I power game. The local conference has simply does not do everything right. It should not give up in the face of suspi- no direction, and the union is no better. has always been the case that the Lord cion and misunderstanding. The target The General Conference is a bunch of works through imperfect human beings of their affection is worthy of all the mostly aging men with the word "pol- for the accomplishment of His will. pain they encounter. For "enfeebled and icy" written all over their bifocals, mak- So which of the two groups does the defective as it may appear, the church is • ing it impossible for them to see church need—unloving critics or the one object upon which God bestows anything else. uncritical lovers? The answer is neither. in a special sense His supreme regard."' For the unloving critic, a bleak future On the personal level, we eventually And so should we. lies ahead for us. The church has apos- tune out the person who is always criti- ' See I Peter 4:8. tatized. It's going to pot. cal. At the same time, the views of the Steps to Christ, p. 12. individual who always says amen to ' The Acts of the Apostles, p. 12. On the Other Side everything we say quickly become trite On exactly the opposite end of the and meaningless. N. spectrum is another group. For them the What we need, my professor sug- church can do no wrong. Every tithe gested, are critical lovers of the church. ROY ADAMS

ADVENTIST REVIEW, OCTOBER 13,1994 i 10931 5

• - • , r. •- ? p A 4 4 c WORLD CHURCH schools in the worldwide Adventist educational sys- Volcano Eruptions Affect Der.. Vic 40 tem, Rasi says. Papua New Guinea. Advent- ist-owned Sonoma College To New Positions. James in Papua New Guinea has M. Campbell, a pastor in become a temporary shelter The "Turma do Noguinho" characters, which represent Our Little Friend, the Washington Conference, for more than 2,000 refugees are the best attraction every year at the open house. recently was elected displaced by two volcanic Southern Asia Division sec- eruptions near Rabaul on the retary. He replaces Lowell island of New Britain, says Brazil Open House C. Cooper, who became an Ray Coombe, South Pacific associate secretary of the Division communication Sales Top $500,000 General Conference. A director. hen the Brazil Publishing House opened the doors for Before joining the Forty thousand inhabi- Wits annual open house sale on September 19, more than Washington Conference, tants were evacuated after 23,000 Adventists and guests stopped by the plant in Tatui. Campbell was president of the eruptions September 19. They came by cars, buses, and vans. They came to fellow- the Guam-Micronesia The library at the school has ship, witness, and above all shop for books, magazines, and Mission. been set up as an emergency pamphlets. By the end of the day the sales totaled more than Ronald Herr, chief hospital. US$500,000, says Rubens Lessa, editor of the Portuguese financial officer of the Church leaders believe edition of the Adventist Review. Loma Linda University that the Adventist mission The open house sale always has been a significant event in School of Medicine office, staff compound, pri- Brazil, Lessa says. It gives Adventists an opportunity for fel- faculty practice, recently mary school, and several lowship. Musical groups make the day a festive occasion, and was appointed director churches were heavily dam- the "Turma do Noguinho" characters, which represent Our of General Conference aged by the eruptions and 30 Little Friend, provide lively entertainment to thousands of Information Systems inches of fallen ash. young people. Services. Herr fills a The sale also provides publishing directors an opportunity vacancy created when New Adventist TV Station to recruit new literature evangelists for the current team of Lowell Witz became a Opens in Puerto Rico. The 6,000 in Brazil. computer consultant at first television station owned the GC. and operated by the Adventist Church in Puerto The attacks caused one have asked for police protec- Annual Sacrifice Offering Rico, went on the air death, says Humberto Rasi, tion, and plans are under Comes November 12. The September 10. Inter- director of the General way to build a security fence Annual Sacrifice Offering, a American Division president Conference Department of around the compound. major source of funding of Israel Leito appeared on the Education. Classes have the Adventist Church's station's inaugural broadcast. been suspended temporarily, SDA University Among Top Global Mission thrust, will The 14,000-watt TV sta- and faculty members have Schools in Korea. In an be received November 12 at tion was purchased by the been evacuated. evaluation of 131 colleges the end of the church's West Puerto Rico Conference On August 5, 20 individu- and universities in South annual Week of Prayer. The for the bargain price of als attacked students and fac- Korea, the Adventist-owned offering sponsors Global US$100,000. The facility has ulty members. Then on Korean Sahmyook Univer- Mission outreach initiatives a potential viewing audience August 30, between 50 and sity ranked ninth in the in unentered territories, as of more than 1 million. 100 assailants beat students country, says Humberto well as other world mission and national faculty mem- Rasi, director of the General projects. SDA Students, Faculty bers and destroyed some fur- Conference Department of Last year members gave Attacked in Bangladesh. niture and equipment on the Education. about $2.8 million for the Assailants attacked students campus. Harold Tichil, a The evaluation included a Annual Sacrifice Offering. and faculty members at maintenance worker, died study of facilities, faculty, Of this, $1.72 million went Bangladesh Adventist from severe injuries. programs, and finances. to Global Mission projects, Seminary and College on With 400 students on With nearly 2,600 students, and more than $1 million for August 5 and 30. campus, seminary officials KSU is one of the largest regular mission support. 6 (1094) ADVENTIST REVIEW. OCTOBER 13, 1995 NE WSBREAK

NORTH AMERICA Another Large Baptism Held in China To obtain an information packet with hotel listings, Two Conferences Begin eaders at the Adventist Church's world headquarters program, schedule, map, Refugee Ministries. The Lrecently learned that 2,300 Adventist believers were bap- and free tickets for Sabbath Florida and Southeastern tized in northern China in late July. lunch, write to 1844-1994, conferences have started According to Eugene Hsu, General Conference liaison with Adventist Review, 12501 immigration and refugee Adventist believers in China and secretary of the GC Eastern Old Columbia Pike, Silver assistance ministries in the Asia Committee, the large baptism took place despite many Spring, Maryland 20904- Miami area. logistical problems. People began arriving for the service at 6600. You must have a meal The Florida Conference 3:00 a.m., and by 7:00 a.m. the streets outside the church ticket to get a free Sabbath established an Office of were reported to be congested to the point that traffic could lunch. Be sure to wear Refugee Affairs in the Miami not get through. warm clothing. In 1844 it Central Spanish church. The The baptisms began at 6:30 a.m. and continued throughout was 52 degrees on office provides Adventist the two-day event, with an officiating elder and two deacons October 22. immigrants with food, cloth- or deaconesses actually immersing the candidates in water. ing, shelter, and assistance in Among the baptismal candidates were three with paraplegia. ALSO IN THE NEWS the immigration process, This baptism was similar to two other large baptisms held in says Richard O'Ffill, Florida the past two years. Most of the work is done by laypersons. Christians Win Battle Over Conference Community All Christian churches in China are officially organized Proposed EEOC Guidelines. Services director. under the Three-Self Patriotic Movement, which oversees all The United Equal Southeastern Conference Protestants. Specific denominations are not allowed in China. Employment Opportunity has started a Miami Adventist (For more information on Adventists in China, see an editor's Commission has withdrawn Community Services Center firsthand report beginning on page 13.) proposed guidelines that said with support from Adventist the expression of religion on Development and Relief the job could be considered Agency/North America. the first quarter of 1995 says the William Miller house, harassment, reports the Anyone interested in spon- Jose Rojas, youth director commemorates 150 years of Washington Post. soring refugees can help by for the North American God's leading in the The proposed guidelines calling (800) 253-3000. Division. Adventist Church. brought vigorous opposition Gente Joven is being spon- The first meetings will from some evangelical Adventist Chaplain Honored sored by the Hispanic begin at 7:00 p.m. on Christian groups that felt the by Non-SDA College. Faith Adventist Youth Directors' Thursday. On Sabbath the proposal jeopardized such Grant College in Association, the North meetings will begin at 9:00 witnessing activities as the Birmingham, Alabama, American Division Youth a.m. Children's spiritual pro- wearing of religious sym- recently honored Walter Department, and Pacific grams will be provided by bols and the sharing of one's Horton (see photo) with the Press Publishing Association. the New York Conference. faith. conferral of Copies of the magazine's The Adventist Communi- After Congress entered an honorary introductory brochure are cation Network broadcast the debate this past summer, Doctor of available by calling the NAD (galaxy 4, channel 9) will be the commission voted to take Divinity Youth Department at (301) from 4:00 to 5:30 on the guidelines out of consid- degree in 680-6434. Sabbath afternoon, with eration. The guidelines also July. General Conference presi- dealt with race, color, sex, Horton, an FOR YOUR INTEREST dent Robert S. Folkenberg national origin, age, and dis- Adventist chaplain at the speaking. ability, the Post says. Michigan State Reformatory Sesquicentennial in Ionia for 18 years, is the Commemoration Set for CHURCH CALENDAR longest-serving Adventist October. You are invited to correctional chaplain. the Hope Is Alive weekend Oct. 15 Spirit of Prophecy Day at the William Miller home- Oct. 21 Middle Atlantic Celebration of Recovery retreat Hispanic Journal to Be stead near Whitehall, New (for recovering alcoholics, drug users, and their Launched in 1995. A journal York, October 20-23. The families) begins at Washington Adventist Hospital for Hispanic Adventist youth weekend of meetings, to be in Takoma Park, Maryland (301) 384-8679. workers will be launched in held in a large tent next to Nov. 5 Week of Prayer begins

ADVENTIST REVIEW, OCTOBER 13,1995 (1095) 7 Graves Mill Open God's Plans Are Infinitely Superior to Human Inventions.

BY GREG A. KING

he epitaph engraved on These words attracted the sister, son or daughter—suc- a certain tombstone attention of someone who could cumb to the ravages of disease issues a challenge not resist a response. This per- or fall victim to an accident. Tfrom the deceased to son pulled out a black marker We want to know what has all passersby: and wrote on the gravestone: happened to our departed loved ones, don't we? Stop, my friend, as you To follow you, I'm not There is self-interest in- go by; content, volved as well. Not only do we As you are now, so once Until I know just where you want to know the situation was I; went. with our deceased; we also As I am now, you soon want to know what will even- will be, The uncertainty expressed by tually happen to us! Since So prepare yourself to this graffiti artist when contem- death awaits us all if time follow me. plating one's own death and its should last, each of us has a aftermath is not un- vested interest in the answer to usual. According to this question. the old axiom, death Finally, the answer to this is one of the two cer- question is important because tainties of life. Yet of the statement that it makes many people are about God. If love is the char- unsure of what hap- acteristic that most clearly and pens when we die. accurately defines God, as the They do not know the Bible asserts (1 John 4:8), then answer to the age-old His way of dealing with us question Where are when we die must be expres- the dead? sive of this characteristic. What happens to us in the It Matters to Each wake of death must in some of Us way proclaim God's incompre- This is not a trivial hensible, unmeasurable love. question. The answer we give to it is Mistaken Concepts important for several Unfortunately, the answers reasons: most often given to the ques- First, nearly all of tion of what happens at death us have lost some are not in harmony with the loved one to the cold Bible's teaching on the subject. embrace of death. It Many Christians mistakenly is hard to find anyone claim that each person has an who has not had a immortal soul that at death ti close friend or rela- goes immediately to its reward I tive—whether father or its punishment. At death, or mother, brother or claims this view, the soul of 8 (1096) ADVENTIST REVIEW, OCTOBER 13, 1994 the righteous is transported the second coming of Jesus But they do not have it yet. immediately to the blissful or during the resurrection of The Bible is crystal-clear as to delights of heaven; whereas the wicked at the end of the when this will happen. When that of the wicked plunges millennium (Rev. 20:4-6). the trumpet sounds, when the instantly into the fiery flames Only God is immortal. Only dead are raised, then and only of hell, there to endure eternal the Godhead (Father, Son, and then are the righteous clothed torment. Spirit) possess innate life— in immortality (1 Cor. 15:51- Another incorrect belief, one original, unborrowed, unde- 55). This will happen at the that is popular among New rived, unending. Speaking of second coming of Christ, when Age devotees and seems to be God, First Timothy 6:16 He comes in the clouds (1 steadily gaining adherents, is exclaims: "It is he alone who Thess. 4:13-18). But it is not that of reincarnation. Those has immortality" (NRSV). disembodied souls who hold to reincarnation This contrasts starkly with that will receive the maintain that humans existed the nature of humanity. We, gift. No. Paul pro- (perhaps as animals or some- unlike our Creator, are mortal. claims: "This perish- Death and thing else) prior to this life in We age. We die. We do not able body must put bodily form and will continue currently possess the gift of on imperishability, Resurreetion to exist after this life, also in immortality. and this mortal body The wages of sin is death. bodily form. In this scheme, must put on immor- But God, who alone is immor- life is unending, because a per- Is the Soul Independent tality" (1 Cor. 15:53, tal, will grant eternal life to son keeps returning after death, of the Body? NRSV). His redeemed. Until that day albeit in another body. While While recognizing the reality The wicked will death is an unconscious working as a chaplain at a state of death, many Christians never receive the state for all people. When hospital, I ministered to a man asset that we have an immortal gift of immortality. Christ, who is our life, who was convinced he had part of our being, called the Instead, they receive appears, the resurrected been a Nazi camp guard in a soul, capable of experiencing a the eternal punish- righteous and the living righ- previous existence. separate existence apart from ment (not eternal teous will be glorified and Yet another erroneous belief, the body. This idea is denied, punishing) of obliv- caught up to meet their Lord. held by many secular people in however, in Genesis 2:7, a text ion, consumed by The second resurrection, the the contemporary world, is that that is foundational to our God's earth-cleans- resurrection of the unrigh- death is the end. Period. No understanding of the scriptural ing flames at the end teous, will take place a afterlife. Nothing beyond the teaching regarding the nature of the 1,000 years thousand years later. (Rom. grave. The idea of life after of humanity. "And the Lord (Rev. 20:9). 6:23; 1 Tim. 6:15, 16; EccL death, since it is not empiri- God formed man of the dust of As for the nature of 9:5, 6; Ps. 146:3, 4; John cally demonstrable, must be the ground, and breathed into death, Scripture refers 11:11-14; Col. 3:4; 1 Cor. assumed to be false, they say. It his nostrils the breath of life; to it as a sleep (Ps. 15:51-54; 1 Thess. 4:13-17; is a relic from a prescientific and man became a living soul." 13:3; Jer. 51:39, 57). John 5:28, 29; Rev. 20:1- age, a vestige of a superstitious According to this passage, a Those who die are 10.)—F undamental Beliefs, and more gullible past. soul is what a person is when said to be sleeping (1 No. 25. that person's body is infused Kings 2:10; Dan. The Biblical Teaching with the breath of life. 12:2). Repeatedly, Scripture clearly presents (Interestingly enough, fish and this is the Biblical ter- death as an unconscious animals are also said to be minology. And it was Jesus' state. The dead are experi- "living souls" [see Genesis favorite way of referring to encing neither the joys of 1:20, 24, where the same death (see Matt. 9:24; John heaven nor the agonies of Hebrew term used in Genesis 11:11-14). When people are hell. Nor do they return to 2:7 to describe human beings asleep, they are not conscious this world in another body. is also used for these crea- of their surroundings or any- They are simply resting in tures]). Nowhere does Scrip- thing else. There is no part of the grave (Ps. 115:17; Rev. ture indicate that humans them that can float away and 14:13). That rest is not an receive a soul capable of exist- enjoy a separate existence. eternal one, however, as sec- ing separately and apart from They are unaware of events ularists believe. Rather, it the body. When the breath of that are happening and of the lasts until the Lord calls the life is no longer present, you passing of time. But the time dead to life again (Dan. no longer have a soul. finally comes for the one who 12:2)—either during the res- One day the righteous will is sleeping to awake. Thus the urrection of the righteous at receive the gift of immortality. metaphor of sleep is something

ADVENTIST REVIEW, OCTOBER 13, 1994 (1097) 9 all of us understand. the dangers of spiritualism. would themselves be unhappy At this time those sleeping Since the dead are uncon- in such a society. in their graves know and feel scious, unaware of what is nothing. But when heaven's transpiring on the earth, it is Restful Sleep alarm clock sounds in the form futile to attempt to contact Third, when we understand of God's trumpet, they will them. Furthermore, attempting that death is a restful sleep wake up. to communicate with the dead from which we who are God's is explicitly forbidden in children will awaken, it takes Why the Biblical View Scripture (Deut. 18:11; Isa. away the terror of it. Death is Is Better 8:19, 20). not a dread mystery, the great First, the biblical view Through such prohibitions unknown. Death is like a sleep, serves as a safeguard against God is trying to warn His and when we sleep we wake people of the dangers inherent up! This cannot be overempha- in such endeavors. There is a sized. Since they have the spirit world all right, but its assurance that the sound of How to Present citizens are not our departed God's trumpet will pierce their loved ones. Rather, they are ears on resurrection morning, Nonimmortality to Others fallen angels, described in the children of the Lord can BY GREG A. KING Scripture as "the cosmic pow- die with the same degree of ers of this present darkness," calm and confidence as when It is an extremely sensitive matter to present the "the spiritual forces of evil in they retire for the night. doctrine of the state of the dead to people who have the heavenly places" (Eph. been taught that their loved ones are already in 6:12, NRSV). These beings A Foretaste of the heaven. However, the degree of difficulty can be would love nothing more than Resurrection diminished if the following points are emphasized: to lead us to spiritual ruin. If there is one story in the 1. The commonality of the doctrine. The view of The biblical view of the con- Gospels that most clearly pre- conditional immortality and the unconscious state of dition of humans in death sents the truth about death, the dead is much more common than many people helps shield us from their Jesus' reaction to it, and His realize. It is not some novel interpretation of clutches. ultimate plan for His faithful Scripture invented by Seventh-day Adventists in the Second, the biblical view children who rest in the grave, it nineteenth century. Down through history a number protects us from the miscon- is that found in John 11. A terri- of prominent Christians have maintained this view ception of God's character that ble sadness permeated the home (see question 44, "Champions of Conditional is apt to arise over the teaching of Mary and Martha. Their Immortality Span the Centuries," in Questions on of eternal torment. Many peo- brother, Lazarus, had just died. Doctrine, pp. 567-609). The belief is also currently ple have decided that they How they missed him! Until gaining adherents in wider Christian circles. want nothing to do with a God late in the night they conversed 2. The comfort of the doctrine. It can be quite who takes those who choose about the treasured memories comforting for people to learn that their departed not to serve Him, casts them they had of their brother, savor- loved ones are in a state referred to by Jesus as into the flames of hell, and ing everything they could recall sleep. It means that they are not aware of the trials roasts them forever in its about him. But special memo- and travails of the living. This can bring a calm inferno—preserving them so ries did not suffice for the warm serenity to the bereaved. the torture can continue. reassuring presence of the 3. The Christ-centeredness of the doctrine. The Thankfully, this is not brother whom they had loved so center of this doctrine, as of all biblical doctrines, is taught in Scripture. As the dearly, and every conversation Jesus. Therefore, any presentation of the topic most famous verse in the Bible left them mourning his death. should conclude by accentuating the wonderful tells us, those who do not They sobbed and sobbed until it future God has in store for His sleeping children. It receive eternal life will perish, seemed that there were no tears should highlight those glorious words Jesus spoke not suffer forever (John 3:16). left. both before Lazarus' resurrection (John 11:25) and They are devoured by God's But then something hap- immediately after His own (The Desire of Ages, p. cleansing flames (Rev. 20:9), pened that brought a glimmer 780): "I am the resurrection, and the life." It should not left to scream in anguish. of hope to their hearts. Jesus underscore that death is unable to separate anyone God sadly gives them what arrived. At long last He had from God's love (Rom. 8:38, 39). And make sure that they have chosen, leaving come. Mary and Martha your final words are not about death, but about them outside the heavenly weren't exactly sure what Jesus, the Life-giver! city, for they would destroy Jesus would do, but His mere the peace and harmony of presence comforted them. heaven if allowed in, and Jesus always draws near to 10 (1098) ADVENTIST REVIEW, OCTOBER 13, 1994 comfort the mourning. The A rustling sound came from dren who have been laid to rest bereaved are never left to inside the cave, and the one will hear that voice and spring to grieve alone. who had been dead emerged— life. What happened at the grave After meeting privately with alive, healthy, vigorous. What of Lazarus is a microcosm, a Martha and Mary, Jesus was a wonderful reunion with fam- foretaste, of what will happen on escorted to the sepulcher. At ily and friends! What lengthy a worldwide scale when Jesus this point something occurred embraces! What tears of happi- comes again. Caskets will split that surprises some people, ness! What indescribable joy! open, God's faithful sons and described in one of the shortest daughters will spring forth. verses in the Bible: "Jesus ust as the story of Lazarus There'll be hugs and tears all wept" (John 11:35). Yes, He Jdid not end with his death around as we are united with our cried. Huge tears rolled down or the grief of his friends, so loved ones again! His cheeks. He grieved over the final chapter in the What a reunion! What a the anguish of His friends. Our account of each of God's day! risen Lord weeps today at deceased children does not every funeral. His heart is end with death or the sorrow touched. It pains Him to see us of their loved ones. To the Greg King is stricken with grief. contrary, our final chapters assistant pro- But the Lazarus story are yet to be written. fessor of bibli- doesn't end with tears. The same voice that pierced cal studies at "Lazarus, come out!" pro- the ears of the dead Lazarus will Pacific Union claimed Jesus loudly after the soon shout again, "Come out!" College, An- stone had been rolled away. At that time all of God's chil- gwin, California.

VOICES OF ADVENTIST 111TH With each AnchorPoint we will run a cross section of Adventist voices responding to the topic presented or one related to it. Question: How do you relate to death?

Leo Garbutt, 57 Kenneth E. Daniel, 49 Manuel Alva, 33 George Tasker, 34 Denise Medley, 40 Orthopedic Surgeon Business Owner Physician Graduate Computer Student Reading Specialist Springdale, Arkansas Niles, Michigan Elk Grove Village, Illinois Australia Silver Spring, Maryland To me, death is the When we die, we The Bible tells us that Once I was afraid of I view death as an logical end of life. God sleep. I have not experi- death is a state of death, but now I see it interlude between the gave us life, which was enced anything bad unconsciousness. I see more as a jump in time. innumerable "whys" to be eternal. Our fore- when I sleep. I didn't death as a momentary Now I die, and the next and the answers that fathers denied their know whether the time separation before eter- moment I awake to see Jesus will provide when Creator that joy and was long or short until I nity, only a few millisec- Jesus! As such, I believe I see Him face-to-face. invited death into the awoke. Sleep is the onds in the vastness of that in my moment-by- Death is also an inter- world. But we can interruption of con- God's universe. I am moment relationship lude between tearful expect life eternal sciousness. overjoyed that death has with Jesus there is noth- goodbyes and the glori- through faith in Jesus. already been conquered ing to fear. At this stage ous reunion with loved Until He grants us that by our Saviour. My I would only feel sorry ones and Jesus. privilege, death is but a father and a little sister for any family that I will temporary stay in our have died, but I thank leave behind. existence—a rest before God we will be together eternity. again.

ADVENTIST REVIEW, OCTOBER 13, 1994 (1099) 11 or years Carrol Johnson Shewmake wondered how Abraham knew it was FGod's voice asking him to sacrifice Isaac. Then the realization hit her—Abraham knew it was God's voice because he heard it every day. She longed to be able to hear and recognize God's voice in her own life and began a journey in learning to listen. In this book she shares practical ways you too can have a continual sense of God's presence and cultivate hearing His voice in your daily activities. Paper, 140 pages. US$7.95, Cdn$11.55.

Surrender When God Provides The Quote Book any Christians lack peace and ere's a collection of fascinating ems from the happiness because they stories from around the world of pen of Ellen G. White. Mmisunderstand what Jesus HGod's intervention. Several GThis little book brings meant when He instructed us to take up happened to Adventist pioneers. Others you more than 150 of Ellen our cross daily and follow Him. Gregory are contemporary examples of God's White's most powerful and Jackson explores what the "cross intervention in the lives of His followers. memorable sentence quotes. experience" really means, providing a Some are thrilling accounts of rescue, Accompanied by related Bible better understanding of how to yield each while others tell of God's protection over texts, they're filled with part of our life to God daily and lost property and endangered lives. Each wisdom, inspiration, and experience the perfect peace and joy that provides strong assurance that God is still encouragement. Paper, 160 comes from making Christ Lord of all. in control. By Adriel D. Chilson. Paper, pages. US$5.95, Cdn$8.65. Paper, 96 pages. US$7.95, Cdn$11.55. 142 pages. US$8.95, Cdn$13.00.

iz These Review and Herald® books are available at your local Adventist Book Center. Call 1-800-765-6955. Note: Canadian prices do not include GST and may vary according to currency fluctuation. ELTING—Sabbath dawns bright and clear, and soon we are surrounded by a sea of bicycles and cars on our way to Sabbath school and church. Questions begin to pop up. How many Adventist believers will be at this Sabbathkeeping con- gregation? How will they respond to 12 fellow Adventists from out- side China? How will we be able to communicate our deep joy over worshiping with them? Soon our questions get answered. We step from our van and are welcomed warmly by believers. They speak Chinese, and most of our group doesn't, but joyous smiles are the same in any language. We are ushered through a gate into a courtyard and to the sanctuary, where almost every seat—about 300—is filled. Everyone is singing enthusiastically. Next comes a spiritual message from a young adult and then Bible study. I stay at the back to take pictures and visit the children's Sabbath school rooms. As I turn to leave I listen for the usual children's singing to guide me to their classes, but I hear none. WITH OUR WAIVERS Walking through the courtyard, I look intently for the children. But I can't find them. IN 13EI7IN4 I ask a Chinese believer who understands some English where the children are. He tells me that they are in school, that government laws A firsthand report about Adventists and official meetings prohibit attempts to convert youth under the age of 18 (except at home by their parents). And with government and Protestant church leaders only recently has the six-thy-a-week schooling been dropped to five and a half days per week, allowing children some time free on Sabbaths. As I reenter the sanctuary and glance at the audience, I double-check to see if I had heard BEYOND ME GREAT correctly. And yes, I had—the audience is mostly older worshipers, and no youth are here. I am told that the "oldness" of the believers has resulted from decades of downplaying reli- gion in China—particularly during the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976), when religion was not wanted, all churches were closed, and many Christians were imprisoned. China has thus lost two or three generations of younger believers. When this oldness factor is added to the pro- hibition against attempting to convert youth, Christians here face difficult obstacles in sharing

BY MYRON itifiaMER

Top: For Sabbath morning Sabbath school and church about 400 Adventist believers and others packed the Beijing church and warmly welcomed PART 1. our 12-member Adventist delegation. Left: Adventist believers are happy and joyful for the freedom to worship and to study the Bible together. with joy! And the same joy is expressed in the faith. We will never know the full extent of the faces of several believers baptized by Elder Lee trials of these older Christians here . more than 45 years ago! As he preaches I hear a tremendous rustle of en we arrive Sunday morning at the paper from the audience. Looking closer, I find WhBeijing Christian church near Tianamnen that the believers are carefully looking up every Square, the church is already filled and over- Bible text mentioned! flowing with more than 1,200 worshipers, and For so many decades Chinese Christians the overflow crowd is watching on closed-cir- (now approximately 10 million) didn't have cuit television monitors outside. ready access to Bibles. Now they do, and every- Before I arrived in China I had been advised The Adventist choir sang beautifully during the body brings a Bible to church and eagerly that denominational distinctives are not wel- worship service at Beijing. searches the Scriptures. 0 that we in other coun- come in China since the Protestant church here their faith—without even counting the many tries would realize what a privilege it is to own has considered itself to have advanced to a post- other challenges (see part 1, Sept. 29). Bibles—maybe we would have the same pas- denominational era, with only one combined Yet Christianity is alive in China! And the sion to learn the Scriptures as these believers. church organization for all of China That's why known number of Adventist believers now tops Adventists are referred to as Adventist believers, 157,000, with the government estimating more fter churchand many goodbyes, we accept not members, because we do not have an Ae invitation of Korean Adventist busi- Adventist Church organization here, but are part nessman Soo J. Oh to join his family for lunch. of the larger Three-Self Movement coordinating Mr. Oh is the chair of a 1,200-employee metal the combined church. manufacturing plant and five other companies And so what do I preach on? The Second here and in Korea He was specifically asked to Coming and our assurance of Jesus' love for us! come to China by the government to help them What a joy it is to share such good news with make the manufacturing plant more efficient. fellow Christians. And he has done so admirably! His success has been heralded by the government, even on televi- ("Nur next appointments—after visiting the sion, which has opened up long-closed doors for k../Great Wall; the ancient capital of China, other ventures—an English language school and Xian; the eight-foot-high Nestorian marble possibly a private elementary and secondary tablet written by Christians here in A.D. 711; school and even a college in the future. What an and other sites—are three meetings that our Zhu Shi Yuan. right. the government chief that inestimable witness he is for Christ! entire trip revolves around: oversees all Protestant religions in China, and Guo Wei, director for Protestant affairs, center, 1=1 Meeting with directors of China's hosted the Seventh-day Adventist Church's first s our lunch concludes, everyone in our Religious Affairs Bureau of the State Council. official delegation in more than 45 years. includ- Agroup heads to nearby Tiananmen Square, 1:1 Meeting in Nanjing with Bishop Ting, ing Review associate editor Myron Widmer. the Great Hall of the People, and the Chairman chair of the Three-Self Patriotic Movement than 200,000. That's a dramatic rise in the past Mao Mausoleum, all next to the palatial (the head of the Protestant church in China) decade or so from possibly 20,000. And the rise Forbidden City. But not me. I have to head to and president of the China Christian Council, is coming primarily from lay leadership, since the largest Protestant church in Beijing to meet a the council working with the Three-Self only about 20 ordained Adventist pastors exist Chinese translator and review my sermon for Movement and overseeing local churches and in all of China. tomorrow's worship service there—all arranged pastors, matters of faith and belief, and the by the China Christian Council, the hosts of our training of pastors. s worship begins, Robert Kloosterhuis, a two-week trip to China 0 Visiting Shanghai and meeting with CiGeneral Conference vice president and the At the church I meet Gao Ying, a young pas- Bishop Shen, vice president of the China leader of our 12-member delegation officially tor who recently completed religious studies in Christian Council. invited to China, brings greetings from California and returned to help the cause of Adventists around the world and tells how Christianity here. en we arrive to meet with Zhu Shi God's Spirit is now opening doors for the gospel As we talk she expresses some fear of trans- WhYuan, a department chief of the Religious in places never thought possible—even in lating, since she has done it only once in recent Affairs Bureau, we pass through tight security China years—and from a full sermon manuscript, not and into a maze of government buildings. We The Adventist pastor for this Sabbath congre- notes. I ask whom she translated for the last are ushered into a large boardroom, and meet gation (primarily made up of Adventist believ- time, and she responds that it was Billy Graham, Mr. Zhu and his adviser for the Protestant sec- ers meeting in the same church building shared who spoke at this church on his visit to China's tion, Ms. Guo Wei. by all Protestants) leads the worship service, and capital! I sense the translation will go well! Mr. Zhu warmly welcomes us and suggests Milton Lee, a former missionary to China, At the church I also meet another of the five that since he and his staff are working on behalf begins preaching—the first time that he has pastors here, Burton Cheng. He was the of all religions, we are colleagues in the broadest preached in China since the Communists took Methodist pastor of this church in the early sense. over in 1949. Elder Lee and his wife both shine 1950s and spent 21 years in jail because of his Elder Kloosterhuis responds with our appre-

14 (1102) ADVENTIST REVIEW, OCTOBER 13.1994 ciation for the visit and, with Humberto Rasi tions. Of the 13 Protestant seminaries in China, (director of the GC Department of Education) only two or three have a few Adventist young and Bert Beach (director of the GC Department people studying for the ministry. Most choose of Public Affairs and Religious Liberty), shares not to go to the "generic" Christian institutions insights into the work of the worldwide because they won't get a distinctive Adventist Seventh-thy Adventist Church. education. Mr. Zhu then describes the bureau's work of Mr. Zhu promises to help correct the problem overseeing all religions in China—Buddhism, of meeting places and says that the second issue Taoism, Islam, and Christianity (Protestants and must be addressed to the Three-Self Movement, After discussions with Bishop Ting, chair of the Catholics). And he tells us that the number of which directs all Protestant ministerial training. Three-Self Patriotic Movement and thus head of believers in all religions is 100 million out of After our scheduled "short" visit stretches to the Protestant church in China, Robert Kloosterhuis, a General Conference vice presi- China's 1.2 billion. nearly two hours, we pose for pictures and say dent, and Eugene Hsu, GC liaison with the I am shocked! I had thought the majority goodbye, hoping that our meeting, at the least, Adventist believers in China, present a memento were Buddhists. But that's not the case, as only helps these leaders become better acquainted to the bishop during the customary practice of 100 million Chinese claim any religion at all, with Adventist believers. exchanging gifts. and Christians number only 10 million. What a paid—the world headquarters of the Adventist challenge for Christianity! few days later at our next two meetings— Church to comprehend our work better. Mr. Zhu reassures us of his department's with Chairman Ting and others of the 5. That a number of Adventist believers be consistent defense of religious freedom as stipu- Three-Self Movement, and with Bishop Shen allowed to attend an international church meet- lated in Article 36 of China's constitution, and others of the China Christian Council— ing in Utrecht, Holland, in July 1995. released in 1982. It ensures three freedoms: Kloosterhuis again tells of our worldwide CI The right of citizens to choose their reli- Adventist work, and Eugene Hsu, GC liaison n our first meeting Bishop Ting spoke gion or none at all. with Adventists in China and coordinator of our Iencouragingly about visiting our headquarters 01The right to practice religious traditions in visit, again tells of the difficulties concerning and allowing Adventist believers to attend the churches or homes, with the protection of the meeting places in various areas. Again promises international gathering. But he suggested that state (which also means that all evangelism are made to help. we take up the matter of leadership and training must take place in churches or registered house Kloosterhuis then begins to make a series of with the China Christian Council (CCC). churches). gentle but forthright requests—the heart of our As we met with Bishop Shen of the CCC, he :11The right for Chinese to work together as entire visit—to help Adventist believers across also spoke positively about the requested visits Christian groups within China (and without China. The requests ask: and the possibility of appointing someone as a Christian organizations being run or influenced 1. That the Three-Self Movement allow leader of Adventist believers. However, he sug- by foreigners). Adventist believers greater group identity, since gested further dialogue about changes in pas- In our ensuing dialogue Mr. Zhu again reiter- they are the largest Sabbathkeeping group of toral training, since only a few Adventist youth ates his country's desire to protect the rights of Christians in China and thus distinctly different are enrolled at provincial seminaries and none minorities (all the religions here!) and to strive from other Protestants, and that an Adventist are at the national seminary. for the great goal of getting believers and nonbe- organization) structure be allowed within the lievers to work together to build up the country. Three-Self Movement. embers of our delegation sensed ahead of He suggests that if Christians again break into so Kloosterhuis suggested that having such a Mtime that the meetings with government many factions, it will make building up the structure would help solve the difficulties that and Protestant church officials might not open country even much harder. However, he arise between Sabbathkeeping believers and up every door desired, but realized that change respects the variety of Christian traditions and Sundaykeeping believers who share the same occurs one step at a time and that this is the first believes that they can exist in an attitude of facilities, and it would help settle disputes step. equality and mutual respect for others' beliefs. among the more than 1,000 congregations of If nothing else happens, at least these impor- Ms. Guo shares with us the changes within Adventists (churches and house churches) that tant leaders have become more aware of Christianity in China over the past 45 years and have been worshiping and growing for decades Adventist believers and their needs, and the door suggests that the present era of Christian one- without oversight or direction by an Adventist has been opened for continued discussions. ness and postdenominationalism for the organization, and in most places without the Protestant church in China is a model for others direction of trained pastors. Next week: Part 3: On to Shanghai and to follow. 2. That a special section be created in the Huangzhou. Elder Kloosterhuis speaks again and raises national theological seminary to teach Adventist several issues, and asks for help from the distinctives to Adventist students. Religious Affairs Bureau. The first is the diffi- 3. That Adventist theology professors from Myron Widmer is an culty in several sites where local church leaders outside China be invited to teach short-term associate editor of the are not allowing Adventist believers to use classes at China's seminaries, maybe with an Adventist Review. churches on Sabbath. exchange of professors. And the second is a request for the training of 4. That Bishop Ting and a few other Adventist seminary students in Adventist tradi- Protestant leaders visit—with all expenses

ADVENTIST REVIEW, OCTOBER 13, 1994 (1103) 15 LIFESTYLE

Decisions, Decisions Giving up the options we cannot have is sometimes harder than choosing what we can have.

he dying fire, the purring cat, and the only child were a diseased condition. I don't sleeping child all gave an air of calm know of any area in which the general public to the house. Jane was anything but feels so free to offer unsolicited advice." Tserene. Dick chuckled. "Parents in China are pres- "Can you imagine?" she exclaimed to her sured to have one child. In America we're pres- husband, Dick. "I met the woman who was my sured to have two. But the choice is ours and fourth-grade teacher in the supermarket today. one we should consider soon. We need a bigger She wanted to know when we were going to house if we're going to have two children, and start a sibling for Lisa." I want to apply to graduate school if we decide "Did you tell her we have to decide if before to stay with just one child." we get to the when part?" Dick asked. "No, I just tried to smile sweetly," Jane e all make decisions. Some we work out answered. "I was afraid I would explode if I Wwith little thought, and others we strug- opened my mouth. She acted as if being an gle over.

BY JOYCE RIGSBY

16 (1104) ADVENTIST REVIEW, OCTOBER 13,1994 Waiting too long to make a decision decisions for us. We are searching for know our priorities, we must be in touch can sometimes be a decision in itself. varied, new, or alternate choices. with both our feelings and our convic- Ellen White once commented that a tions. And it is possible to have conflict- hasty decision is not always as disastrous he next stage of decision-making is ing—and equally valid—sets of values. as hesitating and doubting. A wrong Tthe consequence count. A person with little cash may value decision, she says, is sometimes more During this stage we need to keep up good quality when buying a sofa, but he excusable than continually wavering.' a free flow of feelings and thoughts or she may also want to be debt-free. If You may be wavering on some big about each of our options. We will elim- waiting to save the money is not possi- decision such as which college to attend, inate some alternatives because the con- ble, that person will have to decide whom to marry, or what house to buy. sequences are not acceptable. Often we which value is more important—good Deadlines will accompany some of may discover that we need more infor- quality or freedom from debt. those decisions. These decisions all mation before we can weigh the conse- have far-reaching consequences. quences. es, eventually we have to come to a Other decisions may require My husband, Bob, was an obstetri- Yconclusion, the fourth stage of thought—what kind of car to buy, cian. He spent many hours with patients decision-making. whether to sign up for a night class, or By the time we reach this point there where to go on vacation—but have less The decisions we make may be a sense that "things are falling importance to us over the long term. together." It is also the time when we There is one big fact in decision-mak- have to begin discarding options. Most ing we often overlook, according to may be less important of us cannot hold down two jobs, one on Theodore Rubin, author of Overcoming the East Coast and one on the West. A Indecisiveness. Rubin believes it's what young woman who has more than one we do with our decisions that matters. than how proposal will have to choose her pre- He says, "You make it work." In other ferred suitor. words, it almost always is the decision Giving up nonchosen options is maker rather than the particular choice committed we are to sometimes the hardest part of all. The that makes the decision work. The fail- most common problem during this stage ure of a decision, he adds, is directly is wanting it all. We may want the traceable and proportional to the lack of making them work. house with the big yard that is far from dedicated commitment.2 our workplace, while we also want the The good news is that we can convert convenience of living near our job. Dick almost any choice into a constructive and Jane may badly want a second child decision if we dedicate ourselves to it and a larger house as well as graduate and invest in it. who were unwillingly pregnant. He did study. not perform abortions. But he knew the Rubin stresses the importance of "dis- Step by Step options a patient had, and he knew the carding other choices . . . withdrawing One process for making decisions is right questions to ask them so that they time and energy from the nonchosen to list all possible choices. could weigh the ramifications of their options so that we can focus on the cho- Experts recommend that we write choice for the immediate and the distant sen ones."' down all the things we could do, even if future. This included physical, financial, some of them seem ridiculous. psychological, and spiritual considera- he last stage in decision-making is I did this when deciding which tions. Tto help ourselves make our choices church to attend when I moved to work. California. Because of my need to have bird, we need to relate our choice to We must be loyal to ourselves and services translated into sign language, I Tan established priority. our commitments. For big decisions this included on my list Adventist churches Rubin defines priorities as "the posi- involves total dedication to the choice, too far away to attend regularly, as well tion of life's issues on our personal scale whether it be church, job, or marriage. as a Hanford church I visit on some of importance." For example, some give Our decisions must translate into posi- Sundays. Listing all the possibilities, up high-paying jobs in order to spend tive action. Some of us tend to abandon even wild ones, means that even an off- more time together with their families. decisions at any sign of difficulty and the-wall idea could become the catalyst For them, money is a lower priority than quickly become pessimistic about the to a surprisingly different approach. family life. Others who place a high pri- wisdom and outcome of our choices. Help from other people at this early ority on personal comfort will probably We give up too soon. stage can be useful if we don't neglect not volunteer to help feed starving chil- to compile our own option list. Some of dren in Somalia. Trying it Out us have to remind ourselves that we are Not acknowledging our priorities is a Let us see how this decision process not asking another person to make our decision blocker for some people. To might help Dick and Jane. First, their

ADVENTIST REVIEW, OCTOBER 13,1994 (1105) 17

list of options will be short because they Dick and Jane are in touch with their process. As I thought about selecting already have one child and have decided own feelings. They know their values my new church home I listed my against more than two children. and priorities. They both prefer few and options, considered their consequences, The consequence count will be intense relationships. Time alone is weighed my priorities, and made a long. Dick and Jane are borrowing important to them. They come from choice. My membership is now in the books from the library on the subject large families and as children always Porterville SDA Church. Even though it of having an only child. They have had to sleep in the same room with sib- is 50 miles away, it is the right choice talked to friends who are raising an lings. It is important to them that Lisa for me now. I'm happy and relieved to only child and to friends who have have a room of her own. have made a decision. I choose to make two children. During spring vacation They feel confident of their ability to it work. their niece, who is two years older raise an only child unspoiled. They feel ' Testimonies, vol. 3, pp. 497, 498. than Lisa, will stay with them. They less confident of their ability to handle Thomas Rubin, Overcoming Indecisiveness, pp. 70, are considering the consequences of the competitiveness of a two-child fam- 71. ' Ibid., p. 126. both family sizes. ily. But they believe they could make Every decision we make will have either work. benefits and burdens, pluses and They came to realize that the main minuses. Dick and Jane know that every blockage to making their decision was family size has specific characteristics society's attitude that they will be cheat- involving both advantages and disad- ing Lisa by not providing her with a sib- Joyce Rigsby is a free- vantages. ling. When they realized that the lance writer living in They are also coming to recognize that approval of society was not a priority Hanford, California. the best family size for them depends on for them, they knew they were ready to what advantages they want and on what make a choice. disadvantages they can tolerate. Recently I also went through this very

N ' S

Using God's Gifts BY DALE M. FELDMAN

en I was a child I had a great heard me were amazed I could sing so How much fun I would have had Whdesire to sing. In fact, when I was well. God had given me a talent for singing His praises. Now it was gone! I 9 years old I confided to a neighbor that singing. How sad that I let those fearful still love music and our church hymns, I wanted to be an opera singer when I feelings keep me from using that talent and how I yearn to sing again, but I grew up. Now, many little girls and and learning to enjoy singing for people. can't. Maybe I would have gotten the boys are shy. But unfortunately I When I was in my teens, I had a throat problem anyway, even if I did became so shy, I was afraid to sing in chance to sing for radio and passed an sing, but think of all the fun I missed front of people. I loved to hum while audition successfully. However, some and all the things I could have done for alone. However, when someone would friends discouraged my family from let- God with my talent during that time. ask me to sing, I would use an excuse, ting me continue. Instead, I went to If you have a gift from God, don't saying, "I don't know the words." camp that year. I never tried again. bury it. Even though you may be afraid My family came from Italy, and I did The years went by, and still I did not to make a mistake, or too shy, or even if know the Italian words to a favorite use the talent God gave me. The time people discourage you, use your talent song called "Return to Sorrento." Once came when I had a throat problem and anyway. It is much better to make mis- in a while someone would coax me to needed surgery. This left me with a par- takes than never to try at all. Mistakes sing this song. But each time I became alyzed vocal cord. help us grow and learn to do better. God frightened, even though I would sing How I regretted never using the wants us to use the talents He has given successfully and powerfully. Those who singing talent God had given to me. us.

18 (1106) ADVENTIST REVIEW, OCTOBER 13,1994 A Gift of Love ifts of inspiration, renewal, and hope await you every time you open this book. Written by women eager to share how God has worked in their lives, these devotions bring you the thrill of answered prayer, fresh insights to ponder, and an opportunity to experi- ence God's love in new and exciting ways. Rose Otis, editor. Hardcover with dust jacket, 426 pages. Regularly US$14.95, Cdn$21.70. Introductory offer: US$12.95, Cdn$18.80 through January 31, 1995. beautiful matching journal c:.--74is also available. Hardcover, 160 pages. US$5.95, Cdn$8.65.

Journal of a Happy Woman une Strong shares a year from her life—her family (six children, four of them a opted), joys, frustrations, and victories. Favorite recipes, poetry, a tour of Elm Valley Farm—including the special delight of a hidden prayer comer created from a weed patch—all weave together to form a book few women will be able to The Christian Woman's resist. Practical and spiritual, yet Planning Calendar whimsical and funny, June Strong's se this beautiful weekly planning book clamors to be read, cherished, calendar to organize your appointments and brought out again to reread (Uand save you time for family, friends, and when you need laughter or God. Each week spreads before you at a glance, encouragement. This edition also featuring an inspiring quote, Bible text, and prayer tells the "rest of the story," updating to reflect upon. Includes ample space to prioritize readers on her life and those of her plus a special place to record reminders for family family since Journal of a Happy and home, birthdays and special occasions, and Woman was first published 21 years personal prayer requests. Wire-0,128 pages. hie Kidd kw ago. Paper, 154 pages. US$9.95, US$9.95, Cdn$14.45. Cdn$14.45.

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Youth and young adults from throughout the Pacific Union and Youth from the Riverside, Vista, and Santa Ana Samoan Adventist churches in California as far away as Minnesota, New York, and Texas enjoyed a combined their talents for the cultural pageant. weekend of fellowship and spiritually challenging messages and workshops. ■ CALIFORNIA Beyond Fear Adventists of Asian ancestry find faith and unity in diversity.

or me, this congress has been more While most delegates represented But more than just absorbing infor- Fthan just another event; it's been a Adventist churches throughout mation at workshops, congress delegates high spiritual experience." So said Alex California, some came from as far away had opportunities to share their concerns Dalida, a delegate at the Asian Pacific as New York, Texas, Minneapolis, and and opinions with national and world- Youth Congress recently held at La Hawaii. wide Adventist youth leaders in late- Sierra University in Riverside, The congress resulted from more than night focus groups. After interacting California. a year of planning by two dozen Asian with Jose Rojas, Youth director for the In closing remarks to the other dele- young adults from the Pacific Union. North American Division, one delegate gates, Dalida, a student at the Sylvia Simandjantak, planning commit- University of California at Riverside, tee member, said, "When we first got said, "I want to challenge the rest of together, I really didn't know what I you to take what we have learned and was getting into. I know we worked fearlessly change your special corner of hard, but I may have gotten more out of the world." this than the delegates. I've learned how The congress theme, "No Fear, Just rewarding it is to invest yourself in Faith," was echoed throughout the four- something and see what God can do day event sponsored by the Pacific with it." Union Conference. It drew some 1,200 In addition to the general sessions fea- youth and young adults from nearly a turing dynamic musical artists, thought- dozen ethnic groups, including: provoking drama, and nationally Tongan, Indonesian, Filipino, Chinese, acclaimed speakers, the congress offered Japanese, Samoan, Vietnamese, delegates a variety of seminars and Korean, Laotian, Cambodian, and Thai. workshops to equip them for ministry in their own communities. Seminar offer- By A. Allan Martin, youth and young ings ranged from Christian standards to adult minister for the Central Filipino countering the rise of spiritualism to Young women from the Chinese Adventist church in Los Angeles, California, perform during a cul- Seventh-day Adventist Church in Los using the information superhighway to tural pageant at the "No Fear. Just Faith" Asian Angeles, California. influencing people for Christ. Pacific Youth Congress.

20 (1108) ADVENTIST REVIEW, OCTOBER 13, 1994 WORLDREPORT commented, "This was a great way to mony of how faith in Christ can bridge the gap between youth and the unify believers regardless of people who plan things for youth. I felt ethnicity. Congress speakers as if my opinion was important to Elder reminded delegates of Christ's Rojas. Our church needs more of this." intention that they fearlessly go Editors from Adventist View and forward in faith. In the final Insight magazines were on hand to dia- spiritual challenge of the logue with delegates about the impact congress, Buell Fogg, campus their publications are having on the chaplain of Union College, chal- young people. Tim Lale, associate edi- lenged delegates to assume indi- tor of Insight, indicated his intention to vidual responsibility for making Enoch Cruz (left) and Milton Dalida served as treasurer and president, respectively. of the planning committee that follow up on some of the suggestions the world and the church a better assembled the congress. and comments he heard in the focus place. "If it is to be, it's up to groups. me!" he said. "If this congress was explosive, it was The "No Fear, Just Faith" congress Reactions to the weekend congress? bigger than TNT. It was nuclear!" culminated in a Sunday morning pageant "At first I came because my mom wanted The fallout will be felt in the churches of cultural entertainment and fellowship. me to," admitted Lerry Fontamillas, a and hundreds of individual lives of Performers dressed in colorful national graduate of San Gabriel Academy. "But those who found faith, friendship, and apparel, shared songs and folk dances in once I got here, I really enjoyed it." fearlessness to spread the gospel by a spectacle of diversity. Said George Atiga, director of Asian attending the "No Fear, Just Faith" To many the congress was a testi- Pacific ministries for the Pacific Union: congress.

time, and the great work which God is doing for His people, certainly gives a Ten, Nine • • • new indication of the near approach of the A lthough most of the Millerites had \ The Way glorious Bridegroom."6 He added that it ..accepted the October 22 date by the was his "hope to go to the new world end of September—including a number of It Was instead of the old."' the newer Millerite speakers—the more On the same day Himes publicly prominent leaders were slow to do so. But Reliving the announced his acceptance of it at a meet- as the number of adherents to the move- Year 1844 ing in Boston, Miller wrote to Himes from ment swelled, the leaders eventually his home in Low Hampton, New York: "I reconsidered their position.' Joshua V. see a glory in the seventh month which I Himes wrote to William Miller on never saw before. . . . I am almost home. September 30: "This thing has gone over the country like Glory! Glory! Glory! I see that the time is correct."' lightning. Nearly every lecturer has come into it and is About this same time Charles Fitch accepted the preaching it with zeal and great success."' October 22 date, and on October 12 Josiah Litch wrote In the September 25 Voice of Truth, published in from Philadelphia, "My difficulties have all vanished, Rochester, New York, editor Joseph Marsh came out in `and I live' in joyful expectation of seeing the King of favor of the October 22 date.' Nathaniel Southard, editor kings within ten days."' of the Midnight Cry, supported it in the September 26 ' George Knight, Millennial Fever, 1993, p. 201; F. D. Nichol, The Midnight issue.' In the October 3 issue Southard wrote, "The weight Cry, 1944. of evidence that the Lord will come on the tenth day of Ibid., p. 202. 'Ibid., p. 201. the seventh month is so strong that I heartily yield to its ' Ibid. force, and I intend, by the help of the Lord, to act as if In F. D. Nichol, The Midnight Cry (1944), p. 245. ° Ibid. there was no possibility of mistake—to act as if I knew ' In Knight, p. 202. that less than one month the opening heavens would ° In Knight, pp. 203, 204. Nichol, p. 246. reveal my Saviour."' In the October 2 issue of the Advent Herald, published in Boston, Himes announced the cancellation of his planned trip to England. He explained that "the recent By James R. Nix, associate secretary, Ellen G. White remarkable movement among the Advent brethren on the Estate.

ADVENTIST REVIEW, OCTOBER 13, 1994 (1109) 21 BULLETINBOARD

by his wife, Margit; one son, Malcolm; one daughter, vived by his wife, Janet (de Mel); one daughter, Florence Deaths Astrid Hager; and 14 grandchildren. Aransz; and three sons, Renfred, Gentry, and Ranjan. ASHLOCK, George-b. Oct. 5, 1922, Cincinnati, JOHNSON, Lois Fouts-b. July 13, 1920; d. June 9, PINTO, Aloysius Benedict Jayasekere de-d. Apr. Ohio; d. Jan. 21, 1994, Fresno, Calif. He worked in the 1993, College Place, Wash. She taught one year at 16, 1992, Kandy, Sri Lanka. He worked as a literature Florida Conference as a teacher and singing evangelist. He Newbury Park Academy and 25 years at Lynwood evangelist and was later appointed publishing secretary of was with the Christian Record Braille Foundation for 20 Academy, California. the Sri Lanka Union. years. Survivors include his wife, Mildred; four daughters; three stepchildren; one sister; and 12 grandchildren. HILLIER, Robert M.-b. 1918, Coboug, Ontario; d. ROSSI, Joao Batista Clayton-b. 1930, Minas Oct. 14, 1993, Avon Park, Ha. He pastored in Kentucky, Gerais, Brazil; d. Dec. 22, 1993, Brasilia, Brazil. Dr. BOHNER, Leonard Frederick-b. June 17, 1906, Tennessee, and North Dakota; was a Bible teacher in Rossi was an illustrious public figure in Brazil, serving as Buffalo, N.Y.; d. Feb. 14, 1994, Escondido, Calif. He Highland, Mount Pisgah, and Collegeview academies and attorney general for 30 years. As president of the Brazil worked as a treasurer at the New England Sanitarium and Union College. During retirement he served as chaplain Bible Society, he was instrumental in publishing the Hospital, the Malayan Union Mission (where he spent at Walker Memorial Hospital in Avon Park, Florida. He revised Brazil edition of the Maranatha Bible with 20 some time in a concentration camp during the war), the is survived by his wife, Mildred; three sons, Alan, Robert, appended Bible studies prepared by the South American Inter-American Division, and the Pacific Press Publishing and Joseph; two daughters, Marijane Athey and Karen Division. He is survived by his wife, Dejanira; and one Association (1961-1973). His wife Margaret Fleming Crutcher, two sisters, Verna Bailey and Ruth Frankland; brother, Wilson Rossi. died in 1987. He later married Roberta Belding Lindbeck. and eight grandchildren. He is survived by his wife, Roberta; two stepchildren; and REEVES, Harriet 0. Smith-b. Jan. 6, 1917; d. a half brother, Jack. JEFFRIES, Henry D.-b. Oct. 13, 1905, Galena, Aug. 16, 1993. She served as assistant dean, School of Kans.; d. Dec. 13, 1993, Bakersfield, Calif. He pastored Nursing, Loma Linda University; chair, Division of CARSCALLEN, Anita Johnson-b. Feb. 7, 1899, in the Western states for 35 years. His wife, Josephine, Nursing, Southern College; board of trustees, Loma Linda Tolna, N.Dak.; d. June 30, 1993, Rialto, Calif. She served survived him by several months; other survivors include University, 1971-1975; dean and dean emeritus, Indiana with her husband in British Guiana from 1931 to 1941, two sons, Donald D. and Ronald K.; a brother, Cecil; two State University School of Nursing. She is survived by where she taught the Davis Indians. After learning to read grandchildren; one great-grandchild. two sons, John and David; and one daughter, Rosemary. their language, she compiled an English-Indian dictio- nary. Survivors include four daughters, Muriel Brown, JEFFRIES, Josephine M.-b. May 27, 1907, RETH, Henry-b. Feb. 19, 1913, Darkovac, Leon Berglund, Vivian Hudgins, and Viola Bell; 12 Hooker, Okla.; d. Apr. 20, 1994, Bakersfield, Calif. She Yugoslavia; d. May 9, 1994, Escondido, Calif. He served grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and one great- served with her husband in the ministry for 35 years. as a pastor for 30 years in Yugoslavia, and organized the great-grandchild. Survivors include two sons, Donald D. and Ronald K.; Yugoslavian SDA Church in San Pedro, California, two grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. where he pastored from 1965 to 1975. He is survived by COWDRICK, Robert Ellsworth-b. Dec. 29, 1901, his wife, Paula; five sons, Henry, Edgar, Fred, John, and Napoleon, Ohio; d. Feb. 26, 1994, Smithsburg, Md. In his LIU, Charles Martin-b. July 15, 1954, Idaho; d. Carl; and one daughter, Martha Hoag. younger years he served as a literature evangelist and Mar. 31, 1994, Loma Linda, Calif. He pastored churches teacher, serving in several Southern states. He spent much in Texas, Oregon, and Hawaii. In 1988 he became associ- RISTON, Walter R.-b. Apr. 29, 1910, Baltimore, of his life farming. Because of his interest in hymnology, ate pastor for the Loma Linda Campus Hill church. At the Md.; d. Feb. 22, 1993, Newbury Park, Calif. He served as he served in 1985 on a committee preparing The Seventh- time of his death he had accepted a teaching position at a pastor in the Potomac, Chesapeake, Missouri, day Adventist Hymnal. He is survived by his wife, Loma Linda University. He is survived by his wife, Wisconsin, Oregon, Arizona, and Southern California Dorothy; one son, James Robert; and one daughter, Maryann; one son, Jonathan; two daughters, Jennifer and conferences for 43 years. Survivors include his wife. Dorothy Elizabeth. Jenell; mother, Bernice Liu; and one brother, Edward. Floto; one son, Walter, Jr.; one daughter, Elberta Ramos: and grandchildren. DESILVA, Shelton Austin-b. Dec. 9, 1907, LOWE, Marie M.-b. Dec. 13, 1910, Center, Colo.; Matale, Sri Lanka; d. June 21, 1992. In 1937 he went to d. Jan. 25, 1994, Aberdeen, Wash. She taught more than SCHENK, Otto C.-d. Aug. 10, 1993, Avon Park, Ha. serve at the Kottawa Mission School, which later became 40 years in Washington Adventist schools, retiring in He served as a physiotherapist at Florida Hospital for many the Lakpahana College and Seminary, in Sri Lanka. At 1976. She is survived by her husband, F. William; one years. He is survived by his wife, Esther; one son, Kenneth; the time of his retirement he was their longest-serving daughter, Marian Dawes; four grandchildren; and two and two brothers, August and Bill. staff member. great-grandchildren. SHAFER, Hayward Vernon-b. June 4, 1921, Reed DESSAIN, Elton Spencer-b. Dec. 6, 1909, MAYES, Elizabeth Grace-b. June 19, 1903, City, Michigan; d. Feb. 8, 1994, Paradise, Calif. He served Oakland, Wisc.; d. Mar. 24, 1994, Hendersonville, N.C. Kansas City, Kans.; d. July 3, 1994, Northridge, Calif. from 1945 to 1985 as a pastor/evangelist in Oklahoma, He served as a treasurer in the Michigan, Indiana, and She worked at the Adventist Book Center in Glendale, Nebraska, Ohio, and California. He was a chaplain at Illinois conferences until he retired in 1976. He is sur- California. She is survived by one son, Marion; five Feather River Hospital, Paradise, from 1981 to 1985 and vived by one sister, Alice Mildred Nelson. grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren. continued on a part-time basis after his retirement.

GILLIS, Ithiel E.-b. Mar. 24, 1903, Oakland, MC FADDEN, Elizabeth Spaulding-d. Aug. 7, SHRECKENGOST, George E.-d. Sept. 3, 1993, Calif.; d. Oct. 15, 1993, Apopka, Fla. He worked as a 1993, Leesburg, Fla. She and her husband served for six Avon Park, Fla. He served at the Walker Memorial treasurer in Korea and in the Netherlands East Indies, and years as medical missionaries in Pakistan and seven years Medical Center for more than 20 years. He is survived by at the Voice of Prophecy, where he was manager from as volunteers in Pakistan and Taiwan. Like her father, she his wife, Elsie B.; one daughter, Jane McClellan; and 1951 to 1969. After retiring he assisted at the VOP until was a writer, authoring eight books and many articles. three sisters, Molly Collett, Alberta Aites, and Virginia 1991. He is survived by one son, Walter Jack. She is survived by her husband, Roscoe; three sons, Don, Hoffman. Allen, and David; three daughters, Esther Sias, Shirlyn HENDRYX, Truman-b. Apr. 6, 1906, Granite, Voorhes, and Patricia Sadler; 20 grandchildren; and eight SPEAR, Ethel Bell-b. Dec. 21, 1896, Ocela, Iowa; Oreg.; d. Feb. 12, 1994, Port Charlotte, Ha. He served at great-grandchildren. d. July 27, 1993, Loma Linda, Calif. She and her hus- the college presses at Southwestern Adventist College band, Beveridge, were cofounders of the Emerald and Columbia Union College, and at the Review and MOORES, Philip-b. Apr. 18, 1914, Nova Scotia; d. Foundation for Ireland. Most of her service as a teacher Herald Publishing Association from 1956 to 1971. He is Feb. 13, 1994, Thousand Oaks, Calif. He served as a pas- and evangelistic assistant was in California. survived by one daughter, Courtney Seth; five grandchil- tor and then president of five different conferences in the dren; and five great-grandchildren. Canadian Union. In 1974 he came to California as man- SWISHESAMUTHU, Manickam-d. Feb. 10, ager of the Media Center. He was later director of trust 1994, India. He served in Southern Asia as a literature HEPPENSTALL, Edward-b. May 8, 1901, in services for the Southern California Conference. He is evangelist and as publishing secretary of the Sri I anka England; d. Aug. 22, 1994, Redlands, Calif. A well- survived by his wife, Irene (McEachren); seven daugh- Seventh-day Adventist Church. He is survived by his known theologian, he was educated at Newbold College, ters, Anita Knutson, Marilyn Ford, Jeanne Paige, Kathie wife, a son, and two daughters. Emmanual Missionary College, the University of Glanzer, Heather McEachren, Lyla McEachren, and Michigan, and the University of California. He taught in Rhonda Ochoa; three brothers, Gordon, Hayward, and VASSAR, Noble Lawrence-b. May 31, 1912, Iron the Religion Department of La Sierra College from 1940 Arthur; nine grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. River, Mich.; d. Oct. 21, 1992, Crossville, Tenn. He to 1955 and at Andrews University Theological Seminary served as a literature evangelist in the Michigan from 1955 to 1966. After retirement he taught courses at PEIRIS, Arthur Reginald-b. Oct 6, 1903, India; d. Conference. He worked in food services at Hinsdale Loma Linda University from 1966 to 1976. He and his Jan. 21, 1994, India. He served the church in Southern Sanitarium and Hospital from 1951 to 1976. He is sur- wife, Margit (Strom), then resided in Cannel, California Asia for 35 years. After retirement he spent 30 years trav- vived by his wife, Blossom; one son, Ethyn; one daugh- until 1988, when they moved to Redlands. He is survived eling constantly, doing the Lord's business. He is sur- ter, Keryth; and one granddaughter.

22 (1110) ADVENTIST REVIEW, OCTOBER 13, 1994

R EFL E C T IONS

The Seas Beyond Fair Havens

aul the prisoner was on his way to Rome to his counsel during their two weeks' warfare Pgo on trial before Caesar, in answer to false with the deadly storm, they would all have charges from his own countrymen. It was perished. During this time Paul induced them nearly winter. to eat, while they would have fasted. He Capricious weather made sea travel risky at encouraged them not to abandon ship, when to that time of year, but a merchant ship heading do so would have been fatal. Most of all, he to western Turkey was available at Caesarea. taught them to trust in God. While the ship By taking this ship, Paul's centurion guard and its cargo were lost, all aboard were saved. expected to find, at another port along the way, The people's belated willingness to listen to some vessel bound for Italy. Paul spared them from death. Paul's counsel We will also be spared in life's voyage if Blustery Days we carefully heed the teachings of Christ. With a large company of soldiers they set In leading us safely to His kingdom, God sail. Following a brief stop a little to the north, seemed has not promised us every comfort and com- they encountered blustery, changing winds. modity we may desire. The path of true But on the southern coast of Turkey they Christianity means self-denial and endurance boarded a ship bound for the port nearest to overcautious, so of adversities.' Rome. This second phase of the voyage was But God has given us instruction to help us even more treacherous, and the winds obliged through the rough seas. Obedience to His them to take an indirect southerly route. they plowed the instruction—the Bible and the Spirit of After much hard sailing they came into a Prophecy—is our Fair Havens, our harbor of quiet natural harbor in Crete called the Fair refuge. In that harbor are some inconve- Havens. While the region didn't offer luxuri- seas toward Italy. niences, and some definite sacrifices are ous accommodations or social excitement, it called for, but there also we find unshakable was an adequate place to spend the winter. The inner peace amid every storm and stress, time for safe sailing was now past. because Christ is there with us. Paul admonished his captors, saying, "Sirs, I Human logic may often tell us that God's perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and counsel is antiquated, impracticable, or even much damage, not only of the lading and ship, extreme. But we are not wise enough to pass but also of our lives."' such judgment on the changeless Word of God, which alone enables us to chart our ut the ship's owner and the captain, the course heavenward. B.)centurion, and most of the passengers "He is waiting to take you into a harbor of didn't believe Paul. The weather wasn't espe- gracious experience, and He bids you, 'Be cially ominous, and everybody wanted to get still, and know that I am God." " 4 on with the voyage. Rome beckoned. Business ' Acts 27:9, 10. needed attending to. Paul's counsel seemed = Acts 27:14. overly cautious, even cowardly. So they ' See Matt. 24:13; Luke 9:23. ' Testimonies to Ministers, p. 516. plowed the sea toward Italy. The weather was pleasant, with a soft southerly breeze that favored their course. How glad they were to have rejected Paul's somber warning. Brian Jones is a pastor who "But not long after there arose a tempestu- writes from Frametown, West ous wind, called Euroclydon."' Virginia. Only after a desperate losing struggle with furious wind and waves did Paul's advice seem credible. And had the voyagers not listened to BY BRIAN JONES

ADVENTIST REVIEW, OCTOBER 13,1994 (1111) 23 ADULTS WOMEN JUNIORS PRESCHOOLERS Welcome Holy Spirit A Gift of Love Nature Quest Little Talks With Jesus I A Telcome to saving ifts of inspiration, James and Priscilla Tucker What does Jesus look V V power, to spiritual k....3renewal, and hope bring juniors face-to-face like? How old is God? growth, to mighty await you every time you with the greatest force Why do bad things open this book. Written they've ever encountered— happen to good people? ministry, to complete filling, and to a foretaste by women eager to share God's power to create, Nancy Beck Irland's of final victory! This can how God has worked in sustain, save, and make all preschool devotionals their lives, these things new! They'll meet the spiritual needs be your experience as you gain a deeper devotions bring you the discover fascinating facts and interests of little understanding of the thrill of answered prayer, about nature and surprising children and help them Holy Spirit this year. fresh insights to ponder, insights into their Creator. get to know Jesus. Hard- Author Garrie Williams and an opportunity to Hardcover, 384 pages. cover, 252 pages. covers every scriptural expe-rience God's love in US$9.95, Cdn$14.45. US$9.95, Cdn$14.45. passage concerning the new and exciting ways. Holy Spirit and His Rose Otis, editor. ministry on earth. Hardcover with dust TEENS Hardcover, 383 pages. jacket, 426 pages. Peace Like a Spider and US$9.95, Regularly US$14.95, Other Devotions for Teens Cdn$14.45. Cdn$21.70. Karl Haffner explores some Introductory offer: of the Bible's best tips for US$12.95, Cdn$18.80 helping teens succeed in through January 31, 1995. relationships, in school and on the job, emotionally, A beautiful matching journal and spiritually. Paper 128 is also available. Hardcover, pages. US$7.95, Cdn$11.55. 160 pages. US$5.95, Cdn$8.65.

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