True Protestantism

Notes

1. "We protest by these presents, before God, who will one day be our Judge, as well as before all men and all creatures, that we, for us and for our people, neither consent nor adhere in any manner whatsoever to the proposed decree, in anything that is contrary to God, to his holy word, to our right conscience, to the salvation of our souls, and to the last decree of Spires." "We cannot assert that when Almighty God calls a man to his knowledge, he dare not embrace that divine knowledge." "We reject the yoke that is imposed on us."—D'Aubigne's History of the Reformation, book 13.

2. "One of the noblest testimonies ever uttered for the Reformation was the protest offered by the Christian princes of Germany at the Diet of Spires, in 1529. The courage, faith, and firmness of those men of God gained for succeeding ages liberty of thought and conscience. Their protest gave to the reformed church the name of Protestant; its principles are the very essence of Protestantism."—Great Controversy, p. 197.

3. Whenever Church and State have been united, persecution has resulted, regardless of what Church and State were united. The heathen religion united to the Babylonian and Medo-Persian Governments persecuted Daniel and the three Hebrews, and finally planned to destroy God's people entirely by one fell stroke. And thus it has been with the Roman Church, the Greek Church, the English Church, the Scotch Church, and every other church established by law. Canon Potter, English prelate of Melbourne, makes the following admission:—

"It is quite true that systematized persecution of religious opinion was no monopoly of the Romish Church. It is a miserable fact that from the fourth to the eighteenth centuries it was the rule everywhere throughout Christendom to inflict the penalties of banishment and fine and death on those who openly differed from the prevailing form of religion. We of the Church of England confess with sorrow that our church has been guilty of persecution, and did wrong to persecute."—Melbourne Argus, May 13, 1895.

4. The men who defend those institutions which are not founded on God's word are the ones who call for State legislation. The lack of divine command is supplied by oppressive enactments.

"God never forces the will or the conscience, but Satan will employ the most cruel measures to control the consciences of men, and to secure worship to himself. And this work of compulsion is always in favor of human creeds and laws, and in defiance of God's holy law."—Great Controversy (old edition), p. 444.

5. "The Protestant churches are in great darkness, or they would discern the signs of the times. The Roman Church is far-reaching in her plans and modes of operation. She is employing every device to extend her influence and increase her power in preparation for a fierce and determined conflict to regain control of the world, to reëstablish persecution, and to undo all that Protestantism has done."—Great Controversy, p. 565.

"In the last conflict, the Sabbath will be the special point of controversy throughout all Christendom. Secular rulers and religious leaders will unite to enforce the observance of Sunday; and as milder measures fail, the most oppressive laws will be enacted. . . . Romanism in the Old World, and apostate Protestantism in the New, will pursue a similar course toward those who honor the divine precepts."—Great Controversy, old edition, pp. 444, 445.

6. "Men are closing their eyes to the real character of Romanism, and the dangers to be apprehended from her supremacy. The people need to be aroused to resist the advances of this most dangerous foe to civil and religious liberty."—Great Controversy, p. 566.

"While the Protestant world is by her attitude making concessions to Rome, let us arouse to comprehend the situation, and view the contest before us in its true bearings. Let the watchmen now lift up their voices, and give the message which is present truth for this time. Let us show the people where we are in prophetic history, and seek to arouse the spirit of true Protestantism, awaking the world to a sense of the value of the privileges of religious liberty so long enjoyed."—Testimony 33, p. 244.

#### The Time's Demand.

> "God give us men! A time like this demands > Great hearts, strong minds, true faith, and willing hands; > Men whom the lust of office does not kill; > Men whom the spoils of office cannot buy; > Men who possess opinions and a will; > Men who have honor, men who will not lie; > For while the rabble, with their thumb-worn creeds, > Their large professions and their little deeds, > Wrangle in selfish strife—lo! Freedom weeps, > Wrong rules the land, and waiting Justice sleeps." > > —O. W. Holmes.