CW 20
(Counsels to Writers and Editors 20)
Again, there are brought into our periodicals selections which can be found in other papers and books, and which need not be repeated. It costs money to issue these matters that have no bearing on the times or the spiritual interests of our people. The long accounts of the war can be obtained in any political or daily paper. It is not the business of the householder, whom God has appointed, to bring before the people subjects that may be found in the publications of the world, and the less these things are brought into our religious papers, and the more space given to that class of matter which is spiritual food,—in living experience, in Bible studies, in plain, simple, earnest appeals,—the better will it be for the spiritual good and advancement of the work.—Manuscript 95, 1898. (CW 20.1) MC VC
Exalt Christ—In our periodicals we are not to exalt the work and characters of men in positions of influence, constantly keeping human beings before the people. But as much as you please you may uplift Christ our Saviour. “We all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory [from character to character], even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” Those who love and serve God are to be the light of the world, shining amid moral darkness.—Fundamentals of Christian Education, 480 (1899). (CW 20.2) MC VC
Not to Exalt Fellow Men—The Lord has not laid the burden upon any to elevate, praise, and exalt men and women, even though their work may have been to turn the attention of the people to things of highest importance, to the things that concern the salvation of the soul, and shall our time and space be given to glorifying those who have been at work to raise false issues? The Lord has given to every man his work, and to those whom He has placed in positions of responsibility, either in writing, or in speaking, He says, “Your work is to preach the word.” (CW 20.3) MC VC