Reflecting on Adventist Heritage & present condition

Month of October traditionally is designated as Adventist Heritage month, commemorating the Great Disappointment of Millerite movement of October 22 1844.  In the newsletter you would see inspirational photos of our school kids acting out stories of our pioneers.  I hope you had read with family during the family worship reflections on our movement beginnings and mission.

I was struck by a relevancy of an article reprinted by one of our historical sites, listing Signs of Spiritual Decline

Originally penned by Ellen G. White in the Review and Herald (Nov. 8, 1877, pg. 146), it gives an interesting window into early Seventh-day Adventist spirituality. Check for yourself how it applies today:

SIGNS of Spiritual Decline

1.      When you are adverse to religious conversation or the company of heavenly-minded Christians.

2.      When from preference, and without necessity, you absent yourself from religious services.

3.      When you are more concerned about pacifying conscience than honoring Christ in performing duty.

4.      When you are more afraid of being counted over-strict than of dishonoring Christ.

5.      When you trifle with temptation or think lightly of sin.

6.      When the faults of others are more a matter of censorious conversation than secret grief and prayer.

7.      When you are impatient and unforgiving toward the faults of others.

8.      When you confess, but do not forsake, sin; and when you acknowledge, but still neglect, duty.

9.      When your cheerfulness has more of the levity of the unregenerate than the holy joy of the children of God.

10.  When you shrink from self-examination.

11.  When the sorrows and cares of the world follow you further into the Sabbath than the savor and sanctity of the Sabbath follow you into the week.

12.  When you are easily prevailed upon to let your duty as a Christian yield to your worldly interest or the opinions of your neighbors.

13.  When you associate with men of the world without solicitude about doing good or having your own spiritual life injured.

Hmm….examine yourself.  Are you still in the Adventist spiritual tradition?