Participants: Chester Clark
Series Code: OTR
Program Code: OTR000842
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01:00 Good morning and happy Sabbath.
01:03 Today I have the honor and privilege to introduce 01:06 to you our speaker today. Our speaker today is 01:10 Chester Clark. Now there are many things I could 01:13 say about Chester. Many stories I could tell, 01:15 but I do not want the introduction to take 01:17 longer than the sermon. Chester has impacted 01:20 many lives and especially mine. 01:24 But the thing that I want to stress most about 01:26 Chester is his character. Chester is one of the 01:29 most humble down to earth Godly man I know. 01:34 He has a passion for young people and a 01:37 strong desire to finish the work. 01:40 And he stands up for his principles and is strong. 01:44 And so today it is my privilege to introduce 01:46 to you the speaker, Chester Clark. 01:49 We have the privilege as ASI family to hear what 01:52 he has sharing and what God has spoken 01:54 on his heart. So let us pray for Chester and 01:58 continue to pray for him as he shares 02:01 what God has placed upon his heart. 06:03 Amen. Percy, it's the roughest, 06:10 weediest most miserable thing I've ever seen. 06:14 It does me up and makes me sick, 06:18 the whole thought of it. Let's pray. 06:22 Father in heaven, today we want to hear a 06:26 message from you. We pray that as we consider 06:30 the history of ASI. As we consider the history 06:35 of our pioneers that we might learn lessons 06:39 that will make us faithful in these last days. 06:44 We thank you in Jesus name, amen. 06:48 In the early 1900s Ellen White was encouraging 06:51 her son Edson to do a work for the under 06:54 privileged neglected self. Edson built a 06:57 boat in Allegan, Michigan and named it the 07:00 Morning Star. From Allegan, he piloted 07:02 his craft up the Kalamazoo River to Lake Michigan, 07:06 across to Chicago, through the Chicago Canal 07:10 and then down the Illinois River to the 07:13 mighty Mississippi. Incidentally while in the 07:17 state of Mississippi, Edson was arrested 07:20 for not having a proper marine pilot's license. 07:24 But the judge let him go as soon as the nature 07:27 of his work was made known and yes Edson did 07:29 obtain the proper license. From the Mississippi, 07:33 Edson piloted his boat now up to the Ohio 07:37 and Cumberland Rivers to near the Nashville area. 07:41 In 1904 Edson convinced his mother to go with 07:45 him on a trip up the Cumberland River so 07:49 she could see first hand the conditions of poverty 07:52 and hardship, he had been telling her about. 07:55 At 2 pm on a June afternoon the Morning 07:59 Start lifted anchor and began going upstream 08:02 into the current. Later that afternoon 08:06 however the Morning Star broke down had 08:09 to be towed to the shore. While repairs 08:12 were made Mrs. White and a W.O Palmer went 08:16 a shore to see a property they'd heard about. 08:19 They found a farm overgrown with brush, 08:22 full of gullies and in general, pretty well 08:26 run down. Upon their return to the Morning Star, 08:31 Mrs. White announced to Sutherland and 08:33 McGann whom she had brought along on the trip. 08:36 There's a farm here the Lord wants you to have 08:40 to start your school. That was just what 08:43 Sutherland and McGann did not want to hear. 08:47 They'd heard about the place, it was a miserable 08:49 piece of property and they thought it was too big. 08:53 Absolutely not, it is out of the question, 08:57 they answered. For three consecutive mornings 09:02 Mrs. White repeated her statement, 09:04 the Lord wants you to have the Nelson place 09:08 and to start a training school there. 09:11 On the third morning, she ordered the boat to 09:14 turn around and go back down stream to 09:16 Edgefield Junction so they could have 09:18 another look. But Sutherland and McGann 09:21 refused to go see the farm. Mrs. White had Will 09:26 Palmer again take her to see the Nelson place. 09:30 When she returned she had already spoken with 09:34 the owners about buying the farm. 09:37 Sutherland and McGann only sulked. 09:41 Well Mrs. White said, then you go and find 09:48 a place that will suit you, but the Lord wants, 09:53 but my brothers this is what the Lord wants 09:56 you to have. Now Ed and Percy had a decision 10:01 to make, didn't they? They'd always said they 10:04 believed in the counsels of Sister White. 10:06 And now they had to make a decision, 10:09 would they follow what she was counseling them 10:12 or would they follow their own inclinations 10:15 and ideas. The two of them took a horse 10:20 and buggy and finally put foot on the farm. 10:24 It was worse then they had heard. 10:26 The topsoil was so depleted that limestone rocks 10:31 were jutting out of the fields. Near a pile of 10:34 rubble what had once been these cabins for 10:38 600 slaves Percy and Ed sat down on a pile 10:44 of rocks and literally wept. Percy had said, 10:52 it is the roughest, weediest, most miserable 10:58 thing I've ever seen. It does me up and makes 11:02 me sick the whole thought of it. 11:07 To make a long story short, God blessed the 11:11 faithfulness of these two men when they followed 11:13 inspired counsel. They bought the farm. 11:17 Madison was one of many, many educational 11:21 institutions began in the United States in the 11:24 early 1900s. But in less than 50 years this 11:27 small school reached international renown. 11:30 In May of 1938 the Readers Digest carried 11:35 an articled entitled Self Supporting College. 11:38 Lotting the accomplishments 11:40 and principles of Madison, the New York 11:43 Times carried a, sent a reporter and photographer 11:46 and then carried a feature article on Madison. 11:50 Newspapers around the nation soon followed suit. 11:53 The St. Louis Post-Dispatch 11:56 ran a two page pictorial spread on Madison. 11:59 Eleanor Roosevelt, first lady of the 12:02 United States, at the request of the 12:05 United States secretary of state interviewed 12:08 some of the faculty of Madison, and wrote about 12:13 it in glowing terms in her syndicated column. 12:17 One of the things she mentions in her column 12:20 is that of 1000 Madison graduates interviewed. 12:25 It was found that not a single one of them had 12:29 had to turn to either private or government 12:32 agencies for help during the great depression. 12:35 Amen. That my friends was a testimony of true 12:39 education. Dr. Phillip P. Claxton, United States 12:43 Commissioner of Education under three 12:45 presidents Taft, Wilson and Harding said this. 12:49 I have seen schools of all grades in many 12:52 countries but none more interesting than this. 12:56 No where else have I seen so much accomplished 12:58 with so little money. The educational work of this 13:02 school does not stop itself. Former students 13:05 have opened elementary schools in the Hill Country 13:07 near Nashville and in the mountains of Tennessee, 13:10 the Carolinas, Georgia, Kentucky and Alabama. 13:14 Their spirit and methods are the same. 13:17 They are self sustaining, except 13:19 for a small amount of money necessary for the 13:21 purchase of the land and buildings. 13:24 These smaller schools alone would justify all the 13:29 cost of the school at Madison." These smaller 13:35 schools described here by the United States 13:37 Commissioner of Education became known as the 13:41 units of Madison. Fletcher, Pisgah, Highland 13:47 Academies are some of the best known units 13:49 still continuing down to this day. 13:51 One of the units was located right here 13:54 near the Louisville area. In 1924 a group of 13:57 nurses bought a piece of property outside the 14:00 city with only a log cabin they began 14:03 a training school, a sanitary, in which later 14:06 it became a hospital. Many Madison graduates 14:08 were involved in the establishment and 14:10 development of the PV Valley project and 14:15 this summer, 83 years later your young people, 14:20 your youth for Jesus stayed in the classrooms 14:23 and aid in the cafeteria of the 14:24 PV Valley Junior Academy. 14:27 On Tuesday evening a beautiful baptismal 14:30 service was held in the PV Valley Seventh-day 14:32 Adventist church. And the ripples from the 14:35 little school at Madison traveled on. 14:38 Today Madison itself is no more, many of the 14:44 units are gone. But where those hardworking 14:49 practically trained young people went 14:52 and worked and lived. Today there 14:55 are Seventh-day Adventist churches. 14:57 And these churches scattered through out 14:59 the South East from Indiana to Florida and 15:02 from Virginia to Mississippi and 15:04 in ASI itself, the legacy of Madison continues. 15:09 Now I'm not here this morning to tell you that 15:11 Madison was a perfect place nor that it has a 15:15 perfect history. But we recognize that the story 15:19 of Madison in many ways the history of ASI. 15:23 In 1947, many of these so called units of Madison 15:28 were officially associated to the Adventist Church 15:31 through a new liaison organization called the 15:34 association of self supporting institutions. 15:37 Now in its 60th year ASI is celebrating 15:42 it's Madison roots throughout this 15:44 convention weekend. I'm sure you've seen 15:47 the summer issue of ASI magazine on 15:49 its cover Dr. E.A. Sutherland. 15:52 In the next few minutes I have you this morning, 15:55 I want to share with you principles 15:58 I found in the lives of the founders of Madison. 16:02 Principles upon which they built a legacy that 16:05 continues down to our day, principles that 16:07 I believe you and I need to keep at the very heart 16:11 and soul of ASI. Principle number one, 16:16 self supporting ministers. 16:20 Turn with me in your Bibles to Matthew chapter 28 16:24 and verses 19 and 20. Matthew chapter 28 16:29 and verses 19 and 20,. you know these verses, 16:33 they are familiar to all of us here at ASI, 16:36 Jesus says all power is given to me in heaven 16:40 and earth and He says in verse 19, Go Ye therefore 16:43 and teach all nations, baptizing them in the 16:46 name of the Father and of the Son and of the 16:48 Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all 16:50 things what so ever I've commanded you 16:52 and low I'm with you all way even unto the 16:55 end of the world. The founders of Madison 16:58 believe that these words this commission devolved 17:02 upon each member of the church of Christ, 17:05 can somebody say amen. This is not describing 17:08 the work of the ministers alone, but of each of 17:11 us as we become a part of the body of Christ. 17:15 Madison trained very few pastors intentionally 17:19 that is, in the early days especially very few 17:23 graduates went to work for the denomination. 17:25 Frankly, the Church itself didn't have the money 17:28 to hire many of them. But they went to 17:31 work anyway. You see the first principle 17:36 of Madison was that you didn't have to be paid 17:40 to work for God. Amen. They had the audacious 17:43 idea that lay people could share Christ in 17:47 their marketplace. While working as a nurse, 17:50 a plumber or a pediatrician or a 17:52 carpenter they could enter a town and by toil 17:56 economy and self-sacrifice build up a Church, 18:00 a Church of the testimony to the message 18:03 for our day. The first principle of Madison's 18:06 enduring legacy as I see it is also found in 18:10 Desire of Ages page 195, it says this, 18:13 every true disciple is born into the Kingdom 18:16 of God as a missionary. That my friends is the 18:21 foundation of ASI. It is the principle that every 18:28 person has a work to do, not that they are 18:30 all to be on the Church's payroll you understand, 18:32 but it's the priesthood of all believers, 18:34 it's the principle that the work of God will 18:36 never be finished by the paid ministry alone. 18:38 It's the principle that lay people can sacrifice 18:41 an evening each week to hold a Bible study, 18:44 lay people can take of their own funds 18:46 to buy literature and to give it to their 18:48 associates and co-workers. 18:50 It's a principle that is still desperately needed 18:53 in the Seventh-day Adventist church today, 18:55 would you agree? Amen. It doesn't mean that 19:00 we all have to be missionaries. 19:02 But today I want to remind you that 19:04 we need an army of young people who will 19:07 be rightly trained. Not all becoming pastors 19:10 or evangelists, but no matter what they're 19:13 trained to do, no matter what the work they 19:16 are trained to support themselves by they must 19:19 also be effectively trained to share Christ 19:23 as they support themselves. 19:25 The principle of self-supporting 19:28 ministers is one of the foundational 19:32 principles of Madison. You see my friends, 19:36 if we fail to teach our young people to do 19:40 more than just make money, they won't be 19:44 a part of ASI someday. They'll just 19:48 be making money. Every Adventist young 19:52 person deserves the right to be trained not 19:55 only to make a living but to work for Jesus while 19:58 they support themselves. 19:59 The first principle is the principle of 20:02 self-supporting ministers. Principle number two, 20:06 mission first, institutions second. 20:11 I find this very interesting in the 20:13 history of Madison but it comes through 20:15 loud and clear. Matthew 24 verse 14 20:19 you know the story these are great Adventist's 20:21 verses and this and these institutions shall 20:25 be built in all the world for a witness to all 20:28 nations is that what it says and as gospel 20:31 of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the 20:33 world for a witness into all nations and then 20:36 the end shall come. Now don't get me wrong 20:39 I believe in institutions but institutions are a 20:43 means to an end and there late 1980s 20:47 Ed Sutherland sold his pony named Mouse 20:51 to raise enough money to go to school in 20:54 Battle Creek. In 1888 he met a young man 20:58 there named Percy Tilson Magan. 21:00 Percy was living in the home of Mr & Mrs James 21:07 and Ellen White. Ed spent many hours in the 21:10 White home studying with Percy the 21:12 Three Angels' messages, 21:14 the investigative judgment, 21:16 the sanctuary and the atonement all in the 21:19 light of the beautiful message of righteousness 21:21 by faith. Together Ted; Ed and Percy fell 21:26 in love with Jesus again and became committed 21:30 to spreading the Three Angels messages far 21:33 and wide. For 26 years these men were never 21:37 long apart. Percy had an immeasurable 21:40 influence on Ed. And for years they labored side 21:45 by side at Madison school as it's co-founders. 21:49 In 1910 they both enrolled in medical 21:53 school realizing that they're fledgling medical 21:57 missionary training program needed 21:59 more physicians. Still living on Madison's 22:02 campus Ed and Percy went to school commuted 22:07 everyday to Nashville on motorcycles. 22:10 In 1911, Church leaders placed an earnest call 22:15 to Madison for Dr. Newton Evans one of Madison's 22:20 two licensed physicians to come to California 22:23 and to be a part of starting a college 22:25 of medical evangelists in Loma Linda California. 22:28 Dr Evans at first refused noting the dyer 22:32 conditions in which Madison will be left 22:34 should he live but when the second more urgent 22:38 request came even Dr. Sutherland agreed 22:42 that Dr. Newton should go or Ed, not the doctor. 22:46 The staff and leadership of Madison shoulder an 22:50 additional burden in his absence for three more 22:53 years until Percy and Ed could graduate from 22:57 medical school. They graduated 22:59 in the spring of 1914, that same fall however 23:05 WC White wrote another letter to Madison. 23:10 This time he was asking to know Dr. Percy 23:15 team again, to join the Loma Linda faculty 23:18 and take leadership of the work in Los Angeles. 23:22 When it was decided that Percy indeed should 23:25 leave Madison, Dr. Sutherland said it is, 23:29 this is like tearing asunder bone and marrow. 23:34 Later the Madison group contributed $50000 23:40 in early 1900s currency, $50000 to help start 23:46 what are now Loma Linda University and 23:49 White Memorial Hospital. My point is this, 23:52 Sutherland knew it wasn't about Madison it was 23:56 about souls. It wasn't about building an empire 24:01 of ministry or it's about schools he controlled, 24:03 it was about finishing the work in the most 24:05 efficient manner. To this end he gave from 24:09 Madison's resources freely, even when he 24:13 knew it wouldn't promote or extend 24:17 the institution of Madison itself. 24:19 Sometimes we forget that we're not called 24:22 to this time of earth's history 24:23 to build institutions. Institutions, my friends 24:28 are only a means to an end and not an end 24:32 to themselves. Enough of this competing 24:36 for credit, enough competing for publicity 24:39 enough thinking that we're competing for funds. 24:43 We need to work together within the church 24:47 and within self-supporting ministries. 24:49 We have been given a gospel commission not 24:51 an institution commission, if God gives you 24:54 resources, use those resources for the purpose 24:57 for which they've been given and God will take 25:01 care that you have more. 25:03 The last thing we need in this desperate hour 25:06 of earth's history is for organizations existing 25:11 for the purpose of sustaining themselves, 25:14 while failing to accomplish the purpose for which 25:17 they were established. Principle number two, 25:20 mission first, institution second. 25:24 Principle number three, faithfulness in the face 25:29 of opposition. Amen. Long before 1904 25:33 and the Morning Star ride up the Cumberland 25:35 river Ed and Percy had become known for 25:39 tackling difficult issues. It's interesting to me 25:44 to know from their biographies that Percy 25:47 was often the one that influenced Ed to apply 25:51 the counsels to his own life and make reforms 25:53 and changes in his practice. But it was Ed 25:56 who took these reforms and brought them 25:59 into the institutional setting. 26:01 I'll give you an example. 26:03 It was Percy's influence over Ed Sutherland 26:06 that led Ed to become a vegetarian. 26:09 But in the late 1890s as Ed Sutherland came back 26:17 to Battle Creek to teach to teach Battle Creek 26:20 college, it wasn't long before this Bible teacher 26:23 had influenced a number of students at Battle 26:26 Creek college to also become vegetarians. 26:30 They began asking for a vegetarian diet to be 26:33 served to them in the cafeteria. 26:35 Now two tables were set aside there in 26:38 Battle Creek College for the vegetarians to be 26:41 able to eat but soon that wasn't enough 26:43 and the president of Battle Creek College 26:46 took Ed Sutherland aside. He said Edward, 26:50 we appreciate your work as a Bible teacher, 26:53 but you must realize that you should avoid 26:57 discussions of matters that may lead to 26:59 controversy and fanaticism. 27:03 Then the matron spoken up, Edward, 27:05 I'm surprised that you would stir up the 27:07 students over so trivial a matter. 27:11 Now according to the book Madison, 27:13 God's beautiful farm, Ed didn't argue but 27:17 neither did he yield and within three years 27:20 President Prescott himself was a vegetarian 27:24 and meat disappeared from the college dining 27:26 room never again to reappeared. 27:29 Later after fall, after founding 27:31 Walla Walla College, Edward called back to 27:34 Battle Creek to be it's president. 27:37 Listen to the counsel of Ellen White concerning 27:39 manual training but could not see how this 27:42 counsel could be applied where they were 27:45 in Battle Creek with only a seven acre campus. 27:48 Finally in desperation, he did something sure 27:51 to ruffle many feathers. He and Percy plowed up 27:55 the baseball diamond and tennis courts 27:57 and planted vegetable gardens. 28:00 It was Sutherland and McGann that led to 28:03 the radical move from Battle Creek to 28:06 Berrien Springs, at every step of the way 28:10 they had to meet with false accusations 28:12 and rumors and opposition from those 28:14 who did not want to go along with their changes. 28:19 The criticisms flowed freely even from the 28:22 newly moved church headquarters 28:23 in Washington, D.C. The constant pressure 28:26 had broken the health of Ida McGann, 28:28 Percy's wife by early 1904 Ed and Percy agreed 28:32 that should the opposition continue, 28:35 that in the May 1904 General conference session 28:38 they would have to resign their positions 28:41 at Emmanuel Missionary College. 28:43 The year before a particularly vicious rumor 28:47 had circulated. It was reported that Ellen White 28:51 herself had said to the management 28:53 of the school at Berrien Springs was crooked 28:56 and wrong, that there was a one man power 29:00 that would crush everyone who did not conform. 29:05 Now this was not true and Ellen White herself 29:09 vigorously denied having said something like 29:12 this but in spite of her denials this statement 29:16 attributed to her was sent to the staff 29:18 and students in Berrien Springs. 29:23 Ellen White says that under the pressure 29:26 of these rumors Mrs. McGann's health 29:29 was broken. In the General Conference session 29:32 of 1904 while they were meeting 29:34 Mrs. McGann passed her rest. 29:36 Now this is what Ellen White had to say 29:39 Sister McGann with her husband, struggling 29:42 with him and praying that he might be sustained 29:44 she did not think of herself but of him 29:47 and God did sustained them as they walked 29:49 in the light. But it seemed to her as 29:51 if some of our brethren had not a heart of flesh, 29:55 his poor wife was informed that Sister White 29:57 had taken a stand against her brethren, 29:59 oh why did anyone ever say such a thing. 30:02 Sister White never turned against Brother 30:04 McGann or Brother Sutherland but Sister 30:06 McGann was so waited down with sorrow 30:09 that she lost her reason, now the poor woman 30:12 has gone leaving two motherless children, 30:14 all this because of the work done by 30:18 unsanctified tongues. Now soon after she made 30:23 this statement, the unsanctified tongues 30:25 went back to work. Now they made the ridiculous 30:29 rumor circulate that Ellen White had accused 30:32 the church leaders of murder, 30:34 in the middle of all of this controversy 30:37 Ed and Sutherland resigned their positions 30:40 at Emmanuel Missionary College. 30:42 Now I want to tell you there are some modern 30:43 historians that say at their time there was 30:45 fraught with foibles and they reformed 30:47 from mistakes. But listen to what the prophet 30:50 of God said, she told the assembled delegates 30:53 there at the conference that Percy and Ed were 30:58 not leaving as failures but I quote they had 31:00 acted in harmony with the light God gave. 31:04 They have worked hard under great difficulties 31:07 God has been with them and approved 31:10 of their efforts. But my friends the principle 31:13 number three that we find from the founders 31:15 of Madison was that we must be faithful even 31:19 if we meet opposition. My Bible tells me that 31:23 we should expect trials and troubles to come. 31:27 2nd Timothy chapter 3 and verse 12 31:29 Yea, and all that will live godly shall suffer 31:31 persecution. Friend, today I want to remind 31:33 you that we are living in a great controversy. 31:41 But I hasten to remind you that this controversy 31:44 is not, has never been and never will be a 31:47 controversy between self-supporting ministries 31:50 in the church. Between so called liberals 31:53 and conservatives, between individuals, 31:55 it is the great controversy between 31:57 Christ and Satan. Between truth and error, 31:59 between right and wrong between the power 32:02 of the word of God and the fatal sophistries 32:04 of the enemy. And if you and I are going to play 32:07 a part in this great controversy 32:09 we must not always run from conflicts. 32:14 We must learn to do what is right because 32:16 it is right and leave the consequences with God. 32:20 If we will stand for the truth we must expect 32:23 that it will bring opposition. 32:24 Ellen White said it this way, if the Church 32:26 will put on the robe of Christ righteousness, 32:30 that's what we heard about Wednesday night 32:31 wasn't it? The mission within our priority, 32:34 if the church will put on the robe of 32:36 Christ righteousness, withdrawing from all 32:38 allegiance with the world, there is before 32:42 her the dawn of a bride and glorious day. 32:45 Truth passing by those who despise and reject 32:48 it will triumph, amen, amen. Though times 32:52 apparently retarded its progress has never 32:55 been checked. When the message of God meets 32:58 opposition, he gives it additional force that 33:02 it may exert greater influence, in doubt with 33:06 divine energy it will cut it's way through 33:08 the strongest barriers and triumph over 33:11 every obstacle. The founders of Madison asked 33:16 one simple question, not what is popular, 33:18 what is the easy thing to do, what is truth, 33:23 what does the council say? I don't know about you, 33:27 but I want to be on the side of truth don't you? 33:29 Amen. Principle number four, believe his prophets. 33:35 It does me sick, it does me up and makes me sick 33:38 the whole thought of it though, the only reason 33:41 Sutherland and McGann bought the Nelson place 33:43 was because they believe in the spirit of prophecy. 33:46 Madison was built on an implicit faith 33:49 and the relevance of the Bible and the 33:51 Biblical prophetic message of Adventism. 33:54 Sutherland and McGann spent their lives teaching 33:56 the principles of scriptures and when it 33:58 came to the spirit of prophecy they gave more 34:01 than lip service. They followed its guidance 34:04 even when it went against their own inclinations 34:07 and opinions. In Second Chronicles 34:10 chapter 20 and verse 20 Jehoshaphat said 34:12 to the people Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants 34:16 of Jerusalem; Believe in the LORD your God, 34:19 and so shall ye be established; 34:21 believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper. 34:24 I maybe old fashioned my friends but I still 34:27 believe the Bible is the best guide for both 34:31 individuals and organizations living 34:34 today in 2007. I find it troubling when I feel 34:38 the people are saying that the council is no 34:41 longer relevant. I find it troubling when on our 34:44 educational efforts, we are more interested 34:46 and ideas that the world has subscribed 34:48 to than the ideas that God has prescribed for us. 34:52 I would remind you that in 1904, it wasn't easy 34:56 to follow the counsel either. If you think that 35:00 manual training was popular in academic 35:02 circles in 1904 you're mistaken about history. 35:06 It wasn't the popular thing to do. 35:09 If you think that, if you think that in the 35:11 early 1900s disposing of sports for manual 35:14 training or for going the teaching of popular 35:16 but demoralizing literature for Bible 35:18 teaching was well regarded in educational circles, 35:22 your mistaken. But Madison listened to the counsels 35:26 of inspiration. And God blessed them. 35:31 I used an example of education this morning 35:33 because I'm a teacher and many of us here 35:35 at ASI are involved in education and training 35:39 of young people. But whatever your profession 35:41 or calling or vacation maybe, 35:44 I ask you this question this morning, 35:46 are you believing his prophets. Amen. 35:49 If you're not reading, by default you're not 35:52 believing, God is today calling us to greater 35:55 fidelity to his word. I wanna turn again 35:59 to the example of Madison they're often 36:01 discouraging times, they're often misunderstood. 36:04 But God through his messenger told them that 36:06 as long as they will be faithful to his word 36:08 they would be blessed I quote, 36:10 the Lord does not set limits about his workers 36:13 in some lines as men are likely to set. 36:17 In their work, brethren McGann and Sutherland 36:20 have been hindered unnecessarily, 36:22 means have been withheld from them, 36:24 because in the organization management 36:26 of the Madison school it was not placed into the 36:29 control of the conference. But the reasons why 36:32 this school was not owned in control by the 36:33 conference have not been duly considered. 36:36 Now notice what she says, the Lord does not 36:38 require that the educational work 36:39 at Madison shall be changed all about before 36:43 you can receive the highly support of our people. 36:45 The work that has been done there is approved 36:47 of God and He forbids that this line of work 36:51 shall be broken up. The Lord will continue 36:54 to bless and sustain the workers, 36:56 so long as they fallow his counsel. 37:00 So long as they do what, follow his counsel. 37:02 The Lord will continue to sustain and bless 37:06 our work as long as we follow his counsel, 37:09 the issue my friends is faithfulness to the 37:13 word of God. Believe his prophets so shall 37:16 you prosper. The fifth and last principle that 37:20 I'm gonna share with you this morning 37:21 from the founders of Madison, 37:23 it's found in 2nd Corinthians 37:25 chapter 12 and verse 15, it's a story of the 37:29 Apostle Paul's life summarized in one 37:32 sentence you might say. The Apostle Paul 37:34 might be considered the earliest of the 37:37 ASI members he was a tent maker, a self supporting 37:39 worker at many times supporting himself 37:43 by the work of his own hands. 37:44 Many times including while he was in Corinth, 37:48 this was not appreciated. Many times they didn't 37:52 respect him because he was not considered 37:54 one of the official workers but it says here 37:57 in 2nd Corinthians chapter 12 and verse 15, 38:01 And I will very gladly do what, spend and 38:05 be spent for you; though the more abundantly 38:09 I love you, the less I be loved. 38:12 The fifth and last principle we'll consider 38:14 this morning is the principle 38:16 of self-sacrifice. The Apostle Paul didn't 38:22 get much reward on this earth for his labors. 38:28 McGann and Sutherland didn't either. 38:31 In fact the work at Madison was established 38:36 on sacrifice. Life at Madison was very simple 38:39 especially in the early years the old log 38:41 plantation on the Nelson place at first was 38:44 both living quarters for the faculty 38:47 and classrooms for the students. 38:48 Teachers worked side by side with the students, 38:51 Professor McGann was the farm manager. 38:55 And Professor Sutherland was the 38:57 president and general manager of the school. 38:59 I found it very interesting though when I learned 39:02 that one of President Sutherland's official 39:05 responsibilities was to churn the cream 39:09 and prepare the butter for sale. 39:13 Miss Degraw would dawn her white gloves 39:17 and drive the old mule to town, 39:20 carrying the eggs and butter to market. 39:23 On one occasion some mischievous college 39:26 boys not only greased the buggy, 39:31 but they greased the leather harness 39:33 and reins as well and of course Miss Degraw's 39:38 white gloves in the process. 39:41 They used plaques for tables and dry goods 39:44 boxes for chairs, there was no electricity, 39:47 no air-conditioning not even steam-heat. 39:51 For all this hard work they earned just 39:53 a few meager dollars a month. 39:55 Life was simple at Madison, 39:56 why did they do it? Because they believed 39:59 in the mission, they believed in the message, 40:02 they believed in the cause, and I today in 2007 40:07 when I read these stories of the pioneers 40:09 of our church at Madison. 40:10 I remember again that in 2007 I really don't 40:14 understand the meaning of the word sacrifice. 40:17 Do you? Some times I think it's easier for us 40:23 to go on a mission trip to India. 40:24 It's easier to find people to move to, 40:27 to go to India than to move to a small town 40:30 in south to start a church. 40:32 But the works can be finished my friends 40:35 with greater sacrifice than it was began. 40:41 Five principles, self-supporting 40:43 ministers mission first, institution second, 40:48 faithfulness in the face of opposition, 40:50 believe his prophets and self-sacrifice. 40:54 On Madison's 30th anniversary, 40:56 Professor Arthur W Spalding recited the 40:59 following poem that aptly describes the spirit 41:03 and experiences of the founders of Madison. 41:05 I've adapted them slightly for our 60th anniversary. 41:08 Why came they here this little band, 41:11 what sought they in this climb, 41:13 were they so greedy of the land or hope 41:16 they jewels to mind. No they with faith 41:20 and hope were filled, they saw a kingdom 41:22 great of minds and souls that should be built upon 41:26 their low estate. One thrilling call alone 41:30 they heard, one mission could afford they knew 41:32 one faith the masters word, not greater than 41:36 your Lord. They came to minister his grace 41:39 to serve and not be served and in the vision 41:42 of his face receive all that they deserved. 41:46 They were content to serve with hands 41:48 where service most must be and by that 41:51 service bind the bands of human destiny. 41:54 We who came after speak their praise but better 41:57 by our deeds, if we their monuments shall 41:59 raise by serving other's needs. Full 60 cycling 42:03 sons have sat upon this growing tree, 42:06 now in its pride let none forget what made 42:09 that growth to be lowly and greatness let us 42:13 be as were our pioneers and keep their vision 42:16 that can see down through the coming years. 42:20 As Jessica sings a song I want you just to think 42:24 in your own heart, am I committed to the 42:27 principles which the founders of ASI lived by. 42:32 And if you wanna say yes Lord, I'll, 42:34 I'll be committed to finishing your work in 42:40 whatever way you call me. 42:41 I invite you to talk with Lord about it now. 42:44 Just where you are as she sings. 42:54 They looked for a city in which to rest 43:03 From all their labors on this old earth. 43:11 They struggled and stumbled in their search 43:19 To look for a city for the weary and tried. 43:29 Oh, pilgrims look up to the skies. 43:37 In your journey the Savior will help you on your way. 43:45 Oh, pilgrims look up to the skies, 43:54 The city of rest for the weary and tried. 44:09 We looked for a city in which to rest 44:18 From all our toils on this old earth. 44:26 The savior will help us along our way 44:35 As we look for a city for the weary and tried. 44:46 Oh, pilgrims look up to the skies. 44:54 In your journey the Savior will help you on your way. 45:03 Oh, pilgrims look up to the skies, 45:11 They city of rest for the weary and tried. 45:35 At last the glad shout, The city is found 45:43 Comes along the line and gladdens our hearts. 45:50 And then we see our Savior there, 45:58 The King of the city for the weary and tried. 46:08 Oh, pilgrims look up to the skies. 46:15 In your journey the Savior has 46:20 helped you on your way. 46:23 Oh, pilgrims look up to the skies, 46:30 They city of rest at last is found. 46:44 They city of rest at last is found. 47:07 All God's people said, amen. 47:09 Thrilling Sabbath, hasn't that been? 47:12 As Pastor Mark Finley and the Pastor from, 47:18 Paul Ratsara, the President of division 47:19 and Pastor from Beitbridge in Zimbabwe 47:22 were talking, it touched my heart, used to work 47:25 there had meetings there just a 47:26 year and a half ago. Years ago, 47:28 when it was Southern Rhodesia and the Rhodesia 47:32 we'd worked very hard, evangelists were in that 47:35 area and baptized almost no one. 47:37 And now the country is struggling, it's a very 47:40 difficult time, it's hard to find things to eat 47:44 and isn't it amazing what is happening, 47:47 an explosion in the Church, perhaps someday we may 47:51 look forward an explosion in our Church 47:53 here in North America. Amen. And perhaps 47:57 we'll have to go to that end as well. 48:00 Shall we stand for a prayer? 48:03 Father in heaven, we have had an exciting 48:05 thrilling Sabbath that has touched our hearts 48:09 and I pray Lord that you will bless this morning 48:12 as Doug Batchelor shared with us about Samson 48:16 and Sabbath school we're touched, 48:18 as we have the offering appeals and we heard 48:20 thrilling stories from around the world, 48:22 our hearts were touched and as Chester preached 48:25 and touched our hearts again about Madison. 48:28 And Lord this afternoon as we, 48:31 as we share together at 2 O'clock and 48:34 then at 4 O'clock and then at 6:45 as we close, 48:37 we pray that your spirit will be here 48:39 in each one of us. Father our hearts 48:42 will be touched and as we leave ASI 48:45 we'll leave with a renewed vision. |
Revised 2014-12-17