“Covered Herself with Glory”—Consider It.—
The Pacific Christian Endeavorer of August 1 says:— “California has covered herself with glory by winning the banner presented by the Rev. Wilbur F. Crafts for the greatest amount of work done by a State union in defense of the Christian Sabbath. It now remains for the Endeavorers of California to make this success a permanent one, by continuing the work of the Lord’s Day Committee so enthusiastically begun, and retaining the banner next year in the face of the immense competition we will meet from many other States.” The only glory a Christian should seek is God’s glory. “Fear God, and give glory to him,” is the demand of “the everlasting Gospel,” and coupled with it is, “and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.” Rev. 14:6, 7. We give glory to God by rendering to him that which is his due. “Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.” His glory is his goodness, his character. And the glory and beauty of the Lord can only be upon us as we receive by faith in Jesus Christ of God’s glory. That is the meaning of God’s glory and name to us. Ex. 33:18, 19; Ps. 90:16, 17; John 17:22, 26. Now as Sunday-sacredness or Sunday-keeping is no part of God’s character or law, it can be no part of his glory or holiness or beauty; neither can it be of ours; for he bestows upon us what is in him. It is therefore not a part of God’s worship, but of our will worship. Hence when man does thus, he takes glory to himself. But this glory is not what God has bestowed; it is that which has usurped the place of God’s glory, the place of those things which were manifested in the beauty and glory of Christ’s character. Now, if we glory in that which hides God’s glory, do we not glory in our “shame” and mind “earthly things”? See Phil. 3:19. To work for the observance of the first day of the week in the face of God’s commandment and Christ’s example is to render to God the shame which belongs to men, and not the glory due unto his name. “Why call ye Me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” says Jesus. Christian brother or sister, consider these things.