In the Question Chair

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 5, 1901

In the Question Chair.

[Designed for the consideration of such questions as will be of interest and profit to the general reader. All correspondents should give their names and correct post-office address, that queries not replied to here may be answered by mail.]

837.—The Magicians’ Rods.

Can you take time to answer the following questions? In “Spiritual Gifts,” Vol. IV, edition of 1864, in Testimony No. 7, page 82, it says that the magicians’ rods did become serpents; but in “Patriarchs and Prophets,” page 264, it says the magicians’ rods did not become serpents. How is this discrepancy explained? Also in “Spiritual Gifts,” Vol. III, page 75, it says: “Since the flood, there has been amalgamation of man and beast, as may be seen in the almost endless varieties of species of animals and in certain races of men.” But in Acts 17:26 we read that God “hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth,” etc. Can amalgamated blood be saved? I would like a little light on this subject.

S. S. S., Mauston, Wis.

Answer.—1. The record of the work of the magicians says that when they cast down their rods, they became serpents. If we were to take the literal and rigid meaning of the language employed, we should have to say that the rods of the magicians really became serpents (Exodus 7); but that they did not become serpents is shown by the fact that Aaron’s rod swallowed them up. If they were really serpents, they were subjects of divine power, and would have been able to swallow up Aaron’s rod as well as his rod was able to swallow up their rods. So it seems it was only a matter of appearance, in accordance with which language is often used. So when Testimony No. 7, page 82, says that their rods did become serpents, it uses the language of appearance, just as the Scriptures often do. But when “Patriarchs and Prophets” says that their rods did not become serpents, it discards the language of appearances, and confines itself to the absolute facts in the case.

2. As to statements in “Spiritual Gifts,” page 75, it is not difficult to believe that there have been attempts at amalgamation between man and beast. The difficulty is to believe that the results of such attempts could be perpetuated; and we do not understand the statement to affirm that it could be carried to such an extent as to violate or invalidate physiological law. Thus, if amalgamation could be carried to such an extent as that a human being should beget a beast, such beasts could not perpetuate their species; but might it not be that sufficient results of bestiality would appear as to leave a trace of amalgamation, without destroying the power of generation? The horse and jackass can produce the mule; but mules cannot perpetuate their own species. But the amalgamation of which “Spiritual Gifts” speaks is seen in what is called certain “races of men.” This shows that deterioration was not recognized to such a degree as to eliminate the human, and transform any such offspring into beasts. That objection therefore may not be raised against any class of human beings.