p. 40 | Read the Text by Editor

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jan 15, 1885

Read the Text.

By Editor

SEVERAL times the writers for the SIGNS have been requested to open their Bibles and copy from them, whenever they quote texts for publication. This is the only way to secure accuracy, and to save trouble to the editor, printer, and proof-reader. Our oldest speakers, who are most familiar with their Bibles, very seldom write a text from memory for the SIGNS. The Scriptures are so often misquoted that we all are in danger of following erroneous renderings; and sometimes, when we think our memory cannot fail us, we find, on examination, that we have made a mistake of some short word, which may materially change the reading. Let all who write for the SIGNS, either write from the open Bible, or compare their manuscript with the Bible before sending it to the office.

There is one reason for doing as here suggested which has not, to our knowledge, been referred to directly. They who quote from memory, and therefore often follow popular renderings, are in danger of following popular errors, and of losing much of the beauty and benefit of the texts they aim to quote. Of this we were forcibly reminded, while examining an article in which Rom. 8:28 was given as follows: "And we know that all things shall work together for good to them that love God." Now that word "shall" is an addition to the text, and gives a meaning to the promise quite different from that contained in the Scripture, as written by the inspired apostle. It throws the work into the future; but the text has it in the present.

The lesson we would try to enforce on this subject is this: Do not overlook present blessings. Many texts are unappreciated; many promises are suffered to lie concealed, because of a careless reading. We will notice a few.

The text under consideration says, "All things work together for good." But, the general opinion on this subject is shown by inserting the word "shall;" that is to say, though it is bad for the present, it shall, at some future time, work for our good. But, with this view, it is difficult to maintain that spirit of confident submission which more naturally springs from a knowledge of the present care of our heavenly Father in our trials and afflictions. We are very prone to complain, and to think that God has no care for us, because we are suffered to fall into afflictions. And we need just such an assurance as is given in this text, when read correctly, to realize that our God is "a very present help in trouble." Ps. 46:1.

Again, it is written, "Tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope." Here again a present benefit of tribulation is recognized. Rom. 5:3, 4. It is an undisputed truth that exercise gives strength; and how should patience be exercised, without crosses and tribulations? Some think they have much patience while everything goes to suit them; but when trials arise, they declare their patience is exhausted! But not so. The trial makes manifest their spirit, and proves that patience has not yet been developed in their experience.

And this idea is presented again in 2 Cor. 4:17: "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." Here unbelief manifests itself, saying, My affliction is not light, nor momentary; it is very heavy, and of long continuance. My trials are so great that they overcome my faith and fill me with discouragement! Then, surely, your afflictions work against you, not for you. But this is not a Christian, but a worldly, experience. What is the matter? There is a qualifying declaration here of which we should not lose sight. The apostle continues, "While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen;" that is, while "we walk by faith, not by sight." Chap. 5:7. It is only when the eye of faith is fixed on the "far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory" that we can realize—can feel that our afflictions are light and but for a moment. When viewed alone, they seem almost past all endurance; when contrasted with a far more exceeding weight of glory, they are light; with eternal glory, they are but for a moment. Compared with eternity, "what is your life? it is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time and then vanisheth away." But,

"When we've been there ten thousand years, Bright shining as the sun, We've no less days to sing God's praise Than when we first begun."

Can this be so? Why not? Thousands and millions of years of glory will leave all eternity yet before us! What a thought! or rather, whose thought can reach the greatness, the fullness of the promised glory? We shall need eternity to realize the wondrous love of God, and of his beloved Son, in bestowing such glory on sinful mortals. And eternity itself seems insufficient to recount all the wonders of his grace. And if God "spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?"

James says, "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations, knowing that the trying of your faith worketh patience." This, then, is also a necessity; and though it may be a "fiery trial," it will but consume the dross, and purify the silver. Were there no dross, no fire would be needed to refine. Were we all right, no correction would be required. But in our condition, with our surroundings and dispositions, we should never be fitted for the society of angels, for the purity of Heaven, without trials and crosses.

Said the Saviour, "Blessed are they that mourn; for they shall be comforted." And the mourner says, "If I could feel the comfort, then I could believe in the blessing." But that is not faith. You need not wait till joy takes the place of mourning; "Blessed are they that mourn." The blessing is upon them while they are mourning, and "they shall be comforted." They who walk by sight will not trust the promise for the blessing; they must have the comfort of mind now or they will not believe. But faith is willing to trust and wait; it says:—

"My rest is in Heaven, my rest is not here."

It finds consolation in doing the will of God, in crosses, in trials, in affliction, and in sorrow.

Other texts might be mentioned to illustrate the idea herein taught. But why particularize? The whole scope of the Scriptures, the entire gospel plan, is but an evidence of God's willingness to help the weak, the helpless, and undeserving. "Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him." And we know that a father pitieth his children most when they are in trouble and affliction. "So the Lord pitieth them that fear him." How easy to suffer and to bear "all things," when we know that they "work for" us, and are the means of making manifest our Father's care!

"Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take; The clouds ye so much dread Are big with mercy, and shall break With blessings on your head."