Editorial by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Feb 20, 1893

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 19, No. 16.

Editorial.

By Editor

"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable."—2 Tim. 3:16.

THE Scriptures of truth are God's spiritual food, of which we may freely eat and grow. But when we approach this table, let us come humbly, taking the lowest seat; then he that hath invited us will say, "Friend, go up higher."

"To THE law and to the testimony; if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." With regard to the matter contained in this paper, we always desire the reader to search the Scriptures, as did the Bereans, to see whether these things are so.

THE characteristics of a perfect man are faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, charity. "But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins." It is necessary, first of all, to have faith, in order that the other graces may be properly cultivated. Faith is what unites us to Christ, and he has told us that without him we can do nothing.

WHEN the United States Congress passed the World's Fair Sunday-closing Act, it did so for religious reasons. The fourth commandment was submitted as the basis of action. This of itself stamps the act as religious legislation. And the act assumes to interpret that scripture, for it applies to the first day that which the scripture explicitly says of the seventh day. Moreover, a Congressional Committee puts on an air of infallibility in the matter. When confronted with the manifest unconstitutionality of the act, the committee declares that the reference is disrespectful to that body. "Congressmen undoubtedly knew what they were doing when they passed that bill," is the haughty reply. Then so much the worse for the liberties of the people. If it has come to pass that Congress will knowingly pass unconstitutional measures, and knowingly misinterpret the Scriptures in support of unconstitutional religious legislation, there is little to expect from that body in behalf of the people's rights. "Blessed is that man that maketh the Lord his trust" from henceforth.

WE must study the life of Christ, and learn what it is to confess him before the world. In order to confess Christ, we must have him to confess. No one can truly confess Christ unless the mind and the Spirit of Christ are in him. If a form of godliness, or an acknowledgment of the truth, were also a confession of Christ, we might say, Broad is the way that leadeth unto life, and many there be that find it. We must understand what it is to confess Christ and wherein we deny him. It is possible by our lips to confess Christ yet in our works to deny him. The fruits of the Spirit manifested in the life are a confession of him.

—Testimony for the Church.