Editorial by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jan 16, 1893

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 19, No. 11.

Editorial.

By Editor

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

WHAT a blessed consolation an apostle gives those who have been humble enough to accept of the gospel: "But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption." 1 Cor. 1:30. What more do we want?

WHETHER the World's Fair is closed on Sunday or not, the SIGNS OF THE TIMES does not care a straw; but it does contend that, as a religious question—and it is none other from the A to the Z of the case—the United States Government has nothing to do with the matter. The first Amendment to the Constitution absolutely forbids it.

THE gospel of Christ "is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein [in the gospel] is the righteousness of God revealed." If the professed believers in Christ had more faith in his gospel, they would not seek to enforce the righteousness of God (his law) by civil authority, a thing utterly impossible to do. Men can only observe God's law by the power that comes through the gospel, and the gospel cannot be enforced. It demands voluntary submission to the transgressed law, and perfect faith in its promises.

"THE mystery of God" is Christ in the heart and life of the believer (Col. 1:27), or, in other words, it is the righteousness of God unto all and upon all that believe (Rom. 3:22). "The mystery of iniquity" is that which makes void God's law in the hearts of men, and sets up the usurper instead of Christ. Do not be prejudiced, dear reader; examine God's word to see if this be not so: The agitation of the mystery of God is rallying more and more around the very center of God's holy law, the Sabbath of the fourth commandment, while the mystery of iniquity is spending all its forces around the pseudo sabbath, the pago-papal Sunday. The question for us to ask is not, Which is the most popular? but, Which is truth? What does God's word testify? What was Christ's example? Will you ask these questions honestly, and then decide for God?

VERY much has been said pro and con relative to the salvation of the passengers on the Atlantic steamship Spree in answer to the prayers of Mr. Moody, General Howard, and others. Some, even among professed Christians, scout the idea of God hearing prayer, because other steamers have gone down. As to the Spree and her deliverance we know nothing, but we believe that God hears prayer and works as effectually for his people now as when he trod the storm-crested billows of Galilee. He is just the same God to-day as in the past.