Editorial by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Feb 6, 1893

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 19, No. 14.

Editorial.

By Editor

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

THE experience of many ages proves that men may be ready to fight to the death, and to persecute without pity, for a religion whose creed they do not understand, and whose precepts they habitually disobey.—Lord Macaulay.

GOD'S promises are as sure as his throne; so are his precepts. His honor is at stake in both. If we depend on the former, ought we not consistently to regard, to submit, to the latter? To claim to believe God's promises and not his precepts is not faith; it is the rankest presumption. He who thinks that he trusts one, and does not yield to the other, will find his hope but a rope of sand. Faith in God regards both promise and precept.

IT would now look as though America was honored with a permanent pope lieutenant. The newspapers state that it has been authoritatively given out that Pope Leo XIII. had decided to establish a permanent apostolic delegation here, with Satolli as the first delegate. And America is rejoiced to know that she is so honored, we suppose; at least, it has been reported that M. Satolli was shown special favor by the government when he came. The Papacy is a political power which the great parties cannot ignore with safety, and the Papacy knows it as well as they.

CHRIST is coming again in his own personal presence. He went away long centuries ago after a brief sojourn on this sinful earth. Men and women loved him then. Little children smiled in his presence. From heavy hearts rolled heavy burdens of sin and woe. Into mourning homes he carries notes of gladness. To the vile leper he brought cleansing. To the dead he brought life. The darkness of error was dissipated before the warm light of the truths he spake. He loved man, and he showed how much by leaving all that was his, and dying for him he created. He went away personally. His Spirit has been present, and has brought joy, and light, and gladness, and healing, blessing, like the Master, wherever it has been received. But Jesus in his personal presence, in his glorified beauty, in his transcendent majesty, in his infinite love, is coming again. Reader, are you glad? Do you wish to meet him? Is he your Saviour?

Come.—God is infinite in every perfection, possessing in himself all the riches of the universe; and all these infinite perfections he offers to man and asks him to be a partaker of them. All the hoarded love of eternity vibrates in the blessed invitation: “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely.”—Rev. 22:17. And this is but the responsive, living echo of the voice from the four living ones which constitute God's throne, “Come,” “Come,” “Come,” “Come.”—Rev. 6:1, 3, 5, 7, Revised Version. Jesus said, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Dear sinner, why not come now?