Studies in the Christ-Life at Brother Eldred's by Mrs. L. D. Avery-Stuttle

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Jul 3, 1907

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 33, No. 27.

Studies in the Christ-Life at Brother Eldred's

By Mrs. L. D. Avery-Stuttle

Ninth Evening's Study.

"My dear," said Mrs. Field to her husband the next morning at the breakfast table, "I must admit that I am really interested in those Bible studies on the Christ-life over at Mr. Eldred's; Blanche and Mildred seemed to enjoy the evening, too, very much; of course they—"

"O yes, father, indeed we did," interrupted Mildred, "and I am sure we learned a great deal."

"I was just saying," resumed her mother, "that we are all of us very deficient in Bible knowledge. I am especially interested to find that the prophets foretold the exact time of the Messiah's appearing."

"O father! you'll go with us next Friday evening. I'm sure you will,—listen: the study is to be all about Satan; who he is, and how he tempted Jesus in the wilderness," declared Blanche earnestly.

"Well, surely, if your enthusiasm is to be regarded as proof, these studies must be interesting," smiled Mr. Field. "I never took much interest, you know, in the study of the good Book, as some call it. The fact is, it always seemed to me like time wasted. However, since they have chosen such an uncommon subject, I'll go along for once, at least, and see what they make out of it."

And so it came to pass that the next Friday evening found Mr. Field and his family as guests, seated with the family of Brother and Sister Eldred around the table in their cheerful sitting-room, Bibles in hand.

"We are glad to see you all, indeed," smiled their genial host, "and we are especially glad, Mrs. Field, that you induced your husband to come with you."

"But I am almost afraid," replied Mr. Field, "that you will discover me to be quite a Sadducee."

"Why, Mr. Field!" exclaimed Florence, opening her brown eyes wide, in wonder, "you believe in the resurrection, don't you? You know Jesus says, 'I am the resurrection and the life;' you believe in Jesus, of course,—don't you, Mr. Field?"

"Why, Florence, my child," protested her mother, "I'm afraid little girls should not catechize older people. I'll tell you," she continued, turning to Mr. Field apologetically, "the child learned that verse in her Sabbath-school lesson last Sabbath, and it seems to impress her, for she loves to repeat it upon every occasion."

"The question is a pertinent one, I am sure; and I must admit, the verse quoted strikes me as being a most impressive one," replied Mr. Field. "I think it deserves a candid and honest answer, at least. So I will tell you that I believe that Jesus Christ lived on this earth about nineteen hundred years ago, and that he was, without doubt, a wise and good man. But I have never seen any reason for believing in Him as the Saviour of the world. I believe in one God,—no more."

"I thank you for your candid answer," returned Brother Eldred, "indeed, we can not be too careful in our use of words when we approach a question upon which depends so much. But we will not now discuss this particular phase of the subject, but will proceed with our regular reading. Mildred, will you read the first two verses of Luke 4?"

"And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days He did eat nothing; and when they were ended, He afterward hungered."

At once Mr. Field assumed the defensive, "I suppose I ought not to interrupt the lesson so soon, Mr. Eldred, but, the fact is, I can't see how it's possible for sane, sensible people to believe in a real, personal devil. I am most decidedly of the opinion that every time the word 'devil,' or 'Satan,' is used it simply means corrupt human nature. It seems to me to be going back to the Dark Ages to believe anything else."

Brother and Sister Eldred only smiled, while Mrs. Field's face took on a worried expression.

"Please don't think Mr. Field intends to be rude; I'm sure he doesn't mean to be;" and Sister Eldred added:

"No, indeed; I'm sure we are all glad for him to state his position so freely."

"Will Mr. Field please read Luke 10:18, substituting his definition, 'corrupt human nature,' for the word 'Satan,'" resumed Brother Eldred.

"And he said unto them, I beheld—" Mr. Field blushed a little, and paused suddenly.

"O you must finish the verse, papa," insisted Blanche.

"I beheld corrupt human nature as lightning fall from heaven.' Well, that doesn't seem very satisfactory, I admit; but you know I don't profess to believe the New Testament."

"Just one more," interrupted Brother Eldred. "I will read Matt. 9:33, substituting your definition: 'And when the corrupt human nature was cast out, the dumb spake; and the multitudes marveled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel.'"

"Well, well," smiled Mrs. Field, "I imagine that if the possession of a corrupt human nature caused people to become dumb, there would be many more mutes in the world than there are now."

"See here, papa," exclaimed Mildred archly, "can you wonder that the people marveled to find that by casting the corrupt human nature out of a poor dumb man, he became able to speak?"

"Now," continued Brother Eldred, "if you would like some Old Testament scripture, we might read the first chapter of Job."

"I don't think I will trouble you to turn to the place now, Mr. Eldred, I'll look it up when I get home," replied Mr. Field uneasily.

"Very well, then we will turn to Ezekiel 28 and see if we can find something about the character and description of the cruel being who so subtly tempted our divine Lord in the wilderness."

(To Be Continued.)