We are personally responsible to a personal God.
By Editor
From the decision of the great Judge who tries our case, there is no appeal. The deeds of our lives are the witnesses for or against us. From the seeds we sow now we shall reap our harvest then, whether it be for life or for death. There is One commissioned to appear for us in that court of last resort—only One. In His hands our case is safe—in His only, because He only has purchased for us redemption from the bitter bondage into which our sins had sold us. But even He can do nothing for us if we have not acknowledged His purchase, repented, sought forgiveness, and shown belief in Him by our testifying words and works. But such as do this, however, are immediately encircled with the strong arm of God's assurance. Then we can say with David: "He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay; and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings." When that is done, the soul leaps out of its chains of thralldom into the liberty of Christ. Then the liberated one can say: "He hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God." It is a blessed liberty, crowned with a glorious hope, and filling the whole being with an inexpressible joy and trust. "Increasing Religious Observances."—Under the above heading the Christian Work and Evangelist notes that the Stock Exchange and other exchanges closed on Good Friday, thus showing that deference to "religious conventions is spreading throughout the country." But all such observances are not for God's institutions, but for the traditions of men. The surest sign, as all true history offers evidence, of degeneracy in the church is the observance of that which God has not demanded, and which has often displaced the true: A prominent and popular minister in a California city, whose church had joined in a union revival effort, has since publicly criticized the preaching on that occasion. He says it would have been better to preach against the trusts and to have dwelt on themes of special interest to the public, rather than to talk of the minor amusements, such as dancing, theater-going, etc. But the Lord says to His ministers, "Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins." Preaching "smooth things," that do not convict of sin, never yet resulted in genuine revival. To pass over the "little foxes that spoil the vines" in individual character never will revive the hearts of lukewarm Christians, or convert the unconverted. One who has had large opportunity for observation, gives the following as very fruitful themes on revival occasions: "The Unreasonableness of Sin;" "The Dishonor and Guilt of an Unchristian Life;" "The Improbability of Future Repentance;" "Choice as Related to Character and Destiny;" "The Absolute Necessity of the New Birth;" "Heaven Only Possible to Holy Character." The Natural Effect.—The Chicago Tribune declares that in Kansas City nobody cares anything about the Sunday-closing law, and points out that "its enforcement is only by way of punishment and retaliation for something else." Sometimes the saloon-keepers or their allies, the police, are guilty of some indiscretion which makes the people angry, and then, for a short time the Sunday-closing law is brought down upon them. So it is and has been that general Sunday laws are used as clubs for special retaliation, or the punishment of people to whom some vindictive person has taken a dislike. Spiritual Revivals.—On this subject Rev. Rufus S. Underwood, of Springfield, Ohio, says: "I never knew of a powerful religious awakening that was not preceded and attended by a spirit of earnest prayer. The great soul-winners have had the ear of God. They knew how to preach and how to pray. In the great spiritual movements that have blessed God's people, the church has always given to her free spirit the wings of holy song. "Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs" have been the natural and instinctive expression of exalted religious feeling. In this praiseful service no hired sinners can do the singing for the great congregation." A law that does injustice to one individual is an unjust law. All religious legislation by civil law-making bodies is of this character. Its tendency is to make men appear to believe what they do not believe; to make men act one thing while believing another. This is what the Bible terms hypocrisy. Such laws, instead of tending to the moral uplift of the world, make men appear to be what they are not, and to act what they do not feel, thus adding immense numbers to the world's army of hypocrites. There are altogether too many such laws on the statute books now. The condition of the world would be infinitely better without them. The evangelist's work is thus portrayed by Dr. J. Wilbur Chapman: "An evangelist is not a reaper; he is an evangel, one who proclaims the truth. The pastor is pre-eminently the reaper, and his officers and church members are laborers together with him. No evangelistic campaign can be a success unless there has been a good foundation laid in both preaching and praying, and no evangelistic campaign will be a success unless the work of the evangelist is followed by faithful, consistent service on the part of the pastor and people." We call attention to the article in our Outlook Department from our European correspondent concerning the final action of the French Legislature upon the bill for the separation of church and state in France. The principles enunciated in that legislation are the very principles upon which our own government was founded. It is regrettable that there is such a growing disposition in this country to abandon those principles and go back to the wicked follies of church-and-state union just at the time when the legislators of the Third Republic are beginning to practise the principles taught by America's earlier example. "Keep the church and state forever separate," is the motto of true Americanism. France is acting upon the advice. We wish to acknowledge the receipt of Bulletin No. 165 of the University of California College of Agriculture. This bulletin deals with the cultivation of asparagus, and the cause, control, and prevention of asparagus rust. These bulletins are free to those interested in the growing of asparagus. We have also received, through the kindness of Prof. E. W. Hilgard, of the Agricultural Experiment Station, Berkeley, circulars No. 13 and 14, the former dealing with the culture of the sugar beet, and the latter giving practical suggestions for the control of the codling moth. There is no success the Christian should crave so much as success in the work of God. That is undying, eternal. The success men achieve in worldly things will pass away with them and with the world; but success in the things of God will endure and cause us to endure, as long as the universe of God shall stand. Strive with all the energy of the being for that success, and then have the satisfaction of seeing God place upon it the seal of eternal endurance. It was because of God's unfathomable and undying love, that He gave His Son to die for a guilty and sin-cursed race. Yet how many listen to its declaration with scarce a thought, or pass it by altogether unheeding, and so permit themselves to pass out into eternity without a ray of hope in that God of love! "Turn ye, turn ye from your evil way; for why will ye die?" We begin next week the series of articles, promised some weeks ago, entitled, "Foretokens of Our Returning Lord," by G. W. Rine. We can assure our readers of something worth while in the study of these articles. Do not pass them by. Mrs. Stuttle's series on "Education in the Home" begins in this number, and should have the perusal of every parent. The April number of the Carribean Watchman, published at Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, has come to hand. We congratulate its editor upon its neat and attractive appearance, but more than all else upon its fearless proclamation of the message for this time. It is indeed a teacher of the Third Angel's Message—a teacher sent of God. A most excellent number is the May number of Life and Health—worth many times the price asked for it. It is good all the way through, filled with excellent advice for all who value life and health. Send for the May number if you have not seen it; price 5 cents. Address, 222 North Capitol Street, Washington, D. C. "As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us." This is what God will do for every soul who will acknowledge Him, and seek for pardon at the throne of grace. It is your privilege, if you will have it so, to experience the constant joy of knowing that God has done that for you. The Christian minister's power to win souls lies not in himself, but in the love and life of Jesus Christ which he ministers. Apart from that, no effort he may put forth will tell for the kingdom of God.