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

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Jul 17, 1907

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 33, No. 29.

Studies in the Christ-Life at Brother Eldred's

By Mrs. L. D. Avery-Stuttle

Eleventh Evening's Study.

"Now let us see what will finally be the end of this mighty being. Tom, can you find a text to the point?"

Tom turned rapidly to Eze. 28:19, and read: "'All they that know thee among the people shall be astonished at thee; thou shalt be a terror, and never shalt thou be any more.'"

"Now," resumed Brother Eldred, "I think we have clearly proved from God's word that there was a time when Satan, or Lucifer, was a perfect and holy being, in heaven; that he became vain of his beauty and brightness, and that he finally aspired to a position of equality with, or superiority to, the Most High; that, as a result, he was cast out of heaven into the earth, where he still goes about as a roaring lion, seeking to do mischief and to cause the destruction of mankind; and that finally he will be utterly destroyed, never to be, or to exist, any more. Having learned these things, I trust we are now ready to study the peculiar form of temptations which he presented to our blessed Lord in the wilderness."

"You will excuse me, sir," exclaimed Mr. Field, "if I express to you my intense surprise that the Bible contains such a vast fund of information. I had always supposed it to be a dull and uninteresting volume."

"On the contrary," replied Brother Eldred, "I am sure you will find the Book to be a most wonderful storehouse of information; besides, and best of all, a sure guide to lead us heavenward."

"But, Margaret, my little girl, has the lesson been rather hard for you? Can you remember how long Jesus had gone without food when the cruel foe came to tempt Him in the lonely wilderness?"

"I forgot that, papa, I only remember that He was ever so hungry—but maybe Florence knows."

Florence, who was always ready to help her little sister, answered very promptly:

"He had nothing to eat for forty days, father."

"What was the first temptation, Jack?"

"Satan tempted Jesus to perform a miracle to satisfy His hunger. Shall I read Matt. 4:3? 'And when the tempter came to Him, he said, If Thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.'"

"Tillie, can you see any points of resemblance between this form and manner of temptation, and that which Satan used with which to overcome Eve?"

"Yes, sir; he tempted both on the point of appetite. I suppose he thought that as he had been so successful with Adam and Eve, he would first try the same temptation at this time."

"Right; how did he succeed? Blanche, please read Luke 4:4."

"'And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.'"

"Tom, what description does Mark give of the scene?"

"He does not describe it at all, sir, except to say that Christ was with the wild beasts, and that angels came and ministered to him."

"When Satan saw that he had failed at this point, what does Matthew say he did next, Mildred? Please read Matt. 4:5, 6."

"Matthew says that Satan tried to induce Jesus to throw Himself from the pinnacle of the temple, whither he had brought Him."

"Would there have been anything gained by doing this, Jack?"

"Nothing, father, that I can see, only Satan would have had his way, and Jesus would have committed the sin of presumption, mother says."

"Yes," replied Brother Eldred. "Satan appeared to the Master in the garb of an angel of light, and demanded of Jesus a proof that He was not an impostor. 'If Thou art the Son of God,' he said—'if!'"

"Well," said Tillie, "Satan had already had the strongest evidence in the world on that point, for he had heard the voice of God at the baptism of Jesus, declaring plainly, and in the hearing of the multitude, 'This is My beloved Son.'"

"O, yes, Tillie, he knew well enough," said Sister Eldred, "but he determined to take advantage of the physical weakness of our Saviour, and induce Him to doubt His connection and relationship with God. Satan can even quote Scripture as glibly as any one when it serves his end to do so. Blanche," continued Sister Eldred, noticing the young girl's deep attention and interest, "would you like to read the very scripture which the wily enemy made use of? Matt. 4:6."

"'And saith unto Him, If Thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down; for it is written, He shall give His angels charge concerning Thee; and in their hands they shall bear Thee up, lest at any time Thou dash Thy foot against a stone.'"

"Is it a fact, Mr. Eldred, that this is one of the scriptures of the Old Testament?" questioned Mr. Field.

"Certainly; you will find the original words in Ps. 91:11, 12."

Mr. Field turned, after some difficulty, to the scripture indicated, and remarked seriously:

"Well, well; the fact is, Mr. Eldred, I must begin studying the Bible; for I believe, according to what I have learned tonight, that the devil actually can quote Scripture better than I can. True, I never made any profession, but I don't know as that excuses me so very much after all, for of course we have the Book in the house; we may study it if we will;" and Mr. Field bowed his head in his hands, and it was very evident that his heart was touched.

"It really becomes us to be posted," replied Brother Eldred, "and to be on guard constantly, for we have the same cunning foe to contend with to-day that our Lord had in the wilderness."

"But what was the third and most powerful temptation presented at this time, Alice?"

"Why, father, Satan actually tried to hire the Lord to worship him. He told Him he would give Him all the kingdoms of the world if He would only do this."

"Do you not think he is using the very same temptation even to-day, and with far better success among men, Mrs. Field?"

"I am greatly afraid he is," replied Mrs. Field, seriously, "for the vast majority of mankind are surely bowing down to mammon to-day."

Mr. Field had been intently listening to every word, and finally said earnestly:

"Well, Mr. Eldred, I'd like you to tell me now from the Bible if you can, sir, supposing all this narrative to be true, what was the object of it all? In other words, I ask you, Why did Jesus Christ suffer all this and much more, if the Bible be true?"

Brother Eldred closed his eyes reverently for just a moment, and sent an earnest prayer speeding to the Father's throne, for the special help of the Holy Spirit, that he might make the glorious plan of salvation very plain to this inquiring soul.

(To Be Continued.)