Earlier text: The Epistle of JudeThe Work With “Christ’s Object Lessons”
By Arthur G. Daniells
FROM the State conference papers we are pleased to learn that some of the conferences are taking up the sale of “Christ’s Object Lessons” this winter, with the intention of pushing on with this work until the number of books first agreed upon is sold, and the money passed on to the schools. This is right. The plan adopted for the use of this book for our schools was given to us by the Lord. It is just as good now as when it was first given. The blessings of the plan are not all in the financial help rendered to the schools. Thousands of our people who have worked most earnestly to carry out the plan, tell of personal, spiritual blessings that have come to them. Many tell of the blessings that they have received in reading the book. Churches tell of new life that has come to them, making better meetings, and a larger and better Sabbath-school. Our schools tell of the blessing that has come to them, in the decrease of from one half to two thirds of their indebtedness. All these blessings have come as a result of co-operation with the Lord in carrying out this plan. Will they continue to come just as long as we continue to work with the Lord in carrying out this plan?—Most assuredly. Then we have just as much to encourage and stir us to earnest service in the sale of “Christ’s Object Lessons” as we have ever had. Let us review this plan, recount the blessings of the past, consider the value of this service, and take hold of the work with fresh zeal and energy. Some may feel a little troubled about going over the ground that has been worked with “Christ’s Object Lessons.” We should not let this deter us from earnest work. In the first place, some who thought they could not spare the money for the book then, may feel able to do so now. Others who were not then interested may be eager to purchase now, from what they have heard about the book. And you may meet many who were missed by those who went over the territory ahead of you. Furthermore, we have a plan that will help all to recanvass the whole territory. During the last few months a beautiful work by Sister White, entitled “Education,” has been brought from the press. This is an excellent companion for “Christ’s Object Lessons.” The price is $1.25. It can be carried along with7“Christ’s Object Lessons,” and where the latter has been sold, “Education” may be offered. Many who have read “Christ’s Object Lessons” will be glad to get a work on education from the same author. The book “Education” will be sold on a different plan. It can be obtained at a fair discount. The profits from its sale will help to pay the expenses incurred in working with both books. The use of “Education” in the campaign for “Christ’s Object Lessons” should help to make this work new, and fresh, and stimulating. During the recent council of the General Conference Committee in Washington, the plans for pushing the sale of “Christ’s Object Lessons” in the future were given careful study. After a thorough canvass of the subject, the following recommendation was passed:— Voted, That we recommend that the union and State conferences take up and push to a finish the coming winter, beginning November 21 and 22, the sale of “Christ’s Object Lessons,” accompanied by the book, “Education.” Up to the present, the General Conference, through the Relief of the Schools Committee, or its secretary, has taken the initiative in pushing this work throughout the United States. But in the council referred to above, it was thought that the responsibility and burden of this work should now be transferred, in a very large measure, to the union conferences, and especially to the organizations operating in the territory of the various schools. For instance: the Atlantic Union Conference, which constitutes the district of South Lancaster Academy, should take the burden of pushing this work in its territory. And the State of Ohio, which comprises the territory of Mt. Vernon Academy, should be responsible for the sale of the book in that conference. As this recommendation was discussed at the council, all agreed that better results would be secured by placing the burden of this work upon the various local organizations and institutions interested than by leaving the main responsibility with the Relief of the Schools Committee. It was thought that the committee could render helpful service by working with the local officers, but its work and responsibilities would now be light compared with the past. The principal work to be done now is to sell the book. But few conferences have sold their entire quota. Some have a large number of books on hand. This work should now be taken up and pushed energetically, until we can say it is finished. The following-named persons were appointed members of the Relief of the Schools Committee at the Washington Council: W. C. White (Chairman), P. T. Magan (Secretary), W. T. Bland, F. Griggs, L. A. Hoopes, C. C. Lewis. Brother Magan has informed the officers of the General Conference Committee that, owing to his many other duties, he can not act as secretary. For the present the officers have requested Elder J. S. Washburn to act as secretary. Brother Washburn has consented to do so, and will now take up correspondence with officers of various organizations and institutions. He will be glad to render every assistance possible to help any of our conferences in this good work. His address is 222 North Capitol St., Washington, D. C. Now that the burden of this work falls more heavily than ever upon the organizations in the various school districts, let us pray for the leaders in those districts. We believe a good work will be done. Help for a New Enterprise
By Arthur G. Daniells
DURING the Washington Council in October thorough consideration was given to the new organization, known as the “International Publishing Association.” Its indorsement by the members of the council was unanimous. Not only was it indorsed by the council, but the following provision was made to raise the funds this association needs to place it on vantage ground:— Voted, That a general donation of six thousand dollars for this work be called for the first Sabbath in February, and providing this collection amounts to more than the sum called for, the surplus will be donated to the work in Washington, and that each of the papers concerned solicit donations from its own people. In another article in this issue will be found a full, clear statement regarding the history, character, and purpose of this new association. This statement should receive a careful reading by all. It shows that one of the special objects of this enterprise is to increase greatly the distribution of foreign literature among the Germans and Scandinavians in the United States. When we think of the millions who speak and read these languages in this country, we must all heartily approve of this effort. The principal object of this note is to call attention to the recommendation of the Washington Council to set apart the first Sabbath in February for the purpose of taking an offering for this new enterprise. Six thousand dollars will be required to provide the facilities necessary to carry on the business of the association. I am glad to be able to state that the brethren who attended the council took a very kind, liberal attitude toward the proposal to raise this money for the extension of the work among the Germans and Scandinavians in the United States. It was pointed out that our German and Scandinavian brethren and sisters have always been cheerful, liberal donors to the various enterprises we have established in this country for the development of the work. And now that an opportunity is afforded the English brethren and sisters to contribute of their means to do a far-reaching work for foreign nationalities in this country, I feel sure that a glad, liberal response will be made. This offering will be taken in all the churches Sabbath, February 7. At least six thousand dollars should be raised. If more is given, the surplus will be applied to the work in Washington. Shall we not begin now to prepare for this? The fallacy of the idea that publicity is a remedy for corruption in society and in government, of which so much is seen at the present time, is the theme of a recent editorial in the Philadelphia Public Ledger. Not only is publicity in itself not a remedy, says the Ledger, but often it promotes the power of the corrupt political boss, the charlatan, and the swindler. The Ledger points to Croker and Quay as examples of men who have held unrighteous power for a generation in spite of the fullest publicity concerning their doings. The Ledger closes with this truthful and forcible statement:— Publicity is unavoidable and necessary; but it is a mistake to suppose that the exposure of abuses is tantamount to eradication. The force of evil success will, if unchecked, gather irresistible headway, because there are always hordes standing ready and eager to seize upon any opportunity, while the reformers and the righteous are too prone to think, or to act as if they thought, that with exposure their work was done. Publicity is merely the means of bringing home to the conscience of the community the facts as a basis for intelligent effort; but if the effort is then lacking, the publicity will work no cure, and may aggravate the evils exposed. The American people have seen enough of the workings of free government under a perfect glare of publicity to know that neither publicity nor any other mere piece of “machinery” is a reliance for the supporters of good government. Personal effort, unceasing strife against evil, the constant attempt to lift the individual, and to create in him a hatred of corruption, are as necessary as ever in the world, or perhaps more necessary. There is no automatic means by which the multitude will make a good government; no method except by making the individuals in the multitude good, and this can not be done by publicity. Moral reform by publicity, and moral reform by legislation, are two great fallacies to which reformers of this day are prone to cling. There can be no effective, no true moral reform except through the divine uplifting power of the grace of God which regenerates the heart. This must be the foundation of all that is to be accomplished by publicity. MRS. E. G. WHITE
By Ellen G. White
Written for Our Admonition— No. 2
“Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.” The people of God, and especially the men who occupy positions of trust, need to study the history of Moses’ failure to enter Canaan. Let them stop and think what it means to become angry, to show a spirit unworthy of a leader of God’s people. There are those in God’s service who have given way to anger, and who have not felt the repentance that Moses felt. These men have braced themselves to follow an unchristian course, and have gone on from one wrong to another. And there are murmurers in the church, who easily lose their self-control. If everything does not move to please them, they become irritated, and provoke one another to evil. They have not the light and love of God in their souls; if their way is crossed, they give loose rein to an unsanctified, irritable spirit. I have been instructed to present this before our people, and to urge them to make diligent work for repentance. The instruction given to the children of Israel is for us also. Happy will be the church when its members study the directions given to the Israelites during their journeyings in the wilderness. In this instruction are specified the virtues that the church in the wilderness must have in order to be approved of God. The church of to-day has far greater light than had the church in the wilderness. She should stand on vantage ground, cherishing the pure, holy principles that God declares men must cherish in their dealing with their fellow men, if they would grow in grace and wisdom, and be honored as obedient subjects. Only by following these principles can we adorn the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. The importance of the law of God, and Christ’s relation to it, are to be presented before those who have placed themselves under Satan’s banner, full of self-importance and self-sufficiency. In a wicked world God’s servants are to obey the principles of his government, by their righteousness testifying that fallen man can be loyal to God. Christ is our Leader. Clothing his divinity with humanity, he humbled himself, that he might stand in person at the head of the human race. He laid aside his kingly crown, and yielded up his high position as commander of the angels, who loved to do his bidding. For our sake he became poor, that through his humiliation and poverty, human beings might be made rich, heirs to an eternal weight of glory. The Saviour came to the world in lowliness, and lived as a man among men. On all points except sin, divinity was to touch humanity. Living on this earth as a man among men, Christ answered in the affirmative the question, “Can man keep the law of God?” He was tempted in all points as man is tempted, “yet without sin.” He was tempted that he might know how to succor those that should afterward be tempted. He became a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. “He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” He gave himself to the world as a spiritual teacher, a genuine medical missionary. O that our workers realized what privileges are theirs! They would know by experience what it means to hear and obey the invitation, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Christ came to our world to teach men what is meant by genuine religion,—the religion that will make men and women lights in the world. To all he offers power to form a true, noble character. The converted man rejoices that he has a Saviour who is so mighty. He is a partaker of the divine nature. His repentance is not a farce, but a reality, and the fruits of it appear in Christlike words and deeds. Every day, every hour, he reveals faith in the Sin-bearer. Love, hope, long-suffering, patience, kindness, are revealed in his life. In self-denial he lifts the cross and follows Jesus. He is a representative of the Saviour. “Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To-day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: when your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years. Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest,) take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To-day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” Mark the words “deceitfulness of sin.” Often Satan presents his temptations under the guise of goodness. Beware that you yield not to them. One violation of straight-forward truthfulness prepares the way for the second violation, and wrongs are repeated until the heart of unbelief becomes hardened, and the conscience loses its sensitiveness. Let us humble our hearts before God, and ask him to forgive us for speaking words of unbelief, words that cast a reflection on him who is too wise to err, and too good to do us harm. “We are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end; while it is said, To-day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses. But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcasses fell in the wilderness? And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. “Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. . . . Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.9For we have not an high priest which can not be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” God's Providence
By Margaret E. Sangster
“God’s providence is mine inheritance!”
I read
The quaint old legend on a rainy day,
When gray and thick the clouds hung overhead,
And mists were folding close about my way. God’s providence? Then wherefore should I fear?
My Father’s love is roof and inn for me;
Forever, since my Father holds me dear,
His goodness shall my guard and shelter be. Another, heaven-endowed with worldly gain,
May count his wealth, and gaze his acres o’er,
May reap his harvest fields on hill and plain,
And heap in barn and bin his fragrant store; And I may own no inch of tilth or foot
Of fallow in this great wide earth I tread;
Yet I am rich, and need no pledge to boot,
Save God’s clear stars above my lifted head. “God’s providence is mine inheritance!”
come loss,
Or change, or grief, or whatsoe’er God send,
All things shall work for blessing, and the cross
Be gladly borne, if shared with Christ my Friend. The Mercy of God
By GEO. F. WATSON
“Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.” “For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness.” This message of comfort from our tender Father is due his people at this time in a fuller sense than at any time in all the past. The dragon is wroth, and is making war upon God’s people in every way that his fiendish mind can imagine. One of his most successful means is discouragement. Many are falling because of this. And I doubt not but there are some who have become so discouraged that they have said to some friend, “I can not attain to the demands of the gospel, so I might just as well stop where I am. I can not be saved.” And there may be those who have said as much about some one else, and by so doing brought discouragement to the poor soul that was struggling for victory. What we each need in these trying times is a message of hope, of faith, of power, that will lift men and women above their sins, their mistakes, and their failures. True, we are all sinners in the sight of heaven, but our God is a Saviour of sinners, and not only so, but a Saviour from sinning. My discouraged brother or sister, let us study the experiences of some men who have lived in the past. Shall we take Abraham first? He was a man called of God to stand at the head of God’s great family. This man went out by faith, not knowing whither he went. And yet there came a time when he failed to trust God, and to wait on him, and as a result, sinned. But did God cast him off as worthless? — Never. But we hear God calling this very man his friend, the father of the faithful, and with him he made the greatest covenant that can be found on record, promising that he should be heir of the world. “For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness.” It was not because of Abraham’s sin that God made of him a great nation, but because Abraham repented, obeyed, and trusted God. Beloved, did you ever study the life of Jacob? What a deceiver he was, and that from his youth! O how many wrong things he did! and when God spoke to him, he was in a wilderness. God led him, he instructed him, he kept him “as the apple of his eye,” and made of him Israel, a man greatly beloved of God. But we must not forget that night of wrestling, nor Jacob’s earnest words, “I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.” Why not make this our prayer? “I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.” And just as surely as God blessed Jacob, he will also bless you. Believe it, O believe it. “For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness.” Shall we spend a little time with David? When a mere lad, he was called of God to be king over Israel. David was brave, kind, and gentle; but one day he planned a murder, or at least he placed one of his brave, true soldiers in the front of the battle where he would be killed, that he might have his wife. This sin would have been the utter destruction of David, but for his repentance. Let us pray his prayer, and make it our own: “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving-kindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight.” God did according to his word, and David was forgiven, and now we hear God saying, “I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.” And what was true in David’s case will be true in the case of every man who repents; “for I will be merciful to their unrighteousness.” I am sure a visit with Peter would help us. He was taught with the tenderest care, and by the greatest Teacher this world has ever known. How could he sin? and yet he did just as we have done many times. But that tender, loving look from his dear Lord brought true repentance to the heart of the man who had just that moment cursed and denied his Lord; and from that time Peter was a changed man. He saw himself as never before, and best of all, he saw his Saviour as never before. O that we may see ourselves in our true light, and then look away to the only One who can heal the sin-sick soul. O for a look into the face of our dear Lord! The work left us is great, and we are a small people, but great is our God, and great is his cause, and great is his mercy to those that fear him. “Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.” “For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness.” The Bruised Reed
By F. D. Starr
It was said of our Redeemer: “A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench” (Matt. 12:20); or, as the German translation renders it, “the glimmering torch shall he not quench.” This illustrates the long-suffering and patience of our blessed Lord. If there is found any trace of moral worth, it is cherished and preserved with the hope that further improvement will be made. The open book of nature shows also this method of dealing. Recently in cutting logs for a building, one was selected that was as straight as the rest, but a piece being cut off from the end and split open, it was seen that the inner grains were very crooked, showing that when the tree was small, it was quite crooked, but nature had filled out the parts that were lacking, and it had become a well-rounded tree. This illustrates the early perversity that is often seen in childhood and youth. We would think such gnarled and knotty sticks utterly worthless, but the God of nature causes the crooked to be made straight, and the rough places even and plain, so that the ugly sapling becomes a beautiful tree, fit for use in building important structures. How different are our ways from God's ways! Often we are disposed, because matters are not managed just as we think they should be, to refuse to have anything to do with them. We balk and withdraw our assistance, perhaps conscientiously, because we are sure wrong methods are employed. But is that what we see in nature? A little boy of half a dozen summers had one of his fingers smashed, and an experienced surgeon said it must be amputated. But his parents were not willing their child should lose a finger, so they cared for it, and it healed, and when manhood was reached, it could scarcely be seen that the finger had ever been injured. But how many fingers, arms, and legs are removed that should never have been cut off! Their possessors might just as well have had the use of these limbs as to have been life-long cripples. But in case a limb is taken off by mistake, does nature refuse to co-operate with the process, and lend her healing power?—Far from it. See how nicely the stump heals over, and soon it looks as if the affected part were in its present condition from birth. Though a great blunder had been made in removing the injured arm or leg, nature's restoring power is not withheld, and in this case “all things work together for good” in this process of restoration. God, who could bring blessing and salvation from the actions of Joseph's brothers, though they were moved with envy in what they did,—he who would work with Israel and their king, though they sinned a great sin in asking for this temporal sovereign,—teaches us also through nature's lenient processes the grace of being “easy to be entreated.” James 3:17. Oftentimes the very course that would seem to be unadvisable is the one that will bring the most benefit. Twoscore years ago a school-teacher advised the parents of a lad who was just entering his teens, to seek for their son some light work, or a position as clerk or teacher, as he was too frail and puny to ever become a farmer. But soon after, to save the boy from moral ruin, he was placed upon a farm. He grew up to love that occupation, and under a hygienic manner of living, became strong to endure hard labor without fatigue. The farm was the physical salvation of the boy, as well as a great auxiliary from a moral standpoint. O, how many bruised reeds that seem good for nothing are ruthlessly thrust aside, when they might find a useful place in the multiform framework of society! How many glimmering torches, that seem to emit nothing but offensive smoke, are carelessly extinguished when they might brighten up into a brilliant flame to shine as lights in the world!10 “We entreat the heralds of the gospel of Christ never to become discouraged in the work, never to consider the most hardened sinner beyond the reach of the grace of God. Such may accept the truth in the love of it, and become the salt of the earth. He who turns the hearts of men as the rivers of water are turned, can bring the most selfish, sin-hardened soul to surrender to Christ. Is aught too hard for God to do? ‘My word,’ he says, ‘shall not return unto me void; but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.’”—“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. IV, page 537. “More about Jesus would I know,
More of his love to others show.” The Last Apostasy
By B. G. Wilkinson
“In the last days perilous times shall come.” 2 Tim. 3:1. Forewarned is forearmed. That the Spirit of God seeks in an especial manner to awaken all to the exceeding perilousness of the last days is shown by the assurance introducing this scripture, “This know.” The expression “last days” was also used by the same Spirit when speaking of the great day of Pentecost. Acts 2:17. Now if this important prophecy of Paul in the third chapter of Second Timothy refers back to the day of Pentecost, then it is nineteen hundred years too old for us. But this is not so. While evidently the Lord considers the Christian era as last days in comparison with the eras which preceded it, yet the term is more often applied to the time immediately preceding the second coming of Christ. It is of these years that the Spirit of God speaks in our text. That those perilous times would be in years not then reached is evident from the future tense of the verb. Furthermore, it was not necessary to abide the coming of future decades if it were only bodily perils against which the voice of warning is here lifted; for the apostle himself had experienced a large portion of them. The perils which here call forth the anxious solicitude of the Spirit are those that would assail God’s true children by the subtle teachings of apostate Christians; for the apostle says “for.” For what?—For men would be controlled by that long list of iniquities introduced by this word “for.” But almost all these iniquities we find mentioned in Paul’s epistle to the Romans, where they are attributed to the inhabitants of the Roman world in which Paul was then living. From them, and from all other unconverted pagans since then, it was natural to expect such things; in this the Holy Spirit could have no solicitude. Therefore the list of 2 Timothy 3 can not apply to those who make no profession of conversion, but as seen from verse five, it applies to those “having a form of godliness.” In that is the peril. We know further that the actors in this prophecy would play their part in the years just preceding the coming of Christ, by the declaration that “as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.” Verses 8 and 9. How was the folly of Jannes and Jambres made manifest? Pharaoh, deluded by their subtle errors, cherished the hope of a successful resistance against God until the billows of the Red Sea buried him and his armed host in its depths. This great sight bore witness against the folly of the contradictors of Moses. We are promised to behold a similar scene when God puts to shame before all Christendom these reprobates from the gospel truth. Has it yet come?—No. But when Christ shall appear before the astonished inhabitants of this earth, with the angels of his might, then shall be reduced to dust these cunning seducers who have used his name to hide their wicked ambitions. If we look now to find out where this apostasy takes place, I think we shall find it in the Protestant world. Consider the statements of this scripture, and then seek to recognize the persons who would answer to the facts stated. In the first place, verse nine says, “But they shall proceed no further.” The French version of this verse, which better expresses the Greek, reads, “They shall not make great progress.” In 2 Thessalonians 2, Paul teaches us of another apostasy. We, in unison with a large number of eminent Bible students, regard this latter as predicting the great apostasy of the early Christian church, which gave birth to the Catholic Church. But of this apostasy Paul says (2 Thess. 2:7, 8): “For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: . . . and then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming.” From this and from other verses it is clear that the apostasy of 2 Thessalonians 2 was to grow great. Hence the same apostasy can not be meant; for according to one scripture it already existed in Paul’s day, and would continue until the second advent; while according to another it has only a short duration. And since the apostasy mentioned in Thessalonians was already working in Paul’s day, we locate that as the great and long-existing Catholic apostasy. But for the other, just before Christ’s return, we must search in the Protestant world. There is another fact which, like a searchlight, reveals this apostasy as one in the Protestant ranks, and in operation during later Christian history. It belongs to an age of great Biblical light. “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrines; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” 2 Tim. 4:3, 4. Not only would they turn away the ear from the truth, but “so do these also resist the truth.” Chapter 3:8. Here it is not a simple resistance in general against the convictions of truth, but it is a deliberate rejection of Christian teachers who teach entirely the Word of God, the only source of truth to genuine Christian teachers. This can not apply to the Middle Ages, when the Roman Church authoritatively refused the recognition of the Bible, an action which left the flock without the choice of Biblical guides, and which caused the honest in heart to grope for light. That our prophecy indicates this present-day state of affairs, we see by another thing: there are floods of light, but there is also another condition which can not be found in times previous to our own. That is congregational authority. “They shall heap to themselves teachers.” Vested with the liberty to say to the preacher what they like, and what they can not accept, and possessed of the influence to discharge an unacceptable pastor or engage a polished one—how truly do those words describe the Protestant countries of to-day! Especially how true this is of Protestant America, where the preacher owes his position to the whims and wishes of his congregation. These, then, are perilous times. My dear friend, will you permit yourself, like these evil men, to be governed by wilful determination to have your own desires, or will you be one of those who “love his appearing”? Chap. 4:8. The apostle has given these directions: (1) “From such turn away” (chapter 3:5); (2) “Continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of” (chapter 3:14); (3) “Watch thou in all things” (chapter 4:5); (4) “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” Chapter 3:16. 8 rue Belloni, Paris, France. Like Unto Men
By N. W. Allee
LOOKING down the ages to the time when the people would be in the midst of the experiences incident to the great day of his coming, experiences that will test the character of every soul, the Saviour encourages his people to exhibit those principles of divine life that indicate the restorative power of his grace. He says: “And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding.” Luke 12:36. In the beginning it was said, “Let us make man.” This being met the mind of God as the result of his creative effort. He was pronounced “good.” God made a being in his own image, after his likeness. Sin unmade him. The plan of salvation was provided that the divine likeness, so terribly marred by sin, may be fully restored. The gospel plan is complete, and the results when fully accomplished will present the creature, as they in the beginning, “a man.” Jesus Christ in his life on earth is the example for poor sinful beings to follow; hence, he is God’s idea of man. In the closing work of the gospel effort the result is to be manifested in his11creatures with regard to the great truth of the Lord’s soon coming. Jesus expects the purchase of his blood to act “like men.” The grandest achievement of all effort is “man” again in the image of God. Heaven is looking for those who will see the gravity of this time, sense the situation, carefully weigh the future by the present, and exhibit to the world the qualities of the real man after the mind of God, who will consider the things of eternity, and, consistent with the light and evidences of the nearness of the final issues of the gospel, place all upon the altar, as did Noah. We say by our words that we believe the end is near. Is God being disappointed by our actions? Brethren, are we acting “like men that wait for their lord,” when we allow ourselves to become so engrossed with the cares of life that we do not prayerfully observe every opportunity for gaining spiritual light and strength? The truth of God is to demonstrate its superiority over every system, theory, or philosophy of the world. In the final issue the triumph of the truths of God’s Word is to be witnessed. The victory will be as complete as when Daniel and his companions in the courts of Babylon confronted the learning and wisdom of the most magnificent kingdom of the world. We have reached the generation in which the last great struggle is made that decides forever the long controversy between truth and error. Shall we at this important juncture act “like men who wait for their Lord”? SELF-SACRIFICE is a plain word which it ought not to be possible to pervert or misunderstand. Nevertheless, the mistake is often made of applying it to an effort to exalt and cultivate one’s own soul—which is but a subtle form of selfishness, after all. A well-known nurse in a book of hospital experiences tells of her troubles in training various “probationers,” and says emphatically:— “Some had a most exalted idea of leading a life of self-sacrifice, and so took up nursing; and these were almost too heavy a burden for any unfortunate sister to endure. I used to give vent to my feelings by saying: ‘Well, may I ever be preserved from being nursed by anybody who does it as an act of self-denial!’” “‘O sister! But what can be higher than self-sacrifice?’” “‘Nothing, perhaps,’ I used to reply; ‘but it must be infinitely pleasanter for patients to feel that whoever is nursing them is feeling a cheerful satisfaction in doing them good, than that it is meritorious to perform an unpleasant duty.’” There are volumes of wisdom in these plain, practical words. Self-sacrifice is never the real thing until self is forgotten, clean and clear, in loving thought for others. So long as thought of self enters into it, it is a mixed motive, not a single-minded one. When we are noticing our own self-denial, it is not self-denial, but self-approval. When we do a service—no matter how hard—for another with the thought of our own sacrifice uppermost, instead of the thought of the soul we are doing it for, we are not really unselfish, though we may believe we are. Self-forgetting sympathy for others, self-effacing eagerness to help others—these are the signs of that true self-sacrifice which follows in the footsteps of Christ.—Family.