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Signs of the Times, Vol. 19, No. 7.

Editorial
Earlier text: A BAPTIST PROTEST AGAINST STATE AND CHURCH LEGISLATION

EARLY MISSIONS IN CEYLON.

By Hon. N. F. Graves

BY HON. N. F. GRAVES.
THE Portuguese, the Dutch, and the English have held Ceylon since 1505. In that year the Portuguese conquered the country and took possession of the same. They fortified the principal towns and ruled the country with an absolute sway. The San Franciscan monks followed, and made Colombo the center of their operations and divided the country into sections in which there was a church and a priest. They instituted a new system of gaining converts. Those who were baptized were given positions, with pay for their services. By that means they gained many converts. The Tamils were gathered into their fold in large numbers, and many of the Brahmans submitted to the new order of things. The Cingalese were gathered in great numbers. The Catholics did not wait to educate or even to give religious instruction, but baptism became the channel by which they found employment and good treatment. The nation rebelled against this system, and the Rajah of Jaffna slew many of the converts, but he was conquered and deposed.
The Dutch besieged and conquered the country and drove the Portuguese from the land, with all the priests, and all Catholic rites were forbidden under very severe penalties. The Dutch at first adopted about the same means to make Protestants as the Catholics had to make Catholics. They baptized all who offered, and no unbaptized person was allowed to hold any office or to own real estate. It did not take long to have an army of converts. The Hindus seemed to accept the government religion more readily than the Buddhists, and thousands became converts, but it was found that these forced converts were only in name, and that their belief and practice remained the same. When these proceedings became known, the classis of Amsterdam condemned them, and a new system was instituted and schools were established and a system of teaching was begun. It then took many years to gain converts. The work progressed slowly, but with untiring energy, and after many years of faithful labor churches were organized.
In 1796 the English drove the Dutch out of the country, but many of the churches that had been organized continued, and some remain to this day. There are Dutch churches at Colombo, Point de Galle, and other places, now principally sustained by the descendants of the Dutch.
There is a large class in Ceylon that are the descendants of European fathers and native mothers, and are called Eurasians, or frequently half-caste. Those born in Ceylon, usually partake of the condition of the mother, and generally have her features. They are so numerous that they have become a class of themselves, and most of them sustain the Dutch Church.
Soon after the English took possession of Ceylon the English Baptist Missionary Society sent out Mr. and Mrs. Chater, who commenced their labor at Colombo in 1812, and were there most of the time for twenty-two years. Mr. Chater died on a voyage to England, and Mr. Daniel took his place and labored on for fourteen years alone. His labors were not lost, and he was held in great respect by the Cingalese among whom he had labored. That society has done a great work in Ceylon, reaching as many as one hundred and fifty villages. Their force has always been small, but they have many native helpers.
In 1814 the Wesleyan Missionary Society sent out five men, who landed at Galle, and some settled there for work among the Cingalese. Others went to Colombo and Jaffna for work among the Tamils. The English governor favored them.
The missionaries of this society have been faithful and persevering, and early organized a native agency. The schools and colleges have done an important work. They have a mission among the Veddahs, the most ignorant and degraded of all the people of Ceylon. They have a printing press at Colombo, which they call their "book room." This society has about thirty missionaries, a great number of catechists and native workers, nearly two thousand communicants, and five thousand scholars, and their work is pressed forward with energy.
The American Board began a mission in 1813. The missionaries were excluded from Bombay, and one of them, Mr. Newell, went to Ceylon, and in 1815 four others sailed from Boston, and after a voyage of about six months reached Ceylon and began their work at Jaffna, and they continued their labors in that part of the island. Their stations extended to Tillipalli and Batticotti. Governor Brownrigg gave them the use of the old Dutch churches and schoolroom. In 1819 there were added to this mission four men and their wives. A printing press was sent out to them, but Governor Barnes, who had succeeded Brownrigg, forbade the use of the printing press, on the ground that the missionaries were Americans; but the press was not idle, being used by the English Church mission.
In 1826 a seminary was opened at Batticotti, which became the best English school on the island. The seminary was a great expense to the mission, as no fees were charged. About twelve hundred students were taught in this school, a majority of whom became Christians. The school was changed into a training school for native helpers. The buildings are now used by the Jaffna College. The college has for its directors missionaries of different bodies, civilians, and native Christians. There is a normal school at Tillipalli doing a good work. The prejudice against female education has passed away, and the school for girls at Oodooville has had a continued success. The printing press of the society is now in the hands of the natives, and most of the churches have become self-supporting. There are eight stations and twenty-four missionaries, with thirty native preachers and nine teachers, with a large number of scholars.
The English Church Missionary Society began its work in 1818 among the Cingalese and Tamils at Nellore, Point de Galle, and Kandy. Kandy was the center of Buddhism, and the people were under the control of the chieftains and priests. The society started schools for boys, and met with moderate success, but it was ten years before a girls' school was opened.
The prejudice against the education of women was very great. The work was difficult and moved slowly. The center of this work was at Cotta, near Colombo. They had schools and a printing press. The work is principally among the Cingalese and Tamils, and there are over seventeen hundred native Christians, with schools and many scholars, and a college at Kandy. This society derives very much of its support from the planters of the island.
The Society for the Propagation of the Gospel entered this field in 1838. The society has worked among the mixed races of the island. They have a college at Colombo under the management of the church, with many schools and scholars. The important feature of this work is educational. There are other missionary societies at work among the people, and all the societies are giving special attention to schools and colleges, and the education of the young. The young men are anxious to learn the English language. Many of the schools, as well as the churches, are self-sustaining. Many of the Cingalese and Tamils that were educated in these mission schools have become teachers, some physicians, some lawyers, some are magistrates, and many have become ministers. I found that some are now holding positions of respect in Madras, and some are in Singapore and many other places.—Gospel in All Lands.

THE REIGN OF PEACE.

By Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

WERE half the power that fills the world with terror, Were half the wealth bestowed on camps and courts, Given to redeem the human soul from error, There were no need of arsenals and forts. The warrior's name would be a name abhorred; And every nation that should lift again Its hand against a brother, on its forehead Would wear forevermore the curse of Cain. Down the dark future, through long generations, The echoing sounds grow fainter and then cease; And, like a bell, with solemn, sweet vibrations, I hear once more the voice of Christ say, "Peace." Peace and no longer from its brazen portals The blast of war's great organ shakes the skies, But beautiful as songs of the immortals, The holy melodies of love arise. —Longfellow.

Steps to Christ.

By Editor

BY MRS. E. G. WHITE.

We have much pleasure in announcing an important and exceedingly helpful work, under the title of STEPS TO CHRIST, by Mrs. E. G. White. The rare ability of the author in the presentation of Scripture truth has never been used to better advantage than in this little work. STEPS TO CHRIST is not alone suitable as a guide to the inquirer and young convert, but is rich in thought and suggestion for the most mature Christian. Some idea of its scope and practical character may be gathered from the following table of contents.
ADDRESS, Pacific Press Publishing Company, Oakland, Cal. .·. OR .·. 43 Bond St., NEW YORK.
TABLE OF CONTENTS: The Sinner's Need of Christ. I. Repentance. III. Confession. IV. Consecration. V. Faith and Acceptance. VI. The Test of Discipleship. VII. Growing up into Christ. VIII. The Work and the Life. IX. Knowledge of God. X. The Privilege of Prayer. XI. What to do with Doubt. XII. Rejoicing in the Lord.
STEPS TO CHRIST is issued in a rich, though neat, cloth binding, gold and ink dies, at 75 cents per copy. Sent by mail, post free, on receipt of price.

A HOLIDAY BOOK.

By Editor

Useful as Well as Ornamental.

Most children like picture books, and most people who have children buy picture books for them. But about holiday time many people buy picture books for other people's children.
A nice picture book is a nice present. A good picture book is a good present. An instructive picture book is an instructive present.
All these qualifications are included in the BOUND VOLUME of

OUR LITTLE FRIEND.

There is no use in buying books that teach children folly and nonsense. They learn too much of that incidentally. They get too much without buying it. Let the money be spent for something useful.
Volume II contains over 400 pages, 7x10 inches, and is bound in cloth and also in paper, with a handsome design on first page.
Price, in Cloth............................$1 00 Price, in Paper............................60
These prices include postage. Address

OUR LITTLE FRIEND,

OAKLAND, CAL.

FROM CONSTANTINOPLE.

THE following interesting letter was written by Brother Baharian, October 5, to Elder H. P. Holser. The Brother Anthony mentioned in the letter received the truths we advocate while living in San Jose, California, some years ago. Being a Greek, and having a Greek education, he readily saw the force of our positions in the Greek Scriptures, and soon became burdened to carry the light to his native country.
Last Sabbath Brother Anthony and I were called by the police to appear before the court to answer for the tracts and circulars that we had distributed. Enemies had stirred up the police against us. We went to the court, but the time was up before we were called. Then we were sent to jail. This event filled the hearts of our brethren with exceeding sorrow. They were ready to do everything to gain our freedom; but I preferred to leave all to the Lord, to see how he would show his power before our enemies. So we did not try to bribe the officers, or refer to persons of high rank, but to the Lord.
This was my first time in jail. We passed the night in a dark room, damp and cold, and our companions were a murderer, thieves, etc. But our hearts were glad, thinking that we had the same privilege that the apostles had. In the morning when the doors were opened, we were permitted to go out in the yard.
Among the prisoners were Greeks, Armenians, and Turks from all parts of Turkey. I found that many were honest men, in prison on account of their politics. This was a good opportunity for us to give them the last message. I began to tell them about our truths; some were interested, especially one that is to be exiled to Tripoli, Northern Africa. Would that I could see him longer.
I read in the Bible that the field is the world. I think the jails are not excepted. Why not go there to preach the glad tidings of the kingdom of God, and illumine the dark corners with the light of the Lord? We passed four days in jail, but were very much interested. I would rather stay here a few days longer, and help the poor and miserable men. Our brethren visited us every day, but returned in sorrow, thinking that we would have to remain a long time in prison. Indeed, this was a hard thing for them, but good to strengthen their faith and bind them closer to us with the ties of love.
Monday afternoon we were again called to the court; but again the time was up before we were called before the judge. Then they put us into a closed wagon, dark as a prison, prepared to carry only criminals. This was an open sign that the government considered us as dangerous persons, and that we would have to remain a long time in jail. Tuesday we were called before the judge. God was with us. We answered with courage about our work. The judge saw that we had obtained permission from the government for our tracts, and there was nothing in the circulars touching the government, and that we were accused falsely. He well knew that we did not try to disturb the people, but to call them unto salvation, and that the second coming of Christ was not preached from a national standpoint, but as a truth of the Bible. God caused to vanish all the clouds of suspicion, and we were free.
Oh, the joy of our brethren for such unexpected freedom! We are free now. No man can take the glory of it, but the Lord. After this we hope that God will carry on his cause with more success. Last Sunday, while we were in prison, about forty persons called at our house. We hope that God will lead them here again.

FIELD NOTES.

THE German Sabbath school at College View, Nebraska, has seventy-two members.
THE new Walla Walla College, College Place, Washington, was opened December 7, with 101 students enrolled, and a number of others arrived after the opening.
ELDER W. S. HYATT, president of Missouri Conference, reports the organization of a church of twelve members at Clearmont, and one at Stanberry of fifteen members.
THE College View Enterprise says that "a committee of the Seventh-day Adventist Conference of Texas visited Oak Hill, recently, to investigate the matter of establishing a Conference school there."
ELDER J. E. GRAHAM, president of North Pacific Conference, gives notice that "the Conference Committee has appointed T. H. Starbuck treasurer of the Conference, successor to O. Dickinson, deceased. Tithes should be sent to him, at 506 East Everett Street, Station A, Portland, Oregon."
ELDER PAUL E. GROS reports a good work among the French brethren at Wilson, Michigan, where three were baptized and others decided for the truths presented from the Scriptures. He was also called to Chicago to speak to a company of French Protestants who were gathered together by a friend.

IN GOD'S PRESENCE.

By Archbishop Trench

LORD, what a change within us one short hour Spent in thy presence will avail to make; What heavy burdens from our bosoms take; What parched grounds refresh as with a shower! We kneel, and all around us seems to lower; We rise, and all—the distant and the near— Stand out in sunny outline, brave and clear. We kneel how weak; we rise how full of power! Why, therefore, should we do ourselves this wrong, Or others, that we are not always strong, That we are ever overborne with care, That we should ever weak or heartless be, Anxious or troubled, when with us is prayer, And joy, and strength, and courage, all with thee. —Archbishop Trench.

HOW TO BEAR BURDENS.

YEARS ago I heard a little incident that I never forgot. In the East there is a hospital for the lepers, and Moravian missionaries have gone there to live and die among them. A high fence incloses the grounds, and one day a man was curious enough to climb up the fence that he might see the lepers in the garden, and he saw this strange sight: A man who had feet carrying a man who had hands, but no feet. The man who had feet scratched up the ground with his foot, and the man on his back dropped the seed he carried into the ground. I have often thought of the circumstance. We have to supplement the defects of others, and they ours. "Bear ye one another's burdens." I wish we could get down to real simplicity in the burden-bearing business.
In the long ago when I lived in a dear little parsonage and had little children, there came to see me a plain-looking little woman, a member of our church, who said: "You spoke last night of bearing one another's burdens, and I thought maybe you would let me help you bear yours, so I have come around to darn your stockings for you. You must have a basketful." And so I had. That basketful of stockings! I can see them now. And the dear little woman! she sat quietly mending the stockings. She did bear my burdens, for there were no sewing machines, and I had so much sewing to do.—Ladies' Home Journal.

FROM PITCAIRN ISLAND.

LETTERS from Pitcairn Island to Brother J. R. McCoy, dated October 5, 1892, say that Elder Gates' health has improved very much since staying on the island, and that he is a blessing to the place and people. He works some at carpentering, besides making a nice clearing under a cocoanut grove to interest the young people in gardening. Besides the grammar and Bible lessons previously mentioned a literary meeting is also held every Wednesday evening, which is much enjoyed. All the members have their part to act on different evenings. Meetings for preparing students for the field of labor in the cause of God are held from 5 to 7 A.M. each day.
The letters received by Brother Gates and wife from their friends were conveyed to the island by H. B. M. ship Champion, from Papeete, Tahiti. Any mail or parcels sent there, to care of British consul, would be taken to Pitcairn Island in the same way. About the same time every year a ship of war goes from Tahiti to Pitcairn.

LITTLE FRIEND, CLOTH BOUND.

By Editor

VOLUMES 1 and 2 of Our Little Friend bound in neat cloth covers are now ready, and will be sent postpaid for $1.00 each. They are just the thing for a birthday or holiday present. Now is the time to order. Address, Pacific Press Pub. Co., Oakland, California.

REVISED AND ENLARGED EDITION.

By W. A. Carney

By W. A. CARNEY.

A Compendium of Forms, Instructions and Legal Information for Secretaries of Corporations, with Extracts from, and References to, the Judicial Decisions of the Courts of Last Resort of the Various States and of the United States, as to the Rights, Duties and Liabilities of Stockholders, Directors, Officers, Agents, etc.; by Whom and in What Manner Corporate Contracts can be Legally Made and Executed, How Ratification is Effected and Consent of Stockholders Secured. Nature of Liability of Stockholders, etc.
There are many points of law which are neccessary to be known in order to avoid uncertain results, but the Law of private corporations is ordinarily widely diffused through, and only accessible in, expensive law books. To concisely present so much of corporation law as every stockholder, director and officer should be familiar with, has been the aim of the author in issuing the second edition of The Secretary's Manual. Wherever neccessary to amplify or illustrate the text, apt and authoritative quotations have been made from the judicial decisions from the Courts of last resort.
How many persons, for instance, connected with corporations, can define the precise meaning of the term, "Organization," as applied to corporations, know what constitutes the charter of the corporation, are aware under what circumstances a director is entitled to compensation for ordinary services, and whether or not he can vote on the question of giving himself a salary?
There is need for such a book; hundreds of corporations are formed every week in the United States, and a work of this kind is now needed to qualify directors and officers as to their duties, and enable them to discharge such duties with celerity and certainty. The numerous forms given will save the time of the experienced.
The secretary who is desirous of recording the proceedings of the stockholders and board of directors in "good form" will find the purchase of this book an investment which will soon be many times repaid.
THE "MANUAL" IS NEATLY BOUND IN CLOTH, Price, - - - - $1 50 Address PACIFIC PRESS PUB. CO., OAKLAND, CAL. Or 43 BOND STREET, NEW YORK.
BAPTISM: Its Significance, Its Nature, and the Necessity for It. By E. J. Waggoner. Bible Students' Library, No. 79. Pacific Press Pub. Co., Oakland, Cal. 16 pp.; 2 cents.

International S. S. Lessons.

"So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading." —Neh. 8:8

LESSON I.—SUNDAY, JANUARY 1, 1893.

RETURNING FROM THE CAPTIVITY.

[NOTE.—The questions which follow are merely suggestive for the student on the leading points of the lesson; it is presumed that the thorough student will think of many more as he studies the subject. References, where verses alone are given, always refer to the lesson scripture printed above. All other references are given in book, chapter, and verse. The text printed is that of the Revised Version, not because it is especially preferred, but because it is not found in every family, as is the common version.]

Lesson Scripture—Ezra 1:1-11.

1. Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying,
2. Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, All the kingdoms of the earth hath the Lord, the God of heaven, given me; and he hath charged me to build him an house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah.
3. Whosoever there is among you of all his people, his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the Lord, the God of Israel (he is God), which is in Jerusalem.
4. And whosoever is left, in any place where he sojourneth, let the men of his place help him with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts, beside the freewill offering for the house of God which is in Jerusalem.
5. Then rose up the heads of fathers' houses of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests, and the Levites, even all whose spirit God had stirred to go up to build the house of the Lord which is in Jerusalem.
6. And all they that were round about them strengthened their hands with vessels of silver, with gold, with goods, and with beasts, and with precious things, beside all that was willingly offered.
7. Also Cyrus the king brought forth the vessels of the house of the Lord, which Nebuchadnezzar had brought forth out of Jerusalem, and had put them in the house of his gods;
8. Even those did Cyrus king of Persia bring forth by the hand of Mithredath the treasurer, and numbered them unto Sheshbazzar, the prince of Judah.
9. And this is the number of them: thirty chargers of gold, a thousand chargers of silver, nine and twenty knives;
10. Thirty bowls of gold, silver bowls of a second sort four hundred and ten, and other vessels a thousand.
11. All the vessels of gold and of silver were five thousand and four hundred. All these did Sheshbazzar bring up, when they of the captivity were brought up from Babylon unto Jerusalem.
Golden Text.—"The Lord thy God will turn thy captivity, and have compassion upon thee." Deut. 30:3.

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

1. Who was Ezra? and what can you say of his book? Note 1.
2. What is the chronology of this lesson? Note 2.
3. What noted thing occurred in the first year of Cyrus? Verse 1. Note 3.
4. Why did the Lord thus stir up the king? Isa. 45. Note 4.
5. Concerning what was the proclamation of Cyrus? Verse 2.
6. To whom was it addressed? and how many did it include? Verses 2, 3.
7. What permission was given them?
8. Who first seized the opportunity offered in the proclamation? Verse 5.
9. What help did they receive? Verse 6.
10. What liberality and justice did Cyrus show? Verses 7, 8.
11. What was the sum of this bestowal? Verses 9, 10.
12. What lesson may we learn from this history? Note 5.

NOTES.

1. Ezra.—Ezra was a learned Jewish priest and scribe, a good man and faithful (Ezra 7:6, 11), and of course of the tribe of Levi. He was born, says Rawlinson, about 495 B.C. He lived in Babylon during the reign of the Persian king, Artaxerxes Longimanus, and nearly 80 years after our lesson opens brought another company to Jerusalem. See chapter 7. He is the author of the book of Ezra, and supposed to be the author of Nehemiah and 2 Chronicles. The last two verses of the latter are the same as the first two of Ezra. He died at Jerusalem, according to Rawlinson, about 420 to 410 B.C. The book of Ezra consists of two parts. The first six chapters cover a period of twenty years before Ezra's time, over fifty years intervening between the sixth and seventh chapters. The remaining chapters are an inspired history of what occurred in Ezra's time. The book was written in Hebrew, except from chapter 4:8 to 6:18, and 7:12-26, which portions are written in Chaldee; the decrees contained in these were doubtless copied from the official documents.
2. The first year of Cyrus.—This was in 536 B.C., at the expiration of the seventy years of captivity predicted by Jeremiah. Jer. 25:11, 12. Daniel was then a prominent man at the Persian court. Dan. 6:28. The place of operation may be seen in the maps found now in nearly all Bibles. Cyrus was the ruler of the Persian Empire, and of the civilized world (558-529 B.C.).
3. The Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus.—From his proclamation it is evident that Cyrus recognized the true God, not perhaps as God alone, but as a great God over all others. This was doubtless due to his association with Daniel, and the way God had wrought for his people in overthrowing Babylon. Jer. 25:1-12; Daniel 4, 5, and 6; Isa. 44:24-28 and 45:1-4 should be studied in connection with this lesson. There are still other scriptures which relate to the same things. The lesson really comes from Ezra 1:1 to 2:67.
4. To fulfill.—Not simply to make his word come to pass and so vindicate himself, but to keep his promise to his people for his great love to them. See Isa. 44:24-28; 45:1-4; Jer. 25:11, 12. The Jews heartily repented of one sin at least; they never after this experience worshiped idols any more, nor turned from the Sabbath to sun worship.
5. THE LESSONS.—1. God will not always bear with sin. He did all that he could in reclaiming Judah in their own land; at last he allowed them to be carried away captive. But in this he simply gave them the fruit of their own desires. They trusted man instead of God, and captivity was the result. It will be the same with us. God only is our strength and fortress. 2. The charm and power of idolatry were broken in the honest hearted who hung their harps on the willows, and sighed for Jerusalem. Those who learned the lesson of the one true and only God, whether of Judah or the ten tribes of Israel, seemed mostly to have returned. In later years even many of the idolatrous Jews of Babylon were converted. 3. The captivity sifted out the worthless—the unrighteous—leaving those to return who would have some appreciation of God and his service. Those who returned and offered were "willing-hearted." God wants willing service. 4. The captivity led to greater study of the word of God, the food and life of the child of God. 5. Through that study of the word in captivity they spread abroad more of the knowledge of God among the nations, and served to open their hearts toward the rest of the world. 6. Truly it must have been with joy of heart that the captives of Judah, together with the longer captives of Israel, began their homeward journey, to the number of 50,000. It was a second going up out of Egypt to the promised land, typifying once again the final deliverance of all who believe God from the bondage of sin and death. We will then sing, as doubtless did they: "When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing; then said they among the heathen, The Lord hath done great things for them. The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad." Ps. 126:1-3. Can we not sing it even now?

LESSON I.—SABBATH, DECEMBER 31, 1892.

THE WORD OF GOD.

LESSON SCRIPTURES AND SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

I. 1 Thess. 2:13: "For this cause we also thank God without ceasing, that, when ye received from us the word of the message, even the word of God, ye accepted it not as the word of men, but, as it is in truth, the word of God, which also worketh in you that believe."
1. For what did the apostle thank God?
2. With what does he contrast the word of God?
3. How much difference is there between the word of God and the word of man?
4. What does the word of God do?
5. Upon what condition does it work?
6. Does it make any difference how we receive the word?
II. Isa. 55:8-11: "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain cometh down and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, and giveth seed to the sower and bread to the eater; so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth; it 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."
1. What are words intended to convey?
2. How much difference is there between God's thoughts and man's thoughts?
3. How much difference, then, will there be between God's word and man's word?
4. What definite results are produced by rain and snow?
5. What comparison is made between these agencies and God's word?
6. How must the word be received in order that it may accomplish such results?
III. Heb. 4:12: "For the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart."
1. What characteristics of God's word are here mentioned?
2. Are these true of man's words? Show the difference.
IV. John 1:1-4: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him, and without him was not anything made that hath been made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men."
1. Who is meant by the Word?
2. Why is He called the Word?
3. What is found in Him?

NOTES.

1. The apostle thanked God that the brethren had received the word of the message that he bore as the word of God, because received as the word of God it would help them by working effectually in them. We may not understand by this that the word of men accepted as the word of God will work effectually, for it will not. Neither will the word of God received as the word of men benefit any more than the word of men. But the word of God accepted as the word of God works mightily and effectually; it must, in order to work, be "mixed with faith." Heb. 4:2. The difference then amounts to the difference between the Infinite and finite, between God and man. Man's word is no greater than the power behind it; God's is as great as the power behind it, which is omnipotence. See Ps. 146:3-6; Isa. 26:4; 1 Cor. 1:25. The "message" which Paul preached was the gospel, which is "the power of God unto salvation" (Rom. 1:16), and this power is the all-power in heaven and earth (Matt. 28:18), and this gospel is but another name for the word of God (1 Peter 1:25).
2. Words are designed to convey thoughts. Man puts his thoughts into words, and his fellowman can read, study, and understand them, can even go beyond his meaning. But not so with God's thoughts as expressed in his word. God's words contain a depth of meaning which only his Spirit can reveal to us (1 Cor. 2:11, 12), and for this purpose God gave the Spirit (John 16:13; 1 Cor. 2:10). And as the rain and snow are sent to water and fructify the earth and cause it to bring forth, so God's word is sent to bring salvation to his people and to bring forth fruit in them (see Acts 13:26; Isa. 44:3, 4; Deut. 32:2); and thus it will do for all who receive it (James 1:21; Acts 20:32). No wonder as David contemplated God's word and works, he said, "How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God!" Ps. 139:17; 119:97.
3. Four characteristics are given in Heb. 4:12 of the word of God. It is (a) living, (b) powerful, (c) sharp, piercing, or penetrating, (d) and discerning, able to judge or discriminate. The words of God have life as an essential element; they are spirit and life (John 6:63). God is the Source of all life. As he has life in himself, so has he given to Christ to have life in himself. John 5:26. And as men saw Christ every day and yet knew him no more than a man, so they read and hear his word, and know it only for the words of men. But as to them that believed in Jesus he was the power of God and the wisdom of God, so to them that believe God's word it is spirit and life.
4. Christ is the word of God. John 1:1-3; Rev. 19:11-13. He is called this because through him all of God's word was given to men (1 Cor. 8:6; Rev. 1:1), and, in him was the living exemplified in the character of that word. "As a man thinketh so is he." His words come from his thoughts, and his words reveal his character. Thus is God's character revealed in his word and exemplified in Christ. John 14:9, 10. As illustrative of Christ being the Word take the following: "In Abyssinia there is an officer named Kal Hatze, the word or voice of the king, who stands always upon the steps of the throne, at the side of a lattice window, where there is a hole covered on the inside with a curtain of green taffeta. Behind this curtain the king sits, and speaks through the aperture to the Kal Hatze, who communicates his commands to the officers, judges, and attendants." —Bruce's Travels. Thus through Christ comes the word of the Father to us, and not only his word, but his character and life. And all this is to us personally. John 3:16; Rev. 22:17; Rom. 14:12.
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