Earlier text: CHRIST IS COMING AGAINTHE FOLLY OF WISDOM.
By M. C. W.
THE following question and answer are from the Christian Union of October 17:— "As the world was not created in six days, how could the Sabbath have been instituted by God on the ground that he had rested on the seventh day, as stated in the fourth commandment? Do you believe that the commandments and all the laws in the Pentateuch were given by God, or written by Moses? C. P. M." "Many of them proceeded from Moses' successors, building onto his work, and so were only involved in, or developed from, what 'the Lord said to Moses.' What God said to Moses he probably communicated, as now to us, inwardly, by enlightening the mind and conscience to see truth and feel its imperativeness. The Sabbath is of divine appointment, 'made for man,' as Jesus says, required by the physical and moral nature which God made. That Moses should see this law written in our nature, and assign a fanciful reason for it, only shows that he was like the rest of us in being better able to see what is right than to give the reason for it." We do not know why the journal from which the above is taken should have any faith in the Bible, or should call itself in any way "Christian." The above is out and out infidelity. If Moses assigned a "fanciful reason" for the institution of the Sabbath, knowing all the time that the only law for it is in man's physical nature, then Moses deliberately lied. And if he lied about that, what reason have we to believe anything he says about the flood, or Abraham, or the miracle of the manna, or the giving of the law, etc., etc.? When Moses said that God spake the law and wrote it on tables of stone, he deliberately told a falsehood; that is, Moses is guilty of all this if the Christian Union is right. And the record that the Lord talked with Moses face to face as to no other prophet, is a falsehood. What then of the words of Moses' prophecy in Deut. 18:15-19, which Peter applies to Christ. Acts 3:22, 23. Moses was correct as regards the person of the Prophet, was he wrong as regards his character? If Moses was a notorious liar, and that Prophet, which Peter says was Jesus, was like unto Moses, then what of Jesus' character. We do not know whether these editors realize the evil and inevitable conclusions which spring from such teaching or not, but it is a thousand times more pregnant of evil results than the rantings of Ingersoll or the metaphysics of Madame Blavatsky. Jesus says, "Had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me; for he wrote of me. But if ye believed not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?" John 5:46, 47. He who rejects Moses because he does not understand all he says, will reject Christ for the same reason. Such an one has his standard within himself, subject to all his whims and fancies, and "Christian" is but an empty name. Very profound may be the learning of the "higher critics," but it is, nevertheless, well to bear in mind the words of Jesus: "I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes." Matt. 11:25. M. C. W. The Sabbath-School.
By William N. Glenn
Notes on the International Lesson.
"AND it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him." By the expression "after this," is meant after Absalom's restoration to favor with his father. Some five years previously Absalom had put his half-brother Amnon to death, for causing the disgrace of his sister Tamar, and fled to the king of Geshur, who was his mother's father, for refuge. He remained in Geshur three years, when he was permitted to return to his own house, but was forbidden to see the face of the king. At the end of two years, however, through the good offices of Joab, a complete reconciliation was effected between David and his offending son. It was "after this" that occurred the incidents recorded in the lesson. ABSALOM was a shrewd politician, and withal was ambitious to be king. He knew that there was no chance for his promotion to the throne excepting through intrigue. He realized the importance of gaining the good-will of the people, and his fine personal appearance was much in his favor. His conspicuous array of chariots, horses, and fifty footmen running before, made such a display as to give him considerable prominence. IN addition to this ordinary attraction, Absalom affected a great interest in the welfare of the people. As a rule, the masses are apt to be captivated by the personal patronage of one who is popularly noted for wealth and influence. So Absalom would go out early in the morning and, taking his position at the entrance to the city, would familiarly greet people coming in, ask them where they were from, listen sympathetically to their complaints, and in every possible manner ingratiate himself into their favor. "ABSALOM said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice!" It was customary in the East for the king to personally hear complaints, or to appoint a judge to sit at the gate for that purpose. It appears that in David's old age he grew careless and neglected this duty, and Absalom took advantage of the situation by sympathizing with those who had causes to adjudicate. He did not express a desire to be king, but only to be a judge, and that for the people's sake. In this way he "stole the hearts of the men of Israel." And to this day the politician plotting the deepest schemes for selfish interest makes the greatest show of unselfish interest in the people's welfare. "AND it came to pass after forty years," that Absalom desired to go to Hebron, the former capital when David reigned only over Judah, and pay a vow of gratitude which he had made when restored to the favor of the king. Forty years seems like a long time for a vow of the character here suggested to remain unsatisfied; but there is good reason for the opinion that it should read four, instead of forty. Boothroyd says: "The common text has forty, which is manifestly erroneous. David reigned only forty years; and if we follow the text, the rebellion of Absalom would occur long after David was dead. Some, to get over the difficulty, would date from the time David was anointed by the prophet Samuel. As the versions mentioned [the Syriac, and some copies of the Septuagint and Vulgate] contain the true reading,666there is no need of any subterfuge." In the Hebrew characters the difference between four and forty is very slight, which might easily lead to a clerical error in copying or translating. ABSALOM's real character is fully developed after his departure to Hebron. His conscientiousness in regard to his vow (which he probably never had made) was merely a cloak to cover his wicked political aspirations. In all ages men have resorted to the same base hypocrisies to further their selfish ends; and false religions, as well as false assumptions of the religion of Jesus Christ, have received their strongest advocacy from religio-politicians who would don the garb of religion for the sake of secular power and honor. And we are forewarned in the Scriptures that "in the last days perilous times will come," because "men shall be lovers of their own selves." This will have been a profitable lesson to the Sunday-schools, if any shall learn to look with suspicion upon all movements for political power arising through the medium of religious pretense. These scriptures were "written for our learning," and all history proves that human nature is the same in all ages,—like causes producing like effects. BUT another lesson is also impressed by the rebellion of Absalom. "Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap," was doubly illustrated in the life of this hypocritical man. In all his wickedness he was brought forward as an instrument for the punishment of sin. He has no prominence in Scripture till after David had committed his great crime in connection with Uriah's death; but he comes to the front in the fulfillment of God's word recorded in chapter 12:11: "Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbor; and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun. For thou didst it secretly; but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun." The culminating fulfillment of all this is recorded in chapter 16:20-22. So David reaped bitterly the result of his sowing, as did also Absalom in a very short time afterward. "Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment." Eccl. 11:9. Sunday Observance in Russia
The New York Christian Advocate says:— "Twelve hundred St. Petersburg merchants have declared themselves willing to close their places of business on Sunday, with a view of keeping the day as it is understood in the United States and Great Britain. The movement cannot succeed. The Greek Church compels cessation of work in whole or in part on more than seventy man-made holidays. Until this is reformed the people will have to work on Sunday." And what is Sunday but a man-made holiday, or a man-made holy day? And why not keep Sunday according to the Bible, instead of "as understood in the United States and Great Britain"? The answer is not far to see, it is simply because the Scriptures know nothing of Sunday observance. Another thought: If the people of Russia cannot keep Sunday because they are compelled to partially keep seventy other days, how can the assertion so glibly made by Sunday-law advocates, be true, that compulsory Sunday observance works no hardship on those who observe the seventh day? The Religion of Jesus Christ
It is said that a Moslem will not even sell the Koran to a Christian, much less give him the benefit of its teachings. There is just one religion in the world that is based on love for the erring, and that is the religion of Jesus Christ. He only, of all religious founders, could die to save an enemy. Thus is the love of God commended. A REQUEST was presented to the Triennial National Council of the Congregational Churches recently in session at Worcester, Massachusetts, by the Congregational Union of England and Wales for a world's conference of Congregationalists to be convened in London, to "deliberate on questions affecting the faith of the Church of Christ, which at present are in debate throughout Christendom." Commenting upon this fact the Denver Times, a secular paper, says:— "If this universal council be held, an effort will doubtless be made to bring the creed and the pulpit together once more. The pulpit of late years has seemed to be drifting badly away from the creed. "There has been a good deal of talk about the new gospel preached in these more liberal times. But as yet this new gospel is a rather indefinite, ill-defined thing. The pulpit has made no sharp issue with the creed, but has rather ignored it, or wondered whether some of its severest doctrines were sound. "The pulpit has for some time been silent on foreordination, election, and predestination, and has touched very lightly on eternal punishment. It has wondered whether men's destiny was fixed, for weal or for woe, at death, and whether he would not have a chance in the hereafter. "It has toned down the hell of literal fire to a place of mental suffering. It has substituted remorse for the actual flames. It has speculated a good deal on repentance, atonement, and the inspiration of the Scriptures. It has raised the question as to how and to what extent the Bible is inspired. "The pulpit, however, has substituted nothing for those severe, clearly-defined things in the creed which it ignores or cautiously questions. It definitely answers none of its own inquires, finally settles none of its wonderings. "It hints at a gospel of love and mercy, but fails to positively formulate it or clearly define it. It leaves the people in a good deal of doubt as to what is the religion of the times. Orthodox clergymen often preach sermons that might, with perfect propriety, be delivered by Unitarians or Universalists. Hence there is real need of a universal religious council to do a little settling and defining. The proceedings of such a body would be watched with much interest. Would it re-establish the line of faith and doctrine in the old places, or advance them? Would it bring the pulpit back to the creed, or define the advanced position of the pulpit and bring the creed up to it?" This statement, though from a secular journal, is, we think, not exaggerated, and suggests to our mind the query, How can non-Christians be blamed for not believing when those who profess to be Christians do not know for certain what they believe or why they believe it? It may be that the pulpit has "advanced," but it has been an advance not in the direction of truth but of error; it has been the "advance" foretold in 2 Tim. 4:3, 4. Some of the doctrines alluded to were doubtless unscriptural, but, bad as they were, is the present condition of uncertainty and infidelity any better, or even as good? We doubt it. Letter to the Hebrews.
By M. C. W.
(Lesson 7, November 16, 1889.)- WHAT was the rest to which the children of Israel were going when they left Egypt?
- Has the Lord determined that some shall enter into his rest?
“Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief.” Heb. 4:6.- Why did they not enter into it?—Ib.
- By whom did he speak concerning his rest long after the time of Moses?
“Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To-day, after so long a time; as it is said, To-day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.” Verse 7.- Where were those to whom David spoke?
- If they were then in the land of promise, why were they warned against the example of their fathers, lest they should also fail to enter the rest of God? See note.
- Did Joshua give the people rest?
“And the Lord gave unto Israel all the land which he sware to give unto their fathers; and they possessed it, and dwelt therein. And the Lord gave them rest round about, according to all that he sware unto their fathers; and there stood not a man of all their enemies before them; the Lord delivered all their enemies into their hand.” Josh. 21:43, 44.- Did Joshua give the people the seventh-day Sabbath?
- Did the Lord ever declare in his wrath that the people should not keep the Sabbath?
- Is it not, then, evident that the Sabbath is not the rest spoken of in this chapter?
- Was the rest that Joshua gave them the true rest promised to the faithful people of God?
“For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day.” Heb. 4:8.- If the true rest had been already given, would he hold out a future hope concerning it?—Ib.
- What is meant by the expression, “Then would he not afterward have spoken of another day”? Ans.—Barnes paraphrases this passage thus: “Then God would not have spoken of another time when that rest could be obtained.” This must be correct.
- What is the conclusion from this argument?
“There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.” Verse 9. See note.
15. Have the people of God yet entered this rest?
“For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.” Verse 10. See note.
16. To what intent are the brethren further admonished?
“Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.” Verse 11.
17. What is said of the word of God?
“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.” Verse 12.
18. What is that word of God that will discern every thought and intent of the heart?
“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” Eccl. 12:13, 14.
19. Before whom are all things open?
“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.” Heb. 4:13.- What is the evident intention of these verses? See note.
- What is Jesus called in verse 14?
“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.”
22. What assurance is given in verse 15?
“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” Compare chap. 2:10, 17, 18.- How may we come to the throne of grace? Heb. 4:16. Ans.—With confident assurance, but not presumptuously.
- What shall we find at the throne of grace?—Ib.
It has been seen that Moses was typical of Christ, and the house of Israel represented, in like manner, the household of faith. This being so, analogy would prove that the land of Canaan is typical of the true rest which God promises to his people. The children of Israel inherited that land according to a promise made to the fathers; but the promise made to Abraham and his seed was of the earth, or the world, which God first gave to Adam, and which he lost by sin. The seed of the woman who was to bruise the head of the serpent, became also the seed of Abraham, and heir of the promises—heir of the world. Gal. 3:16; Rom. 4:13. Through him all the faithful become heirs to the promise to Abraham (Gal. 3:29); and they shall inherit the earth. Matt. 5:5. Ps. 37:11 says: “The meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.” When this is fulfilled, then the antitype of the peaceable possession of the land of Canaan by the children of Israel will be fulfilled. Then shall the weary saints of God have rest. The words of our Saviour, the King, at his coming, show the relation that Heb. 4:3 bears to our future rest. Then will he say: “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” Matt. 25:38.
THE apostle has now reached the third point in his argument to the Hebrews. The first and second were the superiority of Christ to angels, and to Moses. Moses was called to lead the children of Israel into the land of promise; but he failed in a single point, and was not permitted to cross over Jordan. Joshua was appointed his successor, and under him the people inherited the land, and obtained rest from their homeless wanderings. But here we learn that Joshua did not give them the rest contemplated in the promise to Abraham and his seed. Another leader must bring them into that rest, when Abraham himself shall inherit the land. See Acts 7:5; Heb. 11:9, 13. This leader, the Captain of our salvation (Heb. 2:10), must be as far superior to Joshua as the antitype is superior to the type; as the peaceable and everlasting possession of the earth redeemed is superior to a temporary residence in the land of Canaan, surrounded by envious foes.
“THE word of God is quick [living], and powerful, . . . and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” It may be thought that this applies to more than the law alone. But those who think so forget the exceeding breadth of the law. It is infinite, and includes all revelation, the entire Bible, including the life of Christ, for that is but a commentary on the law of God—an expansion of its principles.
MUCH misapprehension exists in regard to verse 9. If the rest remains, and if the brethren are warned lest they should fail to reach it, the conclusion is unavoidable that that rest is altogether future, and that the saints have not yet entered into it. Yet some claim that it is a present blessing, but contrary to the whole tenor of the apostle’s argument. Lange’s Commentary says: “From the nature of the rest of God it follows that for the people of God, so long as they are still on their pilgrimage to their final goal, it must of necessity be in the future.” The whole argument proves it to be a future inheritance, not a present blessing.
VERSES 12 and 13 are a fitting sequel to the warnings that have been constantly urged upon the brethren, to make sure work to enter the rest of God. No deception can be practiced upon Him with whom we have to do. FOR fuller explanation of that part of the lesson concerning the rest, see article of last week, entitled, “The Rest That Remains.”
HEB. 4:8 reads: “For if Jesus had given them rest, then would He [God] not afterward have spoken of another day.” “Jesus” in Greek is “Joshua” in Hebrew, just the same as “Carl” in667German is “Charles” in English. Acts 7:45 is another example of where “Jesus” is used for “Joshua.” The common version Grecized the Old Testament names or allowed the Grecized names to stand, and thereby many who do not understand this are confused. “Elias” in the New Testament is the same as “Elijah” in the Old; “Eliseus” in the New, as “Elisha” in the Old; “Osee” in the New, as “Hosea” in the Old; “Esaias” in the New, as “Isaiah” in the Old; and many other instances. Wherever an Old Testament name is used in the New Testament, in the Revised Version, it has the same form as in the Old Testament. This is an improvement.
NOTICE the assurances which are given Christians in the person of their High Priest. 1. He is a great High Priest. He said to his sorrowing disciples, as he was about to leave them, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” Matt. 28:18. He is able to save “to the uttermost.” Heb. 7:25. He “is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory [which will pierce every covering] with exceeding joy.” Jude 24. He is truly great; for, as we have learned in past lessons, he created all things. Col. 1:16. Certainly, we can trust his power.
HE is not only able to do, but he knows how to do; he is wise. He was in the bosom of the Father before the worlds were. John 1:18; 17:5. His wisdom was greater than Solomon’s (Matt. 12:42); it even surprised his enemies. Matt. 13:54. God has “abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence” (Eph. 1:8), but this he did through Christ, “who is made unto us wisdom,” who is the manifestation of “the power of God, and the wisdom of God.” 1 Cor. 1:30, 24. To sum it up in one sentence: In Christ “are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Col. 2:3. Certainly, we can trust the power and wisdom of this great High Priest.
JESUS is not only able and wise, he is also willing. Willing to do implies love and mercy toward them for whom it is done. Christ is loving and merciful. God so loved the world that he gave his Son. John 3:16. Jesus so loved the world that he came down here, was made in the fashion of men, was “made to be sin for us;” “he bore our iniquities,” he became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross,—he “gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity.” See Rom. 5:6-9; Phil. 2:7; Isa. 53:5, 6; Phil. 2:8; Titus 2:14. He can be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; he was tempted in all points like as we; he is a merciful and faithful High Priest. Plentitude of power, of wisdom, of love, is in him. “In him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.” Can we not trust this trinity of power and wisdom and love? “Let us therefore come boldly [with confidence] unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy [for all past sins], and find grace to help in time of need.” Thanks be unto God for “his unspeakable gift.” M. C. W. NEW ZEALAND.
By Alonzo G. Daniells
WHAT is called winter in New Zealand is just past, and summer is upon us. The change, however, is so slight that we who are accustomed to the vigorous winters of the middle States of North America, hardly appreciate the change of seasons. I think the coldest day in the North Island, during the past winter, was about forty degrees above zero. All the native trees retain their foliage, and the grass remains as bright and green as at any period of the year. In fact, this is an evergreen country. The only trees and shrubs which lose their leaves are those imported from foreign countries. I do not think a more desirable climate can be found in the world. And this is not all that can be truthfully said of this country, standing alone in the midst of the ocean. Tourists who have crossed the Alps, and looked upon the most beautiful and noted scenery of Europe and America, confess that the "Hot Lake District" and the "Southern Alps" of New Zealand are in some respects unrivaled. At the highest altitude in the North Island, there are active volcanoes, hot lakes, boiling springs, and geysers, and beautiful terraces. In the South Island the lakes are cold, and the mountains are covered with snow and ice, and the glaciers equal the Alps of Italy. The plains and alluvial valleys are very productive. In some places the land yields from forty to sixty, and sometimes ninety, bushels of wheat to the acre. Capitalists own large tracts of land, on which feed multitudes of fine sheep and cattle. In no country has nature done more to make its inhabitants happy than in this. And yet the people are not happy. There is a terrible depression in business, and the finances of the government are in a lamentable condition. Thousands of people are leaving the colony, and but few are coming to take their place. Intemperance and sensuality are prominent in the long catalogue of sins committed here, the same as in other parts of the world. If we are allowed to draw conclusions from these facts, it seems certain that nothing but the grace of God can so affect the668hearts of men as to keep them from sin and misery. This the Spirit of God can do. I am truly grateful that we can tell the readers of the SIGNS that God has been blessing the work here during the last few months. The interest in Napier, where I have been during the last year, is an astonishment to me. I have never seen anything like it in my experience. There is no great stir or excitement, but the Spirit of God works quietly yet effectively on the hearts of the people. Those who first accepted the truth have remained firm, and others have been added, until there are about one hundred now keeping the Sabbath. The Sabbath-school numbers about one hundred and fifty. This increase in numbers has made it necessary for us to erect a house of worship. The building is now under headway and will be finished as soon as possible. It is 30x50, with an addition 25x30, which will be divided into class-rooms for the primary and intermediate divisions of the school. This will be the second church building erected by our denomination in New Zealand. Brother E. M. Morrison, who has been with us some months, has just closed a very interesting canvassers' drill, which lasted two weeks. Some eighteen attended the meetings and took a lively interest in the lessons. Several of them had been in the canvassing field during the past year, and as they had not had any instructions to speak of, they appreciated the meetings very much. During the last year they have sold about $4,500 worth of subscription books. They are of good courage to start in with another year. Several new ones have joined the company, and they have set their mark to sell $10,000 worth of books the coming year. The books they have sold are being read, and the readers are beginning to call for the living preacher to come to them and explain the way of life more fully. But we cannot answer these calls, because we have no ministers to send. There are but two of us. We need a score at once. Everything seems favorable, and the people are ready for the message. "Pray ye the Lord of the harvest that he will send forth laborers into the harvest."
A. G. DANIELLS. THE PACIFIC PRESS AND FOREIGN MISSIONS.
WHEN the Pacific Press Publishing House was instituted, no one dreamed of the important relation it would eventually sustain to the work of the Third Angel's Message. The Pacific Coast was then recognized as missionary ground, and the new publishing venture was designed merely as a means of building up the Seventh-day Adventist faith in the local field. As such an enterprise, it asked and received material help from those interested in the work. Means was freely given and loaned, because the institution could not at first make money, and its work and its very existence were missionary objects. In course of time the Pacific Press became self-sustaining; in turn it did missionary work from its own earnings, and was called upon to aid other institutions which were auxiliary to the same general cause. This it has often done, many times to its financial disadvantage, and many times in having its trained workers removed to other fields. Last year the demand upon its energies necessitated the establishment of a branch in New York, which so far has been an accommodation to the cause rather than a profit to the home office. However, it is expected to carry this branch on a business basis, as the American Sentinel will shortly be removed to that office, and other enterprises are in prospect. But the last call upon the original house for a forward movement is the placing of a branch in London, the world's great commercial center. This is not only a new field, but it is a foreign field, and one demanding a peculiar class of laborers fitted for working it. In short, this step is a missionary effort. London, to Seventh-day Adventists, is missionary ground, and those portions of the world which it is expected to reach from London are all missionary fields. It will require considerable time and much expense to work up in all those countries a demand for Seventh-day Adventist literature and get financial returns for the outlay. If the establishment of the Pacific Press in California fifteen years ago was a missionary enterprise, the move for a branch work in London is much more so. The territory and the people involved in the two enterprises are hardly to be compared in extent and numbers. The London branch of the Pacific Press stands before the denomination to-day in about the same light as the original enterprise did in its infancy; only this difference,—there is fifteen years less time in which to work than there was then. The Pacific Coast mission then had specially in view little more than one million population; while the London branch contemplates the supply of more than one hundred million. Local papers and cheap tracts may be printed in the various contingent countries, but the London branch will be looked to for supplying standard bound books for Great Britain, South Africa, the Congo country, India, Hongkong, Australia, and New Zealand. Who will suppose for an instant that the Pacific Press can plant a branch six thousand miles from home to carry on such a work as this without help, and liberal help. Especially when the limited time allotted to our message is taken into consideration, the urgency of the case becomes still more apparent. When the Conferences east of the Missouri River, in their comparative weakness of fifteen years ago, could promptly respond to a call for $10,000 to plant a printing press on the Pacific Coast, what may reasonably be expected for an enterprise fraught with so much greater prospects? And in grateful remembrance of those primitive favors, what will Californians feel constrained to do, as the unlimited opportunity for doing likewise comes fairly before them. In various ways they have responded to calls for aid to foreign missions; but has it been fully realized that every dollar now contributed, or loaned, to the London work of their home institution is a dollar in aid of foreign missions? Here is a new channel through which to assist the foreign work, and it is a channel through which a double purpose is accomplished. At the recent camp-meeting in Oakland the subject was presented at a session of the Conference; but there was a small attendance even of those who were in the encampment; and the greater portion of the Conference at large, to say nothing of other Conferences, have not had opportunity to be properly informed in regard to the situation. Were some influential representatives of the faith to travel over the country in the interest of this London branch of the Pacific Press, as was done when the first call was made, no doubt a much larger response would be made, notwithstanding the many other calls for means. But why should such a course be necessary? Why should it be necessary in such a case as this, among a missionary people expecting soon to give an account of their stewardship, to make extra appeals when opportunities for spreading the message are so apparent. It does seem that a fair presentation of the absolute necessities of the case is all that could be desired, and that anything more would be superfluous. We therefore leave each one to make the appeal to himself, and save to the cause the expense of someone coming around to do it for him. Time is precious, money is scarce, and the day for arguing and impressing by extra measures that which is plainly apparent, ought to be past. "The King's business requires haste." Donations, subscriptions to stock ($10 per share), or loans, may be sent by express, by postal money order, or by registered letter; drafts on San Francisco or New York preferred. Do not be deceived with the idea that the amount you are able to put into this grand work is too small to be of any assistance. You cannot afford to stand outside because you have only "two mites," nor does the Lord want you to. The reckoning in all such work is according to that which is at command. A dollar to-day is of more value than five which it may be designed to give next year. Address, PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO., Oakland, Cal.; 43 Bond Street, New York City; 451 Holloway Road, London N., England.