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Review and Herald, Vol. 87, No. 51.

The Object of Trials

Review and Herald

Dec 22, 1910

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 22, 1910

The Object of Trials

By Ellen G. White

Our sorrows do not spring out of the ground. God “doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.” When He permits trials and afflictions, it is “for our profit, that we might be partakers of His holiness.” If received in faith, the trial that seems so bitter and hard to bear will prove a blessing. The cruel blow that blights the joys of earth will be the means of turning our eyes to heaven. How many there are who would never have known Jesus, had not sorrow led them to seek comfort in Him! The trials of life are God’s workmen, to remove the impurities and roughness from our character. Their hewing, squaring, and chiselling, their burnishing and polishing, is a painful process, it is hard to be pressed down to the grinding-wheel. But the stone is brought forth prepared to fill its place in the heavenly temple. Upon no useless material does the Master bestow such careful, thorough work. Only His precious stones are polished after the similitude of a palace.—Mrs. E. G. White.

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When Your Church Needs a Revival

By K. C. Russell

K. C. RUSSELL
WHEN the prayer-meeting is poorly attended.
When the attendance is small on quarterly-meeting occasions.
When the missionary spirit is declining.
When the members withhold their tithe.
When the offerings to missions are falling off.
When the members do not take time for family worship.
When a large portion of the church-membership do not attend the camp-meeting or other general gatherings.
When the members trample upon the edges of the Sabbath.
When the members are not taking the REVIEW or any of our other periodicals.
When the principles of true health reform are being disregarded.
When the daily newspapers and magazines are read to the exclusion of the Bible and other religious literature.
When the members talk more about politics than they do about the truth.
When the members seek the association of worldly persons instead of that of the household of faith.
When the members spend time and money to beautify their homes, and complain when calls are made for funds to carry forward the work of the Lord.
When the members criticize the church, local, union, or General Conference officers.
When there is gaudy display in dress by the wearing of jewelry and worldly adornment.
When the spirit of criticism prevails among the members.
When the love of pleasure predominates.
If these conditions prevail in your church to any great extent, earnestly seek God for a revival of his work among you. Begin by making a new consecration to God yourself, and then pray and work earnestly for the revival of others.
Takoma Park, D. C.

Let Your Light So Shine Before Men

By Ellen G. White

(Concluded)
MRS. E. G. WHITE
Every believer is now to be wide-awake and intensely in earnest; for we are near the close of this earth’s history. We have no time now to act as worldlings. We are to seek and to save those who are lost. My brethren and sisters, take your candle out from under the bushel, and set it where its rays will shine forth to give light to those who are in ignorance of what is coming upon our world. There are special things to be done in making special efforts to let the light shine forth from the Scriptures in clear, distinct rays.
A great work is to be done in foreign fields, and just as verily a great work is to be done in the home field. Why do we keep ourselves so much shut away from unbelievers? How much good would be accomplished if all who know the truth would make it known in every possible way and on every possible occasion! How many would be brought to Christ if all of God’s people would work for those who need so much to understand Bible truth! Heavenly angels, unseen, would help those to whom we speak, to hear and understand the things of God.
The word comes to me, Let those who understand the truth find opportunities to speak to others the words of Christ. Many places in many fields are destitute of workers. There are many in the crowded cities who know not the truth. In every city, in every town, in every village, there is a work to be done. How can we feel clear before God unless we do our part to make the truth known to those perishing in darkness?
In the day of judgment, when every one will be rewarded according to his works, many of the lost will charge their neighbors with neglect, saying, You knew the truth regarding the requirements of the Bible, but you did not stop to think that close beside your own door there were souls who were in error, and who needed to be given instruction.
The judgment will reveal sins of omission as well as sins of commission. When Seventh-day Adventists know that the world is perishing in ignorance of Bible truth, why do they not go forth to hunt and fish for souls? If they do not do this, how will they be able to answer the question that in the great day of reckoning will be put to them by the lost, “Why did you not give to us the warning regarding God’s requirements?”
Let every Sabbath-keeping family awake, and take upon their souls the work of making the truth known to those who are transgressing God’s requirements.
Not only are our ministers and other workers to heed and practise the lessons of Christ, but fathers and mothers are also to learn lessons from the Word of God, and these lessons they are to teach their children. In a Christlike manner they are to educate and train their children.
“God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”
Parents, will you awake to the God-given responsibility resting upon you? Never speak harshly or angrily to your children or to each other. God expects you, in spirit and word and act, to be representatives of him. He expects you to do what Christ would do were he in your place. Your words are to be well chosen, never showing impatience. You are to keep the tongue under restraint. Your lives are to reveal the sanctification of true godliness. Do not let Satan control your tongue. Be true missionaries in the home. Remember that the training you are giving your children is making them either Christlike in word and deed, or like the fallen angel, Lucifer, who, because he was determined to have his own way and be above Christ, was cast out of heaven.
My brethren and sisters, as you read this article, will you determine to take heed to the lessons given in the Scriptures? Satan is striving to mold all into his likeness. Christ came to our world to give human beings power to resist the enemy’s temptations. Fathers and mothers, in the little time you have left,—for the end of all things is at hand,—will you be daily converted, that you may be the Saviour’s helpers, speakingand acting in such a way that the enemy can obtain no advantage in your family? Remember that if henceforth you work wisely, striving earnestly to glorify God, many of your neighbors will, by your example, be won to Christ.
Among us as a people a great neglect of opportunities has become common. In your association with unbelievers, do you keep your lips closed regarding the truth for this time? Do they receive no light from you as to the best means of serving and glorifying God? There is a world to be warned. Will those who in the past have felt no responsibility resting upon them now realize that they are working either for or against Christ? Will you not let your light so shine before men that they, seeing your good works, may be led to glorify the One who gave his life in order that you might not perish, but have everlasting life? The Lord will help you if you will act your part intelligently.

An Open Letter

By A. SMITH

A. SMITH
Satan is waging a bitter warfare against those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. But there is no way by which he can so effectually damage the cause of God as by the professed friends of the truth. Brother, sister, your name is doubtless on the church-book, and you are known as a Seventh-day Adventist. But I hear you speak disparagingly of our people in general and of the action of conferences, of ministers, and of workers in particular. You sometimes compare our people unfavorably with other churches, especially with those who make professions of holiness while they trample the Sabbath underfoot. But I never heard you make any specific confession or admission of your own misdeeds; nor have I ever heard of your going in the spirit of love to those whom you criticize, telling them the things you have said about them, and endeavoring to save them.
Do you blame me, therefore, for thinking that you feel that you are better than your brethren, and more holy than others?
Perhaps you sometimes absent yourself from meeting because there are wrongs existing in the church. But if you are better than your brethren, your presence and influence are greatly needed by the church. Is it not true that you are certainly losing your love of the truth? You are in a place where some fanatical movement may pick you up, and sweep you away from the foundations of our faith.
Christ is the Organizer and Controller of the forces carrying the third angel's message. To speak disparagingly of his agencies is to interfere with his work and disobey his command. James 4:11.
But is it not true, you ask, that mistakes are made by ministers and other workers, and even by conferences?—Yes, even as mistakes are made by you. But if you have a duty to correct them, see that you go about it in Christ's appointed way. Cultivate confidence and brotherly love as you would cultivate choice plants in your garden or conservatory. Get into the habit of speaking of the commendable things in your brethren. Eph. 4:31; 5:1, 2.
Grandville, Mich.

Its Functions

By J. O. CORLISS

History of the Jewish Priesthood — No. 4

Its Functions

J. O. CORLISS
The position and labors of the Levites were so interwoven with those of the priests that it is perhaps well to present the true relation of the two orders. While the priests were descended in family from Levi, and so were properly tribal Levites, yet the official priests and Levites were distinctly segregated in their relation to the sanctuary and its services. The two offices were in no sense similar or interchangeable; and yet in one case, to be called up later, we find a Levite acting the part of a priest, under certain circumstances.
The sons of Aaron were four in number. After the death of Nadab and Abihu (Lev. 10:1, 2), Eleazar and Ithamar were the only legitimate priests, and through their families the priesthood was perpetuated. Num. 3:4-10. Upon the sons of Moses, however, fell the labors of Levitical duties. Verses 14-24. In the removal of the sanctuary from point to point during its wilderness sojourn, only the priests were permitted to enter the holy enclosure, to prepare the parts for removal. No Levite was permitted to touch any one of the sanctuary vessels, until after they were covered, and then only to bear them to their designated destination. Num. 4:5, 15, 20.
From the time the tabernacle was erected at any spot the Levites seem to have been held responsible for its safety, and so were permitted to carry weapons of defense. 2 Kings 11:6; 1 Chron. 23:32. On one occasion, at least, when a king was to be crowned, we find all the Levites, besides many common people, with weapons in hand, guarding the sanctuary service while the coronation of the king was taking place. 2 Chron. 23:7-10.
In fact, the Levites were the priests' appointed servants, to do the manual work of the sanctuary. Num. 8:19. It was theirs to provide the showbread, to make ready the meat-offering, to bake the unleavened cakes, and to cleanse, from day to day, the courts and chambers of the Lord's house, and all the vessels thereof. During the national morning and evening sacrifice by the priests, the Levites were to stand by, and offer the formal words of praise and thanksgiving. At all the set feasts, such as the new moon, and on the Sabbaths, they were to burn the sacrifices, to any number, as ordered by the priests. 1 Chron. 23:28-31.
A curse was early pronounced upon Levi and his brethren, because of their cruelty. Said his father: 'I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel.' Gen. 49:7. The beginning of this fulfilment may be reckoned from an apparently insignificant incident. Indeed, to the casual reader, the record of the event would seem almost non-essential, and altogether a chance account. The principal figure in the chronicle is a young Levite who, for some unknown reason, left his home in Bethlehem to find a place for himself. Going northward, he found a resting-place at the house of Micah in Mount Ephraim.
It seems that Micah had, by a strange occurrence, been made ready for the outcome of his meeting with the Levite. Some time before, he had stolen a lot of silver from his mother. Becoming conscience-stricken, he had returned the metal, and his mother had a part of it made into two images, one graven and the other molten, which were then placed in Micah's 'house of gods.' He added to these an ephod, and teraphim, and then made one of his sons priest over his house. Judges 17:1-5. Apparently these images were statues, or standing pillars (Hosea 3:4), and with the teraphim mask, and covering ephod, were used as oracles by which to divine, or interpret dreams. Zech. 10:2. These appurtenances of worship, however, were finally abolished by King Josiah. 2 Kings 23:24.
Upon meeting the young Levite, Micah made him a proposition to live with him and become his priest, on the promise of board and clothes, and ten shekels (about six dollars) each year. The undeveloped state of society of that time is to a certain extent revealed by the alacrity with which the Levite closed in with Micah's offer, and his consent to be irregularly set apart to his work by the hands of one in no way connected with the tribe of Levi. Judges 17:7-12.
The fact that at that time no king reigned in Israel, and every one did nearly as he pleased, accounts for much that marked the period under consideration. The inheritance of the Danite tribe had not been assigned them, and they sent out advance agents to select a part of the country desirable to dwell in. The five selected men left their coast dwelling, west of Judah, for the far north, and when lodging at the home of Micah, in Mount Ephraim, they detected, by his peculiar voice, the young Levite. Learning of his position with Micah, they asked and received his blessing in behalf of their venture.
Having located a tribal home in the north of Palestine, they returned, and induced their brethren to go with them to possess it. They were accompanied in their second journey by six hundred men of war, and upon reaching again the home of Micah, the five men informed the others about the young Levite, and it was determined to take him with them to the north. While the warriors stood with weapons in hand before the gate, the five went in, and carried away in advance the images and their belongings. The Levite was then induced to accompanythe warriors, on the promise that he should be priest to a whole tribe, instead of to a single family.
Arriving at their desired location for a home, the Danites built a city, set up the images, and made the Levite their priest. His name is revealed to us with the record of this later act, which before, had not been mentioned. Judges 18:30. This text gives his name as Jonathan the son of Gershom, and a grandson of Manasseh. It has been discovered, however, that his tribal relation is not correctly reported here. The word Mosheh in the Hebrew text was, by the insertion of a single letter, changed into Manasseh. In 1 Chron. 23:15, 16, we learn that Shebuel, the son of Gershom, was the grandson of Moses. Jerome says that this man was Micah's Levite. The priesthood thus established at Laish in Dan, continued through the posterity of Shebuel, or Jonathan, until the captivity of the country by the Philistines. 1 Sam. 4:2-11; Ps. 78:60, 61.
But the taste of independent worship by the people of Dan was not forgotten. When Jeroboam became king of the ten tribes, a golden calf was set up in Dan for the people to worship, and priests were set apart from the lowest of the people. Jehovah was lost sight of, and the great sin of Samaria came to be recognized by the oath of the people: 'Thy god, O Dan, liveth.' Amos 8:14.
Mountain View, Cal.

Christian Courtesy Versus Worldly Politeness

By James D. Montgomery

JAMES D. MONTGOMERY
ABRAHAM, the father of the faithful, the friend of God, was a man of courtesy. He was not simply a man-pleaser, a time-server, nor yet a man of worldly policy; he entertained angels unawares. Sitting at the door of his tent one day, he beheld two strangers approaching, and without hesitation ran to meet them, and, bowing before them, entreated them to stop and partake of his hospitality. They accepted, resting in the shade while their courteous host made simple preparations for their refreshment. In this act of hospitality we note the unselfishness of Abraham—and unselfishness is the foundation of genuine courtesy. The selfish man can not be courteous; at best he can only be polite.
In this incident the recipient of the courtesy and hospitality of Abraham was the Lord himself; but to Abraham he was merely a wayworn traveler in need of kindness, and his courteous spirit generously responded.
Lot, the preacher of righteousness, whose righteous soul was vexed by the wickedness of the people about him, was a man of courtesy. Two angels presented themselves before Lot as he sat at the gate of Sodom at eventide; “and Lot seeing them, rose up to meet them, and he bowed himself, with his face toward the ground. And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant’s house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways;” and “he pressed upon them greatly; and they turned in unto him.” Gen. 19:2, 3. Evidently Lot also entertained angels unawares at the first, but it was afterward revealed that it was the Lord Jesus himself who suffered the courteous Lot to minister to him and to his companion.
On the other hand, we have several examples of the art of polite intercourse, and it invariably carries the stain of self-serving with it. Take the suave Haman, when he appeared before the king and queen. How polite he was, how he bowed and scraped before them, all the time with his mind upon some favor he expected in return! Think of him a little later on, as he passed through the gate, and saw the humble Mordecai refusing to bow before him, and see how quickly the polish slipped from his demeanor, and the scheming of the murderer took its place. This is the great difference between true courtesy and worldly politeness. Christian courtesy, like charity, “is not puffed up,” “seeketh not her own,” but is kind to friend and enemy alike. Worldly politeness is kind to only friends, or to some one from whom a favor is expected.
Sanballat and Geshem were very polite to Nehemiah, inviting him to a conference in a village of the plain of Ono; but, says he, “they thought to do me mischief.” The same thought of selfishness underlies all acts of politeness where the element of policy is the motive.
Ahab was very polite to Elijah when he inquired, “Art thou he that troubleth Israel?” but it was the element of fear that took hold upon him because of the prophet’s God, that inspired the wicked king’s polite policy.
When Ahaziah fell down through the lattice, and injured himself, he sent messengers to inquire of Baalzebub, the god of Ekron, whether he would recover of his hurt. Elijah was commissioned by the angel to go and meet the messengers, divert them from their mission, and bring before the king a reminder that the God of heaven ever rules in the kingdom of men. When Ahaziah saw who had sent the word to him, he sent fifty soldiers with their captain to invite the prophet down to the house of the king. This captain was not very polite when he came into the presence of Elijah, and he said, “Thou man of God, . . . come down.” Fire came down, and devoured the captain and his fifty where they stood. Another troop of fifty, with their captain, were sent with a message to induce the prophet to come down. “O man of God,” he said, “come down quickly.” Fire consumed him and his men also. The third captain with his fifty was very much awed at the fate of those who had undertaken the same mission before him, and, falling upon his knees before the prophet, he entreated him to spare his life and that of the men who were with him. His attitude bears the stigma of fear and self-preservation; but the angel told Elijah to go with him, for he would not attempt to harm him.
How different is the grace of courtesy, which is self-denying and retiring, yet greets you with the hearty shake of the hand and kindly beaming of the eye, and makes you know that this is one whom you can trust! The courteous person desires your welfare; he seeks not his own; he is interested in you, and you can not mistake his motives. On the other hand, in the merely polite man you meet the patronizing manner, the averted eye, and you feel that he is after your trade, or your vote, or your patronage, in some way advantageous to himself.
Let us cultivate courtesy of habit and manner; not the veneer of mere polish, but the deep-seated grace of courtesy. We can do it, for Christ will help us. Let us set our heart upon it, and thus greatly increase our usefulness.
Newark, Ohio.

The Second Person of the God-head—Jesus Christ

By M. E. Steward

M. E. STEWARD
“Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing.” Rev. 5:12.
CHRIST had an existence before he came to earth.
1. He had glory with the Father “before the world was.” John 17:5.
2. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” “The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.” John 1:1, 14.
3. Christ was with the Israelites in the wilderness. 1 Cor. 10:4, 9.
Jesus Christ united humanity to divinity.
1. “Great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh.” 1 Tim. 3:16.
2. “Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: . . . and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, and The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom.” Our Redeemer is a union of the divine and the human, and will ever remain such; for he will rule on the throne of David “from henceforth even forever.” Isa. 9:6, 7.
3. Jesus took upon himself our nature that he might be capable of death. And that he might be a “merciful and faithful high priest,” he “was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” Heb. 4:15. He patiently endured the utmost cruelty that men and devils could suggest. “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him.” Heb. 7:25.
Christ is like unto the Father.
1. “He that hath seen me hath seen the Father.” John 14:9.
2. He “is the image of the invisible God.” Col. 1:15.
3. “I and my Father are one.” John 10:30. Christ is one with God morally, mentally, and in purpose in the verysame sense in which he prayed that his disciples might be one. John 17:21.
The Son of God was perfect.
1. He kept all his Father's commandments. John 15:10.
2. He was “made perfect through sufferings.” Heb. 2:10.
3. “In the character of Christ was blended such majesty as God had never displayed to fallen man, and such meekness as man had never developed. Never before had there walked among men one so noble, so pure, so benevolent,—he was quick to catch the first intimation that help was needed,—so simple, so full of plans and purposes to do good to humanity. The majesty of heaven clothed himself with the humility of a child. Meekness and gentleness were the distinguishing characteristics of Christ. Christ's favorite theme was the paternal tenderness and abundant grace of God.”
Our Saviour is—
1. Omnipotent. “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” Matt. 28:18.
2. Omniscient. Equally with the Father in Christ “are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Col. 2:2, 3.
3. “The Father . . . hath committed all judgment unto the Son.” John 5:22. His voice will raise the dead. John 5:25. He is the heir of all things. Heb. 1:2.
Jesus is our Substitute, our Advocate, our Redeemer.
1. When the human race fell in Adam, immediately Christ stepped into the sinner's place to accomplish three things: (a) To fulfil all the claims the law had on the repentant sinner; (b) to restore both spiritual and physical life, with everything else that was lost in the fall; (c) to save believing, obedient man eternally. Every human being is indebted to Christ for everything.
2. Christ is more than a Saviour from Adam's fall. “Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.” Rom. 5:20. Jesus not only secures the sinner's pardon, but gives him grace to keep from sinning. And he can and will so transform the nature that every thought and impulse will be pure, unselfish, and heavenly.
3. Wonderful love will give to the faithful child of God, who endures to the end, eternal life,—a life that measures with the life of God; ever uplifting, expanding, and strengthening the faculties to perceive, understand, and appreciate; unutterable and ever-increasing happiness! The saints are “the riches of the glory of his inheritance,” and ever will be.
Sanitarium, Cal.
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