p. 597 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 15, No. 38. (9/30/1889)

Signs of the Times

Sep 30, 1889

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Sep 30, 1889

The Golden Rule and Sunday Laws

By Editor

THE golden rule is, "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them." Matt. 7:12. Christians or professed Christians would never have persecuted a single soul if they had regarded the above words of our Saviour. It does not refer to Christians alone, but to "men" of whatever race or religion. The Jews are men, the heathen are men, and infidels are men. If we, because we are Christians, have the right to persecute or prosecute the infidel on account of his non-belief, we acknowledge by that that he would have just the same right to persecute or prosecute us if he had the power. We do more. We acknowledge that it is his duty thus to persecute us for religion's sake. If we persecute others, we say to others, persecute us when you have the opportunity. The golden rule would have saved the persecutions of the Dark Ages; no Christian now will ever give countenance to any legislation tending to oppress a single soul for his religious belief, or non-belief. Sunday laws and the golden rule of Christ are absolutely incompatible.

HOW TO GLORIFY GOD.*

By Ellen G. White

MRS. E. G. WHITE.

THROUGH all our trials we should think of the plan of salvation, we should educate the soul to exercise faith in Christ and to render praise to God. Christ suffered reproach. He was reviled and rejected of men. They even said that he had a devil, but he did not shrink from the cross of suffering, and we should not murmur at the self-sacrificing part of religion. All Heaven is interested in the trying of our souls, the whole universe is interested to see how we shall bear the cross and endure the shame. You are to work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God that worketh in you, both to will and to do of his good pleasure. God does not work with man without his co-operation. Divine power will combine with human effort, and enable you to successfully meet the enemy of your souls. In Christ you must meet every difficulty; and if others do not sympathize with your ideas, you must not wound them by enmity, but press close to the bleeding side of your Saviour.

If you have doubts, you should not gratify the evil one by telling others concerning them. If you trust in Christ, as surely as he died on Calvary's cross, you will obtain the victory. It was living faith that caused the woman who had suffered under disease for years to touch the hem of Christ's garment. This is the faith that we must have, and then we shall not speak of our trials and conflicts; for through them all, we shall have joy unspeakable and full of glory. Jesus has said, "He

that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." We should unfurl the banner of the Prince of Peace, and in perplexity and sorrow we must not lose sight of Him who is mighty to save.

Jesus came to this earth, marred and seared by the curse, for the purpose of bringing moral power to men. He fought the battle in man's behalf in the wilderness of temptation, and it was the same battle that every one of us must fight till the close of time. Christ was not overcome in this conflict. He who worked miracles for others, worked none for himself. He had clothed his divinity with humanity, and he had come to bring divine power to man. He met the enemy at every step with "It is written." He used the word of God to thwart the temptations of the evil one. This is where our safety lies. We should study the word of God, and be so filled with it, that we can meet the enemy of our souls with "It is written," as did our example. Then we could hope for the grace that God has promised, to enable us to be overcomers. You should be full of hope in the work of the Lord. A discouraged man cannot glorify God. Whatever you do, you should not lose your hope and faith. When you become discouraged it is an evidence that you have allowed the enemy to come in between your soul and God. You must lay hold of the hope set before you, and you will come off victorious, and be ready to sing the praises of God.

When Christ came to this world, he found that Satan had everything as he wanted it. The adversary of God and man thought that he was indeed the prince of the earth, but Jesus laid hold of the world to take it out of the power of Satan. He came to redeem it from the curse of sin and the penalty of transgression, that the transgressor might be forgiven. He planted the cross between earth and heaven, and between divinity and humanity; and as the Father beheld the cross, he was satisfied. He said, "It is enough, the offering is complete." God and man may be reconciled. Those who have lived in rebellion against God, may become reconciled, if as they see the cross, they become repentant, and accept the great propitiation that Christ has made for their sins. In the cross they see that "mercy and truth have met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other."

We do not appreciate the love of God as we should. When God gave his Son to die for the sins of men, he gave all Heaven in that one gift. There was nothing that God could withhold from humanity after giving up his beloved Son; for Christ himself had assumed humanity. He was made a child that he might understand the temptations of childhood, and know its weaknesses and be able to help the children to be overcomers. He passed from youth to manhood, and carried our griefs and bore our sorrows. He was tempted in all points like as we are, yet without sin. When we come to him in sincerity pleading for pardon, he forgives. We need not wait to make ourselves acceptable; for we can never. We cannot do works that will commend us to God when we have sinned. We must come to the cross, and lay our burden of sin upon Jesus Christ, and believe that we are pardoned for Christ's sake who died for us. When we acknowledge our sin, and seek pardon through Christ, the law is exalted. It is the moral standard of God, and tells us what sin is. Says John, "Sin is the transgression of the law." Those who have sinned must hang their helpless souls on Christ.

You should place your will on the side of God's will. You cannot be overcome of the enemy unless you press positive resistance against God's will. We can be more than conquerors through faith in him who has loved us and given himself for us. When you come to God, you must come with confidence. When Satan presses upon your soul his temptations to doubt that God will have mercy in your case, you should press back his suggestions with the promises of God. Our heavenly Father has expressed his love for us individually in the cross of Calvary. The Father loves us, he is full of compassion and tender mercy.

Jesus came to this earth to represent the character of the Father to the world. He said, "He that hath seen me, hath seen the Father." Satan had misrepresented the character of God, and placed him in a false light. But Jesus came to reveal the Father's love and compassion toward the fallen children of men. When those who profess to be the servants of God draw down their countenances in gloom, and are ever complaining, they misrepresent their heavenly Father. They are confirming the impression that Satan has made concerning his character. They say to the world, "The service of God is a hard service. It is bondage to keep the law of God." This is all false. What is it that puts the shackles on men's wrists? Is it obedience to law? No, indeed. Those who keep the laws walk at liberty. It is the transgressor that is in bondage. The curse of the law is not upon those who are striving to fulfill God's holy precepts through faith in the Redeemer. They are covered with his righteousness. They are at peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

How wrong it is for those who profess to be engaged in the service of God, to dishonor God by misrepresenting his service. The Lord has proclaimed himself as "The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty." Will we believe this declaration of his character? He says again, "Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God; for he will abundantly pardon."

How long we have resisted the pleading of the Spirit of God! How long he has borne with us! We would not hear such resistance as we have made against him. But he says, "My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways." "As the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him." It is because the Lord is not like one of us that he can forgive sins when we come to him with repentance. Satan tries to discourage every soul that seeks to come to God. He will tell you that you are a sinner, unworthy of the love of God. And you can tell him that you know it, but that you have repented of your transgressions and by faith you depend upon the merits of the blood of Christ, and the mercy of God is for you. Reach over the doubts that he suggests to your mind, and grasp the promise of God. Tell your enemy that "the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin."

The followers of Jesus should be living stones in the temple of God, so that they may emit light to those around them. They should work with a cheerful heart to show forth the praises of Him who has called them out of darkness into his marvelous light. They should seek to unfold to men the glories of the law of liberty. If they go forth to labor for God with a gloomy countenance, and despondent heart, they will not accomplish anything that will glorify their Redeemer; for their attitude of doubt will destroy the effect of their words. The conflict is coming on the law of God in the world. Satan carries on the same warfare from age to age against the precepts of Jehovah. The sinner hates the law because it points out his shortcoming, and he tramples upon it in derision.

Those who profess to love God should search the Scriptures diligently, for they cannot afford to be found transgressors of the law. The time is coming when no one will be able to render an excuse to God for disobedience to his law. There are those who say now that they cannot keep the commandments of God. They excuse themselves from obedience to the fourth commandment because of business, or their family, or social relations. But these excuses will not be found to avail in the day of God. They will not stand the test of the judgment.

Christ left the royal throne, he stepped down from his high command in the heavenly courts, and for our sakes became poor, that we through his poverty might be made rich; and what answer can be framed before him for trampling on the holy law of God? When God gave his Son, he made provision in him for every emergency connected with man's salvation; and in the day of reward and meeting out the penalty for transgression, every mouth will be stopped, and all the world will become guilty before God. But of those who have obeyed the precepts of heaven, Jesus says, "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city." Do you want to enter into the city of God? Christ has stated the condition upon which you may enter. It may seem to you now that commandment-keepers are in the minority; but it will not seem so when the gates of the heavenly city swing back on their glittering hinges. God is on the side of those who obey him. God is a majority. Christ is on their side, the angels of heaven are on their side, and all the good are on their side. The doers of the law of God are in the majority. They have access to the power that the world cannot give or take away. Let us not exalt Satan by dwelling upon his power. Let us talk of the power of God. Let us think of the King in his beauty. Let us behold Christ, and by beholding, become changed into his divine image.

Protestant Children in Convent Schools

"HUNDREDS of Protestant children are receiving their education in convent schools throughout England," says a leading Catholic journal. Poor, blind Protestants!

Sinful Tendencies and Righteousness

BECAUSE a man has sinful tendencies in the flesh it is not a proof that he is a sinner. A renewed mind may abhor and by the power of faith triumph over every inherent sin. God counts such an one not a sinner, but righteous.

Catholic Wealth in Australia

"MACMILLAN'S MAGAZINE" says that "the wealth of the Catholic church in Australia is enormous, and the propaganda at Rome appears to be acting upon Canning's principle, and really calling into existence a new world to recompense the church for its declining power in Europe." Is not the same thing true of our own country?

Religious Liberty and Catholic Demands

The Catholic News, of New York, in referring to about 1,300 desertions from the regular army during the last five years, remarks: "Among Catholic soldiers there is also discontent at the want of proper provision for their religion." And thus it is that religious questions are constantly being pressed upon the government. The demand for Catholic chaplains in the army and State prisons, the demand for a part of the public educational fund for the support of parochial schools, and the position of inconsistent Protestants who are clamoring for the same principles, are only hastening the final struggle between religious liberty and religious tyranny.

The Standard of Consecration

THE extent of God's great goodness to us should be the standard of our consecration to him. Instead of sparingly giving him a small portion of our time and service, in hopes of receiving his blessing therefor, let us, the rather, hold our all at his entire disposal, because of the fullness of his blessing already given us. The love of God was manifested toward us even while we were dead in sins, and the gift of his grace came to us, not because of our own good works, but because of our faith in Christ Jesus, our Lord, who paid the penalty for our transgressions, and allowed us to go free in his name.

Overcoming Sin Through Regeneration

By Editor

IN a note last week we adverted to the fact that passion, in its bad sense, is the product of sinful and inherited tendencies in the flesh, together with an agreeing mind. This is the case with the unregenerate; the mind is always in harmony with the body, and passion is the result. Rom. 7:18, 21, 23. The sinful flesh is ever "on top." But not so with the individual who is born of God, and has received the Spirit of God. Eze. 36:26, 27. He is born of God that he may overcome. 1 John 3:4. He overcomes, or is "transformed" to the image of Christ, by the "renewing of the mind" (Rom. 12: 2); so that whereas before his regeneration the flesh ruled, and the mind and will were subject to all of the temptations of the enemy through the weaknesses of the sinful flesh, now, after his regeneration, the mind is renewed, the carnal mind taken away, and the Spirit of Christ in the man now controls the body, and sets the individual free from the law of sin in the members of the body. Rom. 8:2. The individual, through the power of Christ, puts to death the deeds of the body (Rom. 8: 13; Col. 3:5); keeps under the body (1 Cor. 9:27); suffers through the flesh in thus doing (1 Peter 4: 1); but in this suffering he ceases from sin, and keeps the righteousness of the law. Rom. 8:4. He does all this by faith in the Son of God. His faith puts Christ in his place, and through the power of the new life, the infirmities of the body rise not to victory. Gal. 2:20; Rom. 8:4. Jesus had the sinful flesh, but no answering desire in the mind, hence no passion. He never yielded for one moment in thought or deed to the tendencies of the flesh, therefore never sinned. His pure soul abhorred the sin, till the very flesh was brought into subjection to God. He condemned, or overthrew, sin in the flesh. Rom. 8:3. The same power is freely vouchsafed to all his disciples.

GETHSEMANE.

HE went, by heavy sorrow bowed, Who ne'er the taint of sin had known, While we, with deepest cause for grief, Were careless of our Saviour's groan. For us he wept, our load he bore, With love divine sustained its weight, That guilt which from our souls had sprung To bar forever heaven's gate.

By faith our hearts see on his head Our dreadful load of deepest guilt; In brokenness of soul we cry, "It was for me his blood was spilt." O Lamb of God, thy priceless love, Thy wondrous sacrifice divine, Shall fill eternity with praise; May part of that glad joy be mine! —Selected.

The Disturbed Mind and Affection

The disturbed mind and affection, like the tossed sea, seldom calm without an intervening time of confusion and trouble.—Letter.

THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES.

By Ethan Lanphear

WHAT are the signs of the times at the present day? The world, church, and infidels are all combined in the fashions and customs of the world. Paul says to Timothy (2 Tim. 3:2-5): "For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce-breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof; from such turn away."

Was there ever a time when this scripture was more perfectly fulfilled than now? Are not men lovers of themselves, and covetous, and boasters, proud, blasphemers? and are not children, young men and women too, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy? and are they not without natural affection, truth-breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, and despisers of those that are good? Was there ever a time as now when men made so much derision of the truly religious, calling them cranks and weak-minded? Was there ever so much form in churches kept up for outward show as at the present time? and was there ever so little godliness manifested? Does not the world and the church mix up without distinction? and men's money rather than the men of God rule the church? Are not men of the church proud and haughty, and the poor shut out, or placed back in the corner? Does the ordinary preacher preach to show men their transgressions and sins; or to tickle itching ears of those that pay the most to support him? Can you tell by dress, actions, and appearance who are church-members? Does not the church in every way commingle with the world in picnics, festivals, go-to-beach parties, dances, and join all manner of secret societies, and attend their club meetings, and lodges, and patronize beastly fights to the neglect of the church prayer and conference meetings, and thus disgrace true godliness? Do not professed Christians by action deny God and say that there is no virtue in their profession nor in the religion they profess? Are not church-members engaged in ball playing, rowing matches, bicycle racing, and in going where gambling is carried on continually? And do we not see ministers and deacons as well as laymen participating in these follies till we are forcibly reminded of the words of the preacher, "Vanity of vanities."

Children are petted and allowed to have their own way, go to church or not, or go hunting, fishing, berrying, nutting, or visiting, or they may stay at home and read novels, and play cards, to use up the day.

Is this an idle tale that I am telling? Travel over our country from ocean to ocean and you will find that there is not over one-seventh part of the masses that enter a church once a year, while the larger portion of those that do are women. Church-members and ministers, too, attend circuses, theaters, etc., and take their children to places where they learn no good thing, but rather the contrary. Church men are free with other men's wives, and the marriage relation is disregarded; divorce is common in the church and out of it for any little cause; and often it happens among ministers and deacons as of old when people and nations worshiped idols. Men talk and pray for temperance reform but vote for high license for the sake of party policy and worldly gain, as did Judas Iscariot in betraying the Saviour of the world.

Men teach for doctrine the commandments of men. They would overthrow God's law by human legislation, and would persecute the saints of God, and imprison men that strive to obey God and keep his commandments. But Paul continues in the thirteenth verse: "But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived." Is it not time that God-fearing men begin to watch for the coming of the Lord? "For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be." Matt. 24:38, 39. "Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." Luke 13:3.

ETHAN LANPHEAR. Plainfield, N. J.

MATTHEW TWENTY-FOUR.

By Elder J. H. Waggoner

5. LO HERE AND LO THERE.

AFTER speaking of the great tribulation, the Saviour said: "Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before. Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth; behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be." Verses 23-27.

This is a very important and much-abused part of this great prophecy. Its connection and obvious intention are generally quite disregarded; when it is used, it is mostly so applied as to teach directly the opposite of the idea presented by the Saviour. Because of the importance of its testimony on the question under consideration, we feel warranted in noticing it at some length.

1. When offering proof from the Bible that "the coming of the Lord draweth nigh," we are often met with the remark that "we are commanded not to follow the lo heres and lo theres." That this is a perversion of the Scriptures is easily shown. The only text in the Bible from which it is professedly drawn is that above quoted; and the only caution given in the text is against those who say, "Here is Christ." But Seventh-day Adventists never say so. To argue in favor of his future coming is to argue that he is not here—that he has not yet come. Therefore the caution is not against us or against our doctrine.

2. They who deny our position, and contend for a figurative or spiritual coming of the Son of man, are the very ones against whom the warning is spoken. Some say the Lord came in A. D. 70, at the overthrow of Jerusalem. Then in that day they could in truth say, "Lo, here is Christ." But our Saviour said, "Believe it not," and we obey his word,—we do not believe it. And some say his coming is at the death of a saint,—that the coming of Christ to each one is at his death. Even learned ministers say so. If that be so, his coming is not a public event, but is literally "in the secret chambers." To this also the Saviour says, "Believe it not." And again we heed his word,—we do not believe it. We hope that they who contend for such forced and unnatural constructions of the Saviour's language do not intentionally make nonsense of his words, but that such a construction is nonsensical, it is easy to show.

When the Lord said of John, "If I will that he tarry [literally, abide or remain] till I come, what is that to thee?" the disciples thought that John should remain till he came, and therefore thought he would not die. That is to say, that so far from the coming of Christ meaning the death of his servants, they who remain till his coming will not die at all. For further proof of this, see John 11:24-26; 1 Cor. 15:51, 52; 1 Thess. 4:15-17. But if it were so that John should live till Christ's coming, and if it were also true that Christ's coming would be when John died, then the language of the Lord, correctly interpreted, would read, "If I will that he live till he die, what is that to thee?" Sure enough; what is that to anybody? even to John himself? We wish that a view of its absurdity would lead those who teach thus to correct their theology and confess their error.

3. Adventists, or literalists, are the only ones who cannot be deceived by false christs. They who take the Scriptures literally; who believe the coming of Christ is a literal, personal, visible coming; that it is yet future; that it will be with wondrous power and glory, such as to strike his enemies with awful dread; that "all kindreds of the earth will wail because of him," when "every eye shall see him;" that at his coming the graves will be opened and the dead will be raised; that the living saints will be changed to immortality, and all be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air;—they, we say, who believe these things cannot be deceived by false christs and by counterfeit comings, because they cannot counterfeit these events. While they who spiritualize his coming, or make it mean anything whatever but a personal, visible coming, are open to the deceptions against which the Saviour warns us.

4. The fact or event against which the Saviour warns us is fulfilled by those who spiritualize the coming of Christ, who say he is here, coming at death or in any other event past or present. But most notably is it fulfilled in these last days by Spiritualists, who assign the name or title of Christ to a class, and deny that it specially belongs to an individual, or to Jesus of Nazareth. We have conversed with those who professed to be christs; and they actually "show great signs and wonders." Multitudes are deceived by them. Christ said that if possible they would deceive the very elect. Many who consider themselves of the elect—who profess to love the Lord and to believe the Scriptures—are deceived by them, because they have imbibed erroneous views of the nature of the second coming of Christ, and of the nature of man and of the true source of immortality.

5. As has been noticed, they who say the coming of Christ was at the time of the destruction of Jerusalem, assert that his coming was figurative—he came in judgment to the Jews. The judgment was inflicted by Titus and the Roman army; therefore Titus and that army represented Christ in his coming. To suit such a supposed fact we will read the caution given by our Saviour: "Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is the Roman army, believe it not,—go not forth. For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth unto the west, so shall the coming of the Roman army be." But we insist that the Roman army never came to Jerusalem in any such manner. Yet in such manner will the coming of the Son of man be. For he shall come in power and great glory (Matt. 24:26); he shall come in the glory of his Father (chap. 16:27); and in the glory of the holy angels (Luke 18:26); all the holy angels shall come with him. Matt. 25:31. His coming will be as glorious and resplendent as the lightning. When Jesus revealed himself personally to Saul of Tarsus, there was a light above the brightness of the sun (Acts 26:13); of the angel who appeared at the tomb after the resurrection of Jesus it is said, "His countenance was like lightning" (Matt. 28:3); and Ezekiel says of the messengers of the Most High, they "ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning." Eze. 1:14.

When Jesus comes in the glory of his Father with such a glorious train attendant, his coming will indeed be as the lightning coming out of the east and shining to the west; and no one will have more occasion or opportunity to say to his fellow, "See here," then one would to call to another to behold a flash of lightning coursing through the heavens. What a pity that men will so mystify the truth of God as to denude this precious doctrine of all the glory with which the Scriptures have invested it.

We say that Titus never came to Jerusalem in the manner here described. And who will gainsay this? His attendants were not "holy angels," but wicked pagan, Roman soldiers. Then if the disciples were not to believe when it was announced that Titus had come, and were not to go forth until they saw him come in such wondrous glory, how should Luke 21:20, 21 be fulfilled? This says they should flee to the mountains—truly go forth—when Jerusalem was encompassed with armies. If the coming of the Roman army were the coming of Christ, then they were to flee and not to flee at the same time and because of the same event.

(To be continued.)

JOY UNUTTERABLE.

By Mrs. M. J. Bahler

BY MRS. M. J. BAHLER.

The theme which angel choirs of old O'er Judea's hills did chant, I take. The words of cheering hope they brought, An answering song within me wake.

Oh, gladly sound that glorious song Of praise to God, high heaven's King; There's "peace on earth," there's joy to men, Loud let the cheering message ring.

A Saviour's love to man is given; A Saviour's love—oh, boon divine! Sing ye who know your sins forgiven, Praise him who whispers, "Wholly mine."

Yea, wholly thine, O blessed Lord; For thou hast cleansed the stains of sin, And daily now by thy sweet power, Most precious victories I'll win.

Oakland, Cal.

THE LAST APOSTASY.

THE WEDDING OF CHURCH AND STATE.—AN ALLEGORY.

(Continued.)

THEY passed within the workshop so disguised that none might know them. The dark prince was there. In fact, himself had called this council, and had spread the rumor of the coming wedding, to prepare the nation for the festal day.

Throughout all ranks he had sent ambassadors with letters, telling of the Church and Cæsar, presenting arguments and theories why this match should be, and making men believe 'would be the uplifting of all ranks, and make fair freedom's land all doubly glorious.

His ambassadors, too, with speech of eloquence, told of the evils that would be allayed, the good attained, when this fair match was made; and, though the Prince of Love sent warnings out, aye, sent his angels and ambassadors to entreat men to abstain from this dark work, threatening his judgments if they still went on, they persevered, made light of all the Prince's messages, and with fanatic zeal pursued their task.

But some turned pale to hear the Prince's warning. Some read again the history of the past, when Church and Cæsar before had been as one, when lands were filled with martyrs' piles and graves, and daily tortures wrung men's souls with pain, and inquisitorial flames made smoke so thick that heaven itself was darkened. These drew back, and would not turn a hand to aid the scheme, but rather warned their comrades, as the Prince commanded them.

The Church and Cæsar found seats apart from all, where they could view the people and their work. "See," said proud Cæsar, "we need not be afraid. Our greatest statesmen do approve the thing. All round the workshop, see, they jest and laugh. And there are noble women looking on, who give their taste as how the jewels should mix, and look! the prince's letters have come back signed and indorsed by million, million names; and now to show the nation claps us on, they've twined the workshop with these noble names, upon a scarlet ribbon—your favorite hue."

"Yes," said the lady, smiling joyfully, "Let's go and see the ring they weld us here to make us two as one." It lay upon the case, but still undone, making now fast, now slow; for there was great confusion in the hall. The Prince of Love had sent ambassadors, who ever strove with the enemy's men to stop the making of the ring. And now some jewel was ground to powder, proving naught but paste; and now the apparent gold, tried in the fire, proved but a lump of dross.

"It must not be. This ring must not be made," cried an ambassador. "It is not gold. 'Tis but a glittering mystery of shame to undo the glorious fame of our fair church."

Then rose a bishop of smooth cloth, declaring the ambassador was wrong. It must be gold, since all the hall was lined with names of men who had contributed wealth to make it rich and fine. Make us this ring, and then the Church and Cæsar will go forth together to remedy the evils of the world."

Then spake another. "The ring may well be paste; for names in millions by mere fraud were writ. They represent no wealth of gold or gem. No marvel that your ring is proven dross, its jewels but glass. There is not wealth on earth to give this ring the genuine gold. 'Tis Heaven alone can make a marriage ring, and whom God joins, let no man separate. But God has spoken of this, and made it void. 'Tis not of God, and 'tis not even of man. It must be of the devil, a spurious thing that glitters with paste and brass, but has no ring of worth."

Then men grew warm in argument again, and rose a clergyman, who said he stood to speak for the fair Church, to show the ring must be made strong and firm, or she whom all admired, and could not lose, lest they should lose all order, good, truth, rest, religion, and government, and go to ruin in haste, should be destroyed. He called men to her aid. She could not fight her battles alone; must needs have one to aid her with his power. She could not hold her rightful place, a woman uncrowned, who lived in humble state; for men would not be ruled, save by a queen with appropriate place and power.

"Long have her halls been desolate," said the man. "She speaks fair words, but none will come to hear; for, lo, the world sweeps on to pleasure, or to ruinous toil for seven days each week. The Sabbath's gone, wherein men ought to rest, and the fair Church is robbed of hearers, and Cæsar, too, defrauded; for its government is overturned by vice and crime. Newspapers, games, shows, and ignoble things hold more attention than the fair Church does, and so devotion's lost to heaven and earth. This must be stopped. The world must pause one day, just long enough to listen and be aroused to better things, to learn of the Church, that day, the duty owed to Cæsar for six days more."

"Make us this ring, I say, that gives the Church a husband's arm to bring men to her side, as children to be corrected, if they are saved. Let's spoil no child by sparing rods, I say. Let's make men Christians for one day in seven. Let's put aside a pagan constitution, and write instead in all our books of law, the fundamental principles of faith and code of Christianity. Give men pure doctrines, and a Sabbath-day in which to learn them, and so save our land. Let all our courts be filled with men who wear the Christian cloth and name, and so our land be governed righteously."

Then rose a questioner, and asked, "Would not such law work like a two-edged sword, to cut both ways? Would not men take its privilege to wear a Christian cloth and name o'er pagan hearts, and make a cloak to cover sin, till open sinners were but knaves and sneaks for office sake? Christians cannot be made by law, my friend, else Christ need not have died."

(To be Continued)

The Struggle Toward Christian Perfection

THAT which seems to the Christian perfection, is no longer perfection when attained; for the struggle to attain it develops new power to be consecrated, and higher views of duty.

SETTLE THREE THINGS.

By New York Independent

EVERY Christian should, for his own comfort as well as usefulness and power, so think and live that at least three things shall be so settled in his mind as to be to him practical certainties, and hence taken out of the category of matters in doubt or dispute.

The first of these things is that the Bible is in fact what it purports to be—the inspired word of God, and consequently the supreme rule to guide human thought on all subjects that come within the scope of its authority. The Christian cannot afford to have this an open question; he need not and should not be constantly arguing it with himself. Having once settled the question for what he deems sufficient reasons, let him thereafter regard that settlement as final for life.

The second thing is, to determine definitely and distinctly what is the plan of salvation for sinners, and what is the work of Christ in that plan as taught in the Bible. The teaching of the Bible is very plain on this point—indeed, so plain that any person of ordinary intelligence can by studying the Book make himself as practically certain as he can be in regard to anything. Let such a person read Paul's epistle to the Romans, and he will there find the question relating to a sinner's salvation so completely answered as to preclude all doubt. Having read this epistle carefully, he may safely say to himself, "I know as certainly as I can know anything what is the divine method of saving sinners."

The third thing is, that every Christian should so live as to be practically certain that he has complied, is complying, and means to comply, with the conditions of salvation as specified in the gospel of Christ. There is no mystery about these conditions, and no impracticability in compliance therewith. Anyone can so clearly and positively be a Christian, in the manner of his life, as to exclude all just occasion for doubt in his own mind whether he is such or not; and if this is not the state of his experience, then he is not what he may be, and what he ought to be. Paul was not a doubter as to his own piety, either in life or in death; and there is no reason in the gospel system itself why any Christian should be such.

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