p. 9 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 32, No. 42. (10/31/1906)

Earlier text: JOY AND PEACE IN AFFLICTION

TRUTH OR ERROR? HOW CAN WE KNOW?

By G. W. Bartle

THAT there is a powerful psychical movement being carried on in various parts of the world at the present time, and especially in the United States, must be admitted by all candid, thinking people. Indeed, this psychical movement is so apparent that even the more careless and unthinking ones are forced to believe that a powerful spiritual force is at work.

To claim that these unusual manifestations are simply brought about by a few ignorant and overly-nervous people, will not stand actual investigation. Men and women of culture and of recognized character are being brought under the influence of this power; and, seemingly, the "wise and pru-

dent" are as often affected and smitten down as are the ignorant and careless ones. Strong men are often stricken down, and lie quivering on the floor; while others, who are wholly ignorant of foreign languages, speak in unknown tongues.

What Is Its Origin?

Is this thing of God, the Creator of heaven and earth? or is it of the devil, that old rebel—the "god of this world," the "prince of the power of the air" and of "darkness"? Is this wonder-working movement now taking place, and soon to sweep the whole earth, the everlasting Gospel? Is it being given by the angels of Rev. 14:6-12, and backed by God, the everlasting Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace? And is this power that is smiting down strong men and swaying great congregations like a mighty storm, the Holy Spirit? Or is it the "spirits of devils [Spiritualism] working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty." Rev. 16:14.

Friends, do not be deceived; a mighty false spiritual movement is to sweep over the whole earth, just before the coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, which will be so close a counterfeit of the genuine that it will surely deceive the whole world, every soul except the "very elect." Thank God, His elect can not be deceived. Upon what, then, brethren in Christ, should Christians base their belief? Should it not be upon the Bible, the Word of God alone, regardless of tradition?

Those who take the plain, simple, and yet all-powerful, Word of God as the standard of faith, will not be deceived. God has not left His faithful followers in darkness. He has given sure signs by which we can know to an absolute certainty the true from the false. "To the law and to the testimony; if they speak not according to this Word, it is because there is no light in them." Isa. 8:20.

Did you ever think what an awful thing it is to break God's holy law? Did you ever think that the awful consequences of the breaking of God's commandments could only be atoned for by the death of the Son of God? Did you ever take it to heart and consider that after being "redeemed by the blood of the Lamb," and being "reconciled to God" by the death of His Son Jesus, you are obliged to "go and sin no more"? And is it not written, "Thou shalt call His name Jesus; for He shall save His people from their sins"? He saves not only from the consequences of having sinned, but from sinning, or from breaking God's law. For it is written, "Whosoever committeth sin, transgresseth also the law; for sin is the transgression of the law."

Friends and brethren, God's whole universe is ruled by His holy law, the Ten Commandments. The first four teach the absolute sovereignty of God, the terrible results of sin, and the mercy and loving-kindness shown to those who keep His commandments. It is also shown in the fourth commandment that our God is the Creator; while the last six teach love, courtesy, and justice to our fellow creatures.

Altho the Ten Commandments are a law of condemnation to sinners, praise God they are a law of promise to the child of God. Is this so? Let us see. The commandment that sounds forth in thunder of condemnation to a murderer, "Thou shalt not kill," to a saved man in Christ Jesus becomes a promise. My son, thou shalt not kill; and so with every commandment, for it is Jesus who gives His promise that "sin shall not have dominion over you."

Are We Saved to Sin or Righteousness?

My brother or sister, are you saved by the grace of God? If so, you will not willingly transgress one of God's commandments; you will not teach for doctrine the commandments of men. Neither will you deny the words of Jesus: "Think not that I am come to destroy the law or the prophets; I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in nowise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven." Matt. 5:17-19. Heaven and earth have not passed, and dare you teach men to break one of these commandments? "The wages of sin is death."

Jesus said to one who was inquiring the way of eternal life, "If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments." Matt. 19:17. So if you would be perfect in character, and strengthened in wisdom, "The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple." Ps. 19:7. "We are not justified by the deeds of the law," for that we have already broken. "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." Rom. 3:23, 24.

And now, brethren, taking God at His word, for that is faith, and accepting Jesus, our sins are forgiven for His dear sake, praise God. And we who are rebels, and in a lost condition, are cleansed from that unrighteousness brought about by sin, the transgression of the law. 1 John 1:9. And yet, faith does not make void the law, nor lessen our obligation to keep it. Rom. 3:31 and 8:3, 4. Surely, we who love Jesus and desire to follow in His footsteps, will do as our Lord and Master did. "The Lord is well pleased for His righteousness' sake; He [Christ] will magnify the law, and make it honorable." Isa. 42:21. "Magnify, to increase the power or glory of; to exalt; to extol; to sound the praise of."—Webster.

Spiritual Gifts.

Now let us see what the Word has to say about these "spiritual gifts" that many are claiming to possess. Are they of God? Are they the promised outpourings spoken of in Joel 2:28 and Acts 2:16, 17? For what purpose are spiritual gifts given, and does the all-wise God give these choicest gifts to men as a spectacle, or for their amusement? And are they given to any save holy people? And are they holy who wilfully trample God's law underfoot? Let us see. "God is no respecter of persons," so all may obtain them by putting away sin and seeking them for the purpose of service.

"Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant." 1 Cor. 12:1. "But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal." Verse 7. How many gifts does the apostle enumerate? "For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; to another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues." Verses 8-10.

What effect is the exercise of these gifts to have upon the church? See Eph. 4:11-13. Where did God place these gifts, and in what order?—1 Cor. 12:28 tells us that first in order is apostleship, and then the gift of prophecy, and that the gift of tongues is last. Have these people, through whom a supernatural power has manifested itself, those gifts, and in their proper order?

The gift of the Holy Spirit was not conferred upon man to make him wild and incoherent, but to give a deeper knowledge of God's Word, and to be a comforter, a helper, a healer, and to lead us closer to Him by giving us a true knowledge of His character. Being sent from Christ, the Holy Ghost will surely uphold God's law; for Jesus came to "magnify the law, and make it honorable." Isa. 42:21. But many will say, "Do not these people of whom you write actually speak in unknown tongues?"—No doubt of it; I think that can not be doubted. And do they not sing and pray and shout praises to God?—Yes; but when the Lord Jesus comes, He will set a people on His left hand who have done all of those things in His name, and will say unto them, "I never knew you; depart from Me, ye that work iniquity."

Consider These Reasons.

That this peculiar movement is not of the true God, the Creator, I submit three reasons: First, it does not appeal to common sense; its adherents do not improve in wisdom and good judgment, but on the contrary, become wild, incoherent, and fanatical. Secondly, because these gifts which they hold up as the sign of God's power and approval are not given in God's order, as layed down in His Word, neither are they given to any purpose or profit to mankind. And thirdly, they will not stand the final test of the Word, "To the law and to the testimony; if they speak not according to this Word, it is because there is no light in them." Isa. 8:20. These people are not magnifying God's law and making it honorable; but they continually dishonor God by breaking the fourth commandment and keeping the first day of the week, the day substituted by the Roman Catholic Church, and for which there is no authority in the Word of God. It is a historical

fact that the primitive Christians honored God by keeping His law; and neither the apostolic church nor those later Christians who upheld its teachings ever kept any day as the Sabbath save the seventh day of the week. Centuries before Christ's time, Sunday, the "venerable day of the sun," was kept by the worshipers of Baal, of Ra, and of Molech.

To all who incline to fall in with the delusive movement herein referred to, I would earnestly appeal: If you will turn back from trampling the Sabbath of the Lord under your feet, and earnestly "covet the best gifts," and prayerfully seek for them, God will grant you your desire, "according to the richness of His grace."

But, friends, I say unto you with boldness that you never will have any spiritual gifts in God's measure until you have the "testimony of Jesus" ("Now the testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of prophecy," Rev. 19: 10); for that is the first gift promised after the gift of the Holy Ghost and of apostles. "And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues." 1 Cor. 12: 28.

The Spirit and the Word.

The outpouring of the Holy Ghost upon the primitive Christians was no new thing. God's holy saints always possessed it. "For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man; but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." 2 Peter 1: 21; 2 Sam. 23: 2. Blind belief in the teachings of any man can not save any one. We must hold to the Father's Word, for that is the Son's Word also. He and His Father are one in all things; the Son, who kept His Father's commandments and so abode in His love, would never set up a code of laws in opposition to that of His beloved Father.

God has given the most solemn warning against the worship of the "beast," or his image" (Rev. 14: 9, 10); and I would that God might burn this fact into your hearts, that the remnant people will be commandment-keepers, and have the spirit of prophecy. Rev. 12: 17.

And now, friends, think of the glorious reward that all may have who are not "forgetful hearers," but "doers of the Word." "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." Rev. 22: 14. G. W. BARTLE.

THE PAPACY IN PROPHECY

By Abdiel

THE LITTLE HORN OF DANIEL VII.

(Continued.) Specifications 11, 12.

LET me ask the reader to recall again the ten characteristic features of the "little horn," which we have already considered, and which have met plenary and unquestioned fulfilment in the Papacy.

It came up among ten horns. Verses 8, 20.
It was a little horn. Verse 8.
Yet, little tho it was, it grew till its "look was more stout than its fellows." Verses 8, 20.
Before the strength of this little horn three of the ten horns were plucked up. Verses 8, 20, 24.
This horn had eyes, not of the beast on which it grew, but the eyes of a man, indicating greater shrewdness and far-seeing wisdom. Verses 8, 20.
It had a "mouth speaking great things," "great words," "words against the Most High." Verses 8, 11, 25.
It was "diverse;" it differed in nature from all the other horns. Verse 24.
It "made war with the saints;" it "shall wear out the saints." Verses 21, 25.
It "shall think to change the times and the law;" according to Spurrell, "the appointed times and the law." Verse 25.
It should continue a definite period, "a time and times and half a time." Verse 25.

The Papacy arose among the ten divisions of western Rome. It was little at first. It grew to be more stout than its fellows. Before its progress three of the ten kingdoms were plucked up. The Papacy has been noted for its shrewdness, its diplomacy, its far-seeing policy. It has spoken great things, and great words against God. It differed from other powers in its religious nature and assumptions. It made war with the people of God. It has assumed to change the times and laws of God. It continued as "head over all the churches" and "corrector of heretics," for 1,260 years, from 538 to 1798. The following diagram sets forth the threefold phase in which apostasy has been manifest in the Christian era:

XI. Loss of Dominion.

It would lose its dominion gradually, by the consumption of it by other powers. In the words of the prophecy: "But the judgment shall be set, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end." Verse 26.

The judgment here referred to is the great assize in heaven. The prophecy clearly indicates that its opening precedes the closing part of the "little horn's" career; that, in fact, the greatest words of assumption which the little horn power shall utter will be "at that time" when the "judgment was set, and the books were opened." Verses 9-11. The examination of cases in the courts of heaven precedes the passing of sentence and the execution of the sentence in either reward or punishment. In other words, the wicked dead are not raised and then judged; but in the courts of God it is beforehand determined who shall be "accounted worthy" to be raised to life. See Luke 20:35.

This judgment in God's plan began in 1844, as Dan. 8:13; Rev. 10:7, and 14:6, 7 clearly show. The long period of 2,300 days, or years, reached from B. C. 457 to 1844, when began the closing work of God in the sanctuary above, the proclamation of the judgment-hour message began in the earth, and the finishing of the mystery, as foretold in the prophets, occurred. (See "Christ Our Advocate," published at this office, explaining in detail Christ's closing work, and the 2,300 days.)

There are three different phases of Roman Catholicism, which we must not confound.

1. The church, existing more emphatically in her apostate condition since the days of Constantine, ecclesiastical in nature and work. In the Roman Catholic Church are many honest, sincere souls, trusting, fearing God, and walking in all the light they have. These will be saved by the truth they know and the faith they exercise despite the apostasy; and this ecclesiastical organization will continue till Christ comes.

2. The Papacy as a horn among the other horns, having dominion, territory, etc. This emphatically began in 755, under grant of Pepin of France to Pope Gregory III. Over the states of the church the Papacy ruled, with more or less strife, as was common among the other divisions of Rome. In the close of the eighteenth century, the Papacy was despoiled of some of her territory, but the Congress of Vienna restored the State of the Church to the Papacy, and they were held till after the setting of the judgment in 1844. But from 1848 to 1870 the various powers by degrees took away the papal dominion, till in 1870 the last blow was struck by Victor Emmanuel, and the end of its temporal dominion came. The "end" does not refer to the end of earthly history or the end of probation, but the end, or last part of the dominion.

3. The persecuting phase of the Papacy, its spiritual domination, over all the horns began in 538 and ended in 1798. A distinction between these three phases will help materially in the understanding of the prophecy.

XII. A Persecutor to the Last.

The prophecy declares: "I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; until the Ancient of Days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the Most High, and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom." Verse 21.

The judgment will be given to the saints when Christ comes the second time. 1 Cor. 4:5; 6:2. Not till then will the saints sit in judgment. When Christ comes, and not till then, will they receive the kingdom. Matt. 25:31, 34; 2 Tim. 4:1.

The Papacy will then be a persecutor when Christ comes. The prophet's vision overlooked the valley of comparative freedom from intolerance between 1798 and the present. He saw the time of the Dark Ages, and beyond, blending with it, a persecution or war against the saints which reached to the very end of human trial.

That specification is not fulfilled. The Papacy is not now a persecutor. It has no power to enforce decrees by civil law. Its authority to ordain its dogmas and decrees under civil penalties is not acknowledged by earthly powers, or, if acknowledged, not granted. Will it be acknowledged? So the prophecy declares, and there are many clear evidences to show the prospective fulfilment, and other prophecies which clearly declare it. It is good to know that the prophecy of Daniel 7 does not leave the people of God under the prevailing power of the persecutor. Beyond this the vision reaches, "And the kingdom, and the dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High; His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him." Blessed, glorious reign.

In our next we will study Revelation 12, 13.

COURAGE, CHRISTIAN.

By Kathrina Blossom Wilcox

CHRISTIAN soldier, in Life's journey, Are you weary quite? Do your many failures, losses, Hide from you the Light? Is the pathway growing harder? Do you feel alone?— Are there none to share your sorrow, Hearts as cold as stone? Courage, soldier, in Life's battle, Jesus holds your hand, He will lead you safely onward To that heavenly land Where no storms will rage around you, Where no tempests roar; You will find sweet peace triumphant On that heavenly shore. Courage, then, a little longer, Soon our God shall come; All our trials will be over When He leads us home. KATHRINA BLOSSOM WILCOX.

THE GREAT LIGHT-TOWER.

By Erik Arnesen

IF the Bible did not exist at all, the space of time allotted to mankind on earth would be one long and dreary night. It would be as if all the shining orbs in the heavens were suddenly extinguished, and humanity left to grope on as best they could in the deep darkness of a spiritual night not penetrated by a single ray of light.

What would we know if we did not have the Bible and hence any of the knowledge which originates from this peerless Book, and of which all in Christendom possess more or less, whether they acknowledge it or not? What would be known about the beginning of all things? What would we know about ourselves,—about our origin, our present true condition, the purpose of our existence, our goal, our final destiny? What awaits us after this life—shall we live again, or is there no more life? What is the end of all things? Will our earth always remain? Or is it, like all else terrestrial, subject to destruction and decay? Does it matter how we live and behave while here, or shall we ever be called to give an account of our deeds? And if so, to whom—what is His name? where does He dwell? and what is His character and His disposition? What is His relation to us, and ours to Him? Is He friend or foe? What is He doing for us? Do we owe Him anything?

Thus we might, wondering and pondering, ask one question after another, and never obtain a definite and trustworthy answer if we did not have the Bible, which gives us the key to that which would otherwise remain insoluble mysteries. But this precious Book, this divine searchlight, throws its strong rays into the great space we call time, or the world's history, or that period of eternity which makes the connecting link between the creation of this earth and the restoration of all things. Yes, it also throws an occasional ray into eternity, past and future. But not many; for here the human mind is too weak to enter—it can not grasp, it can not comprehend, anything so vast and so exalted. It faints, and can only admit its impotence. The Bible changes darkness into light, reveals the hidden things, and solves mysteries.

It tells us that the Lord God who is from everlasting, created the earth and placed man thereon. It also tells that man fell and lost the right of eternal life. It reveals that He who created all things is a God of grace who delights in doing mercy. It relates how the Lord saw the lost condition of man and prepared a way by which he might regain that which he had lost. It teaches us the Lord's will and the way of salvation, showing us how to live. It presents before us the way of life and the way of death, and leaves the choice with us. It depicts in exalted language how God's own Son left the courts above and came to earth, where He lived in lowliness and poverty, despised by those to whom He brought healing, salvation, and forgiveness of sin; until at last His enemies nailed Him to the cross where He suffered the ignominious death—died that we might live.

It tells, further, how He again came forth from the grave and ascended to His Father in heaven, where He now as our High Priest makes atonement for our sins, and as our Advocate and our Representative pleads our cases before the Supreme Court of the universe. Then it assures us that this same Jesus who was here, and who ascended on high, will come again to take His faithful followers home to the eternal mansions that He is preparing, the splendor and glory of which no earthly language can describe. And, finally, it gives a very explicit and careful description of the signs which are to precede this great event and testify to God's waiting ones that the day is nigh at hand, and of the condition of things in the world at the time of the Saviour's return.

This is, in brief, what the Bible is, and what it tells us. Take it away, and we will be flickering helplessly about in the deepest spiritual darkness, not knowing where we are. When man deserts the sure and impregnable foundation, he is at sea without anchor, chart, or compass. He drifts farther and farther away from truth and reality, gives himself up to uncontrolled speculation and philosophic reasoning until he, in his folly,—he calls it wisdom,—at last wanders off into the hazy regions of Spiritualism, Theosophy, or a similar modern delusion.

Thy Word, O Lord, is our only sure guide. Thy Word alone is a lamp for our feet and a light on our path. Yes, the Bible only! ERIK ARNESEN.

THE NEW JERUSALEM.

By T. J. Evans, M. D.

I SAW the New Jerusalem Come down from heaven above Its golden streets were glorious With God's eternal love. Rev. 21:2

Her bridal robe is clean and white, Just like the crystal snow; Its fabric is the righteousness Of saints made here below. Rev. 19:8.

He'll wipe away the mournful tears From every weeping eye; For death and hell have passed away There'll never be a sigh, Rev. 21:3, 4.

For God Himself will be their God, He'll take away all pain, With joy and peace and happiness They'll live with Him and reign.

His Throne's within her pearly Gates His Tabernacle, too, And with His chosen people there He'll dwell the ages through. Rev. 22:1-5.

The Tree of Life is in the street, Beside the crystal stream; Its fruit was ripe and beautiful, Its healing leaves were seen. Rev. 22:2.

For Life's pure water freely flows For every passer-by: For not a soul is in this place Who loves or makes a lie. Rev. 22:17, 15.

The City has foundations twelve, Just like transparent gold, And mansions fair already there For those within His fold. Rev. 21:12; John 14:2.

Her walls are made of precious stone, Like jasper, crystal clear; The angels at her pearly gates Will watch with godly fear. Rev. 21:11, 12, 21.

No one can enter into her With Satan's mark in hand, Or written bold upon his brow; For that's the dragon's brand. Rev. 13:4-6, 17.

Come, let us never make a lie Or abomination work, But live for Christ from day to day, And ne'er from duty shirk.

And then we'll be among the blessed Yes, one with Him in love And with the angel's happy choir We'll sing to Him above. Rev. 15:1-3. T. J. EVANS, M. D.

THE GREAT SALVATION

By Geo. W. Reaser

By GEO. W. REASER.

IV. "A JUST GOD AND A SAVIOUR."

The Pleasure of God.

LET him that glorieth, glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth Me, that I am the Lord which exerciseth loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth; for in these things do I delight, saith the Lord." So speaks Jehovah by his prophet Jeremiah. We read elsewhere that all things are for His pleasure. In what does God's highest pleasure consist? Inspiration readily supplies a satisfactory answer. Listen to the response: "Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King . . . for the Lord taketh pleasure in His people, He will beautify the meek with salvation." And again, the Lord addressing His people says, "Be ye glad and rejoice forever in that which I create, for, behold I create Jerusalem a rejoicing and her people a joy. And I will rejoice in Jerusalem and joy in My people; and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying." "For the Lord delighteth in thee," "and as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee." "The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; He will save, He will rejoice over thee with joy; He will rest in His love, He will joy over thee with singing."

How could the Lord express impressively, that in which His highest pleasure consists? How could it be made clearer that His joy is wholly unselfish?

But it should be borne in mind, that

the Lord's Joy Is Not Complete

at the present time, for His children are not yet so situated that their joy is complete. Our Father's joy must be essentially marred, and His heart of infinite love can not be satisfied, till He sees all of His children gathered safely home, and enjoying, to their utmost capacity, the pleasures at His right hand, forevermore.

Every right-minded parent finds occasion for genuine rejoicing in seeing his children—in full vigor of mind and body—free from anything that could possibly produce sorrow, and engaged in meet pursuit, of pure, innocent, and elevating character. Our heavenly Father is the most perfect parent in the wide universe. He delights in the association of pure, intelligent beings. Such association constitutes the greatest bliss that the human family can experience. Did you ever, alone, climb to the top of a mountain from which the view, spread out in charming panorama before you, filled your being with rapture? Would not your delight have been intensified, if your most congenial friend, whose soul was responsive to the beauties of nature, could have stood by your side, to have enjoyed the glory of the scene with you? Association can only reach perfection of enjoyment, between beings who are in perfect accord with each other. How "can two walk together, except they are agreed?" Did you ever begin conversation upon a theme, delightful and elevating to yourself, and find that the one to whom your conversation was addressed had no interest in the things which were so attractive to you, that your strongest appeal touched no responsive chord in his soul? Perhaps you changed the conversation with the hope of more happy and congenial companionship, but, do your utmost to entertain him, and either his lack of appreciation, or directly opposite tastes, made his companionship utterly uncongenial to you, and yours to him.

The Possessor of the greatest intellect in the universe, desires to

Lift Us up to His Plane

both mentally and morally, that He may hold sweet communion with us and we with Him. But righteousness hath no fellowship with unrighteousness, nor hath light any communion with darkness; neither hath Christ any "concord with Belial." Before we can enjoy God's companionship, and He ours, we must become like Him. We must become pure, holy, loveable, righteous. All imperfections, all disagreeable traits must be eliminated from our characters, else our tastes would so widely differ from the nature of God that we would be miserable in His presence. Can a pure, refined person find congenial companionship with one who possesses a base, sensual, unlovable nature?

The Wicked Could Not Enjoy Heaven

if they were transported to that place of bliss. Nothing there would be congenial to their natures. Their souls would not respond to the grandest music that can possibly be produced in all the universe. Everything in which God, angels, and the redeemed would find soul-filling rapture would touch no responsive chord in the hearts of the wicked; their hearts not having previously been attuned to the harmony of heaven.

God is a social being; His social nature has been imparted to all living creatures, but in highest degree to man. Our Father knows full well, that we can only be truly happy in this life in His service,—having our minds occupied with His thoughts. His longings for us are that we may be with Him and behold His glory, as well as all of the transcendent beauty of His created works. It will be a source of exquisite delight to the Lord, to reveal to the redeemed the wonderful beauty and transcendent glory of His universe. What joy must fill the souls of the ransomed, as they are conducted by the Creator of these spheres, to behold their glory, and, doubtless, to behold new celestial bodies, spoken into being.

"See how the face of every auditor Expands with admiration of the skill, Omnipotence, and boundless love of God."

God is a jealous God,—jealous for the supreme happiness of His people, which can only be assured in His service, and the worship of any other can bring only misery. It is for this reason that He says, "My glory will I not give to another." If His glory were bestowed upon "another," it would make another an object of worship, which could only result in confusion and sorrow to some of His creatures. Even the Son is only glorified with the Father and not independently of Him. The Lord will accept only whole-hearted worship because this is the only worship that the individual can be perfectly happy in rendering. The majority of mankind—there are noble exceptions—have but little concern for the general welfare of their own race. If they are bountifully supplied with the comforts and luxuries of life, it matters little to them how their fellow-mortals are faring.

The Lord is possessed of the riches of the universe, but He has an infinite interest in the eternal welfare of the children of men. "He looked down from the height of His sanctuary, from heaven did the Lord behold the earth, to hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death." Satan refused to "let them loose homewards," but the Lord sets every captive free who really desires liberty.

The final result of the plan of salvation, will be fulness of joy, experienced by the Lord, over His people, and joy unspeakable, on the part of the people, in the God of their salvation, whom they will worship, saying, "Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb;" and "blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and might, be unto our God forever and ever."

"THINK ON THESE THINGS."

By Lilian S. Marden

WHATSOEVER things are lovely Crimson sky or blue, Deeds of mercy done in meekness, Hearts by faith made true, God in heaven eternal reigneth, Caring for His own. In thine anguish "think on these things;" Cease thine every moan.

It must needs be that offenses Come to every child, Who forsakes the world's broad highway For the Saviour mild; So rejoice and think on these things Good reports, and true, So, together, all things working, God shall strengthen you.

Good for evil ever doing Be it thought or deed So thy love to God shall strengthen Meet for every need. "Whatsoever things are lovely," Clouds by sunlight rift; Think on these things, for the Master Shall the shadows lift. LILIAN S. MARDEN.

Covetousness Brings Anxiety

By Benjamin Franklin

COVETOUSNESS is ever attended with solicitude and anxiety.—Benjamin Franklin.

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