52 "The Jews said unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my word, he shall never taste of 53 death. Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which 54 is dead? and the prophets are dead; whom makest thou 55 thyself? Jesus answered, If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing; it is my Father that glorifieth me; of whom ye 56 say, that he is your God; and ye have not known him, but I know him; and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be like unto you, a liar; but I know him, and keep his word. Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day; and he saw it, 57 and was glad. The Jews therefore said unto him, Thou art 58 not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before 59 Abraham was, I am. They took up stones therefore to cast at him; but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple. 1 And as he passed by, he saw a man blind from his birth. 2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Rabbi, who did sin, 3 this man, or his parents, that he should be born blind? Jesus answered, Neither did this man sin, nor his parents; 4 but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. 5 We must work the works of him that sent me, while it is 6 day; the night cometh, when no man can work. When I am in the world, I am the Light of the world. When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of 7 the spittle, and anointed his eyes with the clay, and said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam (which is by interpretation, Sent). He went away therefore, and washed, 8 and came seeing. The neighbors therefore, and they which 9 saw him aforetime, that he was a beggar, said, Is not this 10 he that sat and begged? Others said, It is he; others said, 11 No, but he is like him. He said, I am he. They said therefore unto him, How then were thine eyes opened? He answered, The man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to Siloam, and wash; so I went away and washed, and I received sight. 12 And they said unto him, Where is he? He saith, I know not."
QUESTIONS.
Of what did the Jews regard the last statement of Jesus as proof?
By what course of reasoning did they prove his statement to be unreasonable?
How did they regard him in comparison with Abraham and the prophets?
On what ground did Jesus base his claim to greatness?
What did he say to them concerning his acquaintance with God?
In what statement did he declare his preeminence over Abraham?
How did the Jews show their failure to apprehend the real meaning of Jesus?
In what unequivocal terms did Jesus then declare his divinity? With what result?
How did Jesus save himself from their attack?
As he left the Jews, whom did Jesus meet?
What inquiry did the disciples make concerning this man?
Did Jesus regard the man's misfortune as the result of sin? What opportunity was afforded by this condition?
What did Jesus say concerning his work?
What did he declare himself to be?
What outward ceremony did Jesus then perform?
What did he command the man to do? What was the result of obedience to his directions?
What inquiry was made by those who had known of his former condition?
What did some of them say? What did others say? What did he say?
What question did they ask him?
What account did he give of the miracle?
For whom did they then inquire? What reply did the man make?
NOTES.
1. Jesus came to be the bearer of eternal life to13the world (John 6:51), but the very assertion of the purpose of his mission became to the darkened minds of the Jews evidence that he was possessed of "a demon." The Jews said, "Now we know that thou hast a devil," but their knowledge was not based upon faith, and so was not fact, but rather falsehood. They were being taught by a liar (chapter 8:44), and were believing a lie (2 Thess. 2:11); but those who are taught of God "may know" through faith that Christ's words are true (1 John 5:13, R. V.). As his words are life (John 6:63) and he is the Word, those who keep his words find him in them, and so find life (Prov. 8:35). What the Jews were thinking of as death was changed into sleep by the work of Christ for man. 1 Cor. 15:22. Death comes later to those who have not laid hold on "the life which is life indeed." 1 Tim. 6:19, R. V.
2. "If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing; it is my Father that glorifieth me." Verse 54, R. V. Christ glorified not himself (Heb. 5:5), but he desired glory, that he might shed it back again upon his Father, who gave it to him.
3. In verse 58 Jesus makes the plainest declaration of his divinity and preëxistence. He declares himself to be the I AM, as he did later in the presence of the high priest. Mark 14:61, 62. "He appropriated the incommunicable name of Jehovah."
4. The connection between the eighth and ninth chapters is very close, and should not be broken. The Jews were rich and increased with goods and had need of nothing, and so refused the treasures offered to them in Christ. He was driven from them, and so "passed by" them, but in doing so he found the blind beggar, and gave him light.
5. In his reply to the question of the disciples, Jesus "did not mean to suggest that there is no such thing as suffering for individual or hereditary sin. . . . It was our Lord's intention to warn the disciples against a curious and uncharitable scrutiny of any man's life to find the cause of his misfortunes. We have to do rather with the future than with the past; rather with the question how we can help the man out of his difficulties, than with the question how he got himself into them. . . . No matter what has caused the suffering, here it certainly is always with us, and what we have to do with it is to find in it material and opportunity for a work of God. . . . We can cause men to feel that God is thinking of them, and has sent help through us to them. . . . If men can be induced to believe in the love of their fellow men, they are well on the road to belief in the love of God." "It is true that sin brings suffering; but there is some suffering which is not the evidence of special wrongdoing. . . . Suffering is permitted for wise and good reasons, which we shall one day comprehend, and among them is this: That it may provide a platform on which the grace and power of God may manifest themselves, each new phase of evil leading to some new forthcoming of the heart of God. . . . If there is need for the works of God to be manifested, we must be at hand, and willing at all costs to manifest them. . . . The unique work of healing blindness and enriching beggary is confined to earth, and we must hasten to do all of this allotted to us before the nightfall."
6. Christ, who was the Light of heaven, was sent into the world that he might be "the Light of the world." So dense was the darkness in which men were living, and so glorious was the light which he came to manifest, that it was necessary to veil the light lest men should be destroyed by it. So he clothed his divinity with humanity. If this Light is received and followed as the "Light of life," our path will grow brighter (Prov. 4:18) until we shall be able to endure the vision of his perfect glory (John 17:24) in the world of light. As he is the Light of this world, so he will be of the heavenly city. Rev. 21:23.
7. "The waters of Siloam by their very name ['Sent'] were a perpetual reminder to the Jews of the water of life which God sent to them in the desert land of their wanderings, and a parable of the true water of life which he would send to them in the desert land of this world's evil. How impressively, as he washed his blindness away, must they have spoken to the blind man of the healing mercy which had been sent to him by the Stranger, with the result that his spiritual vision was likewise restored!"
Suggestions for Further Study.
In this lesson we have the plainest statements yet made of Christ's divinity ("My Father . . . is your God"), and his preëxistence ("Before Abraham was I am"), and also the strongest outbreak of unbelief yet noted. The greater the light rejected, the greater the darkness. See Matt. 6:23.
How did Abraham see Christ's day?
What lesson is taught in the fact that Jesus used some outward means in restoring sight to the blind?
What added force is given to this miracle by the statement that the man "was blind from his birth"?
Compare this miracle with the one recorded in 2 Kings 5:9-14. Note the similarities and the differences.
How is life only in Christ taught in this lesson?
The combination, "verily, verily," occurs repeatedly in this Gospel, but not once in any of the others. "Verily" is our word "amen." In Isaiah 65:16 God is called "the God of Amen" (R. V., margin). Compare 2 Cor. 1:20. What is the lesson taught?
CHANGE OF ADDRESS.
By Editor
Elder E. W. Farnsworth and wife desire that all mail for them be addressed to 57 Troy Street, Wellington, N. Z., for the present.
Those who send papers to Sister Lottie Mullin for missionary work will please take notice that her address has been changed from Los Gatos to Morgan Hill, Santa Clara County, Cal.
ANGELS, Their Nature and Ministry.
Revised by the late J.H. Waggoner. In two parts. Part Two considers some hints on the Origin, History and Destiny of Satan, as gleaned from the Scriptures. Bible Students' Library No. 83. 140 pages. Paper covers. Price, 20 cents.
PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO.
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA.
Kansas City, Mo. New York City, N. Y.
CHURCH SERVICES.
By Editor
This column of church services, especially in our larger towns and cities, will be printed from time to time as we have room, for the benefit of strangers who may read the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, or brethren passing through. We have found it necessary to condense in the smallest possible space. The word "Sabbath" always refers to the seventh day of the week. These services consist of Sabbath school, preaching, Bible study, missionary, and prayer meetings. The first Sabbath service is the first one, with one exception (Detroit), Sabbath school. The first address is that of the church, or place of meeting; the second, if given, that of the pastor or clerk.
Toledo, O.—11th St. Christian Church, bet. Jefferson and Madison Sts., near center of city. Public services: Sabbath, 10 and 11 A.M., Wednesday 7 P.M., at Mission parlors, 1211 Collingwood Ave. E. J. Van Horn, Pastor.
Lynn, Mass.—Lee Hall. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 3 P.M.; Tuesday and Friday, 7:30 P.M. A. B. Jernigan, Elder. A. B. Felton, Clerk, 35 Union St.
Denver, Colo.—Cor. W. 11th Ave. and S. 11th St. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11 A.M., Wednesday and Friday 7:45 P.M. D. H. Soggs, Elder.
Helena, Mont.—Room 8, Denver Block. Public services: Sabbath, 10 and 11 A.M., and Wednesday, 7:30 P.M. C. T. Shaffer, Leader, 818 Breckenridge St.
New Bedford, Mass.—Church at Willow St., west of Cedar. Public services: Sabbath, 10:30 A.M. and 12 m. J. B. Hall, Clerk. Box 72, Acushnet, Mass.
Garden Grove, Cal.—Public services: Sabbath, 10 and 11 A.M., Sunday, 3 P.M. Harriet A. Rainsey, Clerk.
Wilmington, Del.—Red Men's Hall, 515 Shipley Street. Public services: Sabbath, 10 and 11 A.M., Sunday, 2:30 P.M. Edwin F. Eckel, Clerk.
Bradford, Pa.—Ladies' Club Room No. 1 Chautauqua Place. Public Services: Sabbath, 2 P.M. H. T. Moran, Clerk.
Louisville, Ky.—Markers' Hall, cor. 17th and Main Sts. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11 A.M., Sunday 7:30 P.M. J. W. Collie, Pastor, 2481 West Broadway.
Detroit, Mich.—424 Trumbull Ave., bet. Perry and Bagg Sts. Public services: Sabbath 11:15 A.M., Sunday, 10 and 7:30 P.M., Wednesday 7:30 P.M. A. O. Burrill, Pastor.
Chicago, Ill.—On 46th St. bet. Michigan and Wabash Ave. Public services: Sabbath 9:30 and 11 A.M. and 12:30 P.M., Sunday 7:15 P.M., Tuesday 7 P.M., and Thursday 7:30 P.M.
St. Paul, Minn.—On Wacouta bet. 8th and 9th. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11 A.M., Sunday 7:30 P.M. H. F. Phelps, Pastor, 470 Martin St.
St. Louis, Mo.—2955 Sheridan Ave. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11:30 A.M., Wednesday 7:45 P.M. Mary S. Yener, Clerk.
Kansas City, Mo.—Cor. 12th and Woodland Ave. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11 A.M., Tuesday 7:45 P.M.
St. Joseph, Mo.—Cor. 15th and Locust Sts. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11 A.M., Wednesday 7:30 P.M. Mrs. Harriet W. Talbert, Clerk.
Omaha, Neb.—Cor. 18th and Cumming Sts. Public services: Sabbath 10:15 and 11 A.M., Sunday 3 P.M. J. H. Rogers, Pastor cor. 27th and Steward Sts.
Salt Lake City, Utah.—Room No. 30 East 4th S. St. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11 A.M., Sunday 7:45 P.M., Wednesdays and Saturdays 7:45 P.M. J. M. Willoughby, Pastor, 839 E. 9 South Sts., Salt Lake City.
New Orleans, La.—Pythian Hall, cor. 7th and Magazine Sts. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11:15 A.M. J. E. Evans, Pastor, 1027 Delachaise St.
Jersey City, N. J.—Public services at church, 27 Oak St., Sabbath 10 and 11 A.M.; at hall, 242 Hancock Ave., Sabbath 2:30 and 3:30, Sunday 7:45 P.M. both places. Amos Mitchell, Elder.
Helena, Mont.—Room 8, Denver Block. Public services: Sabbath, 10 and 11 A.M., and Wednesday, 7:30 P.M. C. T. Shaffer, Leader, 818 Breckenridge St.
Boston, Mass.—694 Washington St. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11 A.M. George B. Wheeler, Pastor.
Richmond Va.—Meetings at 501 North 25th St. Public services: 10 and 11 A.M. J. P. Neff.
Alameda.—Foresters' Hall, cor. Santa Clara Ave. and Park St. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11 A.M. and 2:45 P.M. W. N. Glenn, Elder.
East Portland, Or.—Cor. 11th and East Everett Sts. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11:30 A.M. and 7 P.M., Wednesday 7 P.M.
Tacoma, Wash.—2917 S. K St. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11 A.M., Sunday 6 and 7:30 P.M. Arthur Lister, Clerk.
Washington, D. C.—On 8th bet. F and G Sts., N. E. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11:15 A.M., Sunday 6 P.M. Wednesday 7:30 P.M.
Brooklyn, N. Y.—Wurzler's Hall, 315 Washington St. near city post office. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11 A.M.
Worcester, Mass.—118 Austin St. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11:15 A.M., Wednesday 7:30 P.M. F. C. Bee, Clerk, No. 6 Furnace St.
Providence, R. I.—Olney St. Congregational (Unitarian) church. Public services: Sabbath 2 and 3 P.M., Friday 7:30 P.M. Wm. H. Warfield, Clerk, 27 Susan St., Providence.
Hartford, Conn.—Hall at 302 Asylum St. Sabbath 2 and 3 P.M., Sunday 7:30 P.M. O. M. Hatch, Clerk.
Philadelphia, Penn.—Public services at 1724 N. 15th St., Sabbath 10 (Sabbath school 11:15) A.M., Sunday 7:45 P.M., E. A. Merrell, Pastor, 1724 N. 15th St.
Baltimore, Md.—Bowen's Hall, 1718 Frederick Ave. Public services: Sabbath 9:45 and 11 A.M., Sunday and Friday 7:45 P.M., Wednesday 7:30 P.M. John H. Hunt, Clerk.
Cleveland, Ohio.—249 Cedar Ave., bet. Sterling and Hayward. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11 A.M. (sun time), Sunday 7:30 P.M., Wednesday 7:30 P.M. Willard H. Saxby, Pastor.
Oakland.—Cor. 12th and Brush Sts. Public services: Sunday at 7:30 P.M., Sabbath 9:30 and 11 A.M., Wednesday 7:30 P.M.
San Francisco.—914 Laguna St. Public services: Sunday 7:30 P.M., Sabbath 9:45 and 11 A.M., Thursday 7:30 P.M.
Los Angeles.—145 Carr St., bet. Main and Hill Sts. Public services: Sabbath 9:45 and 11 A.M., Tuesday 7:30 P.M., Thursday 7:30 P.M. Belle P. Baker, Clerk, 926 Hill St.
Sacramento.—G St. bet. 10th and 12th Sts. Public services: Sunday 7:30 P.M., Sabbath 10 and 11 A.M., Wednesday 7:30 P.M.
Pasadena.—Cor. of Summit Ave. and Mountain St. Public services: Sunday 7:30 P.M., Sabbath 10 and 11:30 A.M. O. S. Smyth, Clerk, Box 361.
San Diego.—Cor. 18th and G Sts. Public services: Sunday 7 P.M., Sabbath 9:45 and 11 A.M., Wednesday 7:30 P.M. Mary J. Dimock, Clerk, National City, Box 136.
Stockton.—Cor. Miner Ave. and Stanislaus St. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11 A.M., Wednesday 7:30 P.M. H. S. Guilford, Elder.
San Jose, Cal.—Church, San Salvador St., near Delmas Ave.; Sabbath school 10, Bible study 11 A.M.; missionary meeting, Sunday 7 P.M.; prayer meeting Wednesday 7 P.M.
Phoenix, Ariz.—Cor. 4th Ave. and Wash'n St., up stairs. Public services: Sabbath 9:30 and 10:45 A.M.; Wednesday 7:30 P.M. (Elder, C. D. M. Williams, absent) Leader, Eugene A. Browne, 306 N. 2nd St.
LESSON XI.—SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1896
By Editor
"Take heed unto thyself; and unto the doctrine;" "that thy profiting may appear to all."
My son, if thine heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine.
Yea, my reins shall rejoice, when thy lips speak right things.
Let not thine heart envy sinners; but be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day long.
For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off.
Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thine heart in the way.
Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh.
For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty; and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.
Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old.
Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.
The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice; and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him.
Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice.
Golden Text: "For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty." Prov. 23:21.
SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.
(1) What course in a son rejoices a father's heart? Verse 15. (2) What is cause for greater rejoicing? Verse 16. (3) What caution is given against sinners? Verse 17. (4) What is much better? Ib. (5) What does the teacher say is sure? Verse 18. (6) Is there safety in hoping in the Lord? Ib. (7) What three things is the son admonished to do? Verse 19. (8) What company should one avoid? Verse 20. (9) What reason is given? Verse 21. (10) To whom should one go for counsel? Verse 22. (11) What are excellent things to invest in? Verse 23. (12) What class of children brings joy to a parent's heart? Verses 24, 25.
NOTES.
1. Wisdom.—Wisdom is urged as the surest and safest guard against departing from a path of rectitude. This is true when the wisdom is from God. To have such guidance it is not necessary for one to be learned as the world counts learning. The poorest educated person, if a child of God, may possess the wisdom that will keep him from erring. This is the wisdom of the heart, or mind, when the mind is in harmony with the Lord. There will then be a disposition to "hear," "be wise," and to "guide" one's course aright. Verse 19. The disposition of such an one is to receive instruction, consequently the heart of the teacher rejoices, and when wisdom leads the lips to speak right things, as it inevitably will, then the deepest joy is experienced, here spoken of as the joy of the "reins," the innermost parts.
2. Envy and Intemperance.—Envy goes with selfishness, and is twin sister to covetousness. It is an unlawful desire, and always causes dissatisfaction with one's condition or possessions. When it comes into the heart, wisdom goes out. The individual has then lost his bearings; he is, as it were, without a balance-wheel, a governor, and is liable to go into all sorts of intemperance. This is not necessarily limited to drunkenness with wine. There is plenty of intemperance in other directions,—intemperance in pleasures, dress, eating, ambitions, etc. All intemperance is sin, and in a sense all sin is intemperance, as implying an improper, an uneven, use of one's God-given faculties. The results of winebibbing and gluttony are enlarged upon in this chapter, but the sure results of every kind of intemperance are the same. If the immediate effects are not poverty in earthly possessions, they assuredly are poverty of soul and spiritual drowsiness, with the accompanying clothing of filthy rags righteousness. This is the sure end or reward of the wrong course. But just as surely the results of constancy are life and health and peace unending. Verse 18. How necessary then to keep the heart pure and undefiled, free from envy and covetousness of every description. "Be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day long." Verse 17.
3. Heed to Parents' Instruction.—This is in the line of acquisition of true wisdom, for the child that honors its parents will manifest a tendency to honor God and his laws. Wise instruction wisely heeded will indeed result in joy to the father and mother, and all concerned.
4. Enduring Purchases.—The truth is that which is real, and it brings with it all the blessings that are found in Christ. These are the waters and the wine and the milk that are bought without money and without price. Yet there is a price, and that is one's self; for the possession of truth, a knowledge of it, can not be obtained without application of the faculties, and that in the right direction. "Also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding," are in like manner to be purchased. But the value received is a thousandfold for the one who does the buying. See also Mark 10:28-30.
Geikie's Life of Christ Withdrawn.—Our stock of the above book is exhausted, and we hereby withdraw our offer to send it in connection with the SIGNS OF THE TIMES for 40 cents.
Lincoln Fountain Pen. We are constantly receiving words of recommendation for this pen, and we are thoroughly convinced that it is just as represented in every way. We are allowing special prices on orders for a dozen or more at one time.
Our offer to send the pen for only 75 cents to any one subscribing for the SIGNS OF THE TIMES for one year, and paying the regular subscription price of $1.00 still holds good. Both the SIGNS and the pen for $1.75.
"Will A Man Rob God?" This excellent pamphlet on the tithing system is now in press, and we will be ready to fill orders by the first of December.
It will appear as Bible Students' Library No. 145, and not as No. 146, as has been advertised in the order sheets.
Pacific Press Pub. Co., Oakland, Cal.
New York City. Kansas City, Mo.
"Origin, Progress and Principles of S. D. Adventists." Illustrated. Will not appear as Bible Students' Library No. 145, as has been advertised, on account of delay in getting cuts to suitably illustrate its pages. It will be some time before it will be ready.
"Will A Man Rob God?" will appear as No. 145, and all orders we now have for No. 145 will be filled with "Origin, Progress," etc. In ordering these pamphlets mention name as well as number.
Pacific Press Pub. Co., Oakland, Cal.
New York. Kansas City.
A NEW TRACT CATALOG
By Editor
"Descriptive Catalog of the Bible Students', Apples of Gold, and Religious Liberty Libraries" is the title of this 36 Page Catalog.
It gives a pithy description of each tract and pamphlet in the above Libraries, together with their size and price. It will greatly assist the reader to select such numbers as he may desire to read and circulate; and may be obtained free of charge by addressing your State Tract Society; the Pacific Press Publishing Company, Oakland, California; 39 Bond St., New York City, N. Y.; 18 W. 5th St., Kansas City, Mo.; or Review and Herald, Battle Creek, Michigan; Atlanta, Ga.
