Review and Herald, Vol. 86, No. 45. (11/11/1909)

Review and Herald

Nov 11, 1909

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 11, 1909

A SONG OF TRUST

I CAN not always see the way that leads To heights above; I sometimes quite forget that He leads on With hands of love; But yet I know the path must lead me to Immanuel’s land, And when I reach life’s summit, I shall know And understand.

I can not always trace the onward course My ship must take, But, looking backward, I behold afar Its shining wake Illumined with God’s light of love; and so I onward go, In perfect trust that He who holds the helm The course must know.

I can not always know and understand The Master’s rule; I can not always do the tasks He gives In life’s hard school; But I am learning, with His help, to solve Them one by one, And when I can not understand, to say, “Thy will be done.” — Selected.

THE WORK — AND — THE WORKERS

By S. N. Curtiss

Important Announcement Concerning the Prices of Our Periodicals

In these days of national prosperity, it is not a new thing for us to find that the price on almost any commodity has increased. The cost of the raw material which enters into the manufacture of almost every article of commerce has advanced rapidly in recent years. We find that our shoes cost more, our clothes cost more, and even the books and periodicals that we read cost more. On this same basis, the leather, cloth, binders' board, and paper used in producing our own publications cost more, and this has necessitated an increase in the prices of our books; and the end is not yet.

More than a year ago the question of raising the price on the REVIEW was considered, but at that time no advance was recommended. The subscription price on Life and Health and the Youth's Instructor was raised in January, 1908, and it was understood then that in all probability another advance on the club rates and the prices to agents might be necessary at some future time. It was hoped that the increasing circulation of our magazines would give sufficient profit, even at the very low agents' prices, but time has proved that even a circulation of fifty thousand copies monthly on Life and Health will not enable us to manufacture the magazine so cheaply that we can maintain the present rates to agents.

At a meeting of publishing house managers in College View, Neb., Oct. 5-12, 1909, the question of costs and prices of our various books and periodicals was given very careful consideration, and it was found that all the publishing houses were furnishing their periodicals and some of their books at too low prices. Recommendations were passed by the publishing house managers and such other members of the Publishing Department of the General Conference as were present. These were presented to the General Conference Council, then in session, and were unanimously adopted, since which time they have been adopted by the Board of the Review and Herald Publishing Association.

The recommendations, in so far as they pertain to periodicals issued by the Review and Herald Publishing Association, are as follows:—

Whereas, The cost of production of our various periodicals has increased to such an extent that the margin of profit on them is hardly sufficient to meet the expenses of their publication, and many of them are being issued at a loss; therefore,—

We recommend, That the prices of these periodicals be raised as follows:— REVIEW AND HERALD, yearly subscriptions ................$1.75 Youth's Instructor, in clubs of five or more copies ........ .75 Sabbath School Worker, in clubs of two or more ................ .30 That the prices to agents on the ten-cent magazines (Life and Health, Liberty, and the Protestant Magazine) be as follows:— 5 to 40 copies........5 cents each 50 or more copies ....4 cents each

The yearly subscription rate for the Youth's Instructor remains at $1, the Sabbath School Worker at 35 cents, and Life and Health at $1. Six-months' subscriptions for the REVIEW will be 90 cents, and three-months' subscriptions 50 cents.

All these prices are to go into effect Jan. 1, 1910, except that the new agents' rates on Life and Health will apply on the January number, which will be ready during December.

Careful investigation shows that the cost of the paper used on the REVIEW has increased more than 33 1/3 per cent, and the cost of labor about 25 per cent, since our removal to Washington, while it is proposed to raise the subscription price only 16 2/3 per cent.

Up to 1898 the price of the REVIEW was $2 a year, and it was not illustrated. Now the pictures illustrating the progress of our work in home and foreign lands are a feature of the paper much appreciated by our readers, but these add materially to its cost.

In order that all may have fair notice of the change in price, we offer to extend the time of any old subscriber or to enroll any new one at $1.50 for the year 1910, providing his remittance actually reaches this Office before Jan. 1, 1910.

In behalf of the Board of Directors of the Review and Herald Publishing Association.

S. N. CURTISS, Manager.

Religious Liberty Leaflets

So many requests have been received for the Religious Liberty Leaflets to be bound in permanent form, that the publishers have bound up a limited number, and are now ready to fill orders for the complete set of these excellent tracts.

Price, in cloth binding, 25 cents; leather binding, 50 cents.

The following is a list of the tracts:—

Principles Too Little Understood.
Sunday Laws.
Logic of Sabbath Legislation.
The Civil Sabbath. 5. Civil Government and the Church.
Religious Liberty—What Eminent Authorities Say.
The Church’s Greatest Need Today.
Church Federation.
Limits of Civil Authority.
A Vital Question—Is the Sabbath a Civil Institution?
What Are Works of Charity and Necessity?
“Backward States.”
Alexander Campbell on Moral Societies.
William Lloyd Garrison on Sunday Laws.
Famous Congressional Sunday Mail Reports.

Order from your State tract society or from Review and Herald Publishing Association.

The Tract Work

By Editor

The long winter evenings are just before us, indicating that we have reached the time of the year when many people are not so busy as they are in the summer season, hence have more time to read. Now is the golden opportunity for placing in their hands the literature which they need to direct their thoughts toward the things which are for their eternal welfare. We have a wealth of literature in our excellent tracts and pamphlets. Many a soul has been saved as the result of reading one tract. Is there one who would not like to see souls saved as the result of his efforts, and have bright stars shining throughout eternity in his crown of rejoicing? What better time can we have for this work than this winter season? The Review and Herald Publishing Association has just issued a new tract order sheet which gives a complete list of our tracts, with prices. Order it to-day and get ready for circulating these tracts. A post-card to your State tract society or to this Office will bring the list.

Notes

IF at all possible, please order your magazines through, and arrange for territory with, your tract society. If you must order direct, send cash with order.

OUR Life and Health agent, 73 years of age, Mrs. Gilman Phillips, of Portland, Maine, who sold 1,000 copies of the September number, has just sent in her order for the last 200 copies of her 1,000 order of the October number. Think of it,—73 years old, and selling 1,000 copies of Life and Health each month!

CHILDREN as well as old people successfully handle Life and Health, and many of them are working with it. “Enclosed find fifty cents, for which please send ten copies of Life and Health. I am a little girl six years old. I sold a number of Life and Health in Montreal. Had some regular subscribers there. My mama is writing this letter for me. Please send as soon as possible, and oblige your little agent, Eleanor May Hanna.”

W. B. DIMON, a student in South Lancaster Academy, writes: “I have sold about one hundred ninety dollars’ worth of your books this summer, and about three hundred copies of Life and Health, fifty of Liberty, and a few copies of the Protestant Magazine. I have enjoyed my work with these periodicals very much. Am now back in South Lancaster Academy at my studies. I had the best success with the magazines in the business portions of the cities, but perhaps I did not know how to interest people in other portions of the towns and cities.”

SHOWING what can be done by recanvassing the same territory, we quote from a letter just received concerning the sale of Life and Health. “I work so few hours a week that my record is not anything at all unusual. I think I sell, on an average, 30 copies an hour, but of course this is in regular territory. I have been canvassing the same ground over each month since a year ago in July. I like the work very much, and the hours I spend at it are very pleasant ones. I was out this week, and worked two small towns near here, and two of us sold 300 papers in two days. Only worked seven hours at it.”

Foretold by Seers

By Editor

Editorial

Foretold by Seers.—The prophets pictured in clear outline the conditions in the world just before the coming of Christ. We see the lights and shadows of the picture rapidly filling in—the lights, in the rapid progress of the gospel message through the world; the shadows, in the gathering of forces for the last-day struggles for power and wealth.

Warnings of the Crisis.—Note how the magazines and reviews are discussing the approaching crisis. For instance, the October McClure's quotes Lord Roseberry's recent speech to the representatives of the press in London:—

There never was in the history of the world so threatening and so overpowering a preparation for war. . . . For forty years it has been a platitude to say that Europe is an armed camp.

In the November Everybody's, Mr. E. A. Powell, F. R. G. S., has an article on the situation in Europe, in which he says:—

To-day all Europe is divided into two armed camps, waiting breathlessly for the morrow with its Armageddon.

In the London Contemporary Review for September, Mr. H. Newton Marshall says:—

The whole of Asia is in the throes of rebirth. At last we may see these three—the yellow race, the Indian race, and the Arab-Persian Mohammedan race. And all that is making for the Armageddon. These quotations are but examples of the warnings being uttered by observers in many lands, as if moved with one accord to raise the warning cry.

Our Eyes See It.—Yes, right before our eyes, the picture outlined with the prophetic pencil is being filled in. And the newspapers and magazines and reviews are by their reports echoing the words of the prophets. Twenty-seven centuries ago the prophet Joel saw what these journalists are talking about, and he wrote it down in the Book:—

“Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles: Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near. . . . Let the heathen be wakened. . . . Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.”

We, Too, Must Awake.—The manner in which just now the press of the world and statesmen are pointing out these things, from the world's view-point, should stir Seventh-day Adventists to whole-hearted surrender to God, and to such activity as we have never before manifested in publishing to all the meaning of these developments, and the way of escape from the things coming upon the earth.

“Ye pilgrims, rise, break forth and sing The glorious coming of your King; The thrilling cry,—we hear it sound,— ‘Prepare to meet your Lord.’”

Words of Warning

OBSERVERS of conditions in the great city centers are frequently calling attention to the multiplying problems and dangers presented. Are not these the conditions that call for us to work earnestly to spread the leaven of truth through the cities while yet there is time? At the recent national convention of the Disciple Church, held in Pittsburg, Mr. Earle Wilfley, of St. Louis, said of the problem of the cities:—

In the great cities the church is said to be in retreat. The temples of worship follow the pocketbooks of the biggest givers. Costly pews are paid for, but unoccupied, by men who prefer to go a-motoring; an elect and gilded membership takes its religion by proxy or by the methods of absent treatment. Whether this is true or not, the masses seem to think that on the doors of the churches of the rich they see the sign hung out: “The Common People Need Not Apply.”

There is a rumble of uprising revolution which threatens to disrupt society and engulf nations. Unrest possesses the breast of the earth. The cries in the course of street and the low mutterings in the hovels are ominous. Crime is on the increase, more kinds of crime and more of almost every kind. Plenty streams from the castles, and poverty crouches in the hovels; the vulgar extravagances of the rich, grown fat on ill-gotten gains, disturb the faith of those who live in huts and dine on crusts. Harken to the protests of the toiling millions. Listen to the cry of defrauded childhood, dishonored womanhood, and debauched manhood. They are curses, not loud but deep, but they will prevail.

A Double Deliverance

By W. A. S.

JOHN G. PATON and Mr. and Mrs. Mathieson were awakened one night on the island of Tanna, in the South Seas, to find the church next to their dwelling-house in flames. The crisis had come. After many a deliverance, it seemed this time they were to be slain. Armed savages were all about. Mr. Paton ran out to tear down the reed fence by which the flames were being carried swiftly toward the mission house. A shout was raised, “Kill him! kill him!” Mr. Paton told them:—

“Dare to strike me, and my Jehovah God will punish you! He protects us, and will punish you for burning his church, for hatred to his worship and people, and for all your bad conduct. We love you all; and for doing you good only you want to kill us. But our God is here now to protect us and to punish you.”

They yelled in rage, and urged each other to strike the first blow, but the Invisible One restrained them. I stood invulnerable beneath his invisible shield, and succeeded in rolling back the tide of flame from our dwelling-house.

At this dread moment occurred an incident, which my readers may explain as they like, but which I trace directly to the interposition of my God. A rushing and roaring sound came from the south, like the noise of a mighty engine or of muttering thunder. Every head was instinctively turned in that direction, and they knew, from previous hard experiences, that it was one of their awful tornadoes of wind and rain. Now, mark, the wind bore the flames away from our dwelling-place, and had it come in the opposite direction, no power on earth could have saved us from being all consumed. It made the work of destroying the church only that of a few minutes; but it brought with it a heavy and murky cloud, which poured out a perfect torrent of tropical rain. Now, mark again, the flames of the burning church were thereby cut off from extending to and seizing upon the reeds and the bush; and, besides, it had become almost impossible now to set fire to our dwelling-house. The stars in their courses were fighting against Sisera! The mighty roaring of the wind, the

black cloud pouring down unceasing torrents, and the whole surroundings, awed those savages into silence. Some began to withdraw from the scene, all lowered their weapons of war, and several, terror-struck, exclaimed, “That is Jehovah’s rain. Truly their Jehovah God is fighting for them and helping them. Let us away.”

A panic seized upon them; they threw away their remaining torches; in a few moments they had all disappeared in the bush; and I was left alone, praising God for his marvelous works. “O taste and see that God is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him!”

Next morning their enemies were jubilant, however, for it had been finally decided to kill the missionaries without further hesitation, and burn the house. Friendly natives crept in, weeping and terror-stricken. Just then a cry was raised on the beach, “Sail O!” All eyes turned, and there, sailing into the bay was the trading ship “Blue Bell.” It was time to flee from Tanna. The missionaries got aboard, thanking God again for deliverance, timed to the very moment of their extremity. In after-years John G. Paton saw all Tanna transformed from savagery by the power of the gospel. W. A. S.

“The Terror on Europe’s Threshold”

By C. M. S.

ONE of the most striking articles that has appeared in the public prints in many years is the article published in the November issue of Everybody’s Magazine, written by E. Alexander Powell, F. R. G. S., entitled “The Terror on Europe’s Threshold.” Mr. Powell, who was sent to Europe by the publishers of that magazine, made a tour through Austria, the Balkans, the Caucasus, Russia, Germany, and Italy, studying the delicate adjustments of the exceedingly intricate situation there existing, and has written an article which every student of the Eastern question will find intensely interesting. He writes as an observing man of the world; but the student of prophecy can readily see in the developments which he portrays the mobilization of the forces that are to play the chief part in the closing act of this world’s history. It is impossible to give here more than a brief summary of the article.

Mr. Powell makes no secret of his belief that the occupant of the Vatican is sedulously manipulating the politics of Europe with a view to the establishment of a mighty Roman empire. Five men, he says, hold the destiny of Europe in their hands. These are, the king of England, the Russian foreign minister, the emperor of Germany, the heir presumptive to the Austrian throne (Archduke Franz Ferdinand), and the papal secretary of state.

Although there are five of these men in whose hands the destiny of Europe trembles, Mr. Powell declares that “all Europe is divided into two armed camps, waiting breathlessly for the morrow with its Armageddon.” On the one side will be ranged Germany, Austria-Hungary, and perhaps rejuvenated Turkey, all under the leading of Emperor William of Germany; on the other side, Great Britain, with “disrupted France and bankrupt Russia, with Portugal and Spain thrown in to make up good measure.” “Italy,” he says, “when it comes to forming in battle array, will go over to England,” in spite of the fact that nominally she is now joined with Germany and Austria in the triple alliance.

Germany’s isolation, brought about chiefly through British diplomacy, is the irritating factor in the case; and England’s threat to erect a tariff wall around all her own possessions, with the probability that many German manufacturers will be forced into bankruptcy through inability to compete in British markets, adds to the irritation and the certainty of trouble. By ententes, rapprochements, understandings, and marriages between reigning families, Britain has succeeded in making Germany’s isolation practically complete, with the one exception in the case of Austria. This, with the prospect of a British tariff on imports, and the fact that Germany must find room for her annual increase of two million new citizens, makes her condition desperate. That is why it is that German officers and soldiers have one toast to which they drink at every meal—Der tag, the day, meaning the day when they will try conclusions with Britain in battle; that is why it is that Germany is increasing her navy with such feverish haste; and that is why Austria, her ally, who has so little practical use for a fleet of her own, is now building thirteen huge battle-ships. Says Mr. Powell:—

Every thinking Englishman is convinced that Germany meditates a sudden attack on England, and when that attack comes, as it surely will, Britain’s only hope of salvation lies in her fleet. . . . This year British naval estimates call for an expenditure of eighty million dollars, and Germany has raised hers four millions more. Look at it any way you will, there can be but one end to a race which is impoverishing both nations, and that end is war. If England wins, she will have secured herself for half a century to come. If Germany triumphs, her victory will give her the position which England holds now; it will make Germany mistress of Europe; it will place her in a position where she can make free trade in England one of the terms of peace; it will give her a free hand in the Balkans, in Mesopotamia, and in Persia; will give her the pick of England’s colonies oversea, and a billion dollars indemnity with which to build a navy that will overawe the world.

England knows all this, and is straining every nerve to meet the emergency; she is building war-ships to the limit of her ability, and is teaching her schoolboys to shoot and to practise the tactics of battle.

With the certainty that a European clash is inevitable, the part of the Papacy in it becomes to us of the greatest significance. Austria is the most Catholic country in Europe; Germany is nominally Protestant. Will Catholic Austria fight for Protestant Germany, against Catholic Italy and Protestant England? If she will, Germany might look for success; if she will not, Germany’s program is impossible. Who will decide the question? Mr. Powell declares it will be decided by the Catholic Church. Let us see how he proves his assertion:—

In Franz Ferdinand [heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary] you have before you one of the most remarkable, as he is one of the most mysterious, figures in the Europe of to-day. . . . He is a clerical of the clericals. If he had not been born an archduke, he would have been a Jesuit. And it is not too much to say that in his every action one may detect the shrewd and masterful workings of the Society of Jesus. Whether Austria throws in her lot with Protestant Germany, whether she goes to war with Catholic Italy or France, whether she gives her assistance to her ancient ally, England, depends ultimately on the subtle and brilliant diplomats who direct the destinies of the Church of Rome. What they suggest, that will Franz Ferdinand do.

In him the Church of Rome sees an instrument to regain its old-time influence in the European concert, perhaps even to restore to His Holiness the temporal power which Garibaldi and Victor Emmanuel snatched from the church, the loss of which has made the Pope the prisoner of the Vatican. Already the empire building has begun; the first step was the annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. In every city and village and hamlet in the Balkans will you find these missionaries of empire—somber Jesuits, lean-featured Trappists, cowled and sandaled Franciscans, preaching, praying, proselytizing. Keen-sighted and wary, consummate diplomatists every one, already their influence in the Balkan peninsula has become enormous. . . . They it is who are the real pioneers of Austrian expansion.

The writer shows that it is these emissaries of the Catholic Church who are urging Austria on to the possession of what Russia will never permit her to obtain without a tremendous struggle—that is, the Dardanelles; also to the control of the Suez Canal, which England will never permit without the greatest struggle in her history. But if the Catholic Church sees definite prospect of regaining temporal dominion through a coalition of the forces of Germany and Austria, she would not hesitate a moment to urge on the program, even though the bloodiest war in the history of the world should follow. With England, the citadel of the English Catholic Church, humiliated, cut off from India, and deprived of her dependencies; with Russia, the supporter of the Greek Catholic Church, humiliated and crumpled back

from the Dardanelles; with Italy, whose king took from her the Papal States and the control of the city of Rome, humiliated, and forced to concede her spiritual and temporal sovereignty, while she herself sweeps on toward universal rulership, Rome could gloat over her success and her prospects, and declare of herself, “I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.” When she had accomplished that part of her program, the way would then be open for her to do for the land of Luther what she had done for the land of Episcopalianism. Germany, in yoking up with Austria to attack England, would be playing directly into the hands of Rome and insuring her own humiliation as the culmination of the Papacy’s program.

It can thus readily be seen what a tremendous influence the Catholic Church is wielding at the present time in the Old World, and how, through her own ambition for world power, she is spurring on the forces that are to meet in the death-struggle of Armageddon.

C. M. S.

Christ’s Ministry in the Heavenly Sanctuary

By W. W. P.

Inasmuch as far-reaching and very serious conclusions are deduced from that interpretation of Heb. 6:19 which makes the expression “within the veil” equivalent to “in the holy of holies,” it is certainly fitting that we should now inquire whether this interpretation is in harmony with the general teaching of the epistle, or whether such an interpretation would array one statement of the writer against the general trend of his whole argument. We shall, therefore, in this article enter upon a study of such portions of the epistle to the Hebrews as have a direct bearing upon the place of Christ’s ministry in the heavenly sanctuary after his ascension.

In the first part of this epistle the general subject of the priesthood is presented, and it is clearly shown that Jesus, the Son of God, has become “the surety of a better covenant,” and “hath his priesthood unchangeable.” This teaching is summarized and further developed beginning with the eighth chapter, from which we quote:—

“Now in the things which we are saying the chief point is this: We have such a high priest, who sat down on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, not man. For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is necessary that this high priest also have somewhat to offer. Now if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, seeing there are those who offer the gifts according to the law; who serve that which is a copy and shadow of the heavenly things, even as Moses was warned of God when he is about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern that was showed thee in the mount. But now hath he obtained a ministry the more excellent, by so much as he is also the mediator of a better covenant, which hath been enacted upon better promises.” Verses 1-6.

Without discussing this scripture at length, we wish to point out several plain facts: 1. Christ is here spoken of as “a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle,” and not as a minister in the holy of holies. 2. In harmony with the type, the minister of the true tabernacle must be able to offer that which corresponds to “both gifts and sacrifices.” This would involve the general service of the sanctuary. 3. A contrast is drawn between the priests on earth “who offer the gifts according to the law,” and the ministry of Jesus, the Son of God, in which the evident meaning is that the latter offers that which is the antitype of “the gifts according to the law.” This would again involve the general service of the sanctuary. 4. The minister “of the true tabernacle” is the “mediator of a better covenant.” This would naturally mean more than that he was simply performing the service in the holy of holies. 5. The ministry of Christ in the heavenly sanctuary is contrasted with the ministry in the earthly sanctuary. This would naturally imply the whole ministry rather than a limited portion of it.

While this scripture does not directly affirm that the ministry of Christ in the heavenly sanctuary included the services in both apartments, yet it is in perfect harmony with such a position, and certainly does not admit of the claim that Christ’s ministry after his ascension was confined exclusively to the holy of holies.

In the first part of the ninth chapter the earthly sanctuary is mentioned as consisting of two apartments, “the holy place” and “the holy of holies.” The ministry in the earthly sanctuary is also here set forth as being carried forward in these two apartments. The interpretation of this typical representation is then given as follows:—

“The Holy Spirit this signifying, that the way into the holy place hath not yet been made manifest, while the first tabernacle is yet standing; which is a figure for the time present; according to which are offered both gifts and sacrifices that can not, as touching the conscience, make the worshiper perfect, being only (with meats and drinks and divers washings) carnal ordinances, imposed until a time of reformation. But Christ having come a high priest of the good things to come, through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation, nor yet through the blood of goats and calves, but through his own blood, entered in once for all into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling them that have been defiled, sanctify unto the cleanness of the flesh: how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish unto God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” Verses 8-14.

It would seem to be contrary to sound reasoning to refer so particularly to the two apartments of the earthly sanctuary and to the services in these two apartments, and then to limit the fulfilment of these types to the ministry in one apartment only. Furthermore, the scripture is quite definite in its statements. It refers to Christ as “a high priest of the good things to come, through the greater and more perfect tabernacle,” not of the good things to come through the holy of holies; from which language it would be proper to infer that reference was made to the services in the heavenly tabernacle as a whole, rather than to the special work on the day of atonement. The mention in this connection of “the ashes of a heifer” would seem to be altogether inappropriate, if the work of our great High Priest was limited to the most holy place, since the sprinkling of these ashes (Numbers 19) did not take place in the second apartment. And not only so, but it expressly states that Christ entered “into the holy place.” If, now, it is proper to make the whole argument over a single expression, here would be the positive evidence that Christ on his ascension entered, not into the most holy place, but into the holy place. Yet we do not insist that the expression “the holy place” is here necessarily limited in its meaning to the first apartment of the sanctuary, but we take it rather in its general meaning as applicable to the heavenly sanctuary as a whole. As bearing out this interpretation, we will state that in the Greek text the word used in the twelfth verse and there translated “holy place” is the same as is used in the second verse of chapter eight, and there translated “the sanctuary.” In neither place can it properly be rendered “most holy place,” or the “holy of holies.”

In this connection it seems necessary to say that the word rendered “the sanctuary” in chapter 8:2 is also the same word as is used in chapter 9:8, and in the Authorized Version improperly rendered “the holiest of all.” In the Revised Version this error is corrected, and the word is properly rendered “the holy place.” The simple statement of this fact utterly overthrows any argument which is based upon the rendering, “the holiest of all,” however extended and elaborate the argument may be.

The extracts from the epistle to the Hebrews thus far examined are certainly not in accord with the claim that when Christ commenced his ministry in the heavenly sanctuary, he entered directly into the most holy place. Other texts which bear similar testimony will be considered later. W. W. P.

If Christ Should Come To-day

By F. M. W.

If Christ should come to-day, would we be prepared to meet him? This is a question which every Seventh-day Adventist may well consider. It is a pertinent, timely question. It is a vital, practical question. For years we have been preaching that the Lord would soon return. We have been calling attention to signs and prophecies indicating his speedy advent. We have said that in view of that grand culminating event in the earth’s history, we should make a full and complete consecration to God.

Let us now consider: Is all this theory in our lives, or do we actually believe that Christ is soon coming, and that this preparation should be made?

There is no doubt but that the early believers in this movement had faith in this blessed truth. They showed it by their lives of devotion, by placing all upon the altar of God’s service. They gave no occasion to their fellows to doubt their honesty. Men called them enthusiasts and fanatics, but still believed in their sincerity. What impression are we giving to our fellows to-day? Are we living in the spirit and under the influence of the kingdom of heaven, into which soon we hope to enter as subjects; or are we living under the influence of the kingdoms of this world?

Mere mental assent to the truth and mere verbal profession of faith in the truth do not of themselves carry conviction of sincerity. When we wish to know if men believe in the cause they profess to represent, we watch for the practical effect which such faith has in their lives. By our lives, by what we do from day to day among men, we are revealing whether or not we believe that Christ is soon to appear.

If we are partaking of the pleasures of the world, and drinking in of its spirit, following its fashions in dress, attending balls, theaters, and worldly parties of pleasure, surely this sort of experience belies our profession of faith. If we are building fine mansions and furnishing them with costly adornment, this surely does not say to the world that we expect Christ to come in our day. And if we are engaged in the spirit of speculation, adding farm to farm, investing in this and that and the other business venture, and bending every energy and power toward the accumulation of a competence, how can we expect men to believe that away down in the very depths of our souls we are looking and longing for the return of the blessed Lord?

We are judged by these things. Explain them as we may, and seek to place upon our actions whatever interpretation we will that shall satisfy our own hearts and consciences, we must admit that our fellows judge us by our social relations, our family life, and our business activities. By these very things we are expressing most forcibly the sympathy we feel for a perishing world, the interest we have in foreign missions, the faith we possess in the speedy return of the Lord Jesus Christ to this earth.

If Christ should come to-day, would we be prepared to meet him? Would there be any regret to see our beautifully furnished homes, our flocks and herds, our bonds and notes, destroyed in the fire of the last great conflagration? And could we reasonably expect to be saved from sharing in their destruction while our hopes are centered in them?

We appeal to our brethren who are buried up in money making and speculation; to our sisters enthralled by the bondage of fashion and society; to our young men and women dizzy with the pleasures of the world; are you ready to meet the Lord? If he should come to-day, could you willingly lay aside your plans and pleasures and bid him welcome? Could you indeed welcome him at all under such circumstances? Could you look up and say, “Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us”? We appeal to those who minister in word and doctrine; where is your influence cast? Has the spirit of worldliness and commercialism entered your hearts? While urging your brethren to consecration, have you placed your all upon the altar? Are you asking them to make sacrifices which you yourself would be unwilling to make?

We ask our readers to press these questions home to their own souls, as the writer will seek to do in his own experience. If an awakened conscience finds no pleasure in contemplating the Lord’s immediate return, is there not occasion for alarm? Would it not be well to consider the steps necessary to take in returning to the Father’s house? God speaks to our hearts to-day. He calls us to return, and asks that with tears of penitence and hearts of humility, we seek diligently for the old paths.

This will be necessary for us all if we meet our Saviour in peace. An acquaintance with Christ and with his character must precede eternal association with him in his kingdom. Otherwise we would be aliens and foreign elements, marring the peace of heaven.

Christ will come very soon, all too soon for those who in this little time of waiting and preparation do not haste to make their calling and their election sure. We have not one hour to lose. “To-day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.” The Spirit pleads with us to get ready. May we not resist, but yield ourselves to its divine influence. F. M. W.

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