p. 16 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 31, No. 13. (3/29/1905)

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS

LESSON 2.—APRIL 9.—THE RAISING OF LAZARUS.

Lesson Scripture, John 11:32-45, A. R. V.

(32) "MARY therefore, when she came where Jesus was, and saw Him, fell down at His feet, saying unto Him, Lord, if Thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. (33) When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping who came with her, He groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, (34) and said, Where have ye laid him? They say unto Him, Lord, come and see. (35) Jesus wept. (36) The Jews therefore said, Behold how He loved him! (37) But some of them said, Could not this Man, who opened the eyes of him that was blind, have caused that this man also should not die? (38) Jesus therefore again groaning in Himself cometh to the tomb. Now it was a cave, and a stone lay against it. (39) Jesus saith, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto Him, Lord, by this time the body decayeth; for he hath been dead four days. (40) Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou believedst thou shouldst see the glory of God? (41) So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up His eyes, and said, Father, I thank Thee that Thou heardest Me. (42) And I knew that Thou heardest Me always; but because of the multitude that standeth around I said it, that they may believe that Thou didst send Me. (43) And when He had thus spoken, He cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. (44) He that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with grave-clothes; and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go. (45) "Many therefore of the Jews, who came to Mary and beheld that which He did, believed on Him." Golden Text.—"Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the Life." John 11:25.

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

(1) When Mary came out to Jesus, what attitude did she assume? What did she say? Verse 32. Note 1. (2) Who besides Mary were weeping? How was Jesus affected by their sorrow? Verse 33. Note 2. (3) What did Jesus say to the weeping company? What was their reply? Verse 34. (4) How did Jesus further manifest His love and sympathy? Verse 35. (5) What did the Jews say when they saw Jesus weeping? Verse 36. (6) What significant query was raised by some who were present? Verse 37. Note 3. (7) How did Jesus manifest His deep feeling? In what kind of tomb was Lazarus laid? Verse 38. Note 4. (8) What command did Jesus give? Then what protest did Martha make? Verse 39. Note 5. (9) Of what did Jesus then remind Martha? Verse 40. (10) Then what was done by the company? And what did Jesus do and say? Verse 41. Note 6. (11) What did He say concerning His purpose? Verse 42. (12) When He had thus spoken, what did He do? Verse 43. Note 7. (13) In answer to this call, who came forth? In what condition did he come? What command did Jesus then give? Verse 44. Note 8. (14) What was the effect of this miracle? Verse 45. Note 9.

NOTES.

1. Martha had previously heard that Jesus was coming, and had gone out to meet Him. She had greeted Him with the words, "Lord, if Thou hadst been here, my brother had not died." After a brief interview she returned to the house, and secretly informed Mary where Jesus was, and that He desired to see her. On Mary's coming where Jesus was, she repeated the words of Martha, "Lord, if Thou hadst been here, my brother had not died." The sisters had sent a message to Jesus, telling Him that Lazarus was sick, and expected Him to come and heal His friend, their brother. But their faith did not grasp the fact that He could do anything unless He were present; so they also thought that His coming at this late day was of no avail, as far as Lazarus himself was concerned. They didn't even expect Jesus to do anything for the "repose" of the dead man's soul.

2. The strong sympathy of Jesus for the mourning ones, His strong sorrow over the work of the adversary, caused even His great powers of self-control to give way to audible grief. "He groaned in the spirit." His whole being was agitated.

3. It was a cause of wonder, and naturally, too, that Jesus had not come to the rescue of Lazarus before he died, inasmuch as He had notice of the sickness. And some were disposed to believe that, for some reason, it was a case that baffled the power of Him who never before had met defeat. But the death of Lazarus was working out a greater victory than the mere healing of a sick man.

4. As they approached the tomb, the great soul of the sympathetic Saviour again burst out in audible groans. But, much as Jesus loved Lazarus, great as was His friendship for the family, there was no intimation that "Death is the gate to eternal bliss." There was no proffer of comfort because the soul of the dead man was now in heaven, having entered his eternal rest. Nor, as he said to the disciples before starting from beyond Jordan to Bethany, "Lazarus is dead."

5. "Take ye away the stone."—Jesus could have removed the great stone with a word, without a hand being stirred. But He always makes His disciples laborers together with Him as far as lies in their power. "Dead four days."—There is no doubt in the mind of any one that "Lazarus is dead." There could be no caviling on that score, but Martha's faith was still limited to the bounds of that which had been demonstrated by sight in the past. And so many disciples are even yet walking by sight rather than by faith.

6. The faith of Jesus—which must be the faith of those who stand at His coming (Rev. 14:12)—is shown in His thanking God for being heard before He had asked anything. Such faith never asks in vain, for it is always guided by the Spirit in what to ask.

7. Jesus called Lazarus from the tomb; He did not call the spirit of Lazarus from heaven, or any other spiritual abode.

8. "He that was dead came forth."—There was no living entity called back from some other sphere of activity. It was Lazarus that was called; Lazarus was dead when he was called; and it was Lazarus that came forth. Moreover, that which was called came forth "bound hand and foot with grave-clothes." There was nothing called but that which was dead and in the tomb; and only that which was dead and in the tomb came forth. No part of Lazarus came from anywhere else than the tomb. There was no intimation that anything should be again confined that had been loosed; the command was to "loose him [that had been bound], and let him go."

9. This miracle caused many to believe who had resisted all previous evidence that Jesus was the Christ. But those who had steeled their hearts with a determination not to accept any evidence whatever, were the more determined to condemn Him. Having rejected the Word of God, they would not be persuaded even when one rose from the dead. See Luke 16:29-31.

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Sabbath-School Lesson Quarterly

By Editor

The Sabbath-school lessons have been discontinued. The Lesson Quarterly may be obtained, containing three months lessons and notes, for five cents. Address, Pacific Press, Mountain View, Cal. The Sunday-school lessons will continue.

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News and Notes

By Editor

The Kansas City Branch of the Pacific Press Publishing Company has been removed from 18 West Fifth Street, where it has been located since its establishment in 1893, to 1109 East 12th Street, Kansas City, Mo.

In another column will be found an appeal for a school—a training school for Christian workers—by Pastor Wm. Guthrie. It is a worthy request for a worthy enterprise and a real need, and we hope it will meet with a gratifying response.

We are glad to welcome Pastor G. A. Irwin, who arrived in San Francisco March 16, on the transport Thomas, on his way from Australia to the General Conference at Washington, D. C. Pastor Irwin will remain on the coast a few days before resuming his journey.

Quite True.—A religious journal, in noting a revival in an Eastern city, expresses the hope that said revival will extend to New York City, adding, apparently by way of emphasis, that “the Lord only can save New York.” This is quite true, and it is equally true that “the Lord only can save” any individual in the world—not excepting the editor of the aforesaid journal—wherever his residence may be. “Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” The human heart is neither better nor worse in New York than anywhere else. In any locality on earth, “the carnal [or unregenerate] mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh can not please God”—no matter where they sojourn.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION.

By Editor

EVERY member of every organization ought to become acquainted with the work of the organization to which he has given his allegiance. This is especially true of the Christian. He ought to know, he is in duty bound to know, of the organization, the field, the work, of the army to which he belongs. Recognizing this, he will welcome any information upon this subject.

These remarks are preliminary and pertinent to a pamphlet which lies before us, entitled “Year Book of the Seventh-day Adventist Denomination” for 1905. It is one of the most complete ever issued. Do you wish to know the General Conference officers?—The Year Book gives you the information. Do you wish to learn the officers of any Union or Local Conference?—The Year Book will tell you. It gives a complete directory of the General Conference, Union and Local Conferences, Mission Fields, Publishing Houses, Educational Institutions, Periodicals, Sanitariums, and Benevolent Institutions.

It gives statistical reports, Constitution of the General Conference, Articles of Incorporation of our Eastern Publishing Association, etc., etc.

This Year Book gives a summary of the various steps in the rise and progress of the denomination from 1848 to 1905, arranged in chronological order. The writer of this note attempted this in a much briefer summary in the Year Book for 1884, but this account is much more nearly complete. It alone is worth the price of the Year Book.

All the sessions of the General Conference, with place and date, are given, and the presidents and secretaries of the General Conference, from 1863 to the present, are given.

There is also a general statement of the “fundamental principles of Seventh-day Adventists,” tho not given as a creed; for the only creed of this people is the Bible.

There are 200 pages in this book, and the price is only 25 cents. Send in your orders at once to the Review and Herald Association, 222 N. Capitol Street, Washington, D. C.; or to the Pacific Press Publishing Company, Mountain View, Cal.

A RESURRECTION NUMBER.

By Editor

APRIL 23 is what is denominated among church days as "Easter Sunday." Upon that day more or less will be said on the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. In these days of "Higher Criticism" there is little faith in many circles in the Bible records of the resurrection of our Lord. It is made to mean death, spiritual resurrection, and we know not what.

Our issue of April 19 will be a Resurrection number, in which the true Biblical meaning of the resurrection will be set forth. We will tell you what it will contain a little later. In the meantime prepare to help us spread it abroad.

THERE IS A DIFFERENCE.

By Editor

A CIRCULAR letter comes to us from “Christian Science” headquarters, signed by Alfred Farlow, who, whatever may be his office, seems to be in fact the leading press agent of the cult. This letter is a protest against unkindly references, “occasional criticisms,” etc., which are “woven into books and pamphlets purporting to have been written on other subjects.” The writer avers that “in writing on other subjects it is not necessary to include an attack on Christian Science,” and this is so unless it is deemed that “Christian Science” is essentially the same as some other subjects deemed dangerous, with which it is classed. He further says that “we assume that all publishers desire to extend the same courtesy to Christian Scientists that is accorded to the members of other denominations.” But it is right upon this point where many writers feel that the same courtesy is not demanded in treating the system; for they believe that it is sailing under false colors; that it claims to be Christian when it lacks the essential elements of Christianity; that it is not truly scientific; that it is contrary to the Bible teachings; and therefore it ought to be denounced. Had “Christian Science” posed under some other name truer to its nature, it would not have invited the attacks—just and unjust—which it has. Probably it would not have deceived so many souls.

The Conflict Between Capital and Labor

By Editor

Just Out.—"The Conflict Between Capital and Labor," by E. T. Russell. Issued by the Pacific Press Publishing Company, Mountain View, Cal. This is the latest book that has come out touching this momentous subject. The principles underlying this great controversy are conscientiously set forth from an unprejudiced standpoint, and the history of the conflict is faithfully written. The comparison of present conditions with those preceding the downfall of the Roman republic and preceding the French Revolution, are portrayed in a manner to make men think as they read. The book is more than mere newspaper or partisan reports. It deals with principles as well as authenticated facts, and contains matter that all classes of men ought to read and calmly consider. 167 pp.; cloth; illustrated; price, 50 cents.

Belittling the Ministry.

By Editor

Prof. Shailer Mathews, of Chicago University, intimates that godly young men will not enter the ministry because of "the belittling of the ministry by the church itself;" and another difficulty is expressed in the statement of a clergyman, that "under present conditions a minister's salary is often so inadequate that he is unable to support his family in a decent manner." And both doubtless are true. One minister declares that, as the minister is the "hired man" of the church, he is expected to preach so as to offend none of those who contribute to his salary. But as long as a minister allows such a thought to dominate him, he becomes a subject of belittlement. The duty of the minister is to please not men, but God; to preach God's Word, whether men will hear or forbear; to be God's messenger, God's prophet, for this time. He must seek to be like his Master, his heart, mind, soul, given to the great cause to which he belongs. He can not be a politician, a time-server, a covetous man; and, tho men may belittle his work, he must even more greatly esteem it. On the other hand, the church should ever uphold the ministry as one of God's means to save men, and he should be well supported. But whatever course either may pursue—preacher or people—the other is not excused from duty to God.

Russia’s Royal House

Russia's Royal House.—An anonymous Russian writer, in a thirty-page article in the London National Review, after setting forth conditions in Russia, declares that autocracy is "at its last gasp," but he declares that it is not the Russian ship of state that is in danger, the danger threatens the men at the helm. He declares—and he seems to know—that the czar is truly responsible for the tyrannies and cruelties of officialdom in his realm, but that he had no sense of the sufferings of the poor in his domains; that he considers the whole empire is not a state, but his estate, to be administered for the benefit of himself and family. Usually the grand dukes have been blamed. This writer declares that their influence on the czar is not nearly so great as has been declared.

Bicycle Face, Subway Eye, and Auto Legs

Some years ago we first heard of the "bicycle face," acquired by persons who persistently "scorched" on their wheels, while leaning low over the handle-bars. The "subway eye" has recently developed in employees of the New York Subway. It is a disease of the retina, caused by the peculiar conditions in the tunnel. But the latest development in physical infirmities is what is termed "auto legs." This is an atrophied condition of the leg muscles due to a constant sitting posture under the strain of fast motion over uneven ground. The vibration under these conditions affects the nerves of the leg muscles, and so causes the shrinking of the flesh.

Ferry’s Seed Annual

By Editor

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