p. 6 | Review and Herald, Vol. 88, No. 25. (6/22/1911)

Review and Herald

Jun 22, 1911

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 22, 1911

The Word of Kindness

By L. D. Santee

L. D. SANTEE

To the weary toilers we daily meet In the rush of the thronged and busy street, We have smiles to give them, their hearts to cheer, And the word of kindness is always dear. O, many a heart hath its load of care, For the burdens of life are hard to bear! But the kindly word that is soft and low May comfort the heart that is breaking slow.

By the magic spell of a kindly word The pulse of the spirit is strangely stirred, And the light of a loving and gentle tone Will weave a charm that is all its own. The clouds will lift, and the shadows flee, And a brighter morning the sad will see, As the gentle words from a loving heart Bid the deep’ning shadows of grief depart.

Words of affection will banish care, For the sun is shining for all somewhere; And the saddened heart and the weary feet Will find their influence pure and sweet; And the weary mind and the troubled brain Will take up the duties of life again, And joy will come, and the clouds depart; For words of kindness will heal the heart.

Moline, Ill.

The July Number of LIFE AND HEALTH

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A Message of Life, Health, and Good Cheer!

Profusely Illustrated; Beautiful and Instructive Without and Within

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A Sermon on Milk; The Business Woman’s Vacation; A Message of Summer and Hygiene; Home Care of Consumptives; Ode to the Fly (5 cartoons); Where Do We Get Our Meat? (9 illustrations; an astounding revelation of slaughter-house conditions — government statistics); Healthful Cookery — Berries and Stone Fruits (10 recipes); Medical Missionary Work in Mexico, Australia, Argentina, etc.; A Mothers’ Movement; International Hygiene Congress; The Common Drinking-Cup (striking cartoon); Good yet Cheap Living; Aftermath of the Holiday; A Refrigerator Without Ice (how to make); Noise and the Cult of the Vulgar; A New Remedy for Whooping-Cough; Remedy for Ivy-Poisoning.

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Behold the Day

By Oliver P. Wilson

OLIVER P. WILSON

O THOU that dwellest in the land, awake! The time is near; The dawn of morning’s come; behold the light That shineth clear; And list! beyond are golden days that sing, That greet the Sun, and bask beneath his wing.

The eve of man’s long day draws on apace, Its close is near; Then let us toil while yet remaineth day, For life is dear. Find harvests white, and look upon the grain, And ask the Lord for showers,—the “latter rain.”

And thou, O faithful pilgrim! bear thy way— ’Tis drawing near! Soon will earth’s shadowed scenes and forms be gone; Yield not to fear. Bear on thy burden; for thy rest is sure If humble are thy ways and thou art pure.

How joyful is the thought for soldier true,— Day draweth near! With armor on withstand the wily foe; The day brings cheer. Then, weary pilgrim, shod with gospel peace, Gird up thy loins; for morn will bring release.

Ketchum, Okla.

Individual Accountability

By Ellen G. White

MRS. E. G. WHITE

THERE are many professors of religion who claim to be servants of God, and yet are filled with spiritual pride and self-exaltation. They make high pretensions to holiness, and feel that they are “rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing.” They are like the fig-tree which put forth its boastful foliage; but when the Master came seeking for fruit upon it, he found nothing but leaves. They are ever ready to advance their opinions, to display their attainments, and to interpret the meaning of the Word of God. They claim to be led by the Spirit, but they turn away their ear from hearing the law of God. Says the psalmist, “Thy law is the truth,” and “all thy commandments are righteousness.” The Spirit of God will lead us in the path of the commandments; for the promise is that “when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth.” We should try the spirits by the test of God’s Word; for there are many spirits in the world. “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.”

Some of these false teachers occupy prominent positions in the churches, and they influence others to swerve from the path of humble obedience. God holds every one of us to an individual accountability, and calls upon us to serve him from principle, to choose him for ourselves. We should not hang our souls upon the words and actions of another; for Satan uses men as his agents, and clothes his ministers in garments of light. Not one of us can pardon the sins of any other. In the day of judgment, when the question comes to you as to why you did not obey the commandments of God, you can not make an acceptable excuse on the plea of another’s disobedience. If your words and example have lead others in the path of sin, you alone must bear the responsibility of your actions and influence. Because a man who professes to love God, disobeys the plain word of instruction, you will not be justified in neglect of duty. We should every one ask, How shall I keep the commandments of our God?

God will not lightly esteem the transgression of his law. “The wages of sin is death.” The consequences of disobedience prove that the nature of sin is at enmity with the well-being of God’s government and the good of his creatures. God is a jealous God, visiting the sins of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of them that hate him. The results of transgression follow those who persist in wrong-doing; but he shows mercy unto thousands of them that love him and keep his commandments.

Those who repent and turn to his service find the favor of the Lord; and he forgiveth all their iniquities and healeth all their diseases.

In earthly affairs, the servant who seeks most carefully to fulfil the requirements of his office, and to carry out the will of his master, is most highly valued. A gentleman once wished to employ a trusty coachman. Several men came in answer to his advertisement. He asked each one how near he could drive to the edge of a certain precipice without upsetting the carriage. One and another replied that he could go within a very perilous distance; but at last one answered that he would keep as far as possible from such a dangerous undertaking. He was employed to fill the position. Shall a man be more appreciative of a good servant than is our Heavenly Father? Our anxiety should not be to see how far we can depart from the commandments of the Lord, and presume on the mercy of the Lawgiver, and still flatter our souls that we are within the bounds of God’s forbearance; but our care should be to keep as far as possible from transgression. We should be determined to be on the side of Christ and our Heavenly Father, and run no risks by heady presumption.

What reason have men for thinking that God is not particular whether they obey him implicitly or take their own course? Adam and Eve lost Eden for one transgression of his command; and how dare we trifle with the law of the Most High, and frame deceitful apologies to our souls? We do this at a terrible peril. We must keep all the law, every jot and tittle; for he that offendeth in one point is guilty of all. Every ray of light must be received and cherished, or we shall become bodies of darkness. The Lord Jesus declares: “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: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” We should magnify the precepts of heaven by our words and actions. He who honors the law will be honored by it in the judgment; but he who treats it with contempt will be condemned by it before the Judge of all the earth.

Before the flood swept upon the world, God sent a message through Noah to warn the people of the coming deluge. There were those who did not believe the warning; but their unbelief did not stay the showers, nor prevent the waters of the great deep from submerging a scoffing world. And to-day, while the last message is being heralded to bring God’s servants in harmony with

every precept of his law, there will be scoffers and unbelievers; but every soul must stand in his own integrity. As Noah was faithful in warning the antediluvian world, so we must be faithful to the great trust that God has given us. Although there are scoffers and traducers on every side, we must not shrink from presenting the truth of heaven to this generation.

I have not come to cry peace; you can hear this voice wherever you go. There are those who will be glad to lull you to sleep in your carnal security; but I have a different work. My message is to alarm you, to bid you reform your lives, and cease your rebellion against the God of the universe. Take the Word of God, and see if you are in harmony with it. Is your character such as will bear the search of the heavenly investigation? Remember, Jesus says: “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.”

Paul said to the elders of Ephesus: “I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have showed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house, testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” Repentance must be exercised toward God, because we have all sinned, broken his righteous law, violated the rule of his government, and brought discord into his harmony. We must exercise faith toward Jesus Christ because he has become our sacrifice and surety. He has died that we might have “remission of sins that are past,” and obtain grace and help so that we may keep the commandments of the Lord our God. Faith in Jesus does not make void the law, but establishes it, and will work the fruits of obedience in our lives. Faith in Christ means that you are to do whatsoever he commands; it means that you are to follow in his footsteps. “He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.” “He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.”

We want to impress upon you the necessity of cleansing yourselves from every stain of sin. The church that Christ presents before the throne of his glory is without “spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing.” Do you want to be among those who have washed their robes of character in the blood of the Lamb? then, “cease to do evil; learn to do well;” walk in the commandments and ordinances of your God blameless. You are not to ask whether it suits your convenience to keep the truth of heaven. You are to take up your cross and follow Jesus, cost what it may. You will find that his yoke is easy, and his burden is light. When you broke his law and incurred the penalty of death, God did not spare his only begotten Son, that you might be brought from the path of transgression into the way of life and holiness; and will you neglect so great salvation, and refuse to comply with the conditions of eternal life?

(Concluded next week)

Its Divine Foresight

By John O. Corliss

Tracings of the Prophetic Gift—No. 7

Its Divine Foresight

J. O. CORLISS

FROM what has already been traced in these studies concerning the office of the prophetic gift, it can be readily seen that it was a legacy of infinite love, next to the gift of the Lord Jesus himself. Whatever the Son of God was designed to do in the way of revealing Jehovah in the flesh, the Spirit of God was to continue, as his representative among men. John 15:26; 16:7-13.

Therefore as it was the mission of Christ to declare, “lead out,” or “go before,” the Father among men, and thus reveal his will in hearts darkened by sin; so the Spirit of God is to guide into “all truth,” because he will not “speak of himself,” but deliver only that which he hears from the Father. It is this rule of proceeding that invests the prophetic gift with so much interest. Moral essays may seem dry, and without life, but endow them with the prophetic spirit, and at once they become full of interest, and religious faith finds in them its proper spiracle, or air-passage, to the heavenly atmosphere.

It is nearly as if one finds himself face to face with a friend. This is well illustrated by what the great apostle said of his own influence upon the church people to whom he wrote. He was so intent on making his personal presence felt that he almost conceived himself, though absent, as present with them in spirit (1 Cor. 5:3, 4), and talking with them face to face (2 Cor. 13:2). It is thus in an immeasurable sense that God impresses his personality upon men through his prophets.

It is this divine influence through the prophets that makes applicable the words of Paul. He says that when the church meets together, and an unbeliever is present, to hear the voice of prophecy through various ones, each will reveal to him some secret sin before unknown to him, and so in deep humility he will worship God and testify that God, in truth, is in that company. 1 Cor. 14:24, 25.

This manifestation of the divine Presence is both the evidence and the definition of true prophesying. Such close connection with men's thoughts, and the accompanying silent appeal to conscience, humbles the self-important human to acknowledge that God, rather than an ordinary mortal like himself, has spoken to him. It was the presence of this strong, unexplainable agency speaking through Nathan to David, “Thou art the man,” that brought the king to see and acknowledge the enormity of the sin he had committed. 2 Sam. 12:7, 13.

One thing in the study of the prophetic gift is especially interesting. One can not fail to notice how invariably the prophets of old befriended the poor, the oppressed, and the neglected, while with the idle and frivolous, the selfish and insolent, the luxurious and sensual, they were ever at variance. Isa. 3:14; 5:3; 32:5; Jer. 22:13; Amos 6:1-6; James 5:1. Indeed they could do no other way, since the vile traits of men were abominable to God, and God's instruction to his prophets was: “Speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear.” Eze. 2:7. Indeed, the prophetic commission placed its instrument on an independent platform, far above the general trend of thought, and away beyond popular estimates. This was absolutely necessary in order to insure positive connection between the Author and the agent. In fact, every reliable person—one upon whom dependence can rest amid temptations and perils, one who is sure to stand where others have fallen—has a standard of character above normal; is built on a foundation akin to the Rock of Ages.

Upon such a Rock all true prophets have known that their feet were placed. They knew that they had the support and presence of Jehovah. It was this knowledge, really, that gave them their prophetic independence, and bespoke an unseen Power through them which compelled recognition. It was this inspiration that armed them with indifference to praise or blame, while courageously responding to the call of duty. It was this attitude, too, that became a sure token of the presence of Jesus Christ, who is indeed the wisdom and power of God, the all in all of God's gifts to men.

From what we now know of the prophetic gift, it is safe to pronounce as a mistake the theory that prophets had no other calling than to predict future events. True, they constantly looked into the future, and the outcome of the world's great controversy as seen through their heavenly extended vision was, and is, a ground of guaranty of hopeful endeavor in the work assigned them. It was also that which inspired the Jewish nation with constant hope and tenacious trust for the outcome of their calling. But this was by no means the whole,

or even the chief part, of a prophet's duty.

The ancient original word “prophecy” stood for a state of mind, an emotion, or an influence, rather than for the gift of prescience. It has been the generally wrong conception of the word which has given rise to wrong views of the gift of prophecy. This has caused men to look for the evidence of prophecy alone in the fulfilment of predictions made, when this may be considered but the secondary calling of a prophet; his first duty is to bring the darkened human heart in touch with the great Eternal, and it is in the way the heart is affected that the principal evidence of the gift is to be found.

There were at least four great coming events upon which the prophetic eye ever rested. The first and most important of these was the coming Messiah, and the manner of his arrival. The second was the great hereafter, and the nature of that existence. The third was the rise and fall of nations to intervene between their view-point and the close of earth's struggle with sin. The fourth was the future of the individual.

From the very first the Hebrew nation had been taught to look forward to a brighter and better age, in which a Son would be given to the nation as an Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace, who would stand at the head of their commonwealth. Isa. 9:6, 7. Their earliest traditions centered on and around a Prophet-King, who would come to deliver them from the power of their common enemy. Ps. 110:1-6. The manner of his birth was predicted by Isaiah. Chapter 7:14. The place of his nativity was definitely pointed out hundreds of years before the event. Micah 5:2. The exact time of his appearance was carefully measured. Dan. 9:25. His reception by the world was clearly stated. Isa. 8:14. Finally, the manner of his death was minutely set forth. Zech. 12:10; Ps. 22:16; 69:20, 21.

Of a definite future life the older prophets said little, but the very latest one has gathered up, as it were, the faint expressions of hope from the ancient seers, and has confidently foretold a glorious future for every earnest, trusting saint of God. Rev. 21:1-5; 22:1-5. This is but a condensed description given by an earlier prophet, wherein is set forth the Elysian beauty of the redeemed earth (Isa. 35:1, 2), together with the perfect restoration of all men to their original godlikeness (verses 5-8, 10).

Babylon, Medo-Persia, Rome, Egypt, and Tyre passed before the prophetic eye, and their future was accurately foretold. In some cases, the prediction was frustrated by the course of the nation upon whom calamity had been predicted. But provision for just such circumstances was made. “At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, . . . to destroy it; if that nation . . . turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them.” Jer. 18:7-9.

It was the same concerning individuals. “The soul that sinneth, it shall die,” was the holy mandate. Eze. 18:4. Yet the same compassionate God said: “When the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness, . . . and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive.” Verse 27. Again: “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.” Isa. 1:18. One has truly said: “The future is everything to us, the past is nothing. The turn, the change, the fixing our faces in the right, instead of the wrong direction,—this is the difficulty, this is the turning-point, this is the crisis of life.” All may avail themselves of this prophetic absolution if they will. The whole prophetic teaching is staked on this issue.

*Mountain View, Cal.

Out in the Fields With God

By Elizabeth Barrett Browning

THE little cares that fretted me,— I lost them yesterday Among the fields above the sea, Among the winds at play, Among the lowing of the herds, The rustling of the trees, Among the singing of the birds, The humming of the bees. The foolish fears of what may hap,— I cast them all away Among the clover-scented grass, Among the new-mown hay, Among the husking of the corn Where drowsy poppies nod, Where ill thoughts die and good are born,— Out in the fields with God. —Elizabeth Barrett Browning.

Whom Shall We Heed?

By E. N. Vaughan

E. N. VAUGHAN

There is something of vital importance connected with our attitude toward the requirements of our Lord. Our Elder Brother, the Lord Jesus Christ, is our nearest and best neighbor as well as our Master. It is true that he is invisible; nevertheless he is ever present. He does not sit at our table, and partake of our food, as do our invited guests. “If I were hungry,” he says, “I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof.” But there is one thing he requires of us: “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house.” One who fails to do this is truly coveting that which belongs to his Master. He is choosing to obey his own will or desire rather than the plain requirements of God. In so doing he ranges himself on the side of the adversary. God's ministers are to be supported in order that his work be not hindered. Their time is given to the ministry, and the portion of our income belonging to God is set apart for that special purpose. No one can afford to parley with Satan on this subject. One who does so is placing his feet on sinking sand. A full tithe is needed just now; for the harvest is white, and the laborers are few. Which master shall we obey? Whom shall we heed?

Hickory, N. C.

A Curse or a Blessing?

By E. K. Slade

E. K. SLADE

It is unnecessary to present Scripture arguments relative to the place and importance of the tithing system in connection with the message and the great work committed to the church at this time. Doubtless all who read these lines appreciate, in a large measure, this excellent financial arrangement.

The characteristic definiteness of the Word prevails in the language used by the prophet in speaking of the frown or favor, the curse or blessing, to be experienced by God's children according to the manner in which they relate themselves to this divine requirement. Of many this significant question might be asked: “Do the words, ‘Ye are cursed with a curse,’ describe your condition and experience?” It is much to be regretted that there are any in our ranks who would have to give an affirmative answer to this question. Members of our churches having such an experience as that are coming far short of their privileges. Those who are unfaithful in the payment of tithes need not be mistaken; for the definite word is, “Ye are cursed with a curse.”

I know that there are churches and individuals who are struggling under such an experience when they should be enjoying God's special blessing, which is promised to those who are faithful in the payment of tithes and offerings. The curse is nevertheless real, though we may not sense it. By such an experience God is dishonored, and the cause is retarded. Do not let your Christian experience be thus blighted; do not jeopardize your eternal inheritance by continued unfaithfulness.

No less definite are the words of the prophet, in speaking of the blessing. “I will pour you out a blessing,” is the promise made to the obedient. The blessing, like the curse, may be known, many times, only by faith, but it is nevertheless real.

Many who should be enjoying the rich blessings of the gospel are under a curse because of unfaithfulness in these matters. I appeal to the brethren in our churches who are not free in the Lord because of unfaithfulness in these things: Break away from the power of the enemy, and place yourselves in the channel of God's promised blessings; you will be glad of it, and you are not safe without it. What a change would be wrought in your life, in your home, in your church, and in all the conferences,

if universal faithfulness were practised by all!

There are churches which are determined to get every member to pay a full tithe. Such a move would be a wise undertaking in all our churches. Through faithful effort, the tithe per capita has greatly increased in most conferences during the past few years; but there is still a great opportunity for improvement. It seems to me that no other object could be more laudable than for our church workers to make a vigorous and definite effort to bring about universal faithfulness in the payment of tithes. When all our people pay an honest tithe, there will be no lack of means. While it is true that the minister has a special responsibility, I feel certain that a wise and careful effort, properly planned and pushed forward by the church officers in each church, would result in an encouraging increase of the tithes, and at the same time greatly improve the spirituality of our churches. If all will bring in all their tithes into the Lord's storehouse, a decided forward move in our work, both at home and abroad, will be made possible.

Mount Vernon, Ohio.

The City of Brotherly Love

By H. A. St. John

H. A. ST. JOHN

READER, have you pondered with interest the reports, in two late numbers of the REVIEW, of the ministerial institute that was held in Philadelphia? If not, do not fail to read them; for they will surely refresh your spirit. How appropriate it seems that such a meeting, with such gracious results, should be held in the City of Brotherly Love!

I well remember entering a church several years ago, when the servant of God was speaking, and her first utterance arrested and fixed my attention. It was as follows: “The ten days from the ascension of Christ till Pentecost, were used by the disciples in learning to love one another.” The same authority says: “The ministers have not presented Christ in his fulness to the people.” Why does this condition exist? —It is because they have not themselves so known him. “Like priest, like people.” Surely a great work needs to be done for them. When they shall know Christ in his fulness for themselves, then, and not till then, can they present him in his fulness to the people. For this let us pray.

*Sanitarium, Cal.

Paul Kept the True Sabbath

By A. C. Ames

A. C. AMES, M. D.

WHEN the Jews in their argument with Stephen “were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake” (Acts 6: 10), and when they arrested him and brought him before the council for trial, and hired false witnesses to testify against him, who said, “This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law” (verse 13), it is worthy of note that nothing was said about his teaching the observance of Sunday in place of the Sabbath. If he had taught or practised such a thing, they would surely have brought it up against him; nor would they have needed “false” witnesses in order to do so, for the charge would have been a true one.

The same is true of Paul, nearly thirty years after the crucifixion, when he was brought before Festus for preaching that Jesus was the Messiah foretold by the prophets, and that he was risen from the dead. In his own defense he said, “Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Cæsar, have I offended anything at all.” Acts 25: 8. If he had taught the observance of Sunday, instead of the Sabbath, they would surely have mentioned it, and he would not have denied that he had taught “against the law of the Jews.” He would have attempted to justify himself in so doing.

These two incidents are sufficient to justify us in believing that the early disciples kept the Sabbath, and not Sunday, as is claimed. We find nothing to the contrary recorded in the Scriptures; for, eager as the Jews were to find charges against the Christians, they would not have passed by the opportunity to accuse them of Sabbath-breaking if they had kept another day instead of the seventh.

The same was true in regard to the charges they made against Jesus himself; but that argument is met by the claim that Jesus did not make the change till after his resurrection. This claim will not answer in the cases of Stephen and Paul. We must conclude, rather, that such a change was never made, and that the Sabbath command is still as binding as when given on Sinai.

Mountain Grove, Mo.

Triumph, Victory, Overcoming.

By P. H. Brock

P. H. BROCK

“Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savor of his knowledge by us in every place.” 2 Cor. 2:14.

“And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.” Col. 2:15.

“But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Cor. 15:57.

“To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.” Rev. 3:21.

The foregoing scriptures have a wonderful significance in the plan of salvation. Jesus, the Son of God, came into this world to do for man a work that man could not do for himself. The scriptures quoted show that Jesus did that work. To the Father he said, “I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.” John 17:4.

In order to save fallen humanity from the bondage of sin, Jesus stepped in between man and Satan, who had led not only men but angels to transgress God’s holy law. The Saviour met the enemy in open conflict. He entered the strong man’s house, bound him, and spoiled his goods. The victory was complete. He triumphed over man’s enemy in every sense of the word; in fact, Jesus overcame, or overpowered Satan. In every temptation, in every trial, in every controversy with Satan, Jesus was victorious. He “was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” He will give us victory over every besetment, over all our evil traits of character. In his name we can overcome everything that would lead us to sin.

Sin must be repented of and confessed to God. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Cleansing and purifying us from sin is the work of God. And when our sins are forgiven, we are promised the power of God to keep us from sinning. “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” 1 John 2:1. We are admonished not to sin; but if we do, we shall be forgiven if we repent of it and confess it. Praise God for forgiveness of sins! Praise him for power to keep us from sinning!

Kissimmee, Fla.

Idolatry in Washington, D. C.

By John N. Quinn

JOHN N. QUINN

Pomp and pageantry appeal to the majority of the human family, especially when connected with religious service. Roman Catholicism, with its altars and incense, its cathedrals and choirs, its cloisters and candles, its priests and acolytes, succeeds in holding millions of men in spiritual and mental bondage.

On Sunday, May 28, Washington, D. C., witnessed a remarkable demonstration, when thirty thousand men, in ranks of sixteen, marched to the Washington Monument to witness the celebration of a military mass. The scene was so entirely foreign to the spirit of the gospel of Jesus Christ as to suggest the Middle Ages rather than the twentieth century. The President of the United States was present, as well as others who are prominent in national political life. When the host was exalted, the President uncovered his head, as did every one else, except a few who looked upon the service as gross idolatry and superstition.

When an act of worship is rendered to anything created, that act becomes idolatry. When the vast throng uncovered its head to a piece of bread, we have idolatry pure and simple. There are thirteen million persons in this country, who, if they had been present, would have joined in the idolatry.

How blind the human mind when not controlled by the Holy Spirit! How different the gospel of Jesus Christ! Christ in the wafer, is the cry of Romanism. Christ in the believer, is the truth of the gospel. To know the abiding presence of a living Christ, keeping us in the love of the truth, freeing us from the thraldom of sin and superstition and idolatry,—what experience more blessed? If the Romanist but knew him whom to know is life eternal, how nauseating would become the idolatry of the mass, and how refreshing to his soul would become the simplicity of the worship of Jehovah! Centralization of worship ended with the cross, as did also priests and altars and ritualism. Men no longer worship at Mount Gerizim or Ebal or Moriah; when the heart is filled with the love of God, the spirit of worship will manifest itself as it did in the life of him who went about doing good, who was simplicity personified.

Takoma Park, D. C.

The Bible Endures

BISHOP QUAYLE says: “The Bible allows itself to be destroyed with impunity. It has no apparent thought for self-preservation. All kinds of men have done it to death. Sapient critics have shot it full of holes, and cheered themselves in their unvalorous task; and then the Bible went straight on, gloriously on. While the Bible was being destroyed, pared away, by naturalists, it was published in more tongues, read by more eyes, leaned over by more Praise hearts, thanked God for by more converts, than in all the years past. God’s Word, God’s church, God’s day, will stand while eternity stays on its feet.”

The Joy of Life

By Priscilla Leonard

It wakes in the throat of the woodland bird In the rose-flushed hush of the morn; It gleams in the gold of the billowing wheat And the tasseled pride of the corn; It follows the feet of beauty and love, It stirs in the strength of the strong; And its light leaps up on the trampling field Where bravery battles with wrong; It sings through each deed that is nobly done, But sweetest, most undefiled, It shines to the world in the world-old way From the face of each little child. — Priscilla Leonard.

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