The passage last quoted, Eph. 1:13, 14, cannot be explained on the supposition that the earth is not to be renewed, and is not to become the inheritance of the saints of God. There can be no difference between the inheritance and the possession in this text. The token or earnest extends to the fulfillment of the promise; after that the sign or assurance can have no more significance. But the apostle says the seal of the Spirit, "is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession." The inheritance of the saints, as well as the saints themselves, is waiting for redemption.
Note the similarity of expression in regard to the saints and to their possession. "Ye are not your own. For ye are bought with a price." 1 Cor. 6:19, 20. "Feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood." Acts 20:28. "Denying the Lord that bought them." 2 Peter 2:1. The purchase price has already been paid for us. It is the precious blood of Christ. But our redemption is future; for that we yet "groan within ourselves." Rom. 8:23. We shall not be glorified till "Christ who is our life shall appear." Col. 3:4.
And thus also our inheritance: it is a "purchased possession." Jesus bore the curse of the earth as well as that of man. The Lord said it should bring forth thorns, because of the sin of man. And when Jesus was "made a curse for us" on the tree, he wore a crown of thorns—the curse of the earth. And the words of the apostle are no more emphatic in favor of the purchase of the earth than of its redemption. No "possession" of man, either present or prospective, needs redemption, except the earth. And that is still "groaning" under the curse. Pain and death, thorns and thistles, are evidences of Satan's triumph. But it shall not continue forever.
When the earth was created, it "was without form, and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep." Gen. 1:2. When first called into existence, it was a chaotic mass, in confusion and darkness. When the old world—"the world that then was"—was destroyed by water, it was turned again to a desolate waste. And among the changes which it is yet to undergo, it will once more be returned to that desolate condition, preparatory to its entire renewal and restitution. David prophesied of this in the following words:—
"Come, behold the works of the Lord, what desolations he hath made in the earth. He maketh wars to cease, unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire. Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth." Ps. 46:8-10.
Thus, and thus only, will wars be made to cease upon the earth; the Lord will destroy the weapons of war in the day of destruction and desolation.
Isaiah foretold these things, as follows:—
"Behold, the Lord maketh the earth empty, and maketh it waste, and turneth it upside down, and scattereth abroad the inhabitants thereof. The land shall be utterly emptied and utterly spoiled; for the Lord hath spoken this word." Isa. 24:1, 3.
Jeremiah gives a vivid description of the condition into which the earth is to be brought:—
"I am pained at my very heart; my heart maketh a noise in me; I cannot hold my peace, because thou hast heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war. Destruction upon destruction is cried; for the whole land is spoiled; suddenly are my tents spoiled, and my curtains in a moment. I beheld the earth, and, lo, it was without form, and void; and the heavens, and they had no light. I beheld the mountains, and lo, they trembled, and all the hills moved lightly. I beheld, and lo, there was no man, and all the birds of the heavens were fled. I beheld, and lo, the fruitful place was a wilderness, and all the cities thereof were broken down at the presence of the Lord, and by his fierce anger. For thus hath the Lord said, The whole land shall be desolate; yet will I not make a full end." Jer. 4:19-27.
Though the "destruction" is complete, so far as the works of man and the beauty and formation of the earth are concerned, yet, says the Lord, "will I not make a full end." As the material was all reserved for future use when the old world perished by water, so will it be in the destruction which is now future. The Lord did not create the earth in vain. He who says: "I am God; my counsel shall stand," will have his designs ultimately accomplished, whatever may, for a time, interpose.
Ezekiel had a view of the same condition of the earth, though briefly stated in his prophecy:—
"The fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts of the field, and all creeping things that creep upon the earth, and all the men that are upon the face of the earth, shall shake at my presence, and the mountains shall be thrown down, and the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground. And I will call for a sword against him throughout all my mountains, saith the Lord God; every man's sword shall be against his brother. And I will plead against him with pestilence and with blood; and I will rain upon him, and upon his bands, and upon the many people that are with him, an overflowing rain, and great hailstones, fire, and brimstone." Eze. 38:20-22.
Other quotations might be given from the Old Testament, but we pass to the New, wherein this overwhelming ruin is located. When the Saviour spoke of his second coming he said:—
"Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken; and then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven; and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other." Matt. 24:29-31.
Here it will be noticed that the Saviour locates the shaking of "the powers of the heavens," just before his coming. This is the ushering in of that "great day of the Lord," of which the prophet says:—
"That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness." Zeph. 1:15.
The apostle Paul speaks also of this shaking of the heavens, and says it will be produced by the voice of God when he speaks from Heaven. After describing the terror of the day when God spoke his holy law from mount Sinai, he says:—
"See that ye refuse not him that speaketh; for if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from Heaven; whose voice then shook the earth; but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven." Heb. 12:25, 26.
This testimony informs us that the shaking of heaven and earth will be caused by the voice of God speaking from Heaven, and, also, that this will take place but once. Therefore, wherever we find these, or either of these, events spoken of in the Scriptures, we know it is the same that was foretold by the Saviour in Matt. 24, and to occur in immediate connection with his second coming. That the same event is spoken of in Rev. 16 is very evident:—
"And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of Heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done. And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great. And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath. And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found." Rev. 16:17-20.
By reading the preceding verses, it will be seen that "the great day of God Almighty" is then near, and—that the Lord Jesus announces his speedy coming. The seventh angel is the last, and this plague finishes the wrath of God upon the last generation of the sinful race. God's voice is heard from Heaven; the heavens and the earth are shaken; since men were upon earth so great a convulsion of nature had never taken place; the whole face and surface of the earth is changed into wasteness and desolation; "every island fled away, and the mountains were not found."
This day of battle, and its effect upon the hearts of the men of this world who have not secured an interest in the blood of the Life-giver, is described briefly in another scripture thus:—
"And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bond man, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; and said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb; for the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?" Rev. 6:14-17.
The terrors of that day are awful to contemplate. Not only "the earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage," Isa. 24:20, that the convulsion shall be so great that the isles of the ocean shall sink, the mountains be cast down, and the pleasant valleys filled with the wreck of matter; though these would appall the stoutest heart, and overwhelm the bravest with fear; but it is that the day of "the wrath of the Lamb" is come; the terrible thought that, in this hour of the world's great calamity, there is no refuge—no hope! Few are so hardened but that they are ready to call upon God in the hour of great peril and bitter anguish. Though men revile the name of Christ, there is left in their hearts a consciousness of his availing mercy, which reveals itself in time of danger. But oh! the agony of the soul when the conviction is forced upon the rich, the proud, the great, the admired of the world, that there is no Saviour! that he who has so long plead the sacrifice of his life in their behalf, who has so long beseeched them to turn and live, has "put on the garment of vengeance," and will no longer listen to their cry.
"Where will the sinner hide in that day?
It will be in vain to call,
Ye mountains, on us fall,
For his hand will find out all,
In that day."
How forcibly the question is presented to the rich, the great of the world:—
"And what will ye do in the day of visitation, and in the desolation which shall come from far? to whom will ye flee for help? and where will ye leave your glory?" Isa. 10:3.
Oh! that we could fully realize that that day of wrath is near to come.
EDITOR.
THE PIETY THAT PINCHES.
By T. L. Cuyler
The best test of piety in our times is that it will consent to be pinched without grumbling. The man who only goes to church when he is "baited" by attractive preaching; who gives a donation to the cause of charity only when he can see his name in the papers; who works only when he can take the lead; and who prays only when he is "called on," gives but poor evidence of a changed heart. Yet our church rolls are cumbered with hundreds of persons who answer to the above description, as face answereth to face in a mirror.
This self-indulgent religion is to-day the most fatal plague from which the church of Christ is suffering. It completely nullifies the most faithful efforts of the most faithful pastor, to win sinners to the service of God. Such a pastor is constantly driven to say to himself, "Why need I labor for days upon this discourse, when the people for whom it is intended will not stir an inch towards the sanctuary, if the weather is disagreeable? Why need I appoint a week of special prayer while half of my members will be attending a round of evening parties? Why arrange for a temperance effort when an audience can only be secured by attractive music, or the novelty of some famous speaker? Why preach the claims of foreign missions, or the tract society, or the Bible cause, while so many hold on to their carriages and good dinners, and only 'cut down' their expenses when the contribution box goes around?"
The crying sin of the day is self-indulgence. It eats into the heart of the church like a canker. It is constantly betraying the Master to his enemies. It robs God in order to keep on good terms with the world. It is often ready to deny Christ, but seldom ready to deny self. The most unpopular doctrine to preach, and the most difficult grace to practice, is the good old apostolic grace of self-denial. The daily battle is with that cunning, greedy, and godless281sinner, "self." The truest victory which the religion of Jesus can gain, is when it lays this many-headed monster in the dust.
If we were asked in what respect the churches of our day need a revival most urgently, we would answer that it is in regard to Christ-like self-denial. This touches the core. Jesus never held out bribes to enlist followers, and never offered easy terms of discipleship. The call for recruits was in these clear, sharp words, "Whosoever will not take up his cross daily and follow me, cannot be my disciple." Every single impulse and lust of the human heart, was required to bear a pinch. But the man and the woman who could bear this pinching cheerfully, wrought glorious results. I often think that if we had only one single church made up of such timber as Silas, Dorcas, Aquila, Onesiphorus, and Barnabas, it would shake Boston, New York, or Chicago, to their foundations.
Not in grand or heroic exploits, is this grace of self-denial demanded; but in the hundred acts of every-day life; in the constant display of loyalty to Christ. Occasions for sublime sacrifice are rare. The days of Smithfield martyrdoms are over; and it is well that they are, for we fear that the piety which will not get its feet wet on a rainy Sunday, would cut but a poor figure before a blazing stake.
Brethren, let us go down into the dust, and pray for the spirit that will "drink of Christ's cup, and be baptized with his baptism." Let us put the knife to our besetting sin of self-indulgence. Let us pray for the grace that "goes against the grain," and pinches our selfishness. The only victory that overcometh the world, is the victory that lays self at the feet of Immanuel.
—T. L. Cuyler.
SPIRITUAL "NIHILISM."
WHO of us does not feel pity for the Czar of Russia, as we read the bold and continued attempts at his life? Have we ever tried to put ourselves in his place? Think for a moment what each day of his life must be! Who, of all his attendants, can he feel sure of? What meal can he sit down to and feel safe? What can he take into his hands but with the thought that some fiend, in human shape, may have charged it with death? What building can he enter but with the horrible thought that his going in may be the signal for the explosion of a "mine"? On what path can he set foot, or on what road can he ride, but with the feeling that the next step may be into eternity? We are told that "he eats and drinks nothing that has not been tasted in his presence; that he never steps into a bath until it has been examined, and seldom approaches a stove or fireplace lest some explosive material concealed among the fuel should burst." Oh, surely such a life must be dreadful in the extreme!
And this organized fiendishness, ever spreading its nets for him, is called "Nihilism." We draw a sigh of relief at the thought that few, comparatively, are the victims of such cruel malice as is the crowned head of Russia! But what, now, if it should be proven that we, each of us, were encompassed by a "Nihilism" more artful, more cruel, deadlier by far, than that of which we have been speaking; and having in purpose for each a loss, a ruin, beside which the mere loss of the physical life would be of but a feather's weight? And that such is the fact have we not the most abundant proof in God's word? Yet how blind, how dull, to this truth of infinite moment to us all are! In nothing else do men show such criminal indifference. They are keenly alive to the dangers of material losses by fire, or flood, or frost; the dangers to the body by contagion, epidemic, disease; the dangers to society by bad men and women, and other evil influences; but to the most powerful, best organized, vigilant, superhuman scheme of evil, and bearing with next to infinite power upon themselves, men are asleep!
What is the remedy? Paul wrote the Corinthian Christians that "he was not ignorant of Satan's devices." A knowledge of our enemy and his "devices" is the first thing to be gained in order to successfully meet him. Clearly, then, we must come first, and chiefly, to the Bible, for our knowledge of these. And we would suggest to Christians that they take this theme as the topic of Bible study, after the manner that Mr. Moody and others recommend. Let our ministers preach upon it, and let it come up in our social meetings, till we give it the place in our thoughts that God gives it in his word. Paul was afraid that Satan might "gain an advantage" over the Corinthian church; and we are satisfied he has gained a tremendous advantage over the churches of our own day, because they have "let slip" the revealed truths concerning him and his co-workers.—Christian at Work.
PARENTS IN THE SABBATH-SCHOOL.
By Mrs. E. G. White
BY MRS. E. G. WHITE.
The Sabbath-school affords precious opportunities and privileges for the young. Parents should highly prize these advantages, and show their children that they appreciate them. If they manifest no decided interest in the school themselves, they cannot expect their children to do so. In the Sabbath-school, parents may be learners as well as the children. Both parents and children should seek to have a knowledge of the Scriptures. Other books should be secondary to the word of God. Christ has said, "Search the Scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life, and they are they which testify of me." We ought all of us to be better acquainted with the prophecies than we are, and to have a more thorough knowledge of the practical lessons of Christ. If we merely read the Scriptures uninterestedly, we cannot become intelligent in the truths therein contained.
Parents should search the Scriptures with their children. They should become familiar with the lessons themselves, then they can assist their children in learning them. Every day some portion of time should be appropriated to the study of the lessons, not merely in learning to mechanically repeat the words, while the mind does not comprehend the meaning; but to go to the very foundation, and become familiar with what is brought out in the lesson. The indifference of the children, in very many cases, is chargeable to the parents. They are indifferent, and the children catch the same spirit. If parents show that they attach importance to the Sabbath-school, by giving it respect and prominence, the children will generally copy their example.
Parents should have a thorough understanding with their family that the sacred hours of the Sabbath are to be spent to God's glory. They should be up with the sun, and have plenty of time to prepare for Sabbath-school without getting into a rush, and perhaps losing self-control. If the proper preparations have been made the previous day, there will be abundance of time to review the lesson studied during the week; and both parents and children can go to the school with the assurance that they have the lessons well learned.
Jesus was interested in children. He did not step into our world a fully matured man. Had he done this, children would not have had his example to copy. Christ was a child; he had the experience of a child; he felt the disappointments and trials that children feel; he knew the temptations of children and youth. But Christ was in his child life and youthful life an example to all children and youth. In childhood his hands were engaged in useful acts. In youth he worked at the carpenter's trade with his father, and was subject to his parents, thus giving in his life a lesson to all children and young. If Christ had never been a child himself, the youth might now think that he could not sympathize with them. But he lived their example, and all children and youth may find in Jesus one to whom they can carry all their griefs and all their disappointments, and in him they will find a friend who will help them.
Jesus loves little children. When the mothers brought their children to Jesus, the disciples attempted to send them away. But Jesus rebuked them, and said, "Suffer little children to come unto me and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven." He then gathered them in his loving arms and blessed them. Those parents and teachers who have no love or patience with children are to be pitied, for they have not the mind of Christ. Those who are seeking to gather the children into the Sabbath-school are doing a good work, the very work the Master would be pleased to have they do. The expanding minds of even small children may comprehend very much in regard to the teachings of Christ, and may be taught to love him with all their ardent affections. Teachers and parents should sow beside all waters, and if faithful they may have a harvest of souls by and by. And when they shall see the souls for whom they have labored, around the great white throne, with crowns and white robes and harps of gold, they will feel then that their efforts were not lost. The well done, good and faithful servant, will fall upon their ears as sweet music.
The Sabbath School.
By Editor
LESSON COMMENTS.
The lesson for schools on the Pacific coast for Sabbath, July 2, includes a review of the miracles and teachings of Christ, from the time of the sermon on the mount, to the open conflict with the Pharisees, when they accused him of casting out devils through Beelzebub, the prince of devils. The manner in which our Lord's mother and brethren sought to draw him away from the exciting scene which followed, is thus spoken of by Rev. Wm. Hanna, D. D., in his "Life of Christ":
"The exciting intelligence that in the presence of a vast multitude Jesus had been accused by the Pharisees of being nothing else than an emissary and ally of the devil; that, not satisfied with defending himself against the charge, he had in turn become their accuser, and broken out into the most open and unrestrained denunciation of their whole order; that the feud which for months past had been secretly gathering strength had ended at last in an open rupture, was carried to the house in which Mary and the Lord's brothers were dwelling. A fatal thing it seems to them for him to have plunged into such a deadly strife with the most powerful party in the country. They will try what they can to draw him out of it. They hasten to the spot, and find the crowd so large, the press so great, that they cannot get near him. They send their message in to him. 'Behold,' says one who is standing next to Jesus, 'thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee.'
"A mother who, if fond enough, was yet so fearful, who once before had tried to dictate to him, and had been checked at Cana; brethren who thought that he was beside himself, none of whom as yet believed on him—what right had they to interrupt him at his work—to move him from his purpose? 'Who is my mother?' said he to the man who conveyed to him the message, 'and who are my brethren?' Then pausing, looking 'round about on them which sat about him,' stretching forth his hands towards his disciples, 'Behold,' he exclaimed, 'my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.' A woman in the crowd, who has been standing lost in a mere human admiration of him, hears his mother spoken of, and cannot in the fullness of her womanly emotion but call her blessed. 'Yea, rather blessed,' said Jesus to her, 'are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.'
"So, when in the very heart of his mission-work on earth they spake to him about the closest human ties, his nearest earthly relatives—close as these were, and willing as he was in their own mode and sphere to acknowledge them, so resolutely did Jesus waive them aside, so sublimely did he rise above them, setting himself forth as the elder Brother of that whole family in heaven and earth named by his name, and who are followers in the footsteps of Him who came not to do his own will, but the will of Him that sent him. The earthly and heavenly bonds, the common and the Christian ties, do not always coincide, neither are they always in harmony. If ever they interfere—if mother, or brother, or sister, or dearest friend, should once tempt us away from him in nearness to whom standeth our eternal life—then let us remember the scene in Capernaum, and ask our Lord to give us of his own Spirit, here as everywhere to follow him."
Improve the Time You Have
IMPROVE the time you really have, and you will not have to account for what you did not possess.
Sunday-School Examinations in London
THE Sunday-school attached to the Regent Street Presbyterian church, London, is to have regular examinations, the first of which has been held. The scholars were arranged in three divisions. The examination of the junior division was oral; of the middle, partly oral and partly written; and of the senior, entirely written. The written examinations were conducted by means of printed papers, the subject being the lessons for the last quarter of 1880. The object is to test thoroughly the quality of Sunday-school teaching.—Selected.
Two LETTERS of inquiry have lately been received, concerning Heb. 4, the seventh day, and the rest which remains to the people of God. One of them speaks thus:—
"It seems to me that the Jewish Sabbath was typical of the Christian's rest, as baptism by water was typical of spiritual baptism."
We have already pointed out the error of the latter idea, and shown that baptism, being a gospel institution, a commandment of the Saviour, could not be a type of anything in the gospel. No gospel institution can be a type, unless there is to be a future dispensation which is foreshadowed by the gospel dispensation. But we think no one will affirm this. Baptism being a gospel institution, it must continue as long as the preaching of the gospel continues. This conclusion is so reasonable, that we should accept it even if we did not find it directly taught in the commission given by Christ, and in the Acts of the Apostles.
And the statement concerning the Sabbath is equally erroneous. It is not a type. Not a text in all the Bible which speaks of the seventh-day Sabbath, will justify us in considering it a type. It has not a single characteristic of typical institutions.
But the question arises, Has the seventh day any relation to the rest which remains, spoken of in Heb. 4? We answer that it has; but not the relation of a type. This is easily understood when we have learned what is that rest which remains, into which the faithful alone can enter.
First we remark that the seventh day was sanctified as the day of Jehovah's rest before sin came into the world, before the gospel was required, and before types could have had any significance. It is true that Adam is called a "figure of him that was to come." Rom. 5:14. This is the nearest approach to a type that we find in Eden. But he was not a figure in such a sense as to destroy his literality as a man, as a subject of gospel privileges, and as the recipient of eternal life in the kingdom of God. A figure, yet not a type in the sense in which the word type is generally used.
Next we consider the remark of the apostle in Heb. 4:3: "Although the works were finished from the foundation of the world." God made promise of the land to Abraham and to his seed. Gen. 12:7; 13:14, 15, and others. To this promise we are heirs if we are Christ's. Gal. 3:29. Of the promise, or covenant, to Abraham, circumcision was given as a sign. Gen. 17:11. Then we find three points for consideration in this covenant:—
The promise of the land.
The seed, the heirs of the promise.
Circumcision, the token of the covenant.
These were first presented to their minds as the land of Palestine, the natural descendants of Abraham, and circumcision in the flesh. But in the gospel we find an enlargement of each of these subjects:—
But as Abraham did not receive the promise, and will yet receive it, Acts 7:2-5; Heb. 11:8-16; and as the heirs, when they inherit the earth, will also "delight themselves in the abundance of peace," Ps. 37:11; it is clear that this promise will not, and cannot, be fulfilled in this present state. It will be after the resurrection of Abraham, and in the new earth, "wherein dwelleth righteousness." 2 Peter 3:13.
In connection with this take the words of our Saviour, the King, when he sits upon the throne of his glory, then will he say unto his people, the heirs, "Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." The earth renewed is that inheritance; the earth when it was made, "very good," not yet under the curse, was the kingdom prepared. Gen. 1:26. Of this, the seventh day stands, not as a type, but as an enduring monument; a sufficient proof.
Is there anything given in the Scriptures bearing the relation of type to the rest which remains to the people of God? There is; but it is not the seventh-day Sabbath. It is the rest which Joshua gave to the children of Israel. Moses, Joshua, and Aaron, are the three personages presented in Paul's argument in his letter to the Hebrews; all bearing the same relation to Christ. Moses, a prophet and teacher; Joshua, a leader into the land of promise; and Aaron, a priest. The inheritance which Joshua gave them, was typical of the inheritance of all the faithful seed of Abraham; as much so as the sanctuary where Aaron ministered was a type of "the sanctuary and true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man," where our High Priest ministers, in Heaven. Heb. 8:1-5. Joshua in the Hebrew, is Jesus in the Greek. Hence the Jesus of the authorized version of Heb. 4:8, is Joshua. See margin. The following scriptures show that the inheritance given to Israel by Joshua, was called their rest:—
Deut. 3:18-20: "And I commanded you at that time, saying, The Lord your God hath given you this land to possess it; ye shall pass over armed before your brethren the children of Israel, all that are meet for the war. But your wives, and your little ones, and your cattle (for I know that ye have much cattle), shall abide in your cities which I have given you; until the Lord have given rest unto your brethren, as well as unto you, and until they also possess the land which the Lord your God hath given them beyond Jordan; and then shall ye return every man unto his possession, which I have given you."
Deut. 12:9, 10: "For ye are not as yet come to the rest and to the inheritance, which the Lord your God giveth you. But when ye go over Jordan, and dwell in the land which the Lord your God giveth you to inherit, and when he giveth you rest from all your enemies round about, so that ye dwell in safety," etc.
Josh. 1:12-15: "And to the Reubenites, and to the Gadites, and to half the tribe of Manasseh, spake Joshua, saying, Remember the word which Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, saying, The Lord your God hath given you rest, and hath given you this land. Your wives, your little ones, and your cattle, shall remain . . . until the Lord have given your brethren rest, as he hath given you, and they also have possessed the land which the Lord your God giveth them; then ye shall return unto the land of your possession, and enjoy it," etc.
Josh. 21:43, 44: "And the Lord gave unto Israel all the land which he sware to give unto their fathers; and they possessed it, and dwelt therein. And the Lord gave them rest round about, according to all that he sware unto their fathers; and there stood not a man of all their enemies before them."
Josh. 22:4: "And now the Lord your God hath given rest unto your brethren, as he promised them; therefore now, return ye, and get you unto your tents, and unto the land of your possession."
But after the children of Israel had been in this rest or possession about four hundred years, David, in Psalm 95, or the Holy Ghost by David, see Heb. 3:7, exhorts them to hear the voice of the Lord, and not to harden their hearts, as did the children of Israel who fell in the wilderness, and to whom God sware that they should not enter into his rest. The record of this oath is given in Num. 14:26-35, from which we quote:—
"As truly as I live, saith the Lord, as ye have spoken in mine ears, so will I do to you; your carcasses shall fall in this wilderness; . . . doubtless ye shall not come into the land concerning which I sware to make you dwell therein," etc.
That possession which in Num. 14 is called the land, in Ps. 95 is called the rest. From these words of the Holy Ghost by David, Paul draws his conclusion that the rest given by Joshua was not the rest, the final rest, contemplated in God's promise, but that a rest remains to the people of God. A few points we will notice, which will confirm this argument, and satisfy all as to what was the type of the rest which remains to the faithful, and that it was not the Sabbath:—
It was a rest which they who fell in the wilderness did not receive. But they did all receive the seventh-day Sabbath.
It was a rest which Joshua gave to the children of Israel. But Joshua did not give them the Sabbath.
It was a rest which God sware they should not receive who rebelled against him. But God never sware that they should not keep the Sabbath; to the contrary, he had the rebellious put to death for not keeping the Sabbath. But he did sware that they should not enter into the land of Canaan.
Paul's argument is reasonable. Apply it alike to the three personages brought to view, and to their work:—
If Moses were sufficient as a prophet and teacher, why should there arise another prophet, whom all must hear under penalty of being cut off? Deut. 18:15-19.
If Aaron had truly made atonement for their sins, why should there arise another priest to mediate for the transgressions which were even under the first covenant? Heb. 9:15.
If the true rest were given to Israel by Joshua, why were they who possessed that rest exhorted in David, "after so long a time," not to follow the example of those who fell in the wilderness? and why are we, by Paul, warned against the same unbelief, lest we should likewise come short of the rest?
We fully believe that it is the duty of God's people to keep the weekly Sabbath of the Lord, which commemorates the work of God, "finished from the foundation of the world." We also believe that there is a "rest and an inheritance," which remains to the people of God, which is the peaceable possession of the land of promise, which, not Joshua, but "the captain of the Lord's host," will give to all the saints. Though prepared from the foundation of the world, it has a long time been groaning under the curse. But not much longer will it groan. Soon will our Joshua return; the purchased possession will be redeemed; Eph. 1:13, 14; all things will be made new; Rev. 21:1-5; righteousness shall dwell in the earth; 2 Peter 3:13; and the meek shall inherit the earth, and delight themselves in the abundance of peace. Ps. 37:11. And may we all "fear, lest a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it." Heb. 4:1.
CAMP-MEETING IN DAYTON, W. T.
By Editor
In several respects this camp-meeting was held under quite unfavorable circumstances. The crops last year were nearly a failure; heavy freight charges, and good crops elsewhere, brought the prices down, and much of the scanty crop remains unshipped. Long-continued dry weather was ruining the crop of this year, and a heavy depression had settled upon almost everybody. Not nearly all the Sabbath-keepers of the Conference were present at the meeting. I was informed that a number of those present came on borrowed money.
However, the rain came in the early part of the meeting; with high winds, and cold. But the discomfort was not complained of, as the rain was such a blessing to the country. A business man of Walla Walla said to me, that if it had continued dry three weeks longer, the whole valley would have been nearly bankrupted. As it is, crops will be light; but something will probably be secured where nothing was expected a week ago.
The business of the Conference and of the several associations was expeditiously and harmoniously transacted, and the religious interest was given a large part of the time.
Sabbath was devoted entirely to exercises for the benefit of the brethren and sisters present. In the afternoon we had a most interesting and profitable meeting. A large number came forward, for the size of the meeting. The confessions were not so general as usual on such occasions, but pointed; each one seemed to have a specified object in view, and worked toward it. We had made a special effort on the subject of family prayer, having reason to believe it was largely neglected, and quite a number confessed to this neglect, and made hearty promises of amendment. Several young and middle aged people started in the service of the Lord. It was considered by all a decided victory for the cause of truth in this Conference, and great encouragement was the result. Thirteen were baptized on Sunday afternoon, and one on Tuesday morning, just at the breaking up of the meeting.
The camp-ground was in a cottonwood grove, with a good spring in the midst, and a beautiful mountain stream running through it.283We did not have to leave the camp for baptism.
Sunday was a clear day; our congregations were good in size, and attentive. Also on Monday night, our last public meeting. A good impression was made on the community, and prejudice was removed where it had existed.
Elder Colcord has become now pretty well acquainted with the field, and is interested deeply in the work in its several branches. Just at present it does not offer large money inducements, but Bro. C. is finding the hearts and sympathies of the people, which is worth more than money. Sister Colcord is proving herself an earnest worker, and her labor cannot fail to be appreciated here. My visit to this field has been pleasant and profitable to me, and I hope it may prove of profit to the cause. It has afforded me much pleasure to form so many new acquaintances in this country; and my interest in the work in this Conference is thereby increased. My prayer shall be for its prosperity.