Review and Herald, Vol. 92, No. 8. (2/11/1915)

Review and Herald

Feb 11, 1915

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 11, 1915

A New Company in Brazil

From the Brazilian interior, Elder J. H. Boehm sends a photograph of a company of believers who have accepted the message, and built a little church in which to worship God. The call for meetings in this place came to our people through the experience of a young man whose dying wife was healed as he called upon God for the first time in his life. Having grown up in a Catholic community, with practically no religious instruction, he knew not how to learn about the God who had answered his cry, until by a manifest special providence a Bible was placed in his hands. In this he learned that the seventh day is the Sabbath, and while he was wondering why the first day was the day of rest, one of our colporteurs came to his home, answered his questions, and told him of our people and work in Brazil. At once he made a journey to the Sao Paulo headquarters, asking for a preacher to come into his community. The result is the little company of believers shown in the picture.

Leaving them for meetings in another community, Brother Boehm says: “We regretted to part with our little company as much as they regretted to let us go. But as they want to see the message go to all the world, they bade us Godspeed. Since reaching our new place of meetings they have written that they are daily praying that the Lord may make many others as happy as they are in this present truth.”

Where the “Protestant” Free Press Extra Is Going

By A. J. S. Bourdeau

Up to Thursday, February 4, orders for 99,263 copies of the Free Press Extra of the Protestant Magazine had been received from the following nine union conferences, as follows:—

ATLANTIC UNION, 6,075 copies, as follows: Greater New York, 3,500; New York, 100; Western New York, 175; Northern New England, 1,100; Southern New England, 1,200.

COLUMBIA UNION, 8,925 copies, as follows: District of Columbia, 100; New Jersey, 5,625; Ohio, 2,500; Eastern Pennsylvania, 100; West Virginia, 400; West Pennsylvania, 200.

LAKE UNION, 48,938 copies, as follows: Northern Illinois, 1,200; Southern Illinois, 300; Indiana, 35,000; East Michigan, 6,588; North Michigan, 1,000; West Michigan, 2,450.

SOUTHERN UNION, 300 copies, as follows: Tennessee, 300.

SOUTHEASTERN UNION, 5,250 copies, as follows: Cumberland, 1,300; Georgia, 3,100; North Carolina, 850.

SOUTHWESTERN UNION, 200 copies, as follows: Arkansas, 100; Oklahoma, 100.

CENTRAL UNION, 2,100 copies, as follows: Kansas, 2,100.

NORTHERN UNION, 4,000 copies, as follows: Iowa, 4,000.

PACIFIC UNION, 1,000 copies, as follows: Utah, 1,000.

NORTH PACIFIC UNION, 10,000 copies, as follows: Upper Columbia, 10,000.

MISCELLANEOUS ORDERS, 13,100 copies.

Considering the short time this Free Press campaign has been going on, these results are most cheering. Prices of this Extra are as follows: Single copy, 5 cents; 5 to 999 copies, 1 cent each; 1,000 copies, $8.00. Order through your tract society today. No better document can be found to send to Congressmen, judges, attorneys, city councilmen, public-school teachers, or other persons of influence. Send in your lists, or we will furnish the names.

A. J. S. BOURDEAU.

The “Magazine Clubbing Offers” announced above apply the year round.

During December and January, Mr. Walter Houck, a business man of Ohio, sent in 58 subscriptions for Life and Health.

Mrs. Barton Sevier, of Georgia, has just sent in 24 half-year subscriptions for Life and Health. Write for agency and special rate to agents on subscriptions. Address your tract society.

THE WORK AND THE WORKERS

By Editor

Our big press is running day and night to keep up with the demand for the Free Press Extra of the Protestant Magazine.

The first four days of the Free Press campaign resulted in orders for 94,388 copies of the Free Press Extra of the February Protestant Magazine.

Prices of the Free Press Extra of the Protestant Magazine are as follows: Single copy, 5 cents; 5 to 999 copies, 1 cent each; 1,000 copies, $8.00. Agents are selling this Extra for 5 cents.

Before this paper went to press, orders for a second and a third edition of the Free Press Extra of the Protestant Magazine had been placed,—a total of 200,000 copies. Let the good work go on!

At present we are delivering 30,000 copies of the Free Press Extra of the Protestant Magazine per day. Two new sets of plates have just been ordered, the first two sets having been worn out.

Here is a telegram that deserves to be framed: “Indianapolis, Ind., Jan. 31, 1915. Review and Herald Publishing Assn., Takoma Park, Washington, D. C. RUSH THIRTY-FIVE THOUSAND ‘PROTESTANT’ EXTRA. Indiana Tract Society.”

The second edition (10,000 copies) of the “War” number of Liberty was so quickly exhausted by orders for the same to be mailed to judges and attorneys in the various conferences, that the publishers have been obliged to print a third edition. Remember $1.00 pays for sending this great number to 20 judges or attorneys. We have the addresses. Order through your tract society.

In the beautiful and practical March Life and Health, just off the press, the Seventh-day Adventist veterans unite in a most interesting “Growing Old Gracefully” symposium. Read “A Young Octogenarian,” by Elder J. N. Loughborough; “A Beautiful Old Age,” by Elder J. O. Corliss; “Conservation of Life,” by Elder H. A. St. John. And do not miss “A British Centenarian,” by A. B. Olsen, M. D., medical superintendent of the Caterham Sanitarium, England; “The Secrets of Vigorous Old Age,” by the editor. Thirteen departments, containing 50 strong articles and other features, such as “The Consultation Room,” “Why Alcohol Is Not Wanted in Our Navy,” “Feeding the Children,” “Diet in Health and Disease.”

Single copy, 10 cents; 20 copies for $1.00, 50 for $2.00. Don’t miss these health messages from our veterans.

The national council of the patriotic order known as the Daughters of Liberty, has petitioned the Senate and House of Representatives in opposition to the three bills now before the House Committee on Post Office and Post Roads, “as representatives of 92,000 members of the Daughters of Liberty, located in twenty-six States.” They followed the wording of our “Petition to Congress.”

Up to January 18 Brother Steen Jensen, of Iowa, had sent in 512 yearly subscriptions for Liberty. Every little while he sends in from 25 to 30. Are there not others who will take up this work? Send to your tract society for Liberty subscription receipt book.

At a mass meeting of 1,500 citizens of Trenton, N. J., assembled in Taylor Opera House on January 31, strong free-press resolutions were adopted and forwarded to the Senate and the House of Representatives. Lieut. Gen. Nelson A. Miles, U. S. A., head of the National Court of the Guardians of Liberty, was the chief speaker.

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The New Relationship

By G. S. HONEYWELL

G. S. HONEYWELL

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” Rom. 8: 12.

CHRIST hath sought me, Christ hath loved me; He is now my joy and pride, For I know when storms assail me I can in his bosom hide. There with him I sweetly rest, Sheltered safely on his breast.

Here his friendship I will cherish, Dearer than all else to me; For I know no soul can perish Anchored in the crystal sea, Here to enter into rest, Born to favor as his quest.

Pearly are the gates which enter To the treasures of his love, Typified by those which center Round our palace home above, Where the good and true may rest In the haven of the blest.

Here I learn to bear my sorrows, Here I learn to live — and why? Here I learn to pity others Whose fair cheeks are seldom dry. O, here I learn that I can rest With perfect faith upon his breast.

Punta Gorda, Fla.

Look for the Bright Side

By A. E. PLACE

A. E. PLACE

“What if thy burdens oppress thee? What though thy life may be drear? Look on the side that is brightest, Pray, and thy path will be clear.”

It is proper for us, and is also our duty, to learn lessons from our experiences and from the experiences of others. It is proper to think, talk, and preach about “the time of Jacob’s trouble” and about the “seven last plagues.” It is also our privilege and duty always to balance these great struggles with the mighty power of God, that even as we balance, or meet, our little daily annoyances with, or by, that same power.

We may be called upon to run with “the horses” or to face “the swelling of Jordan,” but that time is not yet; nevertheless one great need is before us to-day, and every hour in the day, namely, to feel and to know the love, the mercy, the kindness, and the power of our Heavenly Father, our Lord Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and the ministry of holy angels which “excel in strength.” For only thus can we “run with the footmen,” or meet the smallest temptations. So long as the footmen weary us, it is of no use for us even to consider the “horses” or the “Jordan.”

If the past troubles you, make it right as best you can. If there is trouble between you and God, make it right with him; if between you and your fellow men, make it right with them, as far as you can; and then bury the whole thing.

If the present troubles you, bring it to God as you would to a most trusted friend. If he does not see fit to change the situation, then hear him say to you, as he said to Paul, “My grace is sufficient for thee.”

If you are troubled about the coming plagues, then “abide under the shadow of the Almighty,” and hear him say to you, “Neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.” That promise will shield you when the plagues come, so surely as you take it and believe it now.

To the extent that we worry about the past, present, or future we unfit ourselves to grapple with the present. And the present is really the only time we have, or for which we are responsible.

Are you facing temptations? Christ met the devil in every earthly arena, and conquered. Does it seem that you are facing death? Christ allowed the devil to put him to death, to lock and seal him in the tomb. But he came forth with the tread of a conqueror.

Jesus Christ is your friend and Saviour. He did his work, he met his sorrows, that every weak knee might be made strong; that every palpitating heart might settle to a firm and regular beat; that every trembling, faltering, or fault-finding tongue might break forth into clear, steady songs of praise to God. “O that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!”

To every tempted and tried one, “this same Jesus” is seeking to say, as plainly and emphatically as he said it on Mt. Olivet just before he left his disciples, “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” Does that hold good in “the swelling of Jordan”? Will that promise stand while the plagues are falling? “Verily I say unto you, . . . heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.”

Have you “toiled all the night,” and caught nothing? Then listen to his voice as it comes to you from the shores of the better country, “Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find.” This means, Cast your net toward your Lord, toward the shores of his eternal kingdom. In that direction, and that only, is there success.

Look for the bright side. Jesus and heaven are there. Look unto Jesus, and be in trouble?—No, no! Look unto Jesus, and be ye saved.

San Jose, Cal.

Christ in You and the Finishing of the Work

By D. H. Kress

D. H. KRESS, M. D.

“He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.” John 14: 17. These words were addressed to the disciples of Christ shortly before his crucifixion. It is evident that they were to have an entirely new experience after his ascension to the Father from what they had had up to that time.

“He that believeth on me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (This spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given.)” John 7: 38, 39. Here again is the promise given to them of a new experience after the reception of the Holy Ghost.

Jesus had been with them, and through the agency of the Holy Spirit had wrought miracles among them. He had given an exemplification in his own life of what every one who received the power he had might be.

It is natural for men to place confidence in man and in that which is visible. They felt secure so long as Jesus in person was with them. This in itself would not give them power over sin within them. Jesus said, “It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you.”

He commanded them to tarry in the

city of Jerusalem and “wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.” Acts 1:4. And again the promise is given, “Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you,” and then “ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

They were encouraged to believe that they would have an entirely new experience, and be in possession of a power to witness for him such as they had not experienced up to this point. But not until they had lost all confidence in the flesh would they be in a condition to receive this blessing.

At the crucifixion they all forsook the One whom they loved; all hope of realizing their expectation of sitting at his right hand and on his left, as ruler over their outward enemies, was gone. Humbled and humiliated, they had lost all confidence in the flesh, and were willing to tarry and wait for the promised power to subdue the enemies within.

While they were together, there was brought vividly to their minds the sinfulness and deceitfulness of their hearts, how they had sought position and honor, etc. It seemed to them that self had been mingled in all their hopes. They confessed these wrongs to one another and to God, and prayed for one another.

This work of confessing and putting away sin continued for ten days, “and when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. . . . And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak . . . as the Spirit gave them utterance.” This was a new experience. Now the promise was fulfilled, “He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.” They were now able to live his life. Great changes took place in these men. From this time forth they were able to lead victorious lives. Sin no longer had dominion over them, for greater was he that was in them than he that was in the world. “Henceforth,” they said, “know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.” From this time forth “Christ in you, the hope of glory,” was their message and theme.

In the wilderness, after the rock was once smitten, all that was necessary was to speak to it, and the water would gush forth. It is not necessary to witness just such another outward manifestation as was witnessed on the day of Pentecost. We are living in the dispensation of the Spirit. The Comforter is come. To those who later said, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” Acts 2:37-39.

The Spirit of God awaits our demand and reception. After the reception of the Holy Ghost by the apostolic church thousands were converted in a day. A mighty power attended the men who were then preaching the gospel. In order that the truth might go with power, Jesus knew that it was not a change of men that was needed, but changed men.

So it is today. While the sins and weakness of the Laodicean church are faithfully pointed out by the Faithful and True Witness, the members of the church are not left without hope. “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten,” says Christ. “Be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”

It is evident that the same change will have to take place in the lives of the members of the Laodicean church that took place in the early disciples at Pentecost and after. He that is with them, but on the outside of the heart, knocking, is to be admitted, and to be in them. When this new experience is theirs, power will attend the message as it falls from human lips. Their lives will witness to the truths proclaimed, and on every hand conversions will be witnessed. Thus God will finish his work and cut it short in righteousness.

Melrose, Mass.

A Significant Cartoon

By C. P. BOLLMAN

C. P. BOLLMAN

The cartoon reproduced on this page is from the Baltimore American of January 15, and is one of the most striking and significant that has yet appeared in any paper.

It is no wonder that the terrible things now taking place are exciting remark and question; the wonder is that everybody in both church and world is not stirred to the very depth. In the midst of wars, famines, pestilences, earthquakes, etc., we find the Christian world comparatively indifferent; and yet, as intimated by the Baltimore American, these things are in literal and exact fulfillment of our Lord’s great prophecy recorded by three of the four evangelists.

The artist quotes Matt. 24:7, and after depicting scenes of devastation by war, famine, and earthquake, asks, “Can these be ‘signs of the times’?” They certainly are signs of the time,—signs that should alarm every unrepentant sinner, and stir to intense activity in the spread of the gospel every devout believer in the prophetic scriptures.

When Jesus appeared in this world the first time, it is recorded that “a very general expectation existed, not only among the Jews, but throughout the East, founded upon the predictions of the Jewish prophets, that a very extraordinary personage should arise in Judah about this time, who should establish his kingdom over the whole world. Hence the alarm of Herod when it was said that Christ was born king of the Jews, and the consequent murder of the children of Bethlehem. Tacitus, Suetonius, and Josephus speak very expressly of this expectation as being very general throughout the East. . . . Vergil very plainly alludes to this expectation, and uses almost the very language of some of the prophets respecting the Messiah.” See “Sketches of Church History,” by Rev. James Wharey, century 1, pages 14-17.

And yet when Jesus was born, the only ones in all Jerusalem to recognize him were Simeon and Anna, two aged and devout persons waiting “for the consolation of Israel.” It is sadly recorded by John that “he came unto his own, and his own received him not.” John 1:11.

Not a leader in the Jewish church knew of the great event that had taken place. The angels passed by the worldly-wise, the rich, the great, and winged their way to the humble shepherds watching their flocks on the plains of Bethlehem. And when the wise men came from the East, saying, “Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the East, and are come to worship him,” Herod alone was greatly stirred, and he, only from fear that his throne might be lost, if not to himself, at least to his family.

Is it not much the same now? Prophecies are being fulfilled. Most momentous events are taking place. War is destroying millions of lives of men, women, and children, and billions of dollars’ worth of property. Earthquakes are wrecking cities and taking a toll of scores of thousands of human lives. Famine and pestilence, the inevitable concomitants of war, follow in the wake of battle; and yet there are found few indeed who see in these things the handwriting on the wall announcing the fast-approaching end of all earthly things. Churches everywhere and of every name ought to be resounding with the message, “Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand.” Joel 2:1. The world ought, like Nineveh, to be sitting in sackcloth and ashes.

But what do we see? The world at large is concerned only with the pursuit of pleasure and the accumulation of wealth. And the church, blind and nerveless, is in much the same condition as were the chief priests and scribes nineteen hundred years ago; and this notwithstanding there is a measure of general expectation of the second advent answering to that which existed in the East at the time of the first advent. Yea, even in that section of the church called Adventist, many seem to be dazed rather than stirred by the terrible scenes feebly, but withal significantly, depicted by the newspaper artist.

Readers, what can adequately arouse us to a sense of the times in which we live, to the duties and privileges that are still ours, to the work that we must do for the Master?

“Christian, rouse and arm for conflict, Nerve thee for the battle field; Bear the helmet of salvation, And the mighty gospel shield; Bind the breastplate firmly on thee, Take the Spirit’s sword in hand; Boldly, fearlessly, go forth then, In Jehovah’s strength to stand.”

Our Life Is but a Day Repeated

“Our whole life is but a day repeated.”

FRANCIS M. BURG

By FRANCIS M. BURG

“Is There Unrighteousness With God?”—No. 2

FRANCIS M. BURG

“And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvelous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.” Rev. 15:3.

WHEN the people of God shall have finished their course in the school of Christ, they will have learned some wonderful lessons to which they will give expression in everlasting song. Among the fundamental principles which they will have learned will be the justice of God in all his dealings with his creatures. When Lucifer instigated his rebellion in heaven, he insinuated that Jehovah was arbitrary and unjust in his treatment of his subjects. So the plan of salvation was laid along such lines that its outworking would fully demonstrate the justice of the Creator and vindicate his character before the whole universe. This is one of the main objects in the great plan of human redemption. When this plan is finally worked out, the people who are saved will declare in eternal song that the ways of Jehovah are just and right.

While infinite love and mercy led the Lord to provide a way for man’s redemption from sin, the demands of justice were not set aside. “Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.” Ps. 85:10.

Justice demanded death for the guilt incurred by transgression. This demand could not possibly be ignored in making provision for the forgiveness of sin. The debt must be paid; forgiveness could not be justly offered in any other way; so to meet this demand, mercy provided a substitute whose life should be given in payment of the debt and to give the offender the fullest opportunity to see the magnitude of his guilt and to return to his allegiance to God. So God “gave his only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.

The terms of the great plan by which the guilty may be restored to the favor of God and to the right of eternal life, are beautifully stated in Rom. 3:25, 26: “Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; to declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.” Notice that only as the righteousness of Christ is imputed to cover the life of guilt, in response to the sinner’s faith in the vicarious sacrifice, can God be just in freeing, or justifying, the offender and restoring him to the divine favor. It takes but little reasoning to see that in order for God to be just in forgiving sinners, he must accept a vicarious sacrifice of one who himself is sinless, and whose life is of sufficient value to atone for sin; and also that the sinner must in repentance and true sorrow confess his guilt and by faith accept the offered grace. Never can God admit a soul to life eternal who does not meet these conditions. Otherwise than this, Jehovah would be open to a charge of injustice, for it would be manifestly unjust for him to give his Son to suffer and die, and then on any other terms whatever than true repentance, confession, and faith, justify the offender. This thought is clearly stated by the Lord himself in speaking to Moses: “And the Lord descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the Lord. And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty.”

In the nature of things, Jehovah cannot forgive an unrepenting sinner. There is a vital reason why the gospel herald first calls for repentance. Said Peter on that great day when the power of God was so wonderfully manifested, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” Acts 2:38. The burden of the message by John the Baptist was, “Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matt. 3:2. And again the message was spoken, “Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” Luke 13:3. So the call for repentance and the offer of forgiveness are inseparable parts of the gospel message. John, in his first epistle, touches the same thought when he, in familiar language, shows the willingness of God to forgive: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9.

Under the plan of God for the salvation of sinners, he can both freely and safely forgive sins, and at the same time be just in so doing. So while the redeemed will, in the ages to come, tell the “exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Jesus Christ,” and ascribe everlasting praise to him who loved them and washed them from their sins in his own blood, they will also join in the great oratorio in which Jehovah’s attributes are extolled,—his power, his holiness, and his justice. By the outworking of his plan to save men, his judgments have been “made manifest.”

Wars and Rumors of War

By ELIZABETH MAC HUGH

ELIZABETH MAC HUGH

WAR rumors come; the trumpet’s loud alarm Is heard in Europe, and the call to arm; For evil goes from nation even now To nation, near and far, while on the brow Of men of state there rests a solemn look. And thus we find it in the Holy Book, That hearts of men should fail for very fear Of things on-coming as the end draws near; The tread of armies, mighty men in bands, With fire and sword, their number as the sands; The strength of nations marshaled for the fray. And shall they cease?—But partly; till the day When, forward led by three foul spirits ill, They, unaware, the prophecy fulfill. Then nations all shall join in combat keen. Megiddo still awaits the awful scene. Ambassadors of peace e’en now do weep; For fields are full of slain, in death they sleep. Their blood to Heaven cries along the way, From Abel, through the ages, to our day; And soon shall Christ appear to save his own; Then all shall learn who has the “whirlwind” sown. And awful though the scenes now taking place, They’re only signs that soon we’ll see his face Who gave his life on Calvary to save Unto eternal life, and from the grave, All those who know and trust his mighty arm In every conflict sharp, or dread alarm. And as the day draws nigh shall not we stand Together, pure in heart, and strong of hand, Supported by his Spirit’s mighty power, Until at last we hail that glorious hour? Glenwood, N. C.

Giving Is True Having

By C. H. Spurgeon

NEVER try to save out of God's cause; such money will canker the rest. Giving to God is no loss; it is putting your substance in the best bank. Giving is true having, as the old gravestone said of the dead man: “What I spent I had, what I saved I lost, what I gave I have.”—C. H. Spurgeon.

Study and Interpretation of the Bible

By M. G. CONGER

M. G. CONGER

In the study of the Word of God, certain underlying principles present themselves to the mind of the reader. The Bible is an inspired book, “quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword.” Heb. 4:12; 2 Peter 1:21; 2 Tim. 3:15, 16. Being of divine authorship, it does not contradict itself, but is consistent in every particular. John 1:1, 14; Heb. 13:8; Mal. 3:6. Since this Book teaches but one view regarding each subject considered, we must conclude that the fact that different individuals base opposing views upon its contents does not prove the Bible to be contradictory, but demonstrates the erring, finite side of human nature. 2 Peter 1:20; Rom. 8:7; 3:4. Every important Christian doctrine taught in the Bible is clearly explained by various references giving every necessary detail. Isa. 28:9, 10; Luke 24:27. The Word of God is the standard by which we shall be judged in the day of final reckoning; therefore doctrines which we advocate should be tested by it. James 2:8-12; 1 Thess. 5:21; Isa. 8:20.

Every Christian is exhorted to “study” and “search” the Scriptures (2 Tim. 2:15, first part; John 5:39), and a blessing is pronounced upon those who thus seek diligently for its hidden treasures. Rev. 1:3; Luke 11:28; Ps. 1:1, 2. Would you have success in your labor for the salvation of souls? Study the Bible, for “then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” Joshua 1:6, 7, 8; Ps. 1:3, last part. This Book of God directs the learner along the paths of knowledge, and those who heed its precepts become “wise unto salvation.” 2 Tim. 3:15.

Bible Interpretation

There is a right and a wrong method in Bible interpretation. That some follow the wrong method is evident from the words found in 2 Peter 3:16; 2 Tim. 3:8, 9; 2 Cor. 2:17. A warning is given to this class of Bible students in Matt. 15:9, 13; Rev. 22:18, 19, and the result of pursuing this method of study is failure in the Christian life, and eternal death at last.

In speaking of the right method of Scripture interpretation the Lord directs that care be taken to “give the sense.” Neh. 8:8; 2 Tim. 2:15. The consistent student of the Word of God must have a desire to know the truth (John 3:21; 8:31, 32), a love for the truth (Ps. 51:6), a willingness to learn the truth (John 7:17), and ability to tell the truth (2 Tim. 2:2). This method of study will bring to the student Heaven’s approval (Gen. 39:2-5; Dan. 5:22-28; 10:19), and success in service (Joshua 1:7, 8). Then, if one would interpret Scripture correctly, he must read the context; ascertain the meaning of the words in English at the time the Bible was first printed, and, if possible, study them in the original text; read all related scriptures; and constantly keep in mind the general trend of Bible teaching.

Take, for example, Isa. 2:3, 4: “And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” A cursory reading of this scripture would lead one to think that the prophet is predicting a time of peace and safety, but a careful consideration of the context shows that it is not the Lord but “many people” who say these things will take place.

James 1:13-15 declares that God tempts no man, but in Gen. 22:1 it is plainly stated that “God did tempt Abraham.” A comparison with the American Revised Version shows that in this case to tempt meant to prove, and so God did not tempt Abraham in the common meaning of that word, but “proved” him. Ex. 15:25; 16:4.

Rev. 20:10 declares that the wicked will be tormented forever, but this text studied in comparison with Matt. 13:40; Obadiah 16; Job 20:5-8; Ps. 37:20; 47:3-5; and Mal. 4:1-3, gives a true, well-balanced knowledge of the destiny of the wicked.

In Luke 14:26 we read: “If any man . . . hate not his father, and mother.” What does the word hate mean to you? Why, the opposite of love, but the general trend of Bible teaching is not to this end. We are admonished: “Honor thy father and thy mother;” “Let love be without dissimulation;” “Love thy neighbor as thyself;” “Beloved, let us love one another.” Read in this connection 1 John 3:15; 4:16-21. From the general trend of these scriptures one sees that Luke 14:26 does not and cannot mean hate as we know the meaning of the word, nor as John knew it. In the primitive English this word meant “to love less.”

Washington (D. C.) Missionary College.

Respectful Tongue and Civil Mien

“Respectful tongue and civil mien May help one through the roughest scene.”

The Simplicity of Bible Religion

“We are never to get above the simplicity of the work. It is a power in its simplicity. A consistent life, a fervent zeal, a meek and quiet spirit, mingled with a heart overflowing with love for perishing souls, is Bible religion.”

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