Your ShelfYour Projects

Review and Herald, Vol. 34, No. 18.

THE FULLNESS OF THE JEWS AND THE GENTILES

Review and Herald

Oct 26, 1869

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 26, 1869

THE FULLNESS OF THE JEWS AND THE GENTILES.

By John Matteson

“Now if the fall of them [the Jews] be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fullness?” Rom. xi, 12. “For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness, in part, is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in.” Rom. xi, 25.
1. Fullness; original, πλήρωμα (pleeroma): fullness, plenitude, abundance, the divine blessings in the fullest abundance. Greenfield. It is used in connection with time in Eph. i, 10, referring to the immortal state; and in Gal. iv, 4, meaning the completion of the period of time appointed till the first advent of Christ. But the text above does not read: the fullness of the time of the Gentiles. There is no time there. All that certain theories have claimed for this text, in that respect, is gratuitous.
2. What is the Bible meaning of this term? “For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell.” Col. i, 19. Fullness here evidently means, the divine blessings in the fullest abundance. “Unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” Eph. iv, 13. A complete abundance of divine blessings and attainments. “That ye might be filled with all the fullness of God.” Eph. iii, 19. All the divine blessings of God. “I shall come in the fullness of the blessings of the gospel of Christ.” Rom. xv, 29. Paul would come to the Romans with an abundance of gospel blessings.
3. “And of his fullness have all we received, and grace for grace.” John i, 16. What is this fullness? “The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, . . . full of grace, and truth.” Verse 14. What then was the fullness of the Jews? Evidently, the blessings which God bestowed upon the believing descendants of Abraham by the gift of his dear Son, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, when three thousand were added to the church, and the abundance of the manifestations of the Spirit afterwards, when “many signs and wonders were wrought among the people, . . . and believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.” Acts v, 12–14. This fullness, or abundance, of gospel blessings, was evidently bestowed in the last of the seventy weeks “determined upon thy people.” Dan. ix, 24. Christ confirmed “the covenant with many for one week.” These were the last seven years full of heavenly opportunities and gospel blessings granted to the Jews. During this time the gospel light shone clearly, and, beginning at the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit brought such an abundance of power to establish and confirm the truth, that the gospel seed, well watered and warmed by heavenly sunshine, took root deep and wide, making the heavenly plant so thrifty that the long, cold winter of Papal darkness has not been able to kill it. This was the early rain.
4. Do you still doubt that this fullness was in the days of the apostles? “And of his fullness HAVE ALL WE RECEIVED.” John i, 16. This settles the fact that the fullness of the Jews was in the days of the apostles. Was it not fullness of divine favor when the apostles “were all filled with the Holy Ghost?” Acts ii, 4. Indeed it was. And did it not result in the salvation of thousands of that favored people? It did.
5. But what does it mean when the apostle says we have received “grace for grace” of his fullness? The original signifies, grace corresponding to grace. Jesus disseminated light and truth. This was grace or favor of God. And when the Holy Spirit was poured out, they received more grace—power from on high—corresponding to the grace already received.
6. Are the gifts conferred by the Holy Spirit called grace in the Scriptures? They are. “I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God, . . . to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed, through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God.” Rom. xv, 15–19. “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy . . . or ministry . . . teaching . . . exhortation,” &c. Chap. xii, 6–8. “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given, by the Spirit, the word of wisdom . . . to another prophecy,” &c. 1 Cor. xii, 7–10. Indeed, the Holy Spirit is “the Spirit of grace.” Heb. x, 29.
7. “Now if the fall of them [the unbelieving Jews in rejecting Christ] be the riches of the world [by them Christ was crucified, which death has brought heavenly riches to the world], and the diminishing of them [they were rejected as a nation, lost their greatness, and were no longer preferred as a people to other nations; ‘the middle wall of partition’ being broken down, other nations shared even with them in the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises.” Rom. ix, 4,] the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fullness?” Rom. xi, 12. If the Gentiles were enriched by the casting away of the Jews as a nation peculiarly favored, how much more were the Gentiles enriched and abundantly blessed by the gospel truth, and wonderful abundance of spiritual gifts bestowed upon the remnant, of which Paul was one. Verses 1, 5. The apostles, and multitudes of believing Jews, having received such clear light from Heaven, and such extraordinary power from the Holy Spirit, “their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.” Rom. x, 18. Churches sprung up in abundance throughout Asia, Africa, and Europe; not at the slow and tardy rate in which we are now dragging along in our work, but they soon reached unto the ends of the then known world, churches being established, and flourishing as they went. And of many of these dear children of God, if not of all, they could say, “Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ;” “how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; and to wait for his Son from Heaven.” Whom Paul knew that they would be his glory and joy “in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming.” 1 Thess. i, 3, 9, 10; ii, 19, 20. Would to God that such a state of things might return.
Even now, we, as Gentile nations, can look back and trace the starting point of our present gospel blessings from yonder fullness of the Jews. Verse 15: “For if the casting away of them (be) the reconciling of the world, what (shall) the receiving (of them be) but life from the dead?” The words in parenthesis are inserted by the translators. Why not use the present tense in the last as well as the first clause? This would be according to rules of language and in harmony with the Scriptures. “For if the casting away (ἡ ἀποβολή: the rejection) (be) the reconciling of the world, what (is) the receiving (ἡ προσληψις: the acceptance) but life from the dead? “If the rejection of the Jews as a nation, by the crucifixion of Christ, brought in reconciliation to the world, how much more did their acceptance, or fullness, bring life and gospel blessings to the Gentiles who were “as good as dead.”
8. Now we are prepared to understand what Paul means by the fullness of the Gentiles. If the fullness of the Jews was an abundance of gospel blessings bestowed upon them during the last seven years of the four hundred and ninety years allotted to them, thenthe fullness of the Gentiles must evidently be the abundance of gospel blessings bestowed upon us during the finishing of the mystery of the gospel. As light and truth were first brought in then, before the believers were ready to receive the power of the Spirit, so truth has been revived in the sounding of the everlasting gospel; the final or finishing work of the gospel being presented by the three angels’ messages. As the disciples were then proved and tested before they could be intrusted with power from on high, so character must be developed by keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, before God can commit to our care a fullness of spiritual gifts. The third angel’s message precedes the coming of the Son of Man. So, likewise, does the fullness of the Gentiles precede the second coming of Christ. “There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob;” verse 26; which brings salvation to “all Israel.” Then the fullness of the Gentiles is to prepare all Israel for final salvation at the appearing of Jesus Christ. So, likewise, does the third message. And as the pouring out of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost introduced the early rain, in the fullness of the Jews, causing the seed of truth to grow; so, likewise, there must be a latter rain, in the fullness of the Gentiles. This will give power to the precious seed which is now sown in tears, and ripen off the harvest, that the sower may “come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” Ps. cxxvi, 6. “Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts; for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.” James v, 7, 8.
When this latter rain shall come, and the fullness of the Gentiles be seen in mighty power; when the angel of Rev. xviii, 1, 2, shall come from Heaven with great power, to join in with the third angel, then he shall cry “mightily with a strong voice,” and the earth shall be “lightened with his glory;” no doubt many of the Jews will then open their eyes and partake of the fullness of the Gentiles, as the Gentiles partook of their fullness in time past. Then God “will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness; because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.” Rom. ix, 28. Then the waiting saints will be gathered home.
Who is prepared for this work? The signs of the end are hung out in the heavens. May the command of our Saviour constantly ring in our ears: “Look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” Luke xxi, 28. Now it is time to live so humbly, so devotedly, that we can “covet earnestly the best gifts.” 1 Cor. xii, 31. Before we obtain these, we must walk in the “more excellent way” of love. God help us. Amen. JOHN MATTESON.

“THE SPIRIT AND THE BRIDE SAY, COME.”

By R. C. Baker

A “STILL, small voice” is whispering in my breast, The Spirit’s gentle breathing, soft and low; This is the way, the straight and narrow path That heavenward leads from this dark vale of woe.
Come, for the flowery way leads down to death; The crosses must be borne, self crucified; Oh, come! and follow Him who for our sins, His sinless head in anguish bowed, and died.
Come, for the earth is hastening to its doom; Fulfilling signs proclaim the advent near; He who now pleads our cause in Heaven above, Will soon for all his ransomed ones appear.
The city’s open gates of shining pearl, With a resistless charm, are whispering, “Come.” O’ercome your sins, be saved, and enter in; Henceforth, this blest abode shall be your home.
Here, where the rainbow spans the great white throne Of him whom all the pure in heart shall see; Here, where the crystal fount unceasing flows, Dispensing life and joy eternally;
Here, where the tree of life its leaflets waves, And golden fruit, to our enamored sense; Where we may rest assured, those cherub bands Will ne’er unsheath their swords to drive us hence.
Here, at the feet of Him who died to save, We cast our glittering crowns in rapture sweet; Here, where the saints and prophets, long since dead, A vast, unnumbered throng at last shall meet.
Oh! for an angel’s hand those scenes to paint, That mortal eyes by faith but dimly see! Oh! for an angel’s tongue His praise to sing, Who purchased such reward for worms like me!
Oh! let us struggle on through life’s dark vale; Fight the good fight of faith, and victors stand Upon that crystal sea, whose glassy wave Uprears the whole immortal, ransomed band.
R. C. BAKER. Mackford, Wis.

THE MINNESOTA CAMP-MEETING.

By John McMillan

Dear brethren and sisters who delight in the prosperity of Zion: It is not my intention to either forestall or supplement the regular report of the Minnesota Camp-meeting, but I feel it to be my duty from my isolated stand-point to speak of the meeting, and of some things growing out of it. I have never before so felt the truth of the words of Jesus, “According to your faith be it unto you.” Matt. ix, 29.
I went to that meeting without a shadow of doubt that great good would be done, and that poor I would receive a goodly share of the blessing. Praise the Lord; both his mercy and his truth endureth for ever. I had never seen any of those who were there, save the few who went from my own county, Wisconsin. But it was not from man that I looked for the blessing. I believed that the Lord would meet with us by his Spirit, and I know that many who were there can testify that its sweet, melting influence was felt for days together; not in “a great and strong wind,” not in “an earthquake,” not in “a fire;” but in “a still small voice;” which drew from many a confession in part like that of Elijah. 1 Kings xix, 14.
I felt the same as Peter did, like remaining in the mount. But other duties called him down; and so it was with us, Peter must be perfected through suffering, as well as his Master. So must we. We must mingle with the world for a little longer, in order to test our sincerity, by enduring temptation. But dear brethren and sisters who enjoyed the privilege of that meeting, if our future lives are not an improvement on our past, it would be more tolerable for us in the day of Judgment if we had not been to that meeting.
Where much is given much is required. See Luke xii, 48. We must live more in the atmosphere of Heaven; we must talk differently with and about others. We should be more strictly honest in our deal. We should read God’s word with greater reverence. Our prayers should have more of the spirit of prayer in them, and that appropriating faith which can claim the promises as ours. These are a very few of the fruits of that meeting which should appear so prominent in our future lives, that the world will take notice of us, that we have been with Jesus.
I have often heard and read the words, “the Lord’s tried servants,” but I never realized their force till I saw Bro. and Sr. White, and Bro. Andrews, and learned something of their labor of love, their repeated trials, their abiding faith, and how the Lord is to them an ever-present help. We should strictly guard against the violation of the first commandment; but these worn servants should be honored as God’s humble instruments in preparing a people to endure the seven last plagues.
I view as in the providence of God, the spontaneous feeling and the corresponding liberality of that meeting to give the present truth to the people from Norway and Denmark, who are settled in Minnesota. I believe that Bro. Hanson is a humble Christian, and has the burden of souls upon him; and that from him “shall sound out the word,” not only in Minnesota, but “to the region beyond,” in Northern Wisconsin, which is largely settled with Norwegians. My adjoining town is principally settled with such, and if any one, “whose heart the Lord has stirred up,” will order tracts or publications in that language to my address, I will freely distribute them agreeably to the wishes of the donor.
But our missionary efforts should not be confined to any place or people. The tract and book fund is worthy of our liberal patronage, so that those who travel can have books for free distribution.
I am more and more encouraged to give tracts to every one who will take them, from an incident which occurred while returning from that meeting. Taking my seat in a crowded car, where noise and senseless talk prevailed, I arose and supplied each seat with a tract, “The Sufferings of Christ,” without saying a word, and sat down, when there was scarcely a word to be heard for as much as half an hour. If our faith is weak it may be well to discriminate to whom we give tracts; but if our faith can grasp a whole car load, give a tract to every one. If we should be the means of leading but one to Christ for every hundred tracts that we give away, oh! what “a crown of rejoicing” we should have.
At that camp-meeting I learned that the third angel’s message is being given among the mountains of Switzerland; and there I saw their sweet and Christ-like representative, Bro. Enzenberger, who is here preparing to translate our publications into the German language.
Soon shall the sound of the message re-echo through the Alpine hills, till it greets the ears of the Waldenses, long since driven to the mountains of Piedmont for keeping the commandments of God.
The many and increasing “Macedonian cries” must be answered and met, if we would clear our skirts from the blood of souls. The General Conference fund must meet this expense, at present, and this is sustained by free-will offerings.
Dear brethren and sisters, the opening providences of God unmistakably say,
“Go labor in my vineyard, There’s resting by and by.”
Let no one be idle because he or she cannot do “some great thing.” God does not require what we have not, but what we have. Every one can do something; even to pray in faith, and soon our faith will bear fruit. The world has long lain in wickedness, and the wickedness is increasing. Time is short and there is much to do. We cannot stand still; we will either progress or retrograde. Satan takes the advantage of all idleness; therefore let us work while it is day, for the night cometh when we cannot work.
“’Tis sweet to work for Jesus, There’s resting by and by.”
JOHN McMILLAN.
Pleasant Valley, St. Croix Co., Wis.

FAITH

By Jos. Clarke

IS SAID to be the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Heb. xi, 1.
Throughout the Bible, the power of faith is spoken of as the foundation of success in the Christian life. Of late this subject has been more especially considered from a Bible standpoint in the REVIEW. I have felt much benefited by these articles. I feel like girding on the armor anew. I see that when worldliness and lukewarmness take possession of the mind, then we seem to forget how to return to God. The first principles of godliness seem to fade from the mind, and we need, like children, to be led back to duty and to God.
Is it not kind in God to invite the sinner to his service? how much more those who have backslidden from him repeatedly, again and again? Does he not seem to say to us, How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim?
By degrees, we depart from God; and little by little, unbelief comes upon us, until its cruel fangs fasten themselves in us, and we sink in such a stupor as comes over the poor victim of the lion, when shaken triumphantly by this monster of the wilderness. But by the power of faith we return, and we feel that we have finally escaped the death intended for us by our terrible foe.
In our own strength, we struggle in vain; we make no headway against Satan, by the feeble efforts which we of ourselves make against him: but when we draw near to God, and feel that in him alone we can conquer, then victory is ours.
The prominence given to faith in the Bible, is notwithout its significance. True, some may carry this so far as to neglect works; but this is not the effect of saving faith. Living faith always prompts to good works. Good works are always consequent upon the act of faith; for works not prompted by faith are of themselves unworthy, because the motive was impure.
The line of distinction which is drawn between works prompted by faith, and those caused by other motives, may not always be known to men; but there is an eye which always and in every case keeps up this distinction, and in the end will bring these things to light.
How important, then, to keep faith in lively exercise, thus excluding unbelief, the great sin which underlies all other sins, just as faith is the great virtue which underlies all other Christian virtues.
Is there not life in the very thought that faith is so powerful for good? Is there not warning in the thought that unbelief is so powerful for evil? Does not the consideration, that faith and unbelief occupy such important places in the mind, reduce the work before us to one of great simplicity and clearness, thus proving the importance of cultivating the one, and shunning the other?
Jos. CLARKE.

The Increase of Crime.

The increase of crime has become an alarming fact. The secular papers are continually referring to it; while some sleepy watchmen are crying “peace and safety,” on the very brink of destruction. How vain the delusion that the world is growing better. If it were so, the Scriptures would be broken, for they declare the opposite. The facts are now so abundant to prove that dark crimes are rapidly increasing, we think he must be asleep or dreaming, who thinks the world is improving in its moral tone.
When speaking on this subject, and the political corruption of these times, the Philadelphia Ledger of Sept. 6, says:
“What were once posts of honor, in the Legislature and in the guardianship of the law, are now thought of only to be avoided by men who choose to preserve their reputations unsullied.”
We can see no hope of reform. Until Jesus comes, wickedness will increase and abound more and more.
A California writer has well inquired, “What is the world coming to?” After learning the condition of things in one of our large cities—said to be the most moral of any of its size,—this same writer from California goes on to say:
“But is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no remedy for the evil? Are the wives, daughters and children of respectability in this great emporium of literature, to be more unsafe on your public grounds, than are the maids of the western plains, in wandering through the camps of savages?”
It is a sad picture; but where is the advantage of hiding the true state of things? Is it well to call evil good? to cry peace, when there is no peace? to call the seducer virtuous? the liar a man of truth? to defend the vile, and thus deceive the good? Will it please the Lord to pursue such a course? Nay, verily. We dare not do it in this perilous hour. Let every watchman sound an alarm.—Crisis.

SERPENTS IN THE GRASS.

By Author of Home Thrusts and Home Thoughts

Beloved in the Lord, grace, mercy and peace—our acquaintance has been precious, heavenly, thus far—may we not say peaceful, joyous? May we not hope for its perpetuation and consummation in glory eternal? I do feel humbly grateful for favors past, and favors continued. The Lord bless you, brother, more and more, forever.
Since my last I have travelled some twelve hundred miles westward, and northward, scattering the good seed. My object was salvation exclusively—that is, I was determined to know nothing save Jesus Christ and him crucified. God was with me, especially and remarkably all the way out and in. Praise him, praise him!
One special object in my visitations abroad, was to counteract the works of darkness, death and damnation, the old serpent, the devil, in all his hellish plots. It is grievous, brother, to see what havoc the devil is making—what power he has over the minds and hearts of men, and how extensive his influence is! He has nearly the whole control of the thoroughfares by sea and land. He is scattering fire-brands, arrows and death, all the way on railroads, steamboats, and by the wayside. The curse of all curses is seen in almost every house and hamlet; even the log cabins in the western wilds do not escape these snakes in the grass, the light, fascinating publications—novels, romances, silly love tales—the bitter and the sweet intermingled, the “Godley’s,” “Harper’s,” “Peterson’s,” “Leslie’s”—Fashionable-plate Magazines, “New York Ledger,” comicals, &c. Did ever Satan invent a more artful stratagem to kill our piety, the life-blood of salvation? and ruin souls in hell forever? Do we exaggerate? Is it possible to depict in colors too glowingly the evils of these missiles of the pit? And yet parents do n’t see it; editors do n’t see it; ministers do n’t see it; not one in ten.
“While men slept, the enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.”
Children and youth all through this land are growing up impatient, conscience-seared, volatile, foolish and vain, fond of show, dress and gaiety; “lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God”—dancing on the very brink of hell and dark damnation. Wherefore? Look into libraries, and on centre tables. What seest thou? the serpent coiled?
Reader, would it not be far safer to place a serpent in the hands of your children, or on your centre tables, than the light, fictitious, popular readings of the day?
A serpent, or a stinging adder, is far less dangerous. We flee from a living serpent with forked tongue, run—escape for our life; but a serpent in the form of a book or paper, though the poison is far more deadly than that of the crawling reptile, does not alarm us.
Some parents tell us a novel, a love tale, a silly romance, something fictitious and highly exciting, tends to form a taste for reading. Children will fall in love with romance and the comical, when publications of a more serious, solid, and historical character would be insipid, tasteless, or repulsive.
Thus these mixed publications of a light, novel, and vicious tendency, are placed in their hands, and a taste formed in early life, for corrupt literature, to the exclusion of the Bible, and everything of a truly virtuous and purifying tendency.
In the Sabbath-school library, and in the books purchased for children, we furnish them with the means of cultivating a taste for novel-reading, and so prepare them greedily to devour whatever fictitious trash may fall in their way, and then waste our breath in deploring their exposure to a corrupting literature. Parents and teachers seem not to know that the thirst for novel-reading is cultivated by novel-reading; or, they seem not to know that reading fiction with a little sprinkling of religion, prepares children to love to read fiction, though it may have a sprinkling of irreligion.
There is that in the character of fictitious writing, properly called novels, whether the subject be secular or religious, which forms a taste different from historical, didactic, or any of the other classes of writing, and this taste is as readily formed by holding the child upon religious novels in his younger years, as if he were supplied with secular novels.
By our religious machinery the child is piously trained to seek his gratifications of mind amid elements of grossest corruption. If the enemy of all good should set himself to devise a scheme to take children out of religious families, and from them to rear a supply of victims of this form of ruin, he could, with all his cunning, hardly contrive a better way to avoid giving alarm and to secure the result. If it be agreed that religious novels are a source of mischief, we shall find ample work in clearing out the old leaven. Our Sabbath-school libraries, and our families, and our book stores, are full of these introductions to the ‘Mysteries of Paris,’ and even our editors will be called to use their puffing apparatus with a little more caution.
Parent, when you place novels or fictitious writings, in the form of a book or paper, in the hands of your child, for the purpose of cultivating a taste for reading, you do your child an irreparable injury—peril the soul forever.
“The course of evil Begins so slowly, and from such slight source, An infant’s hand might stop the breath with clay; But let the stream get deeper, and philosophy, Aye, and religion too, shall strive in vain To turn the headlong current.”
—Author of Home Thrusts and Home Thoughts.

SHAKING HANDS.

By Dr. John Hall

I MAINTAIN that shaking of hands, rightly administered, is a means of grace. You, my dear sir, are established, and every one knows you to be a solid man. There is a man beside you just fighting his battle and making his way. You know him, and nod to him. Take him by the hand, my dear sir. It will do him good; and if he be cast down a little, as men will sometimes be, it may encourage him. “Our minister shook hands with me.” What made that hulking fellow, too big to be a boy, too raw to be a man, announce that fact so loudly when he went home? The truth is, for sensible effect on him it was more than the sermon. John Smith has been a hard drinker, but is trying fairly to get out of it. Going down the village street, he meets Mr. Brown, who is “boss” at “the works above.” Mr. Brown shakes hands with “Mr. Smith,” in sight of the entire village. Does that do Smith any good? I tell you it is as good to him as one of Mr. Gough’s admirable lectures. It says as plainly as if Mr. Brown had written it: “Mr. Smith, you have only to take care of yourself, and you will be a respectable man in spite of all.” That makes Smith stronger; and when he goes to church next Sabbath, and looks over to Mr. Brown, he will find it easier to believe God’s most loving word: “Their sins and their iniquities I will remember no more.” So “shake hands and be friends”—at market, on the street, and above all, at church. I presume the apostle meant something when he said: “Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss.” Some quit church for want of this means of grace. Everybody looks as if just returned from the North Pole and there had not been time to thaw, and the deacon who “runs the church” (if anything so lifeless can be said to be run), had been in command of the party. I suspect the boys sometimes say: “Well, I guess I ought to be good, but if I ever do, it won’t be long with the deacon.” They wait, poor boys, till some one comes along with heart—getting no good in the meantime—whose genial, life-like ways make them “feel kind o’ good,” and they catch the inspiration “and run with gladness in the way of God’s commandments.”—Dr. John Hall.

WHAT IF.

By M. J. C.

What if heavy storm-clouds gather, Round us surging billows roar; If across the darkened water Beams a light from Heaven’s shore?
If we hear our Saviour’s whisper I am near; be not afraid; We can stand amid the tempest; His strong arm our ready aid.
What if thorns and stony places Bruise and tear our weary feet? While we find our Saviour’s footprints, We will count the toiling sweet.
What if shadows deepen round us, While more narrow grows the way? His sure word will light our footsteps, That we need not go astray.
What if foes do gather round us Crying, Ye must surely fall; We will trust our Father’s promise, Seek his strength, and thus prevail.
M. J. C.

DYING WORDS OF WILBERFORCE.

“Come and sit near me; let me lean on you,” said Wilberforce to a friend a few minutes before his death. Afterwards, putting his arms around that friend, he said: “God bless you, my dear!” He became agitated somewhat, and then ceased speaking. Presently, however, he said: “I must leave you, my fond friend; we shall walk no further through this world together, but I hope we shall meet in Heaven. Let us talk of Heaven. Do not weep for me, for I am very happy; but think of me, and let the thought make you press forward. I never knew happiness till I found Christ a Saviour. Read the Bible—read the Bible! Let no religious book take its place. Through all my perplexities and distresses I never read any other book, and I never felt the want of any other. It has been my hourly study; and all my knowledge of the doctrines, and all my acquaintance with the experience and realities of religion, have been derived from the Bible only. I think religious people do not read the Bible enough. Books about religion may be useful enough, but they will not do instead of the simple truth of the Bible.” He afterwards spoke of the regret of parting with friends. “Nothing,” said he, “convinces me more of the reality of the change within me, than the feelings with which I can contemplate a separation from my family. I now feel so weaned from earth, my affections so much in Heaven, that I can leave you all without a regret; but I do not love you less, but God more.” Such were the closing words of one of the most gifted and polished minds.

Speculation.

The New York Journal of Commerce, in an editorial on “the Results of Speculation,” has the following just and excellent remarks:
Speculation—the desire to obtain money not fairly earned—is the crying evil in the land, and every man who engages in it exposes himself to sin and shame. A Christian character is a strong bulwark, but it is easily sapped and undermined the moment its possessor admits this greed of unlawful gain. Thousands of speculators have come to grief this year, who have not made free with trust funds, and whose friends little know at what terrible expense they have acquired their bitter experience. Every such downfall of a solid reputation as has furnished the text for this article, brings to the editors of this paper the most touching acknowledgments from those who have tampered with this temptation, and have been saved through the instrumentality of our appeals and warnings against this monster vice. We have memorials from all classes of people—merchants, clerks, doctors, lawyers, clergymen and laborers—who, at various times, were seized with the general thirst, and were rushing madly after the fortune offered to the successful speculator, and who yet paused and renounced the struggle as we set before them its guilt and perils.
We sound the note of warning again. The mightiest become weak and irresolute when once the victims of this raging desire. They see an end that blinds them to the guilt and folly of the readiest means, and thus one after another they fall and are ruined. No station is exempt; no principles can resist when the path is fairly entered. It is like the letting out of water; it creates the tide which prevents the return to safety. Work is honorable, and poverty is no disgrace; but speculation, sooner or later, is grief, shame and ruin.

INDOLENCE

The proud and haughty, who are daily seen strolling up and down the streets in idleness; who engage in no useful employment, or honorable calling, but who live as drones in society, supported by the legacies of their ancestors, are but little aware of their own insignificance and folly—the small esteem and utter contempt entertained towards them by the wise and better thinking; and of their own miserable enjoyment and false pleasure, when contrasted with the serene happiness and satisfaction of the liberal and open-hearted, who live not only to enjoy themselves, but to benefit their generation, ornament the world, and honor their Creator.

A FATAL MISTAKE.

“THEN shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in Thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.” Luke xiii, 26, 27.
We often think how highly favored were those persons who heard the voice of the Son of God. What an opportunity to make sure of being right. Indeed, they were a favored people. But it was just as easy to make a fatal mistake then as now. Our Lord warned them against one in particular, which nevertheless will be made by many.
Persons will come up in the Judgment expecting to be saved, not because of the putting away of their sins, and their leading lives of obedience to God, but because they were personally acquainted with Christ. They were his neighbors. They knew him from childhood. They had many a time heard him preach. He had eaten at their tables. He had lodged in their houses. He had wrought miracles in their presence. He had even wrought them for themselves or for members of their own families.
They were upon speaking terms with Him who is to be the Judge of mankind. There was no need of solicitude on their part to put away their sins. Their salvation was made sure, whatever might become of others.
So Satan can pervert the richest blessing, and turn it into a curse. These poor souls when they come up in the Judgment shall learn that Christ never knew them, i. e., as his people. They have trusted in the very thing which he warned them not to trust to, as it would be their ruin. Alas! how many in these days make a like mistake. They know the truth. They are intimately acquainted with the people of God. They walk to some extent with them, but they are never really of them. They neglect the great preparation. They fail to put away their sins. In the Judgment they awake to the fatal error which they have committed. Are there not some who read this article who are making this very mistake?

THREE THINGS.

1. What ought to have been. Israel should have obeyed God in everything. In particular should they have kept that precept which bade them instruct their children in the knowledge of divine truth, and especially of the wonderful works of God. Thus God commanded, saying:
“When thy son asketh thee in time to come saying, what mean the testimonies, and the statutes, and the judgments, which the Lord our God hath commanded you? Then thou shalt say unto thy son, We were Pharaoh’s bondmen in Egypt; and the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand; and the Lord showed signs and wonders, great and sore, upon Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and upon all his household, before our eyes; and he brought us out from thence, that he might bring us in to give us the land which he sware unto our fathers. And the Lord commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the Lord our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as it is at this day. And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before the Lord our God, as he hath commanded us.” Deut. vi, 20–25.
They were to repeat these things to their children when they went out, and when they came in; when they laid down and when they rose up, and in fact there was never to be a time when this should not be the theme of discourse. Deut. xi, 18–21.
Had this precept been obeyed, sin would never have gained the ascendancy, and Israel would never have gone into captivity before their enemies.
2. What was done? Israel neglected this provision of such vital consequence. The generation that saw God’s mighty works, passed away without transmitting to their successors the knowledge of these things. Thus we read:
“And the people served the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great works of the Lord that he did for Israel. . . . And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers; and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the Lord, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel. And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and served Baalim. And they forsook the Lord God of their fathers, . . . and followed other gods, . . . and bowed themselves unto them, and provoked the Lord to anger, . . . and he sold them into the hand of their enemies.” Judges ii, 7, 10–14.
3. What the day of Judgment will show. When that generation which made so signal a failure in the performance of the work assigned them, shall awake in the Judgment, what astonishment and terror will seize them as they behold the result of their conduct. And what had they done? Simply nothing: They had merely neglected their duty. But that neglect had resulted in terrible ruin to their children. How many readers of the REVIEW can honestly and truthfully declare that they have earnestly endeavored to do their duty to their children? The day is coming that will show what every one has done. Who of us shall stand?
Continue reading: THE TONGUE THAT SPEAKETH PROUD THINGS