Earlier text: Publishers’ PageNOT many years ago certain men of prominence in the orthodox churches, seeking an escape from the awful dogma of an eternal hell for those dying in sin, invented the doctrine of probation after death. This doctrine, which met with quite general acceptance, has been slightly amplified by a Methodist minister of Cleveland, Ohio, who at a recent meeting of Methodist clergymen declared his belief, says the Cleveland Daily World, that repentance and salvation are possible in hell itself. It was a discussion of the subject “Post-MMortem Probations” which drew forth this extraordinary declaration. The report states that it gave rise to a “heated discussion, which was only terminated by the time limit.” Such a doctrine, which, as may be noted, approximates closely to the Catholic dogma of purgatory, shows to what lengths even the best minds may wander from the truth when from any cause the plain testimony of the Scriptures is discarded. Man is not immortal, and knows nothing after death. So says the Word of God. Eccl. 9: 5, 6; Ps. 146: 3, 4, etc. Extinction will be the lot of those who die impenitent. Rev. 20: 9, 14, 15; and 21: 1. Believe these plain statements of revelation, and there is no need of new and extraordinary doctrines to reconcile the fate of the wicked with the idea of the goodness of God. The Returning Tide of Despotism
The recent barbarous massacre of Jews at Kishinef, Russia, and the continuous story of the woes of Finland under Muscovite oppression, inflicted with a settled purpose of crushing out Finland’s national life, call attention to a fact seemingly strange in this twentieth century—that of a returning tide of despotism which threatens to submerge the earth. We have become accustomed to think that the tide was setting the other way,—that the world-wide movement in favor of civil freedom, in which the United States has led the way, was certain, under the example and influence of this great nation, to continue with increasing force. But no previous convictions, however settled, can stand before the daily accumulating evidence that the spirit of oppression is becoming more and more dominant in many quarters, while the spirit of regard for the rights of the weak is but little seen, either at home or abroad. Russia, a despotism controlled by the Greek Church, is spreading out over the northern part of the Eastern hemisphere, on one side grasping China, and on the other crushing Finland, preparatory to an attack on Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. Slowly also, but surely, she is moving downward upon India. And what of the great world power which dominates the Western hemisphere—the United States? What attitude is it assuming with regard to the principles and institutions of civil freedom? Do the past few years of its history show a rising regard for the principles of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence? or do they show the contrary? Has not much been said by American statesmen about this nation having outgrown those documents? Has not much been said and done to lower the estimation in which those bulwarks of liberty are held by the American people? Is there not much evidence, also, of a change of the national sentiment and attitude toward the weaker races of mankind? Is there not increasing evidence of a division of race against race, and also of class against class, which can only lead to the oppression of the weak by the strong? These questions must be answered in the affirmative, and such facts compel the conclusion that the tide of affairs in this twentieth century is setting here, as in Europe, toward a return to the oppression from which it was hoped the world had happily escaped, or was about to shake itself free. But freedom is the gift, not of man, but of God; and while man changes, God remains the same,—a refuge for all the oppressed, and a sure foundation for the hope of a coming day when perfect freedom shall be over all the earth. The Decline of Popular Government
ACCORDING to two of the most prominent Russian writers, Tolstoi and Gorki, says The Independent, the recent Jewish massacre of Kishinef came as a result of the instruction given by the Russian Church and state. The Russian autocracy, adds The Independent, is at present “the greatest existing menace to the peace and welfare of the world. The world will breathe easier when perhaps a revolution shall give a good degree of popular government to Russia.” But popular government is not in the ascendancy in the world to-day. Two republics have but recently been blotted out in South Africa, a war of conquest has been successfully waged in the Philippines, Finland is being crushed by the czar, and during this same period of time only one new republic has been established in the earth—the so-called republic of Cuba, which, as is well-known, is really a dependency of the United States, the latter country having a naval station on each side of the island, and virtually exercising a protectorate over it. The spirit of the times is not such, either here or elsewhere, as tends to the exaltation of the doctrine of individual rights. The Fifteenth Amendment and Its Nullification
“SHALL the Fifteenth Amendment be repealed?” inquires The Independent (N. Y.), having in view the recent legislation and court decisions, and other manifestations of public sentiment in certain sections, contrary to the results intended to be secured by that part of the national Constitution. In answer to the question, The Independent says that this amendment (which confers on the negro the right of suffrage) will not be repealed; that all talk of such a thing is foolish, since a repeal of a part of the Constitution “would require, first, a two-thirds vote in favor of it by both houses of Congress; then it would have to go to the States, and be ratified by the legislatures of three fourths of them. The negative vote of twelve States would defeat the proposition.” The Independent’s opinion is probably correct; the Fifteenth Amendment to the Constitution will not be repealed. It will remain a part of the great document which is fundamental in this government. But its provisions will be nullified by legislation, by court decisions, and by public sentiment. This is already being done, and the process will go on so long as the existing racial antagonism continues. When a part of the Constitution is repealed in public sentiment, it matters little whether it remains a part of the printed document or not. Human Schemes and Divine Grace
THE schemes of men can not be welded on to the provisions of divine grace. An Uncharitable Spirit Blocks Grace
An uncharitable spirit is an absolute nonconductor to the current of God's grace. Refusing to Hear the Lord
So long as you refuse to hear the Lord, you can not complain if the Lord refuses to hear you. The Flow of God’s Blessings
The current of God's blessings will flow into our hearts only so long as we allow it to flow out again to others. Those who exert the greatest influence in the world for good are not always those who make the greatest stir over their work. God is in the “still, small voice.” Partaking of the Word of God
You may talk about the Word of God, say that you believe it, and that you believe it will save those who believe it; but you can never live by that Word until you partake of it. “Thy words were found, and I did eat them.” The Sin of Evil-Speaking
By Ellen G. White
It is not God's plan that reports regarding the work of his servants shall be passed from one to another. My brethren, when some one comes to you with an accusation against a fellow worker, say to him, Have you gone to the one you are accusing, in the way in which Christ told you to go? If you have not done this, I am not at liberty to listen to what you have to say about him. Hear what Christ has said regarding this matter: “If thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee; leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.” And he said again, “Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church; but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.” O, how much time is worse than wasted by evil-speaking! Because of this sin, not half is accomplished that might be accomplished. Men and women become mischief-makers for Satan, and going to this one and that one, place in their minds the leaven of evil, prejudicing them against a brother or a sister, who, they say, has done wrong. The thoughts of those thus influenced are misdirected, their peace is disturbed, and their confidence in their brethren is weakened. Those who do this evil work are departing from Christ, to follow one who is teaching them to love and make a lie. Whatever their position in the service of God, they are dishonoring him. All their qualifications and capabilities, however commendable they may apparently be, will not supply the deficiency resulting from the lack of Christlike love. Those who think and speak evil of their fellow laborers, opening the mind to false reports, and taking up a reproach against their neighbor, grieve the Spirit of God, and put Christ to open shame. I feel so saddened, so discouraged, by the thought that God's servants are willing to listen to and circulate hearsay. I know that the Holy Spirit will not co-operate with those who, by their criticisms, their evil surmisings, and their hard-heartedness, are helping Satan. God says to them, “Thou hast left thy first love. . . . Repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly.” I will not bear long with your perverse spirit, which leads you to cherish envy and evil surmising. “I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.” Do not these words, so plain and decided, call for serious thought and earnest study on the part of every one who claims to believe the Word of God? “Thou hast left thy first love.” And the dryness and coldness of heart are revealed by a lack of that Christian courtesy, that kindness and tenderness, which is seen in the life of the true Christian. On one occasion, on his way from Bethany to Jerusalem, Christ passed a fig orchard. He was hungry, “and seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find anything thereon.” The tree presented an appearance of fruitfulness, but upon searching its branches, from the lowest bough to the topmost twig, Jesus found “nothing but leaves.” It was a mass of pretentious foliage, nothing more. To-day Christ comes to his people, hungering to find in them the fruits of righteousness. But many, many, have nothing but leaves to offer him. They have left their first love, and upon them has fallen spiritual blindness, hardness of heart, stubbornness of mind. They pray to God, and present Bible truth to the people; for they are in the habit of doing so; but they have lost that which would make their service acceptable. How blind they are! how defective their service! Boastingly they say, “I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing.” But God says to them, “Thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked! I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.” Will God's people accept this reproof? Let them beware of remaining in their present condition; for time is fast passing, and the work that ought to be done is not done. How unlike Christ we are in word and spirit, and in our attitude toward one another! His gentleness should make us “kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another.” As a people who have had great light we stand before God under condemnation unless we fulfill the Saviour's purpose for us, holding fast to him, and allowing him to send through our religious experience a warm current of unselfish love. When we do this, our spiritual strength will show that we are living in close connection with the Life-giver. We shall impart grace for the grace that we receive. A thoroughgoing Christian draws his motives of action from his deep heart-love for his Master. Up through the roots of his affection for Christ come faith, and an unselfish interest in those around him. The selfish desire to be first is quenched. There is no hatred in his thoughts, because there is no hatred in his heart. He has the faith that works by love, and purifies the soul. The refining influence of the Saviour's life refreshes and invigorates his spiritual life. By his loyalty to his brethren he shows that he realizes the value of souls. He can pray with the spirit and with the understanding also. His zeal, his stanch adherence to principle, his devotion to all that is pure, honest, just, and of good report, make him companionable, and helpful to those with whom he associates. Such men are of value with God. If they continue to put their trust in him, they will grow more and more like him. One day they will see God, who declares, “I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir.” The Church of Christ a Religious Liberty Society
By R. C. PORTER
THERE was a time when the universe was so united that when the voice of Christ was heard, “the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy.” Christ, the Creator, was the leader of the hosts of the created in this joyous spirit of unity, and it was his delight to lead them on into deeper depths and higher heights and broader fields of increasing and ever-widening joys. As their minds expanded in the contemplation of the greatness of his goodness, they would still find unfathomable depths of unexplored wisdom and knowledge awaiting their study. This would ever give them delightsome opportunity of development and increasing joy throughout unceasing ages. But one of the number standing near the throne of God became discontented with his position in the great plan of the Creator. He wanted a higher place. No9higher place unoccupied in the universe was to be found. If therefore he was to occupy a higher place, it must be sought at the expense of forcing some other being from his position. There was no higher position except that occupied by the Creator, so he said, “I will be like the Most High.” This was the introduction of the spirit of desire for supremacy. The principle upon which it was based was self-exaltation and disregard of the rights of others. So long as all members of the great family of God acted in the sphere which they were fitted to occupy, each respecting the rights of others in the sphere of their calling, there was perfect unity throughout the universe. When this principle was violated, the cord of harmony was broken. This lesson gives us the key to the discord that reigns in our planet to-day. It was not God’s plan that discord should exist. This is an intrusion, suffered for a time, until the universe should study and choose between the plan introduced by the Lord, and that introduced by one who, becoming dissatisfied with his position, and wanting a higher place, became his adversary. The original plan left every man free. His right of choice to continue in his God-appointed place through loyalty to his Creator, or seek another place, disrespecting the rights of others, was not denied him. There was no force in God’s plan, but the restraining influence of his own Spirit of good will toward all men. From this lesson we shall be able to draw some fundamental principles that will aid us in our study of the church and its work. Soon after the creation of man the enemy came to him with his counter principles, which he offered in a most pleasing way. He sought to convince man of the superiority of his views for man’s happiness over God’s plan for him. Man accepted the gilded bait, and learned too late that it brought sorrow, not happiness; discord, not unity; and bondage in place of greater freedom. God did not immediately banish Satan, nor set aside the plans which Satan claimed contained the principles of increased happiness, but he gave them time to prove their own character by actual test. In this we see the wisdom of God. He is not arbitrary, but desirous only of the happiness of his creatures. Though he is King of kings and Lord of lords, with power sufficient immediately to banish Satan and his principles from this field of test, he will not do this until they have had a fair trial. This, then, is the one world where these principles are permitted to operate, to test their power to give happiness. The one thing God still maintains, and holds within his own right, for all men, while this test is being applied by the adversary, is that every man shall be at liberty to choose how long he wishes to follow Satan’s plan for his happiness. The moment he wishes to return to God’s original plan for him, the Creator holds it to be his right to make that choice, and pledges all power in heaven and earth, at his command, to return to him. God’s principles, the Christian’s plan of character, are found in the twentieth chapter of Exodus. The power of restoration to these principles is the Lord Jesus Christ. Rom. 7: 24, 25. The question to be settled is whether a life in the Spirit of Christ brought into harmony with the principles of the law of God, teaching man to reverence God and love his fellow men, brings misery or happiness, debauchery or bliss, death or life. If a life at one with Christ and God brings peace and happiness, what principles are responsible for all the ills and woes of life about us? What principles bring sin and shame, infamy and wretchedness, murder, unchastity, and all sorts of violence?—These must be the fruits of Satan’s plan. The Organization of the Church
In order to preserve the principles of heaven’s plan for humanity in the world where Satan was permitted to test his principles, the church of Christ was established. All of God’s work is organized. The flock of geese, the swarm of bees, the blade of grass, the flower, the tree, the ebbing and flowing tide, and the starry heavens, declare that God is a God of order. When there were but two human beings in the world, he organized the family, and established the home. When the work further developed, he organized the church in the wilderness. In the organization of the church, Moses was chosen by the Lord as its ruler, or elder and prophet. Acts 7: 35-38. Aaron was its priest. Christ was the leader in the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night. Ex. 13: 21, 22. There is another name applied to Moses in his official relation to the people of Israel, which is too liable to be overlooked; that name is “deliverer.” Acts 7: 35. His work was not to be that of official manager merely, but it implied service of the highest character. It suggests in the most impressive manner the thought of liberator, or one who frees people from bondage, and makes them a free people. Moses in his official capacity was called to this very work. His was not a position of honor to himself, to be served by the people for his own pleasure or profit; but a position of service for the people, that they might be liberated from religious despotism, and be free men in Christ Jesus. The first request the newly appointed church officers were directed to make in behalf of the church of Christ after they were placed in their official positions, was to the official head of the state, Pharaoh, ruler of Egypt. That request was not of the nature of a plea for toleration, but a demand from Christ, the head of the church, to the state to release the church from its bondage, and restore to it its freedom in the service and worship of God, which was its God-given right. The command of the Lord was definite and uncompromising as to the rightfulness of his claim. It reads: “Then the Lord said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh, and tell him, Thus saith the Lord God of the Hebrews, Let my people go, that they may serve me. For if thou refuse to let them go, and wilt hold them still, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thy cattle which is in the field, upon the horses, upon the asses, upon the camels, upon the oxen, and upon the sheep: there shall be a very grievous murrain.” Ex. 9: 1-3. One object of the organization of the church was unitedly to withstand the tendency of the state toward religious control of the consciences of men. The church therefore from its very inception was a religious liberty society. The scripture just quoted, a command from Christ, the head of the church, speaks in no uncertain manner of the right of the church to freedom of choice in religious matters. What is true of the right of the church is equally true of the right of every individual member of the church. And what is true of every individual member in the church is equally true of the rights of man whether in or out of the church. Hence, religious freedom, the right of choice in matters of religion is here proclaimed by Christ, the head of the church, for mankind. Earthly kingdoms have their sphere, but they have no rightful jurisdiction in this realm. He who in Christ abideth dwelleth at home, To those that mansion hideth no harm can come; Christ all the wanderers guideth with a good shepherd’s care, Where the still water glideth, where the green pastures are. He who for Christ forsaketh love’s clinging ties, Who for his Saviour maketh the sacrifice, Such his compassion taketh to share his Father’s breast, And the tired pilgrim waketh in his eternal rest. He whom the Saviour healeth hath lost all pain, Whoe’er for mercy kneeleth ne’er asks in vain; He who his Lord confesseth, though else unknown, The Saviour loveth, blesseth, calleth his own. He life and peace receiveth through Jesus’ name; He whom the Lord forgiveth, who shall condemn? To him whom Christ delighteth sorrow and joy are sweet; The bliss his smile uplighteth shall never fleet. Riches Versus Poverty
By Mary Martin Morse
In these days of mad rush and greed for gain and gold, how few believe in Solomon’s doctrine: “Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.” Prov. 16: 8. The great object seems to be the “revenues,” right or wrong. How few believe the words of inspiration: “Better is little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith.” Prov. 15: 16. Most persons are willing to run the risk of the “trouble,” if they can but grasp the “treasure.” From the daily press comes abundance of evidence that this statement of the wise man is given no credence; that in the fearful risk to secure earthly “treasure,” trouble, incident upon transgression of just law, has taken the culprit with iron hand. In how many instances a woman’s vanity and false ambition are responsible for the sad results! If she had believed the Master’s words, “The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment,” the “trouble” might have been avoided. To many the adorning of the body and the gaining of “the meat that perisheth,” are made paramount to the true life. Real prosperity lies only where the blessing of God can rest. “The Lord shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thy hand unto.” Deut. 28: 8. But this is conditional, as are most promises. “If thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments,” etc. Deut. 28: 1. Who values the “five loaves and two fishes” more highly, depending upon the miraculous power of divine increase, than the visible abundance that seems so desirable? Who would prefer the humble home, and nothing10“save a pot of oil” responsive to the infinite power, than the massive mansions of the millionaires with their unlimited appointments? It is not riches, but “trust in riches,” that God frowns upon. I knew a woman who was surrounded and supplied with plenty, yet who every waking moment suffered untold agonies of imagined poverty, and thus she died. The complaint of the Socialist to-day is that the few possess the millions, the many live in want. Do not poverty and riches, to a great extent, lie in mental conditions, and within individual control? “The earth is full of thy riches. So is this great and wide sea.” Ps. 104: 24, 25. If our minds were rightly trained to see the “riches” in earth and sea and sky, of which the world is “full,” we would enjoy far more, and suffer less. Is not a nature that can appreciate the wonders of the deep in their manifold representations, and the earth filled with bursting bud, springing blade, and bending blossom,—a mind that, while it can not reach, can see and appreciate the infinite love and wisdom that have formed and that uphold all the inhabitants of the stellar spaces,—is not such a nature far richer than the one that fails to see God in all his marvelous manifestations of beauty, and can simply count its millions? A child may be able to count one hundred, and see nothing but the numbers; another may see in each number representing one hundred that which speaks to his consciousness of beauty, blessing, beneficence, until one hundred seems too small by far to enumerate all that his mind suggests. Then there are the “hidden riches” (Isa. 45: 2, 3) that await the searcher’s eye, but elude the careless passer-by. Men undergo great hardship to mine the yellow metal that stands for the world’s wealth, but how few realize that at their own door lies a mine of beauty priceless in value. “Hidden riches,” indeed! but readily accessible to those who have eyes to see, and ears to hear. “If riches increase, set not your heart upon them.” In the setting of the heart upon them—not in the riches—lies the danger. The “love of money”—not the money—is the snare to be avoided. Are you quite sure you are willing and ready to assume the responsibility of wealth? Said Peter Cooper in later life, “The happiest days I ever saw were when my wife and I kept house in one room.” To so educate the mind that one can see wealth in numberless forms—many of them minute—of natural beauty by which we are surrounded,—is not this capacity riches? Alas that so many eyes are holden that they do not see! He who the balances evenly holds, has meted out more equally than the recipients recognize. How foolish would be the one who held the key that unlocked millions, too penurious to use, or permit to be used—a “dog in the manger.” Vastly poorer is he who, possessing the “open sesame” to the coffers of the universe, perishes without partaking. Physical starvation is said to produce great suffering, but heart starvation has never been told in words. G. W. MORSE
By G. W. Morse
“LIBERTY is a solemn thing; a welcome, a joyous, a GLORIOUS thing, if you please, but it is a solemn thing.” So wrote Horace Mann. The exercise of free moral agency is fraught with momentous consequences beyond the power of human language adequately to describe. Eminent scientists tell us that the utterance of one word will set the pulsations of the atmosphere in motion, until within twenty-four hours every part of the planet has become affected. This illustration gives us a slight intimation of the weighty responsibilities that are dependent upon the exercise of liberty. Hereby can we grasp something of the meaning of those words of the Saviour, “A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.” That which we say and do goes even farther than this mundane sphere; it takes hold upon the celestial world. The beginning is small — simply an exercise of will-power. We decide, instantly it may be, to utter a word, or perform an act; behold the result! Away up among the Alleghany Mountains there is a spring so small that a single horse on a summer’s day could drain it dry at one slaking of his thirst. It steals its unobtrusive way among the hills, down the valleys, along the meadows, till it finally spreads out into the broad and beautiful Ohio River. Thence it stretches away a thousand miles, leaving on its banks more than a hundred prosperous cities and thousands of cultivated and highly productive farms. Thence it unites with the mighty Mississippi, and stretches away for twelve hundred miles farther, until it flows out into the emblem of eternity. This mighty highway of commerce bears upon its heaving bosom myriads of powerful vessels going to and fro with their thousands of human beings and almost unnumbered tons of freight. It is one of the greatest tributaries to the ocean that exists on the globe. Obedient only to God, it will continue its majestic flow till the end of time. So with a word, an act, of our free moral agency. It is a tiny rill, a rivulet, a babbling brook, a noisy stream, a mighty river, an ocean, and as boundless and fathomless as eternity. The eternal destiny of millions may be affected for weal or for woe by our voluntary act. We send our words and acts forth to traverse the paths of earth and heaven, and they are heavily laden. They are freighted with the joy, light, and glory of salvation, or with the elements of destruction. We play upon an instrument of limitless capacity, and the vibrations of the chords that we strike encircle the earth and resound in heaven. These vibrations ring with the glad paeans of redemption’s song, or with the dirge-like notes of the knell of despair and death. And now comes to us a reflection of a most startling character. It is this: Some day there will be handed to us this million-page volume of our writing, and we shall be told to read it. There we shall find faithfully and accurately recorded the immortal results of the exercise of our free moral agency. Upon those burning pages we shall find all of thought, word, deed, and condition that we have written with the pen of liberty; yea, MORE, the growth, the development, the great ocean of consequences, will be there also, carried out by the recording angel. O, how much we shall find there that we shall vainly endeavor to disown! How much that we shall wish to mark, “Take out,” and send the volume back to the compositor for correction. But it can not be. Our life-records are “lead in the rock forever,” so far as any power that we possess for their effacement is concerned. There is only one means in God’s universe whereby those pages, black with the records of infamy, can be made white. The crimson stream of Calvary alone can cleanse them. And O — stupendous thought — if we neglect to have the precious blood applied until the day that we are called upon to read that volume, it will then be forever too late, and the book of our own writing will crush us in eternal oblivion. These are a few glimpses, dear friends, of what is meant by the exercise of liberty. Say you not that it is a solemn thing? — Indeed it is. As we reflect upon the indescribable possibilities of the exercise of this heaven-born gift, and realize something of the terrible responsibilities that come with it, there comes to us a desire to hand it back to the loving Father, and we cry in horror and anguish, “O Father, the gift is too great; it is more than I can carry; take it back with its unmeasured weight.” But the Father will not take it back, nor will he arbitrarily interfere with us in the exercise of the free moral agency that he has bestowed upon us. Yes, liberty is a solemn thing. And yet, what do we see? Many a youth foolishly longs for the time when he will be free from parental control — when he will have his liberty. And countless numbers exercise their liberty with a carelessness and never-mind sort of air that is alarming. Instead of this, it would seem as if all would be most anxious to enjoy parental protection as long as possible. Could they catch a few glimpses of what liberty means, they would be extremely loath to set sail in a craft of their own steering. Ah, no, they would want father and mother to share with them, all through life, the responsibilities of their free moral agency. And the unconverted? What a fearful position they occupy, going on, from year to year, alone in the world, carrying the responsibility of liberty. Little do they realize how much they need to connect with God’s family on earth, where they can enjoy the fellowship of love and burden-bearing. Little11do they realize that their only safety is to stand in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made them free. What can we do with our liberty? — We can hedge it about with divine truth. We can build about it strong bulwarks gathered from the Rock of Ages. We can catch the keynote of the angelic choir, and strike the chords in harmony with that. We can take up the strains of that sweetest of songs, “On earth peace, good will toward men,” and weave them into the pattern of our lives. Then, indeed, will liberty be a welcome, a JOYOUS, a GLORIOUS thing. “Let us gather up the sunbeams,
Lying all around our path;
Let us keep the wheat and roses,
Casting out the thorns and chaff;
Let us find our sweetest comfort
In the blessings of to-day,
With a patient hand removing,
All the briers from our way.” Present, Practical, Personal Gospel
By A. J. Harris
“GREAT peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.” Ps. 119: 165. Prominent in this text is the expression that “nothing shall offend them.” Without this characteristic in the life, the present, practical, personal gospel would be a failure. The attribute mentioned in the text lies within reach of every soul upon the earth. One requirement only is demanded; namely, to love the law. This is acquired simply by allowing the Author of the new covenant to write it in the heart. This law written in the heart promotes action along with the prose word spoken. Of the medical missionary work as “practiced gospel,” we were only recently told by the spirit of prophecy that “by the ministry of the word the gospel is preached: by medical missionary work the gospel is practiced.” This gospel is not confined alone to the preacher, the doctor, or the nurse. To do so would limit its scope, power, and effect; for Paul says “it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth,” and in Matt. 10: 7, 8, the command, given not merely to titled preachers, or skilled physicians, or trained nurses, but to all disciples is: “And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.” When the Saviour went away, he committed to every believer the work of reconciliation, the gospel; and I am persuaded that the home is the first field of labor; for in its neglected sphere lies the primary evils that have made practical gospel work so necessary at this time. To speak a kind word is as essential as to do a kind act. Proper discipline and teaching at home prepare the way for a good Sabbath-school, a good church school, a good church; and especially for good behavior in the house of God. A few practical illustrations will suffice here. A well-behaved child will speak to the observer of the home training. A child trained in the home to observe family worship will not sit stolid in his chair while prayer is being offered at the church; neither will he remain in that position while the songs of praise are being offered. And this same rule will apply in all the walks of life. Paul speaks about giving offense, thus: “Giving no offense in anything, that the ministry be not blamed.” 2 Cor. 6: 1-10. As surely as the love of God’s law protects us from becoming offended, so surely will it protect us from giving offense. A well-trained mind in the home, will not be forgetful at the house of God. If God dwells in the home by daily invitation, that home will be a sacred home, made so by his presence. How much more is the house of God a sacred place! If this could be realized, even in a small degree, the familiar scenes so carelessly indulged in would immediately cease. The habit (for it is nothing more) of going out and in, and to and fro, during the service, is seen in many places. This is not always due to sickness, or an irregularity of the system, but more often to the state of the mind, to the effects of early training. Why should not every parent, and officer of the church, rally to the defeat of the enemy in this great evil? But another offense that would shock the sense of the darkest heathen is many times passed by without protest. We see placards all along the streets, in street cars, railroad trains, at every public station: “No Spitting on the Floor. The offender, if found, will be prosecuted.” If this pernicious thing is an offense to man, especially a well-bred man, what must it be to the Master, in his own house, where he has appointed to meet his people? How many mothers would take pains to invite into their homes a second time a person who would deliberately spit on the floor, or tear up slips of paper and scatter them around, or take out his knife and cut the books or chairs, or cut sticks and scatter them, or perhaps pick up a book and break back the cover or tear out a leaf or two, or a part of a leaf? Yet this is done in God’s house, and with God’s property. Loud talking and visiting is a common occurrence. The standard of conduct is down, trailing in the dust. Compare this state of things with Isa. 58: 13, 14: “If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable; and shalt honor him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words; then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.” Children sent to church, or brought there, are allowed to wander around outside during the hour of service. At the tabernacle services anciently, during the hour of service when the priest was officiating, every soul was in the attitude of worship. Should it be less so now in this closing hour of time? Is it not time to call a halt, and all rally to the support of practical Christianity in deportment, searching our hearts first, and then our homes, carrying it into the house of God? Then shall no man offend his brother, and especially the blessed Saviour. Father, mother, brother, sister, children, shall we not band ourselves together into a vigilance committee, and see that offenses of the class spoken of shall forever be suppressed? And let this be our first step toward the present, practical, personal gospel. W. R. PATTERSON
By W. R. Patterson
O weary souls by sin oppressed,
Seek the world's Redeemer now!
Look from thy labors, seek his rest;
Before his loving scepter bow. He now invites just such as thee
To come and seek his face;
To seek in him sweet liberty,
And test the power of grace. Go lay thy heavy burden down,
His easy burden bear.
Thy sin and weakness humbly own,
Sure thy confessions he will hear. Though through tribulations sore
His loving hand shall lead thee,
His promised Spirit evermore
Shall tenderly watch and keep thee.