Signs of the Times, Vol. 20, No. 55. (11/26/1894)

Signs of the Times

Nov 26, 1894

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Nov 26, 1894

Walking with God.

It is said of one of old, "And Enoch walked with God; and he was not; for God took him." Gen. 5:24. He was translated without seeing death. Heb. 11:5. Again we read: "Noah was a righteous man, and blameless in his generations; Noah walked with God." Gen. 6:9, Revised Version, margin. And thus the prophet has said of the Lord: "He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" Micah 6:8.

The Whole Duty of Man.

This comprehends the whole duty of man. It is all summed up in the latter expression—"to walk humbly with thy God." The marginal reading is, "to humble thyself to walk with thy God." To "do justly" is to do that which is just or right. "To love mercy" is to have that disposition which will treat those who offend us better than they deserve; for this is what mercy means. To love mercy is to have mercy and to exercise mercy toward all those who may do us wrong. But all this is summed up in walking with God. For, mark, it does not say, God walking with us; that would imply that the road in which we walked was our way. But we walk with God in God’s way, and "his way is perfect." Ps. 18:30. And this is repeated over and over again in his word. Walking in his way is, therefore, walking in the perfect way. Nothing more can be done; nothing more is required. "For the ways of the Lord are right, and the just shall walk in them." Hos. 14:9. "The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works." Ps. 145:17. Surely then we might expect, as the Lord has declared, "In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death." Prov. 12:28.

The Path of God’s Commandments.

This way in which we walk with God is the pathway of God’s commandments. This is evident from the fact that God’s "commandments are righteousness" (Ps. 119:176); the expression of his own character (Isa. 51:6, 7); "the path of life" (Ps. 16:11; 119:35). This holy law, this way of the Lord, is "perfect," "sure," "right," "pure," "clean," yea, "true and righteous altogether." Ps. 19:7–9. It is the word of God’s lips, by which we are kept "from the paths of the destroyer." Ps. 17:4. It is the sum of all duty. Eccl. 12:13. When the young man asked our Lord what he should do that he might have eternal life, he replied, "If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments." Matt. 19:16, 17. And therefore the Psalmist says: "Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord." "They also do no iniquity; they walk in his ways." "I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies." "I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart." "Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes." "Make me to go in the path of thy commandments." "Order my steps in thy word." Ps. 119:1, 3, 14, 32, 35, 133, etc.

How We May Enter This Path.

How may we enter this holy, delightful path? We cannot do it of ourselves. Having fallen from this way of holiness, sinful man cannot of himself lift himself to that exalted plane. There is but one way, and that way is through Christ. Jesus says, "I am the door." "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." Jesus kept God’s holy law. He was not only righteous, but righteousness, even the righteousness of all who by faith receive him; for "this is his name whereby he shall be called, The Lord Our Righteousness." Jer. 23:6. That righteousness, the same that is in the holy law, is given freely by God’s grace to those who believe. "But now apart from the law a righteousness of God hath been manifested, being witnessed [testified to] by the law and the prophets; even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ unto all them that believe; for there is no distinction." Rom. 3:21, 22, Revised Version. Christ is the way; through him all—anyone—may enter the path of life.

Humility.

But to receive Christ, we must renounce self. "Whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple." Luke 14:33. There is no distinction here. God will give righteousness and life to all without distinction; but he requires absolute surrender of all that we have without distinction. It matters not what our financial standing is in the world; it makes no difference what our education is, our social status, our moral influence, what our friends may think of us, or how the world may estimate us,—all must be renounced, given up, surrendered to the Lord Jesus Christ, who bought us. This is hard to do. It requires humility—a low opinion of one’s self—to yield up all,—the deeds over which one has boasted, the "virtues" which his friends have lauded, the wealth he has earned, "the moral character" he has built, all worldly ambitions and pleasures and passions. But this must be done—“to humble thyself to walk with thy God.”

Looking to Christ.

The easier way to be humble is to look upon Christ,—his holiness, greatness, majesty, glory, wealth, love. How ineffably glorious he is; how mean and insignificant are we! It is not hard to regard self as lowly while looking upon him. Isaiah caught a sight of his glory, and cried, "Woe is me; for I am undone." Daniel looked upon him, and all his "comeliness was turned" "into corruption." Paul saw him, weighed all his wealth of nation, reputation, and character, and cried: "What things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord; for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ." This is true humility. God takes such an one to himself, places his feet upon the rock; and establishes his goings. "For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones." Isa. 57:15.

Walking with God.

What a blessed place! What choice companionship! Every cross is made a blessing, every burden a strength, every cloud reveals the covenant token, every trial reveals his presence. What matters the loss of earthly reputation, wealth, power, companionship? We have all in him. His story never grows old. His words of life ever cheer and encourage. His hand, outstretched to help our faltering feet, never wearies. Fountains of life spring up beside the desert path. The shadow of the great rock stretches athwart the weary way. Its cleft side hides us from the raging storm. At the end of the path is life, immortality, abundance of peace, and pleasure forever more. Blessed way.

Who would not walk therein? Blessed Comrade, Helper, Life Giver. Who would not choose him?

"HEALING THE HURT."

By Editor

The Christian Statesman of some time ago has an editorial article on "Healing the Hurt Slightly." It says:—

The complaint of the prophet against the methods proposed by the statesmen of Israel for restoring national prosperity was that they did not go to the root of the trouble.

Among the sore evils which demand radical remedies the Statesman places drunkenness and Sabbath desecration, and it makes the nation the great transgressor in both.

With this we have no fault to find. The Statesman declares that "the government has compelled the railroads by its mail contracts to drive the iron wheels of traffic over the fourth commandment." The government has done that, but it has not done it in the way stated by the Statesman. The fourth commandment of God's law requires the observance of the seventh day of the week. It is upon this day above all others that the business world is a busy world. Even the Statesman dates its own paper as the day of publication upon the Sabbath of the Lord.

Now the only true way to heal the injury is to get to the very root of the matter. The way Israel of old endeavored to heal the hurt was to call on Egypt for help. The Statesman is pursuing just the same course. It is calling on the civil government as its chief physician to heal the hurt of the nation. As of old it will seek for peace but will find none. The only true Sabbath reform is a reform according to the law of God. To substitute another day for the day which God himself has given, is placing the one who so substitutes it above God. It is saying that God's law is defective, and the change which it proposes to make is better. In fact, it is making the law of God support that which the law does not require. It makes the law of truth a law of falsehood. The Statesman says:—

God is angry with us. His hand is upon us. We do not believe it will be removed until we truly and humbly repent of our sins and turn to righteousness. Oh, that we were wise, that we understood these things!

And we say, Oh, that the Statesman and its readers were simple enough to take God at his word, and humbly repent of their sins against his holy law! Then they would be truly wise in his wisdom. They would then certainly find a basis for the true Sabbath of the Lord which was eternal and sure. They would find a Sabbath which could not lose any portion of its sanctity by anything which man could do, and they would find in the Lord of the Sabbath all the help that was needed without calling upon the civil government to take its place.

VARIANCE BETWEEN BELIEVERS AND UNBELIEVERS.

By Ellen G. White

CHRIST is the way, the truth, and the life. He says, "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me." Christ is drawing all unto himself, but all do not respond to his drawing. If all men would respond to his drawing, there would be no variance, no discordant note in the household. If all would respond to his drawing, he would never have said: "Think not that I am come to send peace on the earth; I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a man's foes shall be they of his own household." Some respond to the drawing of Christ. The truth convicts them, and they repent, become converted, and are made the children of God. They reverence and love Jesus Christ, and surrender themselves in obedience to his will. In Christ they find the highest realization of their hopes. In him the troubled soul finds rest and peace. He stands before the repenting, pardoned soul as the complete Pattern, and they seek to be like him, acknowledging to all that they have given their hearts to him.

But while one member of the family gives his heart to God, the others do not. They are still under the control of the Saviour's worst enemy, and they feel annoyed and angry that there has come to be a division in their household. He who has accepted of Christ is no less dutiful than before; on the contrary, he is more kind, more faithful, more affectionate, because his nature is being purified and sanctified and ennobled by the truth. But the Master of the Christian and the master of the unbelievers are in deadly conflict. Those who love not God are at enmity with those who do love God, and they are stirred up with bitter opposition by the

spirit of Satan, who keeps them from responding to the drawing of Christ. Satan deceives the soul with false pretensions. He perverts the judgment, and misleads the mind, so that the very best motives of those who believe in God are misinterpreted by unbelievers, and the disloyal are led to think that they are badly used and treated unkindly by those who have placed their trust in God. Christ is the believer's hope and consolation, the one about whom he weaves the best affections. The Christian confesses Christ in word and deed, in spirit and actions, and the enmity that is created in the unbelieving heart against the children of God is not against men simply, but against Christ.

Christ longs to give those who do not understand him, correct views of his character, to set them right, to take away their burden of sin and resistance, and give them rest. The divine Comforter is full of pity, sympathy, and love, and seeks to woo them to God. He seeks to direct their attention to Christ as he really is, full of mercy, compassion, and pardoning love, willing to forgive their transgression and sin, when they repent and seek him for forgiveness. But Satan interposes his hellish shadow between Christ and the soul. The sinner sees not Jesus, but fastens his gaze upon the cloud of darkness, and desires not the Lord of life and glory. He does not realize that Jesus alone can give him peace and rest, and quiet the tempest that Satan has created in the human soul, and so he does not come unto him. Under the dark cloud of impenitence, sinners are in a state of insanity. They will not listen to reason, and Jesus, their best Friend, is accounted as an enemy, and those who believe in him are also placed in the same light. Such is the power of the deceiver, who whispers his suggestions in the ear of the unbeliever, that Paul asks, "Who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth?" Truth has everything commendable in it, yet many are making the sad mistake of rejecting the truth, which would bring to them peace, rest, and salvation. The Holy Spirit comes early and often with the message of salvation to the impenitent heart, only to be rejected.

The conflict goes on in many homes, and those who serve Jesus are misjudged and persecuted, when their hearts are breaking with longing that their unconverted relatives and friends may be converted to the Jesus whom they see and love. They are pleading earnestly with God that their loved ones may be drawn to him, when the hearts of their relatives are bound as with iron fetters to Satan's car, and they are asking, as did Pharaoh, "Who is the Lord, that I should obey his voice?" They cherish pride, envy, and hatred, and are continually creating contention, because some of their family love Jesus and they do not. Jesus, full of grace and truth, again and again has knocked at the door of their hearts, and has asked for admission there; but they have padlocked the door, and refused to receive him. The happiness of the members of the family who have accepted Jesus amazes and exasperates them, until, like Cain, they would raise their hand to destroy them. "The brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child."

Christ, the Sun of Righteousness, came to shed his bright beams into every home. To those who receive the light of life, it is as a savor of life unto life, but those who reject it, find it a savor of death unto death. Whatever we do, and wherever we may be, we are God's property, and we can never cease to be responsible to him. He has given us faculties, privileges, and opportunities, and he holds us responsible for the use to which we put his intrusted gifts. If we take this responsibility, and meet the requirements of God as we should, we shall be constituted the light of the world, because Christ is formed within, the hope of glory.

Jesus says: "He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it; and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it." The words that Christ addressed to his disciples were addressed to us as well as to them. We have presented before us the unwearied conflict that we must wage on this earth as long as time shall last. We can place no person before Christ in our affections. If a person who has been convicted by the Spirit of God smothers his convictions, and continues to trample underfoot the commandments of the Lord, and rejects the truth of God simply because he sees it will bring disunion into the family relations, he shows that he loves the peace that is not of Christ, but of the world. He prefers to be in harmony with the world rather than to be in unity with Christ. But to have the peace of Christ it is necessary to place Christ and his service first. Those who yield their convictions of truth to please father or mother, sister or brother, husband or wife or children, prove themselves unworthy of Christ. They do not estimate his excellency. They view him not as the Son of God, whom the Father gave for the sins of the world, in order that they might not perish, but have everlasting life; and therefore they shun the cross. But there is a cross to be lifted by everyone who by faith accepts a crucified and risen Saviour.

He who is truly penitent does not forget his past sins, and grow careless about them as soon as he has obtained forgiveness. On the contrary, the clearer the evidence he has of divine favor, the more he sees to regret in his past life of sin. He loathes, abhors, and condemns himself, and is more and more astonished that he should have continued in rebellion so long. He renews his repentance toward God, while he grasps more decidedly the hand of Jesus Christ, and finds that repentance is a daily, continued exercise, lasting until mortality is swallowed up of life. He who thus repents, appreciates the righteousness of Christ as above silver and gold, above every earthly tie and affection.

No soul can take an advance step in the path cast up for the ransomed of the Lord to walk in, without obtaining fresh supplies from the Fountain of grace and truth. Where enmity exists between man and Satan, it is an enmity that has been put there by the Lord Jesus Christ; for fallen men and fallen angels are naturally in harmony. Both stand on the same platform, and are nourished by the same atmosphere. Both are evil through apostasy from God. The enmity that exists in the natural heart is made manifest when a soul leaves the ranks of apostasy and joins the army of the Lord Jesus Christ. When a soul is truly converted to God, it will be made manifest that evil men are in league with evil angels, in a desperate companionship.

The announcement that there should be enmity between Satan and the seed of the woman was very unwelcome to the prince of evil; for it was the promise of a Redeemer. Satan thought to induce men, as he had angels, to stand on his side, and join in rebellion against God; and, with men as his allies, he planned to control the earth, and wage war against the King of heaven.

Whenever a soul falls in love with Jesus, every other affection is placed is subservience to this pure, refining principle of heavenly love. Pride, passion, and ambition, which have held sway over the natural heart, are surrendered to Jesus Christ. With Paul, the converted soul can say: "But what things were gain to me those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord; for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ."

The world's Redeemer was scorned as a deceiver, hunted down as a malefactor; and shall those who become the servants of Christ expect to be treated any better than was their Lord? If they work the works of Christ, friends and relatives will rise up against them. They will persecute, forsake, and betray them. Let the believer not become discouraged because of the things he must suffer. Let his only anxiety be that hatred be kindled against him for no other reason than that of faithfulness in the discharge of his duty for Christ's sake. The true child of God will say, I know I have to do with God, who trieth the heart, and hath pleasure in uprightness. I will set the Lord ever before me, and follow in the footsteps of Jesus.

The Union That "Must Be."

By Editor

In the Forum for last June, Monsignor J. W. Farley, vicar general of the diocese of New York, discusses the taxation of church property. Of course he is against it; all Roman Catholics are; to them the State is but the servant of the Church, and should always submissively so act. He says, "The union of Church and State is a bugbear in America, for the simple reason that not one in a thousand knows its meaning;" and that is literally true; and from the very fact that they do not know its meaning they do not know how to prevent it. The simple fact is we have literally a union of Church and State in many of our State governments to-day, and we have the inceptive steps in our national government. Of course the full-fledged control of the State by the church we have not as yet. M. Farley suggests that when it comes we will know it. But only those will know its coming who know what union with Christ Jesus truly means; and to know its coming is the important thing. Rome has always posed as not in favor of the union of Church and State in this country. But this claim belies all her past history. After saying that there is no such thing now, M. Farley continues:—

In the meantime there must be always in existence in the very least such a union of action between Church and State as exists in this country. Both Church and State are concerned with the one individual, the citizen. They cannot be separate if they would. It is unavoidable that the church, if it be of any use whatever, shall help the State; is there any solid reason why the State should not help the church at least in the minor matter of making and keeping the citizen a moral and loyal creature?

This union which M. Farley says must exist is but the beginning of the complete union which lies just before. Yes, all will know it when it comes; but the important thing now is to know that it is coming, and be prepared—to foresee the evil and hide in God. The quotation above is characteristic of Rome's craft, by which she destroys many.

Cleanliness and Disease

Cleanliness and Disease.—Under "English Notes," by James Payne, in the Independent of August 9, is an incidental reference to the plague which has been ravaging Hongkong, China, and the dangers of infection. When the plague was raging in London two centuries ago, it is said that at Ramsey, in Huntingdonshire, no less than 400 persons died of the plague, introduced by means of a piece of cloth ordered from London for the making of a gentleman's coat. The disease was brought over in the winter of 1664 in some Levant goods, but was arrested until spring by the severe cold. As the spring opened, the virulence of the disease increased. Houses were shut up in increased numbers, with the fatal red cross over their door, and the piteous inscription, "Lord, have mercy upon us." People who were obliged to go to market took the meat off the hooks with their own hands on their own account and dropped the money into a pan of vinegar on account of the butcher. What is stated as a curious fact is that, although 100,000 persons perished of the plague in London, the parish of St. John the Evangelist, in Watling Street, remained wholly exempt from the infection. It evidently was cleanly. One of the great means for such results is absolute cleanliness.

FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH.

By Mrs. L. D. Avery-Stuttle

BY MRS. L. D. AVERY-STUTTLE.

FROM strength to strength so let me go; Life's future days I would not know— Or dark or light—'tis one to me, While the upholding Hand I see; He knoweth whether storm or sun Shall ripe the grains; His will be done.

From strength to strength; thus, I am told, Sages have walked in days of old, It was not theirs to question why The road that led them to the sky Was sore beset on every side By adverse fate, by wind and tide.

It was not theirs, nor is it mine, To murmur, question, or repine. Nay, but from strength to strength I'll go To battle with the wily foe, For I shall conquer him at length If I but go from strength to strength.

And when the tasks of life are done, Like weary child at set of sun I'll lay me down in sweet repose, Nor trembling though the tempest blows; I'll hide me from earth's rude alarms, Safe in the everlasting arms.

THE CLEANSING OF THE SANCTUARY.

By Elder M. H. Brown

BY ELDER M. H. BROWN.

ONCE a year, on the great day of atonement, the priest entered the most holy place for the cleansing of the sanctuary. The work there performed completed the yearly round of ministration.

“On the day of atonement two kids of the goats were brought to the door of the tabernacle, and lots were cast upon them, ‘one lot for the Lord, and the other lot for the scapegoat.’ The goat upon which the first lot fell was to be slain as a sin offering for the people. And the priest was to bring his blood within the veil and sprinkle it upon the mercy seat. ‘And he shall make an atonement for the holy place, because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions in all their sins; and so shall he do for the tabernacle of the congregation, that remaineth among them in the midst of their uncleanness.’ Lev. 16:16.

“And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat and shall send him away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness; and the goat shall bear upon him all their iniquities unto a land not inhabited.” Not until the goat had been thus sent away did the people regard themselves as freed from the burden of their sins. Every man was to afflict his soul while the

work of atonement was going forward. All business was laid aside, and the whole congregation of Israel spent the day in solemn humiliation before God, with prayer, fasting, and deep searching of heart.

“Important truths concerning the atonement were taught the people by this yearly service. In the sin offerings presented during the year, a substitute had been accepted in the sinner’s stead; but the blood of the victim had not made full atonement for the sin. It had only provided a means by which the sin was transferred to the sanctuary. By the offering of blood the sinner acknowledged the authority of the law, confessed the guilt of his transgression, and expressed his faith in Him who was to take away the sin of the world; but he was not entirely released from the condemnation of the law. On the day of atonement the high priest, having taken an offering for the congregation, went into the most holy place with the blood, and sprinkled it upon the mercy seat, above the tables of the law. Thus the claims of the law which demanded the life of the sinner were satisfied. Then, in the character of mediator, the priest took the sins upon himself, and, leaving the sanctuary, he bore with him the burden of Israel’s guilt. At the door of the tabernacle he laid his hands upon the head of the scapegoat, and confessed over him ‘all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat.’ Lev. 16:21. And as the goat bearing these sins was sent away, they were with him regarded as forever separated from the people.”—Patriarchs and Prophets.

This work of cleansing the sanctuary on the day of atonement,—the tenth day of the seventh month,—was the conclusion of the yearly round of service. It was the special service which completed the work of the year. Thus a remembrance of sins was made every year (Heb. 10:1-4), and each year’s service was complete in itself, closing with the day of atonement, which always came on the tenth day of the seventh month, the seventh month corresponding nearly with October of our year.

We are not to understand that the sanctuary service in the type was effectual in itself in removing sin and saving the sinner, “for it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.” Heb. 10:1-4; 9:9, 10. The repentant sinner was saved then, as now, by faith in Christ, “the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” John 1:29. His sacrifice on Calvary and his priestly service in the sanctuary and true tabernacle are all sufficient to cleanse from sin and secure eternal redemption for those who believe in him. Heb. 9:11-14; 10:5-14.

The sinner who saw by faith the Lamb of God represented by the sacrifices and offerings which were brought to the sanctuary, was blessed of God and saved from sin. This result came because of faith in Christ and his work, and not because of any merit or saving power in the typical service of the earthly sanctuary. The type was designed to lead the mind and direct the faith to Christ and his work as the Saviour of sinners, to him who died for our sins, and is now our Advocate in the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands. Heb. 9:11, 12. By means of the tabernacle and its service in the former dispensation the people of God were taught concerning Christ and his work; and as the “things which were written aforetime were written for our learning,” the Lord would have us learn from them in regard to the tabernacle in heaven and the service of our High Priest.

HOW SHALL I RETURN?

By G. S. Honeywell

BY G. S. HONEYWELL.

“The ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” Isa. 35: 10.

“Even from the days of your fathers ye have gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?” Mal. 3: 7.

I well remember, when but a small boy, the first time I left home to remain away for a considerable length of time, that I was taken suddenly ill. Doubtless many of my readers have shared with me the same trying experience, and may know how wretched was my condition. I was homesick. It was midsummer, and I had gone to assist a farmer during the busy season for one month. The distance from home was only three miles, but I did not find my new home as pleasant as I had expected; and I had been there but a very brief period until I began to realize that I was sick.

The malady developed so fast that by the middle of the afternoon it became apparent to my employer and myself that there was but one remedy that could “reach the case” and “cure the disease,” for the “whole head was sick and the whole heart faint.”

Finally I resolved what I would do. I arose, and said, “I will go to my father’s house.” Home seemed never so precious before. But in my delirium I lost my way, and my sorrow and sighing were suddenly turned into bitter wailing. In the anguish of my soul I sought relief and guidance from everyone I might chance to meet by the way. But, alas! each one only seemed to mock my grief, by directing me in the opposite direction from which, to my mind, relief must come. I was completely “turned round.” The most familiar places seemed strange to me. After many admonitions and entreaties from those whom I met in the way, and who could understand my lost condition, I was led to believe what I could not understand, and in due time I found through belief in the many concurrent witnesses the dearest spot to me on earth,—home.

I am fully persuaded that there are many people to-day in a similar condition spiritually to my boyhood experience. They have wandered from their Father’s house, and are homesick and bewildered, and would gladly learn the way back. They find themselves in a strange country, hedged in and surrounded on every hand by sin. And the word of the Lord comes to them, “Even from the days of your fathers ye have gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them.” Yes, a great many sins are of ancient origin. They date back into the remote history of the past; and our fathers have caused us to believe that they are sanctioned by divine authority. But the Lord, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined upon the bulwarks of superstition and error, and many find themselves on the side of the enemies of the cross of Christ, and they inquire, “Wherein shall I return.” Oh, that someone would acquaint me with the path of my wanderings, that I might return by faithful obedience unto all the requirements of God, is the sincere prayer of many a homesick soul.

For the benefit of all those who are inquiring after truth I will go back into the history of the past to the apostolic church, a “peculiar people,” of blameless deportment and unswerving faith, shining with such a steady and penetrating light as to become a potent disturber of the sinner’s peace. Persecuted for righteousness’ sake, they stood, “fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners.” “But as persecutions ceased and Christianity entered the courts and palaces of kings, she laid aside the humble simplicity of Christ and his apostles for the pomp and pride of pagan priests and rulers; and in the place of the requirements of God she substituted human theories and traditions,” as follows:—

Leaving the humble simplicity of Christ, she compromised with paganism.
Allegiance to the bishop of Rome.
She cast out the Lord Jesus Christ, to enthrone the pope in his stead.
Treating the word of God with indifference and contempt.
Accusing its defenders as heretics.
Forbidding the reading or possession of the Scriptures.
So changing the law of God that it might conform to their false claims.
Establishing the idolatrous worship of images by a decree.
Making Sunday a festival of the resurrection, and the Sabbath (Saturday) a fast day.
Making Sunday observance a divine institution.
The union of Church and State. The penalty death for nonconformity.
Faith transferred from Christ to the pope.
The substitution of works for faith.
The claim of perfection for the church thus corrupted.
The introduction of the doctrine to the inherent immortality of the soul.
Praying to the dead and the worship of Mary.
The doctrine of eternal torment.
The doctrine of purgatory.
The doctrine of indulgences.
The doctrine of transubstantiation.
The doctrine of the inquisition.
The indorsement of all past wickedness by the reaffirming of the infallibility of the pope in 1870.

Yes, this beautiful virgin daughter of Zion, the apostolic church at Rome, so corrupted her ways by substituting the wisdom of the world for the wisdom of God, as revealed in his word, that she fell—“fell like a snowflake from heaven to hell.” And the apostle John, looking down the stream of time in prophetic vision, beheld this once glorious Church of Rome supported by a scarlet-colored beast (the civil power), full of names of blasphemy. And the Lord writes upon her forehead, “MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.” Rev. 17: 3-5.

“How shall I return?”—Return with humility of heart to the word of God. The time has come when everyone should search the Bible carefully and prayerfully, that he may know whether or not he is standing on the sure foundation—the word of God. No other foundation will stand the great storm that is about to break upon all the inhabitants of the earth. “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” If we choose his ways and forsake our own, we “shall go out with

joy, and be led forth with peace.” Then shall ye know the Lord, whom to know aright is life everlasting.

43 Bond Street, N. Y. City.

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