p. 318 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 4, No. 40. (10/24/1878)

Correct Doctrine Important.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

THERE is a very marked and strong tendency in this age to what is called "Liberalism." It has come to be considered of no essential importance whether a man holds a correct doctrine or one that is not true, provided he really believes it. Character, we are told, should be the test, and not the doctrine.

I know a church that will receive members without baptism in any form, or even conversion, and whose doctrine is directly opposite to that of the church. Universalists, Restorationists, Trinitarians, Unitarians, and in fact, all kinds of theology, may come into the church, though of course, their own doctrine is preferred. Now this strikes my mind as being very contrary to the teachings of the Bible on this subject.

Sound doctrine is repeatedly spoken of as being very important. Christ warns his disciples to beware of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Saducees. Matt. 16:12. He also says, John 7:17, 'If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.' This shows that the knowledge of doctrine was esteemed important by Christ.

Of the early disciples it is said, that "they continued steadfast in the apostle's doctrine." Acts 2:42. Paul preached a form of doctrine, and thanked God that they had received it. "But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you." Rom. 6:17. Timothy, he exhorts thus: "Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus." 2 Tim. 1:13. This form of sound words was to be held fast by Timothy, and to be taught to others.

In reproving the Corinthians, Paul says, "How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine." 1 Cor. 14:26. This evil he reproves. But such a state of things may now be found in many churches of our land. Not only does it go unreproved, but in many instances it is even commended, and thought to be necessary. Paul instructed Timothy to abide at Ephesus that he might "charge some that they teach no other doctrine." 1 Tim. 1:3. Paul was careful in this matter. He knew there was importance attached to it.

Again, he exhorts that young minister, "Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine." "Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them; for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee." 1 Tim. 4:13, 16.

Again, he tells Timothy that all Scripture is profitable for doctrine. 2 Tim. 3:16. And then he tells him to "preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." Chap. 4:2-4.

To Titus he gave similar advice: "In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity." Titus 2:7. Christ said that he hated the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes. And Paul denounces a curse against any one, though he be an angel from heaven, if he should preach any other gospel. Gal. 1:8. In perfect accordance with this, again he gives his advice: "A man that is a heretic, after the first and second admonition, reject; knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself." Titus 3:10, 11. This is pretty strong language; but to the Romans he writes equally as strong against those who teach false doctrine. "Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them." Paul was afraid of men who had false doctrines, and would allow the church to have no fellowship for them. John is even more severe. He says: "Whosoever trangresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed; for he that bideth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds." 2 John 9:10, 11.

The reason why the sacred writers were so fearful of false doctrine; and condemned it so severely, and exhorted their followers to have no fellowship with those who held or taught it, manifestly was because false doctrine always leads to wrong practice. If a man holds a wrong theory he will certainly go wrong. As the telling of one falsehood leads to the telling of another, to cover that up; so the receiving of one false doctrine leads to the reception of another, and so on, till the most important doctrines of the Bible are undermined and overthrown. Correct doctrine, sound doctrine, therefore, is of great importance. Error should not be lightly regarded. We believe the judgment will prove this to be true. D. M. CANRIGHT.

Stumbling Stones.

By R. F. Cottrell

A BROTHER writes: "With shame and sorrow I have to report no progress in divine life. Still stumbling over 'visions' and 'health reform.'"

The very thing which should prove a help is a stumbling stone. Christ came as the prophets had foretold. Everything connected with his advent should have caused them to believe. These things were the evidences of the truth of the predictions of the prophets, and of the claims of Jesus as being the promised Christ. Prophets had spoken, their words were fulfilled; and the only logical conclusion was faith in Jesus. But they stumbled and fell, because of unbelief. God laid this stumbling stone in Zion; but not for the purpose of causing men to stumble, but for the very purpose of producing faith. Hence it was said, "He that believeth on him shall not be confounded."

It is just so at the present time. God has promised the spirit of prophecy as a characteristic of the remnant of the true church, the people that, under the proclamation of the last message, keep the commandments of God. Rev. 12:17, and 19:10. The exercise of the gift of prophecy, in connection with the proclamation of the warning of the third angel (Rev. 14:9-12), is one of the strongest evidences of the divinity of the work, or, in other words, that the hand of God is truly set to fulfill this all-important warning to mankind. But that which was designed to produce faith, and is the best calculated to have this effect, to unbelief becomes a cause of stumbling. By the preaching of the Heaven-sent message, men are convinced of the perpetuity and immutability of the law of God. Then they fancy that they would engage in keeping the commandments entire, were not the message encumbered with the faith that God is verily in the work. In other words, if the message was wanting in some things that were promised, they could believe and embrace it heartily. This is the logic of unbelief. Faith believes what has been promised when it comes.

And is there not need enough of health reform? and is it too small a matter for God to care for? Those who believe that the body is an essential, as well as material, part of man, should not be slow to believe that a proper care for it has a great moral and spiritual value. We believe, as a Methodist minister of my acquaintance expressed it, that if we save our souls, we shall save our bodies also. And the Scriptures also are full of this doctrine. "Your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost." "Therefore glorify God in your body." "If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are." "Let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord."

God gave the Israelites in the desert lessons in health reform, and has set them forth as our examples, or as warnings to us, 1 Cor. 10, and is it not evident that in these degenerate days he should teach us to care for our bodies, enfeebled by disobedience of physical laws, and to do what we can for them, before he gives them the finishing touch of immortality by a translation without death? It is true, he might do everything for us, which he saw fit; but did he not intend that we shall do what we can for ourselves? He might give us the products of the earth without our labor, but he has seen best that we should labor for them; and this is for our health.

Those who believe present truth in full are the ones that we should expect would make progress in the divine life. And such we see to be the fact. Those who receive the truth and act upon it without reserve, are those who are ever found at the post of duty.

Meeting in New York.

By Editor

As the programme for the day sessions of the Conference to be held in New York, October 30, 31, and November 1, 1878, the following subjects are announced: Christ's second coming: Is it personal and visible? Is it pre-millennial? The first resurrection. The rapture of the church. Times of the Gentiles. The kingdom and the church. The present age and development of antichrist. The gathering of Israel. The judgment. History of the doctrine of the pre-millennial coming of Christ. The coming of the Lord in its relation to Christian doctrine. The blessed hope as a motive to holy living and active labor.

To those approving the call of the Conference, Bishop Vail of Kansas makes the following address:—

DEAR BRETHREN IN CHRIST : When from any cause some vital doctrine of God's word has fallen into neglect or suffered contradiction and reproach it becomes the serious duty of those who hold it not only strongly and constantly to reaffirm it, but to seek by all means in their power to bring back the Lord's people to its apprehension and acceptance. The precious doctrine of Christ's second personal appearing has, we are constrained to believe, long lain under such neglect and misapprehension. In the word of God we find it holding a most conspicuous place. It is there strongly and constantly emphasized as a personal and imminent event, the great object of the church's hope, the powerful motive to holy living and watchful service, the inspiring ground of confidence and the sorrows and sins of the present evil world, the event that is to end the reign of Death, cast down Satan from his throne, and establish the kingdom of God on earth. So vital indeed is this truth represented to be that the denial of it is pointed out as one of the conspicuous signs of the apostasy of the last days. Now, while casting no word of reproach upon those who may differ from us, we cannot be insensible to the fact that there has been a sad decline in our time from the clear, vivid, ardent faith of the early church in regard to this doctrine. Very many Christians have been taught to think of the coming of Christ as equivalent to their own death; others regard it as synonymous with the gradual diffusion of Christianity. Many, satisfied with this present world, have little desire for the return of the absent Lord, while here and there are those who boldly speak of such an event as only a "fascinating dream" destined never to be realized. But while we lament all this and can but regard it as an alarming symptom of the present state of religion, it is an occasion of the profoundest gratitude that there has within the last few years been such a powerful and widespread revival of this ancient faith. Looking over the church of God in all its branches, and listening to the clear and decisive testimony that is coming up in such volumes from teachers and pastors, expositors and lay-workers, evangelists and missionaries, it can but appear to us that after the long sleep of the church the wise are at last rising up and trimming their lamps in preparation for the coming of the bridegroom. In view of these facts it has seemed desirable that those who hold to the personal pre-millennial advent of Jesus Christ, and who are "looking for that blessed hope," should meet together in conference, as our honored brethren in England have recently done, to set forth in clear terms the grounds of their hope, to give mutual encouragement in the maintenance of what they believe to be a most vital truth for the present times, and in respond to our Lord's "Behold I come quickly," to voice the answer by their prayers and hymns and testimony, "Even so, come, Lord Jesus."

Our Bible.

By Charles Haddon Spurgeon

How familiar the book is, too—I speak now as to my own feelings—as to all that concerns us! It talks about my flesh and my corruptions, and my sins, as only one that knew me could speak. It talks of my trials in the wisest way; some, I dare not tell, it knows all about. It talks about my difficulties; some would sneer at them and laugh, but this book sympathizes with them, knows my tremblings, and my fears, and my doubts, and all the storm that rages within the little world of my nature. The book has been through all my experience; somehow or other it maps it all out, and talks with me as if it were a fellow-pilgrim. It does not speak to me unpractically, and scold me, and look down upon me from an awful hight of stern perfection, as if it were an angel, and could not sympathize with fallen men; but, like the Lord whom it reveals, the book seems as if it were touched with a feeling of my infirmities, and had been tempted in all points as I am.—Spurgeon.

Questions for Self-Examination.

1. HAVE I read a portion of God's word to-day? and if so, was it hurriedly and without meditation, or reverently and with a sincere appreciation of its preciousness?

2. How did I pray to-day? Was it formally, without realizing thoughts of God, without sensible nearness to God, or without affection, favor, and confident dependence on Christ's mediation?

3. Have I been sensible of any holy motion of God's Spirit in my soul? or have I encouraged or discouraged his gracious visits?

4. Have I longed after God, panted after his manifestations to my soul, and felt that in his favor and love alone could I be happy?

5. Have I studiously repressed evil thoughts, and desired to be delivered from their intrusion? and have I made any successful assaults on my easily besetting sins?

6. Have I been guilty to-day of envy, jealousy, pride, evil-speaking, or unkind feelings? Have I returned good for evil? Has sin overcome me, or have I overcome sin?

7. Have I realized my nearness to eternity, and encouraged myself to meditate on, and to seek preparation for, death, judgment, and the coming of my Lord?

8. Have I met crosses and disappointments, wrong or slandering, with meekness and patience?

9. Have I been covetous, or have I resisted the tendency of my heart to avarice by the performance of benevolent and charitable deeds? Have I given anything to the poor, or purposed to do good to all men, as I have opportunity?

10. Have my secular avocations absorbed too much of my time and attention to-day?

11. Have I lived to God's glory, or for my own selfish ends to-day?

12. Is it a matter of consciousness with me that religion is my chief concern and the source of my greatest pleasure?

13. Have I been gentle and courteous toward my inferiors and dependents, kindly affectionate toward my equals, and respectful toward my superiors?

14. Have I spoken unadvisedly, or rashly judged others?

15. Has the world been in any way benefited by my living to-day?

16. Have I had opportunities for doing anything for Jesus, and have they been embraced? Have I spoken well of him to any perishing sinner? Have I given away a religious tract, magazine, or book, to any one, with prayer for the Spirit's blessing?

17. Have I prayed for the prosperity of the church, and the conversion of sinners, and considered all I have as given me for the promotion of the Lord's kingdom among men?

18. Have I felt with increased intensity that my only hope is in Christ?

19. Have I avoided all appearance of evil, and set a godly example before those with whom I have come in contact, fearing not man, but God.

20. In a word, have I made any advance in the divine life to-day? Ponder this, O my soul! as in the immediate presence of God.—Sel.

A Lesson for the Times.

By Ellen G. White

We are often pained as we see the little moral power possessed by the professed followers of Christ. When tempted on the point of appetite, few will firmly stand the test. Many turn from light and knowledge, and sacrifice principle to indulge their taste. They eat when they have no need of eating, and at irregular periods, because they have no moral strength to resist their inclinations. As the result of this gratification of taste, the abused stomach rebels, suffering follows, and a weary taxation of the friends of the sufferer.

Many indulge appetite at the expense of health and the powers of intellect, so that they cannot appreciate the plan of salvation. What appreciation can such ones have of the temptation of Christ in the wilderness, and of the victory he gained upon the point of appetite? It is impossible for them to have exalted views of God, and to realize the claims of his law. Many of the professed followers of Christ are forgetful of the great sacrifice made by him on their account. The Majesty of Heaven, in order to bring salvation within their reach, was smitten, bruised, and afflicted. He became a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief. In the wilderness of temptation he resisted Satan, although the tempter was clothed with the livery of heaven. Christ, although brought to great physical suffering, refused to yield a single point, notwithstanding the most flattering inducements were presented to bribe and influence him to yield his integrity. All this honor, all these riches and glory, said the deceiver, will I give thee if thou wilt only acknowledge my claims.

Could we at this time have entered the heavenly courts, and seen with what intense interest the holy angels watched the conflict of their loved Commander with the fallen foe, we should see greater significance in this long fast of Christ than it is now possible for us, with our darkened senses, to comprehend. Christ, the Commander of Heaven, was emaciated by long fasting; and his human nature fainted when the conflict was ended. The Son of God appeared to be dying from hunger and the effects of his warfare with Satan.

But angels lifted his fainting head, served him with nourishing food, and ministered unto him. Never will so severe a test be brought to bear upon man, as that which the Captain of his salvation endured before him.

There was great rejoicing and triumph in the heavenly courts that Satan, who had deceived even the heavenly angels, and drawn a third part of heaven into his rebellion, had been vanquished at every point by the Prince of Life. Hosannas rung through heaven that Christ had repulsed the fallen foe, and resisted every temptation upon the point of appetite, redeeming Adam's disgraceful failure by his own triumph.

Christ has given us an example of temperance in his own life. Where so many professed Christians fail, and are led captive by appetite and inclination, the Saviour was firm. Oh! what salvation would there now be for the race if Christ had been as weak in moral power as man? No wonder that joy filled heaven as the fallen chief left the wilderness of temptation a conquered foe. Christ has power from his Father to give his divine grace and strength to man—making it possible for us, through his name, to overcome. There are but few professed followers of Christ who choose to engage with him in the work of resisting Satan's temptations as he resisted and overcame.

Professed Christians who enjoy gatherings of gaiety, pleasure, and feasting, cannot appreciate the conflict of Christ in the wilderness. This example of their Lord in overcoming Satan is lost to them. This infinite victory which Christ achieved for them in the plan of salvation is meaningless. They have no special interest in the wonderful humiliation of our Saviour, and the anguish and sufferings he endured for sinful man, while Satan was pressing him with his manifold temptations. That scene of trial in the wilderness was the foundation of the plan of salvation, and gives to fallen man the key whereby he, in Christ's name, may overcome.

Many professed Christians look upon this portion of the life of Christ as they would upon a common warfare between two kings, and as having no special bearing upon their own life and character. Therefore, the manner of warfare, and the wonderful victory gained, have but little interest for them. Their perceptive powers are blunted by Satan's artifices, so that they cannot discern that he who afflicted Christ in the wilderness, determined to rob him of his integrity as the Son of the Infinite, is to be their own adversary to the end of time. Although he failed to overcome Christ, his power over man is not weakened. All are personally exposed to the temptations that Christ overcame; but strength is provided for them in the all-powerful name of the great Conqueror. And all must, for themselves, individually overcome. Many fall under the very same temptations wherewith Satan assailed Christ.

Although Christ gained a priceless victory in behalf of man in overcoming the temptations of Satan in the wilderness, this victory will not benefit man unless he also gains the victory on his own account.

Man now has the advantage over Adam in his warfare with Satan; for he has Adam's experience in disobedience and his consequent fall to warn him to shun his example. Man also has Christ's example in overcoming appetite and the manifold temptations of Satan, and in vanquishing the mighty foe upon every point, and coming off victor in every contest.

If man stumbles and falls under the temptations of Satan, he is without excuse; for he has the disobedience of Adam as a warning, and the life of the world's Redeemer as an example of obedience and self-denial, and the promise of Christ that "to him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame and am set down with my Father in his throne."

The great trial of Christ in the wilderness on the point of appetite was to leave man an example of self-denial. This long fast was to convict men of the sinfulness of many things in which professed Christians indulge. The victory which Christ gained in the wilderness was to show man the sinfulness of the very things in which he takes such pleasure. The salvation of man was in the balance, and to be decided by the trial of Christ in the wilderness. If Christ was a victor on the point of appetite, then there was a chance for man to overcome. If Satan gained the victory through his subtlety, man was bound by the power of appetite in chains of indulgence which he could not have moral power to break. Christ's humanity alone could never have endured this test; but his divine power, combined with humanity, gained in behalf of man an infinite victory. Our Representative in this victory raised humanity in the scale of moral value with God.

Every man born into the world with reasoning powers has the opportunity, to a great

extent, of making himself whatever he chooses to be. The blessings of this life and the blessings of the immortal life, are within his reach. He may build up a character of mental and moral worth, gaining new strength at every step in life. He may advance daily in knowledge and wisdom, conscious of new delights as he progresses, adding virtue to virtue, and grace to grace.

His faculties will improve by use, and the more wisdom he gains, the more he will be able to acquire, and his intelligence, knowledge, and virtue will thus continually increase and develop into greater strength and beauty.

On the other hand, he may allow his powers to rust out for want of use, or be perverted through evil habits, lack of self-control or of moral and religious stamina. His course then tends downward; he is disobedient to the laws of God, and to the laws of health. Appetite conquers him; inclination carries him away. It is easier for him to stand still and be dragged backward by the powers of evil, which are always active, than to struggle against them, and go forward. Dissipation, disease, and death follow. This is the history of many lives that might have been useful in the cause of God and humanity.

We are free moral agents. We may obey the law of God, and secure eternal gain and lead others into the path of right, or we may transgress the law of God, and bring the penalty of disobedience upon us. There is glory above us that we may reach; and there is an abyss of wretchedness below, into which we may plunge. It requires less exertion to consent to go backward and downward than to urge our way forward through every obstacle. Thus many go down through inaction, who might be bright and shining lights.

—Mrs. E. G. White, in Health Reformer.

Cast Thy Bread on the Waters.

Be not faithless! With the morn Scatter abroad thy grain; At noontide faint not thou, forlorn, At evening sow again! Blessed are they, whate'er betide, Who thus all waters sow beside! Thou knowest not which seed will grow, Or which may die, or live; In faith and hope and patience, sow! The increase God shall give, According to his gracious will. As best his purpose may fulfill. -Sel.

Extracts From Letters.

By Editor

THE following extracts are from letters to the SIGNS OF THE TIMES and to the Oakland Vigilant Missionary Society:—

W. D. K. writes: "Through the goodness of some kind friend I find myself the receiver of your valuable paper. And as a believer in the second advent of our Lord I have been watching the fulfillment of the signs that were to precede his coming; so it is with interest that I peruse the columns of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES. I thank the Lord for the light that I have received on his blessed word. My prayer is, Lord give me understanding, and a heart to do thy will at all times and places. The Sabbath is one of the many plain truths of the Bible; we need not the help of commentators to convince us of its validity; for the law says that the seventh day is the Sabbath; yet there are but few that are willing to bear the cross, and I fear but few will wear the crown. I believe the coming of the Lord is not far in the future. The signs of deliverance are seen all around us. And I must add that I think your paper is a faithful observer of the times; and hope it will be extensively circulated through the land."

S. A. H. writes: "I believe the seventh day is the day to be kept sacred, and I am keeping it; though I have never heard a sermon on the subject, and have never had acquaintance with any one who believed in and kept the Sabbath. But I have a Bible that tells me to remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy."

F. A. R. writes from Lakeville, Connecticut: "Please send me back numbers of the SIGNS. We read with pleasure Elder White's writings. We give out all our papers as soon as we have studied them through. Some of its readers begin to acknowledge that the seventh day is the Sabbath."

A lady in London, England, writes: "I have received several copies of the SIGNS, and am extremely thankful for them. I have read them and thought over them and am perfectly satisfied that the whole teachings of this paper is to fix the mind upon things above. Once more I thank you for sending them, and shall be obliged to you if you will continue to send them. Please to let me have the price list of your papers and books."

A gentleman writes from Mississippi: "I have been receiving copies of your paper addressed to me at Mashulaville and forwarded to Webster. Your theory is new to me and those living in these parts. I am deeply interested and promise my sincere attention, and will be much obliged to you if you will change the address so that I may get all the numbers."

Another writes: "I am quite sure you are right on the Sabbath question, and, although alone, have commenced keeping the fourth commandment. I am seeking to know the truth and hope for divine assistance. A friend living a few miles away recently expressed an earnest desire to know the truth in regard to the change in the Sabbath. I wish you would send her some reading matter to throw light on this subject."

Another says: "I write to acknowledge the receipt of your publications, and to say we will read carefully and prayerfully all you may send, and then pass them into the hands of our friends and neighbors. Our minds are not settled on the Sabbath question, but we are going to search diligently for the truth."

A lady writes from Iowa: "I have received four copies of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES for which accept thanks. I like the principles of the paper, but am too poor to subscribe for it. I am an invalid and have a consumptive husband and son. I have for forty years searched the Bible for proof that the Sabbath was abolished, and till I find it I must believe the law remains as at first."

Another writes from British Columbia: "Have received three copies of the SIGNS, which we like very much. We are lending them to our neighbors. We inclose one dollar's worth of American stamps for six month's subscription for the SIGNS."

Other extracts might be given, but these are sufficient to show the interest taken in the SIGNS, and will be an encouragement to our tract and missionary workers.

"Without Me ye Can Do Nothing." John 15 : 5.

By N. O.

THIS language of the Saviour has a broad application—covers the whole ground of present duty. We can do nothing without him. We must abide in him, and have him abide in us. To insure this, we must be faithful in the discharge of every duty. We must not be men and women of one idea, unless that "idea" be to stand complete in all the will of God, "always abounding in the work of the Lord," in all its branches. Each day, each hour, brings its work, and to that work applies the language of Christ above quoted.

And is there not danger that we may fail, at times, to take this comprehensive view of the great work before us? We may not conclude that, by contributing of our means to support the cause, we are released from the obligation to exemplify the truth in our lives, and so let our light shine; or that, by engaging in the important work of distributing publications, we shall be justified in the neglect of other duties, equally important and obligatory. This last-mentioned work should be engaged in with ardor and zeal; but that zeal should be according to knowledge, a knowledge that shall impress our minds with the importance of gathering every ray of light, improving every means of grace, discharging every duty. And we must engage in this work, as well as in the discharge of all other duties, with a sense of our entire dependence upon God, and the necessity of his blessing, to insure success. Paul may plant, Apollos may water, but neither can give the increase. None but our heavenly Father can insure the fruitful harvest. We must be in a position where our influence will gather with Christ, where, in answer to prayer, the Lord will bless our efforts, where he will work with us, and where, in humility, with grateful hearts, we may ascribe to him all the glory resulting from the effort.

We should consider ourselves released from no branch of the work that has heretofore devolved upon us. Our personal efforts to overcome must be pressed with all the powers of our being. We must have clean hands and pure hearts. We must offer our "bodies a living sacrifice"—have our whole beings purified, elevated, refined, and finally sanctified by, and through the truth, that we may be able to "worship him in spirit and in truth." Those who, without this earnest, individual work, think to labor effectually and successfully in the tract and missionary field, evidently have made a grave mistake. And this work can only be accomplished by faithful, patient, continued effort—by persistent labor in all the branches of the cause, relying upon God for help, while we avail ourselves of every aid he has placed within our reach.

We should not shrink from labor and hardship. Exercise gives strength. In helping others, we help ourselves. While we carry the light to them, it shines with increasing luster on our path. The more we do for God and his cause, the larger measure of his blessing we shall enjoy. And every effort, thus put forth, will aid, in the strength and experience gained, to fit us for a larger measure of usefulness for time to come.

Then while we gladly, earnestly, lay hold of this branch of the great and closing work, let us ever remember that it is but a part of the great whole. Let us never relax our efforts where we have labored or can labor for God and the truth. But rather let us accept his work as another aid to help us to develop a character and an experience that shall fit us to labor more successfully in the Master's service. Bearing in mind always that our individual interests are inseparably connected with the interests of the cause, taking hold of this branch of the work, in the strength of the Lord, with a determined purpose to succeed, working in harmony with the plan and "purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will," we cannot fail.—N. O.

Trust.

By A. S. N.

The Christian has no difficulty in exercising faith, and trust, when his sky is serene and cloudless, when there is no storm to fill his mind with doubt and fear. How strong he then feels, how secure. He feels that Satan can have no power over him. But let the scene change, let clouds arise, and the tempest burst upon him, and how soon, like sinking Peter, he cries out in dismay. Alas! all gone, and he feels indeed powerless. But we must all stand the test of bitter trial. Jesus loves the hopeful trusting child. Why is it so hard to trust him entirely, fully. If he so loved the world that he gave his life for us, is he not mindful of all our woes, and will he suffer any ill to befall us that is not for our good? We may feel that if we could only control our own circumstances, we could make all just as it should be, and if we suffered, the fault would all be in somebody else, but how shall we be purified, made white, and tried, if it is not through suffering? Jesus knows just what we need, and he will suffer nothing to befall his humble, trusting followers, only what is for the best. No trial, no matter of what nature, will he permit us to pass through unless we need it. Then why not trust the dear Saviour, who is so kind, so full of mercy and pity, toward us. We want submission to the will of Christ. Here is the great difficulty. The natural heart does not feel willing to suffer. It rebels against trial. But what does rebellion cost? Only more bitter scourging. Oh! if we can only get our feet planted upon the rock of faith, take hold of the promises of God, and believe that he is leading us safely through storm as well as sunshine, that his will is our will, then it will be easy living. This is the only way to secure peace of mind and perfect rest. Jesus will give us this faith if we plead for it. He has bid us ask, that we may receive, that our joy may be full. He takes no pleasure in the repining, distrusting, disbelieving soul. He wants entire trust; withhold it not from him, poor, doubting child. Our leader is sure to conquer, then do not fear or tremble. Only let us cast ourselves into the blessed arms of Jesus and we are safe. Nothing can hurt us, nothing destroy.

He who the end from beginning can tell, Works for thy good, for he doeth all well. This that prepares for the mansions of rest, Ever remember is all for the best.

A. S. N.

The Righter of Wrongs.

Lo! where are God's judgments for sinning, And what are the wages for shame? She is pampered with gold and fine linen, She hath laughter and joy at beginning, And afterward riches and fame. By my vengeance that never knows sleeping, By the terrible wrath of my rod, I will bring down her beauty with weeping, Saith the Lord God.

She is fair as the earth after showers, When the spring and the summer first meet; She is queen of all seasons and hours, She is crowned with a crown of glad flowers, And princes have knelt at her feet. With tears and sharp anguish hereafter Shall my wine-press of anger be trod, When for glory she reaps scorn and laughter. Saith the Lord God,

One is walking, and no man doth heed her, In the silent by-ways of the earth; She is hungry, yet no man doth feed her; She is weary, yet no man doth lead her; She is small and accounted no worth. She is walking with weeping and fasting, In the same weary way that He trod. I will crown her with joy everlasting, Saith the Lord God.

The world and its pleasures turn from her, And no man shall weep when she dies; She lacks glory, and worship and honor, No beauty hath God placed upon her. To kindle the light in men's eyes. Look up, all the bonds will I sever, That bound thee so close to the sod, Thou shalt rest in my bosom forever, Saith the Lord God. -Sel.

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