Review and Herald, Vol. 87, No. 49. (12/8/1910)

Review and Herald

Dec 8, 1910

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 8, 1910

Japan's Appeal

By F. H. DeHimny

F. H. DeHimny

JAPAN with her thousands of temples and shrines; her millions of souls under bondage of darkness and death; bowing down to her idols, yet thinking to do service to God; knowing nothing of her need of a Saviour, sends up an appeal to Heaven that must make angels weep. Heaven is pledged to send light and truth; but how can light come, except some one filled with the love of souls bring it? How can the light-bearers come, except they be sent? May every prayer offered in sincerity upon these heathen altars reach the ear of Heaven; and, tempered with a Father's mercy, quickened by the Spirit's power, fall like a benediction upon willing hearts, who will respond to the appeals for help from souls perishing without hope in this great heathen land beyond the seas.

Tokyo.

Lessons from the Lives of Great Men

At the final reckoning day, the great men will not be those whose names have been emblazoned upon the pages of history, or whose ambitions have enabled them to hew their way to fame and fortune through fields of carnage, but the real heroes will be those who have fought their way to victory in the service of the Master.

Nothing is more inspiring than the reading of biography. These lives of great leaders should be read by every one. We have but a limited number in stock.

“John Williams,” by Rev. James J. Ellis; “Two Noble Lives,” by David J. Deane; “John Knox,” by G. Barnett Smith; “Robert Morrison,” by Wm. John Townsend; “James Hannington,” by Charles D. Michael; “David Livingstone,” by A. Montefiore-Brice, F. R. G. S.; “Robert Moffat,” by David J. Deane; “The Canal Boy Who Became President,” by Frederic T. Gammon; “Samuel Crowther,” by Jesse Page; “William Carey,” by John Brown Myers; “Florence Nightingale,” by Eliza F. Pollard.

Bound in cloth, about 150 pages each; price, post-paid, 60 cents a volume.

Fireside Sketches of Scenery and Travel

One of the most interesting books for children and young people. Contains 140 illustrations of plants, animals, countries, and peoples. A vast amount of information on geography and history, and the customs and habits of the peoples of various lands, is given in this book in a most interesting way. A splendid gift-book. Only a few copies on hand.

Price ............................ $ .50

Sunbeams of Health and Temperance

An instructive account of the health habits of all nations, with interesting information on all subjects relating to health and temperance, affording both entertainment and instruction for young and old. It is nicely illustrated, and contains several three-colored plates.

Cloth, plain ........................ $ .75

Cloth, gilt .......................... 1.00

Review and Herald Publishing Association

Takoma Park Station Washington, D. C.

Greetings From Afar

By J. R. CAMPBELL.

NORTHWEST RHODESIA.—We join heartily in the world-wide greetings. The battle is on, and the strongholds of the enemy in the Dark Continent are being attacked. We are sure of the outcome, but we must have more consecrated men, more money, and the united prayers of God's people.

J. R. CAMPBELL.

How Lay Members May Help

By Ellen G. White

(Concluded)

MRS. E. G. WHITE

Children to Be Missionaries

Children can be acceptable missionary workers in the home and in the church. God desires them to be taught that they are in this world for useful service, not merely for play. In the home they can be trained to do missionary work that will prepare them for wider spheres of usefulness. Parents, help your children to fulfil God's purpose for them. Train them to be an honor to the One who died to gain for them eternal life in the kingdom of glory. Teach them that God has a part for them in his great work. The Lord will bless them as they work for him: They can be his helping hand. As they do their work in the home with fidelity, learning to be burden-bearers, they are working with Christ for the formation of Christlike characters.

Let parents and children work earnestly to help others. Those whom they help will be led by their example to help still others. Thus the good work will deepen and broaden. Higher education is that education which leads men and women to be laborers together with God, practising self-denial and self-sacrifice. Those with such an education will be acknowledged by God in the heavenly courts, in the presence of Christ and the angels.

Willing to Spend and Be Spent

Every true servant of God is willing to spend and be spent for the sake of others. “He that loveth his life shall lose it,” Christ says; “and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.” By earnest efforts to help wherever help is needed, he shows his love for God and his fellow beings. He may lose his life in service; but when Christ comes to gather his jewels to himself, he will find it again.

God has provided for every one pleasure that may be enjoyed by rich and poor alike,—the pleasure found in cultivating pureness of thought and unselfishness of action, the pleasure that comes from speaking sympathizing words and doing kindly deeds. In order to find this pleasure, it is not necessary to have a supply of ready money. Through those who perform such service, the light of Christ shines to brighten lives darkened by many shadows.

Christ draws aside the veil that conceals from our view the glory of God, and reveals him, not in a state of silence and idleness, but surrounded by ten thousand times ten thousands of the heavenly host, every one awaiting his orders, waiting to reveal the God of heaven in communication with every part of his kingdom. The Lord is bound up with the interests of the human family. He listens to every cry of oppression, observes every individual action, approving every deed of mercy and condemning every act of oppression. He sets his angels at work to relieve the oppressed, the discouraged, the suffering. He sends his message of mercy to tempted ones. He gives men opportunities to acknowledge him, that he may teach them how to withstand the evil of the world, and perfect Christlike characters.

There must be no pretense in the lives of those who have so sacred and solemn a message as we have been given to bear. The world is watching Seventh-day Adventists, because it knows something of their beliefs and of the high standard they have; and when it sees those who do not live up to their profession, it

points at them with scorn. God's people should now make mighty intercession to him for help. It is the privilege of every believer, first to talk with God, and then, as God's mouthpiece, to talk with others. In order that we may have something to impart, we must daily receive light and blessing. Men and women who commune with God, who have an abiding Christ, who co-operate with holy angels, are needed at this time. The cause needs those who have power to draw with Christ, power to express the love of God. With wonderful, ennobling grace the Lord sanctifies the humble petitioner, giving him power to perform the most difficult duties. All that is undertaken is done as to the Lord, and this elevates and sanctifies the lowliest calling. It invests with new dignity every word and act, and links the humblest worker, the poorest of God's servants, with the highest of the angels in the heavenly courts.

Work in Fukien Province

By W. C. Hankins

FUKIEN PROVINCE, CHINA.—Greetings from the land of Confucius. Yes, “now is the time” to send both men and means into this land of heathen darkness. There are seven different places where persons are keeping the Sabbath in the Swatow district, and not one foreign worker to follow up the interest. The Lord is doing his part; let us do ours. Pray for us. W. C. HANKINS.

ARMENIA

By Z. G. Baharian

I am glad to tell you that this time, in visiting Armenia, churches were open, with invitations to preach. This is a new experience. It is time to enter into the heart of this neglected Armenia. I expect in future the people will approach us with more freedom and favor, and so learn our full message. I was glad also to see the good influence of papers sent from America to native Protestant pastors. This is changing their attitude. Let us all be courageous. God is with us.

Z. G. BAHARIAN.

ABYSSINIA.—

By Anol Grundset

We are finishing the school building at Station No. 1, near the border of Abyssinia. But, brethren, this is only a small beginning. Our thoughts go out over the mountains and valleys, where lie dotted native villages with their teeming thousands. Pray that the message that has made us happy and given us hope may reach the honest-hearted in old Ethiopia. A foothold has been gained, but my message from Abyssinia's corner of dark Africa is, Respond to the call of God with your means, and help us to erect more lighthouse stations in these dark places. We can see plainly all about us that the shadows of night are fast falling. ANOL GRUNDSET.

A. N. ALLEN

By A. N. Allen

PERU.— Though we have had wars and rumors of wars, and fightings within and without, God has blessed his cause in this land of the ancient sun-worshiping Incas. Thus far thirty-four have been baptized this year, all but one coming directly from the Roman Church. A Dominican friar has just left the convent, and expects to sell our literature. A minister and his wife, formerly of Colombia, unite with us, and ask to be allowed to carry the message to unentered Colombia. Recently in Puno, Brother F. H. Stahl, of Bolivia, and I were met by crowds of Indians carrying flags, and hundreds came out to hear the Word, coming for leagues over the Andes Mountains and across the plains. Large numbers escorted us from one town to another, and I even preached in one Catholic church. Fifteen of these Indians were baptized. Brother Stahl asks to be relieved from the superintendency of Bolivia, in order that he and his wife may give their lives to this needy people. Drops of the latter rain are falling in Peru, the sealing work is fast closing, and we feel that we shall soon be at home.

A. N. ALLEN

J. O. CORLISS

By John O. Corliss

History of the Jewish Priesthood—No. 2

J. O. CORLISS

The Favored Tribe of Levi

It is altogether probable that the principal reason for choosing the tribe of Levi to bear the responsibilities of the priesthood, was that Moses and Aaron, the leaders of the whole people, were of that tribe. Tribal relations of that time did not cement the people as closely as more modern nationalities have adhered; hence the influence of the leaders would be more sure to sway the nation if it could be directed through the tribe of which they were members.

There is perhaps another ground for conferring moral pre-eminence upon the tribe of Levi, and this is the earnest zeal with which “all the sons of Levi” rallied about Moses, to slay the worshipers of the golden calf. So intensely did they espouse the cause of their great leader, that their eyes spared no guilty soul. They slew neighbor and brother, so that “about three thousand men” paid the penalty of their unwarranted course. Ex. 32:26-28; Deut. 33:8-11.

The Levites were naturally a warrior race. Of the head of that tribe it was said that instruments of cruelty were in his habitation; his anger was fierce, and his wrath cruel. Gen. 49:5-7. Associated with his brother Simeon, he ruthlessly slew the defenseless Shechemites, and robbed them of their wealth of sheep, oxen, and asses, and even carried away their wives and children into captivity. Gen. 34:25-29. Probably it was to this event that Jacob referred when he said of the two, “O my soul, come not thou into their secret; unto their assembly, mine honor, be not thou united.” Gen. 49:6.

This manifestation of indomitable will perhaps entered as a factor in determining the choice of the tribe of Levi to act the leading part to which they were so many times called. At any rate, their subsequent history shows that the same invincible determination, and that without remorse, uniformly attended their movements.

When Zimri, a prince of the house of Simeon, boldly brought into camp a wife from the chief house of Midian, Phineas, the grandson of Aaron, immediately set upon them, and thrust them through with his javelin.

It would almost seem that this sort of sentry service was the method by which the pedigree of Abraham’s seed was to be preserved, and the Levites were chosen for the place because of their distinguished valor. At least we find this act of Phineas highly commended, and the assurance given that because of it a “covenant of peace” was proclaimed for the seed of Aaron, as a promise that theirs should be an “everlasting priesthood.” Num. 25:11-13.

But we can not think that the severe methods adopted by these Levitical priests were in the original design of their calling. Their consecration to office would give the idea that theirs was intended to be a typical service of the love of God, and the sacrifice of Christ for the redemption of sinners. The first prince of the house of Levi, and chief priest of the nation, was Aaron, whose badge of authority was the budding almond staff. Num. 17:8. He, as well as all the inferior priests, was subjected to a peculiar service, which was the sign of consecration for every faculty of their bodies.

Together they were brought before Moses, where a ram was offered for a burnt-offering. This having been done with appropriate ceremony, another ram was brought forward, upon the head of which the incipient priests laid their hands. Moses then killed the victim, and with the blood, touched the right ear-tip, the right-hand thumb, and the great toe of the right foot of each one. This touch of blood to the principal members of each individual person signified that these were henceforth dedicated to the service of the Most High.

The “right” ear, representing both organs of hearing, was thus consecrated to hear and comprehend all that God might speak. The right-hand thumb was made to represent the service of both hands. These, being in this manner set apart, were always to be ready for the performance of what had been received through the ears. Likewise were the feet consecrated to run upon errands made known by the voice of Jehovah.

This, however, was but the closing part of the service which consecrated Aaron and his sons to the priesthood. Prior to this blood anointing, the priests had been thoroughly cleansed in water, then clad in the beautiful garments specially prepared for the purpose. Aaron’s robe bore significant badges not shown on the garments of his sons. The high priest’s equipment carried a breastplate, which supported the urim and thummim. His head also was adorned with a miter not worn by the under-priests.

The official garments of all the priests were, however, of a pure white linen, which was to indicate the purity of their priestly character and work. The probable reason for the selection of such conspicuous garments, also the significance of the ephod and the breastplate, must be reserved to be told in another paper.

Mountain View, Cal.

Bible Reading on the Sanctuary

By Mrs. S. N. Haskell

(Concluded)

MRS. S. N. HASKELL

1. LEV. 16: 29-34. In the typical service on the tenth day of the seventh month each year, the service was performed in the second apartment. The object of this service was to cleanse the people of Israel from all their “sins before the Lord.” Only sins that had been transferred in type and shadow to the sanctuary,—or, in other words, had been forgiven through the merits of the great Sin-offering, of which all the sin-offerings were a type,—could be cleansed or removed by the blood of the Lord’s goat on the day of atonement. This typified the service that must take place near the close of the work in the heavenly sanctuary. The blood of the Lord’s goat, slain on the day of atonement, did not remove the sins from the people; it removed the sins from the sanctuary. The sins were removed from the people (in type) by the blood of the sin-offerings slain during the year. The blood of the Lord’s goat typified the blotting out of the sins from the books of heaven after they were forgiven, or the work of the judgment.

2. Num. 29: 7-11. While the blood of every offering typified the blood of Christ, the work was so infinite that it took many offerings to represent the complete work wrought by the blood of Christ. The blood of the Lord’s goat on the day of atonement removed all confessed sins, and typified the wonderful work of Christ, finally blotting forever every sin of the righteous from the books of heaven. The day of atonement represented a period of years; and as the blood of the Lord’s goat removed only confessed sins from the sanctuary, sin-offerings were offered by sinners on the day of atonement as well as on other days.

3. Lev. 16: 18-20. The last work of the high priest in the sanctuary on the day of atonement was to pause in the first apartment, and touch the horns of the golden altar with the blood. An article in “Early Writings” describes this same scene: “Jesus tarried a moment in the outer apartment of the heavenly sanctuary, and the sins which had been confessed while he was in the most holy place were placed upon the head of Satan.”

4. Dan. 8: 14. This text shows us that the time set for the cleansing of the heavenly sanctuary was in 1844.

5. Dan. 7: 9, 10. The prophet was permitted to behold in vision the service that took place when the work was begun in the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary. He says, “I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit.” The reading in the Authorized Version plainly shows that the expression refers to the Oriental custom of casting down divans or mats for guests. Any one who has visited Oriental countries is acquainted with this custom; for as soon as guests enter a home, the mats or divans are cast down for them to be seated upon.

Daniel says that the “thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit,” which corresponds perfectly with the Oriental custom. The Revised Version gives a translation of the expression that corresponds more with modern customs, and reads, “I beheld till thrones were placed.” Either expression, “were placed,” or “were cast down,” shows clearly that Daniel saw a change in the position of the thrones. The position of the thrones was changed, and the Ancient of days took his seat in judgment. If God’s throne had been in the most holy place when the judgment began, Daniel’s words would be unnecessary. But Daniel says, “I beheld till the thrones were cast down.” The word beheld shows that Daniel’s attention was held till the thrones were placed; or, in other words, until a change was made, the position of the thrones changed, and the Ancient of days took his seat upon the throne in its changed position. And when the Ancient of days had taken his seat upon the throne in its new position, the judgment was set, and the books were opened.

6. Dan. 7: 13, 14. Daniel in vision saw the Son of man, or Christ our Saviour, enter the apartment where the thrones had been placed for the Ancient of days to sit upon. “I saw, . . . and behold, One like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days; and they brought him near before him.” This gives a vivid picture of Christ’s coming in before the Father to judgment. It also shows clearly that he was brought in; that in view of the mighty work which he had wrought for the sons of men, the heavenly beings bore him in triumph in before the Father. If earthly victors are often borne upon the shoulders of those who have served under them, it is not strange that the great Prince of the heavenly hosts, when he enters upon the final work of the judgment, should be borne in by the heavenly beings who have served so faithfully under his command. When we realize that this is the judgment, and that these angels no doubt had been the ministering spirits to the very ones whose cases are to come up in review in this judgment, and that Christ enters the judgment to confess the names of the faithful ones before the Father, we see that it is only fitting that he should be borne in, in state, by the heavenly hosts.

This same scene is described in a short article in “Early Writings,” “The End of the 2300 Days:” “I saw the Father rise from the throne, and in a flaming chariot go into the holy of holies within the veil, and sit down.”

Daniel speaks especially of the thrones being placed, or changed; while this writer speaks especially of the Father moving from one apartment to the other. Daniel agrees with this when he says the Ancient of days took his seat upon the throne after it was placed.

We quote from the same article again, as follows: “Then a cloudy chariot, with wheels like flaming fire, came where Jesus was. He stepped into this chariot, and was borne to the holiest, where the Father sat.” This corresponds perfectly with Daniel’s description, as given in Dan. 7: 13, 14.

Oakland, Cal.

Hopes of Heaven

By L. D. Santee

L. D. SANTEE

I HAVE heard of a land up in heaven, Of pleasures unmixed with alloy, Where rapture unending is given, And life is a bright dream of joy.

I have heard of the evergreen mountains, Where the feet of the weary may rest; Sweet valleys and murmuring fountains Are found in the home of the blest.

The darkness ne’er falls on those mountains, And the clouds never wreathe them with storm; But their brows, like fair rainbow-gilt fountains, Are lit with the splendors of morn; And those headlands gleam ever above us, Where sin enters not, and no stain, Where are waiting the angels that love us, Where death cometh not, and no pain.

The mansions in high, holy places, Will be shared with the friends that we love, And bright eyes and fair, shining faces Will welcome the weary above.

O, my heart, looking up, thrills with pleasure, As I dream of that city so fair! For there is my home and my treasure, My soul’s deepest longings are there.

Moline, Ill.

Divine Equipment for Service

By J. M. HOPKINS

J. M. HOPKINS

“SAVED to serve” is the key-note of Christian life and experience. To him who has been “born again,” who has passed “from darkness to light,” and “from the power of Satan unto God,” nothing is so dear as the advancement of Christ’s work among men. In everything it has the precedence and the preference. All enterprises have this for their first and paramount object. All worldly undertakings must be second and tributary to this. It is the one grand interest and purpose.

And in this service for our Master it is a most happy and helpful truth that none are required or expected to carry forward this stupendous work alone. Before going out into earth’s great harvest-field, our Leader requires that every laborer shall have a special preparation for his field. In the beautiful figure of the vine and the branches of John 15, Jesus said, “Without me ye can do nothing.” The divine Leader knows all about every field, every department of the work, and every means employed. And it is only he who can qualify laborers for those various stations and duties. It matters not what our station and condition in life may have been or may now be, how humble the lot or station or how lowly or menial the duty, still the worker needs the baptism of the Holy Spirit to enable him efficiently to do the work assigned.

When Jesus commissioned his disciples to preach the gospel, he gave this special charge, “Tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem until ye be endued with power from on high.” This instruction was carefully obeyed. All Bible readers know how wonderfully God poured upon his chosen instruments the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost and for many years after that time, and every attentive Bible student knows what blessed results followed. Thousands were converted. Mighty works were wrought by those Spirit-filled men, and the gospel message was heralded in power to all parts of the then known world. The Acts of the Apostles and the various epistles of the New Testament are wonderful and soul-thrilling records of the triumphant march of the Lord’s army.

That was the sowing time. Now we are living in the closing hours of earth’s history, the great ingathering of the Lord’s harvest. To-day, no less than at the sowing time, do Christ’s servants need divine equipment for the important work before them. And we bless God that every consecrated one may have this equipment, all that is required to enable every one fully to accomplish just the work God has assigned him. And praise God, the very humblest of his children may ask for and receive this divine equipment for service. Scattered everywhere are God’s dear children. In humble forest or prairie home, in city garret or palace hall, in civilized or in heathen lands, God has called men and women to himself, to service. All in their respective places have a work to do for God, and from every place it is their privilege to petition the God of heaven for just the blessing, just the wisdom, just the strength and direction, they need to carry forward the work committed to them.

“Be . . . filled with the Spirit,” is one of the divine commands, and the command is also a promise. “Be filled with all the fulness of God.” “Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ.” This is just what God desires to do for us, what he is waiting to do for every one who will surrender all to him, who will consecrate heart and life to him for service.

This is the divine equipment for service. Shall we have it, brethren and sisters? On the farm, in the shop, in the canvassing work, in the ministry—shall we have this blessed qualifying for service?

This is for every one to decide. God desires to baptize his remnant commandment-keeping people with power from on high, that they may speedily carry forward this closing work to a glorious triumph. Let us humble our hearts before our God. Let us surrender all to him; let us seek the divine equipment for service as never before; and soon the work will swell into the loud cry, and Jesus will come.

Hewitt, Minn.

Before the Decree Bring Forth

By John F. Jones

JOHN F. JONES

About 630 B. C., the prophet Zephaniah was moved by the Spirit of God to relate views of events that would take place upon the earth immediately preceding the coming of the Lord. He declared: “The great day of the Lord is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the Lord: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly. That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness, a day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities, and against the high towers. And I will bring distress upon men, that they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the Lord: and their blood shall be poured out as dust, and their flesh as the dung. Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the Lord’s wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy: for he shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land.” Zeph. 1:14-18.

In view of this, the prophet is moved to announce a gathering call in the words following: “Gather yourselves together, yea, gather together, O nation not desired.” Zeph. 2:1. There has not been, neither is there now upon the earth, a nation not desired, aside from the nation of whom it is written: “From the top of the rocks I see him, and from the hills I behold him: lo, the people shall dwell alone, and shall not be reckoned among the nations.” Num. 23:9. “For wherein shall it be known that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? is it not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth.” Ex. 33:16. “A righteous nation which keepeth the truth” is truly a nation not desired; and yet to that nation, “before the decree bring forth,” a gathering call is sounded.

The decree has been declared. Here it is: “The Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.” Ps. 2:7. What the decree will finally bring forth is made plain in the verses following: “Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron, thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel. Ps. 2:8, 9. Before this final outcome of the decree, the gathering call of the prophet Zephaniah will be heard throughout the world; yea, even now its trumpet tones are heard: “Before the decree bring forth, before the day pass as the chaff, before the fierce anger of the Lord come upon you, before the day of the Lord’s anger come upon you. Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgments; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord’s anger.” Zeph. 2:2, 3.

Seek righteousness. “My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.” Ps. 119:172. Was there ever a time in earth’s history when the attention of the people was more urgently called to the holy commandments of God and their claims upon us? and is not the grace of meekness kept before the minds of the people as a necessary qualification for an inheritance in the earth made new? O “seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord’s anger”!

There remains but little time for our gathering together, but little time for seeking the graces that are called for, and that will hide us, “when his wrath is kindled but a little.” Ps. 2:12. Come, brethren, come, sisters, there is no time for trifling with earth’s vain allurements. The Judge standeth at the door. May every heart be open to hear and heed the gathering call, and may it be truly said of us: “Here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.”

Ford’s Store, Md.

Prayer-Healing Voted Out

By K. C. Russell

K. C. RUSSELL

At a great church convention recently held in Cincinnati, Ohio, a resolution expressing faith in healing by prayer was voted down. It is a matter of regret to see great and influential denominations constantly relegating to the background the most precious and comforting truths of the Bible, especially those which have been such a consolation to the sick and suffering as has this. We are glad to know that, no matter what may be voted out by any great religious body, “the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his.”

How Satan must rejoice as he sees people carried first to one extreme, and then to the other, on the question of divine healing,—one class led astray by the deception of Christian Science and other so-called divine healers, and another by those who repudiate God’s power to heal the sick in a miraculous way. It is, however, comforting to know the blessed truth of the gospel on this question, amid the babel of voices that are seeking on every hand to confuse and deceive precious souls.

“Christ is the same compassionate physician now that he was during his earthly ministry. In him there is healing balm for every disease, restoring power for every infirmity. His disciples in this time are to pray for the sick as verily as the disciples of old prayed. And recoveries will follow; for ‘the prayer of faith shall save the sick.’ We have the Holy Spirit’s power, the calm assurance of faith, that can claim God’s promises. The Lord’s promise, ‘They shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover,’ is just as trustworthy now as in the days of the apostles. It presents the privilege of God’s children, and our faith should lay hold of all that it embraces. Christ’s servants are the channel of his working, and through them he desires to exercise his healing power. It is our work to present the sick and suffering to God in the arms of our faith. We should teach them to believe in the great Healer.”—‘Ministry of Healing,’ page 226.

Takoma Park, D. C.

Never Old Nor Worn

By A. Smith

A. SMITH

Gospel Shoes

WHEN modern conditions are read into Deut. 29:5, the text furnishes an interesting and instructive lesson for God's remnant people. It contains spiritual truth in a natural, tangible setting. Rom. 15:4. The shoes that “wax not old” are to us the gospel shoes, which, by a preparation of Bible study and prayer, every worker puts on when he goes forth to his task. Eph. 6:11. The feet of such are beautiful, because of the shoes they wear. Isa. 52:7.

Spiritual Raiment

The raiment put on by this people sixty years ago, and by individuals since then, has never become threadbare, nor lost its luster. The very friction and strain to which it has been subjected have made its divine fabric and glory more apparent. See Zech. 3:4. Reader, do you wear that heavenly apparel? Matt. 22:11, 12.

Grandville, Mich.

Faith in a Great God

A CHRISTIAN woman who was much troubled with doubts and fears, and often distressed by the disquietude of her faith, having heard of a woman of great faith, whose serenity of mind under all circumstances was in marked contrast with her own, determined to visit her. Having made the necessary journey, she was surprised to be confronted with an unpretending, modest, and humble disciple of the Lord, who, when asked, “Are you the woman of great faith?” replied, “I am not a woman of great faith, but I have faith in a great God.” Faith must be centered in the right object, God. The supporting power of one’s faith in God will be in proportion to his knowledge and love of God.—Selected.

Hope Maketh Not Ashamed

By Worthie Harris Holden

WORTHIE HARRIS HOLDEN

Hope maketh not ashamed! Thrice blessed hope! It opes for us the gates of glory, where Celestial beauty waits, beyond compare; All radiant appears that city fair In vision through faith’s mighty telescope.

Hope maketh not ashamed! The King enthroned Doth for his Son a banquet now prepare, And we are chosen guests to enter there, Arrayed in royal garb,—a vestment rare, Meet for the children he hath borne and owned.

Hope maketh not ashamed! Haste to proclaim Allegiance to the King of kings on high. Unfurl a loyal banner to the sky, Bearing aloft his seal and signet nigh, In honor to thine own redemption’s name.

Ah, if thou find still lurking in thy breast One jot or tittle of a nameless dread To show thy colors, or to pass unsaid One chance to own thy Lord, O pray instead That God in mercy spare thee to confess!

Know then the joy of grievous sin forgiven,— Yearning with ardent hope his face to see Whose gracious love is not ashamed of thee,— And afterward the glorious ecstasy To be exalted to the bliss of heaven.

Portland, Ore.

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