THE dearth of vital Christian experience comes from the fact that we are only trying to imitate, or mimic, the actions of Jesus without learning to be like him. The secret of Christian doing is found in Christlike being.
Jesus went about doing good because he was good; he was great for what he was, and not for what he did. The motive that prompted his great works was love for lost men and women. He was intensely active because he loved profoundly. The benefits of his life and mission among men cannot be measured by the miracles performed, but by what he was then, and is now, to lost men and women. Many would gladly do the wonderful works of Christ, who are not willing to be what he was. He, the Son of man, becomes the greatest of the sons of men because he became the servant of all mankind. It is the spirit of service that ought to permeate the church of God and operate through it to the world.
The church is in danger of allowing the organic part of its activities to absorb much talent and energy that ought to be trained and turned into the direct current of world service. Organization is only a means to an end, but it is easy to make it both the means and the end. The end of all church organization is to bring the gospel in touch with lost men and women. Any part of the organization or its activities which is not effective to this end, is not only surplus, but detrimental to the true mission of the church. Much Christian activity and energy is absorbed in maintaining the machinery of the organization. Many churches are admirably organized, but their activities rotate in a circle within the organization itself, without coming in vital touch with the needs of the world at large.
We need to get a larger view of Jesus Christ. We need to show men and women lost in sin what he is to them, and what he can do for them. Our lives ought to be an object lesson of what Christ can do and is willing to do for human beings. If, by living example, men and women get a true conception of what Jesus really is: if the simplicity and grandeur of his person and character are revealed through his followers; if his great mission to the world is made plain, lost souls will surely be drawn to him to do him homage. But the personal touch must be an essential element in all our service, just as it was in all Christ’s work. We must be continuously in personal touch with God, and constantly in contact with the needy world.
To place emphasis on the idea of Christian being does not lessen the importance of Christian activity. It is only by being truly Christlike that our activities become indeed Christian. Christian doing is an inherent quality of Christian being, just as truly as physical activity is an essential manifestation of animal life. We are bound to work out what Christ is working within. The wise man expresses this thought in the admonition, “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Prov. 4:23.
The relation between good works and salvation is well expressed in a Latin proverb which says that good works are “regula retributionis, sed non causa mercedis.” The idea of this proverb is that good works are the measuring rule of our reward, but not the causal ground of our salvation. Each man will be rewarded according to his works, but be saved by faith through the grace of God.
Algeria.
Changed into His Image
By Ellen G. White
MRS. E. G. WHITE
(Review and Herald, April 28, 1891)
SIN-BURDENED, struggling souls, Jesus in his glorified humanity has ascended into the heavens to make intercession for us. “For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace.” We should be continually looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith; for by beholding him we shall be changed into his image, our character will be made like his. We should rejoice that all judgment is given to the Son, because in his humanity he has become acquainted with all the difficulties that beset humanity.
To be sanctified is to become a partaker of the divine nature, catching the spirit and mind of Jesus, ever learning in the school of Christ. “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory even as of the Lord the Spirit.” It is impossible for any of us by our own power or our own efforts to work this change in ourselves. It is the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, which Jesus said he would send into the world, that changes our character into the image of Christ; and when this is accomplished, we reflect, as in a mirror, the glory of the Lord. That is, the character of the one who thus beholds Christ is so like his that one looking at him sees Christ’s own character shining out as from a mirror. Imperceptibly to ourselves, we are changed day by day from our own ways and will into the ways and will of Christ, into the loveliness of his character. Thus we grow up into Christ, and unconsciously reflect his image.
Professed Christians keep altogether too near the lowlands of the earth. Their eyes are trained to see only commonplace things, and their minds dwell upon the things their eyes behold. Their religious experience is often shallow and unsatisfying, and their words are light and valueless. How can such reflect the image of Christ? How can they send forth the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness into all the dark places of the earth? To be a Christian is to be Christlike.
Enoch kept the Lord ever before him, and the inspired Word says that he “walked with God.” He made Christ his constant companion. He was in the world, and performed his duties to the world; but he was ever under the influence of Jesus. He reflected Christ’s character, exhibiting the same qualities in goodness, mercy, tender compassion, sympathy, forbearance, meekness, humility, and love. His association with Christ day by day transformed him into the image of him with whom he was so intimately connected. Day by day he was growing away from his own way into Christ’s way, the heavenly, the divine, in his thoughts and feelings. He was constantly inquiring, “Is this the way of the Lord?” His was a constant growth, and he had fellowship with the Father and the Son. This is genuine sanctification.
Many who claim to be sanctified become boisterous, passionate, and wholly unlike Christ in words and deportment, if their will is crossed. These show that they are not what they claim to be. The more closely one views Christ, the less disposed will he be to make high claims to holiness. He will have a humble opinion of himself and of his own goodness, but Christ will be revealed in his character.
Christ said, “It is expedient for you that I go away.” No one could then have any preference because of his location or personal contact with Christ. The Saviour would be accessible to all alike, spiritually, and in this sense he would be nearer to us all than if he had not ascended on high. Now all may be equally favored by beholding him and reflecting his character. The eye of faith sees him ever present, in all his goodness, grace, forbearance, courtesy, and love, those spiritual and divine attributes. And as we behold, we are changed into his likeness.8
Christ is soon coming in the clouds of heaven, and we must be prepared to meet him, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing. We are now to accept the invitation of Christ. He says, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” The words of Christ to Nicodemus are of practical value to us today: “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.”
The converting power of God must be upon our hearts. We must study the life of Christ, and imitate the divine Pattern. We must dwell upon the perfection of his character, and be changed into his image. No one will enter the kingdom of God unless his passions are subdued, unless his will is brought into captivity to the will of Christ.
Heaven is free from all sin, from all defilement and impurity; and if we would live in its atmosphere, if we would behold the glory of Christ, we must be pure in heart, perfect in character through his grace and righteousness. We must not be taken up with pleasure and amusement, but be fitting up for the glorious mansions Christ has gone to prepare for us. If we are faithful, seeking to bless others, patient in well-doing, at his coming Christ will crown us with glory, honor, and immortality.
Prophecy reveals the fact that we are nearing the end of all things, and the people of God are to be the light of the world. In character and life we are to make manifest the requirement of God in humanity; and in order to do this we must gather up the rays of divine light from the Bible, and let them shine forth to those who are in darkness. Christ must abide in our hearts by faith, that we may know and teach the way to heaven. “And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever.”
Christ is soon coming in glory, and when his majesty is revealed, the world will wish that they had his favor. At that time we shall all desire a place in the mansions of heaven; but those who do not confess Christ now in word, in life, in character, cannot expect that he will confess them then before his Father and the holy angels. By those who have denied him, the cry will be raised, even to the mountains, “Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: for the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?” O, how happy will those be who have made themselves ready for the marriage supper of the Lamb, who are robed in the righteousness of Christ, and reflect his lovely image! They will have on the pure white linen which is the righteousness of the saints, and Christ will lead them by the side of living waters; God will wipe away all tears from their eyes, and they will have the life that runs parallel with the life of God.
Lift Up Your Heads
By Worthie Harris Holden
WORTHIE HARRIS HOLDEN
LIFT up your heads, O Israel,
With dauntless purpose true!
Thy victory and conquest tell
Thy courage to renew.
Lift up your heads, the prize is near,
The city gates descry;
The radiant King will soon appear
To lead to thrones on high.
Salvation treads its conquering way
Joy-crowned with hopes fulfilled,
For swiftly dawns the triumph day
When foes fore’er are stifled.
Its Heavenly Mediation
By J. O. CORLISS
The Atonement — No. 5
Its Heavenly Mediation
J. O. CORLISS
The recognition of the fact that the atonement is an effort to bring man into oneness with God is of itself a tacit acknowledgment of the need of a mediator. The definition of “mediator” is, “One who interposes between parties at variance in order to reconcile them.” So then a mediator is not of one party alone, but he is an intermediary between two or more parties, in each of which he has deep and abiding interest. Gal. 3:20. The fall of man from his first estate, from being in the image of God, to the desperate condition of an object marred by sin and in deadly conflict with heavenly righteousness, was the loudest summons possible for some friend of both to intercede for reconciliation.
Circumstances and considerations made it impossible for any but One to fill this position of mediator between God and man. This one must be armed with all the authority of Jehovah, and carry to the undertaking all the love and tenderness of a father for a greatly beloved but rebellious child. Creative power must be his also, in order to re-create the man into the image of God, and thus restore his lost estate of divineness. 2 Cor. 5:17; Eph. 2:10. He must have eternal endurance in order to bestow endless life on those who might believe in his calling. Heb. 7:25. Again, he must not only be a “priest,” or minister, but he must also be a high priest, or minister, over all the house of God. Heb. 8:1.
This Mediator must know the will of God toward men. As it is God’s will that all men be saved (1 Tim. 2:4), the Mediator must put forth every possible effort to redeem those who are willing to be restored to the everlasting likeness of Jehovah, according to the terms of God’s everlasting covenant. In order to meet the needs of those to be saved, he must take on himself the form of man, that he may be able to call them “brethren.” Heb. 2:11, 14. There could therefore be but One able to fill the requirements of the place of mediator, to restore man to his lost sonship in God. This one is the only begotten Son of God, the Lord Jesus, who gave himself a ransom for all, so tasted death “for every man” (Heb. 2:9), in order to perform his part of the work covered by the expressed will of God. 1 Tim. 2:4-6.
It will be noticed that the scripture last referred to calls him the “man Christ Jesus.” The expression is in accordance with the Saviour’s own mode of speech during his earthly ministry. In the fifth chapter of John’s Gospel is a record of the condemnation of Christ by the Jews, because, they said, he, being a man, had made himself equal with God. Verse 18. In justification of himself the Saviour, while maintaining his Sonship with God, said that his Father had not only given him power to heal, but that heavenly authority to execute judgment had also been given him “because he is the Son of man.” John 5:27.
This was virtually to say that unless he had been made in the “likeness of sinful flesh” (Rom. 8:3), and had experienced all the struggles of humanity, he could not have been qualified to mediate between God and man, and so pass judgment on men’s lives. More than this, he affirmed that his authority covered even the resurrection of the dead, and that his voice would not only lead men in this age, but also call from the grave those that have walked with him in earth life.
Another consideration is worth noticing here to show why the Mediator between God and man is given so much authority. Every plan of whatsoever importance must be laid in conformity with certain conditions. The provision of Christ’s mediatorial position was and is the conditions named in God’s covenant with men. These are stated on this wise: “I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people. . . . I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.” Heb. 8:10-12.
It will be observed that the promises here contained are of an everlasting character. This would stamp the covenant in which they are found as everlasting in constitution. So the information comes to the Bible student that when Christ tasted death for every man, the blood offered was that of the everlasting covenant. Heb. 13:20. It was verily this covenant of which Christ became mediator, and thus obtained his excellent ministry in the at-one-ment of men with the King of kings. Heb. 8:6.
The fact that the covenant under which atonement is wrought between the finite and the Infinite is recognized as “everlasting,” is strong proof that it was available in man’s behalf from the very first. The fact of its being established by the death of Christ does not necessarily mean that it was not in existence before that time. As the blood of Christ was spilled for the sins of the whole race, the covenant must have been in force in patriarchal days, in order that its blood sacrifices might avail for sin in those days. Moreover, we are assured that Christ was a “lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” Rev. 13:8. This makes it certain that the covenant under which the sacrifice for men was made, was in existence when the world sprang forth.
Moses understood the everlasting covenant. When he grew to manhood, his faith in Christ was even stronger than his love for power, and he therefore esteemed the insults offered to the name of Christ greater riches than Egypt’s treasures. Heb. 11:24-26. His knowledge9of the saving power of Christ must have been clearly fixed, to make such a daring decision. In fact, by faith he really saw Christ the invisible, and his view of God’s Mediator gave him the strength to endure life’s trials. Verse 27.
Abraham also saw the Christ of God, and his faith led him to look for a promised city, the foundations of which are laid in the courts of glory through the mediation of the Lord Jesus. John 8: 56; Heb. 11: 10. In short, the death of Christ was to redeem from the curse of the law every son of man, so that the blessing of Abraham might be theirs, not only in this world, but in the world to come as well. Gal. 3: 13, 14.
The atonement is therefore as extensive and as uninterrupted as the necessities of a sinful race. Abel offered the blood of a lamb in token of his recognition, not only of his personal need, but of his faith in that Lamb which had been slain from the world’s foundation. Rev. 13:8. In the days of Abraham, Melchizedek was both king of Salem and priest of the most high God. His earthly pedigree has not been preserved (Heb. 7:1-3), but the order of his work has been maintained in the Lord Jesus (Heb. 6:20) while sitting on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens. Heb. 8:1.
A Successful Life
By J. M. HOPKINS
J. M. HOPKINS
What constitutes a successful life? In one sense of the word, every man is successful who achieves success in his chosen profession or vocation. Some are eminently successful as physicians and surgeons; others as jurists; others as teachers, clergymen, farmers, or tradesmen. Each profession has its successful followers. And this is all perfectly proper. No one would desire to have “Failure” or “Failed in life” inscribed on his tombstone as an epitaph. All worthy people aspire to success; all truly worthy people succeed, in some degree at least.
But is the most eminent success in life always the truest success? However successful one may be in the acquisition of wealth, fame, or position, does that constitute the highest, the noblest degree of success?
The truly successful life is that which most nearly meets the mind of God; that life, wherever and however it may be lived, that most nearly performs those duties consequent to its sphere of action. This may be in the lowly, humble walks of life. There are many isolated from the great world of whom nothing is known outside the narrow, limited circle in which their lives are passed, who are pure, true to principle and duty, kind, sympathetic, and helpful, and in every way to the very best of their knowledge and ability are meeting the claims of God and man. Upon all such God and angels look with loving approbation. A life of noble character building, of loyalty to principle, of faithfulness to duty, of kindly, loving ministration; a life that hungers and thirsts after righteousness, that grasps eternity in its result,—such a life is successful.
Elder C. A. Pedicord, of the Minnesota Conference, very generously gave me the following beautiful selection by some unknown author, at our State camp meeting last summer:—
“Filled His Place”
“It wasn't much of a place he filled,
But he tilled and plowed, and he plowed and
tilled,
While the greatest cause for his soul's unrest
Was a fear that he wouldn't do his best;
So he smiled at his work and went ahead
With a tuneful heart and a Christian grace.
It wasn't much of a place he filled,
But he filled his place.”
“The hands that they folded yesterday
On his breast were rough and hard; but say,
What does it matter, let me ask,
If they did get rough at a humble task?
For when life gets to the very end
And Death looks up from the pallid face,
What does it matter the place you filled,
If you filled your place?”
“I fancy the joy of Paradise,
When it's given out, will cause some surprise;
For the greatest will fall, or I'm no seer,
To those that did simple duties here,
To the man who smiled as he went ahead,
With a tuneful heart and a Christian grace.
Though it wasn't much of a place he filled,
If he filled his place.”
I have thanked God a hundred times for those blessed lines, for I am one of the many who have not much of a place to fill. So I may be able the more appropriately and tenderly to say to all my lowly brethren and sisters, Though it may not be much of a place God has called us to fill, let us faithfully fill our respective places in life. You know that the dear Father knows all about our heart's deep yearnings to do his will, to walk hand in hand with our divine Leader. This is success in its deepest, truest sense.
Roseburg, Oregon.
Camp Meetings and Long Sermons
By C. P. WHITFORD
C. P. WHITFORD
AFTER an experience of forty years in attending Seventh-day Adventist camp meetings, and in observing the general effect of long sermons upon the public mind, I am profoundly convinced that such sermons are detrimental to the best interests of the meetings. With this conviction fastened upon me, I feel it my religious duty to invite my brethren in the ministry to give this matter their serious consideration. If I can judge correctly from conversations I have had with our own people, and with the people of the world who have attended our meetings, there are but few persons who can listen attentively to a sermon of more than fifty minutes in length without becoming weary and wishing in their hearts that the minister would close his discourse. That which is said after the people become weary, fails to reach the heart; and under such circumstances not only accomplishes no good, but works positive harm. But some one may say, “It can work no harm, even though it may do no good.” I believe long sermons do harm because, when the mind becomes weary, it relaxes, and as a result of what has previously been said is forgotten, and the extent of forgetfulness is the measure of the harm done.
It is not unusual to see persons go away from meeting when it has continued more than one hour. I have known ministers to be so thoroughly absorbed in the presentation of their subject that they would not notice it if half the congregation left them. Others realize that the people are getting weary because they are being held longer than the allotted time, but having a few more thoughts to present which they regard as very important for the people to consider in connection with what has already been said, and wishing to encourage the congregation to give attention for a few more minutes, they say, “I will read just one more text, and then I will leave the subject with you.”
Just recently at one of our camp meetings I heard something of this kind. But after reading the one text, other texts came to his mind which were too important to pass by; and their importance in the mind of the minister seemed to justify him in reading them, and not only in reading them, but the nature of the texts was such that he felt it important to make extended explanations.
The servant of the Lord has spoken very plainly to Seventh-day Adventist ministers concerning the time which should be occupied in preaching a sermon. It may be that some of our ministering brethren have not noticed what is said in “Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. II, page 117, concerning this question. It reads as follows: “In most cases our ministers should not continue their efforts longer than one hour. They should leave preliminaries, and come to the subject at once, and should study to close the discourse while the interest is greatest. They should not continue the effort until their hearers desire them to cease speaking.”
It is the opinion of the writer, and many others, that if sermons were not longer than fifty minutes, more satisfactory results would be seen in hall and tent efforts, and at camp meetings. Were our ministers to close their sermons while the interest is greatest, the attendance and interest in all our gatherings would be increased, and better results would be seen.
The Fiery Furnace and Daniel’s Den
“The fiery furnace is the only safe place for the soul that God wants there, and if the Daniel stuff is in you, you will not shun the den nor close the windows.”
A Parent’s Commandment
“MY son, keep thy father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother: bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck.”
The Most Profitable Experience
“THE best track for you is the one you are anxious to dodge, and the most profitable experience is the painful one from which you are shrinking.”
A Year's Progress in the Philippines
By J. E. FULTON
J. E. FULTON
A LITTLE more than a year ago the writer, in company with Pastors Daniells, Porter, and Salisbury, visited the Philippines, and we, together with the local workers, laid plans for the work in this interesting field. At that time a printing office and its equipment and a training school seemed essential. Recently it was the writer's privilege to make another brief visit there, and see the progress made.
About five acres of excellent land in a good location near Manila has been purchased at a cost of $6,500, and the printing office, at a cost of $2,000, is practically finished, and is now occupied. This building is seventy-five feet long, and forty-three feet wide at the front end, where the editors' and manager's offices are located, and thirty-three feet wide in rear for the main factory. The building has good side lights and skylights, and is well ventilated.
The head printer's cottage, costing $1,500, is completed, and occupied by Brother R. Wallace and his family, of Australia, who have now been several months in charge of the publishing work. They are getting on well, and enjoy their work.
It is proposed to erect the schoolhouse near the buildings already finished. This is greatly needed, for there are many young people who have accepted the truth, and they ought to be trained.
Considering the urgency of their regular work from day to day, we think our laborers in the Philippines who have superintended these enterprises during the past year have done more than could be expected. The buildings are neat and convenient, and reflect credit on our work.
Other Marks of Progress
During 1915 there were 237 baptized, and Pastor Finster reports about 135 for the first quarter of 1916. The greater number of these are from San Pablo, a town fifty miles from Manila, where one of our native evangelists is having good success, as many as one thousand people attending the meetings.
The book sales during 1915 amounted to $12,300; the books being all printed on a little job press. What God has done through his servants in the book work is certainly encouraging.
Brother Robert Caldwell, our veteran canvasser of the Far East, is back from his furlough in Australia, fresh for his work again. He is having excellent success.
Needs of the Work
With a work so promising and doors opening in all parts of the islands, more help is urgently needed, and can be used to good advantage. Nowhere can more encouraging results be obtained. Does it not seem criminal to leave large islands, with millions of inhabitants groping toward the light, and no one to lead them on the way? With results so encouraging as are obtained in the Philippines, and the urgency of the situation so great, shall not our liberality to the cause of missions be stimulated as never before?
Hilo, Hawaii
By Mrs. Mabel McKeague
MRS. MABEL McKEAGUE
ELDER F. H. CONWAY has been with us the past few days, and greatly encouraged us by his timely counsel and help. Last Sabbath was a day long to be remembered by our Hilo company, as three, the first fruits of our labors here, were buried with their Lord in baptism. We were especially glad for the answers to prayer and for the victories gained which enabled Brother and Sister Henry to unite in this solemn ordinance, and also that Sister Ruth Yeaman, who has long known the message of truth, could take her stand definitely at this time. One of our patients gave us the use of his beach home, and all our number (eighteen), with five visitors, gathered there in the afternoon to witness the baptism. It was a beautiful place for such a service, and following the ordinance there was preaching in the house, especially for our visitors. Others will soon be ready for baptism.
MOHAMMEDAN BEGUM (LADY) OF INDIA
Sunday night a special service was held on the subject of the signs fulfilling, and was attended by several of our friends. Every member of our company is a worker, and if all continue to bring more friends to the meetings, our porch will very soon be too small for us. Our special prayer now is that the Lord will give us a church and a church school. There are at least ten children who are anxious for school privileges, and we are praying and working for a school. Since the great majority of our believers here are Hawaiians, the church bids fair to be our first really Hawaiian church in these islands.
During the week of prayer our people learned to pray for definite things, and many precious victories were gained, among both adults and children. We are glad to say that new victories are reported at each midweek meeting, which is a strength to all.
Perhaps you would be interested to know how the truth is pulling on our purse strings here in Hilo. The tithe for 1915 amounted to $261.75; the Sabbath school offerings, including the thirteenth Sabbath, to $143.45; foreign missions, from the second Sabbath offerings, to $20.65; special offerings, such as the Annual, Midsummer, and poor fund, to $49.45; making a total of $475.30 collected during the year. Then we must remember that for the first six months our membership was only four. Eighty dollars was collected for the Harvest Ingathering, and the treatment-rooms brought in $561.50, including expenses.
In my last letter I spoke of the freedom from devastating storms in the islands. Since then a storm on land and sea has been raging, of such unprecedented magnitude as to cause men's hearts to fail for fear, although no serious damage has been done. Here in our own harbor boats were unable even to anchor, and the scene presented, as we stood and watched the waves roll mountain high over the new breakwater and then on over to the beach, sweeping away a considerable stretch of railroad track, and on across the seaside park, was not unlike the pictures we had seen of floods in other parts of the world.
Turning our backs upon this angry demonstration, we looked upon one of the most sublime scenes of nature—grand old Mauna Kea Mountain covered with a thick white blanket of snow almost to her very base, and tinted with various hues by the rising sun.
We heard of several houses’ being removed by the waves, and now the windstorm is sweeping the land with the same effect. Last night and today the air has been peculiarly suffocating, and every one we meet speaks of the strange weather we are having. We try to point all to the fast fulfilling prophecies. Pray for us as never before, that we may be faithful to warn our share of these islands.
