Earlier text: Our Publishing WorkThe Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollar Fund
By C. M. S.
For Special Work at Home and Abroad
A CONFERENCE paper dated December 28 reports one church to have paid its full quota of the fund. It was a small church, and a new one too, having been organized only a year and a half. Equal promptness by every church would have closed the matter with the close of the year. Let this new church be an example and an incentive to those longer established, that the blessings pronounced upon the liberal soul may be shared by all throughout the denomination. We have had many calls—we shall have more. It is one of the indications of the close of the work. When we “give till we feel it,” we shall see that the cause feels it also. The response of the cause to our liberality will cause our hearts to rejoice. The promptness of the church above referred to is an indication of the warmth of its “first love.” Let us bend willing shoulders to the burden. In so doing we shall find that we ourselves are being lifted by it. Although we may not be able to give the whole amount as quickly as we would desire, yet let us remember that our faithfulness in this matter is of great value in the sight of God. Persistent, continuous effort will accomplish the work. C. M. S. Young People’s Rally in Chicago
By Pearl Hallock
WHEN the Lord sees that we are growing a little sleepy, a little careless, he sometimes arouses us with a blow or shock. The last one we received was that $150,000 was to be raised before the new year. As soon as we recovered from the shock, and looked the matter earnestly in the face, we discovered that God was holding a wonderful blessing right above our heads, anxious to let it shower down upon us, but could not because we were too sleepy and indifferent to appreciate it. ’Tis only work that brings the blessing down. Knowing this, and that ofttimes the older ones do the work, thus getting the blessing, we thought it time for the younger ones to bear their share of this burden, and receive their share in the blessing. After counseling with our workers here, a Young People’s Rally was planned. The program was to consist of short papers or talks on each one of the fields that were to receive a part of the $150,000, each paper and talk to be given by our young people. We also secured the services of Mr. Brown, a young man from the West Indies, and Mr. Hall, a young man from England, who gave us some added information regarding their countries. Other young people had the responsibility of the musical part of the program, which consisted of special missionary songs. Each part was performed in an excellent manner, and at the close of the program, when all hearts were stirred with the needs of these fields, we asked how many would be willing to dispose of one of our books during the coming week, and let all proceeds go to the fund. The book, the “Bible Readings” was chosen for older ones, “Gospel Primer” for younger ones. Thirty copies were taken. The experience meeting that followed the next Sabbath was most interesting. More copies were taken at this meeting. One hundred copies of The Signs of the Times were ordered, also some copies of Life and Health. This is only the beginning of our effort, but already we see fifty dollars as a result of one week’s work. Would not other Young People’s Societies like to try this? The blessing exceeds the work. PEARL HALLOCK. The $150,000 Fund
By I. H. Evans
ENCOURAGING letters are coming from different persons from almost every part of the field, regarding the raising of the $150,000 fund. One brother writes:— BRETHREN: Our little company at this point (about thirteen in number) has raised thirty dollars on the $150,000 fund, and more is to follow before January 1. I want to tell you for the encouragement of others how one brother got his donation. He has only one leg, and is quite deaf and very poor. Another brother had on hand three hundred copies of an old date of The Watchman. These he gave him for a start. With these he canvassed the town, and succeeded in selling nearly all (and some books and copies of the special Watchman too), and made a donation of five dollars to this fund. The president of one of our conferences also writes:— The work of raising the $150,000 fund is moving forward among the brethren of this conference. I can not tell you the exact amount that has reached our office. One of our ministers writes like this: “With one church the donation was $182, with another it was $35, with another $15.” Another minister writes: “The companies I visited were all small and very poor. Those not having funds at the present time desired to make pledges, and a goodly sum has been pledged. The amounts I will forward a little later.” The president of one of our Southern conferences writes:— We are trying to push the work of raising the $150,000 fund in our conference. We have been trying to pay an old tent fund debt, and raise the money to get new tents. There are also some other funds that we must raise. So our people are pretty well drained, and it is not a favorable time to raise this fund. But we are doing our best, and while we shall not start out as briskly as some, we will keep it going until the amount is raised. And so, from nearly every direction, we are receiving encouraging letters, both from individuals and from conference workers who are pushing with vigor the raising of this fund. We believe that a fund has never been taken hold of with greater earnestness and vigor by all our people throughout the field than the $150,000 fund. Everywhere the workers seem to be of good courage, and are doing their best to bring this work to a speedy conclusion. The Scriptures a Safeguard
By Ellen G. White
Many a portion of scripture which learned men pronounce a mystery, or pass over as unimportant, is full of comfort and instruction to him who has been taught in the school of Christ. One reason why many theologians have no clearer understanding of God’s Word is, they close their eyes to truths which they do not wish to practise. An understanding of Bible truth depends not so much on the power of intellect brought to the search as on the singleness of purpose, the earnest longing after righteousness. The Bible should never be studied without prayer. The Holy Spirit alone can cause us to feel the importance of those things easy to be understood, or prevent us from wresting truths difficult of comprehension. It is the office of heavenly angels to prepare the heart to so comprehend God’s Word that we shall be charmed with its beauty, admonished by its warnings, or animated and strengthened by its promises. We should make the psalmist’s petition our own: “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.” Temptations often appear irresistible because, through the neglect of prayer and the study of the Bible, the tempted one can not readily remember God’s promises and meet Satan with the Scripture weapons. But angels are round about those who are willing to be taught in divine things; and in the time of great necessity, they will bring to their remembrance the very truths which are needed. Thus “when the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him.” Jesus promised his disciples, “The Comforter, the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever I have said unto you.” But the teachings of Christ must previously have been stored in the mind, in order for the Spirit of God to bring them to our remembrance in the time of peril. “Thy word have I hid in mine heart,” said David, “that I might not sin against thee.” All who value their eternal interests should be on their guard against the inroads of skepticism. The very pillars of truth will be assailed. It is impossible to keep beyond the reach of the sarcasms and sophisms, the insidious and pestilent teachings, of modern infidelity. Satan adapts his temptations to all classes. He assails the illiterate with a jest or sneer, while he meets the educated with scientific objections and philosophical reasoning, alike calculated to excite distrust or contempt of the Scriptures. Even youth of little experience presume to insinuate doubts concerning the fundamental principles of Christianity. And this youthful infidelity, shallow as it is, has its influence. Many are thus led to jest at the faith of their fathers, and to do despite to the Spirit of grace. Many a life that promised to be an honor to God and a blessing to the world, has been blighted by the foul breath of infidelity. All who trust to the boastful decisions of human reason, and imagine that they can explain divine mysteries, and arrive at truth unaided by the wisdom of God, are entangled in the snare of Satan. We are living in the most solemn period of this world’s history. The destiny of earth’s teeming multitudes is about to be decided. Our own future well-being, and also the salvation of other souls, depends upon the course which we now pursue. We need to be guided by the Spirit of truth. Every follower of Christ should earnestly inquire, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” We need to humble ourselves before the Lord, with fasting and prayer, and to meditate much upon his Word, especially upon the scenes of the judgment. We should now seek a deep and living experience in the things of God. We have not a moment to lose. Events of vital importance are taking place around us; we are on Satan’s enchanted ground. Sleep not, sentinels of God; the foe is lurking near, ready at any moment, should you become lax and drowsy, to spring upon you and make you his prey. Many are deceived as to their true condition before God. They congratulate themselves upon the wrong acts which they do not commit, and forget to enumerate the good and noble deeds which God requires of them, but which they have neglected to perform. It is not enough that they are trees in the garden of God. They are to answer his expectations by bearing fruit. He holds them accountable for their failure to accomplish all the good which they could have done, through his grace strengthening them. In the books of heaven they are registered as cumberers of the ground. Yet the case of even this class is not utterly hopeless. With those who have slighted God’s mercy and abused his grace, the heart of long-suffering love yet pleads. “Wherefore he saith, Awake, thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, . . . redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” When the testing time shall come, those who have made God’s Word their rule of life will be revealed. In summer there is no noticeable difference between evergreens and other trees; but when the blasts of winter come, the evergreens remain unchanged, while other trees are stripped of their foliage. So the false-hearted professor may not now be distinguished from the real Christian, but the time is just upon us when the difference will be apparent. Let opposition arise, let bigotry and intolerance again bear sway, let persecution be kindled, and the half-hearted and hypocritical will waver and yield the faith; but the true Christian will stand firm as a rock, his faith stronger, his hope brighter, than in the days of prosperity. Says the psalmist: “Thy testimonies are my meditation.” “Through thy precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.” “Happy is the man that findeth wisdom.” “He shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.” The Gift of Wisdom
By Mrs. B. J. Cady
“WHEREFORE be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.” Eph. 5:17. And why should we fail to understand what the will of the Lord is, since we are told that if we lack wisdom, we may ask of God and it will be given us? There is one condition given, and that is that we “ask in faith.” Then since wisdom is such a desirable thing to have, in order that we may know how to do and say just the right things, and that our way be prospered, why is it that the children of God sometimes fail to have9that wisdom that it is their privilege to possess? Why is it that brethren sometimes think quite differently about the best methods of doing a work? If all were led by the Spirit, would they not see eye to eye? Is it not likely that while some sense their lack of wisdom, and look to the Lord for guidance, others trust in their own wisdom, and do not feel any need of asking the Lord about that matter? Providence may have led one through certain experiences which have taught him much. Another may never have passed through such experiences, or and may be quite ignorant upon those points. Now, if the Spirit of the Lord is leading both of these men, it will cause the inexperienced one to see light in the counsel of the other. Though he may not see the matter so clearly, yet both minds will be in harmony, and they will work in unison. We are told that ‘if any man think that he knoweth anything, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.’ So in order to obtain real wisdom, we must first realize that we of ourselves know nothing. ‘The heart is deceitful above all things,’ and though we may think that because of our experience we ought to know something of ourselves, we can not be sure that we are in the right unless we are constantly looking to the Lord to lead us. I believe that in order to be continually guided by the Spirit of wisdom, we must be constantly looking to the Lord, who is the source of all wisdom. And whenever any important matter is to be decided, we need to present that particular matter before God, and ask him to lead us aright, that we may take a course that will be to his name’s honor and glory. The Lord is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart, and if our motive is pure, he will grant our requests. But if we seek for wisdom simply that we may be exalted, we lack true faith, and would not use knowledge to the glory of God, if we should have it. There are two kinds of wisdom specified,—the wisdom of this world, which is foolishness with God; and the wisdom that is from above, which is ‘first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.’ The wisdom of this world is boastful and proud, full of envying and strife. But the wisdom from above is peaceable and gentle and easy to be entreated. Have we thought that we were wise? We may know the true source of our wisdom by the spirit we manifest. We can not always see at the time why a thing is best, but if we trust the Lord to lead in everything, he will surely cause all things to work together for good. If we walk in the light of God’s Word, his Spirit will bear witness with our spirit, and we shall have peace in him, knowing that we are led by his Spirit. The Lord is interested in everything that can have any effect on the welfare of mankind. Even though it may seem to us that it is too small a matter to take to him in prayer, if it could have any influence at all for good or evil, he wants that influence to be for good, and is willing to lead us aright, if we only ask him. If we take everything to him in prayer, looking to him for guidance, it will help to keep our hearts submissive to him, and he can then work through us so that every word and action will be to his glory. Then we shall gather with Christ instead of scattering abroad. How can we tell whether we are right or not? In the first place, let us go “to the law and to the testimony.” If we speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in us. The Spirit of God will never lead us contrary to his Word. But we may appear to speak in harmony with the Word, and yet be wrong. The question then is, What spirit do we manifest? If we have bitter envying and strife in our hearts, we may know that our wisdom is earthly, and not from above. Then we need to humble our hearts before God, and submit ourselves to him, that he may lead us. The words of the wise man upon this point are as appropriate now as ever they were: ‘Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.’ Prov. 3:5, 6. What possibilities there are before us! If we acknowledge the Lord in all our ways, he will direct our paths. Lead the Way
By M. E. Yergin
"Speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward." THERE'S a world awaits the action of to-day;
Many millions anxious now to know the way
From a woe too deep to tell,
From a foe they can not quell,
From the bands and thrall of hell.
Up! why wait a moment longer?
Lead the way! Mercy's hour is near its closing; soon the world
Into death's long, hopeless silence will be hurled.
Seek the children in the gates,
Where the hope of Israel waits;
On their choosing hang their fates.
Up! the soul who lingers dies. On!
Lead the way! On the battlements of heaven, in its gates,
Host on host the angel army eager waits;
Yea, the Spirit's mighty power
Waits on us a little hour;
If we linger, lost the dower;
Up! the goodly land is ours. On!
Lead the way! Lead the way. Ho! God's coworkers, lead the way!
Into darkness bring the light of heaven's day.
Just once more the storm shall roar,
A last time in fierceness pour,
Then, forever, sin is o'er.
On! Fair heaven shines before us!
Lead the way! Prayer of the Unforgiving Man.
By K. C. Russell
Let any one who is treasuring in his heart anything against his brethren and sisters in the church, or against any other person, read and ponder well the following prayer of the unforgiving man:— “Conceive an unforgiving man, with heart full of wrath against his neighbor, with a memory which treasures up the little wrongs and insults and provocations he fancies himself to have received from that neighbor; conceive such a man praying to God Most High to forgive him his debts as he forgives his debtors. What, in the mouth of such a man, do these words mean? That you may fully understand their meaning, I will turn them into a prayer, which we will call The Prayer of the Unforgiving Man: ‘O God, I have sinned against thee many times; I have been often forgetful of thy goodness: I have broken thy laws; I have committed many secret sins. Deal with me, I beseech thee, O Lord, even as I deal with my neighbor. He hath not offended me one hundredth part as much as I have offended thee, but I can not forgive him. He has been very ungrateful to me, though not a hundredth part as ungrateful as I have been to thee, yet I can not overlook such base ingratitude. Deal with me, O Lord, I beseech thee, as I deal with him. I remember and treasure up every little trifle which shows how ill he has behaved to me. Deal with me, I beseech thee, Lord, as I deal with him.’ Can anything be more shocking and horrible than such a prayer? Yet this is just the prayer the unforgiving man offers up every time he repeats the Lord’s prayer.” GEO. B. THOMPSON
By George B. Thompson
In this article we give another quotation which presents in a concise manner the teaching of Millennial Dawn concerning a second probation during a future age:— “And, as the apostle declared, this grace of God—that our Lord Jesus gave himself a ransom for all”—must be ‘testified’ to all ‘in due time.’ Rom. 5: 17-19; 1 Tim. 2: 4-6. Men, not God, have limited to the gospel age this chance or opportunity of attaining life. God, on the contrary, tells us that the gospel age is merely for the selection of the church, the royal priesthood, through whom, during a succeeding age, all others shall be brought to an accurate knowledge of the truth and granted full opportunity to secure everlasting life under the new covenant.”—“Plan of the Ages,” Vol. I, page 131. As before stated, we believe that no falsehood concerning the great plan of the ages is better suited to deceive souls than the doctrine set forth in the extract given above. Once unregenerate men are persuaded that they will have a more “favorable opportunity” in the millennial age to repent and turn away from sin, they will procrastinate the day of repentance, and continue in transgression. If it is to be more favorable later, it is reasonable that we wait. The Bible has very definitely settled the question of a future probation. It states in no ambiguous manner what will be the end of those who obey not the gospel. The feet of David once well-nigh slipped when he saw the temporal prosperity of sinners, but when he went into the sanctuary of God, he received light concerning their end, and saw how foolish he had been. A correct understanding of the sanctuary question is of vital importance in this connection. It is the hub around which every fundamental truth of God’s Word radiates. It is not to be wondered at that without the light which shines from the heavenly sanctuary men lose their reckoning and drift away from the land-marks of truth. The services connected with the earthly sanctuary were typical of the services performed in the heavenly sanctuary, and throw a clear stream of light upon the question we are studying; and those who, like David, go into the sanctuary will have light concerning the end of sinners, and will fully understand that there is no second probation for those who refuse to repent in this life. From the typical services connected with the earthly sanctuary we are clearly instructed that the work of Christ as our great high priest closes in the sanctuary above before he10comes the second time, and consequently there can be no salvation for any beyond this time. When Moses was directed to build the sanctuary, he was instructed to make it ‘according to all that I show thee, the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the furniture thereof, even so shall ye make it.’ Ex. 25: 9, A. R. V. See also verse 40. And not only was the sanctuary itself a pattern of things in the heavens, but the work of the priesthood was a type of the priesthood of Christ. The priests served as a ‘copy and shadow of the heavenly things.’ Heb. 8: 1-5. The sanctuary consisted, as all doubtless are aware, of two apartments, a holy and a most holy place. ‘The priests went always into the first tabernacle [or apartment], accomplishing the service of God.’ Heb. 9: 6. Daily throughout the whole year the services went forward in this apartment. The sinner having brought his offering and confessed over it his transgressions, it was slain, and the blood was taken by the high priest into the first apartment, thus in figure transferring his sins into the sanctuary. ‘But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people.’ Heb. 9: 7. It was necessary that the earthly sanctuary be cleansed, not from physical impurity, but from sin (verse 23), so once in the end of the year, on the tenth day of the seventh month, occurred the great day of atonement. Read Leviticus 16. On this day two goats were taken, upon which lots were cast, one for the Lord, and the other for Azazel, or Satan. The one upon whom the Lord’s lot fell having been slain, the blood was solemnly borne by the high priest into the most holy place of the sanctuary, and sprinkled before the mercy-seat, which covered the holy law of God. ‘And he shall make an atonement for the holy place, because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions in all their sins. . . . And when he had made an end of reconciling the holy place, and the tabernacle of the congregation, and the altar, he shall bring the live goat: and Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat, and shall send him away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness. And the goat shall bear upon him all their iniquities unto a land not inhabited: and he shall let go the goat in the wilderness.’ This completed the round of service, and the sanctuary was clean. This was the typical atonement (Lev. 16: 33), the at-one-ment, the reconciliation of the sinner to God. And let it be carefully noted that only those whose sins had been confessed and transferred from themselves into the sanctuary were atoned for. And what was done with those who did not avail themselves of the provisions offered throughout the year? Did they have another chance, a second probation under more “favorable opportunity”?—No, indeed. ‘For whatsoever soul it be that shall not be afflicted in that same day, he shall be cut off from among his people.’ Lev. 23: 29. So far as that round of service was concerned, his probation was ended, and his destiny fixed. All had a chance,—one chance,—and if they did not accept it, they were ‘cut off.’ All this serves unto the ‘example and shadow’ of the work of Christ, our high priest. In heaven is ‘the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.’ When Christ ascended, he entered within the veil, into the first apartment, and through the merits of his own blood the sins of all who confess and forsake them, are transferred into the holy place of the heavenly sanctuary. This, too, must be cleansed, not from physical uncleanness, but from the ‘filthiness of the flesh,’ carried into the sanctuary through confession and faith in the atoning blood of Christ. Heb. 9: 23. At the end of the twenty-three hundred days, October, 1844, this solemn work began in the heavenly sanctuary. Dan. 8: 14. ‘Once [not twice] in the end of the world hath he [Christ] appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.’ Since the end of the twenty-three hundred days, in 1844, the work of judgment has been going on, and the final round of services in the heavenly sanctuary has been carried forward. When his work there is ended, probation for the world is ended also. Only the sins which have been confessed, and through the merits of Jesus been taken into the heavenly sanctuary, can be atoned for. As in the type, those who, during this antitypical day of atonement, do not afflict their souls, will be cut off from among God’s people, and be numbered among the transgressors. The cleansing of the sanctuary, the investigative judgment, is the last work in the sanctuary, and when this is ended, Christ will lay down the censer forever, and come as King to gather home the fruit of his labor, and destroy out of his kingdom the tares of sin. Before he comes, the decree of Rev. 22: 11, 12, goes forth: ‘He that is unrighteous, let him do unrighteousness still: he that is filthy, let him be made filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him do righteousness still: and he that is holy, let him be made holy still. Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to render to each man according as his work is.’ This fiat goes forth before the Lord comes to reward his servants, and shows conclusively that his ministration as high priest is finished, and the eternal destiny of every man is irrevocably fixed. The investigation in the heavenly sanctuary is finished, and the atonement for sin has been made. ‘And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor.’ Isa. 59: 16. There comes a time when there will be no intercessor in the heavenly sanctuary, and at that time there will be no probation for the lost. We read of a time when men will ‘go with their flocks and with their herds to seek the Lord; but they shall not find him; he hath withdrawn himself from them.’ Hosea 5: 6. When there will be ‘a famine in the land, not a famine of bread nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the word of the Lord: and they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east; they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it.’ Amos 8: 11, 12. Why not give these a ‘second probation’? Ah, probation is closed, and the day of salvation is passed! The theology of Millennial Dawn has no place in it for a fulfilment of these scriptures. There is a line somewhere in this age when the destiny of sinners is fixed. There is nothing in the plan of salvation as revealed in the sanctuary which makes provision for the unnumbered millions of the earth who have passed into the tomb as rejectors of every overture of mercy, to have another chance to determine whether or not they desire to be saved. Let none make the fatal mistake of putting off salvation, expecting under the ‘favorable opportunities’ of a future age to perfect a Christian character. This is the day of salvation. Jesus still is man’s intercessor, and all may come now to the throne of grace and find help in time of need. Hospitality Among Brethren
By J. W. Hirlinger
I FEAR that our brethren who live within easy reach of our regular meeting places do not always consider that our brethren who live miles away, often make a greater sacrifice in getting to and from our meetings than is made by those near by in entertaining those from a distance. They need to make preparation before coming, get, and possibly pay, some one to look after their effects while they are gone, lose their time, and pay their fare to and from the place where the meeting is to be held. Too often our isolated brethren are censured for not attending our gatherings more frequently when the wrong lies largely at the doors of our brethren living at the meeting centers. Is it not possible that we have discouraged their coming by not giving them a hearty welcome, and by telling them that we have had to do so much entertaining? It saddens all heaven to see a frown come over one’s countenance as brethren and sisters approach, and to hear an expression of regret at the possibility of having to entertain them. If we do this, we certainly are not esteeming others better than ourselves, nor loving our neighbor as ourselves. Let us all humble ourselves, confess our faults one to another, and our sins to God. Then let us send invitations, urging those living at a distance from the meeting place to come and meet with us, and let us make them welcome. Then God will “pour out” such a blessing11that “there shall not be room enough to receive it.” Now is the time to make “a covenant by sacrifice.” Remembering “the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.” It is only by imparting that we continue to receive. Luke 6: 36-38. While we should use hospitality, let none of us abuse it. God has no time for drones. He says that if any will not work, neither shall he eat (2 Thess. 3: 10); that is, if any one is able to work, and will not, the brethren are not to support him. On the other hand, if our isolated brethren are in good circumstances, and the brethren with whom they meet are poor, they would do well to remember this scripture: “We then that are strong [having plenty] ought to bear the infirmities of the weak.” Rom. 15: 1. When we as a people come to that time (and that time should be now) when all will make these things more mutual, considering one another, then we shall receive the power of the Holy Spirit, and we shall be “for signs and for wonders in Israel from the Lord of hosts.” Isa. 8: 18. “Let brotherly love continue. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” Come together, seek God together, and so much the more as the day approaches. A General View
By WM. COVERT
1. In what various ways has God spoken to men? “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son.” Heb. 1:1, 2. 2. What definite statement is made with reference to all prophets? “Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the Lord will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream.” Num. 12:6. 3. Through what agency have the minds of prophets always been effected? “No prophecy ever came by the will of man: but men spake from God, being moved by the Holy Ghost.” 2 Peter 1:21, R. V. 4. How did the Spirit of God use the faculties of David? “The Spirit of the Lord spake by me, and his word was in my tongue.” 2 Sam. 23:2. 5. What latter-day promise did the Lord make to his people through his prophet Joel? “It shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: and also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my Spirit. And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the Lord come. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered: for in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call.” Joel 2:28-32. 6. By what remarkable occurrence was the beginning of these things marked? “This is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: and on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: and I will show wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke: the sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come.” Acts 2:16-20. 7. What extended period of time is to be covered by this outpouring of God’s Spirit. “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” Acts 2:38, 39. 8. What per cent of the church-membership is to enjoy the manifestation of the Spirit? “The manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.” I Cor. 12:7. 9. How many Spirits operate in the truth? “There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.” I Cor. 12:4. 10. Name some of these gifts. “To one is given through the Spirit the word of wisdom; and to another the word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit: to another faith, in the same Spirit; and to another gifts of healings, in the one Spirit; and to another workings of miracles; and to another divers kinds of tongues; and to another the interpretation of tongues: but all these worketh the one and the same Spirit, dividing to each one severally even as he will.” I Cor. 12:8-11, R. V. 11. What is said about different classes of helpers in church organization and church work? “And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, divers kinds of tongues.” I Cor. 12:28, R. V. 12. How great a work is to be wrought for the church through the services of these officers and helpers? “He gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, unto the work of ministering, unto the building up of the body of Christ: till we all attain unto the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a full-grown man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.” Eph. 4:11-13, R. V. 13. What kind of church or people will the Spirit and gifts of God eventually produce? “That we may be no longer children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error; but speaking truth in love, may grow up in all things into him, who is the head, even Christ; from whom all the body fitly framed and knit together through that which every joint supplieth, according to the working in due measure of each several part, maketh the increase of the body unto the building up of itself in love.” Eph. 4:14-16, R. V. The Privilege of Overcoming
By J. E. Evans
Through various experiences the Lord leads his people. “The Lord knoweth them that are his.” 2 Tim. 2:19. “The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.” 2 Chron. 16:9. We can not overcome a fault or a tendency to sin until we become conscious that such fault or such tendency exists; and he whose heart is toward God, however wrong he may have been, will be led into light and truth that will finally make him “without fault before the throne of God.” In the book of the Bible which deals especially with the second appearing of our Saviour, there are many precious promises made to the overcomer: “To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.” Rev. 2:17. “He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.” “Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: . . . and I will write upon him my new name.” “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne.” Rev. 3:5, 12, 21. Interspersed with these promises, we find the words, “Behold, I come quickly;” “behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”12 Here also the Spirit is speaking to the church, but we can each claim the message and the promises as ours, inasmuch as they are to “any man” “that hath an ear to hear.” Jesus is our example. He overcame for us, not for himself. He says, therefore, “Be of good cheer.” John 16: 33. Christ knew of the treasure that was hid in this field. He bought the field. He paid an infinite price for the treasure to be gained—his church. So he has secured the treasure to himself, but he has left another in the field, and we are called upon to sell all and secure this treasure—eternal life. The chief thought with the Saviour in overcoming was not to gain something for himself; but the “joy of the Lord” was in saving others. So the primary thought of the Christian in this work should be to lead others to that fountain which is still open for sin and uncleanness. We have all to gain. This joy makes it a privilege, not a task, to overcome. This happy state of Christian life is realized only when we give up entirely the resources of self, and know by experience that carnal weapons and human wisdom are an utter failure.