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Signs of the Times, Vol. 12, No. 37.

General Articles

Signs of the Times

Sep 23, 1886

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Sep 23, 1886

General Articles.

By Ellen G. White

Home Training—Its Importance and Results.

BY MRS. E. G. WHITE.
“That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as corner-stones, polished after the similitude of a palace.” It should be the object of every parent to secure to his children a well-balanced, symmetrical character. This is a work of no small magnitude and importance. It will require earnest thought and prayer, no less than patient, persevering effort. A right foundation must be laid, a framework, strong and firm, erected, and then day by day the work of building, polishing, perfecting, must go forward.
Upon the mother rests, to a great degree, the responsibility of the early training of her children. Did mothers but realize the importance of their mission, they would be much in secret prayer, presenting their children to Jesus, imploring his blessing upon them, and pleading for wisdom to discharge aright their sacred duties. Let the mother improve every opportunity to mould and fashion the disposition and habits of her children. Let her watch carefully the development of character, repressing traits that are too prominent, encouraging those that are deficient. Let her make her own life a pure and noble example to her precious charge.
The mother should enter upon her work with courage and energy, relying constantly upon divine aid in all her efforts. She should never rest satisfied until she sees in her children a gradual elevation of character, until they have a higher object in life than merely to seek their own pleasure. Children should be taught at home to exert every faculty of mind or body. Thus they gain an understanding of their own capabilities, and at the same time strengthen and develop every power by calling it into action.
Parents, your own home is the first field in which you are called to labor. The precious plants in the home garden demand your first care. To you it is appointed to watch for souls as they that must give account. Carefully consider your work, its nature, its bearing, and its results. Line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little, you must instruct, warn, and counsel, ever remembering that your looks, words, and actions have a direct bearing upon the future course of your dear ones. Your work is not to paint a form of beauty upon canvas, or to chisel it from marble, but to impress upon a human soul the image of the Divine.
Mothers, will you not dispense with useless, unimportant labor for that which must perish with the using? Will you not seek to draw near to God, that his wisdom may guide and his grace assist you, in a work which will be as enduring as eternity? Aim to make your children perfect in character. Remember that such only can see God.
I speak the more freely and earnestly because I know that many parents are neglecting their God-given work. They are themselves far from purity and holiness. They do not see the defects of their children as they would if their own eyes were beholding and admiring the perfection of Christ’s character.
For Christ’s sake, for the sake of your children, seek to conform your own life to the divine standard. Let nothing come in between you and your God. Be earnest, be patient and persevering, instant in season, out of season. Give your children intellectual culture and moral training. Let their young hearts be fortified with firm, pure principles. While you have the opportunity, lay the foundation for a noble manhood and womanhood. Your labor will be rewarded a thousand fold.
You must make the Bible your guide, if you would bring up your children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Let the life and character of Christ be presented as the pattern for them to copy. If they err, read to them what the Lord has said concerning similar sins. There is need of constant care and diligence in this work. One wrong trait tolerated by parents, uncorrected by teachers, may cause the whole character to become deformed and unbalanced. Teach the children that they must have a new heart, that new tastes must be created, new motives inspired. They must have help from Christ; they must become acquainted with the character of God as revealed in his word.
Family prayer receives too little interest and attention. In many cases, the morning and evening worship is little more than a mere form, a dull, monotonous repetition of set phrases, in which the spirit of gratitude or the sense of need finds no expression. The Lord accepts not such service, but the petitions of a humble heart and contrite spirit he will not despise. The opening of our hearts to our heavenly Father, the acknowledgment of our entire dependence, the expression of our wants, the homage of grateful love,—this is true prayer. When we come pleading the merits of Christ’s blood, and trusting with implicit faith his promises, we shall secure the blessing of the Lord.
Redeem the precious hours worse than wasted in talking of your troubles, or gossiping over the faults of others. Seek earnestly to God for help, and you will become strong in his strength. You may have Christ as a guest in your home. Be not satisfied merely to bear his name. Be in truth followers of Jesus. Let your hearts be warmed with his love. Make him your friend, your helper, your counselor.
The most valuable rules for social and family intercourse are to be found in the Bible. Here we have not only the best and purest standard of morality, but the most valuable code of politeness. Our Saviour’s sermon on the mount contains instruction of priceless worth to old and young. It should be often read in the family circle, and its precious teachings should be exemplified in the daily life. The golden rule, “Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them,” as well as the apostolic injunction, “In honor preferring one another,” should be made the law of the family. Those who cherish the Spirit of Christ will manifest politeness at home, a spirit of benevolence, even in little things. They will be constantly seeking to make all around them happy, forgetting self in their kind attentions to others. This is the fruit which grows upon the Christian tree.
Few realize the influence of the little things of life upon the development of character. Mothers, cease to spend your time and strength for that which is merely attractive to the eye, but which does not minister to comfort or real happiness, and you will cut off a large share of the cares and worries that make you nervous and irritable, impolite and unchristian. The precious moments heretofore given to needless labor should be devoted to beautifying the souls of your children, teaching them how they may obtain the inward adorning, that meek and quiet spirit which God accounts of great price.
If real politeness were practiced by all the followers of Christ, if obedience to the golden rule were made one of the corner-stones of Christian character, we should see fewer church-trials, less hardness and animosity among brethren. There would be no harsh, thoughtless words, no strife for the highest place. God’s people will be tested. Every one will be exposed to the fierce fire of trial and temptation. If we would not be consumed as dross, we must have the love of God—the gold that has been tried—abiding in us. Now is the time to soften and subdue our rough, harsh traits of character. We must cherish kindness, forbearance, Christian integrity. Ungenerous criticism, hard speeches, questioning the motives of another, or magnifying his faults, opens the door to Satan’s temptations, and leads many away from God. The Holy Scriptures give us a safe and profitable rule for thought and conversation. “Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” If we would have our children practice kindness, courtesy, and love, we ourselves must set them the example.
“Charity suffereth long, and is kind.” It “thinketh no evil,”—another fruit borne on the tree of love. Our souls must be staid upon God, imbued with his Spirit, if we would learn these sacred lessons. Said the apostle: “Gird up the loins of your mind.” If the thoughts are rightly disciplined, it will be a far less difficult task to control the feelings. Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, will give us courage, hope, and constancy. Shall we not obey the teachings of God’s word? Shall we not make it our guide and counselor? Shall we not devote time and thought to its perusal? How can Christians neglect the book in which God has revealed his will to men? Our children need help to understand the Scriptures. They should become acquainted with the life and character of Jesus, that they may love him and choose to obey him.
Parents and guardians must themselves maintain purity of heart and life, if they would have their children pure. They must give the needed instruction, and in addition to this, they must exercise unceasing watchfulness. Every day new thoughts are awakened in the minds of the young, new impressions made upon their hearts. The associations they form, the books they read, the habits they cherish—all must be guarded. The interests of your children, for this life and the next, are at stake.
“What now you do, you know not, But shall hereafter know, When the seeds your hands are sowing, To a ripened harvest grow.”
When you stand before the great white throne, then your work will appear as it is. The books will be opened, the record of every life made known. Many in that vast company will be unprepared for the revelations that will be made. Upon the ears of some the words will fall with startling distinctness, “Weighed in the balance, and found wanting.” To many parents the Judge will say in that day, “You had my word, plainly setting forth your duty. Why have you not obeyed its teachings? Knew ye not that it was the voice of God? Did I not bid you search the Scriptures, that you might not go astray? You have not only ruined your own souls, but by your pretensions to godliness you have misled many others. You have no part with me. Depart, depart!”
Another class stand pale and trembling, trusting in Christ, and yet oppressed with a sense of their own unworthiness. They hear with tears of joy and gratitude the Master’s commendation. The days of incessant toil, of burden-bearing, and of fear and anguish are forgotten, as that voice, sweeter than the music of angel harps, pronounces the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant, enter ye into the joy of your Lord.” There stand the host of the redeemed, the palm branch of victory in their hands, the crown upon their heads. These are the ones who by faithful, earnest labor have obtained a fitness for Heaven. The life-work performed on earth is acknowledged in the heavenly courts as a work well done.
With joy unutterable, parents see the crown, the robe, the harp given to their children. The days of hope and fear are ended. The seed sown with tears and prayers may have seemed to be sown in vain, but their harvest is reaped with joy at last. Their children have been redeemed.
Fathers, mothers, shall the voices of your children swell the song of gladness in that day?

NOT FAR.

By English Congregationalist

Not far, not far from the kingdom, Yet, in the shadow of sin, How many are coming and going, How few are entering in!
Not far from the golden gateway, Where voices whisper and wait, Fearing to enter in boldly, So lingering still at the gate;
Catching the strain of the music Floating so sweetly along, Knowing the song they are singing, Yet joining not in the song;
Seeing the warmth and the beauty, The infinite love and the light, Yet weary, and lonely, and waiting, Out in the desolate night!
Out in the dark and the danger, Out in the night and the cold, Though he is longing to lead them Tenderly into the fold.
Not far, not far from the kingdom, 'Tis only a little space; But it may be the last and forever, Out of the resting place.
—English Congregationalist.

The Relation of True Israel to the World.

By W. A. Blakely

There is a feeling among Christians in general that when Christ came to earth there was a grand change made in the plan of redemption; that prior to that time the Jews were saved by outward acts—God dealing with them in stern justice; while since Christ’s advent people are saved in an entirely different way—God now dealing only in mercy and love. They believe that the Jews had to obey the law, keep themselves separate from the rest of the world, and, in short, be saved by works, while the Christian’s duty is only to believe. “Christ has done it all; there is nothing for me to do,” is a sentiment that is entirely too widespread. The truth of the matter is that Christians, the true Israelites of this dispensation, stand in the same relation to God, to each other, and to the world, that the Jews and the patriarchs did in their respective dispensations; and if we except the difference of type and memorial they stand in the same relation to Christ.
The Lord spoke in unmistakable language, commanding his ancient people to be separate from the wicked which were everywhere around them. If they would obey his voice and keep his covenant they should be to him a peculiar treasure above all people. In Deut. 20:24, 26 he says: “I am the Lord your God, which have separated you from other people. . . . And ye shall be holy unto me; for I the Lord am holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should be mine.” And in Psalms 135:4: “For the Lord has chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure.” “For thou art a holy people unto the Lord thy God; the Lord thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people to himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth. . . . The Lord did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people. . . . Thou shalt therefore keep the commandments, and the statutes, and the judgments, which I command thee this day, to do them.” Deut. 7:6, 7, 11.
This same distinction is kept up, or rather, renewed, in this dispensation. The Jews had become idolatrous, self-righteous, and instead of teaching and keeping the law of God, they taught “for doctrines the commandments of men.” Mark 7:7–9; Matt. 15:3–9.
But Christ “gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” Titus 2:14. “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” 2 Cor. 6:17, 18. Again in 1 Peter 2:9 we read: “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people;” thus the New Testament repeats nearly word for word, expressions from Ex. 19:5, 6: “Ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people,” “a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation.” It was anciently the duty of the people of God to be separate and distinct from the world; it is the duty of the Christian to-day. “Pure religion and undefiled [in all ages] before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” Jas. 1:27.
A most decided distinction between God’s people and the world is brought to view in the New Testament Scriptures. “Know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.” Jas. 4:4. “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” 1 John 2:15. “And be not conformed to this world; but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.” Rom. 12:2. A noble example of such a life we find in Enoch, who, although he lived long before these scriptures were written, “walked with God” even when “the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually;” and though living on this earth for three hundred and sixty-five years, he maintained such a close connection with God that he was translated. It is the privilege, nay, more, the duty, of all to live in the same way. Christ set us a perfect example; and “he that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked.” 1 John 2:6.
But although it is duty to keep unspotted from the world, it is just as much duty to “let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven.” Matt. 5:16. “Ye are the light of the world;” and “your conversation” (manner of life) should be “honest among the Gentiles; that, whereas they may speak against you as evil doers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.” 1 Pet. 2:12. “That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world.” By living righteous lives and keeping aloof from the pleasures and follies of the world, an example will be set that will exert a weighty influence. Many an unbeliever has accepted the gospel through the noble example of some devoted Christian. This is the relation that we bear to the world. God’s peculiar people should never be so conformed to the world that it would be difficult to “discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.” Mal. 3:18.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16. If, then, the Son of God gave his life for sinners, how important it is that we labor for their conversion; that we bring this fact to their knowledge; and by our lives show what this faith does for us. The psalmist’s prayer was, “Uphold me with thy free Spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy way; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.” Ps. 51:12, 13. Aided by the Spirit he considered it his duty to labor for the unconverted. So should we. “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path,” says David, but we “are the light of the world.” Then the way that the light of God’s word reaches the world is through us. The following forcible language gives a good idea of Israel’s relation to the world:—
“The Lord called out his people Israel, and separated them from the world, that he might commit to them a sacred trust. He made them the depositaries of his law, and he designed, through them, to preserve among men the knowledge of himself. Through them the light of Heaven was to shine out to the dark places of the earth, and a voice was to be heard appealing to all peoples to turn from their idolatry to serve the living and true God. Had the Hebrews been true to their trust, they would have been a power in the world. God would have been their defense, and he would have exalted them above all other nations. His light and truth would have been revealed through them, and they would have stood forth under his wise and holy rule as an example of the superiority of his government over every form of idolatry.”
“But they did not keep their covenant with God. They followed after the idolatrous practices of other nations, and instead of making their Creator’s name a praise in the earth, their course held it up to the contempt of the heathen. Yet the purpose of God must be accomplished.The knowledge of his will must be spread abroad in the earth. God brought the hand of the oppressor upon his people, and scattered them as captives among the nations. In affliction many of them repented of their transgressions, and sought the Lord. Scattered throughout the countries of the heathen, they spread abroad the knowledge of the true God. The principles of the divine law came in conflict with the customs and practices of the nations. Idolaters endeavored to crush out the true faith. The Lord in his providence brought his servants, Daniel, Nehemiah, Ezra, face to face with kings and rulers, that these idolaters might have an opportunity to receive the light. Thus the work which God had given his people to do in prosperity, in their own borders, but which had been neglected through their unfaithfulness, was done by them in captivity, under great trial and embarrassment.”
“Every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved;” yet if in our efforts to bring the light to those in darkness, we cause the world to hate us, we know that Christ said, “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own; but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.” John 15:18, 19. Even though we know our efforts are not appreciated, it should not discourage us. Christ “came unto his own, and his own received him not.” But knowing that he would be “despised,” “stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted,” and that he would finally pour “out his soul unto death;” he left the glory of Heaven and passed through it all.
With this example before us, we should keep in mind his admonitions: “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.” Matt. 5:44; Luke 6:27, 28. “Bless them which persecute you; bless, and curse not. . . . Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink; for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.” Rom. 11:14, 20. “Love is the fulfilling of the law,” therefore if there be any enmity or ill will, it can only be on the side of the sinner. There can be no place in a Christian’s heart for malice. This thought was beautifully expressed by the poet in the following words:—
“Hate the sin with all thy heart, But still the sinner love.” W. A. BLAKELY.

Science and the Mercy of the Cross

By Sel.

No SCIENTIFIC discoveries will ever find in nature more than God made, nor a better explanation than that “He made it,” nor a more satisfying provision for man’s incapacity and indefinite longings than in the mercy of the Cross, and the kingdom “which he hath promised to them that love Him.”—Sel.

Satan Rocks the Cradle

SATAN always rocks the cradle when we sleep at our devotions.—Bishop Hall.

Christ the Subject of the Bible.

By William Walton Clark

The subject of the Scriptures is Christ. All scripture is about him and his coming. The voice of the Old Testament is, “He is coming;” that of the gospels, “He has come;” of the epistles and Revelation, “He will come again.” The Lord himself says: “Search the Scriptures, for they are they which testify of me.” It is said that in the Swedish language there is no word which can be translated “search” so they have used another word, “ransack,” and this is what we ought to do, ransack the Scriptures, for “they are they which testify of” Christ.
We should begin and continue all study with this thought in mind. As every picture has its “point of sight,” so each book in the Bible has Christ as its center and its object. The disciples thought they knew the Scriptures; but they did not see Jesus in them, for the Lord rebuked them for their failure in this very particular, saying: “O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken.” “And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.” Here we have a Bible-reading conducted by the Master, on the road to Emmaus, and this was his subject: “Christ in the Old Testament.” Again he says: “All things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the Psalms, concerning me.” These are the three great divisions of the Old Testament, and we can imagine the Great Teacher opening the eyes of his followers and declaring, “In the volume of the Book it is written of me.” No wonder their hearts burned within them as he talked with them by the way.
The study of Christ in the Old Testament is exceedingly profitable. In Genesis he is described as the seed of the woman; in Exodus as the “passover lamb,” in Leviticus, the high priest; in Numbers, the smitten rock and the uplifted serpent, and in Deuteronomy, the person of Moses. All of these typify and set forth the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Psalms also are full of references to him. All the prophets, either in type or in prediction, “testified beforehand of his sufferings and the glory that should follow.” The gospels record his life, death, resurrection and ascension; the Acts, the establishment of his church; the epistles, the development of his doctrines; and the Apocalypse, the revelation of his coming glory. The great work of the Holy Spirit is to testify of Christ. “He shall glorify me.” “He shall take of mine and show them unto you.” In fact the whole Bible may be expressed by two words, Christ, Jesus; Christ in the Old Testament, Jesus in the New. There is a very beautiful hymn in our collection, which we like to hear the children sing, “Every Lesson Points to Thee:”—
While we look within thy Word, Show thy face to us, O Lord, In these pages may we see Every lesson points to thee. Symbol, precept, Judgment, law, Melting love and holy awe. Teach us, Lord, whate’er it be, Every lesson points to thee.
—Rev. William Walton Clark.

Roman Idolatry.

When John, the seer of Patmos, would have worshiped at the feet of the angel who showed him the glorious things which are in store for the people of God, that heavenly being said, “See thou do it not; I am thy fellow-servant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus; worship God.” Rev. 19:10; 22:8, 9. Likewise the apostle Peter, who according to papal tradition was the first pope, refused to receive homage from Cornelius, but said unto him, “Stand up; I myself also am a man.” But the Pope of Rome, the pretended successor of Saint Peter, requires his fellow-men to prostrate themselves before him and very graciously allows the faithful “to kiss the golden cross which is embroidered on his white slipper!” The following extract from an Eastern paper affords a good illustration of the abominable idolatry of the Roman Catholic Church:—

“THE POPE’S TREATMENT OF VISITORS.

“Pope Leo XIII. is more fond of ceremony than his predecessor, as the following account of a private audience illustrates: As soon as the Pope is at liberty, Monsignor Macchi opens the door and announces the visitor. Entering the room, the Pope is found seated in an arm-chair, and as soon as he raises his hand in act of benediction, the visitor falls on his knees once near the door, the second time in the middle of the room, and the third time immediately in front of the Holy Father, who extends his foot for the visitor to kiss the gold cross which is embroidered on his white slipper. After subsequently kissing the superb sapphire which forms his pastoral ring, the visitor rises and remains standing during the interview. The Pope himself generally likewise rises and leans against a large table which constitutes almost the sole furniture of this apartment. Only the cardinals are allowed to sit in his presence on two stools which are placed on either side of his arm-chair for the purpose.
“The Pope always begins the conversation. He talks much and at great length. He seems to listen to the sound of his own voice, and his conversation, which becomes animated, frequently struck me as being remarkable for a picturesque eloquence which he is careful to avoid in his public speeches. When he motions that the audience is at an end, the slipper and the ring are again kissed while he is in the act of pronouncing the benediction, and then one has to back out, making the same three genuflexions as on entering.”

The Laws of Nature

The laws of Nature are not the laws which Nature imposes and carries out, but those imposed on Nature, and by which Nature is constituted, controlled, and regulated.—Sel.

The Spirit of Christ.

THE spirit of the world is a selfish spirit. The men of the world live for themselves. Selfishness, which never fails to manifest itself in some form or other, is the ruling, governing principle of their lives, the inspiration of their acts. They form their plans, they prosecute their enterprises, and they hoard up their wealth for selfish purposes. Even when their conduct assumes the appearance of benevolence, it is to gratify some secret, selfish ambition. They are often imperious and resentful. Whatever interferes with their selfish designs and interests, calls forth a spirit of vindictiveness. But a truly godly man manifests a spirit far different from this, even the spirit of the great Father himself, who causeth his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and who sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. The Christian exhibits a spirit of self-sacrifice, of patient endurance, and of sincere benevolence. He does not, in the spirit of the world, resist every evil, resent every insult, and, as opportunity offers, avenge every injury, but instead of this, he shows a spirit of meekness, gentleness, and forbearance. This is the spirit of the Master, who, “when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously.” This is the spirit that every Christian must possess and manifest to the world; for “if any man have not the spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” This is the spirit which Paul manifested. He says, “Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it; being defamed, we entreat.”—Sel.

The First and the Second Advent.

WHAT a difference between the first and the second coming of our Lord! When he shall come the second time it will be to be glorified and admired, but when he came the first time it was to be despised and rejected of men. He comes a second time to reign with unexampled splendor, but the first time he came to die in circumstances of shame and sorrow. Lift up your eyes, ye sons of light, and anticipate the change, which will be as great for you as for your Lord; for now ye are hidden even as he was hidden, and misunderstood even as he was misunderstood when he walked among the sons of men. “We know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” His manifestation will be our manifestation, and in the day in which he is revealed in glory then shall his saints be glorified with him.—Sel.

Christ Restores the Erring

By Robertson

Christ, and Christ only, has revealed that he who has erred may be restored, and made pure and clean and whole again.—Robertson.
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