Signs of the Times, Vol. 4, No. 24. (6/27/1878)

Signs of the Times

Jun 27, 1878

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Jun 27, 1878

BEFORE HIS ACCUSERS.

By Ellen G. White

BY MRS. E. G. WHITE.

CHRIST had said, concerning the temple of his body, that he could destroy it, and raise it again in three days. These words were understood by his hearers to refer to the Jewish temple. Of all that Jesus had said, the priests could find nothing which they could use against him save this. The Romans had engaged in rebuilding and embellishing the temple. They took great pride in it as a work of science and art; and the priests counted upon their indignation when it was proven that Jesus, a humble man, had declared himself able to build it in three days if it should be destroyed. On this ground, Romans and Jews, Pharisees and Sadducees, could meet; for all held the temple in great veneration.

In addition to this they had bribed false witnesses to testify that Jesus was guilty of inciting rebellion and seeking to establish a separate government. This they hoped would farther excite the apprehensions of the Romans and accomplish the desired object. But when these witnesses were called, their testimony was so vague and contradictory that it was worthless. Upon cross-questioning, they were led to falsify their own statements. It was becoming apparent to the people that the charges against Jesus could not be maintained. The life of the Saviour had been so faultless, and his doctrines so pure, that envy and malice could find little in either capable of being misrepresented.

Two witnesses were at last found whose evidence was not so contradictory as the others had been. One of them, a corrupt man who had sold his honor for a sum of money, spoke of Christ as on a level with himself. Said he, "This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days." In the figurative language of prophecy, Jesus had thus foretold his own death and resurrection, his conflict and victory; but his enemies had misconstrued his words to suit their own purposes. The words of Jesus were truth and verity; the evidence was false and malicious. If the words of Jesus had been reported exactly as he uttered them, there would have been nothing offensive in them. If he had been a mere man, as they assumed him to be, his declaration would only have indicated an unreasonable, boastful spirit, but could not have been construed into blasphemy.

Caiaphas urged Jesus to answer to the charge made against him; but the Saviour, knowing that his sentence was already determined, answered him nothing. The evidence gained from the last two witnesses proved nothing against him worthy of death; and Jesus himself remained calm and silent. The priests and rulers began to fear that they would fail to gain their object after all. They were disappointed and perplexed that they had failed to gain anything from the false witnesses upon which to condemn their prisoner. Their only hope now was to make Jesus speak out and say something which would condemn him before the people.

The silence of Christ upon this occasion had already been described by Isaiah in prophetic vision: "He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth. He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter; and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth."

The high priest now raised his right hand toward heaven in a most imposing manner, and with a solemn voice addressed Jesus: "I adjure thee by the living God that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God." Thus appealed to by the highest acknowledged authority in the nation, and in the name of the Most High, Jesus, to show proper respect for the law, answered, "Thou hast said." Every ear was bent to listen, and every eye was fixed upon his face, as with calm voice and dignified manner, he made this reply. A heavenly light seemed to illuminate his pale countenance as he added, "Nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven."

For a moment the divinity of Christ flashed through his guise of humanity; and the high priest quailed before the penetrating eyes of the Saviour. That look seemed to read his hidden thoughts, and burn into his heart; and never in after-life did he forget that searching glance of the persecuted Son of God. This voluntary confession of Jesus, claiming his Sonship with God, was made in the most public manner, and under the most solemn oath. In it he presented to the minds of those present a reversal of the scene then being enacted before them, when he, the Lord of life and glory, would be seated at the right hand of God, the supreme Judge of heaven and earth, from whose decision there could be no appeal. He brought before them a view of that day, when, instead of being surrounded and abused by a riotous mob, headed by the priests and judges of the land, he would come in the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory, escorted by legions of angels, to pronounce the sentence of his enemies.

Jesus knew what would be the result of this announcement; that it would secure his condemnation. The object of the designing priests was now gained. Jesus had declared himself to be the Christ. The high priest, in order to give those present the impression that he was jealous for the insulted majesty of Heaven, rent his garments, and, lifting his hands toward heaven, as if in holy horror, said, in a voice calculated to rouse the excited people to violence, "He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy. What think ye?" The answer of the judges was, "He is guilty of death."

The priests and judges, exulting in the advantage they had gained through the words of Jesus, but anxious to hide their malicious satisfaction, now pressed close to him, and, as if they could not believe that they had heard aright, simultaneously inquired, "Art thou the Christ? tell us." Jesus looked calmly at his hypocritical questioners, and answered, "If I tell you, ye will not believe. And if I ask you, ye will not answer me, nor let me go." Jesus could have traced down the prophecies and given his accusers evidence that the very things were then taking place which had been predicted in regard to the Messiah. He could have silenced them thus; but they would not then have believed. He could have pointed them to his mighty miracles; but they had set their hearts against the light of heaven, and no power could change them.

There were some in that assembly who heeded the words of Jesus and noted his God-like bearing as he stood serenely before the infuriated judges. The gospel seed found lodgment that day in hearts where it was eventually to spring up and yield an abundant harvest. The reverence and awe which his words inspired in the hearts of many who heard them were to increase and develop into perfect faith in Jesus as the world's Redeemer. Some of the witnesses of that scene were themselves afterward placed in a similar position to that of Jesus in the judgment hall; and were tried for their lives because they were the disciples of Christ.

When the condemnation of Jesus was pronounced by the judges, a satanic fury took possession of the people. The roar of voices was like that of wild beasts. They made a rush toward Jesus, crying, He is guilty, put him to death! and had it not been for the Roman soldiers, Jesus would not have lived to be hanged upon the cross of Calvary. He would have been torn in pieces before his judges, had not Roman authority interfered, and by force of arms withheld the violence of the mob.

Although Jesus was bound, yet he was also guarded, and held by two men lest he should escape from the hands of his persecutors. The judges and rulers now entirely forgot the dignity of their office, and abused the Son of God with foul epithets, railing upon him in regard to his parentage, and declaring that his presumption in proclaiming himself the Messiah, notwithstanding his low birth, made him deserving of the most ignominious death. Most dissolute men engaged in this infamous abuse of the Saviour. An old garment was thrown over his head, and his jeering persecutors struck him in the face, crying, "Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee?" Upon the garment being removed, one poor wretch spat in his face. But the Saviour directed no word or look of retaliation against the deluded souls around him, who had cast off all restraint because they perceived that the priests and rulers sanctioned their acts.

Jesus realized that the hosts of heaven were witnessing his humiliation, and that the least angel, if summoned to his aid, could have instantly dispersed that insulting throng, and delivered him from their power. Jesus himself could have stricken down the excited multitude like dead men, by a look or word of his divinity, or driven them frightened from his presence, as he had the defilers of the temple. But it was in the plan of redemption that he should suffer the scorn and abuse of wicked men, and he consented to all this when he became the Redeemer of man. The angels of God faithfully recorded every insulting look, word, and act directed against their beloved Commander; and the base men who scorned and spat upon the calm, pale face of Christ, were one day to look upon it in its glory, shining brighter than the sun. In that awful time they would pray to the rocks and the mountains: "Hide us from the face of Him who sitteth upon the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb."

Jesus was pushed hither and thither, and so insulted and abused that at last the Roman officers were ashamed and angry that a man against whom nothing had yet been proven should be subject to the brutal treatment of the worst class of persons. Accordingly they accused the Jewish authorities of assuming to exercise a power that did not belong to them, in trying a man for his life, and pronouncing his condemnation. They declared that in doing this they infringed upon the Roman power, and that it was even against the Jewish law to condemn any man to death on his own testimony. This intervention of Roman authority caused a lull in the rude excitement.

Just then a hoarse voice rang through the hall, which sent a thrill of terror through the hearts of all present: He is innocent. Spare him, O Caiaphas! He has done nothing worthy of death! The tall form of Judas was now seen pressing through the startled crowd. His face was pale and haggard, and large drops of perspiration stood upon his forehead. He rushed to the throne of judgment, and threw down before the high priest the pieces of silver he had received as the price of his Lord's betrayal. He eagerly grasped the robe of Caiaphas, and implored him to release Jesus, declaring that he was innocent of all crime. Caiaphas angrily shook him off, but he was confused and knew not what to say. The perfidy of the priests was revealed before the people. It was evident to all that Judas had been bribed to deliver Jesus into the hands of those who sought his life.

Judas continued to beseech Caiaphas to do nothing against Jesus, declaring that he was indeed the Son of God, and cursing himself that he had betrayed innocent blood. But the high priest, having recovered his self-possession, answered with chilling scorn, "What is that to us? see thou to that." He then represented to the people that Judas was some poor maniac, one of the mad followers of Jesus, and charged them not to let any influence prevail to release the prisoner, who was a base deceiver.

Finding his prayers in vain, Judas fell at the feet of Jesus, acknowledging him to be the Son of God, begging forgiveness for his sin, and imploring him to exercise his God-like power and deliver himself from his enemies. The Saviour did not reproach his betrayer either by look or word. He knew that he was suffering the bitterest remorse for his crime. He gazed compassionately upon Judas, and declared that for that hour he had come into the world.

A murmur of surprise ran through the assembly at the heavenly forbearance manifested by Jesus. Again a conviction swept over their minds that this man was more than mortal. But the question then arose, If he was indeed the Son of God, why did he not free himself from his bonds and rise triumphant above his accusers?

The love of money had perverted the nobler nature of Judas, making him a fit agent for Satan to use in the betrayal of Christ. When Judas had become annoyed at the implied rebuke of Jesus because of his covetous spirit upon the occasion of Mary anointing her Lord with costly ointment, he yielded to the tempter, and gave Satan easy access to his mind. But when he decided to sell his Master to the murderous priests and rulers, he had no thought that Jesus would permit himself to be taken. He thought the priests would be cheated of their bribe, and he, the betrayer, would secure the money to use for some purpose of his own, and Jesus would have a new opportunity to display his divine power in delivering himself from the wiles of his enemies.

From the time of his betrayal in the garden, Judas had not lost sight of the Saviour. He eagerly looked for him to surprise his enemies by appearing before them in the character of the Son of God, setting at nought all their plots and power. But when he saw him meekly submitting to their abuse, suffering himself to be tried and condemned to death, his heart smote him, and he realized the full extent of his own crime—he had sold his divine Master to shame and death. He remembered how kind and considerate Jesus had ever been to him, and his heart filled with remorse and anguish. He now despised the covetousness which Jesus had reproved, and which had tempted him to sell the Saviour for a few pieces of silver.

Perceiving that his entreaties to spare the life of Jesus availed nothing with the high priest, he rushed from the hall in despair, crying, It is too late! It is too late! He felt unable to live to see Jesus crucified, and, in an agony of remorse, went out and hanged himself.

Afterward the money which Jesus had cast down before the priest was used for the purchase of a public burial ground. "And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood.

And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter's field, to bury strangers in. Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day."

If any testimony had been needed to prove the innocence of Jesus, it was given in the confession of Judas. Not only was it an evidence of the innocence of the Saviour, but the event was a direct fulfillment of prophecy. In prophetic vision Zechariah had looked down the ages and seen the trial of God's dear Son. The act of Judas is thus described: "And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver. And the Lord said unto me, Cast it unto the potter; a goodly price that I was prized at of them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the Lord."

We Seek a Better Country.

By C. P. Whitford

PRESS on ! the country thou seekest to win, Is unclouded by sorrow, unsullied by sin ; Press onward through trial, while yet there is day, While light is around thee to point out the way. Bright seraphs and martyrs, when victory is won, Will welcome thee home, when thy work here is done. The sands of the desert may gather in might, And sweep from thy pathway all beauty and light, But fear not to climb the perilous steep ; For angels are with thee to guide and to keep. Then onward and upward, so shalt thou at last Enter the mansions prepared for the blest. Press bravely on ! thou seekest to win A country unclouded by sorrow and sin, Where, free from the trials that here are now borne, We all shall be happy in Eden’s fair home. Oh!’ who does not long for a resting-place there, In that beautiful country so bright and so fair, Where Jesus and angels, with harps of pure gold, Together with prophets and martyrs of old, Will make all the heavenly arches to ring In the song of redemption ; for joy will they sing. Then onward, press onward, through sorrow and care, Remembering that Jesus will hear every prayer. And angels from glory, commissioned, will come, To aid and encourage toward Eden, thy home.—C. P. Whitford.

ANSWER TO EXCUSES FOR NOT KEEPING THE SEVENTH DAY.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

TEXT: “And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.” Luke 14:18-20.

Even the Saviour himself, when he presented to men the claims of God found them ever ready to evade obeying by raising various excuses. So common was this that he illustrated it in the parable from which I have quoted. He says, “They all with one consent began to make excuse.” He found but few who would cheerfully and readily do their duty. One made excuse that his farm must be attended to. He thought this was a sufficient excuse for not obeying. Another was compelled to attend to his oxen. He claimed that this was enough to excuse him. The wife of another stood in his way. He thought that was a sufficient excuse for him. So each studied his own convenience, persuading himself that it would be all right with the Lord, as he, of course, knew their hearts. But the Lord thought differently. He was angry with them and said, “None of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.” Verse 24. These men were self-deceived. Their excuses were not accepted. God commanded them to do thus and so. Their convenience in the matter did not change his requirements. Their various excuses were of no weight with the Lord.

Thus it has always been. The requirements of God are generally in conflict with the selfish interests and worldly policy of men. Hence men are ever ready with excuses for not obeying God. And they vainly imagine that the Lord will really excuse them from obedience, in order to accommodate their worldly interest. But it is a vain hope, a deception of the devil. The whole tenor of the Bible abundantly sustains us in this statement. We must obey God at all hazards and at every sacrifice. Thus Jesus says: “So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:33.

So now when the claims of God’s holy Sabbath, the seventh day, are presented, when the Scripture argument is so clear that men are compelled to admit it, and confess that there is no doubt about it, then, instead of promptly obeying it as God requires, they all begin with one consent to make excuse. They really seem to flatter themselves that these excuses will have weight with the Lord, and that they can live in disobedience, and still have his blessing, simply because it is not convenient to keep it. But this is a vain delusion, as we shall presently show. Let us notice some of these excuses.

First Excuse—God has blessed us in keeping Sunday. The argument is that themselves and others have kept Sunday in the past, and God has blessed them; and hence it must be right, or at least they can continue to do so, and still be blessed of God. The answer to this is very easy. When a person does the best he knows how, then the Lord will accept and bless him, even though he should be in an error on some things. Surely the Lord will not hold a person responsible for what he does not know. But when the Lord sends us light, and shows us that we are wrong, then, if we still persist in doing as we have done before, he will condemn us as guilty.

The Bible is very plain on this point. Jesus says, “This is the condemnation, that light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” John 3:19. Again he says, “If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin; but now they have no cloak for their sin.” John 15:22. If Jesus had not given them the light, they would not have been held responsible; but now they are without excuse. James says, “Therefore, to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” James 4:17. Again, Christ says, “And that servant which knew his Lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.” Luke 12:47. All these and many more scriptures plainly show that when additional light comes, it changes our obligation. Just so upon the Sabbath question. When we did not know that we were breaking the Sabbath, but honestly supposed Sunday to be the Sabbath, the Lord did not hold us guilty; but now he will, if we break it in the future.

Second Excuse—If the seventh day ought to be kept, why was it not found out before? With many this is supposed to be a sufficient reason for disregarding the Sabbath, even when they know that the Bible plainly enjoins it. But the answer is easy. God has a proper time for the development of every important truth. When that time comes, he will always cause light to shine upon that question. Then he holds men responsible to obey it. God’s work has ever been progressive, from the days of Adam down. The Lord gave the patriarchs some light, the prophets much more; and the apostles still more; and thus it has been increasing till the present time, as men have been able to receive it.

Thus Jesus said, “I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.” John 16:12. Why was not the full light of the gospel given to the world before it was? Hear Paul’s statement about it: “According to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, but now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith.” Rom. 16:25, 26. The apostle here says the gospel to the Gentiles was kept secret since the world began to that time. Was that any reason why men should not obey it when it was made known? To the heathen Paul said, “And the times of this ignorance God winked at, but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent.” Acts 17:30. These men queried why this gospel to the Gentiles had not been found out before, if it was true, and this was Paul’s reply.

And so with regard to the Sabbath. God’s time had not come for light upon this question. The same objection has always been raised against every reform God has ever sent to the world. Luther, the great reformer, met this objection on every hand. They said to him, “If this new doctrine which you are preaching is true, why was it not found out before?” What could the man of God say? What did he say? He knew that he had found it out now, and that was enough for him. He could not tell why it had not been found out before; and even to this day it remains a wonder why God suffered the world to continue in such unaccountable darkness so long. But God did not see fit to bring out the light of the Reformation till Luther’s day; yet it was no less the duty of men to receive it when it did come. The same question was asked Wesley in after years, when he began his reformation. His opponents said, “Mr. Wesley, if this thing is so, why didn’t Luther or Calvin or other reformers find it out?” What could he say? Nothing, only that the time had not come.

So with the Sabbath reform. It is so plain that a child can see it. But we believe that it was in the order of the Lord that this reform should be reserved for the last generation. Indeed, we find it plainly foretold in the Bible that light on the Sabbath question would not be given till the last days. In Dan. 7:25, it was plainly foretold that the Catholic church should think to change God’s Sabbath, and should enforce that change for 1260 years. See also Rev. 12:6, 14. Then the Lord has plainly foretold that just before the second advent, there should be great light upon the commandments. Rev. 14:12; 12:17.

Then the Sabbath is to be restored after it has been trodden down for many generations. Isa. 58:12, 13. Of course, then, but little light would be given upon this question till the proper time had come. And so it has been. Within twenty-five years a flood of light has been thrown upon the Sabbath question. It has been brought prominently before the world. Everywhere it is being agitated. Hundreds of ministers are preaching it; papers, books, and millions of tracts, advocating it are being scattered far and wide among the nations, enlightening men upon these subjects. Many thousands from the different nations within these few years have commenced its observance. The wave of reform is growing, spreading wider, and going faster every year. The Lord’s hand is in it. His time has come.

Third Excuse—If it is true, why don’t our wise, learned, and great men see it? Upon this flimsy excuse, thousands are breaking the commandments of God, and risking their own salvation. It is the same old excuse that was used so effectually against Christ. “Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why have ye not brought him? The officers answered, Never man spake like this man. Then answered them the Pharisees, Are ye also deceived? Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him?” John 7:45-48. Ah! here was the question: “Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him?” No matter how wisely he speaks, no matter if he does open the eyes of the blind, unstop the ears of the deaf, make the lame to walk, and raise the dead, no matter how powerful his arguments are, nor how plain the truth which he preaches, all this goes for nothing. “Have our rulers and pharisees, our lawyers and doctors, our high priests and Gamaliels, our elders and wise men,—have these believed him? If not, that is enough for us. It cannot be of God. Away with him.” With these excuses upon their lips, they were left to kill God’s own Son. It was a vain excuse then, and it is no better now. Jesus himself said, “I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.” Matt. 11:25, 26.

Yes, in the wisdom of God these learned and great men were all passed by, and very plain, unlearned men were chosen as God’s agents through whom to give the light. And even Paul says, “For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called; but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty.” 1 Cor. 1:26, 27. Reader, has not this always been the case, with scarcely any exception? Every great reformation has started among the common people. These wise men and doctors of divinity are generally too conceited and high minded to receive God’s humble truth.

It is painfully amusing to see how the same objection has always been brought against the work of God in every age. The Roman Pagan Emperor Diocletian, in a law against Christians A. D. 296, said:—

“The immortal Gods have by their providence, ordained and established that which is true and good. Many wise and good men are united in the opinion that this must be maintained without alteration. These we dare not oppose, and no new religion ought to venture to blame the old; for it is an enormous crime to pull down that which our forefathers established, and which was dominion in the State.”—Rose’s Neander, Vol. I., p. 84.

The famous Roman Catholic, Dr. Eck, spoke against Luther as follows:—

“I am surprised at the humility and modesty with which the reverend doctor undertakes to oppose, alone, so many illustrious fathers, and pretends to know more than the sovereign pontiff, the councils, the doctors, and the universities! It would be surprising, no doubt, if God had hidden the truth from so many saints and martyrs until the advent of the reverend father!”—De Aubigne’s Hist. Ref., Vol. II., p. 59.

Dr. A. Clarke says:—

“The antiquity of an opinion, if that be not founded on a revelation from God, is no evidence of its truth; for there are many ungodly opinions which are more than a thousand years old. And as to great men and great names, we find them enrolled and arranged on each side of all controversies.”—Introduction to Solomon’s Songs.

So we see that this is no new objection. God’s servants have always had it to meet in every reformation the Lord has given the world. God uses men who are humble enough to obey unpopular truth when they see it.

Fourth Excuse—We must be subject to the laws of the land, the powers that be. It is strange how very loyal and law abiding some men suddenly become when it is for their convenience! God’s law says, Thou shalt keep the seventh day. The law of the land says, Thou shalt keep the first day. Here is a good excuse. Paul says, “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers.” Rom. 13:1. That is just the thing to do. “We will obey the law of the land, and that will excuse us from obeying God.” How deceitful the human heart is! Have you never read this scripture: “But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye”? and this: “We ought to obey God rather than man”? Acts 4:19; 5:29. But how are these scriptures to be reconciled? Just this way: The law of God must be obeyed at all events. Then, if the law of the land is in opposition to the law of God, obey God anyway, and take the consequences. Submit to the penalty of the law of the land without resistance. Do just as the apostles did. They obeyed God, and took a whipping, went to jail, and lost their lives. They did not resist the powers that were, neither did they disobey God.

So we should do in this case. God requires us to keep the seventh day, and this we can do, and there is no law of the land forbidding it. Then if the law of the land compels us to rest the first day, we can do that too, or pay the penalty which it imposes for Sunday labor. So there is no difficulty here. But, fortunately for Sabbath-keepers, in this country the laws in nearly every State are very favorable to us. They provide that we shall be allowed to work on Sunday if we observe the

seventh day. And, in fact, even in those States where there is no such provision, the Sunday law is a dead letter. Our brethren everywhere work right along on Sunday the same as other days, and the law of the land doesn’t interfere with them, so there is no difficulty in this respect.

Fifth Excuse—If we keep the Sabbath, it will greatly interfere with our business, so that we shall not be able to make a living. Really, this is the most prominent of all the excuses, the one that weighs the most with the people. It is a fact that in most all business the seventh day is the busiest day of the week, hence it does interfere more or less with business to keep that day. But if that is really the Sabbath day, is this a sufficient excuse for not observing it? Certainly it is not if the Bible is to decide the question. The Lord everywhere positively says that our first duty is to obey him, whether it be convenient or not, whether it interferes with our worldly affairs or not. It teaches most expressly that a man must obey God, even if it requires a sacrifice of business, the comforts of life, and even life itself. Let us read upon this point:—

“For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Matt. 16:26.

“Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek); for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matt. 6:31-33. Reader, can you trust these promises from the Lord, that if you will first obey him all necessary things shall be added unto you?

Once more: “And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundred-fold, and shall inherit everlasting life.” Matt. 19:29. What a blessed promise! God is able to fulfill it. Jesus says, “If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.” “So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:26, 27, 33. This language is very plain. Nothing must stand between us and the requirements of the Lord.

Think for a moment of what the ancient worthies suffered for their faith in God. The Lord required it of them, they were greatly blessed in doing it. “And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, they were tempted, were slain with the sword; they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented (of whom the world was not worthy); they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.” Heb. 11:36-38. What suffering these men endured for the Lord’s sake! They were whipped, and stoned; they were driven out of society, afflicted; they had to wear the skins of animals for clothing. The observance of the Sabbath will bring no such affliction as this upon any one. Can we excuse ourselves, then, because it is not just convenient?

But after all, is it so difficult a matter to observe the Sabbath? No, indeed! The experience of the last twenty-five years has shown that men can observe the Sabbath with but very little sacrifice if they try. There are twenty thousand Seventh-day Adventists, scattered in every part of the world. They come from all classes, and from every occupation in life. After trying it, we all find that it is not nearly as difficult as it appeared to be. Indeed, Sabbath-keepers prosper just as well financially as other people. They neither starve, nor suffer materially in their business. If they lose one place, they soon obtain another. The blessing of God seems to be with them. All these imaginations which the devil raises in men’s minds, of poverty and starvation, never come to pass. In a few weeks time men in almost any business can adjust matters so as to go on with their work as well as before. They can hire plenty of men who will observe the Sabbath, and work on Sunday; or if they wish to work out, they soon find places to work on the first-day.

But, oh! how the devil will magnify the difficulties in a person’s way, when he is thinking of keeping the Sabbath! The little mole hill becomes a mountain. A slight difficulty becomes an impossibility. Loss of business and starvation loom up before him. All the promises and protection of the great God are forgotten. Bunyan beautifully illustrates this idea. Pilgrim saw ferocious lions before him, right in the path. He was terribly frightened. He thought they would certainly devour him. There was no way to go around them. But pressing on, when he came near to them, lo! they were both chained, and he went safely by them. Reader, so it will be in this case. Step right out, and obey God; and the difficulties will vanish. You can obey God, and live. Thousands do it, and you can. But even suppose you have to sacrifice largely in obeying God. Think what Jesus has suffered for you. Think what the kingdom of God is worth. Think of a place in the heavenly city. Think of immortal life. Think of the favor of God. Can not you afford to sacrifice something for these? D. M. CANRIGHT.

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