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Signs of the Times, Vol. 20, No. 26.

Faith—Do You Possess It?
Earlier text: Question Corner

FIELD NOTES.

By Editor

DURING eight days of meetings held at Shelby, Mich., by Elder R. C. Horton, twenty-five persons made their first start to serve the Lord.
AN Upper Columbia Conference institute is to be held at College Place, Wash., from May 9 to 29. The Conference camp meeting will be held May 30 to June 6.
It is announced that a general meeting for New England will be held at South Lancaster, Mass., May 3-13. Elders U. Smith and S. N. Haskell are to be present.
SINCE last June, under the labors of Elder W. W. Steward, thirty-three persons have been added to the church at Boise City, Idaho, and eight others were awaiting baptism at date of his report.
"STEPS TO CHRIST" is now printed in the Italian language, and is being circulated in Italy. Elder H. P. Holser reports that some have been added to the church among the Waldenses, and a number have been gained in Turin, the former capital.
It has been suggested in the West Virginia Conference to raise a fund to buy tracts to place in the hands of field workers for free distribution in their travels about the country. It is designed to put some phase of the truth in every house where it will be accepted.
ELDER J. E. GRAHAM, of Portland, Oregon, has been selected to take the general management of the movements of the missionary ship Pitcairn on her next voyage, and Dr. J. E. Caldwell, formerly of California, now of Battle Creek, Mich., is to go to the island of Raiatea as a medical missionary.
AFTER a stay of twelve weeks at Green Springs, Ohio, Elder E. G. Van Horn organized a church of thirty-two members and a Sabbath school of fifty members. This new company has begun the work of building a new house of worship. The interest at this place was started by the circulation of tracts.
As a result of meetings held within a few miles of Grant's Pass, Oregon, by Elder W. C. Ward, a Sabbath school of twenty-three members was organized. This included a Sunday school superintendent and all the teachers. In other words, it was the conversion of a Sunday school into a Sabbath school.
BROTHER GEORGE A. KING, one of our veteran canvassers, reports that thousands of dollars worth of our books are being sold on the island of Jamaica. The organization of a comparatively strong church at Kingston has awakened the enemy to the fact that there is a power in the truth being disseminated in that region, and the characteristic plea for help from the civil authorities is being made.
ELDER W. G. KNEELAND, who is laboring in Demarara, South America, writes that he has met with some success. There is a company of twenty at Georgetown, besides several brethren scattered through the country. There is also a small company at Ulverston, ninety miles from Georgetown. Of ten others at Georgetown who were to be baptized, one was a Church of England minister. Brother Kneeland says there is a great call for reading matter, especially small leaflets written in very simple language. The people are quite generally poor, and they expect to get something gratis at open-air meetings. Everyone begs for tracts, and feels hurt if not given something to read.
THE condition of the world is favorable to the designs of the enemies of the truth we proclaim. In nearly all the world there exists in some form a union of Church and State. In many parts the persecuting spirit underlying this union is more or less dormant, waiting to be aroused as soon as the sentiment of last-day enmity to the truth can awaken the masses. The blast and the fuse are already laid, waiting but the touch of the match. Even in our own land of boasted freedom, where the Federal Constitution is nominally against the manipulation of the State machinery to further the purpose of a corrupt and bigoted church element seeking for the mastery, the dragonic Church and State union is hidden in Sunday laws and court decisions.Here and there its fangs and talons crop out, showing that it is only waiting until the harbingers of truth become a little more aggressive, when all the hidden forces of the enemy will be brought into action. Shall we withhold the message for fear of arousing the dragon?—No; the work of warning the world must be done before the Master comes. The longer it is delayed, the more difficult it will be to reach the people. The sooner it is accomplished, the sooner will our Deliverer appear to take us beyond the reach of the destroyer. "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature," and "lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world."
In order to oppose the Sabbath truth as taught in the law of God, six ministers of Oliver Springs, Tenn.—Baptist, Methodist, and Presbyterian—found it necessary to indorse the antinomian theory of a Disciple minister, who was opposing the work of Elder H. W. Reed. It seems that when ministers set themselves to the work of opposing the law of God, they become utterly oblivious of the absurdity of their position in the light of their own denominational creeds. They seem to have forgotten, if they ever knew, that it is the "carnal mind" that is "not subject to the law of God." They succeeded in having Brother Reed shut out of all the churches, halls and schoolhouses because he maintained the obligation of man to obey the law of God.

THE SABBATH QUESTION

By John Nevins Andrews

IS THE

LEADING SUBJECT OF THE DAY.

THE GREAT DEMAND OF THE HOUR, FROM THE PULPIT AND THE PRESS, IN SOCIAL CIRCLES AND IN LEGISLATIVE HALLS, IS

That the Sabbath be more strictly observed. To assist the intelligent-minded of our land to have correct views of this important question, a book has been prepared which thoroughly discusses the Sabbatic institution in every conceivable phase. Such is the valuable work entitled

"History of the Sabbath and the First Day of the Week."

BY ELD. J. N. ANDREWS.
This great and exhaustive work is the result of ten years' hard labor and historical research. The book contains 548 12mo pages, and is printed in clear type, on good paper, and is well bound. Price, post-paid, $2.00.
Address, PACIFIC PRESS, Oakland, Cal.

WITH CHRIST AT HOME.

By C. H. Edwards

BY C. H. EDWARDS.
THERE to live and dwell forever, There to manifest his grace, There to hear his blest assurance, There to see his glorious face. Hark! dear soul, wilt thou but listen To those voices rich and free, For they're singing, clearly, sweetly, “Jesus loveth even thee.” Blessed Jesus, blessed Saviour, Take us, teach us not to roam; Keep us, guide us and perfect us Till we reach that blessed home.
Tolland, Conn.

A SOLEMN DUTY.

By Ellen G. White

BY MRS. E. G. WHITE.
Children who have been bereft of parents need fathers and mothers who will care for them, and bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. As Christians, we should not be indifferent in regard to the children who are left to the mercy of the world, and if we cannot make homes for them ourselves, we should awaken an interest in the hearts of others who can receive them, and exert a steady influence in behalf of their souls' salvation. In this matter there is a great missionary field open, in which all Christians can act a part; and our efforts for the salvation of orphan children should not be confined simply to those of our own faith. By taking an active interest in these bereaved children, an army of youth could be placed in our schools, where they might have the Bible taught to them in simplicity.

A WORD FROM ALASKA.

By Editor

BROTHER C. B. FITZGERALD, of Sam's Valley, Oregon, sends us the following items, which he has received from a sister in Alaska who lives at Fort Wrangle. She says that she is doing all that she can in distributing reading matter, but the field is a somewhat difficult one. Most of the white people there are Presbyterians or Catholics, nearly all of the Indians belonging to the former church, and the greater part of them not able to speak English. She says but few of the Indians can read, and in respect to the Sabbath cannot understand the days of the week, because they have been taught that Sunday is the seventh day. She thinks that many of the Indians there are diseased and need a physician; and one who could come there and labor in that line could do more good than many preachers. She longs that someone might come who could go to all the various islands, on some of which there are no schools, and labor for the Indians. She knows of no one in that section who holds like faith with herself, and she longs for a missionary physician to come there and labor.
In the future we will present before our readers something upon the Alaskan field.

International S. S. Lessons.

"So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading." —Neh. 8:8

LESSON VII.—SUNDAY, MAY 13, 1894.

ISRAEL IN EGYPT.

[NOTE.—The questions which follow are merely suggestive for the student on the leading points of the lesson; it is presumed that the thorough student will think of many more as he studies the subject. References, where verses alone are given, always refer to the lesson scripture printed above. All other references are given in book, chapter, and verse. The text printed is that of the Revised Version, not because it is especially preferred, but because it is not found in every family, as is the common version.]

Lesson Scripture, Ex. 1: 1-14.

1. NOW THESE are the names of the sons of Israel, which came into Egypt; every man and his household came with Jacob. 2. Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah;3. Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin; 4. Dan and Naphtali, Gad and Asher. 5. And all the souls that came out of the loins of Jacob were seventy souls; and Joseph was in Egypt already. 6. And Joseph died, and all his brethren, and all that generation. 7. And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them. 8. Now there arose a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph. 9. And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we; 10. Come, let us deal wisely with them; lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there falleth out any war, they also join themselves unto our enemies, and fight against us, and get them up out of the land. 11. Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh store cities, Pithom and Raamses. 12. But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and the more they spread abroad. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel. 13. And the Egyptians made the children of Israel to serve with rigor; 14. And they made their lives bitter with hard service, in mortar and in brick, and in all manner of service in the field, all their service, wherein they made them serve with rigor.
Golden Text: "Our help is in the name of the Lord." Ps. 124:8.

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

  1. Give a synopsis of the intervening events between this and our last lesson. Note 1.
  2. Name the sons of Israel who went down into Egypt with their father. Verses 1-4.
  3. How many did they and their households number exclusive of Joseph? Verse 5.
  4. Where was Joseph? Same verse. Note 2.
  5. In the course of events what occurred? Verse 6. Note 3.
  6. What is said of the increase of the children of Israel?
  7. Who arose in Egypt? Note 4.
  8. What did the Egyptians say as the children of Israel increased? Verse 9.
  9. How did they consult together? Verse 10.
  10. What plan did they adopt? Verse 11. Note 5.
  11. In their bondage what did they do?
  12. What effect did the affliction have upon the Israelites? Verse 12.
  13. How did this make the Egyptians feel? Same verse.
  14. How did they further show their hatred toward Israel? Verses 13, 14. Note 6.
  15. In whom alone is real help? Golden text.

NOTES.

1. Our lesson covers a period of time from the death of Joseph, B.C. 1635 (Usher's Chronology) to about 1571 B.C., a period of about 64 years. But the chronology is not material. During the first part of the children of Israel's sojourn in Egypt, just as long as the work of Joseph was remembered, they were prosperous and happy and increased in number rapidly. This lesson is found in the book of Exodus. The word "Exodus" means "departure," and the book is so called because of the exodus, or departure, of the Israelites, upon which the book treats. It is sometimes called the second book of Moses. The chronology of the Egyptians, which is often used by infidels to overthrow the Bible account, is exceedingly uncertain and indefinite. While the general order is clear, the exact dates are not known. In fact, in the best books on Egypt the dates vary greatly among themselves. Peloubet says, "There is no certain chronology in the Bible or in history until about 1000 B.C." Now in regard to the duration of the bondage in Egypt. It is given in Ex. 12:40 and Gal. 3:17 as 430 years. This includes 215 years of wandering in Palestine by Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and 215 years of bondage in Egypt. The Samaritan, Alexandrian, and Septuagint Versions of Ex. 12:40 read as follows: "Now the sojourning of the children of Israel and of their fathers, which they sojourned in the land of Canaan, and in the land of Egypt, was 430 years." It will be seen that a little portion of the original was omitted by mistake from the Hebrew text upon which our Common Version is based. In our lesson to-day it will be noticed that not all who went down into Egypt were given, but just simply the heads of the tribes.
2. Were seventy souls.—These seventy are given in detail in Genesis 46. It will be noticed that of these sixty-eight were men; their wives and daughters were additional. In Acts 7 the number is given as seventy-five, evidently including Joseph and his family. The fact of the numbering only of the men must be taken into account in the great increase of the Israelites. The women surely outnumbered the men, for many of the men had more than one wife.
3. And Joseph died.—His age was 110 years (see last lesson). Seventeen of these years he lived a boy at home in Hebron, ten years were spent as a slave, three years in prison, and for eighty years a ruler in Egypt. Evidently the cares and burdens and trials through which he passed shortened his wonderfully eventful life.
4. A new king.—Literally a new dynasty. It is supposed that this dynasty was the nineteenth, and that the Pharaoh of the oppression was the great Rameses II., the Sesostris of Greek history, whose reign extended over sixty-seven years, and whose son, Menephthah I., was the Pharaoh of the exodus. There have lately been made some very remarkable discoveries throwing light on this portion of the Bible: First, the body of the actual Rameses II. has been found, and is now in the museum of Bulaq, near Cairo, Egypt. It was discovered in July, 1881, together with thirty-five other mummies of kings, queens, princes, and high priests, in the ruins of a temple near Thebes, by Professors Maspero and Brugsch. By written papyri preserved with the mummy, and markings on the case and bandages, it was easily identified. He is said to have been the greatest builder of all the Pharaohs, and Mariette says that there is not a ruin in Egypt or Nubia that does not bear his name. The body of his son, the Pharaoh of the Exodus, has never been found, but memorials of him exist. Another discovery is identified as the treasure city built by the oppressed Israelites. The religious name of the city was Pi Tum, meaning devoted to Tum, from which we have Pithom. Its civil name was Succoth, built of hard, unbaked brick. Says Harper: "The lower courses of these walls, and for some distance up, are of well-made bricks with chopped straw in them, but higher up the courses of brick are not so good, the straw is long and scanty, and the last courses have no straw at all, but have sedges, rushes, and water plants in the mud." "And some were without straw or rushes." We have also the mention of the Hebrews under the name "Habiri" on various tables which speak of the gradual encroachment of that people. All of these and other proofs go to show the Bible account to be correct.
5. They did set over them taskmasters.—Their policy was shrewd and wicked, but it was not wise. They thought to fight against God, but the very hardships of the Israelites made them stronger physically, and the Lord used that as a means of increasing their numbers.
6. The hatred of the Egyptians even went so far as to destroy all the male children, in hope of destroying Israel. It was evidently Satan's plan, in order that the promised seed might be destroyed, and so the plan of salvation deferred; but God was with his people, and the tribulation worked out for them salvation.

TENTS FOR THE CAMP MEETING.

By Editor

ALL who want tents for the general camp meeting, to be held at Oakland from May 3 to 20, must apply at once through their church elder or clerk to E. A. Chapman, and no one else. We are expecting to have the largest meeting ever held in Oakland, and will from the beginning start in to give the first to come the first choice.
The prices of tents will be as follows: For 10x12 tents, without fly or carpet, $3.00; 12x16 tents, without fly or carpet, $5.00.
Do not fail to send in orders at once.
CAMP MEETING COMMITTEE.

CALIFORNIA TRACT SOCIETY.

By N. C. McClure

THE twenty-fourth annual meeting of the California Tract Society will be held in Oakland in connection with the State camp meeting, May 10 to 21, for the election of officers, and the transaction of such other business as may come before the meeting. N. C. MCCLURE, Vice President.

HOW TO REACH THE CAMP GROUND.

By C. H. Jones

THERE are quite a number of depots in Oakland, and various ways of reaching the camp ground. We will not attempt to name them all, but, in order to save confusion, will name the most direct.
We would recommend those coming via San Jose and intermediate points to take the narrow-gauge railroad. Check baggage to, and get off at, Thirteenth and Franklin Streets. The electric cars on Thirteenth Street take passengers direct to the camp ground.
Those coming from Monterey and intermediate points over the broad-gauge railroad will check baggage to, and get off at, Broadway Station. Then go one block to the north and take the electric cars at the corner of Second Street and Broadway, direct to the grounds.
Those coming via Benicia, Vallejo, and Port Costa should check baggage to, and get off at, Sixteenth Street Station. Then take the electric cars of the Oakland Consolidated Company (yellow cars), running on Sixteenth Street, transferring at Sixteenth and Grove Streets direct to the camp ground.
Those coming from San Francisco via the narrow-gauge railroad should get off at Thirteenth and Franklin Streets, then take the electric cars at that point direct to the grounds.
Those coming from San Francisco via the broad-gauge railroad should take the Oakland local train and get off at Broadway Station, then go one block to the east, taking the electric cars at the corner of Seventh and Franklin Streets; or get off at the West Oakland Station and take the Eighth Street electric cars.
Arrangements have been made with the Whitney Standard and Oakland Transfer Company to take trunks and packages from San Francisco to the camp ground in Oakland at twenty-five cents each, and from depots in Oakland to the grounds for fifteen cents each. Checks should be left with the above-named company at their office, No. 3 Commercial Street, San Francisco (just across the street from ferry landing), or delivered to the baggage master on the camp ground. Pay no money to the Transfer Company, as arrangements have been made to collect when the baggage is delivered.
Those who have baggage checked to any of the depots in Oakland should give the checks to only the authorized agents of the Whitney Standard and Oakland Transfer Company. If none of their agents are at the depot on the arrival of your train, then hold your checks and give them to the baggage master on the camp ground.
By carefully following the above directions much trouble and inconvenience will be avoided.
C. H. JONES.

REDUCTION OF FARE TO THE CAMP MEETING AT OAKLAND.

By C. H. Jones

Southern Pacific Company.

DURING the period of the Midwinter Exposition, up to June 30, 1894, the Southern Pacific Company will sell round-trip excursion tickets from Portland, Oregon; Ogden, Utah; El Paso, Texas, and all intermediate stations, including branch lines, at the special rates given below. As these rates are less in most instances than could be obtained in any other way, the committee has decided to advise our people who wish to attend the general camp meeting, to be held in Oakland May 10 to 20, to purchase these special excursion tickets. Such tickets will be good only for a continuous journey both in coming to and returning from the meeting, but will be available therefor within thirty days of sale.
Special rates will be charged for these tickets, as follows:—
1. From stations distant from San Francisco 50 miles or less, one fare and one-third for the round trip, with fifty cents added.
2. From stations distant from San Francisco over 50 miles, but not over 150 miles, one fare and one-third for the round trip, with $1.00 added.
3. From stations distant from San Francisco over 150 miles, but not over 300 miles, one fare and one-fifth for the round trip, with $2.00 added.
4. From stations distant from San Francisco over 300 miles, one fare for the round trip, with $2.50 added.
The amounts above mentioned to be added are to cover coupons for admission to the Exposition grounds as follows: For fifty cents, coupon for one admission; for $1.00, coupon for two admissions; for $2.00, coupon for four admissions; for $2.50, coupon for five admissions.
For children under twelve years of age, half the above rates will be charged. Children under five years, free.
Printed schedules of the exact rates to be charged have been sent to the various ticket agents, by whom they will be posted at their respective stations. Call on agents for exact rates.

BAGGAGE.

These tickets all read to San Francisco, and, unless otherwise specified, baggage will be checked to that point; but by special arrangement baggage can be checked to Oakland by simply stating to the agent that you are going to attend the general camp meeting of the Seventh-day Adventists, at Oakland, and requesting him to check the baggage to that point instead of to San Francisco. One hundred and fifty pounds of baggage is allowed on each full ticket.

STOP-OVER PRIVILEGES.

Should the purchasers of these tickets desire to stop over when returning, the opportunity will be afforded to do so upon payment of an additional one-fifth fare.

San Francisco and North Pacific Railway Co.

Those coming to the camp meeting at Oakland over the San Francisco and North Pacific Railroad (Healdsburg and Santa Rosa line) will purchase a first-class ticket to San Francisco, paying the regular fare, and at the same time presenting a certificate, which must be filled out and signed by the ticket agent. After these certificates have been indorsed by the secretary of the Conference at the camp ground, they will entitle the holder to a return ticket at one-third the regular rate at any time from May 1 up to and including June 6, 1894. Tickets must be purchased on day of departure, as they will be good for passage on trains of that date only.
These certificates can now be obtained, free of charge, by addressing E. A. Chapman, 1059 Castro Street, Oakland, Cal. We would suggest that where several persons are coming from the same place, it be arranged to have all the certificates needed sent to one person, and then passed around to those who are coming. Be sure to order enough for all.
Transportation Agent.

RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE FOREIGN MISSION BOARD.

THE board has made the following recommendations regarding laborers for foreign fields:—
That Prof. W. H. McKee, of the American Sentinel editorial staff, go to Basel, Switzerland, to connect with the publishing house.
That Elder F. H. Westphal, of Illinois, go to Argentina, South America.
That Brother John McCarthy, who came from Argentina to attend the Bible school at Battle Creek the past winter, return to Argentina to engage in missionary work.
That Brother F. C. Kelly, now employed in this office, go to the United States of Colombia, South America, to engage in missionary work.
At last advices the committee were considering other recommendations.

CALIFORNIA GENERAL CAMP MEETING.

By N. C. McClure

THE California general camp meeting and annual conference will be held at Bushrod Park, Oakland, beginning May 10, and ending the 20th. This camp meeting proper will be preceded by a workers' meeting, beginning May 3, and ending when the camp meeting begins, the night of the 10th. This meeting will be one of the most important meetings ever held in the Conference, and all of the brethren, sisters, and friends who can possibly attend should be at both the workers' and general meeting. From the first there will be important revival services held, Bible instruction that is most appropriate for the times in which we live, also instruction in the Christian Help work for the churches, and a hygienic cooking class for all, conducted by experienced workers from Battle Creek. The Auditing Committee will meet on the camp ground May 3, to do their work, so that it may not interfere with the general meeting. All who have been in Conference employ during the past year should see that their report of labor and expenses is handed in at least one week before that time, else their account may not be audited in time for settlement. All accounts must be made out up to date, and the remainder of time and expenses after that handed in immediately on arrival on the camp ground. All accounts must be sent to E. A. Chapman, Pacific Press, Oakland, Cal. If you have not received your blank for reporting, apply to him at once.
N. C. MCCLURE, Vice President Cal. Conference.

LESSON XIX.—SABBATH, MAY 12, 1894.

SAVED BY HIS LIFE.

Lesson Scripture, Luke 8: 41-56; 9: 1-6.

41. AND behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue; and he fell down at Jesus' feet, and besought him to come into his house;
42. For he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she lay a-dying. But as he went the multitudes thronged him.
43. And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, and could not be healed of any,
44. Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment; and immediately the issue of her blood stanched.
45. And Jesus said, Who is it that touched me? And when all denied, Peter said, and they that were with him, Master, the multitudes press thee and crush thee.
46. But Jesus said, Someone did touch me; for I perceived that power had gone forth from me.
47. And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people for what cause she touched him, and how she was healed immediately.
48. And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.
49. While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue's house, saying, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master.
50. But Jesus hearing it, answered him, Fear not; only believe, and she shall be made whole.
51. And when he came to the house, he suffered not any man to enter in with him, save Peter, and John, and James, and the father of the maiden and her mother.
52. And all were weeping, and bewailing her; but he said, Weep not; for she is not dead, but sleepeth.
53. And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead.
54. But he, taking her by the hand, called, saying, Maiden, arise.55. And her spirit returned, and she rose up immediately; and he commanded that something be given her to eat. 56. And her parents were amazed; but he charged them to tell no man what had been done.
1. And he called the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.
2. And he sent them forth to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.
3. And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staff, nor wallet, nor bread, nor money; neither have two coats.
4. And into whatsoever house ye enter, there abide, and thence depart.
5. And as many as receive you not, when ye depart from that city, shake off the dust from your feet for a testimony against them.
6. And they departed, and went throughout the villages, preaching the gospel, and healing everywhere.
SINCE in this lesson we finish the eighth chapter, make a special review of the two preceding lessons. When you have mastered this lesson, you should be able to give a synopsis of the entire chapter. The present lesson is easily outlined, thus: Raising the ruler's daughter; restoring the woman with the issue of blood; sending out the twelve.
  1. What ruler came to meet Jesus after his return from Gadara?
  2. What did he desire?
  3. How old was his daughter? and what was her condition?
  4. As Jesus went, what hindered his progress?
  5. Tell the circumstances of the woman who came behind Jesus as he went along.
  6. What did she do? and what was the result?.
  7. What did Jesus immediately ask?
  8. How did the apostles express their surprise at such a question?
  9. How was Jesus able to distinguish the poor woman's touch from all others?
  10. When the woman saw that Jesus knew about her, what did she do?
  11. What comforting assurance did she receive?
  12. While this was taking place, what message came from the ruler's house?
  13. What did Jesus say to encourage the father?
  14. Who only did Jesus allow to enter the house with him?
  15. What did he say to those who were bewailing?
  16. How did they receive this statement?
  17. Describe the raising of the maiden.
  18. After these things whom did Jesus send to preach?
  19. What power and authority did he give them?
  20. What were they to do as they preached the gospel?
  21. What charge were they given concerning provision for their journey?
  22. When they entered a house, what were they to do?
  23. What were they to do when they were not received?
  24. When they departed, what did they do?

NOTES.

1. "LET us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith." Heb. 10: 22. The crowd thronged Jesus, yet the poor, afflicted woman, who could only get near enough to touch the hem of his garment, was really nearer to him than anybody else in the whole company. It is faith that brings the soul near to God.
2. "SOMEBODY hath touched me; for I perceive that virtue is gone out of Me." Instead of "virtue," the Revised Version has "power," which is more forcible, and a more exact rendering. Christ is not only the wisdom of God, but he is the power of God. 1 Cor. 1: 24. Faith lays hold on that power and appropriates it.
3. MANY people think that faith is nothing but imagination. If that were all, why didn't it avail to heal the woman when she was being treated by the physicians? She showed her confidence in their skill by spending all her living upon them. Imagination, if properly acted upon, will cure an imaginary disease; but imagination cannot give back life that is actually departing, as it was from that woman. Moreover, Christ himself perceived that something had gone from him. It was not imagination that healed the woman; it was faith, and "faith is the substance of things hoped for."
4. WHAT was it that went from Christ to the afflicted woman?—It was just the thing that she stood in need of, and that was life. "The blood is the life," and that is what she was losing. As soon as she touched Jesus, "immediately her issue of blood stanched." She was made whole. Life from Jesus had followed that touch of faith, and filled her. This also was written "that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name." John 20: 31. Christ "is our life." Col. 3: 4. He came to give life, not simply physical life, but spiritual life. This life is as real as the life he imparted to the woman, and is obtained in the same way. "I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." Gal. 2: 20. In this lesson we have a practical example of the reality of the work of faith.
5. CHRIST is the "firstborn from the dead." Col. 1: 18. And yet many were raised from the dead before his crucifixion and resurrection. Nevertheless, it is true that there is no resurrection of the dead except through the resurrection of Christ. 1 Cor. 15: 17, 18. He is the "Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." Rev. 13: 8. Then he must also be the Lamb raised from the dead from the foundation of the world. That this is the case he himself showed in the words, "I am the resurrection and the life." John 11: 25. So in all things he has the preëminence. There is no life but from him.
6. IN this lesson we have illustrated the pitying tenderness of Jesus. Let us not forget that in all this he was representing God to men. It was God's life and character that he was living. From this we see that God "delighteth in mercy." Micah 7: 18. It is he that is "touched with the feeling of our infirmities." He does not like to see sorrow and suffering, and so he gives his own perfect life for their removal. Who cannot fully trust that such a God will give him the very best things that the universe contains?
7. "HE called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils." This power was not given to the twelve alone, but to the seventy as well. Luke 10: 17. Neither did it cease with them, for he promised it even to the end of the world. Matt. 28: 18-20. And yet people mourn over the great power of Satan, and often make it an excuse for their failures. What matters it how strong Satan may be, or how numerous a host he may lead, since Christ has given his followers power over all devils? Mark, it is not simply power over one devil, but "over all devils." All the devils combined are not a match for the weakest soul who through faith is armed with the life of Christ. He has spoiled "principalities and powers." In chapter eight, we saw what power Christ had over a legion of devils. To man he has given the power so to resist Satan that he will flee in dismay, but only as man continues "steadfast in the faith."
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