Review and Herald, Vol. 44, No. 11. (9/1/1874)

Review and Herald

Sep 1, 1874

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 1, 1874

THE TEMPTATION OF CHRIST.

By Ellen G. White

BY MRS. E. G. WHITE.

(Continued.)

The humiliation and agonizing sufferings of Christ in the wilderness of temptation were for the race. In Adam all was lost through transgression. Through Christ was man’s only hope of restoration to the favor of God. Man had separated himself at such a distance from God by transgression of his law, that he could not humiliate himself before God proportionate to his grievous sin. The Son of God could fully understand the aggravating sins of the transgressor, and in his sinless character he alone could make an acceptable atonement for man in suffering the agonizing sense of his Father’s displeasure. The sorrow and anguish of the Son of God for the sins of the world were proportionate to his divine excellence and purity, as well as to the magnitude of the offense.

Christ was our example in all things. As we see his humiliation in the long trial and fast in the wilderness to overcome the temptations of appetite in our behalf, we are to take this lesson home to ourselves when we are tempted. If the power of appetite is so strong upon the human family, and its indulgence so fearful that the Son of God subjected himself to such a test, how important that we feel the necessity of having appetite under the control of reason. Our Saviour fasted nearly six weeks, that he might gain for man the victory upon the point of appetite. How can professed Christians with an enlightened conscience, and Christ before them as their pattern, yield to the indulgence of those appetites which have an enervating influence upon the mind and heart? It is a painful fact that habits of self-gratification at the expense of health, and the weakening of moral power, is holding in the bonds of slavery at the present time a large share of the Christian world.

Many who profess godliness do not inquire into the reason of Christ’s long period of fasting and suffering in the wilderness. His anguish was not so much from enduring the pangs of hunger as from his sense of the fearful result of the indulgence of appetite and passion upon the race. He knew that appetite would be man’s idol, and would lead him to forget God, and would stand directly in the way of his salvation.

Our Saviour showed perfect confidence in his Heavenly Father, that he would not suffer him to be tempted above what he should give him strength to endure, and would bring him off conqueror if he patiently bore the test to which he was subjected. Christ had not, of his own will, placed himself in danger. God had suffered Satan, for the time being, to have this power over his Son. Jesus knew that if he preserved his integrity in this extremely trying position, an angel of God would be sent to relieve him if there was no other way. He had taken humanity, and was the representative of the race.

Satan saw that he prevailed nothing with Christ in his second great temptation. “And the devil, taking him up into a high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said unto him, all this power will I give thee, and the glory of them; for that is delivered unto me: and to whomsoever I will, I give it. If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine.”

In the first two great temptations Satan had not revealed his true purposes or his character. He claimed to be an exalted messenger from the courts of Heaven, but he now throws off his disguise. In a panoramic view he presented before Christ all the kingdoms of the world in the most attractive light, while he claimed to be the prince of the world.

This last temptation was the most alluring of the three. Satan knew that Christ’s life must be one of sorrow, hardship, and conflict. And he thought he could take advantage of this fact to bribe Christ to yield his integrity. Satan brought all his strength to bear upon this last temptation, for this last effort was to decide his destiny as to who should be victor. He claimed the world as his dominion, and he was the prince of the power of the air. He bore Jesus to the top of an exceeding high mountain, and then in a panoramic view presented before him all the kingdoms of the world that had been so long under his dominion, and offered them to him in one great gift. He told Christ he could come into possession of the kingdoms of the world without suffering or peril on his part. Satan promises to yield his scepter and dominion, and Christ shall be rightful ruler for one favor from him. All he requires in return for making over to him the kingdoms of the world that day presented before him, is, that Christ shall do him homage as to a superior.

The eye of Jesus for a moment rested upon the glory presented before him; but he turned away and refused to look upon the entrancing spectacle. He would not endanger his steadfast integrity by dallying with the tempter. When Satan solicited homage, Christ’s divine indignation was aroused, and he could no longer tolerate the blasphemous assumption of Satan, or even permit him to remain in his presence. Here Christ exercised his divine authority, and commanded Satan to desist. “Get thee hence, Satan; for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” Satan, in his pride and arrogance, had declared himself to be the rightful and permanent ruler of the world, the possessor of all its riches and glory, claiming homage of all who lived in it, as though he had created the world and all things that were therein. Said he to Christ: “All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them; for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.” He endeavored to make a special contract with Christ, to make over to him at once the whole of his claim, if he would worship him.

This insult to the Creator moved the indignation of the Son of God to rebuke and dismiss him. Satan had flattered himself in his first temptation that he had so well concealed his true character and purposes that Christ did not recognize him as the fallen rebel chief whom he had conquered and expelled from Heaven. The words of dismissal from Christ, “Get thee hence, Satan,” evidenced that he was known from the first, and that all his deceptive arts had been unsuccessful upon the Son of God. Satan knew that if Jesus should die to redeem man, his power must end after a season, and he would be destroyed. Therefore, it was his studied plan to prevent, if possible, the completion of the great work which had been commenced by the Son of God. If the plan of man’s redemption should fail, he would retain the kingdom which he then claimed. And if he should succeed, he flattered himself that he would reign in opposition to the God of Heaven.

When Jesus left Heaven, and there left his power and glory, Satan exulted. He thought that the Son of God was placed in his power. The temptation took so easily with the holy pair in Eden, that he hoped he could with his satanic cunning and power overthrow even the Son of God, and thereby save his life and kingdom. If he could tempt Jesus to depart from the will of his Father, as he had done in his temptation with Adam and Eve, then his object would be gained.

The time was to come when Jesus should redeem the possession of Satan by giving his own life, and, after a season, all in Heaven and earth should submit to him. Jesus was steadfast. He chose his life of suffering, his ignominious death, and, in the way appointed by his Father, to become a lawful ruler of the kingdoms of the earth, and have them given into his hands as an everlasting possession. Satan also will be given into his hands to be destroyed by death, never more to annoy Jesus, nor the saints in glory.

Jesus said to this wily foe, “Get thee hence, Satan; for it is written, thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” Satan had asked Christ to give him evidence that he was the Son of God, and he had in this instance the proof he had asked. At the divine command of Christ he was compelled to obey. He was repulsed and silenced. He had no power to enable him to withstand the peremptory dismissal. He was compelled without another word to instantly desist and to leave the world’s Redeemer.

The hateful presence of Satan was withdrawn. The contest was ended. With immense suffering Christ’s victory in the wilderness was complete as was the failure of Adam. And for a season he stood freed from the presence of his powerful adversary, and from his legions of angels.

After Satan had ended his temptations he departed from Jesus for a little season. The foe was conquered, but the conflict had been long and exceedingly trying. And after it was ended Christ was exhausted and fainting. He fell upon the ground as though dying. Heavenly angels who had bowed before him in the royal courts, and who had been with intense, yet painful, interest watching their loved Commander, and with amazement had witnessed the terrible contest he had endured with Satan, now came and ministered unto him. They prepared him food and strengthened him, for he lay as one dead. Angels were filled with amazement and awe, as they knew the world’s Redeemer was passing through terrible suffering to achieve the redemption of man. He who was equal with God in the royal courts, was before them emaciated from nearly six weeks of fasting. Solitary and alone he had been pursued by the rebel chief, who had been expelled from Heaven. He had endured a more close and severe test than would ever be brought to bear upon man. The warfare with the power of darkness had been long and intensely trying to Christ’s human nature in his weak and suffering condition. The angels brought messages of love and comfort from the Father to his Son, and also the assurance that all Heaven triumphed in the full and entire victory he had gained in behalf of man.

The cost of the redemption of the race can never be fully realized until the redeemed shall stand with the Redeemer, by the throne of God. And as they have capacity to appreciate the value of immortal life, and the eternal reward, they will swell the song of victory and immortal triumph, “Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing.” “And every creature,” says John, “which is in Heaven and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever.”

Although Satan had failed in his strongest efforts, and most powerful temptations, yet he had not given up all hope that he might, at some future time, be more successful in his efforts. He looked forward to the period of Christ’s ministry, when he should have opportunities to try his power and artifices against him. Satan laid his plans to blind the understanding of the Jews, God’s chosen people, that they would not discern in Christ the world’s Redeemer. He thought he could fill their hearts with envy, jealousy, and hatred against the Son of God, so that they would not receive him, but make his life upon earth as bitter as possible.

Satan held a council with his angels as to the course they should pursue to prevent the people from having faith in Christ as the Messiah whom the Jews had so long been anxiously expecting. He was disappointed and enraged that he had prevailed nothing against Jesus in the manifold temptations in the wilderness. He thought if he could inspire unbelief in the hearts of Christ’s own people as to his being the promised One, he might discourage Jesus in his mission, and secure the Jews as his agents to carry out his purposes.

(To be Continued.)

WHAT OF THE NIGHT?

What of the night? O watchman in Zion! Moveth the darkness to bring in the dawn? Breaketh there not in the distant horizon Glimmers of light that foretoken the morn?

What of the night? O watchman in Zion! Hark! on the hill-tops a song from the sky, Valleys with gladness re-echo the chorus, Sing! for the day of the Lord draweth nigh!

See ye the dawn? O watchman in Zion! Waiteth thy hosts for the tread of their king? Lo! ’tis the hour of thy glorious triumph; Rise from thy resting, new victories bring!

Hear ye the war cry? O watchman in Zion! Shoutings should ring from the camp of the Lord! Where are the signs of thy jubilant legions? Sleepeth thy warriors in helmet and sword?

Rouse from thy slumber, and gird thee for battle! Off from thy spirits dead lethargy fling! Rally thy hosts to thy conquering standard! Banner of holiness! cross of thy King!

Dr. Bellamy's Remedy Against Mental Dejection

HOLY activity in the cause of God, and caring for the souls of men, have ever been found by ministers, as well as by more private Christians, the best remedy against mental dejection. The Rev. Dr. Bellamy of Connecticut, whose eminence for piety and talents must long live, was often subject to great anxiety of mind, when he was filled with the impression that he was certainly going to hell. At such times, his ministerial brethren visited him, and endeavored to relieve his mind; but all experiments having failed, one of them said to him, “Well, doctor, it may be that, after all, your convictions concerning yourself are true, and that you will certainly go to hell; but have you thought what you will do when you get there? How will you spend your time? The doctor instantly caught up the inquiry. “What will I do when I get there? Why I will set up prayer-meetings, and vindicate the law of God!”

“But,” replied his friend, “the devil will not have you there, if you engage in such employment. This had the happy effect of showing him that he had no sympathies for the employment of hell, and that his heart was united to the cause of God.—Sel.

Nothing Strictly Immortal But Immortality

THERE is nothing strictly immortal but immortality. Whatever hath no beginning may be confident of no end—which is the peculiar principle of that necessary essence that cannot destroy itself—and the highest strain of omnipotency, to be so powerfully constituted as not to suffer even from the power of itself: all others have a dependent being, and within the reach of destruction.—Sir T. Browne.

Prophecy No. 5: Fulfillment Beyond Personal Witness

By W. H. Blaisdell

Prophecy.—No. 5.

Mankind generally have been personal witnesses to the fulfillment of the prophecies referred to in our last two articles. We now call attention to some prophecies which do not have an application in all parts of the world and among all generations of mankind. As some prophecies apply to certain cities, countries, and localities, and to certain generations, or limited periods of time, of course none can be personal witnesses to their fulfillment except those who live in the time when, and are in the country where, the prophecy is fulfilled.

A question may here arise as follows: How can we learn the fact that prophecies referring to other lands and nations have been fulfilled? We answer, according to a statement in a previous article: We may learn of the fulfillment of such predictions from the reliable verbal testimony of others, or from authentic historical records. Let us illustrate the necessity of obtaining such information from these sources in the following manner: Suppose that, during the lifetime of George Washington, the first president of the United States, he had uttered a prediction in regard to the future of this nation. Suppose he had possessed the power, and had pointed out the great American Rebellion which would occur, describing the main features of its cause, its terrible and sudden outburst, its fearful and bloody contest, and its final result and close.

Suppose further, that his biographer, in writing the life of George Washington, had written down this prediction. Now suppose that General Grant, or any other man who has spent the past twenty-five years of his life in this country, and been personally acquainted with all the leading national events that have here transpired during that time, has in his private library the “Life of George Washington.” In it he reads the prediction. How does he know that the prediction has been fulfilled? He knows it by his own personal knowledge of the facts and events that have transpired around him.

But suppose that some man in Prussia has in his library the “Life of George Washington.” In reading that, he there finds the notable prediction. How can he ascertain the fact that it has been fulfilled? The answer is evident—he can learn that fact from the reliable verbal testimony of one who has personally witnessed it, or from a history of the American Rebellion.

Now suppose that a man who should live five hundred years in the future (were time to continue till then) should have in his library the Life of Washington, and he reads therein the wonderful prediction. How can that man learn that the prediction has been fulfilled? He can learn it only from historical evidence. But suppose he has also in his library the history of the American Rebellion. He reads in the one, the prediction uttered long before the events occurred; he turns to the other, and there reads the fulfillment written after the events have occurred. The two precisely agree. Though he has not personally witnessed the fulfillment of the prediction himself, yet he there learns from a reliable source that it has been fulfilled. Just so may we learn of the fulfillment of prophecies relating to other lands or other generations.

Passing for the present over many other prophecies, not unimportant or uninteresting, we come now to notice some concerning the Jews. In the Old Testament are found numerous prophecies referring to them, and to their ancient cities and land. We shall here examine only a few of them. Lev. 26 and Deut. 28 contain those to which we will now give attention. A careful examination of these entire chapters will greatly aid the reader in an investigation of these predictions, as we shall here quote only a few verses. Here are promises of what God would do for them in blessing them if they would walk in his statutes and keep his commandments, and also threatenings of the evils he would bring upon them if they would not keep them. As they did not walk in his statutes according to the directions given them, but were continually rebellious, he has brought the evils herein predicted upon them.

We will now quote from these chapters and give the evidence of their fulfillment: “The Lord shall bring a nation against thee from far, from the end of the earth, as swift as the eagle flieth; a nation whose tongue thou shalt not understand; a nation of fierce countenance, which shall not regard the person of the old, nor show favor to the young. And he shall eat the fruit of thy cattle, and the fruit of thy land, until thou be destroyed. . . . And he shall besiege thee in all thy gates, until thy high and fenced walls come down, wherein thou trustest, throughout all thy land, and he shall besiege thee in all thy gates throughout all thy land, which the Lord thy God hath given thee.” Deut. 28; 49–52.

The above language met a perfect fulfillment in the terrible wars against the Jews, which finally resulted in the complete subjugation and overthrow of the city of Jerusalem by the Roman army. The following brief language on this point is from Horne’s Introd., p. 123: “Moses foretold that their enemies would besiege and take their cities; and this prophecy was fulfilled by Shishak, king of Egypt, Shalmaneser, king of Assyria, Nebuchadnezzar, Antiochus Epiphanes, Sosius and Herod, and finally by Titus.” A more extended description of these wars is given in detail by Josephus and others.

“And thou shalt eat the fruit of thine own body, the flesh of thy sons and of thy daughters, which the Lord thy God hath given thee, in the siege and in the straitness, wherewith thine enemies shall distress thee.” Verse 53. We may find in Josephus’ Wars of the Jews a record of the perfect fulfillment of this verse. We here give a few short extracts from Book V, chapter 3, as an illustration of the evidence contained in his writings. He says: “There was a certain poor woman that dwelt beyond Jordan. Her name was Mary; . . . . She was eminent for her family, and her wealth, and had fled away to Jerusalem with the rest of the multitude, and was with them besieged therein at that time. The other effects of this woman had been already seized upon; such I mean as she had brought with her out of Perea, and removed to the city. What she had treasured up besides, as also what food she had contrived to save, had been also carried off by the rapacious guards, who came every day running into her house for that purpose; . . . . And if she found any food, she perceived her labors were for others, and not for herself; and it was now become impossible for her to find any more food, while the famine pierced through her very bowels and marrow, when also her passion was fired to a degree beyond the famine itself; nor did she consult with anything but with her passion and the necessity she was in. She then attempted a most unnatural thing; and snatching up her son, who was a child sucking at her breast, said: ‘Oh, thou miserable infant! for whom shall I preserve thee in this war, this famine, and this sedition? As to the war with the Romans, if they preserve our lives we must be slaves! This famine also will destroy us even before that slavery comes upon us; yet are these seditious rogues more terrible than both the other. Come on; be thou my food, and be thou a fury to these seditious varlets, and a by-word to the world, which is all that is now wanting to complete the calamities of us Jews.’ As soon as she had said this, she slew her son, and then roasted him, and ate the one half of him, and kept the other half by her concealed. Upon this the seditious came in presently, and smelling the horrid scent of this food, they threatened her that they would cut her throat immediately if she did not show them what food she had gotten ready. She replied that she had saved a very fine portion of it for them; and withal uncovered what was left of her son. Hereupon they were seized with a horror and amazement of mind, and stood astonished at the sight; when she said to them: ‘This is mine own doing! Come, eat of this food, for I have eaten of it myself! Do not you pretend to be more tender than a woman, or more compassionate than a mother; but if you be so scrupulous, and do abominate this my sacrifice, as I have eaten the one-half, let the rest be reserved for me also.’”

A further examination of predictions concerning the Jews as contained in these chapters is deferred to another article.

W. H. BLAISDELL.

(To be Continued.)

Seventh-Day Adventist Publishing Association.

By James White; Virginia A. Merriam

FIFTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING.

According to notice given in the REVIEW the fifteenth annual meeting of the Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association was held at Battle Creek, Mich., on the 11th day of August, 1874, at nine o’clock A. M. The President, Eld. James White, called the meeting to order, and offered the opening prayer. The calling of the roll showed one hundred and twenty-four stockholders present, representing three hundred and twenty-nine votes.

It was moved by Geo. I. Butler that a committee of three be appointed by the President to present an informal nomination of officers to be balloted for by the Association. Carried.

The following persons were appointed as said committee: Geo. I. Butler, S. N. Haskell, and J. N. Andrews.

On motion of Geo. I. Butler, adjourned to the call of the President.

SECOND SESSION.

Meeting called by the President, August 13, at 5 o’clock P. M. Prayer by Geo. I. Butler. Reading of the minutes of last annual meeting.

The following report of the financial workings of the Association was read and adopted:—

Report of the Fifteenth Annual Meeting of the Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association for the year ending July 31, 1874.

THE TREASURER’S REPORT.

RECEIPTS.

Cash on hand Nov. 12, 1873, $16,366.55 Rec’d on REVIEW, $10,485.55 “ “ Youth’s Instructor, 1,323.86 “ “ True Missionary, 747.75 “ “ Accounts & Deposits, 51,557.66 “ “ Shares, 100.00 “ “ Donations & Legacies, 272.10 “ “ Job Work, 5,489.79 “ “ Sales, 13,530.28 “ “ Book Fund, 152.28 “ “ Educational Fund, 18,614.45 “ “ Mich. Conference, 4,031.29 “ “ Gen. Conference, 2,318.24 $108,623.25 Total, $124,989.80

EXPENDITURES.

Paid out on Acct’s & Deposits, $55,472.89 “ “ for Stock, 14,915.21 “ “ “ Real Estate, 2,710.00 “ “ “ Office Labor, 9,087.71 “ “ “ Wood & Incidentals, 3,714.56 “ “ “ Type & Fixtures, 1,671.63 “ “ “ Writing MSS., 2,332.03 “ “ “ Educational Fund, 24,338.85 “ “ “ Book Fund, 3,056.65 “ “ “ Mich. Conference, 1,679.73 “ “ “ Gen. Conference, 4,557.53 Cash on hand to balance, 1,453.01 Total, $124,989.80

INVENTORY.

Total value of the property of the Association, $101,748.84 The Association holds notes to the amount of, 2,413.66 Due on Book Account, 12,924.73 Cash on hand July 31, 1874, 1,453.01 Total, $118,539.64

The Association Owes as follows:— On Notes, $2,151.61 On Book Account, 28,898.80 Total, $31,050.41

Assets after all debts are paid, 87,489.23 Assets as given in last year’s report, 82,388.39 Increase during the year, $5,100.84

C. W. COMINGS, Treas.

I hereby certify that I have carefully examined the books and accounts of the S. D. A. P. Association, and find them correctly kept, and that the above report of the Treasurer shows a correct statement of the financial condition of the Association according to my best information and belief.

M. S. MERRIAM, Auditor.

The nominating committee presented the following names for officers: President, James White; Vice-president, Harmon Lindsay; Secretary, A. M. Driscoll; Treasurer, E. B. Gaskill; Auditor, T. H. Lindsay; Publishing Committee, James White, Geo. I. Butler, and S. N. Haskell.

On motion, meeting adjourned to the call of the President.

THIRD SESSION.

Meeting called by the President, August 14, at 10:30 A. M. Prayer by J. N. Andrews.

The stockholders then proceeded to a formal nomination by ballot, which resulted in the full nomination of the officers presented by the committee in the order given above.

By ballot the stockholders elected by a unanimous vote the officers nominated.

Moved, By Geo. I. Butler that James White, J. N. Andrews, and Uriah Smith be elected Editors of the ADVENT REVIEW AND HERALD OF THE SABBATH. Carried.

Moved, By S. N. Haskell that Virginia A. Merriam be elected Editress of the Youth’s Instructor. Carried.

Moved, By J. N. Andrews that the President receive at the rate of twelve dollars per week for his services. Carried.

Moved, By S. N. Haskell that the Secretary receive at the rate of seven dollars per week. Carried.

Moved, By J. N. Andrews that the resident Editor of the REVIEW receive at the rate of twelve dollars per week. Carried.

Moved, By S. N. Haskell that the Editress of the Youth’s Instructor receive six dollars per week for the time employed. Carried.

Moved, By J. N. Andrews that the Auditor receive at the rate of twelve dollars per week for his services in auditing. Carried.

The following resolution was then presented and adopted:—

Resolved, That we recommend the trustees of this Association to send Eld. Geo. I. Butler to the Pacific Coast for the purpose of conferring with the California Conference relative to the establishment of a branch office of publication on that coast.

On motion, meeting adjourned to the call of the President.

JAMES WHITE, Pres. V. A. MERRIAM, Sec.

Present Truth.

By Francis Gould

TRUTH is a unit; it harmonizes in every part; it has several branches; and when by an eye of faith we trace those branches to their respective ends, we have found a unit or one. Like the merchant who sought for goodly pearls, we have found the pearl of great price. Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. They lived in different periods of the world's history, they have spoken from different standpoints, and under different influences, and to the Bible student it is truly wonderful to see what harmony they maintain, being inspired by the one great and cheering hope of redemption through the blood of Christ, the Son of God.

The men who desire truth above everything else will not be found among those who read the Bible to build up some darling theory; but they will be of that class who will bring out of the treasury of God's word things new and old, rightly dividing the word of truth, giving each a portion of meat in due season.

Present truth is that portion of truth which is applicable only to those to whom it is addressed. Those prophecies which have had a fulfillment in the past are not present truth to us. They have become subjects of history, although we can look back upon them and learn something of the wisdom of God, and his dealings from time to time with the children of men. For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. Rom. 15:4.

The great burden of Noah's preaching to the antediluvians was a coming flood. It was the present truth and a special message to that age, as was also the preaching of Jonah to the Ninevites and of John the Baptist to the Jews. John's message was to prepare the way of the Lord by proclaiming a coming Messiah. He came, and was baptized of him in Jordan. John's course was fulfilled.

The people of this generation have a world-wide message—a present, saving truth, which is in process of fulfillment. We look back upon the history of the church in the past, and find that Bible truth has been crushed out, and the standard of Christianity has trailed in the dust. They have been usurped by the wicked and antichristian powers of earth. But we believe the time has come when Bible truth is being restored and is the present truth for this age. Let us hear Peter on this point. “Repent ye, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you, whom the heaven must receive, until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all the holy prophets since the world began.” Acts. 3:19-21.

The apostle places the restitution in connection with the second coming of Christ and the refreshing, or latter rain, which is to perfect the people of God, and prepare them for the glorious harvest. A restitution pre-supposes something lost, and is the act of restoring a thing to

its former condition or state. The question now arises, What portion of the truth of God has been lost from the church which is to be restored? We believe among the many things to be restored is the Bible Sabbath. See Isa. 58:12. “And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places; thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of paths to dwell in.” This implies that God will raise up a class of people that will inquire for the good way and ask for the old paths, and seek to elevate upon a Bible basis the principles of Christianity which have been desolate and laid waste, raise up the foundations of God's moral government which has been broken down, and restore the breach.

The definition of breach is a gap, an opening, a space made by the separation of parts, by violence or force. How is it with the law of God? The papal church has usurped authority over it by expunging the second commandment from the decalogue, changing the fourth, and dividing the tenth into two parts. We are shown by the next verse of the same chapter quite conclusively that the breach refers more particularly to the change of the fourth commandment. “If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable; and shall honor him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words; then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father.” Isa. 58:13, 14.

With these facts before us, may we fully realize the position we occupy, and understand the magnitude of the work and the duties which devolve upon us. We are living in the closing hours of probation, and in them we have truths which will stir the honest seeker after truth, and move the people of God to make a covenant with him by sacrifice, to seek righteousness, to seek meekness, that they may find a hiding place in the day of the Lord's anger. “Here is the patience of the saints; here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” Rev. 14:12.

FRANCIS GOULD.

Stone, Vt.

Grace Tried and the Joy of the Cross

GRACE tried is better than grace, and more than grace; it is glory in its infancy. Who knows the truth of grace without trial? and how soon would faith freeze without a cross! Bear your cross, therefore, with joy.

Continue reading: Baptism as Memorial of Christ's Death and Resurrection