Signs of the Times, Vol. 31, No. 33. (8/16/1905)

Signs of the Times

Aug 16, 1905

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Aug 16, 1905

GOD'S GREAT GIFT

BEHOLD, My Servant, whom I uphold; My chosen, in whom My soul delighteth; I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles.

He will not cry, nor lift up His voice, nor cause it to be heard in the street.

A bruised reed will He not break, and a dimly-burning wick will He not quench; He will bring forth justice in truth.

He will not fail nor be discouraged, till He have set justice in the earth; and the isles shall wait for His law.

Thus saith God Jehovah, He that created the heavens, and stretched them forth; He that spread abroad the earth and that which cometh out of it; He that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein;

I, Jehovah, have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thy hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;

To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison-house.

I am Jehovah, that is My name; and My glory will I not give to another, neither My praise unto graven images. . . .

Sing unto Jehovah a new song, and His praise from the end of the earth; . . .

Let the wilderness and the cities thereof lift up their voice, the villages that Kedar doth inhabit; let the inhabitants of Sela sing, let them shout from the top of the mountains.

Missionary Campaign

By H. H. Hall

At the last General Conference the following recommendations concerning the Missionary Campaign were unanimously passed:

Realizing that multitudes are "in the valley of decision," and that the time has fully come when the Master pleads with every child of His to "go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city" and "into the highways and hedges," to bid the hungry and perishing to the marriage feast,—

63. We recommend, that the great missionary campaign entered upon last year be strengthened, deepened, and enlarged into a mighty movement for the promulgation of the Third Angel's Message.

To avoid confusion, and to economize effort, we recommend the following:—

GENERAL PLAN FOR NORTH AMERICA

1. That the effort to place the Review and Herald in every Sabbath-keeping home be continued, especially through the camp-meeting season and early fall.

2. That a general campaign in North America for our missionary periodicals be entered upon about October 1.

3. That beginning in early November, special efforts be made by conference workers and church officers to interest our people in the sale of our forty-per-cent books.

4. That the interest aroused by this work be developed by—

(a) The liberal use of our message-filled tracts.

(b) Securing subscriptions for our periodicals.

(d) Missionary correspondence.

5. That missionary conventions be held October 7 and November 18 in all our churches, to study local needs and to organize for service.

Supplies

64. We approve of the plan to publish four special numbers of the Signs of the Times and the Watchman, two special issues of Life and Health, and such issues of the foreign papers as their publishers may deem best.

65. We look with favor upon the plan of setting aside certain small, easy-selling books for the use of those who wish to canvass in their own neighborhoods.

66. We also approve of the steps being taken in the publication of the "Signs of the Times Leaflets," to furnish our ministers and people with an inexpensive literature for general circulation.

Organization

67. We recommend, That the General Conference Committee appoint a missionary campaign committee to co-operate with conference officers in the carrying out of these recommendations.

General and sub-committees have already been appointed and are organizing for the work.

As will be noted, the first step in this campaign is the effort to place the Review and Herald in every Sabbath-keeping home. This means that at every camp-meeting and in every church the merits of our church paper should be placed before our people. We hope conference and church officers, as well as our conference workers generally, will bear this recommendation in mind and do everything in their power to carry it out.

In view of the valuable instruction, and interesting reports from the world-wide field, which the Review contains, it would seem that this part of our Missionary Campaign would be a particularly pleasant one. Let us take hold of it with a will, and continue until the goal is reached.

This paper will also contain the readings for the Missionary Conventions, together with suggestions as to how they may be held to the greatest profit of all. Therefore, our isolated brethren and sisters particularly should have the paper. Let us see that they are not passed by.

Further details concerning the campaign will be given later. H. H. Hall, Assistant Secretary, General Conference Publication Committee.

POINTERS TO SUCCESS

By E. R. Palmer

IN

Missionary Book Canvassing.

BY E. R. PALMER.

The Pacific Press has just issued a booklet of 72 pages with the above title, containing a systematic arrangement of helpful suggestions for our canvassers. The principles set forth cover every phase of canvassing, and are the fruit of long experience and observation in several countries and with many agents. It should be in the hands of every one entering the canvassing work.

Bound in heavy paper covers. Price 10 cents.

Address Publishers of this paper.

A TRUTH SEEKER.

SIGNS OF THE TIMES: Business Manager,—

Your little paper came into my hands a few days ago, and I enjoyed reading it so much. But having been disappointed so many times in sending money for a paper, I thought I would write first. Please let me know the particulars about getting the paper by the year, and I will send the money.

Sincerely yours,

XVI. A WORK OF FAITH.

By Editor

Healing of an Epileptic.

WE will find the record in Mark 9:14-27, and the parallel passages are in Matthew 17 and Luke 9. It occurred near the Mount of Transfiguration, which some think to be Hermon.

ON coming down from the mountain, Jesus finds several of His disciples perplexed and humbled, surrounded by a multitude. As Jesus came near, the multitude pressed toward Him. Jesus asked them what questions were between them and the disciples. He was answered by one of the multitude who said: "Master, I brought unto Thee my son, who hath a dumb spirit; have mercy, for he is mine only child, he is epileptic, and suffereth grievously; and wheresoever it [the spirit] taketh him, it dasheth him down; and he foameth, and grindeth his teeth, and pineth away; and I spake to Thy disciples that they should cast it out; and they were not able."

WHAT a pitiful case it was! Many of us have seen similar. Epilepsy is a dread malady, which, if continued, ends in the destruction of the intellectual powers, and a constant weakening of will and purpose. Modern medical science has done something, and it has been said that cases have been cured by relieving the brain of skull pressure, or piercing the brain repeatedly with a very fine needle. In this case an evil demon had seemed to take advantage of the poor soul, and to hold him in abject slavery; and the father's hopes were trampled in the dust by the raving of his son. Aretæus, a physician of Luke's day is said to have admitted that the disease may be produced by demoniacal agency. It was formerly called by physicians "the sacred disease," doubtless referring to the part of demon possession and its manifestations.

THE disciples were humiliated; that is, those who remained at the foot of the mountain. When Jesus and Peter and James and John had tarried in the mount, the people came to the disciples who had not gone with them, and the needy man asked healing for his son. What a type he met of the church to-day! The Master is in the "far country," waiting the time of His return. He has left His church here to represent Him, to give light to the world, to bring blessing to the multitude, relief to the souls that need healing. But in so many cases is it again said, "They were not able."

THE disciples who were with Jesus in the mount did not appreciate their lesson. When the glory shone upon them, they wished to build and abide there. Jesus saw the suffering one waiting below, and encouraged by the heavenly vision and the voice of His Father, approving His work, He descends with renewed zeal to help the poor lost world.

JESUS felt it all. He knew heaven was full of blessings and open to all earth's needs; God's Word, which that people possessed, was full of promises, verified over and over in Israel's history. What wonder that He groaned, "O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I bear with you?" Yet would He not turn away from the afflicted lad and the burdened father.

"BRING him hither to Me." And they brought him. But as they brought him, the tormenting demon makes one more effort to destroy, if possible and forever, before the very eyes of the Deliverer the boy He would deliver. And so the spirit "tore him grievously." Yet Jesus stops and asks, "How long time is it since this hath come unto him?" And the father replies, "From a child. And ofttimes it hath cast him both into the fire and into the waters, to destroy him; but if Thou canst do anything, have compassion on us, and help us." And all the time the boy lay on the ground in pitiful convulsions.

"IF Thou canst;"—Jesus echoed the father's unbelief,—"All things are possible to him that believeth." He pitied the father. There was reason for his lack of faith. It had been helped none by his association with God's professed people, nor by the disciples of the great Healer; and he judged the Teacher by His disciples. But when he thought that his son's salvation depended on his faith, not in humanity, but in God's power, he cried out in complete surrender, "I believe; help Thou mine unbelief." And then the Master rebuked the unclean demon, "Come out of him, and enter no more into him." One last convulsion that the lad's life might go out with him, and the demon obeyed, leaving the child so seemingly dead, that "the more part said, He is dead. But Jesus took him by the hand, and raised him up; and he arose." "And they were all astonished at the majesty of God."

THE Stronger One had again met the strong man and spoiled his house. The Majesty of God did not humble and quail before the power of the enemy. Faith, the faith of Jesus, brought the mighty power of God, triumphant over all the powers of the enemy. It again taught the lesson that the heart believing God, yielded to God, open to all the power of God, could receive according to all its needs. Once more, too, the assurance is given that the eventual victory over all the power of evil rests with Christ and those who trust Him. The disciples were made to understand that their power did not rest on nominal discipleship or appointment. Faith like a grain of mustard seed—there is no doubt in faith—was better than any nominal place or office; and faith against the direct power of the devil can only be exercised by hearts humbled by a sense of need, filled by the power of God in answer to prayer. Is your belief marred by doubt; seek God for simple faith.

INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY.

By G.

EVIL is propagated and encouraged in these days by the false theory that there can be lump righteousness in a community without individual reform. Dishonesty is encouraged by the theory that the individual is not responsible for the sinister methods of the corporation of which he is a part, however influential his part may be.

Individuals may combine and carry on business on principles that no one of them would dare to adopt alone. They will be honored as parts of a great concern dealing with the public in a manner that would condemn and ostracize them in an individual capacity. It is this erroneous idea, becoming more and more popular, that encourages men to form great business combinations behind which as individuals they can hide while reaping the profits of dishonest deals, and behind which they can retreat when the law would "regulate" the transgressor or punish the transgressor. Behind this doctrine of community-reform or society-salvation, the individual may pose as personified honesty or innocence, making a scapegoat of the "system" or the community of which he is a part.

As in business, so in politics, the offense of the individual is more or less condoned because it is the result of methods common to the party or the recognized method of his political associates.

The evils growing out of this ignoring of individual responsibility is illustrated in a recent deliverance by the governor of Iowa. In discussing present-day conditions, he scores the great monopolies quite severely, and then lets down the individuals composing these great combines in the following manner:

I do not accuse them individually of dishonesty, but the system reeks with falsehood, trickery, and corruption. It seems like a paradox, but it may be true that in the vastness of their operations the profits of dishonor flow clean and pure into the pockets of their saintly leaders, but, if so (I am not here to ask whether their money is tainted beyond sanctification), then let them pour their fortunes into the channels of atonement and leave the government to the common people.

But the root of the whole iniquitous "system" is the individual. Never was "falsehood"

told that did not originate with some individual. Never was it repeated only as individuals repeated it, altho it may have been repeated in the name of some abstract "system." Never was "trickery" invented otherwise than by means of individual device, and no individual ever deliberately entered into its promotion without individual indorsement of its operation. Never did a business system become corrupt, except by the machination of some individual; and never did individuals continue in connection with the operation of a corrupt, dishonest enterprise without individual responsibility.

How long will it take to reform any corrupt system of business if the individuals conducting it are immune from the law which its operation violates? If only a legal stick be shaken at the system, if only political oratory be hurled at it, and the individuals who conduct and are profited by it are not held accountable in any way, how long will it take to work any practical change?

Is it any worse to rob the passengers of railroad trains without law, than to rob those who ship freight by car through evasion of law? How long would it take to break up a gang of train-robbers, if only the "system"—the "business"—were attacked and indicted, and the individuals operating it were honored politically and socially, and deemed immune from the penalty of the law?

A prominent official of a great railroad system is given a high political position because of his knowledge of railroads affairs. The question of illegal business methods on the part of said company comes up for investigation, and this particular individual admits that he personally did the illegal act. But those whose duty it is to execute the law declare the individual exempt from prosecution; only the inanimate arrangement called the corporation can be dealt with by law, and the individual who did the unlawful deed is pushed on to still greater emolument.

A poor man buys a quantity of old iron from some boys who had stolen it, and because he "received stolen goods"—profited by the theft—he goes to prison for a year. He would not have been convicted had he not acknowledged the purchase, but this was the penalty of a poor man's small profit from the "system." In such case the individual responsibility is recognized. In the case of some great corporation the method of operations may be such as to defraud thousands of people, may be in actual violation of law, yet the highly respectable people who receive the ill-gotten gains are accredited by executors of the law as beyond the law's penalty. Only the "system" is deemed illegal, not the individuals who conduct it or are interested in its profits.

So long as men judge so partially, so discriminately; so long as men are held individually in high esteem while their combined actions are corrupt and criminal, there must be little hope of practical reform in either business, political, or social circles. And it goes without saying, that combination religion without individual reformation, individual purity of heart, can not be recognized in the Court of last resort—the judgment of the Almighty. It is names of individuals, of characters, not of churches, societies, communities, or nations, that are "written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world."

RIGHTEOUSNESS AND ITS REWARD.

TRUE righteousness consists in perfect loyalty and conformity to the will of God. That will is expressed in His law. That law is the test not only of the righteousness of the redeemed, but also of the Redeemer.

The self-styled vicegerent of Christ on earth, the pope, has not only made the claim to infallibility, but he accepts the claim made for him that he is above the law, not subject to the law, able and having authority to change the law—the very law of God. In nothing is that official shown to be against God—anti-God—as in that very blasphemous claim to a superiority over the law of God. By nothing is his claim so quickly and so certainly disproved as by the words of his own mouth in his attitude toward God's law. As far as the east is from the west, as far as the birth-hour of this universe from the ever-fleeing hour of its dissolution, is the attitude of the so-called vicegerent from the attitude of Jesus Christ upon the matter of obedience to the will and law of God:

"Lo, I am come," said Christ, "in the roll of the book it is written of Me: I delight to do Thy will, O My God; yea, Thy law is within My heart."

Again He declares: "Till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle shall in nowise pass away from the law, till all things be accomplished." Matt. 5:18. "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets; I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil." Verse 17.

Nowhere in the Word of God is there a blessing pronounced upon any being who places himself in a position antagonistic to God's law. "Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city." Rev. 22:14. The literal Greek of this passage reads: "Blessed are they that do His commandments, that shall be their authority to the tree of life, and by the gates they should go into the city." What, then, must be the conclusion concerning the right or authority of those who refuse to obey the commandments in the matter of coming to the tree of life? The only possible conclusion is that they have no authority, no right, to the tree of life; if it were possible for them to enter the city of God and come to that tree, not having kept the commandments, they would stand before the tree of life without the authority to be there. But even that is not possible, for the concluding clause of that text shows that it is the ones who keep the commandments that enter by the gates into the city.

Loyalty to the law of God—that is God's own test of the fitness of His creatures for eternal life. Christ's own glad submission to that test should be our example in this matter of eternal importance. How did He, our Redeemer, bear the test? Let His own words answer:

"If ye keep My commandments, ye shall abide in My love; even as I have kept My Father's commandments, and abide in His love." John 15:10.

The fact that Jesus Christ kept the commandments of God is further shown in the fact that He did enter the city of God, the capital of the universe, after His crucifixion; for we read:

"He that overcometh, I will give to him to sit down with Me in My throne, as I also overcame, and sat down with My Father in His throne." Rev. 3:21.

So He not only entered the city, but was given the post of highest honor in the gift of God the Father. He never could have taken that position if He had not proved His righteousness. The psalmist declares, "Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne." Ps. 97:2. Christ could not sit upon that throne whose foundation is righteousness unless He was righteous. He would not be declared by the Father righteous unless He was a keeper of the law of God. The call of God to His children is, "Harken unto Me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is My law." And Christ declares of Himself, "Yea, Thy law is within My heart." We can not even have an adequate comprehension of what righteousness is unless we have in our heart love for the law of God.

Then, whose spirit shall we emulate—that of the One who declares that He came to this world with the law in his heart; who declares that He kept the commandments of His Father; whose righteousness (keeping of the law) made it possible for Him to be seated upon the throne of God? or the spirit of the one who has made himself an outlaw by attempting to place himself above the law; who has altered—or sought to alter—the law of God to suit his own notions, and has taught men so to do? Whose example shall we follow—that of the Law-keeper, or that of the law-breaker? Upon the law-keeper there is blessing pronounced, and he is given authority to come again to the tree of life—to enter upon the path of eternal life in the city of God. To the law-breaker God holds out no promise. "Whosoever," says Christ, "shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven." Matt. 5:19. "Choose you this day."

PAUL'S EXAMPLE AND PRECEPT.

By G.

CONCERNING the observance of Sunday, we have Paul’s attitude very plainly indicated in the Scriptures. At Troas, on the first day of the week, Paul preached till midnight. As Paul and all the New Testament writers were Jews, they reckoned time as did all the Jews, beginning the day at sunset. So this first day of the week began at sunset, and midnight of the first day of the week would be twelve o’clock that night—what we would now call Saturday night. Paul had been in Troas a week, and this evening after the Sabbath was to be his last meeting with the brethren there. So the occasion was taken to celebrate the ordinances, as Paul was to depart the next day, and he also gave a very long farewell discourse. In the morning he continued his journey toward Palestine, walking twenty miles

across the country to Assos, while his companions in travel went around the peninsula in the vessel in which they were all journeying. So much for Paul's example.

In 1 Corinthians 16 Paul mentions a special effort to raise a "collection for the saints" in Judea, who had been placed in straitened circumstances by a famine. In giving directions as to the most convenient means of raising the money for this beneficence, Paul wrote to that church, as he had to other churches: "Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem." This was a plain matter of home business—a reckoning as to how much one could put aside consistently with his income. It had nothing to do with any weekly meeting, or weekly church collection. It was simply a deliberate, charitable calculation as to how much to give to a worthy cause.

So Paul would start out Sunday morning on a journey of twenty miles, on foot, while his companions went a different route by sea to the same point. And he would counsel the churches in different parts to make business calculations at home on that day. And in no part of his writings is there any intimation that he regarded the first day of the week as the Sabbath. Both his practise and his precept are against it. It is, however, a very proper business proposition for a man to begin the labors of the week with a consideration of how much he can give from the last week's income for the cause of the Lord. G.

The Great Controversy Between Good and Evil

SUGGESTIVE PROPOSITIONS ON THE PRIESTHOOD OF CHRIST.

The Great Controversy between Good and Evil.

No. II.

A S Michael the Archangel, Christ fought the great spiritual warfare with Satan for 4,000 years; yet during all this time, He brought no railing accusation against the adversary, but met him with, "Jehovah rebuke thee, O Satan." Zech. 3:2; Jude 9. The Son of God had not yet met the fullest test; He had not gone down to the lowest depths. Eph. 4:9.

9. As Michael the Archangel, He overcame, and Lucifer and his host failed, "neither was their place found any more in heaven." Rev. 12:8.

10. During the time of this part of the conflict the throne of grace was accessible through the merits of the pledged sacrifice of the Son of God, the Lamb slain in purpose from the beginning. Rev. 17:8.

11. The Melchizedek priesthood was still in vogue. The Son of God as the active Creator, who gave, and who ministered of His life to all, in the Father's plan was still the Melchizedek Priest of the universe, because Life-giver to all. But He was not yet the priest of this world, till He became a member of this world, and won the right to be its "Everlasting Father." But each earthly priest, the father, the patriarch of his family, was also a priest after the order of Melchizedek as much as mortal human could be; for from him all his family sprang, and under God He gave them life. This patriarch priest recognized God's plan by offering sacrifices typical of that of the Son of God; and God for the sake of the purposed Sacrifice accepted the ministration. The finished sacrifice, priesthood, and work of Christ were typified in their fulness, so far as the limitations of the earthly can prefigure the heavenly, by all the offerings and sacrifices and priestly work, in connection with the earthly sanctuary; but previous to the existence of the sanctuary, at the Exodus, the redemption of sinful humanity was typified by the simple lamb.

12. The next step taken by the Son of God in His purpose was to become man, to take the body God had prepared Him; "and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death [nothingness], even the death of the cross." Phil. 2:5-8; Heb. 10:5. He went down to the very lowest depths,—death,—that in rising by the righteousness and power of an endless life, He might "fill all things." Eph. 4:9, 10.

13. The testimony of the entire first part of Hebrews is to the effect that the Son of God must become man, "Immanuel," one with us, must suffer, must in the utter helplessness of emptiness, and the hopelessness of lost humanity, pour forth His "prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto Him that was able to save Him from death, and having been heard for His godly fear, tho He was a Son, yet learned obedience by the things which He suffered; and having been made perfect, He became unto all them that obey Him the Author of eternal salvation; named of God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek." Heb. 5:7-10. He must conquer, in order to be an effectual priest for His people. He must do more than take upon Himself the "nature of angels;" He must take upon Himself "the seed of Abraham, wherefore in all things it behooved Him to be made like unto His brethren, that [in order that] He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself hath suffered being tempted, He is able to succor them that are tempted." Heb. 2:10-18. He is a great High Priest that is passed into the heavens; but making the sacrifice before He began His priesthood; "for it is of necessity that this Man have somewhat also to offer." There was "further need" beyond the Levitical priesthood "that another priest should rise after the order of Melchizedek." "For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Judah; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning the priesthood. And it is yet far more evident; for that after the similitude of Melchizedek there ariseth another priest [subsequently] who is made not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life," and then continueth ever, having "an unchangeable priesthood." Many similar expressions teach the same thing, namely, that Christ began His priesthood especially for men after His ascension; for the oath which made Him priest "was after ["since"] the law." See Heb. 7:11-28.

14. This priesthood could not be typified perfectly by the Aaronic priesthood; for it was after the order of Melchizedek in this world, a father-priesthood, the priesthood of an endless life. It constituted Christ the spiritual Head of the human family. To His children He is "the everlasting Father," the "second Adam," the second federal Head of the race, the demonstrated Son of God by His resurrection from the dead. He is King of Peace because He is the eternally demonstrated King of Righteousness.

(To be continued.)

Question Corner

By Editor

1702.—Events of Matt. 25: 31, 34.

At what time do the events recorded in Matt. 25:31, 34 take place? If at Jesus' second coming when only the righteous are resurrected, how can any separation take place? L. E. D.

The passage in question takes in the whole day of judgment, including the 1,000 years, the examination of records, etc. These are not detailed, because the object of the instruction is summed up in two points: Christ's future reign, and the certainty of rewards and punishments. The examination begins with the finishing of the mystery of God in 1844. The figure of the shepherd can not be made to apply in all things; it illustrates the decided separation and the final distribution only, not locality or time or manner. When the examination shall have taken place then the King shall say to the righteous, etc. And when the examination of the wicked shall have taken place, then will He pronounce sentence on the wicked.

1703.—"In the Flesh." Job 14: 22.

Job 14:22: "But his flesh upon him shall have pain, and his soul within him shall mourn." If the dead are unconscious, how could this be? MRS. S.

The verse has reference to man in this life while he is in the flesh. After he dies he knows nothing, as set forth in verses 20, 21. But while he is here he is subject to pain and sorrow.

1704.—Donations from the World.

Is it scriptural for Christians to solicit money from worldly people for the Lord's work, and do Seventh-day Adventists as a rule do so? A SUBSCRIBER.

Yes; on proper occasions for proper purposes. For instance, when holding meetings in halls or tents, people in general are often asked to help pay expenses. Sometimes they are solicited to help in charitable work, as the poor of a neighborhood, etc. There is, however, among Seventh-day Adventists no direct solicitation for the support of their ministry and work. But if a man is generously disposed to help, do not forbid it. That opening of the heart may be the means of Christ's entrance.

1705.—Where is the Inspiration?

Which is inspired, the original Greek of the New Testament? or the English translation? or both? A.

The original words, of course; the words by which prophet and apostle spoke. It was not the person who was inspired; it was the God-breathed Word. "All Scripture is [literally] God-breathed." 2 Tim. 3:16. "The Spirit of Jehovah spake by me, and His word was upon my tongue." 2 Sam. 23:2. "Which the Holy Spirit spake before by the mouth of David." Acts 1:16. "Which things also we speak, not in words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Spirit teacheth." 1 Cor. 2:13. God moved upon each of the holy writers to use the best language of which he was capable to express the thoughts of God. Those words are inspired; translations are nearly always men's best attempts to place in our language the meaning of the original, and the more we have of honest, learned translations the better.

1706.—Who Said It?

A friend asked me what this,—"The world shall stand a thousand years and not another,"—meant. I could not tell him, and I did not, nor did he know the chapter it was in. Where can I find it? What does it mean? S. V. S.

No wonder your friend could not tell where such a passage could be found. There is nothing of the kind in the Bible, nor do we believe anywhere else. Your friend has mixed together the term a "thousand years," occurring only eight times in the Bible (2 Peter 3:8; Rev. 20:2-7) with an expression in Job 19:27. Of course it means nothing. "The earth abideth forever." "The world [the form, the arrangement] passeth away."

Continue reading: DR. CHARLES A. BRIGGS HEADED FOR ROME