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Review and Herald, Vol. XXX, No. 8

PRESENT TRUTH.

Review and Herald

Third-day, August 6, 1867

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Third-day, August 6, 1867

PRESENT TRUTH.

By M. E. Cornell

A SHORT SERMON BY ELD. M. E. CORNELL.
TEXT. “And be established in the present truth.” 2 Pet. i, 12.
The expression “present truth,” in the text, is peculiarly significant. It seems to imply that some truths are not eternal in their nature—that there may be past and future truths. Prophecy is truth, but is progressive in its development. The warning given to the world by Noah of a coming flood was present truth to that age. Noah could say, “a flood is coming to drown the world,” but if we should proclaim such a message, it would be false. But if we proclaim the speedy coming of the Saviour, with its kindred doctrines, we shall declare the present truth for this time, because the signs are now in the past, and the time has fully come for such a proclamation.
Thus it appears that all truth is not eternal; for some truths are called into existence by circumstances. Still it must be admitted that truths do exist which remain always the same, because in their very nature they are unchangeable. “Thy law is the truth,” saith the Psalmist. The moral law or ten commandments, applying to all men in all ages alike, are, per consequence, eternal and immutable. No time, place, nor circumstances make them liable to change. Being a summary of duties growing out of relations existing between man and his Maker and man and his fellow-man, they must continue in force as long as these relations exist. While other truths came to the world bearing more or less of the imperfection of the earthen vessel, the moral law alone came in the hand writing of its Divine Author. This law, coming directly from the hand of Jehovah, is therefore wholly and inexpressibly divine and perfect.
But, although the great object of the divine plan is that men should be holy, (“Be ye holy for I am holy,” is the language of both testaments,) yet at different periods there have been new and special incentives to holiness. As there have been special dangers, so there was need of special warnings; for when judgments have been pending, God in mercy has ordered that a timely warning be given, and the approaching danger has been used as a new incentive to obedience. Such special proclamation of danger and the duty of preparation therefor, constitutes the present truth for that time. The Antediluvians had a present truth; so have we. The days of Noah were in many respects like ours. If the present truth of his day was unpopular, so will our message be despised. What could have been more unpopular than Noah’s warning of a coming flood of water? Nothing could be more unlikely in the eyes of that generation. No such rainstorm had ever been known. Science was against it. The world was only in its infancy. Great men did not credit the prophecy. Why should Noah be the only man to give such a warning? Thus they decided against the truth. They heeded it not, because they believed not.
The present truth in every age has been a test upon those who heard it, and awful judgments have followed its rejection. It was so in the time of Noah, and of Lot, also in the case of Babylon, Nineveh, Tyre, Jerusalem and the Jews, and oh! how much more, when the time of trouble such as never was is immediately pending? If the evidence was clear enough to condemn the world before the flood, then surely the present generation will be left without excuse. Those things were written as our ensamples, and for our admonition on whom the ends of the world are come. We see how they were warned, and how they rejected it, and how it came out. We are admonished. God is no respecter of persons. Solemn thought. May we, like Noah, believe and live out faithfully the present truth, and so escape at last.
But we should not forget to mention that there is a sense in which truths, in their nature eternal, become under certain circumstances present truth. Truth long lost, newly found, and proclaimed in connection with a special message from Heaven, would come under this head. The Bible Sabbath, lost in the dark ages is now being restored as a part of our specific work. The remnant are to keep all of God’s commandments. The third angel’s message, “Brings the commandments which we must obey, Or receive of the plagues in that terrible day.” The Sabbath becomes the seal of God to the true Israel in the time of the end. And it is written of the last generation, to whom salvation is near to come, “Blessed is the man that doeth this and the son of man that layeth hold on it; that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil.” Isa. lvi, 2.
Spiritual Gifts are to be restored to the church in the last days, and because of their importance and their connection with the last work, are emphatically present truth. The latter rain will develop all the gifts among the true believers. Our danger will be to doubt when the fiery trials come; and come they will, and come they must. But what if they have already commenced? It may be that even now we are being tested. Let every soul look well to this matter. Do your steps begin to slide? Do you begin to doubt that which was always clear when you lived near the Lord, before the present trial came? Beware, lest at any time you let the truth slip, for it is only by holding fast the beginning of your confidence firm unto the end that you will get the victory. What if some things are unexplainable! What if we are called upon to take some advance steps which are not all clear? Is it not safer to go forward with the body and with the leaders so long as we can see nothing in God’s word forbidding? There may be much for it which we do not at first see. Be not faithless but believing. We walk by faith.
But, thank God, the reforms required among us are backed up by both reason and the Bible. There is no occasion of stumbling here. Shall we talk of giving up all, of denying all worldly lusts, of giving all diligence to add temperance, &c., and yet be unwilling to give up tobacco, tea, coffee, pork, &c.? Why should we think it strange that such trials should be our lot? When ancient Israel were called out of Egypt to be led into the typical land of Canaan, their unwholesome animal food was cut off. They were given time to learn to love that which was best for their spiritual welfare. They were required to practice self denial and correct their bad habits. Those who would not endorse and live out the reform were cut off. But another spirit was in Caleb and Joshua, and they went clear through. They found no fault, murmured not, brought no evil report.
And this is our example, and we now have the anti-type. Called out of Babylon, tested by the law, introduced to the sanctuary, we are now being tested on the diet question. Why not? Are we better than they? There is great need of reform. The appetites and judgment of the masses are sadly perverted. Pride, lust of the eye, fashion, and lust of the flesh, have nearly ruined all. But a reform is called for. This is the day of preparation. To correct our habits is now the great business of our lives. Saith the faithful and true witness, “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Be zealous therefore and repent.” Dear friends, it will be best for us to buy the gold; it will cost us something, but it is the only safe investmentwe can make. Let the rebellious go back into Egypt and sit down there by the flesh-pots to satisfy their animal appetites if they will, but let all the faithful, loyal ones go forward with the true Israel to the promised land. Those who truly love God, will love to walk in his paths.
In the text we are admonished of the necessity of being established in the present truth. If we are not fully established, rooted and grounded in it, we shall be persecuted out of it. All those branches which make up the great sum of present truth being unpopular, of course each item will be hated and opposed by the latter-day scoffers, even as each point is, according to its measure, a test truth to the remnant of God’s people. Those who are not established, who are only half-hearted, will be sifted out. God is proving and trying his people. Who will give up and turn back.
What a solemn, fearful time. Angels are weighing the thoughts and actions of the people of God. Our cases are being decided. Jesus will know how much we love him. “Lovest thou me, more than these?” is still the question, and it must soon be decided with us all. More prayer and more faith is needed. Perils have come. Mighty faith and prevailing prayer will open the way here. Greater humility before God will prepare the way. Elijah and Daniel were delivered by much prayer. Christ, our example, was much in prayer. Bunyan, Baxter, Fletcher, Luther, Wesley, Charlotte Elizabeth, and all who have accomplished much for the Lord, have been noted for prayer. What all need now is a soul work, a hungering and thirsting after righteousness, a crying out after the living God. Our God is still ready to bless and revive the hearts of the contrite ones. Oh! yes, he will abundantly pardon. All praise to his holy name forever. Shall we not this day go forward in word and deed, and henceforth note progress daily to the end? In the present and coming perils, may both speaker and hearer be so “established in the present truth,” that by grace we shall at last inherit the promises. Amen.

I AM WEARY.

My feet are worn and weary with the march, Over rough roads and up the steep hillside; Oh, City of our God! I fain would see Thy pastures green, where peaceful waters glide.
My hands are weary, laboring, toiling on, Day after day, for perishable meat; Oh, City of our God! I fain would rest— I sigh to gain thy glorious mercy-seat.
My garments, travel-worn and stained with dust, Oft rent by briars and thorns that crowd my way, Would fain be made, O Lord my righteousness, Spotless and pure in heaven’s unclouded ray.
My eyes are weary looking at the sin, Impiety and scorn upon the earth! Oh, City of our God! within thy walls All, all are clothed upon with the new birth.
My heart is weary of its own deep sin— Sinning, repenting, sinning still alway; When shall my soul thy glorious presence feel, And find its guilt, dear Saviour, washed away?
Patience, poor soul, the Saviour’s feet were worn, The Saviour’s heart and hands were weary, too, His garments stained and travel-worn, and old, His sacred eyes blinded with tears for you.
Love thou the path of sorrow that he trod; Toil on, and wait in patience for thy rest; Oh, City of our God! we soon shall see Thy glorious walls, home of the loved and blest.

The Sermon.

I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom,
PREACH THE WORD. 2 Tim. iv, 2.

RE-BAPTISM.

By James White

This means to be baptized again. That this is right in some cases, we shall undertake to prove. I do not refer to those persons who have been sprinkled or had water poured upon them; for such have never been baptized.
That one immersion is sufficient when administered to and by the proper person at the right time, we fully believe. But many reject the idea of re-baptism, some on the ground that one baptism under any circumstances is sufficient, and others reject the term on the ground that, unless all the circumstances be right, it is no baptism at all, and until they receive a baptism in all its particulars perfectly right, although they may have been dipped in water, they have not been baptized. This is simply a denial of the term, while it is the strongest position possible in favor of re-baptism. I would reject this last position, believing it utterly false.
In the first century there were two baptisms, both from Heaven. Why not two in the nineteenth century? “The baptism of John, whence was it? from Heaven, or of men?” The response from every Christian heart is, from Heaven! John was filled with the Holy Spirit. Said Christ of him, “There is not a greater prophet.” The administrator was right, and came at the right time. And the candidates coming to the baptism of John, confessing their sins, were fit subjects.
Six months later only, there came another leader, whose administration called for another immersion. This was the Son of God. At a later period the question was asked, “Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism.” Then “they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.” Neither of those immersions were wrong. The last was re-baptism, unless it can be shown that the baptism of John was not from Heaven. They were both at the right time. Both leaders were owned from Heaven, and the candidates were in a correct and fitting position. And here I would remark that they were immersed both times for the same thing, namely, the resurrection from the dead, first of Christ, and second, of all who shall be Christ’s at his coming. They stood at their first baptism before the resurrection, at their second baptism after his resurrection. One immersion looked forward to it; the other was in the faith of a risen Jesus.
Having established the point that the same persons received two baptisms in the first century, both owned and honored of Heaven, I would inquire, may there not be circumstances which call for re-baptism in the nineteenth century? This may be answered best by comparing the circumstances connected with Seventh-day Adventists in relation to baptism with those in the first century who were twice immersed.
1. Some of us were not prepared. We were buried alive. They were prepared, John being judge of fitness.
2. Unholy hands plunged some of us into the water. Those were men of clean hands and pure hearts.
3. Some of us did not know for what we were being baptized. The minister said we must, and so we obeyed. If he had told us it was the antitype of circumcision, or commemorated the crucifixion, we would have believed. The distinct teachings of the apostles gave the true reason, and they knew why they were baptized.
4. The administrators in the case of some of us were men of intemperance and lust. They were slaves to tobacco, tea, and coffee. John’s life was one of temperance. His meat (food) was locusts and wild honey. In some cases, modern Babylonish administrators have been the husbands of two wives, living in violation of the seventh precept of the moral law, holding the marriage covenant in form only, and that very lightly. John was a temperate, pure, chaste man of God. He lost his head for reproving Herod for unlawfully living with his brother Philip’s wife.
5. Some modern administrators have not only been in error when they performed the solemn ordinance in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, but were at that moment at war with such vital truths as Bible purity and the gifts of the church. Their principal message was to justify themselves in the use of tobacco, fight the gifts, and circulate lying reports concerning Seventh-day Adventists. They were then the servants of the Devil, in rebellion against the work of God, and were preparing themselves for his wrath. The baptism of such men is as valueless as if performed by Simon Magus or Jeff Davis.
John stood complete in all the truth, filled with the Spirit, and in harmony with the work of God. Was re-baptism in the first century right? Then in the cases to which I have referred it is doubly called for.
Mark this. Those stood in clear light at the time of both immersions. They only advanced from light to still greater light. In our case most of us were in darkness, wrapped about with Babylonish garments, or those still more filthy. We were pursuing in a wrong direction. The truth stopped us, turned us about, stripped us, and cleansed us. If two baptisms, while walking on the plane of truth, were required eighteen centuries ago, how much more requisite in the cases described above!
But I have reserved my strongest reason for the close. The pre-requisite for baptism is illustrated by the apostle to the Romans by death, and baptism by burial after death. Some believers in the third message met with a change before they heard it, which may be called a death; but on receiving the message, they were fully slain. They were dead. Were they in a degree dead back there? They were here a hundred fold more. Did they need a burial there? They here need it a hundred fold more.
Should one deny the dead a burial he would be regarded mad. But here are men and women who have by the power of present truth been slain. They have been, by God’s great cleaver, cut completely free from every earthly dependence and hope. They are dead. And who will forbid water that they may not have a burial?
Again, some who now stand firm in the truth, have, since they were baptized, gone back and sinned worse than before. Since their apostasy, they have repented as never before, have believed as never before, and have been—no, have not been baptized. They go back beyond their apostasy, for baptism, and patch it on to repentance and faith under the third message. Did they repent when they first yielded to the claims of the gospel? Then when they heard the third message their cup of repentance was a hundred fold more bitter. Did they back there exercise faith in the Saviour? When the faith and hope of a coming Redeemer to restore all things burst in upon them, and they saw by the light of the heavenly sanctuary and the third message the great work of preparation for that event, their faith grasped tangible things with a clearness and strength a hundred fold more than their former faith. And now what shall be done? tell them they must stop at faith? At their first conversion, the order of events was, repent, believe, and be baptized. At their second conversion the order is repentance, faith, and—
But it may be said that if baptism should follow faith and repentance twice, it may ten times. Why not? But should we be baptized as often as we die? If we sin to that degree that we lose our faith, which apostasy calls for a thorough repentance and a complete resurrection of faith, then we need a baptism, if it be ten times. A sinner is a sinner, though he may a hundred times during his probation, if such a thing be possible, come into favor with God, and then lose that favor. And if a sinner needs faith, repentance, and baptism, at one time, he needs them at another. If all three are required of him when once a sinner, will two-thirds answer when twice or thrice a sinner? To illustrate the subject I will introduce the words of the prophet Ezekiel, which are to the point:
“The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him. But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die. All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him; in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live. Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord God, and not that he should return from his ways and live?
“But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned; in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die. Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, O house of Israel; Is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal? When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die. Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive. Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die.” Eze. xxiii, 20-28.
The points of interest in the above are,
1. The person that sins is exposed to death. He may stand before Heaven free from sin, then turn to the service of Satan, and have the sentence of death—the soul that sinneth it shall die—upon him. We know not why this may not be acted over a dozen times.
2. The promise of God is sure. “If the wicked will turn from all his sins, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die.” Then let no common apostate fear to return. He shall surely live. To remain in sin is sure death; but he who will return shall as surely live. If he returns, all his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him. In his righteousness that he hath done he shall live.
3. But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned. In his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die.The sinner may repent and find pardon; then if he continues a righteous life, his sins will not be mentioned against him. But if he apostatizes he will not only have to answer for the apostasy but for all his sins before pardoned. In fact his apostasy blots out his pardon and acceptance with God, and places him in a condition far worse than the first. He is now as though he had never repented, believed, and been baptized, and worse. His repentance, faith, and baptism are blotted out. He returns; he again drinks of the cup of repentance to the very dregs, and believes with all his heart. And now what shall be done? make his old baptism do? That was blotted out with his other two righteous acts at his apostasy. All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be remembered. His baptism is as though it had not been. And he is virtually an unbaptized soul. And he who forbids water in his case takes the responsibility of shutting up one-third of the pathway to the kingdom of God.
“But,” says one “would you have us baptized every time we sin?” There are degrees of sin. No man living is so free from what may be regarded as sin, but he may with propriety every night pray, “Forgive me, Lord, for the sins I have this day committed.” Yet by no means should he have a daily immersion. But as often as he apostatizes, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, so that all his acts of righteousness are blotted out, and he return to repentance and faith, he should be baptized, if it be his sad yet privileged lot to take these three steps a score of times. If God accepts the first step, and Christ the second, the church should not forbid the third. Amen.
JAMES WHITE.
Greenville, Mich., July 25, 1867.

THE BIBLE.

The Bible is of divine origin. Men are the channels through which this water of life has flowed to us, but God is the source of it. Mariners observe that the seas on the globe are of different colors. One is of a green color, another is of a blue cast, and a third is of a dark hue; but all are composed of water. So Moses, Isaiah, John, and all the sacred writers, though differing in other respects, wrote as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. Hence it is called the Word of God, and the Book of the Lord. It is not Satan’s invention; for the father of lies would not propagate such glorious truths. It is not of man’s devising; for it contains loftier strains than Homer’s or Milton’s, and purer moral maxims than Seneca’s or any of the sages of antiquity. Are you perplexed by the mysteries of the Bible? You must remember that it is the production of an infinite mind, and that it will probably be our lesson-book throughout eternity. There are problems in it for philosophers, and there are also knots which children may untie. It is the most suggestive book in the world. Myriads of sermons have been preached to explain and enforce it; thousands of books have been written to unfold and illustrate its lessons; and the press is teeming with more at the present time than ever before. It contains lumps of solid gold which may be beaten out endlessly. Every time we search it we find something new. Every time we dive into this sea we bring up fresh pearls. Every time we go down into this mine we discover rich veins. It is literally inexhaustible; and the longer we study it the more we shall understand it. Let us pray as the psalmist did, “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.” Prayer is the key that unlocks the doors of the mysterious chambers of the Scriptures.
The Bible is a letter. It is indited and sent by the Father in Heaven to his children on earth. As a wise father gives counsel to his children when they are away from home, so God has ordained a way to instruct us. He has sent a love epistle to all mankind. The gospel is glad tidings of great joy for all people. It is the good news that a Saviour has been provided for the race; that pardon is offered to the chief of sinners; that happiness may be obtained by all; and that heaven is prepared for all believers in Jesus. Oh what marvels of grace and love! They are worthy to be written in characters of living light. Does it make your heart glad when you receive a letter from home? Do you devour its contents with avidity? In like manner eat and digest the words of God, for they are sweeter than honey or the honey-comb. They are like wholesome loaves of bread, and will feed your soul.
The Bible is a lamp. It throws its bright beams across the dark and intricate path of life. It shows us the pits and precipices of sin. It is not a flickering and uncertain ignis fatuus leading us into the bogs of pollution; but a steady and constant light, guiding us to the Celestial City. It is the fountain of civilization, the charter of freedom, the friend of science, and it aids us in all our efforts for the benefit of men. It is the only original depository of the world-renowned maxim of the Master, “All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.” Are you lost in your journey? Look at this finger-post, and it will direct you aright. The Bible is a cabinet. It contains gems, and jewels, and all manner of precious stones. Here is Christ to be found, who is the pearl of great price. He is most beautiful; he glows with a mild and regal splendor, and is more precious than ten thousand worlds. Here is the shining silver of a meek and quiet spirit displayed, and the gold of patience tried in the fire. Here is the jewel of sweet contentment, the gem of a tranquil conscience, and a crown of righteousness that fadeth not. Here is the sparkling stone with a name graven on it, which no one knows but he that receives it. Are you running a race after riches? Seek these, and you shall find them. They are enduring treasures. They will never take wings and fly away, as the eagle toward heaven. The Bible is an arsenal, and a tower built for an armory. It possesses unlimited stores of spiritual ammunition. On its walls are hung thousands of helmets, shields, and bucklers. In it are piled up all sorts of armor, breastplates and arrows, swords and spears. It has never been exploded or captured by the enemy. From it all the mighty reformers and invincible Christian warriors, of all times and nations, have obtained their effective weapons. Here are guns of large calibre and long range. No ordnance, either ancient or modern, can bear any comparison with them. Peter’s gun is thundering yet; and the echoes of Paul’s have not yet died away. Men’s inventions are often cast aside as useless; but the Word of the Lord endureth forever. Do you want to become soldiers of the cross? Then equip yourselves. The gospel trumpet is sounding, and the hosts are gathering. To arms! to arms! Fight for the cause of God and man. Stand up for the good, the true, and the right. “Quit yourselves like men; be strong.” “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal; but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.”—Independent.

Beautiful Figure.

Two painters were employed to fresco the walls of a magnificent cathedral; both stood on a rude scaffolding constructed for the purpose, some eighty feet from the floor.
One of them was so intent upon his work that he became wholly absorbed, and in admiration stood off from the picture, gazing at it with delight. Forgetting where he was, he moved backward slowly, surveying critically the work of his pencil, until he had neared the very edge of the plank upon which he stood.
At this critical moment, his companion turned suddenly, and almost frozen with horror, beheld his imminent peril; another instant, and the enthusiast would be precipitated upon the pavement beneath; if he spoke to him it was certain death—if he held his peace, death was equally sure. Suddenly he regained his presence of mind, and seizing a wet brush, flung it against the wall, spattering the beautiful picture with unsightly blotches of coloring. The painter flew forward, and turned upon his friend with fierce imprecations; but startled at his ghastly face, he listened to the recital of danger, looked suddenly over the dread space below, and with tears of gratitude blessed the hand that saved him.
So, said a preacher, we sometimes get absorbed in looking upon the pictures of this world, and in contemplating them, step backward, unconscious of our peril; when the Almighty dashes out the beautiful images, and we spring forward to lament their destruction—into the outstretched arms of mercy, and are saved!

BE JUST AND FEAR NOT.

SPEAK thou the truth. Let others fence, And trim their words for pay; In pleasant sunshine of pretence Let others bask their day.
Guard thou the fact: though clouds of night Down on thy watchtower stoop; Though thou shouldst see thine heart’s delight Borne from thee by their swoop.
Face thou the wind. Though safer seem In shelter to abide, We were not made to sit and dream; The safe must first be tried.
Where God hath set his thorns about, Cry not, “The way is plain;” His path within for those without Is paved with toil and pain.
One fragment of His blessed Word, Into thy spirit burned, Is better than the whole, half heard, And by thine interest turned.
Show thou thy light. If conscience gleam, Set not the bushel down; The smallest spark may send his beam O’er hamlet, tower, and town.
Woe, woe to him on safety bent, Who creeps to age from youth, Failing to grasp his life’s intent Because he fears the truth.
Be true to every inmost thought, And, as thy thought, thy speech; What thou hast not by suffering bought Presume thou not to teach.
Hold on, hold on—thou hast the rock; The foes are on the sand; The first world-temper’s ruthless shock Scatters their shifting strand;
While each wild gust the mist shall clear We now see darkly through, And justified at last appear The true in Him that’s TRUE.
—MacMillan’s Magazine.

Energy.

Who ever became a man of influence by sitting under the harrow of dependency? What idle man ever benefited the world, his friends or himself? There is nothing like action coupled with cheerfulness. We see it every where. Who is he, sitting on that empty barrel on the wharf? A man with no energy—a prey to grief. He does not know what to do nor how to start. Who is that man with folded arms, standing in the market place? A lazy, do-little sort of a vagabond, who hardly earns his bread and butter. Do you wish not to become such a character? Then arouse yourself! away from the arm chair! up from the gutter! out of the downy bed! Move your arms, kick your feet, and stir about; give your blood a chance to circulate through your veins, and the air of Heaven to circulate through your lungs. Seize the first job presented, and dispatch it at once; up for the pay, and get another forthwith; you will soon earn enough to purchase a wheel-barrow or hand-cart, and then you will begin to live. Who knows what you may become? Energy is half omnipotent. Small beginnings end in large gains; a penny well turned begins a fortune. Resolve, then, to do something, and you will soon bless us for preaching thus faithfully to you.
A word of kindness is seldom spoken in vain. It is a seed which, even when dropped by chance, springs up a flower.

HAPPY EVERY DAY.

Sydney Smith cut the following from a newspaper and preserved it for himself. “When you rise in the morning, form a resolution to make the day a happy one to a fellow-creature. It is easily done; a left-off garment to the man who needs it, a kind word to the sorrowful, an encouraging expression to the striving—trifles in themselves light as air—will do it, at least for the twenty-four hours. And if you are young, depend upon it, it will tell when you are old; and if you are old, rest assured it will send you gently and happily down the stream of time to eternity. By the most simple arithmetical sum, look at the result. If you send one person, only one, happily through the day, that is three hundred and sixty-five in the course of a year. And supposing you live forty years only after you commence that course of medicine, you have made 14,600 beings happy; at all events, for a time.”

Infidel Objections to the Bible Answered. No. 7.

But one Woman came to the Sepulcher.—The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene, early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulcher. John xx, 1.
Two Women came to the Sepulcher. In the end of the Sabbath as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene, and the OTHER MARY to the sepulcher. Matt. xxviii, 1.
THE skeptic brings up these quotations as a contradiction between Matthew and John. In this, as in most other objections, he must presume upon a very superficial examination of the text on the part of the reader. For does it follow because John mentions only one, that no others could have been present? By no means. It would still be true, as John says, that Mary Magdalene came to the sepulchre, though a dozen others came with her whom he does not see fit to mention. Bagster has a note on this verse which may be entitled to consideration, as it contains a full explanation of the question before us, as well as several other points connected with it. He says:
Mary Magdalene, as well as Peter, was evidently at the sepulcher twice on the morning of the resurrection. The first time of her going was some short time before her companions, the other Mary and Salome, (Matt. xxviii, 1;) and observing that the stone had been removed, she returned to inform Peter and John. In the mean time, the other Mary and Salome came to the sepulchre, and saw the angel, as recorded by Matthew and Mark. While these women returned to the city, Peter and John went to the sepulchre, passing them at some distance, or going another way, followed by Mary Magdalene, who staid after their return. This was her second journey, when she saw two angels, and then Jesus himself, as here related; and immediately after, Jesus appeared to the other women, as they returned to the city. (Matt. xxviii, 9, 10.) In the meantime, Joanna and her company arrived at the sepulcher, when two angels appeared to them, and addressed them as the one angel had done the other woman. Luke xxiv, 1-10.) They immediately returned to the city, and by some means found the apostles before the others arrived, and informed them of what they had seen; upon which, Peter went a second time to the sepulcher, but saw only the linen clothes lying. Luke xxiv, 12.
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