Signs of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 4. (1/24/1884)

Signs of the Times

Jan 24, 1884

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, Cal. · Jan 24, 1884

The Signs of the Times.

“Behold I come quickly, and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” Rev. 22:12.

General Articles.

By Ellen G. White

Nehemiah Separates Israel from Idolaters.

BY MRS. E. G. WHITE.

RESULTS OF MARRYING WITH THE UNGODLY.

Another subject to which Nehemiah’s attention was called on his return to Jerusalem, was the danger that threatened Israel from intermarriage and association with idolaters. “In those days,” says Nehemiah, “saw I Jews that had married wives of Ashdod, of Ammon, and of Moab; and their children spake half in the speech of Ashdod, and could not speak in the Jews’ language, but according to the language of each people.” This assimilation to the language of the heathen was an indication of the inroads made by heathenism. In many families, children, trained by heathen mothers, were prattling around them in the tongue of the several idolatrous nations with whom the Israelites had intermarried. These children, as they grew up in the habits and customs of heathenism, became idolaters of the most dangerous class, because they were connected with the people of God.

These unlawful alliances caused great confusion; for some who entered into them were persons in high position, rulers of the people and men connected with the service of God, to whom, in the absence of Nehemiah, the people had a right to look for counsel and correct example. God had carefully excluded the heathen from uniting with his faithful worshipers; but the divinely erected barriers had been broken down, and as a consequence of mingling and intermarrying with other nations, the Israel of God were fast losing their peculiar, holy character. Nehemiah knew that ruin was before the nation if this evil were not put away, and he reasoned with these men on the subject. He firmly and fearlessly declared, “Ye shall not give your daughters unto their sons, nor take their daughters unto your sons, or for yourselves.” He presented the case of Solomon, and reminded them that among many nations there had arisen no king like this man, whom God had favored, and to whom he had given great wisdom. But the idolatrous women whom he connected with his house by marriage, led his heart astray from God, and his example had a corrupting influence on all Israel. The commands and threatenings of the Lord, and the fearful judgments visited upon Israel in past generations, aroused the consciences of the people. The strongest and most endearing ties that bound them to idolaters were broken. Not only were future marriages with the heathen forbidden, but marriages already formed were dissolved.

Some men in sacred office pleaded for their heathen wives, declaring that they could not bring themselves to separate from them. Nehemiah replied, with solemn sternness, “Shall we then hearken unto you, to do all this great evil, to transgress against our God in marrying strange wives?”

A grandson of the high priest, having married a daughter of the notorious Sanballat, was not only removed from office, but promptly banished from Israel. “Remember them, O my God,” exclaimed Nehemiah, “because they have defiled the priesthood, and the covenant of the priesthood, and of the Levites.” He adds: “Thus cleansed I them from all strangers, and appointed the wards of the priests and the Levites, every one in his business.” No respect was shown for rank or position. No distinction was made. Whoever among the priests and rulers refused to sever his connection with idolaters, was immediately separated from the service of the Lord.

How much anguish of soul this needed severity cost the faithful workers for God, the Judgment alone will reveal. Every advance step was gained only by fasting, humiliation, and prayer. There was a constant struggle with opposing elements.

Many who had married idolaters chose to go with them into exile; and, with those who had been expelled from the congregation, they joined the Samaritans, a heathen people who had combined with their idolatrous worship many of the customs of the Jews. Hither some who had occupied high positions in the work of God now found their way, and after a time they cast in their lot fully with them. Desiring to strengthen this alliance, the Samaritans promised to adopt more fully the Jewish faith and customs; and the apostates, determined to outdo their former brethren, erected a temple on Mount Gerisim, in opposition to the house of God at Jerusalem. This spurious religion continued to be a mixture of Judaism and heathenism; and their claims to be the people of God were the source of schism, emulation, and enmity between the two nations from generation to generation.

The servants of God to-day encounter difficulties very similar to those against which Nehemiah contended. Human nature is still the same. And Satan is as active, earnest, and persevering now as at any period in the past. Nay, rather, the word of God declares that his power and enmity increase as we near the close of time. The greatest danger of God’s ancient people arose from their inclination to disregard his direct requirements and to follow, instead, their own desires. Such is the sin and danger of his people at the present time. The indolence, backsliding, and degeneracy in our churches may be traced, in a great degree, to the lax sentiments which have been coming in as a result of conformity to the world. The Sabbath is not as sacredly regarded as it should be. Improper marriages, with their train of evils, have dragged down some of the most useful men to apostasy and ruin.

Before contracting marriage, every wise person will consider the matter in all its bearings: “Will the relation I am about to form lead Heavenward, or toward perdition? Will it bring in sacred and devotional influences, or the corrupting influence of the world?”

In the existing state of religious declension, there is crying need of earnest, faithful Nehemiahs and Ezras,—men who will not shun to call sin by its right name, and who will not shrink from vindicating the honor of God. Those upon whom God has laid the burden of his work are not to hold their peace, and cover prevailing evils with a cloak of false charity. Men of courage and energy are needed to expose fashionable sins. Iniquity must not be palliated and excused. Those who lead the church of God to follow the customs and practices of the world, are not to be lauded and exalted. No regard for family or position will hinder the faithful servants of Christ from guarding the interests of his people. God is no respecter of persons. Great light and special privileges bring increased responsibility. When those who have been favored or honored of God, commit sin, their influence goes very far to encourage others in transgression. And if, by their example, the faith of another is weakened, and moral and religious principle is broken down, the wrath of God will surely come upon those betrayers of their sacred trust.

Severity to a few will often prove mercy to many. Yet we must be careful to manifest the spirit of Christ, and not our own hasty, impetuous disposition. We must rebuke sin, because we love God, and love the souls for whom Christ died.

Ezra and Nehemiah repeatedly humbled themselves before God, confessing the sins of their people, and entreating pardon as if they themselves were the offenders. Patiently they toiled and prayed and suffered, because of the disaffection of those who should have joined with them, but whose sympathies were more frequently with their adversaries. That which rendered their work most difficult and trying was not the open hostility of the heathen without, but the secret opposition of traitors in the camp, and even among the priests and rulers. By lending their talents and influence to the service of evil-workers, these men of divided hearts increased tenfold the burden of God’s

faithful servants. They furnished the Lord’s enemies with material to use in their warfare upon his people. Evil passions and rebellious wills were ever at war with the plain and direct requirements of God.

The spirit of true reform will be met in our day as in ancient times. Those who are zealous for the honor of God, and who will not countenance sin either in ministers or people, need not expect rest or pleasure in this life. Untiring vigilance must be the watchword of all who guard the interests of Christ’s church. During Nehemiah’s absence from Jerusalem, evils were introduced which threatened to pervert the nation. The same dangers exist in our time. If those who have the oversight of the church leave their charge, unconsecrated ones, claiming to believe the truth but having no connection with God, will take advantage of their absence to do much harm. The restraint being removed from these self-seeking and turbulent spirits, their peculiar traits of character are made prominent, and by their hints, insinuations, and deceptive charges, they create doubt, unbelief, and dissension among the Lord’s people. Such forget that spiritual things are spiritually discerned. They judge of the character and motives of God’s servants according to their own ignorance of truth and the ways of righteousness. Their example, words, and influence weaken the force of God’s requirements, and divide and scatter the church of Christ.

The word of God abounds in sharp and striking contrasts. Sin and holiness are placed side by side, that, beholding, we may hate and shun the one, and love and embrace the other. The pages that describe the hatred, falsehood, and treachery of a Sanballat or a Tobiah, describe also the nobility, devotion, and self-sacrifice of a Nehemiah or an Ezra. We are left free to copy either, as we choose. The fearful results of transgressing God’s commandments are placed over against the blessings resulting from obedience thereto. We ourselves are to decide whether we will suffer the one or enjoy the other. The law of God remains unchanged. Like himself, it is pure, perfect, and eternal. It is not enough to profess to be keepers of that law. The question is, Are we carrying out its principles in our daily life? “Righteousness exalteth a nation; but sin is a reproach to any people.” Saith the voice of Wisdom: “Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold. For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.”

The Signs of the Times.

PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY THE S. D. A. MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

(For Terms, etc., See Last Page.)

Entered at the Post-Office in Oakland.

THE EVERLASTING ARMS.

PILGRIM on the road to glory, Pressing toward the heavenly prize, ’Mid the ills that now disturb thee, ’Mid the dangers that arise; When the way is dark and dreary, Rugged, filled with vain alarms, When perplexed, exhausted, weary, Trust “the Everlasting Arms.”

When the waves of trouble threaten, When the billows fiercely foam, Human aid is unavailing, Friends and helpers fail to come; When of succor thou despairest And no voice the tempest calms Think of this, that underneath thee, Are “the Everlasting Arms.”

When corroding cares oppress thee, When the tempter’s doubts assail, When thy secret foes distress thee, When they threaten to prevail; When thou dread’st the thought of yielding And would’st rather die than sin, When thy hopes seem just expiring, “Everlasting Arms” sustain.

And when all below is closing, When thou dread’st the briny flood, When thou feel’st the waters rising Thou shalt find the promise good. Timid Christian, venture on it; Bid farewell to all alarms; ’Tis enough that underneath thee Are “the Everlasting Arms.” —Selected.

Inside View of Spiritualism.

By Editor

DANGERS OF MEDIUMSHIP.

(Concluded.)

WHILE we do not admit that the spirits are the spirits of dead people, as claimed by these writers, we do admit that the mediums are made to believe they are such spirits, and are controlled by them for evil and licentious purposes. And it is astonishing that, with such facts before their eyes, any should wish to be developed as mediums. We knew a man of intelligence and of standing in community, who was well-disposed toward Spiritualism. He took considerable pains to attend their meetings; but after examining the subject of mediumship he declared he would rather see every member of his family laid in the grave than have one of them developed as a medium. And who would not? We have known the most abominable and shameful crimes to be excused by the perpetrators, by saying that spirits of such propensities took possession of them! And is anything else to be expected?

Several years ago there was a tragedy enacted in Battle Creek, Mich., under the direction of “the spirits.” A mother poisoned her three children, in order that she might be free to travel and labor in the cause of Spiritualism. She was instructed by the spirits that this was her duty, and with her belief it was no detriment to the little ones; it was only passing them over “the transition” to a happier sphere. It was “translating” them to a more desirable home. Our main object in noticing this crime, is to call attention to the false reasoning of Spiritualists concerning it. The Religio-Philosophical Journal, of Chicago, a paper devoted to the religion and philosophy of Spiritualism, said that crime was no more to be laid to the charge of Spiritualism than a similar crime by a professed Christian is to be laid to the charge of Christianity. And it referred to the case of a Methodist minister who had then recently been convicted of a crime. The editor of that paper had the reputation of being a man of ability, and he knew there was no parallel in the cases.

Suppose two communities: one pledged to maintain the marriage tie sacredly; the other pledged to do their utmost to destroy it. Now if a member of each community should be found guilty of adultery, would the two communities be equally chargeable with complicity in the crime? Surely not. The first would be violating the principles of his community, while the second would only be carrying out the avowed intention of all his comrades. The first community would stand free from the crime of one of its members, committed against their rules; while the second would be chargeable, as accessories, with a crime which they sanctioned, and had banded together to commit. The fact cannot be disguised that immorality is the natural outgrowth of the teachings of Spiritualism.

We will carry the comparison further. Or rather, the contrast, for a direct contrast is seen. In the case of the minister, we find the Methodist Church, in common with all Christians, denouncing immorality and licentiousness; withdrawing their fellowship from those who work iniquity; teaching that God condemns the evil-doer, and that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him; that God will bring every work into judgment; they exhort to purity of heart and life, and subject to discipline those who violate the rules which they adopt or draw from the Bible. But what do Spiritualists teach on these points? And what is their action in reference to immorality? A. J. Davis says it is “a sort of atheism” to blame any one for his actions, and that no law of God can be violated. Dr. Hare said it would be a miracle if anything should exist contrary to the will of God. A book written by a medium, published by Governor Talmage, says: “God does not condemn.” “Unto God there is no error; all is comparative good.” Dr. Potter, long a Spiritualist, in a protest against the course and conduct of the fraternity, said:—

“Spiritual literature is full of the most insidious and seductive doctrines, calculated to undermine the very foundations of morality and virtue, and lead to the most unbridled licentiousness.”

Dr. Child, as quoted, says that desire, whether it be called good or bad, is the “God-given religion of the soul;” that all which is called sin is innocent. We heard Benjamin Tod, a well-known lecturer, say in a public lecture, that that which men regarded as crime should not be condemned or abhorred, as it might be the richest experience in the soul’s progress. And Dr. Potter, himself a Spiritualist, remarked:—

“At the National Spiritual Convention in Chicago, called to consider the question of a National Organization, the only plan approved by the committee especially provided that no charge should ever be entertained against any member, and that any person, without regard to his or her character, might become a member.”

And why not? Dr. Child says the true, pure religion depends upon no outside standard of rectitude, no purity of earthly life, and that sin is for man’s spiritual good, and sin lays up treasures in Heaven! The Banner of Light says that Dr. Child’s book should find its way to every family, and that “it is born of Spiritualism”! We fully believe that that is true; such a book with such teachings could have had no other source. We ask the candid to decide this question: If, under the influence of such teachings, a man commit a crime, is not the body of Spiritualists at large responsible as instigators and abettors of the crime? A Spiritualist of a moral life is inconsistent with the avowed principles of that people.

“O my soul, come not thou into their secret; unto their assembly, mine honor, be not thou united.”—BIBLE.

EDITOR.

The Dead—Their Present and Future.

By R. S. WEBBER

“But man dieth and wasteth away; yea man giveth up the ghost, and where is he?” Job 14:10.

THE condition of the dead is a question about which there is much contention, but we think the Bible is very clear upon the subject. In verses 11 and 12 of the chapter above cited, Job further says: “As the waters fail from the sea, and the flood decayeth and drieth up, so man lieth down and riseth not; till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake nor be raised out of their sleep.” This is a plain reference to the “day of the Lord,” mentioned in 2 Pet. 3:10, when “the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat.”

Job argues that, if he had died in infancy, he should “have lain still and been quiet.” Chap. 3:11–13. And who would have been his companions? “Then had I been at rest with kings and counselors of the earth, . . . or with princes that had gold, . . . and there the weary be at rest. There the prisoners rest together. . . . The small and great are there.” Verses 13–19. This would have been the result had he died as soon as born. How would it be now? would he go to Heaven? “Now shall I sleep in the dust, and thou shalt seek me in the morning, but I shall not be.” Chap. 7:21. But we have still further testimony to the same effect: “All the days of my appointed time will I wait till my change come.” And again, “If I wait, the grave is mine house, I have made my bed in the darkness.” Chap. 17:15.

But what about the future? “If a man die, shall he live again?” This is Job’s question, and let him answer it himself: “Thou shalt call, and I will answer thee; thou wilt have a desire to the work of thine hands.” Chap. 14:15. “I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth; and though, after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God.” Chap. 19:25, 29. This testimony agrees with John 5:28, 29, which are the words of the Redeemer himself.

But many say that the dead are conscious, and know more than when they were alive; that they visit their friends, and are interested in things transpiring on earth. In this they make themselves wiser than Job or Solomon. Job’s testimony has been given, and Solomon says, “The dead know not anything. . . . Also their love, and their hatred; and their envy is now perished; neither have they any more a portion forever in anything that is done under the sun.” Eccl. 9:5, 6. “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might, for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom in the grave whither thou goest.” Verse 10. And David says that “in death there is no remembrance of thee.” Ps. 6:5. “The dead praise not the Lord, neither any that go down into silence.” Ps. 115:17. And in Ps. 146 we are given the reason: “His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth, in that very day his thoughts perish.” When a man’s thoughts are perished, he certainly cannot praise God. David is not praising God; he is asleep. 1 Kings 2:9, 10; Acts 13:36. He has “not ascended

into the Heavens.” Acts 2:3, 4.

Many of the saints are asleep in the dust of the earth, but they will live and come forth from the dust. Dan. 12:4. When Stephen was stoned he did not go to Heaven, but fell asleep. Acts 7:60. The babes that Herod slew in Bethlehem are not in Heaven; Heaven is not “the land of the enemy.” Jer. 31:16, 17. Lazarus did not go to Heaven when he died; he was put into a tomb, whence the Saviour called him to life again. John 11:41–44. Jesus had plainly said, “Lazarus is dead,” verse 14; and both his sisters were of the same opinion, verses 21, 32. The apostles are not in Heaven, for Jesus told them that where he was going they could not come. John 8:21; 13:33. This troubled their hearts, but he assured them that after he had prepared a place for them, he would come again and take them unto himself. Chap. 14:1–3. See also, 1 Thess. 4:16. Then they will receive their reward. Luke 14:14; Rev. 11:18; 22:12, 14.

Then they will live forevermore, and walk the golden streets of the New Jerusalem. No death can enter there, and tear again our loved ones from our side. There will be no more sorrow nor crying; but the righteous will walk beside the river of life, and pluck fruit from the tree of life. There they will sing beneath Eden’s happy bowers. Man will stand in his primitive glory, and the earth shall bloom again in its pristine beauty.

“Fly swifter round, ye wheels of time, And bring the welcome day.”

Richmond, Me. R. S. WEBBER.

Psuche or Soul, Life.

By EPSILON

PROBABLY but few would deny that the word soul means a corporeal being when used concretely, “The first man Adam was made a living soul,” a being having the breath of lives. The concrete soul eats and drinks. “Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.” Luke 12 : 19. But what is the soul, taken abstractly? A few texts where psuche (or soul) appears in the Greek will help the Bible student. “For they are dead who sought the young child’s life” [soul]. Matt. 2 : 10. “Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life [soul] a ransom for many.” Matt. 20 : 28. “He poured out his soul unto death.” Isa. 53 : 12. “For whosoever will save his life [soul] shall lose it, but whosoever shall lose his life [soul] for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.” Mark 8 : 35. See also John 10 : 11; 13 : 37, 38; 15 : 13; Acts 27 : 22.

There are many other places where the Greek psuche, soul, is translated life. Two other Greek words, bios and zoe, are always translated life. Zoe is life in general. Psuche is individual life. It is used in several different senses. EPSILON.

Truth Faithfully Faced Is Strength

A CHILD was once sitting quietly in the window-nook with a book in her hand. Her father, looking up after a long silence, was surprised to find her weeping, apparently in much distress. “What are you reading?” he inquired. “In the Bible,” she answered; “God had just forgiven those people, and then they sinned again; and now he is going to punish them dreadfully with some more deaths and diseases.” Touched with her manifestations of such sympathetic pity, the parent soothingly suggested: “O! perhaps he will not be so severe upon them this time.” And the conscientious child replied: “Indeed, it will be worse; he will have to do it, for he said he would—he said he would.”

Any truth, faithfully faced, is strength in itself.

“Let Him Alone.”

By Roswell F. Cottrell

THE chastening of the Lord is for our salvation. If heeded it will prove a blessing, and work for our salvation. “As many as I love I rebuke and chasten.” If it cause genuine and zealous repentance, the object will be gained, a soul saved. God is exceedingly gracious and merciful. He bears long with perverse human nature. But when his kindness and long-suffering are slighted until he shall say, “Let him alone,” the condition of that soul is fearful. Judgment and fiery indignation will follow.

Yet God’s threatenings, as well as promises, are conditional. If we can find it in our hearts to heartily repent and zealously and perseveringly reform, there is hope in our case. “At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, to pull down, and to destroy it; if that nation, against which I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them. And at what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it; if it do evil in my sight, that it obey not my voice, then I will repent of the good wherewith I said I would benefit them.” Jer. 18; 7–10. Here are expressed the fixed principles in accordance with which the Lord acts. Of course the same principles apply to individuals, as well as nations. Genuine repentance will always obtain the favor of the Lord. Our salvation turns upon this point. If we fully yield the will to God, and walk in the light God has graciously given, eternal glory will be the result. But if we seek for reasons to sustain and justify self, if we follow our own perverted judgment, and cherish our self-will, we shall fail of that thorough conversion without which we cannot be truly fitted for the society of angels and just men made perfect.

While we neglect to walk in the light, we may flatter and deceive ourselves with the vain hope that God accepts of us. Thousands in the nominal churches are thus deceiving themselves. They flatter themselves that they are approved of God, and enjoy his Spirit, while they neglect his known requirements. But God will say to those who neglect his word, “Depart from me, I never knew you.” They flatter themselves that he accepts of them, though they still remain in disobedience. They ought to know better; and how sad it will be when the mistake is discovered too late for amendment.

And so it will be with us who profess faith in the truth which God has revealed especially for these last days, these days of peril. No flattering unction which we may lay upon ourselves that we have the Spirit, and enjoy the favor of God, while we neglect our light, can help us in the soon-coming day of fearful retribution. The only way is to retrace our wrong steps, confess our sins, and by humble and zealous repentance seek the favor of God and reconciliation with his people. This is the gathering message. If we attempt to take an independent course, imagining we can walk with God ourselves, while we exert a scattering influence, we shall meet in the end with a fearful disappointment.

Brethren, has God given us the light of present truth? Is his hand in the work of proclaiming the last message as we now see it going to the nations of the earth? How important then that we aid the work and do not hinder it. Brethren all over the world, has God spoken to us? He has, if this work is of God. And are we, as individuals, giving our influence to the work of God, and gathering with his people? Awake! my brother, my sister, and view things in their true light. Let us as individuals cast the whole weight of our influence on the right side. In this way, and only in this way, we may save those we love from going down to death.

R. F. COTTRELL.

Evolution.

By Sel.

An eminent writer thus speaks of the advocates of evolution who have been making such a stir during the last few years, after the following fashion:—

It is amusing, perhaps more so than folly ought to be, to see an ignoramus stand up and prate over evolution. It does not disturb him to be reminded that nature seems to have gone out of the business of evolution. That is nothing. He can trace anything backward, the horse to the time when he was five-toed, and the five-toed back to when he was web-footed, and the web-foot back to fins. But it is a sad thought that all upward progress has ceased. Evolution has ceased to evolve. Engravings of wheat and cattle and men found on the pyramids prove to us that none of these have changed. Four thousand years have gone by, and the first specimen of a better man does not appear. There is no sixth sense, or third eye, or winged shoulders, or telescopic eye—nothing to show that we are links in the progression upwards.

‘Nature has no longer a laboratory or pattern shop, in which she is evolving better forms of anything. There is no such thing as a plant or a grain or a tree leaving off some of its habits and taking on new ones, so as to become a different order of things. Strawberries are not approaching the size of watermelons. The fox, unmolested by traps and chains, is free to develop into something better, but he does not incline. ‘The fact is, that which was built a ferry-boat remains a ferry-boat, and what was built Great Eastern will always be a great Eastern; and it is just as true that elephants never lose their trunks, nor essay to carry more than one; the wild horse never affects a horn, nor do wild cattle abandon the fashion of two. The schools of mackerel never graduate whales. Catastrophies have occurred in which the lives of thousands of species have suddenly been arrested, and the bodies of many have been preserved in stone. The surprise never yet overtook a creature that was on its way up higher into a new and unknown species, nor do existing forms give any signs that they tend to invent new and untried organs. Neither is there any such thing conceivable that we can trace backward through the successive links of the progress of a species, without coming, at last, to the first link, which had no predecessor, and which could not have created itself. The whole system of evolution is without facts or even analogies to support it. Its wisest supporters are cautious not to make assertions. They say, May it not be so? It is reasonable to suppose, etc. All true science is based on facts; evolution is not so based, and it has no claims to be a science.—Sel.

Backsliding and the Pleasures of the World

ONE of the signs of backsliding is seeking after the pleasures of the world, which once would have been distasteful. Human beings naturally demand pleasure, and will have it. This the gospel recognizes, and proposes to supply it. The “joys of salvation” are offered in exchange for the “pleasures of sin.” These joys are “unspeakable and full of glory” while we live for them; that is, while we are fully consecrated to God he fills us with his own fullness. But if we lose faith, or are “offended because of the word,” or tire of the cross, we lose the blessing. Then it is that we begin to seek something else to satisfy the craving want; and then it is that the “pleasures of the world” begin to tempt us; and in a little while we find ourselves doing what we once denounced, and what we know is displeasing to God, discouraging to his children, and which must bring reproach upon his cause. Brethren and sisters, let us watch our steps and make straight paths for our feet, lest we wander out of the way of life into that which ends in destruction.—Herald of Life.

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