Earlier text: EditorialTHE POWER BEHIND GOD'S PROMISES.
By C. H. Edwards
MANY and precious are the promises God has given to us. Constantly is our Heavenly Father holding them out to us, trying to allure us onward and upward till the sorrow and pain, the perplexities and care, of this world are forgotten as we view the realities of the great beyond. Not that he would have us neglect or depreciate the duties of life, but would have us, as we are passing through the experiences of life, realize that we are not to bear all these burdens alone, but that he is the Burden Bearer. He would teach us that we may cast all our care upon him, for he careth for us; so that, with Paul, we may exclaim, "Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen." On nearly every page of his word we find these precious, shining jewels. How they sparkle when held in the sunlight of his love! How their glittering rays pierce the darkness and gloom of our weary, aching hearts, till with renewed courage we fix our eyes above and press upward! Among these glorious gems we find, "They that trust in the Lord shall be like Mount Zion, which cannot be removed." As we read this promise, several questions arise in the mind: Is this reliable? Can we depend upon it? Has the Lord the power to fulfill it? If so, what assurance has he given? Has he ever given us some tangible evidence of his power? We are led to believe that he has given us the proof of his power, and that we may fully rely on its fulfillment. Let us notice some of the proof that has been given. In the nineteenth psalm we read, "The heavens declare the glory of God." We usually understand the word "glory" to refer to the brightness or atmosphere by which heaven and the heavenly beings are surrounded, but in this text we think it has a broader meaning. By comparing a few texts we get the idea: John 2: 11: "This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory." It is clearly seen that the glory here manifested is the power of God. Rom. 6: 4: "Like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father." That this is the power of God is stated like this: "According to the working of his mighty power, which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead." Eph. 1: 19, 20. So we see that the "glory" of God is the "power" of God. Then, substituting the word "power" for "glory" in the text, we have, "The heavens declare the power of God." Day unto day they are uttering this speech, and night unto night they are giving this knowledge. "There is no speech nor language [no place under the broad canopy of heaven where speech or language is used] where their voice is not heard." "Their words [have gone] to the ends of the world." Day and night, summer and winter, they are telling in sublime tones to every individual on this globe, of the mighty power of our Father. This is further explained thus: "The invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead." Their language is so simple and wonderfully plain that those who will not read and understand "are without excuse." In the midst of the heavens "he has set a tabernacle [dwelling place] for the sun." "His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it; and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof." What a lesson it is teaching! Behold, what greatness! With wonder and awe we contemplate this mighty orb. How can we grasp the startling fact that it is one and a half million times larger than this earth? Think of its diameter (nearly 886,000 miles), while that of this earth is only 8,000 miles. Were it to be weighed in a balance with this earth it would more than balance 350,000 such worlds. See it as it sweeps onward through space accompanied by its retinue of planets. What holds these orbs in their places? What keeps them from clashing one against another? We answer with reverence, The mighty power of God, for God "hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power." Can we explain or comprehend this?—Oh, no, it is too wonderful and sublime for us, yet this is the mighty power that is at His command who made that precious promise! Then can we not revel in the glories of His love, "knowing that He is faithful that promised?" Prayer and Personal Effort
By United Presbyterian
No MAN can continue to pray earnestly for a blessing upon the church, and withhold his time or his money or the personal effort that may be instrumental in bringing the blessing. Perhaps the best way of getting people to work is to get them to pray, for if this be accomplished, the work must follow. STUDY OF GOD'S WORD.
By Frank Thorp
"Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things." 2 Tim. 2:7. THIS is what God says to every seeker after light. There is eternal profit to him who considers what God says. Careful and deliberate examination, meditation, and reflection are all included in that word "consider." "Consider what I say." His word constitutes his sayings; but his word "is truth," and there is only one way to understand it, i. e., through the "Spirit of truth," which guides into all truth. Furthermore, it is the understanding of what he says that the Lord is talking about in the text, "Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things." Then if we consider his sayings in his appointed way, he will teach us their meaning, and none can hinder. We need not go to others to find out the meaning of the truth; for, if we will let him, he will teach us as individuals. Notice, that he will give understanding in all things, and will guide into all truth; not all at once, of course, for a guide implies a journey which must be taken one step at a time. Again, if a person requires a guide while journeying, it shows he does not know the way, hence, to be safe, must rely wholly upon the guide. So, in seeking for the meaning of God's word, we must depend entirely upon the Guide, the Holy Spirit, which can be had for the asking. The study of God's word will not be distasteful to him who searches its pages in the divinely appointed way, and for the one purpose of learning the "truth as it is in Jesus." In the word are treasures of wisdom, stores of knowledge, unsearchable riches. But the Spirit "searcheth the deep things of God." CAN WE HONOR CHRIST FROM BENEATH THE REFUGE OF LIES?
By T. E. Bowen
ALTHOUGH deeply covered by the rubbish of the "traditions of men," there is in the earth to-day a beautiful line of pure, eternal truth, which shines brighter, and becomes more and more precious to him who examines and tests it the most thoroughly. When fully uncovered from sin's perverting falsehoods, not a flaw can be found in it. What may appear as serious defects, when they are carefully and prayerfully studied, will be found to exist not in the truth itself, but in the false coloring placed upon it by man. Instead of hiding beneath the truth, some have always chosen the refuge made by the enemy of God. Isaiah says: "Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us; for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves; therefore thus saith the Lord, . . . Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet; and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place." Isa. 28:15-17. When will hail come as a judgment from the Almighty? "And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done. . . . And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell; and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath. And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent; and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great." Rev. 16:17-21. By comparing these texts we learn there will be a "refuge of lies," where men will feel perfectly secure, notwithstanding God pronounces it unsafe. Also a time will come when this refuge will be swept with hail. In the last text we learn that the vengeance of God in the plague of the hail comes from his presence as his final destruction; for it is accompanied with, "It is done." Hence, just prior to Christ's coming in power and glory, there will exist a "refuge of lies," and, as Isaiah says, this refuge shall be swept with hail, and as the Scripture calls the object of God's wrath "great Babylon," we must conclude that in "great Babylon" is this refuge beneath which men are hiding for shelter. By reading Rev. 14:9, 10 it will be seen that the "fierceness" of God's wrath is to be poured out upon those who "worship the beast and his image." By other texts it can be clearly shown that this worship is the honor and reverence paid the first day of the week as the Sabbath, this being the "sign" of the authority of the "beast." Very well, then, we have just prior to Christ's second advent a "babylon" (confusion of doctrines among churches), in which is a "refuge of lies" (or false doctrines), beneath which men are seeking shelter, and in this refuge is found the false sabbath, against which we have the promise of the "fierceness" of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation." In conversation with a well-informed gentleman, at one time a local preacher, upon the obligation of now keeping the Sabbath (the seventh day), the following reason was given by him for his keeping the first day:— "One of the great reasons why I keep Sunday is this: Every Sunday morning when I hear all these church bells ringing, what do you suppose is the first thing that comes to my mind?" As, of course, I could not tell, he continued: "Well, I will tell you. I think of my Saviour as a risen Saviour, and so I keep Sunday to honor my Saviour." I was disappointed; for this was his "great reason," and I thought it might be a new one. "But," I replied, "how do you think of your Saviour to-day [Monday]?" "Why," he replied, "as a risen Saviour." "Well, did he rise from the dead yesterday?" "No." Again I inquired, "Was he not then a risen Saviour last Saturday just as truly as yesterday?" He replied, "Yes." "Then why not think of him Saturday as a 'risen Saviour'?" "Oh," said he, "I can't think that way!" Precisely. How many there are like this man who will not "think that way." They could if they would, but no, they prefer to hide beneath the "refuge of lies." They choose to cling for doctrine to the traditions and teachings of men. Christ likens them to foolish builders, content with dirt foundations, not willing to dig a little and find rock. Oh, how great will be the fall of such false hopes! Weeping and wailing, the fury of the Almighty will sweep them and their refuge with destruction. Hear what God saith concerning these patched-up reasons for observing as holy the day substituted for the eternal and holy rest day of Jehovah that was torn from its setting in his law by the presumptuous hand of man: "Because, even because they have seduced my people, saying, Peace; and there was no peace; and one built up a wall, and, lo, others daubed it with untempered mortar; say unto them which daub it with untempered mortar, that it shall fall; there shall be an overflowing shower; and ye, O great hailstones, shall fall; and a stormy wind shall rend it. Lo, when the wall is fallen, shall it not be said unto you, Where is the daubing wherewith ye have daubed it? . . . So will I break down the wall that ye have daubed with untempered mortar, and bring it down to the ground, so that the foundation thereof shall be discovered, and it shall fall, and ye shall be consumed in the midst thereof; and ye shall know that I am the Lord." Eze. 13:10-14. When this foundation is laid bare in that day, then it will be apparent who have truly been honoring Christ. "If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be; if any man serve me, him will my Father honor." John 12:26. Did Jesus ever keep holy the first day of the week? All must answer, "No." Has he since led his servants to go contrary to his whole life of teaching and practice without one word of holy writ authorizing such change? If so, you pronounce him a changeable God. Then how can he be honored by his servants casting aside his divine example and teaching, and assuming to honor him by keeping as holy, a day he never made holy? Instead of it being honor, it is dishonor. It is pure presumption. Think you God will let such things go unpunished? Hear his sentence against those who willingly pursue such a course: "Her priests [teachers] have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things; they have put no difference between the holy and the profane, neither have they showed difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my Sabbaths [then they could have seen his Sabbath; for it was in their sight], and I am profaned [not honored] among them." Eze. 22:26. "Therefore thus saith the Lord God: Because ye are all become dross, behold, therefore I will gather you into the midst of Jerusalem. As they gather silver, and brass, and iron, and lead, and tin, into the midst of the furnace, to blow the fire upon it, to melt it; so will I gather you, in mine anger and in my fury, and I will leave you there, and melt you. Yea, I will gather you, and blow upon you in the fire of my wrath, . . . and ye shall know that I the Lord have poured out my fury upon you." Verses 19-22. To the sincere seeker God will unfold his truth in its beauty. Every honest soul will be found; for this is God's work of seeking them out, and he knows where they all are. These will gladly reject "human traditions," and will become purified by "obeying the truth." Of the other class, "because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved," it is said: "And for this cause God shall send [by permitting it to come] them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie." 2 Thess. 2:10, 11. We have a risen Saviour, who is Lord of the Sabbath day, and to do him honor we must turn unto him with all our hearts, and follow him in all things. He is inviting us to enlist in his service, and seek for meekness and righteousness, and it may be we shall be hid in the day of the Lord's anger. Satan is also enticing souls to seek shelter beneath the "refuge of lies." There will be only the two classes. Where, dear reader, will you be found when destruction cometh from the Almighty? THE SABBATH.
By Elder R. D. Benham
To the average observer along the line of religious or theological thought, it is very apparent, nay, absolutely certain, that the Sabbath question is fast coming to the front and has already assumed such gigantic proportions as to be impossible to class it with those questions branded "nonessential," "unimportant," or a "minor point" to be disregarded or easily set aside. The Sabbath is already virtually world-wide. Not only in every State of the Union do we find it attracting attention and being constantly agitated, but countries north and south have taken up the refrain, and this will swell louder and louder until the whole world shall hear. Even now can its echoes be heard from the shores of the Baltic, the Mediterranean, and in the countries bordering on the Black and Caspian Seas. It has reached almost every country of Europe and Western Asia. Not only is the Orient, along the shores of the Hellespont and Bosphorus, being awakened, but along the seaboard of China and India and the civilized portions of Africa, and soon will it penetrate the interior, till every kindred, tribe, and nation shall hear; and wherever the word of God has gone or will go, there will the inhabitants be called upon, as were they of Berea of old (and would that all were as noble as they), to "search the Scriptures daily whether those things were so." Acts 17: 11, 12.343 Not only is this the case with the countries mentioned, but like the light of morning is the truth spreading to ocean's widest expanse, and the far-away islands of the Pacific—Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand, Samoa, Fiji, Pitcairn, and many others—are "receiving it gladly." Whole islands are turning to the observance of God's ancient but downtrodden Sabbath. And why not? "The Scriptures cannot be broken" (John 10: 35), and "the sure word of prophecy" (2 Peter 1: 19) declares that "the isles shall wait for his law" (Isa. 42: 4), and long centuries have they waited, until the set time has come, and now do they rejoice that God has set his hand to the work so long foretold, and is bringing out "a people for his name," described in Rev. 14: 12: "Here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." Of course the truth of God has never held unhindered sway in the earth, and never will until sin and sinners are swept away by the besom of God's destruction. Isa. 14: 23; Mal. 4: 1. The foes of God's holy and sanctified Sabbath, or rest day, are legion, and their positions and arguments to oppose it and uphold a counterfeit one, are almost as numerous, and are about as harmonious as were the witnesses who testified against our Saviour (Mark 14: 55-59), and probably will succeed about as well. Mark a few of these conflicting positions taken, and sometimes you will meet many or all of them in one sermon or book directed against the true Sabbath and law:— - God's seventh day was Adam's first day, therefore the first day is the Sabbath.
- The seventh day was the Sabbath from creation to Christ, and then the resurrection or first day took its place.
- The Sabbath was changed at the exodus, and again at the resurrection of Christ.
- Christ changed the Sabbath.
- The apostles changed the Sabbath.
- The seventh day is the Sabbath, but Sunday is the seventh day.
- Christ abolished the law, therefore there is now no Sabbath in this dispensation.
- Christ abolished the law but reënacted all but the fourth commandment.
- We can't keep the Sabbath on a round world.
- We can and should keep Sunday all over the world.
- Time has been lost; therefore we can't tell which is the true seventh day.
- One-seventh part of time is all that is required.
- Sunday is the Lord's day.
- All days are alike the Lord's.
- The Bible is full of proof that Sunday is the Sabbath.
- There is no direct command to keep Sunday.
Thus the many sided and many hued conflict goes on. Now there is but one source to which we can go for light on this subject, upon which we can place our confidence, and that is the word of God; only one rule to try every argument, and that is pointed out by the Spirit of God. "To the law and to the testimony; if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." Isa. 8: 20. Now what do the law and the testimony say? It is the boast of every true Protestant that the Scripture and that alone is the rule of faith and practice. That is enough for the seeker after the plain truth. The Scripture says, "The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God;" that "the Lord blessed the seventh day and sanctified it," etc. And God says, "My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that has gone out of my lips." Ps. 89: 34. What does God specially call his covenant? By reference to Deut. 4: 13 it will be seen that the ten commandments, written on tables of stone, constitute his covenant which he commanded to be performed. And Ps. 111: 9 says "he hath commanded his covenant forever." This covenant which he commanded forever contains the Sabbath, which he blessed and sanctified at the beginning, which he will not alter, and which no other power has authority to alter. Then let us "remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy." GROWTH IN CHRISTIAN EXPERIENCE.
By Ellen G. White
THROUGH vital connection with Christ, the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven will be unfolded, and according to your capacity to receive, the Lord will bless you, if you are willing and obedient. But the young Christian may often be brought into strait places, and into trying circumstances, as were the children of Israel. Of old the Lord brought his people into these trying places that he might finally bring them blessing. He says: "And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no." God knew what was in the hearts of his people before he brought trial upon them; but they were ignorant of the condition of their own hearts. Under trial and test their deficiencies were made manifest, and they felt indeed that they had not understood themselves. But the fierce flames of trial and temptation did not consume them, but rather worked for their purification and refinement, and aided them in the development of Christlike character. Let the young Christian seek to fulfill all the responsibilities that devolve upon him, and meet obstacles and difficulties with courage, keeping an eye single to the glory of God, that his profiting may appear unto all. In whatever circumstances you may be placed, the Lord designs that you shall find his grace sufficient, that your love may abound more and more, that you may approve things that are excellent, and be filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Christ Jesus, unto the glory and praise of God. But unless the Christian continues to grow, he will retrograde, and his experience will become sickly and be fruitless of good. Jesus says, "Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit." In order to bear much fruit, we must make the most of our privileges and opportunities, becoming more and more spiritually minded. We must put away all commonness, all pride, all worldliness, and daily receive divine aid. If you grow spiritually, you must employ all the means which the gospel provides, and be prepared to gain in piety by the influence of the Holy Spirit; for the seed is developed from blade to full corn by unseen and supernatural agencies. The promise with which Jesus consoled his disciples just before his betrayal and crucifixion was that of the Holy Spirit; and in the doctrine of divine influence and agency, what riches were revealed to them; for this blessing would bring in its train all other blessings. The Holy Spirit breathes upon the soul who humbly rests on Christ, as the author and finisher of his faith; and from such a believer fruit will come forth unto life eternal. His influence will be fragrant, and the name of Jesus will be music in his ears, and melody in his heart. The Christian will be a savor of life unto life to others, although he may not be able to explain the mysteries of his experience. But he will know that when clouds and darkness compassed him about, and he cried unto the Lord, the darkness was dispersed, and peace and joy were in the temple of the soul. He will know what it is to have the pardoning love of God revealed to the heart, to experience the peace that passeth all understanding, to have praise and thanksgiving and adoration welling up in the soul unto him who has loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood. He has peace through Jesus Christ, and joy in the Holy Ghost. One with Christ, his soul is filled with submission to his will, and heaven is enshrined in his heart while he is enfolded in the bosom of infinite love. Christians of this order will bear much fruit to the glory of God. They will rightly interpret the character of God, and manifest his attributes unto the world. Jesus illustrated the compassionate mercy and tender love of God in many of the parables that he uttered, and in his own life and character he gave us an exhibition of infinite love. He represents himself as the life of the world. He says, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life." "I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world." "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of Man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you." There is no growth where there is no life. Where there is no life, there is no fruit. But how shall we know that we are in Christ?—We may know it by the character of our fruit. The fruit borne on the Christian tree is holiness of heart,—wholeness to Christ.8God will be in the thoughts of the Christian, and he will love those for whom Christ has died. He will follow in the path of self-denial, and his life will be fragrant with the love of Jesus. He will delight more in contemplation of the love of God than in anything earth can offer. He will prefer his plain, homely duties rather than romantic novelties, and will be satisfied with the place God has appointed him. When the heart is renewed by the Spirit of God, when consecration to God is maintained, there can be only love and thankfulness and praise in the heart, because Jesus is within, the hope of glory, and they live as seeing him who is invisible. Christ is in him a well of water springing up unto everlasting life, and the true follower of Christ strengthens the good purposes of everyone with whom he comes in contact. Such believers are living, growing Christians. They carry with them the fragrance of holiness, and are reaching on to the measure of the stature of men and women in Christ Jesus. TAKE me, O Lord, as wholly thine,
Each morn my prayer shall be;
I lay my plans all at thy feet;
May all be wrought in thee. I yield my all to thee, dear Lord;
Abide with me to-day;
Walk by my side; guide by thy word;
I only want thy way. Oh, take my life and make it, Lord,
Each day more like thine own,
And I will always trust in thee;
Thine is the power alone! What care I for to-morrow's cares,
When there is rest in thee;
And thou hast told me, "As thy days
E'en so thy strength shall be." And so I trust thee, Lord, to-day,
Knowing thy way is best.
I choose to do thy will, dear Lord,
And leave with thee the rest. REST.
By Mrs. M. E. Steward
THERE is a system of physical culture which brings the body into a state of perfect rest. Those who are known as “nervous persons” are constantly holding onto themselves. They do not allow the chair or the bed to hold them; even in sleep they keep up this habit of nervous tension. It is seen in unconsciously swinging the foot, biting the lips or the finger nails, drumming with the fingers, clenching the hands and holding them tightly, constantly rocking when sitting in a rocker, etc., etc. People are learning how to avoid this great and altogether needless expenditure of vitality. Persons have given ten dollars a lesson in Paris to learn how to let go of themselves. The process seems very simple; it is becoming divested of power. The nurse, or operator—you can do it all by yourself—will tell you to begin with the head; imagine it very heavy; gradually it falls on a limp neck. Then take successively the fingers, the hands, the forearms, the entire arms, imagining each so heavy that they fall and are at rest, hanging loosely by the sides. So proceed with the chest, body, lower extremities, till you have let go the whole body. Often, before the operator has passed over the entire body, some part that had been put to rest has sprung into tension again, and the process has to be repeated. One of the hardest things of which to let go is the tongue. Try it. Protrude it from the mouth, then let it go; if done properly, it will stop between the teeth. Isn’t this quite significant in relation to our words? We have used the word “imagine” in trying to describe the process of letting go of ourselves. It is not all imagination. This is proved by the case of a man who is dead drunk. He is the best specimen of one who has entirely let go of himself. How much heavier he is to lift than one of the same weight who is all life and activity! The will has much to do in letting go. It is, in fact, the governing power, as in the entire life. There is great benefit to be derived from this system of absolute rest. Diseases have been cured by it. The principles of physical rest which we have mentioned apply spiritually. Our dear Saviour says, “Come unto me, and I will give you rest.” Before this rest can come, there must be a complete letting go. There are those whose hearts are almost breaking to know they are the Lord’s, and yet they hold right onto themselves. The secret of letting go is found in the sure word of God. In the first place, self, everything to which the natural heart holds, is corrupt and “without strength.” Isa. 1:5, 6; Rom. 5:6. But the Lord desires all men to be saved. 1 Tim. 2:4. He bought us and paid the price, and says we are God’s. 1 Cor. 6:20. Shall we hold onto what does not belong to us? Is that right? Will we continue to rob God of that which is his own. “Ye are bought with a price.” What does “ye” include? All there is of you, doesn’t it? Your body and soul; your will, thoughts, feelings, affections; your entire character and life; your time, talents, reputation, and all your possessions; your sins, everything that pertains to you. Give your heart, all hard and cold and sinful as it is, to Jesus. It is his; let it go. He wants it just as it is this moment. He will soften, and quicken, and cleanse it “whiter than snow.” Give the Saviour all you can think of; then give him all the rest, that which you cannot think of, asking him to subdue your entire being to himself. Let everything go; consider all as belonging to God. “But,” say you, “I cannot control myself; my affections, for instance, I cannot give to the Lord, however much I desire to love him.” No, you can do nothing but simply come. “The power of choice God has given to men; it is theirs to exercise.”—Steps to Christ. Don’t ask, Am I willing to let God have all? Will you do it, and let it all go? This is what Jesus means by, “Come unto me.” Come, confessing your sins. Then ask the Lord to cleanse you from all unrighteousness, and believe he does it. “Oh, if I could only believe that!” you exclaim. Let go of that unbelief; give it to Christ. Take it for granted he cleanses you, because he says so. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9. “If you believe the promise,—believe that you are forgiven and cleansed,—God supplies the fact.”—Steps to Christ. Don’t for a moment think God does not do his part just as soon as you do yours. It is just as much your duty to accept the forgiveness and cleansing as it is to confess; but you cannot have anything unless you do accept it. Having done this, you are clean, by grace, through faith, just as thinking your body was heavy made it so. Jesus has now turned your affections, and all you have given him, into right channels. The Saviour says, “I will give you rest. That is equivalent to saying that he will save you from all sin, for the Bible says, “The wicked are like the troubled sea when it cannot rest.” You can’t help getting the rest when you come. You know he receives you, for he assures you he will in no wise cast you out; and you know that he can save you, for “he is able to save them to the uttermost [to the last person, and to the full extent] that come unto God by him.” You are sure the everlasting arms are underneath you, that you are in the loving care of the angels, because he has told you so, and there is nothing at all to worry about. Everything is in good, faithful, powerful hands. 1 Peter 5:7. No tongue can tell the sweetness of this rest. It is loving the service of the Master, for Jesus says, “Take my yoke upon you, . . . and ye shall find rest to your souls.” The yoke of Christ was the will of God. He says, “I came down from heaven not to do mine own will, but the will of Him that sent me.” He “emptied himself.” Phil. 2:7, Revised Version. What was that but letting go of all that was strictly his? Thus he showed us how we can wear the easy yoke of our Father’s will. Constant watching and frequent self-examination are needful that one may not get hold of self and sin and unbelief again. “By faith and the continual surrender of your will to Christ [letting it go], you are to maintain connection with him; so long as you do this, he will work in you to will and to do according to his good pleasure.”—Steps to Christ. Whenever anything, even a shadow, intervenes between the soul and the Lord, give it to him, and he will hold and keep you always. A PRACTICAL QUESTION.
By A. N. Hitchcock
MARK how each word of the great commission is weighted with meaning: "Go-ye-into-all-the-world-and-preach-the-gospel-to-every-creature." This commandment of our Lord is absolute and unqualified, and is the final answer to all excuses and objections. The very foundations of Christian character become involved when this obligation is disputed or trifled with. Moreover, the assurance of the Divine Presence in this vast undertaking is equally explicit. What stands in the way of a speedy and victorious advance on heathenism? We believe this to be the answer: There must yet come a more honest and scriptural recognition of the claims of Christian stewardship. All that we possess is simply ours in trust. No Christian has a right to make any plan of gain or expenditure without having this fact distinctly in mind. The wealth of the church is increasing much faster than her gifts. It is time that the brains and hands that control the purse strings of the church were mightily moved. If we mistake not, the watchword of all Christian benevolence for the future must be—proportionate giving. It is marvelous how the space clears about one when he conscientiously devotes a definite proportion of his income, probably not less than one-tenth, to religious and benevolent work. Then the “vexed question” is settled. He knows whether he is giving too much or too little. He knows what answer to make to all appeals. His mind is at rest, his conscience approves, his zeal is quickened, and he has the surpassing joy of making his life a blessing to mankind. The apostle calls attention to the fact that covetousness will be the supreme peril of the latter days. It is a timely warning. There is scarcely a luxury that can be named upon which Christians are not expending more than for the salvation of the world. The difference in the price of two rugs, or garments, or pieces of furniture; the cost of a single entertainment; nay, often the sum squandered in the indulgence of a harmful habit, is many times the entire amount given as a holy offering unto the Lord. In fact, American Christendom is giving less than one-half of one cent for each heathen soul! An English soldier estimated that a proclamation from the queen, put in the hands of the army and navy of Britain, could be carried to every person on the globe within eighteen months.345The church of Christ has been intrusted with a proclamation from the King of kings. It is to be delivered to the whole world. Not for eighteen months, but for eighteen centuries, she has been about this most urgent business, and it is not done yet. Christians are not responsible for the conversion of the world, but they are responsible for "preaching the gospel to every creature." But it cannot be done without means. Missionaries, Christian schools, and all evangelizing agencies must be multiplied in all parts of heathenism. There is money enough in the keeping of the church, if she will only set a reasonable proportion of it at the Lord's disposal. Surely the time has come for a revival along this line. Pastors and evangelists must press this question with telling power. Men, women, and children in all the churches ought to be deeply moved by it. Persons of large resources should feel themselves divinely called to make large and regular offerings, and those of smallest means should make it a matter of conscience to give something. It is a question of personal duty. In view of the marvelous opening of doors in all lands, it is without doubt the solemn and special call of God to this generation.—Rev. A. N. Hitchcock.