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Review and Herald, Vol. 88, No. 31.

PRAISE GOD

Review and Herald

Aug 3, 1911

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 3, 1911

PRAISE GOD

PRAISE ye the Lord. Praise God in His sanctuary: praise Him in the firmament of His power.
Praise Him for His mighty acts: praise Him according to His excellent greatness.
Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet: praise Him with the psaltery and harp.
Praise Him with the timbrel and dance: praise Him with stringed instruments and organs.
Praise Him upon the loud cymbals: praise Him upon the high sounding cymbals.
Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord.

Lessons from the Lives of Great Men

A t the final reckoning day, the great men will not be those whose names have been emblazoned upon the pages of history, or whose ambitions have enabled them to hew their way to fame and fortune through fields of carnage, but the real heroes will be those who have fought their way to victory in the service of the Master.
Nothing is more inspiring than the reading of biography. These lives of great leaders should be read by every one. We have but a limited number in stock.
"John Williams," by Rev. James J. Ellis; "Two Noble Lives," by David J. Deane; "John Knox," by G. Barnett Smith; "Robert Morrison," by Wm. John Townsend; "James Hannington," by Charles D. Michael; "David Livingstone," by A. Montefiore-Brice, F. R. G. S.; "Robert Moffat," by David J. Deane; "The Canal Boy Who Became President," by Frederic T. Gammon; "Samuel Crowther," by Jesse Page; "William Carey," by John Brown Myers; "Florence Nightingale," by Eliza F. Pollard.
Bound in cloth, about 150 pages each; price, post-paid, 60 cents a volume.

Fireside Sketches of Scenery and Travel

ONE of the most interesting books for children and young people. Contains 140 illustrations of plants, animals, countries, and peoples. A vast amount of information on geography and history, and the customs and habits of the peoples of various lands, is given in this book in a most interesting way. A splendid gift-book. Only a few copies on hand.
Price . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ .50

Sunbeams of Health and Temperance

AN instructive account of the health habits of all nations, with interesting information on all subjects relating to health and temperance, affording both entertainment and instruction for young and old. It is nicely illustrated, and contains several three-colored plates.
Cloth, plain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cloth, gilt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Review and Herald Publishing Association

Takoma Park Station - - - - - - - - - - Washington, D. C.

Walking With God

By Elizabeth Meseroll Redfern

ELIZABETH MESEROLL REDFERN
To walk with God Through all the years Of changing human life!
To feel the dignity and grace That shine out from his glorious face Until our being glows!
His pace is ours; not in advance— He knows the force of circumstance— To ours his step he slows.
So step by step in converse sweet Our happiness in him complete, Our point of view the same; And justice, mercy, love of right, Grown strong with clearer human sight, We glorify his name.
Hinsdale, Ill.

Divine Wisdom

By Ellen G. White

MRS. E. G. WHITE
As Paul journeyed from Berea, he stopped at Athens to await the arrival of Silas and Timotheus; and “his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry. Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him. Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoics, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection.” The philosophers who entered into conversation with the apostle were soon convinced that his knowledge exceeded their own. He was competent to meet their opposition on their own ground, matching logic with logic, learning with learning, philosophy with philosophy, and oratory with oratory.
At the close of his labors he looked for the results of his work. Out of the large assembly that had listened to his eloquent words, only three had been converted to the faith. He then decided that from that time he would maintain the simplicity of the gospel. He was convinced that the learning of the world was powerless to move the hearts of men, but that the gospel was the power of God unto salvation.
Paul wrote to the Corinthians: “And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.” He declares: “For Christ sent me . . . to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.”
The great and essential knowledge is the knowledge of God and of his Word. Peter exhorted his brethren to “grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” There should be a daily increasing of spiritual understanding; and the Christian will grow in grace just in proportion as he depends upon and appreciates the teaching of the Word of God, and habituates himself to meditate upon divine things.
All pride of opinion, all dependence upon the wisdom of this world, are unprofitable and vain. When men, instead of humbly receiving the truth of God in whatever way it may be sent to them, begin to criticize the words and manners of the messenger, they are manifesting their lack of spiritual perception, and their want of appreciation for the truth of God, which is of vastly more importance than the most cultured and pleasing discourse. One critical speech, disparaging the messenger of God, may start a train of unbelief in some mind that will result in making of none effect the word of truth. Those who have a constant struggle to cherish humility and faith, are far from being benefited by this course. Anything like pride in learning, and dependence upon scientific knowledge, which you place between your soul and the word of the Bible, will most effectually close the door of your heart to the sweet, humble religion of the meek and lowly Jesus.
The world’s Redeemer did not come with outward display, or a show of worldly wisdom. Men could not see, beneath the disguise of humility, the glory of the Son of God. He was “despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.” He was to them as a root out of dry ground, with no form nor comeliness that they should desire him. But he declared: “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound.”
Christ reached the people where they were. He presented the plain truth to their minds in the most forcible and simple language. The humble poor, the most unlearned, could comprehend, through faith in him, the most exalted truths of God. No one needed to consult the learned doctors as to his meaning. He did not perplex the ignorant with mysterious inferences, nor use unaccustomed and learned words, of which they had no knowledge. The greatest Teacher the world has ever known was the most definite, simple, and practical in his instruction.
While priests and rabbis were assuring themselves of their competency to teach the people, and to cope even with the Son of God in expounding doctrine, he charged them with ignorance of the Scriptures or the power of God. It is not the learning of the world’s great men that opens the mysteries of the plan of redemption. The priests and rabbis had studied the prophecies, but they failed to discover the precious proofs of the Messiah’s advent, of the manner of his coming, of his mission and character. Men who claimed to be worthy of confidence because of their wisdom, did not perceive that Christ was the Prince of life.
The rabbis looked with suspicion and contempt upon everything that did not bear the appearance of worldly wisdom, national exaltation, and religious exclusiveness; but the mission of Jesus was to oppose these very evils, to correct these erroneous views, and to work a reformationin faith and morals. He attracted attention to purity of life, to humility of spirit, and to devotion to God and his cause, without hope of worldly honor or reward. He must divest religion of the narrow, conceited formalism which made it a burden and a reproach. He must present a complete, harmonious salvation to all. The narrow bounds of national exclusiveness must be overthrown; for his salvation was to reach to the ends of the earth. He rejoiced in spirit, as he beheld the poor of this world eagerly accepting the precious message which he brought. He looked up to heaven, and said: “I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.”
(Concluded next week)

Its Latest Designation

By John O. Corliss

Tracings of the Prophetic Gift—No. 13

Its Latest Designation

J. O. CORLISS
It is at least reasonable to suppose that inasmuch as the prophetic gift was necessary for the guidance of Israel through emergency cases, under which they seriously wavered, it ought, in justice, to be continued among God’s people as long as the same besetments remain. He who is the same yesterday, to-day, and forever, ought never to abandon a relief work which he himself has set in motion, and which ever proved efficient to all who availed themselves of its attributes.
Although a long interval of years passed between the last known Old Testament prophet, and the appearance of the promised Messiah, he proceeded early in his mission to show that he did not intend to overthrow the established order of things. He was careful to put his hearers on guard in this respect. Said he: “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets; I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.” Matt. 5:17.
So far was Christ from desiring to abolish either the law or the prophets, that he made it plain that his sole mission was to perpetuate both, and so fill up the vacuity produced by the iniquitous course of the Jews. Instead of his words being uttered to replace any part of the law or of the prophetic gift, these were rather intended to sanction and enforce both. The reason for this is obvious. As, after the voice from heaven proclaimed the law on Sinai expressing the will of Jehovah, it was heard no more after the same manner, but was echoed through the prophets pointing out men’s hidden defects in relation to the already written word; so, after the direct voice of Christ should cease in the earth, prophets were to continue as prompters to careless ones, and thus restore men to communion with high Heaven.
Were the prophetic gift to cease before the work of Christ for sinners was done, one thing would be lacking in the final test of men’s righteousness. According to the statement of the inspired apostle, every one who is finally justified must have his righteousness witnessed, or testified to, by both the law and the prophets (Rom. 3:19-22); not alone by one prophet, but by the prophets; that is, by them all. This is reasonable, too, when we know that men of olden times were measured up to the law’s requirements, not as viewed by the judgment of erring minds, but by the voice of the inspired prophets. Why should not the same provision for correctly viewing the law’s requirement be made for the latest generations, who have inherited the moral weaknesses of their sin-benighted ancestors?
In such an arrangement no material change need mark the work of God for destitute man. As the testimony borne by the prophets of patriarchal days was not their own, so holy exhortations to virtue in later generations must also savor of the divine afflatus. The first-named searched out the way of salvation for men, and bore positive testimony in relation to it by the Spirit of Christ, which animated them. 1 Peter 1:10, 11. Their words were therefore but the testimony of Christ borne through them. It was this “testimony of Jesus” through the prophets of old which pointed out so clearly in advance the sufferings that the Saviour must endure in the flesh, and the infinite glory to follow his earthly ministry. It was this same “testimony” which confirmed the early Christians in the divine mission of Christ (1 Cor. 1:6), because they saw in Christ an exact fulfilment of what the prophets had written concerning him.
When upon the isle of Patmos, the revelator saw visions of God, as did the early prophets before him. As the future glory of Christ with his redeemed at the marriage supper was flashed from heaven upon the moving panoramic scroll, the ecstatic sight so overcame the transported seer that he fell in worshipful attitude at the feet of the angel who was in attendance. The angel at once forbade his action, saying that he was but John’s fellow servant, as he was also of all the brethren who have the “testimony of Jesus.” Then, as if to prevent all misunderstanding regarding the “brethren” referred to, he added: “Worship God; for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit [life] of prophecy.” Rev. 19:10.
The life, or power, of prophecy is therefore the testimony of the living Christ. No other sort of prophetic utterance can move the benumbed soul to genuine moral action. The testimony of Christ, however, though delivered through one of his earth-chosen, can and will call to life the deadened faculties of men, because the life of Christ is thus sent forth to impart its own warming impulse of power to the needy one. In this way to receive the words of a true prophet, is to receive Christ, because the prophet simply brings forward the “testimony of Jesus.” John 13:20.
The conclusions here set forth are not new. To those whose minds have not been concerned with the subject, they may appear remote and unrelated to the divine plan; but the prophetic Word itself reveals that in earth’s closing scenes a people will come to the front who have the “testimony of Jesus Christ” in conjunction with the “commandments of God.” Rev. 12:17. The same text clearly sets forth also that this peculiar people will be an undesirable nation in the eyes of opposing forces.
The reason for these two elements becoming a distinguishing mark of God’s remnant people, and the hateful opposition they engender, ought to be clearly traceable in the Sacred Scriptures. Let us see. It is quite certain that in the great judgment, men’s characters will be measured by the law of God, not in the light of men’s faulty views of righteousness, but according to the infinite mind of Jehovah himself. Rom. 2:12-16. To meet one’s life record thus while moving among men, and subject to daily temptation, as those must be who see the Lord Jesus coming in the clouds of heaven “in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God” (2 Thess. 1:7-10), means that one must have direct communication with Heaven regarding his attitude toward God’s requirements, if he is prepared to pass the supreme test of the judgment. It could not be that the love of God would permit such to be deprived of special direction from him, concerning the status to be obtained, after having given his only begotten Son to die in their behalf.
It must be evident to candid minds that any who, at such time, are indifferent to the moral claims of God’s law, can not expect prophetic admonitions to direct them into harmony with the will of Jehovah, since they do not even care to have their minds normally engaged in the study of its requirements. It is, therefore, clear that the prophetic gift could not well be granted to any people but those who desire to know the exceeding breadth of that wondrous law which contains the concrete expression of the infinite mind.
So, then, the virtue of God’s compact rule of human conduct can be discovered and maintained only by the aid of Heaven’s voice, leading the partially sin-wrecked mind away from its natural environments to higher conceptions of life engagement. The relation of the Lord’s subjects to the divine messenger who brings God’s words to settle the doubt of duty, is well illustrated by the address of the king of Israel to Elisha the prophet. Not knowing whether it was right to smite the prophet’s enemies, suddenly discovered, the king said: “My father, shall I smite them?” 2 Kings 6:21.
It is evident from this that the king, believing that the prophet represented God, spoke to him in the name of the exalted Character for whom he believed him to stand. This could not have been, had not the voice of the prophet expressed the magnified will of God hiddenbeneath the exterior of the written Word, which really was but the voice and of God adapted to the moral need of select man’s sin-clouded mind. Without the prophet at hand to direct the king in his emergency, he might have been guided by sheer impulse, and so have committed a grievous wrong. This case makes clear the sense of the statement that “where there is no vision, the people perish,” or, as expressed in the Danish Version, “become reinless.” This is to say that without prophetic visions the people are without a proper director. This is made more emphatic by the rest of the text: “But he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” Prov. 29:18. Reading the two parts of the text together, the thought is conveyed that prophetic visions are necessary to point out to men the natural lapses from the law’s requirements, which men do not observe from their own unaided view-point.
Mountain View, Cal.

A City Mission Experience

By Mrs. Luella B. Priddy

MRS. LUELLA B. PRIDDY
A little two-room cottage stood at the end of a city street. It was the home of a family whom I will call Dillon, as I do not feel free to disclose the name.
Mr. Dillon was a man of intelligence and education, the son of wealthy parents, who made a practise of serving light liquors on their table. His father would have scorned the thought of becoming a drunkard, but the son had inherited an insatiable appetite for intoxicants. He would often go away on a drunken carousal, and remain absent from his home for several days, and then perhaps return and pawn some article of furniture out of the house to obtain more money to satisfy his craving for liquor.
The Lord did not forsake the young wife in her sorrow. Although there was not even a Bible in the house and a paper was a forbidden luxury, the thought kept coming to her mind, “The Lord is coming,” and she was watching eagerly for light on that subject. When goods were delivered wrapped in newspaper, she would scan the paper carefully to see if there was anything in it about the Lord’s return, but she could find nothing.
One day while out distributing tracts, I came to this little home. Mrs. Dillon came to the door, and accepted the literature that I offered. She told me afterward that the moment the tracts touched her hand, she knew they were that for which she had been looking. Thus the Lord prepared her heart to receive the seeds of truth.
Mrs. Dillon was a slender little woman, with large, wistful eyes, and the look of patient resignation that one sometimes sees on the faces of those who have borne much sorrow. In her arms was an infant a few weeks old, and by her side were several fair-faced children. A glance about the room revealed the fact that it was clean, but very bare of furniture.
On my next visit I carried a Bible, and a bundle of clothing which had been selected from a capacious box that a neighboring church had been thoughtful enough to send to the mission. I also began holding Bible readings with her.
On a subsequent visit I found Mrs. Dillon in deep trouble. Mr. Dillon had been absent from home for a number of days, and she did not know where he was, but supposed he was drinking. The cupboard door stood open, and there was not a mouthful of food in sight. As I bade her good-by, I slipped a coin into her hand.
But this time Mr. Dillon was not on a drunken carousal. He had met with an accident resulting in the breaking of a limb, and had been carried to a hospital. As soon as he was able to be taken home, he returned to his family. Because of his drinking habits his blood had become impure, and the bone was slow to heal. But he could not obtain liquor now. All he could do through the weary weeks that followed, was to sit in his chair, hold the baby, and read aloud from the Bible and other literature that had been taken to the family, while his wife toiled at the wash-tub to keep the wolf from the door. It was a humiliating experience; but the Lord overruled it for good. As the truth was brought before the husband and wife, point by point, they gladly received it.
One evening a cottage meeting was appointed at Mr. Dillon’s home, and some of the neighbors were invited to attend. The subject of the evening’s lesson was God’s forgiveness of sin. A number of texts were read, showing that the Lord has cast our sins behind his back, and will cast them into the depths of the sea; that he will remove our transgressions from us as far as the east is from the west, and that he will remember them no more.
Mr. Dillon sat with his face bowed over the head of his little son, and the tears flowed freely down his cheeks. From the depths of his soul he exclaimed, “That’s good enough.” Many times he had struggled in his weak, human strength against the evil appetite, and had failed; but now his faith laid hold on the promises, and he and his wife decided to be obedient to God’s commandments.
As soon as Mr. Dillon was able to do so, the family attended the meeting at the church. At the close of the sermon the minister gave opportunity for a short testimony meeting. Mr. Dillon arose, and with deep emotion said: “I have not been inside a church for twenty years, but the Lord has taken a miserable drunkard, and made a man out of him.” There were many moist eyes in the congregation as he sat down.
More prosperous days came to them. Theirs was a transformed home, that, by the power of the third angel’s message, had been rescued from the galling slavery of sin.
May the messengers hasten; for there are other souls waiting for the light.
Ellesmere, Ontario.

Unscriptural Marriages

By CHAS. P. WHITFORD

CHAS. P. WHITFORD
In Amos 3:3 the question is asked: “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” In 2 Cor. 6:14 the Lord answers this question thus: “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?”
Marriage is an institution ordained of God. We are at liberty to marry if we desire to do so, but there is one very important provision. To learn what that provision is, study the following texts: Gen. 6:1-5; Deut. 7:1-3; Joshua 23:11-13; 1 Kings 11:1-6; Ezra 11:1, 2; 1 Cor. 7:39, 40; 2 Cor. 6:14-17.
From a careful study of these scriptures, we learn that we may marry if we desire to do so. But the Lord is very particular to tell us whom we should not marry. We should not choose for a companion one who does not love the same blessed truth that we love; for there can be no harmony between one who loves to follow in His steps and one who loves the sinful pleasures of the world.
To those who will obey God, and marry “only in the Lord,” the following promise is made: “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord; . . . and I will receive you, and will be a father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters.” 2 Cor. 6:17, 18.
Seventh-day Adventists claim to be commandment-keepers; but it is sad to contemplate that some of our dear young people disobey the voice of God in the matter of choosing a life companion. How one who claims to be a commandment-keeper can knowingly unite himself or herself to one who is not obeying God in the matter of Sabbath observance is hard to understand. When the command comes to us, “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers,” and no attention is paid to it, we are evidently deceived if we think we are obeying God.
There are many in our denomination to-day who once enjoyed a good religious experience, and had a bright hope of the life beyond, but who are now living without God and without hope in the world. The Lord told them not to become “unequally yoked together with unbelievers;” but they dared to disobey this plain command, and by a chain of circumstances they were led to yield their faith, become separated from God and his people, and are now held in Satan’s snare.
In the REVIEW of Feb. 1, 1906, the spirit of prophecy makes the following strong statement: “Marriage between believers and unbelievers is forbidden by God.” The path of happiness is the path of obedience. Isa. 40:17, 18. It is never safe to disobey God, but it is always safe to follow his instruction. We do not always know what is best for us, but God knows. “God is love;” and love ever desires the happiness of the object loved; love will not withhold any good thing. “For the Lord Godis a sun and shield: . . . no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.” Ps. 84:11. The child of faith will not disobey our loving Heavenly Father.
If we could know the end from the beginning, as God knows it, the child of faith would choose for himself the same experiences that God chooses for him. He would not desire to do anything that God did not wish him to do. If we find ourselves longing for things that God does not desire us to have, we should pray for more faith and love, and greater submission to his will, remembering that “without faith it is impossible to please him.” Heb. 11:6.

More Than Conquerors

By Worthie Harris Holden

WORTHIE HARRIS HOLDEN
EARTH has her heroes, and o’er them she wreathes Garlands of glory for their laurel leaves. Victors are they in strife or battle-field. Earth’s greatest plaudit, blazoned on each shield, Is this ensign of triumph,—Conqueror! Nor is there ever an excelsior. Be he a wrestler, barrister, or king, No higher praise can any tribute bring.
But for the Christian in the greater strife E’en “more than conqueror” must seal his life; More than a victor over fear and sin, When through the gates he fain would enter in. “Much more abundant” is the grace in store For him who tribulation will endure; If more than conqueror o’er self and strife, More than a triumph waits to crown his life.
Far, far above the heights of highest thought Is the “much more” that Christ for thee hath bought. Cast off whate’er may hinder or enthrall; To reach his standard sacrifice thine all.
Portland, Ore.

What to Chew and What to Eschew

By Daniel H. Kress

D. H. KRESS, M. D.
EVERYTHING we eat should be thoroughly chewed. Upon proper mastication depends proper digestion and nutrition. There are certain foods, however, that mastication does not improve; but they are an injury to the body.
Two things are essential in building healthy body tissues,— one is good building material, and the other is proper preparation of the material so that it can be utilized. When Solomon erected in Jerusalem the temple which commanded the admiration of the entire world, he exercised great care in the selection of the material with which to construct it. Ordinary building material he passed by, selecting only the best.
We are all engaged in temple-building, but few of us exercise the wisdom of Solomon. Our bodies are temples. As a rule men are content to use the material most convenient in building the body temple, regardless of quality. Taste, not reason and good sense, is considered. I have heard men say, “I can eat anything;” and those who say this, usually do. They seem to ignore the fact that they are composed of what they eat, and that food is building material. It is as impossible to build healthy and enduring bones, muscles, nerves, and brain out of inferior food as it is to build a substantial house out of inferior timber.
The impression prevails that inferior food undergoes some miraculous transformation after it enters the alimentary canal, and is there converted into superior building material. This is a mistake. As the carpenter can merely shape and prepare the material that is furnished him, so the digestive organs merely dissolve and prepare the material furnished them.
Two buildings may appear equally good from without, to a superficial observer; but before purchasing, inquiry is usually made in regard to the class of material employed in their construction. Two men may appear equally healthy to the passer-by; but to know of a certainty whether appearances can be relied upon, it is necessary to inquire as to the material employed in their body-building. The drinker of beer, with his florid face, has the appearance of health; but he is not well. It is recognized that his chances for recovery from a surgical operation or from pneumonia or other germ diseases are not good: he has been employing the wrong kind of building material. Beer is a product of fermentation, or decay. No man can subsist upon such material and be well.
Solomon purposed to build a dwelling-place for God. But “the Most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands.” Heaven is his throne. He dwells “in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a humble and contrite spirit.” To such the apostle says: “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.”
There are two kinds of temple-builders. By nature we are all the children of wrath. The prince of the power of the air holds possession, and he directs in the selection of building material. It was he who led man at the beginning to put forth his hand and partake of that which God had wisely withheld from him. It was he who later led man to partake of alcohol, tea, coffee, tobacco, pepper, mustard, and other inferior and unsuitable building material; and as a result the human temples are decaying. The marked degeneracy of the race has its explanation here. “If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy.”
When requested to take his seat at Babylon’s table, laden with “a daily provision of the king’s meat, and of thewine which he drank,” Daniel “purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank.” He requested that instead he might have “pulse to eat, and water to drink.” Daniel, like Solomon, was a wise builder. He chose the very best material, the material that was originally given to man for body-building purposes, —fruits, grains, legumes, and nuts.
Solomon’s temple lost its significance, and was defiled. When Christ began his ministry, he entered the temple, and said, “Take these things hence.” It was still his Father’s house, though in the possession of unlawful traffickers. These he cast out. This typifies the work he does in every human temple, no matter how defiled, which he enters. The cleansing begins the moment he enters. He will say, Take hence the tobacco, whisky, tea, coffee, and other things which defile and injure brain, and nerve, and muscle.
The one who permits Christ to reign within, will exercise the same care as did Solomon in the selection of building material. The ordinary body-building material employed will not answer the purpose. Nothing but the cleanest, the purest, and the best will be good enough.
No inferior body-building material is approved by the Master. God said to his ancient people: “The swine . . . is unclean to you. Of their flesh shall ye not eat, and their carcass shall ye not touch; they are unclean to you.” In these words is stated that which science recognizes, and which must appeal to every thinking mind. The flesh of an animal that subsists upon filth can not be clean. The oyster, the scavenger of the sea, lying in the ocean bottom, with open shells, filled with ooze and slime and filth, does not furnish suitable material out of which to build enduring body-temples. Concerning such animals the instruction was given: “They shall be even an abomination unto you; ye shall not eat of their flesh.” Yet the oyster is regarded as a delicacy, and not its flesh merely, but the entire creature, is eaten.
Even the cleanest animals are not suitable as food for one who desires to build up a healthy body and a sound brain. Animal tissues are always laden with organic impurities, which are constantly forming, and which have to be constantly eliminated through the kidneys, the skin, and the lungs of the animal while living. It is impossible to eat meat without getting a certain proportion of these impurities. Beef extracts are chiefly composed of them.
Takoma Park, D. C.

Rome and Moral Reforms

By John N. Quinn

JOHN N. QUINN
RECENT utterances from Roman Catholic writers would lead one to think that Rome has ever been in the lead in reform work. The following from Cardinal Manning, himself a Romanist, is to the point:—
“And, further, all the great works of charity in England have had their beginning out of our church,—for instance, the abolition of the slave-trade and slavery, and the persevering protest of the Anti-Slavery Society. Not a Roman Catholic name, so far as I know, shared in this. France, Portugal, and Brazil have been secretly or openly slave-trading, or, even till now, slave-holding. So with the temperance movement. It was a Quaker that made Father Mathew a total abstainer. Roman Catholic Ireland, and the Roman Catholics of England, until now, have done little for temperance. The Anglican and dissenting ministers are far more numerously total abstainers than are our priests. The act of Parliament to protect animals from cruelty was carried by a non-Catholic Irishman; the antivivisection act also. Both are derided, to my knowledge, among Roman Catholics. The act to protect children from cruelty was the work of Dissenters. On these three societies there is hardly a Roman Catholic name. On the last, mine was for long the only one. So again in the uprising against the horrible depravity which destroys young girls—multitudes of ours—I was literally denounced by Roman Catholics. [And yet it is the Holy Catholic Church.] Not one came forward. If it was ill-done, why did nobody try to amend it? I might go on. There are endless men, women, and children ground down by sweaters, and driven by starvation wages upon the streets. Not one of the works on their behalf was started by us. Hardly a Roman Catholic name is to be found on their reports.”—Purcell’s “Life of Cardinal Manning,” Vol. II, page 781.
When a church emphasizes doctrines, and at the same time remains indifferent to the character of its communicants, it will be slow to urge reforms. Rome demonstrates this truth by placing catechetical instruction in the forefront, making it the standard of the orthodoxy of her members.
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