Signs of the Times, Vol. 30, No. 2. (1/13/1904)

Signs of the Times

Jan 13, 1904

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jan 13, 1904

WALK IN THE LIGHT.

THE world's wise men are groping in the darkness of this world for light. Their quest is often earnest and laborious, but they work under the obscure rays of human speculation. They seek light in the sparks that men have kindled, which, compared with the true light, is sheer darkness. All effort on such a basis can only lead away from the light further into the darkness.

ANOTHER view, and by far more hopeful, is that "God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all." Then the only successful way to seek for light is to turn the face toward God. For the brief period that man heeded the counsel of God in the Garden of Eden, he walked in the light; but the moment he obeyed the suggestion of the adversary he turned his back on the light and started toward the darkness. The natural man has been traveling in that direction ever since, and of himself is unable to take any other course.

BUT God dedicated His only-begotten Son, and the Son dedicated Himself, to the work of making the true light once more accessible to the human race. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God." It was "in the beginning" that "God said, Let there be light; and there was light." "In Him [the Word] was life; and the life was the Light of men." "That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world."

THE Word mentioned here "was made flesh, and dwelt among us." That was Jesus Christ, who says of Himself, "I am the light of the world; he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." Thus, by following Christ, men may not only have their desire for light gratified in the fullest sense, but they may also gain eternal life. "Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light." "And this is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent."

THEN we have the written Word, given by the Spirit of the Word that was made flesh, and this written Word also contains light for those who will walk in the counsel and precepts that it contains. Peter, in testifying of what he saw on the mount of transfiguration, says, "We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the Day Star arise in your hearts." And Christ, in imparting instruction concerning Himself to two disciples on the day of His resurrection, made it emphatic by citing the prophets and "all the Scriptures." The following night, when the eleven apostles and others were present, in order to shed further light on the oral teaching given during His connection with them, He opened their understanding, "that they might understand the Scriptures."

DAVID testifies, "The Lord is my light and my salvation." He also says that "light is sown for the righteous," thus indicating its abundance for those who accept the righteousness provided for them through the obedience of Christ, which is the only righteousness recognized in heaven. But where is this light to be found, of which the psalmist testifies?—"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." And to this we may add the words of Solomon, "The path of the just is as the shining light, which shineth more and more unto the perfect day." This is because the light of God's Word shines upon it.

THERE are some, however, from whom this great light is veiled. Of them it is said that they are lost. The apostle Paul expresses it in this way: "But if our Gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost; in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." Now the god of this world could not so completely shut out the light from them if they did not will to have it so, if they

did not wilfully reject the light of truth. Of this matter the Word says: "This is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God."

HE that doeth truth must needs be walking in the light of the Word; for Christ has testified to the Father, before man, that "Thy Word is truth," and it is this by which men are to be sanctified. Now the prophet Isaiah says to the Lord's people: "Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people, but the Lord shall rise upon thee, and His glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising."

THIS shows that the light of the Lord, the true light, becomes the light of those who do the truth in their daily lives, and it shines out from them. Therefore the Lord says to them, "Ye are the light of the world." And because they are thus made the light of the world, He says to them, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." G.

AN ALLEGORY.

By Clara Edna Rosencrans

(By a sufferer and a cripple.)

I AM a princess. Any one would not think it looking at my poor, crooked body, and face drawn sometimes with pain, but it is even so. My Father is a King and my Elder Brother, the Lord Jesus, is heir apparent to this world in which I live. I am an exile now, banished by the one who tried to usurp this beautiful land from my Father. But one day He will win it back once more, and will bestow it upon One who is entirely worthy of it. Even now His armies draw near. Only a few more strongholds of the enemy to overcome, and then my Brother, the Captain of the "Lord's Host" will appear, surrounded by shining beings, more beautiful than ever graced the court of earthly king, and will take me to dwell in His kingdom forever.

I have never seen this Brother and yet I love Him. Many are the loving messages that He has sent me; and it helps me to be patient when I suffer most severely, to know that this dear Friend has me always in His mind, that I am carried constantly on His heart.

And the letters I have received from Him! In one of these He describes the city which is to be the capital of His kingdom. I can scarcely imagine how it will be, it is so much more beautiful than anything I ever saw; but it has twelve gates of pearl, and streets of shining gold. And there is a river of pure water which flows through the city, and on either side stands the tree of Life which bears twelve manner of delicious fruits, the leaves of which are for the healing, or service, of the redeemed. Fountains of living water also flow from the throne, and the air is filled with the music of countless harpers.

It must be very beautiful there, and sometimes when I get to thinking about it, I can hardly wait for my Brother to come but then He is constantly educating me, and making me fit for a home in His Royal Family. And most beautiful of all, when I get home I will never suffer any more. Once inside the golden gates, my hip will not hurt me, neither will it hurt my foot to walk on it. I shall be well, well forever! And can go where I like and never be weary any more, for my Brother told me in one of His early letters that the dwellers there "shall run and not be weary, shall walk and not faint." These are His very words. Is it any wonder, then, that I sing as I go about my work, and that people wonder that I am so happy?

Why this is only probation, and I am being fitted for the society of saints and angels. Who would not be happy? For there will be no sin there, no tempter, but love will be the rule of life, and our dear ones will be forever safe.

I hope that my Brother will come soon, and that all my dear ones will be ready to go, for as many as wish may go to that country, and become its citizens, if they enlist in the war. The Lord Jesus has need of many valiant soldiers, and the reward will be life in the city of gold. So I try as the days go by to win some one to enlist under the banner of my Father and King. CLARA EDNA ROSENCRANS. Mansfield, Mo.

"CHOOSE YOU THIS DAY WHOM YE WILL SERVE."

By Ellen G. White

JUST before his death, Joshua called the children of Israel together, and said to them, "Choose you this day whom ye will serve." The choice that Israel was that day called to make is one that to-day all are called to make; for there are still rival powers in the world. Let us consider the character of the powers that claim the homage of men.

Christ, the Commander of the heavenly hosts, left the honor and glory that He had with the Father, and came to this world to live as a man among men, that He might rescue human beings from destruction. He might have come attended by ten thousand times ten thousand angels; but this He did not do. He came in lowliness and poverty, without honor or rank. He humbled Himself, taking the nature of the fallen race. He came to help the needy and the distressed; to heal the sick; to speak peace to the suffering; to deliver those whom Satan was afflicting; to bring redemption to all who would accept the Heaven-sent blessing. Such is the character of Him who says, "If ye love Me, keep My commandments."

There is another who claims the homage of men, but very different is he from the Prince of life. He was once a covering cherub in the heavenly courts, and of him it is written, "Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty." But envy entered his heart, and he was cast out of heaven. His work is now the destruction of the children of men; the ruin of souls is his delight, and his only employment. His step is noiseless, his movements are stealthy, his batteries are masked. He has so concealed himself from view that many can hardly believe that he exists, much less can they be convinced of his amazing malignity, activity, and power. If he were to show himself openly, in his true character, he would arouse the Christian's dormant energies, and send him to God in prayer.

Under the enemy's specious, bewitching influence, many obey the worst impulses of the human heart, and yet believe that God is leading them. Could their eyes be opened to distinguish their Captain, they would see that they are not serving God, but the enemy of all righteousness.

When Christ was in the world, the battle between Him and Satan was unceasing. At the beginning of His public ministry, our Saviour encountered the wily foe in the wilderness of temptation. Here, during the forty days and nights of Christ's long fast, Satan, concealing his real character, sought by every means he could devise to overcome the Redeemer. Disguising himself as an angel of light, a Heaven-sent friend, he offered to show Christ an easier way to gain His object than the path of trial and suffering upon which He had entered. But Jesus repulsed the enemy, and forced him to depart, a conquered foe.

To-day Satan comes with his temptations to the children of men, and here he has better success. One of his most successful devices is to keep men in ignorance of his devices; for they will not be on their guard against an enemy of whose existence they are ignorant. I was once asked, "Do you believe in the existence of a personal devil?" "I do," I replied. "I do not," rejoined the questioner. "I think that our evil thoughts and impulses are the only devil there is." "But," I asked, "who suggests these thoughts? Where do they originate if not with Satan?"

Dear Christian friends, be not deceived by the delusion that Satan has no existence. Just as surely as we have a personal Saviour, we have a personal adversary, cruel and cunning, who constantly watches our steps, plotting to lead us astray. Where the belief is held that he does not exist, there he is most busy. When we least suspect his presence, he is gaining an advantage over us. I feel alarmed as I see so many yielding to his power, while they know it not. Did they but see their danger, they would flee to Christ, the sinner's refuge.

The tempter often whispers that the Christian life is one of exaction, of rigorous duty; that it is hard to be on the watch continually, that there is no need of being so particular. Thus he deceived Eve in Eden, telling her that God's commands were arbitrary and unjust, given to prevent man from becoming free and exalted.

It is true that our Saviour represents His service as a yoke, and the Christian life is one of burden-bearing; yet contrasting these with the cruel power of Satan and the burdens imposed by sin, He exclaims, "My yoke is easy, and My burden is light." If we try to meet the responsibilities of the Christian life and to perform its duties, without Jesus as a helper, we shall find the yoke galling, and the burden intolerably heavy. But we are not asked to bear the burden alone. Christ will bear the burden of our care and sorrow. He invites us to cast all our care upon Him; for He carries us on His heart. He looks upon every soul who is turning his face toward Him as the Saviour. He knows by experience what are the weaknesses of humanity, what are our needs, and where lies the strength of our temptations; for He was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

True happiness is found, not in self-indulgence and self-pleasing, but in learning of Christ. Those who trust to their own wisdom and follow their own way complain at every step. But those who take Christ at His word, and surrender the soul to His keeping, their lives to His ordering, will find peace and quietude. Nothing of the world can make them sad when Jesus makes them glad by His presence. The Lord says, "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee; because he trusteth in Thee."

Those who choose Christ as their leader, grow daily more like Him. "Strengthened with all might by His Spirit," they form characters that will win for them entrance into the holy city.

We now have the opportunity of deciding whether we shall be numbered with the servants of Christ or the servants of Satan. Day by day, in word and act, we show what choice we are making. Shall we not decide as did Joshua, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord?"

History of Government

By Alonzo Trevier Jones

BY ALONZO TREVIER JONES

AUTHOR OF "TWO REPUBLICS," "EMPIRES OF THE BIBLE," "GREAT EMPIRES OF PROPHECY," "ECCLESIASTICAL EMPIRE," ETC.

TWO KINDS OF GOVERNMENT.

Man's Choice in Evil.

THIS earth was formed to be inhabited. When it had been created, God created man upon it and appointed him to have, under God, "dominion" over the beast of the field and the fowl of the air and the fishes of the sea and over every creeping thing that moves upon the earth.

The government of man himself was self-government under God, with God, and in God; and he was created thus to remain forever. But he chose to abandon this and to take a course contrary to the will, and outside the design, of God. By this choice he fell under the power of the chief opponent of all government, and the author of anarchy. But to this usurper of the dominion of the earth and man, God said, "I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed." Thus God broke up the absolutism of the dominion of Satan over man; and opened the way for man to return to allegiance to God, and so to true government.

Of the first two sons of the first man, one chose the way of true government—self-government according to the will, and within the design, of God; the other chose the way of Satan—the way of lawlessness, the way of anarchy. And in strict accordance with the principle of that way, and in manifestation of the true spirit of the originator of that way, and the hater of the principle of government, he killed his brother.

Two Classes.

Another son was born who chose the way of true government—self-government according to the will, and within the design, of God. This man was allowed to live, and he was succeeded by others of his way. The other was succeeded by others of his way. The two classes continued, and so did the controversy between the true and false governments upon the earth: between self-government according to the will and within the design of God on the one side; and on the other the dominion of the evil ones in lawlessness resulting in anarchy. The lawless elements multiplied till "the earth was filled with violence." This anarchy became so universal that to quench it, there were required the waters of the universal Flood. And true government—self-government according to the will and within the design of God in the eight persons who, of all the earth's inhabitants, recognized it, in the ark which they had prepared—was preserved by the waters of the same Flood that quenched the opposing anarchy. Thus was man preserved alive upon the earth and the race was perpetuated. And so the second time the Creator started man upon the earth, and with him the principle of true government—self-government according to the will and within the design of God. But in spite of the demonstration of the fearful results of taking the other way, it was but a short time before that false way was again chosen; again the two classes were developed; and again the controversy arose and was continued between those who on the earth were espoused to true government, and those who were not.

Man in Place of God.

This refusal to recognize true government, this refusal of the individual to hold himself subject to the will and within the design of God, not only continued, but continued to increase. Idolatry was substituted for the recognition of God, for "when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise they became fools, and changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things." And in just the degree in which the knowledge of God was disregarded, the absence of true government was manifested, and confusion and lawlessness prevailed. And in the nature of things, amongst the idolatrous ones, the strongest prevailed. And when the strong had prevailed they held the power which in the contest they had gained; and, in the true spirit of the false government, having abandoned self-government according to the will and within the purpose of God, they asserted dominion over others according to their own will, and in furtherance of their own design. And such is the origin of monarchy—the assertion of man in the place of God—upon earth.

What Idols Are.

And it is curious as well as important to notice how idolatry aided in this bad development.

First, they did know God, but they rejected Him. They chose not to glorify him as God, nor to be thankful, nor even to recognize Him. Then idols were put in His place. But these idols were but the creation of their own perverse imagination. The idols were only the imagining of their own false conceptions, and so were but the representations of themselves. And when they had put these idols in the place of God, the idols being but the representations of themselves, it was perfectly easy and also perfectly natural and logical that they should presently put themselves in the places of the idols, as the agents of the idol and the executors of its will which from the beginning was but their own will cast for the occasion upon the idol.

For, strictly and truly speaking, literally the idol was nothing. All that it could possibly be was what its creators and worshipers conceived it to be. This conception was altogether their own. Then, whatever will, character, or purpose, the idol could possibly have was but the will, character, or purpose of the one who made it or worshiped it. And the idol being helpless to execute this will or to manifest either character or purpose, it fell inevitably to the maker or worshiper of the idol, himself to make this manifest. And since the idol had been put in the place of God, and since all that the idol could ever possibly be was simply what its maker and worshiper himself was, this was simply to put the man, the worshiper of the idol, in the

place of God. And when apostasy had reached this point, confusion and turbulence had reached the point at which it was only the power of force that could prevail; and the force which prevailed most, maintained its place and power by the assertion of dominion over others according to the will and purpose of the one man who exerted it. Thus arose monarchy in the world. In the nature of the case, the monarch was in the place of God.

XX. Facts of History.

Nor is this mere theory; nor yet is it merely philosophy. It is fact—fact according to the records of the times in which this bad development occurred. For in the earliest records of the race, in totally and widely-separated places, such is the record. In earliest records in the plain of Shinar, the cradle of the race after the Flood, in every instance the ruler bears not the title of king, but of “viceroy” of the idol god, which is held to be truly king. These records reveal clearly that there had been a time when these same people recognized God as the only King and the true Ruler. These records also reveal the fact that these people had not yet gone so far in apostasy that the one in authority, the one who exercised rulership, could dare to assume positively the title of king. But the idol which had been put in the place of God could be made to bear God’s title of King and true Ruler; and then the man who would usurp the place and prerogative of God over men, could deftly insinuate himself as viceroy, vicegerent, or substitute, of the idol god who, in the figment of men, still bore the dignity and title of king.

Such also is the record in earliest Assyria, in earliest Egypt, and even among our own ancient Anglo-Saxon progenitors. The persistence of the principle is illustrated in the conception of king in our own English language; for “among the English, at least, the kingly houses all claimed descent from the blood of the gods. Every king was a son of Woden.”

Thus, by these widely separated and independent records, it is demonstrated that the concept of kingship in the human race was originally recognized as belonging only to God. And this so exclusively that when idols were put in the place of God (which idols were themselves nothing, but were in fact the reflection of the maker of the idols), this title must abide exclusively with the figment, which stood in the place of God.

But as apostasy continued and the asserters of dominion and power over others became more bold, there came Nimrod, the one, and the first one, who was so bold as to take to himself from the idols the title and the prerogatives of king, which by the makers of the idols had been taken from God and placed upon the idol. Because of this his impious boldness, the name of Nimrod signifies “rebellion, supercilious contempt,” and is equivalent to “the extremely impious rebel.”

This is not to say that there should be no governments, nor is it to say that there should be no monarchy on earth. It is only to say that without such apostasy there never could have been monarchy. But when such apostasy had come, and consequent turbulence and violence prevailed, it was better that there should be even monarchy such as that of Nimrod, than that there should be no government at all, but only anarchy. It were better that there should be such government as that of Nimrod or of Nero, than that there should be none on earth. But apostasy must of necessity go a long way from true and original government—self-government with God—before there could be required such government as that of Nimrod or of Nero.

History of Government
BY ALONZO TREVIER JONES
AUTHOR OF "TWO REPUBLICS," "EMPIRES OF THE BIBLE,"
"GREAT EMPIRES OF PROPHECY," ECCLESIASTICAL EMPIRE," ETC. — History of Government BY ALONZO TREVIER JONES AUTHOR OF "TWO REPUBLICS," "EMPIRES OF THE BIBLE," "GREAT EMPIRES OF PROPHECY," ECCLESIASTICAL EMPIRE," ETC.

BOASTFUL BUILDING.

By Wellspring

"BLOW, O winds! Rise, O ocean! Break forth, ye elements, and try my work." Such was the boastful inscription put upon the first Eddystone lighthouse built by the eccentric Winstanley. His challenge was accepted, and one fearful night the sea swallowed up the tower and its builder. The next one met a similar fate, the structure and its builder, Rudyard, perishing together. The third was erected by Smeaton, who built it all of stone, making it a part of its rock foundation, so that the lighthouse penetrates it as a tree penetrates the soil. Upon this lighthouse no vaunting inscriptions were placed, but on the lowest course were chiseled the words: "Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it;" and on the keystone, above the lantern, is the exclamation, "Laus Deo!" That structure still stands, a never-failing beacon-light to storm-tossed mariners. He who would build for eternity must not set about his task in any vainglorious, overconfident spirit. He must be careful as to his foundation, building firmly and deeply upon the Rock, Christ Jesus, and relying in trust and humility upon Him who alone can enable one to reach a perfect result. —Wellspring.

LOVE CONQUERS.

LOVE is a conquering force. A true life is a series of conquests. It is to him that overcometh that the crown of life is promised. The first thing to be conquered is self. Without self-mastery there can be no true manhood. Until one has learned to control himself he is not fit to be master of anything. Many methods of arriving at self-mastery have been tried. The best and only successful method is to be filled with love. A baptism of love every morning, noon, and night will soon bring self down and drown selfishness completely.

When one has mastered himself he may overcome his enemies. Who has not tried to overcome his enemies by force, by wrath, by stratagem? This we may do if we are stronger and shrewder than they. But when it is done there will be no advantage either to the victor or the vanquished. The man who has been crushed by violence is no better, nor is his conqueror better. Jesus taught men a new method of dealing with enemies: "Love your enemies." So taught the apostle: "If thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink; for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head." Thousands of enemies have been conquered in this way. And there is no other way worth trying. If we fail, it is because we have not enough love.—Christian Advocate.

Pride, Policy, and Principle

“WHEN a man’s policy is dictated by pride it will be deserted by principle.”

Justice Begins with Oneself

“How can he dispense justice to others who dispenses with it for himself?”

Continue reading: XX. THE TEST OF CHRISTIAN SCIENCE