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Signs of the Times, Vol. 20, No. 20.

Principles and Men
Earlier text: THE DEVIL'S MISSION OF AMUSEMENT

WHAT ONE BIBLE DID.

THIS is Stanley’s story of what one Bible accomplished: “In 1875, Miss Livingstone, the sister of David Livingstone, presented me with a beautifully bound Bible. On a subsequent visit to Mtesa I read to him some chapters, and as I finished, it flashed through my mind that Uganda was destined to be won for Christ. I was not permitted to carry the Bible away. Mtesa never forgot the wonderful words, nor the startling effect they had upon him; and just as I was turning away from his country to continue my explorations across the Dark Continent, a messenger who had traveled two hundred miles came to me, crying out that Mtesa wanted the book, and it was given to him. To-day the Christians in Uganda number many thousands; they have proved their faith at the stake, under the knobstick, and under torture till death.”

THE LAW OF GOD

As Changed by the Papacy.

HERE we have arranged the papal assumptions and admissions side by side with the law of God. These selections are all taken from works of acknowledged authority among the Catholics, and are therefore valuable for reference. Price of cloth, $1.00; paper, 5½x8½ in., per 100, 50c. Address Pacific Press Publishing Co., Oakland, Cal., or 43 Bond St., New York City, or 18 West 5th St., Kansas City, Mo.
“Living by Faith.” (Spanish.) A translation of Bible Students’ Library No. 75; 16 pp.; price, 2 cents. Address, PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO., Oakland, Cal.
ANGELS; THEIR NATURE AND MINISTRY. Contains also some hints on the origin, history, and destiny of Satan as gleaned from the Scriptures. Bible Students’ Library, No. 89 Pacific Press Pub. Co., Oakland, Cal. 140 pp.; 20 cents.

ON TRIAL FOR THE TRUTH.

By R. S. Owen

SCENES have just transpired in Gainesville, Ga., which are replete with interest,—the trial of Elder W. A. McCutcheon and E. C. Keck. In the morning, before going to the court room, the members of the church and other brethren from a distance gathered in the house of worship to implore the blessing of God upon his servants in this trying hour. They had done nothing worthy of bonds or imprisonment, but had simply carried out their convictions of duty to God in keeping the seventh day, and worked, as he had commanded them, on the first day of the week. The authorities had undertaken to step in between them and their God to dictate as to what day they should render to him. They were to be brought before rulers for Christ's sake, and now they claimed his promise, "It shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak." Matt. 10:19.
A large concourse of people assembled to witness the trial, and when their case was called, the deepest interest was manifested. The law under which they were indicted was first read, which is as follows:—
"SEC. 4579. Violating Sabbath.—Any tradesman, artificer, workman, or laborer, or other person whatever, who shall pursue their business or work of their ordinary callings on the Lord's day (works of necessity or charity only excepted), shall be guilty of misdemeanor, and, on conviction, shall be punished as prescribed in section 4310 of this code."
Five witnesses for the prosecution were then sworn, and all testified substantially to the same thing, namely, that the defendants did, on the nineteenth day of November, 1893, being Sunday, work in the Seventh-day Adventist Church with saw, plane, and square, making school seats. No attempt was made to show that anyone was disturbed. No one had been molested or disquieted, only they had engaged in working on Sunday. This our brethren freely admitted, and even placed upon the witness stand one of the little kindergarten school desks which they had made upon that day. Witnesses for the defense simply testified to the usual occupation of the defendants, and that they were doing that work free for the school, which was to begin the next day. The defendants were then allowed one hour and a half to speak in their own defense. They had freedom in presenting the truth, and were listened to with the closest attention, not only by judge and jury, but by the large audience, among whom were doctors, lawyers, ministers, senators, and other men of influence.
Their first point was to show that they had not worked on the Sabbath, or Lord's day. (The law recognizes both Sabbath and Lord's day to mean the same.) The only authority qualified to decide which day the Lord claims as his is the Lord himself, and this he has revealed in his word. Therefore the Bible must settle this point. From this the speaker presented the testimony of the Bible, both of the Old and New Testaments, showing that the seventh day and no other had been blessed and set apart as holy to the Lord. This day was Saturday, which is recognized the world over as the seventh day of the week. It was clearly shown by the teaching of Christ and his apostles that they never observed or recognized any other day as the Sabbath, and that the law which enjoins the observance of that day is to remain in force as long as the heaven and earth remain.
It was the apostate Church of Rome that changed the observance from the seventh day and foisted the pagan Sunday, or "day of the sun"—the chief god of paganism—in place of the Sabbath of the Lord. Not only do facts show this, but the Catholic Church admits it, boasts of it, and flaunts it in the face of Protestants as a badge of her authority. The testimony of a Catholic priest was read, in which he offered a reward of a thousand dollars to any Protestant who would prove by the Bible that Sunday should be kept as the Sabbath.
It was further shown that the Sabbath is a sign of the true God, the Creator of the heavens and the earth, and that Sunday, the counterfeit sabbath, constitutes a sign or mark of the Papacy, and that for us, who know these things, to observe Sunday as the Sabbath would be to acknowledge the authority and receive the mark of that apostate power, represented by the beast of Rev. 13:1-10.
The second line of defense was the constitutional right of every man to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience. This right is guaranteed to every inhabitant of the State by the following words from the Constitution of the State of Georgia:—
"All men have the natural and inalienable right to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience, and no human authority should in any case control or interfere with the right of conscience.
"No inhabitant of this State shall be molested in person or property, or prohibited from holding any office or public trust on account of his religious opinion; but the right of liberty of conscience shall not be so construed as to excuse acts of licentiousness or justify practices inconsistent with the peace and safety of the State."
This was also shown to be the doctrine of the Bible, that worldly governments have no right to interfere with religious faith or observances. The thirteenth and fourteenth chapters of Romans were compared, showing that, while we are strictly enjoined to obey magistrates in civil matters, yet in matters of faith, as the observing of days, we are accountable only to God for our practice. "He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it." Rom. 14:6. The distinction between civil and religious duties is clearly drawn by our Saviour in his reply to the question of the Pharisees about paying tribute. When the tribute money was brought, he asked, "Whose is this image and superscription?" So we may ask concerning the Sabbath, whose image and superscription does it bear? The State of Georgia says it is the "Lord's day," and we answer in the language of our Saviour, "Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's."
It was further shown in the defense, as a matter, however, of minor importance compared with the great principles of truth involved in this case, that the defendants had not violated the law, even if Sunday was the Lord's day, for they were not engaged in their ordinary occupation, and what they were doing was a work of charity.
They had conscientiously observed the Sabbath according to the command of God, and they also had the God-given right to work six days. Should the jury find them guilty for this, and they be sent to the prison and the chain gang, this would only be a revival of persecution which has stained the pages of history of past ages.
Following the plea of the defendants, the acting prosecuting attorney made a speech of about one hour. He read largely from court decisions. He said he cared not whether Sunday came from the Catholic Church, from God, or the devil, the law must be obeyed. He claimed that we had full religious liberty, inasmuch as we were allowed to preach what we believe, and to keep the seventh day. His greatest freedom in speaking was when he turned from his unpleasant task of prosecuting those whom he believed to be sincere Christian men, and went to denouncing the prosecution of one of our brethren who had been fined for a similar offense (that of working on Sunday) in an adjoining county; that he declared to be the most unrighteous judgment he had ever witnessed.
Next came the judge's charge to the jury. This was so fair and impartial that we could but feel that the words were being dictated by the Spirit of God. When the jury retired to make up the verdict, it seemed to be the opinion of all that they would soon return with the verdict "not guilty," but hour after hour passed away, and for seventeen long hours they wrestled over the question, or until nine o'clock the next morning, when they were again called to their seats in the court room, and reported, "We are not agreed and are not likely to be." They stood six for acquittal and six for conviction. The judge then dismissed them, and appointed a new trial, to be held in May next. While nothing was gained in the way of deciding the case in the court, yet an opportunity has been afforded to bring the truth before a large number of people in a way that has made a deep impression. The Lord has worked wonderfully for his truth during this time of trial. Some are deciding to obey as the result, one of whom we believe will soon be a worker in the cause.
R. S. OWEN. Gainesville, Ga., Feb. 25, 1894.

FIELD NOTES.

By Editor

ELDER A. A. JOHN reports a good interest at Winthrop, Iowa, with the conversion of eight adults and two children.
THE Hungarian language has been added to the list in which Seventh-day Adventist literature is published, making eighteen in all.
AN institute for the benefit of the canvassers of Michigan and the province of Ontario, Canada, is to be held at Battle Creek, Mich., commencing April 4.
THE brethren at Fairfield, Iowa, are rejoicing and praising God for the new house of worship, dedicated during the general meeting recently held in that place.
DR. J. H. KELLOGG, of Battle Creek, Mich., arrived in this city on the 8th inst., and immediately began active participation in the Christian Help Institute already in progress.
THE mission workers in Los Angeles have organized a mission Sabbath school, which is said to be doing a good work by gathering in thirty to forty children each Sabbath afternoon in an obscure part of the city.
A CANVASSERS' institute is now in progress at Minneapolis, Minn. It will close April 3, and two days afterward another institute will be commenced, for the special benefit of ministers, licentiates, and Bible workers.
ELDER S. N. HASKELL returned to this city on the 27th ult., from Walla Walla, Wash., and Portland, Oregon, where he had been in company with Elder J. H. Morrison, holding important meetings. Elder Morrison returned to his home in College View, Neb.
ELDER D. C. BABCOCK, president of the West Virginia Conference, says of the Conference school at Newark:"It meets all its expenses by the actual income. The demands made upon us for more room, and the providential providing of material with which to erect a new school building, have caused the board to prepare to erect a two-story building of 35x45 feet dimensions."
THE Union Record presents an encouraging forecast of the prospects for successful work in New York City. In several sections interest has been awakened by the canvassers. One quite successful brother urges a call for twenty canvassers and ten Bible workers to enter that field at once.
OF the prospects for the work on Trinidad Island, Brother C. D. Adamson, who has recently gone there with his family, reports a Sabbath school of nine members, and says: "The greater part of the people here, especially the upper class, are Roman Catholics. The Freethinkers have a society, and atheism and Universalism also flourish. There are about 80,000 Hindus, who are contract laborers. The Canadian Mission is doing a good work for them, and there are many among this people who are thirsting after the truth."
A BROTHER writes to the Union Record from Weston, Vt., in this strain: "I feel that I have got about through this world; I am so deaf that I can't hear what is said, and I have become too feeble to work." For his encouragement we will cite him to the case of a colored brother in this city. He is about 80 years of age, and is so blind that he cannot recognize persons by sight, and feels his way around with a stick. He is so deaf that he has to use an ear trumpet in order to hear a sermon. But he supports himself and gives liberally to the cause, and does it by selling our denominational periodicals, principally the Pacific Health Journal.

HAST THOU NO WORK TO DO?

By John M'Carthy

BY JOHN M'CARTHY.
Hast thou no work to do? Why idly stand? Look to the left and right; All 'round is black as night In every land.
Hast thou no work to do? Think, think to-day; Look to far Africa's shore, For help they now implore Without delay.
Hast thou no work to do? Heed India's call; In China and Japan, Far as the eye can scan, "Help" comes from all.
Hast thou no work to do? Think once again; Chile for help now cries; Argentine does likewise, Distinct and plain.
Hast thou no work to do? Heed Brazil's voice. There millions ne'er have heard Truths of God's holy word. Quick! make thy choice.
Hast thou no work to do? Do not say no. Look o'er earth's field, 'tis white; Thrust in thy sickle bright; To the fields go.
Hast thou no work to do? Canst thou delay? Canst thou stand idly by, Seeing the thousands die Day after day?

International S. S. Lessons.

By Editor

"So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading."—Neh. 8:8

LESSON I.—SUNDAY, APRIL 1, 1894.

[NOTE.—The questions which follow are merely suggestive for the student on the leading points of the lesson; it is presumed that the thorough student will think of many more as he studies the subject. References, where verses alone are given, always refer to the lesson scripture printed above. All other references are given in book, chapter, and verse. The text printed is that of the Revised Version, not because it is especially preferred, but because it is not found in every family, as is the common version.]

JACOB'S PREVAILING PRAYER.

Lesson Scripture, Gen. 32: 9-12, 24-30.

  1. AND Jacob said, O God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac, O Lord, which saidst unto me, Return unto thy country, and to thy kindred, and I will do thee good:
  2. I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast showed unto thy servant; for with my staff I passed over this Jordan; and now I am become two companies.
  3. Deliver me, I pray thee, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau; for I fear him, lest he come and smite me, the mother with the children.
  4. And thou saidst, I will surely do thee good, and make thy seed as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.
  5. And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.
  6. And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was strained, as he wrestled with him.
  7. And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.
  8. And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob.
  9. And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel; for thou hast striven with God and with men, and hast prevailed.
  10. And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name?
  11. And he blessed him there. And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for, said he, I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.
Golden Text: "And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me."—Verse 26.

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

  1. State briefly the intervening events between this lesson and lesson 10. Note 1.
  2. How did Jacob address the Lord? Verse 9.
  3. How did he remind the Lord of his promise?
  4. What did he have to say of himself? Verse 10, note 2.
  5. From what did he ask the Lord to deliver him? Verse 11.
  6. How did he again plead God's promises? Verse 12.
  7. Where and when had the Lord promised this? Ans.—At Bethel, as recorded in our last lesson, twenty-one years before. See Gen. 28: 13-15.
  8. After this prayer what did Jacob then do? Note 3.
  9. As Jacob was seeking God, who came to him? Verse 24.
  10. How long did this man wrestle with him?
  11. When he saw that he did not prevail with Jacob, what did he do? Verse 25. Note 4.
  12. What did the angel say to Jacob? Verse 26.
  13. Did Jacob's pain cause him to let go of the heavenly visitant?
  14. On what condition only did he say he would cease his struggles? Same verse. Note 5.
  15. What question did the angel ask? and what was the reply? Verse 27. Note 6.
  16. What did he say Jacob's name should be? and why? Verse 28.
  17. What did he then ask him? and what was the reply?
  18. How did he reveal to Jacob who he was in truth? Verse 29, last part.
  19. What shows that Jacob knew that he was in the presence of God? Verse 30. Note 7.

NOTES.

1. LESSON 10 closes with chapter 28, with Jacob at Bethel, the morning after his dream. Chapter 29 tells us how he journeyed on till he came to the land of the children of the East; how he there met Laban, and served Laban fourteen years for his two daughters. This chapter and chapter 30 also tell us of the sons that were born unto Jacob; how God prospered Jacob in his flocks and herds, despite the efforts of Laban to deprive him of his right. Thedeception which Laban practiced upon him in the matter of his daughters was but a just retribution to Jacob because of the deception which he had practiced upon Esau; nevertheless, Jacob's sin did not justify Laban's. Chapter 31 gives an account of Jacob's departure from the land of Haran, of Laban's pursuit, and of the covenant which they made with each other. Chapter 32 finds Jacob again in the land of Canaan, guarded by the angels of God. Remembering his sin against Esau, he sends messengers to placate the wrath of his brother, but it seems these messengers only stirred up Esau's wrath, who summons 400 of his retainers and starts out with the evident purpose of destroying his brother and capturing the spoil. Jacob therefore divides his caravan into two parts, in order that one company might escape if Esau smote the other, and after having done what he could, he seeks the Lord in prayer. Here our lesson opens.
2. I am not worthy.—Jacob has learned something of his own sin and folly. He has no self-sufficiency to plead before God; he declares, "I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast showed unto thy servant." That is all that anyone has a right to plead. We may ask the Lord for blessings, but they never come because of our worth. It is always according to his kindness and the fullness of his mercies.
3. AFTER pleading with the Lord, Jacob lodges there that night and the next day takes from his flock a present for Esau, his brother, consisting of 60 camels, 40 head of cattle, 30 asses, 240 goats, and 240 sheep. These he divides into different droves and sends them on to Esau. That night he rose up with his wives and children and came to the ford of Jabbok. He sent them over the stream and he himself remained alone to seek God.
4. "With earnest cries and tears he made his prayer before God. Suddenly a strong hand was laid upon him. He thought that an enemy was seeking his life, and he endeavored to wrest himself from the grasp of his assailant. In the darkness the two struggled for the mastery. Not a word was spoken, but Jacob put forth all his strength, and did not relax his efforts for a moment. While he was thus battling for his life, the sense of his guilt pressed upon his soul; his sins rose up before him, to shut him out from God. But in the terrible extremity he remembered God's promises, and his whole heart went out in entreaty for his mercy. The struggle continued until near the break of day, when the stranger placed his finger upon Jacob's thigh, and he was crippled instantly. The patriarch now discerned the character of his antagonist. He knew that he had been in conflict with a heavenly messenger, and this was why his almost superhuman effort had not gained the victory. It was Christ, 'the Angel of the covenant,' who had revealed himself to Jacob."—Patriarchs and Prophets.
5. Except thou bless me.—We here have an example of prevailing prayer. It is always God's will to bless; and Jacob was pleading God's will. God had before revealed to Jacob that he would bless him, and Jacob was by faith pleading God's word. It would have been presumption for Jacob to have plead in this way for temporal blessings which God had not promised. Faith rests on God's word and is in harmony with God's will. Presumption rests upon men's unsanctified desires. Jacob was pleading his sore need out of the very depths of his necessity. All physical pain, all weakness, all worldly goods, everything was nothing as compared with God's blessing. The assurance of God's pardon and his abiding presence he must have. And as the prophet declares, "He had power over the angel, and prevailed." Hos. 12:4. He prevailed by persevering faith.
6. What is thy name?—Of course the angel knew his name. He did not ask for information; he asked it to reveal to Jacob once more his character. "Jacob" means "supplanter," but no more was he to be Jacob the supplanter, endeavoring by human means and power to obtain that which was in the possession of others. He was to be Israel, the prevailer with God, and therefore the father, typical father, of all who should likewise prevail by faith.
8. Jacob called the name of the place Peniel.—"Peniel" means "the face of God." The one with whom Jacob wrestled was Christ, the revealer of the Godhead to men. He did not give Jacob his name, but he gave him that which showed him more than words who he was; he blessed him there, and that blessing rolled away all the sin of Jacob's past life, and left him a free man in God, ready to meet Esau, his brother. He could now realize what the blessing of God meant, and how much better it was to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. Had Jacob cherished sin in his heart, his wrestling with the angel would have been death, but there was thorough repentance of his sin, and the all-absorbing wish that it might be removed by the Lord; therefore the sin was taken away, and Jacob's life was preserved. The lesson is one which is worthy of all study.

PERIODICALS WANTED.

By Editor

ANY of our denominational literature, religious liberty tracts, etc., sent to J. A. L. Derby, Lemont, Ill., will be used among the laborers on the Chicago Drainage Canal.
CLEAN copies of the Signs are solicited by Mrs. Nannie Peterson, Cathay, Mariposa County, Cal. She asks to have some sent regularly, as she is trying to forward them regularly to interested readers, and has not the means to subscribe for them. She requests papers of January 29 and later.
R. T. WOODWARD, 66 Emerald Street, Boston, Mass., desires any of our denominational literature for missionary work.

CHURCH SERVICES.

By Editor

All of our churches, especially on this coast, who desire their regular weekly services announced in this column, may have it done by reporting through the proper officers.
Oakland.—Church at corner of Twelfth and Brush Streets. Regular preaching services or Bible study, Sunday at 7:30 P.M., Friday at 7 P.M., and Sabbath at 11 A.M. Sabbath school at 9:30 A.M. Sabbath. Prayer and missionary meeting Wednesday at 7:30 P.M. All are cordially invited.
San Francisco.—Church at 914 Laguna Street. Regular preaching services at 7:30 P.M. Sunday and 11 A.M. Sabbath. Sabbath school at 9:45 A.M. Prayer meeting Wednesday 7:30 P.M. Missionary meeting Thursday 7:30 P.M. Seats free.
Los Angeles.—Church at 143 Carr Street. Preaching service Sunday evening 7:30. Missionary meeting Wednesday evening 7:30. Sabbath school on Sabbath at 9:45, and preaching service at 11 A.M. All are welcome.
East Portland, Oregon.—Church, No. 507 East Ankeny St. Services every Sabbath 11:30 A.M. Sabbath school 10 A.M. Missionary meeting evening after Sabbath 7 P.M. Prayer meeting every Wednesday evening 7 o'clock. All welcome. Seats free.
Washington, D. C.—Church on Eighth Street between F and G Streets, N. E. Regular preaching service at 11 A. M. Sabbaths. Sabbath school 9:15 A. M. Sunday, 7:30 P. M., Bible study. Prayer meeting Friday at 7:30 P. M. All are welcome.
H. W. HERRELL, Clerk
Sacramento. —Church on G Street between Seventeenth and Eighteenth Streets. Regular services: Sabbath school at 10 A.M.. preaching service at 11 A.M., Sunday at 7:30 P.M. Payer and missionary meeting Wednesday evening at 7:30. Seats free. All are cordially invited.

Spanish Religious Publications

"The Saints' Inheritance." (Spanish.) Contents: 1. The Inheritance of the Saints. 2. The Millennium, or the Reign of a Thousand Years. 3. The End of the Wicked. 4. Immortality through Christ. 5. The Importance of the Prophecies. 6. The Hope of the Christian. 7. The Judgment. Paper; price, 5 cents. Address, PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO., Oakland, Cal.
"Angels of God." (Spanish.) A collection of five Bible readings on the following subjects: 1. The Angels of God. 2. Satan and His Work. 3. Christ the Resurrection and the Life. 4. The Second Chapter of Daniel. 5. Signs of the Coming of Christ. Two illustrations; paper; price, 5 cents. Address, PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO., Oakland, Cal.

Religious Liberty and Bible Pamphlets

RELIGIOUS LIBERTY PAMPHLETS.—"Religious Intolerance in the Republic," price two cents. "Due Process of Law and the Divine Right of Dissent," price 15 cents. "The Captivity of the Republic," by A. T. Jones, price 15 cents, or the three postpaid for 30 cents. Address, Pacific Press, Oakland, Cal.
SUNDAY LAWS OF THE STATES AND TERRITORIES. A comprehensive collection of laws and decisions regarding Sunday observance, especially useful as a compendium of information. Paper covers, 25 cents. Pacific Press Pub. Co., Oakland, Cal.
BAPTISM: Its Significance, Its Nature, and the Necessity for It. By E. J. Waggoner. Bible Students' Library, No. 79. Pacific Press Pub. Co., Oakland, Cal. 16 pp.; 2 cents.
BIBLE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS CONCERNING MAN. By Alonzo T. Jones. Bible Students' Library, No. 76. Pacific Press Pub. Co., Oakland, Cal. 16 pp.; 2 cents.
"This Rock, or the Foundation of the Church." (Spanish.) Showing that the Rock of Matt. 16:18 is Christ, and not Peter; 4 pp.; 50 cents per 100. Address, PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO., Oakland, Cal.
"Jesus Christ Our Righteousness." (Spanish.) A translation of Bible Students' Library No. 71; 8 pp.; price, 1 cent. Address, PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO., Oakland, Cal.

LESSON XIII.—SABBATH, MARCH 31, 1894.

INSTRUCTION IN RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Lesson Scripture, Luke 6:27-49.
27. But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them that hate you,
28. Bless them that curse you, pray for them that despitefully use you.
29. To him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and from him that taketh away thy cloak withhold not thy coat also.
30. Give to everyone that asketh thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.
31. And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
32. And if ye love them that love you, what thank have ye? for even sinners love those that love them.
33. And if ye do good to them that do good to you, what thank have ye? for even sinners do the same.
34. And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? even sinners lend to sinners, to receive again as much.
35. But love your enemies, and do them good, and lend never despairing; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be sons of the Most High; for he is kind toward the unthankful and evil.
36. Be ye merciful, even as your Father is merciful.
37. And judge not, and ye shall not be judged; and condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned; release, and ye shall be released.
38. Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, shall they give into your bosom. For with what measure ye mete it shall be measured to you again.
39. And he spake also a parable unto them, Can the blind guide the blind? shall they not both fall into a pit?
40. The disciple is not above his master; but everyone when he is perfected shall be as his master.
41. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
42. Or how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me cast out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote that is in thy brother's eye.
43. For there is no good tree that bringeth forth corrupt fruit; nor again a corrupt tree that bringeth forth good fruit.
44. For each tree is known by its own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.
45. The good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth that which is evil; for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
46. And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
47. Everyone that cometh unto me, and heareth my words, and doeth them, I will show you to whom he is like:
48. He is like a man building a house, who digged and went deep, and laid a foundation upon the rock; and when a flood arose, the stream brake against that house, and could not shake it; because it had been well builded.
49. But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that built a house upon the earth without a foundation; against which the stream brake, and straightway it fell in; and the ruin of that house was great.
As this is the last lesson in the quarter, it will be well to take a general view of the quarter's work, chapter by chapter, giving in order, as far as possible, the various topics covered. Do not be discouraged if you cannot do this perfectly at this time. You will find that you can do it very much better than you thought was possible when you began; and although you may not as yet get the exact order of all the topics that you do recall, you can get them pretty nearly in their proper place, and can readily find them. It will be worth while to read carefully the six chapters in connection, noting the various subjects treated of. The analysis of the lesson will aid you in this. Endeavor to recall from memory at least the principal topic of each chapter. Thus, of the first, promise of John and Jesus, and birth of John; of the second, birth and childhood of Jesus; of the third, Jesus baptized by John; fourth, temptation in the wilderness, and rejection at Nazareth, and miracles; fifth, miraculous draught of fishes, and healing of the palsied man; sixth, the Sabbath a merciful institution, and instruction. These are the principal topics; a little thought will enable you to recall others; and these will bring a host of details to your mind, in which you will find much comfort and instruction in righteousness.
1. How must we regard our enemies?
2. What must we do to those who hate us?
3. If people curse, and act spitefully, what must we do?
4. How should we act in case violence is done to us?
5. What general rule is given to guide our conduct to others?
6. What is said of those who love only the ones who love them?
7. In what way do we show that we are children of the highest?
8. If we are children of God, what will be our standard of mercy?
9. What did the Saviour say about judging and condemning?
10. What will determine the kind of treatment that we are to receive?
11. What parable did he speak to them?
12. Who is the standard of perfection?
13. By what illustration did Jesus show the folly of trying to correct the faults of others while we ourselves are doing the same things?
14. How is every tree known?
15. What must be the nature of a man's heart before he can do that which is good?
16. What only can come from an evil heart?
17. What determines the character of words and actions?
18. In what kind of profession does the Lord not delight?
19. To whom is the man likened who hears the sayings of Christ and does them?
20. What is said of the man who hears them and does them not?

NOTES.

1. BECAUSE the precepts of Christ are so little practiced, it is common to assume that they cannot be. The attempts to "explain" the words of Jesus, recorded in Luke 6:27-31, especially verse 29, so as to show that they mean something different from what they actually say, are simply attempts to accommodate them to common usage. It is very frequently said, "Nobody follows those instructions." It is not safe to make such general assertions, simply because we may not know of people who follow them. But even if there were none who followed Christ's teachings, that would not affect them any. He did it, "leaving us an example, that we should follow in his steps; . . . who when he was reviled, reviled not again, when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to Him that judgeth righteously." 1 Peter 2:21-23. See also verses 19, 20. If Christ's example in committing himself to God were followed, it would not be so difficult to see how his example in leading a peaceful life can be followed.
2. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Rom. 5:8. "He maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust." Matt. 5:45. This is the character of the Father. Therefore all who are children of God have the same characteristics. They love not simply those who love them, but all men, even their enemies. Christ prayed for his murderers. Luke 23:34. That was a manifestation of divine love. Only those in whom the Spirit of God dwells, are capable of such unselfish love. It is not in human nature.
3. ANOTHER thing that will characterize the children of the Highest is that they will lend to those from whom they can hope to receive nothing in return. That is the way that God gives. The great gift of righteousness (Rom. 5:17) is bestowed upon those who have nothing to give in return (Rom. 11:35, 36). Paganism teaches that "God helps those who help themselves." Christianity teaches that God helps those who cannot help themselves. "For when we were without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly." Rom. 5:6.
4. "Judge not, that ye be not judged." The apostle Paul tells us that whosoever judges another, thereby shows himself to be guilty. Rom. 2:1. James says: "Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law; but if thou judge the law thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy; who art thou that judgest another?" James 4:11, 12. "For the Lord is our Judge; the Lord is our Lawgiver; the Lord is our King; he will save us." Isa. 33:22. "Who art thou that judgest,"
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