Signs of the Times, Vol. 33, No. 38.

Signs of the Times

Pacific Press Publishing Association

Christianity and Earthly Power

See 1 Samuel, Chapters 4 and 5.

The ark of God was never taken till it was surrounded by the arms of earthly defenders. In captivity, its sanctity was sufficient to vindicate it from insult, and to lay the hostile fiend prostrate on the threshold of his own temple. The real security of Christianity is to be found in its benevolent morality, in its exquisite adaptation to the human heart, in the facility with which its scheme accommodates itself to the capacity of every human intellect, in the consolation which it bears to the house of mourning, in the light with which it brightens the great mystery of the grave. To such a system it can bring no addition of dignity or of strength that it is part and parcel of the common law.

It is not now for the first time left to rely on the force of its own evidences and the attractions of its own beauty. Its sublime theology confounded the Grecian schools in the fair conflict of reason with reason. The bravest and wisest of the Cæsars found their arms and their policy unavailing when opposed to the weapons that were not carnal and the kingdom that was not of this world. The victory which Porphyry and Diocletian failed to gain is not, to all appearance, reserved for any of those who have, in this age, directed their attacks against the last restraint of the powerful and the last hope of the wretched.

The whole history of Christianity shows that she is in far greater danger of being corrupted by the alliance of power, than of being crushed by its opposition. Those who thrust temporal sovereignty upon her, treat her as their prototypes treated her Author. They bow the knee, and spit upon her; they cry "Hail!" and smite her on the cheek; they put a scepter in her hand, but it is a fragile reed; they crown her, but it is with thorns; they cover with purple the wounds which their own hands have inflicted on her; and inscribe magnificent titles over the cross on which they have fixed her to perish in ignominy and pain.—From Macaulay's Essay on "Southey's Colloquies."

With Our Inquirers

By Editor

"If ye will inquire, inquire ye."

[All questions to this department will be answered which to the editors will seem to minister to the good of the readers and to the mission of the paper. The same question can not be answered repeatedly in the same volume. The name and address must accompany question, not for publication, but as an evidence of good faith, and that answer may be made by letter if deemed advisable. It is well always to enclose a stamp for reply.]

2223.—All Things.

What is meant or included by the expression "all things" in 1 Cor. 6:12 and 10:23? A. S.

From the context and other of the apostle's writings we can only conclude that he meant that it was proper for him to use all things that were proper for any Christian man to use. The matter under discussion, especially in the tenth chapter, was whether meats offered to idols were unclean. He shows us there that to some whose consciences are weak these are unclean. To him who knows in his own heart that the idol is nothing, those meats were no more unclean than tho they had not been offered to idols. But we should be careful not to wound the weaker brother lest he stumble; therefore the apostle declares that all things were lawful for him, just as proper for him to eat meats offered to idols as to eat meats not so offered. But it was not expedient that he should do this, on account of the fact that some might stumble. So in the conduct of the Christian in every-day life. There are many things which it might be perfectly proper for him to do, but which, misunderstood by some of his weaker brothers, might cause them to stumble. Certainly in no just way can the text be used to excuse infraction of God's law, express commands, as given elsewhere in His word. It certainly can not be used to justify wrong-doing.

2225.—Sunday-Keeping and Public Prayer.

By Editor

Does the Signs of the Times think that Sunday-keeping and public prayer are both heathen institutions, both of them out of harmony with the Gospel? E. H. B.

As to the observance of Sunday as a holy day there is no warrant for it in the Scriptures of truth. Even some of the advocates of Sunday observance admit this. Having no requirement of Scripture, there certainly is no obligation resting upon men if they do not keep the day. Furthermore, the origin of Sunday observance lies wholly in heathen lands and in papal fostering. When it began to be observed as a holy day, we do not know. In very early ages it was devoted to the worship of the sun, but how far back the custom goes it is impossible to tell, extending, so far as men know, back to the first apostasy. God has given us one weekly Sabbath day in the Scriptures. He has separated that from the other days of the week, by sanctifying it to His purpose. The other six days of the week He has told us to labor and do our own work, and has therefore left no place for Sunday sacredness.

As to public prayer, the matter is quite different. Prayer is the expression of human need to God. He has enjoined His people to pray without ceasing. In 1 Tim. 2:8 we read, "I desire, therefore, that the men pray in every place, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and disputing." We do not know how this could be understood as not including public prayer. We read in the 20th chapter of Acts that when the brethren from Ephesus met with the apostle Paul and his company at the beach, Paul prayed with them all. That certainly was public prayer. We read of the dedication of Solomon's temple that Solomon kneeled before that vast company and prayed. That certainly was public prayer, and God answered it in a wonderful way. We read in John 17 that Jesus prayed with His disciples, and it gives us the very words that He used. That certainly was public prayer. On the other hand, prayer should not be made a display of. When we have petitions to offer to God for ourselves, it is not the place on the street corner or where we wish men to see us to mark our holiness, that we should pray, but we should enter into our closets and pray in secret for what lies between us and God.

2222.—The Church and Apostasy.

By W. E. R.

Did the church of Christ ever go into apostasy, and, if so, has she ever been restored again? By whom, and when, and where? W. E. R.

Yes, the church of Christ has gone into apostasy, if by that is meant backsliding. Of course there is utter apostasy, from which there is no recovery. But to go back to the Israel of God, we have several instances. Israel is called, in Acts 7:38, the “church in the wilderness,” when that people started out of Egypt. We have one of these apostasies recorded in the thirty-second chapter of Exodus; the people were restored again by the Lord thru Moses. Another noted apostasy in the days of Samuel is recorded in the first chapters of 1 Samuel; they were restored thru the ministrations of Samuel the prophet. We have another great apostasy in the days of Elijah. See 1 Kings 16-19. Here also God found a faithful remnant who would respond to the call of His prophet. Another great apostasy was at the time of the first advent. Many of those who were in darkness yielded to the preaching of John the Baptist, others to Christ and His disciples.

Respecting such movements as that, the apostle Paul calls those who come out of the apostasy the “remnant,” and he cites as illustration the remnant in the days of Elijah, and declares that “Even so then at this present time also [that is, in his day] there is a remnant according to the election of grace.” Rom. 11:5.

The church apostatized, foretold by apostolic expressions in the writings of the apostle. Even in his own day, Paul declared, “The mystery of iniquity doth already work.” 2 Thess. 2:7. In another place he declares that after his departure should men arise speaking perverse things, and drawing away disciples after them. Acts 20:29, 30. And yet there was a great revival again thru the persecutions which came upon the church in the better preaching of God’s word in the second century. Very great apostasy followed that, but at the time of the Reformation, by the preaching of the word thru Luther and other Reformers, God again called out the “remnant” to glorify His name. So it was in the time of the Wesleys; so it will be in the last days.

God’s church is continuous. Sometimes she is found in the wilderness; sometimes she is found broken and weary by the way; sometimes strong and faithful, clad in her beautiful garments; sometimes sitting in the dust and mourning; yet is she God’s church. Her existence has been continuous. In all the worst of her backsliding there has been found the true remnant who would heed God’s message and respect His call.

2224.—Women in the Church.

Will you kindly explain 1 Cor. 14:34, 35, and 1 Tim. 2:12, 15. E. M.

It is impossible to explain in the light of present conditions many expressions of Scripture. The above are examples of this. The customs of the time, the manners of the heathen, the bringing of these customs into the Christian church, doubtless have a bearing on these prohibitions of the apostle. Man and woman are equal, but their spheres are different. Man is the stronger; God has given him the ruling position by virtue of that fact, and the silence enjoined in the above cited texts seems to refer to governmental matters in the church. But that this does not refer to woman's taking part in the worship of God, see the following scriptures, which show the honor bestowed upon them by the Father: Ex. 15:20, 21; Judges 4; 2 Chron. 34:22-28; Luke 23:55, 56; Acts 2:17, 18; 16:13-15; 21:8, 9; 18:1, 2; Rom. 16:1, 2, 6, 12; 2 Tim 1:5. The apostle gives directions as to the modest dress and deportment of the women who take part in public service. 1 Cor. 11:5. 1 Cor. 14:34, 35, is by some thought to be the words of objectors which Paul repeats in order more forcibly to make reply. See verse 36. These scriptures need cause no trouble to women in the church if they are truly humble, modest, faithful. They will not assume to rule or control, but by a godly life and modest demeanor will win and hold and mold hearts more strongly and truly than by any arbitrary methods or the assumption of authority.

2226.—Catholic and Protestant Bibles.

Is it true that the Catholic Bible has forty-five books in its Old Testament, and the Protestant only thirty-eight? And is it true that these books missing are found in the Septuagint version, from which Jesus and His apostles quoted? What is the Septuagint version? It is also said to me that Catholics claim that the Protestant translation is not correct. W. V.

(1) The common Bible of Protestants contains thirty-nine books in the Old Testament, as you will learn by counting them. (2) There are in many other Protestant Bibles, placed between the Old and New Testaments, what is called the Apocrypha, the hidden books. Some of them contain most excellent moral reading. One or two of them may be inspired books, but are not so considered generally. They were books that were written between the time of Malachi and the time of Christ. (3) The Septuagint is a translation of the Old Testament in Greek. It was made by Jews in Alexandria, Egypt, about two hundred years before Christ. Later on these other books were placed with the Septuagint, but not necessarily considered a part of the Scriptures. You do not find Jesus or the apostles quoting directly from these books called the Apocrypha, so the Protestant Bible really includes all that is known to the New Testament as the Holy Scriptures. (4) The Catholic version is not the Septuagint version. It is a translation made at Douay, France, called the Douay Bible. It is not a translation from the Hebrew and Greek, the original languages of the Old Testament, but is a translation from the Latin Vulgate, an imperfect Latin translation. Our English translation is not a perfect translation by any means, and yet there is absolutely nothing in it that would lead souls astray into grievous error. (5) The American Standard Revision, published by Nelson & Sons, frequently used in the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, is considered by the very best scholars to be the best translation of the Holy Scriptures in the world, because more uniform. But the comparison of the Common Version with this shows us how strong and beautiful the Common Version is, and also shows that the things believed before the revisions were made were not cunningly devised fables of men, but were the words of God. The American Standard Revision was made from the very best Hebrew and Greek copies that the world has, by some of the very best scholars of America. Our common English translation is a much better translation than that of the Douay Version. Some Catholics have admitted this. The American Standard Revision is a better translation still.

2227.—Sabbath Employment.

Is it right to write missionary letters on the Sabbath? Is it right to straighten out Sabbath accounts, such as to set down money received in Sabbath-school or church?

C. H.

To the first question, yes, it is just as much the Lord's work as it is to hold missionary conversation. To the second question, yes, but minimized so as to make the work as little as possible. The Sabbath commandment forbids our own work, our own ways, our own pleasure. Isa. 58:13.

2228.—The Blood of Christ.

Was all the shed blood of Christ equally efficacious? R.

We do not know how to make any distinction between different parts of the same thing. "The blood is the life," and the shed blood of Christ stands for His life which was sacrificed for all. By that sacrifice are men saved.

The Object of the Federation Movement

By Asa Oscar Tait

By Asa Oscar Tait

IT was stated in last week's paper that this is an age of federation, and the facts were given showing that this is so—the great federation of all the Protestant denominations in one federal alliance, representing over eighteen million of the people of the United States; the Christian Endeavor Society, which is another federation of all the Protestant forces; the federation of the Catholics; the federation of the nations into one vast congress, and so on.

One of the expressed objects of the federation of Christian organizations is that they may combine their influence in bringing pressure to bear on political organizations, so that the wishes of the churches may be carried out. Said one of the leading speakers of the last Church Federation Convention, the one held in New York:

"When eighteen or nineteen millions of Christians thru their representatives send forth their voices in an earnest plea in favor of justice and humanity, the world will hear it, and I trust that we shall give utterance to-day to a voice that will be heard across the sea. When the nineteen millions of this country plead with the Christians on the other side of the water for justice and humanity to the oppressed, that voice will be heard; and I trust, brethren, that we shall find in this way not only that we can worship together and work together, but that we can now and then say something in behalf of righteousness and justice that the world is sure to hear."

The Christianity of the Christ of God does not depend upon the influence of numbers; its influence is that of truth, of vital fundamental principle. When the Master was instilling the principles into that little handful of disciples that were to revolutionize the world, He said to them, "Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." Luke 12:32. It is the "little flock," endued with the mighty power of the conviction of truth woven into their minds and hearts and lives that is to move the world by the power of what they teach and live. Numbers is not the strength of their work; they have a power that outweighs numbers.

The educational secretary of the Christian Endeavor Society addressed their recent convention on the subject of "Christian Citizenship." It was one of the leading themes of the convention. In his written speech upon this theme he said:

"It will not be long, either, before the Christian Endeavor Patriots' League will widen out irresistibly FROM LOCAL TO NATIONAL INTERESTS. The Christian Endeavor patriot will come to see WHAT POWERFUL CAMPAIGNS FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS MAY BE CONDUCTED THRU THE POST-OFFICE. Our lawmakers do give heed to the written expressions of desire from their constituencies. Petitions are effective. Great measures may be introduced into Congress and carried triumphantly thru by the pressure of Uncle Sam's mail-bags. Great reform measures are continually coming to the front in these days of searching and of change. As these come before our legislators it is of the greatest importance that they may be made to feel the force of a righteous public sentiment. This the Christian Endeavor patriots will learn how to express more and more POWERFULLY and USEFULLY. It will be seen that the Patriots' League is to take up positive work, and not merely negative; that its members are not to become hectoring cranks, but helpful, wide-awake, constructive citizens of this great republic."

Here again is the idea advanced that the influence of numbers must be used in turning lawmakers in the way they would have them go. Why turn from the Master's plan of earnest persuasion?

The president of the Catholic Federation made the statement in his address at their recent convention in Indianapolis that they would be able to wield such an influence in this country and to bring such a pressure to bear in their organized capacity that the legislatures would not dare refuse them.

He has studied history to no purpose who has not seen that the greatest evils have been thrust upon the world when religious bodies have left the truth of the divine Father in the background while they sought to enact and enforce dogma upon the citizenship of the world thru the influence and power of their numbers. The most appalling dangers confront us when men, and especially when religious men, appear before legislators to make demands without leaving an open and untrammeled field for the consideration of the right and the wrong of the measures demanded. These great church organizations should see that when they ask legislators to bow before numbers rather than before the right, that they are educating men to become puppets to bow at the whims and caprices of majorities. When questions of legislation arise they will not ask, How true or how just is the measure? but, How many are there behind it?

Everything that we have in the world today that is worth anything in the line of liberty and freedom and just and desirable law, has been given to the world because the little handful of men at different times has been willing to endure the hardships of coming to the front with unpopular truth. In many instances these champions of truth have had to endure the fierce afflictions of intolerant persecution and suffer even to death itself.

But it may be said that the reforms that will be urged by the federations of this time will not have any religious dogma in them. It should not be lost sight of that all these federating bodies claim that they can unite in enforcing Sunday observance. But, even the Sunday may be quite universally recognized as a holiday, yet the whole basis of this is that it has been first recognized and taught as a religious holy day. And to unite to enforce by law the observance of Sunday is to unite to enforce religious dogma and doctrine.

Then, as men and women who fear God and regard righteousness, let us stand for the principles of right as taught in His word, and allow the question of mere numbers to be of even less than secondary consideration.

The Sunday Movement the Central Theme

By Osarasa

The enforcement of the observance of Sunday is the one object in the federation of the religious bodies upon which they all agree. In the various federation meetings and conventions it is customary for them to mention in their speeches and statements of objects and principles the subjects on which they think they can all unite and work in unison. It is to be noticed that in all these statements there is one subject that is invariably mentioned by them all, and that is the enforcement of "sabbath laws."

It is not the plan to teach Sabbath observance from the Bible and enforce it by persuasion upon the consciences of men; but it is purposed to work the combined force and influence of the various federations to the end of securing more stringent Sunday laws where they think they need them and to compel people by civil law to refrain from labor on Sunday.

We may search the Bible from cover to cover, and we will look in vain for the precept or the admonition from the Lord that suggests the thought of enforcing any religious observance by civil law. "For we must all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences." 2 Cor. 5: 10, 11.

Note that the foregoing text teaches that we are to appear before the "judgment-seat of Christ." And those who know these things are to "persuade men." "I Jesus have sent Mine angel to testify unto you these things for the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, the bright, the morning star. And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And he that heareth, let him say, Come. And he that is athirst, let him come: he that will, let him take the water of life freely." Rev. 22: 16, 17. God's word urges the invitation, but it compels no one.

The plan of the federation is to unite in securing and enforcing so-called "civil" Sunday laws. Thousands of those engaged in the movement are without doubt sincere. They see the evil that is stalking thru the land and dragging so many, especially of the young people, to ruin. And this is one of the means that they think will remedy it.

But they are following a principle that has been proven again and again to be wrong, and to work disaster and persecution in the end.

Regardless of the wrong principles that are being followed, it is nevertheless a fact that there is a strong and united determination to make Sunday rest the central point in the federated movement. This Sunday rest will be secured thru the influence of great numbers being federated together in one body. The strong evidence that they will present will be the multitude that they are able to muster. They will exhibit the fact that they are a host of millions, and for this reason they demand what they desire. And, as they affirm, the lawmakers will grant their desires because of the overwhelming influence of their numbers.

But all the time that these federating forces are gathering there is another company of men and women, very insignificant in point of numbers, who have the firm conviction that Sunday is not the Sabbath. They see the plain and obvious teaching of the word of God that the seventh day, or what is commonly called Saturday, is the Sabbath of Jehovah. They believe and teach that God requires the observance of the seventh day now just the same as He has always done since the creation of the world. They believe and teach that the Sunday sabbath is a man-made institution, and that it comes so far from being the Sabbath of the Lord that it is actually a rival of the divine institution.

Thus is the issue set forth that is squarely joined between the two forces. On the one hand is the vast army that depends upon its numbers to enable it to win. But on the other hand is the insignificant army in so far as numbers go; this latter company depend wholly upon the power of God's truth to sustain their cause. They take the clear word of God which says that the "seventh day is the Sabbath" of Jehovah. They take the plain promise of the commission of Christ to His disciples, "Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world." Matt. 28: 20. And in the belief and the consciousness of the presence of the Christ of God they go forward humbly, but boldly. They have not trained themselves to look upon the number that adhere to a doctrine as having any particular bearing upon either the truth or the falsity of it. They have trained themselves to study the word of God and to accept and act upon what it says.

The word of God has foreshadowed that the Sabbath question would be the central point of the last great religious controversy that will be waged in the world before the Lord comes. We can see the forces lining up for the conflict. On the one side is the vast army supported by the civil power, and depending upon the civil law and the iron arm of the civil officer; on the other side is the small company that places no trust in the weapons that are carnal, but depends wholly upon the spiritual power of God for their support. And there is a deeper meaning to all this than a mere religious controversy. It marks the final conflict that will bring the coming of the Lord in person in the clouds of heaven.

Let us stand in that day, trusting in God and His power, and not in the power of men, no matter how good may be the intentions that have misguided them.

David.

By J. M. Cole.

God's idea of a perfect man.

"I have found David, the son of Jesse, a man after My heart, who shall do all My will." Acts 13:22.

Why did David do His will?

"I beheld the Lord." Acts 2:25.

When did he see the Lord?

"Always." Acts 2:25.

How did he behold the Lord?

"By faith . . . as seeing Him who is invisible." Heb. 11:27.

How could he see "Him who is invisible"?

"I believed, therefore have I spoken." Ps. 116:10.

Did he know the Lord to be with him?

"He is on my right hand, that I should not be moved." Acts 2:25.

What were the results of his always seeing the Lord?

"Therefore did my heart rejoice." "My tongue was glad." "My flesh shall rest in hope." Acts 2:26. "We all, with open face beholding . . . the glory of the Lord, are changed . . . from glory to glory." 2 Cor. 3:18.

What could men see in David?

"A cunning player on a harp." 1 Sam. 16:16. "He was ruddy and withal of a beautiful countenance." A man full of confidence in the Lord. 1 Sam. 17:37. A man that behaved himself wisely. 1 Sam. 18:30. A man "prudent in speech." "And the Lord is with him." 1 Sam. 16:18.

How did David feel?

"Who am I," "and what is my house?" 2 Sam. 7:18.

What could God see in David?

Humility of heart—"the Lord looketh on the heart." 1 Sam. 16:7. "I have found David, the son of Jesse, a man after My heart, who shall do all My will." Acts 13:22.

J. M. COLE.

The Mark of the Beast

By Francis McLellan Wilcox

By Francis McLellan Wilcox

IN the thirteenth chapter of the Revelation we have an interesting prophecy pertaining to our own times. In prophetic vision the prophet of God sees the long stretch of human events, as related to the history of the church, from his own day to the end of time. These events he describes in startling vividness and convincing minuteness. The several phases of this prophecy have been discussed by other writers. The purpose of this article is to discuss the single phase of the mark of the beast and its enforcement. To do it intelligently, however, a brief definition of terms will assist our understanding. Will the reader turn to this chapter of the inspired Book and follow us in our study?

The Beast, Verses 1-10.

This is a symbol of papal Rome. In these few lines a plain but comprehensive delineation is given of the Papacy from the time of its rise in the sixth century to its overthrow by the French arms in 1798. The comparison of this prophecy with the prophecy of the little horn of Daniel 7 will indicate clearly its application. The great words it should speak against the Most High, the bitter war that it should wage against the saints of God, and the definite continuance of its temporal power for a time, times, and half a time, or forty-two months, equaling 1,260 prophetic days or literal years, beginning in 538 A.D. and ending in 1798 A.D., clearly show the application of this prophecy to the papal system.

The Beast with Two Horns Like a Lamb, Verses 11-17.

This is a symbol of our own country, the United States of America. Coming upon the stage of action in 1798, just as the papal beast was going into captivity, standing as the enunciator of great and glorious principles symbolized by its lamblike horns, it was later to develop the attributes and characteristics of the dragon, and to unite with the papal beast in an earnest warfare against the truth and the children of God. This is a painful consideration, and not at all flattering to our national pride. And yet, sad as it may seem, we can not escape the application of the prophecy as so forcibly demonstrated by the logic of facts.

Image of the Beast.

The beast itself, or the Papacy, was a union of Church and State. The image to the beast must be that which will resemble the beast in all essential features, and must be likewise a union of Church and State. That we find in the great church federation movements, and in other religio-political movements now taking place, an effort to bring about a union of Church and State in this country, or in other words, to create an image to the papal beast, recent articles in this paper have clearly demonstrated.

The mark of the beast must be some distinguishing feature, or doctrine, or command, which distinguishes the Papacy from other powers or governments. What is

This Distinguishing Mark?

By what act or series of acts, by what law or system of laws, does the Papacy stand forth singular from all others? This is clearly indicated in the statement of the prophet as found in Daniel 7:25. He says that this power should change times and the law, making distinct and direct reference to the law divine of the great Jehovah.

The apostle Paul in 2 Thessalonians 2 speaks of this same great system of error, which should work in the church of God, and states that he would oppose and exalt

himself above God. This opposition to God, this exalting himself above God, stands forth as the special mark of the papal power above all other powers that ever existed. By what act has the Papacy sought to exalt itself above its Maker? If it were to enforce the law of God, it could then only make itself equal with God; but if we shall discover that the Papacy has changed the law of God, and enforces its own change and its own revision in preference to the original, we shall then be able to determine wherein the great mark of difference consists, and the act on its part by which it exalts itself above God. This will not be hard to determine. It has taken the law of God and has robbed the fourth commandment of the one day which God sanctified and blessed and enjoined to be kept holy, and placed in its stead a sabbath of its own creation. This change, then, which it has made constitutes its mark and authority; and the Papacy sets forth this very change as the mark of its authority. This is shown from its own published, authoritative church books, and its frequent utterances from the pulpit and rostrum. In "Doctrinal Catechism," pp. 174, 352, we find the following:

"Ques.—Have you any other way of proving that the church has power to institute festivals of precept? "Ans.—Had she not such power, she could not have done that in which all modern religionists agree with her,—she could not have substituted the observance of Sunday, the first day of the week, for the observance of Saturday, the seventh day, a change for which there is no Scriptural authority." "Ques.—When Protestants do profane work upon Saturday, or the seventh day of the week, do they follow the Scripture as their only rule of faith? do they find this permission clearly laid down in the Sacred Volume? "Ans.—On the contrary, they have only the authority of tradition for the practise. In profaning Saturday, they violate one of God's commandments, which He has never clearly abrogated,—'Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath day.'"

From another church book of recognized authority, "The Abridgment of Christian Doctrine," page 58, we quote:

"Ques.—How prove you that the church hath power to command feasts and holy days? "Ans.—By the very act of changing the Sabbath into Sunday, which Protestants allow of; and therefore they fondly contradict themselves, by keeping Sunday strictly, and breaking most other feasts commanded by the same church. "Ques.—How prove you that? "Ans.—Because by keeping Sunday they acknowledge the church's power to ordain feasts, and to command them under sin; and by not keeping the rest by her commanded, they again deny, in fact, the same power."

This mark of the papal beast, this symbol of its power, this counterfeit sabbath to the rest day of Jehovah, the prophecy plainly declares shall be enforced upon the people of this earth. And our own beloved country, with its foundations of liberty, with its claim of freedom from religious bigotry and superstition, becomes the active agent in the enforcement of this mark.

A Solemn Warning.

That heaven does not look with indifference upon these rapidly fulfilling events, the warning given in Rev. 14:9-12 clearly indicates. Says the inspired penman:

"And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of His indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb; and the smoke of their torment ascendeth up forever and ever; and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name."

It is not for us to say at what stage in God's dealing with the human family this time shall be reached, nor can we determine at what point in any person's experience God will count him as having the mark of papal authority. Many devoted children of God have lived and died in ignorance that they were observing a human sabbath. Many are living to-day in the firm belief that in the observance of the Sunday they are meeting the requirements of the Lord Jesus. In the absence of light and knowledge, all these have been accepted in Christ Jesus. God holds man responsible for the light he possesses, and for the light he might obtain.

The Entrance of Light.

But now there comes a change. The long period of papal supremacy, during which the consciences of men were enthralled, the Bible chained, and the study of the sacred pages prohibited, came to an end more than one hundred years ago. Since that time glorious light has been shining from the sacred Book. Bible societies have been formed, millions of copies of the sacred Scriptures have been distributed, Bible study has been encouraged, and light is breaking forth. We have now reached the hour of God's preparation; soon He will come whose right it is to reign.

A great warning message is preparing the world for that event. As an integral part of that warning message the claims of God's holy law and the binding perpetuity and obligation of His holy Sabbath are being advocated to earth's remotest bounds. And the agitation is spreading by the living missionary, by the printed page, by the direct impression of the Spirit of God drawing the minds of men to a study of His word. As the knowledge of the coming of the Lord and of the great message to prepare the people for His coming is spreading to earth's remotest bounds, this serves to excite the opposition of the enemy of all truth, and there is begun a great counter-agitation which has for its object the enforcement of the counterfeit sabbath. These are the great counter-movements now agitating the world. These are the two great principles, and under one banner or the other will the nations of men be arrayed.

Where Will You Stand?

Reader, where do you stand in relation to this great moral conflict? Will you stand for God and right as against every system of error? Will you stand alone so far as the great multitude is concerned? He who stands for truth may stand against his fellows; but he does not stand alone, for he stands with God and heaven. This is your privilege. 'Choose ye this day whom ye will serve.' May your eyes be clearly anointed to discern the right, and may you have strength to choose the right, and to stand for God and truth in the mightiest controversy of the ages, and in the thrilling events which are now rapidly meeting their fulfilment in the history of the human race.

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