This is what the great apostle taught Timothy. In the previous verse he says, “We know that the law is good.” He is speaking of the law of ten commandments as a condemning rule, as the means of reproving men of sin. Among the lawless characters that the law, as such, is made for, he mentions the profane. But who are profane persons? Those who profane or treat with irreverence sacred things, among which is the holy Sabbath. Therefore, the sin of Sabbath-breaking is clearly condemned by this passage, unless it can be shown that God has removed his sanctification from it. This he has never done. The text before us should silence those who with an air of triumph ask why the sin of Sabbath-breaking is not condemned in the New Testament. Besides this, the law of ten commandments, which is acknowledged and enforced in the New Testament; Matt. 5:17–19; 19:17, etc., as strongly condemns this sin as it did when Jehovah proclaimed it with a voice that shook the earth; and the example of Christ and the primitive church in keeping the Sabbath is no slight reproof for those who presumptuously profane God's holy day. Luke 4:16; 23:56.
The original word Βέβηλος, from which the word profane in this text is translated, is derived from Βηλός, which signifies a threshold. As a threshold is open and accessible to all, and is polluted by being passed over, so the Sabbath is made common and trodden under foot by those who profane it. How proper then it is for the prophet Isaiah, while setting forth the necessity of a Sabbath reform, to encourage the people to take away their foot from the Sabbath, from doing their pleasure on God's holy day. Isa. 58:12, 13. The Greek verb to profane, that corresponds with the term under examination, occurs but twice in the Greek Testament. In one instance it is used with reference to the temple; Acts 24:6; and in the other, with reference to the Sabbath. Matt. 12:5. The enemies of Christ accused him of profaning the Sabbath. Christ in a masterly manner exonerated himself from the unjust charge of Sabbath-breaking. He appealed to the Sabbath law by saying it was lawful to do what he did on the Sabbath day. Verse 12. He justified himself by referring them to their own course toward their beasts, by falling back on the Sabbath as a merciful institution made for man in the beginning, etc. Mark 2:27. Thus the Saviour exposed the false notions of the Jews relative to the Sabbath.
An Important Consideration.
When Christ institutes a new ordinance, as, for instance, the ordinance of baptism, or that of the Lord's supper, he is careful to give instructions that are so clear that all can understand them, and to leave us his example to give force to his teachings. And the apostles in teaching and practicing the ordinances of the Saviour refer to what he did and said. Christ was baptized in Jordan, and taught his disciples to baptize, and at his ascension he commanded to baptize as well as to teach. After that, the apostles practiced baptism, and explained its nature and object, referring to the resurrection of Christ. The Lord's supper was instituted the memorable night on which Christ was betrayed, and that same night Christ partook of this ordinance with his disciples. And when Paul writes to the church of Corinth on this ordinance, he thus refers back to Christ as authority: “I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you. That the Lord Jesus, the same night in which he was betrayed took bread.” And he continues, repeating the words the Saviour used in instituting this ordinance. Read 1 Cor. 11; Matt. 26:26–28; Rom. 6.
Now where do we find so clear instructions from Christ concerning the first day? We do not find in the history of his life that he ever took the first day in his lips. Where is the example of Christ in favor of the first day as a new Sabbath? And where is the passage in which the apostles refer to Christ as authority for the establishment of a new Sabbath, or for a change of the Sabbath from the seventh to the first day?
The Royal Law of Liberty.
James 2:8–12: “If ye fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, ye do well. But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.”
Those who fulfill the law in question “do well,” and are approved of God. This law proceeds from a high authority. It is the royal (kingly) law, the law of the great King. It is not the scripture, “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself,” but is according to that scripture (French trans.); and this is true of the law of ten commandments, the last six precepts of which are based on equal love to our neighbor. And two of these commandments are thus quoted in this passage: “For he that said [or that law that said, margin], Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill.” And he who said these things, said also in the same law, “Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God; in it thou shalt not do any work.” “For whosoever shall keep the whole law,” says the apostle, “and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” Not that he has violated every precept of that law; but he has sinned against the authority that gave the law; he is a transgressor.
This is in harmony with the declaration of Christ that not one jot or tittle shall pass from the law. And we will here apply the reasoning of James to the Sabbath: “Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou violate the Sabbath, thou art become a transgressor of the law.” Finally, the apostle exhorts his readers to so speak and so do as they that shall be judged by this law, which is the law of liberty, because those who keep it are not under the bondage of condemnation; but having the Holy Spirit to help them to do right, they are the free children of the Most High, and having no fear, save that of displeasing him, they walk at liberty, delighting greatly in the way of his commandments. May such be the sweet experience of us each.
D. T. Bourdeau.
Is it of God?
By R. F. Cottrell
We are not certain that the counsel of Gamaliel, recorded in Acts 5:35–39, was inspired of God; but it commends itself as sound sense, and justifies the reputation in which he was held. The apostles were proclaiming Jesus as the promised Messiah. The work in which they were engaged was true or false. It was from Heaven or of men. It was a part of the unfolding and fulfillment of the great plan of promised redemption and salvation, or it was false—it was a genuine fulfillment of what God had promised in prophecy; or it was spurious—a vile counterfeit. In short, it was of God, and a verification of the faithfulness of his holy promises; or it was a device of Satan to oppose the plan and work of God.
The rulers of the Jews had succeeded in obtaining the crucifixion of Jesus as a criminal, and now they were persecuting the apostles and taking counsel to slay them. Then stood up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and gave his advice. Said he, “Refrain from these men, and let them alone; for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to naught; but if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.”
To this counsel of his they assented, and so do we. It would have been strange had they not. Nothing but the greatest blindness and insanity of passion could dissent from it. The disciples were committing no outrages against the people. They were only persuading men that God had fulfilled his promise in giving a Redeemer and Saviour to men, that the great atoning sacrifice had been made for mankind, and that salvation was offered to the believers on the terms of faith and obedience.
If this was a delusion, it would soon run its course and come to nothing. But should it prove true, should it prove to be in reality the fulfillment of God’s promise, it would be vain to think to defeat it, and those who should attempt it would ultimately find that they were even fighting against God.
If the reasoning of Gamaliel was good then, it is good to-day. Then, the opening message of the gospel dispensation was being proclaimed; now, the closing message of the same gospel is sounding abroad in the world. Then, it was claimed that the voices of the prophets had been fulfilled in condemning Jesus Christ to death, and that “the promise which was made unto the fathers” God had fulfilled in the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, as it had been written in the ancient Scriptures. See Acts 13:23–37. Now, it is claimed that the last warning message of the gospel, a message long ago promised in prophecy, is being proclaimed to mankind. See Rev. 14:9–12. Then, it was proclaimed that Christ had been “offered to bear the sins of many;” now, that he is about to “appear the second time without sin unto salvation,” to those “that look for him.”
The present message, like the former, is truly a message of the gospel, or it is not. It is the message promised in prophecy, or it is a base counterfeit. The work is of God, or of men. What shall be our course in regard to it? The counsel of Gamaliel is applicable in the case: If it be of men, it will come to naught; but if it be of God, it is vain to fight against it. Those who fight against it fight against God, and persisting in this course to the close of probation, they must drink of the wrath threatened in the message.
The men engaged in the proclamation of this message are not men of violence, nor invaders of the rights of others. They come to us “in the way of righteousness;” they are men that “fear God and keep his commandments.” (See Matt. 21:32.) For myself, I accept the counsel of Gamaliel. Twenty-four years ago I embraced this message as the fulfillment of the promise of God in the prophecy. Not from the number—the little handful—of those who then believed and taught it, but from the harmonious testimony of prophecy and its fulfillment, I was compelled to believe that this counsel and work was of God, and not of men. For twenty-four years I have been watching it; but never with the least hope of seeing it come to naught. Many have been its exposers, who have labored to overthrow it, and anxiously watched to see it come to nothing. They have had a painful labor, and have waited in vain to see the end of it.
And what do we now see? Is the present prospect discouraging to believers in the work, and encouraging to those who watch for its perdition? No, indeed. Instead of the signs of its speedy dissolution, we see the work spreading among the nations of the earth. According to prophecy, it is going to “many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.” Rev. 10:11. Three weekly papers and one monthly are publishing it in the English language, and monthlies in the Danish and Swedish tongues; and besides these, a great number of books, pamphlets, and tracts, in these languages, and also in the French, German, and Holland, are being sent forth from our Offices of publication, and several power presses are kept at work in their production.
Our leading paper, the REVIEW AND HERALD, besides being sent to nearly all the States and Territories of our Union, is regularly sent to subscribers in China, India, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, South America, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Switzerland, England, Scotland, Ireland, New South Wales, and Italy. Inquiry is being awakened concerning the reforms in doctrine and practice which are advocated in these publications, and especially is the Sabbath of the moral law of God, which has been so nearly supplanted for so long a time by the rival institution of the Sunday festival of the church of Rome, gaining prominence and demanding investigation, and gaining adherents in many parts of the Christian world. This is the proper fruit of a message which bears conspicuously upon its banner “the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.”
Now this work is of God, as we have said, or of men. It is the real work promised of God in the prophecy, or a vile counterfeit. We are right in proclaiming it at this time, or we are in a great delusion. If it is a delusion, we ought to be helped out of it; but if it is the truth of God, it should be embraced. It is a deeply important inquiry, Is it from Heaven, or of men? Reader, will you decide the question, before you dismiss the subject? May God lead you to a right decision.
R. F. COTTRELL.
I. SANBORN,
By I. SANBORN
Wisconsin.
I commenced meetings at Hurricane Grove, Grant Co., May 29. Held nine meetings, and visited among the people. I baptized eight, and organized a society of ten members, with S. B. amounting to $21.85 a year. There are others in the neighborhood that I think may yet be persuaded to obey the Lord by proper labor.
I also spent one week in Waterloo. I found the church in a lamentable condition, as the result of a lack of faith and love to God, and of love for one another. Last Sabbath was set apart for fasting and prayer, and for seeking the Lord and his righteousness, that we may be hid in the day of the Lord's anger. Zeph. 2:3. The preaching was searching and close, so that the hearts of the people were again affected through the truth. They have entered into new covenant relations with God, which if they will now faithfully fulfill will bring them much courage in the Lord. Four were baptized, and five were received into the church. Their S. B. figures were raised $68.88.
If this dear people will now faithfully walk in the light as it shines upon them, and as they understand it, the Lord will greatly bless them; but if they neglect to do so, they will fall back farther into darkness than ever before. Jesus says, “If a man love me, he will keep my words; and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings.” John 14:23, 24. May the Lord help us all to remember and obey his words, and enjoy his presence continually.
My address until further notice will be Monroe, Green Co., Wis.
I. SANBORN,
June 15, 1875.
Annual Report of Wis. T. & M. Society.
By Ole Andres Olsen; Mattie Babcock
The T. & M. Society of Wis. held its third annual session in connection with the camp-meeting at Monroe, Green Co., June 17–22, 1875. Opened with prayer by Bro. Sanborn. Minutes of the last meeting read and accepted.
TREASURER'S REPORT.
Dr.
June 28, 1874, rec'd of Ex. Treas., $751.00
Rec'd during year, 951.67
Total Am't rec'd $1702.67
Cr.
June 19, 1875, by
Amt. paid during year, $1111.44
Cash on hand, 591.23
Total Amt. $1702.67
Tent Fund.
Rec'd during year, $277.65
June 19, 1875, paid out, 68.25
Cash on hand, $204.40
Rec'd on Widow and Orphan fund during year, $6.89
Report of labor performed during the year is as follows:—
No. of districts at the beginning of the year, 11; increase, 4. Whole No. of district reports, 41; No. of members at the beginning of the year, 425; increase of members, 81; No. of families visited, 1815; No. of letters written, 509.
Money rec'd for membership, $92.35
“ “ by donation, 1182.49
“ “ from book sales, 137.39
“ “ on delinquent fund, 7.00
“ “ for widows and orphans, 29.70
Total Am't of money credited, $1470.93. No. of new subscribers for REVIEW, 44; Instructor, 131; Reformer, 599; Advent Tidende, 334; True Missionary, 3; Signs of Times, 5; Voice of Truth, 1051. No. of REVIEW distributed, 1332; Instructors, 101; Reformers, 437; Advent Tidende, 231; True Missionary, 12; Signs of Times, 58; almanacs, 3000; No. of pages of tracts and pamphlets distributed by loaning and otherwise, 352,626.
Voted, That the Chair appoint a Nominating Committee of three.
The nominations are as follows: Alex. Patten, Andrew Olsen, and John Atkinson.
Meeting adjourned to the call of the Chair.
SECOND SESSION.
Prayer by Bro. Sanborn. Report of the Nominating Committee read as follows:—
For President, O. A. Olsen, Ft. Howard, Wis.; Vice President, N. M. Jordon, Lodi, Wis.; Secretary, E. R. Gillett, Monroe, Wis.; Treasurer, E. O. Hammond, Monroe, Wis.; Librarian, E. R. Gillett, Monroe, Wis.; Directors: Dist. No. 1, A. Olsen; Dist. No. 2, E. O. Hammond; Dist. No. 3, B. McCormick; Dist. No. 4, C. K. Ackley; Dist. No. 5, Eli Osborn; Dist. No. 7, P. S. Thurston; Dist. No. 8, R. Baker; Dist. No. 9, N. M. Jordon; Dist. No. 10, Bro. Errickson; Dist. No. 11, P. H. Cady; Dist. No. 12, J. P. Jasperson; Dist. No. 13, S. S. Smith; Dist. No. 14, W. Sweet; Dist. No. 15, T. B. Snow.
Voted, That Bro. White receive all of the pledges to the Pacific Mission, defray our indebtedness at the Office at present, and use the remainder for the purpose for which it was pledged.
Meeting adjourned sine die.
O. A. OLSEN, Pres.
MATTIE BABCOCK, Sec.
THE HEAVENLY WARRIOR.
Gird thy heavenly armor on,
Warrior of the cross!
Rest doth not to thee belong;
Rest is only loss;
Till thy Master, from the skies,
Calls thee up to take thy prize.
In the tumult and the strife,
He will bid thee cheer;
Seek not comfort or delight,
Nor thy life hold dear;
Then, ’midst all the battle’s noise,
Thou shalt hear his gentle voice.
And when thy feet shall lightly tread
The star-paved courts of Heaven,
There only shalt thou know indeed
What price for thee was given.
Fear not the foe, thine armor brace,
And boldly meet him face to face.
And when the eastern sky shall break
With glory o’er our world,
Then, only then, thy sword forsake,
Thy Master’s flag be furled,
Then thou shalt hear the thrilling cry,
“Behold the Bridegroom” in the sky!
Then keep thy face toward the dawn;
The red streaks now the sky
That heralds in the approaching morn,
The morn of victory!
Then thou shalt hear the Master’s voice,
“Rejoice, my faithful one, rejoice!”
—Sel.
Nebraska.
By Chas. L. Boyd; G. V. Kilgore
The Nebraska tent is now pitched at Seward, Seward Co., Neb., and meetings are to commence this evening.
Brethren, we ask you to pray that the Lord may direct us in the presentation, and the people in the investigation, of this most solemn message.
Our address is as above.
Chas. L. Boyd,
G. V. Kilgore.
Central Iowa Tent.
By R. M. KILGORE; L. McCOY
WE erected our new tent in this place last Friday, and began meetings that evening. We have now held five meetings. Our congregations have increased from twenty-five to two hundred.
This is a village of about four hundred inhabitants, with a good, thriving farming community surrounding it. We hope for good results of this effort, and we crave the prayers of God's people in our behalf. Our address will now be Iowa Center, Story Co., Iowa.
R. M. KILGORE,
L. McCOY.
Northern Michigan.
By A. O. Burrill; E. Van Deusen
JUNE 5, 6, according to appointment, met with the friends at Carson City. The tent had been erected, and on Sabbath morning we found it well filled with commandment keepers. Here we were happy to meet Bro. Fargo and Brn. J. and R. Sisley, who assisted in the meetings. From the first, the meetings were marked by the movings of the Holy Spirit, and the interest increased until the close.
Since the tent was taken down last fall, others have been coming into the truth. Sabbath and Sunday, the 19th and 20th, Bro. E. H. Root met with them, and at the conclusion of first-day service all retired to the banks of Fish Creek, a few rods from the house, where we had the pleasure of seeing nineteen buried with their Lord in baptism by Bro. R. The day was fine; there were many hundreds gathered upon the banks, and the best of order prevailed. A holy silence seemed to hover over the place; and, as the candidates went into the water by pairs, we thought the scene the most solemn and impressive we ever witnessed. Twenty-two covenanted together in church capacity, and about half as many more became members of the class. This occasion made our dear Bro. R. feel more like giving himself fully to the ministry.
The Brn. Sisley are interesting the people at a school-house only a few miles from this place. Several have decided upon the truth, some of whom have become members of the class here. It now looks as though the church at this place will be one of the strongest churches in the State. Bro. Haskell's suggestion to introduce S. B. and T. & M. Societies as soon as the truth has been received has worked admirably here.
JUNE 8, the tent was pitched at Hubbardston, a village of seven or eight hundred inhabitants, and six miles from Carson City. From the first, the interest has been good, yet the congregations are not large. At present we are in the midst of the Sabbath question. We hope for a harvest of souls here. The Lord has greatly blessed the efforts made in this portion of the State, and we feel to give him all the praise. This will be our address until further notice.
A. O. BURRILL,
E. VAN DEUSEN.
Hubbardston, Ionia Co., Mich., June 21, 1875.
The Western Iowa
By J. Bartlett
Iowa.
THE WESTERN IOWA tent is now pitched in Woodbine, Harrison Co., Iowa. We have given five lectures to attentive and intelligent congregations. Sunday evening we spoke on the subject of spiritualism. The tent was crowded with attentive listeners, and spiritualism seems to be on the decline in this place.
Our P. O. address for the present will be Woodbine, Harrison Co., Iowa.
J. Bartlett.
June 21, 1875.
Fair Haven, Minn., June 20, 1875
By D. P. Curtis
Minnesota.
Bro. Ellis and myself closed our labors here last evening, after giving about twenty-four discourses. We have worked against discouragements, and opposition, and indifference. The minister of the place—regular Baptist—worked against us and preached against us, but his efforts recoiled upon his own head. Several persons became interested, and acknowledged the truth, but only one took a decided stand with us. We confidently think that a few will yet embrace the Sabbath. We go from here to our camp-meeting. Obtained two subscribers for our papers and distributed a quantity of tracts.
D. P. Curtis.
Fair Haven, Minn., June 20, 1875
Among the Swedes.
By Charles Lee
FOUR years have now passed since the third angel's message first found its way among the Swedish people. The first two years and a half we had no publications, not even a tract to help us in the work. Our Adventist hymn book, consisting of about a dozen hymns, was written with a pen, and constitutes the main hymn book yet among us. But we are now preparing to get one printed. The help extended to us by the American brethren has increased our courage, and helped us greatly in spreading the truth. The death of the editor of the Svensk Advent Härold has increased our responsibilities and work considerably, and many circumstances connected therewith have not seemed to be very encouraging; but God has blessed us greatly of late; and the burden, once so heavy, is now easy to bear. We feel grateful to God that we can be of some use in his blessed cause.
Since our last report, we have labored in Wisconsin, where we organized a church of seven members. Five or six more have embraced the truth since we left. We have visited the churches that were first organized, and we found them all in great trial and perplexity; but God has helped us to meet all the difficulties, and we have left them abounding in love, peace, and union. The severe trials that we ourselves have gone through during the past year have prepared us for the work we have had to do of late, and a long-asked question, “Why do we pass through such pressing trials?” has been fully answered. God has fitted us up to meet trials in others. Blessed God! he knows how to deal with his children.
In Isanti Co., Minn., where we have been laboring of late, God's blessing has rested upon us in a great degree. My wife has taken hold with me in preaching the word of truth. Every day our congregations number from seventy-five to two hundred persons. An increased hunger for the bread of life manifests itself from day to day, and sometimes the entire congregation is in tears. On account of the Minnesota Camp-meeting, we had to leave the good interest; but nine have stepped out into the light of God's truth, and will unite with the Cambridge church. The general invitation of the people was, “Come to us again soon.”
With ten churches as the result of labor among the Swedes, and the Härold, and two brethren who have already gained a little experience in the work to assist us, we feel like pressing into the great field with more zeal and earnestness for the coming year, trusting in God for greater victories. May God help us.
CHARLES LEE.
Help Wanted.
By Prudence Gay
LET me ask, Cannot some of the preaching brethren come to this place? There has never been any Adventist preaching here, and there are many anxiously waiting to hear the truth. I am confident there are persons here who would embrace the truth. I am anxious to have a little band formed in this place, for we are very lonely, myself, daughter, and her child, being the only Sabbath-keepers. The people have said they would pay expenses and open a house, if they only could hear one of the Adventists preach. I trust the Lord will open the way. I am praying for it. PRUDENCE GAY.
Milan, Monroe Co., Mich.
The Raid.
By A. P. Lawton
We meet a class who are ready to do battle, and if they can tell with whom or what, I confess I have yet to learn. Those who believe the Bible, or those who wrote it, or He who dictated it, or all, are the objects of hate and complaint.
Is it reasonable to doubt the Bible history of creation, man's rebellion and sin, the deluge, rise and fall of nations, while we give full credence to profane history concerning the same events? Is not the Bible, which treats of past, and present, and future events, with equal exactness, as reliable as the profane historian who can record nothing but what is past? But, says the caviler, look at the wars, bloodshed, and misery, in the world. Personal and national calamities do exist, it is true. Is God unjust? Will any one dare to sit as his judge, or be his counselor? Do not both the cause, and the consequences, rest upon those who dare rebel against the righteous government of God? If children rise up and rebel against the just claims of good, indulgent parents, and meet merited punishment, who is to blame? If we are intemperate in our habits of living, and consequently suffer, shall we charge it upon Him who made man upright.
Again I say, With whom are you at war? If you are not fighting a man of straw, you had better do so than to be contending with, and judging, the Maker of all things. He does not ask us to sit in judgment on him, but to obey and live. Many will find too late that they have been engaged in an unequal contest. Shall the clay say to the potter, Why hast thou formed me thus? Let us rather say, Why have we “perverted the right ways of God, broken the everlasting covenant,” and brought all these evils upon us?
A. P. LAWTON.
W. Winfield, N. Y.
Consider Whether His Censures Are True
If any one speaks ill of thee, consider whether he has truth on his side; and if so, reform thyself, that his censures may not affect thee.
Oswego, Labette Co., Kansas.
By H. C. Blanchard; J. Lamont
The Southern Kansas tent is pitched at this place. We have held four meetings with increasing interest. This is a thriving town on the M. K. & T. Railway, containing about 1500 inhabitants. As the farmers in this vicinity are now engaged in harvesting their wheat, our congregations will necessarily be made up from the town. We wish to walk in the light, and trust we have the prayers of the brethren and sisters that the Lord's work may prosper in our hands.
H. C. BLANCHARD,
J. LAMONT.
June 21, 1875.
Our Treasures.
By F. R. Richmond
In his sermon on the mount the Saviour said: “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal.” Matt. 6:19, 20.
Now, all that the Lord requires of us is, directly or indirectly, for our good, though with our limited understanding we often fail to see in what way; “for the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God,” and “as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are his ways higher than our ways.” Our relation to God is much like that of a child to its parent, and we are apt to reason upon his requirements as children often do upon the commands of their parents. When the child is requested not to eat sweetmeats, he argues that they will do him no harm, for he has often eaten them without receiving injury, and he thinks his parent unjust in thus restricting him. Men reason in a similar way on the command of Christ, “Sell that ye have and give alms.” They contend that many good men have been rich, and they can see no harm in retaining wealth, and that money will do a man no injury if he does not set his heart upon it.
As the child grows older, and his understanding enlarges, he can see that it was for his good that he was restrained. So may we, as we advance in life, look back and see that many things which we did not understand in their time have since proved to have been for our good; and no doubt, if we are ever made perfect we shall fully see the wisdom of God in all his dealings with us. May we not now with a little thought understand why it is that Jesus tells us not to lay up treasure upon earth? Indeed, he gives the reason: “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
If we have our hearts upon the things of this world, we shall find no time nor desire for preparing to enjoy the heavenly treasure, and soon we will find that we have lost both this world and the next. May we not enjoy more even in this life with a hope of life to come, being free from the perplexities and troubles that accompany the accumulation of wealth, than with all we can obtain here? “The sleep of the laboring man is sweet whether he eat little or much; but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.” Especially is this so in this time, when “men’s hearts are failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth.”
A person of wealth knows not where he or his money is safe. There is danger in keeping his money by him; for burglars are becoming more and more bold, and the life of others is of but little account with them when money is to be obtained. It is not secure in the bank; bank robbers and defaulters are increasing in numbers. If it is invested in stock, it may soon depreciate, and thus fall into the hands of speculators; if in real estate, a conflagration may sweep it all away in an hour.
If a man has wealth in land, he will be troubled by the approach of a drought, or of some insect plague; or, if he owns live stock, the epidemics among them will cause him anxiety. All these calamities are increasing as we near the end, and, while they cause distress among the nations of earth, they are, to those having treasures laid up in Heaven, omens that the time is near when they will receive their inheritance. “And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.”
Earthly riches do not form our only hindrance in the Christian course. Amusements, worldly associates, worldly honor, or dress, may take our affections, and be the means of our failing to secure the heavenly treasure. If we are prospered in our worldly pursuits, there is danger of giving them too large a share of our affections, and forgetting that we are but “pilgrims and strangers” here. “What is a man profited if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” Then let us be in earnest in overcoming our desire for the things of this world, and make sure of the heavenly treasure.
F. R. RICHMOND.
Brightwood, Mass.
Jesus Is Coming.
By M. Wood
“WATCH therefore; for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.” Matt. 24:42. These are no idle, meaningless words, which were spoken by our Lord. They are words of the deepest import, and contain a most solemn admonition to the inhabitants of the earth. They are especially applicable to those living in the closing scenes of this world's history; not to those only who make no profession of godliness, but to those also who are looking for his coming. To such, he says, “And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unaware.” Luke 21:34. “Behold I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.” Rev. 16:15.
“Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” Luke 21:36. This text of scripture is evidently applicable to Christians. And if the Christian is a faithful servant, he will be prepared for the coming of the absent Master. He will be ever anticipating the coming of the Bridegroom. If we are Christians, we should be distinct from the world, testifying to it that the works thereof are evil. We should be employing every talent we have for the prosperity of our Lord's cause. He will come as a thief. No one can calculate the time, nor do we pretend to know the day, nor the hour. In fact, we have nothing to do with the time of his coming. Our business is to be ready for that glorious yet solemn event. Our garments should be daily washed and made white in the blood of the Lamb. Our loins should be girt about with his truth, waiting patiently for the coming of the Lord.
Our opposition to evil should be calm and constant. Our work in the Master's vineyard should be regularly, not spasmodically, performed. Our affections should be set on things above. Our union with Christ should be such as can be realized. In short, our object should be to live for Christ, and, as much as possible, like him, not sleeping, as do some, not idling, as do others; not conforming ourselves to the world as do too many; but we should be wakeful, watchful, and prayerful, doing the will of God from the heart, walking in all his ordinances and commandments blameless.
Reader, shall we meet at the marriage supper of the Lamb? Shall we sit down with Jesus at his table in his kingdom? Shall we meet there, happy in his love, clothed in his righteousness, to glorify his dear name forever? It is our privilege to do so, and in order that we may, let us make our calling and election sure. Let us live for Christ, live like Christ, and live looking and longing for the glorious appearing of Christ. “And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.” 1 John 2:28. M. WOOD.
Boston, June, 1875.
Shall we Mend the Matter?
THERE can be little doubt that one reason why many children absent themselves from day-schools, Sunday-schools, and church, is because they cannot play the part their own or their parents' pride demands in the rivalry of dress. They cannot dress richly, and they will not be seen dressed poorly.
We know the power of fashion, but believe also in the power that lies in the influence of teachers and parents. Any child old enough to care for dress is old enough to understand the essential vulgarity of overdress. Weak parents, who may suspect that their children will not shine in point of mind or manners, are very apt to seek to make them conspicuous by their wearing apparel. And thereby they do but fall into vulgar ways, ruin their own purses, and spoil their children. Fancy what a training the young miss must have had who, after hearing a most capital paper read by a former graduate of the school, a woman of high character and mind, answered the question of a companion, “Yes, it was fine. But did you ever see such a mean little trail as she wore?”
Not the least of the expenses of a girl's school days is that which comes from the fancied necessity of keeping up to the standard of dress established and tyrannically maintained among the scholars. The poor vanity that is cultivated by mere finery, the pride that scorns a poorer, and the envy that grudges a better, dress, in another, are sorry passions to waken in a young mind.
We commend to all the courageous good sense of the schools where not long ago the closing exercises were conducted by the young ladies dressed in simple white, unmarred by any attempted adornment of color or trinket. Very applicable to them were the following two lines of the good George Herbert:—
“In dress cheap handsomeness doth bear the bell,
Wisdom's a trimmer thing than shop e'er gave.”
—Christian Intelligencer.
JESUS, COME.
By T. A. Swezey
O BLESSED Jesus, come, we long for thine appearing,
Jesus, come, Jesus, come.
We long to see the sign, the sign of thine appearing,
Jesus, come, Jesus, come.
We long to see thee on the cloud,
To hear thy voice proclaim aloud,
My children, you with sorrow bowed,
I have come, I have come.
You who have borne the cross and suffered persecution,
Come to me, come to me.
You who have feared my name, through scorn and destitution,
Come to me, come to me.
You who have trusted in my name,
Endured the cross, despised the shame,
And counted dross all earthly fame,
Come to me, come to me.
Yes, blessed Jesus, we will bear these light afflictions,
All for thee, all for thee.
If we but hear at last thy blessed benedictions,
Come to me, come to me.
For those the purchase of my blood,
Are now crowned kings and priests to God,
To share with me the blest abode,
Made for thee, made for thee.
When thou dost wipe the tears, the tears' from off
From every eye, from every eye;
And bid us with thee rise, yea rise to thine embraces
In the sky, in the sky;
We're freed from sickness death and pain
Forever with our Lord to reign
And dwell with Christ who once was slain,
Throned on high, throned on high.
We all shall then be changed from mortal to immortal,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord.
And weeping shall be done, we'll stand on Zion's
portal,
As he says in his word.
Blest Jesus, come, no more delay,
Thy chariot wheels no longer stay,
But let our longing eyes survey,
Our reward, our reward.
Then hail, all hail, greet our enraptured vision,
Angels bright, angels bright.
We'll walk the golden city, Heaven's elysian,
In his sight, in his sight.
Loud hallelujahs to the Lamb,
We'll praise him nevermore to roam,
Our voices ring through Heaven's high dome
With delight, with delight.