Earlier text: OUR TALENTSWhat encouraging, inspiring emotions fill the heart of the traveler as he turns his steps toward home—home, where he will meet his loved one, and enjoy the society of those whom he loves: more than all else on earth. Another period of almost three months of labor away from home being finished, the writer once more turns his face toward home. But what is it that gives to the prospect of going home an added charm? ’Tis true that one’s own home is of all earthly homes the sweetest. But in taking a retrospective glance at the things met with during the last three months, I find that notwithstanding I have been in many houses and dwellings, I have been in but very few homes. It is said by some that the Portuguese language is rich in expression. However this may be, it has no equivalent for our English word “home.” When the Brazilian wishes to go to his home, he will tell you, “Eu vou á casa,” which means, I go to the house; or if he wants to tell you that his wife is at home, he will say, “Ella está na casa,” meaning, She is in the house. He may also talk about his “morada,” dwelling, but the word “home” is not in his vocabulary. And, although there are exceptions, the real home idea is almost as unknown to him in practical life as is the word in the dictionary. One is often taken into a building, which one would almost regard too inferior for animals, but it is the casa—house. Or one may approach a building which from without looks inviting; but as he enters it, his good impression may be at once dispelled by the general disorder and unlikeness to a home on the inside. But as the truth that there are but few real homes is so apparent everywhere, we involuntarily look back to the first home, which God founded. That was a home indeed. In it the sunshine of God’s love was shed abroad by each member in the home. In this home the Spirit of God ruled; and under the rule of this Spirit, each desire, with the appetites and passions, was exercised to glorify God; they were servants to this end, and hence “love, joy, peace, temperance,” the natural fruits of such a home-life, gladdened the heart of each member of the home, and very existence in such an atmosphere was heavenly bliss. That was God’s idea of the home. But as we contemplate that picture, it seems to vanish from our sight, and another, a dark and dreary one, looms up in its place. Instead of the Spirit of God being the ruler, another spirit has been allowed to govern in the family. But this change of rulers has turned freedom into slavery, joy into sorrow, and has given a cup of bitterness for one of blessing. Through sin, selfishness—glorifying self instead of God—has entered, and the very faculties once used as servants to glorify God, now have the mastery, and dishonor Him, while at the same time they ruin the life and happiness of those whom God created to live and be happy. Instead of love, joy, and peace, hatred, sorrow, strife, pain, suffering, and death are seen. Oh, the untold suffering in these perverted homes! How is it in our homes? Is the divine ideal reached there? Let us once more consider how that original home was destroyed. We have said that it was destroyed through sin. Yes, so it was. Disobedience is sin; and when Eve had sinned, Satan used her to destroy her husband. See her approach him, holding in her hand the fruit of the forbidden tree, and with a smile inviting Adam to partake of it. Yes, that very smile of Eve’s, which God intended should always fill Adam’s heart with gladness, now works his ruin. O Eve, how could you thus with a smile hand death to the one whom you loved as yourself? Sin deceived her. And sin is the same to-day; hence we are warned not to let our hearts be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. Sin destroyed the first home, and has ever since destroyed the true home idea, wherever it was suffered to rule. But, thank the Lord, our Saviour came to destroy the works of the devil, and sin is Satan’s work. Then let us receive into our hearts and homes Christ and His principles of righteousness, and the world will once more, ere the Lord comes, have an illustration of true homes. We can also prepare for the eternal home by getting its principles into our hearts. CHRISTIANITY: REALITY OR THEORY
By Francis Bay
FRANCIS BAY
(Montrose, Colo.) “EXCEPT, a man be born again, he can not see the kingdom of God.” Satan, by his sophistry, deceived man, and thereby gained the opportunity to work in human flesh. We are born into this corrupt human flesh. But God leaves no one without witness of His nature and character. “For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.” We are born into sinful flesh, and all along our course there are the two elements in the “great controversy” held before us: truth, purity, righteousness, love, God; and discord, hatred, strife, sin, Satan. God has made no promise to man which He is not able to fulfill. He has made no promise which He is not willing to fulfill. In view of this fact, how many real, practical Christians are there to-day as compared with theoretical ones? We are born into sinful flesh; but it is within the reach of every one, through Christ, to be born again into the kingdom of heaven, by the Spirit to become sons of God. What! sons of God? “Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God.” Do I believe in Christ? Am I a child of God in reality? And will that effect any change in my life? “Whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world. . . . Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?” And I believe that Jesus is the Son of God, and overcome the world by the Spirit of the Father, which was in Him. Then by His Spirit He makes me a child of God, and gives me power to overcome the world; not in theory, but in reality, in my body, soul, and spirit. Oh, the reality of the promises of God! the breadth and depth and height, and cleansing power of those promises! “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” The Son of God with us! Do I believe that? Is His presence manifested in my life? Is it a real, vital truth, or is it simply theory? “And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.” Does God indeed love His people? does He love me as He does His own Son?—Yes. Wondrous thought! Can I accept that in reality, and abide in sin? Can one atom of my being be subject to sin, and I in truth be a child of God, and abide in His love? “Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for His seed remaineth in him: and he can not sin, because he is born of God. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil.” “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as He is pure.” Ah! where, then, are the children of God? Where are the pure ones? Where are the overcomers of this world? Is Christianity reality or theory? Have I put on Christ? Am I crucified to the world? Have I the power of the Holy Ghost? Do I believe that God is true, and that He means just what He has said? or have I only professed to believe? Am I holy; as He is holy? The Character Reflecting Christ
“THE memory should be a cabinet, full of Christ; the conscience a witness for Christ; the will a servant of Christ; the affections the throne of Christ; and the whole character a mirror of Christ.” Ah, home! when all elsewhere is dreary,
When we are most heartless and weary,
What place beside is half so cheery
As home, sweet home! There innocent and childish prattle
Beguile the hours with noisy tattle;
Forgetful half of life's rough battle,
We are at rest. At night, when home from work returning,
We see afar a bright light burning,
In haste we seek the shortest turning
To home, sweet home! Where, o'er the frugal board presiding,
In hope and faith and love abiding,
The mother hears from lips confiding,
The day's exploits. And thus the moments so entrancing
Glide swift away, when some one, glancing
At the tall clock, sees near advancing
The midnight hour. And while the bird of night is brooding,
Oh, where, beside, come dreams so soothing
As now from out our brows are smoothing
The lines of care? Fancy in dreams her flight is winging,
In sweet, low tones joy-bells seem ringing,
A psalm of peace night winds are singing,
At home, sweet home! — M. E. J., in the Century. THE HEAVENLY PATTERN
By A. F. F.
IT is admitted by some who oppose the Sabbath truth, that God instituted the Sabbath in the beginning, resting upon the seventh day from all His work. Some who acknowledge this fact say that there is no scripture proving that the Ten Commandments were binding upon man before they were spoken upon Mount Sinai. Christ was equal with God (John 1:1, 2), and worked with God from the beginning. Col. 1:16, 17. Christ, who gave God's law to Moses for generations to come, would not change or break that law when He took upon himself mortal flesh in order perfectly to manifest God to the world. Adam, made in the image of God, must have kept His law until he yielded himself to the power of Satan. God promised to keep His covenant with Abraham, because Abraham obeyed God's voice, kept His commandments, His statutes, and His laws. Gen. 26:3-5. Moses was charged to make the ark of the covenant after the heavenly pattern. Ex. 25:8, 9, 40; Heb. 8:5. In the ark that Moses made were placed two tables of stone, upon which were written, with the finger of God, the Ten Commandments. Deut. 9:10; Ex. 24:12. John in vision saw the temple of God opened in heaven; and in that temple he saw the ark of God's testament. Rev. 11:19. May the Holy Spirit, which opened the blind eyes of the writer, open other blind eyes to behold wonderful things out of God's law. “Close to His feet on the pathway,
Empty and frail and small,
An earthen vessel was lying,
Which seemed of no use at all.” “But the Master saw it, and raised it
From the dust in which it lay,
And smiled as He gently whispered,
‘This shall do my work to-day.’” WASH DAY
By Mrs. S. N. Haskell
“Jesus taught by illustrations and parables drawn from nature and from the familiar events of every-day life. . . . In this way He associated natural things with spiritual, linking the things of nature and the life experiences of His hearers with the sublime spiritual truths of the written word.” Surely, washing and ironing come under the head of “familiar events of every-day life,” and with this work the Lord has linked “the sublime spiritual truths of the written word.” When speaking of the remnant Church that will be translated at Christ’s coming, He says that He “gave himself for it; that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that He might present it to himself a glorious Church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” Eph. 5:25–27. As he wrote, the apostle evidently had his mind on the familiar work of washing and ironing. He had often seen the housewife hold up the linen to see if any spots had escaped her careful rubbing; and when the spots were discovered, the linen was again subjected to soap and water. This process was connected in his mind with the scrutiny given each character in the day of final cleansing in the courts above. God has linked them together in His word, so that the work of washing the garments of your households would be a reminder of your need of spotless garments of character. Notice, all who will be accepted are to be without spot or wrinkle. The spots disappear during the washing; but the wrinkles are smoothed away under the pressure of the hot heavy iron. The greater the pressure, the finer the gloss on the linen. As you stand at the ironing-table and smooth the wrinkles from the garments of your household, God designs that you should learn from that work how the wrinkles are removed from your character. He says to you, “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you.” 1 Peter 4:12. If you remember the lesson of the ironing, you will know that wrinkles yield only to pressure and heat. Those fiery trials are not strange things, but only your Heavenly Father’s great smoothing iron passing over your garment of character to prepare it for the final test, that He may present you with joy to himself. The Saviour’s hand guides the iron; He will not suffer it to remain in one place long enough to burn. He “will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able” to bear. He will not mar the garment, but will perfect it for His kingdom. “There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness.” Prov. 30:12. We can not afford to be among that number. When, weary and tired, you look out upon the lines filled with clothes, which were in the morning soiled, but now are clean, is the experience of the clothes your own? Can you hear the Lord saying to you: “And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God”? 1 Cor. 6:11. If you can hear the Saviour say to you, “Ye are washed,” it will help to rest your tired body, and will fill your home with the sunlight of His presence. As you look upon the line of snowy clothes, your mind will revert to the precious words: “To her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.” Rev. 19:8. The work of washing and ironing will help you to understand what the Lord meant when He said: “These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” Rev. 7:14. You will recognize in the great tribulation the smoothing iron of the Lord, removing the wrinkles from your robes of character. “Though thou wash thee with niter, and take thee much soap, yet thine iniquity is marked before me, saith the Lord God.” Jer. 2:22. All your efforts can not cleanse you. You are as powerless to cleanse your own sins as your clothes are powerless to cleanse themselves without your efforts. But the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin. If you connect God and His word with your work, you will find that even “wash day” will be a joy to your heart, and you will realize the Saviour’s presence by your side as you engage in its arduous duties. CORN BREAD
By Mrs. A. C. Ames
To MAKE corn bread without soda, sour milk, or baking powder, take three cups of sponge, as set for making wheat bread, measured when light, ready to mix up stiff; three heaping tablespoonfuls of sugar; one large or two small eggs; one-half cup of nut meal, or rounding tablespoonful of butter; to this add a mixture of two-thirds corn meal and one-third flour until it is as stiff as will stir conveniently (if made too stiff, the bread will be dry; if not stiff enough, it will be sticky). Place about one-half inch deep in oiled pans, and let rise until nearly one inch deep, and bake in a moderate oven. It may be made in deeper loaves, but they are not so apt to be satisfactory. I hope our sisters will try this; for I believe it to be much more hygienic than the ordinary johnny-cake, and that it will please the men folks fully as well; moreover, it is cheap and easily made. It may be made at the same time the other bread is made, using some of the same sponge. It will be baked and out of the way by the time the other bread is ready to go into the oven. “I request prayer for my husband, that he may see the need of coming to the Saviour before it is too late.” “I feel that I need help. I live seven miles from any Seventh-day Adventist church, and have four children; the oldest is a boy eight years old, the youngest is one year old. My husband is not in the truth, and it is for him I ask special prayer.” “I request prayer for my brother-in-law, who greatly desires to get free from the habit of tobacco-chewing. He has tried to give it up two or three times, but has failed to gain the victory. He knows the truth well, but Satan has him bound on that point, and he has lost courage to make another effort to get free from this appetite, although he expresses a great desire to be released. Please pray that he may get the victory through Christ.”231 “I request prayer for my husband and my son, who are unsaved. My husband does not believe in God. Pray also for my daughter, that she may overcome her selfish ways and bad temper.” “Pray that a dear sister who has been obliged to move away from all association with God’s people, may be kept by the power of God. Pray also that laborers may be sent into this locality, to canvass and distribute reading-matter.” “I ask you to pray for my husband, who is unconverted, and for my family, that we may each stand steadfast in the truth until the coming of the Lord. I am the mother of fifteen children, twelve of whom are living, and are all at home except one. While they all keep the Sabbath, some are not as much interested as they should be. Please pray for us all.” “A sister requests prayer for the conversion of her husband, and also for herself, that she may live a consistent life before him. She also requests prayer that the prejudice existing among her friends in regard to immersion may be removed, and that the way may be opened for her to receive the rite of baptism without causing any strife in the family.” “I request your prayers that my dear husband and my son may be led to see and obey the truth before it is too late. My husband is not converted. My son is a member of the United Brethren Church, and an active worker, and seems to desire to do what is right, but he does not see the Sabbath truth, and does not have time to read our papers. Please pray for my daughter also, that the love of the world may not lead her away from her Saviour.” EXTRACTS FROM CORRESPONDENCE
INCLOSED find $4.50, which I send to you to be used in sending the REVIEW to some poor sisters who are not able to take the paper. I am glad our people are beginning to take a more active interest in the temperance work; for I believe much good can be accomplished by it. Some who were using tobacco and liquor two years ago, have given up both, and are rejoicing in present truth. First they signed the anti-liquor pledge, then the anti-tobacco, and so were led on step by step into the principles of health reform. These principles have worked wonders for the people here. THE following is a report of work done by the Pasadena (Cal.) Christian Help bands during 1900; no work being done during the three busiest months:—
No. meetings held ........................................27
Average attendance .........................................5
No. garments taken in ....................................865
No. garments given out ...................................330
No. pairs of shoes taken in ...............................20
No. pairs of shoes given out ..............................15
No. comforters made .........................................5
No. comforters given out ....................................5
No. garments repaired .....................................100
No. new garments made .....................................30
Money taken in ...........................................$38.00
Given out of the same ....................................$35.70
No. of families helped .....................................19 Besides the preceding a number of days were spent in sewing for families at their homes, and one day by fifteen sisters in sewing at the orphans’ home in South Pasadena. BELLE WAY, Pres.,
ALICE HAPPORD, Sec. I am fourteen years old. My folks do not keep the Sabbath, and I am not with them. Please pray for them, also pray that I may let my light so shine before men, that they may glorify our Father which is in heaven. My heart is burdened for poor souls who have gone astray. I desire to set a good example before this sinful world. How can I get the truth before the people in this place? Please answer in the REVIEW. Dear sister, your letter was received, and we were glad to hear from you. We are glad that, though you are only fourteen years old, you love the Lord’s truth so well that you hold to it, even though you are all alone. We will remember to pray that your dear parents may see the truth and obey it, and that you may let your light shine brightly before them. Be just as kind, devoted, and loving a daughter to them as you know how to be, and let them feel that it is the power of God that keeps you from falling. The acts of our lives speak louder than words, and although our words may be good, yet our actions tell the most after all. I trust you will be faithful, and that you will write us again, telling of the work you are able to do. DAILY READING FOR APRIL 14–20 Sunday, “Thoughts on the Revelation,” verses 1–3. Tuesday, “ ” “ ” “ ” 9–24. Wednesday, Preparation for the End, “Early Writings” (first part), pages 59–61. Thursday, The Loud Cry, “Early Writings” (last part), pages 137–139. 1. Who comes from heaven? How is the earth affected? In what manner is the message given? What is the significance of “is fallen” being repeated twice? Gen. 41:32. 2. What is the condition of Babylon? V. 2. How many nations will be connected with her? What is meant by the kings’ committing fornication with the Church? 3. What call is given? V. 4. Whence does it come? To whom is it given? What will be the result of not heeding the call? 4. When and how will verse 7 be fulfilled? Prove from the reading of the eighth verse that the “one day” does not mean a day of twenty-four hours. What period is referred to in verse 8? 5. How will all this affect the kings and merchants? How will commerce be affected? 6. Describe the effect of the second plague upon the sea. What is shown by the angel casting the stone into the sea? When in the past did a prophet show the destruction of an earthly power by the same symbol? 7. By what means were all deceived? For what past crimes will modern Babylon have to answer? The first five verses of this chapter refer to the closing work of the gospel. The gospel began with great power and light, and it will close with far greater power. The earth was lightened with the glory of God. This light rests upon the waiting people of God, it penetrates everywhere. Those who have not rejected the light of the three messages, obey the call and leave the fallen churches. Many have come to years of accountability since these messages have been given, and as the light shines upon them, they have the privilege of choosing life or death. At the time brought to view in this prophecy, the sins of Babylon have reached unto heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities. She is judged by the measure of her guilt, and destruction is about to fall upon her. But God still has a people in Babylon, and these faithful ones must be called out, that they partake not of her sins, and receive not of her plagues. Hence the movement symbolized by the angel's coming down from heaven, lighting the earth with his glory, and crying mightily with a loud voice, announcing the sins of Babylon. In connection with this message the call is heard, “Come out of her, my people.” This message which calls the people out is the same message which announces the fall of Babylon, with the addition that Babylon has now become the hold of every foul spirit, and the cage of every unclean and hateful bird. Babylon has given them a false sabbath instead of the Sabbath of the Fourth Commandment, and has repeated the falsehood that Satan told Eve in Eden, of the immortality of the soul. Many kindred errors Babylon has spread far and wide, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. This announcement, united with the Third Angel's Message, constitutes the final warning to be given to the inhabitants of the earth. The people of God are called out from their associations with the world, to stand in the battle of the day of the Lord against the powers of darkness. The whole earth is to be lighted with the glory of God. There will be a work similar to that which was wrought when the disciples, filled with the Holy Spirit, proclaimed the power of a risen Saviour. The light of heaven will penetrate the darkened minds of those who have been deceived by the enemies of Christ. The Third Angel's Message will do its work, and all will be tested upon it, and the precious ones will be called out from the religious bodies. Mighty miracles will be wrought, the sick will be healed, and signs and wonders will follow the believers. God is in the work, and every saint, fearless of consequences, will follow the convictions of his own conscience, and unite with those who keep all the commandments of God, and with power they will sound aloud the Third Angel's Message. It will close with far greater power and glory than has ever been witnessed in the past. “God's people were strengthened by the excellent glory which rested upon them in rich abundance, and prepared them to endure the hour of temptation. I heard everywhere a multitude of voices saying, ‘Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.’”—Spiritual Gifts, “Early Writings,” page 139. Oh, that we as a people might realize the importance of the work of Christ, and be careful students! Oh, that all would carefully and prayerfully study the word of God, not to qualify themselves for debating some new points of doctrine, but that in their souls they might be filled, as those that drink at the fountain of life. The day of retribution will finally come, and then the persecutors will receive according to their works. The cup they have filled will be filled to them double. Those who have triumphed over the believers of an unpopular truth, will drink the dregs of the cup of God's wrath. Babylon's plagues will come in one prophetic day (one year), and there will be death, mourning, and famine, and she shall be utterly burned with fire. These judgments of God will come upon Babylon and her daughters in full view of the world. “When the voice of God turns the captivity of His people, there is a terrible awakening of those who have lost all in the great conflict of life. While probation continued, they were blinded by Satan's deceptions, and they justified their course of sin. The rich prided themselves upon their superiority to those who were less favored; but they had obtained their riches by violation of the law of God. They had neglected to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to deal justly, and to love mercy. They had sought to exalt themselves, and to obtain the homage of their fellow creatures. Now they are stripped of all that made them great, and are left destitute and defenseless. They look with terror upon the destruction of the idols which they preferred before their Maker. They have sold their souls for earthly riches and enjoyments, and have not sought to become rich toward God. The result is, their lives are a failure; their pleasures are now turned to gall, their treasures to corruption. The gain of a lifetime is swept away in a moment. The rich bemoan the destruction of their grand houses, the scattering of their gold and silver. But their lamentations are increased by the fear that they themselves are to perish with their idols.”—“Great Controversy,” page 653. The final destruction of Babylon is compared to the final destruction of ancient Babylon. See Jer. 51: 1–28, 60–64. Perseverance in the Christian Life
“It will cost us an effort to secure eternal life. It is only by long and persevering effort, sore discipline, and stern conflict, that we shall be overcomers. But if we patiently and determinedly, in the name of the Conqueror who overcame in our behalf in the wilderness of temptation, overcome as He overcame, we shall have the eternal reward. Our efforts, our self-denial, our perseverance, must be proportionate to the infinite value of the object of which we are in pursuit. . . . Wrongs can not be righted, nor reformations in character made, by a few feeble, intermittent efforts. Sanctification is not a work of a day or a year, but of a lifetime. Without continual efforts and constant activity, there can be no advancement in the divine life, no attainment of the victor’s crown.” Christ and the Education of Israel
“It was Christ who directed the education of Israel. Concerning the commandments and ordinances of the Lord, He said, ‘Thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.’” God’s Plans Are Right
By May Riley Smith
SOMETIME, when all life's lessons have been learned,
And sun and stars for evermore have set,
The things which our weak judgment here had
spurned,
The things o’er which we grieved with lashes wet,
Will flash before us out of life’s dark night,
As stars shine most in deeper tints of blue;
And we shall see how all God’s plans are right,
And how what seemed reproof was love most true;
And we shall see how, while we frown and sigh,
God’s plans go on as best for you and me;
How, when we called, He heeded not our cry,
Because His wisdom to the end could see.
—May Riley Smith. THE KEEPING OF THE COMMANDMENTS
“I AM the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.” “Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.” We have seen that no similitude or likeness was seen on Sinai when God spoke His law, though there were many similitudes and likenesses there. We have seen that this was so, especially, “lest ye corrupt yourselves, and make you a graven image” or likeness. And thus in the Second Commandment there is forbidden, in the worship of God, the use of any similitude or likeness of any kind in any way whatever. Yet there are a great number of professed Christians who use images, similitudes, and likenesses in abundance in their professed worship of God. This is worth inquiring into. “The first introduction of a symbolic worship was in the veneration of the cross and of relics.”—Gibbon. In “honor” of Christ and the martyrs. And the first introduction of the cross as a visible symbol was by Constantine, and in the midst of that flood of evil that made the papacy. It is true that the sign of the cross was used as early as the days of Tertullian; but it was only a sign, made with a motion of the hand upon the forehead or breast. Constantine enlarged upon this by the introduction of the visible cross itself: in the Labarum. He erected in Rome his own statue, “bearing a cross in its right hand, with an inscription which referred the victory of his arms and the deliverance of Rome to that salutary sign, the true symbol of force and courage.” “The same symbol sanctified the arms of the soldiers of Constantine; the cross glittered on their helmets, was engraved on their shields, was interwoven into their banners; and the consecrated emblems which adorned the person of the emperor himself were distinguished only by richer materials and more exquisite workmanship.” The Labarum was “a long pike intersected by a transversal beam,” forming a cross. “The silken veil which hung down from the beam was curiously inwrought with the images of the reigning monarch and his children. The summit of the pike supported a crown of gold, which inclosed the mysterious monogram, at once expressive of the figure of the cross and the initial letters of the name of Christ.” The basis of all this was the fiction and the imposture of Constantine’s “vision of the cross.” And from it “the Catholic Church, both of the East and of the West, has adopted a prodigy which favors, or seems to favor, the popular worship of the cross.” Under Constantine’s patronage also, “magnificent churches were erected by the emperor in Rome, adorned with images and pictures, where the bishop sat on a lofty throne, encircled by inferior priests, and performing rites borrowed from the splendid ceremonial of the pagan temple.”—Lawrence. Pictures were used first. The introduction of these pictures was made under the plea that they were useful to instruct the ignorant, to awaken the cold, and to gratify the prejudices of the heathen proselytes. What some person imagined and produced as a picture of Christ, would be painted on the wall or window; and these people would gaze upon that, and sail away upon a sea of their own imagination. In this they thought they were contemplating Christ, and honoring Him, and indeed worshiping Him. But it was as sheer idolatry as ever was. They were only worshiping themselves, in their own imaginings. Never yet has there been made a picture of Christ. All that ever pretended to be such are only idolatrous imaginings. Soon images were set up along with the pictures, and thus “by a slow, though inevitable, progression, the honors of the original were transferred to the copy: the devout Christian prayed before the image of a saint; and the pagan rites of genuflexion, luminaries, and incense again stole into the Catholic Church. The scruples of reason or piety were silenced by the strong evidence of visions and miracles; and the pictures which speak, and move, and bleed, must be endowed with a divine energy, and may be considered as the proper objects of religious adoration.” And thus “the use and even the worship of images was firmly established before the end of the sixth century [before A. D. 600]; they were fondly cherished by the warm imagination of the Greeks and Asiatics; the pantheon and Vatican were adorned with the emblems of a new superstition. . . . The style and sentiments of a Byzantine hymn will declare how far their worship was removed from the grossest idolatry: ‘How can we with mortal eyes contemplate this image, whose celestial splendor the host of heaven presumes not to behold? He who dwells in heaven condescends this day to visit us by His venerable image. He who is seated on the cherubim visits us this day by a picture which the Father has delineated with His immaculate hand; which He has formed in an ineffable manner; and which we sanctify by adoring it with fear and love.’”—Gibbon. This will be followed further next week.