Earlier text: CHRIST THE LEADER OF THE ISRAELITESUNDOUBTEDLY the one text of Scripture that is oftenest referred to as proof of the millennium and the conversion of the world, is that one which speaks of the nations' beating their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning-hooks. There are two places in the Bible where these words are used—Isaiah 2:2–4, and Micah 4:1–5. These are almost precisely alike, except that where one uses the word "nations" the other uses "people," and the statement in Micah is a little longer than that in Isaiah. That the reader may have the full benefit of the text and this discussion of it, we here print it in full. "But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths; for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks; nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig-tree; and none shall make them afraid; for the mouth of the Lord of hosts hath spoken it. For all people will walk everyone in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of the Lord our God for ever and ever." Micah 4:1–5. Now let us examine this closely and see what it teaches. When is this scripture to apply?—"In the last days." Who is it that shall say these things?—"Many nations [Isa. "Many people"] shall come and say;" etc. Exactly! In the last days then many people shall say that "the law shall go forth of Zion and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem." In the last days many people shall say, The nations "shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning-hooks." In the last days many people shall say that "nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more." In the last days many people shall say, "Peace and safety," because "they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig-tree; and none shall make them afraid." And, too, they will say that "the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it." All these things many people will say in the last days. But what saith the Lord? "In that day, saith the Lord, will I assemble her that halteth, and I will gather her that is driven out, and her that I have afflicted; and I will make her that halted a remnant, and her that was cast far off a strong nation; and the Lord shall reign over them in Mount Zion from henceforth, even forever." Verses 6, 7. This shows that at the very time—in that day—when "many people" are saying all those things, there will be some who will be "driven out," "afflicted," and "cast off," and that these will be a "remnant." And it is this "remnant" which the Lord says he will gather and over whom he will reign in Mount Zion forever. This is clearly against the idea of the conversion and gathering of all the world, for if that were true then there would be no "remnant" at all, nor would there be any that were "cast off" or "driven out" or "afflicted." How could there be any afflicted or driven out when every man could sit under his vine and under his fig-tree, with none to make afraid, and when none should ever learn war any more? Plainly there could not be. Therefore the text does not at all teach that there shall be a millennium of peace and safety and the conversion of the world. It only teaches that in the last days many nations or people will say so, and will say that the Lord has said it; while the Lord himself says that "in that day" there will be a remnant, who will be cast off, driven out, and afflicted, and that this remnant he will gather, and will reign over them in Mount Zion forever. That this is the true explanation of the text we have the whole Bible on this subject in proof. 1. Let us follow this "remnant" and see what further is said about it. In Joel 2:30, 31, the Lord says: "I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the Lord come." And in verse 32 he says that "there shall be deliverance" "in the remnant whom the Lord shall call." And in Zeph. 3:8 we read: "Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the Lord, until the day that I rise up to the prey; for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger; for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy." Can it be possible that the Lord is going to assemble a converted world to pour upon such a people all his fierce anger? Not at all. The word of God knows no such thing as the conversion of the world, that is all. The prophet proceeds, verse 12: "I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the Lord." This is precisely what the Lord says in Micah 4, while many people are saying "Peace and safety," and that the world shall be converted. This is further shown by the next verse. It speaks of this afflicted and poor people as the "remnant of Israel," saying, "The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth; for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid." This whole connection shows that the time here spoken of is the same as that in Micah 4, and that the remnant here referred to is the same as the remnant there referred to, and that this remnant will be poor and afflicted, cast off and driven out. This is confirmed by another reference to this remnant. Rev. 12:17, says: "The dragon was184wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." The dragon is said, in verse 9, to be "the devil," "Satan." The "woman" is the church of God. The devil is wroth with the church of God, and goes to make war with the remnant of her seed. The devil works through earthly powers and agencies. In stirring up kings, and people, and nations to oppress the church he has ever endeavored to destroy her. This is continued even to the end, in a war with the remnant of Israel, the last of the church of God. Says the Lord by Daniel, speaking of that great power that so long wore out the saints of the Most High. "I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; until the Ancient of Days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the Most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom." Dan. 7:21, 22. Here then is the story of the remnant. It is the last of the church. The people who compose it keep "the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." The devil, through the powers of earth, makes war upon them. To this they are "cast off," "driven out," and become an afflicted, and poor people. But there is deliverance in the remnant whom the Lord calls, for, "In that day, saith the Lord, will I assemble her that halteth, and I will gather her that is driven out, and her that I have afflicted; and I will make her that halted a remnant, and her that was cast far off a strong nation; and the Lord shall reign over them in Mount Zion from henceforth, even forever." "And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire; and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God." Rev. 15:2. Those who got this victory are they who kept "the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus;" and these are the remnant, who are driven out and afflicted, but whom the Lord gathers, and over whom he reigns in Mount Zion forever. Yet at the very time when the devil is thus making war upon the poor, afflicted, but loyal remnant of the church of Christ, the popular pulpit, and the worldly church, will sing of peace and safety and the conversion of the world, and will think that because the world finds it to its interest to ally itself with the already too willing church, therefore the world is becoming converted, and a millennium of peace will reign on the earth! Yes, says the prophet, "From the uttermost part of the earth have we heard songs, even glory to the righteous. But I said, My leanness, my leanness, woe unto me! the treacherous dealers have dealt treacherously; yea, the treacherous dealers have dealt very treacherously. Fear, and the pit, and the snare, are upon thee, O inhabitant of the earth." Isa. 24:16, 17. Right here the reader may with profit read carefully the whole of the second chapter of Isaiah. It is too long to quote here. There is another line of scriptures that also prove positively that this promise of peace and safety, and of beating swords into plowshares, and spears into pruning-hooks, is only the saying of "many people" and not of the Lord at all. Notice, the time at which the prophet says that many people will say these things, is "in the last days." Now what does the Lord say shall be the condition of things in the last days? This:— "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof; from such turn away." 2 Tim. 3:1–5. This is what God says there will be, in the last days; and this is exactly what now is, as any one can see who will look. Nor is there promise of these bad men growing better and better, until all shall be converted and there be left none wicked on the earth. On the contrary, this word says, "Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived." 2 Tim. 3:13. And in the face of these plain positive declarations of the word of God, pulpit and platform, priests and people, will declare that the world is growing better, that everything prospers and is on the highway to the millennium. It is too, but not such a millennium as they are looking for and preaching, but one of destruction and devastation. Again, Says the Lord by the prophet Joel, "Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe; come, get you down; for the press is full, the fats overflow; for their wickedness is great." Joel 3:13. When is the harvest? "The harvest is the end of the world." Matt. 13:39. Who holds the sickle to reap withal? "I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap; for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe. And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped." Rev. 14:14–16. This is the time, and the event, that is spoken of by Joel, "Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe"—the end of the world is come. And when that time comes, the word of God says, "Their wickedness is great." Therefore any preaching that promises a reign of righteousness on this earth before the end of the world, is contrary to the word of God. What further says the Lord, of this time? This:— "Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles [nations]; Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up; beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning-hooks into spears; let the weak say, I am strong. Assemble yourselves, and come, all ye heathen, and gather yourselves together round about; thither cause thy mighty ones to come down, O Lord." Joel 3:9–11. Then he continues in verse 13, "Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe," etc. Therefore the word of God is plain that the promises of peace and of the increase of righteousness, that will be heard in the last days, are only the words of many people, and not the word of God; of a people too, who are "lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God," and who have a form of godliness, but deny the power thereof; and from whom it is the duty of all who fear God, to turn away. When this people say, "Peace and safety," God says there shall be "fear, and the pit, and the snare," and "sudden destruction" upon the inhabitants of the earth. When they say, "Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more," the Lord says, "Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near, let them come up." When they say that "they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks," the word of God says, "Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning-hooks into spears." When they shall say that the world is growing better and better, know of a surety that God says, "Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse." When they speak of the time when the world shall be converted, God says that at that time, "their wickedness is great." We are now living in the last days, in the very time when many people are saying all these things that are directly contrary to the word of God; and not only that, but are said contrary to that word, in the very presence of the evil times and events that the word of God shows shall be. From such turn away, for whoever trusts in such promises of peace and safety, and follows in the way of such words shall not know peace. For the day of the Lord is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come. "Therefore also now, saith the Lord, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God; for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness." Joel, 2:12, 13. LETTERS TO AN ANTINOMIAN.—5.
By James White
DEAR SIR:—You seem not to have exhausted your direct efforts to get rid of the Sabbath, in the passages quoted from your tract. You further say, on page 19: "Another fact worthy of notice is, that the remainder of the ten commandments are incorporated into the Christian constitution." And "another fact worthy of notice is," that you failed to offer any proof to sustain your assertion. Others have made the same assertion, but no one ever gave proof. Sometimes they point to a reference to one, made several years before the old covenant passed away, before it is even claimed they were abolished, and to another a score or more of years after the new covenant was established, which is no proof at all. If we rested upon their inconclusive method of proof, or if they would receive what they ask us to accept, the question would be settled at once. All that they ask is a mere reference to one of the other commandments, to claim that it is re-enacted; but we find the Sabbath mentioned more than any other part of the decalogue, even after the death and resurrection of Christ. I am not surprised that you consider this no proof in favor of the fourth commandment, though a tithe of the same kind of evidence you consider quite sufficient in favor of its associates. To accept this as evidence for the Sabbath would be consistent, and that is too much to expect of an opposer of the Lord's holy day. We prove, by the words of Christ and his apostles, the perpetuity of the whole law. You argue the abolition of the whole, and then assert that nine precepts are re-enacted, while you can show nothing that has the faintest resemblance to a re-enactment. If I dared to give you credit for consistency, I would take your own words to prove that you have no faith whatever in your re-enactment theory. Turning back to page 10, you urge that the Sabbath was not brought over into this dispensation, and says— "We must have stronger evidence than mere inference for the transfer of precepts from one constitution or dispensation to another. We must have a positive, Thus saith the Lord." I commend these words to your careful consideration. How forcibly they apply against all that you say, or can say, in favor of the flimsy theory of a "re-enactment." What I say to you I say to all who oppose the Sabbath on that ground. A man who was set forth by his denomination as "master of the situation" on the Sabbath question, when arguing against the institution of the Sabbath, said:— "All commemorative institutions are positive, and dependent as to obligation on the will of the institution, and hence are not binding on man till formally proclaimed." To this rule he said there was no exception; and yet, when he came to advocate the Sunday institution, he insisted that there was no necessity to show any act of instituting, or any record of its appointment, or any formal proclamation! Where the inferences were so strong nothing more was needed!185We have no use for this re-enactment theory. There has been no change of constitution, as I will show more particularly on another point. The law of God "being founded upon his own immutable character," as you well remark, can no more be changed or abolished than his own attributes can be changed or abolished. Change of administration in our Government causes no change in our Constitution, neither did a change of administration effect any change in the Government of God. All who were ever saved in the former dispensation were saved by faith in the Messiah who was to come; but their faith in Christ did not release them from obligation to obey the moral law of God, neither will our faith release us. In that dispensation, it was said: "He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination." Prov. 28:9. And in this dispensation Jesus said: "Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of Heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in Heaven." Matt. 7:21. Now let me ask you, Why is it that antinomians are so anxious to show that "the other nine commandments" of the decalogue are brought over into the new covenant? They persistently declare that there was no distinction of laws in the former dispensation; you say that it "will be demonstrated from the word of God" that such a distinction as moral and ceremonial laws did not exist; that the laws were all alike—all were of one nature. Why, then, this anxiety to bring "the other nine" over here? Why not all the laws of that dispensation, seeing there was no difference between the ten and the multitude of others? The truth is—and you have acknowledged it—that they have no confidence in their theory; they feel that the moral sense of the people is outraged by their teaching that the moral law is abolished, and this re-enactment pretext is gotten up to save their cause from the condemnation it so well deserves. I now pass to your argument on Matthew 5. On this chapter you say:— "Again it is affirmed, from the fact that Christ quoted two of the ten commandments (viz., the sixth and the seventh, see verses 21 and 27), that therefore the law to which he referred was the ten commandments. With equal propriety may it be affirmed, by the negative, that Christ having quoted more largely from the commandments written exclusively in the book, that, therefore, he referred to the book of the law. See verses 31, 33, 38, and 43." This statement I have heard before, and always with surprise. I notice here (1) There is positive proof in this chapter that when Christ said he came not to destroy the law, he referred to the ten commandments. For (2) When he referred to the sixth and seventh commandments he gave them the strongest possible sanction, affirming their morality or spirituality. And (3) When he referred to the other laws he reversed them in every instance. Has your examination of this subject been so superficial that you did not notice this important fact? If it has, then you are but poorly qualified to take the position of a teacher. But if not, if you have studied the chapter, as you profess to have done, what are we to think of your assertions, which do so great violence to the Scripture? Have you, indeed, spoken contrary to your knowledge? Now I will notice the passages, to verify my statement in regard to the difference of the laws to which the Saviour referred. Verses 21, 22: "Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment. But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment." Instead of reversing the precept, he says that causeless anger, the first step toward murder, brings the condemnation which they thought should only follow the taking of life. Verses 27, 28: "Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery. But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart." Here, again, instead of reversing the commandment, he shows that it reaches to the thoughts and intents of the heart. Surely he came not to destroy the law of which these precepts are a part. Compare with these his other sayings. Verses 31, 32: "It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement. But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery." Here he disallowed the action which before was permitted. Verses 33, 34: "Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths. But I say unto you, Swear not at all." Exactly the same as in the other case. Verses 38, 39: "Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth. But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil." An exact reversal of the old saying. Verses 43, 44: "Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies." Now, sir, can you say in your heart that the Saviour meant that he would not destroy the law of which these latter sayings are a part? And, to come directly to the point, do you not think you have handled the word of God deceitfully in saying that, with equal propriety it may be said that when he said he came not to destroy the law he referred to the things written exclusively in the book, because he referred to them also? I hardly know how to have the charity to believe that you were so ignorant of this chapter as not to know that he confirmed and strengthened one class of laws, and reversed the other. I cannot understand how any candid person can fail to see "two laws" in this chapter, and a strong confirmation (not, however, a re-enactment) of the law of ten commandments. Again, suppose he did destroy the law, as your argument teaches, what confidence can you have in him as a Saviour if he did the very thing he said he would not do? Or, if this savors too strongly of irreverence, as it truly is, I will state the query thus: Cannot you see that your argument is an effort to make it appear that the action of Christ contradicted his words? In my next I will pay particular attention to your argument on the change of the constitution, showing the tendency and logical result of the doctrine. This is relied upon with great confidence by all antinomians, but of all their pretended arguments, this is one of which they ought to be most ashamed. The Missionary.
By Stephen N. Haskell
THE WANTS OF THE CAUSE OF CHRIST.
THE cause of Christ has ever suffered for the lack of faithful and devoted men. It is not great men that are the strength of the cause of truth, but men of piety and experience, who live not for themselves, but for "him which died for them, and rose again." These men are the strength of the church, for they make God their strength and their dependence. It is not rich men that are demanded. Very few of these ever devote themselves wholly to the work of God. The poor widow with her great heart did more for the cause of God than all the rich men who cast their gifts into the treasury; and yet God does use rich men to advance his work. A few men whom God had intrusted with the riches of this earth have been called in every age, and they have given their hearts to God, and their means have been devoted to his service. Such men have come to the front in important crises; Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea furnish noble examples. It is not men of great minds, but men of great hearts, whom God is pleased to accept. Great talents and abundant wealth might be rendered of inestimable value in the cause of Christ, but for the most part Satan is able to enlist these in his service. The cause of Christ is not dependent upon the means and abilities which men possess. He who stands at the head of the work can use the feeblest instrumentalities, if they are consecrated to Him. His invitation is to all to become his servants, and he chooses out of a vast number the few who will submit to his requirements and love the cause of truth more than they love their own ways. He has no place for self-conceited, boastful men, nor is there any place to be filled by the self-righteous, unhumbled Pharisee. The Saviour has no use for those who are anxious to fight, but unable to suffer shame for his name. There are plenty of those who have zeal for their own self-aggrandizement, but they have no interest for Christ when required to humble themselves, and lack the disposition which would lead them to do it. When the fire has destroyed the dross and useless chaff and stubble, not one of these self-conceited men will remain. The cause of God needs soundly converted men; those who have put off the old man and have put on the new; who have counted well the cost, and laid aside every selfish interest. Self in them has died, and they die daily; or rather the self that is in them dies daily. To them the cause of God is dearer than life. Their study is not how they can obtain the first position among their brethren, but how they may become the most useful. These are the persons who walk with God. No matter how lowly the station, and how humble their gift, they are the pillars of the church. If all who connect themselves with the church were of this class, the work of God would make steady progress. It needs men who count not their lives dear unto themselves; who never strive for prominence save in that which makes no display. The church is never in trial with such men. Men of the world never stumble at their example. They let their light so shine that others are led to glorify their Father which is in Heaven. The cause of God needs men who, when disappointment comes, can say with the apostle Paul, "None of these things move me." The record of history shows that disappointment and trial have been the common lot of God's people. Moses, Elijah, John the Baptist, and all the apostles of Christ, are striking examples of this fact. God suffers disappointment to come to show what is in men's hearts. After the mighty work wrought by Elijah at Mount Carmel, he hoped for the reformation of Ahab's court, but instead of this he was obliged to flee for his life. John the Baptist experienced this, when, at the close of his ministry, he was thrown into prison. The disciples felt the bitterness of disappointment when they saw their Master crucified, whom but a short time before they had escorted in his triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Disappointment has always seemed to act a part in the development of character among God's people. The work of God demands faithfulness, zeal, self-sacrifice, humility, and every Christian grace, in the hearts of those who are recognized as laborers. With such a corps of laborers, the Lord can go before his people to battle. It is not numbers that gives strength to the cause of Christ, but it is those who have learned to trust him. Men who can change their faith as men would change their coats, are not the men for these times. Men who desire popularity and who stand foremost in the things which advance self, are not the men whom God will choose to carry forward the Third Angel's Message in the crisis which is before us; but men who would give themselves and all they possess rather than see the cause of God languish. "And the Lord said unto Gideon, The people that are with thee are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me." Gideon was instructed to proclaim in the ears of the people, that whosoever was fearful and afraid might return from Mount Gilead. Upon this two-thirds of the people returned, leaving only ten thousand. Then "the Lord said unto Gideon, The people are yet too many; bring them down unto the water, and I will try them for thee there." Those who had so much of the burden of the work that in drinking they kept their eye on the enemy, dipping up the water in their hands and lapping it with the tongue, were set apart by themselves. Those who bowed down on their knees to drink, momentarily losing sight of the enemy, studying their own convenience, were rejected. Only three hundred men were found who really had the burden of the work in their hearts, and this little company God chose to work deliverance for Israel.186In the day of Judgment every person will be weighed in the balances, and those who do not possess the love of Christ, and the love of God's cause, and the love of an unpopular truth, more than everything else, will be found wanting. Why should we deceive our own hearts with an empty profession? The cause of God will prosper everywhere when men who are true are made manifest. The people of God will be as terrible as an army with banners, and they will go forward, conquering and to conquer. Shall we not then go about the work of examining our own hearts, and testing ourselves in all our failings, to see if these principles of the love of Christ actuate us at every move? The hours of probation are swiftly passing. The Judgment hastens with fearful rapidity. What is our record in the books of Heaven? Where is our zeal for perishing souls? Where are the acts of self-denial and cross-bearing to save our fellow-men? How many are bearing fruits to God? How many, like the fig-tree, are barren of fruit? Can we meet the Master so? How many of us in our own consciences can say we are doing the will of God with earnest and persevering effort? How many love the cause of Christ above everything they possess? The day is hastening greatly that is to reveal us just as we are, and may God help us to prepare to meet it.
S. N. H. It is probable that this part of the Lord's prayer is the least understood of any. The sentence, "thy will be done," is thought by most people to be applicable only in cases of sickness or other trial, to indicate that the sufferer is willing to endure patiently. But this is but a very limited view of the expression. As a matter of fact there is no more comprehensive sentence in the Bible, or that can be uttered by man, than the simple words, "thy will be done." It all depends on what the will of the Lord is, which point we must investigate. THE second chapter of Romans has reference especially to the Jews, to show that they, as well as the Gentiles, are sinners, and in verses 17, 18 the apostle speaks to them directly, in these words: "Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God, and knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent [margin: triest the things that differ], being instructed out of the law." How does Paul say the Jew knew the will of God? Because he was instructed out of the law. The obvious conclusion, then, is that the will of God may be known only by a study of the law, which makes necessary the further conclusion that the law of God is his will. THIS conclusion is verified most plainly by the words which the psalmist utters prophetically in behalf of Christ. In Ps. 40:7, 8, we read: "Then said I, Lo, I come; in the volume of the book it is written of me, I delight to do thy will, O my God; yea, thy law is within my heart." It is first stated that Christ delighted to do the will of the Father; and then to make this statement emphatic, it is added, "Yea, thy law is within my heart." Out of the heart are the issues of life (Prov. 4:23); as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he (Prov. 23:7); that is, a man's actions correspond to that which is in his heart; he does just what is in his heart. Therefore if the law of God being in a man's heart, leads him to delight to do the will of God, it follows that the law of God is the will of God. IN Rev. 22:14 we read that they who keep the commandments shall have right to the tree of life, and enter in through the gates into the city; and in Matt. 7:21 we read that only those who do the will of God, shall enter into the kingdom of Heaven. Here again we see the identity of the will of God and the commandments. If there is any doubt in anyone's mind as to what law it is that is the will of God, it may be settled by reading Rom. 2:21, 22 in connection with verses 17-20, the first two of which have been quoted. The ten commandments are the will of God. THEREFORE when we pray, "Thy will be done," we in reality pray that the commandments of God may be kept by us and by all others who dwell on the earth. We pray that they may be kept even as they are kept in Heaven, where the angels "do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word." Ps. 103:20. It follows, therefore, that whoever utters the Lord's prayer or a prayer modeled after it, and does not in his heart "consent unto the law that is good," and honestly desire to conform to all its requirements, is guilty of mockery before God. Such an one cannot hope to have his petition regarded; and so we may understand the words of the psalmist: "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me" (Ps. 66:18); and of Solomon: "He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination." Prov. 28:9. WHEN will this petition be granted? When shall the will of God be done in earth as it is now done in Heaven? The preceding clause, upon which we commented in our last article, answers this question. It is when the kingdom of God is established upon the earth; for in the new heavens and the new earth, righteousness alone shall dwell. 2 Peter 3:13. "Thy people also shall be all righteous; they shall inherit the land forever." Isa. 60:21. The law of God, his holy will, is righteousness (Ps. 119:172), and the keeping of it constitutes the righteousness of God's people. Deut. 6:25. The Lord's prayer, therefore, teaches us to long for the coming and kingdom of our Lord, when the law of God shall be in the hearts of all men, even as it was in the heart of the Son of God when he was on earth. But the coming of the Lord, and the establishment of his kingdom, will not bring about this state of things. When Christ comes, the only change which is wrought in men is the change from mortality to immortality. He does not change men's characters from sinfulness to righteousness, for just before he comes the decree goes forth: "He that is unjust, let him be unjust still; and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still; and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still; and he that is holy, let him be holy still." Rev. 22:11. Men will be ushered into eternity with just the same characters that they have when probation closes. Those who inhabit the new earth will all be righteous, simply because the transgressors will have been rooted out of it (Prov. 2:22), and the perfect will be permitted to remain in it. They will be permitted to remain in it, just because they are perfect in the midst of unrighteousness, even as Noah was. THIS being the case, it follows that to utter the Lord's prayer with honesty of heart, is to pray that God will work in us that which is good; it indicates a willingness to submit ourselves in all things to the will of God, that we may become like him. Certainly no one who knows what the will of God is, and who knows how it will come to pass that the will of God shall be done on earth as it is in Heaven, could utter that prayer and not really desire to have that law written in his heart. ALTHOUGH God's ways are as much higher than our ways as the heavens are higher than the earth, we have the assurance that every petition offered in humility and sincerity will be answered, and so we may attain to this high187standard. They that hunger and thirst after righteousness shall be filled. "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." 2 Cor. 5:21. SPRING BROOK, WASHINGTON TERRITORY.
By A. Benson
THE success of the truth in this community during the past four weeks, shows that there are those among the hills and valleys of the Puget Sound country, as well as in the cities, who can be moved by the word and Spirit of God; and that, while there are many who may refuse to investigate or heed the claims of God's holy word, its prophetic truths, obligations, and promises, still there are some who, like the Bereans of old, referred to by Luke in Acts 17:11, may be classed as noble because they receive the word readily, and search the Scriptures daily to see if these things are true. One hundred and four Bible-readings have been given among eleven families during the past four weeks by the writer, and as a result thirteen adult persons (all but one heads of families) have signed the covenant to keep God's commandments and the faith of Jesus. Some others are nearly decided. These, with one other family of three persons, make sixteen. Last Sabbath after a discourse from Rev. 18:1-4, a Sabbath-school was organized. Between twenty and thirty were present, and all took an active interest. A club of Instructors and a dozen song books were ordered. Thirteen subscriptions for our different publication were also obtained. Brother Wm. Potter, of the Seattle mission, expects to follow up the work. May the Lord hear the prayers of all who are interested in the work of God. NORTH PACIFIC T. AND M. SOCIETY.
By J. A. Burden
REPORT FOR QUARTER ENDING JAN. 1, 1887. No. of members, 234
“ “ dismissed, 1
“ “ added, 11
“ reports returned, 139
“ missionary visits, 816
“ letters written, 315
“ “ received, 69
“ Bible-readings held, 192
“ periodicals distributed, 1,357
“ Signs taken in clubs, 202
“ other periodicals taken in clubs, 375
“ pages loaned and given away, 64,398
“ “ sold, 45,042
Cash received on T. and M. Fund, $454.20
“ “ Foreign Missions, 829.38
“ “ $2,000 Fund, 496.50
“ “ $5,000 Fund, 44.80
“ “ Educational Fund, 26.07
Total receipts, $1,850.95
J. A. BURDEN, Secretary.
East Portland, Oregon. ARTONDALE, WASHINGTON TERRITORY.
By Isaac Morrison
THIS winter I have been holding meetings in school-houses, and Bible-readings in private families. Where I labored in Whatcom County, seven persons have taken their stand to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. In this neighborhood there are ten persons who have lately commenced to keep the commandments.