Signs of the Times, Vol. 17, No. 19. (5/11/1891)

Signs of the Times

May 11, 1891

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · May 11, 1891

The Australian Commonwealth

The trend of government seems to be toward republicanism. One of the most notable events of last year was the revolution in Brazil, by which an empire became a republic. It looked at one time as though Portugal and Spain would follow, but their time of action, which will certainly come, was postponed. The most notable event of the present year is the formation of the great south sea federation of States,—"The Australian Commonwealth." An English paper remarks: "The name chosen is significant and shows that the new constitution is on the American rather than on the Canadian model." The colonies are to be called States. The law-making power is vested in a Congress, or Parliament, consisting of a Senate and a House of Representatives. The executive is the queen, or her representative, the governor-general. The Senate consists of eight members from each State, chosen by the Parliaments of State, for six years, half retiring every three years. The president of the Senate is chosen by that body. The members of the House of Representatives are elected every three years, on the basis of population, as in this country, but no State shall have less than four. The government is very near to the government of the United States. A British journal remarks: "This constitution makes the colonies a democratic federation, and is sweeping in the internal changes which will follow." It differs from the federal government of America in that it controls the telegraphic service and regulates marriage and divorce.

SANCTIFICATION.

By M. C. W.

THERE are perhaps few subjects upon which there are more erroneous ideas than that of sanctification. With some it is special grace, like that of faith, or meekness, or love, or mercy. With some it denotes a certain point, or place, or plane, in the Christian life that the earnest Christian sooner or later attains to, and which he must seek for and believe for as he did for justification. With this class sanctification means a wholly instantaneous work. With others it is wholly a progressive work, reaching entirely through Christian experience. What is the teaching of the word of God? We will not take space to treat the subject exhaustively, but will suggest a few thoughts which we believe will help our readers to the understanding of this subject, and which will encourage them in the Christian life.

What does the term sanctification mean? The noun "sanctification" comes from the verb "sanctify." This word, according to Worcester's theological definition, means "to free from the power of sin; to cleanse from corruption; to make holy." And this is a definition which is commonly received, and which has misled many. But the definition nearer correct is the following: "To ordain or set apart to sacred ends; to consecrate; to hallow." And to illustrate this use of the word, Mr. Worcester quotes Gen. 2:3. The definitions of the original Hebrew and Greek words translated "sanctify," according to Young, are "to separate, set apart." "To separate from that which is common," says another authority. The idea is to separate from former associations and to set apart to a special use. In a religious sense, therefore, sanctification means separation from sin and the world, and setting apart to God, to be wholly his. A recognition of the meaning of the word will help materially to an understanding of the subject.

Sanctification also has, as has every other relation between God and man, its human side and divine side. And these two phases must also be considered, in order to a proper understanding of the matter. What are they?

1. The human side. Of course, so far as making himself holy is concerned, man can do nothing. He is utterly helpless, "without strength." Rom. 5:6. He can do one thing only, choose God's will. He can yield himself to God. So far as his will is concerned, he can "separate" himself from the sin, from the world and its evil associations, from everything that is contrary to the will of God, and he can set himself apart, give, sanctify himself to God and his cause, to be wholly the Lord's. He does this in will and purpose. He wills to do God's will. See Revised Version, John 7:17. He needs not years to do this work. It may be done at once. In fact, when it is done at all, it is the work of a moment. Sanctification, therefore, so far as the human side is concerned, is an instantaneous work. The individual renounces all for Christ, as our Lord said: "So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple." Luke 14:33. For "forsaketh" the Revised Version reads "renounceth." See also verses 26, 27 and Matt. 10:37.

This phase of sanctification involves the deliberate choice of God's way and complete surrender of self to the divine will, to do or to die, to labor or to suffer, just as pleases God. That God helps the individual in this complete submission is true, but that we need not now discuss. Suffice to say, the choice as to whether he will or will not surrender to God lies with man. God will not compel the choice; it must be voluntary. Life and death are set before the soul, but the choice rests with him. Deut. 30:19. And he who chooses God's will, who surrenders himself as an instrument of God, is a sanctified man. 1 Cor. 6:11. He has separated himself so far as in

his power from the world and sin. He is set apart unto God. He is yet imperfect in character, he lacks wisdom in working, he makes mistakes, he may fail through the infirmities of the flesh, but he is, nevertheless, a sanctified man, or, as expressed in the Scriptures, a saint. He is holy unto the Lord, a child of God.

2. The divine side of sanctification is a progressive work. When the individual by faith surrenders to God, his sins are forgiven—he is justified, washed—a new heart is given him, a new spirit—the Spirit of Christ—is put within him, and the work of progression, sanctification, or character building begins. The instantaneous sanctification is ever so, a living sacrifice bound by the cords of love to the altar of God; the progressive is ever progressive till the probation of the individual ends, and both are of God; for it was the Spirit of God that persuaded man to choose. Man yields his members as instruments of righteousness unto God, and God develops in man a continually-growing character of righteousness and strength. God brings the members in harmony with the will of the man. The Spirit of God moulds every power and faculty of the body, which the will of man yields, into harmony with the divine will.

This sanctification is said to be by the Spirit. 2 Thess. 2:13. But the instrument which the Spirit uses for this purpose is the word, or truth, of God. Eph. 5:26; John 17:17; Eph. 6:17. Defects of character are revealed by a study of the word of God; but that same word presents the remedy in the blood of Christ. The defect is supplemented by the truth which is received into the heart. The spiritual man feeds on the word of God (1 Peter 2:2), and is built up thereby (Acts 20:32). And so the child and saint of God goes forward, perfect in will, in purpose, in love for God, but growing in grace, in a knowledge of the truth, and the Incarnate Truth, reflecting more and more, as the days go by, the excellencies and virtues of Christ the Lord.

This view of sanctification is, we believe, in harmony with the word of God. And every soul who has yielded himself to God, who loves God, who trusts the word of God, who relies wholly on the power of God, to whom he is set apart, may rejoice in the fact that he is a saint of God, sanctified to the Master's use and to the eternal reward; and, realizing this, he will also be more watchful to walk worthy of the vocation wherewith he is called.

How Are You Working?

The good works of Christians have not life for their object, but for their cause. The life which they live comes by faith in God through Christ, and therefore it is not man but God who works in them "both to will and to do of his own good-pleasure." How are you working?

True Obedience

THERE is but one way in which it is possible to do God's will, and that is by submitting our will to his. We cannot do God's will in our way. It is impossible to obey God in a spirit of rebellion. A man might rest the seventh day out of spite, but it would not be obedience to the command, "Remember the Sabbath-day to keep it holy." True obedience relates to motive as well as to act.

Population and the Bread of Life

The rapid increase of the population is generally regarded as a matter of pride, but it has also a very serious aspect. It is one of the things which cause "distress of nations, with perplexity," predicted by the Prophet of Nazareth, in Luke 21:25. Great Britain is just finishing her census. In 1801 the population of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland numbered 11,000,000; in 1881 it had increased to 35,250,000, and in 1891 it is estimated to reach something over 40,000,000. India in 1881 numbered 255,000,000; now it numbers 285,000,000, having increased in ten years what is equal to one-half the population of the United States. How is this vast, constantly-augmenting mass to be supported in the near future? How are they to be given the "bread of life"?

THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE MYSTERY OF INIQUITY.

By Ellet Joseph Waggoner

(Concluded.)

THERE is, however, another feature that must not be overlooked. We have frequently shown that such a union would be an exact image of the Papacy, that was formed in the early centuries. We have copies of this little book, "Easy Lessons in Christian Doctrine," and we find, what was to be expected, that it is essentially Roman Catholic. It must have been written by a Roman Catholic; and the fact that it is so heartily indorsed by professed Protestants is a striking comment on the extent to which Catholic dogmas have already permeated the entire church. The reader is well aware that while professed Protestants pride themselves on their "liberality," Catholics never give countenance to anything that is not distinctively Catholic. But a few extracts from the book will show the nature of the teaching which will remove the barriers and reunite "the separated fragments of the church universal." In this connection let it be remembered that Catholic writers very commonly speak of Protestants as their "separated brethren." The Catholic Church is the body; the Protestant denominations are the "separated fragments." We have space to notice only a few features of the book. On page 15 we find the doctrine of purgatory thus set forth:—

"Question—Where did Christ's soul go after his death? "Answer—It descended into hell. "Q.—Did Christ's soul descend into the hell of the damned? "A.—The hell into which Christ's soul descended was not the hell of the damned but a place or state of rest. "Q.—Who were in this place of rest? "A.—The souls of the just, who died before Christ. "Q.—Why did Christ descend into this place? "A.—To announce to those spirits that were in prison the joyful tidings of their redemption. "Q.—When did the souls of the just who died before Christ go to heaven? "A.—When Christ ascended into heaven. "Q.—Where was Christ's body while his soul was in limbo, or the place of rest? "A.—In the sepulcher, or grave. "Q.—On what day did Christ rise from the dead? "A.—Christ rose from the dead, in body and soul glorious and immortal, on Easter Sunday, the third day after he was crucified."

On page 23 we find the following concerning witchcraft:—

"Q.—What is witchcraft? "A.—Witchcraft is to try, with the help of the devil, to injure others in their person or property."

From this it appears that only that which is an attempt to injure somebody's person or property can be considered witchcraft. Dealings with the devil that seem to have a good object are legitimate, according to this standard of faith.

Mariolatry, or the exaltation of Mary to the place of Christ, is thus taught, on page 38:—

"Q.—How was a Redeemer promised? "A.—To show how hateful sin was to him God cursed the serpent which had deceived Eve, condemning him to crawl upon the ground and to eat the dust; besides, he said enmity should exist between the serpent and the woman, but in the end the woman would crush his head."

On page 7 we find all necessity for the Bible thus summarily disposed of:—

"Q.—How can we know God on earth? "A.—By learning the truths which he has taught. "Q.—Where shall we find the chief truths which God has taught? "A.—We shall find the chief truths which God has taught, in the Apostles' Creed."

And then follows the Apostles' Creed, which was devised by the Catholic Church in the third or fourth century.

This is sufficient to show the distinctively Catholic nature of the teaching of these "Easy Lessons in Christian Doctrine," which are recommended to all sects. But one point more remains to be shown, and that is the essentially immoral tendency of the teachings, a thing that is inevitable in any doctrinal teaching that sets aside the Bible in its purity. On pages 12 and 13 we find the following deliverance concerning sin:—

"Q.—What is actual sin? "A.—Actual sin is any willful thought, word, deed, or omission, contrary to the will of God. "Q.—Are all actual sins equally great? "A.—No; all sins are not equally great; there are grievous offenses against the laws of God, and there are also small offenses against the law of God. "Q.—What are the effects of grievous offenses against the law of God? "A.—Grievous offenses against the law of God kill the soul, by depriving it of the true spiritual life of grace, and make it liable to eternal punishment in hell. "Q.—What are the effects of small offenses against the law of God? "A.—Small offenses against the law of God do not rob the soul of the true spiritual life of grace; but they hurt the soul by lessening its love for God and by disposing to great sins. "Q.—Is it a great misfortune to fall into grievous sin? "A.—It is the greatest of all misfortunes."

This ends the chapter on sin, leaving it to be inferred that it is not a "misfortune" to fall into a "small offense," as indeed it cannot be if such an offense does not rob the soul of the true spiritual life of grace. Notice, also, that to fall into "a grievous offense" is only a misfortune, and that each individual is left to decide for himself what are grievous offenses and what are small offenses. Of course everyone will draw the line at the farthest possible limit. And here, again, we see the necessity for a church council or an infallible pope to which all such questions may be referred. But the above confirms our statement that the tendency of the teaching of these "Easy Lessons" is toward immorality, and this is corroborated by the following, on pages 30 and 31:—

"Q.—Are impure thoughts and desires always sinful? "A.—They are not sinful if they displease us, and we try to drive them from our mind as soon as possible."

So, according to this, all that one has to do is to try to drive the impure thoughts from his mind, and when he finds that he cannot, he can entertain them with the comfortable feeling that he is not committing sin.

But this is surely enough. Further comment is unnecessary. No one who reads this can fail to see that the image of the Papacy is rapidly forming in this country, and that a union of Church and State must necessarily be the legalizing of sin or the full development of the mystery of iniquity. And let it not be forgotten that all this arises from neglect of the simplicity of the Bible. Whoever would keep clear from papal delusions, let him cleave to the inspired word, not as set forth in catechisms, by authority, or interpreted by popes or councils, or any third party, but solely as taught by the Spirit of truth. E. J. W.

The Nunnery of the Buried Alive

THE Roman Catholic press has been making an uproar about an alleged assault made by the Italian police upon some of the religious houses of their sect in Naples. It seems that the Italian Minister of Justice ordered the police to visit "The Nunnery of the Buried Alive," in Naples. Because of the strenuous opposition of the doorkeeper, the police were compelled to enter by the windows. Sixteen nuns were found within in a state bordering upon insanity. They were covered with rags, and their surroundings were of the most filthy description. Many had forgotten how to speak, and the demeanor of all of them was more that of animals than human beings.—Cynosure.

PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING COMPANY.

By Editor

THIS association held its thirteenth annual session in Oakland, April 27. There was quite a goodly company of the stockholders present, and the meeting on the whole was a very interesting and encouraging one. We will not attempt to give a report of the meeting in our limited space. A few items will suffice to show something of the work done the last year. The earnings of the printing and bindery department of the main office in Oakland was $96,857; of the book and stationery department, $63,913. The profits on the former amounted to $12,362, and on the latter to $7,920. The sales in the New York branch office amounted to $67,743, and profits to $3,552. The sales of the London branch aggregated $20,483, and the profits, $560.95. This appears on the balance sheet as a loss of $222. The mistake which was made in the inventory was not discovered till too late for the balance sheet. The showing for the branch offices, on both of which a loss might be reasonably expected, is indeed remarkable, considering the short time they have been in existence and their many competitors.

The outlook for the future of the institution is most encouraging. Resolutions were passed relating to our periodicals, touching the work they had done in the past, and expressing a desire to our friends to help forward them in the future. The Little Friend shows a small profit for its first year. The Bible Students' and Sentinel Libraries ought to have a far greater circulation. The Young People's Library has met with a flattering reception. Some of the testimonials from leading papers may be found on another page. Among other resolutions passed were the following, which will be of special interest to our friends.

Resolved, That we recognize the goodness of God in the prosperity that has attended our work in the last year, and especially in connection with our branch offices in London and New York, and that we express our gratitude and appreciation for the confidence and liberal support of our people.

WHEREAS, The heavy drafts made on the Pacific Press Publishing Company from time to time, and especially during the last year, the fact that this office is considered the financial center of our work on this coast, and that there are quite large sums tied up in editions of our subscription books, seem to demand that the association shall have a larger amount of means at its disposal; therefore,

Resolved, That a fund of not less than $60,000 be raised as soon as possible, for a working capital, in one of the following ways, preferable according to their order:—

In stock in the association.
In deposits without interest.
In sums at a low rate of interest.

Resolved, That we request Elder S. N. Haskell to act as special financial agent during some months of the present year, and that we also request our ministering brethren and friends of the Pacific Press on this coast to render us what assistance they consistently can in this respect.

WHEREAS, The success of the subscription book business in Great Britain and in the British Colonies, which are in easy communication with the mother country, call for additional outlay in publications in our London branch office, in order that the work may not be hindered by delay in supplying our faithful canvassers, and that our credit in that new field may not be impaired; therefore,

Resolved, That we recommend that a fund of at least $10,000 be placed at the disposal of the London branch, as soon as possible, for a working capital.

WHEREAS, The managers of the Review and Herald have expressed a willingness to allow the Pacific Press to control the territory contained in General Conference district No. 5 whenever it became necessary to establish depositories in districts Nos. 4 and 5; and,

WHEREAS, The canvassers in district No. 5 are calling for a depository in that district; therefore,

Resolved, That we signify to the Review and Herald board the willingness of the Pacific Press to take charge of district No. 5 and establish a depository therein from which to supply the canvassers with subscription books as soon as the Review and Herald is ready to consummate the arrangement already agreed upon.

The board of directors for the coming year is as follows: C. H. Jones, Wm. Saunders, Dan. T. Jones, S. C. Stickney, E. A. Chapman, Geo. Martin, and Wm. Butcher. The following evening the board was organized by electing C. H. Jones president, Wm. Saunders vice-president, S. C. Stickney secretary, E. A. Chapman treasurer, and L. A. Phippeny auditor.

This institution is worthy of the hearty support and confidence of our people. The amount of good done in the dissemination of light and truth from its presses cannot be estimated in human notation; the figures of eternity alone will reveal it. Our people on the coast should be free to place their money therein. Some have drawn from it, and lost all. Many have deposited their means here, but not one ever lost a penny. Such was the general talk at the meeting, and such are the facts, and quite a number of additional shares were taken by the stockholders. Others subscribed for the first time. The meeting was encouraging and unanimity and harmony prevailed.

At a meeting of the board of trustees, April 27, 1891, the following were chosen to act for the coming year:—

Manager of the New York branch office, T. A. Kilgore; manager of the London branch office, J. I. Gibson. Editor of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, M. C. Wilcox; special contributors, E. J. Waggoner, S. N. Haskell, W. N. Glenn. Editor of the American Sentinel, A. T. Jones; associate editors, C. P. Bollman, W. H. McKee. Editorial committees: Of the Little Friend, W. N. Glenn, F. M. Wilcox, Vesta J. Olsen; of the Bible Students' Library, M. C. Wilcox, E. J. Waggoner, W. N. Glenn, J. H. Durland; of the Sentinel Library, W. N. Glenn, M. C. Wilcox, A. T. Jones; of the Young People's Library, M. C. Wilcox, W. N. Glenn, J. H. Durland, C. C. Lewis, R. S. Owen.

THE SABBATH LAW.

By Editor

FROM a correspondent, writing from Medicine Lodge, Kansas, we have received the following communication, which we print, not because of its value, but because it is a sample of many others which we receive:—

A QUESTION ABOUT THE SABBATH.

M. W. C., in his article in No. 12, volume 17, of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, refers to Ex. 20:10 to prove the "origin of the Sabbath," which reads as follows:—

"But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God; in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates."

And [in] Ex. 26:29 I find the following added: "Let no man go out of his place on the Sabbath-day."

But they were to "abide every man in his place" on that day. Keep in your own doors. The question I want answered is this: When was that part of the law abolished which prevented a woman from picking up sticks on the Sabbath and from making a fire on that day; that prevented a man from working his ox, his ass, his horse, or of traveling more than a Sabbath-day's journey on that day, which was three-fourths of a mile?

I say, When abolished? for I see that none of the Sabbatarians, so far as I know, keep it as Moses commanded it. Or must a person still be stoned to death for doing any of the forbidden things on the Sabbath. Please give time, place, and the words in which it was abolished, and much oblige a truth-seeker.

1. "Truth-seeker" has evidently read the article referred to, as well as the Bible, very carelessly. Ex. 20:10 was not cited as proving the "origin of the Sabbath," but as proving that the Sabbath is the Lord's day. And that text, with the others used, most conclusively proves this.

2. The words which our querist quotes as being found in Ex. 26:29 are found in Ex. 16:29, and were given some time before Israel came to Sinai. They, therefore, were not "added" to the law. They were simply a part of the specific instruction which God gave to Israel, governing them while they were in the wilderness and provided for by the miraculous supply of the manna. Moses, in speaking of the ten commandments, expressly says that God "added no more." Deut. 5:22.

3. There is nothing said in the Sabbath law about a woman picking up sticks or a man working his ox. The law does not discriminate between the sexes. The incident which our friend refers to is evidently the incident recorded in Num. 15:32-36. This man was stoned to death because he committed a presumptuous sin. That this was a special case is shown by the fact that the man was put "in ward, because it was not declared what should be done with him" (verse 34); and his penalty was determined by a special sentence from the Lord. The deed was not one of necessity; it was an act of daring, presumptuous sin. In fact, the Lord uses this man and his sin to illustrate what is meant by "doing aught presumptuously." See verses 30, 31. But neither this nor Ex. 16:29 was any part of the Sabbath law.

4. The prohibition against the labor of the ox, etc., is obligatory to-day, modified by the term, "Six days shalt thou labor and do all thy work." It is lawful to do work for God on the Sabbath. The priests did double work in the temple on that day. Num. 28:9, 10. Works of necessity, mercy, and charity were works allowed of God, neither were they forbidden by the Sabbath law. Jesus, who gave that law, declared that it was "lawful [that is, according to law] to do well on the Sabbath-days." Matt. 12:12. The local injunctions and prohibitions of the Old Testament related to the wilderness, to Palestine, and to Israel as a nation. Some of them were local in their nature, and applied only to the theocracy. When that theocracy expired, the laws expired by limitation. The law of the priesthood and the laws regulating sacrifices and offerings, and the laws of a civil character governing the Jewish people, all fall in this category. They were not, strictly speaking, abolished. They were given for a certain time, and that time had expired. Shadow reached substance, and the shadow ended. The type reached the antitype. The good reached the better. See Heb. 7:12; 9:9-12. But the moral law of God, the decalogue, stands unchanged in jot or tittle. Matt. 5:17-19; Luke 16:17. The Sabbath is a part of that law, and according to that law man may "do well," may work for God, on that Sabbath-day. There is no law in the Scriptures saying what a Sabbath-day's journey is.

5. Moses was only the servant of God. The law of the Sabbath was not Moses' law, neither were the other laws. Some of them were called the law of Moses because given through Moses, but all were laws of God. The true Sabbatarian Christian keeps the Sabbath, as he does all the law, from love of Christ. The spirit of the law is in harmony with the Spirit of the Giver, our Lord Jesus Christ; and he who has the Spirit of Christ will keep the commandments of God and count them not grievous. 1 John 5:3. M. C. W.

THE IMPOTENCY OF SUNDAY LAWS.

By Editor

THE Pacific Coast Secretary of the American Sabbath Union is endeavoring to inspire the friends of Sunday legislation with new courage. He says:

“Our committee send words of greeting to all. Take courage. It took three years of hard work to carry the Sunday law in Louisiana, more than that to secure Sunday reform in Boston. The victory is to those who endure to the end. Let us be strong and brave and wise and prayerful, and we shall succeed.”

The Sabbath Union men have been boasting over the Louisiana Sunday-law success all through their California campaign. This being the case, it would be well for Californians to ask, How much has Louisiana been benefited by the law, morally,

or in any other sense? Is there anything to show that New Orleans, for instance, has any higher moral record than it had previous to the enactment of the Sunday law four years ago? The condition of affairs which culminated in the late tragedy is a sufficient answer to the question. But we will take another city as an example of how such laws are looked upon in that State, and what effect they have. The Lake Charles American, a friend of the law, says:—

“We have called attention to this matter before. If we mistake not, less than two years ago a large number of witnesses were brought before the grand jury to ascertain, if possible, if there was any violation of the Sunday law, and the grand jury failed, on the evidence furnished, to find a single true bill. At the same time, and ever since then, we have had good reason to believe that the law is violated every Sunday.”

And to show that it is no difficult matter to establish a violation on the part of saloon keepers, the following information is given:—

“The law, however, is plain enough on its face to satisfy any man as to what is necessary to prove in order to sustain a true bill. You do not have to establish the fact as to whether the saloon keeper or anyone else sells liquors on Sunday. It is altogether unnecessary. The fact, and the only fact necessary, is for them to ascertain if the saloon door, either back or front, has been opened between 12 o’clock on Saturday night and 12 o’clock on Sunday night.”

Where both the grand juries and the people at large are so careless about the enforcement of the law, it is quite evident that they do not deem it a very potent measure for moral advancement.

SIN THE CAUSE OF SORROW.

By W. N. G.

INTERNATIONAL LESSON NOTES.

(Hosea 10:1-15; May 17, 1891.)

THE name Hosea means salvation. According to common chronology, Hosea prophesied about sixty-five years, and was contemporary with Jonah, Amos, Isaiah, and Micah. His time was one of extreme wickedness on the part of Israel. It was toward the end of Israel's career as a kingdom. Of the last six kings four of them fell by conspiracy, and another with the final fall of his kingdom; and not one of them bears any other record than that of doing evil in the sight of the Lord.

"ISRAEL is an empty vine, he bringeth forth fruit unto himself." This would indicate that Israel was something like the barren fig tree, all his force was poured forth in empty show of branches and leaves—there was no fruit for God. All his vitality was spent upon himself, and thus he "increased the altars" and "made goodly images." Keil says: "The Jehovah, worshiped under the symbol of an ox, was no longer essentially different from the Baals of the heathen, by whom Israel was surrounded; and the difference was merely a formal one, consisting simply in a peculiar mode of worship."

"THEIR heart is divided; now shall they be found faulty." A merely nominal or half-way service is always an abomination unto the Lord. It is no more recognized by him than the worship of the heathen. In Israel's case the Lord favored the heathen more than his own chosen people, for he gave the apostatized Israelites into the hands of the heathen for chastisement. Here is illustrated the teaching of the Scriptures elsewhere that God will not accept a divided heart. "No man can serve two masters; . . . ye cannot serve God and mammon." Matt. 6:24.

"THEY have spoken words, swearing falsely in making a covenant." Here is reference to their covenant with God, which, having been broken on their part, their declarations of allegiance became false words. The fact of Israel's making covenants with other nations, as Assyria and Egypt (see chap. 12:1), would also convict them of swearing falsely in making covenants. They had promised to do all that the Lord should command them, and he had given express command that they should make no covenants with the nations around them. And this principle was not done away when the old covenant ended; it is as firmly ingrafted into the new: "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers." 2 Cor. 6:14. "Know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God." James 4:4. "If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him." 1 John 2:15.

"THE calves of Bethaven" (house of vanity) and Aven (verse 8) are degraded names of Bethel, which means the house of God. At Bethel was the principal place of calf-worship; here Jeroboam I had set up a golden calf. This golden idol would be carried to Assyria, with all the treasures of the place, all of which were no doubt of great monetary value. Thus would Ephraim "receive shame." (Ephraim, being the principal division of the northern kingdom, and containing the capital, is sometimes taken for the whole.) "And Israel shall be ashamed of his own counsel." Having trusted in the idols of Bethel, and taken counsel of her priests, it would be a source of great humiliation to see the object of their trust carried away by their enemies as a trophy of war.

THE threatened desolation of the land should be so great, and judgment of the people so terrible, that they would "say to the mountains, Cover us; and to the hills, Fall on us." This is also typical of the judgment of the great day of the Lord. See Rev. 6:14-17. And this will be especially true of those who have had the greater opportunities under the gospel, and have professed to be doing the work of the Lord, yet have rejected his warning messages, supposing themselves to be all right because they have been reckoned as the people of God. "And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes." Luke 12:47.

NOTWITHSTANDING the great wickedness of Israel, and the fierce denunciation of judgment by the prophet, he still holds out a way of peace with God: "Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, till he come and rain righteousness upon you." Fallow ground is that which has lain for a long time uncultivated. Before it can be made to produce grain again it must be broken up, and there must be sowing done before fruit can be reaped. This was the design of the prophet's testimony to the people. They should repent, make humble confession of sin, put away evil, and turn to the Lord with all their heart. This would be breaking the fallow ground that had so long lain in wickedness, producing only the thorns and thistles of sin. This would be sowing righteousness, with a guarantee of reaping in mercy.

THIS preaching of Hosea is just as pertinent today as when first proclaimed. The professed children of God are as much allied to the world today as was Israel in the days of Hosea. The golden calves of the modern Bethavens, through the medium of which God is formally worshiped, are scarcely discernible from the Baals of the world. Verily, in the language of the prophet, expressed in this lesson, "it is time to seek the Lord, till he come and rain righteousness upon you." "The face of the Lord is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth." Ps. 34:16. But "the Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveeth such as be of a contrite spirit." Verse 18.

W. N. G.

News and Notes.

By Editor

FOR THE WEEK ENDING MAY 3.

SECULAR.

NEW HAMPSHIRE had a severe earthquake May 1.

TEN acres of orange land sold in Riverside, Cal., April 28, for $25,000, or $2,500 per acre.

THE Spanish Minister of Finance announces a deficit in the government finances for the year of nearly $3,800,000.

Two little boys in Brooklyn, N. Y., stole a five-gallon keg of whisky on the 24th ult., and drank so much that one died and the other probably will. It is but an instance of youthful depravity in our great cities.

PROFESSOR JOHN LE CONTE, M.D., LL.D., the distinguished scholar and scientist, ex-president of California State University, and professor of physics and senior instructor at the University, died at his home in Berkeley, April 29, of pneumonia, superinduced by la grippe. He was a descendant of the Huguenots on his father’s side, and from the Puritans on his mother’s side. His age was 72.

APRIL 25, 2,500 employes of the Michigan Car Company at Detroit struck, and in leaving demolished all the windows in the buildings with stones. They went to the works of the Steel Spring Company, and then, when the men refused to quit, broke the windows with stones. One man was seriously injured. The police dispersed the rioters. And this is a sample of many smaller disturbances of a similar nature in all parts of the world.

MILITARY disorders and breaches of discipline seem to be quite in order in these days. Twice within a year, we believe, English troops have risen against their officers for real or fancied grievances. And now a mob of United States soldiers at Walla Walla, Oregon, have lynched a man who slew one of their number, Miller by name. The slaying occurred April 22, the lynching April 24. And all this was done when, according to all reasonable supposition, justice would have been done. The war department has ordered an investigation.

APRIL 18 Rev. G. W. Bothwell, D.D., formerly of Oakland, now of Brooklyn, N. Y., drew the cork of a four-ounce bottle into his lung while laughing at the pranks of his child. All surgical skill possible has been put forth to extract the cork, but late advices indicate that he will not survive. It was first tried to reach the cork by an incision in the windpipe, but as this failed, an incision was made on the lung, one rib was taken out, but the cork was not found. Dr. Bothwell will be remembered as one who discussed the Sunday-law question with Elder A. T. Jones in Oakland. He died May 3, aged 41.

MAY 1, with its labor demonstrations, is in the past. Europe was in a fever of excitement and fear over the threats of socialistic and anarchistic leaders. But the only places which seem to have had much difficulty from mob violence were Lyons and Fourmies, France, and Rome, Italy. At Lyons the police were utterly powerless. In the United States there were many strikes for an eight-hour day. The following were among the principal ones noted: At Pittsburg, Pa., 5,000 miners struck, and 3,000 engaged in the building trades. A general strike has taken place among the bituminous coal miners throughout Pennsylvania. About 5,000 in the building trades in New York have quit work. Many smaller companies in other places have done the same. In many other cases the demand for an eight-hour day was yielded to by the employing companies.

THE Russians sailed a war ship under a mercantile flag, loaded with military workmen, through the Dardanelles April 13, which was detained by the Turkish authorities. The act of Russia was in direct violation of the restrictions placed upon her by the great powers at the close of the Crimean war. The Russian ambassador has notified the Sultan that Russia would henceforth be compelled to take independent measures to insure the unimpeded passage of her merchant vessels through the Dardanelles. To this the Sultan has replied that other powers also might feel called upon to take the matter into consideration. It has aroused considerable excitement in diplomatic circles. It will probably amount to no more than a protest, and Russia will gain a point. In spite of the recent threat of Russia, another Russian volunteer transport has been detained in the Bosphorus. The Turkish commandant threatened to fire if the vessel attempted to pass. Nelidoff sent a strong note to the Porte, in which he demands indemnity.

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