Review and Herald, Vol. 25, No. 24. (5/16/1865)

Review and Herald

May 16, 1865

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 16, 1865

Reasons Why Believers Should Study Prophecy.

By John Cox

[The following excellent remarks on prophecy will speak for themselves. All we have to say to the reader is, Peruse them carefully, meditate upon them, and let your interest in this delightful and important branch of the word of God be greatly quickened.—Ed.]

We might plead strongly for prophecy as part of the gracious revelation of God, and ask why it should be more neglected than any other portion of God's book? We might maintain that all who have a Bible should read it regularly through, as well as more frequently turn to favorite doctrinal and consolatory portions; but the arguments adduced on behalf of the study of prophecy shall refer to its own intrinsic claims. We shall consider, then,

1. The grandeur of the subject. Prophecy—what is it? To prophecy is to foretell events yet hidden in the womb of futurity. Prophecy discloses to us God's thoughts about the future—my future—man's future—the world's future. How many will listen to the conjectures of clever men; but when God delivers prophecies, how few diligently hearken! This is ungrateful and unwise; for, in revealing to us the future, God treats us with peculiar grace and confidence, and discloses to us what intimately concerns ourselves as well as his own glory. "We are prospective as well as retrospective creatures; and prophecy is the nourishment provided for part of our nature." The subject of divine prophecy is wonderful, whether we consider its Author, the instruments employed, the various methods of communicating it, or the lofty themes dwelt upon. Prophecy displays God's foreknowledge; and, in studying it, we are brought into communion with himself. Prophecy spans all time, and reaches forward to the ages of ages. It takes in a large portion of the world's history, and contains the most accurate records extant of the mightiest nations. It is a map of the journeyings of God's church; a description of all her enemies throughout all ages. It clearly reveals the triumph of God's people, and the destruction of his foes.

2. The glory of the chief theme of prophecy demands for it our reverent study. The first note of the prophetic harp ("the seed of the woman shall bruise the head of the serpent"), being interpreted by other oracles, means that "the eternal Son of God shall become man, shall suffer, die, and triumph in his own person, shall save those who trust in him, and reign together with them forever." Almost the last note of the tuneful harp is, "the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." Prophecy without Jesus is a body without life. He is the inspirer of all prophecy. It is a beautiful, refreshing, instructive shadow, cast from Him, the glorious substance. He pervades it. It is as full of Him as the living body is full of the animating soul. He is its glorious center. The first and second advents of our Saviour are the two centers round which prophecy revolves. He also performs it; prophecy fulfilling is Jesus acting. He opens the seven-sealed book, for he alone is worthy to do so; for this, he hath all power in Heaven and in earth. Prophecy fulfilled is Jesus manifested. This may be largely traced to his first advent, and present glory; and it shall be still more largely displayed when the day of the revelation of Jesus Christ shall come. Then when he appears, the Conqueror, the Bridegroom, the King, the Renovator, all the prophets shall do him homage as the great substance and fulfiller of their lofty predictions. (Acts iii, 21.) Then shall the minuteness and magnificence of prophecy be seen; and those holy men "who searched what and what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow," shall, when they stand in the midst of that glory, see the amazing fullness of their own predictions. If these things are so, it follows, that to neglect prophecy is to overlook part of the glory of Christ, and to do this, is to grieve the Holy Spirit, and to rob our own souls of much that ministers to the joyfulness of hope.

3. There are special promises to encourage believers to study prophecy. That book which, above all others,

has been perverted or neglected, is specially commended to our attention, and a promise is made to those who humbly study it; "Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the word of prophecy, and keep those things that are written therein, for the time is at hand." (Rev. i, 3.) Let not the taunts of even good men who may charge you with presumption, discourage you from prayerfully reading this blessed book, so sublime, spiritual, and solacing, to the observance of which, God has attached a special blessing. There may be in it many things which you cannot understand; but as others, besides learned astronomers, may be benefited by gazing on the midnight heavens, so you, though the simplest believer, shall not study this book in vain. There you shall see the glory of Jesus; the interest which he takes in the concerns of his church; the absolute certainty of the triumph of that righteous cause so dear to you; and these themes and thoughts shall awaken reverent feelings, and rejoicing hopes. Here is a blessing for the devout student; and some one has well said, that "we are none of us so rich as to be able to afford to lose a blessing."

We should also observe, that in the passage of Peter recently quoted, it is said, "that unto us the prophets did minister the things which are now reported unto you." Thus we are taught that we, who live under this present dispensation, are the special heirs of the prophecies, and particularly of the revelation of the glory of Christ and his church, which they unfold.

4. The utility of prophecy is an argument for the earnest study of it. The present age is considered to be an eminently practical one; we wish that, in the best sense, it was more worthy of the name. There is certainly a disposition to inquire concerning systems and theories, "What is their use? what shall we gain by them?" Prophecy will abide this test far better than many other studies and pursuits upon which much time and energy are expended. We have divine authority for this assertion. "We have also a more sure word of prophecy, whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day-star arise in your hearts." (2 Pet. i, 19). Prophecy is here called "a light." Light is beautiful and beneficial; it discovers, directs and cheers; it is the favorite Scripture emblem to set forth knowledge, joy, and purity. True, light is mysterious in its origin and nature; whether it is matter or motion, the learned cannot tell us; but we do not despise it because we cannot comprehend it, nor refuse to use it because we fail to define it. Let us act thus as regards prophecy. The world is dark; ignorance, sin, error, and misery abound. Reason and philosophy cannot guide us through the present, or animate us by revealing the future. Prophecy can and doth perform both these kind offices for us. We have to traverse a dark wilderness; oh! for a Heaven-lit lamp, to be to us that which the cloudy pillar was to Israel! We have to navigate a dangerous ocean, abounding with rocks; oh, for a beacon light, by its friendly glare to reveal our danger, and to point to the desired haven. Clouds and darkness are sometimes around our Father's throne; oh! for a ray to pierce them, to tell us that his name is Love, and that he overruleth all things for his own glory and our good. Prophecy is that friendly lamp, that beacon light, that teaching ray, "whereunto," it is expressly declared, "we do well to take heed."

5. The commendation bestowed upon a prophetic student of old, and the honors heaped upon him, should stimulate us to study. Daniel, the man "greatly beloved," was a devout, prayerful, and practical student of prophecy. He stands out in glorious contrast with Balaam, through whose gifted mind a flood of heavenly light rolled, but left him still in darkness. Behold Daniel on his knees, studying the prophecies of Jeremiah (Dan. ix.); listen to him, how he pours out his full heart in penitential confession and wrestling supplication; nor did he plead in vain. The angel Gabriel was caused to fly swiftly, with the following cheering message: "O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding. . . . Thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter and consider the vision." (Dan. ix, 22, 23.) A similar declaration was made to him afterward: "Fear not Daniel; for from the first day that thou didst set thy heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words," (chap. x, 12); "I will show thee that which is noted in the Scriptures of truth." (Verse 21.) These testimonies prove the approbation and delight with which God contemplates those who humbly and devotionally "set themselves to understand the truth." We may not expect an angel to fly swiftly to us with some commending word, but we may expect the presence and teachings of Him by whom holy men of old spake, and concerning whom Jesus said to his disciples, "He shall show you things to come," and, in so doing, teach, comfort, sanctify you, and glorify me.

The last glance we get of Daniel in the sacred word, is fervently desiring more light concerning the future. "I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?" (Chap. xii, 8.) Though it was not the will of God then fully to answer the question, or to reveal those things which were "closed up and sealed to the time of the end," yet still some information was given, and the divine complacency in Daniel was discovered by the consoling promise with which the book closes: "Go thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days."

6. The peculiar times in which we live, furnish an argument for the study of prophecy. What wonders have been wrought, how many prophecies have been fulfilled, and how many new predictions given, since the time of Daniel! And now, "the time of the end" is drawing near. The last days will be "perilous times." Then will be the season of rapid fulfillment of prophecy; the time when the energy of Satan and the power of God will be both put forth in an unprecedented manner. We have seen extraordinary events occur in our times, and these events have attracted some degree of attention to prophecy, and led men to ask, "What will be next?" There is reason to believe that all we have seen is "but the ripple compared with the breaker." There is great danger when there is a lull in the storm, lest men relapse into greater forgetfulness. The skillful mariner does not look merely at the waves just around his vessel; his practised eye sees the storm in the distance, and he prepares accordingly. But how shall we be prepared for coming events unless we study the book of prophecy, in order to "discover the signs of the times?" It is the duty of the church to warn the heedless world of the approaching storm, as Noah warned the ungodly of the coming deluge; but how can she do so, unless she reads her commission, and is "moved with fear," even as Noah was? Such testimony may not be welcome, but it must be borne. Just before the first destruction of Jerusalem, there were many who cried, "Peace, peace; the temple of the Lord are we." But, one sorrowful-hearted weeping prophet was constrained to contradict them all, and to announce the speedy coming of the desolating storm. He was despised, ridiculed, and imprisoned; but still his words were verified; and that very prophet hath said, "Behold, the whirlwind of the Lord goeth forth with fury, a continuing whirlwind: it shall fall with pain on the wicked. The fierce anger of the Lord shall not return, until he have done it, and until he have performed the intents of his heart; in the latter days ye shall consider it." (Jer. xxx, 23, 24.) May we all consider it before it comes, and then, being found in Christ, we shall escape all these things which shall come to pass, and stand before the Son of man. (Luke xxi, 36.) And let us bear in mind, that to us as well as his disciples, Jesus says, "But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things." (Mark xiii, 23.)

Such are some of the reasons why prophecy should be diligently studied.—John Cox.

Leave Us Not.

By D. H. Lamson

"O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles." Ps. xliii, 2.

LORD of all righteousness, Down from thy dwelling place Look with compassionate pitying eye, Sins are besetting us, Trials are fretting us, Troubles encompass us, hear then our cry.

What are we worshiping? Oh, let this question bring Home to our feelings with soul-stirring strains, Whether we love or no, Forward or backward go, In our march Heavenward to the bright plains.

Idols before us stand, Round us on every hand, Friends are caressing and lead us astray, Shall we bow down to them? Must we give over when Arms have encircled us, arms but of clay?

Tear we from their embrace, Strip for the heavenly race, Lord on thy potent arm now we rely, Idols to darkness fling, Friends shall no longer cling, Friends who when troubles come, speedily fly.

Wait we for thy caress, Leave us not comfortless, Lord of our life, let thy promises sure, All through our journeying, Keep us from murmuring, Lead us through gently where all things are pure.

Then in the harvest time, With saints from every clime, Who wait in silence the summons to come, Join we the jubilee, With Him who made us free, And with his precious blood, bought us a home. D. H. LAMSON.

Olivet, Mich.

Protestantism vs. Catholicism.

THE following facts concerning matters in the city of St. Louis, we copy from a late issue of the Earnest Christian. It shows both the insidious workings of the Catholic power in our midst, and the evils resulting from the exclusiveness of the popular Protestant sects. And while unjust respect is paid to persons, and wealth is honored above moral worth, and the poor shut out from attention and sympathy, what can be expected, but that the evil should not only continue, but increase, and many more be driven to the communion of the mother of harlots. How unlike is the popular ministry of to-day, to the Master who was no respecter of persons, and how unlike the Christianity of the 19th century to that of Christ and his apostles, to which the poor had equal access with the noble and the great.

Speaking of St. Louis, the Earnest Christian says:

ST. LOUIS.—This must always be one of the most important cities in the United States. Its location is very advantageous. It is near the junction of the Missouri and Mississippi, which with their tributaries, drain a large part, and that the most fertile part of our national domain. St. Louis is the place where the immense commerce of these rivers naturally centers. Boats of lighter draft are required for the upriver trade, and both passengers and freight are re-shipped here. The manufacturing facilities of this city are excellent. Immense coal beds are found within ten miles of the city, and a mountain of iron ore is but a few miles distant. The country around is very fertile, and capable of sustaining an immense population. The present population of St. Louis is said to be 187,000 and is rapidly increasing. Here is a great field for laboring for the salvation of souls. A large proportion of the people attend no place of worship whatever. Of the religious denominations, the Roman Catholic is the largest, most influential and prosperous. They claim to have received in this city, over six thousand converts within the past two years. We conversed with one of these converts, a lady of intelligence. She said her dislike for Protestantism arose from the treatment she had received from her Protestant friends. She had formerly been a member of the M. E. Church; and all her relatives were generally Methodists or Baptists. She said that when she was in affluence, and could give the ministers five or ten dollars when they called, their calls were frequent, and their attentions all that could be desired. But when reverses came and their property was lost, not one of them, though frequently invited to do so, ever called again. As Protestant friends fell off, the Catholics became more kind and attentive than ever. Books were given her to read, designed to lead her to embrace the Catholic faith; she went to their churches, and found that the poorest were as welcome as the most wealthy and aristocratic, and finally at a protracted meeting held by some of their most zealous and eloquent priests, she, with many others, united with their church. Of the seventy-six church edifices, twenty-eight are Roman Catholic, and these are by far, the largest and most numerously attended. There are, in all, forty-four orthodox, evangelical churches. Suppose them capable of holding an average of 500 persons each, this would make church accommodations for only 22,000 souls. But these Protestant churches for the most part are upon the exclusive system. The right to attend them, depends upon the ability to hire a seat. The spiritual welfare of the masses brought up in the Protestant faith is uncared for. Multitudes are rushing down to hell.

Many, no doubt, are in the condition of two young men from Buffalo, former attendants of the Free Church there. At the close of service, they came forward and made themselves known to us. They said they had not attended church anywhere since they had been in St. Louis, for they did not know where to go. Americans do not like to accept a seat in a church, perhaps grudgingly given, to which others claim the exclusive right. They do not like to be treated, either as intruders or paupers. St. Louis, like most of our large cities, is as properly a mission-field as Constantinople or Calcutta.

Our Eyes.

By Dio Lewis

INDIGESTION is the principal source of weak eyes. Reading in the cars often seriously disturbs the vision. A delicate and wonderful apparatus within the eye is constantly busy in adapting it to the varying focal distances. The jerking motion of the cars compels an exhausting effort to maintain the required adaptation. Thousands of eyes are spoiled by reading in cars and other vehicles. Recently I was consulted by a railway expressman who had become totally blind by reading the newspapers in the cars. Thousands, who have never consciously suffered any inconvenience from the habit, are obliged to wear glasses prematurely to correct an unsteadiness of vision produced in this way. Reading with the gas-light before you is another cause of weak eyes. The light should always hang quite high and behind you, and allowed to shine over the shoulder. If convenient, over the left shoulder. If using kerosene, it is best to employ the lamps which hang on the wall. Neither should you read with your face toward the window.

Reading by twilight is dangerous. Gradually accommodating itself to the receding light, the eye is unconsciously strained. I have seen more than one case of grave disease of the eye, produced by an undue effort to use the vision too long at twilight.

White paint is another mischief to the eyes. White paint outside, white paint inside, white paint everywhere. During the season of brightest sunshine the glare hurts the eye. I wonder if it is not in bad taste likewise? I notice that artists have none of it about them.

In our constant reading, the eye-sight is much tried by

the white paper. I hope that the tinted paper, with a still deeper color, may become fashionable.

Avoid reading by artificial light when you can. We read too much. We read as we eat—pell-mell, hotch-ity-potch; no mastication, no digestion. If, as a people, we read less, we might know more. Few indications are more unpromising in a child than a remarkable passion for books. I doubt if a good lady, who called on me the other day, with her son, will ever forgive me for what I said to her. Her boy was of the regular Boston type—great head and eyes, with small and narrow chest. She said in a mournful voice, but with evident pride: "Ah, doctor, he has such a passion for books. As soon as he is out of bed he is down at some great book and scarcely leaves it but for his meals. He never plays like other children."

I told her, among other things that unless she could break up that habit, her son would very likely turn out a dolt. She left very soon with the belief that I did not understand her son's case. I should have about as much hope of a man who gave himself up to childish sports as I should of a child who gave himself up to the habits and life of a man.

The newspapers have much to answer for in the way of small type and imperfect printing. I would cheerfully give two hundred dollars a year to support a newspaper which would give us, morning and evening a half column of the really reliable news, instead of fifteen columns of diluted speculations and tricky canards, the reading of which hurts our eyes and wastes our precious time.—Dio Lewis, M. D.

How to Ruin Your Health.

By Editor

THOSE of our readers who are trying to destroy what health they possess, and have not quite succeeded, will please take their choice of the following prescriptions:—

1. Sleep in bed late.

2. Eat late and hot suppers.

3. Turn day into night.

4. Go with wet feet.

5. Instead of air, exercise, and wholesome food, take pills.

6. Try all the new quacks.

7. If they don't kill, quack yourself.

8. Wear unreasonable clothing.

9. Squeeze your chest with tight lacing.

10. Overeat, particularly if what is set before you is indigestible.

11. Fret at everybody and everything.

12. Load the stomach with tit-bits between meals.

13. Be late to church, the cars, and business, and then hurry to make up for lost time.

14. We should especially recommend lunch of strong coffee, mince pie, sausages, ice cream, candy, and nuts at night, just before retiring.

15. Have a dietetic hobby—no matter what—beef and tea, or roots and water, and be sure and discuss it at every meal with some one who don't agree with you.

16. If ill, sit in a dark room, refuse company, read doctors' books, study physiology, and count your pulse.

17. Ride a religious hobby; an exciting theory of unfulfilled prophecy would not come amiss.

18. Carry your business into the Sabbath.

19. Overwork, then raise your flagging energies by the use of alcoholic stimulants.

Gleanings on Prophecy.

By J. M. O.

PROPHECY is history anticipated and contracted; history is prophecy accomplished and dilated. . . Lying oracles have been in the world; but all the wit and malice of men and devils cannot produce any such prophecies as are recorded in Scripture.—Bp. T. Newton.

God doth not use to set his people to work in the dark; they are the children of light and they are no deeds of darkness which they have to do. . . Yea, he always suits their light to their labor, and gives them a clear discerning of what he is about.—Dr. J. Owen.

God travels to satisfy our comfort, but not our curiosity.—Lord John Napier.

The giving ear to the prophets is a fundamental character of the true church.—Sir I. Newton.

The Revelation was not written without tears, (Rev. v, 4,) neither without tears will it be understood.—J. Wesley.

A blessing is pronounced on those who hear, and read the words of this prophecy, (Rev. i, 3.) . . . God commands the study of the book to us. Who then shall say, Let it alone? . . . I cannot but think it is a sin for any minister of the Gospel to say he knows nothing about it.—B. Slight, A. M.

The prophetic portions of the sacred Scriptures . . . are a beacon light, in times of storm and agitation on the great ocean of human life, thrown out to guide us as we navigate, and to warn us of the breakers on dangerous coasts.—Dr. G. Duffield.

Prophecy is equivalent to any miracles, and is of itself evidently miraculous. . . The voice of Omnipotence alone could call the dead from the tomb,—the voice of Omniscience alone could tell all that lay hid in dark futurity, which to man is as impenetrable as the mansion of the dead, and both are alike the voice of God.—Dr. A. Keith.

God gave us his word of prophecy, not to puzzle, mislead, or deceive, but to be a light to teach us his own purpose, and our duty and chief end.—James Scott.

No discussion on the fulfillment of prophecy must ever divert, but, on the contrary, should draw our minds to the consideration of our personal safety in the sight of God. Are we hiding ourselves within the Everlasting arms, and when the last storm shall come and the last thunder shall roar, and the last fires shall blaze, are we conscious that we shall be found resting on the rock that shall never fall?—Dr. Cumming.

In God’s time, which is the best time, and in God’s way, which is the best way, prophecy shall certainly be fulfilled. Every word of Christ is very pure, and therefore very sure.—Matthew Henry.

As a band to bind these gleanings together, we take the words of the Apostle, “Despise not prophesyings.” J. M. O.—in Ad. Herald.

Thoughts on Phil. i, 23.

By H. C. Miller

“FOR I am in a strait betwixt two; having a desire to depart and to be with Christ, which is far better.” Phil. i, 23. This passage is used by many teachers of divinity so-called, at the present day, to prove the consciousness of the dead, and that the righteous dead, or their immortal, conscious souls, go immediately to Heaven, are with Christ, and enter upon a life of happiness and felicity, unbroken, save when at the day of judgment, they are brought before the judgment seat of Christ, trembling perhaps, for fear they may have been enjoying that which they were not entitled to enjoy; for they have then to be judged of the deeds done in the body, say these theologians. But I think this position is easily shown to be unsound. In the context, Paul shows that he is truly satisfied that all things that should befall him would turn to the glory of God. His “bonds in Christ, increased the confidence of the brethren, so that they were much more bold to speak the word without fear.” Even the contentious, disputing with those who proclaimed the gospel, were announcing Christ. Though thinking to add to Paul’s bonds, they were adding to the cause by awaking inquiry in honest minds, and leading such to investigate, and bringing them to a knowledge of the truth, even as the work of opponents now is resulting. Says Paul, “I therein rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.” And seeing the same results to-day, we may, like the beloved Paul, rejoice thereat. He continues, “So now, also, Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life or death.” It would advance the cause any way, whether he suffered death at the hands of his accusers and the authorities at Rome, where he then was a prisoner, or, as he soon expectd to be, he should be released, and live. Chap. ii, 24. “For to me to live is Christ, (for Christ—Griesbach) and to die is gain” (to the cause of Christ). He, by his readiness to seal his strong faith in the gospel which he preached, even with his life, led many to believe on the Lord. Were life and death placed before him, he knew not which he would choose, were he to consult his own wishes in the matter, “Yet what I should choose I know not.” But looking at the wants of the churches and the needs of the cause, the Spirit of the Lord told him that it was necessary that he should remain with them still. “Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more useful for you.”

But says the objector, “He was very anxious to depart and be with Christ, which was far better than to stay. And it seems to me that he plainly teaches here that when he departed this life he would immediately be with Christ in Heaven.” We agree that to be with Christ is far better than to live in a sinful world. But that he here teaches that he should go to Christ the moment he died, we deny. “God has provided some better thing for us, that he without us should not be made perfect.” For this would not harmonize with what Christ told his disciples, “I go to prepare a place for you; and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself, that where I am, there ye may be also.” This teaches that we are with Christ by his coming again to earth to receive us; and Paul teaches the same in I Thess. iv, 16, 17. “For the Lord himself shall descend with a shout, with the voice of the Archangel, and with the trump of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” Paul then, does not teach anything differently in the text under consideration.

But says the objector, Christ’s second coming is death, and Paul desired to die that he might be with him. We object to this for the following reasons:

1. Were this true, it would not be his coming to us, but our going to him. Jesus says himself, to all his disciples, “Little children yet a little while I am with you, ye shall seek me; and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go ye cannot come; so now I say unto you.” Peter wanted to know “whither goest thou?” Wanted to go right after him I suppose. But the reply is : “Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now, but thou shalt follow me afterward.” Peter slept and still sleeps in Jesus, but he will rise. “Marvel not at this; for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the grave shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.” Jno. v, 28, 29. “He that believeth in me, though he were dead yet shall he live.” When? At the last trump, when the Saviour comes and the dead in Christ rise first. When shouting victory, victory over death and the grave, they shall meet the heavenly train in the air, and then, > “Together to their Father’s house, > With joyful hearts they go, > And dwell forever with the Lord, > Beyond the reach of woe.”

2. It would make death to be the “Lord of love” instead of the “king of terrors.”

3. At the death of any person, the Lord does not descend with a shout (a loud burst of voice ). The voice of the Archangel, and the trump of God, are not heard; silently the life departs. The dead in Christ do not rise, and what is still more evident to the eyes of all mankind, those who are living Christians, on the earth, are not “changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye,” and caught up into the clouds, and disappear to be seen no more.

4. Were it true, it would make Christ’s second coming, his first coming to all who lived and died prior to his birth in Bethlehem, which is ridiculous and absurd.

5. It would bring salvation to all men irrespective of faith and obedience. Proof: “Unto them that look for (are expecting,—Griesbach’s translation) him, shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” All are expecting death, all look for it to overtake them sometime, hence all are looking for Him, if death is the second coming of Christ. Unto them that look for him, he appears, without sin unto salvation. All are looking, hence he appears to all without sin unto salvation; therefore all are saved, and my orthodox objector comes out a Universalist. H. C. MILLER.

Chicago, Ill.

Acquaint Thyself with God.

“Acquaint now Thyself with Him and be at Peace.”—Job. xxi, 22.

Acquaint thyself with God, If thou wouldst read aright, The book of nature, ever spread Before thee, day and night; If thou wouldst fully learn The wonders there displayed, Enshrine its Author in thy heart, And love what He hath made.

So shall the warbling grove, The surge with mountain swell, The Bannian on the Indian sands, The Lily in its dell— Yea, every winged seed That quickeneth 'neath the sod, Teach heavenly wisdom, if thy soul Acquaint itself with God.

There are who gather wealth From many a storied page, That tendeth but to wrinkling care, Nor warms the frost of age, Yet thou, with lowly mind, Intent on sacred lore Acquaint thyself with God, and be At peace forevermore.

Individual Responsibility

INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY.—That was a fine purpose of a young Christian, which he entered upon his diary—"Resolved, that I will, the Lord being my helper, think, speak, and act as an individual; for as such I must live, and as such I must stand before God. I have been waiting for others. I must act as if I were the only one to act, and wait no longer."

We must die alone. We must render up our account each one for himself. The final reckoning will be between Thee and Me. "Thou art the man," and "Follow thou Me," are the divine verdict and requirement.

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