No generation of men have had the opportunity of studying the devastating actualities of war, as have the present succession of the race. Not only do those suffer and die who are absolutely engaged in field conflict, but the ravages of war extend to distant countries, and involve those who take no part with either side in the strife at arms. This must necessarily be the case; for all these distant countries are in some measure dependent on those engaged in the strife as customers for the products of their fields and workshops.
Suffering in Jerusalem
But in the midst of national contest over some fancied grievance, every energy is expended in the interest of individual claims, to the detriment of commercial intercourse. This leaves the neutral countries lacking in traffic, and plunges them into want bordering on destitution. Late word from the far East tells of suffering even in the Holy Land on account of the present European conflict. So great, indeed, is the distress in Palestine, that the American Israelite, of Cincinnati, pleads with all classes of American Hebrews to join in a general relief movement.
This was the condition before the mobilization of the Turkish army, which latter movement is sure to bring about even worse circumstances. As quoted in the Literary Digest of November 14, the American Israelite says that the Palestine orange, wine, and almond crops, worth about $600,000, are entirely non-marketable, and wage-earners are facing starvation. Many Jews in that land entirely depend on charitable gifts, which have hitherto largely come from Hungary, Poland, and Russia. These gifts have now ceased, and this leaves that class in a most wretched situation.
Confiscating Supplies for the Army
Besides all this, since the mobilization of the Turkish troops, that power has not only drafted all able men between the ages of twenty and forty-five to serve in the army, but it has also pillaged stores and all sorts of business places for army supplies. Of course the prices of food have soared above the reach of those who are in the common walks of life, and disease follows in the wake of this destitution. It is also rumored that at the time of sending the afore-mentioned communication, there was only flour enough in the city of Jerusalem to last a month.
The Prophet's Vivid Vision
Truly the horrors of war are beyond just estimation by those who are not direct sufferers from it. Only in one way can these horrors be conceived, and that is by the mind's being opened by direct influence of God's Holy Spirit. Even then, one would undoubtedly feel much as did the prophet of old. Having received from God a prophetic view of the time just preceding the closing of earth's history, he cried out in deep anguish: "I am pained at my very heart; . . . I can not hold my peace, because thou hast heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war." Jer. 4:19.
Looking Beyond the Distress to the Remedy
The prophet follows with war's terrible results, in this strain: "Destruction upon destruction is cried; for the whole land is spoiled." But this was not all. He looked beyond this distress of nations, to witness the remedy. He saw no wisdom among men to stay the awful blemish of carnage, and so but one way was at hand in which Jehovah Himself could close the dreadful spectacle. That was by closing earth's sinful history. This part of the frightful pageant then came in view, which the prophet most graphically describes as follows: "I beheld the earth, and, lo, it was without form, and void [that is, reduced to chaos as at the beginning]; and the heavens, and they had no light." All was darkness, because the sun, the moon, and the stars were for the time obscured. No man was to be found, and even the cities had crumbled before the face of the Lord, who was angry with the warring nations. Thus was the whole land made desolate. See verses 23-27.
The Hatreds of the Nations
It is possible, and altogether probable, that the spirit of national hatred stirred up by the present war will not fully subside until the closing drama shall be enacted, and the Lord brings about a new era, when wars will no more be known. But this can not be so long as the author of hatred and strife is permitted to live and influence men. He is now evidently doing his best to stir the whole world to passionate strife, preparatory to "the battle of that great day of God Almighty." Rev. 16:13, 14.
But amid it all, the preparation for the Lord's coming to earth, to end strife and commotion, goes steadily on in the courts of heaven; and at the opportune time, He will come to close earthly scenes, and usher in the reign of heaven, by wiping out every vestige of sin, through the cleansing process of fire. 2 Peter 3:10. Then out of its ashes will come forth the "new earth," wherein righteousness will dwell, and there shall be no more war. Happy day! May its advent speed! J. O. C.
THE WOUNDED IN BATTLE
THE enormity of the damage to human life in the European war is indicated to some extent in the meager accounts that reach us from time to time of the difficulties in caring for the wounded. In one city after another, we are told, all public buildings, such as schools, churches, lodging-houses, etc., are used as hospitals. Private homes are required also in large numbers for the same purpose. In some sections the buildings in the cities are not sufficient, and farmhouses in the country are turned into temporary hospitals to care for the constant stream of wounded that are brought to the rear from these battles that are raging so furiously in so many parts of Europe.
When we used to have to do our work “by hand,” it took a long time to hew out logs and boards and shape them with the mere strength of human muscles; but when steam and electricity were applied to machines, a few men in a very short time could accomplish more than large numbers would have done under the old methods. The inventive genius of man has devised machine guns and other deadly weapons of warfare. These have been supplemented by means of communication that enable armies to move so rapidly from place to place that they are kept in an almost constant death struggle. The battle now in progress in northern France has continued without interruption for about a month. Such a thing was never known before in the history of the world, and the slaughtering and wounding of men and the destruction of property is something terrible beyond description.
As these scenes are wrought into actual life and made a reality in the world, who can doubt, on reading the words of the prophet Jeremiah, that he had a most realistic view of what is now occurring? His words are: “My anguish, my anguish! I am pained at my very heart; my heart is disquieted in me; I can not hold my peace; because thou hast heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war. Destruction upon destruction is cried; for the whole land is laid waste: suddenly are my tents destroyed, and my curtains in a moment.” Jer. 4:19, 20.
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SCRIPTURE QUOTATIONS
Our authority for the doctrines we teach is the Bible. Quotations are usually from the King James Version or the American Standard Revised.
Question Corner
By Milton C. Wilcox
Conducted by MILTON C. WILCOX
Professor of Biblical Exegesis of the Faculty of the College of Medical Evangelists
Loma Linda, California
NOTE.—This department is for the purpose of helping Bible students. Answers must of necessity be brief, often only suggestive, never exhaustive, never infallible only as they agree with the infallible Word. Such questions only will be answered as seem to the editors to minister to the mission of the paper. Questions of the same import can not be answered repeatedly in the same volume. Name and address must be given, not for publication, but as evidence of good faith and to insure reply by letter if thought best. It is well always to enclose stamp, not stamped envelope, unless answer is desired by letter alone.
58—NOT TASTE DEATH TILL THE KINGDOM OF GOD
Please explain Mark 9:1: “There be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power.” J. R. R.
The prophecy of Jesus was fulfilled about a week later. Compare with Luke 9:27, 28. The transfiguration of our Lord was a miniature representation of His coming and kingdom. When our Lord comes, there will be first His own glorious person, and then His people, some of whom will have been raised from the dead immortal, and others changed to immortality without tasting death. See 1 Cor. 15:51-54; 1 Thess. 4:16, 17. These two classes were represented at the transfiguration. Jesus the King was there, “transfigured before them; and His face did shine as the sun, and His raiment was white as the light.” Matt. 17:2. He was not alone; for “there talked with Him two men, who were Moses and Elijah; who appeared in glory.” Luke 9:30, 31. Moses stood as the representative of those who will be raised from the dead. See the reference to his resurrection when Michael, or the Son of God, raised him from the dead. Jude 9. It is the voice of Christ, the Archangel, that raises the dead. 1 Thess. 4:16; John 5:28, 29. Elijah represented those who will be translated without seeing death. 2 Kings 2:1, 11, 12. Peter, who was present, declares that this scene was a manifestation of “the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” See 2 Peter 1:16-18. Each one of the gospel writers who records the transfiguration—Matthew, Mark, and Luke—speaks of it in connection with the promise of Jesus.
1. If we could place ourselves in Corinth in the time of the apostle, we would see much reason for his instructions which does not apply now. Corinth was one of the wickedest if not the wickedest city in the apostle's day. Its position and commerce brought to it every form of idolatry and corruption, and licentious men and wanton women from all the world. In the language of that time, to “Corinthianize” was to play the wanton. There were idolatrous women, priestesses, devoted religiously to lives of abandon. They appeared in public with disheveled hair and frantic actions. The best classes of women, Jews, Romans, Greeks, appeared in public veiled.
3. What the apostle taught was that the women in the Corinthian church should not go uncovered, like the shameless women of the world, or do anything that would not show just regard for the Lord's order. Some of them seem to have failed in this respect, and disorder was rampant. Different countries and different customs would have demanded different instruction. We may be sure that if the apostle were talking to unwise women living in a city or country where the shameless ones and wantons wore veils, and respectable women went unveiled, save in native and becoming modesty, he would give different instruction.
4. The basis of all his instruction is found just before in his letter (there were no chapters or divisions in it till modern times): “Whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Cor. 10: 31. In all things, Christian women should by their modesty and deportment commend the gospel of Christ.
Regarding 1 Cor. 14: 34, 35 there is help in the suggestion that the apostle is answering an objector who has uttered verses 34, 35. The apostle answers this objection, “What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?” Surely he would not forbid women to speak when he had just before given instruction as to how they should appear in public.
57—BEGINNING OF THE SABBATH
By L. C. C.
When does the Sabbath commence, and why? L. C. C.
The day is marked off, in Genesis 1, by the evening and the morning, beginning at the evening, and ending at the evening. In Lev. 23: 32, where instruction is given in regard to one of the sabbaths, we read, “From even unto even, shall ye keep your sabbath.” The real question, then, is as to when the evening begins. This is quite clearly shown in the first chapter of Mark, the fourth of Luke, and the eighth of Matthew. The passage in Mark will probably be sufficient. The parallel passages can be easily looked up from this.
The Jews did not bring the sick to be healed on the Sabbath day. Their traditions would not allow them to do so, and they waited until the Sabbath was over. The time the Sabbath was over was evening, and the time evening began was at the setting of the sun. Therefore we read, “At even, when the sun did set, they brought unto Him all that were sick.” This certainly makes it very clear that the evening began with the setting of the sun.
The same thing is clearly implied in the thirteenth chapter of Nehemiah. The children of Israel were allowing strangers to come into Jerusalem and sell goods on the Sabbath day. Nehemiah truly felt that that day belonged to the Lord, and that Jerusalem was held in trust by God's people, and that the Sabbath ought to be kept. Therefore he set a watch by the gates, so that the gates should be closed. The time when these gates were to be closed was thus stated in verse 19: “It came to pass that, when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the Sabbath, I commanded that the doors should be shut, and commanded that they should not be opened till after the Sabbath.” We can understand that with the high walls of ancient times, when the sun was setting, the place where darkness would begin would be in the heavy shadows against the wall. This is perfectly in harmony with the quotation from Mark, that the evening began when the sun set.
It is true that there are those who have thought the Sabbath ought to close by clock time, but there is a reason why the Lord has placed its beginning and close at the setting of the sun. In Gen. 1: 14 we read, “And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days and years.” The greater light, the sun, was to rule the day. That would be a clock to men wherever man could properly live on this earth. It would be a timepiece that would never get out of order. It would be applicable in all the nations of the earth. That would not be true as regards clocks. Men had no way to measure time anciently as they do now. They measured it by the sun, and there are nations that do about the same still. They can never make a mistake regarding that; and the Lord so regulated His Sabbath that nature itself would indicate the time of its beginning.
59—DRAGON, BEAST, AND FALSE PROPHET
What are the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet of Rev. 16: 13? P. D. L.
The dragon of Revelation is designated in chapter 12: 9 as the great dragon, the old serpent, that is called the devil, and Satan. There would be included with him all those who are identified with him, particularly his angels, perhaps the heathen powers of earth. The beast is presented to us in chapter 13 of Revelation as that great system of church and state government which has cursed the world from Babylon to the present time, the union of church and state which persecutes the people of God. One phase of the beast—one of its heads—is papal. The false prophet is the two-horned beast of Rev. 13: 11-17, which works miracles, and turns the world back to the worship of the first beast in its restored papal phase.
61—NEW MOONS AND SABBATHS
Why were the new moons kept years ago? Why are they not now kept? And why will they be observed in the new earth? Isaiah 66. L. W. M.
The feasts of new moons anciently were designed to keep monthly remembrance of the Giver of all blessings, as it was from the moon that the yearly feasts were reckoned. A nation could keep such a feast much better than could individuals scattered all over the world, under all kinds of limitations, as Christians have always been. The sacrifices of that day, too, like all others, met their fulfilment in the fulness of our Lord. The Scriptures do not say that a new moon festival will be held in the new earth. There will simply be the monthly gatherings for worship marked by the new moon, when the tree of life yields its various fruits. Compare Rev. 22: 2. One of the best answers for the observance of ancient feasts in the present dispensation is that nowhere does the Lord require it. Isa. 66: 23 could be rendered, “From one month to another, and from one Sabbath to another.”
62 — IMMORTALITY
Was man created immortal, and did he lose immortality when he disobeyed?
J. R. R.
Man was created neither mortal nor immortal. He was a candidate for immortality, incorruptibility. If by faith he had perfected the incorruptible character, God would have bestowed the immortal body. An immortal being could not die. If man was created mortal, he was subject to death, and therefore a sinner. God gave man a perfect physical being, with no taint of corruption in him. He gave man His own life, by the power of which, through faith, man could have developed a righteous character. But that eternal life of God man held conditionally, not absolutely. Man yielded to sin and became mortal. But to mortal man Christ gives eternal life through faith (John 3: 16; 1 John 5: 11-13), that man may win incorruptible character, and thus immortality, or eternal deathlessness. Immortality is God's stamp of an incorruptible character.
SYSTEMATIC BIBLE STUDY
In our reading this week and next, we will have, among other things, the book of the prophet Joel. Peter referred to this prophet in one of his great discourses, and his utterances are declared to be for the last days. It is interesting to note the prediction Joel makes in regard to the insect pests, also the great war spirit that will arise among the nations, in the closing hours of time.
Read three chapters each week-day, and five on the Sabbath.
Active and Successful Evangelism in Central Africa
By W. C. DUNSCOMBE
Worshipers of Demons Coming into the Light—The Effective Work of Industrial Schools— Devoted Missionaries Planting Torches of Light and Truth All Through the Dark Continent
By W. C. DUNSCOMBE, M. D.
During our recent tour among our mission stations, we could not help but be impressed with the thought that our industrial mission farms have now reached the place where they are prepared to carry forward the message in Africa with the loud cry.
When we survey this mighty continent, with its vast distances, and consider the smallness and feebleness of our force, we are compelled to wonder, at times, how the truth can go to all the tribes before the end shall come. It has heretofore seemed to me that many years must elapse before the unhealthy regions, far in advance of any railway or steamship facilities, can ever be evangelized. The message comes from the home land that no new stations can be established just now,—that the treasury is empty, and that even with the existing stations, it is a severe strain to meet the appropriations. But when we actually come in contact with the different parts of the field, there can be no room for doubt or despondency.
Rescued from Worship of Demons
Our work has advanced to a stage where we can already see ways and means whereby it shall be advanced to a glorious triumph. Rhodesia is that vast tract of land lying partly in and partly near the center of Africa. All over this country are native kraals. In the southern part is our oldest established mission, at Solusi, not far from Bulawayo. To the north, two hundred miles beyond Victoria Falls, is the Barotse Mission. In the eastern part we have the Somabula (Glendale) and Tsungwesi. All these stations have now been established for several years. They are manned by experienced and tried workers.
At nearly all these stations, training schools are established. Our forces are becoming well organized; and hundreds of natives who, until a short time ago, were worshiping evil spirits, are becoming converted, and are receiving an evangelistic training.
Industries and Native Workers
As we look back to twenty-five years ago, and consider how small and how weak most of our schools in the United States were, we can look forward with confidence to the time, in the very near future, when these industrial schools in Africa will be turning out every year hundreds of workers who shall penetrate Africa's remotest bounds.
But we do not have to depend upon the work's being pushed throughout Africa from these Rhodesian stations. On the east coast, among the Zulus in Natal, we have another center at Spion Kop. Further north, in Nyasaland, we have a well-organized central training school, with thirty-nine outstations.
In German East Africa and British East Africa the work is well started. We have just received word from Brother Rogers that he has selected a site for a new station near Abercorn, in the southern extremity of Rhodesia. It is right next to the Belgian Kongo, in the thickly populated territory, and undoubtedly many natives in the Belgian Kongo can be evangelized from this station.
Last year a Belgian brother began work in the Belgian Kongo itself. In Egypt, in Abyssinia, in the Barbary States, and on the Gold Coast, there are well-established centers.
One of our oldest missions is among the Kafirs in the southern part of Cape Colony. So now, by the providence of God, in the north, in the south, in the east, and in the west, we have these industrial schools planted a few hundred miles apart. The new region where Brother Rogers has gone, which is about five hundred miles north of our present northernmost Rhodesian station, would almost seem to complete our chain of stations in central Africa.
Beacon Lights in Every Quarter
It seems but a few years since the great lakes of Central Africa were first discovered by Livingstone and Stanley. Who can doubt that God has been directing His missionaries to push out into these various parts, until the lighted beacons can now be seen in every quarter? Who can doubt that these beacons will daily shine brighter and brighter, until the beams from one shall reach the beams from the next, and the whole of darkest Africa shall be lighted by the glory of God? We are surely coming to the time of the loud cry, and soon shall our Saviour come in the clouds of heaven to gather home the harvest.
Another very encouraging thought is that the conditions on our stations are every year becoming more healthful. Every one who has followed our mission work in Africa can remember numbers of our missionaries who have succumbed and died, and others who have been in feeble health since, as a result of continued attacks of malaria or of black water fever. But now the conditions are becoming better. Our missionaries are learning how to take better care of themselves. As the land is cultivated, the mosquitoes gradually disappear.
Miasmic Regions Becoming Healthful
The Solusi Mission, where several of our workers died, is now a healthful place. In the last four or five years, several of our workers have contracted black water fever in the Barotse Mission. Sister Anderson is just now recuperating from a severe attack. But the sanitary measures proposed will doubtless make even this a healthful station in the near future.
Another very encouraging feature is that our stations are rapidly becoming self-supporting. In the past, they have received money to build houses and to buy cattle. But these necessities have now been met, to a large extent, and the money formerly appropriated to them can be appropriated toward the work in other parts of the world.
The War in Haiti Does Not Stop the Work
By Albert F. Prieger
NINE months we have been in the throes of a revolution, and the end is not yet; but our courage and patience are still good, for we know that God lives and has a watch-care over His people to-day the same as He had in former years.
Although it has not been my privilege to get out into the interior to baptize souls ready for the ordinance, reports coming to me from our native workers indicate that quite a number are getting ready. In one place nine are reported; in another, ten; in still another, eight; and from the remote interior come reports of two or three in companies. Thus notwithstanding Satan's endeavor to hinder, souls are still accepting Jesus and His gracious promises. Nevertheless we feel that our entire dependence is upon God, who in His mercy allows us to help carry forward the work for which Jesus was willing to lay down His life.
I have not had opportunity to hear all that God has done in protecting our people here, and perhaps I never will while on this earth; yet a few instances have come to my knowledge, and I will report them. In the first place, thousands of people have been763put to death in this revolution, yet not one of our brethren has lost his life. One was shot in the foot; but when a soldier aimed at him again to kill him, another man stepped between, saying: "Do not hurt him. He is a good man." Another was three times ordered shot; but every time, those around him were shot, and he escaped. This gave him opportunity to assist the wounded after the battle. Another was sent to prison to be shot the next day; but the opposing party came and released him.
Yesterday word came to me that four of like precious faith, but not yet baptized, were caught and bound with ropes, to compel them to serve as soldiers; but they refused to carry arms, saying that the God whom they serve had taught them not to kill, and that they would rather die than kill any one, it being their mission to save and not destroy men's lives. We are wondering as to the outcome, and hope that all who read these lines will pray for Haiti and its people.
ALBERT F. PRIEGER.
The Pitiful Cry of the Lost
By L. D. Santee
By L. D. SANTEE
“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19: 10.
O, THE lands that in shadow are lying,
Where no gospel has ever been given,
Where the heathen in darkness are dying,
With groping hands reached up to heaven!
All the joys that may come on the morrow,
By an echo of sadness are crossed;
For my heart hears with infinite sorrow
The pitiful cry of the lost.
I would go where dark islands are lying,
The light of God’s love to uphold.
I would tell them of Christ and His dying,
And point to the Good Shepherd’s fold.
I would tell them how sins are forgiven,
Of redemption at infinite cost.
I would tell them that Christ came from heaven
To seek and to succor the lost.
I think, with a tender emotion,
Of those who leave children and wife
For the lonely lands over the ocean,
That love the truth better than life.
’Tis for this they on wild seas are sailing,
’Tis for this that the deserts are crossed.
Ah, they hear in far lands the sad wailing,
The pitiful cry of the lost!
They have gone to those lands in the distance,
Their love casting out every fear;
For they know that an endless existence
Will be theirs when the Lord shall appear.
’Twill be theirs to ascend into glory,
With no more stormy billows to cross;
For they’ve told to the world the glad story,
And the gospel has gone to the lost.
