p. 4 | Review and Herald, Vol. 88, No. 47. (11/23/1911)

Review and Herald

Nov 23, 1911

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 23, 1911

Progress in Russia

By J. T. Boettcher

J. T. Boettcher

Ps. 147: 12-15 as greetings. I have visited the Little Russian field, and also the West Russian. Thus far in both these fields about one hundred seventy persons have been added to the church during the three quarters of 1911. The Lord is working for us. To-day I saw a book printed by the Russian government in which our faith and work are described, beginning with 1844 and coming down to 1911. It is the best thing I ever saw in print about Seventh-day Adventists. The book is in the Russian language, with one hundred one folios. It contains the following: “The Seventh-day Adventists in Russia show a splendid, live, and active work. The movement continues to take in new districts in the European and Asiatic Russias. They reveal a determinate zeal in their missionary efforts to win souls. The whole organization is primarily a missionary one. . . . Every church-member must help forward the third angel’s message, and be a witness for Christ.” We praise the Lord that He even now uses the government to help forward this cause.

We are all of good courage. We lift up our heads, knowing that our salvation draweth nigh.

EASY STEPS IN THE BIBLE STORY

Now on the press, will be ready December 1

JUST THE BOOK YOU WANT FOR YOUR CHILDREN

A very entertaining and instructive volume. The stories are told with a vividness that makes them like real life.

BEGINNING with the story of creation, a connected line of stories of special events and of the lives of prominent characters down to the close of the life of Christ, is told in a most charming way. No child can read these stories without being helped in the forming of a strong character. Such stories as the life of Joseph, the life of Moses, and the life of Samuel place before the children high ideals worthy of imitation. There is nothing more interesting to children, or more helpful, than to study the lives of the mighty men of old who accomplished such wonderful things for God through faith in him.

The purpose of this book is to give a simple, consecutive story of the Bible for children. It might be appropriately called the child’s Bible. It is printed in attractive form, with large open-faced type, profusely illustrated with original full-page drawings, colored plates, and new marginal illustrations that really illustrate the text, each page containing a picture made especially for illustrating and impressing the story recorded thereon.

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The December Number of LIFE & HEALTH NOW READY

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A FEW ARTICLES

Out-of-Doors in Winter, by Mary Alden Carver. (Five illustrations.) “There is too much of an inclination to seal up the doors and windows when cold weather comes, and sit huddled about a comfortable fire.”

The Sweetest Place on Earth, by Claude M. Dexter. The story of how Louisiana cane-sugar is made.

How Two Mothers Cared for Their Babies: Why One Succeeded and the Other Failed, by Lauretta Kress, M. D., of the Loma Linda (Cal.) Sanitarium staff. (Three illustrations.) The second of three articles from the pen of this physician of wide experience in Europe, Australia, and America. Mrs. Lake, the successful mother, gives Mrs. Franklin, the “dragged-out” mother, her first lesson in the care of the baby.

The Opium and Morphin Vice, by D. H. Kress, M. D., of the Loma Linda (Cal.) Sanitarium. (Illustrated.) The facts concerning this terrible slave-making habit; the use of opium in patent medicines; and how to successfully abandon the use of the drug. Your next-door neighbor may be a victim of this habit.

What and What Not to Eat, by R. S. Ingersoll, M. D., M. R. C. S. (England). (Illustrated.) What are proper food combinations? Is it safe to say, “O, I can eat anything”? How to avoid sour stomach and a cross disposition.

Ventilation, Exercise, and Sleep, by G. H. Heald, M. D. A short common-sense talk on “the breath of life,” the man who is “too busy” or “too dead tired” to take exercise, also, on burning the “midnight oil.”

Healthful Cookery, by George E. Cornforth. How to make apple, quince, crab-apple, plum, cherry, currant, grape, and barberry jelly,—eight valuable recipes given by a competent chef.

Do Not Move Into a Consumptive House. How many healthy people contract tuberculosis. Why Mr. Smith contracted the disease a second time after being cured out West.

Is Rabies, or Hydrophobia, a Contagious Disease? Does Alcohol Cause Insanity? The Cause of Warts, and 64 other valuable articles and items on health topics.

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PRICES

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Cheering Messages

THE messages continue to come in from our missionaries in distant lands. Amid trials and difficulties, they send us words of hope and cheer,—personal greetings they are, to every loyal believer at home helping to “hold the ropes” by furnishing the “sinews of war.”

CHOWKIAKOW, HONAN, CHINA.—Greetings from Honan. We are filled with courage as we see the Lord going before us in every part of this province. There are now seventeen companies of Sabbath-keepers besides isolated believers, shining as lights in the midst of the gross darkness that covers the people. On all sides the fields are white. Calls constantly come that we can not fill for lack of laborers. With thirty-five million perishing souls, and with but one man to devote his entire time to the evangelization of such a field, we are daily led to call earnestly upon the Lord of the harvest to send forth reapers.

O. A. HALL.

R. IDAR

By R. Idar

FROM THE HEART OF ASIA.—

Greetings for this week of prayer from Turkestan. It gives me joy to report that the Lord is with us also, here in this wild and desert land. I am glad to be a witness, here in Turkestan, to the love of God that is revealed in his beloved Son. As I look out upon the great mountains, covered with everlasting snow and ice, in whose valleys our brethren and sisters live, I see how God’s word is literally fulfilled; for the truth has reached these regions where the clouds touch the earth, in the uttermost parts of the world: “For thy mercy is great above the heavens: and thy truth reacheth unto the clouds.” Ps. 108:4. We thank God that the Holy Spirit stirred up our beloved brethren in America to send to us the truth of the third angel’s message. They have done a work which can never be paid for in gold or silver; only God in heaven can reward in eternity. “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Cor. 15:58. I wish some of the brethren might make a journey through middle Asia and the whole region of Turkestan. I am sure it would make the difficulties appear small in many other lands. I do not say there are not difficulties in America; but one sees here, especially among the poor aborigines, how deeply fallen is man in regions of utter darkness. It is sad that we are as yet doing really nothing for these native peoples, save as we scatter such a quantity of portions of the Holy Scriptures among them as we are able, which is all too little. Greetings to all, in the Lord Jesus.

R. IDAR

Sowing and Reaping

By Albert Carey

ALBERT CAREY

Some sow in joy, and reap in tears A harvest full of crushing woe. The future has no weight to them, To-day bears all they care to know.

But ah! alas the fatal goal, Swung nearer by the haste for glee, Has ne'er a joy, but only tears,— A hopeless, waste eternity.

But some there are who sow in tears; The passing joys of time are spurned, And eyes, bedewed by pangs of grief, Toward a better world are turned.

Earth's luring pleasures, tempting smiles, Its teasing gaieties and dance, Are turned aside as Satan's wiles To stay the soul's sublime advance.

But seed sown wisely, wet with tears, Springs up, though sin and cares annoy, And for the sower's latest years A harvest bears of endless joy.

Nortons, Ore.

The Voyage and Shipwreck

By Ellen G. White

MRS. E. G. WHITE

At last Paul was on his way to Rome. “When it was determined,” Luke writes, “that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, a centurion of Augustus’ band. And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched, meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia; one Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us.”

In the first century of the Christian era, traveling by sea was attended with peculiar hardship and peril. Mariners directed their course largely by the position of the sun and stars; and when these did not appear, and there were indications of storms, the owners of vessels were fearful of venturing into the open sea. During a portion of the year, safe navigation was almost impossible.

The apostle Paul was now called upon to endure the trying experiences that would fall to his lot,—he was permitted the companionship of Luke and Aristarchus. In his letter to the Colossians, he afterward referred to

the latter as his “fellow prisoner;” but it was from choice that Aristarchus shared Paul’s bondage, that he might minister to him in his afflictions.

The voyage began prosperously. The following day they cast anchor in the harbor of Sidon. Here Julius, the centurion, “courteously entreated Paul,” and being informed that there were Christians in the place, “gave him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself.” This permission was greatly appreciated by the apostle, who was in feeble health.

Upon leaving Sidon, the ship encountered contrary winds; and being driven from a direct course, its progress was slow. At Myra, in the province of Lycia, the centurion found a large Alexandrian ship, bound for the coast of Italy, and to this he immediately transferred his prisoners. But the winds were still contrary, and the ship’s progress was difficult. Luke writes, “When we had sailed slowly many days, and scarce were come over against Cnidus, the wind not suffering us, we sailed under Crete, over against Salmone; and, hardly passing it, came unto a place which is called the Fair Havens.”

At Fair Havens they were compelled to remain for some time, waiting for favorable winds. Winter was approaching rapidly; “sailing was now dangerous;” and those in charge of the vessel had to give up hope of reaching their destination before the season for travel by sea should be closed for the year. The only question now to be decided was whether to remain at Fair Havens, or attempt to reach a more favorable place in which to winter.

This question was earnestly discussed, and was finally referred by the centurion to Paul, who had won the respect of both sailors and soldiers. The apostle unhesitatingly advised remaining where they were. “I perceive,” he said, “that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives.” But “the master and the owner of the ship,” and the majority of passengers and crew, were unwilling to accept this counsel. Because the haven in which they had anchored “was not commodious to winter in, the more part advised to depart thence also, if by any means they might attain to Phenice, and there to winter; which is a haven of Crete, and lieth toward the southwest and northwest.”

The centurion decided to follow the judgment of the majority. Accordingly, “when the south wind blew softly,” they set sail from Fair Havens, in the hope that they would soon reach the desired harbor. “But not long after there arose . . . a tempestuous wind;” “the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind.”

Driven by the tempest, the vessel neared the small island of Clauda, and while under its shelter the sailors made ready for the worst. The life-boat, their only means of escape in case the ship should founder, was in tow, and liable to be dashed in pieces any moment. Their first work was to hoist this boat on board. All possible precautions were then taken to strengthen the ship, and prepare it to withstand the tempest. The scant protection afforded by the little island did not avail them long, and soon they were again exposed to the full violence of the storm.

All night the tempest raged, and notwithstanding the precautions that had been taken, the vessel leaked. “The next day they lightened the ship.” Night came again, but the wind did not abate. The storm-beaten ship, with its shattered mast and rent sails, was tossed hither and thither by the fury of the gale. Every moment it seemed that the groaning timbers must give way as the vessel reeled and quivered under the tempest’s shock. The leak increased rapidly, and passengers and crew worked continually at the pumps. There was not a moment’s rest for any on board. “The third day,” writes Luke, “we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship. And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.”

For fourteen days they drifted under a sunless and starless heaven. The apostle, though himself suffering physically, had words of hope for the darkest hour, a helping hand in every emergency. He grasped by faith the arm of Infinite Power, and his heart was stayed upon God. He had no fears for himself; he knew that God would preserve him to witness at Rome for the truth of Christ. But his heart yearned with pity for the poor souls around him, sinful, degraded, and unprepared to die. As he earnestly pleaded with God to spare their lives, it was revealed to him that his prayer was granted.

Taking advantage of a lull in the tempest, Paul stood forth on the deck, and lifting up his voice, said: “Sirs, ye should have harkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss. And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man’s life among you, but of the ship. For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Cæsar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee. Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me. Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island.”

At these words, hope revived. Passengers and crew roused from their apathy. There was much yet to be done, and every effort within their power must be put forth to avert destruction.

(To be concluded)

The Levant.—

By L. P. Tieche

Since the Friedensau council, I have attended the Swiss, the French, and a general meeting in Spain. At all these meetings we have enjoyed great blessings from the Lord. I am now visiting the workers and companies in Italy. When I arrived at Gravina, I found Brother Creanza dying. He died yesterday, and was buried to-day, Sabbath, October 28. Brother Creanza stayed at his post of duty until he could not stand on his feet any more. He was a faithful and very active worker. He brought the truth to many, and was respected by Protestants and Catholics. He was a member of the school board of the city, and the city authorities took part at his funeral. His death is a great loss to our work in Italy, where we have so few workers. We sincerely hope that the Lord will give us some one to take his place. Brother Creanza leaves a wife and six young children. He was only thirty-seven years old. Rev. 14:13. The work in the Latin Union is onward, but what an immense work we have to accomplish before the Lord comes! Can our people realize it, and leave us to struggle without means and workers? We have right here in Italy four men who could be put at work if our budget would permit.

L. P. TIECHE.

The Sin of Envy

By W. A. Gosmer

W. A. GOSMER

This is one of the commonest as well as one of the oldest sins in existence. It originated in heaven with Lucifer, who was envious of the position of Christ. It entered into man's experience on the day that Eve listened to the voice of the tempter, when the dark characteristics of the father of evil took possession of the race. It is, therefore, common to all men to a greater or less degree. All Christians have detected its workings in their own hearts, and either have overcome it or are struggling against it, recognizing it as no part of the divine nature, no fruit of the Holy Spirit.

Being the opposite of love, it is one of the most selfish and malignant sins in the catalogue of fleshly lusts. The righteous and the innocent have ever been the object of its attacks. This was true in the case of Christ, who was occupying his rightful place with his Father. Lucifer became discontented because another possessed what he wanted for himself. He then started out with insinuation, slander, misrepresentation, falsehood, and underhand working, to undermine the influence of Christ, and to lower him in the estimation of the angels, meanwhile endeavoring so to gain their favor and to put himself in such a light that they would finally acknowledge him as their leader. Although he did this, he could not but know in his heart that Christ was innocent. However, the supreme, overmastering passion to supplant Jesus was so great that Satan was willing to see him go down covered with infamy if only he himself could be exalted to Christ's place. This was the practical outworking of envy.

There were also several prominent Bible characters, all manifestly innocent, who were typical examples of suffering through envy. Cain slew Abel through envy. For the same cause Joseph's brothers sold him into Egypt. The work of Moses was made exceedingly hard and trying by the envy of his brethren. Saul sought to kill David because he envied him. Through envy the politicians of Medo-Persia sought to destroy Daniel. Pilate knew it was “for envy” that the Jews had delivered Christ to death. They also were envious of Paul's success, and endeavored to kill him. Its serious nature is seen in these examples; for had not providence intervened, death would have resulted in every case, through the working of him whom envy had made a “murderer from the beginning.”

To-day, as in ages past, envy does not always terminate in murder, but it is, nevertheless, a source of great evil when it finds its way into the church. Strife for supremacy, divisions, church trials, and consequent loss of souls, are often the result of it. It has even come between workers in the Lord's vineyard. Success on the part of some has caused envy on the part of others. This has been expressed by depreciating the character of the work of the successful ones,

and by insinuations against their characters, amounting in some cases even to falsehood. Thus the work has been hindered, alienation has sprung up, souls have been lost, all through the desire to exalt self at the expense of another.

How entirely different from this evil principle was the attitude of John the Baptist toward Christ. Instead of denying his own commission by envying Christ, or depreciating his work when he saw his own popularity waning, he said to those who called his attention to this phase of his experience, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” Instead of feeling downcast at the growing popularity of the Master, he gloried in the thought that his own mission was being accomplished, and that he was the true messenger of the Lord. This element of character made him truly great. Christ himself bore witness that of those born of women, none were greater than John. This principle was also strongly exemplified in the life of Jonathan.

While we recognize that envy has nothing in common with self-renouncing love, while we recognize it as a malignant evil, still there is consolation in the thought that envy, however bitter its attacks, can work no real harm to one whose heart is right with God. To him such an experience means character development and a fitting up for heaven. This was true in the cases of Moses, David, Daniel, Paul, and others. Envy can not hinder the accomplishment of God's purposes. In eternity it will be clearly manifest that through the sufferings of Christ, on account of Satanic envy and all other resultant sins, the universe itself will have been placed upon a basis of everlasting security.

Melrose, Mass.

Sorrow Is Better Than Laughter

“IT is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart. Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.”

The Scriptures Our Safeguard

By Claude E. Eldridge

CLAUDE E. ELDRIDGE

We must know the Scriptures of truth if we would escape the delusions of the last days. This knowledge we shall need to be safe from the delusions of Spiritualism. This fearful snare of satanic cunning is already entangling many of the most brilliant and well-educated men and women of the day; and its manifestations are so frequent and wide-spread as to occasion little more than passing comment.

While it is true, generally speaking, that Spiritualism is accepted as a matter of course, we may say, We don’t believe a word of it. Suppose a spirit should appear to you, and in familiar voice and manner profess to be one of your dear friends who has died. Suppose this apparent friend should declare that the Sabbath had been changed, and seek to excite your sympathy by working miracles; what would you do? But, you may argue, such a thing is ridiculous! Listen to the testimony of the servant of the Lord:—

“Satan will have power to bring before us the appearance of forms purporting to be our relatives or friends now sleeping in Jesus. It will be made to appear as if these friends were present; the words that they uttered while here, with which we were familiar, will be spoken, and the same tone of voice that they had while living, will fall upon the ear. All this is to deceive the saints, and to ensnare them into the belief of this delusion. I saw that the saints must get a thorough understanding of present truth, which they will be obliged to maintain from the Scriptures. They must understand the state of the dead; for the spirits of devils will yet appear to them, professing to be beloved friends and relatives, who will declare to them that the Sabbath has been changed, also other unscriptural doctrines. They will do all in their power to excite sympathy, and will work miracles before them, to confirm what they declare. The people of God must be prepared to withstand these spirits with the Bible truth that the dead know not anything, and that they who appear to them are the spirits of devils. . . . We must seek wisdom from on high that we may stand in this day of error and delusion. We must examine well the foundation of our hope, for we shall have to give a reason for it from the Scriptures. This delusion will spread, and we shall have to contend with it face to face; and unless we are prepared for it, we shall be ensnared and overcome.”—“Early Writings,” pages 87, 88.

Are we prepared for this? Have we such a knowledge of Bible truth as to enable us to meet this delusion?

For half a century this people has heard about the “latter rain” of the Spirit of God, and yet how many of us will recognize it when it comes? God has promised to pour out his Spirit upon “all flesh.” Do you suppose that all will recognize it, and respond to it? I tell you, No. How was it when Jesus prayed, “Father, glorify thy name,” and there came a voice saying, “I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again,”—how was it that on that occasion some “said that it thundered”? Why did they think it was thunder?—Because they had not become familiar with God’s voice. And so “in the time of the latter rain,” when God is pouring out his Spirit, some will fail to recognize it. Shall we be among those who call it thunder, or shall we be among those who have had ears to hear, who have studied the Scriptures, and read therein “what the Spirit saith unto the churches,” and are familiar with his voice, and are able to recognize the day of our visitation? God grant that we may be among “the wise,” who “shall understand.” And yet, if we are, some of us will have to begin a new experience.

“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Jesus is the Word. Just as truly as our physical nature demands daily food, just so truly does our spiritual experience require daily nourishment. “Jesus said . . . I am the bread of life.” If we are to “grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord,” Jesus, the “Bread of Life,” the living Word, must continuously enter into our lives.

Boulder, Colo.

Glad Tidings

By Oscar Hill

OSCAR HILL

“I WILL make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir.” Isa. 13:12.

We have here one of the precious gospel promises given through a prophet for the encouragement of the people of God till the great work of redemption is completed. It is glad tidings of salvation. It is not only salvation from sin, but also a complete redemption from all the effects of sin.

The apostle Peter, in speaking of our salvation, says, “Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you.” He further says of them, “Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven.” 1 Peter 1:10, 12. In verse 11 he says it was the Spirit of Christ which was in them; and in 2 Peter 3:2, A. R. V., the apostle says, “Ye should remember the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets.” In verse 5 he speaks of some who, not caring to remember what the prophets have said, “wilfully forget.”

We often meet with persons who claim to be Christians, and yet will say they have no use for the prophecies of the Old Testament Scriptures. Let us examine Isa. 13:6-13 and see if the judgments and promises there given do not extend even beyond our time: “Howl ye; for the day of the Lord is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty. . . . Behold, the day of the Lord cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.” Verses 11-13 read: “And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible. I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir. Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the Lord of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger.”

These words must have their application at the same time as the words of Rev. 6:17: “For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?” When this time of the wrath of God shall come, then the promise, “I will make a man more precious than fine gold,” will be visibly fulfilled to all the people of God. Now it is a matter of faith with each of us. “But we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.”

The apostle Peter speaks of “exceeding

great and precious promises” being given unto us, that by these we “might be partakers of the divine nature.” As these promises were given for this purpose, they are a means of grace to lead us nearer to God.

Then let us treasure up in our minds these precious promises which the prophecies contain, meditating on them till we are indeed partakers of the divine nature.

Santa Ana, Cal.

Practical Christianity

By A. G. Peart

A. G. PEART

“BLESSED is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God can not be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: but every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.” James 1:12-14.

Run not into temptation; maintain a constant watch against sin; keep your tongue from evil; mind your own business; study to show yourself approved; study to be quiet; study the nature of God; prepare to meet God,—these are in substance some of the plain instructions from our kind Heavenly Father to his dear children on earth. The apostle James seems to sum up the reasons for these admonitions in the third chapter and second verse of his epistle: “For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.” God is in earnest with us; therefore we ought to be in earnest also. We should thank him for what we have, and trust him for what we need. “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but being in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.”

If Christ humbled himself to honor our nature, we ought to humble ourselves to honor his name. Humility is the royal road to the kingdom of heaven. Matt. 18:4. To be humble is the way to rise. Repentance begins in humiliation of heart, and ends in reformation of life, and though we lack power to repent, yet we do not lack means, nor the power to use the means.

A humble confession of sins may bring shame to ourselves, but glory to God. If we turn to God with our whole heart, he will turn to us; and then we shall be happy, though the world turns against us. No man ever prevails in prayer unless he prays in the shadow of the cross of Christ. But as Noah’s dove could find no rest for the sole of her foot, so the Spirit of God can find no residence in the heart that is filled with sin. The acceptance of Jesus Christ in the human heart is the daybreak of eternity. The anointing of God’s salvation will remove the stain of corruption.

If others neglect their duty to you, be sure that you perform yours to them. To render railing for railing is to return sin for sin. “Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.”

The devil could as easily pluck Jesus out of heaven as out of the humble believer’s heart. Never use the garb of Christianity in which to serve the enemy of Christianity. Grace differs from glory only as the bud from the blossom. What is grace but glory begun? what is glory but grace perfected? “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

There are two things that every conscientious man should resolve upon by the grace of God; namely, to judge himself, and to judge no one else. God requires these two things—to be particular toward yourself, and charitable toward others. Take a true measure of yourself, and consider what you are. A conceited knowledge is the greatest enemy to true knowledge, and the greatest argument of ignorance. “For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone.”

“Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like grass, and wither as the green herb.” “Though thou shouldest make thy nest as high as the eagle, I will bring thee down from thence, saith the Lord.” When a wicked man turns to God, a new nature is given to him, and it is far more easy for him to be rid of sin than to live in sin. He will then feel to say that he knew not what a comfortable life was till then.

There is no honor known to the world like the relationship to Christ, no riches like the grace of Christ, no learning like the knowledge of Christ. If sin were better known, Christ would be better thought of. “Sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” “The wages of sin is death.” Man does not die because he came from clay, but because he is infected with sin. It is our business in this world to secure an interest in the next. They that spend their days in faith and prayer, shall end them in perfect peace. “O that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!” O, that they would deny themselves of the pleasures of sin for a season, that they might live in the presence of the Redeemer through the ceaseless ages of eternity! It is a true saying that the devil promises comforts and pays in sorrow. If you follow Satan, you will find your tempter to be your tormenter. If you follow God, you will find your counselor to be your comforter. In every vocation of life aim at God’s glory and your eternal salvation. Covet earnestly the gift of the Holy Spirit for the renewing of your life, that you may serve the Lord acceptably with your whole heart. “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me,” should be the constant prayer of every one who is striving for the mastery; for out of the heart are the issues of life.

It matters not who are our accusers, if Christ is our advocate. He made himself like unto us, that he might make us like unto himself. But remember that no one can be saved from his sins, and be approved of God, and made into the likeness of Jesus, without desiring such an experience. And no man can return to a sinful life after receiving pardon, and still retain fellowship with God. There is no salvation from sin and death in any false worship; God is not in partnership with the devil. We can do nothing without divine help; and he has provided this divine assistance for all the emergencies to which our resources are unequal. He gives his Holy Spirit to help in every time of need, to carry us through every strait, to strengthen our hope and assurance, to illuminate our mind, and to purify our heart. Let us therefore, as dear children, submit ourselves unto the influence of the Holy Spirit, which alone can purify our souls unto the day of Jesus Christ.

Port of Spain, Trinidad, British West Indies.

Meet Me There

By Wallace D. Moore

WALLACE D. MOORE

WHEN the saints of all the ages From this earth are gathered home, Will you then, my brother, sister, Meet around the judgment throne?

Will you meet to part, no, never, In that home beyond the sky, Where the Lord shall reign eternal, And the saints shall never die?

Strive to enter there, my brother, Strive the pearly gates to win; Then when Jesus comes in glory, He will bid you enter in.

O, that day is fast approaching When the Lord shall claim his own! And we then, if only faithful, Shall sit down around his throne.

Will you meet me, O my brother, Meet me in that blessed day When all sickness, sin, and sorrow From this earth are cleansed away?

Santa Ana, Cal.

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