Review and Herald, Vol. 42, No. 19.
FORTY ANSWERS TO FORTY SO-CALLED OBJECTIONS AGAINST THE LAW AND SABBATHPage 1
Earlier text: FORTY ANSWERS TO FORTY SO-CALLED OBJECTIONS AGAINST THE LAW AND SABBATHChristian Hospitality.
By Josephine Pollard
WHEN the Spirit of Christ takes up its abode in the heart of man, it makes a complete revolution of affairs, and continues its regenerating influences until the man himself has actually become a new creature. Now this is not all done in a minute; it is a slow work, of necessity, for there is so much to be pulled down before His temple can be built up; and the heart of man is so “deceitful,” and so “desperately wicked,” that it is not an easy matter to get it thoroughly reconstructed. The heart that is at enmity with God is a very small, mean kind of tenement, with no room in it but for one person—self; but when Christ effects an entrance through the door, how quickly it begins to expand! First our love goes out to our own, to those of our immediate family, or our intimate acquaintances, until the circle widens and includes all humanity. He that is the most benevolent, the most ready to disburse money for the building up of churches and the spreading of the gospel, is not always the best Christian. The paying of tithes, or the giving of alms, is not the true test of character, any more than long prayers or solemn faces imply an intimate acquaintance with spiritual things. God judges us by little things, and uses the smallest weights in his scales. What we pass over lightly, as unworthy a moment’s thought or consideration, may be the very thing required to perfect our Christian character; and a single flaw in the marble may spoil the otherwise beautiful statue. The man who is kind and thoughtful for those with whom he has business relations, and cold, harsh, and unfeeling to his wife and little ones, cannot be truly a follower of Christ. A symmetrical development is what we require; and the capacity to make religion so much a part of ourselves that, whatever relations of life we may occupy, we cannot avoid showing that Christ dwelleth in us. And, if the atmosphere of our homes is rendered purer and sweeter by reason of his presence, surely his temple, the church in which we worship his name, should be purified from everything that might bring discredit to the Master whom we profess to serve. And it is to the pew-door I would bring the question of Christian hospitality, for those to answer who are “fearful to admit strangers.” Of course you claim the privilege of occupying your own seat, the one you have hired regularly, perhaps bought and paid for, and it is not always convenient to be crowded; but, if such be the case, it is far better to acquaint the sexton with the fact, than to wound by an offensive manner the sensitive soul who timidly solicits the vacant seat in your pew. It is these little stabs from the hands of professing Christians that make large wounds in the hearts of their brethren; and the reluctant compliance with a request that bears wholly a Christian courtesy, has not only driven away from the church those who might have added to its membership, but has actually turned them away from all thoughts of a better life. We cannot be too careful of these things. The writer not long since entered one of our fashionable churches, and, with her friend, was directed by one of the ushers to a seat in the side aisle. Presently a lady and her daughter entered, and, the pew being large, there was still room for more. But I soon began to feel crowded in my conscience by the whisperings that ensued, no pains being taken to prevent an occasional word reaching my ear. What should I do? The whispering continued, and so did my discomfort, until I was finally moved to suggest that myself and friend should seek other quarters, taking good care to lay the blame on the usher. “Oh, no!” said the elder lady, with a graciousness that came too late to be accepted as such, “the family owning the pew in front of us are in Europe, and the girls can sit there.” She knew that, and yet could willingly inflict pain upon two innocent victims of her unchristian-like behavior! We have been vexed with ourselves ever since, that we did not, without stopping to consider anything, incontinently forsake those inhospitable quarters and leave the party to their own reflections; our comfort having been entirely dissipated by their unnecessary rudeness. Such instances are being continually multiplied, and are doing much to prevent the gathering in of the multitude. If the pew-doors are so narrow, how must it be with their hearts? It is by such little things as these that Christians are tested by the world’s people, and it behooves those who wear the livery of Christ to allow no opportunity to pass for doing his service. Surely for him who has opened Heaven for us, we can open our hearts more generously than we do, and at all times and all seasons, and in every place, “use hospitality one to another.”—Josephine Pollard. In some way or other the Lord will provide:
It may not be my way,
It may not be thy way;
And yet in his own way,
“The Lord will provide.” At some time or other the Lord will provide:
It may not be my time,
It may not be thy time;
And yet in his own time,
“The Lord will provide.” Despond, then, no longer, the Lord will provide:
And this be the token—
No word he hath spoken
Was ever yet broken—
“The Lord will provide.” March on, then, right boldly, the sea shall divide:
The pathway made glorious,
With shoutings victorious,
We’ll join in the chorus,
“The Lord will provide.” Family Relations.
By Angelia J. Edmunds
It is not right for neighbors to quarrel and become so offended with each other that they cannot live in peace; but, when it comes right into the family, how much it must savor of the bottomless pit in the sight of Heaven. We need to watch ourselves on this point and pray much if we would be Christians and exercise due forbearance one toward the other in all the walks of life, lest the root of bitterness spring up in our hearts. If the “Upas” is flourishing in our hearts, let us commence to-day, and dig around it until every root is entirely eradicated; for, if we suffer it to remain, just so surely the atmosphere around us will be poisoned by our presence, and we know not how many may be brought down to death by our influence. Jesus said that this state of things should exist in the family relation; but is it right for those who profess to be followers of that meek and lowly Jesus to live in this way? Truly, Satan as a roaring lion walketh about seeking whom he may devour, and he will drag us down to perdition if we do not watch our hearts to see what manner of spirit we are of, and resist him, that he may flee from us. How often a fault-finding and fretful spirit is manifested by us. The little child that is loved by Jesus is not dealt kindly and patiently with. It may do wrong, but it has not yet come to the years of our own responsibility. We have had many years allotted us in which we might have obtained grace to control our tempers. If, in the midst of impatience, we should suddenly be stricken down, when called to account would He say to us, “Well done”? I fear not. But his words would be, “Depart from me.” He would say, Suffer the little child to come unto me, for of such is the kingdom of Heaven. When the fretful spirit is allowed, there are evil angels hovering around and we can almost feel the powers of darkness, while hatred, envy, and malice have a dwelling place in our hearts. If we do not agonize before God in secret and overcome this, we shall be lost at last. We must have love, joy, and peace in our hearts continually if we would have the society of good angels here, and dwell with them hereafter forever in the presence of Jesus. ANGELIA J. EDMUNDS. It is no wonder that many people are poor, and always continue poor, when they lay out so much money on tobacco and liquors. The cost of them in the United States is enormous. The New York Commercial Advertiser estimates that $250,000,000 was spent in this country last year for chewing tobacco, snuff, and cigars, while during the same period about $200,000,000 was spent for flour. Dr. Edward Young, chief of the Bureau of Statistics, ascertains from official data that, during the year ending June 30th, 1870, our countrymen consumed liquors costing about $600,000,000. It thus appears that we spend more than four times as much for tobacco and strong drink as we do for bread. There is no doubt that the poor take a proportionate share in these extravagant and unnecessary, if not actually baneful, indulgences. Does not that fact, then, help to explain the pecuniary embarrassments with which some of them are continually struggling? Unlike books of history or fiction, the Bible never grows monotonous. There is always something fresh and new, often as we may read it. And for pathos, history, poetry, and sublimity, where will we find its equal? Yet to some it is a dull, uninteresting book, used only from compulsion or from a sense of duty. But how important that we study it, and as a matter of choice and pleasure. And the more that we do, will our happiness be increased. But unless we make it our rule of conduct, we study it, not with the right motives, and will have need of inquiring, “What sheaves have I gathered in the world's great field,
To be burned at the Judgment day?”
To study merely for a display of our knowledge in any branch, is not surely the motive underlying principle; but how much more a mockery and display of egotism is that study than any other? “And better had they ne’er been born,
Than read to doubt, or read to scorn.”
And wherever the Bible has been suppressed, we find ignorance, superstition and vice, the result. W. C. Prime, in his “I Go a Fishing,” relates the following curious custom of birds: “A——’s birds yonder have, beyond question, means of exchanging ideas.” “You would think so if you saw them at prayers.” “Wha-at?” “Yes; at prayers. It isn’t anything less. There are birds of every country under the whole heavens, and with voices as various as the languages of men, and you hear what a wild concert of delight they keep up all the day long. But every day this entire group of birds assemble in silence, and if it isn’t a prayer meeting, I don’t know what it is. There is no forewarning that we can detect. While they are all chattering, singing, playing, here, there, and everywhere, suddenly one of them, sometimes one and sometimes another, utters a peculiar call, totally distinct from his ordinary note. Whatever bird it is, the call is much the same, and instantly every bird stops his play and his noise. They gather in rows on the perches, shorten their necks, so as almost to sink their heads into their feathers, and make no motion of the wing, head, or foot, for a space of thirty minutes, and often longer. It is almost a daily occurrence. Ordinarily, you cannot approach the aviary without frightening some of the birds and producing a sharp commotion; but while this exercise is going on, nothing disturbs them. They are birds of every land and climate, as you see; but this is their custom, and no one fails to attend, or behaves ill in meeting. You may think it something like mesmerism, for the leader keeps up his curious call-note throughout the service. The instant it is ended, they break up with a shout of delight, and rush around, singing and having a jolly time of it, as if thoroughly refreshed.” Heart Makes Home: Maxims on Contentment and Candor
A CRUST of bread, a pitcher of water, a thatched roof, and love; there is happiness for you, whether the day be rainy or sunny. It is the heart that makes the home, whether the eye rests on a potato patch or a flower garden. Heart makes home precious, and it is the only thing that can. AN easy way of openness and candor agrees with all humors; and he that is ever solicitous to conceal a defect, often does as much as to make proclamation of it. EMPTYING of self is but the preparation for being filled with spiritual fulness. Suspicion, Fear, and the Wakeful Ear
Once give your mind up to a suspicion and fear, and there will be sure to be food enough for it. In the stillest night the air is filled with sounds for the wakeful ear that is resolved to listen. It takes two to make a quarrel—just remember that. It takes two to get a quarrel fairly going, so hold your tongue the moment a storm is brewing, and you are without the pale of discord. Courage in the Lord.
By James White
SEVERAL years since, while attending a meeting at Wolcott, Vt., we were suffering great depression of spirits. Our aged brother, Eld. A. Stone, was present, and in the course of remarks, he seemed to warm up somewhat, and several times repeated these words: “Courage in the Lord! Courage in the Lord, brethren! Courage in the Lord!” And every time he repeated these good words, a greater degree of freedom came into the meeting, especially to our depressed feelings. Now, this is just what is needed by all our people, and especially by all our preachers. Some of our young men have considerable courage, but not fully in the Lord. These will soon faint, unless they learn to put their trust in God. But there are those who seem almost destitute of that abiding courage necessary to sustain them under trying circumstances. Hence they are inclined to vacillate according to changing circumstances. Sometimes they are up, and much of the time they are down. These need to draw very near to the Lord, and learn, and feel, and know, the source of their strength. But what is most to be deplored, is a habit of sadly and murmuringly thinking over, and talking over, discouragements. Said John Wesley, “If you would have faith, talk faith.” On the other hand, those who cherish and talk doubt and darkness will have enough of both. Those who cherish a grateful, thankful spirit will ever feel that goodness and mercy have followed them all the days of their life, and that the Lord is all about them, with his providential hands full of gracious blessings. Want of true faith, discouragement and murmuring and complaining is the great temptation and sin of our time. We regret that this spirit obtained a strong hold upon us, though it was at a time when we were nearly forsaken by fellow-laborers while standing under a three-fold burden at head-quarters, until health failed. Our feebleness and grief, we thought a sufficient excuse for yielding to discouragements. What a mistake! What a trick of Satan! God would have sustained in a cheerful performance of duty. Or it would have been better to have quit, if the Office had been closed, the crisis come sooner, and our people been aroused to come to our help. Whatever might have occurred, a spirit of despondent complaining was a sin in the sight of Heaven. Sometimes we have felt that our brethren did not appreciate our past labors, which have brought prosperity and increase to our institutions at Battle Creek, and that they were not disposed to cheerfully remunerate us in a proper way for those efforts made at the sacrifice of health. And when these feelings have taken strong hold of us, they have made us very unhappy. But God is giving us the victory over these thoughts and feelings. We are done, and have closed up everything of this kind, and are becoming very happy and hopeful in God. And we have become alarmed at what we have seen in some of our young ministers. Their state of mind has led us to search closely, and we have become thoroughly disgusted with anything like the martyr spirit, and a childish complaining and murmuring while professing to be the adopted children of God, and the called and chosen servants of Jesus Christ. When young men, in comparatively good health, whom the cause of present truth, only half a score of years since, took from poverty and obscurity, and has guided them, and has nourished and cherished them, until they have a good ministerial education and reputation, a good library, and one, or two, or more, thousand dollars of property which they have saved from their yearly payments from the S. B. treasury, begin to think that the Lord and his cause are indebted to them, turn martyrs and talk of their labors, privations, and sacrifices, and all this while professing to preach the last merciful message to sinful man, and that they are soon to exchange the Christian warrior’s cross for the crown of glory, it is time for alarm for the honor and cause of God. Unless those of us who have been more or less in this way of thinking and feeling can get over it, and bring our minds to the happy point of consecration enjoyed by the apostles, we had better quit, and not bring the blessed Lord and his dear cause any more in debt to us. Paul says, “I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord; for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.” “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; if by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.” Phil. 3: 8, 10, 11. Happy Paul! And the servants of God in our time may be as happy when they bring their minds to that state of consecration set forth in the lives and teachings of Christ’s first ministers. Then they will have courage in the Lord, and power in presenting the truths of God’s word for our time. They will then feel and know by happy experience that God is their Father, Christ their elder brother and Saviour, the Holy Spirit their sanctifier, the angels of God their ministering spirits, and the inheritance of the saints in light their eternal reward and home. With these facts before them, and this prize in view, they will “glory in tribulation,” Rom. 5: 3, and enjoy a constant flow of the “peace of God which passeth all understanding.” Phil. 4: 7. Thank God, his servants are not left orphans. He lives and reigns. And Christ holds those soul-inspiring words good in 1873, though part of the great commission uttered eighteen centuries ago. “And, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” Matt. 28: 20. Brethren in the ministry, let us give the Lord room in our hearts, and faith, and lives, and ministry, and take him along with us. He waits to respond to our acts of obedience and faith. The reason why the Lord does no more for his people, is that they do not give him a chance to respond to their acts of faith. When Fred Douglass was speaking before a crowded house in Boston in a desponding manner about the time of the passing of the fugitive-slave bill, a colored woman, known all over our country as Aunt Sojourner Truth, cried out with a voice still inspired with faith and hope of the emancipation of her race, “Fred! Is God dead?” The effect was electrifying. Both Fred and Sojourner have lived to see the chains fall. Brethren in the ministry, we can never bring the Lord and his cause in debt to us. Christ has done a thousand times more for us than we can ever do for him in return. Hardly can the most devoted minister pay the debt he owes to a world of sinners, much less to his adorable Redeemer. Says Paul, “I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.” Rom. 1: 14. The gospel of Jesus Christ had been freely given to Paul. It was a priceless gift. It had been committed to him to give to the world. In this way, the Lord had made the apostle a debtor to both Greeks and Barbarians, both to the wise and unwise. Said Christ to the twelve, “Freely ye have received, freely give.” And if we are so happy as to reach the home of the redeemed, we shall never think of talking over what we have done and suffered here. Should we try to call our toils and trials up, they would at once be lost sight of as our eyes would behold the glory, and our ears hear, and our tongues join, the universal song of “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to redeem us.” Brethren, this is our place and time of toil, sacrifice, and to suffer the loss of all things. The reward is over on the immortal shore. But those of us who cannot get above the feeling that we have done so much that the cause of God is badly indebted to us, had better quit. God does not require any one to labor to that degree, and to fill positions, that will ruin health. Neither does he require his servants to labor at any great length of time where their labors are not appreciated. It is their duty to labor where they can do the greatest amount of good. Labor that is not appreciated cannot do the most good. “When they persecute you in one city, flee to another,” instead of stopping and complaining over being ill treated. Hear again triumphant Paul:— “We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain (for he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation); giving no offense in anything, that the ministry be not blamed; but in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in watchings, in fastings; by pureness, by knowledge, by long-suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.” 2 Cor. 6: 1–10. The faint-hearted, childish, complaining minister, who has put on the martyr spirit, should read the above every sixty minutes, until healthy action takes place. And again, hear Paul:— “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Rom. 8: 31, 32, 35–39. Happy, happy apostle of Jesus Christ! While suffering the loss of all things that he might win Christ, the powers of earth and hell combined could not separate him from the love of God in Christ. In this happy frame of mind, supported and illuminated by that heavenly glory that responds to triumphant faith, Paul viewed all his toils, sorrows, and afflictions light, and the final reward of ponderous weight. Hear him:— “For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. So then death worketh in us, but life in you. We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak; knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. For which cause, we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Cor. 4: 5–18. Those who feel that they have brought the cause into debt to them, and have mental sufferings over their past successful labors, toils, privations, and sacrifices, should read the last-quoted, all-healing remedy once in thirty minutes, and repent until symptoms are decidedly favorable. What kept the great apostle’s spirits in a healthy condition is explained in verse 18 of this all-restoring panacea. “While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen.” Those who walk by sight, and look for their reward in this life, and dwell upon their toils and sacrifices, and measure their work by what appears in this world, will probably decide that it hardly pays to be a minister of Jesus Christ. But those who walk by faith will view these matters as Paul viewed them, and will bear cheerful testimony with him that our “light affliction which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” Triumphant gospel faith will reach up through the clouds and darkness, and lay hold of the unseen glories of the eternal world, and bring them, in anticipation, down all around the true servant of Jesus Christ. It was a life of cheerful obedience, happy sacrifice, and suffering for his Master, and humble boldness for the right, that made Paul’s perilous ministry a happy one, and enabled him to say, at its close, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith; henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness.” 2 Tim. 4: 7, 8. And whoever may149meet the apostle in the kingdom of glory, wearing his crown of righteousness—a badge of his righteous ministry—and ask him about his sacrifices, labors, and sufferings here, may hear him say that eternity is too short to spend a moment over such trifles, and see him the next moment casting his righteous crown at the feet of his Redeemer, and hear him join the happy victors, shouting, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to redeem us.” “Courage in the Lord, brethren, courage in the Lord.” J. W. Camp-Meeting Season.
By James White
The past camp-meeting season has been one of the deepest interest to us, although deprived of the privilege of attending these meetings, with the exception of one. The general low state of the cause, the fact that some of our leading men were not, from different causes, in a condition to be of real help in these important meetings, and the work of raising funds for a school, made the camp-meetings of the season a matter of great anxiety and interest to all who had a clear view of the situation of things. From the very first, it appeared that the responsibility of the meetings, and a large portion of the labor, must come upon one man, Eld. Geo. I. Butler. And we confess that we had fears that he would break down in health and courage before the season should close. We were also aware that there were sensitive matters that would come up at the several State Conferences, which would demand the counsel and decision of the General Conference Committee, and which would bring the president into strait places. Having occupied that place under like circumstances, we were pretty well qualified to judge of the labors and perplexities of that position, and to sympathize with Bro. Butler in the work before him. But, to the praise of God, who has ever guided and sustained his servants who have trusted wholly in him, and have stood boldly up for the right in every religious crisis, we bear cheerful and decided testimony that we have seen the hand of God guiding Brn. Butler and Haskell in the important matters of the camp-meeting season. The amount of labor which Bro. Butler has done is astonishing. His reports in REVIEW have been rich in just those particulars which the readers of the REVIEW wished to learn. They have also been eminently practical, seizing every opportunity to warn of danger, correct errors, and to give important instructions in the religious life. And now, that the successful season of camp-meetings is past, we are happy to learn from his own pen that he is coming out with pretty good health. The president of our General Conference is richly entitled to, and should by all means have, that rest from his arduous labors for a few months which change will give. Having been under the strain of important meetings for so long a time, his brethren should not urge him here and there to hold meetings, for several months. The cause cannot afford to have such men break down. In the rapid growth of the cause, ever opening new fields of labor, and ever calling for new ways and means, as in the case of the missions to the French, Germans, Danes, and Swedes, and a hundred and one other things, the president of our General Conference will find his hands full, without holding common meetings, or giving courses of lectures. We suggest that he cast off the spirit of labor for the present, and as a counselor, touch here and there in the broad missionary field, and give such instruction and encouragement as may be needed, especially by young missionaries. Bro. Butler has been drinking deep the past season of true Christian experience under circumstances calculated to make him a safe counselor. Our young men should seek his advice. And those who have suffered loss from a disposition to dodge responsibilities in unpleasant matters may learn that the Spirit of God is able to take a faithful man through the furnace of fire without suffering a hair of his head to be singed. · Oh! for that spirit of true faith that trusts in God ever, and dares to stand for the right. “Render therefore to all their dues, tribute to whom tribute is due, custom to whom custom, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.” Rom. 13:7. While we are not disposed to praise, or to worship, any man, we believe it to be scriptural, right, and for the glory of God, to honor those whom God honors with his guiding hand, and who are risking all that is of any value in this life for the precious cause of Jesus Christ. J. W.