The Rev. Spencer Compton, an earnest evangelical Episcopal minister at Boulogne, France, relates the following incident: "During a voyage to India I sat one dark evening in my cabin, feeling thoroughly unwell, as the sea was rising fast, and I was but a poor sailor. Suddenly the cry of 'Man overboard!' made me spring to my feet. I heard a trampling overhead, but resolved not to go on deck, lest I should interfere with the crew in their efforts to save the poor man. 'What can I do?' I asked myself, and, instantly unhooking my lamp, I held it near the top of my cabin and close to my bull's-eye window, that its light might shine on the sea, and as near the ship as possible. In a half minute's time I heard the joyful cry, 'It's all right; he's safe,' upon which I put my lamp in its place.
"The next day, however, I was told that my little lamp was the sole means of saving the man's life. It was only by the timely light which shone upon him that the knotted rope could be thrown so as to reach him.
"Christian worker, never despond or think there is nothing for you to do even in dark and weary days. 'Looking unto Jesus,' lift up your light; let it 'so shine that men may see,' and in the bright resurrection morning what joy to hear the 'Well done!' and to know that you have unawares 'saved some soul from death.'"—Selected.
CHURCH SERVICES.
By Editor
All of our churches, especially on this coast, who desire their regular weekly services announced in this column, may have it done by reporting through the proper officers.
Oakland.—Church at corner of Twelfth and Brush Streets. Regular preaching services or Bible study. Sunday at 7:30 P.M., Friday at 7 P.M., and Sabbath at 11 A.M. Sabbath school at 9:30 A.M. Sabbath. Prayer and missionary meeting Wednesday at 7:30 P.M. All are cordially invited.
San Francisco.—Church at 914 Laguna Street. Regular preaching services at 7:30 P.M. Sunday and 11 A.M. Sabbath. Sabbath school at 9:45 A.M. Prayer meeting Wednesday 7:30 P.M. Missionary meeting Thursday 7:30 P.M. Seats free.
Los Angeles.—Church at 143 Carr Street. Preaching service Sunday evening 7:30. Missionary meeting Wednesday evening 7:30. Sabbath school on Sabbath at 9:45, and preaching service at 11 A.M. All are welcome.
East Portland, Oregon.—Church, No. 507 East Ankeny St. Services every Sabbath 11:30 A.M. Sabbath school 10 A.M. Missionary meeting evening after Sabbath 7 P.M. Prayer meeting every Wednesday evening 7 o'clock. All welcome. Seats free.
THE NATIONAL SUNDAY LAW.—A pamphlet of 190 pages; price, 25 cents. It is the argument of Alonzo T. Jones before the United States Senate Committee on Education and Labor, together with the text of the Blair Sunday Bill introduced in the U. S. Senate. Address orders to your State Tract Society secretary or to Pacific Press Publishing Co., Oakland, Cal.
CONSECRATION.
By D. E. W.
BY D. E. W.
"Oh, for a faith that will not shrink,"
But take Thee at thy word,
"That will not tremble on the brink,"
But trust in thee, O Lord!
Oh, for a heart entirely thine,
A heart to know thy will,
Attending on thy love divine,
Nor lusts of flesh fulfill!
Oh, for a mind that knows no thought
But Jesus crucified,
A wisdom by thy Spirit taught,
And motives purified!
Be thou, O Lord, my present friend,
My help in time of need;
From all my lurking foes defend,
In paths of safety lead.
So shall my longing heart be still,
And wait before the Lord,
And seek to do his gracious will,
And trust his faithful word.
ANOTHER WORD TO THE POOR.
By Editor
This is a hard winter already. The prospect is that matters will be much worse before spring. There are thousands suffering now in our great cities for want of proper food, fuel, and clothing. Many in the country are in need; but let us say to them, Do not go to the city in the hope of bettering your condition, unless you know you can obtain employment before starting. There are, it is true, many in the cities obtaining good wages, but no employer wishes to turn off a good hand in order to employ a stranger; and there are many strangers. Those in the country, in most places, are able to get something to eat, and have enough to do at least to earn their bread, but there are thousands in our great cities, good workmen too, who cannot obtain work for board. One can get along with much cheaper clothing in the country than in the city, and be considered respectable, and this is worthy of consideration. Of course there are some places in the country worse than the cities, but we are persuaded that they are few and far between.
Economize. Do not spend all of the dollar to-day, if it is not needed; save for to-morrow. If it is needed, use it, do your best, and trust God for more. Forsake every useless, foolish, and hurtful habit. Drop off the whisky, beer, tobacco, tea, and coffee. They do no good; they do much harm. Use those foods which are best fitted to go fartherest and to nourish most. Prepare them in the most healthful way possible, and eat them with thankful heart.
Let those who have abundance remember the poor. They are God's heritage; he will repay. But let them be remembered wisely, not in a way to induce dependence, but to encourage independence, self-reliance, and faith in God. Help them to help themselves. Give them good instruction, patiently, kindly. Let all our readers who are able to, be missionaries for God in these times of need, ministering to body and soul of the dark and destitute. Thus will all realize the preciousness of the words of the needy's Friend, "It is more blessed to give than to receive."
THIS THANKSGIVING.
By Editor
Last year, on "Thanksgiving" day we wrote the following:—
Will our readers please note this fact, that on the twenty-fourth day of November, 1892, "in the land of the free and the home of the brave," while hymns of praise and thanksgiving, prayers, and sermons are sounding out from thousands of churches for the freedom enjoyed under the Stars and Stripes, there are fourteen good souls indicted as criminals under the laws of the commonwealth of Tennessee, against whom no charge can be brought save that of working quietly and to the disturbance of no one on the first day of the week after having rested on the Sabbath day according to the commandment? Four of these men have just finished a sentence for this same "crime," in the chain gang. These men are said to be, even by their prosecutors and persecutors, good citizens. They are said, by their first-day acquaintances, to be good neighbors and honorable men. The Constitution of the State of Tennessee is violated by their arrest and incarceration, but judges of the Supreme Court of the State and of the District Court of the United States have approved the law and confirmed the penalty. At the same time men who keep no sabbath, great corporations of various kinds, and parties of sport, "desecrate" Sunday unmolested by law. These men were put in jail, these men are now indicted, because they keep the Sabbath of the Lord. We do not wish to take from the fervor of a single prayer or song, but it is well to remember these facts.
Yet is there reason to be thankful November 24 and all days. Great blessings are enjoyed in this "land of liberty." God has given abundantly of the good things of earth, and kept from us war and pestilence. In most parts of the land he has given the privilege of worshiping him according to conscience, and Jesus Christ is Saviour over all, rich unto all who call upon him.
Are we complaining for the sake of our brethren in Tennessee?—Not at all. They have more blessing than those who placed them there. Says Jesus: "Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad; for great is your reward in heaven; for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you." Matt. 5:11, 12.
Let all give thanks. Let our persecuted brethren give thanks. They have special reason. They have the word of God. They have the promise and presence of Christ.
And on this "Thanksgiving" day, November 30, 1893, we repeat it, with simply this change, Maryland has three in jail for the same crime as was committed by those whom Tennessee considered worthy of the chain gang.
But let our brethren rejoice "that they are counted worthy to suffer shame for His name." We bid them be of good cheer. Bear God's message in jail in the power of a godly life and conversation. Rejoice in Him who suffers with you. And let all our brethren "remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body."
TOLERATION VERSUS RIGHTS.
By Editor
A SPECIAL Thanksgiving service was held at the Unitarian Church in this city, at which the subject of "Tolerance" was discussed by several prominent individuals. Rev. Dr. Wendte, pastor, discoursed on "Tolerance for Those Who Believe More Than We Do." Rev. Dr. Dodson's theme was "Tolerance for Those Who Believe Less Than We Do." U. S. Senator Perkins spoke on "Tolerance in Politics." Rabbi Friedlander's subject was "Russian Intolerance toward the Jews." The Catholic Church of St. Francis de Sales had been invited to participate in the services, and the pastor, Father McSweeney, being absent from the city, sent a letter, in which he expressed congratulations on the growth of religious tolerance, which made it possible for ministers of the different denominations to join in services on the same platform.
Without special reference to the sentiments expressed on this occasion, we are reminded that toleration is a principle with which a free people cannot legitimately have anything to do. When a government assumes to merely tolerate, it assumes the right not to tolerate when it shall so elect. It is an erroneous idea, indulged by many church people, that minorities exercise rights by the mere grace of majorities. And such religious influences as are conscious of power to do otherwise generally pose as very kind indeed if they tolerate anything to which they are opposed. Toleration means the allowance of that which is not wholly approved.
Rights are God-given; they do not spring from human might. Our government is based on the principle expressed in the Declaration of Independence: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: That all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. That, to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed."
Here is the assertion of a natural right, which it is the business of the government to "secure." It is in the most absolute sense a denial of the principle of mere toleration, which implies the granting of an unmerited favor. It is as much the business of the government to secure the rights of one citizen as of a million citizens,—of the minority as of the majority. This principle has often been recognized by nations when a single citizen was in trouble in a foreign land. No party loses any of its inalienable rights by falling into a minority; and no individual loses any of his inalienable rights though he stand alone in his political or religious views. W. N. G.
(For other editorial notes see page 93.)
California’s Freedom From Sunday Laws
By Editor
The People of California Have a Right to Be Thankful.—Why?—1. Because of her glorious climate, and her abundant crops and fruitage. 2. Because of her freedom for years from great fires, accidents, droughts, diseases, calamities, and suffering. 3. Because the prevailing financial troubles have probably affected her less than any other State in the Union. 4. Because she has not yet put herself in God's place and attempted to legislate for him. And yet, not exactly that. California did once attempt such a thing, but repudiated it on short notice. California has no Sunday laws; she wisely leaves religious questions alone. This is the Bible ideal of civil government; and may we not say this is one of the reasons why a righteous, kind, and beneficent Providence has dealt so bountifully with a State which minded its own business, at least better than most of its sisters, and tacitly declared that God was able to care for his own. We know that many Sunday people predict all sorts of dire calamities on the State because it has no Sunday law, but be not deceived. There is no greater cause for thankfulness than the fact that the Golden State as a State is yet free.
Children Better Without Meat
A REPORT of cruelty to a child on the part of her guardian says that they never gave the little girl of ten years of age meat. But there is no cruelty in that. There are hundreds of people, rugged, strong, enduring, in this country and England today who abstain from all meat preferably. Children as a rule should never have it. It is not at all necessary; the children are better without it.
California Midwinter Fair
By Editor
WE give in our Home department this week a brief sketch and description in part of the California Midwinter Fair undertaking. The facts were kindly furnished us by the administration of the Fair. It presents a good example of the wonderful “push” of the West.
Sabbath or Lord’s Day Review
By Editor
A REVIEW of an article from the Christian Standard, entitled "Sabbath, or Lord's Day, Which?" has been crowded out. It will appear next week.
The United States Sold to the Papacy
By Editor
Next week we print another article from the pen of Brother Magan, entitled "The United States Sold to the Papacy." Let it be widely circulated.
SECULAR.
—Secretary of War Herbert will ask Congress to appropriate money to build one more battle ship and four torpedo boats.
—It is said that one of the first bills to come before Congress will be an appropriation of $50,000 to carry out the work of Chinese registration.
—Prominent citizens and business men of Utah have decided that that Territory shall be well represented at the San Francisco Midwinter Fair.
—The two Minneapolis bank embezzlers, Scheig and Floyd, have turned up in London, and want to return. They admit having swindled the bank out of $90,000.
—As Mexico has secured a new loan, it is now asserted that the completion of the government railroad across the isthmus of Tehuantepec is assured.
—Above 650 packers employed at the World’s Fair grounds, Chicago, were discharged on the 2d inst., and it was understood that Italians would take their places at reduced wages.
—A heavy snowstorm prevailed throughout Illinois, Southern Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri, Eastern Kansas, and Oklahoma. New York and the New England States had a like experience.
—Piracy on the high seas between China and Japan is reported to be rife of late, the special prey being rice junks. Eleven cargoes are known to have been seized during the past month.
—Russia and France are pressing Turkey for a free passage of the Dardanelles, and will win if the other powers do not interfere. The mastery of the Mediterranean Sea is involved in the issue.
—At Baltimore, on the 2d inst., fire destroyed property to the value of $700,000. As several of the buildings were manufacturing establishments, about 500 people are left without employment.
—An express train ran into a freight train at Theviglio, Italy, on the 29th ult., causing the death of forty-three persons and the injury of 183. Most of the killed and injured were emigrants to America.
—The National Civil Service Reform League has adopted a resolution earnestly remonstrating against the bestowal by the President of high offices of State in return for the contribution of large campaign funds.
—Estabon Dorame, who has been in the Arizona penitentiary two and a half years on a charge of manslaughter, has been pardoned by the governor because another man has confessed the crime for which Dorame was tried.
—The last steamer from San Francisco for Hongkong took 300 Chinese who are going home to celebrate their New Year festivals. Two others were deported by order of the government, as they belonged to a proscribed class.
—At Corsicana, Texas, on the 3d inst., a grain elevator, 25,000 bushels of wheat, two livery stables, thirty-five horses, three freight cars, electric plant, and six other buildings were destroyed by fire, the loss being estimated at $100,000.
—At Swainsborough, Ga., on the 1st inst., Rev. Charles Johnson was hung for the murder of Rev. Wm. Shilds. Both were colored, and the murder was caused by jealousy in regard to a woman. Johnson preached his own funeral sermon.
—Late advices from Japan state that floods have caused great destruction of life and property in and around the harbor of Nagasaki. In Okayarua prefecture 167 lives were lost and 2,400 houses destroyed. In Yamaguchi 320 fishermen were drowned.
—J. J. Van Alen, of Rhode Island, whose appointment as ambassador to Italy caused so much adverse criticism because it was supposed to have been the reward of a large donation to the Cleveland campaign fund, has at last declined the position.
—An Afro-American Convention assembled at Cincinnati last week. A resolution was adopted urging a memorial to Congress asking for the passage of measures for the prevention of lynching and for otherwise protecting the colored people of the South.
—The Credito Mobiliare, one of the strongest banks in Italy, has asked for an extension of time to meet its obligations. In consequence, the general financial situation there has been rendered critical, and the whole country is said to be on the verge of bankruptcy.
—There is said to be extensive trouble in the coal mining region of Snowden and Gastonville, Pa., because of a reduction of wages, which the workmen refuse to accept. All the mines are reported closed, and the miners are determined to resist their opening with non-union men.
—It was expected that the Grand Jury at Buffalo, N. Y., would return indictments against members of the American Protective Association, the new anti-Catholic association, on charges of criminal conspiracy; but the district attorney has decided that such charges could not be sustained.
—A press correspondent who has visited the city of Kuchau, Persia, the scene of the recent destructive earthquake, says the place is a heap of ruins, with not a house standing. Bodies are still being recovered, in a decaying condition. Shocks continue in the hills, preceded by loud reports.
—The members of the Grand Army of the Republic at Boise, Idaho, object to the Ellis History of the United States, placed in the Idaho public schools under the Free Text-book Law. The objection is on the ground that it inculcates no lesson of patriotism in its tender treatment of the Rebellion, which carries no suggestion of a wrong having been committed. It is safe to say that no history of a nation would please all the people living during any period covered by the history.
—A convention of citizens in Kingfisher, Oklahoma, has resolved to again request Congress to admit that Territory and Indian Territory as one State. It was also decided to advocate the abolishment of all Indian tribal governments and the division of their common domain among the citizens of each nation.
—When the San Francisco Midwinter Fair was first suggested, it was estimated to be a $500,000 affair; but it is now certain that California’s expenditure alone will be over $1,000,000. Besides this, the expenditures of other States, Territories, nations, and concessionaires will aggregate a very large amount.
—Two snowslides from the side of Lion Mountain, Mont., occurred last week, in which six persons lost their lives, and others were only saved by hard work on the part of rescuers. The people of Lion City and Hecla have all abandoned their homes from fear of other disasters, and the mines are to be closed.
—The latest report from Rio Janeiro is that the rebel fleet has left the harbor for the purpose of intercepting the new government fleet en route from New York. A hot fire was poured into the vessels as they ran the gauntlet of the forts at the entrance to the harbor, and considerable damage is said to have been done to the flagship.
—The Ways and Means Committee of the lower house of Congress has received over 1,000 petitions, telegrams, and memorials from temperance societies asking that the whisky tax be raised. Thus they seek to enlarge the government’s profit from an acknowledged bad industry, knowing that governments, like individuals, are prone to encourage that which pays them financially.
—It is said that the governor of Chihuahua, Mexico, on the authority of President Diaz, has forbidden the circulation of the El Paso (Texas) Daily Times on the Mexican side of the Rio Grande, and has also forbidden any merchant doing business in Mexico to advertise in the Times. The paper is owned by John S. Hart, who has had considerable trouble in one way or another with the Mexican authorities.
—The trial of rich cattle men in Wyoming charged with murder of so-called “rustlers” (small farmers who were settling on the great public ranges) has failed for want of jurymen. There were forty-six of them, and their attorney secured their trial en masse; so when it came to selecting jurymen, the privilege of objection allowed each defendant consumed the county jury list, and the trial was blocked. The people are not sorry to be relieved of the enormous expense of the trials.
—It seems hard for certain classes of laborers to stand the temptations incident to pay day. A press dispatch says that near Eckman, W. Va., last week, three white and three colored men were killed and four colored men wounded. Another dispatch says that near Rekhan, in the same State, ten colored men had fallen in drunken fights, six of whom would die. Still another dispatch says that following pay day at some of the largest mines on the Norfolk and Western Railroad, four were killed and several others fatally wounded as a result of too much whisky.
News and Notes.
By Editor
FOR THE WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 4.
RELIGIOUS.
—In Kansas City, Kansas, on the 3d inst., eight barbers were arrested at the Midland Hotel for violation of the Sunday law. They were bailed by the proprietor, but did not resume work.
—Father Verhaag, dean and rector of St. Francis Catholic Church in Portland, Oregon, having been transferred to a less important charge at Baker City by the archbishop, and being denied a hearing in protest, has decided to appeal to Satolli, the papal delegate at Washington.
—Congressman Wheadock, of Michigan, has denounced the American Protective Association, an anti-Catholic society, as a "treasonable organization." Inasmuch as he admits that the members of the A. P. A. are sworn to defend the government of the United States, the treason evidently consists in opposition to the Catholic Church,—and that is just what we are coming to before long.
—At a meeting of the Lehigh Valley Railroad strikers at Wilkesbarre, Pa., on the 3d inst., ex-Railroad Commissioner L. S. Coffin made an earnest plea for the observance of the sabbath among railroad men. He said that "no railroad company should insist on its employes working 365 days in a year, and the time is coming when the God-fearing people of this country will demand that railway employes be given a rest on the sabbath day."
—"The elegant glassware and magnificent dinner sets that adorn the dining room table of Mgr. Satolli's residence in Washington were the gift of his Trenton friends. One of the dinner sets consists of 200 pieces, and the other of 146. They are made specially for the apostolic delegate, and appropriately decorated in one of the Trenton potteries."—Catholic News. When the Lord was sojourning on the earth, he said of himself, "The foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man hath not where to lay his head." Luke 9: 58.
—A Berlin paper publishes a dispatch stating that the Russian Government recently ordered the closing of a Catholic Church at Kroschs. Hearing of the order, the members of the congregation flocked to the church and remained night and day to prevent the order being carried out. One night a force of troops, under the governor of Kovno, entered the church, and with swords attacked the people, killing twenty within the edifice and wounding over 100. A large number fled and were pursued by Cossacks, and were drowned while attempting to escape by swimming across a river.
—We had thought it time to cease being surprised at anything, but when we saw the name of H. L. Hastings, of Boston, among the active participants in the recent National Reform Convention at Pittsburg, we could not help wondering what would come next. How a man who himself suffered imprisonment but a few years ago for publicly reading the Bible on Boston Common, could be found in the councils of an association whose success means the persecution—even to disfranchisement, banishment, and death—of all opponents, is indeed surprising. However, that was just the experience and the subsequent policy of the much-lauded Puritans, and "history repeats itself."
—A recent church scene, significant of the religion of the times, is described in the New York World. It appears that Governor McKinley, of Ohio, attended the Hanson Place Methodist Church in Brooklyn, and the minister recognized him. So at the close of the sermon he notified the congregation of the distinguished politician's presence, and "quick as a flash there came a rousing cheer from over 500 men, while the women waved their handkerchiefs. The congregation then joined in singing 'America.'" By such means will the churches gain influence with the politicians, and secure advantageous legislation. But had such a scene occurred in a political meeting on Sunday, that same minister and most of the congregation would have thought it a terrible "desecration of the Sabbath."
IF YOU ARE GOING EAST
TAKE THE FAVORITE WINTER LINE!
Arrange for your trip via the "Santa Fe Route" and you will be assured of a pleasant and comfortable journey.
It is the most popular Overland Route, and cannot be excelled in the way of facilities and service.
It is the only Line running Pullman Palace and Tourist Sleeping cars through to Chicago, every day, without change, on the same train.
Personally conducted Overland Excursions leave every Tuesday, baggage checked through to destination.
Steamship tickets sold to and from all European cities.
For full information in regard to rates, berths, etc., write to or call on the undersigned. J. J. Warner, Agent, 972 Broadway, Oakland, Cal., or W. A. Bissell, G. P. A., 650 Market Street, Chronicle Building, San Francisco, Cal.
SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.
Where was Jesus born? Verse 1.
Who was ruling in Judea at this time?
By what noted personages was Jerusalem visited?
What questions did they ask of the Jews? Verse 2.
What did they give as a reason for such an inquiry?
What effect did this question have upon Herod and his people? Verse 3.
In what public way did Herod manifest his anxiety? Verse 4.
What demand did he make of these learned men?
What answer did they return? Verse 5.
What prophecy is given as a basis for their reply? Verse 6.
What information did Herod seek from the wise men? Verse 7, lesson scripture.
Where did he send them? Verse 8.
What instructions did he give them?
As they departed from the king, what guide was again sent to direct them? Verse 9.
How did they feel when they saw this token of God's love? Verse 10.
What did they find upon reaching Bethlehem?
How did they regard the Babe?
What offerings did they present?
What was the name of the Child?
Why was he called Jesus? Golden text. Note.
NOTE.
Save his people from their sins.—This is the mission of Christ, not at one time of year, or at one time in the world, but at all times, and for all people who will yield themselves to be his. "Sin is the transgression of the law." 1 John 3: 4. What law is meant is shown in Rom. 7: 7. "Nay, I had not known sin . . . except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet." It is therefore the moral law of God summarily comprehended in the Decalogue. He points out sin, but cannot save from sin. Jesus saves from sin, and all the condition he asks is faith, simple faith. Rom. 3: 22, 28; 4: 5-8. But Christ not only saves from past sin by forgiving all the sin, but he saves from sinning, or transgressing the law. He therefore saves man to make him righteous or obedient, "that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." Rom. 8: 4. In other words, true faith in Christ is "faith which worketh by love" (Gal. 5: 6), and "this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments" (1 John 5: 3). The mission of Christ is therefore to make righteous or obedient men and women. In saving from sin, he also saves from death.
For there are three who bear witness, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and the three agree in one.
If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for the witness of God is this, that he hath borne witness concerning his Son.
He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in him: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he hath not believed in the witness that God hath borne concerning his Son.
And the witness is this, that God gave unto us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
He that hath the Son hath the life; he that hath not the Son of God hath not the life.
These things have I written unto you, that ye may know that ye have eternal life, even unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God.
And this is the boldness which we have toward him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us.
And if we know that he heareth us whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions which we have asked of him.
SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.
How many bear witness?
What are they?
How are they related to each other?
How does the testimony of God compare with that of men?
Concerning whom has God borne testimony?
Who has this testimony in himself?
What does the unbeliever declare God to be?
In what way?
What is this record or testimony?
In whom is this life?
Who has life?
Who has not life?
To whom have these things been written?
For what purpose?
What confidence do believers have in God?
When God hears prayer, then what follows?
NOTES.
1. VERSES 8-10.—Verse 7 of this chapter is omitted from these lessons, as it rests upon insufficient authority, and is not found in the Revised Version. The words "in earth" are also omitted in the Revised Version, thus making the statement of verse 8 general. In ancient times two or three witnesses were required (Deut. 19: 15), and this custom is continued by our Saviour's express command (Matt. 18: 16), and referred to in other places (2 Cor. 13: 1; Heb. 10: 28). The Spirit witnesses to our sonship (Rom. 8: 16), as it speaks through the word (Acts 28: 25; 2 Peter 1: 21) (which is represented by the water, Eze. 36: 25; John 15: 3; Eph. 5: 26), of the efficacy of the blood of Christ (Heb. 9: 14). Those who bare witness against Christ cannot agree (Mark 14: 55, 56), but there is always harmony in the truth. God cannot lie (Titus 1: 2), even when he calls things that be not as though they were (Rom. 4: 17), because his word, when spoken, has power to produce the thing or situation mentioned. "In his dealings with sin God could employ only righteousness and truth. Satan could use what God could not,—flattery and deceit." The closing clause of the ninth verse is made clearer by the Revised Version: "For the witness of God is this, that he hath borne witness concerning his Son." God has borne witness concerning his Son by audible voice (Matt. 3: 17; 17: 5) and by the works wrought through him (John 10: 37, 38). It is a serious thing to charge God with being a liar; but when he states a thing and we do not believe him, that is what we do, yet he remains the same (2 Tim. 2: 13). Though all men deceive (Rom. 3: 4), God does not (Num. 23: 19).
2. VERSES 11, 12.—The Lord had given the land to the Israelites (Josh. 1: 3) as soon as he had made provision for its conquest by them, but not in their own strength (Ps. 44: 3); so all blessings (Eph. 1: 3), even eternal life, have been bestowed upon us, and it only remains for us to accept them upon the stated conditions. "Prayer is the key in the hand of faith to unlock heaven's storehouse." "There must be a power working from within, a new life from above, before we can be changed from sin to holiness. That power is Christ." "But it is the life of Jesus Christ in the soul, it is the active principle of love imparted by the Holy Spirit, that alone will make the soul fruitful unto good works." "Before works we must have eternal life; but when we are born again, and made children of God by the work of grace, then we perform good works."
—Luther.
3. VERSES 13-15.—Those who believe "may know" these things (Heb. 11: 1), not through faith in a creed, but by receiving Him (John 1: 12) who is the life (John 14: 6). It is God's will that we should be saved from sin (Gal. 1: 4) and be sanctified (1 Thess. 4: 3), not that we should perish (Matt. 18: 14); and so we know that he hears the requests of his children when they ask for these experiences. So the Christian can wait patiently (Ps. 40: 1-3) for the Lord to work in his own way. "But to claim that prayer will always be answered in the very way and for the particular thing that we desire, is presumption." "We should be willing to trust everything to the hand that was nailed to the cross for us." "The prayer of the sincere heart offered in faith will be heard in heaven. It may not be grammatical, but if the heart is in it, it will ascend to the sanctuary, where Jesus ministers, and he will present it to the Father, with the fragrant incense of his own perfection, without our awkward, stammering word, graceful and perfect through his merit, for his righteousness refines and ennobles it, and makes it acceptable before the Father. The Lord accepts the prayer of the sincere heart, and will answer it out of his abundant fullness."
International S. S. Lessons.
"So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading." —Neh. 8:8
LESSON XIII.—SUNDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1893.
THE BIRTH OF JESUS.
[NOTE.—The questions which follow are merely suggestive for the student on the leading points of the lesson; it is presumed that the thorough student will think of many more as he studies the subject. References, where verses alone are given, always refer to the lesson scripture printed above. All other references are given in book, chapter, and verse. The text printed is that of the Revised Version, not because it is especially preferred, but because it is not found in every family, as is the common version.]
1. Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying,
2. Where is he that is born king of the Jews? for we saw his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
3. And when Herod the king heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
4. And gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ should be born.
5. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judea; for thus it is written by the prophet,
6. And thou Bethlehem, land of Judah, art in no wise least among the princes of Judah:
For out of thee shall come forth a governor,
Which shall be shepherd of my children Israel.
7. Then Herod privily called the wise men, and learned of them carefully what time the star appeared.
8. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search out carefully concerning the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word, that I may also come and worship him.
9. And they, having heard the king, went their way; and lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
10. And when they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
11. And they came into the house and saw the young child with Mary his mother; and they fell down and worshiped him; and opening their treasures they offered unto him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.
Golden Text: "Thou shalt call his name Jesus; for he shall save his people from their sins." Matt. 1: 21.
DOES THIS MEAN YOU?
By Editor
We notice on examination of our SIGNS list that many clubs and single subscriptions expire during the month of December. We feel sure that none want to miss any of the valuable instruction that is being printed from week to week in the SIGNS. We therefore advise early renewals, thus saving a break in the series of articles.
Please notice the date on your address label of this number, and if your time has about expired, please renew at once. This will save us trouble, as well as yourselves.
"OUR LITTLE FRIEND" BOUND.
By Editor
We have a few bound volumes of Our Little Friend, Vol. 1, black cloth, with gold side title, which we will send to any address postpaid for $1.00.
Volumes 2 and 3, bound in heavy manilla paper, for 75 cents each.
Also volumes 2 and 3 bound in cloth, with attractive design on cover, for $1.00 each, postpaid. Or we will send all three volumes bound in cloth to any one address for $2.75 postpaid.
These are just the books for holiday presents to children.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY LEAFLETS.
By Editor
An assorted package of a dozen or more leaflets treating upon the following subjects will be sent postpaid for 10 cents: The "Civil Sabbath" or Disguised Religious Legislation, Politics in Religion, The Origin, Nature, and Object of Sunday Laws, Religion in the Public Schools, In the Chain Gang for Conscience' Sake, God in the Constitution, Who Do Men Say That I Am? Religious Liberty in Tennessee, Was Israel a Republic? Religious Legislation, Evangelization by Law, The True Statesman.