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Signs of the Times, Vol. 20, No. 9.

The Poisoned Apples of Sin
Earlier text: CUT SHORT IN RIGHTEOUSNESS

EARNEST PREACHING REQUIRED.

By Ellen G. White

A FORMAL religion is to be dreaded; for in it is no Saviour. Plain, close, searching, practical discourses were given by Christ. His ambassadors should follow his example in every discourse. Christ and his Father were one; in all the Father's requirements Christ cheerfully acquiesced. He had the mind of God. The Redeemer was the perfect pattern. Jehovah was manifested in him. Heaven was enshrined in humanity, and humanity inclosed in the bosom of Infinite Love. If ministers will in meekness sit at the feet of Jesus, they will soon obtain right views of God's character, and will be able to teach others also. Some enter the ministry without deep love to God or to their fellow-men. Selfishness and self-indulgence will be manifested in the lives of such; and while these unconsecrated, unfaithful watchmen are serving themselves instead of feeding the flock and attending to their pastoral duties, the people perish for want of proper instruction.
In every discourse fervent appeals should be made to the people to forsake their sins and turn to Christ. The popular sins and indulgences of our day should be condemned, and practical godliness enforced. The minister should be deeply in earnest himself, feeling from the heart the words he utters, and unable to repress his feeling of concern for the souls of men and women for whom Christ died. Of the Master it was said, “The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.” The same earnestness should be felt by his representatives.
An infinite sacrifice has been made for man, and made in vain for every soul who will not accept of salvation. How important, then, that the one who presents the truth shall do so under a full sense of the responsibility resting upon him! How tender, pitiful, and courteous should be all his conduct in dealing with the souls of men, when the Redeemer of the world has shown that he values them so highly! The question is asked by Christ, “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household?” Jesus asks, Who? and every minister of the gospel should repeat the question to his own heart. As he views the solemn truths, and his mind beholds the picture drawn of the faithful and wise steward, his soul should be stirred to the very depths.
To every man is given his work; not one is excused. Each has a part to act, according to his capacity; and it devolves upon the one who presents the truth to carefully and prayerfully learn the ability of all who accept the truth, and then to instruct them and lead them along, step by step, letting them realize the burden of responsibility resting upon them to do the work that God has for them to do. It should be urged upon them again and again that no one will be able to resist temptation, to answer the purpose of God, and to live the life of a Christian, unless he shall take up his work, be it great or small, and do that work with conscientious fidelity. There is something for all to do besides going to church and listening to the word of God. They must practice the truth heard, carrying its principles into their everyday life. They must be doing work for Christ constantly, not from selfish motives, but with an eye single to the glory of Him who made every sacrifice to save them from ruin.—Testimony for the Church No. 29.

FIELD NOTES.

By Editor

IT is expected that a church will soon be organized at Hilgard, Oregon.
FROM Spartansburgh, S. C., Brethren E. W. and L. A. Webster report the conversion of eight adult souls.
BROTHER H. E. GIDDINGS reports four accepting Christ at Lucas, Mo., with a real interest to hear more in consequence of opposition.
A REPORT from Brother J. A. Sweney, of Albuquerque, N. M., says that five have embraced the Sabbath there as the result of Bible readings.
ELDER R. S. DONNEL reports a growing interest at Boise, Idaho, where he and Elder Bagby were holding meetings. Eleven had united with the church.
NINE converts have lately been added to the company at Helena, Mont., making now twenty-six. One of these is a French Catholic. So reports Brother W. J. Stone.
ELDER J. H. MORRISON, of the California Conference Committee, returned to the State on the 19th inst., after a brief sojourn in Nebraska. He came by way of Washington and Oregon.
THE Bible Echo, published at Melbourne, Australia, has been changed from a 16-page semimonthly to an 8-page weekly. May the Lord's blessing be with it and doubly increase its usefulness.
ELDER O. A. OLSEN, president of the General Conference, reports good progress in the work in South Africa. The first year of the school, which closed November 7, has been a success in every respect. While the building was thought to be so large by some of its friends, it was found insufficient, so that they have found it necessary to provide more room.
OUR well-known canvasser, Brother W. Harper, writes that in one week he took 130 orders, and in five weeks 650 orders. A later note states that he was succeeding well in delivering the orders.
WE note the report of Elder M. G. Huffman in the Union Record that he was granted the free use of the Baptist Church in Vienna, Me., and the choir of the church sang for him on Sundays and helped him in other ways during the week.
AT Bellefonte, Pa., Brother L. S. Wheeler and wife have been holding successful meetings. Among those who accepted the truths presented were the pastor of the United Brethren Church, his wife, and some other members of his church.
ELDER D. C. BABCOCK says of the work at Tanner's Hill, W. Va., that it is very encouraging, "several having accepted the way of the Lord, and manifested a desire to suffer with the people of God rather than receive the mark of the beast."
A CANVASSER in West Virginia says that hereafter he will sell "Steps to Christ" as a help. He says, "It is a good seller, for it sells itself." Such a "help" not only helps the canvasser, but it is a help to the purchaser—if he will read it and heed it.
A PROFITABLE meeting is reported from the institute at Ithaca, Mich., by Brethren Falconer and Williams. Seventeen, most of whom were new converts, responded to the call to give their hearts to God. The same brethren report twenty new converts at Alma, as the result of a twelve-days institute. Another institute, held with the Lakeview Church, by Brethren Horton and Evans, resulted in fourteen of the youth starting to serve the Lord.
THE Bible Echo notes the opening, with excellent interest, of tent meetings at Seven Hills, N. S. W., Australia. The meetings are conducted by Elders D. Street and A. S. Hickox, the latter recently from California. The Echo also says: "From distant parts of New South Wales we learn of persons who are observing the Sabbath through having read the literature placed in their hands by members of our missionary societies. The openings are numerous, the calls are earnest, and the work is pressing all along the line."
ELDER B. J. CADY writes from the island of Raiatea, under date of October 29, that he has moved into his new house, which is fitted not only for a dwelling house but a school. It is 20x60 feet in size. The roof is covered with thatch made of the leaves of the pandanus palm, the sides of bamboo poles, split and woven. The school began with an attendance of 50, which has now increased to 100. Reading in the Tahitian language is especially taught, as is also, to some extent, the English and French. An educated young German and an American have embraced the Sabbath and are advocating it. The efforts put forth for the children are heartily appreciated.
NEW ZEALAND papers at ports visited by the Pitcairn are quite liberal in their compliments of the ship and the work in which it is engaged. Of the vessel one paper says: "The Pitcairn has proved herself a splendid ship in all weathers, and, as an instance of her sailing capabilities, it may be mentioned that the trip from Norfolk Island to Auckland, a distance of 700 miles, was run in seventy hours, which is reckoned a very smart passage." Another paper refers to the numerical strength of the Seventh-day Adventists, and adds that "it is evident they must have the work of Christianizing the heathen thoroughly at heart when they find funds to equip a vessel, build colleges, schools, and sanitariums, and distribute their missionaries over the islands of the Pacific Ocean."
THE Melbourne, Australia, Spectator of September 22 contains the following pungent paragraph: "A 'Lover of Truth' tells us that we have 'added iniquity to iniquity' by an advertisement of Dr. Kellogg's book, 'Social Purity.' The book, he allows, is right enough in itself, but Dr. Kellogg is an Adventist, and, therefore, the advertisement 'desecrates the pages of the Spectator.' This 'Lover of Truth' is also good enough to inform us that we 'must be lamentably ignorant for our age and position.' So we are, and we are wise enough to know it. We have handed our courteous correspondent's letter to the manager, to whose department, not to ours, the advertisements belong."
ELDER RODNEY S. OWEN reports that the academy, where he had held one meeting, at Flowery Branch, Ga., was closed against him by the Baptist minister. When this became known in the county, about five schoolhouses were offered, where he was urged to hold meetings. Near Dixie a young colored minister and his wife embraced the truth, and his church are very much stirred. Of his visit to Brother Merchants, near Quitman, Elder Owen writes:—
Here I heard afresh the sad story of the imprisonment and death of Brother Samuel Mitchell, who lived here when he became a victim of religious persecution. He had been guilty of plowing in his own field on the first day of the week, after having kept the Sabbath according to the commandment. For this offense he was sentenced to be confined in a loathsome prison cell for thirty days. Being in very poor health, the confinement in the damp cell was too much for him to endure, and he died soon after his release. Even his persecutors admitted that he was "a good man," but they said, "This Saturday keeping must be stopped."
During the trial the judge seemed inclined to release him, but, like Pilate, he yielded to the persecutors, and this man of God was sent to prison and to the grave. O spirit of religious freedom, pride of America, how sweet has been thy stay! How sad thy departure! The mutterings of the dragon's voice may be heard on every side. The trials and persecutions so long foretold are now at hand, but the glorious triumph of the remnant church is just beyond. Courage, brethren, courage in the Lord.

THE OLD YEAR AND THE NEW.

By T. H. Starbuck

BY T. H. STARBUCK.
THE old year now is gone forever— Slipped away from our embrace; Its joys and cares, returning never, Memory alone can trace.
One year ago it came to meet us, Born on Time's resistless wing— A precious gift, which, sent to greet us, Came from whence life's treasures spring.
Have we improved this blessing rightly, As the Giver meant we should? Or have we spent its moments lightly, Wasting time for doing good?
How oft found we our ourselves essaying Some unpleasant task to shun, And in forbidden pathways straying, With our duty left undone!
Have we, in loving sinful pleasures, Centered all on things of earth, And, letting go the heav'nly treasures, Brought our souls to moral dearth?
Or have we wisely sought improvement Of the mind and of the heart, And in some self-denying movement Have we born a noble part?
The happy New Year just beginning Brings fresh tokens of God's love; And may we spend its days in winning Laurels for the home above,
That, when the Master comes, descending From the starry vaulted dome, With all the angel throng attending, To escort his people home,
We may begin the life eternal On the radiant, sinless strand, No more to roam from realms supernal, Pilgrims in a stranger's land. Salem, Oregon.

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 II.—SUNDAY, JANUARY 14, 1894.

ADAM'S SIN AND GOD'S GRACE.

[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.]

Lesson Scripture, Gen. 3: 1-15.

  1. Now the serpent was more subtile than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of any tree of the garden?
  2. And the woman said unto the serpent, Of the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat;
  3. But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.
  4. And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die;
  5. For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as God, knowing good and evil.
  6. And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat; and she gave also unto her husband with her, and he did eat.
  7. And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
  8. And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day; and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden.
  9. And the Lord God called unto the man, and said unto him, Where art thou?
  10. And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.
  11. And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?
  12. And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.
  13. And the Lord God said unto the woman, What is this thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.
  14. And the Lord God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, cursed art thou above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life;
  15. And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
Golden Text.—"For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." 1 Cor. 15: 22.

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

  1. Which was the most subtile of all the beasts? Verse 1. Note 1.
  2. What question did he ask the woman? Note 2.
  3. What did the woman reply? Verses 2, 3.
  4. What was to be the consequence of eating? Verse 3, last part, also chap. 2: 17.
  5. What did the serpent reply? Verse 4, note 3.
  6. Who was the one working through this serpent? Answer.—"The old serpent, he that is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world." Rev. 12: 9.
  7. How did the woman receive his words? Verse 6. Note 4.
  8. What does the apostle say of this? Answer.—"The serpent beguiled Eve in his craftiness." 2 Cor. 11: 3.
  9. What did he say God knew? Verse 5. Note 3.
  10. What effect did the eating have upon Adam and Eve? Verse 7. Note 5.
  11. How did they feel in the presence of God? Verse 8.
  12. What question did the Lord ask? and what was Adam's reply? Verses 9, 10.
  13. What questions did the Lord then ask? Verse 11.
  14. What excuse did they respectively offer? Verses 12, 13.
  15. What curse did the Lord pronounce upon the serpent? Verse 14.
  16. What did he say of his future relation with the woman and her seed? Verse 15.
  17. What is involved in this? Note 6.
  18. How only, and through whom alone, does life come? Golden text.

NOTES.

  1. The serpent.—This lesson treats the scripture above as the simple inspired narrative of what actually occurred. The serpent was no doubt an upright creature, or one which did not grovel in the dust, beautiful, wise, subtle, a fit instrument for the devil to use. That he once maintained a position which he does not now, is indicated by his sentence. He should henceforth crawl upon the earth. The original word for "serpent" is nahash, from its glossy appearance.
  2. Yea, hath God said.—There is a sneer in the language. Did God really say that? Can it be that he would say such a thing? It was said to weaken her confidence in God. He came to her alone; she should have been with her husband.
  3. Ye shall not surely die.—God had said, "Thou shalt surely die." Gen. 2: 17. God made life dependent on righteousness. In doing his will "is continuance." And therefore, in his love for man, God declared that outside of trust in him and obedience to his ways was death. Satan contradicted absolutely, and with baleful lie he brought his devilish appeal to selfishness; for God doth know that your eyes shall be open, that ye shall know good and evil; that ye shall be like God. He would have Eve believe that God was selfishly keeping all this wondrous knowledge from her. And yet the majority of the race believe Satan still; for every false religion on the face of the earth is founded on the falsehood told by Satan in Eden; and the root of every apostasy and rebellion which ever arose is all found in the selfish desire of the human heart to be as God. Well, Adam died, and men have died ever since that time, but mankind have, in order to make Satan true, devised a theory that the "real man," "the immortal soul," does not die; in other words, that man is more alive at death than he was before, and that these dead men are gods, demi-gods, demons, saints, spirits, etc. But the entire man was involved in the transaction; the entire man sinned; the entire man died; and God shut him away from the tree of life, lest he should put forth his hand and eat and live forever. Gen. 3: 22-24. God would have no eternal sin nor sinners. Man was of the dust; man returned at death to the dust. Verse 19.
  4. She took of the fruit.—Satan appealed, as he does in every temptation, to selfishness. He made Eve believe that she was losing honor and knowledge, and that God was cruel in keeping these from her. She therefore desired, that is, she coveted. She then took what God had forbidden, and therefore transgressed the eighth, sixth, fifth, first, and other commandments; and the wages of sin is death.
  5. The eyes of them both were opened.—Yes, they knew sin in the wrong way. God desired them to know it in the only right way—by faith. By faith they would have learned more and more of God, his goodness, power, and wisdom, till finally, with a fully developed character, they would have known by the divine Spirit within the intrinsic good or evil. They refused God's way; they learned it by sad experience. They knew that they were naked.—Previous to this, even as the angels of God, they were clothed in garments of glorious light, emblematic of the purity within. The light and glory departed with the righteousness. No wonder they were afraid of God.
  6. I will put enmity, etc.—When man sinned, he yielded himself wholly to Satan, and would never have had a worthy desire for good had it not been for the mercy of God. In yielding to Satan man yielded his dominion, the earth (Gen. 1: 28; Luke 4: 5, 6), his purity of character, and his life (Rom. 5: 12). God in his mercy would give man even better opportunity to perfect a righteous character. He puts "enmity" in man against Satan, or, in other words, an element by which man might see, appreciate, accept, and coöperate with the divine power, upon which the Spirit of God could work. To every man who will believe God, the power and grace of God will give repentance of sin, will forgive sin, will extirpate sin, till at last every soul will be gathered in, through the suffering and trial (the bruising of the heel), to eternal triumph (the bruising of the head of Satan forever.)

PERIODICALS WANTED.

CLEAN copies of any of our denominational papers or tracts will be used in missionary work if sent to J. L. Wilson, 231 Pandora Avenue, Victoria, B. C.

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.

Books and Tracts for Sale

THE TALENTS. By M. C. Wilcox. A brief essay on "The Parable of the Talents," showing that the talents represent the various gifts of the Spirit which God bestows as he will upon those who are consecrated to him, with the duties and blessed privileges involved therein. Bible Students' Library, No. 77; 16 pp., price 2 cents.
FACTS FOR THE TIMES.—Containing historical extract, tracts, candid admissions from authors, ancient and modern. A Book for the Times. Revised 1893. A compilation of facts that are astounding, by students of biblical and historical research. 340 pages, wine-colored cloth binding. Price, 75 cts., postpaid. Pacific Press Pub. Co., Oakland, California.
SUNDAY LAWS OF THE STATES AND TERRITORIES. A comprehensive collection of laws and decisions regarding Sunday observance, especially useful as a compendium of information. Paper covers, 25 cents. Pacific Press Pub. Co., Oakland, Cal.

BOUND VOLUMES OF "SIGNS."

By Editor

WE are now prepared to fill orders for bound volumes of SIGNS for 1893, Vol. 19.
We will send postpaid to any address at the following prices: Heavy manilla paper covers for $2.75; cloth bound, with leather backs and corners, for $3.50.
We also have a few back volumes which we will send postpaid at the following prices. They are valuable for reference and study.
Volumes 2 to 7 inclusive, bound in leather backs and corners, heavy pasteboard sides, marbled or combed, $3.00.
Volumes 6 to 16 inclusive, in plain manilla paper covers, $2.75 each, and bound half roan—being cloth sides with leather backs and corners—plain or sprinkled edges, price, $3.50 each.
Volume 17, 1891, being forty-two issues of the eight-page paper, manilla paper covers, for $1.50; cloth bound, with leather back and corners, $2.50, postpaid.
Volume 18, 1892, being fifty issues of the sixteen-page paper after it was enlarged, paper covers, for $2.75; cloth bound, with leather back and corners, $3.50, postpaid.

LESSON II.—SABBATH, JANUARY 13, 1894.

GABRIEL FORETELLS THE BIRTH OF JESUS.

Lesson Scripture, Luke 1 : 24-45 (R. V.).
24. And after these days Elizabeth his wife conceived; and she hid herself five months, saying,
25. Thus hath the Lord done unto me in the days wherein he looked upon me, to take away my reproach among men.
26. Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
27. To a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.
28. And he came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee.
29. But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this might be.
30. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God.
31. And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
32. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David;
33. And he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of this kingdom there shall be no end.
34. And Mary said unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
35. And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee; wherefore also that which is to be born shall be called holy, the Son of God.
36. And behold, Elizabeth thy kinswoman, she also hath conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her that was called barren.
37. For no word from God shall be void of power.
38. And Mary said, Behold, the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
39. And Mary arose in these days and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Judah;
40. And entered into the house of Zacharias and saluted Elizabeth.
41. And it came to pass, when Elizabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost;
42. And she lifted up her voice with a loud cry, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
43. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come unto me?
44. For behold, when the voice of thy salutation came into mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
45. And blessed is she that believed; for there shall be a fulfillment of the things which have been spoken to her from the Lord.
LESSON SUMMARY.—This lesson may be summarized briefly as follows: After mentioning the conception of John the Baptist, the evangelist tells of the angel Gabriel's visit, six months later, to Mary, to announce that she should be the mother of Jesus. Afterwards Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth, and received her salutation.
The forty-five verses included in this and the preceding lesson may thus be summarized: Introduction; the birth of John the Baptist foretold; the birth of Jesus foretold; Mary's visit to Elizabeth.
  1. In what city did Mary dwell? and what was her descent?
  2. What angel was sent to visit her?
  3. What was his salutation?
  4. How did this salutation affect Mary?
  5. With what words did the angel reassure her?
  6. Whom did he say that she would bring forth?
  7. What did he say that he should be called and should receive?
  8. What was said as to the duration of the kingdom?
  9. What reply was made to Mary's question how this should be done?
  10. What statements were made to strengthen her faith?
  11. How did Mary receive this announcement?
  12. After the angel departed, what did she do?
  13. With what words did Elizabeth greet Mary?
  14. What did Elizabeth say would be the result of Mary's ready belief?

NOTES.

1. "And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women." Who would not like to receive such a salutation from an angel of God? Yet how few of those who wish to be highly favored of God are willing to pass through the humiliation and reproach that it involves! How few stop to think that the high honor of being the mother of Christ involved, so far as the world could judge, that which is the greatest reproach to woman! Who can doubt but that the full measure of reproach that she might have to endure, the contempt with which she might be regarded, the loss of friends, flashed with startling distinctness through the pure and sensitive mind of the Virgin Mary? But she recognized the voice of the heavenly messenger as the call of God, and she was willing to endure reproach for his name. What a commentary this is upon the statement that they that humble themselves shall be exalted.
2. "And the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David." David's throne was the throne of Israel. The extent and duration of his kingdom are indicated in Ps. 89: 21-29. Christ is the one through whom David's throne is thus to be perpetuated. David's throne was upon this earth; therefore Christ is to rule over the earth. Indeed, the kingdom was recognized as belonging to the Lord even in David's day. We read: "Then Solomon sat on the throne of the Lord as king instead of David his father." 1 Chron. 29: 23. That this earth is to be Christ's kingdom is shown in Eze. 21: 25-27, where Zedekiah, the last earthly king in David's line, is thus addressed: "And thou, profane wicked prince of Israel, whose day is come, when iniquity shall have an end, Thus saith the Lord God; Remove the diadem, and take off the crown; this shall not be the same; exalt him that is low, and abase him that is high. I will overturn, overturn, overturn it; and it shall be no more, until He come whose right it is; and I will give it Him." When the diadem was taken from Zedekiah, the kingdom passed into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. See Jer. 27: 1-8, which shows also the extent of Nebuchadnezzar's dominion. But three revolutions or overturnings were foretold, to take place after this change of government. The first of these gave the dominion of the earth to Persia. See Dan. 2: 37-39; 5: 30, 31; 2 Chron. 36: 22, 23. The second overturning gave Grecia the dominion of the whole earth. Dan. 2: 39; compare Dan. 8: 1-7, 21, 22. By the third revolution Rome became the mistress of the world. Dan. 2: 40; Luke 2: 1. Rome's dominion became practically universal 168 B. C.
Many histories might be quoted from to show the correctness of this statement, but the following from "The Story of Rome" (G. P. Putnam's Sons, New York and London) is brief, and is sufficient: "In 168 the Romans met the army of Perseus at Pydna, in Macedonia, north of Mount Olympus, on the 22d of June, and utterly defeated it. Perseus was afterwards taken prisoner, and died at Alba. From the battle of Pydna the great historian, Polybius, who was a native of Megalopolis, dates the complete establishment of the universal Empire of Rome, since after that no civilized State ever confronted her on an equal footing, and all the struggles in which she engaged were rebellions or wars with 'barbarians' outside of the influence of Greek or Roman civilization, and since all the world recognized the Senate of Rome as the tribunal of last resort in differences between nations."
It was at the height of its power when Christ was born in Bethlehem. At his first advent, Christ did not receive the kingdom, nor any part of it, for he had not a place to lay his head. Luke 9: 58. Rome retained the unbroken supremacy of the world till the fifth century A. D. Then it was broken into fragments, according to the prophecy in Dan. 2: 41; 7: 23, 24. Since that time different men have tried to establish universal empires, but in vain; for the prophecy declared that there should be no more general revolution "until He come whose right it is." When Christ comes the second time, there will be a grand revolution, in which the armies of heaven will overcome the armies of earth. See Rev. 19: 11-21; Ps. 2: 8, 9. Then "the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom." Dan. 7: 27.
3. NOTE the difference between the question asked by Zacharias and that asked by Mary. The fact that Mary's question was not one of doubt, like that of Zacharias, is shown by the different way in which it was received. He was rebuked, while her question was answered. Her question, "How shall this be?" was not one of doubt as to the fulfillment of the thing, but of wonder as to how it should be brought about,—not an idle curiosity, but a desire to know what course she would be required to take in the matter. His question, "Whereby shall I know this?" implied a doubt as to the thing itself.
4. "The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee; therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God." Luke 1: 35. It was by the power of the Spirit of God that Christ was born of the Virgin Mary. Isaac was born by the power of the same Spirit. The same miracle was wrought in the birth of each. "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. . . . The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God; and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint heirs with Jesus Christ." Rom. 8: 14-17. "And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." Gal. 3: 29. "In Isaac shall thy seed be called." Heb. 11: 18. "Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise." Gal. 4: 28. "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God; therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be; but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is." 1 John 3: 1, 2. But the unspeakable love has been bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God, provided we have the faith of Abraham. Therefore in every child of God the same miracle is wrought that was manifest in the birth of Christ. These things were recorded for the purpose of showing that it is not by human agency, but solely by the power of God, that we are brought to the inheritance. Thus the gospel is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth. The mystery of the miraculous conception of Jesus appears throughout the plan of salvation.
5. "For with God nothing shall be impossible." Verse 37. The rendering of this in the Revised Version is significant: "For no word of God shall be void of power." It was the all-powerful word of God,—the word that created the earth (Ps. 33: 6),—that was to perform this wonderful miracle. This same word it is that makes us children of God. Says the apostle Peter: "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever. For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away; but the word of the Lord endureth forever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you." 1 Peter 1: 23-25. This living, creative word is brought to us in the Holy Scriptures. If we accept it as sincerely as did the Virgin Mary, the Son of God will just as surely be formed in us, to transform us, as he was begotten in her. Eph. 3: 17; Rom. 10: 17, 10.

Danish Writings and National Reform

DANISH AND SWEDISH EARLY WRITINGS.—Plain at $1.00, red edge at 1.25. For sale by the Pacific Press, Oakland, Cal. Please call the attention of the S. D. A. brethren and sisters of those nationalities to this book printed in their language.
VIEWS OF NATIONAL REFORM.—Bible Students' Library No. 3, 13 subjects treated; price, 15 cents, postpaid. Address, Pacific Press, Oakland, Cal.
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