Signs of the Times, Vol. 33, No. 15. (4/10/1907)

Signs of the Times

Apr 10, 1907

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Apr 10, 1907

Contained in this Issue.

By Editor

"JEHOVAH REIGNETH."

DO YOU KNOW THE PATTERN?

THE ONLY BIBLE ELECTION.

A "TRUMPET" ON "ADVENTISM."

QUESTIONS.

2044.—Surprise Parties; 2045.—Scriptural Authority for Wearing Apparel; 2046.—God is a Spirit; 2047.—The Rich Man and Lazarus.

CHRISTIAN PERFECTION.

SPEAKING WITH TONGUES.

"WHAT SHALL I DO?"

SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES.

First Peter.

THE SABBATH. No. 2.

The Identical Day.

WHO IS OUR GOD?

THE TRUTH.

ASHAMED OF HIS LITTLE FAITH.

PILLARS OF HEALTH.

The Starch Family.

HOW MANY POOR WOULD BE HELPED?

CHINA.

Chinese Education.

DR. DELITZCH ON MODERN THEOLOGY.

FANATICAL VIOLATION OF PERSONAL RIGHTS BY LEGISLATION.

"AND JUDGMENT IS TURNED AWAY BACKWARD."

Poetry

Heart Longings.

The Blood of Jesus.

We'll Rest at Last.

To My Guest.

Where Jesus Is.

Endorsement of the True Education Reader

Prof. G. E. Johnson, of the Meadowglade Academy, Wash., writes, "The copy of No. 2 True Education Reader has come to hand. I have looked it over carefully, and will say I think it is just the thing we have been looking for. The little folks seem to like it. It is well graded and teaches the truth and nothing else. I will do all that I can to get these readers into the hands of the people."

DATE OF EXPIRATION.

By Editor

The SIGNS wrapper bears date of last issue due on your subscription. Unless renewed in advance, paper stops with expiration date.

If attached here is an order blank, you will know you have overlooked sending renewal. You will not wish to miss a single issue. Back numbers often can not be furnished.

SOME GOOD LETTERS.

By Editor

"I received your Signs of the Times, and they are just grand. Please send me $5.00 worth. Please send them as soon as you can, as I do not want to be idle long. I want to keep up the good work. Enclosed please find $5.00."

SALE OF PAPERS.

"In the sale of the papers here at the school, we have averaged about 16 working, and have averaged about $65.00 a week. Last week was a little exceptional, which closed up with sales amounting to $94.82. The two leading papers sold were the Signs of the Times and the Watchman. I am in hopes of developing some workers who will sell papers in Wisconsin regularly."—Milwaukee, Wis.

From the "Messengers' Bulletin," the Southern California Conference paper, we take the following two reports.

Mrs. A. M. Althaus, Signs and Life Boats, ... 181 $123.40 Elma Pennock, Signs of the Times ... 45 51.75

This is a report of work done in Los Angeles. Similar success is being met with in other large cities where Signs of the Times are being sold.

HOW TO GET

By Editor

A MINISTER

"Can't we have a minister here? My neighbors, friends, and relatives must be told the meaning of these terrible earthquakes, storms, famines, and floods. They must also know the whole system of truth of which the second coming of Christ is a part."

No doubt these oft-repeated petitions for help voice the longings of your own heart as they have thousands of others. But for lack of men and means the larger share of these pleas have been refused.

But we are going to refuse them no longer. A minister has been secured for you. A minister of more than thirty years' experience in successful work, who has raised up whole churches without an assistant; who has the record in one conference where he has worked of having brought one in every twenty of

This is the first page of a new leaflet. Its remaining pages will make you fully acquainted with this minister, his methods of work, and a course of special lectures he is soon to give. Copy sent free on request. SIGNS OF THE TIMES Mountain View, Cal.

THE TRUE EDUCATION READERS.

Mary L. Zener, Educational Secretary of the Colorado Conference, writes, "The copy of the first reader duly received. I have carefully examined it and think it the best for our schools that I have seen. Not only is it good for our schools, but I think it good for any one needing a first reader. I am indeed glad that this series of readers is now published."

The price of the readers No. 1 and No. 2, in full cloth binding, is 75 cents, post-paid; Reader No. 3 is 90 cents, post-paid.

All these books are fully illustrated, printed on first-class book paper, and substantially bound in cloth. They each contain lessons for a full school year, instead of for three months, as many other of the school readers do.

These books should be in every home where there are children, whether they have a home school, church school, or not.

This series of books is highly recommended by the professors and teachers in our colleges and academies, as well as by our church-school teachers. The books are thoroly practical in every way, and teach the principles of the third angel's message and that which we call the Present Truth for this time and generation.

These books may be ordered from any state tract society or Seventh-day Adventist publishing house.

MOUNT OF BLESSING.

By Editor

We have a limited number of that grand book, "Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing," by Mrs. E. G. White, bound in paper covers, which we can sell at 30 cents net, post-paid.

It is printed on a fine grade of book paper, and nicely illustrated, but the printed sheets were rescued from our fire and were slightly damp and wrinkled. But the print is nice and clear, the books are neat and clean, bound in paper covers, and just splendid for missionary work, to loan to friends and neighbors, or to read and study in your own home.

It is a valuable, beautiful, and instructive present to give to the older children and youth, or to mail to a friend. While they last, we will send them, post-paid, for 30 cents net, or six for $1.50. Address, Pacific Press, Mountain View, Cal. "Do it now."

TESTIMONIALS.

Lula I. Tarbell, Secretary of the Educational Department of the Chesapeake Conference, writes, "I have given True Education Readers Nos. 1 and 2 a careful examination, and find them just what we have needed here in the East in the church school work. I shall take much pleasure in having this series of readers introduced into the schools of this conference."

Attractive Books

For Children and Young People

The first five books below are printed in colors, and all are very interesting and instructive. Best Stories from the Best Book, . . . paper, $0.25; board, $0.50 The Gospel Primer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . board, .25; cloth, .50 New Testament Primer, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . " .25; " .50 Our Little Folks Bible Nature, . . . . . . . . . . " .25; " .50 Story of Joseph, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . " .25; " .50 Home and Church School Reader No. 1, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . cloth, .75 Home and Church School Reader No. 2, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . " .75 Home and Church School Reader No. 3, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . " .90

And for those ten years of age and older: Our Paradise Home, . . . . . . . . . . . . . board, $0.25; cloth, .50 Left With a Trust, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . " .50 Steps to Christ, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . paper, .25; " .50 His Glorious Appearing . . . . . . . . . . board, .25; " .50 Christ Our Saviour, . . . . . . . . . . . . board, .50; " .75 Beasts, Birds, and Reptiles, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . " .75 Home, Haunts, and Habits of Animals, . . . . . . . . . . . . " .75 How a Little Girl Went to Africa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . " 1.00 My Garden Neighbors, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . " 1.00 Uncle Ben's Cobblestones, . . . . . . . . . . . . . board, 1.00 The House We Live In, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . cloth, 1.00 In Africa's Forest and Jungle, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . " 1.00 Minute Men on the Frontier, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . " 1.00

Sent post-paid at above prices. Address your State Tract Society, or

Pacific Press Publishing Company

Mountain View, Cal. 285 Salmon St., 1109 East 12th St., Portland, Ore. Kansas City, Mo.

Prof. A. W. Hallock, principal of Bethel (Wis.) Academy, writes upon receipt of Reader No. 2, "I have examined the book and like its contents and arrangement very much."

The Best Denominational Reader

Fannie Dickerson-Chase, editor of the Youth's Instructor, says of this series of Readers, "It is the best reader by far published by our denomination."

Books Are Selling Rapidly

By Editor

Books Are Selling Rapidly.—We clip the following from a state conference paper: "The canvassing report in this issue speaks courage. Books can be sold at any time of the year. It needs consecration, tact, push, and energy and this work can be made a success. Many more are needed for this work. Who will respond? The field is large; the opportunities many; the prospects bright; the work important beyond comprehension."

"JEHOVAH REIGNETH."

By Editor

THE psalmist sings: "Jehovah reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad. . . . Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne." "Show forth His salvation from day to day. Declare His glory among the nations." "Say among the nations, Jehovah reigneth." See Psalms 97 and 96, A.R.V.

It is a dominant note in God's Gospel song of the ages—"Jehovah reigneth." "There is none like unto Thee, O Jehovah; Thou art great, and Thy name is great in might. Who should not fear Thee, O King of the nations?" "The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, these shall perish from the earth, and from under the heavens." "But Jehovah is the true God; He is the living God, and an everlasting King. . . . He hath made the earth by His power, He hath established the world by His wisdom, and by His understanding hath He stretched out the heavens." See Jer. 10:6-12. This Jehovah, infinite in every perfection, is the God of the universe; "there is no God beside."

"JEHOVAH reigneth" despite all appearances to the contrary. Above all the earthquakes, the pestilences, the famines, the deluges, the devastating storms which sweep the earth, "Jehovah reigneth." Jehovah sat as King at the flood. The earth and its laws are perverted. Its wild storms, its fearful convulsions, its horrible pestilences, are abnormal conditions. Jehovah did not include them in His infinitely wise plan and purpose. They are the fruit of perverted laws and perverted purposes. God's laws are living, working laws, normally working out good and only good; but when evil perverts that mighty power and turns it into another channel; when lust and pride and ambition and hate and other elements of selfishness turn the life of the law of God to their own ends, inevitable death and all that leads to death ensues. The devil and demons and men may seem to thwart God's purposes for a time; God permits the evil working that intelligent beings may see the fruits of evil and choose the good; but above all the evil He is waiting for the glorious outcome of the eternal principle—right is might. He reigns. Even the wrath of man shall praise Him; the remainder of wrath will He restrain. We see but the one item; God sees the stupendous whole. We see but one stripe in the web which God is weaving despite of hindering sin, and often the wrong side of that; He sees the completed web in all its beauty. All that will not submit to His righteous reign shall perish; all that will yield to it shall ever rejoice in God.

H. M. S. “Terrible” in Christmas dress, in Hongkong, 1903. The letters on the great battle-ship's side are formed of the ship's crew in white.

JEHOVAH will not reign in His fulness where He is not invited. Above all other places where He longs to reign is in the hearts of His creatures. It is His invitation,

"My son, give Me thy heart; and let thine eyes delight in My ways." In other words, let God reign in the heart; let His ways be acknowledged there. "For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place [not a thing to be wondered at], with him also [marvelous condescension] that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite." In the hearts of all He desires to reign; in the heart of the humble He will reign.

For that reign we should pray. In that wonderfully comprehensive prayer Jesus taught His disciples is this petition, "Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven."

But the most important place in earth in which we should desire the will of God done is our own heart. And we never truly pray the prayer if that be not included. The dominant note of the Gospel—Jehovah reigneth—must be heard and received in our own lives or we can not sing the new song. Two things greatly desired by the whole human family are strength and beauty; but "strength and beauty are in His sanctuary," the very center of His Gospel service. The psalmist sings:

"He [Jehovah] brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay; And He set my feet upon a rock, and ESTABLISHED my goings. And He hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: Many shall see it, and fear, And shall trust in Jehovah." "Say among the nations, Jehovah reigneth."

Only he can truly say it who knows the reigning power of God in his own life—God's Spirit and word dominant over sin and selfishness. As Jehovah conquered and reigned there, the glad soul knows that according to that same working God "is able even to subject all things unto Himself." Sinner, Jehovah would reign in your heart and life, and all that He asks of you is that you will open the door, bid Him welcome, and submit all to Him.

THE king of earth can reign only so long as they are supported by loyal souls. He must have their support, but even then of how little worth it is. For no king on earth, doubtless, do so many loyal hearts beat as for King Edward of England. They will give their life for him. Wherever the sun shines or ships sail will be found men who will join heartily in the cry, "God save the King." They know that great as is their combined strength, they are powerless to preserve his life. The executioner, who bears no respect for royalty, may enter the palace door past numerous guards and smite to the death the king on his throne. They have no power against the "King of Terrors." Yet are they loyal, and count it joy so to be. Look again at our picture. In letters of living men have they limned their sentiments against the black sides of the war monster. They have given themselves to establish his throne and power wherever his mighty navy sweeps the sea. Yet is their king at his best a poor, imperfect, sinful, dying man.

WHAT a contrast is presented in the gracious Gospel of God, in the eternal reign of Jehovah. We are not asked to serve a king whom we must pledge to support and save, so far as humans can, but we are asked to yield to a King who can and will save us from sin, from all evil, from death—save us forever. And saving us, He entreats us to join His army, not to establish it by force of arms, not by cruel warfare to spread it abroad over the face of the earth and conquer His foes in bloody conflicts; but we are invited to "say among the nations, Jehovah reigneth," and thus "show forth His salvation from day to day; declare His glory among the nations." This is our glad message, Jehovah reigns, Jehovah saves; and He would reign in every soul and save it forever.

DO YOU KNOW THE PATTERN?

"I KNOW just what pattern I want," said a young woman to her mother as they started out on a shopping expedition. The remark suggested a thought. The daughter's words, whatever her motive, express what should be true in a spiritual sense in every soul.

All are molding character after some pattern, but, sad to say, few indeed are they who know the pattern they want. It is now this, and then that, and next day something else. So they go on and on thru life. By and by they will come up to the great judgment day where one Character will be all in all, and all that is not in harmony with it shall perish. O the changing, characterless ones! Their pattern changes with every passing hour.

The world presents many patterns; but God presents only one, Jesus Christ our Lord. God would have us all choose that Pattern, and He has made it possible by His abundant life for us to copy it. The choice rests with you. It is all-perfect in its fulness. Why not choose it, then? Why not know the Pattern, and know that we want it?

THE ONLY BIBLE ELECTION.

Special and Effectual.

AFTER most excellent instruction in Christian living, the apostle Peter, in his second epistle, gives us this earnest admonition: "Wherefore, brethren, give the more diligence to make your calling and election sure."

Last week we studied the "Calling;" this week let us begin our study of the "Election." The word itself means, as above used, "selection," "choosing after trying," "calling out of." What does it mean to us?

Does it mean to us, as we have been taught, that God has from all eternity elected some to be saved and chosen others to be lost? Many is the poor soul who has lived in years of misery and sadness under the awful conviction that he was elected to be lost, and yet longing with a God-begotten longing to be saved. Others have presumptuously counted themselves among the saved, and have turned to sin believing they could not sin away their choosing.

The word of God does teach election, choosing, and the choosing is of God, as is the calling. Jesus said to His disciples: "Ye did not choose Me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that ye should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide." That is what the Lord has declared concerning those disciples; we have no reason to conclude that the cases of others are different in principle.

There is an election mentioned in the Scriptures which we note here as "special election," but which comes outside of our general study. Still it is worthy of consideration.

God chooses men to do special work, and has done this throughout the ages, but this temporal choosing does not in itself insure eternal salvation. For instance, God chose Abraham to be the father of the promised Seed. Gen. 17:1-8. Of Abraham's two sons, Isaac, the younger, was chosen to perpetuate the promise to the father. Gen. 21:11, 12. Of Isaac's two sons, Jacob, the younger, was chosen as the channel of the promise. Gen. 25:23, 31-34. Jacob had twelve sons; Judah was chosen. Gen. 49:8-10. Of the families of Judah, that of Jesse was chosen; and of Jesse's sons, David was chosen. This choosing did not insure eternal salvation of the men chosen; nor did it consign to destruction their brothers who were passed by. God chose Pharaoh to glorify His name. He would have done it in mercy and prosperity to the king, but Pharaoh forced God to do it in punishment. Even so He chose Nebuchadnezzar and Cyrus, and unlike Pharaoh they yielded to do the work for which God chose them.

When the virgin Mary was chosen as the mother of Christ, that was not a seal of eternal salvation. She could have apostatized from the faith and thus be lost at last. Jesus Himself declared that others who were not chosen to do the special work of Mary, would be counted in God's plan as truly His mothers as was she whom some have honored even above God; "for," He declares, "whosoever shall do the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother, and sister, and mother." Matt. 12:50.

God calls every soul of us to do some special work for Him, and He blesses and prospers us in that work. Mark 13:34. But if we are eternally elected, we must be true to the end. It is possible to preach to others, and yet ourselves be castaways. 1 Cor. 9:27. We ourselves must choose God's choice, God's way, the things that please God, the life that He offers with its conditions, if we are to be effectually elected. Isa. 56:4; Deut. 30:19. And then we must ever bear in mind that "we are become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our confidence firm unto the end." Heb. 3:14.

To what the election pertains will be studied in our next issue.

A "TRUMPET" ON "ADVENTISM."

By Editor

We have received from many sources clippings from a paper on "Adventism," in which the editorial writer makes certain statements, and we are asked to review these articles. In the first place, it is hardly worth while to notice them. There are small papers of small circulation that are only too glad to get any kind of notice. To do this they frequently go out of their way to attack somebody. As a general thing, even tho they make many erroneous statements, their circulation is very limited and they reach only a certain class, which any refutation of their errors would not reach at all. What, then, is the use of denying their statements?

In the article before us is this statement, for instance: "Adventism in its several branches started, or originated, in the work of William Miller." They give the date of this as somewhere about 1831. It is further stated, "He preached it as a revelation from God." Now, in the first place, Adventism began not with William Miller, but all over the world, at about that time. More than three hundred ministers of the Church of England were preaching that Christ was coming about the year 1840 to 1844. Joseph Wolfe declared that he preached it thruout all the East and in the highest circles in both Europe and America. Many ministers of other churches were preaching it in both Europe and America. It was not a denominational matter at all. Ministers were raised up of God in all the various denominations to preach that Christ was soon to come. The British Museum Library abounds in books and pamphlets which were written about that date. Miller led in this work in America because his interpretations of the prophecies were clearer and more definite than others who were preaching the same thing.

He did not preach it as a revelation from God other than that God revealed it in His holy word. That Miller was mistaken is held by all Adventists. The explanation of his mistake is very easily shown in the study of the Gospel in the light of the Sanctuary question and in the priesthood of Jesus Christ. Even so the disciples were disappointed when they thought that Christ would set up a temporal kingdom at the first advent. Yet were they fulfilling prophecy, so manifestly so that Jesus

said that if they should hold their peace, in proclaiming that His kingdom was then to be set up, the very stones would cry out.

This writer quotes from Uriah Smith some things that are true, some things that are garbled. Of course Miller's disappointment affected many. Every test that comes in the individual Christian life, as well as the history of the church, affects many. Many at one time went back from Jesus Christ and walked no more with Him, and many more when He was crucified. That, however, did not prove His advent or doctrine a delusion, tho it was then counted so. Neither did it prove the prophecy a delusion, nor Miller a delusion, tho it was a mistake in the event to occur at the close of the long period of 2,300 days.

This writer quotes Uriah Smith: "If we take the ground that the prophetic period did not then expire, the whole work falls to the ground as wholly false and unscriptural." "But if there is nothing to the past movement, there is certainly nothing to the present." Then he goes on to say that "I shall prove from their own writings that the time-setting was an error." But he proves absolutely nothing "from their own writings."

Consistently from the very beginning Seventh-day Adventists have held that the prophetic time was rightly interpreted, the mistake was in the event to take place at the end of the period. This holiness paper teaches a holiness that is too holy to follow the example of the Lord Jesus Christ and keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. The whole opposition to Seventh-day Adventism is not because of any mistakes that anybody has made, but it is because of enmity of the natural heart against God's law. The whole secret of the opposition to the truth of the Gospel lies there; for "the carnal mind is enmity against God, for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be."

We have no more to say in regard to the matter than this. We only invite our readers who are troubled over the erroneous and garbled statements that many may make to study the truth at first hand; get Uriah Smith's book on the Sanctuary, and read it from beginning to end; and many who will read it will say, as did a learned Presbyterian minister of Ogdensburg, N. Y., after perusing and studying it, "The three angels' messages are founded on rock bottom."

2044.—Surprise Parties

By Editor

[We are willing to answer all questions in this department that are practical for the department and that would minister to the general good of our readers, but we answer no questions unless the name and address accompany the question. We do not ask this for publication, nor will it be published unless the inquirer so desires; we ask it, however, as an evidence of good faith, and that we may answer by letter if deemed best. Inquirers will please take notice. There is no departure from the rule. Unsigned questions reach the waste basket by the most direct route.]

2044.—Surprise Parties.

Does the Lord approve of people attending surprise parties? Solomon speaks in Eccl. 3:17 that there is a time for every purpose and for every work. Would like you to explain this text and also the question.

It depends altogether upon what the surprise party is for, what the object is, what the spirit and motive are that underlie it. If it is a surprise party for pure hilarity and fun, a mere ministering to the lusts of the flesh, that is one thing. If it is for the purpose of showing kindness to a friend, appreciation of friendship, helping the poor and needy, that is another thing. Some of the old-fashioned surprise parties were very blessed affairs indeed. We have known them again and again to make themselves into half a dozen teams, each taking a load of wood to a poor widow who was without any. We have seen men gather from half a dozen different farms, leaving their own haying and harvesting, to harvest the crop of a man who was sick, and he did not know anything about it until he saw them come; it was a blessed surprise party to him. We have seen them come to a poor minister, who hardly knew how he was going to live thru the winter, with wood and provisions and food and money. We can not believe that there is anything wrong in such a surprise party as that. Sometimes these parties take on less of a beneficial character and yet are harmless, and helpful in breaking the ice of cold formality and showing real friendship. Let the motive be right and the acts be right, and we need not trouble ourselves about the surprise parties in it. It would have to be judged as all other parties are, according to their character.

Eccl. 3:17 is simply a statement that in God's judgment there is a time for every purpose and every work. In the beginning of the chapter the writer says that all the things in this world have their regular course, a time to be born and a time to die, a time to buy and a time to plant, a time to harvest, a time to kill, and so the things of the world go on in their regular course over and over. And yet many of these things are perverted. He saw that in the very place of justice among men that wickedness was there, in the place where there ought to be righteousness, that wickedness was there. So he states the conclusion that God will judge the righteous and the wicked, for there is time, that is in God's judgment, for every purpose and for every work, so that God's own plan shall be perfectly complete in everything, as man's plans are incomplete.

2045.—Scriptural Authority for Wearing Apparel.

What scriptural authority have the Dunkards and River Brethren for wearing the cap and bonnet? Is there any pamphlet that treats upon this subject? Is the prevalent fashion wrong of women attending evening service with the head uncovered?

How good it is to know that the Lord has left some things to Christian common sense and our own taste. The prescription that He lays down is that we should dress modestly, becomingly, and befitting the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He or she is best dressed whose dress attracts the least attention. We know no reason why the Dunkards and River Brethren may not wear any kind of clothes they desire. Let them follow their own taste and the best light they have. We know of nothing that would compel any one to follow their fashion. They may have pamphlets on the subject themselves. We know of nothing that treats of that subject, hardly think it worth any treatise. Nor do we see anything wrong in women attending evening services with head uncovered. God has given women hair for a covering of the head. Sometimes the immense bonnets or hats which they wear serve to hide the speaker and singers from those who sit behind. It seems to us that it would be a great relief to have them uncover their heads under some circumstances.

2046.—God Is a Spirit. John 4:24.

Please explain John 4:24. The Spirit hath not flesh and bones. When any one is born from above, and the Spirit of God dwells in him, when he dies, does the Spirit of God or of Christ die? When Christ died, He said, "Father into Thy hands I commend My spirit;" and Stephen said, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." What did that mean?

To reply to the last question first, that simply means that God would take their life and care for it. Christ's life was commended unto the Father, Stephen's life into the hands of the Master. All these difficulties would vanish if we remember that spirit is used in different ways. We give more than one meaning to words constantly. We find the same word used under different meanings in the Scriptures. For instance, Jesus said of His disciples, "Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of;" that is, You do not understand what actuates you. Spirit sometimes means a spiritual being. So God is a Spirit, a spiritual being; angels are "ministering spirits" (Heb. 1:14), spiritual beings. There are also evil spirits or demons. Then there is spirit meaning life, the life which God gives to His children, the higher life, in contradistinction to soul, which every one possesses, children of God or not. The expression quoted above that "a spirit hath not flesh and bones which ye see Me have," evidently refers to evil spirits, and the disciples' conception of ghosts, for they seemed to have the same superstitious ideas of phantoms that men have at the present time. If we will bear in mind these various uses which the word spirit has, we will have no trouble whatever in letting the context settle the question. As, for instance, the words of Stephen, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit," compare with Col. 3:3, "For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life shall be manifested, then shall ye also with Him be manifested in glory." That life does not leave us as a conscious, intelligent entity; it did not come to us in that way. It came as life, vivifying the whole spiritual man.

2047.—The Rich Man and Lazarus.

Please explain Luke 16:19-31.

The passage is too long for proper explanation in this department. Such questions we must almost of necessity leave out because of that. For that reason we refer our questioner to a tract which covers the scripture very much more fully and much more clearly than we can state it in this department. The tract is B. S. L. No. 146, and can be secured from this office for two cents. See also "Christ's Object Lessons," chapter entitled, "A Great Gulf Fixed."

In brief, it may be said that the parable was one which illustrated the condition and attitude of the Jews and Gentiles toward God. The Jews could be well likened to the rich man that fared sumptuously. All the riches of God's grace had been given them; they had been made the repository of His law and the recipients of the riches of His grace. Rom. 9:4. They considered the Gentiles but "dogs" and unworthy of any of the riches of God. They felt that none would be saved outside of their own particular nation, and the Pharisees themselves, to whom Jesus addressed this parable, seemed to feel that there was no salvation for any except Pharisees. It is recorded of one of this class that he remarked that if only two people were saved in this world, it would be him and his son, but if only one were saved, he himself would be the one. Lifted up in their own estimation, the Jews failed to find the true riches of God; the Gentiles in their poverty of soul, willing to accept anything, received of His grace. Rejecting Christ, the one class has been left to trouble, ever seeking but never finding rest, while the other class, those who accept Christ, have found peace and joy in Him. The great gulf which lies between is the unbelief on the part of those who reject their Saviour. This could be well enlarged and amplified, but in brief, is an explanation of the parable, for it is a parable and not a literal occurrence.

"Thus saith Jehovah, Stand ye in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way: and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls."

"But foolish and unlearned questions avoid."

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