Signs of the Times, Vol. 30, No. 21.
GOD, THE WONDERFUL CREATORPage 1
Earlier text: GOD, THE WONDERFUL CREATOR“Not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof.” Josh. 23:14. “And the Lord gave them rest round about, according to all that He sware unto their fathers.” Ch. 21:44. The book of Joshua is of special interest to us because it gives account of the typical rest in Canaan, which represents the final and eternal rest in heaven. It is a comforting message when we hear about the rest for the weary. Rest was the Gospel message that was preached to Israel in Egypt, and in the desert. But the true rest remains for the people of God. We see from the quotations given that the people did enter into rest under Joshua. God promised them rest, and His promise did not fail. But that was not the true rest. See Hebrews 4. It is the same as it was with the manna. Jesus said concerning that, “Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but My Father giveth you the true bread from heaven.” John 6:32. The manna and the rest were both typical. The book we are now considering has a peculiar interest for us on account of the name it bears. Joshua in Hebrew, and Jesus in Greek, are the same name; consequently the name of this book in the Septuagint is the book of Jesus. We see the identity of the names from Heb. 4:8, where the name “Jesus” occurs, but the margin gives the name “Joshua.” He was a very apt type of Christ, and very appropriately bore the same name as He did. Jesus of the Old Testament brought ancient Israel into the typical land of promise. Jesus of the New Testament is yet to bring His people into the real land of promise, the eternal rest in the kingdom of God. Another instance of the occurrence of the name “Jesus” is found in Zech. 3:1, which reads in the Septuagint: “And the Lord showed me Jesus, the high priest, standing before the angel of the Lord, and the devil stood on His right hand to resist Him,” etc. Verse 9: “For as for the stone which I have set before the face of Jesus, on the one stone are seven eyes.” The language sounds very much like that in Hebrews where we read of Jesus, our great High Priest; also like some of the references to Him in Revelation. So we have some very lively types of Jesus bearing the same name in the Old Testament. Surely the book of Joshua (Jesus) should have for us a good degree of interest. There are many items of history in this book that we could not afford to miss. The first chapter might be called the “good courage” chapter. Notice how many times the expression occurs: “Be strong and of a good courage;” “Only be thou strong and very courageous;” “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid;” “Only be strong and of a good courage.” Verses 6, 7, 9, 18. When our courage is somewhat waning, it would do us good to read this “good courage” chapter. The account of the passage of the Jordan, whose waters were divided to let Israel through, is interesting to compare with the passage through the Red Sea. While that may seem like the more stupendous miracle, yet this appears the more calm, restful and dignified. It may take the two to represent the early and closing experiences in a Christian life. Two mighty deliverances lie in this path, the deliverance from sin, the present salvation now, and the deliverance from all the evils of mortal life at the end of the journey, the final salvation in the kingdom of God; both accomplished by the Author and Finisher of our faith, even Jesus. Heb. 12:1, 2. Among the notable events recorded in Joshua are the taking of Jericho, mentioned among the acts of faith recorded in Hebrews 11, in which through faith the mighty walls of the city fell; Achan’s sin, illustrating how the love of money is the root of all evil; and also how God holds the congregation responsible for the conduct of the individuals composing the church. The unparalleled physical phenomenon of the sun standing still is thus described. “So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day. And there was no day like that before it nor after it.” The appointing of forty-two cities for the Levites shows how the Lord designs that His ministers and missionaries shall be amply supported; for altho the Levites had no tribal division of the territory, yet they had, besides the tithes of all the produce, permanent homes in the cities where they dwelt. A very impressive lesson on the manner in which unjust suspicions are often circulated, is found in chapter 22. The act of the two and one-half tribes in erecting an altar with a truly devotional purpose, was construed to be an attempt at complete apostasy from God. It is very easy for us sometimes thus to misconstrue the actions of our brethren. The solemn charge of Joshua, with the accompanying exhortations recorded in the last chapter are of most thrilling importance, and the words, “Choose you this day whom ye will serve,” and, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord,” are still ringing down through the ages, and sounding in our ears. NOTWITHSTANDING appearances, a prophet who calls special attention to himself, or in any way seeks to aggrandize himself, or manifests a desire for worldly emolument, is a false prophet. How They Became Convinced
[Believing it would be of interest to our readers, the editor of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES has asked Sabbath-keeping ministers and evangelical workers to tell in a few words the scripture or scriptures, the truths and principles, which constrained them to accept the unpopular truth of the seventh-day Sabbath. These testimonies must not exceed 500 words. Let us hear from all.] In the spring of 1894, at Spartanburg, N. C., I, for the time, met a Seventh-day Adventist. He was introduced to me as Elder Webster, an Adventist minister. I heard him give two readings on the “little horn” of Daniel 7. He had a wonderful chart, which, as I then thought, had “all manner of four-footed beasts and fowls” on it. Those two readings of that dear brother, whom I have not since seen, set me to thinking. I read and studied for three years, during which time I lost my health. But now I can say with David, “Before I was afflicted, I went astray; but now have I kept Thy Words. . . . It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn Thy statutes.” Ps. 119:67, 71. I learned from Isa. 42:21 that Christ was not to abolish, or make the law void; but that He was to magnify and make it honorable. In Matt. 5:17–19, 27, 28, I saw that He fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy. In 1 Thess. 5:21, Paul tells me to “hold fast that which is good;” and in Rom. 7:12, he says, “The law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.” Therefore I concluded I had better obey. Peter tells me that I purify my soul by obeying the truth. 1 Peter 1:22. In Ps. 119:142, 151, I learned that the law is the truth, and that every one of the commandments is the truth. In James 2:8–12, I learned that if I disobeyed in one, I was “guilty of all.” So I saw that the only sensible thing for me to do was to render obedience to the entire Decalogue, which, of course, included the seventh-day Sabbath. Now I can say with John, “This is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not grievous.” 1 John 5:3. In my early years my attention was called to the Sabbath question by listening to the conversation of an aged Seventh-day Baptist. Later, at the age of fifteen, while comparing scripture with scripture, the Lord favored me with serious conviction. I wished people would keep the seventh day, and I could not see why they failed to do so. I thought that if I had a home of my own I would do so. But when such men as Martin Luther, Whitefield, and the Wesleys kept Sunday, who was I, to question their conclusions? Surely they must have found evidence for the change. Nevertheless as the years rolled by, the Spirit renewed the convictions again and again. I studied a book entitled “Willison on the Sabbath.” There was a good “Thus saith the Lord” for seventh-day sacredness shown from scripture all along down to the crucifixion; but the historical and traditional argument from that point on failed to be satisfactory. Then Brother M. E. Cornell lectured in Saugatuck, Mich., in the winter of 1856–57. Books purchased from him again aroused inquiry and conviction until, whenever I knelt for prayer, the Lord seemed saying to me, “You know the seventh day is the Sabbath; will you keep it?” My prayers did not seem to rise higher than my head, and I could not live without communion with God. I said, If all these godly men could find a change, I can. Bible in hand, I devoted both days to a prayerful investigation. My sister joined me soon in the effort. A few weeks later we dropped the Sunday, to observe the Sabbath of the Lord ever after. It was not altogether as easy a matter to keep Saturday in my own house as the girl of fifteen had imagined. However, “Wisdom’s ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.” Christian Love
By Rev. E. C. Stover
A CHRISTIAN may be permitted to have one “hobby,” viz.: Christian love. The Bible is a “love letter” written to human beings to enable them to be happy here and hereafter. The greatest men in the world have been men of great hearts, like C. H. Spurgeon and D. L. Moody. Paul was such a man; from conversion till death he proved it. He loved men and helped them. In the twentieth century as well as in the first century we need this same spirit. The world is not dying for education or for theology, but it wants to be loved. People are hungry for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We need to break down social barriers, and love will win.—Rev. E. C. Stover. IN THE POWER OF THE NAME.
In the wonderful Name of Jesus there is a power that the “children of earth” are unable to comprehend. The Pharisees could not understand the power of His influence over the common people of Judea. While they sought in every way to hinder His work, and laid snares by which they hoped to accomplish His death, still the common people “heard Him gladly.” And when they had closed His tomb and had seen to it that there was the seal of the Roman Empire upon it and a guard of Roman soldiers around it, lest His prophecy concerning Himself should be fulfilled, they slept in apparent confidence that the One who had troubled their consciences was safe under the power of death. But they had not reckoned with the power in that Name—the power which resided there because of the inherent righteousness of the One who bore it. As the rays of the morning sun unbind the bonds of mist that hold some mountain valley in darkness, so did the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in His wings to burst the bonds of that dismal cloud which threw the black shadow of death over the whole human race. That was the true dawn of day for this world doomed to the blackness of the night of death. The power of that Name had burst the shackles from every soul upon the earth. The great emancipation proclamation had been signed in the blood of the Son of God. The race of slaves to sin and sin’s instigator could now walk out from under the upraised lash of the taskmaster to find eternal liberty as children of the great Emancipator. The proclamation is signed and sealed, and liberty is ours if only we are willing to accept it. It was a matter of astonishment to the crucifiers of the Messiah that there was still power in the Name to wield a mighty influence over a large number of Christ’s followers, even after they had seen Him hanging dead upon a Roman cross or lying dead within the tomb. But His faithful ones had heard again His gracious words, and the power of that Name was winning believers to the truth. The enemies of that cause would stamp it out by sword and prison, so they scattered it; but they scattered it as the wind scatters the seeds of the maple, and every scattered seed was a new center of power and conversion; and then its bitterest enemy, “breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord,” came himself in touch with the power of Him who bore the Name, was overcome by that power, yielded to it, and became the great apostle to the Gentiles. John, in commending “Gaius the beloved” for his faithfulness, commended to his care those who went forth among the Gentiles “for the sake of the Name.” And they did go forth in the power and for the sake of the Name, hundreds of them at first and thousands of them later, publishing to the world what great things Christ had done for the families of earth; and the power of the Name witnessed with them and wrought mightily in their work. Then there began the dark period of the church’s history, and with their blood these faithful ones witnessed for the Name. Hunted like wild beasts, hiding in dens and caves of the earth, and yielding up their lives rather than deny the Name, the martyrs327have written their testimony in their life-blood. There is still power in the Name,—power to keep, and power to enable the faithful to endure. When in the last days of this earth’s history all the world is wondering after the great worship-hungry beast, and kneeling in homage to that power, the power of the Name is found still keeping a little band, whose names are inscribed upon the pages of the Lamb’s book of life. As an evidence of the power that is in that Name, the angel of God calls the prophet’s attention to that remnant people, who have not worshiped that world-dominating power, and says: “Here is the patience of the saints, here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” Rev. 14:12. In the shield of that keeping power they have stood the test; in the power of that Name they have conquered the enemy, and there is no power that can stand between them and eternal life. But that is not the last manifestation of the power of the Name. The children of God have confessed the name of Christ, and He in turn has confessed their names before His Father and before His angels; but the time is coming when those also who have rejected Him will confess His name, not to praise Him, not to give Him glory, but in fear and in trembling. “Behold, He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him, and they that pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth shall mourn over Him.” Rev. 1:7. “And the kings of the earth, and the princes, and the chief captains, and the rich, and the strong, and every bondman and freeman, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains; and they say to the mountains and to the rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb; for the great day of their wrath is come; and who is able to stand?” Rev. 6:15–17. There is in that a confession of their own unrighteousness, their own unworthiness, and the power of Him whose name they have spurned, and whose offers of pardon they have flung aside. It is then too late, and the awful sense of guilt, of judgment at hand, and of the loss of all that eternity had in store for them, comes upon them with crushing weight. But to those who have been faithful to God, who have honored His name and His law, that time is a time of the most profound joy. The trials of old earth are done; the victory over all that opposed the power and love of God is complete; the gift of immortality is given; the Name is glorified, and they are glorified with it. Beyond the reach of sorrow, temptation, of sin, an eternity of blessed association with Jesus, the Father, and holy angels, before them, the tried ones of earth will hail their King in the victorious song of Moses and the Lamb. Eternal life! Who would forfeit it for any transient pleasures this earth can give? For the sake of the Name, and in the power of the Name, enlist now, gird on the armor of God, and stand with Him in that day. ARE SIGNS AND MIRACLES EVIDENCES OF TRUTH?
A DEVOTED Christian asks why signs should not be seen among believers now more than they are. Why do not the signs named in Mark 16:17, 18 follow those who believe? These are fair questions and should be answered. Mormonism claims that all those signs follow believers in Mormonism; therefore they must be the true church. “Christian Scientists” claim that they heal the sick, do, in fact, marvelous cures, and that this is an evidence that they are of God. Still other sects and cults make the same claim. Are these claims true? And if the healings and miracles and signs are in evidence among a people, ought it not to be sufficient assurance to us to receive that people as the true people of God? To both of these queries we answer, Most emphatically, no. The manifestation of miracles and signs and wonders may and will be among the true people of God, but they are no evidence that the people are God’s people. When Moses went down to Egypt he wrought wonders. So also did the magicians. Moses clearly implies that predicted signs and wonders among the wicked would come to pass. Deut. 13:1, 2. The test must be, Are the prophets leading away from God or to His Word? Isaiah intimates that there will arise those who shall seek to persuade God’s people to seek to the wonder workings of Spiritism. But the prophet repudiates it all, and gives this test of the ages: “To the law and to the testimony; if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” Isa. 8:19, 20. Jeremiah met false prophets in plenty, who opposed him by the dreams and visions they had had. But God tells His servant: “The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell his dream; and he that hath My word, let him speak My word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat? saith Jehovah.” Jer. 23:28. Jesus declares that in the day of the Great Assize many will come and say, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy by Thy name, and by Thy name cast out demons, and by Thy name do many mighty works?” What is His reply to these wonder-workers? He does not dispute their words, but He takes issue with their character. “Then will I profess unto them, I never knew you; depart from Me, ye that work iniquity [lawlessness, disobedience].” Matt. 7:22, 23. In two very emphatic passages the Bible sets before us two different workings, which will be especially manifest in the days of Christ’s coming. The first we will quote sets forth the working of the evil one and those with him:— “And then shall that wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming; whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send strong delusion, that they should believe a lie; that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” 2 Thess. 2:8–12. See also Rev. 13:13, 14 and 16:13. The chief characteristics of the enemies of God are signs, wonders, and miracles to deceive, to make unrighteousness appear like righteousness. Satan appears as an angel of light; his ministers as ministers of righteousness. 2 Cor. 11:13–15. How may we discern the true people of God, the saints acceptable in Him? Here is the description by His prophet:— “Here is the patience of the saints; here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. . . . And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud One sat like unto the Son of Man, having on His head a golden crown, and in His hand a sharp sickle.” Rev. 14:12–14. Loyalty, faith, endurance, obedience are above all wonder-working signs. John the Baptist was one of the greatest of prophets; yet “John wrought no miracle.” As of old, men seek a sign, and are deceived; and as of old God’s servant must say, “We preach Christ crucified,” to the sign-seekers a stumbling-block, and to the human philosophizers foolishness; but unto them that are called, “Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.” 1 Cor. 1:22–25. Signs will in God’s own way accompany His people; but the greatest miracle is a regenerate soul; the greatest sign is a loyal, obedient life in a wicked and gainsaying generation. THE CHRISTIAN'S SINLESSNESS.
“We know that whosoever is begotten of God sinneth not; but he that was begotten of God keepeth himself, and the evil one toucheth him not.” 1 John 5:18. We are asked, “Is it after he is raised from the dead that the wicked one toucheth him not?” Yes, it is after he is raised from spiritual death, but it is while he is yet in this world. It is a most precious promise, but it is a spiritual promise. It is not necessarily a protection against bodily harm or persecution. 2 Tim. 3:12. The child of faith does not sin wilfully; while in the garb of sinful flesh he may unwittingly do that which is wrong, but because of his faith the sin is not imputed to him; his faith is “counted unto him for righteousness,” Rom. 4:3. “Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.” Verse 8. This, however, is conditioned upon walking in all the light that shines upon one's pathway; herein is the evidence that his faith is genuine. It is said of Christ, after He had successfully overcome the temptations in the wilderness, that the devil left Him. And afterward, on the night of His betrayal, Jesus said to His disciples, “The prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in Me.” John 14:30. Spiritually the tempter could not touch Him; for there was nothing in Him that would respond to Satanic artifice. So James says, “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” In 1 John 3:5, 6 we are told that Christ “was manifested to take away our sins; and in Him is no sin. Whosoever abideth in Him sinneth not.” In previous verses the apostle says: “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. And every man that hath this hope in Him purifieth himself, even as He is pure.” This is the aim, the earnest purpose, of every one who is born of God. He is like a little child learning to walk. He can not do it perfectly. He needs the hand of the Father to keep him from falling. But his imperfect steps are not laid up against him as a crime, nor will he be allowed to fall as long as he retains his hold on the Father's hand. The apostle Paul, in expressing his hope of salvation, says: “Not as tho I had already attained, either were already perfect; but I follow after, if also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended; but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Phil. 3:12-14. Note that in this expression the apostle disclaims perfection; but in the following verse he says, “Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded.” But there is no contradiction of sentiment. Paul simply disclaims actual perfection of life, but recognizes in himself and others a perfection of purpose. This purpose can be carried out only in the faith of Christ; for the same apostle again says, “I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.” Gal. 2:20. The enemy aims to discourage, and does discourage many honest, conscientious souls by tempting them to doubt their conversion because they are conscious of imperfections. He would like to get them into the belief that they can not be saved because they have sinned since they professed the name of Christ. But the Spirit guards us against such error by the assurance that “if any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” It is in His righteousness we are to stand perfected, and not in our own, which can not be made any better than “filthy rags.” Another ruse of the enemy is to get unwary souls to believe that because they have professed Christ it is their duty or privilege to assume a garb of holiness on their own declaration that they do not, or can not sin. But such assumption is mere boasting, which Paul says “is excluded.” Rom. 3:27. There could hardly be a better evidence of a proud heart than the assumption of sinlessness on the part of a fallible creature. It is noticeable that most of those who do so profess, deliberately ignore the law of God, either in whole or in part; but Jesus says, “If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.” Matt. 19:17. The nearer the soul approaches the perfect One, the more he examines his life in the light of the holy, spiritual law (Rom. 7:12, 14), the more will his imperfection be discovered. PERVERTING THE SIGNS OF THE LORD'S COMING.
When any specific message is due to the world, the adversary is always ready with a perversion of it. When John the Baptist proclaimed the coming of Messiah, and even introduced Him to the church in person, they were unprepared to receive Him, because of the false ideas of His individuality and mission that had been inculcated by the enemy. And these false theories had been formulated by perverting the prophecies concerning the individual and the event. And the same is now true with regard to the second advent. The plain instruction of the Word is being turned from its obvious meaning to sustain the traditions of men. A religious contemporary introduces an article on the subject of the second advent in the following language:— “What shall be the sign of Thy coming, and of the end of the world?” This does not mean the destruction of the cosmos or material earth, but the end of the age socially, religiously, and politically. But it does mean the gathering of the Lord’s people out from the world, and taking them to Himself. Matt. 25: 31-34; 13: 41-43; 1 Thess. 4: 13-18. And the “brightness of His coming” will destroy those who have not heeded His Word. 2 Thess. 2: 7-12; Rev. 6: 12-17. The writer above quoted proceeds to ignore all physical signs in the “material world” as literal precursors of the Lord’s coming, referring to them as “figures and symbols.” This very theory of interpretation (which is “New Thought” in principle) is a delusion and a snare to the unwary. When the disciples asked the question of Christ, “What shall be the sign of Thy coming, and of the end of the world?” they also asked concerning the destruction of the temple, of which He had just spoken. Jesus answered all the questions together, warning them against deception, and giving them visible signs concerning all the events mentioned. The sequel proved that the sign concerning Jerusalem was literal and physical, therefore it is reasonable to conclude that the signs in the heavens, given as tokens of His near coming, were also literal. In the absence of any indication that they were not to be so considered, it would seem unreasonable not to so receive them. This conclusion is strengthened by the fact that three of these signs (Matt. 24: 29) have been literally manifested—those of the sun and moon in 1780, and that of the stars in 1833. By these we are to know that the Lord’s coming is “near, even at the doors.” Then to deface these material, physically visible signs, and to make of them indefinite “prophetic figures and symbols,” is to pervert their character, and, consequently, their significance. True, the Lord has not left us without signs of a spiritual nature, together with these physical tokens. He also says: “As the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days that were before the Flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and knew not until the Flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be.” Why did they not know?—Because they did not believe the Word of God. The deceiver persuaded them that a literal Flood was a scientific impossibility; so they went right on with their ordinary vocations and enjoyments till they were overtaken as a thief. And the Lord says it will be just so in the end. The enemy will be seducing the people with learned perversions of the Word of God, especially endeavoring to beguile those who profess Christianity, blinding their eyes to the evidence of the visible signs which the Master has set up for their guidance and encouragement. Those who shut their eyes to the landmarks can not expect to know where they are in respect to the coming and kingdom of the Lord. It is sometimes passing strange that gifted men, able to frame a masterly argument, are either unable to see the ultimate logic of the argument or too impractical to lay hold of it in a practical way. A contributor to the Christian Work, in course of a timely article on “Personal Liberty,” says:— God imposes upon us certain obligations, and it is not within our legitimate province to question His commands. That hypercritical and arrogant spirit, which would summon the very God before mortal tribunal to vindicate the justice of His law to man, is the outgrowth of a liberty run mad, the child of a presumption which is blasphemous. Is the Judge of all the earth to be judged? Is an ill-conceived notion of man’s prerogative to dictate the meaning of the extent of God’s jurisdiction over His creatures? Are we to balance our argument against the eternal logic of Him whose very essence is truth? Shall man, who is right only as God inspires him, take issue with Him who is the source of all the light which dwells within us? Shall the fountainhead give reason to the stream wherefore it flows? Is it not sufficient that we obey, since He who bids has alone given us power to act? Where is our vaunted liberty if the Eternal frown? Since, then, our freedom lives in the sunshine of God’s smile, shall we not rather rejoice in the benignity of His love than by a too nice questioning prove rebellious to His will? God has said, “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.” It is not a question of what is expedient, but what is commanded. Expediency is the makeshift of man. God recognizes no hedging. It is to make a travesty of the law of God to allow expediency to determine its efficacy. No nice construction upon the rights of man will suffice to annul the mandate of Him who made man. What God has decreed, mortal can not improve upon. Then why not obey what “God imposes”? He not only has said, “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy,” but He just as plainly says, “The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God; in it thou shalt not do any work,” etc. To emphasize the intent of the commandment, He “blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it.” Gen. 2: 3; Ex. 20: 11. Furthermore, as a man upon earth, Christ observed the seventh day, thus definitely locating it beyond all question; and His disciples “rested the Sabbath day according to the commandment,” which was the day before the first day of the week. Luke 23: 56; 24: 2; Mark 16: 1, 2. Truly did the writer of the foregoing sentiment say, “What God hath decreed, mortal can not improve upon.” Then why not obey? Who were those led captive by Christ? Eph. 4: 8. I. C. Evidently they were those who had been held captive by the grave, and were raised at the resurrection of Christ. See Matt. 27: 52, 53. This resurrection and glorious ascension with Christ the Conqueror, was predicted in the last part of Psalm 24. We wish to say to all who are troubled over this passage of Scripture, or who may not be able to explain it to others, that their difficulties have been anticipated. Let them send for Bible Students’ Library, No. 149, entitled, “From Glory to Glory.” It gives an exposition of the chapter and much more information. Its price is only 2 cents, post-paid; one hundred for $1.00. Address, Pacific Press, Oakland, Cal. 1506.—The Holy Scriptures. Will you kindly inform me what part, or how much, of the Bible (as we have it) may be considered the Holy Scriptures? How can one search the Scriptures advisedly unless he knows what they are, and where they are to be found? W. H. F. The whole Bible. The Old Testament was the Scriptures Jesus and the apostles used. Both internal and external evidences show us that all of the New Testament is of the same character, and was so received by the apostolic church. See Bible Students’ Library, No. 27, “The Bible; Its Inspiration and Importance.” By mail 2 cents. What is the origin of Easter? E. C. D. The word comes from a goddess of spring, worshiped by our Anglo-Saxon ancestors, and variously spelled, Easter, Eastre. The pagans held a festival to her in the spring, and brought flowers and garlands in her honor. The egg and other things symbolized reproduction, life in nature, etc., and were connected with sun-worship. More or less licentiousness was involved in her worship. Coming as it did about the time of the Passover, and the resurrection of Christ, and hoping better to convert the pagans, the heathen feast was, to a great extent, brought over into the Christian Church. 1508.—The Holy Catholic Church. What is the meaning of the “Holy Catholic Church”? and can we, as Protestants, believe in it? The meaning of “holy” is, consecrated to God, made holy by Him; the meaning of “catholic” is, universal; the meaning of “church” is, called-out ones, those whom God has called out, who believe in Him. Therefore, in its literal sense, the expression means the universal body of believers in whatsoever fold they dwell. In that sense Protestants may believe in it. No denomination has a right to arrogate to itself the name until that body includes in itself all true believers in all parts of the world. 1509.—Attending Other Meetings. Is it right to attend meetings of other denominations? A. The question is a very broad one, and might well be answered by yes and no. It depends on two things, our purpose and the denomination. If our purpose is to witness to our Lord if opportunity offers, to get good, to do others good, if the Lord so direct, go. If our purpose is to criticize, if it is likely to lead us to compromise truth or violate our conscience, do not go. As to the place. There are some so-called religious bodies which we know would be of no help scripturally or spiritually. They do not believe the Bible or preach the Bible. No word we could say would be welcome without compromise of truth or seeming indorsement of error. Let them alone. With these principles in mind, obedient to our Lord, having a burden for other souls, seek Him as to duty. He will make it plain. And if He says, Go, go, and take Him with you. If He says, Stay, obey His voice. “He that winneth souls is wise.”