Earlier text: EDWARDS’ SENSE OF HIS SINFULNESSTHE SEVENTH DAY OF THE WEEK NOT A JEWISH SABBATH.
By James White
It is customary with Protestant churches to call the seventh day of the week "the Jewish Sabbath." They do not consider the injury that they are doing to the fundamental and most important truths of God's word, by their course in this matter. It leads, (1) to entire disregard of the fourth commandment of the decalogue. And, (2) to a depreciation of the whole decalogue. It is a fact, and very unfortunate for the morals and manners of the Christians of this age, that there is in the churches a constantly growing contempt for the fourth commandment, even in those who would repel the slightest intimation that they are antinomians. The Methodist Church was founded upon opposition to antinomianism. But to-day we find Methodist authors, in their opposition to the seventh-day Sabbath, taking positions which are calculated to destroy the authority of the fourth commandment. James says of the commandments, that he who offends in one is guilty of all. The law is a unit; one precept cannot be cast aside and the remainder be retained in their purity, and honored in the life. And thus we find that with this growing contempt for the fourth commandment, there is a corresponding disregard for the whole law of ten commandments. Ministers, pretending to great insight in the mysteries of godliness, and to great spirituality of mind, rise up and boldly proclaim that the decalogue is an old, abrogated law, altogether unsuited to the spirit and liberty of the gospel age. Such a course must of necessity bear a fruit which can be pleasing only to the enemy of righteousness. In 1872 the editor of the SIGNS was challenged to a written discussion on the subject of the Sabbath, by a Disciple preacher of high standing in his denomination. On the nature of the seventh-day Sabbath we then wrote the following remarks, which we still believe to be conclusive as proving its morality, and its entire separation from all Jewish or typical institutions:— The seventh-day Sabbath stands apart from all the other sabbaths, which were afterward ordained, in respect to its title; the reason of its institution; and the nature of the obligation to observe it. And, 1. Its title. In any and all of the yearly sabbaths, such as were peculiar to the Jewish system, there is no rest of the Lord from any work given as their basis; and therefore they are not the sabbaths of the Lord, as is the seventh day his Sabbath, or rest-day. We find this distinction recognized in the Scriptures, as in Lev. 23. The yearly sabbaths are enumerated and enforced, "beside the Sabbaths of the Lord." Verse 38. As all the other sabbaths were local and contingent, limited to that dispensation, to Israel, it was said in prophecy, "I will cause all her sabbaths to cease." Hos. 2:11. 2. The reason of its institution. We take the first sabbath given to Israel as peculiar to their dispensation; the fifteenth and twenty-first days of the first month, connected with the feast of the Passover. These, as each of the other sabbaths peculiar to their system, were (1) to commemorate an event in their experience; (2) they were typical of future events; (3) they were yearly and not weekly sabbaths. The weekly Sabbath, the seventh-day Sabbath, was made at creation, and commemorated that work; and in its institution it was related to God's work only. But the others are relative to man's action and condition as a sinful being. I cannot conceive how a greater difference could exist. Had man never sinned, it would then have been forever true, as it is to-day, that God made the world in six days. Had no system of redemption been devised or needed, it would still have been eternal truth that God rested the seventh day, and that he blessed and sanctified his rest-day. But, on the other hand, had not man sinned; had no system of redemption been promised; had no types of the Redeemer's work been ordained; then none of the typical or yearly sabbaths would have been instituted. Had man not sinned, the whole train of circumstances by which those sabbaths were called into being, would not have existed. They all stand related to man's action as a sinner, and to Christ's work as Redeemer. And as they point to, and have their fulfillment in, his work, they are appropriately denominated, "A shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ." Col. 2:14-17. But the Lord's Sabbath, as has been shown, is of an entirely different nature. It is not so related to man's action as a sinner, or to the work of redemption. It was not based upon any contingency, or upon any future work. But it had for its foundation a glorious work all finished and complete "when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy," a work in which Jehovah himself delighted, and which he pronounced "very good." And 3. The nature of its obligation. A difference in this is the necessary result of the truths before stated. In three respects I notice this difference:— a. The obligation to keep the seventh-day Sabbath is based on primary and eternal truth. By primary truth, I here mean that which grows out of the action of God alone—out of the original constitution of things; truth that existed before the fall of man, and would ever have existed had he never sinned. There is a class of secondary truths growing out of a perversion of God's work; out of the contingent relation we sustain to God since the fall. And all institutions and obligations corresponding thereto, growing out of these secondary relations, are necessarily limited by their nature; they are typical or shadowy. I think that no person, on reflection, will dispute the ground I here take, that NO TYPICAL INSTITUTION OR MERELY POSITIVE DUTY CAN GROW OUT OF ORIGINAL RELATIONS; i. e., out of those relations existing from creation, and by virtue of creation. And, on the other hand, NO MORAL OBLIGATION CAN ORIGINATE IN, OR SPRING FROM, A SECONDARY RELATION; i. e., a relation growing out of man's act of rebellion. In God's own mind all moral relations and duties originate. Man may, and he did, create the necessity for a scheme of restitution and redemption; but no part of this plan is elementary. It owes its origin to wrong-doing; its necessity is laid in sin and rebellion. b. The seventh day was from the beginning a hallowed or sanctified day. It was "holy to the Lord." Ex. 16:23; 31:15. "The holy of the Lord." Isa. 58:13. "My [the Lord's] holy day." Id. The obligation to observe it has sacredness as its basis; the commandment guarded an original, sacred institution. The Sabbath, like its twin sister, marriage, though often and much abused, comes down to us from Eden's purity and glory. c. It is based on the right of property. God always claimed the seventh day as his; and this claim he based on facts as old and as unalterable as creation itself, as has been abundantly shown. But the obligation of the other sabbaths did not rest on any such original relation; and, coming yearly, they fell at different times on all the different days of the week which God gave to man for his own work. The days of the week on which any of them fell (except when they fell on the seventh day), were not holy by reason of any blessing or sanctification ever put upon those particular days. The consecration, in their cases, attached to institutions which were temporary, and (as to the days of the week) were movable. God never claimed the right in them that he did in the seventh day. He did not rest from his work on any of them. They could not be the Lord's sabbaths, or rest, as the seventh day was and is. In a word, the duty to keep the seventh day holy is based on the original right of property, specifically declared. And if the eighth commandment is moral because it guards the right of property, evidently the fourth is moral for the same reason. Certainly, every relation upon which the institution and obligation of the seventh-day Sabbath depended is as old as creation itself—as old as any of man's moral relations possibly can be. "HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF THE FOREIGN MISSIONS."
By Stephen N. Haskell
THIS book, which was noticed in the Signs two or three weeks since, has recently been published at Basel, Switzerland, and is of special interest to every lover of the missionary work. It contains historical sketches of the Central European, the Scandinavian, the British, and the Australian and New Zealand Missions, and also gives an account of the establishment of the European branch of the International Tract and Missionary Society. A history is also given of the progress of the truth in Russia, together with a full account of the experience of Elder Conradi while in that country, and of his imprisonment, from which he was delivered in a most wonderful manner. It is said that the influence of all the nations of Europe combined could not have secured the release of one of their citizens under similar circumstances; but through the blessing of God, the efforts of the United States Minister in behalf of Brother Conradi were successful, and he was permitted to go free. This is a most thrilling sketch. The book contains over thirty illustrations, besides maps of Europe entire, of Switzerland, Australia, and New Zealand. Among the illustrations are cuts of the publishing house recently erected at Basel, Switzerland; the new publishing house at Christiania, Norway; the mission house at Grimsby, England; the Bible Echo publishing house at Melbourne, Australia, and the prison at Perekop, Russia, where Elder Conradi and one of the Russian brethren were imprisoned for teaching the truth in the dominions of the Czar. There are also pictures of European cities, castles and railway scenes, together with diagrams showing the famous loop tunnels on the St. Gothard Railway—the building of which was the most remarkable feat of engineering skill ever accomplished—besides many other illustrations of scenic and historic interest. Descriptions are given of the different countries in which missions have been established; and the manners and customs of the people, especially of the poorer class, are vividly portrayed. Many of these people who have embraced the truth give liberally of their means to support the cause, though they are so poor that in the winter they live in stables for the purpose of securing warmth from the cattle. Thus the reader can readily see the marked advantages enjoyed by those living in this country. A very interesting account is given of the labors of Sister White in Europe, and 126 pages of the work are devoted to appeals from her in behalf of the foreign mission work and for the education of young persons for that work. The book contains 300 pages and is published by the mission at Basel, and all the profits, if there are any, will go to the support of that mission; therefore in ordering, none need be limited to just the price of the book. This valuable work will be sent, post-paid, to any address, for one dollar, from the New England Tract Depository, South Lancaster, Mass., or from the Pacific Press, Oakland, Cal. At least 1,000 copies should be sold to our brethren on the Pacific Coast. Not that there are 1,000 families, but of the 1,800 brethren and sisters on the coast at least one-half should each own a copy of the book, and as many as 100 more should be taken to give to those who are interested in our views but unacquainted with the extent of our work. The excellence of the mechanical work, and the matter which the book contains, render it worthy of the most durable binding, and entitle it to a place in the choicest library. We hope that no one who can secure a copy of this work will fail to do so. S. N. H. Dr. A. J. Gordon, of Boston, speaks of the modern methods of raising money for the support of the gospel, by means of fairs, oyster suppers, etc., as "cooking-stove apostasy." Not an inappropriate title, for it is most certainly a grievous apostasy from the simplicity of the faith once delivered to the saints. "REMEMBER the Sabbath-day, to keep it holy." INDIANA.
By William Covert
SUNDAY, December 19, the writer, assisted by Elder Marvin, dedicated the new house of worship lately erected by our people at Northfield, Boone County. The house is small but cozy and neat in appearance. Many friends from the surrounding country came to the services which began on Friday evening. By the time the meetings had continued three days, a good interest to hear had been secured. Bro. Marvin remained to follow it up, as many seemed desirous of learning more of the teachings of the Bible. Elder Bartlett writes me from Wabash that twenty-three are now ready for church organization at that place. The work at these places was accomplished by following up the interest created by the camp-meeting which closed October 6, 1886. Elder Henderson writes that he has completed the organization of a church of seventeen members at Logansport. Also a Tract Society of ten members. Brother Kauble reports an interest in Brown County where several have lately embrace the truth. Brother Roberts writes that a few have decided to obey where he is laboring at Nappanee in Elkhart County. The brethren at Boggstown, Shelby County, have begun work on a church building. These friends are not yet organized, but have decided to build themselves a commodious house of worship, and begin church life with a home of their own. We have word from Homer, Rush County, that they are designing and executing mottoes preparatory to the dedication of their new meeting-house there. The organization of a church will be attended to in connection with the meetings to be held when the house is dedicated. Tent-meetings were held at this place last summer, conducted by Eld. Huffman and Brethren Godsmark and Young. The canvassing work is receiving much attention at present in this State, and we hope to see a good work done by this class of laborers. GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF NEW ZEALAND.
By Stephen N. Haskell
NEW ZEALAND is composed of two islands, divided by Cook Strait. The South, or Middle Island of New Zealand, comprises six provinces, and differs much in scenery from the North Island. The general appearance of the North Island indicates that it has been formed by volcanic action. The Maoris have a tradition that this island was fished up from the sea. In this island are burning mountains, boiling springs, and hot lakes. These lakes are very remarkable, and until the recent volcanic eruption in that vicinity, attracted the attention of travelers from all parts of the world. The South Island also possesses great attractions, its scenery being in no degree inferior to that of its northern neighbor. It can truly be said to be the “land of the mountain and the flood.” It is the chosen home of the ice king; and there are lakes of enormous depth and surpassing beauty; high mountains, and glaciers almost unequalled outside of the polar regions. The lakes of this island are sometimes called the cold lakes, in order to distinguish them from the hot lakes of the North Island. There are about sixty of these lakes, many of them small and of little interest, but twelve are quite large. The western coast scenery is the most attractive to those who like solemn grandeur. In some places semi-tropical vegetation grows almost to the line of eternal snows. The tree fern there attains a height of from thirty to forty feet. The southern part of this island, the first point at which steamers stop on their way from Melbourne and Hobart to New Zealand, is called The Bluff. The township is small, and the harbor is near Campbelltown, but is generally spoken of as The Bluff. It is not infrequently the case here that the wind is high and the sea rough and boisterous. Eighteen miles from The Bluff is Invarcargill. This is the chief town of the provincial district of Southland, and trains leave there four times daily. It is in the midst of a very rich agricultural district, and has a population of about ten thousand people, mostly Scotch. All of the principal cities in New Zealand lie upon or near the coast, but there are many inland towns, so the whole country may be said to be inhabited. The chief cities are Auckland and Wellington, which with their suburbs number about forty-five thousand inhabitants each. There are many bays and harbors, some of which are the most beautiful in the world. The North Island contains 44,000 square miles, or 28,000,000 acres, and the Middle, or South Island, 55,000 square miles, or 36,000,000 acres. By comparing these figures with the areas of the different States in the United States the reader will readily see that there is no small amount of territory embraced in these two islands. The South Island is a little larger than the State of Michigan, while the smaller island is larger than Maine and New Hampshire. The whole of New Zealand is about two-thirds the size of the State of California. Another small island, further south, is also a part of New Zealand, and the entire group is almost equal in size to the British Islands. Adjacent to the North Island there are at least fifteen small islands, which are settled more or less with Europeans. About the South Island are five islands thinly inhabited. The mountains in New Zealand are very numerous. In fact the whole country of the North Island is of volcanic origin. Chains of mountains run through the island from north to south, and the most striking feature is an extensive longitudinal range of mountains, running through the whole length of the two islands from the northwest to the southeast, interrupted of course by Cook Strait. These mountains consist of stratified masses of rocks, which form the backbone of the island. There are many rivers running from the snow-capped mountains through extensive plains to the sea. The climate is said to resemble that of Great Britain, but in the Middle or South Island the changes in the weather are very sudden. The death rate of the island is only twelve or thirteen per thousand, showing that as regards the healthfulness of the climate, it is far superior to Great Britain or the other Australasian colonies. The warmest months are December and January. The snow line is about 7,500 feet high. Ice is occasionally seen in the winter from one extremity of the island to the other, but frosts are comparatively slight to the north of Auckland, though at times the North Cape is covered with frost. Spring commences with the last of September, and continues until the last of November; summer extends from this date to March 20; autumn continues until June 20; and winter occupies the remaining portion of the year. The country being narrow, is constantly fanned by a sea-breeze. And occasionally there are heavy gales. In Auckland, the thermometer ranges in the shade from 36° at the lowest to 85° at the highest. Rains have been known to fall to the amount of fifty-two inches in Wellington.10The climate and soil of New Zealand are admirably adapted to the raising of all the various fruits, plants, and flowers, which grow in any country. There are 130 different species of fern trees, about one-third of which it is believed are peculiar to New Zealand. There are 120 different species of forest trees, many of which are very valuable. Most of these timbers are excellent for building purposes. Many of them are unexcelled for use in the manufacture of furniture, while for ship-building much of the wood is the most durable to be obtained anywhere. None of the wild or harmful animals found in Australia are to be seen in New Zealand, neither are there snakes nor other reptiles of this class on the island. In years past there was the Moa, a gigantic, wingless bird of the ostrich tribe which must have been very common, as its bones are found throughout the island, though it is now extinct. Originally there were no briers upon the island. The people are very careful in allowing cattle to be landed upon the island, particularly if they come from America, for fear they will introduce disease among their stock. Their beef is noted for being superior, and is sent to England and various foreign parts. As there are no wild animals to harm a person, one is perfectly safe in sleeping out on the ground, night or day. S. N. H. The Missionary.
By W. M. Healey
SISKIYOU AND SHASTA COUNTIES.
ETNA MILLS AND ORO FINO.—I spent about six weeks in the above counties; held meetings at Etna Mills, Callahan, and Oro Fino. In these places meetings were held nearly two years ago, and quite a number signed the covenant. These companies were not visited by any of our ministers from that time till my visit to them since camp-meeting. The most of those who started have gone back. I fear but few of them were converted to God. There remain, however, some faithful souls, and to these I tried to present the truths of the message, and to awaken them to a fuller sense of the times, and of their duty. Two persons were baptized, and some were aroused to take fresh courage and to move forward. CALLAHAN.—At Callahan they again commenced holding Sabbath meetings, although the number to attend is small. In these two counties there are about twenty Sabbath-keepers. I visited them all except those at Burgettville, who are about one hundred miles from any of the others. At Roberts, Shasta County, I took a severe cold, resulting in pneumonia, which has prostrated me for a time. The people generally in these counties are not much interested in religious matters, but in almost every locality there may be found one or more seeking for the truth. I expect the number of commandment-keepers in this part of the State will be multiplied as soon as the proper labor has been bestowed in all parts of the field. There exists so much prejudice against religious teachers here, that those who profess and teach the truth ought to be very careful to let their light shine, by avoiding even the appearance of sin. For many are ready to seize a word, a look, or act, and if possible construe it for evil. While many claim they cannot understand the Bible, and offer that as an excuse for not obeying its teachings, they can readily detect a failure on the part of professors to live out its requirements. Many who have a low standard for their own lives expect something higher and nobler from those who profess to follow Jesus, and when they do not see it they turn away more satisfied with their own condition. While we pray for the “Lord of the harvest to send more laborers into the harvest,” let us also pray that he will help us to relate ourselves more closely to him, that our labors may be more efficient. W. M. HEALEY. Healdsburg, Cal., Dec. 28. The Great Tribulation and Papal Persecution
The Saviour then presents a brief view of the world between the two advents, and mentions a few facts relative to the condition of the world in the time immediately preceding his second coming. Thus in verses 15, 16 he answers the first question of the disciples, telling them when to expect the destruction of Jerusalem. Compare Luke 21:20. After that, "Then," said he, "shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved; but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened." Matt. 24:21, 22. This can refer to nothing else than the great persecution which the "elect," the people of God, suffered during the Dark Ages. Under Pagan Rome the saints suffered severely, but the persecution by the heathen was trifling compared with that practiced by professed Christians, after an apostate Christianity had been lifted to the throne of the world. The persecution of true Christians by professed Christians took place within the 1260 years of Papal rule, from 538 to 1798 A. D. At times the persecution was lighter than at other times, but all the time the saints were being worn out, until the Reformation had taken sufficient hold of the people to cause it to cease. This took place in the eighteenth century, some years before the expiration of the 1260 years of Papal supremacy. As the Papacy had not arrived at its full strength when it was exalted, so its power gradually waned until it was debased. And thus, those days of persecution were "shortened." “EVEN at the doors.” This is given as an incentive to watchfulness and right living. Says James, using the same figure: “Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be11condemned; behold, the Judge standeth before the door.” James 5:9. Who dare indulge in bickering and strife? The Judge standeth before the door, and if he should open it and find us engaged in contention, or nursing selfishness and malice and envy, how deplorable would be our condition! Of such an one Christ says: “The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, and shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Matt. 24: 50, 51. “Watch therefore; for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.” Verse 42. THE AUSTRALIAN FIELD.
By E. J. Burnham
At last accounts, Elder Corliss was just closing his second series of meetings in Adelaide. The meetings commenced in the town hall of Norwood, one of the suburbs of Adelaide, on the evening of September 5, and were transferred to the tent October 17. Between forty and fifty have signed the covenant. Brother Corliss has spoken on the tithing system and church organization. He intended to organize a church yesterday, when he confidently expected the large majority of those who have begun to keep the Sabbath to enter into church relationship. A large and flourishing Sabbath-school has been organized. There are fewer doubtful ones among the Sabbath-keepers in Adelaide than one usually finds; the most of them, though poor, are sterling people. There was only one tobacco-user among them, and he has given up the vile weed. Brother Israel has been in Melbourne a part of the past month. He has not only conducted the Sabbath services, but spent some time in visiting and looking after the missionary and the publishing work. The church in Melbourne are by no means weary in their missionary efforts. They seem to be constantly studying how they can best bring the truth before others, and get them interested in it. Occasionally one is found who is willing to read, and such a case is not permitted to drop. One young man from Scotland has lately begun to keep the Sabbath as the result of this kind of labor. He is a real estate agent, is well educated, and seems to be a person of moral worth. Before he came to Australia, he formed the resolution that he would serve the Lord, and give to his cause a tenth of his earnings; so his heart was all prepared to receive the truth. When the Sabbath was presented, he said, "Why, yes; that is right. The seventh day is the Sabbath." But while the Sabbath-keepers here labor to bring the truth before their immediate associates, they never forget the friends at "home," as they fondly call their native land; and many papers, tracts, and letters, laden with present truth, find their way across the wide ocean to English homes. The church in Ballarat are no less earnest. They let their light shine. A prominent lady said to one of our sisters a few days ago, "We are sure to meet your faith wherever we go. On the cars, in the street, everywhere, it is sure to be the subject of conversation." Every Sunday afternoon there is a Bible-reading conducted by some member of the church, and they take pains to get as many out to these meetings as possible. Elder Israel was present yesterday, and there were five or six there not of our faith. There are several of the sisters who hold Bible-readings whenever they can get a few together. They sometimes have a collision with the ministers; but that does not dampen their zeal at all. We feel that the Lord blesses in the work in Australia, and that we have great reason to be grateful for his prospering hand. Will our friends in America still remember us in their prayers; for we know that success is not by might nor by power, but by the Spirit of God working through our efforts. Melbourne, Nov. 29, 1886. "Now learn a parable of the fig-tree: When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh; so likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it [margin, he] is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled." Matt. 24:32-34. This parable occurs in the midst of one of the last discourses given by our Lord. As indicated in the heading of this note, the parable relates to the present time, and therefore claims our earnest attention. In order to appreciate its force, we must briefly glance at the preceding part of the chapter. The Destruction of Jerusalem Foretold
The twenty-third chapter of Matthew records the woes which Christ pronounced against the hypocritical scribes and Pharisees, and his prophecy of the destruction of Jerusalem, because of her rejection of all that was good. When he went out of the temple, his disciples called his attention to the wonderful buildings of the temple, the pride of the Jewish nation. "And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down." Verse 2. Two Questions About Christ’s Coming
"AND as he sat upon the Mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?" Verse 3. Here we have two distinct questions. The first, "When shall these things be?" That is, When shall the temple be overthrown? The second, "What shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?" It is possible, and from the close connection of the questions seems quite probable, that the disciples supposed that the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple would be at the coming of Christ and the end of the world. But whether they thought so or not is immaterial. In his answer, Christ most plainly indicated that the two events were to be widely separate. It is worthy of notice that the disciples did not question as to whether or not Christ would come again. They well knew that he was to come at the end of the world, when the resurrection would take place. See John 11:24. Their question had reference only to the time of his coming, and the signs which should indicate its nearness. So in the answer, to which the entire chapter is devoted, Christ does not proceed to teach them that he will come, but, considering that as well understood, he proceeds to tell how it may be known when his coming is near. Warnings Against Deception
But first he utters a caution: "Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many." Verses 4, 5. In verses 23, 24 he repeats this warning. On this point we can do no more at present than to call attention to the fact that Christ did not reprove his disciples for asking, "What shall be the sign of thy coming?" On the contrary, he gave a very full answer. Then surely it must be right to think about the time of Christ's coming. The Dark Day and Falling Stars
RIGHT in the little season between the cessation of the great persecution and the close of the 1260 years, in 1798, occurred one of the notable signs of the second coming of Christ—the darkening of the sun and moon. Matthew records this as coming "immediately after the tribulation of those days" (Matt. 24:29); but Mark is more definite, and says that it should take place "in those days, after that tribulation." Mark 13:24. This was fulfilled in that supernatural darkening of the sun which caused May 19, 1780, to be known in history as "The Dark Day." Following this, we have the next sign, the falling of the stars, which took place Nov. 13, 1833. True, there have been many light meteoric showers, but this was one the like of which has never been seen, either before or since, and can be fitly described only in the language of the prophet: "And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig-tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind." Rev. 6:13. Signs of the Kingdom Near
It was to these things that our Saviour referred in the text quoted at the beginning of these notes. When the fig-tree, "and all the trees," says Luke (21:29), puts forth leaves "ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand." No one needs to consult an almanac when he sees such signs; every one knows that they are sure precursors of spring. "So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand." Luke 21:31. Matthew (24:33) records it: "Know that it is near, even at the doors." We are not to guess, nor to imagine, but to know. We are commanded to be just as sure of it as we are that summer is near when the buds begin to swell. Who then can say that it is fanaticism to say that we know that the Lord is soon coming? To doubt that his coming is near would be to make Christ a liar. Let us not be found so doing. The Construction of Noah’s Ark
God gave Noah the exact dimensions of the ark, and explicit directions in regard to the construction of it in every particular. It was three stories high, and the light they received was from a window in the top. The door was in the side. It was a building of great durability, which no wisdom of man could invent. God was the designer, and Noah his master-builder. After Noah had done all in his power to make every part of the work correct, it was impossible that it could of itself withstand the violence of the storm which God in his fierce anger was to bring upon the earth. The work of completing the building was a slow process. Every piece of timber was closely fitted, and every seam covered with pitch. All that men could do was done to make the work perfect; yet, after all, God alone could preserve the building from the angry, heaving billows, by his miraculous power. But upon the eighth day the heavens gathered blackness. The muttering thunders, and vivid lightning flashes, began to terrify man and beast. The rain descended from the clouds above them. This was something they had never witnessed, and their hearts began to faint with fear. The beasts were roving about in the wildest terror, and their discordant voices seemed to moan out their own destiny and the fate of man. The storm increased in violence until water seemed to come from heaven like mighty cataracts. The boundaries of rivers broke away, and the waters rushed to the valleys. The foundations of the great deep also were broken up. Jets of water would burst up from the earth with indescribable force, throwing massive rocks hundreds of feet into the air, and then they would bury themselves deep in the earth. NOTES ON THE INTERNATIONAL LESSON.
More than one hundred years before the flood the Lord sent an angel to faithful Noah to make known to him that he would no longer have mercy upon the corrupt race. But he would not have them ignorant of his design. He would instruct Noah, and make him a faithful preacher to warn the world of its coming destruction, that the inhabitants of the earth might be left without excuse. Noah was to preach to the people, and also to prepare an ark as God should direct him for the saving of himself and family. He was not only to preach, but his example in building the ark was to convince all that he believed what he preached. NOAH and his family were not alone in fearing and obeying God. But Noah was the most pious and holy of any upon the earth, and was the one whose life God preserved to carry out his will in building the ark and warning the world of its coming doom. Methuselah, the grandfather of Noah, lived until the very year of the flood; and there were others who believed the preaching of Noah, and aided him in building the ark, who died before the flood of waters came upon the earth. Noah, by his preaching and example in building the ark, condemned the world. God gave all who chose an opportunity to repent and turn to him. But they believed not the preaching of Noah. They mocked at his warnings, and ridiculed the building of that immense vessel on dry land. Noah’s efforts to reform his fellow-men did not succeed. But for more than one hundred years he persevered in his efforts to turn men to repentance and to God. Every blow struck upon the ark was preaching to the people. Noah directed, he preached, he worked, while the people looked on in amazement, and regarded him as a fanatic. A MULTITUDE at first apparently received the warning of Noah, yet did not fully turn to God with true repentance. There was some time given them before the flood was to come, in which they were to be placed upon probation—to be proved and tried. They failed to endure the trial. The prevailing degeneracy overcame them, and they finally joined others who were corrupt, in deriding and scoffing at faithful Noah. They would not leave off their sins, but continued in polygamy, and in the indulgence of their corrupt passions. The Animals Enter the Ark
The period of their probation was drawing near its close. The unbelieving, scoffing inhabitants of the world were to have a special sign of God’s divine power. Noah had faithfully followed the instructions God had given to him. The ark was finished exactly as God had directed. He had laid in store immense quantities of food for man and beast. And after this was accomplished, God commanded the faithful Noah, “Come thou, and all thy house, into the ark, for thee have I seen righteous before me.” The beasts, from the most ferocious down to the most gentle and harmless, peacefully and solemnly marched into the ark. The sky seemed clouded with birds of every description. They came flying to the ark, two and two, male and female, and the clean birds by sevens. The world looked on with wonder—some with fear, but they had become so hardened by rebellion that this most signal manifestation of God’s power had but a momentary influence upon them. For seven days these animals were coming into the ark, and Noah was arranging them in the places prepared for them. Merriment Before the Flood
And as the doomed race beheld the sun shining in its glory, and the earth clad in almost its Eden beauty, they drove away their rising fears by boisterous merriment; and by their deeds of violence seemed to be encouraging upon themselves the visitation of the already awakened wrath of God. Everything was now ready for the closing of the ark, which could not have been done by Noah from within. An angel is seen by the scoffing multitude descending from Heaven, clothed with brightness like the lightning. He closes that massive outer door, and then takes his course upward to Heaven again. Seven days were the family of Noah in the ark before the rain began to descend upon the earth. In this time they were arranging for their long stay while the waters should be upon the earth. And these were days of blasphemous merriment by the unbelieving multitude. They thought because the prophecy of Noah was not fulfilled immediately after he entered the ark, that he was deceived, and that it was impossible that the world could be destroyed by a flood. Previous to this there had been no rain upon the earth. A mist had risen from the waters, which God caused to descend at night like dew, reviving vegetation and causing it to flourish.