Earlier text: Publishers' PageSome Blessings the Week of Prayer Should Bring to the Cause of God
By Arthur G. Daniells
If a situation or condition could speak by either voice or pen, there would now be presented to Seventh-day Adventists the most earnest, solemn, touching appeal ever made to the church of Christ. That appeal would no doubt say much, and produce large results. It would surely bring us all to the foot of the cross for personal cleansing from all sin. It would lead us to seek most earnestly a preparation for service in the work of God. It would send us forth endued with power from on high to proclaim the great threefold message of Revelation 14 to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. And it would cause us cheerfully and promptly to place in the treasury of the Lord’s cause the money necessary to do the work committed to us. Whatever else this appeal might call for and produce, it is certain that it would bring the results mentioned above. These are mentioned because they are fundamental. They lie at the very foundation of the development and final triumph of God’s work in the earth. Men can do nothing to advance a spiritual work without a personal fitness for it. They must be saved from their sins. They must be clean. Without this, there can be no baptism of the Holy Spirit, and therefore no enduement with heavenly power for effectual service. And unless there is a cheerful and liberal consecration of the means of God’s people, the work will most certainly be hindered and delayed. Each feature here mentioned is deserving of fuller presentation than the limits of this article will admit. Only one point can be enlarged upon in this article; and under all the circumstances and conditions of the present situation, the consecration of our means seems to be the question needing special emphasis. All through the history of God’s people the consecration of their earthly possessions to his work has been a prominent feature of their experience. Traces of this appear in the brief history from Abel to the exodus of Israel from Egypt. The building of the sanctuary required large gifts from the people. The same is true regarding the building of the temple by David and Solomon, and later by Ezra and Nehemiah. After Pentecost large contributions were required and made by the church to carry the gospel speedily to the ends of the earth. We have now come to the last generation that shall dwell on the earth. God’s work is now to be finished. The last warning message to the world is now being given. It is to be taken to the uttermost parts of the earth, and clearly and fully proclaimed to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. This is the preaching of the gospel of the kingdom in all the world for a witness unto all nations. When this is done, then the end will come. And the end will not come until this proclamation is made. Seventh-day Adventists have believed from their earliest history that the providence of God has raised them up to do this work. They have counted on nothing less than going to the uttermost parts of the earth with the message God has given them. Although few in number and poor in this world’s goods, we have pushed forward from one community, State, and country to another, until our missions are established in almost every land. It is true that in some countries we have made only a beginning; but every true believer in this message must rejoice that we have done that much. Who does not thank God that we have at last established a permanent mission in the city of Rome, Italy? Who does not rejoice that at last we have entered old Spain? Whose hearts have not been made glad by the thrilling reports that have come from China of late, and by the advance steps that have been taken the last year to enter that vast field? Brethren and sisters, please look over the great field and see if you can find a mission that you would blot out. Is there a single fortress that you would dare to surrender? Think of what it would mean to pull down the banner of Prince Emmanuel, beat a retreat, and surrender the territory to the enemy! Do you say7this must never be done by this people? God bless you for taking this loyal stand. We can take no other. But now let us see what this means. We have missionaries in all parts of the world. Most of them are our brethren who have gone from our midst. They are in Spain, Italy, Egypt, Palestine, Turkey, Russia, India, Africa, China, Japan, South America, the islands of the sea, and other places too numerous to mention. We have faithful men and women working hard in destitute and difficult fields in the Southern States. The laborers who have gone abroad have left homes, relatives, friends, and native land. They have surrendered all to carry God’s last message of light and salvation to the millions who sit in darkness and the shadow of death. Now I want to put a straight, pointed question to every Seventh-day Adventist in the United States. It is this: Shall these laborers—our brethren and sisters—who have gone from us to proclaim this message to the ends of the earth, be supported? Shall they be sustained financially in the lands to which they have gone? Only one answer can be given to this question. A grand chorus will go up all around the world, declaring that our missions must be maintained, and the laborers well supported. Now brethren, this means a good, liberal offering to missions during the coming week of prayer. The Mission Board has had a close struggle during the past year to supply the fields with barely enough to keep them going. We have not dared to enlarge the work to any extent. The pressure at times has been very great. We can not stand it to be so terribly cramped for funds. None of you would add this burden if you fully realized the situation. In order to carry on our missions with any degree of ease, we should have a week-of-prayer offering this year of $50,000. This must be done to help us out. Some of our missions are now sorely pressed for the funds they were encouraged at the beginning of the year to expect they would receive. They need every dollar voted to them. This is especially true of the missions under the direction of the European General Conference and the Southern Union Conference. The amount appropriated by vote at the beginning of the year to these fields was exceedingly small compared with their great needs. They should have received much more, but the General Conference Committee feared to promise more. We can send only what comes to the treasury from the people. But the most painful feature of the situation has been that we have not had sufficient funds to send all of even the small amount voted. Our brethren managing the work in those fields have carried on their work with the hope of getting the full amount specified in the vote of appropriations. To fail to get this will cause them great perplexity, and even suffering. A large week-of-prayer offering now will save all this. Shall we not in this time of great prosperity make a liberal offering to our mission fields? Will not our brethren who have been blessed with much, put hundreds into the annual offering this year? I appeal to all lovers of this cause to take this matter to heart, and come to the assistance of our missions at this time. A. G. DANIELLS. Note and Comment
By L. A. S.
The report comes from the Philippines that the friars who were to be gotten rid of there by the purchase of their lands have recently reduced their price for the lands to $12,000,000. The United States government, which is to buy the lands, offers $8,000,000. There is talk in Rome that a compromise on $10,000,000 would be acceptable. The money for the lands will be used to advance the church of Rome in the Philippines. Last year there were seven hundred and seventy-two suicides in the city of Greater New York. This is about twenty-two suicides for each one hundred thousand of the population. Ten years ago, in 1892, the proportion was only about eleven for each one hundred thousand of the people. The death rate from suicide in New York City has doubled in the last ten years. And New York City does not lead the cities in this respect. There are four other cities in the United States where the suicide rate is even greater. “These figures in themselves,” comments a New York journal, “are enough to awaken the thought that every possible means should be taken to stem the tide of self-destruction which is coming over our people, and which, instead of being lessened by prosperity, has actually increased at a time when the country generally has been in the midst of good times.” The Washington Post thinks it is not strange that the “good government” administration in New York City was overthrown, in view of the fact that according to official figures in that city for the months of April, May, and June last, there were 35,844 arrests made, of which number 23,304 were cases of “drunks,” “disorderlies,” “suspicious persons,” violators of ordinances, and offenders against the excise laws; while of the 12,540 remaining cases, “not one rose above the dignity of policy, card and pool playing, rushing growlers on Sunday, or slapping somebody on the wrist. Every arrest in this whole array,” the Post continues, “represents a purely conventional misdemeanor. . . . Not a single murderer, homicide, burglar, or really important malefactor was overtaken. The reform government concentrated its energies on artificial things, and really important crimes received no attention whatever.” This statement throws light upon the practicability of securing righteousness in a community by civil government. Set the police to supervising the conduct of the people in matters pertaining to questions of morals and religion, such for example as the observance of the Sabbath, and if they attempt to carry out the task thus imposed upon them, they have little time or energy to give to anything else, and the most serious business of the department of government which they represent, that of the protection of life and property, is certain to be neglected. Experience has more than once demonstrated this to be true. It is not practicable for a civil government to do more through its courts and police than to protect the people in the enjoyments of their natural, inalienable rights. When it attempts to do more than this, it only succeeds in doing less. There are beginning to be signs of the coming together of the church and organized labor. Recently we published a significant statement by a clergyman on this subject, and now we note the following words by a prominent labor leader. At a mass meeting in New Haven, Conn., of local union labor, November 8, President Thomas J. Shaffer, of the Amalgamated Iron, Steel, and Tin Workers’ Union, said: “I am hopeful of better things. In the church we hear of the good work in behalf of the laboring classes by Bishop Potter and Archbishop Ireland. In public life we have that money man, Hanna, and President Roosevelt. A union of interests between the nation, the church, and organized labor will accomplish much for the American people.” It is but a comparatively short time since organized labor declared that the non-union laborer must not be given employment, and what attitude a church union would take toward members of a church not in the union is not a question over which there need be much conjecture. A union of interests between organized labor, and the church will necessarily involve a union of churches as well as a union of working men. What then will be the lot of the individual who is outside of both organized labor and the church union, when a “union of interests” between organized labor, the church, and the nation, is effected? Will he not be counted out of the nation, too, and treated as a criminal? The thing is coming, as surely as the sure word of prophecy is to be fulfilled. A View of the Conflict
By Ellen G. White
In vision I saw two armies in terrible conflict. One army was led by banners bearing the world's insignia; the other was led by the blood-stained banner of Prince Emmanuel. Standard after standard was left to trail in the dust as company after company from the Lord's army joined the foe; and tribe after tribe from the ranks of the enemy united with the commandment-keeping people of God. An angel flying in the midst of heaven put the standards of Emmanuel into many hands, while a mighty general cried with a loud voice, “Come into line. Let those who are loyal to the commandments of God and the testimony of Christ, now take their position. ‘Come out from among them, and be ye separate, . . . and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters.’ Let all who will, come up to the help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord against the mighty.” The battle raged. Victory alternated from side to side. Now the soldiers of the cross gave way, “as when a standard-bearer fainteth.” But their apparent retreat was but an effort to gain a more advantageous position. Shouts of joy were heard. A song of praise to God went up, and angel voices united in the song, as Christ's soldiers planted his banner on the walls of fortresses till then held by the enemy. The Captain of our salvation was ordering the battle, and sending support to his soldiers. His power was mightily displayed, encouraging them to press the battle to the gates. He taught them terrible things in righteousness as he led them on step by step, conquering and to conquer. At last the victory was gained. The army following the banner with the inscription, “The commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus,” were gloriously triumphant. The soldiers of Christ were close beside the gates of the city of God, and with joy the city received her King. The kingdom of peace and joy and everlasting righteousness was established. God's will was done on earth, as it is done in heaven. Now the church is militant. Now we are confronted with a world in midnight darkness, almost wholly given over to idolatry. But the day is coming when the battle will have been fought, the victory won. The will of God is to be done on earth as it is done in heaven. Then the nations will own no other law than the law of heaven. All will be a happy, united family, clothed with the garments of praise and thanksgiving,—the robe of Christ's righteousness. All nature, in its surpassing loveliness, will offer to God a constant tribute of praise and adoration. The world will be bathed in the light of heaven. The years will move on in gladness. The light of the moon will be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun will be sevenfold greater than it is now. Over the scene the morning stars will sing together, and the sons of God will shout for joy, while God and Christ will unite in proclaiming, “There shall be no more sin, neither shall there be any more death.” This is the scene that is presented to me. But the church must still fight against seen and unseen foes. Satanic agencies in human form are on the ground. Men have confederated to oppose the Lord of hosts. These confederacies will continue until Christ shall leave his place of intercession before the mercy seat, and shall put on the garments of vengeance. Satanic agencies are in every city, busily organizing into parties those opposed to the law of God. Professed saints and avowed unbelievers take their stand with these parties. This is no time for the people of God to be weaklings. We can not afford to be off our guard for one moment. “Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the enemy. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.” “This I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; that ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ; being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.” “Let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: . . . stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; and in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. For unto you it is given in behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake.” There are revealed in these last days visions of future glory, scenes pictured by the hand of God, and these should be dear to his church. What sustained the Son of God in his betrayal and trial? He saw of the travail of his soul, and was satisfied. He caught a view of the expanse of eternity, and saw the happiness of those who through his humiliation should receive pardon and everlasting life. He was wounded for their transgressions, bruised for their iniquities. The chastisement of their peace was upon him, and with his stripes they were healed. His ear caught the shout of the redeemed. He heard the ransomed ones singing the song of Moses and the Lamb. We must have a vision of the future and of the blessedness of heaven. Stand on the threshold of eternity, and hear the gracious welcome given to those who in this life have co-operated with Christ, regarding it as a privilege and an honor to suffer for his sake. As they unite with the angels, they cast their crowns at the feet of the Redeemer, exclaiming, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing. . . . Honor, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever.” There the redeemed ones greet those who directed them to the uplifted Saviour. They unite in praising him who died that human beings might have the life that measures with the life of God. The conflict is over. All tribulation and strife are at an end. Songs of victory fill all heaven as the redeemed stand around the throne of God. All take up the joyful strain, “Worthy, worthy is the Lamb that was slain, and lives again, a triumphant conqueror.” “I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; and cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.” “These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.” “And there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” Will you catch the inspiration of the vision? Will you let your mind dwell9upon the picture? Will you not be truly converted, and then go forth to labor in a spirit entirely different from the spirit in which you have labored in the past, displacing the enemy, breaking down every barrier to the advancement of the gospel, filling hearts with the light and peace and joy of the Lord? Shall not this miserable spirit of fault-finding and murmuring be buried, never to have a resurrection? Shall not the incense of praise and thanksgiving ascend from hearts purified and sanctified and glorified by the presence of Christ? Shall we not in faith lay hold of sinners, and bring them to the cross? Who will this day consecrate themselves to the service of the Lord? Who will now pledge themselves not to affiliate with the world, but to come out from the world, and be separate, refusing to pollute the soul with the worldly schemes and worldly practises that have been keeping the church under the enemy's influence? We are in this world to lift the cross of Calvary. As we lift this cross, we shall find that it lifts us. Let every Christian stand in his lot and place, catching the inspiration of the work that Christ did for souls while in this world. We need the ardor of the Christian hero, who can endure the seeing of him that is invisible. Our faith is to have a resurrection. The soldiers of the cross are to exert a positive influence for good. Christ says, “He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.” Indifference in the Christian life is a manifest denial of Christ. Should we not see in the world today medical missionaries who in all the features of their work are worthy of the name they bear, who aspire to the doing of deeds worthy of valiant soldiers of Christ? We are living near the close of the great conflict, when many souls are to be rescued from the slavery of sin. We are living in a time when to Christ's followers the promise specially belongs, “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” He who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, he who has called us out of darkness into his marvelous light, bids us let our light shine brightly before men, that they may see our good works, and glorify our Father who is in heaven. In such rich measure has light been given to God's people that Christ is justified in telling them that they are to be the light of the world. To our physicians and ministers I send the message, Lay hold of the Lord's work as if you believed the truth for this time. Medical missionary workers and workers in the gospel ministry are to be bound together by indissoluble ties. Their work is to be done with freshness and power. Throughout our churches there is to be a reconversion, and a reconsecration to service. Shall we not, in our work in the future, and in the gatherings that we hold, be of one accord? Shall we not wrestle with God in prayer, asking for the Holy Spirit to come into every heart? The presence of Christ, manifest among us, would cure the leprosy of unbelief that has made our service so weak and inefficient. We need the breath of the divine life breathed into us. We are to be channels through which the Lord can send light and grace to the world. Back-sliders are to be reclaimed. We are to put away our sins, by confession and repentance, humbling our proud hearts before God. Floods of spiritual power are now to be poured forth upon those prepared to receive it. Let us now consecrate ourselves to the proclamation of the message, “Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” Divine and human instrumentalities are to unite for the accomplishment of one great object. “The Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” “They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever.” Defend Us, Lord
By John Hay
DEFEND us, Lord, from every ill, Strengthen our hearts to do thy will, In all we plan and all we do Still keep us to thy service true. O, let us hear the inspiring word Which they of old at Horeb heard. Breathe to our hearts the high command, “Go onward and possess the land!” Thou who art Light, shine on each soul! Thou who art Truth, each mind control! Open our eyes, and make us see The path which leads to heaven and thee! — John Hay, in Presbyterian Banner. The Coming Week of Prayer
By S. B. Horton
WHAT is the object of the “week of prayer”? and what should be our relation to it as individuals? These are questions of prime importance just now. As a people we are prepared to show from the Holy Scriptures and the fulfilment thereof through past and current history that we are living in the last days, and that the coming King is at the door. But are we fully prepared to show to all the world that we believe this with all the heart, soul, and strength? or do we need exhortation from time to time similar in character to that found in Rom. 13: 11-14, the first part of which is, “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed”? How sweet was the message when we first embraced it! What a revelation of light and truth to us who were in darkness and possibly despair when there fell upon our ears the soul-stirring themes of present truth! How zealous we were to have all the family and the neighbors and friends learn of this “pearl of great price”! These were experiences enjoyed when we first believed. Have these experiences grown brighter and brighter? Have the trials and diverse temptations which have come to us since we believed resulted in refining us so that the Saviour’s image is gradually filling the soul temple and reflecting its benign influence? Or have we become engrossed with the cares of this world, and is formality dwarfing our religious experience? In “Testimonies for the Church,” Volume VI, page 495, we read: “It is possible to be a partial, formal believer, and yet be found wanting, and lose eternal life. It is possible to practise some of the Bible injunctions, and be regarded as a Christian, and yet perish because you lack qualifications essential to Christian character.” The same Testimony, page 404, reads as follows: “The great crisis is just before us. To meet its trials and temptations, and to perform its duties, will require persevering faith. But we may triumph gloriously; not one watching, praying, believing soul will be ensnared by the enemy.” Ancient Israel were instructed to present themselves before the Lord several times during the year in an especial manner. These were solemn and serious convocations for Israel, and were instituted in addition to the weekly or Sabbath meetings. Read Lev. 23: 37, 38. These were designed to be refreshings to Israel, to strengthen against the wiles of the flesh and the devil. The Saviour attended these convocations, and while specific acts and services of the particular days were abrogated at the cross, yet the principle and idea of special convocations were not to be lost sight of; for the Israel of God now need special refreshings and strength in these last days to withstand the wiles of the devil, who knows “that he hath but a short time.” And so our camp-meetings are designed in the hands of the Lord to draw his people specially nigh unto him. But may we not need another special revival during the year?—Yes, and provision is made for it. The camp-meetings are for the most part held in the summer time, when crops are growing; and it seems fitting that at the close of the harvest another convocation should be held, the week of prayer. At this time we are reminded of the goodness of the Lord, and what is more timely than to present ourselves before the Lord with a thank offering or a peace offering? Taking into consideration these few points, particularly our great need of power “to awake out of sleep,” no more forceful object lesson can be found than the memorable scene in Gethsemane’s garden, when the Lord invited Peter, James, and John to watch and pray with him, for he was to pass through a great trial. The sins of the world were now to be actually borne by him; and he saw, as it were, the cup coming directly to him from which he was to drink the deadly draught. Could he meet the ordeal, the crisis? Ah, listen: “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” In place of his disciples entering into this agony with him, as was his desire and their privilege, they fell asleep, in consequence of which, under trial, Peter denied his Lord, and all forsook him at last. Dear brethren and sisters, the week of prayer will soon be here. What will there be in this occasion for you and for me? What relation shall we bear to this solemn convocation? Let us enter into the season with the spirit of consecration, with prayerful hearts, evincing deep concern as to the conditions needed to share in the overcomer’s reward, and may this week of prayer result in bringing peace and harmony from above to each heart, and may we go forth in the strength of Jehovah to finish this work and hasten the return of the Redeemer. What Is It to Accept Christ?
To accept Christ is to accept his life, his love, his service, to accept his pardon and his forgiveness, to accept his cross and his power. It is to accept this simply, naturally, to accept it as a free gift, paying nothing for it. And then, because we honor him and love him, to follow him, and try to do his work in his way. Salvation by faith means that we work for him because he has saved us. If we try to buy peace and joy by working for them, we make a mistake. We are to take God's gift as we take the sunlight and the air, and we are to live in his grace just as we live in the sunlight and the air. Regeneration is new birth, new life. We can not re-create ourselves. The birth from above must come from above, not from us. We are to leave all questions of new birth to God, take his gift of life, and live naturally and simply because he has given that gift to us. Atonement is at-one-ment. It is reconciliation with God; it is being at one with him. It has cost God something to make this atonement possible. That cost is represented to us by the suffering and death of Christ. It remains simply for us to be at one with him, to make his will our will, by taking the gift which he freely bestows upon us, and by living the life which through the life of Jesus Christ he has interpreted to us. Salvation, then, does not come by work; it is not given to us as wages because we have paid for it by service. It comes by the faith which accepts it, the faith which is shown in the obedience of love, by doing the work which Christ bids us to do, and living the life which he enables us to live, accepting the commission which he proffers to us in the words, "As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you."—Outlook. Must the Bible Go?
By J. O. Corliss
A FEW years ago Prof. Goldwin Smith raised the question through the Toronto Weekly Sun, as to what would be the probable outcome of the present religious condition of society and the church. Among other things, he spoke thus of the unsettled state of mind regarding Bible doctrines, in which most people are found:— “Missionary enterprise appears to be flagging, and the cause of its falling off would seem to be, not so much failure of philanthropy or liberality as of confidence in the doctrines of the religion in which the missionary is sent out to propagate. There is a disposition to take up social questions, such as prohibition, in place of those which more properly belong to a church. We are evidently in an era of religious transition, and all great transitions are perilous, though we may have faith in their ultimate tendency for good. It is true that in the theological, as in other fields, unrest is an indication of life. But the life indicated is not that of churches, if church membership is a doctrinal bond.” Then, assuming that the outcome of this state of affairs will be the rejection of the Bible as a foundation of ethics, the question is raised, “What will take the place of the Bible?” After stating that the settlement of this question will be sought through a symposium, he asks, “What can the answer be but ‘truth’?” There is no doubt that the religious condition is much as stated by the learned professor, and for this state of things others than the laity are responsible. It is now a very common occurrence, and is considered quite the thing, for the preacher to raise doubts concerning the accuracy of this or that statement of Holy Writ. Even little children are taught in Sunday-school to question the truth of Bible history. For instance, two or three years ago, the Pilgrim Series of Quarterlies, used in the Congregational churches of America, had this note affixed to the first lesson, which was on the creation:— “We have here not a scientific account of the process of creation, but a brief panoramic vision of its development. No positive scientific explanation of the origin of the world and the introduction of life on it is as yet possible. Sometime it may be able to speak with some definiteness relative to the process, but it can never tell us how or by what power the process was set in motion.” The next lesson was concerning the flood, which had this for a criticism: “There is every indication in the facts known to science that men never have lived to so great an age as the literal interpretation of this record asserts.” The entire story of the flood was treated as mere tradition, and not as true because the Bible records it. If this is all the Bible account is worth, then, in the name of reason, why should the Bible be taught at all in Sunday-school, or in any other school for that matter, when its statements are so unreliable? Why not teach the children from the start from some treatise on geology, in which unrestrained, visionary guessing is carried to perfection? It is not wisdom, to say the least, to adopt a text-book as the basis of education, when a great part of the teacher’s effort must be expended in attempts at refutation of the book to be taught. But the enemy of God and his Word knows that no other way is so well calculated to destroy confidence in the only guide to a land of rest. But now there comes forward a great English churchman, the Bishop of Wakefield, who publicly declares, and that plainly, that the Bible is not to be depended on as a truthful witness. Referring to a recent address he gave at Leeds, on the religious education of children, the London Express of Oct. 23, 1903, says:— “His lordship recognized the possibility of offending the susceptibilities of some of his hearers, but explained that such wounds as he might inflict would be the wounds of a friend. ‘Some people,’ he added, ‘need wounding before they will awaken and take a proper view of the Bible.’” The first thing, the bishop thought, was to understand the nature of inspiration. “It is not a verbal, mechanical, absolutely accurate, and infallible inspiration,” he said, though he admitted that the Holy Spirit led the writers to embody in their productions a revelation of God, and the offer of salvation to men in Christ. A strange conclusion indeed for a great mind to arrive at, that God inspired men to give a revelation from him so interwoven with their own fancies that the separation of the two appears quite impossible. In such a case it would seem that God could not have largely cared how his revelation would be received, or he certainly would have given some rule by which his instruction might have been easily distinguished from that which is not his, and which is therefore false. As it is, all has been left for individuals to choose that part which best suits their leanings, and discard the remainder as untrustworthy. It therefore follows that a part of the Book which suits one, and which he believes to be God’s inspiration, may be rejected as uninspired by another, while holding that part to be inspired which the first had repudiated as unworthy of confidence11. It is not strange, therefore, that the bishop came to the following conclusions, which he boldly enunciated:— ‘The Bible is not infallible; the Bible is not necessarily literal and exact; the books were not necessarily written by the authors whose names they bear; these names have absolutely no authority, except old tradition of the Jewish race; many of the books are composite, and some embody older records, like flints in chalk formations; others are by more than one author, and still others admittedly compilations of various historical and traditional accounts.’ If any one can believe all this, it would be easy to appreciate the compliment paid to Charles Darwin, by the bishop, in the statement that he ‘had placed not only scientific, but also religious thought upon an altogether firmer basis.’ For churchmen thus to place undemonstrated theories, misnamed science and religion, on a higher plane than the Bible, is not only to ask men to discard the Book of God as worthless, but also to repudiate the means of grace which have their foundation in that Word alone. Indeed, the bishop says he would have the Bible taught simply from a literary standpoint, using freely Oriental methods, which would give it a peculiar charm, but to ask children to believe in its accuracy, would be to ‘put a strain upon the intelligence which it could not easily bear.’ In view of such invidious comparisons, to which the ‘uneducated’ are being frequently treated, the question arises, Will the Bible survive the test? No one need have fears on that point. When but one family in all the earth was found to uphold God’s Word amid general unbelief, and consequent moral corruption, these were not permitted to merge into the general mass, and so let the light of the Word die out. When it became necessary to preserve that truth that the ‘seed of the woman’ should bruise the serpent’s head, at the cost of all the world’s inhabitants, God brought a flood to sweep them away, in order to preserve his Word, and make good his promise. During the Dark Ages, when Bible truth was supplanted by the Platonic vagaries of the ‘schoolmen,’ and the insipid inferences of the ‘fathers,’ God raised up intrepid men who braved death in the act of holding aloft the banner of eternal truth. As in every crisis of the past when God’s Word has been in jeopardy, he has provided against its downfall, so now when the enemy threatens to come against it like a flood, heaven’s resources will not fail to raise up a standard in its behalf. The tracings of prophetic fulfilment will settle the minds of earnest seekers for truth, as nothing else can do. The study of the Bible itself is the best antidote to stop the growth of doubt-seeds, and to establish faith in the accuracy of Bible teaching. That blessed Book has already outlived by centuries those theories which have been hurled against it, and it is as fresh for the next encounter as it ever has been for those of the past. It therefore stands pre-eminently forth, not only as the champion of truth, but as the power and steadfastness of truth itself. ‘Most wondrous Book! bright candle of the Lord,
Marked with the seal of high divinity
From first to very last.
This lamp from off the everlasting throne
Mercy took down, and through the night of time
Has shed its fulsome light on man,
Beseeching him, with tears and earnest sighs,
To read, believe, and live.’