Review and Herald, Vol. 77, No. 6. (2/6/1900)

Review and Herald

Feb 6, 1900

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 6, 1900

LOYALTY OR DISLOYALTY?

By Ellen G. White

MRS. E. G. WHITE.

In the past the Lord God of ages revealed his secrets to his prophets. The Omniscient looked down the centuries, and predicted through his prophets the rise and fall of kingdoms, hundreds of years before the events foretold took place. The present and the future are equally clear to God, and he shows his servants what shall be. His voice echoes down the ages, telling man what is to take place. Kings and princes take their position at the appointed time. They think they are carrying out their own purposes, but in reality they are fulfilling the word God has given through his prophets. They act their part in carrying out God's great plan. Events fall into line, fulfilling the word the Almighty has spoken.

The unbelieving and godless do not discern the signs of the time. In ignorance they may refuse to accept the inspired record. But when professed Christians speak sneeringly of the means employed by the great I AM to make his purposes known, they show themselves to be ignorant both of the Scriptures and of the power of God. The Creator knows just what elements he has to deal with in human nature. He knows what means to employ to obtain the desired end. The Christian who accepts the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, will look at Bible history in its true bearing. The history of the Jewish economy from beginning to end, though spoken of contemptuously and sneered at as “the dark ages,” will reveal light, and still more light, as it is studied.

Man's word fails; and he who takes the assertions of man as his dependence may well tremble; for he will one day be a shipwrecked vessel. But God's word is infallible, and endures forever. Christ declares: “Verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.” God's word will endure through the ceaseless ages of eternity. God lives and reigns. His glory is not confined to the temple made with hands. He has not closed heaven against his people. As in the past, so in this age, God reveals his secrets to his servants the prophets.

The image shown to Nebuchadnezzar in the visions of the night represents the kingdoms of the world. The metals in the image, symbolizing the different kingdoms, became less and less pure and valuable, from the head down. The head of the image was of gold, the breast and arms of silver, the sides of brass, and the feet and toes iron mingled with clay. So the kingdoms represented by them deteriorated in value.

The result of making void the law of God may be seen in the increasing immorality of these several kingdoms. If the inhabitants had kept the fear of God ever before them, they would have been given wisdom and power, which would have bound them together, and kept them strong. But the rulers of these kingdoms made God their strength only when harassed and perplexed. Failing to get help from their great men, they sought it from men like Daniel, who they knew honored the living God, and were honored by him. To these men they appeal to unravel the mysteries of providence; for they had so far separated themselves from God by transgression that they could not understand his warning. They were forced to appeal for explanation to those illuminated by heavenly light.

When the empire of Babylon was so strong and its influence so far-reaching that seemingly the most powerful foe could not take its scepter, Daniel, a man inspired by God, prophesied that it would pass away, notwithstanding its apparent magnificence, and that a second would succeed it. He prophesied also that the second empire would be succeeded by the third, and that a fourth empire should arise, more fierce, more determined, and more powerful than any kingdom that had preceded it. As strong as iron, this kingdom would subdue and break in pieces all the nations of the world.

In spite of the warning he received, Nebuchadnezzar went on in his own strength, till God took from him the talent of wisdom, that he might be led to see and acknowledge that the God of Israel was able to create and to destroy. The kings who succeeded him failed to profit by his experience, and the kingdom of Babylon passed away because, in their prosperity, her rulers forgot God, and ascribed her honor and glory to human achievement. So to-day, when men forget God and refuse to obey his law, they are humiliated. God tests them, and if they do not humble their hearts and confess their sins, they receive the penalty of transgression.

The Medo-Persian kingdom was visited by the wrath of God because in it his law was trampled underfoot. The fear of God possessed no power among the people. Wickedness, blasphemy, and corruption were the prevailing influences in this kingdom; and the kingdoms that followed were even more base and corrupt. They deteriorated because they cast off God. Forgetting him, they sank lower and lower in the scale. The vast empire of Rome crumbled into pieces. The church of Rome boasts of her infallibility, and of the power of her hereditary religion. But this religion is a horror to all who are acquainted with the secrets of the mystery of iniquity. The priests of this church maintain their ascendency by keeping the people in ignorance of the will of God.

While representing the kingdoms of this earth, the image that was revealed to Nebuchadnezzar also fitly represented deterioration of religion. We grow weak morally and spiritually, just in proportion as we forget God. Those who claim to be Protestants are not to-day what Luther was. They have left the old landmarks, and have depended on forms, ceremonies, and outward display to make up for the lack of purity and piety, meekness and lowliness, found in obedience to God. Sin is ruining nations to-day just as it has done in time past. Even leaders in the religious world have not a good conscience toward God.

Men need an intelligent knowledge of God's law. There is no true standard of righteousness apart from this law. By obedience to it the intellect is cultivated, the conscience enlightened and made sensitive. Righteousness exalts a nation. The words of the Bible, and the Bible alone, should be echoed from the pulpits of our land. This book is God's great director. It is a lamp to our feet, a light to our path. It flashes its light ahead, that we may see the path by which we are traveling; and its rays are thrown back on past history, showing the most perfect harmony in that

which, to the mind in darkness, appears like error and discord. In that which seems to the worldling an inexplicable mystery, God's children see light and beauty.

God speaks in his word, and fulfills this word in the world. We need now to seek to understand the movements of God's providence. Said Paul, “Ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night nor of darkness.” God's people are not left to depend on man's wisdom. With prophetic guideposts God has marked out the way he wishes them to take. These great waymarks show us that the path of obedience is the only path we can follow with certainty. Men break their word, and prove themselves untrustworthy, but God changes not. His word will abide the same forever. Those who love and obey the law of Jehovah will meet with trial and temptation; but these are only what Jesus met, and he declares: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” If we hope and pray, and by faith trust his word, we shall be able to say, with Paul, “I am persuaded, that neither death nor life nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Have we given ourselves up to do God's will? Are we transformed by the grace of Christ? Some claim to be in Christ, while their special work is to make void the law of Jehovah. Shall we take their word for it? Shall we accept their assertions? How shall we distinguish God's true servants from the false prophets who Christ said should arise to deceive many?—There is only one test of character,—the law of Jehovah.

The Israelites placed over their doors a signature of blood, to show that they were God's property. So the children of God in this age will bear the signature God has appointed. They will place themselves in harmony with God's holy law. A mark is placed upon every one of God's people just as verily as a mark was placed over the doors of the Hebrew dwellings, to preserve the people from the general ruin. God declares, “I gave them my Sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the Lord that sanctify them.” When men say that the law of God is abrogated by the testimony of the Fathers, they are teaching for doctrine the commandments of men. Their word is not founded upon the teaching of the apostles and prophets. Jesus Christ is not the chief cornerstone of their structure. John says, “He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” Those who permit themselves to be deceived will, with the deceiver, feel the wrath of the Lamb.

With God's word before us, with the lesson of instruction we may there learn, there is no need for us to be deceived. We are living in a momentous period of this earth's history. The great conflict is just before us. We see the world corrupted under the inhabitants thereof. The man of sin has worked with a marvelous perseverance to exalt the spurious sabbath, and the disloyal Protestant world has wondered after the beast, and has called obedience to the Sabbath instituted by Jehovah disloyalty to the laws of the nations. Kingdoms have confederated to sustain a false sabbath institution, which has not a word of authority in the oracles of God.

In the record of the vision given to John we read, “The dragon was wroth with the woman [the church], and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” Satanic agencies have made the earth a stage for horrors, which no language can describe. War and bloodshed are carried on by nations claiming to be Christian. A disregard for the law of God has brought its sure result.

The great conflict now being waged is not merely a strife of man against man. On one side stands the Prince of Life, acting as man's substitute and surety; on the other, the prince of darkness, with the fallen angels under his command. “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.” “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.”

There will be a sharp conflict between those who are loyal to God and those who cast scorn upon his law. The church has joined hands with the world. Reverence to God's law has been subverted. The religious leaders are teaching for doctrine the commandments of men. As it was in the days of Noah, so it is in this age of the world. But shall the prevalence of disloyalty and transgression cause those who have reverenced the law of God to have less respect for it, to unite with the powers of earth to make it void?—The truly loyal will not be carried away by the current of evil. They will not throw scorn and contempt on that which God has set apart as holy. The test comes to every one. There are only two sides. On which side are you?

BETAKE THYSELF TO PRAYER.

By Margaret E. Sangster

When bitter winds of trouble blow, And thou art tossing to and fro, When waves are rolling mountain high, And clouds obscure the steadfast sky, Fear not, my soul, thy Lord is there; Betake thyself, my soul, to prayer.

When in the dull routine of life Thou yearnest half for pain and strife, So weary of the commonplace, Of days that wear the selfsame face, Think softly, soul, thy Lord is there, And then betake thyself to prayer.

When brims thy cup with sparkling joy, When happy tasks the hours employ, When men with praise and sweet acclaim Upon the highways speak thy name, Then, soul, I bid thee have a care, Seek oft thy Lord in fervent prayer.

If standing where two pathways meet, Each beckoning thy pilgrim feet, Thou art in doubt which road to take, Look up, and say, “For thy dear sake— O Master! show thy footprints fair— I’d follow thee.” Christ answers prayer.

The tempter oft, with wily toil, Seeks thee, my soul, as precious spoil; His weapons never lose their edge, But thou art heaven’s peculiar pledge. Though Satan rage, thy Lord is there— Dear soul, betake thyself to prayer!

—Margaret E. Sangster, in Sunday-School Times.

OBEDIENCE AND FAITH.

By D. W. Albert

D. W. ALBERT.

(Plymouth, Ind.)

The primary duty of man, as of all created intelligences, is to do right. Eccl. 12:13. God, who is all-wise, gave a law that is perfect, which is God’s rule of righteousness for man. Deut. 6:25. Had man always remained obedient to his Creator, there would have been no necessity for the plan of salvation, as man would not have forfeited his right to life. Eze. 20:11. So all that is said in the Bible of knowing God, or of loving God, centers in obedience. 1 John 5:3.

Man, having failed to walk in that perfect rule of righteousness, has forfeited his right to life. This has made it necessary for the plan of salvation through faith in Christ, he having taken upon himself to make reconciliation for sins and iniquities, yea, even becoming man’s substitute in death (Rom. 6:23), that man may become reconciled to God. This plan of salvation through faith in Christ, who has taken upon himself our chastisement, and through whose stripes we are healed (Isa. 53:5,) will last through this dark and sinful period until sin and iniquity will be done away. Hence Christ has become the author and finisher of our faith. Heb. 12:2.

There are many who have taken up the erroneous idea that faith consists in believing a thing so strongly that it will be accomplished simply because they believe it will, whether or not their faith is founded on the promise of God. No warrant for such a faith can be found in the word of God. All the examples of faith given in the eleventh chapter of Hebrews were persons who were told by the Lord to do some certain thing, or things, and their obedience is attested to in the same chapter. Taking God at his word, they performed the doing of his command, trusting in the Lord for the final result. Thus we find that the definition of faith as given in the inspired record is, “The substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Remember that this is one definition, not two definitions, of faith. Faith must include all there is in both clauses. Devils can believe that God will carry out his plans, but can not have faith that he will do it, their belief not being the substance of the things hoped for. Thus we read, “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” When the word of God or the providence of God brings us to the place where it will be necessary to have sycamore trees or mountains removed, then, and not until then, will it be proper to ask for such things.

THE “LIGHTED MATCH.”

By GEO. B. THOMPSON.

GEO. B. THOMPSON.

(Rome, N. Y.)

Under this heading the New York World, in an editorial, says:—

The scent of battle in South Africa fills the air of civilization. A world that was talking of, and hoping for, universal peace only three months ago, is sharpening the sword and unlimbering the gun in preparation for universal war. . . . A lighted match has been thrown into the vast powder magazine.

This sounds like Armageddon. And, truly, this terrible time hastens greatly. Years ago the Lord, through the Spirit of Prophecy, said, “When England does declare war, all nations will have an interest of their own to serve, and there will be general war, general confusion.”—“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. I, page 259.

Whether or not the present disturbance in South Africa in which England finds herself involved is the fulfillment of this I leave for the reader to settle; but from these words it is clear that England is the pivotal nation over which the matter of universal war or peace will finally turn.

All the nations are watching her, and her declaration of war will be the “lighted match” thrown into the magazine, the explosion of which will convulse the world, bringing misery to millions.

In the same paper, under the heading, “Wars and Rumors of War,” the editor proceeds to give us an idea of the way the nations are scenting the smoke of battle, and preparing for the dreadful, yet irresistible conflict. He says:—

Very strenuous war is on in South Africa with serious menace of the “black peril” to add to its horrors. . . .

Japan is excited over Russian aggression in Corea and China, and rumor has it that she is seeking European and American alliances to check it. Meantime a great American fleet is concentrating in the South Pacific, for what purpose nobody knows, though our government is actively demanding the “open door.”

France is hurrying troops into that part of China which she controls.

Italy, in spite of her strained finances, has decided not to send her fleets to winter quarters this year as she usually does.

The British Channel fleet sailed for Gibraltar in strict war formation, and the ships there keep their men night and day at the guns, with ammunition ready and search-lights in operation, as if active war was on.

Russia, Germany, and Spain are reported to be in consultation, with a view to the occupation of Ceuta, opposite Gibraltar—a thing that would mean war, instant and terrible.

These are the facts. “The times are out of joint.”

The world is reading the handwriting. They see the mighty storm coming, and realize that they are powerless to arrest its fury but little longer. Truly, these are ominous times. The perils of the last days are here. “Something great and decisive will take place, and that right early.” The work we have failed to do under favorable circumstances we will have to complete under a terrible pressure of darkness. Are we ready for the day of God to burst upon us? Are our hearts clean? Have we put away all sin? Those who have will receive the latter rain, and be fitted for the time of trouble. We need to step fast; the great day of God is near, and hasteth greatly.

THE CONSCIENCE.

By E. J. Hibbard

E. J. HIBBARD.

(Concluded.)

A man once asked me how I knew that the Bible is true. I answered, “Because I have proved it to be true in my own experience.” Turning to Romans 7, I read to him: “The good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.” “Now,” said I, “that was once my experience. It is yours now, is it not?” He admitted that it was. “And I tried with all my might to break that chain, so that I might do the good, which I desired to do, and refrain from the evil, which I abhorred. I failed utterly. I did not and could not do as well as I knew.” This he said was his present experience. “But,” I added, “I am out of that now. I have found deliverance from the body of death, ‘through Jesus Christ our Lord.’ Verse 25. And this, with Romans 8, is my present experience. ‘There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.’”

How did I get this deliverance? Did you say?—The same way as did Paul—“through Jesus Christ our Lord.” You notice in Rom. 8:1 it says, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.” That is, God does not condemn them. “God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned.”

When God says we are not condemned, we are not condemned. So there is no condemnation to us who are in Christ Jesus. It is likewise true that there is no condemnation in them that are in Christ Jesus. The blood of Christ having purged the conscience, it ceases to condemn. “Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.” “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.” And when the Holy Spirit witnesses that we are the children of God, we may be sure that the Father and the Son bear the same witness: “for there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.”

“The wicked are like the troubled sea, when it can not rest.” Jesus calmed the troubled sea by his word. He said, “Peace, be still.” It obeyed him immediately. “And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.” “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” “Ye shall find rest unto your souls.”

How different is Christianity from the philosophical creeds of the world! Those are theory; this is fact. Those are human reason; this is experience. Those hold forth a phantom, always a little in advance, but never realized; this is a life,—the kingdom within,—which is “righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” But I fear that there are many among us whose experience conforms more nearly to the world’s standard than to the Christian standard.

Our text, in the beginning, was this: “Holding faith, and a good conscience.” We have seen that the defiled conscience is purged—that is, purified and made good, or void of offense toward God and man—by the blood of Christ, through faith.

Now some, he says, have put away the good conscience, and as a result, have made shipwreck concerning faith. I know of nothing outside of chosen, conscious, and willing sin that will bring a purged conscience back into condemnation. I can not endure the guilt of one unconfessed sin. And besides that, I can not, in that condition, successfully resist temptation. Thus it is that one unconfessed sin may lie at the bottom of other sins innumerable. One violation of conscience covered, an attempt to conceal, or to apologize for, one wrong act or word or thought, and the flood gates are open. No wonder that shipwreck follows. The Lord help us to make a clean breast of everything condemned by his Spirit! “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

“Now the end [object] of the commandment is charity [love] out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: from which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling.” Now to swerve is not to turn square about. To deviate in the least from a straight course is to swerve. Some, having swerved, have turned aside—left the track entirely. What are they doing there?—Jangling. Is it profitable to be jangling?—No. There is no such thing as profitable jangling.

It is “vain jangling” to which they have turned. Have they given up their profession of faith?—Oh, no; no, indeed. “Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.” Vain jangling! The man who loses his experience has got to make a show of something, or else give up his profession. He is apt to claim new revelations in regard to the Bible, something that will lead to controversy. You will always find it theoretical. It will never be a revelation of a purer, holier life. How can it be? He had first swerved from a pure heart, a good conscience; and now is fully turned aside.

Will a conscience thus violated cease to reprove, by and by?—It surely will. “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron.” These must be apostates; for none could depart from the faith without having first been in the faith. I know of no remedy for this condition. In fact, there can be none; for the only remedy—the Spirit, the word, of God—has been rejected. Conscience is the voice of God to our souls. A purified conscience reproves sin in the person who has it. The Spirit’s first office is to reprove of sin. Said Jesus, “It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you; And when he is come, he will reprove [or convince] the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.” John 16:7, 8.

The conscience reproves sin; the Spirit reproves sin. The conscience is at rest as soon as the sin is confessed, and the blood of Christ accepted as an atonement. At this same time the Spirit ceases to reprove of sin, and begins to convince of righteousness. It is here seen that the conscience and the Holy Spirit have the same office. And when the Spirit is grieved away, the conscience is seared, and ceases to reprove of sin.

“The Spirit is life because of righteousness.” It is God’s life, God’s righteousness. But God’s life—his righteousness—is only his character, or nature. God’s nature in man is only that of the image of God which was put there in the beginning. “Man was to bear God’s image both in outward resemblance and in character.”—“Patriarchs and Prophets,” chap. 2, par. 5. “By sin the image of God in man has been marred and well-nigh obliterated; it is the work of the gospel to restore that which has been lost.”—“Testimony for the Church,” No. 33, page 271.

What, then, is conscience in the unconverted man, if it be not that which remains of the image of God as pertains to character? And what is the purifying of the conscience but the restoration of that image? Whatever is lacking, then, of the perfect image of God’s character in us, just that much is lacking of a perfect conscience.

It is the work of the gospel to restore this image. The gospel “is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.” “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” “The word of God is quick [living].” “The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” Therefore, to the extent that the word of God is incorporated into the believer, to that same extent is the Spirit, the life, the righteousness, the character, of God incorporated there; and to that same extent is the image of God in man restored. “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”

But notwithstanding the fact that God’s perfect image will not be restored until all sin is purged out, and his character in completeness is restored, yet, at this present time, we are able to do his will to the extent that his living word has become incorporated into our lives. In this case, it becomes the controlling power in the Christian. “Sin shall not have dominion over you.” “Let not sin, therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.” What a glorious emancipation proclamation! I accept it with all my heart and soul and mind and strength. Let all Christians accept it, and praise the Lord forever, because it is very truth.

The Christian, then, who yields to the dominion of one sin violates the law of God doubly. He violates the law against the sin, and also the command, “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body.” God would never have given such a command as this without giving also the power to resist sin. It is the most unsafe, yes, the most hazardous, thing under heaven for a Christian to have one besetting sin. In fact, it is unsafe to yield to temptation at all, even once; but to have certain sins that always have dominion is absolute ruin in the end. The Lord has said that one sin indulged will eventually neutralize the whole gospel. We must either be complete overcomers, or else be completely overcome.

Just before leaving home this morning, I caught up volume two of the Testimonies, and sketched through it on the subject of the conscience and the danger of violating it. Here is a case, page 42: “Dear brother, life or death is before you. Do you know why your

steps have faltered? why you did not persevere with courage and firmness? You have a violated conscience. Your business career has not been straightforward. You have something to do here. Your father did not look upon business principles in the correct light. You regard them as do worldlings in general, but not as God regards them.”

And so I might read, but will not now take the time, from pages 89–93, 263, 291–293, 300–304, 447, 468, and 519. I hope you all will read these passages when you get home. In these references you will find many things mentioned that violate the conscience, from wrong business principles on through the whole realm of wrong-doing.

In conclusion, let me read an extract from page 468. Here is a person so steeped in sin that he uses, or tries to use, the word of God as a cloak for his deviltry. It says: “The consciences of those who do this have become SEARED and terribly hardened. They have resisted the influences of the Spirit of God until they can use sacred truth as a cloak to hide the deformity of their corrupted souls. This man has been terribly deluded by Satan. . . . He has considered himself in health while there was no soundness in him.”

This case must be about parallel with 1 Timothy 4. I tell you, my brother, my sister, It is unsafe to live an hour with a violated conscience. It will ruin us as surely as we permit this state of things to exist. It is like the man with the alarm clock. At first, he is aroused, and instantly obeys. But the morning comes when he says, “I am tired; I’ll just roll over, and rub my eyes a little before getting up.” The next morning he takes a little nap after the alarm “goes off.” Thus it is, by a series of delays and failures to heed, that at last he can not be aroused by the alarm. I have known persons who would hang the alarm clock over the headboard of the bed, and thus bring it as near to the ear as possible, but its alarm would not affect them at all. Why was this?—They had failed to heed it until they had become deaf to it—seared, as it were.

The Lord help us to obey the first alarm of conscience, ere we become seared, and therefore deaf to it. As an everlasting warning to us to keep the conscience clean, are the shipwrecked lives of Hymenaeus and Alexander, and others like them, who have been “delivered unto Satan.”

WHAT DO YOU DO?

By Clinton Locke

Clinton Locke, in the Living Church.

WHAT do you go about doing? “He,” says the Bible, “went about doing good.” What an epitaph those words would make for a man! I remember reading over a pompous epitaph in Westminster Abbey. The poor crumbling dust that lay beneath had been duke of this, marquis of that, earl of the other. He had been so many times lord-lieutenant of his county; he had been sent ambassador to this court and that court. He had been His Majesty’s this, that, and the other; he was brave, he was pious, he was generous; he was, in fact, the model of all the virtues, and it took a big slab of marble to tell all he had been.

Now contrast with all that the simple words of Scripture about Christ, “He went about doing good.” Do you think you could have anything better than that put on your tombstone? Not put there to be as “lying as an epitaph,” but put there because it was true, and no one in the world dare say, “Chisel it off, it is false.”

We could not put that epitaph over all. We sometimes come home from a funeral, and we say of the dead, “He went about making money, and a lot of it he made. He made it, and he kept it, and he left it to his family. He did not waste any of it on hospitals and asylums, and such ‘foolery.’ He always said, ‘The county may take care of the poor and sick. Let them behave themselves and work; I did it.’ He went about highly respectable, and never broke any of the commandments except the two unimportant ones, ‘Love God,’ and ‘Love your neighbor.’”

Then we sometimes have to say of a woman who is gone, “She went about showing clothes, and she did her duty in that respect. She showed the most expensive ones she could find, and she varied them as often as she could. She worked hard at it, and gave her time and her life to it.” It would be very appropriate to put up over such a woman one of those dressmaker’s lay figures.

Or we have to say of another, “She went about making mischief. She repeated in one house what she heard in another. She exaggerated every little expression. She amplified every little detail. Anything ugly about any one else was a sweet morsel to roll under her tongue. She went about sowing the seeds of discord and scandal and detraction.”

Then we say of another, “She went about doing—nothing.” The late Bishop of Manchester, being about to preach a sermon to young women, wrote a note to a fashionable girl, asking her to be kind enough to write him exactly how she ordinarily spent the day. This was her answer: “My dear Lord-Bishop: We breakfast at ten. I always try to be up and ready for that. Then I arrange the flowers in the vases, and feed the birds, and write some notes for my mother or myself. Then it is time to get ready for lunch. After lunch I drive or make visits, and get home for afternoon tea. Then it is time to dress for dinner, and after dinner we go to the opera or a party, and I come home at one in the morning so tired that I can scarcely hold up my head.” Is not that a record? Is not that a splendid thing to have your recording angel each day jotting down as the outcome of your life? Imagine such persons coming to the judgment seat, and conscience bringing this all up,—this emptiness, this nothingness, this laborious idleness, this busy vacancy, this trifling with such an awful thing as life, given only one second at a time!

Contrast with all these the words, “He went about doing good.” To be able to say that of a man or woman is sweet, not only to the priest who consigns them to the grave, and to the family who feel the consolation of that thought, but even to the chance acquaintance who sees the funeral train passing. He went about the place where he lived, just like sunshine starting into some cold, wretched room, making the coldness seem less cold, and the wretchedness a little more bearable. His heart beat responsive to a tale of woe. He loved to offer the helping hand, to speak the cheering word, to show himself a brother.

Remember, too, you can take an epitaph like that with you when you die, and you know well that there is nothing else you can take that is worth taking. You can not take a single dollar. You can not even take your expensive coffin and your will. It will do no good for your guardian angel to say, “This person was very rich, and went in the best society, and was highly respected.” Such talk would sound in that clear air like hollow laughter; but every gate will fly open at the cry, “He went about doing good.”

Provision Made for Christian Perfection

“THE command, ‘Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect,’ would never have been given if every provision had not been made whereby we could obey the requirement,—be as perfect in our sphere as God is in his.”

Friendship Throughout Eternity: A Devotional Verse

“E’EN as the cup which skillful hand Hath filled till but one small drop more Would cause its overflow, yet safe A rose leaf on its surface bore; Thus in our souls the fount of bliss, Made perfect in Christ’s presence, by His grace this added blessing bears,— Friendship throughout eternity.”

Alphabetical Scriptures.

By L. D. House

L. D. HOUSE.

(Hokah, Minn.)*

“Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.” Isa. 60:1.

“Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another.” Rom. 12:10.

“Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” Matt. 25:34.

“Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” Ps. 37:4.

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights.” James 1:17.

“For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord’s death till he come.” 1 Cor. 11:26.

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13.

“He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.” Prov. 19:17.

“I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.” Ps. 17:15.

“Judge not, that ye be not judged.” Matt. 7:1.

“Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.” Ps. 34:13.

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.” Ps. 19:14.

“Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a master in heaven.” Col. 4:1.

“Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.” Zech. 4:6.

“O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.” Ps. 34:8.

“Praise ye the Lord: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely.” Ps. 147:1.

“Quench not the Spirit.” 1 Thess. 5:10.

“Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.” Phil. 4:4.

“Seek the Lord, and his strength: seek his face evermore.” Ps. 105:4.

“The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.” Prov. 10:22.

“Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.” Prov. 16:22.

“Vow, and pay unto the Lord your God: let all that be round about him bring presents unto him that ought to be feared.” Ps. 76:11.

“When a man’s ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.” Prov. 16:7.

“Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” Matt. 18:3.

“Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.” 1 Cor. 7:23.

“Zion shall be redeemed with judgment, and her converts with righteousness.” Isa. 1:27.

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