The New York Times has compiled a record of earth convulsions for the year 1902, from April 10 to September 23. It appears from this list that no less than sixty dates in this period of time were marked by these earth throes, or one almost every two days. The territory affected reached from Alaska to Ecuador, and from New Jersey to California and the Hawaiian Islands in the Western hemisphere, and embraced Japan, the Philippines, Italy, and European Turkey in the Eastern hemisphere,—a very considerable part of the earth’s surface. “Seismologically,” says the Scientific American, “the year has been one of the most remarkable recorded in history.” “The most remarkable of any,” we think this authority might safely have said.
Roman Catholicism and Americanism
WE note the following in the Pittsburg Christian Advocate of a recent date:—
The Washington Post's report of the annual banquet of the alumni association of the American College at Rome, some time ago in Washington, makes the statement that “Bishop Kelley said, among other things: ‘I am a Catholic first, an American after—and a long way after. I am not an American Catholic, but a Roman Catholic.’ He had, he said, no sympathy with nationalizing Catholicism.” Well, that is about what we have ever believed as to the real spirit of a very large number of the leading members of the Roman Catholic hierarchy in America. Americans, take notice!
The ‘Inspiration of a Great Task
By William Ambrose Spicer
In the narrative of George Müller's life of faith and great achievement occurs this testimony:—
I had a secret satisfaction in the greatness of the difficulties which were in the way. So far from being cast down on account of them, they delighted my soul; for I only desired to do the will of God in this matter.
Who that has been fighting the good fight of faith does not recognize this experience of the blessedness of trusting God amidst difficulties? When the task is so great that only by the special power of God can there be any hope of its accomplishment, there is courage and inspiration in the very impossibilities of the situation.
It is where man's efforts are absolutely vain that we may look for the strong arm of the Lord to be revealed. When Israel stood before the Red Sea with no way of escape, God “made the depths of the sea a way for the ransomed to pass over.”
The difficulties are only so many evidences that God will interpose his deliverances. When the believer has learned the happy secret of finding only renewed courage in the greatness of the task or the difficulties of the way, he has indeed entered into the faith that already hath overcome the world.
Facing the tremendous task of carrying God's final message of salvation to all the earth, as we do now, the thought may sometimes come, “How can it be accomplished in this generation? “Who is sufficient for these things?”—“Our sufficiency is of God,” and by his grace it can be done.
Our workers out amidst the unwarned millions, in the most populous and least worked fields, see, I believe, far more of the evidences that God is cutting short his work than do those who are in the home land. Our hope for the speedy finishing of the work is in the lands abroad. And there we may see God's hand at work. His glorious arm alone can do the great things that must be done. He has opened wide the doors. “The Lord hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.” W. A. S.
An Important Anniversary
By Uriah Smith
WE take pleasure in calling the attention of our readers to the anniversary of the twenty-second day of October, 1844. To Seventh-day Adventists that was the most important day in the world's history since the resurrection of Christ; and its anniversary which occurs October 22 of the present year, should be, and we trust will be, a point of great interest with the people referred to.
What made the day named so worthy of note?—Answer: Because it marked a great era in the fulfillment of prophecy. Under the impulse of the startling doctrine of the soon return of Christ to this earth, to complete the work of redemption, much attention was given by Adventists to the study of prophecy. The date of Christ's birth, the years of his earthly ministry, the time of his crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension to heaven, to enter upon his mediatorial work, became clearly established dates. There was another date—the close of his ministry—more practically important to us; and the date of this was also fixed by prophecy. It was prefigured in the cleansing of the sanctuary, of the typical system. This was a service which showed in figure the putting away of sin. It was accomplished on the tenth day of the seventh month, Jewish time. Reduced to our English calendar, this fell on the twenty-second of October. Then was the time for Christ to enter into the most holy place of the heavenly temple, and begin the final work of mediation for the removal of the sins of his people. See “Looking Unto Jesus.” This date thus becomes one of infinite importance to men. It is a more important date than any one's birth, or any national or public memorial day, ever celebrated. And it is worthy to be marked among us by denominational regard, and individual repentance by all the people.
U. S.
L. A. S
By L. A. S.
“Is the American workman a free man or a slave?” was the question discussed by a prominent clergyman of New York City, Rev. R. S. MacArthur, in a recent sermon on “The Ethics of the Coal Strike.” “Every man in this republic,” he said, “has the right to work; he has, too, the right to quit work whenever he pleases, providing he breaks no contract. But he has no right to say that no man shall take the place he voluntarily quits. When labor organizations do so, they become vastly more tyrannical than any capitalists I ever heard of.”
The right to work is a right that has been too little advocated and defended in the past. Much has been said about the right to rest, but the equally sacred right to work has been treated very much as a mere privilege or concession to be granted or withheld by the government or by organizations of men formed to control various branches of industry. Much of the Sunday legislation in this country is urged upon the plea that men have the right to rest on Sunday, as if that right could properly interfere with the equal right to work. Sunday-law agitators have even gone so far as to claim that the right of rest for one demanded a law of rest for all, and have sought to rob all men of the right to work in order that a few who preferred to rest might exercise their right in the matter without inconvenience. But work is a necessity to comfort, to health, and to life itself; and to interfere with the right to work is an act which is prohibited by the sacredness of life. Only he who is the Life-giver can rightfully set bounds about man’s liberty in this respect.
The interference of Sunday laws, and of labor unions, with the right to work, is tyranny. Whatever else may be said of the labor unions, it is a fact that nearly all of them do undertake to control work in the industry with which they are concerned. Repeatedly have men been discharged from a company’s employ at the dictates of the labor union, for no other reason than that they were not members of the union, the company being threatened with a strike if the union’s dictates were not complied with. In this the labor unions occupy ground that is wholly indefensible and tyrannical.
Impelled by a seeming necessity, the labor organizations have sought to oppose the dictatorship of employers by making themselves dictators. The tyranny of a manufacturers’ or producers’ trust is combated by the tyranny of a labor trust; and tyranny upon tyranny is the unfortunate and only possible result.
L. A. S
The Broken Pinion
I WALKED through the woodland meadow,
Where sweet the thrushes sing,
And found on a bed of mosses
A bird with a broken wing;
I healed its wound, and each morning
It sang its old sweet strain;
But the bird with the broken pinion
Never soared as high again.
I found a young life stricken
By sin’s seductive art,
And, touched with a Christlike pity,
I took him to my heart;
He lived with a noble purpose,
And struggled not in vain;
But the life that sin had stricken
Never soared as high again.
But the bird with the broken pinion
Kept another from the snare,
And the life that sin had stricken
Raised another from despair;
For Christ, the mighty healer,
Has a balm for every pain,
And the soul that he has healed
Higher still shall soar again.
—Selected.
Christ the Missionary’s Example
By Ellen G. White
MRS. E. G. WHITE
(Concluded)
Jesus has revealed to men that while the hatred of God against sin is as strong as death, his love to the sinner is stronger than death. Christ, in his life and his death, has forever settled the deep and comprehensive question whether there is self-denial with God, and whether God is light and love. This was the question agitated in the heavens above, which was the beginning of Satan’s alienation from God. The change or abolition of the laws of his government in the heavenly courts was demanded as the evidence of the love of God. We see that the controversy has been kept up, Satan creating enmity against God because of his holy law. The satanic agencies are constantly at work, sowing and watering the seeds of rebellion against the law of God, and Satan is gathering souls under his black banner of revolt. He forms a confederacy with human beings to contend against purity and holiness. He has worked diligently, perseveringly, increasing the number who will confederate with him. By his representations he seeks to widen the distance between heaven and earth, and he grows into the conviction that he can wear out the patience of God, extinguish his love for man, and bring condemnation upon the whole human family.
God has given all heaven in the gift of Christ to our world; but the great gift is so interpreted as to work in behalf of Satan’s schemes to annul the law of God, the very work that Satan began in heaven. God has given Christ to take the penalty of transgression, and die to ransom the world. This, his heaven-sent reconciliation, is to be proclaimed, and the condition of eternal life, that men obey the laws of the divine government. But when this message of mercy is proclaimed, Satan inspires men to scowl back in defiance, and exclaim, “Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways, O God.” Nevertheless God sends his delegated messengers to entreat attention. But too often their message is not respected. Hatred against the law of God has continued to increase in intensity. Men have beaten one of the messengers of God, and killed another, and stoned another. New methods are continually devised to turn men away from the truth. The materials for the last great warfare are collecting; already the conflict has reached large proportions. And as iniquity abounds, the love of many waxes cold. As the occasion requires, the Lord giveth more grace to his chosen, tempted, tried ones. Jesus knows the strength of Satan’s temptations, and with every temptation he makes a way of escape.
Just prior to the crucifixion of Christ, the whole universe of heaven was with intense interest watching every move of Satan and his evil confederacy. They were watching to see what move would next be made against Jesus, and what would be his action under the circumstances. He had carried the human nature triumphantly through every period of test and trial, assailed by the whole confederacy of fallen angels leagued with evil men. He finished his mission by committing his work to the human agents who were to carry it forward in his name. The message of repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ, was to be given to a fallen world. Beginning at Jerusalem, it was to go to all nations, tongues, and peoples.
Christ has demonstrated that through his grace humanity can keep the law of God. He has demonstrated to the universe of heaven and to the fallen world, that, by the invitation of our gracious Sovereign, all who will believe on him may receive pardon, and be restored to the favor of God. He would take those whose course had been the most offensive to God, impart to them his divine power, place them in the highest positions of trust, and send them forth into the camp of the disloyal to proclaim his grace, and offer a full pardon to all who will turn from sin unto God. “Ye have not chosen me,” he says; “but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain.” Some of the very ones that were brought into closest connection with the work of Christ had not only felt, but said, “Come, let us kill him,” and had thought that in this act they were doing God service. Our Saviour redeemed them, loaded them with divine favor, and sent them forth as lambs in the midst of wolves. He made them one with himself, and declared that those who refused to accept them and to hear the heaven-sent message, rejected the Lord Jesus himself. “If the world hate you,” he said; “ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his Lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me.”
Presenting the Truth in New Places
But let every one bear in mind that we are in no case to invite persecution. We are not to use words that are harsh and cutting. Keep them out of every article written, drop them out of every address given. Let the Word of God do the cutting, the rebuking; let finite men hide and abide in Jesus Christ. Let the Spirit of Christ appear. Let all be guarded in their words, lest they place those not of our faith in deadly opposition against us, and give Satan an opportunity to use the unadvised words to hedge up our way. Do nothing before the time. When God gives a close, cutting message, it will be his work, not prompted by the impulse of finite beings. Man’s cutting and slashing with the two-edged sword will hedge up our way, so that we shall find doors closed and locked against us.
We all need more of the deep love of Jesus in the soul, and far less of the natural impetuosity. We are in danger of closing up our own path by arousing the determined spirit of opposition in men in authority, before the people are really enlightened in regard to the message God would have us bear. God is not pleased when by our own course of action we bar the way so that the truth is prevented from coming to the people.
Tonic Texts
By Theodore L. Cuyler, D. D.
ALL around us are multitudes of tired people. They are tired out with bearing the heat and burden of toilsome days. Some carry a great load of care as to how they shall make both ends meet, and foot the bill of life’s necessities. Others are worn out with anxieties about the morrow, and what it shall bring with it. A burden of spiritual discouragement weighs down “Mr. Despondency” and “Brother Fearing” and “Mrs. Little Faith.”
Is there no relief for all these tired and burdened hearts?—Yes, if they will but hear and heed what their loving Master has to say to them.
To the Christian with scanty purse he says, “Your life consisteth not in the abundance of things a man hath. I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; at my right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Only think how rich any one is who has a clear conscience here, and the assurance of heaven hereafter.
To the desponding, Jesus says, “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”
To those who are getting tired of waiting for results his message is, “Be not9weary in well-doing; in due season ye shall reap if ye faint not.”
There is a wonderful restfulness for worried hearts in this single golden assurance: “Lo, I am with you alway.” It is a tonic that ought to put fresh iron into the blood.
The most common cause of weariness is the attempt to carry an overload of care. And this is not always a wise forethought for the future, or a proper providence for life’s “rainy days.” It is sheer worry. The Master’s word for such overloaded Christians who toil along like jaded pack horses is this, “Take no anxious thought for the morrow; cast thy burden on the Lord, and he shall sustain thee.” If you will only drop everything that is superfluous and sinful, he will enable you to carry the legitimate load. When he bids you cast your care on him, it is added, “For he careth for you.”
The literal meaning of that tonic text is, “For he has you on his heart.” The infinite God who rules the universe has poor, little, sinful you and me on his heart. Our big loads are not a feather to him. He knoweth our frame; he remembers that we are but dust. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth us poor weaklings. He says to us, “Give me your burdens.” He who guarded the infant Moses among the river reeds, and supplied the widow’s waning cruse of oil, who watched over sleeping Peter in the dungeon, and piloted Paul through roaring tempests, he it is who says to us, “Roll your anxieties over on me; I have you on my heart.” What fools we are when we strap the load more tightly, and determine that nobody shall carry it but ourselves.
When God says to us, in effect, “Give me your load,” he does not release us from our share of duty or of personal responsibility. No more does our atoning Saviour, when he bore the guilt and penalty of our sins, release us from repentance of those sins, or from obedience to his commandments. God’s offer is to lighten our load by putting his grace into our hearts, and so underneath the load. He supplies strength. His all-sufficient grace is made perfect in our weakness, so that God becomes the chief bearer of our burdens. It was the Christ in Paul who bore up under toils and persecutions, who defied Nero, and conquered the powers of darkness. This divine doctrine of trust is a wonderful relief and rest to weary believers. It takes the fire out of the soul as the mother’s bosom takes the weariness out of the child when it comes in and lays its head down there for repose.—Theodore L. Cuyler, D. D.
Drilling for Service
By A. R. OGDEN
A. R. OGDEN
“Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” 2 Tim. 2:3. We have been forcibly impressed with the words of this text as day after day we have watched the training of the Chilean soldiers. Almost daily they are drilling within sight of our house.
About three months ago several hundred young men of Iquique began a service in training. As in many other countries, so in Chile, a term of training for military service is required of every native young man. It has been a matter of interest to watch their development from the beginning. During the first days of their training it was impossible for them to perform the most simple exercises in unity. It was evident that they were not disciplined. They were unskillful in the tactics of war. But now, after just a few weeks of training and practice, how different the aspect! One who had not watched their development would scarcely believe that it was the same company of men. What made the change?—It was not their uniform; for that first day of their service they were clad with the same uniform as now. It was not because of a change of climate. The change has been made because of the training received. Their movements now are as the actions of one man. This is what gives character and strength to an army. The power of any company of soldiers depends upon their discipline and unity of action, more than upon their number. Each one is able to do just the right thing at the right time. A failure to do the right thing at just the right moment has turned many an apparent victory into defeat. A recognition of this fact is what causes nations to devote millions of money and the time of many of her most able-bodied men to a training in time of peace that will give to her power in time of war.
True it is that “the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.” Luke 16:8.
An unorganized, untrained, or disunited army is a defeated army. These things that are true of soldiers warring with carnal weapons are equally as applicable to God's people, whose weapons are not carnal. “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.” 2 Cor. 10:4, 5. As a disorganized army is a defeated army, so a church not united is defeated; the enemy has the victory. But a perfectly united church, as well as a well-organized army, is a victorious church.
But what gives to the soldier ability to do the right thing and to do it quickly? The answer is evident,—his training. Daily exercise and practice in the tactics of war make him quick, and able to act in perfect harmony with his comrades. So the Lord would have his church, his people, all united in one, working harmoniously to give the message quickly to the world.
What on earth is more heavenly than a church working unitedly and walking in union? Union is strength.
But how is it that the soldier knows what to do?—He has had a training, day after day being spent on the drilling ground. So the Lord's people should be daily and as earnestly striving for the Master's kingdom. “The time is to be spent, not in idle waiting, but in diligent working.”
The Unity of the Church
By Ellet Joseph Waggoner
E. J. WAGGONER
The Bible is full of the idea of unity in the church of Christ, but we do not read so much about uniformity. This unity is to be the unity of life and growth, and not a mere outward connection. In Christ’s prayer to the Father for his disciples, he said, “And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one.” John 17:22, 23. Here we see that the glory of the Lord is to effect the union of believers, and the union is to be that of the Father and the Son.
The union of the Father and the Son is union of spirit. We cannot comprehend this union, but we may know that it is not a forced union, but that it results from their very nature. They have one life. Their thoughts and purposes are the same, not because they come together and compare notes and agree to be alike, but because one life is in them both. So the union of believers is to be a vital union, or it is not any union at all. It is not accomplished by strife and debate and decisions of majorities, but by yielding the mind to Christ, and hearing his voice. They are to be united by the mind and Spirit of Christ. The life of the Father and the Son in each member of the church will produce the most perfect union in the whole body.
For the human body is the most perfect example of unity, and it is the example that the Bible gives us. Christ is the Head of the body, the church. Eph. 1:22, 23; Col. 1:18. “For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many.” 1 Cor. 12:12-14. In the human body there are many members, and each member has a different office from the rest; there is not uniformity of action among the members, but there is the most perfect unity.
All work together in perfect harmony for one object. So it is in the body of Christ. “There are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.”
This gives no ground for the idea that there may be divisions in the church of Christ, one division believing one thing, and another division believing and practicing another thing. God has tempered the body together, “that there should be no schism in the body.” 1 Cor. 12:24, 25. “There is one body, and one10Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” Eph. 4:4-6. The apostle’s exhortation is, “that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” 1 Cor. 1:10. But let it be borne in mind that this union is not artificial, but natural; not the human nature, however, but the divine nature.
The unity of belief in the church is not forced by the church coming together, and the majority defining the creed to be believed. The church cannot define doctrine, nor make laws for itself or anybody else. The church of Christ is made up of all who obey the Lord’s commands: it is not a body to issue commands. The Head directs, the body obeys. God speaks; each one must listen to his voice, for faith comes by hearing the word of God, and no one can give faith to another. “It is the gift of God.”
Christ-Bearers and Christ-Wearers
By A. J. Gordon
Not simply the righteousness of our Saviour, not simply the beauty of his holiness, nor the graces of his character, are we to put on as a garment. The Lord himself is our vesture. Every Christian is not only a Christ-bearer, but a Christ-wearer. We are so to enter into him by communion, to be so endued with his presence and imbued with his Spirit that men shall see him when they behold us.— A. J. Gordon.
Our Work as a Conference
By F. W. Spies
F. W. SPIES
The church of Christ is said to be the body of Christ. Eph. 1:22, 23. In Christ dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. Col. 2:9. But his church is “the fullness of him that filleth all in all.” Eph. 1:23. That is, to the church of Christ has been appointed the privilege of shedding forth the fullness of Christ, the fullness of his blessing, the fullness of his righteousness, the fullness of his compassionate and tender love for a lost world. This is her duty. But as the church is composed of individuals, this important work devolves upon the individual members.
This, then, means faithful work on the part of every church member. If any member fails in performing his part, he not only hinders the body in revealing the fullness of Christ, but he is also a false witness. Then in order that the work intrusted to the church may be properly done, there must be unity of action. Unity gives strength. And just this is the object of our coming here. It is to organize ourselves into a conference, that there may be unity and strength in fulfilling this commission which Christ has given to his church.
It is further said that the church is the pillar and ground of the truth. 1 Tim. 3:15. Then what is the work of the church?—It is to make known the truth.
But this is done in the life. We make known only as much truth as we live. The infidel denies God, the scorner derides Christ and his word. But when we live the life of Christ, live the truth, it is seen and known of all men that it is truth, and it cannot be denied. This idea must be the foundation of our work here.
Again: the organization of the conference means self-government for the field, for our field. But let us consider this a little more carefully. The conference is a union of churches, but the churches, in turn, are a union of individuals. A conference, then, meaning self-government, and the conference really being composed of individuals, it primarily means self-government in the individual. Now, brethren, you can see that successful self-government in the conference means nothing less than successful self-government in the individual believer. It means that you and I must have the Christ life so fully dwelling within that that life governs you and me; that by the power of that life, you and I so fully conquer sin that the governing power of truth shines forth to the world. Then, the truth thus governing us, we shall be able to govern and direct the work of the conference. This is the first essential in the work before us, and I can but encourage you to study these truths. For, I repeat, if we build on these principles, the work of our conference will be a success; if not, it must be a failure.
But as the conference is ourselves, each individual being a part of it, and as it is our duty to make known the fullness of Christ among the people of our conference, then do you not see that next to living the fullness of Christ in our daily lives, it is also our duty to give to the support of this work which God has intrusted to us, so that this work of revealing Christ may soon be accomplished throughout the borders of our conference? or, in other words, the living of the Christ-life includes the support of this work, and we should aim to see our conference self-supporting as soon as possible. This is included in true self-government.
Another Reservation
By F. D. Starr
F. D. STARR
Whenever a new reservation is opened up by the government, there is a great rush on the part of hundreds and even thousands of people to enter the territory and secure a claim. Thrilling experiences are related of these adventurers, eager to gain the coveted possession. There is at present, in some localities, an all-absorbing interest in obtaining desirable pieces of land. People seem to be thinking of little else, as if journeying upon the broad ocean, when nearing the coast, “Land! land!” is the oft-repeated cry.
But there is another reservation for those who are seeking a better country. Have you heard of that reservation? Do you not desire to know about it?—Certainly. What reservation is it?—“An inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you.” 1 Peter 1:4. Here is a reservation, secure, beyond the liability of any one’s contesting your claim. “Reserved . . . for you.” Did you know it? Can it be possible that for me personally this reservation is secured—a reserved possession, a reserved home?—Yes, and a reserved seat. Reserved seats are expensive. Who has paid for one for me? I have not; I could not; my abject poverty would not permit me to do it.
Vast sums of money were paid to secure favorable seats from which to view the display and royal splendor of the expected coronation procession of Britain’s monarch, but such seats were cheap and commonplace in comparison with the seat that has been reserved for you. And there will be no delay nor disappointment in the coming coronation scene when the redeemed of all ages shall meet to “crown him Lord of all.” No sickness nor other unforeseen calamity can cause a postponement of the event, and the heirs of the kingdom have crowns reserved for them.
Of this reservation it is said by our Saviour: “Every man presseth into it.” Surely there can be none who would not desire such an inheritance. But no one will be a winner unless he takes the proper course. He is not crowned except he strive lawfully. “And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.” Matt. 11:12. O for more of this celestial energy, this divine patriotism that secures a claim in the heavenly reservation!
The Image Restored
By Winifred Holmeden
WINIFRED HOLMDEN
MAN was made in the image of God. He came forth from the hands of the Creator a perfect being, clothed with light as with a garment, with all the powers of his being capable of enjoying to the fullest extent the glorious beauties of the Eden in which he was placed. His ears could hear the leaves of the trees as they clapped their hands, the mountains and hills as they broke forth into singing, and the morning stars as they sang together. His eyes could behold the lovely earth clothed in its garb of innocence and beauty, the unsurpassed glory of the garden of Eden, with its river of life flowing peacefully along between banks of living green. He could inhale the fragrance of the flowers that never fade. He could taste the fruits of the tree of life. And more than all11this, he was given dominion over all the creation of God.
Living in harmony with the law of God, all was happiness. But there came a day when man listened to the voice of the tempter, he yielded, he lost his dominion. He lost, in part, the image of God in which he was created. The result was that Christ, who alone bore the express image of his Father, “was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” “And having made peace through the blood of his cross” in order to reconcile us unto himself, he will change our vile bodies, that they may be fashioned like unto his glorious body. And we, at this present time “beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory.” So, knowing that the glory of the Lord has arisen upon us, we should arise and shine amid the gross darkness that is covering the earth. For it is by letting our lights shine that others will see the glory of God and his image formed in us.
Thus we see that man, formed in the image of God, through sin lost that image, and Christ, to redeem us from the power of sin, took upon himself our image, that we by his grace might be transformed into his own image. Let us who know the power of his resurrection “press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
Little Kindnesses
By D. G. Bickers
You gave on the way a pleasant smile,
And thought no more about it;
It cheered a life that was sad the while
That might have been wrecked without it.
And so for the smile and its fruitage fair
You’ll reap a crown sometime—
somewhere.
You spoke one day a cheering word,
And passed to other duties;
It warmed a heart, new promise stirred,
And painted a life with beauties.
And so for the word and its silent prayer
You’ll reap a palm sometime—
somewhere.
You lent a hand to a fallen one,
A lift in kindness given;
It saved a soul when help was none,
And won a heart for heaven;
And so for the help you proffered there
You’ll reap a joy sometime—somewhere.
—D. G. Bickers.
A Perfect Body
By D. H. Kress
D. H. KRESS
A PERFECT body is one that is symmetrically developed, one in which each member is perfect, doing perfectly the work for which it was brought into existence. It is so with the body of Christ, the church. In Christ, the living Head, dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. In him dwells the Spirit of God, with its various manifestations, in its completeness. He gives, or divides, to each member of the church severally as he will. To every member he gives its work. The work of the hand is not given to the foot, nor the work of the foot to the hand.
Perfection does not signify that one man will be in possession of all the gifts of the Spirit, but he will be so fully under the control of the Head that he will do perfectly the work for which he was brought into existence. The gifts of the Spirit are imparted to every believer according to his need to do the Lord’s work. A perfect member in Christ will not feel that he is the body, and that he does not need the counsel and co-operation of the other members of the body to make his work a success. “Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counselors they are established.” Even those members of the body which seem more feeble are necessary in order to ascertain the Lord’s will.
The Spirit of God unifies believers. He does not create independence or division. “There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.” “By one Spirit are we all baptized into one body.” The body is not one member, but many. When Paul, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” the Lord did not encourage independence, but connected him with his church, and said, “Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.” Through his organized church, Saul’s duty and future work were made plain. When the time came for him to go to the Gentiles, the Lord again spoke to the church, saying, “Separate unto me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.”
It takes all the manifestations of the Spirit as revealed through the various members of the body fully to reveal Christ. This is the voice of the true Shepherd, recognized by his sheep. A healthy church composed of members that recognize this, is a perfect church. The ear will not say, Because I cannot do the work of the eye, I am not of the body, and will not do anything. Neither will one member act independently of the others, and say, I have no need of the rest.
“For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think: but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophecy according to the proportion of faith; or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness.” Let each do his appointed work, not saying, What shall this man do? In thus doing, true Christian liberty is not sacrificed, neither is independence encouraged.