WHEN man had death incurred through law transgressed,
God promised as a remedy for this
To send his Son to earth, who would appear
As of the sons of men. He taught the race
To sacrifice the tender young of sheep,
And thus to keep forever in their minds
That all were doomed to death, unless our God,
In love to fallen man, would send his Son,
Who, doing all the law of God required,
Would thus live pure before a holy God,
And then, by death unmerited, would give,
To all partaking of his works by faith,
Eternal life with endless blessings rich.
By faith the men of God in olden time
Wrought righteousness, and lived before the Lord
In converse sweet; amazing grace was shown
By angels with a message fresh from God.
These knew full well that they were doomed to die
If someone did not suffer in their stead,
And thus a stronger faith was asked of them
Than us, who see that such an One has died.
And yet he laid these holy men to rest
That they without us should not perfect be,
And one there lived of whom the Almighty saw
That he would teach his children ways of truth,
And who has promised that his seed should be
A mighty nation loved and blessed by God,
And out of these should come the only hope
Of holy people since the time of sin.
This people grew, but often they forgot
The law of God, and walked not in his ways,
And so he often poured his wrath on them.
Their foes possessed their land, their city fair,
And yet, from lips that had but wailing known
Through bondage sore and exile's cruel lot,
They asked the happy songs of sunny home.
But now, that still his people might have hope,
He gave bright gleams of glory yet to come
To all who should be faithful to their God.
And, as the years went by, he made more clear
The time, and place, and manner of the rise
Of that great Day-star of their future joys.
These things were made so plain that all who would
Might know, and so they did, his coming nigh.
The Jewish nation knew the time was near,
And all were looking for some great event,
When Christ appeared as of the sons of men,
With more than common lot of grief and care.
His lowly birth repelled the high of rank;
His poverty, the men of worldly goods;
And all, because he taught instead of ruled,
Adjudged him false. His pure and holy life
Repelled a nation steeped in guilt and crime,
Though outward keeping many forms and laws.
Satan had sown his seeds of error wide,
And taught all men to look for King, not Priest,
To fill the promise given in the past.
They saw not that they all were doomed to die
Did not Messias suffer in their stead;
The darkness comprehended not the light
That shone within its midst, and which illumed
The past and present with its glorious rays,
And brightened up a future rich with hope.
Yet why do not the people of our day
Give heed to that which, with instruction fraught,
Was written for our profit? Not by rules alone
But by example God has taught the race.
That which our foe hath done he will do more,
If like results from similar causes flow;
Yea, cunning taught in his deceiving work,
By long experience, he more truly knows
How to ensnare the world with pleasing lies.
So when Christ's kingly coming now draws near,
He is at work again with hellish zeal,
And spreads a false conception of his reign.
Men's hearts have long ago begun to fail
For fear of something coming on the earth;
An anxious hush abroad the land is heard
That tells of something near, they know not what.
The wide diffusion of the increased lore
Accumulated through the ages past,
Gives much of polish to the world to-day;
But knowledge may prove either good or ill,
And here, with every way of virtue known,
A thousand ways to vice are opened wide.
Christ said that there would come a fearful time,
Preceding his own advent in the clouds,
When thoughts of men would only evil be,
When day and night would be filled up with crime,
As when in Sodom's streets the cry waxed loud,
And, heard by God, drew down consuming flames.
But still we hear a myriad voices say,
"The world is rolling on; the days draw nigh
When all will know the Lord and holy be."
This is the thought they gather from the air,
That vibrates with alarm of something near;
Ah, yes indeed, they hear it in the air,
But it was whispered there by Satan's breath
(To be continued.)
THE OVERCOMER.
By Elder J. P. Henderson
BY ELDER J. P. HENDERSON.
THE promises of the Bible are "to him that overcometh." We do not infer that this implies a correct outward deportment or simply a victory obtained over certain faults that may have inconvenienced us in life, but it must pertain to the formation of character, the putting away of sins that so easily beset us, and that render the heart so imperfect before God. There have ever been two classes among those who profess to be followers of Christ. Those who compose the one class yield to God, study the Saviour's life, and earnestly desire to correct their defects and to conform to the Pattern, while those who make up the other class shun the plain, practical truths which expose their errors. They hate the advocate of purity in heart, and are content with an outward show of piety.
Character building is the constant work of the overcomer. God designs this life to be one of discipline. Even our wants are to be supplied by personal labor, forethought, care, and faith. This is laborious and wearisome, but it is just what is needed to help keep out evil. It is the school which God has provided for the training and development of our character.
Economy and self-denial form a part of the education which God designs his children shall receive. And thus it is that in the days of our prosperity we find the sudden reverse of fortune, and in the time of our ease we are stricken with affliction. "Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth." Heb. 12:6. To6overcome we should begin at the secret intents and purposes of the heart, for this is the foundation in our life where God begins his workings in us. We are to be “perfect even as he is perfect.” He only will dwell in God’s temple who “walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.” Ps. 15:1, 2. “Blessed are the pure in heart; for they shall see God.” Matt. 5:8.
The heart is spoken of as including the faculty of thought, and as thought is the essence of life, the source from which all words and actions flow, there can be no condition so much to be desired as a heart from which continually flow thoughts that are pure in the sight of Heaven. A person whose heart is pure will have no difficulty in overcoming; character building will attain its growth of perfection as naturally as the grain matures in the field before the summer’s sun.
To begin the work of overcoming, therefore, we have but to search the fountain of thought, the heart, “for out of it are the issues of life.” “How can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” Matt. 12:34. “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies” (Matt. 15:19)—and we might add “hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such like; . . . they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” Gal. 5:20, 21.
Renouncing these things, we are to “put on,” “as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering, forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any; even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.” Col. 3:12–14.
As all this requires a sacrifice and involves a daily cross, many refuse to yield themselves up to the work of overcoming, and thus reject light from heaven. True humility and faith alone can render our service acceptable with God. He has not left us alone in this terrible battle with sin. The victory is gained in him. “He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Phil. 1:6. “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” Phil. 2:13.
The yielding of self into the hands of God is the first step of the overcomer, a complete submission to his will, and constant study to know what duties are to be performed, that we may sin not, and a keeping of the heart pure, out of which come the issues of life.
The governing power in the nature of man is the force of the will. Everything depends on the right action of our will power. This choice God has given to men; it is theirs to exercise. You cannot change your heart; you cannot of yourself overcome and even give to God your affections, but you can choose to serve him. You can give him your will. He will then work in you to do according to his good pleasure. You will have strength from above to hold you steadfast, and thus through constant surrender to him you will be enabled to live the new life.—Steps to Christ, pp. 48, 49.
Thus yielding, believing, and doing, we shall share the promises that are made “to him that overcometh.”
Nevada, Iowa.
STUDY THE PROPHETIC WORD.
By Elder C. M. Kinny
BY ELDER C. M. KINNY.
IN 2 Peter 1:19 the apostle says, “We have a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place.”
In these “perilous times” of “distress” and “perplexity,” men’s hearts failing them for fear of the things that are coming on the earth, no subject can be of more practical interest and importance than the subject of prophecy. It is in this field of information that we learn of the primeval cause and results of the sad history of this world,—the past, present, and future. It is in this portion of divine revelation that Omniscience has revealed the future, stated the problem, given the solution, and declared the history and destiny of the human race.
Here are traced with an unerring pen the evolutions and revolutions of society, the revival and decay of morals, the progression and retrogression of intelligence, the rise and fall of nations, the universal prevalence of sorrow, affliction, disease, and death, the disorder and giving away of all nature, trembling to its inevitable doom.
Why is this extremely unfortunate and calamitous state of things? The answer can be given in one mournful sentence: It is the universal and ever increasing prevalence of iniquity,—the absence of righteousness in the earth.
It is to stimulate the reader to a more diligent and appreciative study of this part of the divine word that I call your attention in this article to prophecy itself,—what it is as a part of the manifestation of God, our heavenly Father.
Prophecy is the entire history of this world foretold. “Behold,” says Christ, “I have told you before.” Matt. 24:25. “Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he.” John 13:19; 14:29; 16:1–4. The Lord, in showing his people the fallacy and absurdity of false gods in which many of them trusted, appealed to, or challenged, the false gods to prove their divinity in these words: “Produce your cause, saith the Lord; bring forth your strong reasons, saith the King of Jacob. Let them bring them forth, and show us what shall happen; let them show the former things, what they be, that we may consider them, and know the latter end of them; or declare us things for to come. Show the things that are to come hereafter; that we may know that ye are gods.” Isa. 41:21–23.
To declare a thing shall come to be, long before it is being, says Justin Martyr, and then to bring about the accomplishment of that very thing according to the same declaration, this, or nothing, is the work of God.—M’Ilvaine’s Evidences of Christianity, p. 240.
“Prophecy,” says M’Ilvaine, “is a declaration of future events, such as no human wisdom or forecast is sufficient to make—depending on a knowledge of the innumerable contingencies of human affairs, which belongs exclusively to the omniscience of God; so that, from its very nature, prophecy must be divine revelation.” “Predictions, now in progress of fulfillment, are miracles which centuries can render more certain and impressive.” “The moral grandeur of their appeal, which, after having deposited in the hands of nations a prediction of minute transactions which the innumerable contingencies of a long retinue of centuries are to bring out, stakes its whole cause upon a perfect fulfillment, thus resting itself singly upon the omniscience and omnipotence of God.”—Pp. 242, 245.
Thus in giving of prophecy every attribute of God is exercised: Beneficence or love is the motive, infinite knowledge is the mainspring, infinite wisdom the designer, almighty and creative power the executive, and immutable, unfailing, unerring truth the girdling band. “Yet,” says Rev. Henry Cowles, “rich in gospel truth and inspiring to faith as this prophetic word truly is, no portion of the Scriptures is so little read, so little studied, and so little understood. Nowhere else in human language does there lie such a mass of half-buried and almost unknown treasures.”—Introduction to Minor Prophets.
This extract expresses the truth none too strongly. Within these “treasures” are the unsearchable riches of Christ, even God’s infinite purpose, the redemption and salvation of all who believe, study, understand, and obey his word, which is “a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path,” that we have a knowledge of God’s plans concerning us, and of events affecting us; and, thus being “forearmed and forewarned” against the evils of this sin-cursed life, we may finally be saved.
HE TREMBLED AS HE VIEWED HIS WORK.
By E. Hilliard
BY E. HILLIARD.
Not long since I was making my way from the depot in the little village of Staples, Minnesota, to the house of a friend, where I was to remain overnight. It was in the evening, and quite dark. I had to cross the Duluth branch of the Northern Pacific Railroad. As I neared the crossing, I noticed a crowd of men that had gathered, some of whom had lanterns, and they seemed to be searching as for something lost. Upon arriving at the spot, I noticed a pair of bobsleds, the forward one of which was crushed beneath the wheels of a flat car. As one of the men bearing a lantern passed on a little, I saw a horse lying upon the track with his foot cut nearly off. It was dangling from the leg by a piece of the skin. A man struck it several blows in the head with a heavy sledge, which put it out of its misery.
I then turned back with the crowd that passed around the sleighs, and followed them a rod or so down the track. I never shall forget the terrible sight that met my eyes. Close beside the track lay a man. A part of the skull bone was severed from the head, scraped clean, and was lying by the side of the rail. It very much resembled a tea-saucer lying right side up. The brains were strewn in a straight line from the rail to his head. A man in the crowd remarked: “I would rather have given twenty-five dollars than to have seen the awful sight. It makes me tremble in the knees.”
I learned afterward that the man who made the remark was a saloon keeper. After learning the particulars that occasioned the man’s death, I did not wonder that the saloon keeper felt and spoke as he did. It appears that the man who was killed was just leaving the village for his home. A stranger asked him if he could ride out with him. He gave consent, and they were soon on their way. The stranger, who gave me the particulars, said as855they neared the crossing, he saw the switch engine backing down some cars, and that they could not safely cross the track. He asked the man to stop his team, but the driver was drunk; his request was met with an oath, and the whip applied to the team, which resulted as stated above. The stranger escaped with a slight injury. The saloon keeper who said the sight made him tremble, doubtless knew that some of the liquor that caused the fatal accident was drunk at his bar. If that terrible sight of one victim made him tremble, how awful will be the feeling when all the victims of the saloons are gathered at the judgment seat of Christ, and the liquor dealers made to look upon the fruit of their work! “Woe unto him that giveth his neighbor drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken.” Hab. 2:15.
Brainerd, Minn.
HEIRS OF GOD.
By H. E. Giddings
BY H. E. GIDDINGS.
THE element which entitles one to the eternal inheritance involves every hope of the child of God. When an estate is left for division in this world, it is necessary for those claiming it to prove their claim, by showing that they have a lenial flesh-and-blood connection with the deceased, for that constitutes heirship.
This was the boast of the Jews that they were the children of Abraham, to whom the promises were made (John 8:39), but they were informed that the promise "was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect." Rom. 4:13, 14.
The thought that is presented here is that the heirship is through faith alone. Now the promise that he should be heir of the world was made to Abraham and his "seed which is Christ," through faith. Gal. 3:16. Therefore "if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." Verse 29. "Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." Rom. 8:9. This brings to view the essential elements in the heirship.
'Tis not by royal ancestry,
In title, wealth, or blood,
that we inherit eternity. We must be born of God: "Except a man be born again [margin, "from above"], he cannot see the kingdom of God." John 3:3. This positive statement of the Saviour shows that the spiritual birth is absolutely necessary, for without it there is no possibility of gaining an entrance into the kingdom of God, and, as before said, we must be Christ's to be heirs of the promise, and without his Spirit we are not his.
The flesh-and-blood birth inherits in this world; but the spiritual birth alone avails when the eternal estate is divided, and we hear, "Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit." Matt. 25:34.
When one is born of the Spirit, the Spirit of God takes possession of the heart and controls it, and then he is the child of a King. 2 Cor. 6:17, 18. "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba,
Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God [adopted into the family of God through the operation of the Holy Spirit]; and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ." Rom. 8:14-17.
Flesh and blood may urge its claims with the most forcible facts which can be conceived, and it will avail nothing when the estate of Abraham is apportioned to the heirs of promise through faith, born of divine ancestry into spiritual life, and "to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you." 1 Peter 1:4. "Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God." 1 Cor. 15:50.
May the importance of this subject enlist our earliest attention and, most sincere devotion, that at last our hearts may be thrilled with rapture at the invitation to come and inherit the kingdom prepared from the foundation of the world. Matt. 25:34. May this be yours and mine in Jesus' name.
Gunn City, Mo.
OUR COMING KING.
By L. Boyd
BY L. BOYD.
CHRIST is the nobleman who has gone into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and return. Luke 19: 12-14. This is also plainly predicted by the prophet: "I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of Man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed." Dan. 7:13, 14.
Now the question is, Where will the people, nations, and languages dwell? —Certainly on this earth. And the king will be Jesus, the Son of Man. "Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the Lord of hosts shall reign in Mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously." Isa. 24:23. Now if this is not a visible, personal reign, we are at a loss to know what language is designed to convey to our mind. Again we read, in Rev. 5:10, that the redeemed are made kings and priests unto God, and "they shall reign on the earth." Had the Spirit told us that the saints should reign in some other planet, we would not feel like disputing it; should we not believe the statement made in such plain language that "they shall reign on the earth"?
The Lord said (Matt. 5:35), "Neither shalt thou swear by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King." Did he mean in that declaration Cæsar, the then reigning king?—No, he meant no other person but himself. The same declaration is found in Ps. 48:2: "Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is Mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King." This prediction will be fulfilled in the future, when Christ shall reign on earth, and is still farther confirmed by Isa. 40:9, 10.
When the Lord dwelt here on the earth "he went about doing good," and all persons that came to him and requested to be healed of disease were cured; those that came hungry were fed; the dead were raised; the lame walked, and the poor had the gospel preached to them. In view of all this, what Christian can object to having this same blessed person come and rule this world. What did Paul say? "Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him." 2 Thess. 2:1. Those who were converted to Christ were commended for turning from dumb idols "to serve the living and true God; and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead." 1 Thess. 1:9, 10. And the apostle James, when he wished to inculcate patience in his brethren, does he tell them there is a great strike at hand that will relieve them, or a fine bank dividend to be distributed?—No, but he writes, "Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts; for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh." James 5:8. Again we are told, "When the Son of Man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory." Matt. 25:31. Then "the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him." Dan. 7:27. The kingdom will be upon this earth; for these predictions are for this planet and no other. When the apostle wishes to show his hope, he writes: "What is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?" 1 Thess. 2:19.
Springfield, Ohio.
OUR CONVERSATION.
By C. E. Huitt
BY C. E. HUITT.
"SEEING then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness." 2 Peter 3: 11. How true the above scripture, and how careful we should be in our conversation, not only with the ungodly, but with those also who profess Christ! By our words as well as our works should we show to the world that we are fully trusting in the dear Saviour, who came all the way from heaven to seek and to save lost and fallen man.
Matthew's gospel tells us that every idle word that men shall speak they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment, for by our words shall we be justified, and by our words we shall be condemned. If we earnestly seek God for pure thoughts, clean hearts, and wisdom and knowledge to guide us into all truth, he is ever ready to hear our prayer and give us just what we need. "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." James 1:5. But we are told to ask in faith, and not waver; for by wavering we cannot expect to obtain anything from the Lord. How many times we ask God for help and do not receive it, and the cause is that we simply do not have the faith we should have!
We do not seek God as earnestly as we should. How important then that we have faith, and that we add to our faith virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and charity! "For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 1: 8.
Elberton, Wash.
THE BOY WHO DARED TO BE A DANIEL.
By S. Jennie Smith
BY S. JENNIE SMITH.
SABBATH SCHOOL was dismissed, and the children were going, some in one direction, some in another, to their homes. The majority of them were chatting merrily of the proposed strawberry festival, but one little fellow seemed to be engrossed with more serious thoughts. He was alone, and apparently unconscious of the nearness of his companions, until a lad about his own age joined him and inquired: "Say, Ralph, what are you thinking of? You look as wise as an owl."
"I should hope I was a little bit wiser than a bird," answered Ralph with a smile. "But I was just wondering, Ned, if I could be brave enough to go into the lions' den like Daniel did. I wouldn't like to stop praying to God, but it would be pretty hard to make up your mind to face a lot of lions."
"Yes, indeed; but then father says that we don't need grace to do those hard things until we are called upon to do them, and then if we ask God, he will give us the strength we require. All we've got to do is to attend to the duty nearest us, and seek for strength for that."
Ned was the minister's son, and had enjoyed many an instructive talk with his kind father.
"He says, too, that we are often called upon to face other kinds of lions in this life, if we persist as we ought in doing right. But here we part, Ralph. Good-by." And the boy turned off into a side road, leaving Ralph again alone.
Ralph's way led through a quiet country lane, for his home was beyond the village where nearly all of his companions lived.
"Well, I won't have to go into the lions' den to-day," he said to himself, as he sauntered along; "and when I do, I guess God will give me the strength," and with this thought a gayer frame of mind came to him. "But it must be grand to be a Daniel."
Just then two large boys crept stealthily from the bushes that lined one side of the road and looked anxiously around.
"Say, John, there's Ralph," one of them muttered. "He'll tell we didn't go to Sabbath school. Let's frighten him into promising not to."
"Hello!" cried John in a loud voice.9Ralph turned and was surprised to see his brothers approaching him.
"Going home?" one of them asked.
"Why, yes, Tom, ain't you?"
"No, not yet; and if anyone inquires where we are, just mention that we've been to Sabbath school and will be home soon."
Ralph's eyes opened wide in astonishment. "But you didn't go to Sabbath school," he replied, "because your teacher came and asked me where you were, and I told her I didn't know; I thought you were coming."
"Well, it isn't any of your business whether we went or not," growled John. "All you've got to do is to say we were there if you're asked."
"I can't tell a lie about it, can I?"
"Yes, you can, if you just make up your mind to do it."
"But I won't tell a lie about it," said Ralph sturdily.
"No, I suppose you had rather get your brothers in a scrape. You know what will happen if we're found out."
Ralph hesitated. He was an affectionate child and disliked to see anybody in trouble, especially his own brothers, but he had a very decided opinion that he was in the right, and therefore concluded to speak the truth at all hazards.
"I'm just as sorry as I can be," he returned sadly, "and I'll beg papa to forgive you, and say I know you won't ever do it again, but if they ask me, I can't tell a lie about it."
"You won't, eh, little saint?" cried John angrily, grabbing his brother's arm. "Now promise to do as we say or we'll pitch you into that deep pond over there."
Ralph was too young to realize that this was only an idle threat, and he was very much frightened, yet in that moment of terror the thought of Daniel in the lions' den flashed through his mind and gave him the strength that he had not dared to hope for. He saw in an instant that he had come to his temptation and his den of lions, and he felt that as God had protected Daniel in that far-away time, he would now protect him. Ralph had never learned to swim, and he was in fear of the big frogs and other creatures that inhabit ponds, but he did not flinch; with a boldness that surprised even himself, he looked steadily at his brother and replied: "You cannot frighten me into doing that wrong thing. I will not pray to the image of falsehood that you have set up."
It was now his brothers' turn to be astonished. They had never thought of Ralph as anything but a timid little boy, who could be overcome by the slightest threat, and for a moment they were at a loss what to say. Of course Ralph was merely repeating some of his teacher's words, but they were not aware of that fact, and consequently wondered at his remarks. Finally John managed to stammer, "Do—do you want to go in that pond?"
"No manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God," continued Ralph, his mind still on his Sabbath school. "God delivers his faithful ones in times of trouble."
Turning away, John was about to walk off, but Tom detained him. "Wait a moment, John," he said, and then the others noticed that there were tears in his eyes. "I want to tell my brave little brother that I honor him for sticking to the truth. As for me, I shall confess to father, and promise not to repeat the offense."
"I am with you," John replied. "Come, Ralph, we'll go together now and hereafter. We need never be afraid to go where Daniel leads."—Christian Intelligencer.
GUARDIAN ANGELS.
By Mrs. E. A. Bush
BY MRS. E. A. BUSH.
WHEN in the stillness of night I awake,
With nature all hushed and serene,
And think of the care the kind angels take
To guard me with vigils so keen
That no harm befalls me,
While slumber enthralls me,
My heart is drawn upward to God, who in love
Doth send these dear guardians down from above.
And when, at the close of a long, busy day,
I sit down quite weary and worn,
My heart is at rest, when I know that my way
Is known unto Him who has borne
Greater burdens than mine,
Though He is divine;
So I never will murmur, but trust in His love
Who sends comforting messages down from above.
San Diego, Cal.
God’s Timing and Positions of Trust
By J. R. Miller
LET young men make themselves ready for positions of trust, and they will be called to the positions at the right time. God's clock is never too slow.
Service, Obedience, and Strength
By Phillips Brooks
The veiling of intelligence with obedience shall give it light, and not darkness. The reverence which comes in service shall be not paralysis, but strength.
IS LIFE WORTH LIVING?
By William Penniman
BY WM. PENNIMAN.
EMPHATICALLY no, if one lives with no good object in view, or if, like the Epicureans, one can only say, "Let us eat and drink; for to-morrow we die." In short, if life is for a selfish purpose, it is not worth living. But if we eat to live, and do not live to eat; if we live to glorify God, and not to glorify self; if we live to make the world and ourselves better—then the world will be better for our having lived in it, and we shall thus gain eternal life, and enjoy God's presence forever.
The following is a record of a man, given by himself, and who died at the age of 73. At the age of 18 he began keeping a record, which he continued for 52 years. This record showed that he had smoked 628,715 cigars, of which he had received 43,692 as presents, while for the remaining 585,021 he had paid about $10,433; in 52 years, according to his books, he had drunk 28,786 glasses of beer and 36,085 glasses of spirits, for all of which he spent $5,350; and he closes up his diary with the following words: "I have tried all things, I have seen many, I have accomplished nothing." It can be truthfully said of such a life that it is not worth living.
Rev. T. Dixon, in the Farm and Fireside, in speaking of a distinguished citizen of Boston, who recently read a paper before a philosophic club on the subject "Is Life Worth Living?" says:—
He was a man who possessed millions of dollars. He lived in a luxurious palace on a magnificent avenue. He was a man of culture, of thorough education. He was a writer of brilliant power, and in his essay he sought with determination and with some degree of logical power from his point of view, to show that human life was not worth living.
While he was reading this essay before this assemblage of club men and philosophic students, a simple pioneer teacher was addressing a great assembly in Tremont Temple on the subject of "Western Missions." These two men had been schoolmates in boyhood. They were both men of culture. The one had given his life to making money—and made it. The other had given his life to men in sacrifice. He was a poor man—this missionary. The great crowd listened with breathless attention to his account of his work in the Western world. They hung thrilled upon every period. He was a man of masterful physique, of magnetic face, behind which beat a great, loving heart. He told of the wonders God had wrought among the people in the far West. His face flushed with power divine as he told of the needs of the great commonwealths that were growing on the border land of the nation. He swept the souls of all who heard him with divinest enthusiasm, that dominated and lifted them up with the highest faith in God. He refused invitations to attend dinners in his honor, and when he closed his address, was seen hurrying across Boston Common on his way to catch a train to return to his duties in the West. To him life was full of meaning; he was eager to return to the fight. Life was a glorious opportunity in which to bless his fellow-men, and he was as impatient as a child to return to the task God had given him. Is life worth living? What life?
Many instances similar to the preceding might be given. How much need there is now of more of this self-sacrificing missionary spirit, and more especially when there are so many destitute fields, so many millions to be warned, so many waiting to hear the last message of mercy now going to the world!
LIGHT AFFLICTION.
By Laura E. Cushing
BY LAURA E. CUSHING.
"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." 2 Cor. 4:17. Is there a life so gay, or so serene and peaceful, or one so surrounded by the delightful things of earth, that sorrow has not touched it? Sorrow has pierced even the most favorable circumstances, and hung with leaden weight upon the tender and delicate tendrils of every heart. Truly "the heart knoweth his own bitterness."
The questions often arise, Why all this sorrow and sadness? Why does the Lord permit such trials, when he could, just by a word, make life smooth and easy, and surround it with blessings that would bring joy and gladness to every heart? Surely he could prevent the trials, and can he be a God of love and still permit them?
These questions arise only from hearts that have been unrenewed by the power of divine love. Surely no one has felt the tender touch of a Saviour's hand, or listened to his words of love and sympathy, even in the severest trial, but could, with Paul, glory in the trial, which, if allowed to accomplish its work, beautifies the life and purifies the heart.
Had man no imperfections to correct, a life of perpetual happiness, or, rather, a continuous flow of things desired to make one happy, might be beneficial, as it will be hereafter; but a life in this age without trials would be much like the plants in a desert, which grow amid continual sunshine and drought, and are sadly lacking in life and beauty.
No one would think of gathering sagebrush to gladden the heart of the sick or sorrowing. No, indeed! But the sweet pansies, that have thrived in the shadow as well as the sunshine, and drunk the rain from the weeping skies, they have blossomed amid the showers, and have obtained life and beauty to shed upon those in affliction; so those only who are able to give real comfort to the sorrowing and distressed are those whose lives have been sweetened by, or, in other words, have blossomed amid, the trials of life. The trial, though seemingly severe, is light, and it only lasts a moment, and then it works for us "a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." What, the greater the trial, the greater the glory?—Yes, "a far more exceeding weight of glory." The heavier the trial, if patiently borne for Christ's sake, the heavier the "weight of glory."
Would you have your trials lessened, then, when they work for you "a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory"?—Oh, no! Let's have the heavier weight of glory, and bear the trial just for a moment, which, if cast upon Christ, becomes exceeding light; and let us lift up our head and rejoice, for Jesus is soon coming to remove the sorrow from every aching heart.
"Clouds and conflicts round us press;
Would we have one sorrow less?
All the sharpness of the cross,
All that tells the world is loss,
Death, and darkness, and the tomb,
Only whisper, 'Till he come.'"
97 Plymouth Grove, Montreal, P. Q.