Earlier text: Objections to the Sabbath AnsweredTracts: Giving Them With Thought and Timing
Did you ever notice how differently people use tracts? One man will buy a large supply without any knowledge of their contents, and give them away on all hands, with a general hope that the little book may do good, and with a feeling of relief that, whatever the result, he has done his duty in the matter, he has given one hundred tracts in the month. Another will have a supply much smaller than his neighbor’s, but will include only the best, often several copies of each. He does not parade them, or give them in every direction; he gives his own thought with them. He waits till some special occasion opens the way for the word spoken in one of his little treasures, then he drops it in a way so kindly and sympathising that it will be read from gratitude if from no other feeling, and leaves it to do its work. Do you think waiting tedious and rather lazy? If you try it, you will be surprised to see how often the special occasions come to open some heart for the good seed. Life is crammed with occasions when good may be done, but we are so used to passing them carelessly by that we are apt to think there are none. If we could stand near to Christ and see life through the atmosphere that surrounds him, many things now great in our eyes would look very insignificant, and many things that we call small would take the first rank. Only by drawing near to him can we learn to catch the time for doing his work when all things are made ready for it. Only in the light of the Sun of Righteousness are our weak eyes able to see a little of the opportunity that lies around us. To the soul that watches for the time to be useful, waiting is never tedious nor lazy; new calls for action come like the stars at night, and one that often comes unexpectedly is given by the opening of a niche in which to drop just the right tract. Let us distribute tracts wisely and discriminatingly, as they that must give account. Strife and Division.
By C. H. Bliss
As the railroad trains come into the depots of our large cities, filled with passengers, the runners from the different hotels commence their various calls, which occasions such confusion that often the passengers are unable to tell the direction they wish to go. Such is the condition of things in the religious world at the present day; and a great deal of evil results from it. Many who desire to do right, and who would be bright and shining lights in the Christian world, were they converted, ever remain aliens from Christ, and "strangers from the covenants of promise;" and when asked why they are not Christians, they refer to the many ways which are pointed out by the various religious bodies of the day, and declare themselves unable to decide which are in the right. Thus precious souls remain out of Christ and are lost, because of division and strife among professed Christians. This class of people are by no means few. Thousands are in this condition. Perhaps many of them have no desire, naturally, to engage in the theological discussions of the day. They prefer peace. But other evils arise from this divided state of the Christian world. It weakens the faith of the populace in the infallibility of the Holy Scriptures. "For, certainly," say they, "these religious bodies all profess to derive their doctrines from the Bible, and if the Bible teaches us many different doctrines, it is not the book it purports to be—the infallible word of God." And infidelity is the result. The Saviour prayed that they (his followers) might be sanctified through the truth, "that they all may be one . . . that the world may believe that thou hast sent me." Paul also says, "So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another." Again, "For ye are all one in Christ Jesus." "Now I beseech you, brethren, 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." The members of the primitive church were united. There was "one Lord, one faith, and one baptism;" but at the present time there are many Lords, several hundred faiths, and three or four baptisms. The members of the primitive church were on fire with zeal, laboring only for the conversion of souls, and the sanctification of believers. A great part of the members of the Christian church of the nineteenth century have a "form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof;" and, instead of laboring only for the conversion of souls and the sanctification of believers, they are engaged in theological quarrels, each striving for the mastery. Thus, sects are continually arising, and the Christian world are becoming more and more divided. But what can be done to remedy this condition of things? An external union is not the remedy; this has ever resulted in repression and persecution. The following words from D'Aubigne are certainly to the point: "Christian union must proceed, first of all, from unity of spirit." Says Paul to his Corinthian brethren, "For ye are yet carnal; for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?" The reason of schisms, divisions, &c., in the early church, was because of carnality. If carnality produced division then, is not the same thing produced by the same cause to-day? Oh! that God might again work in our midst as in former times. Where are the "prophets," and "teachers," and "pastors," and the "workers of miracles," in the primitive church? which were given for "the perfecting of the saints," to bring us into the "unity of the faith." Has God forsaken the earth? Has he withdrawn his Spirit from the church? Has the "Comforter" left his people? Return, O thou great Shepherd of the flock, gather together thy wandering and scattered sheep, and let there be one fold and one shepherd. Divine Truth and its Value.
By C. R. Austin
WE estimate the value of the things of this world by their durability, by the service they render the possessor, and by comparing one article with another. But divine truth, who can estimate its worth? or tell its priceless value? or with what comparison shall it be compared? Shall we liken it to gold, the most precious of all earthly treasures? Why so precious? in itself, there is no nutriment that can sustain life, or nourish these frail bodies; it cannot be made into garments to warmly clothe, and protect us from winter’s chilling blast. Why, then, do we prize it so highly? Because of its durability. There is nothing we need for food or clothing but that is easily destroyed by adverse influences, and, should it pass a fiery ordeal, would be reduced to ashes, and be seen no more forever. But not so with gold. It may be tested by the severest trials, even the hottest fire, and yet it remains the same; and the hotter the flame, the purer the gold. For this reason, the possessor can exchange it for every necessary article this earth affords. And not only for the necessary, but also for every desirable article, that is beautiful and pleasant to the eye, from the lovely flower, to the elegant mansion, surrounded by broad fields of earth’s choicest fruits and richest land. And how long can this be enjoyed? Just while the breath of life is within us. When that goes forth, we return to the earth, and no amount of gold, or all of earth’s costliest treasures combined, can redeem us from the power of the grave, or place us in a condition to again enjoy the beautiful things of this world. How does this compare with what divine truth does for those that possess it. It clothes them with the robe of Christ’s righteousness, which will surely and safely protect them from the severest storm earth has ever witnessed, and which is already in sight to the eye of faith, and will as surely fall on those destitute of this robe as the flood came upon them in Noah’s time. And should the lamp of life go out, is it forever lost? No; it is safely insured in the record God has given us of his Son. And this record is eternal life, and this life is in his Son; and when He who is our life shall appear, then shall we appear with him in glory, and be led by him through the gates into the city of God, have a right to the tree of life, be made heirs of a beautiful mansion in our Heavenly Father’s home and a glorious inheritance on the earth when it shall be purified from the stain of sin and the curse of God. How long shall this be enjoyed? While eternity’s years shall roll. And he that can number them may estimate the value of divine truth. Where shall this priceless treasure be found? and how obtained? God’s word contains an inexhaustible fountain of it; and if we seek for it as for silver, and search for it as for hid treasures, we shall find the knowledge of God and understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path. And we may obtain it by coming with a humble, teachable spirit, to the foot of the cross, bringing every tradition, doctrine, and commandment, received from the fathers and not sustained by the word of God, and exchanging them for the pure precepts of God’s unchangeable law, and the divine teachings of his beloved Son. Granville, Vt.
By Mrs. I. H. Archer
We have no minister to report for us, and I take the liberty to say, We are all still striving to follow on to know the Lord, although at times it seems that we make rather slow progress. We were much disappointed a few weeks since in not seeing Bro. Hutchins; however the brethren gathered in from Roxbury, Waitsfield, and Warren, so that with the blessing of the Lord we had a most excellent meeting. The Lord owned and blessed, and we felt that we were another day’s journey toward the kingdom. Am glad to say that we are in union and harmony with each other, and, as far as I know, all are striving to keep pace with the body and overcome all besetments, that complete victory may be ours at last. We have quite a little amount of S. B. pledged, and mostly paid. One of our number has been sick, and others have removed from the place of meetings, yet we have had a meeting nearly every Sabbath through the winter. There is one family of first-day Adventists who meet with us quite regularly, and the Methodists I think have never felt so friendly toward us and our views as at the present time. We have a Methodist minister here who seems quite zealous in his way; is having quite interesting meetings. Some have been converted, and we can but think that if some of our able preachers could come and present the truth, honest souls might be gathered in. For this we wait, and pray, and firmly believe that the Lord in his own good time will send us the needed help. We will endeavor to so adorn our profession by a well-ordered life and godly conversation that other hearts may not be steeled against us. Some of us have devoted this day to fasting and prayer, that our neighbors and friends may receive the truth, become commandment-keepers, and thus be prepared for translation when Jesus comes. Pray for us, dear brethren and sisters, that we all continue faithful and have many more to go with us to our glorious Edenic home. We have not a doubt but Jesus soon is coming to call his ransomed children home, and oh! what a blessed moment to them. Let us all be faithful, slay every idol, overcome every sin, that we may be of that happy number who shall sing the song of redeeming love through an endless eternity. In behalf of the Granville church, Mrs. I. H. Archer. Feb. 24, 1873. Tract and Missionary Department.
By N. M. Jordon
REPORT of the Tract and Missionary Society of Dist. No. 9, Wis., for the last two quarters. No. of pages tracts given away, 17,315 No. of families visited, 45. Subscribers obtained for REVIEW, 3; Reformer, 16; Instructor, 28. Amount of money collected on periodicals, Whole No. of members belonging to Dist. No. 9, 43. Amount collected on membership, $31.00 Deceivers and Deceived.
By A. Smith
A PROPHET was once sent from Judah to Bethel, where Jeroboam, king of Israel, was offering sacrifices to Baal. Having delivered his message of warning from the Lord, and having wrought miracles in attestation of its truthfulness, he was invited by the king to partake of the rites of hospitality at the palace. But he would not; saying, “For so was it charged me by the word of the Lord, saying, ‘Eat no bread, nor drink water, nor turn again by the same way that thou camest.’” But the sons of an old prophet at Bethel, having witnessed the above transaction, reported the case to their father, who, thereupon, immediately saddled his ass, and started in pursuit of the man of God. He found him sitting under an oak, and invited him to go home with him and eat bread, claiming himself to be a prophet, and to speak by inspiration. The argument of the false prophet, added to his own natural hunger and thirst, induced the man of God to believe a lie, and, as the result, he lost his life. Now the man of God ought to have known that the Lord would not give commandment by one, and then by another nullify that commandment. But those who keep the first day of the week for the Sabbath, fall into a greater error, for God did not intrust the giving of his law to any man, but wrote it with his own finger upon tables of stone. Is it likely, therefore, that any person or church would be authorized to abrogate or change that law? and could any one practically indorse such abrogation or change with impunity? Some admit that the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord; but plead in extenuation of guilt in its violation that many eminent men of God have lived and died in observance of the first day as the Sabbath. But such seem to forget that the advancing light of the “Reformation” did not at once dispel all the darkness of the middle ages, that had covered the earth as with a pall, shutting out the light of revelation; and that papal Rome was to tread down the truth to the ground, was to practice, and prosper, and think to change times and laws, which were to be given into his hands for a stated time, and that at the end of that time, we should certainly expect to see that power removed, and the truth of God emerging from its obscurity. The facts in the case meet the expectation. The condition of those who in time past ignorantly substituted a strict observance of the first day in lieu of the Lord’s Sabbath, may be pertinently illustrated by the following anecdote:— A father, on his way to his day’s labor, passed the home of his brother, with whose family he left his little son, with the instruction to remain until called for by him at night, on his return from work. About the middle of the afternoon, a young man called and said that the father would not return as early as he expected, and had requested him to call for the boy and conduct him home. He succeeded in deceiving the whole family, and the boy, whom, as soon as he had him within his power, he beat unmercifully, telling him that the father had given no command to conduct him home. The father forgave his son because he sinned ignorantly, but held the deceiver accountable. A. SMITH. An American pastor saw his preaching extraordinarily blessed. For twelve years he had a revival in his church every year. He was himself surprised at such success, until one evening, in a prayer-meeting, one of the brethren stated that for some years he had been in the habit of praying every Saturday until midnight, that on the morrow the preaching of his pastor might find its way to the people's hearts. We should, without doubt, see more fruits of the numerous sermons which are preached Sundays, if every minister had one friend who took really to heart his pastoral work, and presented it without ceasing at the throne of grace. A sermon of a Scotch preacher (John Livingston) was the means of the conversion of five hundred persons in one day. But it should be said that a large number of Christians had devoted all the preceding night to prayer for this object. Let us not forget that the Holy Spirit alone can make preaching efficacious, and that he is sent in answer to the prayer of faith. Earnestness Versus Bluster
THERE are some people who can never see the difference between earnestness and bluster. The latter raises more dust and makes more noise. We are not sure that it does not get more praise. The former is more quiet, but it holds on. Its vision takes a longer and wider sweep. It is thoughtful in the adaptation of means to ends. Be earnest, but don't bluster. It is to earnestness that the world's progress is mainly due. Zeal Versus Judgment in Belief
Zealous men are ever displaying to you the strength of their belief, while judicious men showing you the grounds of it. Controlling Temper Prevents Days of Sorrow
A MOMENT'S effort in controlling often prevents days of sorrow. Quarterly Meetings in California
And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of Heaven is at hand Quarterly Meetings in California.
Being instructed to re-arrange quarterly meetings for California, we would give the following:— Santa Rosa, March 22, 23.
San Francisco, April 19, 20.
Bloomfield, May 17, 18.
Healdsburg, June 14, 15.
Petaluma, July 12, 13.
Green Valley, August 9, 10. Meetings to commence, if possible, in each case, with prayer-meeting at the commencement of the Sabbath; social meeting Sabbath morning; ordinances Sabbath afternoon; prayer-meeting evening after the Sabbath. Business meeting of the Tract and Missionary Societies, on Sunday mornings in Sonoma Co.; on Sunday evening at the San Francisco meeting. It will be expected that each church will have its report of missionary labor prepared, from time of last report to date of their meeting. Bro. Judson, President, or Bro. Dennison, Vice-president, of our State Tract and Missionary Society, design to attend the above appointments. It is the request of the committee that our brethren and sisters within reach of these meetings make it a special point to attend them both days. May God make the meetings a source of great good to his cause, and to you all. J. N. Loughborough, } Cal.
John Judson, } Conf.
Jackson Ferguson, } Com. GENERAL quarterly meeting of the Ohio T. and M. Society, at Clyde, Sabbath and first-day, March 22, 23. Will Eld. Geo. I. Butler, or Eld. S. N. Haskell, attend? Each director is requested to send a report from his district to the secretary, M. E. Reynolds, Mesopotamia, Trumbull Co., Ohio, at least one week in advance of the meeting, or else bring a report to the meeting.
O. F. Guilford. QUARTERLY meeting at Alaiedon, March 29, 30. All the brethren and sisters belonging to this church, that can attend, are expected to be present. Brethren and sisters from other churches are invited. And we most earnestly request some one of the preaching brethren to attend this meeting.
D. V. Winne, Clerk. QUARTERLY meeting for churches of District No. 8, April 5 and 6, at Vergennes. E. Van Deusen. MONTHLY meeting for Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., at Randolph, third Sabbath and first-day in March, 15 and 16. Come, brethren, and let us engage more fully in practical religion. We hope to see all the scattered ones at the meeting. Bro. W. W. Stebbins is expected to be with us.
S. Thurston. L. H.: South Starksboro, Vt. D. M. W.: 139 Cedar Street, Chelsea, Mass. Special Notice to Subscribers.
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By R. F. C.
1. How many births are spoken of in the Bible. 1. There is one literal birth. Another event analogous to this is, by a figure, called a birth. To be born again implies a second birth; so there are two events, at least, designated as births. The first or literal birth introduces us to the present life; the second is necessary to the future life in the kingdom of Heaven. The resurrection is a birth from the dead (Col. 1:18, Acts 26:23, Isa. 66:8); therefore if there are but two births, the resurrection is the second. But the resurrection is prefigured at conversion in which the sinner becomes dead to sin, is buried in the likeness of Christ’s death, and rises from the emblematic grave in the likeness of Christ’s resurrection and his own. Rom. 6:3–9. Here commences the Christian life, which, if persevered in, the person will be accounted worthy of a real resurrection, like that of Christ (Rom. 6:5), and thus being born from the dead, shall enter into the kingdom of Heaven. We think that born, in 1 John 3:9; 5:1, 18 &c., should be begotten, and begotten, in Rev. 1:5, should be born, as rendered by Campbell and others. 2. We think it possible for a believer in Christ to sin, but he ought not. The apostle writes to believers that they “sin not.” But still he adds, “If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father.” Chap. 2:1. The rule is not to sin. Sin is out of harmony with the profession of faith in Christ. The Christian professes to be “dead to sin,” and if he continues to live in sin, he gives the lie to his profession. Yet if through ignorance or weakness he is overtaken in a sin, the apostle would not have him give up in discouragement. There is still hope; he has an advocate with the Father. In regard to harmonizing the Scriptures, it makes a wide difference with us whether we desire to find the harmony. I desire to find the harmony, because from general principles I am convinced of their truth. I take it that you too desire to see them harmonize; otherwise, if you seek to find contradictions you will have them, at least in your own imagination, spite of all that may be said. We can see from what has been quoted that the apostle thought it possible for believers to sin. He wrote to them to advise them not to do it. Therefore when he affirms that he that is begotten of God cannot sin, we are not to understand him to deny the possibility, but to teach that a life of sin is not at all consistent with the Christian profession—that he that is begotten of God has renounced sin. To illustrate: Invite a temperance man to take a glass of alcoholic liquor. His answer is, “No, sir; I cannot do it.” He does not mean to deny the possibility. He could drink; but he is bound by his profession not to drink. Now one might contend that the temperance man cannot swallow, while others contend as stoutly that he is a liar. But a sensible and kind interpretation of his language neither makes him a liar, nor makes him affirm the utter impossibility of his drinking. So a friendly interpretation of the apostle finds no contradiction, though it be possible for a Christian to return to sin and utterly renounce his profession. 3. We really see no difficulty in, nor see how any one can object to, the fact that Christ was foreordained before the foundation of the world, or that he was manifest in these last times for all those who by him believe in God, who raised him from the dead. This leaves all free to believe. And in Rom. 8:29, 30, nothing is affirmed of certain ones being foreordained or predestinated to salvation and others to damnation. When Christ arose from the dead he was the first-born among many brethren; for “many of the bodies of the saints which slept arose, and came out of the graves after his resurrection,” Matt. 27:52, and “when he ascended up on high, he led a multitude of captives.” Eph. 4:8, margin. In order that he might be the first-born among many brethren, it was necessary for God to select certain ones from among those who slept in Christ to the honor of being “conformed to the image of his Son,” or raised and glorified with Christ at that time. But to be glorified they must first be justified before the general judgment of the saints, at the cleansing or justification of the sanctuary at the closing up of probation. This does no injustice to the rest of the saints, those who were not raised at that time. They are not predestinated to damnation. They, too, will come forth at the second advent of Christ, and will then be glorified, having their bodies changed, and “fashioned like unto his glorious body.” For further light on this subject see Answers to Correspondents in REVIEW of Feb. 25. Another correspondent wishes our opinion, 1. On the meaning of being born of water and of the Spirit. John 3:5. 2. Wishes us to parse the nouns water and Spirit. 1. We believe that our Saviour meant to teach that in order for a person to enter into the kingdom of God he must be truly converted—must be begotten or regenerated by “the word of truth,” James 1:18, the “incorruptible seed” of “the word of God,” 1 Pet. 1:23, must purify his soul in obeying the truth, repenting of his sins—turning from his transgressions of the law of God to obedience—must be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, by whose resurrection he is begotten to the hope of a future life through the resurrection from the dead, 1 Pet. 1:3, must receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38), the earnest or pledge of the fulfillment of the promises (Eph. 1:13, 14); this Spirit must “dwell” in him, and if it does, it will finally quicken or make alive his mortal body (Rom. 8:11), and thus he will be “born from the dead,” as Jesus was (Col. 1:18), and thus enter into the immortal life in the kingdom of God. Without this change from corruption to incorruption no one can inherit the kingdom of God. 1 Cor. 15:50–54. From what we have said it will be seen that we do not believe in “water regeneration,” but in a regeneration, a renewing of the mind, by the Spirit of God, the final result of which will be a change of the body into the likeness of Christ’s glorified body. See Phil. 3:21. The birth from the dead will consummate the regeneration or recreation of the people of God. But as this grand result is emblemized or prefigured by baptism, we incline to the belief that this is alluded to, as being born of water. 2. We can see no special importance in parsing these words, but to comply with the request we will say that water is a common noun, of the third person, singular number, neuter gender, objective case, and governed by the preposition of. Spirit is parsed in like manner, except that it is a proper noun, denoting the Spirit of God. A third correspondent asks for an exposition of 1 John 3:9, and Isa. 66:8, with some views on the new birth. He will please gather up what has been suggested in the preceding replies, remembering that the Greek word for begetting and bringing forth or giving birth is the same. “Spoken of men, to beget, generate, Matt. 1:2–16, and other places; of women, to bring forth, bear, give birth to, Luke 1:13, 57, and others.”—Greenfield. In the interpretation of figurative language the analogy must not be forgotten. The believer in Christ is begotten of God by the word of truth as seed sown in the heart. 1 John 5:1; James 1:18; 1 Pet. 1:23. This seed remaining in his heart prevents him from sin; 1 John 3:9; for sin would render it abortive. By the resurrection of Christ, an event which the word of the truth of the gospel has caused him to believe, he is begotten to a lively hope of an inheritance incorruptible beyond the resurrection of the saints, 1 Pet. 1:3, 4; 1 Cor. 15:52–54, and is “waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.” Rom. 8:23. When that event comes, the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead will make alive his mortal body; Rom. 8:11; the Spirit which in the beginning moved upon the face of the waters and brought order out of chaos, will, by its mighty power, make the earth to bring forth in a day, and a nation (God’s peculiar people, 1 Pet. 2:9) will be born at once. Isa. 66:8. This birth to a future and immortal life is made necessary by the Scriptures in order to have a part in the everlasting kingdom of God. Getting Mail on the Sabbath.
A CORRESPONDENT inquires if it is right to call at the post-office for mail, on the Sabbath, in going to and from meeting; especially in the case of those living in places where they have the privilege of going to the P. O. every day in the week. This question was made the subject of discussion in the Literary Society, Jan. 27, 1873. After the discussion, it was referred to a committee, who reported at the following meeting, Feb. 3. The substance of their report was, that every transaction of a secular nature should be omitted on the Sabbath, so far as is consistent with necessity and mercy. In the case of those who live where they have daily access to the office, it was the opinion of the committee that there is no question. They should neither obtain the mail themselves nor allow their children to do so. But the claims of mercy and the demands of necessity sometimes allow of acts which are in themselves violations of the letter of the Sabbath law; and like all other transactions, obtaining mail from the P. O. may sometimes come under that head; and every person must be left to his own conscience to decide when this is necessary. Elders White Arrive Safely in Battle Creek
Bro. and sister White arrived safely in Battle Creek, from California, Tuesday night, March 4, after a prosperous journey of five days. Aside from the unavoidable fatigue of the journey, they are in usually good health and spirits. We had the pleasure of hearing from them both, Sabbath, the 8th. Sister White spoke with freedom in the forenoon from John 15:7, 8, and Bro. White in the afternoon, from 1 John 1. The congregations were large and deeply interested. Replies to Correspondents' Queries
By Editor
Several correspondents have sent in queries to this Office, who have already waited some time for a reply. They will please be patient, and we will attend to them as soon as possible. A number of replies will be found in this number, from the pen of Bro. Cottrell. Delay of Paper Due to Conference
The paper will probably be a day or two late, next week, on account of Conference. Note from Bro. Ingraham.
By Wm. S. Ingraham
I am again at the Institute for the recovery of my health. I am surrounded by kind friends and physicians, who are ever ready to extend the helping hand to the afflicted under their care. It would have been much better if I had stayed longer when here the first time, but home cares were such I thought it might be duty to leave as I had gained in health very much. But after returning home my cares were too heavy for my bodily strength. I hope to be remembered in the prayers of all the saints, that the means used by our excellent physicians for the recovery of my health may be blessed of the Lord, and I once more have the pleasure of laboring in his vineyard. Wm. S. Ingraham. Health Institute, Battle Creek, Mich., March 4. Everything but the Bible.
It is related of Napoleon, that when Marshal Duroc, an avowed infidel, was once telling a very improbable story, giving his opinion that it was true, the Emperor remarked; “There are some men who are capable of believing everything but the Bible.” This remark finds abundant illustrations in every age. There are men all about us, at the present day, who tell us they cannot believe the Bible; but their capacities for believing everything which opposes the Bible are enormous. The most fanciful speculations that bear against God’s word, pass with them for demonstrated facts. The greediness with which they devour the most far-fetched stories—the flimsiest arguments, if they only appear to militate against the word of God—is astonishing.