p. 317 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 19, No. 20. (3/20/1893)

The Introduction of the Gospel into India

By Stephen Nelson Haskell

INDIA. NO. 5.

The Introduction of the Gospel into India.

BY ELDER S. N. HASKELL.

WITHOUT biblical facts to direct the mind to right conclusions, there is no branch of knowledge but what would become vague and obscure. The Bible gives the leading facts in history and science without going into the minutæ that destroy the individuality of the person. There are reliable facts that carry the mind back somewhere about the time of the days of Abraham and a little before, which show that India and China were settled by individuals coming from the land of Shinar. But it is the eleventh chapter of Genesis alone that reveals the particular circumstances how, and the exact time when, these individuals first left that country to settle the remotest lands.

So with the early introduction of the gospel into India. When God poured out his Spirit on the day of Pentecost, "there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven." Acts 2:5. This passage of Scripture not only reveals the fact that there were devout men in India, but some of them were attending the Pentecost at Jerusalem. It is but reasonable to conclude that thus, by God's providence, a knowledge of the truth was carried to India. It was twenty-nine years later that the apostle wrote to the Romans, "I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world." Rom. 1:8. It must then have reached India. Again, in the tenth of Romans and the eighteenth verse, the apostle says: "Have they not heard? Yes, verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world." Four years later he writes to the Colossians as follows: "For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth." Col. 1:5, 6.

It is evident, therefore, that within twenty-three years from the death of Christ, and nineteen years from the ordination of the first two foreign missionaries (see Acts 13) it had gone into all the world and brought forth fruit as it had in Colosse. And it was preached in that city sufficiently to lead a company of the heathen to embrace the gospel, of sufficient importance for the apostle to write to them this epistle. He further states, in Col. 1:23, that the hope of the gospel which they had heard "was preached to every creature which is under heaven." Would anyone dare to say that India, with its teeming millions, a nation that could give music to Europe, and various sciences to the now more enlightened countries, and then had for five hundred years its reformers, Buddha, etc., who had carried a false religion to China, Japan, and the islands of the sea, was not included as having the gospel in such expressions as above alluded to?

Unreliable tradition has much to say about Paul's preaching in Great Britain, and Lazarus, whom Christ raised from the dead, preached in Gaul; Bartholomew, in Barthia; Andrew, in Russia; Thaddeus, in Edessa; Phillip, in Syria; Matthew, in Ethiopia; Judas the Zealot, in Arabia; and also of the wonderful works of Thomas in India. The marks in stone are now shown by the Romanists where Thomas fell when pierced by a spear in his back, after planting the gospel in that country. There can be no doubt but what these men were busy somewhere preaching the gospel and building up churches. They must have gone from country to country and watered the seed that was carried back from the day of Pentecost to the homes of the various individuals, who came from all parts of the world. Anyway, it is true, according to the inspired penman, that the gospel was so universally preached that the whole world had had an opportunity to have received it as early as A. D. 64.

A little later than this we find Christianity firmly planted in these far-away places, and subsequently the Romans claiming these countries as theirs. The history of the "Syrian Church in Malabar," India, is a very interesting one, although the origin of it is doubtful. The traditions current among the people go back to the preaching of Thomas, in the middle of the first century; but scholars suppose that a small colony from Antioch, Syria, landed here in the fourth century. But certain it is at the close of the sixteenth century the Romanists by their usual argument of persecution and force, succeeded in detaching from that body of Christians 80,000 members; but those who were in the interior refused to submit.

In 1816 the Church Missionary Society sent missionaries to labor among its members. At first the Syrian priests coöperated with them. In 1820 a Syrian college under the joint coöperation of the English church and the Syrian churches was opened for the education of young priests under the care of the Rev. Fenn, and forty-five students were enrolled. In connection with it there was a grammar school, in which forty-three boys were being educated, and, besides this, fifty-one parochial schools, where instruction was given to 142 children.

But in 1838 dissatisfaction began to manifest itself, which resulted in dissolving all connection with the English missionaries. Since then they exist but sadly degenerated, like all others who reject advance light. These facts are sufficient proof that in the first century the gospel was established in India, and from that time the Christian religion has had thousands of adherents.

Buchanan in his work speaks of Sabbatarians in India until modern times. It is quite evident that these Syrian Christians were seventh-day Christians; but the "mystery of iniquity," as in the case of the Abyssinians in Africa, corrupted them with the wine of Babylon. During the first centuries, history records the fact that delegates from India visited the church counsels in Europe. The above facts corroborate the Scripture testimony that even India in early times had as much light of the gospel as Colosse (Col. 1:5, 6, 29), and it also explains how there are traces of a knowledge of God and our Lord Jesus Christ in many of their heathen rites.

INFLUENCE.

By Paul Clayton

I DROPPED a pebble in the stream: It sunk forever from my sight; A moment in the sun's warm beam A diamond sparkled pure and bright, Reflecting far its radiant light. A circle small, indeed, at first, Widened e'en midst the tempest's roar, Until at last it faintly burst And vanished on the further shore.

A frown, a scowl, an angry glance, A hasty or unguarded word, A formal bow, a look askance— These, quicker than a swift-winged bird, Pierce to the heart like two-edged sword; Spreading a baleful influence wide, They cast a mirksome shade and gloom Across life's rough and troubled tide, And reach unto the silent tomb.

A word, a look of sympathy, A penny generously bestowed, A simple act of courtesy, A kindly influence shed abroad And from the soul lift many a load. These angel deeds, grand and sublime, Like ripples on the restless sea, Sweep o'er the fretful stream of time And reach into eternity. —Paul Clayton.

A SHOP PAPERED WITH THE BIBLE.

A CORRESPONDENT of the Friends of Missions in Japan tells the following interesting story of a lady who went into a cake shop to buy some cakes for her children. While waiting for the cakes, she saw that the walls were papered with leaves from the Bible. This was so strange that she asked the old woman about it; and she told the lady that one day, passing by a book shop, she saw a pile of papers thrown away as useless. As her shop needed papering, she thought this was just the thing, and took some of it home, and pasted it over the walls. One evening her grandson came in, and began reading aloud from the paper on the walls.

The old woman was so interested in what she heard that she listened eagerly, and got all who would to read it to her. One day a young man came who asked her if she understood it, and whether she was a Christian. She told him how much she enjoyed hearing it, but she did not understand it much; so he promised to take her to church the next day. After this she attended regularly, and became an earnest Christian. She now keeps a stock of tracts by her, and into every little bag of cakes she drops one. Is not this encouraging? All that good came out of leaves of the Bible thrown away, which were considered of no use.—Christian Advocate.

The Sad Lot of Women in India

THE sad lot of women in India should awaken the sympathies and efforts of all generous souls. Mr. Wright, of Tirumangalam, in the Madura Mission, in a recent letter speaks of hearing, while in his house, a piteous cry outside. On asking his teacher what it could be, the munshi replied, "Oh, that is probably some man beating his wife!" On going to the gate, Mr. Wright saw lying in the street a woman with scanty clothing and disheveled hair; her husband stood by her with his cudgel, a stick about two feet long of hard wood with a metal ring on each end. Two brothers of the woman were there also, and she was crying out, "I don't want to go with this man; he beats me and is cruel to me!" They had been married about three months and the young woman was in her teens. Her brothers and relatives abused her, refusing her food and shelter, since, according to Hindu customs, a woman must submit to any cruelty and indignity from her husband. And there is no remedy for such woes in Hinduism; only the gospel of Christ can bring deliverance from such barbarities.—Missionary Review.

OUR LITTLE FRIEND

By Editor

An Eight-page Illustrated Weekly Paper for Children.

OUR LITTLE FRIEND is designed to be practically useful. The matter all contains the best moral and religious sentiment. It contains two grades of Sabbath-school lessons on the same subject, one for children nine years old and under, and one for children from nine to fourteen.

TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION.

One copy, one year, postpaid, - - - 50c. Five to nine copies to one address, each, - - - 45c. Ten copies, and over, each, - - - 40c. Sample copies free.

Address, OUR LITTLE FRIEND, Box 548, OAKLAND, CAL.

A VOLUNTARY TRIBUTE.

By Editor

PERHAPS it is assuming too much to reckon Hon. James T. Ringgold, of Baltimore, among our workers, but he certainly did some good work for us when he volunteered to go to Paris, Tennessee, to defend our brethren who were indicted for Sunday labor. In that trial, which, with his skillful defense of the accused, became a mere farce, he was able to show up the decided meanness of the persecution. Mr. Ringgold was introduced to our General Conference at Battle Creek, Michigan, on the 28th ult., and made a few remarks. We give the following extract from his pertinent words:—

There are many things about your belief which I am not yet thoroughly acquainted with, and on some points as to which I have been enlightened, my mind yet remains in abeyance. It is what I do know of your belief, and what I have discovered for myself about the character and lives of the men who hold it, which has made me so earnestly desirous to learn more of the religion and to make the acquaintance of more among its followers.

I may say that the first great principle of yours with which I became acquainted struck me at once as the most marvelous tenet to be seriously maintained by a religious organization of which I had ever heard—and that was the absolute separation, not merely of other churches from the State, but of every form of religious belief, including even your own. How could I fail to be astounded? I had learned from all my study of history and philosophy, I had been taught from my boyhood, that toleration and zeal could never exist together.

Here I found you, a religious organization equaling any in fervor and devotion, and surpassing almost all in the minute application of your religious principles to every detail of your daily lives, and yet not only refraining from asking any preference over other religions at the hands of the civil power, but actually refusing to accept any such preference even when tendered to you. I say that this is something which not only astounded me at first, but which I have never ceased to contemplate with admiration and awe. Here is religion—and a Christian religion too, let us be thankful for that—giving the lie to the wisdom of the ages, in this most important matter.

I have claimed for you in the East among my friends of other denominations that you have taken up Christianity where the martyrs laid it down, and I will further add that those who have molested you for the sake of your creed have taken up persecution where it was left by Nero and his successors. Acquit me of any self-exaltation, acquit me of any vain desire to flatter you with words which do not come straight from the heart, or which have in them the slightest taint of insincerity when I say that my making acquaintance with you and your church marks an era in my life, and involves for me the learning of the most valuable lesson that I have ever mastered; and that the proudest recollection of my life will always be that of the little part which I have been able to play in your defense.

And this reminds me that I have been asked to tell about what I saw in Paris, Tennessee, during the recent trials of your brethren there. Well, I may say that the thing which impressed and astonished me most in Paris was the reflection of myself in the looking-glass. For I felt that here was a spectacle at which the ages to come will surely wonder. If I had not had the experience brought home to me, I would never have believed that in this nineteenth century it were possible for a man to be called upon to cross the street to defend his fellowman from religious persecution—and here was I, who had traveled fifteen hundred miles in this enlightened age for no other purpose.

You have heard the glad tidings of great joy from Paris, Tennessee. You know that we won the victory all along the line, but you do not know how ashamed we were to win it. The enemy was so weak, and so poorly equipped for fight, that to beat him seemed like spanking a small child. But it had to be done; for the child was a very bad one. I mean no reflection on the State's attorney. He had no case. He made all that could be made out of nothing.

FIELD NOTES.

By Editor

THE London Present Truth notices an encouraging report of meetings held at Belfast, Ireland, by Elders O. O. Farnsworth and Francis Hope.

ELDER DAN. T. JONES will take up his residence in Boulder, Colorado, for a time, on account of his failing health, and his family, now in California, are preparing to meet him there.

IT has been decided to reprint in book form the instructive discourses given in connection with the General Conference and published in the Bulletin. They contain highly important matter for the present time.

ELDER R. C. PORTER, whose health broke down through overwork previous to and during the General Conference, is now recuperating in Missouri. It is expected that he will resume his labors in the New England field when sufficiently recovered.

CALIFORNIA is called upon by the General Conference for further contributions of laborers for foreign fields. Brother Delos Lake and Sisters Georgia A. Burrus and Myrtle G. Griffis are detailed for India, and Brother A. S. Hickox for Queensland, Australia.

A LARGE interest is reported in meetings held by Brethren E. E. Franke and E. H. Russell, at Millington, Maryland. Previous prejudice had given way and a large attendance at the meetings was the result. A good omen was the large number of intelligent questions found in the question box, showing a spirit of earnest inquiry after the truth.

THE following officers of the International Tract Society were elected at the session held in connection with the General Conference: President, S. N. Haskell; Vice President, O. A. Olsen; Secretary, A. O. Tait; Treasurer, Lena Steinel; Executive Committee—S. N. Haskell, O. A. Olsen, J. N. Loughborough, J. H. Kellogg, W. C. White, A. R. Henry, A. O. Tait, I. H. Evans, L. T. Nicola.

THE first Sabbath meeting in the neighborhood of Lafayette, New Jersey, was held on February 25. A series of meetings were conducted there by Brother A. J. Howard.

ELDER O. A. OLSEN has been reëlected president of the General Conference, and the following named persons to serve as Executive Committee: O. A. Olsen, S. N. Haskell, W. W. Prescott, J. N. Loughborough, W. C. White, A. J. Breed, R. A. Underwood, R. M. Kilgore, J. H. Durland.

THE newly-elected officers of the International Sabbath School Association are as follows: President, C. H. Jones; Vice President, J. H. Durland; Recording Secretary and Treasurer, M. H. Brown; Corresponding Secretary, Vesta J. Olsen; Executive Committee, C. H. Jones, J. H. Durland, M. H. Brown, J. O. Corliss, J. H. Morrison, W. A. Colcord, F. M. Wilcox, W. N. Glenn, G. W. Reaser.

CHASTISEMENT.

By S. M. Swan

"Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth."

I saw a tender parent, kind and true, Chastise his child, the idol of his heart; I saw the tear of sorrow in his eye, 'Twas not his pleasure thus to cause the smart; The child he loved transgressed his just commands; Parental kindness drew the chastening rod; 'Tis love that prompts the father thus to strive To lead his child to virtue and to God.

I saw a poor, afflicted child of God; Through devious wilds he sped his lonely way; Affliction's cup full oft his lips had pressed, And bitter grief had long beset his way; His heart began to sink beneath the load; Too heavy seemed to him the chastening rod; And as his faith began to fail, he cried, Alas! I am forsaken of my God.

Thy Father ne'er doth willingly afflict; Look up, desponding, tried, and tempted one; 'Tis for thy profit that he doth chastise: Oh, trust, and humbly say, Thy will be done! Remember that the hottest fire will make The gold more pure, sooner consume the dross; 'Tis that thou may'st his holiness partake That thou must suffer here, must bear the cross.

Forsake thee! no, he never can forsake Those who with humble faith on him rely. For thee, poor soul, his precious blood was spilt, And thou art as the apple of his eye. Oh, trust! Thy name is graven on his hands; Thou art the object of his special care; When thou art purified, made white and tried, Thou shalt with him abide in mansions fair. —S. M. Swan.

CAMP MEETING TENTS.

By S. N. Haskell

The California general camp meeting will be held in Oakland, May 11-21. All who wish to rent tents will make application at once to E. A. Chapman, Pacific Press, Oakland. The prices of tents will be as usual: 10x12, $4.00; 12x16, $6.00; 14x19, $7.00. S. N. Haskell.

HERE AND HEREAFTER.

An exhaustive treatise on the "State of the Dead" and the "Destiny of the Wicked." Has man a conscious existence in death? This is a question of the deepest interest, especially in these days when Spiritualism, in its varied forms, is spreading its deception everywhere. The subject is treated in

THIRTY-SEVEN CHAPTERS.

All the important texts bearing on man's nature and his condition in death are taken up and critically examined; as are also those which relate to soul and spirit.

THE CLAIMS OF PHILOSOPHY,

in which the immortality of the soul is discussed from a philosophical standpoint.

A chapter is devoted to a HISTORICAL VIEW of the subject, in which the history of the doctrine of the immortality of the soul is traced from the earliest ages down to the present time. The work closes with a chapter on the

INFLUENCE OF THE DOCTRINE,

in which it is shown that many have been driven into infidelity by the doctrine of Eternal Torment, a doctrine which is inconsistent with the character of God and contrary to the teachings of the Scriptures.

The book contains 443 pages, is bound in extra fine English cloth, and is embossed in black and gold. Price, postpaid, $1.00. Address, Pacific Press Publishing Co., Oakland, Cal. Or 43 Bond St., New York City.

BIBLE SANCTIFICATION:

A CONTRAST OF TRUE AND FALSE THEORIES.

BY MRS. E. G. WHITE.

This is a pamphlet of only 84 pages, but its value is not to be judged by its size. It is just what its title indicates: a faithful presentation of Bible truth on this important subject, and an exposure of the false theories prevailing in regard to it. Every believer in Bible truth should read it. Buy it, read it, and lend it to your neighbor. Price, 10 cents.

Address, PACIFIC PRESS, Oakland, Cal.

OVERLAND EXCURSIONS.

If you are going East, you will find it to your advantage to correspond with the undersigned and obtain full particulars of the "Weekly Overland Excursions," which leave every Wednesday. Experienced managers in charge, whose duties are to look out for the comfort of the passengers, especially ladies and children traveling without an escort. This is the most popular manner of making an overland trip, and no other line offers advantages equal to the "Great Sante Fe Route," the favorite winter route. It is the only line running Pullman palace and tourist sleeping cars through to Chicago every day on the same train. Baggage checked through to destination. Union depot connections in Kansas City, St. Louis, and Chicago. Steamship tickets sold to and from all European points. For full information address W. A. Bissell, G. P. A., 650 Market Street, Chronicle Building, San Francisco, Cal., or J. J. Warner, agent, 972 Broadway, Oakland, Cal.

Questions About Human Nature

By Editor

BIBLE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS CONCERNING MAN. By Alonzo T. Jones. Bible Students' Library, No. 76. Pacific Press Pub. Co., Oakland, Cal. 16 pp.; 2 cents.

The Atonement

THE ATONEMENT. Part I, "An Atonement Consistent with Reason." Part II, "An Atonement as Revealed in the Bible." Pacific Press Pub. Co., Oakland, Cal. Cloth, $1.00.

LESSON I.—SUNDAY, APRIL 2, 1893.

By Editor

THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST.

[NOTE.—The questions which follow are merely suggestive for the student on the leading points of the lesson; it is presumed that the thorough student will think of many more as he studies the subject. References, where verses alone are given, always refer to the lesson scripture printed above. All other references are given in book, chapter, and verse. The text printed is that of the Revised Version, not because it is especially preferred, but because it is not found in every family, as is the common version.]

Lesson Scripture, Matt. 28:1-10.

Now late on the Sabbath day, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulcher.
And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled away the stone, and sat upon it.
His appearance was as lightning, and his raiment white as snow;
And for fear of him the watchers did quake, and became as dead men.
And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye; for I know that ye seek Jesus, which hath been crucified.
He is not here; for he is risen, even as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
And go quickly, and tell his disciples, He is risen from the dead; and lo, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him; lo, I have told you.
And they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring his disciples word.
And behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and took hold of his feet, and worshiped him.
Then saith Jesus unto them, Fear not; go tell my brethren that they depart into Galilee, and there shall they see me.

Golden Text.—"Now hath Christ been raised from the dead, the first fruits of them that are asleep." 1 Cor. 15:20.

Who came first to the sepulcher to see Jesus? Verse 1. Compare with Mark 16:1 and Luke 24:1.
On what day did they come? Verse 1.
What is that day called which preceded this first day? Verse 1. Note 1.
What had occurred before the women reached the sepulcher? Verse 2, first part.
Through what agency was the tomb opened? Verse 2, second part. Note 2.
What description is given of this angel, and of the effect of his appearance upon the watchers? Verse 3.
What words of cheer did the angel speak to the women? Verses 5, 6.
What message did he give them? Verse 7. Note 3.
Where did they go? and with what emotions? Verse 8.
Who met them on the way? Verse 9, first part.
How did he greet them?
How did they receive him? Verse 9, last part.
What message did Jesus give them? Verse 10.
What was the resurrection? Golden text. Ans.—A rising from the dead.
What is the cause of death?

"Then the lust, when it hath conceived, beareth sin; and the sin, when it is full grown, bringeth forth death." James 1:15. 16. Of what power, then, was the resurrection of Christ a demonstration? "Whom God raised up, having loosed the pangs of death; because it was not possible that he should be holden of it." Acts 2:24. Note 4. 17. For what was Christ raised from the dead? "Who was delivered up for our trespasses, and was raised for our justification." Rom. 4:25. Note 5.

What, then, does the resurrection mean to us? Note 5.
What is its memorial?

"Or are ye ignorant that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him through baptism into death; that like as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life. For if we have become united with him by the likeness of his death, we shall be also by the likeness of his resurrection." Rom. 6:3-5. Note 6.

How is this power to be shown to the world? Note 6.
Is a day, then, a proper memorial of the resurrection?
What precious assurance comes to us in view of the resurrection?

"And I was dead, and behold, I am alive forever more, and I have the keys of death and of hades." Rev. 1:18. "Yet a little while, and the world beholdeth Me no more, but ye behold Me; because I live, ye shall live also." John 14:19.

NOTES.

1. Now late on the Sabbath day.—It is better for the student and teacher not to dwell on the difference in expression between the above from the Revised Version and that of the Common Version, "In the end of the Sabbath." Mark says, "When the Sabbath was past." It is well, however, in this time of Sabbath discussion, to note the fact so clearly expressed by all three of the synoptic gospels, that the day before the first day of the week is called by Inspiration "the Sabbath." The great fact of the lesson is the resurrection; let the student grasp the meaning of that.

2. An angel.—One of God's ministers. One angel smote in one night 185,000 Assyrians. 2 Kings 19:35. It was an angel which shut the lion's jaws and preserved Daniel. It was an angel which opened the prison doors, loosed the shackles which bound Peter, and made him go free. And the promise is that "the angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them." When the mere presence of one messenger of God, clad in the glory of heaven, struck down the strong Roman guard, what will it be to the wicked when Jesus will come with all the holy angels with him? To the righteous they will be, as was this angel to the women, messengers of cheer. The angels are ministering servants of God for his people. Heb. 1:14. To the wicked it will be a "consuming fire."

3. Go quickly and tell.—God gives us no blessings for selfish purposes. Not one gift has he bestowed but that he designs it shall be a blessing to others through the one to whom it is committed in trust. Do you want some blessing of the Lord; it always means greater responsibility in reference to others. Go and tell are the words of the gospel. This is the command of God; it is also the impulse of the Spirit of Christ received in the heart. See Luke 8:39; John 4:28, 29; 1:41, 45. Jesus gives the same message. Matt. 28:10.

4. Not possible that He should be holden of it.—Why?—Because he had no sin. He became sin for us, and died for every soul; but in his own character he had no sin; he was righteous and only righteous, and righteousness is life. (See Prov. 12:28; Rom. 5:18; 8:10.) In him was life (John 1:4; 5:26); and he had power to lay it down and power to take it again (John 10:18). Being the perfect righteousness of God, the grave could not hold him. The resurrection of Christ was therefore a demonstration of his power over sin, and the end of sin, or death.

5. Raised for our justification.—We are bought by the death of Christ, but we have not a dead Saviour. That redemption is effectual because Christ lives again; therefore we are "saved by his life." "He ever liveth to make intercession for us." Heb. 7:25. "The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death." Rom. 8:2. As beforestated, the resurrection of Christ is a demonstration of his power over sin and death. His life is therefore the power of righteousness. And he must ever live to impart and impute that righteousness to all that believe. See Rom. 3:22. And the life that the Christian lives is not his life, but Christ lives in him by faith. See Gal. 2:20. The resurrection, therefore, means to us "the power of an endless life," not for one day in a week or year, but every day of every week and year. It is for this Paul prays in Eph. 1:19, 20, that the saints might know, among other great blessings, "what is the exceeding greatness of his power to usward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places." That he might take this power Paul counted all earthly things but loss. See Phil. 3:7-10. He emptied himself, as did his Lord (Phil. 2:5-9), and Christ filled him with his own righteousness and life.

6. Might walk in newness of life.—The ordinance of baptism sets forth in form Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. This is just what is set forth as the great facts of the gospel in 1 Cor. 15:3, 4. By Christ's death he redeemed us from sin; his burial was a proof of his death; by his resurrection he triumphed over the power of sin and death. Baptism is the ceremony by which we put on Christ before the world. Gal. 3:27. We say to the world in that burial that we are dead to sin and that we rise to walk in newness of life. In other words, baptism is the marriage ceremony between the believer and Christ. But just the same as to the faithful wife joined to a true and loving husband, the marriage ceremony is but the first day of a life of constantly growing joy, strength, and union, of which her daily devotion is an evidence, so to the Christian the act of baptism but marks the beginning of a life which is ever increasing in the knowledge of Christ, of which daily devotion to the service of God is an evidence. It is an ordinance which is brief in its administration, but which marks to the world the beginning of "the power of an endless life." The world has a right to judge whether Christ is risen or not by the lives of his followers. But when men lost the true significance of baptism, they substituted for its memorial, first a yearly day, and next a weekly day, neither of which, dear student, meets the requirement of God.

LESSON I.—SABBATH, APRIL 1, 1893.

By Editor

THE WORK OF REDEMPTION.

INTRODUCTORY NOTE.

WITH this lesson the Sabbath schools are introduced to a new series on the subject of the coming of the Lord. This series will continue three months. In the study of these lessons it is expected that the pupil will make an effort to commit the leading texts so as to repeat them without the Bible. It will be well to study the historical extracts until the substance of them can be readily given. As the day of the Lord is drawing near, those who are looking for him should be ready to give a reason for the hope that is in them. To do this means more than to point the hearer to the text in the Bible. It means that the believer is filled with that word, until it flows fresh from the mind. We should not be satisfied when we have looked up the texts that are given in the lessons, but should let these texts lead us to others in the same subject. If the student will do this, the study of the coming of the Lord will be a profitable study.—EDITOR.

Lesson Scriptures and Suggestive Questions.

1. In whom do we have redemption?

"Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." Rom. 3:24.

2. What is the signification of the term? See note 1.

3. What did man lose by the fall?

"Therefore, as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin; and so death passed unto all men, for that all sinned." Rom. 5:12. "But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it; for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." Gen. 2:17.

4. When man was created, what was given to him?

"And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth." Gen. 1:26.

5. To whom did he surrender this dominion?

"And the devil said unto him, To thee will I give all this authority, and the glory of them; for it hath been delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it." Luke 4:6.

6. Then what needs to be done that man may be brought back to God's original plan? See note 2.

7. What is Christ made to believers?

"But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who was made unto us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption." 1 Cor. 1:30.

8. What does Jesus say of his own existence?

"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end." Rev. 22:13.

9. What signification has the expression "alpha and omega"? See note 3.

10. What is the first step in the work of redemption?

"In whom we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace." Eph. 1:7.

11. Through whom does the forgiveness of sins come?

"And she shall bring forth a son; and thou shalt call his name Jesus; for it is he that shall save his people from their sins." Matt. 1:21. "Be it known unto you therefore, brethren, that through this man is proclaimed unto you remission of sins." Acts 13:38.

12. When sins are pardoned, how does it affect the sinner's past life?

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous

to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9.

13. How does the Lord look upon the forgiven one?

"Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not reckon sin." Rom. 4:7, 8.

14. What does forgiveness or justification bring?

"Being therefore justified by faith, let us have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Rom. 5:1.

15. Why have we peace?

"There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus." Rom. 8:1.

16. What has Christ given to everyone whom he has redeemed from sin?

"Who also sealed us, and gave us the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts." 2 Cor. 1:22. "In whom ye also, having heard the word of the truth, the gospel of your salvation,—in whom, having also believed, ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise." Eph. 1:13.

17. Of what is this Spirit an earnest or pledge?

"Which is an earnest of our inheritance, unto the redemption of God's own possession, unto the praise of his glory." Eph. 1:14.

18. To what time are believers sealed?

"And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, in whom ye were sealed unto the day of redemption." Eph. 4:30.

NOTES.

1. THE original word from which our word "redemption" comes is defined by Bullinger as "the act of freeing or releasing; deliverance; redemption for one from guilt and punishment, brought about by expiation. Deliverance from the guilt and punishment of sin, and applying to the whole being, deliverance of the soul from sin, and the body from the grave."

2. IN listening to the words of Satan man lost his innocence, his life, and his dominion. In this he fell under condemnation. Before he disobeyed, he was innocent, or free from condemnation. In Rom. 5:16 we read that condemnation came upon man by sin. As soon as he transgressed, he showed his loss of innocence by hiding himself (Gen. 3:8, 10), and trembled when he heard the word of the Lord. This condemnation has passed on all (Rom. 5:18), so that the whole world stands guilty before God (Rom. 3:19). To be placed in his original position before his Creator, man must be redeemed from condemnation and death, and re-instated in his dominion.

3. THE Jews expressed the whole compass of things by "aleph" and "tau," the first and last letters of the Hebrew alphabet. But John was writing in the Greek, and accommodates it to the Greek alphabet, of which "alpha" and "omega" are the first and the last letters. By his word Christ spoke the worlds into existence (Ps. 33:6-9); and by the same word he upholds them (Heb. 1:3). It will be by the same word that he restores all things, thus making him the beginning and ending of all things.

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