Earlier text: Publishers' PageBrief Outline of the Sabbath Question
By W. A. S.
No. 4—The Papacy and the Sabbath
THE God of heaven made the seventh day his Sabbath, and commands all men to keep it holy. When men choose to set apart another day, it does not alter the fact that it is another day. It is only setting up human authority against divine authority. It is putting the humanly appointed time against divinely appointed time. It is exalting man's sabbath against God's Sabbath. It is man exalting himself “above all that is called God, or that is worshiped.” 2 Thess. 2:4. This is what made the papacy. Paul said that in his day the spirit of the “lawless one” was already working. He said it would lead to a “falling away” from the truth. 2 Thessalonians 2. Dr. Killen, Presbyterian Church historian, says in his “Ancient Church:” — In the interval between the days of the apostles and the conversion of Constantine, the Christian commonwealth changed its aspect. . . . Rites and ceremonies, of which neither Paul nor Peter ever heard, crept silently into use, and then claimed the rank of divine institutions. Thus Sunday came in, first as a humanly appointed festival, then as a rival of God's Sabbath. Then the apostate church, having fully adopted the “venerable day of the sun,” as the edict of Constantine called it, assumed to set aside the Lord's Sabbath. Thus the growth of Sunday and the growth of the papacy went on side by side. The Bishop Eusebius, the friend and flatterer of the corrupt Constantine, said: — All things whatsoever it was duty to do on the Sabbath, these we have transferred to the Lord's day. Dean Stanley says of the associations of the Sunday with sun-worshiping paganism: — The retention of the old pagan name Dies Solis, or Sunday, for the weekly Christian festival, is, in a great measure, owing to the union of pagan and Christian sentiment with which the first day of the week was recommended by Constantine to his subjects, pagan and Christian alike, as the “venerable day of the sun.” . . . It was his mode of harmonizing the discordant religions of the empire under one common institution. Dean Milman says that Constantine, who at the time of his Sunday edict had not even professed his spurious conversion, had an ambitious scheme to bring about “one great system of religion” for all, “of which the sun was to be the central object of adoration.” The leaders in the apostasy of the church were ready to compromise. Cardinal Newman says: — Confiding in the power of Christianity to resist the infection of evil, and to transmute the very instruments and appendages of demon worship to an evangelical use . . . the rulers of the church from early times were prepared to adopt or imitate the existing rites and customs of the populace. So came the church festival days, Sunday included, blending the Christian and the pagan ideas. The pagan philosopher Faustus charged Augustine: — You have substituted your agapoe for the sacrifices of the pagans; for their idols, your martyrs, whom ye serve with the very same honors. You appease the shades of the dead with wine and feasts; you celebrate the solemn festivals of the Gentiles, their calends and their solstices; and as to their manners, those you have retained without any alteration. Nothing distinguishes you from the pagans except that you hold your assemblies apart from them. God forbade his people of old to pattern in any way after heathen observances. Deut. 12:29-32. “What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.” But the Jews continually adopted heathen ways, and forsook God's Sabbath and “observed times.” Their history of failure was written as a warning example to later times. But the early church went in the same path of apostasy. Even in the apostles' days the spirit of lawlessness and compromise and self-exaltation, the essence of the papacy, was already at work. A few centuries later the full system was revealed, fulfilling Daniel's prophecy of the power that was to wear out the saints, and “think to change times and laws” of the Most High. Dan. 7:25; 2 Thessalonians 2. The Roman Church claims the Sunday as the mark of her authority, challenging Protestants to produce any authority for its observance save the tradition of the church. Cardinal Gibbons, of America, declares by his chancellor: — Of course the Catholic Church claims that the change was her act. It could not have been otherwise, as none in those days would have dreamed of doing anything in matters spiritual and ecclesiastical and religious without her. And the act is a mark of her ecclesiastical power. Many have unknowingly been following the papacy instead of God's Word in this matter of Sunday-keeping. “The times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent.” Acts 17:30. When the apostle spoke this, he said the call to repentance was “because He hath7appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world.” The Message for This Judgment Hour
Now, in these last days, we are living in the time of God's judgment, which is to decide who shall be raised to life in the first resurrection, at Christ's second coming. The gospel message to be preached now is, “Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come.” Rev. 14:7. It proclaims the most solemn message against following the way of apostasy, symbolized by the leopard beast of Revelation 13. “If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God.” Rev. 14:9, 10. Whosoever preaches the genuine gospel in these last days must sound this warning. The result of preaching this gospel of Christ's salvation is to gather out a people of whom the Lord says: “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” Verse 12. This preaching of the gospel that really saves men from their sins and makes them keepers of God's commandments, arouses the wrath of Satan. He makes war against the “remnant,” or last, of the church of Christ, because they “keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” Rev. 12:17. Let the Lord Jesus save you from every known sin, and live his own blessed life of righteousness in you day by day. The unsaved man can not keep the Sabbath. The man who lives a selfish life during the week, who is not honest in business, paying his debts, and true, and pure, can not keep God's Sabbath, which he says is the sign of his power to sanctify, or save. Eze. 20:12. We must yield to his salvation, being transformed by his grace; then may we enter into his blessed rest, which he says still “remains” to “the people of God.” Heb. 4:4, 9. Men may say it is abolished, but God says that it remains. It is the one relic of Eden which remains untouched by the curse. It is the memorial of a new creation, the sign of God's power to create man anew. God says he made his Sabbath the sign by which it might be known that he is the Lord, the Creator. Eze. 20:20. This is what all men need to know. Why should any one disregard the very sign, or mark, by which God says he is to be known as God? It is neither a new idea nor man's idea that we preach in this message of Sabbath reform. God sends the truth of his blessed Sabbath to be a blessing to men. It is preached by the “everlasting gospel” of Rev. 14:6-12, which is to be heralded to every nation and tongue and people. Those who carry it can judge no man. They can only exhort all men to prepare to stand before the Judge of all at the Great Assizes already in session. W. A. S. Where Are These Funds Used?
By W. T. Bland
Shall We Make It $50,000?
The annual offering which is made at the close of the week of prayer is always the largest single offering made during the year. To a certain extent it is an index to our interest in the great mission fields of the world. It in a way regulates the appropriations made to carry forward the work in the regions beyond. If the offering is large, it is a sure indication that our people are anxious to see this work vigorously pushed forward. It means that they will follow it up throughout the year, not only with their regular weekly offerings and donations to special fields that they are interested in, but with their earnest prayers as well. Fifty thousand dollars to most of us looks like a large amount, and it would be a larger offering than has yet been made at any one time, but it is easily within the reach of this denomination. It can easily be made. For example: If every church-member in the United States alone will contribute just one dollar to this fund, and if every member of our Sabbath-schools who is not yet a church-member will contribute fifty cents each, it will be done—in fact, it will be DOUBLED. Now does not that look easy? Does there appear any reasonable excuse why it should not be done? Let each one consider this matter as one in which he is personally and earnestly interested, and it will be done. Where Are These Funds Used?
They are used in those fields where we have sent laborers, opened up work, or established missions; and already these missionaries are in every continent and in almost every country, while others are being hurried to their aid as rapidly as our funds will permit. Never in the history of the world were there such opportunities for this work as right now. Great nations that for centuries have been locked in the tyranny of heathenism have suddenly thrown open the gates of their countries and the doors of their homes, and to-day beckon, even plead, for the light and power and truth of Christianity. Shall we who make so high a profession, and who believe in the literal fulfilment of prophecy, not be most active in these things? of every denomination is now, The gospel to all the world in this generation. Does not this have a keenly significant meaning to every Seventh-day Adventist? And shall we not more than double our efforts and energies during the year 1904? A new spirit and power has already come into our churches. From every direction and on every mail letters come pouring into our offices indicating better courage and hope than have been manifested for many years. This is as it should be; for trying times are just ahead. Fierce battles are to be waged, and great victories to be won, all of which will require all the courage and strength that can be mustered during these days of preparation. Just now we should establish our work, and make it strong, in all parts of the world. Certainly there is no time for delay. But it means activity on the part of every individual member of the church. Activity brings strength. An individual Christian experience is continued only by helping others; this is the Christian’s vantage ground, his great opportunity. In raising this great fund for our missions? Of course every minister and laborer in whatever capacity will do all within his power. But they can not do all. Every church elder and every Sabbath-school superintendent will be especially active. But the greatest of all, every individual will make the question this year a personal matter, and the offering in every church will be a large one. Every church should make a special effort to raise a fund equal to at least one dollar a member for the entire membership. Of course there are always those who are liberal in their donations, and who are able to make large gifts. Then there are many isolated ones who do not have the privilege of giving with the church, but who desire to send in their largest contribution at this time: their gifts and letters are always a source of courage to those who receive them. Brethren, there will not be many more privileges and opportunities for occasions of this kind, and shall we not enter into them earnestly, and count it a great joy? And may it not only be the beginning of better days, and a great work in our vast mission fields, but in our churches, our homes, and our individual experiences as well? If we can start the new year off with a round $50,000, it will give a new impetus to our foreign mission work, and every one who contributes to this fund will have a part in it, whether he goes to those fields or remains at home engaged in his own quiet work. W. T. BLAND,
Asst. Treasurer. Elder Taylor’s Adventist Experience
In a letter written last month Elder C. O. Taylor, of Norwood, N. Y., one of the early believers, says:— If I live till the fifteenth of next month, I shall be eighty-six years old. I began searching the Word of God on the soon coming of Christ in glory in the winter of 1842-43. I identified myself with the Adventist people in 1844. I began keeping the Bible Sabbath in 1852, and became a subscriber of the REVIEW AND HERALD the same fall. It was then published at Rochester, N. Y. I entered the public ministry in 1864. The advent cause has a great history, but it is nearly finished. I admire your zeal in saying that the King is soon to come. The message is rising, and will soon go to all the world. God's hand will guide. How forcibly this reminds us of the fact that we are very near the end of “this generation”! How short the time is! “Yet a little while, how short! how short! the coming One will be here, and will not delay.” Faith in God
By John M. Morse
WHEN dangers come, we fear the worst,
And yet, God rules and reigns above:
He has a purpose from the first,
He rules and reigns in love. We know not why, we see not how;
And yet, God's plans for us are best.
Whatever comes, to him we'll bow,
We'll trust—and in him rest. Whate'er befalls, the time will come
When darkness fades before the light;
When we with joy shall reach our home,
A home forever bright. This faith in God shall be our stay,
Our anchor when wild billows roll.
The fiercest storms shall pass away,
There's safety for the soul. —John M. Morse, in New York Observer. MRS. E. G. WHITE
By Ellen G. White
The Workers Needed Now—No. 2
God never leaves the world without men who can discern between good and evil, righteousness and unrighteousness. God has men whom he has appointed to stand in the forefront of the battle in times of emergency. In a crisis, he will raise up men as he did in ancient times. Young men will be bidden to link up with the aged standard-bearers, that they may be strengthened and taught by the experience of these faithful ones, who have passed through so many conflicts, and to whom, through the testimonies of his Spirit, God has so often spoken, pointing out the right way and condemning the wrong way. When perils arise, which try the faith of God’s people, these pioneer workers are to recount the experiences of the past, when just such crises came, when the truth was questioned, when strange sentiments, proceeding not from God, were brought in. The experience of those aged workers is needed now; for Satan is watching every opportunity to make of no account the old waymarks,—the monuments that have been raised up along the way. We need the experience of the men who through evil report as well as through good report have been steadfast to the truth; men who have not built their house upon the sand, but upon the solid rock. In the gospel medical missionary work there are noble men who bear aloft the banner upon which is inscribed, “The Commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” Consideration should be given to these faithful missionaries. They are not to be left to the caprice of men who are neither cold nor hot, and who because of their lukewarm condition are an offense to God. The Lord has self-denying men in the ministry who have been abundant in labor and in self-sacrifice. Let justice be done to those who have borne the burden in the heat of the day. They have grown old in the service of God. They are his men of opportunity, men who will deal justly, love mercy, and who will help where help is needed. These men are to be appreciated. They led out in the first of the conflict, and when the truth was yet to be established. They carried burdens when there were few to share the burdens. Under all circumstances they were faithful to principle. For the sake of the truth they practised constant self-denial, and their brethren should deal with them considerately, kindly, generously. The truth for which they have sacrificed everything will bear away the victory. They have labored earnestly for the advancement of the kingdom which is righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit; and they are now to be encouraged and sustained. Plans for Medical Missionary Work
Young men who have a practical knowledge of how to treat the sick, are now to be sent out to do gospel medical missionary work, in connection with more experienced gospel workers. If these young men will give themselves to the study of the Word, they will become successful evangelists. The ministers with whom these young men labor are to give them the same opportunity to learn that Elijah gave Elisha. They are to show them how to teach the truth to others. Where it is possible, these young men should visit the hospitals, and in some cases they may connect with them for a while, laboring disinterestedly. The purest example of unselfishness is now to be shown by our medical missionary workers. With the knowledge and experience gained by practical work, they are to go out to give treatment to the sick. As they go from house to house, they will find access to many hearts. Many will be reached who otherwise would never have heard the gospel message. Much good can be done by those who do not hold diplomas as fully accredited physicians. Some are to be prepared to work as competent physicians. Many, working under the direction of such ones, can do acceptable work without spending so long a time in study as it has been thought necessary to spend in the past. Many will go out to labor for the Master who have not been able to take a regular course of study in school. God will help these workers. They will obtain knowledge from the higher school, and will be fitted to take their position in the rank and file of workers as nurses. The great Medical Missionary sees every effort that is made to find access to souls by presenting the principles of health reform. Decided changes are taking place in our world. The Lord has declared that he will turn and overturn. Humble men, who hitherto have been in obscurity, must now be given opportunity to become workers. To those who go out to do medical missionary work, I would say. Serve the Lord Jesus Christ with sanctified understanding in connection with the ministers of the gospel and the Great Teacher. He who has given you your commission will give you skill and understanding as you consecrate yourselves to his service, engaging diligently in labor and study, doing your best to bring relief to the sick and suffering. To those who are tired of a life of sinfulness, but who know not where to turn to obtain relief, present the compassionate Saviour, full of love and tenderness, longing to receive those who come to him with broken hearts and contrite spirits. Take them by the hand, lift them up, speak to them words of hope and courage. Help them to grasp the hand of him who has said, “Let him take hold of my strength, that he may make peace with me; and he shall make peace with me.” “Behold,” Christ declares, “I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” God calls upon us to voice the words, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” God will do much more for his people if they will have faith in him. Infidelity is stalking abroad through the land. Satan has laid his plans to undermine our faith in the history of the cause and work of God. I am deeply in earnest as I write this. Satan is working with men in prominent positions to sweep away the foundations of our faith. Shall we allow this to be done, brethren? My soul is stirred within me. I shall trust in God with heart and soul. I shall proclaim the messages that he has given us to proclaim. "Courage in the Lord, Brethren"
By D. T. Bourdeau
ACCOMPANIED with a thrill and pathos that bespeak the divine presence and heavenly indorsement, the words, "Courage in the Lord, brethren," were uttered in my hearing nearly fifty years ago, by one of the pioneers in this cause, who now sweetly sleeps in Jesus. It required much courage in those days, when the number of believers was small, and prejudice and opposition knew no bounds, to accept the message for the last generation, in the face of all that was to be met. Those who then accepted this message under such circumstances, did have courage and heroism, reminding those who heard and knew them of the courage and heroism of martyrs, of early Christians, and of all the saints whose lives are chronicled in Holy Writ. And we need the same courage and heroism to-day that all these had, and it is our privilege to possess these excellent qualities. But how shall we possess them? In giving way to unbelief and in talking unbelief, as did the spies that brought back an evil report from the promised land? or by cherishing and talking faith, as did Caleb and Joshua? Shall we be characterized with much genuine courage and heroism, if we, with a perishing world around us, fold our hands in listless indifference, and do not by faith venture to do deeds of heroism to help in rescuing from the9thraldom and bondage of sin those who are outside of Christ and unprepared to meet him at his coming? There is courage and courage, heroism and heroism; in other words, there are two kinds of these traits; one that is for Satan and of the world; another that is of God and of his Spirit. There is a courage that is in self, that is based on self, and has for motive and animus the promotion of self and worldly fame, like that of Peter before his conversion, when he boastfully asserted that he could follow his Master into prison, and lay down his life for him. There is another courage that is in the Lord, based on the Lord, and has for motive and animus the promotion of God's glory, and that fame and honor which come from God alone, like that of Peter after his conversion, when, having felt his own utter weakness, he exalted the Lord and performed deeds of valor before a large concourse of people on the day of Pentecost, and saw thousands converted to the Lord as he had been. Before his conversion, Peter displayed a kind of heroism in unsheathing his sword and wielding it to the cutting off of the right ear of a soldier whom he had aimed to kill. There are thousands to-day who display the same kind of heroism, who are, nevertheless, pusillanimous in the highest sense of that expression, when it comes to slaying of self, and standing nobly for him who died for them, as did Peter when possessed of true courage and genuine heroism after his conversion to the Lord. There is not a command of the Lord from Genesis to Revelation for us to be discouraged. Everything in the plan of salvation is of a character to lift the clouds of gloom and discouragement from those who humble themselves, repent, and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Moses, as a type of Christ, said to his people, before their entrance into the promised land: "Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee." Deut. 31: 6. And these words are as applicable to us as they were to ancient Israel. And we have more to encourage us than the Israelites had to encourage them in the days of Moses. The heavenly Canaan is near, and soon, if faithful and believing, we shall enter into it, and possess it with all its wealth and inconceivable glory. There is nothing that encourages like walking in the ways of the Lord, and enjoying the presence and operations of the Spirit of God. By faith we may walk in God's ways, and receive his Spirit without measure, that it may work through us mightily to the furtherance of the best of causes. Jesus informs us that we shall have tribulation in the world; but immediately adds, "But be of good cheer ["have good courage," French Translation]; I have overcome the world." John 16:33. It were vain to talk of courageous deeds, of valor, if difficulties were not to be met. It is when meeting difficulties and the deadly foe, that the good soldier shows courage and heroism. Brethren and sisters, let us by faith be strong and courageous in the Lord, and magnify his grace by doing valiantly for him and his cause, that we may at last receive the "Well done, good and faithful servant," from the lips of our dear Saviour and Exemplar, of whom it is written, "He shall not fail nor be discouraged." Isa. 42:4. The Power of Love
By John O. Corliss
“WE love Him, because”—Every effect is produced by some cause. So the apostle says of God: “We love him, because he first loved us.” God’s love bestowed on us first, is therefore the cause of our loving God. There can, indeed, be no love manifested by any one except it is given him of God; “for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God.” 1 John 4:7. Then since there is no love except that which comes from God, and that love bestowed by him causes the one who receives it to love God in return, so when one uses the love God has given him in being kind to others, the bestowal of that love by him can not fail to return it upon himself. It follows, therefore, that if one would be loved by others, he must first love them. If one does this, it makes no difference how strongly the one he loves may dislike others, nor how disagreeable to them many of his ways may be, in the presence of the one who has loved him, he will become immediately transformed into a gentle and loving creature. This mystery of love’s power over men is well illustrated by the following incident: Multitudes were gathered at one time in Cadiz, Spain, to witness a bull-fight. Two of these wretched creatures had been killed, after terrible fighting, when with terrific blasts of trumpets the gate was again opened, and another splendid animal—one of the most magnificent specimens—rushed into the arena. El Moro (the Moor) was black and glossy, and had a pair of most wicked-looking horns. Wild enthusiasm swept through the vast crowd at the sight of him. It was soon apparent that he would be more than a match for his adversaries; for in a short time he had killed three horses. The fight went on, however, until the bull had no less than eight spear-points fastened in his neck, and his fury had become terrible. Just then, at a given signal, his tormentors suddenly vanished, and a beautiful girl about sixteen years of age, dressed in peasant garb, appeared in the blood-stained place of contest. The spectators trembled with excitement as they saw this young creature, entirely unarmed, fearlessly moving toward the infuriated bull. As the animal stood glaring across the open space, the girl drew nearer to him, and in a sweet, musical voice called out, “El Moro, El Moro.” The effect was truly magical. Upon hearing the girl’s voice, the light in the creature’s eyes rapidly changed from an expression of rage to one of mildness, while he quietly awaited her approach. When the maiden reached him, she put forth her hand, which he touched with his nose in evident delight. Then as she began singing in a low, soft tone, the huge animal knelt at her feet. Continuing her sweet song, while one hand was placed on the brute’s forehead, with the other she gently removed the spear-points from his wounded flesh. This done, she laid her right arm over his huge neck, when he as quietly and as gently as a lamb accompanied her out of the bloody arena. While this was going on, almost breathless silence reigned throughout the vast throng of on-lookers. For the first time ever known a blood-thirsty crowd of spectators at a Spanish bull-fight was awed into utter amazement. But the secret of the maiden’s power was simple enough. The girl had raised the bull from its earliest existence. Her hand had fed him, and he had been her pet and constant companion. Her kindness and love for the animal had given her wonderful control over him, even when he had been provoked to the utmost fury by his adversaries. So, although man has been made captive to sin, and has been harassed by Satan until he has become furiously violent by nature, when the loving voice of the Redeemer is heard, in his approach to pluck out the barbed arrows of sin, the nature of the man changes, and the Lord is permitted to lead him away from his field of conflict to one of peace and happiness. We are told that there will be a time when “the wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them.” Isa. 11:6. But this can not be until the spirit of love and gentleness, which characterize the dealings of God, shall have permeated the very being of every creature. Tests of Character
By John M. Hopkins
Some one has said that “as a ray of sunlight will shine through a very small opening, so small deeds reveal character.” And Jesus said, “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.” Luke 16:10. Why is this?—Evidently because of a lack of principle. The Master commended the poor widow who gave her mite, all she had, not because of the value of the gift, but because the gift, though small, expressed her fidelity and faithfulness. In the sight of heaven it expressed much more than millions would have done without the principle of love for the right as the prompting motive. All the gold in the universe, all the genius, all the native and acquired talent and ability the world ever possessed are not so valuable in the sight of God as fidelity to principle. Principle can not be estimated by dollars. There is no comparison between character and wealth10—either gold, silver, landed estates, or any kind of riches. Character is above and outshines them all. The very large majority of the human family deal with what is denominated the lesser things of life. Comparatively few have a part in the weightier things of earth. Only a few are generals in the great armies of earth. Only a few are lawmakers. Only a few are teachers, as compared with the large number of learners. Only a few are rich, as compared with the millions in poverty. And it is from the rank and file in these great majorities who deal with the lesser matters that God will gather his people. From among the humble ones he will gather his jewels—men and women who have been tested in their various stations in life—tested “in that which is least,” and have been faithful. The writer is acquainted with a professed Christian who contends that it is no harm to shake dice for a ten-cent cigar. But the amount of the consideration does not alter the character of the deed. It is just as wrong as to shake dice for ten dollars, or ten thousand dollars, so far as the nature of the act is concerned. Principle is the standard, not money. It is just as wrong to cheat a man out of ten cents as ten dollars; the same principle is involved. And in the home life it is the careful and thoughtful attention to the little things, the little deeds of helpfulness, the little courtesies, the little amenities, which indicate character. In the business world it is the careful attention to details. I once knew a man who started in business with only eight hundred dollars. That was all he had—home, and all. He began by buying hides from farmers. In a short time, however, he managed to get possession of a meat market. Soon he began a wholesale grocery business, buying and shipping stock. He gave much attention to the details of the business, and took great pains to have even the smallest matters carefully attended to. In twenty years he cleared fifty thousand dollars; he then went to Chicago, where he engaged in another line of business, and is now president of one of the wealthy firms in that great city. And so it is in our religious lives, in character building. Promptness in duty, strict adherence to truth, uprightness in business, are required. In everything the Christian should endeavor to do just what Jesus would do if in his place. A brother recently remarked to me that a man ought to live in such a way that he can respect himself. It means a great deal to live so that in every particular one may have the approbation of his own judgment, of his own conscience; in every particular to live the life of a true Christian lady or gentleman; in every thought and word and act to be a living representative of the Lord Jesus. What a beautiful, happy life! That would be to “walk before the Lord in the land of the living.” Blessed life! God help every reader of these lines to live such a life. How beautiful earth would be if all its one billion four hundred million inhabitants would so live! May the Lord help us to be faithful men and women, true to God, true to principle in all the minutiae of life. Friend, You Need to Be Saved!
1. Because you are a sinner. “ALL HAVE SINNED, and come short of the glory of God.” Rom. 3:23. “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” I John 1:8. 2. Because you are a slave. “Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.” John 8:34. 3. Because you are under wrath. “He that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the WRATH OF GOD ABIDETH ON HIM.” John 3:36. 4. Because you are under doom. “The wages of sin is DEATH.” Rom. 6:23. 1. Because God loves you. “For God so loved THE WORLD, that he gave his only begotten Son, that WHOSOEVER believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16. 2. Because Christ bore your sins, and died for you. “His own self bare OUR sins in his own body on the tree.” I Peter 2:24. “God commendeth his love toward us, in that, WHILE WE WERE YET SINNERS, Christ died for us.” Rom. 5:8. 3. Because “the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth US FROM ALL SIN.” I John 1:7. “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.” Isa. 1:18. 4. Because “AS MANY AS received HIM, to them gave he power to become the sons of God.” John 1:12. 1. Only believe. “HE THAT BELIEVETH on the SON HATH everlasting life.” John 3:36. “WHOSOEVER believeth in him SHALL receive remission of sins,” Acts 10:43. “The gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation TO EVERY ONE that believeth.” Rom. 1:16. 1. Confession of sin. “If we CONFESS our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” I John 1:9. 2. Turning away from sin. “Let the wicked FORSAKE his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will ABUNDANTLY PARDON.” Isa. 55:7. 3. Calling upon God for mercy and help. “WHOSOEVER shall call upon the name of the LORD SHALL be saved.” Rom. 10:13. 4. Confession of Christ. “If THOU SHALT CONFESS WITH THY MOUTH the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou SHALT BE SAVED.” Rom. 10:9. 5. Obedience. “He became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that OBEY him.” Heb. 5:9. 6. Denial of self. “If any man will come after me, let him DENY HIMSELF, and take up his cross, and follow me.” Matt. 16:24. 7. Steadfast endurance. “He that ENDURETH to the end shall be saved.” Matt. 10:22. 1. Sinners, even the chief. “This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation, that Jesus Christ came into the world to save SINNERS; of whom I am chief.” I Tim. 1:15. 2. The lost. “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was LOST.” Luke 19:10. 3. Whosoever will. “WHOSOEVER WILL, let him take of the water of life freely.” Rev. 22:17. “Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Cor. 6:2. “TO-DAY if you will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.” Heb. 3:7, 8.—Bible Institute Colportage Association.