Signs of the Times, Vol. 38, No. 6. (2/7/1911)

Signs of the Times

Feb 7, 1911

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, Cal. · Feb 7, 1911

Sabbath Reform Needed - 3

By Editor

Sabbath Reform Needed - 3

Christ and the Sabbath - - 4

A Challenge and the Victor (A Study of Revelation 5) 6

Lessons in Liberty - - 8

Supreme Court and the Trust Question - - - - 10

The Signs of Christ’s Coming (Bible Reading) - - - 9

Judge Not (Question Corner) 2

Notes on Religious Legislation 16

(For full Table of Contents see last page)

Important Topics Treated in This Issue

By Editor

Schedule for Week Ending February 18, 1911

Sunday	February 12	Leviticus 5-7
Monday	" 13	" 8-10
Tuesday	" 14	" 11, 12
Wednesday	" 15	" 13, 14
Thursday	" 16	" 15-17
Friday	" 17	" 18-20
Sabbath	" 18	" 21-23

Our whole week has to do with Leviticus, beginning with chapter 5 and ending with chapter 23, dealing largely with laws relating to sacrifices and offerings, the consecration and duties of the priests, and the various feasts of the year. We have also in chapter 11 the law of clean and unclean animals, based not on arbitrary commands of God, but on the very nature of the animals themselves. Admirable laws are given regarding leprosy and the unsanitary condition of houses. While God declared Himself as "I am the God that healeth thee," yet He demanded proper precaution on the part of His people. While it may not be comparatively profitable for us to spend much time on the meaning of the details of all these sacrifices, yet each detail had its meaning. We now find their fuller meaning in the sacrifice, life, and work of our Lord Jesus Christ. One obtains a fairly good comparison between the laws which God gave to Israel, and the customs of the nations around them, as for instance in chapter 19. The nations which the Lord cast out of the Holy Land before Israel had given themselves up to pagan abominations; Satan absolutely ruled through the flesh. God had in mercy extended hope to them for four hundred years, sending His servants to sojourn among them in order to win them to the right way; but they had at last filled up their cup with iniquity, so it was a blessing to future generations to blot them from the earth. Chapter 23, the closing chapter of the week, is interesting because it gives the feasts of the year. Each and all of these are typical, and are distinguished from the Sabbath of Jehovah. See verse 38.

"IF YE WILL INQUIRE, INQUIRE YE."

By Editor

This Inquirers' Department is conducted for the purpose of helping those who are studying the Bible. The answers are oftentimes only suggestive. They are never to be considered infallible, only as they agree with the infallible Word. The writer who may answer them does not consider that his opinion is infallible. He will simply give the best that he has, and plead with the inquirer to search the Word. Such questions only will be answered as, to the editors, seem to minister to the good of the readers and to the mission of the paper. We can not answer repeatedly in the same volume questions upon the same scripture. The name and address must accompany question, not for publication, but as an evidence of good faith, and that answer may be made by letter if deemed advisable. No letters are answered which do not contain the name of the writer. It is well always to enclose stamp for reply.

3340.—The Use of Fat

By Editor

Does the Bible denounce the use of fat of clean animals? Does Lev. 3: 15-17 apply to our times? Do you think it wrong to use cottolene, or cotton fat made from cotton-seed oil and pressed beef fat? P. B.

In a particular sense the fat seems to have been taken as a figure of sin, and, too, its use tended to grossness. For that purpose certain fats connected with the sacrifice were not to be used by God's children. The law of sacrifices, of course, has passed away; and yet just as far as those prohibitions rested on principles which involved thoro hygiene and healthful living, they ought to be regarded by those who believe in eating and drinking to God's glory. 1 Cor. 10: 31. The best grades of cotton-seed oil as now prepared, it seems to us, are preferable to all animal fats. A few years ago cotton-seed oil had an odor about it which was very unpleasant, but in the latest refining processes this has been eliminated. A great deal of it doubtless is sold as olive-oil; but the process of its preparation, it is said, is much cleaner than olive-oil or animal fats. Of course it is best to use just as little of any shortening as possible; but wherever such material is used, it seems to us that vegetable fats are preferable.

3343.—Justified by Faith

By Editor

Kindly explain for me in the Question Corner Rom. 3: 20, 21, 28.

Rom. 3: 20 declares that "by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified" in God's sight; and then it tells us why this can not be, "for through the law cometh the knowledge of sin;" and that law shows that every man is a sinner. See verse 19, "All the world may become guilty before God." Then how can man justify himself? Should he live a perfect life all his days from the time he is converted, that can not atone for the past; and then, too, the heart must be changed in harmony with the law in order to live the law. But God met man in his sore need entirely apart from the doing of the law. Christ Jesus kept it for him; and to that man who will accept of righteousness wrought out in Christ Jesus in obedience to God's law, God will impute His righteousness. Man must, however, in accepting that righteousness, renounce forever his life of sin. He turns from that to Christ Jesus, from all his work of selfishness to the unselfish righteousness of Christ, and Christ's righteousness is accepted for him; so that God does not see the sinner, but the life of Christ which covers the sinner. But that righteousness which God imputes to him is the same righteousness which is in the law, because the law witnesses to it. It would be against God's government did Jesus give any other righteousness than that which the law demands. Sinful man can not get the righteousness which is in the law, however, because he is sinful; and therefore, concludes verse 28, "We reckon therefore that a man is justified by faith apart from the works of the law." But what does that justification do for him? Does it make the law of no account? Does it abrogate the law? Does it say to him that he can break the law? Does it lead him to regard the law less? Let the apostle answer again: "Do we then make the law of none effect through faith? God forbid: nay, we establish the law." So that every man who is truly, intelligently justified by Christ, has God's law established in his heart, and then the ordinances and requirements will be fulfilled in him if he walks "not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." Rom. 8: 4. He will, in the language of another apostle, say, "This is the love of God, that we keep His commandments: and His commandments are not grievous."

3339.—Judge Not, Rom. 14: 5-8

Will you please explain this scripture? Does it mean that one can legitimately keep any day?

Bear in mind in the study of this scripture these facts: (1) The epistle is not addressed to unbelievers or sinners, but "to all that are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints." It tells us the way they became saints and the way that all sinners may become such. It is addressed to those who found Christ Jesus their righteousness, and a change in the heart that hated God's law to one that loved the law, and upon which the law was written by God's Spirit, "that the ordinance of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." Rom. 8: 4. Consequently the epistle is addressed to commandment keepers, both Jews and Gentiles, who composed the church in Rome. (2) Composed as it was, partly of Jews (see chapters 2 and 3), there would be many doubtless who observed the annual sabbaths and feast-days. (3) The chapter is therefore written not to tell us what is best to do or what is wrong to do or what is right to do, but to affirm just as strongly as the apostle can that no one is a judge over his brother. "Who art thou that judgest the servant of another? to his own lord he standeth or falleth. Yea [despite this judgment], . . . the Lord hath power to make him stand." And then he comes to the question of the text, "One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike." By this we are not to affirm that the Sabbath is included. The same expression is used in Ex. 16:4: "I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a day's portion every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in My law, or not." And yet we know that that "every day" did not mean the Sabbath, because no manna fell on that day, and the Lord reproved the people for going out on that day. The "every day" of the text has to do with what Ezekiel calls "the six working days" of the week. Eze. 46: 1. The Sabbath is not man's, but God's. Therefore if one member of the church should keep the Passover, which was not binding, but old associations led him so to do, and if another should keep the Day of Atonement, they should not be judged by others who regarded those days like all other days. So in regard to the eating. All the things mentioned within this chapter fall within the bonds of Christian liberty; and within those, Christians should not judge each other. In fact, the great lesson of the chapter is that we must judge no man, for all must appear before the judgment-seat of Christ.

3341.—Parable of the Ten Virgins

By M. D. K.

If the parable of the ten virgins is applied to the close of probation, where is the time to stand without and knock?

M. D. K.

Some parables and prophecies have twofold applications, such as Elijah as a type of both John the Baptist and the people who shall give the last message. So the parable of the virgins applied to the great 1844 movement, when Christ went in before the Father to receive the kingdom. All did not follow Him into His judgment work (see Dan. 7:13, 14), and the tarrying time to that experience then; but is it not also true that these wise virgins represent those who by faith follow Christ in His work of ministry on high, while the foolish are figures of those who fail to study the Word and who will be shut out at Christ's coming?

3342.—Christ in the Grave

By J. C. H.

Was Christ in the grave three days and three nights? If not, what will we do with Matt. 12: 40? J. C. H.

If by three days and three nights is meant seventy-two hours, no. If by the term is meant a little of one day, the whole of the next, a part of the next, yes. Matt. 12: 40 does not say that Christ would be in the grave. Nowhere are we told that "the heart of the earth" means the grave. It is much better to understand the term "heart of the earth" to refer to the great central power in the earth—the Roman. Jesus was arrested on what would be our Thursday night. He then said, "This is your hour, and the power of darkness." From that time He was in the hands of the powers of earth, in the very heart of the powers of earth. This period of three days of persecution and death ended with the resurrection.

3344.—Warning Against Difficulties

By Editor

Please explain Matt. 24:19.

J. C. W.

Matt. 24: 19 is but a warning regarding the awful calamities that would overtake the Jews, and the hardships which these calamities would bring upon a certain class. It would be very difficult for women with children or women in this condition to endure the awful hardships which came upon Jerusalem.

Shalt Thou

3345.— W. J. J.—"Shalt Thou," Luke 23: 43, 44.—"Shalt thou" might of course be interrogative, but it is, too, declarative, and that form quite frequently occurs in the Scripture. See, for instance, Rev. 2:7, "will I give," instead "I will give;" and the same in verse 26. Murdock's Syriac translation of Luke 23:44 renders, "Thou shalt be with Me in Paradise." This is the correct idea of the text.

A Sabbath Reform Needed

By Mrs. E. G. White

AS long as the children of Israel obeyed God, they were prosperous; but when they departed from Him in disobeying His law, they brought upon themselves humiliation and distress. They were made to realize that their defense was of God, and that when His protection was withdrawn they were feeble, exposed to the ravages of their enemies. But tho they were carried away into captivity, the eye of God was upon them; for they were to preserve the knowledge of His law until the promised Messiah should come.

One of the principal ways in which the Jews departed from God was in the desecration of the Sabbath. The heathen around them disregarded God's holy day; and through association with these idolatrous neighbors, many had been led to imitate their example. Some not only traded with heathen merchants on the Sabbath day, but tried to overcome the scruples of their more conscientious countrymen, and lead them into the sin of Sabbath-breaking. Thus to a great extent the sacredness of the Sabbath was destroyed.

A Sturdy Reformer

At this time Nehemiah was God's chosen instrument to effect a reformation among His people, and to deliver them from the oppression of their enemies. The circumstances were discouraging; but Nehemiah was a man of courage and fidelity. He caused the people to be instructed in the law they had broken. Precept by precept it was carefully explained, that all might fully understand the will of God.

The Jews acknowledged that their deplorable condition was the result of their transgressions; and in a general assembly, the Levites, as the representatives of the people, confessed the goodness of God in His dealings with them, and their ingratitude and sins as a nation. Having suffered punishment for their sins, and acknowledged the justice of God in His dealings with them, the Israelites covenanted to obey His law. And that it might be a sure covenant, and preserved in a permanent form, it was written out; and the priests, the Levites, and the princes "sealed unto it." They had a clear understanding of the claims of God and of the character of sin; and with those who had real principle, to see and understand was to act.

The church of to-day has followed in the steps of the Jews of old in setting aside the commandments of God. She has "changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant;" and now, as then, pride, unbelief, and infidelity are the result.

We need Nehemiahs now, faithful men who shall arouse the people to see how far they are from God through their transgressions. Said the psalmist, "It is time for Thee, Lord, to work: for they have made void Thy law." These words are as applicable at the present time as they were in the days of the psalmist. The whole Christian world should search the Scriptures for themselves; for the law of God is made void by the teaching in the pulpits. The papal power has thought to change the law by instituting a Sabbath for the world and the Christian church; and this spurious Sabbath is exalted and revered, while the Sabbath of Jehovah is trampled beneath unholy feet. But will the Lord degrade His law to meet the standard of men? Will He accept a man-made institution in place of the Sabbath which He has sanctified and blessed? No; the convenience or profit of men is not to interfere with the claims of God, for He is a jealous God. He does not alter His precepts to gratify the desires of the ambitious or the covetous. "Thus saith the Lord" is sufficient to settle all controversy.

The Sabbath Not Changed

He who instituted the Sabbath has never changed it to another day. He rested on a definite day, and blessed and sanctified a definite day, and He requires the human family to observe that definite day. The position that God blessed and sanctified a seventh part of time, and no day in particular, is a deception. By this means many have become so confused that they regard God's holy rest day as possessing no special sacredness.

Because the world do so, they feel at liberty to set the Bible Sabbath aside, and select one that suits their own convenience; and ministers of the Gospel assure their congregations that this course is right.

There is need of a Sabbath reform among those who profess to observe God's holy rest day. Many seek to please themselves rather than to honor God. Some dismiss business matters and lay plans on the Sabbath; and God looks upon this in the same light as tho they engaged in the actual transaction of business. Others enter into partnership with men who have no respect for the Sabbath. If, for the sake of gain, a Sabbath-keeper allows the business in which he has an interest to be carried on on the Sabbath by his unbelieving partner, he is equally guilty with the unbeliever; and it is his duty to dissolve the relation, however much he may lose by so doing. He should not allow men in his employ, paid by his money, to work on the Sabbath. Men may think they can not afford to obey God in their business affairs; but they can not afford to disobey Him. He will not allow carelessness in the observance of the Sabbath to pass unpunished. If we would enjoy His blessing, the Sabbath must be kept holy.

Divine mercy has directed that the sick and suffering be cared for; the labor required to make them comfortable is a work of necessity, and no violation of the Sabbath. But all unnecessary work should be avoided. Many carelessly put off until the beginning of the Sabbath little things that should have been done on the day of preparation. This should not be. Any work that is neglected until the commencement of holy time, should remain undone until the Sabbath is past. This course might help the memory of these thoughtless ones, and make them more careful to do their own work on the six working days.

The Sabbath a Delight

To keep the Sabbath holy, we should not even allow our minds to dwell upon things of a worldly character. Yet it is not necessary that we shut ourselves away from nature, and deprive ourselves of the free, invigorating air of heaven. The Sabbath was made to be a blessing to man, by calling his mind from secular labor to contemplate the goodness and glory of God. It is necessary that the people of God assemble statedly for His worship, to interchange thoughts in regard to the truths of His Word, and to devote a portion of time to prayer. But these seasons, even upon the Sabbath, should not be made tedious by their length and lack of interest. During a portion of the day, all should have an opportunity to be out-of-doors.

Parents, why not make use of the precious lessons God has given you in the book of nature to give your children a correct idea of His character? Go and sit with them in the groves or bright sunshine, and give their restless minds something to feed upon by conversing with them on the wonderful works of God. Call their attention to the tokens of God's love to man as seen in His creative works, and their young minds will be attracted and interested, and their hearts will be inspired with love and reverence.

All who love God should do what they can to make the Sabbath a delight, holy and honorable. They can not do this by seeking their own pleasure in sinful, forbidden amusements. But by exalting the Sabbath in the family, it may be made the most interesting day in the week, so that its weekly return will be hailed with joy by every member of the family. In no better way can parents exalt and honor the Sabbath than by devising means to impart proper instruction to their children and to interest them in spiritual things, giving them correct views of the character of God and what He requires of them in order to attain to eternal life. Parents, make the Sabbath a delight, that your children may look forward to it, and have a welcome for it in their hearts. Thus will God be honored in the home.

Nehemiah an Example

When Nehemiah moved out as a reformer and deliverer in Israel, he was actuated by love to God and anxiety for the prosperity of His people. His heart was in the work he had undertaken; and his hope, his energy, his enthusiasm, his determination of character, were contagious, and inspired others with the same courage and lofty purpose that animated him. Each man became a Nehemiah in his own sphere, and helped to make stronger the hand and heart of his neighbor; and soon feebleness was succeeded by strength and courage.

Here is a lesson for ministers and others who are laboring for the salvation of souls. Christian laborers should manifest the same zeal and earnestness that characterized Nehemiah. If ministers are inactive and irresolute, destitute of godly zeal, what can be expected of those to whom they minister? In some instances they may rise above the moral level of their teachers, but not often. But when ministers broaden their plans, and show that they are in earnest, the people will respond to their efforts; and disunited, dispirited workers will become united, strong, hopeful, and eager.

It is a sin to be heedless, purposeless, and indifferent in any work in which we may engage, but especially in the work of God. Every enterprise connected with His cause should be carried forward with energy, thought, and earnest prayer. Faithful standard-bearers for God and His truth are wanted, and many are ready to respond to the call. As these see the iniquity and violence that exist in consequence of making void the law of God, they will see greater reason than ever to reverence that law, and will highly prize its righteous, restraining influences. Contempt and reviling increase their love for the precepts of Jehovah. With David they will say, "I love Thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold."

Signs of the Times

"Even as we have been approved of God to be entrusted with the Gospel, so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, who proveth our hearts."

For Terms, See Page 15 Vol. 38, Number 6 Mountain View, California, February 7, 1911 Weekly, $1.75 per year Single Copies, Five Cents

The Sabbath Kept by Christ and the Apostles

By R. A. Underwood

By R. A. Underwood

"Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not Mine, but His that sent Me. If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of Myself." John 7: 16, 17.

IN the light of the great truth above stated, we should approach this subject with a willingness to know and to do the revealed will of God.

The Bible is the inspired witness of the truth. It reveals sin, without respect of persons. Man has imbibed error from tradition and a wrong education. However, many would gladly exchange wrong practices for the truth, as it is revealed in Jesus Christ. Error never becomes a truth by age, nor by the great number who may have believed it to be a truth.

Therefore, with candor becoming a disciple of Christ, we may inquire, What says the Word as to which day of the week Christ and His apostles kept as the Sabbath? The apostles and writers of the New Testament are the inspired witnesses of the new covenant, and their testimony should settle this question.

Matthew, who wrote his Gospel nineteen years after the death and resurrection of Christ, records that Christ taught the disciples to pray to be kept from being forced to leave Jerusalem on the Sabbath when the Roman army, as late as A.D. 70, invaded and destroyed Jerusalem.

"When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) then let them which be in Judea flee into the mountains: let him which is on the housetop not come down to take anything out of his house: neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. And wo unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the SABBATH DAY." Matt. 24: 15-20.

This does not look as tho Christ would have His disciples lightly esteem the Sabbath, at least forty years after the death of Christ.

Again, Matthew says:

"In the end of the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulcher." Matt. 28: 1.

Not the slightest intimation of any change of the Sabbath is here recorded. Matthew sealed his testimony by a martyr's death in a city of Ethiopia.

Our next witness is Mark, who wrote his Gospel in A.D. 60 or later, and afterward he was dragged through Alexandria till he died, for the testimony he bore for the truth. Listen:

"And WHEN THE SABBATH WAS PAST, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint Him. And VERY EARLY IN THE MORNING THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK, they came unto

the sepulcher at the rising of the sun." Mark 16: 1, 2.

It may be noted that this inspired record bears the testimony that when the first day of the week had come the Sabbath was already past. No one is able to rise early enough on the first day of the week to find the Sabbath, according to this witness.

Our next witness is Luke. He also sealed his testimony by death at the hands of the enemies of the cross. If Christ changed the Sabbath from the seventh to the first day of the week, we will surely find it in the testimony Luke bears; for in the opening of the book of Acts we have the positive statement that he had written in his former treatise of all that Jesus had done and taught. Acts 1: 1. Let us now examine Luke's Gospel, written as late as about A.D. 55 to 60.

"And He was TEACHING in one of the synagogs ON THE SABBATH. And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself. And when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity. And He laid His hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. And the ruler of the synagog answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the Sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the Sabbath day. The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering? And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day? And when He had said these things, all His adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by Him." Luke 13: 10-17.

This shows Christ's manner of keeping the Sabbath, showing it to be a day of blessing rather than a burden.

Luke records the same events given by Matthew and Mark, with the additional statement of how the disciples kept the Sabbath day.

"And that day was the preparation, and the Sabbath drew on. And the women also, which came with Him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulcher, and how His body was laid. And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and RESTED THE SABBATH DAY ACCORDING TO THE COMMANDMENT." Luke 23: 54-56.

Nearly a score and a half of years after the death of Christ, Luke knew of no Sabbath except the one 'according to the commandment,' which is the seventh day of the week. Reader, do you keep the Sabbath of the commandment as Christ and the disciples did?

It was in about A.D. 62 that Luke wrote the book of Acts. He writes of the apostle Paul's labors:

"But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagog ON THE SABBATH DAY, AND SAT DOWN. And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagog sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on. Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience." Acts 13: 14-16.

"Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent. For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew Him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which ARE READ EVERY SABBATH DAY, they have fulfilled them in condemning Him." Verses 36, 37.

"And when the Jews were gone out of the synagog, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them THE NEXT SABBATH. . . . And the NEXT SABBATH DAY came almost the whole city together to hear the Word of God." Verses 42, 44.

Here Jew and Gentile alike came on the Sabbath to hear the great apostle Paul preach Jesus Christ. Not the slightest intimation of any change of the practise of the apostles in keeping the Sabbath, is given by this witness, thirty-two years after the death and resurrection of Christ.

When Paul was in Philippi of Macedonia, the record says:

"And on the Sabbath we went out of the city by a riverside, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither." Acts 16: 13.

Again, Luke says it was Paul's custom to meet on the holy Sabbath day:

"Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagog of the Jews: and Paul, AS HIS MANNER WAS, went in unto them, and three SABBATH DAYS reasoned with them out of the Scriptures." Acts 17: 1, 2.

Paul was accused of 'turning the world upside down' as he made bare the hypocrisies of the Jews. He also declared, 'I have not shunned to declare . . . all the counsel of God.' Acts 17: 6; 20: 27. But Paul does not give the slightest intimation that God had counseled any one through him to keep the first day of the week. See the great apostle to the Gentiles in the Gentile city of Corinth:

"After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth. . . . And he reasoned in the synagog EVERY SABBATH, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks. . . . And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the Word of God among them." Acts 18: 1, 4, 11.

Here the apostle continued to preach 'every Sabbath' for a year and six months, making seventy-eight Sabbaths on which he boldly proclaimed the Gospel in this one place; but there is no hint that any one should keep the first day of the week. Paul had been fearless to denounce the Jewish traditions and to declare all the counsel of God. Surely Paul and his companion Luke would not have forgotten to make clear the change of the Sabbath if such a thing had occurred.

Just before the great apostle sealed his testimony at Rome as a martyr for the truth, he said, 'I have kept the faith.' This he had defined thus:

"But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, BELIEVING ALL THINGS WHICH ARE WRITTEN IN THE LAW and in the prophets: and have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offense toward God, and toward men." Acts 24: 14-16.

In closing, I will call attention to the fact that Christ sealed and ratified His will and testament on the cross. Hence, if there had been no change of the Sabbath prior to the death of Christ, after that event it was forever too late to make a change of the Sabbath and have it incorporated as any part of the testament of Christ. Listen:

"Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Tho it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto." Gal. 3: 15.

Think of a testator's last will and testament which has been confirmed by his death, being changed or set aside by contending parties! Judges, lawyers, and jurors may be employed to change the dying wish of the testator. But whose 'will' is it when changed? Surely it is not the will of the one who made it, for it has been altered. In such a case it becomes the will of those who dare to assume to be more just and righteous than the testator!

Reader, what say you about Christ's will? Shall we honor and defend Christ's will as given by Himself, or shall we accept the mutilated copy? Listen to the statement of Him who made and sealed the new covenant at His death on Calvary:

"My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of My lips." Ps. 89: 34.

"Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven." Matt. 5: 17-19.

Service for Rebellion

By Horatio W. Dresser

WE have heard somewhere in medieval literature a legend that ran somewhat as follows: An infidel knight, in the wilderness of his mad, Heaven-defying infidelity, determined to test by the method to which he was best accustomed the reality and power of the God whose existence he denied. So going out into the field armed as for combat, he cast his glove upon the ground, after the manner of ancient challengers, and cried out to the heavens: "God, if there be a God, I defy Thee, here and now, to mortal combat! If Thou indeed art, put forth Thy might, of which Thy pretended priests make such boasts!"

As he spoke his eye was caught by a piece of parchment fluttering in the air just above his head. It fell at his feet. He stooped to pick it up, and found inscribed upon it these words: "God is love." Overcome by this unexpected response, he broke his sword in token of his surrender, and kneeling upon the fragments, consecrated his life thenceforth to the service of that God whom he had just before defied.—Horatio W. Dresser.

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