PRE-MILLENNIAL ADVENT.—No. 3.
In my last I commenced to show that “to deny the pre-millennial coming of Christ you must spiritualize every ‘promise’ of his coming’ connected with millennial descriptions, in the Bible.” 2. Let any one attentively consider the 45th and 46th Psalms, in illustration of this point, and ask if they do no not appropriately describe the millennial era? Christ is here described as triumphantly riding forth. The people fall under him. His throne is for ever and ever. At his right hand stands the queen, “The Bride, the Lamb’s Wife.” The marriage festival is celebrated. And scarce a feature of the whole description can fail to be recognized as belonging to the millennium; that blessed era when “he maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth.” But, in this millennial Psalm, are there no passages to which St. Peter might have looked as “promises of his coming”? Indeed, are there any which do not sustain that character? Is not this the glorious approach of one not “more marred than any man,” “without form or comeliness,” but now at length “fairer than the children of men”? Does he not come to sit, not at the right hand of the Father’s throne, but upon what is here proclaimed His throne, for ever and ever? And is not the burden of triumph this “Jehovah of hosts is WITH US”? And do we not hear him quell the tumult of the nations by saying, “Be still and know that I am God, I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted IN THE EARTH”? Are not these promises of his personal return? Or must these fade before the waving of the allegoric wand? But what reason is there for spiritualizing the advent here described? Is a triumphal procession, and a marriage festival, a fit emblem of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit? Is it the third person of the adorable Trinity, which is the Bridegroom and must espouse the church? Or is it the second? And what good reason can be assigned for perverting these symbols from their usual, their obvious, meaning, except that it is necessary to escape the belief of the pre-millennial advent? Will not this be a second step in eliminating every “promise of his coming” from the millennial prophecies of the Bible? 3. Consider next, Psalms 96, 97 and 98; all three closely related in spirit. Do not these manifestly allude to millennial times? When but in the millennial jubilee shall they “say among the heathen, the Lord reigneth, let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad, let the sea roar and the fullness thereof, let the field be joyful and all that is therein, then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice”? “Confounded be they that serve graven images, that boast themselves in idols, worship him all ye gods.” “O sing unto the Lord a new song, for he hath done marvelous things, his right hand and his holy arm have gotten him the victory, his righteousness hath he openly showed in the sight of the heathen, he hath remembered his mercy and truth toward the house of Israel. ALL THE ENDS OF THE EARTH HAVE SEEN THE SALVATION OF OUR GOD.” But if these Psalms manifestly describe millennial times, what shall be thought of the solemn enunciation: “Let the floods clap their hands, let the hills be joyful together before the Lord, for he cometh! FOR HE COMETH: TO JUDGE THE EARTH. With righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.” If this be not a “promise of his coming,” thrice so solemnly repeated, to which St. Peter might refer, as a coming TO JUDGMENT, where can such promise be found? How is his coming described? “Clouds and darkness are round about him.” “A fire goeth before him and burneth up his enemies round about.” “HIS LIGHTNINGS ENLIGHTENED THE WORLD, THE EARTH SAW AND TREMBLED.” Compare with this what Christ says, Matt. 24:27: “As the lightning cometh out of the east and shineth unto the west, SO SHALL ALSO THE COMING OF THE SON OF MAN BE.” “The hills melted like wax at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.” Now if St. Peter could not refer to this as that day when the “elements shall melt with fervent heat,” to what passage could he allude? And if this be wrested from his grasp by modern spiritualizing, well might the scoffer ask, “Where is the promise of his coming?” and the apostle be puzzled for a reply. What answer could he give but, “Nowhere: these spiritualists have given all those passages I used to rely on a different meaning.” And what reason for this spiritualizing? What reason for divesting these solemn Psalms of their obvious meaning? What, unless it be because the coming here described is evidently a coming at which the earth rejoices, and millennial glories begin? If this be his personal coming, it is pre-millennial. Therefore spiritualize it, and so add another step to that process of eviscerating any promise of his coming from the whole millennial writings of the prophets.—Charles Beecher, in Letter to Henry Ward Beecher. THE RECORD OF 1873.
By G. W. A.
In opening a new year, it seems fitting that a daily journal, which has laid before its readers events as they have occurred during the year that is gone, should give a brief summary of the most important of these events, so that those who watch the signs of the times may see when real progress has been made, or when there has been a retrograde movement, and thus note the tendency of the age, and learn by what means the interests of humanity may be advanced, and the evil that impends may be averted. When the year 1873 began, the 42d Congress was holding its last session. The principal topic of interest was the investigation of the Credit Mobilier scandal, which was instituted on a motion of Speaker Blaine. The extortion of railway managers, and the growing importance of cheap and abundant means of carriage from the West to the sea-board, have made the question of transportation of national importance. In view of this fact, the Senate appointed a Special Committee, with Senator Windom of Minnesota as Chairman, to visit various parts of the country and take testimony as to the needs of the country and the most judicious remedy to be applied. Several transportation societies have been organized, in connection with which the wonderful growth of an organization called the Patrons of Husbandry, may be noticed. During the past year, a very satisfactory state of quietude has prevailed in the South. The results of the election of 1872 seemed to settle the questions growing out of the war. In the Dominion of Canada there has been a complete overturn in political parties. During the year, the Province of Prince Edward Island has been joined to the Dominion. The Gladstone Ministry in Great Britain still retains its ascendency, though its majority has been diminished by death and new elections. The Ministry carried through the Geneva Award, and, in August, paid over to the United States $15,500,000 on account of the Alabama claims. Early in the year, a feeling of temporary bitterness existed between England and Germany and Russia, growing out of the eastern question; but it soon subsided. Aside from a war with the Ashantees on the gold coast, Great Britain is at peace. During the year, her agents effected a treaty with Zanzibar to prevent the slave trade. The East India Company, after an existence of 273 years, was dissolved by Parliament. In France, there has been a continual conflict between the several factions of the Monarchists and the Republicans. The Assembly still contains a majority of Monarchists. Some changes in the cabinet of President Thiers aroused the suspicions of the Monarchists, and accordingly, the assembly demanded to know the policy of the Ministry. Thiers met his questioners half way, and declared himself in favor of the definite establishment of the Republic. Thereupon, an order was adopted declaring that the present form of government was not under discussion, and expressing a virtual want of confidence in Thiers and his ministers by a vote of 360 to 344. Thiers and his cabinet at once resigned, and Marshal MacMahon was elected and formed an anti-Republican cabinet. Since that time, the Monarchists have been plotting to overthrow the Republic, declare a Monarchy, and enthrone the Bourbon Count de Chambord. The Orleanists do not warmly favor, and the Bonapartists oppose the Chambord movement, so that it has proved a failure. Meanwhile, the Republicans have carried nearly every election since the overthrow of Thiers. On February 11, King Amadeus of Spain announced his abdication of the throne to the Cortes, and a Republic succeeded without tumult. Since that time, the situation of the new Republic has been critical, on account of divided counsels and the opposition of the church and Monarchist party. Germany has been securing the results of her victory over France, and altogether appears to feel its importance as the first power of Europe. The principal subject of general importance is the conflict between the pope and the emperor William respecting the rights of each in the State. The Italian government has not only maintained its hostile attitude toward the claims of the pope for temporal power, but has asserted its authority by abolishing a large number of religious corporations which were inimical to the State in that they did not recognize its authority over them in any way. There seems to be a disposition on the part of Germany and Austria to support Italy in the exercise of its rights as a government, and to resist the intervention of any power in behalf of the restoration of the temporal authority of the successor of St. Peter. Switzerland has been engaged in a conflict with the authority of the pope, which has resulted in the expulsion of the ultramontane bishops from that country. Russia has begun a war with Khiva during the year, subdued that country, and extorted from its rulers pledges that they will not again trouble the dependencies of Russia in Asia. The movement of Russia in the East attracted the jealous eye of England, and, early in the summer, ill-omened prophets announced a war cloud; but after some correspondence, the British government retired from the field of diplomacy. Mexico has enjoyed a tranquil year, and its Congress has declared for religious liberty and the legality of civil marriages. The government has issued a decree banishing the Jesuits from its soil. The republics of Central America and the West Indies have continued in their normal condition of revolts and revolutions. South America has been, in general, tranquil. Having briefly sketched the principal political events which mark the progress of nations in a general way, we next proceed to notice the most notable events of the year. In New York, it appears that there is such a thing as justice. Foster, the car hook murderer, has been hanged, and one jury found Stokes guilty of murder, but a new trial being granted, under the new law of that State, he was found guilty of manslaughter, and sentenced to State Prison. Tweed, who so long defied courts of justice, is now clad in the convict’s stripes at Blackwell’s Island. The International Exposition at Vienna, was opened May 1. The season was unfavorable, and a monetary crisis occurring in Vienna at the same time on account of the vitiated currency of Austria and the ruinous spirit of speculation, the exhibition was not a financial success, and closed after a run of three months, leaving a heavy debt for the Austrian government to pay. The centennial commission has, during the year, perfected its plans for an industrial exhibition at Philadelphia, on our national centennial in 1876. The plans announced indicate that the exhibition will be of magnificent proportions. In our own country, we have had the Modoc war, which resulted in the capture and hanging of Capt. Jack and was the conclusion of that trouble. On Sept. 19, the suspension of Jay Cooke & Co., the well-known bankers, was announced. Within a day or two, this suspension was followed by several others in New York, largely dealers in railroad bonds. The country became alarmed, and a financial panic followed that promised to prostrate business throughout the country. Early in November, the steamer Virginius50sailing on the high seas under the flag of the United States, near Santiago de Cuba, was seized by a Spanish man-of-war, taken to that port, the crew and passengers tried and condemned as pirates and a number of them shot. Our Government demanded and received the surrender of the vessel to the United States. The surviving prisoners were also surrendered. May 10, Capt. Tyson with eighteen of the survivors of Capt. Hall’s Arctic Expedition arrived at New Foundland. The party had been landed from the Polaris, which left them in a storm, Oct. 15, 1872. They brought the intelligence of the death of Capt. Hall of paralysis, Nov. 8, 1871. Capt. Tyson’s party drifted 1500 miles on an ice floe, from which they were taken by the Tigress. The Polaris reached the latitude of 82 degrees and 16 minutes. The balance of the Polaris crew was rescued by a whaling ship, July 20, 1872, near Cape York, and taken to Scotland. This party were in boats made of the remnants of the Polaris. After twenty years effort, the Hoosac Tunnel pierced the mountain, Nov. 27. The growth of our manufactures, and the wonderful change that has taken place during the past year in the trade between this country and England, is important enough to be called a notable event. Our imports from that country have fallen off nearly fifty per cent, while our exports to the same have increased in a greater ratio, thus entirely changing the balance of trade. A session of the World’s Evangelical Alliance was held in New York during the month of October. The assembly embraced many of the leading so-called Evangelical clergymen in the world, and its meetings were of great interest. During the year, the Supreme Court of the State of New York has declared that municipal loans to railroads are unconstitutional. The appearance of Asiatic cholera in the South-west created wide-spread alarm. It did not, however, spread beyond a town where it made its first appearance, and was in no case epidemic. The yellow fever scourged several towns along the Mississippi river and in Texas, during the months of August and September. In Memphis and Shreveport, the suffering and panic have hardly been paralleled in this country. The year 1873 has witnessed the death of an unusual number of illustrious men and women. Death has visited all walks of life, and from every one the spoiler has taken some of their foremost names. Of royal personages, we note first and foremost the ex-Emperor Napoleon, whose death occurred the 9th of January. Charles, ex-Duke of Brunswick, died in August, the Emperor of Morocco in September, and King John of Saxony in October. In Europe, the mortuary list embraces a few names of note in the diplomatic world like Signor Urbano Rattazzi of Italy, Count Bernstorff, German Ambassador to Great Britain, Lord Ossington, for fifteen years speaker of the British House of Commons, Sir Geo. E. Cartier, for many years a prominent Canadian political leader, and Gov. Howe of Nova Scotia. In the ranks of science, the ravages of death would be great indeed if the mortuary list contained no other than the name of Louis Agassiz. To this illustrious name must be added those of Liebig, the great chemist, Professor Adam Sedgwick of England, Professor M. T. Maury and M. Jean Coste, the well-known French naturalist. The Christian church mourn many eminent prelates and clergymen. The Rev. Dr. R. S. Storrs, senior, the Rev. Dr. Joel Parker of New York, the Rev. Dr. Gardiner Spring of New York, the Rev. Dr. Ferris, chancellor of the University of New Jersey, Bishop George M. Randall of Colorado, Bishop William E. Armitage of Wisconsin, and Vicar General Starrs, Roman Catholic, of New York, are the most notable losses of American churches. The English church has lost Bishop Wilberforce and Ewing, and the Scottish church, Rev. Dr. Candlish. The Old Catholics have lost Dr. Munziger of Berne University. The highest Catholic prelate that has died within the year was the Cardinal Archbishop of Chambéry. Among the leading authors who have died the past year, are John Stuart Mill, Lord Lytton, M. M. St. Marc Girardin, Amadee Thierny, Prof. Friedrich van Raumer, Charles Collins, John R. Thompson, and Caroline Cherebro’. Art has lost Hiram Powers, Sir Edwin Landseer, Gustave Ricard, and a few others. The stage has lost William Charles Macready and Laura Keene. CASUALTIES AND DISASTERS.
The year has been one that will long be remembered for the number of its marine accidents and the frightful loss of human life. The record of casualties growing out of carelessness in the use of steam, the working of mines and explosive materials, is a long one, and indicates that however otherwise the age is improving, it has made no progress in caring for human life. In noticing this part of the record of the year, it will be possible to give only a few of the more important occurrences: During the night of January 22, the emigrant ship, Northfleet, bound for Australia, was run down by a Spanish steamer in the British channel, and over 400 persons drowned. January 9, the U. S. steamer, Tuscarora, sunk in a storm, and the captain and 14 men were lost. January 13, a terrible earthquake visited parts of India. In the city of Soonghur alone, 1500 perished. February 1, 100 persons were frozen to death in England. February 3, an earthquake began in the island of Samos and continued four days with great loss of life and property. February 3, 20 persons were killed, and 40 injured, by boiler explosions in iron works in Pennsylvania. February 15, by the burning of the steamer, Henry A. Jones, in Galveston Bay, 21 lives were lost. February 27, at a fire in Hanover St., Boston, several persons were killed, and 17 seriously injured. March 4, the Alaska mail steamer, George S. Wright, was lost with 23 persons on board. Gov. Austin of Minnesota reports to the Legislature that 70 persons lost their lives by the snow storm of January 7, 8, and 9. Four-fifths of the town of Lawrenceburg, Ky., was destroyed by fire, March 17. March 22, forty-four acres of houses were destroyed in Hong Kong, China. March 19, the city of San Salvador was absolutely destroyed by an earthquake, only one large building being left. The loss of life is estimated at about 500, and of property from $12,000,000 to $20,000,000. April 1, the steamship Atlantic, of the White Star Line from Liverpool to New York, while attempting to put into Halifax, N. S., for a supply of coal, struck, while running at full speed, near Meagher’s Island, and in a few minutes became a total wreck. Of 957 persons on board, 535 were drowned. April 8, the wall of a new building, at Rochester, N. Y., gave way and precipitated a crowd of persons into the Genesee river, 30 of whom were drowned. May 2, three cars of the Portland Express on the Grand Trunk Railway jumped the track at Soinante, Canada, and 32 persons were injured. May 4, at Dixon, Ill., an iron bridge, crowded with 300 persons witnessing a baptism, broke down, and nearly 100 lives were lost. May 13, fifty-nine miners lost their lives by a mine explosion at the Drummond colliery, Westville, N. S. May 30, a destructive fire occurred in Boston, burning over an area of five acres, incurring a loss of $1,291,000, on which there was an insurance of $763,000. Among the buildings destroyed were the Globe Theater, Chickering’s building, the International Hotel, and the Boston Library. Five lives were lost. July 4, a severe storm prevailed in Ohio, Indiana, etc., doing immense damage to crops. The steamship, City of Washington, from Liverpool to New York, struck on Gull Rock, N. S., and became a total loss. All the passengers were saved. July 25, ten acres of the poorer portion of Baltimore were burned over. Loss, $1,800,000. July 26, a disastrous fire occurred in Norfolk, Va. Loss, $275,000. August 2, twenty-three blocks were burned at Portland, Oregon. Two hundred and fifty dwellings were burned, and the loss computed at $1,500,000. August 8, the steamer, Wawassett, of Washington, burned near Acquia Creek. In the panic which occurred, seventy-five lives were lost. August 15, a collision occurred on the Chicago and Alton Railroad near Lemont, Ill. Fourteen passengers were killed and thirty-two injured. August 25, a train of the Southside Railroad, Long Island, ran off the track, injuring fifty passengers. August 24, a very destructive gale took place off the coast of British North America. Two or three hundred vessels were badly injured, or wrecked, and at least three hundred lives lost. On the land, the destruction was prodigious; crops, barns, and houses were swept away. The loss must have been several million dollars. Sept. 6, the Plaza Vapor, Havana, Cuba, and the entire square of buildings adjacent, were burned. Twenty lives were lost, and the loss of property was estimated at $8,000,000. Thirty-seven villages were destroyed by floods in China, with many lives. Sept. 20, the ship Indus, loaded with coolies, was lost near Calcutta, and four hundred and eighteen of them drowned. Sept. 27, the town of Lampasas was flooded by the sudden rise of a creek, and 21 buildings swept away, and six persons drowned. A terrible prairie fire swept over Salmie and Jefferson Counties, Nebraska, destroying many houses and much grain. Several persons were burned to death. Oct. 6, a most destructive cyclone passed over the Gulf of Mexico, doing great damage to shipping and coast property. Nov. 16, a fire at Haverhill, Mass., destroyed sixteen buildings, valued at $175,000. Two lives were lost. Nov. 23, the steamship, Ville du Havre, collided with the ship Loch Earn at sea, and sunk in a few minutes. By the casualty, two hundred and twenty-six lives were lost. The steamship, Ismailia, which sailed from New York in September, has not been heard from, and is probably lost. [The foregoing record of the year 1873 is condensed from an elaborate article in the Maine State Press of Jan. 8, 1874. To those who note the “signs of the times,” it will be a useful compilation. THE MARRIAGE OF THE LAMB HAS COME.
By H. Bonar, D. D.
Ascend, beloved, to the joy; The festal day has come; To-night the Lamb doth feast his own, To-night he with his bride sits down, To-night puts on the spousal crown, In the great upper room. Ascend, beloved, to the love; This is the day of days; To-night the bridal song is sung, To-night ten thousand harps are strung, In sympathy with heart and tongue, Unto the Lamb’s high praise. The festal lamps are lighted now In the great marriage hall; By angel-hands the board is spread, By angel-hands the sacred bread Is on the golden table laid; The King his own doth call. The gems are gleaming from the roof, Like stars in night’s round dome; The festal wreaths are hanging there, The festal fragrance fills the air, And flowers of Heaven, divinely fair, Unfold their happy bloom. Long, long deferred, now come at last, The Lamb’s glad wedding day; The guests are gathering to the feast, The seats in heavenly order placed, The royal throne above the rest; How bright the new array! Sorrow and sighing are no more, The weeping hours are past; To-night the waiting will be done, To-night the wedding robe put on, The glory and the joy begun; The crown has come at last. Without, within, is light, is light; Around, above, is love; We enter to go out no more, We raise the song unsung before, We doff the sackcloth that we wore; For all is joy above. Ascend, beloved, to the life; Our days of death are o’er; Mortality has done its worst, The fetters of the tomb are burst, The last has now become the first, For ever, evermore. Ascend, beloved, to the feast; Make haste, thy day is come; Thrice blest are they the Lamb doth call, To share the heavenly festival, In the new Salem’s palace-hall, Our everlasting home! The Lying Wonders of the Last Days.
By J. H. Cook
“For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth, and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.” Rev. 16:14. That there is an agency at work at the present time which claims to have the power to work miracles, is patent to all. But that they do possess that power is usually denied. But this text, with many others which might be quoted, plainly points out a miracle-working power that shall go forth to the kings of the earth and the whole world. From Adam down to the present time, the Spirit of God and the spirit of the devil have been in the world. The Spirit of God has had for its office, to lead men to the truth, and assist them in the work of developing heavenly characters. That of Satan has brought all his available forces to battle against the truth of God, and has ever waged a relentless warfare against God’s chosen people. Both powers have, as circumstances seemed to demand it, wrought miracles. What, says one, the devil work miracles? Yes; we have a case at hand. The magicians which withstood Moses wrought miracles. Ex. 7:11. In Job 1:16, Satan is represented as having called fire down from heaven and burned up the sheep and servants and consumed them. In verse 19, he brings to his aid the winds of the wilderness. Surely this is a miracle-working power. But God also works miracles through the agency of good angels. Acts 12:7–10, 23; 1 Chron. 21:14, 15. But Satan is a fallen angel, and was cast out of Heaven with others who joined with him in rebellion against the just and wise government of Heaven. 2 Pet. 2:4; and Jude 6. Notwithstanding his fall, he is an angel still, and retains to a great degree all the powers of mind and body which belong to that high order of created intelligences. Angels of God render themselves visible or invisible at will. It is also said of Satan that he is transformed into an angel of light. 2 Cor. 11:14. Then he possesses a transforming power also. But we have before shown that Satan and his angels were cast out of Heaven. Hence they were originally a part of the heavenly family, Eph. 3:14, 15, and possess, except so far as weakened by the fall, all the faculties of mind and body that belong to the angels of God. That angels can impress, and by various means communicate with, men, is a fact so universally admitted that we assume it to be true without an argument in its favor. The foregoing statements we think satisfactorily explain the various developments of spiritualism. The angel of God appeared to Daniel, and presented to him in symbols four great beasts which, to Daniel, had all the appearance of real beasts, and yet they were not in fact real beasts, but symbols. To John, other symbols of beasts were presented, varying in some particulars, and with some additions not presented to Daniel, all having the appearance of life and activity. On the other side, Satan presents to Christ the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them in a moment of time. Probably this presentation was a landscape view, and had all the appearance of reality. And when he appeared to Eve, he came in the form of a beautiful serpent. Now if angels possess the power of presenting any image or symbol they desire at will, and giving it all the appearance of reality, so that it is indelibly impressed on the retina of the eye, is there any reason why the same symbols presented before the camera of the artist would not produce the same effect as the living subject, and that the object so presented would be reproduced on the camera? We think there is not. If the foregoing conclusions are correct, the only mystery connected with spiritualists’ taking the likenesses of the dead would be that of angels’ possessing the power to present at will any image they desire. Certainly if they presented the images and views to which we referred, they could vary them at will, to an almost endless variety. And being acquainted with the dead of all past ages, they would know just what kind of an image to present to produce a picture bearing the features of the person called for, so as effectually to deceive the individual calling for the likeness of a dead friend, thus making persons believe that their friends were really present, when, in fact, the agency behind the curtain was only a fallen angel. Then we can say emphatically that they are the spirits of devils working miracles to deceive the nations of the earth. If the foregoing illustrations are correct, we are furnished with an explanation of all spiritual phenomena. If Satan could call fire from heaven, and the winds from the wilderness, who can say that he does not possess power to heal the sick, and perform many other wonders for the purpose of deceiving the people? Miracles are borne on the very front of the profession made by spiritualists. Hence not only are their claims in harmony with the powers possessed by angels, but in harmony with the prophetic declarations on the same subject. And there is no excuse for individuals’ being led away by its influence, if they will investigate the word of God. But the doctrine of spiritualism abounds with pleasing fables, and the belief in the doctrine of the conscious state of the dead has paved the way for this great deception, and almost all are falling into line, and are being rushed through with impetuous speed. They are too busy to stop and think, too busy to investigate their Bibles, and, as the result, will be held in deception till their day is past and probation is ended. Walking by Faith.
By Wm. Penniman
No character in the Old Testament impresses me with a higher veneration than the patriarch Abraham. His title of nobility was this: he was “the friend of God.” Born and reared in a land of Sabian idolatry, he was converted by the Lord in his own sovereign way and by means of which we have no knowledge. The first thing we learn of him is the abrupt announcement of God’s call to him: “Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I shall show thee.” Abraham obeys. He asks no questions. No map of the strange country is shown him, and no guide-book is given him. By faith, he sets out with his household caravan and follows whither the heavenly hand conducts him. “He went out, not knowing whither he went.” In this one beautiful line, I read the spiritual history of every child of faith. This line reveals the deepest lesson that a human heart can learn, the lesson of obedient trust in God. It describes itself in one short sentence, the walk of faith. And what is that? Is it an aimless venture, a haphazard wandering by chance? No; but the exact opposite of this. It is the going in God’s way, and not in the way that self most covets. The walk of faith is just walking with my Heavenly Father hand in hand, step by step, over smooth places or rough, up hill or down, moment by moment. Believe implicitly that “the steps of every good man are ordered by the Lord.” I am to obey his orders. To-day, I am to do just to-day’s work only. To-day’s burden I am to carry. My rule of duty is for to-day. The promise of help is for to-day; as my day so shall my strength be. To-morrow’s journey and to-morrow’s toil and to-morrow’s trials I must leave until to-morrow comes. Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it; and be not careful for the morrow. This is faith’s first lesson. Suppose that Abraham had lain awake all night worrying over his next day’s route, and refusing to stir a step in the morning till God gave him a map of the road to Canaan! The Lord would have grown tired of his troublesome charge and left him to drift back to Ur. Abraham knows not whither he is going; but he knows that God knows. Two things he is certain of. The first is, that the way in which God leads him is the right way; and next, that it is a safe way. This is all you and I can expect to know. The future is an unmapped territory; every step is literally a step into the dark. The future is a “seven-sealed book,” and no man can unloose the seals thereof. We discover its contents only as God unlooses the seals, and turns over leaf by leaf, one at a time. Selfishness often aches to peep into the sealed pages. But faith whispers: “No, no; trust God.” And very soon I discover that this, too, is all for the best. Every joy that is lying in wait for me at some new turn in the road, breaks on me as a sweet surprise. The mercies, like transporting views in mountain travel, are all the more bewitching that they were not spoiled by anticipation. God does not let us “discount his mercies in advance.” The whole journey to Heaven is a walk of faith. Obey and trust is all that God51requires of us. Our poor, blind timidity often falters and whimpers: “Lord, how can we know the way?” Our divine Leader replies: “Follow me. I am the way. I will lead the blind in paths they have not known. I will make the darkness light before them.” Blessed is that soul which has learned to trust and to obey. The real conflict in life is between choosing our own way or walking in God’s way. The sin of the sinner lies just in this, that he follows the path that seems more pleasant to himself; and the end of it is—hell! Even Christians are often terribly tempted to be wilful and wayward. Lot chose his own way, and it led him to Sodom. When he took God’s directions, they led him up to Zoar, and he was safe. Jonah chose his own way, and it sent him overboard into the raging sea. Then he took God’s way, and it led him to Nineveh, on a mission of love. Peter undertook to look out for himself, and he turned liar and coward. Afterward he let God take care of him, and he went to sleep calmly in a prison, to be waked up by a delivering angel. Reader, have you not always found the sweetest peace when you feed most on faith?—T. L. Cuyler. The foregoing thoughts should be read often because of their practical bearing. We should think often of this sentence, “Even Christians are often terribly tempted to be wilful and wayward.” Is not this fearfully true at this time when so many are inclined to walk in their own way instead of walking in the way God has marked out? God has pointed out a way which tests the faith and loyalty of his people, and he has in great mercy in these last days given them crosses to bear, and required of them sacrifices, which may prove to be blessings which will test the genuineness of their faith; and those who are wayward and unyielding will be sifted out; so that there will be nothing left but the pure wheat. Then, if we would be safe, let us not walk in our own way, but walk by faith in God’s way. The Righteousness of Christ.
By S. B. Whitney
THE relation this sustains to Christian experience is an important point, and the misapprehension respecting it, that exists in some minds, seems almost inexcusable, as will appear from the following considerations. 1. Justification, as it relates to the sinner, is not a vindication of injured innocence from unjust aspersions, or false accusations, but a restoration to innocence and the favor of God, of those who have become vile and sinful through their transgressions, and are consequently exposed to death. 2. This the sinner cannot accomplish for himself; for no subsequent obedience, however strict or perfect it may be, will ever remove the guilt of former transgressions, or the penalty of the law attaching to them; therefore, some means outside of himself must be furnished. 3. What these means are, and how to be used, is clearly shown in Rom. 3, where the apostle, asserting on the above principle, that “by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified,” because “all have sinned,” says in verses 24–26, “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus; whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; to declare, I say, at this time his righteousness, that he might be just, and the justifier of him that believeth in Jesus.” From this it appears that Christ’s righteousness affects us simply as regards the sins that are past. 4. But it also appears, from what follows in the same epistle, that it will not avail even so far as this, unless we retain our justification, procured by faith, by a life of obedience; for in chapter 8:4, the reason given for God’s sending his own Son into the world is, not to furnish a license for sin, but, “That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit;” and verse 13 adds, “For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die; but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.” Therefore, we are required to be holy, to purify our souls “in obeying the truth, through the Spirit.” Christ also speaks of “your righteousness,” while it is said of the redeemed, that they are “clothed with white robes,” or spotless characters; and those robes are “their robes,” which they have washed and “made white in the blood of the Lamb.” The blood of the Lamb cleanses, but we must apply it by faith to our own robes, or characters; and those who come to the judgment, hoping that the robe of Christ’s righteousness will conceal their impurities and deformities, while they neglect to obey God’s requirements, will find themselves fatally deceived, and woefully disappointed; for the Saviour says, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of Heaven, but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in Heaven,” Matt. 7: 21. S. B. WHITNEY.