Earlier text: Our Publishing WorkThe Work in Washington
By J. S. Washburn
The removal of our headquarters to Washington in 1903 is now acknowledged by all our people to have been a great advance step. Already the wisdom of this forward move, taken through the guidance of the spirit of prophecy, has been demonstrated. In this great center of influence the truth has been brought into close touch with the leading men of the nation. Had this step not been taken, it is almost certain that Sunday laws would have been passed, and our work made very difficult before it had climbed to the height where it could speak to the nation and to the world, as it must, with a loud voice, before the end. No friend of the cause desires any backward step, or that the onward march of this work should be stopped. One hundred thousand dollars was a very small sum with which to establish our work there, and to provide the institutions directly called for by the spirit of prophecy. That amount was raised, and there was an overflow of more than fifteen thousand dollars. This shows the intense interest of our people in the work in Washington. The buildings of the College, although not completed according to the original plan, have been pushed forward so far that the school work is going on prosperously. The General Conference offices were built, and are occupied. The sanitarium work was started in the city, but the whole amount necessary for the Sanitarium in Takoma Park was by no means supplied by that fund; hence the necessity that one third of the $150,000 fund should be sent to Washington to establish the Sanitarium in that important center. We feel certain that there is not one loyal Seventh-day Adventist who will not be glad to help in the completion of the good work in Washington already so well begun. A brother living a few miles from the city, who came into the truth as a result of the tent-meetings in Nashville last summer, has just sent in one hundred dollars for this great fund. Many of our dear brethren and sisters who have long been in the faith could much more easily give ten times that amount, probably, than this new convert to the faith. May our people be rebaptized with the same zeal and interest in the work which they had when they first came to the faith; then will not only the $50,000 for Washington be quickly raised, but the whole $150,000 fund be supplied; and as in the case when offerings were given for the Washington Memorial church and for the $100,000 fund, there will be a great overflow. A blessing awaits those of the people of God who will now make a real sacrifice to push forward this great work to glorious victory. J. S. WASHBURN. BROTHER CHAS. F. CURTIS furnishes the following account of the needs of the sanitarium work in the city of Atlanta, Ga.:— The Atlanta Sanitarium is a three-story structure of twenty rooms, including bath and treatment room, and a basement. Only eight of the rooms are in condition to be occupied by patients. The third story is wholly unfinished, and some rooms in the first and second stories are only lathed. The elevator shaft is open from the basement to the third story. No dining-room or kitchen has been built, an unfinished room in the basement being used for that purpose. There is only one bath room in the institution, and it is entirely too small, having but one bath tub. More room is needed in this department, and also more facilities, especially an electric-light bath. The means of lighting and heating are very meager, only part of the rooms being supplied with gas. The building is heated by stoves, which method, for a large building, is not only inconvenient, but expensive. The demand for a good sanitarium in this city is demonstrated by the fact that, notwithstanding the condition described, many patients cheerfully adapt themselves to the situation for the sake of the benefit derived from right methods of treating disease. The institution is located in one of the most beautiful portions of the city, in close proximity to Grant's Park, a large beautiful park and zoological garden. In its present condition the sanitarium does not properly represent the work of God. Atlanta is a modern, energetic, business city, one of the most beautiful and enterprising in all the South. Our sanitarium and health work must be rightly represented in this city, and there is no time to lose. THE following letter breathes the spirit of true consecration and sacrifice. We pray that this spirit may lay hold upon those who are able to give one hundred times as much as this brother in the South. This spirit, received by all our people, would close up the work of raising the $150,000 fund in a day. Before the end comes and the work closes, all those who go through the fiery trials into the kingdom of God will have this spirit:— MY DEAR BROTHER: Your favor of the nineteenth came yesterday; and, although I do not open my business mail on the Sabbath, when I saw one letter was from you, I ventured to open it, assured that it was about our Father's business. It contained book No. 101 for the $150,000 fund. I took it with me to the last meeting of the week of prayer. After the annual offering was taken, which amounted to $22.25, I presented the matter of the fund. I placed ten dollars as a pledge after my name, not knowing where the money would come from. But I have learned since coming to this Southland to lean hard upon the promise, “My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory.” What was my surprise and thankfulness to find in the evening mail an order for just the amount I had pledged! The amount paid in and pledged is now over thirty dollars for this fund, and I expect more will be given. One of the most touching sights I have seen recently was that of a mother who is struggling hard to meet necessities, encouraging her little girl to place her name to the pledge beneath her own, then taking the hand of her youngest child, and inscribing his name with the pledge of a gift to his Master. Elk City Church Raises Its Share
THE Elk City (Okla.) church has taken hold of the work of raising the $150,000 fund, and has decided to do its share. If this church, composed largely of sisters, and all poor in this world's goods, can do so well, surely our larger and wealthier churches should do more. Gifts and Offerings
By Ellen G. White
The end is fast approaching, and many of our churches are asleep. Let all now make it their chief business to serve the Lord. God has entrusted to his people the talent of means, some more, and some less than others. With many, the possession of wealth has proved a snare. In their desire to follow the fashions of the world, they have lost their zeal for the truth, and they are in peril of losing eternal life. In proportion as God has prospered them, men should return to him of the goods he has entrusted to their stewardship. As members of the Lord’s family we have a decided work to do. We must carefully examine our hearts to see if we are truly converted to God’s service. Are we entirely free from the worldly habits, ideas, and customs that are abhorrent to God? “Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts. But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap: and he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness. Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the Lord, as in the days of old, and as in former years. And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the Lord of hosts. For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.” Those who are living upon the earth when the intercession of Christ shall cease in the sanctuary above are to stand in the sight of a holy God without a mediator. Their robes must be spotless, their characters must be purified from sin by the blood of sprinkling. Through the grace of God and their own diligent efforts, they must be conquerors in the battle with evil. While the investigative judgment is going forward in heaven, while the sins of penitent believers are being removed from the sanctuary, there is to be a special work of purification, of putting away sin, among God’s people on earth. “Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?” The Lord reveals to his people their special sin. “Will a man rob God?” he asks. “Yet ye have robbed me.” Still unconvicted of sin, the disobedient inquire, “Wherein have we robbed thee?” Definite indeed is the Lord’s answer: “In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts. And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord.” Here are important matters for our consideration. Read carefully the charge that God makes against those who have not fulfilled the conditions of their agreement with him. In his mercy, the Lord has bestowed rich bounties upon his people, and many have selfishly withheld from him the money for which he calls. Let all carefully examine into their business relations with their Creator. Those who will not hesitate to deal treacherously with their Maker will certainly not hesitate to deal treacherously with their fellow men. I desire to impress upon all our people that God regards the withholding of tithes and offerings as robbery. We are merely stewards of God. We do not own the money that passes into our hands. In its disbursement we are to be co-laborers with Christ. We should feel an intense interest in the advancement of the work of God. This work has already grown to large proportions, but it is to advance still more rapidly. We need many more laborers, and there must be with all a spirit of self-denial, in order to provide facilities for the carrying forward of the message into new fields. In many places the work has been greatly retarded because of the scarcity of means. The rebuke of God will rest upon those who do not come up to his help. In the Southern field a beginning has been made, but there is still a great work to be done for all classes. We now call upon all who love Christ to help with their means the work of God in this needy field. There should be among us an army of people who are prepared to open the Scriptures to many who are perishing in their sins. Let spiritual-minded men and women take hold of this work where they are. As they find opportunity, let them pray for those for whom they labor. All classes are to be reached. Poverty need not hinder any one from coming to Jesus. We should manifest a decided interest for those who are more wealthy, and endeavor to lead them to lay up their treasure in the heavens, an enduring substance, that will never perish. Let our church-members take up such work where they are, and let all unite in sustaining the work in the regions beyond. Wonderful progress has already been seen, but we still have an exceedingly large work before us, a work that calls for self-denial and cross-bearing. As we close the year 1906, I plead with my brethren and sisters to make their record right with God, and to be faithful in rendering to him his own in tithes and offerings. May God help each one to act his part in the work of saving souls. In the Lord’s treasury there should be sufficient means to give an adequate support to those who devote their time to the work of saving souls. Their just wages should not be begrudged them. Those who are willing to labor for the Master should not be allowed to lack for the necessities of life. They should be enabled to live comfortably, and also to have enough so that they can make donations to the cause of God; for it frequently happens that they are expected to take the lead in making offerings. In the great work of warning the world, those who have the truth in the heart, and are sanctified through the truth, will act their assigned part. They9will be faithful in the payment of tithes and offerings. Every church-member is bound by covenant relation with God to deny himself of every extravagant outlay of means. Let not the want of economy in the home life render us unable to act our part in strengthening the work already established, and in entering new territory. Schools and sanitariums are to be established. These should be located out of the cities. Students should be fitted to engage in various lines of God’s work. We have been greatly favored in securing land and buildings suitable for sanitarium work, at prices far below the original cost. Through the work done in these institutions, we may reach all classes, high and low. The work in behalf of the sick and suffering was ordained of God. Christ’s chief work was in the preaching of the gospel to the poor. He chose to minister to the needy, the ignorant. In simplicity he opened before them the blessings they might receive, and thus he awakened their souls’ hunger for the truth, the bread of life. Christ’s life is an example to all his followers. It is the duty of every one who has learned the way of life to teach others what it means to believe in the word of God. There are many in the shadow of death, who need to be instructed in the truths of the gospel. Nearly the whole world is lying in wickedness, yet we have words of hope for those who sit in darkness. “The land of Zebulon, and the land of Nepthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; the people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up. From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” From Christ’s methods of labor we may learn many valuable lessons. He did not follow merely one method; in various ways he sought to gain the attention of the multitude; and then he proclaimed to them the truths of the gospel. “And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they straightway left their nets, and followed him. And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him. “And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatic, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them. And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judea, and from beyond Jordan.” Christians are not only to give freely of their means to sustain the Lord’s work; wherever they are, they are to labor disinterestedly for souls. They themselves are to be sanctified through the truth, to be purified and cleansed from all pride and selfishness. Then they will be prepared to meet their solemn obligations to God, and to enlighten the minds of others who are in darkness regarding Bible truth. Not one thousandth part of what should be done is being done by those who understand the plan of salvation. Every true Christian is so to represent the plan of salvation in his own consistent life, and in his unselfish efforts in behalf of others, that no one to whom he has access may say, “No man cares for my soul.” Sanitarium, Cal., Dec. 6, 1906. What Should I Do?
By Susan Coolidge
If I were told that I must die to-morrow,
That the next sun
Which sinks should bear me past all
fear and sorrow
For any one,
All the fight fought, all the short jour-
ney through,
What should I do? I do not think that I should shrink or
falter,
But just go on,
Doing my work, nor change nor seek to
alter
Aught that is gone;
But rise and move and love and smile
and pray
For one more day. But if a wondrous hand from the blue
yonder
Held out a scroll,
On which my life was writ, and I with
wonder
Beheld unroll
To a long century’s end its mystic clew,
What should I do? What could I do, O blessed Guide and
Master,
Other than this?
Still to go on as now, not slower, faster,
Nor fear to miss
The road, although so very long it be,
While led by thee; Step after step, feeling thee close beside
me,
Although unseen,
Through thorns, through flowers, and
whether the tempest hide thee
Or heaven serene,
Assured thy faithfulness can not betray,
Thy love decay. GEO. B. THOMPSON
By GEO. B. THOMPSON
THE doctrine of a second probation appeals to the unregenerate heart. It makes entirely unnecessary any present repentance or any missionary operations in home or foreign fields. According to that teaching, the great missionary campaign of all time is to occur in the “succeeding age,” when the church, the “royal priesthood,” will bring all to an “accurate knowledge of the truth.” In Matthew 24 the signs which are to precede the coming of the Lord, and herald the end of the world, are given by our Saviour in response to the question of the disciples, “What shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?” In chapter 25 is given the experience of the church near the end of time, the period immediately preceding the coming of Christ in the clouds of heaven. The professed church is here represented by ten virgins, five of whom were wise and five foolish. “And while they [the foolish virgins] went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.” Verse 10. This is the time spoken of in Rev. 19:7: “For the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.” Here Christ is represented as taking to himself a bride. The church is not the bride (Rev. 21:9, 10), but the invited guests present at the marriage supper. Rev. 19:7-9. His going in before the Father to receive the bride, is thus described by the prophet: “I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.” Dan. 7:13, 14. The “coming” here spoken of is not the coming of Jesus to this earth to receive his people, but his coming “to the Ancient of days,” the Father, to receive from him the kingdoms of this world. That this is before his second coming is very clearly stated. “He said therefore, A certain nobleman [Christ] went into a far country [heaven] to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.” This is very clear; but note that at this time, before he comes, the door of mercy is shut. Matt. 25:10. Probation for man is ended, and some are shut out, and lost. “When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are.” Luke 13:25. Here is a time when the door of mercy will be shut, and the reply to those on the outside from the One who has shut the door, holds out no hope of “a second probation.” “There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.” Verse 28. But why should they weep and gnash their teeth if they are to have another chance to enter in? It is clear that they have no such chance, and fully understand that they are “thrust out” forever. We nowhere read that the “door” which is once “shut” is ever to be opened, and another “chance” offered to all the lost. It logically follows that if the Lord should do this for sinners, he would needs do the same for the devil and all the fallen angels. Why not give them another chance as well as man? The great lines of prophecy in the book of Daniel throw much light upon this question. In the second chapter, under the symbol of a great metallic image, the history of the world from the destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar till the final destruction of all the kingdoms of this world is given. Babylon, Medo-Persia, Grecia, and Rome were to bear sway successively as universal monarchies. The fourth kingdom, Rome, symbolized by the legs of iron, was to lose its iron stability and become divided, as indicated by the mixture of iron and clay. Between the years A. D. 356 and 483 the Roman empire was divided into ten kingdoms; namely, the Alemanni, Franks, Vandals, Burgundians, Visigoths, Lombards, Ostrogoths, Suevi, Heruli, Anglo-Saxons. The territory of these ten kingdoms is to-day occupied by the nations of the Old World. The Lord further declares, “And in the days of these [ten] kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.” Dan. 2:44.10This is not a description of the work of the gospel, and the conversion of the world. Earthly kingdoms are to be broken in pieces and consumed. They are to be utterly wiped out of existence, and the fifth universal kingdom, symbolized by the stone which is cut out without hands, is to be eternally established in the territory now occupied by earthly kingdoms, when the earth is to be made new. “Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces. Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer thrashing-floors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.” Verses 34, 35. This stone represents the kingdom of our Lord and Saviour, which is to be established in the earth. When Jesus comes the second time with power and great glory, the wicked nations of earth will wail and lament because of him. Matt. 24:30. They are not converted, but are as the worthless chaff blown from the thrashing-floor after the wheat has all been gathered out for the garner. They are not to have another probation in a glorious millennial age. O, no; they are carried away, and “no place” is found for them in the entire universe. Nothing, it would seem, could be more conclusive on this point. See also Ps. 37: 9, 10. God's Disposition of the Nations
This destruction of sinful nations is described also in the Psalms: “Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.” Ps. 2:8. Here the heathen, or nations, who, we are told, have not had “a full opportunity,” are mentioned. Are they to have another probation in an age to come? Listen: “Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.” Verse 9. This language is so clear that comment would but weaken its force. Having forgotten the Lord, they must needs perish. The wicked nations of the world are only chaff in the Lord’s sight, and instead of having a second probation, will be “turned back unto Sheol.” Ps. 9:17, A. R. V. In Daniel 7 the testimony upon this point is equally clear. Here the same four universal kingdoms are brought to view. Also the ten kingdoms, symbolized by the ten horns on the head of the “dreadful and terrible” fourth beast. The rise of the little horn, or papal power, is then brought to view, and the wicked and blasphemous work which it was to perform during the long dreary years of the papal millennium, is clearly outlined. “And he shall speak great words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.” Dan. 7:25. This brings us down the stream of time to the beginning of that period known as “the time of the end,” which began A. D. 1798, or down the historic stream near the time when the kingdom of Christ is to be set up. But what is done with this power symbolized by the “little horn”? Is it to be converted?—No. Is a “second probation” in the “age to come” promised?—No. “I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame.” Dan. 7:11, last part. “But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end.” Verse 26. This same beast power is brought to view in Revelation. When Jesus comes crowned “King of kings and Lord of lords,” this antichristian power and all the armies of the earth are “gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.” Rev. 19:19. And what is the conclusion of this terrible contest? Are they given another “opportunity” in the millennial age, under more “favorable” circumstances, to accept of the King against whom they are now making war? Indeed, they are not. “And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshiped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.” Verse 20. There is no hint in all this of a second probation. It is utter destruction from the presence of God. 2 Thess. 1:7-9. Instead of a “second probation” they go alive into the lake of fire. They are destroyed in the “burning flame.” Through all the ages the Lord has had his witnesses. The fact that some from every kindred, tongue, and people have chosen to know God and be saved in the kingdom (Rev. 7:9) is conclusive evidence that all might have chosen life and been saved. The fact that they chose not to know God is no argument that they must be given another opportunity to see if they will change their minds. Notice what is said concerning the antediluvians: “By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.” Heb. 11:7. Noah chose to follow God. All the antediluvians could have done the same. The Lord here says that the antediluvians are condemned because they did not repent. They made their choice, and, having decided they would not have Christ rule over them, the condemnation of God rests upon them. Are these sinful giants all to have another chance in which most of them are to repent and have their condemnation changed into approbation? God has never so stated. Having gone down into the tomb under condemnation because they rejected light, they must remain under it forever. “In the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be.” Eccl. 11:3. Signs of the Times
By R. M. Clark
It is hardly possible to-day to pick up one of our many periodicals and not find one or two strong articles on the signs of the times that are appearing among the nations and people. Prophecies are being fulfilled, wars are being waged, and earthquakes rend the earth. These and many other things to-day attract the attention of our people constantly. Let us for a moment look and see if there are not some of the signs of the times in us as individuals, and then let us lay the ax at the root of this tree. The writer recently stood before an audience of young people, and looking into their faces, this thought arose in his mind, “Surely, here are signs of the times.” They were mostly students, and although they were well dressed and intelligent-looking people, yet not more than fifty per cent of them had a clear eye and smooth complexion. There was a boil here, pimples there, acne over yonder, and dark circles under the eyes of another. Now why was this? Let me name a few of the reasons,—late hours, irregular habits, hasty eating, improper food, chocolate creams, ice-cream sodas, and cigarettes. These in all degrees of excesses are the reasons; but why are they signs of the times? In 2 Tim. 3: 1-6 we read: “This know also that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves;” and in Matt. 24: 37, 38, we find these words: “But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage.” Is it not true to-day that men are “lovers of their own selves”—“lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God”? Men of to-day are in such a condition that not only an appetite for drink controls them, but also that for food. Oftentimes an outrage in diet will bring on a condition of actual drunkenness. The young lady, while she is bewailing the “luck” which gives her such a complexion, is at the very time, perhaps at 11 P. M., sitting before a bowl of oysters, or with a box of favorite chocolates in her lap, which she is emptying as rapidly as possible. But a short time ago I stood watching a young man shave, and his face was so covered with pimples that before he had finished, it was bleeding in more than a dozen places. He often turned to me and bitterly bemoaned his fate. I ventured to suggest, finally, that if he were willing to “pay the price,” he might be as well favored as any one. He immediately said he would pay any price to rid himself of this plague. He said, “I would willingly spend my entire salary for six months to be rid of this thing.” I told him the price as best I could, and11tried to make plain to him that it was a simple working of cause and effect; that the “price” was regular hours, at least eight hours’ sleep, a simple, plain diet, free from all condiments and rich pastries, pure water for a beverage, and absolutely no wine, liquor, or tobacco. As soon as I stopped, he said, emphatically, “If I have to go through that régime to have it, I guess I’ll keep the face I already have.” And I thought, “Signs of the times.” Think of it, my friends. Is it not sad that the things which are really best for a man are so repugnant to him? His nature is so far degenerated that his appetite has control over will power, judgment, personal comfort, and health. How are we to escape the seven last great plagues? There are precious promises in the ninety-first psalm. Take your Bible and read them. Note especially the third, sixth, seventh, ninth, tenth, and sixteenth verses. I wonder how many of us think that when we are having, perhaps every few weeks, an acute attack of indigestion, due to transgression of God’s laws for our physical being, with which it is our privilege to be perfectly familiar, we can claim these precious promises? Is there any one presumptuous enough to think for a moment, when he can not control his abnormal appetite long enough to obtain even a clear complexion, that he will stand in those days and see a thousand fall at his side, and ten thousand fall at his right hand? Does any one think he can make the Most High his habitation and have a body maimed, debilitated, and worn out with transgressions of the laws of this same Most High? O, but one says, “He can perform a miracle. I have faith; and when he says, ‘No plague shall come nigh thy dwelling,’ I am safe.” Brother and sister, faith is all right, but without works it is dead. Let us have works also in this matter. Let us do our part as best we can, and as God has taught us, then claim the promises. Diligence will be rewarded. “With long life will I satisfy him, and show him my salvation.” Let us put away these idols of the flesh; for “what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God.” 2 Cor. 6: 16. Alas, how many people to-day are worshiping at the shrine of these idols! Shall we who claim to have a message to the world worship there? Can we teach and believe in the third angel’s message and have existing in us at the same time these signs of the times?—Impossible! Let us rather glorify God in our bodies. “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” Let us as Christians endeavor to do this thing, following Paul’s advice to the Romans: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” Rom. 12: 1. Prophets Endowed
By Wm. Covert
The Spirit of God — No. 2
1. What calamities befall a people when God no longer speaks to them through visions? “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” Prov. 29: 18, first part. 2. What obedience characterizes a happy people? “He that keepeth the law, happy is he.” Prov. 29: 18, last part. 3. How much of his plans and purposes does God make known to his people through his prophets? “Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.” Amos 3: 7. 4. Who among the children of men may come in touch with the mind of God? “What man is he that feareth the Lord? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose. His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth. The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will show them his covenant.” Ps. 25: 12-14. 5. What relation do prophets sustain to the church of Christ? “And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.” 1 Cor. 12: 28. 6. How many prophets are mentioned as belonging to the family of Philip the evangelist, and what was their relation to the evangelist? “And the next day we that were of Paul’s company departed, and came unto Cæsarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him. And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.” Acts 21: 8, 9. 7. What aged prophet served in the temple at Jerusalem when the infant Saviour was there presented by Joseph and Mary? “And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.” Luke 2: 25-32. 8. What prophetess was also connected with the temple service at the same time? and what was her age and experience? “There was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; and she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.” Luke 2: 36-38. 9. Who was the leading counselor used by the Lord to judge and teach his people at the time Barak led the armies of Israel to victory? “And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time. And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in Mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment. And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedeshnaphtali, and said unto him, Hath not the Lord God of Israel commanded, saying, Go and draw toward Mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun? And I will draw unto thee to the river Kishon Sisera, the captain of Jabin’s army, with his chariots and his multitude; and I will deliver him into thine hand.” Judges 4: 4-7. 10. Since God once led his people to victory through the agency of a prophetess when an important crisis was pending, may he not do so again if conditions demand it? “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” James 1: 17. 11. What other prophetess is mentioned by name in the ancient Scriptures? Who went to her for advice, and with what success? “So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asahiah, went unto Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college); and they communed with her. And she said unto them, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Tell the man that sent you to me, Thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, and upon the inhabitants thereof, even all the words of the book which the king of Judah hath read: because they have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the works of their hands; therefore my wrath shall be kindled against this place, and shall not be quenched.” 2 Kings 22: 14-17. Taking God and Heaven With Us
By Thomas Lathrop
To enjoy God and heaven it does not require that we wait till the last touch of death reveals all things in the light of eternity. We may take God and heaven along with us every day, and carry their peace and glory into all the dull and prosaic scenes of earth.— Thomas Lathrop.