The Turkish censor, who recently objected to printed matter containing the chemical formula for water—H²O—on the ground that it might be taken to mean that Hamid II, the present Turkish ruler, is nothing, is again heard from, this time objecting to the word “Macedonia” in the English Bible, which he has discovered is found in Paul’s epistle to the Thessalonians. The censor suggests as an improvement that the words “the vilayets of Salonica and Monastir” be substituted for the word Macedonia. The American Bible Society declares that rather than make such an alteration it will cease circulating the Bible in Turkey.
Our Responsibility in the Present Crisis
By Ellen G. White
MRS. E. G. WHITE
On us is shining the accumulated light of God's dealings with his people. For our admonition a record has been kept of his reproofs of wrong-doing. We have a knowledge not only of that which he condemns, but of the faithful, commendable work of those who have put their trust in him. The light we may gain from these experiences of God's people in past ages, places upon us in the present crisis a great and solemn responsibility.
In the providence of God, a voice has proclaimed his truth in every age. And in this age faithful workers are unitedly to proclaim with no uncertain voice to the world the special message of truth for this time. They are to proclaim this message in accordance with God's plans, not in accordance with human suggestions.
God's people are to be of a ready mind, quick to see and to avail themselves of every opportunity to advance the Lord's cause. They have a message to bear. By pen and voice they are to sound the note of warning. Only a few will listen; only a few will have ears to hear. Satan has artfully devised many ways of keeping men and women under his influence. He leads them to weaken their organs by the gratification of perverted appetite and by indulgence in worldly pleasure. Intoxicating liquor, tobacco, the theater and the race-course,—these and many other evils are benumbing man's sensibilities, and causing multitudes to turn a deaf ear to God's merciful entreaties.
The human family have become careless and presumptuous. In the place of serving God, they are serving idols. They do not profit by the warning, “Take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting [intemperance in eating or in seeking for pleasure], and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.” God's sentinels are to stand constantly on the watch-tower, faithfully warning the church against the evils that, if allowed to enter, would weaken and injure the flock.
Every one whose name is on the church books should clearly understand what union with the church means. It means that you have pledged yourself to serve God. It means that you have fully surrendered self to him, in order that Christ may reign where self once reigned. It means that you have given up the selfish ideas and plans that you cherished for so long, and have yielded your mind to the mind of Christ. It means that your fixed purpose is to be one with God, one with his people; that you will exercise self-denial and self-sacrifice to advance the interests of his kingdom; that you will strive to overcome everything that hinders growth in grace.
The Lord leaves in darkness no one who has an ear to hear and a heart to understand. Let every one keep the eye single to God's glory. Be not led astray by the snares of the wicked one. “Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” Let the warnings that God has given in his Word be voiced by the watchmen on the walls of Zion, and heeded by every one in the Master's service. Every case will be tried, every soul proved. Let each one ask, “Am I an evil servant? Do I by precept and example lead other souls in false paths?” Remember that your influence is affecting others for good or for evil.
I beseech the members of every church to seek now for the greatest blessing heaven can bestow—the Holy Spirit. If in faith you seek for a greater measure of God's Spirit, you will be constantly taking it in and breathing it out. Daily you will receive a fresh supply, daily your experience will be enriched by the rich current of God's love. Before you there lie vast fields of truth, vast resources of power. Let your daily prayer be, “Take away, O Lord, what thou dost choose to take, but withhold not from us thy Holy Spirit.”
Preparation for Service
Every true child of God prepares himself for service. Jesus said, “If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.” “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself. . . . This do, and thou shalt live.” These words mean much. Service to God includes all there is of man. The affections must be centered on him alone.
As were God's people anciently, so we should be prepared to advance when the cloud rises and moves forward, and to halt when the cloud stops. We must adjust our movements to the guidance of God's Spirit. In the place of following ways of our own devising, we are to co-operate with divinity. Thus we shall be enabled to keep pace with our Leader.
In order to be a Christian, it is not necessary for a man to have great talents. The human agent may have no voice in legislative councils; he may not be permitted to deliberate in senates or vote in parliaments; yet he has access to God. The King of kings bends low to listen to the prayer coming from one who desires to do the Master's will. An earnest prayer offered from a sincere, contrite heart is of more value in God's sight than is eloquence of speech. God hears every prayer offered with the incense of faith. His weakest child may exert an influence in harmony with the councils of heaven. It is in answer to prayer that God revives his work.
O that the workers at home and abroad could be aroused to stand in their allotted place in the crisis that has come! If all would realize that it is their privilege to be laborers together with God, with what earnestness and devotion they would labor to enlighten the world! They would seize every opportunity to bear the truth into new territory.
God says, “Them that honor me I will honor.” Let us honor him by joining the ranks of his workers. The Leader of the host of heaven is waiting for human agencies to enlist in his service. He will lead us forth, an exceeding great army, to the conquest of the world. With such a Leader we may gain victory in every conflict.
We have no breath to waste in controversy. We are to watch, pray, work, believe, and wait. Let us proclaim the truth in its simplicity, uplifting the Man of Calvary higher and still higher.
“The grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men [not merely enjoining them by the force of command, but communicating divine knowledge], teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”
How the Lord Instructs His People
By John Norton Loughborough
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH
“God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son.” Heb. 1:1, 2.
This scripture plainly states that the Lord had various ways of imparting instruction to his people. This is clearly seen in tracing Bible history from the beginning. In earliest time the Lord “spake” to man. He taught him with an audible voice, as is seen in the record concerning Adam. In Gen. 1:28, 29, we8are told what the Lord said to Adam and Eve. In Gen. 3:8, 9, after they had partaken of the forbidden fruit, “they heard the voice of the Lord God. . . . And the Lord called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?” In Gen. 4:6-15 is found the account of the Lord talking with Cain, both before and after his killing his brother Abel. Then in the record of the flood, both before it came and after, we have the account of the Lord talking with Noah. Gen. 6:13-22; 9:1, 8, 12, 17. In later time, in the days of Moses, the Lord spoke to him “mouth to mouth.” This is recorded as something different from the Lord’s mode of communicating with his prophets at that time. Num. 12:6-8.
The second special manner of the Lord’s revelations to man was by the ministration of angels. These angels were not (as some claim) “the spirits of dead men,” but a race of created beings of a higher order than men. By the mouth of David, the Lord said of man’s creation, “Thou hast made him a little lower than the angels.” Ps. 8:5. Angels appeared unto Abraham, telling him that Isaac should be born, and also that Sodom should be destroyed. Gen. 18:1-33. These angels also visited Lot in Sodom, to warn him of impending judgment, and to hasten him away from the danger. Gen. 19:1. An angel appeared to Joshua, just before the overthrow of Jericho, as “Captain of the host of the Lord.” Joshua 5:13-15. An angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, informing him that the Lord by him would deliver Israel from their oppressors. This angel gave him instruction in the preparation and execution of the Lord’s plan for the defeat of that mighty host by the three hundred men with no visible weapons except lamps, pitchers, and trumpets. Judges 6:11-22. Again we read of an angel that appeared to Manoah and his wife, informing them that Samson should be born, and giving instruction as to how they should care for him. After receiving the instruction from the angel, as they were offering a kid with a meat offering as a burnt sacrifice to the Lord, “it came to pass, when the flame went up toward heaven from off the altar, that the angel of the Lord ascended in the flame of the altar.” Judges 13:3-20.
Satan counterfeited the work of good angels by sending evil angels to communicate with men. They sought to hide their own identity, telling the people that these communications were from their dead friends who had become as gods. The Lord told the people plainly that this mode of communication was from an evil source, and he pronounced severe penalties against this consulting with familiar spirits. Deut. 18:10-12.
As we come farther down in earth’s history, we find instead of angels appearing visibly to men, that other methods were used. Of this we read in the words of Elihu, “God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed; then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction.” Job 33:14-16. Those thus instructed the Lord called “prophets.” He said of them, “If there be a prophet among you, I the Lord will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream.” Num. 12:6. Still later, referring to this class, he said, “I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets.” Hosea 12:10.
When reading of prophets in Old Testament times, one is apt to think simply of the sixteen, from Isaiah to Malachi, whose writings are in that part of the Scriptures. There are many prophets referred to in the Bible besides these. There are more than one hundred and fifty mentioned in the Old Testament, besides the sixteen already referred to.
A seer and a prophet are the same. In Samuel’s time it was said, “He that is now called a Prophet was beforetime called a Seer.” 1 Sam. 9:9. It may be of interest to note cases where these prophets are mentioned. When Obadiah met Elijah in the time that Jezebel was destroying the Lord’s prophets, he told Elijah that he had hid one hundred of them by fifty in a cave, and “fed them with bread and water.” 1 Kings 18:13. Enoch, the seventh from Adam, was a prophet. Jude 14, 15. The Lord appeared to Abraham in a vision, so that it can be said of him that he was both patriarch and prophet. Gen. 15:1. Jacob had night visions, in which the Lord spoke to him. Gen. 46:2. He prophesied of what should befall his posterity, and uttered that wonderful prediction of the scepter in the hands of Judah till Shiloh should come. Gen. 49:2, 10. Joseph in Egypt prophesied of the seven years of great plenty to be followed by the seven years of famine. Genesis, chapters 40, 41. The Lord, when speaking to Moses of Aaron, said, “Thy brother shall be thy prophet.” Ex. 7:1.
Deborah was a prophetess. Judges 4:4. Samuel was a prophet as well as judge in Israel. 1 Sam. 3:20. “A man of God” (a prophet) came with a sad message to Eli, telling him of the fate of himself and his sons. 1 Sam. 2:27-36. Saul met a “company of prophets.” There must have been as many as four in the company, for four instruments are mentioned that they carried before them. As Saul met them, he prophesied. 1 Sam. 10:5, 6. David was a prophet. Acts 2:30. There was a company of prophets, with “Samuel standing . . . over them,” and when Saul’s company whom he had sent to bring David, saw this company of prophets, the Spirit of God came upon them, and they prophesied. 1 Sam. 19:20.
The prophet Gad gave instruction to David. 1 Sam. 22:5. Ahijah met Jeroboam and predicted the division of the kingdom. 1 Kings 11:29-39. A man of God came to Bethel and prophesied that Josiah should burn men’s bones on the altar. 1 Kings 13:1, 2. Jehu prophesied against Baasha. 1 Kings 16:1-7. Then there are the cases of Elijah and Elisha, under whose ministrations so many wonderful things occurred. 1 Kings, chapters 17, 18, 19, etc. There was a prophet that notified Ahab of the deliverance Israel should have from the Syrians, and another came and told him that the Syrians would return again the next year. 1 Kings 20:13, 22. Besides these, two other prophets are mentioned in the same chapter. Verses 28, 37, 41. Micaiah testified to the overthrow of Ahab, against the testimony of four hundred Baal prophets. 1 Kings 22:8-28. There were prophets at Bethel at the time of Elijah’s translation. 2 Kings 2:3, 5. In 2 Kings 9:4 there is mention of the young prophet that anointed Jehu as king over Israel. We read of a prophet that was sent to Manasseh. 2 Kings 21:10; 2 Chron. 33:18. Huldah was a prophetess who dwelt in the college at Jerusalem, her husband being keeper of the wardrobe. 2 Kings 22:14. There were four sons of Asaph who prophesied. 1 Chron. 25:2. In the same chapter we have mention of six sons of Jeduthun, who were prophets, and of Heman, “the king’s seer in the words of God.” Verses 3, 5. “Shemaiah the prophet” is mentioned in 2 Chron. 12:15. And Iddo, who wrote of “the acts of Abijah,” is mentioned in 2 Chron. 13:22. The testimony of Azariah the prophet which he gave to Asa the king, is found in 2 Chron. 15:1-8. Mention is made of Jahaziel, who said to Jehoshaphat, “The battle is not yours, but God’s.” 2 Chron. 20:14-20. In the same chapter is recorded the words of the prophet Eliezer to Jehoshaphat, “Because thou hast joined thyself with Ahaziah, the Lord hath broken thy works.” Verse 37. A little further on in our reading is found the record of a prophet who came to Ahaziah, but his testimony was met with the words, “Art thou made of the king’s counsel? forbear; why shouldest thou be smitten?” 2 Chron. 25:16. Then there was the prophet Oded who reproved Ahaz the king for his “rage that reacheth up unto heaven.” 2 Chron. 28:8-10.
Nathan the prophet, and Gad the king’s seer are mentioned in 2 Chron. 29:25. Jeduthun, “the king’s seer,” in company with others, directed the singing at the time of the great Passover held by king Josiah. 2 Chron. 35:15. Uriah prophesied against Jerusalem “according to all the words of Jeremiah.” Jer. 26:20. Azur the prophet it seems had a son who prophesied against Jeremiah’s predictions. Jer. 28:1-9.
With this array of prophets before our mind, we can say, indeed, The Lord “multiplied visions . . . by the ministry of the prophets.” When the people followed in the way of the Lord, he was ever ready to instruct them. At such times it could indeed be said of them, “For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the Lord our God is in all things that we call upon him for?” Deut. 4:7. When thus favored, Israel rejoiced; but when such instruction was withheld, they mourned, and said, “We see not our signs: there is no more any prophet: neither is there among us any that knoweth how long.”9Ps. 74:9. Again, “The land is full of bloody crimes, and the city is full of violence. . . . Then shall they seek a vision of the prophet; but the law shall perish from the priest, and counsel from the ancients.” Eze. 7:23-26. This prediction was 594 B. C. A few years later (588 B. C.) they mourned in captivity, “The law is no more; her prophets also find no vision from the Lord.” Lam. 2:9.
Wherefore
By Churchman
WHEREFORE dost thou doubt, O soul?
Wherefore dost thou doubt?
Can not Christ, thy loving Lord,
Work life's problems out?
Has he not delivered thee
Many a trying hour?
Is he not the same to-day
In almighty power?
Has his blood not purchased thee?
Art thou not his own?
Through the whelming waters deep
Dost thou go alone?
Wouldst thou know the reason why
All these things go wrong?
He will show thee by and by;
Change thy sighs to song.
He will surely bring to thee
Whatsoe'er is best;
Guide thee all thy journey through
To his promised rest.
Doubt him not, O troubled soul!
Wherefore be afraid?
Arms of love encompass thee!
Be thou not dismayed!
— Churchman.
The Spirit of Prophecy
By Ellet Joseph Waggoner
E. J. WAGGONER
John the Baptist was the greatest prophet that ever lived, yet he did not foretell any future event. He simply quoted the Scriptures, and warned men to repent of their sins. He did no miracle (John 10:41), but preached the truth as it was recorded in the Bible. This, therefore, is to be the characteristic of all those who, living in the last days, are prepared for the coming of the Lord, and who give others knowledge in order that they may be prepared. Let us see from the Scriptures that this is so.
At the command of the Lord, Moses in the wilderness selected seventy of the elders of Israel and set them round about the tabernacle; “and the Lord came down in a cloud, and spake unto him, and took of the Spirit that was upon him, and gave it unto the seventy elders: and it came to pass, that, when the Spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease.” But there were two men who remained in the camp with the congregation, and did not come to the tabernacle with the other elders, and the Spirit rested upon them also, and they prophesied as well as the others. When Moses was informed of this, Joshua, full of zeal for his master, said, “My lord Moses, forbid them. And Moses said unto him, Enviest thou for my sake? would God that all the Lord’s people were prophets, and that the Lord would put his Spirit upon them!” Num. 11:24-29. This was not an idle wish, but an indication of what might have been; and whatever gift may be received from the Lord ought to be received.
Now that such a state of things as Moses desired is possible, and the right thing to exist in the church, is seen from the words of the apostle Paul: “Follow after love; yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. For he that speaketh in a tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God; for no man understandeth; but in the Spirit he speaketh mysteries. But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men edification, and comfort, and consolation. He that speaketh in a tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. Now I would have you all speak with tongues, but rather that ye should prophesy. . . . If all prophesy, and there come in one unbelieving or unlearned, he is convicted by all, he is judged by all; the secrets of his heart are made manifest; and so he will fall down on his face and worship God, declaring that God is in you indeed. . . . For ye all can prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.” 1 Cor. 14:1-5, 24, 25, 31.
Read still further: When John the apostle on Patmos was about to worship the angel who showed him wonderful things, the angel said: “See thou do it not: I am a fellow servant with thee and with thy brethren that hold the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” Rev. 19:10. Now put with this Rev. 12:17: “And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” It is evident from this that the very same people who keep the commandments of God have also the spirit of prophecy; and it is certain that all the people of God will keep the commandments of God; therefore it is also certain that every one of the people who are ready to receive the Lord when he comes, having finished the work that he gave them to do, will have the spirit of prophecy.
What It Is to Be a Prophet
Let no one mistake the meaning here; there will be no danger of making any mistake if we keep in mind what the spirit of prophecy is. People in general have a fixed and narrow idea of what a prophet is, and what the spirit of prophecy is. A prophet is one who speaks for God. The Lord said to Moses, “See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet.” Ex. 7:1. Now read Ex. 4:15, 16, concerning the relation of Aaron to Moses, and what his work was to be: “Thou shalt speak unto him, and put the words in his mouth: and I will be with thy mouth, and with his mouth, and will teach you what ye shall do. And he shall be thy spokesman unto the people: and it shall come to pass, that he shall be to thee a mouth, and thou shalt be to him as God.” Aaron was the mouth of Moses, to speak for him whatever he wished to say. Moses instructed the people through Aaron. That constituted Aaron the prophet of Moses. Just so whoever receives the words of God at his mouth, and speaks them to the people, is God’s prophet. He may not foretell any future event, but he will speak the words of God. “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God.” 1 Peter 4:11. “For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God.” John 3:34. Thus may and should all the people of God prophesy, and until they do that, they are not giving the testimony to the world that God would have them give; they are not witnessing for Christ. God gives the Spirit in order that all may speak his words, and be faithful witnesses.
God’s People Seers
Still further: “Beforetime in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, thus he spake, Come, and let us go to the seer: for he that is now called a Prophet was beforetime called a Seer.” 1 Sam. 9:9. A seer is simply one who sees. Now God would have all his people see; for he says in a message for the very last days, “Anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.” Rev. 3:18. Whoever can see will recognize the Word of God when it comes to him, and the Word will itself make him see if he will but gladly receive it. And so will all God’s people be seers, knowing God’s will, discerning the signs of the times, and making known the truth to the world. He who has not the spirit of prophecy can not discern that spirit; for “the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things.” 1 Cor. 2:14, 15.
How the Gift Comes
Let no one think that this gift comes arbitrarily, or that anybody can have it simply by declaring that he has it, or by any sort of mere profession that he may make. The spirit of prophecy is the portion only of those who keep the commandments of God,—not of those who have the form of keeping the commandments, mind you, but of those who do indeed keep them. The Word of God is the sword of the Spirit (Eph. 6:17), and the Spirit comes to everybody as the reprover of sin, first of all. The promise is coupled with this statement: “Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my Spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.” Prov. 1:23. “The commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life.” Prov. 6:23. He who heeds the reproofs and instruction of the commandments of God, will receive abundantly of the Spirit of God, and will know the will of God; for “if any man willeth to do his will, he shall know of the teaching.” John 7:17.
Here, then, we have the great lesson that is to be learned from the record of the work of John the Baptist. That which God is waiting for to-day is a people united not by a formal creed, but by the one Spirit, and thus all speaking the same thing (see 1 Cor. 1:10),—a people filled with the Spirit, and so seeing light in the light of God, and reflecting the light to others. The message of John the Baptist—the preaching of the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins—was never more needed than it is to-day, but it can not properly be given except by those who know the Word of God when it comes to them, and who are seers. They must receive the Word direct from God, and not from any man, and they must receive the Word first of all as a reprover of the sins of their own lives.
The Thoughts of God
Who can think the thoughts of infinity?—Manifestly none except him who is infinite. Therefore God must dwell in us, thinking his own high thoughts. Otherwise all our thoughts will be wrong, and to no purpose. In calling upon us to forsake our ways and our thoughts, God does not wish us to be nonentities; he wishes us to think and act, but the spring of all our acts and thoughts must be himself. He is the fountain of real life; therefore unless10he dwells in us, and his real presence is continually recognized, our life will be but a mirage. What a wonderful truth, that we may have God to think in us, so that our brains will be but the organ of the mind of God! Then will be manifest the miracle of God dwelling and acting in the flesh. This wonderful privilege is offered to all. It is part of the everlasting covenant, the sure mercies of David.—Selected.
The Second Coming of Christ
What Does It Mean to This World?
(Concluded) *
WHEN Jesus comes, all the holy angels will be with him. Matt. 25:31. What an immense company that will be, for according to Rev. 5:11 there will be over one hundred million. “The number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands.”
Christ will come with the threefold glory,—the glory of the Father, the Son, and all the holy angels. Luke 9:26. The mind and words of the most eloquent orator can not picture the brightness and magnificence of his glorious appearing.
Let us read what Daniel says of the glory of one angel: “His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in color to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude.” Dan. 10:6. If this be the glory of one angel, imagine if possible something of the glory of one hundred million, and together with this the glory of Christ and God. Read Rev. 1:10-18. John here says, “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet. . . . I saw seven golden candlesticks; and in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; and his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive forevermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.” In these words John has described the glory of Christ. Let us see what we can find in regard to the glory of God. Daniel says, “I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.” Dan. 7:9. Ezekiel says that the Lord’s appearance is like unto a bow that is in the cloud in a day of rain. Eze. 1:28. Who has not seen the beauty and brightness of a rainbow in a day of rain?
What happiness and joy to the Redeemed to be greeted with such a vision of loveliness when Christ comes with the retinue of holy beings! And we read in Rev. 1:7 that “every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him.” Every eye shall see him. Those who in his name have overcome will be full of praise and shouts of victory; but alas! for those who mocked and derided him. These are they who will cry for the rocks and the mountains to fall upon them, and hide them from the face of him that sitteth upon the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb.
Christ’s appearing is also likened unto lightning that cometh out of the east and shineth even unto the west. Matt. 24:27.
At the coming of the Son of man the righteous will receive their reward. “For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the Archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” 1 Thess. 4:15-17.
In Luke 21:27, 28, we are exhorted to rejoice when we see the signs of the coming of the Son of man.
“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” Col. 3:1-4.
The coming of Christ to this world means happiness instead of sorrow, songs and praises in place of weeping, health instead of sickness, thanksgiving and not complaining. There will be rest, joy, and peace. The young will never grow old. The old will have their youth renewed. There will be harps of gold that will send forth beautiful strains of music as the strings are touched by angel fingers, and the voices of the mighty host blend in sweet harmony in an anthem of praise. “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty.”
God With Us
“WITH us” not merely by mercy or care or providence or protection, but “with us” as one of us. Not doing only great things for us, but taking our nature upon him, and therein suffering for us and in us. Not restoring us by his word, as he created us, but by becoming as one of us. Not by raising us by the hand when fallen, but himself humbling himself to us. Himself sinking to us that he might rise with us; might ascend to his Father, girt round with us, placing at God’s right hand, united with himself, and as a part of himself, the nature which he had redeemed.
All man’s history turns on this—to be with or without God, having or not having God with us. All the history of man’s decay is but one manifold exhibition of being without God. All his pursuits, arts, inventions, ambition, aggrandizements, passions, lusts, wars, amusements, are, in themselves, but varied forms of godlessness. All his restoration, through revelations, guidances, providences, chastenings, mercies, is but a course wherein God draweth nigh to him, and draweth nigh unto himself. To live “without God in the world,” is man’s one, though varied, misery; “God with us” is the center and circumference of the divine mercy.—Rev. Dr. Pusey.
How I Began Keeping the Sabbath
By Frank Thistle
HAVING read, some weeks ago, a pamphlet entitled “Can We Keep the Sabbath?” the idea came to me to relate some facts concerning my own experience in regard to this matter.
There was a time when I believed, or tried to believe, that it was impossible for me to keep the Sabbath.
About three years ago Mr. B. came to Brierfield, and held a short series of meetings. My wife and a few others accepted the doctrine he taught, and became Seventh-day Adventists; but the people generally were set against his teachings. Though the minister was the kindest, most pleasant man I ever saw, and preached nothing that was not plainly taught in the Bible, they became so bitter against him that he closed the meetings, and left the neighborhood.
Though I did not come out openly and accept the doctrine he preached, I believed it, and it was a thorn in my flesh. I would have been glad to disbelieve it; for then I could have gone on breaking the Sabbath without suffering any unpleasant twinges of conscience. I did not reveal my feelings even to my wife. On the contrary, I often ridiculed her when she made herself tidy on Saturday morning, and sat down with her Bible and good papers about her. But I admired her courage, and wished I had plenty of money that I might defy public opinion, and serve God as I knew I should. I thought I could not afford to incur the ill will of the well-to-do neighbors who patronized my shop, by setting up my views in opposition to theirs on the Sabbath question. At first I thought I could compromise the matter with my Maker and my conscience: of course I would not work on Sunday,—it would excite remark,—I would do as little work as possible on that day. I would say nothing about it, and be a Sabbath-keeper on the sly. But I soon found that way to be unsatisfactory indeed; for Neighbor S. and Neighbor H., my two wealthiest patrons, brought more work in my shop on Saturday than on any other day, so there was no time in which to take a quiet hour to read the Bible or11religious papers. After a while I gave up the attempt to be a Sabbath-keeper on the sly. Matters drifted along in this way for two years. I was dissatisfied with myself; I knew I was doing wrong, but lacked the grit to put myself on the right track.
One Saturday morning in July I went out to my shop in an unusually discontented state of mind. Rain had fallen the night before, and everything looked fresh, green, and promising. I looked at my corn field; every blade and tassel softly swinging in the breeze seemed praising God. My garden sang the same glad song. I went to the shop, and sat down near a pile of plows and hoes that Mr. H. had sent over that morning. I looked around the dirty place, then out at the green fields lying in the yellow sunshine, where the hum of insects and the song of birds seemed to be urging me to lay aside cowardice and be true to God. I looked at my cottage, peeping out amid a wealth of vines. Seated on the porch, with a Bible in her hands, I could see my wife. There was a restful Sabbath look on everything. I felt uncomfortable. I thought of all the blessings I was receiving at the hands of God, how good he had been to me, and how, in return for all his kindness, I constantly violated his law by working on his holy day. I thought of Daniel, and all the holy men the Bible tells us of, who suffered everything rather than disobey God’s law in the slightest particular. And here was I, unwilling to arouse the displeasure of a few of my neighbors by obeying one of God’s positive commands! I did not go to work, but sat for more than an hour pondering on these matters. By and by my little boy left his mother’s side, and coming to me, said: “Papa, does mama ever tell lies?”
Amazed at his question, I answered, “No, my child; I never knew your mother to tell a lie in my life.”
“Well, that is what she said just now about you, and yet one of you has told a story.”
“Why do you think so?” I said.
“Because mama says Saturday is the Sabbath, and you say it is not, and it must be one of you is not telling the truth about it.”
“I haven’t said that Saturday is not the Sabbath,” I said; “on the contrary, I believe it is.”
“Then why do you come out here and work on Saturday, and put on your best clothes and go to church on Sunday? Only yesterday you told Mr. Jones there was to be a meeting at the church on Sunday, to organize a Sabbath-school. If you think Sunday is not the Sabbath, why do you call it so?”
I had no answer ready, so I said, “Run away, child; you annoy me with your questions.”
But when he had gone, I asked myself, “If you have no answer for your little child, what can you answer when confronted with the same question by your Saviour?”
I was conscience-stricken, and kneeling down, I sought pardon of the Lord for my cowardice, and begged for courage to keep his law. I arose with a feeling of peace and rest in my heart, such as I had not known for many days.
I shut up the shop, went to the house, and exchanged my work clothes for a clean suit; then I joined my wife on the front porch. In answer to her look of inquiry, I told her of the change that had come over me. She was very glad, and said she had prayed more fervently than usual that morning, that grace and strength might be given me to take a firm stand on the side of truth.
All this occurred more than a year ago, and I have never regretted the stand I took that morning. True, my rich neighbors no longer patronize my shop, and I meet with cold looks from some who formerly smiled on me; but what I have lost in this way I have gained in another. I have all the work I can do, and the past year has been a prosperous one. The loss of my neighbors’ smiles is more than made up in the joy I feel in obeying all the commandments of my Father; for I can truly say, with David, “O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.”—Frank Thistle, in Oriental Watchman.
Victory — What Is It ?
WHEN you are forgotten, or neglected, or purposely set at naught, and you smile inwardly, glorying in the insult or oversight,—that is victory.
When your good is evil spoken of; when your wishes are crossed, your taste is offended, your advice disregarded, your opinions are ridiculed, and you take it all in patient, loving silence,—that is victory.
When you are content with simple food, plain raiment, any climate, any solitude, any interruption,—that is victory.
When you can bear any discord, any annoyance, any irregularity or unpunctuality (of which you are not the cause),—that is victory.
When you can stand face to face with such folly, extravagance, spiritual insensibility, contradiction of sinners, persecution, and endure it all as Jesus endured it,—that is victory.
When you never care to refer to yourself in conversation, nor to seek after commendation, when you can truly “love to be unknown,”—that is victory.—Selected.