Earlier text: OUR GREAT DEFENDERSAUL the son of Kish was a large, strong man of goodly appearance. Our first introduction to him is to a plain, meek, and bashful young man, who accepts the kingship of Israel with rare diffidence. But eventually he becomes puffed up by success, and grows self-confident and jealous. Then he deliberately disobeys God, seeks communion with a spiritist medium, and dies a God-forsaken suicide. Saul of Tarsus was a man of unattractive mien, whose “bodily presence” was “weak.” Yet he was an active, forward young man, and our first acquaintance with him is as a bitter persecutor of the disciples of Christ. But when this Saul is confronted with a positive knowledge of the will of God, he immediately becomes obedient, and eventually a power for good. When his life-work was ended, he died in the triumph of faith. Saul the son of Kish was admired by the people for his personal appearance; Saul of Tarsus was not. “Man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.” When the first Saul departed from the Lord, “The Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul,” and allowed an evil spirit to control him. When the latter Saul yielded to the call of Christ, the Spirit of Christ became his guide and comforter. The career of the son of Kish ended in disastrous failure; that of the apostle of Christ in the victory of faith. Why?—Because the one rejected the commandments of God, and the other became obedient to His voice. These two lives are set before us as ensamples—the result of disobedience and the reward of obedience. The choice is before all, and it is fraught with eternal consequences. “Be not deceived; God is not mocked; for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” G. Labor Unions and Political Ambition
By G.
As in all the other trusts, the great labor trust has its rivalries. It is announced and confirmed in the newspapers, that Eugene V. Debs is at the head of a new labor organization, the Industrial Union, which has been organized as a rival of the American Federation of Labor. Thus it becomes more and more apparent that the labor element is being gathered into bundles, to be used by ambitious politicians in furtherance of political schemes. The theory of republican government is that officials are the servants of the people, but that theory is quite generally out of practice, especially in the higher offices; and men and clans seek the ascendancy for the purpose of controlling their fellows. The more that men are organized into bundles, the more readily they are handled by those in whom they place their trust. And in these days of increasing corruption the ambition to lead, on the plea of benevolent concern for the welfare of the masses, is constantly proving a delusion to the people. But the masses are slow to learn the lesson; and ever and anon the would-be leaders are coming to the front with promises to set the captives free, if only the people will elect them to office. Such men usually find a following, and at least money enough to live comfortably without work, whether the political office be secured or not. As a rule, the officials of labor organizations are well paid—better than the men who are taxed to pay them, just as in other politics. G. VICTORY FOR RELIGIOUS LIBERTY.
[From our correspondent at Washington, D. C.] THE opposition has won in the fight in Washington, over the somewhat formidable movement engineered by the Rev. Randolph H. McKim for the introduction of certain specific religious instruction into the curriculum of the public schools in the District of Columbia. By a unanimous vote of the members present the district board of education, at its regular weekly meeting on the evening of May 10, declined to accede to the petition and recommendation of the church conference, and issues the following official statement of its decision: “The Board of Education has carefully considered the petitions asking for the introduction of a course of religious and moral instruction as a part of the curriculum of our district schools. This matter has been considered solely from the standpoint of the welfare and best interest of our school system as a whole. In view of the earnest protests that have been presented to us, many of them from large representative religious bodies, and undoubtedly inspired by conscientious motives, and in view of the unfortunate rancor that the matter has already aroused, as is evidenced by the public and private expressions that have been brought to the notice of the board, we feel constrained to decline the adoption of the course suggested. “In so doing we appreciate the motives that have impelled the movers to take the action they have, but believe the conditions existing, if fully understood, would impress them with the propriety, and indeed, necessity, of our decision. We do not deem it desirable to enter into any argument as to the many reasons, other than above, which imbued this action, for we trust that our people will believe that the board have at first the welfare of the youth committed to our care, and that the elevation of our wards, morally as well as intellectually, is our first aim. “The discussion in the public press and from our pulpits has given rise to the impression that there is nothing done in our schools in the line of moral teaching, and that our exercises are without religious tone. That, of course, results from the fact that but few of our people have the opportunity of visiting these schools and of familiarizing themselves with their methods. We believe we go as far in the direction suggested as any school system in this country, and we have studiously pursued this course in the face of repeated and earnest objections from representative bodies and individual Protestants. “That the public may be fully advised, we quote from the following rules, in force since the creation of the present board and for many years previous: RULE 46. Each teacher shall practice such discipline in his school as would be exercised by a kind and judicious parent in the family—always firm and vigilant, yet prudent. He should endeavor to inculcate truthfulness, self-control, temperance, frugality, industry, obedience to parents, reverence for the aged, forbearance toward the weak, respect for the rights of others, politeness to all, kindness to animals, desire for knowledge and obedience to the laws of God; but no teacher shall exercise any sectarian influence in the school. RULE 47. The opening exercises in every school shall consist of the reading by the teacher, without note or comment, of a portion of the Bible, repeating the Lord’s Prayer, and appropriate singing. “We assert, to the honor and credit of a faithful and efficient body of teachers, that they have carried out the full letter and spirit of our requirements; that they have, by their individual integrity and good example, moulded the characters of their pupils and have sent forth from our schools the best type of representative American youth.” [The president of the board, being unable to attend on account of sickness, sent in a statement favoring the suggestions of the committee of fifteen.] The New Orleans States, of April 16, says, "The Sunday law is being enforced rigidly; two violators are under indictment, one from Morgan City and one from Franklin." A despatch from Napoleonville, La., of April 18, says that "about fifty storekeepers pleaded guilty to violating the Sunday law, and were fined $25 for each violation." The Great Falls, Mont., Leader, says: "Up in Calgary efforts are being made to put an end to Sunday baseball. The ministers have taken up the matter, and asked for help in carrying out the proposed cutting off of Sunday games." Inasmuch as the church-and-state principle introduced the observance of Sunday into the church, and the Papacy is also the product of that principle, the two products should go together. And as the Papacy claims that Sunday observance is the special badge of its authority, which mark is also recognized by nominal Protestants, it is logical that such "Protestants" should note Rome's lead in the matter of observing her own institution. It is important, then, that they note that "the Catholic churches of Brooklyn, N. Y., are to have a Sunday baseball league. Ten churches have joined the league, and games are to be played on Sunday afternoons. Each of the churches is to have a representative team." So says a current press item, and it is safe to predict that there will be no arrests at any of these games. A Washington, D. C., correspondent says: "By a vote of sixty-six to thirty-four the Baltimore Conference of the M. E. Church, recently in session in this city, instructed its committee on Sunday observance to incorporate in its report instructions to ministers not to contribute sermons or Sunday-school lessons to Sunday newspapers." So they complain of the bad influence of the Sunday papers, but will not contribute anything for the good of the readers when they have opportunity. As the result of a long suit, a permanent injunction against Sunday baseball games at Eastern League Park, Bayonne, N. J., has been granted by Vice-chancellor Pitney, at Newark. The mayor of Fairmont, W. Va., has issued orders to the chief of police that positively no business shall be done in cigar stores, saloons, barber shops, or news stands on Sunday. The mayor has been severely censured for allowing violations of the Sunday-closing law, and he has decided to put a stop to them. A correspondent writes: "As an instance of the recent revival of Sunday work in New York, the Hippodrome Building is in evidence. Here the police recently sought in vain to interfere with carpenters and builders. No doubt the 'Sabbath Committee' feels a little chagrined over this matter of Sunday work on the Hippodrome Building; for, on7 its demand, a company of policemen were sent, one Sunday, to prevent, and stop the work; but, though they went early, and hung around all day, they did not succeed in either stopping the work or in making any arrests. Interior work on the building was being done, and the workmen, quite a company of them, were inside, while the policemen were outside, and the doors were kept locked. The work went on merrily, while the policemen kept watch outside, not daring to break in the doors. The officers were finally withdrawn in the afternoon. Yes, 'the issue is simple.' It is, Shall the religious Sunday be preserved by law and the policeman's club, or shall it not? There is but one right side to this issue, and it is most decidedly that the religious Sunday shall not be preserved by law and the policeman's club. If the religious Sunday can not be preserved otherwise, then it will have to go." The enforcement of the Sunday-closing ordinance was recently inaugurated at Monroe, Mich. The Sunday-closing was strictly observed at Crookston, Minn., April 17. Sunday-closing was successful in a recent municipal election in Carterville, Ill. Municipal officers have been elected in Breckenridge, Minn., who are pledged to Sunday-closing. The mayors of Ortonville and Perham, Minn., and Marion, Ind., have issued imperative orders for Sunday-closing of business. The Hutchinson (Minn.) Times says: "The saloon-keepers have agreed with the village council to close their saloons on Sunday during church hours—from 10 o'clock to 11:30 A. M., and after 7 o'clock P. M." The mayor of St. Cloud, Minn., has issued an order that "hereafter all the saloons in the city will be closed from 10 o'clock Sunday morning until noon, or, in other words, during the hours of divine service." The mayor has just entered upon his office. The chief of police of Newark, N. J., was recently directed by the commissioner of police to see that no further violations of the law occur at the Vailsburg bicycle track on Sunday. There will be no more Sunday races there. Vailsburg was recently annexed to Newark. District Attorney Jerome, of New York, says that the police captains of New York get $5.00 a month from every saloon-keeper to see that the Sunday excise law is not enforced. Mr. Jerome declares that the law can not be enforced, and that therefore the only way to stop this "graft" and corruption is to so change the Sunday excise law as to make it legal for the saloons to open a portion of the day on Sunday. At a meeting of the Retail Grocers' Association of Minneapolis, Minn., on April 17, it was "decided to take action to secure the closing of all groceries on Sunday." To this end the co-operation of all grocers was asked. "Most of the grocers keep their stores closed all day Sunday, but there are some, in different parts of the city, who open for a part of the day, and it is these men whose co-operation the association will endeavor to secure." An ordinance "making it illegal to open grocery stores and meat markets, and stopping most work and hauling, on Sunday," was recently introduced into the city council of Denver, Colo., at the request of "a large number of citizens" who claim that the keeping open of stores and doing work of different kinds on Sunday has been increasing for the last two years in that city. The ordinance was referred to a committee, and a public hearing upon it appointed. It is said that "the ordinance will have the united support of the civic, business, and labor organizations." At a meeting of the city council at Ottumwa, Iowa, on March 6, a resolution was adopted "instructing the mayor to take what action is necessary to stop shows being given at the Turner Opera House on Sunday evening, and at the Grand Opera House Sunday afternoon and evening, provided the performances are contrary to the city ordinance." This action followed a report on the subject by the chairman of the police committee, and a discussion thereon. "While saying nothing derogatory to the performances" at the two opera houses, the chairman of the police committee "believed that it was not the proper observance of the Sabbath, and recommended that the mayor take such action as was necessary to stop the Sunday shows." Two of the aldermen expressed themselves as being "in favor of enforcing the law regarding Sunday shows, or else amending the ordinance so as to make them lawful." Whereupon "the mayor stated that he understood that the shows being conducted were lawful according to the ordinance." "There was considerable discussion on this point," resulting in "the recommendation to have the mayor stop the shows if they were contrary to the ordinance." "The obliteration of the Godless Sunday from society," is the object of a league in process of formation by the Archbishop of Canterbury, head of the English Church. "The association is to consist exclusively of matrons of the higher circles of society, and Lady Wimborne is to be president. Cold dinners will be one of the rules insisted upon." "The blue laws which went into effect here Sunday are the strictest that have been passed in this village for some time," said the St. Clairsville (Ohio) Gazette, on March 24. "Under them, all stores must be closed the entire day on Sunday, drug stores being alone excepted. Meat shops may be open from 7 to 9, and restaurants the entire day, but nothing but eatables are to be disposed of." THE SPIRIT OF COVETOUSNESS.
By G.
HARDLY to be envied, even by the covetous, is the man who is said to be the richest man in the world. It is possible to gain a reputation, even through "business" methods, that at last brings down upon a man the opinion of his fellows that he is not any better than a genteel robber on a large scale. But the worst thing for the public is that the man who stands as the personification of the Standard Oil monopoly, has so many interested associates, and so many business imitators, among the influential men of the world. Thousands of men are profiting financially by the relentless, mercenary methods of the Standard Oil manipulators. The system has not only its trunk, but its roots and branches. While Rockefeller, as the leading spirit in the founding of the great oil trust, perhaps deserves all the contumely that has been heaped upon him, yet if he were personally jibbeted, not a peg of the monopoly would give way on that account. It should not be forgotten that the Standard Oil trust, and the scores of other trusts of lesser magnitude, would not be possible without the assistance of public officials. Nothing makes the fact of official corruption so conspicuous as the existence of these great robber monopolies. They could not exist but by the connivance of legislators—national, state, and municipal; by the connivance of executive officers—national, state and municipal; and by the connivance of judges—national, state, and municipal. And the army of monopolists is augmented because there are so many would-be recruits, who, tho joining in the outcry against the greed of the trust-founders, are ready to fall into line the moment the opportunity offers. "The love of money is the root of all evil," and it is permeating the human heart as never before. The covetous man is a monopolist to the extent of his ability, and that is just as far as he is shrewd enough to divine the possible opportunity. The robber on a small scale is no better at heart than the more extensive operator; but he is not so dangerous, because he lacks the courage, the assurance, the ingenuity. The spirit of monopoly, of greed, of covetousness, is in the very air of this sin-cursed earth, and its influence deepens and thickens because "the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be." And the church is open to it, the most conspicuous mediums of the trust being honored and retained even when its terrible results are felt and acknowledged by the masses. Men make wry faces at the bitterness of the fruit, but the tree is nurtured, and covetous men are no longer afraid to join themselves to the church for fear of incongenial companionship. In the days of Ananias and Sapphira, there came a time when such men dare not join the church; but that time is past. It is the popular thing now, and men seek membership, and pay for it, in order to gain political and business influence; and they are made welcome. G. The Los Angeles Times gives the following schedules of wages and hours of work in Belgium. The amount is expressed in American cents: Wool sorters, 79 cents for men to 19 cents for women; coal weighers, 68; wool weavers, women, 29; upholsterers, 70; teamsters, 60; tailors, 60; wool spinners, 70 to 94; shoemakers, 58 to 78; house servants by the day, without board, 7½ to 14; rollers in iron and steel, 97 to 116; puddlers, 97 to 116; feeders of printing-presses, 35 to 50; potters 119; plumbers, 65; plasterers, 70 to 135; paper hangers, 70; painters, 60; nurses, 16 to 19. The hours of work run from eight to twelve, net. The general time is about ten to twelve hours. At Ghent, in the cotton mills, the hours are from eleven to thirteen, and the wages run as low as 18 cents for women to 95 for men. The average given is 38 cents. There are 600,000 spindles at Ghent, running on cotton. For those who work by the week or from sixty to seventy-two hours, generally nearer the higher figure, wages run: For bricklayers, $4.46; hod carriers, $3.15; masons, $5.10; masons' helpers, $3; plasterers, $4.50; plasterers' helpers, $2.90; plumbers, $5.30; plumbers' helpers, $2.90; carpenters, $4; blacksmiths, $5.25; blacksmiths' strikers, $3.20; bookbinders, $5.25; brewers, $4.35; cabinet makers, $5.55; cigar makers, $6.10; draymen, $3.77; laborers, $3.70; lithographers, $5.75; printers, $5.75; teachers in public schools, $7.65; tanners, $5.50; weavers, $4.90 to $5.88; wool sorters, women, $2.70; wool pickers, $3.50 to $4.75; dyers, $9.25; wool carders, $3.50 up to $10.50 for superintendents; spinners, $3.90 up to $8.70 for superintendents; linen bleachers, $2.45 to $2.95; linen weavers, $1.45 to $2.90; furnace men, $2.70 to $3.95; boys, $1.20; puddlers, $3.95 to $5.90; rollers, $6.75 to $7.75; boys, $2.20; boiler makers, $4.90; helpers, $3.45; machinists, $5.90; model makers, $4.90; common laborers, $3.25. Here is a section which will directly interest American workmen. At Liége, in the glass works, the rates of wages for a week of seventy-two hours are: Common laborers, $4.90; artists, $12.50; grinders, $10.50; women grinders, $3.95; polishers, $3.20; blowers, $15.50; helpers, $8.75; cutters, $5.40. WITHIN the last few years Buddhism has been arousing itself, and making unusual efforts at proselyting in Europe and America. This course was taken to offset, in a measure, the work of Christian missionaries in the strongholds of Buddhism. Buddhists from India and Japan have sought to stem the tide of Christian progress by teaching their religion in the land of the missionary. The result of this propaganda is now beginning to manifest itself. Converts to Buddhism in both Europe and America are now going to India to act as missionaries against Christianity, and to undo, so far as they are able, the work of the Christian missionaries who have preceded them. This reflex movement on behalf of heathenism is acting as a stimulant to the followers of Buddha, who appear to be greatly elated over having pongyis from "Christian lands" to expound their doctrines and denounce Christianity. What is the significance of this revival of a heathen worship at the present time? The answer is plain. It is found in Rev. 12:12: "Wo to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time." The Scriptures also bring to view a time when Satan would work "with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved." 2 Thess. 2:9, 10. This the same scripture tells us, was to take place just before the second coming of Christ. Verses 8, 9. Thus the Lord has revealed to us beforehand what we might expect to see just before He came; and we are seeing it now as never before. The resuscitation of Buddhism is only one of the many deceptions which Satan is planning for the ruin of souls; but it is one of them, and thus becomes one of the signs that the coming of the Just One draweth nigh. Current Events and Foreign Affairs
"The following quantities of spirits passed through Madeira for Africa in a single week: Whisky, 28,000 cases; brandy and Old Tom, 30,000 gallons of each; rum, 800,000 demijohns, and 36,000 barrels; gin, 960,000 cases; absinthe, 15,000 barrels. It is almost incredible that this enormous amount of ruinous liquor all goes from Christian countries into heathen Africa." Last week the papers contained long articles concerning Russian encroachments on the Indian frontier and England's fears of what this Russian activity might mean. This week the Russians are wondering what is the meaning of England's activity in Afghanistan and Persia. The Novoe Vremya says: "We will let England alone in Afghanistan if she keeps her hand off Persia, where our interests are commercial and industrial and not political." The police of Chicago have in their hands indisputable evidence that the Chicago strikers had hired bands of professional "sluggers" who were sent out to beat and kill men. The members of one of these gangs are now under arrest for the murder of an inoffensive man, and evidence is being secured in the cases of other assaults and murders. Foreigners have been ordered to quit Vladivostok. This would indicate that Russia expects another siege there similar to that of Port Arthur. There has been but little movement during the week on the part of the two armies in Manchuria. Heavy rains have made the country impassable for artillery and heavy wagons. Turkey is planning to send thirty battalions of troops into the Arabian province of Yemen to reconquer that province. At the same time the government fears that there may be an outbreak in the Balkans due to the withdrawal of troops. A report from Paris states that Emperor William's plan to become the protector of Catholic interests in the Holy Land will be blocked by the pope. The pope is said to desire at least that much connection with the French Government. The band of Moros against which General Leonard Wood has been operating in the Sulu Archipelago has been exterminated by the soldiers. The latter lost 9 killed and 21 wounded. The band of outlaws numbered about 600. An agreement has been signed between Japan and Korea by which the Japanese are to take the Korean postal service under their control until such time as the Koreans are able to give an effective service. Russia has placed a loan of $103,000,000 in Germany. None of this money will leave Germany, however, as it will all be expended in the building of Russian war-vessels in German shipyards. As a result of German influence, the sultan of Morocco is said to have refused all the demands of the French save one. This is highly satisfactory to Germany. "BECAUSE I GO TO THE FATHER."
By Wm. Covert
NEAR the close of His ministry Jesus informed His disciples with reference to His departure from earth and His going to heaven. He spoke of many advantages that would come to them and to the church when He should be present with the Father in heaven. As His life's mission on earth was almost at an end, His personal presence with the Father would soon be essential to the success of His Gospel work. His ministry must change in location from Palestine to the place from whence He came. But to reconcile His disciples to this plan was not easy of accomplishment. As he talked of an early separation from them, their hearts filled with sadness at the thought, and they urged many objections to His going. He wished them to think of Him in His absence as preparing a place for their abode, and to believe that He would come again and gather them unto Himself. He declared to them that even the works which He had done would be excelled by the strength of their future ministry, and that their better success would come because of His presence with the Father. He taught that His presence with them through the comfort of the Spirit would more than compensate for His absence from them in body. He wished them to see that it was of far greater importance that they be filled with the Spirit and power by which He worked, than for them simply to receive the benefit of His personal association. They were even to become living channels through which His blessings would flow to a needy world. Through them the mighty power of saving truth must reach thousands of the lost sons and daughters of Adam, and enable them to become the children of the living God. He tried to have them see that in personal experience they needed a much deeper work than they had yet enjoyed. He therefore said: "I tell you the truth: It is expedient for you that I go away; for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you." There were some things necessary to be done that could not be accomplished until His ministry was inaugurated in the heavenly sanctuary. Prayer to the Father in the name of Jesus was to follow immediately upon the opening of His ministration above. His disciples were to be clothed with power from on high when His sacrifice for sins should be accepted and humanity lifted up to Him. He would place His people on earth, and the Gospel work committed to them, on elevated vantage-ground by His return to the Father. John, in explanation of one of Christ's lessons regarding the working of the Spirit, said: "This He spake of the Spirit, which they that believed on Him should receive; for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified." John 7:39. This reference is without doubt to the mighty outpouring of the Holy Spirit which began to work upon the day of Pentecost. John evidently understood that the giving of the Holy Ghost took place when Jesus was glorified in heaven. It was the heavenly power received then which made them ready for the greater work which they were to do, and which resulted in the conversion of many thousands of sinners. This wonderful manifestation evidently coincided with the opening of Christ's priesthood work in the heavenly sanctuary. Was it not then that He was exalted in the presence of the heavenly hosts? Indeed, Peter spoke of this exaltation on the day of Pentecost while the Spirit was resting upon him like tongues of fire. He said, "This Jesus,"—the Holy One who has been crucified and who had died and was buried,—"hath God raised up, whereof ye are all witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, He hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear." Acts 2:32, 33. Jesus was, at the time of His ascension, received back into heaven as the "King of glory." But He was at the same time accepted as the "Son of Man." He then stood in heaven, "to appear in the presence of God for us." "Being touched with the feelings of our infirmities," He secured the Spirit as a comforter for us. It was then that humanity was elevated in Jesus. When He was glorified, believing mankind was exalted in Him. To them were the heavens opened for the bestowal of the Holy Spirit in glorious power. In Him who is our High Priest in heaven, dwells "all the fulness of the Godhead bodily." That body, not glorified, had but lately been "bruised for our iniquities," and "the chastisement of our peace" had been upon Him. Isa. 53:5. He had borne "our sins in His own body on the tree." 1 Peter 2:24. But a marvelous change had now taken place with Him. He had received royal robes in the courts of glory; yet He had gone to the Father in the form of humanity, and had thus been accepted at the right hand of the Majesty on high. Not only so, but He had taken a multitude of the risen saints to heaven with Him, for "many bodies of the saints which slept, arose" in connection with His resurrection (Matt. 27:52, 53), and accompanied Him in His ascension,—a multitude of them (Eph. 4:8, margin). Thus heaven became fully opened to the needs of man. Yea, the One in whom is vested all power in heaven and earth is the Son of Man, and He is on the throne (Rev. 12:5),—is one of us, our Brother and Daysman. We are thus "accepted in the beloved." "We have redemption through His blood." Since Jesus has gone to the Father, the great question in heaven is that which pertains to men and humanity. On the throne with the Father He is Priest. Says the prophet: "He shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon His throne; and He shall be a Priest upon His throne, and the counsel of peace shall be between them both." (That is, the counsel of peace is between the Father and the Son regarding peace for man). Zech. 6:13. It was upon the throne that He was constituted high priest "for men in things pertaining to God." Heb. 5:1. It is upon the throne that He offers our prayers to the Father. Because He is there, His ministration can avail for us. Having been a man in the flesh and having passed into the heavens as a brother to represent us, our interests have first attention from the throne of the infinite Father. Since Jesus has gone from our needy world to sit with the Father in His throne, we can neither ask for, nor think of, more good than through Him is provided for us. "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." BY WHOM WAS THE SABBATH INSTITUTED?
By E. E. Andross
AFTER the Creator had rested upon the seventh day—thus laying the foundation of a divine institution, the memorial of His own great work—the record states that "God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it; because that in it He had rested from all His work which God created and made." Gen. 2:3. The same thought is stated in the fourth commandment, thus: He "rested the seventh day; wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it." The second act, then, in instituting this memorial, was to place His blessing upon the day of His rest, thus making it the blessed rest-day of the Lord. A third act completed the sacred institution. The blessed rest-day of the Lord is now sanctified, or hallowed. In other words, it was made sacred, or holy, set apart for a holy purpose. It was thus evermore to be the blessed, sanctified rest-day of the Lord. It is quite important that we understand by whom this great work was all accomplished. "All things were made by Him [Christ]; and without Him was not anything made that was made." "He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not." John 1:3, 10. "God, who created all things by Jesus Christ." Eph. 3:9. So, also, see Col. 1:14-17; 1 Cor. 8:6. As Christ is the One by whom all things were made, and as the Sabbath was among the things that were made (Mark 2:27), it therefore follows that Christ was associated with the Father in resting, blessing, and sanctifying the seventh day; that it was He who was refreshed—took delight in the rest of a completed work. And therefore the seventh-day Sabbath is properly called "the Lord's day." Finally, the Sabbath is shown to have been committed to Adam, the representative of the human race, and so to all mankind, to be an eternal witness to the "one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and9 we in Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by Him;" to have been set as a perpetual memorial of that power and wisdom which brought all things into being, and ordered their adaptations and harmony; to be a witness of the most important truths that it is possible for man to know. It, therefore, imposes upon all races and generations of men a dutiful observance. ONLY GOD IS GREAT.
By H. C. Balsbaugh
THERE is a source from whence flows out
The all of good, the all of bad;
Each source is great in good or ill,
Supplying all there is to fill.
But think it through,
And know it true,
Only God is great. Great genius, covering earth and time,
The highest laud of carnal man,
Entrances and ensnares, deceives,
The one who worships, who believes
That it is great—
And this its fate,
Only God is great. Of knowledge, wisdom, of heaven and earth,
Of mortals, great in station, birth,
With mind great depths to see, and vast,
Of words to picture present, past;
Says Solomon, with pain,
'Tis vain, 'tis vain—
Only God is great. Creation's work, all heaven and earth,
Attest that Israel's God is great;
Thence follows great redemptive love,
Whence God alone does greatness prove.
Learn, then, this truth,
Old age and youth,
Only God is great.