Earlier text: LIFE SKETCHESGod Forbid!
By James White
THESE two words occur in the following texts: "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? God forbid!" Rom. 6:12. "What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid!" Rom 7:7. "Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid!" Rom. 7:13. "Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid! Yea we establish the law." Rom. 3:31. Several things are here worthy of special notice:- 1. This expression occurs but four times in all the Bible, and these are all in Paul's epistles to the Romans. 2. The words are used each time with reference to the law of God. 3. The meaning of the words. They seem to be a sort of ejaculatory prayer; and the question seeming to contain its own answer, hence the ejaculation. Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Preposterous! God forbid! Sin is the transgression of the law. Shall we continue to transgress the law of God that grace may abound to us through him who died to redeem us from the condemnation of that law? The words of Paul in answer are most cutting. Said Christ: "I and my Father are one." In no way can we insult the Son more than to give license to violate the law for the transgression of which it was necessary that he should suffer the agonies of the cross. "What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid! Nay, I had not known sin but by the law." The law of God is his great mirror, into which the sinner may look and behold the moral imperfections of his character. Instead of being sin it is the looking glass which discovers sin. "Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid! But sin that it might appear sin worked death in me." Here the apostle declares the law to be good. It was not death to him; but it made sin to appear, and worked death in the old man, that he might be made alive in Christ. "Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: Yea, we establish the law." To make void is to empty, put away. What a question! Do we ministers of the gospel of Jesus Christ make void, empty, abolish and set aside the law of the Father by the gospel of the Son? Preposterous! God forbid! Yea, the gospel of Christ establishes the moral code. By the law is the knowledge of sin. And where there is no law there is no transgression. If the law be abolished, sin does not exist, and we no longer need Christ. So those who put away the law virtually put away Christ. The apostle brings in his verdict respecting the law in these words. Wherefore the law is holy, just and good. It had wrought a good work in him. No one questions Paul's conversion. In that conversion he gives the law a large place. It was that which showed him that he was a sinner. It convicted him that he was a transgressor of that holy law and exposed to the wrath of its divine Author. It wrought in him thorough conviction. It slew him. And when dead he was buried with his Lord in baptism. "But why say so much about the law? Why not say more about the gospel? It is the gospel that convicts men, not the law." We answer that gospel means good news. The gospel of Christ is the good news that Christ will redeem his people from sin, death and the grave. Who ever heard of good men killing a man? We preach the gospel in order to convert men. Convert them from what? From sin. Sin is the transgression of the law. Before we can turn a sinner from his sins, we must first show him what sin is. Then the very first thing the gospel minister should do is to hold up before the sinner God's great looking glass, and bid the sinner to see his sins by the aid of the moral law. By that he sees the exceeding sinfulness of sin. He yields to the claims of that law. He is truly convicted. He is dead. He is now in the condition to be led to Christ for pardon and salvation. This is Pauline theology. The great apostle at Miletus called for the elders of the church, and testified that he had kept nothing that was profitable unto them. He had faithfully testified to all, Jews and Greeks repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. He taught repentance toward God, because men had violated his law, and faith toward Christ, because faith in his atoning blood is the only remedy for sin. The apostle has linked the divine law and the gospel of the divine Son in the saving message to be borne to dying men. The blind Jew keeps back the gospel and makes a fatal mistake. The equally blind Christian keeps back the law, and makes a mistake equally great. The people of God, waiting for the coming of the Son of man under the last message of mercy keep neither. While the Jew is blind in one eye the Christian is blind in the other eye. But these who in the patience of their souls are waiting for redemption which is nigh, see with both eyes. It is said of them in the language of inspiration, "Here is the patience of the saints, here are they that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus." These are homeward bound. With the gates of the golden city of God open before them, they are cheered to make their course onward by this benediction of the Son of God, "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life and enter in through the gates into the city." J. W. CONVERSATION WITH A CHRISTIAN CHINAMAN.
As we were returning from the meeting at San Francisco last Sabbath afternoon we observed a Chinaman sitting with the passengers reading a newspaper. We said to him, John, come and sit down here by my side, which he cheerfully obeyed. Where did you learn to read, John? At the Christian school in San Francisco. Have you been immersed in the water? John, you have not been baptized. Jesus was baptized in the river Jordan. Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and came up out of the water. You did not go into the water at all. And Paul says that baptism is a burial. That Methodist minister could not bury you in a few drops of water. And again, the apostle says planted in the likeness of his death. When you Chinamen who are gardeners plant seeds you cover them up in the ground. When you were sprinkled you were not planted. Oh, well, the baptism of water is only a form; the baptism of the Holy Ghost be everything. Very well, baptism is a form, and the apostle has told us what that form is in these words, Planted in the likeness of Christ's death. We Baptists go down into the water and are laid down in it on our backs in just the manner that Christ lay in the tomb. You are not laid down on your back when a few drops of water are sprinkled in your face. You have not been baptized. Me hold no argument, water baptism nothing, baptism of the Holy Ghost everything. Here the conversation ended. This converted heathen had learned his lesson and was determined to be satisfied with his sprinkling for baptism. There are however quite a proportion of these Christian Chinamen who are Baptists, and we venture the assertion that if they could be left to take Bible language as it reads, not one of them would be satisfied with anything short of immersion. Visit to Pacheco.
By Ellen G. White
ON Thursday last, February 28, there came an urgent call from Pacheco for a minister to be sent to them to give a course of lectures. As there was no one else to go, I consented to venture twenty-two miles by wagon, over a fearfully bad road to help them what I could. We plowed through the mud for seven hours before reaching our destination. Upon arriving at the place of meeting, we found that an appointment had already been made for me for the following evening. I spoke four times in this place to those who were hungry for the word. It was no task to address such longing souls from the word of God. I spoke with great liberty on Friday evening from these words, "Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God," etc. On the Sabbath, at 11 A. M., there was a goodly gathering of people to hear. Our brethren from Lafayette came twelve miles over a very bad road to attend the meeting. I spoke with freedom from 1 John 3:3. "And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself even as he is pure." The spirit of the Lord was present, and hearts were deeply affected by the word spoken. The house was crowded on the evening after the Sabbath. I spoke from Luke 17:26, and onward: "And as it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man," etc.5 Sunday afternoon I spoke to a good audience in Good Templars' Hall, on the subject of Temperance, treating it from a Christian standpoint. The people had been accustomed to listening to temperance lectures which consisted of anecdotes, and sensational appeals, but when the temptation of Christ in the wilderness was dwelt upon, and his test upon the point of appetite, fasting forty days and forty nights, redeeming the disgrace of Adam's failure and fall, they were deeply interested. The matter was entirely new to them, and I never addressed a more attentive audience. After taking a hasty lunch, we rode twelve miles over the bad roads to Lafayette, where I spoke the same evening for more than an hour on Temperance. The audience gave the best of attention, and I had great freedom in speaking. We arrived safe at Oakland on Monday afternoon, March 4, somewhat weary, but well pleased with our visit and its results. We found in Pacheco a small church keeping the Sabbath. They meet with great opposition from unbelievers, yet they hold fast their faith, growing stronger and stronger. The leader in the church has done what he could to let the light of truth shine forth to others. This brother accepted our faith but a few months since, when Brethren Rice and Brorsen were making their first efforts to teach the truth. He was a profane, drinking man, and a ringleader in scenes of amusements; but when the tent was pitched, and these two young men presented our faith to the people, he with others, saw the truth of their reasoning, and signed the covenant to keep the commandments of God. He became a converted man, left off his tobacco, liquor, tea and coffee, and refused to join in amusements with his old associates. He stated that the habit of using tobacco was much harder for him to overcome than that of drinking liquor. The citizens of that place look with astonishment upon the great change in one who had been so zealous in the service of Satan. At first they predicted it would not last long, but there would be a speedy return to the old habits, and the old sins; but when they see that the few who have come out upon the side of truth, stand firm notwithstanding the opposition of ministers and people, they are forced to acknowledge that there is a great power attending the preaching of the soon coming of Christ. The little church in Pacheco is a living church, active in religious duties; they do not hide their light, as though it was something of which they should be ashamed, but they let it shine forth to others. Although they are few in numbers, they do not neglect the assembling of themselves together. They have no one to preach to them, but they make the most of the truth furnished them in our publications. The SIGNS OF THE TIMES, and our pamphlets and tracts serve as teachers at their assemblies. A doctrinal sermon appropriate to the occasion is read, occupying about one hour; then the practical articles are read covering another hour. These exercises, blended with singing, prayer and exhortation, make a very interesting Sabbath service. Sometimes there are from ten to twenty unbelievers present on these occasions, and at their evening meetings during the week. They are frequently assailed by ministers and church members, who bring up the old round of objections, which have been so repeatedly answered by our publications, and from the desk. If these objections cannot be readily met, they are carefully written out, and sent to some of our experienced ministers, who return a brief, plain and concise answer to them. Thus these isolated believers are prepared to meet their cavilling opponents. If the small companies raised up in different places, who can seldom have the services of the living preacher, would follow the example of the little church in Pacheco much good could be done, and many more might be brought into the light of the truth. Let them meet regularly, and select a good reader to read aloud the sermons, and other matter in our publications suitable for the occasion. Also each believer can do something toward wakening an interest in those with whom they associate to come out and hear the truths presented so clearly in our publications. These efforts, united with earnest prayers, and testimonies, will do much toward bringing hearts under the influence of the truth. Nearly all the objections that can be raised against our faith are carefully met in our publications; so that the diligent seeker for truth can furnish himself with strong weapons of defense against his opposers. Much good may thus be accomplished where the living preacher is not available. Before closing I will mention that certain church members in Lafayette, not of our faith, had reported that the Seventh-day Adventists did not believe in conversion, and had nothing to say about Jesus, as man's Redeemer. I was not acquainted with these reports until after I had spoken. My text was from 2 Peter, showing the duty of Christians to know and to follow the Lord Jesus, living upon the plan of addition. "Add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity," etc. This was Peter's ladder of eight rounds, of temperance and sanctification. I presented before them the long fast of Christ in the wilderness in behalf of man, and the fact that the victory gained by Christ elevated man in the scale of moral value. Christ was presented as the sinners only hope. Through his name and strength the liquor and tobacco inebriate may break the slavery of habit, and become victor through the merits of our Saviour. The Spirit of God rested upon me, elevating me above weariness. The acknowledgement of all present was that they had listened to the truth. Mrs. E. G. White. Enlarging Liberality.
By R. F. Cottrell
“The evil that men do lives after them;
The good is oft interred with their bones.”
If this was true in the days of Shakespeare’s Anthony, there must have been a remarkable revolution in the public mind since; for now our highest officials are unsparingly condemned while they live, but when they are dead they are eulogized. If we can believe it, death takes men straight to heaven; and some whose departure from earth is not to be regretted. The eulogy of H. W. Beecher on the late pope presents a remarkable instance of the enlarged so-called charity of these days. Speaking of the pope, in Brooklyn, February 11, he said: “With all the complications of instructions, and doctrines, and usages, one would think, standing as we do in the simplicity of Protestant faith, these would have smothered his best nature and turned him out to be merely a hierarch. But his sweetness, simplicity, love, unaffected piety, very generous personal wishes toward all, showed that, notwithstanding all the surrounding influences and circumstances, his love of God and man was so strong in him as to overpower them all, and when he died, in an instant God’s angels bore him gently, as if a little child carried on its mother’s breast, into the presence of the Saviour, and then a crown was put upon his head; not because he was a pope, but because a new heart had been given him just for so loving.” Is this the verdict of enlightened Protestantism? Is the head of that hierarchy which the Spirit of God, by an apostle, calls “the man of sin” and “the son of perdition,” and which is described in prophecy as a power which would “speak great words against the Most High, and wear out the saints of the Most High,” already crowned in the presence of our Saviour? while those through whom God warned us against this “lawless one” are not to receive their crowns till the day of the Lord Jesus? See 2 Tim. 4: 6-8. And who is this man of such “sweetness, simplicity, love, and unaffected piety,” notwithstanding that his circumstances placed him at the head of a fallen and corrupt church, the Babylon of Revelation, drunken with the blood of saints and martyrs, the worst foes of God and man, the hosts of Satan, for whom is reserved “the cup of the wine of the fierceness” of the wrath of God? What has the man done to clear him from the denunciations of God’s wrath, against that power, and secure him a place among the meek of the earth? Has he said or done anything to clear himself from the responsibility of the blasphemous words which were predicted of that power? Not far from the year 1868, as reported in a French Catholic journal, the pope used the following language: “I alone, despite my unworthiness, am the successor of the apostles, the vicar of Jesus Christ; I alone have the mission to guide and direct the bark of Peter; I am the way, the truth and the life.” How much short of blasphemy is it for a man thus to assume the titles and just claims of our Lord Jesus Christ? And this too is the man that summoned together the Catholic bishops of the whole world to make a formal declaration of his own infallibility, as well as that of those monsters of iniquity who filled the papal throne during the dark ages of the past! And such blasphemy and unbounded arrogance unrepented of is preached right into heaven, into the presence of him who taught his disciples humility both by precept and example! Surely Protestant charity, falsely so-called, is a very large mantle. The people are becoming very liberal in their views. Is it because they know that unless the way to heaven is broad, they themselves are not in it? Letter from England.
By Editor
The following is an extract from a letter from J. S., of Lancashire. He gives a brief account of his religious experience, previous to, and of his change of sentiment during a three years' sojourn in America, and says :— “I attribute the change in my views in not accepting the gospel as preached, and my inclination to question and criticise, mostly to the insipid nature of the sermons to which I listened, to the pride and unchristian demeanor of those who attended church, certain skeptical influences brought to bear upon me and a proud and sinful heart. I obtained infidel works and adopted their views, repudiating the Bible; and I delighted to argue with, and, if possible, discomfit ‘believers,’ of whom comparatively few, when put to the test, were able to give a reason for the hope that is within them. “All this time I had a friend, who is now a Seventh-day Adventists, whom no amount of argument, however strong, could shake the faith of; and it is through her instrumentality that I have been led out of darkness into partial light. After I returned to England she frequently sent me papers, sometimes the Review and Herald, and sometimes the Signs of the Times. These papers dealt with the very things that puzzled me. The articles on the ‘Unity and Personality of God’ swept one of my strongest points away. The lessons on the ‘Nature and Destiny of Man,’ and ‘The End of the Wicked’ answered another; ‘The Sonship of Christ’ very clearly and unmistakably pointed out that Christ was more than mere man. ‘Can God Organize Matter?’ has considerably lessened my psychological difficulties. And here let me say that praise is due Mr. Canright for his earnest efforts in the attainment and promulgation of truth.” He states that the principal object in writing is to ascertain how he can obtain certain publications noticed in the Signs, which matter is referred to the V. M. society, by which he will be supplied. The Sabbath-School
By James Edson White
AFTER a correct system of study has been arranged for the school, a standard of scholarship next claims the attention of the superintendent and his assistants; this cannot be done without a class record. The deeper interest of the school and the better preparation of the lessons will immediately show that such a record is invaluable. No teacher of a common district school would think of getting along a day without his record book. The same ends which are met by the use of the record book in public schools are met by its use in the Sabbath-school. 1. The scholar who knows that a faithful record is being kept of his attendance, scholarship and deportment, will make extra efforts to be punctual in attendance, perfect in his lesson, and correct in the rules of deportment laid down in the school. 2. The teacher can tell by a glance at the record book the exact standing of each scholar, and can labor with those who from any cause are making an imperfect record. 3. The superintendent can, as often as once a month, examine all the class record books of the school, and by them form a correct estimate of the earnestness and ability of the teachers. The teacher should consider himself responsible for the attendance and deportment of his class. If any member is absent one Sabbath he should ascertain at the next school the reason for such absence and endeavor to impress upon the mind of the scholar the importance of regular attendance, and to inspire all with a determination to have a perfect record. If any one is absent from the class two or three Sabbaths in succession, the teacher should take the first opportunity to call at his home and ascertain the cause of his absence, and by conversing with the parents, interest them, if possible in the Sabbath-school work, and in the importance of having their children regular in attendance and perfect in their lessons and deportment. Much depends upon the interest the parents take in the school. In fact, I have seen this matter worked out so many times, that, if I have never seen the parents, I can tell in a month the exact interest the parents are taking in the advancement of their children in the Sabbath-school, by the action of the children themselves. If the parents think the hour for the school is too early, the children will say so in school, and will almost always be late. If the parents think the lesson too hard and says so, the children will say so too, and have an imperfect lesson. On the other hand if the parents concur heartily with the measures adopted at school, and makes it a matter of home discipline that the scholar shall be present, punctual, and perfect in lesson and deportment, the class record will show that this is the case. Parents, remember that the class record is simply an index of how you at home are leading your children in the way of truth. The class record is not applicable alone to the children's classes, but is just as useful in the Bible-class. I know many think it unnecessary to keep a record of the Bible-class. I ask why? The answer is, "We don't need it." Now if you do not need the class record, it is from one of two causes. Either the discipline is unnecessary as you are always perfect, or you are not willing to be subjected to the discipline. If you are always perfect, the class record will not trouble you, and it will be a great encouragement to the children to know that they are held to nothing but what their parents are willing to accept. If you are not willing to be subject to the discipline, my advice is to get a deeper interest in the school and the truths there taught, and the lessons and discipline will not trouble you. If this latter is your reason it shows clearly that you need just such discipline as the close work in the Sabbath-school will give. Don't require the undisciplined minds of the children to be subject to rules which you are not willing to submit to yourself. If the child can submit to it, surely more mature minds should find it in no difficulty at all. J. E. WHITE. (Condensed from Review and Herald.) Danvers.—The work at this place is still progressing. Elder Canright reports having had a very interesting debate with a First-day Adventist, on the Sabbath question. This has served to strengthen those who have already accepted the Sabbath, and is a general topic with others. Elder C. writes: “The next evening after the debate closed, we had a full attendance at our prayer and social meeting. We have not had a better meeting in our house. Every moment was occupied, the brethren rising in quick succession, sometimes two or three at a time. All expressed themselves as stronger in the truth than ever, and thankful for the light they had received. Sabbath day nearly all were present. The attendance at Sabbath-school was larger than ever before, one hundred and eighteen being present. Nearly as many came in the afternoon, and again all thanked God for the light on the Sabbath and this blessed truth. Nearly every family among our people, and a great many outside, take our periodicals, and are well supplied with our books and pamphlets. There are now one hundred adult Sabbath-keepers here, besides children, not one of whom observed the Sabbath when our tent was pitched here last August. About one-half of them had never been Christians. Now nearly every one is a praying person. The filthy habit of tobacco-using has almost entirely disappeared from among them. Sunday afternoon and evening our house was crowded full, as usual. Though we have had preaching here almost constantly for six months, yet our regular attendance Sunday is about three hundred. A large share of these believe the present truth just as firmly as those who are keeping the Sabbath; and, indeed, many of them seem to love it just as well, and are as zealous in advocating it. They give of their means and their influence to support the cause. There is work enough for us to stay, and labor constantly; but probably it is not best. Thus ends my labor in Danvers for the present. I hope to return once more for a couple of weeks before the tent season. My address will be Danvers, Mass., as before. I am glad to say that Mrs. Canright, through the blessing of God, is recovering very rapidly. The prospect now is that she will soon be entirely well. For all these mercies we feel thankful to God.” Branch County.—Elder Littlejohn and Brother Burnham report further labor among the churches. February 11-18 meetings were held with the church at Quincy. Among the members are those who are qualified for the service of God by the possession of both the grace of the Spirit and intellectual ability. At the last service the house, although large, was filled with intelligent and attentive hearers. Several members of other denominations took an active part in the social meetings. Deerfield.—Brethren J. S. and C. A. Preston report a good interest here. By special request a second discourse was given on the sanctuary; at the close of which an expression was called for to see how many would keep all the commandments, and the faith of Jesus. Over twenty arose, including four who have been keeping the Sabbath for four years. These have been a help and encouragement in the work in this place. Fremont.—Elder McCoy writes: “At this place, eight precious souls, adults, have covenanted to obey God, and there is a good prospect for as many more. At my last meeting, two arose for prayers, whose conversion would be a great triumph for the truth.” Weeping Water.—Brother Hackworth writes: “Have just closed a series of meetings in a school-house, south-west of here. Thirteen signed the covenant. I took an expression to see how many believed we had the truth, and about twenty arose. We established regular Sabbath meetings.”