Earlier text: DOES GOD AFFLICT?AN APPEAL TO THE W. C. T. U.
By M. C. Wilcox
The Woman's Christian Temperance Union have a column in the Healdsburg Enterprise. In the issue of that journal of July 3, they have an article entitled, "Sabbath observance." They speak of the efforts put forth for the Blair Sunday-Rest bill; and all the results thus far, they say, are God's answers to their prayers. That is, they would have us believe that the Lord answered prayer in behalf of an unscriptural method to obtain an arbitrary law to compel observance to an institution which not only has no divine authority, but which is a rival to the sacred rest-day of God's own appointment! Sisters, just think of that, will you? Is it not possible that you may be wrong in ascribing the results to your prayers? God heareth those who ask according to his will (1 John 5:14); but did you ask according to God's will? Where is it contained in God's will that Sunday should be observed? Where is it revealed that any religious institution of any character should be forced upon the conscience of anyone, whatever his belief or unbelief? Paul said, "Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men." 2 Cor. 5:11. You think, sisters, that the judgments of God will fall upon this people because of their violation of God's law; your brothers of National Reform so talk. Believing, therefore, in the terror of the Lord, why do you not take the scriptural way, and persuade men? Is it because you lack the other means, which gives power to persuasion, the word of God with its precepts and promises? Be honest, sisters, with your own souls; why support unscriptural institutions, and in such unscriptural ways? They continue:— "Opposition to this Sunday-Rest bill comes mainly from two sources: The liquor dealers and the Seventh-day Baptists and Adventists; the first class opposing it as an infringement of personal liberty, the second as an infringement of conscience. We shall now spend no time on the first class, both because their opposition is nothing like as pronounced as that of the seventh-day people, and because the personal liberty plea has been so often and so ably answered in another connection. "The second class of opponents are entitled to most respectful consideration, both because we always respect conscientious scruples, and because of the persistent, concentrated efforts they are making to defeat the bill. It seems as if those two churches which believe that Saturday is the true Sunday are bending all the energies which other churches expend in home and foreign missions, in Christian philanthropy of every kind, upon the one effort of defeating the Sunday-Rest bill. The country is flooded with their literature, on which they expended twenty thousand dollars last year, and their strongest men and women are instant in season and out of season, defending their cause. It is a significant fact that in this opposition of our seventh-day friends the Jews take no part." On the above we wish to offer a few observations which we hope may prove a benefit to our Woman's Christian Temperance Union sisters. 1. They acknowledge that the great opposer to the present fight of this woman's temperance organization is not the rum power, but two bodies of temperate and temperance Christians—and these must submit or be crushed. Is it for this purpose the Union was organized? How sadly fallen! 2. Seventh-day people do not believe that "Saturday is the true Sunday." But Saturday is the true Sabbath. They have no more claims for Sunday than any other day. Its name indicates its origin. 3. The Seventh-day Adventist Church (and we doubt not the Seventh-day Baptist Church—we speak for the former) put more energy and more money in foreign missions last year than ever before. It can safely be said that they did more work in this direction in proportion to their wealth and numbers, than any denomination that espoused the cause of the Blair Sunday-Rest bill. All their efforts against it were extra above their regular work. 4. Yes; they probably expended more than $20,000. Why not? Was not their cause a worthy one? We praise God that they did so much. We wish they could have done more. 5. "Their strongest men and women are instant in season and out of season, defending their cause." Then they are doing just what God commanded that the minister of the word should do. But they advised no arbitrary methods; they demanded nothing from the State themselves; they only asked that equality before the law which the Federal Government grants. They contended not for privileges, but rights,—rights for all equally with themselves. Was this the principle upon which our sisters strove? 6. The Jews did take part in this opposition. Both the Jewish Exponent and the Jewish Times and Observer had forcible articles against the proposed bill. 7. Our sisters belong to a "Christian" organization. They profess to be Christians; that is followers of Christ, obedient to his precepts. Did they ever read the following precept? "Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them; for this is the law and the prophets." Matt. 7:12. This does not mean Methodist men, nor Baptist men, nor Prohibitionists; it means all men—Jews and Gentiles, believers and unbelievers, Christians and pagans, Sabbath-keepers and Sunday-keepers. Would you have the pagan compel you to adore his gods and keep his sacred days?—Then force upon him yours. Would you have the infidel compel you to forego all worship, all service to God?—Then compel him to honor your religious observances. Would you be compelled to observe the seventh-day Sabbath, the true Lord's day?—(Would God that your consciences, enlightened by the word and Spirit, would so compel)—Then force upon the seventh-day keeper your high day, contrary to his conscience and welfare. Are the Christian women of your organization prepared to interpret the "golden rule" in this way? Are you prepared to be active agents in the oppressive measures which are being pushed forward under the name Christian, by professedly Christian men? The tyranny of the Dark Ages began with milder and more plausible claims than are now made by those clamoring for a religio-civil sabbath. The sure effect of such legislation will be to make hypocrites of many who prize temporal advantage and convenience above conscience, and oppress others who regard conscience and the word of God above all earthly advantages. Christians, indeed, do not look here for results or rewards. Are the W. C. T. U. prepared to meet their present work in the light of the Judgment? Russia and Austria Preparing for War
RUSSIA and Austria are both actively engaged in preparing for war, and, at the same time, both are giving verbal assurances of peace. It seems certain, however, that the time is not far distant when one of two things must result,—war or disarmament, and nobody believes that it will be the latter. A MOHAMMEDAN CONTROVERSY.
By Editor
THE Missionary Herald for June has a paragraph which forcibly reminds one of the late controversy between Catholics and Protestants in Boston, concerning the suppression of Swinton's History, because it stated some facts regarding the sale of indulgences by Tetzel, just before the German Reformation. The paragraph is this:— "The London papers report a conflict between the Ottoman Government and the Armenian Patriarch at Constantinople. The Ottoman Government notified the Patriarch that the study of Armenian history should not be allowed in Armenian schools, but that Ottoman history must be studied. The Patriarch replied that the relations of these two branches of study were such that one could not be taught without the other, and that it was out of his power to carry out the demand of the porte. This attempt to suppress history has caused much irritation, and we must wait to see what the outcome will be." The Papacy and the Ottoman power, though opposed to one another, are both off the same piece, and the fundamental principle of both is a union of Church and State, and, as might be expected, their methods are not dissimilar. While we do not know that there is much difference between the Patriarch and the Sultan, we hope that the latter will not be able to suppress the teaching of history. PROHIBITION AND PERSONAL LIBERTY.
By Editor
THE following paragraph clipped from a country paper states a fallacy which has obtained to a considerable extent of late. We give it that we may the better expose it:— “It is the principle of personal liberty that the prohibitionists of all kinds, whether they seek to prohibit drinks, or meats, or dress, or religion, come in conflict with. The greatest thinkers and writers, the foremost divines, and the greatest statesmen have all pointed out as the fatal error of prohibition that it does not respect the inherent right of every freeman to decide for himself what he shall eat, drink, wear, and use, as well as how he shall worship.” The most serious objection to this paragraph is that it does not state the case fairly. Prohibition does not propose to interfere with personal liberty in the least. It does not propose to say what men shall eat, and drink, or what they shall not eat or drink. It only proposes to say that they shall not, for the sake of gain, systematically tempt their fellow-men to drink that which robs them not only of their money, but of their manhood, their health, and their reason. Nobody pretends to say that the State has not a just right to prohibit “opium joints,” and it has for the same reason an equal right to prohibit saloons. The “liberty” infringed by prohibition of the liquor traffic is not the liberty of the individual to eat, drink, and wear what he pleases, but the “right” of the saloon-keeper to fill his coffers at the expense of the wives and children of men, many of whom have not the moral stamina to resist the cravings of the unnatural appetite for alcoholic drinks. The Missionary.
By W. N. Glenn
THIS important journal has a special field. Its work is of a political rather than a religious nature; that is, it is set for contesting the political phase of the "image" to the Papal beast that is being made in the United States. The idea is to get the warning of the third angel of Revelation 14 before those persons who would not be inclined to heed it coming from a religious journal, or in the guise of religion, but who, after being awakened to the real character of the work of the National Reformers, would be inclined to receive, from those who had thus enlightened them, further light on the subject. And there are Christians of other denominations who would not read a denominational journal coming from Seventh-day Adventists, who would read a secular or undenominational paper, and accept such evidences as are presented in the American Sentinel, and thus a new avenue of approaching them is opened to our workers. That these original conceptions in regard to a journal of the character of the Sentinel were correct, has been amply demonstrated in the three and a half years of its publication. It has not only been the means of enlightening our own people regarding the principles and identity of the "image" work, and what is essential to make the image complete, but it has wielded an influence that has been felt throughout the country, by all classes, and has done more toward moulding a sentiment against the National Reform work than any other one instrument. It is recognized as a foe worthy of their steel by even its journalistic opponents; and Senator Blair himself was constrained to acknowledge that the positions assumed, as presented before his committee by one of its editors, were "logical all the way through."458 The American Sentinel deals directly with the warning of the people as to the character of the delusive work now going on in our republic, leaving the battle against the false doctrines of the churches to be fought by the journals and other publications adapted especially to that part of the work. There is not room in either the pioneer expositor (the Signs of the Times), or in the special church paper (the Review and Herald), for the matter necessary to do the work of the American Sentinel. The latter is devoted to pointing out the fulfillment of that which its companions in labor have predicted through the exposition of prophecy. It is a necessary auxiliary to their work, as many of our own people even, who for years had been proclaiming and looking for the making of the image to the Papacy in the United States, were not prepared to fully recognize the structure, so far advanced toward completion, until shown its dragonic grimaces through the Sentinel telescope. When the publication of the American Sentinel was first proposed, many of our brethren thought the move was premature, and even its most ardent advocates were content with a monthly edition for nearly three years. But the rapid growth of that which it was designed to oppose, through the encouragement given by the friendly attitude of a United States senator and the prospect of favorable legislation in Congress, soon convinced its editors and publishers that it must either be enlarged or issued weekly, in order to meet the demand upon its columns. Accordingly, it was changed to a weekly at the commencement of the present year. Following this advance step, came the demand for an Eastern edition, and as the work allotted to us as a people is one that admits of no delay, the publishers, after due deliberation and careful counsel, promptly decided not merely to issue an Eastern edition, but to remove the main edition to the New York office. This is an aggressive move which will demand the material as well as the moral backing of our people at large,—East, West, North, and South. This forward move, right into the ranks of the enemy's heaviest artillery, will no doubt soon call for heavier ordnance on our part, and a sixteen-page American Sentinel will in all probability be an absolute necessity for the year 1890. The National Sunday Association is endeavoring to form State, county, and city organizations all over the country before the close of the year, and it will devolve upon this paper to show up the more prominent maneuvers of all these additions to the enemy's ranks. It will take space, and money, and talent to accomplish all this; but it must be done, if the body now intrusted with the grave responsibilities of the message would secure the final credit of "well done." The conflict hastens; it will be a short but terrible one, and the sooner we throw ourselves and all that we have into the struggle the sooner it will be over. The American Sentinel will have to meet the foe in the open field, exposing to the whole people the treasonable nature of his so-called Christian movement; while every division of our denominational forces will be showing the eternal results of bowing to the "image" after its completion. The missionary societies and the canvassers being the active agents through which our publications are made effective, we would urge upon them the importance of working with the American Sentinel. As it deals with a subject of vital importance and growing interest to all classes, it is bound to yield satisfactory returns for labor performed with it. The favor and influence it has already gained throughout the country, and the prestige established in the minds of influential men, should not be allowed to wane; while the iron is hot is the time to strike. Now is the time to work, while the conditions are favorable. Now is the time that good can be done with the Sentinel. When the enemy's work shall have been accomplished, the warning voice will be of no avail. No one can measure the importance of that little word now, in securing a wide circulation of the American Sentinel. W. N. GLENN. AGAIN a correspondent asks the oft-repeated question, What is the meaning of 1 Tim. 2:11, 12? Like other books, the Bible must be interpreted according to its evident meaning and in harmony with its fundamental doctrines. Local or individual passages must not be explained or understood as contradicting general principles. A notable feature of the gospel is the elevation of all mankind to an equal standing and to equal privileges. The Bible teaches equal accountability to God, of both male and female. That in which the religion of the Bible differs from all others is in making women equal in all respects to men, and certainly the great apostle would not teach anything contrary to this, the general tenor of the Scriptures. By referring to 1 Cor. 14:34, 35, we learn that there were special abuses in that church with which the apostle had to deal, and in his labor with the churches, Timothy would be likely to meet similar evils. This instruction given by the apostle was undoubtedly designed to prepare him for such emergencies. But when we come to consider how Paul regarded the relation of women to the church and the work of the gospel, we cannot think that he intended to teach that women should have nothing at all to say in the church or in the meetings. Indeed, other Scriptures show that the apostle himself recognizes the sexes as equal in their relation to God. He said, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female, for ye are all one in Christ Jesus." Gal. 3:28. And in Acts 16:13 we read: "On the Sabbath we went out of the city by a river-side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down and spake unto the women which resorted thither." Again, in Phil. 4:3, the apostle, writing to his co-laborers, says, "I entreat thee also, to help those women which labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with my other fellow-laborers, whose names are in the book of life." Also, in 1 Cor. 11:5, we find this direction: "Every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered, dishonoreth her head; for that is even all one as if she were shaven." And in verse 12 we read, "Nevertheless, neither is the man without the woman, neither is the woman without the man in the Lord." Specifying that a woman should not pray or prophesy with her head uncovered, was a tacit admission that she might pray or prophesy with her head covered, and certainly these texts are sufficient to show that the apostle never intended to teach that a woman should not be permitted to speak in public assemblies. Other Scriptures might be introduced to show the important part women have had in the work of God to which they have been called by the providence and Spirit of God; but it is unnecessary to pursue the subject further. C. P. B. MEN'S HEARTS FAILING THEM.
By M. C. W.
IN speaking of the signs which should precede his second coming, our Saviour gives the following:— "And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth; for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory." Luke 21:25-27. The Christian Commonwealth, of London, England, which is by no means a pessimistic journal, without any allusion to the Scriptures, records, unconsciously perhaps, their very fulfillment. After speaking in a recent number of the famine now prevailing in India, in which five per cent. of the population in some districts are on the verge of starvation, it says:— "Surely the outlook just now is anything but encouraging. Calamities of all kinds seem to be quickly following each other. In nearly every direction we look we behold flood, fire, famine, railway disaster, and pestilence staring us in the face. However, the rapidity with which news travels in these days may partially account for the accumulation of these miseries into the reports which reach us each week. Still, it must be evident that there is great activity among the destructive forces in all parts of the world. And should a great European war break out as a sequel to all this preliminary destruction, surely the closing scenes of the nineteenth century will be sufficiently marked for the historian of the future." All these disturbances are but indications of what have been predicted by the Son of God. We are nearing the time of his advent. Civilization is spreading, men are becoming more enlightened in the arts and sciences, but not in the word of God. Much of the wisdom of the world counts it "foolishness." Its prophecies are ignored, its precepts trampled in the dust, many of its promises are regarded a vain thing. Many others who are convicted of its simple potent truths, through fear of man, turn from the path of light and are swallowed up by the great unbelieving mass. Notwithstanding all this, the word of God is true; the prophecies are light in a dark place; the precepts of God are immutable; the gospel of Christ's kingdom is the power of God unto salvation. The Lord Jesus Christ is about to come. When we see all these things predicted by our Lord, we may know that Christ is near. Matt. 24:33. Says our Lord, "When these things begin to come to pass then look up and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh." Luke 21:28. The beginning is long since passed. We stand just before the shaking of the powers of heaven; the next event is the coming of our Lord. Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus. Amen. THE LOVE OF CHRIST EXEMPLIFIED.
(Lesson 6, August 10, 1889.) 1. Or what does godliness have promise?
"For bodily exercise profiteth little; but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come." 1 Tim. 4:8. 2. How much should a man forsake to be a true follower of Christ?
"So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple." Luke 14:33. 3. How extensive is the promise to all such?
"And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, but he shall receive a hundred-fold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life." Mark 10:29, 30. 4. How long will such be in remembrance?
"A good man sheweth favor, and lendeth; he will guide his affairs with discretion. Surely he shall not be moved forever; the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance." Ps. 112:5, 6. 5. In what manner does real devotion manifest itself?
"A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always." Acts 10:2. 6. How is such devotion of mingled almsgiving and prayer regarded by God?
"He saw in a vision evidently, about the ninth hour of the day, an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius. And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God." Verses 3, 4. 7. What instruction did the angel give Cornelius?
"And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter; he lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea-side; he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do." Verses 5, 6. 8. What do we learn from this circumstance? 9. After the healing of Simon from his leprosy what did he do in honor of Christ?
"And being in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head." Mark 14:3.
"There they made him a supper; and Martha served; but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him." John 12:2. 10. What scene transpired while he sat at meat?
"Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment." John 12:3.
"And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment." Luke 7:38.
"And being in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head." Mark 14:3. 11. What language would imply that this woman had not been invited?
"And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment." Luke 7:37. 12. Who was this woman?
"Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.") John 11:1, 2. 13. Who found fault with her?
"Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him, why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein." John 12:4-6. 14. In what way did Christ comfort her?
"When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me." "Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her." Matt. 26:10, 13. 15. What shows that Simon questioned the propriety of her conduct?
"Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman that is that toucheth him; for she is a sinner." Luke 7:39. 16. In what manner did Christ reprove Judas?
"Then said Jesus, Let her alone; against the day of my burying hath she kept this. For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always." John 12:7, 8. 17. How did Christ reprove Simon?
"There was a certain creditor which had two debtors; the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?" Luke 7:41, 42. 18. What response did Simon make?
"Simon answered and said, I suppose that he to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged." Verse 43. 19. How did Christ apply his teachings?
"And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet; but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. Thou gavest me no kiss; but this woman, since the time I came in, hath not ceased to kiss my feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint; but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much; but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven." Verses 44-48. 20. What lesson can we draw from this?459
### NOTE.
THE love of Christ flows spontaneously from the heart. It is heavenly in its nature. It labors not for a reward but it always receives a reward. It forgets itself in its labors for others' good. Angels are interested for the development of its principles. They watch its development in individuals who possess it. They know all the circumstances of their daily life. This is illustrated in the case of Cornelius. All this shows the tender care which God has for his people. An important lesson is taught in the case of Simon the leper. He loved Christ, but he never realized how much the Saviour did for him in forgiving his sins. He appreciated his blessing of health to a limited extent, but the forgiveness of sin was of far greater value. Mary realized the blessing of the forgiveness of her sins. She showed the love she had for Christ on all occasions. She was the last at the sepulcher, and the first to greet her Lord when he arose. Simon must have known Mary's character before the Saviour forgave her sins. He had suspicions of her when she came and anointed Christ. He did not appreciate her motive. But her love knew no bounds. This arose from the fact that she realized how great a sinner she had been. But she was now free from the power of Satan. "The Saviour had observed all that had taken place, and knew the motives of all who were there assembled. He read the object of Mary in her costly offering. Though she had been very sinful, her repentance was sincere, and Jesus, while reproving her guilt, had pitied her weakness, and forgiven her. Mary's heart was filled with gratitude at the compassion of Jesus. Seven times she had heard his stern rebuke to the demons which then controlled her heart and mind, and she had listened to his strong cries to his Father in her behalf. She knew how offensive everything impure was to the unsullied mind of Christ, and she overcame her sin in the strength of her Saviour. She was transformed, a partaker of the divine nature. Mary showed how highly she prized the Saviour when she accounted the most precious gift none too costly for him; but Judas valued Jesus at the price for which he sold him. His niggardly soul balanced the life of the Son of God against a paltry sum of money. The same cold, calculating spirit is manifested by many who profess Christ to-day. Their offerings to his cause are grudgingly bestowed, or withheld altogether under various plausible excuses. A pretense of wide philanthropy, unlimited by church or creed, is not unfrequently one of them, and they plead, like Judas, it is better to give to the poor. But the true Christian shows his faith by investing in the cause of truth; he is known by his works, for faith without works is dead. Jesus in mercy had pardoned the sins of Mary, which had been grievous, and her heart was full of love for her Saviour. She had often heard him speak of his approaching death, and she was grieved that he should meet such a cruel fate. At great personal sacrifice she had purchased an alabaster box of precious ointment, with which to anoint the body of the Saviour at his death. But she now heard many express their opinion that he would be elevated to kingly authority when he went to Jerusalem, and she was only too ready to believe that it would be so. She rejoiced that her Saviour would no longer be despised and rejected, and obliged to flee for his life. In her love and gratitude she wished to be the first to give him honor, and, seeking to avoid observation, anointed his head and feet with the precious ointment, then wiped his feet with her flowing hair. Her movements had been unobserved by the others, but the odor filled the house with its fragrance, and published her acts to all who were present. Some of the disciples manifested displeasure at this act, and Judas boldly expressed his disapprobation at such wasteful extravagance. Simon, the host, who was a Pharisee, was influenced by the words of Judas, and his heart filled with unbelief. He also thought that Jesus should hold no communication with Mary because of her past life. Judas, the prime instigator of this disaffection among those who sat at the table, was a stranger to the deep devotion and homage which actuated Mary to her deed of love." We learn a very important lesson from this: First, we appreciate Christ in proportion as we realize our past sinfulness, and the blessing of pardon which has come to us; second, our offerings to his cause show that appreciation; third, consequently our offerings are a manifestation of the appreciation of the Saviour as a sin-pardoning God to us. In taking this view of the matter we might well inquire, "How much owest thou my Lord?" SAN DIEGO, CAL.
By W. M. Healey
I HAVE been spending a few weeks here, and find that the work goes onward, though not as rapidly as we could wish who long for the soon coming of our Saviour. Last Sunday we had baptism, and four persons showed their faith and united with the church. There are several others that we expect will soon be ready. I spent a few days with the San Pasqual church. We had good meetings. The brethren generally, made efforts to attend both day and evening services. In this church are good, earnest souls; but a few have fed on doubts, which grew in the field of neglected duty, till they have nearly lost power to appreciate the sweetness of faith that comes from being "circumspect in all things which the Lord thy God hath commanded." Christ said, "If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine." John 7:17. Try it.
W. M. HEALEY.
July 4, 1889. Notes on the International Lesson.
By J. W. Scoles
THE present lesson is, properly speaking, an inner or private view of the way in which God sometimes works among the children of men in order to accomplish his own purposes, and yet allow them the fullest liberty of their own actions. The description of Saul, the time of his arrival, and the high office to which he was destined, had already been secretly intimated to Samuel by God; and when Saul in all the vigor and beauty of his manhood stood before the prophet, the Lord told Samuel that this was the man who should rule over his people. THE mountainous country inhabited by the tribe of Benjamin was mainly suitable for pastoral purposes, and it is likely that the property or "substance" of Kish, the father of Saul, consisted largely of herds and flocks. As was customary in that country, the stronger animals were allowed to roam at large during the grazing season, at the close of which messengers and servants were usually dispatched in search of them. These searches extended over large areas of territory and sometimes were of several days' duration. It was probably on such an errand as this that Saul was engaged when the events recorded in the present lesson occurred. HAD the king been chosen from some of the larger tribes, trouble would doubtless have resulted at once because of the jealousy which would have arisen; but by making a choice from this least and almost extinct tribe, divine wisdom removed all such pretexts. AT the same time that God was carrying out his plan, the desire of the people was being provided for also. They wished for a king who could go before them to battle as a captain and leader. Saul was just such a man. Judging from the description given, he could not have been much less than seven feet in height, and may have been more. His strength must have been coupled with activity and gracefulness as well, inasmuch as in 2 Samuel 1:19, where he is called the "beauty of Israel," the expression could legitimately be rendered the "gazelle or roebuck of Israel." But they were also to find him a hard master, as God had told them. GOD'S judgments are coupled with mercy to us times without number. He sometimes gives us the desire of our hearts even when it is not for our best good, and then uses this very gift as a means of humbling us, and enabling us to see our faults. The "goodness and severity of God" in his dealings with men is a subject of wonder, but no wonder is greater than the fact that under no circumstances is he unjust to us, but, rather, is long-suffering, and of tender mercy toward us. GOD does not call anyone to higher responsibilities without providing some way by which the work he is already engaged in shall be performed. When the Lord proposed to call Saul to the kingdom, he told him that the lost asses, for which he had been looking, were found. Still, when we have some duty which is plainly set before us, it is wisdom to wait until we are sure God will provide for its performance before we relinquish it to seek after higher work to which God perhaps has not yet called us. CONSPICUOUS as Saul is in this lesson, Samuel is still more prominently brought to view in some respects. His confidence in God is worthy of the highest commendation. Although knowing that the appointment of a king over Israel meant his own retirement from the position which he had so long held as judge of the nation, Samuel did not hesitate. The God in whom he believed, had told him his will, and that was enough for him to know. Self sank out of sight, and duty to his Lord was the prime motive by which he was actuated. And just as surely as God guided and blessed his servant of old, so surely will he guide and bless those to-day who are wholly given up to do his will. IT was an unlooked-for occurrence to Saul, who was out hunting for strayed stock, that he should be so suddenly called to take charge of a mighty nation; but, after satisfying himself that the call was from God, he had no more objections to make, but simply waited to receive the counsel of the Lord. However, had he not proved faithful in small things, he would never have been called to the throne. If we are faithful to the humbler duties of life, God may call us to fill more important positions, by and by. Of one thing we can be certain; if we, with faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, nobly strive to do our best for him, he will appreciate our efforts by bestowing his grace upon us here and granting us a place in his heavenly kingdom hereafter.
J. W. SCOLES. Walking by Faith, Not by Sight
By S. S. Times
It is no sign that a way is good because we see it clear before us. It is no sign that a way is bad because we do not see that it is clear. "As soon as I see my way clear," says one, "I will proceed." "I wanted to do that," says another, "but I couldn't quite see my way clear." But we forget that God does not always wish us to see our way clear. He wants us to walk by faith, rather than by sight. He sometimes permits us to see our way clear, that we may walk in it, and find out for ourselves that our way is not a good way. But at other times he obstructs our way, or dims our vision, that we may turn from our way to his way, and therefore from sight walking to faith walking. The great question is, Is it our way, or God's way? Is it sight that we are depending upon, or is it faith? —S. S. Times.