BUTTER. The Hebrew word usually rendered butter denotes, properly, sour or curdled milk, Gen. xviii, 8, Judge. v, 25, Job xx, 17. This last is a favorite beverage in the East to the present day. Burckhardt, when crossing the desert from the country south of the Dead Sea to Egypt, says, “Besides flour I carried some butter and dried leben (sour milk), which, when dissolved in water, not only forms a refreshing beverage, but is much to be recommended as a preservative of health when traveling in summer.” Yet butter may have been known to the Hebrews. It is much used by the Arabs and Syrians at the present day, and is made by pouring the milk into the common goat-skin bottle, suspending this from the tent-poles, and swinging it to and fro with a jerk, until the process is completed. Still it is not certain that the Hebrew word rendered butter ever denotes that article. Even in Prov. xxx, 33, we may render, “The pressing of milk bringeth forth cheese;” and everywhere else the rendering “curd,” or “curdled milk,” would be appropriate.
CAMEL,carrier, a beast of burden very common in the East, where it is called “the land-ship,” and “the carrier of the desert.” It is six or seven feet high, and is exceedingly strong, tough, and enduring of labor. The feet are constructed with a tough, elastic sole, which prevents the animal from sinking in the sand; and on all sorts of ground it is very sure-footed. The Arabian species, most commonly referred to in Scripture, has but one hump on the back; while the Bactrian camel, found in central Asia, has two. While the animal is well fed, these humps swell with accumulated fat, which is gradually absorbed under scarcity and toil, to supply the lack of food. The dromedary is a lighter and swifter variety, otherwise not distinguishable from the common camel, Jer. ii, 23. Within the cavity of the stomach is a sort of paunch, provided with membranous cells to contain an extra provision of water: the supply with which this is filled will last for many days while he traverses the desert. His food is coarse leaves, twigs, thistles, which he prefers to the tenderest grass, and on which he performs the longest journeys. But generally, on a march, about a pound weight of dates, beans, or barley, will serve for twenty-four hours. The camel kneels to receive its load, which varies from 500 to 1,000 or 1,200 pounds. Meanwhile it is wont to utter loud cries or growls of anger and impatience. It is often obstinate and stupid, and at times ferocious; the young are as dull and ungainly as the old. Its average rate of travel is about two and one-third miles an hour; and it jogs on with a sullen pertinacity hour after hour without fatigue, seeming as fresh at night as in the morning. No other animal could endure the severe and continual hardships of the camel, his rough usage, his coarse and scanty food. The Arabians well say of him, “Job’s beast is a monument of God’s mercy.”
This useful animal has been much employed in the East, from a very early period. The merchants of those sultry climes have found it the only means of exchanging the products of different lands, and from time immemorial long caravans have traversed year after year the almost pathless deserts, Gen. xxxvii, 25. The number of one’s camels was a token of his wealth. Job had 3,000, and the Midianites’ camels were like the sand of the sea, Judge. vii, 12, 1 Chron. v, 21, Job i, 3. Rebekah came to Isaac riding upon a camel, Gen. xxiv, 64, the queen of Sheba brought them to Solomon, and Hazael to Elisha, laden with the choicest gifts, 1 Kings x, 2, 2 Kings viii, 9, and they were even made serviceable in war, 1 Sam. xxx, 17. The camel was to the Hebrews an unclean animal, Lev. xi, 4, yet its milk has ever been to the Arabs an important article of food, and is highly prized as a cooling and healthy drink. Indeed no animal is more useful to the Arabs, while living or after death. Out of its hair they manufacture carpets, tent cloth, and large sacks for corn. Of its skin they make huge water-bottles and leather sacks, also sandals, ropes, and thongs. Its dung, dried in the sun, serves them for fuel.
CAMELS’ HAIR was woven into cloth in the East, some of it exceedingly fine and soft, but usually coarse and rough, used for making the coats of shepherds and camel-drivers, and for covering tents. It was this that John the Baptist wore, and not “soft raiment,” Matt. xi, 8. Modern dervishes wear garments of this kind; and this appears to be meant in 2 Kings i, 8.
The expression, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle,” etc., Matt. xix, 24, was a proverb to describe an impossibility. The same phrase occurs in the Koran; and a similar one in the Talmud, respecting an elephant’s going through a needle’s eye. See also the proverb in Matt. xxiii, 24, which illustrates the hypocrisy of the Pharisees by the custom of passing wine through a strainer. The old versions of the New Testament, instead of, “strain at”245a gnat, have, “strain out” which conveys the true meaning.
SCORPION,Luke x, 19, one of the largest and most malignant of all the insect tribes. It somewhat resembles the lobster in its general appearance, but is much more hideous. Those found in Southern Europe seldom exceed two inches in length; but in tropical climates it is no uncommon thing to meet with them five or six times as long. They live upon other insects, but kill and devour their own species also. Maupertuis put about a hundred of them together in the same glass, and in a few days there remained but fourteen, which had killed and devoured all the rest. He enclosed a female scorpion in a glass vessel, and she was seen to devour her young as fast as they were born. There was only one of the number that escaped the general destruction by taking refuge on the back of its parent; and this soon after revenged the cause of its brethren, by killing the old one in its turn. Such is the terrible nature of this insect; and it is even found that when placed in circumstances of danger, from which it perceives no way of escape, it will sting itself to death. The passage most descriptive of the scorpion is Rev. ix, 3–10, in which it is to be observed that the sting of these creatures was not to produce death but pain so intense that the wretched sufferers should seek death, ver. 5, rather than submit to its endurance. Dr. Shaw states that the sting of scorpions is not always fatal, the malignity of their venom being in proportion to their size and complexion. The poison is injected by means of a sharp, curved sting at the end of the six-jointed tail. It occasions great pain, inflammation, and hardness, with alternate chills and burning. These animals frequent dry and hot places, and lie under stones and in the crevices of old ruins. The Jews encountered them in the wilderness, Deut. viii, 15, and a range of cliffs across the hot valley south of the Dead Sea, called Acrabbim, or scorpions, appears to have been much infested by them. The scorpion of Judea, when curled up, greatly resembled an egg in size and shape; hence the comparison and the contrast in Luke xi, 11, 12. The scorpions which the haughty Rehoboam threatened to use instead of whips, 1 Kings xii, 11, were probably scourges armed with knobs like the joints of a scorpion’s tail; and like the sting of that animal, occasioned extreme pain.
The Commentary.
Tell me the meaning of Scriptures. One gem from that ocean is worth all the pebbles of earthly streams.—M'Cheyne.
To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
I would like an explanation of the above scripture.
Coldwater, Mich. W. S. E.
The person alluded to was evidently given over to Satan to be chastised for his wrongs, in order that he might be led to confess and forsake them, and be forgiven and saved in the day of Judgment. We have repeated instances in the Scriptures of the saving grace of affliction. David says, “It is good for me that I have been afflicted,” and again, “Before I was afflicted I went astray.” The prodigal son is represented as coming to himself in his afflictions, and returning to his father’s house. The apostles, by the authority of God, appear to have had power to punish extraordinary cases of transgression; at least we have instances where Paul exercised that power, as in the case of Hymeneas and Alexander, who were delivered over to Satan by him, that they might learn not to blaspheme. And Elymas the sorcerer was struck with blindness for perverting the right ways of the Lord. It was a species of punishment administered in extraordinary cases, in which the body and mind were delivered to the power of Satan to be tortured by disease and terror as a warning to others, and for the eternal good of the person afflicted. But while the body and mind were thus tormented, the spiritual or future eternal life was under the control of Divine mercy, and the chastisement was generally only for a season, but in this case probably unto death, as the “destruction of the flesh,” would seem to imply. E. S. W.
Infidel Objections to the Bible Answered. No. 16.
By W. C. G.
God Knows the Hearts of Men.—Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of men. Acts i. 24. Thou knowest my down-sitting and mine up-rising; thou understandest my thoughts afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. Ps. cxxxix, 2, 3.
God Tries Men to find out what is in their Hearts.—The Lord your God, proveth you, to know whether ye love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Deut. xiii, 3. The Lord thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart. Deut. viii, 2. For now I know that thou fearest God, seeing that thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son, from me. Gen. xxii, 12.
An attempt is here made to bring the first collection of texts, which clearly and unqualifiedly assert the omniscience of God, into conflict with the second collection, which to the mind of the skeptic seems to indicate that the minds of men could not be known to God except as developed in their actions.
It should be borne in mind that God chooses to vindicate his government before an intelligent universe. Not only is he dealing with man, but an innumerable company of superior beings are interested in man's salvation, before whom the justice of God is to be displayed. Hence when he is said to try men that he may know their hearts, it is that they may have an opportunity of demonstrating before their fellow-men, and before the angels in Heaven just the extent of their loyalty to God and their willingness to do his will. On the same principle God has appointed a day of Judgment, not that he is unable to decide their cases without public investigation, but to prove to all the world that his government is founded on principles of justice and mercy. W. C. G.
REPORT FROM OHIO.
By Joseph Harvey Waggoner
I LEFT the Ohio tent yesterday morning, by request, to visit sister Crous, who has been deeply afflicted. Here we have been permitted once more to prove the preciousness of God’s promises, and to know that they are sure. “Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.”
Up to the time of my leaving the tent there had been thirty-three discourses given, including two Sabbath-meetings. The last four were on the subject of immortality. Bro. Van Horn intended to give two discourses on objections to the sleep of the dead and the destruction of the wicked, in my absence. To-morrow I return to join in the labors of Sabbath and first-day.
My health has been good beyond my expectation during this meeting. When I came to Ohio I was so feeble that I had little idea of remaining longer than the Conference; but up to this time I have been able to occupy half the time in the tent. The weather has been favorable for my health, being very dry. It is so dry in Green Co. that fall crops are nearly a failure; water is very scarce; and the pastures so dried up that many are feeding their stock. My health, however, is not so good as it has been, and I am admonished that I must labor less or soon be beyond laboring. But I am much favored in having a companion in labor both able and willing to bear an extra burden in time of need. This is a favor I have not often enjoyed of late years, and I truly appreciate the blessing, and am thankful for it.
The interest to hear the truth continues without abatement. There is a wide field for labor in Greene and adjoining counties, and the tent meeting will not fairly open it. Already enquiries are being made if we cannot go and hold meetings in different localities, which we hope to be able to do when the season of tent labor closes.
For some reason our bills did not reach us till after our meetings were commenced, yet I never saw a meeting better advertised. With many the interest is deep, and we hope for good results. Prosperity is sent of God, and we still invite the prayers of the churches in behalf of our work. And we hope there will yet be unceasing prayer for more laborers. We never realized the need more than now. “O Lord, revive thy work,” is our constant prayer.
J. H. WAGGONER.
Appleton, Licking Co., O., Sept. 19, 1867.
OLD TESTAMENT DONE AWAY.
By J. CLARKE.
What an idea! Is it done away that God created the world? Is the history of the prophets done away? James tells us to take the prophets as an example of patience, &c. How can we do this, if it is done away? Are the prophecies done away because fulfilled? Is it not as necessary for us to know what prophecies related to Christ, as it was for the apostles to know them? Is it less necessary for our faith in Christ to be informed on these points, than it was for the followers of Christ in the first century?
Done away! Did Paul think so when he exhorted Timothy to study to show himself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth? Why does Paul say that all scripture is profitable, if it is done away?
Are the five books of Moses done away, containing the only history of the world in that early period? Is it done away that there was a flood, a tower of Babel, confusion of tongues (the present time of confusion of tongues, and ideas, and religions, would to Heaven it were done away!), a faithful Abraham, a life-saving Joseph, a meek Moses, an oppressing Pharaoh, a divided Red Sea, saving one, and drowning another, army, a forty years’ journey in the wilderness?
Is it done away that there was a people of God tossed to and fro for many hundred years, whose history is made up of captivities and conquests, of mingled joy and sorrow? Are the dealings of God with them less interesting to us than to them? Their prophets and wise men, may we not study their history, emulate their virtues, and avoid their errors?
Done away! Is the prophecy of Daniel done away, reaching down to the resurrection of the dead? And is it not as necessary for us to have the first, as the last, link in the chain? And in the whole work of redemption, is it not as necessary to understand the first steps under the Mosaic economy, as the last under the present dispensation?
Can the person who has only read the New Testament, have as comprehensive a view of the work of redemption as he who has studied both Old and New Testaments? Can he who only sees the antitype, as well understand allusions to the type as he who has studied both type and antitype?
No: he who has studied thoroughly the Old Testament is as much better prepared to receive the truths of the New, as the land ditched and subsoiled is better prepared for the seed, than the half-ploughed field of the drone. And this is probably the reason why so few are deep-rooted and substantial Christians.
This is the reason so few understand the connection of God’s word. They have rejected the foundation of all, because, as they blindly assert and believe, the Old is done away!
Think of a child’s regarding the five fundamental rules of Arithmetic done away because he had progressed to the square root. Done away! Why, his teacher would ask him, Are you not using these rules at every turn in your arithmetical studies?
But I desire to convince, not to chide. I have no right to step beyond this point. My heart has not charity enough yet to bear as I should with all the snaky forms of error we meet at every turn. It is so strange that errors are loved and hugged to the bosom as so many dear, invaluable gems of perfection! Oh, how dear are these old, antiquated notions; not old, either, for many of them have been gotten up within my own recollection. I was taught by my parents in childhood that the law was the test of sin. Now my father is much grieved that I should go back to the law, which has been done away, as he infers, by Christ. But adieu to human wisdom, and the traditions of the fathers. Let us confess with the prophet that both we and our fathers have sinned and done wickedly. Oh, for patience. J. CLARKE.
OUR PRESENT DUTY.
By Adolphus Smith
“The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest.” Matt. ix, 37, 38.
The above-quoted words of our Saviour were not exclusively applicable to the time of the apostles; but to us, even to us, on whom the ends of the world are come, may the injunction, “Pray ye,” be most fittingly applied.
That there is now a great scarcity of laborers in the Lord’s vineyard, is evident from the oft-repeated calls for help from all parts of the land, which only meet with a denial, or a qualified promise of aid at some future and indefinite time. And not only this, but our messengers, also, are frequently bringing the above text to the notice of our people, in many cases, I fear, only to command a passing notice. There is not that united, earnest, agonizing prayer of faith to God that will call down the blessing of Heaven while yet we speak.
“The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain; and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.” James v, 16–18.
When the angel of God wrestled with Jacob and prevailed not, he said “Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he [Jacob] said, I will not let thee go except thou bless me.” So the angel blessed him and called his name Israel, “For,” said he, “as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.” Gen. xxxii, 26–28. In answer to prayer the dead have been raised to life; the sick healed; the lame made to leap for joy, and the blind to see.
Said the angel to Cornelius, “Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.” And forthwith the apostle Peter was sent to expound to him and his house the word of the Lord.
Fresh in the minds of the Lord’s chosen people are the four days of fasting and prayer that God so signally answered, by staying the ravages of war. Are we now to the best of our ability improving the short respite of peace that precedes the day of wrath? Manifestly we are not. It is evident that the latter rain will not be poured out till the people of God feel the need of, and ask for it. See Zech. x, 1.
He who qualified his humble Galilean followers so to preach the word that all who heard it marveled, can also raise up and qualify whom he may choose for the gospel ministry.
Dear brethren, let us examine ourselves, and purge out the old leaven that God may pour out upon us his blessing. A Rachel may hide her idols; or an Achan cause the people to fall before their enemies; but if we as a body turn to the Lord with all our heart, he will purge away our dross, and cause the pure gold to remain.
ADOLPHUS SMITH.
Ottawa Co., Mich.
“Strive,” says our Lord, “to enter in at the strait gate; for many shall seek to go in thereat but shall not be able.” Now you will observe that Jesus does not say, “many shall strive to enter in but shall not be able.” He says: “Many shall seek”—teaching us that the chief reason why men do not enter the narrow gate of salvation and find rest is that they seek, but do not strive to enter in. It is not difficult to understand what is meant by striving, and how different a thing it is from mere seeking. Only notice the conduct of any one who, in real earnestness of soul, desires to obtain any good; you will perceive in his conduct this striving and not mere seeking.
CHRIST NEEDED.—A man may go to Heaven without health, without riches, without honors, without friends; but he can never get there without Christ.—Dyer.
TRUE love to Christ can walk on the water without drowning, and lie on the fire without burning.