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The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 55, No. 11

DANGERS OF THE YOUNG

The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald

March 11, 1880

Seventh-Day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · March 11, 1880

DANGERS OF THE YOUNG.

By Ellen G. White

BY MRS. E. G. WHITE.
SAYS the beloved apostle: “I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one. Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof; but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.”
This exhortation includes the young of both sexes. Their youth does not excuse them from responsibilities. They are not oppressed with cares or the weight of years, and should be strong to labor in every good word and work. Their affections are ardent, and if withdrawn from the world, and placed upon Christ and Heaven, a well-founded hope may be cherished of being finally crowned with glory, honor, immortality, eternal life. But if, on the other hand, they live to gratify the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, they please their great adversary, and are separating themselves from the Father. Then when these earthly things pass away, their hopes will be blasted and their expectations will perish. Separated from God, they will bitterly repent the folly of serving their own pleasure, of gratifying their own desires, and of selling an eternity of happiness for a little imaginary good.
“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world,” says the inspired writer. “If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” It is an alarming fact that the love of the world predominates in the minds of the young; and for this very reason the love of God finds no room in their hearts. Their pleasures are found in the world, with the things of the world, and they are strangers to the Father and the graces of his Spirit. Frivolity and fashion, vain talking and laughing, characterize the life of the youth generally, by which God is dishonored. Paul in writing to Titus exhorts the youth to sobriety. “Young men, likewise, exhort to be sober-minded. In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, sound speech that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.”
I entreat the youth, for their souls’ sake, to heed the exhortation of the inspired apostle. All these gracious instructions, warnings, and reproofs, will be either a savor of life unto life, or of death unto death. Many of the young are reckless in their conversation. They forget that by their words they shall be justified or condemned. Take heed to the words of our Saviour: “A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things; and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. But I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of Judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” How little regard is paid even to the instructions of the Heavenly Teacher. By many of the young, the word of God is either neglected altogether, or if studied at all, its solemn admonitions are unheeded, and these plain truths will rise up in the Judgment and condemn them.
Words and acts testify plainly what is in the heart. If vanity, pride, love of self, and love of dress fill the mind, the conversation will be upon the fashions, the dress, and the appearance, instead of on Christ and the kingdom of Heaven. If envious feelings dwell in the heart, the same will be manifested in words and acts. Those who excuse their own wrongs because of the faults of others, are feeding on husks, and will remain spiritual dwarfs as long as they gratify Satan by thus indulging their own unconsecrated feelings.
Some dwell upon what they shall eat and drink, and with what they shall be clothed. Their hearts are filled with these thoughts, and they forget the words of Christ, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.”
Many of the youth have their hearts filled with love of self, which is manifested in the desire to see their faces portrayed by the artist; and they will not be satisfied with being once represented, but will sit again and again for their picture, hoping to appear more beautiful than they really are. Their Lord’s money is squandered in this way, and what is gained? Merely their poor shadow upon paper. Hours that should be spent in prayer are devoted to their own poor selves,—precious hours of probation are thus wasted. The adversary of souls is gratified to have the attention of youth diverted from the right object, so that he may steal a march upon them, and ensnare them in his devices. They are not aware that the great Heavenly Artist is taking cognizance of every act, every word; and that even the thoughts and intents of the heart are faithfully recorded. Oh that the young might realize that every defect in the moral character is not only revealed to the gaze of the pure and sinless angels, but that they themselves will have the faithful picture presented to them in all its deformity at the execution of the Judgment. Those vain, frivolous words are all written in the book. Those selfish acts, the motives of which may be concealed from human eyes, are discerned by the all-seeing eye of Jehovah, and are written in living characters.
Young persons generally conduct themselves as though the precious hours of probation were one grand holiday, and they were placed in this world merely for their own amusement, to be gratified with a continued round of excitement. Satan makes special efforts to lead the youth to find happiness in worldly amusements, and to justify themselves in thus doing, by endeavoring to show that these amusements are harmless, innocent, and even essential to health. He represents the path of holiness as difficult, and that of worldly pleasures as strewn with flowers. The impression has been given by some physicians that spirituality and devotion to God are detrimental to health. This suits the adversary well.
Those whose moral faculties are beclouded by disease are not the ones to rightly represent the Christian life, or the beauties of holiness. They are too often in the fires of fanaticism, or the waters of cold indifference or stolid gloom. Some are scourging themselves all through life because of their sins; all they can see is an offended God of justice. Christ and his redeeming power, through the merits of his blood, they fail to see. Such have not faith. Through disease transmitted to them from their parents, and an erroneous education in youth, they have imbibed wrong habits, injuring the constitution, affecting the brain, causing the moral organs to become diseased, and making it impossible for them to think and act rationally upon all points. Such have not well-balanced minds.
Godliness is health to the body and strength to the soul. Says Peter: “He that will love life, and see good days, . . . let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace and ensue it. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers; but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. . . . But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye; and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled.”
The consciousness of right-doing is the best medicine for diseased bodies and minds. The special blessing of God is health and strength to the receiver. A person whose mind is quiet and satisfied in God is in the pathway to health. To have a consciousness that the eyes of the Lord are upon us, and his ears open to hear our prayers, is a satisfaction indeed. To know that we have a never-failing Friend in whom we can confide all the secrets of the soul, is a privilege which words can never express. The words of Christ are of more worth than the opinions of all the physicians in the universe. “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.” This is the first great object,—the kingdom of Heaven, the righteousness of Christ. The attainment of all other objects should be secondary to this.
The young may urge that they need something to enliven and divert the mind. But there is pleasure in industry, a satisfaction in pursuing a life of usefulness. Some may still urge that they must have something to interest the mind, when business ceases,—some mental occupation or amusement to which the mind can turn for relief and refreshment from labor. The Christian’s hope is just what is needed. Religion will prove to the believer a comforter and a sure guide to the fountain of true happiness. The young should study the word of God, and give themselves to meditation and prayer, and they will find that their spare moments cannot be better employed. Young friends, you should take time to prove your own selves, whether you are in the love of God. Be diligent to make your calling and election sure. All depends upon your course of action, whether or not you secure to yourselves the better life.
Wisdom’s “ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.” The future abode of the righteous, and their everlasting reward, is a high and ennobling theme for the young to contemplate. Let the mind dwell upon the marvelous plan of salvation, the great sacrifice made by the King of glory, that we might be elevated through the merits of his blood, and finally, by obedience, be exalted to the throne of Christ. This subject should engage the noblest powers of the mind. To be brought into favor with God,—what a privilege! To commune with him,—what can more elevate, refine, and exalt us above the frivolous pleasures of earth? To have our corrupt natures renovated by grace, our lustful appetites and animal propensities in subjection, and to stand forth with noble moral independence, achieving victories every day, will give peace of conscience which can alone arise from right doing.
With such employment and diversion as this, the youth may be happy. But the reason why some are restless is, that they do not go to the only true source for happiness. They are ever trying to find out of Christ that enjoyment which is found alone in him. In him are no disappointed hopes. Oh, how is the precious privilege of prayer neglected! The reading of the word of God prepares the mind for prayer. One of the greatest reasons why many have so little disposition to draw near to God by prayer is, that they have unfitted themselves for this sacred work by reading fascinating stories, which have excited the imagination and aroused unholy passions. The word of God becomes distasteful; the hour of prayer is not thought of. Prayer is the strength of the Christian. When alone, he is not alone; he feels the presence of One who has said, “Lo, I am with you alway.”
The young want just what they have not, namely, RELIGION. Nothing can take the place of it. Profession alone is nothing. Names may be registered in the church-books upon earth, and yet not be recorded in the book of life above. The life of Christ is an example of good works. He wept over Jerusalem, because its inhabitants would not be saved by accepting the redemption he offered them. They would not come to him, and have life. Let the young compare their pleasure-seeking life with that of the Master, who made so great a sacrifice to save them.
See that company gathered. Listen to the frivolous, light, and vain conversation; hear the laugh, the jesting, the joking. Is this imitating the Pattern? Still listen,—is Jesus mentioned? Is the truth the theme of conversation? Are they glorying in the cross of Christ? No; they are talking of this fashion, that bonnet, that dress, what that young man or that young lady said, or of the amusements they are planning. Hear that song; it is a frivolous ditty, fit only for the dance hall. The pure angels, with sadness on their countenances, move from the scene, and darkness envelops those thoughtless ones. Music, when turned to a good account, is a blessing. When abused, it leads the unconsecrated to pride, vanity, and folly, and becomes one of Satan’s most attractive agencies to ensnare souls. When music is allowed to take the place of devotion and prayer, it is a terrible curse.
Paul says: “I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broidered hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; but (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.”
Peter says: “Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance; but as He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.”
The inspired Paul calls on Titus to give special instructions to the church of Christ, “that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.” He says, “The grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”
Peter thus exhorts the churches: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” “But the end of all things is at hand; be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.”
Again he says: “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts; and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evil-doers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.”
Are the youth prepared to give an answer to every man that asks a reason of their hope, with meekness and fear? Terrible scenes are just before them,—a time of trouble which will test the value of character. Those who have the truth abiding in them will then be developed. Those who have shunned the cross, neglected the word of life, and paid adoration to their own poor selves, will be found wanting. They are ensnared by Satan, and will learn when it is too late that they have made a terrible mistake. The pleasures they have sought after will prove bitter in the end. Then sacrifice all for God. Self must die. The natural desires and propensities of the unrenewed heart must be subdued. Flee to the neglected Bible. The words of inspiration are spoken to you; pass them not lightly by; for you will meet every word again, to render an account whether you have been a doer of the work, shaping your life according to the holy teachings of God’s word. Holiness of heart and life is necessary. Every one who has taken the name of Christ, and has enlisted in his service, should be a good soldier of the cross. He should show by his daily walk that he is dead to the world, and that his life is hid with Christ in God.
Paul writes to his Colossian brethren as follows: “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” “And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”
To the Ephesians he writes: “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
But few of the youth understand what it is to be Christians, to be Christ-like. A prayerful study of the word of God is necessary if they would conform their lives to the perfect Pattern. Few experience that separation from the world which God requires of them in order to become members of his family, children of the heavenly King. “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.”
What a promise is here made upon condition of obedience. Is it necessary to sever your connection with friends and relatives in deciding to obey the elevated truths of God’s word? Take courage; God has made provision for you, his arms are opened to receive you. He promises to be a Father unto you. Oh, what a relationship is this! higher and holier than any earthly tie. If you make the sacrifice, even forsaking father, mother, sisters, or brothers, for Christ’s sake, you will not be friendless. God will adopt you into his family; you will become members of the royal household, sons and daughters of the Heavenly King who rules in the Heaven of heavens. Can you desire a more exalted position than is here promised? Is it not enough? What could God do for the children of men more than he has already done? If such love, such exalted promises, are not appreciated, could God devise anything higher, anything richer and more lofty? All has been done for the salvation of man that God could do, and yet the hearts of the children of men have become hardened. Because of the multiplicity of the blessings with which God has surrounded them, they are received as common things and the gracious Benefactor is forgotten.
Young men and women, God has a work for you to do. If you neglect to take up your cross and follow Christ, you are unworthy of him. While you remain in listless indifference, how can you know what is the will of God concerning you? and how do you expect to be saved, unless as faithful servants you do your Lord’s will? Those who possess eternal life will all have done well. The King of glory will exalt them to his right hand, while he says to them, “Well done, good and faithful servants.”

WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

WHAT would you do if you woke some morn, And how would the morning seem, If you found that your faith in the Son of God Was only a midnight dream; And knew full well in your innermost soul There was no God on high;— No higher court for your appeal, No one to care for your woe or weal Or to hear your cry? That the city of God was only a myth, The thought of a poet’s brain; There was no Christ for the heart’s deep want, No cure for its hunger and pain? As you sank, and the chilling waves of doubt Were closing above your head, You would clutch for help, and nothingness Would be found in your grasp instead. If all of the light and all of the love, All that is good and true, Should go out of your life like a wind-blown lamp, What would you do?
—Selected.

Why We Act Differently in Emergencies

—We all think we know just what to do in a grave emergency, but when it comes we are always so taken by surprise that we do something very different. And we are all of us better able to give a sharp and deserved rebuke to a piece of impertinence when we think it over two hours afterward, than at the moment when it occurs. Our after-thoughts are very wise, and if certain experiences would only recur, we should be ready for them; but they never do recur, and there's the rub.

LOST ARTS.

It is quite a natural question that has been asked: How have certain arts known to the ancients become lost? The answer lies in the custom of imitating a genuine article by one which costs less. Some man substitutes a cheap ingredient for a costly one and produces an article so nearly like the genuine as to pass for it, and this imitation wins its way and supplants the genuine, because it can be bought for less and there is more profit in making it. Adulteration in other ingredients follows, and after a few turns of the wheel, the original is wholly lost and forgotten. So it has been with the “lost arts” the world over. It has not been from a lack of intelligence or from forgetfulness merely, but from adulteration, avarice, deceit, sin.
There is danger that pure and undefiled religion may fall into the list of “lost arts” if we allow ourselves to rely upon the outward appearance at all. The genuine is and always will be counterfeited, and the richer and better the genuine, the more counterfeits will there be. But there is one way, and only one, in which every man may be sure that he has the genuine; that is, to get his inspiration direct from Jesus our exemplar and teacher. If we depend upon others for our copy, adulteration will necessarily follow, because they are human, and there will be grave danger that to us pure religion of the soul will have become lost.—Selected.

BUILDING ON SAND.

By S. J. G. Thayer

BY MRS. S. J. G. THAYER.
Oh! there are those we meet on every hand With hopes both fair and high, yet built on sand; Safe, too, they feel, they fear no coming shock; The drifting sand is sure to them as rock. If you suppose a case of inundation, And call attention to their poor foundation, They only laugh, and talk of superstition; To look at self they have no disposition. O Father, ’tis for these we humbly pray, For these our hearts are burdened day by day. As suppliants at thy throne, dear Lord, we kneel, Put forth thy hand, and touch these hearts of steel; Light more than mid-day sun, oh, let them see, That they, like Paul, may trembling turn to thee; Roll back the tide of evil closing round, And break the chains by which their reason’s bound, That they may choose the only sure foundation, Nor trust to sand, in wildest aberration.
There is a mighty Rock, secure and fast; Unchanged, unmoved, it’s stood for ages past; The tide, and tempest, roaring wind, and rain Combined have spent their forces but in vain. The world’s Redeemer in this Rock we see With arms extended, calling, “Come to me.” And still to-day he’s calling; who will come? Within his sheltering arms there yet is room.
Oh, perishing and blinded—heedless throng— Who have no fear of danger, rushing on, Pause for a moment; see on what you stand;— Eternity’s at stake;—Oh! is it sand? Have you no fear the coming storm to meet, With only sand on which to rest your feet? Full well I know the peace-and-safety cry All through the world has sounded, long and high; Both great and small united swell the strain, And rich and poor take up the glad refrain. Ah, yes! I hear this lulling, siren song, And know that sure destruction waits not long. And, oh! what cry of anguish do I hear? What bitter wailings fall upon my ear?
The dying miser mourned when, at the last, He saw his misspent life all in the past; And now he stood, his feet upon the brink Of death’s dark stream, himself about to sink. “Millions of money,” was his eager cry, “Just for one moment’s time before I die.” ’Twas vain; he steeled his heart and closed his ear To Mercy’s call, while Mercy lingered near, And hopeless now he has to meet his fate, And cry for Mercy when it is too late. Oh! wild and piercing then the cry must be Echoed by millions, when the Lord they see; They scorned the warning message to them sent, And now no time is given to repent. Too late, too late; the autumn winds have come, The summer past, the harvest gathered home; Oh! then will come the anguish, and the call That rocks and mountains may upon them fall.
Now please to go with me to Noah’s day, When all the flood-gates of the deep gave way. Over a hundred years did Noah cry, “Come to the ark; for oh! why will ye die?” And did the mass receive his message? No; Only a few into the ark would go. Only a few upon the Rock did stand; The multitude were built upon the sand; No fear of danger checked their social glee, The festive chorus rang out wild and free. No doubt they thought that Noah was inclined To be fanatical; and that his mind Was not well balanced,—really could not be, Since he was given to such insanity. But hark! what muttering sound comes from afar, Like the low rumbling of the distant car? And soon, amid the thunder’s fearful roar And lightning’s vivid flash, the rain did pour; And still it comes! They climb the rocks in vain, In vain the highest mountains they attain; And oh! when on that shoreless ocean cast, In vain, too, their relentings for the past, Think you no cry of anguish rent the air? No pleading tones? no wailings of despair? Ah! fearful was that time, cheerless and dark, For all but those few sailing in the ark; Obeying God, they stem the raging main; Insanity? Then let me be insane. The storm is past; and now the faithful bow Tells us no more shall waters overflow.
Changed is the scene; the rolling wheel of Time Brings us to see the close of ’79. Prosperity, and wealth, and numbers, too, With rapid onward march reveal to view A world of cities, plains, and fertile vales, With rushing cars, and gentle flowing sails, Commerce and agriculture standing high, And art and science towering to the sky; Thousands of church spires in the sunlight gleam, And education is a boasted theme; Inventions crowd each other, great and small, And this an age of wonders we may call. And yet, despite improvement and progression, Each year does crime increase in every nation; The midnight robber and assassin bold Is ever watching for revenge or gold; And wickedness, of every shade and dye, We find alike among the low and high. Each year the spirit power still grows more strong; We’re told “What is, is right; there is no wrong.” While wars, commotions, pestilence, and dearth, Revolting scenes, and misery fill the earth, Where is the church’s power this tide to stay? Where are the tokens of a brighter day? The church, alas! ’t is wedded to the world, In the same round of pleasure it is whirled; Professing godliness without its power, It stands like Samson in earth’s darkest hour, Bereft of strength. They worship God in vain Who teach for doctrines the commands of men. We should learn wisdom from the bitter past; And when we’re told it shall be at the last Just as before the coming of the flood, Then should the honest-hearted seek their God. Nor is this all; but unto us are given Signs in the earth beneath—above in heaven; Each one without excuse, and speechless, too, Will take his place, in this world’s grand review.
And more: not willing any lost should be, Jehovah sends a call from sea to sea; And now again is sounding, full and clear, “Come to the ark! there’s safety only here.” ’Tis not a wooden structure, as of old, But mansions built on high, with streets of gold. No sun is needed there, or moon by night; For of that city fair, God is the light. “Come to the ark!” Reader, will you not come? Within those spacious halls there yet is room. No flood is coming now, no waters deep, But burning flames o’er every part will leap. Oh! if you want a shelter in that day, Come now; accept of Christ; God’s law obey; The coming time will show on what we stand,— If on the Rock eternal, or on sand.
Buckland, Mass.

MOSES A FIGURE OF CHRIST.

By A. H. Vankirk

BY A. H. VANKIRK.
“NEVERTHELESS death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of Him that was to come.” Rom. 5:14.
In this text several important points are made, and that contained in the phrase, “who is the figure of Him that was to come,” is not the least.
We first notice that death, in consequence of sin, held undisputed sway from Adam to Moses. Not that all men had died (Gen. 5:24; Heb. 11:5), but that all who had died were kept under its bonds during that interval.
In the second place, it is stated that death reigned “even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression,” showing that we do not suffer this death in consequence of individual sins. See 1 Cor. 15:22; Rom. 5:12–17. These statements, taken in connection with that of Rom. 5:13, “But sin is not imputed when there is no law,” show conclusively that the law imputing sin existed from Adam to Moses. Paul, in Rom. 7:7, shows that this law is God’s law of ten commandments. James (chap. 2:9–11), tells how this law should be regarded. We are forced to the conclusion that in all ages of the world, sin has been the transgression of one and the same law.
The third statement of the text,—“who is the figure of Him that was to come,” next claims our attention. How was Moses a figure of Him that was to come,—Christ? Not in that he led his people into the promised inheritance; for he died in Moab, and Joshua led them over Jordan into the land of Canaan. Not in that he suffered temptation without sin; for his death before entering the promised land was in consequence of sinning at Meribah.
There is one other point in which Moses could typify Christ, and that is by a resurrection; and when we carefully consider the context, comparing the statements with other Scripture declarations, all seems plain. In the transfiguration scene, Moses and Elias were both present. It is easy enough to account for Elias’s bodily presence on this occasion. It requires no stretch of credulity to believe that he who was taken to Heaven by “the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof,” was there in person. But how about Moses? Was he there really, tangibly, bodily? Some say, No. Well, why? The narrative speaks of his presence in the same familiar, matter-of-fact manner that it speaks of Elias’ being there. We can make nothing more, nothing less, of the statement itself. We must therefore look to other scriptures for an explanation. We thus find that man in death exercises no powers of mind (Ps. 146:1–4; Eccl. 9:5, 6; Job 14:21); and that the dead remain inactive and unconscious till the great Lifegiver comes to call them from their dusty repose. Job 14:12–15. Compare Job 17:15 with 1 John 3:1, 2.
We are told in the book of Jude of a dispute which occurred between Michael (Christ, 1 Thess. 4:16; John 5:25–28), the Archangel, and the devil, about the body of Moses. Now the devil has the power of death (Heb. 2:14), but Christ has the power of the resurrection of the dead. Here, then, properly, the dispute arises. Moses had fallen under the power of death, but Michael contests Satan’s right to hold him a prisoner; and as he has the keys that are yet to unlock all the cells of Satan’s great prison-house, why may he not have unlocked that of Moses? We think he did. Thus, and thus only, can we harmonize the testimony of the Scriptures.
The statement that Christ is the “first-fruits of them that slept” does not militate against such a conclusion; for we know that others arose from the dead prior to the resurrection of Christ. We do not understand that his resurrection is first in point of time, but that it is first in importance, and that by virtue of it all who ever have been raised or ever will be, have a resurrection.

“IT MAKES NO DIFFERENCE.”

By E. H. Gates

BY E. H. GATES.
How often have I heard this excuse made by professing Christians, after it has been shown that there are no Scriptural grounds for Sunday-keeping. They say that one day is just as good to keep as the other.
Such persons do not seem to perceive that they are, by such reasoning, taking infidel grounds. Just across the way lives a man whom the people call an infidel. He says it makes no difference whether we obey any part of the Bible or not. The Christian lifts his hands in holy horror at such language; but is he not making as great a mistake as the other? One says it is not essential that we obey the fourth commandment; the other, that it makes no difference whether we obey any of the Bible precepts or not. Now is not the principle just the same in each case?
The idea that any one requirement of God may be set aside with impunity, is one that will plunge many to hopeless perdition. If God saw fit to speak his commands in terrible grandeur from Mount Sinai, who shall say, “Nay; but thou mayest violate them at pleasure”?
One class sets aside the second commandment to accommodate image-worship, while another says baptism and the Lord’s supper are of no importance. I suppose Adam and Eve, when in Eden, reasoned that God was not very particular about his commands. Nadab and Abihu thought that common fire would do as well as the sacred fire which the Lord directed to be used on the altar. The Pharisees excused themselves for disobeying the fifth precept of the decalogue, by referring to their traditions. Matt. 15.
But who shall determine which of the commandments of God are binding, and which are not, when Christ says they are all as lasting as heaven and earth? Matt. 5:17, 18. If one precept may be set aside with impunity, why may not another? and then what stands in the way of setting aside the whole word of God?
But time has demonstrated that great evil has resulted from such loose reasoning. By carrying out this principle, Adam and Eve were forced to turn their backs on their Eden home forever. Nadab and Abihu were slain by the fire of God’s wrath for their presumption. The Saviour called the Pharisees hypocrites, and said their worship was vain, and that they had made the commandments of none effect, by making their traditions equal with God’s law. These men prayed to God, and honored him with their lips; but their disobedience showed that their hearts were far from him. They could even pray upon the corners of the streets, and pay tithes of all they had; but without avail, as long as they continued to disobey the law of God.
If the Pharisees merited Christ’s rebuke for breaking the fifth commandment, is there not danger that some will be condemned for setting aside the fourth command, by a tradition? Is not God the same God that he has ever been? The Scriptures declare him to be unchangeable.
Is not sin, or transgression of the law, as hateful in his sight as ever? Read Heb. 2:2, 3: “For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward; how shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him?” That is, if men in the Jewish age were punished for every transgression, how shall we, who have the light of the gospel, escape if we do the same things?
Then let no one say that it makes no difference whether we obey the fourth commandment or not. Christ says, in speaking of the law of which this is a part, “Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of Heaven.” Matt. 5:19.
The apostle James says of the same law, “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” Chap. 2:10.
The fourth commandment is at least “one point” of the law; and who has the right to say that disobedience to that command will not make one “guilty of all”?
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