Earlier text: BEHOLD THE MAN!MOUTH GERMS.
By Helen L. Manning
A FEW years ago a bacteriologist of considerable note published a brochure of a hundred or more pages setting forth the startling discovery (?) that mouth germs were responsible for a long list of evils whose true origin had never before been known. He held that the untold millions of microbes propagated in the mouth from the fermentation and decay of particles of food, which were not removed after eating, were the hitherto unsuspected cause of a large number of physical disorders, and of morbid appetites which craved alcohol and other stimulants, and also of the lust and immorality by which the nation was being corrupted. The easy and certain remedy for most of this viper brood of ills lay in securing aseptic cleanliness for the mouth. Now while I believe in the desirability of strict cleanliness for every portion of the body, and that listerine may be used for washing the mouth and teeth with just as much propriety as soap may be used on the surface of the body, and for the same reason, it hardly seems to me that the one is any more likely to prove a universal panacea or means of grace than the other. At the time this little book appeared, through false education and unfortunate environment, I was so befogged with germ theories that my intellectual and spiritual vision was dreadfully asquint. In fact, my germ distemper was so bad that it might almost have been called a kind of mania à potu. I knew so many things that were not so that I was in a fever of fear and unhappiness, distrusting the food I ate, the water I drank, and the air I breathed. Sterilization and asepsis were the two most important words in my vocabulary. I groaned with the burden of the thought that the world had been put together so clumsily and managed with so little apparent skill. I had indeed heard that God was omnipotent in goodness, love, and wisdom, and though I might in some faint degree be said to possess the belief, the belief possessed me about as little as it does the great majority of struggling souls to-day. In the midst of the mental malaria from which I was then suffering, I hailed this book with joy, kept one copy for ready reference and hand-to-hand circulation, and started another off by mail destined for a wide circuit from friend to friend. But to my chagrin, the university student to whom I sent it first, laid it away in his desk for a few days to await leisure for its perusal, and when he came to seek it, lo, some mice had been before him and shredded it up into convenient building material for domestic purposes! However, since that time I have become firmly convinced that those mice builded better than they knew, and I have been grateful to them as the instruments which deterred me from sowing widespread seeds of fear which might have ripened into a harvest of disease for later reaping, for such fears usually multiply many fold. Now there are what may be aptly denominated "mouth germs" which might profitably have engaged the attention of the learned professor, and the first one of these which I will mention, he could have discovered and classified without the aid of his microscope. It is the clinical thermometer in unprofessional hands. It is hardly so common as to be called a fad, but there are men and women foolish enough to keep thermometers for the purpose of testing their own temperature and that of their children. They have got beyond the class who spend the time counting the pulse and looking at the tongue. One mother triumphantly came home with a fever thermometer just as her children were starting away for an afternoon party, and for the sake of showing off her new acquisition, she thrust it in the mouth of her little daughter as the group stood waiting for the carriage. To her consternation the instrument registered 102.5°. "You are sick, my child," she exclaimed in alarm. "You must go right into the house and go to bed." And this command was enforced despite the tears and protests of the innocent little victim, who declared that she never felt better in her life. The family physician was sent for, and when he arrived he found no trace of fever except that which had resulted from the hysteria due to disappointment and excitement. He sensibly advised the woman to break her thermometer and thereafter to give strict attention to suggesting health to her children and friends instead of disease. Alcohol and tobacco are two more "mouth germs" against which a crusade is properly waged. The amount of disease and disorder which they breed is incalculable. Indecent or profane language are "germs" from which every mouth should be cleansed. The most effective asepsis is to establish the thoughts of the heart in purity and truth. "Keep your heart on high." Symptoms of disease are other "mouth germs" of a dangerous character. They not only befog the atmosphere of the individual himself and tend to strengthen and increase the morbidity already developed, but they are contagious, often affecting a whole neighborhood. Reading medical books and patent medicine advertisements are excellent "cultures" for this species of germ. No glass bell will be required to protect them during incubation.10 Dwelling upon trials and afflictions and their constant recital is a class of "germs" closely allied to the above. Mental depression, sighs and tears, form a miasma more deadly and which should be more carefully avoided than that arising from any swamp or marsh. Clear away these mental plague spots and let the sunshine of hope and joy dispel their fatal mists. "I am afraid" is another "germ" which breeds disease and disorder throughout the whole system. Moreover, it is highly contagious, especially in families, where it often becomes chronic and hereditary. The only real and effective germicide in this case is faith, and it must be used every day. In truth, it may be said in conclusion that faith in the love, wisdom, omnipotence, and omnipresence of God, is the one germicide to be relied upon for perfect asepsis, far more potent in the mental realm than is bichloride of mercury in the physical.—Journal of Hygiene. A PHILADELPHIA tobacconist says: "One-fifth of our cigaret sales during the last two months have been to women." He further declares that in that city there is a certain club of up-town girls, a smokers' club, which to his personal knowledge recently passed a resolution adopting this particular brand as the official cigaret of the club. It is, alas! not improbable that smoking is spreading among young women of wealth and social leadership, and among the more numerous class that are on tiptoe straining up to reach that circle, and, failing to do so, aping it to the best of their ability. Nor is this the worst: the habit of drinking wines and strong liquors in excess is spreading among them. In a certain city there are twenty-four young married couples, all in good society, that frequently associate together socially and constantly, for card-playing purposes. They all drink such liquors as their husbands drink, and nearly all smoke in the presence of the gentlemen, and with them. In part this tendency is imported from continental Europe, but in large measure it is the fruit of an impulse to ape everything that men do, which appears to have infected the minds of many women. That such habits as smoking, gambling, and drinking affect the average woman more strongly for evil than the average man is a fact having its roots in physiology. That one of the results of such habits is to relax the fibers of those virtues which are most essential to woman, and with which she is credited to a higher degree than men, is self-evident; and the harvest of such sowing may be expected, and, in fact, has already arrived, in the revelations of the divorce courts of the infelicities of the domestic state in high life.—Christian Advocate. MORMON CHURCH IN POLITICS.
By Editor
THE Christian Work of October 14 says: "Now, however, it appears that the Mormon Church is again in politics, and is determined to control everything in the State of Utah. At the semi-annual conference held in Salt Lake City last week, President Wilford Woodruff announced his triune office as 'prophet, seer, and revelator,' and this is what he said:— " 'The day has come when the mouths of Wilford Woodruff, George Q. Cannon, Joseph F. Smith, and the twelve apostles, should not be closed. God almighty requires you to unite in your temple work and unite in your politics. You should unite to elect your city council and also all your State officials. You must put aside your democracy and republicanism and as Latter-day Saints unite, and you will not be taxed to death.' " But why should the religious papers who are advocating "Christian Citizenship," and Sunday laws, and endeavoring to unite the "church vote" on these things, find fault with the Mormons? Of course the Mormon Church is in politics. It has never been out. And many in the press and pulpit of the Protestant churches justify the Utah régime. HIS NAME.
By Susan Teall Perry
"My name? O, no matter for that, good child;
Just run home to your mother now,
And take her this fruit while it's cool and fresh"—
The stranger passed on with a bow. "But, sir, O, kind sir!" the little girl called;
No heed did he give to the cry,
And soon he was lost to sight in the crowd
That was hurrying swiftly by. Homeward she sped with the basket quite full
Of oranges yellow and round.
"Mother," she cried, as she came to the cot,
"O, just see what treasures I've found! " 'Twas the strangest thing; I stood by the stand,
And I said to Tommy, 'Dear me,
If I had money, I'd buy some of these
For mother to eat with her tea.' "It's most like a fairy story to tell—
A gentleman standing quite near
Stepped up and whispered, Is your mother ill?
Would she like some oranges, dear?" "I told him you had been ill a long time;
I wished you could have just a few.
He picked out the very best he could find,
And told me to bring them to you. "I asked for his name, but he would not tell;
And you said, dear mother, we ought
To always ask God to bless the kind ones
Who help in our trouble have brought. "Do you think that God knows the good man's name?"
Then the mother looked up and smiled,
As she whispered, "O, yes, God knows his name;
It is written in heaven, my child!" KNOCK AT THE GOLDEN DOOR.
MRS. MARION B. BAXTER, financial president of N. W. C. T. U. work, at one time felt peculiarly depressed, and as she waited for her train in the railway station, was filled with sad questioning as to whether her work paid, whether it was not in vain, whether the sacrifice was not too great for the results, and happening to look up, she saw at the end of a hallway a door on which was written in bold letters the word "Knock." In an indifferent way she began to think of the word, and said to herself, "I suppose if I knocked, I would find out what is behind that door, see who is within, and know whether or not there is anything there for me." Immediately it flashed into her mind that there was a door at which she was invited to knock by her heavenly Father, that would be opened to her, and within that door stood One who could and would supply all her need. As she responded to the invitation, a flood of peace filled her soul. A short time after an old colored woman who had charge of a station-room, accosted her, asking, "Misse, am you a Christian?" She answered positively in the affirmative. "Well, honey," said the old woman, "I wish I was. I'se a berry wicked woman, and I don't 'pear to know how to be good. Wish I could be a bettah woman." "You must knock at God's door," answered Mrs. Baxter, explaining how our prayers appeal to the infinite heart of Love. The old woman took in every word eagerly. "But how often must I knock? Must I knock when I feel like getting mad?" "Must I knock when I'se sick and down in de dumps? When I'se tempted and tried, and wants to lie and steal and do wicked t'ings, and when I feels weak and discouraged?" "Laws, honey, den I'll jes have to be a knock, knock, knockin' all de time." "That's so," said Mrs. Baxter. "Keep your heart going up to God's heart all the time, and the golden door of his love will stand open to your appeals, and grace will come to help in every time of need." With a shining face the old darkey went to her work, and with new courage and joy, Mrs. Baxter went on with her mission to the poor and lost. The coffin is carried by a number of stout coolies. It is cubical in shape, and usually about two feet square and two and a half high. The corpse is therefore buried in a sitting or kneeling position. The grave of course needs to be only large enough to receive the coffin,11 and is a little more than two feet square and about five feet deep. At the temple the priests recite from the Buddhist books long prayers for the peaceful rest of the departed spirit, interspersing ringing of bells, beating of gongs, burning of incense, and waving a huge brush made of hair. The last is an enchantment against evil spirits, while the gongs and bells are for keeping the attention of the gods. At the close of these services, the company, beginning with the nearest relatives of the dead, pass to the front of the coffin, offer a prayer to the dead and to Buddha, sprinkle a little incense on the charcoal fire, and retire. At the grave it is customary for all the visitors to drop a clod upon the coffin. No one seems to know the design of this, but it seems to be considered a kind of rudeness not to follow the custom. After the grave is filled an additional bowl of rice is placed upon it as food for the dead. The last important event of the funeral is a distribution of cake to all the people who have been present. The expense of this cake is said to be from one-third to one-half of the whole funeral expenses. Possibly, as a preparation for this expense, it is a custom to make a present in money to the family of the deceased. This present is taken as a token of sympathy and respect.—Anon. THE only way, says the Independent, to put a stop to the slaughter of song-birds is to make the sale of their feathers and wings or the wearing of them on women's hats illegal. One or two States have such laws, which ought to be enforced. A Boston court has lately declared that it is unlawful to wear feathers of a bird that is protected by law. An expert connected with the Museum of Natural History in this city took pains to observe the hats worn by women during two afternoons. Forty species were represented, including thrushes, warblers, shrikes, fly-catchers, tanagers, swallows, wax-wings, grosbeaks, sparrows, orioles, woodpeckers, jays, owls, grouse, doves, quails, shore-birds, herons, gulls, terns, and grebes. Of course there is no objection to wearing the feathers of tame birds. This is a matter that ought to appeal to the conscience of women as well as to the good sense of ornithologists. Knock at de Golden Do's.
By Hope Onslow
(Tune, "You Must Be a Lover of the Lord.") O my Lord in heben has bid me come,
As He' bid pore souls befo',
When dey's burdened down wid guilt and gloom,
And knock at de golden do'. CHORUS—
O knock at de golden do',
O knock at de golden do',
Keep a knock, knock, knockin'
And a knock, knock, knockin',
Till you enter de golden do'. When de firey trials come teamin' out,
And de heart am sick and sore,
When dere's fears widin and foes widout,
Den knock at de golden do'. For my Lord in hebin stands jes' inside,
Who hab passed dis way befo',
And de portals He will open wide
When you knock at de golden do'. When we see de glory ob His smile,
O de burdens press no mo',
And He bids us wait but a little while
Till we entah de golden do'! For one ob dese days, O bress de King,
We shall wait outside no mo';
He will bid us "come in" while de angels sing,
And we'll entah de golden do'. Den robed in white and crowned wid stars,
We'll weep and cry no mo',
But we pass wid Him from de pearly bars
To de throne from de golden do'. WHAT is the most expensive product in the world?—It is charcoal thread, which is employed for incandescent lamps. It is, for the most part, manufactured at Paris, and comes from the hands of an artist who desires his name to remain unknown in order to better protect the secret of manufacture. It is by the gram (15¼ grains) that this product is sold at wholesale. In reducing its price to the basis of pounds, it is easily found that the filaments for lamps of twenty candles are worth $8,000 per pound, and that for lamps of thirty candles they are worth $12,000 per pound. The former have a diameter of twenty-thousandths of one millimeter (one millimeter equals 0.0394 inch), and the latter four and one-half thousandths of a millimeter. The filaments for lamps of three candles are so light that it would require nearly 1,500,000 of them to weigh a pound. As the length of each of them is ten centimeters (3.937 inches), their total length would be 187 miles.—Thrice-a-Week World. THE POWER OF GOD'S WORD.
By Minnie Embree
WHEN first I saw thee years ago, old Ocean,
Thy waves were tossing, foaming, just as now;
Thy breakers rolled and rose and broke in splendor;
Canst thou not tell me whence they come and how?
Tell me, thou deep and dark and blue old Ocean,
Stretching for leagues and leagues beyond my sight,
Weight of whose waters only God can measure,
What makes this restless tossing day and night? "It is the simple word of my Creator,
For when He formed me a decree He made:
'Thus far may come the rolling, surging water,
And at this place shall thy proud waves be stayed.'
"And thus when I come rolling, dashing inland,
And reach the point commanded by His Word,
I turn and hasten to obey My Maker,
And so forever are the breakers heard."
MINNIE EMBREE. NEW YEAR'S DAY is the great day in Japan. This is the season when all debts are paid, while general visiting and feasting occupy three days. Everybody sends his friend a present, a basket of oranges, or a dumpling of red beans or rice dough, wrapped in the ceremonial paper. The streets are crowded with merry people, and lighted at night with thousands of lanterns and torches. In the early part of March the children in Japan have three days devoted to the festival of dolls. The peach and cherry blossoms send their fragrance over the country at that time, and the trees are very pretty, full of pink and white flowers. In the shops are shown dolls of all sizes and descriptions. And yet, tho these dolls are bought by the hundreds at that time, the little Japanese girls are much like our own little girls here at home,—they love the old dolls best. At the time of the dolls' festival, dolls that have belonged to mother, grandmother, and great grandmother are brought out from their places where they are carefully treasured. These dolls are never given to the children to play with except on those certain days. Perched on every knoll, and commanding every height in Japan, you see a temple. Sometimes it is a mere box of a thing, where the wandering pilgrim may stop to clap his hands to call the attention of the gods and bow low in prayer. But in the large temples throughout the land, Japan puts all her devotion. The choicest spots are chosen for their sites, where the scenery is most beautiful, and the woods most thick and green. Long avenues lead up to them; by high flights of steps you enter them; and all that can be done in painting, carving, gilding, and bronzing, is bestowed upon them. At the doors of these strange temples you will see a curious collection of wooden clogs of all sizes and varieties, neatly tied two by two. They put their shoes from off their feet. Inside, with forehead touched to the earth, the worshiper hides his face. [Extracts from a report of a missionary meeting held in the Sanitarium at Battle Creek, Mich., August 14, 1897.] Dr. Rand—In our department meeting on Tuesday we had an informal meeting, talking over the different phases of the work. With one patient we had had six different nurses, each one having failed, because they could not stand the temperament of the man. The last nurse who was sent to him could do nothing with him at all, so he asked the old gentleman if he would pray with him, and he would always answer, "Yes," so he would kneel down and pray, and after doing this several times, his patient would do anything he told him to, and the nurse had complete control over him. When the patient went home, he took the nurse with him, as he was the only person that he felt that he dared trust. Another patient who was using tobacco quite freely, has taken up our principles as fast as they were presented to him. When he came into my office one day, I asked him if it was not a moral wrong to continue this habit. He said that he did not look upon it in that light. I asked him if he would smoke or chew in a church. He replied, "No." He considered it was not respectful to the house of God. I then showed him, by a few texts, that the Lord created our bodies for his temple; that he dwelt there. He took the quid of tobacco out of his mouth, and, throwing it in the waste-basket, said: "That settles that. This is the last time that I will ever defile the temple of God with tobacco." Still another patient, who is the editor of a daily paper in one of the western States, had used tobacco until his mind was a little affected. He was very bitter towards us at first, but after returning home we received a letter from him stating that he had made complete recovery, and that there was no place like this institution. This shows how the Lord can work upon people, although we do not see it while they are here with us. Dr. Kress—I have had several interesting experiences this week. One of my patients, who is an inveterate user of tobacco, had made several attempts to give it up, but without success. He was surprised that tobacco had such a hold upon him, and that he had become a slave to the use of it. I told him in a few words of my experience and how I was enabled to give up the habit. He then decided to give it up gradually, but finally came to the point that he would give it up at once. In twenty-four hours he came to me and said that he had succeeded by the help of the Lord, and that he did not feel badly either. The next day he reported again and said, "It is strange that I scarcely have any desire for tobacco." He feels delighted because he has won the victory. Every opportunity he has he converses upon Gospel subjects, and is greatly interested in them. OUR WORK AND WORKERS.
By Editor
Two additions to our ranks are reported at Fremont, Mich. At Knapp, Wis., October 2, three persons were baptized by Elder Swin Swinson. On the 4th ult. eight persons were baptized at Alexander, Iowa, by Elder D. P. Gaede. On the 4th ult. a new church building was dedicated free of encumbrance at Lansing, Mich. A general meeting for General Conference District No. 2 will be held at Graysville, Tenn., November 9-16. Elder P. L. Hoen was recently invited to speak three evenings in the Swedish M. E. Church in Escanaba, Mich. Elder A. C. Bourdeau recently baptized fifteen persons at Wakopa, Manitoba, making the church membership thirty-five. At Burt, Mich., where Elder W. D. Hebner has been laboring, the interest is said to be so great that plans for a new church building are being made, even in advance of any organization. Elder T. H. Starbuck, of Portland, Oregon, has accepted the position of preceptor of Walla Walla College, and will also act as secretary of the correspondence school conducted by that institution. Elder P. Giddings reports the baptism of four persons at New Amsterdam, and one at Georgetown, British Guiana. He also states that at Essequibo a minister and his family of seven have joined our people. On the 2d inst. six candidates were baptized, and a church of twenty members organized, by Elder W. A. Sweany, at Albert Lea, Minn. Steps are being taken for the immediate erection of a house of worship. At Morden, Manitoba, Elder H. J. Dirksen, who has been laboring among the German population, baptized fourteen converts a few weeks ago. A suitable building is being arranged for church services by the brethren at this place. At London, Ont., on the 12th ult., Elder J. F. Ballinger baptized twelve candidates. A church is soon to be organized there, as the interest created by the tent and Bible work is reported to be quite good, one invalid lady having been healed in answer to prayer. During a recent fair at Chatham, Ont., Elder P. M. Howe and others, set a tent on the fair grounds for the accommodation of mothers with children. Some of our lady Bible workers were in charge of the tent, and the enterprise was highly complimented as an act of missionary work. At the late session of the New York Conference, officers were elected as follows: President, A. E. Place; vice-president, P. Z. Kinne; secretary, H. L. Bristol; treasurer, Fred E. Pierce. The conference now employs sixteen ordained ministers and three licentiates, besides other grades of laborers. At Gutches schoolhouse, Minn., a church of seventeen members, all heads of families, was recently organized by Elder W. B. Hill and others. The Sabbath-school numbers over forty. Elder Hill, who has been laboring in the ministry for twenty-four years in Minnesota, has removed to College View, Neb. In connection with tent meetings held at West Selkirk, Manitoba, by Brethren E. H. Huntley and Alex. Ritchie, twelve adults have accepted the Sabbath of the Lord. Elder Falconer, in his report to the Review, says: "One of these is a lady mission worker among the Icelandic people. Another is an Indian preacher, who belongs to the Cree tribe, and will fit himself for labor among his people." Elder Grant Adkins, after holding a series of forty-one meetings in the Odd Fellows' Hall in Briceville, Tenn., was finally obliged to vacate through the influence of members of other churches who were also members of the order. It all turned out well, however, for he was enabled to purchase a building and convert it into a comfortable meeting place for a very small sum of money. So it was demonstrated that the enemy's effort to shut the truth out of the town only served more firmly to plant it. On the reservation of the Indians, formerly known as the Six Nations, in Ontario, Brethren Simpson and Spear have been laboring among the Indians. These Indians are an intelligent class of farmers. Over twenty have accepted the Sabbath truth, and on a recent Sunday ten of them were baptized. Others are to follow soon. Elder J. H. Durland, president of Michigan Conference, was present, and reports to Field Echoes that more than three thousand people, some of them coming eight and ten miles, were out to see the Indians baptized. He adds: "The work among this people has created a spirit of inquiry all through this part of the country." On Sunday, October 17, a farewell missionary service was held in the S. D. A. Church in San Francisco. The occasion was the soon departure of Mrs. W. C. Grainger and daughter, on October 21, for Japan. Both go as missionaries, to join the husband and father, Professor Grainger, who is already there, and who, besides his other work, has a class of sixty he is instructing in English Bible. The exercises of the meeting, consisting of remarks on Japan and work among the Japanese, by Elder H. H. Dexter, Brethren Parlin and Burden, and Sister Grainger, and the singing of quartet and choir, led by Brother Winslow, made the evening one of interest, and we trust of profit. We would that many more were going to the country of the Orient. May God go with these dear souls, and give them safe passage, and wisdom and grace for their new work. Our Medical Missionary Board is preparing for a vigorous campaign in the south during the coming winter. There is crying need for the kind of work done by this board, to which need the floods of the past season and the yellow fever epidemic have largely added in the south. The proceeds of the missionary gardening and farming plan, in vogue to some extent among our rural brethren, have been set apart for the use of the board, and their work is made partially self-supporting in various ways; yet it is a work which, like the ministry of the Word, is limited only by the wide expanse of suffering humanity. It is a question which arises in the contemplation of all missionary work, "Where is the means, and where are the laborers?" The Lord has indicated how it all may be accomplished. First, he says, "My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways." Prov. 23:26. Secondly, he enjoins his people to give as he hath prospered them. To this is added the assurance that "God loveth a cheerful giver" (2 Cor. 9:7); "As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor; his righteousness remaineth forever" (verse 9). The work of the Lord becomes simpler and far less perplexing as his people learn to take him at his word. His yoke is easy, and his burden is light, if men will consent to bear them in his way. GIVING OR RELINQUISHING.
By Christian Work
"So MR. JONES gave $500 to missions at his death, did he?" The question was asked of a city pastor the other day. And the answer was, "I did not say he gave it, but that he left it; perhaps I should have more explicitly said that he relinquished $500 because he could no longer hold it." The distinction needs to be kept in mind. One gives only when living; he relinquishes at death. There is plenty of Scripture commendation for giving, but none that we recall for relinquishing what the cold, stiffened fingers of death can no longer hold. L. A. Holobaugh, box 606, Jackson, Ohio, asks for clean copies of the SIGNS and Youth's Instructor for use in the canvassing work. Send post-paid. LESSON VII.—SABBATH, NOVEMBER 13, 1897. THE SPIRIT POURED OUT UPON THE GENTILES; PETER REHEARSES HIS EXPERIENCE.
44 "WHILE Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell 45 on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were amazed, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the 46 gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with 47 tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid the water, that these should not be baptized, which 48 have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days. 1 "Now the apostles and the brethren that were in Judea 2 heard that the Gentiles also had received the Word of God. And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were in 3 the circumcision contended with him, saying, Thou wentest 4 in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them. But Peter 5 began, and expounded the matter unto them in order, saying, I was in the city of Joppa praying; and in a trance I saw a vision, a certain vessel descending, as it were a great sheet let 6 down from heaven by four corners; and it came even unto me; upon the which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, 7 and saw the four-footed beasts of the earth and wild beasts and 8 creeping things and fowls of the heaven. And I heard also a 9 voice saying unto me, Rise, Peter; kill and eat. But I said, Not so, Lord; for nothing common or unclean hath ever entered 10 into my mouth. But a voice answered the second time out of 11 heaven, What God hath cleansed, make not thou common. And this was done thrice; and all were drawn up again into 12 heaven. And behold, forthwith three men stood before the house in which we were, having been sent from Cæsarea unto 13 me. And the Spirit bade me go with them, making no distinction. And these six brethren also accompanied me; and we 14 entered into the man's house; and he told us how he had seen 15 the angel standing in his house, and saying, Send to Joppa, and 16 fetch Simon, whose surname is Peter; who shall speak unto thee 17 words, whereby thou shalt be saved, thou and all thy 18 house. And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, 19 even as on us at the beginning. And I remembered the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; 20 but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. If then God gave 21 unto them the like gift as he did also unto us, when we believed 22 on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I, that I could withstand 23 God? And when they heard these things, they held their 24 peace, and glorified God, saying, Then to the Gentiles also 25 hath God granted repentance unto life." - Give the account of Peter's meeting with Cornelius.
- State the substance of Peter's discourse.
- What took place while Peter was speaking?
- How did Peter's companions regard this? Why were they astonished?
- How was the gift of the Spirit manifested in these Gentiles?
- What question did Peter ask? What good reason was there for their being baptized?
- What order did Peter then give? What did the new disciples then desire?
- Who straightforwardly received news of the affair?
- What took place when Peter returned to Jerusalem? Who were they who found fault with his course?
- What was their charge?
- How did Peter answer them?
- Give his answer in detail.
- At what point did he say the Holy Ghost was poured upon the listening Gentiles? In what manner did the Spirit come on them?
- What did Peter say that he then remembered?
- Why did Peter not dare to refuse the Gentiles baptism? What was he sure he would have been doing if he had?
- When the Jews heard Peter's account, what did they do? What did they say?
- What is the great principle taught in this lesson? Cite texts from the epistles setting forth this truth.
- From what did Peter quote in the beginning of his discourse on Pentecost? How extensively had God by the prophet said that his Spirit would be poured out? If the brethren had remembered this statement, would they have wondered that the Gentiles received the Spirit? Has the lesson taught by the story of Cornelius been fully learned by Christians?
- Is there any fixed rule as to how and when people shall receive the Spirit? Mention the different instances that we have already studied, and note the circumstances in each case. Do these cases show whether or not the Spirit is given only after baptism, or by the laying on of hands?
- What was there in the example of Jesus to warrant Peter in what he did? What complaint similar to that brought against Peter was frequently brought against Christ by the Pharisees?