What had they told Joseph, when he asked them to bring Benjamin to Egypt? Verse 22.
What reason did Judah give for his father’s unwillingness to let Benjamin go to Egypt? Verses 27–29.
Why did Judah claim the right to remain a bondman instead of Benjamin? Verse 32.
Why should this appeal of Judah be studied?
What may be said of its language?
When Joseph heard this appeal, how was he affected? Gen. 45:1.
How did he manifest his feelings? Verse 2.
What did he say to them?
How did they feel?
What did he beg them to do? Verse 4.
What did he say about their selling him into bondage? Verse 5.
How did he manifest his affection for his brethren? Verses 14, 15.
What did he tell them to do? Give reference.
Why would it be necessary for them to do so? Reference.
What did Pharaoh order, when he knew that Joseph’s brethren had come?
Why did he assign them the land of Goshen?
SYNOPSIS.
When search was made for the cup, it was found in Benjamin’s sack. At this, the brethren rent their clothes, and returned at once to the city. They presented themselves before Joseph, and offered to become his bondmen. He said that Benjamin should be his bondman, but the others should go home to their father in peace.
Then Judah made one of the most touching and eloquent appeals ever recorded. He pleaded that he might remain a bondman in place of Benjamin. He reminded Joseph that when Joseph had inquired of them at first concerning their family, they said to him, “We have a father, an old man, and a child of his old age, a little one, and his brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother, and his father loveth him.” And that when he had asked them to bring Benjamin to Egypt, they had said, “The lad cannot leave his father; for if he should leave his father, his father would die.”
He told Joseph the reason why his father had been so unwilling to let Benjamin come to Egypt, and how probable it was that if Benjamin should be kept a bondman it would cause his father’s death. Judah claimed the right to remain a bondman in Benjamin’s stead, because he had become surety for Benjamin to his father.
This appeal should be studied, not only for its appropriateness and pathos, but for its beauty and simplicity of expression. The language has been admired by the best scholars.
When Joseph heard this appeal, he could no longer restrain his feelings, but cried, “Cause every man to go out from me.” So Joseph was left alone with his brethren, and he wept aloud, and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard.
“And Joseph said unto his brethren, ‘I am Joseph, doth my father yet live?’” And they were afraid of him, but he begged them to come near him, saying, “Be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves that ye sold me hither; for God did send me before you to preserve life.”
And he embraced Benjamin, and wept on his neck, and kissed all his brethren. He told them that they must go and bring their father, and their little ones, and all that they had, down to Egypt; for the famine was to continue five years longer.
When Pharaoh knew that Joseph’s brethren had come, he ordered wagons to be given them, that they might go and bring their families and all that they had. At their request, he let them dwell in the land of Goshen, for that was the most favorable part of the country for raising cattle.
LESSONS FOR BIBLE CLASSES.
By G. H. Bell
LESSON XXV.—THE CLEANSING OF THE HEAVENLY SANCTUARY, CONTINUED.
QUESTIONS.
1. Why does the heavenly sanctuary need to be cleansed?
2. What positive proof does the Bible furnish in regard to the necessity for the cleansing of the heavenly sanctuary? Heb. 9:23.
3. How has this sanctuary become polluted?
4. What must be done when the sanctuary is cleansed?
5. Can the sins be blotted from the record before that record has served its purpose?
6. What purpose is it to serve?
7. What must be done before the cleansing of the sanctuary can be completed?
8. What names are entered in the book of life?
9. What will the examination of the books of record show?
10. Whose names will be blotted out of the book of life?
21. What was done preparatory to beginning the work of examination?
22. Where does the investigative Judgment take place?
23. How do you show that the work of the investigative Judgment constitutes the cleansing of the sanctuary?
24. What does Christ do when the work of blotting out sins is completed?
25. How do you show that this act completes the cleansing of the sanctuary?
26. Why does it seem proper that Satan should finally bear the sins of God’s people?
SYNOPSIS.
We have seen that the heavenly sanctuary is polluted by the sins of God’s people. They are borne by the High Priest of that sanctuary, and are also placed on record there. It is plain that when this sanctuary is cleansed, these sins will be removed. Christ will lay them off, and they will be blotted from the record; but this record cannot be blotted out until it has served its purpose. Out of the things written in this record the dead are to be judged. It is certain, then, that the cleansing of the sanctuary can never be accomplished until the books have been examined, and judgment has been passed upon all who have once entered the service of God; for not until then can their sins be blotted out.
All who have ever entered the service of God have had their names entered in the book of life. The examination of the books of record will show what names are to be retained in the book of life, and what are to be blotted out. The names of all who have been unfaithful will be blotted out, while the names of those who, by their acts of repentance, confession, faith, and obedience, have made complete work of overcoming, will be retained. Rev. 3:5. Christ will confess their names before his Father and the holy angels, and present his blood as an atonement for their sins. Their sins will then be blotted out, and the heavenly record will be clean.
When that work is completed, the cases of all men are virtually decided; for all those whose names have never been entered in the book of life will be lost, and those whose names are blotted out of it will share the same fate.
This work is sometimes called the investigative Judgment. Dan. 7:9, 10 describes the opening scene of this tribunal. God the Father, here called the Ancient of Days, presides in awful majesty. He is attended by a countless host of heavenly beings; and the books are opened.
This scene must have been in the second apartment of the heavenly sanctuary; for there is where the work of cleansing was chiefly performed, and this solemn work of the Judgment is the cleansing of that sanctuary. Here Christ presents his blood as an atonement for the sins of his faithful followers, and here their sins are blotted out.
When this work is complete, Christ lays off the sins of his people upon the head of Satan, the antitypical scapegoat, and then the cleansing of the sanctuary is complete; for the sins that polluted it are no longer borne by Christ, and no longer found in the books of record.
That Satan should finally bear these sins and suffer for them is entirely proper; for he is the author of sin, and the one who has tempted man to disobedience in all ages of the world.
G. H. BELL.
TRUST
By H. P. B.
Still trust Thee? Yes! Has not Thy tender hand
E'en o'er the pathless mountains rugged,
As well as through the burning desert sand,
Made paths for feet that chose their own wild way,
Instead of thine beneath fair skies o'er-studded
With thy love, where sweetest blessings lay?
Trust Thee? Whom else in earth or Heaven beside,—
Whom else desires the contrite spirit broken?
Wait thou, my soul, if mercy be denied;
Thy Rock and thy defense for patience holds
The visitation of some gracious token;
Abide then where love's banner, trust, unfolds.
Then lead the soul that trusts Thee on and up,
Though by the road of sacrificial altar
Which Abram made after that joyous sup
With angels; only let it, purified,
Dwell where strength shall never fail or falter,—
Beneath the shadow of the Crucified.
H. P. B.
TEACHERS
SABBATH-SCHOOL HINTS.—NO. 3.
TEACHERS
Making choice of teachers who have “plenty of time” often proves a great mistake, as such persons seldom make good use of what time they have. Those who are faithful in what they undertake are always in good demand, and rarely fail to find enough to do. Indeed, it often happens that they are obliged to look after the odd moments as closely as the miser after his gold, lest time slip away and leave an over-accumulation of work on their hands.
There is without doubt a limit beyond which it is not best to pass in urging persons who are already burdened with cares to become teachers; yet, as is well attested by experience, persons of this very class, when actuated by the love of Christ, have, in spite of their ever-pressing duties, often proved the most effective teachers in the Sabbath-school. Neither is it hard to account for this result. Those who are thorough in their business relations will be certain to show the same untiring energy in doing the work of the Sabbath-school which has made them successful in the business of the week.
There can hardly be found a more responsible work than that of imparting religious instruction to the young, since the development of a religious character depends more or less upon early impressions; and these are received from the teacher, and are vivid or feeble according to the interest or indifference manifested by him.
If nothing is desired in the Sabbath-school beyond a certain amount of information, then any quick, intelligent person, apt to teach, but without any particular spiritual attainments, can fill the position of teacher; but if a spiritual effect is sought, if the pupil is to be impressed with the importance of godliness, the necessity of a righteous character, and is to be led to Christ, then a teacher should be found who is spiritually minded, one who will have the religious interests of his class at heart.
“Prevention is better than cure” is an old adage worthy of our consideration in relation to the Sabbath-school. To reclaim an evil-doer is certainly a praiseworthy act; but to prevent one from becoming a prodigal is better, in that a multitude of sins are thus prevented. And this gives the church hope of good members.
To bring about such desirable results, teachers must
HAVE AN AIM
in their work, a definite object to secure. Many efforts of Sabbath-school teachers as well as other good people prove abortive, simply because they are put forth without deliberation or distinctness of purpose. Striking without taking aim is worse than a loss of time—worse than a mere waste of energy. Those who strike at random not only beat the air, but often hit and injure the very ones they want to help.
Whoever makes a success of teaching must take time for reflection. He must keep constantly before him certain definite results to be attained, and earnestly strive for their accomplishment. It is a serious mistake to substitute quantity for quality, either in teaching or preaching. Talking is not always teaching, neither is the simple act of hearing a recitation. Teaching is making one know what he did not know before; and one point clearly and definitely learned is better than many generalities.
Nothing so quickly interests children and secures their attention as the consciousness that they are learning something—learning something that they can tell. The celebrated Groser once said, “He who gives a skillful explanation teaches, and does much; but he who shows his pupils how to reach an explanation, trains, and does more.” Let the teacher aim to direct the mind so that a distinct knowledge of the lesson may be obtained, leading rather than dictating, and his object will be accomplished. The ordinary child is not dull of comprehension, but, on the other hand, is prompt to gather new ideas; and nothing kindles the enthusiasm of the young like the thought that they have made a discovery,—the feeling that they have learned something by finding it out themselves. Impressions gained in this way are indelible.
Aptness in teaching is very rarely a natural gift. Indeed, comparatively few who attempt to teach ever attain to efficiency in the art. It is not, however, an impossibility. There are very few who may not, by culture and practice, become somewhat skillful in imparting instruction to others.
THE THIRD HEAVEN.
Some think that the third Heaven to which Paul was caught up, as described in 2 Cor. 12:2, is the new heaven which is to succeed the present one. According to their enumeration there are three heavens and earths, thus: First, the one before the flood; second, the heavens and the earth which are now; third, the new heavens and new earth which are to come; and this latter they claim is the third heaven to which Paul was caught away.
There are objections to this view which are absolutely insuperable.
1. Peter, the only one who speaks of the three, does not specify them as the first, second, and third; hence we have no authority for supposing that any sacred writer designed that they should be so enumerated. 2 Pet. 3:5, 7, 13.
2. John, who contrasts the present heavens and earth with the ones which are to come, calls this present state the first, and not the second, as it would be according to the view we are examining. Then the new and ultimate heaven to which we look forward, would be the second and not the third, as this view requires it to be. Rev. 21:1.
3. The future and final abode of blessedness awaiting the righteous is spoken of as the new earth, not the new or third heaven. That heaven will be simply an atmospheric heaven surrounding the new earth, as the present earth has an atmospheric heaven surrounding it, which will pass away with it. But that new heaven will not be inhabited by the saints, nor by angels, neither by the Father nor the Son, any more than the present atmospheric heaven is made the abode of these beings. Why, then, should Paul be caught away to such a heaven, and how could he there hear unspeakable words which it was not possible (margin) for him to utter? If it was the future abode of the righteous which he wishes to say was revealed to him, we think he would have said that he was caught away to the new earth, instead of saying that he was “caught up to the third Heaven.”
4. Going into the third Heaven, verse 2, he went into paradise. Verse 4. Paradise is therefore in the third Heaven. But in paradise is the tree of life, Rev. 2:7, which is by the river of life, Rev. 22:2, which river is in the street of the city, the Heavenly Jerusalem, and flows out of the throne of God and the Lamb. Rev. 22:1, 2. Now if the third Heaven, or paradise, is not yet in existence, but is the future state of glory, then the tree of life is not in existence, nor the river of life, nor the holy city, New Jerusalem; for these things are inseparably connected together; and perhaps the same may be said of the throne of God himself. But Paul says that “Jerusalem which is [not, is to be] above is free, which is [not, is to be] the mother of us all.” Gal. 3:26; and Christ says, “In my Father’s house are many mansions.” Therefore the New Jerusalem above, with its street, and river of life, and tree of life, and throne of God and the Lamb, was in existence in Paul’s day. But this place we have shown to be the very place which Paul in 2 Cor. 12 calls the third Heaven.
5. But finally Paul says, “Whether in the body or out of the body I cannot tell, God knoweth.” That is to say, he did not know, as the scenes presented before him were so real, but that he was taken up into paradise and the third Heaven bodily. He thought it at least possible that such might have been the case. And now we ask the reader to compare that thought with the idea our friends urge, that this third Heaven is the future new heaven which has not yet come. Could Paul be taken bodily to that? Such an idea is an absurdity. It was not therefore any future heaven, but one in existence at that time, to which Paul could have been taken bodily, that he had reference to in the expression, “the third Heaven.”
Should any inquire what Paul did mean by that language, the answer is at hand. There are three different regions spoken of as heaven in the Scriptures. First, our atmospheric heaven, as in the expression “the fowls of heaven.” Second, the region beyond this heaven where we behold the starry constellations: as, “the stars of heaven.” Third, that region where God has his habitation and his throne: “From Heaven did the Lord behold the earth.” And this is the very place which Paul describes as the third Heaven.
The old hymn of Dr. Watts contains better theology than the expositions of some modern commentators—
“From the third Heaven, where God resides,
That holy, happy place,
The New Jerusalem comes down
Adorned with shining grace.”
ANXIOUS
In this state of mind the Watchman, of Boston, confesses itself to be, in its issue of Nov. 7, 1878. But anxious about what? The answer to this question will surprise the reader, if he is susceptible of such an emotion. It says:—
“We confess that we look with some anxiety upon the spread of the views represented at the so-called Prophetic Conference held in New York last week.”
What is there to cause anxiety in these views? Were they not mainly this, that the coming of Christ is to be pre-millennial, personal, and visible, and that his coming is near? And does not the Bible plainly teach these views? Certainly. And the Watchman acknowledges its conviction on these points by hastening to add:—
“Of course we believe in the second coming of Christ as strongly as any one can.”
“Of course”! That is too plainly scriptural to be denied without denying the Bible. So “of course” we believe that; and we believe it too, “just as strongly as any one can.” Then the Watchman believes it just as strongly as the members of the Conference, just as strongly as any Adventist; nevertheless it has some anxiety about having such views spread abroad! It further says:—
“Nor would we dogmatize as to the time, holding that the great event may occur at any moment. [Put in a whole line of exclamation points here.] Nevertheless we have a decided conviction, based, we think, on God’s word, that the Heavens must retain our Lord many ages yet.”
It may come at any moment, but cannot come for many ages! according to the Watchman’s decided convictions! But of course it believes “in the second coming of Christ as strongly as any one can”! Truly the Watchman is entitled to the palm as the prince of somnambulists.
The reasons why it is so anxious about these views, as we gather from the article, are briefly these:—
1. Just as likely as not somebody, by-and-by, will fix the time and prepare an ascension robe! Well, nobody ever did yet put on an ascension robe, and it will be time enough to have anxiety about them when they do. Some have foolishly set times in these later years, it is true; but this has not destroyed the truth; and nothing would tend more directly to remedy this evil than to have religious teachers and religious papers take a right view of this question, instead of throwing it away altogether, as most of them do.
2. If these views obtain, men will despair of the conversion of the world; and this, the Watchman declares, is one of the absurdities for which it cannot account, in “an age which has seen the conversion of the Sandwich Islands, of Madagascar, of the South Sea, of the Karens, of the Teloogoos, an age which has seen the destruction of the pope’s temporal power, and which has seen the doors of China and Japan thrown open to the heralds of the cross.”
Very fine as rhetorical periods, but how much real progress do these declarations indicate? From our distant point of observation we cannot tell. But in view of these, the Watchman thinks it very absurd not to suppose that Christianity is about to triumph over the world.
There is something else to consider: What is the religious condition of our own country, where Christianity is put under the most favorable circumstances and seen in its best light? Let the Watchman itself answer. From the same number of the paper which contains the article we are reviewing, we give the article found in another column entitled, “Fiat Religion.” Read that and then judge of the prospect on the Watchman’s own showing. It there admits that “our Christianity in modern times” is cursed with a “fiat religion” which is worth no more than a piece of paper upon which is stamped, “This is a dollar,” of no intrinsic value, and containing no promise to pay. Such religion, so largely prevailing among professors, it admits is a fraud and a sham.
Suppose, now, that all heathendom was converted to the condition of the United States, how near would the world then be to being converted? Take Cincinnati for an example, in the very bosom of our continent. A letter to the Christian Union based on a sermon by Mr. Wendt of the First Unitarian church of that city, gives the following statistics: Population, 250,000; Catholics, 65,000; foreign Protestants, 20,000; Jews, 7,000. Members of English-speaking Protestant churches, 12,000! To represent the number, young and old, brought more or less under the influence of the English-speaking Protestant churches, it is supposed that this actual membership of 12,000 might be multiplied by five, which would give 60,000. But even this liberal estimate leaves nearly 100,000 who have no church relationship, and who are beyond the direct influence of the gospel.
What a picture is this! Nearly half the inhabitants of that favored city utterly godless in their lives, and half of the remainder Roman Catholics and Jews!
But further, the Cincinnati Gazette recently prepared a careful estimate of the numbers attending service at the various Protestant churches in that city, and they amounted to 12,487; while at the same hour, Sunday evening, there are frequently 15,000 persons at the four hill-top resorts, or beer gardens, to say nothing of the hundreds of concert halls, theatrical performances, and beer saloons in all parts of the city. And while the average evening audience in the very largest and finest churches in the city is from 75 to 100 persons, from 3,000 to 5,000 persons are reveling in music, beer, and tobacco smoke in any one of these sinful hill-top pleasure resorts. And Cincinnati is not an exception. As she is, so are other cities. But the Watchman is anxious, fearing it will injure this state of things to have the Lord’s coming preached. No; the only thing that could arouse the masses would be to have a united cry raised from pulpit and press, to warn the world of this impending event.
In view of the facts named above, it is exasperating to see men, presumably sensible in other respects, fall into ecstasies over the conversion of the world because the pope has lost his temporal power, and Japan and China permit missionaries to come within their domain. Mr. Moody was right when he said that the world was like a ship just going upon the breakers, and the most we can do is to rescue a few from the coming wreck; and this doctrine of the Lord’s soon-coming, so far from paralyzing missionary effort, is the only thing which will arouse men to that degree of earnestness and consecration which will make their ministrations effectual in saving souls.
3. Another point on which the Watchman scares badly is this: This doctrine will make infidels. The same cry, we doubt not, has been raised against every movement in the path of religious progress and reform. But where are some of the infidels made by this doctrine? Show us some who once believed in the Bible and Christianity who will avow that they are now opposed to these things because the doctrine of Christ’s second coming has been preached. No such can be found; and it is time that these wind-inflated bugbears should collapse.
One can but notice how strikingly these opponents of the Lord’s coming are fulfilling the words of the apostles; for Paul says that they will be crying, Peace and safety—yes, reveling in the idea of the world’s conversion—when sudden destruction comes upon them; 1 Thess. 5:3; and Peter says that right in the last days, men will coolly inquire, as they are doing all over the land to-day, Where is the promise of his coming? If the Lord cannot come so long as persons can be found who have “decided convictions” that he cannot come for ages yet, then he never can come; for that class will always be found; and they will be in the majority at the moment when the Saviour actually appears. But majorities cannot save them then. Truth alone will avail.
THE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.
The President's message was submitted to Congress Dec. 2, 1878. Different views are taken of it by different papers and parties, some considering it a strong statesman-like document, others that it is simply a tame politic communication addressed to an unfriendly Congress. We have nothing to say of it in these respects, but refer to it simply for the purpose of giving from it, and the Departmental Reports, a few statistical items which may be of interest to our readers.
In the yellow-fever districts the government issued 1800 tents, and rations to the amount of $25,000.00.
The President devotes considerable attention to the Southern question, expressing a determination to redress reported wrongs, and vindicate all, white and colored alike, in the exercise of their just rights.
Total receipts for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1878, were $257,763,878.70. Expenses for the same period, $236,964,326.80, leaving a surplus revenue for the year of $20,799,551.90.
Amount of gold coined during the last year, $52,798,980.00.
The Army: The number of enlisted men in the army amounts to 24,761. And with this number, Gen. Sherman reports an amount of work done which he says no other nation would have attempted with less than 60,000 or 70,000 men.
Revenue service: Receipts from distilled spirits, $50,420,503. Of this, Illinois alone paid one-third, and Illinois and Ohio together, nearly one-half. The number of gallons of fermented liquors consumed in the United States last year, according to Commissioner Raum's figures, was 317,465,601. Estimating the population of the country at 45,000,000, and supposing that one-half do not drink any such liquors, this would give more than fifteen gallons per head for the remainder. The Commissioner estimates that $596,000,000, is annually expended for liquor in the United States, an expenditure which, if applied to the public debt, would pay it off in three years. The number of cigars consumed in this country last year was 1,905,063,743, being5an average of over forty-two cigars for every man, woman, and child.
Sixty-nine National Banks have failed during the year, with a loss to depositors and stockholders of $6,414,422.
The wheat crop exceeds that of the previous year by 70,000,000 bushels, giving 100,000,000 bushels for exportation.
Public lands: Disposed of during past year, 8,686,178 acres; and 8,041,011 acres were surveyed in addition to the 721,613,748 acres previously surveyed. The total number of acres of public domain still unsurveyed is something over 1,000,000,000 of acres. The receipts were $569,567 more than the receipts for the preceding year.
Post-office detectives: The number of persons arrested for robbing the mails was 554. Registered letters lost, 2,582; unregistered, 9,544; number lost to remitters, 536.
Pension Bureau: There are 223,998 pensioners on the rolls. Amount paid for pensions during the year, $26,530,792.
Patent office: Applications for patents during the year, 19,657, of which 14,100 were issued. Receipts, $734,888; expenditures, $665,906. Of the amount expended, $50,000 was for the restoration of 18,563 models injured by the fire of last year. Omitting this item, the excess of receipts over expenses appears to have been $118,982.
The mint: Nevada produced more of each of the precious metals, gold and silver, than any other State or Territory: $19,546,513 of gold, and $28,130,350 of silver—$47,676,863 of both, or nearly 51 per cent of the total yield of all the mines of the country. California stands second in the list of gold-producing States, with $15,260,676 of the metal. Colorado stands second in the silver list with $5,394,940, and Utah follows hard after with $5,208,000. California and Nevada together produced nearly 74 per cent of all the gold, and Nevada, Colorado, and Utah together more than 82 per cent of all the silver. Dakota produced $3,000,000 in gold, and no silver. North Carolina contributed $150,000 and Georgia $100,000 in gold, and no silver. Lake Superior gave us $100,000 in silver, and no gold.
Railway Mail Service: The number of pieces of mail matter distributed by the postal-railway clerks during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1878 was 2,215,080,650, and the number of errors 625,662, or 3,540 were distributed to each error—an improvement over the previous year, when an error occurred in every 2,500.
SYSTEMATIC BENEVOLENCE.
By James White; Dudley Marvin Canright; S. N. Haskell
At the General Conference held at Battle Creek, Mich., October, 1878, it was recommended that all our brethren pledge to God one-tenth of all their income for the support of the ministry; this one-tenth to be laid aside weekly as fast as received, and paid to the systematic benevolence treasurer at least once a quarter. It was further recommended that this be done, instead of pledging a definite amount each week, as heretofore.
We are fully satisfied that this is the scriptural plan, and that no Christian can fail to see it so. If the Lord blesses us with but little, we have but little to give. If he gives us abundantly, we have the more to give. We are alarmed to find that quite a share of our brethren are withholding the Lord’s tithe. Particularly is this true of the scattered Sabbath-keepers, who do not live near a church. We are fearful that the curse of God will rest upon them for this. Brethren and sisters, if we fear God and believe his word, let us act like honest men.
It was recommended that the several States pay to the General Conference one-tenth of all their receipts. Also that our Publishing House, Sanitarium, and College, and all those brethren who are not connected with some State Conference, pay a tenth to the General Conference. Therefore we recommend that, commencing with the first week of 1879, all our brethren throughout the world subscribe to the following pledge:—
“We, the undersigned, believing that the Holy Scriptures require each person to give for the support of the ministry one-tenth of all that the Lord shall give him or her, do hereby solemnly pledge ourselves in the sight of God, and in the presence of each other, to faithfully set apart each week one-tenth of all that the Lord shall give us, this tenth to be paid into the systematic benevolence treasury at least once a quarter.”
The treasurer in every church in each Conference should visit every Sabbath-keeper in his section, whether he belongs to the church or not, men, women, and children, and induce them to sign this pledge. The president of each Conference should look after this matter, and particularly those who belong to no church organization.
And we appeal to our scattered brethren and sisters who do not live in the vicinity of any church to come up and lift with their brethren in this sacred work. You cannot expect the blessing of God when you bear no burdens in the cause. Those who live where there is no State organization should send their pledges to the General Conference treasurer, Mrs. M. J. Chapman, Battle Creek, Mich.
Let our institutions above mentioned commence with the first of January, 1879, and carry out this plan. Our General Conference treasury is greatly in debt, and in need of means. We recommend that at the quarterly meeting each State treasurer send one-tenth of his receipts to the General Conference treasurer at Battle Creek, and not wait until the end of the year or until camp-meeting, as heretofore.
Jas. White, Gen. Conf. Com.; D. M. Canright, Gen. Conf. Com.; S. N. Haskell, Gen. Conf. Com.
SABBATH-SCHOOL WORK.
By Ellen G. White
BY MRS. E. G. WHITE.
I am deeply interested in the Sabbath-school work, and have a great desire to see it prosper. The Sabbath-school is the place where we learn of God and Christ, and learn to study the Holy Bible. If we would develop Christian characters, we must study the character of Christ, that we may come into full union with him.
It is true greatness, it is nobility of soul and meekness and lowliness of heart, which will bring us into such a position before God that we can receive the finishing touch of immortality, and be translated as was Enoch. But I am afraid many do not appreciate the help which the Sabbath-school may be in obtaining these qualities.
Fathers and mothers should so exalt the privileges of the Sabbath-school as to take time to see that their children learn their lessons perfectly every Sabbath. They should even take more interest in having these well learned than in having their lessons in the day school properly prepared. In many places this matter is too much neglected. The teachers simply read over the lesson, and when they come to the Sabbath-school, allow their pupils to read the answers either from the Bible or lesson paper. This course should never be taken. Every lesson should be thoroughly committed to memory by both teacher and scholar, so that it will be of some benefit to them in after life.
Fathers and mothers, teachers and students, should make the most of these God-given opportunities; for in eternity we shall see that the Sabbath-school has been a great instrumentality in the conversion of souls, and in keeping the young from the evils and temptations that exist all around them.
We must seek to become acquainted with God; we must study to understand the Scriptures. Says the Majesty of Heaven, the King of Glory, “Search the Scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life; and they are they which testify of me.”
Many spend much precious time in reading story books. These are entertaining no doubt; but there are very few of them that give any information which will help us to perfect a righteous character, one that will enable us to enjoy that life in the kingdom of God which runs parallel with the life of Jehovah. The time spent in light reading, if devoted to the study of the Sabbath-school lesson, would be of infinitely greater benefit to the mind.
A more interesting history than the Bible was never given to the world; and the more we search it, the better we are prepared to appreciate its excellences. It is the privilege of every one of us to know for ourselves that we are following out its instructions. And it is the privilege of each one of us to ask God for his Holy Spirit, for wisdom, for grace, and for moral worth, that we may have a good understanding. If all did this, they would be better prepared to work for themselves and to benefit society; and the knowledge and experience thus gained could be carried over into the new earth.
Now is the time to become acquainted with the Scriptures, to learn how to perfect a Christian character, to be preparing for Heaven by having a close connection with God, that at last we may be crowned with everlasting salvation in the kingdom of God.
CONSTITUTION
In compliance with numerous requests we republish the Constitution adopted by most of our S. S. Associations.
ARTICLE I. NAME.
This Society shall be known as the — Sabbath-school Association of Seventh-day Adventists.
ARTICLE II. MEMBERSHIP.
This Association shall be composed of all the members of such Sabbath-schools as shall report quarterly to the secretary.
ARTICLE III. REPRESENTATION.
SECTION 1. DELEGATES.—The several schools shall be represented in business session by delegates whom they shall appoint.
SEC. 2. APPOINTMENT.—Each Sabbath-school of fifteen members is entitled to one delegate, and one additional delegate for each additional fifteen members.
SEC. 3. SUPERINTENDENTS.—All the Superintendents present at a meeting of this Association shall be received as delegates.
ARTICLE IV. OFFICERS.
The officers of this Association shall be a President, a Secretary, and an Executive Board of three, of which the President shall be one. These officers shall be elected at the annual meeting of the Association.
ARTICLE V. DUTIES OF PRESIDENT.
The duties of the President shall be to preside at all the meetings of the Association and of the Executive Board, and to call special meetings thereof.
ARTICLE VI. DUTIES OF SECRETARY.
SEC. 1. AS SECRETARY (1) He shall keep a record of the proceedings of the Association, and present a yearly summary of its workings at the annual meeting. (2) He shall attend the meetings of the Executive Board, and keep a record of its proceedings. (3) He shall execute all the correspondence ordered by the Association and by the Executive Board.
SEC. 2. AS TREASURER.—He shall also act as treasurer of the Association, and shall receive and hold all moneys belonging to the Association, giving receipts therefor, and paying out the same as the Association or the Executive Board may direct.
ARTICLE VII. DUTIES OF EXECUTIVE BOARD.
The functions of the Executive Board shall be: (1) To represent this Association when not in session assembled, and to execute all its recommendations and orders. (2) To assist, either personally or by authorized agents, in organizing and conducting Sabbath-schools, and Sunday-schools in those places where an attendance can be secured, and where the truths of the Bible can be plainly taught. (3) To make all necessary provisions for rendering the sessions of the Association interesting and profitable; and in general, to labor to make our Sabbath-schools efficient in preparing their members to be fruitful workers in the grand mission of the third angel’s message.
ARTICLE VIII. FUNDS.
The funds for defraying the expenses of this Association shall be obtained by contributions from the several schools in the State, and by individual donations.
ARTICLE IX. AMENDMENTS.
This Constitution may be altered or amended by a two-thirds vote of the delegates present at any regular meeting.