Earlier text: WALK IN THE LIGHTThe grossest ignorance is always to be found where Satan has the strongest hold—not ignorance in book knowledge alone. One may have passed through college, and have received a diploma with highest honors, or may even be a learned professor, and yet be very ignorant,—ignorant concerning the wisdom and knowledge contained in God’s word, ignorant concerning simple rules of health, or ignorant concerning the principles of true manhood and womanhood—three most important subjects for study. It is written in the word of God, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Tim. 2:15. Study the word of God. It says much concerning wisdom and knowledge. “My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; so that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; . . . then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.” Prov. 2:1–6. God commands us to “get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not.” Prov. 4:5. He says, “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. . . . Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.” “Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold. For wisdom is better than rubies: and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.” How can the people of God disobey these commands, which come directly from him? Surely, it is a disgrace to God’s cause for his followers to be ignorant men and women; for it is not necessary, and there is little excuse for it. Even if you must labor ten hours a day, or if you are a wife and mother with home and children to care for, you may study. First, study to care for your health. If your system is in a healthy condition, your mind will be more vigorous, and you will feel more like studying. Study to be polite and courteous at home and abroad. This is a Christian duty. It is following Christ’s example. “Study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands.” 1 Thess. 4:11. Study personal appearance. It is not sin for a woman to see that her skirt hangs perfectly; that her shoes look neat; that her hat is becoming; that no buttons are off her clothing, and no holes in her gloves; that no dust is on her dress, cloak, or hat; and that her hair is always neatly combed: or for a man to see that his clothing is neat, dustless, and becoming. Neither is it sin to study to be gentle, graceful, and interesting. This does not have reference to the kind of pride God hates, nor does it mean foolish adornment of one’s person, nor an extravagant outlay for dress. One may look well and appear well in a calico dress or in homespun trousers. Christianity does not dwell nor associate with slovenliness and slothfulness. Heb. 6:12; Rom. 12:11; Prov. 18:9; 24:30–34. Study English language, that you may converse well, and be able to tell of Jesus in words that will not sound like the language of a land without books. Study penmanship and composition, that you may be able to write bright, interesting letters to friend or stranger, and thereby glorify God. There are many persons who, although having an abundance of leisure, never think of studying anything at all, unless it be some new pattern for lace work, quilt-blocks, or “new dishes for tea.” Is this doing as God has told his children to do? He is even more particular concerning our education than earthly parents are concerning the education of their children. Every child of God should be educated; all should be intelligent missionaries in their own neighborhoods or abroad. Ignorance, in a greater or less degree, is connected with all false religion. The two are inseparable. At family worship each morning, perhaps a chapter from the Bible is read, and an hour afterward not one of the family is able to tell which chapter was read; but if one or more verses are learned, each child old enough to talk taking part, then all will be filled with the word of God, and prepared for the last days, when our Bibles will be taken from us. Study your verse during the day, even while at your work. By an occasional glance into the Bible, you may learn several verses during the day, or perhaps a whole chapter. Do not be like the disciples, unable to keep awake with Jesus; but, just for Jesus’ sake, make it a rule to keep awake evenings, or, better, rise early every morning and study. If you must sew or iron, lay an open book on your worktable, that you may study while you work; and while doing work that does not permit such use of the book, think over what you have studied; even while walking on the street you may think about the lesson you are studying. Study perseveringly for six months, and you will be astonished at the amount of wisdom and knowledge you have gained. It will not be a difficult task to study and learn, for it is God’s will that you should do so; and he says he will give you knowledge, wisdom, and understanding if you seek after them. All you have to do is to begin the seeking, and pray for his help, and you will learn many things each day. And it will be a great pleasure to know you are studying and learning to glorify God. Of course Satan will do all he can to keep you from studying, and he will try hard to make you forget what you have learned; for he prefers to have you without wisdom and knowledge: but your Father is the stronger. Pray to him for time to study and for memory. He will help you to remember. If it had not been possible for God’s children to study and get wisdom, knowledge, and understanding, he would never have commanded them to do so; for he is a wise Father, and does not require anything from his children that can not be performed. Those who are translated will not be an ignorant class. “They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament.” Dan. 12:3. One must have wisdom and intelligence to understand the word of God. Therefore, if we would be Christians, we must be wise. Begin to study to glorify the Lord, and not self. He accepts ignorant persons as his followers, as he did the fishermen and publicans while on this earth; but he expects them to begin seeking wisdom as soon as he has accepted them. The true Christian life is the most progressive life there is. “My son, eat thou honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to thy taste: so shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul; when thou hast found it, then there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be cut off.” Prov. 24:13, 14. DO NOT FOOL WITH MEDICINES.
UNLESS there exists the very best reason for the use of medicine, it should be left severely alone. If a person is ailing, the injudicious use of medicine is likely to do more harm than the ailment would do if left entirely alone. On the whole, more persons are injured by medicines than are helped. The people of to-day are unmistakably given to medicine-tippling. They diagnose their own diseases, and select their own remedies. Those who run soda-fountains understand this, and are ready to supply these unfortunate medicine-tippers with tinctures, bromides, chloral, bromo-caffein, aromatic spirits of ammonia, and all the extensively used nerve tonics. They keep on hand a supply of such medicines as are best calculated to upset the physical health, and to destroy the mind. The consumption of chloral and bromide—so little known twenty years ago—is something fearful to-day. Hundreds of tons of these drugs are being consumed annually. Habitual use of unhealthful products advertised as “nerve foods” is becoming exceedingly fashionable. If it requires so many sedatives to keep this generation at its proper level, what will the next require? All who take any of the drugs already referred to, whether at the soda-fountain or elsewhere, will do well carefully to consider the ultimate result that is sure to follow. Probably it will be easier for them to break off their drug habit to-day than at any future time. TUESDAY’S registration answers the question, “Do women want to vote?” with an emphatic negative—at least that is the answer for Chicago. In 1894 a partial franchise was extended to the women of Illinois, and the following brief table shows how they availed themselves of it in Chicago:— 1894 ................................................ 29,815
1896 ............................................... 5,636
1898 .................................................. 1,488
1900 .............................................. Not enough to enumerate Six years ago they registered by thousands, and a few voted, for the novelty of the thing. This year they have disdained to go ’near the registration booths. Physical Exercise and Longevity
CONCERNING athletics, Dr. B. W. Richardson in his Diseases of Modern Life, testifies as follows: “There is no sign, there is no evidence, that the greater culture of physical strength has favored the longevity of an individual, or the vital tenacity of a race. The observations made by the physicians of the Greek, Roman, Arabian, and Italian schools respecting physical exercise, and the maladies incident to it, admit of but one rigid interpretation; namely, that such exercises insure premature decay and early death. The facts to be elicited in modern times from the statistics of this country as well as of France and of Prussia, lead to the inevitable conclusion that removal of excessive physical endurance tends to health, and length of life. The most striking fact of this kind is afforded in the history of the Jewish race. In no period since their dispersion, do we discover the faintest approach to any system among them tending to the studied development of physical capacity.” And yet this people have outlived the most powerful nations, and while whole empires composed of men of physical beauty and chivalric fame have passed away, the Jewish race holds its vigor, outlives and outworks in the fields of intellectual labor all the nations around them.—Exchange. — Mrs. Sangster
By Mrs. Sangster
In the old days God sent his angels oft
To men in thrashing-floors, to women pressed
With daily tasks; they came to tent and croft,
And whispered words of blessing and of rest. Not mine to guess what shape those angels wore,
Nor tell what voice they spoke, nor with what grace
They brought the dear love down that evermore
Makes lowliest souls its best abiding place. But in these days I know my angels well;
They brush my garments on the common way;
They take my hand, and very softly tell
Some bit of comfort in the waning day. And though their angel names I do not ken;
Though in their faces human want I read,
They are God-given to this world of men,
God-sent to bless it in its hours of need. Child, mother, dearest wife, brave hearts that take
The rough and bitter cross, and help us bear
Its heavy weight when strength is like to break;
God bless you each, our angels unaware. EMPLOYMENT OF HOLY WOMEN IN BIBLE TIMES.
By Mrs. S. N. Haskell
ACTIVITY is a divine principle. Activity is life. Indolence is death. This principle is stamped everywhere upon the face of nature. The stagnant water becomes corrupt, while the running stream, even though the receptacle of filth, by its activity purifies itself. The plant that ceases to grow soon begins to decay. By these inexorable laws in nature, God designs to impress upon the human heart the fact that the only hope of salvation is in a life of activity. When Adam and Eve were placed in their Eden home, they were to dress and to keep the garden. Gen. 2 : 15. “Holy angels often visited the garden, and gave instruction to Adam and Eve concerning their employment, and also taught them concerning the rebellion and fall of Satan. The angels warned them of Satan, “and . . . enjoined upon them to closely follow the directions God had given them, for in perfect obedience only were they safe.” — “Early Writings,” Spiritual Gifts, page 19. Here is the perfect model, which can be followed out in every home. While your children are in their innocency, give them employment; and as they work, warn them of the snares of the enemy, and teach them obedience to God’s requirements. Women, as well as men, had employment. The model woman looked well to the ways of her household,—in short, was a good housekeeper. Prov. 31 : 15, 27. A woman is expected to earn something by her own labor, even if her husband is a man of true worth. Verses 23, 24. Women should have ability to transact business. Verse 16. Dorcas was full of good works, and alms-deeds,—she was a good Christian-help worker. Acts 9 : 36. Some of the Hebrew women were God-fearing nurses. Ex. 1 : 17. God rewarded these nurses by making houses for them. Verses 20, 21. Gen. 24 : 59; 35 : 8 (margin) contain the biography of a faithful nurse. The fact that the place of her death was ever after called the “oak of weeping” showed that the thirty-five years of unselfish labor was appreciated by those to whom she ministered. Rebecca regarded it light work to draw water for the camels. 24 : 20. Lydia was a merchant, selling the highest class of goods. Acts 16 : 14. When Paul went to Philippi, he found women there who loved to pray. Acts 16 : 13. Eleven years afterward these women had developed into good Bible workers. In a recent Testimony, when speaking of some Bible workers who were successful in winning souls, the statement is made: “We have faithful women workers, like those who labored with the apostle in the gospel.” Earnest, praying women are the material from which successful Bible workers are made, now as well as in the days of Paul. Phil. 4 : 3. Both men and women who fear God should profess honest trades, that they may be fruitful in good works. Titus 3 : 14, margin. When the reign of sin and death is forever at an end, then the work of mankind will be according to God’s original design, and they shall long enjoy the work of their hands. Isa. 65 : 21, 22. QUESTION AND ANSWER.
By Mrs. Geo. A. Irwin.
Having received so much help from the Woman's page, I venture to bring a point to your notice that so far I have not seen touched, and, if rightly solved, I believe it would be a blessing to many isolated Sabbath-keepers. The point in question relates to the entertainment of friends and neighbors, especially with music. Before I knew the Third Angel's Message, I sang those songs that exalt people, and played those tunes that captivate the worldling. My brother is a lover of violin music, and greatly enjoys having some one play the organ with his dance music. Now, what should be done? I believe the Lord intends music to lead wandering souls to him, but how shall I use it? Is there a medium music, between the devotional and the dance music, that we may use to win and lead to Christ? What do you regard the right position with reference to such music as “Captain Jinks,” “Yankee Doodle,” and the many comical songs that are now flooding the country because of the presidential campaign? I have been searching the Testimonies to find information concerning the question that you raise, but I have not been able to find anything about intermediate music. We must be very careful not to take extreme views on anything. While I can not recommend the popular songs of the present day, such songs as Nellie Gray; Lillie Dale; Home, Sweet Home; My Mother's Bible, etc., while not strictly devotional, have a pure sentiment, and might be used with pleasure and profit with a certain class. If your brother is a lover of music, and sometimes asks you to play a piece of music on the organ to his accompaniment on the violin, do not refuse, although it might be something you would not select yourself. But give him to understand your preference in music. If you play his selections, perhaps he will in turn favor you with his accompaniments to yours, and in that way he may be led to see the beauty of sacred music, and will not wish to play the cheap fast music. We must be very careful indeed about how we deal with children, young persons, and unbelievers. If a child should ask you to play a song or a quick instrumental piece, I do not think it would be wise to offend by refusing to do so, as you might close the door of the heart to things more real and satisfactory. We should do everything possible to keep the ears of the people, and not arouse prejudice. We must not, however, do evil that good may come. Each one must decide these things according to the leading of the Spirit of God. The following from the Spirit of Prophecy in regard to music may be of some help to you in deciding what is right: “Solemn responsibilities rest upon the young, which they lightly regard. The introduction of music into their homes, instead of inciting to holiness and spirituality, has been the means of diverting their minds from the truth. Frivolous songs and the popular sheet music of the day seem congenial to their taste. The instruments of music have taken time which should have been devoted to prayer. Music, when not abused, is a great blessing; but when put to a wrong use, it is a terrible curse.” Prayer Is the Gate of Heaven
“The best and sweetest flowers of paradise God gives to his people when they are upon their knees. Prayer is the gate of heaven, a key to let us into paradise.” A MOTHER requests prayer that she may have wisdom to bring up her two little boys for the Lord. “Please pray for my dear boy, that he may be converted and saved; also for the healing, if it is for the Lord’s glory, of a young woman who has heart-disease, and is beyond medical help.” A sister requests prayer for her husband, that his appetite for tobacco may be taken away. It causes him to have a very irritable temper. He is a church-member, but is growing indifferent. “I request prayer that I may be healed of diseases that afflict my body. I also ask prayer for my brother, who was raised in the truth, but has gone astray, and for the husband of a dear sister, who is not a Christian.” “A sister of the holiness faith is beginning to realize the obligations of the Sabbath, and requests an interest in prayer that she may have courage to walk in the light as she receives it. I also have four dear friends who are searching for the light. Will you pray for them? Two are Methodists, and two are Christian scientists. Pray also that I may have wisdom in dealing with them.” “Please remember myself and family at the noon hour. My husband is more favorable to the truth than he was. I have two sons, and a little six-year-old girl living with me. I had a dear sister, a niece, and a nephew living in Galveston, and I fear they have been swept away by the dreadful disaster, as I can not hear anything from them. I had a very sweet letter from my sister a few days before the flood.” Reading Circle Study.
By Stephen N. Haskell
The fifth chapter of Revelation is a further development of what John saw in the heavenly sanctuary. There was a scroll written within and without, and sealed with seven seals. It revealed the future history of the internal struggles of God's people with the external influences which shaped their experiences, even to the great day of God's wrath. The prophetic eye ran through heaven and earth in search of some one who was worthy to open the book, and loose the seals thereof. A loud voice rang through all the worlds, “Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?” No angel or unfallen being in the universe was worthy to unfold the events of the future. The purchase of Christ's blood is more precious in God's sight than the most exalted angel in glory. There was but One. It was he whose whole plan to rescue fallen humanity was mapped out before him, perfect in all its details. It was he who fully knew the history of the world to the end of time, “before whom the mysteries of the past and the future are alike outspread, and who, beyond the woe and darkness and ruin that sin has wrought, beholds the accomplishment of his own purposes of love and blessing.”—Patriarchs and Prophets, page 43. Acts 15 : 18. He prevailed to open the book, and reveal the future. Isa. 41 : 20–29. Christ, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the root and the offspring of David, the strength of the animal and vegetable kingdom, had entered into a covenant with the Father, of which the rainbow was a token. He connected earth and heaven by taking fallen humanity, and giving his own blood for our redemption. He saved us, and called us “according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.” 2 Tim. 1 : 9, 10. God's great heart of love broke when he saw in the first bleeding lamb the death of his Son; and from that time, every prayer of a truly penitent soul has brought before him, in the midst of his throne of angels, his Son as a bleeding Lamb whose blood was spilled for an atoning sacrifice—“slain from the foundation of the world.” Rev. 13 : 8; Leviticus 4. The throne of God is a living, movable throne, composed of angels. Eze. 1 : 24–28. In the midst of these angels are the four living creatures, and the four and twenty elders who were redeemed by the blood of Christ out of every kindred, tongue, people, and nation. They were of the multitude of captives raised at his resurrection (Matt. 27 : 50–53), and they ascended with Christ (Eph. 4 : 8), heralded by the angels, who cried out, “Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.” The angels who were in the city also cried out, with joy, “Who is this King of glory?” Then those who had escorted Christ to the gates of the heavenly city answered, in triumph, “The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.” Psalm 24. “Those favored, resurrected saints came forth glorified. They were chosen and holy ones of every age, from creation down even to the days of Christ.” They “differed in stature and form, some being more noble in appearance than others.” They ascended with Christ as trophies of his victory over death and the grave. Christ presented them to the Father, saying that they were no longer the captives of Satan. “I have redeemed them,” he said; “I have brought them from the grave as the first fruits of my power, to be with me where I am, nevermore to see death or experience sorrow.” They were a sample of the general resurrection of the righteous. It shows to the believer that death is but a small matter. See Spiritual Gifts, in “Early Writings,” pages 52, 53, 58, 59; also “The Desire of Ages,” small edition, pages 942–945, 1000, 1001; Matt. 27 : 52, 53; Eph. 4 : 8. But these are not idle spectators in the courts of glory; for, “having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odors, which are the prayers of saints,” they offer these to Christ, who presents them with holy incense. “This holy incense is the merits and intercession of Christ, his perfect righteousness, which through faith is imputed to his people, and which can alone make the worship of sinful beings acceptable to God.” See Ps. 141 : 2; Phil. 4 : 18; Acts 10 : 31; Eph. 5 : 2; Heb. 6 : 10. When the words of Christ and the confessions and prayers of God's people ascend from persons upon earth, Jesus offers them to his Father, in unison with these four living creatures, who present them to Christ; and when all the prayers are offered, “the account is cut short in righteousness.” Rom. 9 : 28; Rev. 8 : 3–5. Then comes the loud cry of the Third Angel's Message. There will then be many who will accept the message of the third angel, and unite their voices with those who first gave the warning; and these honored God by observing his sanctified rest-day. See “Early Writings,” Spiritual Gifts, pages 118, 115; also “Patriarchs and Prophets,” pages 326, 330, 331, 345; “Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. I, page 160; Vol. V, page 174. As the prayers and thanksgiving to God ascend through the righteousness and merits of Christ, the many angels that are around about the throne join in saying, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them,” join in the grand chorus, “saying, Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever. And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshiped him that liveth forever and ever.” Rev. 5 : 12–14. It is a song with three parts, —the first part sung by those redeemed by the blood of Christ; the second part by the angelic throng; while the third part is sung by every fallen and unfallen being in the universe. Most glorious scene! Shall you and I join in that anthem of praise? May God grant it for his name's sake. “Who are our neighbors? Look up, and behold,
Pressing on every hand,
Little ones, lonely ones, sad ones, and old;
Everywhere see them stand.
He is our neighbor whom we can befriend,
He to whom comfort or aid we can lend,
Or he whose footsteps we may cause to wend
Toward the heavenly land.” DAILY READING FOR NOVEMBER 18–24.
Sunday, “Early Writings” (last part), pages 50–58. Monday, “Thoughts on the Revelation,” Verses 1–5. Wednesday, “ “ “ “ “ 8–13. Thursday, “ “ “ “ “ 13, 14. Friday, article on Reading Circle Study on this page. 1. Describe the book held by the one on the throne. What is the significance of its being written “within and on the backside”? 2. What proclamation was given? By whom? 3. Was any man “worthy” to open the book? 4. How did this affect John? Why? 5. What did one of the elders say to him? What is the significance of the titles “Lion of the tribe of Juda” and “Root of David”? 6. Where was the Lamb standing? Describe it. 7. Who only was worthy to take the book? 8. How did the Lamb’s taking the book affect the living creatures and the elders? What did every one of them have? 9. If they held the vials containing the prayers of the saints, what would we conclude in regard to their work in the heavenly sanctuary? 10. What is said of the song they sang? What was the song? Vs. 9, 10. 11. Who only had power to open the future to the prophet? V. 9. 12. How many of the earth’s inhabitants are represented by the living creatures and the elders? V. 9. If those officiating with Christ in the heavenly sanctuary have been redeemed from among men, can they fully appreciate our needs? 13. Where do they expect to reign? V. 10. 14. Who joined in the song? What is the number of the angels? V. 11. 15. What did the angels sing? 16. Who else join in the glad song? What do they sing? 17. How do the four living creatures respond? What do the four and twenty elders do? 18. How many companies join in the responsive singing described in this chapter? 19. Do they each sing separate and distinct parts? Facts Fuel the Missionary Fire
“FACTS are the fuel which is needed to keep the missionary fire burning in the hearts of the people.” THE corresponding secretary of one of our largest Conferences writes: “At each of our summer camp-meetings I have been talking up the work of the Reading Circle, and also have written several times about it to our churches. I assure you that I shall co-operate with you in this work to the utmost of my ability; for I believe that for a long time there has not come into our work such an element for good to our churches. Personally, it has been a help to me, and I must say that the studies have been beneficial to our Conference. Most of our large churches are organizing and planning the work. This is a source of encouragement, and I praise the Lord that he has given another evidence of his love for his people, in these studies. The ministers in our Conference are awakening to the importance of this work, and are aiding all they can. I hope that not a church or missionary society in our State will be without the influence of these studies.” THE THIRD ANGEL'S MESSAGE.
The Faith of Jesus: What Is It?
In briefest outline we have studied the great central thought of the Third Angel's Message — “Here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” We have studied, What are the commandments of God that must be kept to keep the faith of Jesus? and have found them to be nothing else than the ten commandments, which God spoke from heaven with a voice that shook the earth, and which he twice wrote with his own hand on two tables of stone. We have studied, What is the faith of Jesus that must be kept to keep the commandments of God? and have found it to be nothing else than the faith which brings into the life of the believer in Jesus the righteousness, the virtue, the very character, of God — the faith that brings into the life of the believer the power of God to perform there the will of God. The power of God comes to us in no other way than through the righteousness of God. The gospel is “the power of God,” only because that “therein is the righteousness of God revealed.” This righteousness reaches the believer only through faith, because it is revealed only “from faith to faith.” Rom. 1: 16, 17. And this faith is the faith of Jesus which he brought to the world, which he tested victoriously to the uttermost in every species of temptation that can ever be known to man, and which is freely given to every man in the world as the gracious gift of God. Eph. 2: 8–10. The righteousness of God, being the character — the very quality — of God, is nothing apart from the very personality of God himself, and can not be had apart from the personality of God himself. Thus in Christ, by the faith which he exercised in the world, it was God who was manifest in the flesh, and who was reconciling the world unto himself. And in the believer in Jesus, in him who keeps the faith of Jesus, it is still God manifest in the flesh; for it is “Christ in you, the hope of glory,” and it is only God that is found in Christ. Thus the faith of Jesus is that which brings God to men and men to God: it is that which joins the divine to the human, making men “partakers of the divine nature:” it is that by which God dwells in the heart and works in the life, “working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight;” working in you “both to will and to do of his good pleasure:” it is that by which “I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” This, and this alone, is the faith of Jesus that must be kept in order for a person to be indeed a keeper of “the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus,” in order to be a true believer of the Third Angel's Message. And now it comes before us to study this great and important question of How to Keep the Faith of Jesus. Since the commandments of God can be kept only “by faith of Jesus Christ,” the whole question of the Third Angel's Message as it is in truth, the whole question of the real keeping of the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, turns indeed upon the keeping of the faith of Jesus. And since the real keeping of the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus — the real keeping of the faith of Jesus — is God manifest in the flesh, is Christ in you the hope of glory, the great and important thing for every believer of the Third Angel's Message to know is, How is God manifest in the flesh? What is “Christ in you, the hope of glory”? This is the great and important thing to know, because for anyone to be a true keeper of the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, God must be manifest in his flesh: Christ must be in him the hope of glory. And in order to know this great and important thing it is essential for us to “consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus.” He is the answer to these all-important questions; he is the solution of this great problem; for he is the revelation of the mystery of God: he is God manifest in the flesh: he trusted in God with a faith that wrought the keeping of the commandments of God. Heb. 2: 13; John 15: 10. Accordingly, next week we shall begin a study of the faith of Jesus as it is in Jesus himself, a study of God manifest in the flesh, as in Jesus himself. And this is a study of the Third Angel's Message as it is in truth: it is the study of the mystery of God which should be finished “in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound.” Rev. 10: 7. Come, let us study it all together.