Central New England ...... $ 2,772.18
Greater New York ........ 1,496.31
Maine .................... 836.51
New York ............... 2,326.50
Southern New England .... 1,210.50
Vermont ................. 1,331.74
Western New York ........ 2,064.09
Total .................... 12,037.83
Chesapeake .............. 614.28
Eastern Pennsylvania ... 2,548.91
New Jersey ............ 1,246.95
Ohio .................. 6,300.43
Virginia .............. 1,034.77
West Pennsylvania ........ 1,905.67
West Virginia .......... 558.11
Total .................... 14,209.12
District of Columbia
Washington churches ..... 1,384.54
Lake Union Conference
East Michigan ........... 2,934.01
Indiana ................ 5,218.02
North Michigan ........... 1,705.22
Northern Illinois ....... 2,849.36
Southern Illinois ........ 1,312.99
West Michigan .......... 8,730.70
Wisconsin ................ 4,383.55
Total .................... 27,133.85
North Pacific Union Conference
British Columbia ......... 216.00
Montana .................. 611.39
Upper Columbia ........ 3,036.43
Western Washington ....... 2,679.18
Idaho .................... 1,019.40
Western Oregon ........... 2,899.49
Hawaii ................... 16.05
Alaska ................... 20.00
Total .................... 10,497.94
Northern Union Conference
Iowa ..................... 7,241.36
Minnesota .............. 5,686.28
South Dakota ........... 2,664.47
North Dakota ........... 2,129.93
Conference not specified .. 73.82
Total .................... 17,795.86
Pacific Union Conference
Southern California ...... 2,848.63
Arizona ................ 466.79
California-Nevada ...... 10,249.03
Utah ................... 434.58
Total .................... 13,999.03
*Southern Union Conference*
Conference not specified .. 49.65
South Carolina .......... 248.59
Alabama .................. 577.14
Tennessee River ........ 1,402.51
Florida .................. 801.89
North Carolina .......... 957.25
Cumberland ............. 1,347.32
Louisiana ............... 572.54
Mississippi .............. 384.88
Georgia ................ 441.47
Total .................... 6,783.24
Southwestern Union Conference
Not specified ............ 22.82
Arkansas ................. 894.63
Oklahoma ................. 3,924.79
Texas .................... 2,285.24
Total .................... 7,127.48
Western Canadian Union Conference
Alberta ................ 1,203.80
Manitoba ................ 336.55
Saskatchewan Mission Field .. 59.60
Total .................... 1,599.95
Unknown
Unknown .................. 161.70
Foreign
Algeria ................ 13.33
Australia ................ 163.84
Bermuda .................. 36.00
China .................... 165.60
South Africa ............. 439.02
Jamaica .................. 13.41
Yukon Territory .......... 20.00
England .................. 274.84
West Africa ........... 50.00
Mexico ................... 65.97
Costa Rica ............... 6.25
India .................... 187.50
South America ............ 76.43
Switzerland .............. 9.69
Panama ................... 27.11
Nicaragua ................ 9.00
Central American Mission .. 26.00
Trinidad ................. 28.69
Norway ................... 25.00
Japan .................... 12.50
Hayti .................... 5.00
Egypt .................. 51.55
Palestine ................ 2.00
Tobago, W. I. ............ 1.22
Cuba ..................... 8.00
Hungary ................. 3.00
Tahiti ................... 14.88
France ................... 6.80
Philippine Islands ....... 1.00
Samoa .................... 8.00
Barbados ................. 5.00
Portugal ................. 1.00
Straits Settlements ...... 10.08
Pitcairn Island .......... 20.00
New Zealand .............. 1.52
Fiji ..................... 4.87
Total .................... 1,794.10
Grand Total .............. $131,250.22
I. H. EVANS, Treasurer.
The Gathering War Clouds
THE press for weeks has been filled with rumors of an approaching conflict between the United States and Japan, and the prophets of such a war are found in both hemispheres. Plausible reasons for such a conflict are set forth and alleged “inside information” is paraded in print to make it appear more certain. Soon after the appearance of this war-cloud, another arose in the East. Turkey began to menace Persia, sending armed men into territory in dispute between the two countries. Russia, which claims a preponderating influence in North Persia, began to make preparations at once to strengthen Persia’s protests against this Turkish move, the Russian Douma voting the necessary funds for the mobilization of sixty thousand men. This move and countermove have given ground for the prediction that there would be war in the spring between Turkey and Russia. At the same time there have been other developments which seem to increase the probability of such a war, and indicate that other powers might be involved. Turkey has granted to an Austrian firm the right to build a railway in Turkish territory, connecting lines already built which would bring Vienna into direct connection with the Ægean Sea. The Austrian firm is backed by German capital, and Russia therefore regards the building of such a railway as a German move aimed to increase German influence and decrease Russian influence in the Balkans and the vicinity of the Ægean Sea. England and France are said to be urging Russia on, while Germany and Austria are supposed to be giving similar counsel to Turkey.
MRS. M. SOLLARS
By MRS. M. SOLLARS
By the Red Sea
MRS. M. SOLLARS
Now my feet have reached the borders
Of the sea, the great Red Sea;
There's no boat to bear me o'er,
And no passage way I see,
Yet I'm trusting, firmly trusting,
In his promises to me,—
He who stilled the raging waters
Of the stormy Galilee,—
For his ways are never my ways,
And his footsteps are unknown.
With a host encamping round me,
I can never be alone:
“I'll be with thee, freely with thee;
I will make thy pathway bright,—
After clouds and after shadows,—
Peaceful, calm as morning light.”
Ballard, Wash.
A Revival and a Reformation
By Ellen G. White
The Return of the Exiles — No. 14
A Revival and a Reformation
(Concluded)
MRS. E. G. WHITE
WHEREVER EZRA labored, there sprang up a revival in the study of the Holy Scriptures. Teachers were appointed to instruct the people; the law of the Lord was exalted and made honorable. The books of the prophets were searched, and the prophecies foretelling the coming of the Messiah brought hope and comfort to many a sad and weary heart.
More than two thousand years have passed by since EZRA “prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it;” yet this long lapse of time has not lessened the influence of his pious example. Throughout the centuries, the record of his life of consecration has been an inspiration to many who have determined to “seek the law of the Lord, and to do it.” His steadfastness of purpose, his careful methods of study, his diligence in teaching the Holy Scriptures to the common people, his unwavering trust in God, his abhorrence of sin, his patience and kindly consideration in dealing with the erring,—these and other striking characteristics of his life have had an ennobling influence on the lives of many who have been impressed by the Holy Spirit to emulate his example. EZRA’s motives were high and holy; all that he did was actuated by an intense love for souls. And to the end of time, the compassion and tenderness that he ever revealed toward those who had sinned either wilfully or through ignorance, should be an object-lesson to all who seek to bring about reforms. God desires his servants to be as firm and unyielding as a rock, where right principles are involved; and yet, withal, they are to manifest the kindly sympathy and the forbearance revealed in the lives of EZRA and of Christ. Like EZRA, they are to teach transgressors the words of life, which contain principles that are the foundation of all right-doing.
In this age of the world, when Satan is seeking through manifold agencies to blind the eyes of the people against the binding claims of the law of God, there is need of EZRA’s,—of men who can cause many to “tremble at the commandment of our God.” There is need of true reformers who will point transgressors to the great Lawgiver, and teach them that the law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul. There is need of men mighty in the Scriptures; men whose every word and act exalts the law of Jehovah; men who, in this time of apostasy and unbelief, labor to strengthen the faith of their fellow men in the law and the prophets. Teachers are needed, O, so much! to inspire hearts with reverence and love for the Holy Scriptures, which have been given for the admonition of us upon whom the ends of the world are come.
Often has the cause of God languished because of a lack of reverence for the precepts of Holy Writ. Often has the name of God been brought into dishonor by those who, while professing to be Christians, have neglected the study of the Word, and have allowed grievous sins to come into their lives.
God calls for a revival and a reformation. The words of the Bible, and the Bible alone, should be echoed from the pulpits of our land. In the sermons of many pulpits of to-day there is not that divine manifestation which awakens the conscience and brings life to the soul. The hearers can not say, “Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the Scriptures?” There are many who are crying out for the living God; many who are longing for the bread of life. Let the Word of God speak to the people. Let them hear the voice of him whose word can renew the soul unto everlasting life.
God’s servants are now to proclaim faithfully his Word in all lands, to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people; for the Lord has “set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea. And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.”
To-day God is sending to his people the comforting message: “Fear not; for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west; I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth; even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.”
“There shall be an highway for the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria; like as it was to Israel in the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt.
“And in that day thou shalt say, O Lord, I will praise thee; though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedst me. Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.
“And in that day shall ye say, Praise the Lord, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted. Sing unto the Lord; for he hath done excellent things: this is known in all the earth. Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.”
M. E. KERN
By M. E. KERN
The Bible in Education—No. 4
(Continued)
M. E. KERN
Literature
THE poetry of the Psalms and Proverbs, the strains of Isaiah, and the sublime visions of heaven and the New Jerusalem given to John, are unequaled in the literature of the world. Here we are among the fountains and mountain streams whence the stream of the highest literature has flowed. The greatest men of letters have received their inspiration here. Mr. Ruskin confesses that the power and beauty of all he has written was derived from his early and continuous reading of the Bible, his mother requiring him when a boy to read aloud a chapter every day, till his mind became thoroughly imbued and saturated with its spirit and imagery. If we can fill the minds of our children and youth with these grand thoughts and words of God, they will be saved from the corrupting influence of much of the literature which floods the world to-day, and which many of our young people are reading. Their taste for the murky and filthy waters of the valley will be taken away if we can bring them to appreciate these living streams. O for power to do it! But we are slow to learn. We are timid to break away from the beaten path in which we were led. In Biblical literature there is a wonderful field for some servant of God to develop. A writer in the Educational Review, in speaking of the question of literature, says: “The strange preference for what may be called heathen classics becomes all the more unaccountable when the objectionable nature of some portions of them is considered. . . . If they were fully and literally translated, they would be subject to lawful interdiction on account of their corrupting influence.”
Dr. Franklin read the story of Ruth to a circle of French infidels after listening to a tirade against the Bible, representing it as an Oriental tale, but not giving the source. These educated ignoramuses listened with delight to this unique and9beautiful story, and expressed their wonder that so charming a pastoral had never been known before. Their astonishment and chagrin can be imagined when they found that the story was taken from one of the despised books of the Old Testament.
History
Here our way has been quite clear, yet there is much to learn. The Bible as a history, supplies what no other can, “spanning a period which but for this luminous arch, would be an empty void.” It fills with real personalities and authentic facts a period which in other literatures is but vague tradition and mythology. Here only can the true story of the origin of our race, and of the origin of evil, be found. Satan purposes to blind men's eyes to the beginning and end of this great controversy, and deaden their sensibilities to the present. But the highest excellence of the Bible as history is that it presents the divine and not the human side, and furnishes a key for the interpretation of all history. Here and there only do we find the true philosophy of history. It is divine philosophy, teaching by example. History and prophecy from the standpoint of the great conflict between good and evil is a sacred study. It is far above the political and social conceptions of history teachers in general. They study and teach for time, and we for time and eternity. It is a privilege that has been given us to cast aside the lower conceptions of history, and build upon this elevated platform. It is worthy of the expenditure of the highest capabilities committed to us.
Philosophy
Here only is the true philosophy of life. Here are the fundamental principles upon which any true system of philosophy must be built. As one writer says, “The mind of this alone sinless and therefore alone normal man (Christ) can be the fundamental datum for all that is enduring in philosophy.”—Geo. S. Burroughs, Andover Review, Vol. VIII, page 253. All educators believe that morality should be taught. But there is no true standard of morality except in the Bible, where it has its root in religious faith and a belief in God, and where its motive power is love. This is not true in other religions. Altruistic sentiments are derived from the Bible, though it may be denied by those who hold them.
Thus the Bible is seen to contain much on the subjects of literature, history, and philosophy, as well as to contain the foundation and key to their study.
This instruction is lacking in mathematics, and meager in physical and natural science. But here it is not needed because of God's other grand book of revelation, nature. There are many references to nature, and we are admonished to study this book, and when we do it (as the world in general is not doing) under the guidance of the revelation in the Bible, reading God's thoughts in the creation, we come into close sympathy with its Author. Studied in this way, too, it stimulates a greater interest in that fuller and complete revelation, the Bible.
Rightly studied, even under the curse, nature speaks of God; and many are the lessons of life to be received from the heart of nature by the one who, with his mind in tune with nature's God, listens. The Bible and nature are the two great text-books of Christian education.
College View, Neb.
Victory: Are You Gaining It?
By F. W. SPIES
F. W. SPIES
On one of my recent trips, after holding a Bible study on prayer, showing the firm confidence we can repose in our Heavenly Father, and on the other hand the obedience necessary to obtain this confidence, two young ladies, both native Brazilians, resolved henceforth to dedicate their lives to the Lord and to his truth. One of these sisters, like most young ladies, was very fond of her jewelry, and I foresaw that she would yet have some battles to fight in carrying out her resolution. The day designated for baptism was nearing, and she hoped to be baptized with some others. Therefore, a few days after she had formed her resolution, we selected as a lesson for our morning worship 1 Peter 3: 1-12. This naturally brought into consideration the question of extravagant clothing, ornaments, and the wearing of jewelry. I felt that the lesson was a hard one; still it must be given, as it would be impossible to bury in baptism an idol along with the one who had promised to surrender all for the Lord’s sake.
After worship and breakfast were over the young lady said, “I can never give up my jewelry.” I called her attention to the great sacrifice of Jesus to save us from our sins — to make us free from these very things — that after he had done so much for us, he now asks us for his sake to deny ourselves of all things that would mark us as belonging to the world, and hence cause us to deny our profession; that his wish was the best for us. I then left her to the words we had studied, and prayed for her.
After dinner as we chanced to be alone for a few moments, I asked her how the matter stood with reference to her jewelry. She replied, smiling: “It is surrendered; it is gone; I shall never wear it again.” I knew this meant that a great victory had been gained by her, and to me this was the plainest evidence of her thorough conversion. When once for the love of Jesus and his truth we lay upon the altar of sacrifice those things we prize most highly, we thereby bring forth fruits meet for repentance, and show that we are doing earnest work for eternity.
That Word that was all-powerful in Paul’s day to convert Jews, Greeks, barbarians, Scythians, bond and free, has not grown weak with age. It is the same now as then. It is powerful to save all who really receive it into their hearts. But as I thought of the struggle this dear soul passed through, and remembered the solicitude I had felt that she should come out on the right side, I could realize what a tender solicitude Jesus has for all his children. Yes, he is watching with the tenderest interest with each of his tempted and tried ones, as they battle with their inherited and cultivated defects and deformities of character. O how anxious he is to see us get the victory over each besetting sin! How anxiously he is looking on to see if we are conquering the love of the world, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life — in short, each pet sin. He knows just how much it is costing us to gain the victory, but he knows, too, that we can not enter into the kingdom unless we do gain the victory over each sin, even though it seems like tearing out the right eye or cutting off the right hand.
But let us look at it as did this sister. Remember how much Jesus sacrificed to save us. O, how great was his offering! We can never fathom the depths of his self-denial and suffering for us. Therefore, let us look up smilingly and courageously to Jesus, and say: “For thy sake I will lay all on the altar. Take me and it, and sanctify all for thy use, and prepare me for thy kingdom.” From my own experience I know that this is the only way to gain the victory, and more than that, it is the only way to be happy in the Lord.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Christians not Non-Resistants
By R. C. PORTER
R. C. PORTER
No more important question can be considered by Christians at the present time, than this: Should Christians be non-resistants? I know that this heading will suggest to many minds the thought of war, with all its horrible strife and bloodshed, but I do not expect to discuss that view of the question in this brief article. I shall, however, speak of warfare that is just as real, and the results of which involve all that is dear.
The conflict between Christ and Satan involves every member of our race. It is no sham battle. It is real warfare. One can not do as the old washer-woman innocently remarked: “Let them fight it out; I will have nothing to do with it.” We all have something to do with it, and there is no such thing as standing neutral. “He that is not with me is against me.” To profess to be a Christian and live a compromising life, is to be a traitor to the cause of the Master.” No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye can not serve God and mammon.”
In view of the many professedly Christian lives, which are really devoted to mammon, this is a fearful statement. It is no more startling, however, than the picture of this class of mammon worshipers presented in Eze. 7:19: “They shall cast their silver in the10streets, and their gold shall be removed: their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the Lord: they shall not satisfy their souls, neither fill their bowels: because it is the stumbling-block of their iniquity.” This is the awful end of mammon worship,—it shall not satisfy their souls. Why labor so ardently for that which is so unsatisfying? Why not take a practical view of life? “A man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.” What then is real life? It is to seek “first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness.” It is to “seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth.” Then “when Christ, who is our life, shall appear, ye also shall appear with him in glory.” Such a life is satisfying. It is a life of peace and contentment. It has promise of the life that now is as well as of that which is to come.
This does not mean that a man can not labor to make money. But it does mean that he can not pile up earth’s riches unused in the advancement of the cause of his Master, or they will witness that he is not a servant of Christ.
Then there is the professed Christian who is lusting constantly in harmony with the worldling of his time. Is he a servant of Christ? “By their fruits ye shall know them.” “A good tree can not bring forth evil fruit.” Do you say that you have known ministers and missionary workers equally guilty with yourself? What help does that give you, if you are guilty? Will another’s misconduct save you? You are warned against misconduct found in the ministry, and you should shun it as you would the leprosy. “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” How much better are you than they, if you, in the face of this plain warning, are being led by such into sin?
This is an age of moral pollution. It is the time of which the Master speaks, when he says, As it was in the days of Noah and Lot, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. In that time the thoughts of the people were “only evil continually.” Not so with Noah and Lot. Of Noah it was said, “Thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.” It was said of Lot, “And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: (for that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds).” Did Noah and Lot plead that because many about them were going wrong, therefore they were excusable and could go wrong also?—Emphatically no. There was and is no excuse. “Where sin abounded grace did much more abound: that as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.” It is the same to-day.
One point on which too many are weak is that they are non-resistants. That will never do in this warfare. To be a non-resistant is to be a captive of the enemy. We have definite instruction on this point. “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” “Whom resist steadfast in the faith.” Why are we continually harassed by Satan?—It is because we do not follow instructions. We do not resist. The fact is, most of our failures are because we do not even pray when the tempter comes to us. The trouble is we want to gratify a lustful appetite or passion, and we do not want to resist. Is it not time that we look the matter squarely in the face, and if we desire to live Christian lives, take Christ by faith into our lives and be as he was when he was here? “Every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” It means definite warfare to fight the good fight of faith. It means definite opposition to lust, pride, and love of the world, to resist the devil until he will flee from us.
The devil left heaven because he was resisted and not wanted longer there. When we become in earnest in following Christ and seeking purity of heart, and resist the devil as if we meant it, he will flee from us. This scripture does not say that he will never again return; but if we walk with Christ, then Satan, when he comes, will meet with our immediate resistance and flee with fresh defeat.
We shall then be overcomers and not be constantly overcome. Is it not time for us to take our stand as resistants?
Hamilton, Mo.
The Trend of Religious Thought
By J. O. CORLISS
J. O. CORLISS
He who reads the prevailing religious sentiment of the day can not fail to be impressed with the manifest wish for a united Christendom. It is not yet clear to many just how such union may be accomplished, but it seems evident that many leading minds are ready to adopt almost any policy to secure this desired end. The reasons given for this craving are not uniform, and not more than one or two writers on the subject have given any well-defined cause for agitating the question.
But the proposition becomes more and more a living issue as the days and weeks pass on. In a Baptist Union address by the president of the Victorian Union of Australia, delivered Nov. 19, 1907, and refused publication in the denominational paper, Mr. W. G. Stephens affirmed that the day is coming when there will be a universal church. The signs of the times, he thought, indicate such a movement. After stating that the ground of sectarian separation appears untenable, he said that Christian Endeavorers from every denomination are uniting in their work, as a hopeful sign of a union of the churches they represent. In closing, he summed up the result of a proper effort in this direction to be a world-wide union of all believers in Christ, and a consequent freedom from censorious thought regarding the tenets of others.
Whether a universal church obtains or not, it will not be a hard matter to bring about the freedom mentioned by Mr. Stephens. Observant people of advanced years readily admit that those holding well-defined views of Christian ethics are not so numerous as in former days. The situation in this respect was fairly well stated recently by Dr. Hunter, of Glasgow, when he said that “large numbers of people of to-day have all but given up the traditions of their forefathers.” This fact is, indeed, the underlying reason why a universal church is possible; so that instead of freedom from criticism of others’ religious convictions resulting from a universal church union, the present lack of religious consciousness is really the mainspring of the movement.
There is some speculation as to what this change of sentiment may lead to. It seems quite evident to some, however, that it must tend to open the eyes of the more thoughtful to the fact that the religious world is adrift, without chart, compass, or anchor. From this viewpoint, Rev. Newman Smyth, pastor of the first Congregational Church of New Haven, Conn., in a sermon delivered just before the last Christmas, and reported in the New York Evening Post of December 28, said:—
“Another age is at hand. The signs of it are written across the failure of this Protestant age. I am not saying that its failures in any direction are complete. They may be summed up in this judgment that the Protestant faith is losing mastery over the controlling forces of modern life. This is apparent to some extent in all the spheres of life. For one thing, Protestantism has lost the old authority of the church. It has lost it in its own families. . . . It is not merely that worldliness is coming in, but much religion is withdrawing itself from our churches.”
Among other failures of Protestantism seen by Dr. Smyth, he mentions that “Protestantism has lost power to give the people a good religious education,” and so the young are not attracted toward it. More than this, he affirms that “Protestantism has utterly lost the unity of the church.” In contrast with this state of things within Protestantism, Romanism is presented as holding authority in the family from birth to death, from baptism to extreme unction, thus regulating the religious thought of its followers from first to last. While the rope of Protestantism has, he says, on its human end, frayed out into many threads, so that no single strand is strong enough to hold together social mechanism, he represents the Roman Church as a strong cable, with one end bound to eternal power, and the other firmly fastened to the whole mechanism of human life, and so controlling the world.
Inasmuch as the church, as well as social machinery, needs unity of action in order to attain prosperity, Dr. Smyth thinks that this concord must come through the reconstruction of church life11by the development of Catholicism within the fold of Protestantism. The sign of such a speedy advent he sees in the “growth of a common Christian consciousness,” and of the recovery among men of one continuous Christian society. He explains this last expression to mean the “real apostolic succession, that of the one unbroken life through all the years of the Christian society which the Lord first gathered around himself.”
From all this it is easy to see the drift of Dr. Smyth’s mind regarding the logical outcome of the situation. After referring to the Modernist movement within the Catholic Church, he significantly remarks that such an occurrence has much in common with the present status of Protestantism. The suggestion is made that these two movements may soon “meet and match, and complete each other.”
But Dr. Smyth is not alone in this prediction. The last Bampton lecturer in St. Mary’s pulpit at Oxford most impressively said: “I see the signs of a new religious order, the greatest the world has ever known, drawn from all nations, and all classes, and, what seems stranger yet, from all churches.”
An evident crisis is at hand, which will doubtless develop a unity of action of all religionists for a definite fixed purpose. That purpose was fully revealed during the Dark Ages, when through the unity of the religious world under the papacy, war to the death was declared against the Bible and its adherents. But though Satan’s time was then, as ever, always ready, the time of God’s people was not then fully come. The ultimate wrath of the enemy of righteousness is reserved for the remnant of the woman’s seed, who remain loyal to God’s commandments.
As the terrible scenes of carnage enacted during the Dark Ages were brought about through an apostate but united church, so the time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation, must come through the same agency. From the testimony of those whose own eyes are constantly scanning the religious horizon, we are informed that the first condition found in earlier persecutions—an apostate church—is already with us. The only other condition necessary to complete the equipment is a union of these divided sects, with a single purpose in view.
The query may arise, Can such a union be effected? The call to arms for this purpose has already been sounded, and one grand gathering looking to the federation of all sects has been auspiciously held. On one question alone they are to be agreed, that of a single weekly rest day. All other points of religious differences are to be waived in favor of that one which is to be the test of fellowship. But will Catholicism join hands in this? We shall see. One thing is certain: “All that dwell upon the earth shall worship him [the beast], whose names are not written in the book of life.” Rev. 13:8. This includes the people of all nations, and all classes, except those loyal to God’s written requirements. The day is not far off when the culmination of these things will test every soul. There is but one way for any one to escape the fire of the furnace, and that is to walk by the side of the Son of Jehovah.
Mountain View, Cal.
A Kind and Loving Father
By GEO. O. STATES
GEO. O. STATES
I FEEL that I must tell my brethren and sisters an experience I had the first Sabbath and Sunday of the week of prayer. It had been four years since my health had been so I could take an active part in the week-of-prayer services, and I wanted very much to meet with my dear brethren and sisters of the Delta church, so my wife and children gave their consent for me to attend the meetings during Sabbath and Sunday.
Elder Richards was holding a series of meetings, the evening services being for the public. Sunday I felt that I must visit some of my old acquaintances, and invite them out to hear the sermon on the millennium. I visited some whom I had not seen for ten years, and had a good time while telling them of the soon coming of the Lord.
We had two readings before the public meeting, and I thought I had better not remain, but as I was acquainted with some of the leading citizens who had not previously been out, and who would be there that evening, Brother Richards was anxious for me to remain and introduce them. As I listened to that important and thrilling subject, and thought that soon Satan would be bound, and our sufferings would be over, I thought, Why can’t I have the strength to go and tell the people of these things? After the sermon I had two miles to drive, and on retiring I told my friends that I was afraid I had overdone. About two o’clock I awoke, feeling that my nerves were keyed up to the highest tension. I knew that unless relief came, I would be very ill the next day. I began to cry to the Lord, and said, “Lord, thou knowest that I did not mean to overdo; now forgive my mistake, and give me a good rest.” I think it was not over two minutes before I was sound asleep, and did not awake until about seven, when I heard some one building the fires. As I awoke, my first thought was, “He giveth his beloved sleep.” Then came to mind the text, “Is there a god beside me? yea, there is no god; I know not any.” As I thought of the goodness of the Lord, I could only give way to weeping and praising him for his goodness to me.
On relating the experience, the sister said, “Elder States, I awoke in the night, feeling worried about you, and I prayed to the Lord for his keeping power, and then I had the assurance that the Lord’s protecting care was over you.”
“O that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!”
Cedaredge, Colo.
The Ten Commandments Still Binding
By K. C. RUSSELL
K. C. RUSSELL
“The ten commandments are as binding to-day as when they were given to Moses on tables of stone.” So said Dr. C. W. A. Veditz, at a meeting of the Twentieth Century Club recently held in Washington, D. C., at the Y. M. C. A. headquarters.
Such a statement as the foregoing is refreshing indeed, in these days when the spirit of antinomianism is prevailing to such an alarming extent. The words should be written in letters of gold, and loudly proclaimed to all the people.
It is a common thing in these times for those who believe in the binding claims of God’s law to be accused of “being under the old covenant,” “under the law,” “Jewish,” etc., when the very fact that they are keeping the law of God is an evidence that they are not under the old covenant or law.
It is true that if one were attempting to keep the law of God as a means of salvation, he could truly be regarded as being “under the law,” inasmuch as his certain failure would insure his condemnation, but if he has been justified by faith through the Lord Jesus Christ, he thus receives power from the Lord for keeping the law. The apostle Paul very pertinently asks, “Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.” There is nothing more thoroughly emphasized in the Bible than the perpetuity of God’s law. In Ps. 111:7, 8, we read: “All his [God’s] commandments are sure. They stand fast forever and ever.”
In Matt. 5:17, 18, the Saviour says: “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.” And in James 2:10 the Lord says: “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” These Scripture quotations are sufficient to demonstrate to all that “the ten commandments are binding.”
Those who have been deceived with the idea that Christ came to abolish the law of God, will find that he came to accomplish the very reverse, as is manifest from the words of inspiration spoken by the apostle Paul: “God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit.” Rom. 8:3, 4. Let it be noted that it was Christ’s mission to enable those who will yield to him to have the law fulfilled in their lives. Christ knew the inability of humanity to keep his law, hence he came for the express purpose of enabling us to do this. How foreign this is to the idea that Christ came to abolish God’s law.
There is no command so difficult that man can not keep it by the strength which the Lord will gladly impart to his believing children.