A writer in the Catholic Mirror of October 16, describing a new shrine in an American Catholic Church, says:—
The altar is of Gothic style, standing twenty-seven feet high, beautifully finished in cream and gold, and in the niche of the shrine, a handsome statue of the Queen of heaven is placed, looking down with joy at the tabernacle wherein rests her divine Son, surrounded now not by a rabble and clothed in a purple rag but clothed in satin and gold with loving children kneeling at His feet full of sympathy and affection.
The above statement illustrates the Catholic idea of the mass—that the consecrated bread is the Son of God Himself. We once heard a Catholic priest preaching upon the “real presence,” say, “I worship God in heaven,” and then turning toward the altar, where lay the bread of the sacrament, and bending reverently before it, he further said, “and I worship the bread.”
To a Protestant this is a form of idolatry, because there is no scriptural proof that the bread is Christ. To worship senseless and powerless bread is all one with worshiping wood and stone, to which “the heathen in his blindness” bows himself.
But to the question, Where is Christ? let the Word of God answer. After His resurrection, to the wondering Mary, Jesus said: “Touch Me not; for I am not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto My Father, and your Father; and to My God, and your God.” John 20:17. So then, after He had spoken unto them, “He was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.” Mark 16:19. There, at the right hand of God, position of power and authority, Stephen saw Him at the time of His martyrdom. Acts 7:56. Much more testimony from the Scriptures might be quoted upon this point, but these are sufficient. Christ is in heaven. His position at the right hand of God is suggestive of His power and authority as He Himself showed by His words to the high priest, “Ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.” Mark 14:62.
There is one other place where Jesus is declared to be: “For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, with Him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.” Isa. 57:15. So the Lord does come to earth to dwell with those who, in humility of soul, serve Him. And we recall that just after giving to His disciples the great commission to teach all nations, He added these cheering words, “And, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” Matt. 28:20.
The way He comes to each trusting and believing one, He has also made clear to us. “I will not leave you comfortless; I will come to you.” John 14:18. “It is expedient for you that I go away; for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you.” John 16:7. “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” John 14:16. So Jesus Himself personally is in heaven, and He is also here with the believer, by and only by His representative, the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost.
From this study we gain the thought that Jesus, at the right hand of God, with all power in heaven and earth in His hands, knows all our hearts, our dangers, our needs, our desires for His help; and from His throne of grace, through the Holy Spirit, He ministers to us in every way to turn us from evil, to guide us aright, to strengthen our faith, to confirm our hope, and to be to each one of us what He would be could He be personally with us as He was with Peter, James, and John.
The Jews, filled with self-righteousness and pride, could not discern the Lord when He came in humble guise, and is there not danger that we may not discern the operations of His Spirit, and so not know when He comes to us?
“They were all looking for a King
To slay their foes and lift them high.
Thou cam’st, a little baby thing
That made a woman cry.
O Son of Man, to right my lot
Naught but Thy presence can avail;
Yet on the road Thy wheels are not,
Nor on the sea Thy sail.
My How, or When, Thou wilt not heed,
But comest down Thy secret stair,
That Thou may’st answer all my need,
Yea, every bygone prayer.”
M. E. K.
Joy Like a Rainbow
“Joy in this world is like a rainbow, which in the morning appears only in the west, or towards the evening sky; but in the latter hours of the day, casts its triumphal arch over the east, or morning sky.”
“My sheep hear My voice, and I give unto them eternal life.” John 10:27, 28.
Query—Do those who are found on the left hand, or among the goats, receive eternal life also?
8. What is necessary on our part in order to receive eternal life?
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.
9. Have the wicked eternal life?
“He that believeth not the Son, shall not see life.” John 3:36.
10. Through what agency is this life brought to us?
“And hath brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel.” 2 Tim. 1:10.
Query—Then if eternal life comes through the Gospel, is a “gift” received by faith, how can it be possible for the finally incorrigible, who reject the Gospel, refuse the proffered “gift,” and have not faith, to live to be tortured in a never-ending hell so long as God shall exist? Is it not clear from the above scriptures that in order for us to live to all eternity we must believe? Is it not true that “the wages of sin is death”?
G. B. Thompson.
SIN AND CRIME.
There is an important distinction to be made between sin and crime, a distinction which is becoming fast obliterated, and which it pleases the devil to efface. A right knowledge of this difference must lie at the basis of all true reform methods.
“Sin,” says an apostle, “is the transgression of the law.” 1 John 3:4. “All unrighteousness is sin.” 1 John 5:17. “The thought of foolishness is sin.” Prov. 24:9. In its etymological signification in both Hebrew and Greek it signifies missing the mark. From this and the above scriptures it will be seen that it embraces all wrong-doing in deed or thought. The standard is God’s perfect law, which is the reflect, or expression in words, of His character. The glory of God is His character or goodness. Ex. 33:18, 19. To miss that perfect standard is to miss the mark, to sin. This all have done; “for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Rom. 3:23. “They are all gone out of the way.” Verse 12. “There is none righteous [that is, by nature with the righteousness of God], no, not one.” Verse 10.
This is sin, pertaining not only to outward deed, to overt act; but to the thought and motive which beget and conceive the act. This little word of three letters includes in its wonderful scope even the disposition to sin, or the desire and proneness to depart from God’s perfect standard.
Crime is the open transgression of statute law, upon which judgment may lawfully be passed if the crime be proved. It refers not to motive, only as motive is manifest in outward act. For example, two men may equally covet a bag of coin, and may desire to appropriate the same to their own use unlawfully. The one has not the courage to take the coin. The other has the courage, and steals the money. Both were equally guilty in the desire and motive, but it is patent to all that the law could have no jurisdiction over the former, while it would condemn the latter as a criminal. One would pass in society as “a good moral man,” but in God’s sight both are sinners. Again, A and B hate C with intense and bitter hatred. A fears nothing and takes the life of C. B wishes C dead, and would kill him did he not fear being found out and himself punished. Human law would hold A for the crime of murder, but could not in anywise condemn B. Yet before God both are condemned sinners. God’s precept, “Thou shalt not kill,” is so broad and spiritual that it covers not only the culminating act, but the root motives and thoughts which lead to the deed; for “whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer.” 1 John 3:15.
Man’s law, “Thou shalt not commit adultery,” covers only the overt act of unlawful union of the sexes, but God’s law, “Thou shalt not commit adultery,” condemns the lustful thought which leads to the deed. “I say unto you,” says Jesus, “that whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” Matt. 5:28.
All crimes that are the transgression of God’s law are sins. They are not sins because they are crimes, but they are sins because they transgress in thought and deed the holy, just, good, and spiritual law of God. See Rom. 7:12, 14. But as previously shown all sins are not crimes, nor are they criminal. It is not too much to say that men in high positions legally and judicially are lecherous, covetous, cruel men, tho man knows it not; but they are not criminals. The human penal code has no authority over them.
Neither are all crimes sinful. Crime is made by human law, and human law may be wrong. This has been frequently the case, as all history will attest. We need turn only to Sacred History for examples. It was a crime for the three Hebrew young men to disobey the order of King Nebuchadnezzar, that all at a given signal should fall down and worship a great golden image, under penalty of being burnt alive. The three young worshipers of Jehovah disobeyed, were condemned, and according to law cast into the furnace of fire. They were adjudged and condemned criminals, but in committing the crime they did not sin. In fact, to obey the law of the land would have made them sinners. See the account in Daniel 3.
In the sixth chapter of the same book is another similar instance. Darius made a law that for thirty days none should offer public worship to any being save himself. To obey that law was to sin against God. To disobey it was to commit a crime. Daniel committed the crime, but did not sin against God. He could have saved himself from crime only by committing sin.
Once again: the Jewish rulers commanded the apostles to teach no more in the name of Jesus. God had told them to preach and teach in His name. When the test came, the brave, true-hearted men preferred to be counted criminals rather than sinners before God, and answered, “We ought to obey God rather than men.” Acts 5:29; 4:19.
But the Jews of that day supposed it to be sin to disobey their laws and traditions. They said of Jesus, “This Man is not of God, because He keepeth not the Sabbath day.” But the only thing that Jesus transgressed was not the law of the Sabbath, the law of God, but the Jewish tradition, mere human interpretation of the Sabbath law. He was, according to their law, a criminal; He was in the sight of God sinless.
History is repeated to-day. Men interpret the Sabbath law to mean the first day of the week, instead of the seventh, as God gave it. They construe the sabbath to begin at midnight, while the Lord gave it from sunset to sunset. These interpretations of men have in most States been crystallized into statute law. It is a crime to transgress that law, and work on Sunday, but in the sight of God it is not sin; nor has God anywhere set men up to determine what sin is, and the penalty which is its due; for the simple reason that they can not. Men may make, by unjust and unholy law, criminals, but let them be careful that these laws do not from fear of penalty compel men to sin. In that case the State sets itself against God. It may persecute God’s people, but at the last it will simply be ground to powder.
The true object of reform is not to save men from crime, but from sin. The Gospel of Jesus Christ does not propose to save men from crime, only as it saves from sin. It will, if applied by faith, save not only from the commission of sin, but from the disposition to sin. It will take a heart that loves sin and by the divine alchemy of the Gospel it will transmute it into a heart which loves righteousness, not because of the vengeance of an overhanging sword of justice, but because of the love of Jesus Christ. This is the only true reformation. It can not be accomplished by law, but must be wrought, if at all, by the power of God through faith and love.
IT WOULD SURELY TOUCH A CHRISTIAN.
By T.
A few weeks ago when the talk among the “powers” about warring with each other over Chinese territory was at its height, Li Hung Chang, the great Chinese statesman, addressed himself to the world through a correspondent of the New York Herald as follows:—
The forcible occupation of Kiaochau by Germany is a direct violation of existing treaties and of international law. The pretext made for this act of war was the murder of two missionaries by robbers in the interior province of Shantung. The Chinese Government offered immediate and full redress for this outrage—the punishment of the criminals, dismissal of local officials, and large compensation for all losses.
Anxious to avoid hostile acts, the Chinese troops were withdrawn from Kiaochau when the Germans landed, and in spite of the strong public feeling prevailing throughout the country for the defense of Chinese territory against aggression, my government has not sent reinforcements to Kiaochau.
Outlaws exist in China, as in all countries. Neither treaties, law, nor religion can entirely suppress the crime anywhere in the world, tho they condemn and punish the criminals. There are places in every country where lawlessness abounds, and to such a place in Shantung, German missionaries determined to go, knowing that the inhabitants themselves were often victims of these bandits.
Unfortunately, China has not yet recovered from the effects of the late war, and our country requires a period of peace to carry out the work of reform lately begun.
Of late years, from instruction and observation, the Chinese have come to regard the countries of the Western world as models, and even greater in justice than in arms. Is it just to oppress us while we are struggling to emerge from the restraints of our ancient civilization, while improvement and progress steadily continue? Should China be distressed by having her shores invaded and her territory occupied because of an occurrence which Western countries would deal with by law and not by war—an unexpected incident, deplored by my government and followed by full redress?
Our desire is to preserve our territory intact and to steadily improve it as a field open to all countries equally for the development of commerce.
On reading the foregoing from China’s representative, one is forcibly impressed with the sound, sensible, courteous, and reasonable statements of this “poor benighted heathen.” And who can suppress the question, If these “great Christian powers” were Christian indeed, would it ever become necessary for a “heathen” to address them so beseechingly? Surely there is ground for the conviction that the “great powers” are not so much Christian after all.
Just imagine—and it fairly seems like blasphemous sacrilege to suggest it—our Master, the great Head of the Christian church,7acting in such a manner as to cause a “heathen” to imploringly say to Him: “Is it just to oppress us, while we are struggling to emerge from the restraints of our ancient civilization, while improvement and progress steadily continue? Should China be distressed by having her shores invaded, and her territory occupied, because of an occurrence which Western countries would deal with by law and not by war”? What a pathetic appeal this is!
Very true, indeed, Christianity has exerted a wonderful influence upon the nations of Europe and America as well; but that influence has been only by individuals, and not by the “nations” as such. And when more humane counsels do prevail, it is not because a “Christian nation” has acted, but the influence of Christianity exerted by individuals in the nation is what produces these much-desired results. The “nations” taken as a whole are just as ready to rush into war as they were in the Middle Ages, or any other period of the past. There is not a spark of real evidence in the world to-day to show to the contrary, and every seriously thoughtful man or woman must be made aware by recent developments that this is a veritable truth. T.
697. The Tithe—What Is It?
WHAT is the tithe, for instance for lumbermen, farmers, and laborers who are in and out of debt? For example, suppose I go in debt for logs, for a car for lumber, and for all help to handle it. When I get my pay shall I pay tithe on the whole amount, or pay for logs and handling, and then pay the tithe? EARNEST SEEKER.
A tithe is a tenth. The Lord’s tithe is the tenth of our income, not counting out our personal labor or time. A man runs a farm. The interest on his mortgage is $100; his hired help costs him $200; his taxes, $30; his extra feed for cows raised off the farm, $100. His income from the farm is $1,000. Now it seems to us that it would be clear to all that $430, the sum of the four items named, should be deducted. He would, therefore, pay tithe on the balance, $570, which would be his income, the tithe of which would be $57. In the case above mentioned, it is manifest that the cost of logs, car, and handling, so far alone as hired help is concerned, should be deducted from the proceeds of the sale of the logs or lumber, before the amount is tithed. If the cost of the logs was $1,000, the freight and handling $500, and the proceeds should be $2,000, the amount to be tithed would be $500, and the tithe $50. But debts not contracted for the purpose of carrying on the business in hand should not be deducted in either principal or interest. That is, if the lumberman before he began this job owed $100 upon a house he had built, that debt nor its interest should not be deducted from the gross income before tithing. A general rule would be that all expenses in the carrying on of the business should be deducted from the proceeds of the business before tithing, but this would not include personal expenses of board, house rent, clothing, etc.
698. The First Church.
PLEASE inform me which was the first church. E. M. D.
The first church was that founded by the Lord, and that has been the only true church from the beginning. The center of that church is Jesus Christ, its living Head. Eph. 1:22, 23; Col. 1:18. The first special manifestation of that church in power in this era was on the day of Pentecost. Acts 2. The true church is built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ being the chief corner-stone. The church of Christ obeys the Head. The children of Abraham do the works of Abraham. The Roman Catholic Church is of later human organization.
699. “In the End of the Sabbath.”
MATT. 28:1 says, “In the end of the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week.” This would seem to indicate that the Marys went to the sepulcher at the close of the Sabbath, sundown. Mark 16:2 places it at “the rising of the sun.” See also Luke 24:1; John 20:1. Explain the difference. INQUIRING MINDS.
The expression “in the end of the Sabbath” is from the Greek “opse de sabbatōn,” rendered by some, “at the end of the Sabbath,” or, “after the Sabbath.” Greenfield’s Lexicon of the New Testament defines opse as follows: “Adverb, late, namely, put for the first watch, at evening (Mark 11:19; 13:35); opse sabbatōn, late in the Sabbath, that is, after or at the end of the Sabbath. Mark 28:1.” Read Matt. 28:1 in the light of the other evangelists.
700. Forever and Ever.
I UNDERSTAND that “forever and ever” does not mean eternity, but in the German language it is all the same. G. R.
“Forever and ever” in the New Testament literally means “unto the ages of the ages,” “unto ages of ages,” etc. See Rev. 1:6; 14:11, margin of Revised Version. It is about as strong an expression for eternity as we know. See tract on “Tormented Forever and Ever,” Bible Students’ Library, No. 111; price, 1 cent.
701. “The Signs,” and the Bible.
IF a Christian is determined to give the reading of the SIGNS the advantage before reading the Bible, is it not better to stop reading the Bible? A. F.
The reading of God’s Word should not be neglected for anything else. But this does not mean that anything else should not be read. No one can read the SIGNS without reading the Bible, for it abounds in Scriptural quotation. Our correspondent tells us that in reading the SIGNS it took him so much time to look up Scriptural references that he was hindered in his regular Bible reading. Could he not see that the Scriptures, the references of which he sought out, was a part of the Bible? Many learn to love the Bible by reading some good paper. But if you can read but one in a limited time, let it be the Bible.
“The gifts and calling of God are without repentance,” the verse reads. It means what it says. God has given nothing that He wishes to withdraw; He calls no one whom He wishes to reject. When men lose the gifts and calling of God, it is because they themselves will not hear them.
703. Who Was Haman?
WAS Haman a descendant of King Agag of the Amalekites, taken alive by Saul? If so, how many generations apart were they? T. L. S.
He was probably a descendant. He is called “Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite.” Esther 3:10. This would account for his enmity of the Jews. Compare with 1 Samuel 15. How many generations existed between them we do not know, as no genealogy is preserved. The time was about five and one-half centuries.
704. Raising Swine.
WOULD you raise swine if you were a farmer? If not, why? A SUBSCRIBER.
We would not, because, (1) we do not believe that physiologically, hygienically, or scripturally the swine is fit for food. We know no reason why the beast is not as unclean to-day as it was when the Lord placed it among the unclean beasts, the flesh of which was an abomination to His people. See Lev. 11:7, 8; Deut. 14:8. (2) It might injure my influence for good to engage in a work the fruits of which I did not consider good. (3) We believe there are equally profitable and more elevating occupations for a farmer. These are our reasons.
705. Progress Forever.
WILL the saints progress in learning through all ages of eternity?
Yes; why not? God never styles Himself the God of the dead; He “is the God of the living.” With the living thing there is growth; and God’s people will live to contemplate Him and His works to all eternity. How can there help being growth? But we will never grow weary nor graduate; for the finite can never reach the infinite.
DID God make our entire solar system on the fourth day? G. H.
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” How much the work of the fourth day had to do with the perfecting and shaping the solar system, in bringing its parts to the light of this world, and arranging their motions, we do not know, and therefore we can not say. In the sense of bringing into existence, their creation preceded the fourth day; for they are a part of the heavens.
IS MAN IMMORTAL?
L. A. J. F. Behrends, D.D., in a study on “What Is Man?” in the Christian Work of January 6, says:—
There is another element in the Biblical conception of man, which is hardly another, as it is the implicate of our bearing the image and likeness of God. It is the affirmation of man’s personal immortality. The breath of God can not perish. Moral personality, once conferred, endures forever. The longing for that lies deep in every human soul. Intimations of it have been found in man’s nature by the most earnest of ancient and modern thinkers. It finds expression in every literature, in funeral service, column, and epitaph. But no hunger can create the bread. Darkness broods over these eternal depths in the soul, until the light of God pierces it. Even the Old Testament saints lived in the twilight, finding refuge and rest in the covenant of God. Jesus Christ has brought life and immortality to light by His Gospel of the resurrection.
Where is the Bible affirmation that man is in himself immortal? True, the breath of God gave him life; but when that breath, or spirit, or life returns to God, man dies, the body returns to earth, and the life to God. It came from Him as life; does it go back to Him a personal, conscious, immortal entity? There is nothing in Scripture to affirm it. On the other side, we are told that God is immortal (1 Tim. 1:17), that which we would naturally take for granted; that He “only hath immortality” (1 Tim. 6:16); that Jesus has brought it to man in the Gospel (2 Tim. 1:10); that man should seek for it (Rom. 2:7), an inconsistent thing to do if he already possessed it; that the believers in Christ will put it on, but not until Christ’s coming and the resurrection (1 Cor. 15:51–54).
It is Satan’s falsehood that man shall not, does not die (Gen. 3:3, 4), and it is sad that so many good people have believed it. To say that “moral personality, once conferred, endures forever,” may be to state honest belief, but it is no evidence of truth. God put the longing in the heart of man, that man might seek it through Christ. But belief, nor imagination, nor hunger, can create immortality; Christ only bestows it, and He will at His coming in the resurrection day, bestow the incorruptible body and nature. on the ‘uncorrupted character. That character is possible only through Christ, the only bestower of immortality. It is not to be found within, only as He dwells there by living faith.
Question Corner
By Editor
“Enquire and make search and ask diligently.”
NOTE.—We wish those who ask questions to take particular notice: (1) Only such questions will be answered here as we believe to be of general interest and information. (2) We can not undertake to explain from four to a dozen scriptures, as in one sentence we are often requested to do. (3) Do not ask to “explain” a certain text or passage. State clearly the point in question. (4) Give full name and address, not for publication unless desired, but as evidence of good faith, and to give us the privilege of replying by letter if deemed best. (5) Unsigned communications of any kind find the quickest way to the waste-basket. (6) It is always well to inclose stamp. (7) “Foolish and unlearned questions avoid,” also those that minister to mere curiosity. (8) Study the Scriptures yourselves.
REASONS FOR KEEPING SUNDAY.
By W. N. G.
A correspondent residing in Santa Cruz, Cal., attended a union service of the churches in that city where the subject of Sunday observance was under consideration. He reports that one speaker essayed to give a chain of reasons for keeping Sunday. This speaker began by saying that the Sabbath was given at creation as a memorial of God’s creative work, and was also given to the Jews to commemorate their deliverance from Egyptian bondage; but as we had never been in Egyptian bondage, it was not for us. He further stated that we now have a “more glorious day,” referring to the first day of the week as the Lord’s day.
The expression, “We have never been in Egyptian bondage,” sounds familiar. We have its parallel in the eighth chapter of John. Jesus said to the Jews that believed on Him: “If ye continue in My Word, then are ye My disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. They answered Him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man.” Verses 31–33. Now Egyptian bondage was a type of the bondage of sin, just as Egyptian darkness was a type of all the dark consequences of sin. And the deliverance from Egyptian bondage was a type of redemption from sin. Christ was the actual deliverer of Israel from Egypt, just as He is the redeemer from the thraldom of sin. Then making the Sabbath day a memorial of deliverance from Egypt was making it the memorial of redemption from sin. Making it a memorial of redemption was simply an emphasis of the fact that it is the memorial of creation; for redemption is creation—a re-creation—no more, no less. “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature.” 2 Cor. 5:17. The earth is to be redeemed also; but how?—By being re-created. The kingdom of Christ will be on the new earth. See 2 Peter 2:10–13; Isa. 65:17,18.
But this Sabbath day, which God instituted in Eden as a memorial of His creative power, and reaffirmed to Israel as the memorial of redemption, was not Sunday; it was the seventh day. See Gen. 2:2, 3; Ex. 20:8–11; Deut. 5:12–15. Moreover, it was to be a “sign,” a “perpetual covenant,” between God and the children of Israel forever. See Ex. 31:12–17; Eze. 20:20. And who are the children of Israel that are to be recognized forever? Not the natural seed, but the spiritual. See Rom. 2:28, 29; Gal. 6:15. “Paul tells us in Phil. 3:3 who they are: ‘For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.’”
Then the true Israel of God—they that “keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus” (Rev. 14:12)—will remember the sign that God Himself has given them by special formal institution; they will remember His “perpetual covenant,” His own memorial, and will “have no confidence in the flesh,” or in any of its devices. The law of God is “spiritual” (Rom. 7:14), it is not of the flesh. “Thus saith the Lord, Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord.” Jer. 17:5. There could be no better evidence of departure from God than the setting up of human institutions instead of those which He has planted; and the tendency to do this is to-day a prevalent evil, not only in the world but in the church. “Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.” Matt. 15:13. W. N. G.
SOMETHING OF A CHANGE.
By T.
Alison informs us that in the earlier history of the tribal kingdoms out of which the Anglo-Saxon nations have grown, men avoided, when possible, being called to act in their primitive Legislatures. They looked upon the discussion of national issues as so much work for the nation, and there was little or no compensation aside from the satisfaction of having performed a duty in a creditable manner.
But things have changed some since that time. The scenes and deeds now presenting themselves in the Ohio Legislature over the election of a United States senator are becoming quite common in all parts of the country. The papers on each side of the scramble are charging the other side with all sorts of trickery, from the high crime of bribery on down.
And if politics were materially better in other parts of the world, the picture would not be so dark. But such is not the case. This circumstance in Ohio is only one of the thousands of things to be seen everywhere that show unmistakably that this world has become grossly corrupt in every sphere of life. The statesman—that most venerated of all public servants—is only occasionally to be found; and what passes for statesmanship is becoming more and more an exceedingly undignified contest for office, and after securing the office to so dispense appointments, and conduct affairs in general, that either the one elected or some of his friends can secure the same office again.
In making the foregoing statements it is simply saying what every one knows to be true. And with the facts before our minds that we see most clearly all about us, where is there the slightest ray of light that could reveal any evidence that this world is getting better, and that the “dawnings of the millennium” are here? The trouble is that some are mistaking the “twilight” just preceding the time when “darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people,” for a “dawning” of a better day.
Yet truly there is a “dawning” of a better day, for the evidence grows clearer and clearer that the Light of all the ages, our blessed Lord Himself, is soon to come. And at His coming all darkness will be driven out, for the sin and crime now vaunting themselves everywhere, and that causes all this darkness, will be eternally destroyed. T.
THE PICTURE STILL CHANGING.
By T.
In the passing scenes before us to-day the picture is indeed changing rapidly, and he who is viewing things closely can not fail to observe that the shades are getting darker. For who can simply read the head-lines to the daily papers without being deeply impressed with the fact that crime and general lawlessness are becoming alarmingly present everywhere? Drunkenness and debauchery, bands of pilferers looting our houses both by day and night, bold highway robbers, and daring assassins, are causing the hearts of many to sink within them. They hardly feel safe for a moment. They pick up the morning paper and on every page and sometimes in almost every column are such lines as the following:—
MYSTERY PERPLEXES THE POLICE.
Burglary in a Market-Street Lodging House.
EVIDENCE POINTS TO THE WIFE.
Mystery of the Murder of Game Warden Hotchkiss.
And so the list might be continued.
The knowledge of such crimes so constantly occurring very naturally suggests the question, What does it all mean? And every day one is met with the query, “What are we coming to, anyway? And if this ever-increasing crime keeps on, where will it finally land us?”
To all such there comes a very clear answer, and the great marvel of it all is that these questions were anticipated and answered nearly two thousand years ago: “But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” Matt. 24 : 37. From the same ancient authority we are told how things were in “the days of Noah.” “The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before Me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.” Gen. 6 : 11–13.
So then it becomes very evident in the light of these scriptures that we are in the time just before the “coming of the Son of man.” For truly the “earth is filled with violence,” and the one bright gleaming through all is, that our divine Master is seeking to have all see these “signs of His coming” and be ready to meet Him in that day. He is indeed our gracious and sin-pardoning Lord. And He desires to deliver you from all that load of guilt that makes you dread His coming. Will you let him?
T.
EXCEEDING GREAT AND PRECIOUS.
By T.
THE promises of God are spoken of in His Word as “exceeding great and precious.” And how does the depth of precious meaning in these promises increase as we view the perils of our time! “In the last days, perilous times shall come.”2 Tim. 3:1. But our Master does not leave us to perish amid these “perils,” or even to be weighed down by fear because of them. He says to us: “Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.” Ps. 91:5-8.
How full of assurance are these promises! Our Lord lifts us to that plain of confidence that we are not even “afraid,” even tho the “terror by night,” the “arrow” “by day,” and “pestilence” and “destruction” are causing “a thousand to fall at our side, and ten thousand at our right hand.” Such is the wonderful protection that God prepares for all who will allow Him to shield them amid the “perilous times” of these “last days.” Who can reject such loving solicitude and tender consideration?
T.
The Nations Were Angry
THE great war clouds hovering about China for the past few weeks seem to be clearing away. But it is only in appearance. The nations of earth are most heavily armed, and still arming. There seems to be a lack of confidence everywhere that makes each nation believe it necessary to watch every other, and to be ready at any time to enter into combat.
But did you ever reflect on how wonderful it is that every few months the whole world seems embroiled in war, and that a universal clashing of arms is inevitable? As has been frequently pointed out in these columns, the last days are made conspicuous by the fact that “the nations were angry.” Rev. 11:18.
If they are so angry, then, why don’t they fight? O, it is because God is seeking to save every one that His love can draw to Him, and He holds in check the spirit of war till His work can be accomplished! True, God’s mercy leads some to presume that we are never to have anything but peace. But we should not be deceived. There can be no mistaking the fact that the most wonderful preparations for war, seen everywhere to-day, is in fulfilment of the prophecies that foretell the battle of “that great day of God Almighty.” Rev. 16:13, 14.
