A new, clear-type edition of convenient size. Neatly bound in cloth, cover design in colors, 240 pages, size 5x7½ inches.
Price, 50 Cents
Address.
PACIFIC PRESS PUB. CO., Oakland, Cal.
43 BOND ST., New York. 18 W. 5th St., Kansas City, Mo.
Your Life Work
Is it of Men or of God? A new tract in the Apples of Gold Library. Order A. G. L. No. 20. Price, 50 cents per 100 or one cent each in small quantities. Address, PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO., Oakland, Cal.; Kansas City, Mo.; or New York City, N. Y.
The Powers That Be
International Sabbath-School Lessons
“So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.”—Neh. 8:8
Lesson V.—Sabbath, November 2, 1895.
The Powers That Be.
1. What is the source of all power [or authority]?
“Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God; the powers that be are ordained of God.” Rom. 13:1.
2. Who has ordained the powers that be?—Id.
3. Therefore, who ordained the existence of civil governments among men?
“And He changeth the times and the seasons; He removeth kings, and setteth up kings.” “The Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men; and giveth it to whomsoever he will.” Dan. 2:21; 4:25.
4. Must they not, then, be for a good and wise purpose?
“For he is the minister of God to thee for good.” Rom. 13:4. See note 1.
5. What is the character of the work which God has ordained the rulers of civil government to perform?
“For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil.” Verse 3.
“Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evil-doers, and for the praise of them that do well.” 1 Peter 2:13, 14. See also Rom. 13:4, last clause.
6. Was man created evil in the beginning?
“Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.” Eccl. 7:29.
7. When did he become “evil”? Ans.—When he sinned; when he transferred his allegiance from God to Satan.
8. Since the rulers of civil governments were ordained to be a terror to “the evil,” and revengers to execute wrath upon him that “doeth evil,” when did they become a necessity? Ans.—Since the fall of man. (See note 2.)
9. What did man lose in the fall that made civil governments a necessity? Ans.—The power of self-control, the fear and love of God, and love toward his neighbor; in other words, he became selfish.
10. What striking illustration of this lack of self-control do we have after the fall? Ans.—The murder of Abel. Gen. 4:1–8.
11. For whom were earthly governments ordained? Ans.—For those who have not the principle in them to govern themselves,—the principle of love.
“For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same; for he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain; for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.” Rom. 13:3, 4.
12. Who is the source of love?
“Beloved, let us love one another; for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.” 1 John 4:7.
13. Through what divine agent is this love imparted to us?
“And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” Rom. 5:5; 8:9.
14. How do we obtain the Spirit of God?
“Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us; for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.” Gal. 3:13.
“And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?” Luke 11:9–13.
15. What is the character of this faith?
“For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.” Gal. 5:6.
16. How will this love be manifest?
“For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments; and his commandments are not grievous.” 1 John 5:3. “Love worketh no ill to his neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.” Rom. 13:10.
17. When, therefore, love is the active principle, who reigns?
18. What is that power and plan called by which God restores to man this principle of love or righteousness?
“For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” Rom. 1:16. See note 3.
19. When men are governed by love, do they need the aid of civil laws and the fear of temporal punishment to keep them from trespassing on the rights of others?
“Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.” 1 John 3:9. See Gen. 39:7–9, and note 4.
20. Do such need the aid of civil laws to make them know the Lord and serve him?
“Beloved, let us love one another; for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.” “And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.” 1 John 4:7, 16.
21. Of what use, then, can civil governments be to Christians? Ans.—To protect them, as well as others, in their rights.
22. How long will there be use for civil governments? Ans.—Only so long as there is crime or evil in the world.
23. Will there be any occasion for civil governments, then, in the new earth?
“Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.” Rev. 22:14.
“For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.” Eph. 5:5. See also Rev. 21:1–4, 27.
24. What is said concerning the duration of earthly kingdoms?
“I will declare the decree; the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.” Ps. 2:7–9. See also Dan. 2:34, 35, 44; Rev. 11:15.
25. In contrast with these, what is the kingdom of the Lord called?
“Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall; for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:10, 11.
Notes.
Samuel the Judge
International Sunday School Lessons
“If any man will do His will he shall know of the doctrine whether it be of God.”—John 7:17.
5. And Samuel said, Gather all Israel to Mizpeh, and I will pray for you unto the Lord.
6. And they gathered together to Mizpeh, and drew water, and poured it out before the Lord, and fasted on that day, and said there, We have sinned against the Lord. And Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpeh.
7. And when the Philistines heard that the children of Israel were gathered together to Mizpeh, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the children of Israel heard it, they were afraid of the Philistines.
8. And the children of Israel said to Samuel, Cease not to cry unto the Lord our God for us, that he will save us out of the hand of the Philistines.
9. And Samuel took a sucking lamb, and offered it for a burnt-offering wholly unto the Lord; and Samuel cried unto the Lord for Israel; and the Lord heard him.
10. And as Samuel was offering up the burnt-offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel; but the Lord thundered with a great thunder on that day upon the Philistines, and discomfited them; and they were smitten before Israel.
11. And the men of Israel went out of Mizpeh, and pursued the Philistines, and smote them, until they came under Beth-car.
12. Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Eben-ezer, saying, Hitherto hath the Lord helped us.
13. So the Philistines were subdued, and they came no more into the coast of Israel; and the hand of the Lord was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel.
14. And the cities which the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron even unto Gath; and the coasts thereof did Israel deliver out of the hands of the Philistines. And there was peace between Israel and the Amorites.
15. And Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life.
Golden Text: “Hitherto hath the Lord helped us.” Verse 12.
NOTE.—The time of this lesson is twenty years after the events recorded in the last. During this time and for twenty years previous the Philistines had oppressed Israel, although the ark had been returned because of the plagues that accompanied it. Chapters 5 and 6. Its return, however, did not revive the true religion. The sense of their need only came to the people through tribulation, and the present lesson is the occasion of an assemblage to consider the natural condition, because “all the house of Israel lamented after the Lord.” 1 Sam. 7:2. Samuel had been judge since the death of Eli, making circuits to several places for the purpose14of administering justice. Chapter 7, verse 16. Chapter 12, containing Samuel’s address to the people on the occasion of the inauguration of Saul as king, should be read as bearing upon his faithful services.
Suggestive Questions
(1) To what place did the people gather? Verse 5. Note 1. (2) What did Samuel announce that he would do? Note 2. (3) What did they do in Mizpeh? Verse 6. Note 3. (4) How did this meeting affect the Philistines? Verse 7. Note 4. (5) How did the news of the enemy’s advance affect the Israelites? Same verse. (6) What appeal was made to Samuel? Note 5. Verse 8. (7) What offering was made? Verse 9. (8) Was the prayer heard? Same verse. (9) How did the Lord fight for the people? Verse 10. (10) What part did Israel take in the battle? Verse 11. Note 6. (11) How was the victory commemorated? Verse 12. See margin. (12) How complete was the defeat? Verses 13, 14. (13) How long did Samuel judge Israel? Verse 15.
Notes
1. MIZPEH means “watch tower.” It was about three and one-half miles northwest of Jerusalem, and was the highest hill in that part of the country. Ramah, the home of Samuel, was only half a mile distant.
2. THE people had repented of their sins and put away “strange gods and Ashtaroth” from their midst (verses 3, 4) as Samuel had exhorted them. The promise was that if they should do this, the Lord would deliver them out of the hand of the Philistines. The promise of deliverance did not induce them to do this, for the same result would have followed at any time during the forty years before, had they turned to the Lord. Heretofore they had believed it easier to be popular with the Philistines and worship their gods than to incur their wrath by serving God. But the lesson finally was learned that sin is a hard taskmaster. So Samuel is praying with and for them that the Lord will accept the repentance.
3. THE drawing and pouring out of water was no doubt symbolical of the nature of the vows they had just made, and of their thorough repentance. “As water spilt upon the ground, which can not be gathered up again,” so was the nature of their vow. It was without reserve, and they thus intended to show that it was to hold for all the future. It also served to depict the pouring out of all sin, or of all they were or all they possessed, before the Lord. They fasted, that their minds might be free to grasp the significance of this renewed relation to God.
4. THE Philistines would naturally regard any such gathering of Israel as a revolt. Their anger is only an illustration of the wrath that always seizes the enemies of God’s people when the latter are actively engaged in the line of duty. It is said of an old English baron that when he saw his enemies at prayer he shouted: “Up and at them. They have begun the battle.” They that will be godly shall suffer persecution, and this we are not to account a strange thing. It is the law of the principles involved. Activity on the part of the faithful will bring activity in the ranks of the enemy.
5. THEY had more faith in Samuel’s prayer to the Lord than in their own, in time of danger. Perhaps at the time they may be excused, for they had exercised little faith in the past, and faith grows by exercise. It is, however, the privilege of each child of God, independent of priest or minister, to seek and receive help direct from the throne of grace.
6. It is a noteworthy fact that the battle field which now witnessed the defeat of the Philistines was the very same field upon which the Israelites were defeated and the ark taken twenty years before. When in the right relation to him, the Lord often brings victory to one in the same place where defeat was experienced before. In fact, until victory is achieved, we are led over the same field of any given sin again and again. But the Lord’s strength is the same at one time as another. The trouble is with our faith and obedience.
LITERARY NOTICES.
“LINCOLN AND DOUGLASS, POLITICAL SPEECHES AND DEBATES, 1854-1861.” Edited by Alonzo T. Jones. International Tract Society, Battle Creek, Mich.; 59 Paternoster Row, London, Eng. The work may also be obtained of the Pacific Press, Oakland, Cal. Price in buckram cloth binding, $1.75.
The reprint of this valuable work, made more so by arrangement and style, is timely just now in the history of the republic. When these debates were in progress, vital issues to people and nation were at stake; the same is true to-day. Men now as then are seeking “to turn a free people back into the hateful paths of despotism.” Then the Constitution was attacked in one of its holiest utterances; it is no less so now. Then a decision of the Supreme Court had perverted the Constitution (Dred Scott decision); there is a recent decision which does the same thing (that of Dec. 29, 1892). It begins with Lincoln’s speech at Peoria, Ill., 1854, giving the whole history of the great question at issue up to the repeal of the Missouri Compromise in that year. Next comes Lincoln’s speech at Springfield, June 26, 1857, which carries the history up to the Dred Scott decision in that year. Then follows Lincoln’s speech to the convention which nominated him for senator, followed by the debates between him and Douglass. The book closes with Lincoln’s first inaugural, with his Gettysburg speech and second inaugural added. The arrangement is such as will make it of special help to the student. It should be read by every thinking man and woman who prize the principles of liberty.
OUR LITTLE FRIEND, VOLUME 5. Pacific Press, Oakland, Cal. Price by mail, $1.00. The fifth bound volume of Our Little Friend comes to our table in bright blue dress pleasantly pictured. It is said that a thing of beauty is a joy forever, and this is especially true of the child heart. And as we look over Our Little Friend, with its bright, interesting, and instructive pages, we do not know where a parent could better invest $1.00 for mental food for his child than in purchasing a bound volume of this little paper.
“CORRUPTIONS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT,” by H. L. Hastings (editor of the Christian), 47 Cornhill, Boston, Mass.
This little book of 96 pages is a bound number of the Anti-infidel Library. It is written to give in brief compass a part of the great mass of argument and fact which demonstrate the authenticity of the New Testament writings. This little treatise places before the common people in a convenient form some important facts generally overlooked by skeptical talkers and writers. The little book is a splendid condensation of facts, and deserves a wide circulation.
“VEST POCKET COMPANION FOR CHRISTIAN WORKERS.” By R. A. Torrey. Fleming H. Revell Co., New York, Chicago, and Toronto. 118 pages. Bound in red leather, with gilt edges, superior paper, with alternate pages blank, 50 cents; in red leather, red edges, no blank pages, 25 cents. Orders may be sent to Pacific Press, Oakland, Cal.
This little book is gotten up on the idea that there is medicine in the Bible for every sin-sick soul, and it has therefore arranged what to the author seems the best texts for different soul ills; for instance, we have the “Best Texts for the Careless and Indifferent,” with subdivisions; “Best Texts for Those Who have Difficulties,” with twenty-two of the various difficulties; “Best Texts for Those Who Entertain False Hopes,” “for Those Who Lack Assurance,” “for Backsliders,” “for Skeptics,” “for Those Who Wish to Postpone Decision.” This little book may prove a help to the beginner who is not familiar with his Bible and does not know by personal experience the Mighty Helper. The best help is God’s word. This little book recognizes that in that it gives nothing but Scripture. May the word thus given prove a blessing, only let not the worker cling to that.
“THE STRUCTURE OF THE NEW TESTAMENT” is a little brochure of 70 pages by I. Panin, Grafton, Mass., in which the author shows by numbers of words in books, in passages, in the whole New Testament, in a dozen different ways, that the whole New Testament, written by eight different men, covering a period of thirty-five years, is after all the plan of one Mind, the evidence of which is placed within the Book itself. It is a remarkable testimony to the verbal inspiration of the original autographs, and is interesting to the Bible student. It may, we presume, be obtained by addressing the author.
THE English press generally seems to admit the superiority of the “Standard Dictionary” above all others. The conservative and authoritative journal, St. James Budget, declares of the “Standard,” “Nothing can be more complete than this, nothing more exhaustive.” And it is true. The “Standard” is the best.
R. H. Woodward Company, Baltimore, Md., will soon issue a new book, by Talmage. It gives an account of his recent travels around the world, and will be very liberally and beautifully illustrated, several hundred illustrations being used. The book will be sold by subscription.
THE LAW OF GOD
As Changed by the Papacy.
HERE we have arranged the papal assumptions and admissions side by side with the law of God. These selections are all taken from works of acknowledged authority among the Catholics, and are therefore valuable for reference. Price of cloth, $1.00; paper, 5½x8½ in., per 100, 50c. Address Pacific Press Publishing Co., Oakland, Cal., or 43 Bond St., New York City, or 18 West 5th St., Kansas City, Mo.
Publishers' Notice on Remittances and Subscriptions
By Editor
Publishers.
REMIT by Bank Draft, P. O. Money Order, or Express Order.
If paper money is sent, register the letter.
Drafts should be made payable to the PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO., on New York, Chicago, or San Francisco banks. Those written on other banks cost us exchange.
CHARGE OF ADDRESS.—Subscribers desiring the address of their paper changed, will please state in their communication both the old and new address.
POSTAGE STAMPS.—Please do not send postage stamps, as we have more now than we can use, and they often get stuck together in the mails, and are useless when received. Canadian and other foreign moneys cannot be used by us.
RECEIPT.—The change of figures on the address labels will be in all cases a sufficient receipt for money sent for the paper. If these changes do not appear in due time, and if books ordered by mail are not received promptly, please notify us.
CANVASSERS, librarians, ministers, etc., can send in their orders through the regular channels of the State Tract Society, and all orders will receive prompt attention.
Sample copies of the Signs, receipt book, etc., sent postpaid to any one who will solicit subscriptions for the paper. Special terms to agents.
EXPIRATION OF SUBSCRIPTION.—All papers are discontinued at the expiration of the time paid for. The date opposite your name on the printed address label shows when the subscription expires. Please forward your money in ample time for renewal if you desire unbroken files, as we cannot always furnish back numbers.
DON’T MIX BUSINESS.—Please, when writing to this office do not mix periodical orders, book orders, questions for the editor, etc., all through your letter. If you do, then some part of the orders will be delayed and not filled promptly. The periodical department is in one building, the editorial rooms in another, and the book department in still another separate building. You can thus see the advantage of having your orders on separate sheets of paper, so that they can be handed to the proper clerk, and filled at once.
PUBLICATIONS WANTED.
ANY of our publications sent postpaid to Elder J. E. Evans, 702 Gen. Taylor Street, New Orleans, La., will be used in city mission work.
THE RIGHTS OF THE PEOPLE
Or Civil Government and Religion
BY ALONZO T. JONES
An Up-to-Date Pamphlet on the Principles of Religious Liberty.
This book can not fail to be of great value to all in the study of the series of S. S. Lessons on Religious Liberty for the last three months of 1895. It was not written to go with these lessons, but it is fortunate and timely that it should be published at this time.
“THE RIGHTS OF THE PEOPLE” contains fifteen chapters, the following being a portion of the chapter headings:
Christianity and the Roman Empire—What Is Due to God and What to Caesar—The Powers That Be—How the United States Became a Christian Nation—What Is the Nation?—Who Made the Nation?—Religious Right in the United States—Religious Right Invaded—The People’s Right of Appeal—National Precedent on Right of Appeal—Sunday-law Movement in the Fourth Century and Its Parallel in the Nineteenth—Will the People Assert and Maintain Their Rights?—Religious Rights in the States.
In the four appendixes to the book are given the Declaration of Independence—The Constitution of the United States—The Dred Scott Decision, and the “Christian Nation” Decision.
This is a book of permanent value for reference and study and one that all should possess. It contains 384 pages, with several illustrations, is issued as No. 3a of the Religious Liberty Library, and is bound in paper covers. Price 40 Cents.
A FINER EDITION on laid paper is also ready. It is neatly bound in cloth. Price One Dollar.
The Events of the Judgment and their Order. Following are principal chapter headings: The Investigative Judgment, Examination of the Books, God the Father the Judge, Offices of Christ, Messages to the World, The Sanctuary in Heaven, The Crowning of Christ, The Executive Judgment, The Saints Sitting in Judgment. Bible Students’ Library No. 55. 136 pages. Paper covers. Price, 15 cents.
