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Signs of the Times, Vol. 19, No. 16.

Editorial
Earlier text: SOUL OR SELF

INDIA. NO. I.

By Elder S. N. Haskell

BY ELDER S. N. HASKELL.
THERE is a romance in history, and a still greater romance in the study of those countries where the customs of the people have remained unchanged for thousands of years. And when we consider that among those who read these lines there are probably scores of individuals that will in a brief period of time come in contact with the customs of the various peoples, it intensifies the interest.
India is an interesting country as respects its physical features, its boundaries, its people, and climate. The paths which lead over the mountain ridges, covered with perpetual snow, rise to an immense height, from 15,000 to 20,000 feet above the sea. It is only in the summer season, and for a brief period, that they are passable, and even then only for the yaks, the mountain oxen of Thibet, and sheep and goats, and these can only carry small loads as beasts of burden. It is this Himalayan Range of mountains that forms the northern boundary of India. There is a passage, however, at the east and west ends, through which hordes of people in centuries past found their way into India. At the foot of these mountains there is the most magnificent scenery in the world. The mountains are the highest, and the three principal rivers, the Ganges, the Indus, and the Brahmapootra, are classed among the longest and most famous.
Portions of the country near the foot of these mountains are among the most healthful districts in the world, while along the southern bases of some of them lie forest tracts which are filled with deadly miasma, and are unfit for the residence of human beings. But when the lower heights of these mountains are reached, there is a pure climate, healthful and bracing, and the inhabitants are robust and vigorous. Many of the lower slopes of the Himalayas have proved well adapted for the culture of tea, and several sanitary stations for Europeans have been established; and the whole region produces grain and fruit in abundance.
The valley of the Ganges and all central India nearly as far as the line of the Nerbudda River is called Hindustan, signifying "settled habitation;" adjoining it to the south and east is what is called Bundelkhund and Orissa; and still farther east the great provinces of Bahar and Bengal, while to the west and south is the country of the Rajputs, called Rajpootans, and Malwah, with the provinces of Guzerat and Kutch. There are other portions which are divided up into territories and provinces.
A very general impression is that the climate of India is uniformly hot, but this is not the case. The northern portions during the winter months are very cold. The heat increases from the month of March to June with great intensity, especially in the southern portion. During this time the hot, scorching winds blow day and night. The earth is parched, vegetation withers up, and many trees shed their leaves. In Hindustan proper, and Bengal, and other low valleys, the heat is more especially felt. In the central table-land and in Deccan the heat exists in a less degree, and the nights are for the most part cool and pleasant. When the heat is at its greatest, in the month of June, the sky becomes overcast with clouds, which rise every day, and generally disperse at night. During this time suddenly the southwest monsoon bursts upon the land in all its grandeur. Thunder and lightning are accompanied by furious storms of wind and heavy torrents of rain; but this war of elements does not last long. Soon the gloomy sky gives place to light clouds and cheerful sunshine; and after these rains the whole land bursts into the vivid green of new vegetation with a rapidity and beauty which can hardly be conceived. Then there will be pleasant showery weather. This southwest monsoon does not reach the Coromandal coast. In November from the northeast across the Bay of Bengal comes another monsoon similar in character to that of the southwest. This is a curious provision of nature, resulting from certain causes of the wind currents, and the existence of the two great oceans which bound the eastern, western, and southern shores of India, to furnish periodical seasons of rain, while at other times rain seldom falls, and, indeed, is hardly needed. Then for months the skies are almost without a cloud; but heavy dews of the cold season descend plentifully, and preserve the vegetation which the monsoon created. When the monsoons close, the air becomes colder.
These differences of climate and soil produce a variety of vegetation. On the Malabar coast and the southern part of the peninsula in the Koncan rice is the principal food of the people. Artificial irrigation is almost universal. Rice, however, is the only product which needs a regular supply of water, as the plants require to live in water until the seed or grain begins to ripen. But sugar cane, indigo, mulberry trees for silk, ginger, and turmeric, and gardens with their numberless provisions for the luxuries and necessities of man, all require more or less water. The poppy is also quite generally cultivated in India, and its products have resulted in the destruction of more lives, and have been a greater hindrance to the gospel in China, than any other one thing. China would have been a professedly Christian nation to-day had not a Christian civilized nation interfered on account of the opium traffic. In those places where irrigation from rivers and artificial reservoirs is wanting, wells are used, and the water raised by cattle. This storing up of water was known to the people long before the Christian era, but it is by no means universal in India.
The people of the central and northern portions of India do not use rice except as a luxury. They feed upon wheat, barley, and many kinds of millet, which grows in great abundance in certain portions of India. Portions of India contain all that can be imagined of beauty, of gorgeous flowers and luscious fruits, forests, rivers, and streams; but this is by no means general. The traveler may pass for miles without seeing a tree to break the monotony of the scene, or afford a shelter, and yet the soil may be covered with waving crops of grain and cotton. While great rivers run through different portions of India, they often run in deep channels, flooded to their brim in the monsoons, and dwindled to small rivulets and pools in the dry season. Towns and villages occur every few miles throughout India. As one writer expresses it, "India is a noble, gorgeous land, teeming with natural wealth, and possessing an orderly, industrious population of varied races and character."

GLEANING AND RESTING.

"Where hast thou gleaned to-day? and where wroughtest thou?" Ruth 2:19.
WHERE hast thou gleaned to-day? where found thy task? And what reward is thine? thus will God ask.
Where hast thou gleaned to-day? where wroughtest thou? What bringest thou in sheaves to garner now?
In every path of life my knee I bow; And I glean truth from all; thus answer thou.
I sorrow that I bring so little fruit; Among the reapers oft my tongue was mute, Because I dared not ask for what I sought, Lest I should offer thee what cost me naught.
No garland rare have I, nor branch nor leaf; I bring thy truth alone—my only sheaf.
Well done, my faithful child, thus will God say; Then sing its "Harvest Home" thy glad soul may
For earthly work is done; night comes at last; When God says, "Welcome thou," thy toil is past.
Thy day of gleaning o'er—how soon it sped! Thy evening hours are come; seek thou thy bed.
Christ reaches down his hand; all doubt is fled; On that all-tender hand rest thou thy head.
What glorious change, from night to endless day! Gleaner, in "Heavenly Home" rest thou alway. —Selected.

THE CHILD WIVES OF INDIA.

WITH all that has been said and written upon the subject, we little realize how horrible their condition really is:—
A child wife, only six or seven years old, is regarded by all her husband's family as the cause, more or less direct, of his death.
She is treated at best with dislike, and often with great harshness and severity. Therefore the death of a young wife before her husband is a cause of great rejoicing among her friends that she has thus escaped widowhood.
They are convinced that the gods have favored her, and that she has been advanced a degree in the great series of births and deaths through which every Hindu passes on his way to final perfection. The prayer of every little girl before marriage, and of every little girl and woman after marriage, is that she may never become a widow.
The preservation of a husband's health is a matter of the greatest importance, and on a certain day of the year a special religious ceremony is observed with this end in view. It is emphatically the "Women's day," and occurs about the middle of January, when the sun is believed to turn northward.
Offerings are made at the temples, money is given to the priests, pilgrimages are undertaken, fastings undergone, and vows performed for the preservation of a husband's health and life. When he is ill, the wife removes her jewels, puts on coarse clothing, and devotes herself to prayer and austerities. If he dies, her woe begins.—Selected.

Persecution of the Stundists

CAN it be that, so near the close of the nineteenth century, nothing can be done to put a stop to the shameful persecution perpetrated upon the Stundists of Russia because of their religious faith? The English papers are publishing the details of the barbarous conduct of the authorities and local priests who are trying to stamp out throughout the empire all dissent from the Greek Church. The Stundists are an inoffensive and quiet people, who never disturb the peace or raise mobs; their only offense is that they will read the Bible and worship God without the forms of the established church. For this they are driven from their homes and subjected to most frightful indignities, yet with sublime faith and steadfastness they hold to their faith and die rather than recant.—Missionary Review.

Religious Population Statistics

THE number of Protestants in the world is estimated at 140,000,000; adherents to the Greek Church, 90,000,000; Jews, 8,000,000; Roman Catholics, 205,000,000; Mohammedans, 175,000,000, of which 80,000,000 women are said to be confined in harems; heathen, 870,000,000.

An Angel of Help

By Theodore L. Cuyler

God always has an angel of help for those who are willing to do their duty.—Dr. T. L. Cuyler.

OCCUPY TILL I COME.

WORK while it is called to-day; Watch and pray. With both thine hands right earnestly, As in the sight of God most high, Thy calling ply.
Watch, it is the Master calls thee; Pray, it is his ear that hears; Up, shake off thy chilly fears, Mindful that whate'er befalls thee Leaves thee farther on thy way; Watch and pray.
Watch, for demons haunt around thee; Sin and harm beset thy path; Yet be sure that nothing hath Power to hinder or confound thee, So thou faithfully alway Watch and pray.
Pray, lest watching make thee weary; Praying thou shalt never fail; Though the night be long and dreary, Though the dawn be faint and pale, Brightens fast the perfect day; Watch and pray.
—Selected.

LIVING REPRESENTATIVES.

THE glorious results that attended the ministry of the chosen disciples of Christ were the effects of bearing about in their bodies the dying of the Lord Jesus. Some of those who testified of Christ were unlearned and ignorant men; but grace and truth reigned in their hearts, inspiring and purifying their lives, and controlling their actions. They were living representatives of the mind and Spirit of Christ. They were living epistles, known and read of all men. They were hated and persecuted by all who would not receive the truth they preached, and who despised the cross of Christ.
Wicked men will not oppose a form of godliness, nor reject a popular ministry which presents no cross for them to bear. The natural heart will raise no serious objection to a religion in which there is nothing to make the transgressor of the law tremble, or bring to bear upon the heart and conscience the terrible realities of a Judgment to come. It is the demonstration of the Spirit and the power of God which raises opposition and leads the natural heart to rebel. The truth that saves the soul must not only come from God, but his Spirit must attend its communication to others, else it falls powerless before opposing influences. Oh, that the truth would fall from the lips of God's servants with such power as to burn its way into the hearts of the people!
Ministers must be endued with power from on high. When the truth in its simplicity and strength, as it is in Jesus, is brought to bear against the spirit of the world, condemning its exciting pleasures and corrupting charms, it will then be plainly seen that there is no concord between Christ and Belial. The natural heart cannot discern the things of the Spirit of God. An unconsecrated minister, presenting the truth in an unimpassioned manner, his own soul unmoved by the truths he speaks to others, will do only harm. Every effort he makes only lowers the standard. —Testimony for the Church, No. 17.

FIELD NOTES.

By Editor

ELDER J. B. GOODRICH reports ten accessions to the faith in Westfield, Maine.
ELDER O. S. FERREN reports the baptism of six persons at Oronoque, Kansas.
UNTIL further notice, the post office address of Elder H. A. St. John will be 143 Carr Street, Los Angeles, Cal.
SISTER T. L. LAWSON, Salem, Oregon, asks for clean copies of the Signs, Sentinel, Review, or Instructor, for missionary work, to be sent to her postpaid.
ELDER D. T. SHIREMAN rejoices over a good interest at Cowan's Ford, in the southeastern part of North Carolina, where profitable meetings have recently been held.
FOUR persons were baptized and united with the church at Wilmington, Delaware, on the 24th ult. The use of the baptistry of the Baptist Church was granted for the occasion.
AT Eddyville, Iowa, eight have recently taken their stand for the truth, and a Sabbath school of fifteen members has been organized. Brother H. V. Adams had been holding meetings there.
LOTTIE MULLIN, Cottage Grove, San Jose, Cal., can use several copies of the General Conference Bulletin, if those who have no further use for them after reading them will mail them to her.
SISTER S. L. WALRATH, Warm Springs, Alameda County, California, desires clean copies of the Signs for missionary work in that vicinity. If any of our brethren have such to spare, please send them postpaid.
ELDER F. I. RICHARDSON reports the organization of a church of fifty members at Benton Harbor, Michigan, the result of meetings held at that place, Riverside, and Sodus. Elder I. W. Evans organized the church.
THE Atlantic Sabbath School Association, having accumulated something over $100 in its treasury, aside from donations to missions, has decided to appropriate it to purchasing a tent for Conference use in the field, and for children's meetings at general gatherings.
THE General Conference Bulletin, containing reports of the institute lectures during the first six days, has been received. Those who did not subscribe for it are missing some valuable instruction regarding our time and our special work as a people. The institute opened with 300 members.
ONE of our laborers in the Atlantic Conference tells this incident to the Union Record: "During the presentation of the doctrines, in a series of sermons on truth, the subject of conditional immortality was introduced, with the usual result. Among the auditors were two gentlemen, who felt constrained to oppose, through questions, and were asked to reduce them to writing. At the same time tracts upon 'The Immortality of the Soul,' 'Is Man Immortal?' etc., were given them with a request that they should be read in connection with the Bible, and that, if the tracts answered any of the questions satisfactorily, those questions should be erased from the list. One of the gentlemen declined to present his questions when asked to do so the next evening, and the other made a statement substantially as follows: 'I took this tract, sir, to the Lord, and asked him to give me faith to believe and to see the truth. As a result I am convinced. As I read the texts referred to, one after the other of my questions were erased from my list, and I now realize that the sleep of the dead is a Bible doctrine. That tract, "Immortality of the Soul," is the most masterly argument I ever read.' How true it is that 'the entrance of thy word giveth light. It giveth understanding to the simple!'"

OUR GENERAL AGENTS.

Arkansas Tract Society—H. Clay Griffin, Van Buren, Ark. Atlantic Tract Society—T. A. Kilgore, Sec., 43 Bond St., N. Y. Australia—Echo Publishing House, North Fitzroy, Victoria, and A. Reekie, 76 Pyrmont Rd., Glebe, Sydney, N. S. W. California Tract Society—1059 Castro St., Oakland, Cal. and G. W. Morse, 20 Melbourne Ave., Toronto, Ontario. Canada—Mrs. A. E. Taylor, 123 St. Georges St., Montreal, Canada. China and Japan—A. LaRue, International Tract Society Queens Road 219, Hongkong, China. Colorado Tract Society—Miss Leah Vandermark, Sec., 920 W. Sixth Ave., Denver, Col. Dakota Tract Society—Mrs. A. H. Robinson, Vilas, S. Dak. England—Pacific Press Publishing Co., 48 Paternoster Row, and 451 Holloway Road, London. Illinois Tract Society—28 College Place, Chicago, Ill. Indiana Tract Society—J. W. Moore, Sec., 175 Central Ave., Indianapolis, Ind Kansas Tract Society—L. Dyo Chambers, Sec., No. 821 West Fifth St., Topeka, Kan. Maine Tract Society—B. F. Davis, Hartland, Me. Maritime Provinces Tract Society—Mrs. I. H. Cowie, Sec., Box 85, Moncton, N. B. Iowa Tract Society—C. F. Stevens, Sec., 603 East 12th St., Des Moines, Iowa. Michigan Tract Society—J. S. Hall, Sec., Review and Herald Office, Battle Creek, Mich. Minnesota Tract Society—C. N. Woodward, 336 East Lake St., Minneapolis, Minn., P. O. Box 989. Missouri Tract Society.—Vita Morrow, Sec., 2010 East 23d St., Kansas City, Mo. Montana—Mrs. Emma Emmons, Sec., Livingston, Mont. Nebraska Tract Society—Mary F. Beatty, Sec., 1505 E St., Lincoln, Neb. Nevada—Cal. Tract Society, 1059 Castro St., Oakland, Cal. New England—N. E. Tract Society, Mrs. E. T. Palmer, Sec., South Lancaster, Mass. New Jersey, Del., Md., New York City, and Brooklyn, N. Y., and Dist. Col.—T. A. Kilgore, No. 43 Bond St., New York. New York State—J. V. Willson, Sec., N. Y. Tract Society, 317 West Bloomfield St., Rome, N. Y. New Zealand Tract Society, M. H. Tuxford, Agent, Banks' Terrace, Wellington, N. Z. North Pacific—Geo. E. Henton, Sec., 727 East Taylor St., East Portland, Oregon. Ohio Tract Society—L. T. Dysert, Sec., 74 Kinsman St., Cleveland, O. Pennsylvania Tract Society—W. M. Lee, Sec., Box 644, Williamsport, Penn. Scandinavian Tract Society—Akersgarden 74, Christiania, Nor. South Africa—International Tract Society, Somerset House, Roeland St., Cape Town. Southern District Tract Society—Mrs. C. E. Giles, Sec., Graysville, Tenn. Switzerland—Imprimerie Polyglotte, 48 Weiherweg, Basel. Tennessee—Miss. M. G. Mason, Sec., Nashville, Tenn. Texas Tract Society—T. T. Stevenson, Sec., Oak Cliff, Dallas Co., Texas. Upper Columbia—Mrs. M. E. Ford, College Place, Wash. Utah—J. J. Ireland, 1059 Castro St., Oakland, Cal. Vancouver Island—B. Robb, 231 Pandora St., Victoria, B. C. Vermont—Lizzie A. Stone, lock box 237, Essex Junction, Vt. Virginia—Amy A. Neff, Box 221 Winchester, Frederick Co., Va. West Virginia—T. E. Bowen, Newburg, W. Va. Wisconsin Tract Society—S. D. Hartwell, Sec., 865 Fifth St., Milwaukee, Wis.

OVERLAND EXCURSIONS.

If you are going East, you will find it to your advantage to correspond with the undersigned and obtain full particulars of the "Weekly Overland Excursions," which leave every Wednesday. Experienced managers in charge, whose duties are to look out for the comfort of the passengers, especially ladies and children traveling without an escort. This is the most popular manner of making an overland trip, and no other line offers advantages equal to the "Great Sante Fe Route," the favorite winter route. It is the only line running Pullman palace and tourist sleeping cars through to Chicago every day on the same train. Baggage checked through to destination. Union depot connections in Kansas City, St. Louis, and Chicago. Steamship tickets sold to and from all European points. For full information address W. A. Bissel, G. P. A., 650 Market Street, Chronicle Building, San Francisco, Cal., or J. J. Warner, agent, 972 Broadway, Oakland, Cal.

THE ATONEMENT.

The author, in a book of 368 pages, takes up this great central doctrine of the gospel, and treats it in two parts. Part first,

An Atonement Consistent with Reason.

In this he shows that the doctrine of an atonement through the medium of a voluntary substitute is consistent with reason. Part second,

The Atonement as Revealed in the Bible.

In this is discussed the plan of redemption through Christ, by which every sinner who accepts Christ will be justified; sin will be turned back upon the head of its originator; the earth will be cleansed from the curse; God's righteous government will be restored over the entire universe; and all who will not become loyal subjects of that government will be destroyed.
The book presents a CRITICAL AND EXHAUSTIVE TREATISE on this interesting subject, by a thorough Bible student, and wholly from a Bible standpoint, and cannot fail to be of great value to everyone who reads it.
Third edition, bound in cloth, embossed in black, with gold title on back and front cover.
Price, postpaid, $1.00.
Address, Pacific Press Publishing Co., Oakland, Cal. Or 43 Bond St., New York City.

International S. S. 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 X.—SUNDAY, MARCH 5, 1893.

KEEPING THE SABBATH.

[NOTE.—The questions which follow are merely suggestive for the student on the leading points of the lesson; it is presumed that the thorough student will think of many more as he studies the subject. References, where verses alone are given, always refer to the lesson scripture printed above. All other references are given by book, chapter, and verse. The text printed is that of the Revised Version, not because it is especially preferred, but because it is not found in every family, as is the common version.]

Lesson Scripture.—Neh. 13: 15-22.

15. In those days saw I in Judah some treading winepresses on the Sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and lading asses therewith; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all manner of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the Sabbath day; and I testified against them in the day wherein they sold victuals. 16. There dwelt men of Tyre also therein, which brought in fish, and all manner of ware, and sold on the Sabbath unto the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem. 17. Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them, What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the Sabbath day? 18. Did not your fathers thus, and did not our God bring all this evil upon us, and upon this city? yet ye bring more wrath upon Israel by profaning the Sabbath. 19. And it came to pass that, when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the Sabbath, I commanded that the doors should be shut, and commanded that they should not be opened till after the Sabbath; and some of my servants set I over the gates, that there should no burden be brought in on the Sabbath day. 20. So the merchants and sellers of all kind of ware lodged without Jerusalem once or twice. 21. Then I testified against them, and said unto them, Why lodge ye about the wall? if ye do so again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth came they no more on the Sabbath. 22. And I commanded the Levites that they should purify themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the Sabbath day. Remember unto me, O my God, this also, and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy.
Golden Text.—"Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy." Ex. 20: 8.
INTRODUCTORY NOTE.—The time of this lesson is not very definite. It is put by some about eighteen years after the last lesson. Nehemiah had in the interval returned to Susa, evidently to assume his office before the king. Hearing of abuses in Israel, he obtained permission to return. See Neh. 13:6, 7.

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

  1. What did Nehemiah find on returning to Jerusalem? Verse 15. Note 1.
  2. What did Nehemiah do? Verse 15, last clause.
  3. What men were especially guilty of this? Verse 16. (Tyre was the merchant city of the world at that time. See Ezekiel 27.)
  4. Besides testifying against the evildoers, what else did Nehemiah do? Verse 17.
  5. What example did he set before them? Verse 18. See Ezekiel 20.
  6. What did Nehemiah command? Verse 19.
  7. What did these traffickers then do? Verse 20.
  8. What steps did Nehemiah then take? Verse 21.
  9. To whom did he give special charge concerning the gates of the city? Verse 22.
  10. When was the Sabbath instituted?
"And the heaven and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God finished his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made." Gen. 2:2, 3. 11. It was given as a part of what law? Ans.—The Decalogue. See Ex. 20: 1-17. 12. What day is the Sabbath? "The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God." Ex. 20: 10. 13. For what purpose did God give it? Ans.—As a memorial of his creative power (Ex. 20:8-10), as a sign of the true God, the sanctifying Redeemer (Eze. 20:12). 14. Has not that law of which the Sabbath is a part been changed? "The works of his hands are truth and judgment; all his precepts are sure. They are established for ever and ever, they are done in truth and uprightness." Ps. 111:7, 8. "Think not that I came to destroy the law or the prophets; I came not to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass away from the law, till all things be accomplished." Matt. 5:17, 18. 15. What day is therefore still the Sabbath? "The SEVENTH DAY is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God." Ex. 20:10. 16. Just before what day does the Sabbath come? "Now late on the Sabbath day, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulcher." Matt. 28:1. See also Mark 16:1, 2; Luke 23:56; 24:1.
17. Did the Lord ever rest on any other day than the seventh? Did the Lord ever bless any other day? Did he ever sanctify or set apart any other day? Has he left any record of such rest, blessing, or appointment? 18. What, then, is our duty? Golden text. Note 3.

NOTES.

1. In those days, etc. — Nehemiah found many evils. The Jews had neglected temple worship, and were covetous in the work they did for God (Mal. 1:10, 13); they had profaned the temple (Neh. 13:4, 5); they had robbed God of tithes (verse 10); they had married heathen wives (verse 28); they were breaking the Sabbath.
2. NEHEMIAH's rule fell in the days of the Jewish theocracy. God ruled the State, for the State and Church were both one. But the gospel of Christ knows naught of force, though it knows the mighty power of God. "Persuade," "entreat," "beseech" is the language of the true ministers of the gospel of Christ. God gave his servants under the theocracy power and authority to execute law, but his servants since that theocracy passed away are ministers, not of law, but gospel. They may "reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine" (2 Tim. 4:2); they may fight the good fight of faith with the weapons "not carnal," yet mighty (2 Cor. 10:4); they may give their very lives for the salvation of souls and the honor of God, but they may not use the civil sword to compel the observance of a single religious institution. See the words of Jesus in the following texts: John 18:36; Matt. 26:51-53; Luke 9:51-55.
3. Remember the Sabbath day.—Why? (1) As a memorial of the great God, who created all things. The Psalmist says, "He [God] hath made his wonderful works to be remembered." Ps. 111:4. He did this by giving the Sabbath. But all these wonderful works are wrought through Christ. John 1:1-3; 1 Cor. 8:6. Our intelligent observance of the Sabbath, then, is homage paid to Jesus Christ. But that is not all of his "wondrous works." Sin marred the first beautiful creation. Christ redeemed the world, and all who will commit themselves to him, he regenerates (Titus 3:3-5), or creates anew. "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works." Eph. 2:10. "Put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness." Eph. 4:24; Col. 3:10. Therefore we should remember the Sabbath day as a sign of the mighty power in Christ Jesus; for the Lord says that the Sabbath is "a sign between" himself and his people, that they might know that he is the Lord that sanctifies them. Eze. 20:12. He only observes the Sabbath who observes the seventh day, the day of God's appointment for the twofold purpose mentioned above. "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy." God has made it holy; let us, by his sanctifying grace and power, keep it holy unto the Lord.

LESSON X.—SABBATH, MARCH 4, 1893.

By Editor

THE SPIRIT AS A SEAL OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.

[For any modification in these lessons, and for the notes, the editor is responsible. For other notes and suggestions the student is referred to the lesson pamphlet, and to the S. S. Worker.]

Lesson Scriptures and Suggestive Questions.

1. Rom. 4:8-11: "Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not reckon sin. Is this blessing then pronounced upon the circumcision, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say, To Abraham his faith was reckoned for righteousness. How then was it reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision; and he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while he was in uncircumcision; that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be in uncircumcision, that righteousness might be reckoned unto them."
  1. Who is pronounced blessed?
  2. What two classes are mentioned in the first inquiry?
  3. How did Abraham attain to righteousness?
  4. Was this before or after he was circumcised?
  5. What sign did he receive?
  6. For what purpose was it given?
II. Rom. 2:28, 29: "For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God."
  1. Do outward ceremonies make one a Jew?
  2. Who is the true Jew?
  3. What, then, is the true circumcision?
  4. Who is to approve it?
III. Gal. 3:13, 14: "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us; for it is written, Cursed is everyone that hangeth on a tree; that upon the Gentiles might come the blessing of Abraham in Christ Jesus; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith."
  1. From what has Christ redeemed us?
  2. How did he accomplish this?
  3. What blessing was thus brought to the Gentiles?
  4. As a result of this blessing what are we to receive?

NOTE.

ABRAHAM exercised the faith which brought righteousness before he received circumcision. Gen. 15:5, 6; 17:10. This was a sign, or seal, of the inward work. Now God has given a different sign, or seal, of the same inward work. Now every true Jew is a Christian, and every Christian is a Jew. Gal. 3:29. Now circumcision is of the heart only; then it was in the flesh, as a type of that of the heart. Deut. 10:16; 30:6. The blessing of Abraham is righteousness by faith, and this comes through the work of Christ. Having attained to this blessing through believing (Rom. 3:22; 10:10), we then receive the seal of righteousness (Eph. 1:13), which is the Holy Spirit (Eph. 4:30). God gave of his Spirit without measure to Christ (John 3:34), thus witnessing to the fullness of his righteousness. The 144,000 are without fault (Rev. 14:5), and as a sign that they are all righteous (Isa. 60:21) they have received the latter rain (Zech. 10:1), as the children of Israel were all circumcised just before taking possession of the promised land (Josh. 5:2).

SENTINEL LIBRARY.

No. Price.
1. The National Reformed Constitution. 8 cts.
2. Religious Liberty. 1 "
3. Evils of Religious Legislation. 1 "
4. The Blair Sunday-Rest Bill. 7 "
5. The Blair Educational Amendment. 3 "
6. Purity of National Religion. 1 "
7. National Reform and Rights of Conscience. 2 "
8. The American Papacy. 2 "
9. The Salem Witchcraft 1 "
10. National Reform Is Church and State. 2 "
11. What Think Ye of Christ? 1 "
12. Bold and Base Avowal. 2 "
13. The National Reform Movement an Absurdity. 2 "
14. The Republic of Israel. 1 "
15. National Reformed Presbyterianism. 4 "
16. A Lutheran View of the National Reform Movement. 3 "
17. Religion and the Public Schools. 4 "
19. Rev. W. F. Crafts against the Editors of the American Sentinel. 10 "
20. Romanism and Civil Liberty. 4 "
21. Why We Oppose Religious Legislation. 3 "
22. The American Sabbath Union and Human Rights. 1 "
23. A Civil Sunday Holiday. 1 "
24. Blair's Sunday-Rest Bill and Joint Resolution Introduced December 9, 1889 (exact copies, with notes). 1 "
25. Civil Government and the Decalogue. 1 "
26. National Reform Success Means Religious Persecution. 1 "
27. The National Sunday Law; revised. 25 "
28. A Religious Political Movement. 1 "
29. Arguments on the Breckinridge Sunday Bill. 10 "
30. A Civil Sabbath. 1 "
31. Union of Church and State. 1 "
32. Civil Government and Religion; revised and enlarged edition. 25 "
33. The Edmunds Resolution. 2 "
34. Government and the Sermon on the Mount. 2 "
35. A Dangerous League. 2 "
36. The Churches and the Public Treasury. 4 "
37. An Attempt to Christianize the Government. 2 "
38. Congress and Sunday Legislation. 2 "
39. God and Cæsar. 1 "
40. A Union between Protestants and Catholics. 1 "
41. The Sunday-Law Movement. 1 "
42. Sunday Laws of the States and Territories. 20 "
43. Should Church Property Be Taxed? 2 "
44. "We Declare!" and "We Demand!" 2 "
45. An Unbiased Arraignment. 1 "
46. The Importance of Maintaining Our Principles. 2 "
47. Should Sabbath Observance Be Enforced by Civil Law? 3 "
48. Religious Toleration vs. Religious Rights. 1 "
49. The Prohibition Party and Freedom of Conscience. 1 "
50. Not a Christian Nation. 1 "
51. Results of Church and State Union. 1 "
52. Jesus, the Church, and the World's Fair. 2 "
53. The Union of Church and State in the United States. 15 "
Address, PACIFIC PRESS PUB. CO., Oakland, Cal.; Or, 43 Bond Street, New York City.
BIBLE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS CONCERNING MAN. By Alonzo T. Jones. Bible Students' Library, No. 76 Pacific Press Pub. Co., Oakland, Cal. 16 pp.; 2 cents.
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