In our article of last week we gave some reasons for discarding the generally received opinion that immortality is the universal inheritance of the human family through Adam the first. We shall, in this, endeavor to show that the true source of immortality is Christ, and that he gives it to the righteous only. Why should this view be thought an infidel opinion? Why should Christian men count this so great a heresy that they cannot even listen to it long enough to know the reasons which are urged in its support?
When God made man, he made him an upright, innocent being. He placed him upon trial, that is, he so situated him that he should have an opportunity to form a true, faithful, obedient character, while exposed to influences and motives which, unless resisted, would lead him into rebellion. It was at least possible that he would fall into sin. The event was that he did thus fall. The object of the Creator in giving existence to man was, that he might glorify him who formed him. God is not glorified by a life of wickedness.
Now, if we might be allowed to ask such a question, At which point, so far as our minds can determine, is it wisest and safest that the Creator should give to man an immortal nature? at his creation, or at the close of his probation? If given at his creation, and man in his trial should rebel, then all sinful men must be immortal, and must live forever though they persist in rebellion against God. But if not given till after man has passed his trial, then it will be given to those only who have formed a virtuous character. At least, such would be the case unless it can be shown that God is glorified by giving to wicked men an eternal existence in which to blaspheme his name and to hate and dishonor his holy government.
But there is still another thing to be considered. In man's case, probation resulted in apostasy. Then God, that he might not leave man to ruin, gave to him a second probation that he might recover his lost innocence, and in that work of recovery become confirmed in virtue even as it was designed that he should by his first probation. But he can only recover from sin and condemnation by a Saviour and by the means of an atoning sacrifice. This Saviour is Christ the Lord, or the second Adam, so called because he is made the second head of the human family, or rather, the head of all who are adopted into his family by receiving him as their Redeemer.
Now it is plain that if immortality is through Christ, it will be given only to those who are redeemed through him and who are adopted into his family. But as the probation of those who come to Christ does not close till their work in his cause is done, it is manifest that whatever he gives them as the reward of their faithfulness in his service will not be given till they have been judged.
If, therefore, immortality is through Christ, none will have it except these who are his faithful people. Those will have endless life. All others will fail of this most precious boon. There will be no immortal sinners. There will be no endless life in suffering to the countless millions of heathen who have never heard of Christ, nor to the innumerable host of young persons who have died in sin after barely passing the line of accountability. These difficulties373are involved in the doctrine that immortality comes by natural descent from Adam, and they are wholly avoided in the doctrine that it proceeds from Christ, as the gift of God to the overcomer.
Is it infidelity to hold and teach that immortality comes from Christ rather than from Adam? If so why? Does such doctrine involve the denial of any moral principle? If so, what one, and in what manner? Does it in any way weaken man's sense of personal accountability to God to understand that immortality is given only to those that overcome? Why should so uncandid a spirit prevail with respect to that question? That man has aspirations for immortality is certain, and this doctrine does not cut him off from its acquisition. It does, however, teach him that he must seek after it if he would possess it. But it offers this great gift of God to all who form a character such as God approves. Why should not such a condition in the offer be esteemed reasonable? And who are thereby excluded from obtaining it who ought to have it? No man is excluded because of poverty, or because of lowliness of station in life, or even because of having sinned against God, if he will truly repent. The conditions are such as all may comply with. They are also such as all should fulfill as a matter of personal obligation toward God. If any fail to inherit this great blessing, it will not be because they could not have it, but because they would not accept it upon the conditions offered.
That God is the fountain and source of immortality is plain from the statement of Paul. He speaks thus of God the Father: "Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see; to whom be honor and power everlasting. Amen." 1 Tim. 6:16. This text is evidently designed to teach that the self existent God is the only being who, of himself, possesses this wonderful nature. Others may possess it as derived from him, but he alone is the fountain of immortality.
Our Lord Jesus Christ is the source of this life to us. "For as the Father hath life in himself, so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself." John 5:26. "As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father; so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me." John 6:57. The Father gives us this life in his Son. "And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath not the Son of God hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." 1 John 5:11, 12. These scriptures do clearly indicate that Christ is the source of endless life, and that those only have this who have Christ.
The time when this shall be given to the saints is thus stated by Paul: "For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory." Col. 3:3, 4. This cannot mean that the saints are spiritually dead, but rather, that they are under the sentence of death as members of Adam's race, and that they now have eternal life by promise, as when Christ shall appear, in whom it is now hidden, they shall have it in actual possession, because he shall then confer it upon them.
Their present relation to this eternal life, or immortality, is thus stated by the same apostle: "Who will render to every man according to his deeds; to them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life." Rom. 2:6, 7. This is a most instructive text. It shows that God will give immortality as the award of the judgment to the righteous, for it is given when God renders to every man according to his deeds. Eternal life may be called the sum of glory, honor, and immortality, for God gives it as the equivalent of these three. And these are given to the righteous they seek them by a patient continuance in well doing. They certainly would not seek immortality if they had it by nature, and God would not give it as their reward if they had always possessed it from the time when they began to exist.
But this act of giving immortality is very fully set forth in 1 Cor. 15:51-54: "Behold I show you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump; for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory."
These are most precious words. Immortality is given at the sound of the last trump. And the trumpet sounds when Christ our life descends from heaven. At that instant, every one of his saints is changed to immortality in a moment of time, so brief that it is compared to the twinkling of an eye. All who have sought immortality by a patient continuance in well doing will receive this infinite boon, and all others will be counted unworthy of participating in it. J. N. A.
Texas Camp-Meeting.
By James White
The Plano, Texas, camp-meeting was held according to appointment, three miles from the little village of Plano, Nov. 12-19. The weather was fine, and the roads were dry and smooth for several weeks before, and at the opening of the meeting, so that there was a very general turn-out of the brethren and sisters in the State. And seventy-five brethren were on the ground one week before the time appointed.
Elder R. M. Kilgore had been holding a tent-meeting at the village for the period of two months, and as the result of his labors and of the camp-meeting there are about forty keeping the Sabbath. From a Baptist church of thirty members, sixteen of their best, including their deacon, have come with us. They have a house of worship which cost $1,000, of which Deacon Huguley and his son-in-law, Morris, who is also with us, gave all but $105.
Twenty-four discourses were preached during the camp-meeting. Elder Haskell was on the ground two days in advance and gave eleven discourses. Mrs. W. and the writer gave six discourses each, and Elder Kilgore one. In consequence of the distance, the rains, and deep mud, the outside attendance was small. Sunday afternoon Mrs. W. gave a discourse on Christian Temperance before a large congregation. Her discourse in the afternoon of the first day of our arrival took deep hold of the brethren, and seventy-five came forward for prayers.
There is one disagreeable feature among the people here that we do not see North. The women generally, as well as the men, are inveterate users of tobacco. It seemed strange, almost an imposition, to hear Elder Kilgore examine the sisters who presented themselves as candidates for baptism, on the matter of their using tobacco. But in obeying the truth for this time, they are purifying themselves from this filthy practice. Old men, young men, and women are rejoicing in the victories they have already gained.
There were about two hundred brethren and sisters on the ground. And for intelligence, thorough conversion, and consecration to the cause of God they have not been excelled by those in any State where the cause was not more than two years old. Texas is doubtless the best field of all the Southern States. Since the great rebellion which resulted in the freedom of the slaves, Northern people have been pouring into the State. The population of the city of Denison is very largely made up of Northern people. Public opinion changes slowly in Texas, still it moves and improves. The growth of this large State is rapid, and it promises to be as good a field of labor as exists anywhere.
We have suggested that as early as 1880 our pioneer paper in the interests of the Tract and Missionary Society be published in some one of the Southern States. We now think Texas is the State, and Denison is the city where the press should be located. Denison and vicinity is sandy and dry, while most important places are notorious for deep black mud in the rainy season. Denison has four railroads already, and two others are anticipated, making it a great railroad center, six hundred miles from St. Louis, and about four hundred miles from New Orleans, and less distance to the largest and most distant cities of the State. At Denison there is good water, and plenty of wood at two dollars a cord.
One more conference is added to the sisterhood of Seventh-day Adventist conferences. As a missionary field, Texas has cost the General Conference nothing. Elder Kilgore has used his own means. Brother J. F. Bahler and others have acted a noble part, so that the young conference is less than one thousand dollars in debt. Bad management by some who had come to the State from Michigan and who had more selfishness and self-confidence than sanctified common sense and religion, had plunged the tract society into debt; but at the camp-meeting $1,250 was pledged to the society. Thirteen were baptized. Tent work for the coming season was considered, and it was thought best to purchase two tents, one sixty, the other fifty feet in diameter, which will cost $400. And the General Conference is pledged, through two of the committee present, to pay $400 of the debt of the Texas conference at the Office of the Review and Herald. This proposition was a matter of great encouragement to the brethren. God bless the Texas conference.
J. W.
Sabbath Reform and Adventism.
By Editor
PROF. A. H. LEWIS, in an article on "The Philosophy of Reform," in the Sabbath Recorder, speaks of the current Sabbath reform and says many good things. The following paragraph particularly interested us:--
"It is useless to compare ourselves with the Seventh-day Adventists, in the matter of building churches. The ability to do what they are doing comes from other causes more than from their views concerning Sabbath. The doctrine of the immediate coming of Christ, probably has more to do with their success than any other, if not more than all others combined. We have no doctrines nor general characteristics which will enable us to do what they are doing, in some particulars. All strength and time are lost which are spent in favorable or unfavorable comparisons as between the two bodies. Whatever part each is destined to bear in the work of Sabbath reform, each must do in the way befitting their means and make-up."
We feel like thanking Brother Lewis for setting this truth so plainly before the readers of the Recorder. It is just what we have claimed for years, and proclaimed on all suitable occasions. We have always considered that our special strength in the Sabbath reform is found in the "third angel's message" of Rev. 14:9-12. This message we preach as the closing link of a chain of prophecy covering about 2500 years--from the reign of Nebuchadnezzar King of Babylon to the reign of Jesus King of kings. In this we find the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus connected together to the end of time, and they who keep them all are saved from the threatened seven last plagues, and preserved unto the coming of the Lord when he shall come to reap the harvest of the earth. It is the clear light on this soul-stirring and heart-cheering truth which has brought thousands within the last few years to a joyful observance of all the commandments of God, including the holy Sabbath.
We are hopeful that all who love the Sabbath--to whom it is "a delight, the holy of the Lord"--will yet see and appreciate the power of this truth, and unite with us in proclaiming that which Paul so highly esteemed as to call it "that blessed hope." Titus 2:13. By careful examination of the prophetic word--the "sure word of prophecy," 2 Peter 1:19--we have come to the confident assurance that this blessed hope will soon be realized; that "to them that look for him"--"that love his appearing"--will he soon appear "without sin unto salvation." Heb. 9:28; 2 Tim. 4:8.
An examination of these prophecies relieved us of the taint of antinomianism, and led us to accept the seventh-day Sabbath. Can any one who sympathises with our love of the Sabbath chide us for loving the third angel's message, the prophecies, the doctrine of the Lord's coming? These truths blend in harmony. We only pray that our love for them all may be increased.
Fallen Asleep.
IT becomes our painful duty to record the death of Mary F. Andrews, only daughter of Elder J. N. Andrews, who departed this life at 4:30 A. M., November 27, 1878, aged 17 years, 1 month, and 29 days. Her disease, tuberculous consumption, made constant and rapid progress, terminating in death as above stated. She was brought here with the hope that medical skill at the Sanitarium or the prayer of faith might rescue her from this threatening malady; but the physicians from the first pronounced her case beyond the reach of human remedies; and it has not proved to be the will of God to raise her up. We bow in submission to his providence, knowing that at last it will be seen to be both wise and merciful. She is now safely shielded from the evils to come, and rests in bright hope of immortality. The providence of God is seen in bringing her to this place, where she could receive the care and attention that could not well have been bestowed elsewhere. Faithfully her father watched over her, bearing her, as it were, in his own arms gently down to the grave. His presence and attentions were a great comfort to her, and a sad but appropriate privilege for him.
The funeral, November 30, was attended by the largest congregation that has ever attempted to gain an entrance to our house of worship. After a few remarks by the writer on Eccl. 12:1, Brother Andrews himself made a very earnest and touching appeal to the youth in behalf of the silent sleeper before them, urging them by her unselfish consecration and faithfulness in her youthful years, to devote themselves to the service of God, and to his work which so much needs their help. It was a most impressive occasion, the effects of which, we trust, will not be lost.
The following lines by Sister Mary Martin, written in reference to this bereavement, will fitly conclude this brief tribute to her memory:—
“Mournfully, tenderly”—only One knows
All the strange emptiness, greater than pain—
How much our life has been blended, and goes
Down to the grave with the funeral train.
Blest be the hand that in kindness hath given
Treasure our clinging hearts gladly would keep.
Equally blest, that the tie is now riven;
So gently, “He giveth his loved one sleep.”
Free from the blighting of sorrow or pain,
Coming, redeemed, from the enemy’s land;
Joyfully, soon shall we meet her again,
Radiant with youth ’mid the glorified band.
—U. S. in Review and Herald.
Dayton and Walla Walla.
By I. D. Van Horn
SINCE my last report Brother Raymond and myself have held twelve meetings, six in Dayton and six in Walla Walla. At Dayton the brethren and sisters were much encouraged and strengthened by the meetings, and quite a good interest was manifested outside the church. One, the daughter of Brother and Sister Kirby, who had never made a profession before, was received into the church by baptism. This church is coming up nobly on all branches of the truth, paying promptly their systematic benevolence and tract and missionary one third, and they are now seeing some of the happy results. The Lord is drawing very near them and his blessing is resting upon them.
The Walla Walla church is growing some less in numbers, and they are feeling severely the discouragement of many of the members moving away so far that they cannot attend meeting. They feel the loss which the absence of their elder causes, yet the few who do remain are trying to hold up the standard.
We have selected a beautiful grove five miles from the city of Walla Walla, up Mill Creek, for our camp-meeting which will be held next season, the last of May or the first of June.
There is great need of such a meeting up here and we shall spare no pains or means to make it a success. As far as I can learn, the friends of the cause in this part of the N. P. conference are thoroughly in earnest about a camp-meeting next year. We hope to secure such help as will give a new impetus to every branch of the cause in this conference.
Two days ago I left Walla Walla and came down the Columbia river to Columbus, about twenty miles above The Dalles; thence by team twelve miles to the thriving village of Goldendale. Here I met Brother and Sister Cowles who embraced the truth about fourteen years ago under the labors of Brother Canright and myself at Alma, Michigan. I expect to remain here about a week. I. D. VAN HORN.
Goldendale, W. T., Nov. 30, 1878.
Norway and Denmark.
By John G. Matteson
The meetings in Christiana, Norway, have been well attended during the past week. Last night November 3, we had about two hundred and fifty attentive hearers. We had a prayer-meeting one evening, and several took part. There is much prejudice to overcome, but we trust the Lord will prepare some hearts to receive the truth even in this city. I have obtained three subscribers for our paper and sold books for Kr. 12.00 ($3.26). If we could find a faithful person to do missionary work, it would help greatly. I have so much writing, that necessarily must be attended to, that I cannot see one-tenth of the people that ought to be visited.
The work in Denmark is progressing. Bro. A. Brorsen has visited many persons and held several meetings on Sjælland. He held five meetings in Næsby, which were well attended. Two persons commenced to keep the Sabbath. He has sold some books and obtained three subscribers for the Tidende.
Bro. K. Brorsen is also active in the northern part of Jylland. He has visited and held meetings in Hellum, Jerslev, Hjallerup, Orso, Hellevad, Tylstrup, and other places. In the last named place the brethren are growing in grace. Tracts and papers have been read by many people in these places, and quite a number are more or less interested in the truth.
LATER.
The Lord has been good to us, and has favored us, in our feeble efforts, with some success. Our house has been filled with hearers during the week. I hired a hall for Sunday evening, so as to accommodate more people. It was a place where no meetings had been held before, yet over five hundred were present. They listened with the best of attention to an exposition of Dan. 7. It is a good feature that most of the people that commenced to attend the meetings at first continue to come. I have quite heavy expenses here, but it seems that the people of Christiana ought to have an opportunity to hear the last message. They have contributed 25 kroner ($6.66) toward expenses during the two weeks in which I have held meetings. I have sold books this week for 26 kroner, and obtained three subscribers for the Tidende. Some are very fanatical in their unreasonable opposition, but many seem to have a desire to hear the truth.
Bro. A. Brorsen has held meetings in Verup, Sjælland, with some success. The house has been filled with people. One family has commenced to obey the truth. Others are searching the Scriptures for light. He has obtained one subscriber for the paper and sold a number of tracts. Our brethren in Denmark are growing in grace and are becoming confirmed in the truth. They write very encouraging letters to me.
JOHN G. MATTESON.
Osterhausgaden 12, Christiana, Norway, Nov. 11.
Reno and St. Clair, Nevada.
By B. A. Stephens
Gave twenty-five discourses to the church in Reno, and had the pleasure of seeing some renounce idolatry by putting away their pork, tobacco, tea, and coffee. One "stony-ground" hearer objected that the Adventists did not possess sufficient spirituality, and so remained in the Episcopal church! Query: how much spirituality is there in the formality of Rome's eldest daughter? The Congregationalist minister kindly invited us to open his services at a lecture on Spiritualism, wherein he took the position that it was the effect of diabolism, but in another lecture claimed it to be mere humbuggery. The spirit of Voltaire (? rather the devil. See Rev. 16:14) condescended to review our discourse upon that subject through a "silly woman." 2 Tim. 3:6. But if this was Voltaire he has certainly grown very idiotic in the "spheres," but, then, he never did possess much sanity upon religious questions even when "in the flesh." Perverting the testimony of the Scriptures seemed to be her favorite manner of quoting them.
Commenced meetings in St. Clair, November 23, and have given eleven discourses to date. The attendance and interest are fair. The majority of the community keep the Sabbath. We hope to accomplish some good, and to see the church strengthened before entering new fields. We earnestly request the prayers of all God's people for the prosperity of the Nevada mission.
December 4, 1878. B. A. STEPHENS.
Santa Rosa, Cal.
By W. M. HEALEY; J. D. RICE
The discussion held in this place, November 19-30, between Elder C. Kendricks of the Christian denomination and ourselves, closed with a complete victory for the truth; as is always the case when truth is forced to contend with error.
Before the discussion our opponent and his friends were loud in their boasting of what they were going to do, and how they would overthrow the work established here. But it is well they did their boasting before the debate, for they do not seem to be the least inclined that way now! They are not at all pleased with the results of the debate, but think their man has not been able to properly defend their position although before the discussion they acknowledged him to be their best man in the State. He worked hard to uphold his theory and defended it as well as any of them could, but the difficulty is, he was on the wrong side of the question, the truth is against him, and of course he could not stand. Truly, they “can do nothing against the truth but for the truth.”
The discussion has strengthened our new converts to the faith. It has also opened the eyes of some of their own members which see that they have been standing upon a sandy foundation, some of whom are now talking of building upon the rock foundation of God’s eternal truth, “The commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.”
The community at large are, as far as we can learn, satisfied that we have the truth; however, many of them will follow out their convictions and obey the truth is yet to be determined. We are confident however, that some of these will also walk the narrow way. We will continue meetings in our church through this week to follow up the interest.
Yesterday (Sunday) seven souls, having determined to die to sin and the vanities of the world, followed their Saviour “down into the water” and were “planted together with him in the likeness of his death” beneath the yielding wave, and arose to “walk in newness of life.” May God’s grace assist them to ever walk the straight and narrow way and thereby have right to the tree of life and enter in through the gates into the city. W. M. HEALEY. Santa Rosa, Dec. 2. J. D. RICE.
Blasphemous Old Rags.
By B. A. Stephens
A. J. DAVIS, the great apostle of free-love and Spiritualism, thus endeavors to belittle the Bible, and rail against its pure teachings, in an extract we take from one of his works :
“ The word Bible signifies merely a book. It is derived from the Greek biblios, which signifies the soft bark of a tree upon which the ancients wrote their thoughts. To this was subsequently prefixed the word ‘holy,' which term was employed by the Jews to express excellence. Thus the terms ‘Holy Bible' might be rendered ‘excellent soft bark!'” Nat. Div. Rev. p. 554.
Carrying out the idea of Job, our enemy has written a book, and we know where to find him. Now, the paper of the book upon which Mr. Davis' thoughts are printed, was prepared from old rags, and are now written over with blasphemy against God, Christ, and all that is good and true, and cannot his book be justly entitled, “blasphemous old rags?”
Righteous men of old, as they were moved by the Spirit of Christ, indited the “sure word of prophecy” upon “excellent soft bark,” or “they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock forever,” Job 19 : 24, or “written with a pen of iron, and with the point of a diamond, graven upon the table,” Jer. 17 : 1, and made “plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it,” Hab. 2 : 2, or written upon vellum, or parchment, or leaves of certain trees, or sheepskin, it matters not what. Wherever we find the Bible it tells the same story. Whether in the torahs of the modern Jew, the manuscripts of the Orient, or the versions of the Occident, it tells “the old, old story of Jesus and his love.” “Every word of God is pure; he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.” Prov. 30 : 5. Spiritualists dislike the restraint the Bible imposes upon sin. In their blindness they clamor loudly about liberalism, free-thought, free-love, etc. “While they promise them liberty they themselves are the servants of corruption; for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.” 2 Pet. 2 : 19. Deceived by the power of Satan, and the miracles performed by the spirits of devils, 2 Thess. 2 : 9–12; Rev. 16 : 14, they are not able to “recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.” 2 Tim. 2 : 26.
May we all “know the holy Scriptures,” which are, indeed, a light to our weary feet, guiding us in that narrow path through this dark world up to the dawning of that eternal day.
“'Tis a chart that never fails you,
One which God to man has given,
And though rudest storms assail you,
It will guide you safe to heaven.”
B. A. STEPHENS.
Few Left.
By Editor
F. DAVIS, in the Baptist Banner, asks questions on the following points :—
“When the following classes are taken out of our churches how many will be left?
“All who will not pay their just debts.
“All who are hypocritical.
“All who are deceitful, and talk about others behind their backs.
“All who go in debt without any prospect of paying out.
“All who are proud and scornful, holding themselves above their fellow-men, and shunning those less fortunate than themselves.
“All who worship money more than they do their Creator.
“All who are tattlers.
“All who sell intoxicating liquors to make money.
“All who think more of a wicked rich man than they do of a pious poor man.
“All who oppress the poor.
“All who are vain and self-conceited.
“All who make long prayers for the sake of being seen and heard of men.
“When these and a good many others that could be mentioned, are taken out of some bodies that call themselves churches, there would probably be but few members left.”
This may be as just as it is pointed. But if we had said the same thing, and made an application of 2 Tim. 3:1-5, we fear it would be looked upon as a want of charity among Adventists. So strong is prejudice.
It is good for us to have sometimes troubles and adversities; for they make a man enter into himself, that he may know that he is in a state of banishment, and may not place his hopes in anything of this world. These things are often helps to humility, and defend us from vain glory.