In our times there is a sort of one-sided Christianity which is satisfied with only a small part of God’s truth. It disdains the Old Testament and teaches children to neglect it almost wholly. Such teaching can only be pernicious. Some of the most sublime truths of religion are taught only in the Old Testament. Without being familiar with its record a person can have but a one-sided view of God. We are glad therefore to see the following vindication of the Old Testament by Mr. Beecher in his Lectures on Preaching. D. M. C.
The events, the interpretations, and the applications in government of the divine nature and attributes, in the Old Testament, have no parallel in the New Testament—not even in the Apocalypse. That supreme work of the divine nature which Christ came to interpret and to illustrate, and which must precede the believing of the Lord Jesus Christ, is delineated in the Old Testament Scriptures as it is delineated nowhere else. All the elements of spiritual truth which are revealed respecting God in the New Testament have their first germinant form in the Old Testament.
THE NEW TESTAMENT SEEN THROUGH THE OLD TESTAMENT.
I do not know where in the New Testament you can find any such dramatic and soul-shaking representations of God as were made to Moses; as were made to the prophet on the side of the mountain where he had fled; as were made in the later prophecies—for instance, those of Isaiah and Jeremiah; and as were made in the book of Job—the mightiest drama ever written, and one which leaves all other dramas poor and pulseless in the comparison. I know not where else you can find any such description of the glory, the largeness, the infinity, and the eternity of the divine nature, as is contained in the Old Testament. You certainly cannot find it in the Gospels. You can find it only to a slight degree, if at all, in the Epistles. The Apocalypse is pictorial, opalescent, and wonderful; but if you search you will find that most of its figures, and its sublimest scenes, are but reproductions from the Old Testament—that they were found in the Old Jewish Scriptures in one form or another before they were put into the drapery of that wonderful later book.
Every man, therefore, must go to the New Testament through the Old Testament, either really or virtually. That is if he reads and accepts the representations of the divine nature and government as they are found in the Old Testament, then he goes to the New Testament, really, through the Old, as through an open door, or as through an illuminated passage-way. And to one who goes to the New Testament thus, there is great power in Christ.
Gentleness in Him that delivered the law upon Sinai is gentleness indeed. There is nothing so gentle as the touch of one who is dying of exhaustion; but gentleness under such circumstances is weakness, and is as nothing. There is nothing more common than the self-renunciation of a man who cannot help himself. There is nothing in the world so empty as virtue when a person does not care what he has done, and would just as lief have done one thing as another. Benevolence, where it is only absolute indifference to moral quality, is very easily understood, and is very cheap. But when God is represented, in the grandeur of his power, as one who is controlling the universe for the up-building of a future kingdom; as one who loves righteousness; as one who stands forever, saying, “I am patient with sin; I am long-suffering; I am full of kindness; and rather than man should suffer, I suffer;” as one in whom lenity and meekness are attributes of thunderous power, of universal unobstructed government, of sovereignty and majesty—then these elements have a meaning which they could not have, standing simply and only by themselves.
Thus Jesus Christ sprouts out of the Old Testament; Messiah is a blossom of the God of the Old Hebrews; and you need to see the stem and the leaves as well as the mere blossom. The salient familiar traits of Christ do not receive illustration, and have not power with men, unless they are shown upon a back-ground of the unknowable—that is, of God, in such transcendent condition, extent, and altitude, as passes knowledge.
REFLECTED LIGHT.
In view of the statement that everybody must virtually come to the New Testament through the Old, you may ask me, “Do you not believe that a Christianly bred child, a child that has received instruction in the New Testament alone, and has been taught what is right and what is wrong, what is virtuous and what is unvirtuous, is salvable, and may enter the kingdom of Heaven?” Undoubtedly I do; because, although the child is imperfectly educated, the Old Testament is not left out. It is in the mother.
We are to take into consideration the religion that is in nature. Reflected light is a thousand times more than direct light. Direct light is the most brilliant; but yet, in every forest, under every rock, behind every house, everywhere, there are gradations of reflected light.
Not only does the truth of God exist positively and directly in this world, but it is reflected in a thousand ways. There is a truth of God that comes out of laws; there is a truth of God that comes out of institutions; there is a truth of God that comes out of manners and customs in Christianly bred communities; there is a truth of God that comes out of men’s characters that have been incarnated and embalmed; and you get a secondary light of truth where you do not get the first downfall of the light of truth. And so a child may be educated to know Christ Jesus without having read a word of the Old Testament.
POWER OF THE OLD TESTAMENT.
Many parents do not dare to let their children go to the Old Testament. They say there are in it many things that shock the refinement of modern Christians, and that they do not want their children to see. There are, it is true, many things in the history of the race which are not agreeable. So there are many things in the growth of every child that are not agreeable, and we take him off in the nursery, and do not show him in the parlor; but they are necessary parts of life, though they do not belong to polite society. And there are parts of the Old Testament which do not belong to polite literature; but they belong to life, notwithstanding. Life has knots and twists in it which must be taken account of in a true delineation. Old Cromwell wanted to be painted with the wart on his face; and the Old Testament paints warts on the faces of its heroes.
Now, if parents are fastidious about the Old Testament the consequence is that their children are weakened, unless they get its reflected light—and then they are not half so strong as they would otherwise be. I would rather take my child by the hand, and walk with him right straight through from Genesis to the last book of the Old Testament, and read every bit to him, unfolding and explaining it, than to have him deprived of the power which comes from familiarity with it—all the time keeping before his mind the thread of moral principle which runs through it; for there is not more certainly a spinal cord that runs down to the lumbar vertebrae than there is a magnificent idea of God running right through the Old Testament from beginning to end—of a God known, but unknowable; of a God righteous, and seeking to build up righteousness in his creatures; of a God administering reward and penalty; of a God inspiring love and fear. And having opened up the sweet encouragement and hope which are so abundantly to be found in the Old Testament, I would then open up the New Testament view of God’s interior disposition, as made manifest through the Lord Jesus Christ.
I beseech of you do not be ashamed of the Old Testament. If you are ashamed of it, God grant that you may suffer persecution, for I do not think a man ever suffered persecution, and fought bravely against it, that he did not take refuge in the Old Testament. It came out of storms, and it is helpful to men who are in the midst of storms. There is bone in it—bone that has flesh and skin on it, and3that is clothed with beauty. It is a wilderness; there are some rudenesses in it, to be sure, but these rudenesses were unavoidable, and they were not without some use.
The Old Testament is wonderful in many ways—wonderful in its growths—wonderful in its visions—wonderful in its total effect. And it is indispensable as a background to the New Testament.
As mountains would be undesirable to live in, but as, nevertheless, they are fathers of all the streams that make the level plain sweet and beautiful, so the Old Testament, though it contains some things which are not attractive, is the source of those truths which run into the New Testament, and make it fertile.
Turners of the World Upside Down.
By A. M. Lindsley
THEY were said to exist in Paul’s day. And somehow we find them referred to all through the Scriptures, from some of the earliest preachers of righteousness until the present time. Another curious thing to be observed about them is, that these very ones that wrought such dissensions and divisions among the people were those who were particularly called and sent of God to do a certain work in showing up transgression and reproving sin. Their sharp and cutting rebukes of sin were not at all calculated to soothe the minds and consciences of men and women who were living at their ease, fully satisfied with the pleasures of this world. Even the work of our Saviour, whose mission was one of love above all others, was met with contradiction of sinners, contumely, and scorn, and he said of himself and his work, that he came not to send peace on the earth, but a sword. Plainly he declared that he came to set a man at variance against his father, and the members of a family against each other. Not that his was a spirit of war, but that the gospel of salvation would not be received by all because it would not be congenial to their feelings, and their not receiving it, would, and did, develop opposition on their part.
Reproof for sin never was agreeable to the carnal heart, and we do not expect it ever will be. Nevertheless, there must and will be some who will obey the exhortation given by the Holy Spirit through the prophet Isaiah, “Cry aloud, and spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.” As iniquity abounds, and all types of wickedness increase, so much the more need of speaking in trumpet tones, that all may hear, whether they will be moved to action or not.
God’s people have the “woe” upon them—they cannot keep still if they would. A necessity is laid upon them to obey, or sink in the common ruin. Speak they must, although lions’ dens open to them, and fiery furnaces glow with hottest heat. Though imprisonment, starvation, or cruel deaths, stare them in the face, it is all alike. A power that is omnipotent is infused into them, and feeling its wonderful girdings of strength, they give their message in the fear of God. Many giving their lives to the truth have sealed their testimony with their blood. A glorious reward awaits them but a little in the future, when Abraham and all the saved sit down in the kingdom of God. Oh! how glorious to meet them there, with the great Captain of our salvation, who, himself, for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross and despised the shame.
We read that complaints were made against Paul and Silas as they were brought before the magistrates of the city, that “these men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city, and teach customs which are not lawful for us to receive, neither observe, being Romans.” Well, what was the result? Why, there were many stripes laid upon them and they cast into prison. But at midnight they prayed and sang praises to God. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken, the doors opened, and every one’s bands were loosed. And when the jailer came in trembling, crying out, “What must I do to be saved?” their answer was in harmony with their mission of preaching Christ: Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved and thy house. An unseen power moved on the minds of the magistrates, and when it was day they sent sergeants, saying, “Let those men go.” Their work was not finished. They went from city to city, entering into the synagogues of the Jews, reasoning with them out of the Scriptures, —preaching Christ. “And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few. But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people, and when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down have come hither also.”
And so has it ever been when new truths, or truths applicable to the time, or special rebukes for sin have been pressed home to those to whom they applied, these faithful preachers have been branded as troublers of Israel, as Ahab said of Elijah; and so used as the powers of the darkness of this world chose to manifest themselves.
Now, when solemn, momentous truths for this time are being promulgated, and are yet to go with mighty power, there are enough to say as in Paul’s day, “These that have turned the world upside down have come hither also.” But the opposition of hard and stony hearts will not quench the work of the Spirit, or drown the testimony of those who are doing this great work. God will speed the right; it will prove a savor of life or of death to every individual to whom it is presented. Solemn time! Noah’s day and ours are very similar, and the destruction will follow equally as sure and terrible.
Reader, consider well these things, and may you seek the shelter that is provided against the coming storm—the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Rev. 14: 9-12. A. M. LINDSLEY.
Patent Rights.
By A. S. Hutchins
In this age of restlessness and speculation, patent rights do much to keep up the flame of unhealthy excitement. That many modern inventions are highly useful, and that there are men of honor selling rights, cannot be denied, while the facts are open to all that not a few are painfully disappointed in the purchase of rights and territory of not the least value.
It is to be regretted that Sabbath-keepers are sometimes among this class. To be enticed and drawn away to great sacrifices, it may be of the homestead, or one-half or two-thirds of a good farm, or other valuable property, because some one can build an air-castle over our heads, “the words of whose mouth are like a strong wind,” is certainly a pity. We fear some will mourn over such mistakes when too late.
Were we all as anxious to secure a title “to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, and that fadeth not away,” as men are to grasp the treasures of this world, were we as ready to sacrifice for this as the mass are, in hopes of worldly gain, we might “have right to the tree of life, and enter through the gates into the city.”
Sacrifices made now in the right direction, with the right motive, and with the true spirit, will tell not only upon the destiny of souls around us, but greatly upon our own future bliss and happiness. If we can do but little in the cause of God, and do that with the genuine love and faith of the true missionary, this is recorded in Heaven, it will be found set to the account of the faithful, when the divine mandate shall go forth, “Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.” Ps. 50: 5.
When large and attractive inducements are held out to lead us to take stock in uncertain enterprises, and to plunge into worldly speculations, even though others may have amassed their thousands thereby, it seems to me we should do well to bear in mind the testimony of the wise man, “Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith.” “Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.”
To those actuated by other motives, influenced by a love of earthly possessions, the solemn warning comes down from the pen of inspiration, “They that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.” “But thou, O man of God, flee these things.”
A. S. HUTCHINS.
Mt. Morris, May 20, 1874.
The Promises of God.
By H. A. St. John
“AND if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” Rom. 8:17.
CONDITION: “If so be that we suffer with him.” Then there is a suffering part to the religion of Christ. If any are free from this, they may be assured that in Heaven they are not recognized as the followers of Jesus. Our divine Lord learned obedience by the things which he suffered, Heb. 5:8, and if we follow in his steps, we will learn obedience by the things which we suffer. Ever will it remain true that “all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” 2 Tim. 3:12. Frequently will the true child of God be called upon to suffer “shame,” and “reproach,” and endure trials of “cruel mockings,” and “hardness,” as good soldiers of Jesus Christ. Acts 5:41; Luke 6:22; Heb. 11:36; 2 Tim. 2:3. And especially in the last days, just before Jesus comes, there will be many “despisers of those that are good,” and the dragon, that old serpent, the devil, will be particularly wroth with the “remnant,” the last end of the true church of God on earth, because they “keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus.” 2 Tim. 3:3; Rev. 12:17.
But there is another idea aside from simple suffering contained in this condition. It is that of suffering with Christ. Is it then true that when the disciple of Jesus here in this evil world is suffering shame and contempt, reproach, disgrace, bonds, and imprisonment, he is doing it for Christ’s sake, and that his divine Lord suffers with him? Thus the Scriptures abundantly teach. The church is the body of Christ, and each disciple, members in particular, and when one member suffers all the members suffer with it, and particularly intense are the sufferings of the head of the body, which is Christ. 1 Cor. 12:12–27; Eph. 1:23. Now we may understand the Saviour when he says, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” Matt. 25:40. And, also, may we comprehend the language of Paul, “Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind, of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church.” Col. 1:24.
Then the afflictions of Christ are not yet past, but are being filled up in his followers. Thus we may see how Jesus is still touched “with the feeling of our infirmities,” Heb. 4:15, and while we are passing through “much tribulation,” Acts 14:22, he ever looks upon us with a pitying eye and sympathizing heart. Although every earthly source of comfort be cut off, and sympathizing friends turn from us, yet there is One who will never forsake, and will bring us out of our afflictions when we have learned well the lesson intended, and bring us out, too, nearer the kingdom of God. Surely, then, we ought to rejoice in affliction and tribulation, for it is ever working for our eternal good, if we are rightly exercised thereby. 2 Cor. 4:16–18.
THE PROMISE: “That we may be also glorified together.” All is with Christ. Suffering with him, also, in like manner, “glorified together.” Suffer with him, reign with him. How close the relation between Christ and his people, even from conversion! The sufferings of Christ will not cease until all his people are delivered from suffering, and made immortal. His satisfaction will not be full until he beholds the travail of his soul in the resurrection morning. Isa. 53:11, 12. His glorification will not be complete until he shall sit upon his own throne or the “throne of his glory,” Rev. 3:21; Matt. 19:27–29; 25:31, and the righteous, with their sufferings, tears, and sorrows all past, enter into his joys, Matt. 25:21, to reign with him a thousand years in the holy city above; 2 Tim. 2:12; Rev. 20:4, 5; and then in the same city and on the earth made new forever and ever. Rev. 21:1, 2; Dan. 7:22, 27.
Oh! what glory, what a rich reward, is promised to those who will suffer with Christ for a little while here. Truly has the great apostle said, “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Rom. 8:18. H. A. ST. JOHN.
To walk with God, oh! fellowship divine!
Man’s highest state on earth; Lord, be it mine!
With thee may I a close communion hold;
To thee the deep recesses of my heart unfold;
Yes, tell thee all, each weary care and grief
Into thy bosom pour, till there I find relief.
O, let me walk with thee, thou mighty One,
Lean on thine arm, and trust thy love alone;
With thee hold converse sweet where’er I go;
Thy smile of love my highest bliss below!
With thee transact life’s business—doing all
With single aim for thee, as thou dost call;
My every comfort at thy hand receive,
My every talent to thy glory give;
Thy counsel seek in every trying hour,
In all my weakness trust thy mighty power.
Oh! may this high companionship be mine,
And all my life by its reflection shine.
My great, my wise, my never-failing Friend,
Whose love no change can know, no turn, no end;
My Saviour, God, who gav’st thy life for me,
Let nothing come between my heart and thee;
From thee no thought, no secret, would I keep,
But on thy breast my tears of anguish weep;
My every wound to thee I take to heal,
For thou art touched with every pang I feel.
O Friend of friends, the faithful, true, and tried,
In thee, and thee alone, I now confide;
Earth’s broken “cisterns;” ah! they all have proved
Unsatisfying—vain—however loved.
The false will fail, the fondest, they must go.
Oh! thus it is with all we love below;
From things of earth, then, let my heart be free,
And find its happiness, my Lord, in thee;
Thy Holy Spirit for my guide and guest,
Whate’er my lot, I must be safe and blest;
Washed in thy blood, from all my guilt made clean,
I in thy righteousness alone am seen.
Thy home my home, thy God and Father mine!
Dead to the world, my life is hid with thine;
Its highest honors fade before my view;
Its pleasures, I can trample on them too.
With thee, by faith I walk in crowds alone,
Making to thee my wants and wishes known,
Drawing from thee my daily strength in prayer,
Finding thine arm sustains me everywhere.
While through the clouds of sin and woe the light
Of coming glory shines more sweetly bright;
And this my daily boast, my aim, my end,
That my Redeemer is my God—my Friend.
—Sel.
Do You Pray?
David did. His circumstances were indeed unfavorable. A crown was upon his head. The care of a kingdom pressed him. He might have said, “I have no time.” But he prayed. He prayed much. Prayer formed one of his most influential habits. What proofs and illustrations abound in those wonderful writings—the Psalms. How touching, earnest, often sublime, were his cries unto God!
Daniel did. He was indeed a statesman and courtier. He lived in the midst of idolaters. To them his religion was offensive. The king bade him not to pray unto the Lord. If he did, it was at mortal peril. The great men of Babylon conspired to make this very thing the means of his ruin. Still he prayed. He did it, not ostentatiously, but without concealment. His religious principle was stronger than his fear of men. Three times a day he kneeled, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as aforetime.
St. Paul did. It was the first pulse and expression of his new life in Christ. “Behold he prayeth!” said the Spirit. The fact was the surpassing but conclusive proof of his spiritual change. From being Saul the persecutor, it was thus shown he had become Paul the saint. However, after that event, his life was one of prayer, as well as heroic labor; of prayer for himself, for his countrymen, for the Gentile world, for the blood-bought church. Holier, more intense, sublimer aspirations, probably never ascended from a soul on this side of Heaven.
Our Lord Jesus Christ did. This is a most impressive truth. It ought to be pondered by all who do not pray. The Saviour was perfect. He was divine. He had no sins to be forgiven. There were in him no evil passions to be subdued. He was subject to no temptations that he could not resist. He was assailed by no enemy whom he could not conquer. He had life in himself. He had creative power. He had infinite merit. But he prayed. He prayed earnestly, and with his disciples.
Cold mountains, and the midnight air,
Witnessed the fervor of his prayer.
Yes; David, Daniel, St. Paul, our Lord Jesus Christ, all prayed. The prophets and the saints were men of prayer. Even God, made man, prayed for you. Do you pray? —Advocate and Journal.
A Baptist Brother's Experience of Serving Two Masters
A GOOD brother in a Baptist church in Miami County, while giving his experience, not long ago, said: “Bretherin, I’ve been tryin’ this nigh onto forty years to serve the Lord and get rich both at onct, and I tell yer, it’s mighty hard sleddin’.”