Earlier text: HOW TO WRITETHE PLACE OF THE SABBATH IN THE THIRD ANGEL'S MESSAGE.
By J.
WE have shown that the Third Angel's Message alone presents to the world the truth, the love of which is to save men from being deceived by the lying wonders of Satan; that the truth of this message alone will develop in those who receive the love of it, the righteousness which will shield them from the "deceivableness of unrighteousness," which Satan will work "with all power and signs and lying wonders" in them that receive not the love of it. This message calls upon all men to "keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus," while Satan's whole endeavor is by whatever means he may employ, to keep all people from doing this. Although it is universally true that Satan is engaged always in deceiving men and seducing them from the truth of God on every conceivable point, yet there are in the Third Angel's Message two main points, above all others, against which all of Satan's power will be employed, and all his signs and lying wonders will be wrought to deceive men into receiving a counterfeit of each instead of the true, and into believing a lie instead of the truth. These two points are: (1) The Sabbath of the fourth commandment; and (2) the coming of the Lord. Inseparably connected with these main points there are two others; with the first, the obligation of the ten commandments as a whole; and with the second, life and immortality only through faith in Christ. Through opposition to these Satan will largely develop his deceptions, but against the first two points all his power and signs and lying wonders will culminate. That the Sabbath of the fourth commandment is the pivot upon which turns the controversy of the Third Angel's Message is clear both by the Scripture and by the facts in the case. The three messages of Rev. 14:6-12 are not three distinct and separate messages, so that each one is fully given and past before the next one begins. But rather they are cumulative, the second blending its voice with the first, and the third blending its "loud voice" with the other two, thus making what might be termed a threefold message rather than three distinct messages. Yet they are properly termed first, second, and third, because there is this order in their rise. The first warns of the hour of God's Judgment come, and calls upon men to worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. Then there follows another, announcing the result of the rejection of the first. And then the third angel follows them, warning against the evil which is developed through the "fall" announced by the second, in consequence of the rejection of the first. The first carries "the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his Judgment is come; and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters." When this message, which would have healed Babylon, was rejected, then there followed another, saying, "Babylon is fallen, is fallen," etc. Out of this "fall" there grows the image of the beast and the worship of the beast and his image; therefore "the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation." The first angel speaks of the hour of God's Judgment come. And since "as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law" "in the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel" (Rom. 2:12, 16), therefore the third angel follows close upon this, saying, "Here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." Keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus will fit men to stand in the Judgment. The first message calls the attention of all men to the Judgment of God, and tells them that its time is come; and the third message follows, telling all men what to do that they may meet the Judgment in peace, that is, "keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus." The first message calls upon men to worship God. They refuse, and are led to worship the beast and his image instead. Then the third angel follows, not only warning against the worship of the beast and his image, but also telling them what they must do to worship God, that is, "keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus." The First Angel's Message commands men specifically to "worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters." The Third Angel's Message calls men specifically to "keep the commandments of God." Now is there any part of the commandments of God that points specifically to "Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters"? There is decidedly. Let us read: "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shall thou labor, and do all thy work; but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God; in it thou shalt not do any work, . . . for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day; wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it." Therefore as the first message commands men specifically to "worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters;" and as the third message, following, calls men to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus; and as the fourth commandment, through the Sabbath of the Lord, points specifically to "Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters;" therefore it is certain that in the time of the Third Angel's Message every nation and kindred and tongue and people will be called to keep the Sabbath of the Lord, and so to "worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters," and escape the worship of the beast and his image. The keeping of the Sabbath of the Lord—the seventh day—is the sign that those who do so worship the true God. "Hallow my Sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I am the Lord." Eze. 20:20. And it is the sign that he is the true God, because it is the sign that he made heaven and earth and all things that are therein. "Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between me and the children of Israel forever: for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed." Now as the one great question, above every other, of the Third Angel's Message is whether men will worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters or whether they will worship the beast and his image; and as the keeping of the Sabbath of the Lord761 is the sign that those who do keep it do worship Him that made heaven and earth; and as the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord; therefore it certainly follows that the keeping of the seventh day as the Sabbath of the Lord is the one point above every other that distinguishes the worshippers of Him that made heaven and earth from the worshippers of the beast and his image, and is the pivot upon which the Third Angel's Message turns. So much for the Scripture proofs; now for the proofs from the other side of the controversy. THE BIBLICAL AND MISSIONARY STUDIES AT HEALDSBURG.
By William Clarence White
FOR several reasons the Special Course of Biblical Lectures of the Healdsburg College has not yet begun. It will open January 3 and continue till April 19. In many respects the course for this year will be more profitable to advanced students than that of any previous year. The experience of each year fits both teachers and students to do better work the succeeding year. Besides this, more classes will be organized this year, so that the students of last year can go forward with their studies, and not be led over the same subjects that were studied last year. More attention will be given than in any previous year to the teaching of the various branches of Bible and missionary work. By a vote of the late General Conference it was recommended that this work be more thoroughly taught in our schools, so that when Bible-workers enter the city missions they may engage at once in practical training, instead of having to spend much time in acquiring a knowledge of the Scriptures. Missionary correspondence and visiting will be taught by Sister M. L. Huntley, who for many years has been secretary of our International Tract Society, and has conducted large and successful classes in this work at South Lancaster. "It is expected that students in this course will become thoroughly experienced in the most approved methods of practical missionary labor. To aid in securing this experience, a Students' Missionary Class will be formed to do practical missionary work. This work will consist of visiting among people of the vicinity, and also of correspondence with home and foreign countries. The class will meet from two to four times per week and report their experience in labor, submit for criticism letters written to correspondents, and receive instruction and counsel upon the various topics pertaining to this work. This will include, also, besides the practical work mentioned above, a knowledge of the duties of Tract and Missionary secretaries, treasurers, and librarians, and the methods employed by them in keeping their records." It is to be regretted that so much important work must be crowded into fifteen weeks. We are sure that more time could be used to profit in this work, but our late camp-meetings, followed so closely by the General Conference, made it impossible to begin the course sooner. But while we regret the shortness of the time, we are sure that this late commencing and short term has its advantages for some. There are those whose business engagements hold them till near the close of the year. There are others who think they cannot afford to attend the school for more than four or five months. For both of these classes the present year's engagement offers special advantages, and we hope they will let nothing deter them from entering the school next January. Let all who intend sometime to attend the College remember that time is precious. Do not let another year pass by without your becoming better posted and better fitted to engage in the Master's work. TOBACCO AND WHISKY.
By Editor
THE fiftieth Congress has assembled, and the President has delivered his annual message. As the Government annually receives more money than it knows what to do with, the question how to reduce the surplus in the National Treasury is the principal one before Congress. The President has recommended that the tariff on foreign fabrics be reduced, while the revenue on certain home products, whisky and tobacco for instance, shall be retained. This has made a great stir in our own country, and has caused much favorable comment in England. Upon the question itself, we have nothing particular to say, but Hon. James G. Blaine has made some remarks upon it, about which we have a few words to say. In an interview with Mr. Blaine, the following conversation occurred. Mr. Blaine, speaking of the President, said:— "He recommends that the tax on tobacco be retained, and thus that many millions annually shall be levied on domestic products which would far better come from a tariff on foreign fabrics." "Then do you mean to imply that you would favor the repeal of the tobacco tax?" "Certainly; I mean just that," said Mr. Blaine. "I should urge that it be done at once, even before the Christmas holidays. It would, in the first place, bring great relief to the growers of tobacco all over the country, and would, moreover, materially lessen the price of the article to consumers. Tobacco to millions of men is a necessity. The President calls it a luxury. It is well to remember that the luxury of yesterday becomes the necessity of to-day. Watch the number of men at work on farms, in coal mines, along railroads, in iron foundries, or in any calling, and you will find ninety-five out of one hundred chewing while they work. After each meal, the same proportion seek the solace of a pipe or cigar. These men not only pay millions of tobacco tax, but pay an enhanced price, which the tax enables the manufacturers and retailers to impose." "Well, then, Mr. Blaine, would you advise the repeal of the whisky tax?" "No, I would not. Other considerations than those of financial administration are to be taken into account with regard to whisky. There is a moral side to it. To cheapen the price of whisky is to increase the consumption enormously. There would be no sense in urging the reform wrought by high license in many States if the National Government neutralizes the good effect of making whisky within the reach of everyone. At twenty cents a gallon it would destroy high license at once in all the States. Whisky has done a vast deal of harm in the United States. I would try to make it do some good. I would use the tax to fortify our cities on the seaboard." "But, after fortification construction, would you still maintain the tax on whisky?" "Yes, so long as there is whisky to tax, I would tax it, and then if the National Government should have no use for the money, I would divide the tax among the Federal Union with the specific object of lightening the tax on real estate. If ultimately relief could be given in that direction, in my judgment it would be a wise and beneficial policy. Some honest but misguided friends of temperance have urged that the Government should not use the money derived from the tax on whisky. My reply is that the tax imposed on whisky by the Federal Government and the consequent enhancement of the price has been a powerful agent in temperance reform by putting it beyond the reach of so many." Mr. Blaine's argument for retaining the whisky tax while abolishing the tobacco tax is not good. The same argument by which he would justify free tobacco is equally valid for free whisky. To test it we have but to substitute the word "whisky" for "tobacco" in the above extract and read it again. To repeal the tax on whisky would be just as much of a relief to the producers of whisky as the repeal of the tobacco tax would be to the growers of tobacco. This would lessen the price of whisky to consumers as well as that would lessen the price of tobacco. Whisky to millions of men is a necessity as well as tobacco is. It is just as true of whisky as it is of tobacco that the luxury of yesterday becomes the necessity of to-day. By watching the number of men at work on farms, in coal mines, along railroads, in iron foundries, or in any calling, you will find that a vast percentage of them, though perhaps not exactly drinking while they work, do drink as well as work; and it is a fact that thousands of them actually drink while they work. After each meal the same percentage seek the solace of a drink of whisky, of wine, or of beer, as the others, and many of the same ones do of the pipe or cigar. These men also not only pay millions of whisky tax, but pay an enhanced price for the whisky itself, which the tax enables the manufacturers and retailers to impose. Then why not abolish the tax on whisky as well as on tobacco? One is just as much of a luxury as is the other; and one is no more of a necessity than is the other. There is another point that makes the argument of Mr. Blaine inconsistent, and that is that whisky is now made an essential ingredient in manufactured tobacco whether in the shape of cigars, cigarettes, fine-cut, or plug. See the tobacco advertisements everywhere of the "Piper-Heidseik," the "Champagne Cocktail—A chew as good as a drink." Any manufacturer of tobacco can tell of large quantities of brandy, New England rum, etc., that are used in his business. A few years ago, when prohibition was proposed in Virginia, the strongest argument against it, made by a Richmond paper, was that the manufacture of tobacco would be most seriously interfered with, because the whisky, rum, brandy, etc., that was necessary to the business could not be obtained. Now why should the tax be removed from manufactured tobacco and not removed from whisky, which is the most essential ingredient in it? Suppose the tax be removed from the tobacco, the price will not be materially lessened to the consumers, as long as the manufacturers of tobacco have to pay a high tax on the whisky which they put into the tobacco. Mr. Blaine says the enhancement of the price of whisky has been a powerful agent in temperance reform, by putting it beyond the reach of many. But to make tobacco free does not help the matter a particle, it will rather make it worse, because the more there is consumed the more whisky there is consumed, and that only increases the intemperance. For, as he says, "To cheapen the price of whisky is to increase the consumption enormously." Then it is certainly true that to cheapen the price of tobacco is likewise to increase the consumption enormously, and that is only to enormously increase the consumption of whisky, because the whisky is in the tobacco. Again says Mr. Blaine, "Whisky has done a vast deal of harm in the United States." That is true. And it is equally true that through the mediumship of tobacco, whisky has done, and is doing, more harm in the United States than by any other means. And no effort in behalf of temperance in the United States can consistently stop short of tobacco. If whisky is to be taxed in the interests of temperance, how can tobacco be made free when it itself is saturated with whisky. If prohibition is the only remedy for the evil of the liquor traffic, then, to be effectual, prohibition must include tobacco also, or at the very least it must prohibit the use of liquor in the manufacture of tobacco. But whatever either tax or prohibition may do or try to do, there is one thing certain, no argument can be framed to justify free tobacco that will not equally justify free whisky. Tobacco and whisky are boon companions in devilry, and the devilry of tobacco only paves the way for that of whisky. Hungarian Catholics and Papal Power
An assembly of Catholic Hungarians has voted an address to the Pope. It favors granting temporal power to him. Semi-official journals protest against the address, which they say does not represent the genuine opinion of the Hungarian Catholics. Fruitfulness
By Methodist Recorder
FRUITFULNESS is an evidence of Christian vitality. When the seed of the kingdom has been sown in the heart, it will bring forth fruit in the life. The psalmist represents the good man as bringing forth fruit in his season. And Christ ordained that his disciples should bring forth fruit, and that their fruit should remain. The apostle Paul assures us that the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance. Wherever these fruits are found, they afford evidence of the indwelling life and power of godliness in the soul, and they will manifest themselves by good works in the life. Where there is no Christian fruit, there is no Christian life.—Methodist Recorder. THE WEEK OF PRAYER.
By Editor
WE would again call the attention of our readers, especially of those who are in any way connected with the body of Sabbath-keepers, to the week of prayer, which has already been referred to. December 17-24, inclusive, is the time appointed, and the day or evening following, being Christmas, is designated as the time for special offerings to be made to foreign missions. It is expected that during the week of prayer all the churches will hold meetings every day, or in the evening, if it is not possible for all the members to assemble in the day-time. For each day's meeting a special article has been prepared. These subjects are the following:— For Sabbath, December 17, which is appointed as a fast-day, "The Importance of Devoting the Week of Prayer to the Special Work of Seeking God;" Sunday, December 18, "Steps by Which We Place Ourselves in a Condition Where God Can Accept Us;" Monday, December 19, "The Blessing of God Brought to Us Through Faith;" Tuesday, December 20, "The Object of God's Blessing, and How It Can Be Retained;" Wednesday, December 21, "Missionary Work—in the Family, in the Neighborhood, and in the Church;" Thursday, December 22, "The Work in Great Britain and Scandinavia;" Friday, December 23, "The Central European Mission;" Sabbath, December 24, "The Obligation, Privilege, and Blessing of Giving." The Christmas exercises are expected to be such as shall harmonize with the spirit of the week of prayer. It is hoped that during that week all will have had such a sense of their dependence upon God, and of his abundant goodness, that they will feel it to be a very feeble expression of the gratitude due, to give liberally for the missions, which are now languishing for want of means. It has been proposed that at the Christmas gathering, before the offerings are made, brief sketches of the different foreign missions be given; and a circular letter suggesting a programme for the evening, and giving statistics of the missions, has been prepared and sent out. Concerning the propriety of making gifts instead of receiving them on Christmas, nothing need be said. The plan has been tested abundantly. Some have thought that the children would be disappointed to see a Christmas tree with nothing on it for them; but our experience is that they are much better satisfied when the donations are for some worthy enterprise, and they are allowed to share in the giving, than when they are the recipients. With the latter plan there is always more or less envy, because some are more highly favored than others, while in the proposed plan there is no chance for envy; a lesson of unselfishness is taught, and the children prove the truth of the saying that it is more blessed to give than to receive. Sabbath-keepers who are isolated so that they cannot meet with others should spend the week of prayer in seeking God by themselves, following the course of the meetings as nearly as they can from a reading of the subjects. Their Christmas offerings may be sent to either of the Publishing Houses, or to the nearest Tract Society Secretary, and they will all be credited to the Foreign Mission Fund. W. The Missionary.
By John Harvey Waggoner
CENTRAL EUROPEAN MISSION.
THE outlook for this mission is highly encouraging. It is not possible to make the same speed in the publishing house in Basel that can be made in other places where so many tongues are not used, and where there are laborers of more experience. But what has been done, and is being done, proves that success may be expected here. The work of revising and translating is progressing as fast as the multiplicity of other duties will allow. Besides the large works, there have been thoroughly revised, "Matthew 24," "God's Memorial," "Truth Found," "Second Advent," "The Sabbath by Elihu," "Which Day and Why?" "Two Laws," by Brother Andrews, and other small tracts have been remodeled. Most of these are now in German. It was decided by the translators that the pamphlet, "Ministration of Angels," needed to be almost entirely rewritten, it being too defective in language, argument, and arrangement, for translation and general circulation. This was partly done, but had to be laid aside for a while for other pressing work. We hope to have this done erelong. Reports from the French work grow more encouraging. What seemed to be most wanted was a company of instructed and experienced canvassers and colporters. With more experience, yet without much training, some are having good success. One canvasser recently took one hundred and twelve orders in eleven days for the "Life of Christ" in French. The first edition of the "Life of Christ" in German is exhausted, and the second is being pushed as rapidly as possible. The orders now in cannot all be filled till the second edition is ready. The presses and bindery have of late been unable to meet the demands of the work. Of "Matthew 24" in German 1,700 copies have been sold during the past season. The greatest need in the German field is preaching. It was expected that Elder Conradi would labor in Germany during the last season; but the scarcity of help in translating has kept him in Basel most of the time. He now hopes to go into the field about the first of January. Considering that there has been so very little preaching in the German tongue, the progress of the work among the Germans seems somewhat remarkable. And still we are hearing of other companies of Sabbathkeepers in Germany who know nothing of our work. These ought to be searched out, and taught the way of God more perfectly. I feel assured that if one-twentieth the number of preachers that are laboring in the United States were working in Germany the results would surprise everybody. And as far as periodicals are concerned, our experience teaches that we cannot expect many permanent subscriptions in the absence of ministerial labor. Preparations are being made for advance in the Russian work. Brother Laubhan is having good success, laboring under difficulties that cannot be appreciated in other countries. But he is a native Russian, and a citizen of the empire, having extensive acquaintance, and he can labor as, and where, others could not. Publications are now being translated into the Russian language, in Zurich. There are one hundred Russian students in the University of Zurich, and some in Berne. May the Lord direct that some of these may serve the cause in their own country. The weather in Basel this fall has not at all fulfilled the general predictions. For the last six or seven weeks it has very nearly resembled that of Willamette Valley, Oregon, but somewhat colder. Snow has been lying on the hills around the valley most of the time since the 10th of October. The sun keeps itself well hidden. But the sickness which prevailed in the fall has passed away. All seem to be of good courage. J. H. W.
Basel, Schweiz, Nov. 25, 1887.