"The wise shall inherit glory," is the promise of the word of God. The wise are those who fear God; for "Unto man He said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom." Job 28:28. The promise therefore is that they who fear the Lord shall inherit glory. Glory is set before us as that for which we are to seek equally with immortality and the honor which God alone can give. Paul tells us that God, in rendering to every man according to his deeds, will give eternal life "to them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality." Rom. 2:7. But what is this glory for which men are to seek, and which the wise shall inherit? It is not simply honor and exaltation; for the word which we have just quoted says we are to seek for glory and honor; it is something different from that, as it is also different from immortality, yet is associated with these blessed gifts which God will bestow upon the faithful.
This glory is the glory of God, and the glory of God is light. In Rev. 21:23, of the heavenly city, we read: "And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon to shine in it; for the glory of God did lighten it." When Moses came down from the mount, after having been there the second time forty days and forty nights, his face shone so brightly that Aaron and the children of Israel were afraid and fled (Ex. 34:29-33); and Paul says that it was "glory" with which his countenance shone. Peter says that Jesus "received from God the Father honor and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory. This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased. And this voice which came from Heaven we heard when we were with him in the holy mount." The apostle here certainly makes direct reference to the transfiguration of Christ, and says that there he received "honor and glory." Now the record of that scene is that "His face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light;" "His raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow so as no fuller on earth can white them." When Saul of Tarsus was on his way to Damascus, "suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven," and he heard a voice saying unto him, "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest." Paul, telling of this several years afterward, said: "At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me." This light was the glory of the Lord Jesus. And so will he appear when he is revealed from Heaven. Says one who in holy vision saw it: "His glory covered the heavens, and the earth was full of his praise. And his brightness was as the light; he had bright beams coming out of his side, and there was the hiding of his power." Hab. 3:3, 4, margin. This is the glory that the wise shall inherit. This is the glory which they shall receive "who by patient continuance in well doing seek for" it.
Man once possessed this glory. When God made man, and all upon the earth, pronounced it all very good, and gave man dominion over it all, that is the time of which the psalmist speaks: "Thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honor. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet." Ps. 8:4-8. That this refers to the beginning when man was created, is made plain by Paul's comment on this text: "For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man." From these scriptures it is clear that in the beginning, man was crowned with glory and honor, and that all things were put under him; but that by sin he lost all this, so that now we see it not so. Yet instead we see Jesus who has stepped into man's place—lower than the angels; we see him in man's place, crowned with the glory and honor which man lost; we see him standing thus to redeem man from death, and to crown him again with glory and honor. And as we have read from Peter that it was at the transfiguration that Christ was crowned with this "honor and glory;" as then the glory of God shone from his countenance and enveloped all his figure; as he then stood in the place which the first Adam lost, it is evident that when man was in the beginning crowned with glory and honor, the glory of God beamed from his countenance and enveloped all his person, and that his appearance was like the appearance of Christ, though undoubtedly in a lesser degree of glory, when he stood on the holy mount crowned with glory and honor. From this it is likewise plainly apparent that when our first parents sinned, the glory departed, and then they knew they were naked, and were ashamed. And so by sin man not only lost his life, but he literally lost the glory, and the honor, as well as the dominion which God gave him.
But, although all this was lost to the race by the unfaithfulness of the first Adam, it is all restored by the faithfulness of the second Adam, to all who will accept it at his worthy hands, and by patient continuance in well doing seek for it in him. Out of Christ, neither life, nor glory, nor honor, nor dominion, beyond this world can ever be obtained by any of the children of men; for he "was crowned with glory and honor that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man." And "if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." But "as many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the sons of God." And "the Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of God; 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." "There is suffering ere the glory."
But on this subject of suffering as compared with the glory, we have the estimate of one who was a pattern of longsuffering to all who should after believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul says: "I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." It was not in the form of a provincialism that Paul used the word "reckon," but in its real sense of making an estimate, of casting up an account, of striking a balance. He had experienced suffering such as it is safe to say no man since has endured. His life was a life of suffering, even as expressed by another, "a long martyrdom." Yet taking it all, and making the most of it, it was not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us. In another place we see the account as he has drawn it out and shown the balance. "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." There is the balance sheet of the life of the true Christian. Glory stands against affliction. A weight of glory stands against light affliction. An eternal weight of glory stands against a moment of light affliction. Nor is that the full computation. That is not the392full balance. Here it is: Against a moment of light affliction there stands "a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." 2 Cor. 4:17.
Notice particularly that Paul does not say that these sufferings are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed to us, but revealed in us; that is, of which we shall be partakers in ourselves, which shall be a part of us, and which shall shine forth from us. Now we shall offer a few scriptures showing when and how this shall be. Peter says: "Now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations; that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, . . . might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ." "Rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy." "And when the Chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away." 1 Peter 1:6, 7; 4:13; 5:4. These texts show that it is at the coming of the Saviour in his glory that the wise inherit the glory and honor as well as the immortality which they seek.
As to how this is accomplished, John tells us: "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be; but we know that when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is." 1 John 3:2. "As he is," is this: His head and his hairs are white like wool, as white as snow; his eyes are as a flame of fire; his feet are like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his countenance is as the sun shineth in his strength. Rev. 1:14-16. And Paul says: "We look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body." Phil. 3:20, 21. And the effect of this change will be as is suggested by Paul in another place: "There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differeth from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead." 1 Cor. 15:41, 42. And as the Saviour himself says: "Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father." Matt. 13:44. And by Daniel he says: "They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness, as the stars forever and ever." Dan. 12:3.
Nor is that all. Such are to dwell in that holy city of God which has the glory of God. They shall walk in the light of that beautiful city, which has no need of the sun, neither of the moon to shine in it, because the glory of God lightens it, and because the Lamb, whose glory is above the brightness of the sun, is the light thereof. And they and the bright city shall dwell upon the earth made new; when "the wilderness shall be like Eden, and the desert like the garden of the Lord;" where "joy and gladness shall be found, thanksgiving and the voice of melody" (Isa. 51:3); where "the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea" (Heb. 2:14); and when the moon shall be confounded and the sun ashamed because the Lord reigns "in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously." Isa. 24:23. "This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord." Isa. 54:17. The wise shall inherit glory.
"Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling; and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen." Jude 24, 25.
J.
We should remember that though the truth is essential to us, we are not necessary to the truth. The question is not, will the Third Angel's Message triumph, but shall we triumph with it?
Camp-Meeting of the Pennsylvania Conference.
By Stephen N. Haskell
THE camp-meeting at Olean, New York, for the Pennsylvania Conference, was one of interest, and we trust the results were good. Owing to the press of matters in the New England Conference we were unable to reach the camp-ground until Friday morning. Elders E. W. Farnsworth and D. A. Robinson were there from the beginning of the meeting.
This is a young Conference, but during the past year there has been an increase of over two hundred and fifty members. There are at the present time many more calls for labor in different parts of the State than can possibly be filled with their present corps of laborers. Almost every effort put forth the past year by the Conference to extend the knowledge of the truth has been successful. Owing to the large number of workers entering the field the past year the Conference has been unable to pay them. This, together with the expenses of their city missions and the purchase of three new tents, left the Conference about $2,000 in debt. One-half of this sum was cheerfully given on the ground, and there is no doubt but the remainder will be raised by those not present when they become acquainted with the facts. This Conference has done a good work in its city missions, yet is not badly involved in debt. The plan now adopted is to have as many of the laborers as possible become self-supporting by selling our publications.
These local wants of the cause should ever be sustained by the brethren in the Conference all taking a part, even to the children. But those larger enterprises, like the International Society, foreign missions, colleges, etc., should be sustained by those who are more able. The time has fully come when men should dispose of their farms, their bank stock, and transfer it to the cause of God. There are but a few Conferences in the country but what have those in them who are worth from one thousand to ten thousand dollars each. These should remember that to "sell what ye have and give alms" is as binding to-day as it was the day it was spoken. There never will be a more favorable time to sell than now. The prediction of Rev. 13:16, 17, when no man can buy or sell except those who have received the mark of the beast, will soon be realized.
Their tract society was in as healthy a condition as any with which I am acquainted this side of the Rocky Mountains. At the present time the society is enlisting individuals not of our faith to canvass for such works as "Sunshine." This serves as an entering wedge to employ them to canvass for our other publications. There seemed to be a good spirit among the brethren.
On the Sabbath, June 5, about one hundred came forward for prayers. The Spirit of the Lord rested down upon the people. Twenty-seven were baptized on Monday. Many of these were individuals who took their stand at this meeting for the first time. On Tuesday morning at the five o'clock meeting Brother Russell was ordained to the gospel ministry. The ministers and licentiates felt the importance of raising the standard of the ministry higher than before. There were about three hundred and fifty or four hundred encamped upon the ground. Preceding the camp-meeting there had been much labor put forth by holding Bible-readings and selling publications. This had created quite an interest to hear upon the truth, both among the Americans and Germans. We learned of quite a number of both classes embracing the truth through the influence of the camp-meeting. We have seldom witnessed a camp-meeting that seemed to leave a better impression upon the community, and where the brethren felt of better courage than they did at the close of this meeting. The ground was well laid out.
The brethren design to run six tents the present season, and with the same prosperity of the past year, we see no reason why the membership of the Conference cannot be doubled and a large number of books sold. They take one thousand copies of the Signs, and manage their subscription list by using them in canvassing; and in connection with "Volume 4" the society has received more for them than it paid. We see no reason why this should not be the case in all of our Conferences. The influence of the Signs of the Times when placed in new fields is far better than the influence of a smaller paper. The smaller paper may take in places where we are known as a people, but where we are not known, and the first impression is to be made, the paper should be sufficiently large to represent the principles and various points of doctrine which we hold. But if the paper contained only one or two points of our faith, it would leave the impression upon the community that we have but one or two points to present.
Quite an interest was manifested during the meeting in behalf of our schools. Some of the older brethren who are liable to die at any time, manifested an anxiety to dispose of their property, that they might make a transfer of their treasures, and thus be their own executors. This is necessary, and should our brethren throughout the field feel the importance of administering their estates before they die, they would not only have the privilege of making their own transfer while they live, by absolutely securing to the cause of Christ that means which God has loaned them to advance his truth on the earth, but in the kingdom of God they will see the fruit of every penny of it in the salvation of souls. On the whole our brethren felt that the meeting was an important one, and its results were good. A tent was pitched in the city, and a few remained to carry on the work after the meeting closed. We hope that God will bless this Conference and give it success in the salvation of souls. S. N. H.
Camp-Meeting at Des Moines, Iowa.
By Stephen N. Haskell
WE arrived at this place Thursday A. M., June 10. The meeting was fairly under way, there having been a workers' meeting for a week previous. They had secured the State grounds in the city of East Des Moines. This ground is an area of about ten acres, covered with the majestic elm, oak, and walnut, with an occasional locust tree. One spot alone was found where the 60x90 foot cotton meeting-house could be pitched. This was surrounded by about one hundred and twenty-five tents, arranged in regular order; the whole presented a pleasing and picturesque appearance. These contained 900 Sabbath-keepers, mostly from this State, it being the largest camp-meeting, and, judging from the results, the most important one ever held in this Conference.
The ministers from abroad were Elders Butler, Smith, Canright, and the writer. The meeting was one of great interest to all those who love the cause of present truth. The outside interest was also good. During the past year there has been a city mission located here, and as a result, a goodly number had taken their stand to keep God's commandments, and many more were interested. There is, at present, a church of about fifty Sabbath-keepers at this place. In their missionary meeting the propriety of making Des Moines a center for their work was considered. It was decided that a tract depository should be located there, a meeting-house built, and a training school established for the workers. It was voted, therefore, to raise the sum of $10,000 for the accomplishing of that work the present season. About one-half of this was promptly pledged by those present. All took a part, both old and young, brethren and sisters.
It is evident that the spiritual interest of this Conference has been coming up during the past year. The blessing of God has attended the efforts of those393who have had charge of the Conference, and a feeling of harmony and a desire to get nearer to God was manifested by all, both ministers and people. Many who had been on the back ground, here gave themselves anew to God, and consecrated their substance to his cause. The general wants of the cause were also presented, and the one-hundred-thousand-dollar fund, recommended by the General Conference, was duly considered. As a result, about twenty thousand dollars was pledged. The pledges were from one hundred to ten thousand dollars each. The brethren felt that these missions being established in the different parts of the world must be sustained. Those having farms felt like consecrating them to God, and placing themselves also on the altar; only desiring that God might accept, not only their property, but themselves. Truly in many of these things it would seem that the spirit which existed in the days of the apostles is beginning to come in among us as a people. There will be many who will cling to their farms and merchandise, and will never feel the importance of disposing of them; and God will let all such have what they most desire, but they will find themselves lost with their substance in the day of God. It is true that times are closing upon the people of God; and such manifestations of the spirit of anarchy as were witnessed in Chicago a few weeks since will increase, so that the opportunities for selling will not be as good in the future as they have been in the past. Many of our brethren, seeing this, are anxious to make their transfers as soon as possible, that their interests may be more fully identified with the cause of present truth.
We had the pleasure of speaking directly to the Scandinavians on the subject of missionary work. All felt thankful that in Christ there was no nationality, but that all are one in Christ Jesus. The spiritual interests of the meeting increased until the last. We had preaching three times a day, once in English and twice in Danish or Swedish. On Sunday four discourses were given. The tent was crowded to its utmost capacity by those from the city; especially was this so each night; Sunday our brethren gave up their seats for the strangers as they came in. It is evident that this Conference should soon purchase a new tent, 80x125 feet.
The tract society report showed that much had been accomplished during the past year; and although the club of SIGNS had diminished in the State, a spirit was manifested to revive the lagging interests, and once more take hold of the work of taking clubs and remailing to parties who might become interested in our views. We learn that "Volume 4" has not been so extensively circulated as in Pennsylvania and some other Conferences. Some time was given to the subject of canvassing, and quite a spirit was aroused to enter the field as canvassers and colporters. When called upon to know how many there were who would hereafter give themselves to canvassing for some of our publications, some thirty or forty arose. A large number of the Scandinavians expressed a desire to engage in the same work. If the resolutions formed on the camp-ground are carried out the coming year, a work will be accomplished in the State of Iowa, such as has never yet been seen in any of our Conferences.
Elder Butler declined a re-election as president of the Conference, and Elder Morrison was elected, with two brethren who had been former presidents of the Conference, on the Executive Committee.
The Sabbath-school work was also considered, and much interest was manifested in it. The meeting closed Tuesday morning; but those desiring to enter the canvassing field remained over Tuesday to receive further instruction in that phase of the work. On Tuesday morning, at half-past five, one hundred and fifty testimonies were borne in a short period of time. Sometimes four would be upon their feet at the same time, waiting for opportunity to speak.
Finally it became necessary to change the order of the meeting, when Brethren Porter, Nicola, and Heacock were set apart, by the laying on of hands, to the work of the ministry; Elder G. I. Butler offering the prayer, and the charge being given by the writer. The Spirit of God rested upon the congregation. Both ministers and people felt to weep before the Lord. Thus closed one of the most successful camp-meetings, in many respects, that we have witnessed for a long time. This is becoming one of the largest and strongest Conferences among our people. Here are some men of means, and, as a general thing, the people manifest willing hearts and a strong desire to accomplish what they can for the advancement of the truth of God.
Sister E. W. Farnsworth, who had been secretary of the tract society for seven years, was, on account of its increased burdens and the feebleness of her health, relieved from the responsibilities of that position the coming year, and Brother A. G. Daniels elected in her stead. It is evident that as the responsibilities and burdens of our tract societies become greater, our brethren, who have more physical strength, should bear the responsibilities of the business, while our sisters can act the same part as formerly, having charge of the tracts and the society books.
We hope for better things for Iowa than has been seen before. The time has evidently come when the cloud is rising before God's people, and the testimony of the Spirit of God is, move forward. About one hundred came forward on the Sabbath for prayers, and about the same number Monday afternoon, after which seventy-four were baptized. The people returned to their homes in good courage. Thus closed a successful camp-meeting held in the capital city of the State. S. N. H.
The Missionary.
Upper Columbia T. and M. Society.
THE sixth annual session of the Upper Columbia Tract and Missionary Society was held in connection with the camp-meeting at Walla Walla, W. T., May 26-June 1, 1886.
FIRST MEETING—MAY 27, 4:30 P. M.
President in the chair. After singing, prayer was offered by Elder Bartlett. Remarks were made by the president, stating the object of the missionary societies and the privileges given to members; also stating that every Seventh-day Adventist should be a member of the society. Opportunity was given to join, and five new members were added to our number. Minutes of last session were read and approved. The usual committees were appointed by the chair, as follows:—
On Nominations—Elder J. Bartlett, E. G. Winkler, Wm. Kerr; on Resolutions—Elder E. R. Jones, Wm. L. Raymond, Geo. Russell.
Adjourned to call of the chair.
SECOND MEETING—MAY 30, 9 A. M.
After singing, prayer was offered by Elder Fero. Report of last meeting read and approved. The yearly report of labor was then read, as follows:—
REPORT FOR QUARTER ENDING MARCH 31, 1886.
No. of members................................... 167
" " dismissed............................ 10
" " added................................ 26
" reports returned....................... 341
" missionary visits...................... 661
" letters written........................ 520
" pages of tracts and pamphlets distributed. 118,191
" periodicals distributed................ 7,484
" SIGNS taken in clubs................... 307
" Gospel Sickle taken in clubs........... 10
" new subscribers obtained............... 168
" Bible-readings held.................... 763
The Committee on Nominations submitted the following:—
President, Elder H. W. Decker; Vice-president, Elder D. T. Fero; Secretary and Treasurer, Carrie E. Mills; Directors—Dist. No. 1, Wm. Raymond; No. 2, H. W. Decker; No. 3, D. T. Fero. The nominees were unanimously elected.
The following resolutions were offered by the committee, and adopted:—
WHEREAS, The Spirit of Prophecy has spoken in regard to the canvassing work as an important means of placing the truth before the people; therefore,
Resolved, That we recommend that the officers of the Tract and Missionary Society in this Conference urge such persons as in their judgment would make it a success, to enter upon the work of canvassing for such books as "Thoughts on Daniel and Revelation," Vol. 4 "Great Controversy," "Marvel of Nations," and other of our publications.
WHEREAS, We regard the SIGNS OF THE TIMES as a valuable agent in teaching the truth; therefore,
Resolved, That we recommend a vigorous canvass to extend its circulation in connection with "Vol. 4" as a premium.
Resolved, That we advise all our people to subscribe for Review and Herald.
Elder Butler spoke very earnestly to the first resolution, urging upon all the importance of the canvassing work, and the good that might be accomplished by selling "Thoughts on Daniel and Revelation." The second and third resolutions were spoken to by Elder E. R. Jones, Professor Brownsberger, and others, setting before us the design and use of our different periodicals. The treasurer's report was then read as follows:—
CASH PAID OUT.
Paid Pacific Press........................ $559.00
" Review and Herald...................... 230.00
" to Missions............................ 181.25
" Health Publishing Co................... 6.50
" Michigan T. and M. Society............. 1.68
" for General Expense.................... 75.62
" out of Tent Fund....................... 7.15
" N. P. Conference....................... 0.50
Cash on hand, Apr. 30, 1886............... 147.10
Total................................... $1,208.80
FINANCIAL STANDING.
RESOURCES.
Cash on hand............................ $147.10
Due from Local Societies.................. 317.90
" " Individuals and Agents............. 193.50
" " U. C. Conference................... 1.90
Stock on hand............................. 823.29
Book Cases, etc........................... 58.00
Total................................... $1,541.69
LIABILITIES.
Due SIGNS Office........................ $879.50
" Review and Herald Office............... 148.77
Balance in favor of Society............... 513.42
Total................................... $1,541.69
Adjourned to call of the chair.
THIRD MEETING—MAY 31, 6:30 P. M.
Report of last meeting read and approved. The Committee on Resolutions offered the following:—
WHEREAS, In the providence of God the gifts of his Spirit have been placed among us, and from long experience it has been fully demonstrated that those who read them become more devoted and earnest in spiritual things; and
WHEREAS, Testimonies One to Thirty have recently been published in four attractive volumes, containing that with which all our people should be acquainted; therefore,
Resolved, That we recommend that all the families in this Conference procure these books as soon as possible, and read them.
This resolution was earnestly spoken to by Elders Jones and Decker, and unanimously adopted.
Adjourned sine die.
H. W. DECKER, President.
CARRIE E. MILLS, Secretary.
Ignatius Loyola.
(Concluded.)
THE cave at Manressa recalls vividly to our memory the cell at Erfurt. The same austerities, vigils, mortifications, and mental efforts and agonies which were undergone by Ignatius Loyola, had but a very few years before this been passed through by Martin Luther. So far the career of the founder of the Jesuits and that of the champion of Protestantism were the same. Both had set before them a high standard of holiness, and both had all but sacrificed life to reach it. But at the point to which we have come the courses of the two men widely diverge. Both hitherto in their pursuit of truth and holiness had traveled by the same road; but now we see Luther turning to the Bible, "the light that shineth in a dark place," "the sure word of prophecy." Ignatius Loyola, on the other hand, surrenders himself to visions and revelations. As Luther went onward, the light grew only the brighter around him. He had turned his face to the sun. Ignatius had turned his gaze inward upon his own beclouded mind, and verified the saying of the wise man: "He who wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead."
Finding him half exanimate at the mouth of his cave, sympathizing friends carried Ignatius to the town of Manressa. Continuing there the same course of penances and self-mortifications which he had pursued in solitude, his bodily weakness greatly increased, but he was more than recompensed by the greater frequency of those heavenly visions with which he now began to be favored. In Manressa he occupied a cell in the Dominican convent, and as he was then projecting a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, he began to qualify himself for this holy journey by a course of the severest penances. "He scourged himself thrice a day," says Ranke, "he rose up to prayer at midnight, and passed seven hours of each day on his knees."
It will hardly do to say that this marvelous case is merely an instance of an unstrung bodily condition, and of vicious mental stimulants abundantly supplied, where the thirst for adventure and distinction was still unquenched. A closer study of the case will show that there was in it an awakening of the conscience. There was a sense of sin—its awful demerit, and its fearful award. Loyola, too, would seem to have felt the "terrors of death, and the pains of hell." He had spent three days in Montserrat in confessing the sins of all his past life. But on a more searching review of his life, finding that he had omitted many sins, he renewed and amplified his confession at Manressa. If he found peace it was only for a short while; again his sense of sin would return, and to such a pitch did his anguish rise, that thoughts of self-destruction came into his mind. Approaching the window of his cell, he was about to throw himself from it, when it suddenly flashed upon him that the act was abhorrent to the Almighty, and he withdrew, crying out, "Lord, I will not do aught that may offend thee."
One day he awakened as from a dream. Now I know, said he to himself, that all these torments are from the assaults of Satan. I am tossed between the promptings of the good Spirit, who would have me be at peace, and the dark suggestions of the evil one, who seeks continually to terrify me. I will have done with this warfare. I will forget my past life; I will open these wounds not again. Luther in the midst of tempests as terrible had come to a similar resolution. Awakening as from a frightful dream, he lifted up his eyes and saw One who had borne his sins upon His cross; and like the mariner who clings amid the surging billows to the rock, Luther was at peace because he had anchored his soul on an almighty foundation. But, says Ranke, speaking of Loyola and the course he had now resolved to pursue, "this was not so much the restoration of his peace as a resolution; it was an engagement entered into by the will rather than a conviction to which the submission of the will is inevitable. It required no aid from Scripture; it was based on the belief he entertained of an immediate connection between himself and the world of spirits. This would never have satisfied Luther. No inspirations—no visions would Luther admit; all were in his opinion alike injurious. He would have the simple, written, indubitable word of God alone.
From the hour that Ignatius resolved to think no more of his sins his spiritual horizon began, as he believed, to clear up. All his gloomy terrors receded with the past which he had consigned to oblivion. His bitter tears were dried up, and his heavy sighs no longer resounded through the convent halls. He was taken, he felt, into more intimate communion with God. The heavens were opened that he might have a clearer insight into divine mysteries. True, the Spirit had revealed these things in the morning of the world, through chosen and accredited channels, and inscribed them on the page of inspiration that all might learn them from that infallible source. But Ignatius did not search for these mysteries in the Bible; favored above the sons of men, he received them, as he thought, in revelations made specially to himself. Alas! his hour had come and passed, and the gate that would have ushered him in amid celestial realities and joys was shut, and henceforward he must dwell amid phantasies and dreams.
It was intimated to him one day that he should yet see the Saviour in person. He had not long to wait for the promised revelation. At mass his eyes were opened, and he saw the incarnate God in the Host. What further proof did he need of transubstantiation, seeing the whole process had been shown to him? A short while thereafter, the Virgin revealed herself with equal plainness to his bodily eyes. Not fewer than thirty such visits did Loyola receive. One day, as he sat on the steps of the Church of St. Dominic at Manressa, singing a hymn to Mary, he suddenly fell into a reverie, and had the symbol of the ineffable mystery of the Trinity shown to him, under the figure of "three keys of a musical instrument." He sobbed for very joy, and entering the church, began publishing the miracle. On another occasion, as he walked along the banks of the Llobregat, that waters Manressa, he sat down, and fixing his eyes intently on the stream, many divine mysteries became apparent to him, such "as other men," says his biographer Maffei, "can with great difficulty understand, after much reading, long vigils, and study."
This narration places us beside the respective springs of Protestantism and Ultramontanism. The source from which the one is seen to issue is the word of God. To it Luther swore fealty, and before it he hung up his sword, like a true knight, when he received ordination. The other is seen to be the product of a clouded yet proud and ambitious imagination, and a wayward will. And therewith have corresponded the fruits, as the past three centuries bear witness. The one principle has gathered round it a noble host clad in the panoply of purity and truth. In the wake of the other has come the dark army of the Jesuits.
Railing Epithets.
By Watchman
It has not been sufficiently attended to, how men augment their hatred of their adversaries by the constant use of railing epithets. In the strikes that now prevail, much of the argument used by the strikers is summed up in the words "scab" and "rat." After one has called a fellow-man a "scab" a number of times, it becomes easier to fall upon him and kick him into insensibility. It is like the lion lashing himself into fury with his own tail. Especially when a large number of men combine to call a workman a "scab," they create in themselves the unanimous conviction that he is a scab; in fact, his whole crime consists in being willing to work for a living at such wages as he can get. If there is one class of people which, more than another deserves public sympathy and the full protection of the law, it is these same people, who are willing to work rather than to join societies and persecute their fellow-men. One of the highest duties of this sore time is to guard the lives and limbs and labors of the free men who are so basely stigmatized and cruelly treated.—Watchman.