“Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee; and leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the seacoast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim: that it might be fulfilled that was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; the people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.”
At the time of Christ's first advent the world was in a terrible condition. Men were being controlled by satanic agencies. The Majesty of heaven looked with pity on the human race. He saw that Satan was gaining control of the bodies and minds of men, and Christ knew that he alone could break the enemy's power. It was because of this that he laid off his kingly crown and royal robe, and clothing his divinity with humanity, came to our world to meet the powers of darkness, and to hold in check the forces of Satan. This was his work. A counterworking influence, coming from the highest authority, was to hold the enemy in check, and resist his power.
“From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.”
Here were some whose minds were under the influence of Christ. At his call they came right to his side. “And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.”
Just such a work as this is to be carried on in our time. Those who will work in harmony with Christ, God will use to accomplish a good work. If those who claim to be children of God will make an entire consecration of themselves to Christ, the mighty influence of the power of God will be with them.
The Saviour saw a great work to be accomplished, and he clothed his divinity with humanity that he might impart his healing power to mankind. He was the Great Physician. As those who have consecrated themselves to the work of God go into foreign countries to labor, they will meet the sick and suffering. Know that the best way to reach the hearts of such is to come close to them, to kneel down and pray with them and for them. The time has come when we must carry in our lives the influence that the Saviour carried in his life. We are to instruct and educate the suffering ones how to resist disease, by teaching them how to eat and drink and live healthfully, and how to love and fear God. By reading and studying the Word of God, those who in their hearts desire to serve God will learn to discard the habits that are ruining the health of body and soul.
The light has come that there are to be sanitariums provided for the sick, and we have been trying to provide these institutions for the carrying on of the work of God. As a result of our sanitarium work we have seen wonderful conversions. The salvation of God has been revealed. Through this instrumentality souls have become intelligent in regard to the faith, and many have been converted to the present truth. The work is extending, and we have had to establish sanitariums in many places.
Our schools and sanitariums should be in close co-operation, that our youth may be educated in a knowledge of the truth, and at the same time be enlightened in regard to the care of the sick. Wherever there is an important training-school, there, if possible, should be a sanitarium. The students are to be educated in right habits of living. It means a great deal to establish a school and conduct it in such a way that it will meet with God's approval.
We are to understand the importance of this work, and to reason from cause to effect. We are to work as Christ worked. We are to learn to talk to the people intelligently and with power. Then they will call upon Christ, recognizing in him the One who came to our world to do the work of healing for soul and body. Those who are suffering with disease will be aroused to take hold of the light of health reform. They will leave off their wrong habits, and will stand in a position where they can reach others.
The disciples who were called from their nets to follow Christ did not have a college education. Christ did not have it. He lived his human life in simplicity,—living and preaching the truth. The light of the gospel was shining upon the pathway of those who heard him. We are to teach our children and youth the importance of simplicity. The straining that is often done to reach a wonderful height of learning,—let it not be encouraged. I have seen many a youth destroyed before his education was completed because of this desire for knowledge.
If we would keep well, we must let reason guide us in our manner of living. If we will place ourselves in right relation to God, our beings will respond to his instruction. God would have us connected at all times with the Great Physician; then his salvation will be revealed to us, and we shall know that there is a God in Israel.
We have a living Healer to-day. We need not depend upon drugs, but upon the Great Physician. If every sanitarium in our land were in living connection with God, the truth would go forth from our institutions as a lamp that burneth. They would carry mercy and light and compassion to the people, until men and women would realize that this is the religion of Christ, and that it reaches to suffering humanity.
It is time that we were putting on the armor of light. It is time that we were comprehending our duty to the world at this stage of its history. O, such wickedness exists in our cities, and yet many of the people are asleep! Professed Christians are asleep. They do not understand that there is a work for them to do.
The Saviour's work of ministering to the suffering was always combined with his ministry of the Word. He preached the gospel and healed infirmity both by the same mighty power. He will do the same to-day; but we must do our part by bringing the sick in touch with the mighty Healer. The Saviour left the courts of glory and came to our world to bear temptation and resist evil, that men might have power to take hold of his strength. The soul that comes to Christ by living faith receives his power, and is healed of his disease.
Christ would not take a position in life where he could not associate closely with the people. During the days of his ministry all classes of people flocked about him to hear his words. We read of one occasion when five thousand men, besides women and children, formed the company about him. The time came when the people should have something to eat, and where was food to supply so many? In reply to his question, “Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?” one of the disciples replied, “There is a lad here, which hath five8barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?” And Jesus said, “Make the men sit down.” Then Christ imparted the food by his miraculous power to the hungry multitude.
When all had sufficient, he commanded, “Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost. Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.”
We stop short of exercising faith. We need the simplicity of godliness that will take hold of the work and come right down to Christlike practises with a spirit willing to help where help is needed. The Majesty of heaven, the King of glory, came to our world to preach the gospel of salvation. He invites you to listen to his words. He was so filled with his mission to men that his own mother could not draw him from his work. The sick and suffering were before him, and he must labor for them.
This is the work we are trying to do. It has been a hard work sometimes, but the need of this kind of labor has been presented to me in clear lines, and we are determined to do it wherever it is possible. We have sought to labor in every place where we could preach the Word of God.
Wherever we have a school, there we should also have a sanitarium. We must work the works of God in these institutions. The youth are to be instructed regarding what God requires of them in the work of leading souls to the light. The blessing of God will come upon every true worker.
Letters come to us from many parts of the world telling what the truth is doing in other lands. I am so thankful that we can have a part in this work, that we can be laborers together with Christ in the upbuilding of the kingdom of God in the earth. I am so thankful that the light of truth is shining. The light is to continue to shine. Do not let it go out. Do not shut it up, but let it shine to all that are in the house.
Study how you can speak the truth to those with whom you are brought in contact. Take hold of God by living faith. Do your duty simply day by day, and you will constantly advance until you are qualified to hold a position of trust in the work. We need to carry pure religion into our lives. Let us show an interest in the sick. Christ gave his life for these souls. It is our privilege to bring them to him and teach them how to take hold of his divine nature. Then the afflictions with which Satan has beset them, will be overcome.
We need helpers. Souls should be coming to take the places made vacant by those who are sent to labor in foreign fields. They are going all the time, and the blessing of God is coming upon his people. Some are departing from the faith and giving heed to seducing spirits, but let us not weaken our efforts. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth let us lay hold of divine power. God will work with us mightily if we will do this.
My brethren and sisters, we need the truth as it is in Jesus. We need to teach the people how they may become partakers of the divine nature, that they may escape the corruptions that are in the world through lust. We need the manifestation of true godliness in every line of service.
Let us follow all the light. Let us resist temptation as Christ resisted it. In the day when every case will be forever decided, there will be many who will wish that they had studied their Bibles more, and more fully met its requirements. Will you not lay aside the story magazines, and study the Word of God? At such times angels of heaven are right around you to strengthen your understanding. We need to have God come into our families; we want our children to be saved. Our schools that are established should be giving an education in the things of God. The students should be learning how to escape the corruption that is in the world through lust.
My brethren and sisters, I want you to reach up to God by living faith. Christ wants you to be living workers, communicating light to the souls who are perishing around you. Keep your eyes on God until you reach the kingdom of heaven. Then the pearly gates will be thrown open for you, and you will receive the welcome given to those who have been laborers together with God.
Victory is before the faithful worker. I can not lay down the armor. I trust in the Lord to be my strength. I want to see Jesus. I want you to see him. I want to see the One who endured temptation in my behalf, and who wore the crown of thorns for sinners. Then he will be crowned with glory, and we shall see him as he is. We shall fall at his feet in worship. He will place the harp in our hands, and our voices will be raised in such music as we have never heard on earth.
I am so thankful for the privilege of saying these words to you. I invite each one of you to take hold by living faith of the divinity of Christ. This is the gift that Christ came to the world to bestow. In him humanity may take hold of divinity and share in the joy of the Lord.
In God's Care
By Julia E. Abbott
I KNOW not what beyond may lie,
When sunset tints illumine the sky;
To-morrow, be it dark or bright,
Is sealed and hidden from my sight;
When flowers fold, and shadows creep,
I lay me down in peace to sleep.
I know not what the day will bring
What lesson hold, what new, strange thing
In life's deep meaning I may trace,
Where light and shadow interlace:
My Father's hand the way doth keep;
I lay me down in peace to sleep.
I know not what the day will bring
Of joy or pain, what changes ring
Ere day and night complete the year:
I trust in God and have no fear;
For his great love is strong and deep:
I lay me down in peace to sleep.
—Julia E. Abbott.
The Sacredness of Church Services
By E. K. Slade
E. K. SLADE
Our church services should be characterized by a sacredness far above anything of an earthly nature. The distinction between the sacred and the common should ever be borne in mind. The exact manner in which the services are conducted is of less importance than a keen sense of the sacredness of the worship and the place of worship. “There should be rules in regard to the time, the place, and the manner of worshiping. Nothing that is sacred, nothing that pertains to the worship of God, should be treated with carelessness or indifference.”—“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. V, page 491.
“From the sacredness which was attached to the earthly sanctuary, Christians may learn how they should regard the place where the Lord meets with his people. There has been a great change, not for the better, but for the worse, in the habits and customs of the people in reference to religious worship. The precious, the sacred things which connect us with God, are fast losing their hold upon our minds and hearts, and are being brought down to the level of common things. The reverence which the people had anciently for the sanctuary, where they met with God in sacred service, has largely passed away. Nevertheless, God himself gave the order of his service, exalting it high above everything of a temporal nature.”—Ibid.
Those who have charge of the work in our local churches will, on reading the words just quoted, fully sense the fact that there is much in connection with our church services that is not pleasing to God, and that is not conducive to the uplifting influence that should prevail. The fact that services are many times held in private houses, schoolrooms, or other places not dedicated to the worship of God, may in some measure account for our shortcomings in these things; but the lack of reverence is not wholly chargeable to that fact. It will be freely admitted by all, we believe, that we are deplorably at fault in these matters, and that a decided reform should take place. There are to be rules in regard to the time, place, and manner of worship, and it is of great importance that they should be observed; but evidently the thing most needed is a keener sense of the sacredness that attaches to all connected with the services of the house of God.
“When the worshipers enter the place of meeting, they should do so with decorum, passing quietly to their seats. If there is a stove in the room, it is not proper to crowd about it in an indolent, careless attitude. Common talking, whispering, and laughing should not be permitted in the house of worship, either before or after the service. Ardent, active piety should characterize the worshipers.”—Ibid., page 492.
“In the minds of many, there are no more sacred thoughts connected with the house of God than with the most common place. . . . There should be a radical change in this matter all through our churches. Ministers themselves need to elevate their ideas, to have finer susceptibilities in regard to it. It is a feature of the work that has been sadly neglected. Because of the irreverence in attitude, dress, and deportment, and lack of a worshipful frame of mind, God has often turned his face away from those assembled for his worship.”—Ibid., page 499.
We are nearing the end, and we shall9be subjected more and more to the attacks of the enemy. In all our experiences we need to come nearer to God, and we must have every privilege granted us, in connection with the church and with the work of God, avail for us all that is possible. The way should be open for the presence of God in our church services more than in the past, and it is a sad thought that our attitude in worship should at any time be such as to forbid his presence.
Holly, Mich.
A Striking Prophecy
By George I. Butler
GEORGE I. BUTLER
“And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire: and he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth, and cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices. . . . And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven, and sware by him that liveth forever and ever, who created heaven, and the things therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer: but in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets. And the voice which I heard from heaven spake unto me again, and said, Go and take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel which standeth upon the sea and upon the earth. And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey. And I took the little book out of the angel’s hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter. And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.” Rev. 10: 1-11.
This most striking parenthetical prophecy is worthy of careful study. At some length we have considered the glorious announcement which we call “the first angel’s message.” After a little study, it must be evident that this view in chapter ten, and the message of Rev. 14: 6, 7, cover the same ground. Both bring to view the same work, and the close of a grand prophetic period. In chapter ten we find the declaration that [prophetic] time has closed. In the first message the statement is made, “The hour [or period] of his judgment is come,” which takes place, as we have seen, at the end of the twenty-three hundred year-days. Both heavenly messengers bring to view the great God and his work of creation, and his connection with the great crisis when prophetic time closes, and the grand assize of the final judgment begins. Both also clearly show that another important work connected with the closing epoch of earth’s history follows the announcement of the close of prophetic time and the judgment proclamation, as is brought to view in the second and third angels’ messages, and in the statement, “Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.” There can be no doubt that these both refer to the same work.
But we will notice additional points of interest in the scripture quoted at the beginning of this article:—
“The little book open.” Doubtless multitudes in past ages have read of that little book open in the angel’s hand, without the slightest comprehension of its meaning. What idea could they gather from the expression? Yet to the Bible student familiar with the great system of present truth, it has a wonderful force. We must not forget that the Bible is a composite volume, made up of sixty-six smaller books. Out of all this number of comparatively small books there is only one which was said to be “sealed” up for a specified period. That is the book of Daniel the prophet. “But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.” “And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.” Dan. 12: 4; 9. How clear it is that the “little book open” in the angel’s hand is none other than the book of Daniel! It follows, therefore, that when this proclamation made by the angel in Rev. 10: 6, went forth, “the time of the end” was reached.
Another interesting point is this: in the book of Daniel all the great connected prophetic periods are found. By connected prophecy we mean that in which the events predicted occur in consecutive order, as in Daniel’s great empires brought to view in the image of chapter two, and in the vision of the beasts in chapter seven. When one event has been fulfilled, we know what is coming next. In the book of Daniel we have the time periods of twelve hundred sixty year-days, the twenty-three hundred year-days, and several others. This book was said to be sealed up in the sense that it could not be fully understood till a definite time was reached, called “the time of the end.” Then God sends a flood of light upon the sacred page, and his servants who have an earnest desire to understand what had been recorded for their instruction, by prayerful, reverential study can ascertain the meaning. When the time comes for the message to be given, the heavenly messenger comes with special light to the Lord’s people, even as Christ proclaimed in the early period of his ministry. “The time is fulfilled.” Mark 1: 15. The prediction made by the angel (Dan. 9:25) was now completed, and the Messiah entered upon his wonderful work. So it was in10the great advent proclamation, when the twenty-three hundred year-days were fulfilled, beginning B. C. 457, at the going forth of the decree by Artaxerxes, king of Persia, to restore and build Jerusalem, and terminating in A. D. 1844. The great advent message was fully entering upon its work of warning the world of Christ’s coming.
The little book was now unsealed. That book, more than any other of the books of the Bible, furnishes the clearest evidences of the advent faith. Other writings corroborate them. The experiences of the advent people are wonderfully portrayed in the scripture we are considering — Revelation 10. “The voice which I heard,” says John, “said, Go and take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel. . . . And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up.” Here John stands as a representative of God’s people in the last days, personating them. His experience in eating the little book represents theirs in the fulfilment of the prophecy. The eating of the little book represents the absorbing interest with which its contents were appreciated and digested. Jeremiah passed through a similar experience: “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart.” Jer. 15: 16. None but those who were living in 1844 can ever understand the joy of the believers at the soon coming of Christ, as revealed to them in the great advent movement, which went to all portions of the globe at that time. Perhaps there never was a more ardent, devoted people than those who loved and longed for the coming of their dear Saviour. Their hearts were full of his praises. The world of unbelievers and the formal churches, who hated the advent message, despised them and derided them, but the believers were longing for the appearing of their Redeemer. The message to them was sweet as honey.
The time passed, and a wonderful change came over the large number of believers. The world and cold-hearted professors rejoiced. They ridiculed and taunted the disappointed ones. All sorts of lying stories were set afloat concerning them. That old falsehood about the believers making ascension robes was told everywhere, and generally accepted as truth. Although a five-hundred-dollar reward has for many years been offered for a single instance of the kind, the money has never been called for, as no proof from disinterested persons could ever be obtained.
The writer was about ten years old at the passing of the time. Never will he forget the night the coming of the Lord was expected. The believers in Waterbury, Vt., were assembled in a religious meeting, most earnestly seeking God in solemn worship. A host of scoffers surrounded the house, firing guns, screaming, and blaspheming. No such thing as an ascension robe was ever dreamed of. To the believers it was indeed a most bitter experience. The cup of disappointment had to be11drained to the very dregs. For days, weeks, months, and years the believers had to endure the opprobrium cast upon them because of this disappointment. But those true believers who had drunk in the precious advent truths, and felt the blessedness of the advent hope, could never give it up. Their heavy cross only made the hope of his coming dearer to them. They felt that they had served the Lord in proclaiming these grand truths, and they clung to their hope, earnestly studying the blessed Word, and praying for light. And they prayed not in vain. The last verse of chapter ten shed light upon their minds: “Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.” This same advent people had a further work to do. So in the prophecy of Rev. 14:6, 7, they found another message followed the one proclaiming the hour of his judgment come. When they saw this connection, their hearts revived. God’s truth shone out brighter than ever. Their work had been no failure. It would yet prove a grand success.
Bowling Green, Fla.
Support of Gospel Workers
By WILLIAM COVERT
WILLIAM COVERT
The Creator Owns All
ALL things in heaven and in earth belong to God, who created them. To impress man with this thought, the Lord moved upon David to say, “The earth is Jehovah’s, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.” Ps. 24:1. Again, he says, “Every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. I know all the birds of the mountains; and the wild beasts of the field are mine. . . . The world is mine, and the fulness thereof.” Ps. 50:10-12. Not only does the Lord own all things in the animal kingdom, but the minerals also belong to him. “The silver is mine, and the gold is mine.” Haggai 2:8.
Man Especially the Lord’s
As for man, he belongs to the Lord in a twofold sense. First, man is the Lord’s by creation. Relative to this thought we have the following admonition: “Know ye that Jehovah, he is God: it is he that hath made us, and we are his.” Ps. 100:3. Second, man is the Lord’s by redemption. The apostle says, “Ye are not your own; for ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Cor. 6:19, 20. The price paid for man’s redemption is the life of the spotless Son of God, and through this purchase price God has “obtained eternal redemption for us” Heb. 9:12. Nor is this redemption limited by race or nation: for the anthem which the glorified ones sing declares, Thou “hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; and hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.” Rev. 5:9, 10.
God Still Sustains All
Not only did God create all things, but he is the sustainer and keeper of all things. It is said that he is “upholding all things by the word of his power” (Heb. 1:3), “and by him all things consist.” Col. 1:17. Now that God created all things, his ownership and relationship demand that he shall manage all things. So when man prepares the ground, sows the seed, and harvests the crop, it is because “his God doth instruct him to discretion, and doth teach him. . . . This also cometh forth from the Lord of hosts, which is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working.” Isa. 28:26, 29.
Man Appointed to Till and Oversee
The Lord put the newly made man “into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.” Gen. 2:15. And in truth the earth, with all on it, was given to man for his own use, with the exception of one tree and its fruit. Concerning this tree the Lord said, “Thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” Gen. 2:17.
This tree was reserved by the Lord to stand as a monument of his ownership, and man was strictly forbidden to use it. This tree stood near the tree of life, “in the midst of the garden,” and its prominent location was to be a perpetual reminder of the Lord’s proprietorship. But Adam and Eve disregarded the restrictions which had been thrown around that tree, and braving the penalty, they ate of its fruit. In doing this they not only disobeyed God, but took that which God had reserved to himself, and to which they had no right.
When man in the garden took possession of that tree which God had reserved, it became necessary for the Lord to send him forth to till the ground outside of the garden.
The Tithing System Introduced
After man was removed from the garden, the tree of knowledge could no longer serve him as a reminder of God’s ownership; so the tithing system was introduced, and through this system the principle of God’s ownership was still maintained. By this God claimed one tenth of all that the ground and the herds would yield, also one tenth of the value of all man’s income from labor.
The design of the tithing system was to serve the purpose of keeping men informed upon the subject of God’s ownership, and also to provide a fund for the support of the Lord’s servants, who were to labor for the salvation of sinners.
Tithing Very Ancient
These deductions indicate that the tithing system was taught and practised by the people of God in very ancient times. We learn from the book of Genesis, chapter fourteen, that the great-grandfather of the Jewish patriarchs, a score of years before Isaac, the son of promise, was born, was paying tithe to Melchizedek, a priest of the most high God. When Abram paid the tithe, Melchizedek pronounced a blessing upon him, and said, “Blessed be Abram of the God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth.” Gen. 14:19. And Abram, in returning the spoils of war, which he had retaken from an enemy that had invaded the land, said to the king of Sodom, when the goods were returned to the original owners, “I have lifted up my hand unto Jehovah, God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth, that I will not take a thread nor a shoe latchet nor aught that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich.” Gen. 14:22, 23. But Abram did take one tenth of the restored property, turning it over to the Lord’s cause. He simply put the goods into the hands of the rightful owners. In this distribution the Lord received his share, and the people received that which belonged to them as stewards of the Lord.
The account plainly shows that Abram counseled with the Lord, and paid a tithe of the goods which came into his hands unto the Lord, because the Lord was the possessor of all things, both in heaven and in earth. He would not keep any of the goods himself, but he felt that, the property having fallen into his hands untithed, he must give the Lord his share of it, and afterward turn the remaining nine tenths over to the rightful owners.
(To be continued)
Chicago, Ill.
Human Wrecks
By S. N. HASKELL
S. N. HASKELL
When men and women who once were strong and vigorous lose their minds, we call them human wrecks. It does not necessarily follow that this great misfortune is because of some sin that they have committed, for often this condition is caused by trouble or sickness.
There is another class of human wrecks which may be studied with profit. I refer to those who once held prominent positions in the cause of God, but have departed from the faith. Judas was one of them. For three years he was with Jesus, saw his wonderful works, unmistakable evidence of his Messiahship, his unselfish life; and yet love of money so blinded his mind that he could sell his Lord for thirty pieces of silver. He afterward threw down his money, declared Christ an innocent person, and then went out and hanged himself—a human wreck.
Of the six hundred thousand men who came out of the land of Egypt, only two entered the promised land. The rest disbelieved God, and died. The wilderness was strewn with human wrecks.
Ezekiel, looking down to our time, prophesied concerning God's people as follows: “I will bring you into the wilderness of the people, and there will I plead with you face to face. Like as I pleaded with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so will I plead with you, saith the Lord God. And I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond11of the covenant; and I will purge out from among you the rebels, and them that transgress against me: I will bring them forth out of the country where they sojourn, and they shall not enter into the land of Israel: and ye shall know that I am the Lord.” Eze. 20: 35-38.
In this chapter idolatry and Sabbath-breaking are the principal sins mentioned, causing spiritual wrecks. It is the same with modern Israel.
Over sixty years ago the great advent proclamation called forth a people from all denominations, and from the world, and even from the ranks of infidelity, to look for the glorious appearing of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
The observance of the seventh day as the Sabbath drew a dividing line in Israel. “Moreover,” said the Lord, “I gave them my Sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the Lord that sanctify them.” But, like Israel of old who rebelled against God in the wilderness, some walked not in God's statutes, but despised his judgments, and his Sabbaths were greatly polluted. They became spiritual wrecks; but the end is not yet. Many a bright star will set in darkness, and lesser lights will come to the front. This is God's work. “Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.”
In looking over the General Conference Bulletin for 1897 I find some significant facts. The volume contains three hundred ninety-two pages. Two hundred seven pages contain sermons and Bible studies given by those who are now out of the truth for these last days. There are also many other pages filled with the writings of those who are now taking no active part in the work. Why has there been such a change in twelve short years? A quotation from “Early Writings” will answer:—
“I asked the meaning of the shaking I had seen, and was shown that it would be caused by the straight testimony called forth by the counsel of the True Witness to the Laodiceans. This will have its effect upon the heart of the receiver, and will lead him to exalt and pour forth the straight truth. Some will not hear this straight testimony. They will rise up against it, and this is what will cause a shaking among God's people.
“I saw that the testimony of the True Witness has not been half heeded. The solemn testimony upon which the destiny of the church hangs, has been lightly esteemed, if not entirely disregarded. This testimony must work deep repentance; all who truly receive it, will obey it and be purified.”
Whatever may be the faith of the reader of these lines, one thing is certain: God has revealed three steps in Rev. 14: 6-12—the first, second, and third angels' messages—to prepare a people to stand when Christ appears upon the great white cloud. A true understanding of these messages is of vital importance. The manner in which they are received will determine the destiny of souls. These messages are a solid, immovable platform for the people of God. Those who are connected with the Lord's work during these three messages have an experience which costs too much to be carelessly thrown away in the time of battle. Some will approach the platform of the messages of the three angels and readily step upon it; others will examine it, and step off and find fault with it, and wish improvements made in it; some will declare it to be laid wrong. But God is its Master Builder, and in the end it will be found to be laid in wisdom. The faithful will recount the victories of the past, and will look forward to the bright and glorious future, a most glorious triumph of the people and work of God.
Oakland, Cal.
The Heathen Know That There Is a God
By T. E. BOWEN
T. E. BOWEN
GOD says that it is because men do not glorify him as God that their hearts become darkened. It is not that men do not know of God, that there are so many who pass as heathen in the world today. They do know of God; but because they fail in glorifying him by following the light and knowledge God puts into every man's heart, they go into darkness. Then because of their continual refusal to heed the light, they go into that condition of gross darkness now termed heathenism.
Somehow God has a way of placing in every mind a seed-thought regarding himself, his greatness, his creative attributes, so that every one is left without excuse, because in that which is seen about him, in earth and sky, there is enough to convince every one that there is a God.
In evidence of all this, we cite the testimony of Dr. Robert Nassau, for forty years a missionary in Africa, who says that he has never yet been asked the direct question, “Who is God?” “He has never met any one who did not understand at once the distinction between God and all others, however great. ‘He is the All-Father,’ his auditors would invariably say. ‘He made these trees, that mountain, this river, these goats, and us people.’”
Some one may then say, “If this be true, why spend so much to take the gospel to such people? Why not let them alone?”
But what a pity to grope about even with this remote idea of God and be perfectly ignorant of his character, so full of goodness and love, or of his last message of mercy.
In common with other missionaries, Dr. Nassau, mentioned above, has found that beyond having a name for the God that made all things, and faintly grasping this fact, they are in ignorance. He says: “They know nothing of his love, his benevolence, his impartial justice, his infinite and intimate concern for every man. ‘Yes, he made us; but having made us, he is far from us. Why should we care for him? He does not help nor harm us. It is the spirits who can harm us, whom we fear and worship, and for whom we care.’” Thus reasons the poor benighted heathen.
Consequently some one who has experienced the love of God in his own soul, must go to these who have never had a taste of his goodness or his love and reveal God unto them. They need the warm touch of God through some other human soul, that they may see God as he is, not the “unknown God,” but he that “so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son” to us.
No one who has not experienced the love of Christ in his own heart can therefore become a true missionary. No amount of learning can make up this lack. God has so planned it that the connection with the lost, those who are without God in the world, must be made by that human soul who has experienced the touch of divine love. For this touch the heathen wait.