Earlier text: The Second Advent

The First Advent of Christ.

By Ellen G. White

BY ELLEN G. WHITE.

The King of glory stooped low to take humanity; and angels, who had witnessed his splendor in the heavenly courts, as he was worshiped by all the heavenly hosts, were disappointed to find their divine Commander in a position of so great humiliation.

The Jews had separated themselves so far from God by their wicked works, that angels could not communicate to them the tidings of the advent of the infant Redeemer. God chooses the wise men of the East to do his will.

“Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the East to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.” These men were not Jews; but they had been waiting for the predicted Messiah. They had studied prophecy, and knew the time was at hand when Christ would come; and they were anxiously watching for some sign of this great event, that they might be among the first to welcome the infant heavenly King, and worship him. These wise men were philosophers, and had studied the works of God in nature. In the wonders of the heavens, in the glories of the sun, moon, and stars, they traced the finger of God. They were not idolaters. They lived up to the dim light which shone upon them. These men were regarded by the Jews as heathen; but they were more pure in the sight of God than the Jews who had been privileged with great light, and who made exalted professions, yet did not live up to the light God had given them. These wise men had seen the heavens illuminated with light, which enshrouded the heavenly host who heralded the advent of Christ to the humble shepherds. And after the angels returned to Heaven, a luminous star appeared, and lingered in the heavens.

This light was a distant cluster of flaming angels, which appeared like a luminous star. The unusual appearance of the large, bright star which they had never seen before, hanging as a sign in the heavens, attracted their attention. They were not privileged to hear the proclamation of the angels to the shepherds. But the Spirit of God moved them out to seek this heavenly Visitor to a fallen world. The wise men directed their course where the star seemed to lead them. And as they drew nigh to the city of Jerusalem, the star was enshrouded in darkness, and no longer guided them. They reasoned that the Jews could not be ignorant of the great event of the advent of the Messiah, and they made inquiries in the vicinity of Jerusalem.

The wise men are surprised to see no unusual interest upon the subject of the coming of the Messiah. They fear that after all they may not have read the prophecies correctly. Uncertainty beclouds their minds, and they become anxious. They hear the priests repeating and enforcing their traditions, and expounding the law, and exalting their religion, and their own piety. They point to their phylacteries, and the borders of their garments, upon which the precepts of the law and their traditions are inscribed, as evidences of their devotion, while they denounce the Romans and the Greeks as heathen and sinners above all men. The wise men leave Jerusalem not as confident and hopeful as when they entered it. They marvel that the Jews are not interested and joyful in prospect of this great event of the advent of Christ.

The churches of our time are seeking worldly aggrandizement, and are as unwilling to see the light of the prophecies, and receive the evidences of their fulfillment which show that Christ is soon to come, as were the Jews in reference to his first appearing. They were looking for the temporal and triumphant reign of Messiah in Jerusalem. Professed Christians of our time are expecting the temporal prosperity of the church, in the conversion of the world, and the enjoyment of the temporal millennium.

The wise men plainly stated their errand. They were in search of Jesus, the king of the Jews, for they had seen his star in the east and had come to worship him.

The city of Jerusalem was thrown into great excitement by the sayings of the wise men. The news was immediately carried to Herod. He was exceedingly troubled, yet disguised the discomfiture, and received the men with apparent courtesy.

The advent of Christ was the greatest event which had taken place since the creation of the world. The birth of Christ, which gave joy to the angels of Heaven, was not welcome to the kingly powers of the world. Suspicion and envy were aroused in king Herod, and his wicked heart was planning his dark purposes for the future. The Jews manifested a stupid indifference to the story of the wise men. But Herod is intensely interested and excited. He summons the scribes, and the chief priests, and urges upon them to search carefully prophetic history, and tell him where the infant king was to be born. The careless indifference and apparent ignorance of the scribes and chief priests, as they turn to their books for the words of prophecy, irritate the fully aroused king. He thinks they are trying to conceal from him the real facts in regard to the birth of the Messiah. He authoritatively commands them to make close search in relation to their expected king.

“And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judea; for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda; for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.”

Although Herod received the wise men with apparent respect, yet the intimation by them of the birth of a King to reign in Jerusalem, excited his envy and hatred against the infant whom he thought might prove his rival, and drive him, or his descendants, from the throne. A storm of opposition and satanic fury took possession of Herod, and he determined to destroy this infant king. Yet he put on a calm exterior, and requested a private interview with the wise men. He then inquired particularly the exact time the star appeared. He apparently hailed the supposition of the birth of Christ with joy, expressing a desire to be immediately informed by the wise men, that he might be among the first to show him true honor by worshiping him also. The wise men were not able to read the heart of the tyrant Herod; but God, who is acquainted with every emotion of the soul, with the intents and purposes of the heart, was not deceived by his hypocritical pretenses. His power will protect and preserve the precious infant Saviour from Satan’s devices, until his mission on earth is accomplished. “When they had heard the king, they departed; and lo! the star which they saw in the east went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.”

After the wise men had left Jerusalem, they again saw, to their great joy, the guiding11 star in the heavens, which directed them to the birthplace of our Saviour. “And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshiped him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.” The wise men found no loyal guard to debar their entrance to the presence of Christ. The honorable of the world are not in attendance. In place of the people who should have welcomed with grateful homage the Prince of life, he is surrounded with dumb beasts.

The glory of God attending the angelic host had scarcely disappeared from the plains of Bethlehem when the malice of envious Herod was aroused in opposition to the infant Saviour. This king understood that Christ was to reign over a temporal kingdom, and he was utterly averse to the idea of a Jewish king. The chief priests and scribes had professed to understand the prophecies in reference to the appearing of Christ. They had repeated to the people the prophecies which relate to the second appearing of Christ in power and great glory, to put down all authority, and to rule over the whole earth. They had in a boastful, resentful manner, asserted that Christ was to be a temporal prince, and that every kingdom and nation was to bow in submission to his authority.

The priests had not searched the prophecies with an eye single to the glory of God, or with a desire to conform their lives to the high standard marked out by the prophets. They searched the Scriptures to find ancient prophecies which they could in some way interpret to sustain their lofty pride, and to show with what contempt God regarded all the nations of the world except the Jews. They declared that the power and authority they were then compelled to respect and obey, would soon come to an end; for Messiah would take the throne of David, and, by force of arms, restore the Jews to their liberty, and to their exalted privileges. The understanding of the Jews was darkened. They had no light in themselves. They were seeing the prophecies through their own perverse understanding. Satan was leading them on to their own ruin. And Herod was determined to defeat the purposes of the Jews, and to humble these proud boasters, by destroying Christ as soon as he should be found.

After the mission of the wise men had been accomplished, they were proposing to return and bear the joyful news to Herod of the success of their journey. But God sent his angel in the night season to turn the course of the wise men. In a vision of the night, they were plainly told not to return to Herod. They obeyed the heavenly vision. And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word; for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt.”

The Lord moved upon the wise men to go in search of Jesus, and he directed their course by a star. This star, leaving them when near Jerusalem, led them to make inquiries in Judah; for they thought it was not possible for the chief priests and scribes to be ignorant of this great event. The coming of the wise men made the whole nation acquainted with the object of their journey, and directed their attention to the important events which were transpiring. God well knew that the advent of his Son to earth would stir the powers of darkness. Satan did not want that light should come into the world. The eye of God was upon his Son every moment. The Lord had fed his prophet Elijah by a miracle when upon a long journey. He could obtain food from no other source. He rained manna from heaven for the children of Israel. The Lord provided a way for Joseph to preserve his own life, and the life of Jesus, and that of the mother, by their fleeing into Egypt. He provided for the necessities of their journey, and for their sojourn in Egypt, by moving upon the wise men of the East to go in search of the infant Saviour, and to bear him valuable offerings as a token of honor. The Lord is acquainted with the hearts of all men. He directed the course of Joseph into Egypt, that he might there find an asylum from the wrath of a tyrannical king, and the life of the infant Saviour be preserved. The earthly parents of Jesus were poor. The gifts brought to them by the wise men sustained them while in the land of strangers.

Herod waited anxiously for the return of the wise men; for he was impatient to carry out his determined purpose to destroy the infant King of Israel. After he had waited long for the knowledge he desired, he feared his purpose might be thwarted. He reasoned thus: Could those men have read the dark deed I premeditated? Could they have understood my design, and purposely avoided me? This he thought was insult and mockery. His impatience, envy, and hatred, increased. He was stirred by his father, the devil, to seek the accomplishment of his purpose by a most cruel act. If he should fail in carrying out his murderous intent by pretense and subtlety, he would, by power and authority, strike terror to the hearts of all the Jews. They should have an example of what their king would meet, should they seek to place one upon the throne in Jerusalem.

And here was a favorable opportunity to humble the pride of the Jews and bring upon them a calamity which should discourage them in their ambition to have a separate government, and become the glory of the whole earth, as they had proudly boasted. Herod issued a proclamation to a large body of soldiers, whose hearts were hardened by crime, war, and bloodshed, to go throughout Bethlehem and all the coasts thereof and massacre all the children from two years old and under. Herod designed in this cruel act to accomplish a double purpose: first, to exercise, by this bold act, his power and authority over the Jews; and, second, to silence their proud boastings in regard to their king, and also make his own kingdom secure, by murdering the infant Prince whom he envied and feared. This cruel work was accomplished. The sword of unfeeling soldiers carried destruction everywhere. The horror and distress of parents were beyond description. The wailing cries of bereaved mothers, as they clasped their expiring infants to their breasts, rose above the coarse jests and imprecations of the soldiers, while they cried to Heaven for vengeance on the tyrant king.

All this terrible calamity was suffered of God, to humble the pride of the Jewish nation. Their crimes and wickedness had been so great that the Lord permitted the wicked Herod to thus punish them. Had they been less boastful and ambitious, their lives pure, their habits simple and sincere, God would have preserved them from being thus humiliated and afflicted by their enemies. God would, in a signal manner, have made the wrath of the king harmless to his people, had they been faithful and perfect before him. But he could not especially work for them, for their works were abhorred by him.

The Jews had excited the envy and hatred of Herod against Christ, through their false interpretation of the prophets. They taught that Christ was to reign over an earthly empire, in unsurpassed glory. Their proud boasting presented the Saviour of the world, and his mission to the earth, altogether in a false light. Their lofty ideas and their proud boasting did not result as Satan had at first purposed they should, in the destruction of the infant Saviour, but rebounded back upon themselves, filling their homes with mourning. Jeremiah, in prophetic vision, says: “In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.” But Herod did not long survive his cruel work. He died a fearful death. He was compelled to yield to a power he could not turn aside or overcome.

After Herod was cut off from the earth, the angel again warned Joseph to return to the land of Israel. He was desirous to make his home in Judah or Bethlehem; but when he heard that the son of the tyrannical Herod reigned upon his father’s throne, he was afraid that the purposes of the father might be carried out by the son in murdering Christ. While in his perplexity, not knowing where to locate, the Lord, through his angel, again selected for him a place of safety. “And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.”

This was the reception the Saviour met as he came to a fallen world. He left his heavenly home, his majesty, and riches, and high command, and took upon himself man’s nature, that he might save the fallen race. Instead of men glorifying God for the honor he had conferred upon them in thus sending his Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, by giving him a place in their affections, there seemed to be no rest nor safety for the infant Saviour. Jehovah could not trust to the inhabitants of the world his Son, who came into the world that through his divine power he might redeem fallen man. He who came to bring life to man, met, from the very ones he came to benefit, insult, hatred, and abuse. God could not trust his beloved Son with men while carrying on his benevolent work for their salvation, and final exaltation to his own throne. He sent angels to attend his Son and preserve his life, till his mission on earth should be accomplished, and he should die by the hands of the very men he came to save.

Bro. T. J. Butler's Affairs.

By George I. Butler

The time has come when it seems to be duty to make a statement to the friends of the cause of this brother's temporal affairs, so that in some way he may be relieved from the embarrassments under which he is now laboring, and thus be able to do more good in the Lord's vineyard.

It is well known to the old subscribers of the REVIEW, that Bro. Butler formerly labored in Ohio in the cause of present truth, and was there highly esteemed by the brethren as a faithful and efficient laborer. But about the time that the subject of organization was entered into by our people, some questions concerning the name our people should take, arose, in which there was a difference of opinion, and out of which trials grew which resulted in alienation and discouragement, till finally Bro. Butler got into such darkness that he made no profession of religion, and for a time ceased to observe the Sabbath. If any one will take the pains to look up the back numbers of the REVIEW, they will find an article from the pen of Bro. White, giving an account of the causes which led to this step, from which it appears that the blame was not by any means all on the head of Bro. B., but was partially brought about by the injudicious course of some ministers and members of the church.

Soon after this, he moved to the State of Missouri and engaged in farming for the support of his family. But although often addressed by those who were working against our people, who wished to get his aid for the same purpose, he never could be persuaded to say anything against the doctrines held by us, or engage with them. Thus for some eight or ten years he remained aloof from us, his faithful wife all the while holding on to the Sabbath, trying to train up the children to respect it, and crying earnestly to God by day and by night that he would turn her husband's mind once more unto his testimonies. She held on by faith against darkness and all kinds of discouragements. Meantime the providence of God seemed to work against all the plans he laid for the accomplishment of worldly purposes. Now a terrible and almost unprecedented flood destroyed his finely growing crops, then the drought cut short his prospects. He was laid up many months by sickness; and, in short, although he labored exceedingly hard, he did not succeed. As I have heard him relate how one stroke after another thwarted his best-laid plans, I could but think that the Providence that shapes our ends, rough hew them as we will, had had something to do in all these matters. He felt that he was struggling against Providence, and at last surrendered, and made up his mind that he would again take hold and try to serve God with all his heart.

This was last winter. Bro. Butler was living in Grundy Co., Mo., on a farm of nearly one hundred and sixty acres. He had become embarrassed. The farm was mortgaged, and was about to be foreclosed. Bro. B. felt very anxious to devote his time and talents once more to the work of God which he had so long neglected, and no longer remain entangled in these worldly matters. Under these circumstances, he wrote to the president of the Publishing Association a statement of his circumstances, and his desire to labor and redeem the time, &c., and stated that, as the farm was in danger of falling into the hands of speculators by being sold for about half its value on the foreclosure of mortgage, he should much prefer that this should fall where it would benefit the cause, rather than into the hands of the world, and if the Association could advance the money and pay off the claims, he should cheerfully give all the remainder, after payment of his honest debts, to the Association. Desirous of helping Bro. B. out of his embarrassments, the General Conference Committee thought best to have me visit the premises and see what could be done. Accordingly, I visited Bro. Butler last March, and had the pleasure of forming the acquaintance of himself and family. To the best of my judgment, it seemed proper that the money should be advanced, as it seemed to me certain that the farm was worth considerable more than all the debts that stood against it, and that it would be a great pity that this should all fall to the benefit of speculators; so I took the responsibility of advising accordingly. And as the Publishing Association could not legally hold property in the State of Missouri, Bro. White, with his usual anxiety to help others in their difficulties and embarrassments, generously borrowed the money on his own responsibility, and forwarded nearly $1800.00 to Missouri, with which the former mortgages were paid off, and the present trouble postponed till some way out could be found, taking, of course, security on the farm during the meantime. And thus the matter has stood till the present moment, Bro. Butler making great efforts to sell the farm and thus get the matter straightened up, but hitherto without success. During the past summer, the farm has been rented; and, as is well known to the readers of the REVIEW, Bro. Butler has been out laboring in the field in company with Bro. Lawrence in the tent. I am glad I can say that God has blessed that labor, and quite a number of souls have taken their stand upon God's blessed truth. I am happy to say also that I hear from Bro. Lawrence and other trustworthy private sources, testimony that fully satisfies me that Bro. Butler has thrown his heart into the work, and has given abundant evidence of his determination to be a faithful man in the vineyard of the Lord. He is now out in new fields laboring alone, and expects to give his whole time to the work. We feel glad, especially for the sake of the cause, to welcome this dear brother once more to the work. May God greatly bless his efforts to the salvation of many souls.

I have now come to the special point which has been the cause of making the foregoing statements. What can be done to relieve Bro. Butler from his temporal embarrassments? Any one can see that it must be very embarrassing to a man of honor to have so large a burden of indebtedness hanging over his head, and others burdened by this, and the debt all the time increasing, the wife and small children burdened with the cares during his absence, and the many things needing to be done, neglected on account of his absence. I know from personal knowledge that this has been a fearful weight upon Bro. Butler, and at times has almost crushed him, connected as it is with the past. But his companion has encouraged him to go out, cheerfully bearing her part, so grateful is she that he can once more labor in the cause of God. I would that the wives of some of our ministers could visit that family as I have, and observe the spirit of self-sacrifice and the willingness to forego ease and comforts in order that the head of the family might be out doing the Master's will. Perhaps they might feel rebuked at the spirit of murmuring which, I am sorry to say, is sometimes seen with them.

As this is a matter intimately connected with the prosperity of the cause in this weak Conference, we think it duty to speak of this farm, so that if any reader of the REVIEW thinks of settling in that portion of the country he might be induced to purchase it, and thus relieve Bro. Butler's embarrassment.

This farm consists of one hundred and fifty acres of prairie, and eight of timber. All the prairie is fenced, and all under cultivation but eighteen acres. It is fenced into three different enclosures, and the fencing is excellent. There are twenty acres of timothy meadow. There are two hundred young, bearing apple trees on it, and one hundred smaller ones, all fine, grafted fruit. There are between thirty and forty bearing peach trees, and nearly fifty cherry trees, one hundred and fifty bearing grape vines, and a large number of gooseberry and currant bushes. All this fruit is in good condition. There is plenty of good water on the place in the dryest time, part of it soft water. The soil is rich, the country well timbered, and among the most12 pleasant I have seen in Missouri. The state of society there is good, and there are already four families of Sabbath-keepers there, besides Bro. Butler's. The buildings are not very good, though the house is such that a family can live in it till able to build better. There is a small granary, also.

This farm is in Grundy Co., eight miles east of Spriggardsville, on the Chicago and South Western branch of the Chicago, Rock Island, and Pacific R. R. There is another railroad now being built, running from Quincy on the Mississippi to Brownsville on the Missouri river, and thence connecting with the Pacific R. R., which will run within about a mile of this farm. Seventy-five miles of it are already built, and as this is now in the hands of the Pennsylvania Central Co., it will probably be put through next summer. It is about finished to within twenty-five miles of there, so it seems a sure thing. This is a good stock country, and the climate mild, the land rolling and dry. This farm is well worth twenty-five dollars per acre, which would bring it up to nearly four thousand dollars. But as Bro. Butler is anxious to sell, he offers it at thirty-five hundred. Bro. Butler's address is Half Rock, Mercer Co., Mo. If any of the readers of the REVIEW can find a purchaser for this farm, it would be a great relief to one who is anxious to give his time to the work of the Lord, as well as a benefit to the cause itself.

There is another matter connected with this that I wish to notice. It will be seen from the above that Bro. White on his own responsibility advanced nearly $1800.00 to keep this farm from being sold under a mortgage. Bro. W. borrowed this money, and is responsible for it personally. Now, as times are hard, and the prospect of selling the farm, and thus relieving all concerned, is not immediate, it is certainly a duty to devise some means of relieving Bro. White from this debt, as well as Bro. Butler from paying interest all the time until the farm can be sold. It would be unjust to Bro. W., who generously took this burden upon himself, to oblige him to stand under it longer. We therefore propose that twenty of our brethren of means advance one hundred dollars apiece, and loan it to Bro. Butler without interest until the farm can be sold, and thus relieve Bro. White, as well as Bro. Butler. I have further to say, that this is in accordance with Bro. White's mind, and he offers to be one of the twenty to put in one hundred apiece. And as the General Conference is soon to hold its session, we propose that time as the one when this matter can be brought about, and when money can be sent in, and when matters can be arranged so that the money sent in may be perfectly secure to those advancing their means.

Now, then, is a good time if our brethren desire to relieve Bro. White of one of his many burdens, to manifest it in a practical way. There are certainly many of our brethren or sisters who can spare the sum mentioned for a time, without interest, and who, I believe, will feel it a privilege to do so, to show their interest in the cause, and relieve those who are working for it. From the pressure of indebtedness, and a desire to keep from getting more in debt, as well as from the fact that the Conference where he labors is weak pecuniarily, and as there is scarcely any sale for farm produce at anything like a fair price, the family of Bro. B. have been deprived of many of those comforts our ministers' families generally enjoy. They have borne this cheerfully. But with a family of five children, and one of them blind, and with the husband away, any one can see the burdens must fall heavily upon a woman. Should there be any of our people who wish to contribute in this direction, I will see that it is faithfully applied. It is but justice to Bro. Butler that I should say he knows nothing of my writing any of this. In reference to raising the above sums of money, any communications should be sent to Battle Creek in season for the General Conference. GEO. I. BUTLER.

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