Earlier text: WE CANNOT TEAR IT OUTSOME MORE SIGNS OF CHRIST'S COMING.
WE called attention in our last number to the special signs in the sun, moon, and stars, which our Lord said would precede his second coming. These events occurred May 19, 1780, and November 13, 1833. These are not the only signs, however. There would be "upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth." Luke 21:25, 26. 1. It is declared in both Old and New Testament scriptures that the earth "shall wax old as doth a garment." Heb. 1:10-12. It is not mankind alone which has been marred and weakened, corrupted and diseased by sin. The whole creation groans and travails in pain. The creation was made subject to vanity on account of man's transgression. Men may say that the disturbances and disasters in the physical laws of our earth have ever been the same; that earthquakes, great storms, cyclones, tornadoes, floods, and other terrifying phenomena, are just such occurrences as have ever taken place in the past. But to this it is sufficient to reply that (1) we have no record of such things in so great frequency as they have occurred during the past two-score of years; and (2) the Bible declares that these things are signs of the last days. This certainly is true, that there never was a time when people were more apprehensive of evil of this kind than at present. Whether there is ground for fear or not, this is evident, there is fear in the hearts of men. 2. The social world presents phases equally in harmony with the testimony of the prediction. There is distress of nations, with perplexity. How to meet the social problems, how to succor the poor, how to preserve power amid all the revolution and change taking place, are the problems over which statesmen are wrestling in every civilized and semi-civilized government of the earth, as never before. 3. Increase of riches, injustice, rapacity, and oppression are also indications of the last days. This is graphically pictured in James 5:1-6. It is said that they "have heaped treasures together for the last days," and that this has been done by oppressing the poor, living in wantonness and pleasure, while those who have reaped down their fields have lived in want and penury. And in view of all this injustice, the faithful are exhorted to "be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord." The same condition of affairs is set forth in Isaiah 59. The reign of injustice and falsehood and hypocrisy is set forth in forcible words throughout the first seventeen verses. And all this is when "the enemy shall come in like a flood" (verse 19), pointing to the same time that Paul predicts in 2 Thess. 2:8-10, when Satan shall work "with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish." The next verse of Isaiah (verse 20) says, "And the Redeemer shall come to Zion." These predictions of Holy Writ are met in the appalling wickedness of our own times. 4. Spiritual declension. It is bemoaned everywhere by all churches. It is not contended that there is no increase of members; there is. But what is the character of this increase? How many hypocrites, and swindlers, and embezzlers, and peculators are connected with the church of Christ! How often it is said of some embezzler that he was an active Sunday school worker, or prominent in the church in some way! Granted that these things may ever have been to some extent, they now exist to an alarming extent. The church lacks spiritual power and discernment, or such men would never find her atmosphere congenial, and she would read their true character. We gladly witness that there are many faithful souls scattered among the various denominations. They are the salt of the earth. But the church as a whole has fallen, and is now seeking the secular arm to uphold some of her cherished and unscriptural institutions. Has God predicted this?—Yes; over and over again. Says our Lord, in Matt. 24:12, 13: "And because iniquity [lawlessness] shall be multiplied, the love of the many shall wax cold. But he that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved." (Revised Version.) The apostle Paul, in 2 Tim. 3:1-5, mentions eighteen different sins661 which are held by those who have a form of godliness but deny the power thereof. It is because these sins are prevalent among those who profess better things that the days are perilous. And few are the men indeed who will not admit that every one of these sins exists in the church, and most of them go unrebuked except in a general sort of way. 5. Another marked sign of the second coming of Christ is the presence of a class who will scoff at that coming. They will say: "Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation." 2 Peter 3:3-5. Many of this class are found at the present time. From this text we learn (1) that the coming of Christ will be preached, and this calls out the scoffing question; (2) this class themselves are a promise of Christ's soon second coming, in that they fulfill the prophecy. 6. False prophets and false christs will arise. Matt. 24:24-27. Some will declare that Christ is come in the secret chamber, others in the desert, others in their own persons; many will be deceived because they know not the word of God. Christ will not come in any of these ways, but, like the glorious lightning of God's power, he will be visible to all the world. Be not deceived. 7. A message will go forth declaring, among other great truths, that his coming is near, that his judgment has come; and men will be earnestly exhorted to prepare for that coming. Joel 2:1; Zeph. 2:1-3; Rev. 14:6-14; Matt. 24:26, 39, 45-47. This message has been sounding to the world for the last half century, preached by men of nearly every denomination. After our Saviour had spoken of most of these various signs, he said:— "Now learn a parable of the fig tree: When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh; so likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away." Matt. 24:32-35. Let the reader note the positiveness with which our Saviour speaks. Just as surely as we know that summer is near when we see the fig tree—all the trees (Luke 21:29)—put forth its leaves, just so surely should we know that Christ's coming is near when we see "all these things." This is the plain, obvious meaning of the passage. We cannot know the day or the hour, but we should know when it is near. But what is it to "see" these things? Very few indeed of those now living ever actually saw the signs in the sun and moon. To some who did see them with their own eyes they were no evidences of Christ's coming, for they knew nothing of the prediction. The word "see," Greek eidon, means also, according to Young, "to know, to be acquainted." See its use in Matt. 4:16; 5:16; 9:2; 13:15, 17; 27:24; John 8:56, et al. The term has reference evidently to seeing these things in the only way in which they could be of worth to us, seeing them in the light of the prophecy. When the prophecy is understood, when these things are then shown as evidence, and when they are known to have been fulfilled and are fulfilling as declared by the prophecy, then we may see and know that Christ's coming is near. Since 1844 this message has been proclaimed to the world that the coming of the Lord was near, and these signs have been among the prominent evidences of the nearness of that coming. How near is his coming?—"Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled." A generation is not defined in Scripture. It evidently refers to those who live upon the earth at one time. This generation evidently refers to the generation that gives and hears the last message of warning from God. The generation who gave and heard the warning of the deluge, was the generation that were either engulfed by it or were saved in the ark. The generation who proclaimed the first advent of Christ, saw the Desire of Israel come to the temple. And so also will many of that generation which heralds to the world his second coming, look up and say at his appearing, "Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us." But it is said that "this generation" meant the one in which our Lord then was. That this is not true is shown by the following: (1) No such signs were given to that generation; (2) the only sign given to them beyond Christ's wondrous teaching and power was the sign of the prophet Jonas (Matt. 12:39). The word "this" is often used in this way in the Bible in referring to future events. See Ex. 12:12, where "this night" refers to the fourteenth night from the time it was spoken, or Ps. 118:23, 24, where "this" is used in referring to the time of the Christian dispensation. Christ had by various events brought his disciples down to the time when his coming was near, when evidences of that event would be multiplied, when the agreement between these occurrences and the prophetic word would be declared, and he assures them that the generation which sees these things shall not pass away till all should be fulfilled. In "this generation" we are living, and "this generation" will not pass till the opening heavens reveal the "King of kings and Lord of lords." Definitely and specifically is this part of our Lord's discourse repeated by three of the evangelists, and the same positive assurance is given in each: "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my word shall not pass away." The world may ridicule, but the word of Christ shall stand. Happy is he who makes that word his trust. GOD'S DESCRIPTION OF OUR GENERATION.
By Anna Agee
"BLOW ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain; let all the inhabitants of the land tremble; for the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand." Joel 2:1. To-day God gives this command to his messengers, for in his prophetic word he shows that we are standing upon the very borders of eternity. From this command being given we would naturally infer that God's professed followers are not ready for the great day just before them; for if they are ready, there is no need for an alarm to be sounded in his "holy mountain," or church. Turning to 2 Tim. 3:1-5, the Lord, in a vivid word picture, shows the condition of his professed people in the "last days"—the time in which we are now living: "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce-breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof; from such turn away." Think you such are the ones to whom he will say at his coming, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant"? But while Christendom is in this fallen condition, she does not know it, she is deceived concerning herself. In the message God sends to the church in the last or Laodicean period of her earthly history, he says: "Unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write: . . . Thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked." Rev. 3:14-17. Instead of seeing how low she is fallen, "the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills" (Isa. 2:2) in her own eyes; but the Holy Spirit prophecies further: "and all nations shall flow unto it." In the eyes of a righteous God, her standard is so low that, instead of having an elevating influence, her trend is downward. Many will be deceived in regard to their true condition until the very day of Christ's coming, and will hear, instead of the welcome words, "Well done," the, "Depart from me, ye that work iniquity." We inquire, Why became, why remained, they thus deceived? We have God's answer in 2 Tim. 4:3, 4 and 2 Thess. 2:11, 12: "The time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." "And for this cause [because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved] God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie; that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness." The Saviour says of the word, "Thy word is truth." John 17:17. And in Ps. 119:142, 151 we read: "Thy law is the truth," "All thy commandments are truth." So that from which they turn aside is God's word, his law, his commandments, yea, even662Christ the Truth. John 14:6. Because they do not love or obey him, God allows them to have their own way, believing the fables or lies to which they have turned. He only says, "Choose ye;" he forces none to obey. Turning to Isa. 30:8-11 (margin) we find that the Lord tells us in plain words just what it is from which the people turn in the last days:— "Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the latter day. That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the Lord; which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophecy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophecy deceits; get you out of the way [the law of the Lord, Ps. 119:1-3], turn aside out of the path [God's commandments, Ps. 119:35], cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us." While the people of this time do not in words say, "Cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us," they do say so in their violation of his word and law. "They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate." Titus 1:16. "O Israel, thy prophets are like the foxes in the deserts. Ye have not gone up into the gaps [margin, "breaches"], neither made up the hedge for the house of Israel to stand in the battle in the day of the Lord. They have seen vanity and lying divination, saying, The Lord saith; and the Lord hath not sent them; and they have made others to hope that they would confirm the word. Have ye not seen a vain vision, and have ye not spoken a lying divination, whereas ye say, The Lord saith it; albeit I have not spoken? Therefore thus saith the Lord God: Because ye have spoken vanity, and seen lies, therefore, behold, I am against you, saith the Lord God. . . . Because, even because they have seduced my people, saying, Peace; and there was no peace; and one built up a wall, and, lo, others daubed it with untempered mortar; say unto them which daubed it with untempered mortar, that it shall fall; there shall be an overflowing shower, and ye, O great hailstones, shall fall; and a stormy wind shall rend it." The "great hailstones" evidently refer to the last of the seven last plagues of Revelation 16. The "untempered mortar" we find, in Eze. 22:24-28, to be "Thus saith the Lord God, when the Lord hath not spoken":— "Son of man, say unto her, Thou art the land that is not cleansed, nor rained upon in the day of indignation [the day of the Lord's coming]. . . . Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things; they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they showed difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my Sabbaths, and I am profaned among them. . . . And her prophets have daubed them with untempered mortar, seeing vanity, and divining lies unto them, saying, Thus saith the Lord God, when the Lord hath not spoken." In tender tones the Good Shepherd is calling his wandering sheep to-day. Will you not turn, listen to his pleadings, place your hand in his, and let him lead you in the path of his commandments? They are the entrance to the city of God. Rev. 22:14. But, oh, too many will not heed, but will close their ears to the pitiful words of his entreaty, only to find at last that Jesus knew best, and it was because of his infinite love that he pointed out their sins and gave them warnings! THERE is consolation in the thought that he "who has begun a good work in us is able to finish it unto the day of Jesus Christ." When God led Israel into the Red Sea, he knew that he was able to stay the waters till they were clean passed over. When he led their hosts out to battle, he knew on which side the victory would turn. God takes no chances; he runs no risks. All things are possible with him who upholds the universe by his power. And we may rest assured that he is able to "do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us." Our failures are not due to his weakness, but to lack of resignation to his strength. His power will work in us only as we yield to its control. The Means of Grace
By William Gurnall
The Christian should go to the "means of grace" as a merchant that sails from port to port; not to see places, but to take his lading, some here, some there, and should blush as much to return empty as a merchant to return unladen.—Gurnall. THE CHRISTIAN'S ATTITUDE IN TRIAL.
By Ellen G. White
In all our afflictions Jesus was afflicted, and the Captain of our salvation was made perfect through suffering. In this life we shall be proved to see whether or not we shall be able to bear the test of God. Satan's temptations will come upon us, and we shall be tried, but the question of most importance to us is, Shall we be overcome? or shall we be overcomers? Jesus has said, "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne." How precious, how full is this promise! Shall we not have the mind stored with heavenly truth, that, like our great Example, we may be able to meet Satan with the weapon of God's word, saying to him as he tempts us to do evil, "It is written"? Satan knows better than many professed Christians what is written, for he is a diligent student of the Bible, and he works to pervert the truth, and lead men into the paths of disobedience. He leads men to neglect the searching of the word of God; for he knows that it testifies against him, that his works are evil. It describes him as the apostate angel who fell from heaven, and drew many of the hosts of heaven after him in a course of rebellion against their Creator. Satan is seeking continually to draw away the minds of men from God and his word. He knows that if he can cause men to neglect the word of God, he can soon cause them to depart from its precepts, and finally to forget their Maker. They will then take the suggestions and instructions of the adversary of God and man, and evil men and evil angels will form a confederacy against the God of heaven. Those who would be loyal to God will be subject to trials and temptations; but if they are truly alive unto God, and have their life hid with Christ in God, they will also know what it is to have the blessings which God bestows upon the faithful and obedient. Every soul will have its trials, disappointments, sickness, and sorrow. Bereavements will come, and because of their own frailties and mistakes, or through sympathy for their friends, heavy grief will press upon the heart. But whatever may be the character of their sorrows, whether heavy or comparatively light, there is no necessity for becoming restless, impatient, rebellious, or morose. There is no need of speaking rash, faithless words. It is a great mistake to dictate to the Lord. Elijah knew not what he was doing when he said to God that he had had enough of life, and asked to die. The Lord did not take him at his word; for there was a great work for Elijah to do before he should be translated to heaven. Instead of murmuring against God in times of trial, let us remember that Jesus, the Majesty of heaven, suffered being tempted. Jesus did not permit the enemy to plunge him into the mire of unbelief, despondency, and despair. But how often we permit it, and because we have but little moral power, not doing the works of Christ, we do not resist the first insinuations of the evil one! The promise is given: "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you." How precious to the tempted soul is this positive promise! If anyone is tempted, let him keep his eyes upon Jesus, and draw nigh to God, talking of his goodness and mercy. When the tempted soul realizes that Jesus is drawing nigh unto him, the annoyances that he thought unbearable will vanish. "For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord; in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit." When this precious experience is ours, then there will be vital energy in the church. Love for Christ must be revived, and not permitted to grow cold. We must not only pray for663 unity with Christ and with one another, but actually have it, know what it means by real experience. Troublous times are before us, but this is not to worry us. To worry is to doubt; but we would impress upon all the necessity of going to God for help, whatever may be your afflictions and troubles. Do not think to obtain help by going to the gods of Ekron. Jesus has left an invitation for every burdened soul. He says: "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." John, who leaned upon the bosom of Christ, says, "We have known and believed the love that God hath to us." If we can individually say this from the heart, we are indeed rich in faith, living on the promises of God. Amid our trials, disappointments, bereavements, and afflictions, we are to learn that God is love, and that he that dwelleth in God, dwelleth in love. "Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as he is, so are we in this world." We have reason ever to thank God that he knows all the storms, disappointments, and trials that come upon his people. He follows them through every experience, with tender, pitying love, and expresses his desire to heal our wounds, and restore unto us the joy of his salvation. Jesus has said, "He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." There is but one channel of light, but that is always accessible to us, and through that channel flow streams of forgiveness and love. The streams of God's mercy can cleanse the darkest stain, bring peace to the greatest sinner. The blood of Christ was shed for the sins of the world. In the sacrificial offering, offered by the Jews, was seen a symbol of Christ, whose blood was to be shed for the salvation of the world. In the sacrificial system the truth of the atonement was to be impressed upon the world, that all might know that without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins. Many have wondered why it was that God appointed so many sacrifices in the old dispensation; but it was to teach the world in ever-bleeding sacrifices concerning Christ, the victim of man's transgressions. The offering for sin was a most solemn, sacred offering, and was placed upon the altar with impressive ceremony, and every detail was explained by the priest to the people, that they might understand that the Son of God was to be made an offering for their sins. This is the central truth of the plan of salvation, and it should be often repeated in the hearing of both believers and unbelievers. The angels behold with amazement the indifference with which men hear these sacred truths. They look with sorrow upon those who profess to believe advanced truth, to see how little they make manifest the fact that they are the purchase of the blood of the "Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." It is only through faith in the cleansing blood that we may have forgiveness of sin, that clings to us like a moral leprosy. Jesus need not have suffered for himself, for "he knew no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth;" yet he suffered agony in proportion to the purity and majesty of his character. Angels are amazed that those for whom so much has been done by the Son of God, still continue to cherish sin. The inexpressible sufferings of Christ were endured that the souls of men might be saved from sin and its penalty. Oh, why is it that men are so indifferent? Why is it that the plan of salvation is so little mentioned in our conversation? We dwell but lightly upon these vital truths, that mean so much to us, and continue willing captives of Satan and sin. Oh, that we might cultivate habits of contemplation of the self-sacrifice, self-denial, and love of Christ, until we should have a deeper sense of the malignant character of sin, and hate it as the vile thing that it is! Let the mind and heart awaken to gratitude, and let us come to the Father in the name of Jesus, asking for the forgiveness of sins, for the cleansing from all unrighteousness. Let us plead with God that he may "cleanse us with hyssop," that we may be clean, wash us, that we may be "whiter than snow." He will restore unto us the "joy of his salvation," put within us a new heart, a right spirit, put a "new song" into our mouths, "even praise unto our God." Great Deeds and Good Ones
“History makes haste to record great deeds, but often neglects good ones.” THE SECRET OF POWER.
By Eliza H. Morton
WE read in God’s own book of light and life,
Of how, when man lost all his glory here,
One came to earth and took his place and lived
Without the touch of sin, and living bore
The sins of man, and died that he might live.
O wondrous love! O Christ the crucified! O ye that live this mortal life, know ye
The power that may be thine? Know ye the place,—
The secret place of power? Ah, Jesus died
To give you strength! His strength may now be all
Your own. Your possibilities are great:
You may receive into your heart a Guest,
A heavenly One, the Prince of Peace to dwell,
To live a life far nobler than your own.
The brightest visions and the brightest dreams
Are but as shadows to the sun before
This wondrous thing the Lord would work in you. Your work is but to let the Saviour work in you
By faith. Oh, let him do his will! All Heaven
Is ready now to reach down hands of love,
To compass you about with armies strong,
To give you power to move the hearts of men.
Believe and waver not, though tried by fire.
The bud bursts not at once into a flower;
The tiny brook must onward flow before
It widens to a stream,—so grow in grace,
And let your faith increase as trials met
And overcome in Jesus’ name give songs
Of praise, and day by day you see and feel
And know that Christ the Lord will give just what
His Spirit leads you to implore. O life
Of faith, how broad, how grand, how full, how
free! No marble walls of chilly tombs to check
The aspirations of the soul, but waves
Of liberty, a place of peace and love,
A place where angels camp and God himself
Is pleased to dwell—this is the life of faith. Believe and live, aye, nobly live. That life
Is low which has not heaven in view, and lives
For self. That life is true which looks afar
Adown the vistas of the coming years,
And sees by faith a throng of holy ones,
Aye, sees the fruit of well-directed toil.
The sheaves are thine. God’s word is true. The seed
Will grow, and faith may grasp a sweeter thing
Than even future joy. No need to wait
For long, long years to pass before we know
The fullness of God’s love. This day, e'en now,
We may take hold of strength divine and feel
The Spirit in its power, and thus go forth
With armor clad, like knights of old, to fight
Far greater battles than were ever fought
By warriors fierce in other days. Our God
Is strong. That strength have we if we have faith. PRIVILEGE AND DUTY.
By I. E. Kimball
It is every man's privilege to know God, his Creator and Father. The idea is expressed in the proverb, "Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God." The knowledge of God embraces an understanding of his ways, character, and will, and also embraces personal acquaintance. "This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." "Ye know him, for he dwelleth with you and shall be in you." "I will dwell in them and walk in them." "We will come to you and make our abode with you." "We know him, because he hath given to us of his Holy Spirit." It would seem that it is everyone's privilege to know that the Spirit which raised up Christ from the dead dwells also in his mortal body, bringing within the range of his possibilities all things that pertain to life and godliness. It is our privilege to ask and receive of this Spirit, because the Lord says to us, "Ask, that ye may receive." "I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh." "God is a Spirit," and God's Spirit is the very life and power of the Lord himself. So we have the privilege of claiming, taking hold upon and using life directly from God himself. But to do this we must lay down our own life wholly at his feet. Who will not take hold upon life so freely and fully urged upon them? Do we then love death? We see it before us, on our track, and at our right and left. Will we choose to live in the flesh, or choose the better part and live in the Spirit? It is everyone's privilege to take hold upon that life just as freely as he partakes of the air and water which God gives, and as freely as his own life is brought under the power of the Spirit. God's strength is made perfect in weakness, and many have yet to learn that the power of God is freely given so that wisdom and strength may be realized wholly as a gift, without effort, without work, a power and wisdom wholly superior to what we are naturally in possession of. Thus we may be able to say with Paul, "I know whom I have believed." One cannot estimate the privilege of knowing God by his indwelling Spirit, for shadows and darkness and fear all pass away; they flee his presence forever. It is a sure testimony of a new creation, a restitution, a resuscitation from the death in which we are now involved. God's Spirit is the gift of "a new man," "of righteousness," of "power over all the power of the enemy," Satan. But Satan "has the power of death," so you may be possessed of a power superior to and able to abolish death. Such is the unspeakable gift and privilege. But what about duty? It is everyone's duty to render perfect obedience to God the Father. No one has any right at all to indulge in little lapses and deviations. "Shall we sin that grace may abound? God forbid." What is said of sin as a whole is said of sin in all its parts; every idle word, every deviation from temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love, is included in the interdiction. "He that is unfaithful in the least is unfaithful in much." The servant or son who continually deviates from your desires, to please and gratify himself, is not to be trusted with large responsibilities. Is not this perfect walk the example, pattern, copy, given to formulate life in Christ? But you say perfection cannot be attained. We can never reach this. You make the way too straight and narrow. It may do as theory but cannot be wrought out in life. Say you so? But where lies the possibility in the whole matter?—Not in yourself but in God. Is your own strength or life profitable for anything in this matter?—"The flesh profiteth nothing." Then "put no confidence in the flesh." We are not sufficient of ourselves to do anything; but our sufficiency is of God, and we can do all things, all is possible, through the Lord, who is our life. Well, then, all things are possible with God, and you may have him in his fullness. But still some of your ways contradict him, and belie the fact that God is in you. But that is self and Satan. Well, then, your whole plea for the allowance of your devious ways is a plea to let self remain dominant to some extent in you; it recognizes two masters, not one. But this is not Christ's gospel. It is easier to follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth, and let God have the full life, than to live a divided, half-hearted life. They who make a covenant with God by sacrifice should sacrifice all freely and then take all from God. He who is unfaithful in little, minor things, trivial things, is not guiltless. He should show the power and life of God to the world, but he does not. He should do the works of Christ, bless, as he blessed; he should speak with authority and all confidence. He ought never to be in darkness, doubt, uncertainty, fear, weakness, and inertia, for all this gives the lie to Christ and God. He ought ever to exercise a positive saving, regenerating, heavenly influence upon every associate, and in every condition of life. He should be able to instill the oil of joy in all mourners' hearts, and everywhere, always, reveal an open treasury of heaven for all the sons of men. This is duty. Charity Toward Difficult People
By Thomas à Kempis
It is no great matter to live lovingly with good-natured, humble, and meek persons; but he who can do so with the froward, willful, ignorant, peevish, and perverse, hath true charity.—Thomas à Kempis.