IT SHALL BRUISE THY HEAD, AND THOU SHALT BRUISE HIS HEEL. GEN. III, 15.
This is the first prophecy in the Bible, and it contains within itself all other prophecies. It involves the events of the first advent, and those of the second. It relates to Christ's humiliation and his triumph, and to the final overthrow of the devil.
The serpent is the great foe of God and man. It is in allusion to this very scripture, that Satan is called, in Rev. xx, the old serpent, the devil. The New Testament gives this text a very simple form, so that the real idea cannot be misunderstood. Thus Paul says to the Romans (chap. xv, 20), “And the very God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly.” Stating the same fact with even clearer reference to the means of its accomplishment, he says (Heb. ii, 14), “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil.” And John says (1 John iii, 8), “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.”
These texts are but New Testament versions of Gen. iii, 15. It is plain that the serpent is no other than Satan. It is equally plain that the seed of the woman is the Son of God. The contest between these two
mighty combatants is expressed in the text, by the terms, “It shall bruise thy head,” “Thou shalt bruise his heel.” In other words, Christ must die upon the cross; Satan must be utterly destroyed in the furnace of fire. “Through death” the Son of God is able to destroy the devil.
How costly is redemption! Satan and all evil doers might have been destroyed without one pang of suffering to the Son of God. But if he would open a way of escape to lost man, and buy back for him his forfeited inheritance, the Son of God must die. Let us thank God that this infinite sacrifice was not withheld. And let us tremble lest sin be found upon us, so that we share with Satan in his terrible destruction.
THE NUMBER OF THE FAMILY OF MAN.
God designed that the earth should be peopled with a race of holy beings. Had man never sinned, and the earth never been cursed of God, it would have been replenished with the family of Adam, and then a further multiplication of men would no doubt have ceased.
Sin has entered our world and brought the curse of God. But the God of Heaven has not relinquished his design respecting the earth. He will create it anew at the close of the day of Judgment, and make it the eternal abode of immortal beings. The number of the saved will be sufficient to people the earth as God designed it to be peopled at the first. His purpose will not be frustrated. But the human family will, in consequence of the fall, consist of just as many more persons than it otherwise would, as the whole number of the wicked. They will have lived in vain.
THE OFFER OF SALVATION TO ALL.
The wicked are to the righteous, as the tares, and chaff, and stubble, to the wheat. They are either of no value, or of positive evil. They must feel the devouring fire. But though so many human beings live in vain, it is not because God has had no thoughts of mercy toward them. God has purposed to secure out of the family of man, a sufficient number to people the new earth. Doubtless this will be just the number that would have been required to people the earth had Adam never sinned.
With God is no injustice. He does not save some by irresistible power, and damn others in spite of all their efforts to secure salvation. He offers salvation to all mankind. He began with the first generation to make this offer. He has continued the offer to each successive generation. A few in every age have accepted, but the greater part have refused, the offer. Had all of each generation received the gracious gift of God, the number of the saved had soon been made up, and the work would have thus been brought to a close. But as the most of every generation have counted themselves unworthy of eternal life, the number has not been made up, and the offer has passed to the next generation, and the next, and so to us. With God is no injustice. He has given every one a chance to be saved. The righteous will indeed owe their salvation to God, but the wicked will be damned simply because they would not be saved.
YE SHALL BE AS GODS.
Sin promises great advantage to those who will yield to its seductions. This is what Paul means by the deceitfulness of sin. Satan told Eve that she should not die though she should disobey God. On the contrary, it would bring her great advantage. She should become a god herself. She was then a little lower than the angels. By disobeying God she was to become elevated to the rank of a divine being. She made the fatal mistake to believe Satan and disbelieve God. But she found to her cost that death was a terrible reality, and that sin had power to abase, but none to elevate. She found death, not to be a translation to the rank of gods, but an abasement to the dust of the earth. But Satan's lie has found ready belief by the world of mankind. Even to-day death is not esteemed a reality, but an elevation to a higher mode of existence.
DEATH AS AN ELEVATED FORM OF LIFE.
To Eve Satan promised, “Ye shall not surely die.101. . . Ye shall be as gods.” The heathen gods are deified dead men. What Satan promised Eve has been esteemed a reality by the heathen world. Their gods are almost all of them men distinguished for their crimes, who, having at last tasted death, became thereby elevated to a higher life, and were constituted gods.
The gods of the Moabites were deified dead men. Num. xxv, 2, 3; Ps. cvi, 28. And Antiochus Eupator, the son of Antiochus Epiphanes, speaks thus of the death of his father, “OUR FATHER IS TRANSLATED TO THE GODS.” 2 Mac. xi, 23. If this be true, then death is indeed a higher life. But how inconsistent such a view, with the fact that it is the penalty of violated law! Who was truthful, God who said man should surely die, or Satan who said that he should not, but should be as a god?
A REMARKABLE CORNER-STONE.
The doctrine of the immortality of the soul is something indispensable to almost every prominent religious system. It is the corner-stone of heathenism. All, or nearly all the gods of heathenism are dead men who were turned into gods by dying. They are simply the immortal souls of the dead.
Romanism is indebted to this doctrine for all its saints who are now acting as mediators with God. It is a fundamental idea in the system of purgatory. In fact, Romanism is as much dependent upon this doctrine as is heathenism, and that is incapable of existing without it.
Spiritualism is simply the embodiment of this doctrine of natural immortality. It is incapable of existing without it. The very mission of Spiritualism as proclaimed by itself, is to establish the doctrine of the immortality of the soul.
Is it not strange that this corner-stone of heathenism, Romanism, and Spiritualism, should be also the corner-stone of modern orthodoxy? Yet such is the case. It is in these days esteemed the marrow and fatness of the gospel. And so prevalent is their doctrine that the advent of Christ, the resurrection of the dead, and the Judgment, are rendered almost obsolete by it.
THE TREE OF LIFE.
It is evident that God did not design that man should die. He prepared a garden for him, in the midst of which stood the tree of life. He was not forbidden access to this tree. If he should eat of the tree of life he would continue to live. Even after he had sinned, had he not been shut away from this tree, he would have continued exempt from death. Gen. iii, 22–24. This tree remained upon the earth after the rebellion of man, for the way of access to it was guarded by a flaming sword. This tree is now in the midst of the Paradise of God, in the third Heaven. 2 Cor. xii, 1–4; Rev. ii, 7; xxii, 1–3, 14. Probably at the time of the flood the garden of Paradise was removed.
THE TREE OF KNOWLEDGE.
Two trees stood in the midst of the garden of God. To eat of one tree was to secure eternal life. To eat of the other was to render death certain and inevitable. The tree of knowledge stood near the tree of life. It was death to eat of it. How strange the infatuation of sin. Man had greater desire to eat of the forbidden fruit, than to eat of the tree that should perpetuate his life to all eternity.
The tree of knowledge had no pernicious property inherent in its nature. It was undoubtedly good in itself. The evil all grew out of disobedience. When man had been tested, no doubt this prohibition would have been removed. But man could not wait. Sin promised advantage which could not be neglected. How terrible the deception. And yet, though sin has only deceived and cheated every time for 6000 years, the great body of mankind still believe that the real good of this life is found in disobeying God. This is what Paul terms the deceitfulness of sin. When man had only the knowledge of good, he must have the knowledge of evil also. And he obtained it to his lasting sorrow. He found what good there was in sin. It brought guilt, distress, banishment from Paradise, and finally death itself.
"THOSE THAT HAVE BEEN LONG DEAD."
"For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath smitten my life down to the ground; he hath made me to dwell in darkness, as those that have been long dead." Ps. cxliii, 3.
"He hath set me in dark places, as they that be dead of old." Lam. iii, 6.
These statements are worthy of more than a mere passing notice. "Those that have been long dead," or "dead of old," have certainly reached the condition of happiness or misery which the dead inherit while they remain under the power of death. And what do these sacred writers say of them? That some are in the presence of God in Heaven in the light of his countenance; and that others are in hell fire? They say nothing of this kind. They speak of the dead, irrespective of moral character, that they "dwell in darkness," and that they are "in dark places." Such was the view of David and of Jeremiah; or, rather, such is the testimony which the Spirit of God inspired them to bear.
And David's case furnishes a good illustration of the truth which he has thus declared. When he had "been long dead," even one thousand years after his decease, the apostles, Peter and Paul, speak thus of him.
1. Peter's testimony concerning David. Acts ii, 29, 34: "Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulcher is with us unto this day. . . . For David is not ascended into the Heavens; but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand." Was not one thousand years long time enough to reach Heaven if he could arrive there while dead?
2. Paul's testimony concerning David. Acts xiii, 36: "For David, after he had served his own generation, by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption." So Paul adds to Peter's testimony that David had not ascended to Heaven, the further statement that he is now asleep.
David knew that he should thus sleep, but he looked beyond that sleep to the moment of waking. Thus he says, Ps. xvii, 15, "As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness, I shall be satisfied when I awake with thy likeness."
It is a precious thought that the moment of this awakening is now at hand. To the sleepers, the state of death will be only a blank, an imperceptible atom of time. When they awake in glorious immortality they shall behold the Son of God and be like him; and thenceforward ever be with him.
FEAR GOD AND KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS.
“This is the closing exhortation of the book of Ecclesiastes. Two reasons are assigned: 1. “This is the whole duty of man.” 2. “God shall bring every work into Judgment.” Those who have discharged their duty faithfully will pass its fearful scrutiny, and all others will be pronounced unprofitable servants.
“The fear of the Lord,” says the Psalmist, “is the beginning of wisdom.” Ps. cxi, 10. How expressive this declaration. Many men renowned for their great knowledge never had one particle of true wisdom. They were either of that class who say in their hearts, “There is no God;” or of that other class who do not deny his existence, but who say to him, “Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.” Ps. xiv, 1; Job xxi, 14. How will such men, falsely called great, discover in the day of Judgment that they were great only in folly and self-conceit? That they wasted their lives in the pursuit of vain ambition, and neglected the one thing needful. The very first element of wisdom, the fear of God, never existed in their minds.
But the beginning of wisdom is not all that we may possess of it. Wisdom begins in the fear of God. It does not ever cease to extend and increase with those who follow on to know the Lord. And so the Psalmist adds: “A good understanding have all they that do his commandments.” So wisdom really consists in fearing God, and keeping his commandments. Those who act thus have not only the beginning of wisdom, but they have a good understanding. They not only fear God, but they also love him. Love is but another name for obedience to the law of God. The wise man obeys God in everything; but fools go astray in the greatness of their folly.
THE CLOSING MESSAGES.—NO. 6.
By R. F. Cottrell
It may be objected that the proclamation of 1844 was not sufficiently extensive to be a fulfilment of the prophecy. Where was not the sound heard? Perhaps it was more extensive than you are aware. It was more extensive than the mission of John the Baptist; and yet he fulfilled important prophecies as the harbinger and herald of the first advent. His field of action was where the religion of the Bible was best known. And so the special field of these messages should be in the very heart of Christendom.
These flying angels, as we have inferred thus far, being a portion of symbolic prophecy, represent messages of truth to be proclaimed in the world according to God’s chosen mode of speaking to men, that is, by preaching. And he has chosen that men, not angels, should be the visible instrumentality; and he has promised to adhere to that instrumentality to the end of the age. “Go ye,” said Jesus, addressing himself to his disciples, “into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” “And, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” Inasmuch, then, as the angel of Rev. xiv, 6, 7, has a message of the gospel to preach, though literal angels may have the oversight of the work, it seems evident that the visible agency will be men. And that the angels fly in the “midst of Heaven,” doubtless represents the fact that the messages take their rise, and do their most prominent work in the most enlightened Christian country on the earth—just such a country as the United States, to which the proscribed and persecuted of so many so-called Christian nations have fled for the enjoyment of freedom in the worship of God. The “midst” of these symbolic heavens, the enlightened and Christian portion of the earth, is the special field of this angel; but the voice of his message reaches to “every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.”
But let us inquire as to how far the sound of this message was heard.
An English writer, Mourant Brock, thus remarks:
“It is not merely in Great Britain that the expectation of the near return of the Redeemer is entertained, and the voice of warning raised, but also in America, India, and on the continent of Europe. In America about three hundred ministers of the word are thus preaching ‘this gospel of the kingdom’; while in this country, about seven hundred of the Church of England are raising the same cry.”—Advent Tracts, Vol. II, p. 135.
Dr. Joseph Wolfe traveled in Arabia Felix, through the region inhabited by the descendants of Hobab, Moses’ father-in-law. In Yemen, he saw a book, which he mentions thus:
“The Arabs of this place have a book called SERAÏAS, which treats of the second coming of Christ, and his reign in glory!” In Yemen he spent six days with the Rechabites. “They drink no wine, plant no vineyards, sow no seed, live in tents, and remember the words of Jonadab, the son of Rechab. With them were children of Israel, of the tribe of Dan, who reside near Terim in Hatramawt, who expect in common with the children of Rechab, the speedy arrival of the Messiah in the clouds of heaven.”—Dr. Wolfe’s Mission to Bokhara.
The “Voice of the Church,” by D. T. Taylor, speaks as follows concerning the wide diffusion of the advent sentiment:
“In Wurtemberg there is a Christian colony numbering hundreds, who look for the speedy advent of Christ; also another of like belief on the shores of the Caspian; the Molokaners, a large body of Dissenters from the Russian Greek church, residing on the shores of the Baltic—a very pious people, of whom it is said, ‘taking the Bible alone for their creed, the norm of their faith is simply the Holy Scriptures’—are characterized by the ‘expectation of Christ’s immediate and visible reign upon earth.’ In Russia the doctrine of Christ’s coming and reign is preached to some extent, and received by many of the lower class. It has been extensively agitated in Germany, particularly in the south part among the Moravians. In Norway, charts and books on the advent have been circulated extensively, and the doctrine received by many. Among the Tartars in Tartary, there prevails an expectation of Christ’s advent about this time. English and American publications on this doctrine have been sent to Holland, Germany, India, Ireland, Constantinople, Rome, and to nearly every missionary station on the globe. At the Turks Islands, it has been received to some extent among the Wesleyans. Mr. Fox, a Scottish missionary to the Telegoo people, was a believer in Christ’s soon coming. James MacGregor Bertram, a Scottish missionary of the Baptist order at St. Helena, has sounded the cry extensively on that island, making many converts and pre-millennialists; he has also preached it at South Africa, at the missionary stations there. David N. Lord informs us that a large proportion of the missionaries who have gone from Great Britain to make known the gospel to the heathen, and who are now laboring in Asia and Africa, are millenarians; and Joseph Wolfe, D. D., according to his journals, between the years 1821 and 1845, proclaimed the Lord’s speedy advent in Palestine, Egypt, on the shores of the Red Sea, Mesopotamia, the Crimea, Persia, Georgia, throughout the Ottoman empire, in Greece, Arabia, Turkistan, Bokhara, Afghanistan, Cashmere, Hindoostan, Thibet, in Holland, Scotland and Ireland, at Constantinople, Jerusalem, St. Helena, also on shipboard in the Mediterranean, and at New York City to all denominations. He declares he has preached among Jews, Turks, Mohammedans, Parsees, Hindoos, Chaldeans, Yeseedes, Syrians, Sabeans, to Pashas, Shieks, Shahs, the kings of Organtish and Bokhara, the queen of Greece, etc., and of his extraordinary labors, the Investigator says: ‘No individual has, perhaps, given greater publicity to the doctrine of the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, than has this well known missionary to the world. Wherever he goes he proclaims the approaching advent of the Messiah in glory.’ R. F. COTTRELL.
LICENTIOUS BOOKS AND PAPERS.
The apostle, in giving the characteristics of the last days, declares that “evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse.” That this language applies with wonderful force at the present time, is only too painfully apparent. The following startling but truthful statement will in some measure account for the terrible increase of licentiousness among the youth of the present day:
A firm and conscientious editor in New York justly says: “Few are aware of the number of licentious books and papers which are published in this and other cities, and the means employed to push them into circulation. Day and night, through the mails and by express, these infamous publishers are sending forth their vile prints, to pollute the young and pure of both sexes. The poison is disseminated, even in the sacred precincts of home, under the eye of the parent, and in the schools, under the eye of the teacher. Thus the influence of parental, Sunday-school, and pulpit instruction is destroyed, and the morals and character of our sons and daughters undermined. This evil is assuming a terrible magnitude; and its instigators are fast throwing off the disguises under which they formerly carried on their infamous trade. The sale of these vile publications is no longer confined to the newspaper peddlers around our railroad depots and ferries, who keep them concealed, and offer them only to those in search of such prurient literature, but the mails are used to carry obscene books and pamphlets. By means of catalogues, the names of the students in our colleges, universities, and academies, both male and female, are obtained, and before those in charge are aware, the minds of the pupils are contaminated with impure thoughts and suggestions, which have been conveyed to them through pamphlets or circulars received through the mails. Some houses engaged in this vile trade employ canvassers to scour the country, going from village to village; and who, while the people are asleep, throw their filthy prospectuses and circulars into their yards, or thrust them under the doors of their dwellings.”
Truth in the Minority.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
THE strongest argument some men have against the truth is, that the majority do not believe it. This they think is sufficient evidence that it is not true. But if they will look at the history of the past, they will find that the truth of God has always been in the minority in this world. Jesus said, “Fear not, little flock.” Narrow is the way to life, few walk in it; but broad is the way to death, and many are in that road. The following words from the great philosopher, John Locke, are so much to the point that I copy them. “An error,” says he, “is not the better for being common, nor truth the worse for having lain neglected; and if it were put to the vote anywhere in the world, I doubt, as things are managed, whether truth would have the majority, at least whilst the authority of men, and not the examination of things, must be its measure.”—Essay on the Understanding, book iv, chap. iii, p. 64.
D. M. CANRIGHT.
Deceitful Riches Cheat the Gainer
Riches gained by deceit cheat no man so much as the gainer.
THE TIE THAT BINDS.
By D. H. LAMSON
What tie shall bind my heart to Thee,
Thou Lord of life, with tender feeling,
But that thy blood doth purchase me,
Thy heart its ample grace revealing?
For weariness, a quiet rest,
And every wound, a balm for healing;
A peaceful calm within my breast,
And this the Holy Spirit sealing.
For me, dear Saviour, can it be,
That mansions bright are now preparing,
And through the long eternity,
I shall its pleasures e'er be sharing?
For me, dear Lord, the angels stand,
To face the foe with heavenly daring;
And in my need, thine own right hand,
To shield me, thou art ever baring.
Oh! may I never more forget
My deeds an angel's pen is writing;
My words and thoughts, though idle, yet
That same swift pen the truth's inditing.
My record, is it spotless, pure?
And am I his rich grace inviting?
Oh! shall I to the end endure?
My vows, though paying, still be plighting?
Be this my lot, be this my aim,
Be this my best, my firm endeavor;
Thou shalt my best affections claim,
May naught from thine, my spirit sever.
Then shall I rest from all my fears,
And wander from thy presence never;
Thine own kind hand shall dry my tears,
Thy smiles make glad my heart forever.
D. H. LAMSON.
PERILOUS TIMES.
By I. D. VANHORN.
The second coming of Christ, and the closing scenes of this mortal state, are quite often referred to in the New Testament, and in nearly every instance the language conveys the idea that it will be a time of peril to the people of God. The Saviour, referring to this time, says: “There shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” Matt. xxiv, 24. Paul and Peter support this saying of Christ in a very definite manner. See 2 Thess. ii, 9–12; 1 Tim. iv, 1; 2 Tim. iii, 1; 2 Pet. iii, 3.
It may be thought by some that the last days will be perilous to the people of God, because of the open persecution they will receive. Now I have no doubt that the remnant church will receive open persecution; Rev. xii, 17; but I do not think this is the sense in which the last days are represented to us as being perilous. The reason I give is this: That persecution has always driven the sufferer (if he be a true child of God) nearer the Lord. I am inclined to believe that the greatest peril we will have to encounter will be the almost irresistible influence that Satan will throw about us, to darken our understanding, and cause us to lightly esteem the word of God. This is fully sustained by the passages of Scripture cited above.
Paul, in 2 Tim. iii, 1–5, gives us a picture of the last days, that is awful to contemplate. He speaks of eighteen sins being committed by those “having a form of godliness,”—professors of religion. What a fearful deception they must be under! It is a fact, apparent to all close observers who have a sincere regard for the obligation of the moral law of God, that the tendency of a large class of the people of our time, is to reject the claims of this law, wholly or in part. If they do not do this, they esteem it of so little consequence as to not be very particular in its observance. It is also apparent that ministers do not enforce its claims with as much zeal as in former years. The result of all this is telling with fearful effect upon the morals of the world. But the worst feature of all is, to see the church descend from her exalted position, mingle with the world, and unite in its vanities and sins.
That Paul refers to professors of religion in the above quotation, there can be no doubt. Let us therefore examine the picture and see how it will compare with a true Christian life. He says, “Men shall be lovers of their own selves;” but the child of God should obey the command, “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” Matt. xxii, 39. “Covetous;” but it is said, “Thou shalt not covet.” Ex. xx, 17. “Boasters;” but we are taught to “let nothing be done through strife or vain-glory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” Phil. ii, 3. “Proud;” but it is said, “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” Jas. iv, 6. “Blasphemers;” but the law says, “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.” Ex. xx, 7. “Disobedient to parents;” but again the law says, “Honor thy father and thy mother.” Ex. xx, 12. There probably never was a time when this commandment was so lightly regarded as now. It is not uncommon for children to rule their parents, even at a very tender age. “Unthankful;” but it is said, we should “in every thing give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 1 Thess. v, 18. “Unholy;” but the child of God is to “follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.” Heb. xii, 14. “Without natural affection;” but we are exhorted to “be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another.” Rom. xii, 10. “Truce-breakers,” that is, covenant or bargain breakers; but we read, “Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor.” Eph. iv, 25. “False accusers;” but it is written, “Speak not evil one of another, brethren.” Jas. iv, 11. “Incontinent,” or without self control. The Scripture says, “Them that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.” Gal. v, 24. “Fierce;” but “the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men.” 2 Tim. ii, 24. “Despisers of those that are good.” We are cautioned to “beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which was spoken of in the prophets; behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish,” &c. Acts xiii, 40. “Traitors.” These are rebels against the government of God,—violators of his law. But James says, “If ye fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, ye do well . . . so speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.” Chap. ii, 8, 12. “Heady;” that is, they are rash, not having a zeal according to knowledge. Rom. x, 2, 3. “High-minded.” This is the same as to be self-conceited. But Paul says, “Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.” Rom. xii, 16. “Lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God.” This is contrary to the great commandment, which says, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” Matt. xxii, 37.
If Paul, in this place, had been describing some demon, or very wicked man, it might seem more probable; but, to apply it, as he does, to those “having a form of godliness,” it shows a distressing state of things indeed. Here is a class of persons, in the last days, under a fearful deception. Satan controls them, even while they profess to be servants of God. His power to darken the mind, to make the understanding dull of perception, and to lead into sin, is more than man in his own strength can resist. Here is our great danger. God, through Christ, is our only refuge. Let us flee to him, he will shield us from the coming storm.
“Oh! watch and fight and pray,
The battle ne’er give o’er;
Renew it boldly every day,
And help divine implore.”
I. D. VANHORN.
EAR VS. EYE, OR MAN THE HEARER.
By I. Lamb
One design in the creation of man, seems to have been to test whether the ear cannot glorify God as much as the eye: “no man hath seen God at any time.” Job, speaking prospectively, says: “I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear, but now mine eyes see thee.” All the knowledge of God that is now manifest in the character of man is the result of faith in the Invisible.
Angelic character was lost; but Lucifer and his angels had the advantage of having seen the hierarchy of Heaven from the first: he had walked “amid the stones of fire” (Ezek. xxviii, 14); the fallen angels needed no testimony. Their prying proclivity exceeded the bounds of temperance. Curiosity prompted them to leave their first habitation, hence their depravity is total.
Said Satan to Eve, “Ye shall be as the Elohim, knowing good and evil.” Satan tempts men everywhere to regard the testimony of the eye more than that of faith, which comes by hearing. The heathen generally consult the spirits; the Indians, the Kaffirs, the ancient pagans, the modern Buddhists and Lamaists, who number four hundred millions, found their superstitions on the miraculous manifestations of evil spirits. Belief in witchcraft is world-wide: the fact that Satan has induced the Buddhists to believe that annihilation is the chief good, and a rare gift to obtain, betrays his limited knowledge, notwithstanding the vast period of his existence; and soon feeble, octogenarian man, with simply hear-say and an imperfectly translated Bible for his evidence, will outstrip, through Christ, the wisdom of the fallen angels. “He that hath ears to hear let him hear.”
I. LAMB.
Vineland, N. J.
THE FIRES OF GEHENNA.
By JOS. CLARKE.
LANGUAGE fails to describe the pain which heat inflicts upon the physical frame. But what shall be the racking pains of the wicked, as they sink in the conflagration of the earth, in the vast ocean of flames which shall wrap the whole earth in the final burning?
Think of it: the earth an ocean of flame! As it was once deluged with a flood of water, now deluged with fire, and the vast assemblage of the wicked unable to escape sinking in the ocean of the heated elements, a molten sea of fire; their cries vainly ascending for mercy. Too late! too late! The righteous, protected within the jasper walls of the city, have already concurred with the judgment of God in the destruction of the wicked, as the last blow inflicted upon the serpent, according to the first prophecy concerning him, “It shall bruise thy head.”
The sermon contained in REVIEW, vol. xxxiii, No. 26, should be read and re-read on this important subject. It is not to be a mere destruction of life, but a severe punishment—terrible to the evil-doer—each according to his works. What erroneous views the nominal churches hold on this point; and the Universalist and infidel hold as erroneous an extreme.
Let it be our effort and aim to avoid the terrible fires of gehenna; to escape by a thorough preparation for life and immortality; escape from the convulsed and burning earth; escape from the fiery deluge of burning flame.
JOS. CLARKE.
REPORT FROM BRO. BATES.
By Joseph Bates
THANK the Lord for the good Camp-meeting at Ceresco. I have been reading Bro. Smith's report, and can say with him, especially respecting the last evening meeting, “It was one of the most impressive scenes we ever witnessed” in a worshiping assembly. I believe that God's children who attended the meeting, prayerfully waiting before the Lord for his blessing, did not go home disappointed. Doubtless many thoughtless and careless ones will not be much benefited; but let us, dear brethren and sisters, who were graciously blessed and strengthened in the Lord, hold fast whereunto we have attained, and still seek for a greater measure of the sweet Spirit of the Lord, and put away all our wrongs, that we may be forgiven, and fully prepared for the coming and kingdom of our blessed Lord and Saviour.
Bro. Erzenberger, who came to this country from Switzerland a few weeks ago, was with us. We were much pleased and edified by his statements respecting his mission here, and his affectionate appeals to the congregation to prepare for the coming of the Lord. It was wonderful to hear him speak the English language so plainly that almost all his words were understood, when ten weeks before he knew nothing about it.
Last Sabbath the Allegan County Monthly Meeting was held here. It was an interesting season. The next evening following, the church here celebrated the ordinances of the Lord's house, and were much blessed and strengthened in the Lord.
JOSEPH BATES.
Monterey, Sept. 8, 1869.
Charms and Merit
CHARMS strike the sight, but merit wins the soul.
LYDIA J. VAN DOREN
By Lydia J. Van Doren
From Sr. Van Doren.
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: I have long felt it to be a duty, as well as a privilege, to write for our beloved paper, but have felt too unworthy to say a word; but I hope, by so doing, to encourage some lone pilgrim. It is a little over one year since my husband and myself commenced to try to keep all the commandments of God. We had but a little light then; but it has grown brighter and brighter. May God help us to walk in the light, is my prayer. It looks as if we had made some progress; but there is much yet to be done before we can stand the test of the Judgment.
We are of the lonely ones, living thirty-eight miles from the church of which we are members. We do not meet with them very often; but when we do, it is like getting a taste of the joys that await us, if faithful, when we shall go up to the house of the Lord.
Oh! how we love the REVIEW. It is a help to us. I believe I never felt the power of Satan as I do now. Sometimes I feel almost overcome by him; but eternal life looks so precious that I cannot give it up. I want to be saved, and only the overcomer can be. We can all overcome, if we will. The promises are sure. Come, let us arise and go to the kingdom. There is nothing in this world that we want; all is vanity. Then why cling to this world, and refuse to follow Jesus, who has done so much for us? He will save us from our sins, if we will let him. He is faithful that has called us, who also will do it.
If we would die to self, then it would be easy to obey God. We should find it easy to show our love for Jesus by keeping his Father's law, and following in his footsteps.
Dear brethren, pray for us. Let us all cry mightily to God for help to put away all sin. These are perilous times; but God has not forsaken his people. It is our sins that separate us from God. He will hear us. Let us perfect holiness in the fear of the Lord. Oh! let us work now; let us take heed to our ways lest we be found wanting.
LYDIA J. VAN DOREN
Lenawee Co., Mich.
JOSEPHINE GEROY
By Josephine Geroy
From Sr. Geroy.
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: I wish to improve the privilege of expressing my desires and determinations, through the REVIEW, as I am one of the lonely ones. I am far away from any of like precious faith, and I cannot go to the house of worship, yet I feel strong in the Lord. I feel that he is very near and dear to my soul. I love Jesus. I love the law of God. I love the holy Sabbath. Truly it is a delight. Although deprived of the privilege of meeting with God's people now, if I am faithful a little longer I shall be permitted to assemble with the dear saints every new moon on the earth made new, there to worship that great and good Being, who hath given me my existence.
I feel more and more like pressing my way onward each succeeding day. I think I can, in some degree, realize that we are now entering the perils of the last days; and oh! how much of the grace of God we need to stand like good soldiers at our posts. I feel the need of a deeper work of grace in my heart, and it is my most earnest prayer that God will give me an increasing desire to get more humble, more Christ-like, and get in a place where I can have a large share of the Spirit of God to govern my every act. Oh! let us make much of the precious hours of our probation, and get ready to stand clear and without fault before the mighty God of Jacob.
I desire an interest in the prayers of God's people, that I may continue faithful to the end, and obtain an entrance into the heavenly home of the saints.
Yours, striving for eternal life.
JOSEPHINE GEROY
Newaygo Co., Mich.
J. H. BURLINGAME
By J. H. Burlingame
From Bro. Burlingame.
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: It is with feelings of unworthiness that I attempt to write you a few lines of my experience in attending the Camp-meeting at Owosso.
This was the first meeting of the kind I ever attended. The testimonies that were given by God's humble servants, were of such a nature that they seemed to be all given for me; and I was led to inquire of myself, While professing to be a friend of God, am I his enemy? May the Lord help me to know myself, and be his friend indeed. While supposing that I am a pilgrim and stranger on the earth, is it not possible that, after all, I am a dweller here?
Oh! shall the day of the Lord come in a time that I am not aware of, or as a snare? Will the Lord come in a day that I am not looking for him, in an hour that I am not aware of? God forbid. But may I be a pilgrim here, looking for a city whose maker and builder is God. My dear friends, I want to improve the one talent that God has given me, to his glory, and the salvation of souls. The Lord helping me, I am bound to get out from under the rubbish of the world, and get on higher ground, where the Lord can work for me.
I found by experience that it was good for me to be at the Camp-meeting, to hear the testimonies that were there given to encourage God's people. My heart was encouraged to renew my covenant with God, to start anew and set a double watch; to serve the Lord with that determination that will go through. Brethren, tell me my faults, reprove me for my wrongs, speak plainly to me, and let me know my worst sins while probation lasts, that I may put them from me, and make sure work for God's everlasting kingdom.