While different methods are pursued in different countries, the prime object of all missionary work is to save souls.
The covenant made with the Lord embraces sacrifice; and those who covenant with Him in this manner, He calls saints. Ps. 50:5. To forsake all and follow the Lord, means more to those who are called to heathen lands than it does to those who remain by the fireside. While the work is one, and all are united in the one work of soul-saving, some are called to the front and to all parts of the world to teach the Word.
Missionary work in Brazil is sometimes done under threats, in the face of arms, or amid showers of stones; but along with all these are showers of blessings.
The Lord has promised to be with His laborers, and that others shall believe on Him through their words. It is also stated in the Bible that God will cause the wrath of man to praise Him. This was well illustrated a short time ago in a certain district where one of our colporters was laboring. He had been selling books, Bibles, papers, and tracts for a few weeks, visiting and holding Bible-readings; and some of the Gentiles became so interested that the scribes and Pharisees, fearing that all might believe, seized the colporter, gave him a threshing, and sent him away. This soon became generally known in the community, and it created a greater desire among the people to know what the Bible does teach. As a result more began reading, and calling for help. The colporter soon returned, and shortly after a minister joined him in the work, and twenty received the Gospel and were baptized.
This is only a beginning in that section; for each one of these will now become a worker with the Lord, and others in and about that vicinity will believe on Him through their words.
In another district where a colporter was laboring from house to house scattering the seeds of truth, an opposition arose, and he was showered with stones. But he said, in speaking of it, “Let them come; for ‘they will only fall to the furtherance of the Gospel.”
Colporters in Brazil Leaving Home.
At one time where a few of us were gathered for Bible-study, a stone of a pound weight came through the window while we were singing, struck the table just under the lamp, and fell to the floor, slightly bruising one person’s knee; but it only increased the interest to hear and know the truth. Thus the wrath of man is caused to praise God, and the remainder of wrath will He restrain in His own good time. The work is onward; and here and there all over the world people are believing on the Lord through the faithful words of His servants.
Missionary work in Brazil has long been neglected; but the efforts which have been made have been greatly blessed, and the field is ripe for the harvest. We have started a paper in the Brazilian language (Portuguese), and we are in need of means to sustain it. It is a real missionary paper, is well received, and is doing a good work.
We also have a mission school started, and the buildings were erected and paid for by much hard work and sacrifice. The school is doing a good work; but as there are all the time expenses connected with it, and the membership is not large yet, we find ourselves lacking means properly to equip the school. We need more dishes, bedding, furniture, etc., and a few dollars donated to this worthy enterprise would be greatly appreciated.
Any one who will assist us in the grand work of soul-saving by donating to either the paper or the school in Brazil, will do us a great favor, and will receive the blessing promised to the cheerful giver. Money may be remitted to the Missionary Board, 267 W. Main St., Battle Creek, Mich., or to me by draft, post-office order, or registered letter, any time between now and Sept. 30. Please address me at Plainfield, Wis. I expect to return to Brazil in October.
W. H. THURSTON.
A SON OF GOD.
HENRY M. STANLEY tells that once in the heart of dark Africa a native was dragged before him by some of his followers for stealing a gun. Stanley looked at the gun; it clearly belonged to his expedition. The poor man who had it was frightened at the mention of Stanley’s name, and could hardly find his voice or say a word only, “I am a son of God; I ‘would not steal!” This he repeated again and again. It was all he could say.
Stanley was interested, and it dawned on him that this man was probably one of the converts of some of the missionaries laboring in that region, and he accordingly gave him the gun, and allowed him to go, while they pursued their way.
At the next station where they stopped, they found the gun waiting for them. It appeared that the gun had probably been lost. This man had found it; and when he was set free, he at once went to the missionary for instructions, and by his direction it was sent where Stanley would get it.
But what a light must have touched that darkened son of Africa, who, tho brought up in all vileness, and theft, and sin, had come to realize the glorious dignity of a divine paternity, and say, “I am a son ‘of God; I would not steal.”—Anon.
THE LEPERS’ FAST-DAY.
A STRIKING story is given in the Chronicle of the London Society of what some lepers at the Almora Asylum have done in aid of the famine sufferers in Western India. It seems that an English lady had visited these lepers, and was much touched by the sight of their sufferings, and the cheerfulness with which they bore them. The next day she sent to each inmate a small gift of two pice, which would amount to less than one cent each. It occurred to one of the lepers that they might give this to the famine-stricken, but it was finally agreed they ought to accept the gift from the lady, since it was given to them personally; yet they decided they must make a gift of their own to help the starving. So they resolved to give one day’s food. Most of the ninety-six lepers fell into the plan at once, and the others joined later, so that every inmate had a share. They appointed a fast-day on a Tuesday, and met in the chapel, and said that all wanted to join and give the result of a day’s fasting and prayer. “It is no hardship for us, but a joy and a privilege.” On Tuesday morning, instead of a crowd around the store-room to receive their daily allowance, they were all gathered in the chapel, thanking God for His love and His goodness to them, and praying that He would bless the starving orphans and the dying parents in the famine districts. “So we prayed,” writes the missionary, “and God gave us a blessing in praying. Our hearts were very full—full of sympathy, full with the divine presence.”—The Missionary Herald.
THE STAIN OF HEATHENISM.
THE dark stain of heathenism is impurity. It rests on all the pagan world. The first chapter of Romans is a living photograph of the unnatural vices of all unevangelized races. The very conscience and instinct of shame are obliterated, and all the safeguards of virtue broken down. It is no dishonor for a Japanese girl to spend years of her life in infamy for the purpose of helping her aged parents with the profits of her shame. The very religious rites of India are performed through orgies of pollution, and the entire social system is honeycombed with degradation. Along with this may be mentioned next the degradation of woman. The Oriental wife is her husband’s slave. She worships him as her god. She kneels at his feet at night, and after washing them tenderly, she drinks the water in which she has cleansed them, to purify her own soul. If she offends by a look or an act, he may divorce her or kill her with impunity. He is free to marry as many wives as he can support, and she is bound to welcome them and yield her place to a new favorite. Talk about the curse of Mormonism! It is but a drop to the ocean compared with the life of woman in every heathen land. O ye happy wives of America, what right have you to be so happy, if you keep back from your ruined sisters the Gospel that has made you free? The wrongs of childhood must be13placed side by side with the curse of womanhood. The first sight I saw in Canton was a dead baby girl floating on the river, unburied and unwept by her own mother; but sadder still it is to find the living babe flung to the vultures and the dogs because it is only a girl. How horrible to dedicate little girls to the procurators of pollution in heathen temples, and teach them to call it the worship of God. If it were your little girl, would there be any sacrifice too great to save her?—Selected.
NOW
By Ada D. Wellman
Why should this day not be
A perfect one for me?
Sometime before time’s end,
I hope my life shall blend
With that of Christ, and I be known
In earth and heaven as His own:
Why not to-day?
My weak faith scarce can say
’Tis possible, to-day,
That life should be, for me,
What God would have it be;
My humdrum tasks, my hands unskilled,
Would ill befit one Spirit-filled—
Some future day.
Still pleads a voice divine:
“Is this day’s work of thine
More lowly than was done
By the Anointed One?
Has He not given thee thy task?
If not, perform it not, but ask
To know His will.”
Deep peace comes to my heart.
Soul, know thou hast a part
To-day, each day, with One—
Thy Brother, and God’s Son—
Who walks with thee thy humble path,
And aids thee in each homely task,
And owns thee His.
ADA D. WELLMAN.
DO YOU NOT WISH A PART IN THIS?
ONE of our oldest and most faithful ship missionaries in the world is Brother George R. Drew, formerly of California, but now for many years in Liverpool, the great shipping port of the world. Here Brother Drew has placed tons of Christian truth on the ships, and eternity alone will reveal the results. In a personal letter to the writer of this under date of June 23, Brother Drew writes:—
DEAR BROTHER WILCOX,—You know that we are old comrades, and so I think it good to show occasionally, that we have not forgotten you, nor the good country in which we spent eleven years of our life. I well remember the day when we shook hands when you were leaving for America. Wonderful changes since then, and much has been done since to extend the truth all over the world.
You have been a long time at your post, and we hope to see you still spared to labor for souls. I have often expressed a wish to see my old favorite country once more [California], but I now give up that hope. My strength for any very active work is over, and I must do what I can. I am now sixty-six years of age; twenty-two years I have worked year in and year out in harder work than I ever had on a California farm. You see I have burned the candle at both ends, so I was told in California and here also. Well I am not sorry; I would do the same over again if I could.
He then says that his club of 12 SIGNS OF THE TIMES has stopped, but he does not feel able to renew. He wonders if there are not those who will be glad to furnish him that number for use in his missionary work as long as he is able to use them. This would cost, for 12 copies a year to England, including postage, $15.00. Let us hear from you,—some one, perhaps, who can not do active missionary work.
OUR WORK AND WORKERS.
A NEW neat S. D. A. church building at Ellsworth, Kansas, was dedicated June 23. The brethren and friends contributed liberally, so that the house was dedicated free from debt. We can only say, “O Lord our God, all this store that we have prepared to build Thee an house for Thine holy name cometh of Thine hand, and is all Thine own; . . . for all things come of Thee, and of Thine own have we given Thee.” Pastors Westphal, Beeson, Hiddleson, Ogden, and Brother J. A. Rippey took part in the dedicatory service. A. R. OGDEN.
COLORADO Conference has five tents in the field this year.
THE brethren at Connersville, Ind., are erecting a new house of worship.
JUNE 22, six candidates were baptized at Des Moines, Iowa, by Brother J. W. Adams.
ON the 22nd ult., five candidates were baptized at Terre Haute, Ind., by Brother I. J. Hankins.
A NEW colporter wagon, with Brother W. W. Jestes in charge, is now operating in the Carolinas.
SISTER ANNIE KNIGHT, one of our teachers in Mississippi, has been assigned to labor in India as a medical missionary.
MAY 18, two members were added to the church in New Orleans, one being an assistant physician of the U. S. A. hospital corps.
MEETINGS recently held by Brother H. K. Willis, at his home church, Mount Pleasant, Mo., resulted in the addition of eleven members.
A CONFERENCE for the Carolinas is to be organized in connection with a camp-meeting to be held at Hickory, N. C., beginning August 4.
THE camp-meeting to be held at Greenfield, Ind., August 21 to September 1, will be preceded by a canvassers’ institute to commence August 4.
THE new church building at Hildebran, N. C., is about completed. A summer school is being conducted in that place with encouraging success.
BROTHER S. N. HASKELL and his company of laborers in New York City have established headquarters for the present at 400 West 57th Street.
AT Columbus, Ohio, on the 9th ult., thirteen candidates were baptized. The services were conducted by Brethren A. G. Haughey and H. H. Burkholder.
IN the Visitor of June 25, a report from Sister Emma Shafer notes the addition of eight members to the church at Vancouver, B. C. This accession was the result of Bible work.
ON a recent Saturday night the mission workers in Detroit, Mich., sold forty-two single copies of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES in saloons. A portion of every Saturday night is devoted to this work.
BROTHER W. L. McNEELY, of Missouri Conference, has been called to the Southern Union Conference. He goes to Birmingham, Ala., and will have charge of the work in that State.
A SANITARIUM has been opened at Graysville, Tenn., with Dr. Hayward in charge. Two sanitariums, one for the white population and one for the colored people, are being established in Nashville.
IOWA Conference has nine tent companies in the field this season. So far Iowa leads all the conferences in the sale of “Christ’s Object Lessons,” having disposed of over seven thousand copies.
THE Tennessee Watchman of the 1st inst. says: “Our publishing house at Nashville is being pushed ‘to completion as rapidly as possible. The fourth and last story is now up and sheeted, and the roof ‘on. This room is very much needed, and will be ‘occupied as fast as it can be made ready. The new ‘building will contain a good-sized chapel, which ‘will be used by the Nashville church until a church ‘building can be erected.”
A NEW house of worship is being erected at East Port, Mich. Three persons from Bay View, Mich., where Brethren John Irwin and C. A. Hansen have been laboring, have united with the East Port church.
JUNE 22, during a five days’ meeting at Erskine, Minn., at which Brethren F. Johnson, A. Kjellman, and J. C. Christiansen were present, five persons were baptized, one candidate being prevented by sickness.
THE Reporter states that the pastor of one of the largest churches of colored people in Indianapolis has offered his pulpit for public services on the prophecies. Brother A. W. Bartlett expects to speak there at least once a week.
FIVE candidates were baptized at Sandyville, Iowa, recently, by Brother Charles A. Hansen. This brother has now been assigned by the General Conference to the Newfoundland mission field, to be supported by the Iowa Conference.
BROTHER WALTER HARPER and wife are on their way to Skaguay, Alaska, to engage in the colporter work. Brother Harper is one of our oldest and most successful canvassers, and has placed hundreds of thousands of pages of our good reading matter among the people.
IN the Nebraska Reporter Brother J. W. Boynton notes the baptism of two candidates at Beolus, two members added to the church at Loup City, and three to the church at Kent. Brother Boynton has been transferred to the mission field of Alberta, N. W. Territories, Canada.
JUNE 29, a company of laborers, headed by Prof. J. L. Shaw, of Michigan, sailed from New York for India, via Suez Canal and the Red Sea. One of the Company was Brother G. K. Owen, who spent several years in California Conference, but the past year has been laboring in Mississippi.
THE Tennessee River Conference, through its organ, the Watchman, announces that there will be good schools the coming year at Bowling Green, Ky., and Springville and Trezevant, Tenn. Of course these are in addition to the general academy at Graysville, Tenn., and will no doubt prove feeders to that institution.
AMONG the visiting brethren at the recent conference and camp-meeting in this city, were Brethren H. W. Decker, president of North Pacific Conference; W. B. White, president of Montana Conference; Prof. E. L. Steward, of Walla Walla College; and Dr. W. R. Simmons, superintendent of Portland (Oregon) Sanitarium.
AT the recent session of the Pennsylvania Conference at Erie, Brother R. A. Underwood was re-elected president. Nineteen persons were baptized, and three brethren—Morris Lukens, C. S. Longacre, and J. H. Schilling—were ordained to the Gospel ministry. The Conference voted to give a second tithe of its income to foreign missions. The reports for the past year were encouraging, and the work for the coming year starts out with good prospects.
THE employees of the office of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES had an enjoyable outing on the Fourth of July. While in the cities of Oakland and San Francisco there were the usual festivities connected with the anniversary, the Pacific Press Publishing Company’s directors gave their workers a picnic in the hills known as Leona Heights. In the cool shade of a romantic canyon, by a stream of cool water, the company gathered to listen to appropriate music and an address by Brother W. T. Knox, president of the Pacific Union Conference. Then all sought recreation in the various ways that suited their personal likes. There was no waste of money in gunpowder, nor injury of person or property, but a general appreciation of pure country air and beautiful scenery.
AN INCIDENT OF MISSION WORK IN LABRADOR.
A GLIMPSE into the difficult conditions under which missionary work is carried on in Labrador is given by one of the Moravian brethren. A member of his church had passed away, and in order to conduct the funeral service, the missionary had to set out early in the morning and travel two full days through the snow to the house of mourning. On the third day the little company started for the churchyard, the coffin being placed on a sledge, and the mourners following in similar conveyances drawn by dogs. In the lonely churchyard, situated near an abandoned trading-station, a number of fishermen from the bay had assembled, and here the body was laid to rest under snow and ice, the scene on that desolate shore lending peculiar impressiveness to the blessed message of everlasting life for those who die in the Lord.—Missionary Review.
A TESTIMONY.
THAT bright little paper, the Monterey County Enterprise, has these good things to say of our late camp-meeting in Oakland:—
Mr. and Mrs. M. H. McCarthy, of the Enterprise, had the pleasure of spending a couple of days, during the past week, at the commodious campground in the beautiful city of Oakland, where the annual conference and camp-meeting of the Seventh-day Adventists of California have been in session since the 4th inst., with an attendance 3,000 strong.
It was one of the most enthusiastic and successful meetings ever held in the State, by this or any other denomination, and reminded one very strongly of the multitude who followed the Master in the time when, ‘the common people heard Him gladly.’
Among the many distinguished workers of the church whom we listened to on this occasion, was Mrs. Ellen G. White, who, despite her advanced age, is a most eloquent and entrancing speaker, and an ardent worker in the Lord’s vineyard. We also heard Alonzo T. Jones, the eminent authority on the history of the ancient and middle ages. His discourse on the world’s history from the days of Nimrod to the present time was listened to with rapt attention by an audience which numbered several thousand. Were Mrs. White or Mr. Jones to give their talents to the world, they could easily win both fame and fortune; but they choose rather to bring their gifts to the Lord, and to follow whithersoever He leadeth.
Taken altogether, it was one of the greatest “feasts for the soul” that it has ever been our good fortune to sit down to, and our only regret is that there were not even more present at this royal banquet; for He who fed twelve thousand with that food which allayed the pangs of physical hunger on the shores of Galilee, has a bountiful supply of the bread of life, which He offers “without money and without price” to all who will accept of the munificent gift.
Brother and Sister McCarthy were compelled to leave before the meeting closed. The meeting continued good to the end, and some of the very best things came after the meeting proper was over.
LOS ANGELES CAMP-MEETING.
By Clarence Santee
The camp-meeting for southern California will be held in Los Angeles, at Twenty-second and Vermont Streets. The time will be Aug. 8-18. There will be excursion rates over the Santa Fe railroad lines the ninth and tenth of the month, and this will make it possible for those who live at a distance to get very low rates to the camp-meeting. Those coming with the excursion rates can return at any time in thirty days after purchasing the ticket.
The Southern California Conference will be organized at this time, and many questions of importance will come before the meeting. We shall look for a general attendance from every church and company in the southern part of the State. Mrs. E. G. White expects to attend this meeting, and other laborers will be present to assist besides the home laborers.
All who get the excursion rates will come to Los Angeles Friday, Aug. 9. Those who do not get the rates ought to come Thursday, the 8th, and in this way be in time for the first meeting.
CLARENCE SANTEE.
LESSON VI.—AUGUST 10.—THE DISAPPOINTMENT.
[Note to the Student.—These lessons are not designed to be exhaustive, but suggestive. In references to the “Desire of Ages,” in the lessons, the subscription edition is referred to. Those who have only the trade edition will find the matter in chapters 1, 4, 17, 27, 71, 77, 78; also read “Patriarchs and Prophets,” chapters 5 and 30. “Christ Our Advocate,” Bible Students’ Library No. 129 (price, 10 cents), and “Looking unto Jesus” (price, $1.00) will be found a great help. The SIGNS OF THE TIMES will have an article on the subject of each lesson this quarter by J. O. Corliss. Read these articles in connection with the study of the lesson. We have not space to print all the scriptures. Let the student study them carefully from the Bible. Those printed are from the Revised Version.]
1 “And I saw another strong angel coming down out of heaven, arrayed with a cloud; and the rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire;
2 and he had in his hand a little book open. And he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left upon the earth;
3 and he cried with a great voice, as a lion roareth: and when he cried, the seven thunders uttered their voices. And when the seven thunders uttered their voices, I was about to write; and I heard a voice from heaven saying, Seal up the things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not.”
9 “And I went unto the angel, saying unto him that he should give me the little book. And he saith unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but in thy mouth it shall be sweet as honey.
10 And I took the little book out of the angel’s hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and when I had eaten it, my belly was made bitter.
11 And they say unto me, Thou must prophesy again over many peoples and nations and tongues and kings.”
16 “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy words were unto me a joy and the rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by Thy name, O Lord God of hosts.
17 I sat not in the assembly of them that make merry, nor rejoiced; I sat alone because of Thy hand; for Thou hast filled me with indignation.
18 Why is my pain perpetual, and my wound incurable, which refuseth to be healed? wilt Thou indeed be unto me as a deceitful brook, as waters that fail?
19 “Therefore thus saith the Lord, If thou return, then will I bring thee again, that thou mayest stand before Me; and if thou take forth the precious from the vile, thou shalt be as My mouth: they shall return unto thee, but thou shalt not return unto them.
20 And I will make thee unto this people a fenced brazen wall; and they shall fight against thee, but they shall not prevail against thee; for I am with thee to save thee and to deliver thee, saith the Lord.
21 And I will deliver thee out of the hand of the wicked, and I will redeem thee out of the hand of the terrible.”
35 “Cast not away therefore your boldness, which hath great
36 recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, having done the will of God, ye may receive the promise.
37 “For yet a very little while,
“He that cometh shall come, and shall not tarry,
38 “But my righteous one shall live by faith;
“And if he shrink back, my soul hath no pleasure in him.”
SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.
1. What shows that there would be something in connection with the message and work of the angel in Revelation 10 which would not be understood? Rev. 10:1, 3, 4. The angel was “clothed with a cloud.”
2. What was there to be in the experience of God’s people after eating the little book which would further indicate disappointment? Verses 9, 10.
3. What mistake had they made in interpreting the little book, which caused this bitterness?
4. How does Jeremiah describe the experience of God’s people in eating the little book? Jer. 15:16.
5. How does he picture their disappointment which followed? Verses 17, 18.
6. How does the Lord seek to encourage them in their disappointment? Heb. 10:35-38.
7. What further work does He give them to do? Rev. 10:11.
8. What message is here referred to? Ans.—The threefold message of Rev. 14:9-12.
9. In order to give this message, what must they do? Jer. 15:19; Rev. 14:12. What would they be?
10. How would this message be received? Jer. 15:20.
11. What will be the final outcome of it? Verse 21; Rev. 14:14-16.
Golden Text.—“All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.” Matt. 7:12.
1 “And Abram went up out of Egypt, he, and his wife, and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the South. 2 And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold. 3 And he went on his journeys from the South even to Bethel, unto the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai; 4 unto the place of the altar, which he had made there at the first; and there Abram called on the name of the Lord. 5 And Lot also, which went with Abram, had flocks, and herds, 6 and tents. And the land was not able to bear them, that they might dwell together; for their substance was great, so that 7 they could not dwell together. And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram’s cattle and the herdmen of Lot’s cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land. 8 And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; 9 for we are brethren. Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou take the right hand, then I will go to the left. 10 And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the Plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere, before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt, as thou goest unto Zoar. 11 So Lot chose him all the Plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other. 12 Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the Plain, and moved his tent 13 as far as Sodom. Now the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners against the Lord exceedingly. 14 And the Lord said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art, northward and southward and eastward and westward: for all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed 16 for ever. And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth; so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered. 17 Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for unto thee will I give it. 18 And Abram moved his tent, and came and dwelt by the oaks of Mamre, which are in Hebron, and built there an altar unto the Lord.”
SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.
(1) Who accompanied Abraham when he returned from Egypt to Canaan? Verse 1. Note 1. (2) What is said of his possessions? Verse 2. Note 2. (3) To what point did Abraham continue his journey? Verses 3, 4, first part. (4) What did he do there? Verse 4, last part. (5) What is said of Lot’s possessions? Verse 5. (6) Why could not Abraham and Lot continue to dwell together? Verse 6. (7) What was one result of their large flocks and herds? What was another reason of the crowded condition? Verse 7. Note 3. (8) What did Abraham say to Lot about the strife? Verse 8. (9) What proposition did Abraham make to Lot? Verse 9. (10) As Lot looked about for a choice, what did he observe? Verse 10. Note 4. (11) Then what choice did he make? Verse 11. Note 5. (12) What is said of the dwelling-places of the two men? Verse 12. (13) What was the character of the men of Sodom? Verse 13. (14) What promise did God then make to Abraham concerning the land? Verses 14, 15. Note 6. (15) What promise was made in regard to his seed? Verse 16. Note 7. (16) What did the Lord then tell Abraham to do? What promise was then repeated? Verse 17. (17) After this where did Abraham reside? What was a leading feature of his camp? Verse 18. Note 8.
NOTES.
1. “Into the South” means into the southern part of Palestine.
2. Abraham’s Experience in Egypt.—There is an interesting similarity between Abraham’s experience in Egypt and that of his posterity, centuries later. Both went down into Egypt on account of a famine, and both sojourned there. Through the manifestation of divine judgments in their behalf, the fear of them fell upon the Egyptians; and, enriched by the gifts of the heathen, they went out with great substance.—Patriarchs and Prophets.
3. There were many inhabitants in the land besides the company of Abraham and Lot. The Canaanites occupied the lowlands and the Perizzites the mountains and hills. So says Joshua.
4. The destruction of Sodom evidently made a great change in the region then known as “the Plain.” It was compared to the Garden of Eden. Zoar refers not to the city to which Lot fled when Sodom was destroyed, but to Zor, the garden land of Egypt.
5. “Lot chose” the Plain of Jordan. He was not called to go there, as Abraham was called to Canaan, “not knowing whither he went.” One is safe among wicked men if he is called there to do them good, and is faithful to his mission. But he is not safe when he chooses their company for personal gain.
6. “Forever.”—This expression shows that the promise to Abraham has not yet been fulfilled. The natural seed did not occupy it “forever.” Moreover, the natural seed were not contemplated in the fulness of the promise; for “if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Gal. 3:29.
7. This great number is proof that Abraham’s vision included much more than the land of Canaan, or Palestine. Such a multitude could not be accommodated in that limited region. The reference is evidently to the “great multitude which no man could number” mentioned in Rev. 7:9. And the land which Abraham saw in vision must have been the new, or redeemed, earth; for Paul says the promise to Abraham was that “he should be the heir of the world.” Rom. 4:13.
8. Abraham did not attempt to occupy the land as owner; he simply sojourned there as a stranger, buying even the place to bury his dead. Heb. 11:9. Notwithstanding his great prerogative and his popularity, he was content to bide God’s time in the matter of the possession.
See article, “The Influence of Wealth,” on page 7 of this paper.
