Earlier text: John the BelovedSpeaking on the text, “Render therefore to Cæsar the things that are Cæsar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s,” a Catholic spokesman at the recent Catholic convention in Detroit said:— The principal contention between the church and the state to-day is in regard to the education of the young. The church did not propose this question for discussion. It is not a debatable question among Catholics. It was the state, both here and in Europe, that threw down the gauntlet by usurping the prerogative conferred by Christ on the church when he told her “to teach all nations”—a prerogative which she exercised from her very foundation, and which was not called in question by the state until infidels and atheists acquired control of the governments in Christian countries. The state has no authority to teach religion, but it does not follow thereby that the state can exist without religion. History proves that no state, ancient or modern, ever existed without some form of religion. Religion is the corner-stone of order in any state. This states the Catholic claim in regard to public education. The state has no authority to teach religion, it says (which is very true), and the secular educational system of the state is, in the Catholic view, a usurpation of “the prerogative conferred by Christ on the church;” hence it follows that the state has no right to teach at all, and that all education, both secular and religious, should be in the hands of the church. In Catholic countries this is the educational system which prevails. And this means the complete subjection of the state to the church; for if the church has full control of the education of the young, she can put her mold and stamp upon everything, and make the state as papal as is the church herself. The state is then merely a power to enforce the church’s bidding, by its police, its legislatures, and its courts, and it is the church that really exercises the power of the state. The two are really merged into one, that one being the church, though outwardly they are separate organizations. The education of the young is the surest avenue to that complete control of public affairs which the Catholic Church desires, and this is why that church is making such persistent efforts to obtain vantage-ground for her educational system in this country. To yield to Rome in this matter in any degree is to contribute that much toward the future extinction of the state save as an appendage of the papal church. MRS. E. G. WHITE
By Ellen G. White
A Visit to the South—No. 3
Friday morning, June 17, we left Nashville for Graysville, where we spent Sabbath and Sunday. I found that the work at Graysville has made much progress. Graysville is a homelike place,—a pretty little village in a valley surrounded by hills. A large part of the village is made up of the homes of Seventh-day Adventists. On Sabbath I spoke to our people. The church was crowded. The Spirit of the Lord rested upon me, and I was given a plain testimony to bear. In my weakness I had much strength; for God was with me. My heart was filled with thanksgiving and praise and rejoicing. On Sunday we were taken to see the different lines of work that are being carried on by our people in Graysville. We went over the school building, and then we visited the twenty-five-acre farm on the hill, which is largely planted with peaches. The young trees look thrifty. After looking at this, we went to see the four-hundred-acre farm, which has recently been acquired by the conference and has been leased to the school. On this farm we saw large fields of corn, broad pasture lands, and on the hill thirty acres of strawberries. The school is doing well. An addition is needed to the main building; for the chapel is not large enough. But we advised those in charge to wait until the sanitarium could be put in running order. Finishing and equipping this institution will require all the means that they can command at present. From the school farm we drove to the sanitarium. I am much interested in this institution. It is built on the mountainside, in the midst of a grove of trees. There are pine, oak, chestnut, hickory, and many other varieties of beautiful trees. With proper care this grove can be made very beautiful. It is a place in which any lover of nature would take delight, and is as healthful a location for a sanitarium as I have ever seen. The institution is well planned, and the physicians and nurses are working disinterestedly and earnestly to bring the work on the building to completion. I wish that I had had time to say to the physician, “It pleases me to see the good work you do while handling the ax, hammer, and plane. You seem to be master of the situation.” His face expressed anxiety, and showed a burden of thought, and I did wish to say to him, “This is the work that Christ did in his youth. And through it all he did not speak an impatient word, not even when he was misunderstood. He always spoke pleasantly. When he was blamed for being so particular about his work, he answered by words of song from the Psalms, and those who had been scolding him often found themselves uniting with him in singing, ‘O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: because his mercy endureth forever.’ ‘Let them now that fear the Lord say, that his mercy endureth forever.’ ‘Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.’” I should have been pleased to have spoken words of encouragement to the physician’s wife and sister. I would have said to them, “Be sure, my dear friends, ever to walk with Christ. ‘Learn of me,’ said the divine Teacher; ‘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.” On the second floor we found the nurses busy at work. I hope they all realized that their faithfulness is fully appreciated by One who knows. In looking to their Saviour, they will find peace and joy. We are to unite our influence in making the earth radiant and glorious. Entire consecration is essential, and the union of all is needed, in order that the work of God may advance. No one is to exalt self and disparage others. I longed to say to all the workers, “Henceforth you are Christ’s servants. No longer are you to live to yourselves, but for him who died for you, and rose again. Your lives are to be hid with Christ in God, that when he who is your life shall appear, you may appear with him in glory.” Some of the patients asked if I would not talk to them in the parlor, but I had not the strength to do this, and at the same time to see the various things which our brethren wished me to see in connection with the work in Graysville. We went up to the third story of the building, and looked off over the tree-tops across the valley. We greatly enjoyed the view. I was taken to the spring, which is a little farther up the mountainside. This spring gives an abundance of soft, pure water, and is a treasure of inestimable worth. I am more than pleased with the earnestness and zeal that the brethren have shown in the erection of this sanitarium. Success has attended their unselfish efforts. Each worker has tried to help the other, and all have worked together harmoniously. This is as it should be. When workers labor thus, their efforts reveal the sweet fragrance of godliness. On our return, the brother who was driving stopped at the homes of many of our brethren in the village. I did not get out of the carriage, but we drove up to the gate of each house, and the friends came out. Whole families, father, mother, and children came out to speak with me, and I shook hands with them all, not forgetting the children. Our visit to Graysville was a very pleasant one. We were sorry that we could not stay longer, so that we might have more time to talk with the brethren and sisters there. The Advent of the Printed Message
By John O. Corliss
The Experiences of Former Days—No. 5
The Advent of the Printed Message
We know very little of Brother Bates’ success in the evangelical field for the first year after he received the Sabbath. We do know, however, that as early as 1846 he laid his views before Elder James White and his wife, and although they expressed no great enthusiasm at first, it was soon shown to her in vision that the time had come to proclaim the binding force of the fourth commandment. From that time both she and her husband became living witnesses for the Sabbath truth as a prominent feature of the third angel’s message. At this stage of the work, none of the pioneers possessed a home of his own, but all were largely dependent on the bounty of others for food and shelter, while clothing was plain and poor, and scantily furnished. Considerable of the time, garments were worn which were darned over small rents and threadbare spots, and patched where gaps were too large to be darned. Should the question be asked why this course was pursued in the early days of the message, the answer would not be hard to find. The first ambassadors of the message had a burning zeal to see it reach the multitudes, and prepare the world for its closing scenes, which were believed to be just at hand. Every penny, except the little means needed to supply bare necessities, was therefore contributed toward the object so earnestly sought. So careful, indeed, were those pioneers to be counted faithful stewards, that some even denied themselves of things that now would be thought decided necessities. For instance, it was said that Brother White wore an overcoat through one severe New England winter, that was so much patched as to show seven kinds of cloth. Yet amid all this poverty, and with8 scarcely any one to lift financially, Elder White was impressed that he should begin the publication of a periodical setting forth the truth for that time. Strengthened in this conviction by Sister White’s testimony that the Lord would bless in such an enterprise, Brother White set about finding work by which he might earn means with which to print the first sheet. Wages in those days were not so satisfying as now. Brother White earned fifty cents a day in chopping cord-wood, and seventy-five cents an acre for mowing grass with a hand scythe. But even at these low wages, and with a family to support, the soul of this intrepid man did not falter. He succeeded in getting together enough means to pay for printing the first little paper, with a page about five by eight inches in size, and containing eight pages. The title of this sheet was Present Truth, and it bore the date of July, 1849. The sheets of this paper were carried by Brother White on his shoulder about fourteen miles from the printing-office to his home, where his family knelt around them on the floor, imploring in tears the blessing of God on them as they should be sent out. The sheets were then folded, and mailed to all those who were known to be still deeply interested in the subject of the second advent. This little sheet appeared at intervals, as money could be earned with which to print it, for one year. During this time it had no stated office of publication, but was sent out from whatever point its publisher happened to be in when a number was printed. Not being satisfied with its title, the paper was issued in July, 1850, a trifle enlarged, under another name,—The Advent Review. For four numbers this paper was issued monthly from Auburn, N. Y., and the fifth number from Paris, Maine. It may have been issued from the latter point for a longer time, but these five numbers being all the writer has in his possession, he is not able to state definitely regarding that point. The reason is clearly shown why the title of Advent Review was chosen for the paper in 1850. As stated in the following poem, written about that time, many murmured and doubted the leadings of God, after the passing of the 1844 time, and something was necessary to call their minds to a review of the late advent experience. But this is so well told in the poem, we will let it relate the story from that standpoint of time:— “A pilgrim band, with unaccustomed feet,
Set out to follow Truth. Then Wisdom smiled,
And pointed to a path that led far out
Beyond the dim philosophy of time,
And said, ‘If ye indeed will drink the cup
Of which I drink, and also be baptized
With my baptism, then shall ye enter in
And tread the thorny path that follows Truth.’
They bowed with one consent, and onward pressed;
And, as the pathway narrowed, cast aside
Their worldly happiness and each hindering weight,—
Idols, and self, and sympathies, and tears,—
Nor looked behind to see how strangely far
They had advanced beyond each time-worn chart;
For on one side their feet dark waters yawned,
And on the other, still refining fire.
At length the trial came, when Wisdom sought
To test and purify their faith and zeal,
And seal them for the glory and the crown
Of righteousness. The day—the test hour—came;
They stood together, firm, united, free,
Upon eternal rock. The waves dashed round
And wildly threatened, while red lightnings blazed,
And thunders rolled; and from the gathering shade
Strange voices whispered unbelief. Yet still,
Unheeded for a while, they braved the storm.
At length a murmur rose, and some looked back,
Astonished at their distance from the shore;
For still the land of Egypt was in sight,
Where the proud fanes of worldly worship stood,
And human policy, and ancient names,
Earth’s wisdom, science and religion’s form.
Then with a wild attempt their life to save,
Some, that had been the foremost in the train,
Rushed o’er the beetling verge of that high rock,
And loudly called upon the rest to turn,
And with confessions deep, give up at once
The false pursuit. And now, while yet was heard
The echo of their voice beyond the wave,
In praise of Wisdom’s consecrated path,
Their voices change, and desecrate that way,
Proclaiming Wisdom had not led them out
So far from earth, but some strange wily fiend,
In Wisdom’s garb. Ah, judge what sad dismay
Entered the trusting hearts of that poor flock.
Some cried, ‘And is it all delusion, then,
A vision false, to which my soul has bowed;
My sacrifice and consecration all
A shadow, wrong and vain?’ Then Unbelief
Came in, and many sank in chill despair
Beneath the sullen waves, striving in vain
To reach the kingdom in some easier way.
But now, the third long watch is fully past,
And the dark mist that hung upon that rock
Is driven before the light of opening day.
What see we there?—Bones scattered round its base,
Washed from the depths beneath. But turn again.
Upon its highest point is seen a group—
A remnant, that, unshaken, there remains,
Who still have kept their joy and confidence,
Though winds have rent, and raging waters drenched,
And earth and hell combined to drive them hence.
Yet there they stand, held by a power unseen,
And wait a sure salvation from on high.
To them, what is reproach, or scorn, or hate?
Or the low ridicule of dying things?
What the last howlings of the storm to them,
When rest is just in sight, and Jesus calls,
And says, ‘Come out of tribulation, come,
My suffering and my ransomed ones,
COME HOME?’”
SPARROW, he guardeth thee!
Never a flight but thy wings he upholdeth,
Never a night but thy rest he enfoldeth—
Safely he guardeth thee. Lily, he robed thee!
Though thou must fade, by the summer bemoaned,
Thou art arrayed fair as a monarch enthroned—
Spotless he robed thee! Hear, thou of little faith,
Sparrow and lily are soulless and dying—
Eternity thine! Will he slight thy crying?
Trust, thou, of little faith! Who Are Disciples?
By G. B. Thompson
In Luke 14:33 we read, “So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he can not be my disciple.” The Lord does not say, He is not my disciple, but the strong affirmation “can not be my disciple” is used. Here is defined a true disciple. It means much to be one of the Lord’s followers, much more than many think. Many are content with being simply a member of the church, attending its formal round of services, and making some small sacrifices. But to purchase man from the hand of the enemy, it cost all heaven had to bestow. What more could God give than his only Son? The Father gave all he had; he emptied heaven in this one gift; he reserved nothing. The plan of redemption was laid in the sacrifice of all the boundless resources of heaven. A study of this text leads to an examination of our Christian experience, that we may determine if we are truly his disciples. This scripture comes close. It will shut many out of the kingdom. A like statement caused one who came to Jesus inquiring concerning eternal life to go away “grieved,” for he had “great possessions.” Many profess the name of Christ, but very few, like the widow, have given all for his sake. Think of the work of God now to be done in the earth,—a message to be proclaimed to the ends of the earth, and only a fragment of time left in which to accomplish the work. Many in whom the Lord is calling into his service, are withholding themselves from him. Have such forsaken all? To fulfil the demands of this scripture many parents will have to place their children on the altar to be used in regions near and far off. Parents, too, will have to dedicate themselves to God for active service. The Captain of our salvation is calling for volunteers for his army. The recruiting office is still open, and all who will can enlist.9 Many are blessed with means—houses, farms, cattle, a bank account, something laid up for the years to come. Has all this been forsaken? Is it on the altar of God to be used in his cause? God’s cause is in perishing need of funds in both home and foreign fields. Now is the time to study the test of discipleship as defined by the Saviour. “As I viewed poor souls dying for want of present truth, and some who profess to believe the truth were letting them die, by withholding the necessary means to carry forward the work of God, the sight was too painful, and I begged of the angel to remove it from me. I saw that when the cause of God called for some of their property, like the young man who came to Jesus (Matt. 19: 16-22), they went away sorrowful; and that soon the overflowing scourge would pass over and sweep their possessions all away, and then it would be too late to sacrifice earthly goods, and lay up a treasure in heaven. I then saw the glorious Redeemer, beautiful and lovely; that he left the realms of glory, and came to this dark and lonely world, to give his precious life and die, the just for the unjust. He bore the cruel mocking and scourging, wore the platted crown of thorns, and sweat great drops of blood in the garden, while the burden of the sins of the whole world was upon him. The angel asked, ‘What for?’ O! I saw and knew that it was for us; for our sins he suffered all this, that by his precious blood he might redeem us unto God.” “The suffering Jesus, his love so deep as to lead him to give his life for man, was again held up before me; also the lives of those who profess to be his followers, who had this world’s goods, but considered it so great a thing to help the cause of salvation. The angel said, ‘Can such enter heaven?’ Another angel answered, ‘No, never, never, never. Those who are not interested in the cause of God on earth, can never sing the song of redeeming love above.’” Worldly Associates
By Clarence Santee
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? and what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God.” 2 Cor. 6: 14-16. This plain language has too often been applied alone to partnership in business. At times also it has been applied to the marriage relation. In this it certainly applies with all its force, but it also applies to the steps which lead to the sad condition of many to-day, who, too late, realize the mistake they have made, in seeing their children choose the way of the world in the steps and counsel of the companion who is a stranger to the truth of God. The application of this text to the steps that lead to these evils has not been so often made, yet here is the place where the application should first be made. To-day there is a strange tendency among those who profess to keep “the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus” to ignore this text, to their eternal loss. Fathers and mothers who have lost a companion by death, often accept a second companion from the world. How, then, can they teach their children, who are passing through what is in many ways the most dangerous period of life, to heed the injunction of the Spirit of God, “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers”? This text also applies to the choice of associates, by young men or young women, from the world. Here is the first misstep. A young lady said to me, “If I do not accept the company of a young man of the world, I shall have none, as there are no young men here who are in the truth.” But must a question of this kind stand in the way of obedience to God? This may be the test of loyalty for that soul. God has said, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” 1 John 2: 15. “I was then shown a young girl who had departed from God, and was enshrouded in darkness. Said the angel, ‘She did run well for a season; what did hinder her?’ I was pointed back, and saw that it was a change of surroundings. She was associating with youth like herself, who were filled with hilarity and glee, pride and love of the world. Had she regarded the words of Christ, she need not have yielded to the enemy.” —Testimonies, Vol. II, pages 100, 101. “Who had departed from God, and was enshrouded in darkness.” This is as sad an epitaph as could be placed upon the cold stone above the head of a dead person. Yet in the books of heaven it is being written of many precious young people who have been born and reared in Seventh-day Adventist homes, and who are yet alive. God certainly has a remedy for this, and it is found in heeding the text at the head of this article. “But,” says one, “if I break off this association, he [or she] will turn away from his favorable attitude to the truth.” Listen to the words of one who knows: “I have been shown the cases of some who profess to believe the truth, who have made a great mistake by marrying unbelievers. The hope was cherished by them that the unbelieving party would embrace the truth; but after his object was gained, he is farther from the truth than before. . . . Many are now losing their interest and confidence in the truth, because they have taken unbelief into close connection with themselves. . . . It is a dangerous thing to form a worldly alliance. . . . Those who profess the truth trample on the will of God in marrying unbelievers; they lose his favor, and make bitter work for repentance. . . . God strictly forbade the intermarrying of his ancient people with other nations. The plea is now offered that this prohibition was made in order to prevent the Hebrews from marrying idolaters, and forming connections with heathen families. But the heathen were in a more favorable condition than are the impenitent in this age, who, having the light of truth, yet persistently refuse to accept it.” —Id., Vol. IV, pages 504-508. There are many to-day who, not having heeded the command of God, are yoked with unbelievers, and are suffering the bitter consequences. Every spiritual aspiration seems blasted. In many cases they can not meet with the people of God for spiritual encouragement, without scenes of bitterness and reproach at home, and thus they, one by one, fall out by the way. If through conscientious convictions that can not be stifled, they remain steadfast, those dearer to them than their own lives, their children, one by one, turn away to the world, and there is no help. Should the believing one, then, part from the unbelieving companion? —“No; do not add to the sin, but seek God for that forgiveness which alone, when assured, will prepare you to do the work a faithful companion should do just where you are.” “And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.” 1 Cor. 7: 13. But if a person marries an unbeliever, expecting that God’s mercies will bring forgiveness, thus lightly regarding the judgments of God, it is likely that he will continue to lightly regard the Lord’s requirements, and will be lost. Obedience is the only safe way. God lays it upon parents to have a part in the selection of associates for their children, yet how many are there who do so? Concerning the duty of parents to children, we have this instruction: “It is their duty to select the society for them, and not suffer them to choose for themselves. . . . Sabbath-keeping children may become impatient of restraint, and think their parents too strict; hard feelings may even arise in their hearts, and discontented, unhappy thoughts may be cherished by them against those who are working for their present and their future and eternal good. But if life shall be spared for a few years, they will bless their parents for that strict care and faithful watchfulness over them in their years of inexperience.” —Id., Vol. I, page 400. Parents, when you undertake to carry out these instructions of the Lord, your own besetments will come to the surface, and, unless entirely shielded by the grace and Spirit of the Lord, you will sow only tares where you had hoped to sow the seed of the kingdom. God has this counsel for you: “Fathers and mothers, speak kindly to your children, remember how sensitive you are, how little you can bear to be blamed; reflect, and know that your children are like you. That which you can not bear, do not lay upon them.” —Id., page 401. “Parents,10 the recording angel writes every impatient, fretful word you utter to your children.” —Id., page 399. These are solemn words. We must correct, guide, and look for the companionship of our children. The tender spirit of Christ must be manifested in all this, so there will be a continual school in which we, as well as our children, must learn self-control. There is another element in our association that Satan nourishes with special care. It is the undue familiarity that is manifested by persons with the opposite sex, for the purpose of drawing them to the truth. The Lord, speaking through the spirit of prophecy, has said of this: “To encourage an unbecoming familiarity in the association of men and women, boys and girls, under the pretext of seeking conversion and sanctification, is to foster an evil whose influence is of the worst character.” —Gospel Workers, page 274. How good it is to be, and do, just right. Youth should not become impatient and resentful when parents assist in choosing proper associates, neither should parents criticize or correct in a hasty or unkind frame of mind. The censure or blame that would grieve the parent should not be given to the child. The love of God accepted and dwelling in the heart, will guide both parents and children, until they form unbroken families in the kingdom of God. Some Reflections
By C. McREYNOLDS
In 1862 the precious truths of the third angel's message came to my mother's humble home in Johnson County, Iowa; and as a lad of only eight years I was taught to honor the Sabbath, and love the way of God's commandments. Six years later I made a public confession, I was baptized by Elder J. N. Andrews, and became connected with the church. My life has been one of joy; for I have been constantly looking for that glad day when I shall see my Saviour coming “in all his glory.” Very early in my Christian experience I read in “Early Writings” of the “shaking time,” which would just precede the loud cry of the message. When the rebellion of Snook and Brinkerhoff came, we said, “The shaking time has come.” Quite a number, especially in the middle States, were led away, and gave up their faith first in the testimonies of the spirit, and very soon in other points of the special message given to this people. Later, when the cause had grown to larger proportions, D. M. Canright became disaffected, drew off, and took a good many who had their faith pinned more to men than to the pillars of truth which God has committed to this people. We were quite sure that was the beginning of “the shaking.” Since then men have come up and gone down, not a few, until we have seen the folly of placing our confidence in the puny arm and wisdom of men. And we have seen that the “shaking” is not to come by the apostasy of one or more prominent workers, but by a condition of slumber, worldliness, and carelessness which settles over a large class “who do not prize victory enough to agonize and plead for it.” The company thus described were left behind in darkness, and lost sight of. Those who are negligent of the messages of warning, reproof, and instruction that are being given to us by the Spirit of God through the Testimonies are growing more and more careless concerning spiritual life and the interests of the kingdom of Christ, our soon-coming King. Confidence in the message and courage and zeal in the work of God for this time are inseparable. Those who have this confidence are being inspired to put forth almost superhuman efforts to co-operate with him who is to “finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness.” And that work is being done, thank the Lord. For more than forty years I have watched with great care and interest the leading of the Spirit of God in connection with this work, and in all the experiences of the past the Lord has led by unmistakable evidences those who were faithful to him. But in no former movement or work connected with this message have the evidences been so clear that God is leading his own work as in the move to, and establishment of, his work in Washington, D. C. He has spoken in no uncertain terms to his people. Then let our minds be clear and stayed on God, our spirits free, our hearts filled with love for those perishing in darkness and sin, and our souls will be full of courage in this closing work. We shall see victory just ahead, and shall co-operate in the establishment of his work in this nation's capital, and wherever he calls. My life is renewed with certain hope of positive victory, and I praise God for the waymarks of his providence. In his name we will lift the banner high, and march on to victory. Secret Prayer
By F. A. ZAPPE
“When thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.” Matt. 6: 5, 6. The preceding Scripture is some of the instruction concerning prayer, which our Saviour has given to his followers. This clearly points out the Christian’s duty and privilege in regard to prayer. Jesus gave this instruction, that the child of God might know how to seek the Father and commune with him and receive a blessing therefrom. He did not try to teach his followers this lesson by words only, but by example. He knew that he could not walk alone apart from God. Many hours did he spend in secret prayer while on earth. Quite often he would remain alone with God, communing with him all night until the break of day, and then come forth refreshed and strengthened to minister to the needs of the multitudes that followed him, and to wrestle against the powers of darkness. By seeking the Father through secret prayer daily, Jesus was refreshed, strengthened, encouraged, and filled with new life and power in such a way that it would be possible for him to live a sinless life in sinful flesh. Jesus says, “I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done.” Enoch walked with God. He learned the wondrous secret of abiding in the Lord. How did Enoch walk with God? “In the midst of a life of active labor, Enoch steadfastly maintained his communion with God. The greater and more pressing his labors, the more constant and earnest were his prayers. He continued to exclude himself, at certain periods, from all society. After remaining for a time among the people, laboring to benefit them by instruction and example, he would withdraw, to spend a season in solitude, hungering and thirsting for that divine knowledge which God alone can impart. Communing thus with God, Enoch came more and more to reflect the divine image. His face was radiant with a holy light,—even the light that shineth in the face of Jesus. As he came forth from these divine communings, even the ungodly beheld with awe the impress of heaven upon his countenance.” Brethren and sisters, the only way for us to walk with God is to faithfully follow the example of Jesus and Enoch in having secret prayer daily. Secret prayer is the life of the soul. “The darkness of the evil one encloses those who neglect to pray. The whispered temptations of the enemy entice them to sin; and it is all because they do not make use of the privileges that God has given them in the divine appointment of prayer.” “Family or public prayer alone is not sufficient. In solitude let the soul be laid open to the inspecting eye of God. Secret prayer is to be heard only by the prayer-hearing God. No curious ear is to receive the burden of such petitions. In secret prayer the soul is free from surrounding influences, free from excitement. Calmly, yet fervently will it reach out after God. Sweet and abiding will be the influence emanating from him who seeth in secret, whose ear is open to hear the prayer arising from the heart. By calm, simple faith, the soul holds communion with God, and gathers to itself rays of divine light to strengthen and sustain it in the conflict with Satan. God is our tower of strength.” “Pray in your closet; and as you go about your daily labor, let your heart be often uplifted to God. It was thus that Enoch walked with God. These silent prayers rise like precious incense before the throne of grace. Satan can not overcome him whose heart is thus stayed upon God.” — Susan Coolidge
By Susan Coolidge
We can not lie every morning, and repent the lie at night;
We can not blacken our souls all day, and each day wash them white; Though the pardoning blood availeth to cleanse the mortal stain,
For the sin that goes on sinning that blood was shed in vain. We must buy and sell in the market, we must earn our daily bread;
But just in the doing these usual acts may the soul be helped and fed. It is not in keeping the day’s work and the day’s prayer separate so,
But by mixing the prayer with the labor that the soul is taught to grow. Then none may deem it wasted time, who stands in a humble spot,
And digs and waters a little space, which the hurrying world heeds not; For the Lord of the harvest equally sends his blessed sun and rain
On the large work and the little work, and none of it is in vain.