THE furniture of the first apartment, or the holy place, consisted of the table of showbread, altar of incense, and golden candlestick. The table of showbread stood on the north. It had a border round it upon which was a crown of gold, and the table was overlaid with pure gold.
On this table the priests were each Sabbath to place twelve cakes, arranged in two piles, and sprinkled with frankincense. The loaves that were removed, being accounted holy, were to be eaten by the priests. It was called showbread, or bread of the presence, because it was ever before the face of the Lord. Ex. 25:30. It was an acknowledgment of man’s dependence upon God for both temporal and spiritual food, and that it is received only through the mediation of Christ. God had fed Israel in the wilderness with bread from heaven, and they were still dependent upon his bounty both for temporal food and spiritual blessings. Both the manna and the showbread pointed to Christ, the Living Bread, who is ever in the presence of God for us.
On the south was the seven-branched candlestick, with its seven lamps. Its branches were ornamented with exquisitely wrought flowers, resembling lilies, and the whole was made from one solid piece of gold. It was said to be worth about $25,000. There being no windows in the tabernacle, the lamps were never all extinguished at one time, but shed their light by day and by night. Just before the veil, separating the holy place from the most holy and the immediate presence of God, stood the golden altar of incense. Upon this altar the priest was to burn incense every morning and evening. . . . The fire upon this altar was kindled by God himself, and was sacredly cherished. Day and night the holy incense diffused its fragrance through the sacred apartment, and without far around the tabernacle.—Patriarchs and Prophets.
The Ark and the Law.
The second apartment contained the ark of the covenant. This was two cubits and a half in length, and a cubit and a half in breadth and height. Like the boards of the tabernacle, the table of showbread, the altar of incense, and the altar of burnt offering which was located in front of the tabernacle, the ark was composed of acacia wood, called shittim wood in our common English version. This is a very fine-grained, hard, durable wood, which grows in Eastern countries, and was well adapted for the furniture of the tabernacle.
The cover of the ark was called the mercy seat, and at each end of the mercy seat was a cherub, made out of the same piece of gold which composed the mercy seat. The mercy seat and cherubim were made of pure gold beaten out. In the ark, under the mercy seat, were placed the tables of the law, upon which was written the law of God, or the ten commandments.
Insomuch as some have questioned as to who wrote the law on stone, and also as to whether the ten commandments are ever called a law in the Scriptures, we will submit the following evidence:—
“And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon Mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.” Ex. 31:18.
“And Moses turned and went down from the mount, and the two tables of the testimony were in his hand; the tables were written on both their sides; on the one side and on the other were they written. And the tables were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, graven upon the tables.” Ex. 32:15, 16.
These passages prove conclusively that God wrote the writing on the tables of stone. See also Deut. 9:9, 10; 4:12, 13. In the last scripture cited we find that what the Lord wrote on the tables of stone is emphatically called the ten commandments. In Ex. 24:12 the Lord says to Moses, “Come up to me into the mount, and be there; and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach them.” Here the Lord himself calls what he wrote on the tables of stone a law and commandments. As we have already proved, these commandments were the ten commandments. See Deut. 4:12. In Ex. 24:12 the Lord calls them “a law,” because they were a rule of life for man to obey. Hence, as the Lord calls the ten commandments a law, and as he proclaimed it from Mount Sinai with his own voice, and wrote it on stone with his own finger, it is very properly called the law of God.
In an emphatic and preëminent sense the Decalogue is God’s law. He has placed special honor upon it in various ways. He did not leave it to be first proclaimed or written by man. He had it separated from all the ceremonial regulations and rules of the typical system, and ordered it placed in the sacred ark, in the most holy place, thus impressing upon the minds of the people its holy and sacred character, and distinguishing it from all other laws. This explains why the ark and its contents were regarded with such reverence and awe, and why such wonderful powers were attributed to them. Of the law contained in the ark the word of God says that it is holy and spiritual, and that it gives a knowledge of sin. Rom. 7:7, 12, 14; 3:20. Therefore we conclude that “sin is the transgression of the law,” and this is directly stated in 1 John 3:4. We also know that the law to which reference is made in these passages is the law of ten commandments, because it says, “Thou shalt not covet” (Rom. 7:7), and this is the tenth commandment of the Decalogue.
Inspiration calls this law the “royal” or kingly law (James 2:8), because it is the law of the King, or Ruler, of the universe. And we know that this royal law is the law of ten6mentioned in the context, as a part of it, viz., “Thou shalt not kill,” and, “Thou shalt not commit adultery.” James 2:8–11. This royal law also proves all the world guilty, and stops every mouth, because “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Rom. 3:19–23. The fact that God’s law is holy and spiritual is conclusive evidence that it cannot justify the transgressor of the law; and as all have sinned, or transgressed it, no one can be justified by it; it will necessarily stop every mouth, and prove the whole world guilty before God. Rom. 3:19. This also proves that all men everywhere, and in every age, have been amenable to the divine law, that is, under its jurisdiction, or subject to its authority, because it proves them all guilty.
Above the mercy seat was the shekinah, the manifestation of the divine presence; and from between the cherubim, God made known his will. Divine messages were sometimes communicated to the high priest by a voice from the cloud. Sometimes a light fell upon the angel on the right, to signify approval or acceptance, or a shadow or cloud rested upon the one at the left to reveal disapproval or rejection. . . .
No language can describe the glory of the scene presented within the sanctuary, the gold-plated walls reflecting the light from the golden candlestick, the brilliant hues of the richly embroidered curtains with their shining angels, the table, and the altar of incense, glittering with gold; beyond the second veil the sacred ark with its majestic cherubim, and above it the holy shekinah, the visible manifestation of Jehovah’s presence; all but a dim reflection of the glories of the temple of God in heaven, the great center of the work for man’s redemption.—Patriarchs and Prophets.
It is estimated that the gold and silver employed in decorating this beautiful structure was worth not less than $1,000,000.
The Position of the Sanctuary.
The sanctuary was inclosed in an oblong court, one hundred cubits in length and fifty cubits in width. This court was without cover, and consisted of sixty pillars of brass with silver capitals or mountings, and hangings or curtains twenty on each side and ten on each end. These pillars rested in sockets of brass, which were fastened to the earth with brass pins. Ex. 38:10, 17, 20. The pillars were placed five cubits from each other, and as the curtains that hung upon them were five cubits long (Ex. 38:18), we conclude that the pillars were about the same length. The curtains were made of fine-twined white linen yarn (Ex. 27:9; 38:9, 16), except on the eastern end or entrance. Those were made of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine-twined white linen, with cords to raise or slide them when the priests entered the court. Ex. 27:16; 38:18. “The hangings of the court being only about half as high as the walls of the tabernacle, the building could be plainly seen by the people without.”
The altar of burnt offering was placed in a line between the door of the court and the door of the tabernacle, but nearer the door of the court. Ex. 40:6, 29. The laver, with its foot or base, stood between the altar of burnt offering and the door of the tabernacle. The Israelites all came within the court to present their vows and offerings to the Lord.
It is a fact worthy of notice that the Lord endeavored in all his plans and appointments to turn the people away from idolatry and all false worship. The door of the court and the tabernacle, when erected, always faced the east, as did also Solomon’s temple. Hence, when the people came to the court of the sanctuary or the temple to worship, they faced the west, and their backs would be turned toward the east. It should be remembered that sun worship was the great rival of the worship of the true God, and that its worshipers always worshiped the sun towards the east. They worshiped the sun in the morning; hence their worship would be towards the east. Those who came to the sanctuary or the temple to worship must enter the door of the court with their faces toward the west, and in worshiping the Lord, whose presence was manifested in the sanctuary, they would turn their backs upon the sun and its worship and all the idolatry that centered in it; whereas, those who apostatized from the faith, and worshiped the sun towards the east, as was the custom, turned their backs upon God and his worship, and this the Lord regarded as the greatest abomination that could be committed. Eze. 8:5–16.
BABYLON'S MYSTERIES IN THE CHURCH OF THIS DISPENSATION.
By Elder William Covert
WE have learned how the people of God were anciently led away from the worship and obedience of the Creator through the mysteries of Babylon of old. We find a parallel to this among his people since the times of Christ. The same iniquity by which Satan was anciently adored, has found its way into the church of this dispensation, and many are taken captive in its toils.
In less than twenty-five years after the ascent of Christ to heaven, Paul wrote, "The mystery of iniquity doth already work." 2 Thess. 2:7. This he said with reference to things already taking place among those who were in the church. But he indicated that this iniquity would constantly take on greater proportions until it should become all that Satan desired it to be.
The first step in this iniquity was made in losing a great connection by faith with Christ as the living head of the individual Christian. There are those who were teaching that it would be an evidence of greater humility if Christians would approach the Father in a more remote way than to come directly to the throne through Jesus Christ. They taught worship through angels, thereby showing humility and neglecting the body. In this way they did penance, and thought that they possessed merit in themselves. They taught that ordinances of self-abasement would show greater humility than to claim a direct and living connection with the righteousness of Christ and his heavenly fullness. The book of Colossians shows the anxiety of the apostle because of the early introduction of these elements of heathenism in the church.
The greatness of Jesus Christ and the might of his deliverance and his omnipotence both in creation and redemption are all taught in the first twenty verses of this wonderful823epistle. In verse 21 he begins to show that man's alienation through sin does not prevent an entire reconciliation. Following this he shows that Christ in the body of his flesh through death could and would present the Christian holy and unblamable and unreprovable in the sight of the Father. Therefore he urged that they should continue in the faith, grounded and settled in the hope of the gospel. What need was there then of any middle power between the believer and the Saviour?
Evidently some had already lost their comfort and hope of the gospel, and many more would do so through the working of this mystery of iniquity, therefore he wrote:—
"I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh [this includes the reader]; that their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgment of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words." Col. 2:1-4.
Let the reader study carefully the above scripture and then notice that in verse 18 he warns against being beguiled into the worshiping of angels through a voluntary humility. When this is done, the tie that binds to Christ is broken and the nourishment of his life is cut off. Not anything can come in between the believer and Christ without severing the union that should exist. Any voluntary service that is offered in professed humility draws the mind away from Christ and severs the connection from his life. These he says are but the ordinances and commandments of men. They have a show of human wisdom, but are sin and lead to death. While some were led to believe that it was best to worship God through the angels, it will be remembered that none but fallen angels would encourage or receive worship from any man. See Rev. 19:10; 22:8, 9.
The term "angel," as used in the text quoted, meant an agent or messenger, and could be applied to any creature that might be supposed to act between the Creator and man. By the Gentiles this medium was often supposed to be a deified man—the spirit of some dead person. When Paul preached Christ to the Athenians, some of their philosophers encountered him, and said that Paul himself seemed to be a "setter forth of strange gods [a little god, a demon, young]; because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection." Acts 17:18. At the first, they thought that Jesus was a new kind of demon, one who had gone to heaven bodily instead of becoming a demon in the regular order of their ancient philosophy. Therefore they took Paul into their highest court, that he might set his new philosophy prominently before them.
Anything that the heathen called god was an object of worship, and the objects thus designated were multitudinous. When a miracle was wrought at Lystra, the people said the gods had come down to them in the form of men, and it was with difficulty that Paul and Barnabas prevented the heathen population from doing sacrifice to them as gods. Acts 14:11-18.
These references to the idolatry of those times show what the tendency of the Gentile mind then was, and how closely allied all their practices were to their heathenish worship. If we judge from the apostles' instruction to the churches, there was constant need of carefulness on the part of Christian brethren, lest some of the poorly informed members should think they were in league with some of the reputed gods of the heathen. Referring to current customs and theories, he said: "Though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth (as there be gods many, and lords many), but to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him." 1 Cor. 8:5, 6. But as all were not well established in their minds on these things, it became necessary for them to be guarded as to their eating of flesh, for he said, "Some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled." Verse 7.
But in explanation of what it was that these Gentiles worshiped he said, "The things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils [demons], and not to God; and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils." 1 Cor. 10:20.
From these scriptures it is seen that idolatry and demon worship in all ages have been associated together. But the doctrine of demons is wholly based upon the falsehood told by Satan in Eden, that man should not die, but that, instead of death, he should become as gods. Out of this teaching came the practice of invoking the protection and blessing of the dead. This idolatry in modern times is called the
"INVOCATION OF SAINTS."
If the good people of the past whom we see no more upon earth are still living, it is argued that they can do the kind office of interceding for those who seek the favor of God through their ministry. Especially is Mary, the mother of Jesus, invoked to intercede with her Son in behalf of the needy.
These practices all have their counterpart, both in Modern Spiritualism and ancient necromancy. The doctrine of purgatory and prayers for the dead also grew out of the same evil seed. In addition to all that has been noticed above, there is the teaching of eternal torture for the lost, which could not for a moment find countenance in any creed were it not for the theory that man is possessed of natural immortality and therefore cannot die.
There was also the horrid practice of killing slaves that they may accompany their dead masters in the spirit world, the burning of children in the fire to appease the wrath of angry demons, the worshiping of animals, believing that the souls of deceased ancestors are dwelling in them, together with all the barbarous and pagan mysteries of both ancient and modern times. These all are based upon the belief that men do not die, but that instead of death they become gods.
But the glorious truth of life and righteousness through Christ is that which alone makes and holds the Christian. While there is gospel faith and hope in Christ these idolatries cannot come in to deceive and lead away from God. Let all laborers in Christ's cause ever hold up Christ as all in all, the Fullness of the Godhead bodily, the Source of all joy and comfort to the believer, and the Treasure House of all wisdom and knowledge.
The apostle said that those who through voluntary humility engaged in the worshiping of angels were "not holding the Head [Christ], from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseeth with the increase of God." Col. 2:19. It was the letting go of a direct connection with Christ and taking hold on something else that resulted in the great apostasy. It was this latter union that revealed the man of sin, the son of perdition, who opposed and exalted himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, who has tried to show himself that he is God. To connect wholly with this man of sin is to get as far from God as possible. The danger lies in taking the first step. Let not one thing come between the soul and Christ. It is through him and in him and by him alone, first and last and all the time, that light and life and righteousness are received and maintained.
WHAT WOULD WE SAY?
By Margaret Sangster
If Christ, the Lord, should come to-day,
As erst to Peter, by the sea,
And low and tenderly should say,
"O my disciple, lovest thou me?"
To thee and me—
What would our answer be?
Just this: "We surely love thee, Lord;
Our wills are weak, our hearts are poor,
But, clinging to thee, in thy word
We trust, and we shall aye endure."
—Margaret Sangster.
The Lord (the Son of Man) made it. Verse 28; 1 Cor. 8:6. "Besides me there is no God." Isa. 44:6. God is a God of order, not of confusion. Isa. 9:7; 1 Cor. 14:33. Without the designation of the particular day of the week to be kept, mankind would be the subjects of confusion. Churches cannot establish and regulate this order as to what day, because they have no authority over mankind or the human race; they are only the "pilgrims and strangers upon the earth," the "called out," the "little flock." The church is not "Lord of lords." Rev. 19:16. They are not even their own head, but Christ is their Head. Col. 1:18; Eph. 5:22, 24.
There is no master in spiritual things upon earth; but "one is your master, even Christ." Matt. 23:8, 9. Any attempt at such authority is usurpation, is "antichrist." Jesus referred to such when he added, "Whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased." Verse 12. It would be the Mystery of Iniquity sitting "in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God." 2 Thess. 2:4. The only church that has attempted such a thing is the Church of Rome. She did, and to show such authority over mankind, she took that one thing so plainly stated to have been made for mankind—the Sabbath—and changed it to a day of her own appointment—Sunday—and enforced its observance. But in professing and thinking herself able to change the times and laws of the Most High (Dan. 7:25, Douay Version), she "deceiveth them that dwell on the earth [mankind]" (Rev. 13:14). She usurped the power which Christ declared was given to him in earth. Matt. 28:18. The kings of the earth (civil powers) have not the right to exercise such authority either, for they are controlled by her, and are under her. "She reigneth over the kings of the earth." Rev. 17:18. They are deceived by her—drunken with the wine of her error. "These," therefore, in supporting her, and strengthening her, "shall make war with the Lamb," the only power in the universe that is Lord of the Sabbath and of mankind, for
whom it was made, and thus able to preserve its uniformity, upon servants and kings alike; but "the Lamb shall overcome them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings." Rev. 17:14.
The lords of the earth are not lords of the Sabbath. They have nothing to do with it. He alone is the Lord of it and of its appointment who says, "My glory will I not give to another." Isa. 42:8. Suppose the czar of Russia and the queen of England should presume to appoint and enforce Sabbath observance; they would then in that act set themselves up as lords of the Sabbath. Then they are antichrists.
Again, when they had appointed the day, they must be able to make it holy before it could be kept holy by their servants. But they could not do this, for they themselves are not holy. God only is holy, hence his rest day (Sabbath) is the only holy rest day (Sabbath), and the attempt of a civil government to set up a sabbath is an attempt at an impossibility, which assumes the attributes of Jehovah. It takes the special act of God to make a day holy, or make it the Sabbath—an act which is not recorded to have been performed but once during all time,—the rest of the Creator from his works; and then it required his blessing bestowed upon it for time to come, and his sanctification, to make it a complete sabbatic obligation upon others.
No other day of the week can claim this but the seventh day, and without this there is no holy Sabbath. If governments or creeds cannot do this, people should cease to talk of the day the government legalizes, or the day the church sets apart as the Sabbath. Days are not naturally holy, and must be made so before they can be kept so. If the government or the church could make a day holy, they could not then enforce it; for holiness is an affair of the heart, and neither State nor Church has means of knowing what is in the heart, or what is there kept holy; and they could not know whether their laws were kept or not. But the Catholic Church, having taken the first steps, saw the necessity of this, and instituted the Holy Inquisition, to wring from the lips of men the thoughts of their hearts through the agonies of torture. It also established auricular confession, by which it extorted from them the secrets of their lives through the fears of hell—an accursed and terrible invention; an all-seeing eye of priestcraft that watched at every fireside of Europe for centuries, that makes a man's wife and confidential companion the informer and spy of his home.
Yet these are the results of an earthly power attempting to enforce the laws of God. Sabbaths set up by governments are antichristian; for if they set up the day God has set up, they must usurp the authority of God to enforce it. Where God would pardon, they know nothing of pardon, not knowing the heart; where God might not speedily execute the punishment, they might; where it was most demanded, they might be least able to inflict it. Where God would be just, they might be unjust. Where he could justify the sinner, they could not. Therefore, they must have infallibility; and, therefore, Rome claims it.
But if they set up another day from that which God has set up, and God should approve of man's keeping it, he would set aside824his own appointment, and deny his own infallibility. He would have to judge Sabbath keepers by the laws of their respective countries instead of his own law—those of Russia by the laws of the czar, those of England by the laws of England, and those of China by the laws of China, where they have no Sabbath. This would be necessary if governments are to be followed in such matters.
But the laws of governments are the laws of the "many"—the majority—and these are in the broad way that leads to death (Matt. 7:13, 14), or they are the laws of tyrants, and the power of tyranny is the power of the devil. Majorities always have been wrong in matters of religion, and tyranny must be wrong.
Satan is God of this world (2 Cor. 4:4; Eph. 2:2), and the rulers of this world are massed upon his side (Rev. 19:19; 6:15, 17; Acts 12:1-7; Daniel 3). "Put not your trust in princes" (Ps. 146:3), for they will be ruled out at that tribunal where monarchs are weighed in the balance and found wanting. And their servants shall be ashamed when "God is judge himself," "to bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron; to execute upon them the judgement written." Ps. 149:8, 9. Those who follow them must share their fate. The State cannot say what day men shall observe, nor that they shall observe any at all unto the Lord.
Let us look at the church again. If the church is united in keeping and enforcing a different day than God appointed in his word, the Christian cannot uphold that church, for it is antichrist (against Christ). It is a sin, for Christ prayed: "Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth, . . . that they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee; that they also may be one in us." John 17:17-21. As long as people try to maintain any other unity, it is a deception, and hinders the accomplishment of the true unity. They are resisting the plan which God is working out through Jesus Christ. They are resisting the Saviour's prayer, and fighting against God. They may be sincere, but people are often sincere in upholding wrong. Everyone who lends his influence to support a church that is extending and strengthening such unity, is hindering the Saviour's prayer, resisting the accomplishment of the plan of salvation, and the triumph of the gospel. He is perpetuating rebellion against God. It is Babylon. "From such turn away." 2 Tim. 3:5; 2 Cor. 6:14-18; Rev. 18:2-4.
Some of the oldest faiths in the world have carefully preserved such unity through centuries of time, thinking the greatest merit to consist in reverencing what has been long venerated, and that falsehoods are hallowed by long standing, and thus may always be depended upon to resist light and truth. Such is Catholicism. The word of Jesus Christ, the Bible, is the only authority that can determine the day of the Sabbath. Its unity is the only unity of the Spirit, unless it be the spirit of the devil.
(Concluded next week.)
THE TRUE LIFE.
By J. Ossian Davies
"Is LIFE worth living?" It depends entirely upon what the life is. Some lives are not worth living, as they are; but the fault rests with the men who live them. The drunkard's life is not worth living, but it is his own fault. The sensualist's life is not worth living, but it is his own fault. The blasphemer's life is not worth living, but it is his own fault. The thief's life is not worth living, but it is his own fault. The gold hunter's life is not worth living, but it is his own fault. "Let us eat and drink; for to-morrow we die." Is such a life worth living?—No, for the beast does that. "Let us study dress and appearance." And is such a life worth living?—No, for the peacock does that. "Let us laugh our sorrows out of the world." And is such a life worth living?—No, for the chattering ape does that. A godless life is a worthless life, but a godly life is always worth living. And what is it that makes life worth living?—The presence of Christ in the heart. "He that hath the
Son hath life." Where do we find the noblest life?—Where the gospel is best lived. It is in Christ that we find the life which is life indeed. "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."—Rev. J. Ossian Davies.
Prepare for Eternity
By F. W. Robertson
ETERNITY is crying out to you louder and louder as you near its brink. Rise, be going. Count your resources; learn what you are not fit for, and give up wishing for it; learn what you can do, and do it with the energy of a man.
"ONE LORD, ONE FAITH, ONE BAPTISM."
By H. A. St. John
BY ELDER H. A. ST. JOHN.
THE other day, when passing a large Catholic Church building in San Francisco, I was attracted by the words of Holy Writ, "One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism," written in large English letters across the front of the edifice. I could but think that another inspired declaration of the Bible ought to be written under it, and that is, "For there is One God, and One Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus." 1 Tim. 2:5.
How the recognition and acceptance of this great truth, just as true as the former, would sweep away some of the leading teachings and practices of this great church! If there is but one Mediator between God and men, as the word of God distinctly affirms, then what becomes of the Catholic doctrine and practice of praying to the Virgin Mary, St. Joseph, and a whole lot of other dead saints, to intercede, plead, and mediate for us between God and men? If there is but one Mediator, and that Christ Jesus, then what becomes of the doctrine and practice of the mediation and absolution of a host of priests on earth? In the great plan of God, no virgin, no saint in heaven or elsewhere, no priest, bishop, or pope, and no other being in the wide universe, excepting Jesus Christ, can come in as mediator between God and men. This great prerogative belongs to him, and him only. "If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." 1 John 2:1. An advocate, one advocate, not two or more, and that one is Jesus.
These great truths of God's word do most effectually wipe out the popish doctrines of prayers to either canonized or humanized saints, the confessional, and pretended absolution of an earthly priesthood.
Let it be rung in the ears of all men everywhere that God's word teaches, not only "one Lord, one faith, one baptism," but also one Advocate and one Mediator, between God on the one side and men on the other, and that one, and only one, is Christ Jesus the Lord. Sinner, the Father invites you to come to him in the name of Jesus. Present yourself and your plea in his name alone; all other beings in the universe are powerless to help you to favor with God.
IS THIS CHRISTIANITY?
THE following is quoted from the Christian Witness by the Christian Cynosure of September 27: "Not long ago a member of our church (the Methodist Episcopal) died. His funeral, held in the church on the sabbath, was attended by over a hundred members of the lodge to which he had belonged. They were decked out with regalia, and carried spears and poles and banners and battle-axes—all emblems of carnal warfare. He was buried from the church where he and his wife were converted. The members of the church who prayed with him around the altar had to stand back and give place to the lodge members, most of whom were members of the church; some never enter a church on any other occasion, and some were infidels, and the 'chaplain' for the occasion was a reputed Spiritualist. At the grave two rituals were read over the remains, that of the church being sandwiched in between that of the lodge. The man was thus twice buried."
THE CHOICE.
By Frederic William Farrar
EVERY young man and young woman has to make the choice in turn. That choice is never decided by accident. In old days, when Nebuchadnezzar rode forth to conquer, and stood at the head of parting roads, you read in the book of Ezekiel how he decided by arrow divination—how he took a sheaf of arrows and let them fall, and went on that road toward which most of the arrows chanced to lie.
It is by no such blind accidents of destiny that the direction of the soul is determined. In our moral and spiritual life the crisis of the moment is decided only by the tenor of the life; the course of to-morrow is but the inevitable resultant of the forces of thousands of yesterdays.—Archdeacon Farrar.
Building for Eternity
The angels from their thrones on high
Look down on us with wondering eye,
That where we are but passing guests
We build our strong and solid nests,
But where we seek to dwell for aye
We scarce take heed a stone to lay.
—From the German.
Goodness Enlarges the Heart
By Robertson
Goodness expands the heart and makes it humble. The larger, the better, the nobler your heart is, the more you will be inclined to make allowance for others, and the more you will say and feel, "God be merciful to me a sinner."—Robertson.
Christian Faith Amid Doubt
By Phillips Brooks
DELIGHT, enthusiasm, hope, content—these are the true conditions of a Christian life, just as song is the true condition of the bird, or color of the rose. But just as the bird is still a bird although it cannot sing, and the rose is still a rose although its red grows dull and faded in some dark, close room where it is compelled to grow—so the Christian is a Christian still, even although his soul is dark with doubt, and he goes staggering on, fearing every moment that he will fall, never daring to look up and hope.—Phillips Brooks.