BUT few realize the strength of their love for riches until the test is brought to bear upon them. Many who profess to be Christ’s followers, then show that they are unprepared for heaven. Their works testify that they love riches more than their neighbor or their God. Like the rich young man, they inquire the way to life; but when the way is pointed out, and the cost is estimated, and they are convinced that they must sacrifice their earthly riches and become rich in good works, they decide that heaven costs too much. The greater the treasures laid up upon the earth, the more difficult it is for the possessor to realize that they are not his own, but lent him to use to God’s glory.
Jesus here improves the opportunity to give his disciples an impressive lesson: “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, that a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.” “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.”
Here the strength of riches is seen. The power of the love of riches over the human mind is almost paralyzing. Riches infatuate many, and make them act as though they were bereft of reason. The more they have of this world, the more they desire. Their fears of coming to want increase with their riches. They have a disposition to hoard up means for the future. They are close and selfish, fearing that God will not provide for their future needs. Such persons are indeed poor toward God. As their riches have accumulated, they have put their trust in them, and have not had faith in God or his promises.
The poor man who has faith and confidence in God, who trusts in his love and care, and who abounds in good works, judiciously using the little he has in blessing others with his means, is rich toward God. He feels that his neighbor has claims upon him that he cannot disregard and yet obey the commandment of God, “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” The poor who are rich toward God consider the salvation of their fellowmen of greater importance than all the gold and silver that the world contains.
COMPLETE SETS OF THE SABBATH SCHOOL LESSONS ON THE BOOK OF LUKE.
By Editor
We quote the following from a note at the beginning of the first lesson in October, from the pen of the writer of the lessons:—
"If you have preserved the lesson pamphlets for the previous quarters of the year, you will not now need any special instruction in regard to study. Read again the suggestions that have been given. Those who begin the study with this quarter, and who have not the three preceding pamphlets, will do well to procure them."
In harmony with the above suggestion we will say that we have on hand some stock of each of the preceding pamphlets on the "Book of Luke," and can supply any single pamphlet or the entire set. Those who lack one or more of these can now obtain them if they order promptly.
Bible Students' Library No. 116 contained the lessons for the first quarter of 1894, embracing the first six chapters of Luke.
Bible Students' Library No. 120 contained the lessons for the second quarter of 1894, embracing chapters 7 to 11 inclusive.
Bible Students' Library No. 123 contained the lessons for the third quarter of 1894, embracing chapters 12 to 19 inclusive.
Bible Students' Library No. 126 contains the lessons for the fourth quarter of 1894, and completes the book of Luke.
The price is 5 cents per copy, either singly or by the set, and the pamphlets will be sent postpaid at this rate. Those who need complete sets should not delay, as we have only a small stock of some of the numbers. Address, Pacific Press Publishing Co., Oakland, Cal.
CHURCH SERVICES.
By Editor
All of our churches, especially on this coast, who desire their regular weekly services announced in this column, may have it done by reporting through the proper officers.
Oakland.—Church at corner of Twelfth and Brush Streets. Regular preaching services or Bible study, Sunday at 7:30 P.M. and Sabbath at 11 A.M. Sabbath school at 9:30 A.M. Sabbath. Prayer and missionary meeting Wednesday at 7:30 P. M. All are cordially invited.
San Francisco.—Church at 914 Laguna Street. Regular preaching services at 7:30 P.M. Sunday and 11 A.M. Sabbath. Sabbath school at 9:45 A.M. Prayer meeting Wednesday 7:30 P.M. Missionary meeting Thursday 7:30 P.M. Seats free.
Chicago, Illinois.—Church on Forty-sixth Street between Michigan and Wabash Avenues. Sabbath school 9:30 A.M.; preaching service 11 A.M. Prayer meeting 3:30 P.M. every Sabbath, also Tuesday evening 7 P.M. Missionary meeting Thursday evening 7 P.M. All are cordially invited.
Los Angeles.—Church at 143 Carr Street. Preaching service Sunday evening 7:30. Missionary meeting Wednesday evening 7:30. Sabbath school on Sabbath at 9:45, and preaching service at 11 A.M. All are welcome.
East Portland, Oregon.—Church at corner of Eleventh and East Everett Streets. Services every Sabbath 11:30 A.M. Sabbath school 10 A.M. Missionary meeting evening after Sabbath 7 P.M. Prayer meeting every Wednesday evening 7 o'clock. All welcome. Seats free.
Washington, D. C.—Church on Eighth Street between F and G Streets, N. E. Regular preaching service at 11 A. M. Sabbaths. Sabbath school, 9:45 A.M. Sunday, 7:30 P.M., Bible study. Prayer meeting Friday at 7:30 P.M. All are welcome. H. W. HERRELL, Clerk.
Sacramento.—Church on G Street between Eighteenth and Nineteenth Streets. Regular services: Sabbath school at 10 A.M., preaching service at 11 A.M., Sunday at 7:30 P.M. Prayer and missionary meeting Wednesday evening at 7:30. Seats free. All are cordially invited.
Pasadena.—Church at corner of Summit Ave. and Mountain Street. Sabbath services every Sabbath at 11:30 A.M. Sabbath school 10 A.M. Prayer meeting every Sunday evening 7:30. Missionary meeting Tuesday 7:30 P.M. All are cordially invited. Box 261. O. S. SMYTH, Clerk.
St. Paul, Minn.—Church on Greenbriar Avenue, between Jenks and Clawson Streets. Regular preaching services on Sabbath at 11 A.M. Sabbath school at 9:45 A.M. Prayer meeting Tuesday evening at 7:45. All are cordially invited. NETTIE MCSTAY, Clerk.
Boston, Mass.—Church worships at United Fellowship Hall, 1371 Washington Street. Regular services: Sabbath school at 10 A.M., preaching at 11 A.M. All are welcome. George B. Whecler, pastor. Residence at 166½ Ferry Street, Everett, Mass.
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This is the title of a little monthly publication recently started by the Pacific Press, and is designed especially for use in personal correspondence. It is printed on thin paper, and one or two numbers can be put in a No. 6 envelope, with an ordinary letter, without increasing the postage.
The following numbers have already been issued:
No. 1. Looking unto Jesus.
" 2. The Christian's Privilege.
" 3. The Sure Promises of God.
" 4. How to Get Knowledge.
" 5. The Church and the World. (Poetry.)
" 6. The Elect of God.
" 7. How Esther Read Her Bible.
" 8. The Thief on the Cross.
" 9. The Eleventh Hour.
" 10. Benefits of Bible Study.
" 11. Righteousness: Where Is It to be Found?
" 12. Power of Forgiveness.
" 13. Responsibility of Parents.
" 14. "Choose Ye This Day."
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" 16. The New Birth.
" 17. "What Must I Do to Be Saved?"
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International S. S. Lessons.
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"So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading." —Neh. 8:8
LESSON VII.—SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1894.
THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT.
[NOTE.—The questions which follow are merely suggestive for the student on the leading points of the lesson; it is presumed that the thorough student will think of many more as he studies the subject. References, where verses alone are given, always refer to the lesson scripture printed above. All other references are given in book, chapter, and verse. The text printed is that of the Revised Version, not because it is especially preferred, but because it is not found in every family, as is the common version.]
20. AND He lifted up His eyes on His disciples, and said, Blessed are ye poor; for yours is the kingdom of God.
21. Blessed are ye that hunger now; for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now; for ye shall laugh.
22. Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of Man's sake.
23. Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy; for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for in the same manner did their fathers unto the prophets.
24. But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation.
25. Woe unto you, ye that are full now! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you, ye that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep.
26. Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for in the same manner did their fathers to the false prophets.
27. But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them that hate you.
28. Bless them that curse you, pray for them that despitefully use you.
29. To him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and from him that taketh away thy cloak withhold not thy coat also.
30. Give to everyone that asketh thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.
31. And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
Golden Text: "As ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise." Luke 6: 31.
NOTE.—This lesson is, to our mind, wrongly named. "The Sermon on the Plain" would be better, for we are told in verse 17 that he came down with his disciples, and stood on a level place. The chronological setting, as well as the differences between the teachings of this discourse in Luke 6 and that in Matthew, chapters 5 to 7, show that they are not identical, but were spoken on different occasions, and it is not at all unreasonable to suppose that this would be the case. Christ spoke what the people needed, and the same blessed truths that he spoke to the throng, as recorded in Matthew, were just as much needed by those to whom he spoke as were the words recorded in Luke.
1. When the multitude were gathered around Jesus to whom did he directly address himself? Verse 20.
2. What blessing did he pronounce upon the poor? and why? Compare with Matt. 5: 3.
3. What did he say of those who hungered for righteousness? Verse 21.
4. What blessing did he pronounce upon those who wept because of sin?
5. What did he say of those who suffered for his sake? Verse 22.
6. Instead of mourning because of their persecution, what should they do? and why? Verse 23.
7. What ones did he mention as having received just such treatment?
8. What did he pronounce upon those who felt themselves rich? Verse 24.
9. Upon what other classes did he pronounce woes? Verse 25.
10. Should we be pleased when all men speak well of us? Verse 26.
11. How is a true disciple to regard his enemies and those who hate him? Verse 27.
12. What should he do toward those who curse him and persecute him? Verse 28.
13. How should he treat those who take away his goods wrongfully because he is Christ's disciple? Verses 29, 30.
14. What general rule does he give which applies in all these cases? See golden text.
NOTE.
THE Golden Rule, "As ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise," is one which, if followed, would never permit persecution for the sake of religion. There certainly is not a heathen in the world who would desire to be persecuted by a Christian; and, if he did by the Christian as he desired the Christian to do by him, he certainly would not persecute the Christian. This is just as true on the other side. There is no Christian who desires to be persecuted by a heathen, or who would desire to have his liberty to worship God in any way infringed upon. He, therefore, ought not to demand that the liberty of the heathen to worship his conception of God should be infringed upon. Of course, no so-called liberty should infringe upon the rights of other men. That is not the liberty which our Lord enjoins. What Christianity demands is absolute equality. That is what is implied in the Golden Rule. Absolute equality in religious worship has to do simply and solely with the relations which exist between man and his God, or his conception of God. The relations between man, so far as the overt acts are concerned, are regulated by civil law, which does not come within the sphere of religion at all. If a religious devotee transgresses the civil law, he is punished because of his crime against the law, and not because of his relation to God or against God. For instance, the Sabbath is a day which is to be kept holy unto the Lord. It cannot be kept holy unto man. It has nothing whatever to do with man's relation to his fellow-man. It belongs unto God; it bears his image and superscription. The infidel, if he observes the Golden Rule, would have no right whatever to say that the Christian should not observe the Sabbath. The Christian, if he observed the Golden Rule, would have no right whatever to say that the infidel should observe the Sabbath. That is a matter which lies between him and his God alone. There would be no Sabbath law and no need of Sabbath law where the Golden Rule was believed and practiced.