p. 16 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 26, No. 6. (2/7/1900)

LESSON VII.—SABBATH, FEBRUARY 17, 1900.

THE BETRAYAL.

In Gethsemane, A.D. 31.

Lesson Scripture, Matt. 26:48-56; Mark 14:44-53; Luke 22:47-54; John 18:2-12.

"Now he that betrayed Him had given them a token, saying, Whosoever I shall kiss, that is He; take Him, and lead Him away safely."

"And they all left Him, and fled."

"And they led Jesus away to the high priest; and there come together with Him all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes."

(John 18:3-12, R.V.)

"Judas then, having received the band of soldiers, and officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons. Jesus therefore, knowing all the things that were coming upon Him, went forth, and saith unto them, Whom seek ye? They answered Him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am He. And Judas also, which betrayed Him, was standing with them. When therefore He said unto them, I am He, they went backward, and fell to the ground. Again therefore He asked them, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus answered, I told you that I am He; if therefore ye seek Me, let these go their way; that the word might be fulfilled which He spake, Of those whom Thou hast given Me I lost not one. Simon Peter therefore having a sword drew it, and struck the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. Now the servant's name was Malchus. Jesus therefore said unto Peter, Put up the sword into the sheath: the cup which the Father hath given Me, shall I not drink it?"

"So the band and the chief captain, and the officers of the Jews, seized Jesus and bound Him."

(Luke 22:47-49, 51, 52, R.V.)

"While He yet spake, behold, a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them; and he drew near unto Jesus to kiss Him. But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss? And when they that were about Him saw what would follow, they said, Lord, shall we smite with the sword?"

"But Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And He touched his ear, and healed him. And Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and elders, which were come against Him, Are ye come out, as against a robber, with swords and staves?"

Note.—The texts inclosed in marks of parentheses, while not essential to the lesson study, will be found to throw much light upon the lesson, and are suggested for those who wish to study further.

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

1. Before entering the garden where Jesus was, what sign had Judas given his companions, by which they might recognize Christ? Mark 14:44.

2. Who were those in company with Judas? What did they carry with them? John 18:3. (Acts 1:16.)

3. Knowing their object, what did Jesus do? Verse 4.

4. What then transpired? Verses 5-7.

5. What final reply did Jesus make? Verse 8. Note 1.

6. What attempt did Judas then make? Luke 22:47. (Mark 14:45.)

7. With what words did Jesus meet him? Verse 48. (Matt. 26:50.)

8. Seeing the situation to be critical, what question did the disciples ask? Verse 49.

9. How did Peter answer the question? John 18:10.

10. What reproof did Jesus then administer to Peter? Verse 11. (Matt. 26:52, 53.)

11. How did Jesus repair the mistake Peter had made? Luke 22:51.

12. What question did Jesus then ask the throng of armed men? Verse 52.

13. What was the next step taken by the company of officers? John 18:12.

14. In this what did the disciples do? Mark 14:50.

15. To what place was Jesus taken? Verse 53. Note 2. (John 18:13.)

Side Lights.—"Desire of Ages," chapter 74; "Spirit of Prophecy," vol. 3, chapter 7.

NOTES.

1. It is a remarkable thing that, in the midst of all His danger, Jesus did not for a moment forget to care for His disciples, and so the only favor asked of His captors was that His disciples might retain their liberty.

2. ANNAS had been appointed high priest in A.D. 7, by the Emperor Quirinius, but because of his constant intrigue and unwearied plottings, was deprived of his office in A.D. 14, by Valerius. He, however, had the privilege of seeing his five sons successively raised to the same office. Caiaphas, being son-in-law to Annas, gave way to the influence of the latter to such an extent that the father-in-law really ruled matters in the office of high priest.

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Has helpful comments on nearly every S. S. lesson for the next year and a half.

In one sense this book is a Life of Christ and His Disciples, but it is far more than any mere biographical sketch—it is a use of the incidents in their lives to illustrate and emphasize the principles of true Christianity.

These illustrations are always appropriate and will lead both teacher and pupil to see, in the every-day walk of Christ and His disciples, living lessons for to-day.

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The Slaughter of Birds for Hat Trimming

A great and continuous slaughter is in progress to supply trimming for women’s hats. There was a factory fire recently at Wataugh, L. I., and among the property destroyed were 10,000 stuffed sea-gulls, 20,000 wings of other birds, 10,000 heads of birds, from the plumed birds of the South to the Long Island crow, designed for the trimming of tender-hearted woman’s head-gear. This firm has men stationed all along the Atlantic Coast from Maine to Florida, says the Country Gentleman of Dec. 14, 1899, to kill birds for this purpose. One man killed, one season in Florida, 141,000 birds. O, it is cruel! “Was it not cruel to rob that nest of its young ones?” a Sunday-school teacher is said to have asked a boy, who was telling of his act. “I guess not,” replied the boy, half insolently, “you’ve got the mother-bird on your hat.” If the incident is not true, it might well be. There are great evils in it all: (1) The wanton cruelty involved in taking the lives of millions of God’s innocent creatures, at the behest of a cruel tyrant; (2) the cruelty it is teaching the rising generation; (3) and all its evil will return upon the country in the increase of insect life, which the birds destroyed. It is time to reform now.

DECEIVED PROTESTANTS.

By Editor

JUSTICE BREWER of the United States Supreme Court, said recently, in an address, that “the twentieth century will be noted for greater unity in religious life.” The “denominational rivalry and strife of the present century” will give way to “Christian unity”—a unity in spirit not form, “a putting behind us as of little significance the minor differences of creed and doctrine.”

The Christian Work remarks: “There is much to sustain this view. In this country, at least, a kindlier feeling exists between Protestants and Roman Catholics, and between the different Protestant bodies, than exists elsewhere, or than ever prevailed before.”

Whereupon we are prone to ask that in the coming nearer of Protestants and Catholics, which is coming? It is certainly not the Catholic. Within the last year, as has been set forth in this paper, Roman Catholic papers and prelates in this country have declared again and again that Rome does not change; that she only is the one Catholic Church; that she is the same all over the world. See article elsewhere, “Demanding Civil or Temporal Power.”

The Christian Work says: “And we may add that we quite agree with Justice Brewer that the time is past when the Protestant should look back upon the horrors of the Inquisition and denounce Roman Catholicism on account thereof, or the Catholic, on the other hand, look back at the hanging of witches or the persecution of the Quakers, and denounce Protestantism therefor.” But the last year of grace, October 14, the Catholic Mirror, the chief organ of the Catholic Church in America, published an article in defense of the Inquisition.

We never knew that Protestantism approved of witch-hanging. It has ever condemned it, and should not be held responsible for it. But Roman Catholicism defends the Inquisition, and honors its founders to-day. How long will it be before deceived Protestants are apologizing for or defending the Inquisition?

IMPORTANT QUESTIONS.

By Editor

One of the great broken fields in which the seed of the future’s harvest is falling, is the great multitude of boys and girls in attendance upon the public schools. The ardent reformer in State and Church is using the schools, as far as lies in his power, to propagate his peculiar notions. Men are not as patriotic as they should be; the flag is to be kept before the school, and acknowledged daily or weekly by solemn vow and pledge. This is a part of some school systems. The church and home are not doing their duty; their lack must be supplemented by religious teaching. Realizing the growing importance of some of these matters, and the opposition they have aroused in certain quarters, and especially in view of the principles involved, the “Signs of the Times” has asked of leading educators in various parts of our country expressions of opinion on the following questions:—

1. What, in your judgment, is the value of the “flag salute” as an inculcator of patriotism?

2. Should the flag salute be made compulsory in the public schools?

3. Has the present system of education in our public schools been a success as a character builder?

4. If not, wherein lie its defects?

5. There is a growing demand for religious instruction in our public schools? Do you believe that such teaching is practicable or “truly American”?

From nearly a score of leading educators have been received replies to these questions. Questions and answers will appear in our Educational issue of March 14, with much additional matter.

We shall have more to tell next week.

CONTAINED IN THIS NUMBER.

By Editor

Poetry.

"Thou Shalt Not Be Afraid," C. M. SNOW . . . . . . . . . 2 The Last Message, MRS. S. M. SWAN . . . . . . . . . . 3 The Universe Is Heaven, ROBERT WILLIAMSON . . . . . . . 4 Sowing and Reaping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 A Lesson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

General.

"Some . . . ; but We . . ." . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 "That They All May Be One," MRS. E. G. WHITE . . . . . 2 Is Death a Promotion? G. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Consider Christ Jesus, M. C. GUILD . . . . . . . . . . 4 The Sabbath a Sign of God's Everlasting Covenant, S. N. HASKELL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 The Gospel of Health in the Old Dispensation, DAVID PAULSON, M.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Human Wisdom versus Divine Revelation, J. S. MILLER . . 5

Editorial.

"Love Mercy" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Demanding Temporal, Civil Power . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Who Is Responsible? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Question Corner.—Nos. 991 to 995 . . . . . . . . . 7

Outlook.—Rival Manifestations of Power—Call for a National Christian Assembly—Priests May Be Allowed to Marry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8, 9

Missions.—China the Storm Center . . . . . . . . . 10, 11

The Home.—An Evening Colloquy, A. SMITH—The Religious Education of the Child, MRS. C. M. SNOW—Some Recipes, J. E. PATTERSON . . . . . . . . . . . . 12, 13

International Sabbath-school and Sunday-school Lessons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14, 15

Publishers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Demanding Temporal, Civil Power

By Editor

Read the article in the editorial department entitled, "Demanding Temporal, Civil Power."

Mr. W. R. Moody

Mr. W. R. Moody, son of the late D. L. Moody, declares that the only authorized biography of his father is that written by himself and published by Fleming H. Revell Company.

One God, One Saviour, One Way

There Is One God, Jehovah, the Creator of heaven and earth; there is one Saviour, Jesus Christ; there is one way of salvation, faith in the personal Christ * through the Word; there is one power, the Holy Spirit. If a Gentile wishes to be saved, he must be saved by these means. If a Jew wishes to be saved, there is no other way, there are no other means. If men would but regard these simple, fundamental truths, there would not be the thousands led away that there now is on the return-of-the-Jews error. Salvation in Christ, the beauty of God's plan, would be so precious that men would not wish to find out some other way.

Articles in This Issue

By Editor

This issue contains the last of the interesting articles on the covenant, by S. N. Haskell, and the first of a series on the gospel of health and manhood from the types of the old dispensation, by Dr. David Paulson. These will be of interest. Read them.

Interesting Articles in the Cosmopolitan

By Editor

“Zoroaster, the Magian Priest,” and “Letters to a Lady on the Home Care of the Sick,” in the January Cosmopolitan, are of interest, and the last practically instructive, tho one may not always agree with the conclusions of the writer.

Missionary Magazine Mediterranean Number

By Editor

The January Missionary Magazine, 150 Nassau Street, New York, is especially a Mediterranean number, having two articles on Egypt, one on Asiatic Turkey, one on Greece, and one on Palestine. Price, 25 cents a year, monthly.

Object of Civil Law

Object of Civil Law.—The object of civil law is to prevent incivility. Civility pertains to outward act. The outward act the civil law can take cognizance of; it can do no more. But as a vital essential of religious doing is that it shall be of the heart and the Spirit, civil law has no right to have anything to do with it at all, unless man, through the guise of religion, seeks to injure his neighbor's life, property, chastity, or reputation. And then civil law rightly lays hold upon him, not because of his religion, but because he has contravened the equal rights of his neighbor.

Civil Laws—What They Can Not Do.

Here is what a man remarks in an exchange:—

‘One of them said to me a few days ago, “Do you think the law of the United States can ever make a man a Christian?” I told him, “No, but it could make him respect Christians and the day set apart for their worship.”’

But the government of the United States and all the governments of earth can not make a man respect a Christian or a day. Law may compel him through fear and force to act as tho he respected something; but it will make the stubborn hater hate all the more. It can convert none. Religio-civil laws will make Pharisees and hypocrites; but they can not make Christians or honest men. And a man who truly knows Christ knows that this is so.

What Day Is the Lord's Day?

“Our seventh-day brethren tell us we have no authority for calling Sunday the Lord’s day, for it is not once called so in the Bible. Now hear what John, the Revelator, says when he was on the Isle of Patmos, ‘I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet.’ Rev. 1:10. Now what day did John refer to? It could not have been the Jewish Sabbath, for it is nowhere called the Lord’s day in the Bible.”

Now it is certainly true, whether admitted or not, that nowhere in all the Bible is the first day clearly called by any sacred name whatsoever. It is sheer assumption to say that the “Lord’s day” of Rev. 1:10 refers to the first day; for that text gives us no information. From the Bible, then, what day is the Lord’s day? (1) The Lord rested upon, hallowed, and set apart the seventh day in the very beginning. Gen. 2:2, 3. It is therefore God’s Sabbath, or rest day. (2) His law declares, “The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God.” It is hallowed; “keep it holy.” Ex. 20:8-11. Through the prophet Isaiah Christ calls the Sabbath “My holy day.” Isa. 58:13, compare with 1 Peter 1:10, 11. (3) Finally, Jesus says, “The Son of man is Lord also of the Sabbath day.” Mark 2:28. The day, therefore, which the Lord calls His day must be “the Lord’s day.” In the light of the Scriptures, what day is the Lord’s day?

Increase in Price of Clothing

Increase in Price of Clothing.—There has been in the general revival of business a much greater increase in the price of the necessaries of life than in wages. In fact, in many cases wages have not been raised at all. A recent Scientific American contains the following: “As matters are now situated, woolen clothing is to cost the people a pretty penny above what they have recently been accustomed to. The American Woolen Company or worsted combination announces the following prices for clay worsteds for the coming season: For 12-ounce goods, $1.25, against 90 cents a year ago; 14-ounce, $1.40, against $1.00; 16-ounce, $1.57½, against $1.10; 18-ounce, $1.72½, against $1.20. These increases amount to about 40 per cent. The advance in the prices of kerseys ranges from 15 to 33 per cent. The advance in other lines is about the same. Meantime wages in the mills have been advanced only 10 per cent. That will not enable consumption to keep pace with production at the higher prices noted.”