“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 IX.—SABBATH, NOVEMBER 30, 1895.
FORCE NOT A GOSPEL MEANS OF LABOR.
1. How is the work of God in saving men carried on in the earth?
“Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.” Zech. 4:6.
2. How are men’s hearts purified?
“And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; and put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.” Acts 15:8, 9.
3. How does Christ dwell in the heart?
“That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith.” Eph. 3:17.
4. Can faith be forced, or is it a voluntary act?
Faith is the gift of God, but it is ours to exercise. God leaves it optional with us whether we will use the faith he gives. All the powers of earth have not sufficient power to force a single soul to believe anything. If one believes it must be through force of conviction from accepting certain testimony, and not by outward constraint. Faith is voluntary. Its foundation is the word of God (Rom. 10:17); but no one can, by force, compel another to believe the Bible (John 7:17, R. V.).
“Where legal enactment begins, moral suasion ends.”—Christian Union.
“You must recollect that you can’t make people good or religious by act of Parliament.”—Sir George Dibbs, Ex-Premier of New South Wales.
5. Does God ever attempt to force men to believe?
“And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.” John 12:47. See note .
6. What does Paul say of the weapons of the Christian’s warfare?
“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.” 2 Cor. 10:3, 4.
7. What is the only sword he mentions in enumerating the “whole armor of God”? Ans.—“The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” See Eph. 6:13–17.
8. What does he say of its power?
“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Heb. 4:12.
9. What were Luther’s views on this subject?
The views of Luther on the subject of using force in religious work are clearly set forth in the following words:—
“It is with the word we must contend, and by the word we must refute and expel what has gained a footing by violence. I would not resort to force against such as are superstitious, nor even against unbelievers. Whosoever believeth let him draw nigh, and whoso believeth not, stand afar off. Let there be no compulsion. Liberty is of the very essence of faith.”
10. What reason did Christ give for his servants not fighting in his behalf?
“Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now is my kingdom not from hence.” John 18:36.
11. When Peter attempted to defend his Master with a sword, what did Christ say to him?
“Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.” Matt. 26:52.
12. When two of Christ’s disciples desired to use forcible means against certain Samaritans who “did not receive him,” how did he rebuke them?
“And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem. And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.” See Luke 9:51–56.
13. To whom does vengeance belong?
“Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” Rom. 12:19. See note .14
14. What kind of worshipers does the Lord seek?
“But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” John 4:23, 24.
15. What did the Saviour say of his attitude toward those who refused to believe his word?
See text to question 5.
16. What course does he pursue with every soul?
“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock; if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” Rev. 3:20.
“And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” John 12:32. See note .
17. What course does he forbid among his disciples?
“And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.” Luke 22:25, 26. See also Matt. 20:25, 26.
18. What scriptural expressions indicate proper methods of Gospel work? Ans.—“Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel” (Mark 16:15); “I entreat thee” (Phil. 4:3); “We persuade men” (2 Cor. 5:11); “We pray you” (verse 20); “I beseech you” (Rom. 12:1); “Whosoever will, let him take of the water of life” (Rev. 22:17).
19. How is the servant of the Lord to labor for the erring?
“And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient; in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.” 2 Tim. 2:24–26.
20. In seeking to convert men, how does God appeal to them?
“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Isa. 1:18. See note .
NOTES.
HARD TIMES IN NEWFOUNDLAND.
In a report of Rev. John Hewitt, a missionary of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, stationed at Burin, Newfoundland, we find the following in reference to that needy province:—
“I regret to mention that quite a number of our people (as well as others) have left here during the last year or two for Canada and the United States. Business and fishery failures are the cause, and those who are gone were the ones who used to do most for the church and clergyman. The poorest remain, and for this reason—they have not the means to get away. The life of some of the fishermen and their families is very hard. At best, with many it is a struggle for existence, and instead of being able to give any pecuniary help either to the church or clergyman, they frequently apply to the clergy for relief. During the present winter we shall have, it is feared, much distress, owing in a great measure, either directly or indirectly, to the suspension of the Commercial and Union Banks, St. Johns. The merchants here (on whom many of the people were depending for the necessaries of life) have not themselves been able to obtain supplies. Some of the people who had Commercial Bank notes, which they had received for wages or fish, now find that those notes are practically valueless for purchasing purposes, being worth only twenty cents on the dollar. This is a great loss, and falls heavily on all who possess them, but especially on the poor fishermen. How they will get through the winter none can foretell. But, poor as they are, they bear their poverty, as a rule, very patiently. It can not cheer them much to speak about the happiness of heaven, and their freedom from want there, when they are hungering for daily bread here, and know not where to look for it. Our church funds are low, and the government is in monetary difficulties, so that the poor can not now be assisted from these sources except to a very limited extent. We are looking forward to brighter times, although the present are gloomy enough, and will hope and believe that ‘the Lord will provide.’”
Our Work and Workers.
ELDER G. F. WATSON reports twenty-six obeying the truth, as a result of tent labor at Sergeant Bluff, Iowa; among the number is a Scandinavian minister.
THE General Conference Bible School opened October 31, at Battle Creek, Mich., under favorable auspices. “Elder J. H. Durland is at the head of the school,” says the Review, “assisted by Prof. G. H. Bell in language, and Elders Uriah Smith and F. D. Starr in Bible study.”
IN Atlanta, Ga., two series of meetings are being held. One is conducted by Elder Rodney S. Owen and Brother C. T. Curtis, and the other by Elder Wm. Woodford and Brother R. F. Richards. From both places a good interest is reported. Atlanta is now thronged with people from all parts of the country, on account of the great Southern Exposition.
AT the term of court now in session in Rhea County, Tenn., three of our brethren are to be tried on charges of violating the Sunday law by doing common labor on that day. Brother Robert T. Nash, of Mississippi, is also to be tried some time this month. Brother W. J. Hasty, of Headland, Ala., has also been arrested, and is now on bail awaiting trial.
BROTHER C. H. JONES, manager of the Pacific Press Publishing Co., arrived home from a business trip to the east, on the 9th inst. He attended a meeting of the General Conference Association at Battle Creek, Mich., together with making arrangements for increased facilities for carrying on the increasing work of the publishing house, especially the increasing circulation of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES.
THE General Conference joins with the Atlantic Conference in a special effort in New York City. This is no doubt quite encouraging to the young conference, which would find New York a rather heavy load to carry alone with its present limited membership and financial strength. It is hoped that the great city will soon return fruit that will much more than justify the investment of labor and means.
ELDER W. W. PRESCOTT, writing of the work in Queensland, the northeastern province of Australia, states that tent meetings have been held in three cities, and as many churches have been organized. The zeal of those who have been brought to a knowledge of the truth is thus described: “Old and young go out regularly to sell copies of their missionary paper, the Bible Echo, and many families are thus interested in reading.”
Illustrated Tract.
One of the late issues of the Bible Students' Library, entitled “The Seal of God and the Mark of the Beast.” Contains 4 original illustrations. The subject is one of vital interest to all, and now is an opportune time to circulate this tract widely. Order B. S. L. No. 130. Address your State Tract Society, or PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO., Oakland, Cal.; Kansas City, Mo.; New York City, N. Y.
ANGELS, Their Nature and Ministry.
Revised by the late J.H. Waggoner. In two parts. Part Two considers some hints on the Origin, History and Destiny of Satan, as gleaned from the Scriptures. Bible Students’ Library No. 83. 140 pages. Paper covers. Price, 20 cents.
PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO.
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA.
Kansas City, Mo. New York City, N. Y.
International Sunday School Lessons
“If any man will do His will he shall know of the doctrine whether it be of God.”—John 7:17.
1. And the Lord said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Beth-lehemite; for I have provided me a king among his sons. 2. And Samuel said, How can I go? if Saul hear it, he will kill me. And the Lord said, Take an heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice to the Lord. 3. And call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show thee what thou shalt do; and thou shalt anoint unto me him whom I name unto thee. 4. And Samuel did that which the Lord spake, and came to Beth-lehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, Comest thou peaceably? 5. And he said, Peaceably; I am come to sacrifice unto the Lord; sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice. And he sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice. 6. And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the Lord’s anointed is before him. 7. But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart. 8. Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, Neither hath the Lord chosen this. 9. Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said, Neither hath the Lord chosen this. 10. Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The Lord hath not chosen these. 11. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him; for we will not sit down till he come hither. 12. And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the Lord said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he. 13. Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.
Golden Text: “Man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.” Verse 7.
Note.—The time of this lesson is not long after the rejection of Saul. The place is Bethlehem, about six miles south of Jerusalem, and ten miles from Ramah, the home of Samuel. After his warning to Saul, Samuel saw him no more. He was now a very old man; Saul was middle-aged, while David was but a youth, probably not twenty years old. The whole of chapter 16 may be read with the lesson.
Suggestive Questions
(1) What word of the Lord came to Samuel? Verse 1. Note . (2) What reply did Samuel make? Verse 2. (3) What plan did the Lord suggest? Same verse. Note . (4) What further instructions were given Samuel? Verse 3. (5) What anxious inquiry was made by the elders of Bethlehem? Verse 4. Note . (6) What answer was given them? Verse 5. (7) Who was specially called to the sacrifice? Note . (8) What was Samuel’s impression when Eliab passed before him? Verse 6. (9) How did the Lord regard him? Verse 7, first part. (10) How does the Lord’s estimation differ from man’s? Memory verse. Note . (11) How many of Jesse’s sons passed by, and what was the verdict in each case? Verses 8-10. (12) What question did Samuel ask Jesse? Verse 11. (13) What was the reply? Note . (14) What did Samuel then say? (15) What was David’s personal appearance? Verse 12. (16) What was the command concerning him? (17) What did Samuel do? Verse 13. (18) What was the result to David? Same verse. See note .
Notes
ADDRESS WANTED.
The address of Nathan Thomas is desired by Mrs. Joseph Short, Dodgeville, Wis. When last heard from he was at Oakland, Cal.
A HOLIDAY BOOK.
Useful as Well as Ornamental.
Most children like picture books, and most people who have children buy picture books for them. But about holiday time many people buy picture books for other people's children.
A nice picture book is a nice present. A good picture book is a good present. An instructive picture book is an instructive present.
All these qualifications are included in the BOUND VOLUME of
OUR LITTLE FRIEND.
There is no use of buying books that teach children folly and nonsense. They learn too much of that incidentally. They get too much without buying it. Let the money be spent for something useful.
Volume 5 contains over 400 pages, 7x10 inches, and is bound in cloth, with a handsome design on cover.
Price, Postpaid . . . . . . . . . . . . $1.00
Address,
OUR LITTLE FRIEND,
Oakland, Cal.
NEWS AND NOTES
SINCE OUR LAST ISSUE.
FOREIGN.
—The discoverers of argon, an element in air, Lord Rayleigh and Prof. William Ramsey, of England, have just been handed a check for $10,000 by the Smithsonian Institute for a prize paper on the discovery.
—Kiamil Pasha, grand vizier of Turkey, has resigned. His successor is Hali Rifat Pasha. Affairs in that country are still in a precarious condition, the powers demanding with greater urgency that the Porte quiet the rioting, which seems to be widespread.
—A despatch is published in which General Campos, commanding the Spanish forces in Cuba, advises his government to grant home rule to Cuba. In any other event, if the war continues much longer, he believes the United States will interfere with the present program.
—An Australian has invented and introduced a mica cartridge for guns. Both shell and wadding are of this material. Being transparent, any chemical change in the charge can be detected at once. As mica has the property of resisting intense heat, the barrel of the gun is kept cool, and acids or fumes having no effect upon it, the wad cleans the barrel.
—The court which has been taking testimony at Rotterdam, in the case of the North German Lloyd steamer Elbe, sunk in collision with the British steamer Crathie on January 31, involving a loss of 335 lives, has rendered a final decision, holding the Crathie wholly responsible for the disaster, and condemning her owners to pay the North German Lloyd Company's claims for the total loss of the Elbe, with interest at 6 per cent, and ordering the sequestration of the Crathie pending payment.
—An official investigation of bakeries, hotels, and restaurants in England recently revealed the fact that large quantities of shelled eggs in tin cans are shipped to that country for use in such places, from Russia and Italy. An analysis also developed the fact that these products were not always in the best condition, owing to spoiled eggs being introduced through carelessness or otherwise. The contemplation is not pleasant for those who are obliged to patronize unscrupulous establishments for prepared foods.
—An interesting expedition has just been entered upon by Prof. W. J. McGee, chief anthropologist of the United States Bureau of Ethnology, and a fellow-member of that body. It is a trip to Tiburon Island for the purpose of studying the Seri, the Indian inhabitants. But very little is known of the tribe, save that they are cannibals, and in disposition ferocious. This island is situated in the Gulf of California. No doubt valuable information for the bureau will be obtained, if the gentlemen are not devoured by the savages.
DOMESTIC.
—Six persons met death by suffocation in a tenement fire in New York, November 7.
—Two men near Foxboro, Wis., attempted to trap three bears that had broken into a shed on the night of the 5th inst., but were attacked by the brutes and almost instantly killed.
—On the 5th inst. a fire which started at the corner of Bleecker and Crosby streets, New York, destroyed property estimated at $3,000,000. A notable feature was the burning of “fireproof” structures.
—The New York Bible Society has distributed, during the past year, 86,311 Bibles and Testaments in that city. For facilitating this work there have been established in different parts of the city twenty-four depositories, and visitors are employed in house-to-house work. The distributions have been in twenty-five languages.
—The surveying ship Penguin has recently found a deeper place in the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of Japan, than any previously known. The deep-sea-measuring apparatus was lowered to a depth of 4,900 fathoms, or about six miles, when the wire broke. A similar accident befell a previous attempt at the same place, at a depth of 4,300 fathoms. The deepest cast heretofore was 4,655 fathoms.
—On the 6th inst. the five-story building occupied by the Detroit Journal in that city, collapsed, owing to the explosion of the boilers in the basement. In the building was also a bindery in which were employed a number of hands. In the mass of timbers, brick, and iron were buried over forty persons. As usual in such catastrophes, fire added to the horror of the scene. Thirty-seven bodies have been recovered.
—During the past week a strike on the Northern Pacific Railroad has been pending. The efforts of the leaders in the movement have not, however, been crowned with much success, the principal demonstrations being the killing of several engines and the setting fire to a bridge at Kalispell, Mont. Although the move was begun similarly to the great strike of eighteen months ago, it is not believed that anything so serious will result at present.
—The elections of the 5th inst., held in thirteen states and one territory, showed a general sweep by the Republican party. The woman suffrage question was defeated in Massachusetts by 75,000 majority. Another feature of the day was the success of Tammany in New York City, while the balance of the state went Republican. This is a reversal of the last election in that city, and is thought to be due to the efforts of the saloon element, which has been so rigorously dealt with by a reform government. The police of that city have been notified by Commissioner Roosevelt that not the slightest relaxation in the enforcement of the Sunday laws will be tolerated during his administration.
—Among other subjects discussed by the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union at its recent convention in Baltimore, were the following: Direct legislation in governmental affairs; election of national presidents, vice presidents, and senators by direct vote; equal suffrage without distinction of sex; national or state ownership of industries which become a monopoly in the hands of a few; no land tenure without use and occupancy; prohibition of the liquor traffic for beverage purposes and governmental control of its sale for other uses; all money—paper, gold, and silver—to be issued by the national government only, and made legal tender for all payments, and in amount adequate to the demands of business, and the free and unlimited coinage of silver and gold at the ratio of sixteen to one. A number of leading journals have strongly criticized the tendency of this body to bring into its deliberations almost every imaginable topic, but this position is defended by the secretary on the ground that as “each evil is allied with all other evils,” “therefore each reform should be allied with all other reforms.” It has been suggested that if the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union proposes to extend its operations to the prosecution of all “reforms,” it would be eminently proper and consistent to change the name of the organization. A glance at the above-mentioned topics, which constitute a part, at least, of its platform, shows that the present title of the body is a misnomer.
BIBLES! BIBLES!!
In All Styles and at All Prices.
WE SELL a fine silk-sewed, leather-lined BIBLE in pearl type at $1.00. Have them in other sizes of type as low as 30c, and as high as $5.
TEACHERS' BIBLES
REFERENCE BIBLES
TEXT BIBLES
All Bindings, All Sizes of Type.
☞ Send for our new 20-page catalogue.
PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO., Oakland, Cal.
18 W. 5th St., Kansas City, Mo. 43 Bond St., New York City.
CHRIST, OUR ADVOCATE
His Ministry in the True Tabernacle
An up-to-date pamphlet on the work of Christ in the sanctuary in Heaven. Bible Students' Library No. 128. Fully illustrated. Paper covers. Price, 20 cents.
Address,
PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO. OAKLAND, CAL.
Kansas City, Mo. New York City, N. Y.
YOSEMITE VALLEY And Big Trees of California
Read All About Them in the Book
IN THE HEART OF THE SIERRAS
Nearly 500 Pages, with Many Illustrations. Limp Binding.
Price, 75 Cents.
Address
PACIFIC PRESS PUB. CO., Oakland, Cal.
Or 43 Bond St., N. Y. City.
Fountain Syringes
Best Rubber
Holds 3 Quarts
Complete with 5 Hard Rubber Tubes
In a Nice Oak Box
PRICE, POSTPAID, $1.60
AddressPacific Press, Oakland, Cal.
Interlinear Greek-English New Testament
With the Authorized Version conveniently printed in the margin for ready reference, together with the various readings of the Greek text of the editions of Elzevir 1624, Griesbach, Lachman, Tischendorf, Tregelles, Alford, and Wordsworth.
LOVE,
Bible scholars know should replace the word “charity” in 1st Corinthians XIII. There are thousands of similar instances. In all such instances that other word, “the word that illumines,” may be found at a moment’s notice, and on the instant in the INTERLINEAR NEW TESTAMENT.
The text is well printed, with a PROPERLY ACCENTED GREEK TEXT, and where the arrangement of the word-for-word rendering is likely to be mistaken by a person unacquainted with the Greek idiom, the words are numbered to assist the student. It will be of real help to any Bible student.
SPECIAL INSTALLMENT TERMS TO CLERGYMEN.
Neatly bound in dark olive green cloth, stamped in gold. 670 pages.
