Earlier text: The Nature of Bible FaithTHE NATIONAL CHRISTIANITY QUESTION.
By W. N. Glenn
BUT the editor of Sunday Reform Leaflets gives us a further modern construction of what the constitutional fathers intended:— It is said Congress is prohibited from establishing religion in the First Amendment to the Constitution. But what was understood by an "establishment of religion," when that amendment was adopted, was a State church, and nothing else was thought of at that time. That phrase was in common use, and applied universally to the State church, which had recently been disestablished in Virginia. Congress was thus prohibited from taxing the people for the support of the old "Church of England in America," or for the support of any other branch of the Christian church. But it was not understood as prohibiting the support of Christianity. This expression is well refuted in the quotations from Mr. Madison which immediately precede it, but we will add a little more from the abundance that is available. In the same memorial from which we have already quoted, Mr. Madison said: "Who does not see that the same authority which can establish Christianity, in exclusion of all other religions, may establish, with the same ease, any particular sect of Christians, in exclusion of all other sects." Again, in a letter to Mr. Edward Livingston, speaking of religious liberty, Mr. Madison wrote as follows: "Notwithstanding the general progress made within the last two centuries in favor of this branch of liberty, and the full establishment of it in some parts of our country, there remains in others a strong bias towards the old error,—that without some sort of alliance or coalition between government and religion, neither can be duly supported. Such, indeed, is the tendency to such a coalition, and such its corrupting influence on both the parties, that the danger cannot be too carefully guarded against. . . . Religion and government will both exist in greater purity the less they are mixed together." And in a letter from Mr. Madison to Edward Everett there occurs this expression: "Religion is essentially distinct from civil government, and exempt from its cognizance; a connection between them is injurious to both." Another extract from the Sunday Leaflets is as follows:— Congress is continually acknowledging God, and at every session appropriating money out of the public treasury for the more firm establishment and propagation of the Christian religion. Each house of Congress has its chaplain—a minister of some Christian Church. He prays at each day’s session, visits sick members as a pastor, and buries, with Christian burial, any that may die during the session, performing the functions of a pastor, each house being, in a certain sense, a Christian Church. It was well to prefix the qualification, "in a certain sense," but we may well ask, In what certain sense? Of all the pastoral burlesques, the pastorate of the Houses of Congress takes the lead. We have heard of all sorts of criminality, immorality, and debauchery on the part of members of Congress, but we never yet heard of any disciplinary measures by the pastor. Some of the worst congressional scandals have been in connection with the "Christian burial" of members. If we are to consider congressional chaplains as pastors, is it not high time their denominations, or the country at large, were calling them to account for the demoralized condition of their charges? It would be interesting to know how many members of Congress recognize the pastoral relation of their chaplain. By the way, if the chaplains are pastors of the Houses of Congress, is it not the duty of the members to pay the salaries of their pastors? That is the way the common people have to do. Perhaps the chaplains are missionary pastors "in a certain sense," but we have evidence that this chaplain business is a deviation from the "plainly intended" principles of "our fathers." In the letter to Edward Livingston, before referred to, Mr. Madison said: "I observe with particular pleasure the view you have taken of the immunity of religion from civil jurisdiction in every case where it does not trespass on private rights or the public peace. This has always been a favorite principle with me; and it was not with my approbation that the deviation from it took place in Congress, when they appointed chaplains, to be paid from the national treasury." The editor of Leaflets continues the chaplain question a little further, in the following enthusiastic outburst:— The "boys in blue" that leave the touch of mother and the sweet influence of home and church are provided with Christianity at government expense. With every regiment of our soldiers, and with every squadron that sails the deep and carries the stars and stripes, there goes a minister of the Christian religion, who draws his salary out of the national treasury. The writer has not had any experience in the navy, but he knows that if that paragraph were read to "the boys" in the army garrisons, it would create no little merriment. The Christianity that is provided "at government expense" is decidedly a creature of the imagination so far as the army is concerned, and it would be hard to conceive of such a Christianity in any other circle. The writer spent about two years at the Presidio of San Francisco, during which time the command numbered from 500 to 1,000 persons. He was a personal friend of the post chaplain, and knows that said chaplain never pretended to visit the quarters of the enlisted men. He would visit the post hospital if sent for, or if some acquaintance were confined there. He was supposed to preach every Sunday, and fulfilled that duty about half the time. When he did preach, although quite a talented man and good speaker, his audiences did not average over a score, and they were mostly women and children. It was a rare thing to see half a dozen soldiers present, and there were seldom more than two or three officers there. Those who had had much experience said it was so everywhere—the chaplaincy was the veriest sinecure. But that was in war times, when the brethren of this "Christian nation" were doing their best to annihilate one another, and "Christian" ministers were wielding carnal weapons on both sides of the bloody contest. Perhaps the Christianity "provided at government expense" then was of a lower grade than that which is supplied at the present time. There is one difference, but whether it be an improvement or not the reader may judge: In those days citizens were appointed as sutlers, with the privilege of selling beer and other goods in garrison or on the march. Now the government keeps a "canteen" at each post, and this "Christian nation" conducts a beer business on its own account; and we have the humiliating spectacle of army officers ("at government expense") dealing out the intoxicating beverage to the "boys in blue." A few chaplains did speak out against the "canteen" disgrace, but erelong there came general orders from headquarters of the army that if they did not cease to criticise the government, they would be court-martialed. We have not heard of any of them resigning their positions, or being court-martialed, and the presumption is they hold their peace with reference to the greatest evil with which they are brought in contact. Query: What can be said of the Christian influence of a minister who dare not protest against a flagrant evil indulged by his particular flock, through fear of losing his position? When the editor of Leaflets says of the chaplain that he "draws his salary out of our national treasury," he has told the whole story. Whoever can look upon the workings of this government, in any of its departments—all of which are manipulated in the selfish interests of parties, monopolies, cliques, and scheming individuals—whoever, we say, can seriously ponder these things and call it Christian work, must have very crude ideas of Christianity. Christian duty is thus set forth by the Lord himself: "I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you." On this principle, how will our "Christian nation" account for its army and navy? How will it account for the annihilated Indians? How about the vast territory wrenched from her next-door neighbor, Mexico? Alas! there can be no just claim of Christianity where the Spirit of Christ does not dictate the action. "If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." Rom. 8:9. How, then, can a nation be Christian without that Spirit? It is not enough that it be so labeled by a human court, no matter how high its dignity may be. Human Supreme Court decisions will not count in the final judgment. “Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps.” 1 Peter 2: 21. Religion is constantly suffering from the conduct of its professors. They do not put off the old man with his deeds, neither do they put on the new man, which, after God, is created in righteousness and true holiness. They profess to look to Christ as a Saviour, but they do not take Christ for their example. But these things must not be divided. He who died for our sins set us also an example, that we should follow in his steps. Christ alone should be our standard, and likeness to him should be our aim. We are only so far Christianized as we are like Christ. He says, “Learn of me,” not only learn by my teaching, but learn by my life. Do as ye see me do; act as ye see me act. The life of Jesus is the model after which the Holy Spirit works. As the Spirit of Christ, his work is to conform us to Christ; and under his teaching and assistance, it should be our daily aim to resemble Christ in our temper, disposition, and general deportment. Am I called to suffer? Let me ask, How did Christ suffer? and then seek grace to suffer just as he did. Am I called to work for God? Let me ask, How did Christ work? and then pray for grace that I may work just as Jesus did. And so of all the rest, that my life may be a reflection of the life of Christ, and that in my conduct I may in some degree reproduce the conduct of the Lord Jesus. No one can230tell how nearly he may be conformed to the life of Jesus, if he makes this his constant prayer and habitual aim. Grace can do wonders, and God giveth more grace. We are not now what we were once, and we may become very much more like to Jesus than we are now. The Holy Spirit will make us just like our beloved Lord. “I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done.” John 13:15.—The Manna. HEALTH IN THE LAW.
By Elder S. N. Haskell
God is jealous for his people. They are his inheritance. He is to dwell in them and among them. They are his temple. “Ye are the temple of the living God.” They were therefore to be holy, as he is holy. Every impurity in or about the camp of Israel was to be removed, “for the Lord thy God walketh in the midst of thy camp, to deliver thee, and to give up thine enemies before thee; therefore shall thy camp be holy; that he see no unclean thing in thee, and turn away from thee.” Deut. 23:12–14. Cleanliness and holiness were intimately connected. Holiness could not exist without cleanliness. Israel had to be clean if they were holy. The same is required in the gospel, as recorded by the apostle:— “Ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said [he said it in the law, Ex. 29:45; Lev. 26:12], I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” 2 Cor. 6:16–18; 7:1. Here is direct reference made to the law of Moses as a foundation of an argument on holiness. It also shows that filthiness of flesh and spirit would prevent holiness. A filthy Christian can no more be found than an honest thief. So holiness and cleanliness are in harmony with each other. They go hand in hand. The twenty-eighth chapter of Deuteronomy can be read with profit. The blessings promised if they would observe God’s commandments have reference to the things “in the city,” “in the field,” “the fruit of thy body,” “the fruit of thy ground,” “the fruit of thy cattle,” “the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.” Everything desirable, as relates to this life, is here promised in blessings if they would keep God’s commandments. On the other hand, there are curses pronounced upon those who would “not hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day.” Among the curses mentioned are these, which relate to them physically:— “The Lord shall make the pestilence cleave unto thee, until he have consumed thee from off the land, whither thou goest to possess it. The Lord shall smite thee with a consumption, and with a fever, and with an inflammation, and with an extreme burning, and with the sword, and with blasting, and with mildew; and they shall pursue thee until thou perish.” “If thou wilt not observe to do all the words of this law that are written in this book, that thou mayest fear this glorious and fearful name, THE LORD THY GOD, then the Lord will make thy plague wonderful, and the plagues of thy seed, even great plagues, and of long continuance, and sore sicknesses, and of long continuance. Moreover, he will bring upon thee all the diseases of Egypt, which thou wast afraid of; and they shall cleave unto thee. Also every sickness, and every plague, which is not written in the book of this law, them will the Lord bring upon thee, until thou be destroyed.” Such are some of the blessings and curses recorded in the twenty-eighth chapter of Deuteronomy. If these diseases have not ceased, have these moral requirements ceased? Is not the existence of them proof that the law exists, and the transgressors are general? One would think that mankind believed the law of God to be abolished, should he judge from the existence of diseases at the present day. In the solemn warning not to go into idolatry like the other nations, we have some very important facts stated in Deuteronomy 29. Moses called their attention to the fact that God had led them for forty years in the desert, that their clothes had not waxen old upon them, that their shoes had not waxen old upon their feet, that they had not eaten bread of their own make; that they had not drunk wine or strong drink, “that ye might know that I am the Lord your God.” Deut. 29:5, 6. These were evidences that he was God himself. He was not like the gods of the nations. Their preservation in the wilderness was a living miracle. There was a continual evidence of the miraculous power of God. No other god could do as he had done. This distinguished him from the gods of the nations around them. These things he would impress upon their mind, so they might not in any way follow the gods or the customs of the heathen. In the eighteenth and nineteenth verses are very striking words: “Lest there should be among you man, or woman, or family, or tribe, whose heart turneth away this day from the Lord our God, to go and serve the gods of these nations; lest there should be among you a root that beareth a poisonful herb” (margin). God would not have in their midst a man, or woman, or tribe in whom would be found a poisonful herb, which would not be for their health. And the character of the herb is stated in the next verse: “And it come to pass, when he heareth the words of this curse, that he bless himself in his heart, saying, I shall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of mine heart, to add drunkenness to thirst.” He would not have them follow the example of the heathen in raising any poisonful herb that would create a desire for drink that would intoxicate. When men become intoxicated, they do not sense sacred things. So, as they would not then sense the sacredness of the law of God or the curses pronounced, such as the diseases which would be the result of such herbs, they would be stubborn and walk in their evil way. They would not, nor could they, realize that sickness was the result of such stimulants arising from poisons which were not food. This shows that in the keeping of the statutes there is health. All heathen nations make stimulating drinks, and God would, in particular, warn his people against following their example. If it was wrong for those in the days of Moses to use stimulating foods and drinks, because it would intoxicate them so they could not realize the sacredness of God’s law, is it right in the nineteenth century? If it then was wrong for them to take in the system that which would create an appetite for those things, is it not wrong now? Has God in those things changed? These are principles which underlie the happiness of man. In these things we see the interest Heaven has for man’s physical condition. When Christ came here upon the earth, he spent more time with the diseased and suffering than with any other class. Would he work a miracle to save them from disease, and at the same time encourage them to go on in transgressing the laws of their being—a transgression which would make them sick? We have in humanity manifested the same interest for the sick that we see manifested in the word of God. Christ was the Word made flesh. God is the same yesterday and to-day and forever. He inspired John to write, “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” 3 John 2. He who inspired John was none other than Jesus Christ. Oh, that men could see the love of God as it is manifested in his word, in his character, in all of his revelation! To reveal Christ is to reveal God’s love. It is to show his character as a God of love. He is divine; and, like the thread that runs through English ropes, there is one thread that runs through every form and ceremony in the word of God, through the words of every writing inspired with his Holy Spirit—and that thread is love. God works for our good, for he doeth all well. Shall we not serve a God like this? Shall not our hearts go out after such a God? One feature of God instructing men in his character is he never takes from them their individuality. He never destroys their own personality. But he enlightens their mind, and then says to them: “Choose you this day whom ye will serve.” “If the Lord be God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.” So we say to all, Which God shall we serve? May the words of Joshua be the sentiment of every heart, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” RELIGIOUS LIBERTY VS. RELIGIOUS TYRANNY.
By Elder G. A. Snyder
(Concluded.)
THE principles of civil and religious liberty as set forth in the United States Constitution, and so nobly upheld in the past, have done for the world in a certain sense what the work of Christ did. Just as the teachings of Christ drew the minds of the people away from the Pharisaical bigotry of his day toward the true principles of the gospel, so has the example of this country drawn the nations of the earth away from the principles of popish bigotry which stained the Dark Ages with the blood of the saints, toward the true principles of liberty. The total separation of Church and State in this country being in direct contrast to the union of Church and State, which is the very taproot of popery, together with the unparalleled progress of America, naturally caused the nations of earth to gradually slide out of the old papal shell into the “new order” of things, which was proving such a success in America. And just as Christ was watched by the bigots of his day, as they saw the people gradually slipping out of their grasp, so has Rome been watching with ill-concealed hatred the nation whose example was leading the nations away from the withering influences of popery. Long has she watched with eagle eye, and worked with consummate craft, to bring about a favorable opportunity to strike the death231 blow to American freedom. But just as Christ eluded the grasp of the Pharisees until he was betrayed into their hands by one of his own disciples, so has this nation eluded the grasp of popery until at last, sad to say, she is fast being betrayed by the very Protestantism she has so long protected. For years the Protestant churches, in the vain hope of converting the nation, have been clamoring for Congress to pass laws concerning the observance of certain so-called Christian institutions, prominent among which is the almost universal demand for governmental recognition of the first day of the week as the “Christian sabbath.” But as soon as Congress, the legislative branch of the government, has made a law concerning the observance of Sunday, a Church institution, it is evident that to that extent the State has united with the Church. Well, not only has Congress legislated concerning the observance of Sunday in the matter of Sunday closing of the World's Fair, but the President, the executive branch of the government, signed the bill. And only a short time before, the Supreme Court, the judicial branch of the government, decided that “this is a Christian nation.” Thus all three departments of the government stand committed to the fatal blunder of sanctioning governmental support of church dogmas. “History repeats itself.” Just as the early church apostatized from the pure principles of the gospel, and played the harlot by leaning for support on the arm of civil power, thus rejecting Christ, her legitimate husband, and bringing about that state of affairs which ended in the tribunals of the Inquisition, so has the modern church apostatized from the principles of Protestantism, leaning again for support on the arm of the civil power, thus denying the power of God, and forming an exact image to the papal hierarchy. And just as sure as like causes always produce like effects, so sure will this nation reap the sad and bitter fruits of thus allowing itself to be used as a tool in the hands of an apostate church for the furtherance of her schemes. Already we have seen in Arkansas, Tennessee, Maryland, and Georgia, men who read in the fourth commandment that the seventh day is the Sabbath, thrown into prison for obeying the law of God in preference to the State laws which demand the observance of the first day of the week. Thus it turns out that the followers of that lowly Nazarene, who was persecuted and finally crucified between thieves for keeping the Sabbath according to God's ideas, are being persecuted, and in some cases worked in the chain-gang with condemned criminals, for the same reason. And all at the behest of their so-called Christian brethren, who by rejecting the light have brought upon themselves that same darkness in which the Jews were walking when Christ said, “Father, forgive them; they know not what they do.” Just as in the days of Christ, religious bigotry, by misrepresentation and threats, caused Pilate to deliver Jesus to be crucified, so has modern religious bigotry misrepresented and threatened in order to carry out their pet scheme of nationalizing religion. At one time they nearly smothered Congress with petitions purporting to represent in the aggregate fourteen million signatures. Seven million two hundred thousand of these were added on the strength of one man's (Cardinal Gibbons’) signature, and the remainder was largely made up of Sunday school children, church and lodge membership, etc. The real individual signatures were very few indeed. More recently one of their leaders presented a fifteen-million petition from the State of Pennsylvania alone, whereas the last census shows a population of only a little over five million men, women, and children in the State. Last of all they resorted to that meanest of all measures, the boycott, telling their representatives in Congress that unless they gave them what they wanted they would knife them at the polls. This had the same effect on Congress that a similar threat had on Pilate when he delivered Jesus to be crucified. So the Sunday Civil Appropriation Bill, with its Sunday proviso, went through and was signed by the President. In the days of Daniel religious tyranny poked its ugly nose into governmental affairs, and caused the king to sign a decree for which he was afterward sorry. That was bad enough, but when such a thing is done in an enlightened age, and in the face of all the evil results of such things in the past, what shall we say? “Father, forgive them; they know not what they do.” For they know not what they have done; but they have done it nevertheless; and now, when their sins are being laid bare by the same “sword of the Spirit” which Stephen and Peter used, a few are again saying, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” But the great majority are stopping their ears, and trying to throttle the advocates of truth just as they did then. Indeed, it seems that all the dark deeds of the past are to be reënacted in one awful cataclysm. Abel was the first one of the seed of the woman who shed his blood for keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, and says John: “The dragon [devil] was wroth with the woman [church], and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” Rev. 12:17. And again, concerning the same remnant, he says: “Here is the patience of the saints; here are they that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” Yes, the final storm of religious bigotry, with all the cumulative forces of the ages, is about to burst upon our heads. But, although the same devil who inspired the mind and nerved the hand of Cain to slay his brother, still lives, and is inspiring his followers to similar deeds, yet the same God for whom Abel died, and who has always given his commandment-keeping people grace to seal their testimony with their blood, still lives also, and will finally give his faithful people the victory, for John further says: “I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire; and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and his image, . . . stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.” Rev. 15:2. Babylon the great, the mother of harlots, is rejoiced to see her Protestant daughters coming back, and joining in the Babylonish warfare. But inasmuch as there are many individuals in these bodies who are sighing and crying for the abominations that are done in the midst thereof, God has seen fit to send the warning thus foretold by the prophet: “And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.” Rev. 18:1-3. Yes, all nations, America not excepted, have partaken of that devil-distilled mixture of Church and State, the effects of which are being seen in the same kind of drunkenness which benumbed the moral sense of the Dark Ages. Already the blighting influence of the dragonic breath is being felt, as with muffled tread and sullen roar he is thrusting his ugly head against the governmental pillars of civil and religious liberty. But among all this Babylonish discord may be heard in trumpet tones the call: “Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” Rev. 18:4. And while the great majority will doubtless rush on in their blind fury, yet many are already breaking the ranks of the enemy, tearing off their Babylonish rags, and joining the ranks of the “remnant” people, of whom it is said: “Here is the patience of the saints; here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” Rev. 14:12. These two eternal principles of truth have been transmitted through the seed of the woman to us for safe keeping. Oh, what a sacred trust! God help us never to betray it, but to stand by these principles as did Abel, Daniel, and all that chosen company of loyal souls, until we with them shall stand before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, having washed them and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. The Pharisees of old crucified the Saviour to save the nation from being destroyed by the Romans for Sabbath breaking. They reasoned that if their ideas of Sabbath observance should be superseded by Christ's ideas, it would bring God's judgments, in the shape of the Roman army, upon them to destroy the nation for having allowed their ideas of the Sabbath to be superseded by Christ's ideas. Of course they thought that their ideas were God's ideas, because they were walking in darkness, and knew not whither they were going. Thus in their very effort to save the nation from being visited by God's judgments, they brought the very judgments from which they sought to save themselves. Those self-righteous Jews, while deploring the deeds of their fathers in shedding the blood of the prophets, filled up the measure of their fathers’ iniquity by shedding the blood of Jesus. The Pharisees of to-day, while deploring the deeds of the Jews in persecuting and crucifying the Son of God, are crucifying him afresh in their relentless persecution of his followers. And strange to say it is all being done with the same object in view which the Jews had when they crucified Christ. The avowed purpose of all the combined efforts which are now being made for the purpose of upholding the “American sabbath” is to save this nation from Sabbath breaking, and thus bringing the judgments of God upon the land. But the “American sabbath,” a title which bears on its very front the unmistakable earmarks of a union of Church and State—America being the name of the government, while the Sabbath is a church institution—is not God's idea of the Sabbath at all, for God says that the seventh day is the Sabbath, and every schoolboy knows that Sunday, the American sabbath, comes on the first day of the week. And will232 the “American [State] Sabbath [Church] Union” save the nation by thus enforcing their own ideas of the Sabbath as against God's ideas of the Sabbath?—No, but they will bring the very judgments which in their blind zeal they are seeking to avert. But while the dark cloud is gathering, there is not only a nation to be stirred but a world to warn of the impending doom; and just as the disciples were scattered abroad and went everywhere preaching the word, after the day of Pentecost, so will the disciples now scatter abroad, endued with that same power from on high, until the earth is lightened with the glory of the warning message. The words of the angels as Christ was taken from his disciples in a cloud, are especially applicable just now: “Why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus . . . shall so come in like manner.” No time now to gaze into heaven, but rather to fulfill the gospel commission. Mark 16:15. SIN: ITS ORIGIN, REMEDY, AND FINAL RESULTS.
By H. Harris
WHERE and with whom did sin originate?
"Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee." Eze. 28:15.
Note.—In Eze. 28:1-19 Satan is spoken of under the figure of the king of Tyrus, and we have his origin and final destiny. How did sin enter the world?
"Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned." Rom. 5:12. What is sin?
"Sin is the transgression of the law." 1 John 3:4. Of what law is sin a transgression? Answer.—The law of ten commandments. Ex. 20:1-17. Compare with Rom. 7:7. How may we know we have sinned?
"Therefore by the deeds of the law shall no flesh be justified in his sight; for by the law is the knowledge of sin." Rom. 3:20. How many have sinned?
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." Rom. 3:23. Where does sin exist?
"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked." Jer. 17:9.
"But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies." Matt. 15:18, 19. What is the remedy for sin?
"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Rom. 5:8.
"Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners." 1 Tim. 1:15. See also Eph. 1:7. Can we repent of sin, of ourselves?
"Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins." Acts 5:31. Is there power in forgiveness?
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9.
"I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin." Ps. 32:5. See also Ps. 103:11-14; Prov. 28:13; Micah 7:18, 19. Is there a time coming when mercy and forgiveness will no longer be extended?
"He that is unjust, let him be unjust still; and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still; and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still; and he that is holy, let him be holy still." Rev. 22:11. What wages does the sinner receive?
"The wages of sin is death." Rom. 6:23.
"The soul that sinneth, it shall die." Eze. 18:4.
"Sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death." James 1:15. What becomes of the finally impenitent?
"Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power." 2 Thess. 1:9.
"For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be; yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be." "But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the Lord shall be as the fat of lambs; they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away." Ps. 37:10, 20. See also Mal. 4:1-3. Is everlasting destruction eternal misery? and can the wicked be tormented forever and ever, without a place of existence?
What is meant by everlasting fire? Ans.—A fire that is everlasting in its effects.
What is meant by unquenchable fire? Ans.—A fire that cannot be quenched until the substance upon which it preys is consumed. These and similar terms mean complete and utter destruction. See Jer. 17:27; 2 Chron. 36:19, 21. When do the wicked receive this punishment?
"For the Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptation, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished." 2 Peter 2:9. See also Job 21:29, 30; John 5:27, 28. Since people do not receive their final punishment at death, where are they? and what is their condition?
"For in death there is no remembrance of thee; in the grave who shall give thee thanks?" Ps. 6:5.
"His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish." Ps. 146:4. See also Ps. 115:17; Job 14:10-13, 21; Eccl. 9:5, 6, 10; Isa. 38:18. Since the dead lie unconscious in their graves, exercising no power of mind, can the doctrine taught by Modern Spiritualism of the natural immortality of the soul and the return of the departed spirits of our dead friends, be true? Who only has immortality?
"The blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; who only hath immortality." 1 Tim. 6:15, 16. If God only has immortality, how and where may we obtain it?
"To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life." Rom. 2:7.
"Our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel." 2 Tim. 1:10. When does man receive the gift of immortality?
"Thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just." Luke 14:14. See also 1 Cor. 15:51-54. Can we depend on God's word?
"Heaven and earth shall pass away; but my words shall not pass away." Mark 13:31.
"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning." James 1:17. For years Striker Stowe, a tall, powerful Scotchman, had held the position of "boss striker" at the steel works. Nearly all the men in his department were hard drinkers, and he was no exception to the rule. But one day it was announced among the workmen that he had become religious; and, sure enough, when pressed to take a drink, he said:— "I shall never drink mair, lads. No drunkard can inherit the kingdom of God." The knowing ones smiled and said: "Wait a bit; wait till hot weather—until July. When he gets as dry as a gravel pit, he will give in. He can't help it." But right through the hottest months he toiled, the sweat pouring off in streams, yet seemed never tempted to drink. Finally, as I was taking the men's time one evening, I stopped and spoke to him. "Stowe," I said, "you used to take considerable liquor. Don't you miss it?" "Yes," he said emphatically. "How do you manage to keep away from it?" "Weel, just this way. It's now tan o'clock, isn't it?" "Weel, to-day is the twentieth o' the month. From seven to eight I asked that the Lord would help me. He did so, an' I put down a dot on the calendar right close to the twenty. From eight to nine he kep' me, and I put down another dot. From nine till tan he's kep' me, and noo I gie him the glory as I put down the third dot. Just as I make these, I pray, 'O Lord, halp me—halp me to fight it for another hour.'" "How long shall you keep this up?" I inquired. "All o' my life," was the honest reply. "It keeps me sae full o' peace an' happiness that I wouldn't gie it up for anything. It is as if he took me by the hand and said: 'Wark awa', Striker Stowe; I'm wi' ye. Dinna be fearfu'. You teck care o' yeer regular wark, an' I'll see to the de'il an' the thirst, an' they shall na trouble ye.'"—The Contributor. PARABLES.
By Clara Thwaites
EARTH brings her parables of loss and gain
In boldest speech.
Yet heights sublime, which spirits shall attain,
She cannot reach.
Aerial whispers float o'er land and sea—
"It doth not yet appear what we shall be." Her royal purples, and her crowns of gold,
Her white attire,
The sceptered lilies, which her summers hold,
With flames afire—
All fail to show the glory we shall see—
"It doth not yet appear what we shall be." Who, from unsightly bulb or slender root,
Could guess aright
The glory of the flower, the fern, the fruit,
In summer's height?
Through tremulous shadows voices call to me—
"It doth not yet appear what we shall be." Triumphant guesses from the seer and sage
Through shadows dart
And tender meanings on the poet's page
Console the heart.
O songs prophetic! though sweet are ye,
"It doth not yet appear what we shall be."
—Clara Thwaites. The Tangled Web of Deception
By Sir Walter Scott
Oh, what a tangled web we weave
When first we practice to deceive!
—Sir Walter Scott. The Higher a Christian Soars
"The higher a bird flies, the more out of danger he is; and the higher a Christian soars above the world, the safer are his comforts."