THE EMPEROR-PRESIDENT” IN THE FOOT-PRINTS“OF JULIUS CÆSAR
By C. S. Longacre
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THE EMPEROR-PRESIDENT” IN THE FOOT-PRINTS“OF JULIUS CÆSAR
[In Three Articles. This Is the Second.]
THIS epithet and sentiment, expressed in the Pittsburg Post of January 23, as noticed in a former article, is not simply a metaphorical expression but the prelude to a new order of things. It is the admission of truths and facts already established in principle. It is the herald of a new combination—a twin organization—an empire and republic.
This novel combination would have but one head or chief executive; in the republic he would act the part of a president; in the subject provinces or empire, the part of an emperor.
This seems to be the strong trend at the present, under the banner of imperialism. This was the exact policy of the Roman republic before the Roman Empire was reared upon its ruins. Julius Cæsar and Pompey were the champions of imperialism, and attached province after province to their chariot wheels of conquest, until the whole world lay prostrate and submissive at their feet, and Julius Cæsar, seated upon the dominant throne, was declared its first emperor. Tendencies now in operation in this present republic are precisely the same, and will in their course make an end again of republican institutions, and establish, if completed, a military empire at home and abroad. Free nations can not govern subject provinces and withhold from them the privileges enjoyed at home without forfeiting their own liberties. All may see this who are not deceived by empty names of a glorious past or affected with the selfish sight of greed to such an extent as to blind them to right purpose.
The very essence of imperialism is selfishness and greed—the love of power and gain. It aims at the destruction of individual liberty. It is an institution of favorites and cast-outs; an institution of partiality; an institution of exaltation for some, and abasement for others, in the application of its privileges and laws to its legal members. It is a germ principle, productive of oppression and discord. It is the announcement of the cessation of a republic and the renunciation of the fundamental principles and laws that contain the very essence and vitality of freedom.
No one will knowingly support such selfish, unjust, and liberty-destroying principles as are embodied in imperialism, except the politician who is bewitched with the love for power to domineer over his weaker brother, and the money king, who is filled with the spirit of greed. You will find these two exponents back of every such scheme throughout all past ages. The common people are made the slaves and tools of the politician, and are the unfortunate victims of the moneyed power. They are blindfolded through misrepresentations and invalid promises, and, being ignorant of the vital principle involved or the voice of history upon this subject, are thus led to seal their doom by their own voice. And all this is done under a sanctimonious garb and in the name of a “Christian nation,” and, professedly, for the advancement of its tenets. Look behind this disguising veil of lamblike appearance, and you will even now hear the voice and behold the full features of the apocalyptic dragon. Rev. 13:11, 12.
For more than thirty years the people who publish this paper, have been pointing out this departure from foundation principles, and its results. God’s sacred Book predicted it. By faith this people have been preaching it. The world for years mocked and derided the very idea, and asked for the sign. We had no sign to give but the prediction in the Word of God. But now suddenly the fact has flashed before the public gaze, and stands before us in all its verity. The public is stunned and perplexed, but to us as a people there is an anchor of hope let down deep into the prophetic Word of God, and we know that the anchor will hold, and that our hope is the Rock of Salvation.
All praise be to Him whose Word surveys the whole field of time, and sheds its light through the thick clouds of mystery and over abysses of infinite darkness to illuminate the scenes and events just before us. And thus is the divine obligation impressed upon the watchman on the walls of Zion to sound the trumpet of alarm loud and clear, warning the world of the impending danger. Well may the inhabitants of the land tremble, when God and man, earth and heaven, time and eternity, speak with one voice and teach the same truth. Well may the lonely pilgrim of earth, by these last landmarks of time, count his journey almost ended; he may lift up his head to behold his redemption drawing nigh; he may see the clear rays of light that illumine the few remaining dark hours of life, and that guide his footsteps on the way to that city for which Abraham looked, “which hath foundations, whose Builder and Maker is God.”
This republic has followed and is following the Roman republic in its history, so that to-day the president is pointed to as walking in the footprints of Julius Cæsar when he tried to maintain order among the inhabitants of the first and newly-acquired province of Gaul, and force upon them, without their consent, and against their will, the laws of a republic, through intimidation by the presence and influence of the sword. These were the last days of the Roman republic, and Cæsar himself assumed the purple robe as the first emperor of the new empire. Yet it was in the days of Julius Cæsar that the boast of the Roman people was that the republic would stand forever. It was then, when the republic had reached her golden era and was on the decline, that they thought they were still in their infancy of glory. They laughed at the very idea of the Roman republic going to pieces. The voice that sounded the danger-signal was hushed with the songs of a good time coming. They turned upon their couches of down as the honored children of Romulus. They measured the length of their statutes in their shadows of the setting sun. “A paradise of roses was prefigured, but a wilderness of thorns was found.” Thus they spoke, and so they slumbered and slept, unconscious of their fate so near at hand. They awoke too late, only to find themselves in the iron grasp of the iron monarchy of Rome. They killed their king, but the empire still remained. They killed the tyrant, but tyranny still survived.
This nation is singing the same false song of jubilee to-day. It too takes pride in the patriotism5and loyalty of ancestral glory, while in its own bosom is found only its prestige. Never was there such a feeling of security, never such a time of brilliant pretensions, boasting of progress, of achievements, and of a good time coming; but ere many to-morrows this people too will awake to find themselves in the iron grasp of a hideous monster of their own creation. Now is the time to foil the measures which will result in tyranny, and there will be no necessity to kill the tyrant. Now is the time to repudiate the tendencies and claim of empire, and set at liberty the subject provinces, and there will be no occasion to kill the emperor.
What will this nation have? Which will they choose? The prophecy of Revelation 13 has been divinely summarized in the declaration that this country shall repudiate every principle of its Constitution as a Protestant and republican government, and shall make provision for the propagation of papal falsehoods and delusions. Then will Satan work marvelously, and the end of all things is near.
Do we not now see already marked out the course which the nation is to take? Has it not taken already the initiative steps to maintain an imperial government instead of a republic?
The principles of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence are repudiated, defamed, construed, revised, questioned, and phrases inserted in order to operate imperial rule in the face of a national document, strictly republican in principle and declaration. Listen to some of the words of infamy hurled against the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence by representative men in this land. It is said that governments derive their just powers from the consent of some of the governed. To-day there are those that wave the Declaration of Independence in our faces. . . . As to that hallowed document that declares that all governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed, if that is to be literally construed, there never was a greater falsehood palmed off by the devil upon a credulous world.
That men must resist the crazy extension of the doctrine that government derives its just powers from the consent of the governed.
That the Declaration of Independence was a formal notice that the inhabitants of the colonies consented no longer to British rule.
That it was simply their manifesto to European powers, and is not law.
That a constitution, a national policy, adopted by thirteen half-consolidated, weak, rescued colonies, glad to be able to call their life their own, can not be expected to hamper the greatest nation in the world.
That government can be conducted without the Constitution.
That within the territory now owned by the United States, in spite of the thirteenth amendment and the war of the rebellion, slavery still exists, . . . and it is to be hoped that Congress, when it comes to act, will see the advisability of letting the present treaty stand as it is—at least for the present.
Have you read such expressions as the foregoing, and many more to the same intent? Do you not see tendency in every quarter to conduct all public affairs in accordance with this principle? Do you not even now see the apostasy and the repudiation of the Constitution and republican principles by this country? Do you not see the fact and recognize it?
A few years ago, when we told the people that this country would do this very thing, they laughed and ridiculed the idea of its possibility; but now they not only admit the fact of it being here, but, under false prophecies of manifest destiny, they condemn the very ones who stand opposed to such a course of action, and warn of its results. In Congress its opponents are branded with high treason.
Many seem ready to repudiate anything dear and sacred, and willing to compromise with craft and false principles if it has any pretense of pecuniary benefit for them, no matter what loss it brings to others or what its train of evil consequences will produce in the future. Money! money!! more money!!! is still the cry. It is the universal passion and the all-absorbing thought in the circles of greed—from the highest officer who buys his place to the poorest plebeian who sells his vote. For money, judges give unjust decrees, and juries render corrupt verdicts. Lawmakers go into office bankrupt, and, with a salary of from $5,000 to $10,000 a year, they return with hundreds of thousands of dollars. Where do they get it?
To call into question the present order of things would shake the very foundations of society. To obtain money by any means, lawful or unlawful, is the sole object of well-nigh universal aspiration. Individual rights, sacred truths, and republican principles are bleeding at the shrine of liberty, and on its bosom is reared instead the altar of oppression, error, and corruption. C. S. LONGACRE.
[The third article will appear next week.—Ed.]
FAULTLESS BEFORE HIS PRESENCE.
By Augusta W. Heald
"FAULTLESS before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy." Jude, verse 24.
Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith, left His glorious home on high, took upon Himself the nature of sinful man, and, "for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame," and, being made "perfect through sufferings," He is able to present you and me "faultless before the presence of His glory, with exceeding joy."
For this He had prayed the Father in the days of His earthly humiliation: "Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am; that they may behold My glory, which thou hast given Me; for thou lovedst Me before the foundation of the world."
If the sinless Captain of our salvation, "in bringing many sons unto glory," is made perfect through suffering, how much more shall we, who are "of the earth, earthy," be purified by a like experience, so that we may be partakers also of the glory and the joy.
Yet whatever trial and suffering may be ours, in these days of our earthly pilgrimage, one glimpse of the glory, one taste of the exceeding joy, will richly repay us for all.
"Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him. But God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit."
AUGUSTA W. HEALD.
Satan’s Gradual Temptations
When Satan first comes to tempt, he is modest and asks but little. He digs about and loosens the roots of faith, and then the tree falls the easier on the next gust of temptation.—Gurnall.
The Power of Prayer
Prayer is so mighty an instrument that no one ever thoroughly mastered all its keys. They sweep along the infinite scale of man's wants and godwardness.—Hugh Miller.
DIVINE HEALING.
By A. Smith
JESUS is the only Divine Healer. “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits; who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases.” Ps. 103:2, 3.
There are many so-called divine healers in the world now, and there are many others of the same character not bearing that particular title.
Unless one is well acquainted with the teachings of the Bible on this point, he will be deceived.
Here are several scriptures worthy of consideration in this connection:—
“For there shall arise false christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” Matt. 24:24.
“And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, and deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast.” Rev. 13:13, 14.
“For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.” Rev. 16:14. See verse 13.
It is certain that devils can work miracles, using human beings as mediums. Miracles, therefore, are no proof in themselves that the men or women through whom they are manifested are right in doctrine or practise. On this point is the danger of deception; and, in view of this very danger, Jesus says: “Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.” Rev. 16:15. See also Rev. 7:13 and Rev. 19:8.
The garments here spoken of are robes of character. These wonders are to be wrought in the world just before Jesus comes.
Satan can make people sick (Luke 13:16; Job 2:7); can cause war (Job 1:15, 17); can cause lightning and cyclones to occur (verses 16, 19), and can craze men and animals (Mark 5:1–13).
Now if Satan can do all these things, he can also remove the affliction that he himself causes. This work, of course, has the appearance of real miracles, and the sufferer, thus relieved, is prepared to receive almost anything as truth that the medium may teach. Satan would be very willing that the subject of the miracle should believe that it was wrought by the power of God, if he could only thereby deceive one into believing a false doctrine that would destroy the soul. A Christian should rather choose to suffer on and abide the Lord’s time, than be healed by Satan.
Those only who study the Bible with prayer, testing all doctrines and teachings by its infallible evidence, will be able to discern the wonder-workings of Satan now. Jesus says, “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation.”
Just before Jesus comes, when God’s people have come into the perfect unity of the faith, in harmony with the Scriptures, wonders and miracles are to be wrought among them. Satan now seeks to forestall this genuine work of God in order to deceive and mislead the people. See Acts 13:8–11, and compare 2 Tim. 3:8 with Ex. 7:8–12.
“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” 1 John 4:1.
Grandville, Mich. A. SMITH.
Hear and See More
NATURE has given us two ears, two eyes, and but one tongue, to the end that we should hear and see more than we speak.—Socrates.
THE NATURE OF MAN
THE BREATH OF LIFE.
(Continued from last week.)
LIFE, in the abstract,—the actual motor of consciousness,—is something beyond man's power to analyze. Its origin and subtle power place it among those things which lie beyond the precincts of human reasoning, where it must remain among the secret things of Him who has power to vail Himself and yet reveal the majesty of His power. The facts of life's existence and power may be observed and carefully noted, but the secret of its animating proclivities has never been fathomed.
There are denominated various kinds of life, plant, animal, etc.; but, after due study, all must finally be agreed that the life in all is the same so far as its mysterious virtues are concerned; for, let it depart from plant or animal, to science there is no known method of restoration. Then life in any form must have its seat of empire beyond the circuit of human thought. Its origin is absolutely divine.
But, altho life is of divine nature, it does not perform exactly the same functions for all alike. Possessed by trees and plants, it produces fiber, leaf, and expansion, but no power of locomotion. The lower animals have the power denied vegetation, yet are refused the social and commercial privileges of those still above them. Humanity is endowed with intelligent speech, yet, as already seen in the matter of life, there are some depths of knowledge to which it is not permitted to penetrate. Life, then, is not itself the knowledge; for if it were, its possession by man would give him all knowledge, even that which is infinite. Again, its possession by plants would also bestow upon them the power of thought. Further still, there could not be the difference now seen in the intelligence of men. Then the robust, vigorous, strong-bodied man would be the intelligent one, independent of cultivated powers, while the pale, weak, under-sized person would be far below him.
Life is, therefore, but the motive power conferred,—loaned by God,—that destiny may be wrought out in the way its possessor wills. When a being, whether animal or human, lays down life, he goes to the one common place,—back to the original element from whence he came. This is plainly set forth by the inspired wise man: "That which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no pre-eminence above a beast; for all is vanity. All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again." Eccl. 3:19, 20. Thus is established the fact that in the matter of life and death man is governed the same as every other creature. So far as observation goes, all are ready to testify to the truthfulness of the last statement of the sacred writer, but there has been some indistinctness of sentiment regarding the disposition of the animating power which leaves the body. Let us therefore linger a moment here.
In the formation of man the two elements of his make-up are distinctly noticed, and each placed in its proper setting: "The Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life: and man became a living soul." Gen. 2:7. Notice that a perfect man was formed out of earth, and then simply animated,—made a living creature,—by breathing into him life from God. In other words, man, complete in every part and function, was formed, yet lacking the animation by which the various parts were to be supplied with executive ability. This was supplied by the breath of God's life, which made man responsible to God for the use made of his creature functions.
Inasmuch as the perfect machinery thus created was to be operated by the motive power of God's being, it was certainly optional with God as to what that power should be permitted to do. He surely could not permit it to operate in violation of the perfect principles of His own being, for that would be to sanction wrong. He therefore restricted the use of that life, to be in harmony with his own divine will as exercised in heaven. So long as man was willing to do this, there was nothing in the law of his being or in the decree of heaven that could take from him the gift of that life. But the moment he should undertake to use the life of God to operate his functions contrary to God's will, it was then God's prerogative to take away from man the life by which he was misrepresenting his Maker.
As God joined together the earthly form and His own life, in order to connect Himself with His creation, and be seen through it, so when that creation no longer reflected divinity in the use to which it put God's life, it was necessary for the separation of the two to take place,—God to take back His own to Himself, as it was, and let the other resolve back to its original state. On this point man was put fairly on guard. Placing a test in the garden where man was enjoying God's life, the Lord said to him, "Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it; for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." Gen. 2:16, 17.
Thus the issue was squarely placed. In the man's mind, the life he possessed was not absolutely his, to do with as he pleased, but God's, to be used as He willed. It was also plain to him that when he should undertake to use God's life in wrong-doing, he would forfeit that life to God, whose life it was. So, then, as long as the intrusted life would be used by man to reveal and glorify God, it would be permitted to remain in his keeping, but always as God's own treasure.
But the story of man's disloyalty has been heralded to every part of creation, and its results duly noted: "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. Man now comes into the world, and sooner or later he gives up the life that animated him, and lies down in silence. The separation of life and body, the final leave-taking of earthly scenes, is quickly passed, and, as already found, the body goes back to mother earth.
All this because the animating power of life refuses longer to tenant the earthly tabernacle. But what of its exit? Whither is it bound? and for what purpose? The story is a simple one, and quickly told: "Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was; and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it." Eccl. 12:7. Thus when the dust goes back to be as it was, the animating spirit, by which it had moved, thought, and spoken, returns to God, the Giver. It having fulfilled its mission in extending probation to man, that he might signify his desire to serve God for the continuation of its privileges, it passes back to the great Fountain of life, the bosom of Jehovah. Ps. 36:9.
Had not the love of God provided a restoration of His life to those who signify a desire for it, the separation of God's life from the physical man would have been the end of all such connection. Indeed, God could not supply indefinitely to any one His own pure life with which to continue in sin and blasphemy. So, in order to regain God's life, man must break with sin, espouse the service of God, and so represent Him in the earth as the signal of desire to live forever with God. But man can not by his own goodness so fully represent God as to retain life perpetually. To receive it again as it was first given, it must be as a gift from God, its absolute Owner. Rom. 6:23. The process by which this is brought about must, however, be the theme of another paper.
J. O. CORLISS.
(Continued next week.)
WHAT WOULD HE HAVE?
By Florence Martin
I BOUGHT a little book from a Roman Catholic agent the other day, entitled “Father Damen’s Lectures.” In it were the following words concerning the Bible:—
If God had intended that man should learn His religion from a book—the Bible—surely God would have given that Book to man; Christ would have given that Book to man. Did He do it?—He did not. Christ did not say, Sit down and write Bibles and scatter them over the earth, and let every man read his Bible and judge for himself.
In astonishment I ask, What does Father Damen mean? Is it possible he objects to having the words that fell from the lips of our Lord recorded? Does he wish the lamp of life blown out? Surely this can not be. Surely the gentleman wrote those words in a moment of rashness or ignorance. I need not apologize for saying that Christ did say, “Write.” Rev. 1:19.
According to Matt. 26:13, He intended that every word He spoke should be treasured and given to the world. He also said, “Why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?” Luke 12:57. Surely Mr. Damen does not wish to deprive men and women of their God-given right to think and judge for themselves, nor prohibit searching the Scriptures as the Saviour commanded.
FLORENCE MARTIN.
The Speaker Lost in His Message
An exchange gives an excellent rule with regard to the preparation of a preacher's introductions to his discourses when it says that, while the preacher may seek at the outset to produce a pleasing impression, "yet the perfection of his introduction, so far as he is concerned, depends upon the quickness and completeness of his disappearance from view, the audience meanwhile becoming absorbed with interest in the subject." There is a thought there for other speakers than preachers. The most telling discourses, whether delivered to audiences of thousands or of one, are those in which the man is effaced in his message, so that what he says appears not as his own wisdom, but as the Word of God.—New York Observer.
"IF YE LOVE ME, KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS."
By Abbie S. Cox
WHEN we claim to love God, do we love Him with a head knowledge, and in such a way as it is popular with the world to say, "Certainly we love God." Or do we really love Him with all our heart, with all our mind, and with all our strength, as He commands us to do?
Christ says, "I am the Vine, ye are the branches." Are we so completely engrafted into the Vine that the life of Christ can so thoroughly circulate through us that we can live and grow as the new buds that spring forth in the thrifty vine in the warm sunlight of summer?
Have we the light of the Son of God in our hearts, our words and actions, in our very lives, so that the light will shine out to others to help them on their way to happiness? Of what account are we here if we are not helping some one else?
We should each one help many others. We are all teachers in life's great school. We should not be slothful and care only to get saved, and miss the rewards given according to the deeds done in the body.
We need not think we can slip along through this life and not set any example for others. I tell you, nay. Others are watching us closely to see if we act out what we profess. O God, help us to watch and pray that we enter not into temptation, or set an ungodly example for others to follow! Do we? Let us turn on the search-light, and examine ourselves and see if the self in us is fully burned out with holy fire.
Have we asked God to take the self all out of us, His temples, and fill us with Himself? Have we asked Him to abide and walk in us as He has promised, and live out His life in us, and to let us shine for Him and Him only? Are we willing for Jesus' sake to become as nothing to this world, to be a peculiar people? Are we keeping every commandment of God? He says:—
"For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all." James 2:10.
Are we more particular about keeping one than all His commands? It is correct and right that we should keep the seventh-day Sabbath holy from sunset to sunset, and not speak our own words or think our own thoughts on His holy day. But it will not please God if we attempt to keep the seventh day holy, and grieve His Holy Spirit by failing to regard some other commandment. Let your communication be as it becometh the saints of God. Let your yea be yea, and your nay be nay, for whatsoever is more than this cometh of evil.
"As He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation." 1 Peter 1:15.
This means every word, every day, and in all places. Do we so?
"Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." Matt. 5:48.
"Let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." James 1:4. And when ye pray, believe that ye shall receive the things for which ye ask, and they shall be given you; for a wavering man is like the waves of the sea, driven of the winds and tossed; let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord.
Have we presented our bodies "a living sacrifice [not when we come to die], holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service"? Rom. 12:1.
Entire consecration sweeps the whole man into a lively, self-sacrificing, reasonable, holy, acceptable service to God. It is based on God's mercies. Every one should make this unreserved consecration.
Have we charity for every one, even in other churches? "The end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned." 1 Tim. 1:5. This is the divine order: (1) A good conscience, (2) faith unfeigned, (3) a pure heart, (4) the charity of the thirteenth chapter of 1 Corinthians,—the perfect love that perfectly fulfils the law.
Are we worrying and fretting ourselves because of the trials and unrighteousness of this life? God says, "Fret not thyself because of evil-doers." Are we casting all our care upon Him; for He careth for us? 1 Peter 5:7.
"O, why do you carry your burden alone,
That burden so heavy to bear?
Why under its weight do you labor and groan,
When Jesus is saying in tenderest tone,
My child, cast on Me every care?
"Go tell all your troubles; He'll give you relief
Whenever on Him you depend.
This blest 'Man of sorrows, acquainted with grief,'
To the cries of His children will never be deaf,
If only in faith they ascend.
"When sickness or pain shall distress He will heal,
Or else give you strength to endure.
For our Saviour, who suffered, will tenderly deal
With His own stricken children if they will but kneel
And ask this Physician to cure.
"Then go to Him always, whatever befall,
If sickness or sorrow or care,
If pain should distress you, or sin, tell Him all,
At the foot of the cross humbly, trustingly fall,
And leave every burden right there."
Marietta, O. ABBIE S. COX.
SOME PERSONAL REFLECTIONS.
By C. T. Shaffer
WHEN Jesus called His disciples "the salt of the earth," He showed that they had power, in His Spirit, to make men thirst for righteousness.
TO BE "the light of the world" is to enlighten men concerning the work of God in creation, redemption, and salvation. It is to stand clearly and firmly on the Lord's side. In this work some Christians do not seem to desire to be more than a tallow dip. Men and brethren, live up to the privileges of your powers. Be bright and shining lights.
PRIVATE interpretations of Scripture are responsible for all errors and schism in religious belief. Allow that God is wise enough to say what He means and honest enough to mean what He says. Then you will see that He tells the plain, simple truth in what He says, and all believers will be of one mind—one faith. Unity of the faith does not come by compromising points of doctrine. A compromise is a union of what you believe to be true with what you do not believe to be true. It is a vain attempt to unite faith and unbelief. It is a wedding at which the devil presides.
TAKE the Word of God. It says, "Thy law is the truth." It surely is so, for God spoke it. "Sin is the TRANSGRESSION of the law," or truth: "By the law [truth] is the KNOWLEDGE of sin." That is so. The law does not give a knowledge of how to do sin, but a knowledge of sin. Thus it is a school-master to bring the sinner to Christ for pardon, salvation, righteousness, life. "The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul." Unbelief keeps the people guessing as to what is coming next. It breeds worry, vexation, disappointment, despair, and death. Trust the wisdom and honesty of God, and take Him at His word. He knows the kind of creatures He has to deal with, and gives us His Word in simple language.
SELF-SATISFACTION is not the witness of the Spirit of God with our spirits that we are His obedient children. It is not a guide to obedience. Happiness, or a clear conscience, is the fruit of obedience to every known duty. Self-satisfaction has no aspirations, but is a listless indifference to the origin and end of life. It is spiritual death.
CONSCIENCE is not the law-making body of the soul, but the judiciary at whose bar the soul brings itself for trial concerning obedience to known duties or laws. The judgments of an unstifled and enlightened conscience are true premonitions of our standing at the judgment-bar of God. Don't trifle with the voice of conscience, nor mistake its office.
THE one mission of Jesus to this world was to "save His people from their sins." "Thou shalt call His name Jesus." He came to save men from their transgressions of His law, not to abolish the law, and leave them dead in trespasses and sins. Abolish the law, and life has no safeguard, no protection. By a knowledge and remembrance of His life, His law would be imperishably written upon the fleshy tables of our heart. There it would effectually work as leaven, to give life and purity to the entire soul.
C. T. SHAFFER.
Washington, D. C.
Each Day Shapes the Future
"Never a day is given
But it tones the after years,
And it carries up to heaven
Its sunshine or its tears;
While the to-morrows stand and wait—
The silent mutes by the outer gate."
QUESTION CORNER
By Editor
[From time to time we will reply under this head, if deemed advisable, to such candid inquiries as may be sent us. Correspondents wishing a reply to their questions must give their full name and address, not for publication unless they wish, but as an evidence of good faith on their part, and to give us opportunity to reply by letter if deemed best. It is always well to inclose stamp. Let the questions be short and pointed, and such as may be answered in limited space. The questions will be numbered continuously.]
1021. Mrs. A. L. S. Mark 9:46, 49.—The expressions, "the worm that dieth not" and "the unquenchable fire," are terms symbolic of utter destruction. Compare Isa. 51:6-8; 66:24; Jer. 17:27; 2 Chron. 36:19-21; Matt. 3:12; Luke 3:17. It will be seen that the worm devoured the carcasses, and the fire consumed what it preyed upon; and the worm would not die, nor could the fire be quenched, until each did its work. Salt (verse 49) is an element indicative of preserving power, a token of God's saving covenant. It was a law that with "all thine offerings thou shalt offer salt." See Lev. 2:13; Num. 18:19. For the salting or testing with fire see 1 Cor 3:13; Isa. 33:14, 15.
1022. E. W. R. Bible Laws.—(1) "Is it not true that the Bible is made up of both Church and State laws? If so, why should we [not] accept it as being of God? (2) If God is the same yesterday, to-day, and forever, why should not we continue the law, including its penalties, in our time? (3) Ought we to continue the Paschal feast according to the commandment in Ex. 12:14?"
1. "God is spirit." "The law is spiritual." That is eternally true. The laws of God are not Church and State laws in the sense of such laws in human government. God as King is altogether a different government than men assuming to rule in the place of God.
2. One of the great lessons for all time of the theocracy in Israel is that there can only be a government of God among a converted people. God is the same, but He knew that His rule would not prove successful unless the people absolutely yielded to Him. If every soul now would completely yield to God, we would need no other law. But spiritual obedience can not be enforced.
3. Many of the things in ancient Israel were types, among which was the Passover. When the shadow reached the substance, when Christ, the true Paschal Lamb, died (1 Cor. 5:7), the shadow, the type, ceased.