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Signs of the Times, Vol. 20, No. 31.

The Way of Salvation
Earlier text: The Essence of True Love

FIELD NOTES.

By Editor

ELDER C. A. HALL reports the baptism of five candidates at Halstead, Kansas.
NINE persons were baptized in the church at Battle Creek, Mich., on the 26th ult.
WITHIN the past two weeks the church in this city has received seventeen members by baptism, and four by letter.
ELDER W. W. STEBBINS reports the organization, in April, of a church at Clay Center, Kansas, with twenty-six members.
ELDER A. P. HEACOCK has changed his address, and from this we suppose also his field of labor, from Huntsville, Ala., to De Soto, Mo.
Of the work in Maine Conference, Elder J. E. Jayne says, “The churches have received a large increase in membership this winter.” He notes the recent baptism of five at Cliff Island.
AN encouraging interest has been awakened at Debby, West Va., where Brother Foggin has been holding meetings, and arrangements have been made for the erection of a house of worship.
BRETHREN A. R. HENRY and W. C. SISLEY left Battle Creek, Mich., on the evening of May 26, and Elder O. A. Olsen on the 27th, for New York, whence they were to embark for Europe. The Sabbath previous to his departure, Elder Olsen preached in the Tabernacle, and the Review states that he gave a good report of the camp meeting in this city, and of the work on the coast generally.
ELDER J. W. SCOLES reports eight walking in obedience to the Lord, and as many more who have made public acknowledgment of the truths presented, as a result of meetings held at Toledo, Ill.
AN effort is being made to endow a bed in the Sanitarium Hospital, at Battle Creek, Mich., for the use of General Conference laborers needing treatment. It will be under the control of the General Conference.
THE case of the State of Georgia against Elder W. A. McCutcheon and Professor E. C. Keck, for doing manual labor in a schoolhouse on Sunday, came up at the May term of the Supreme Court on appeal, and was continued until the third week in August.
MRS. M. L. BROCK, of Oklahoma City, Ok. T., requests us to state that she has received the box of Bibles, etc., sent to her by a California lady, for missionary work. She has lost the lady’s address, and, being unable to send a receipt direct, she hopes to reach the donor through the SIGNS.
SOME changes have been made in the working force of Iowa Conference. Elders J. M. Willoughby and C. M. Gardner have been invited by the General Conference Council to make Utah Territory their field of labor for a time; and Brother J. W. Kelchner, late of Battle Creek, Mich., formerly of California, has been transferred to Iowa.
ELDER W. B. WHITE, president of Nebraska Conference, notes that at Loupe City thirty-seven adults have accepted the truth, as presented in a series of meetings held by Elders Lamson and Boughton. The Sabbath school numbered sixty-eight at the time of the report. Elder White also reports the organization of a church at Harold, with fourteen members, and the dedication of a chapel.
THE church organized at Shady Side, Md., on the 6th of May, brought the number of churches in the Atlantic Conference up to seventeen. Brother A. J. Howard was arrested at that place, May 21, for doing “bodily labor on the Lord’s day, commonly called Sunday.” We have not yet learned the outcome of his being placed “under the law.” His offense, we understand, was preparing for the removal of his tent to another locality.
OUR brethren in Russia are said to have great difficulty in meeting together. In one place seven of them were fined for holding meetings without being officially acknowledged as a denomination. As a result, they had to spend from three to ten days in jail. One of the saddest features of the situation is found among some exiles on the Persian border, part of whom are Baptists. These Baptists—themselves exiles for their faith—being in the majority in that class, take occasion to vex the Adventist members of the community, and tantalize them by calling them “Jews.”
CANVASSERS for our books would do well to note a decision of the U. S. Supreme Court with reference to town licenses. The Philadelphia Record gives an instance of one J. W. Brennan, who was soliciting orders for pictures in Titusville, Pa., for a Chicago firm. A city ordinance of Titusville required a license for such soliciting, and for failing to obtain a license, Brennan was fined $25 in the city court. On appeal, the Supreme Court of the State affirmed the judgment. But the U. S. Supreme Court says that the judgment of the State court must be reversed. In doing so, a former rule is reaffirmed, which says: “No State can levy a tax on interstate commerce in any form, whether by way of duties laid on transportation of the subjects of that commerce, or on the receipts derived from that transportation, or on the occupation or business of carrying it on.”
IN connection with the recent camp meeting at Portland, Oregon, the following officers were chosen for North Pacific Conference: President, Elder W. M. Healey; Secretary, G. E. Henton; Treasurer, the Conference Tract Society; Executive Committee, W. M. Healey, T. H. Starbuck, W. W. Sharp, D. T. Fero, and W. C. Ward. The tract society officers are: President, W. M. Healey; Secretary and Treasurer, G. E. Henton. Elder Healey has been a laborer in California Conference for twenty years or more, having served for some time on the Conference Committee, and on the board of directors of Pacific Press Publishing Company.

FIGHT THE BATTLE OUT.

WHAT if the currents of your life Are foiled and vexed and go amiss, And trouble your whole portion is? Faint not; all victory comes through strife.
What if dark clouds make up your sky, And every wind's and tide's attack Is pushing hard to beat you back? Court not despair—still harder try.
What if your friends keep out of view, And, while you sorrow, seem like those Who wear the livery of your foes? Fret not, but battle on anew.
What if a thousand shafts of wrong And grievous obstacles and hate Pursue you early, long, and late? Yield not, but keep your courage strong.
What if the world seems simply made To sweep your dearest hopes away, And balk your efforts day by day? Care not; move onward unafraid.
What if your best work brings but pain, Perplexity, and loss and doubt? Faint not, but fight the battle out. No worthy life is lived in vain. —Selected.

CHURCH SERVICES.

By Editor

All of our churches, especially on this coast, who desire their regular weekly services announced in this column, may have it done by reporting through the proper officers.
Oakland.—Church at corner of Twelfth and Brush Streets. Regular preaching services or Bible study. Sunday at 7:30 P.M., Friday at 7 P.M., and Sabbath at 11 A.M. Sabbath school at 9:30 A.M. Sabbath. Prayer and missionary meeting Wednesday at 7:30 P.M. All are cordially invited.
San Francisco.—Church at 914 Laguna Street. Regular preaching services at 7:30 P.M. Sunday and 11 A.M. Sabbath. Sabbath school at 9:45 A.M. Prayer meeting Wednesday 7:30 P.M. Missionary meeting Thursday 7:30 P.M. Seats free.
Los Angeles.—Church at 143 Carr Street. Preaching service Sunday evening 7:30. Missionary meeting Wednesday evening 7:30. Sabbath school on Sabbath at 9:45, and preaching service at 11 A.M. All are welcome.
East Portland, Oregon.—Church, No. 507 East Ankeny St. Services every Sabbath 11:30 A.M. Sabbath school 10 A.M. Missionary meeting evening after Sabbath 7 P.M. Prayer meeting every Wednesday evening 7 o'clock. All welcome. Seats free.
Chicago, Illinois.—Church on Forty-sixth Street, corner of Champlain Avenue. Regular preaching service at 11 A.M. Sabbath school at 9:30 A.M. every Sabbath. Prayer meeting, Monday evening at 7:30 P.M. The above services are held in the Forestville Congregationalist Church building until our own church will be completed, when proper notice will be given. All are cordially invited.
Washington, D. C.—Church on Eighth Street between F and G Streets, N. E. Regular preaching service at 11 A.M. Sabbath. Sabbath school 9:30 A.M. Sunday, 7:30 P.M., Bible study. Prayer meeting Friday at 7:30 P.M. All are welcome. H. W. HERRELL, Clerk.
Sacramento.—Church on G Street between Eighteenth and Nineteenth Streets. Regular services: Sabbath school at 10 A.M., preaching service at 11 A.M., Sunday at 7:30 P.M. Prayer and missionary meeting Wednesday evening at 7:30. Seats free. All are cordially invited.
Pasadena.—Church at corner of Summit Ave. and Mountain Street. Sabbath services every Sabbath at 11:30 A.M. Sabbath school 10 A.M. Prayer meeting every Sunday evening 7:30. Missionary meeting Tuesday 7:30 P.M. All are cordially invited. Box 261. O. S. SMYTH, Clerk.

CAMP MEETINGS FOR 1894.

By General Conference Committee

DISTRICT NUMBER ONE.

  • Quebec, Ayer's Flat...........................June 14-25
  • New York........................................July 26 to Aug. 6
  • Virginia............................................Aug. 7-14
  • West Virginia...................................Aug. 16-27
  • Vermont...........................................Aug. 23 to Sept. 3
  • New England...................................Aug. 30 to Sept. 10
  • Maine, Bath......................................Sept. 6-17

DISTRICT NUMBER TWO.

  • Tennessee River, Bowling
Green..................................................Aug. 27 to Sept. 7
  • Florida, Seffner................................Nov. 8-18

DISTRICT NUMBER THREE.

Ohio, Newark....................................Aug. 10-20
  • Indiana, Indianapolis.......................Aug. 7-13
  • Illinois..............................................Aug. 22-28
  • Michigan...........................................Sept. 19 to Oct. 1

DISTRICT NUMBER FOUR.

  • South Dakota, Madison...................June 21-28
  • Nebraska, Lincoln (Peck's Grove) Aug. 21-28

DISTRICT NUMBER FIVE.

Texas, Cleburne.................................Aug. 9-20 Arkansas, Chester...............................Aug. 16-27 Oklahoma..........................................Aug. 23 to Sept. 3 Colorado, Denver................................Aug. 30 to Sept. 10 Kansas, Emporia..................................Sept. 6-17 Missouri...............................................Sept. 19 to Oct. 1

DISTRICT NUMBER SIX.

  • Montana, Bozeman............................June 13-20

DISTRICT NUMBER EIGHT.

Norway................................................June 13-24 Sweden..................................................June 28 to July 8 Central Europe, Neuchâtel.......................July 12-22
Appointments marked by a star will be preceded by a workers' meeting. Gen. Conf. Com.

LITERARY NOTICES.

By Editor

WE have received from Lucas, Richardson & Co., Charleston, S. C., a pamphlet on "Sunday Observance and Sunday Desecration, Their Effects on National Character, Happiness, and Progress." The substance of this is placed in the form of letters to Bishop Potter, of New York, and Rev. C. B. Wilmer, of Lynchburg, Va., and Colonel R. G. Ingersoll. We will notice this more fully in the future.
Popular Astronomy for June contains, among other interesting papers, the following: Shooting Stars, How to Observe Them, What They Teach Us (illustrated), by W. T. Denning; Professor Barnard's Work at the Lick Observatory, by S. W. Burnham; Testing Optical Glass for the Quality of Its Annealing, by John A. Brashear; Constellation Study (continued), by Winslow Upton, the last article in the series. The editor, Mr. Payne, has an illustrated article on the Pleiades. The Department of Practical Suggestions and General Notes is as full as usual. This is the best magazine for amateurs and students published. The annual subscription price is $2.50. Address, Northfield, Minn.
Astronomy and Astro-Physics is another magazine of interest in a more advanced line, by the same publishers, the price of which is $4.00 per year.
We have received from the publishers, 48 Paternoster Row, London, E. C., the nineteenth annual report for the year 1893 of the "Mission to Lepers in India and the East." It is a most interesting little document, giving quite a full report of the noble efforts that have been put forth by self-sacrificing ones in behalf of this unfortunate class. We may quote from it some time in the future. It shows favorable results among the lepers, 150 being baptized the last year.
The Pacific Health Journal, bound volume for 1893. This is the eighth year of the publication of this valuable Journal, the price of which bound is $1.50. The Journal itself is but $1.00 a year, and a cursory glance at the index of the volume would prove to anyone who is interested in matters of health that it is many times worth the price. There are thousands who pay from $5.00 to $500 a year in doctors' bills which might just as well be saved, or used in other ways more advantageously, simply by taking a good health journal and following its advice. We do not know of any at the same price that will give better information than the Pacific Health Journal, published at Oakland, Cal. Its editor and chief contributors are experienced physicians, in constant practice.
We have received a copy of the Healdsburg Enterprise, published at Healdsburg, Sonoma County, dated May 26, 1894. This number is devoted to a description of the county and its various enterprising villages, its soil and productions, statistics concerning its real estate, its educational, agricultural, mineral, and climatic advantages. An excellent description is given of the city of Healdsburg, two columns being devoted to the Seventh-day Adventist College. Two fine cuts are given of the South College Hall and the Students' Home.
The following tracts have been received from the International Tract Society, 59 Paternoster Row, London, E. C.: "As Free as a Bird," showing the liberty wherewith Jesus Christ makes us free; "The Literal Week," a tract of eight pages, showing how the week originated at creation was literal as declared in God's word. It shows that the only true way to understand science is by the word of God, and not the word of God through science. "Justice and Mercy" is a 16-page tract, showing God's wonderful mercy to the sinner, his love in giving men their own choice, and the fate of the wicked, which they themselves choose. "The Sin of Witchcraft" is an excellent tract of 32 pages, showing that Modern Spiritualism is identical with ancient sorcery, and giving us the only true antidote, God's word, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. These tracts are all excellent, and should receive a wide circulation. It would add to their value, it seems to us, if the prices were printed on them. Those who desire them may obtain them by addressing the International Tract Society, 59 Paternoster Row, London, E. C., England.

"RELIGIOUS LIBERTY LIBRARY."

By Editor

Some Late Numbers.

No. 18, "Christ and the Pharisees," or "Christ's Faithfulness in Sabbath Keeping," by A. T. Jones. This tract of forty pages presents a striking parallel between the time of Christ and our own day, showing that as Christ was persecuted and even put to death for his faithfulness in keeping the Sabbath according to God's standard, so in our day those who keep God's Sabbath, the seventh day of the week, according to his commandments, are being and will continue to be persecuted for the same thing and for the same reasons. Price, 5 cents.
No. 19, Protestantism, True and False, by A. F. Ballenger. This tract, after stating clearly the fundamental principles of true Protestantism, shows by incontrovertible evidence that modern Protestantism has fallen from these principles. It is similar to what was published some time ago in the Signs of the Times. An excellent tract, that should be widely circulated. Price, 4 cents.
No. 20 "Civil Government and Religion," by A. T. Jones, shows the relation that should exist between the Church and the State, as indicated by the Scriptures and the evidence of past centuries. It is a most valuable treatise, which should be widely circulated. It is both scriptural and logical. In the appendix will be found the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States. One hundred and eighty-two pages. Price, 25 cents.
No. 21 is a 12-page tract, entitled "Congress on Sunday Legislation." It gives a report of Congress in 1830 on religious legislation, and contrasts it with the 52d Congress. It is an important report, written by the Hon. Richard M. Johnson, of Kentucky, subsequently Vice President of the United States, and is a valuable document. Extracts from what eminent men have said in regard to religious rights are also given in this little tract. Price, 1½ cents.
The above publications may be obtained at 271 West Main Street, Battle Creek, Mich., or any of our tract societies, or from this office.

HOUSE AND FURNITURE FOR SALE.

By B. R. Nordyke

Having been invited by the Pacific Press Publishing Company to labor in connection with their branch office in Kansas City, I desire to sell my residence property in Oakland, Cal., together with household goods, etc.
Lot 50 by 100 feet, with large six-room cottage, on sunny side of the street. Price, $2,650. Terms: $1,650 by January 1, 1895; $500 in one year, and $500 in two years, with interest at 8 per cent.
Also, 200 one and two-quart Mason fruit jars; all kinds of household goods and furniture for sale at very low prices, for cash.
Call on, or address, B. R. NORDYKE, 866 Milton Street, between Market and San Pablo Avenue, Oakland, Cal.

Cleveland Bicycles,

STODDARD & LEE,
306 McAllister St., San Francisco, Cal.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY PAMPHLETS.—"Religious Intolerance in the Republic," price two cents. "Due Process of Law and the Divine Right of Dissent," price 15 cents. "The Captivity of the Republic," by A. T. Jones, price 15 cents, or the three postpaid for 30 cents. Address, Pacific Press, Oakland, Cal.
SUNDAY LAWS OF THE STATES AND TERRITORIES. A comprehensive collection of laws and decisions regarding Sunday observance, especially useful as a compendium of information. Paper covers, 25 cents. Pacific Press Pub. Co., Oakland, Cal.
"This Rock, or the Foundation of the Church." (Spanish.) Showing that the Rock of Matt. 16:18 is Christ, and not Peter; 4 pp.; 50 cents per 100. Address, PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING Co., Oakland, Cal.

International S. S. Lessons.

"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 XIII.—SUNDAY, JUNE 24, 1894.

REVIEW.

Scripture Reading—Psalms 105; Heb. 11: 17-29. Golden Text: "The Lord's portion is his people." NOTE 1.—The lessons which we review this quarter extend from Genesis 32 to Exodus 15. Several of the events mentioned in these lessons are found in Psalms 105, 106, 77, 78, 136, and 114; and in the New Testament, mention is made of some of them in Acts 7: 9-38; Heb. 11: 20-29. Our review will simply touch upon the leading topics, and the earnest student will glean from the word of God that which will fill up the outlines.
NOTE 2.—The real subject of these lessons is the "Making of a Nation, and God's Providence over His People." In fact, all history is of worth to us only as we see God's hand in it; and God's hand is especially marked in the leading out of the Hebrew people. The time covered by this review is about 250 years, from Jacob's return from Padan-aram, 1740, to the Exodus from Egypt, 1491, according to Usher's Chronology. The principal places named in the lesson are Peniel, east of Jordan, Hebron and Shechem, in Palestine, Heliopolis, Zoan, and Pithom, and the Land of Goshen, in Egypt, and the northern part of the Red Sea. The persons named in these lessons are Jacob, his twelve sons (especially Joseph), Moses, several Pharaohs of Egypt, and Pharaoh's daughter. It would be well to use the map, and follow the travels of Jacob from Padan-aram to Hebron, from Hebron to Goshen, in Egypt, Joseph's journey in seeking his brothers, and thence to Egypt, the travels of Moses to Arabia and Sinai, back to Egypt, and the road of the Israelites from Goshen across the Red Sea.
LESSON 1.—Jacob's Prevailing Prayer. Genesis 32: 9-12, 24-30. Golden Text, "I will not let thee go, except thou bless me." Verse 26. The prominent scene of this lesson is Jacob's wrestling with the angel. The great lesson is victory by faith. Jacob passed in that hour of the night from Jacob, the supplanter, to Israel, the conqueror. Note the thought that he wrestled alone with God.
LESSON 2.—Discord in Jacob's Family. Genesis 37: 1-11. Golden Text, "See that ye fall not out by the way." Gen. 45: 24. The principal scene of this lesson is Joseph's dreams. One prominent lesson is the wickedness of envy.
LESSON 3.—Joseph Sold into Egypt. Gen. 37: 23-36. Golden Text, "Ye thought evil against me, but God meant it unto good." Gen. 50: 20. One of the principal scenes of this lesson is Joseph cast into the pit, pleading with his brethren for life, while they hardened their hearts against his cries. Important lessons are the outcome of envy, plotting against God's providence, and how God overrules all for good.
LESSON 4.—Joseph a Ruler in Egypt. Gen. 41: 38-48. Golden Text, "Them that honor me I will honor." 1 Sam. 2: 30. The picture scene of this lesson would be Joseph in jail, doing faithfully his duty, soon after that being taken from jail, and made ruler over all Egypt. One principal thought of the lesson is that faithfulness comes before honor, and that those who honor God in time of trial God will honor.
LESSON 5.—Joseph Forgiving His Brethren. Gen. 45: 1-15. Golden Text, "If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him." Luke 17: 3. It would be well to recall, in connection with this lesson, the dreams of Joseph. His brethren, who said, "Shalt thou indeed rule over us?" bowed down before him in humble supplication. One precious lesson is the forgiving spirit which Joseph manifested, and which everyone ought to cherish.
LESSON 6.—Joseph's Last Days. Gen. 50: 14-26. Golden Text, "The path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day." Prov. 4: 18. The Golden Text sufficiently indicates the thought of the lesson. The same disposition which was manifested in Joseph's youth developed strength throughout his life.
LESSON 7.—Israel in Egypt. Ex. 1: 1-14. Golden Text, "Our help is in the name of the Lord." Ps. 124: 8. This lesson shows the bondage of Israel in Egypt, seemingly forgotten of God, and yet the Lord's hand especially manifested in the increase of their number and the preservation of their lives under great trial.
LESSON 8.—The Childhood of Moses. Ex. 2: 1-10. Golden Text, "I will deliver him, and honor him." Ps. 91: 15. This lesson shows God's overruling care in the raising up of the one whom he had chosen to deliver his people. It also shows the importance of the training which God gives to his servants. Although Moses was trained in all the wisdom of what was then the most cultured nation in the world, God gives him a special training of forty years in the desert, alone with God and nature, before he is fitted to deliver his people.
LESSON 9.—Moses Sent as a Deliverer. Ex. 3: 10-20. Golden Text, "Fear thou not, for I am with thee." Isa. 41: 10. This lesson really takes in all the wonders which God wrought in delivering his people from Egypt; and it shows that, however proudly the gods of the nations deal, the Lord is above them. He who was mighty to create is mighty also to redeem.
LESSON 10.—The Passover Instituted. Ex. 12: 1-14. Golden Text, "Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us." 1 Cor. 5: 7. The passover was a special memorial of God's deliverance of his people from Egyptian bondage, and was typical of Christ's greater deliverance of his people from the more terrible bondage of sin.
LESSON 11.—The Passage of the Red Sea. Ex. 14: 19-29. Golden Text, "By faith they passed through the Red Sea." Heb. 11: 29. In this we have God's final triumph over the foes of his people, and the pledge of his eternal triumph over all sin and wickedness.
In all these lessons is manifest the leading, protecting, redeeming, and restoring providences of God. The same power which creates, redeems and restores. The Sabbath is a memorial of God's creative power (Ex. 20: 8-11), and it is also a memorial of his redeeming and sanctifying power (Eze. 20: 12).

LESSON XXV.—SABBATH, JUNE 23, 1894.

THE POWER OF CHRIST.

Lesson Scripture, Luke 11: 14-36.
14. And he was casting out a devil which was dumb. And it came to pass, when the devil was gone out, the dumb man spake; and the multitudes marveled. 15. But some of them said, By Beelzebub the prince of the devils casteth he out devils. 16. And others, tempting him, sought of him a sign from heaven. 17. But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth. 18. And if Satan also is divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils by Beelzebub. 19. And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges. 20. But if I by the finger of God cast out devils, then is the kingdom of God come upon you. 21. When the strong man fully armed guardeth his own court, his goods are in peace; 22. But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him his whole armor wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils. 23. He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth. 24. The unclean spirit when he is gone out of the man, passeth through waterless places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will turn back unto my house whence I came out. 25. And when he is come, he findeth it swept and garnished. 26. Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more evil than himself; and they enter in and dwell there; and the last state of that man becometh worse than the first. 27. And it came to pass, as he said these things, a certain woman out of the multitude lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the breasts which thou didst suck. 28. But he said, Yea, rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it. 29. And when the multitudes were gathering together unto him, he began to say, This generation is an evil generation; it seeketh after a sign, and there shall no sign be given to it but the sign of Jonah. 30. For even as Jonah became a sign unto the Ninevites, so shall also the Son of Man be to this generation. 31. The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and shall condemn them; for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, a greater than Solomon is here. 32. The men of Nineveh shall stand up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and behold, a greater than Jonah is here. 33. No man, when he hath lighted a lamp, putteth it in a cellar, neither under the bushel, but on the stand, that they which enter in may see the light. 34. The lamp of thy body is thine eye, when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when it is evil, thy body also is full of darkness. 35. Look therefore whether the light that is in thee be not darkness. 36. If therefore thy whole body be full of light, having no part dark, it shall be wholly full of light, as when the lamp with the bright shining doth give thee light.
In this lesson verses 14-26 relate to the casting out of a dumb demon, the blasphemous charge of the Pharisees, and Christ's rebuke to them, showing the inconsistency of their assertion that he cast out devils through the prince of devils. The remainder of the lesson pertains chiefly to signs. A rebuke is given to those who look for signs instead of depending on the word of God; and the necessity of having light in one's self, through the word, is emphasized.
  1. Tell the result of Christ's casting out a demon that was dumb.
  2. What did some of the people say?
  3. How did Jesus show the foolishness of their charge?
  4. If Satan were divided against himself, what would be the result?
  5. What question did Jesus ask the doubters about their sons?
  6. What did he say had come unto them?
  7. Under what conditions are a man's goods safe?
  8. When does he lose them?
  9. Since Christ took Satan's captives from him, what did that prove?
  10. Who are against Christ? Who are scattering abroad?
  11. Relate what Jesus said about the unclean spirit going out of a man and returning.
  12. Under what circumstances can it enter again?
  13. If it enters the man again, what will be his condition?
  14. Who did Jesus say are blessed?
  15. For what did Jesus reprove the people?
  16. What sign only did he say should be given them?
  17. By whose course did he say the men of that generation would be condemned?
  18. To whose word did the queen of Sheba listen?
  19. Whose preaching convinced the Ninevites?
  20. Why would their action condemn the men to whom Jesus was speaking?
  21. Will the same thing apply in these days?
  22. When a man lights a candle, what does he do with it?
  23. What is the light of the body?
  24. How only may the whole body be full of light?
  25. To what are we to take heed?
  26. What will be the condition if the whole body be full of light?

NOTES.

1. "Others, tempting him, sought of him a sign from heaven." This was the same temptation that had been met in the wilderness. The devil was still trying to get him to do something for the express purpose of silencing unbelief, without any reference to the benefit of men. All Christ's works were works of mercy. He performed them naturally, as the opportunity and necessity for them arose in his daily life. But he never did anything in answer to a challenge. If the regular work of the ministry of the gospel will not convince men, they will not be convinced by mere exhibition of knowledge or skill, in answer to a challenge.
2. Jesus had just done a wonderful work, in casting out a devil, and still they asked for a sign. What greater thing could he have done before them? They would not believe though he cast out a legion of devils. The gospel itself is a miracle. Satan works in every natural or unconverted man. Eph. 2: 1, 2. Therefore when a man is converted and exhibits the fruits of righteousness instead of the works of the flesh, that is an instance of the casting out of the evil spirit by the Spirit of God. Therefore it is that the godly lives of Christians are the best testimonies to the power of the gospel. See Isa. 43: 10; John 17: 21-23.
3. The fact that Christ cast out devils was proof enough that he was from God; for Satan would not seek to destroy his own kingdom. Christ came upon Satan and took from him all his armor wherein he trusted, and divided his spoils. "And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it," that is, in his cross, or in himself. Col. 2: 15. All power in heaven and in earth is given to Christ, therefore Satan has no power at all in a contest with him. These demonstrations of Christ's power over evil spirits were recorded for our encouragement in our conflict with evil. He has overcome the world; therefore our faith in him is the victory that overcometh the world.
4. "He that is not with me is against me." There is no middle ground, everyone that has not the Spirit of Christ has the spirit of Satan. Christ must be "all in all."
5. Christ is able to cast out the unclean spirit, but only his continued presence can keep it out. "He that is not with me is against me." If, when the heart has been cleansed, it is not intrusted fully to the care of the Lord, the evil spirit will return, and then the man will be worse than before. A backslider or an apostate is worse than one who has never known the Lord.
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