p. 16 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 28, No. 4. (1/22/1902)

The Present Parallel.

—Edwin B. Monyon, a Methodist Episcopal pastor of Kansas City, in a Christmas sermon, referring to the corruptions of the heathen world at the first advent, said:—

It has been said that “the epoch which witnessed the early growth of Christianity was an epoch the horror and degradation of which have rarely been equaled, and perhaps never exceeded in the annals of mankind.” In the first chapter of his letter to the Romans St. Paul brings a terrible indictment against them—so terrible that it makes one blush to read it, and so terrible that one might be tempted to think that the apostle had overstated the case if the Roman writers themselves had not told us the same awful story.

But the same apostle, speaking of these very days, presents as terrible an indictment of even those who profess to be children of God and go through the forms of worship. Read the two lists:—

TO THE HEATHEN IN A.D. 60.

“And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenant-breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful.” Rom. 1:28-31.

TO PROFESSED CHRISTIANS “IN THE LAST DAYS.”

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce-breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” 2 Tim. 3:1-5.

Look on the two pictures. Did not the same apostle speak as truly of the latter as of the former? We are in the last days. Our salvation is to heed His warnings.

No Age Limit in Ministry

It is said that one of the reasons why so few young men are preparing for the ministry in the popular churches is the dread of being laid by at fifty years of age, or less, on account of “old age.” The Watchman (Baptist) says:—

Most of the pulpit committees that ask us to recommend possible pastors practically say, “We do not want a man over forty. There is no use of our presenting the name of a man over forty.” Now that is a condition, and not a theory. No matter what the theorists may say, there is a real and growing discrimination against men on account of their age, irrespective of their ability or effectiveness. The man of fifty does not get a chance. Too many pulpit committees will not even consider him. He is ruled out as soon as his age is mentioned.

That is one of the consequences of going into the ministry for the purpose of settling down to preach to a certain company of people who already profess to be Christians. Such ministers make themselves dependent upon men for calls and for support, thus treating the ministry as a mere business proposition. How much better to accept a commission from the Lord, whose “field is the world,” and who says, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature.” As to the necessaries of life, He says, “I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” There is no age limit in the true service of such a Master.

Prove Your Own Selves

Are you a professor of Christianity? Then the important thing to do is to examine yourself, “whether ye be in the faith.” To profess Christ is one thing, but to be in the faith is the essential thing. Judas professed to believe in Christ, was a personal companion, an outward disciple, but never was “in the faith.” The idea contained in the word “examine” in the text referred to (2 Cor. 13:5) is better expressed in the second clause, “prove your own selves.” The Revised Version uses the word “try” instead of “examine.” It is by continual testing that one becomes purified. While Christ is sitting as a “purifier of silver,” examining every case, it is well for the individual Christian to try or prove himself, lest “when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the Word, by and by he is offended;” lest when he be “weighed in the balances” of the Lord’s examination, he be found wanting.

Sinner, “the mercy of the Lord endureth forever.” It is “from everlasting to everlasting.” As long as God exists, mercy sits enthroned; for mercy is essential to the very existence of Deity.

Would you taste of His mercy? “Let the wicked forsake his way [the way of death], and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God; for He will abundantly pardon.” “Whoso confesseth and forsaketh them [his sins] shall have mercy.” These are clear and definite statements of Holy Writ. Why not believe, then?

Do not say, in the light of these quotations, that the fault is on God’s part. He is “merciful.” “He abideth faithful,” “He can not deny Himself.” The fault is with man. The danger lies where the fault lies. The heart that resists God’s mercy finally becomes so hardened by sin that it can not feel God’s presence; the spiritual ear is so dull of hearing that it can not hear Mercy’s sweet voice; the spiritual eye is so dimmed that it can see no beauty in God’s goodness; the spiritual nerves are so paralyzed that they are unresponsive to His touch. What can Infinite Love then do but to say, “Ephraim is joined to his idols; let him alone”? O receive Him now before it is too late.

Concluding Paper on International Prophetic Conference

By Editor

The concluding paper on the “International Prophetic Conference” will be given next week. We sincerely trust that our readers are not overlooking their great importance.

The Letter That Fell from Heaven

By Editor

The “Letter that Fell from Heaven” will close with our next issue. In this number is printed a translation of a greater part of one. Another will be found in Andrews’ “History of the Sabbath,” the one sent to England in 1201. Let the reader compare these puerile utterances with the simple dignity and majesty of the Bible, and he needs no other evidence of their fraudulent character.

The True Way to Happiness

It is not so much death that men fear, it is what comes after it. Man’s desire for a life of happiness is more than his fear of death. Satan takes advantage of this desire and perverts it to selfish ends. The true way to be happy is to forget self and strive to make others happy. Life comes in abundance from the great Fountain to those who use it for others; and a joy accompanies its inflowing and outgiving that the selfish heart can never know. Satan tells the soul that life consists in selfish pursuits and pleasures, and the soul ever seeks Satan’s way, and fails. God offers life for the using to the highest good of user and receiver, and man will not have it. Among the saddest words of Jesus are, “Ye will not come to Me that ye might have life.” It is offered in abundance; O soul, take it and live.

Restoring the Fallen in Meekness

It is impossible for one drowning man to restore another. The same principle applies in spiritual things; so the apostle Paul, speaking by inspiration, says: “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” The one who is not himself spiritual can not restore one who is fallen. He may scorn the fallen one, but scorn is not a restorative agent. He may criticize him, but criticism has no elevating power. He may spread abroad the fault of the erring one, and discourage any feeble effort to reform, but that is not the spirit of meekness. No effort for the restoration of the one who has yielded to temptation will avail, unless the one who makes the effort realizes the possibility of his being in a like condition himself. To effectually restore, there must be spirituality and meekness, and a consideration of one’s own danger. To attack a wayward brother or sister with an air of social superiority, or an assumption of superior holiness, can only add to the load. To attempt the restoration of the unfortunate backslider is of itself a profession of spirituality, and if that virtue be lacking, the lack will surely be manifest. The spirituality is manifest in the meekness that comes of considering one’s own liability to err—if not in the same way, at least in a way to put one in a like dangerous position.

True Liberty

All men are by nature under bondage, “sold under sin.” There is no exception of race or color, or social or political condition; “for all have sinned,” and therefore “death passed upon all men.” All are under sentence of death; for “the wages of sin is death.” There is but one way out of this dreadful situation: “The gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord.” There is no other name by which we can be saved. But the one way of salvation through this name is all-sufficient, for it is sure to all who will accept the conditions—all who will believe on Him. “If the Son shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” This is truly “glad tidings of great joy.” To the sinner the invitation is, “Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” To the one who has accepted the invitation, the Word says, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” This yoke of bondage is sin, and “sin is the transgression of the law.”

The Christian’s Motive in Giving

The Christian gives for the good that the gift may do. A selfish man may give liberally; but it is the liberality of selfishness. He gives that his name may be perpetuated to succeeding generations. He gets his reward; but it is not the reward of the Christian; it is not laid up in heaven; it is not enduring. The world is full of wealthy “philanthropists” whose deeds are widely heralded; but the gifts that are recorded in heaven are not those that have been given to be seen of men.

Hospitality Without Grudging

The Lord has set us in the world to help one another. The natural man is selfish and looks out for himself; but Jesus Christ came into the world to set us a better example, and to give us better natures so that we can follow that example. He came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and this will be the disposition of all true disciples. So we are to “use hospitality one to another without grudging.”

A Modest Opinion of Knowledge

One of the best preparations for a progressive education is a modest opinion of one's stock of knowledge. One of the best things for a youth to learn is that he knows very little, and that there is much more to learn than he has already learned. In fact, it is not a bad opinion to carry through life. So we may keep always young.

Suicides and Lynchings

Suicides and lynchings have increased during the past year. We will give fuller particulars next week. The days of violence, characteristic of the times of Noah, have returned in this age of great enlightenment.