In the last eighteen months we have fed, clothed, and housed three persons, and made them comfortable,—a mother and her babe, and a young sister eighteen years old. They were all almost naked when they came to us. We have also adopted two children. It seemed as if we had nothing to give, yet we really have more now than we did when we began to trust the Lord, and share what we did have. We are poor, and always expect to be; for we keep nothing, but give all; yet we have the most comfortable home of any Seventh-day Adventist I know of in these parts.
I send you the name of a sister for correspondence. Give her name to some one who will cheer and comfort her; for her life is a hard one. The reason I say this is because the correspondent that was given to me is very sad and discouraged. I know that the Lord sent her to me for cheer and comfort. At first I thought that I could not do anything for her, but I answered her letter, and she wrote again, saying that my letter did her much good; and I could see by the spirit of her letter that she felt better. I know that the Lord is in this movement, and will bless every effort put forth.
I think that I now understand the work you have in mind, and I wish to do all I can to help the cause I love. I think I understand now that I must be in close touch with the Lord before I can work for any one else, and then I must begin in my own home. I have a husband who is not a Christian. I thought I had done everything I could for him, but I am going to begin all over again. I praise the Lord for giving me sisters who can show me the way. My plan is to show him one of those pledges, and after having a good talk with him, and with the Lord, too, ask him to sign it, and then send the card to you that he may be remembered in prayer by you all. I will also ask you to take my case to the Lord in prayer. My health is very poor, and I do not believe that the Lord would have it so. I am not situated so I can have the instruction in James carried out in my case, but I would like to be remembered by the sisters at the noontide hour of prayer.
There is one thing about which I do not know what to do. Our daughter, twelve years of age, attends school, and so Sabbath and Sunday are the only days she has at home. She has always been taught to keep Sunday, so Saturday has been her day for sewing or play, or whatever she wished to do. Now she is taking more interest in sewing, and wishes to sew on the Sabbath. I have almost decided that it would be best to let her sew if she likes, and still it will make it very hard to teach the younger children that the Sabbath is different from other days if there is some one sewing in the house. This may seem a simple thing, and you may say, Get her interested in other things; but that is easier said than done.
I do not regard this a “simple” thing, but one of the greatest moment to more than one soul. I am interested in that twelve-year-old girl, and in this problem that confronts you as her mother. Read and study Romans 14. Fill yourself with the principles therein taught, together with Eph. 6: 1-4. Study this with her also, and remember that it is vastly more important that she should see and come to love the principles of truth than to follow any certain course of conduct; for the love of the principle will control the conduct every time. As the home-maker, you must be responsible concerning which day is observed as the Sabbath in your domestic arrangements, and what shall be regarded as necessary Sabbath work; and if, after you have lived and taught the truth in your home to the best of your ability, your daughter still does not see fit to conform to the established order of family life for that day, then teach her that common politeness, good form, requires that she keep herself and her work out of the sight of those who would be disturbed by it. Do not yourself forget that the golden-rule principle applies to both sides of this Sabbath-keeping question, as well as to every other one, even in the home. Do not try to compel any outside Sabbath-keeping or religious observance of any sort. The only name for that is hypocrisy. Do not seek for, do not be satisfied with, anything superficial, even in such good works as obedience in your child. The time is at hand when everything like veneer or gilding will be peeled off from every character, and when nothing will remain that can not endure the trial by fire, and when the only beauty will be that which can come through the severest polishing process. Work away by the help of the Spirit and word of God to win the heart of your child to the love of the truth, and trust the rest to Him. In this particular matter about which you have written, I should advise you to give her fully to understand that she can depend on you for help in carrying out her little plans in any way at any time that is consistent with the true keeping of the Sabbath. S. M. I. H.
Report of the Woman's Meeting
By Secretary
REPORT OF THE WOMAN'S MEETING HELD IN THE REVIEW OFFICE CHAPEL, FEBRUARY 18, AT 3 P. M.
We are permitted to publish the following report of a recent woman's meeting, which doubtless will be interesting, and perhaps suggestive, to our co-laborers in the Woman's Gospel Work:—
For those who were present at this meeting I am sure it is not necessary to make a report; for the memory of the freedom of expression, and of the spirit of sisterly love and fellowship that pervaded the meeting throughout, has surely lingered with us, and has made us look forward with expectation to this present gathering. But for those who are deprived of a personal recollection of that meeting, I have gathered together a few of the interesting features.
It was the privilege of your secretary to enter the room as the touching words: “Blest be the tie that binds,” were being sung; and the atmosphere that seemed to breathe out with the sweet, motherly voices was such as to make the room a hallowed place; and I could but earnestly wish that the sisters from whom letters are constantly coming laden with requests for prayer, and the revelation of such sore need, could step in with me, and know that the hearts of their sisters are beating in love and sympathy for them. But I am sure the cheering report from that meeting will reach them, and be appreciated.
Sister Mc Kee was in charge of the meeting, and conducted it in that pleasantly informal way that made all feel at home. Before the opening season of prayer she read from several letters, from sisters in different places, containing special requests for prayer, and then all bowed for a few moments in silent prayer, followed by an impressive vocal prayer by Sister Breed, claiming God's promise in behalf of these requests. This was followed by three or four other short, touching prayers, after which the congregation arose and joined in singing another hymn.
Sister Mc Kee then spoke of the advisability of having more system about the time of the woman's meetings, and of appointing a secretary, in harmony with the suggestion in the last letter from Sister Henry. After a few earnest remarks from different ones in regard to the strength received from the meetings, and the determination to go on with work that would make them necessary, it was decided to hold a meeting once in four weeks, and more often if circumstances require. A secretary was also appointed.
The leader made a few remarks, the keynote of which was the necessity of Christian sociability, and of being bound together as sisters by its chain, so that in every experience of life we shall feel its support. In the times of persecution, which we are expecting, the memory of such fellowship will be a great support and strength to any who may be called to suffer and endure hardness.
The meeting was then thrown open for testimony, and the time was well filled. One sister made an earnest appeal that every barrier be broken down, and that we as sisters work together without any reserve. This seemed to bring even more freedom into the meeting.
Another read a very helpful paragraph from the writings of Sister White in regard to sociability. She also said that the last two weeks had been the most blessed of her life; that she had been especially burdened to pray for our laborers, mentioning by name Elder Holser, in Egypt, and Sister Jennie Thayer, in Massachusetts,—two esteemed laborers, whose health is failing. She repeated the command of the Lord to pray for laborers to be sent into the field; and said that she believed that if the Lord would grant that petition, he would certainly hear prayer in behalf of laborers already in the field. She requested that we be more earnest in prayer for all our laborers.
Other testimonies were borne, several expressing their appreciation of a meeting where mothers and sisters can come for prayer and an exchange of experiences.
Several requests for prayer were made,—one for a young Seventh-day Adventist girl in Chicago, an inmate of one of the lowest theaters in that city, for whom Christian workers are laboring.
I am sure we all feel that these assemblies of mothers are growing better and better, and wish that more of our Battle Creek women could realize what they are missing by staying away. However, the meetings will profit nothing if there is not active work in the meantime, such as will bring each worker in with an experience to tell, and a testimony to give of the leading of God. SECRETARY.
REQUESTS FOR PRAYER.
PRAY for the success of a husband who is addicted to the use of tobacco, but who is trying to get victory over the habit.
A sister requests prayer for her brother, who has never been converted, and for a dear friend, who has tasted of the truth, but who has gone back into the world because of the tobacco-habit, which held him.
A mother writes: “Please solicit the prayers of the sisters for a dear child—a young man eighteen years old, who has drifted into gambling. He was raised in the knowledge of the truth. Nothing else will save him. Don't let go of him.”
Many other requests for prayer,—for parents, husbands, brothers, friends, for the sick, and those discouraged,—too numerous to mention personally, are all the time being received. Surely it is time that we “pray everywhere, . . . without wrath and doubting.”
THE CARPENTER’S SON.
By Mrs. Elizabeth Rosser
MRS. ELIZABETH ROSSER.
(Chandler, Ore.)
“My task is so humble, my home is so poor,
My food and my clothing so coarse and so plain,
Discouragements meet me in every attempt
My purposes high to attain.”
Oh, let not the thought have an atom of power
Your plan or your purpose to swerve or to wrench;
For Jesus was called “the Carpenter’s Son,”
And toiled at a carpenter’s bench.
“So common the work—is it worth doing well?
What honor or profit from it shall I get?
Oh, may I not slight it, and hasten along
To the work that may come to me yet?”
In the work that was done in that Nazarene shop,
Was there ever detected a fault or a flaw,
When Jesus was called the Carpenter’s Son,
And handled a carpenter’s saw?
The shoes to be cobbled; the cloth to be sold;
The bread to be baked, or the stockings to mend;
The farm to be tilled—if ’t is done unto him,
His blessing the work will attend.
Remember, though common your toil may appear,
And lowly and hidden your lines may be laid,
That Jesus was called the Carpenter’s Son,
And followed the carpenter’s trade.
A FEW THOUGHTS ON ECONOMY.
By Mrs. M. C. Du Bois
MRS. M. C. DU BOIS.
(Grand Ledge, Mich.)
There is one item of economy that most housekeepers overlook. They may know how to save the dimes and dollars, and may eke-out the contents of the flour barrel, sugar tub, potato bin, and wood box. They may turn and overturn the already well-worn garment into a respectable, almost good as new, one. In fact, they can save everything but themselves. They never think of saving their own strength. They never shrink from the taking of many extra steps. Just as long as they can move, they work on, until abused nature can stand it no longer.
I believe in being saving in all domestic arrangements, but a woman has no more right carelessly to waste her physical strength than she has to waste food or money. Every housekeeper ought to be economical of time, and of strength of body.
One may say, “I have just so much to do, just so many steps to take! I see no way to save a step.” Perhaps I can help you, dear sister. I will mention one item, that of setting the dinner table; for all do not keep their table spread all the time. I have seen a tired woman walk from pantry to table many times oftener than she needed to. She spread the cloth, then laid the knives and forks, next the plates, then some other article, one at a time, until her table was arranged to her mind; and while doing this she walked fifteen or twenty times from pantry to table. Now, had she put the articles required in a tray or dripping pan, or, if nothing better could be had, into a dish pan, and thus carried them to the table, the whole could have been done much easier, many steps would have been saved, and perhaps sufficient time gained to have rested a little. And while resting, a golden thought could have been gleaned from the page of a good book, or one of God’s precious promises studied, and the meal would have been better enjoyed because of the few moments’ rest. This is a small item in economy. Perhaps some one may say, “Yes, I admit the truthfulness of what you say.” But try it, and report results.
I could mention other items; such as unnecessary steps taken in going down cellar and back. By watching yourself, you can save many extra steps in the course of a year. And this will all be time gained for reading, writing, or missionary work.
Weak women should save their strength by sitting down when preparing the vegetables, fruits, and much other food, also when wiping dishes. It is a woman’s duty to save herself all she can. I know that some women spurn the thought of sparing their physical strength; but unless they take proper care of themselves, they may not always be as strong as they now are.
Some women do outdoor work far beyond their strength, and wonder why they feel so used up. I have nothing to say against women working out of doors: it is beneficial. The trouble lies in working too hard, in working beyond their strength. When we understand the teaching of God’s word upon this subject, we shall learn to take better care of our bodies. Read 1 Cor. 6:19, 20. “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own. For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” In the light of these words have we any right to abuse the body?
I know how it is in a family where there is only one pair of hands and feet to do all that needs doing, and it is for such that I write. In saving unnecessary steps, you save yourself. “By making one hand wash the other,” you may frequently save many weary steps.
The lesson our Saviour taught at the feeding of the multitude, “Gather up the fragments,” is very applicable, I think, to the busy housekeeper. You will be surprised to see how many fragments of time you can save by just watching your unnecessary steps, and unnecessary work; and all without neglecting the comforts of your family. I wish all would try it for one month, and thus satisfy themselves of its benefits to mind and body.
PEANUT BUTTER.
By E. B. Melendy
E. B. MELENDY.
(Newport, Ky.)
Peanut butter, instead of dairy butter, has come to be largely used by many persons; but as commonly made (by roasting the nuts), it is worse than the dairy product. The roasting of peanuts fries them in their own fat, producing butyric acid, which causes rheumatism.
Peanuts and chestnuts have a large percentage of starch, and therefore need to be well boiled or steamed, from six to eight hours being required to cook the starch, because of its mixture with the fat, the peanut being similar to beans and other legumes.
A new and good way to make peanut butter is as follows: Heat nuts very slightly (not enough to brown, but enough to blanch), blanch, and grind. Place the meal in a double boiler without the addition of water in the inner vessel, and cook about eight hours. Then put away to use as occasion requires. This meal keeps much longer than does that prepared with water. Before each meal emulsify as much of the cooked meal as you wish, and boil or cook it during the preparation of the meal. This is the best method for bringing out the199sweetness of the peanuts, the oil being brought out in the last cooking.
Peanut butter may be made without a mill, by boiling the nuts with just enough water to cover them; and then mashing them, or putting them through a colander. But a mill is convenient, enabling one by the preceding method to prepare the nuts so that they will keep longer than when emulsified.
COCOANUT MILK.
By Isadora Spies
ISADORA SPIES.
MANY of our missionaries are not where they can readily purchase nut mills; but in many parts of the world cocoanuts are to be had, and if the milk is extracted, are as good, perhaps, as other nuts. But as it is not always convenient to take the time to grate a fresh nut, I prepare several at a time, spreading the grated pulp in the sun to dry. When thoroughly dry, I put it into glass jars or tin cans. When needed, I pour boiling water over the quantity required, and press out the milk through a coarse cloth. This milk may be used with grains, or for mixing crackers.
MY KITCHEN SLATE.
At first my large kitchen slate was regarded as a means of saving one person’s steps. Now it regulates the comings and goings of all the family.
I am so fortunate as to have a househelper who is a graduate of a high school. She loves children, is refined, and is altogether pleasant to have in one’s family. To enable Beta to see her day’s work before her mind’s eye, and therefore plan her work to the best advantage for our health and happiness, and her own as well, the slate was hung up by the sunny south window of the kitchen.
When it is needful to make a suggestion about the way this or that shall be done, it is written on the slate. Beta has a bit of a temper, but is reasonable; and never have I seen a frown on her face, and never has she seen me out of temper,—because of the friendly slate. My rule is to write on the slate all about the things that have gone wrong, and then stay out of the kitchen for an hour. Then I go back, and see if Beta has had anything to write on the slate for me to see.
Written words tell considerable, but not so much as the human voice, which, besides the fact in hand, tells of so much impatience, worry, and other things that had better be left untold.
Every househelper might not need to be “spoken to” on a slate; but human nature crops out at unexpected times, and a slate is a safe way for discussion.
The duties of the children, the errands of neighborly love, the time when mamma will be ready for the children to come to her room, and scores of other things may thus be told, besides the daily program.
After all, need so many things be told in a hurry? Many trips through the house will be saved if the family form the habit of looking at the slate whenever in doubt as to what to do next, in order to keep the household machinery running smoothly.
Does this require that the mother of the family spend all her time writing on the slate?—Not at all. I have found that fifteen minutes a day of slate-writing saves me more than an hour that would have to be spent in five-minute errands here and there. Besides, it is good training for all the family brains.
No Work Is in Vain
By Susan Coolidge
MISSIONARY TRAINING SCHOOL
Oh, none should deem it wasted time, who stands in
a humble spot,
And digs and waters a little space, which the hurrying
world heeds not;
For the Lord of the harvest equally sends his blessed
sun and rain
On the large work and the little work, and none of it is
in vain.
— Susan Coolidge.
A SOLEMN APPEAL.
The following appeal to Seventh-day Adventist churches should bring a feeling of solemn responsibility to every heart. It had a wide circulation in the form in which it was sent out, yet it is evident that many persons have passed it by unheeded, and certainly there was never any message more in place than is this at this time. How long must the Spirit of God plead with us before we respond to the call? The extract is from “An Appeal for Home Missionary Work,” by Mrs. E. G. White, published a little over four years ago:—
WHY ARE THE CHURCHES SO INDOLENT?
As agents for Jesus Christ, men are to be laborers together with God. Why, then, are so many acting as did Meroz, doing nothing, while those sitting in darkness receive no light, no help, from those who claim to be the children of God? How much do such idlers resemble the angel who is represented as flying in the midst of heaven proclaiming the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus? Christ is saying to these idlers in the market place, “Go work to-day in my vineyard.” Angels who minister to those who will be heirs of salvation, are saying to every true saint, There is work for you to do. “Go, stand and speak . . . to the people all the words of this life.”
Why are the churches so indolent? Why have they no burden for the souls for whom Christ died? and how does heaven regard their inefficiency? The angels are constantly earnest and active, seeking to bring every child of God to work in the vineyard of the Lord; . . . and they sorrow when they see that those for whom so much has been done have no interest to win souls for Christ.
Christ’s church on earth is to be an agent for him. Its members are to be devoted to the work to which God has appointed them, taking their places according to God’s order, and doing the work he has assigned them. The tidings of every successful effort on their part to dispel the darkness, and to diffuse the light and knowledge of God, and of Jesus Christ, whom he has sent, are borne upward. The act is presented before all the heavenly intelligences, and thrills through all the principalities and powers, enlisting the sympathy of all heavenly beings.
The Lord Jesus expects more of you than you give; yes, a great deal more. He has called and chosen you. Every man, according to his several ability, has been given his work. You are to occupy a place as a laborer together with God; and as his agent, you are to gather other agencies, and unite them with those already in the work, that the instrumentalities for winning souls to look to Christ may be as many as possible.
Angels of God are soliciting you to work in fellowship with them, doing the will of God on earth as verily and unitedly and devotedly as they do the work appointed them in heaven and earth. These angels are surveying the ground occupied by the individual members of the church. They see the advantage gained by Satan when men and women neglect their God-appointed work. They see this work neglected or done in a bungling manner by those who claim to be Christians, and they sorrow over souls that are lost in consequence of this neglect. They can not take your place nor discharge your duty. Could they do this, they would do it gladly; for they know that your eternal welfare depends upon the use you make of your intrusted talents, your intellect, your reason. They can not do your work, but they stand ready to co-operate with human agencies as they work to draw souls to Jesus Christ, striving to recover them through the infinite gift made for their redemption.
It is the duty of every one who claims to believe on Jesus Christ to become a worker for God. Entire consecration and unity are demanded in the work which must be done to bring the grand results. I inquire, How can any one be silent when he knows what the Lord Jesus expects from every human being? I implore you that name the name of Christ to no longer be selfishly and wickedly indifferent to your duty. Live unto Christ, who died for you, and rose again.
KITTY'S ANSWER.
SEVEN sheep were standing
By the pasture wall.
“Tell me,” said the teacher
To her pupils small,
“One poor sheep was frightened,
Jumped and ran away,—
One from seven,—how many
Woolly sheep would stay?”
Up went Kitty’s fingers—
A farmer’s daughter she,
Not so bright at figures
As she ought to be.
“Please, ma’am—” “Well, then, Kitty,
Tell us if you know.”
“Please, if one jumped over,
All the rest would go.”
—Selected.
Praise for Great Empires of Prophecy
ON the subject mentioned in this column last week the following word has been received. It was written without any knowledge whatever of what was then said:—
“I almost imagine I am reading the Bible itself when I am perusing ‘Great Empires of Prophecy.’ It is the best help on the Missionary Reading Circle studies that I have seen; and I am making good use of it. It is worth more than all the other histories combined, that I have had.”
This is from a teacher of a church school who took the complete course in history in one of our colleges a few years ago.
BEREAN LIBRARY STUDY.
(April 1-7.)
The most difficult part of the lesson is that which relates to Dan. 11:31,—the taking away of paganism and the establishment of the papacy. Such changes are always brought about gradually; hence an understanding of the different steps leading up to them is necessary. If each of the divisions under the fourth topic of the lesson outline is studied by itself, and a few statements with reference to each point fixed clearly in the mind, it will simplify the study very much.
Lesson 18.
(Dan. 11:28-31; “Thoughts on Daniel,” pages 250-262.)
1. Describe the next great enterprise of the Romans,—the expedition against Judea, and the capture of Jerusalem.
2. What events are referred to in verse 29?
3. What power is meant by Chittim? What naval warfare fulfills the prophecy? How was “indignation against the holy covenant” manifested?
4. In studying the comments on verse 31, review pages 157 and 158 of “Thoughts on Daniel.” It will be difficult for all to retain in mind each of the steps that led to the taking away of paganism and the setting up of the papacy, but some of the principal events ought to be clearly understood by each one. The following outline may be a suggestive help in studying this portion of the lesson:—
(a) Noted successes of the papacy, between A. D. 496 and 508, in Western Rome.
(b) Flatterers exalt Symmachus, the pope.
(c) Strong papal party in the East.
(d) Result of civil war in Constantinople.
(e) Paganism taken away in A. D. 508.
(f) Circumstances leading to the letter of Justinian.
(g) Provisions of the letter.
(h) Opposition overcome: Heruli, A. D. 493; Vandals, 534; Ostrogoths, 538.
(i) Setting up of papacy in A. D. 538.
Suggestions for Review Meeting.
1. Give a brief summary of the lesson.
2. Review the texts in the book of Daniel which refer to the origin of the papacy, or to the work that power should do, connecting them with the present lesson.
3. Assign to some member the work of preparing a short Bible reading by grouping together a few texts that refer to the destruction of the temple or the city of Jerusalem.
4. Use a few minutes in a general drill upon the important dates.
APRIL STUDY OF THE FIELD: PART I.
“Historical and Political China.”
(Text-book, April Magazine.)
1. EXPLAIN the relations between the emperor of China and his subjects.
2. What are the duties of the “six boards”?
3. Mention some things about the Chinese government that seem peculiar to that country.
4. State the manner in which officials are selected.
5. Speak of the one “great defect” of the Chinese governmental system.
6. How did the “powers” take advantage of the weakness of China at the close of the late Chinese-Japanese war?
7. Note the “spheres of influence” occupied by the leading governments of Europe.
8. Tell what you can of the probabilities of an “Oriental scramble.”
9. How far back do reliable records of Chinese history extend?
THE THIRD ANGEL'S MESSAGE.
How Shall We Know the Image?
We have seen that the Image of the Beast is the last great and chief instrument that Satan uses in his war against the church of Christ; that this is the chief power used by him in his war against “the remnant” of her seed, “which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” Rev. 12:17; 13:12, 15; 14:9, 12.
The Third Angel's Message with “a loud voice” sounds a world-wide warning against the work of the Image of the Beast, and against the worship of the Beast and his Image. And we have seen that this message closes only with the coming of the Lord to reap the harvest of the earth, which is the end of the world. Rev. 14:9–16.
We have seen that the contest between the Beast and his Image on the one side, and the worshipers of God on the other, ends in the triumph of the worshipers of God; and this at the coming of the Lord. Rev. 13:16, 17; 15:1, 2.
We have seen that the Beast and his Image are living, acting powers on the earth when the Lord comes; and that alive they are consumed with the brightness of his coming. Dan. 7:11; 2 Thess. 2:8, 9; Rev. 19:11–21.
All these evidences, and many more, make it certain that that which, in the book of Revelation, is called the Image of the Beast is the last of the world-powers to come upon the stage of action; that it arises in the time of the end, and continues unto the very end; and therefore that after it there will be no history. Its time will be comparatively very short. And yet its work is of such a dangerous character to all people, that against it is the warning of the Third Angel's Message—the most terrible warning in all the word of God.
From this it is also evident that there can be no opportunity for persons to wait till they see the actual working of this power in its oppressive and destructive nature in order to understand it and take warning, and escape its deceptions and the worship of it. All this must be understood beforehand, in order to be effectually avoided. And just this need of effectual knowledge beforehand, is what is supplied in the Scriptures concerning this power.
What is this power called?—The Image of the Beast. What is an image?—It is a copy, a likeness, of something that was before, as a photograph or a statue; and by its character of a likeness constantly suggests and recalls an original.
In this case the original is the Beast. And the Beast is the Papacy. The Image of the Beast, then, is the likeness of the Papacy; and by its likeness constantly suggests and recalls the Papacy, of which it is the likeness. How, then, shall anybody be able to know, to recognize at sight, the Image?—Plainly, and only, by studying the original.
And here is the great advantage that is presented to all, and that all may fully possess, and so be effectually guarded against the deceptions of the Image and the worship of it. The Beast, the original of the Image, has had a career of more than fourteen hundred years. In that time the Beast, in each and every feature of it, can be marked and traced, from its earliest inception unto its fullest development. The time of the Beast is so long, and its history is so full, that each particular feature can be studied and traced in all its bearings, from inception to full development. And each particular feature being thus studied in detail, such a full-rounded knowledge of the Beast can be obtained that every one who will make the study will be prepared to detect the Image, the likeness, of the Beast in whatever way or in whatever disguise it may appear.
And this is essential because the time of the Image is comparatively so short, and his rise, formation, and working, all occur in such a complication of affairs, amid such a swift passing, such a very whirl, of events that the time is not sufficient to study and analyze each feature so as to know and avoid its dangerous effects. The time of the Image is comparatively so short, and its motion with events so swift, that a certain phase will appear, and in its dangerous and oppressive working will be fastened upon men before there is opportunity even to make a study of the thing as if it were the original.
Besides all this, it would surely be an incongruous thing to study a likeness, in order to obtain a knowledge of original characteristics or principles. And how much more incongruous it would be to study the likeness in order to obtain a knowledge of original characteristics or principles, when the original itself is accessible, and can be studied directly in all its details! Inspiration contemplates no such thing, but in every instance directs the attention of all to the study of the Beast as the source of information as to the Image of the Beast. This it does by blending in every instance “the Beast and his Image,” “the Beast and his Image.”
Therefore by every consideration it is perfectly plain that “to learn what the Image is like, and how it is to be formed, we must study the characteristics of the Beast—the Papacy.”
And that it is essential to know what is the Image of the Beast, in order to know what is the force of the Third Angel's Message, is certain from the fact that it is the living Image of the Beast that would compel all to “worship the Beast” and to “receive his mark;” this worship and the receiving of this mark being the very thing against which the warning of the Third Angel is given.
Therefore, in our study of the Third Angel's Message we are now brought to the study of the Beast and his Image in what they actually are. And in order to know what they actually are, we must study the Beast, as the great original of the whole subject.
Accordingly, next week we shall begin to study the Making of the Beast.
