Earlier text: CHRISTIAN WORSHIP“And he [the thief] said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To-day shall thou be with me in Paradise.” Luke 23:42, 43. THERE is a question in the minds of some as to whether there is good authority for changing the punctuation in this text, placing the comma after to-day. Authors have differed in regard to this. But it can hardly be considered a question to be settled by authority. Punctuation being modern, there was no comma at all used by Luke, the writer of the text. Hence, we find texts differing in punctuation in different editions of the Bible. And, of course, where a change of the punctuation involves a doctrine by changing the construction, men will differ in their views of the proper punctuation just as far as they differ on the doctrine involved. In this case, as the common method is supposed to strengthen the theory that men receive rewards immediately after death, the majority of authors favor this method, because they believe the theory. Did the majority accept another theory, we may fairly presume they would accept another method of punctuation. Neither one nor the other being any part of the inspired text, people naturally feel free to adopt the one which they think is correct. How can this question be settled? We fear it cannot be, to the satisfaction of all parties. No reason can be offered on either side, which will be satisfactory to those who may be unwilling to accept the faith of those opposed to them. Is it then an indifferent matter—"a non-essential"—upon which men may differ with propriety? No, it cannot be; for, as before said, a difference in Bible doctrine is involved, and in such case the wrong cannot be equally proper with the right. The right construction is every way to be preferred. But which is right? That punctuation is right which gives a construction to the text in harmony with the rest of the Scriptures. But this brings us back to the starting-point. Men will differ as to where that harmony may be found. We will offer, then, a few reasons why we think it is proper to place the comma after the term to-day:— 1. It does no violence to the language. We find precisely the same form of expression in other texts, notably in Zech. 9:12, and Deut. 8:19, which is found in this text, if the comma is placed after to-day. It is so far allowable. 2. The request was, to be remembered when Christ comes in his kingdom. Certainly he did not come in his kingdom that day. By Rev. 3:21, and other texts, we learn that Christ, in his mediation, occupies the throne of his Father in heaven; not his own throne, or that of his father David, Luke 1:32, 33. And by Rev. 11:14, 15, we learn that the kingdom and dominion is given to him under the sounding of the seventh trumpet. 3. Peter, speaking of the resurrection of Christ, said "his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption." Acts 2:31. Here the much-coveted distinction between soul and flesh is recognized, but as Paradise is neither hell nor a place or state of corruption, we incline to the belief that Peter did not mean to say that, by the resurrection of Christ, he was not left in Paradise. In truth he had not been in Paradise, neither his soul nor flesh, and therefore the promise of Luke 23:43 was not fulfilled between the death and resurrection of Christ. 4. The time when the saints receive their reward is not at their death, but at the coming of Christ and the resurrection of the dead. A few plain declarations of the sacred word settle this conclusively. Jesus said, "For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works." Matt. 16:27. The same in Rev. 22:12. Again he said, "Thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just." Luke 14:14. Paul said his labors and crosses in the gospel would not advantage him if the dead rise not. 1 Cor. 15:32. On this Dr. Clarke comments: "What the apostle says here, is a regular and legitimate conclusion from the doctrine that there is no resurrection: for, if there be no resurrection, then there can be no judgment; no future state of rewards and punishments; why, therefore, should we bear crosses, and keep ourselves under continual discipline? Let us eat and drink; take all the pleasure we can; for to-morrow we die, and there is an end of us forever." These words, both of Paul and the Doctor, are not true if men get their reward at death, and before the resurrection. Again, Paul said that he should receive his crown at the appearing and kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Tim. 4:1-8. Three things are here located in the future, each of which has a direct bearing on the prayer and promise of Luke 23:42, 43, namely, the appearing of Christ, the kingdom of Christ, and the time of giving rewards. Peter confirms this most explicitly: "And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away." 1 Pet. 5:4. The testimony of Jesus Christ says that, under the sounding of the seventh trumpet comes "the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great." Rev. 11:15-18. No more can be asked to prove this point. But this being so, the popular construction of Luke 23:43, cannot be correct, and the common method of punctuation is not the proper one. This change of the comma removes the event from the beginning to the close of the dispensation. But this is not the only instance where so great a change is effected by the removal of a comma. We some time ago used a Bible of the American Bible Society print, which punctuated Matt. 19:28 as follows: "Ye which have followed me in the regeneration, when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory," etc. We now use one of Oxford, England, print, which punctuates the text as follows: "Ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory," etc. They who affect such a horror of the supposed presumption of daring to change the punctuation of Luke 23:43, may profit by the fact that recently the American Bible Society have changed the punctuation of Matt. 19:28, to conform to the English method. Likewise the former method, which is yet retained by some, in Heb. 10:12, is this: "But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins, forever sat down on the right hand of God." The present method is: "But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God." This will show that the punctuation of the Scriptures, which is entirely modern, is not regarded with so much reverence as interested writers on Luke 23:43 would fain make it appear. It proves, also, that there is no authority by which this question may be settled; but as knowledge of the Scriptures increases, the punctuation has been and is yet being changed accordingly. J. H. W. Are We Living in the Last Days
By W.
The Congregationalist of December 23 gives a brief notice of the Bible-class which is regularly held by Dr. Meredith, in Tremont Temple, Boston, noting especially the teaching of the last International lesson of the year. In this notice we find the following:— “In teaching this lesson, as well as one or two others lately, Dr. Meredith has expressed the opinion that we are not living in the last days of the world, but says he expects it to continue for centuries and ages, adducing as evidence of this the immense quantity of coal and minerals of various kinds stored up in the bowels of the earth apparently for the use of mankind.” It is astonishing that Bible students will call such statements as this “evidence” that we are not in the last days. While we would not call Dr. Meredith a scoffer, he certainly is in the line of the fulfillment of Peter’s prophecy that in the last days men shall say, “Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation” (2 Pet. 3:4), and thus himself furnishes evidence that we are in the last days. The argument, for such we will call it by courtesy, is this: Because there is an abundance of fuel in the earth, therefore it must be consumed. It would be just as reasonable to say that because a man has enough wheat in his barn to last him ten years therefore he must of necessity live until he has consumed it all. The Doctor forgets that sometimes those things which are designed for the use of man are made the instruments of his destruction. When the world was created it was a watery mass. Peter says it was “standing out of the water and in the water.” 2 Pet. 3:5. By the word of the Lord the waters were gathered together unto one place and the dry land appeared. Much of this water was stored in the bowels of the earth. It was doubtless there for man’s use, just as now we draw from the earth water to supply our needs. Now suppose we imagine Noah preaching that in a few years the Lord would destroy the earth. Up speaks some wise philosopher and says: “That cannot be, for there are vast quantities of water stored up in the earth for man’s use, and the earth cannot be destroyed until all that water has been consumed. But the water supply can never be exhausted, and therefore the world can never be destroyed.” No doubt he would have been applauded by the people for his wisdom. Nevertheless, “the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished.” 2 Pet. 3:6. And the water which was stored within the earth, together with that which came from heaven, was the means by which the earth was destroyed. The apostle says that those who deny the Lord’s soon coming are willingly ignorant of the facts which we have just related. He says: “But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.” 2 Pet. 3:7. In this we cannot fail to see that the apostle draws a comparison between the future destruction of the earth by fire, and its former destruction by water. Just as the water out of which the earth was formed, and which was stored within the earth, caused its destruction, even so now the combustible material stored within the earth, will, together with the fire that comes down from God out of heaven, cause the earth to be dissolved. It is a very unsafe thing to draw conclusions from nature, contrary to the statements made in the Bible. It is true that God has abundant provision for the support of mankind on this earth for ages to come. But he has never pledged himself to support a people who are unworthy of support. When the people of the earth have forgotten him, or while professing to know him deny him by their works, he will count them as chaff fit only for the flames, and by the very things wherein they trust, he will destroy the world and them that dwell therein, and will create a new heavens and a new earth wherein the righteous shall dwell. W. A good example is the best sermon. A WRITER in the Sunday School Times asks: “Could it be accidental that man was created on Friday?” Well, no; it would seem that it must have been intentional. LABOR IN CALIFORNIA.
By J. Fulton
It was my privilege to spend a few months at the Rural Health Retreat. Although much reduced in strength, lungs seriously affected, and suffering from catarrh, by the blessing of God, under the careful treatment of the physicians, the kindness of all connected with the institution, and plenty of outdoor exercise, I feel like a new man. My lungs are apparently sound, catarrh all gone, and I enjoy better health than I have for many years in the past. I desire to consecrate my new lease of life fully to the cause of God. The past few weeks I have met with the San Francisco church on the Sabbath and on Sunday evenings. These meetings have been seasons of strength and encouragement to the brethren and sisters. December 17, five were baptized, uniting with the church. The Lord is blessing the labors of the Bible workers, in the conversion of precious souls to the truth. The meetings on Sabbath afternoons with the young people at the Pacific Press have been interesting and profitable. Many seem determined to so connect with Heaven that their works will be wrought in God. Although my visit to this Conference has been brief, yet it has been very pleasant. I feel thankful for the privilege of becoming acquainted42 with the institutions here, and with so many of the brethren in California. I now go to the North Pacific Conference. My address will be Box 18, East Portland, Oregon.
J. FULTON. Oakland, December 23, 1887. STILL PUZZLED.
By Uriah Smith
THE opponents of the Sabbath profess a wonderful sight of perplexity over the fact that time varies at points east and west from each other; that a person traveling east or west gains upon the time as marked by his watch at the point of his departure, or loses from it, according to the direction in which he journeys; and that a person crossing the Pacific Ocean must add a day if going westward, and drop a day if coming eastward, to be in harmony, in matter of time, with the inhabitants on its western and eastern shores. It is to be noticed that all the trouble and confusion seem to exist with those who oppose the Sabbath. They have persistently tried to throw this confusion into the ranks of Sabbath-keepers, but have not succeeded. We have never yet known a person who sincerely desired to keep the Sabbath, who yet felt that he was unable to do so because of this question of difference of time, and what is called the gaining or losing of a day; but we have met many who gave every evidence that they resorted to this as a mere pretext for not keeping the Sabbath. They claim to consider the conclusion invulnerable that they cannot keep the Sabbath, and that we cannot keep it, and that no one can keep it, under these circumstances. That some are really confused on this subject is not to be denied; but, as remarked before, this confusion does not exist among Sabbath-keepers. Sabbath-keepers have crossed the Pacific Ocean so far as Australia, passing over, in so doing, what is called the day line, where the day changes. But they found the seventh day in Australia, and they and those who have adopted seventh-day observance there, are keeping the day as we are here, not the same identical hours, abstractly considered, but the same identical hours which constitute the seventh day both there and here. As a sample of the confusion that still exists in some minds on this subject, we give the following item from a correspondent of the Flint (Mich.) Tribune, which, for lack of opportunity to notice it at the time, has been lying on our table for some months. He says:— “Editor Tribune: As our Seventh-day Adventist brethren are making a little extra effort just now to induce the people to observe the seventh day, or Saturday, as the Sabbath, I would like to ask them, through your valuable journal, a few questions. I make these inquiries, not in a spirit of controversy and stubbornness, but in hope of obtaining a better understanding of this Sabbath question; and I hope they may be answered in the same spirit. “Do your people when navigating the Pacific Ocean, change the reckoning as do our people, to conform to marine custom and law? “If your answer is ‘yes,’ then I ask, first, Where is your Bible authority for so doing, and do you not violate the fourth commandment? for in going one way you keep the eighth day for the Sabbath, and in going the other way you keep the sixth day. And, second, Will not your authority for doing so change the reckoning on the land to conform to the custom and laws of Michigan? “As there can never be an absolute seventh day, but only a relative one on our round globe (according as the reckoning is made by going east or west from Mt. Sinai), do you not garner the husks and dry bones by watching for the day, when all the virtue, so far as we can see, is in the keeping of the day holy?” To the question asked in the second paragraph of the foregoing, we answer most decidedly, Yes. Then he asks, “Where is your Bible authority for so doing?” We reply, In the command which the Bible gives us to observe the seventh day; for in no other way could we keep the seventh day, or have any definite days, on a round world like ours, except by changing where the days, so to speak, abut together. Then he says: “In going one way you keep the eighth day for the Sabbath, and the other way the sixth.” We beg his pardon; but in this assertion he revealed the confusion of his own mind on this subject. There are but seven days in a week. There is no such thing as keeping the “eighth day,” that old forger called Barnabas to the contrary notwithstanding. The day line runs through the Pacific Ocean from the north pole to the south pole. When the earth in its revolution brings the day line to the point of sunset, for the flash of an instant one day spans the entire globe; the beginning and end of the day come together. But immediately a new day begins to come on at the day line; and as the earth continues its motion, causing sunset apparently to move on westward, and the day line eastward, between the day line and sunset westward a new day is growing, or coming on, and between the day line and sunset eastward, the old day, or day before it, is going off. So if the day east of the day line, the old day, is Tuesday, the day west of it, the new day which is coming on, is Wednesday; and if we cross the day line westward we step from Tuesday into Wednesday. If we reverse the direction, we step from Wednesday into Tuesday. So if the days be the seventh and first days, we step from the seventh day into the first, or from the first into the seventh, according to the direction of motion. We are always on a definite day; and we know just which one it is. And when the seventh day comes on, that is the one which the Lord has blessed; and it is to be observed till it has made the circuit of the earth and passed off, giving twenty-four hours of seventh day to all the inhabitants of the earth in all places. But there is no such thing as a sixth and eighth day coming together, so that in going one way we keep the eighth, and the other the sixth, as the above-quoted correspondent asserts. We design, just as soon as not prevented by other duties, to construct a working model by which this subject can be most clearly illustrated.—U. S., in Review and Herald. NEWS FROM THE ISLANDS OF THE SEA.
In a recent letter, Brother J. I. Tay, who has for some months been doing missionary work in some of the islands of the South Pacific, gives an interesting account of his voyage on a British man-of-war from Tahiti to Pitcairn Island. He states that he was kindly received on the ship and hospitably entertained free of all charge, being considered a guest of the captain, during the voyage, which, owing to the fact that the vessel, though a steamer, used only her sails for the greater part of the passage, occupied over a month. On the vessel Brother Tay was allowed perfect liberty to talk with whom he chose, and to sell books to any who desired to purchase them. In a letter written October 7, just off Oparo, he says: "I have tried to extend the knowledge of the truth on this ship. Some listen with interest, and some from curiosity. I have strong hopes that my coming on board will not be in vain. The captain is interested, either from curiosity or otherwise. He is reading 'Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation,' a copy of which I have presented to the ship; as I have also 'Great Controversy,' 'Sketches from the Life of Paul,' and 'Matthew 24.' I can only hope and pray that the Lord will guide in all things, that they may be for his glory." Again, October 17, Brother Tay writes that they were within one hundred miles of Pitcairn, and that, owing to a head-wind, the captain had given orders to fire up one of the boilers and use steam. He says: "We will arrive there about 8 A. M. on the 18th. Almost all on the ship would like to land, but only a few will be allowed to do so. Since leaving Tahiti I have sold on the ship five 'Great Controversy,' four 'Sunshine,' two 'Man's Nature and Destiny,' two 'Atonement,' two 'Marvel of Nations,' and two 'Daniel and Revelation,' besides the books which I gave to the ship. "The whole trip has been exceedingly pleasant, and I trust not unprofitable. This morning the first lieutenant told me that my influence on the ship had been good. I hope that it has. Sunday evening the carpenter said: 'There is nothing in Sunday. If I were on shore I would gather rubber or plants and rest on the Sabbath.'" October 19 he writes from the house of Simon Young, on Pitcairn Island: "Again I am brought to realize the guiding hand of God, and to feel that he hears the prayers of his people. One man, the magistrate, holds almost absolute power in this island. It was said on the ship that it would all depend on him whether I got permission to remain, or even to land, or not. But when I asked permission to land it was readily granted, and I went ashore in a boat with the captain and the doctor, the magistrate himself acting as pilot. "After landing," continues Brother Tay, "we were met by a company of young women and children. They asked for the captain, and I said that he was behind. Then some one said, 'What is his name?' I answered, 'Captain Hope; if you remember the blessed hope, you will not forget his name.' In a moment a young woman was by my side and eagerly inquired if I was a Christian. I replied, 'I hope so;' but that did not satisfy her, and seeing her earnestness, I gave her the positive answer which she desired. She then said, 'I thought so from your words, the blessed hope.' She was the pastor's daughter, and without waiting to see the captain, she at once led the way to her father's house, where I was welcomed and introduced to the magistrate's sister, at whose house I was afterwards cordially received, as I am by all the people. "When my request to remain was presented to the magistrate, he called the chief men of the island together and laid the matter before them. The magistrate afterwards told me that Captain Hope said that he would like to have me go with him to Coquimbo, on the west coast of South America, but that he (the magistrate), said that they wished to have me stay, and that if I would remain for years, they would build me a house and never charge me for anything. So it was decided that I should stay. It was providential that I came here on an English man-of-war. "A vessel is expected here in December or January, and I hope to be ready to leave at that time." Since the above letter was received, another has arrived, from which extracts will be made next week. "Encamping by the rude altar, which he had erected when formerly near Bethel, with Lot's tents not far from his own, Abraham soon found that increased wealth brought increased troubles. Disputes respecting the use of wells is a constant difficulty when more than one Bedouin encampment has to water its flocks from the same sources, and such strifes rose between the herdsmen of the two patriarchs. Moreover, the pasturage was insufficient for the sheep and cattle of both; and, in short, it was advisable that uncle and nephew should part. Nor could a finer illustration of the lofty and unselfish character of Abraham have been shown than that which marked his proposal that this should be the case. Though the whole country had been given him by God himself, he waived his rights. 'Let there,' says he, 'be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren. Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me; if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.'" Though the place of Sodom and Gomorrah was as beautiful “as the garden of the Lord,” the people were so corrupt that neither earth nor Heaven could endure them but a little while longer. “The men of Sodom were wicked and sinners exceedingly before the Lord.” And “pride, fullness of bread, and43 abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. And they were haughty, and committed abomination.” Eze. 16:49, 50. This was the iniquity of Sodom. GET THE MESSAGE AND THEN CARRY IT.
"How I pant to be doing good," says some young man. "You are right, but you must not be impatient. Go you among the teachers and learn a bit. You cannot teach yet, for you do not know; go and learn before you think of teaching. Hot spirits think that they are not serving God when they are learning; but in this they err. Beloved Mary at Jesus's feet was commended rather than Martha, cumbered with much service. "But," says one, "we ought not to be always hearing sermons." No, I do not know that any of you are. "We ought to get to work at once," cries another. "Certainly you ought, after you have first learned what the work is; but if everybody that is converted begins to teach, we shall soon have a mess of heresies, and many raw and undigested dogmas taught which will rather do damage than good. Run, messenger, run! The King's business requireth haste. Nay, rather stop awhile. Have you any tidings to tell? First learn your message, and then run as fast as you please. There must be time to learn the message. If our blessed Lord waited thirty years, he is an example to eager persons who can scarce wait thirty minutes. See how fast light things will travel! How eager are those to speak who know nothing! How swift are those to speak who do not know, and to testify what they have never seen. This cometh not of wisdom, but is the untimely fruit of folly.—Selected. EAST PORTLAND, OREGON.
By Charles L. Boyd
THE week of prayer was a source of great spiritual blessing to the church at East Portland. The special object of our prayers has been the foreign missions, and more than $250 was donated in the interest of the work in foreign fields. But while our fasting, praying, and donating had special reference to the work in other lands, the Lord drew near and blessed us here in the revival of his love in the hearts of his children and in the conversion of precious souls. On Sunday, the last day of the meetings, we repaired to the Willamette River where thirteen hopeful candidates for the kingdom were buried in the likeness of the Saviour's death. The Master has given us the world for our field of labor, and when we seek to spread the truth where it is unknown, we find the greatest spiritual blessing for ourselves. When we are lost to self, and are seeking the honor of Christ's cause in the salvation of souls for whom his precious blood was shed, we are in the only place where true happiness can be found. C. L. BOYD. HOW TO ACCOUNT FOR JESUS CHRIST.
By Dr. A. P. Peabody
HE is not to be accounted for by any spiritual Darwinism, by any possible process of development. Do what you will with his character, you cannot bring him into line with his predecessors, whether Jewish or Gentile, or with the culture or standard of his age. These eighteen centuries of progress have not brought the advanced guard of humanity up to him. We can trace the rudiments of other pre-eminent characters, and show whence and how they grew. There is no human or earthly accounting for him. The character of Christ as portrayed in the Gospels is the highest possible evidence of their authenticity. It is a character which, without an original, could not have been conceived by the evangelists; one for which they had neither the materials within their reach, nor the genius or culture requisite for its invention. As an actual character, it could not by any possibility have been formed by antecedent or surrounding influences. It was not a natural development; for human virtue has not yet developed up to its standard. Its human side cannot possibly be authentic, unless its divine side be equally authentic.—Dr. A. P. Peabody. NOTES ON THE INTERNATIONAL LESSON.
"THE two tribes of Abraham and Lot having no longer permission to remain in Egypt, wandered back by slow marches towards Canaan, over the uplands of the Negeb or South Country, which was then much more fertile than now, to their old encampment between Bethel and Hai. The removal of an Arab camp to new pasture grounds must present much the same scene in all ages, and hence that of a tribe which Layard saw on the march must help us to realize the Old World picture of the daily stages of Abraham and Lot. “We found ourselves in the midst of widespread flocks of sheep and camels. As far as the eye could reach, to the right, to the left, and in front, still the same moving crowd. Long lines of asses and bullocks, laden with black tents, huge caldrons, and variegated carpets; aged women, and men no longer able to walk, tied on the heap of domestic furniture; infants crammed into saddle-bags, their tiny heads thrust through the narrow opening, —balanced on the animal's back by kids or lambs tied on the opposite side; young girls clothed only in the close-fitting Arab shirt, which displayed rather than concealed their graceful forms; mothers with their children on their shoulders; boys driving flocks of lambs; horsemen armed with their long, tufted spears, scouring the plains on their fleet mares; riders urging their dromedaries with their short-hooked sticks, and leading their high-bred steeds by the halter; colts galloping amongst the throng; high-born ladies seated in the center of huge wings, which extend like those of a butterfly from each side of the camel's hump, and are no less gaudy and variegated. Such was the motley crowd through which we had to wend our way for several hours.” Omit the horses and you have a picture of the journeys of Abraham. Following the Things That Make for Peace
"THE features of the locality enable us to fix the very spot where this notable example of following the things that make for peace was uttered. Abraham had apparently built his altar on the summit of the 'mountain east of Bethel,' where he and Lot then stood, with all the land spread out like a map at their feet. The country around is now only a succession of brown and rounded limestone rocks, rising into bare hills, without a tree to cover them; but it may then have presented lovely park-like glades, as in Gilead, with open pasturage, shaded by well-wooded slopes, stretching into the blue distance, 'northward, southward, eastward, and westward,' in varied beauty." “But the richest spot in the landscape, the circle of the Jordan, lay eastward, as it were at their feet; where the deep cleft of the river opened into a broad valley, before its waters finally lost themselves in what is now called the Dead Sea. If Sodom and Gomorrah lay in this northern part, they must have risen from amidst its rich verdure, the traces of which still remain, and at once attract the eye of anyone looking down from the hills in the neighborhood of Bethel. The abundant waters, which still gush from the high western plateau, even now support a mass of vegetation before they are lost in the light loamy soil. But utilized as they then were by irrigation, far and wide, they must have made every part of it, as seen by Abraham and Lot, a very garden of Jehovah—recalling the traditions of their own Eastern paradise, or the glorious beauty of the scene they had recently left behind them at Zoan, in Egypt, where the bountiful Nile, led everywhere through the thirsty soil, repaid the care by a fertility and luxuriance that had passed into a proverb. "Nor was natural beauty all. The Jordan cities lay on the great route of Eastern travel, and promised to the keen eye of Lot a rich market for the produce of his flocks and herds, as well as the luxuries and refinements of wealth. More worldly minded than Abraham, he chose this seductive region, forgetful that outward advantage may be bought too dear, if it involves injury, moral or spiritual. Choosing the rich valley, and with it the corrupt civilization which had developed itself fearfully amidst the temptations and influence of an Indian climate, he turned his face to the deep descent where this paradise lay spread out, some thirteen hundred feet below the level of the Mediterranean; and, nomad like, pitched his tent outside the gates of Sodom. Abraham, on the other hand, forthwith received a new gift of the whole country from God, as if to mark how much higher in his sight is the gentle spirit that trusts to him rather than to selfish plans of its own, like that of Lot."—Hours with the Bible. 1. BESIDES God and men, what other intelligent beings are spoken of in the Bible? “Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.” Luke 15:10. 2. Is much said about them in the holy Scriptures?—They are mentioned in every book in the Bible, and in some of them many times. 3. Who were present when God laid the foundations of the earth? “Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it? Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner-stone thereof, when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?” Job 38:4-7. 4. Had men been created at that time? “These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens, and every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew; for the Lord God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was not a man to till the ground.” Gen. 2:4, 5. 5. Who, then, must these “sons of God” have been?—They must have been angels. 6. What is the meaning of the word “angel”?—A messenger. 7. As soon as man had sinned, who were sent to guard the tree of life? “So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden cherubim, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.” Gen. 3:24. 8. Who are the cherubim?—A high order of angels who dwell near the throne of God. “Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; thou that dwellest between the cherubim, shine forth.” Ps. 80:1. See Eze. 10:20; 11:22. 9. As these sons of God and the cherubim are both mentioned before any man had died, could they have been the spirits of dead men? 10. Can dead men come back to converse with the living? See Luke 16:27-31. 11. Do the dead know anything about matters on this earth? “For the living know that they shall die; but the dead know not anything, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion forever in anything that is done under the sun.” Eccl. 9:5, 6. 12. How does Job state the same truth? “But man dieth, and wasteth away; yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where is he?” “His sons come to honor, and he knoweth it not; and they are brought low, but he perceiveth it not of them.” Job 14:10, 21. 13. Are men and angels of the same nature? “For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.” Heb. 2:16. 14. How is man compared to the angels? “What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the Son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honor.” Ps. 8:4, 5. 15. Does not Jesus assume that angels are different from men? “But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in Heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.” Mark 13:32. 16. Then can angels be the spirits of dead men?—They cannot. 17. As holy angels would not deceive, who must the spirits be which claim to be our dead friends? “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. 18. Where do the angels dwell? “For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in Heaven.” Mark 12:25. See Luke 2:13-15. 19. How many angels did John see around the throne in Heaven? “And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne, and the beasts, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand [100,000,000], and thousands of thousands.” Rev. 5:11. 20. How does Paul express it? “But ye are come unto Mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels.” Heb. 12:22. 21. What were they doing? “Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing.” Rev. 5:12. 22. What thought may this suggest as to our service toward God? “Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me; and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I show the salvation of God.” Ps. 50:23. 23. In what reverential manner do the highest angels stand in the presence of God? “In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. Above it stood the seraphim; each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory.” Isa. 6:1-3. 24. Then in what spirit, and with what deportment, should sinful men come before God? “Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools; for they consider not that they do evil. Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter anything before God; for God is in Heaven, and thou upon earth; therefore let thy words be few.” Eccl. 5:1, 2.