(1) “So Abijah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city of David; and Asa his son reigned in his stead. In his days the land was quiet ten years. (2) And Asa did that which was good and right in the eyes of Jehovah his God: for he took away the foreign altars, and the high places, and brake down the pillars, and hewed down the Asherim, (4) and commanded Judah to seek Jehovah, the God of their fathers, and to do the law and the commandment. (5) Also he took away out of all the cities of Judah the high places and the sun-images: and the kingdom was quiet before him. (6) And he built fortified cities in Judah; for the land was quiet, and he had no war in those years, because Jehovah had given him rest. (7) For he said unto Judah, Let us build these cities, and make about them walls, and towers, gates, and bars; the land is yet before us, because we have sought Jehovah our God; we have sought Him, and He hath given us rest on every side. So they built and prospered. (8) And Asa had an army that bare bucklers and spears, out of Judah three hundred thousand; and out of Benjamin, that bare shields and drew bows, two hundred and fourscore thousand; all these were mighty men of valor.”
(9) “And there came out against them Zerah the Ethiopian with an army of a thousand thousand, and three hundred chariots; and he came unto Mareshah. (10) Then Asa went out to meet him, and they set the battle in array in the valley of Zephathah at Mareshah. (11) And Asa cried unto Jehovah his God, and said, Jehovah, there is none besides Thee to help, between the mighty and him that hath no strength: help us, O Jehovah our God; for we rely on Thee, and in Thy name are we come against this multitude. O Jehovah, Thou art our God; let not man prevail against Thee. (12) So Jehovah smote the Ethiopians before Asa, and before Judah; and the Ethiopians fled.”
Golden Text.—“Help us, O Lord our God; for we rest on Thee.” Verse 11.
SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.
(1) Briefly connect the lesson of last week with the present lesson. See Note 1. (2) Who succeeded Abijah on the throne of Judah? What characterized the beginning of his reign? Verse 1. (3) What is said of Asa's conduct of the kingdom? Verse 2. (4) What specially marked his fidelity to the true God? Verse 3. Note 2. (5) What command did he give to his people? Verse 4. Note 3. (6) What further acts led to the good order and quietude of the kingdom? Verse 5. (7) What preparation did Asa make for the defense of his kingdom? What had enabled him to do this work? Verse 6. Note 4. (8) In what did these defensive works consist? Why had the Lord given such an opportunity to Judah at this particular time? Verse 7. Note 5. (9) How large an army did Asa have in Judah? And in Benjamin? What is said of this force? Verse 8. (10) How much of an army came out of Egypt against Asa? Verse 9. (11) Where did the contending armies meet for battle? Verse 10. (12) Of whom did Asa seek help? How did he express his implicit faith? What expression shows that he regarded the battle as the Lord's? Verse 11. Note 6. (13) How did the Lord answer Asa's petition and faith? Verse 12. Note 7.
NOTES.
1. As a connecting link between last week's lesson and this lesson, it is well to remember that the reigns of Rehoboam over Judah, and Jeroboam over Israel began contemporaneously, and Rehoboam reigned seventeen years. Like Israel, Judah also went into idolatry, and in the fifth year of Rehoboam's reign, the Lord permitted Shishak, king of Egypt, to come up and besiege Jerusalem. Because Rehoboam and his princes humbled themselves, the Lord did not permit their destruction, but granted them “some deliverance.” Nevertheless the kingdom was made tributary to Egypt, that the people might know the difference between the Lord's service and the service of the kingdoms around them. After Rehoboam's death, Abijah his son reigned three years. During his reign there was war between him and Jeroboam, king of Israel. In the great decisive battle, the army of Judah had four hundred thousand men and Jeroboam brought against them eight hundred thousand, and attacked them front and rear. When Abijah saw the situation, he called upon the Lord; the priests sounded their trumpets, and the people gave a shout. Then the Lord helped them, and they slew five hundred thousand of Jeroboam's chosen men. The story epitomized here is found in 2 Chronicles 12 and 13.
2. Asa is an illustration of the possibilities of a young man amid adverse surroundings. His grandfather and grandmother and father were all extreme idolaters. But he had the influence of the Levites, who, in the main, had remained faithful, and also of the prophets Azariah and Hanani, and he chose to follow in their counsel. His success rested on his first making a wise choice. This is always the key to success. “Choose you this day whom ye will serve.”
3. “Commanded Judah.” The force of Asa's command lay in his example. He led, or taught, them to seek the Lord, as Abraham commanded his children after him (Gen. 18:17-19), by setting them an example of faithful obedience to the commandments of God. Cold, arbitrary commands to do right can not effect a heart obedience, but only a yielding to the extent of the sensation of dread, which is not a spirit of obedience acceptable to God. The commandment comprehends a love of God with all the heart.
4. This preparation for defense was evidently in anticipation of war with Egypt, whose yoke it was designed to throw off. And God was giving rest and prosperity in order to encourage this purpose.
5. The Lord is always found of them that seek after Him (Ps. 9:10; Prov. 8:17; Jer. 3:25), and is a present help in time of trouble (Ps. 46:1).
6. Asa's confidence was in God as the only real help, notwithstanding his own extended preparation. He recognized that the cause was the Lord's, and therefore called upon Him to lead out in the battle. The Lord is always able to defend His cause and His people. It would be well with them if they would always remember this fact.
7. The result was just what was to be expected. The victory was so complete that Egypt did not again make war on Judah, or send an army into Palestine, for three hundred years, and then only when King Josiah, without cause, interfered in a war between Egypt and Assyria. The Lord is “mighty in battle;” there is none that can withstand Him. He is a mighty deliverer, from both physical and spiritual enemies.
LESSON III.—ANOTHER PERSECUTING POWER.
(Study for Sabbath, July 16.)
QUESTIONS.
1. Describe briefly the work of the first beast of Revelation 13. What is his number? Rev. 13:18. Note 1.
2. When did he go into captivity?
3. What attracted the prophet’s attention at this time? Rev. 13:11.
4. Out of what did this power arise? How did this differ from the manner in which the other beast arose? What does this suggest?
5. What beast is used as a symbol?
6. What do the two horns denote? Note 2.
7. With what voice did the beast speak? What does this indicate as to its real character? How does a nation speak?—Through its government. The laws enacted are its voice.
8. What power was coming up in A. D. 1798, when the other beast went into captivity? How accurately does this nation meet the specifications of the prophecy? Note 3.
9. What marvelous things will this power do? Verse 13.
10. For what purpose will these miracles be wrought? Verse 14.
11. What power will this beast exercise? Verse 12.
12. What will he do? Verses 16, 17.
13. What is the mark of the beast? Note 4.
14. What are the people commanded to make? Verse 14.
15. Will the image be a living thing? Verse 15. What would constitute an image to the beast? Note 5.
16. What will finally be the penalty for refusing to bow to this image? Verses 15–17. What decree will go forth? Note 6.
17. Will any gain the victory over the beast, the image, and the mark? Rev. 15:1, 2; 20:4.
NOTES.
The pope wears in jeweled letters on his triple crown the blasphemous title, “Vicarius Filii Dei”—“Vicar of the Son of God.” Taking the letters which the Latins use as numerals out of this title, and giving them their numerical value, we have just 666. Thus we have: V—5; I—1; C—100 (“a” and “r” not used as numerals); I—1; U—5 (formerly the same as V); (“s” and “f” not used as numerals); I—1; L—50; I—1; I—1; D—500 (“e” not used as a numeral); I—1.
2. “Here is a striking figure of the rise and growth of our nation. And the lamb-like horns, emblems of innocence and gentleness, well represent the character of our government, as expressed in its two fundamental principles—Republicanism and Protestantism.”—Great Controversy.
3. The only power which was coming up at the time when the beast went into captivity in A. D. 1798, was the United States. The Declaration of Independence was signed in A. D. 1776, setting forth truths that men are created equal, and endowed with the right of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The Constitution was adopted and ratified April 30, 1789. Every specification touching the rise of this power is met in the rise of this nation, and the movements to fulfil the specifications indicated by the dragon voice are already far advanced.
4. “The light we have received upon the Third Angel’s Message is the true light. The mark of the beast is exactly what it has been proclaimed to be.”—Testimonies for the Church. Vol. 6, page 17.
God’s law is the definition of His character. The fourth precept, enjoining the seventh day as the Sabbath, defines who the true God is. The beast sits in the temple of God, exalting himself above God, claiming even to be God, and having power to change His precepts. His purpose is to shut away from mankind the true God, and substitute himself. To do this, he must necessarily change that commandment which defines who is the true God, and substitute one which will exalt himself. This the man of sin has done. When this change is enforced and accepted intelligently, the mark of the beast will be received. That Catholicism recognizes the substitution of Sunday for the Sabbath of Jehovah as the special mark of her power is acknowledged in her standard works. The following is clear:—
“Ques.—How prove you that the church has power to command feasts and holy days?
“Ans.—By the very act of changing Sabbath into Sunday, which Protestants allow of; and therefore, they foolishly contradict themselves by keeping Sunday strictly, and breaking the other feasts commanded by the same church.”—Abridgment of Christian Doctrine.
5. The characteristic feature of the beast as a persecuting power is a union of the church and state, the church being the controlling power, and enforcing religious dogmas through civil laws. An image to the beast would be another ecclesiastical power doing a similar work.
6. “In the conflict, the Sabbath will be the special point of controversy throughout all Christendom. Secular rulers and religious leaders will unite to enforce the observance of Sunday; and, as milder measures fail, the most oppressive will be enacted. It will be urged that the few who stand in opposition to an institution of the church and the law of the land ought not to be tolerated, and a decree will finally be issued denouncing them as deserving of the severest punishment, and giving the people liberty, after a certain time, to put them to death. Romanism in the old world, and apostate Protestantism in the new, will pursue a similar course toward those who keep the divine precepts.”
“In one night they determine to strike the decisive blow that shall forever silence the voice of the reprover.”—Great Controversy.
“The decree which is to go forth against the people of God will be very similar to that issued by Ahasuerus against the Jews in the time of Esther. . . . The Protestant world today see in the little company keeping the Sabbath a Mordecai in the gate.”—Testimonies for the Church, Volume 5, page 450.
BURLINGTON TREATMENT ROOMS
The Burlington treatment parlors have made arrangements to have Dr. Ball (formerly with the N. E. Sanitarium) make regular visits to its patients each week, thus affording, with our present facilities, all the requisites of a small sanitarium home.
We are thoroughly equipped with all the necessary apparatus to do effective work, and with our increased help feel free to call the attention of the Vermont people once more to our work here in Burlington.
Those desiring information as to prices, rooms, railroad connections, etc., address the manager, H. F. Litchfield, 308 N. Main Street, Burlington, Vt. Telephone, 358-11.
Medical communications sent to Dr. C. F. Ball, 80 Crescent Street, Rutland, Vt. Telephone 52-4.
WANTED
Strong, healthy Adventist ladies and gentlemen, to take the nurses' course, and soon prepare themselves for usefulness. Write for particulars.
QUEEN CITY SANITARIUM. Kalamazoo, Mich.
WANTED
By a Seventh-day Adventist young man employment along commercial lines. Have just completed Fireside Accounting and Business Training, am good in adding and penmanship; also familiar with the German language. Address, Jno. C. H. 17 Beauty St., Frankfort, Ky.
WHY NOT USE
The “Best” Extra Strength Vanilla Flavor, the Orphans Benefit Non-alcoholic Crystal Vanilla, Prepared without Alcohol. Used extensively by both “Health Reformers” and economical housewives, as it is far better, and goes farther than Liquids; besides, it is ready to stir into foods, and does not upset and spill, as bottled extracts do. Only twenty-five cents to any address. Agents are making a harvest with it; even children can sell it like hot cakes. Order a sample to-day. Address,
Ethan Brown, Iowa Sanitarium, Des Moines, Iowa.
TOURIST CARS EAST VIA S. P. LINES
By C. T. Forsyth
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Through cars to—
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| St. Paul | Minneapolis | Chicago |
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| Houston | New Orleans | Montgomery |
| Atlanta | Washington, D. C. | |
Remember these cars run through to above named cities without a change from Oakland or San Francisco. Our fast limited trains in connection with the above mentioned service.
C. T. FORSYTH
Div. Pass. Agent
12 San Pablo Ave., Oakland, Cal.
PHONE MAIN 543
BOOK DEPARTMENT NOTES
The Revised Edition of “Last Day Tokens”
The revised edition of this pamphlet is nearly completed. The color plates in this edition faithfully portray the wonderful manifestations seen in the heavens during the past fifty years.
The price is 25 cents.
Tracts in Packages
At the request of some of our readers we are making up the following groups of tracts. In ordering please refer simply to the number:—
THIRD ANGEL’S MESSAGE—SERIES NO. 1
Signs of Our Times We Would See Jesus
The Great Three-fold Message Heralds of His Coming
Scripture References Relation of Law and Gospel
What Do These Things Mean? Present Day Isms
Price 10 cents, post-paid
SABBATH—SERIES NO. 2
Elihu on the Sabbath Which Day Do You Keep, and Why?
Who Changed the Sabbath? From Sabbath to Sunday
The Seventh, or One-Seventh Is Sunday the Sabbath?
Sabbath in the Greek New Testament Sabbath
The Identical Seventh Day Historical Facts and Incidents
Day of the Sabbath
Price 10 cents, post-paid
FAITH AND PRAYER—SERIES NO. 3
Living by Faith Justification by Faith
The Privilege of Prayer Prayer
The Name
Price 5 cents, post-paid
LAW—SERIES NO. 4
Perpetuity of the Law Relation of the Law and Gospel
Perfection of the Law Under the Law or under Grace
Price 5 cents, post-paid
NATURE OF MAN—SERIES NO. 5
Thoughts for the Candid Tormented Forever and Ever
Immortality of the Soul Is Man Immortal?
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TEMPERANCE—SERIES NO. 6
The Name It Doesn’t Pay
The Demons’ Council Food; Its Mental and Moral Value
There Is Help in God Jesus Died for You
Price 5 cents, post-paid
If the stock of any one of the foregoing tracts should be exhausted we will replace it with another, so that no order for a set may be delayed by our inability to furnish a single title.
Best Lesson Help
The International Sabbath-school lessons for this quarter continue on the book of Revelation. Certainly no one can afford to miss the help on these lessons contained in Elder Uriah Smith’s pamphlet, “Thoughts on the Revelation.” We now have the revised edition, price of which is 25 cents, post-paid.
Healthful Living
Our readers will be interested to know that we have secured a limited number of the book, “Healthful Living,” the plates for which were burned in the Review and Herald fire.
While our stock lasts they will be sent out at regular rates, 50 cents, post-paid. We have a few damaged copies which will be sent for 35 cents, post-paid.
The Pacific Health Journal
As the Pacific Health Journal has been transferred to the Review and Herald, Washington, D. C., all orders and other business should be sent to that place instead of to the Pacific Press, Oakland, Cal. The name of this journal has been changed to Life and Health. The subscription price remains at 50 cents a year. Dr. G. H. Heald, the editor, continues with the magazine.
PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO.
Oakland, California
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REVIEW & HERALD PUBLISHING ASS’N.
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SIGNS OF THE TIMES REPRESENTATIVES.
HERE are the names and addresses of those who are acting as special Representatives for the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, together with the number of copies taken:—
E. W. Walker, 455
218 Cedar St., Buffalo, N. Y.
Rachel Campbell, 400
Pittsburg, Pa.
Geo. A. King, 300
982 E. 156th St., New York, N. Y.
Mrs. S. A. Beamon, 300
Sedalia, Mo.
W. T. Hilgert, 180
211 N. Farson St., W. Philadelphia, Pa.
Jas. Dougherty, 175
124 Watt St., Dallas, Texas.
W. L. Chrispin, 100
2127 Madison Ave., Baltimore, Md.
Charles R. German, 100
418 Waverly Ave., Baltimore, Md.
Mrs. Lizzie E. Schwartz, 100
Box 556, Hollidaysburg, Pa.
J. A. Faust, 100
31 St. Helena Rd., Wilmington, Del.
F. Senseman, 95
503 Newton Ave., Camden, N. J.
W. J. Fitzgerald, 88
1942 N. 17th St., Philadelphia, Pa.
J. K. Humphrey, 67
233 W. 62d St., New York, N. Y.
Mrs. Davis, 60
Pittsburg, Pa.
Mrs. Cynthia Goodwin, 51
214 W. San Carlos St., San Jose, Cal.
Anna Benn, 50
Clinton, Ontario, Canada.
C. H. Bates, 50
211 W. Golden Ave., Cripple Creek, Colo.
Jane E. Harris, 50
1308 Gales St., Columbia, S. C.
Elen Myrberg, 50
616 3d Ave., Seattle, Wash.
M. Smith, 50
Pittsburg, Pa.
SAID IN RENEWING.
By Alice E. Culver
As the SIGNS OF THE TIMES comes each week, filled with good things, I am led to praise the Lord for the light and truth its pages have brought to me. I have sent in a few subscriptions for short periods, and have used 25, 50, or 75 copies of each special number published. I wish to renew my subscription at this time, and enclose another name for six months.
Yours very truly,
Alice E. Culver,
Yale, Iowa.
Words to Be Remembered
Words to Be Remembered.—The following extract from Mr. Geo. S. Knight’s recent Chicago speech is worthy of more than mere passing consideration: “The time is ripe for brightening up Americanism, to teach with renewed vigor the principles of individual liberty for which the minute men of the Revolution fought; the Lincoln liberty, an individual liberty for the man, not a black man alone, any man, all men; the right of labor in the exercise of freedom unmolested, and to be paid for his individual toil, and with it build his cottage home. From the press, the pulpits, the schoolhouse, the platform, and the street, let the true history of our country be known, that the young men and women of America, and many old ones, may know what a price has been paid for the liberty, peace, and union they enjoy through the devoted patriotism of our silent heroes of the past. Deprivation and sacrifice already endured for many years before the old bell in the state house was given the voice to speak the glorious sentiment of the age and proclaim liberty throughout all the land, and they were made the instruments by which the principles productive of our national grandeur were set as jewels in our public’s coronet. What we prayed for, fought for, bled for, and died for, we want cared for.”
Sin, the Worst Tyrant
The worst tyrant and slave-driver this world has ever known is Sin.
Trouble at Cripple Creek
By Editor
You will be interested in the article on the trouble at Cripple Creek, with accompanying illustration, on page 8.
Supreme Court Decision on Jury Trials in the Philippines
See in another column the articles on the recent decision of the United States Supreme Court in relation to trial by jury in the Philippines.
TOLERATION VERSUS LIBERTY.
Some Thoughts for Independence-tide.
TOLERATION is an important step from State-churchism to free-churchism. But it is only a step. There is a great difference between toleration and liberty. Toleration is a concession which may be withdrawn. It implies a preference for the ruling form of faith and worship, and a practical disapproval of all other forms. In our country we ask no toleration for religion and its free exercise, but we claim it as an inalienable right.—Dr. Philip Schaff, in “Church and State in the United States.”
What other nations call religious toleration, we call religious rights. They are not exercised in virtue of governmental indulgence, but as rights, of which governments can not deprive any portion of its citizens, however small. Despotic power may invade these rights, but justice still confirms them.—United States Senate Report, 1829.
I consider the government of the United States as interdicted by the Constitution from intermeddling with religious institutions, their doctrines, disciplines, or exercises.—Thomas Jefferson to Rev. Mr. Millar, Jan. 23, 1808.
The Worst Slavery
The worst slavery that humanity can experience is slavery in sin. The worst of it all lies in the fact that it makes one indifferent to its awful bondage.
WHAT RELIGIOUS LEGISLATION MEANS.
Consider These in Connection with the Agitation for Sunday Laws.
It is incumbent on the authors of persecution previously to reflect whether they are determined to support it in the last extreme. They excite the flame which they strive to extinguish, and it soon becomes necessary to chastise the contumacy, as well as the crime, of the offender. The fine which he is unable or unwilling to discharge, exposes his person to the severities of the law, and his contempt of higher penalties suggests the use and propriety of capital punishment.—Gibbon, “Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire,” chap. 37.
If the principle is once established that religion or religious observance shall be interwoven with our legislative acts, we must pursue it to its ultimatum.—United States Senate Report, 1829.
Our Constitution recognized no other power than that of persuasion for enforcing religious observances. Let the professors of Christianity recommend their religion by deeds of benevolence, by Christian meekness, by lives of temperance and holiness. Let them combine their efforts to instruct the ignorant, to relieve the widow and the orphan, to promulgate to the world the Gospel of their Saviour, recommending its precepts by their habitual example. . . . Their moral influence will then do infinitely more to advance the true interests of religion than any measure which they may call on Congress to enact.—United States Senate Report, 1829.
Extensive religious combinations to effect a political object are, in the opinion of the committee, always dangerous. All religious despotism commences by combination and influence; and when that influence begins to operate upon the political institutions of a country, the civil power soon bends under it, and the catastrophe of other nations furnishes an awful warning of the consequence.—United States Senate Report, 1829.
We hold it for a fundamental and undeniable truth that religion, or the duty which we owe our Creator, and the manner of discharging it, can be directed only by reason and conviction, not by force or violence. The religion, then, of every man must be left to the conviction and conscience of every man, and it is the right of every man to exercise it as these may dictate. This right is in its nature an undeniable right.—James Madison.
The Individual versus the Institution.
The government which regards the rights of its subjects will not exalt the institution, religious or social, above man, but man above the institution. The institution may be honored if men will, but its observance will never be compulsory.
All the Catholics in a community may, with bare and bowed heads, adore “the Host” as it is carried past in solemn procession; but no Protestant is to be forced to bow his head or remove his hat. All the Protestants of a community may, with reverent air, remove the hat or bow the head when the solemn public act of baptism—immersion—is performed at some lakeside; but no Catholic is to be compelled to show reverence. He may not encroach upon the rights of any; he must be civil toward men; he is not to be compelled to act religiously.
A true government will not subject the individual man to the arbitrary demands of the many. Man surrenders no inalienable right to society or government. If the government be the true government it conserves and guards the rights of each one, and each one in his rights. And when each person is protected in his rights all are protected in their rights. And as long as each individual is protected in his rights, so long can no class suffer from the infringement of their rights.
The thing to be exalted, therefore, in a just and permanent government, is the inalienable rights—common to all men—of the individual man, whether he be Pagan or Jew, infidel or believer, Catholic or Protestant; for in this only are the rights of all conserved.
