With Illustrations and Special Instruction for MOTHERS AND TEACHERS.
BY LILLIE E. AFFOLTER AND F. E. BELDEN.
BOOK 1.
THE LIFE AND WORDS OF CHRIST
The first of a Series of Three Books covering a Three Years' Course of Graded Scriptural Instruction for Children.
"BIBLE OBJECT LESSONS," NO. 1, CONTAINS
160 PAGES, EMBRACING
52 Lessons—one for each Sabbath in the Year.
30 Original Hymns and Songs, Written for the Lessons.
36 Beautiful Full-page Illustrations, with Colored Plate.
52 Original Pen Drawings, showing how to use the Kindergarten Material when Teaching the Lessons.
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To Accompany "Bible Object Lessons and Songs for Little Ones."
Book 1.—The Life and Words of Christ.
The material for this book consists of three boxes: (1) Cubes and Triangles; (2) Squares and Oblongs; (3) Miscellaneous Supplies; two Cones and two Domes; ten 1-inch and twenty 3-inch Mounted Orange Sticks, to represent people; thirty-six 2-inch and twenty-four 1-inch Unmounted Green Sticks for Outline and Tree Building; ten Miniature Sheep; and Crumpled Green French Tissue Paper, to represent water.
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A TELLING TRIBUTE TO THE BIBLE.
By Missionary Helper
At the close of a lecture by Dr. Chamberlain, of the American Arcot Mission, when nearly two hundred Brahmans, farmers, artisans, officials, and students were present, a Brahman politely asked permission to address the meeting, and then said:—
"I have watched the missionaries, and seen what they are. What have they come to this country for? What tempts them to leave their parents, friends, and country, and come to an unhealthy clime? Is it for gain or profit they come? Some of us country clerks in government offices, receive larger salaries than they. Is it for an easy life? See how they work, and then tell me. Look at this missionary. He came here a few years ago, leaving all and seeking only our good. He was met with cold looks and suspicious glances, and was shunned and maligned. He sought to talk with us of what, he told us, was the matter of most importance in heaven and earth; but we would not listen. He opened a dispensary, and we said, 'Let the pariahs [lowest class] take his medicines, we won't;' but in the time of our sickness and distress and fear we were glad to go to him, and he welcomed us. We complained at first if he walked through our Brahman streets; but erelong when our wives and our daughters were in sickness and anguish, we went and begged him to come, even into our inner apartments; and he came, and our wives and our daughters now smile upon us in health. Has he made any money by it? Even the cost of the medicine he has given has not been returned to him.
Now what is it that makes him do all this for us?—It is his Bible. I have looked into it a good deal, at one time and another, in the different languages I chance to know; it is just the same in all languages—the Bible.
"There is nothing to compare with it in all our sacred books, for goodness, and purity, and holiness, and love, and for motives of action. Where did the English people get all their intelligence, and energy, and cleverness, and power? It is their Bible that gives it to them. And now they bring it to us, and say, 'That is what raised us; take it and raise yourselves.' They do not force it upon us as did the Mohammedans their Koran; but they bring it in love, and translate it into our languages, and lay it before us, and say, 'Look at it, read it, examine it, and see if it is not good.' Of one thing I am convinced,—do what we will, oppose it as we may, it is the Christians' Bible that will, sooner or later, work the regeneration of our land."
"I could not," adds Dr. Chamberlain, "but be surprised at this testimony. Some time ago I had attended, in his zenana, his second wife, a beautiful girl, through a dangerous illness, and I knew that he was very grateful; but I was not prepared to hear him, before such an audience, give such a powerful testimony to the power and excellence of the Bible."
OPEN-AIR MEETINGS.
THE old methods seem to commend themselves to some people even in this over-boastful, last-day generation. One of the old methods in the gospel work is that of proclaiming the gospel to souls wherever they may be found, in open air as well as in temples. All the old prophets used it; our Lord himself taught on the mountain slope, by the seaside, from the shallop on the lake, in the green valleys, by the wayside. So did his apostles, and so did the Reformers. There is now in this country the Open Air Workers' Association of America, formed last spring to conduct open air and tent meetings in the propagation of the gospel. A conference was held on this subject in Chicago, October 10, in the Memorial Art Palace. Prof. Graham Taylor, D.D., of Chicago Theological Seminary, said:—
Open-air preaching is indispensable to the entire fulfillment of the church's mission to society. It is practicable. It is advantageous to both church and community. It reaches non-churchgoers of our large cities. Not many perhaps are converted at the open-air service, but many do follow the preacher to the church, become interested, and scores are thus brought to Christ. Once when preaching from the rear of a gospel wagon, Professor Taylor invited his audience to come with him to an evangelistic meeting in the church. Instructing the driver to proceed slowly along the street, he kept on preaching. The crowd followed, and when they reached the church over one hundred men entered. Roman Catholics in large numbers attend. They seem to welcome and appreciate effort and message. Some are converted and become Protestants; others are blessed and stay in their own communion. No need of trouble with police. If they are consulted previously, their authority recognized, and their coöperation requested, they will prove friends. Congregations, including Romanists, will join in the Lord's prayer, which often is very helpful and inspiring. It is good for country, as well as city. In one Connecticut town a union open-air Sunday evening service on the village green drew out three hundred, double the number who would have entered the church on summer evenings.
Interest manifested in audience should be followed up invariably in after meeting indoors or by personal address.
Rev. C. H. Tyndall, of Broome Street Tabernacle, New York City, said: "We hold open-air meetings the entire year and always have good audiences, even when it is so cold the speaker's overcoat must be buttoned. It is a regular church service, the notice being on our bulletin with all the others. The meetings are near the Bowery; the audience consists mainly of men, not only those on the streets, but those in an adjacent hotel, who raise their windows and listen. Several speakers, each taking about five minutes, we find the best arrangement. Our ladies speak, holding the interest and generally making the deepest impression. Audience is always quiet for them."
We have been acquainted with tent and open-air meetings for a half-score of years, and believe when properly conducted they are productive of good. But it is a mistake to think that anyone can conduct an open-air meeting. As good talent and ability are needed to interest an audience out-of-doors, with a great deal more tact, as to interest one in a church. We have had as attentive audiences on the streets of this city as we ever had in a church. Talks should be short, pithy, pointed, and full of God's grace. Good singing is a great help.
RAIATEA, SOCIETY ISLANDS, SOUTH PACIFIC OCEAN.
By B. J. Cady
THE readers of the SIGNS have doubtless seen reports of our work until up to the time that our ship left us here at Raiatea, and went on its way to other islands. We have now been here two months, which is not long enough to make much of a beginning, since we have to first learn the Tahitian language before we can begin active work for the natives, as they understand but the one language. So we are studying and trying to help the people in every way that we can. By means of an interpreter, we are able to do a little teaching now, but not very thorough work can be done in this way.
There are but few Europeans here, the most of the inhabitants being natives and half casts. The population of this island and Tahaa, which lies three miles away in the same group, is about four thousand.
There is one church here, the Episcopal, and most of the grown people of the island are members. These include but few unmarried people, but as soon as they are married, the leading people call on them, and present before them the advantages of being church members, and persuade them to unite with the church. But though this would now be called a Christian land, the condition of the people is very far from Christlike. Babylon has surely fallen. They have many religious meetings, but a sad lack of reverence is manifested in all their services, and the religion is mostly outward, and not of the heart.
They have a Sunday law here, though it seems quite incomplete. Yet I suppose it is as good as they care to keep the day. One can wash clothes, bathe, or do most anything, until ten o'clock in the morning. Then all can go to church, or stay at home and sleep, or gather around in groups and talk; but no work can be done until about four o'clock, when the meetings are finished for the day. The people are now allowed to sail around in their boats or canoes. When our ship was here, the queen went out to the ship one Sunday to meeting, and because she did this, the people talked strongly of fining her.
There had been no European missionary of their church upon the island for some time, until last May, when a French minister and his wife came here. We called on him one day to get a large Tahitian Bible, and some hymn books, but he refused to sell them to us, saying that he had been ordered to have nothing to do with us. We obtained the books, however, through another source. By the way, we are not intruding upon the territory of this man, for he cannot have access to this part of the island where we are laboring; and since this part includes most of the people upon the island, and they have no teacher for themselves or for their children, and requested us to stay here, we felt it our duty to do so.
They are now building us a house, the size twenty by sixty feet, one end to be used for a school until they can get a schoolhouse built. It will be made mostly of native material, a thatched roof, and woven bamboo for the sides. When we are settled in the house, we shall begin to teach the children. The children cannot read, and are sadly in need of help, for there has been no school upon this part of the island for several years.
Though the people here are very faulty and far from what they ought to be, yet when we compare them with the people of civilized countries, who have had such great light and privileges, we believe that these are no worse than others. And since we ourselves are but sinners, and if anything good is done by us, we know that it is Christ working through us who does it, so he is just as willing to clothe these people with his righteousness.
We believe that there are many of our people in the United States who are situated so that they might move to these islands and act as educators. Teachers are quite scarce in this part of the world, and a number of islands have no schools at all. Wherever we have been with the ship, there has been a call for teachers.
Though the ways of the people are very different from what we have been accustomed to in the United States, we can enjoy working for them, for the better acquainted we become with them, the more interested we feel in their welfare. We can but believe that God will do a great work for them, and that many will follow the Lord Jesus Christ.
B. J. CADY.
FIELD NOTES.
By Editor
THE church in St. Louis, Mo., is moving in the matter of building a new house of worship.
ELDER E. G. OLSEN reports the baptism of two persons each at Deloit, Bayard, and Pilot Mound, Iowa.
ON the 22d of October, at Jersey City, N. J., Elder E. E. Franke baptized seventeen souls in Newark Bay.
CHILDREN'S meetings in connection with the Sioux City, Iowa, Sabbath school have resulted in the baptism of five.
ELDER M. E. CORNELL, one of our pioneer ministers, died in Battle Creek, Mich., on the 2d inst., of internal hemorrhage.
IN connection with meetings held in Windham, Vt., Elder Wm. Covert reports five additions to the church and ten to the Sabbath school.
ELDER S. J. HERSUM has been assigned to Washington, D. C., to look after the interests of the cause, in place of Elder J. O. Corliss, now en route to Australia.
THE brethren at Grant's Pass, Oregon, are building a new house of worship, and at Ashland they are about to do likewise. So we learn from the Visitor, of Portland.
ON the 28th ult. a church of forty-four members was organized in Jersey City, N. J. Several others are keeping the Sabbath of the Lord who are expected soon to unite with the church.
THE difference between soliciting for the Lord's work and for worldly enterprises in dull times is thus expressed by a Missouri canvasser in the Record: "The very things that seem to hinder, God uses to advance his work. Hard times have driven most other agents from the field, but the hard times cry has no force before the Third Angel's Message."45THE trial of Brother Price, of Church Hill, Queen Anne's County, Md., for laboring on Sunday, has been postponed till the April term of court. Four candidates were recently baptized there by Elder Hottel.
THE Bible Echo of Melbourne, Australia, notes the addition of eight members to the North Fitzroy church September 23, and the baptism of two others (students) at the same time who would unite with the Prahran church.
A CLASS in healthful cooking is being conducted in Portland, Oregon, by Sister J. Gotzian, formerly of this city, and an excellent attendance and interest are reported. This is a matter that should receive more general attention in all families.
IT has been decided to establish a branch of the Battle Creek (Mich.) Sanitarium at Boulder, Colo. Temporary buildings have been rented and are being arranged for the accommodation of boarders and invalids. So says the daily Camera, of that city.
A NEW meetinghouse was dedicated at Wilkeson, Wash., October 15, and during the two days' meeting five persons gave themselves to the Lord. Elder D. T. Fero conducted the services. Two weeks afterward three more were baptized and added to the church.
AT Saranac Junction, N. Y., Elder S. N. Cobb recently baptized three persons in Clear Lake, and others are expected soon to follow. A faithful sister who for years held out the banner truth in that community by herself, is now seeing the fruit of her godly example and fidelity to the faith.
ELDER C. W. FLAIZ reports a good work in the town of Hamiota, Manitoba. At the date of his letter (October 31) sixteen had accepted the faith, including the editor of a paper published there. The ministerial labors of Elder Flaiz had been preceded by a liberal distribution of the Signs of the Times.
ACCOMPANYING the article of Elder B. J. Cady, in another column, is a note which indicates that he is now "located" in Raiatea Island, and that the people are quite interested in the work in which he is engaged. He says: "I know of no better way to get the work started on these islands than to send some good Christian men and women to act as educators, and from what I have seen and hear, I think they can do as well financially here as in America."
ACCORDING to plans laid at the general meeting at Hamburg, Germany, Brother F. W. Spies went to Barmen with a company of canvassers to work with "Bible Readings." Brother R. G. Klingbeil was assigned to Holland, Brother Franchiger to Stuttgart, Brother Popoff to Bulgaria, Brother Benecke and wife to Hungary, and several new laborers to Russia. On account of these and other preparations Brother Spies writes to the Union Record that "we are expecting the Lord to do wonderful things for us in our field the coming year."
"I WILL SOW HER UNTO ME IN THE EARTH."
By Eliza H. Morton
BY ELIZA H. MORTON.
As THE farmer sows his seed
In the spot to grow,
So the Lord will plant his church
Where its light will glow.
Every member will be placed
Where he best can toil,
For he knoweth every heart,
And he knows the soil.
Does the seed refuse to fall
From the sower's hand?
Shall the child neglect to go
At the first command?
Is the work not of your choice?
Trembling one, be strong.
Well the Master knows his own,
Sing a thankful song.
It is sweet to simply trust;
It is sweet to know
Every saint upon the earth
Unto Him he'll sow.
PERIODICALS WANTED.
By Editor
MRS. C. M. DAVIS, 325 East Indiana Avenue, Spokane, Wash., desires a supply of our denominational papers of 1893, for missionary work. Send postpaid.
A HOLIDAY CATALOGUE, also a Descriptive Catalogue of Pacific Press Publishing Co.'s Publications, alphabetically arranged, sent FREE to any address. Address this office.
BULLETIN OF BOOKS.—A catalogue of holiday, birthday and other illustrated books, of Bibles, S. S. cards and tickets, floral wall texts, etc., will be sent free upon application to Pacific Press Publishing Co., Oakland, Cal. Send them your address on a postal card. Write plain.
HOT WATER BOTTLES and Fountain Syringes. Send for illustrated and descriptive circular and prices. Address, Pacific Press, Oakland, Cal.
CHURCH SERVICES.
By Editor
All of our churches, especially on this coast, who desire their regular weekly services announced in this column, may have it done by reporting through the proper officers.
Oakland.—Church at corner of Twelfth and Brush Streets. Regular preaching services or Bible study. Sunday at 7:30 P.M., Friday at 7 P.M., and Sabbath at 11 A.M. Sabbath school at 9:30 A.M. Sabbath. Prayer and missionary meeting Wednesday at 7:30 P.M. All are cordially invited.
San Francisco.—Church at 914 Laguna Street. Regular preaching services at 7:30 P.M. Sunday and 11 A.M. Sabbath. Sabbath school at 9:45 A.M. Prayer meeting Wednesday 7:30 P.M. Missionary meeting Thursday 7:30 P.M. Seats free.
Los Angeles.—Church at 143 Carr Street. Preaching service Sunday evening 7:30. Missionary meeting Wednesday evening 7:30. Sabbath school on Sabbath at 9:45, and preaching service at 11 A.M. All are welcome.
LITERARY NOTICES.
By Editor
[The SIGNS OF THE TIMES holds itself under no obligation to notice any publications sent it by publishers. Those considered worthy of notice, or which are deemed profitable to its subscribers, will receive such notice as time, space, and value will permit.]
The leading article in Worthington's, for November, is Mr. John H. Whitson's interesting paper upon the "Ramona Indian School," located near Santa Fe, New Mexico. This school was founded in 1885, and is under the supervision of an efficient board of trustees, the governor of New Mexico being president. It is the embodied idea of that gifted woman, Helen Hunt Jackson, who gave the last years of her life to an earnest effort to quicken the conscience of Americans in regard to their duties toward the Indians. The fundamental plan of the school work is practical industrial training which shall fit the Indian child to become a useful, moral, self-respecting, self-supporting citizen of the United States. The illustrations, which are numerous and from special photographs, show what changes a few months of thoughtful care and teaching will work even in the least promising of these little untutored wards of the nation. $2.50 per year; 25 cents a single number. For sale by all news dealers. A. D. Worthington & Co., Hartford, Conn.
"Chart of American Politics" is the name of a sheet issued by Mr. Lloyd J. Caldwell, Battle Creek, Mich., at five cents. It gives the presidential candidates from 1888, their parties, professed policy, both successful and defeated, the various cabinets, chairmen of the Senate and speakers of the House, prominent congressmen, chief justices, chief of army, and ministers to various countries, together with important political events. The reverse side takes up the question of Immortal-Soulism, and examines it in the light of Scripture. The chart contains an astonishing amount of information in small space. Revised to 1893. Address as above.
The West Virginia Preparatory School sends us a neat calendar announcing the school year of 1893-94. The school is located at Newark, Wirt Co., W. Va. Copies we presume may be obtained by addressing the president, D. C. Babcock, or the principal, D. N. Meredith, as above.
Childhood, for October, is an excellent number, containing many excellent hints to parents. One dollar a year, ten cents a number. A. L. Challerton and Co., 78 Maiden Lane, New York.
The Californian for November is up to its usual standard, and nicely illustrated. Among the more interesting and profitable articles we mention, Village Life in Mexico (illustrated from photographs by the author), California at the World's Fair (illustrated from photographs), The Early Americans, Chinese Fisheries in California, Yuma, Arizona, etc., etc. Price, 25 cents. California Publishing Co., San Francisco, Cal., or any news dealer.
CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE
AND
—BIBLE HYGIENE.—
This Book treats the subjects of Temperance and Hygiene from a BIBLE STANDPOINT.
A good idea of the scope of the work can be formed by a glance at a few of the chapter headings: "Effects of Stimulants," "Extremes in Diet," "Home Education," "Relation of Diet to Health and Morals," "Parental Responsibility," "Dress," "Consulting Spiritualistic Physicians," "Social Purity," "Hope for the Tempted," "Diet and Cleanliness of the Hebrews," "The Gospel of Health," etc., etc.
The book contains 268 large pages, is printed on heavy paper, bound in cloth, embossed, with gold title on back and front cover. It is a book that all should have in their homes. Price, marbled edges, $1.25; gilt edges, $1.50.
Having purchased several hundred copies of Illustrated Quarto Poems at a price BELOW COST we are able to offer to our customers an assortment of 25 different titles at the astonishingly low price of
50 Cents Each, Postpaid.
These are from the Fine Art Publishers. Each poem is beautifully illustrated and bound in Antique Vellum or Embossed Silk Paper, Padded, and make
Elegant Presentation Volumes.
These are usually sold at 75 cents and $1.00, but our price 50 cents, while the stock lasts.
Below we give the titles, with author's name following:
Oriana—Keats.
The Earl's Return—Owen Meredith.
The Bugle Song—Tennyson.
Song of the River—Kingsley.
Fair Ines—Hood.
Lenore—Poe.
Elegy in a Country Churchyard—Gray.
Rock Me to Sleep, Mother—Allen.
Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner—Coleridge.
Eve of St. Agnes—Keats.
Song of the Brook—Tennyson.
Song of the Bell—Schiller.
Songs from Faust—Goethe.
Annie's and Willie's Prayer—Snow.
Bells across the Snow—Havergal.
Wreck of the Hesperus—Longfellow.
Village Blacksmith—Longfellow.
Hark! the Herald Angels Sing—Kingsley.
Evening Hymn—Keble.
Pilgrims of the Night—Faber.
Songs of Christmas—Havergal.
Sweet By and By—Bennett.
The Raven—Poe.
Unknown Way—Bryant.
Daisy Seekers.
It will be well to make second and third choices, so that we may not disappoint you in case the book chosen is sold out. These cannot last long at this price, so ORDER NOW, before the stock is broken.
Published monthly. Subscription price, 10 copies of each number for one year, postpaid, $1.00.
THIS Library is designed especially for use in daily, personal correspondence. Each number will contain from four to eight pages, of a size convenient to go into a number six envelope without folding. It is printed on thin super-calendered paper, and two or more numbers can be put in with an ordinary letter without increasing the postage.
The leading themes of the gospel will be presented in such a way as to arrest the attention and be helpful to all. These little leaflets should be circulated by the thousands.
The numbers now issued bear the following titles:
No. 1.—"Looking unto Jesus."
No. 2.—"The Christian's Privilege."
No. 3.—"The Sure Promises of God."
No. 4.—"How to Get Knowledge."
No. 5.—"The Church and the World."
These will be sent to any address at the rate of 50 cents per hundred, assorted numbers, or $4.00 per thousand, postpaid.
Pacific Press Publishing Co.,
Oakland, Cal.
ONE SYLLABLE HISTORIES.—
These histories, written for the most part in words of one syllable, will be a valuable addition to any young person's library. They are histories, not romances, and still are written in a style to interest the young. Each book contains from 190 to 230 pages, size 6 3/4 x 8 1/2 inches, is bound in board with handsome lithographic covers. $1.00 each.
History of the United States.
Lives of Our Presidents.
History of England.
History of France.
History of Russia.
History of Ireland.
History of the Old Testament.
Address, Pacific Press, Oakland, Cal.
International S. S. Lessons.
"So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading." —Neh. 8:8
LESSON X.—SUNDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1893.
GRATEFUL OBEDIENCE.
[NOTE.—The questions which follow are merely suggestive for the student on the leading points of the lesson; it is presumed that the thorough student will think of many more as he studies the subject. References, where verses alone are given, always refer to the lesson scripture printed above. All other references are given in book, chapter, and verse. The text printed is that of the Revised Version, not because it is especially preferred, but because it is not found in every family, as is the common version.]
Every good gift and every perfect boon is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, neither shadow that is cast by turning.
Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures.
Ye know this, my beloved brethren. But let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath;
For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
Wherefore putting away all filthiness and overflowing of wickedness, receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deluding your own selves.
For if anyone is a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a mirror;
For he beholdeth himself, and goeth away, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
But he that looketh into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and so continueth, being not a hearer that forgetteth, but a doer that worketh, this man shall be blessed in his doing.
If any man thinketh himself to be religious, while he bridleth not his tongue but deceiveth his heart, this man's religion is vain.
Pure religion and undefiled before our God and Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
Golden Text: "We love him because he first loved us." 1 John 4:19.
SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.
What admonition does the apostle give to the brethren? Verse 16. Note 1.
In view of what is this admonition given? Verses 12-15.
What is the character of that which comes from God? Verse 17.
How were we begotten? Verse 18.
What do we thus become?
In view of all this, what disposition should we manifest? Verse 19.
What reason is given for this? Verse 20.
What are we exhorted to receive? Verse 21.
What is this word able to do for us?
What must we put away, before it will thus work? Note 2.
What relation should we sustain toward the word? Verse 22.
To what is one likened who is but a hearer of the word? Verses 23, 24.
What is God's law called in verse 25?
How and when is it a law of liberty? Note 3.
In the simile, what represents the law?
To reap benefit, how must one look into God's moral mirror? Verse 25.
What must be the relation of his outward life to that law?
What advantage will accrue to the man who thus observes God's law?
What is said of the religion of him who bridles not his tongue? Verse 26.
What is pure and undefiled religion? Verse 27.
NOTES.
Be not deceived.—That is, do not make the mistake of attributing the temptation to God; do not say that evils come from him, for it is from him that every good and perfect gift cometh.
Overflowing of wickedness.—The margin reads "malice," a malevolent disposition. See verse 19. Every uprising of feeling toward another. For every uprising of malice cherished in the heart is an overflowing. Crush it out by the power of God before it springs into life.
The law of liberty.—Every citizen of every commonwealth is a free citizen of that country, and the law of that country is a law of liberty to that citizen so long as he observes God's law. So long as the child of God observes God's law, that law is to him a law of liberty. David says, "I walk at liberty; for I seek thy precepts." Ps. 119:45. When that law is violated, man comes under its condemnation, appointed unto death. It is Christ and Christ only who can free from the condemnation of the law, and furnish strength to walk in it at liberty, observing its righteous requirements. Rom. 5:1; Gal. 5:1.
Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and everyone that loveth is begotten of God, and knoweth God.
He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
Herein was the love of God manifested in us, that God hath sent his only-begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
No man hath beheld God at any time: if we love one another, God abideth in us, and his love is perfected in us:
Hereby know we that we abide in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.
And we have beheld and bare witness that the Father hath sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.
SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.
What are the "beloved" urged to do?
Who is the source of love?
Of what is the manifestation of love in an individual the proof?
Of what is the lack of it evidence?
What proves this to be true?
How has the love of God been manifested toward us?
On whose part was this love shown?
In what way?
On what basis is brotherly love urged?
Has God been seen of mortal eyes?
What shows his indwelling presence and the perfecting of his love?
How may we know that we are in union with him?
To what is testimony borne?
NOTES.
1. VERSES 7-11.—"Whenever the life of God is in the heart of men, it will flow out to others in love and blessing." "Of God he hath been begotten and doth know God," is Dr. Young's rendering of the last clause of verse 7. The new birth is a past experience, but knowing God is always a present experience. It is not only true that God loves and is the source of love, but "God is love," and this is the essence of the whole gospel. There can be no discord in the home, the church, or the community when the love of God abides in all hearts. God's love for us is not simply an abstract thing, but it was shown in a most practical way. John 3 : 16. Man lost his life by sin (Gen. 2 : 17), and Christ came to restore life (John 10 : 10), which is wholly the gift of God (Rom. 6 : 23). "Had not God specially interfered, Satan and men would have entered into an alliance against heaven, and, instead of cherishing enmity against Satan, the whole human family would have been united in opposition to God." "The reconciliation of mercy and justice did not involve any compromise with sin, or ignore any claim of justice; but, by giving to each divine attribute the ordained place, mercy could be exercised in the punishment of sinful, impenitent man without destroying its clemency or forfeiting its compassionate character, and justice could be exercised in forgiving the repenting transgressor without violating its integrity." "Said the angel, Think ye that the Father yielded up his beloved Son without a struggle? No, no. It was even a struggle with the God of heaven whether to let guilty man perish, or to give his beloved Son to die for him."
2. VERSES 12-14.—Men cannot see God with the natural eye, but they ought to see his character wrought out in Christians. "Perhaps they do not read the Bible, or do not hear the voice that speaks to them in its pages; they do not see the love of God through his works. But if you are a true representative of Jesus, it may be that through you they will be led to understand something of his goodness, and be won to love and serve him." The Spirit is given to those who ask for it (Luke 11 : 13), but the asking must be in the name of Jesus (John 16 : 23, 24). "But to pray in the name of Jesus is something more than a mere mention of that name at the beginning and ending of a prayer. It is to pray in the mind and spirit of Jesus, while we believe his promises, rely upon his grace, and work his works." The purpose of Christ in coming to this world was to save (Luke 19 : 10), not to judge (John 12 : 47), but rejection of his work results in condemnation (John 3 : 18). The price paid was sufficient to redeem the world, but no man is saved contrary to his own will and choice. We can do nothing without him (John 15 : 5), and he will do nothing without us. Christ sends his followers on the same errand which brought him to earth (John 20 : 21), and has promised his presence to them (Matt. 28 : 20). "As Jesus has revealed to us the true character of the Father, so we are to reveal Christ to a world that does not know his tender, pitying love."
3. LOVE includes in its composition every element, every attribute of God's character. It does not ignore justice or righteousness, but it comprehends them as constituent elements. We cannot, therefore, set love against righteousness, or judgment, or justice; for all are essentials of love. An illustration of this is given in the light of the sun. When it comes direct to us from that great luminary, it is pure white. When shining through a prism, or some similar object, it is separated into all the colors of the rainbow,—red, orange, yellow, indigo, violet, blue, and green. We may at times see only red or blue, but these are part of the pure white light; so at times we may see a display of God's justice or mercy alone, but these are essential elements of his love.
Facts for the Times
FACTS FOR THE TIMES.—Containing historical extract, tracts, candid admissions from authors, ancient and modern. A Book for the Times. Revised 1893. A compilation of facts that are astounding, by students of biblical and historical research. 340 pages, wine-colored cloth binding. Price, 75 cts., postpaid. Pacific Press Pub. Co., Oakland, California.
THE NATIONAL SUNDAY LAW.—A pamphlet of 190 pages; price, 25 cents. It is the argument of Alonzo T. Jones before the United States Senate Committee on Education and Labor, together with the text of the Blair Sunday Bill introduced in the U. S. Senate. Address orders to your State Tract Society secretary or to Pacific Press Publishing Co., Oakland, Cal.
MAN'S NATURE AND DESTINY.—Assorted tract package No. 5. Six subjects or chapters in one; price, 10 cents. Address, Pacific Press, Oakland, Cal.
