STUDY OF THE BIBLE—ITS IMPORTANCE AND BENEFITS. NO. 4.
By Elder M. Larsen
(Concluded.)
THE Bible is its own best interpreter. Men's opinions may be right, and they are just as liable to be wrong; but when the Lord has spoken, we know it is true. Not only does the Bible deal in literal statements of truth, but not infrequently do we find some of its grandest teachings, its most profound truths, revealed in symbols and parables. Thus the two witnesses, called the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks (Rev. 11:3, 4),181what do they represent? Let the Bible speak. Some men might claim that they refer to Moses, and Christ.
A second comes along and argues that they are John the Baptist and Christ; and a third, that they represent Moses and John the Baptist, each giving good reasons why his is the correct interpretation, and each making it look equally plausible. And as each would have his friends, each would have his following, and hence three different parties and opinions.
Now, how shall we decide the matter. I confess, if the Bible does not give us any light on the subject it will be a little difficult. We therefore appeal to it. We find the symbol of the olive tree used but in one other place in the Bible, and that in the Old Testament. If we can find how or what it is used to symbolize there, it will furnish us a good clue to an understanding of its meaning here. So we read:—
“And he said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick and two olive trees by it. . . . So I answered and spake to the angel that talked with me, saying, What are these, my Lord? . . . Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord.” Zech. 4:2-6.
Then this symbol is not used to represent Moses, John the Baptist, or any other individual, but to represent the “word of the Lord.” Hence we may justly conclude that in Revelation they represent the two grand divisions of the Scriptures—the Old and the New Testaments. Speaking of the Old Testament Scriptures Christ says, “They are they which testify [i. e., witness] of me.” John 5:39. The New likewise witnesses of Christ, “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations.” Matt. 24:14. How fitting that these should be represented as “two witnesses”!
But here we must consider another important thought, namely, the relation and importance of the Old Testament to the New and the New to the Old. It seems that some have conceived of the idea that the Old Testament had served its purpose and became obsolete when Christ came; that it is of no more service to us, as I once heard it expressed, than an old last year’s almanac. But if it were not for the Old Testament, we would be left in the dark as to the significance of this symbol. And so we might remark in regard to a multitude of others. The fact is, symbols explained in the Old Testament are used in the New without being explained, and symbols explained in the New are used in the Old without explanation. Thus the one serves to explain the other—the Old the New, and the New the Old. Hence, both are indispensable. One is the key to the other. Says the apostle:—
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Tim. 3:16, 17.
“Now all these things happened unto them for examples; and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.” 1 Cor. 10:11.
“For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.” Rom. 15:4.
In conclusion we must notice briefly the benefits of the Bible. Says the Scriptures of man, “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.” Prov. 23:7. A truer statement perhaps was never penned. The mind is the mainspring of our actions. If the mind is pure, our actions will also be pure. If our mind is foul, our actions will be the same. “Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.” James 3:11, 12. “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” Matt. 12:34. “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.” Matt. 15:19. “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee.” Isa. 26:3.
It is as natural for a man to act as he thinks as for the water to flow down the hill. If a man’s thoughts are pure, his life will be the same; if impure, his life will also be impure. So we may also remark that whatever a man studies will be assimilated by the mind, as the food by the system, and will mould his thought. Hence if a person spends much of his time in reading novels or light, chaffy stories, his thoughts will dwell upon such things until at last his life becomes but a light, chaffy novel, or story, incased in about so much flesh and avoirdupois, conversely. If he is always thinking upon that which is noble, pure, and holy, those noble thoughts and holy aspirations will spring forth into activity, and materialize into a life of purity and righteousness. The noblest of all things to behold is Christ. Says Paul: “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 2 Cor. 3:18. We behold him in his works (Ps. 19:1-8), and in his word (John 6:63). And “the words which I speak unto you,” says he, “they are spirit, and they are life.” “It is the Spirit that quickeneth.” This spiritual food is a daily necessity. “For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.” 2 Cor. 4:16. For “man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” Matt. 4:4. “I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.” Job. 23:12.
Ruthven, Iowa.
THE WITNESS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
By Theodore L. Cuyler, D.D.
BY THEODORE L. CUYLER, D.D.
SOME very visionary ideas are current in regard to the doctrine of the witness of the Holy Spirit. There are certain emotional people who take the language of Scripture so literally that they claim that this "witness" came to them in a sudden and startling manner; it was revealed to them in a wonderful vision or in a dream, or even in some cases by an imagined voice from heaven. On this extraordinary and transient experience they are inclined to base their hope that they are the accepted "children of God." Does the great apostle, when he affirms in the magnificent eighth chapter of his epistle to the Romans that "the Spirit himself beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of God," place his main reliance on any such fitful and visionary experiences?—Nay, verily; it was not upon what might prove a shining and shifting fog bank that he rested his everlasting hope, but upon the Rock of Ages. What he did we should do. The less that we make our daily religious life depend on transient emotions, and the more we make it a solid, intelligent principle of faith in Christ and the practice of Bible godliness, the better for us. A sensible Christian will seek for the evidence of his being an accepted child of God in the same way that he seeks for evidence in any other great vital problem.
Here is one method of discovering the true meaning and realizing the happy assurance of this "witness of the Spirit." Our Bible is God’s book, inspired by the Holy Spirit; and this book is the charter of Christianity. It not only reveals Jesus Christ, but describes the nature of the religion which he came to teach. It defines his commandments, and tells us just what it is to be a follower of Christ. It photographs the Christian character. The Holy Spirit, in this holy book, describes what regeneration is, and how it is produced, and what are the evidences and fruits of it. Now if I find that my character and conduct correspond in any good degree with this Bible portraiture of a true child of God, then I have a witness of the Spirit in my favor. The Spirit’s description of Christianity agrees with that divine Spirit’s work on my heart and life. Each one testifies to the other.
Suppose we take a silver dollar to the United States Mint and compare it with the die in that mint. We discover that they correspond to each other. There is the eagle and there are the stars on the die, and the same eagle and stars are stamped on the dollar. We feel sure therefore that that dollar came out of that mint and from that die. So a child of God opens the Bible which the Holy Spirit inspired and gave to him. He reads in it the requisites of the Christian character—repentance of sin, faith in Christ and obedience to Christ’s commandments. He is conscious that he has repented, that he does trust Christ, and, though very imperfectly, is endeavoring to order his life in conformity with Christ’s teachings. "My peace I give unto you," is Christ’s promise; and such peace he has actually found. The fruits of the Holy Spirit are faith, love, joy, meekness, and other similar graces. If he finds these graces existing—in any good degree—in his own heart and daily life, then he has a strong assurance that he is an accepted child of God. There is a certain agreement between the religion which the Holy Spirit has written on the Bible page and the religion which that same Spirit has inscribed on his own heart and character. Thus the Spirit witnesseth to his soul that he is a child of God, and this witness gives him the strength of a solid assurance. Instead of resting on a transient emotion, or a devout rapture, he founds his everlasting hope on what Jesus Christ has done in him and promises to do for him in this world and in the next.
The great apostle tells us that he had the witness of the Spirit that he was an adopted and accepted child of God. The law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus had delivered him from the dominion of sin and death. There was an inward conviction and an outward conduct; the two corresponded with each other. They both corresponded to the Spirit’s description of true Christianity. Paul never could have written this magnificent eighth chapter if he had not actually known that Jesus Christ lived in him.
When a tree produces the leaves of the peach and the fruit of the peach, we are sure that it is a peach tree. When a man feels the182love of Jesus in his soul and strives to obey the commandments of Jesus in his daily life, he has the divine witness that he is in Christ. While in Christ he is safe, safe for time and all eternity. There is no condemnation to him; for to such as he the Lord Jesus Christ has said: "I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall anyone pluck them out of my hand." A true Christian has a right to claim the witness of the Holy Spirit. But when a shallow dissembler who practices secret frauds and impurities, who cheats his creditors, and for a pretense makes long prayers—when such as he prates glibly about his attainments in holiness, he only unmasks his own hypocrisy.
It is the right and the privilege of the genuine child of God to possess the assurance of Christ’s perfect love and perpetual protection. Old Latimer used to say that when he had this steadfast trust in his Master he could face a lion; when he lost it, he was ready to run into a mouse hole. Why should a redeemed follower of Christ ever worry himself sick with wretched doubts and insulting fears? If I have put my everlasting all in Christ’s hands, he is responsible for the trust—as long as I leave it wholly with him. If I check my trunk to Philadelphia, it belongs to the baggage master until I get there. Surely I ought to have as strong a faith that my blood-bought soul is forever safe in the keeping of the omnipotent Son of God. His Spirit beareth witness with my spirit; and I am persuaded that neither death nor life, principalities or powers, things present or things to come, shall be able to separate me from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord!—Abridged from the Independent.
THE OUTPOURING OF THE SPIRIT.
By Stephen N. Haskell
BY ELDER S. N. HASKELL.
THE ten days that the disciples spent in Jerusalem waiting for the descent of the Holy Spirit were the days of deepest interest to them. About one hundred and twenty met daily, watched and prayed for the outpouring of the Spirit. They looked over the life of Christ, realizing that they were not prepared to take up the work that he left, and felt that they should begin as he began; therefore, one was chosen to take the place of Judas, for they had found it "written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein; and his bishopric [or office or charge] let another take."
"And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." Acts 2:1-4.
This being the day of Pentecost, when people from all parts of the world had come to worship God, for the Jews were mingling with all nations, "there were dwelling at Jerusalem devout men out of every nation under heaven." These representatives from all parts of the world were to carry back with them the truth preached to them on this occasion with the influence of the Spirit of God. This was the beginning of the work that the disciples took up after the Saviour left.
Notwithstanding this great outpouring of the Spirit, three and a half years more they remained at Jerusalem, and thousands embraced the gospel in this city. Three thousand were converted on the day of Pentecost. Satan was greatly stirred. "And the Sadducees came upon them, being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold until the next day. . . . Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand." Acts 4:1-4. "And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith." Acts 6:7.
But not only at Jerusalem, where this great work began, was the seed sown; but through the representatives of the different nationalities, the light and power of the gospel were carried to different portions of the world. God designed that the apostles should also go to different parts of the earth to nourish the seed sown, to establish the gospel, and to encourage the believers after the light had been accepted; but they were inclined to hover about Jerusalem. Stephen was stoned; the disciples were imprisoned, and at that time "there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria." "Therefore they that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word." Acts 8:1, 4. And yet they did not take in the fact that all people in every part of the world were to have the gospel, and they had no idea that they were to preach to the avowed idolaters. The Jews were the only religiously civilized people in the world; all others were heathen, or idol worshipers. And their Pharisaical ideas that they were a better people than others because they had been highly favored with great light, caused even the disciples to think that this enlightened people were the only ones to receive their personal labor.
But when the Lord through certain Grecians had established the work at Antioch, and a great number had believed and turned to the Lord, the apostles sent Barnabas to investigate the matter; and their experience at Antioch broadened their views of the work. Then they began to realize that it was the design of God to go to every nation and to every people and tongue with the gospel. This had ever been God's plan, and was according to the promise to Abraham,—"In thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed." Gen. 12:3.
After this the disciples passed on through Judea and Samaria unto the uttermost parts of the earth. "The messengers bore the message rapidly from place to place, passing from country to country, lifting the standard of the gospel in all the portions of the earth."
The disciples possessed great courage, boldness, and zeal. They felt thankful that they were counted worthy to suffer for Christ's sake. Their entire soul, their property, and everything that they possessed, were laid upon the altar of Christ, so that within twenty years from the ordination of Paul and Barnabas to go to the heathen, the apostle wrote to the Colossians:—
"For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it does also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth." Col. 1:5.
These are wonderful words; for they assure us that at this early date, A.D. 64, the word183of the truth of the gospel that had come to Colosse had also gone to all the world, and had brought forth fruit in all the world as it had at Colosse. Therefore at this early period believers could be found in all parts of the world; and the world was as large then as it is now. In verse 23 the apostle makes this more specific by saying that it "was preached to every creature which is under heaven."
But how was the gospel so quickly carried to every portion of this earth? What was the motive power?—Simply the promised Holy Spirit. This is an illustration of what will be accomplished under the influence of the Spirit and power of God. But this Spirit came upon none but those who were in a condition to receive it; it came upon none but those who knew God, and to know God was to have the evidence of his pardoning love; for Jeremiah says, "They shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more." Jer. 31:34. This knowing God showed a change of heart. A new heart God had given them; a new spirit had he put within them. He had taken away the stony heart, and given them a heart of flesh, that would be susceptible to divine impressions. In Jer. 22:16 we read: "He judged the cause of the poor and needy; then it was well with him; was not this to know me? saith the Lord." And it was this condition that prepared them for the reception of that power which enabled them to spread a knowledge of the gospel throughout every heathen land in less than a score of years.
TRAPPED.
IN "Joints in Our Social Armor," recently published in London, there is a characteristic and amusing anecdote of the cunning, catlike Charles Greville. He was very old, and had gone to see a Spiritualistic "medium," who was attracting fashionable London.
The charlatan looked at the gray, worn old man, and thought himself safe. Four other visitors attended the séance, but the "medium" bestowed all his attention on Greville. With much emotion he cried, "There is an aged lady behind your chair."
Greville remarked sweetly, "How interesting!"
"She is very, very like you."
"Who can it be?" murmured Greville.
"She lifts her hands to bless you. Her hands are now resting on your head," shouted the medium, and the pallid, emotionless man said, with a slight tremor in his voice, "Pray tell me who this mysterious visitant may be."
"It is your mother."
"Ah," said Greville, "I am delighted to hear that!"
"She says she is perfectly happy, and she watches you constantly."
"Dear soul!" muttered the imperturbable one.
"She tells me you will join her soon, and be happy with her."
Then Greville said gravely, in dulcet tones, "That is extremely likely, for I am going to take tea with her at five o'clock."
He had led the poor swindler in his usual fashion, and never hinted at the fact that his mother was nearly a century old. Sel.
MY JOURNAL.
By Jessie Hocker
BY JESSIE HOCKER.
UPON the pure, unsullied white
Of this fair page, I pen to-night
A word, half prayer, half thought combined,
By heart, and mind, and soul assigned.
If I could look adown the way
That leads to one more "New Year's day"
And see wherein for good or ill
The countless influences fill,
Could read each thought and know each tear
That shall be mine within the year,
Could know the sorrow deep and strong,
Could feel the quickening joys that throng,
I would not feel, I would not look
Within God's mystic "record book."
For well I know that hand divine
Is far more strong and wise than mine,
And I'm content to know I may
Be and abide in him each day.
Help me, dear Saviour, to forget
The storm of trials that beset;
Receive thy robe of spotless white,
And give to thee my robe of night.
Some day, earth's last "new year" will break,
And we within its rapture wake,
To find no more the bitter pain
Of life's deep loss, its shallow gain;
But there, within the city bright,
We'll bury memory of earth's night,
And 'mid the peal of "New Year's" bells,
Which to the universe foretells
The endless cycles ushered in,
And past for aye the age of sin.
College Place, Wash.
OUR OBLIGATION TO IMPROVE OUR TALENTS.
By Ellen G. White
BY MRS. E. G. WHITE.
FROM this far distant field of Australia I would address you in America, asking to what use you are putting your intrusted talents? Every talent is to be returned to the Master with interest; for the Lord has a work for one and all to do, which, if performed, will result in the accumulation of talent and blessing. All are called upon to work while it is day; for the night cometh, in which no man can work. There are towns and villages and cities that are white already to harvest; but where are the reapers? Seed sowers are needed, and the reapers should be ready to follow after. Time is short, and there is need of earnest laborers to go all through Michigan, for in this State especially the fields are white for the harvest.
Let not the work that needs to be done wait for the ordination of ministers. If there are not ministers to take up the work, let men of intelligence, with no thought of how they can accumulate the most property, establish themselves in these cities and towns, and lift up the standard of the cross, using the knowledge they have gained in winning souls to the truth. The knowledge of the truth is altogether too precious to be hoarded up, and bound about, and hid in the earth. Even the one talent intrusted by the Master is to be faithfully employed to gain other talents also. Where are the men and women who have been refreshed with rich streams of blessing from the throne of God? Let them ask themselves what they have done to communicate this light to those who have not had like advantages? How will those who have neglected to use their talents stand in the judgment, when every motive will be brought under scrutiny? The heavenly Master has committed to every one of his servants talents. “And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability.”
God has not given talents to merely a chosen few, but to everyone he has committed some peculiar gift to be used in his service. Many to whom the Lord has given precious talents have refused to employ them for the advancement of the kingdom of God; nevertheless, they are under obligation to God for their use of his gifts. Everyone, whether serving God or pleasing himself, is a possessor of some trust, whose proper use will bring glory to God and whose perverted use will rob the Giver. That the possessor of talents does not acknowledge God’s claims upon him, does not make his guilt the less. If he chooses to stand under the black banner of the prince of darkness through this life, he will stand unconfessed by Christ in the day of final accounts.
“God so loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” The ransom money has been paid for every son and daughter of Adam, and that those who have been ransomed by the precious blood of Christ, refuse allegiance to him, will not shield them from the retribution that will come upon them in the last day. They will have to answer for their neglect to use their intrusted talents for the Master. They will have to answer for their reproaches against their Maker and Redeemer, and for their robbery of God in withholding their talents from his service, and burying their Lord’s goods in the earth.
The human family is composed of responsible moral agents, and from the highest and most gifted to the lowest and most obscure, all are invested with the goods of heaven. Time is an intrusted gift of God, and is to be diligently employed in the service of Christ. Influence is a gift of God, and is to be exerted for the forwarding of the highest, noblest purposes. Christ died on Calvary’s cross that all our influence might be used to lift him up before a perishing world. Those who behold the Majesty of heaven dying on the cross for their transgressions, will value their influence only as it draws men to Christ, and they will use it for this purpose only. Intellect is an intrusted talent. Sympathy and affection are talents to be sacredly guarded and improved, that we may render service to Him whose purchased possession we are.
All that we are or can be belongs to God. Education, discipline, and skill in every line should be used for him. The capital is his, and the improvement is the usury that rightfully belongs to the Master. Whether the amount intrusted is large or small, the Lord requires that his householders do their best. It is not the amount intrusted or the improvement made that brings to men the approbation of heaven, but it is the faithfulness, the loyalty to God, the loving service rendered, that brings the divine benediction, “Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” This reward of joy does not wait until our entrance into the city of God, but the faithful servant has a foretaste of it even in this life.
Instead of burying our talents in the earth, those who are willing to trade upon them, will not trade in vain. God pronounces his blessing upon unselfish, unwearied diligence; and though we may have but one talent, and can make but a small investment, yet God will make the effort fruitful in results. The man who works in faith will realize that his intellect, his affections, his whole power, belongs to God, and he will seek to make diligent use of his powers, and will improve his faculties and talents. But, instead of realizing that all our faculties belong to God, how many are reckless, little thinking that their influence, their cheap, light words, are moulding the characters of those with whom they associate, and bringing down their minds to a low level. If they did but understand what they are doing, and could realize that they are accountable for their influence, and that in the sight of heaven they are wasting their opportunities, would they so belittle their talents of speech and mind, and so mould the minds of their companions to what is low and ignoble, by their trifling, cheap conversation? It is by the influence of reckless triflers that the confederacy of evil is strengthened and the intrusted talents of God are corrupted and buried in the earth.
But the very talents that men pervert to the service of evil have been bestowed by the Lord for their elevation and the elevation of those with whom they associate. Through the exercise of the faculties of the mind, through the power of speech, they are to be constantly improving, and feeding other minds with rich, intellectual food, thus becoming a blessing to the world. Shall we not individually make the best possible use of the natural powers of mind and body? Shall we not carefully treasure every intrusted talent, and by exercise strengthen every faculty, and live in such a way that the young and inexperienced and the aged and experienced shall be benefited by association with us?
The atmosphere that surrounds the soul is fraught with influence for good or evil according to the character of the thoughts. It may be full of poison and malaria, or be fragrant and pure and health giving. This moral influence will be according to our connection with Christ or our separation from him, who is light and life. Those who are united with Christ will realize that he has given them trusts according to their several ability; and, whatever their surroundings, they will consider them favorable for the development of moral character. We are to make the most of every advantage and opportunity. We may continually remember that we must train and improve our ability that we may not disappoint our Master, but reach the highest possible standard, and thus influence others to follow in the footsteps of our Example. We may say, “Neither society nor intimate companions must have their ideas of Christian character cheapened by my course of action.” Those who take and keep this position will find that the gospel is the power of God unto salvation. Such will receive the commendation, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
In the work of disseminating the gospel, Christ sent his disciples out by two and two. In our efforts we should follow the plan of our Master. There are many that think it would be more advantageous to scatter our forces as much as possible so as to take in as much territory as possible; but Christ’s way is best, and it will always result in loss to follow other methods than his. If two workers could184come to this distant field, qualified by the Holy Spirit, and would deny self and take up the cross and follow Jesus, making it manifest that they were true disciples, an important work could be accomplished in the cities and their suburbs. We desire that men and women should come to these fields who have a knowledge of the truth, who are not as children tossed to and fro, who want not a pleasant time, but who are willing to carry burdens.
Oh! that the Lord would baptize men and women who were once in darkness and have seen great light, with his Holy Spirit, that they may realize their duty to let the light shine forth to others who are in darkness.
The advantages of you who have heard the truth in America have been great; but what use are you making of your privileges? What are you doing with your talents? Are you putting them out to the exchangers? Have you treasured up the truth in good and honest hearts, accepting the light ray after ray as it has come to you, and do you feel under obligation to diffuse the light you have received? Do you comprehend what the Lord would impress upon you by the parable of the talents? The Lord committed to every man talents according to his ability, and all were to trade upon these intrusted goods. By doing as their Lord commanded, they doubled their talents. But there was one who had but one talent intrusted to him, and he went and wrapped it in a napkin, and hid it in the earth; and when the Master returned and reckoned with his servants, he returned the talent to his Lord, bearing false witness against his Master, accusing him of being a hard man, who reaped where he had not sown, and gathered where he had not strewn, and he made this misapprehension of his Lord’s character an excuse for his slothfulness. But the Lord penetrated his disguises and answered him according to his estimate:—
“Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strewed; thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Take therefore the talent from him, and give unto him that hath ten talents. For unto everyone that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance; but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
But upon those who faithfully employed their talents, and who by wise use of their gifts doubled their ability, the Lord pronounced his divine benediction. To them he said, “Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”
DON'T PRESS THE INFLUENTIAL ONES.
By W. N. Glenn
BY W. N. GLENN.
THE Supreme Court of Pennsylvania has just rendered a decision which is about as conspicuous for going out of the way to make a point not involved in the case as is the noted "Christian Nation" decision of the U. S. Supreme Court. The Pennsylvania Sunday law was enacted in 1794, and supplemented in 1855. It prohibits all "worldly employment" on Sunday except "works of necessity and charity." There is nothing in it which specifically relates to Sunday newspapers.
Some time ago the Law and Order League, of Pittsburg, began a crusade for the enforcement of the law against the Sunday papers, and a test was made of the case of a news dealer who sold such papers on his stand and delivered them to subscribers. The case was carried to the Supreme Court of the State, which has given a decision against the news dealer. Here is what the court says, as quoted by the Cleveland Plaindealer of January 6:—
It is now almost a hundred years since the passage of the act of 1794. It is hardly likely that the framers of the act contemplated the possibility of Sunday newspapers. There were but few newspapers in existence at that time, and with perhaps one or two exceptions these were weekly papers of limited circulation. Since then there has been a vast development in the business of newspaper publishing as well as in other departments of trade. The development of the resources of the commonwealth has been phenomenal, as well as its growth in population. This growth has developed new events and to some extent changed the habits of the people. Among the changes which it has caused is the Sunday newspaper. Its circulation has become very extensive, and it is read by a large portion of our citizens. It has become a part of the ordinary life of the people, and it will require far more stringent legislation than the act of 1794 to uproot it. It is not our province to approve or condemn Sunday newspapers, but it is worse than useless to ignore their existence or the favor with which they have been regarded by a large portion of the community.
That the court stepped out of its way to tacitly indorse "far more stringent legislation" is shown by another utterance, not essential to the judgment in the case in hand. The following is purely gratuitous:—
The act of 1794 is a wise and beneficial statute, and we would regret to see it interfered with. We must, however, be allowed to express the fear that too literal an interpretation may create an antagonism that may lead to its repeal, or at least to a serious modification. There may be such a thing as excessive zeal in invoking its penalties in extreme cases. The act is in more danger from its friends than from its enemies.
The court betrays a very tender solicitude for this precious bit of ancient bigotry. It will not do to press it too hard, for fear there may be a reaction against the law. There seems to be a consciousness that the majority of the people are against the enforcement of the act, and if brought to the test would insist upon its repeal, or at least to a "serious modification" of its provisions. The advice virtually means, Don't press too hard upon that class of offenders who have influence with the people or with the law-making power; our "wise and beneficial statute" might suffer in that way. And that is just the careful policy adopted in Tennessee, and formerly in Arkansas. The members of the popular churches and the influential business men and corporations are not molested. Only the observers of the commandments of God, who keep the Sabbath therein prescribed, and who are known to be nonresistant, are prosecuted for Sunday labor.
But by and by, when the general government shall fall into line with a national Sunday law, and Sunday persecution gains a little firmer foothold, then look out for that "far more stringent legislation" which is so deftly hinted at by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.
A DANGER IN THE CHURCH TO-DAY.
By Charles A. Dickenson
Such impulses are working in the church of Christ to-day, unconsciously, but yet tending to the same exclusive results as those witnessed on that train of cars. The church itself is in danger of becoming a special train on board of which the Christians are more exercised concerning their own comfort and destination than they are concerning the destination and comforts of the surging crowd outside. These things ought not to be. We see our weakness; we know that we are naturally selfish, that we often consider our personal comfort before the spiritual and temporal welfare of those about us; and yet there are times when we rise to the higher vantage ground of our faith, when a noble resolve moves us to do and to suffer for the salvation of men and the betterment of the world.
Oh, how mean and insignificant our selfish selves seem as we stand at these lookout stations of our experience! We try to see ourselves as others see us, as the angels see us.
I was standing on Mount Kineo a few weeks ago, a magnificent mass of solid hornblende, rising eleven hundred feet from the bosom of the lake, one side a perpendicular wall capped with beetling cliffs, which seemed ever ready to plunge into the inky waters that lie crumpled and trembling in a sort of Dantean gloom at their base. From the top of the wall I looked down upon the185lake and the curving shore. Boats like tiny eggshells, with their mites of humanity, floated here and there within the range of my vision. Men and women that looked like pigmies moved about on the land. The sensation was a strange one.
The world seemed so large and men so small, I could not help exclaiming: "What is man that thou art mindful of him?" It takes but an altitude of half a mile to reduce him to the proportions of an ant; what must he seem from the altitude of heaven? An insect that lives his little day, that buzzes and circles over his bit of marsh or fen or glade, that struggles over his little mound of earth, collects his pile of glittering sand, and then lies down beside it to die, and be forgotten by a world that hardly knew he ever lived?—Ah, no, not this, I said, not this, except he be the smallest of the Creator's works,—a supremely selfish man! If such he be, living within self and for self, loveless and Christless, always getting and never giving, he shall at last lie down beside his gettings, and the lowly pile shall mark the stature of his manhood; but if the Spirit of Christ be his, if his personality be charged with the electric potency of love, he shall make for himself a place in God's world, the altitude of which shall not be measured by Ossa piled upon Kineo and Pelion upon Ossa.
For when you are able to comprehend the breadth and length and height of the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, you shall know the stature of that manhood or womanhood which is filled and moved by that love. Measure yourself, my brother, by the cross to-day.—Rev. Charles A. Dickenson.