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Review and Herald, Vol. 93, No. 6.

My Guiding · Star
Earlier text: My Guiding · Star

Statement of Twenty-Cent-a-Week Fund for Year Ending

Dec. 31, 1915

CONFERENCES Membership Amt. at $0.40 Per Member Amount Received Amount Short Amount Over
ATLANTIC UNION
Eastern New York 859 $8033.60 $11450.42 $2516.82
Greater New York 1255 13052.00 17700.16 4648.16
Maine 427 4440.80 7180.61 2739.81
Massachusetts 1312 13644.80 18710.01 5065.21
Northern New England 530 5512.00 6393.84 881.84
Southern New England 436 4534.40 6031.78 1479.38
Western New York 872 9068.80 12035.87 2967.07
Totals 5691 59186.40 79484.69 20298.29
CENTRAL UNION Membership Amt. at $0.40 Per Member Amount Received Amount Short Amount Over
Colorado 1761 18314.40 15632.03 2682.37
Kansas 2118 22027.20 23835.96 358.76
Missouri 1226 12750.40 12474.86 275.54
Nebraska 2103 21871.20 22255.94 384.74
Western Colorado 470 4888.00 3961.06 926.94
Wyoming 526 5470.40 5740.92 270.52
Totals 8204 85321.60 82450.77 3884.85 1014.02
COLUMBIA UNION Membership Amt. at $0.40 Per Member Amount Received Amount Short Amount Over
Chesapeake 690 7176.00 6175.95 1000.05
District of Columbia 825 8580.00 8685.89 105.89
Eastern Pennsylvania 1168 12147.20 12211.37 64.17
New Jersey 810 8424.00 9076.28 652.28
Ohio 2007 20872.80 23993.97 3121.17
Virginia 583 5782.40 3249.05 2533.35
West Pennsylvania 721 7498.40 7518.40 20.00
West Virginia 200 2080.00 2662.12 582.12
Totals 7004 72560.80 73573.03 3533.40 4545.63
EASTERN CANADIAN UNION Membership Amt. at $0.40 Per Member Amount Received Amount Short Amount Over
Maritime 233 2423.20 2678.89 255.69
Ontario 551 5730.40 5736.31 5.91
Quebec 155 1612.00 1783.16 171.16
Newfoundland 61 634.40 634.72 .32
Totals 1000 10400.00 10833.08 433.08
LAKE UNION Membership Amt. at $0.40 Per Member Amount Received Amount Short Amount Over
East Michigan 1674 17409.60 24483.15 7073.55
Indiana 1611 16754.40 16803.14 48.74
Northern Illinois 1460 15184.00 17829.02 2645.02
North Michigan 795 8268.00 5657.48 2610.52
Southern Illinois 696 7238.40 7587.29 348.89
West Michigan 2485 25844.00 30205.62 4361.62
Wisconsin 2543 26447.20 21272.57 5174.63
Totals 11264 117145.60 123838.27 7785.15 14477.82
NORTHERN UNION Membership Amt. at $0.40 Per Member Amount Received Amount Short Amount Over
Iowa 2382 24772.80 27077.46 2304.66
Minnesota 1700 17680.00 20812.70 3132.70
North Dakota 1227 12760.80 12988.04 227.24
South Dakota 948 9859.20 10907.72 1048.52
Totals 6257 65072.80 71785.92 6713.12
NORTH PACIFIC UNION Membership Amt. at $0.40 Per Member Amount Received Amount Short Amount Over
Montana 432 $4402.80 $6411.01 $1018.21
Southern Idaho 693 7207.20 7880.56 673.36
Southern Oregon 645 6708.00 4409.52 2298.48
Upper Columbia 2181 22682.40 17970.45 4711.95
Western Oregon 2017 20976.80 18779.20 2197.60
Western Washington 1705 17732.80 12728.89 5003.11
Alaska 4 41.60 14.30 27.30
Totals 7677 79840.80 68193.93 14238.44 2591.57
PACIFIC UNION Membership Amt. at $0.40 Per Member Amount Received Amount Short Amount Over
Arizona 304 3161.60 2609.80 551.80
California 1538 15995.20 16613.34 618.14
Central California 1224 12729.60 10941.64 1787.96
Northern California 1522 15828.80 10660.69 5168.11
Northwestern California 1196 12438.40 11429.31 1009.09
Southern California 2033 21143.20 16966.04 4177.16
Southeastern California 1546 16078.40 13338.23 2740.17
Utah 192 1996.80 1203.01 793.79
Nevada 158 1643.20 1231.15 412.05
Totals 9713 101015.20 84993.21 16640.13 618.14
SOUTHEASTERN UNION Membership Amt. at $0.40 Per Member Amount Received Amount Short Amount Over
Cumberland 563 5647.20 4416.01 1231.19
Florida 744 7334.60 8685.96 1351.36
Georgia 557 5444.40 3908.40 1536.00
North Carolina 625 6021.60 3224.01 2797.59
South Carolina 353 3273.40 1842.08 1431.32
Totals 2842 27721.20 22076.46 6996.10 1351.36
SOUTHERN UNION Membership Amt. at $0.40 Per Member Amount Received Amount Short Amount Over
Alabama 460 4066.40 3419.92 646.48
Kentucky 426 3988.40 3502.29 486.11
Louisiana 387 3728.40 2326.70 1401.70
Mississippi 311 2798.80 2158.07 631.73
Tennessee River 699 7022.60 4945.89 2076.71
Totals 2283 21595.60 16352.87 5242.73
SOUTHWESTERN UNION Membership Amt. at $0.40 Per Member Amount Received Amount Short Amount Over
Arkansas 302 3036.80 2253.12 783.68
New Mexico 260 2672.80 1916.26 756.54
North Texas 1252 12864.80 7967.44 4897.36
Oklahoma 1860 19125.60 18121.58 1004.02
South Texas 388 3978.00 2761.62 1216.38
West Texas 247 2548.00 1110.73 1437.27
Totals 4309 44226.00 34130.75 10095.25
WESTERN CANADIAN UNION Membership Amt. at $0.40 Per Member Amount Received Amount Short Amount Over
Alberta 606 6302.40 10234.82 3932.42
British Columbia 426 4430.40 3534.37 896.03
Manitoba 228 2371.20 2558.22 187.02
Saskatchewan 405 4212.00 8437.32 4225.32
Totals 1665 17316.00 24764.73 896.03 8344.76

Summary

UNION Membership Amt. at $0.40 Per Member Amount Received Amount Short Amount Over
Atlantic 5691 59186.40 79484.69 20298.29
Central 8204 85321.60 82450.77 3884.85 1014.02
Columbia 7004 72560.80 73573.03 3533.40 4545.63
East Canadian 1000 10400.00 10833.08 433.08
Lake 11264 117145.60 123838.27 7785.15 14477.82
Northern 6257 65072.80 71785.92 6713.12
North Pacific 7677 79840.80 68193.93 14238.44 2591.57
Pacific 9713 101015.20 84993.21 16640.13 618.14
Southeastern 2842 27721.20 22076.46 6996.10 1351.36
Southern 2283 21595.60 16352.87 5242.73
Southwestern 4309 44226.00 34130.75 10095.25
Western Canadian 1665 17316.00 24764.73 896.03 8344.76
Total 68478 $701402.00 $692477.71 $69312.08 $60387.79
Net amount short 8924.29 8924.29
$701402.00 $701402.00 $69312.08 $69312.08
NOTE.— The gifts from 826 members of the Southern Union, 706 of the Southeastern Union, 226 of the Southwestern Union, and 108 of the Virginia Conference have been figured at the rate of 15 instead of 20 cents per member.

When Peru Went Free

By F. M. W.

UNDER this heading William O. Stuntz, superintendent of the Peru District of the Methodist Episcopal Church, tells in the Christian Advocate of January 6, of the struggle for religious toleration in this South American republic. He states that until November, 1915, the statute books of Peru carried provisions making it possible to banish from the country for three years any one who held services of any other religious body save the Roman Catholic Church, the constitution prohibiting public worship except that of the state church. In the capital of Peru, Protestant churches dared not post their notices on their church doors.
Owing to the growing spirit of liberty and love of fair play on the part of many of the people, these rules have not been enforced to any large extent. Two years ago, when the bill providing for religious toleration was introduced, there were only four dissenting votes, three of them from Catholic priests. Very strenuous efforts, however, were put forth by the Catholic Church to defeat the measure when it should come up for second reading. But it may be said to the credit of the members of the house, that after two years of hard work on the part of the state church, only twelve opposing votes could be mustered against the bill.
Dr. Stuntz declares that “it was a red-letter day in Lima when the law was officially announced by congress.” An hour before the joint session of the senate with the deputies the balconies of the chamber were crowded with women, priests, and schoolboys. Of the scene attending the promulgation of the new law this writer says:—
When the leader of the reform movement, Señor Quimper, entered, he was greeted by the Roman Catholic women with shouts of “Renegade!” “Death to the child!” “Death to Quimper!” “Death to the heretics!” “Death to religious liberty!” “Traitors!” “Down with Pilate!” “He’s bought by the Protestants!” “Away with him!” “Away with him!”
A few university students had slipped into the center of the crowd of Roman Catholic women, and so occasionally one heard among the shrill voices of the women the husky shouts of these men in behalf of religious freedom. The president of the deputies had hunted up an excuse to stay at home that day, so the duty of presiding fell on the vice president of the deputies, Dr. Peña Murietta. His arrival called forth a storm of protests, and amid the noise of firecrackers he was showered with crowns of alfalfa. When the senators arrived in a body, they were greeted with “Traitors!” “Death to the representatives!” “Death to the reformers!” “Death to liberty!” and when the meeting was finally called to order, the tumult in the galleries was such that the presiding officer had to order that one of the balconies should be emptied.
In the meantime the priest, Sancho Diaz, the leader of the Roman Catholic forces, and a half dozen others were drinking tea and beer in the barroom adjoining in the hope of preventing a quorum, but finally, hearing Dr. Peña Murietta proceed with the business of the day, they rushed in shouting, “There is no quorum! There is no quorum!” The other congressmen laughed, and said that it would have been their fault if there were not. And so it happened that the very enemies of the bill were present and helped to swell the quorum that made possible the formal announcement of the law.
By this time the noise in the galleries was enormous. Women prayed and yelled at the same time, firecrackers were set off, and more alfalfa crowns were hurled at Dr. Peña Murietta as he arose, and with his bell in one hand (to call for order) and the official document in the other, shouted out, “The honorable congress being in session in order to formally announce the reform of Article IV of the constitution, I shall announce it!” Like a tiger Sr. Sancho Diaz sprang from his seat, ran to the table, seized the document, and tore it to pieces. Some of the congressmen tried to stop him, but were unable to do so. Dr. Peña Murietta, having ordered the offender to be detained, announced the adjournment of the day’s session. (A few moments later the priest formally apologized for tearing up the document.) And so closed one of the most extraordinary sessions of the Peruvian Congress.
F. M. W.

MRS. E. G. WHITE

By Ellen G. White

Faithfulness in Health Reform — No. 1

MRS. E. G. WHITE

I AM instructed to bear a message to all our people on the subject of health reform; for many have backslidden from their former loyalty to health reform principles.
God’s purpose for his children is that they shall grow up to the full stature of men and women in Christ. In order to do this, they must use aright every power of mind, soul, and body. They cannot afford to waste any mental or physical strength.
The question of how to preserve the health is one of primary importance. When we study this question in the fear of God, we shall learn that it is best, both for our physical health and our spiritual advancement, to observe simplicity in diet. Let us patiently study this question. We need knowledge and judgment in order to move wisely in this matter. Nature’s laws are not to be resisted, but obeyed.
Those who have received instruction regarding the evils of the use of flesh meats, tea and coffee, and rich and unhealthful food preparations, and who are determined to make a covenant with God by sacrifice, will not continue to indulge their appetite for food that they know to be unhealthful. God demands that the appetites be cleansed, and that self-denial be practiced in regard to those things which are not good. This is a work that will have to be done before his people can stand before him a perfected people.
The remnant people of God must be a converted people. The presentation of this message is to result in the conversion and sanctification of souls. We are to feel the power of the Spirit of God in this movement. This is a wonderful, definite message; it means everything to the receiver, and it is to be proclaimed with a loud cry. We must have a true, abiding faith that this message will go forth with increasing importance till the close of time.
There are some professed believers who accept certain portions of the Testimonies as the message of God, while they reject those portions that condemn their favorite indulgences. Such persons are working contrary to their own welfare and the welfare of the church. It is essential that we walk in the light while we have the light. Those who claim to believe in health reform, and yet work counter to its principles in the daily life practice, are hurting their own souls, and leave wrong impressions upon the minds of believers and unbelievers.
A solemn responsibility rests upon those who know the truth, that all their works shall correspond with their faith. and that their lives shall be refined and sanctified, and they be prepared for the work that must rapidly be done in these closing days of the message. They have no time or strength to spend in the indulgence of appetite. The words should come to us now with impelling earnestness, ‘Repent, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.’ There are many among us who are deficient in spirituality, and who, unless they are wholly converted, will certainly be lost. Can you afford to run the risk?
Pride and weakness of faith are depriving many of the rich blessings of God. There are many who, unless they humble their hearts before the Lord, will be surprised and disappointed when the cry is heard, ‘Behold, the Bridegroom cometh!’ They have the theory of the truth, but they have no oil in their vessel with their lamp. Our faith at this time must not stop with assent to belief in the theory of the third angel’s message. We must have the oil of the grace of Christ that will feed the lamp, and cause the light of life to shine forth, showing the way to those who are in darkness.
If we would escape having a sickly experience, we must begin in earnest without delay to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. There are many who give no decided evidence that they are true to their baptismal vows. Their zeal is chilled by formality, worldly ambition, pride, and love of self. Occasionally their feelings are stirred, but they do not fall upon the Rock, Christ Jesus. They do not come to God with hearts that are broken in repentance and confession. Those who experience the work of true conversion in their hearts will reveal the fruits of the Spirit in their lives. O that those who have so little spiritual life would realize that eternal life can be granted only to those who become partakers of the divine nature, and escape the corruption that is in the world through lust!
The power of Christ alone can work the transformation in heart and mind that all must experience who would partake with him of the new life in the kingdom of God. ‘Except a man be born again,’ the Saviour has said, ‘he cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven.’ The religion that comes from God is the only religion that can lead to God. In order to serve him aright, we must be born of the divine Spirit. This will lead to watchfulness. It will purify the heart and renew the mind, and give us a new capacity for knowing and loving God. It will give us willing obedience to all his requirements. This is true worship.
God requires continual advancement from his people. They need to learn that indulged appetite is the greatest hindrance to mental improvement and soul sanctification. With all our profession of health reform, many of us eat improperly. Indulgence of appetite is the greatest cause of physical and mental debility, and lies largely at the foundation of feebleness and premature death. Let the individual who is seeking to possess purity of spirit bear in mind that in Christ is power to control the appetite.
If we could be benefited by indulging the desire for flesh meats, I would not make this appeal to you; but I know we cannot. Flesh foods are injurious to the physical well-being, and we should learn to do without them. Those who are in a position where it is possible to secure a vegetarian diet, but who choose to follow their own preferences in this matter, eating and drinking as they please, will gradually grow careless of the instruction the Lord has given regarding other phases of the present truth, and lose their perception of what is truth. They will surely reap as they have sown.
I have been instructed that the students in our schools are not to be served with flesh foods or with food preparations that are known to be unhealthful. Nothing that will serve to encourage a desire for stimulants should be placed on the tables. I appeal to old and young and to middle-aged. Deny your appetite of those things that are doing you injury. Serve the Lord by sacrifice.
Let the children have an intelligent part in this work. We are all members of the Lord’s family, and the Lord would have his children, young and old, determine to deny appetite, and to save the means needed for the building of meetinghouses and the support of missionaries.
I am instructed to say to parents, Place yourselves, soul and spirit, on the Lord’s side of this question. We need ever to bear in mind that in these days of probation we are on trial before the Lord of the universe. Will you not give up indulgences that are doing you injury? Words of profession are cheap; let your acts of self-denial testify that you will be obedient to the demands that God makes on his peculiar people. Then put into the treasury a portion of the means you save by your acts of self-denial, and there will be that with which to carry on the work of God.
There are many who feel that they cannot get along without flesh meats; but if these would place themselves on the Lord’s side, resolutely resolved to walk in the way of his guidance, they would receive strength and wisdom, as did Daniel and his fellows. They would find that the Lord would give them sound judgment. Many would be surprised to see how much could be saved for the cause of God by acts of self-denial. The small sums saved by deeds of sacrifice will do more for the upbuilding of the cause of God than larger gifts will accomplish that have not called for denial of self.
Seventh-day Adventists are handling momentous truths. More than forty years ago the Lord gave us special light on health reform, but how are we walking in that light? How many have refused to live in harmony with the counsels of God? We as a people should make advancement proportionate to the light received. It is our duty to understand and respect the principles of health reform. On the subject of temperance we should be in advance of all other people; and yet there are among us well-instructed members of the church, and even ministers of the gospel, who have little respect for the light that God has given upon this subject. They eat as they please, and work as they please.
Let those who are teachers and leaders in our cause take their stand firmly on Bible ground in regard to health reform, and give a straight testimony to those who believe we are living in the last days of this earth’s history. A line of distinction must be drawn between those who serve God and those who serve themselves.
I have been shown that the principles that were given us in the early days of the message are as important and should be regarded just as conscientiously today as they were then. There are some who have never followed the light given on the question of diet. It is now time to take the light from under the bushel, and let it shine forth in clear, bright rays. . . .
We do not mark out any precise line to be followed in diet; but we do say that in countries where there are fruits, grains, and nuts in abundance, flesh meat is not the right food for God’s people. I have been instructed that flesh meat has a tendency to animalize the nature, to rob men and women of that love and sympathy which they should feel for every one, and to give the lower passions control over the higher powers of the being. If meat eating was ever healthful, it is not safe now. Cancers, tumors, and pulmonary diseases are largely caused by meat eating.
We are not to make the use of flesh meat a test of fellowship, but we should consider the influence that professed believers who use flesh meats have over others. As God’s messengers, shall we not say to the people, ‘Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God’? Shall we not bear a decided testimony against the indulgence of perverted appetite? Will any who are ministers of the gospel, proclaiming the most solemn truth ever given to mortals, set an example in returning to the fleshpots of Egypt? Will those who are supported by the tithe from God’s storehouse permit themselves by self-indulgence to poison the life-giving current flowing through their veins? Will they disregard the light and warnings that God has given them? The health of the body is to be regarded as essential for growth in grace and the acquirement of an even temper. If the stomach is not properly cared for, the formation of an upright moral character will be hindered. The brain and nerves are in sympathy with the stomach. Erroneous eating and drinking result in erroneous thinking and acting.
All are now being tested and proved. We have been baptized into Christ, and if we will act our part by separating from everything that would drag us down, and make us what we ought not to be, strength to grow up into Christ, who is our living head, will be given us, and we shall see the salvation of God.
Only when we are intelligent in regard to the principles of healthful living, can we be fully aroused to see the evils resulting from improper diet. Those who, after seeing their mistakes, have courage to change their habits, will find that the reformatory process requires a struggle and much perseverance; but when correct tastes are once formed, they will realize that the use of the food which they formerly regarded as harmless, was slowly but surely laying the foundation for dyspepsia and other diseases.
Fathers and mothers, watch unto prayer. Guard strictly against intemperance in every form. Teach your children the principles of true health reform. Teach them what things to avoid in order to preserve health. Already the wrath of God has begun to be visited on the children of disobedience. What crimes, what sins, what iniquitous practices, are now being revealed on every hand! As a people, we are to exercise great care in guarding our children against depraved associates.—General Conference Bulletin, June 2, 1909.

What is the Chaff to the Wheat?

By Lyle Shepard

LYLE SHEPARD
When we present the obligations of the fourth commandment to the people, there are always some who say, “God is not so particular as all that; he surely doesn’t care on which day we rest.” If they would weigh what they are saying, any such could readily see that when one keeps the “first day,” though the Scripture plainly states that the “seventh” is the one to keep, they are placing the commandments of men above the commandments of God; for the two conflict.
What would the Saviour say to such if he were on earth today? In the first nine verses of Matthew 15 we have it clearly shown just what Christ’s attitude would be, were he among men. “Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying, Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? . . . But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? For God commanded, saying, Honor thy father and mother.” The Lord here condemns them for disregarding the fifth commandment, which states a man’s obligation to his parents.
There was a custom among the Jews that permitted a person to dedicate his property to the temple, and by so doing release himself from all the claims that a parent had on him. “But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free. And ye suffer him no more to do aught for his father or his mother.” “They taught the people that the devotion of their property to the temple was a duty more sacred than even the support of their parents; and that, however great the necessity, it was sacrilege to impart to father or mother any part of what had been thus consecrated. An undutiful child had only to pronounce the word ‘Corban’ over his property, thus devoting it to God, and he could retain it for his own use during his lifetime, and after his death it was to be appropriated to the temple service.”—“The Desire of Ages,” pages 396, 397.
Jesus said, “Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” Here Christ rebukes his hearers for disobeying a commandment that sets forth a man’s duty to his fellow man. Would he not even more severely denounce their disregard for the fourth commandment, which affects the duty of the individual to his Creator? Today, men, keeping the traditions of men for the commandments of God, are outwardly very religious, so zealous for God that they court the support of government to force men to keep Sunday.
The Reformers of the sixteenth century had a similar issue to meet. The laws enforced the traditions of the Fathers. At the disputation at Leipzig Dr. Eck, the noted church debater, said in ironical words to Luther, “I am surprised at the humility and modesty with which the reverend doctor undertakes to oppose, alone, so many illustrious fathers, and pretends to know more than the sovereign pontiffs, the councils, the doctors, and the universities! . . . It would be surprising, no doubt, if God had hidden the truth from so many saints and martyrs until the advent of the reverend father.” How did the noble men of this period meet such arguments? Let us use Zwingli’s words to John Faber: “Error was not less error because the belief of it had lasted fourteen hundred years, and that in the worship of God antiquity of usage was nothing unless ground or warrant for it could be found in the sacred Scriptures.” Luther likewise answers: “He who has been wrong for one hundred years was not right for one hour. If the years should make wrong right, the devil would well deserve to be the most just one on earth, for he is now over five thousand years old.”
We do well to follow their example. The fact that Sunday has been kept and God’s law thus disregarded for centuries, makes the error all the grosser and all the harder to rectify. Let us take heed lest we waver in the trying times just before us. Jesus declares, “In vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. . . . Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.” And we have this consolation in Matt. 24:13, that “He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.”
Portland, Mich.

What That Law Is

By Milton C. Wilcox

The Law of God—No. 2

What That Law Is

MILTON C. WILCOX
1. God is a universal moral governor. It is one of the great thoughts in the beginning of that wonderful song which Moses taught his people Israel:— “I will proclaim the name of Jehovah: Ascribe ye greatness unto our God. The Rock, his work is perfect; For all his ways are justice; A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, Just and right is he.” Deut. 32: 3, 4, A. R. V.
Through the evangelical prophet our God thus declares himself:— “There is no God else beside me; A just God and a Saviour; There is none beside me.” Isa. 45: 21, R. V.
The psalmist echoes the same gracious truth:— “Jehovah is righteous in all his ways, And gracious in all his works.” Ps. 145: 17, A. R. V.
And that inspired “song for the Sabbath day” closes with this refrain:— “Jehovah is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.” Ps. 92: 15, A. R. V.
We close these testimonials, which might be greatly multiplied, with this prophecy of the eternal future of the kingdom of God's Son:— “Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of thy kingdom. Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; Therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee With the oil of gladness above thy fellows.” Heb. 1: 8, 9. This is the testimony of the Word in small part to the character of him who watches over all, whose kingdom is eternal.
2. The infinite and loving God desires that his children shall be like himself. In the very nature of things he must demand it. The fruitage of infinite righteousness is infinite grace, and it is “thoughts of peace” he has for his people. To ask that his people shall be like himself is the highest thing which could be asked, and not an arbitrary demand of authority. It was infinite love that said to Abraham, “Walk before me, and be thou perfect.” Gen. 17: 2. And it was infinite love on the part of the Son of God that said: “Ye therefore shall be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matt. 5: 48); not in wisdom or knowledge, but in motive and purpose, the very heart of character.
3. The infinite God, perfect in every moral attribute, demanding characters of his subjects like his own, must give them the transcript of that character in a perfect law.
This law is characterized by the same epithets that are applied to God himself. We have before learned that God is just and wise and righteous and holy, a God of truth and love. The law is described by the same adjectives. Call a few of the many witnesses:— “Thy law is truth.” Ps. 119: 142. “The law of Jehovah is perfect,” “is sure,” “right,” “pure,” “clean,” “true,” “righteous.” Ps. 19: 7-9. In this passage the terms used of the law are “testimony,” “precepts,” “commandment,” “fear,” “ordinances.” Each and every term applies to the same thing in slightly differing aspects. Add to the testimony given through David that borne by the apostle Paul: “The law is holy, and the commandment holy, and righteous, and good.” “For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.” Rom. 7: 12, 14, A. R. V.
“God is love,” and “this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments.” 1 John 4: 8; 5: 3.
God is perfect and wise and just and true and right and holy and pure, the One of all perfection. God's law is perfect and wise and just and true and right and holy and pure, the law of all perfection.
There is no wonder that when “the preacher” summed up in a word man's moral obligation he said: “This is the end of the matter; all hath been heard: Fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every hidden thing, whether it be good or whether it be evil.” Eccl. 12: 13, 14, R. V.
The force of the Scripture cannot be set aside. Man's duty is manifest in observing God's law: God's law is therefore the rule of human conduct. It is therefore fitting that the rule of human conduct shall be the rule of final judgment at God's tribunal.
A parallel scripture to the one last quoted is found in the New Testament:— “Howbeit if ye fulfil the royal law, according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, ye do well: but if ye have respect of persons, ye commit sin, being convicted by the law as transgressors. For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is become guilty of all. For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou dost not commit adultery, but killest, thou art become a transgressor of the law. So speak ye, and so do, as men that are to be judged by a law of liberty.” James 2: 8-12, A. R. V.
The “royal law” is the law of the great King. It is the law of the king according to the Scriptures. This must refer to that law preeminently given of God, spoken by his own voice in Mt. Sinai, “out of the midst of the fire, of the cloud, and of the thick darkness;” engraved by his own fingers on tables of enduring rock; preserved in a holy ark under God's own direction in the holy of holies, the most sacred room on earth. See Ex. 20: 1-17; Deut. 5: 22; Ex. 31: 18; 32: 15, 16.
God's royal law, according to the Scriptures, is clearly the decalogue. This is further shown in the fact that two commandments of the decalogue are indirectly quoted, “Thou shalt not kill,” “Thou shalt not commit adultery.” It is a law of liberty to all who obey. Well said the writer of Psalm 119, “I shall walk at liberty; for I have sought thy precepts.” Verse 45.
Finally, like the “commandments” of Eccl. 12: 13, 14, it is the rule of God's judgment.
All this is confirmed by the apostle Paul. “Through the law cometh the knowledge of sin.” “What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Howbeit, I had not known sin, except through the law: for I had not known coveting, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.” Rom. 3: 20; 7: 7, A. R. V.
The law of God “according to the Scriptures” is not therefore some vague, indefinite, changeable teaching, but a definite code, the decalogue, the ten commandments, the ten words of God. In their fulness of comprehension, in their holy demands, in their giving and preservation, they constitute the law of God. We may not see all this. That is not strange. His “commandment is exceeding broad,” and it is only by the enlightening power of the Holy Spirit that finite minds can fathom the character of God. As we follow these brief, imperfect studies, let us pray the inspired prayer, “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.” “Teach me, O Jehovah, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end. Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.” Ps. 119: 18, 33, 34, A. R. V.
And the prayer is possible of fulfilment in us through Christ Jesus, as we shall learn in future studies.

A Good Admission

By Eliza H. Morton

ELIZA H. MORTON
At one of the meetings of the Layman's Convention recently held in Portland, Maine, Dr. John Fort, a representative of the Methodist denomination, made the following good admission:—
“I want to confess, brethren, that I am a believer in the tithing system. We must come to the realization that we are stewards for God, and what he has given us is to be administered to his glory. When the church of Jesus Christ will acknowledge God's ownership of all it possesses, by paying tithes, we won't have to worry about methods.”
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