Earlier text: The World's Great NeedGod Our Helper
By William Brickey
We have a God of love and pity;
He knoweth that our frame is dust,
And has prepared for us a city,
Where we may dwell among the just,
In mansions of eternal glory,
Where we may prove redemption's story,
And not grow sick, infirm, or hoary,
And where our treasures will not rust. I long to rise above my weakness
And live in faith and hope and love,
And manifest a Christlike meekness,
Born of that Spirit from above.
But in myself I find no power
To live by faith one single hour;
I'd wither like a broken flower,
Beneath the sunshine from above. But if I follow where he leadeth,
Obedient to his command,
He will give strength as it is needed;
For he has power to make me stand
Upon the Rock of endless ages,
To stand with martyrs, seers, and sages
Who have embellished history's pages;
And will be found at his right hand. Behavior in the House of God
By Ellen G. White
(“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. V, pp. 491-494) To the humble, believing soul, the house of God on earth is the gate of heaven. The song of praise, the prayer, the words spoken by Christ’s representatives, are God’s appointed agencies to prepare a people for the church above, for that loftier worship into which there can enter nothing that defileth. From the sacredness which was attached to the earthly sanctuary, Christians may learn how they should regard the place where the Lord meets with his people. There has been a great change, not for the better, but for the worse, in the habits and customs of the people in reference to religious worship. The precious, the sacred things which connect us with God, are fast losing their hold upon our minds and hearts, and are being brought down to the level of common things. The reverence which the people had anciently for the sanctuary where they met with God in sacred service, has largely passed away. Nevertheless, God himself gave the order of his service, exalting it high above everything of a temporal nature. The house is the sanctuary for the family, and the closet or the grove the most retired place for individual worship; but the church is the sanctuary for the congregation. There should be rules in regard to the time, the place, and the manner of worshiping. Nothing that is sacred, nothing that pertains to the worship of God, should be treated with carelessness or indifference. In order that men may do their best work in showing forth the praises of God, their associations must be such as will keep the sacred distinct from the common, in their minds. Those who have broad ideas, noble thoughts and aspirations, are those who have associations that strengthen all thoughts of divine things. Happy are those who have a sanctuary, be it high or low, in the city or among the rugged mountain caves, in the lowly cabin or in the wilderness. If it is the best they can secure for the Master, he will hallow the place with his presence, and it will be holy unto the Lord of hosts. When the worshipers enter the place of meeting, they should do so with decorum, passing quietly to their seats. If there is a stove in the room, it is not proper to crowd about it in an indolent, careless attitude. Common talking, whispering, and laughing should not be permitted in the house of worship, either before or after the service. Ardent, active piety should characterize the worshipers. If some have to wait a few minutes before the meeting begins, let them maintain a true spirit of devotion by silent meditation, keeping the heart uplifted to God in prayer that the service may be of special benefit to their own hearts, and lead to the conviction and conversion of other souls. They should remember that heavenly messengers are in the house. We all lose much sweet communion with God by our restlessness, by not encouraging moments of reflection and prayer. The spiritual condition needs to be often reviewed, and the mind and heart drawn toward the Sun of Righteousness. If when the people come into the house of worship, they have genuine reverence for the Lord, and bear in mind that they are in his presence, there will be a sweet eloquence in silence. The whispering and laughing and talking which might be without sin in a common business place, should find no sanction in the house where God is worshiped. The mind should be prepared to hear the word of God, that it may have due weight, and suitably impress the heart. When the minister enters, it should be with dignified, solemn mien. He should bow down in silent prayer as soon as he steps into the pulpit, and earnestly ask help of God. What an impression this will make! There will be solemnity and awe upon the people. Their minister is communing with God; he is committing himself to God before he dares to stand before the people. Solemnity rests upon all, and angels of God are brought very near. Every one of the congregation, also, who fears God, should with bowed head unite in silent prayer with him, that God may grace the meeting with his presence, and give power to his truth proclaimed from human lips.</column-break/> When the meeting is opened by prayer, every knee should bow in the presence of the Holy One, and every heart should ascend to God in silent devotion. The prayers of faithful worshipers will be heard, and the ministry of the word will prove effectual. The lifeless attitude of the worshipers in the house of God is one great reason why the ministry is not more productive of good. The melody of song, poured forth from many hearts in clear, distinct utterance, is one of God’s instrumentalities in the work of saving souls. All the service should be conducted with solemnity and awe, as if in the visible presence of the Master of assemblies. When the word is spoken, you should remember, brethren, that you are listening to the voice of God through his delegated servant. Listen attentively. Sleep not for one instant, because by this slumber you may lose the very words that you need most,—the very words which, if heeded, would save your feet from straying into wrong paths. Satan and his angels are busy creating a paralyzed condition of the senses, so that cautions, warnings, and reproofs shall not be heard; or if heard, that they shall not take effect upon the heart, and reform the life. Sometimes a little child may so attract the attention of the hearers that the precious seed does not fall into good ground, and bring forth fruit. Sometimes young men and women have so little reverence for the house and worship of God that they keep up a continual communication with each other during the sermon. Could these see the angels of God looking upon them, and marking their doings, they would be filled with shame, with abhorrence of themselves. God wants attentive hearers. It was while men slept that Satan sowed his tares. When the benediction is pronounced, all should still be quiet, as if fearful of losing the peace of Christ. Let all pass out without jostling or loud talking, feeling that they are in the presence of God, that his eye is resting upon them, and they must act as in his visible presence. Let there be no stopping in the aisles to visit or gossip, thus blocking them up so that others cannot pass out. The precincts of the church should be invested with a sacred reverence. It should not be made a place to meet old friends, and visit and introduce common thoughts and worldly business transactions. These should be left outside the church. God and angels have been dishonored by the careless, noisy laughing and shuffling of feet heard in some places. “Heal the Sick”
By J. HOFFMAN
“He sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.” Luke 9:2. Christ’s commission to gospel preachers was to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. There is no healing virtue in any man to heal any one, neither can any man save another one from sin. But there is saving power8 as well as healing power in Christ. We are not to preach about Christ,—even unconverted men may do that,—we are to preach Christ; that is, bring him to those who need salvation as well as to those who need physical strength and power. Sickness and suffering are found everywhere. Untold good has been accomplished by skilled physicians, yet some cases are seemingly incurable. But nothing is too hard for God. A sister of my acquaintance fell from the table on which she was standing, to the hardwood floor. Her right shoulder was dislocated, and the bone in the upper part of her arm badly injured. Several physicians examined her, but could do very little for her. Several months passed, and her arm was still useless. A specialist was consulted, who told her that nothing could be done for her but to amputate the arm, as the shoulder socket was full of cartilage that would have to be removed, and, in short, the joint could never be restored. He also told her that several inches of the bone was practically dead. In this condition she entered the ministers’ tent at a local camp meeting, asking to be prayed for and anointed with oil in the name of the Lord. Three ministers were present. A few questions showed that the sister had strong faith in God, and it was decided to pray for her restoration. No sooner was the oil applied and the short prayers finished than the sister lifted her hand to her head, saying, “This is something I have not been able to do for one year and four months.” The blood coursed through her withered arm, making a tingling sensation, a cracking sound was heard, and her limb was restored to perfect soundness. To the astonishment of the local physician, she carried her suit case in that hand the following day. The Lord healed the injured bone, and restored the joint in a few seconds. What man cannot do God can do quickly. A Swedish sister who had been a sufferer for a long time was told by her doctors that nothing further could be done for her, and that she could live only a few hours. She could not lift either foot an inch from the floor while standing. A meeting was held in this sister’s house, at the close of which the elder of the church, who was in such pain that he could hardly endure it, asked to be prayed for. He was helped immediately, and went away rejoicing. This gave the sick sister courage to ask for prayers. Her husband and I were the only persons with her at the time. While I prayed, he anointed her with oil. When she rose from prayer, she could walk without any pain, and felt well. When I met her one year later, her complexion was clear, and she was a perfect picture of health, and was praising God for victory in Christ’s name. Other such experiences could be related, but these will suffice to show that God will fulfil his promises to those who take them by faith. But often our lack of faith hinders us from seeing the glory of God. Sometimes men would take the glory to themselves. Under such conditions God cannot manifest his healing power. But I am so thankful for the tender care that God has toward his children. He does the very best he can for them. May God help us to trust him more fully; for he will always keep his promises to his children. Laboring for Souls
By GEO. O. STATES
“I MUST work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.” John 9:4. Christ came into this world to do his work. He had a special work to do and a definite time in which to do it. During the years that he lived here in the flesh, he was fitting his disciples for their work. “For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work.” Mark 13:34. Here is brought out the thought that every follower of Christ has a definite work; not one is excused. “God expects personal service from every one to whom he has intrusted a knowledge of the truth for this time. Not all can go as missionaries to foreign lands, but all can be home missionaries in their families and neighborhoods. There are many ways in which church members may give the message to those around them. One of the most successful is by living helpful, unselfish Christian lives. Those who are fighting the battle of life at great odds may be refreshed and strengthened by little attentions which cost nothing. Kindly words simply spoken, little attentions simply bestowed, will sweep away the clouds of temptation and doubt that gather over the soul. . . . At every work of mercy, every work of love, angels of God are present. . . . Those who share in Christ’s glory must share also in his ministry, helping the weak, the wretched, and the despondent.” —Testimonies for the Church, Vol. IX, pp. 30, 31. “He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. And he brought him to Jesus.” John 1:41, 42. The first thing Andrew did was to labor for his family. The servants of God knew the time was near that the Messiah should appear on the stage of action; and as fast as they were convinced that they had found Christ, they began laboring to bring others to him also. The spirit of Christ is the spirit of labor. It is not the great things we do that count; for Matt. 10:42 says, “Whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.” We are not laboring for worldly honor, but to save souls. Little do we realize that just a word spoken at the right time, in the right way, may change a course of life. Our labor may not be appreciated; Christ was not appreciated. “He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.” John 1:10. The underlying principle of it all was love, the love of souls; that was the grand object. “But those who do not impart the light they have received will one day realize that they have sustained a fearful loss. . . . Church members are to put forth the9 continuous, persevering efforts that He put forth. They are to be ever ready to spring into action in obedience to the Master’s commands. Wherever we see work waiting to be done, we are to take it up and do it, constantly looking unto Jesus. If our church members would heed this instruction, hundreds of souls would be won to Jesus. If every church member were a living missionary, the gospel would speedily be proclaimed in all countries, to all peoples, nations, and tongues. . . .” “The watchmen on the walls of Zion are to be wide-awake, and they are to arouse others. God’s people are to be so earnest and faithful in their work for him that all selfishness will be separated from their lives. His workers will then see eye to eye, and the arm of the Lord, the power of which was seen in the life of Christ, will be revealed. Confidence will be restored, and there will be unity in the churches throughout our ranks.” “The Lord is calling upon his people to take up different lines of work. Those in the highways and byways of life are to hear the gospel message. Church members are to do evangelistic work in the homes of their neighbors who have not yet received full evidence of the truth for this time.” “God calls for Christian families to go into communities that are in darkness and error, and work wisely and perseveringly for the Master. To answer this call requires self-sacrifice. While many are waiting to have every obstacle removed, souls are dying without hope and without God in the world. . . .” “Many of God’s people are to go forth with our publications into places where the third angel’s message has never been proclaimed. Our books are to be published in many different languages. With these books, humble, faithful men are to go out as colporteur-evangelists, bearing the truth to those who would otherwise never be enlightened. . . .” “Those who have long known the truth need to seek the Lord most earnestly, that their hearts may be filled with a determination to work for their neighbors.”—Id., pp. 32-34. How may we best succeed in laboring for souls? “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” Phil. 2: 3. “It is not learned, eloquent speakers that are needed now, but humble, Christlike men and women, who have learned from Jesus of Nazareth to be meek and lowly, and who, trusting in his strength, will go forth into the highways and hedges to give the invitation, ‘Come; for all things are now ready.’ Luke 14:17. . . .” “Visit your neighbors, and show an interest in the salvation of their souls. Arouse every spiritual energy to action. Tell those whom you visit that the end of all things is at hand. The Lord Jesus Christ will open the door of their hearts, and will make upon their minds lasting impressions.”—Id., pp. 36-38. In order to win souls to Christ we must have the truth of God in the heart. “Sanctify the Lord in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.” 1 Peter 3:15. We must be imbued with the Spirit of Christ. Then as we go among those that are out of Christ, O what an influence we shall exert! The highest missionary work we can engage in is to visit those who are out of Christ, and with hearts imbued with the Spirit of Christ, tell them that the end of all things is near. “Remember that the Lord Jesus is the Master Worker. He waters the seed sown. He puts into your minds words that will reach hearts. Expect that God will sustain the consecrated, unselfish worker. Obedience, childlike faith, trust in God, these will bring peace and joy. Work disinterestedly, lovingly, patiently, for all with whom you are brought into contact. Show no impatience. Utter not one unkind word. Let the love of Christ be in your hearts, the law of kindness on your lips. . . .” “Those who give their lives to Christ-like ministry know the meaning of true happiness. Their interests and their prayers reach far beyond self. They themselves are growing as they try to help others.”—Id., pp. 41, 42. I long for the glad time when I shall hear the words, “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” The time will soon come when “he shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied.” The joy of Christ will be in looking upon the redeemed host in the kingdom, whom he has been the means of saving. If we enter into the joy of Christ, we shall have to be the means of the salvation of some souls. Integrity Better Than Folly
“BETTER is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.” INSTEAD of the thorn there shall come up the fir tree,
Instead of the brier the myrtle shall spring,
Back to its primeval freshness and beauty,
God will creation triumphantly bring.
Streams in the desert shall heal the parched places,
The rose in the wilderness fragrance shall shed,
The mountains and hills shall break forth in praises—
Wonderful word of Jehovah—“Instead.” How sweet the assurance to hearts that are weary!
What hope it awakens! what strength doth convey!
Sunshine shall follow the days that are dreary;
Sorrow and sighing shall vanish away. Symbol and type and the gospel’s glad story
Say to the fainting one, “Lift up your head;
Soon shall this sad earth be filled with God’s glory;
He, for the curse, will give blessing instead.” Behold, on the altar a victim is lying,
Upraised is the knife in the patriarch’s hand;
The child of the covenant promise is dying,
An offering made at Jehovah’s command;
When lo! at the word of the angel from heaven
The son is restored as “alive from the dead.”
The Lord for himself hath a sacrifice given,
The ram in the thicket is offered instead. Alone in the garden, while others are sleeping,
The sinless Redeemer a suppliant kneels;
His earnest entreaty, his blood drops, his weeping,
To the heart of the Father his anguish reveals.
Though bitter the cup that Surety has taken,
Though heavy the stroke that must fall on his head,
He goes to the cross to be cursed and forsaken,
To give us the cup of salvation instead. Now saved on the ground of his infinite merit,
His people rejoice in the soul-cleansing blood;
Transformed by the might of his indwelling Spirit,
They bear day by day precious “fruit unto God,”
All glory and honor and majesty giving
To him who redeemed them, their glorious head,
They count it their joy evermore to be living
No longer “to self,” but to “Jesus instead.” Believer, rejoice! for the glad day is nearing
For which all creation still travails in pain,
When Christ our Redeemer, in glory appearing,
Shall take to himself his great power and reign;
When, Satan the evil usurper expelling,
To earth’s farthest limits his kingdom shall spread,
And peace and prosperity sweetly be telling
That Jesus Immanuel ruleth instead. — R. W. Cowdery, in London Christian. A Latter-Day Reformation
By George Ide Butler
The faith of Seventh-day Adventists, from the first feeble beginning of the third angel's message, was that it was a world-wide message to prepare a people for the coming of Christ. It must therefore be a special movement entirely distinct from all other religious denominations. It must go to the whole world,—to every nation, people, tribe, and tongue. All must have a chance to hear it, as all have souls to be saved or lost. Such a world-wide distinct message must be expected to meet opposition from every quarter. Such claims will seem egotistical and foolish to many, yet the Word of God plainly declares that such a message must be proclaimed in the last days. It is a grand message of reform, embracing all the truths of the Bible, and discarding all the false doctrines foisted upon the world by the great apostasy. This apostasy, although its development was gradual, claimed to be the only true church. For many centuries its claims were accepted by the great mass of people professing the religion of Jesus Christ. It ruled the so-called Christian world with despotic power, persecuting and putting to death thousands of martyrs. At length the Reformation interfered with Roman Catholic dominance, and held it in check in a measure. To this day the Catholics are more numerous than all the Protestants combined. The Protestants have been greatly weakened by being divided into many sects differing in belief and doctrine. Though the Reformation has done a vast amount of good, giving the people the Bible, which has wonderfully blessed the world, yet we must conclude that it was a reformation only in part. How could it be otherwise when Protestantism consists of so many different denominations, often warring with one another, and practically all of them retaining papal doctrines utterly contrary to the teachings of the Scripture? Among these doctrines is that of the Sunday sabbath, instituted by the Catholic Church, and accepted by practically all Protestant churches. Not a word in all the Bible can be found indorsing the first day of the week as the Sabbath. Its observance is a violation of the moral law, which specifically declares, "The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God." The violation of that law is sin. Can we suppose that God will accept a substitute in place of the very day he himself rested on, pronounced holy, and appointed to a holy and religious use, and commanded in his blessed law to be the Sabbath for mankind? Another hoary doctrine of heathenism indorsed by nearly all Protestant churches is that of the immortality of the soul, which was proclaimed first by Satan himself in the garden of Eden to Eve, the mother of the human family. He said, "Ye shall not surely die," although God himself had said that she should die if she partook of the forbidden fruit. Genesis 3. This doctrine has been held by the heathen world and taught by Protestant churches, and a multitude of errors have sprung from it. The grand doctrine of the nearness of the second coming of Christ, taught by a multitude of prophecies in the Bible, has been rejected by many Protestant churches. No doctrine is more plainly taught in the Scriptures. Hundreds and thousands of believers in Christ's10 soon coming were cast out of the popular churches for their belief in this Bible doctrine. With the multitude of evidences that this great event is near, these churches claim that the world is all going to be converted, and a thousand years of peace and safety prevail before Christ comes. These great errors embrace many others which are being taught in the popular churches today. Even the Bible itself is being rejected in whole or in part by multitudes who deny the Biblical account of creation. Comparatively few ministers today firmly believe the whole Bible, or consider it the Word of God. Wonderful changes are occurring in the theological world. We would not be understood as saying that all the people are losing belief in the Bible. There are many of the common people who firmly believe in the dear old Book of books; but large numbers are having their minds unsettled by men who claim to be ministers of Jesus Christ. Never were men's minds more unsettled as to religious themes. It is high time that a new movement be ushered in, a movement standing for the Bible, and the Bible alone. With this terrible unbelief now flooding our world, it will take a mighty effort to raise up the old standard of loyalty to Bible doctrines. God has a message and a glorious system of truth in these last days; and wherever false doctrines are being taught, and Satan with his terrible delusions is attracting attention, God will send his messengers to give the warning, and these messengers will stand firm for the whole Bible truth as Christ and his apostles taught it. The Sure Promises of God
By Lucy E. Carr
O how sweet to know that Jesus
Is our ever-faithful friend;
That though clouds may rise above us,
Yet he loves us to the end! Though our trials are sore and heavy,
Yet our Lord does surely care,
For he promised not to bring us
Any test we cannot bear. Though our friends may turn to error,
Leave the truth of God so pure,
Yet our heavenly Father promised
To reward those who endure. Let us still prove faithful longer,
Though our trials are hard to bear,
For he promised to take the faithful
To the home he would prepare. Never-Failing Promises
By J. M. Hopkins
‘BELIEVE in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.’ 2 Chron. 20:20. Every one who carefully studies the prophecies of the Bible, and reads from the book of nature and from secular and sacred history how faithful the Lord has always been to fulfil his word, must be deeply impressed with the fact that not one prophecy ever passed the time of its fulfilment. The Lord is always faithful to keep his word. It is impossible in so brief an article as this to enumerate the many instances in the great lines of prophecy where fulfilment has already taken place in a very striking manner. It would be a source of wonderful inspiration, confidence, and encouragement prayerfully to investigate the prophecies with this special object in view. In Heb. 6:16-18, the Lord has spoken very strongly concerning his faithfulness: “For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife. Wherein God, willing more abundantly to show unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: that by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us.” God himself is absolute truth. He cannot deny himself. He cannot deny his word. The psalmist declares, “For thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.” And yet, to make it more sure, the Lord “confirmed it by an oath,” that “we might have a strong consolation.” We are nearing the time when our only refuge, our only trust, our only resource, will be the God of the Bible, the God of prophecy; and even now there is no safety or security for us, apart from our Lord. Then why not, in consideration of the multiplied evidences of his unfailing word, fully surrender all to him, and fully believe every word and every promise he has given concerning our temporal and spiritual need? The Bible and church history furnish many striking examples of trust and supply. “My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” “Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.” “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” “Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases.” Do you not think that the dear Master would be much pleased if his children would put away sinful, discouraging doubts, and in simple, trusting faith draw nigh to him and rest confidently in his word? Have you idols? Are you cherishing aught that is unlike God? If you are, make an unconditional surrender of all to him just now. Know that your kind heavenly Father asks you to put away only those things that are an injury to you. He invites you to accept all that will be a blessing to you. Will you not do so? Simply believe in the Lord, and then obey, and rejoice in the fulness of his constancy and faithfulness and blessing. He tenderly invites you to do this, and to live in sweet peace and blessedness. Acquaint Now Thyself with Him, and be at Peace.
By H. A. St. John
We all need to become better acquainted with God. The whole human race has become estranged from him, and many have forgotten him altogether; God is not in all their thoughts, much less in their ways. This estrangement is caused by the prince of darkness, who is ever misrepresenting God’s character, and thus blinding the mind and hardening the heart. Christ is our mediator, and through him alone can we become acquainted with God. The more we learn about the life and character of Jesus, and the more fully we obey and follow him, the better we shall become acquainted with our heavenly Father. And the better we become acquainted with our holy Father, the better we shall love him, and the more we shall delight in obedience to his great law of love. It is thus that we may glorify him in our bodies and spirits, which are his. O, how blessed to glorify God in all we think, say, and do! We can never measure the length, breadth, height, or depth of the love of God to us, as revealed in the gift of his dear Son, but we may be filled with that love, and thus be enabled to glorify God here; and then in the sweet by and by he will glorify us with the same glory that Jesus will ever have. Life Versus Death
By W. H. Saxby
“The liberal [made so by divine grace] deviseth liberal things; and by liberal things shall he stand.” Isa. 32: 8. Would not the converse of this be equally true, “The stingy deviseth stingy things, and by stingy things shall he fall”? In the New Testament the Old Testament stands revealed; and so we find it, “He which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully;” and, “He which soweth sparingly [stingily] shall reap also sparingly.” 2 Cor. 9: 6. One tendeth to life, the other to death. Truly, giving is living, and living is giving. God's Precious Promises
By Mrs. J. E. Green
We wonder and rejoice at God's great goodness and care for his people. He never gets weary of their prayers nor impatient with their importunities. He ever bends low a listening ear when out of the depths of their contrition or sorrow they cry unto him for the pardon of all their sins or for relief from their woes. He has made many precious promises for their comfort and encouragement, and these, though recorded years ago, reach down to the last generation. Such a promise we find in Deut. 4: 30: “When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the Lord thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice; (for the Lord thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.” This precious promise was made and recorded not alone for the benefit of the people of God whom Moses was addressing, but even for those in the “latter days;” that is, for us who are now living and looking for the Captain of our salvation to come and conduct us to the mansions which he is preparing. “When thou art in tribulation,” Those who will turn unto the Lord with, all their heart will find that he will turn, unto them and succor them. Even those who have forsaken him and worshiped, other gods, will be forgiven, if they repent; for the Lord says that if they will, fully confess their sins, he will be faithful to, forgive. “Whosoever will, may come.” “Him that cometh to me I will in no, wise cast out.” The Power of the Word
By R. P. DAUPHIN
“The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.” This silent working of the Holy Spirit as illustrated in this parable, was demonstrated among the Yorubas, one of the tribes of Southern Nigeria, thus adding another testimony to the power of the message to transform the life.12 At Erunmu, in Southern Nigeria, where we began work a little over a year ago, a young Yoruba girl accepted Christ, and renounced the worship of idols; and this is how she came to accept Christ: Having heard of the judgments of God that are coming upon this world and of the destruction of the wicked in the lake of fire, she went home, took a piece of dry wood, and put it in the fire to see how the wicked will be burned. She watched the wood in the fire till it was wholly burned. Then she decided to give her heart to the Lord; and she has since been faithful. She was persecuted for refusing to eat food offered in sacrifice to idols, but she remained steadfast. It is the belief that the god will kill any one who ventures to eat the new yam at the time of yam harvest, unless he first presents some of the new yam to the god. This young believer in the message knows now that an idol is nothing, and she says it can do nothing. She was the first thus to eat of the new yam. There is a young man here whose name is Isaiah Balogun. Balogun is a Yoruba word which means a captain. He wanted to know who we are. Some one told him we are the people keeping the seventh day as the Sabbath. Finally, with joy he heard the message; and without any outward demonstration, spread the gospel news among his countrymen many miles away, and as a result a large number of people accepted the message. “Thou, whose almighty word
Chaos and darkness heard,
And took their flight,
Hear us, we humbly pray;
And where the gospel’s day
Sheds not its glorious ray,
Let there be light!”
Erunmu, Southern Nigeria. THE following paragraph is the testimony borne by a native at a Friday evening service in the Malamulo Mission, in Nyasaland, as translated by Elder G. A. Ellingworth:— “I am thankful for God’s mercy in that he has kept me six days, and now he has shown me the Sabbath. This is not for any good thing that I have done, since there is no good thing in me. I am only an unprofitable servant. When I think I am doing right, I find it was all wrong because my heart is filled with iniquity. I pray that he will keep me meek and humble in serving him. I want my heart to be always near the Lord. Of my own self I cannot praise him. I need the Spirit to be with me that I may honor him at all times. I ask forgiveness, because my heart is just filled with the things of earth. I beg for wisdom, because when I read his Word I do not understand it; so I ask for a heart of wisdom that I may always understand what the Lord wants me to do. God is good and plenteous in mercy, therefore I want to lift my cross and follow Jesus for his goodness’ sake. Amen.”