Signs of the Times, Vol. 6, No. 5.
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY,Page 1
Earlier text: THE LORD'S RULE OF FORGIVENESSNEWTON AND SPRING ARBOR, MICHIGAN.
By M. B. Miller
The T. and M. quarterly meeting of Dist. No. 3 was held at Newton, at the regular time. We were favored with the presence of Sister White, who gave us three discourses. She enjoyed a good degree of freedom, especially Sunday morning. As she earnestly warned men to turn away from burying themselves in the things of this life, and entreated them to seek the hope and joy there is in believing in Christ, hearts were melted to tenderness. Quite a goodly number not of our faith attended the meeting. They gave the best of attention to the word spoken. The quarterly meeting of Dist. No. 2, being one week late, was held Jan. 17, 18, at Spring Arbor. At this meeting there was a good representation of the churches in the district, individuals being present from Springport, Tompkins, Bunker Hill, Jackson, Summit, and West Liberty. Brn. W. C. White, and W. C. Gage were with us, and rendered valuable assistance. Three discourses were given, and the rest of the time was devoted to the T. and M. and H. and T. work. Much interest was manifested in the T. and M. work, particularly that part of it that relates to arousing our own people to a more lively interest in the truth. Steps were taken to have Testimony No. 29 thoroughly circulated. The subject of family reading was not overlooked. Seven full sets of Spirit of Prophecy were sold. To this point of the meeting a good degree of outside interest was manifested, but the circulation of an appointment for a temperance meeting Sunday evening brought many more. The church was filled, so that chairs and benches had to be placed in the aisles to seat the people. Thus crowded, they remained for two hours and a half, to listen to and participate in the exercises of the evening. Although a temperance club of fifty-five members had been formed here, yet at this meeting sixty-three signers were obtained to the pledges. The temperance work here reaches outside the ranks of the church, and we hope our brethren will have judgment to direct the work with discretion. M. B. MILLER. BEAVERTON, OREGON.
By I. D. Van Horn
ABOUT the middle of July last we moved to this place for the purpose of helping the cause here. The church is small but most of the members are faithful workers. Since we came here some advancement has been made in the spiritual condition of the church, so that meetings are well sustained and made profitable. We have a good Sabbath-school conducted on the plan generally adopted by our people, and a lively interest is taken in it by officers, teachers and scholars. A club of the Weekly Instructor is taken, and the lessons published in it and the Lesson sheet are used by the different classes in the school. At the last quarterly meeting in the past year the subject of building a house of worship came up for consideration, and in a few minutes a subscription paper was started and a sufficient amount subscribed to warrant us to go ahead. Accordingly steps were immediately taken to build. A plan of the house was decided upon, and the first stroke was made the 6th day of December, and in five weeks it was completed. The size of the house is 24x32, with 16 feet to the ceiling, which makes a very pleasant place for the church to meet from time to time to worship God. Yesterday, Jan. 18, the dedication services were held. There was a large attendance, and good attention was manifested by all. We had good freedom in speaking on the subject of "The True Worship of God." Text John 4 : 24. It was sustained by plain Scripture evidence that all who worship God in spirit must have the Holy Spirit abiding in them, for unless we have the Spirit of Christ dwelling in us we are none of his. And to worship God in truth is to live in perfect obedience to his divine law. "Thy law is the truth" and "All thy commandments are truth." Ps. 119 : 142, 151. The good singing added much to the service. The blessing of God was clearly manifest on the occasion. The church presented the house as a freewill offering to the Lord for his service and worship, and then by a unanimous rising vote renewed their covenant with him, and dedicated themselves to carry on his cause in all its branches more thoroughly than heretofore. We shall soon realize that the Lord will touch the hearts of many in this vicinity, and some will decide to go with us if the church performs its vow. We all feel of good courage in the Lord and have a determination to press forward with the body till we realize the reward of the saved. This is the first meeting-house built by S. D. Adventists in Western Oregon, and the third one in the N. P. Conference. May the good work go on and may God's blessing attend it. Amen. Jan. 19, 1880. I. D. VAN HORN. EDWARDS (BELLVILLE), NEW YORK.
By Charles C. Lewis
I AM again holding meetings here. During my absence to the Institute, the Methodist minister from Russell has been keeping up the interest. The first night he took the fourth commandment for his text, and presented Fuller's Sabbath theory. The second night he attempted to show that the Sabbath was first given at the Exodus; that the moral law was the old covenant which was abolished; that it was never binding on any but the Jews; and, finally, that the example of Christ with regard to the Sabbath is of no force, as he lived under the old covenant. To cap the climax of his absurdities, he did not try to establish the sanctity of Sunday; but, as the people say, "left them without any Sunday." BEAVER CITY, NEBRASKA.
By Charles P. Haskell
THE quarterly meeting of the Richmond church was a profitable occasion. All the members were present except four, the brethren attending from thirty miles up the Sappa. We had a precious season together. Sabbath morning Bro. Canright's sermon, "God Weighs our Thoughts," was read to a very attentive audience. In the afternoon we listened to testimonies. Four adults and one Sabbath-school scholar arose for prayers. We celebrated the ordinances, and everything seemed to indicate the presence of God in our midst. ROBBINS HALL, NEW YORK.
By D. Ball
I HAVE given eighteen discourses, and at one evening meeting the teacher read from the Sabbath Poem. As the result, six are keeping the commandments. To God be all the praise. NORTH PACIFIC T. AND M. SOCIETY.
REPORT for the quarter ending December 31, 1879:— | DISTRICTS |
1 |
2 |
3 |
TOTAL |
|---|
| Number of Members |
|
23 |
71 |
94 |
| Number that Reported |
|
9 |
38 |
47 |
| Number added |
|
|
13 |
13 |
| Number families visited |
|
9 |
37 |
46 |
| Number letters written |
|
4 |
56 |
60 |
| Number Signs in Clubs |
10 |
10 |
10 |
30 |
| New Subscribers— |
|
|
|
|
| Review |
|
5 |
9 |
14 |
| Youth's Instructor in Clubs |
13 |
10 |
30 |
53 |
| Signs |
10 |
|
9 |
19 |
| Good Health |
3 |
|
|
3 |
| Pamphlets loaned |
|
128 |
8947 |
9075 |
| Tracts given away |
|
2727 |
9046 |
11773 |
| Periodicals distributed |
|
188 |
465 |
653 |
| Money received on account |
$152 00 |
$ 50 00 |
$ 30 50 |
$232 50 |
KINGLY ROBES.
By E. G. Sprague
They tell of wondrous cloth of gold,
Spun in some eastern loom;
Of costly robes, empurpled o'er
With lovely Tyrian bloom. They tell of garments, rich and rare,
Made for earth's favored ones,
Whose every seam is frosted o'er
With pearls and precious stones. But there's a robe that is not decked
With ermine or with gold,
And yet a kingdom's worth is held
In every glist'ning fold. No jewel breaks its graceful flow
From throat to simple hem;
But oh, it shines with lustre far
Surpassing any gem! I'd rather fold above my heart
This vesture pure of Peace—
Of Righteousness and Hope and Faith,
Than one and all of these. More richly dressed the beggar poor,
Who wears this raiment white,
Than he who recks not of its worth,
Though crowned with princely might. Then take away earth's robes of state,
Christ's spotless garment bring;
I'd wear it far more gladly than
The purple of a king. —E. G. Sprague. The Performance of Daily Duties
The best part of one's life is the performance of his daily duties. All higher motives, ideals, conceptions, sentiments, in a man are of no account if they do not come down and strengthen him for the better discharge of the duties which devolve upon him in the ordinary affairs of life. CHARITY is the salt of riches. IN one of the leading towns of central Iowa there resides a wealthy banker whose eldest daughter has but recently become engaged to be married. As would be expected from the position of her family this young lady has had the benefit of the best social and intellectual advantages at home, besides having been a student at Vassar for some time, and traveled considerable, from all of which she has attained quite an unusual degree of culture for a lady of only twenty years. To an ordinary observer it would seem that her training had been all that could be desired; but her father thought otherwise. When he found that she had decided to take upon herself the duties of wifehood, he, knowing how greatly the happiness of families is affected by the housewifery qualities of the woman at the head, declared that the marriage should be delayed until she had made herself thoroughly familiar with the duties of a house-keeper. To be thorough he knew required more than mere theoretical knowledge, so with wise thoughtfulness he was careful to provide the means whereby the practical worth of all instruction received could be fully tested; and to this end the mother was requested to retire into the background for a season while the daughter should assume the responsibilities of house-keeper. The mother consented, and the young lady undertook the duties of her novel position with a will to do her very best. Several months have now elapsed, yet her interest is never known to flag, although her position is no sinecure. The family is very large, and being exceedingly hospitable, the house is seldom without the presence of guests from abroad; but inspired by the ambition to acquit herself creditably in the present, as well as by the bright hope in the future, when she shall preside over a home of her own, her zeal and enthusiasm increases from day to day as experience adds to her proficiency. In order that her work may be systematic, she is allowed a certain sum of money each month with which to supply the table, and as a special inducement to the exercise of economy, all that is saved therefrom is placed to her private account for individual use. This monthly allowance being by no means large, she is obliged to exercise care in its expenditure; therefore the minutest details are studied, and not a dish makes its appearance upon the table without the cost being fully estimated previous to its ordering. In this manner she is learning many things that may be of great value to her in the future. Not long since she was heard to remark that it was really astonishing to discover the many ways of economizing possible to woman; and as an instance of her own experience, said she frequently found, for some expensive dish desired, that something else equally wholesome and fully as palatable could be furnished at one-half the cost. The father often accompanies her to market and instructs her in the selection of vegetables, the cutting of meats, etc., showing such as are suitable for different purposes, and how to avoid wasteful and unwholesome purchases. Does not this little sketch contain a valuable suggestion for the benefit of other parents? This young lady will gain in less than one year, at an expenditure of probably one-third the vital energy required in the school-room, knowledge that will contribute a thousand fold more to the happiness of those depending upon her in the future, than any amount of school training could possibly do; yet how few think to give daughters similar preparation for the home cares and home duties so sure to form a part of every woman's life. Were parents more thoughtful in this respect, the burdens of young wives would be greatly lessened, while the amount of money which would be saved to young husbands would oftentimes be sufficient to lay the foundation of great wealth. The thought is worthy of consideration on the part of those who may hold in their hands the shaping of a young girl's future.—L. J., in the Housekeeper. EARNEST APPEAL.
By James White
MINISTERS, TRACT AND MISSIONARY WORKERS: —
Beloved Brethren: At the last General Conference the subject of the more extensive circulation of the writings of Mrs. E. G. White was brought before the members of that body in a manner to make a deep impression. This gave rise to the appointment of a committee to consider the subject, consisting of Elders George I. Butler, S. N. Haskell and B. L. Whitney, who submitted the following report, which the Conference adopted by unanimous vote: — *"Your committee appointed to consider the subject of the circulation of Sister White's writings, would respectfully present the following report: —
"Whereas, Our past experience has fully proved that our prosperity as a people is in proportion to the degree of confidence we cherish in the work of the spirit of prophecy in our midst; and
"Whereas, The most bitter opposition we have to meet is aimed against this work, showing that our enemies realize its importance, whether we do or not; and
"Whereas, We have found that the most effectual way to meet and disarm this opposition was either to secure the personal labors of the one through whom we believe the Lord has spoken, or to freely circulate her writings; and
"Whereas, Great light has shone upon us through this channel, which not only our own people greatly need, but which would be a blessing to the world, remove prejudice, and break the force of the bitter attacks of the enemies of the truth; therefore
"Resolved, That we urge upon our ministers and tract societies the importance of making earnest efforts to extend the circulation of the volumes of the Spirit of Prophecy and the Testimonies to the Church among our own people, till these shall be in every family of believers.
"Resolved, That we recommend the Publishing Association to issue in attractive form such of her writings as would be of general interest to the reading public who are not of our faith, to be placed in public libraries, reading rooms, and on shipboard, by canvassers and T. and M. workers, where they, as well as our other standard works, may be accessible to the people.
"Resolved, That we recommend the Publishing Association to issue in as cheap a form as consistent, the matter substantially contained in volume two of Spiritual Gifts, concerning the earlier life and labors of Sister White, in connection with the rise and progress of this work, for the special use of our ministers in new fields, and among those first becoming acquainted with her connection with this cause. And we further recommend the publication of a small edition of her earliest writings, now out of print, to bring all her writings within reach of those anxious to obtain them.
"Resolved, That we consider it to be the duty of all our ministers to teach the Scriptural view of the gift of prophecy among our brethren everywhere, and the relation it sustains to the work of God in which we are engaged.
"Resolved, That we advise that efforts be made to complete the raising of the fund of $5,000 voted at the last annual session of the Conference for the purpose of increasing the circulation of these writings; said fund to be used in placing them in public libraries, reading rooms, and other places where they will be open to the reading public, and in such of the families of the very poor as the officers of the T. and M. Society decide should have them."*", The presidents of all our Conferences are anxious that Mrs. W. should attend their camp-meetings to meet the prejudice in the minds of many, excited by those who have the dragon spirit. For this and other reasons the General Conference recommended that Bro. and Sr. White attend one camp-meeting in each Conference in 1880. Next to the presence and labors of Mrs. W., to favorably impress the people, but far greater in extent, is the circulation of her writings. Of this she speaks, upon the highest authority, in these words: —
"The several volumes of the Spirit of Prophecy, and other works of the kind, should be widely circulated. If God has given light from Heaven, his people should act their part well in letting it shine to the world. In every good work should be done in circulating our publications.
"The volumes entitled the Spirit of Prophecy are not to be confined to our people. These books should be used to interest those not of our faith. Every ray of light shining from the throne of God is of importance, and should be carefully cherished.
"There are many fainting, troubled souls that are hungering and thirsting for the bread and water of life. They long for that which will bring Christ near to them, his light and love into their hearts, that they may have hope, courage, and zeal for the Master and his cause. As this class shall read such works as the Spirit of Prophecy, their minds will be strongly attracted to their Bibles, and they will be brought nearer to the Lord. They will enjoy the precious rays of light shining from the throne of God into their hearts.
"Our brethren and sisters can do much in this work of circulating these publications, if they have an interest to do so. In this way that which is a strength to themselves, will become an encouragement to others. This is no time to be exclusive or indolent. A great work is to be done for the world, and we are very slow in introducing light through our publications to those who are in the darkness of error. This work is as essential as the work of the ministry, and in no case should be neglected as it has been." We now call for a fund of $10,000, to be used in publishing the writings of Mrs. W. and in giving them a wide and judicious circulation. At present we do not solicit the smaller sums from persons in humbler circumstances in life. These all have a part to bear in the general work. We call for one hundred $100 men and women to make up this sum during the year 1880.
It will be seen in the Review that this work is well started. Already seven persons have paid $100 each. Ninety-three more are wanted. We briefly state our plans as follows: —
1. To publish the fourth volume of the Spirit of Prophecy as soon as possible. We hope to see it through the press before May next.
2. To circulate the four volumes of Spirit of Prophecy, also, Life of Christ Library, by sales, and by gifts when absolutely necessary.
3. To prepare a volume of four or five hundred pages to contain a brief sketch of the life, experience and labors of Mrs. W., together with selections from her works, to be published in the French, German, Danish, Swedish and other languages.
4. To prepare a new series of volumes, of which her life, Christian experience, and letters to her children would be the first, and her other writings constitute four or five others. These are to be put up in acceptable style to be put in libraries, on shipboard, and to be presented to friends.
Knowing how the old, reliable friends of the cause stand upon this subject, as expressed by our General Conference, we feel confident that there will be a ready and liberal response to this call.
J. W. Elder Waggoner’s Health
By Editor
Elder Waggoner reports but little progress healthwise as yet. He will go to the Health Institute as soon as he is able to be moved, where it is hoped he may be benefitted by the treatment administered there. In a letter written February 1, he states: "Justice to myself would lead me to stay here two months, but the work in Oakland and San Francisco will call me to these places as soon as I can possibly go. However this may be some time." TESTIMONY NO. 29.
By Editor
We have just received Testimony No. 29 in such numbers as to enable us to fill all orders. All who have not been supplied with this should procure copies, as it certainly is one of the most important we have ever received. Orders may be sent through the tract society, or if more convenient, directly to the office. WESTERN OREGON CAMP-MEETING.
By Isaac D. Van Horn
At a meeting held at Beaverton, Oregon, the Conference Committee being present, it was decided that our camp-meeting for 1880 in this part of the conference be held over the last Sabbath and Sunday in June, and, instead of occupying the old ground near Salem, that it be held in the vicinity of Beaverton. This will be fully as convenient for all to attend as at Salem, and being within seven miles of Portland we shall be able to secure a larger attendance. A Camp-meeting Committee was appointed, and steps will be taken immediately to secure ground and articles, so that preparations may be made in good time for the meeting. The church at Beaverton cheerfully accept the burden of this meeting. We hope our friends will all make preparations to attend, and begin now to plan and arrange for the meeting. Beaverton, Oregon Jan. 20, 1880. -London has 872 churches.
-Beaconsfield is suffering with the gout.
-Yellow fever has appeared in some parts of Brazil.
-Disastrous floods have occurred in Calabria and Sicily.
-A famine prevails in seventeen communes of Naples.
-Further Chilean victories are reported from South America.
-General Comacho has installed himself President of Bolivia.
-Germany has recognized the independence of Roumania.
-Infectious diseases are on a decided increase in St. Petersburg.
-At Prescott, Arizona, snow has fallen to the depth of several feet.
-Secretary Schurz has removed Indian Commissioner Hoyt from office.
-Bismarck has recovered from his illness, and is again at his post.
-The present winter in Prussia has been the most severe since 1812.
-Freeman, the Pocassett murderer, has been sent to the insane asylum.
-The English will again take the offensive in Afghanistan in March.
-The Pope has sent 10,000 francs for the relief of the distress in Ireland.
-The year 1879 will be remembered in England as a wet and almost sunless season.
-The steamship California reports a fight between two Indian tribes at Wrangell
-Chas. De Young, who shot Kalloch in San Francisco last fall, pleads not guilty.
-The government cannon foundry at Berlin is working a large force of men on extra time.
-The New York Tablet (Catholic organ) editorially endorses Sam Brannan's Sonora colonization scheme.
-The steamer Bengoir foundered during a severe two days' storm in the Mediterranean and thirteen of the crew were lost.
-An overland freight train which arrived in San Francisco last week brought an added burden in a heavy weight of snow.
-Icicles the size of a man's body fringe the mouths of the mountain tunnels on the Central Pacific Railroad, and prove exceedingly dangerous to freight brakemen.
-It is announced by a Berlin correspondent who has an inside view, that Germany's proposed increase of her standing army is for the following purpose: She will propose to France to join in severe repressive measures against Socialists, Communists and Nihilists, in which all of the principal European powers are to participate. If she does not comply, a formal demand will be made, and in the event of this failing, the combined forces of Germany and Austria will invade her borders. If she joins, and the various revolutionary societies are crushed out, a general European disarmament will take place. This sounds well, but it is exceedingly improbable in the face of Von Moltke's statement, that "The power of the Emperor cannot impress all nations with the conviction that even victorious war is a national misfortune," and his opinion that he should not live to see that day. Business Department
By Editor
"Cursed be he that doeth the work of the Lord deceitfully," (margin, negligently). Jer. 48: 10. $2.00 EACH. J W Pate 7-6, J W McReynolds (4 copies) 6-33, Mary F Aldrich 7-25, E D Barnes 7-4, A D Wallace 7-4, Mary A Losey 7-4, Mrs H M Brown 6-19, Sarah Stevenson 7-1, Mrs S Hunt 7-5, S A Martin 7-4, A La Rue 7-4, G W Henderson 7-38, Washington Morse (2 copies) 7-4, Ambrose Johnson 7-4, Albert Woodward 7-4, C F Phar 7-4, A Mason 7-1, N J Wyruck 7-4, J C Foster 7-4, Hubert Este 7-1, Mary D Bickle 7-4, Jonas Nye 7-4, Daniel Rowly 7-4, Mrs H Little 7-4, Mary E Todd 7-4, L A Webber (2 copies) 7-4, Hickman Miller (2 copies) 7-4, Michael Hager 7-4, J J Brown 7-4, H S Giddings 7-4. C W McCaffree 7-4. $1.50 EACH. Mary Anderson 7-4, B F Hicks 7-4, P Kidwell 7-4, Mrs S F Pratt 7-4, Fredrick Larsen 7-4. $1.25 EACH. Miss Sophy Burroughs 7-4, Mrs R Winegar 7-4, Mrs S J Robson 7-4, A W Failey 7-4, Mrs A J Thompson 7-4, Herbert Winslow 7-4, Geo W Witham 7-4, Franklin Frizzle 7-4, Mrs R Fitz 7-1, E A Wright 7-4, Seth Eels 7-4, D A Wellman 7-4, F W Hicks 7-4, S A Blake 7-4, J W Aldrich 7-4, Wm Kelley 7-4, Mrs J Kelly 7-4, Mrs L C Bradbury 7-4, Martin Boyd 7-4, Mrs A J Hunt 7-4, A D Wescott 7-4, L A Hoover 7-4, S A Hoover 7-4, J W Withus 7-4, O P Baker 7-4, Henry Hoover 7-4, J H Withus 7-4, Wilson Clark 7-4, James Hayes 7-4, J T Vance 7-4, J J Hawkins 7-4. $1.00 EACH. Mrs Lorana Northrup 7-4, O J Brackett 6-9, J B E Young 6-28, Geo D Watson 7-4, Edwin Slagle 6-28, John W Owen 7-4, H Wheeler 7-4, O S Graves 7-4, Mrs Harriette McLeam 7-1, W H Beddoe 7-4, Jas Osborn 7-4, Harriette Reed 7-4, Mrs Sarah Wallace 7-4, Joseph Hill 7-4, Matilda Bush 7-4, James Titus 7-4. MISCELLANEOUS. J S De Wolf 40c 6-16, Frank B Caldwell 50c 6-17, C M Kinney (8 copies) 4.00 6-29, Mary Payns 1.20 7-4, Wm Coats (9 copies) 9.00 7-4, D Oviatt (3 copies) 3.00 7-4, Harry Basey 50c 6-21, S M Scott 25c 6-12, Nancy Johnson (4 copies) 1.00 7-4, G W Page (5 copies) 5.00 7-4, Miss Lizzie Stone (11 copies) 11.00 7-4, Henry Vesey (10 copies) 10.00 6-28, Byron E Tefft (10 copies) 10.00 7-4, C Chabot (10 copies) 10.00 7-42, Miss Alice Morrison (27 copies) 27.00 7-4, Mrs C Vermason (60 copies) 60.00 7-4, Horace Munn (2 copies) 2.50 7-4, Mrs Maggie Snook (7 copies) 7.00 7-4, T I Barr (31 copies) 30.00 7-4, Mrs Bernard 50c 6-28, Alonzo Van Slant 50c 6-28, Virgil Ingraham 63c 6-28, N J Wehher (10 copies) 10.00 7-4, N L Burdick (10 copies) 10.00 7-4, Elvira Seely (2 copies) 2.50 7-4, Mrs Orilla Albro (5 copies) 5.00 7-4, David Synd (3 copies) 3.00 7-4, H W Miller (8 copies) 8.00 7-4, M C Butler (5 copies) 5.00 7-4, E Z Sanborn (5 copies) 5.00 7-4, R G Cowles (2 copies) 2.50 7-4, D. C. Walker (10 copies) 10.00 7-4, H L Hoover (2 copies) 2.50 7-4, R Low (10 copies) 10.00 7-4, Wm. Everington (10 copies) 10.00 7-4, Wm Wells (6 copies) 6.00 7-4, Mary C Ayers (10 copies) 10.00 7-4. THE TIME OF RECOMPENSE.
By John Nevins Andrews
GOD will reward every man according to his deeds. This fact is many times stated in the Bible. Rom. 2:6-8; Job 34:11; Ps. 62:13; Prov. 24:12; Jer. 32:19; 17:10; Rev. 2:23; 20:12, 13; 22:12; Pet. 1:17; Matt. 16:27; 2 Cor. 5:10. No one who believes the Bible can doubt after reading these passages that God regards the acts of men and that he will recompense men according to their works. But when is it that he thus recompenses mankind? Three different answers are given to this question. 1. Those who assert that all men will be saved without regard to the kind of life which they live, give their answer: God rewards or punishes in this life every human being, so that at the end of man’s present existence all are alike in God’s sight; those who serve God and walk in his fear receive their recompense in the good things of this life and in exemption from affliction and sorrow; while those who lead wicked lives are subjected to poverty and distress and every kind of trouble. Those who hold this theory think that all men will at the end of this life be just alike in God’s sight and that he will take them all to heaven. It is indeed true that God does in some instances manifest his displeasure at sin by judgments inflicted at the moment of transgression as in the case of Ananias and Sapphira, (Acts 5:1-10) and in that of Herod (Acts 12:21-23) but it is generally the case that wicked men are permitted to prosper in this life and to go down to the grave in peace. Though the just have many tokens of God’s favor in this life this is not the time of their reward. Christ said to his disciples "in the world ye shall have tribulation." John 16:33. Paul said: "All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution," 2 Tim. 3:12. Job’s friends asserted that he must be a wicked man because calamities come only on bad men while good men always prosper. But Job asserted the opposite and declared that wicked men prosper in this life and that the righteous are often afflicted. When God decided the controversy he said that Job’s friends had not spoken the truth. Job 42:7. But the truth is manifest that earthly good things are the portion of the wicked rather than that of the just in this life. 2. The second answer to this question is thus given: God rewards men at death by taking the just to heaven and by sending the unjust to the fire of hell. This answer assumes that man has an immortal nature before the resurrection, which we have shown in a former article is directly contrary to the Bible. Rom. 2:7; 1 Cor. 15:51-54. It also assumes that men can be taken to heaven or sent to hell before the judgment. Thus the day of judgment is treated as something of no real consequence. The many millions of the human race that have died are already in immortal glory or in endless torment. But at the day of judgment these innumerable millions will be summoned to the bar of God that it may be decided whether they shall be saved or lost? what could be more absurd than such an idea? There are a few passages relating to individual cases and not to mankind in general which seem to teach that certain persons went to heaven or to hell when they died. We shall in due time show that such is not the meaning of these texts. But there is not the entire Bible one text that says that death is the time when men receive their recompense. This is a fact of great importance. The passages which we shall quote in support of the third answer will show that death cannot be the time when God rewards or punishes men. 3. The third answer to the question "When does God recompense men?" is thus given: they are not recompensed till the day of judgment. But after the books have been examined they will be rewarded or punished according to their works. This recompense therefore will not be given till the second advent and the resurrection of the dead. Now let us give attention to the declarations of the Bible. 1. Christ says expressly that he will come in the glory of his Father with his angels and then he will reward each according to his works. Matt. 16:27. This is decisive testimony that the reward of men’s work is given at the coming of Christ. To make a stronger impression upon their mind concerning his personal advent he promised a visible representation to some then living which he fulfilled in the transfiguration. Compare Matt. 16:28; 17:1-5; 2 Pet. 1:16-18. 2. When Christ commanded certain works of mercy he stated the time of the reward in these words: "Thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just." Luke 14:14. There can be no mistake as to the time of the recompense; it is not at death but at the resurrection. 3. Paul says that all must appear before the judgment seat of Christ to receive according to the things that they have done, whether good or bad. 2 Cor. 5:10. The judgment does therefore precede the reward. 4. Christ describes the judgment that shall take place when he comes the second time. Mankind shall then be separated into two classes, and then one class will enter the kingdom of God and the other will be cast into the fire. Matt. 25:31-46. It is plain from this passage that the day of judgment precedes the recompense. 5. Peter says that the unjust are reserved to the day of judgment to be punished. 2 Pet. 2:9. Then it follows that they are not to be punished till the day of judgment. They cannot be punished till after they have been judged unless we make God capricious in his conduct, punishing men first and then judging afterward. But the perdition of ungodly men does not come till the day of judgment. 2 Pet. 3:8. 6. We have seen at the commencement of this article that God will reward all men according to their works. He has many times said this in the Bible. But to do this, their work must first be examined. And so we find the description of the judgment in Rev. 20:11-15, and the statement that the books are opened and that the dead are judged according to their works as found written in these books. Thus whosoever is not found written in the book of life is cast into the lake of fire. This shows that wicked men are not to be cast into the fire till the day of judgment. 7. John fixes the time when God shall reward his servants, the prophets, and all his saints, small and great. It is after the seventh trumpet is sounded. Rev. 11:15-18. This shows that even the prophets have not yet been recompensed and that none of God’s servants shall receive their reward till the judgment of the great day. 8. In Rev. 22:12 Christ announces his second advent and says that his reward is with him to give every man according to his works. This shows that the reward is not given till the Saviour comes again, and till the books are examined to see what men’s works have been. 9. Christ fixes the second advent as the time when his apostles should be with him. He says to them, I go to prepare a place for you, and when I have prepared the place I will come again and receive you unto myself. John 14:1-3. This shows that the people of God are not to be with Christ till he descends from heaven with a shout and takes them to himself. 1 Thes. 4:16, 17. INTERPRETATION.
By R. F. Cottrell
THE Bible is not the book which the religious world make it. The Scriptures of truth are defamed, blasphemed, libeled, by the interpretations that are given them by all those sectaries who, to prove that their creeds are, at least, as good as the truth, construe them to mean anything and everything, except that which they say. Unity of faith is very desirable. It is that for which the divine Redeemer prayed—that his disciples might be one, as he and the Father are one. But this oneness never can be restored to the church but by discarding false, mystical interpretations, and by taking the Scriptures in their rational and obvious meaning—understanding them to mean what they evidently and positively declare. Those who can be induced to abandon interpretations for what the Scriptures say, will attain to truth and unity. There is no hope for union in the truth for those who will not do this. The word of God is not yea and nay. It is in harmony with itself. Its teachings are not diverse and contradictory. The Bible has been compared, by its professed friends, to an old fiddle which will play any tune you please. The way the fiddle is made to do so is by fingering it. Hands off from the Bible, and it will tell the truth every time, and the same truth to all. The precepts of the law of God are not hard to be understood if we will let them mean what they say; and so of the doctrines and ordinances of the gospel. And the harmony of the law and the gospel is clear to all who are willing to see it. The idea that the law which condemns the sinner is abolished or superseded by the gospel of salvation from sin through the atoning blood of Christ, is the offspring of the desire to evade some requirement of that law which is holy, just, and good. The idea is preposterous. Neither revelation nor reason is its father. It is alike abhorrent to either. The sinful desire to have it so is the father of this illicit, insane, and monstrous progeny. God's word is plain. Sin is the transgression of the law. Christ died to redeem us from sin, and to bring us back to obedience; and those who do not accept of Christ and turn to God will be judged by the law, in the day when God shall judge the secrets of men, according to the gospel. Rom. 2: 12-16. The ordinances of the gospel are simple and expressive, and plainly revealed. There is one Lord, one faith, and one baptism. Who has a right to teach three or four modes of baptism? Who has the right to substitute something else for what Christ has plainly taught by precept and example? The Scriptures of both the Old and the New Testament teach us that the dead are asleep. What of that interpretation that persists in saying that they are awake? The Scriptures assure us that Christ is to come to earth a second time, and that at his coming he will awake his people from their sleep; that they shall come forth from their graves. Do they mean what they say? If not, who is authorized to tell us what they do mean? Are uninspired men to tell us that the word of inspiration does not mean what it says, but something else? Oh! ye interpreters of God's revelation, come and bow submissively to what God has said. Believe what he has spoken, and obey what he has required. Ye that fancy that ye see in the Bible that which is not there, while that which is therein taught is ignored and evaded, anoint your eyes with eye-salve, that ye may see. Come to the fountain of truth and drink. Acknowledge and obey God's word as it is, and no longer make it void by baseless interpretations. Come to the living fountain—the well of life. It is natural for us to grumble at what we don't like. Whether in church, state, or family, when things don't move to suit us, we feel like grumbling. And it is a habit that grows stronger the more it is indulged. Some people are always grumbling about State affairs. Everything with them goes wrong. The taxes are unreasonable; public affairs are in general badly managed, and every public man in the country is corrupt. Men who continually grumble about what is wrong, will soon get to growling about what is not wrong. A grumbler in the family is the most disagreeable of mortals. The other members of the family, being in constant contact with him, are continually made unhappy by his daily snarling. You can't please him, and it is needless to try. Do what you may, it is all wrong with him. And no matter what position you take on any question he is on the other side. A grumbler in the church is a nuisance. He is a perpetual clog upon church work. He claims to be exceedingly anxious for work to be done. But he can't get anything done right. The preaching is poor. The prayer meeting is dull and formal. The Sabbath School is all wrong. And the members of the church generally are in disorder. Everything is going to the bad, and going rapidly. Thus the grumbler makes himself universally disagreeable. Sometimes we call him an ecclesiastical "sore-head." Let us make ourselves as agreeable to others as possible, and if things even go wrong, follow the advice of the Psalmist: "Fret not thyself because of evil doers."—Baptist Banner. Begin the Journey Heavenward Early
The most important truth cannot be too early learned, nor the journey that leads heavenward too soon begun. The enemy lies awake while we slumber, and if we neglect to cultivate the good seed, his tares will cover all the surface. By these things examine yourself: By whose rule am I acting; in whose strength; in whose name; in what spirit; to what end; for whose glory?