ELEVEN members were added to the church at Urbana, Iowa, July 29.
ELDER W. H. FALCONER reports the baptism of seven persons at McGregor, Manitoba, and four at Roden.
AT the recent camp meeting at Crawford, Neb., which was held for the benefit of the brethren of Northwestern Nebraska and the Black Hills country, forty-three persons were baptized.
THE present officers of South Dakota Conference are as follows:— President, N. P. Nelson; vice president, E. C. Kellogg; secretary and treasurer, A. H. Robinson; corresponding secretary, Mrs. Adelle Frederickson; State canvassing agent, J. F. Gravelle.
ELDER H. P. HOLSER, who has charge of our publishing house in Basel, Switzerland, is held personally responsible to the law for the Sunday work of the establishment. Consequently a lot of his personal effects have been attached to pay fines recently imposed by the court.
THE people of Kent Island, Maryland, were recently much agitated by the arrival of a preaching tent at Stevensville, in charge of Elders A. J. Howard and John F. Jones. The magistrate of the place led a mob to the place where preparations were being made to pitch the tent, and dire threats were made, even forcibly preventing Elder Howard from pitching a small tent for a shelter for his family. But a kind citizen gave them shelter in his house, and the sheriff, when appealed to, promised protection. The next day the tents were erected, but at night an increased mob came, claiming to represent every district in the island, and, through a committee, not only warned and threatened, but entreated the brethren to go, offering to pay all expenses incurred if they would do so. But they could not be induced to go. The sheriff then came, and proposed to arrest all the committee who had led in the disturbance, but the elders thought best to let it pass, and went on with their work, believing that "all things work together for good to them that love God."
ON a journey from this city to Battle Creek, Mich., via Oregon and Washington, Elder E. E. Andross was detained by the great strike for several days, at Ellensburg, Wash. There were between 250 and 300 passengers, with nothing to do, and, learning that Brother Andross was a minister, they urged him to preach, which he did several times, on the last occasion having an audience of over 500 interested listeners. "Blessed are ye that sow beside all waters."
ABOUT the middle of July Elders H. Shultz and J. J. Graf spent a week with the church at Fessenden, N. Dakota, and eleven persons were baptized. From here they went to Rosenfelt, Manitoba, where were some believers, but no organized church. Here are some professed Christians whose zeal crops out in persecution of persons who keep the Sabbath of the Lord, and these have been the means of two of our brethren being sent to jail for working on the first day of the week. During the stay of Elders Shultz and Graf, fifteen persons were baptized, and a church of nineteen members was organized.
ELDER A. F. BALLENGER reports to the Review a recent experience which he terms "an oasis in the desert." Having gone to the province of Quebec, Canada, to attend a camp meeting, he delivered a discourse in Compton, on "Religious Liberty," and took occasion to announce another discourse on "Why Do Seventh-day Adventists Work on Sunday?" At the close of the meeting the Methodist minister of the place invited him to stay at his house during his sojourn in the town. He readily accepted the invitation, and was made most welcome during his stay. Moreover, he was invited to give his announced lecture in the Methodist Church, to which he readily consented. Then he was invited to accompany his host to two country appointments Sunday afternoon, which he did, and assisted in the services, at both of which his newly-found friend announced his forthcoming discourse, and urged the people to attend. When the time came, there was a large audience, and Brother Ballenger had good freedom in presenting the Sabbath question, after which the minister and others in the congregation, in a spirit of utmost candor, plied him with many questions, which were answered to their apparent satisfaction. His parting with minister and people was with feelings of mutual good will, and Elder Goodrich, who was also present, was to look after the further interests of the work there.
CAMP MEETINGS FOR 1894.
By General Conference Committee
DISTRICT NUMBER ONE.
West Virginia, Parkersburg.........Aug. 16-27
Vermont, Morrisville............Aug. 23 to Sept. 3
New England, Tyngsborough..Aug. 30 to Sept. 10
Maine, Bath....................Sept. 6-17
DISTRICT NUMBER TWO.
Tennessee River, Nashville,
Tenn..........................Aug. 31 to Sept. 10
Florida, Tampa..................Nov. 8-18
*Appointments marked by a star will be preceded by a work-ers' meeting.
Gen. Conf. Com.
HE CHOSE THIS PATH FOR THEE.
He chose this path for thee;
No feeble chance, no hard, relentless fate,
But love, His love, hath placed thy footsteps here;
He knew the way was rough and desolate,
Knew how thy heart would often sink with fear,
Yet tenderly He whispered, "Child, I see
This path is best for thee."
He chose this path for thee,
Though well He knew sharp thorns would tear thy feet,
Knew the brambles would obstruct the way,
Knew all the hidden dangers thou wouldst meet,
Knew how thy faith would falter day by day,
And still the whisper echoed, "Yes, I see
This path is best for thee."
He chose this path for thee,
And well he knew that thou must tread alone
Its gloomy vales and ford each flowing stream,
Knew how thy bleeding heart would sobbing moan,
"Dear Lord, to wake and find it all a dream,"
Love scanned it all, yet still could say, "I see
This path is best for thee."
He chose this path for thee.
What need'st thou more?—This sweeter truth to know,
That all along these strange, bewildering ways,
O'er rocky steeps, and where dark rivers flow,
His loving arms will bear thee "all the days."
A few steps more, and thou thyself shalt see
This path is best for thee.
—Selected.
SERVICE, NOT FEELING.
WE should not be too much disturbed about our feelings, but be sure we do the little services that come in our way day by day. Often the desired feeling is absent because we are overworked, or from a lack of proper rest. Feeling fluctuates, but duty remains, and, if performed well, the doer may rest assured he is accepted of God. This is well illustrated by an extract from the diary of Wm. Carey, the father of modern missions:
"4th of July, 1794. Rather more flat, perhaps owing to the excessive heat, for in the rainy season, if there be a fine day, it is very hot indeed. Such has been this day, and I was necessitated to be out in it from morning till evening, giving necessary directions. I felt very much fatigued indeed, and had no spirits left in the evening, and in prayer was very barren."
But we may be sure that, though Carey's prayers seemed barren of all feeling that evening, yet they were prayers that were heard and answered, since, in his Master's service, he had been bearing the burden and heat of the day.—Sabbath Outlook.
CHURCH SERVICES.
By Editor
All of our churches, especially on this coast, who desire their regular weekly services announced in this column, may have it done by reporting through the proper officers.
San Francisco.—Church at 914 Laguna Street. Regular preaching services at 7:30 P.M. Sunday and 11 A.M. Sabbath. Sabbath school at 9:45 A.M. Prayer meeting Wednesday 7:30 P.M. Missionary meeting Thursday 7:30 P.M. Seats free.
Chicago, Illinois.—Church on Forty-sixth Street, corner of Champlain Avenue. Regular preaching service at 11 A.M. Sabbath school at 9:30 A.M. every Sabbath. Prayer meeting, Monday evening at 7:30 P.M. The above services are held in the Forestville Congregational Church building until our own church will be completed, when proper notice will be given. All are cordially invited.
Oakland.—Church at corner of Twelfth and Brush Streets, Regular preaching services or Bible study, Sunday at 7:30 P.M. and Sabbath at 11 A.M. Sabbath school at 9:30 A.M. Sabbath. Prayer and missionary meeting Wednesday at 7:30 P. M. All are cordially invited.
Los Angeles.—Church at 143 Carr Street. Preaching service Sunday evening 7:30. Missionary meeting Wednesday evening 7:30. Sabbath school on Sabbath at 9:45, and preaching service at 11 A.M. All are welcome.
East Portland, Oregon.—Church at corner of Eleventh and East Everett Streets. Services every Sabbath 11:30 A. M. Sabbath school 10 A.M. Missionary meeting evening after Sabbath 7 P. M. Prayer meeting every Wednesday evening 7 o'clock. All welcome. Seats free.
Washington, D. C.—Church on Eighth Street between F and G Streets, N. E. Regular preaching service at 11 A. M. Sabbaths. Sabbath school 9:45 A. M. Sunday, 7:30 P.M., Bible study. Prayer meeting Friday at 7:30 P.M. All are welcome.
H. W. HERRELL, Clerk.
Sacramento.—Church on G Street between Eighteenth and Nineteenth Streets. Regular services: Sabbath school at 10 A.M., preaching service at 11 A.M. Sunday at 7:30 P.M. Prayer and missionary meeting Wednesday evening at 7:30. Seats free. All are cordially invited.
Pasadena.—Church at corner of Summit Ave. and Mountain Street. Sabbath services every Sabbath at 11:30 A.M. Sabbath school 10 A.M. Prayer meeting every Sunday evening 7:30. Missionary meeting Tuesday, 7:30 P.M. All are cordially invited.
Box 261. O. S. SMYTH, Clerk.
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE.
What Is It? Is It Science? Is It Christian? Is It Akin to Modern Spiritualism?
The subject of Christian Science is treated under three heads:
I. Is It Scientific? The author shows by copious quotations from the writings of Mrs. Eddy, Dr. Marston, G. B. Day, and others that "Christian Science" is not only unscientific, but in its teachings directly contradicts the most plain and simple facts of science.
II. Unchristian Theories. Here it is shown from their own writings that "Christian Science" is opposed to the teachings of the Bible and the principles of Christianity, corresponding in almost every particular to Spiritualism.
III. Modern Spiritualism is a treatise on the origin, character, numerical strength, doctrines, and deceptive practices of Spiritualism.
This little work deals extensively with the writings of the leaders in Spiritualism and Christian Science, and from the extracts quoted the reader can get a very good idea of the nature and trend of the doctrines of each. It should be read by every Christian. 85 pages, paper covers, price, 15 cents. Address, PACIFIC PRESS PUB. CO., Oakland, Cal. 43 BOND ST., NEW YORK.
OUR LITTLE FRIEND
By Editor
An Eight-page Illustrated Weekly Paper for Children.
OUR LITTLE FRIEND is designed to be practically useful. The matter all contains the best moral and religious sentiment. It contains two grades of Sabbath-school lessons on the same subject, one for children nine years old and under, and one for children from nine to fourteen.
TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION.
One copy, one year, postpaid, - - - 50c.
Five to nine copies to one address, each, - 45c.
Ten copies, and over, each, - - 40c.
Sample copies free.
Address,
OUR LITTLE FRIEND,
Box 548, OAKLAND, CAL.
THE ATONEMENT.
The author, in a book of 368 pages, takes up this great central doctrine of the gospel, and treats it in two parts. Part first,
An Atonement Consistent with Reason.
In this he shows that the doctrine of an atonement through the medium of a voluntary substitute is consistent with reason. Part second,
The Atonement as Revealed in the Bible.
In this is discussed the plan of redemption through Christ, by which every sinner who accepts Christ will be justified; sin will be turned back upon the head of its originator; the earth will be cleansed from the curse; God's righteous government will be restored over the entire universe; and all who will not become loyal subjects of that government will be destroyed.
The book presents a CRITICAL AND EXHAUSTIVE TREATISE on this interesting subject, by a thorough Bible student, and wholly from a Bible standpoint, and cannot fail to be of great value to everyone who reads it.
Third edition, bound in cloth, embossed in black, with gold title on back and front cover.
Price, postpaid, $1.00.
Address, Pacific Press Publishing Co.,
Oakland, Cal.
Or 43 Bond St.,
New York City.
RISE AND PROGRESS
By Editor
—OF—
Seventh-Day Adventists.
Tokens of God's Hand in the Movement, and Brief Sketch of the Advent Cause from 1831 to 1844.
By J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.
This new book, fresh from the pen of one of the oldest ministers in the advent movement, cannot but be of great interest to all, and especially to those who have become Seventh-Day Adventists in recent years and know but little of the early history of the cause and its leaders.
The following are some of the chapter headings: Extent of the Advent Proclamation; The Tarrying Time; The Midnight Cry; The Disappointment; Fresh Tokens of Divine Guidance; Perils, Reproaches, Victories; New Features in the Work; Providence of God in the Publishing Work; Organization; Rapid Advancement; Though Workers Faint, God's Work Advances; Truth Advanced Even by Opposition.
The book contains nearly 400 pages, with 50 illustrations, several of them full page, and is neatly bound in cloth, and furnished in two styles.
Address,
PACIFIC PRESS PUB. CO.,
OAKLAND, CAL.
Or 43 Bond St., New York.
THE
...JUDGMENT
ITS EVENTS AND THEIR ORDER.
God "hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness."
A book that will interest every student of the Bible.
This subject is treated in nine chapters, as follows: "The Investigative Judgment;" "Examination of the Books;" "God the Father, the Judge;" "Offices of Christ;" "Messages to the World;" "The Sanctuary in Heaven;" "The Crowning of Christ;" "The Executive Judgment;" "The Saints Sitting in Judgment."
The work contains 133 pages, is printed on good paper in clear type. Paper covers. Price, postpaid, 15 cents. Address,
PACIFIC PRESS PUB. CO.,
OAKLAND, CAL.
43 Bond Street, New York.
451 Holloway Road, London, N.
THE SABBATH AND THE LAW.
By John Nevins Andrews
By J. N. ANDREWS, late Missionary to Basel, Switzerland.
The author endeavors to give in this work an outline of the Biblical and Secular History of the Sabbath for six thousand years, as will be seen by examining the table of contents.
CHAPTER I. The Memorial of Creation.
" II. Moral Obligation in the Patriarchal Age.
" III. Why the Law, when it entered, came only to the Hebrews.
" IV. The Sabbath at the Fall of the Manna.
" V. The Giving of the Law.
" VI. The Sabbath in the Old Testament.
" VII. The Two Covenants.
" VIII. The Sabbath and the Law in the New Testament.
" IX. The First Day of the Week not the Sabbath.
" X. The Change of the Sabbath.
This is the most valuable pamphlet published on the Sabbath Question.
192 PAGES.—PRICE, 20 CENTS.
The Law of God as Changed by the Papacy
By Editor
Is the title of a large Chart just issued, which shows in a striking manner the blasphemous pretentions of the Papal power. The testimony of the Best Catholic Authorities is given, and shows, by quoting their own words, that Sunday is a child of the Catholic Church. These quotations, together with admissions from standard Catholic works, are arranged in parallel columns on either side of this Chart, while the center column contains the Ten Commandments as taught by the Catholic Church. The whole forms a collection of extracts of incalculable value for every Bible student.
The Charts are three by four feet in size, and are printed on heavy map cloth in bold type, easily read across the largest room.
Price, Post-paid, $1.00.
A fac-simile edition on thin paper, size 5½x7½ inches, suitable for missionary distribution, has been prepared, and will be sent post-paid at 50 cents per hundred, or $4.00 per thousand. Address all orders to
PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO.,
OAKLAND, CAL.
IN THE HEART OF THE SIERRAS
By Editor
California Tourists Should Have a Copy of the Grand Book
IN THE HEART OF THE SIERRAS.
It Pictures the World-Renowned Yo Semite Valley, the Big Tree Groves of California, the Glaciers, Gold Mines, and Caverns of this Wonderful Region. It is a
COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE YO SEMITE VALLEY,
Giving routes of travel, number of miles by rail and stage; describes points of interest en route; gives map of the Valley, and contains 160 Illustrations, 28 of which are Beautiful Full-Page Artotypes, and which portray the wonderful Cataracts, Mountains, and Precipices with all the REALITY OF A PHOTOGRAPH. Bound in five styles. Copy in cloth, embossed jet and gold, gold edges, sent postpaid, where we have no agent, for $3.50.
CHEAPER EDITION.
We have just issued a special TOURISTS' EDITION of this book, containing all the matter of the other edition, printed on thinner paper, without artotypes, bound in flexible cloth covers. Copies sent postpaid anywhere for $1.50.
Address PACIFIC PRESS PUB. CO.,
Or 43 Bond St., New York. Oakland Cal.
AD LUCEM.
This is a little book of consolation for those who are "afflicted in mind, body, or estate." The selections are brief, and as the compiler says, quoting from George Herbert, "a verse may finde him who a sermon flies."
The book contains 150 pages, including a complete Topical Index and an Index of Authors. It is neatly bound in morocco, has round corners and red under gold edges. Size, 4x6 inches.
Price, postpaid, $1.75. Address,
PACIFIC PRESS PUB. CO.,
OAKLAND, CAL.
Or 43 Bond St., N. Y.
Cleveland Bicycles,
STODDARD & LEE,
306 McAllister St., San Francisco, Cal.
International S. S. Lessons.
"So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading." —Neh. 8:8
LESSON X.—SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 1894.
JESUS CLEANSING THE TEMPLE.
[NOTE.—The questions which follow are merely suggestive for the student on the leading points of the lesson; it is presumed that the thorough student will think of many more as he studies the subject. References, where verses alone are given, always refer to the lesson scripture printed above. All other references are given in book, chapter, and verse. The text printed is that of the Revised Version, not because it is especially preferred, but because it is not found in every family, as is the common version.]
And the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
And he found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting;
And he made a scourge of cords, and cast all out of the temple, both the sheep and the oxen; and he poured out the changers' money, and overthrew their tables;
And to them that sold the doves he said, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house a house of merchandise.
His disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house shall eat me up.
The Jews therefore answered and said unto him, What sign showest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things?
Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.
The Jews therefore said, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou raise it up in three days?
But he spake of the temple of his body.
When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he spake this; and they believed the Scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.
Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed on his name, beholding his signs which he did.
But Jesus did not trust himself unto them, for that he knew all men.
And because he needed not that anyone should bear witness concerning man; for he himself knew what was in man.
Golden Text: "Make not my Father's house a house of merchandise." John 2: 16.
NOTE.—This was the beginning of the first full year in Christ's ministry. This evidently occurred in the year A. D. 28. It might be well to compare it with a similar cleansing of the temple recorded in Matthew 21, Mark 11, Luke 19. Previous to this he had visited Capernaum, and then returned to Jerusalem for the Passover.
SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.
At the time of the Passover, where did Jesus go?
What did he find in the temple? Note 1.
What did he make? Verse 15. Note 2.
What did he do?
What words did he speak to them?
What did this recall to his disciples?
When the Jews recovered from their fright, what did they ask him? Verse 18.
What reply did Jesus make? Verse 19. Note 3.
How did they express their astonishment? Verse 20.
Of what did Christ truly speak?
When were these words of Jesus again recalled to the disciples' mind? Verse 22.
How did his works here affect those who were open to evidence? Verse 23.
Did Jesus design to reveal himself at this time as the Messiah? Verse 24.
Why did he not need the testimony of men? Verse 25. Note 4.
NOTES.
1. In the temple.—Not merely in the central building, but in the surrounding courts, including the court of the Gentiles. Animals used in sacrifice were slain in great numbers during the time of the Passover. The Jews had taken advantage of this, and had set up their markets right in the temple courts; and not only that, but they were evidently driving sharp, hard bargains there as they would in any earthly merchandise. As our Saviour said to them, they made it a den of thieves. That indicates the spirit with which the work was carried on. The place that should have been given to reverent, holy conversation and worship of God, was given up to trafficking and trading, and all the various incidents connected with such things. Evidently there was wrangling, and bitter words, and reckless oaths. We have a parallel to this in the churches of the Dark Ages, and in the church fairs and festivals which are now held; and we can just as well believe that if Christ were here now, there are many churches from which he would drive with a scourge of cords those who make the house dedicated to his service a place of merchandise.
2. Evidently he twisted together some of the cords lying upon the ground, and began to drive out the merchants. He probably did not strike any of them. It was his own bearing which gave them terror. "Jesus ascended the steps of the temple, and surveyed the scene with a calm and dignified look. He saw and heard the traffic and bartering. His expression became stern and terrible. The eyes of many turned instinctively to look at this stranger; their gaze became riveted upon him. Others followed their example till the whole multitude were regarding him with a look of mingled fear and amazement. They felt instinctively that this man read their inmost thoughts and their hidden motives of action. . . . The confusion was hushed. The sound of traffic and bargaining ceased. The silence became painful. A sense of awe overpowered the entire assembly. It was as if they were arraigned before the tribunal of God to answer for their deeds. The Majesty of heaven stood as the Judge will stand at the last day, and every one of that vast crowd for the time acknowledged him their Master. . . . He spoke, and his clear, ringing voice, echoing through the arches of the temple, was like the voice that shook Mount Sinai of old: "My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves." He slowly descended the steps, and, raising the whip, which in his hand seemed changed to a kingly sceptre, bade the bargaining company to quit the sacred limits of the temple, and take hence their merchandise. With a lofty zeal, and a severity he had never before manifested, he overthrew the tables of the money changers, and the coin fell, ringing sharply upon the marble floor. The most hardened and defiant did not presume to question his authority, but, with prompt obedience, the dignitaries of the temple, the speculating priests, the cattle traders and brokers, rushed from his presence. The most avaricious did not stop to gather up their idolized money, but fled without a thought of their ill-gotten gains."—Great Controversy, vol. 2, pp. 117, 118.
3. "Jesus had already given them the strongest proof of his divine commission. He knew that no evidence he could present to them would convince them that he was the Messiah if his act of cleansing the temple had failed to do so. Therefore he answered their challenge with these words, 'Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.' They supposed he referred to the temple at Jerusalem, and were astounded at his apparent presumption. Their unbelieving minds were unable to discern that he referred to his own body, the earthly temple of the Son of God. With indignation they answered, 'Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days?' Jesus did not design that the skeptical Jews should discover the hidden meaning of his words, nor even his disciples at that time. After his resurrection they called to mind these words he had uttered, and they then understood them correctly."—Great Controversy, vol. 2, pp. 121, 122.
4. Jesus did not trust himself to those who had nominally accepted him at that time. He did not need them; he did not need their witness. He knew that many of them were still false at heart. He did not need the testimony of any man, for he himself knew what was in the heart of man. The works which the Father gave him to do, and God's holy word, bore witness of him. These witnesses were sure, and he needed no other.
THE SPIRIT OF GOD
By Ellet Joseph Waggoner
ITS OFFICES AND MANIFESTATIONS TO THE END OF THE CHRISTIAN ERA.
BY ELD. J. H. WAGGONER.
This is a brief but comprehensive argument on the solemn and important subject of the Spirit of God. Its chapters embrace the following heads: The Holy Spirit of Promise; The Power from on High; Circumcision of the Heart; The Unity of the Faith; The Law and the Testimony; Try the Spirits; The Great Commission; Gifts in the Reformation; In the Present Century; Spirit of Prophecy Restored. These are subjects of vital importance to all and especially to those who are looking for the return of their Lord. 144 pp. Price, 15 cents.
AND being asked by the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God cometh, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation;
Neither shall they say, Lo, here! or, There! for lo, the kingdom of God is within you.
And he said unto the disciples, The days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and ye shall not see it.
And they shall say to you, Lo, there! Lo, here! go not away, nor follow after them:
For as the lightning, when it lighteneth out of the one part under the heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall the Son of Man be in his day.
But first must he suffer many things and be rejected of this generation.
And as it came to pass in the days of Noah, even so shall it be also in the days of the Son of Man.
They ate, they drank, they married, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.
Likewise even as it came to pass in the days of Lot; they ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;
But in the day that Lot went out from Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all;
After the same manner shall it be in the day that the Son of Man is revealed.
In that day, he which shall be on the housetop, and his goods in the house, let him not go down to take them away; and let him that is in the field likewise not return back.
Remember Lot's wife.
Whosoever shall seek to gain his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.
I say unto you, In that night there shall be two men on one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.
There shall be two women grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.
And they answering say unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them, Where the body is, thither will the eagles also be gathered together.
The title of this lesson will be found sufficient analysis of it. See how easily you can recall all the subjects treated of in this chapter.
What did some of the Pharisees demand of Jesus?
How did he say the kingdom of God would not come?
What can men not say about the kingdom?
What did he say to his disciples?
What will men say in spite of the Lord's instruction? Compare verse 23, with Matt. 24: 23.
How are we to regard such sayings?
What will be the manner of Christ's coming?
What did he tell the people must first take place?
What did all the prophets speak of as preceding the glorious coming of the Lord? 1 Peter 1: 10, 11.
How will it be in the days of the coming of the Lord?
How were the people also doing in the days of Lot?
What comparison is made between that time and the last days?
When the day of the Lord comes, what should not be done?
What are we exhorted to remember?
What will happen to one who seeks to save his life?
What to him who loses his life?
How closely will the division be made?
What did Jesus reply in answer to the question where these judgments should occur?
NOTE.
"THE kingdom of God is within you." This may be rendered "among you." But the idea which the Saviour seeks to impress on our minds is the fact of the gradual development of the kingdom. Those who are waiting for it to burst upon them suddenly will see it too late. The kingdom of God is a condition, as well as a place. Only those in whom the principles of the kingdom are developed, can have any part in it when it is revealed. God bestows upon us his glory in this present time. See John 17: 22; 1 Peter 5: 1. This glory is in the form of his grace. Christ's glory when on this earth was the glory of the only-begotten Son of God, but it was manifested in his fullness of grace and truth. John 1: 14. The effect of the glory in this present time is to transform the characters of those who believe. See 2 Cor. 3: 18; 4: 4-6. Thus they become fitted to dwell in the kingdom where the glory of God shines without being veiled. Then when at last the glory is revealed, it will not be so unnatural and foreign a thing as to blind them, and cause their death, but will simply add the finishing touch in the transformation, namely, to change their bodies so that they will also shine as the sun,
News and Notes.
By Editor
FOR THE WEEK ENDING AUGUST 13.
RELIGIOUS.
—On application of the Sunday Observance Society of Chicago, Judge Horton has issued an injunction against baseball playing on Sunday.
—The mayor of Ottawa, Ill., has determined to stop the street meetings of the Salvation Army, and to this end recently caused the arrest of the entire army, consisting of forty men and women, who are determined to resist the mayor's order to cease street meetings.
—A suit between the Joseph Smith Mormons and the Salt Lake wing of the church for possession of certain church property at Independence, Mo., was recently decided in favor of the Smith organization, and the defeated party have taken the case up to the Court of Appeals.
—The Occident says, "We believe that if transportation companies would give labor the Sunday of rest due them according to the law of God, there would be less discontent and a better feeling between labor and capital." Please tell us what law of God says anything about "a Sunday of rest."
—Bishop J. M. Thoburn, who has charge of the Methodist missionary work in India, is now in this country, and recently accepted an invitation to rest a few days at the Seventh-day Adventist Sanitarium at Battle Creek, Mich. July 30 he delivered an address in the S. D. A. Tabernacle at that place.
—The religious bodies of Northfield, Minn., including Catholics, Methodists, Baptists, and Congregationalists, began July 15 to pray for rain, and, as no rain has come in answer to their petitions, they have about decided to give it up. Within about 100 miles square there has been no rain since the middle of June, and very little at that time.
—A London dispatch of the 8th inst. says: "Lord Salisbury, as president of the British Association for the current year, delivered his inaugural address before a brilliant gathering in Oxford to-night. Professor Huxley, in seconding a vote of thanks to the new president, declared that Lord Salisbury has set the seal of his authority upon the doctrine of evolution."
—Nearly 400 American pilgrims attended mass on the 8th inst., in the Consistory at Rome. The pope gave the pilgrims his blessing from the altar. The Rev. Father Poncelli, of Brooklyn, N. Y., presented his holiness with $4,000 in Peter's pence, and other large sums were presented by the pilgrims. The pope spoke in French, and blessed various religious objects belonging to the pilgrims.
—The sextons of the leading churches of this city are urging their right to a summer vacation, setting forth the importance of their calling. One of them, in asserting the dignity of the position, says, "We are not laborers." Inasmuch as every servant of the church is supposed to be a laborer, it would seem that the sexton who is too dignified to be reckoned in that class ought to have a permanent vacation.
—Governor Pennoyer, of Oregon, persistently advocates a law prohibiting the railroad companies from issuing personal passes to anyone. Yet he travels on a pass himself, and proposes to do so as long as others do. That is the principle maintained by many Sunday-law advocates: "The right to rest demands a law of rest for all." In other words, they cannot keep Sunday unless everyone else is compelled to do so.
—The State Department at Washington has received numerous communications from missionary societies and religious bodies, asking that full protection be given to missionaries in the Orient. Replies have been sent stating that full instructions with regard to the protection of missionaries have been sent to our representatives in Asia, and that no fear need be felt that any harm will come to any of them. In case of a religious outbreak the missionaries will be sent aboard the war ships of the United States.
—In San Francisco, every Sunday afternoon, a prominent Baptist minister speaks in the Metropolitan Temple to large audiences, on the general theme of "Catholicism a Foe to the Public Schools, and the Powerful Enemy of Religious Liberty and the American Republic." Notwithstanding the prominence of these meetings, and the great interest of the public in the subjects under discussion, it is a notable fact that the reporters' tables are always unoccupied. For some reason the leading city papers make no mention of these able and instructive expositions of Rome's crafty designs.
—A riot against Protestant missions in Quebec was the cause of great excitement on the night of the 8th inst. The mob, said to number about 5,000, first attacked a newly established French Baptist mission, occupied at the time by five missionaries, three gentlemen and two ladies. The doors and windows were broken in, and the shower of stones continued until the mob was driven off by the police. Then an attack was made on the French Anglican mission, which was also badly battered with stones. Thence the excited crowd rushed on to the Salvation Army barracks, which was also considerably damaged. No arrests were made.
