p. 239 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 31, No. 15. (4/12/1905)

Earlier text: CAN THEY BE REACHED WITH THE GOSPEL?

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS

LESSON 4.—APRIL 23.—THE ENTRY OF JESUS INTO JERUSALEM.

Lesson Scripture, John 12: 12-26, A. R. V.

(12) "On the morrow a great multitude that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, (13) took the branches of the palm trees, and went forth to meet Him, and cried out, Hosanna; Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel. (14) And Jesus, having found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written, (15) Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt. (16) These things understood not His disciples at the first; but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of Him, and that they had done these things unto Him. (17) The multitude therefore that was with Him when He called Lazarus out of the tomb, and raised him from the dead, bare witness. (18) For this cause also the multitude went out and met Him, for that they heard that He had done this sign. (19) The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Behold how ye prevail nothing; lo, the world is gone after Him.

(20) "Now there were certain Greeks among those that went up to worship at the feast; (21) these therefore came to Philip, who was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus. (22) Philip cometh and telleth Andrew; Andrew cometh, and Philip, and they tell Jesus. (23) And Jesus answereth them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of Man should be glorified. (24) Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a grain of wheat fall into the earth and die, it abideth by itself alone; but if it die, it beareth much fruit. (25) He that loveth his life loseth it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. (26) If any man serve Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there shall also My servant be; if any man serve Me, him will the Father honor."

Golden Text.—"Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord." Matt. 21: 9.

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

(1) For what purpose were many people gathered at Jerusalem? Verse 12. Note 1. (2) When they heard that Jesus was coming, what did they do? How did they express their joy? Verse 13. Note 2. (3) In what manner did Jesus ride into Jerusalem? Verse 14. Note 3. (4) What prophecy was fulfilled in this act? Verse 15; Zech. 9: 9. Note 4. (5) How were the disciples of Christ affected by "these things?" Verse 16. Note 5. (6) What company of people gave special testimony on this occasion? Verse 17. Note 6. (7) What further effect of that great miracle was manifest? Verse 18. Note 7. (8) How were the Pharisees affected by the great demonstration? Verse 19. Note 8. (9) Who besides Jews had come to worship at this feast? Verse 20. Note 9. (10) What request did they make of Philip? Verse 21. (11) How was this request made known to Jesus? Verse 22. (12) How did Jesus reply to this announcement? Verse 23. (13) How did He show that His death was essential to the salvation of others? Verse 24. Note 10. (14) What spirit must be manifested by those who would have eternal life? Verse 25. (15) Then what gracious promise is given? Verse 26.

NOTES.

1. "On the morrow" was the day following the supper at Simon's house in Bethany, described in last week's lesson. People came to the Passover from every country where Jews dwelt, and they were in "every nation under heaven" (Acts 2: 5). Some of them never had seen Jesus before, and others saw Him only as they came to the annual feasts. It had come to be an anxious inquiry at every feast, whether Jesus would be there.

2. Palms were the recognized symbols of triumph, of victory, and rejoicing.

3. The detailed account of how Jesus procured the beast on which He rode, is found in Matt. 21: 1-7; Mark 11: 1-7; Luke 19: 29-35.

4. This is the only record we have of Jesus' having rode during His travels about the country. This made it all the more significant, as His riding on this occasion was after the manner of the kings of Israel, on an ass, and on one which had never been ridden by any other person. Geikie says: "In the East the ass is in high esteem. Statelier, livelier, swifter than with us, it vies with the horse in favor." In "Zinck's Egypt," it is said: "The rich man's ass is a lordly beast. In size, he is far ahead of anything of this kind we see here at home. His coat is as smooth and glossy as a horse's." The prophecy here quoted is Zech. 9: 9. It is also said that the horse was used especially for war, but riding on an ass was a symbol of peace. So Jesus rode into Jerusalem as the Prince of Peace.

5. "These things" that the disciples did not understand, was the fulfilment of the prophecy; and they did not at all surmise that the apparent fulfilment of their hopes would have such a sad ending.

6. The testimony of those who saw Jesus raise Lazarus from the dead, corroborated by the presence of Lazarus himself in the procession, was a source of additional confidence that Jesus was indeed the Messiah, and that He was about to take the kingdom of Israel.

7. "For this cause."—After the resurrection of Lazarus, many of the Jews believed on Jesus who had not believed before, and they evidently were forward in telling of the event to those who had come from a distance to attend the feast. "For this cause" the multitude of those who went out to meet Jesus was greatly augmented.

8. The great demonstration by the people was too much for the Pharisees, who began to fear lest Jesus, might be the coming King, after all their rejection of Him, and then their prestige would be gone forever. Instead of hope in the prospect of His being the deliverer of Israel, they were the more disheartened, becoming really desperate in their fear of the results.

9. "Certain Greeks."—These men came from the West to find the Saviour at the close of His life, as the wise men had come from the East at the beginning. At the time of Christ's birth the Jewish people were so engrossed with their own ambitious plans that they knew not of His advent. The magi from a heathen land came to the manger with their gifts, to worship the Saviour. So these Greeks, representing the nations, tribes, and peoples of the world, came to see Jesus. So the people of all lands and all ages would be drawn by the Saviour's cross. So shall many "come from the East and West, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven."—"Desire of Ages."

10. Only by His death could Jesus save a single one of the sinful race. If He should decline the ordeal of death, He must "abide alone," as far as earthly children were concerned. By falling into the earth, He could become the Seed of a great harvest at the resurrection day. His children are "the children of the resurrection." Luke 20: 36.

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Will It Succeed?

By Editor

Will the public schools be used as an agency for imparting religious instruction, as Dr. McKim and his followers demand? The Washington Post seems to think not. It declares that there is no popular sentiment in its favor. And that is to be expected. The instincts of humanity are, on the first impulse, generally on the right side, and so it seems to be, as far as newspaper correspondence would indicate, in Washington, altho a majority of the ministers favor it. But the principles are farther reaching than this. Involved in them are the Gospel and man's duty to God. If men will yield to do their duty, never would they turn to the state for aid; but failing to do duty will grieve away the Spirit of God, will harden their hearts and blind their eyes to right principles. Then religious bigotry and prejudice come in to demand state aid. And so it will eventually, through political means, corrupt both church and state, and the machine religious teaching of the public schools, will only hasten the end of religious freedom and the decay and destruction of the republic. The constant attempts in various ways to unite church and state are alarming, and the people should be aroused and kept aroused. That "eternal vigilance is the price of liberty" is as true now as when John Philpot Curran uttered it.

Not Men, but Principles.

By Editor

"We war with principles, not with men," some reformer has aptly said. Better still: We war with principles in order to save men. There are times when this paper, in the exposition of prophecy, refers necessarily to Roman Catholicism, the Papacy, to Mohammedanism, and Spiritism. We believe that these great systems are referred to in the prophetic Word as apostate systems. At the same time, we believe there are devoted Christian men and women in the Roman Catholic Church; but we believe they are so, not because of that system, but in spite of it. They see, and their faith reaches beyond the form, beyond the man-worship, beyond the ecclesiastical cordon of police, and takes hold of the Lord Jesus Christ. What the system itself will do, the decadent nations of the Old World witness. In Protestant countries that system has been mightily affected by contact with aggressive Protestantism for the better, apparently, and it is in Protestant countries where converts are made. But the countries where the Papacy has had full sway for centuries, like Spain, Italy, and the South American states, tell a different story. Such was the experience of the Marquise des Monstiers Mesinville, formerly Miss M. G. Caldwell, who founded the Divinity College in the Roman Catholic University, at Washington, D. C., some years ago. She has entirely repudiated Roman Catholicism. She said, in a letter dated Oct. 30, 1894, published in the San Francisco Examiner of Nov. 16, 1904:

"Yes, it is true that I have left the Roman Catholic Church. Since I have been living in Europe my eyes have opened to what that church really is, and to its anything but sanctity. But the trouble goes much further back than this. Being naturally religious, my imagination was early caught by the idea of doing something to lift the church from the lowly position which it occupied in America, so I thought of a university, or higher school, where its clergy could be educated, and, if possible, refined. Of course, in this I was greatly influenced by Bishop Spalding, of Peoria, who represented it to me as one of the greatest works of the day. When I was 21, I turned over to them one-third of my fortune for that purpose. But for years I have been trying to rid myself of the subtle, yet overwhelming influence, of a church which pretends, not only to the privilege of being "the only true church," but of being alone able to open the gates of heaven to a sorrowful, sinful world. At last my honest Protestant blood has asserted itself, and I now forever repudiate and cast off "the yoke of Rome."

Would that Protestantism was what it ought to be; there would be many who would turn to its fold.

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By Editor

We send no papers from this office to individuals without pay in advance. When persons receive copies without ordering them, they are sent by other parties, and we can give no information in regard to them. Persons thus receiving copies of the "Signs" are not indebted to the office, and will not be called upon to pay for them. Please read the papers you may receive, and hand them to your friends to read.

Our authority is the Bible, the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. When the Common (King James) Version, the Revised Version, or the American Standard Revised Version is used, quotations will not be designated in reference. Any Bible quotation in this paper, therefore, differing from the Common Version, unless otherwise indicated, will be from one of the two revised versions, usually the American Standard.

CONTAINED IN THIS NUMBER.

Poetry. Psalm Forty-eight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 A Strange Story, JESSIE F. WAGGONER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Giving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Where Danger Lurks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Amen, ELLA CORNISH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Editorial.—The Omnipresent Word—The Coming Federation—Two Ripening Processes—Religion in the Public Schools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5

Question Corner.—Nos. 1642-1647 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Outlook.—The State Religion Agitation in Washington, D. C.—Religion and the Public School—The War in the Orient . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6, 7

General. Extinct Species, GEO. McCREADY PRICE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 The Days of the Son of Man, MRS. E. G. WHITE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Who Was Melchizedek? G. W. REASER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Miracles and the Gospel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 God's Love . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 The Resurrection (Bible Reading) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Missions.—Can They Be Reached with the Gospel?—Material Progress in Palestine—Shall We Give the Gospel Message to the Jews? A. E. PLACE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12, 13

The Home.—The Home and Social Life of Girls—Consumption, and the Sterilization of Milk—How We Get Ivory 14

International Sunday-School Lesson.—The Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Publishers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Resurrection Number

By Editor

Our next issue will be a Resurrection number.

Who Was Melchizedek?

By Editor

Who Was Melchizedek?—This has been one of the moot questions of the centuries which has never been satisfactorily answered, and yet it is one that constantly arises. In another column will be found the first of three articles on this interesting subject. There will be, doubtless, some things with which you will not at first agree; but hold prejudice in suspense until you have read the argument. There is more in the articles than the mere answer to the above question, and therefore we present them, as the writer says, not dogmatically, but suggestively.

Resurrection Number Articles

By Editor

You will wish the next issue; you will desire it for your friends and neighbors. It will contain the following articles: "The Giver of Life" (the Miracle of Nain, Luke 7: 11-17); "The Resurrection, the Christian's Hope;" "The Resurrection of Christ and What It Means;" "The Memorial of His Resurrection," and other articles.

As usual, our Outlook department will be full of matters of vital interest. The price is the same as for regular numbers.

"FORETOKENS OF OUR RETURNING LORD."

By Editor

THE above heading is the general caption of a series of independent striking articles on various events which are to precede the second advent of Christ our King to this earth.

These articles will begin soon. They will be of transcendent interest, splendidly written by one who is a student in these matters, who stands daily in the watchtower as a keen observer of these things.

As far as possible these articles will be illustrated.

The author is Prof. G. W. Rine, now at Sacramento, Cal.

The titles of the articles, or rather the scope of the field to be covered, is indicated by the following suggested titles:

Why Our Lord Must Come Again, Apostasy and Confusion in the Religious World, Prevalence of Religious Vagaries, Recrudescence of Ancient Mysticisms, Revival and Dominance of Romanism, Present-Day Evolution and Combination of Wealth, Venality and Corruption of the Political World, Venality of the Commercial World, Greed Poisons the Fountains of Justice, The Ubiquity of Graft, Extremes of Opulence and Poverty, Lawlessness of Capital, Lawlessness of Labor, Industrial Federation and Strife, Oppressors Reap the Whirlwind, Greed and the Social Vice, In the Lap of Luxury, Prevalence of Crime, "The Nations Were Angry," Signs in Nature, Restitution of All Things.

Do our readers note the field covered? Do you not wish a part in sending the truth these will contain to the world?

A Question of Interest

By Editor

A Question of Interest.—Says the Washington Times, of March 20, "Interest in the question whether there shall be moral teaching in the public schools of the District [of Columbia] on a distinctly religious basis, grows daily. Few questions have so held the attention of the public in Washington. For nearly a week it has been the principal topic of conversation in the homes, the clubs, on street corners, and in the cars." The Times opened its columns to the public, and most of the communications which have appeared have been against the movement, and the arguments on that side have been altogether the stronger. For instance, the Times of March 20 has three letters, one from Rev. Alexander Kent, pastor of People's Church; one from Captain G. W. Baird, U. S. N.; and one from Rev. C. F. Winbigler, D.D., of First Baptist Church, all taking strong grounds against the movement. Some of these we will give to our readers in the future.

SUNDAY-LAW AGITATIONS.

By Editor

FROM all parts of the field come to us news and notes and clippings, giving account of either Sunday-law enforcement or attempts to enforce or enact Sunday laws. We are glad to get all these. We can not begin to print all. We can not use all that are sent us by our Washington correspondent; but out of the mass we will select the most striking, that our readers may note the progress that this un-American, un-Protestant, un-Biblical, un-Christian movement is making.

Our Outlook department is full to overflowing with the question agitating the national capital. We have set before our readers the resolutions adopted by the majority of the ministerial convention, and also the remonstrance. We hope that our readers will take time to study them. In the plea for religious instruction in the public schools we have the strong claim that it is not a union of church and state that is sought, and yet the demand is made for a condition of things which is a union of church and state. Even so has error ever sought to pervert the good. In the remonstrance we are brought back to true Gospel and American principles as regards religious teaching.

A Free Copy of The Chosen People

By Editor

Mr. Leopold Cohn, the editor of The Chosen People, 620A Quincy Street, Brooklyn, N. Y., will send a copy of his paper free to any one who may apply for it. He is earnestly working to bring the scattered of Israel, according to the flesh, to the one flock, the one Shepherd. While we can not see all that our brother does in what is usually termed the return of the Jews, we bid him Godspeed in his work of bringing them to Christ Jesus, where in Him, it matters not whether Jew according to the flesh, or Greek or American, all are one, made in Him the true Israel of God, and the seed of Abraham.

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