STEPS TO CHRIST. The Pacific Press Publishing Co., Oakland, Cal., have received an entirely new stock of the latest edition of that excellent book entitled "Steps to Christ," by Mrs. E. G. White. The price, postpaid, is only 75 cents. Address as above.
THE RIGHTS OF THE PEOPLE
Or Civil Government and Religion
BY ALONZO T. JONES
An Up-to-Date Pamphlet on the Principles of Religious Liberty.
This book can not fail to be of great value to all in the study of the series of S. S. Lessons on Religious Liberty for the last three months of 1895. It was not written to go with these lessons, but it is fortunate and timely that it should be published at this time.
“THE RIGHTS OF THE PEOPLE” contains fifteen chapters, the following being a portion of the chapter headings:—Christianity and the Roman Empire—What Is Due to God and What to Caesar—The Powers That Be—How the United States Became a Christian Nation—What Is the Nation?—Who Made the Nation?—Religious Right in the United States—Religious Right Invaded—The People’s Right of Appeal—National Precedent on Right of Appeal—Appeal Sunday-law Movement in the Fourth Century and Its Parallel in the Nineteenth—Will the People Assert and Maintain Their Rights?—Religious Rights in the States.
In the four appendixes to the book are given the Declaration of Independence—The Constitution of the United States—The Dred Scott Decision, and the “Christian Nation” Decision.
This is a book of permanent value for reference and study and one that all should possess. It contains 384 pages, with several illustrations, is issued as No. 32 of the Religious Liberty Library, and is bound in paper covers. Price 40 Cents.
A FINER EDITION on laid paper is also ready. It is neatly bound in cloth. Price One Dollar.
What kind of service God accepts and how we may render it. Order Apples of Gold Library, No. 21. Price 50 cents per hundred or one cent each in small quantities. Address PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO., Oakland, Cal.; Kansas City, Mo.; or New York City, N. Y.
THE JUDGMENT
By John Nevins Andrews
By the late J. N. ANDREWS
The Events of the Judgment and their Order. Following are principal chapter headings: 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. Bible Students' Library No. 55. 136 pages. Paper covers. Price, 15 cents.
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THE LEGAL SUNDAY
By James T. Ringgold
Its History and Character.
By JAMES T. RINGGOLD.
Of the Baltimore Bar.
FROM the days of Roger Williams until quite recently there has been no open challenge of the right of the legal Sunday even to exist. Yet this is the only ground that can be successfully or logically maintained upon the question. And this ground is successfully and logically maintained, upon Christian, constitutional, and legal principles, in this book.
Since the Sunday has obtained the legal recognition of the Government of the United States as an element in “the salvation of the nation,” this subject has become of double interest and importance to every citizen of the United States. And upon the subject of Sunday in legislation and in law, this volume leaves no point untouched and no question unsolved.
“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 III.—Sabbath, October 19, 1895.
THE GENUINE PRINCIPLE OF LIBERTY.
1. For what kind of rights and liberty may even selfish men plead? Ans.—Their own rights and their own liberty.
2. What kind of liberty did the Lord command the children of Israel to proclaim at the year of jubilee? Ans.—Universal liberty.
“And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof; it shall be a jubilee unto you: and ye shall return every man unto his possession, and ye shall return every man unto his family.” Lev. 25:10. See note .
3. How did he rebuke them for not heeding this instruction?
“Therefore thus saith the Lord: Ye have not hearkened unto me, in proclaiming liberty, every one to his brother, and every man to his neighbor; behold, I proclaim a liberty for you, saith the Lord, to the sword, to the pestilence, and to the famine; and I will make you to be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth.” Jer. 34:17.
4. For whom had they not proclaimed liberty? Same verse. See note .
5. What judgments were pronounced upon them because of this failure on their part? Same text.
6. What does this show? Ans.—God’s displeasure at men’s disregard for the rights of others, and that his judgments come on account of these things.
7. In what language did Job show his regard for the rights of his servants?
“If I did despise the cause of my manservant, or of my maidservant, when they contended with me; what then shall I do when God riseth up? and when he visiteth, what shall I answer him? Did not he that made me in the womb make him? and did not one fashion us in the womb?” Job 31:13–15.
8. Instead of serving ourselves all the while, what does the Bible tell us to do?
“Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” Phil. 2:4.
9. How are we to serve one another?
“For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.” Gal. 5:13.
10. Are our love and good will to be confined simply to those who reciprocate them?
“Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.” Matt. 5:43, 44.
“As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” Gal. 6:10.
11. If all men would love their enemies as well as their friends, how long could enemies, enmity, and persecution exist?
12. What is the only principle which will lead men to treat their neighbors as themselves?
“Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself: I am the Lord.” Lev. 19:18.
“Love worketh no ill to his neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.”
14. What is love declared to be?
“Owe no man anything, but to love one another; for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.” Verses 8–10.
15. What result does the keeping of the law bring to the individual himself?
“So shall I keep thy law continually forever and ever. And I will walk at liberty; for I seek thy precepts.” Ps. 119:44, 45. See note .
16. Since the keeping of the law of God insures liberty both to the individual himself and also to his neighbor, what is this law most fittingly called?
“So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.” James 2:12. See note .
17. But as this law can be fulfilled only by love, what is the fundamental principle of true liberty for all men?
NOTES.
INTERNATIONAL SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSONS
“If any man will do His will he shall know of the doctrine whether it be of God.”—John 7:17.
14. And they lifted up their voice, and wept again; and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law; but Ruth clave unto her. 15. And she said, Behold, thy sister-in-law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods; return thou after thy sister-in-law. 16. And Ruth said, Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee; for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge; thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God. 17. Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if aught but death part thee and me. 18. When she saw that she was steadfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her. 19. So they two went until they came to Bethlehem. And it came to pass, when they were come to Bethlehem, that all the city was moved about them, and they said, Is this Naomi? 20. And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi; call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me. 21. I went out full, and the Lord hath brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the Lord hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me? 22. So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter-in-law, with her, which returned out of the country of Moab; and they came to Bethlehem in the beginning of barley harvest.
Golden Text: “Thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God.” Verse 16.
Note.—The exact date of the narrative recorded in this book is not known. It is sufficient for our purpose to know that it was in and near the close of the time of the judges, for Ruth was the grandmother of David. The lesson includes the whole of this little story, a side light to the sterner history of that time. During a time of famine, Elimelech, his wife Naomi, and two sons, left their home in Bethlehem and abode in Moab, east of the Jordan, where in course of time the sons married Moabitish women, Orpah and Ruth. Affliction then overtook the family, and Elimelech and his sons died, whereupon Naomi determined to return to her former home. Both daughters-in-law proposed to accompany her, but she uses every argument to dissuade them. See verses 6-13. Here the lesson begins.
SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.
(1) How did the parting affect Naomi’s daughters-in-law? Verse 14. (2) What did Naomi say to Ruth? Verse 15. Note 1. (3) What reply did Ruth make? Verses 16, 17. Note 2. (4) What was the final decision? Verse 18. (5) To what place did their journey bring them? Verse 19. (6) How did their arrival affect the inhabitants? Same verse. (7) What reply did Naomi make to their exclamations? Verse 20. Note 3. (8) To what did she attribute her misfortunes? Verse 21. Note 4. (9) At what time of the year did the two women reach Bethlehem? Verse 22. Note 5.
NOTES.
1. It was the custom for friends or relatives to accompany for some distance one who was departing. In this instance, because of the special ties existing between the three women, there would naturally be great sorrow, and under its influence impulse would urge the daughters to propose to go with the mother. Apparently realizing that a move might be made which would afterward be regretted, Naomi discouraged this, placing before them the consequences of such action. The result was that Orpah returned, but Ruth “clave unto her.”
2. This is a touching illustration of love and duty. It is also a testimony to the example and teaching of Naomi among a nation of idolaters. Evidently both of her daughters-in-law had a knowledge of the true God, if indeed they were not worshipers, as implied in verse 15. But Orpah returned to her people and to her gods, while Ruth chose without reserve to share whatever the future might bring to Naomi, and to serve the Lord God. Verses 16, 17. Orpah represented those who hear the word and are convinced of duty, but allow the society of friends or the blandishments of the world to overrule and determine their course. Ruth chose the better part, and her action is a perfect parallel to the course the true Christian will pursue. Forsaking the world, his duty henceforth is with Christ, wheresoever he may lead, whatsoever he may command, for life or for death.14
3. Naomi means “the lovable,” “pleasant;” Mara, “bitter;” Elimelech, “My God is King;” Ruth, “the friend,” “beauty,” “Rose of Moab;” Orpah, “fawn;” Boaz, “lovely,” “active.”
4. Naomi looked upon her misfortunes as judgments from the Lord, for what cause it is not clearly represented. It may have been because of their leaving Israel and dwelling among the heathen, when the Lord’s promise was to care for his own people. The famine came as a judgment upon the land, but the faithful of all ages are assured of bread and water. Isa. 33:16. No doubt there was a lesson in the experience, a test, even as there was in all the afflictions that the Lord permitted Job to endure. Nevertheless, her life among the heathen bore fruit in the turning of one, at least, to the true God.
5. The barley harvest was usually in the middle of April. “The fact of its being barley harvest suggested to Ruth that she might contribute something to their mutual subsistence by going forth to glean. This right of gleaning was one of the legal provisions for the poor of Israel; and as the landholders were not subject to money taxes for the support of the poor, this claim was literally construed by them.”—Kitto. The story then tells of her gleaning, and the fortunate circumstance of her being led to the field of Boaz, a near kinsman of Elimelech. She won his respect, and the respect of all among whom she lived. Later, Boaz, a man of noble character, took her to wife. She became the mother of Obed, who begat Jesse, the father of David. From David’s line came Christ.
TEACHING TRUTH
By Mary Wood Allen
By Mary Wood Allen, M. D.
National Lecturer W. C. T. U.
A little brochure brimful of helpful suggestions to parents who wish to teach their children the truth in regard to the mystery of life.
Price, 25c.
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THE ATONEMENT.
AN EXAMINATION OF
A REMEDIAL SYSTEM, IN THE LIGHT OF NATURE AND OF REVELATION.
BY ELD. J. H. WAGGONER.
THIRD EDITION, REVISED AND GREATLY ENLARGED.
THIS work is a critical and exhaustive treatise on the plan of salvation as revealed in the Scriptures, showing its harmony with the principles of justice and mercy, its consistency with reason, and its final results as affecting the destiny of the human race. 368 pp.; cloth, $1.00.
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CHURCH SERVICES.
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.
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.
Chicago, Illinois.—Church on Forty-sixth Street between Michigan and Wabash Avenues. Sabbath school 9:30 A.M.; preaching service 11 A.M. Prayer meeting 8:30 P.M. every Sabbath, also Tuesday evening 7 P.M. Missionary meeting Thursday evening 7 P.M. All are cordially invited.
Los Angeles.—Church at 145 Carr Street, between Main and Hill Streets. Sabbath school on Sabbath at 9:45 A.M., and preaching service at 11 A.M. Prayer meeting Tuesday evening. Missionary meeting Thursday evening. All are welcome. 926 Hill Street. BELLE P. BAKER, Clerk.
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.
Kansas City, Mo.—Church on corner of Twelfth and Woodland Ave. Sabbath school at 10 A.M. and preaching service at 11 A.M. Missionary meeting Tuesday, 7:45 P.M. All are cordially invited.
St. Paul, Minn.—Church on Greenbriar Avenue, between Jenks and Clawson Streets. Regular preaching services on Sabbath at 11 A.M. Sabbath school at 9:45 A.M. Prayer meeting Tuesday evening at 7:45. All are cordially invited. NETTIE McSTAY, Clerk.
Detroit, Mich.—Church at 424 Trumbull Ave., between Perry and Bagg streets. Preaching Sabbath 10 A.M. Sabbath school 11:15 A.M. Prayer meeting Wednesday 7:30 P.M. Preaching Sunday 7:30 P.M. H. M. KENYON, Pastor.
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.
Boston, Mass.—Church worships at United Fellowship Hall 1371 Washington Street. Regular services: Sabbath school at 10 A.M., preaching at 11 A.M. All are welcome. George B. Wheeler, pastor. Residence at 45 Waverley Street, Everett, Mass.
Louisville, Kentucky.—Church worships at Schafer's Hall, Twenty-seventh Street, between Montgomery and High Streets. Regular preaching services at 7:30 P.M. Sunday and 11 A.M. Sabbath. Sabbath school at 10 A.M. All are welcome. J. W. Collie, pastor. Residence, 613 Twenty-fourth Street.
Cleveland, Ohio.—Church at 249 Cedar Ave., between Sterling and Hayward. Regular services as follows: Sabbath school at 10 A.M. (sun time). Preaching at 11 o'clock, also on Sunday evening at 7:30. Prayer meeting at 7:30 Wednesday evening. WILLARD H. SAXBY, Pastor.
St. Joseph, Missouri.—Church on corner Fifteenth and Locust Streets. Sabbath school at 10 A.M. Church services at 11 A.M. Prayer and teachers' meetings, Wednesday evening, 7:30. All are cordially invited to attend. MRS. HARRIET W. TALBERT, Clerk.
San Diego.—Church corner of Eighteenth and G. Streets. Regular services at 11 A.M., Sabbath. Sabbath school at 9:45 A.M. Prayer meeting, Wednesday, 7:30 P.M. Missionary meeting, Sunday, 7 P.M. MARY J. DIMOCK, Clerk. National City, Box 136.
Stockton, Cal.—Church at corner of Miner Avenue and Stanislaus Street. Services every Sabbath (Saturday) at 11 A.M. Sabbath school at 10 A.M. Prayer and teachers' meetings at 2:30 P.M. every Wednesday. H. S. GUILFORD, Elder.
