Earlier text: A Romish Reason for a Romish CustomNorth Pacific T. and M. Society.
By J. A. Burden
REPORT FOR QUARTER ENDING SEPT. 30, 1886. No. of members.......................... 224
“ “ dismissed.......................... 6
“ “ added.............................. 13
“ reports returned....................... 145
“ missionary visits...................... 2,733
“ letters written........................ 1,311
“ periodicals distributed................ 6,837
“ pages of reading loaned and given away.. 92,897
“ “ “ “ sold........................... 99,245
“ SIGNS taken in clubs................... 188
“ other periodicals taken in clubs....... 385
“ subscriptions taken for periodicals.... 167
“ Bible-readings held.................... 437
Received on donations and membership..... $ 75 07
“ “ sales and periodicals.............. 457 09
“ “ $5,000 Fund........................ 40 00
“ “ $2,000 “........................... 125 85
“ “ Educational Fund................... 116 50
“ “ Foreign Missions................... 8 20
“ “ Home “............................. 22 25
Total receipts........................... $844 96
J. A. BURDEN, Sec'y. California T. and M. Society.
By Anna L. Ingels
REPORT FOR QUARTER ENDING SEPT. 30, 1886. No. of members.................... 1,065
" " added......................... 41
" " dismissed ..................... 14
" reports returned................ 474
" missionary visits............... 4,558
" letters written................. 2,939
" pages of tracts, pamphlets, and books distributed ......................... 751,344
" periodicals distributed......... 68,660
" SIGNS taken in clubs............ 2,704
" new subscribers obtained........ 331
" Bible-readings held............. 606
Received on donations and membership....... $ 385 56
" " book sales.................... 103 75
" " SIGNS and other periodicals..... 70 43
Total receipts.................... $1,198 74 We pass but once along the pathway of life. We cannot retrace our steps and correct the errors of the past. All we can do is to mourn over them, and, if possible, avoid repeating them in the future. We have but one trial. How careful, then, we should be to guard against error, to resist every inducement to evil, and to act wisely and prudently, so that our own conscience and our God may approve.—Sel. NOTES ON THE INTERNATIONAL LESSON.
THE sealing having been accomplished, John beholds a countless multitude worshiping God in rapture before his throne. This vast throng are undoubtedly the saved out of every nation, kindred, tribe, and tongue, raised from the dead at the second coming of Christ, showing that the sealing is the last work accomplished for the people of God, prior to translation. The questions proposed by one of the elders to John, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? taken in connection with John's answer, Sir, thou knowest, implying that he did not know, would seem to be devoid of all point, if they had reference to the whole of the great multitude now before him. For John did know who they were, and from whence they came; inasmuch as he had just said that they were people, redeemed, of course, out of all nations, kindreds, people, and tongues; and John could have answered, These are the redeemed ones from all the nations of the earth. But if a special company in this vast throng were referred to, distinguished by some special mark or position, then it might not be so evident who they were, and what had given them their peculiarity; and the questions as applied to them would be appropriate and pertinent. We therefore incline to the view that attention is called to a special company by the questions which were proposed by one of the elders; and no company is brought to view to which special allusion would more naturally be made, than to the company spoken of in the first part of the chapter, namely, the 144,000. John had indeed seen this company in their mortal state as they were receiving the seal of the living God amid the troublous scenes of the last days; but as they here stand among the redeemed throng, the transition is so great, and the condition in which they now appear so different, that he does not recognize them as the special company which he saw sealed upon the earth. And to this company, the language that follows seems to be specially applicable. The 144,000 Through Tribulation
1. THEY came out of great tribulation. While it is true in some degree of all Christians that they must "through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God," it is true in a very emphatic sense of the 144,000. They pass through the great time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation. Dan. 12:1. They experienced the mental anguish of the time of Jacob's trouble. Jer. 30:4-7. They stand without a mediator through the terrific scenes of the seven last plagues, those exhibitions of God's unmingled wrath in the earth. Rev. 15:16. They pass through the severest time of trouble the world has ever known, although they are delivered out of it. Lesson XI.—The Laborers in the Vineyard.
1. How did our Lord introduce the parable of the laborers? "For the kingdom of Heaven is like unto a man that is a householder, which went out early in the morning to hire laborers into his vineyard." Matt. 20: 1. 2. How much did the householder agree to pay the laborers that began early in the morning? "And when he had agreed with the laborers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard." Verse 2. 3. At what time did he hire other laborers? "And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace." Verse 3. 4. What agreement did he make with them? "And said unto them: Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you." Verse 4. 5. When and with what understanding did he hire still others? "Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise." Verse 5. 6. What did he find when he went out at the eleventh hour? "And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle." Verse 6. 7. What did he say to them? "And saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?" Same verse. 8. What excuse did the men make for being idle? "They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us." Verse 7. 9. What did the master then say to them? "He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive." Same verse. 10. What order was given at evening? "So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the laborers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first." Verse 8. 11. How much was paid to those that were hired at the eleventh hour? "And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny." Verse 9. 12. What did the others expect when they saw how generous the master was with their fellow-laborers? "But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more." Verse 10. 13. How were they disappointed? "And they likewise received every man a penny." Same verse. 14. What complaint did they make? "And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day." Verses 11, 12. 15. How did the master justify himself to one of these complainers? "But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong; didst not thou agree with me for a penny?" Verse 13. 16. What did he tell the laborer to do? "Take that thine is, and go thy way; I will give unto this last, even as unto thee." Verse 14. 17. What questions did he ask the dissatisfied man? "Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?" Verse 15. 18. When Jesus had finished the parable, what principle did he lay down? "So the last shall be first, and the first last; for many be called, but few chosen." Verse 16.12 (Concluded on page 734.) (Continued from page 731.) 19. What seems to have called out the parable of the laborers?—It was probably the conversation with the rich young man who could not give up his worldly possessions for the sake of being saved. 20. What question did this young man ask the Saviour? "And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?" Matt. 19: 16. 21. What did Jesus tell him he must do? "And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God; but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments." Verse 17. 22. What inquiry did the young man then make? "He saith unto him, Which?" Verse 18. 23. Which of the ten commandments did our Lord then mention? "Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, thou shalt not commit adultery, thou shalt not steal, thou shalt not bear false witness, honor thy father and thy mother; and, thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." Verses 18, 19. 24. What reply did the young man then make? "The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up; what lack I yet?" Verse 20. 25. What did Jesus tell him was still necessary for him to do in order to have treasure in Heaven? "Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in Heaven; and come and follow me." Verse 21. 26. How did the young man receive this instruction? "But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful; for he had great possessions." Verse 22. 27. What remark did Jesus then make? "Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, that a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of Heaven." Verse 23. 28. What anxiety did Peter manifest? "Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?" Verse 27. 29. What assurance did the Saviour give him? "And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, that ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive a hundred-fold, and shall inherit everlasting life." Verses 28, 29. 30. How did he then illustrate the saying, "Many that are first shall be last, and the last shall be first?" Chap. 20: 1–16. 31. What makes labor valuable in the sight of God?—Not the time and strength it requires, but the love and faith that actuate it. Lesson X.—The Importunate Widow and the Penitent Publican.
1. TO WHAT end, or for what purpose, did Jesus give the parable of the importunate widow? Luke 18:1. 2. Who were the leading characters in the parable? Verses 2, 3. 3. Describe the judge. Verse 2. 4. What request did the widow make? Verse 3. 5. How did the judge at first regard her petition? Verse 4. 6. What good motives ought to have influenced him? Same verse. 7. Did these things have any power to move him? Same verse. 8. Why did he finally conclude to take up her cause? Verse 5. 9. What admonition does Jesus give? Verse 6. 10. Did the admonition apply alone to those who were present when it was spoken, or does it apply to us as well? 11. By what question did Jesus try to set home the meaning of the parable? Verse 7. 12. Is there any promise here for those who do not cry to God? 13. What seems to be the teaching of the parable?—That if a wicked man, who cared not to please God, and who had no sympathy for human suffering, would yield to the persistent supplications of a poor woman, it is certain that God, who tenderly loves all his creatures, will heed the prayers of his saints. 14. What question seems to imply that in the last days there will be but few, who will still have faith that the Lord Jesus is coming, according to his promise, to deliver his people? Verse 8. 15. For whose special benefit did the Lord give the parable of the Pharisee and the publican? Verse 9. 16. How are these two characters introduced? Verse 10. 17. For what did the Pharisee thank God? Verse 11. 18. Of what did he boast? Verse 12. 19. How did the publican show by his behavior that he was both penitent and humble? Verse 13. 20. Repeat the words of his prayer. Same verse. 21. What did Jesus say about the way in which God looked upon the worship of these two men? Verse 14, first part. 22. What general principle did our Lord then lay down? Verse 14, last part. 23. Whom did the disciples rebuke? Verse 15. 24. What did Jesus do to show the disciples how they had erred in judgment? Verse 16. 25. How did he still further exalt the grace of humility? Verse 17. 26. What is the first part of this lesson meant to inspire?—Faith in prayer. 27. What is the last part of the lesson meant to teach?—That God loves a humble, penitent heart. Shall not God avenge his own elect?—A question used in this way is called a figure of interrogation. It is not asked for the purpose of obtaining an answer, but to make a stronger impression of a truth than could be made by a direct statement. It is put under such circumstances as to admit of but one answer, and that answer must declare the truth which the speaker wishes to impress. In this way the hearer, in answering the question, is compelled to testify to the fact which he is called upon to admit. If this unfeeling judge, who feared not God, nor regarded man, could in any way be induced to administer justice in favor of the widow, certainly God, a being of infinite love, will, without unnecessary delay, give help and protection to his own elect, whom he regards with such tender compassion. Nevertheless, to remove all doubt, and perhaps for the purpose of adding another thought, our Lord proceeds to answer the question himself. The 144,000’s Post of Honor
3. Verse 15 describes the post of honor they occupy in the kingdom, and their nearness to God. In another place they are called "the first-fruits unto God and the Lamb." Rev. 14:4. The 144,000 Hunger and Thirst
4. In verse 16 it is said, "They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more." This shows that they have once suffered hunger and thirst. To what can this refer? As it doubtless has reference to some special experience, may it not refer to their experience in the time of trouble, more especially during the plagues? In this time the righteous will be reduced to bread and water; and though that "will be sure" (Isa. 33:16), enough for sustenance, yet may it not be that, when the pastures, with all fruits and vegetation, are dried up (Joel 1: 18-20), and the rivers and fountains are turned to blood (Rev. 16:4-9), to reduce their connection with earth and earthly things to the lowest limit, the saints who pass through that time will be brought occasionally to the extreme degrees of hunger and thirst? Protected From Sun and Heat
But the kingdom, once gained, "they shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more." And the prophet continues in reference to this company, "Neither shall the sun light on them nor any heat." We remember that the 144,000 live through the time when power is given unto the sun "to scorch men with fire." Rev. 16:8, 9. And though they are shielded from the deadly effect which it has upon the wicked around them, we cannot suppose that their sensibilities will be so blunted that they will feel no unpleasant sensations from the terrific heat. No, as they enter the fields of the heavenly Canaan, they will be prepared to appreciate the divine assurance, that the sun shall not light upon, or injure them, nor any heat. And the Lamb Shall Lead Them
5. AND the Lamb shall lead them. Another testimony concerning the same company, and applying at the same time, says, "These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth." Rev. 14:4. Both expressions denote the state of intimate and divine companionship to which the blessed Redeemer admits them in reference to himself. The River of God’s Pleasures
By Uriah Smith
The psalmist in the following beautiful passage seems to allude to the same promise: "They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures." Ps. 36:8. The phraseology of this promise to the 144,000 is also partially found in the following glowing prophecy from the pen of Isaiah: "He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth; for the Lord hath spoken it." Isa. 25:8.—Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation.