Was there ever such a man as Melchizedek, given in Heb. 7:3?
Certainly there must have been such a person as Melchizedek for it is very clearly stated in Hebrews, and also in Genesis 14, that such a one met Abraham, received from Abraham tithe, and blessed Abraham, himself a greater than Abraham was, and a member of the order of the Melchizedek priesthood. The term man is used of him, but that does not necessarily mean that he was an inhabitant of this world. The term man is used of angels, (Gen. 19:1), of the angel Gabriel (Dan. 9:21). Some have thought that the Melchizedek who met Abraham may have been one of the "sons of God" from another world, a representative of God, so to speak, for a little time in this world. Read the various articles and suggestions which have been given in the SIGNS OF THE TIMES during the last eight months, and they will certainly give you some thoughts worthy of study.
1759.—How Shall the Sabbath be Observed?
By S.
Shall the Sabbath be observed according to the old law?
The only way to observe the Sabbath is to keep it according to His commandment. Ex. 20:8-11. So the women kept it who had been instructed for three years by Christ Jesus. Luke 23:56. They had His whole life as a living commandment.
THE OUTLOOK
THE CONGO FREE STATE AGAIN.
THE stories of terrible atrocities in the Kongo Free State (so-called) will not down. And they almost invariably come from Protestant missionaries of good repute, whose testimony in ordinary matters would be deemed unimpeachable. The latest revival of charges against the government of Belgium in the "Free State" comes from Rev. Ira L. Wickware, who says:
So horrible are the happenings that people here can not realize how they can be true.
The Congo Free State is rich in rubber and ivory, and King Leopold manipulates the whole affair. By the treaties he is required to put down slavery, but slavery exists worse than before. He doesn't sell them, but he forces every man, woman, and child to do his work.
Everything required by his soldiers is accomplished by forced labor. By manipulation every man is made to labor for him. Private companies, of course, pay, but nevertheless it is forced labor.
The soldiers from the cannibal tribe are trained, and are ten thousand times worse than in their natural state. They perpetrate atrocities upon the men and women and children who fail to bring in the rubber, and thousands can lift up stub hands as testimony. It is so many pounds of rubber or so many hands.
One missionary you know so well met some officers carrying baskets laden with hands, the blood from them dropping to the ground.
Governments close their eyes, yet the Baptist and Presbyterian societies in New York and Mr. Moule of Liverpool can give you ten times more sickening evidence of the atrocities.
You do not know half the torture inflicted on these poor souls for failure to bring in the rubber demanded. It is so many pounds of rubber from the women or so many women's breasts are cut off, and this goes on.
King Leopold has flooded the world with literature saying that the missionary lies. But I tell you further that I have seen poor, defenseless natives whipped and killed because they have not been able to bring in the required merchandise.
Why the governments that agreed to allow the "free state" to become a protegé of Belgium do not protest against the well-known abuse of the trust is to many people a mystery. Not long ago there was a sensational appeal to President Roosevelt to enter a protest; but in a short time the matter was dropped—probably because our government was in no sense a party to the arrangement. But that reason on the part of the leading European governments does not exist. It appears, however, that conditions on the Kongo, worse than the slave trade, which they all united to suppress, do exist—conditions that indicate anything but a "free state."
Like thousands of others whose hands have been cut off.
the need of the world, and that Christ and His Gospel are one and inseparable. We call Him Lord and Saviour first, and Teacher afterward. I do not think it possible that there shall be internal warfare any more. Every man's relationship to Christ conditions every other man's relationship to Christ. We must come together as one in order that we may pray as one, so that we may receive those large things that God has for us in Christ Jesus. The approach to Christ always draws to one another. As we are of one Lord, and of one faith, why shall we not hope and expect that we shall be also of one church?
"THE INTER-CHURCH CONFERENCE ON FEDERATION"
By Alonzo T. Jones
NINTH MEETING.
Young People's Societies.
SUNDAY afternoon, November 19, a service was held by the young people's societies of the denominations.
The Presiding Officer: It is fitting that, at the very center of this large conference in the interests of Christianity, a place should be given to the organized youth. While much has been said about this unity, the young people have been demonstrating Christian unity. This is being done by accentuating the things in which we all agree, and putting in the background the things that are secondary, or perhaps only incidental; and by the federation of college societies. Had you thought that among the college students of to-day are those who are to be the future ministers? These will be working together as students for at least seven years. And can it be supposed that they will cease or fail to work together when they become ministers in active service?
President Wilson, of Princeton University, spoke on "The Mediation of Youth in Christian Progress." It is said that there are only two classes of people who are qualified to teach—those who are young, and those who never grow old. Progress never consists of radical changes. Progress consists in those modifications that spring from the general desires and needs of society. We live in proportion as we see visions. The key to all the endeavors of young people is order, devotion.
And the only sentiment, the only order, that drives men in the true direction, and the right way, is love. There is no more vitality in one denomination than in another if both are equally in direct contact with Christ. This great momentum that is to be translated to the church by the young people is the same grand old foundation—Christ, His life, His love; His power.
Mr. Robert E. Spear, member of the Presbyterian Board for Missions, spoke on "The Basis of Unity in the Young People's Movement." The atmosphere in which we [young people] are accustomed to move is decidedly inhospitable to division; to even the divisions that were perfectly familiar to our fathers and mothers. It would be only displeasing to us, for any one to even mention any of the doctrinal or denominational lines that are hidden among us. We are one in Christ and in His service. You might wipe off the whole mission force in foreign fields to-day, and we would replace it wholly within a year. We are one now as much as we ever can be in our estimate of Christian character and Christian service. The other day I heard from this platform a speaker telling of the many things from which this land needs salvation; and I thought that I could state it all in a single monosyllable: This land needs salvation from just one thing—sin. The world needs salvation from just one thing—sin. You show the young people of this day something that needs to be done, and you will find the ones to do it. We are at one on the things that are fundamental. We are one in the one thing that Christ is
TENTH MEETING.
Report on Federation Continued.
Dr. Niccolls, Presbyterian, objected to the form as presented that it was too colorless. The banner lifted over us must be specific and definite. Our banner in this movement must bear the inscription of Christ and His cross. When we unite in this, then the result shall be that the kingdoms of this world shall become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ. The chairman of the committee declared that every member of that great business committee believes uncompromisingly in the Deity of Jesus Christ.
Dr. Niccolls moved an amendment to insert before the words "Lord and Saviour" the word "divine." Carried, but with some negative votes.
In sub-section 2 of number 3 the word "harmonious" was changed to "united."
The question raised was really whether or not local councils should have representation in the national council, or whether the national council should be confined to representation from the denominations only. Rhode Island declared that if the national was to include the local councils instead of leaving them free to conduct their own affairs, then Rhode Island would not join the national at all. The motion to strike out was lost, and Article 5 was adopted as originally proposed. [The report will be given later].
The general subject for consideration this hour was "What Practical Results May Be Expected from This Conference."
Dr. Power, Disciple, of Washington, D. C.: There is no such thing in the universe as an unanswered prayer. One practical result is, "We shall pray for the unity that is longed for in the churches. Prayer is most practical. Let the whole church come in united prayer thus, and the perfect day will soon dawn. No plan of Christian union can ever succeed that does not recognize the individual freedom of Christians. The spirit of sectarianism is the spirit of hatred. The spirit of unity is the spirit of love. The thirteenth chapter of 1 Corinthians must go with the seventeenth of John, in the accomplishment of unity. Christ came teaching a new dispensation, bringing a new law. The same results may be attained in three years to-day that were attained in the three centuries that brought Christianity to the headship of the Roman empire and of the world.
Dr. Stephens, Methodist Protestant, Kansas City: Unity of spirit is to my mind the most practical thing to be accomplished by this conference. Unity of action is meaningless without the action springing from a unity of spirit and vivifying life. This community of spirit is prophetic of a new era. The era of differentiation is past. The era of integration is dawning. The kingdom of God is at hand. Protestantism has realized the blessings of liberty.7Protestantism has achieved individualism at the expense of ecclesiastical unity. How shall the solidarity of the churches now be attained while retaining the liberty that has been gained? It must be a vivifying life, in the unity of spirit. Liberty, and love are the two great forces that are to accomplish this great object. Both church and state must move toward that ideal achieved in the Gospel.
Dr. Dickey, Presbyterian: We should first of all caution ourselves not to set our hopes too high at the start. If we are satisfied with some things that are possible at the start, we shall the sooner accomplish other very desirable things that plainly can not now be done. This conference itself is a very practical result of the aspirations that have been working. And if it should now adjourn with nothing formal being done, that which is accomplished only in our being together thus would be a very practical result. The twenty million of people here represented in unity is a very practical result; and if the connective influence of the will and population and power of these twenty million be counted, we have one-half the population of this nation. An influence potent enough to gather together the representatives of half the population of the country is a very practical result. I come from a boss-ridden city that has been delivered, to the amazement of those who are enjoying it. And Cincinnati, and New York—why surely if New York shall be reformed, the millennium is at hand. God has shown us a great triumph in the past few weeks, that tells us that there is before us an open door to the conquest of the world.
"We stand together in the defense of religious liberty, and for a definite separation of church and state. But I trust that one of the practical results of this conference will be the organization of a force that law-breakers and law-makers will respect and heed when great questions of morals are involved. Our Gospel is the fulfilment of the law. It is our province, in the name of our supreme King, and seeking the good of mankind, to ask rulers to respect the code of our kingdom. Rulers may ignore sects, but they will respect the church. This federation will compel an audience, and it will speak with power, if it will put aside its differences and make its agreement its argument."
Dr. Baltzer, Evangelical, St. Louis, Mo.: The first important result to be expected from this conference is fellowship—fellowship of the Protestant churches. More and better religious instruction is needed. That this instruction can not be given in the public schools must be granted. But can not an hour a day be secured in which the children of the schools can be instructed in religion? Should not therefore one practical result of this conference be a unanimous action in behalf of this? Another practical result should be a call for better observance of the judicial oath, and for national laws regulating marriage; this would certainly receive the hearty approval of every Christian.
Dr. Amory H. Bradford, Congregationalist: It would be far easier to tell that for which we might legitimately hope, than to tell what we may legitimately expect. We have to look for remote, rather than immediate, results. We have not much to learn from our brethren across the sea. Our conditions are far different from theirs. One result ought to be formulated right soon, that a loud and emphatic word of sympathy for, and appreciation of, those passive resisters who are making their noble contention on the other side of the water. This movement has in it the promise of victory, because it is organized on the right lines—the liberty of denominations. It is no virtue for me to agree with a man who agrees with me. But the thing for me as a Christian to do is to agree to respect and to work with the Christian who differs from me. It may be that a good man cares more for the wheels than for the spirit within the wheels. When the harvest-time shall come, then only can we estimate the results of this great conference.
ALONZO T. JONES.
Not Making Progress.
In an address before the College of Cardinals, December 11, Pope Pius said that the Catholic faith is spreading more and more throughout the world, particularly in far-distant countries. But in a voice of the utmost sadness the pontiff added that on turning toward the Catholic nations there is little to offer encouragement or consolation. The pope went on to say that he wished it were in his power to give the cardinals more encouraging news concerning the progress of the church; but that present conditions do not warrant him in giving them much consolation. He expressed the fear that in the end the prediction of the Scriptures might be verified that "the kingdom of the Lord will be removed to other people where it will produce good fruit." The pontiff added that especial care and anxiety may well be felt for France, the nation heretofore looked upon as the "Eldest Daughter of the Church." But what the church is losing in Europe she is gaining here.
NO RUSSIAN LEADER.
By San Francisco Call
THE blind and pitiful revolution in Russia goes on, unchecked and unled. A brutal bloodthirst is upon the people, and is slaked by slaughter of the Jews, who seem to be a target for all parties, the loyal Cossacks cheerfully joining the disloyal revolutionaries in murdering and robbing that defenseless people. The army and navy are no longer reliable agents of the government, and the unfortunate De Witte seems to have let the situation slip out of his hands, and is as much lacking in influence with the people as the most despised of the Grand Dukes.
The army in Manchuria, often whipped by the Japanese, starving and desperate while waiting for repatriation, has added a new terror to the troubles of the government. If left where it is, it is likely to massacre its officers, and if brought home it is ripe to join the revolution. The hand of the government is everywhere paralyzed, and order is unknown. It seems to be a fearful break-up of the whole social and civil order. Even murder is not systematized, and riot seems for the sake of riot, and is not for some ulterior purpose, such as final order and peace. Mechanic and mujik, the urban and agrarian population, seem to feel only that, repression being removed, now is the time to wreak vengeance on somebody, and they are rather indifferent as to the class or personality of the victims.
It is the first revolution that has seemed lacking in a head and a purpose. There is no formulation of a grievance, and no driving, even through blood, to a definite purpose. What is done so far seems to be instigated by the socialists. The heads of Socialism in Europe should be impressed by the fact that their present responsibility for the Russian uprising is a trial of their dream. If they prove themselves capable of leading only in destruction, and to have no constructive capacity, then their dream is ended. They have the sympathy of Tolstoi, but he makes a weak showing as a leader. He has been a capable and copious critic of what is, but has shown no capacity as a leader toward definite and organized reform. In any other country the movement would by this time be in definite shape. It would have taken form. It would have said what was wanted, and the purpose of all this violence and defiance would be known to all the world. That has been the case in revolutions of the Anglo-Saxons, Celts and Gauls, Germans and Scandinavians. No matter how confused the aspect they presented, a purpose could be traced in their most complex evolutions.
This is not yet the case in Russia. The government has made repeated concessions, but without effect. That would not signify if this national mob could march upon some definite point. But it goes on milling, like a cattle herd in panic, and no opinion can be formed concerning it and its purpose.
To a far outsider one thing is apparent. If present conditions continue there will be a military dictatorship, class will play against class, the revolution that has no head will be suppressed, partly by exhaustion, and the lid will be on Russia again and the autocracy, restored as the representative of social and civic order, will renew its historic policy of repression. The people will return to their former subjection, and all the violence and bloodshed will have been in vain.
All this will be for the need of a leader. The collapse of De Witte seems to be certain. He is not supported by the middle class, is rejected by the nobility, and has no influence with the great mass of the people, who are now in the hands of socialists. The only choice so far apparent is between autocracy and anarchy.
The Russians seem to be lacking the saving quality of imagination. They seem to be sodden. It was the French imagination that directed the revolution of 1793. Certain ideals appealed to the imagination. Liberty, equality, fraternity, became the motto of that bloody struggle, and the imagination and its ideals softened even the prolonged slaughter of The Terror. It was the romance of murder, the poetry of spoliation. Pet names were given to the guillotine, and music and poetry were enlisted in the ranks of the destroyers, who destroyed with their hands and reconstructed with their imaginations.—San Francisco Call.
NATIONAL REFORM CAMPAIGN.
By K. C. Russell
BY K. C. RUSSELL.
THE National Reform Association has recently inaugurated a vigorous campaign with the fond hope of securing their long-cherished desire of obtaining "such an amendment to the Constitution of the United States as will declare the nation's allegiance to Jesus Christ, and its acceptance of the moral laws of the Christian religion." This campaign was launched on the public as the result of the instructions which were given to the Judiciary Committee by the United States Senate to report within thirty days after the assembling of the coming session of Congress, a new form of constitutional amendment for the suppression of polygamy. This opportunity was eagerly seized upon by the National Reformers to attach onto the proposed constitutional amendment against polygamy a rider embodying an acknowledgment of the moral laws of Jesus Christ as the basis and standard of legislation regarding the family. It will be readily seen that, if the National Reform Association should succeed in getting this religious feature incorporated into the Constitution of the United States, it will form a basis for all the evil legislation which they have ever sought to obtain.
The following is their program for the campaign as outlined in the November number of the Christian Statesman:
To send the petition with accompanying documents to all church courts, and to pastors and churches.
To print in sufficient quantities the documents needed in the work.
To make judicious use of the newspapers, religious and secular.
To arrange for an effective hearing before the Judiciary Committee like our former hearing on the same subject with which the committee was so impressed that they printed five thousand copies of the report of it, or five times the usual number, for the use of the members of Congress and for general distribution.
To send some one to Washington for the months of December and January for continuous labor with the members of both houses.
Should not every lover of Christian liberty recognize in this wicked movement on the part of the National Reformers a danger signal? While we are unalterably opposed to polygamy, yet we do enter a most solemn protest against the proposed religious feature which the National Reform Association is seeking to secure.
Papal Manuscript Stolen from Vatican Archives
A despatch from Rome, dated December 11, reports that "a precious manuscript of Pope Pius VII. has been pilfered from the secret archives of the Vatican Library. The manuscript includes the record of the pope's imprisonment at Fontainebleau, which is considered of great importance historically. Somebody wants to get correct history. It is also reported that it is remarked in Rome "that three of the four new cardinals are foreigners, which is taken as an indication that the pope desires to have a more even division between the foreign and Italian elements in the Sacred College."
Cork Harbor Free from Thunderstorms
According to the "London Mail" there is one place in this world where there are no thunderstorms, and that is the harbor of Cork. The winds across that harbor are such that the gathering of the thunder clouds is successfully resisted.
CHRIST OUR HELPER.
By Ellen G. White
BY MRS. E. G. WHITE.
THE only-begotten Son of God came to this world to redeem the fallen race.
He has given us evidence of His great power. He will enable those who receive Him to build up characters free from all the tendencies that Satan reveals. We can resist the enemy and all his forces. The battle will be won, the victory gained, by him who chooses Christ as his leader, determined to do right because it is right.
Our divine Lord is equal to any emergency. With him nothing is impossible. He has shown His great love for us by living a life of self-denial and sacrifice, and by dying a death of agony. Come to Christ just as you are, weak, helpless, and ready to die. Cast yourself wholly on His mercy. There is no difficulty within or without that can not be surmounted in His strength. Some have stormy tempers. But He who calmed the stormy sea of Galilee will say to the troubled heart, "Peace, be still." There is no nature so rebellious that Christ can not subdue it, no temper so stormy that He can not quell it, if the heart is surrendered to His keeping.
He who commits his soul to Jesus need not despond. We have an all-powerful Saviour. Looking to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of your faith, you can say, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, tho the earth be removed, and tho the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; tho the waters thereof roar and be troubled, tho the mountains shake with the swelling thereof."
Do not think that the Christian life is a life free from temptation. Temptations will come to every Christian. Both the Christian and the one who does not accept Christ as his leader will have trials. The difference is that the latter is serving a tyrant, doing his mean drudgery, while the Christian is serving the One who died to give him eternal life. Do not look upon trial as something strange, but as the means by which we are to be purified and strengthened. "Count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations." James declares, "Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience."
Our sea will not always be smooth. We shall have storm and tempest. Meeting difficulties is a part of our education, necessary to the formation of a strong, symmetrical character.
In the future life we shall understand things that here greatly perplex us. We shall realize how strong a helper we had, and how angels of God were commissioned to guard us as we followed the counsel of the Word of God.
To all who receive Him Christ will give power to become the sons of God. He is a present help in every time of need. Let us be ashamed of our wavering faith. Those who are overcome have only themselves to blame for their failure to resist the enemy. All who choose can come to Christ and find the help they need.
The world is enshrouded in the darkness of error. Satan and his angels are urging on their warfare against the truth. We must have help. But the help we need will not come from human beings. We must look to Him who has said, "All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth," "Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." There stands among you the mighty Counsellor of the ages, inviting you to place your confidence in Him. Shall we turn away from Him to uncertain human beings, who are as wholly dependent on God as we ourselves are. Have we fallen so far below our privileges. Have we not been guilty of expecting so little that we have not asked for what God is longing to give.
"I will mention the loving-kindnesses of the Lord, and the praises of the Lord, according to all that the Lord hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which He hath bestowed on them according to His mercies, and according to the multitude of His loving-kindness. For He said, Surely they are My people, children that will not lie; so He was their Saviour. In all their affliction He was afflicted, and the angel of His presence saved them; in His love and in His pity He redeemed them; and He bare them, and carried them all the days of old."
Let us have more confidence in our Redeemer. Turn not from the waters of Lebanon to seek refreshment at broken cisterns, which can hold no water. Have faith in God. Trustful dependence on Jesus makes victory not only possible, but certain. Tho multitudes be pressing on in the wrong way, tho the outlook be ever so discouraging, yet we may have full assurance in our Leader; for "I am God," He declares, "and there is none else." He is infinite in power, and able to save all who come to Him. There is no other in whom we can safely trust.
THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES
THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES.
By F. D. Starr
BY F. D. STARR.
THE name of the book in the German version would rather signify the History of the Apostles. No human history was ever written that could by any means compare in interest with the records of this book. The thirty years and over covered by this account, bring us from the ascension of our Lord to the triumphant condition of the church, when believers were found, and churches organized, in every part of the known world. Such unrivaled progress is delightful to contemplate. The church went forth conquering and to conquer. Rev. 6:2. But to suppose, as some do, that the church had its beginning with the commencement of this period, would be a great mistake; for the church had an existence in the days of Moses, or rather from the time of Adam. Steven speaks of the church in the wilderness (Acts 7:38), and David, as quoted by Paul in Heb. 2:12, says, "In the midst of the church will I sing praise unto Thee." The Saviour speaks of the church as in actual existence when He gave instructions concerning our intercourse with our fellow disciples; for He says if an erring member will not hear the church, he shall be considered as a heathen man and a publican. Matt. 18:17.
The Greek for "church," ecclesia, occurs often in the Old Testament, one of the earliest instances being found in Deut. 9:10, where the word "assembly" is used to convey the idea. So the church is just as familiar an object in the old dispensation as in the new, and while the book of Acts covers so interesting a period in church history, it is by no means the beginning of church history. Neither do the rules of the church to be followed now begin with the day of Pentecost as some affirm; for the great Head of the church in giving His commission to His disciples told them to teach all things that He had commanded them, and that would embrace all the instructions from the Sermon on the Mount to His ascension, and in that sermon, as well as in many other places, we find that He teaches the obligation to keep all the commandments of the Decalogue. So it is just as true now as ever it was, that if we would enter into life we must keep the commandments. Matt. 19:17.
It is evident that many of the quotations from the Old Testament, used in the book, are from the Septuagint or Greek translation, made nearly 300 years before the birth of Christ. We will notice one instance. In Acts 8:32 we read: "He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before His shearer, so opened He not His mouth." This is a quotation from Isa. 53:7, but we find by examining that reference, that it is the sheep that is brought to the shearer, and the lamb to the slaughter. This would certainly be in harmony with the facts in the case, for sheep are sheared, and lambs were used for sacrifice. The Septuagint version of Isa. 53:7, however, reads just as it is in Acts 8:32,—the sheep to the slaughter and the lamb to the shearer, showing that the apostle followed the Greek translation in making the quotation. This would be the natural way to do, to use the version in common use, instead of going to the original which the people did not so generally understand.
Sabbath History.
There is considerable interesting Sabbath history in the book of Acts. Let the reader carefully examine these references: Acts 13:42-44; 16:13; 17:2; 18:4. From these texts we learn that the apostles preached to both Jews and Gentiles on the Sabbath day, that it was Paul's manner, just as it was Jesus' custom, to do so. Luke 4:16. It was a peculiarity of Luke, as seen in the Acts, which he wrote, as well as in his Gospel, to mention as such any practise which had become a custom with those whose history he was recording. So we find him stating that Sabbath observance was a custom of our Lord's, and that it was also Paul's manner. One isolated instance of any occurrence does not establish a custom. Such an instance will be found in Acts 20:7. If holding meetings on the first day of the week had become a custom, Luke would have spoken of it as such in this case, but nothing of this kind is recorded. So the history of the Sabbath as found in the book of Acts is in complete harmony with the testimony of the evangelists in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, showing that the Sabbath of the Fourth Commandment of the Decalogue is still binding and was observed by Christ, the apostles, and the early Christian church. Do we not desire, as sincere and faithful followers of the Master, to imitate this pious example, and keep the holy rest day according to the commandment? May the Lord grant that the warning of the closing chapter of the book may not be pronounced against us: "For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed: lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them." But rather may the blessing come to us that came9to the noble Bereans who "received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so." Acts 17:11. "Search the Scriptures," shall still be our constant motto, and in this research, the book of Acts will be made a matter of careful study. We have cause for the most sincere gratitude that such an important history has been handed down to us.
