Your ShelfYour Projects

Signs of the Times, Vol. 20, No. 34.

The Purpose of Christ's Priesthood
Earlier text: FRAGMENTS

FIELD NOTES.

By Editor

BROTHER LA RUE, missionary at Hongkong, China, sends fifteen subscriptions for the SIGNS.
THE three western counties of Maryland have been added to the West Virginia Conference.
THE brethren in Australia have decided to issue a 22-page quarterly magazine, to be devoted exclusively to the subject of religious liberty.
AN electric light plant is to be added to the college building at College View, Neb., during the summer vacation.
TENT meetings, conducted by Elders C. L. Boyd and H. W. Reed, are in progress in South Nashville, Tenn.
BROTHER NOWLEN, a canvasser in Falkland Islands, within the four months ending April 22, delivered 323 books.
ELDER VICTOR THOMPSON has changed his field of labor from Indiana to Minnesota. His address is Box 989, Minneapolis.
IN Hanford, Cal., an increasing interest is reported in the tent meetings conducted by Elder H. F. Courter and Brother Baxter Howe.
ELDER E. E. ANDROSS arrived in this city from Los Angeles on the 18th inst. He goes via Oregon and the Union Pacific Railroad to Battle Creek, Mich., to attend the teachers' institute.
THE Nevada district of California Conference has been receiving much-needed assistance from Elders N. C. McClure and Wm. Ings, of the Conference Committee.
SABBATH, July 7, is appointed by the General Conference Committee as the time for taking a collection in all our churches and companies for the maintenance fund of the Haskell Home for Orphans.
A TRACT society has been organized at Spartanburg, S. C., with ten members. Elder E. W. Webster reports a large interest in meetings held by Brother J. O. Johnson, near Greenville, in the same State.
DURING the progress of meetings recently concluded at Debby, Mason County, W. Va., by Elder W. R. Foggin, seventeen converts were baptized, and the company there was otherwise much strengthened and encouraged. An effort is being made to build a meetinghouse.
THE General Conference Committee have recommended that the next session of the General Conference be held at Battle Creek, Mich., February 15 to March 4, 1895. Also that a ministerial institute be held the two weeks preceding the Conference, in connection with which there will be a council of the presidents of the different local Conferences.
AT the late session of the Iowa Conference the following officers were chosen: President, E. G. Olsen; Secretary, C. W. Smouse; Treasurer, C. F. Stevens; Conference Committee, E. G. Olsen, C. A. Washburn, M. Larson, Jacob Shively, and G. F. Watson. Twenty-eight persons were given ministerial credentials, and thirty missionary licenses were granted.
IT is now supposed that six of our brethren are in the heart of Mashonaland, Africa, where they have gone to live as self-supporting missionaries. Their journey from Cape Town, which was begun May 7, was 700 miles by railroad to Vryburg, and 900 miles by wagon to Fort Salisbury, the capital of Mashonaland. They were supplied with two wagons, one to be drawn by six mules, and one by sixteen oxen.
BROTHER G. JAMES, formerly of Battle Creek (Mich.) College, is now living in the vicinity of the Southern extremity of Lake Nyassa, British Central Africa, for the purpose of showing the people the truth. And there are so many places in Africa, in Asia, in Southern and Central America, in Australia, in the thousands of islands, yes, and right in our own country, where our brethren could go and do likewise. It is not necessary to wait for the General Conference to send you. When men's hearts are set to go somewhere to better their temporal condition, they generally find some means of going at their own cost. Our orders are to "seek first the kingdom of God."

PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT SOUL WINNERS.

People who never make any sacrifices for God.
People who never get religion in their hands and feet.
People who feel good on Sabbaths and behave very bad on week days.
People who dishonor the name of Christ by professing to be his followers.
The mothers who tell white lies before their children and think nothing of it.
The people who never feel very religious except when there is sickness in the house.
People who read the newspaper before the sermon and criticise the preacher afterward.
The man who thinks the preacher ought to do all the preaching and praying, because he is paid for doing it.
The sounding brass and tinkling cymbal, who is always professing that he wants to see the whole world saved, and yet never gives a dollar to missions.
The two old saints who have been "at the outs" with each other for ten years, both so puffed up with pride they can't behave as Christians should, and be reconciled.—Ram's Horn.

A LESSON IN ART.

By J. R. Miller, D.D.

THERE is a legend of an artist who sought for a piece of sandalwood out of which to carve a Madonna. At last he was about to give up in despair, leaving the vision of his life unrealized, when in a dream he was bidden to shape the figure from a block of oak wood, which was destined for the fire. Obeying the command, he produced from a log of common firewood a masterpiece.
In like manner people wait for great and brilliant opportunities for doing the good things of which they dream, while through all the plain, common days the very opportunities they require for such deeds lie close to them, in the simplest and most familiar passing events, and in the homeliest circumstances.—J. R. Miller, D.D.

I WOULD FOLLOW.

By Mrs. D. E. W.

BY MRS. D. E. W.
I would have my Saviour lead me; Nothing else would I desire; I would follow in his footsteps, Though it be through cleansing fire.
I would follow in thy footsteps; Jesus, Saviour, lead me still. I would gladly heed thy precepts; I would do thy sov'reign will.
I would live and labor for thee; I would work, and watch, and pray; I would follow where thou leadest, Gladly follow ev'ry day.
Highland Park, Ill.

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 III.—SUNDAY, JULY 15, 1894.

VISIT OF THE WISE MEN.

[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.]

Lesson Scripture, Matt. 2:1-12.

  1. Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying,
  2. Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we saw his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
  3. And when Herod the king heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
  4. And gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ should be born.
  5. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judea; for thus it is written by the prophet,
  6. And thou Bethlehem, land of Judah, art in nowise least among the princes of Judah; for out of thee shall come forth a governor, which shall be shepherd of my people Israel.
  7. Then Herod privily called the wise men, and learned of them carefully what time the star appeared.
  8. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search out carefully concerning the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word, that I also may come and worship him.
  9. And they, having heard the king, went their way; and lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
  10. And when they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
  11. And they came into the house and saw the young child with Mary his mother; and they fell down and worshiped him; and opening their treasures they offered unto him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.
  12. And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
Golden Text: "They saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshiped him." Verse 11.
NOTE.—As this story is recorded only in Matthew, the lesson embraces only this scripture. The visit of the wise men must have been made soon after the presentation of Christ in the temple, and was immediately followed by the flight of Joseph into Egypt. The whole of the second chapter of Matthew comes chronologically in the middle of Luke 2:39. The place was Bethlehem of Judea, a village about five miles south of Jerusalem. The name means "the house of bread," and has been suggested as very fitting for the place where was born the Bread of Life.

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

  1. Where and when was Jesus born? Verse 1. Note 1.
  2. Who came from the East at that time? Note 2.
  3. What inquiry were they making? Verse 2.
  4. What did they say they had seen? Note 3.
  5. How did the hearing of these things affect Herod? Verse 3.
  6. What did he do? Verse 4, first part.
  7. What did he demand of the learned men among the Jews?
  8. What did they answer? Verse 5.
  9. By what quotation did they confirm their reply? Verse 6. See Micah 5:2. Note 4.
  10. After Herod had learned from the priests where Jesus was to be born, what did he do? Verse 7.
  11. Where did he send the wise men? Verse 8.
  12. What did he tell them to do when they had found the child?
  13. After talking with the king, what did the wise men do? Verse 9.
  14. How were they guided to the place where the child was?
  15. When they saw the star again, what did they do? Verse 10.
  16. What did they do on coming into the house? Verse 11, first part.
  17. What did they present to the child Jesus? Note 5.
  18. Why did they not return and carry word to Herod of what they had found? Verse 12.

NOTES.

1. In the days of Herod the king.—Herod diedApril 1, B.C. 4, at the age of seventy; so the visit of the wise men must have been a few weeks previous. The Herods were Jews by faith, although not Jews by birth. This Herod was the one who rebuilt the temple in great magnificence in Jerusalem. He was not absolute monarch, but subject to the Roman Empire.
2. Wise men from the East.—These wise men were, according to the Greek term, magicians. They were originally a class of priests among the Persians and Medes. They formed the king's privy council, studied astrology, medicine, and the occult natural sciences. Afterwards the term was applied to all philosophers. It was of such a class of men as these that Daniel was president. See Dan. 2:48; 6:1, 2. There is no doubt that many of these men were real truth seekers, and all such always have had an opportunity of knowing the true God. In the beginning of the history of Israel we have Balaam, once evidently a true prophet among these wise men. In the time of the captivity no doubt many pious Jews came in connection with them, and this was especially true as regards Daniel. Some of them had evidently learned from the Scriptures that the Messiah, the King of the Jews, was about to come, and no doubt these had been warned of the Lord in some way that this time was near. They naturally came to Jerusalem, as that was the capital of the country, and there they would suppose the King to be.
3. His star.—What has been said so many times in various newspapers concerning the "star of Bethlehem" as one of the variable stars, or certain conjunctions of the planets, has no bearing whatever upon the lesson here. No star in the heavens could be said to go before a company of men, and come and stand over the place where the child was born, with sufficient definiteness to locate that place. It was evidently, as Peloubet says, a "miraculous star." And what could be more reasonable than to suppose that it was a company of angels unshrouded with the glory of God? When Christ went away, a cloud of angels received him out of the sight of his disciples. When he comes again, it will be in clouds of bright angels; and the cloud which guided the wise men to the place where he was born was, doubtless, the same glorious company which met with the shepherds on the plains of Bethlehem. They inquired for him that was born King of the Jews. All the nations of antiquity have had some kind of traditions in regard to a deliverer to come. Confucius, Virgil, Zoroaster, and others had written of his coming. The knowledge which they had of this was doubtless received through the true people of God, who had learned it either through the Scriptures or by the revelation of God through angels.
4. This scripture is proof of the responsibility of the Jewish nation. Right in the very beginning, when they had opportunity to verify the prophecies of God's word, they themselves learned from what prophecy, and told the king just where Jesus should be born. The angels had revealed the same thing to the shepherds, and the people, doubtless, all around that part of the country, were talking of these things; in fact, our lesson says that all Jerusalem was troubled. Here was an opportunity for the Jews to become acquainted with these facts; but the learned among them, wrapped in their own self-sufficiency and pride, rejected him because he had come in a lowly manner. Just so men reject God's truth now, and in rejecting that truth they reject Christ. It does not come in their way, nor by the ones whom they choose. They reject it because they are looking to men and not to God. The wise men were looking for Christ the King; the shepherds were waiting for their Lord from heaven; and both, from the extremes of life, believed on the evidence presented them.
5. Opened their treasures.—They came with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These have been considered by some as symbolical of great truths—myrrh, to a mortal; gold, to a king; frankincense, to God, the myrrh hinting at the resurrection of the dead, the frankincense breathing prayer, and gold a kind of symbol of royalty. Frankincense is a gum resin obtained from the trunk of a tree of the genus Boswellia. The best is almost colorless, and is, in its commercial form, semi-opaque, in round or oblong tears; valued for its sweet odor when burned, and counted in ancient times as one of the most valuable products of the East. So says "Encyclopedia Britannica." Myrrh was an aromatic gum highly prized by the ancients, and used in incense and perfumes. It exudes from a small, thorny tree, which grows chiefly in Arabia. These treasures given by the wise men doubtless helped to sustain the family on their journey to Egypt, where they fled from the wrath of Herod. Even so we should bring to Christ our best gifts, as Heber has said in his beautiful hymn:—
"Say, shall we yield him, in costly devotion, Odors of Eden, and offerings divine? Gems of the mountains, and pearls of the ocean, Myrrh from the forest, and gold from the mine? "Vainly we offer each ample oblation; Vainly with gifts would his favor secure. Richer by far is the heart's adoration; Dearer to God are the prayers of the poor."

CAMP MEETINGS FOR 1894.

By General Conference Committee

DISTRICT NUMBER ONE.

New York...........................July 26 to Aug. 6 Virginia......................................Aug. 7-14 West Virginia.............................Aug. 16-27 Vermont, Morrisville...............Aug. 23 to Sept. 3 New England.......................Aug. 30 to Sept. 10 Maine, Bath...............................Sept. 6-17

DISTRICT NUMBER TWO.

Tennessee River, Bowling Green...................................Aug. 27 to Sept. 7 Florida, Seffner...........................Nov. 8-18

DISTRICT NUMBER THREE.

Ohio, Newark..............................Aug. 10-20
  • Indiana, Indianapolis.....................Aug. 7-13
Michigan (northern) Frankfort........Aug. 20-27 *Illinois........................................Aug. 22-28 Michigan (State) Lansing..........Sept. 19 to Oct. 1

DISTRICT NUMBER FOUR.

Nebraska, Lincoln (Peck's Grove) Aug. 21-28

DISTRICT NUMBER FIVE.

Texas, Cleburne...........................Aug. 9-20 Arkansas, Fayetteville.................Aug. 16-27 Oklahoma T'y,......................Aug. 23 to Sept. 3 Colorado, Denver...................Aug. 30 to Sept. 10 Kansas, Emporia.........................Sept. 6-17 Missouri, Warrensburg (Pertle Springs) ...........................................Sept. 19 to Oct. 1

DISTRICT NUMBER EIGHT.

Sweden..................................June 28 to July 8 Central Europe, Neuchâtel.........July 12-22
Appointments marked by a star will be preceded by a workers' meeting.
GEN. CONF. COM.

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.
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 Congregationalist 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., Friday at 7 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.
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.
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 9:15 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.

HOUSE AND FURNITURE FOR SALE.

By B. R. Nordyke

HAVING been invited by the Pacific Press Publishing Company to labor in connection with their branch office in Kansas City, I desire to sell my residence property in Oakland, Cal., together with household goods, etc.
Lot 50 by 100 feet, with large six-room cottage, on sunny side of the street. Price, $2,650. Terms: $1,650 by January 1, 1895; $500 in one year, and $500 in two years, with interest at 8 per cent.
Also, 200 one and two-quart Mason fruit jars, all kinds of household goods and furniture for sale at very low prices, for cash.
Call on, or address, B. R. NORDYKE, 866 Milton Street, between Market and San Pablo Avenue, Oakland, Cal.

FOR SALE.

By E. W. Whitney

Desiring to be free to engage in the work in another State, and as the providence of God has opened the way in other respects, I offer for sale my home in Boulder, Colorado, consisting of three large city lots (about three-fourths of an acre—good soil for gardening), fruits of different kinds upon each, a substantial nine-room frame house, with cellar and basement kitchen, a small barn, an excellent well of soft water, besides city water, and in many respects one of the best locations in the city.
I will sell the whole, or the house and two of the lots. Price of the whole, $2,600; of the house and two lots, $2,300. Time can be given on part of the purchase price.
The church, educational, health, and business advantages of Boulder are equal, if not superior, to those of any other town of its size in the State. It has special advantages for those who come to the State on account of health, as the Sanitarium Boarding Home, a branch of the Battle Creek Sanitarium, is located here. Its business standing during the close financial times of the past year has been the best of any town in the State. For further particulars, address, E. W. WHITNEY.

SPECIAL REQUEST TO MEMBERS OF THE S. D. A. CHURCH AT OAKLAND, CAL.

By Editor

WE desire all members of the Oakland church to report to L. A. Phippeny, the clerk of the church, their present post office address, and also their street and number if they live in the city. This request pertains to both resident and non-resident members. We also request members to report to the clerk any change of post office or residence. It is certainly very desirable, and frequently a great convenience, for the pastors of the church to know where the members can be reached by a personal visit or by mail, and for this reason the above requests are made. We trust all the members will respond promptly, and it will be greatly appreciated.
Address L. A. Phippeny, Pacific Press, Oakland, Cal.
M. C. WILCOX, M. H. BROWN, } Pastors.

FOR SALE.

"CLARKE'S COMMENTARY," 6 vols., but little used, at this office. Price, $10.

"APPLES OF GOLD LIBRARY."

By Editor

This is the title of a little monthly publication recently started by the Pacific Press, and is designed especially for use in personal correspondence. It is printed on thin paper, and one or two numbers can be put in a No. 6 envelope, with an ordinary letter, without increasing the postage.
The following numbers have already been issued:
No. 1. Looking unto Jesus. " 2. The Christian's Privilege. " 3. The Sure Promises of God. " 4. How to Get Knowledge. " 5. The Church and the World. (Poetry.) " 6. The Elect of God. " 7. How Esther Read Her Bible. " 8. The Thief on the Cross. " 9. The Eleventh Hour. " 10. Benefits of Bible Study. " 11. Righteousness: Where Is It to be Found? " 12. Power of Forgiveness. " 13. Responsibility of Parents.
Five copies for one year, postpaid, 50 cents; or 12 copies for $1.00. Single subscriptions are not desirable, for two reasons: (1) The numbers being so small they are liable to be lost in the mails; (2) If they are used in correspondence, as recommended, more than one copy would be necessary.
Single or assorted numbers of the Library will be mailed in quantities at the following rates: 50 cents per hundred, or $4.00 per thousand copies. Always order by the NUMBER.
Address,

PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO.,

New York City; Kansas City, Mo.; Oakland, Cal.

Cleveland Bicycles,

STODDARD & LEE,
306 McAllister St., San Francisco, Cal.

LESSON II.—SABBATH, JULY 14, 1894.

DEPENDENCE ON GOD.

Lesson Scripture, Luke 12: 22-40.
  1. AND he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Be not anxious for your life, what ye shall eat; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on.
  2. For the life is more than the food, and the body than the raiment.
  3. Consider the ravens, that they sow not, neither reap; which have no store chamber nor barn; and God feedeth them; of how much more value are ye than the birds!
  4. And which of you by being anxious can add a cubit unto his stature?
  5. If then ye are not able to do even that which is least, why are ye anxious concerning the rest?
  6. Consider the lilies, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin; yet I say unto you, Even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
  7. But if God doth so clothe the grass in the field, which to-day is, and to-morrow is cast into the oven; how much more shall he clothe you, O ye of little faith?
  8. And seek not ye what ye shall eat, and what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.
  9. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after; but your Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
  10. Howbeit seek ye his kingdom, and these things shall be added unto you.
  11. Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
  12. Sell that ye have, and give alms; make for yourselves purses which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief draweth near, neither moth destroyeth.
  13. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
  14. Let your loins be girded about, and your lamps burning;
  15. And be ye yourselves like unto men looking for their lord, when he shall return from the marriage feast; that, when he cometh and knocketh, they may straightway open unto him.
  16. Blessed are those servants, whom the Lord when he cometh shall find watching; verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them sit down to meat, and shall come and serve them.
  17. And if he shall come in the second watch, and if in the third, and find them so, blessed are those servants.
  18. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what hour the thief was coming, he would have watched, and not have left his house to be broken through.
  19. Be ye also ready, for in an hour that ye think not the Son of Man cometh.
VERSES 22-31 might be summarized by the words of the prophet: "Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid." Isa. 12: 2. The remainder of the lesson is about the promised kingdom.
  1. In the parable last studied, what was the rich man's sole care?
  2. What difference should there be between him and the Christian?
  3. What is more important than food and clothing?
  4. To what are we referred for an example of God's care for his creatures?
  5. How are we taught the uselessness of anxious care about ourselves?
  6. By what are we again taught a lesson of God's care?
  7. How do the lilies grow?
  8. Yet how are they clothed?
  9. What are we to learn from this?
  10. Why do we not need to worry about our support?
  11. What class of people do that?
  12. What only need we seek after?
  13. If we devote ourselves to seeking the kingdom of God, of what may we be assured?
  14. Why need we not fear in any case?
  15. What exhortation is given to them that have possessions?
  16. Where should the treasure be? Why?
  17. How should we be prepared?
  18. Whom should we be like?
  19. What is said of those servants who are found watching?
  20. Do we know when the Lord will come?
  21. What are we therefore exhorted to do?

NOTES.

1. Such trust as the Lord teaches in this chapter is not very common. Many who have much to say against spiritualizing Scripture are very loath to take this literally. It is easy to think that we are trusting the Lord when everything is abundant; but real trust is shown by not becoming worried and alarmed when the supply seems exhausted. It is impossible that a Christian should worry about food and clothing; for the eternal life is of more consequence than mere physical life; and he who really trusts God for that which is greatest, can easily trust him for that which is least. On "growing as the lily," see Hosea 14: 5. See also Isa. 61: 11. To be full of anxious care is a sign of heathenism, but not of Christianity. See Luke 12: 30.
2. "It is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." God delights to bestow blessings on men. "He delighteth in mercy." Micah 7: 18. He gave himself for us in the gift of Christ, who "ever liveth to make intercession for us." Therefore it is true that God lives for the purpose of bestowing the blessings of his kingdom upon us. Let us then receive it as freely as it is given, and thus add to the joy of the Lord.
3. WORD THOUGHTS.—"Take no thought" (v. 22). "Be not anxious" (R. V.); in other words, do not worry, do not place your care upon mere temporal things.—Life, from the Greek psuche, many times translated soul.—Meat (v. 23), better as in the R. V., "food," nutriment, nourishment.—Stature (v. 25), the original meaning is life or age. See R. V., margin. The thought is, Who can by thinking add to his age?—Consider (v. 27), from a word meaning to apprehend from within, to perceive, understand.—Oven (v. 28), Greek, klibanos, a covered earthen vessel, narrower at top than bottom, in which bread was baked by putting hot coals around it. The regular oven is noted by another word, ipnos.—Ye (v. 29), the "ye" is emphatic. "And ye, seek not," etc.—Bags (v. 23), the R. V. has purses: Wycliffe, satchels. The original word means that in which something is thrown.—Corrupteth, better as in R. V., "destroyeth." See James 5: 2.—Return (v. 36) analuse. The verb meant originally to "unloose." It here means the time when our Lord will unloose from that far country (Luke 19: 12) and return to this. It is this which Paul desired. Compare Phil. 1: 23, where the same word is rendered "depart."—Wedding, referring to the crowning of Christ, and the taking of his kingdom. Dan. 7: 13, 14.—Watching (v. 27). It is said that the guard in the temple who was not watching ready to salute the captain of the temple in the particular manner prescribed, was beaten or else his garments were set on fire. See Rev. 16: 15. The captain or superintending priest might come at any moment.—Gird himself, as a servant girds up his loose garments that he may better work.—Serve, minister, to them.—Cometh (v. 40), when Jesus leaves the sanctuary, when he comes with judgment.

AMERICAN SENTINEL

By Editor

Set for the defense of liberty of conscience, and therefore uncompromisingly opposed to anything tending toward a union of Church and State, either in name or in fact.

Single Copy, per year, - - $1.00.

In clubs of 5 to 24 copies to one address, per yr., 90c " 25 to 99 " " " " 80c " 100 to 249 " " " " 75c " 250 to 499 " " " " 70c " 500 to 999 " " " " 65c " 1000 or more " " " " 60c To foreign countries in Postal Union, - - 5 shillings
Address, AMERICAN SENTINEL. 43 Bond Street, NEW YORK CITY
THE SECOND ADVENT.—Assorted Tract Package No. 3, contains 96 pages; price, 10 cents. Subjects considered—The Coming of the Lord, Is the End Near? Can We Know? The Signs of the Times, The Judgment, and The Second Advent of Our Lord. Address, Pacific Press, Oakland, Cal.
Continue reading: News and Notes