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Signs of the Times, Vol. 5, No. 1.

General Articles

Signs of the Times

Jan 2, 1879

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Jan 2, 1879

General Articles.

By Mrs. E. G. White

IMPORTANCE OF MISSIONARY WORK.

BY MRS. E. G. WHITE.
"And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever." Dan. 12:3. "And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be." Rev. 22:12.
There is a constant conflict between the two great armies led by the Prince of life and the prince of the powers of darkness. The devil, assisted by his angels, is constantly engaged in the most determined effort to gather souls under his banner, while Jesus Christ and holy angels are diligently at work pressing back the powers of darkness, rescuing souls from the grasp of Satan, and gathering them under the blood-stained banner of Prince Emmanuel. Those who are truly soldiers of the cross of Christ will not be indifferent spectators, but will take an active part and manifest a personal interest in this conflict. They will "know the fellowship of his sufferings," being co-laborers with Jesus Christ in disseminating light and truth to redeem the purchase of his blood from the slavery of sin and death.
There is now the same call for disinterested workers as when Christ gave his commission to his disciples before he was taken from them into heaven. "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature," is our Lord's command. Self-sacrificing labor is wanted in every part of the harvestfield. Men and women may be co-workers with their self-sacrificing, self-denying Redeemer. In their unselfish efforts to do others good, they will be bearing his yoke and lifting his burdens. Thus they will find pure happiness and rich joys. Whoever accepts the invitation of Christ to bear his yoke and share his burdens will not only find the yoke easy but the burden light. Rest and peace is found in forgetfulness of self and in earnest, persevering efforts to save souls from the darkness of error. Those who shirk the responsibilities which Jesus would have them bear, choosing a life of self-indulgent ease, will be destitute of spiritual joys and divine peace, and cannot be partakers with Christ of his glory. Selfish enjoyments will never satisfy the cravings of a soul whom God has qualified for a higher sphere and nobler mission.
The church only is strong that is a working church, whose members feel an individual responsibility to act their part in strengthening, encouraging, and building up the church by their personal efforts. These workers will extend their influence and labors in doing all that they can in every branch of the work. The truth spreads when living, active workers commend it by personal effort, characterized by piety and the beauty of true holiness.
We are a people whom God has favored with special privileges and blessings in making us the depositaries of his law. None of us are to be idlers in the vineyard of the Lord. We are not all qualified to do the same kind of work; all cannot be ministers, to labor in word and doctrine; but there are other parts of the work, fully as important as this even, which have been fearfully neglected. Men and women are needed to act a part in this great work, in spreading the light of truth by circulating our publications. This work has not been taken hold of as it should have been by those who profess the truth.
The larger part of the members of our churches are not working Christians; they are living as if there was no great emergency, no fearful danger of their fellow-men losing eternal life. Many fold their hands at ease, yet profess to be followers of Christ. The burden of the work has been left principally upon ministers, while many of the church have stood looking on to see how matters were coming out. There are not only men but women who should set their hearts and minds to become intelligent in regard to the very best manner of working for the Master, qualifying themselves to do that part of the work for which they are best adapted. All will, if connected with God, see something to do, and will do it. They cannot be soldiers in the Lord's army unless they shall obey the call of the Captain and bear responsibilities which some one must bear.
There are fields of missionary labor which have been open for years, calling for workers, and yet many have not seen or realized the necessity of their doing anything. The work, they thought, was for some others, but not for them. There are hundreds and thousands who can work if they are so disposed. Up to the present time they have done nothing but serve themselves. This class of do-nothings and know-nothings, as far as the work to be done in God's cause is concerned, will never hear the "well done" from the lips of the Majesty of heaven. They have not taken any interest in the many branches of the work. They have not learned how to work for the Master to advance his cause, in doing to the utmost of their strength and ability to save souls from error and death. There must be with men and women a general waking up to the needs of God's cause. The minds of our sisters may be expanded and cultivated. If they are devoted to selfish interests, the soul will be left dwarfed. Emptiness and unrest will be the result.
A solemn responsibility rests upon the ministers of Christ to do their work with thoroughness. Many have left some portion of the work undone because it was not agreeable, expecting the next coming minister to finish it up for them. They had better not engage in the work unless they can bind it off thoroughly, so that it will not ravel out.
There are many ministers who do not connect so closely with God that they can feel and realize the wants of the people and give them meat in due season. They should lead the young disciples along wisely and judiciously, step by step, onward and upward, until every essential point has been brought before them. With the burden of the work upon them, it is their duty to lead the people along until they can present every man perfect in Christ.
A mere assent to the truth is not enough. There must be prayerful labor with those who embrace the truth, until they shall be convicted of their sins and shall seek God and be converted. Then they should be instructed in regard to the claims of God upon them in tithes and in offerings. They must learn that the tithing system is binding upon God's people in these last days as truly as it was upon ancient Israel. The tract and missionary work should be presented before them. Nothing should be kept back. But all points of truth should not be given abruptly in the first few lectures; gradually, cautiously, with his own heart imbued with the spirit of the work of God, the teacher should give meat in due season.
Ministers frequently neglect these important branches of the work—health reform, spiritual gifts, systematic benevolence, and the great branches of the missionary work. Under their labors large numbers may embrace the theory of the truth, but in time it is found that there are many who will not bear the proving of God. The minister laid upon the foundation, hay, wood and stubble, which would be consumed by the fire of temptation. Some proved to be gold, silver, and precious stones; these from principle would cling to the truth. But if the teacher of truth had brought these converts along as he should have done, presenting before them the obligation which rested upon them, many who afterward drew back to perdition, might have been saved.
Another minister follows the first, and in the fear of God presents the practical duties, the claims of God upon his people. Some draw back, saying, "Our minister who brought us the truth did not mention these things. We have been deceived. These things were kept back." And they become offended because of the word. Some will not accept the tithing system; they reject systematic benevolence, and become offended, turn away, and no longer walk with those who believe and love the truth. When the tract and missionary field is opened before them, inviting them to work in it, they answer, "It was not so taught us," and they hesitate to engage in the work. How much better it would be for the cause, if the messenger of truth had faithfully and thoroughly educated these converts in regard to all these essential matters, even if there were less whom he could number as being added to the church under his labors.
Ministers must impress upon those for whom they labor the importance of their bearing burdens in connection with the work of God. They should be instructed that every department of the work of God should enlist their support and engage their interest. The great missionary field is open to men, and the subject must be agitated, agitated, again and again. The people must understand that it is not the hearers of the word but the doers of the word who will have eternal life. Not one is exempted from this work of benevolence. God requires of all men to whom he imparts the gifts of his grace to communicate, not only of their substance to meet the demands for the time in successfully advancing the truth, but to give themselves to God without reserve.
Self-denying benevolence characterized the life of Christ. He came not to seek his own. He identified his interest with the wants of his people. He went about doing good. Our sisters who have hitherto lived for self and have cherished habits of indolence and self-indulgence, can now, through the grace given them, imitate the life of Christ. The exercise of disinterested benevolence will strengthen in their own hearts the principles taught by their divine Master.
God gives regularly and freely to bless man. His gifts are not only rich and munificent but systematic. The light of day, the recurring seasons, the dew and rains causing vegetation to flourish, are blessings of God unceasingly flowing to the children of men. And God requires of those whom he blesses beneficent efforts in conformity to the divine Model. Our liberalities are never to cease; our charities must be regular and constant; and order must be observed in the work. It is not a trait of the natural heart to be beneficent; men must be taught, giving them line upon line and precept upon precept, how to work and how to give after God's order.
We are required to do good and bless others by our labors and prayers as well as by the gifts of means. In order to be Christians and to gain heaven we must imitate the great Exemplar. He cheerfully gave his life to ransom an apostate world. Selfishness and worldliness were condemned by the daily life of Christ; and none of us can live for ourselves and yet enjoy the approval of God.
Our sisters have been too willing to excuse themselves from bearing responsibilities which require thought and close application of the mind; yet this is the very discipline they need to perfect Christian experience. They may be workers in the missionary field, having a personal interest in the distribution of tracts and papers which correctly represent our faith. All cannot go abroad to labor, but all can do something at home. Many occupy their time in needless stitching, and trimming, and ruffling of their own and their children's clothing, and thus lose golden moments in which they might improve their talents by efforts to get the truth before others. We should, as Christians, have an abiding sense that our time, our strength, and ability have been purchased with an infinite price. We are not our own to use our moments in gratifying our fancy and our pride. As children of the light we should diffuse light to others. It should be our study how we may best glorify God, how we can work to save and bless souls for whom Christ died. In working to bless others we shall be gathering strength and courage to our own souls, and shall receive the approval of God. Hundreds of our sisters might be at work to-day if they would. They should dress themselves and their children with simplicity, in near and durable garments free from adornment, and devote more time to missionary work. Letters may be written to friends at a distance. Our sisters may meet together to consult as to the best manner of labor. Money can be saved to present as an offering to God, to be invested in papers and tracts to send to their friends. Those who are now doing nothing should go to work. Let each sister who claims to be a child of God feel indeed a responsibility to help all within her reach. The noblest of all attainments may be gained through practical self-denial and benevolence for others' good.
Many do not take hold of the missionary work because the matter has not been presented before them and urged upon their attention by the ministers who have labored in their behalf. These ministers have neglected one essential part of their duty, and as the result hundreds are indifferent and idle who might be at work had they been more perfectly instructed.
We have no time to lose. Important work is before us, and if we are slothful servants we shall certainly lose the heavenly reward. But few have broad and extensive views of what can be done in reaching the people by personal, interested efforts in a wise distribution of our publications. Many who will not be induced to listen to the truth presented by the living preacher will take up a tract or a paper and peruse it; many things they read meet their ideas exactly, and they become interested to read all it contains. Impressions are thus made upon their minds which they cannot readily forget. The seed of truth has in some cases been buried for years beneath the rubbish of the world and the pleasing fables that deceived ones have enjoyed. After a time some earthly sorrow or affliction softens their hearts, and the seed springs up and bears fruit to the glory of God.
Again, many read these papers and tracts and their combativeness is aroused, and they throw the silent messengers from them in a passion. But ideas all new to them have, although unwelcome, made their impression, and as the silent messenger bears the abuse without retaliation, there is nothing to feed the anger which has been excited. Again the hand takes up the neglected paper or tract, and the eye is tracing the truthful lines, and again in passion it is thrown from them as their path is crossed. But the mind is not at rest; the abused paper is at last perused, and thus point after point of truth commences its convicting work; step by step the reformation is wrought, self dies, and the warfare and antagonism to the truth is ended. The despised paper or tract is henceforth honored as the means of converting the stubborn heart and subduing the perverse will, bringing it in subjection to Christ. Had the living preacher spoken as pointedly, these persons would have turned from him, and would not have entertained the new and strange ideas brought before them. The papers and tracts can go where the living preacher cannot go, and where, if he could go, he would have no access to the people, because of their prejudice against the truth.
Few have any correct idea of what the distribution of papers and tracts is doing. The missionary work, in circulating the publications upon present truth, is opening doors everywhere, and preparing minds to receive the truth, when the living preacher shall come among them. The success which attends the efforts of ministers in the field is not due alone to their efforts, but in a great degree to the influence of the reading matter which has enlightened the minds of the people and removed prejudice. Thus many are made susceptible to the influence of the truth when it is presented before them.
The tract and missionary field is an extensive one. Elder S. N. Haskell has been more fully awake to this subject than any other of our ministers, because he has exercised his mind in this department of the work. He has been untiring in his efforts to advance this work, and to have it carried forward with order and method. He has not at all times had the encouragement he should have had from his ministering brethren. He might have accomplished more had he received the co-operation which he could have had and ought to have had. Although discouraged at times as he has seen that but few appreciated the importance of the missionary work, yet he has not given up his efforts, but has returned again and again with new courage and perseverance to urge forward this branch of the work.
The SIGNS OF THE TIMES is our missionary paper; it is doing its work everywhere, and is opening the way for the truth to be more fully presented. This paper has been made a blessing to very many souls. All should feel the deepest interest to have it a spiritual messenger, full of life, and plain, practical truth. In the Christian world there are many starving for the bread of life. The SIGNS OF THE TIMES, laden with rich food, is a feast to many of these who are not of our faith. This paper should not contain many long articles, but the truth should be prepared with great care and made as attractive as possible. Articles which make sharp thrusts upon other churches are out of place in this paper, for they create prejudice. The truth should be presented in its simplicity, in the meekness of wisdom, having an influence to persuade. The matter should be the very choicest; the language should be chaste, elevating, every word breathing the spirit of Christ. The argumentative and practical combined will make a paper beaming with light, to go forth as a lamp that burneth, as a messenger indeed from heaven.
Our brethren do not all see and realize the importance of this paper; if they did they would feel greater personal interest to make it intensely interesting, and then to circulate it everywhere. All who have a part to act in the preparation of matter for this pioneer sheet are engaged in a sacred work, and they should be connected with God; they should be pure in heart and life. God can work with them and give them wisdom that they may become intelligent in the knowledge of the truth. God sees the motive of each worker, and will impart his grace in rich measure in accordance with the spirit in which the labor is done. The silent preacher, enriched with precious matter, should go forth on the wings of prayer, mingled with faith, that it may do its appointed work in shedding the light of truth upon those who are in the darkness of error.
Calls are coming in from all directions, not only from persons of our faith, but from those who have become interested by reading our publications; they say, Send us a minister to preach to us the truth. But there is a great want of laborers. We have to answer, There is no man to send among you. Many are obliged to be content with the silent preacher until God shall send them the living messenger. Let all our brethren take this to heart, and by personal effort in faith and hope contribute to the SIGNS OF THE TIMES; for in sending matter that is alive, in speaking by the pen words bearing the holy unction, they are preaching to thousands. Long, dry articles are not wanted for this paper. The great lack of men to go from place to place and preach the word may be in a great degree supplied by tracts and papers, and by intelligent correspondence.
The many scattered all over the land who can seldom have the living preacher, may make their meetings very interesting and profitable by selecting a good reader to read appropriate discourses published in our papers and books. You have a large variety to choose from, both doctrinal and practical. You can form a Bible-class and search the Scriptures for yourselves, with the aid of our publications, and in this way learn much of present truth. You may present the reasons of our faith to those who shall enquire for them. All should be making the most of the opportunities granted them to become intelligent in the Scriptures.
(To be Continued.)

Palestine.

BLEST land of Judea, thrice hallowed of song, Where holiest memories pilgrim-like throng, In the shade of thy palms, by the shores of thy sea, On the hills of thy beauty, my heart is with thee. With the eye of a spirit I look on that shore, Where pilgrim and prophet have lingered before; With the glide of a spirit I traverse the sod, Made bright by the steps of the angels of God.
THE sea of the hills! In spirit I hear, Thy waters, Gennesaret, chime on my ear, Where the Lowly and Holy with people sat down, And the spray on the dust of his sandals was thrown. Beyond are Bethulia’s mountains of green And the desolate hills of the wild Gadarene; And I pause on the goat-crags of Tabor to see The gleam of thy waters, O, dark Galilee!
There sleep the still rocks and the caverns that rang To the song which the beautiful prophetess sang, When the princes of Issachar stood by her side, And the shout of a host in its triumphs replied. Lo! Bethlehem’s hillside before me is seen, With the mountains around and the valleys between; There rested the shepherds of Judah, and there The song of the angels rose sweet on the air.
And Bethany’s palm trees in beauty still throw Their shadows at noon on the ruins below; But where are the sisters who hastened to greet The lowly Redeemer and sit at his feet? I tread where the twelve in their wayfaring trod; I stand where they stood with the Chosen of God, Where his blessing was heard and his lessons were taught, Where the blind were restored and the healing was wrought.
But wherefore this dream of the earthly abode Of humanity clothed in the brightness of God? Were my spirit but turned from the outward and dim, It could gaze even now on the presence of Him— Not in clouds and in terrors, but gentle as when In love and in meekness He moved among men; And the voice which breathed peace to the waves of the sea, In the hush of my spirit would whisper to me!
--Sel.

Signs of the Times.

By R. F. Cottrell

TEXT:—“Can ye not discern the signs of the times?” Matt. 16:3.
CONTEXT:—“The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven. He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather; for the sky is red. And in the morning, It will be foul weather to-day; for the sky is red and lowering. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?” Verses 1–3.
“And he said also to the people, When ye see a cloud rise out of the west, straightway ye say, There cometh a shower; and so it is. And when ye see the south wind blow, ye say, There will be heat; and it cometh to pass. Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time?” Luke 12:54–56.
THE signs of the times are discerned by watching the fulfllment of prophecy. As the present appearance of the clouds and winds indicate what kind of weather is at hand, so the present fulfllment of God’s promises contained in the prophecies declare with greater certainty the events which are to follow. This is most emphatically the case, when certain things are predicted as signs to those who witness their fulfllment, that some great event is at hand.
In the great plan of human redemption and salvation there are two great events, namely, the first and second advents of the Son of God; the first, to shed his blood for the remission of the sins of those who should believe and obey him; the second, to receive his redeemed people to himself. Consequently there are two points in the divine programme, as advertised in prophecy, of especial expectation to the church of God.
The rejection of the great mass of the Jewish church at the first advent was the consequence of their rejection of the promised Messiah; and their rejection of him was the consequence of their not discerning the signs of the times. And let me ask right here if there is not danger that the mass of the Christian church will be rejected at the second advent for the same reason; especially since the idea prevails so extensively that it is not necessary to understand the prophecies, and thus to discern the signs of the times, in order to a preparation for that stupendous event. We hear it said everywhere, “It is no matter to us whether the coming of Christ is near or not, if we are only prepared;” as if it were possible to be prepared for that transcendently thrilling event, without faith in his prophetic words and promised signs, and consequently without discerning the signs of the times—the very thing that proved the Jews to be unbelievers in the prophets whom they professed to believe, and led to their rejection of God. They professed faith in the prophets, but did not possess it; therefore the pointed rebuke, “Ye hypocrites,” which they justly merited. Will not the same course pursued by Christians lead to the same results?
In proof that the Jews were rejected as a consequence of not discerning the signs of the times as predicted in prophecy, we quote, in addition to our text, Luke 19:41–44: “And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace; but now they are hid from thine eyes. For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, and shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; . . . because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.” Acts 13:27: “For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every Sabbath day, they have fulflled them in condemning him.”
These testimonies make it clear that had they known and heeded the voices of the prophets, they might have known the time of their visitation, accepted of Christ, the heavenly visitant, and escaped the condemnation of fulflling the prophets in condemning him. See Isa. 53:3. And are not Christians who heed not the prophets—who do not care to inquire into the signs of the times—in a similar error and liable to a like condemnation? Do they not need to heed the caution of the apostle, “Beware, therefore, lest that come upon you which is spoken of in the prophets: Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish; for I work a work in your days, a work in which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you?” Acts 13:40, 41. This shows that when God works in the fulfllment of prophecy, we are in danger of being rejected of God, if we do not believe it.
Some of the signs of the times connected with the first advent of Christ were the fulfllment of the predictions of prophecy. 1. That he should be born of a virgin. Isa. 7:14; Matt. 1:18–23. 2. Of the lineage of David. Ps. 89:3, 4; 132:11; Luke 1:32. 3. In Bethlehem. Mic. 5:2; Matt. 2; 1–6. 4. He was to be called out of Egypt. Hosea 11:1; Matt. 2:14. 5. There was to be great mourning in Ramah for deceased children. Jer. 31:15; Matt. 2:16–18. He was to be despised, rejected, and slain. Isa. 53:1–8; Dan. 9:26. He was to be put to death by crucifixion. Ps. 22:16. Scorned and taunted in his distress. Ps. 22:7, 8; Matt. 27:39, 43. Mark 15:29–32; Luke 23:35. The words of agony on the cross were foretold. Ps. 22:1; Matt. 27:46. His garments were to be divided among the executioners. Ps. 22:18; John 19:23, 24. He was to be numbered with the transgressors, and buried in a rich man’s sepulcher. Isa. 53:9, 12; Mark 15:27, 28. But he was to rise from the dead, and ascend to the right hand of God. Ps. 16:9–11; Acts 2:25–33.
Now consider the manner in which these prophecies were fulflled. They had no mystic fulfllment; but their fulfllment was most literal—precisely what the words of prophecy said. Jesus has promised to come again. How shall we interpret the prediction of his second coming? Shall we give them a mystical interpretation? Says an apostle, “Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” He has appeared once literally and was literally offered a sacrifice for sin. Will his second appearing be in some hidden, mystical manner? Said Jesus, “Whither I go ye cannot come.” John 13:33. “I go unto the Father.” Chap. 14:28. “In my Father’s house are many mansions, . . . I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself.” Verses 2, 3. “And they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.” Matt. 24:30. “While they beheld, he was taken up, and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” Acts 1:9–11. Says Paul, when speaking of the coming of the Lord, “The Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and the trump of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise.” 1 Thess. 4:16.
Now is this second coming to be understood mystically, spiritually, or figuratively? Does this coming mean the destruction of Jerusalem by the Roman army? Does it mean death? Does the second coming take place every time a person dies; I leave it with the candid to answer.
Jesus promised to come again; and the testimonies concerning it are too express and emphatic to be gainsayed. He also gave signs, the fulfllment of which should give the assurance that his coming is near, even at the doors. These constitute a portion of the signs of the times, when his coming is near. How shall we expect the fulfllment of these signs? If his coming is mystical, the signs will be mystical; and as a consequence no one will know anything about either. But his word requires those who see the signs to “know” that it is near. But if his coming is to be literal, as we have proved, if words can prove anything, the signs of his coming will be literally fulflled. Another evidence that the signs were to have a literal fulfllment, is the fact that they have been literally fulflled. The earthquake, and signs in sun, moon, and stars, of the sixth seal of Rev. 6:12, 13, though they have been regarded as symbolic, have been literally fulflled.
In answer to the question, “What shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?” our Saviour said, “Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken; and then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven; and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.” Matt. 24:29, 30. “And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; men’s heart’s failing them for fear, and for looking after those things that are coming on the earth; for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.” Luke 21:25–27.
In this last testimony is evidence that the signs in the sun, moon, and stars, are not to be understood figuratively but, are to be fulflled here upon the earth; for he speaks of these signs in heaven, and then of what shall follow on the earth and in the sea.
It is sufficient to say that these signs, in heaven, earth, and sea, have appeared. The next event in the order is the shaking of the powers of the heavens. This will be fulflled after the close of probation, and just before the appearing of the Saviour. It will follow the voice of God from heaven, saying, “It is done.” Rev. 16:17. See also Joel 3:16; Jer. 25:30. Therefore the last merciful warnings of the approach of that tremendous day have come. Said Jesus, “When ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.”
In conclusion, we ask, Is it any less a sin for a Christian to close his eyes against discerning the signs of the times, than for the Jews in their day? Will not his language to those now living who do not care to see and recognize the hand of God in the fulfllment of promised signs, be equally severe and equally true? “O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?” Heaven help us to believe, and thus avert so terrible a condemnation, when it shall be too late to find pardon.
R. F. COTTRELL.

Is the Law Done Away?

By D. F. Quimby

THERE are many who affirm that the law is no longer a rule of life; that Christ is the end of the law, and that whosoever believeth in him is freed from the law. The effort of these persons is apparently to do away with the idea that the ten commandments are any longer obligatory upon the professed followers of Christ. Almost have they persuaded some of the children of God to adopt these loose doctrines.
What is there in the commandments of God which should offend the renewed man? Did not Christ keep the Father’s commandments and abide in his love? And is it possible to follow Christ and not walk as he walked? "If we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all unrighteousness." How blessed is this fellowship! How blessed the hope of him who keeps all the commandments.
But we are told that it is impossible to do this. Why? Has God required us to have no other gods besides him? and can we not obey? Has he told us that we must not make any graven image, or attempt any likeness of God, or fall down before such likeness? and can we not strictly obey him? We might pursue this inquiry through all the commandments, and even those who are so zealous to destroy the law will confess that all can be kept but the fourth. And why not this? Is it any more difficult to keep the seventh day holy than the first day?
Paul says, "Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good." And again, "Do we then make void the law? God forbid; yea, we establish the law." Could he do this and destroy it at the same time? Every one says, No! Then why try to make him stultify himself?
Is it not far better "to look into the perfect law of liberty, and continue therein," "being not forgetful hearers, but doers?" Turn to Rev. 22: 14, and read: "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and enter in through the gates into the city." The next verse shows that without are the vile and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. Query, Did not Eve love a lie? and was not this the reason why she was compelled to go outside the garden, where she could not taste of the fruit of the tree of life? — D. F. Quimby.
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