Earlier text: No Millennium Till Jesus ComesThe Life Promised to the Righteous.
By John Nevins Andrews
WHEN man had sinned against God, we are told that God spoke thus concerning him: “And now, lest he put forth his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat and LIVE FOREVER; therefore the Lord God sent him forth from the Garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden, cherubim, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.” Gen. 3:22-24. No one will deny that man was excluded from the tree of life on purpose that he should not live forever. There is but one interpretation that can be given to these words. God had given to man the tree of life, that he might eat of it and live forever. But when man rebelled against God, his right to this tree was forfeited; and he was excluded from it on purpose that he should not continue to live always. Man’s right to endless life was forfeited by sin. To “live forever” he must “have right to the tree of life.” “To him that overcometh will I grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” Rev. 2:7. Now it is plain that the overcomer will eat of the tree of life. It is equally evident that no other persons will taste its immortal fruit. To eat of this tree is the sure pledge of immortal life. But man, having lost the right to this tree, because of sin, can never get back to it unless he overcomes his sinful nature. This does not agree with the view that man can live forever though he continue in his sins. For if men can live as long who are excluded from the tree of life as can those who have access to it, then the Lord overestimated the importance of a right to it when he shut man away from it lest he should eat of it and live forever. In the record of man’s glorified state in the heavenly Jerusalem, we read still further of the tree of life, and with it we read of the river that flows beneath its branches and that issues from the throne of God. “And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing [literally the service] of the nations.” Rev. 22:1, 2. And in verse 14 we read: “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.” These two, the river and the tree of life, are for the righteous only. Or to state this in another form, those only shall drink of the river, and eat of the fruit of the tree, who have their names written in the book of life. Rev. 21:27. These are very expressive terms. This book contains the names of those who are to have immortal life. These shall have access to that river which possesses the virtues of endless life, and that tree which is the certain pledge to all who eat of it that they shall live forever. Those who do not have their names within the book of life shall have the second death for their portion. And this will be in the lake of fire. Rev. 20:14, 15; 21:8. Can we learn nothing from these terms? Shall we maintain that those who have the second death for their portion will live just as long as will those who eat of the tree of life, and drink of the river of life which issues from the throne of God? The Saviour did not place a light estimate upon having the name written in the book of life. “Notwithstanding, in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in Heaven.” Luke 10:20. And Paul speaks of certain of his fellow-laborers thus: “Whose names are in the book of life.” Phil. 4:3. And we are further told that “he that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.” Rev. 3:5. To this book, Isaiah refers when he says: “And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem.” Isa. 4:3. Is it not manifest that those whose names are not blotted out of the book of life are the persons that shall have endless life for their portion? Is it reasonable to believe those whose names are taken out of the book of life, and whose portion is the second death, shall live as long as shall those who eat of the tree of life and drink of the river of life that springs from beneath the throne of God? The nature of that great blessing which God promises to his people is thus defined by David: “For there the Lord commanded the blessing EVEN LIFE FOREVERMORE.” Ps. 133:3. Now the idea of duration is certainly made very prominent in this statement. It is endless life which is the theme of the sacred writer. In Ps. 91:16, it is said of the righteous: “With long life will I satisfy him, and show him my salvation.” How long must that life last which shall satisfy the people of God? How soon will those who drink of the river of God’s pleasures feel that they are ready to separate themselves from it and to lie down in death? God shall satisfy his people when he fulfills to them his promises. And John tells us what he will give them: “And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.” 1 John 2:25. And he marks the sense of this when, in verse 16, he distinguishes between the continued existence of the righteous, and the temporary continuance of the men of the world. “And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof; but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.” Of the righteous it is said: “They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures. For with thee is the fountain of life; in thy light shall we see light.” Ps. 36:8, 9. This fountain of life is that which issues out of the throne of God. Those who drink of it are partakers of God’s own immortal nature. Shall we then say that men are immortal by nature? Is it not manifest that God has promised to those who form virtuous characters that they shall live forever because they are such as he would have them be? And is not this gift of immortal life one which shall secure to the receivers an endless existence, while those who live in sin shall not be counted worthy of living forever? Is it reasonable to say that life here means happiness, and that the tree of life has nothing to do with respect to man’s continued existence, but only determines whether he should have happiness or misery for his portion? Without doubt, infinite happiness will be the portion of those who eat the fruit of this tree. But the distinguishing characteristic of its fruit is that those who eat it shall live forever, and those who are excluded from it shall have the second death for their portion. Sunday Law Unconstitutional.
THERE has been placed in our hands the Brief of J. R. Brandon, filed by permission of the Supreme Court of California, as to the Constitutionality of the Sunday Law. The following exposure of the flimsy pretense of a sanitary or police regulation is unanswerable. The facts are clear, and within the reach of the understanding of every person:-- “But it is only for the sake of argument that I have admitted that the law, the constitutionality of which is disputed, is a law merely defining a general day of rest as a sanitary measure, or a police regulation. It is not such a law, but on the contrary it is a law prescribing religious duty. It is a law DECLARING AN ACT TO BE AN OFFENSE AGAINST RELIGION, and punishing it as such. “The title of the chapter in which the Sections in question occur, (see Title 9, chapter 7, Penal Code,) is as follows:-- “‘Of Crimes against religion and conscience, and other offenses against good morals.’ “And then follows Sec. 299, which says that certain acts done on the Christian Sabbath constitute a misdemeanor. “Then we have Sec. 300 under which the conviction in the case at bar was had, which provides that whoever keeps open any store, etc., for business on Sunday shall be fined, etc. “Sec. 301. Excepts certain privileged classes. “We have not a word here of setting apart a day of rest, not a hint of sanitary regulation, but we have the broad, clear, definite announcement that the Legislature decrees the doing of an act perfectly legitimate in itself, perfectly lawful and praiseworthy on any other day, to be an offense against religion if committed on the Christian Sabbath or Sunday. “The heading of the chapter which is part and parcel of the Act, and evidences the intent of the Legislature, (Barnes vs. Jones, 51 Cal. 303), clearly shows that such intent was to enforce the observance of the Christian Sabbath or Sunday on all classes, as religion. The intent could hardly be plainer if the law read, ‘The opening of any store or place of business on the Christian Sabbath is an offense against religion, and shall be punished as follows.’ “It can not be said that it is intended to make it an offense against good morals, because it is no act of immorality on the part of the Israelite or Seventh-day Christian to open his store on the Christian Sabbath. It is, however, deemed an offense against religion for a Christian to do so, and therefore when the Legislature speaks of such acts which are immoral in themselves, in the same chapter thus headed, it can only intend to say that those which are recognized by some as acts against religion, shall be so deemed by the State and punished as such. “This certainly seems the only legitimate construction that can be put on the law.” Another extract from this argument will be given next week. Such evident facts presented to the public may have the effect to temporarily check the progress of religious fanaticism, but the check will only be temporary. The popular current sets in the direction of a complete union of church and State, and we look for nothing short of this. To the Lone Pilgrims.
By R. F. Cottrell
The Jubilee is coming. The year of release to the oppressed is at hand. The conflict with the powers of darkness will soon be ended; and then, if faithful, the victor's crown of glory will be yours. What though the way grows rougher, and the conflict severer, did we not expect it? Did we not count the cost? Are we not looking for trouble and affliction and persecution? The way to be prepared for the fiery trial which is to try us, is to bear with patience and cheerfulness our present trials. They will do us good if properly endured and improved. Though we are in the midst of perils—though iniquity abounds and the love of many grows cold, yet, the blessed promise is, He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. There is something to endure, but the Lord loves us and is willing to save us. "O thou afflicted" inhabitant of Zion, "tossed with tempest and not comforted!" thou son or daughter of Jerusalem above! the Lord loves you, and you may triumph over the powers of darkness. Thou lone pilgrim, bound down with oppression, and feeling as if there were none to sympathize with, and pray for you; look up, and press forward; for neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor heighth, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate you from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Those iron bands of oppression shall be broken. The time is not far distant when, if faithful, "thou shalt be far from oppression, for thou shalt not fear; and from terror, for it shall not come near thee." See Isa. 54:11-14. No one can deprive the weakest saint of salvation. Thank the Lord! salvation is free. It is within our reach. The poorest and most oppressed may be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom that God has promised to them that love him. God hears thy sighs, and sees thy tears. We have a God that seeth in secret, and he will reward us openly. He knows all our grief. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame, he remembereth that we are dust. We have also an High Priest that can be touched with the feeling of our infirmities. Angels are interested in our behalf, and the saints of God are praying for us. What cause then to fear? Friends and companions may turn against us, fathers and mothers may forsake us, but then the Lord will take us up. Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Let patience have its perfect work. These fires are intended to take away our dross; and though the furnace wax hot, let us lie passive in the crucible, till the refiner and purifier of silver can see his own image in us. Let no lone pilgrim despond, or faint because of the oppressor. The Jubilee is coming—the time of the promise is drawing near. The strong man armed will soon let his prisoners loose homewards; for one stronger than he is coming, and will spoil his goods. The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth. The Lord shall laugh at him; for he seeth that his day is coming. The wicked have drawn out the sword, and bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation. The sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken. For the Lord loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved forever. Though now deprived of the society of the saints, never despair. With calm resignation wait for the Lord. Lean upon his mighty arm which is able to support you; and soon you will meet with the general assembly and church of the first-born, which are written in heaven. "Lone pilgrim, cease that mournful sigh,
Look up! redemption draweth nigh." The Missionary.
By Ellen G. White
NOVEMBER 25, I left Oakland for Petaluma, and found a pleasant home with the family of Bro. Chapman, where I have ever been heartily welcomed. On the Sabbath I spoke with freedom to the little company who reverence God's holy day and assemble for his worship. A social meeting followed, in which sixteen testimonies were borne. We realized that the Lord's presence is not confined to large assemblies, but that where two or three are gathered in his name, he meets with them. All seemed strengthened and encouraged. I felt the sweet peace of Christ, the consolation of his Spirit. I was in feeble health, but the precious evidence of the favor of God, more than repaid me for the effort made. Would that our smaller churches could be more often visited. The faithful ones, who stand firmly in defense of the truth, would be cheered and strengthened by the testimony of their brethren. The few standard bearers at Petaluma have had much to contend with; unruly, rebellious spirits have done their utmost to discourage all who would maintain the truth in righteousness. But these discordant elements have separated from the church. They went out from us, because they were not of us. Those who now meet from Sabbath to Sabbath are at peace with one another, and in harmony with the work of God. Our gracious Redeemer looked down the stream of time, and beheld the perils that would in the last days surround his chosen. For our encouragement he declares, in the words of the prophet Malachi: "Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another; and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name. And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him." If the members of the church labor faithfully to build up the cause of truth, they will not escape the tongue of gossip, falsehood, and slander. "All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." Their consistent, unwavering course is a constant rebuke of the unbelief, pride, and selfishness of the hypocritical professor. Their prayers and admonitions disturb his worldly ambition, and he endeavors to cast reproach upon the faithful followers of Jesus. He will garble, distort, and misrepresent facts, in the same spirit that actuated the Pharisees in their opposition to Christ. Jesus does not lose sight of his people who have so many discouragements to encounter. It requires little effort to float with the popular current, but those who would gain the immortal shores must struggle against wind and tide. There is a form of Christianity—a spurious article—which has no reformative energy. Its possessors delight to oppose and decry the faith of others. Their religion is not seen in the market-place, in the family, or in the workshop. Their religious experience runs in the corrupt channel of the world. The true follower of Christ should not be dismayed at receiving reproach from this class. Said the beloved apostle, "Marvel not, my brethren, that the world hate you." And our Saviour reminds his disciples, "If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you." Those who are faithful to God will not be harmed by reproach or opposition. Nay, rather, virtues will thus be developed that will not flourish in the sunshine of prosperity. Faith, patience, meekness, and love will bud and blossom amid clouds and darkness. The members of the church should individually keep the light of God's love brightly burning in their own souls, that it may also shine forth to others. We have too much at stake to allow spiritual lethargy to creep over us. Let us beware of indulging a disrelish for religious services and religious duties. Let us resolutely battle against that sluggishness of soul which is so fatal to the growth and even the life of the Christian. That church will be healthy and prosperous whose members are putting forth active, personal effort to do good to others, to save souls. This will be a constant incentive to every good work. Such Christians will labor with greater earnestness to secure their own salvation. The dormant energies will be aroused, the whole soul inspired with an unconquerable determination to win the Saviour's plaudit of "Well done," and to wear the victor's crown. I would encourage those who assemble in little companies to worship God. Brethren and sisters, be not disheartened because you are so few in number. The tree that stands alone upon the plain, strikes its roots deeper into the earth, spreads out its branches farther on every side, and grows stronger and more symmetrical while wrestling singly with the tempest or rejoicing in the sunshine. So the Christian, cut off from earthly dependence, may learn to rely wholly upon God, and may gain strength and courage from every conflict. May the Lord bless the scattered and lonely ones, and make them efficient workers for him. The Christian should not be content to be merely an active man of business. He should not be so absorbed in worldly affairs as to have scarcely a spare moment or a thought for recreation or friendship, for the good of others, for the culture of the mind, or the welfare of the soul. Energy and diligence in business are commendable, but these should not lead us to neglect that love for God and man which the Bible enjoins. Would that we all could remember that worldlings feel at liberty to watch and criticise the professed followers of Christ. Our course in temporal matters, our conduct toward one another, is commented upon with keenness and severity. What we say in the church is not of so great consequence as our deportment in the home circle and among our neighbors. The kindly word, the thoughtful act, true politeness and hospitality, will constantly exert an influence in favor of the Christian religion. Let not the testimony be borne concerning any of us, "Religion has made them no better. They are as self-indulgent, as worldly, as sharp in trade, as ever." All who bear such fruit scatter from Christ, instead of gathering with him. They place obstacles in the way of those whom they might by a consistent course have won to Jesus. It is our duty as Christians to give to the world unmistakable evidence that we are obeying the great commandment, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself," which is the same as our Saviour's golden rule, "Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them." God bless the church at Petaluma. Brethren, do not forget the wants of these small and isolated companies. Christ will be found a guest at their little gatherings.
E. G. WHITE. Seaman's Mission, San Francisco.
By H. C. Palmer
IN reviewing the labor done in this missionary field for the past year, we can see how widely the message has been distributed. The Vigilant Missionary Societies have co-operated considerably, and have aided much in this work. Africa, India, Mauritius, Japan, France, Italy, Austria, Holland, the islands north of Scotland, Pitcairn Island, the South Sea Islands, Falkland Islands, Australia, New Zealand, and other places, have received reading matter and correspondence through the direct agency of this work. Upwards of 2,500 SIGNS have been sent. Letters have been written, and in many instances favorable news seeking for more light, has been received. The addresses have been obtained from the officers and crews of the ships visited. In addition to this there have been 15,000 SIGNS distributed on board, besides 3,000 Reviews, and 3,500 other periodicals, with 163,000 pages of tracts, exclusive of pamphlets and books. This gives us at a low average on the ships alone, 8,000 readers. Then the reading matter on board is divided between the crews at the end of the voyages, and this multiplies the number beyond calculation. The passengers on board the steamers are not included in this estimate, and they augment the number considerably. The more we look at this work, the greater importance it possesses. The message has been sent direct by vessels and steamers to Ireland, England, Pacific Coast ports, Honolulu, Australia, Islands of the North and South Pacific, New York, Mexico, South America, South Africa, and by the steamer Jeanette, and the Corwin sent in search of her, to the Islands bordering Alaska, viz., St. Paul, Onalaska, St. Michaels, and St. George. Also by several whalers to the places which may be called at by ships on the way to their several destinations. About seventy-seven persons on board these vessels have become very much interested independent of those who have accepted present truth, and some have tried to give up their engagements on board, to be with us and help the cause. They will return soon, God willing, and help to spread the light. We have many conscientious sailor readers, who are dissatisfied with their knowledge of God's word, and when they have explained to them points they were unacquainted with, their eagerness to know more rewards us for any extra trouble taken in their behalf. May the Master teach us his way to gain souls. There seems to be a spirit of inquiry, and let us be thankful that it is increasing. The result of preparing books with temperance pledge certificates, has been very satisfactory. Twenty-nine have signed the Anti-Whisky pledge in two weeks; and by these means we hope the disgraceful practices of this class of men will be lessened considerably. The law to protect the seamen in San Francisco is practically a dead letter. Officials wink at the most criminal acts, and by their silence approve of them. What the California legislative power can be thinking of, to permit this slavery to exist in their midst, and make no effort to stop it, is inexplicable. Captains say they dare not do any thing, for the boarding-house men will prevent them from getting crews if they assert their rights. Men are taken from some ships before the sails are furled. They will stay by their ships as long as they are sober, but let them once get under the influence of liquor, and then their individuality leaves them, and the boarding-house runner takes possession completely. Now look at the loss to the sailor. He looses his back pay when he deserts, perhaps ten months or more. Then he gets somehow into debt to this pretended friend of his (who is full of promises), and nearly all the advance which should be paid to the man himself, is absorbed, in other words taken by these men; for the runner receives his per centage (called "blood money") from his employer, and the boarding-house man gets the lion's share. Then after all the captain has to pay $5.00 for each man he ships. San Francisco has the unenviable reputation of being the worst port in the world in this respect; so what the law will not do, temperance must. If the sailors abstain from drink, they have a mind of their own, and stay by their ship, and do not lose what they have made in coming here. All the men who have signed the pledge are on board their ships to-day but one, and he intends to stay and work in the city. They all attribute it to having signed the pledge. We hope with God's help to have a better record next year. Let us pray for it. The past year shows us where we were not able to take advantage of opportunities, necessary to assist the spread of the truth. This year these deficiencies are not lost sight of, and we are thankful that the more we become engaged in the Lord's work, the better we can advance its interest. The coast steamers are to be supplied with portfolios of the SIGNS, packages of tracts, and what reading matter is necessary; and we hope that this will enable the passengers to take the truth to their homes and thus carry out the design of God. May this great work advance, and let us seek closer walk with God, to fit us to discharge our duties more thoroughly and well. All of us can see where golden moments have been lost never to return again. May our Heavenly Father guide and direct us by his Spirit.
H. C. PALMER. San Francisco.
By M. C. Israel
THERE was a good attendance at the church quarterly meeting at this place last Sabbath, and nearly all who were not present were heard from. All present gave encouraging testimonies, and spoke of their determination to seek the Lord more earnestly and to live up to the light of present truth more faithfully the year to come, if life is spared, than they have done in the one that is past. The ordinances were celebrated and participated in by nearly all present, and we felt that the Lord came near. In the evening the T. and M. quarterly meeting was held. A larger number than usual was present. There was quite an increase in the amount of labor performed compared with last quarter, and a larger number of reports than usual.21 A move has been made to thoroughly canvass the city with the Signs, by taking up the wards separately. Each person who will, takes one precinct at a time, and sends a few copies of the paper to each person who manifests an interest to read them, and follows this up with a visit or a letter. Fifteen persons engaged to enter upon this work, and an addition of forty-five Signs was ordered to the club of eighty now taken. Our Wednesday evening prayer and missionary meetings are increasing in interest, and we hope that the work we have now entered upon may be performed faithfully, and that God's blessing may attend it so that by the next tent season there will be sufficient interest to call for a tent-meeting to be held here. M. C. Israel. A Story of a Wrecked Life.
The most thrilling and sadly suggestive temperance lecture is the sight of a once noble, talented man, left in ruins by intoxicating drink. A Washington letter tells of a ragged beggar, well known in the streets of that city, who once held an important command in the army, having been promoted for personal bravery, from a cavalry lieutenant to nearly the highest rank in military service. One night recently, when he had been too successful in begging liquor to sate his craving, and while lying helplessly drunk in the rear part of a Third Street saloon, some men thought to play a joke on him by stealing his shirt, and proceeded to strip him. Underneath his shirt, and suspended by a string from his neck, was a small canvass bag, which the men opened, and found it contained his commission as Brevet Major-General, two congratulatory letters—one from General Grant and one from President Lincoln—a photograph of a little girl, and a curl of hair—a "chestnut shadow" that doubtless one day crept over the brow of some loved one. When these things were discovered, even the half-drunken men who found them felt a respect for the man's former greatness, and pity for his fallen condition, and quietly returned the bag and its contents to where they found them, and replaced the sleeper's clothes upon him. When a reporter tried to interview the man, and endeavored to learn something of his life for the past few years, he refused to communicate anything. He cried like a child when told how his right name and position were ascertained, and, with tears trickling down his cheeks, said:— "For God's sake, sir, don't publish my degradation, or my name, at least, if you are determined to say something about it. It is enough that I know myself how low I have become. Will you please promise that much? It will do no good, but will do my friends a great deal of harm, as fortunately they think I died in South America, where I went at the close of the war." Intemperance and the gambling table, he said, had wrought his ruin. Arbuckle, California.
By John Clasby
SISTER WHITE came to this place December 30, accompanied by Sister Manor, of Freshwater, and Sisters Howard and Austin, of San Diego. Sister White spoke on Sabbath at 11 A. M. and at 7 P. M. at the school-house, where we hold Sabbath-school. The Lord gave her much freedom in speaking, and on Sunday at 3 P. M. she spoke to a large audience. January 2, she spoke at College City three miles from here, on temperance. We have been fed with the sweet essence of the word of God. May God help her and all of his people, and help us to understand our duty, and to remember how the truth came to us and also the responsibility that rests upon us in having such important truths committed to our care. We cannot bring this matter home to our hearts too closely nor feel over it too keenly. The Lord says: "Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble; for the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand." Do we feel to tremble in view of the shortness of time, or are we living as though probation never was to end? Let us examine ourselves and see whether we have a living faith in the third angel's message. The only ones who will hear the "Well done" said to them are those who have done something, and done it well. Pray for us. JOHN CLASBY. Kernville, Kern Co. California.
We came to this place December 1, and have held eleven meetings. We have spoken upon the subject of prophecy, signs of the times, man's nature and destiny, and Spiritualism. We have had a fair attendance at our meetings and some of the hearers are deeply interested. We hope to see some fruit of our labor here. Brethren pray for us and the work in this place. ISAAC MORRISON,
ANDREW BRORSEN. Great Results From a Small Beginning.
How an extensive system of tract distribution along the railroad lines of North Germany began, is told in the following extract from a letter written by a recent visitor to Germany: "Otto Finger is one of the most indefatigable tract distributors I ever met. Some years ago he threw a tract from a railway carriage to one of the railway watchmen. The train was slowly approaching a station, and, to his surprise, the man sprang on the step of the carriage, thanked him for the tract, and pleaded most touchingly that something might be done for his comrades, of whom it might truly be said that no man cared for their souls. They are stationed in watch-houses, at short intervals, all along the railway lines, and their duty is to keep a constant watch on the lines, so as to prevent accidents. Their work is severe, and their opportunities for getting away to where they might hear the gospel are few indeed. Mr. Finger was deeply moved by this appeal, and soon after commenced a work which has now extended to more than eighty-six lines of railway in North Germany. He has established a sort of circulating system, by which a fresh supply of good reading is sent regularly every week from the head termini of these railways, and passed down the lines as they are read, from watch-house to watch-house, to the end of the line, whence it is returned to him direct, to take its place on a fresh line. Recently a new field has been opened, the heads of the postal service having given permission to Mr. Finger to send papers to all the employes in Dresden and its neighborhood, giving every facility for their distribution, and sending the packets post free."—Sel. Lead Us Not into Temptation
"LEAD us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil." The late Dr. Guthrie, of Scotland, was a strong temperance man. On one occasion he expressed his opinion of whisky in these words: "Whisky is good in its place. There is nothing like whisky in this world for preserving a man when he is dead. But it is one of the worst things in the world for preserving a man when he is living. If you want to keep a dead man put him in whisky; if you want to kill a living man, put whisky into him." TELL me a young man drinks and I know all the rest. Let him become captive of the wine-cup and he is the captive of all other vices. No man ever runs drunkenness alone. That is one of the carrion crowns that goes with a flock. If that beak is ahead you may know that the other beaks follow. In other words, strong drink unbalances and dethrones and makes him the prey of all the appetites that choose to alight upon his soul. There is not a piece of sin upon this continent but finds its chief abettor in the places of inebriety. There is a drinking place before it or behind it, or a bar over it or a bar under it. The officer said to me that night, "You see how they escape legal penalty; they are licensed to sell liquor." Then I thought within myself the court that licensed the sale of intoxicating liquors, licenses gaming houses, licenses libertinism, licenses diseases, licenses death, licenses all crimes, all suffering, all disaster, all woes. It is the Legislature and courts that swing wide open this grinding, roaring, stupendous gate of the lost.—Talmage. The Danger of Wine.
By Prof. Goodrich
I HAD a widow's son in my care. He was heir to a great estate. He went through the different stages of college, and finally left with a good moral character and bright prospect. But, during the course of his education he had heard the sentiment advanced, which he supposed correct, that the use of wines was not only admissable, but a real auxiliary to the temperance cause. After he had left college, for a few years he continued respectful to me. At length he became reserved. One night he rushed unceremoniously into my room, and his appearance told the dreadful secret. He said he came to talk with me. He had been told during his senior year that it was safe to drink wine, and by that idea he had been ruined. I asked him if his mother knew this. He said no; he had carefully concealed it from her. I asked him if he was such a slave that he could not abandon the habit. "Talk not to me about slavery," he said, "I am ruined; and before I go to bed I shall quarrel with the barkeeper of the Tontine for brandy or gin to save my burning thirst." In one month this young man was in his grave. It went to my heart. Wine is the cause of ruin to a great proportion of the young men of our country.—Prof. Goodrich. Temperance.
By John B. Gough
I WISH to say that the clergymen of the Church of England are positively doing more against the temperance cause than Dissenters; and the same is true of their wives. I was invited to lunch with a clergyman, who is now bishop of Carlisle, and we had a discussion for two hours. A titled lady was present, and she helped him. I was alone, and had to bear the brunt of the battle in the Scriptural argument. "The Bible permits the use of wine," said he. "Very well," said I, "suppose it does?" "The Bible sanctions the use of wine." "Very well, suppose it does?" . "Why, we thought you were prepared to deny this." "I do not deny it. I can read." "Wine is spoken of in the Bible as a blessing." I replied, "There are two kinds of wine spoken of in the Bible." "I do not know that I can, but I will tell what it is: the wine that is spoken of as a 'blessing' is not the same that is a 'mocker,' and the wine that is to be drunk in the kingdom of Heaven cannot be the wine of the wrath of God. So that although I cannot prove it learnedly, I know it is so." "Now, there are others who go farther than I can go, but you will please let me go just as far as I can understand it, and if I cannot go any farther, don't find fault with me. I hold the Bible permits total abstinence; and I would rather search the Bible for permission to give up a lawful gratification for the sake of my weak-headed brother, who stumbles over my examples into sin, than to see how far I can follow my own propensities without committing sin, and bringing condemnation upon any one's soul." Another gentleman who came to me for a long talk, said, "I have a conscientious objection to teetotalism, and it is this: Our Saviour made wine at the marriage of Cana, in Galilee." "He made it because they wanted it." "He made it out of water." "Then he honored and sanctified the wine by performing a miracle to make it. Therefore," said he, "I should be guilty of ingratitude, and should be reproaching my Master, if I denied its use as a beverage." "Sir," said I, "I can understand you should feel so; but is there nothing else you put by, which our Saviour has honored?" "No, I do not know that there is." "Do you eat barley bread?" "No," and then he began to laugh. "Because I don't like it." "Very well, sir," said I, "our Saviour sanctified the barley bread just as much as he ever did wine. He fed five thousand people with barley loaves, manufactured by a miracle. You put away barley from the low motive of not liking it. I ask you to put away wine from the higher motive of bearing the infirmity of your weaker brother, and so fulfilling the law of Christ." I wish to say that the man signed the pledge three days afterwards.—John B. Gough.