God's decrees concerning the destiny of men are conditional, because to men are given the liberty and power of choice; and therefore the conduct of men can change the decrees of the Almighty.
This doctrine is plainly declared in Jer. 18:6-10. A familiar example of the working out of this principle is found in the preaching of Jonah. The Lord said by Jonah, "Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown;" but the repentance of the Ninevites changed this decree. "God repented of the evil that he had said he would do unto them; and he did it not."
Another example is found in 1 Sam. 23:10-13: "Then said David unto the Lord, O Lord God of Israel, thy servant hath certainly heard that Saul seeketh to come to Keilah, to destroy the city for my sake. Will the men of Keilah deliver me up into his hand? will Saul come down, as thy servant hath heard? O Lord God of Israel, I beseech thee, tell thy servant. And the Lord said, He will come down. Then said David, Will the men of Keilah deliver me and my men into the hand of Saul? And the Lord said, They will deliver thee up. Then David and his men, which were about six hundred, arose and departed out of Keilah, and went whithersoever they could go. And it was told Saul that David was escaped from Keilah; and he forbore to go forth."
Though God had said, He will come down, and, They will deliver thee up, yet neither of these predictions came to pass. The decree was conditional. The act of David changed it.
Though some have held that the doctrine of unchangeable decrees, or predestination, is a "wholesome doctrine, and full of comfort," and have folded their hands in idleness, I deem it truly a comfort that, though God may have spoken against us, we may, by repentance and zealous and persistent reformation, avert the threatened evil, and have the favor of God, and life everlasting. Let those who have displeased the Lord and brought his frown, change the decree and enjoy his approbation.
BOOKS IN PAPER COVERS.
By Editor
Constitutional Amendment. Condensed, 336 pp. 40 cts.
Sanctuary and 2300 Days. Condensed, 224 pp. 30 cts.
Facts for the Times. A collection of valuable extracts from eminent authors. 224 pp. 25 cts.
Eleven Sermons on the Sabbath and Law. By Elder J. N. Andrews. 226 pp. 25 cts.
United States in Prophecy. 200 pp. 20 cts.
The Nature and Tendency of Modern Spiritualism. By Elder J. H. Waggoner. 184 pp. 20 cts.
The Atonement. By Elder J. H. Waggoner. An examination of a remedial system in the light of Nature and Revelation. 168 pp. 20 cts.
The Ministration of Angels, and the Origin, History, and Destiny of Satan. By Elder D. M. Canright. 144 pp. 20 cts.
Our Faith and Hope. Sermons on the coming and kingdom of Christ. By Elder James White. 182 pp. 20 cts.
Refutation of the Age to Come. By Elder J. H. Waggoner. 168 pp. 20 cts.
The Spirit of God, its Gifts and Manifestations to the end of the Christian age. By Elder J. H. Waggoner. 144 pp. 15 cts.
The Three Messages of Rev. 14:6-12. Particularly the third angel's message and the two-horned beast. By Elder J. N. Andrews. 144 pp. 15 cts.
The Two Laws, as set forth in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. By Elder D. M. Canright. 104 pp. 15 cts.
The Morality of the Sabbath. By Elder D. M. Canright. 96 pp. 15 cts.
Miraculous Powers. The Scripture testimony on the Perpetuity of Spiritual Gifts. 128 pp. 15 cts.
The Complete Testimony of the Fathers of the First Three Centuries Concerning the Sabbath and First Day of the Week. By Elder J. N. Andrews. 112 pp. 15 cts.
Matthew Twenty-Four. A clear and forcible exposition of our Lord's discourse upon the Mount of Olives. By Elder James White. 64 pp. 10 cts.
The Sunday Seventh-Day Examined. A refutation of the teachings of Mede, Jennings, Akers, and Fuller. By Elder J. N. Andrews. 88 pp. 10 cts.
The Seven Trumpets. An exposition of the subject, as set forth in Revelation, Chaps. 8 and 9. 96 pp. 10 cts.
The Truth Found. The nature and obligation of the Sabbath. By Elder J. H. Waggoner. 64 pp. 10 cts.
Vindication of the True Sabbath. By Elder J. W. Morton, formerly Missionary of the Reformed Presbyterian church to Hayti. 68 pp. 10 cts.
Sermon on the Two Covenants. By Elder J. N. Andrews. 48 pp. 10 cts.
Hope of the Gospel. By Elder J. N. Loughborough. 80 pp. 10 cts.
Christ and the Sabbath; or, Christ in the Old Testament and the Sabbath in the New. By Elder James White. 56 pp. 10 cts.
Redeemer and Redeemed. By Elder James White. This work sets forth the plan of Redemption in its three stages. 40 pp. 10 cts.
Review of Gilfillan; or, Thoughts Suggested by the Perusal of Gilfillan and other Authors on the Sabbath. 64 pp. 10 cts.
Appeal to the Baptists for the Restitution of the Bible Sabbath. 46 pp. 10 cts.
Review of Baird. A review of two sermons against the Sabbath and Seventh-day Adventists. By Elder J. H. Waggoner. 64 pp. 10 cts.
The Ancient Sabbath. Forty-four objections considered. 88 pp. 10 cts.
Life of Christ, in six pamphlets. By Mrs. Ellen G. White:—
No. 1. His First Advent and Ministry. 104 pp. 10 cts.
“ 2. His Temptation in the Wilderness. 96 pp. 10 cts.
“ 3. His Teachings and Parables. 126 pp. 15 cts.
“ 4. His Mighty Miracles. 128 pp. 15 cts.
“ 5. His Sufferings and Crucifixion. 96 pp. 10 cts.
“ 6. His Resurrection and Ascension. 80 pp. 10 cts.
Life of the Apostles, in two pamphlets:—
No. 1. The Ministry of Peter. 80 pp. 10 cts.
“ 2. The Teachings of Paul. 80 pp. 10 cts.
Bible Lessons on Prophecy. The Lessons for Bible Classes as issued with the Youth's Instructor for 1879. 10 cts.
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES.
PUBLISHED WEEKLY, AT OAKLAND, CAL., FOR THE
Missionary Society of Seventh-Day Adventists
A twelve-page Religious Family Paper, devoted to a discussion of the Prophecies, Signs of the Times, Second Coming of Christ, Harmony of the Law and Gospel, with Departments devoted to Temperance, The Home Circle, The Missionary Work, and the Sabbath-School.
Price Per Year, $2.00
In clubs of five or more copies to one address, to be used in Missionary work 1.50
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
—OR—
REVIEW AND HERALD, Battle Creek, Mich. ELDER J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH, Ravenswood, Shirley Road, Southampton, England. Miss ELIZA THAYER, Secretary N. E. Tract Society, So Lancaster, Mass. MRS. A. P. VAN HORN, Beaverton, Or
Our Publications in England.
Any of the books, pamphlets and tracts issued at this Office may be obtained of Eld. J. N. Loughborough, Ravenswood, Shirley Road, Southampton, England, who will furnish catalogues and prices in English money, and receive subscriptions for all our periodicals.