Earlier text: LIFE BETTER THAN LOGICTHE COMMA.
By M. C. Wilcox
THE following is from the Good Way of August 3, 1889:— "Some one professes to have discovered an improved rendering of the passage in Eph. 4:12. The verse reads: 'For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry,' etc. The better sense is found (it is claimed) by omitting the comma after the word 'saints,' making the verse read thus: 'For the perfecting of the saints for the work of the ministry,' etc. The change of a comma sometimes makes a very material difference in the sense of a sentence. Second Adventists change Luke 23:43, so as to read, 'Verily I say unto thee to-day, shalt thou be with me in Paradise.' This transportation is made in the interest of suspended consciousness after death. Perhaps our friends, the Adventists, will agree to tolerate the change of the comma in Eph. 4:12, if those who presume to make that change will accept the change of the comma in Luke. But we have observed in such cases, that it makes all the difference what comma is changed, and who it is that changes it." Upon the above, we would like to say a few words for the benefit of our contemporary as well as our readers. 1. Commas are no part of the word of God. Inspiration did not place them there. They are a comparatively modern invention, as is our present system of punctuation. Therefore the removal of a comma or otherwise affects not the inspiration of the Scriptures in any way. Those who punctuated the Bible placed them where they thought they were needed, or the grammatical construction demanded. 2. In most cases it would doubtless be easy to tell by the construction of the sentence and the forms of words just how the sentence should be pointed. In other cases it is ambiguous. These cases must be decided in harmony with the concurrent agreement of other scriptures which treat upon the same subject as the one in question. An example of this is given in Matt. 19:28. Some Bibles place the comma after "regeneration," others after "followed me." This must be settled by the teaching of the Scriptures, and not by grammatical construction. 3. Luke 23:43 is a text which must be settled in the same way. The text reads: "And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To-day shalt thou be with me in Paradise." The common version of the Bible points as above, putting the comma after "thee." In this case the adverbial521 phrase "to-day" modifies "shalt be," telling when the thief will be in Paradise, that is, "to-day." Others place the comma after "to-day," in which case "to-day" modifies the verb "say," telling when Christ said it. Here is a mere difference of opinion, and not a question of inspiration, or the integrity of God's word. One party has as much right to place the comma before "to-day" as the other party has to place it after "to-day." Which is correct? Only the Scriptures can decide. Let us briefly examine them on this subject. 1. What and where is Paradise? Paul indicates in 2 Cor. 12:2, 4 that Paradise is the third Heaven, where God dwells. A comparison of Rev. 2:7 and 22:1 will show that the throne of God is in the midst of Paradise, fast by the tree of life. Paradise, then, in the time of our Saviour, was the garden of God in Heaven, in the presence of the Father. 2. The third day after Jesus uttered these words on the cross, he says that he had not ascended to the Father. John 20:17. The thief, therefore, did not go to Paradise with Jesus that day. It is also probable that the thief did not die that day; for at its very close, almost, Pilate "marveled" that Jesus was already dead. Mark 16:44. The thieves were still living, and, according to Roman custom, their legs were broken. Men crucified in this way often lingered in agony for several days. The evidence above is sufficient to show that Jesus did not mean that the thief would be in Paradise with him on the day the words were spoken. 4. The request of the thief was, "Remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom." Jesus will receive that kingdom on his return to this earth, over which he will reign when it is renewed and brought back to its primal glory. Luke 19:12; Matt. 25:31; 2 Tim. 4:1. At his second coming, our Lord will come into his kingdom. His reign will begin in the New Jerusalem, the capital city of the new earth, the Paradise of God. Rev. 21 and 22. 5. Then the prayer of the repentant robber will be answered. The righteous dead will be raised, the sheaves will be gathered home. Matt. 13:39, 43; 24:31. 6. With the above, the placing of the comma after "to-day" is in every way consistent and truthful. Placing it before "to-day," it is in every way contradictory and erroneous. Which will we choose, truth or error? Eph. 4:12 can be settled the same way, and it is not a difficult task either. But it is said, Of what sense is it that our Saviour said, "I say unto thee to-day." Did not the thief know that Jesus said it that day? He doubtless did. But there is a different reason why Jesus used the term "to-day." It refers not to mere time alone, but to his own condition as well. Notice that condition. He was in the hands of the powers of earth, a seemingly powerless captive. He had been deserted by his friends and disciples. He had been condemned a malefactor, guilty of treason, and of blasphemy. He was dying between robbers and thieves. What power had he to lift up the fallen or give life to the dying, or fulfill any promise? Seemingly none. And yet he was the Son of God, the Saviour of the world. One of the thieves dying by his side, after his paroxysm of curses had subsided, looks upon him again. He notes the righteous face where not one sin or vice has left its impress. He remembers the godlike bearing, the heavenly forbearance, through all the trial. He goes back in his mind to scenes by the lake side, or at the mountain base where multitudes hung upon the words of the innocent one now dying beside him, and he, bold robber, was mingling in that throng perhaps for plunder. He listens once more to such teachings as the parable of the nobleman who went away "to receive for himself a kingdom and to return;" to such teaching as "The good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep;" "I lay down my life that I might take it again," and very much more is recalled in the hours of agony upon the cross. He knows that "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews," is more than man, and his whole being longs to be like him, to be with him. His faith triumphs. And while the multitude mock and deride, while Christ's own disciples are absent or in despair, while the thief's own companion in crime is cursing and blaspheming, the penitent criminal confesses his faith before them all, "Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom." Was such faith ever seen before? Christ's own nation had rejected him, his own disciples, who had listened to his wonderful words of life, the predictions of sufferings told over and over again, had deserted him in shame, sorrow, and despair; the boldest one among them had denied him even before he came to the cruel cross, but the criminal by his side believes in him as he is, accepts of him as Saviour when to all human probability he had no power to save. Such a prayer, such faith, not only demands the attention of Heaven, but it is pleasing in the sight of God. The answer of the petitioned will be as generous and full as the request of the petitioner. "Verily, I say unto thee to-day,"—to-day when mine own nation have rejected me, to-day when mine own disciples have forsaken me, to-day when even the black cloud of Heaven's wrath seems to have shut out all hope, even to-day in answer to your faith, I declare,—"thou shalt [then] be with me in Paradise," in that kingdom of the new heaven and new earth, when I shall come again to reward my own. The above interpretation does no violence to the construction, and is in harmony with other scriptures. This use of to-day is shown in Zech. 9:12: "Turn you to the stronghold, ye prisoners of hope; even to-day do I declare that I will render double unto thee." Not that God would do it that day, but he declared it that day. So our Saviour did not promise the thief that he would be in Paradise "to-day," but "I say unto thee to-day." The penitent, believing thief went down into the prison-house of the grave, but as the "prisoner of hope." His faith will be rewarded when Christ shall come, the only time of rewards which the Lord has set before us. "For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father, with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works." Matt. 16:28. M. C. W. DISTRESS OF NATIONS.
By C. P. B.
THERE probably never was a time when there was so much abject poverty in all parts of the world as at the present. The population never was so great nor oppression so general. Accordingly Commercial Agent Smith, in the "United States Consular Report" for October, 1888, says that "All over Germany $2.25 to $3.00 per week is all that the day laborer makes." His children are described as, "pale-faced," with "hungry countenances, lank bodies, and scrofulous heads." Consul Tanner of Chemnitz, Saxony, describes the poorer class thus: "They live upon nothing but a crust of dry, dark bread, and spend all they can earn on strong liquors. Apart from such drink, they live on about 7 or 8 cents per day." The state of affairs in other European countries is little if any better; there is abject poverty and absolute wretchedness everywhere. Nor is our own country free from similar distress, as the following from a late number of America will show:— "A committee from the Boston clothing-trade unions has been investigating the tenement 'sweating' system of New York. Many rookeries in the latter city were found crowded from cellar to garret with foreigners of both sexes, who worked sixteen and eighteen hours a day, and made from $2 to $4 a week as a return for their intolerable slavery. Many small rooms were simply packed with poor wretches working near hot stoves, and nearly prostrated by the heat. To such terrible conditions all labor in America is being brought by the stern competition of foreign immigrants, who land starving on these shores." Everywhere the rich are growing richer and the poor poorer. We are clearly in the time referred to in James 5:1-5. Oh, that all the oppressed of earth could have a good hope of eternal life and eternal riches in the soon-coming kingdom of our Lord. C. P. B. The Sabbath-School.
By J. W. Scoles
Notes on the International Lesson.
PROBABLY not many months had elapsed after the anointing of David by Samuel, as recorded in the last lesson, when the Philistines armed themselves to once more fight against the people of God. There had always been a feeling of enmity among the Philistines, against the Israelites, who had on several occasions suffered severely from their attacks. But since the time when Saul, filled with the Spirit of God, had so signally defeated the Ammonites soon after he took the kingdom, the children of Israel had been victorious in their conflicts with most of their enemies. As soon, however, as God removed his favor from Saul, the people seemed to lose courage, and when the Philistines, as related in the present lesson, gathered their forces and encamped in the valley of Shochoh, a few miles from Jerusalem, the children of Israel were sore afraid. SELECTING from their ranks Goliath, a man of immense stature, probably ten or eleven feet in height, the Philistines sent him out as their champion and representative, rather than to risk a general battle. Had they known the weakness of the Israelites, they doubtless would not have parleyed so long with them, waiting for some one to meet Goliath, but would have at once fallen upon them. As it was, however, the Philistine placed himself before them, and for forty days tauntingly reproached them for their lack of courage. SAUL was no longer being instructed of God, and therefore had not that faith which could expect divine interposition in his behalf. Israel also had been partakers in transgression with him, therefore they feared to engage in battle, having no hope that God would work for them and deliver the Philistines into their hands. A lack of faith always places God's people at a terrible disadvantage, and faith is impossible so long as we cherish and love the ways of sin. GOD sometimes works for his own name's sake, through the instrumentality of his people, even when they have transgressed against him. In this case, the Philistines not only spoke against Israel, but reviled Israel's God as well, and rather than to allow an idolatrous nation to lift themselves up against the Ruler of the universe, God saved his people by refusing to allow dishonor to come upon his own great name. PERHAPS nothing shows David's motive to be purely unselfish more plainly than the soft answer with which he replied to the charge of Eliab, his eldest brother, whose jealousy led him to taunt David with the inferiority of his occupation,—the tending of a few sheep in the wilderness. Recognizing the fact that God had chosen him for the522 purpose of saving Israel, David's heart was full of courage and faith in the Lord. He felt that there was indeed a cause for decided steps to be taken, and, relying upon the strength of God, he was conscious of coming victory because of the justice of the work in which he proposed to engage. THE arguments which seemed so weighty to Saul's mind against allowing David to fight the Philistine, were met with the strong yet simple faith of the young shepherd boy, who reasoned that the same God who had aided him when only a common lamb of the flock was in danger, would surely deliver the enemy into his hand, now that the honor of the living God was at stake. "The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine." AND the Lord did deliver him. Not, however, as Saul expected the deliverance to come. The armor which he placed upon David was something he was unused to, so he put it from him, and with only his ordinary defence of a shepherd's staff and a sling, choosing five pebbles from the brook he went forth to meet the champion of the enemy, "in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel." THE boldest defiance which can be offered by unbelief and sin, may be readily answered if we only have confidence in God. Instead of leading us to boast in human power, faith at once connects us with the strength of God. Because we cannot understand nor comprehend the way in which his strength is to be made manifest to us, is no reason why it should not be so. The part for us to do is to believe, whether we understand or not, and God will see that the way is opened for us, just as certainly as he opened the way for David of old. IT is not necessary for the child of God to wear the armor of the world in order to defeat the world. Simple weapons become powerful means for the advancement of God's cause when wielded for the honor and glory of his name. The armor of the Christian consists of such simple things as truth, righteousness, peace, hope, prayer, and faith. These, in connection with the counsel which God has given us in his word, enable us to become partakers of the divine nature here, and to share at last the abundance of joy in the everlasting kingdom of God hereafter. J. W. SCOLES. (Lesson 10, September 7, 1889.) 1. WHAT will the Lord's people exclaim when he comes? "And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us; this is the Lord; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation." Isa. 25:9. 2. Will they know that Christ's coming is near? "Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh; so likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors." Matt. 24:32, 33. 3. Will they know the exact time of Christ's coming? "But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in Heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. Take ye heed, watch and pray; for ye know not when the time is." Mark 13:32, 33. 4. How does Christ describe those waiting for him to come? "Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning." Luke 12:35. 5. Describe the circumstances from which this figure was drawn? "And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste; it is the Lord's passover. For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment; I am the Lord." Ex. 12:11, 12. 6. Can such a position be held without others knowing it? 7. How are those described who do not receive these truths? "Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night." 1 Thess. 5:6, 7. 8. What special instruction does the Saviour give to his people in view of his soon coming? "Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; and ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately." Luke 12:35, 36. 9. After hearing these things, what did Peter want to know? "Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all?" Verse 41. 10. How does Christ reply? "And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?" Verse 42.
"Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?" Matt. 24:45. 11. Who are here referred to as stewards? "As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God." 1 Peter 4:10. 12. What is the position of the steward? "And David assembled all the princes of Israel, the princes of the tribes, and the captains of the companies that ministered to the king by course, and the captains over the thousands, and captains over the hundreds, and the stewards over all the substance and possession of the king, and of his sons, with the officers, and with the mighty men, and with all the valiant men, unto Jerusalem." 1 Chron. 28:1. 13. What is the evil servant represented as saying and doing? "But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming, and shall begin to beat the men-servants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken." Luke 12:45. 14. What is it to beat the men-servants, and to eat and drink with the drunken? See note. 15. Are these unfaithful stewards represented as unbelievers? "And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Matt. 24:51.
"The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers." Luke 12:46. 16. In what does their sin consist? 17. Will there be a difference in the punishment? "And that servant, which knew his Lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required; and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more." Verses 47, 48. 18. What solemn lesson do we learn from this when applied to those who have so great light as shines from God's word at the present day? TO wait for Christ's second coming is to occupy a position of constant expectation. It could not be said that we were in a waiting position for a train of cars unless we had reached the station, and were ready for the train when it should arrive. Some will be prepared when the Lord comes, and such only can be said to be waiting. THE parable of the unfaithful steward is one of the greatest importance. It shows that some will be teaching that the time has come to get ready for Christ's coming—to sell and give alms. They urge the necessity of immediate preparation for the event, while the unfaithful servant reasons that there is no necessity of being so much stirred up about the matter. He complains of the straight testimony, and he pursues the course of those who do not profess the truth at all; yet he claims to believe the same as the others, but in his heart he does not, and he shows it in two ways: First, he says that the preaching to move at once and act as though the day of the Lord was right upon us is too strong; second, his life is the same as those who do not make any profession at all. The first is to beat his men-servants; the second, to eat and drink with the drunken. IF there is anything which ought to arouse a follower of Christ, it is that his Master and Redeemer is coming again to gather home his people unto himself, and end the long unequal conflict with the powers of darkness. If there is anything which ought to lead one to consecrate himself and his all to the service of God, it is that he has but a short time to labor for the Lord. Christ left Heaven with its ineffable glory, took upon him the form of a servant, was made in the likeness of men, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. And all this was for us, that he might redeem us. And now, when he has revealed to us that it is but a little time to his coming, how earnest, how diligent ought we to be! This is our last opportunity to show how much we believe him before faith is lost in sight; the last and only time we can show how much we appreciate his love, before our trial ends. Shall it not be improved? Will not hope in his near coming, and our love for him, increase our zeal? WHEN Christ comes, and not till then, does he save eternally. When, then, it is said that his "salvation is near to come" (Isa. 56: 1), "his arm brought salvation," at which time he puts on the garments of vengeance" (Isa. 59: 16, 17), and that "redemption draweth nigh" (Luke 21:28), it means that Christ's second coming is near. There is salvation from temporary difficulties, salvation from sin, but full and eternal salvation only comes when Christ comes the second time. SURELY the Lord could not give more positive assurance in regard to the time of his coming than he has. We may not know the exact time, or as it may be rendered "no man maketh known;" yet we may know when it is near, even at the doors. To say, then, that we can know nothing about Christ's coming is to belie the words of our Saviour; and to say that we do know nothing about it is an acknowledgment that we are not his disciples; for his disciples continue in his word. John 8:31. And of these very words of our Lord, he himself says, "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away." Matt. 24:35. AT the time when the Lord's angel slew the first-born of Egypt, he passed over the houses of the faithful. The blood was upon the door post, or the first-born would have been slain. They did not know just the moment when the angel would523 come, but they knew when he would be near, and they were ready. The token of favor, the sprinkled blood was there, the loins were girded for the hasty journey. If the flowing robes were allowed to hang loosely it would impede their progress, unnecessarily weary them, and perhaps cause them to stumble. For that reason a girdle was put outside about the body to hold the clothing in place. THERE must be the same readiness on the part of Christians. They must be ready for all things. When probation closes, when our Saviour comes out from the wedding, his last priestly act done, if it be found that his blood has not been applied to the cleansing of our souls, we will be lost forever. Our loins must be girt about with truth. Eph. 6: 14. This does not mean any special truth, but the whole truth, that consistency of belief which holds all doctrines, all beliefs, together, and brings each to its proper place. He who truly believes in the near coming of Christ according to the Bible is a marked man. He will be known by all around him. "STEWARD" in Luke 12:42 doubtless refers to those who minister the treasures of God's truth to the flock. Meat, or food, in due season means truth fitting and important for the time. The faithful steward of God's word in the time near Christ's coming will dispense the truth which the flock need, and of which God's storehouse—the Bible—is full. BUT "steward" has a wider meaning. As every man hath received "a gift" is the revised version of 1 Peter 4:10. That is every one of the people of God is given some one precious gift of his Spirit as noticed in our last. It is therefore the duty of every one to minister this gift to others. It refers to money and means as well as gifts of mind and heart. THE evil servants were the worst kind of unbelievers, they were hypocrites. A hypocrite is an unbeliever who professes, for some selfish motive, to believe. His false profession is adding falsehood to unbelief. His hypocrisy shuts out all hope of reconciliation with God. He cannot be reached just as long as he holds to his profession, and he will not humble himself to confess that he is a poor unbelieving sinner. "If ye were blind," says Jesus to the hypocritical Jews, "ye should have no sin [he would take it away]; but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth." John 9:41. GREATER light shines upon the people of God in the last generation than in any previous one. They have the record of the past dealings of God with his people, they have the fulfilling prophecies, with constantly increasing confirmation of the truth of God, with all the light of restored practical truth. Greater responsibility therefore rests upon them; and great grace will be given through the Coming One for the faithful discharge of these responsibilities. The riches of God's grace will be given according to the riches of his glory. The Missionary.
By William Ings
I HAVE recently spent some time in Mendocino County, visiting the churches and scattered brethren. At Little River there is a church of Scandinavians. I spent several days with them, and they showed a commendable zeal in stopping their work in order to make it a business of serving the Lord. This company had become somewhat discouraged and they felt the need of ministerial help. As we sought the Lord and drew near to him, he came very near to us, hearts were cemented together, and love and union were restored. The ordinances of the Lord's house were celebrated, and the promise was verified, "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." This company is doing considerable missionary work among the Scandinavians, one of their number spending all of his time selling publications in his own language. He is meeting with marked success. They have an interesting Sabbath-school, and are determined to walk in all of the ways of the Lord blameless. There are also a few English-speaking Sabbath-keepers there. They maintain meetings, and have an organized Sabbath-school. A club of twenty-five Sentinels were paid for. They seemed to be encouraged by my visit. I also spent one week with the friends at Laytonville. It had been over four years since my last visit, and I was glad to meet with them again. They had been much discouraged. Discordant elements among them had nearly shut out the Spirit of God, and those that were faithful had become disheartened. Brother Miller had been with them for a few days, and they appreciated his help. Neglected duties were confessed, and deep searching of hearts was manifested by nearly all as shown by the confessions made one to another, attended by the melting Spirit of God. One was disfellowshiped, and one was taken into the church by baptism. After which we celebrated the ordinances of the Lord's house, this being the first time since the organization. Thirty-one copies of the Sentinel were added to the club now taken, and $60 was given to assist in the erection of the chapel at the Retreat. I never felt more encouraged for the future welfare of this church than now. There are a few Sabbath-keepers at Ukiah. I held three meetings with them, and those that attended were much encouraged, and were determined to be wholly on the Lord's side. They desired to assist in spreading the truth, and subscribed for a few copies of the Sentinel. I visited some of the lonely ones. One brother eighty-four years of age, who had been keeping the Sabbath for several years, had never heard a sermon. He took the Signs, which was his weekly minister, and its visits were always welcome. This brother had been examining the evidences in the Bible for Sunday-keeping, and on failing to find any, was about to accept the views of the Disciple denomination that the law was abolished. In the providence of God a parcel of reading matter was sent to him by a sister, among which was the tract "Who Changed the Sabbath?" which decided him to accept the whole law, and to honor God by observing the day that he sanctified and blessed. Although alone, and deprived of many privileges, he has caught the true missionary spirit, and is doing all he can to enlighten others. I also visited a sister who had not heard a sermon for many months, and, in fact, has never had but few privileges, yet her zeal ought to provoke many that are more favorably circumstanced. Besides other arduous and pressing duties, she sends out over fifty copies of our periodicals each week, and corresponds with the individuals. This work she says is a pleasure to her. Had all those who profess present truth, the same unbounded love for the prosperity of the cause, the warning of the last message would soon accomplish its work. This visit, 260 miles by private conveyance, has been of profit to me, and I trust that the result will add to the number that will be sealed with the seal of the living God. ARKANSAS TRACT SOCIETY.
By W. G. Smith
FOLLOWING is a statement of the financial standing, and business transactions for the year ending June 30, 1889:— Invoice May 21, 1888, - - - - $176 63
Liabilities “ “ - - - - - 108 14
Net worth, - - - - $ 68 49
Cash don. to June 30, 1889, - - - 359 50–$427 99 Stock on hand, - - - - $636 76
Office supplies, - - - - 53 15
Accounts receivable, - - - 493 86
Cash in hand, - - - - 174 53–$1358 30 Bills payable, - - - - $644 23
Deposits, - - - - 157 53–801 76
Total am’t of capital stock, less liabilities - $556 54 Total am’t mdse received, - - $2666 26
“ “ cash “ - - 2890 99
“ “ sales, - - - 2438 77
“ “ cash on mdse, - - 2034 99
Profits, - - - - - - - $409 27 Freights, - - - - - - $58 34
Rents, - - - - - - 70 40
Postage and stationery, - - - 68 80
Premiums, - - - - - 56 19
Loss on publications, - - - 14 80
Discount on office supplies, - - 11 98–$280 51
Profits, - - - - - - $128 76 W. G. SMITH, Sec.
Per M. T. E., Clerk. "INEXHAUSTIBLE FULLNESS."
By Sunday School Times
ONE of the proofs of the inspiration of the Bible is found in the inexhaustible fullness of its every portion. There are meanings in every Bible text for the simplest reader, and beyond this there are meanings which disclose themselves only to the careful student. He who has studied the Bible the most diligently is the one who is surest to find something new in it at every turn. Only he who is least acquainted with it can suppose that there is nothing in it to repay his further searching.—Sunday School Times. God Withholds No Good Thing
GOD does not deprive his children of one single blessing. He takes from them at times those things which seem to them blessings, yea, necessities; but he always puts something better in their place. "No good thing will the Lord withhold from them that walk uprightly." Our way may seem hard and dark at times, but no other way could accomplish so much. God pointed it out, follow it; not one step of the way but what has before been trodden by your precious Redeemer. He sees the end from the beginning; it is safe to trust him.