p. 188 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 20, No. 12. (1/22/1894)

Earlier text: ECHOES FROM THE "BAPTIST MINISTERS' MEETING" IN NEW YORK CITY

STANDING IN GOD.

By Ellen G. White

THE Lord, speaking through Paul, Eph. 6: 10-18, tells us how to fortify ourselves against Satan and his emissaries: "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints."

We are engaged in an exalted, sacred work. Those who profess to be called to teach the truth to those who sit in darkness should not be bodies of unbelief and darkness themselves. They should live near to God, where they can be all light in the Lord. The reason why they are not so is that they are not obeying the word of God themselves; therefore doubts and discouragements are expressed, when only words of faith and holy cheer should be heard.

It is religion that ministers need; a daily conversion to God; an undivided, unselfish interest in his cause and work. There should be self-abasement and a putting away of all jealousy, evil surmising, envy, hatred, malice, and unbelief. An entire transformation is needed. Some have lost sight of our pattern, the suffering Man of Calvary. In his service we need not expect ease, honor, and greatness in this life; for he, the Majesty of Heaven, did not receive it. "He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief." "He was wounded for our transgressions; he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." With this example before us will we choose to shun the cross, and to be swayed by circumstances? Shall our zeal, our fervor, be kindled only when we are surrounded by those who are awake and zealous in the work and cause of God?

Can we not stand in God, let our surroundings be ever so unpleasant and discouraging? "What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea, rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Many ministers have not an undivided interest in the work of God. They have invested but little in his cause, and because they have taken so little stock in the advancement of the truth, they are easily tempted in regard to it, and moved from it. They are not established, strengthened, settled. He who understands well his own character, who is acquainted with the sin which most easily besets him, and the temptations that will be most likely to overcome him, should not expose himself needlessly, and invite temptation by placing himself upon the enemy's ground. If duty calls him where circumstances are not favorable, he will have special help from God, and thus go fully girded for a conflict with the enemy. Self-knowledge will save many from falling into grievous temptations, and prevent many an inglorious defeat. In order to become acquainted with ourselves, it is essential that we faithfully investigate the motives and principles of our conduct, comparing our actions with the standard of duty revealed in God's word.—Testimony for the Church, No. 19.

SPIRITUAL NOURISHMENT.

By N. Y. Christian Advocate

WE cannot work successfully for the Master without this. The table is richly supplied with convenient food; the wellspring of life affords ample supplies to quench the burning thirst. The welcome is most hearty; it is to every soul, and is accompanied with the assurance that no one is so poor that he cannot "buy," because this refreshment is "without money and without price."

Since our ability to render acceptable service depends upon buying "wine and milk" so freely offered, and since an abundant provision is within the reach of all, and is offered upon such easy conditions, why will anyone prefer a life of spiritual impoverishment? At God's table there is "bread enough and to spare." Why will we perish with hunger?

Many see the folly of this unsatisfactory mode of living, but are overcome by the world, the flesh, and the devil. The rich repast is just at hand, but evil forces restrain them from partaking. These forces are both within and without the soul; and are sleepless in their activity. The better judgment is captured; the struggling will is overborne; the sensibilities are paralyzed by these implacable enemies; the soul is left by the highway to die, starving, wounded, and forsaken.

Nothing will recover these souls save Jesus the Christ. He speaks into their ears, so dull of hearing, and says: "Come unto me for sustenance. Thy Father giveth you the true bread from heaven; for the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven and giveth life unto the world." "Lord, evermore give us this bread." May this be the beseeching cry of famishing, perishing souls.

FIELD NOTES.

By Editor

THE report of New York canvassers for the week ending December 22 gives the value of books delivered at $581.75.

BROTHER FRANK LAMB, in reporting the week of prayer at Salt Lake City, mentions the baptism of four persons.

MEETINGS held in the Faith Mission, at Middletown, N. Y., by Brother H. G. Thurston, have called out seven persons to take their stand for the truth.

BROTHER M. M. KENNEY writes from Patricksburg, Ind., that during the week of prayer arrangements were made for building a house of worship.

BROTHER GEO. A. KING, one of our Atlantic Conference canvassers, has gone to Jamaica Island for the benefit of his health, and reports good success in his canvassing work.

FROM Oklahoma City, Ok. Ter., Sister M. L. Brock reports "glorious meetings all through the week of prayer." Eight had united with the church and others were deeply interested.

ELDER O. C. GODSMARK writes, under date of January 3: "The matter of holding institutes among the churches in Michigan this winter is meeting with most excellent success, and we are having much of the blessing of the Lord in our work."

THE Kansas Worker tells of the organization of a Sabbath school of thirteen members at Lebanon, in that State, but omits the name of the laborer who gathered up the material. If, however, the work was the Lord's, he will take care of the name.

ELDER E. E. FRANKE writes to the Union Record from Jersey City, N. J., that work had been commenced on the new church building in that place. Elder A. T. Jones was announced to preach in their meeting hall on the evenings of the 8th and 9th insts.

MEETINGS at Horton, Kansas, conducted by Elder H. W. Woodruff, were closed a few weeks ago, leaving ten keeping the Sabbath of the Lord, and several others investigating the subject. It was necessary to cut the ice in order to provide a place of baptism.

AT the last quarterly meeting for the celebration of the ordinances at Battle Creek, the Review says 142 persons were baptized. The number in attendance was much larger than on any former occasion. With reference to the like occasion in this city, we also can give testimony to a marked increase in attendance.

REGARDING the proposed missionary expedition to Mashonaland, Africa, Elder F. M. Wilcox, secretary of the Foreign Mission Board, says: "The first of March is the time set to start from Cape Town. At that time Elder A. T. Robinson and Brother P. D. Wessels are to start for Mashonaland, and are willing to precede the company from America by a few days, find for them a suitable location, and assist them in settlement. Thus there is no time to lose. Decisions must be made at once by all who expect to go to this field. A company is now forming."

ELDER JOHN F. JONES says of the week of prayer in Baltimore that to the church it was "a feast of fat things." While times are hard, the annual offerings were larger than ever before. He adds that this "was not because there was more money amongst us, but the Spirit of the Lord is moving upon hearts, and they are warming up to the work."

AT Beardsley, Kansas, Brother Morey received notice signed by two trustees to close up his meetings in the public schoolhouse. The third trustee had not been consulted in the matter, for the reason that he and his wife had accepted the truths preached by Brother Morey and had begun keeping the Sabbath. A Sabbath school of fifteen members was organized.

IN England Elders J. S. Washburn and Francis Hope are holding up the banner of truth at Southampton, where the Seventh-day Adventist faith was first introduced by Elder Wm. Ings and others in 1878. In Bath, where Elders Washburn and Hope have previously labored, Elder C. H. Keslake and Bible workers continue the good work. There are now about seventy-five Sabbath keepers in that city.

OUR brethren in the publishing house at Basel, Switzerland, were notified by the authorities that they must cease Sunday labor, in obedience to the civil law forbidding secular work on that day. Consequently, they were expecting trouble. But it was stated that the Sunday law was laid on the table by the officials for the last three weeks of December, on account of the extra amount of work. This is another illustration of Sunday-law absurdity. What has been done since December we have not yet learned.

BROTHER E. S. POPOFF, who went from New York to his native land, Bulgaria, last fall to do missionary work, writes an interesting letter to the Indicator, from which we take the following: "Many things in Bulgaria are in a lamentable condition. The schoolhouses are, most of them, old and tumbledown, and the salaries of the teachers are, part of them at least, not paid. In small villages there are more functionaries than villagers. I do not know where the government gets money enough to pay expenses. Drunkenness is carried on to an alarming extent, and the priests are just as drunken as the laymen, and just as ignorant. It is a very healthful climate, but the inhabitants are most all sickly from ague or other diseases, on account of drunkenness."

CHRIST COMETH.

By F. W. H. Myers

SURELY He cometh, and a thousand voices Shout to the saints but to the deaf are dumb; Surely He cometh, and the earth rejoices, Glad in His coming who hath sworn, I come.

This hath He done, and shall we not adore Him? This shall He do, and can we still despair? Come, let us quickly fling ourselves before Him, Cast at His feet the burden of our care,

Flash from our eyes the glow of our thanksgiving, Glad and regretful, confident and calm, Then thro' all life and what is after living Thrill to the tireless music of a psalm. —F. W. H. Myers.

TRAVELING BY COMPASS.

A STORY is told of an old hunter in Michigan who, when the country was yet new, got lost in the woods several times. He was told to buy a pocket compass, which he did, and a friend explained to him its use. He soon got lost, and lay out as usual. When found he was asked why he did not travel by the compass. He said he did not dare to. He wished to go north, and he "tried hard to make the thing point north, but 'would point southeast every time.'" A great many people fail of the right direction in life because they are afraid to take the Bible and follow just as it points.—Young Reaper.

International S. S. Lessons.

By Editor

"So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading." —Neh. 8:8

LESSON V.—SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1894.

[NOTE.—The questions which follow are merely suggestive for the student on the leading points of the lesson; it is presumed that the thorough student will think of many more as he studies the subject. References, where verses alone are given, always refer to the lesson scripture printed above. All other references are given in book, chapter, and verse. The text printed is that of the Revised Version, not because it is especially preferred, but because it is not found in every family, as is the common version.]

BEGINNING OF THE HEBREW NATION.

Lesson Scripture, Gen. 12:1-10.

Now the Lord said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto the land that I will show thee;
And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and be thou a blessing;
And I will bless them that bless thee, and him that curseth thee will I curse; and in thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed.
So Abram went, as the Lord had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him; and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran.
And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother's son, and all their substance that they had gathered, and the souls that they had gotten in Haran; and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came.
And Abram passed through the land unto the place of Shechem, unto the oak of Moreh. And the Canaanite was then in the land.
And the Lord appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land; and there builded he an altar unto the Lord, who appeared unto him.
And he removed from thence unto the mountain on the east of Beth-el, and pitched his tent, having Beth-el on the west, and Ai on the east: and there he builded an altar unto the Lord, and called upon the name of the Lord.
And Abram journeyed, going on still toward the south.
And there was a famine in the land; and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine was sore in the land.

Golden Text.—"And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great: and be thou a blessing."

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

Who was Abram? Note 1.
How did the Lord call Abram? Verse 1.
What did he promise him?
For what purpose would God bless him? Note 2.
What further promise did the Lord make to Abram? Verse 3.
Did Abram heed this call of the Lord? Verse 4.
How old was he when he departed out of Haran? Note 3.
Who accompanied Abram as he went from Haran? Verse 5. Note 4.
Where did they go from Haran?
Did Abram know where he was going?

"And he went out, not knowing whither he went." Heb. 11:8, last clause. 11. What alone moved him to go? "By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed to go out unto a place which he was to receive for an inheritance." Heb. 11:8, first part.

At what place did Abram first stop? Verse 6, lesson scripture.
Who was then in the land? Same verse. Note 5.
What did the Lord say when he appeared to Abram the next time?
By what act did Abram acknowledge the Lord at that time? Note 6.
Where did he remove from the plain of Moreh? Verse 8, first part. Note 7.
What did Abram do at that place? Verse 8, last part. Note 8.
Whence did Abram go from Beth-el? Verse 9. Note 9.

NOTES.

1. THE real subject of our lesson is the call of Abram, and God's promise to him. He was the son of Terah and brother of Nahor and Haran, and was descended by direct line from Noah through Shem. His birth occurred, according to Usher's Chronology, 1996 B.C., nearly 400 years after the flood. During the intervening time the earth had become peopled by the descendants of Noah. The foundations of large cities had been laid, the confusion of tongues had taken place, and the beginning of various nations clearly established. The record of this is given in Genesis 10. In the eleventh chapter we have the genealogy of the children of Shem. Abram's ancestors were idolaters, as we learn from Joshua 24:15. Abram himself was evidently searching to know the true God. Responding to the Spirit of God, which moves upon the hearts of all men, God led him now from the darkness of idolatry to the light of true worship.

2. And be thou a blessing.—God never blesses for our own selfish purposes or advancement. In the life of Abram, the father of the faithful, we have this clearly taught. "I will bless thee," says the Lord, "and be thou a blessing." And it is for that reason that God blesses everyone, that each may be a blessing to others. He blesses the man of wealth that he may use that wealth to the good of others, for the advancement of God's cause, and for the amelioration of the poor and needy. He blesses the scholar that his knowledge may be used for the purpose of blessing others. In fact, all blessings are given that we may use them as the riches of heaven are used. Says our Lord, "Freely ye have received, freely give."

3. Out of Haran.—The first call of Abram was from his own country, that is, in Ur of the Chaldees, in Mesopotamia, before he came to Haran. Abram evidently preached the truth of God before leaving his country, until they refused to hear it more, and then he left, taking those with him who believed as he did. Thus runs the traditions, and these traditions are in the line of God's dealings with the children of men. God first appeared to Abram, evidently, under some manifestation of his glory. Stephen says, "The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham." Finding a people in Haran who were willing to hear the truth, Abram proclaimed the true God there until his work was finished, and the people refused to hear more. He left them at the age of seventy-five. He may, however, have left witnesses in both places to the true God.

4. Souls he had gotten in Haran.—Abram took only from among his relatives Sarai, his wife, and Lot, his nephew; but there accompanied him also "the souls he had gotten in Haran." Young says, "the souls he had obtained in Haran." The idea is, the souls that Abram had converted to the truth of God.

5. The Canaanite was then in the land.—Canaan

was the son of Ham and grandson of Noah, the one upon whom the Lord's curse fell for his disreputable conduct; and his descendants seem to have partaken of his character. The fact of their dwelling in the land seems to have been mentioned here to show the seeming impossibility of God's fulfilling his promise to Abram. Yet Abram had faith to believe that the Lord would do it, and it was to encourage his faith from time to time, evidently, that the Lord appeared to him and enlarged and renewed his promise. Thus Abram went on from faith to faith. Faith grows by being tested.

6. There builded he an altar.—Abram evidently offered sacrifice to God, which was a witness to the people around of the fact that he worshiped a different God than did the children of the land; but he also left the altar as a witness of that worship. God would have us remember all his mercies.

7. Beth-el.—Beth-el was then called Luz. It was named Beth-el by Jacob after his vision (Gen. 28:19), meaning the house of God. It was a town, or place, about twelve miles north of Jerusalem. Ai was a town afterward noted for the first defeat of the Israelites under Joshua.

8. Called on the name of the Lord.—Again did Abram build an altar, and a necessary accompaniment of building the altar was offering the sacrifices and calling upon God's name. That would be implied in the fact that he builded an altar. Dr. Young's translation reads, "He buildeth there an altar to Jehovah, and preacheth in the name of Jehovah." Naturally there would be opportunity so to do. As he builded his altar and offered his sacrifice, prayed and praised God, the people would naturally come around him to know what it all meant, and Abram improved the opportunity to be a blessing to the Canaanites by preaching the truth which had called him out of his own country to theirs.

9. The south.—That is, the southern part of Judah. From there the succeeding part of the chapter tells us he went to Egypt, because there was a famine in the land. God wanted Abram to witness in Egypt also.

LESSON V.—SABBATH, FEBRUARY 3, 1894.

JESUS WORSHIPED BY ANGELS AND MEN.

BEFORE taking up this lesson, go over the topical outline of the first chapter, as given in the first lesson, and see that you have a clear idea of it.

In last week's lesson we had the simple fact of the birth of Christ in Bethlehem. Beginning in this lesson with verse 8, we have, in the next seven verses, the appearance of the angels to the shepherds, and their ascription of praise to God. Verses 15-20 relate the visit of the shepherds, and the fact that they published abroad the news of the birth of Jesus. Verses 21-33 tell of the circumcision and naming of Jesus, his presentation in the temple, and Simeon's thanksgiving. In short, the lesson may be summarized thus: The announcement to the shepherds, and the presentation in the temple.

Lesson Scripture, Luke 2:8-33.

And there were shepherds in the same country abiding in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock.
And an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all the people;
For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this is the sign unto you: Ye shall find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men in whom he is well pleased.
And it came to pass, when the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing that is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
And they came with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger.
And when they saw it, they made known concerning the saying which was spoken to them about this child.
And all that heard it wondered at the things which were spoken unto them by the shepherds.
But Mary kept all these sayings, pondering them in her heart.
And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, even as it was spoken unto them.

And when eight days were fulfilled for circumcising him, his name was called Jesus, which was so called by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
And when the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were fulfilled, they brought him up to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord.
(As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord),
And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.
And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
And it had been revealed unto him by the Holy Spirit, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
And he came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, that they might do concerning him after the custom of the law.
Then he received him into his arms, and blessed God, and said,
Now lettest thou thy servant depart, O Lord, according to thy word, in peace;
For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
Which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples;
A light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
And his father and his mother were marveling at the things which were spoken concerning him.

Give an outline of the contents of the first chapter of Luke.
Tell how Jesus came to be born in Bethlehem.
To whom was the news of his birth first announced?
By whom was the announcement made?
What did the angel tell the shepherds that he brought them?
What did he say the good tidings was?
By what sign were they to know it?
As soon as these words were spoken, who appeared with the angel?
What was their song of praise?
When the angels went away, what did the shepherds do?
What did they do after they had found the Babe?
How did they feel about what they had heard and seen?
Why was the Child called Jesus? Luke 1:31; Matt. 1:21.
When Jesus was presented before the Lord in the temple, what offering was brought?
What was signified by the fact that Mary brought only two pigeons? Lev. 12:8.
What pious man was dwelling in Jerusalem at that time?
For what was he waiting?
What had the Holy Spirit revealed to him?
How did he come to be in the temple when Joseph and Mary brought in Jesus?
When Jesus was brought in, what did Simeon do?
What did he say?
What did he say of the light that Christ would be?

NOTES.

1. "Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." This is the gospel; for "gospel" means good news, or good tidings. "Jesus" means "Saviour," and he was so called because he saves his people from their sins. Matt. 1:21. "Sin is the transgression of the law." 1 John 3:4. Therefore the gospel is the good news that men can be saved from sin, and brought into perfect harmony with God. It does not simply save men from the consequences of sins committed, but from sin itself—from the transgression of the law. The gospel is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth. Rom. 1:16. Peter addresses those "who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." 1 Peter 1:5. Kept from what by the power of God?—Kept from falling. Jude 24. Kept from falling into sin and condemnation, as the next verse indicates, by saying that the Saviour will present us faultless before the presence of his glory. Manifestly, he keeps us in the condition in which he presents us. Since God is able to keep men faultless, it must be that he is able to make them faultless; and he is as able to do this now as he will be two or three days before the time for translation to heaven. It is not now, nor will it ever be, in the power of man to do this; but let no one limit the power of God by saying that he cannot do it. Then to him "be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever." God only can have the glory, for he does the work. Therefore, as he is to have the glory now, he must do the work now. Our part is to let him do it. "Submit yourselves therefore to God." James 4:7. Submit to his righteousness (Rom. 10:3), which he desires to put within and upon us (Rom. 3:22).

2. "The shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us." There was prompt belief. They did not go to Bethlehem to see if what the angel had told them was true, but to see the thing which they knew was true, because the Lord had told them. Such faith when the Lord speaks is not very common. Most people imagine that it is a sign of a weak, credulous mind to believe at once, without any questioning. Many think to excuse their unbelief by citing the case of Thomas, saying that, like him, they have to see before they can believe. But they forget the words of Jesus to him: "Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed; blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed." John 20:29. Thomas lost the blessing that he might have had but for his unbelief.

3. Note the poverty in which Jesus was born. Why was this? "For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich." 2 Cor. 8:9. He had everything in the universe; for "all things were created by him, and for him." Col. 1:16. He could have retained these riches, and his equality with the Father, if he had wished. But he did not count that a thing to be grasped, but "emptied himself," and took upon him the form of a servant. Phil. 2:6-8, Revised Version. So we through his poverty are made rich. The "unspeakable riches of Christ" are ours, if we accept him. We are "joint heirs with Jesus Christ." In him we have a "right to the tree of life." "Behold, what manner of love the Father bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God." 1 John 3:1.

4. Simeon was "waiting for the consolation of Israel." He therefore recognized Jesus as soon as he saw him. The poor shepherds also must have been looking for him, for they gladly accepted him. This shows that there was no excuse for those who did not receive him. All of the Jews might have known him as well as these few. To as many as received him, to them he gave the right to be called the sons of God. John 1:12. It is evident, also, that there was no excuse for the blindness that characterized the Jewish nation as a whole, concerning the true mission of the Messiah. They looked for a powerful conqueror who should make them masters of the world. But Simeon was looking for a consoler—one who should be the Light of the world. What he knew, all might have known. Moreover, it is clear that there was no reason for the narrow views that so many even of Christ's followers had. They thought that none could be saved but the Jews. But God had never given them any reason to think so, and Simeon knew better. Said he: "Mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel." The prophets were read "every Sabbath day" (Acts 13:27), and so the Jews were continually hearing that the Messiah was to be a "light of the Gentiles" (Isa. 42:1-7). The angels told the shepherds that the good news was for all people. For ages God had been trying to get the Jew to understand that their work was to evangelize the world. The cases of Naaman, of the queen of Sheba, of the Ninevites, and of others, were intended as lessons to them. But their pride and bigotry were too great. Are we not too often, like them, congratulating ourselves on the great light that God has given "us as a people," forgetting that God is no respecter of persons, and that he has no light for one that he has not for all? No one can retain more than he uses; and if we do not accept the light that comes to us, as a sacred trust, that we may bestow it upon others, we shall soon lose it. Let us be wise.

PERIODICALS WANTED.

By Editor

MRS. R. C. MAY, Cathay, Mariposa County, Cal., requests copies of any of our periodicals for missionary purposes.

BROTHER C. M. SNYDER, whose family constitutes the only representatives of our work in Everett, Wash., desires clean copies of any of our periodicals for missionary work.

BROTHER JOHN E. MOORE, of Holding's Ford, Minn., requests a few clean copies of any of our periodicals for missionary work.

CHURCH SERVICES.

By Editor

All of our churches, especially on this coast, who desire their regular weekly services announced in this column, may have it done by reporting through the proper officers.

Oakland.—Church at corner of Twelfth and Brush Streets. Regular preaching services or Bible study. Sunday at 7:30 P.M., Friday at 7 P.M., and Sabbath at 11 A.M. Sabbath school at 9:30 A.M. Sabbath. Prayer and missionary meeting Wednesday at 7:30 P.M. All are cordially invited.

San Francisco.—Church at 914 Laguna Street. Regular preaching services at 7:30 P.M. Sunday and 11 A.M. Sabbath. Sabbath school at 9:45 A.M. Prayer meeting Wednesday 7:30 P.M. Missionary meeting Thursday 7:30 P.M. Seats free.

Los Angeles.—Church at 143 Carr Street. Preaching service Sunday evening 7:30. Missionary meeting Wednesday evening 7:30. Sabbath school on Sabbath at 9:45, and preaching service at 11 A.M. All are welcome.

East Portland, Oregon.—Church, No. 507 East Ankeny St. Services every Sabbath 11:30 A.M. Sabbath school 10 A.M. Missionary meeting evening after Sabbath 7 P.M. Prayer meeting every Wednesday evening 7 o'clock. All welcome. Seats free.

LITERARY NOTICES.

By Editor

The "Advance Almanac for 1894 and Manual of Congregationalism" is a very complete little pamphlet and contains an astonishing amount of information concerning that denomination. Price, 5 cents. The Advance, 125 Franklin St., Chicago, Ill.

We have received from the management a finely illustrated circular on the Midwinter Exposition in San Francisco. While the Fair was not ready to open on January 1, on account of the lateness of the exhibits, tremendous energy is being put forth to have it fully completed at an early date. It will be an exhibition of some of the rarest and finest products of earth.

We have received a pamphlet entitled "Literary and Other Exercises in California State Building at the World's Columbian Exposition at Chicago, 1893. It will be of interest to all Californians who are interested in the magnificent exhibit made by this State. Published by Rand, McNally & Co., Chicago, Ill.

Facts for the Times

FACTS FOR THE TIMES.—Containing historical extract, tracts, candid admissions from authors, ancient and modern. A Book for the Times. Revised 1893. A compilation of facts that are astounding, by students of biblical and historical research. 340 pages, wine-colored cloth binding. Price, 75 cts., postpaid. Pacific Press Pub. Co., Oakland, California.

Continue reading: News and Notes