Review and Herald, Vol. 79, No. 26.
Jul 1, 1902Page 1
Earlier textIt is a wonderfully high calling to which we are called. Being delivered from the power of darkness and being translated into the kingdom of God, means something. The question of forms and creed will take care of itself when we get the true life within us; for when that life is accepted, Jesus will be made manifest to the world through us, and that through forms which he has himself established. The question of keeping the commandments of God is not an arbitrary one,—that certain arbitrary requirements have been made for us, and then in reward for keeping these requirements God gives us a place on his throne. No, but in keeping these requirements there is great reward; for keeping the commandments puts one upon a throne—not visibly perhaps just now; but when a man is a king, it makes no difference whether he is on a throne or not. When Daniel was sent to Babylon as a captive, Nebuchadnezzar was on the throne. When the king was in trouble, Daniel was the one who got him out of his difficulties, and as a consequence of that Daniel was given a place of power. Who was king, Daniel or Nebuchadnezzar? At the close of that interview “the king made Daniel a great man, and gave him many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief of the governors over all the wise men of Babylon.” Why?—Because it had been proved that he knew more than all they; because he was in touch with God, and because God worked through him and revealed the true kingship of character. Notice the experience of Nebuchadnezzar. When the so-called wise men of Babylon could not tell the king his dream, the record says, “For this cause the king was angry and very furious, and commanded to destroy all the wise men of Babylon.” The man who gets angry and very furious is not a king. He may sit on a throne, but he is not a king. In the experience of the third chapter of Daniel, when Nebuchadnezzar commanded the three Hebrews to worship the golden image which he had set up, and they refused to do it, “then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed.” In the fourth chapter we see Nebuchadnezzar in a different place. A man who gets angry and very furious is like the beasts that perish, and the king was made to realize this, and all the people saw it; for he went out and dwelt with the beasts for seven years. That is where he placed himself, when he was on the throne. He had the privileges of a king, but he was lacking in the character of a king. He had the character of one much lower, and God’s providence opened the way for him to occupy that place. The time will come when every king will have a throne, and every one who is not king will have no throne. True kingship comes through the grace of Christ, and is a real experience of restoration from the service of sin to kingship,—to royal service. We read that man was made a little lower than the angels; and further, that the angels are all “ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation.” That is, they are sent to men on the earth who are “heirs of salvation.” Man is lower than the angels, therefore the angels minister to him. When Jesus was made a little lower than the angels, the same thing was observed. After he was tempted by Satan in the wilderness, angels ministered unto him. He who occupies a high place is the one who serves; and he who serves the most and the best, occupies the highest place. That is God’s estimate of kingship and character. God’s Estimate of Character
In order to take such a view as this of our daily experience, we must believe the Word; we must believe in God, we must believe in God’s estimate of character, and accept what he says concerning it, rather than take the estimate of the world. When this is done, then we may expect God’s approval, but not man’s. When Jesus was here, simply revealing that very fact among men, going in and out among them as one that serves, they did not approve of his way. They said he was beside himself. They saw wonderful works, but because they could not estimate him on their basis, they would not accept him, and so rejected him. But on the day of Pentecost,7 Peter stood up, and, as recorded in Acts 2:22, said, “Ye men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know.” In spite of their disapproval, he was approved of God. That was Jesus himself. It is not to be expected, then, that those who really follow him, who reveal his character, will be approved of the world. The servant is not greater than his lord. When those who were in authority commanded him to be led forth to execution, and when the soldiers carried out the bidding of Pilate, it did not look as though he were a king; but there was no day in all his experience on earth when his kingship shone forth more clearly than on that day. That was the day that he resisted not; it was the day when, suffering on the cross, he said, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” It was that day when he told those who were sympathizing with him and weeping for him, not to do so, but to save their tears for themselves and their children. And it is a curious fact to note that of all the people who were there, only one recognized that he was a king. Even those who had seen his wonderful works forsook him and fled. But the one who did recognize him was the thief who hung on another cross by his side; for he said, “Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.” He believed that day, even under those adverse circumstances, that Jesus had a kingdom, while those who were in the place of leadership, as teachers of the people, were the very ones to urge Pilate to put him to death. The tests of this kingship are very simple. With most of us the throne is simply in our own homes; and he who in the relationship of the home, in the daily and ordinary duties of life, and in the common things that come up, and usually in the simplest things, can show that he is king over himself, whose words are words of wisdom, and who makes it clear that his purpose is simply to serve and help others, is revealing the character of a king; he is priest to minister to others. You see from the very nature of the religion of Jesus Christ, when one knows what it is, and experiences it for himself, he will be a minister. He cannot see any one in need without feeling a desire to help him. Christian Help work, missionary work, is not something that has to be tacked on to a religious experience as being a thing that a Christian ought to do, and therefore must do; but it is the very life, the essence of it. It is the thing itself. He does it because he is a king and priest, and he is king and priest because he has been washed from his sins. In the Revised Version, in Rev. 1:5 the word “washed” is rendered “loosed;” so it reads that he is loosed from his sin, by the blood of Christ. Loosing implied bondage; as when Christ said of the woman bound, “Ought not this woman . . . be loosed from this bond?” To be loosed from sin is to be loosed from bondage. “Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” He who is born again, becomes a child of God, and then by submitting to that life, his life will be described by the ten commandments. God says to every one who accepts his life, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” That is natural; for when he submits to God wholly, he will have no other gods before him, and thus this command becomes a promise. So with all the commandments. And when we know this for ourselves, it will be but a statement of fact, “Here are they that keep the commandments of God.” And when this can be said of a people brought out from every people, nation, and tongue, “Here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus,” then the Lord will come. For the next thing noted in the record after it is stated that a people stood there who kept the commandments of God, was that John saw a white cloud, and on the cloud sat the Son of man. Then the gospel preparation for the coming of the Lord is that we shall be made kings and priests unto God, by being loosed from the bondage of sin; and when we occupy the place of kings, and are priests because we are kings, we shall minister. Such as we have we shall give to others; just as Peter did at the Gate Beautiful. When the man asked alms, he said, “Such as I have give I thee.” Then to sum the matter up, we see that we are made to be kings and priests that we may serve, and this will reveal itself in our everyday life, in the little things, the most commonplace ways; it will reveal itself in service, in ministering, in that self-control, that power that controls the temper and the tongue, and every high thing that would exalt itself against God, and brings every thought into complete captivity to the obedience of Christ. “Art thou a king?” Collection for Christiania Next Sabbath, July 5
Do not be one of the indifferent ones who leave others to do their share in the collection for Christiania next Sabbath, July 5. THE failure of religion, as expressed in the prevailing denominational systems of the present day, to satisfy the wants of the masses of the common laboring people, especially the laboring men, is a fact of which frequent evidence is given at this time. It is now reported that workingmen in the natural gas region of Indiana, not content with merely expressing their want of sympathy with the modern popular church by keeping away from it, are ready to go further and organize a church for themselves, which will, as they believe, meet the requirements of their circumstances. A press telegram dated at Indianapolis says:— Organized labor in the natural gas belt, Marion, Grant County, where many factories have been established, has divorced itself entirely from denominational churches, and is preparing to build a church of its own, from which the rich will be excluded, and whose membership will be limited to organized workingmen and their sympathizers. It is proposed to pay the pastor and all the running expenses of the church by assessments upon the unions, and thus make it free in the broadest possible sense of the word. One of the projectors of the movement said to-day that the churches offer no inducements to the laboring classes to become regular attendants, and this fact has led to the labor-church experiment. Buddhism Seeks State Recognition in Japan
By L. A. S.
In the Missionary Review of the World we note the following concerning state religion in Japan:— Much interest has been aroused in efforts of Buddhism to obtain governmental recognition in Japan. By its contact with Christianity, Buddhism has been aroused from its lethargy, and has resumed somewhat of its activity as a missionary religion, even projecting a propaganda in America. Its renewed activity, which is evidently a conscious or unconscious struggle for very existence in view of the spread of Christianity on the one hand and atheism on the other, has been directed to an agitation in the Japanese Parliament looking toward the “establishment” of Buddhism as a state religion. The adoption of any such measure by the Japanese government would do much to destroy the confidence of other nations in Japan as a progressive, civilized power. The zealous “church party” has met with a decided setback in the refusal of Abbot Shaku Shoyen to indorse the movement. That Buddhist dignitary is held in the highest esteem, and his opinion will carry great weight. He remarks very pointedly that a religion that needs the support of law is so weak and worthless that it does not deserve to live. If the Buddhists are to propagate their faith, it must be by the purity of their lives, and not by the aid of the law. It is very true, as the Buddhist who is here quoted observes, that “a religion that needs the support of law is so weak and worthless that it does not deserve to live;” and this is just as true when spoken of the religion of the Anglo-Saxon as when spoken of Buddhism. It is just as true as applied to that religion which demands state aid in securing the recognition of its holy day—Sunday—here in the United States, as it is true of a heathen religion of the Orient. That religion which seeks the support of law “is so weak and worthless that it does not deserve to live.” The true religion—Christianity—is as indestructible as God himself. L. A. S. WHAT can it mean? Is it aught to Him
That the nights are long, and the days are dim?
Can he be touched with the grief I bear
Which saddens the heart and whitens the hair?
About his throne are eternal calms,
And the strong, glad music of happy psalms,
And bliss unruffled by any strife;
How can he care for my little life? And yet I want him to care for me
While I live in this world where sorrows be.
When the lights die down from the paths I take,
When strength is feeble, and friends forsake,
When love and music that once did bless
Have left me to silence and loneliness,
And my life-song changes to sobbing prayers,
Then my heart cries out for a God who cares. When shadows hang over the whole long day,
And my spirit is bowed with shame and wrong,
When I am not good, and the deeper shade
Of conscious sin makes my heart afraid,
And this busy world has too much to do
To stay its course to help me through,
And I long for a Saviour, can it be
That the God of the universe cares for me? O wonderful story of deathless love!
Each child is dear to that Heart above.
He fights for me when I cannot fight,
He comforts me in the gloom of night,
He lifts the burden, for he is strong;
He stills the sigh, and awakes the song;
The sorrow that bows me down he shares,
And loves and pardons because he cares. Let all who are sad take heart again;
We are not alone in our hours of pain;
Our Father stoops from his throne above,
To soothe and quiet us with his love;
He leaves us not when the storm is high;
And we have safety, for he is nigh;
Can it be trouble that he doth share?
O, rest in peace, for the Lord will care! God's Interest in His Institutions
By Ellen G. White
At various times the condition of our people has been laid open before me. They are in need of the converting power of God. The Lord is looking upon them with disapproval; for many have lost their first love. We are now reorganizing, and we need much of the help of the Lord. Those in responsible places must stand where God can use them. On this earth we are to do God's work, and into this work we are to bring the order of heaven. All that is done is to be after the divine similitude. Self is to be put out of sight. We have been bought with a price, even the precious blood of the Son of God. All that we have belongs to God, and is to be used in the Master's service. All that we have and are is to be consecrated to him. Then will Christ be glorified. Then will his prayers for his followers be answered. They will be one with him and with one another, and the world will see that God did indeed send his Son into the world. Human instrumentalities are the Lord's helping hand. God expects men and women to work for him to the limit of their ability. Each is to strive to accomplish his God-given work. None are at liberty to turn from conformity to the will of God in order to follow their own desires. Even the thoughts are to be brought into captivity to the will of Christ. Not that man can, in his own strength, conform to the mind of God. But he can place himself where the Spirit can guide and control him. “We are laborers together with God.” In his service divine and human agencies are to co-operate. By the partnership of God and man, the work of warning the world is to be carried to completion. Without the Lord's co-operation, we can gain no success. Without his aid, the efforts of human labor, human science, are worthless. All true knowledge comes from him. When man accomplishes anything good, it is because he co-operates with his Maker. God is to be brought into every pursuit of life. With every enterprise he is concerned. But he is especially interested in the various branches of his work, and in the institutions consecrated to their advancement. The offices of publication, by means of which the truth is to be given to the world, are sacred to his service. The sanitariums are his helping hand. Their work—the restoration of the sick to health, and the relief of suffering—is the work for this time. Our schools, where children and youth are to be trained for God, are an important part of his great plan. There are to be no walls of partition between the different lines of work. This work is to be carried forward without division. In God's cause there are to be no territorial lines. Our schools are to be regarded as a part of his great plan. Our sanitariums also are to be thus regarded. Medical work is to be sacredly cherished and carefully conducted. It is as the right hand of the body, and is to open doors for the entrance of truth. No line of work is to be pushed forward to the hindrance of another line. In some ways our sanitariums have more advantages than our schools. This is to be considered in the plans laid for the work. Every effort is to be made to place the schools where they will be self-supporting. Their interests are to be carefully guarded. They are to be placed on a high spiritual plane. Nothing is to be done to rob them of the advantages they should have. This would be selfishness, and will never bear the Lord's indorsement. Our publishing houses should make more of an effort to help our schools than they have done in the past. The Lord will not excuse any effort to cripple the educational work. This work is second to none in importance. God's desire is that it shall be given the advantage of every facility that can be used for its advancement. God is no respecter of persons. Those that honor him he will honor. Of those who obey his commandments it is written, “Ye are complete in him.” They co-operate with him in the work of soul saving. God says to them, “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And of some have compassion, making a difference: and others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.” Every Act Is to Bear Heaven's Impress
In order to be successful in the service of God, man must be guided by the Holy Spirit. Christ declares, “Without me ye can do nothing.” And the one who refuses to unite with Christ, the one who exchanges the pure principles of heaven for the corrupting principles of the world, thus searing his conscience, might better be separated from the work that is to represent in this world God's justice, mercy, truth, and holiness. All that God's servants do is to advance the work of soul saving. All that is done in our institutions is to bear the impress of heaven. The policy followed by the Lord's workers is to be in marked contrast with the policy followed by worldlings. Those who are brought in contact with our institutions are to see distinctly the difference between the righteousness of Bible principles and the ungodliness of worldly principles. Divine agencies are constantly working to counteract the human purposes and plans that are not in harmony with the purposes and plans of Jehovah. No worldly policy is to be brought into God's work. It is his design that his work shall be done by men who realize the broadness of his law and the greatness of his love, men who jealously guard their words and actions, lest they shall fail of doing his work exactly in his way. When men grow careless, the history of their past failures is repeated, greatly to the hindrance of the work the Lord desires to accomplish. If those handling sacred things in connection with God's cause are not more spiritual minded, more sensitive to his claims, more determined to carry out his plans in harmony with his high standard, regardless of human policy, he will overturn and overturn. After test and trial, he will remove those who are not spiritualized, whose words and works do not harmonize with his will. The Gospel of the Kingdom
By Ellet Joseph Waggoner
CHRIST himself is the embodiment, the personification, of the kingdom of God. The gospel, or good news of the kingdom, is the demonstration of all the power of God in human flesh. Men are to be taught that the Spirit is stronger than the flesh, and can rule it; that the flesh of weak, sinful men, even in what are supposed to be the most debased savage races of the earth, can be used to show forth the mighty works of God. And this will be the case with every one who completely recognizes the fact that he has but one debt; namely, that he owes himself to God, and thus to the world, since God lives for the benefit of his creation. The debt that we owe to the world is love, and “God is love.” Therefore we owe it to the world—to all our fellow men—to allow God to reveal himself to them in us. We owe it to every one to cease holding down the truth in unrighteousness, so that all that may be known of God may be manifest in us. There is altogether too low a conception in the world of what a man ought to be. The standard of manhood is too low. The possibilities that are wrapped up in the human body are not grasped; but there are men now in the world who will allow God to use them to demonstrate that with him nothing is impossible. Who will be one of them? The men who will compose this glorious band will not be making excuses for not obeying God’s law either in letter or in spirit. The righteousness of the law—every commandment to the full—will be fulfilled in them; for love, the manifestation of God, is the fulfilling of the law. “Love worketh no ill to his neighbor;” but love must be at work; therefore love does good to his neighbor. Even so Christ “went about doing good.” In the kingdom of God, the Spirit rules; but “where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty” (2 Cor. 3:17); therefore the absolute reign of the Spirit means the complete freedom of the body from all “fleshly lusts, which war against the soul.” The desires of the flesh will be present in the flesh; but only the mind of the Spirit will be fulfilled. What a glorious thing it is that this gospel comes to us, and that all this freedom—the freedom of the universe—is for us if we are willing to pay the price; namely, the absolute, constant, and eternal surrender of ourselves to God. Comforting Assurances
By C. P. Whitford
2. How can we communicate with the Lord, and make known our burdens and cares? Phil. 4:6. 3. What is prayer?—It is the offering up of our desires unto God for things lawful and needful, with humble confidence that we shall obtain them through the mediation of Christ. It may be public or private, mental or vocal. Desire is the very essence of prayer. Prayer without desire is like an altar without a sacrifice. Prayer is a becoming acknowledgment of our Father's sufficiency. It includes asking, confessing, and rendering thanks. 4. Do you ever think that the Lord does not hear you when you pray? Do you think that he would hear you if you should get angry and profane his name? If you think that he hears you curse, but does not hear you pray, then it must be that you think he had rather hear cursing than praying. Else why should you think that he hears you curse, but does not hear you pray? But you know that such an idea as that would never do. You know that he would rather hear praying than cursing. Then please never think that God does not hear you when you pray. 5. How does David express his confidence in God to hear and answer prayer? Ps. 145: 18–20. 8. David committed a great sin; he deserved punishment. How does David speak of the character of God? Ps. 116: 5. “Gracious,” disposed to show mercy or love. “Merciful,” full of that disposition that leads the offended to treat the offender better than he deserves to be treated. 9. How does the prophet Micah speak of the character of God? Micah 7: 18. 10. Did God take pleasure in treating David better than he deserved to be treated? 2 Sam. 12: 13. 11. Did David confess his transgression unto the Lord? Ps. 32: 5. 14. Since faith is essential to the answer of prayer, what must be believed? Heb. 11: 6. 15. Can we manufacture faith? Can we by the exercise of our will make ourselves believe that God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him?—No; we cannot manufacture faith, since we have nothing but unbelief out of which to make it. After having put forth our best efforts to get faith by the exercise of our will power, we would still find ourselves destitute of it. 17. Is it according to his will that we ask for bread? Matt. 6: 11. 20. If we do not believe the Lord, of what are we guilty? 1 John 5: 10. 22. Then when the Lord asks us to keep the Sabbath, can we safely trust him to direct us in such a way that we may obtain a living? Ps. 37: 3. 25. What did faith in God's word lead David to do? Ps. 119: 60. No matter what the circumstances may be, the child of faith believes that “all things work together for good to them that love God.” Rom. 8: 28. As the sudden electric flash startles and awakens, so will the world be instantly summoned by the descent of the Saviour. We are fully forewarned of this fact, and of the unexpectedness thereof. “Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.” Luke 12:40. “For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” Matt. 24:27. The suddenness of such a solemn event should be to us an admonition to watch. May this thought be to us a savor of life unto life, and not of death unto death. “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.” Rom. 13:11, 12. Our blessed Lord, says one, ere he left this world, announced that he would “come again,” as the best news he had for true and loyal hearts. And so it is. And they alone are prospering Christians who can chime in with the concluding strain of Holy Writ, and, when the Master's voice is heard, “Surely I come quickly,” respond from the heart, “Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” The Lord himself shall come,
And shout the quickening word;
Thousands shall answer from the tomb,
“Forever with the Lord.” That resurrection word,
That shout of victory,
Resounds, “Forever with the Lord!”
Amen, so let it be! What preparation are we making for the coming of Christ? What expectation have we in it? How does it influence our daily lives? Does it stimulate us to holy activities? Are we filled with blissful hope that we shall be forever with the Lord?—Vanguard. Raising $30,000 to Clear Christiania Publishing Debt
We shall all rejoice together if we all unite to raise $30,000 next Sabbath to pay the balance of the Christiania Publishing House debt. Appeal for Donations to Christiania Mission
The Lord is moving upon his people to roll back the reproach of debt from his institutions. Let all respond heartily with a donation for Christiania next Sabbath, July 5. God Has Chosen You
By Judson A. Baker
The Lord has made every human being a free moral agent. He has a right to choose to live a life in harmony with God’s life, or to choose to do evil. There are two highways upon which all are traveling. One leads to life everlasting, and the other leads to eternal death. The Lord says, “Choose you this day whom ye will serve.” Although we have the blessed privilege of choosing, it is also true that while we were sinners, the Lord was seeking to save us. “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” Rev. 3: 20. Not only does he call the sinner who makes no profession of Christianity to turn and serve him, but he also calls for his professed followers to make a complete surrender, and connect closer with their source of strength. God has a special work for his people to do, and he will give his chosen ones strength to proclaim his truth with power. Jesus says, “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit.” John 15: 16. In the past the Lord has done just what he said he would do, and he will verify his promises to-day to all who will believe. There is a world lying in wickedness, not knowing that the Lord is soon coming, nor how they should live to be ready to meet him in peace. The call of the Lord at this time is, “Son, go work to-day in my vineyard.” We cannot long excuse ourselves by saying, “No man hath hired us.” “Intelligent, persevering efforts rightly directed will produce results.” God says of his word, “It shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” Isa. 55: 11. Is not God calling every one to work for him at this time? All cannot do the same work, but all can be witnesses for Jesus. Soon the world will be warned, and the subjects of God’s everlasting kingdom will be made up. What a blessed privilege it is to be chosen of God to do a work for him. “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2: 9. Thy Stewardship
By Maltbie Davenport Babcock
PROPERTY is a divine trust. Things are tools, not prizes. Life is not for self-indulgence, but for self-devotion. When, instead of saying, “The world owes me a living,” men shall say, “I owe the world a life,” then the kingdom shall come in power. We owe everything to God but our sins. Fatherland, pedigree, home-life, schooling, Christian training; — all are God’s gifts. Every member of the body or faculty of mind is ours providentially. There is no accomplishment in our lives that is not rooted in opportunities and powers we had nothing to do with in achieving. “What hast thou that thou didst not receive?” If God gives us the possibilities and the power to get wealth, to acquire influence, to be forces in the world, what is the true conception of life but divine ownership and human administration? “Of thine own we render thee.” All there is of “me” is God’s estate, and I am his tenant and agent. On the day of our birth a new lease is signed. On the day of our death accounts are closed. Our fidelity is the interest on God’s principal. “That I may receive mine own with interest,” is the divine intention. So live that when thy summons comes to give an account of thy stewardship, it may be done with joy, and not with grief.— Maltbie Davenport Babcock, D. D. Appeal to Finish Christiania Publishing House Collection
We hope we may not be obliged to call for another collection in behalf of the Christiania Publishing House. Let us finish the work next Sabbath, July 5. A COMPLETE answer to anyone who is so perverse that, in the face of the plain statement of Christ that he did not come to destroy the law, he will say that Christ fulfills the law by abolishing it, is found in the words of the text, “He will magnify the law, and make it honorable.” What honor can anyone give to Christ, and in what sort of esteem does he hold his work, who says that Christ destroys that which is honorable, and holy, and just, and good? “But he fulfilled the law,” says one. That is exactly what he did. What then?—“O, then we do not need to do it; since he fulfilled it, we can have nothing to do with it.” Indeed, that sounds very strange from the lips of one who professes to love the Lord Jesus. It is very easy to understand how one who says, “We will not have this Man to reign over us,” can say, “We do not wish to have anything to do with anything that he is connected with.” But why should a Christian desire to be separated from that which finds its fullness in Christ? “But we are not under the law.” No, indeed, thank the Lord for that. And why are we not under it?—Because we walk in it. Have you forgotten that the message of comfort prepares the way of the Lord? and that the undefiled in the way are those who walk in the law of the Lord? Ps. 119: 1-3. We are delivered from the law, which condemned us to death for our transgression, that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter. Rom. 7: 4-6. And this is done by the body of Christ, in whom the law finds its perfect fulfillment. When we are joined to Christ in perfection, then the same fullness of the law will be found in us. The curse of the law is not to them that do it, but upon them that do not continue in all things that are written in it. Gal. 3: 10-13. Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law; that is, he has redeemed us from disobedience, unto perfect obedience.—Present Truth. Grieving Is Folly: Recall Thy Mercies
“GRIEVING is at best a folly, Oftentimes it is a sin; O, recall thy numerous mercies, And a song of praise begin!” Christiania Publishing House Collection Next Sabbath
THE collection next Sabbath will be in behalf of the Christiania Publishing House. The balance of the debt to be paid is $30,000. Christ Our Righteousness
By Catherine Booth
A MODERN representation of the Christ is that of a substitutionary Saviour, not in the sense of atonement merely, but in the way of obedience. This Christ is held up as embodying in himself the sum and substance of the sinner’s salvation, needing only to be believed in—that is, accepted by the mind as the atoning sacrifice, and trusted in as securing for the sinner all the benefits involved in his death—without respect to any inwrought change in the sinner himself. This Christ is held up as a justification and protection in sin, not as a deliverer from sin. Men and women are assured that no harm can overtake them if they believe in this Christ, whatever may be the state of their hearts, or however they may in their actions outrage the laws of righteousness and truth. In other words, men are taught that Christ obeyed the law for them, not only as necessary to the efficacy of his atonement as their justification, but that he has placed his obedience in the stead of, or as a substitution for, the sinner’s own obedience or sanctification; which in effect, is like saying, “Though you may be untrue, Christ is your truth; though you may be unclean, Christ is your chastity; though you may be dishonest, Christ is your honesty; though you may be insincere, Christ is your sincerity. And hence you have nothing to fear.” The Christ of God never undertook to perform any such offices for his people, but he did undertake to make them “new creatures.” He never undertook to be true instead of me, but to make me true to the very core of my soul. He never undertook to make me pass for pure, either to God or man, but to enable me to be pure. He never undertook to make me pass for honest or sincere, but to renew me in the spirit of my mind so that I could not help but be both, as the result of the operation of his Spirit within me. He never undertook to love God instead of my doing so with all my heart and mind and soul and strength, but he came on purpose to empower and inspire me to do this. The idea of a substitutionary Christ, accepted as an outward covering or refuge, instead of “the power of an endless life,” is a cheat of the devil, and has been the ruin of thousands of souls. . . . Let me ask you, What sort of a Christ is yours? Have you a Christ who saves you, who renews your heart, who enables you to live in obedience to God? or are you looking to this outside and imaginary Christ to do your obeying for you? — Catherine Booth. The Lesson
By Mrs. H. I. Farnum
“DAY unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge. There is no speech, nor language, where their voice is not heard. Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.” Ps. 19: 2-4. In lavish vestments, without lack,
The hills and forest rise;
And winging warblers echo back
The airs of paradise! Now faith, arousing, roams afar
In realms untouched by blight,
Grasping in yonder morning star
A pledge of life and light. While yearly miracle is wrought,
Reviving withered bowers,
Humanity, endowed with thought,
Reads sky, and leaf, and flowers, With bright assurance speaking there
That God is ruling still;
So shall his purpose and his care
Extinguish every ill. Rebellion that was cast from heaven
When arch-deceiver fell,
To conquer in the flesh was given
The Christ, Immanuel. Concomitants of evil brought
Decay,— the fading leaf,
The transient life, with pain inwrought,
The grave, the parting grief. This veil that darkens every land
Will surely be removed
By fiat spoken, gentle, grand,
Unfailing — “God so loved.” Thus he who formed will fully do
The work the “fallen” stayed;
Perennial beauty bloom anew
O’er all that God has made. Earth kingdoms, quaking, breaking up,
Glad herald of a spring
When, from the lonesome, dusty tomb,
Our dead “awake and sing.”