Earlier text: GUIDANCE OF NATUREBIBLE ANSWERS TO BIBLE QUESTIONS CONCERNING MAN.—NO. 7.
THE last question which we shall notice in this connection is that one which was put by Peter to the Lord Jesus: "Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?" To this question the Lord gave two answers. The first one was to the twelve direct, and concerned them alone: "Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel." The other answer is to all people: "And everyone that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundred-fold," "now in this time, . . . and in the world to come eternal life." Matt. 19:27-29; Mark 10:30. Eternal life is that which they shall have who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16. "And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." 1 John 5:11, 12. With eternal life to those who believe on the Son of God, there is also given eternal glory. "The God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered awhile, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you." 1 Pet. 5:10. "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." Rom. 8:18. "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." 2 Cor. 4:17. They shall stand in the presence of the throne of God and of his glory. "I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; and cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb." Rev. 7:9, 10. "Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever." Jude 24, 25. Of some other of the glories of the reward which shall be to those who have left all and followed Christ, we will let another tell, in tones that charm as though attuned to the symphonies of the other world:—8 "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away.' The fire that consumes the wicked purifies the earth. Every trace of the curse is swept away. No eternally burning hell will keep before the ransomed the fearful consequences of sin. One reminder alone remains: our Redeemer will ever bear the marks of his crucifixion. Upon his wounded head, his hands and feet, are the only traces of the cruel work that sin has wrought. "O Tower of the flock, the stronghold of the daughter of Zion, unto thee shall it come, even the first dominion.' The kingdom forfeited by sin, Christ has regained, and the redeemed are to possess it with him. 'The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein forever.' A fear of making the saints' inheritance seem too material has led many to spiritualize away the very truths which lead us to look upon the new earth as our home. Christ assured his disciples that he went to prepare mansions for them. Those who accept the teachings of God's word will not be wholly ignorant concerning the heavenly abode. And yet the apostle Paul declares: 'Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.' Human language is inadequate to describe the reward of the righteous. It will be known only to those who behold it. No finite mind can comprehend the glory of the Paradise of God. "In the Bible the inheritance of the saved is called a country. There the great Shepherd leads his flock to fountains of living waters. The tree of life yields its fruit every month, and the leaves of the tree are for the service of the nations. There are overflowing streams, clear as crystal, and beside them waving trees cast their shadows upon the paths prepared for the ransomed of the Lord. There the wide-spreading plains swell into hills of beauty, and the mountains of God rear their lofty summits. On those peaceful plains, beside those living streams, God's people, so long pilgrims and wanderers, shall find a home. "There is the New Jerusalem, 'having the glory of God,' her light 'like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal.' Saith the Lord: 'I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people.' 'The tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain; for the former things are passed away.' "In the city of God 'there shall be no night.' None will need or desire repose. There will be no weariness in doing the will of God and offering praise to his name. We shall ever feel the freshness of the morning, and shall ever be far from its close. 'And they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light.' The light of the sun will be superseded by a radiance which is not painfully dazzling; yet which immeasurably surpasses the brightness of our noontide. The glory of God and the Lamb floods the holy city with unfading light. The redeemed walk in the sunless glory of perpetual day. “I saw no temple therein; for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.” The people of God are privileged to hold open communion with the Father and the Son. Now we ‘see through a glass, darkly.’ We behold the image of God reflected, as in a mirror, in the works of nature and in his dealings with men; but then we shall see him face to face, without a dimming vail between. We shall stand in his presence, and gaze upon the glory of his countenance. “There, immortal minds will study with never-failing delight the wonders of creative power, the mysteries of redeeming love. There is no cruel, deceiving foe to tempt to forgetfulness of God. Every faculty will be developed, every capacity increased. The acquisition of knowledge will not weary the mind or exhaust the energies. There the grandest enterprises may be carried forward, the loftiest aspirations reached, the highest ambitions realized; and still there will arise new heights to surmount, new wonders to admire, new truths to comprehend, fresh objects to call forth the powers of mind and soul and body. “And as the years of eternity roll, they will bring richer and more glorious revelations of God and of Christ. As knowledge is progressive, so will love, reverence, and happiness increase. The more men learn of God, the greater will be their admiration of his character. As Jesus opens before them the riches of redemption, and the amazing achievements in the great controversy with Satan, the hearts of the ransomed beat with a stronger devotion, and they sweep the harps of gold with a firmer hand; and ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands of voices unite to swell the mighty chorus of praise. “And every creature which is in Heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever.”—Mrs. E. G. White, in Great Controversy, Vol. IV. A SCRAP OF HISTORY.
By Alonzo T. Jones
In the Congregationalist of December 9, 1886, the Rev. Wolcott Calkins, D. D., says:— "I came across a curious scrap of history one day last summer, when I was searching for something else, in a library at Paris. It was the record of a trial in the south of France, in 1794 or 1795, for breaking the law of the Republic enforcing rest from work on the tenth day. A blacksmith was fined by the court for continuing his work on the day of rest. The revolution which had suppressed church, Sabbath, and 'all the rest of the superstitions,' had attempted to provide and enforce a substitute for the Christian sabbath." Just now, when all over our land there is a loud and persistent cry for laws to enforce a substitute for the Sabbath of the Lord, this is an interesting piece of history. The church of Rome had substituted the observance of Sunday for that of the Sabbath of the Lord. France in the revolution substituted the observance of every tenth day for that of Sunday. France had just as much right to enforce the observance of this tenth day as she or any other country, or the church of Rome or any other church, had to enforce the observance of Sunday. This tenth day was as much a Sabbath as Sunday was or is. And there was just as much right and justice in France's punishment of that blacksmith for working on the tenth day as there is in any of the States of the United States punishing people now for working on Sunday. If that case in France had been one wherein the punishment fell upon a man who had already kept Sunday, we have not the least doubt that all those in our country who demand Sunday laws would count it injustice and oppression, if not persecution. And yet throughout the United States the demand is being made by which all who keep the Sabbath of the Lord shall be compelled to keep Sunday also; and in certain States which now have Sunday laws, those who keep the Sabbath of the Lord have been, and are being, fined and imprisoned and cruelly treated because they have by downright spies been detected in some trifling act that could be construed into a degree of work that could be touched by the law. The people of Arkansas and Tennessee can very properly stop their mouths at mention of the French Revolution. J. SPEAKING of Romanism in Canada, the New York Observer says: "No change of clime or climate makes Romanism a healthy or desirable element in any country. It is a curse in the United States, and only a worse curse in Canada, because it has a stronger hold in the latter country." MORALITY OF THE TEN COMMANDMENTS.
By John Harvey Waggoner
SOME read the text, “Love is the fulfilling of the law,” as if it said, Love is a substitute for the law. But it does not read so. Obedience to God is the sole test and proof of love to God. That is but shallow love—rather a mockery of love—to God, which seeks its own benefit, merely. But this is the kind of love which too many show, who find nothing in the Bible but simply a provision for their salvation, or, more nearly, their gratification, without regard to the claims of God’s law upon them. They see little or no necessity for any vindication of the justice of the divine Government in the maintenance of the law. This is an error into which the “perfectionists” naturally run. Its end is antinomianism—a disparagement of all law. It is a religion of the emotions alone. Its only use for the gospel is the service of self. But true Christian love is more than an arousing of the emotions. It is a deep and fixed principle controlling the actions of the life, bringing all the powers of the mind and heart into entire subjection to the revealed will of God. It is the very opposite of the carnal mind, which is “enmity against God, for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.” That which depreciates the law because it is the law—because it is legal—and considers that the law has too great restraining power to suit its ideas of Christian liberty, is nothing but carnality. They who possess this kind of religion profess a very exalted state of Christian knowledge and experience. And this shows the strength of what Andrew Fuller very truthfully styled “this antinomian delusion.” It is self-deception of the most dangerous type. It gradually undermines the authority of all revelation, and makes the experience of the individual the sole test of truth, and his feelings the sole index of duty. We have found the most remarkable instances of this self-deception among the “Free Methodists” and the “United Brethren;” while the so-called “Holiness Bands” are wholly given over to it, though scarcely any denomination is free from it now, as prejudice against, and opposition to, the law, is everywhere increasing. It is the prevalence of this superficial religion, this subordination of duty to feeling, this preference of benefit to self to the glory of God, that has caused so large a rejection of the Bible doctrine of the atonement. That which is denominated “the moral view”—an atonement as affecting man only—is much more nearly the immoral view, in that it does not uphold justice, or bring back rebellious man to subjection to the broken law. Self-will and self-glorification are its sum and substance. “Love is the fulfilling of the law.” Let us briefly notice the connection of these words (Rom. 13:8-10): “Owe no man anything; but to love one another; for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.” That is, the law requires that, instead of doing injury to your neighbor in any of his interests or relations, you shall do him only good. And he that loves his neighbor cannot do him injury, but will do him all the good he can. Therefore, he who loves another only fulfills the requirement of the law. If the other view be taken, that love, but not obedience to the law, is required, then we should have the singular and absurd rule of duty, namely, that we may injure our neighbor in all his relations, of life, chastity, property, and reputation, if we only love him! Can anyone accept so great an absurdity as this? By no means. Hence the view we present is the true and reasonable one, namely, that the law defines our duty to our neighbor, but we can never fulfill its requirements unless we love our neighbor. And all profession of love without doing that which the law defines to be duty, is a pretense and a deception. The text specifies in duty as follows:— “For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.” The fifth commandment is not mentioned. What a splendid opportunity is here presented for the antinomian to claim that it is not wrong to dishonor parents, because Paul in re-affirming the commandments to the Gentiles, which forbid wrongs against our social relations, did not mention it! If such a chance were offered in relation to the Sabbath, how eagerly it would be seized upon, and heralded to the ends of the earth as a death-blow to Sabbatarianism! Yet there is no occasion here for antinomian rejoicing. The apostle includes all the commandments of that nature in this word: “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” No one who truly loves as here required, will dishonor his parents, more than he will injure any one in his property or reputation. How senseless, then, is the cavil which has been based upon this text, namely, that the Sabbath is not binding because Paul did not mention it in this enumeration of duties! The truth, evident to every reader, is, that Paul did not specify all the duties in our social relations, but included them in a summary which had been before mentioned in both Testaments. And he was speaking only of our duty to one another, to our neighbor, not at all referring to the precept, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart.” On the precept, love thy neighbor, every duty to mankind depends, or is included in it. So on the precept, love God, every duty to God is included. Or, as the Saviour shows, “all the law” is contained in these two. And as the duty to care for the honor of our parents is included in the second table, though not mentioned in Rom. 13, so the duty to keep the Sabbath is included in the requirement to love God, for it is a part of the law; and “all the law” is contained therein. Love is the spring of obedience, and obedience is the proof of love. They are positively inseparable. “God is love.” That holy law which emanated from God is a law of love. It lives only in the atmosphere of love; love to God, and love to our neighbor. In the light of its revelation of duty, “God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” It is that word of God which is “quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Heb. 4:12. CHRISTMAS OFFERINGS AT SOUTH LANCASTER, MASS.
By Stephen N. Haskell
SUNDAY, December 26, was a good day for the church in South Lancaster. In harmony with the recommendations of the General Conference Committee, this time was appointed for the contribution of Christmas offerings to the various objects set before our people during the holidays. The general meeting of the New England Conference, which convened on the 24th, had called in many of the brethren and sisters from all parts of the Conference. During the Sabbath a general interest was manifested in the words spoken. The appeal for that day was read in the morning service, and in the afternoon a missionary sermon was preached, after which envelopes for the Christmas offerings were distributed. At the close of the Sabbath, after the house was vacated, it was taken possession of by a committee appointed to prepare it for the services on the morrow. Nine o'clock Sunday morning saw the building well filled with resident and visiting brethren, and on entering a pleasing scene greeted the eyes, as willing hearts and ready fingers had been busily employed in arranging decorations fitting the occasion. Over the pulpit was a large arch bearing the words of Christ, "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." Above this arch, expressed by the aid of a gilded cross and crown, was the sentiment, "No cross, no crown;" while suspended below in the form of a triangle were the words, "European, South African, and Australian Missions." In deep frames beneath this were two miniature ships, emblematic of the vessels which are to carry our men and means to these foreign fields, or perhaps to direct our minds to the time when it may be in the providence of God that missionary ships shall be manned by our people, and, freighted with the printed truths of God's word, shall be enlisted solely in the service of Him of whom it is said, "The isles shall wait for his law." Then truly it can be said:—25 "The breath of God is in her sail, Her rudder in his hand." Tastefully arranged upon the walls were appropriate mottoes, as: "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;" "I will pay the vows which my lips have uttered;" "Honor the Lord with thy substance;" "The earth is the Lord's;" "Bring ye the tithes into the storehouse;" "I will surely give a tenth unto thee;" "The tithe is the Lord's." While expressive of one object of the donations were the mottoes: "Remember them in bonds as bound with them," and, "For ye had compassion of me in my bonds and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in Heaven a better and an enduring substance." Services opened by singing, "Bringing in the Sheaves;" and, following prayer, remarks were made upon 1 Chron. 29—an occasion when David and the people praised God that they were able to contribute so freely of their substance to the building of the temple. Elder B. L. Whitney, of the Central European Mission, mentioned, as illustrative of the opening providence of God, a call from the Argentine Republic, South America, by Sabbath-keepers who have accepted the truth through reading matter, and wish a minister sent them who can speak in the French language. They promise to support such an one; but there is no one to send. Another incident was related of a young man who has accepted the truth and steadfastly adhered to it amidst bitter opposition, and who now wishes to renounce a fairly lucrative position to work in the cause; but because of the straitened circumstances of the foreign missions, they had felt unable to employ him. An earnest plea for prayers and co-operation in behalf of his people was made by a young French brother of Canada, followed by remarks upon the Scandinavian work by a Swedish brother who has recently accepted the truth in Boston. The earnest and heartfelt words of these two brethren, spoken in earnest, though broken English, appealed to our sympathies, and the many moist eyes in the congregation showed that the melting Spirit of God was there, and those present could but rejoice that they were permitted to have a part in contributing to the advancement of the truth among those of other nationalities. Envelopes for contributions had previously been distributed, but during these remarks, some, whose hearts were touched, broke the seals and added further donations, or else called for other envelopes. Professor Ramsey spoke in behalf of the school, stating that quite a per cent. of the students were studying with the idea of directly engaging in the work. After the song, "Give to the Lord," the congregation passed up the aisle and deposited their envelopes in a paper ship. While a short sermon was being preached, a committee counted the precious cargo, and announced as the result, $824.57 in cash, and two rings, one a wedding and the other an engagement ring. It was announced that the ship would not sail until the following week, so it is hoped that the sum will be raised to exceed a thousand dollars. In the afternoon a Bible-reading was held on the subject of "Praising God;" and a general praise meeting followed, in which the testimonies from many hearts responsive to the love of God, told of praise and thanksgiving to him. A colored brother touched the hearts of all by his feeling testimony of gratitude to God that the truth which he loved was being carried to his people. It was truly a praise meeting, to which the melting Spirit of God bore witness, and we could but look forward to the time when the nations of them that are saved, shall with one voice praise God before his throne. This was a day long to be remembered in the New England Conference, and we trust its influence will not soon be lost to us, or to those who may rejoice to know how God has blessed his people here. We can truly say that God has met with us, and we trust will continue with us. The meetings will continue until January 3, and classes will be organized for instruction in the various phases of the missionary work. Special attention will be given to the Sabbath-school work, and to the matter of instructing in methods by which the churches themselves can carry on a missionary work with their friends and neighbors in a systematic manner. S. N. H. South Lancaster, Mass., Dec. 27, 1886. CITIES AND PEOPLE OF NEW ZEALAND.
By Stephen N. Haskell
THE health of the inhabitants and the age of the country have led the people of England to plan convenience rather than present necessity in building. And as their nation has stood for hundreds of years, they live, plan, and build for generations to come rather than for present looks. America is, in comparison, like Jonah's gourd, grown up in a night, and present needs and present appearances are studied rather than durability. The cities of New Zealand are in some respects like those of America, but the English retain their own manner of carrying on business. The cities are usually well laid out in streets, sixty-six feet wide, and built a few miles inland, much as London lies on the river Thames. Auckland and Wellington are exceptions to the general rule, as they are directly on the coast. And these two cities especially resemble American cities built in a hurry. The country in the rear of Wellington is very mountainous, and the city lies on a wedge of rolling or hilly land between the mountains and the bay, which is as completely land-locked as could be imagined; and though they frequently have high winds at this place, it is seldom that any damage is done in the harbor. Many of the streets of this city are narrow, and wind around the hills upon which the city is built, and the houses present a picturesque appearance nestled snugly among the trees in the coves of the hills, while the main body of the city is upon the sea-shore. Wellington is the capital of New Zealand, and like the city of Tyre, its business is shipping. The queen's wharf extends quite a distance out into the bay, and there is scarcely a day but what a large number of vessels can be seen, lying at anchor, unloading, or waiting for cargoes. Wellington is said to contain the largest wooden building in the world. This building contains a thousand rooms. Until recently they were not permitted to build with brick or stone on account of the earthquakes, but there are now large brick blocks, as elegant and handsome as are seen in the cities of America. Auckland is a greater shipping port than Wellington, and the people seem to have more enterprise. From this point a line of regular trading vessels run to all parts of the Pacific Ocean, as well as to the old country, and there is no better point in New Zealand from which to send the truth to the islands of the Pacific Ocean than Auckland. The mail for many islands which lie nearer the United States than New Zealand is sent to Auckland, as from this city steamers and sailing vessels visit these islands regularly. These are mostly trading vessels, which bring from the islands the tropical fruits, and carry to them from the colonies the various things which they need. This part of New Zealand is hilly, and the city is built on hills. There are lines of horse and cable-cars in both Auckland and Wellington, and from them steam-cars run to other parts of the island. The cities with their suburbs, which are municipalities themselves, contain about forty-five thousand inhabitants each. Dunedin is another shipping point, but the harbor is Port Chalmers, situated eight miles from the city, and connected with it by a railroad. The bay also extends up to the city. This is the headquarters for the New Zealand Steamship Company, which runs a regular line of steamers to Melbourne, and also around the islands of New Zealand. Dunedin, like most New Zealand cities, is well laid out, and horse-cars traverse the various parts of the city; cable-cars are also employed as a means of conveyance over the hills. The scenery in this locality is the most beautiful that we ever saw. To look down upon the bay, and see the many boats and steamships, and then across upon the hills bounding the south side of the bay, where there are plantations varying in size from two to ten acres, surrounded by evergreen trees, is a picturesque sight indeed. This city is said to have a population of about forty thousand people. Beside Wellington, Auckland, and Dunedin, which are the largest cities of New Zealand, there are a great many smaller cities, varying in size from two to ten thousand inhabitants each. The entire colony numbered in 1850, 26,000; in 1860, 99,000; 1870, 256,000; 1878, 414,412; showing that the population has been doubled each decade. The statistics of 1880 we have not seen, but the general estimate is that there are over half a million. Of the 414,412 persons in the colony, March, 1878, it was found that 108,195 were born in England and Wales; 49,949 in Scotland; 43,758 in Ireland; 16,091 in Australia; 74,126 in New Zealand, of British parents; 4,840 born in other provincial possessions, and 18,505 were from countries not under British rule. The 814 post-offices deliver annually nine million letters, five million newspapers, sixteen thousand postal cards, and half a million of book packets. These are statistics given in 1878, nearly ten years ago, and if the increase has been as great during the last ten years, these figures would be nearly doubled. Christchurch is a city of about sixteen thousand inhabitants. It is seven miles from the sea. Lyttelton is the sea-port. Christchurch is in the midst of an extensive wheat country. Like nearly all of these cities, it was first settled26 by one denomination, which bought up a tract of land and laid out streets and commenced to build. The influx of other settlers, however, thwarted their plan of having their city a denominational affair, and they are divided up into as many sects as any American city. Nearly every religious denomination in the world is represented in this colony, there being no less than six different kinds of Methodists. We think there can be no better field in which to plant the truth than the cities of New Zealand. The large cities rank about as follows: Auckland, Wellington, Dunedin, Christchurch, Invercargill,—ranging in size from fifteen to forty-five thousand inhabitants. Dunedin has been called the Chicago of Australasia. S. N. H. Doing God’s Work in Christ’s Spirit
"Do ALL in the name of the Lord Jesus." That is to say, there should be the temper and spirit of Christ in our service. The gentleness of Christ can never be wielded with carnal severity as a handle; the severity of Christ can never be exercised with a cold and critical temper as its medium. Christ's work must be done with Christ's spirit, or it goes for naught. Just as we are warned against holding the truth in unrighteousness, so we are to beware of doing God's work in an unsanctified spirit.—Selected. Care and Trouble Are Imaginary
CARE and trouble are largely imaginative. We have only to consider to know that much which we call trouble is unreal. We forecast evils that do not come. Hence, if we will so control and direct our imagination that, instead of forecasting trouble, it will regard the bright side, much of our care and perplexity will be avoided.—Selected. The Missionary.
By Robert Hare
"Then said I, Here am I, send me." Isa. 6:8. "LORD, here am I."
'Twas thus an ancient prophet spake
When in a vision he beheld
Jehovah, seated on his throne;
While near him choirs of seraphim,
Who from his brightness veil their face,
And in their joyful anthems tell
The glory of the Lord of hosts. "Lord, here am I;" for God had said,
"Whom shall I send, and who will go
With warnings to a sinful world?"
The prophet heard, and with his lips
Touched by the hallowed burning coal
That cleansed his guilty soul from sin,
Made answer to the call, "Send me." Many a year has passed since then;
The prophet sleeps. His warning voice
That loudly rang o'er Judah's land
Is silent now. His lips no more
Declare the truth to sinful men. Judge of the earth,
Proud and rebellious men still need
The awful warnings of thy truth,
While many wait to hear thy words;
And others, burdened with their sin,
Now long for some sweet voice to bid
Them lay it at the Master's feet. Spirit of love,
Could these poor lips of ours be touched
By hallowed fire and cleansed from sin,
Then would they hear thy words of truth
Like thy prophetic seer of old,
Whose voice o'er Judah's plain was heard. Glad would the message of thy love
By them be borne, if but the dross
Of selfishness and sin were purged,
And thy sad child might chance to hear
Thy voice divine in accents sweet,
Say unto him, "Thy sins, O child,
I will forgive; Jehovah bids
Thee go to all the world, and there
Declare the truth." Strangers and Pilgrims on Earth
AND "by faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God; . . . and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims27on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. . . . Wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for he hath prepared for them a city." Heb. 11:9-16. Abram Faithful Among Idolaters
It was in such a place, and amidst such idolatry, that Abram was born and grew up, his own people and even his own father serving those gods. Yet Abram turned from it all and served Jehovah. When all about him had forsaken the true God and served idols and walked in their evil ways, Abram stood faithful to the Lord. Whilst all others did not like to retain God in their knowledge, Abram gave himself up to the sincere worship of the Lord. Therefore he became "the friend of God," and the father of all them which believe. "For if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." FRANCE AND ITALY.
By Daniel T. Bourdeau
I HAVE of late been engaged in confirming the faith of the brethren at Nimes. I have spoken seven times a week, besides rendering assistance to our colporters in villages situated from twelve to twenty-five miles distant. The little company at Nimes have all received the Bible view of baptism, and they will be baptized at an early day. They are still doing well in pushing forward the missionary work, and in contributing of their means for the support of the cause. Since October they have raised 50 francs for preparing and lighting their hall, 150 francs to meet the hall rent for the first quarter, and 100 francs for the missionary work. This makes a total of 310 francs, or about $62. These few brethren and sisters are in very moderate circumstances. But while our American brethren are sacrificing for them, and to advance the work in France, they are willing to show their gratitude by doing what they can. I have visited Vergeze, and spoken once to a few there, who are progressing in the knowledge of the truth. They beseech us not to neglect them. I have also made two trips to Moussac and Brignon, visiting much and speaking nine times. The work at the last two points was commenced about four weeks since, by Brother Badaut, who soon called for help, as opposition was coming from a man who is a minister and an editor. This man came where we were, but treated us so unkindly that most of his hearers turned against him. At the close of his remarks he said that when those who did not belong to the place nor to the meeting had left, he would deliver a testimony to the people. As he saw we did not leave, he said: "Mr. Bourdeau, don't you know that you neither belong to Brignon nor to the meeting? Why don't you leave?" I replied: "I thought that two ministers of the gospel should not be in each other's way. But if I must leave, to go out in the cold, not knowing where to rest, or to walk several kilometers in the dark to find a resting-place at this late hour, I shall leave." The owner of the house was insulted and disgusted at this strange demand made in his house, without his permission, and said: "Mr. Bourdeau, stay in my house." The minister, perceiving that his plan had failed, invited the people to follow him to another house. Only the man of the house he mentioned and his wife followed him. I then had a good time in preaching the word to eager listeners. This circumstance helped the cause of truth more than a score of discourses would have done. God overruled all for good, and to him be the praise. Another minister spoke after I was through and tried to justify the first preacher, and to lower us before the people by representing that we did not preach conversion. But the people defended us, saying they had heard us treat that subject thoroughly. Two weeks later I returned to this field, spoke twice, and visited much. Some have decided to keep all of God's commandments. We expect others will do the same. The colporters have sold our papers and tracts, and held Bible-readings and small meetings in about twenty villages. Thus the good work of scattering the rays of light is progressing; and surely there is need of this where nine-tenths of the ministers and people in the national (Protestant) church are infidels who deny the divinity of Christ, etc. In some towns the temples are closed, and the people refuse to hear about God and religion, yet pretend to be Protestants. But there are a few honest souls, even in these dark places, who will gladly receive the truth. I have joined my brother in Italy. He has had no ministerial help in this field, and has labored against great difficulties, to lay a good foundation. We are seeking God with brokenness of heart, feeling deeply the need of his help to make the work here a complete success. God has a people among these mountains who will be reached. Yesterday my soul was encouraged and revived while speaking at Villar Pellice to an intelligent and appreciative audience, many of whom were in tears. God has strengthened me physically, and enabled me to walk up and down these mountains to reach souls at their homes. God grant us soon a fullness of the blessing he is waiting to bestow upon his remnant people. D. T. BOURDEAU.
Torre Pellice, Italy, Dec. 23, 1886. NOTES ON THE INTERNATIONAL LESSON.
"Now the Lord had said unto Abram." Abram was a native of Ur of the Chaldees, not far from the mouth of the Euphrates; though, through the river deposits of ages, the ruins of Ur are now about 125 miles from the Persian Gulf and about six miles from the Euphrates. The oldest of its temples are certain ones whose bricks bear the name of Urukh, who calls himself "King of Ur and Accad." The signet cylinder of Urukh's son, Ilgi, has been found and is preserved in the British Museum. Urukh is supposed to have lived about a hundred years, or perhaps a little more, before Abram left Ur. Terah and the Gods of Babylon
Terah was Abram’s father and an idolater, for he “served other gods.” Josh. 24:2. These gods were mostly the sun, the moon, and the planets. Sin, or Hurki, was the moon-god; San, or Sansi, was the sun; Vul was the god of the atmosphere; Nin was Saturn; Merodach was Jupiter; Nergal was Mars; Ishtar was Venus; and Nebo was Mercury. With each of these and in his worship was associated a female divinity. Ana was the god of the lower world, the lord of darkness or death. The chief seat of his worship was Erech. Gen. 10:10. The principal temple at Erech was built by Urukh to Sin, the moon-god. He also built temples to the sun, to Belus and his wife Beltis, as well as to many others, for he was a mighty builder and a devout worshiper of the gods. God Calls Abram from Idolatry
It was from the midst of this idolatry that God called Abram to go out into a land which he would show him, and he obeyed, and "went out not knowing whither he went." For "the God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran [Haran], and said unto him, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and come into the land which I shall show thee. Then came he out of the land of the Chaldeans, and dwelt in Charran; and from thence, when his father was dead, he removed him into this land, wherein ye now dwell." Acts 7:2-4.