NOT long since, as set forth in this journal (July 4, 1905), Cardinal Gibbons expressed himself in an authorized interview in this fashion:
I have this to say—that the government of the United States is entirely friendly to the Catholic Church.
The condition of the Catholic Church in America is most favorable.
The National Convention of the Knights of Columbus—a Roman Catholic organization—at Los Angeles, Cal., June 5 to 10 gave us an ocular demonstration of the cardinal's words. June 5 the Knights were received. The address of welcome to this religious organization was by Hon. Frank P. Flint, United States Senator. Hon. Alden P. Anderson, acting governor, welcomed this Roman Catholic organization in behalf of the State. Hon. Owen McAleer, mayor of Los Angeles, welcomed it in behalf of the city; and J. O. Koepfli, president of the Chamber of Commerce, in behalf of that body. Now why should the federal and state governments be there represented? For these men were there not as individuals, but as representatives. The official program puts them down as the representatives of nation and state.
Further than this: The illustration on this page is the front cover of that program, which we reproduce in black and white. The original is in beautiful colors. Study it. Note how Rome looks upon her relations to this country and our government.
The great central figure is a Knight of Columbus, a Catholic padre, or priest, with hands extended in blessing, indicative also of the extent of his field. Beneath his right hand is the courthouse, symbolical of finality in law, no decision of which Rome will bless which is not favorable to her interests. Below the courthouse is the portrait of President Roosevelt.
Below the padre's left hand is the San Gabriel mission, representative of the church and her mission and authority. From the courthouse floats the flag of the nation; on the mission stands a cross, both under the outstretched hands of Rome in the person of her priest.
Underneath the mission is a portrait of Pope Pius X., the head of the Roman Catholic Church, who claims jurisdiction over the world, positive as regards its religion, negative at least, as regards its civil authority. Connecting the two greatest visible rulers in the world is a continuous garland of roses, encircling them both and showing the amicable relations which exist between the papal head and the chief magistrate of that commonwealth which above all others ought to stand for absolute separation of church and state.
A prized correspondent, who loans us the program, remarks: "Courtesies lavished upon the Catholic representatives by the civil authorities and the commercial bodies during the continuance of the national council revealed the drift of public sentiment in Los Angeles."
Has Rome reason to view things in the light of this picture?—She has. Cardinal Gibbons is not guessing when he tells us that "the condition of the church in America is most favorable." The ready yielding, the concessions, to Catholic demands since 1892 or thereabouts have been constant, steady, and cumulative. Rome gained a great victory in the Philippines. She is gaining it continually in the constant increase of her devotees in government and official positions, which are strategic points in the struggle of the future.
The saddest thing of all is that Protestants have so rejected or neglected God's Word, the more "sure word of prophecy," and the study of history, that they can not see the elements of destruction which are being grafted into the republic.
BAHAISM VERSUS CHRISTIANITY.
THERE is more or less said of a sensational nature over Bahaism, which seems to have been developed by one Abdul Baha of Acre, Persia. He claims to be the Christ; his father before him claimed to be the manifestation of the Spirit, while one who preceded him was the herald of a new dispensation. All this they claim is a fulfilment of prophecy. That is, the prophecies referring to Christ at His first advent are all applied to Baha now. They claim that a universal time of peace will begin in 1917, and that then all the world will accept Abdul Baha as the restorer and king. He is spoken of as a very pure man; it is said that he is a persecuted man. The religious teachings of Baha, we are told, "do not at all conflict with those of Judaism, Christianity, Mohammedanism, or any
other of the seven great revelations," all of which is wonderfully taking. It is a sort of philosopher's stone in religion, so to speak, which transmutes all false religions into the true.
It may be said: (1) That all the prophecies which referred to John the Baptist and Christ Jesus at His first advent as persons were then fulfilled, and that fulfilment in time, in character, in place, in tribe, in family, specifically excluded every other fulfilment. The Son of God was manifest as Jesus the Messiah at the very time declared by the prophet Daniel; He bore the very character in life and teaching which the prophets declared He would; He was born at the very place declared by the prophet; He came from the tribe and family of the tribe which the prophets predicted. All these concurrent events and particulars are impossible of duplication. Therefore Abdul Baha is one of the false christs predicted by our Lord, and he is nearly two millenniums too late.
2. His prediction that Acre is the New Jerusalem is a libel upon the Bible prophecy and the hope set before God's children. The New Jerusalem is a city "whose Builder and Maker is God," and which "comes down from God out of heaven."
3. His prediction of a coming conversion of the world is directly contrary to the whole tenor and express teachings of the Scriptures, which positively declare that "evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived;" that the tares and wheat—the righteous and wicked—will grow together until the harvest, which "is the end of the world;" that then Christ will come, and take His people to the holy city above, the earth will be desolated of her inhabitants, and so remain a thousand years, and then out of its purifying fires Christ will create a new heaven and a new earth, wherein the righteous will reign with Him to all eternity. Then will be the reign of the Prince of peace upon this earth, and not till then.
4. The very statement that Bahaism is in harmony with all great religions is inherent evidence of its falsity. It has been aptly said that Mohammedanism is composed of a great truth and a great lie. The great truth is that there is one God, the great lie that Mahomet was His prophet. The same may be said of Bahaism.
5. It is no evidence of truth that a man looks or acts outwardly as Jesus was supposed to look, dress, or act. There is no evidence of divine mission in his persecution or in a large following. All this has been true of false prophets during all the centuries. It not only may be expected; it must be looked for, that as Christ's coming draws near, there will arise false christs and false prophets, who shall show great signs and wonders, to deceive, if possible, the very elect. In the words of the Master, "Go not after them."
TO SUPREME KNIGHT & NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVES OF THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS - JUNE 5TH 1905
AS IT WAS, SO SHALL IT BE.
By E. L. Maxwell
BY E. L. MAXWELL.
"AS it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of Man."
Then they were "eating and drinking." Matt. 24 : 38. It is not the idea that it was wrong to eat and drink proper foods in proper quantities at proper times; but unwholesome foods and drinks taken at unseasonable times in immoderate quantities made gluttony and drunkenness prevailing sins. Now the same causes are leading to the same results; and the wrecks of humanity, wrecked by liquor, tobacco, tea, coffee, condiments, and rich, unhealthful foods—which may be found in nearly any home in the land—are crying witnesses to the fact that we are in the days of the Son of Man.
Then "they were marrying." Matt. 24 : 38. It is not the idea that God condemned marriage; but they had subverted his plan and instead of one wife "they took them wives of all which they chose." Now, tho the laws prohibit a plurality of wives, still there is a well patronized "divorce-mill" system; and men are able to, and do, make the sacred marriage institution a plaything of lust; and from the resulting ever-increasing army of unhusbanded and unwifed parents and unfathered7and unmothered children comes a cry of blasted hopes, of ruined homes and broken hearts, which says to every soul, We are living the days of Noah over again; "the coming of the Lord draweth nigh."
Then "the earth was filled with violence." Gen. 6 : 11. Now the man must be blindly and unreasonably optimistic, who,—in the face of all the wars, strikes, murders, suicides, to say nothing of the political and financial struggles of the present hour, which plainly fulfil this specification of the prophecy,—will say the world is growing better.
Then the people "knew not until the Flood came, and took them all away" (Matt. 24 : 39); but they might have known, in fact, they were entreated to know. Now the announcement of the coming of Christ is disbelieved, explained away, and scoffed at, by unbelievers, while the doctrine of a temporal millennium lulls to sleep the great body of church members. They are saying "Peace and safety," not knowing that "sudden destruction cometh upon them," "and they shall not escape."
Then a definite warning was given to all by Noah, a "preacher of righteousness." 2 Peter 2 : 5. Now, by a message peculiarly fitted to meet every condition of the last days, God is definitely warning "every nation, kindred, tongue, and people" to "Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come," "and obey (A. R. V., mar.) Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and fountains of waters." Rev. 14 : 6, 7.
Then God's message embraced the Ten Commandments, and they were taught by His messenger; for "Noah was a preacher of righteousness," and "all God's commandments are righteousness." Ps. 119 : 172. Now God's message for to-day embraces the teaching of the same Ten Commandments, for the people who heed it are said to "keep the commandments of God." Rev. 14 : 12.
Then it was by faith that "Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house." Heb. 11 : 7. Now the "remnant" who are coming out in response to God's great call "keep . . . the faith of Jesus." Rev. 14 : 12.
Then Noah "became heir of the righteousness which is by faith." Heb. 11 : 7. Now, when God says of His last-day children, "Here are they that keep the commandments of God," He adds the reason—"and the faith of Jesus."
Then the message began and ended within the limits of one generation. Gen. 7 : 1. Now, says Jesus, "This generation shall not pass till all these things be fulfilled." Matt. 24 : 34.
Then a profession of religion without living faith in Noah's definite message did not save any one however great or good; for only those who believed and entered the ark were saved. Gen. 7 : 21, 22. Now living faith in the message will characterize those who will be saved; for it is God who says they keep "the faith," and He "looketh on the heart." Rev. 14 : 12; 1 Sam. 16 : 7. Merely professing Christ, without active faith in the message, will not avail anything. Matt. 7 : 21; Heb. 9 : 28.
These parallels prove that we are living in the "days of the Son of Man." Do you hear the message? Are you heeding it? Will you triumph with it?
Oklahoma, Okla.
IS IT APPENDICITIS, OR?
By Editor
THE following from the Christian Work ought to open the eyes of many who are persuaded by physicians, upon the occasion of any belly-ache, more or less severe, to have an operation:
Discussing in the Medical News the "expectant" treatment of that fashionable malady, appendicitis—fortunately the malady is not quite as fashionable now as it used to be—Dr. A. C. Bernays, of St. Louis, makes what he himself calls "confessions," expressing at the same time some doubts of their wisdom. The latter point, of course, is not for lay decision; but, beyond any question, his confessions are of extreme interest to the layman, in that they will first amuse, and then terrify him.
After saying that, in a good many of the so-called interval operations for appendicitis, the miserable little vestige is found to be either "shamefully normal" or affected by slight and innocuous changes, and that, in these cases, the patient derives only a psychical relief from his "perityphlitophobia," Dr. Bernays adds: "I can not throw off a feeling of embarrassment when I pull up a perfectly normal appendix before a corona of students or distinguished visitors. This embarrassment must be quite serious, when a normal appendix is removed in six or eight cases in one day, as recently happened in a well-known hospital."
So much for what the surgeons, according to one of them, sometimes do, and then follows some really blinding light on one method of explaining away the thing when done: "Fortunately the histologist will always find infiltration of 'small round cells' in the mucosa and submucosa. The friendly pathologist does not mention that the mucosa of the appendix is always richly supplied with lymph follicles, hence the copious infiltration of leucocytes will always be present, no matter how normal an appendix may be."
These secrets, not of the prison house, but of the operating room, are not reassuring to the ordinary citizen who is waiting with apprehensive patience the day when he, too, will have a sharp pain in his midst, and be hustled off to the dreadfully clean and cool table, whither so many of his friends have preceded him.
Probably we are destined to get severely scolded for dragging the revelations from a place where they would have met only professional eyes, and spreading them out for the view of an unprepared public, but we will take the chances of that. If the doctors want to prevent common people from reading their papers, they should not make them so interesting, and they should not send them around to the newspaper offices.
SUNDAY ENFORCEMENT NOTES AND COMMENT.
By Editor
THE mayor of Waterville, Minn., has forbidden ball playing within the city limits on Sunday.
BURLINGTON church people "are going after the Sunday-band concerts in Crapo Park," was reported from Burlington, Iowa, recently.
IT is reported from Guckeen, Minn., that the mayor of that place tolerates no Sunday ball games or other sabbath-breaking amusements.
THE police displayed great activity in suppressing baseball playing at Newark, N. J., on Sunday, June 17. Even amateur games, where no admission was charged, were stopped.
IT was reported from Lufkin, Texas, recently, that the Sunday law is being so strictly enforced that it is now impossible to buy a cigar or a glass of soda-water on the "sabbath."
AS THE result of an old Sunday law being rigorously enforced at Austin, Texas, on Sunday, June 25, the saloons, soda-fountains, etc., were closed. It was impossible to get a shoe shined.
OBJECTION to the Sunday competition of the small dealers was recently made by the large dealers at Muncie, Ind., and the ministerial association was to take up the matter in the interests of Sunday closing.
AS SHOWING the development of the disposition to get outdoors on Sunday, the Brooklyn Eagle notes that on a recent Sunday 1,780,000 passengers were carried on the street railways of that city.
COMMENCING on the following Sunday, Burgess Wills was to enforce the "blue laws," was the report from Windber, Pa., on June 8. This action was to be taken in response to a petition from four clergymen of the place.
AT a recent meeting of the city council of Salem, S. D., the matter of closing saloons on Sunday was brought up, and it was the unanimous will of the mayor and council that the law be enforced. Warnings have been issued, and the council will see to the prosecution of any violation.
THE enforcement of the Sunday law was recently ordered by the city council of North Yakima, Wash. The only places to be open hereafter on Sunday will be hotels, restaurants, and drugstores. All ice-cream parlors and cigar stands will come under the ban. The order was especially directed against liquor selling. The council has adopted a resolution to the effect that if any of the saloons or other licensed places violate the law, state or city, their licenses will be revoked.
AN amendment of the by-laws to prohibit local camps or foresters' teams from holding Sunday picnics or excursions under the auspices of the society, with a penalty for disobedience of expulsion or revocation of charter, was recommended in the report of Head Consul Talbot at the fourteenth biennial convention of the head camp of Modern Woodmen of America in Milwaukee, Wis., on June 20.
IT was reported from Salina, Kansas, on June 14, that in a decision by Police Judge Blundon the Sunday ordinance was practically knocked out. The case was that of a barber who had been arrested for keeping open on the preceding Sunday. The movement to keep Sunday a closed day has now reached the place where the responsibility devolves upon the county attorney, as the city ordinances are not sufficient.
FOLLOWING the declaration of the newsdealers that they would not abide by the ruling, but would appeal to the courts, Mayor Kinsey of Fairmont, W. Va., who had ordered stringent enforcement of the Sunday law in that place, has reconsidered his order relative to selling newspapers on Sundays, and decided not to prevent the sale either at the news-stands or on the streets.
IT was recently reported from Anderson, Ind., that the police board is frowning upon the recent opinion of Police Judge Horne acquitting baseball players who were arrested for Sunday playing.
AT a recent meeting of the city council of Kirksville, Mo., the baseball ordinance passed almost unanimously, and Sunday baseball playing within the city limits is now prohibited.
OWING to the fact that the law in Indiana prevents Sunday baseball, the Sunday games scheduled between Louisville and Indianapolis in the Hoosier capital have been transferred to Louisville.
AFFAIRS IN RUSSIA.
NOTWITHSTANDING the promises made to the portion of the crew of the Russian battle-ship Kniaz Potemkine which surrendered to Russian authorities that they would be forgiven, and notwithstanding the fact that these had declared themselves at all times loyal to their government and restrained by the actual mutineers, thirty of them have been shot "as an example." If Russia but knew it, it is such deeds that are making mutineers faster than the nihilist propaganda. It is stated that the Black Sea fleet is still at the Rumanian port, not daring to leave for fear of mutiny among the crews. Reports state that before leaving the vessel the mutinous crew opened the sea cocks and let the vessel fill and sink.
From all parts of Russia come reports of disorders, clashes between troops and revolutionists or strikers, and attacks of the populace upon the Jews. Terrible scenes have been enacted where frenzied mobs have attacked Jewish synagogues filled with worshipers, murdering and maiming old and young of both sexes. Outbreaks are now predicted at many places, due, it is reported, to the fact that official Russia wishes to turn the attention of the people away from the war and from internal conditions. One regiment in a mountain village is reported to have killed its officers and joined the revolutionists. The flame of revolt is sweeping through the Caucasus region. The reform leaders of Moscow have declared their intention of electing a popular assembly of their own and electing another czar unless Nicholas II. shall yield to the will of the people.
The Japanese have accomplished the subjugation of the island of Saghalien, but beyond this undertaking there has been little activity during the week in the far East.
Current World News
While it is stated that the matter of peace or war between Norway and Sweden rests with Norway, Sweden is preparing terms to which it is declared Norway must agree in order to avoid war. At the same time, the emperor of Germany seems to be taking a lively interest in the matter in support of the king of Sweden, whom he considers to have been robbed of one of his rightful thrones. A German naval demonstration will be made in Swedish and Norwegian waters to emphasize the demands which Sweden will make upon Norway.
M. Sergius DeWitte, Russia's foremost statesman, who a few months ago was under police surveillance because of charges brought against him by members of the war party, has received the czar's appointment as peace plenipotentiary to conduct the peace negotiations with the representatives of Japan.
Chicago now has among her policemen a large number of men who have been burglars, thugs, and pickpockets. An investigation of the matter is now in progress. It is said that peaceable citizens of Chicago have been startled by these revelations.
The humid heat wave that is now afflicting New York and other cities in that vicinity, has a record of nearly one hundred deaths up to July 16. On that date 21 persons perished from that cause.
A number of servants of the czar's own household have been arrested as a result of the discovery of a plot to take the lives of the czar, Grand Duke Vladimir, and Grand Duke Alexis.
FORETOKENS OF OUR LORD'S RETURN
By Prof. George W. Rine
MARVELOUS FECUNDITY OF THE MODERN DOLLAR.
(Concluded.)
The Astor Fortune.
IN 1848, the first John Jacob Astor died, leaving a fortune of $20,000,000. When, in 1876, his son and heir, W. B. Astor, died, the Astor wealth had grown to $100,000,000. By 1890, competent authorities placed it at $250,000,000. The total Astor holdings now, writes Mr. Burton J. Hendrick in McClure's Magazine, for April, amount to at least $450,000,000. "In fifteen or twenty years," he continues, "at the present rate of progress, it [Astor fortune] will have reached the billion mark. And then it will go even faster, until the ordinary mind is appalled at the portentous figures. We have seen that the $2,500,000 invested by John Jacob has multiplied at least two hundred times in one hundred years. If the same rate be maintained for another century, the Astor fortune will attain the unimaginable total of eighty billions. We stand aghast at such a possibility; but not more so than would have John Jacob's contemporaries had they foreseen the present reality. In 1830, John Jacob Astor was the only man in New York who was worth a million dollars."
Tobacco Trust.
In 1890, the American Tobacco Company—popularly known as the tobacco trust—began business with a capital of $25,000,000. At first its operations extended over a limited territory. This notoriously unconscionable trust has rapidly expanded in both scope and capitalization, until to-day its business amounts to a virtual monopoly of all lines of tobacco production and distribution, and its operations extend throughout the entire civilized world. Its capitalization has, in only fifteen years, jumped from a paltry $25,000,000 to the prodigious total of $575,000,000. At its inception the trust controlled only eight plants. In 1904, it had acquired exclusive control of 160 plants. It dominates ninety per cent. of the colossal tobacco production and trade of the United States, and sixty of that in all other parts of the world.
The amazing growth of wealth in these romantic days is strikingly illustrated by the phenomenal development of the banking institutions of Pittsburg during the past fifteen years. In 1890, the city had but forty banking houses, including national and State banks and trust companies, with a total capital of $15,200,000, and total resources of $97,150,000. In 1903, the number of banks had increased to ninety-five, with a capital of $60,000,000, and with the total resources standing at the bewildering figure of $420,000,000. The bank clearings for 1903 further illustrate the gigantic strides taken; the figures of 1890 amounting to $786,157,000, while in 1903 they leaped to the towering height of $2,356,875,350. This prodigious evolution of Pittsburg's economic side only serves to exemplify the wondrous growth of the wealth of all the world's centers of trade, during the past few years.
An Unobtrusive, but Most Significant Incident.
The gigantic magnitude of every-day incidents in the industrial and monetary world of to-day is startlingly illustrated by the following bit of narrative clipped from a late number of The Saturday Evening Post. Such an incident is possible only in an age of super-abounding wealth. Here it is:
Soon after the new year began, an interesting business announcement appeared in the newspapers. It filled only a small bit of space apportioned to the latest news sensation; it was an almost insignificant item compared with the war news; it got few large headlines. And yet it was a stupendous thing.
President Cassatt, of the Pennsylvania Railroad, contracted with President Converse, of the Baldwin Locomotive Works, for 325 locomotives at $17,000 each. This meant a total of $5,525,000. The stipulation was that all the locomotives—each a mechanical wonder in itself—should be delivered by the end of June, or at the rate of fifty per month, practically two complete locomotives for every working day.
Take the financial significance of this. Mulhall computes the total amount of money in circulation, including coined money or its equivalent, but not securities of various sorts, at about $11,010,000,000, or just a little more than seven dollars and a half per capita, if it were divided equally among all the people in the world. So for his extra motive power, a mere six months' purchase, President Cassatt takes the equivalent of the per capita money of nearly a million people of the earth. And this is but an incident in the operations of the great corporation which he directs. . . .
It is difficult, even by a stretch of fancy, to appreciate properly the gigantic achievements of modern industry. The complexity of an equipment that can produce two locomotives for every working day, and of the agency whose increased business needs these engines, almost appals the understanding, and yet so well handled and so completely adjusted are all the details that the system is practically automatic. Thus the head of a transportation army meets the head of a manufacturing army, expresses his needs, agrees to pay the price, and knows that his order will be filled on schedule time.
"In wonder," said Coleridge, "all philosophy began; in wonder it ends; and admiration fills up the interspace." The wonder-shop of the age is the American factory.
Scramble for Opportunity to Invest Their Hoards.
"Prosperity, unexampled and unparalleled, is reported from every section of the United States," alleges the Philadelphia Ledger of recent date. Capital is everywhere greedily snatching up every opportunity for profitable investment. So abundant is capital that its masters jostle one another in a wild rush to discover and create means for its profitable employment. The great Japanese loan of $200,000,000 was floated in Wall Street in the first two business hours of one morning. The bonds representing these millions "were absorbed as a sponge does water," adds the Ledger.
The announcement of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company of its issuance of $100,000,000 in bonds created not even a ripple on the placid lake of finance. They were instantly subscribed for by the money princes with greedy impatience.
The Ledger significantly adds: "Such ventures a few years ago would have stunned and appalled the financiers." The fact is that the world's money supply has attained to so prodigious a magnitude that mammoth loans like these are made with the easy facility of ordinary every-day transactions.
But I must resist the well-nigh overmastering temptation to adduce additional facts and figures illustrative of my thesis. Be assured that I have not marshalled the foregoing statistics and incidents for their own sake, absorbing as such a task might be. Did it ever occur to you, dear reader, that this universally discussed phenomenon—the momentous evolution of wealth in recent years—might be a subject of inspired prophecy? Such it is, however. Read the first nine verses of the fifth chapter of the epistle by James. This prophecy, bearing upon economic interests, contains in itself the repeated evidence that it would find its realization and fulfilment "in the last days"—in the days when "the coming of the Lord draweth nigh." The Holy Spirit here foretells the fact, so notoriously patent to all, that in these days, "the last days," the "rich men" will have "heaped up riches."
Is not the evidence of the fulfilment of this last-day prophecy, in our generation, overwhelmingly conclusive? This, of course, is only one of scores of prophetic proofs that our Lord is about to fulfil His promise, made to His disciples just before His ascension, "I will come again." In holy vision, the prophet Isaiah likewise foresaw and foretold that unprecedented riches would conspicuously characterize the closing years of time. The second and twenty-first verse of the second chapter of Isaiah show the chapter to be a prophecy looking to the end of time. Now note the vivid prediction that the prophecy utters in reference to the same present-day phenomenon: "Their land is full of silver and gold, neither is there any end of their treasures."
Could the actual financial status of our day be more trenchantly and succinctly expressed? If this inspired foretelling is not fulfilled in the sight of all the people to-day, then no prophecy can be fulfilled. Shall we not praise and adore the Author of prophecy, that He has not left us in darkness, but has graciously condescended to reveal to us the infinitely important meaning of the marvels of these crowning years of time?
[The next article in this series will be "Tyranny of Combined Millions."]
RICHES THAT ARE ETERNAL.
A nobleman in the north of England once said to a friend who accompanied him on a walk, "These beautiful grounds, as far as your eye can reach, those forests of valuable timber on the mountain-side, and those vast mines full of precious metals, all belong to me. Yonder powerful steam-engines obtain the produce of my mines, and those ships convey my wealth to other parts of the kingdom." "Well, my lord," his friend replied, "do you see yonder small cottage that seems but a small speck on your estate? There dwells a poor woman who can say more than all this, for she can say, 'Christ is mine.' She was once ignorant of all religious truths, but she sought the guiding light, which brought her to the Saviour. In a few years you must give up your possessions, for you can carry nothing away with you when9you die; but when she leaves this world, she will enter upon a nobler inheritance, reserved for those kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation."—Selected.
THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD.
By Ellen G. White
BY MRS. E. G. WHITE.
THE knowledge of God is as a great ocean, without bottom or shore. No line can fathom it, no eye measure it. Every needy soul may be supplied from this boundless sea. In every emergency, in every time of need, men and women may receive God's grace and power, and yet there will be no lessening of the supply. God's great resources can not be too heavily drawn upon. The gifts provided for all true, earnest seekers after truth are without measure.
In all ages God has given human beings divine revelations, that thus He may fulfil His purpose of unfolding gradually the doctrines of grace. His manner of imparting truth is illustrated by the words, "His going forth is prepared as the morning." He who places himself where God can enlighten him, advances, as it were, from the partial obscurity of dawn to the full radiance of noonday.
A cold, lifeless theory is not a knowledge of God. Those who have a knowledge of God must have His love, must understand its sacrifice, its condescension. The hungry mind and heart must receive His grace, to impart to others its fulness, its sufficiency. It is not a head acceptance of truth, but heart reception, that moulds and fashions aright the emotions and impulses of the soul, making it tender and compassionate, humble and contrite. Christ received into the soul makes man one with God in His beloved Son. Then the love of the Redeemer is acknowledged as beyond all estimate. And more than this: the life and character are changed by the presence of the indwelling Saviour.
Only when the heart is moulded and fashioned by the love of God can human beings reveal Christ. Then and then only can they impart the knowledge of God as it shines in the face of His Son. The Holy Spirit is with them, quickening their minds, showing that Bible truth has life-giving power, power to convict hearts and transform lives. The lifting up of Christ's countenance upon the human agent, the glorious light shining from His face, makes all things clear.
The knowledge of God is the knowledge of all truth, and is the beginning of all understanding. It is our righteousness, our sanctification, our redemption. To those who receive and practise them, the truths of the Word of God are as the leaves of the tree of life. But before man can receive these truths, he must realize his need.
Out of Bondage.
Self—the old disobedient nature—must be crucified, and Christ must take up His abode in the heart. Thus the human agent is born again, with a new nature. The newborn child of God begins to have some conception of what God is. To all intents and purposes, truth is truth to him. He has caught a glimpse of God's glory. A sense of his accountability to God quenches the unholy ambition that keeps upon the soul a galling yoke of guilt. The light in which he enters is softened and subdued, tempered to suit his condition. By daily beholding Jesus and striving to practise His virtues, his spiritual perceptions grow clearer and stronger.
God says, "A new heart will I give you." Every learner may be renewed in knowledge and true holiness. The ransom of an enslaved race was Christ's purpose in coming to this earth. Christ alone can make us free. And those whom He makes free are free indeed. His power breaks the yoke of bondage that binds man to the great deceiver. But how many there are who are unwilling to allow Christ to break their shackles. How many there are who choose to cling to the thralldom of sin.
The Gospel of Christ is truly believed only when it is practised. Faith is justified by works. Self must be hid; Christ must appear as the Chiefest among ten thousand, the One altogether lovely. When an unreserved surrender of the powers of the whole being is made to the Saviour, self no longer strives for the mastery. What man needs to-day is the crucifixion of self and the revelation in his life of Christ, the hope of glory. Then will be fulfilled the words, "Ye are the light of the world."
As yet we have scarcely been a light in the world, because we cling to our sinful practises. We have been too well satisfied with the twilight glow of heavenly enlightenment. We have not yet gained the experience that would make us feel at home in heaven. As yet we are but stepping over the threshold of the sanctuary containing the truth that every one who enters heaven must receive and practise.
