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Review and Herald, Vol. 46, No. 21.

PERPETUITY OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS

Review and Herald

Nov 25, 1875

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 25, 1875

PERPETUITY OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS

By Joseph Harvey Waggoner

THE GIFTS AND OFFICES OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.—NO. 10.

BY ELD. J. H. WAGGONER.

PERPETUITY OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS.

All who are not deeply prejudiced will acknowledge that there was much consecration among the early Methodists, and that the Spirit often witnessed to their work with great power. There were among them many godly persons of strong faith, and the fruits of faith were often manifested according to the gracious promises of the Saviour. The following case of curing of blindness is copied from the life of Bramwell:—
“William Greensmith, son of Thomas Greensmith, of Watnal, near Nottingham, when about nine years of age was severely afflicted with a scrofulous humor in his eyes, so that he was unable to bear the light even with a bandage upon them. Mr. Bramwell was then in Nottingham circuit, and went in his regular turn to preach in Mr. Greensmith’s house. On one of these occasions he remained all night; and previous to his departure the next morning, when his horse was brought to the door, he asked where the boy was who had sore eyes. Mrs. Greensmith replied that he was in a dark room behind the door. He wished him to be called out. He came and stood near Mr. Bramwell, who put his hand on the boy’s head, and looked upward as if in ejaculatory prayer. He then went out leaving the child standing, while the latter as if conscious of some important change, pulled off his bandages, looked through the window, and asked if Mr. Bramwell was gone. On perceiving that his eyes were perfectly healed, all the family were completely astonished. He is now about thirty years of age, and has never since had any complaint in his organs of sight.”—Memoir, p. 157.
The following is one of many cases of healing by faith recorded in “Wesley’s Journal”:—
“In returning to Canterbury I called upon Mr. Kingsford, a man of substance as well as piety. He informed me, ‘Seven years ago I so entirely lost the use of my ankles and knees that I could no more stand than a newborn child. . . . I could not move from place to place, but on crutches. All the advice I had profited me nothing. In this state I continued about six years. Last year I went on business to London, then to Bristol and Bath. At Bath I sent for a physician; but before he came, as I sat reading the Bible, I thought, I sought to the physicians and not to God; but God can do more for me than any physician. Soon after, I heard a noise in the street; and rising up, found I could stand. Being much surprised, I walked several times about the room; then I walked into the square, and afterward on the Bristol road; and from that time I have been perfectly well, having as full a use of all my limbs as I had seven years ago.’”—Vol. iv. p. 682.
The reader must not suppose that these things transpired without awakening some opposition in the minds of the unconsecrated. Prejudice was aroused which often manifested itself in bitter reproaches. To the charge of egotism and self-righteousness, Mr. Wesley made the following reply, which we would recommend to the consideration of all who think there is a lack of humility in claiming answers to the prayer of faith:—
“Now let the candid man judge; does humility require me to deny a notorious fact? If not, which is vanity? to say I by my own skill have restored this man to health, or to say God did it by his own almighty power?”
Bishop Hall, speaking of the good offices which angels do to God’s servants, says:—
“Of this kind was that marvelous cure which was wrought upon the poor cripple at St. Marden’s in Cornwall; whereof besides the attestation of many hundreds of the neighbors, I took a strict examination in my last visitation. This man, for sixteen years together, was obliged to walk upon his hands, the sinews of his legs being so contracted. Upon following an admonition in his dream to wash in a certain well, he was suddenly so restored to his limbs that I saw him able to walk and get his own maintenance. The name of this cripple was John Trebble.”
Wesley remarks: “And were ‘many hundreds of the neighbors,’ together with Bishop Hall, deceived in so notorious a matter of fact? or did they all join together to palm such a falsehood on the world? O incredulity! What ridiculous shifts art thou driven to! What absurdities wilt thou believe rather than own any extraordinary work of God!”—Wesley’s Journal, vol. vi. pp. 565, 566.
“Wesley’s Journal,” Dec. 20, 1742, says:—
“When I came home they told me the physician said he did not expect Mr. Meyrick would live till the morning. I went to him, but his pulse was gone. He had been speechless and senseless for some time. A few of us immediately joined in prayer (I relate the naked fact); before we had done, his sense and his speech returned. Now, he that will account for this by natural causes has my free leave; but I choose to say, This is the power of God. “Saturday, 25. The physician told me he could do no more. Mr. Meyrick could not live over the night. I went up and found them all crying about him; his legs being cold, and (as it seemed) dead already. We all kneeled down and called upon God with strong cries and tears. He opened his eyes and called for me; and, from that hour he continued to recover his strength till he was restored to perfect health. I wait to hear who will either disprove this fact, or philosophically account for it.”—Vol. iii. p. 275.
Mr. Bramwell’s biographer writes:—
“I was once attacked by a violent pleuritic fever, when all around me despaired of my life. Many of our kind friends visited me in my affliction; and almost unceasing supplication was offered up to God for my recovery. But all prayers appeared to be without effect till Mr. Bramwell came home out of the circuit. He immediately came to see me, and on entering the room was quite astonished at beholding such a woeful change in my appearance. He thought I had all the marks of a speedy dissolution upon me, and, giving me a look of the greatest sympathy, he raised my head a little higher by means of a pillow. He then went to the foot of the bed and began to pray to God in my behalf. His faith seemed to gain ground as he proceeded. He continued his intercessions with the greatest fervency, and in agony asked, in submission to the will of God, that I might be restored. The Lord heard and answered his servant’s prayers; for I immediately experienced such a sweet tranquility and melting of soul as I am unable to describe. From that moment my recovery commenced, and I was soon strong enough to resume my ordinary occupations.”—Memoir, pp. 163, 164.
Mr. William Carvosso, who was sixty years a class leader in the Wesleyan Methodist connection, gives an account of the healing of a sick woman as follows:—
“The next morning, a friend asked me to visit a woman who was sick, and offered to accompany me. When we arrived at the house, we were informed she was very ill. I went up stairs and found her, to all appearance, on the borders of eternity. Finding that she had been three years a member of the society and knew nothing of salvation by the remission of her sins, I felt no little concern for the salvation of her soul. . . . I explained to her the plan of salvation.
“‘And now,’ said I, ‘it is a duty which God requires of you to believe in Jesus Christ and in the truth of his promises.’ While I was thus speaking to her, she was seized in a strange manner; and it appeared to me and those present that she was dying. But in a moment or two she lifted up her hands and eyes to heaven, and cried out, ‘Glory be to God, I am healed! I am healed!’ And for some considerable time she kept on repeating, ‘The Lord has healed me, body and soul.’
“The news of this was soon conveyed to her neighbors, who rushed into the chamber in such crowds that I was afraid the beams would give way. But she continued saying, ‘The Lord has healed my body and my soul.’ We then kneeled down to praise the Lord for what he had done; and while engaged in prayer, two of those who came in were awakened, and began to pray for mercy. With these distressed souls I was occupied four hours before I could leave the place. The next day Mr. Sibly, from Truro, came there to preach, and dined with us at the friend’s house where I lodged, when the friend who had been with me the preceding day related the circumstance to him. Having expressed a desire to see the woman, I went with him to the house; and to our very great astonishment we found her down stairs, sitting by the fire. I visited her several times after this, and found her not only happy in God, but confirmed in her restoration of health. I have seen many of the mighty works of the Lord, both in convincing and converting sinners, but never before saw the body healed as well as the soul.”—Memoir of Carvosso, pp. 73–75.
The memory of Hester Ann Rogers will ever be precious to the Christian world. In her journal of June 29, 1782, she says:—
“This day the Lord instantaneously removed a rapid mortification in my dear mother’s limb, in answer to prayer. The doctor having given his opinion that in a few hours it would be fatal, I flew to my almighty Refuge, and felt I had power with God, through faith in the promise: ‘The prayer of faith shall save the sick.’ And when in half an hour I looked again at the wound, all the bad symptoms were gone; and the same doctor, standing astonished, said no danger now appeared. I could not forbear weeping aloud for joy and gratitude, praising the God of my life.
“June 10, 1794. I had a peculiar season in wrestling prayer with my God this night, on account of my dear little Mary. The great weakness of her limbs for three months past, and her seeming total inability to walk, have caused much pain to my dear husband as well as myself. It appears to me I had used every possible means in vain. But this night I had power to cry unto my God, and tell him, ‘Thou art the same yesterday, to-day, and forever. Thou art my God! Thou hast said, Call upon me in the day of trouble, and I will hear thee. Thou hast healed cripples, made the lame to walk, yea, raised even the dead in answer to praying faith! Lord, hear me now; stoop to my request; let the child’s feet and ankle bones receive strength; give power to walk, and let me soon know thou hast heard my prayer;’ and I had power to believe it would be done; my soul was filled with the divine presence. “Thursday, the 12th. I already see in the child an answer to my prayer. She is greatly strengthened in her limbs. How good, how faithful, how condescending is the Lord! We may—I may, like Abraham, like Moses, like Elijah, ask and obtain.”—Journal, pp. 116, 119, 120.
What has been said of the early Methodists may be said in truth of the people known as Christians. I mean those who are now bearing the nick-name of New Lights. Eld. William Kinkaid was a well-known writer, and minister, and missionary of that church. He said:—
“There have been in the bounds of my acquaintance many miraculous cures performed in answer to prayer. I have been acquainted with several of the people who were healed, conversed on the subject with the persons who were present at the time, and some of these cures I have seen myself. I as firmly believe that Eld. David Haggard had the gift of healing as that the apostles had. He has fallen asleep, but there are many alive who saw him perform cures, and what I saw myself puts the matter beyond doubt with me. I state these facts in honor to God, who, in every age of the world has shown a willingness to bless his creatures, in proportion to their faith and obedience.”—Bible Doctrine, p. 341.
“Discerning of spirits” was set down by the apostles as one of the “gifts of the Spirit” which were “set in the church” according to the promise. The following instance of the exercise of the gift of discernment is recorded in the Memoir of Mr. Bramwell, whose sincerity, piety, and Christian graces, were questioned by none:—
“Mr. Bramwell was by no means of a censorious disposition; yet he had the gift of discerning the spirits and dispositions of men in a remarkable manner. I have frequently known him to detect impostors who have stepped forth to exercise in various meetings. On one occasion when he was desired to visit a dying man, I went with him. We beheld the wretched object without a shirt to his back. The few rags which hung on him scarcely covered his body. His habitation was a damp, miserable cellar, and a woman was attending him who was represented to be his wife. For some time after our entrance into this dwelling, Mr. Bramwell remained silent. At length he exclaimed, ‘All is not right here! I am clear there is something amiss in this place!’ Then turning to the woman he said, ‘This man is not your husband. You never were married to him, but for several years you have been living together in sin and wickedness!’ His word went with power to their hearts. They both wept exceedingly, acknowledging the charge to be true, and began to entreat the Lord to have mercy upon them.”—Memoir, p. 155.
Other instances in his life might be given, but we omit them for the sake of brevity, promising to refer to facts which have occurred in the present generation as notable as any recorded in the times of the reformers, Luther and Wesley.
The following cases, of deliverance from enraged enemies are recorded by John Wesley and Dr. Adam Clarke. While the facts cannot be disputed we must look upon them as direct interpositions of divine grace, and as truly miraculous as any case recorded in the New Testament:—
“The circumstances that follow I thought were particularly remarkable: 1. That many endeavoured to throw me down while we were going down hill on a slippery path to the town; as well judging that if I was once on the ground, I should hardly rise any more. But I made no stumble at all, nor the least slip, till I was entirely out of their hands. 2. That although many strove to lay hold on my collar and clothes, to pull me down, they could not fasten at all; only one got fast hold of the flap of my waistcoat, which was soon left in his hand; the other flap, in the pocket of which was a bank note, was torn but half off. 3. That a lusty man just behind struck at me several times with a large oaken stick, with which if he had struck me once on the back part of my head it would have saved him further trouble. But every time the blow was turned aside, I know not how; for I could not move the right hand nor the left. 4. That another came rushing through the press, and raising his arm to strike suddenly let it drop, and only stroked my head, saying, ‘What soft hair he has!’ 5. That I stopped exactly at the Mayor’s door, as if I had known it (which the mob doubtless thought I did), and found him standing in the shop, which gave the first check to the madness of the people. 6. That the very first men whose hearts were turned were the heroes of the town, the captains of the rabble on all occasions, one of them having been a prize fighter at the bear garden. . . . By how gentle degrees does God prepare us for his will! Two years ago a piece of brick grazed my shoulder. It was a year after that the stone struck me between the eyes. Last month I received one blow, and this evening two; one before we came into the town, and one after we were gone out; but both were as nothing; for though one man struck me on the breast with all his might, and the other on the mouth with such force that the blood gushed out immediately, I felt no more pain from either of the blows than if they had touched me with a straw.”—Wesley’s Journal, vol. iii. pp. 297, 298.
Dr. Clarke’s account is as follows:—
“A missionary who had been sent to a strange land to proclaim the gospel of the kingdom of God, and who had passed through many hardships, and was often in danger of losing his life through the persecutions excited against him, came to a place where he had often before, at no small risk, preached Christ crucified. About fifty people, who had received impressions from the word of God, assembled. He began his discourse, and after he had preached about thirty minutes, an outrageous mob surrounded the house, armed with different instruments of death, and breathing the most sanguinary purposes. Some that were within shut the door; and the missionary and his flock betook themselves to prayer. The mob assailed the house and began to throw stones against the walls, windows, and roof; and in a short time almost every tile was destroyed, and the roof nearly uncovered, and before they quitted the premises they scarcely left one square inch of glass in the five windows by which the house was enlightened. While this was going forward a person came with a pistol to the window opposite to the place where the preacher stood (who was then exhorting his flock to be steady, to resign themselves to God, and trust in him), presented it at him and snapped it, but it only flashed in the pan!”},{
“As the house was a wooden building, they began with crows and spades to undermine it and take away its principal supports. The preacher then addressed his little flock to this effect: ‘These outrageous people seek not you but me; if I continue in the house they will soon tear it down, and we shall all be buried in the ruins; I will, therefore, in the name of God, go out to them, and you will be safe.’ He then went towards the door, the poor people got around him and entreated him not to venture out as he might expect to be instantly massacred. He went calmly forward, opened the door, at which a whole volley of stones and dirt was that instant discharged; but he received no damage. The people were in crowds in all the space before the door, and filled the road for a considerable way, so that there was no room to pass or repass. As soon as the preacher made his appearance, the savages became instantly as silent and as still as night; he walked forward, and they divided to the right and to the left, leaving a passage of about four feet wide, for him and a young man who followed him to walk in. He passed on through the whole crowd, not a soul of whom either lifted a hand or spoke one word, till he and his companion had gained the uttermost skirts of the mob. The narrator, who was present on the occasion, goes on to say: ‘This was one of the most affecting spectacles I ever witnessed; an infuriated mob without any visible cause (for the preacher spoke not one word) became in a moment as calm as lambs. They seemed struck with amazement bordering on stupefaction; they stared and stood speechless; and after they had fallen back to right and left to leave him a free passage, they were as motionless as statues! They assembled with the full purpose of destroying the man who came to show them the way of salvation; but he, passing through the midst of them, went his way. Was not the God of missionaries in this work?’”
By reference to the “Life of Adam Clarke,” it will be seen that the “missionary” referred to above was no other than Clarke himself. From page 209, we take the following:—
“During the whole time of his (Clarke’s) passing through the mob, there was a death-like silence, nor was there any motion, but that which was necessary to give him a free passage! Either their eyes were holden that they could not know him; or they were so overawed by the power of God that they could not lift a hand, or utter a word, against him. The poor people, finding all was quiet, came out a little after, and passed away, not one of them being either hurt or molested! In a few minutes the mob seemed to awake as from a dream, and finding that their prey had been plucked out of their teeth, they knew not how, attacked the house afresh, broke every square of glass in the windows, and scarcely left a whole tile upon the roof. He afterward learned that the design of the mob was to put him in the sluice of an overshot water-wheel, by which he must necessarily have been crushed to pieces.”

COMING

By M. E. Kellogg

He comes, our Saviour comes. Long have we waited; But now he comes on clouds of glory seated, Throned on a cloud, in glorious majesty, Returns to earth the “Man of Calvary.”
Long has it been since first there did appear The signs which showed his coming to be near— Great signs in heaven, and earth, and roaring sea, Distress of nations, with perplexity.
Long have we waited; our hearts did in us burn When first we heard that soon he would return, And take us to those many mansions, where A place for us he said he would prepare.
Yes, soon he’ll come, not come to give again His life a ransom for poor fallen man, But as a king, and seated on his throne, Dominion, power, and glory are his own.
He comes for his dear saints, to bring them forth From their cold beds within the groaning earth, To raise them from beneath the heaving sea And clothe them with bright robes of immortality.
He comes to judge, O sinner, mark thy fate; The judgment he will render will be infinite. Call on him early while he still is near, And not on rocks and mountains when he doth appear.
My soul, prepare for that eventful day; Revere him, love him, honor and obey; So shalt thou then be found of him in peace, And sing his praise where songs shall never cease.
M. E. KELLOGG.
Berkshire Center, Vt.

The Beauty of Earth and Heaven.

By John G. Matteson

All created things in Heaven and on the earth are the workmanship of God. The mighty and lovely works of God in creation, as well as his saving grace, are worthy of admiration. For this reason the Sabbath is a joyful memorial to us. “For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day; wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it.”
It is true that the Christian may remember God and his wonderful works every day; but on the Sabbath, when all work is laid aside, and the mind, through prayer and reading of the Scriptures, or in the assembly of the saints, is filled with devotional reflections and is brought under the mild influence of the Holy Spirit, this can be done more exclusively and with greater solemnity. If we then at the same time remember what our Saviour has done for us, that he has bought us with his precious blood to be unto him a peculiar people, and to dwell forever with him in the beautiful mansions in which he is now preparing room for those who love him, then the Sabbath becomes a blessed foretaste of that glorious rest which remains to the people of God, when all flesh shall come to worship before the Lord from one Sabbath to another. Isa. 66:22, 23. Thus we rejoice in a twofold manner every Sabbath, as we enjoy the peaceful rest of God’s holy day and commemorate his wonderful works in creation.
1. The earth contains many beautiful things. When this earth came from the hand of the Creator, it looked like a glorious palace. It was perfect in every respect. Through the curse pronounced because of transgression, it has been greatly marred. Yet there is beauty enough left in nature to fill our hearts with gratitude and praise to God, if our eyes are open to behold the works of the Lord. How friendlily the morning sun illuminates the earth, as it rises in majestic grandeur and looks down upon cities and farms, mountains and valleys, woods and prairies. Everything seems to be refreshed and to awaken to new life. Thousands of living creatures rejoice, and go forth to new activity. Truly, if the earth was full of righteousness, truth, and love, we might desire to live here always. God is good, and his mercy shines forth in all his works.
2. In Heaven everything is beautiful and glorious. “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. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit.” 1 Cor. 2:9, 10. The Father sits on his throne of glory. All beauty and happiness are found in him. All power and wisdom and excellency proceed from him. All favor and mercy come from the Fountain of love. God is love.
Jesus, the only begotten Son of God, is seated with his Father on the glorious throne of universal dominion. He is the brightness of his Father’s glory and the express image of his person. Mighty angels worship and honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. Jesus still stands before the throne as a lamb slain. Rev. 5:6. He shines with a peculiar glory as High Priest in the heavenly temple. His presence in the sanctuary awakens joy in our hearts. Yet this joy is mingled with sorrow—sorrow on account of our sins which made him a victim, and joy on account of his salvation. His wounds shine with wonderful glory. How blessed it is through faith to behold Him who has enabled me to say, “I was dead, and am alive again; I was lost, and am found”—found by the Good Shepherd.
“I would to be thy little lamb, Saviour dear, Saviour dear! Wilt thou take me as I am? Hast thou room for me? Wilt thou lead me all the day In the strait and narrow way? Shall I never, never stray, Blessed One, from thee?”
When a soul has found redemption through the blood of Jesus, and looks up to Heaven, holding sweet communion with Jesus, the treasures on high look very bright and attractive. And often blissful feelings are awakened when we sing with brethren and sisters:—
“Well, the delightful day will come When my dear Lord will bring me home, And I shall see his face. Then with my Saviour, Brother, Friend, A blest eternity I’ll spend, Triumphant in his grace.”
The glory of God lightens the heavenly city, and the Lamb is the light thereof. The paradise of God is there, and the beautiful tree of life is still in the midst of Eden. Rev. 2:7. The pure river of water of life flows clear as crystal from the throne of God and of the Lamb. And ten thousand bright angels surround the throne with their never-ceasing hallelujahs. There the brain shall not grow weary, nor the voice hoarse. The praise of God and the Lamb will sound every day in sweetest harmony. Innumerable voices will join in the ascription: “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing.” Soon the redeemed host will join with every creature in Heaven and on earth in ascribing “blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever.” Rev. 5:12, 13.
3. There is a great difference between the beauty of earth and that of Heaven. Heaven is free from the stains of sin. All things are perfect there; but here the rust of sin has eaten and destroyed until the beauty of earth is dimmed and mixed with abominations.
a. The beauty and joy of earth are continually exposed to destructive changes and commotions. Mighty earthquakes and volcanic eruptions ruin men’s works and destroy their lives. Internal fires have nearly turned Iceland into a wilderness. Whole cities have been swallowed up by earthquakes in South America, and 20,000 human beings devoured in less than a minute. Inundations have immersed large tracts of land and destroyed life and property. Hurricanes have turned the fruitful field into a wilderness. Hailstones have broken down the grain and cut off the grass for miles, leaving nothing for man or beast but the black, naked earth. Then grasshoppers gather like terrible armies and attack one State after another. They cannot be numbered. One county in Minnesota paid $28,000 for 18,000 bushels of grasshoppers. Their treasury was exhausted, but not the grasshoppers. Curious and hitherto unknown diseases rage among man and beast. In many places the working animals are carried off, until the fields lie waste for want of animals to work them. Man has greatly corrupted and marred the handiwork of God. Sin and passion reign, and, as a consequence, the earth is full of pestilence and wretchedness.
“How vain is all beneath the skies! How transient every earthly bliss! How slender all the fondest ties That bind us to a world like this!”
In Heaven there are no such changes. Its beauty never fades. Its peace and joy can never be disturbed by sin and misfortunes.
b. The beauty of earth is also cut off from us by death. There is a great deficiency in earthly joys in this respect—they are short-lived. We are mortal creatures. “What is your life? It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” Soon we must leave all—parents, children, wife, friends, house, and home. That which cost us years of hard toil is no more ours.
The thought of death is not pleasant. Death is an enemy. 1 Cor. 15:26. It comes unbidden, like a reaper with his sickle gathering rich and poor, old and young, sick and well, into his storehouse. He will imprison all in the land of the enemy until He who has the keys of death and hades opens the heavy prison doors—until the mighty voice of the Life-giver in the last day shall awaken them from their long, deep slumber.
“But though earth’s fairest blossoms die, And all beneath the sky is vain, There is a brighter world on high, Beyond the reach of care and pain.”
c. All the beauty of this earth shall soon pass away. The kingdoms of this world, with all their glory, must soon be broken to pieces together, and become like the chaff of the summer threshing-floor. “The world passeth away, and the lust thereof; but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.” The last death-struggle of this poor, sin-cursed earth is drawing near. From generation to generation she has received man and beast—yes, all that she has produced—into her bosom. At last she must herself pass away like a moth-eaten garment. The earth shall melt with fervent heat. 2 Pet. 3:10.
This cannot be said of the heavenly things. They are unchangeable. The kingdom of glory is an immovable kingdom. “Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.” Heb. 12:28.
4. The beauty of earth shall be restored. The Lord will create new heavens and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness. 2 Pet. 3:13. Then shall all the earth be filled with the glory of the Lord. Num. 14:21. “And let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen.” Ps. 72:19. “For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” Hab. 2:14. Then the tabernacle of God will be 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.” Rev. 21:3, 4. How glorious it will be to live on the earth when the Eden of God shall be restored, and the eternal city shall be the beautiful capitol of the kingdom of Heaven forever.
5. It is now high time to prepare for the coming kingdom. Sweet mercy will soon linger no more. The many wonderful events of which the prophets of God have spoken will soon be fulfilled. If we desire to be ready when the Master appears, we must not postpone our preparations. It is well for us to make decisions, but to delay carrying them out from week to week is dangerous. To-day is the day of mercy. Dear reader, prepare to meet thy God.
We must be fully in earnest in our efforts. Our Saviour says: “Strive to enter in at the strait gate; for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.” Luke 13:24. It is not enough to seek. We must strive to enter in.
We must learn to suffer with Jesus and deny self. The angels of God want to point to a people on the earth in the last days of whom they can say, “Here is the patience of the saints.” Let us therefore bear our cross without murmuring. Let us rather be thankful and praise God for his gracious providence. It causes pain to crucify the flesh, and to be chastened by the truth and Spirit of God. But it makes us partakers of the holiness of God and brings forth the blessed fruits of righteousness.
We must also learn to work with Jesus. The harvest is great, the laborers few. There is a great work before us. The earth is yet to be lightened with the glory of the last message of mercy. There is no lack of spectators, but we need workmen—faithful servants who will watch and pray and be diligent in the work of the Lord until he comes. “Here are they that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” They must live and work for others, and must themselves be quickened together with Christ. They must die to the world and live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved us and gave himself for us. Then the eternal glory of the new earth shall be ours, when all the beauty of this world has passed away.
John G. Matteson.

Impossible: Randolph on the Divine Origin of Scripture

IMPOSSIBLE.—Randolph said to Clopton, a neighboring Baptist clergyman, “When I was a young man, infidelity through the influence of Mr. Jefferson and the French Revolution, was common among young men of culture and rank. I sympathized with it; but I scorned to be an infidel without careful and thorough investigation. I thought it fair that I should first read the Bible; but I had not read it through before I became convinced that uninspired men could no more have written it than a mule could have composed the ‘Principia’ of Newton.”

The Prevention of Crime.

By W. Penniman

“THE extraordinary prevalence of crime in this country is a thing that must appeal to the most serious attention of statesmen, public guardians, and thoughtful people of every class. Not a newspaper but brings news of some rape, highway robbery, or terrible murder. This is becoming the age of crime, and that, too, of unpunished crime. The most horrid outrages known to man are committed; the criminals often escape detection, and go for years, and sometimes forever, unknown. A dozen murders have been committed in the last two years, the perpetrators of which are still unknown; a hundred outrages on females, and the scoundrels undetected; a thousand robberies, and the stolen property unrecovered.
“Nor is this all. When the malefactors are arrested and brought into the halls of justice, the chances are even that, by some legal quibble, they will escape the punishment due them. The case may be so plain that even the friends of the criminal admit his guilt, but he is by no means condemned on that account. A clerk may neglect to dot an ‘i,’ or cross a ‘t,’ a fault in the indictment is found, and the accused, already condemned by public opinion, may, and often does, escape, to repeat his diabolical crimes elsewhere.
“Take a notable case. A little boy is playing with his mates. Two men come along, and persuade him to go with them. He does so, and that is the last known of Charlie Ross. If the earth had opened and swallowed him, he would not have been more completely lost. Two men have baffled the utmost efforts of a hundred detectives, and after a year of search they are forced to confess themselves as much in the dark as ever. Take another. An old man, living in a densely peopled part of a large city, is struck down by the hand of an assassin. His murderer opens the front door, goes out, perhaps brushes by the arm of a policeman, walks down the street in the glaring light of the gas lamps, turns a corner, and is gone. That is all; the world knows no more who he is, whence he came, and whither he has gone, than if he had never been born. The Coroner’s jury comes and sits with owl-like gravity; the police come, pry and smell in every corner, go away, investigate, and accomplish nothing.
“Take the God’s Hill affair as a type of the other daring railroad robberies lately committed. Five men stop a crowded passenger train, rob the mails, steal the express money, rob the road agents and the passengers, mount their horses and ride off, and that is all. By this act it is clearly demonstrated that five men may, and with impunity do, dare the anger and defy the power of a traveling public, a rich railroad corporation, an express company, a State’s authorities, and the United States government.
“Let the kaleidoscope turn again, and another scene comes to view—one that touches the heart of every father, mother and brother in the land. A little child lies silent in her coffin. Flowers are strewed around her, the solemn words of the funeral service are heard, amid the weeping of a disconsolate mother and the sobs of a stricken father; the little, cold body is laid away to everlasting sleep, the clods cover the coffin, the turf is laid over the grave, and the sad act is over. Painful enough it is, if the little one has died in her mother’s arms, if she has peacefully breathed out her last sigh on the loving breast of a father, and whispered her final words of love into his attentive ear. Sad enough when the patient hand of a sister has wiped the death-damp from the innocent brow, closed the eyes that never looked on iniquity, and composed the tiny limbs for their last resting place.
“But the little one has met a different fate. She knew no sin, and yet was made the victim of a human devil. She was subjected to the most damnable outrage that can be conceived, and then strangled to prevent its discovery. Every father deserving the name will feel his heart burn and his hands quiver if he thinks how he would feel and act if the case were that of his own innocent child. How long are such things to continue? Is there any efficiency in our police, or any justice in our courts? If so, why are not demons who perpetrate such outrages caught and hanged, as they ought to be? If such occurrences take place often, who can blame the people for taking judgment into their own hands, and administering a swift and terrible justice on such offenders? At this moment, every father who reflects on the circumstances would uphold and defend the action of any set of men who would summarily lynch such an offender, and nine hundred and ninety-nine out of every thousand in the nation would say, ‘Well done!’”
The foregoing, from the St. Louis Globe Democrat, of July 24, 1875, does not seem to indicate that we may look for the millennium very soon. It is no wonder that the writer says this is “becoming the age of crime.” It is already the age of crime, because it is the age of selfishness. This age has been called the “age of covetousness,” but covetousness and all the evils of the age can be traced to selfishness as the root. And this is why it is becoming an age of “unpunished crime.” It is ascertained that juries can be bribed, and that gold will set the prisoner and the criminal free. Let those who cry out, “How long are such things to continue?” study the word of God, and they will learn that this wicked age is plainly set forth, and that “evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived!” 2 Tim. 3:13.
It will continue till God can no longer bear with a revolted and Heaven-defying world, and the earth shall be swept with the besom of destruction. Then shall the Prince of peace and righteousness begin his everlasting reign. Let us be thankful that this consummation, so devoutly to be wished, is near at hand.
W. PENNIMAN.
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