Earlier text: The Living BreadIn the article on the eighth page, reference is made to the present tendency to investigate subjects “which are full of scientific mystery.” This tendency is well described in the following paragraph from one of the current magazines:— Suffice to say that the last century has witnessed marvelous changes in the world's theories and thinking. Old landmarks have been buried out of sight, and new continents of truth have been opened up. The spirit of inquiry has been unchained. The ipse dixit of authority has been fearlessly challenged. The scientific spirit has invaded every province; microscope and telescope have been called into service. No atom is so minute, no star so remote, but has either elicited and rewarded the search of the glass or has served as a factor in the hypothesis which assumes its hidden existence. This so-called “scientific spirit” has invaded the field of religion, and its conclusions have been accepted in place of revealed truth. The result is the recasting of theology in a human mold, and the elimination of those truths of the gospel which can not be demonstrated by scientific research. Thus are brought in “new theories which lead away from the truth.” Circulate the Publications
By Ellen G. White
In the night of March 2, 1907, many things were revealed to me regarding the value of our publications on present truth, and the small effort that is being made by our brethren and sisters in the churches for their wide circulation. I have been repeatedly shown that our presses should now be constantly employed in publishing light and truth. This is a time of spiritual darkness in the churches of the world. Ignorance of divine things has hidden God and the truth from view. The forces of evil are gathering in strength. Satan flatters his coworkers that he will do a work that will captivate the world. While partial inactivity has come upon the church, Satan and his hosts are intensely active. The professed Christian churches are not converting the world; for they are themselves corrupted with selfishness and pride, and need to feel the converting power of God in their midst before they can lead others to a purer or higher standard. An Encouraging Experience
The afternoon of March 2 I spent in counsel with Brother and Sister S. N. Haskell, discussing the work in Oakland, and their plans to go East to spend some time in South Lancaster. After our visit I was weary, and retired early. I was suffering with rheumatism in my left side, and could get no rest because of the pain. I turned from side to side, trying to find ease from the suffering. There was a pain in my heart that portended no good for me. At last I fell asleep. About half-past nine I attempted to turn myself, and as I did so, I became aware that my body was entirely free from pain. As I turned from side to side, and moved my hands, I experienced an extraordinary freedom and lightness that I can not describe. The room was filled with light, a most beautiful, soft, azure light, and I seemed to be in the arms of heavenly beings. This peculiar light I have experienced in the past in times of special blessing, but this time it was more distinct, more impressive, and I felt such peace, peace so full and abundant no words can express it. I raised myself into a sitting posture, and I saw that I was surrounded by a bright cloud, white as snow, the edges of which were tinged with a deep pink. The softest, sweetest music was filling the air, and I recognized the music as the singing of the angels. Then a Voice spoke to me, saying, “Fear not: I am your Saviour. Holy angels are all about you.” “Then this is heaven,” I said, “and now I can be at rest. I shall have no more messages to bear, no more misrepresentations to endure. Everything will be easy now, and I shall enjoy peace and rest. O, what inexpressible peace fills my soul! Is this indeed heaven? Am I one of God’s little children? and shall I always have this peace?” The Voice replied, “Your work is not yet done.” Again I fell asleep, and when I awoke, I heard music, and I wanted to sing. Then some one passed my door, and I wondered if that person saw the light. After a time the light passed away, but the peace remained. After a while I fell asleep again. This time I seemed to be in a council meeting where our book work was being discussed. There were a number of our brethren present, leaders in our work, and Elder Haskell and his wife were there consulting together and with the brethren about the circulation of our books, tracts, and periodicals. Elder Haskell was presenting strong reasons why the books which contain the knowledge that has been communicated to Sister White,—the books containing the special message to come to the world at this present time,—should be more freely circulated. “Why,” he inquired, “do not our people appreciate and circulate more widely the books bearing the divine credentials? Why is not a specialty made of the books containing the warnings regarding Satan’s work? Why do we not give greater effort to circulating the books that point out Satan’s plans to counterwork the work of God, that uncover his plans and point out his deceptions? The moral evils of his deceptions are to be removed by opening the eyes of the people so that they shall discern the situation and the dangers of our times; so that they shall make diligent effort to lay hold by faith upon Christ and his righteousness.” A messenger from heaven stood in our midst, and he spoke words of warning and instruction. He made us clearly understand that the gospel of the kingdom is the message for which the world is perishing, and that this message, as contained in our publications already in print, and those yet to be issued, should be circulated among the people who are nigh and afar off. Dangers in Speculative Study
The light of truth which God designs shall come to the people of the world at this time is not that which the world’s men of learning are seeking to impart; for these men in their research often arrive at erroneous conclusions, and in their study of many authors become enthused with theories that are of satanic origin. Satan, clothed in the garb of an angel of light, presents for the study of the human mind subjects which seem very interesting, and which are full of scientific mystery. In the investigation of these subjects, men are led to accept erroneous conclusions, and to unite with seducing spirits in the work of propounding new theories which lead away from the truth. There is danger that the false sentiments expressed in the books that they have been reading will sometimes be interwoven by our ministers, teachers, and editors with their arguments, discourses, and publications, under the belief that they are the same in principle as the teachings of the Spirit of truth. The book “Living Temple” is an illustration of this work, the writer of which declared in its support that its teachings were the same as those found in the writings of Mrs. White. Again and again we shall be called to meet the influence of men who are studying sciences of satanic origin, through which Satan is working to make a nonentity of God and of Christ. The Father and the Son each have a personality. Christ declared, “I and my Father are one.” Yet it was the Son of God who came to the world in human form. Laying aside his royal robe and kingly crown, he clothed his divinity with humanity, that humanity through his infinite sacrifice might become partakers of the divine nature, and escape the corruption that is in the world through lust. Christ was tempted in all points as man is tempted, but at no time did he bring against the tempter a railing accusation. To every temptation he presented the Word of the Lord. “It is written” was his never-failing weapon. We, as the representatives of Christ, are to meet every thrust of the enemy with the Word of the living God. Never should we allow ourselves to follow the trail of the serpent by using his scientific arguments. Satan can never gain advantage of the child of God who relies on the Word of God as his defense. Our Counselor impressed deeply on our minds that God’s commandment-keeping people must be sanctified through the truth, and that truth must ever be given the foremost place. We must not forget that Satan still lives to exercise his deceptive power through false science. Christ was the Majesty of heaven, the Prince of life; yet he humbled himself as9 a man, and became obedient to every law of God. He passed over the ground that every man must tread who takes his name, and came forth from his trial pure and untainted by sin. He was our example in all things. The first advent of Christ and his life of ministry are not studied as they should be. His life was one of self-denial, in which truth in all its noble qualities was expressed. He lived to bless humanity by every good word and work. “He Careth for You”
By ALVARO DELOS WESTCOTT
LIGHTNINGS flash across the sky,
And the wild wind rages high;
But no fears my thoughts alarm,
God will keep me from all harm. He has kept me all these years,
Kept me through both joys and tears;
And he oft my heart hath stirred
By the power of his Word. I will trust him every day,
As he guides me o’er the way;
Let him lead me where he will,
Give him all my heart to fill. Father, take my hand in thine,
Let thy presence round me shine;
Fill me with thy precious love,
Keep my thoughts on things above; In thine image make me grow;
Cleansed from sin, and white as snow,
Let me sing thy praise above;
God is good, for “God is love.” Receiving Christ
By E. L. CARDEY
“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him.” Col. 2:6. The walk, or life, of the Christian is determined in the way that Christ is received. Too often he is received as one whom we need only in prosperity. How many who have accepted Christ have failed to gain real enjoyment in the Christian’s walk? When the sun shines, and all goes smoothly, it is easy to be on the mountain-top; but soon clouds obscure the sun, adversity crosses our pathway,—then, behold! too often we find ourselves away down in the valley of doubt. To accept Christ aright will cause the sun to shine every day, will make every dark valley a mountain-top in our experience. A few texts will show how this may be true. “In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will.” Eph. 1:11. When sickness came to you or your family, and perhaps some were laid to rest; when adversity came, and perhaps reduced you to poverty; when your friends forsook you, and spoke evil of you,—all this God had ordered in your behalf, “after the counsel of his own will.” The writer has often met with downcast and discouraged souls who have asked, “If the Lord has counseled about this trouble or misfortune that has come to me, why did he permit it, when he knew it would discourage me? I don’t see that any good has come out of it.” Ah! herein are manifested the beauty and depth of the wisdom of God. Better, while Jesus is in the Most Holy Place, that you should meet with that trial that has tested the weak place in your character, than to meet it and fall when the door of mercy is closed. Yes, before that trouble came to you, your co-partner, your blessed Lord, had counseled in the matter, and decreed it for your good. True, it may not be possible for you to see how it turns to your best good; nevertheless do not spend your time in trying to find out before you accept that promise, “Who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will.” If we could only believe this, accept it, and make it a part of our very character, how doubts, fears, and discouragements would flee from us, as the dew scatters before the summer’s sun. No chance then for the tempter to cause us to say, “The Lord is not just in his dealings with me.” If you have accepted Christ Jesus the Lord thus, how easy it will be to fulfil 1 Thess. 5:16, 17, 18: “Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” “Rejoice” that you are accounted worthy to be a soldier under the leadership of him whose counsel never fails. “Pray without ceasing,” that you may be victorious in the fight, and be kept in the hour of temptation that shall come upon all the world. “In everything give thanks,”—thanks for the long, hard marches, for those bitter tears you are caused to shed, for those wounds inflicted; yea, more, for the love that is shown in chastisement. We must have a faith such as no other people have had; for “these are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth.” This faith will be gained through experience. In this time the just shall live by faith. Not only when there is peace and plenty, but when trouble comes, when the flour barrel is empty, when your eye can not pierce the darkness ahead,—then live by faith. May the Lord help us, as those who expect to endure the conflict through to the end, to rejoice always in the Lord, to accept and believe his promises, to receive Christ as our counselor, our comforter, the Rock of our strength in the time of storm. Guatemala City, Central America. The Great Cities
By Addie S. Bowen
In our day many millions of people are in only a few cities, and thousands, many times over, are living in each of many smaller cities. In crowded “flats,” story above story, thousands climb up above the heads of others, or are carried up by elevators, to a few rooms which they call home. No yard of green grass where the little people can play, no beautiful trees by the doors and windows, no flower garden, no soil to cultivate,—just houses, block after block, walls shutting out nearly, if not all, of the sweet, fresh air of heaven, and shutting in more or less of desolation, misery, and sorrow. This is but a little of what might be mentioned of what is deplorable in miles and miles of streets in any large city in this country and in other lands. In the beginning it was planned by our Creator that each family should have a most beautiful garden of Eden for a home, and he started the human race on that plan,—plenty of room, an ocean of fresh air, the best of food, beautiful trees, grass, flowers, beauty, and sweet fragrance all around, with delightful, refreshing labor. Every possible need was supplied, and the all-pervading love of God filled this perfect home. God said nothing about building cities. Had he seen it best for humanity to dwell in cities, he could have made perfect ones, given Adam and Eve a lovely mansion, and told them to multiply and fill these cities; but he gave them a pattern home, and told them to multiply and fill the earth,—evidently with garden-of-Eden homes. God built no city on this earth. He plainly showed that his purpose was to have families in all the earth, not to have crowded cities while great wastes of territory were left unoccupied. One plain instance of the will of the Lord in this matter is recorded in the eleventh chapter of Genesis. Men said, “Let us build us a city,” and, “Let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.” Self-exaltation and colonization looked very desirable to them. So do they now to many. The Lord scattered those people. The very means by which they purposed to keep together, he used to scatter them abroad over the face of the whole earth. Does not this show that God disapproves of the city schemes of men? Yet cities are found everywhere, and the great masses of city people are waiting to receive the last warning message. Therefore God is calling his true and faithful children to go quickly, and do the work he gives them, in order that all in these great centers who love righteousness may receive and obey his message, and thus escape the destruction which will soon come upon the hardened sinners, the rebellious against God. Who will obey the call, and in the love which the Lord gives, go and give the message? Our God has built one city. All the glory and beauty of heaven center in it. When he shall place that city on this earth, as the capital of the glorious, eternal home of saved men and women, every right aspiration that humanity has had in building cities will be abundantly realized, in God’s way and time, by those who now are willing to choose his way and time for honor and happiness. The Gospel in the Sanctuary
By L. A. Hoopes
“Let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.” Ex. 25:8. “Unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them.” Heb. 4:2. “God, . . . at sundry times and in divers manners, spake in times past unto the fathers, by the prophets.” Heb. 1:1. Although many of the rites of the sacrificial service had been observed from the time the plan of salvation had been made known to the progenitor of the race, it was twenty-five hundred years before the definite plan of the sanctuary and its services was introduced. Why should it be introduced at that late day? The answer to this question will be the solution to a great many problems, which men have endeavored to solve independent of their true relationship to the sanctuary, and in every instance have failed. “When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me; until I went into the sanctuary10 of God; then understood I their end.” Ps. 73: 16, 17. What an exhaustless fountain of knowledge this sanctuary subject is. How it enters into, and forms the framework and substance, of every gospel theme, both in the Old and in the New Testament. A very terse statement in connection with the study of the covenants is found in “Patriarchs and Prophets,” page 371: “There was a still greater truth to be impressed upon their minds. Living in the midst of idolatry and corruption, they had no true conception of the holiness of God, of the exceeding sinfulness of their own hearts, their utter inability, in themselves, to render obedience to God’s law, and their need of a Saviour. All this they must be taught.” Are the people of this degenerate age any better than they? Is there not as great need of a teacher to give instruction on this subject as there was in the days of ancient Israel? The New Testament writers all recognized the importance of the sanctuary and its various rites and services by their frequent allusions to them. And well may they refer to it; for of all the devisings of men, there never has been a plan more simple, yet so comprehensive as that which was revealed to Moses in the wilderness. “See that thou make everything according to the pattern showed to thee in the mount,” was the divine command. It was to be a guide to Moses in the construction of the tabernacle and in the establishment of all the rites and services of the sanctuary. “Verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary.” No model could have a greater depth of meaning. Unlike any plan or model that man could devise, one can see new and richer meanings in the subject of the sanctuary every time he studies it. He gets a clearer view of heaven, of God and his throne, of Christ our advocate, of the ministration of angels, and of the eternal judgment. It is not the purpose of this article to repeat the many excellent things that have been published on this subject, but to note some interesting lessons in our daily walks which may be aptly taken from the sanctuary and its services. We shall not deal with the specific rites pertaining to the various sacrifices, but rather with the building, its material and furnishings; and the service in a general way. It is the sincere desire of the writer that as we study the subject, we shall enter into it as if we were the only ones to whom God was speaking, and that to us was committed the charge of the construction of the building, and of communicating the deep significance of every feature to others. First we are to consider the dwelling-place of the Most High. The sanctuary was a perfect type of the perfect dwelling-place of God in heaven. It likewise was a splendid witness to what our bodies should be, as temples of the Holy Spirit. 1 Cor. 3: 16, 17; 6: 19, 20. Since the church is called the house of God, and since the church is composed of members with a great variety of gifts, we would very naturally infer that, in the type, we should see a counterpart, as in the different kinds of material used, and in the great variety of parts of the building and the sacred vessels. These all show in a clear and distinct way the close and peculiar relationship between God and his creatures, not only on earth, but also in heaven. None were excluded who willed to contribute. Even the poorest could bring the hair off the back of the goat that supplied the family with milk. Each willing contribution was to have its proper place in the sacred dwelling and the divine ordinances. Even the poor were to have the gospel preached to them; and in turn their place in the church of Christ is a gospel sermon to others. In the furnishings of the tabernacle, there is a clear demonstration of the various gifts which should be in the church, the body of Christ. “Every man hath his proper gift of God.” 1 Cor. 7: 7. And how good it is to know that we may all be bound together like the beautiful curtains with their loops of blue and their golden taches. Or like the boards bound together by the gold-covered bars. How like the bonds of true brotherly love are the loops of blue, while the taches and the gold-plated bars may well represent the staying graces of the “love of God with abiding faith.” And how quickly the mind reverts to the language of the apostle, “Having your loins girt about with truth.” Each board was provided with two tenons and underneath these were two silver sockets. “And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.” Outside the tabernacle are found the laver, the altar of burnt-offering, and the court enclosure. These all have a wonderful significance. The seer of Patmos was told to measure the temple and altar and the worshipers, but the court was to be left out, for that was given to the Gentiles. He came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. Even the Gentile may be brought nigh by the blood of Christ. The Book of Daniel
By Editor
The Image Answering the Image
Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon. Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the satraps, the deputies, and the governors, the judges, the treasurers, the counselors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up. Then the satraps, the deputies, and the governors, the judges, the treasurers, the counselors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, were gathered together unto the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. Then the herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages, that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of music, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up; and whoso falleth not down and worshipeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. Therefore at that time, when all the peoples heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of music, all the peoples, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshiped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up. Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and brought accusation against the Jews. They answered and said to Nebuchadnezzar the king, O king, live forever. Thou, O king, hast made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of music, shall fall down and worship the golden image; and whoso falleth not down and worshipeth, shall be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. There are certain Jews whom thou hast appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. Dan. 3: 1-12. As the book of Daniel is not a consecutive history, but only a record of certain events related for a special purpose, it is not out of harmony with the plan of this book that about twenty years elapsed between the occurrences of the second and third chapters. In the meantime the kingdom of Nebuchadnezzar has been rapidly growing in power and glory. His kingdom has been extended by military conquests, and the stability of his kingdom has been assured by his successful administration, and by the carrying out of large projects in developing the interests of his realm. These conditions have been well described in the following paragraph:— “The victories of Nebuchadnezzar were not without an effect on his home administration, and on the construction of the vast works with which his name is inseparably associated. It was through them that he obtained that enormous command of ‘naked human strength’ which enabled him, without undue oppression of his own people, to carry out on the grandest scale his schemes for at once beautifying and benefiting his kingdom. From the time when he first took the field at the head of an army, he adopted the Assyrian system of forcibly removing almost the whole population of a conquered country, and planting it in a distant part of his dominion. Crowds of captives—the produce of his various wars—Jews, Egyptians, Phenicians, Syrians, Ammonites, Moabites, were settled in various parts of Mesopotamia, more especially about Babylon. From these unfortunates, forced labor was as a matter of course required; and it seems to have been chiefly, if not solely, by their exertions that the magnificent series of great works were accomplished, which formed the special glory of the fourth monarchy. . . . The indefatigable monarch seems to have either rebuilt, or at least repaired, almost every city and temple throughout the entire country. There are said to be at least a11 hundred cities in the tract immediately about Babylon, which give evidence, by inscribed bricks bearing his legend, of the marvelous activity and energy of this king.”—Seven Great Monarchies, Rawlinson, Three Volume Edition, Vol. II, pages 245, 246. Babylon the Only World-Kingdom
A knowledge of these facts seems necessary in order to interpret correctly Nebuchadnezzar’s conduct. After the Hebrew captive, Daniel, had related to him the dream of the great image, and in interpreting its meaning had told him of the successive kingdoms which would follow his own, each one of which would in turn pass away, until the time came that the God of heaven should set up a kingdom which would stand forever, Nebuchadnezzar acknowledged the God of Daniel as “the God of gods, and the Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets,” because Daniel had been able to make such a revelation to him. In further acknowledgment of his belief that Daniel had made a true forecast of the future, he promoted him “to rule over the whole province of Babylon, and to be chief governor over all the wise men of Babylon.” But time and the prosperity which have attended his rule have evidently made decided changes in the views entertained by the king of Babylon. In his dream he saw a great image, which Daniel interpreted to him as representing the future world-kingdoms. This image was composed of different metals, and the head of gold was declared to be the symbol of the kingdom of Babylon. Evidently influenced by the extension of his territory and the growth of his power during twenty years of unchecked prosperity, Nebuchadnezzar now rejects the outline of history as told by Daniel, and determines to present his own view of the future. As an answer, therefore, to the great image of the dream whose head only was of gold, Nebuchadnezzar made an image all of gold, and set it up in a prominent place, where it could not fail to attract the attention of the people of his realm. Did Daniel say that there should be another kingdom after him, and a third kingdom, and a fourth kingdom, and that only the fifth kingdom would be enduring in its nature? Nebuchadnezzar now contradicts this prophecy of the future, and by making an image all of gold, he asserts that no other world-kingdom shall succeed his own, and that the history of Babylon shall be the history of the world. The Image and Its Meaning
The image which Nebuchadnezzar set up may have been a likeness of his father, Nabopolassar, the first ruler of Babylon after it became an independent power; or it may have been a representation of a leading divinity of Babylon, such as Bel or Nebo; or it may have been an image of himself. In any case, the essential idea is the same. It is the personification of the greatness of Babylon, and includes the acknowledgment that the gods of Babylon, under whose guardian care the empire has attained its greatness, are superior to all others. To worship the golden image is, therefore, not simply idolatry in the ordinary signification, but is a direct denial of the God of heaven, and of the view of the future which he has disclosed through the revelation of his secret to Daniel in the night vision. The union of religion and the state, and the practical deification of the state in the person of the ruler, are common in heathen religions. It was, therefore, perfectly in harmony with the customs and the spirit of the times that Nebuchadnezzar should assume to direct the worship of his subjects, and require that divine honors should be paid to the image which he had set up, as a proof of loyalty to the monarch. To refuse to worship the image would be interpreted as an expression of rebellion against the authority of the king, as, in fact, an act of treason worthy of summary punishment. The temper of King Nebuchadnezzar toward those who crossed his wishes, and his exercise of arbitrary power in punishment, had already been illustrated in his decree that all the wise men of Babylon should be destroyed because of their inability to comply with his demand that they should relate his dream. Years of prosperity and increasing power would naturally tend to exaggerate these traits of character, until it was doubtless well known in Babylon that every man who defied the command of the king would bring punishment, swift and sure, upon himself. It may be worth while to note the dimensions of the golden image. The width was six cubits, and the height was ten times six cubits. Thus this image was stamped with the number six. This idea is further emphasized in the fact that six kinds of instruments are designated by name when referring to the music which was the signal for worship. Although Nebuchadnezzar himself may not have been conscious of the real significance of this combination of numbers, yet in view of later developments it is difficult to escape the conviction that in this work of the king of Babylon there was foreshadowed that spiritual oppression which in the latter days would characterize spiritual Babylon, represented by “the beast” of prophecy, the number of whose name is declared to be “six hundred and sixty and six.” It is plain that this number six signifies opposition to the God of heaven; and the worship of the image which was set up by the king of ancient Babylon is typical of that worship which will be enforced by the head of spiritual Babylon. The essential idea in both cases is the same. It is the exaltation of man above God, the putting of man in the place of God; and the true worshipers of the King of heaven must in both cases refuse to obey the decree which would involve them in idolatry. The dedication of the image was made an affair of state, and representatives of the whole province of Babylon were officially summoned to attend. No province is overlooked. The whole realm must know and acknowledge Nebuchadnezzar’s estimate of himself and his kingdom. The act of worshiping the golden image constitutes, as it were, an oath of allegiance, a pledge of loyalty, to aid in the realization of the king’s thought concerning the future. The scene must have been an inspiring one. Officials of all ranks, with their attendants, are gathered in the plain of Dura. The lofty image glistens in the sunlight. Music, which charms the senses and often drowns any disturbing reprovings of conscience, is not lacking. The herald proclaims the king’s command, and announces the fearful penalty for disobedience. The sound of the music furnishes the signal for worship, and “all the peoples, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshiped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.” In this great throng, however, there were three who, although they had been appointed “over the affairs of the province of Babylon,” and were thus classed among the officials of the realm, did not join in this deification of the state or the monarch. It might be thought that in such a crowd of worshipers these three men would have escaped attention; but not so. It is more than likely that envy made the Chaldeans watchful of the three captives who had been promoted to such positions of influence. At all events, an accusation was made against them, and in the accusation before the king these rebellious subjects are referred to as “certain Jews whom thou hast appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon.” The formal charge is made in these words: “These men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.” How strong is the implied charge of ingratitude and disloyalty! The despised captives, who might have been destroyed at the word of the king, but who instead have been honored by royal appointment, have now shown their contempt for the person and the religion of the king. What matters it that religion is wholly a question between man and his God? Is not the king of Babylon an absolute ruler? Has he not complete authority over all his subjects? Who will dare assert his right not to worship, when the king of Babylon commands him to worship? And who can claim liberty of conscience when such a claim involves disobedience to the royal command? Has not the decree been made in due form? and has not the death penalty been attached thereto? Surely it does not require the wisdom of the wise men of Babylon to foretell the result. The fiery furnace will be the portion of those who thus defy properly constituted authority, and who place the rights of conscience above the mandate of the king. Only so, according to the principles of Babylon, can the dignity of the king be maintained, and his authority vindicated. A Woman's Prayer
By Anna B. Bedlam
O Lord! who knowest every need of mine,
Help me to bear each cross, and not repine;
Grant me fresh courage every day,
Help me to do my work alway
Without complaint! O Lord! thou knowest well how dark the way,
Guide thou my footsteps lest they stray;
Give me fresh faith for every hour,
Lest I should ever doubt thy power,
And make complaint! Give me a heart, O Lord! strong to endure,
Help me to keep it simple, pure;
Make me unselfish, helpful, true;
In every act, whate'er I do,
To keep content! Help me to do my woman's share,
Make me courageous, strong to bear
Sunshine or shadow in my life;
Sustain me in the daily strife,
To keep content!
— Anna B. Bedlam. A Revival of the Temperance Work
By L. J. OTIS, M. D.
Much has been said concerning the importance of our health literature, and the need of its circulation at this time. All this I wish to second, and especially the circulation of the temperance number of the Watchman. This is a work which, done in faith, will bear a harvest of precious fruit; for just as surely as this class of work is the entering wedge, just so surely will souls be reached by it who otherwise would never hear the precious message. I wish, however, beyond the importance of the literature work, to emphasize especially the importance of public work in this direction. In connection with our tent- and camp-meetings by all means bring it in. Christ says, “Ye are the light of the world.” If so, we should lead out in all true reforms, and especially in all reforms by means of which we may introduce the truths of the message for this time to the people. To show that this is in harmony with the best methods of work, I quote from Volume VI of “Testimonies for the Church,” page 110:— “Especially does the temperance reform demand our attention and support. At our camp-meetings we should call attention to this work, and make it a living issue. . . . Our camp-meetings should have the labors of medical men. . . . They should give instruction to the people in regard to the dangers of in temperance. This evil must be more boldly met in the future than it has been in the past. Ministers and doctors should set forth the evils of intemperance.” We used, some time ago, to present this line of work more thoroughly than at present, and at a time when the largest outside attendance was expected. I quote further from the same volume: “If the work of temperance were carried forward by us as it was begun thirty years ago; if at our camp-meetings we presented before the people the evils of intemperance in eating and drinking, and especially the evil of liquor-drinking; if these things were presented in connection with the evidences of Christ’s soon coming, there would be a shaking among the people.” This work is again to equal what it used to be. Nor is it to stop there; for we read from the same authority, page 112: “As we near the close of time, we must rise higher and still higher upon the question of health reform and Christian temperance, presenting it in a more positive and decided manner.” These quotations are well worth our consideration; for it is the presentation of these truths, with the message of Christ’s soon coming, that is to produce a shaking among the people. May all who see this article do their part to increase this work, and thus help the people to realize their need of the truths of the message. And let us remember, in presenting these truths, to show a zeal in proportion to their importance.