Earlier text: LAYING UP TREASURE IN HEAVENKnowing that our brethren and sisters everywhere are interested in the prosperity of the work in connection with our College, we would say that each week we are cheered by the encouraging letters and reports from different parts of the field which are received in answer to the many letters and publications sent out. The following are extracts of interest taken from letters received by members of the College V. M. Society, and read at our last weekly meeting, Feb. 19, 1885. A gentleman writes from South Russia: We have received the Stimme and tracts you sent me. We love them very much, for they contain precious truths, and by reading them the truth comes more sweet to us. I wish you could send us some of all your tracts. There are many here who are interested in the truth and desire reading matter. My wife and I are especially interested to read further. We have distributed the tracts you sent, and three persons (heads of families) have commenced to keep the Sabbath by reading an eight-page tract. They desire to be baptized, and there is no one here to baptize them. They went to the Baptists to have the ordinance administered, but they were answered that they must first give up the Sabbath. This they did not do. Please let us know what we should do, and send some over to help us; let us also know how we can send for publications, as we do not know where to send the money. There are quite a number here who would like to subscribe for the Stimme. Pray for us. A little girl in Missouri, who has received several copies of the Instructor, says: “I thank you for them very much, for I like them better than any other paper of the kind that I have. Please write again and tell me who you are. You have been so kind I should like to know you.” Another little girl writes, “I have received your papers with much pleasure and read them with the same pleasure, and would be very much pleased to receive more.” A lady in Michigan says, “I received your letter, also the papers, and am ever so much obliged to you for sending them, as I enjoy reading them very much.” The following letter from a gentleman in Texas was received several weeks ago, but re-read at our last meeting in connection with one of a recent date: He says, “I have been reading the works of U. Smith on Daniel and the Revelation, and am pleased with them. I never read anything of the kind before. I know nothing about the doctrines of S. D. Adventists only what I read in this book. I am a member of the Methodist church; but if I am wrong I am willing to be convinced on reasonable terms. I would like to have some information concerning the doctrines of the Seventh-day Adventists. You will please send me your full catalogue of publications and tell me where I can get some good papers of the kind to read.” Again he writes, “I have carefully read the Scriptures to which you referred me in your letter, and am compelled to say, that you are correct on the Sunday question; as to the other doctrines, I have not yet given them any study. I have received two copies of the REVIEW AND HERALD, also one copy of your California paper, and have read them with pleasure. I have not yet received any tracts. Any reading matter on your doctrines that you may see fit to send me will be thankfully received.” A young man in Nevada says: “I like to read your papers very much. If you cannot find time to write, please remember me occasionally with the paper.” A gentleman in Michigan writes: “I have read your papers with interest and am thankful for them. I think that they contain truths well and honestly written. I would like to take them if I were able. I am much obliged for those sent me. They are all read.”133 An Illinois lady says: “I have read the papers with some considerable interest. At one time I subscribed for the Signs for six months, and fully intended to keep on taking it; but circumstances were such that I could not do so. I wish, as soon as I can, to send for ‘Our Country’s Future Foretold,’ also ‘The Coming Conflict.’ I would be pleased to read at any time either of the papers you see fit to send me. Thank you again for your kindness.” A gentleman in Dakota writes: “You wanted to know how I like the papers. I will say, I like them very much, as I think their teachings are in harmony with the Bible, and I believe if there is truth, your people have it. You ask if I would like to subscribe for one of your papers. I would like one, but do not know which I would like the best. You can send me the one you think is the best and I will send you the money.” Still another in Dakota writes: “From time to time I have received copies of the Signs of the Times and the Advent Review, which I have read with much interest and for which I am much obliged.” The following is from Florida: “I have received two copies of the Signs of the Times. I am well pleased with them. I will send you a few names.” Six other letters were read at the meeting, all expressing some interest. One brother reported that he had obtained a year’s subscription for the REVIEW from a gentleman with whom he had conversed, and whom he found to be deeply interested. Thus we see that the truth is finding its way into the hearts of the people, and many are being led to a knowledge of it by reading our publications. We should not become weary of working and waiting for the fruit to appear, for in due season we shall reap if we faint not. BATTLE CREEK COLLEGE V. M. SOCIETY. VIRGINIA TRACT SOCIETY.
By L. D. Woods
Report for Quarter Ending Dec. 31, 1884. No of members, ........................................ 44
“ “ reports returned, .................................. 20
“ “ members added, ...................................... 8
“ “ missionary visits, .................................. 61
“ “ letters written, ..................................... 42
“ “ Signs taken in clubs, ............................... 10
“ “ new subscriptions obtained, .......................... 4
“ “ pages tracts and pamphlets distributed, .......... 9,598
“ “ periodicals distributed, ............................ 196
“ “ annuals “ ............................................ 24 Received on membership and donations, $1; on sales, $5.93; on periodicals, $3; on reserve fund $12. DAKOTA TRACT SOCIETY.
By Alice H. Beaumont
Report for Quarter Ending Dec. 31, 1884. No. of members, 285
“ “ reports returned, 167
“ “ members added, 12
“ “ “ dismissed, 7
“ “ missionary visits, 902
“ “ letters written, 278
“ “ Signs taken in clubs, 81
“ “ Sime “ “, 24
“ “ new subscribers obtained, 102
“ “ pages tracts and pamphlets distributed, 55,053
“ “ periodicals distributed, 2,807
“ “ annuals, 81 Received on membership and donations, $94.40; on book sales, $184.16; on periodicals, $102.03; on general sales, $37; on ten-thousand-dollar fund, $170; on other funds, $41.30. The societies at Big Springs, Canton, Tyndall, Immanuel’s Creek, Altoona, and Brookings, failed to report. PENNSYLVANIA TRACT SOCIETY.
By L. C. Chadwick
Report for Quarter Ending Dec. 31, 1884. “ “ reports returned, 237 “ “ missionary visits, 531 “ “ signs taken in clubs, 160 “ “ new subscriptions obtained, 87 “ “ pages tracts and pamphlets distributed, 105,354 “ “ periodicals distributed, 3,768 Received on membership and donations, $89; on periodicals, $129.45. INDIANAPOLIS MISSION.
By A. W. Bartlett
Owing to unsuitable rooms, we have been obliged to move the third time. We have now secured a house having two large rooms separated by sliding doors, with seating capacity for one hundred persons, where we expect to give a course of lectures soon. Our address is now, where we hope to remain permanently, No. 32 Cherry Street. We invite our people who may be passing through this city to stop. Especially will any be welcome who are well loaded with potatoes and flour. CUMBERED ABOUT MUCH SERVING.
Christ never asks of us such busy labor As leaves no time for resting at his feet; The waiting attitude of expectation He ofttimes counts a service most complete. He sometimes wants our ear,—our rapt attention,— That he some sweetest secret may impart; ’Tis always in the time of deepest silence That heart finds deepest fellowship with heart. We sometimes wonder why our Lord doth place us Within a sphere so narrow, so obscure, That nothing we call work can find an entrance; There’s only room to suffer,—to endure! Well, God loves patience! souls that dwell in stillness, Doing the little things, or resting quite, May just as perfectly fulfill their mission, Be just as useful in the Father’s sight, As they who grapple with some giant evil, Clearing a path that every eye may see. Our Saviour cares for cheerful acquiescence, Rather than for a busy ministry. And yet he does love service where ’tis given By grateful love that clothes itself in deed; But work that’s done beneath the scourge of terror, Be sure to such he gives but little heed. Then seek to please him, whatsoe’er he bids thee, Whether to do, to suffer, to lie still; ’Twill matter little by what path he leads us, If in it all we seek to do his will. DISGUSTING AND BLASPHEMOUS SUPERSTITION
INTELLECTUALLY, scientifically, and in large measure industrially and socially, the world has emerged from the darkness of the Dark Ages. But theologically, the most of it is still back there. Even in the Protestant world, the prevailing theology is the theology of those centuries of ignorance and superstition. We give herewith a specimen of the depths in which the Catholic church still remains. The narrative represents the Virgin Mary as smuggling souls into heaven, despite the watchful guardianship which Peter maintains at the gate, and contrary to the will of Christ. This a Catholic paper hands out as a true statement of divine truth to the ignorant dupes of that vile imposture. We reprint from the New York Independent, the article, which is there entitled, “The Virgin Mary a Smuggler, By Ronile,” and he quotes from a Catholic paper called “Sontags-Blatt, or ‘Sunday Sheet,’” an appropriate paper truly to be the vehicle of such stuff. The reader will observe, moreover, that the whole foundation for such blasphemous nonsense is the wide-spread error that the soul is immortal and the dead conscious. Let us exert ourselves with re-doubled energy to expose that ruinous heresy. But to the article, which reads:— I am not opposed to the Roman Catholic Church, in so far as it preaches truth, heals the sick, and cares for the poor; quite the contrary. But some times the vagaries of members of that Church cause a great strain on my regard for the principles thereof, in spite of the india-rubber character of the principles, and of my regard for them. A Roman Catholic newspaper is lying before me, the Sontags-Blatt or “Sunday-Sheet,” a gratis supplement to the Cologne Bergheim and to the Ehrenfeld Times, the fourth number for 1884, issued on Sunday, the 27th of January. It must be distinctly understood that the Pope does not edit this journal, nor does the Archbishop of Cologne; it is edited, printed, and published by Peter Brandts, in Ehrenfeld. Yet it is a Roman Catholic journal. The first thing under the title is the calendar for the week, with the saints to be invoked day by day (a very fair selection, by the way), beginning with Chrysostom for Monday, giving two saints apiece for Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, not forgetting the Church militant in Charlemagne for Tuesday. I beg Charlemagne’s pardon, but I really did not know before that he had been canonized; indeed, I do not feel sure even now that our editor has not copied his name by mistake from some worldly almanac. After this come the notices of the “Unceasing Prayer” in various chapels. This pleases me. I believe in prayer. Prayer-tests or no, it is good for me, and I think must be good for other people. I am glad when they like it. But then, I may add that I do not like vain repetitions, or a mechanical, Thibet prayer-wheel repetition, even of such good things as the Lord’s Prayer. Further, the first two articles are, to my mind, proper ones. One is a poem of three verses, entitled “Deliverance;” and, if the poetry be only of the kind usual in small papers, the sense and the theology are excellent. The second is a little sermon for the third Sunday after Epiphany, on the text Matt. 8: 1–13, wherein the writer praises faith as the foundation of our salvation. This sermon could find a place in any sound Protestant newspaper, and be welcome. Nor have I any fault to find with the piece of a serial story which forms the fourth and last of the longer articles in the “Sunday-Sheet.” “What does not please you then, and why are you so long in getting at it?” Do not be in a hurry! It is the third article. Read it, and tell me if it does not arouse your indignation at the writer, at the editor, and at the confessors of the two men, who put such a thing in the hands of the poor! It is entitled, “Smuggling in Heaven,” by J. H., and it reads as follows:— “One day our Divine Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, was walking through the land from which death, care, pain, and crying have been banished. Coming upon a number of men and women, old134 people, and children, he stood still in surprise, because he could not remember ever having seen them in heaven. He observed, particularly among the children, a numerous group of little girlish forms, whose lovely faces, radiant with joy, were altogether strange and unknown to him.” “‘What can this mean?’ he thought to himself. ‘The thing looks suspicious. Is it possible that some one has dared to practice smuggling in heaven? Or is Peter beginning to grow careless? Hum! I am afraid that old age has made him somewhat too indulgent.’ Occupied with such thoughts, he turned his steps to the great door of heaven. Peter was standing near it with the great golden keys in his hand.” “The prince of the apostles grew pale, and was evidently embarrassed at the severe look which our Lord cast upon him. Since, however, his conscience did not reproach him in the least, he calmed himself, laid aside all fear, and waited in respectful silence till he should be spoken to.” “‘Peter,’ began the Highest Judge, ‘I have just seen several faces that I did not know at all. I know that for base gold you do not grant unworthy persons entrance into heaven. Were you, perhaps, away a few minutes? Or did you, it may be, forget to lock the door? Give me an open and an honest answer, such as I am accustomed to from you.’” “‘Master,’ replied Peter, ‘I can assure you that I always keep the door locked, and only open it after I have assured myself, rather twice than only once, that the first name and family name, as well as the occupation and residence of those who desire entrance have been booked in the general register. It is true that I sometimes absent myself from my post for a short time; but that happens very rarely, and then I always leave as my representative my brother Andrew, upon whom I can rely in every respect.’” “‘It is indeed strange!’ murmured the Redeemer. He called several of the suspicious-looking people to him, and asked them a few questions. They all gave their baptismal and their family names; but, singularly enough, no one of these was written in the general register.” “‘The features of the Master grew severer than before, and Peter trembled in every limb like an aspen. But our Lord said quickly: “Calm yourself, and do not let your courage fail. I give you three days, during which you can make the necessary researches. As soon as you have ended them, lay a detailed report before me.”’” “‘The gatekeeper of Heaven did not lose a minute. After he had intrusted the keys of heaven’s gate to his brother Andrew, whom he charged to be as watchful as possible, he at once went to the people whose names were lacking in the general register of the Book of Life.’” “‘How did you get into Paradise?’ he addressed them. ‘Certainly not through the door!’” “‘No, sir,’ said a tottering old man, who answered in the name of the rest. ‘Listen. This is the way it came about. After we had knocked for a long time in vain at the great door, and you refused to open unto us, we determined, in our despair, to go clear around heaven. Perhaps—this was our hope—there is somewhere or other a concealed little door, which will grant the entrance we long for with such pain. Unfortunately, however, we soon came to the conviction that the walls of heaven were just as firm and impervious as they are beautiful and artistic. Nevertheless, we did not cease our vain endeavors; an endlessly, inexpressibly beautiful song, which found its way to us through these walls of agate, jasper, and emerald, fettered our steps. Suddenly, at the very moment at which we thought we must give up all hope of pressing our way into the land of the blessed, we heard a voice, which sounded by itself far more harmonious than all the choruses of the blessed spirits together, and it said:—” “‘“Hither, my children, hither!” The sweet sounds had scarcely ceased, when an opening appeared in the walls of heaven which, however, closed again a few minutes later. We had just time enough to slip in through it. It doubtless is not necessary to mention to you the name of the person who called us so mercifully, and led us hither.’” “‘That is indeed unnecessary,’ replied the apostle and prince. ‘Remain here, all of you, in God’s name, until the Highest Judge shall have finally decided upon your fate.’” “‘With speedy feet, the key-bearer went to his Lord and Master. “Lord,” he began, “I have already finished my researches. My supposition has turned out to be correct. The people did not pass in through the door, but—but”—“Tell me the whole truth without hesitation,” said Jesus, encouragingly, to his apostle, who feared to go on. “Your mother called them and let them in through an opening in the wall.”’” “‘I thought so,’ said the Redeemer, with a sweet smile. ‘It is not the first time that she has played such tricks upon me. However,’ he continued, ‘the Book of Life cannot deceive us, and the names of the ones she has let in must, therefore, necessarily be in it. So go and look; see if you cannot find them entered in the daybook of heaven.’” “‘Peter obeyed. He had only turned over a few pages in the great book with the seven seals, when his gaze fell upon a long, fine, elegant handwriting, which clearly was from a woman’s hand. The apostle recognized the writing at once; for he had seen it only too often on petitions. Yes; the mother of God had herself noted here the names of those she had let in; but she had forgotten to add them to the general register.’” “‘Thus all was cleared up. This time, too, justice was forced to yield to mercy. “Poor doorkeeper,” sighed the prince of the apostles sadly, as he went back to his porter’s lodge, “in reality you are only an under-doorkeeper. The real doorkeeper, yes, the door of heaven, is and remains the mother of my Master, and Christians are only too thoroughly right when they name her: “Ianna coeli, ora pro nobis,” “Gate of Heaven, pray for us.”’” There, that is the effort of the Roman Catholic writer. What do you think of it? I confess that it was not easy to write it down, and I will warrant that you have not read it without disagreeable feelings; but some things must be seen to be believed, some warnings cannot be too plainly pointed; and this is a fair sample of the method in which the ignorance and superstition of the poor are played upon, in order to support the extravagances of Mary-worship in the Roman Catholic churches. MISSIONARY WORK IN HENRY COUNTY, TENN.
By J. E. Titus
A few words as to the missionary work in this part of the State may be of interest. The brethren are wide awake, and earnestly second any move that promises to advance the cause. They have taken hold of the “Sunshine” and Signs with a vim that, with the blessing of the Lord, must make it a success. Since the 1st of January sixty copies of “Sunshine” have been delivered, sixty copies of the Signs for three months accompanying them, besides a number for six weeks, and one copy for a year. One brother has sixty-five orders to fill at once, and others are in for a later date. The “Sunshine” takes well, and in places where without it we could not possibly introduce the Signs. The usual prejudice exists, and much wisdom is required to overcome it. The statement that the Signs is published in the interests of the International Tract Society will relieve many minds in regard to the character of the paper; while a little judicious fireside talk, after an order is taken, will awaken a desire to examine the paper. Much interest is already awakened, and the prospect for tent labor is good. The efforts this year have been mostly in Benton Co., where the truth has never been preached, and the fact is already circulating there that the Henry County Adventists are spreading reading matter among the people. The work is onward, and no one need be discouraged. The old State of Tennessee, blighted by slavery, and but just recovering from poverty consequent upon the war, and from the perils of the reconstruction period, will yet stretch out her hands to God, take her place with her more favored sister States in the great work of warning a world, and in the end yield her full quota of jewels to shine in the Saviour’s crown. One instance I have here to encourage our seemingly useless efforts. Some one in Illinois gave a man Bro. Tate’s “Exposition of Matthew Twenty-four,” which in time found its way to a man here who became interested in it, and who not only took the Signs and a copy of the “Synopsis of Present Truth,” but who, with several others, bids fair to embrace the whole truth. Last Sabbath was a good day for the little church at Springville. Bro. Fulton gave a stirring discourse based upon the message to the Laodiceans, which was followed by some earnest conversations, and all were greatly encouraged. Earnest prayer from all parts of the great harvest field is asked, that the Lord will build up his cause in Tennessee the coming year. Dist. No. 2, Kansas: Missionary Work Neglected
By C. W. Flaiz
DURING the past year missionary work has been greatly neglected in this district. The year 1883 was marked as a prosperous era for us. A large amount of missionary work was done, an accumulated debt was paid, and all branches of the work seemed to be looming up. But the result of the last year's labor has not been as large as could reasonably have been expected. There has been a decrease of interest. This is far from what it should be. A most glorious truth has been given us, and it should be our pleasure as well as our duty to herald it to the world. Each one has talent, for which he must render an account. Matt. 25:15-19. There are too many who have their talents hid in the earth, thus neglecting the duties the Master placed upon them, for the faithful performance of which a crown of life is promised. All who heed the third angel's message become missionaries. “And let him that heareth say, Come.” Rev. 22:17; Matt. 28:19, 20; Jesus is our pattern (1 Pet. 2:21); and he says, “My meat is to do the will of Him that sent me, and to finish his work.” We must expect to suffer reproach for thus did our pattern. “When he was reviled he reviled not again, but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously.” 1 Pet. 2:23. “He came unto his own, and his own received him not.” John 1:11. There are souls all around us perishing for the light of present truth. “When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood will I require at thine hand.” Here we can see to a degree the responsibility resting upon us. Eternity alone will tell the number of neglected opportunities, the number of moments idled away, that might have been consecrated to the Master's service. We may not at once see the fruit of our labor; but it is our duty to sow the seed, and in due time our sheaves will be ready for the heavenly garner. We must not get discouraged. Noah labored one hundred and twenty years without a single convert outside of his own family. Jesus is our pattern. Of him it is written, He shall not fail nor be discouraged. Brethren and sisters, let us arouse from the lethargy into which we have fallen, and engage again in the Master's work. Time is very short. Soon the last tract will be sent on its mission of mercy, the last visit made, and the last prayer offered. Then it will be revealed who have done their duty faithfully. “Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father.” Matt. 13:43.
C. W. FLAIZ. SKILLED LABOR.
By B. F. M.
To be a successful teacher requires arduous labor in the preparation for the work. In fact, to become efficient in any work requires labor. The science and art of achieving a great work are only acquired by labor. Skilled labor is in great demand in the missionary work. Some wonder that they do not accomplish more in this work when they have given but the slightest attention to becoming skilled in it. It is not a lack of gifts, as many seem to think, that results are so small, but a lack of rightly developing and employing these gifts. To become a skilled workman should be the object of every one who has a vocation. Especially should this be the case with those who labor in the sacred cause of God. There are too many who are satisfied with inefficient work. This certainly is displeasing to God. Remember that poor, inefficient workmen are too numerous in every vocation. But “there is room at the top.” Who will set their mark high, and endure the toil and care that will make them skilled workmen? Such will have the approval of Heaven. Christians Living and Dying Unto the Lord
—Sincere Christians walk the earth with mien and bearing of immortals, although the rays of spiritual majesty which stream forth from the burning spirit within, often do but illumine the weakness of the body which encases it. Of such it is literally true that whether they live, they live unto the Lord, and whether they die they die unto the Lord.—Canon Liddon. If there is any evidence that this generation of Americans is prone to follow the Devil on the downward road to perdition, it is to be found in the multiform popular devices for getting something for nothing, or in other words, in the widespread passion for gambling. Not only in the large cities where vice has its temples, but in many quiet villages, and in some of our academies and colleges, the faro bank and poker tables are ruining some of the most gifted and prominent men of the time, corrupting their hearts and habits, teaching them to be tricky and false, and leading them straight along to the ruin which follows thieving defalcations and breaches of trust. Even in New Hampshire there are scores of men who are to-day broken in fortune, in ambition, and reputation, simply because of their strife for riches at the gaming table, where only he who is cold-blooded enough to be a professional cut-throat ever succeeds in amassing a fortune. And yet this kind of gambling which shuns the daylight, and flourishes only behind bolts and shutters, which is outlawed by statutes and public opinion, which only the heartless succeed in, and only the shameless confess to be addicted to, comes as near to being an honest occupation as almost any other. The gambler with cards is generally a cheat, but he has this in his favor, that, as a rule, he does not claim to be anything else. He says to the man who plays with him, “I intend to get your money without giving you anything in return,” and whoever bets that he is sharp enough to carry out his intentions, does so with his eyes open. The victim, of course, expects to win, but when he has lost his last dollar, and perhaps hundreds that belong to others, he has only himself to reproach. He has known from the start that he was engaged in an illegal, dangerous, and disgraceful business, in which he could expect no favors and no quarters; and when he thinks it all over he is forced to the conclusion that he has fared quite as well as he deserved. Next to the card table come the lotteries, beginning with those which control some of the Southern State governments, and openly defy the laws of the United States, and ending with the cheap copies by which pious people “whip the Devil round a stump” at church and charity. Some of these are cheats of the worst description, and some, perhaps, are managed squarely; they are all organized for the purpose of appealing to men's passion for gambling, and conducted to get money without returning an equivalent. They all rob their patrons, and in nine cases out of ten gather their receipts from the ignorant and the poor, who have no money to spare. A twin sister of the lottery curse goes out in the shape of the prize-package, which is the bait used to lure people into the meshes of traders who have merchandise to sell that cannot be sold at the prices asked upon its merits. This, too, appeals to people's desire to “try their luck,” and is a species of cheap gambling which finds victims by the thousand among those whose circumstances should induce them not to fool away their money. It is a game of chance. Generally this game is a cheat at both ends. The prize is not what it is represented, and the wares which it helps to sell are frauds. Whoever buys prize candy in order to get a chance to find a gold ring, even when lucky gets glucose instead of sugar, and brass instead of gold, and most of the men and women who are induced to pay $5 for clothing and groceries by an agreement that some one of them shall draw a piano or a chamber set, are obliged to wear shoddy and eat adulterations for the rest of the year, while even the fortunate prize-winner listens to hideous music, and sleeps on a rickety bedstead, until he wishes some of his enemies had his good luck. Still worse is the mania for gambling in stocks, which corrodes the conscience, frenzies the brain, and petrifies the hearts of the men and women who constitute the speculators of Wall and State streets. This is an eminently respectable curse which attacks all classes. It haunts the parlor as well as the bar-room, roosts over the doors of the strongest banks, occupies a front seat and oftentimes the pulpit at church, and makes paupers and thieves out of the most gifted and the most trusted in the community. It is recognized as a legitimate occupation, and the man engaged in135 it is neither cast out nor loses his seat at the communion table as long as he succeeds. And so it is along the line, and in all conditions of life,—a frantic struggle to get money without working for it, a reckless trusting to luck, a desperate staking of everything upon the honor of professional sharpers, tricksters, and cheats. And worst of it is, there is little or no attempt to check this mad rush to destruction. We have no lack of reform organizations for the suppression of intemperance, no lack of preaching to correct the evils that grow out of our divorce system, and as much as we care to be, we are lectured upon the propriety of our dress and manners; but this widespread and many-shaped gambling curse exists and extends in the silence that gives consent, provoking scarcely a protest anywhere, and an earnest movement for its suppression nowhere. It ought to be otherwise, and some day it will be, or we shall have a country in which honesty and fair dealing are strangers.—Mirror and Farmer. UNHOLY AMBITION.
By J. O. C.
Beecher’s popularity has sadly waned. He was advertised to lecture a few evenings ago in Chickering Hall, New York, and less than one hundred persons went to hear him. The former favorite of Plymouth pulpit evidently felt the slight very keenly. At half past eight he appeared on the platform, and announced to the few assembled that there would be no lecture, and that the admission money would be refunded at the door. It is well known that any man of prominence can secure a good audience for a lecture in New York. Beecher’s failure to do so ought to be evidence to him that his hold upon the public mind is about lost. He would show a little good sense now if he would no longer pose before the public for that favor he has long since forfeited by his continued indiscretions. His descent from the dignity of the pulpit to the political arena, and his inconsiderate utterances in the last campaign, have proved the finishing misfortune to what might have been a beneficial career. It were surely better to die respected by all in the midst of one’s days, than to allow inordinate ambition to sully the character in old age, and then depart “without being desired.” The results seen from the course of the Brooklyn preacher should be a warning to others who are engaged in the work of the gospel. The words of Shakspeare are applicable to all such :— “Cromwell, I charge thee, fling away ambition;
By that sin fell the angels; how can man, then,
The image of his Maker, hope to win by ’t?”
Forgiveness and Understanding Pain Toward Others
By Margaret Fuller
—Does any man wound thee? Not only forgive, but work into thy thought intelligence of the kind of pain, that thou mayest never inflict it on another.—Margaret Fuller. Do Not Look for Wrong or Evil
—Do not look for wrong or evil—
You will find them if you do;
As you measure for your neighbor,
He will measure back to you. Look for goodness, look for gladness,
You will meet them all the while;
If you bring a smiling visage
To the glass, you meet a smile. LESSON FOR THE SECOND SABBATH IN MARCH.
By C. C. L.
(See Instructor of March 4, 1885.) THE INHERITANCE OF THE SAINTS CONTINUED.
To review briefly, we have learned from Gen. 1:26-31 that when the earth was created, man was given dominion over it and over all that it contained. At that time no curse rested upon the creation; all was perfect, and had been pronounced by the Creator very good. Man also shared in this universal perfection; for it is inconceivable that any being created after God’s own image should be possessed of mental, moral, or physical imperfections. Thus the wise man concluded as the result of his research and reasoning (Eccl. 7:29) that man is corrupted and revolted, and not thus he was made. He was made upright. The word is defined to mean “even, level; straight, or upright, righteous, just.” He was “without any irregularity, one could find no fault in him; he was upright, determined to God only, in opposition to the many inventions which he afterwards turned aside to.”—Henry. Have sought many inventions.—“Great inventions, so the inventions to become great as Gods, Gen. 3:5; the inventions of the great ones, so some; the angels that fell. Or, many inventions. Instead of resting in what God had found good, man was for seeking to mend himself, like the prodigal that left his father’s house to seek his fortune. Instead of being for one, he was for many; instead of being for God’s institutions, he was for his own inventions. The law of his creation could not hold him, but he would be at his own disposal, and follow his own sentiments and inventions.”—Henry. Sin had no place in the dominion which God gave to man. When restored, the kingdom shall be given to the saints of the Most High (Dan. 7:18), the wicked being excluded; and the will of God shall be done in the earth as it now is in heaven. Matt. 6:10. It is clear, then, that man could hope to retain his dominion only so long as he should preserve his innocence. He remained innocent until he disobeyed God. Gen. 3:6. With that disobedience he became a sinner, and forfeited his right to the dominion. In the day that thou eatest thou shalt surely die.—Literally, “dying thou shalt die.” “From that moment thou shalt become mortal, and shalt continue in a dying state till thou die.”—Clarke. GENESIS 3:12, 13: “Satan assumes the form of a serpent, and enters Eden. The serpent was a beautiful creature, with wings; and while flying through the air, his appearance was bright, resembling burnished gold. He did not go upon the ground, but went from place to place through the air, and ate fruit like a man. Satan entered the serpent, and took his position in the tree of knowledge, and commenced leisurely eating of the fruit.”—The Great Controversy, Vol. 1, page 35. 2 PETER 2:19: Promise them liberty.—“The subject of their great swelling speeches turns especially on liberty, that is, on the false liberty of living as they pleased, of indulging the flesh to the full. Grotius refers to certain Gnostics, whom Irenæus reports to have boasted that their soul had been liberated from all moral restraints, as if Christ had acquired for us the liberty to sin.”—Lange. Slaves of corruption.—“By whom a man is permanently overcome, of him he has also become the slave. Compare 1 Sam. 17:9. He cites martial law; by whom a man is overcome in war, by him also is he enslaved.”—Lange. Thus Adam was overcome by Satan, and brought into the slavery of sin and death; and with his fall the dominion originally intrusted with him passed into the hands of Satan. Compare John 8:34; 1 John 3:8; and Rom. 6:16. 2 CORINTHIANS 4:3, 4: The apostle admits that the gospel is a mystery to some, but explains that it is a mystery to those whose minds have been blinded by Satan. And why have they been blinded? Because they believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. They forsook the truth of God, gave themselves over to the service of Satan, became his slaves, and were delivered into his power, to be deceived into believing a lie, and finally to be lost. Compare 2 Thess. 2:10-12. C. C. L.