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Signs of the Times, Vol. 40, No. 43.

The Controversy of the Ages
Earlier text: The Controversy of the Ages

Am I My Brother's Keeper?

By Ann Exile

I stood at the bar of judgment, Secure of my fate was I, For back on my earthly record No blemish could I descry.
As I looked on those around me, An old friend saw I near, And I smiled a cheery greeting; But his look was full of fear.
So I asked him why he trembled; For, as I remembered him, No fear that's known to mortals Could make his courage dim.
But he deeply groaned in answer, And standing by my side, Said, "Never a hope of heaven is left, For one who a drunkard died."
'Twas true, for I well remembered; I had read the written Word, But could speak no thought of comfort, For the Judge's voice I heard.
He referred me to my record— No deed of ill was there; But the good deeds, too, were wanting— I had never known a care.
Ah, yes, I had education; A member of church was I; Respecting neighbors deemed me Quite sure of a home on high.
But the Judge looked at my friend there, Who trembled by my side. "'Tis owing to your neglectfulness That he a drunkard died.
"For he trusted you more than others, A word from you could save; But you sent him on with a careless jest, And he found a drunkard's grave.
"You knew of his inborn weakness; The danger, too, you knew. When 'twas in your power to help him, You carelessly withdrew."
And I saw that a life in heaven Could never be for me; For neglecting to save another, I had lost eternity.
ANN EXILE.

“All Is Mind”

By Mrs. A. H. McAdow

WE often read arguments parallel to those in an article before me, which states: “Nothing is save what was first thought out by mind.” “All is mind.” Again, that this “New Thought” runs down from the Vedanta, which is of Hindu origin; also claims that these new thoughts are the very oldest, and that their new way of application “will evangelize the world”; namely, that “one power exists, and that we are the source,” which is equivalent to what we heard from one Blanchard Hall woman. Striking her breast, she exclaimed, “I am Christ! You are Christ!” And so puny man—including woman—with mind egotistical, is laying claim to be as God, because he can “make gardens and build houses,” and even chain the mighty elements that God created for man’s use.
But let me suggest: It is a different task to utilize the tree, from what it is to vitalize the seed that grows the tree. To breathe God’s free air is quite a different thing from making it. The infidel may tell you everything is governed by the laws of nature. Surely; but who conceived and put into working order the laws of nature?
The hen made the egg, the egg made the hen. Yes, here is a law of nature; but who conceived and formed the chemicals, and imbued the things with life-germinating power? Who formed the underlying possibilities of chemistry and electricity?
Every tree, flower, or blade of grass, every human of every race, and every animal or reptile or insect—everything animate and inanimate—was in thought of the great Creator, who conceived and spoke, and it was done. Truly “nothing is save what was first thought out by mind.”
Man is the greatest workmanship of that mind, and was made in the image of God. But when Lucifer, the light bearer in the heavenly courts, thought to usurp God-power, he fell; and there is a day of which God declares, “I will cause the arrogance of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.”
That nothing can be accomplished without conception and then wish and effort of will, we do not deny; and that a man can will so hard as to defraud his neighbor, we are sure. That he can clutch his gold so tightly as to rob both God and man, we also know. But the question: Is it right? Is it even profitable? Leave Bible, and the beautiful thought of eternal future restitution, out of the case. Would this “setting the whole mind and heart” on any earthly thing bring true happiness, even if it brought worldly gain? Selfishness never brings the highest type of consolation. Much less could it “evangelize the world.” Conceptions of human power never will do it. Walking in the footsteps of the Master, which means love—humble, obedient, self-sacrificing—, that is the power to “evangelize the world.”
But does the universal gluttony of the age, the awful greed for gold, the extravagance and waste, the giddy rush for amusements and display, the recklessness of life called sport, the raising of armies and navies and munitions of war in every land, look like universal brotherhood and Christlike humility and love? Does it look like instruction in the beautiful life and sacred teachings of the lowly Nazarene? I need not answer. MRS. A. H. McAdow.

Study of the Word “Let”

By John Norton Loughborough

I HAVE of late had a very interesting study tracing through the Bible the use of the word “let.” This word first occurs in the record of creation week as found in the first chapter of Genesis. Here we read of what was done on each day of the first week of time. “Let” is used in the imperative mode, taking the form of a command, as, “God said, Let there be light.” Gen. 1:3. The word is also used as a command in many other scriptures. But whether used as a command, entreaty, or prayer, it always contemplates the accomplishment of that which is spoken of.
In the old English, “let” gained the meaning of hinder as well as permit. In King James’s Version of the Scriptures there are some instances where the word is thus used. One of these is in 2 Thess. 2:7: “He who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.” If, in this case, “let” was used in the sense of permit, the permitting would not stand in the way of “the man of sin.” “Let” in this instance was used in the old English sense of hinder.
In Isaiah’s prophecy we read, “I will work, and who shall let it?” Isa. 43:13. The translators undoubtedly saw the obscurity in this translation, and so they placed in the margin, “turn it back,” as another meaning of the word “let,” which they had used in the text.
As late as 1878, when I commenced labor in southern England, I found some of the elderly men still using the word “let” in the sense of hinder, saying such and such things occur without let or hindrance; thus using both terms, but clinging to the old use of “let.”

“LET” AS A COMMAND

We will notice a few cases where “let” is thus used. “Let them make Me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.” Ex. 25:8. “Let your heart therefore be perfect with the Lord our God, to walk in His statutes, and to keep His commandments, as at this day.” 1 Kings 8:61. “Let them praise Thy great and terrible name; for it is holy.” Ps. 99:3. “Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord.” Ps. 150:6. “Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day long.” Prov. 23:17. “Let them give glory unto the Lord, and declare His praise in the islands.” Isa. 42:12. “Let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep between the porch and the altar.” Joel 2:17. “Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the Valley of Jehoshaphat.” Joel 3:12. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matt. 5:16. “Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; and ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.” Luke 12:35, 36. “Let no man deceive himself.” 1 Cor. 3:18. “Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth.” 1 Cor. 10:24. “Let all things be done decently and in order.” 1 Cor. 14:40. “Let him that is taught in the Word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.” Gal. 6:6. “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil-speaking, be put away from you, with all malice.” Eph. 4:31. “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Col. 3:16. “Let the peace of God rule in your hearts.” Col. 3:15. “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:6, 7.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.

Do You Know?

By K. C. Russell

One thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.” John 9:25. It would be absurd for one to imagine a person who had been born blind, and who at the age of thirty, on receiving his eyesight so that he could behold the glories of nature, should say, in reply to the question as to whether or not he could see, that he was not sure, hoped that he could, etc. The only reply that one could conceive of his making would be, “I know that I can see.”
This remarkable miracle which was wrought by Christ in giving this man sight, was undoubtedly recorded for the benefit of every doubting and hesitating soul, in order that they might have hope and assurance. Blindness—spiritual blindness—is the condition that the whole human race have been plunged into as the result of sin; and, too, we were all born blind,—that is, we were born in sin.
A blind person gives unmistakable evidence that he is blind, without our asking him if he is. When we see a person feeling his way along the street in broad daylight, we unhesitatingly conclude that he is blind. Would it not as truly be an indication that a person is spiritually blind, if he too should go by “feeling”?
Another indication that causes us to conclude that a person is blind, is his having to be led by some one. Likewise the professed Christian who has to be continually led by some one, gives certain evidence that he is without spiritual eyesight.
Another proof that a man is physically blind, is seen when he stumbles over every obstacle in his pathway. In like manner, the professed Christian who allows the mistakes in the lives of others to become stumbling-blocks in his pathway, shows that he is spiritually blind.
With these comparisons before us, we can easily determine whether we are among the spiritually blind, or of the number who can see.
We can be sure that we are spiritually blind if we are going by feeling, have to be led, or are stumbling over the seeming obstacles that lie along the Christian pathway.
Let those who are thus afflicted, heed the counsel of the Great Physician, and have their eyes anointed with the spiritual eyesalve, that they may see.
K. C. RUSSELL.

The Sabbath

By Edson Carpenter

O BLESSED day of peaceful rest, Of all the days supremely blessed! From worldly care and labor free, We come, O Lord, to worship Thee!
When great creation's work was done, And man his race had but begun, God did ordain this day of rest; By Him 'twas sanctified and blessed.
May all the world honor the Lord, Love and obey His holy word; With His law written in their heart, From His commandments ne'er depart.
Mountains shall crumble and decay, Heaven and earth shall pass away: But still unchanged God's word shall be, The same to all eternity.
EDSON CARPENTER.

My First Lesson about Eternal Torment

By William Covert

WHEN I was about ten years of age, a neighbor of ours, who had spent his life in sin, died, and was buried in a lone cemetery not far from our home. Shortly after the funeral services were over, a playmate of mine told me that the man had been sent away to be punished with burning in a great lake of roasting brimstone, and that he would remain there through the endless ages.
My parents had never told me about such a place as my young friend described, and so I was not quite willing to accept his version of the situation. I told him that I saw the man put in a coffin, and that he was dead, and that the coffin was fastened very tight, and buried deep down in the ground. I did not believe a dead man could possibly get out of his grave. I believed that if the dead man's grave should be opened, he would be found there just as he had been left when the ground was placed upon him.
When I had stated my objections to the theory which my friend had been advocating, he admitted that the dead man's body was yet in the grave, but he said the man had a soul which left the body while he was dying, and it went away to that lake of fire and brimstone faster than a bullet could fly. When I asked him how he knew about a soul that had gone away to be burned, and to live in a great fire, he said it had been told to him by people who knew it to be so.
But I thought that if what he had declared about the case of our neighbor was true, then my mother would know of it. I therefore went to her very soon to learn what she had to say about the matter. I stated to her the substance of what my friend had said of our dead neighbor's soul now being in a lake of burning brimstone, and I desired her to tell me what she thought about it. When I had finished my recital of the conversation between us, she said the boy had got hold of a false theory about the dead and about future punishment. She said she had heard these things many times, but that they were contrary to the teachings of God's word.
Then she told me that the wicked were not now suffering punishment, nor had the righteous yet gone to their reward. She also spoke of a judgment to come, and the resurrection from the dead, and how the cases of all classes of people would be determined by the Lord in the judgment, and that God would do all things just right with every one.
And this, the first lesson that I received from my mother upon the great theme of man's nature and destiny, has served as a balance in my hope and in my study for more than sixty years.
WILLIAM COVERT.

The Beautiful Valley of Rest

By L. D. Santee

By L. D. SANTEE
I LOOK from the uplands of being, And a joy to my spirit is given. I grow tenderly sober in seeing The light and the glory of heaven. Beyond the tall mountains of gladness Is the home of the pure and the blest; And there, with no echo of sadness, Lies the beautiful valley of rest.
A glory gleams soft o'er these mountains, Reflected from shadowless skies; While mingled with music of fountains, The songs of the ransomed arise. There are isles in an ocean of splendor, There are joys that no tongue can express, And there, where the radiance is tender, Lies the beautiful valley of rest.
No wickedness there, no deceiving, Through all of eternity's years; No hopes that have failed, and no grieving, No cheeks that are furrowed with tears. But sweeter than prophet's glad vision, Or the glory that shines in the west, Between the tall summits Elysian, Lies the beautiful valley of rest.
There are lives that are faithful to duty, Who have followed their Saviour below. They will stand with the King in His beauty, Where the roses of Paradise blow, Their eyes with a love-light are shining, Whose mission on earth was to bless, Where the roses of heaven are twining, Lies the beautiful valley of rest.
That home is awaiting in heaven For all who for heaven are prepared. To them will the white robes be given, For them are the mansions prepared. They will bask in the sunlight of gladness, With a joy that no tongue can express. They will rest with no echo of sadness, In the beautiful valley of rest.
The sins of the earth leave no traces On the beautiful forms that we love. There's a rapture of joy on their faces As they rise to the mansions above. We shall drink of life's soft-flowing fountain, And dwell with the holy and blest; And near to the evergreen mountains Lies the beautiful valley of rest.

THE COMING MILLENNIUM

By Allen Moon

What Events Immediately Precede It?

The Reign of Peace and Righteousness

By ALLEN MOON
“MILLENNIUM” comes from two Latin words,—milli, one thousand; and annum, year. The word “millennium” is not found in the Bible, but mention is made of a special period of one thousand years in which Satan will be bound. Without a careful comparison of scripture with scripture, well-meaning people conclude that the binding of Satan, the instigator to sin, means a reign of righteousness and peace for men in the flesh for a period of one thousand years.
And further, it is taught that this period precedes the second coming of Christ to raise the righteous dead and to immortalize the living righteous. The word of God must determine the truth or falsity of these claims. Human theory is of no value in determining that which the mind of God only has conceived.
The state of the world until the second coming of Christ, is clearly outlined in the word of God. The inspired apostle wrote: “All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.” 2 Tim. 3: 12, 13. There will be those who will live godly in the world up to the very time of His coming, but all such shall suffer persecution; and logically, these suffer persecution at the hands of evil men and seducers, who wax worse and worse until the very end.
This accords with the Saviour’s interpretation of His own parable of the wheat and the tares. At the request of His disciples for an interpretation,
“He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; the field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; the enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. . . . The Son of man shall send forth His angels, and they shall gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity. . . . Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father.” Matt. 13: 37-43.
This scripture does not in itself reveal the connection between the harvest at the end of the world, and the reaping by the angels, and the second coming of Christ; but taken in connection with another statement of the Saviour’s, it is made plain. In speaking of the events of the last days, He said:
“And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He shall send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” Matt. 24: 30, 31.
How clear the connection here shown between the second coming and the harvest, or gathering time, in which the angels take part! Note, the elect are gathered from the four winds of heaven, but the tribes of earth mourn, showing that His second coming does not occur at the time of a universal reign of peace and righteousness, or there would be none to “mourn” because of His coming.
Let us pursue the study a little further, and see how this event affects the two classes referred to. The apostle, in writing of it, comforts God’s people by saying:
“For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the Archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” 1 Thess. 4: 16-18.
The harvest of the righteous then results in their being gathered up, both those who had not died and the resurrected ones, to meet the Lord in the air. There is not a statement in the word of God that can be taken as authority for the belief that the Son of God will set His foot on the earth at His second coming. Therefore it is evident that He, with the saints, will not spend a thousand years in this sin-cursed world.
But what about the wicked who “mourn” at the sight of His coming? In another word picture of this event, we have the answer clear and distinct, as follows:
“And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. . . . And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven. . . . And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe. And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great wine-press of the wrath of God.” Rev. 14: 14-19.
And still another view of the same event is set forth in the following language:
“And He was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and His name is called The Word of God. . . . And out of His mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it He should smite the nations. . . . and He treadeth the wine-press of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. . . . And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; that ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.” Rev. 19: 13-18.
The Lord would not leave men in doubt regarding so important an event as His second coming, and existing conditions just prior to that event. When He was about to depart from earth, He said to His disciples:
“But as the days of Noah were, so also shall the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the Flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and knew not until the Flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” Matt. 24: 37-39.
The Saviour’s words make it clear that there is no place for a reign of peace on earth before He comes again. The reign of peace is after His coming. In a study next week, we will endeavor to locate the millennium and the principal events connected with it.

The Promises of His Coming

By W. A. S.

THE assurances that Christ will come again are among the “exceeding great and precious promises.” “Unto you . . . which believe,” says the apostle, “He is precious.” That makes the promise that He soon is coming precious indeed to every heart that loves Him.
It is a glorious doctrine of Scripture—this doctrine of the soon coming of Christ. But it is more than a doctrine; it is a stupendous fact. The Lord Jesus is coming, and His word shows that He is “even at the door.” The fact of it comes with a challenge to every soul to be ready and to watch.
What things the prophets have written by the Spirit concerning the first and the second coming of Christ—of “the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow”— they themselves studied earnestly, and even the angels have desired “to look into” these things and watch the fulfilling Word. 1 Peter 1:12. Therefore the apostle Peter appeals to us to give heed also:
“Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” Verse 13.
Now, more than ever before in the history of man, should earnest heed be given to the promises of the coming of the Saviour in glory. The promises never grow old. The nearer the event, the more precious they are, the more comfortingly come the words of assurance as we read them over and over. Each one is a message sent anew to us by One who loves us, and desires us to be ready when He comes.
How this theme of Christ’s second coming runs through all Holy Scripture was testified to by the apostle Peter in his sermon and exhortation following the day of Pentecost. “By the mouth of all His prophets” the Lord had foretold “that Christ should suffer”; and the apostle pointed out that every word concerning the first advent had been “so fulfilled.” Just so, he declared, the promises regarding the second coming would be fulfilled:
“And He shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.” Acts 3:20, 21.
As iniquity first began to abound in the world, God sent the message and the promise that Christ’s second coming would end the reign of sin:
“And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of His saints, to execute judgment upon all.” Jude 14, 15.
The promise of Christ’s coming was the “blessed hope” in the patriarchal age. In Job’s dark hour of trial, his heart clung to the promise, and he was kept from despair.
“For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth; . . . whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another.” Job 19:25, 27.
The psalmist sang of it:
“Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before Him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about Him.” Ps. 50:3.
And the prophets of later times were unceasingly moved upon to talk of the glory of that coming, of events preceding it, and of the preparation for it.
“I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the Lord, keep not silence. . . . Behold, the Lord hath proclaimed unto the end of the world, Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh; behold, His reward is with Him, and His work before Him.” Isa. 62:6, 11.
The promise of His coming is to be heralded to the ends of the earth; for it is good tidings of great joy to every one who will receive it.
On that last night with His disciples, before the crucifixion, when His heart was sorrowful, even unto death, as the burden of all our iniquities was about to be laid upon Him, Christ’s love for His dear ones made precious to Him the thought of His second coming to gather them home at last, safe beyond all sin and trouble, and He said:
“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” John 14:1-3.
There the heart finds rest. O the preciousness of the promise, “I will come again!” And “for you,” for me, He is coming. “I am coming for you,” He says. “Yes, Lord,” we reply; “we will wait, and watch, and be ready, by Thy grace.”
W. A. S.

The Surety of God's Promises

By J. O. C.

MY attention was recently called to an army incident that illustrates not only the base of God's operation on behalf of sinful men, but also the absolute dependence one may place in His promises.
A son was born in a certain army regiment, whose father was an officer of the line. The frail but God-fearing mother had trained her beloved boy in the principles of Christianity; but when the father was killed in battle, the poor mother faded like an autumn flower, and in a few months was borne to the grave. The boy, however, was retained in the regiment as a drummer, but was quartered with some of the worst men in his company assignment. Here he was very ill at ease because of the bitter jests about his religious scruples, but bore up bravely under them all.
One night an injury was done to the field targets, so that the usual shooting practise was interfered with. The colonel sought for the guilty party, and traced the mischief-maker to the very tent in which the drummer boy was quartered. Every one in the tent was placed under arrest to await trial by court-martial. Evidence was secured to prove that one or more of them were guilty of the trespass. To save punishing the innocent with the guilty, the colonel announced that if one would come forward and receive the punishment demanded, the rest would be permitted to go free. But in vain the manhood of the soldiers was appealed to, and sullen silence reigned for the time. At last the drummer boy stepped out and said: “Colonel, you said that if one of us takes the punishment, the rest will go free. I am ready, sir, and please give it to me now.”
The colonel was deeply affected at this, knowing well enough that the boy was guiltless. Turning with a deep frown toward the others, he said: “For shame, men! Are you all cowards, that you permit this boy to suffer for you? You know that he is not guilty.” Not one of them moved, however, but all remained in their sulky frame of mind. Only the boy looked up into the colonel’s face, and quietly said, “I am ready, sir.”
So the order was sorrowfully given, and the boy was led away for punishment. As the fourth stroke of the lash fell on his bare back, a faint moan escaped his nearly bloodless lips. At this juncture the culpable wretch sprang forward and exclaimed: “Stop it, sir, and punish me. I am the guilty one.” But the poor boy turned toward him, and faintly said: “No, you are safe now. The colonel’s word will stand.”
“O, why did you do it?” asked the humbled and repentant one of the boy, as he lay on his couch, dying from the shock received by the punishment. “Because,” said the boy, “I wanted to show the love of Christ for sinners.”
In like manner Christ, the Spotless One, tasted death for every one, however guilty; and the promise therefore is that whosoever confesses his sin shall find mercy from above. And the Master’s word will stand. Let us believe it and trust Him. J. O. C.

Geology and the Flood

THE Bible teaches very plainly that there was a universal flood in the days of Noah. At that time the fountains of the great deep were broken up and the windows on high were open, and the whole earth was submerged beneath the angry waters. The breaking up of the fountains of the great deep would mean terrific upheavals in the bosom of the earth. It would mean the breaking to pieces of a large part, if not all, of its surface. It would mean that these upheavals and the actions of the waters would sweep masses of the luxuriant foliage of field and forest in that time into great heaps, where they would be buried beneath the soil that would settle with the receding waters. Our immense coal-mines are in evidence to show that this was the case, for all agree that our coal is of vegetable formation.
One of our correspondents tells us of finding in a mine a piece of clay weighing one hundred fifty to two hundred pounds, that had become almost as hard as limestone. In breaking this apart with his sledge, he found that it was in regular layers, or sections, and it was full of the prints of leaves very similar to those of the cottonwood-tree. The same miner found the stump of a tree, preserved in perfect shape, standing right up out of the bottom of his mine. It projected to some five or six feet above the regular vein, and upon breaking it up he had over half a ton of coal.
Facts of this kind, which are furnished in great abundance by geological remains, prove conclusively to the unprejudiced mind that the Bible is correct in teaching that we have had a universal flood, which buried vast quantities of vegetation, and this has given us our modern coal-beds.

Life Through Christ

By G. B. T.

THE doctrine of the soul's immortality and consciousness in death, if true, would destroy the great central truth of Christianity, that of life through Jesus Christ.
“Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, but is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” 2 Tim. 1: 9, 10.
If man has an eternal, immortal living principle within him, he has life and immortality without the gospel, thus making the statement that life and immortality were brought to light through the gospel untrue. Why should Jesus die to bring immortality to light, if man possessed it by nature?
“Life” and “immortality” are not synonyms. Christ brought two things to light through the gospel; one is life, the other is immortality. Man by nature has neither. He is dead in trespasses and sins. He is a “mortal man.” Job 4:17. We receive life through believing on Christ. “And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” 1 John 5:11, 12. We receive life when we believe; but immortality will be bestowed at the resurrection of the just. “This mortal” will then “put on immortality.”—1 Cor. 15: 51-54.
The unrepentant sinner has no life; he is “alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them.” Eph. 4:18. But the believer receives and retains, by faith, life everlasting. “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” John 3:36.
By faith, therefore, we lay hold upon and embrace this life everlasting. It is ours now by faith. But that which we receive by faith, we can lose through unbelief. But in the resurrection at the last day, when the dead are summoned back to life, and in the twinkling of an eye are made immortal, eternal immortal life will be given in the absolute to those who believe.
What a glorious truth is the blessed doctrine of the resurrection of the dead! What a comfort to those who mourn for loved ones! Their hope is in the resurrection, not in an immortal soul. Says Bishop Thomson:
“I have sat silent and solitary in my closet, and thought over, one by one, my Saviour's miracles. I have pictured to my mind the Almighty molding the earth of the fresh creation into a human form, and then breathing the breath of life into the nostrils of Adam; but never has my heart been so agitated as when I thought of Jehovah coming forth, at the blast of the last trumpet, to summon together the scattered dust of the corpse and mold it into a body spiritual, incorruptible, immortal, radiant as the sun, and fashioned after the glorious body of the God-man.”
Blessed hope indeed! No more corruption for God's people! No more death! No more funeral trains! No more tearful eyes and broken hearts, mourning for those who are dead! Standing, in the morning of the resurrection, on the brink of the desolated and destroyed grave, they can triumphantly exclaim, “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” 1 Cor. 15:55. The angel who has attended and protected one through life, watched him fall in death, marking the place where he lay down in silence and in dust, will no doubt stand by this same grave again when the voice of the Archangel summons the scattered dust of the corruptible body back to life, and “together” we will be “caught up” by angelic hands to “meet the Lord in the air.” 1 Thess. 4:17.
Any so-called Scriptural teaching which makes unnecessary this “blessed hope,” is a false hope, and is not founded on the “Scripture of truth.” We are exhorted to “fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life.” Aside from Christ, man does not have this life everlasting, for he would not be instructed to “lay hold” upon that which he already had by inherent right. Through believing, we lay hold upon life, and thus live through Christ. G. B. T.

Leaders Against Intoxicants

The stand that some of the leading men of the world are taking on the temperance question is a great help to the good cause. We not only have our president and secretary of state in this country who have taken such a pronounced stand against using intoxicants, but the emperor of Germany has discarded the famous beer of his fatherland, and does not admit even of the choicest wines. His favorite drink is lemonade flavored with a little orange juice. The kaiser found, by experimenting on himself, that even the smallest quantities of liquor lessened his energy and capacity for work.
Continue reading: The Churches Becoming a Political Machine