"No not the Son."—This sentence has been the subject of much criticism, and many commentators of different creeds have been perplexed with it. Though wanting in some ancient manuscripts, Griesbach has retained it. Macknight argues that the term know is here used as a causative, in the Hebrew sense of the conjugation hiphel, that is, to make known. Adam Clarke thinks this is rather cutting, than untying the knot. The controversies between Calvinists and Socinians have made the difficulty appear much greater than it really is. It seems to bear just as much against the Socinian as the Calvinistic hypothesis. On the supposition that Jesus of Nazareth was but a man of extraordinary endowments, eminently gifted by the Spirit of God, the difficulty is as great as upon any other hypothesis.
He had just been speaking of the destruction of Jerusalem and of the temple, in the most exact and circumstantial manner. He had shown that he both knew the season (a term agreed to be equivalent to the hour,) and all the adjuncts and circumstances of that tremendous catastrophe. He had minutely detailed all the concomitants, and expressly declared that the generation standing around him should not pass away, till every thing he had stated relative to this event was accomplished. This is, in other words, declaring that he knew the day of this calamity. He circumscribes and limits it to a certain day. But the question proposed to him explains the difficulty. He was not asked whether he knew the day, but to make it known.
In the same way he was afterwards interrogated about "the restoration of the kingdom to Israel." In this case, he says, "It was not for them to know the times and seasons which the Father had reserved to himself and did not authorize him to make known." And, taking into view the circumstances of the whole case respecting the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, and the question asked him, his answer is just equivalent to saying: The Father will make it known when it pleases him; but he has not authorized man, angel, or the Son, to make it known. Just in this sense Paul uses the term know, 1 Cor. ii. 2. "I came to you making known the testimony of God, for I determined to make known nothing among you but a crucified Christ." In the order of the words, man, angel, and Son, the Saviour declares his own superiority to any of them.
Standing Alone in the Truth
By Editor
Sister Bartlett writes from Norwich, Vt. Speaking of the truths advocated by the Review, she says:
"There is no one that holdeth with me in these things. 'I have to stand out alone in regard to these great truths; but I bless the Lord for his goodness to me in showing me the path of life and strengthening me and making me steadfast and unmoveable in the truth. I count not my life dear unto me that I may win Christ."
Sharing the Burden of the Cause
By Editor
Sister Sarah J. Gardner writes from Vergennes, Mich.:—
“If we are all one family of brethren we should not let the burden rest upon a few; we should aid with our means, as well as our prayers. (whosoever is of a willing heart let him bring an offering to the Lord, Ex. xxxv. 5 ) to spread this glorious truth to the world that souls who are now starving for the truth may be awakened to their awful condition—without hope and without God in the world. O that they might secure to themselves eternal life which is offered to them without money and without price.
“I am glad there is a way open for the remnant to speak often to each other; for when the mind is cast down, discouraged or gloomy, we can find something there as well as in the word of God, to encourage us onward; and often our hearts are cheered by the exhortations and testimonies we have in the paper from those of like precious faith. Our hearts beat high in love and union with those, whom having never seen, we hope to meet in that happy throng, that shall never be severed. The moments we have at present are precious. I have an ardent desire to get the victory over every besetting sin and confess them while Jesus is in the Sanctuary that they may be blotted out; and my name be enrolled in the Lamb's book of life.”
Alone in the Truth
By Editor
Sister M. M. Nelson writes from Marquette Co., Wis.:—
"The Review is the only source of instruction and encouragement from the brethren and sisters of like precious faith, which I have, as I live far from any who regard the Sabbath of the Lord, or who are looking for the soon coming of the Saviour to judge the world. It was one year ago last July since I commenced to keep all the commandments. I am all alone, and need much of the grace of God to enable me to stand fast and endure to the end. I beg the prayers of the church that I may be kept in the hour of temptation and come off conqueror and more than conqueror through him who hath loved us, and finally be permitted to enter in through the gates into the city."
Faithfulness Amid Trials
Sister S. A. Jessip writes from Calhoun Co., Mich.: "We all have a work to do; and I sometimes fear I have neglected my duty too much because I was poor and all alone, there being none of like precious faith near me. I had almost given up in despair, but I have taken new courage. Yes, praise the Lord, I mean to be faithful to his suffering cause. I want to be one of that blessed number that will stand upon mount Zion, singing the song of Moses and the Lamb. By the friendly aid of Bro. Kelsey, I have received the Review again for which I am truly thankful.
"When I think of the great love which God had for us in sending his only begotten Son into this world to suffer and die for us, my whole soul is drawn out in love to God. O for words to express my gratitude to him for his loving kindness unto me. I delight in the holy law: it is my meditation all the day. When I think how little I reflect the lovely image of Jesus, I sometimes fear I shall never get into the kingdom. I want to have my life squared by the Word. I want to be cleansed from all sin, that when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord, I may share its glorious blessing and be prepared to stand in the time of trouble, that I may have right to the tree of life and enter in through the gates into the City."
The Review and Sabbath Assembly
By Editor
Bro. L. M. Bodwell writes from Dodge Co., Wis.: “We appreciate the visits of the Review as it is the only preaching we have on the Third Angel’s Message. There are three families of us here that meet regularly every Sabbath. We find it good to obey the injunction of the Apostle, not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together as the manner of some is, but to exhort one another daily and so much the more as we see the day approaching.”
Note.—It is an important fact, as stated above, that the Review is the only paper which stands true to the Third Angel’s Message. Let all therefore who believe that the great and glorious movement of the past on the Advent question was of God; who believe that prophecy has unfolded as laid down in the book of truth, and that we are now having the third and last message to be given in probation, remember that the Review is the only paper which advocates this great and solemn truth. We shall maintain our integrity on this question, and also on all others, in which we are fortified by the word of God.—Ed.
Fragments for the Mind
MANY reverse the Scripture rule, 1 Cor. xiv, 20, and are in understanding children, in malice men.
The barren fig-tree was not cursed because it bore bitter fruit, but because it bore no fruit.
Reviling may be less common and less polite, but it is not more wicked than flattery.
To be cast down by undeserved censure or elevated by unmerited compliment, is alike proof of weakness.
A wronged creditor, a neglected wife, a slandered neighbor, and a guilty conscience, are four things whose presence give great pain.
The chief things proven by him who professes to be perfect, are ignorance of himself, 1 John i, 8, and ignorance of God, Job xi, 5, 6.
No folly can compare with spiritual folly, no blindness can equal spiritual blindness, no losses are like spiritual losses, no judgments are so terrible as spiritual judgments.
As he who prayeth that he may not be burned, and then runneth into the fire; so is he that saith, "Lead me not into temptation," and then, without necessity, subjects his principles to trial.
In contests among men, the party doing the most wrong is commonly harder to be reconciled than he who has suffered most wrong. The reason is, he hath a quarrel with himself, which makes him doubly irritable.
To be impatient of reproof, weary of deeds of piety once delighted in, fond of works of taste to the neglect of the scriptures, and severe in judging another man's conduct, are among the darkest signs in the lives of some who otherwise seem to be consistent Christians.
Some of the best men have left the world bitterly reproaching themselves for two things: lack of zeal and lack of industry in the improvement of time.
[Am Messenger.]
HUMAN GLORY.
There are two things which ought to teach us to think but meanly of human glory: the very best have had their calumniators, the very worst their panegyrists.
Receipts.
By Editor
E B Potter, D Aldrich, R Foster, A Cross, M M Nelson, D Baker, T Sprague, Mrs E D Scott, M P Chaplin, O Benson, H Hall, E V Wiard, L M Bodwell, J Lewis, J Lindsay, (for Mrs S W,) R G Curtis, R D Howland, C Smith, D E Elmer, E Temple, J Dudley, J Orbust, M Hutchins, H C Stone, D Sevy, J Stiles, L W Stiles, E Neuson, each $1.
J Dorcas ($0,65 for P Mc Dowell) $1,65. C A Lyon $0,50. A Osborne $0,25. S Minott $0,21.
TO SEND REVIEW TO THE POOR.—M & L Dickinson $1.
TO PAY ARREARS ON VOL. VI.—M P Chaplin $1. J H Darling $0,50.
To move Office and pay for Printing Materials.
Amount to be raised . . . . . . $603.64
Previous Donations, . . . . . . 295,12
Wm Dawson, $3,00 | J Lindsay, $3,00
M & L Dickinson, 1,00 | H C Stone, 2,50
H Hall, 0,50
Remaining to be raised by the Church, $298,52
The Church Book Fund.
By Editor
H. BINGHAM.—In answer to the brethren who have questioned you on the subject of the book fund, we reply, as was stated in No. 21, that there are now in this Office tracts belonging to the Church, to the amount of about two hundred dollars. If to this the Church shall add one thousand dollars, it will nearly cover all the books now in the hands of Bro. White, and then they will become the property of the Church: the money of course to be paid to him.
We do not know what they mean by “old books.” All the books in the Office are works on present truth and if they were not now on hand would have to be published immediately to meet the demands of the cause. Now if the Church see fit to have a fund in order to carry forward the publication of tracts as they shall be needed for the advancement of present truth, the proposition of Bro. W. presents a rare opportunity for them to do so; as at the rates at which he offers the books now in his possession, they can be had cheaper than they could now be published at this place.
But suppose the Church does not see fit to raise a fund and take the books of Bro. W.: as fast as they are sold he must use the proceeds to meet the expenses he has incurred in their publication; and when they are all sold, here will be a Church without books, and without a fund to publish any. A fund will then have to be raised, or some one be found who will be willing to involve himself in responsibility and debt to meet the wants of the cause, or the publication of books cease. All will therefore see that it will be an advantage to the Church to raise the fund now and invest it in the books already published. Then when these are sold, the proceeds will be in the hands of the Committee whom the Church may appoint, ready for the publication or re-publication of such works as are most needed.
It is thought by some that there has been a great oversight in the publication of books, and that there are now on hand large quantities of books of little or no value. This is a mistake. Perhaps Bro. W. has, considering his circumstances, published too large editions of some works, and involved himself; but at the rate at which books have sold for the past two or three years, there are not more than one year's stock on hand, with the exception of some few kinds worth in all perhaps about one hundred and fifty dollars: this however cannot be considered a loss, as most of these will eventually be sold: it is only means invested which does not return itself so soon as though put into other works. And probably within this year, several kinds will have to be re-published. The prospect for the sale of books is now very encouraging. About the best report we have from messengers who enter new fields is, We have sold our books and must have more.
R. F. COTTRELL:—It is thought advisable here, to have the Book Fund which the Church in New York State propose raising, united to the general Fund, and yet have a depositary in different States, as you suggest. In this case it will be necessary to raise about $1300 in all. If the two Funds are united, Bro. W. will make the same deduction on the books now in your State, that he does on the books here, provided the Church take them. It will then be necessary for the pledges of the N. Y. Fund which are not paid to be forwarded to this Office.
THERE are $316 pledged on the Book Fund, $295 from four churches in Michigan. But very few Circulars have yet been returned.
To Correspondents.
By Editor
USURY.
L. LATHROP:—You ask an explanation of Deut. xxiii, 19. "Thou shalt not lend upon usury to thy brother; usury of money, usury of victuals, usury of anything that is lent upon usury."
In what sense shall we understand the term, usury; for it appears that it is not now used as formerly. It used to signify any legal interest; but in this sense the word is no longer in use: it being employed at the present time to denote illegal or unlawful interest on anything lent. With this latter sense however we have nothing to do; as no christian will be at a loss to know his duty with this meaning of the term. But giving the word its former signification, is it right for a brother in the church to lend his money to a brother on usury? If we let the Scriptures have their bearing on this point, we think we are safe in answering most emphatically, No!
The Bible is very definite and speaks out very plain on this subject. It is everywhere denounced as a heinous sin to be practiced among brethren. "Thou shalt not lend upon usury to thy brother." See Ex. xxii, 25; Lev. xxv, 36, 37; Neh. v, 7, 10.
In Ps. xv, 5, it is classed with the sin of taking reward against the innocent. The psalm opens with this important inquiry: "Lord who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill!" A portion of the answer, as given in verse 5, is, "He that putteth not out his money to usury nor taketh reward against the innocent;" or accepteth a bribe to pervert justice and judgment.
In Prov. xxviii, 8, it is classed with unjust gain: "He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance," &c.
In Jer. xv, 10, it is intimated to be a sin worthy of cursing: "I have neither lent on usury, nor men have lent to me on usury; yet every one of them doth curse me." The complaint here is, that though he had committed no sin worthy of cursing, yet they cursed him: as much as to say that if he had lent on usury, their cursing would have been just, and given no cause of complaint. See Eze. xviii, 8, 13, 17; xxii, 12.
Perhaps some one may here say, This was a regulation given to the Jews with which Christians have nothing to do.
But we inquire, Is not a Christian commanded to love his neighbor as himself, as much as a Jew? And if a Christian in dealing with his brethren, violates any of those rules by which the people of God were anciently required to manifest their love one to another, does he not become a violator of the great principle, "Love thy neighbor as thyself?" Now for a Jew to lend his money upon usury to his brother, would be considered, according to the above scriptures, a plain violation of that law. Is it any the less so among Christians?
Again, admitting that a brother should not lend to a brother on usury, the question may arise, if, having lent money to people of the world, we may take usury from them. On this point we will only say that it is very evident that the above scriptures, as far as relating to the Jews, were designed to regulate their conduct among themselves alone, from the fact that they had plain permission to lend to the stranger on usury. Deut. xxiii, 20. How far may we reason from analogy from this fact in reference to the conduct of a Christian?
Loafing Clergymen at Washington.
The Washington correspondent of the Cincinnati Times, in speaking of the scramble for the chaplaincy, says:
“The most disgusting sight of all, even to worldly men and hardened sinners, is the struggles of a lot of preachers for the chaplaincy. No less than ten ministers of different denominations are here, intriguing, electioneering and laboring for the post of chaplain to the Senate and house. This scramble after “filthy lucre,” by these godly men, is a horrid parody of their meekness, truth and religion pretenses. It is time that this system of chaplaincy at eight dollars a day was abolished. The whole thing is a mockery of solemn subjects, as it is now carried on. Let the ministers of Washington and vicinity be invited to officiate in turn. I have no doubt they would do it cheerfully, fervently.
“Applicants for the chaplaincy even go so far as to recount the services they have rendered the ‘party,’ and promise future labors. They also go into bar-rooms, saloons, boarding houses or wherever a member is to be cornered, and there bore him for his vote and influence. This is shameful, degrading, basely hypocritical, yet perfectly true. With such pious examples no wonder Congress is corrupt!”
THE BIBLE.
WHENCE, but from Heaven, could men unskilled in arts,
In several ages born, in several parts,
Weave such agreeing truths? or how, or why,
Should all conspire to cheat us with a lie?
Unasked their pains, ungrateful their advice,
Starving their gain, and martyrdom their price.
Business.
By Editor
M. F. Chaplin:—We apply one dollar of your remittance on Vol. VI, and one on Vol. VIII.
Z. Marsh:—The fifty cents from J. P. Marsh you will find receipted in INSTRUCTOR Vol. IV, No. 3.
J. Doreas:—After sending the books you ordered, and cancelling your former indebtedness, there remained in your favor $1,65. Of this we have credited $1 to you on Vol. VIII, and the remainder for P. McDowell on Vol. VIII. Is this right? We are able to send you only two of “Everybody’s Book.”
TO THE INQUIRING.
By Editor
THOSE who receive the REVIEW free for a time for the purpose of investigating the subjects upon which it treats, will bear in mind that, if they are not heard from within three months from the time they receive it, their papers will be discontinued.
HUMILITY
Humility makes one more peaceable among his brethren, fruitful in well-doing, cheerful in suffering, and constant in holy walking. Humility is that which keeps all graces together.
Books for Sale at this Office.
By Editor
RATES OF POSTAGE.
"Books bound or unbound, not weighing over four pounds, for any distance under 3000 miles, when pre-paid, one cent an ounce. When not pre-paid, 1½ cents an ounce."
Hymns for those who keep the Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus. This is the title of our new Hymn Book prepared for the use of the Church of God scattered abroad. It is designed to promote not only public worship, but also social and family devotions. It is a selection of Hymns of poetic merit, expressing the faith and hope of the Church as set forth in the Scriptures of truth, free from the popular errors of the age. The Book contains 352 Pages, 430 Hymns and 76 pieces of Music. Nearly every Hymn can be sung in some one of the pieces of Music, which will promote uniformity and correctness in singing among the Churches.—Price, 62½ cents.—In Morocco, 70 cents.—Weight 7 & 8 ounces.
Bible Tracts Bound in Two Volumes. These Volumes are of about 400 pages each, and embrace nearly all of our published Tracts. We are happy to offer to our friends the main grounds of our faith in a style so acceptable.—Price, 50 cents each.—Wt. 9 oz each.
Sabbath Tracts, Nos. 1, 2, 3 & 4. This work presents a condensed view of the entire Sabbath question.—184 pages. Price 15 cents.—Wt. 4 oz.
The Sanctuary and Twenty-three Hundred Days. by "J. N. A." This work presents a clear exposition of Daniel viii and ix, points out distinctly the commencement and termination of the 2300 days, shows what the Sanctuary is, and the nature of its cleansing, and explains the disappointment of the Advent people in regard to time, and the true position of those who are now waiting for their Lord.—Price 12½ cents.—Wt. 3 oz.
The Three Angels of Rev. xiv, 6-12, particularly the Third Angel’s Message, and the Two-horned Beast. This work maintains the fulfillment of Prophecy in the past Advent movement, and is of great importance in these times of apostasy and peril.—148 pages.—Price 12½ cents.—Wt. 2 oz.
Review of Crozier. This work is a faithful review of the No-Sabbath doctrine as set forth in the Advent Harbinger by O. R. L. Crozier. It should be placed in the hands of those who are exposed to that heresy.—Price 6 cents.—Wt. 2 oz.
The Bible Class. This work contains 52 Lessons on the Law of God and the Faith of Jesus with questions. It is peculiarly adapted to the wants of those of every age who are unacquainted with our views of these subjects, especially the young.—Bound 25 cents.—Wt. 4 oz.—Paper covers, 18¾ cents.—Wt. 3 oz.
*The Four Universal Monarchies of the Prophecy of Daniel, and the Kingdom of God, to which is added a condensed view of the 2300 days and the Sanctuary.—Price 8 cents.—Wt. 2 oz.
The Sabbath. Containing valuable articles on 2 Cor. iii; Col. ii, 14-17. Who is our Lawgiver? The two tills of Matt. v, 16. Consistency, &c.—Price 5 cents.—Wt. 1 oz.
The Law of God. In this excellent work the testimony of both Testaments relative to the law of God—its knowledge from Creation, its nature and perpetuity—is presented.—Price 12½ cents.—Wt. 2 oz.
The Atonement. This work opens a wide field of Bible truth, and will be found a valuable assistant in the study of the great theme on which it treats.—196 pp.—18 cents.—Wt. 4 oz.
Man not Immortal: the only Shield against the Seductions of Modern Spiritualism. Without the great truth that man is not immortal, and that the dead know not anything, none are prepared to stand against wicked spirits in high places. We commend this work on the immortality question, as an able discussion of the subject.—148 pp.—12½ cents.—Wt. 3 oz.
An Examination of the Scripture Testimony concerning Man’s present condition, and his future Reward or Punishment. By this work is shown in a clear and connected manner the unconscious state of the dead, and the final destiny of the wicked. By many it has been objected to works which have been published on this subject that objections have not been thoroughly answered. In this work we consider all objections to the mortality of man and the death of the wicked fairly and fully met.—Price 18 cents.—Wt. 2 oz.
Why Don’t you Keep the Sabbath? Extracts from Catholic works.—Price 5 cents.—Wt. 1 oz.
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POEMS.
By Uriah Smith
Home Here and Home in Heaven, with other poems. This work embraces all those sweet and Scriptural poems written by Annie R. Smith from the time she embraced the third message till she fell asleep in Jesus.—Price 25 cents.—Wt. 4 oz.—In paper covers, 20 cents.—Wt. 2 oz.
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