p. (5) | Signs of the Times, Vol. 24, No. 1. (1/6/1898)

Earlier text: THE CONTINUOUS INFINITE SACRIFICE

GOD’S WAY VERSUS MAN’S WAY.

By Ellet Joseph Waggoner

HERE is the expression of God’s love: “God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16. “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Rom. 5:6–8.

The Scriptures tell us that God is of purer eyes than to behold iniquity, and that evil shall not dwell with Him. He hates sin, because sin is utterly foreign to His nature. In the foregoing texts we see how God manifests His hatred of sin; for the measure of God’s hatred of sin is His love for sinners: He gave Himself to save them from it.

In this we see the difference between God’s way and man’s way, and note how infinitely higher is His way than man’s. When men wish to show their abhorrence of sin, and to emphasize their non-complicity in it, they sacrifice the sinner; but God shows His abhorrence of sin, and emphasizes His perfect freedom from it, by sacrificing Himself. “Teach me Thy way, O Lord.”

It is a dangerous thing to pin faith to man, or to follow even the best of men; for there is no man that is absolutely perfect, and such is the perversity of human nature that we naturally tend to follow the poorest instead of the best. Indeed, this is inevitable, for when we follow men, we use only our own strength, and so we can not lift ourselves above the faults and errors of those whom we follow. Jesus says, “Follow Me,” and this we may safely do, for “there is no unrighteousness in Him.” There is in Him no error to lead us astray; He is the Highest, and He gives us His own life to lift us to His own level. Thus we can indeed follow Him. When we follow men, our sin increases; but when we follow Christ, it is removed; “for we know that He was manifested to take away our sins; and in Him is no sin.” E. J. W.

A CALL TO ACTION.

By Mrs. J. B. Goldsborough

SIGNS OF THE TIMES, like a fair-crested crown, Insignia of triumph and glorious renown, Guiding an army whose watchword is “Peace,” Nourishing souls, in their blood-bought release, See a great multitude without sword or spear Only His armor, God’s love and His fear, Faith is their shield, His Word is their power That wins every battle, in earth’s darkest hour. Hallelujah their song of honor and praise, Escaping from tongues that are tuned to His lays. Truly the host is increasing each day, Inspired by thy zeal, a light on the way, Multitudes, multitudes, still in the dark, Earnestly seek them, thou life-saving bark, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, they are calling, now, hark!

Mrs. J. B. Goldsborough.

Minneapolis, Minn.

Preparing for Adversity

IN prosperity the prudent man provides resources against adversity.—Demophiles.

The Spirit of True Love

By Rev. J. K. Smith

LOVE.—Unless we deny ourselves, make some sacrifice, we can not get the spirit of true love. Tho we may have the most elegant music, the most eloquent preacher, the very finest and most beautiful churches, and have not love, all our efforts are thrown away.—Rev. J. K. Smith, Presbyterian, Louisville, Ky.

THE HOLY SCRIPTURES.

By X.

1. The knowledge of salvation is found in the Holy Scriptures through faith.

“And that from a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” 2 Tim. 3:15.

NOTE.—The above refers to the writings which now compose what is called the “Old Testament;” the books composing the “New Testament” were not then written.

2. These Scriptures witness to Christ, and it is our duty to search them.

Proof: “Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life; and they are they which testify [witness] of Me.” John 5:39.

3. These Scriptures or writings (not the men who gave them) were inspired of God.

Proof: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God [literally, is God-breathed].” 2 Tim. 3:16.

4. The agency by which it is inspired is the Holy Ghost, or Holy Spirit.

Proof: “Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” 2 Peter 1:21.

“Which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake.” Acts 1:16.

“The Spirit of the Lord spake by me, and His Word was in my tongue.” 2 Sam. 23:2.

5. Peter tells us that this Spirit was, as it is, the Spirit of Christ.

Proof: “The prophets have inquired and searched diligently, . . . searching what or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify,” etc. 1 Peter 1:10, 11.

6. The New Testament writings were inspired by the same Spirit.

Proof: “Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth.” 1 Cor. 2:13.

7. The Scriptures contain all that is needed by the man of God.

Proof: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Tim. 3:16, 17.

8. In God’s word is life and power.

Proof: “For the Word of God is quick and powerful.” Heb. 4:12.

“The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” John 6:63.

9. That Word will work out righteousness in the heart of every one who will receive it as the Word of God.

Proof: “When ye received the Word of God, which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the Word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.” 1 Thess. 2:13.

10. It will keep from sin those who receive it.

Proof: “Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee.” Ps. 119:11.

“By the word of Thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.” Ps. 17:4.

How to Make the New Year Happy

By Editor

1898.

WE enter, as mortals reckon time, upon the beginning of a new year. The SIGNS OF THE TIMES extends hearty greetings to all subscribers, readers, and friends, and wishes them a truly HAPPY NEW YEAR.

May it not also suggest some of the things by which the year may be made happy?

1. We will never find happiness by seeking for it. It will prove as elusive as a will-o’-the-wisp. It is never caught by pursuing; it comes when we forget its pursuit, when we are seeking that which is good.

2. The only source of lasting happiness is God. Amid all the turmoil of the universe in the great heart of our Father is everlasting repose and supremest happiness. This is so because “God is love,” and love takes delight in ministering to others’ good. All good things come from God; and Infinite Love is happy in bestowing His good gifts.

3. If we seek and find harmony with Him, we shall find happiness in the harmony. We may all find this by yielding to His holy will. If we have been living in rebellion and disobedience, He asks but one thing,—willing and complete surrender to His holy will. In harmony with God will we find happiness. “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee; because he trusteth in Thee. Trust ye in the Lord forever; for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength.” Isa. 26: 3, 4.

4. We shall retain this happiness by doing the Lord’s works, or in letting God work out the same works in us that He did in Jesus. We will forget ourselves in ministering to others; for in self-forgetfulness is happiness. We will seek to help more fully grandfather and grandmother, father and mother, husband and wife, son and daughter, brother and sister, grandson and granddaughter; and from the home center our hearts will go out to the aged, the poor, the needy, the heart-hungry, the sick, and the perishing to the great world’s end. Laboring thus the fire of our happiness will never burn low. With the psalmist may we say:—

“He hath put a new song in my mouth, Even praise unto our God; Many shall see it, and fear, And shall trust in the Lord.”

Our blessed Lord has revealed the channels through which happiness comes, in the beatitudes; for the word “blessed” means happy.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

“Blessed are they that mourn; for they shall be comforted.

“Blessed are the meek; for they shall inherit the earth.

“Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness; for they shall be filled.

“Blessed are the merciful; for they shall obtain mercy.”

“Blessed are the pure in heart; for they shall see God.”

And, even more, happiness in being persecuted for righteousness’ sake; sometimes “sorrowful, yet always rejoicing.” Thus yielding and laboring and ministering to others, 1898 will truly be a growing year of happiness. God grant that it may be to each and all.

CHRIST’S COMING—WHAT IT IS.

Whom Does He Ask?

In an editorial on the “Two Advents,” a popular eastern religious paper has the following:—

But there is another advent, for which the church is hoping, praying, watching. Will it come in the night or yet in the morning? Will it startle us in our sinning or surprise us in our worship, in our repentance, contrition, or yet come to us as a blessed relief from an environment of sin—come to us as freedom comes to the prisoner in his cell? We know not. If we ask—What is the sign of His coming? or, When shall it be?—we get no answer. But if we pass from that contemplation and consider that the real fact of Christ’s coming lies in the time when God shall call us away from the scenes of earth, we shall find that for every one of us that second advent may be nearer than we think, near enough, surely, that none of us may ask, Why tarries His chariot so long? Therefore it is that the second advent may well concern us at this season; not that we should be as they who have all their life long been subject to bondage, but that we should see to it that our lives are so ordered that not only shall death have no terrors for us, but that we shall welcome the call,—that we shall rejoice to meet our Lord at His coming,—for that will be His coming to us.

To whom did the writer seek in his questions? Of old the disciples asked the question of our Lord Himself, “What shall be the sign of Thy coming?” And Jesus did not answer by silence, neither did He say, You can not know. But He did say, “And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them for fear and for looking after those things that are coming on the earth; for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.” Luke 21: 25, 26. God has hung out His signs everywhere in heaven and earth, in sea and sky, in the material, social, political, religious worlds, that all may know and see.

As to the time, the Master continues: “And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud, with power and great glory. Matthew in recording the same conversation, after giving some of the signs, declares: ‘Now learn a parable of the fig tree: when his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh; so likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it [‘He,’ margin] is near, even at the doors.’ Matt. 24: 32, 33. That the day or hour is not revealed we know, but the same Word tells that we should know when it is near; and our Lord gives us this assurance concerning His nearness: ‘Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away.’ Verse 35. Certainly if the writer had inquired of the Lord, he would have found an answer. Or has ‘the vision of all’ become ‘as the words of a book that is sealed’? Isa. 29: 11, 12.

Another point: Death is not the second advent of Christ to any. True, it closes the probation of all who pass its portals, but it is not Christ’s coming. He comes not to take life, but He comes to give life. Truly the weeping sister said, “Lord, if Thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.” But He was absent, and Lazarus died. Christ’s coming meant life to Lazarus. When Jesus told His disciples that John might tarry till He came again, His disciples at once concluded that that disciple would not die. Why?—Because they knew that death was not Christ’s coming, and if John lived till Christ came, he would never die. Christ counts death an enemy, and came to destroy it and its author. 1 Cor. 15: 26; Heb.

2:14. O, that men would seek to God and His Word for information, and not to a wrong and perverted theology!

“OUR GOD IS MERCIFUL.”

“Hath God forgotten to be gracious?” we could but repeat after the psalmist as we read the following, credited to Cardinal Vaughn in the “Catholic Truth” department of the Catholic Mirror of November 20:—

Consider what purgatory is, a realm of pain created by infinite Justice for the punishment of souls. No doubt there are degrees of punishment, but the least degree of purgatorial pain is keener and intenser than all the pains of this life put together.

You ought to get as many masses as you can said for your deceased friends and benefactors. They not only expect this service from you, but they will at once repay you by becoming your most grateful friends and intercessors with God.

Of course, it is the same teaching relative to purgatory which the Catholic Church has taught for centuries; but as it is presented anew as “Catholic Truth” it suggested anew some questions. Will God, who is infinitely just, punish a soul one moment longer or one degree harder than that soul deserves? If He will not, what is the need of appeal to fallen man? Is not God “merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy”? Ps. 103: 8. “Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful,”—full of mercy. Ps. 116: 5. Is it not true that “with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is plenteous redemption”? Ps. 130: 7. Is not God “rich in mercy” (Eph. 2: 4), “very pitiful, and of tender mercy”? (James 5: 11). Is it not true that “He delighteth in mercy” (Micah 7: 18), and that He “taketh pleasure in them” “that hope in His mercy” (Ps. 147: 11)? If God will not hear, why appeal to man? Is mortal man more just than God? Is he more merciful?

Why do men, how can men, thus put God so far away? How can they give Him such a character that He will cast men into such intense punishment, and allow them to stay there unheard, unheeded, only as their way is paid out by “masses”?

Hear, O ye sinners everywhere! “Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful.” All the mercy that men possess they get from Him. All the compassion they exercise is from God. Go to God for mercy. Point every soul to Him. Hear His Word often repeated: “Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.” O, He has “abundant mercy”! not filtered down through the filthy sands of tradition or the perverted ideas of church, or priest, or parson, or any person, but direct from the Lord Jesus Christ to you. “Seeing then that we have a great High Priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which can not be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the Throne of Grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Heb. 4: 14-16.

God Does Not Remember Death

“Moses, the man whom God buried, had no gravestone; God does not remember death.”

Question Corner

“Enquire and make search and ask diligently.”

NOTE.—We wish those who ask questions to take particular notice: (1) Only such questions will be answered here as we believe to be of general interest and information. (2) We can not undertake to explain from four to a dozen scriptures, as in one sentence we are often requested to do. (3) Do not ask to “explain” a certain text or passage. State clearly the point in question. (4) Give full name and address, not for publication unless desired, but as evidence of good faith, and to give us the privilege of replying by letter if deemed best. (5) Unsigned communications of any kind find the quickest way to the waste-basket. (6) It is always well to inclose stamp. (7) “Foolish and unlearned questions avoid,” also those that minister to mere curiosity. (8) Study the Scriptures yourselves.

686. Josh. 24:2, 3. “The Other Side of the Flood.”

What is meant by the expression “the other side of the flood,” in Josh. 24:2, 3? J. E. H.

It means the River Euphrates, down near the mouth of which Abraham lived in his youth, together with his relatives. The Revised Version renders, “beyond the River.”

687. 1 Chron. 3:5. Two Nathans.

If Nathan the son of David was a prophet before David took Bathshua to wife, how can this writer say that he, Nathan, was brother to Solomon the son of Bathshua?

Nathan was not a name monopolized by one man. Nathan the prophet and Nathan the son of David and brother of Solomon were two different men; and there are three or four other Nathans mentioned.

688. Gen. 36:31. Kings of Edom.

It is said by some on account of this verse that Genesis was not written by Moses, but by some writer in the days of the kings of Israel.

Moses probably wrote the book of Genesis. The verse in question was probably added by a later writer. But the fact could have been given by the spirit of prophecy. In no way is this against the Scriptures or their integrity.

689. Feet Washing.

Where did the ordinance of feet washing occur? and what was the design of feet washing? P. C. O.

The record of the institution of feet washing as an ordinance is found in John 13:4–17. It was instituted in connection with the Lord’s supper, and was practised in the early church. See 1 Tim. 5:10. The object of washing the feet in general is to cleanse them. Gen. 18:4; 43:24. But this was not the object of the ordinance; for the disciples had all bathed, and Peter did not know what our Lord meant, a thing he would have known if the service had been an ordinary one. John 13:7, 10, 11. The ordinance was to inculcate humility and brotherly love. Verses 13–17. If it had been always carried out in the Christian church in its true spirit, there would have been no caste or orders in the church. “One is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.”

690. Matter of Disagreement.

J. G. H.—The matter of disagreement between two Bible writers may be wholly from our limited field of view. One man may tell only one part, the other man the other part. The thing to do in such a case is to wait for light.

691. Zech. 12:9–11. At What Time.

At what time does this text apply? E. M.

In its fullest sense to the great day of the Lord, and the ultimate triumph of good.

692. Rev. 22:2. Healing of the Nations.

Please explain Rev. 22:2, latter part. Do the righteous saved need healing? E. M.

In a way, yes. During all the later ages of sin’s reign man has been dwarfed in stature. Compared with the perfect man who came from God’s hand, he is greatly inferior. May not these leaves of the tree of life be that which will during the 1,000 years restore the nations to the beauty of primitive man?

"Enquire and make search and ask diligently."

“WHAT SHALL I DO?”

One of Many.

THE following quotation from a letter received not long ago is representative of questions rising in many other honest hearts. The prophet, looking forward to that time when “the day of the Lord is near,” saw the very condition of things beginning to be widely manifest now. On the one side are the claims of God; on the other are the demands of the world, the exigencies and necessities of life—and “multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision; for the great day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.” Joel 3:14. Here is the letter:—

EDITOR SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.—Dear Sir: I am trying to lead a Christian life. I want to do my Master’s will. I believe I am willing to sacrifice personal desire, comfort, or material interests for the sake of pleasing God. I believe the day we call Saturday is the seventh day mentioned; but how can I keep the Sabbath (Saturday) when the laws of the country compel men to refrain from labor on Sunday instead of Saturday, and my financial condition makes it necessary for me to work six days in order to provide for the needs of my family? What shall I do in order to be faithful to God and faithful to those He has intrusted to my care? If you can suggest a way out of this labyrinth of inconsistencies and show me what course to take, I shall be grateful.”

In the first place, the condition of things which our correspondent describes, has to a greater or less extent existed in every great crisis of the ages. The things of sight and sense have often seemed against the law of righteousness. The laws of nations have often been contrary to God’s law. It was so in the days of Moses, and Elijah, and Jeremiah, and Daniel, and our blessed Lord, and the apostles, and during the Dark Ages.

From a worldly point of view, Christianity presents no easy lot. Jesus Christ presents the way in these words: “Whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he can not be My disciple.” See Luke 14:26–33. “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; and whosoever will lose his life for My sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of man shall come in the glory of His Father with His angels; and then shall He reward every man according to his works.” Matt. 16:25–27. This is our duty as Jesus presents it. He says, “Follow Me.”

As regards our duty to government, the Christian can easily decide it. “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength.” This leaves us no option. He who believes this, when divine and human laws come in conflict, must say with Peter, “Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.” “We ought to obey God rather than men.” Acts 4:19; 5:29. Because Jesus did not keep the Sabbath as the authorities thought He ought, “therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus and sought to slay Him.” John 5:16. And He says, “If they [the world] have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you.” John 15:18–20.

The foundations of the church of Christ were laid in the midst of persecution, when almost every act of worship brought the child of God in conflict with Rome. It is ever a choice between righteousness and sin, between freedom and slavery, between eternity and time; it is a matter of simply believing God. And it ever has been and ever will be— “Truth forever on the scaffold, wrong forever on the throne, But that scaffold sways the future, and behind the dim unknown Standeth God within the shadow, keeping watch above His own.”

Brother, it is a matter of faith in God, of loyalty to Christ. All power, all wisdom, infinite love, are His. Can you not trust Him? How true it is—

“We see dimly in the present what is small and what is great.”

We allow the little gain of the present to hide from us the exceeding riches of God’s glory. We permit the sordid dust of time to blind us to the gold of God’s blessings. The fear of man hides us from the awful yet loving presence of God.

Do we need to present His promises? Here is one: “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things [to eat and drink and wear] will be added unto you. Take therefore no [“anxious,” R. V.] thought for the morrow.” Matt. 6:33, 34. Read Mark 10:29, 30. All power is God’s. He can open the Red Sea, or roll back Jordan’s swelling flood. He can bring water out of the rock or bread from the sky. He can multiply the oil or send ravens with food. We may not see how He can do it; but all wisdom, all the resources of the universe, are His; He will do all things well for His children. “No good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly.” Ps. 84:11. If He loved us so much when sinners as to give His only-begotten Son, will He withhold from us as His obedient children what we need? See Rom. 8:32. Can we thus charge God? and can we not trust Him?

The only way to be faithful to all others is to be faithful first and last and always to God; and, O, “blessed is the man” whose “delight is in the law of the Lord.” To such God will pour out the riches of His grace here, “the peace that passeth understanding,” and make him a blessing to all others around him.

To this brother and all others in doubt would we say, Believe and obey God; follow Jesus Christ, and at the end of the journey you will say, “Not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the Lord our God spake concerning us; all are come to pass.” The commandments are to you, and to you are the promises, that you may do and be blessed in the doing.

Religion, Not Civilization

By C. G. Hazard

CHRISTIANS are not in the world for civilization, but for religion.—C. G. Hazard.

THE OUTLOOK AT THE DAWN OF 1898.

THE outlook upon the world is indeed a most interesting one from almost every point of view. The condition of things in the political world is ominous. In a way the days of Peleg (Gen. 10:25) have come again. At that time “the earth was divided.” A few years ago the great powers of Europe began the slicing up of the Dark Continent, irrespective of the rights of the aborigines. Their earth-hunger is not yet satisfied. Nearly every unclaimed island and rock in the ocean has been pre-empted by the great maritime and military nations of Europe, and it has been thought that the division was at an end, because there was no more land to divide. But no; Japan demonstrated that a great nation, numerically and territorially, in the Orient is deplorably weak, and the Russian bear, the German eagles, and the British lion stand ready to rend and devour the Chinese Empire. Little Japan, “the Sunrise Kingdom,” is watching jealously lest she shall be deprived of her share.

The act of the Chinese against two German missionaries may result in world-wide war, but more likely in the division of China. After China come Turkey and the weaker powers of Europe, and then the great battle of the day of the Lord foretold in so many scriptures.

Men may cry, “Peace, peace,” but the nations of earth are preparing for war. War is in the hearts of men. The war spirit is manifest in the increase of pugilism, in the brutality connected with athletic sports, in the military drills in public and denominational and private schools, in the churches in the “Boys’ Brigades,” in much of so-called “Christian Citizenship” talk against powers that are not “Christian,” while “Christian” Spain exceeds in cruelty Mohammedan Turkey. The outcome of it all is what God has predicted by the prophet, twenty-six centuries ago. Joel 3:9-16.

The financial distress has been for a time relieved a little, but with no promise of permanent or complete relief. The formation of great national or world trusts places the workmen at the mercy of the trusts, and makes them but those parts of great labor-saving machines which are dispensed with as rapidly as money and invention can bring it about. Here are two or three sample items caught up at random. In 1894 the police station-houses of Chicago accommodated to lodgings on the cold stone floors a little over 300, from December 1 to 15 inclusive. For the same time in 1895 the number had more than doubled; it was over 700. For the same period in 1896 there were more than 15,600, besides what slept in the various charitable institutions of Chicago. In New York City there are now, at the beginning of a severe winter, more than 92,000 idle men. At the same time the great coal trust of the East controls all anthracite coal, under the alleged leadership of J. Pierpont Morgan, and dictates its own price to consumers. God only knows the suffering and privation from cold and hunger which will result in the cities which are dependent on the anthracite mines for fuel. But it is estimated that the trust will gather in an extra $44,000,000, to be placed in the coffers of men already overrich. Thousands and tens of thousands tramp our country roads and our city streets with no roof to shelter them when night comes, with no means to secure a meal when nature demands it. It will be only the grace and power of God which keeps such men from crime.

In the religious world there are indications both sad and assuring. There is a great and growing indifference to what the Word of God says, on the part of both people and clergy. This is acknowledged and bemoaned by the greatest workers in evangelical lines. Yet at the same time there are constant demands made by the pulpit and press that the government, local and general, should protect and enforce the observance of religious institutions, looking to man instead of God. It is again Israel turning to Egypt and Babylon; it is the church leaning upon a staff which will break and pierce her.

On the other hand, there are precious souls within and without the church folds who are seeking for truth and light and peace. While God’s Word is criticised, ridiculed, despised, by many in high places, there are still faithful messengers of God who bear aloft the lamp of truth, who lift up Christ before the people. These by the Spirit’s power through the Word are bringing precious souls to Christ and salvation.

The fearful epidemic of crime continues unabated. “Evil seducers wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.” Lust is wanton and rampant. Murder, in all his various forms, stalks boldly forth, numbering his victims in ever-increasing ratio. Robbery, tyranny, fraud, and theft are almost too common for mention. And one of the saddest things to the Christian is that indifference to this fearful condition, as well as to all of the striking signs of the world’s speedy dissolution, is received with an ever-growing indifference. In 1886 the homicides in the United States were less than 1,500; in 1896 they were over 10,000, and we believe that 1897 will exceed 1896. And yet there were more horror and sadness and sensitiveness on the part of people in general over the awful crimes committed in 1886 than there is now. What does this indifference mean? Does it mean that hearts are growing more tender and true? Does this indifference reveal more of Christ? But of this more anon.

One word more, however, before we close this article. Here are grand, glorious opportunities for the Christian,—the evangelist, the physician, the philanthropist. O, the needy ones, body-sick, soul-sick, sin-sick, poverty-stricken!

Reader, does it not stir your heart to co-operate with Christ Jesus in their salvation? Now, now, now is the acceptable time. Work for God, help the poor, point the sinner to Jesus. He can “save to the uttermost,” and He will save all who come to God by Him. Take the sinner by the hand and introduce him to your Saviour. Clothe him, feed him, and so clothe and feed Jesus Christ. And just beyond—it is but “a little while”—Jesus the Master will come, and the faithful workers will be gathered home. Now is the time for work.

NATIONAL REFORMERS AND THEIR WORK.

By W. N. G.

Ohio has started the ball rolling for State organizations similar to the National Reform Association. This State organization was the result of a convention held at Columbus last September. The constitution of the National Reform Association was adopted, except that in Article I, the name was changed to the Ohio State Union, and one other change in the matter of dues. We may now look for other States to follow in the wake of Ohio with organizations advocating a religious amendment to the National Constitution. The purpose of this amendment is to “place all the Christian laws, institutions, and usages of our government on an undeniable legal basis.” As an opening wedge National Reformers presented to Congress only the plea for a recognition of God in the preamble of the Constitution, but that was not the extent of their design. One of their secretaries, as far back as 1883, published in their association’s organ an article from which the following is an extract:—

“An acknowledgment of God does not of itself impose any restraint on the conscience, nor fix a single law requiring obedience. We have it in our State constitutions, and it has little or no force. It would be complimentary, but not itself binding. But we do not stop here. This is simply the foundation for an imposing structure. These principles are only premises; the conclusion is yet to come, and it has this dangerous character of the syllogism, that the conclusion must come, and come with invincible power.”

And the contemplated conclusion had already been expressed some twenty years before, not only in the constitution of the association as before cited, but in a memorial to Congress, wherein it was asked—

“That such changes with respect to the oath of office, and all other matters, should be introduced into the body of the Constitution as may be necessary to give effect to these [proposed] amendments in the preamble.”

And another leader, a vice-president, is on record with the assertion that “the civil power has the right to command the consciences of men.” Thus it is an undisputed fact that the purpose of the National Reform Association is to have the civil government of the United States, and of the several States, enforce that association’s idea of the Christian religion upon the people. At first the association was a creature of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, and while it was in the main limited to that denomination, it was practically harmless. But the leaven has affected about all the so-called evangelical denominations. One prominent influence that has led to this extension has been the formal and active co-operation of the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union, as an organization, with its interdenominational work, tho we believe that there are many noble women in the Union who are opposed.

The association struck a popular chord by putting forward the enforced observance of Sunday. In this way the American Sabbath Union and other Sunday associations and leagues became auxiliaries to its purposes. Along the lines of this National Reform work we now have the Christian Citizenship movement, the Applied Christianity idea, and perhaps the heaviest influence of all, the Young People’s Society of Christian Endeavor. Not only are all these forces combining in special features of the work, but they are being drawn into its entire purpose. The Christian Statesman, the leading organ of the movement, speaking of preparations for the recent Philadelphia convention, has this to say:—

“Pastors are taking their enrollment cards and also subscription envelopes, and putting them into the hands of their young people’s associations, to have them circulated and signed. Ministerial associations are opening the door to have the matter presented before them, and are appointing delegates, so far as can be seen—one association resolving to come as a body. After presenting the cause to a large and living C. E. Society one sabbath [Sunday] evening, a leader among them responded, ‘We will come in a body, and you will hear from us besides.’ They expect to enroll three or four hundred names, and help to share the expenses.”

To these and other sanguine expressions of hope for assistance and co-operation, the Statesman adds:—

“If any one questions the fact that the tide of interest is rising in this reform, let him take the field for one month, and compare the work with the work five years, yes, two years ago, and he will be blind if he does not see a marked change. And the opportunity never was wider for the National Reform Association to put in her best work than it is to-day.” W. N. G.

“A TRAITOROUS WATCHMAN.”

THREE young men died, one by accident, and the others by disease, within a short time. They regularly attended church, and a Methodist Church. For the preceding six months not a word had been said in the pulpit, in the prayer-meeting, or in the Sunday-school, of the nature of a direct appeal to men to begin a Christian life. There had been sermons about the Bible which had made the congregation laugh, two, at least, partly political sermons, and one on “How to Get Married and Be Happy Afterward.” If it could be proved that these three young men who died without hope in God, will not rise up in judgment against such a man, it would demonstrate the falsity of Christianity; but the Word of God has provided for such a case in the following malediction upon the “watchman” who is recreant to his commission: “When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.”—Christian Advocate.

Wealth and Poverty

Wealth and Poverty are the two extremes of social life which are ever drifting wider apart, arousing contempt on the part of many of the wealthy (thank God, not all) for the poor, and envy and bitterness on the part of the poor (but not all) toward the rich. This latter feeling is accentuated by the foolish and extravagant outlay on the part of many of the wealthy. For instance, it is reported that a wealthy woman of St. Louis has had placed in the ears of her pet cat diamond earrings. The money expended for these would, doubtless, if properly expended, have saved some family from starvation in that city this very winter. O reader, have you wealth and comfort, it is given you of God; use it for His poor!

Continue reading: FIRST A WILLING MIND—THEN ALL