Earlier text: The Desire of AgesFunds for Our Washington Enterprises
By Arthur G. Daniells
We are now ready to give our people an opportunity to make offerings for suitably establishing the headquarters of this cause in the city of Washington, D. C. The communications that directed us to the capital of our nation clearly pointed out the course we should take to establish our work here. We are to establish a printing house, a sanitarium, and a school. We are also to make a strong public proclamation of the truth in the city. We are to train workers for all parts of the great harvest field. During the Washington Council last fall this instruction was placed before the delegates. They looked the location over, and studied the general plans. After the most thorough, deliberate consideration of all the features of the situation, the following decisions were unanimously agreed to:— First, That we look to the proceeds that should come from the Review and Herald assets in Battle Creek for the necessary funds to build and equip the printing house in Washington. Second, That we call for $100,000 with which to provide the General Conference offices, the sanitarium, and the school. The amount specified is not more than will be needed, but it is more than we who were located in Washington had dared to think of asking for. But the delegates, one and all, looked at the conditions and needs of the work in a most practical and courageous way, and refused to allow a smaller sum to be named. As stated in a former report, this splendid manifestation of confidence, good judgment, and courage lifted a great burden from my heart, and gave me hope for much regarding this enterprise. We now have the various departments pretty well organized, and the general plans quite clearly outlined. The publishing interests are represented by a legal corporation with a large and wholly denominational constituency, a good board of directors, and experienced officers. Its work is moving along as encouragingly as could be expected under the circumstances. Larger facilities are needed, but they can not be provided at present. As has been reported recently, the medical work is being looked after. The board of trustees has elected officers, appointed department committees, and begun preparations for opening city treatment rooms, and for building on the Takoma Park site. A provisional school board has been appointed, and officers elected to develop the school interests. The members of the board are Prof. W. T. Bland, W. A. Spicer, J. S. Washburn, A. P. Needham, and A. G. Daniells. The officers elected are: Chairman, A. G. Daniells; Secretary and Treasurer, W. T. Bland; Financial Secretary, J. S. Washburn. Steps have already been taken to secure the services of one of our brethren to act as architect and builder, for the school board. The board of management have agreed on the following division of the $100,000: for the General Conference building, land, and expenses in moving the headquarters to Washington, $10,000; for the school, land, buildings, furniture, and improvement of land for cultivation, $30,000; for the sanitarium, land, buildings, and city treatment rooms, $60,000. Those who have had experience in establishing school and sanitarium enterprises will say at once that the amounts named for these are not enough. It is not all that will eventually be required if the blessing of God attends the work. But it is all that has been voted, and it is sufficient to start with. We shall thank God for this much. Now, brethren and sisters, we are prepared to begin operations. Our first step will be to give all our people in the United States an opportunity to make an offering to these enterprises. While the money is beginning to come in, we shall begin preliminary arrangements so that we can proceed to purchase material, and build as soon as we have the means. Our first great pressing need now is money. The sanitarium and school boards have thought it wise to arrange for Elder J. S. Washburn to take the responsibility of soliciting funds. His whole soul is in this Washington work. The Lord has laid the burden on his heart. He will place the situation in all its phases before all our people by articles in our papers, and by correspondence. Brother Washburn will be pleased to answer questions and give information to all. Please note that all offerings should be sent to the treasurer of the General Conference. Brother Washburn does not wish to receive the money. His duty and burden is to do what he can to solicit the funds. The General Conference treasurer will apply the offerings exactly as requested, and return receipts. An acknowledgment of funds received will be made through the REVIEW. The Lord has commanded us to establish his work in the nation's capital. He knows we must have means. We believe he will send us what we need. I suppose we have but little realization of what all this means, and the part it will play in the closing scenes of this work. Let us all respond quickly and liberally to this call. The Medical Missionary Council in New York City
By Arthur G. Daniells
It will be remembered by some of the readers of the REVIEW that the Atlantic Union Conference, at its late session, organized the medical missionary work in its territory as a department of the conference work. A medical missionary board of nine members was elected to advance the interests of this department. The Greater New York Conference in its session, which immediately followed the Atlantic Union Conference, adopted the union plan, and elected a board of five to look after and develop the medical missionary work in that conference. February 5 these two boards met in New York City for a joint council to arrange and plan for effective work. Besides the members of the two boards, there were present by invitation, W. C. White, H. W. Cottrell, A. E. Place, C. H. Edwards, and A. G. Daniells. The council covered four days, during which time eight meetings were held. All the members of both boards except one were present, and took a lively interest in the questions that were presented for consideration. The proceedings of the council are given on another page of this issue. It will be understood that these brief minutes can not give any adequate idea of the interesting and instructive discussions of four days. The recommendations that were passed give some idea of the various topics considered. It is the intention of the Union Medical Board to carry out these recommendations the best they can during the present year. As the members of the board are bearing heavy responsibilities in connection with various institutions, it will be difficult to give the work of the department all the attention it deserves. We hope the day is near when capable persons can be placed in the field to give this work their entire time. Then the decisions and plans of the board can be carried out with a vigorous hand. Conference officers, ministers, and church officers can do a great deal to assist the medical boards to make their work a success. This is especially true with reference to the distribution of literature. The ministers can render excellent service to this department by giving frequent addresses, both to our own people and to those not of our faith, on the subject of health and temperance.8 This is a part of our message, and should have the place it deserves in our efforts to advance the cause. Altogether, the council was a very enjoyable and profitable occasion. While every one enjoyed the fullest liberty of thought and speech, the discussions were temperate, dignified, and harmonious. The foundation was laid for a good, well-balanced medical missionary department of the union conference. I will refer the readers to the report of the proceedings, as given on another page, for the details of the plans laid. Great light has been given to us as a people, and we should rejoice in the privilege afforded us to pass it on. THE forgiveness of sin and the payment of debt are closely related. When the sins are forgiven, restoration, the paying back to every man his due, naturally follows. Truly he who takes our sins, and helps us to live above sin, can enable us to pay our debts, and to live above debt. The institutions of the great message we bear ought not to be built over yawning chasms of debt. These debts will all be paid before the Lord can come to judgment, and we shall learn how to build and establish our work without debt. Every one who reads this paper knows this to be the truth. The great changes made during the past year mean much. One thing is clear—the day, the hour, to release the oppressed, to break every yoke, has come. It is time we began to obey the divine command, “Owe no man anything, but to love one another.” O, he is able to break the shackles alike of sin and of debt! Do you know that if the Lord’s people will follow the Lord’s plan, our schools, publishing houses, and sanitariums, and we ourselves, will soon be free from sin and from debt? Free in the Lord! Glorious liberty of the sons of God! Is it possible? you ask. Possible?—Yes, certainly, if we follow the directions God has given. The work of selling “Christ’s Object Lessons” perseveringly, persistently carried out, will clear every school in our ranks from all the blight of debt. Are there not those who will at once take up this blessed work anew? Write your tract society secretary for a supply of this most excellent and easy selling book. Continue, persevere, finish the work. Can our people expect God’s blessing if this work is left unfinished? Will not the president of every conference encourage every member to continue this work, and will not the president of every conference furnish to his union conference president a statement as to the exact condition of this work in his territory, that the union conference president may be able to send me at once a complete statement of this work up to the present date, that I may be able to publish through the REVIEW the exact situation through all this country? O, let us finish the work! You can help. A recent Testimony reads as follows:— My brethren and sisters, why is so little being done to sell “Object Lessons”? Have you become weary in well-doing? Have all the families in your neighborhood been supplied with the book that is so full of helpful lessons both for parents and for children? Are there not some who did not buy a book last year that would buy one now? Why should we not go steadily forward with this work, until millions of homes have been supplied with “Object Lessons,” and our schools are freed from debt? . . . All will receive grace for grace, as they give what they can in time and influence, to the circulation of “Object Lessons.” J. S. WASHBURN, Secretary of Committee for Relief of Schools.
SPEAKING of the effort for Sunday closing of saloons in New York City, as The Independent says it “is better to have no law than to have a law that is wantonly and publicly and generally flouted.” So it advises that “as the law is not enforced, and apparently can not be enforced, and the people are taught to disobey law, they should have the law changed.” The distinction between natural law and statute law does not seem to be as clear in the minds of many people as it should be. Natural law is always binding, and people should be taught to respect such law always, and at all costs. Any statute law which is in conflict with natural law is not entitled to respect. In other words, to do right and to uphold justice is the natural duty of all people, and no statute that conflicts with justice can be of binding obligation. People should be taught respect for law, therefore, by being taught respect for what is right and just, rather than by a mere change of statute to suit a popular desire. What is right? is a more fundamental question than, What is the law? And a statute which disregards the question of right is itself a promoter of lawlessness; for right is always the higher law, having its seat in the throne of the Supreme Ruler. It is the business of legislatures not to try to create right and wrong by statute, but to discover first what is right, and then to enact a statute in conformity with it. The saloon is a natural outlaw, and has no right to exist on any day in the week, and a Sunday saloon law, demanding that the saloon be closed on Sunday, and therefore legalizing its existence on other days of the week, sets up a false standard of right, and tends to confuse minds concerning the issue which the saloon as an enemy of home life and civilization represents. It is an example of the confusion of right and wrong which always results from legal recognition of a religious day. Senate Investigation of Mormon Political Influence
By L. A. S.
The investigation by the United States Senate committee of the charges made against Senator-Elect Smoot, of Utah, is to include an extensive examination into the religio-political system which the Mormon Church represents. The following statement is made by those in touch with the committee:— The question will not deal with the subject under investigation in a narrow way, but will go broadly into the character of the Mormon hierarchy, its laws, practices, oaths, services, ceremonies, business methods, political influence, and every suggested phase of its activity in the spiritual, moral, and physical life of the people who are under its control. . . . President Joseph Smith and a long list of high officers, including his fellow presidents and the apostles of the church, will be summoned and put under examination. President Smith will be interrogated as to the idea of inspiration and the effect of the mandates of the head of the church on communications. Privately this line of inquiry will be intended to apply directly to the question whether a Senator of the Mormon faith would hold the authority of the church or that of his country paramount. But essentially, Senator Smoot becomes a mere incident of the investigation, which will be directed in all its force against the Mormon Church as a dangerous political influence. Undoubtedly the Mormon Church is a dangerous political influence, since it holds the balance of power in a large section of the Western territory of the United States, including Arizona and New Mexico, which, when admitted into the Union, may be represented by Mormons in the United States Senate. But whatever may be the result of this investigation, the fact which the American people most need to know and remember is that the menace to the country from a union of religion with politics is not determined by the lengths to which the religio-political body desires to go, but by the number of people which it represents. A small step in this direction by the Catholics or by the Methodists would be worse than a great step by the Mormons, because of the great inferiority of the latter in numbers. The real danger lies not in the fact that Mormonism is trying to step boldly into the political arena, but that the papacy is entering quietly into that arena, and that the leading Protestant bodies are likely to follow her example. The real danger lies in the indifference of the people to the question of danger from this source. L. A. S. O TAKE my hand, dear Jesus;
For thee how oft I pine!
Fill me with truth and righteousness,
And make me wholly thine. I know that thou dost love me;
O take this heart of mine
And cleanse it from all selfishness,
And make me wholly thine! Help me to live for others,
Filled with thy love divine,
That I may point them unto thee;
O make me wholly thine! Brotherly Love
By Ellen G. White
Just prior to the crucifixion, Christ, in his last lessons to the disciples, dwelt upon the love that they should cherish for one another. “By this,” he said, “shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” After the descent of the Holy Spirit, the disciples went forth to proclaim a risen Saviour, their one desire the salvation of souls. They rejoiced in the sweetness of communion with saints. They were tender, thoughtful, self-denying, willing to make any sacrifice for the truth’s sake. In their daily association with one another they revealed the love that Christ had commanded them to reveal. By unselfish words and deeds they strove to kindle this love in other hearts. The believers were ever to cherish the love that filled the hearts of the apostles after the descent of the Holy Spirit. They were to go forward in willing obedience to the new commandment, “As I have loved you, that ye also love one another.” So closely were they to be united to Christ, that they would be enabled to fulfil his requirements. The power of a Saviour who could justify them by his righteousness was to be magnified. But the early Christians began to look for defects in one another. Dwelling upon mistakes, encouraging suspicion and doubt, giving way to unkind criticism, they lost sight of the Saviour, and of the great love he had revealed for sinners. They became more strict in regard to outward ceremonies, more particular about the theory of the faith, more severe in their criticisms. In their zeal to condemn others, they themselves erred. They forgot the lessons of brotherly love that Christ had taught. And, saddest of all, they were unconscious of their loss. They did not realize that happiness and joy were going out of their lives, and that soon they would walk in darkness, having shut the love of God out of their hearts. Because the early church lost their first love, there came to them a message of reproof. “I have somewhat against thee,” the Lord declared, “because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.” Those mentioned in this scripture as losing their first love were not ranked with open sinners. They had the truth; they were established in the doctrine; they were firm to condemn and resist evil. Yet God declared, “Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee.” They were losing their realization of the greatness of the love that God has shown for fallen humanity by making an infinite sacrifice to redeem them. The apostle John realized that brotherly love was waning in the church, and he dwelt particularly upon this point. Up to the day of his death he urged upon believers the constant exercise of love for one another. His letters to the churches are interwoven with this thought. In one of his epistles we read: “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. . . . God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. . . . Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.” In the church of God to-day brotherly love is greatly lacking. Many of those who profess to love the Saviour neglect to love those who are united with them in Christian fellowship. We are of the same faith, members of one family, all children of the same Heavenly Father, with the same blessed hope of immortality. How close and tender should be the tie that binds us together! How careful we should be to have our words and actions in harmony with the sacred truths that God has committed to us! The people of the world are looking to us, to see if our faith is exerting a sanctifying influence on our hearts, making us Christlike. They are ready to discover every defect in our lives, every inconsistency in our actions. Let us give them no occasion to reproach our faith. It is not the opposition of the world that will endanger us the most; the evil cherished in the hearts of professed Christians works out most grievous disaster, and retards most the progress of God’s cause. There is no surer way of weakening ourselves in spiritual things than by being envious, suspicious of one another, full of faultfinding and evil surmising. “This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.” When you are associated with one another, be guarded in your words. Let your conversation be of such a nature that you will have no need to repent of it. “Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” “A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.” If the love of the truth is in your hearts, you will talk of the truth,—of the blessed hope that you have in Jesus. If your hearts are filled with brotherly love, you will seek to establish and build up your brother in the most holy faith. If a word is dropped that is detrimental to the character of a friend or brother, never encourage this evil-speaking; for it is the work of the enemy. Remind the speaker that God’s Word forbids this kind of conversation. We are to empty the heart of everything that defiles the soul-temple, that Christ may dwell within. The Redeemer has told us how we may reveal him to the world. If we cherish his Spirit, if we manifest his love toward others, if we guard one another’s interests, if we are kind, patient, forbearing, the fruits we bear will give evidence to the world that we are God’s children. It is unity in the church that enables Christians to exert a strong influence upon unbelievers. To build up one another in the most holy faith is a blessed work; to tear down is a work full of bitterness and sorrow. Christ identifies himself with his suffering children; for he says, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” If all would carry out the instruction given by Christ, love and unity would prevail in the church. Every heart has its own sorrows and disappointments, and we should seek to lighten one another’s burdens by manifesting the love of Jesus to those around us. If our conversation were upon heaven and heavenly things, evil-speaking would soon cease to have any attraction for us. We would not then be placing our feet upon dangerous ground; nor would we enter into temptation, falling under the power of the evil one. Instead of finding fault with others, let us be critical with ourselves. Every one should inquire, Is my heart right before God? Am I glorifying my Heavenly Father? If you have cherished a wrong spirit, banish it from the soul. Eradicate from your heart everything that is of a defiling nature. Pluck up every root of bitterness, lest others be contaminated by the baleful influence. Do not allow one poisonous plant to remain in the soil of your heart. Root it out this very hour, and cultivate in its stead the plant of love. Let Jesus be enshrined in the soul-temple. My brethren and sisters, prayerfully consider the exhortation given to those who have left their first love. “Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works.” God is now calling for heartfelt repentance, and for a return to the love10 that we once manifested toward one another. “Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.” “If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.” A Bible Study
By A. T. Robinson
God's Ownership and Man's Stewardship—No. 1
MATT. 25:14-30. Read carefully the parable of the talents. Who is represented by the man traveling into a far country? Whom did he call together before leaving for a far country? Whose goods did he deliver unto his servants? Upon what basis was the distribution of goods made? Did all receive the same amount? What is a man called who is entrusted with the use of another's goods? 1 Peter 4:10. What is required on the part of stewards? 1 Cor. 4:1, 2. What use was made of their Lord's goods by the different classes spoken of in the parable? What did the man do who had received the one talent? Where did he bury his talent?—“In the earth.” Think of it. What was it he hid in the earth?—“His Lord's money.” Then does this parable have reference to the use we make of temporal things?—“The parable of the talents has not been fully understood. This important lesson was given to the disciples for the benefit of Christians living in the last days; and these talents do not represent merely the ability to preach and instruct from the Word of God. The parable applies to the temporal means which God has entrusted to his people.”—“Testimonies,” Vol. I, page 197. In the parable, what took place after a long time? When he came back, what did he do with his servants? Whose coming, after a long absence, is now very near? To what account will each of his servants be called when he comes? Will this reckoning take place after he comes in the clouds of heaven, or before? In what hour are we now living? Rev. 14:7. 1 Cor. 6:19, 20. Read and study this passage carefully. Does a man belong to himself? Why does he not belong to himself? Does this ownership have reference to a man's body? 1 Thess. 5:23. Then to whom should we make an unreserved surrender of ourselves? Matt. 22:21. How many are willing to make this surrender, just now? Read carefully Ps. 24:1; 50:10-12; Haggai 2:8. To whom does the whole world and all that is therein belong? The beasts? the cattle? the fowls? the food? the silver? the gold? Ex. 20:8-11. Repeat the fourth commandment. How much of the time has the Lord made man a steward of? Verse 9. How much of the time has he laid his hand upon, saying, “This is mine”? Then what should we do with the Sabbath? Matt. 22:21; Ex. 20:10. Upon what is the right to make this reservation based? Verse 11. Lev. 27:30, 31. Study carefully these verses. Upon how much of all that comes to us, has the Lord laid his hand, saying, “This is mine, it is holy unto the Lord”? Upon what is the right to make this reservation based? Deut. 8:18. Then what should we do with one tenth of all that comes to us? Matt. 22:21. Study Mal. 3:7-12. What does the Lord promise to those who return unto him? What question does this call forth? What question suggests the answer? What is the answer to the question, “Wherein have we robbed thee?” What does he say is the result of thus robbing God? What does the Lord command those to do who have been robbing him? What condition has the Lord made upon which restitution is to be made? Lev. 27:31. Can one afford to deal with the Lord on this plan? Mal. 3:10. Can one afford not to do so? Mal. 3:9; Haggai 1:5-9. MRS. S. N. HASKELL
By Mrs. S. N. Haskell
Every sacrifice slain pointed two ways. As the priest acted out the great kindergarten lesson of the sanctuary service before the people, God designed that the people should comprehend the work of our great High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary. He also designed that from that service they were to understand what the Lord required of them, that they might become the temple of the Holy Ghost. Like the sword with two edges, every sacrifice pointed two ways, and taught these two great truths. If in the study of the sanctuary, we see only the work done by Christ for man, and fail to comprehend what God requires of us, we lose much. Christ is a faithful witness for humanity in the courts of heaven, and the study of the sanctuary reveals this more fully than does any other subject. God designs that we shall be faithful witnesses of divinity in this world of sin, and the study of the sanctuary subject reveals how we may represent him. For a few moments in imagination we will place ourselves three thousand years ago in the temple court. A sinner enters with a lamb. When he reaches the door of the sanctuary, he lays his hands on the head of the innocent lamb, and confesses his sin, thus acknowledging that he is a sinner worthy of death. The knife is raised, and in the very act of taking innocent life, he accepts Christ as his substitute. This places him in direct connection with the priest, and as the priest passes with the blood from his sight within the veil of the holy place, the sinner believes the blood is presented in his behalf. There is still an important work to do. The body of the sacrifice is to be carefully dissected, and every particle of fat removed by the sinner’s “own hand,” and given to the priest, who burns it upon the altar. Lev. 4:27-31; 7:29-31. The priest stands waiting until every portion of the body is searched faithfully for the fat, and when it is delivered to the priest, he burns it upon the altar. The psalmist saw in this the type of the destruction of sin and sinners. Ps. 37:20; 73:12-18. It was a sweet savor to the Lord; for it represented the burning of sin without the sinner. Have any of us who have come to Christ and accepted him as our sacrifice kept him waiting for us to separate from our body every wrong habit and appetite? Is he waiting for us to deliver over our appetite for meat, tea, coffee, etc? If so, why not present our bodies a living sacrifice wholly acceptable unto him? Denying the Light Behind
By T. E. Bowen
THE Lord is doing much for his people. With great patience and love he has led his children along the narrow, rugged pathway leading out from the cold, barren mountains of sin and unbelief to the golden city of promise, to which so many eyes by faith have turned. From the very beginning of the time for the closing messages, when the church was to encounter the wrath of Satan as never before, God gave his people such a thorough experience that it was ever after to be looked upon as a waymark by which the wayworn traveler11 might know where he was in his journey, and from which he was to gather encouragement and light. The experience given believers in 1844 was of God. It was not a fanatical movement. That message was a genuine test. It stirred the world. The work of self-examination was thorough, and some among the many were prepared to go out to meet the Bridegroom. Being prepared for this, they were prepared by faith to enter in with him into the most holy place on high, as he there should begin the last and most solemn work to be done for fallen humanity. But many who seemed sincere were not. They were ready after the time passed when they looked for Jesus to come to the earth, to deny their own experience, and at the same time judge that the experience of every other one was false, like their own. This was the test. This was the very purpose the God of wisdom had in view by permitting this experience to come. Had they known beforehand how it was coming out, it would have been no test. It is equally important now that we do not deny the experience of the first advent message. Note the following, found on page 10, of “Early Writings:” “While praying at the family altar, the Holy Ghost fell upon me, and I seemed to be rising higher and higher, far above the dark world. I turned to look for the advent people in the world, but could not find them, when a voice said to me, ‘Look again, and look a little higher.’ At this I raised my eyes, and saw a straight and narrow path, cast up high above the world. On this path the advent people were traveling to the city, which was at the farther end of the path. They had a bright light set up behind them at the beginning of the path, which an angel told me was the midnight cry. This light shone all along the path, and gave light for their feet so they might not stumble. If they kept their eyes fixed on Jesus, who was just before them, leading them to the city, they were safe. But soon some grew weary, and said the city was a great way off, and they expected to have entered it before. . . . Others rashly denied the light behind them, and said it was not God that had led them out so far. The light behind them went out, leaving their feet in perfect darkness, and they stumbled and lost sight of the mark and of Jesus, and fell off the path down into the dark and wicked world below.” The advent people are still on this path. It will be observed that the light set up behind shone all along the path,—its light only was to cease in the glory of the city at its end,—also that to ignore this light behind resulted in missing the mark, losing sight of Jesus, and to those who thus denied the light behind, it went out, and they were left in perfect darkness. They were left in this perfect darkness while still on the path. Do not lose sight of this. However, without the light behind, without eyes fixed on the mark, the city, and on Jesus, their guide, these could not long remain even on the path, but stumbled and fell into the world below. By this let us be warned not to cast away our confidence in the messages entrusted to remnant Israel. Does the way seem long? Did you think the city was nearer than you have since proved it to be? Well, what of it? Has Jesus deserted you? Is it any the less true that the city is at the end of the path now, than when you began your journey toward it? Ah! it is much “nearer” than when you “first believed.” Let us look to Christ. He has encouragement for every wayworn pilgrim. “We shall reap, if we faint not.” But above everything else, let us not deny the light God has set up behind, which is to shed its friendly rays for our feet on the path that ends only in “eternal day.” In Line With the Prophecy
By C. McReynolds
The Rev. Dr. Bascom Robins, of Burlington, Kan., is delivering in that place a series of lectures on “The Decalogue.” The last Sunday in January he made the following bold assertions: “The Sabbath, seventh day, was in one of the decalogues; but there were three of them,—one from Adam to Moses, one from Moses to Christ, and one from Christ onward to continue indefinitely. In the first they kept the seventh-day Sabbath because the Lord finished his work on the seventh day, and then rested. In the second they kept a sabbath that comes on every day of the week, as the fourth of July does; and in the Christian decalogue the first day was made the Sabbath by divine appointment. But there is a class of people in this country who will not keep the Christian sabbath unless they are forced to do so; but that can be easily done. We have twenty million of men, besides women and children, in this country, who want this country to keep the Christian sabbath. If we (the First-day observers) would say we will not sell anything to them, we will not buy anything from them, we will not work for them or hire them to work for us, the thing could be wiped out, and all the world would keep the Christian sabbath.” While his assertions regarding the decalogue are absolutely false and groundless, he little realized how clearly in line with the prophecy of Revelation 13 is his proposed plan for wiping out that people who will not keep the Christian (?) sabbath unless forced to do so. His plan may very soon be tried. Are we ready for the issue? It is surely coming.