The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 55, No. 10
DECEITFULNESS OF RICHESPage 1
Earlier text: WHY BLAME WM. MILLER?PICTORIAL ILLUSTRATIONS OF SCRIPTURE.
At the close of the fervid exhortation of our excellent superintendent, the visitor peripatetic, said, “And now Elijah has gone to Heaven; but his red garment comes falling back to us through the air; who will put on the mantle?” And we asked, in the confidential moment, after meeting in the vestibule, “How did you know that Elijah wore red clothes?” He answered, nowise abashed, “Did I not see it in the lantern picture which you showed on the screen last autumn?” Is it not worth while to inquire how much of our present conception of Scripture is due to the illustrations furnished? Look at our pictorial Bibles, for example; mark the cuts and engravings by which the various artists have sought to give vivid ideas of Eastern life and inspired imagery. You may think this is very small game to follow up with the hounds of criticism; but really it is oftentimes the largest we have, for these plates are frequently copies of what the first painters in the world’s estimation have done. And yet when mere uneducated and unperverted common sense examines them, it turns away with a smile. It sees them to be very elaborate, splendidly colored, and forcibly expressed pieces of nonsense. Most of them are only ridiculous things well done. Now, where is there a name better established than that of Tintoret the Venetian. A pupil of Titian for awhile, he grew so rapidly that his teacher became jealous of his fame and turned him away from his school. And yet Tintoret, when he painted the Israelites gathering manna in the desert, represented the host as armed with guns. And Albert Durer, the pride of Nuremberg, when he had occasion to picture Peter’s denial of his Lord, put a short pipe in the mouth of a Roman soldier who stood beside the maid-servant in the hall. These persons are called “masters!” We saw the other day, upon the walls of a gentleman’s parlor, a magnificent engraving of the largest size, a copy of Raphael’s cartoon in Hampton Court, “Christ’s Charge to Peter.” Anybody will recall that thrilling scene in sacred history, told of the night when they had been toiling with the net through all the long hours, and yet caught nothing. Having been in our poor way trying to preach on the subject, very lately, and so being a little better informed than usual as to matters of fact, we took the occasion of waiting to study his famous picture carefully. There they stood on the shore, and Immanuel was putting the searching question, which, for scores of generations, has gone echoing down through the valleys and over the hills of history: “Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?” Well, we had not looked for a moment before we began to be glad none of our people were there. For we had told them from the pulpit that only seven of the disciples were out that night on the water; and Raphael had thrust all the eleven in, along in a row. We had taken great pains to clear up that unfortunate expression of our translators about Peter’s being “naked,” by describing minutely the fishing costumes of those oriental countries at that day. And there Raphael had set them all out in the beautiful robes of Galilean gentlemen, gracefully plaited and with a trailing train of half a yard long. We had also made, in our discourse, quite a melo-dramatic point, picturing Peter in particularly wet garments and draggled hair, he having, with his usual impetuosity, leaped overboard and waded ashore. But there Raphael had him kneeling at the very feet of the Saviour to take the big keys, his garments dry as could be, and his locks curled exquisitely round his temples. And not a shadow of disquiet or weariness on the face of any one of them showed that they had been out through the wild night upon the turbulent Gennesaret. Now, we are bidden to admire this sort of caricature, and absolute abandonment of simplest fact, to accept traditional travesty instead of actual truth, on pain of being read out of critical circles. D’Israeli tells us that he saw, in Holland, a Bible in which the man who picks out the mote from his brother’s eye is pictured with one end of a projecting beam in his own, the other end resting on the ground, as if he had accidentally run on a stake. And there, also, the same author says he was shown a painting in which Abraham appears ready to sacrifice his son with a blunderbuss; an angel, however, most opportunely frustrates his pious intention by dampening the powder in the pan. Now, when such wild ideas as these obtain a hold of what is mere history or unmistakable figure, is it any wonder that some are found who get as wild over doctrine as the artists do over simple fact? Men go wrong when taught wrong. These exceedingly prosaic remarks are called forth by the sight of some new Bibles in monthly parts, going the rounds for subscriptions. It is likely some of them are good, suggestive, and true; but we feel pretty sure they all will need watching. If right, then right; if wrong, then wrong; but either right or wrong, illustrations of Scripture are among the most powerful of comments young people possibly can have.—London Sunday-School World. THE following anecdote is related of an Eastern monarch, and is exceedingly suggestive. We once heard of a distinguished physician who thanked God because he was deaf, since it saved him from hearing a world of nonsense. But we are inclined to think that quite as much nonsense enters through the eye as through the ear. The monarch had a library containing books enough to load a thousand camels. “I cannot read all this,” said he. “Select the cream and essence of it, and let me have that.” Whereupon the librarian distilled this ocean of words way down to thirty camel-loads. “Too bulky yet,” said the monarch. “I have not time to read that.” Whereupon the thirty loads were doubly distilled, and a selection was made, sufficient to load a single ass. “Too bulky yet,” said the monarch. Whereupon it was trebly distilled, and the only residuum was these three lines written on a palm leaf: “This is the sum of all science—Perhaps.” “This is the sum of all morality—Love that which is good, and practice it. “This is the sum of all creeds—Believe what is true, and do not tell all you believe.”—Selected. Glorifying God Through Self-Denial and Service
—It is they who glorify Him, who shall enjoy Him; they who deny themselves, who shall not be denied; they who labor on earth, who shall rest in Heaven; they who bear the cross, who shall wear the crown; they who seek to bless others, who shall themselves be blessed.—Dr. Guthrie. THE WORK AT BATTLE CREEK.
By James White
At no period in the brief history of our work in this city, has there been as lively an interest as at the present time. The labor put forth about the time of the General Conference last November, proved salutary and its influence has been felt up to the present time, in our College, at the Sanitarium, the Office of publication, and in the church generally. The baser sort have tried to take advantage of the plain testimonies and earnest warnings given to this people, and of the efforts to maintain proper discipline and order in the College. This is what might be expected in the usual course of things. When the work of the Lord revives, Satan and his dupes feel disturbed. If a respectable agent cannot be found, the services of one of the baser sort are accepted. As a good illustration of this point, we notice a dream; whether the gentleman was asleep or awake, the reader may judge. The illustration, however, is a good one. In his dream, he was passing by a church. Upon a gate-post, Satan was sitting sound asleep. Shaking him gently, he inquired, How is this? You have the reputation of being very active in your work, walking to and fro in the earth, seeking whom you may devour; but here you are sound asleep. To this his satanic majesty replied: “The people in the church back there are asleep, and the minister is asleep; and I thought it a good time for me to take a nap.” All is quiet in the regions of darkness when the professed people of God sink away in spiritual apathy; but when they arouse from their slumbers, Satan cannot afford to sleep. The work in the congregation last Sabbath was deep, and we have reasons to hope that it will be lasting. Changes, happy changes, in the condition of things here, are working changes in our plans. God is giving us the ears of the people, great freedom before them, and sweet and heavenly power in prayer. At present, we are very happy in the enjoyment of these precious seasons, with Elders Whitney, Stone, Decker, Corliss, Colcord, Tenney, Lane, and brother, Covert, Sharp, Owen, Fulton, Burrill, and Smith, who are attending the Tract and Missionary Institute, and also the Professors of Battle Creek College. We are looking forward with lively anticipations of good, to the General Conference, after which we shall probably visit some of the churches in Michigan, before going to Colorado. From that point, we shall decide whether to go to the Pacific coast, or to attend some of the camp-meetings. If Mrs. White decides to remain in California, and the friends open the way for us, we shall probably spend the summer on the Pacific coast. At present, however, our work at this important post is plain before us. The Tract and Missionary Institute, conducted by Elders Whitney and Stone, is proving a great success; and Eld. Whitney is arranging for classes in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, and Kansas, to follow immediately after the General Conference. The work of the Tract and Missionary societies, which is the absorbing subject at this time at headquarters, is second to no other. But little has been done in the past without our publications, and proper missionary work. This is being systematized, and the workers are being educated for their great work. If it be true that our ministers can add nine-tenths to their success by their efforts in properly circulating our periodicals and books; and if it also be true that men and women of a good degree of intelligence can be educated and trained as colporters and missionaries so as to accomplish as much real good as our active ministers, what a force of laborers can be thrown into the field at once through the instrumentality of the Tract and Missionary Institutes which are being held, and which should be held in the future throughout the length and breadth of the land. It is very generally known by our readers, that from the very beginning, the publishing department of the great work has claimed our first attention. To this branch of the work we have given life's best years and strength; and it is with no small satisfaction that we look upon our extensive list of publications, admirably adapted to the wants of our growing cause. We need not say that the systematic effort on the part of thousands of tract and missionary workers, who are preparing to send our publications in different languages to every part of the world, makes our joy nearly complete. We are happy to report more students, and a better state of things at the College, than at any previous winter term. The Sanitarium has a larger patronage, also, than in any winter previous. And the empty condition of our book-shelves at the publishing house, seems really fearful. Not less than twenty tons of publications have been sent out from this office by mail, express, or as common freight, during the past three months. J. W. THE WRONG THRONE, AND THE WRONG KING.
In the lectures before the Biblical class in the College, the doctrine of the “Age to Come” has been briefly examined, and by request we present to the readers of the REVIEW some of the points that have been made. Whoever examines this question in order to refute the errors which are entertained concerning it, meets a difficulty on the very start. It is that there are no expositions of the doctrine which are considered standard, and indorsed by all who hold what they call “Age-to-Come” views. Hence when one claim is examined and refuted, we find we have disposed of the views of only an individual, or at most, of comparatively few individuals, others holding other positions, almost as multifarious as the number of persons who belong to the organization. Yet we understand that there are certain underlying views upon which all theories of the “Age to Come,” so-called, must rest, certain fundamental principles, without which all the superstructure, from sill to finial, must fall to the ground. These principles are:— 1. That Christ comes the second time to take the throne of David to reign in Palestine, and subjugate his enemies, the Gentile nations of the earth. 2. That probation continues after Christ comes. 3. That the earth is habitable, and is inhabited after that event. 4. That there are certain special promises to be fulfilled to the old, or earthly Jerusalem, and to the literal seed of Abraham, during this reign of Christ. If any one of these positions fails, all the views included in this term, “The Age to Come,” must also fail; and if they shall all be found to be antiscriptural, the doctrine is certainly founded on something far less substantial than sand itself. We take the ground that not only one, but all of them are utterly without support in the Scriptures of truth, and will give a few reasons for so believing. In the Restitution of Feb. 5, 1880, Eld. J. P. Weethee quotes 1 Cor. 15:25 as testimony concerning the future reign of Christ: “For he must reign until he hath put all enemies under his feet.” This is put in as testimony that the reign of Christ, commencing with his second coming, is a reign of subjugation to subdue his enemies to himself. But there are other scriptures which speak of the subjugation of Christ’s enemies, and the testimony of these scriptures must be allowed to have a bearing upon the conclusion which we adopt. We find a prophecy of this glorious work in Ps. 110:1: “The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.” There can be no mistaking the personages here brought to view: “The Lord [Jehovah, the Father] said unto my Lord [Christ, the Son], Sit thou at my right hand, until I [Jehovah] make thine enemies [the Son’s enemies] thy footstool.” According to this prophecy, it is Jehovah who subdues the enemies of Christ to him, and he does this while Christ is sitting at his right hand. We now turn to the New Testament to ascertain whether Christ has yet taken that position or not. In Rev. 3:21 Christ himself says, “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcome, and am set down with my Father in his throne.” Christ, then, has taken his position on the throne, at the right hand of the Father. Paul testifies to the same fact in Heb. 8:1: “Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens.” This points out the present position of our Lord Jesus Christ, at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens. Is this the period referred to in the 110th psalm? We learn from Paul’s testimony in Heb. 10:12, 13, that it is: “But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God; from henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.” Here is a direct reference to the prophecy of Ps. 110; and if Paul is a safe expositor of the prophecies, he shows us that Christ is now occupying the position at the right hand of his Father, waiting till he (the Father) shall make his enemies his footstool, according to that prophecy. We now turn to the 15th chapter of first Corinthians, the prophecy from which Mr. W. takes his text, and will read the verses to which he refers, paraphrasing them in accordance with this view: “Then cometh the end [the end of this dispensation], when he [Christ] shall have delivered up the kingdom [which he now holds in connection with God upon his throne] to God, even the Father; when he [God] shall have put down all rule and all authority and power [which is opposed to the Son, according to the prophecy of David in Ps. 110]. For he [Christ] must reign [at the right hand of his Father upon his153 throne in Heaven] till he, [the Father] hath put all enemies under his [Christ’s] feet. The last enemy [of Christ and his people] that shall be destroyed is death. For he [God] hath [in promise and purpose] put all things under his [Christ’s] feet. But when he [God] saith all things are put under him [Christ], it is manifest that he [God] is excepted, which did put all things under him [Christ]. And when all things shall be subdued unto him [Christ], then shall the Son also [Christ] himself be subject unto him [God] that put all things under him [Christ], that God may be all in all.” That this is a correct view of the passage may be easily ascertained by trying to read it, paraphrasing it in the same manner, in accordance with the “Age-to-Come” view. With that view we must read it as follows:— “Then cometh the end [of the thousand years of Christ’s reign], when he [Christ] shall have delivered up the kingdom [his own kingdom] to God, even the Father; when he [Christ] shall have put down all rule and all authority and power [against himself]. For he [Christ] must reign [on the throne of David], till he [Christ] hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. For he [Christ] hath put all things under his [Christ’s] feet. But when he [Christ] saith all things are put under him [Christ], it is manifest that he [Christ] is excepted, which did put all things under him [Christ]. And when all things shall be subdued unto him [Christ], then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him [Christ] that did put all things under him [Christ], that God may be all in all.” This is not only contrary to the prophecy concerning this subjugation of Christ’s enemies, but it makes utter nonsense of the scripture itself. Here, then, is the first failure in these foundation stones of the “Age-to-Come” view. They make the subjugation take place while Christ is upon the wrong throne, and have that work accomplished by the wrong King. It is while Christ is on the throne of his Father, where he himself and the apostle Paul testify that he now is, that his enemies are subdued under his feet; and this subjugation is accomplished by the Father and not by the Son. GENERAL CONFERENCE.
By James White
At a special meeting of ministers and brethren who are attending the Tract and Missionary Institute at Battle Creek, a council was held at the Tabernacle the 29th ult., to consider the propriety of holding a session of the General Conference. The subject was quite fully discussed, and the following reasons were presented why it should be held in the month of March, 1880:— 1. Those ministers who may labor in the Pacific coast States and Territories, during the advancing season, should be in their respective fields of labor in a few weeks, and should be present at the General Conference before going west. 2. The majority of the delegates necessary to be present are already on the ground, attending the T. and M. Institute; and a meeting soon would be a saving of time and traveling expenses to the delegates. 3. The subject of the more active and extensive circulation of our periodicals and publications will be brought before the Conference, and at no better time can this be done than at the close of the T. and M. Institute, and just before entering the season of tent and camp-meetings. 4. We are entering upon an important era in the history of our cause. Missionaries have recently taken their departure from this place for the Pacific coast, and others will follow very soon after the Conference. And in a few months, at most, missionaries will go to Europe. Also, tent and camp-meeting labor, and the publication and circulation of the present truth, will be carried forward on a larger plan than ever before. In view of the foregoing, it was moved by Eld. B. L. Whitney, that it was the sense of the meeting that a special session of the General Conference should be held at Battle Creek, March 11-15, and longer if necessary. This motion, supported by Eld. J. O. Corliss, received a unanimous vote. Elders Butler and Canright are requested to be present. JAMES WHITE, Pres. of Gen. Conf. It was the privilege of the Battle Creek church to enjoy two very interesting and important meetings Sabbath, Feb. 28. Bro. White spoke in the forenoon on Ps. 119:9, showing the important place the law of God occupies in the development of a Christian character, and also the office of the Holy Spirit in connection with this work, not only to comfort and satisfy, but to reprove for sin, and bring to mind those failures in our past life and defects in our character which need to be remedied. At the close of the discourse, six came forward for prayers. In the afternoon a social meeting was held, in which many encouraging testimonies were given, exhibiting much feeling, and furnishing ground for hope of spiritual progress on the part of those who spoke. The work was then taken up where it closed in the forenoon, and an invitation was given for those to come forward who wished to start in the Christian life, or felt special need of recovering from a backslidden condition. To this there was a very prompt and general response. Between seventy-five and one hundred persons came forward to the front seats, quite a good number of these making their first public start in the service of God. An opportunity being given for those who had come forward to express their feelings, they pressed in so earnestly with their testimonies that it was impossible to close the meeting until nearly the close of the Sabbath, it having continued three full hours. About fifty of those who had come forward availed themselves of the privilege of bearing testimony in this manner. A good revival spirit seemed to prevail through the meeting, and a work has been commenced which we believe will result in good. Six arose for baptism. RIGHT AND WRONG.
By R. F. Cottrell
A correspondent says, “The law of Christ teaches right positively and wrong negatively, while the ten commandments teach wrong positively and right negatively. If, then, we are released from the law from Mt. Sinai, not being bound by it, we come under the law of faith, which commands right doing, so that we are ‘justified by faith without the deeds of the law’ (Rom. 3:28), and at the same time do not make void the law through faith, because the law of faith establishes the righteousness of the law from Sinai.” Right and wrong are opposites, and yet their testimonies perfectly agree. That which is right is not wrong, and that which is wrong is not right. Moreover, that which is right in moral actions, as defined by the primary laws of God, can never become wrong; and that which is wrong can never become right. A lie cannot, by being repeated, or by reason of age, become the truth; neither can the truth of God, by growing old, become a lie and vanish away. The law of God is the truth. Ps. 119:142. All his commandments are truth. Verse 151. These “laws of truth” were spoken by the voice of God from Sinai. Neh. 9:13. (See marginal reading.) All of them are truth. Not one of them has become a lie. To abolish or change one of them would be to abolish or change the truth. Men may desire to do this, but God never. “Thy word is true from the beginning; and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth forever.” Ps. 119:160. Now if the law of Christ teaches right positively, and the ten commandments teach the same thing negatively, there cannot be the least difference in what they teach; for truth is truth. The only difference is in their manner of teaching it. Again, if “the law of Christ establishes the righteousness [the italics are his] of the law from Sinai,” we still have perfect harmony; for righteousness must be right teaching and right doing; and therefore the righteousness taught by the law from Sinai is still right. But what can my friend mean by being “released from the law from Mt. Sinai, not being bound by it,” and coming “under the law of faith which commands right doing”? Does not the law from Sinai forbid wrong doing, and thus teach the right? We believe that repentant sinners are “justified by faith without the deeds of the law.” The law cannot justify its transgressor, simply because it condemns him; and he can make no atonement for past sins by future obedience. Hence the absolute necessity of something aside from the law by which to be justified, and that is Christ. Justification is obtained by us, sinners, only by faith in the sacrifice which Christ offered for us. “The law of faith,” by which boasting is excluded, is not a moral code, as our opponents seem to regard it; but simply that principle, rule, or law, by which, in the plan of redemption, the sinner is pardoned by faith in Christ, and not through his own right doing. But our friend talks of the law of faith as of a new moral code which has taken the place of the ten commandments. He says, “We come under the law of faith, which commands right doing, so that ‘we are justified by faith.’” The law of faith commands right doing. “Sin is the transgression of the law,” or wrong doing. That law, they hold, of which sin is the transgression, is not the ten commandments, but “the law of faith.” We ask, How, then, is the sinner, the transgressor of the law of faith, to be justified? By the same law of faith,—their only rule of right, or moral law. Truly, they are the persons who seek justification by the law. It is well to remind them that “by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified,” for by the law that requires right doing is the knowledge of sin. Of the ten commandments it is true that most of them teach the right by forbidding the wrong. Yet two of them, the fourth and the fifth, directly require the duties they teach; namely, special honor to parents and to our Creator. God is to be honored by remembering the day of his rest to keep it holy. This is the only precept of the ten that requires direct and special honor to the Creator as the parent of the universe. Is not this reasonable and right, and as much so now as ever? Yet our opponents tell us that if we keep the Sabbath, we seek to be justified by the law, and are fallen from grace. We may keep every other precept of the ten. They themselves do not openly claim to break any one of the other nine. They claim to do all right things, as commanded by the law of faith, and yet have no fears that they shall fall from grace by their “deadly doing.” We may even keep Sunday as the Sabbath of the fourth commandment, and all is well. But if we attempt to honor God by resting on the day on which he rested, the case is far otherwise—all is lost. Oh, consistency! It is no wonder that Job and David both exclaimed, “What is man!” MATTERS OF FINANCE.
By L. McCoy
It is a fact well known to those who are familiar with the finances of the country, that money is becoming more plenty, and rates of interest much lower. In fact, capital of all kinds is seeking safe and permanent investment, at remarkably low rates of interest. Stocks bearing a low rate of interest, well secured, command a high premium. In 1879 the government issued a new series of bonds at the unprecedentedly low rate of four per cent, which were intended for the masses, and not for sharks or moneyed capitalists. Legal steps were taken to prevent a monopoly of this kind, by limiting to each person the sum of one hundred dollars. It was found that even the large amount issued was entirely inadequate to supply the demand. And it is said that the government is thinking seriously of issuing another series at three and one-half per cent. But the object of this article is to call the attention of the friends of the Sanitarium, Publishing House, and College, to the facts above stated, and the fact that the U. S. government finds no trouble in getting means at four per cent. With these facts before us, and also remembering that we profess to believe the hand of God has planted these institutions, and that they have grown up under his fostering care, why can we not safely intrust our means with these institutions at a rate of even five or six per cent interest? We can assure our friends that, with returning prosperity in financial affairs throughout the land,154 and with the renewed energy given industrial pursuits, and with the unlocking of the hitherto unavailable millions, we may confidently expect continued increase in our business and earnings, as well as a decrease in our expenses and outlays. This will enable us to more rapidly reduce our debt, and thus substantiate our claims to the confidence of those who have invested their funds with us. We inquire, Are the bonds of the government safer and better than the bonds of these institutions? If so, we will give the government the preference. But if we believe the Lord is guiding affairs and shaping the course of our institutions here, we shall show our faith by our works. In view of the foregoing facts and conclusions, it has been decided by the Board of Directors of the Health Reform Institute to call in the series of bonds which are payable March 5, 1880; but not due till March 5, 1883, as they draw interest at the rate of eight per cent. It is the design to re-issue a portion of these at five or six per cent, if thought advisable, and if the holders wish to retain them at that rate. At the time these bonds were issued, money was dear, and readily commanded ten and twelve per cent in the West. Many of our brethren and friends called in funds placed at ten per cent, and loaned to the Sanitarium at eight. For this they have our thanks, and gratitude, and so much treasure laid up in Heaven. But now money is vastly cheaper, and as the custodians of these sacred institutions, we deem it our duty to save every dollar we can, justly and honorably. The bonds provide for this step, as this state of affairs was anticipated by those who drew them. Money is now being offered us at from five to six per cent, and we feel it duty to reduce the rate of interest on our bonds to these figures. And we know that our friends will congratulate us on having reached the point where we can do this. In the notice sent to those holding the bonds of the Sanitarium, we say, that if you wish the bonds returned to you with amount of coupons reduced from eight to six per cent, please inform us at once. There are thousands held in the banks by our brethren all over the country that might be invested at a low rate of interest here, and thus be of substantial service to the cause. Thousands are lost annually by loans at a high rate of interest to those who are engaged in speculations, and who take heavy risks. Brethren, let us show our faith by our works, and use our means in such a way as to be a real benefit to the cause of God and a blessing to ourselves. In behalf of the Board of Directors, Battle Creek, Mich., March 1, 1880. HOW WE MAKE INFIDELS.
By Editor
In view of the fact that we are so often charged with making infidels by the promulgation of our views, especially by teaching the doctrine of the unconscious state of the dead and the destruction of the wicked, we some time since made a call, as some of our readers may remember, for responses from those who had been rescued from infidelity by the views we teach. This call was given only one insertion in the REVIEW, and yet forty-five responses promptly came in from those who had been rescued from the darkness of skepticism, and brought to a belief in the word of God, by these very views which are claimed by some to be such a prolific source of infidelity. Multitudes of other responses could doubtless be secured had the call been repeated, and the subject kept longer before the people. On the other hand, no person can be found who will testify that he has been led into skepticism by the promulgation of these views. Our friends, in this instance, have exactly reversed the order, and have committed the unfortunate mistake of calling that a cause of infidelity, which not only has never made an infidel, but is the most efficient means of rescuing people therefrom. ALL WHO WILL MAY COME.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
The Bible says that we may all come to Christ if we will. The vilest sinner may come. I will read some texts of Scripture upon this point, and the sentiment expressed is the sentiment of the entire Bible. On the last page of the Bible I read: “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Rev. 22:17. What a message from Heaven is this! How it ought to prompt us to come to Jesus! “Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely,” not stintedly, not by measure, not grudgingly, but “freely.” Who can have it?—not the rich, not the poor alone, but “whosoever will.” Brethren, this is the word of God. It means humble men, the poorest, the wickedest,—yes, anybody. All may come. I read again that it is the will of God that all should be saved; that is, he wants us to be saved. See how plainly this is stated. 1 Tim. 2:3, 4: “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; who will have all men to be saved.” He wills that all should come to the knowledge of Christ. When entering Jerusalem, he said, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, . . . how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!” It is not as the Universalists say; God will not compel men to come to repentance; but he wills that all should be saved. He wants you to come. Then there is no opposition on his part. The way is entirely free to all who will come. Matt. 11:28–30; “Come unto me [what a gracious invitation!], all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” The Spirit says, Come; Jesus says, Come; all Heaven says, Come. Who is to come? The one who is a sinner, the one who is burdened, the one who feels the press of infirmities,—yes, all can come. My dear sister, my dear brother, do not say, “I am a sinner; I have broken the law of God; I have wandered far from Jesus; I am so wicked the Lord can never love me.” It is not so. The Lord can and will accept you, if you will only come. I turn to the Bible, and find that the Lord has illustrated this promise. Some who have committed the worst sins known to humanity have yet obtained mercy. Take, for example, the case of the thief on the cross, as recorded in Luke 23:42, 43. Two thieves were crucified with Christ. They had been arrested for stealing, had been tried, and in the penalty inflicted received only their just desert. But even one of these persons—so guilty in the sight of God and man—found forgiveness when he sought it with penitence of heart. “And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee to-day, Thou shalt be with me in paradise.” Although so vile that he was not permitted to live on earth, yet when he came with the simple prayer, “Lord, remember me,” he was received. I believe that in the providence of God this extreme case is put on record for the encouragement of those who might otherwise, on account of past sins, despair of ever securing eternal life. In the 8th chapter of John is mentioned the case of a woman taken in adultery. She did not deny the charge brought against her for one of the worst of crimes. To the Pharisees who accused her, Christ said, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” Then they withdrew; and Jesus said unto her, “Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee; go, and sin no more.” You and I would perhaps have been less forgiving than was the dear Saviour. But there is more mercy in Heaven than with frail humanity. My friends, Heaven is all full of sympathy, and forgiveness, and pardon, if we sincerely repent and believe. In Paul’s letter to the Corinthians we read, “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolators, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.” 1 Cor. 6:9, 10. He says further, “And such were some of you; but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” I believe these words are put on record for a purpose, to give hope and encouragement to the weak and sinful. Reader, do you earnestly desire to be cleansed from the stains of sin? Do you long to become a true Christian? Then, no matter how sinful your past life may have been, if you are truly repentant, and are willing to comply with the requirements of God’s word, you may have full and free forgiveness for past offenses, and be adopted into the family of God. As an ambassador of Christ, I have the authority from my Bible to offer pardon to every one who will accept it, HOW IS IT WITH YOU?
By Geo. D. Ballou
CHRISTIAN friend, are you living to see how great an influence you can have for good over others? or do you aspire to have the good influence of others buoy you up as you cross the ocean of life? Are you trying to be a real, persistent, positive power in the world? or do you lie passive, a mere creature of circumstance? Do you endeavor to carry your own burdens155 and assist others in carrying theirs? or do you fold your hands, and lie all limp and powerless, nothing but a babe, expecting to be carried along in the arms of the church? How is it with you?