p. 78 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 6, No. 7. (2/19/1880)

THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST.

By Uriah Smith

HOW WILL IT AFFECT THE CASES OF THE WICKED?

TAKE heed, said Christ, that no man deceive you. And it was in reference to this very subject of his second coming that he uttered these words. Was it because he knew that, on this, the most momentous of all subjects, men would court deception?

Be that as it may, it is a fact which challenges observation, that here people seem willing to be misled. By this event, understood as the Bible describes it, an issue is presented of such a nature that to meet it a preparation is required which cuts across all worldly desires, all carnal propensities, all earth-born purposes and pursuits. And rather than turn from these, and endure the crucifixion of the carnal mind, and walk the humble path of self-sacrifice, they shut their eyes to the event itself, or listen with complacency and pleasure to the deceiver's words, while he falsifies God's revelation in reference to the nature of Christ's second coming, and the effects that will follow.

1. The effort is first made to deny the event itself. No such thing is literally to take place, it is claimed, as the second coming of Christ. This is all figurative. It has already taken place, or is daily taking place, or is to take place in the future, in some secret or hidden manner.

2. The plain word of God beating into the dust these false assumptions, the next effort made is to make it appear that, though such an event as the appearing of Christ in the clouds of heaven is really to take place, it is not of such a nature as to excite any alarm; for probation will still continue, and the sinner can still find salvation.

We lay it down therefore as the first proposition that in connection with the coming of Christ probation ends. This will appear evident when we consider the change it involves in Christ's position. He is revealed to us in the characters of prophet, priest, and king. His prophetic office he fulfilled while here upon the earth. His priestly office he maintains so long as he continues to occupy the position he assumed when he ascended up on high as intercessor for us before the Father. The whole work of salvation is summed up in the priesthood of Christ. Outside of this, including the types and symbols pointing to it, no salvation is offered to the guilty. But when Christ comes he does not come as a priest, but a king. When John in vision saw him coming in his glory, his attention was attracted by a peculiar inscription upon his vesture and upon his thigh. His vesture was dipped in blood, but it did not obscure the majestic title inscribed thereon. He looked, and behold it was written, "King of kings and Lord of lords!" Therefore when Christ comes, his priestly work has ended, and salvation is no longer offered to the impenitent.

There is another scripture which is explicit upon this point: Rev. 22:11: "He that is unjust, let him be unjust still; and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still; and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still; and he that is holy, let him be holy still." This language certainly brings to view that moment into which is concentrated all the solemnity of the work of salvation for a lost world; when the character of every one is unalterably fixed, and his case irrevocably decided for an endless eternity. And when is this? Just before the Lord appears; for the next sentence in the chapter reads, "And, behold, I come quickly and my reward is with me, to give every man according to his work shall be." Hence by what his works have been up to that time, and not by what they may be afterward, is every man's eternal destiny decided.

The second coming of Christ draws the line of final separation between the righteous and wicked. He shall separate them as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats. Matt. 25:32. Hence it is certain that there is no probation beyond.

The announcement of Christ's second coming is therefore the announcement of that solemn fact in human history, the end of probation for all that are living upon the earth at that time. Sinner, your only hope is to seek Christ and his salvation before that fearful hour; for then his work will be to judge and execute, and not, as now, to plead and pardon.

The coming of Christ will put an end to all enterprises, and overturn every position, and abolish all situations, that are not founded upon his saving work. Kings then forget their kingly power; for one appears who is king over them. The rich men forget their wealth, or only remember it to throw it to the moles and bats in wild despair at the fact so suddenly revealed that their gold and silver cannot save them. The chief captains and mighty men change suddenly their lordly tones, and leave their haughty orders half unsaid, lost in anxiety for their own safety. And all, high and low, rich and poor, honorable and debased, business workers and pleasure seekers, flee from the face of a terror unknown to earth before; for they know that the Lamb's great day of wrath is come. Conscious that they have willfully and wantonly despised his mercy, and insulted his power, they now plunge into the caves of the mountains, and the fissures of the convulsed and reeling earth, and implore the rocks to crush them, and the mountains to bury them from his incensed presence. Rev. 6:14-17.

The coming of Christ destroys all the wicked living at that time. Paul in 2 Thess. 1:7-10, describes the revelation of the Lord Jesus in flaming fire, and says that it is to take vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ; and that they shall be punished with everlasting destruction from (or by) his presence and the glory of his power.

In the parable, Luke 19:12-27, which illustrates the ascension of Christ to receive his kingdom, and his second coming after having received his kingdom, the fate of the wicked is set forth in verse 27: "But those mine enemies which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither and slay them before me."

Again in the vision of Rev. 19, where the second coming of Christ is represented by the figure of a conqueror riding forth upon a white horse. After the battle between the kings of the earth and him that sat upon the horse, we read: "And the remnant (all that were left) were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse."

Finally at the coming of Christ, universal destruction is brought upon the face of nature, and the earth is reduced to its original condition of disorder and chaos. The prophet Isaiah describes it in forcible language (chapter 24) as made empty and waste and turned upside down; as mourning and languishing and fading away; as devoured by the curse and becoming desolate; as utterly broken down and dissolved, and reeling to and fro like a drunkard, and removed like a cottage. And John says that when the great day of wrath comes, the heavens depart as a scroll, and every mountain and island are moved out of their places. Rev. 6:14. And again he testifies that when the great voice from the throne in the heavenly temple declares that all is finished, the islands flee away, the mountains are not found. Rev. 16:20. The earth is shaken by the voice of God; and that shaking, says Paul, Heb. 12:27, signifies its removal. The imagination cannot grasp the reality of that mighty convulsion which shall level every mountain, and unmoor every island. Jeremiah had a view of it when all this had transpired, and he says the heavens had no light, and lo! the earth was without form and void. Jer. 4:23.

Such are some of the scenes attending the coming of the Son of man. Shall we say that they are of no consequence, and bid the sinner dream on his pleasing dream of peace and safety? No! but rather with all our power we warn him to flee, while yet he may, from the wrath that surely is to come.

U. S.

ADDING TO, AND TAKING FROM.

By James White

"For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book; and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book." Rev. 22 : 18, 19.

1. Jesus, and not John, is the Revelator. The last book in the Bible is "the Revelation of Jesus Christ." Chap. 1 : 1. Jesus sent his angel to signify it unto his servant John.

2. The "words of the prophecy of this book" do not mean the book of Genesis, the book of Job, or the book of the Acts; neither does it mean the entire Volume of inspiration; but "this book" —the book of the Revelation. Some understand this matter as though John had before him, while on the isle of Patmos, the entire Volume of inspiration as now compiled, and was writing this threatening in the last pages—A singular oversight! John "bare record of all things that he saw." Chap. 1 : 2. This record penned by John comprises "the prophecy of this book."

3. This solemn warning was evidently given to guard the book of Revelation, as it should pass down through different hands, from being corrupted.

4. To add to the book of Revelation would be to insert in that inspired book sentiments dictated by human reason over the signature of Jesus Christ, or as being a part of that Revelation of Jesus Christ. To take from that book, in the sense of the text, would be to reject, or leave out a part of that book in its publication, and present it thus diminished as the whole.

5. Jesus Christ is not forbidden to add to his own revelation; but the testimony is to every man, "If any man shall add, &c. Jesus Christ could add to the book of Revelation, or give a hundred new revelations written in as many books, for all this text forbids.

6. A new revelation, true or false, the genuine or counterfeit, would no more be an addition to the book of Revelation, than to the book of Daniel, or Ezekiel, or any other book of the Bible.

7. Any amount of spurious books, such as the Book of Mormon, the works of Swedenborg, Andrew Jackson Davis, and the whole host of Spiritualists, are not so many additions to the book of Revelation, as no one of them claims to be a part of that Revelation of Jesus Christ to John while on the isle of Patmos.

8. The text (Rev. 22 : 18, 19) is used to prove that all revelation from Jesus Christ to the human family ceased, A. D. 96. But it proves no such thing. It is a warning against corrupting the book of Revelation. This is all that can be made of the text. It has nothing to say whether Jesus Christ would, or would not, afterwards reveal himself to others of the children of men; but other scriptures do.

J. W.

THAT NO MAN TAKE THY CROWN.

By John Nevins Andrews

THERE is a crown of life for every one that overcomes. These crowns will be given at the appearing of Jesus Christ. 2 Tim. 4:8; 1 Pet. 5:4. They indicate the rank of the person who wears them. They imply a throne, also a kingdom, and a reign. These crowns will be more or less glorious according to the work which the wearer has wrought in the cause of Christ. Thus Paul spoke of those who should be his crown in the day of God; implying that the work which he had wrought in the vineyard of the Lord should be represented in the crown bestowed upon him. Phil. 4:1; 1 Thess. 2:19. The saved are represented as jewels in the crown of the Redeemer. Mal. 3:17; Zech. 9:16. So also in the crowns of those who save others.

These crowns are being prepared. If we overcome, each of us will receive one. But if we fail in our effort, some other person will receive our crown. The unfaithful servant has his talent given to him who had made improvement. "Unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him." Luke 19:26. Men who have done something in the cause of Christ, but have not faithfully persevered to the end, will see the reward that would have been theirs given to those who do remain faithful to the end. Nor is this at all unreasonable. When men turn from the cause of God, they bring distress, anguish of spirit, and heavy burdens, on those who stand steadfast in the work. This is all known to God. In the day of Judgment he will give their reward to those who have had this to bear. The man who has improved his talents, has done this in the face of the discouragements and hinderance caused by that servant who buried his talent in the earth. So, with the strictest justice, it is given to him. The ways of the Lord are just and right.

J. N. A.

Preparing for Coming Misfortune

It is not by dreading coming evil that we shall escape misfortune; but by preparing for it.

TRIALS AND TEMPTATIONS.

By John Matteson

Do NOT marvel, dear reader, if you find many hard trials and temptations in your pathway. These all work for our good when borne with patience and resignation. And, by the grace of God, we can be victorious, having our loins girt about with truth, covering ourselves with the shield of faith, wielding the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, and praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit. Eph. 6. Such a warfare is very useful to us. It exercises and strengthens our faith. The precious gold is tried and purified by fire. So likewise is our faith proved and strengthened by temptations.

Sometimes we are overcome on account of our ignorance or weakness. This is pitiful and shameful; yet it should not cause us to give up or cease the struggle. "If any man sin we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." 1 John 2. Jesus will kindly receive us when we come unto him, even though we have been wanderers or backsliders. The lukewarm he will spew out of his mouth in the great and final day; but still sweet mercy lingers. His counsel to such is to be zealous, and repent. Rev. 3. Let us then come to Jesus, even if we have to come all covered with shame. Let the heart be broken. Let anguish pain the soul. Such shame and pain are very small compared to the shame and torment which will be ours in the great day if we are found wanting. What incalculable loss and infinite misfortune then to get a place assigned unto us outside of the city in the lake of fire; but how sweet the words will sound: "Come, ye blessed of my Father." John Matteson.

TALKING DISCOURAGEMENT.

By George I. Butler

Of all unprofitable employment, perhaps nothing is more entirely so than talking discouragement. It takes the life out of any enterprise. Its only tendency is toward failure. Whenever any cause is embraced, and its prosecution resolved upon, and our interests are united with it, it is reasonable to suppose we have done these things because we believe the cause a good one, and that it will succeed. Had the thing been of a questionable nature, those questions should have been considered before embarking in it. To be sure, we may discover reasons which cause us to conclude we have been mistaken many times. If so, like honest people we can confess such mistake, and renounce the whole thing. This is the only honorable way out. But when we still think the cause good and right, and bound to triumph, there can be no excuse for murmuring, complaining, and talking discouragement. Faith, courage, and hope, are the necessary elements to success in any enterprise. Without these little can be done. What wonders have men not realized, when they have labored in faith for the accomplishment of any purpose!

No man can make great efforts when there is no courage to back them up. Every stroke will be weak. But let faith and hope nerve his arm, and his blows are given with a will. Faith is especially important in God's cause. The Lord has chosen to work through human agencies, but these must be of such a character that he can consistently work through them. The man who has satisfied himself that he is truly engaged in the work of God, that the Creator is on his side, has then reason to have hope and courage. Not only has he human efforts to rely upon, but he can consistently expect help from him who has never failed of success. To talk discouragement under such circumstances is nothing short of sinful.

The case of the Israelites, going through to the promised land, is in point. When they had come near to its borders, Moses sent twelve men, one from every tribe, to go through and see what sort of a country it was, and what obstacles they would have to encounter. They searched the land through, and brought back wonderful evidences of its fruitfulness. One cluster of grapes, which they carried upon a staff between two men, was a surprising evidence of fertility. The land was one indeed which flowed with milk and honey. But they had also seen huge giants there, in whose sight they were as grasshoppers. The walls were of thick and high. The inhabitants were very numerous, and they concluded they could not conquer. The effect of their testimony was to greatly discourage the people. It was in vain that two of their number tried to talk faith. Man's heart being naturally unbelieving, and the devil being very anxious to have people doubt, the balance turned that way, and the people had no heart to go farther. God was greatly displeased with these ten men, and they died with the plague before the congregation. Why? Mainly because they had discouraged the people. That great multitude had to return over their weary course, and wander forty years in those deserts, till all the multitude died for that act. These things were our "examples upon whom the ends of the world are come."

It is not necessary that we lie, or commit crime, to lose God's favor. We may question his dealings, his power, his readiness to work, until we doubt ourselves into darkness as gross as Egypt; till the sky will look blacker than a thunder cloud, and devils will be seen at every corner, where shining angels of hope might as well appear, in our mind's imagination. There is no blessing pronounced in the Bible upon unbelief; but great and mighty are the promises to hope and faith. God is pleased to have us expect great things from him, when we try honestly to serve him. He is a gracious Father, who loves to do his children good. He is not so well pleased to see us hiding and shrinking in a corner, fearing he will inflict the lash of his anger upon us, as he is to see our faces full of hope and courage and joy and peace, feeling that our Father is gracious, loving, and one who will care for us. He wants us to work with this spirit, and he will bless us in our work. This faith will enable us to do great things in his service, make our efforts felt, and fill our very bones with health.

Talking discouragement never yet removed a single obstacle, but generally adds several more. Looking at darkness never brightened a single cloud, but turns us into the same image. Every one of these difficulties will have finally to be met by us manfully, sooner or later. What then is the use of lying down in cowardice and dreading the matter, and suffering an age, till we are almost ready to despair, and then have to overcome these things at last? We want men of faith, ministers of faith, to talk faith to the people.

The Lord is coming. The Bible teaches it. A message of warning is to be proclaimed before the Saviour appears. The prophet says so. That message has the law of God in it; the foundation principles of morality are to test the world. Could we want a better platform than the law of Jehovah?

This movement has been in progress for years, and in spite of every kind of opposition, it has made headway in all directions. Its enemies have prophesied its fall; but somehow it don't fall. It is unpopular, but it is true. It started from nothing, and now the nations and the people are beginning to inquire after it. Nothing stands in the way to hinder its mighty onward march to certain victory, but the sad, feeble, discouraged state of many of its adherents. If they would take hold as the providence of God opens the way before us, with all their hearts, and live faith, talk faith, and work by faith, their souls would warm with an unwonted fire, their countenances would beam with new emotions.

It is time to look up. God lives. This is his work, and let us act as though we thought he was capable of caring for it. Let us do our duty, and let us lay aside this talking discouragement, ministers and people. Let us talk faith, hope, and courage. "When I am almost overcome," says one, "how can I?" That is just the time you should do so. You need it. You are dying for lack of it. Feed yourself upon this diet and your sickness will depart. Darkness is the very time when light is wanted. When faint and weary toiling, faith and hope will strengthen us; nothing else will. "Pilgrims, on, the day is dawning." This should be our watchword. We have a great work to do, and but a short time to do it in; therefore we must work in faith and hope and courage. GEO. I. BUTLER.

THE PRAYER OF DAVID.

By Ellen G. White

DAVID entreated the Lord not to forsake him in old age. And why did he thus pray? He saw that most of the aged around him were unhappy, because of the unfortunate traits of their character being increased with their age. If they had been naturally close and covetous, they were most disagreeably so in mature years. If they had been jealous, fretful, and impatient, they were especially so when aged.

David was distressed as he saw those who once seemed to have the fear of God before them, now in old age seemingly forsaken of God and exposed to ridicule by the enemies of the Lord. And why were they thus situated? As age crept on they seemed to lose their former powers of discernment, and were ready to listen to the deceptive advice of strangers in regard to those whom they should confide in. Their jealousy unrestrained sometimes burned into a flame, because all did not agree with their failing judgment. Some thought that their own children and relatives wanted them to die in order to take their places and possess their wealth, and receive the homage which had been bestowed upon them. And others were so controlled by their jealous, covetous feelings, as to destroy their own children.

David was strongly moved. He was distressed. He looked forward to the time when he should be aged, and feared that God would leave him and he would be as unhappy as other aged persons whose course he had noticed, and that he should be left to the reproach of the enemies of the Lord. With this burden upon him he earnestly prays, "Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth. O God, thou hast taught me from my youth; and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works. Now also when I am old and gray-headed, O God, forsake me not, until I have showed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come." Ps. 71:9, 17, 19. David felt the necessity of guarding against the evils which attend old age.

It is frequently the case that aged persons are unwilling to acknowledge that their mental strength is failing, and therefore shorten their days by taking care which belongs to their children. Satan often plays upon their imagination, and leads them to hoard their means with miserly care, and thus create a continual anxiety about their earthly goods. Some will even deprive themselves of many of the comforts of life, and labor beyond their strength, rather than use the means which they have. Thus they are in continual vexation, through fear that some time in the future they shall want.

If such would take the position God would have them, their last days might be their best, their happiest. Those who have children in whose honesty and management they have reason to confide, should allow them to manage for them and provide for their happiness. Unless they do this, Satan will take advantage of their lack of mental strength, and will manage for them. They should lay aside anxiety and burdens, and occupy their time as happily as they can, in ripening up for Heaven. MRS. E. G. WHITE.

NOT RULED BY FEELING.

By Jos. Clarke

A VERY devoted and godly minister, who had been the means of the conversion of many souls, was often oppressed by a sense of his own unworthiness; and sometimes he felt this most deeply when about to preach. He observed that after such experiences, his labors in the work of God were crowned with more success than at other times.

Now suppose that when he was about to preach, feeling, as he describes, such a sense of his unworthiness and weakness as sometimes almost to overcome his physical strength, he had given way to this feeling, and had made known this irresolution and weakness to his congregation, which being composed of various classes of minds, might have come to as various conclusions. None of them would have been benefited or pleased by such a self-dissection, in a promiscuous assembly, and would have returned as unaffected and hardened as before.

Instead of this, this minister forgot his own condition in his ardent desire to save his flock; and determined that whatever his own chances were for eternal life, he would adapt his discourse to the condition and wants of his hearers. As he proceeded, light filled his soul, and his words entered the hearts of his people. Saints were strengthened, and sinners were alarmed, convicted, and in time converted.

So should we study what is duty and never run from it because of discouragement; but go on in the fear and love of God; so shall light arise and darkness shall flee away. Thus will Satan be foiled in his plans, and victories will crown the labor of the just. Jos. Clarke.

A Good Life Makes a Good Sermon

A good life makes a good sermon or exhortation, forcible and weighty; a bad life makes all these null and void.

WISCONSIN.

By A. D. Olsen

Since laboring at Liberty Pole, in connection with Bro. Johnson, I have held meetings at Sand Prairie, Mt. Hope, Hurricane Grove, and Waterloo. At all these places the brethren seem to have a mind to work according to their ability. I have tried to bring the word of God plainly before them, and hope this effort has not been without good effect.

Jan. 17, 18, we held a Sabbath-school convention at Mt. Hope. All expressed themselves pleased with the exercises and profited by them, and resolved to put forth greater efforts to advance the Sabbath-school interest.

At the four places mentioned, we obtained forty-two subscribers for the Signs in clubs and several for the Review, ordered twenty-four copies of the Spirit of Prophecy, organized health and temperance clubs at Sand Prairie and Mt. Hope, and obtained one hundred and sixty-five signers to the different pledges. The most of these have signed the teetotal pledge.

A. D. Olsen.

MISSIONARY WORK IN SWITZERLAND.

By John Nevins Andrews

IN my last report, I spoke of my purpose to obtain the addresses of a large number of French Protestants. I have already obtained several thousands, and many of these are the names of those who give for benevolent and religious purposes, as for the distribution of the Bible. I have also obtained a large number of names of the better class of farmers and of other persons in various branches of industry. Many of the readers of our paper, in response to my request, have sent in the names of their friends and acquaintances. Persons of whom I know nothing except that they take our paper, have sent us lists of names. We now send out almost our entire edition of two thousand copies. We seek to follow the manner of the tract societies in America; and after sending several numbers, we write to those who receive them. This involves much labor, which we are trying to get our friends here to help us perform. I hope soon to give the result of this effort to enlist our friends in missionary work, and to show that they bear their part of the burden of labor and expense.

We have many evidences that our paper is doing a good work. A lady who has never seen any preacher of our faith wrote us from the interior of France a few days since, expressing her deep interest in the truths of our paper, and sending twelve francs, which is more than twice our subscription price. We have also just received from a lady at St. Petersburg a letter very similar to the one just mentioned, and containing the same sum of money. Both these ladies send us names for Les Signes, and the lady at St. Petersburg desires the German paper also. A Swiss gentleman that I have never seen has recently sent twenty-five francs for our paper; another who has received one number of Les Signes has just sent his subscription for it, and ordered tracts. We have also a class of readers that take a deep interest in our paper, because it has contained so many articles on temperance. We have received encouraging letters from friends of temperance, some of whom seem not to be professors of religion, from most of the countries of Western Europe.

Since my return to Europe, I have been making an earnest effort to render our work as nearly self-supporting as possible. All of our brethren have undertaken to pay the tithe, and they appear to do it gladly. I am persuaded that we can soon sustain ourselves. It is my first business to renew the work of the tract societies, which greatly declined during my long absence. I hope to say shortly that nearly all our friends are active workers. I also hope that our French friends in America will render all the assistance in their power. If they wish to aid in the expense of sending our paper into France, we shall be glad of their assistance. We have plenty of addresses, and are receiving more all the time. We will do all the work, after the manner of the tract societies in America, and only ask these dear friends to bear the expense of such number of copies as they are able. Or, if they wish to send us the names of their friends in France or elsewhere in Europe, we will send the paper to them instead of using such names as we have. We offer to do the work, because it would not be advisable to send our paper to America to be sent back to Europe. The postage in Switzerland is two-fifths of a cent on each number; the postage to France is one cent, and it is the same to all the countries of Europe and to America. Our paper is furnished to subscribers at one dollar per year. We will make the same discount to tract societies that is made on the American papers which they send out. We earnestly ask the co-operation of our French friends in America. And if there are any tract societies of Americans that can consistently aid us, we make them the same proposition that we have here made to the French.

J. N. ANDREWS.

T. AND M. WORK IN ENGLAND.

FROM report of Jan. 3, we learn that during the quarter ending January 1, 1880, over 1,000 families were visited, and nearly 4,000 periodicals sent out by mail and distributed otherwise, and 47,000 pages of tracts and pamphlets loaned and given away. Of this, 1,925 periodicals, and 7,786 pages of tracts and pamphlets were placed on ships, of which 2,140 pages were in foreign languages.

THE RIGHT WAY TO DO IT.

By Stephen Nelson Haskell

The institutions from which the truth of God emanates are important in proportion to the importance of the truth and the work of carrying it forward; and whatever is done to bring them into favorable notice, is, so far, building up the cause of God and co-operating with the angels in their work. The colporters and canvassers for our periodicals who are now at work in different parts of the field, can do much in recommending our institutions, especially the Sanitarium and College. Each canvasser, colporter, or minister, who travels from place to place and visits families, should have a few copies of the Sanitarium "Descriptive Circular" and the College Record to present to individuals whenever there is a proper opportunity for so doing.

One of our brethren in Springfield, Ohio, who has sent in the names of over one hundred paying subscribers to Good Health since Jan. 1, 1880, says in a letter dated Jan. 25:—

“While at work in behalf of Good Health, I find quite a number who have decided to attend some health institution this winter or spring. I ought to have some of the descriptive circulars of the Sanitarium and those giving terms, etc., to give to interested parties. Hereafter, in sending in names for Good Health, I will designate those to whom such circulars should be sent. I will also send you a list of such names in this letter.

“I am of good courage in this work. I have never been so kindly received in other cities, and a great interest is manifested by nearly all I visit. Many kind wishes for myself and work are heartily expressed as I bid them ‘Good day.’

“The wealthy respond quite cheerfully. I hope by April to have five hundred subscribers in Springfield. I trust this effort will do more to advance the cause of true temperance in this place than any which has been previously made.”

S. N. HASKELL.

ROCKPORT, WEST VIRGINIA.

By Isaac Sanborn

ON account of bad roads and almost constant rains, I have closed my meeting here. When the roads settle in the spring, probably about the first of May, I expect to return, and spend the summer in this vicinity.

I leave an organized society of sixteen Sabbath-keepers here, with good prospects for additions to their number, as for miles around many are reading. An opponent said in one of his sermons that he had learned many things from the Bible since Bro. Sanborn came here. A member of the M. E. church heard me one evening on the immortality question, and decided that I was a bad man. But on New Year's day I attended the M. E. meeting, and spoke about four minutes. Two days after, the same man came two miles to confess to me that he had changed his mind, and now believed I was a good man. I have since learned that the few words I spoke on that occasion so far removed prejudice that they are willing to let me preach in their meeting-house.

And here I wish to say, that by a prayerful, faithful study of the Testimonies to the Church, especially that part of them that pertains more directly to the work of the ministers, I have learned things respecting the dear Saviour's ministry, and the way he wants me to labor, that I consider invaluable. And with the help and blessing of God, I hope to learn still more. It is just the knowledge I must have in order to be a successful laborer. I. SANBORN.

NOBLE, KANSAS.

By R. F. Barton

Began meetings here the 12th inst. The average attendance has been about fifty, and the interest has been good from the first. Our meeting last Sabbath was well attended, and a good impression was made. Twelve, as nearly as I can learn, kept the Sabbath for the first time, and others seem to be almost persuaded to obey. Pray for the work here.

R. F. BARTON.

January 27.

WHITER THAN SNOW.

WHEN a flippant unbeliever accosted an earnest evangelical preacher with an objection to his sermon, and said: "Sir, I don't like your theology. It is all blood, blood, BLOOD! It savors of the shambles. I like a pleasanter gospel." The ambassador of Christ replied: "True, my theology is bloody. It recognizes as its foundation the death of Christ, with the thorn-pierced brow, bleeding hands and open side. I am quite content that it should be bloody; for God has said: 'Without shedding of blood,' there is no remission of sins; and, 'The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.'"

"Scarlet" sins become "white as snow." How? "Not by works of righteousness which we have done." All the dyers on earth cannot dye a red into white. And no human merit can avail or cleanse one crimson spot of guilt away. "By the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost," are we justified and sanctified, "through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God had set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood."

Of the redeemed in glory we read, "they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." The livery in Heaven is white. "Fine linen, clean and white," "white robes," "white horses;" "a white cloud," as the seat of the Son of man; "a great white throne" for the Judge; "a white stone" for the accepted saints, who "walk in white" with him who has made them "worthy." Verily, we must wear our "white raiment" here, if we would enter there. "They are without fault before the throne of God." And "Christ also loved the Church and gave himself for it, that he might sanctify and cleanse it—that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing."

To the Fountain opened for sin and uncleanness let us daily draw near, and take with us the words of "the snow-prayer." As said a happy little girl who came in one morning to her Christian mother's knee, after a bright race in the crisp, freshly-fallen snow, "Mamma, I could not help pausing while I was at play, to pray the snow-prayer." "What did you pray, my dear?" asked the interested mother. The dear child replied, "Mamma, I said to Jesus, 'Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.'"

"Helpless and foul as the trampled snow, Sinner, despair not, Christ stoopeth low, To rescue the soul that was lost in sin, And raise it to life and enjoyment again; Groaning, bleeding, dying for thee, The Crucified hung on the accursed tree; His accents of mercy fell soft on thine ear— Is there mercy for me? will he heed my prayer? O God, in the stream that for sinners doth flow, Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow."

-Selected.

The Difference Between Humble and Humbled

We should never forget the difference between being humble and being humbled. We are often humbled because we are not humble; and the wise Christian has learned that when exalted by the "flesh," he may next expect a thorn in the flesh. If something occurs to puff us up, something will be sure to occur to bring us down, for our Father loves his children too well to allow them to leave their place of entire dependence upon him, self-emptied in his presence. "If we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged," 1 Cor. 11:31; and the failure to keep humble often forces upon him the necessity of humbling us into the dust, "for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble." "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time."

A Good Conscience Waits God's Time

A good conscience waits God's time: a bad one cannot abide any one's time.

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