Another question may here arise which perhaps demands a passing notice. In the days of these kings, the God of Heaven was to set up a kingdom. We turn our eyes to Europe at the present day, and behold a variety of kingdoms, petty sovereignties, and dependencies. The question has been asked, Where are the ten kingdoms? Have they passed away? or has the time passed in which the fifth kingdom should have been set up? In reply to this we quote again from Nelson:
"Some have asked how it could be said that ten kingdoms have existed to represent ten horns, in a part of the earth once under the dominion of Rome when so many changes have been constantly going on in Europe, and when so many of them have been at times, as it were, consolidated into one. We may reply at any time to such an inquiry very fairly, that the ten horns have been there; that making a kingdom tributary does not take away its existence. If there should have been at times, eleven, twelve, or more horns there for half a century or longer, this does not make it untrue that ten were there. Such inquiries as have been made, and such objections as have been urged, seem to many, unworthy of an answer; but if a puerile cavil should appear weighty and important in the view of the unthinking, or the uninformed, for his sake it needs an answer. Let us then pass briefly through an illustration which may aid us in understanding each other.
"Suppose some feeble people should be suffering from the almost constant invasions of numerous and ferocious enemies. Suppose a powerful and benevolent prince sends them word that he will, for a number of years—say thirty—maintain for their safety, along their frontier, ten garrisons, each to contain one hundred well armed men. Or suppose he is actuated by different designs and moved by other motives; no matter how this is, so that his word is out for the support of a given number of fortifications containing a thousand soldiers. Suppose the forts are built and remain a few years, when two of them are burned to the ground and rebuilt without delay; has there been any violation of the sovereign's word? No, there was no material interruption in the continuance of the walls of strength; furthermore, the troops, the most important part of the safeguard, are still there. Again, suppose the monarch sends and has two posts of strength demolished, but adjoining the spot where these stood, and immediately, he has other two buildings erected, more capacious and more desirable; does the promise still stand good? We answer in the affirmative, and we believe no one would differ with us. Finally, suppose in addition to the ten garrisons, it could be shown that for several months during the thirty years, one more had been maintained there; that for one or two years out of the thirty, there had been there eleven instead of ten fortifications; shall we call it a defect or a failure in the original undertaking? Or shall any seeming interruption, such as has been stated, destroy the propriety of our calling these the ten garrisons of the frontier? The answer is, No, without dispute.
"So it is, and so it is, respecting the ten horns which were to represent ten kingdoms of Europe, once under the Roman sceptre. They have been there for twelve hundred and sixty years. If several have had their names changed according to the caprice of him who conquered, this change of name did not destroy existence. If others have had their territorial limits changed, the nation was still there. If others have fallen while successors were forming in their room, the ten horns were there still. If during a few years out of a thousand, there were more than ten—if some temporary power reared its head, seeming to claim a place with the rest, and soon disappeared, it has not caused the beast to have less than ten horns."
This quotation removes at once every chance for cavil, and all ground for objection. For over thirteen hundred years those kingdoms have been in Europe. In the days of these kings shall the God of Heaven set up a kingdom. There are other prophecies to be noticed hereafter, which, through the development of further particulars, bring us down more definitely to our own time. But on the present point we wish to inquire, Would the prophet thus accurately predict the existence of four great kingdoms, and be mistaken in regard to the fifth? The better judgment of every man will answer, No! As surely as four great kingdoms have successfully borne rule over the earth, so surely will the God of Heaven set up a fifth, which will never pass away. It will not be left to other people as these have been, but the saints shall possess it forever and ever. As surely as the image has been developed before us, so surely will it be smitten and dashed to pieces.
With one more question, which each must answer for himself and upon his own responsibility, we leave with you, reader, this part of the subject: are you ready for this destruction of all earthly governments? Have you an interest in the kingdom that is to be set up? Is your name enrolled among those highly privileged ones, who are to be its immortal subjects? Is your citizenship in Heaven, from whence we look for the Lord and Saviour? Are you Christ's, and therefore an heir, according to the promise? Or are you, on the other hand, in the condition, that if the King should appear, to raise his people to their glorious and imperishable inheritance, you would covet, as the greatest blessing, to be buried from his presence by rocks and mountains? Woful condition! Watch! lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.
U. S.
WHY SHOULD THEY DO SO?
By James White
WHY should our opponents persist in misstating our real position relative to the work of the law of God upon the minds and hearts of the children of men? Seventh-day Adventists have never taught that salvation from sin came by the law. But they have taught, from first to last, that by the law is the knowledge of sin, which can be put away only by the blood of Christ. We have proclaimed, and have repeated again and again, in our prints, and in our public discourses this plain and evident fact, that it is not in the power of law, either human or divine, to redeem the transgressor of law. Pardon is the sinner's only hope of escaping the full penalty of the law. It is not true that Christian Sabbath-keepers trust in the law for salvation. We rely on Christ alone for salvation from sin, and complete redemption from its results, to a life of eternal glory.
Those who have the truth can afford to fairly state the positions of those with whom they differ. The strength of those who oppose the truth is in putting its advocates in false positions. Do our opponents feel that they cannot afford to have our real views correctly represented before the people? And do they feel that their success in keeping the people from investigating our views depends upon their skill in misrepresenting them?
If we be thought severe, then we inquire, in the name of reason and religion, Why do our opponents persist in stating that, while they trust in Christ for salvation, we trust in the law? They give the impression that we have left Christ and have “gone back,” as they state it, to the law. If they are ignorant of our views, what right have they to handle them before the people? If they understand our real position, they very well know that ours, when properly contrasted with theirs, is this, that we hope for salvation through Jesus Christ alone, in obedience to the commandments of God, while they trust in Christ for salvation in violating one of the commandments of God and teaching men so.
“Here are they that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” Where? Certainly not with those who cast aside the commandments of God, and bear false witness against those who do them, and teach them. Near the close of the Christian age, see Rev. 14:12, a people was to appear to public notice, standing on the broad platform of the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. On the one hand is the blind Jew, shut up to the Old Testament, boasting of Abraham, and trusting in the law. On the other hand is the equally blind Christian, shut up to the New Testament, and boasting of his faith in Christ, while trampling the commandments of God under his feet. Between these two extremes is the truth of God. Here is our real position. And by the grace of God the people shall understand it. And from it we reach out our arms to those on the right and left to help them from their nut-shell positions to the broad platform of the law and the gospel, or the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus Christ. On this broad ground stood the apostle Paul at Miletus as he appealed to the assembled elders that he had kept back nothing that was profitable to them, “testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” Acts 20:21.
Our only hope of eternal life hangs upon Christ. Adam placed his hope there. Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, and the believing Jews, had no other hope. The hope of the next life depends upon Jesus Christ. Faith in his blood can alone free us from our transgressions. And a life of obedience to the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus will be a sufficient passport through the golden gates of the city of God.
J. W.
Love of God
HE who truly loves God delights to meditate of him, and to discourse of him, and to hear the mention of his name, and is weary of the conversations where God is irreverently mentioned, or seldom or slightly remembered.
A PROPHECY FULFILLED.
By Uriah Smith
PAUL gives the following plain description of professedly Christian people in the last days: "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lust shall they heap to themselves teachers having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." 2 Tim. 4: 3, 4. We claim to have reached that time, and that the disposition which Paul describes is plainly exhibited on the part of most of the churches of the land. This is why it is so hard to gain the ears of the people for the proclamation of the truth. They are turned away from it to pleasing fables which suit them better. Hence it is at this time that the ministers of God are reined up by the charge of the apostles, in view of the impending advent of the Lord Jesus, to preach the word.
But when we apply this language to the popular churches, we are accused of being captious and uncharitable. Well, will they receive it any better from one of their own number? If so, we have the testimony. The celebrated C. H. Spurgeon will not be accused of any sympathy with the Adventists or their views; yet he bears the following unwitting testimony to the fulfillment of Paul's language at the present time. We italicize a few words for the special consideration of the reader:—
"It is, I think, a matter for very deep regret that this is not an age in which Christian people want to be edified. It is an age in which they like to have their ears tickled, and delight to have a multiplicity of anecdotes and of exciting matter; but they little care to be well instructed in the sound and solid doctrines of the grace of God. In the old Puritanic times, sermons must have been tiresome to the thoughtless, but now-a-days, I should think they are more tiresome to the thoughtful. The Christian of those days wanted to know a great deal of the things of God; and provided that the preacher could open up some point of Christian practice to make him holier and wiser, he was well satisfied, though the man was no orator, and might lead him in no fields of novel speculation. Christians did not want a new faith; but, having received the old faith, they wished to be well rooted and grounded in it, and, therefore, sought daily for an illumination, as well as for quickening; they desired, not only to have the emotions excited, but also to have the intellect richly stored with divine truth, and there must be much of this in every church, if it is built up. No neglect of an appeal to the passions, certainly; no forgetfulness as to what is popular and exciting; but with this, we must have the solid bread-corn of the kingdom, without which, God's children will faint in the weary way of the wilderness."
U. S.
Progress, Love, and Hatred
MEN often boast of progress when they are only moving in a circle; and are sure they are in the right path, because with every circuit the footprints multiply, when they are only following their own tracks.
LOVE works out deep and difficult problems in life; hatred tangles up all it touches.
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND.
By John Norton Loughborough
SINCE the organization of our National T. and M. Society the members are taking hold of the work in earnest, both in loaning tracts from house to house, and in sending Signs by post. We see so many cases where even a single copy of the paper has raised an interest, that we are encouraged, and stimulated to push on in the distribution of the SIGNS.
A few days since I received a letter from Scotland, from a lady there who wished books. This led to correspondence. She has already purchased Thoughts on Daniel, Thoughts on Revelation, the bound book on the Sanctuary, Spiritualism, Three Messages, Matt. 24, as well as various tracts. The way she first saw the paper or heard of us was as follows: Some missionary worker (either here or in America,) had sent copies of the Signs to a man in Scotland. He perused them himself, but kept them under lock and key "for fear his family might see them." He sent them to this lady for her perusal, and asking her opinion on them. She read and returned them as requested, but in one of them she saw a notice of our depository at Ravenswood. She now receives the paper from us and circulates it among her friends, and is intensely interested in reading our books. I was informed by Sr. Chapman, that Sr. Helen Morse had contributed ten dollars to be invested in tracts here for distribution. We are thankful for it, and the first 1,500 pages of the lot we have sent to the above mentioned lady in Scotland for distribution among her friends.
A brother who embraced the truth here, but who is now living in one of the northern counties is actively engaged in loaning and distributing tracts and papers. They were purchased and sent to him for this purpose by one of our interested English readers. So steadily, the way is opening.
The steward and his wife, mentioned in former reports, have joined our T. and M. Society, and now take a supply of tracts and papers with them each trip. With these they do missionary work on the steamer, and at the English and Scotch ports visited by their ship.
A Danish captain, whose vessel loaded at this port with railroad iron for Baltimore, U. S. A., met with us two evenings, became much interested, and bought a full set of all the Danish papers and books we had in our depository, saying he should peruse them carefully, and compare with his Bible, while crossing the Atlantic. Before he met us he had decided, by reading his Bible, that the end was near, and there was to be a specific message before the end, but just what the message was he did not know. His books and papers will give him the light required.
Another captain, who was here with the first named, and who has returned to Norway obtained also a full set of the papers and books which he took home with him.
The ship work at this port is especially interesting, so many nationalities are represented. How good it is to have reading for them in their various languages. Last week Bro. Ings went on the German steamer, bound to New York with its three hundred passengers, and sold papers and tracts in four different languages, besides documents distributed. On the same boat were some Norwegians going to Chicago. They had heard Bro. Jasperson at Skein. They obtained tracts and papers of Bro. Ings, and, as he left, the Scandinavians were in earnest conversation. He could hear them frequently mention the name Matteson, although he could not understand much they said.
To-day a supply of tracts and papers were furnished to the boats for the East and West Indies, and the Cape of Good Hope. The stewards report that the papers previously placed on these boats were read with eager interest by the passengers, and gladly received at all the ports on the routes.
The minister, Meadows, mentioned in my last, has had his trial, and was sentenced to imprisonment for three months, and to pay a fine of five hundred dollars for writing the book against Mr. Earle. Each Sunday evening since, a mob of about one thousand people or more have met Mr. Earle, at the close of his meeting, with groans, and hisses, and threats. Were it not that he has been strongly guarded by the police, he would probably have met with personal injury ere this. One of the mob has already been bound over to the court for his part in the work.
The whole proceeding of the Earle-Meadows affair has been a stigma on the cause of Christianity, and has caused some of the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme. Amid it all we seek God for wisdom and grace to do his will. Pray for us. We must have the Lord's help in the work or all our labor is in vain.
February 3. J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.
NORTHERN EUROPE.
By John Gottlieb Matteson
CHRISTIANIA, NORWAY.
The church in this place met for a business quarterly meeting Jan. 13. It is now about one year since the congregation was formed according to the request of the authorities, and seven months since the church was organized in harmony with the Bible and the usage of S. D. Adventists. In the congregation 130 persons have been received, and five have left; present number 125. Of these, 90 have been baptized into the death of Christ, and have covenanted to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Four of these are now in Sweden, one in Denmark, and two in other parts of Norway.
The report from the Sabbath-school was read, showing that the average membership during the quarter has been 101; average attendance, 87. Donations Kr. 18.77. Last Sabbath 115 members were present. Besides this we now have a Sunday-school with about 90 members. There is a lively interest in both.
The report of the tract society showed the work of the past quarter to be as follows: Tidernes Tegn distributed, 217 copies; pages of tracts distributed, 8,592; letters written, 49; families visited, 85. Sold, 118 pamphlets, 1,927 copies of Tidernes Tegn, and 65,840 pages of tracts; for which had been received Kr. 284.35 ($75.82).
The labor bestowed by our brethren and sisters in the Sabbath-school and tract-society work, has been a blessing to the church, and a great help in spreading a knowledge of the truth. The public sentiment toward us in this city has greatly changed, and many, even among those who do not attend our meetings, are convinced of the truth. Several have requested baptism. On the Sabbath we have an average attendance of 130 persons.
At this meeting a unanimous vote was passed to send an invitation to Brn. White and Haskell to visit our town if consistent with other duties.
On the first Sabbath of this month we celebrated the ordinances of the Lord's house, and felt that the Lord was near to us. We are now in the midst of a course of lectures on the prophecies, which are delivered before a full house. Two things have been effected in this city by our work, which are noticed and acknowledged even by our opposers, viz., the Scriptures are generally searched far more diligently than before, and religious meetings are better attended. The times are very hard here this winter; but the Lord has helped us hitherto. We are thankful to God for all his goodness to us.
Now and then our brethren are called before the magistrate. One was accused for selling tracts in too public a manner on Sunday. He defended himself in a quiet but firm way, and was finally dismissed without fine, and told that he might sell all the tracts he wished before ten in the forenoon and after four in the afternoon; but that during the remainder of the time it would be better to sell them in the house privately, and not in public places. Another brother had been reproved by the public-school superintendent because he did not send his children to school on Saturday. He was fined and called before the magistrate. He insisted that himself and his children had been instructed in school of the perpetuity of God's ten commandments, and that the Lord would severely punish all who transgress his holy law. He asked the magistrate how this should be understood. The magistrate replied that he could not tell, and made some inquiries in regard to the peculiarities of our faith; whereupon the brother was dismissed without even paying the fine. It is a difficulty in these countries that the law requires the children to attend school every Saturday. But those who can afford it send their children to private schools.
SWEDEN AND DENMARK.
Bro. Olsen is holding meetings now in the Northern part of Sweden, in Soderhaun. He received an interesting letter from a preacher in Hagfors who had commenced to proclaim the truth. Bro. Bjork writes from Amot that three more have received the truth, and that there are now eight Sabbath-keepers who meet to worship together. The truth is also spreading in the neighboring towns.
Bro. Madsen from Hellum, Denmark, sends reports for last quarter from the tract societies that have commenced to work there. They have obtained 68 subscribers; distributed 367 papers, and 7,056 pages of tracts; sold 25 papers, 62 pamphlets and 3,552 pages of tracts; visited 163 families, written 36 letters, and recieved Kr. 82.90. He says the brethren are united in faith and love.
Bro. Brorsen is now in Slesvig. He finds many open doors in the southern part of Julland. Five sisters in Jested covenanted together to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.
Jan. 27. J. G. MATTESON.
THE SPREAD OF ERROR.
By D. T. T.
Is IT possible that nearly all the colleges and institutions of learning in our land are honeycombed through and through with Darwin's notions concerning evolution? The Independent asserts that they are, and offers no small amount of proof. (See Dec. 18.) Yale, Princeton, Harvard, Bowdoin, Cornell, Michigan University, Dartmouth, Pennsylvania University, John Hopkin's University, etc., are all cited as examples. The faculty, especially in the scientific line, hold to some form of evolution. They hold that man “so far as his physical structure is concerned, was evolved from irrational animals” (as our informant puts it), and with the Independent do not hold it to be historically true that “The Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground.” Gen. 2:7.
Some schools do hold, some do not, most do. Williams and Amherst repudiate evolution; Lafayette, Hamilton, Rochester, and Union do not say what they hold. A formidable list of names of men of science are arrayed along side of Darwin. Others accept evolution but differ from Darwin. So goes the wisdom of this world.102Rank skepticism in things revealed is filling the world, and invading the church. It is refreshing to hear Dr. Tyndall say:—
“I share Virchow’s opinion that the theory of evolution, in its complete form, involves the assumption that, at some period or other of the earth’s history, there occurred what would be now called spontaneous generation. I agree with him that the proofs of it are still wanting. I hold with Virchow, that the failures have been lamentable; that the doctrine is utterly discredited.”
Nevertheless the new faith in science is fast eating out the old faith in the Bible, and we are told that not three naturalists can be found in the land that do not accept evolution. And the Genesis story is not a history, but only “a poem, or a parable!” So it is in England and on the continent of Europe also. Scientists refuse to believe Moses and are rushing headlong into infidelity. How about the pessimist view now? Luke 18:8. —D. T. T., in Bible Banner.
PRAYER.
By Raymond F. Cottrell
PRAYER has ever been inseparably connected with true religion; and Satan himself has seen that in order to make his counterfeit religions pass for genuine, they must have this characteristic; hence every spurious system has its prayers.
The Bible abounds in prayers, and in directions and injunctions in regard to prayer. Yet the carnal mind, being averse to sincere prayer and devotion, would have the religion of Jesus Christ without prayer! Hence the authority for public prayer is made a question at the present day.
No duty is insisted on more, or enjoined with greater emphasis in the New Testament, than prayer. "Praying always with all prayer," and that without ceasing, is the apostolic rule, not only given by precept, but exemplified in their life and labor.
At Philippi, Paul and Silas went out by the river-side, on the Sabbath day, "where prayer was wont to be made." Lydia of Thyatira was there to worship God, the Lord had by this means opened her heart to hear the word spoken by Paul; and she was converted, and the church at Philippi resulted from this beginning. But this place of prayer was not abandoned by the apostles as soon as they had had this first meeting there, but they continued to go there for prayer; for it is written, "And as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us." They were still going out there to the oratory for prayer; and this was not for once only, but we are informed that this same thing was repeated "many days." Here we have apostolic example; and it agrees with the apostle's teaching to this same church, as quoted above, "Praying always with all prayer." Eph. 6:18.
The testimony of this spirit of divination, namely, "These men are the servants of the most high God, which show unto us the way of salvation," was true, but Paul, not choosing to have Satan advertise for them, cast out the spirit; and this brought into the Philippian jail, where they again exemplified their own teaching in regard to prayer; for in the inner dungeon, with their feet in the stocks, "at midnight Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises to God; and the prisoners heard them." True enough, they were in the closet, and the door was shut; but they had hearers there, and One heard them who was able to open the doors and loose their bands. The apostles also taught the churches to sing and make melody in their hearts to the Lord; but the only recorded instance of their singing is that within the walls of that gloomy prison. R. F. COTTRELL.
IMPROVE YOUR OPPORTUNITIES.
By A Worker
How few there are who fully, or even partially appreciate the importance of embracing every opportunity of doing for the Master. "Others seem naturally qualified to work in spreading the truth, but I—what can I do?" some of us ask and many more feel. Do much, I would answer, if you will but improve the opportunities almost hourly given you.
Some of the most remarkable men the world has ever seen have been those who have not possessed inborn talents for their specialties in life, but are those who have been apparently behind the average, and who have by embracing proper opportunities at last gained pre-eminence, verifying the proverb: "The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong." So do not let any feel that they have nought to do, while others are at the front, and a perishing world surrounds them. Cast thy bread upon the waters, and let the Lord see to its return.
I will relate some instances which have proved opportune in handing out reading matter. Some time ago I met a German in a certain inland town, and passed a few kind words with him; a few days since, while waiting for a train he came to me, again introducing himself. I saw him but for a few moments, when we separated, he carrying with him some reading matter in his own mother-tongue. Yesterday while comfortably seated in a local train, this same individual again caught sight of me as he entered the car. Immediately his face was all aglow and he quickly made my way to my seat. Grasping my hand he eulogized in the highest terms what I had given him to read, and begged for more of the same, telling me at the same time that he had seen the truth of our reasoning and had in turn presented it to others, having what I had given him to substantiate his assertions.
Again, while conversing with a business man, the subject of spiritualism was introduced. I saw an opportunity and improved it by telling him my convictions, and unmasking the evil as best I could. Only a few days passed before its fruit was seen; a stranger entered to purchase of this gentleman, and incidentally asked before leaving, if he had taken any interest in the spiritualist manifestations of these days, and went on to state that the Sunday evening previous he, not having anything else to do, had wandered into one of their meetings and had come away convinced regarding their merits and truthfulness. My friend, anxious to undeceive him, spoke at length regarding its Satanic origin, and, as he was concluding his remarks, I fortunately entered and soon supplied a quantity of reading matter bearing on the subject, which was received very acceptably.
How many incidents of like nature I might go on to give; and still I see constantly, with regret and remorse, the results attending the neglect of opportunities I might have improved. If we think we have no opportunities we may make the matter a subject of prayer, and ask for wisdom and grace, necessary to enable us to see and embrace them.
Well I remember some two years ago, while crossing the plains, of going out on the top of the train before retiring. The night was clear, the stars bright, and the sky a deep azure blue; as I surveyed the scene, my soul rose in gratitude to God for all his manifold blessings; and this feeling became more and more intense as I looked back over my past life. I poured out my soul to my Creator, asking him to give me to understand my opportunities and to enable me to embrace them, if he could but trust me with such commissions. I then went below and entered the first car, the occupants of which were exceedingly rough, and generally recognized as hard customers, and so avoided. My opportunity came sooner than I expected, in an individual coming to me with a whisky bottle, proffering "a drink." I embraced this opportunity to introduce the temperance question, in which all became interested. The conversation by degrees led to religious topics, until it became so interesting that some in the car who had retired, arose and joined the meeting. There were two or three who seemed religiously inclined, and they gave in their testimonies with such earnestness as to produce an impression on the minds of the others. Then one by one those rough fellows, many of whom were drinking the dregs of a wasted life, related their experience, going back to innocent childhood, and tracing their course down to their present condition. All of the better feelings were aroused, and pure, tender sentiments found voice that had for years lain dormant. This interesting conversation continued until between one and two in the morning, when all adjourned, previous to which I told them how my prayer had been answered.
I have since met several of these men in different parts of the country, and they have acknowledged by the hearty grip of friendship that the effect of former talk had not been undesirable or lost. So we see that in all walks of life we have opportunities which we will do well to improve. And as we see the signs of the approaching day of Judgment, let us be up and doing. There are thousands yet to be gathered into the fold, and how diligent we should be in faithfully discharging this trust devolving on us. But a little further on, with the eye of faith, we may see ourselves in Jerusalem the Golden, and as our thoughts soar to our eternal abode, do we not desire to see those there who have been brought in through our instrumentality? those who will thank us throughout eternity? Yes indeed! My brethren let us be aroused to the importance of the times, and work early and late while the time of probation lasts. Yes, work, for the night is coming when man's work is o'er.
Work, work for God, and toil a world to save.
Work, work for God, nor heed the coming grave;
The time, the place, the way, he knows them all.
Do well thy work to-day, and wait his call.
A WORKER.
A WORKMAN APPROVED UNTO GOD.
By M. Wood
"STUDY to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Tim. 2 : 15. Timothy was no novice in the Scriptures; 2 Tim. 3 : 15; still Paul deemed it advisable to admonish him to diligence and perseverance in the study of the Holy Scriptures, that he might be a workman approved not only of men, but unto God.
The words of the great apostle to Timothy should have equal weight upon the children of God at the present time. There never was a time when the people needed to understand the word of God more thoroughly than at the present. We must cry out with earnestness of soul, "Teach me thy way, O Lord; I will walk in thy truth." Says Peter, "Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear." Says Hosea, 4 : 6, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge." Many are hastening on to their eternal ruin who might be saved had the professed followers of Christ the ability and inclination to instruct them in the Scriptures. Study to show thyself an approved workman—in what? farming? building? patent inventions? etc. After foretelling the perils of the last days, Paul says, "Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them, that thy profiting may appear to all. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them; for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself and them that hear thee." 1 Tim. 4 : 15, 16. Our Saviour says, "Labor not for that meat which perisheth." John 6 : 27. Labor for an understanding of the fundamental principles of truth. What a mighty influence for good we might exert if it could be said of us, "A workman approved unto God." How mightily would the Lord work for us if we would work for ourselves103
God would have intelligent missionaries in whom the gifts and graces of the apostolic church would be manifested in the last days. But how can God bestow these gifts upon those who do not grow in grace and in the knowledge of the truth? Those who have pressed forward, acquainting themselves with the things of God, may be instruments in the hands of God in accomplishing a great work. Through inactivity, some have fallen asleep. Be entreated to arouse before it is too late.
M. WOOD.
THE MISSIONARY.
THE BURDEN-BEARER.
Oh! the blessed promise, given on the hills of Galilee
To the weary, heavy laden, still is made to you and me.
Many a heart has thrilled to hear it,
Many a tear been wiped away,
Many a load of sin been lifted,
Many a midnight turned to day.
Many a broken, contrite spirit, lonely sorrowing and sad,
Felt the mighty consolation—heard the heavenly tidings glad.
And the dying gazed with rapture,
Trusting in the Saviour's name;
On the land of rest and refuge,
When the Burden-Bearer came.
Lazarus lies unfed and fainting, Peter sinks beneath the wave,
Loving Mary lingers sadly, near the Saviour's guarded grave.
Blind Bartimeus, by the wayside,
Begs his bread disconsolate;
For the moving of the waters,
At the pool the suffering wait.
In the wilderness the lepers wander outcast in their pain;
Paul and Silas in the prison, bear the fetter and the chain.
Mary Magdalene is weeping,
Friendless in her sin and shame—
But their burdens all were lifted
When the Burden-Bearer came.
Every phrase of human sorrow fills the path we tread to-day;
Harps are hanging on the willows, souls are fainting by the way.
But there still is balm in Gilead,
And though here on earth we weep,
God within the many mansions,
Giveth his beloved sleep.
On the cloud his rainbow glitters, shines the star of faith above;
God will not forsake or leave us—let us trust his truth and love,
And beyond the shining river,
We shall bless his holy name;
That to bear our sins and sorrows,
Christ, the Burden-Bearer, came.
Good Temper
If we lose a piece of good money, we may find it again; but if we lose a piece of good temper, it is lost forever.
OAKLAND V. M. SOCIETY.
By Mrs. O. F. Metcalf
Our missionary field is world-wide, and we are encouraged in the work of scattering the truth by sending papers and tracts to various parts of the world by the letters we receive in return. We will here give a few extracts from some received by our society:—
A gentleman writes from Yokahama, Japan: "I have carefully perused the SIGNS OF THE TIMES and have handed them to others with the request that they be returned to me that I may have them to send to friends in the Bonin Island."
Another, writes from Glasgow, Scotland: "I think the SIGNS OF THE TIMES an admirable paper, teaching in a most impressive manner important Christian truth. It is calculated to do much good."
Another writes: "I have received four copies of your splendid paper, the SIGNS OF THE TIMES. The reading is thoroughly substantial, and well worth reading."
A gentleman from New Zealand says: "I am much pleased with the SIGNS. Such a paper is needed, for religious knowledge is greatly wanting. I most heartily wish that your paper may be circulated far and near, and be the means of imparting true Scriptural knowledge."
A few copies of the SIGNS were sent to a gentlemen in Kansas, and he writes in response: "I want to know more of these doctrines. I wish a catalogue of your books and papers, and whatever samples you may see fit to send me."
A lady in Massachusetts, who has recently commenced keeping the Sabbath from the light received by reading the SIGNS and tracts sent her by a friend living in Oakland, writes: "I am the only one in a great city that is keeping the Lord's Sabbath. I do not know how any one could read the books sent me and not be convinced. I am not discouraged. The way is none too narrow to separate us from the world."
Another writes: "By reading the papers sent me, together with the work on the Sanctuary, I have become very much interested to learn more. The tracts sent on the subject of the Sabbath I have read carefully several times. I am reading Mrs. White's articles in the SIGNS, and consider her an able writer. I have wished to know more of her testimonies, as they are called, seeing them so highly recommended by the quarterly meeting. I am highly pleased with the papers and pamphlet sent me. The SIGNS of January 22, is rich with instruction."