Signs of the Times, Vol. 32, No. 24.
PEACE, BE STILL!Page 1
Earlier text: PEACE, BE STILL!OUR GREAT TREASURE-HOUSE
By Ellen G. White
X. THE OLD TESTAMENT SCRIPTURES.
It is in the written Word of God that a knowledge of God is most clearly revealed to fallen man. This is the treasure-house of the unsearchable riches of Christ. The Word of God includes the Scriptures of the Old Testament as well as of the New. One is not complete without the other. Christ declared that the truths of the Old Testament are as valuable as those of the New. Christ was as much man's Redeemer in the beginning of the world as He is to-day. Before He clothed His divinity with humanity, and came to our world, the Gospel message was given by Adam, Seth, Enoch, Methuselah, and Noah. Abraham in Canaan, and Lot in Sodom, bore the message, and from generation to generation faithful messengers proclaimed the coming One. He was the foundation of their system of sacrificial offerings, the great Antitype of all their religious services. The blood shed as the sacrifices were offered pointed to the sacrifice of the Lamb of God. All the typical offerings were fulfilled in Him. Christ, as manifested to the patriarchs, as symbolized in the sacrificial service, as portrayed in the law, and as revealed by the prophets, is the riches of the Old Testament. Christ in His life, His death, and His resurrection; Christ, as He is manifested by the Holy Spirit, is the treasure of the New Testament. Our Saviour, the outshining of the Father's glory, is both in the Old and the New. In every age there is a new development of truth, a message of God to the people of that generation. The old truths are essential; new truth is not independent of the old, but an unfolding of it. It is only as the old truths are understood that we can comprehend the new. When Christ desired to open to His disciples the truth of His resurrection, He began “at Moses and all the prophets,” and “expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.” But it is the light which shines in the fresh unfolding of the New that glorifies the Old. He who rejects the New, does not really possess the Old. For him it loses its vital power, and becomes but a lifeless form. In every page, whether history or precept or prophecy, the Old Testament Scriptures are irradiated with the glory of the Son of God. So far as it was of divine institution, the entire system of Judaism was a compacted prophecy of the Gospel. To Christ “give all the prophets witness.” From the promise given to Adam, down through the patriarchal line and the legal economy, Heaven's glorious light made plain the footsteps of the Redeemer. Seers beheld the Star of Bethlehem, the Shiloh to come, as future things swept before them in mysterious procession. In every sacrifice, Christ's death was shown. In every cloud of incense His righteousness ascended. By every jubilee trumpet His name was sounded. In the awful mystery of the holy of holies His glory dwelt. What the Rejection of the Old Testament Means.
There are those who profess to believe and teach the truths of the Old Testament, while they reject the New. But in refusing to receive the teachings of Christ, they show that they do not believe that which patriarchs and prophets have spoken. “Had ye believed Moses,” Christ said, “ye would have believed Me; for he wrote of Me.” Hence, there is no real power in their teaching of even the Old Testament. Many who claim to believe and teach the Gospel are in a similar error. They set aside the Old Testament Scriptures, of which Christ declared, “They are they which testify of Me.” In rejecting the Old, they virtually reject the New; for both are parts of an inseparable whole. No man can rightly present the law of God without the Gospel, or the Gospel without the law. The law is the Gospel embodied, and the Gospel is the law unfolded. The law is the root, the Gospel is the fragrant blossom, and the fruit which it bears. The Old Testament sheds light upon the New, and the New upon the Old. Each is a revelation of the glory of God in Christ. Both present truths that will continually reveal new depths of meaning to the earnest seeker. “The fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth.” The ROYAL LAW
By F. C. Gilbert
BY F. C. GILBERT.
(A Hebrew Christian.) V. GOD'S PURPOSE WITH THE LAW.
By prophetic inspiration Isaiah was instructed to write these words: “The Lord is well pleased for His righteousness’ sake; He will magnify the law, and make it honorable.” Isa. 42:21. The word “magnify” in the Hebrew, literally means to enlarge, to exalt, to make great, to extol. The same word and the same thought appear in Ps. 138:2: “For Thou hast magnified Thy word above all Thy name.” Thus it is seen that there is nothing greater or more exalted in the estimation of God than His law. It was this law that Jesus Christ came to enlarge and to extol (Matt. 5:17–19), as will be seen in a future article. The law of God through the ages had been depreciated. It was Satan’s purpose, by degrading the law, to lower the esteem of God’s character. The Standard of Character.
Since man disobeyed his Maker and failed to comply with His wishes, he lost the ability of doing that which is right. Rom. 7:15–20. The standard of character which man was to reach was expressed in the law of Jehovah; and when man sinned and violated God’s law, it was impossible for him after that ever to do of himself that which was right. By yielding to sin, man became separated from God (Isa. 59:2); and nevermore could he have the ability to do that which pleased God. But God could in nowise lower the standard of righteousness, of character; for to do thus would be simply to accommodate His law and His government to the whims and caprices of disobedience. God is an unchangeable God. Mal. 3:6. His law is a perfect law. Ps. 19:7. His righteousness is a perfect righteousness. Isa. 51:6. His standard of character is a perfect standard. Therefore when man sinned it was absolutely impossible for God to change the law, or to deviate in the least from His original intention. The law as it was must still be the same. Even tho man did sin; even tho Satan did sin; even tho all the universe should depart from the principles of rectitude, God’s law and standard of righteousness and character must ever remain unchangeable. Ps. 90:2. If man is to be brought back to the favor of God again, a plan must be provided whereby this shall be made possible, and the divine law of Jehovah must stand immutable. This could not be otherwise, from what the Bible tells us of the “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul.” Ps. 19:7. “Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and Thy law is the truth.” Ps. 119:142. “My tongue shall speak of Thy word; for all Thy commandments are righteousness.” Ps. 119:172. “For we know that the law is spiritual; but I am carnal, sold under sin.” Rom. 7:14. “If ye fulfil the royal law according to the Scripture.” James 2:8. “The works of His hands are verity and judgment; all His commandments are sure.” Ps. 111:7. “Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.” Rom. 7:12. We thus see something of the attributes which God Himself declares are in His law. How could He change this law? How could He in any wise alter it to accommodate the different conditions of man? Ps. 89:34. If He could do it once, it could be done the second time, the third time, and so on indefinitely. Where, then, would be the standard of character for man or for the universe of God? There is force and significance in the Saviour’s statement concerning the law: “Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.” Matt. 5:18. The jot is the smallest letter of the Hebrew alphabet, generally known as the yoth. The tittle is a small point about as large as the dot of an “i”. Many Hebrew letters have these tittles or crowns, and among these letters which have them is the letter yoth or jot. The thought of the Saviour is practically this: Not the smallest letter of the Hebrew alphabet, nor the smallest point on the smallest letter, can in any wise be changed from the law. This must be apparent to every one who considers the character of a righteous and a holy God. God’s Law a Looking-Glass.
The divine purpose of the law, then, was ever to witness to the righteous character of a holy God, and to the requirements of God as set forth by His standard of righteousness and holiness. This thought is expressed forcibly by the apostle James when he compares God’s law to a looking-glass: “But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty.” James 1:23–25. The purpose of the mirror is to portray the condition of the individual. If the mirror is perfect it will give a perfect description of the individual beholding himself. If there are any spots or defects it will carefully portray them. If any part of the person’s attire is disarranged, or any part of the clothing soiled or out of place it will faithfully tell it. As long as the individual stands and looks at the mirror, so long will that glass tell the person his real condition. It is unable to remove a single spot. It is unable to change one condition. If the individual should feel awry because of the description the mirror has given of himself, and should cast the glass away, this would not change the condition of the individual. Should he secure another mirror it would tell the same tale; or should he not consult the mirror, the conditions would still be there. The mirror has done its work, and has done it well. If the individual wants the conditions changed, it must be from some other source which has power and ability to change the conditions. The mirror can not do it, and by injuring the glass the conditions will not be changed. When, however, the individual has changed the conditions, and those defects or blemishes are removed, then that same mirror will as faithfully portray the bettered condition of the individual as it previously did the defects. It now says that the personnel is harmonious. The conditions are improved; the requirement is met. Thus the mirror is a faithful witness, bearing true testimony to the good or bad in the individual. Even so with the law of God. It is God’s great witness (Rom. 3:4), bearing evidence to the condition of the individual, whether good or bad; but faithfully and truthfully portraying the condition. It can not make the changes in the individual that are required. The individual will not be any better if he seeks to injure the law. The law is there, doing the work for which it was appointed, faithfully portraying the condition of each individual. It is God’s witness either to the righteousness or to the unrighteousness of the person. When man had sinned, the law was identically the same as it was before he had sinned. It could not be raised to a higher standard; it could not be lowered to a lower standard. It condemned the man. A change must take place if man shall meet the approval of his Maker. This change, however, can not be in the law. The law must remain the same. And the law has remained the same; but, thank the Lord, a change was made, conditions were changed. These will be considered in our next article. “O how love I Thy law.” Ps. 119:97. While God is no respecter of persons, He does have respect unto character. He sets before all life and death. He delights not in the death of any, but assures all alike that reaping unerringly shall follow sowing, and that for all that is done “in the body” men shall have to render to Christ a strict account. The controversy between good and evil, light and darkness, began early in the history of the race. God gave Adam directions as to how worship should be conducted. Abel followed God’s directions minutely. He chose a lamb without blemish, thus typifying Christ,—God’s great offering for sin. His worship was accepted by fire. Cain also worshiped. He wanted God’s blessing, but was not willing to do exactly as God had directed. He thought, no doubt, as thousands think to-day, God is not so particular as to what is offered, just so an offering is made. So he said, I will bring some beautiful fruit for my sacrifice. It certainly can make no difference with God in so small a matter as this. But character was being tested. Cain started in on the wrong path. His altar stands at the beginning of that way of disobedience that has widened out into the broad road that leadeth unto death. It was found that God did not respect this false offering. Cain’s wrath and jealousy were aroused, and Abel fell the first of martyrs, his blood witnessing to his obedience and faithfulness. God, in talking with Cain afterward said, “If thou doest well, shalt not thou be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door.” Sin lieth at every man’s door who disregards the voice of God, who deliberately goes on to have his own way, setting aside the Lord’s plain requirements. The deceitfulness of it all is, these very persons verily believe they are doing God’s service. Instead, the words of Jesus spoken to the Samaritan woman, are applicable. “Ye worship ye know not what.” Thousands to-day8 worship as did Cain. They know that God in His Word has given plain directions concerning their worship, even specifying the exact day Jehovah claims as His own upon which public divine worship is to be conducted. Yet, notwithstanding all this, with Cain of old, they flatter themselves that God surely will accept their worship. “Surely,” say they, “God can not be so particular as to care about the difference of a day for divine worship.” While admitting that the commandment specifically sets apart the seventh day as the Sabbath of the Lord thy God, stating that in it no work shall be done, yet they deliberately go right on using God’s holy rest day for their own work, and present themselves before God the following day for divine worship. If God would not accept a few bunches of fruit at the hand of Cain, because it was not in keeping with his plain instruction, which was known to earth’s first-born, is it probable that he will pass by as a trivial matter the ignoring of so important a matter as the setting aside of one of the plain precepts of the Decalogue? Saul verily thought he had obeyed the Lord when he had gone down into the land of the Amalekites and slain the most of that wicked tribe, yet saving some alive—only a small portion to be sure. God’s explicit directions to him were, “Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass.” When met by the prophet of God later, Saul said, “I have performed the commandment of the Lord.” “What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears,” asked Samuel, “and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?” Saul’s character was tested. It was found that he could not be trusted to obey God, and the kingdom of Israel was rent from his hand. Should God remove all the possibilities for disloyalty and disobedience there would be no means for developing character. Joseph might have sinned. Daniel preserved his integrity in the midst of shrewd and designing politicians. Abraham’s obedience and faith in God, stands out prominently amidst the prevailing idolatry in the world when he lived. Noah did not have to build that ponderous ark. He might have shunned this stupendous task. All the worthy examples of faith recorded in Hebrews 11 were wrought out by men and women in the face of terrible opposition and great difficulties. But by their faith in God, by relying upon His sure, unfailing promises, they “subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises . . . out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.” God has not changed. He will respect the obedience of any trusting child on earth to-day. Dear reader, do you feel forsaken, tempted, or discouraged? Is your taper of faith in God flickering, almost ready to go out in darkness? Look up. Have faith in God, not yourself, or some human arm. Exercise for yourself faith in the living promises of Jehovah. None of them can fail. Study God’s Word for yourself. Settle upon it before you begin, that God means exactly what He says. You may not fully understand it, but it is the truth just the same. Ponder it until you get light upon the text. Compare scripture with scripture if need be upon your knees, and light will burst into the soul. Of such who thus trust and obey, the King says, “And they shall be Mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up My jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.” GOD'S “HEIR OF ALL THINGS,”
By H. A. St. John
GOD, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, whom He hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also He made the worlds.” Heb. 1: 1, 2. Sometime Christ will cease to be an heir, and will inherit the “all things” of which He is now the heir. The things referred to are evidently the “all things” which God will make new. “Behold, I make all things new.” Rev. 21: 5. It is the redeemed and restored first dominion. Whether the “all things” of which Christ is now the heir, refer exclusively to the redeemed, purchased possession or not, they are certainly specifically included. “He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest. And the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David; and He shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of His kingdom there shall be no end.” Luke 1: 32, 33. Jesus became heir to this government and dominion when He was born into the world. “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder. . . . Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon His kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.” Isa. 9: 6, 7. Great, grand, and glorious is the dominion that the loving Father hath promised to His beloved Son. And, praise be to His holy name, every one of the sons of God are joint-heirs with Him! “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together.” Rom. 8: 17. “Harken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which He hath promised to them that love Him?” James 2: 5. How transcendently better is this than to be an heir of some earthly potentate. “I am the child of a King, and an heir to a kingdom that will never fade away,” may be said, and SUNG, and SHOUTED with joyful enthusiasm by all the followers of the Lamb. Ring it out, Christian pilgrim, that others of the wayward, lost, and disinherited sons of Adam may thereby be induced to come to Christ and be born again, and thus become sons of God, heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ. Make the very air of this old earth everywhere resound with your transporting notes of praise, and courage, and hope. Your King is the king of glory. Well may you rejoice with exceeding great joy, with a joy that is unspeakable and full of glory, even in tribulation, persecution, and affliction. For these things are but for a moment, and even while they are passing they may work for a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, and you may have peace in Christ, and when they are passed, then will come the unalloyed bliss and everlasting joy of the glory world. IS THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH THE FIRST CHURCH?
By JOHN F. JONES
THE above is a question that is perplexing many in this age, and is one that should find a satisfactory answer. Such an answer can be found in the New Testament scriptures. In Mark 3 : 13, 14 we have the account of the organization of the first church and the setting apart of the apostles to preach. Also in Matt. 10 : 1 and in Luke 6 : 12, 13 a record of the same event is found. In the scriptures quoted it will be seen that Jesus Himself is the organizer, and He, we are told in Eph. 1 : 22, God “gave to be head over all things to the church, which is His body.” This organization was perfected in Jerusalem in the year A. D. 31, thus making the Jerusalem church the first church. The same year we have the instruction of Jesus, the head of the church which He Himself had organized, commanding them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, “which, saith He, ye have heard of Me.” Acts 1 : 4. In that same year, A. D. 31, the promise came to the church, and a wonderful work was accomplished which added to their numbers “about three thousand souls.” Acts 2 : 41. They continued in the good work, “and the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” The church at Jerusalem, the first Christian church, the apostolic church, was not permitted to carry forward the Gospel work a long time without interruption; for in three years from its organization bitter persecution set in, and Stephen, one of the deacons, was cruelly stoned to death. Acts 7 : 59. So great was the persecution that they were scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Acts 8 : 1. Notwithstanding all this, Jerusalem was the recognized headquarters of the organization, and there the first ecumenical council was held. The labors of the scattered brethren were not without fruit to Jesus. During their twelve years’ exile, a number of churches had been raised up, taking the name of the places wherein they were raised,—Ephesus, Philippi, Macedonia, Corinth, Rome, etc.9 In the promulgation of the Gospel of Christ in that age it was to be expected that bitter opposition would be encountered and friction result, as doctrines opposing Judaism were being presented. Such truly was the case, making it necessary to hold a council, or conference, and this council was held at Jerusalem, A. D. 46, twelve years after their dispersion, with apostle James in the chair. After seriously considering the matter brought before the council, Paul, Barnabas, and Peter speaking in turn, it was left to president James to render his sentence, which was to the intent that the Gentiles who had accepted the Gospel should not be troubled about circumcision. Acts 15 : 13-35. This, in brief, establishes the fact that the church at Rome was not the first church. Also that Peter was not the first presiding officer in the apostolic church. When and how the Roman Catholic Church was organized, established, etc., is another matter. Cambridge, Md. JOHN F. JONES. THE POWER OF GOD.
By W. A. Gosmer
In all the realms of endless light
That span the universe of God,
Is seen the all-enduring might
Which serves to sound His name abroad. In all this grand and vast domain
That is by man or seraph trod,
Are seen the glories of His name,
The omnipresent, gracious God. In every tree, and shrub, and flower,
On mountain height, in valley green,
The glorious tokens of His power—
The mighty power of God—are seen. Ah, mortal man, that power is thine!
Go valiantly against the foe;
Lay hold upon that strength divine,
And say, “I will not let Thee go,”—
Until thy soul shall vict’ry see;
The Spirit’s power, His hallowed might,
For service then, shall rest on thee
To guide men’s wandering steps aright. For, as a prince, with God, with men,
Hast thou had power, and hast prevailed;
And like the stars, forever, then,
Shall shine when Christ shall be revealed. Bozeman, Mont. W. A. GOSMER. SHALL WE STAND IN THAT DAY?
By F. M. CORBALEY
BEHOLD, I will send My messenger, and He shall prepare the way before Me,” writes Malachi, “and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to His temple, even the Messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in; behold, He shall come, saith the Lord of hosts. But who may abide the day of His coming? and who shall stand when He appeareth? for He is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap.” This question should interest every one at this time it; will be no little trial to stand in the day of the Lord’s appearing. How often we are warned concerning the coming of the Lord, and what kind of people we must be in order to stand at that time. God’s all-seeing eye is resting on all, and He is searching the hearts of all. He has sent out warning after warning that He will spare neither old nor young in that day, but only those who have their names written in the Lamb’s book of life. Whose names will be there? This is left entirely with you and me. Mine may be there, and so may yours. We do not write it there; but we may cause it to be written there. The names that are written there will be of a people that will be able to abide the day of His coming. Because some feel that the Lord has delayed His coming, they have grown cold and indifferent, and have fallen away. Such will have their names erased from the book of life. Many taste the good word, and on receiving it, become strong and full of zeal. Time passes, and it becomes an old story with them. They do not feel the necessity of living up to the constant pleading of the Spirit. Their minds become hardened, and can not see the purity in the message. They profess that they know God, but in works they deny Him. Thus they fall out by the way; others step in and take their places, and lend a hand in pushing the work of God. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? No, it does not. Neither can we serve God and the great offender of truth. Titus says in regard to our lives, “Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lust, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.” This world comes to us not year by year only, but moment by moment; and as it comes it becomes present to us. The present moment Christ calls us to duty, to-morrow is not present, and may not be ours. Keep your eye on time, and live that time soberly, righteously. “Now ye are clean through the Word which I have spoken unto you.” Christ said, “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch can not bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in Me.” Christ is the Vine, and we can not abide with Him and be separate from Him. How easily we can separate ourselves from Him! When the boughs are withered, they shall be broken off. God will not break us off until we become withered. It is the farmer’s sharp plow that prepares the ground for the corn to take root. It turns up the fallow ground, digs out the weeds, lets the sunshine in. Let the sharp Word of God plow deep; let it break up our fallow thoughts, stir up our minds, that we may be able to discern the times. Heed the pleading of God’s voice. Put on the whole armor of God, and be able to stand. “What agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God;” as God has said, “I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God.” “Who shall ascend into the hill of Jehovah? and who shall stand in His holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto falsehood, and hath not sworn deceitfully. He shall receive a blessing from Jehovah.” Ps. 24: 3–5. The day is far spent and the time is at hand, that God is calling on every Christian to awake, for His coming is near. He is sending warning after warning that the pure in heart only will see Him, those who stand refined before the great Refiner. That day is not far away, let all arise and be ready. ELEMENTS SHALL MELT.
By Albert H. Darrow
THE heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.” 2 Peter 3:7-10. “Of old hast Thou laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the work of Thy hands. They [heavens and earth] shall perish, but Thou [God] shalt endure; yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt Thou change them [by fire], and they shall be changed.” Ps. 102:25, 26. “And all the host of heaven shall be dissolved, and the heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll.” Isa. 34:4. “Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath; for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner; but My salvation shall be forever, and My righteousness shall not be abolished.” Chapter 51:6. “For the creature [“the whole creation,” verse 22] was made subject [destined] to vanity [nothingness], not willingly.” Rom. 8:20. “Who among us shall dwell with [survive] the devouring fire?” Isa. 33:14. “The heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat.” 2 Peter 3:12. “The earth and the heaven fled away” in John’s vision of the future, “and there was found no place for them.” Rev. 20:11. “Nevertheless we, according to His [God’s] promise, look for new heavens and a new earth.” 2 Peter 3:13. “And I [John] saw [in a vision of the future] a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away.” Rev. 21:1. “The gold which can not be separated from the crushed ore to which it clings, goes with the worthless refuse of the grinding. So it is with man. He who can not be separated from his sin must go down with it in the wreck of Satan’s conspiracy against God.” Some small hints of the approaching conflagration may be gleaned from the Chicago fire, the fire in Baltimore, the burning of the Iroquois theatre, the San Francisco fire, the Indianapolis railroad collision, the burning alive of twenty-five persons in “The House of All Nations” fire in New York, the fire which threatened the destruction of the Vatican at Rome, in the “forty-five cars destroyed in a conflagration caused by a dynamite explosion at Crestline, Ohio,” in the reported burning of a brigantine at sea by a meteor, in the Mount Pelée catastrophe, in the Calabria earthquake, the California earthquake, and numerous others, in the hail storm at Pueblo, Colo.; but what are any, or all of these combined, when compared to hailstones weighing fifty-seven pounds, and volcanoes and earthquakes ripping asunder and tossing about whole burning mountains, with streams of white-hot lava deluging with fire the hills and valleys, and thunders deafening, and lightnings blinding, and above all these the voice of the Son of God, distinctly audible amid the raging elements, commanding the gathering together of His saints, of those who have made a covenant with Him by sacrifice, and saying to others, “Depart from Me, ye cursed, into age-lasting fire, into fire unquenchable, devouring the adversaries”? Then the so-called egg-shell of this earth will no longer be able to contain its yolk. The crust of the earth will be shattered into fragments; the molten lava of its interior will come surging forth, amid the din and roar of the exterior elements, precipitating all the horrors of a “wreck of matter and a crush of worlds.” Who then will survive? who then shall abide in the tabernacle of the Lord and dwell in His holy hill of Zion? The prophets tell us who: “He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil.” Isa. 33:15. “He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbor, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbor. In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoreth them that fear the Lord. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not. He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent.” Ps. 15:2-5. “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone; which is the second death.” Rev. 21:8. How shall we be saved from this terrible fate?—By being saved now from our sins. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” ALBERT H. DARROW. A young teacher who has had great success with a class of little “ragamuffins” in the worst quarter of a large city, was asked at a school teachers' meeting to tell something of the method by which she had transformed the lawless street urchins into respectable little citizens in so many cases. “I haven't any method, really,” said the young woman modestly. “It is only that I try to make the boys like me, and I say ‘don't’ just as seldom as I possibly can in my work with them. They had learned to lie, steal, and fight; but truth, honesty, and courtesy were unknown terms. “So I began by telling them a story every morning about some boy who had done a brave, honest, or kind thing, and held him up for their admiration. And after a while I asked them to ‘save up’ good things they had seen or done to tell at these morning talks. Their eagerness about it and pride when I was pleased with their little incidents showed me they were being helped. “There was just one boy who seemed to me hopeless. He was apparently indifferent to everything, sat for weeks, during the morning talks, with a stolid expression, and never contributed anything to the conversation. I had begun to feel really discouraged about him, when one morning he raised his hand as soon as it was time for the talk to begin. “‘Well, Jim, what is it you have to tell us?’ I asked encouragingly. “‘Man's hat blew off as I was comin' to school. I ran an' picked it up for him,’ he jerked out, in evident embarrassment at finding all eyes fastened on him. “‘And what did the man say?’ I asked, hoping that a ‘thank you’ had rewarded his first attempt in the right direction. “‘You young scamp, you'd have made off with that if I hadn't kept my eye on you!’ said the boy in the same jerky fashion. “‘And what did you do then?’ I asked, in fear and trembling. “‘Didn't do nothin' but jest come along to school,’ said the boy soberly. ‘I reckon he didn't know no better; prob'ly he hadn't had no sech teachin' as I've got,’ and he lapsed into silence with an air of perfect satisfaction. “I think he had a pretty severe rebuff, but he has told a great many pleasant things since that day, so you see he was not disheartened. “Some people would say, I know, that I ought to tell them how bad stealing and lying and fighting are; and yet as long as they will listen to me while I say, ‘Do be honest, do be truthful, do be kind,’ I shall not keep the other things before their minds.” The young teacher sat down as modestly as she had risen. It was unanimously voted that whatever might be said for other methods, hers—which she did not even call a method—had commended itself.—Selected. On the Boston express the other day I witnessed a scene which I wish I could describe as it impressed me. It was the "4 o'clock express," and an elderly woman, evidently a foreigner, stepped on the train with that peculiar square-rigged, canvass-covered, broad valise so much used in Europe. Directly behind her was a sturdy young man, who carried the remainder of her luggage on his shoulder. He, too, was evidently a foreigner, whose dress and appearance indicated that he was thoroughly acclimated, and was now a prosperous, adopted American citizen. With a peculiar motion the little woman shrank from taking a seat in the coach among the finely dressed people. Altho I did not understand the conversation, I heard her inquiry as to whether they should go "first class." The son—for I had gotten that far in conclusions—went toward the center of the car to select a good seat, while the mother had seated herself in one near the door. His bright face beamed as he ushered that little stooped mother to the seat as tenderly as if she were his bride. What happiness was reflected in those faces! They were seated in front of me, with their luggage carefully stowed away overhead and underneath. Her hands were brown and rough. Her little bonnet was very simple; her gray hair was smoothed down in front, and was twisted into a picturesque Norwegian knot behind; her features were irregular, her face wrinkled, her large nose sharp; and she had no upper teeth—and yet I never saw a more beautiful face when, after the son was seated, this little woman turned and stroked the hair of her son only as a mother can, regardless of the curious eyes in the coach, and then, unable longer to repress the joy of a mother's heart, she kissed him. Such tenderness in those eyes glistening with tears—she was with her boy again. The heads came just above the top of the seat, and how close they were together as they talked and talked over the past. What memories of the old home were awakened in the heart of the young man while the mother recounted, as only a mother can, those things which he was most anxious to know about! When he brought her a drink, when he pulled the shade, every act was devotion. If I could only impress upon sons the priceless heritage they have in their mother. There never can be but one mother, and every little act of devotion and love will some day be a treasured memory.—National Magazine. A NOTE OF WARNING.
By KENTUCKIENNE
I FREQUENTLY receive requests and notes of inquiry from young mothers in regard to warding off contagion. They desire to know if their little ones who go to school are too young to instruct in points of this kind. It is remarkable how soon they can understand and profit by instruction to ward off contagious diseases. Much contagion is transmitted and carried into homes because the children have not been instructed in regard to the great danger. I was surprised by hearing a little tot at school11 say to her deskmate who offered to loan her handkerchief to her to wipe fruit from her little mouth, “No, no; I mustn’t use yours because you have sore throat. Mother says I must not use any one’s handkerchief.” You can educate them very quickly along these lines. The hands may carry germs of contagious diseases by touching objects every moment of the day, as they can be secreted under the nails. Have the children wash their hands the last thing at night before retiring, and soak well the ends of fingers and nails, and while the pores are open (after washing and drying them) rub in Mennen’s Talcum Powder, as it helps to remove the danger. Some talcum powders roughen the skin, but this is helpful and safe. Hard water can be softened and purified by dissolving borax in it. This kills germs and disinfects. Such water should be used sparingly for drinking, as the borax may injure the stomach. KENTUCKIENNE.