“Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be My people.”
We frequently meet individuals who, when brought face to face with their duty in obeying the voice of the Lord, not only in their actions, but also by their words, virtually take the position that the Lord does not really mean what He says, but, like many of the children of men, sometimes talks at random.
A Well-Known Judicial Rule—Parallel Cases Decided by Precedent.
It is a well-known rule in the decision of legal questions, that previous decisions in parallel cases generally govern the decision of the case in hand. Altho there are some exceptions to this general rule, because of the fallibility of mankind, yet we would certainly expect from the same judge exactly the same decision in a parallel case. But above all things else would we expect that the “Judge of all the earth” would render uniform decisions, not only from our knowledge of His character, wisdom, and infallibility, but because of His penetration; for “all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do,” and because He says, “I am the Lord, I change not,” and again, “with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”
To the end that we may determine whether the Lord requires unquestioning obedience of us, let us examine His attitude toward, and dealings with, cases in the past,—cases in which His words have been regarded carelessly, or have not been heeded at all.
It is well worth our while to observe, first, that, no matter what the requirement that the Lord sees fit to lay before His people, it is always for their good, altho it may seem to some that our heavenly Father is arbitrary. It will ultimately be demonstrated to all, but especially to those who render loving obedience to His precepts, that the Lord has only the supreme good and highest happiness of all of His creatures in view, in all of the commandments which He has given them to perform. (See Deut. 6:24, 25; 10:12, 13.)
Citation of Cases.
With these thoughts in mind, let us briefly investigate a few of the cases where God has passed sentence for disobedience, that we may ascertain to our own satisfaction whether the Lord means exactly what He says, and also to learn what a parallel decision will be in our individual cases, if we disobey, remembering, meanwhile, that we each have a case pending, a legal question for decision, before the judgment bar of God.
A Test Case—Adam and Eve.
Going back to the earliest history of the human family, we learn that God, for a wise purpose, brought a test to bear upon our first parents. He placed one restriction upon them.
“By one command alone restrained, to prove,
As was most just, His filial love sincere,
His loyalty, obedience due, and faith.
And thus the prohibition ran, expressed,
As God is wont, in terms of plainest truth.”
To partake of their luscious fruits, they were given free access to all of the trees in the Garden of Eden, save one. God distinctly told them that they were not to eat of the fruit of the “tree of knowledge of good and evil,” at the same time stating the consequences of disobedience. But the tempter came, and persuaded them into thinking that God was not so particular, that He did not really mean what He said; man yielded to the deception, and as a consequence, his life was forfeited, and all that he had before possessed in his innocent and happy state, was lost.
Now did the Lord then mean what He said? Did He talk at random on that occasion? There can be but one true answer, “The Lord is not a man that He should lie.” He always means exactly what He says. He never talks at random. Every time that we are in the presence of death, it ought to be a forcible reminder to us of the results of disobedience; for “in Adam, all die.”
Cain and Abel.
Another case. The two sons of Adam were similarly tested, to prove whether they would believe and obey God. “They were acquainted with the provision made for the salvation of man, and understood the system of offerings that God had ordained.” They knew full well that by “conforming to the divine plan for their redemption, they were giving proof of their obedience to the will of God. Without the shedding of blood, there could be no remission of sin. “The two brothers erected their altars alike, and each brought an offering. Abel presented a sacrifice from the flock, according to the Lord’s directions. ‘And the Lord had respect unto Abel and his offering.’ Fire flashed from heaven, and consumed the sacrifice. But Cain, disregarding the Lord’s direct and explicit command, presented only an offering of fruit.” “Cain obeyed in building an altar, obeyed in bringing a sacrifice; but he rendered only partial obedience.”
Abel exercised faith and was obedient; Cain was unbelieving and rebellious. These men represent two classes that will exist in the world to the close of time. “By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain.” “True faith, which relies wholly upon Christ, will be manifested by obedience to all the requirements of God. From Adam’s day to the present time the great controversy has been concerning obedience to God’s law. In all ages there have been those who claimed a right to the favor of God, even while they were disregarding some of His commands.” “But the Scriptures declare that by works is ‘faith made perfect;’ and that without the works of obedience, ‘faith is dead.’”
Again let us inquire, Is God particular? Does He require exact obedience? Every candid mind can give only an affirmative answer.
Take It Home.
As we proceed with our investigation, let us apply the underlying principle in each example, to ourselves as individuals, as regards our responsibility in obeying those living words which our heavenly Father spake in an audible voice from Mount Sinai, and wrote with His own finger on two tables of stone, and especially to that one commandment concerning which nearly the whole professed Christian world say, by their words or practise, or both, that God is not particular. In other words, let us make the distinction that Cain failed to make, i. e., to discern between the sacred and the common; exercise faith rather than unbelief; obey rather than rebel. G. W. REASER.
(To be continued.)
INASMUCH
A POOR shoemaker, Martin by name, had a great longing to belong to the Lord Jesus. One night in a dream he received the promise that the Saviour would visit him on the morrow. Martin’s dwelling was a cellar, and his workbench stood beside the low window, from which he saw nothing but the feet of those who passed by. As was his custom, he rose early, worked at his trade, ate his morning meal, and said to himself, “To-day the Lord Jesus will visit me.” Looking up, he saw a pair of shabby feet wearily dragging themselves past his window. Full of pity, he went out and found a poor woman, hungry and homeless, who had wandered about the streets all night long, carrying a sick baby in her arms. Martin took her into his dwelling, gave her the remnant of his breakfast, and fed the child with milk. When she had gone, he again sat down to work, hoping that now the Lord Jesus would soon appear. About noon he saw another pair of tired feet shuffling past. Hurrying out, Martin found an old man who had not tasted food that day. He invited him in and shared his midday meal with the hungry guest. When he had gone, Martin thought sadly, “The day half spent, and the Lord Jesus has not yet come.”
Toward evening he saw more feet, in violent movement, hurriedly flying hither and thither, and when he went out, he found an old fruit seller and a street boy in a fierce fight. The woman, clutching the sleeve of the boy’s threadbare jacket, screamed, “He stole my apples, and I will beat him for it.” Martin made peace between them, and, finding that both were hungry, he took them home and shared his supper with them.
The day being ended, he went to bed with a sad heart, for the Lord Jesus had not visited him, as it had been promised him in his dream.
He slept, and again he dreamed; and behold, in his dream appeared first the tired woman and her sick child; she looked into his eyes and said, “Martin, dost thou know me?” And the old man came, and the fruit-seller, each asking, “Martin, dost thou know me?” Then Martin understood, and he remembered the words, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these, My brethren, ye have done it unto Me.”—A Russian Legend.
Reconcile Your Desires to Events
By Epictetus
EXPECT not that events should conform to thy desires, but reconcile thy desires to events; this is the way to be happy.—Epictetus.
Good Principles Under Fire
“A GOOD man has good principles and sticks to them, no matter who throws mud at him.”
SPREAD OF SPIRITUALISM.
That there is much humbug in the world called Spiritualism we verily believe; but that all the phenomena connected with it is not mere sleight-of-hand, we as truly believe. The genuine superhuman phenomena show a superior intelligence and power behind the scenes. The frauds are oftentimes equally effective not only in luring from the truth of God to a terrible delusion, unstable souls that believe the fraud to be genuine, but in prejudicing the minds of the skeptical to a belief in the supernatural.
But the coming of this very work of Spiritualism is a matter of prophetic and divine assurance. It includes more than Spiritualism. The same basic principles of Modern Spiritualism are found in various forms of occultism, in Buddhism, in Theosophy, in Christian Science, etc., isms which exalt the creature and deny the Creator; which claim faith, yet deny the faith of Jesus.
That there are many noble men and women involved in these theories, theories exotic, neurotic, and chaotic, we know. They have unwisely and unsubmissively sought light and cosmos, but found darkness and chaos. They are deceived. The overpowering evidence of mysticism and sensuousness, in absence of the knowledge of the truth, is too much for many, and they yield.
The Word of God recognizes two classes of spiritual beings. There are, first, the holy angels, created before man, God’s ministering spirits, the number of whom is “innumerable.” These are not the spirits or souls of those who have died; for they existed before man was created. Second, evil spirits, or angels. Some of the original, untried, heavenly host of angels “kept not their first estate,” but were cast down to Tartarus. These are the devils, or demons of Scripture, the angels of Satan. Here are some passages of the Word of God concerning their work in the earth, and especially in the last days:—
“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils [demons].” 1 Tim. 4:1.
“For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” Matt. 24:24.
“And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, and deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do.” Rev. 13:13, 14.
“And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of devils [demons], working miracles; which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. Behold, I [Jesus] come as a thief.” Rev. 16:13–15.
Satan’s delusive workings and our great reason of deception are thus set forth:—
“Whose [Christ’s] coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie; that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” 2 Thess. 2:9–12.
The kings and rulers and great men of the Orient are worshipers of demons in the worship of their false gods and their offerings for the dead. Those who hold to the invocation and intercession of saints are essentially Spiritualists, and Modern Spiritualism is counting its great men among the nations of the earth by the hundreds. An instance of this follows.
One of the noted mediums of Europe at the present time is an ignorant, illiterate Italian woman, Eusapia Paladino by name. She has astonished such scientists as “Lombroso, Schiaparelli, Charles Richet, the Count de Rochas, M. Dariex, and a great number of other scientists,” who have made her a “subject of study under various conditions,” we are told by the eminent astronomer, Camille Flammarion. Mr. Flammarion himself also, on July 27, 1897, he records in the Arena for December last, “had the great satisfaction of being able to observe personally, and under the strictest test conditions, this same medium.” Mr. Flammarion declares that he had studied for thirty years the notorious mediums of the world, such as Daniel Home, Slade, Buguet, Lacroix, and “many others.” But in these investigations “as a general thing” he “had been completely disappointed.”
Among the manifestations at the seance with the Paladino woman, Mr. Flammarion notes among others the following:—
The lifting of a table from no apparent cause, in full light, during which time it was photographed.
The movement of a tripod stand to the table without contact with any visible thing. The stand even attempted climbing upon the table, exerting elastic force when resisted.
Blows were struck as of a mallet, and a spoon was lifted without contact.
Many sensations of being touched were experienced, especially by Mr. Flammarion.
Objects passed between the observers and a red lamp which burned in the room.
Paper was snatched from the table, and a pencil tossed onto the floor.
A small music box was played, and a guitar moved above the heads of the party, giving forth sound.
Putty was placed on the table, heavy blows were heard as of a mallet, and a profile of a face was found in the putty.
Of these manifestations, Mr. Flammarion says:—
It is absolutely certain that the producing cause was outside her.
Of some of them he declares:—
The chances are ninety-one in a hundred that they were genuine.
As to the explanation which this scientist gives, we quote from his article:—
1. Is it the medium herself who acts unconsciously by means of an invisible force emanating from her?
2. Is it an intelligent cause, other than herself, a being who has already lived on this earth, who draws from the medium a force which such being needs in order to act?
3. Is it a member of another order of invisible beings? For nothing warrants us in denying that other invisible beings may exist in our midst. . . .
Of the three above-proposed hypotheses, the first is that which I favor, so far at least as concerns the present seance. It must not be assumed, however, that I reject the other two. We are here on the threshold of a new and utterly unknown world. I choose the most simple hypothesis; but it is nothing more than an hypothesis. . . .
The third hypothesis, of invisible living beings in our midst, is equally defensible. . . .7
To sum up, and begging the reader to excuse the length of this article, I believe we can go a little further than M. Schiaparelli, and affirm the undoubted existence of unknown forces capable of moving matter and of counteracting the action of gravity.
But Messrs. Flammarion and Schiaparelli, and all others, may know the underlying facts, not hypotheses, of the phenomena if they will go to the Word of God. They will there find that the unseen forces are not dead persons (for “the dead know not anything”), but spirits of malefic demons, sent out to delude and to destroy souls. Seek them not for the truth. “Should not a people seek unto their God? on behalf of the living should they seek unto the dead?” Isa. 8:19, R.V.
THE GRAVE OF OUR SINS.
Among the wonderful symbols of God’s forgiveness and separation of sin from His people is that of the vast and fathomless sea. How many of the secrets of history has it buried! How many treasures lie entombed there which will never be yielded up to the scrutiny of man! What unexplored mountain ranges, what vast cavernous abysses, and what unfathomable valleys there are underneath its wave-tossed and ceaselessly rolling surface! What an impenetrable tomb it is of the buried hopes of persons and families, and even nations!
But its abyssmal and unexplorable depths are to the child of God a symbol of hope, nay, more, of assurance. Let us quote to its conclusion the precious promise of last week: “Who is a God like unto Thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He retaineth not His anger forever, because He delighteth in mercy. He will turn again, He will have compassion upon us; HE WILL SUBDUE OUR INIQUITIES; and Thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.” Micah 7:18, 19.
What does this mean but that God will forever banish the sins of those who come to Him—our sins—can we not say it together, reader? Go out and look upon the mighty ocean, stretching away thousands of miles in every direction beyond the extent of vision. It compasses the earth. It is the most unexplorable thing in the world. When within it is lost a weighty substance, there is no place where it is so unfindable. And our sins are weighty. Have we not learned it when through the years we were bowed down as a burdened beast, and at times crushed to the earth in hopeless despair by their intolerable weight? Do you still bear them?—O, give them to God, and He will cast them into the great sea, where the strong currents of His mighty love will bear them on into the great depths and caverns of eternal oblivion!
But attach to them no shore-line, tie them to no life-buoy. Cut every cord which binds the sin to heart, or life, or habit, or occupation, and give all to God, and let Him cast them into “the depths of the sea.”
Tempted and tried Christian, take home the promise to thy heart. When Satan would conjure up the phantoms of the sins of old, when he would reawaken lust in the flesh by the memories of the past, when he would almost make you believe that your sins were still with you, rely upon God’s promise. Say to the tempter that it is written that Jesus Christ died for your sins, that He forgave them when you confessed, that they are cast into the depths of the sea, that they are gone, gone forever, buried by the everlasting goodness and mercy of God in the depths of oblivion, and that none knoweth their sepulcher save Him who has put them even out of His own sight.
How does the statement in Mark 9: 44, 46, 48 compare with the doctrine of everlasting destruction? S.
There is perfect harmony between the passage above referred to and such texts as Matt. 25: 41, 46; Mal. 4: 1; Matt. 3: 12; 2 Thess. 1: 8, 9; Ps. 37: 20, and other scriptures. The worm does not die till it has devoured what it preys upon; nor can the fire be quenched till it burns up the material on which it feeds. Compare Isa. 51: 6; Jer. 17: 27; 2 Chron. 36: 18, 20. See “Tormented Forever and Ever,” Bible Students’ Library, No. 111; price, 1 cent.
PLEASE explain this scripture. Were these wild beasts and fowls of the air cleansed for food? Was not the swine included? A. A. AND C. W. J.
There were no beasts there. Why should we doubt “what this vision” “should mean”? The Lord had not explained it when Peter doubted (verse 17), but He has to us. That vision of those unclean beasts, which probably included swine, was not given to eat, but to show Peter and everybody else for all time that he or they “should not call any man common or unclean,” and that “God is no respecter of persons.” Labor for all men; that is the lesson.
PLEASE explain how every creature of God is good and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving, as some take this as an evidence that they are permitted to eat all kinds of animals. E. L. P.
Well, we are. The Lord will let us, if we wish, eat the most abominable things of earth; but He tells us that the only true way to eat or do anything is to His glory. 1 Cor. 10: 31. Now he who eats to God’s glory will not eat to satisfy the lusts of the flesh. And, to our mind, before he gave thanks, he would wish to know whether it is “sanctified by the Word of God and prayer.” 1 Tim. 4: 5. Man has sanctified, or set apart, many things for food which God calls abominations. He who wishes to serve God in all things with all his heart will not be quibbling over texts, and childishly asking the question, “May I eat this?” or “Mayn’t I eat that?” God has given much light concerning what is best, and He asks us to eat and drink to His glory; and we may be assured that this is also for our best good, “for strength and not for drunkenness” or gluttony.
728. 2 Cor. 3: 7-12.—G. W., an explanation of this passage will be found in Bible Students’ Library, No. 134, pp. 53-59, “The Lord’s Day the Test of the Ages” (price, 15 cents), or No. 149, “From Glory to Glory” (price, 3 cents).
According to Rom. 3: 10, “There is none righteous, no, not one.” That is true of every man of himself and in himself. John declares that “he that doeth righteousness is righteous;” that is, one must be righteous before he can do righteousness, and the evidence that he does righteousness is a proof that the doer is righteous. But while man is not righteous of himself, there is One in whom man may become righteous, “created in righteousness and true holiness.” Eph. 4: 24.
CAPITAL AND LABOR.
By T.
THERE is perhaps no subject that is more thought about, more talked about, and more written about nowadays than “Capital and Labor.” You hear it on the street corners; it is talked to you from the pulpit and the platform; authors are writing books and pamphlets about it, and the papers and magazines are discussing it continually.
Thus we see that there is a continuous war of words over this subject, and frequent strikes bring labor and capital into a still more serious conflict than mere discussions. This contest is deepening and widening, and a universal clash seems to be rapidly approaching.
The capitalist waxes eloquent, and fairly sweeps the skies with his oratory while portraying the splendid condition of the laboring man. He assures the laborer over and over again that “he is better housed, and better fed, and better clothed than our fathers were.” But the laboring man, on the other hand, most emphatically, and with a seriousness that can be both seen and felt, says that his condition is growing worse and worse. The iron hand of greed is represented as grasping everything, and piling up colossal fortunes for the few, while the many are struggling for the bare necessities of life.
England for several centuries has had her conflict between the common and noble; but the common was never so intelligent and consequently so formidable in expressing his discontent as now. Germany has had her social ills, but never has the emperor had to act more discreetly than now as he seeks to hold the factions that would overthrow the wealthy and exalt the peasant. In Russia, the czar and his associated nobility can not enjoy the luxuries of their respective stations, because of the dread of the assassin, who represents the suppressed discontent occasioned by the poverty of the masses. In Austria-Hungary the peasants are rioting to get bread. And so we might go the world over, and the capital-and-labor discussion is the theme everywhere. The subject presents itself under different forms in the different countries, but it is there just the same, and is demanding serious attention.
That there are colossal fortunes piled up in all these countries no one will deny. And that right in the very presence of these great fortunes may be found the most wretched, the most pitiable, and the most heart-sickening poverty, is also a truth that all must admit. In the neighborhood of 1,838 years ago, there was penned a most remarkable prophecy of these times. It is worth our while to study it closely. It reads thus:—
“Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days. Behold, the hire of the laborers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth; and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth. Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter. Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you. Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts; for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.” James 5: 1–8.
Let us commence the study of these verses by considering the latter part of verse 3. “Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days,” says the apostle. The Revised Version says, “Ye have laid up your treasure in the last days.” Then the statement is made plain, and it is in the most literal language that we are told that this treasure is heaped together “for” or “in the last days.” And note the force of the statement; the treasure is heaped together in the last days. Language could not be so constructed as to more plainly show than does this scripture text that the “last days” are to be marked by the “heaping” up of treasure.
The text also plainly tells the manner in which this treasure is thus “heaped” together: “Behold, the hire of the laborers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth; and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth.” It is not simply the “cry” of the laborer that God hears, but the “hire” of the laborer, which is “kept back by fraud,” also “crieth.” That eye of justice that has never been dimmed by evil pierces the very depths of this controversy, and in the clearest language tells where the difficulty lies.
Now note the second verse and the first part of the third: “Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver is cankered.” Thus it is shown that these “heaped-up” treasures are “corrupting” and “cankering” because of their idleness. For if this treasure was being judiciously used in relieving the distress of the poor and unfortunate, it would neither corrupt nor rust. But instead of using their treasure in relieving destitution and distress, they “have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton.” Yes, they have even “nourished their hearts as in a day of slaughter.”
The final solution of this capital-and-labor difficulty is also given: “Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord,” says the apostle. Verse 7. Then when treasures are being “heaped” together, and “the cries of them which have reaped,” but have not eaten, are heard all over the world; when this strife between colossal wealth and stinging poverty becomes so marked that it is the topic of discussion everywhere, then may we surely know that we are “in the last days.” And so, instead of either envying or seeking to harm the wealthy who oppress, we are to “be patient” “unto the coming of the Lord.” And while we patiently wait, we are at the same time to earnestly and faithfully tell every one what this conflict between capital and labor means.
In conclusion let it be again urged that we faithfully and closely study these first eight verses of the fifth chapter of James. Altho these verses give only one of the present-day signs by which we may know that the end is near, yet how clearly is this labor controversy of our time foretold. And are you patiently looking forward to the coming of the Master? If not, don’t delay any longer to examine the evidence which shows that the time is near. It is the one bright hope before the world; hasten to embrace it.
Some facts in regard to the heaping together of treasure will have to be reserved for next week. T.
RECONCILING THE NATION.
By T.
There is a very interesting and significant fact in connection with the controversy in Italy between the pope and the ruling monarchy there. “Innominata,” after speaking in the New York Sun about the Italian “monarchy” as “the symbol of the war against the Papacy,” and stating that this monarchy “would not listen,” says that “when Leo XIII. saw that no reconciliation was possible between king and pope, he took up the work of reconciling the nation to the Papacy.”
It is interesting to note the activity of those not only in Catholic but in Protestant circles who seek to control the State in the interests of the church. But Jesus has left us no such example. Follow Him all the way from the manger to Calvary and you find His work wholly among the people. And He was not seeking to get them to change their form of government in this world, but in the tenderest and yet the most practical way he impressed them with the great advantages of turning whole-heartedly to the kingdom of God. And His voice rings out through His Word all down the ages, speaking to both Catholic and Protestant alike: “My kingdom is not of this world.”
Let us follow the Lord Himself, for He has told us the way in His Word. Men are subject to prejudices and personal interests that may cause them to mislead us, no matter how good their intentions may be. But our Lord never makes a mistake, and it is always safe to trust fully to His guidance. T.
INCREASE OF JUVENILE CRIMINALS.
AMONG the most striking features of criminology in these days of many crimes is the horrible atrocities committed by mere children. We clip the following from the Los Angeles Times:— “Says the Oakland Enquirer: ‘The boy burglar is becoming a serious problem in California. Since the reign of terror inaugurated in Oakland by two 16-year-old safe-blowers, several other towns have had similar youthful prodigies of crime, and now Berkeley has two 14-year-old boys who are accused of having a record of a dozen burglaries. These things are not a comforting index to the future?’ No. And the problem of the boy murderer that the Los Angeles courts have had to deal with hardly brightens the outlook.”
But this is the very condition of things which God’s Word has predicted for this very time. These things teach us three sad facts: First, that parents are not doing their duty by their children; secondly, that the country is not Christian, and that its tendency is evil and its education downward; and, thirdly, that the restraining influence of the Spirit of God is being withdrawn from the earth. It is time for parents and Christians to arouse and go to work.
Wealth, Poverty, and the Millennium
By T
The New York correspondent of the London Mail, speaking of the possible international alliance in view of the Chinese difficulty, says, “The popular feeling here leans toward England, because of the certainty that her course will result in commercial advantage to the United States.” Selfish, grasping greed is the most marked characteristic of this age. And as the result of it colossal fortunes are gathered by a few, and there seems to be no thought on the part of this already overwealthy class, except to acquire still more millions. And at the same time there is all around us the most pitiful destitution and hopeless and helpless poverty. It is possible to see how a man, reveling in luxury, and always passing through the well-kept streets and elegant boulevards, could throw off ecstatic utterances about the dawning of the millennium; for truly wealth and skill can fashion most beautiful things. But turn away from these abodes of wealth, into the dark alleys and filthy lanes of our cities, and behold the degradation, misery, wickedness, and poverty, and then think of the constantly increasing millions who are in these social sinks, and where is the boasted millennium? Facts, tho sometimes not quite so pleasant to look at, are nevertheless much better than fanciful fiction.
T.
The Crowds of People
By T.
The crowds of people attending the trial of M. Zola in Paris remind one of the throngs that used to surround the National Assembly in the French Revolution days of a hundred years ago. Then the popular and excited and withal rapidly-changing views of the multitude, were enforced upon the Assembly by general tumult. The laws that the Assembly enacted were frequently contrary to the good judgment of a majority of the men who constituted that body. But the demands of the people were heated and urgent, and, as continually stated by Robespierre and other ultra republicans, “the people are always right,” and so they urged that their demands should be at once enacted into laws. No one would claim now that all that the “people” did in the French Revolution was right. In fact, the “people” then were often sorry for their deeds, and would gladly have reversed many of their crimes if it had been possible. And it is altogether possible that the “people” who attended the trial of Zola, and sometimes cheered and again derided the witnesses, may in less excitable days have occasion to lament their course of action. These scenes in the high court of the French nation, and all the clamors for bloodshed that are heard in so many parts of the world, lead a person to ask, Where is the so-long-talked-of millennium? Of course some rioting in France, considered in itself alone, is not so much to be thought of, but the very inflammable condition of the minds of the people everywhere, furnishes a sufficiently serious problem. The good Book tells us that “in the last days perilous times shall come.” It also tells us that the people then, despite the perils, will be saying, “Peace and safety.” Your very soul has been impressed with the perils of this time; you have also heard the people saying, “Peace and safety,” to a degree that it has never before been said in all the world. Answer for yourself the question, Where are we?
T.
Reward for Self-Denial
By J. C. Jackson
Reward for Self-denial.—In your self-denial you find a joy in giving which the sordid never know. The more you do the more you want to do—not have to do.—Rev. J. C. Jackson.
The Worldliness of Professing Christians
Hon. W. E. Gladstone, in a recent work, replying to the question as to whether human character is developing for good, says:—
“The cruelty of Christians is more cruel; the lust of Christians is more lustful; the animal greed of Christians is tenfold more greedy; and the pre-Christian times afford us no panorama of mammon worship to compare for a moment with our own. The luxury and the worldliness of old were but child’s play in relation to those of modern times.”
No man has, from age and observation, a better opportunity to know the tendency of the times, or is better able to express it; than Mr. Gladstone. But, in justice to true Christianity, he would better have said professed Christians. Christianity is ever the same, but the Scripture has told us that “evil men and seducers [without reference to profession] shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.” 2 Tim. 3 : 13.
The Only Peace for This World
The diplomats must have their heads and hands full. There is the Chinese question, the Indian question, the Cretan question, the African question, the Cuban-Spanish question, and who can tell all the rest of the questions over which the nations are quarreling? And does the condition of this world to-day foreshadow the presence of a universal peace?—Certainly not. The only peace for which we may look in this world is that which comes to us from the Prince of peace. “These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace; in the world ye shall have tribulation.” John 16:33.
Russia’s Educational and Military Appropriations
There has been much agitation in Russia for more and better schools. But notwithstanding this agitation the appropriation for education is only 25,000,000 rubles, while the war and naval departments have 355,000,000. Russia evidently thinks there is a time coming when she may have to fight.
