One Side Is Supported by God, Christ, the Prophets, and the Apostles—The Other Proceeded from Paganism and Apostasy
By GEORGE W. REASER
OF practically every issue, it is commonly said that “there are two sides to the question.” This principle holds in the Sabbath question, which at present is agitating the civilized world. When the claims of the seventh-day Sabbath, established in Eden, are presented, many persons are inclined to quote the phrase, “There are two sides to the question.”
This is freely conceded. There are two sides to every question that involves obedience and loyalty to God. And yet there can be only one right side to any question of obedience and loyalty. The other side must be the wrong side. One side of every moral issue is the side of God, of honor, of right, of good men. The other side is the side of Satan, of dishonor, of wrong, of either misinformed or evil men.
GOD AND CHRIST ON RECORD
This is true of the Sabbath question. God and Christ have put Themselves on record as regards Their attitude to the seventh-day Sabbath. At the foundation of the world, “God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it.” Gen. 2:3. Twenty-five centuries later He said: “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. . . . The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God.” Ex. 20:8, 10. Early in the ministry of Jesus, He stated His position in reference to the Sabbath of Jehovah, in these words: “The Son of man is Lord also of the Sabbath.” Mark 2:28.
On the Lord’s side of the Sabbath question, we find all the prophets and apostles and holy men of Bible days. On the wrong side of the Sabbath question, we find, first, the ancient pagan world, with Sunday set apart as the chief day in the weekly calendar for the worship of their favorite god. Next we find, on the same side of the question, that great apostate church which inspiration styles “the man of sin,” “the son of perdition.” Still back of these systems we must look for the real founder of sun-worship and the Sunday institution.
If it is wrong to worship the sun rather than the Creator; if it was a wicked thing to establish a weekly day of worship, rival to the Sabbath of Jehovah,—then, I repeat, we must look farther back than the pagan and papal systems to discover who, primarily, is on the side of the Sunday institution. As there is absolutely no Scriptural authority for that institution as supplanting the Sabbath of the Lord, its origin must be evil, and we are justified in locating this evil at the door of the author of all evil.
The Sunday institution in its last analysis stands for apostasy; the Sabbath, for loyalty to Heaven. God and Christ can not be on both sides of this question. Neither can any true child of God. The Father and the Son having put Themselves on record in regard to the side of this vital question on which They stand, is it not the wisdom that will insure safety and also secure the blessing of Heaven, for every soul who professes the name of Christ, to be sure that he is on the Lord’s side of the Sabbath question?
It is true that many conscientious Christians have found themselves innocently, because uninformed, keeping Sunday instead of the Sabbath. But now the last reform message is being proclaimed to the world, calling the honest in heart back to “the old paths” of obedience and loyalty to God. This reform message is developing a people of whom inspiration says, “Here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” Rev. 14:6-12.
Photograph by Paul Thompson
Happy and eternally blessed will be he who finds himself on the Lord’s side of every question pertaining to godliness, “when the King comes in.”
Jesus Will Come Again
By C. P. Bollman
His Second Coming to Be as Literal as the First
THAT Jesus will come again, come the second time, has always been the faith of the church. The apostles believed it; and from their day to the present time, the second appearing of our Lord has been a part of every Christian creed. Nor is this strange, for there is no mistaking the teaching of the Scriptures upon this subject. Said our Saviour Himself to His disciples:
"I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." John 14:3.
That the apostles understood this to mean a personal second coming is evident. The apostle Paul says:
"Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation." Heb. 9:28.
That the second coming of our Lord is to be just as literal and personal as His first advent, is made positive by the words of the angels to those who were looking longingly after Him on the occasion of His ascension. These angels said:
"Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven." Acts 1:11.
There is no mistaking the import of this language. Jesus Himself will come. He will come visibly, bodily, just as He went away. He will come not secretly, but publicly. He Himself said:
"If they shall say unto you, Behold, He is in the desert; go not forth; behold, He is in the secret chambers; believe it not. For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be." Matt. 24:26, 27.
In harmony with this, the apostle John says, in Rev. 1:7:
"Behold, He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him, and they also which pierced Him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him."
"Kindreds of the earth" are those who by choice have identified themselves with the earth and earthly things. Those whose citizenship is in heaven will look up when He appears, and say:
"Lo, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us; this is the Lord; we have waited for Him, we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation." Isa. 25:9.
C. P. BOLLMAN.
Dissolve Partnership with Known Sin
By David Paulson
HAVE you felt grieved because your prayers were not answered? Remember that victory over every known sin is the Bible foundation for answered prayer. "And whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep His commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in His sight." 1 John 3:22.
Are you sometimes anxious to get personal glory out of glorifying God? If so, that also will block answers to your prayers; for it is not a question of self-pleasing or self-exaltation, but, Will God be glorified by our prayer if it is answered? "And whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son." John 14:13. We can best glorify God with the ability that He is willing to add to our natural ability. "If any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth ["If any one renders a service to others, let it be in the strength which God supplies." — Modern speech]: that God in all things may be glorified." 1 Peter 4:11.
DAVID PAULSON.
The Righteousness of God Revealed
By Paul
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.—Paul.
SIN AND GOD'S PLAN FOR PARDON
By R. C. P.
A Just Law and the Transgressor—An Innocent Substitute to Uphold the Dignity of That Law—Pardon and Restoration for All Who Will Take It
SIN is an intruder in God's universe. It was introduced by Satan, the great rebel leader, when he rebelled against the government of God. It was the act of secession from the government. It was also man's act of apostasy and secession. In offering pardon, therefore, sin must be regarded according to its true character. No sentimentalism or superficial fancy can enter into a plan to save rebellious subjects.
CONDITIONS OF PARDON
There can be no just government without law, and "sin is the transgression of the law." 1 John 3:4. Therefore in granting pardon, the dignity of the law of the government must be maintained, or the government surrendered.
Pardon might be granted in two ways; first, by abolishing the law; second, by voluntary substitution. To abolish the law would be an admission, on the part of the governor, that the law was unjust; and that would be an admission that the transgressors had done no wrong in its violation. To abolish a just law to accommodate a lawless subject would be to encourage anarchy. To make such a charge against God would be to impeach His wisdom and declare Him unjust. A just God can never offer pardon on such terms.
PARDON THROUGH VOLUNTARY SUBSTITUTION
Voluntary substitution is the only way in which pardon can be offered and God be just. Some may say that to inflict the penalty of a transgressor upon an innocent person is unjust. In this instance, the Lawgiver assumes the penalty, that the sovereignty of the law may be maintained and the offender pardoned. In His provision for voluntary substitution, there is therefore no injustice. It is a dispensation of mercy. It is mercy rejoicing against judgment. James 2:13. Christ was voluntarily offered to become such a substitute for man. God can therefore "be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus." Rom. 3:26.
As "where no law is, there is no transgression" (Rom. 4:15), and "sin is not imputed when there is no law" (Rom. 5:13), it follows that asking for pardon is an acknowledgment, on the part of the subject, that the law has been transgressed, and that its demands for the infliction of the penalty are just.
SATAN'S CLAIM OF INJUSTICE
Satan has ever claimed, as an excuse for his sin, that God's law is unjust. It was on this plea that he induced Eve to sin. If his claim could be sustained, there could be no just demand for pardon. In offering pardon, Christ must undo the work, for rebellious subjects, that Satan's anarchy has wrought. "For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil." 1 John 3:8.
Christ did not come to destroy the moral law proclaimed from Sinai. The proclamation of that law was the work of God. If Christ had undertaken to destroy it, He would have become a traitor to the government, destroyed Himself, and left the sinner unsaved to perish in his sins. Christ came to "destroy the works of the devil" by undoing them. He would put down rebellion by removing sin. He would do this first by offering pardon, and secondly by destroying rebellious subjects who refused to accept pardon on the terms upon which it was offered.
UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER
Unconditional surrender is the first condition of granting pardon to rebellious subjects. When Christ came as man's substitute, He made an unconditional surrender of His will to God. "Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of Me, I delight to do Thy will, O My God; yea, Thy law is within My heart." Ps. 40:7, 8. In Gethsemane it was still, "Not as I will, but as Thou wilt." "Thy will be done." Matt. 26:39, 42.
Not only did Christ make an unconditional surrender of His will to God, but, as previously stated, He declared His everlasting allegiance to the law of God's kingdom, in the statement: "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled." Matt. 5:17, 18. To fulfil a law is to keep it. He therefore solemnly pledged that He would faithfully keep the law, and that He would never join the rebel leader in seeking to destroy it, and that till heaven and earth pass away, not a jot or a tittle of it should in any wise pass away.
THE HARDEST THING TO SURRENDER
The prophet says that by sinning, "all we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all." Isa. 53:6. One of the things that is hardest for any man to surrender is his own way. That rebellious feeling against having our way directed by God's law is the result of the rebellious spirit we have inherited from Adam. But our wills must be surrendered to God, absolutely and unconditionally, if we would receive pardon for rebellion and sin. "Seek ye the Lord while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near: let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon." Isa. 55:6, 7.
OBSTINATE REBELS
Satan and his angels rebelled against the will of God, and determined to have their own way. They determined also to maintain their position in the kingdom, but they were cast out. "If God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell" (2 Peter 2:4); and spared not the cities of the plains, because they despised government, were presumptuous, self-willed, and not afraid to speak evil of dignities (verse 10); but "turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly" (verse 6), He will not spare those who now refuse to accept pardon by an unconditional surrender of the will to God. Knowing this, Christ taught His disciples to pray daily: "Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." Matt. 6:10.
FAITH REQUIRED
"Without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." Heb. 11:6. Faith is confidence. To discredit God's willingness to forgive, when He has made such an unparalleled sacrifice that He might pardon and restore the sinner, would be the height of ingratitude.
After following Christ through Gethsemane and Calvary, who can question God's willingness to forgive? If still the confidence is weak, remember that "faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Rom. 10:17. Skeptics, while reading the Bible to oppose it, have become transformed into children of faith.
Who can read the story of the prodigal son, without increased confidence that God will freely forgive the returning sinner? The prodigal266had deliberately left his father's house, and wasted his substance in riotous living. He had held out against returning home, until he felt that he had made a fatal mistake in leaving the parental roof, and until starvation and poverty forced him to yield.
On the homeward journey, he doubtless questioned being received when he should meet his father, whom he had wronged by his life of shame. But during all the years of separation, his father had loved him and longed for his return. That father's eye, lighted by love, though dimmed by age, saw the emaciated form of his beloved son a great way off, and knew him, despite his tattered garments, and ran to meet him and welcome his return. He was not ashamed to own him as his child. He took off his own respectable garment, and placed it on his son. He returned with him, and restored him to his place in the family, with the greatest joy. The fatted calf was killed, and his return was made an occasion of great rejoicing. Luke 15:22-24.
So in returning and rest shall we be saved; in quietness and confidence shall be our strength. Isa. 30:15. For "like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him." Ps. 103:13. "His love runneth faster than our feet to meet us on our way returning, and kisseth dumb our shame." He comes to meet us and to welcome us back to the family circle, where He says: "Unto them will I give in Mine house and within My walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off." Isa. 56:5.
Photograph by Paul Thompson
"Joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance." Luke 15:7. "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." Mark 16:16.
Faith accepts Christ as the sinner's voluntary substitute in life and death; appropriates His death as a restoration from past sins, and His obedient life as a restoration to perfect righteousness; accepts pardon, and is restored from sin to righteousness. R. C. P.
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By Editor
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DATE OF EXPIRATION
By Editor
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SCRIPTURE QUOTATIONS
By Editor
Our authority for the doctrines we teach is the Bible. Quotations are usually from the King James Version or the American Standard Revised.
THE NATURE OF GOD'S KINGDOM
By J. O. C.
God's Spirit Rules the Inner Life—Civil Law Deals with the Outer Act—Can Human Laws Perform This Inner Work of God?
A KINGDOM, wherever existing, is a system of government. Human kingdoms, or governments, are regulated according to human discernment and direction, through formulas of earthly jurisprudence. They are openly operated, regarding matters discernable by common vision.
The process of God's kingdom, or sovereignty, is beyond the purview of earthly scenes and human judgments, being regulated entirely by divine foresight and sagacity, impossible of penetration to earth-impelled intelligence. Isa. 55: 8, 9. So infinitely high, indeed, above human thought is the mind of Jehovah-King, that any earth-born intervention in the regulation of His kingdom would be but to corrupt its policies.
TO UNBELIEVERS KNOWN ONLY IN PARABLES
Because of this unlimited disparity between divine and human conception, the operation of God's government, of necessity, must be enshrouded in mystery to all but heavenly subjects. To the disciples of Christ, indeed—those heaven-born souls—it was imparted to know, or measurably to comprehend, that mystery. But it was emphatically told them that to those not in the kingdom itself
with them, the power of heavenly control would appear only as parables, or earthly similitudes. Mark 4: 11. This was to say that to those not entirely under the control of the Lord's Spirit, heavenly methods of government would simply be comparable to what they knew of earthly powers.
The mistaken idea of God's kingdom is now clearly illustrated in the teachings of National Reformers. While taking the logical ground that God's kingdom in or among men should radically change the trend of human thought and action, they insist that because the indistinct transition from low-born to exalted mind operation has not met the Christian standard of development, human laws should be enacted to coerce adherence to heavenly requirements.
SHOULD ONE COUNTRY ENFORCE ANOTHER'S LAWS?
A single consideration alone should discourage such a conclusion. The advocates of that policy would themselves quickly rebel, were the United States to legislate, requiring its citizens, while on native soil, to conform to the laws of Russia, made especially for the subjects of that empire. How much more reprehensible, then, for this or any other civil government to attempt to force its subjects to conform strictly to spiritual laws, adaptable only to the citizenship of heaven!
These thoughts, and others of a similar character, were stimulated by hearing a recently delivered lecture from Dr. J. S. McGaw, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, a widely advertised agent of the National Reform Association. Speaking of what he termed a lack of respect, in California, for Sunday, which he called the Lord's day, he directly affirmed that the state should make a law to compel rest on that day, that would give recognition to its supposed holy character.
A VIGOROUS VIRTUE IMPARTED
But the good doctor had just previously discoursed at length upon the strength of character to be generated by the reception of God's kingdom in the human heart, saying that it would instil a vigorous virtue in men, like that possessed by both Elijah and Christ, which caused them to defy the Hebrew and the Roman government in pursuance of right principles. This being so, then why the need of civil law to oblige men to rest, even though the demand of employers run contrary to right ways? Why should not professors of Christianity receive enough of promised spiritual energy (Matt. 28: 20) to take them in the way they believe to be right, without demands upon a human government for laws to oblige them to do that which they lack the courage to undertake in the name and strength of God?
The aim, however, seems to be to oblige those who are not church-members to fall into line with the professed practise of the church.11But can a human law do for these what the Spirit of God has failed to do against their carnal minds? Can legally constrained Sunday rest by them add to the day's supposed sacredness, when only God's rest on a day could sanctify and set it apart as the Sabbath? Gen. 2: 2, 3. So then those who are disinclined to rest from choice on Sunday, but are legally obliged to do so, do not by their act recognize a particular distinction between it and other days, but simply bow to arbitrary demands of a reputed unjust law.
IS GOD EITHER UNABLE OR UNWILLING?
In view of the situation, one of two things must be true. Either Sunday-law advocates do not believe that there is distributable power in heaven for their needs, in harmony with Bible promises, or else they do not believe God is willing to grant them the spiritual help needed, even though He has promised it so abundantly. Outside of these two reasons, there can be no convincing one assigned for making flesh the arm of assistance, when the only assured blessing is in trusting the Lord Jehovah to build up His own kingdom in men's hearts by the power of His Holy Spirit. Jer. 17: 5, 7. To forsake infinite power, by which the heavens and the earth are sustained in their functions (Heb. 1: 3), and turn to human might, is to hew out "broken cisterns, that can hold no water." Jer. 2: 13.
RECONCILIATION, NOT LEGISLATION
God has never given to men a commission, under the gospel, to legislate for the uplift of His kingdom. To them is simply committed the "word of reconciliation," by which they may and should beseech—that is, exhort, or entreat—their fellows, in Christ's stead, to be reconciled to God. 2 Cor. 5: 20. Human laws may restrain men in certain directions, but these can never reconcile one to God. Such a result must ever and always be effected by the "death of His Son" (Rom. 5: 10), who tasted death for every man. Heb. 2: 9. His mission to earth, therefore, was not to condemn men for wrong, but to save them from it. John 12: 47.
Reference was also made, by Dr. McGaw, to the divorce situation. He said that on the average, one marriage in every seven, throughout the United States, was annulled by court decree, which was a burning disgrace to the commonwealth. So far, one can easily agree with the conclusion drawn; for the condition is certainly appalling, and to be greatly deplored by all lovers of decency.
SHALL DIVORCE BE WHOLLY FORBIDDEN?
But can civil decrees really change matters for the better, as the doctor declared they would, and so assist in bringing about the answer to the petition, "Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven"? Let us see. Suppose laws were enacted forbidding any dissolution of the marriage contract. Would that heal the breach which prevents man and wife from living for each other's interests? If living separate without civil sanction, would the state disgrace be less?—Not unless both parties to illegal separation could be spied upon, and so be prevented from forming new alliances; and that is a thing next to impossible. The binding force of marriage vows depends on the principle of love, an essential feature of God's provision, which can not be regulated by legislative enactment.
The fact is that the world's need to-day is more for old-fashioned preaching to the heart, than for civil laws designed to restrain action in those things that only Jehovah Himself can regulate. Indeed, nothing short of sound heart conversion can bring humanity within the precincts of God's kingdom, where His blessed Spirit may not only re-strain from wrong, but also con-strain to walk in His ways, which are the paths of joy and peace. J. O. C.
RECEIVING A PART INSURES THE WHOLE
By L. A. R.
If one will faithfully receive any truth, it will lead into all truth, for truth is a system. It is, in fact, the revelation of the character of God. It is symmetrical, harmonious, one part ever agreeing with every other part. And it was given by God to the universe in such a way that every truth should beckon on to more truth, from grace to grace, from faith to faith, from glory to glory.
Similarly, to accept any error is to subject one's self to the possibility of accepting all error; for the principle of refusing any truth—that is, imbibing the corresponding error—is to reject eventually all truth, accepting all error.
How serious, then, it is for us to turn away from any truth! It means that we are in grave danger of turning away from all truth. How glorious it is to accept any truth, and follow on thus to accept all truth! And Christ has pledged Himself that the Spirit of truth shall guide the honest soul into all truth.
L. A. R.
4303 — CONFESSING FAULTS
By Editor
How do you explain James 5:16, "Confess your faults one to another"?
K. S.
This text says to confess our faults one to another. We are not to confess to some outside person who is not concerned,—not to the priest, but one to another. The individual who has wronged another, is to go to that person and confess the wrong he has done to him. He might go to another and talk over his weaknesses and get counsel and help in gaining the mastery over these tendencies, and they could pray together for his healing. Of course in instances where the sin has been open, and where others have participated in or been injured by it, the confession should be open. And in some cases the confession is to be made to God only. The confession should extend as far as the wrong.
The Story and Lesson of Balaam
THE wonderful story of Balaam is a part of our Old Testament reading during these weeks. That story of Balaam is not only instructive, but it is exceedingly interesting. It is very consoling to know that even though the prophet was determined to curse Israel in order that he might get a reward therefor, yet it was impossible for him to curse those upon whom God had pronounced His blessing. If God blesses us, none of the powers that rise up against us can cause a curse to rest upon us. It is very sad that Balaam, for the sake of a reward, for the purpose of securing money, could have been bribed to turn away from the service of the true and living God.
Question Corner
By Editor
WE can not answer repeatedly in the same volume questions upon the same scripture. The name and address must accompany question. It is well always to enclose stamp for reply.
4301 — CONFRONTING DIFFICULTIES IN SABBATH KEEPING
My husband is convinced that he should keep the Sabbath; but since he is working for a Sunday keeper, he would doubtless lose his position, and is afraid that he might not be able to make a living for himself and family. What should he do? W. S.
The danger lies in continuing the course that your husband is now pursuing. We are liable at any time, if we are depending merely upon the arm of flesh, to be thrown out of work; but God's promise is: "If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on My holy day; and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable; and shalt honor Him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it." Isa. 58: 13, 14. That promise of God has behind it all of the power by which He upholds His entire universe, and that promise can not fail. We can stand upon it, and know that we will never go down.
Another one of the great promises from this book of Isaiah says: "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; he shall dwell on high: his place of defense shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure. Thine eyes shall
see the King in His beauty: they shall behold the land that is very far off." Isa. 33: 15-17. Such promises as this in the heart of the individual are stronger than all the difficulties that can combine to confront him. They raise him above the sporting winds of circumstances, and thrill his heart with the hope of seeing "the King in His beauty," because he is walking in the highway of the great King's commandments. One of the saddest mistakes that men can make is to fear to trust God.
4302 — SUN STANDING STILL
By Editor
Please explain Joshua 10: 12, 13. Is it not understood that the sun is stationary and the earth revolves? B. H.
It is true that the earth journeys around the sun, and also revolves upon its imaginary axis at the same time; but the text represents them as they appeared. In the Bible, things are often expressed in the language of appearances rather than as they actually existed. This was nothing more than following the ordinary laws that have always governed the use of language in all times, the same as we now speak of the sun rising and setting, yet while we say this, we have in mind the real fact.
G. B. T
By George B. Thompson
THE Bible is not of human origin. It is God's book. It is the product of an infinite mind. It has depths which are inexhaustible, which can never be sounded to the bottom with the plummet of human reason. Many of its truths may be compared to gold lying beneath the surface, while generations walk over it, knowing not the great treasures which are hidden from view. But the humble, prayerful searcher after truth will be rewarded for his toil. Those who search will find gems of rare beauty and worth.