CONDUCTED BY MILTON C. WILCOX, MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA
Note.—This department is for the purpose of helping Bible students. Answers must of necessity be brief, often only suggestive, never exhaustive, never infallible, only as they agree with the infallible Word. Such questions only will be answered as seem to the editors to minister to the mission of the paper. Questions of the same import cannot be answered repeatedly in the same volume. Name and address must be given, not for publication but as evidence of good faith and to insure reply by letter if thought best. It is well always to inclose stamp, not stamped envelope, unless answer is desired by letter alone.
204 — WHAT REST IS MEANT?
Please explain, in the Question Corner, the “rest” mentioned in Hebrews 4, especially verses 7-11, and what is meant by “the dividing asunder of soul and spirit.” What do “soul and spirit” mean? V. A. R.
The “rest” of Hebrews 4 is the rest of faith, or the rest that comes by faith in God. The children of Israel did not enter into that rest when they went into the land of Canaan, for they went in there as sinners. The Lord wanted them to have rest, rest in Him, rest that would come from their ceasing from their own work, not trusting in themselves for salvation, but trusting in the Lord alone. And those who believe, enter into that rest. God’s finished work in the beginning was a pledge of that eternal rest. His works were finished from the foundation of the world; and the fact that He rested on the seventh day, proved that they were finished, and also were a pledge to all who should come after, that when they would give themselves wholly to God, and accept the salvation He Himself offered, they would enter into that rest, beginning it in this life, and ending it in eternity.
The day mentioned, does not refer to any day of the week. God offered the rest to the children of Israel, and they would not accept it. Hebrews 3 and 4 shows this very clearly, “Again, He limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To-day . . . if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts.” From the time when God’s own children as a nation set aside His promises, God has called individuals, and He has asked them one by one to yield to Him, to enter into His rest. And the “to-day” means now, always now. “Now is the accepted time,” “now is the day of salvation.” And Sabbath rest waits for the people of God; for when they shall be gathered in, then we will have God’s finished work of grace, which will remain forever.
Verse 12 relates to the word of God in its power. It is living and active, and it is “sharper than any two-edged sword.” The dividing of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and the discerning “of the thoughts and intents of the heart,” shows the piercing, penetrating power of that Word. There is nothing that it does not reach. It is like a hammer that breaks the rocks, and like a fire that melts them, as stated in Jer. 23:29.
The matter of soul and spirit is worthy of note. The soul life is the life that all creatures have, irrespective of character or condition. The beast has the soul life, as has also the fowl, the insect, the worm. Soul life is the life that pertains to the animal man. The spirit life is the life that is given directly from God. It was given of God in the beginning. Adam possessed spirit life before he sinned. When he sinned, he lost it. Before he sinned, soul life, body life, the whole man, was subject to the power of his spirit life; but when man sinned, he lost the spirit life, and the flesh became contaminated. When man accepts the Lord Jesus Christ, God gives him the spirit life again. The Word reveals the difference between the two. We have, for instance, in 1 Cor. 15:44: “It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. So also it is written, The first man Adam became a living soul. The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. Howbeit that is not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; then that which is spiritual.” The word “natural” here is literally soulical. See the margin of the American Revised Version, psychical. The natural man has a soulical body. The Christian has the spirit also; and when the Lord Jesus shall come and make us immortal, then the body will be made spiritual. Heb. 4:12 simply indicates that the word of God discerns and reveals the difference between the two. Those who reject the Spirit of God, will come down to death, and will be dead souls; but those who accept the Lord Jesus Christ, shall be preserved entirely without blame, their whole spirit and soul and body, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thess. 5:23.
205 — CHANGE OF THE SABBATH
Did Constantine change the Sabbath? Is it not rather to be charged to the Catholic Church? C. A. D. M.
No, Constantine did not change the Sabbath. Constantine’s law for Sunday, however, was used by an apostate church to help in bringing about the change. The change of the Sabbath in the professed church of Christ was brought about by the Roman Catholic Church, who not only acknowledges that she made the change, but contends that she did it. The change itself was gradual, beginning even before Constantine’s time — just as soon as error and tradition crept into the Christian church — and it went on until the change was complete. The Protestant church, called out of the Roman Catholic Church, inherited many of its errors, and did not drop off the spurious sabbath. In the last great reformation, this is to be brought about in the church of Christ, through the great threefold message of Revelation 14. The little tract on “Who Changed the Sabbath?” will help our correspondent out.
206 — NATIONS IN THE NEW EARTH
Please explain the meaning of Ps. 68:31. Does it mean that after God has gathered His people as individuals for His kingdom, the inhabitants of the world will come as nations? L. B.
We hardly think that the text so teaches. It rather shows what would come because of the gospel preaching. “Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall haste to stretch out her hands unto God.” It is akin to expressions found in Isaiah 61. There are scriptures, however, which would indicate that there will be nations in the new earth, as for instance, Rev. 21:24, 26: “And the nations shall walk amidst the light thereof: and the kings of the earth bring their glory into it.” “And they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it.” These nations are probably identical with the division of God’s people into twelve tribes. Matt. 19:28 may help us here: “And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, that ye who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit on the throne of His glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” This would constitute the nations of the new earth.
207 — THE 144,000
Will those who are raised in the special resurrection, have part among the 144,000?
The one hundred and forty-four thousand may include those who die under the sealing message and have a special resurrection, although there is nothing that is definite regarding it. It really is not an important question. It is one that we can leave with God to decide. Our greatest anxiety ought to be that we shall be numbered among God’s faithful people, whether numbered in the one hundred and forty-four thousand or in some other company. If we are faithful and true to God, we can leave all of that with Him.
208 — FOREORDAINED TO BE LOST
If the plan of salvation was ordained before the world began, was not the created man destined to commit sin, and are not those finally lost foreordained to that state? Is not this taught by Rom. 9:17-23? L. C. B.
We do not think the conclusion follows. Foreknowledge does not demand foreordination. God has foreordained the good, and made it possible for every one to obtain it. Those who choose His way choose the righteousness, choose the life, choose the name. Those who reject His way choose sin, choose death, and if the choice is persisted in, reap the fruit of their own sowing. Righteous character cannot be formed without test, and even the infinite God must take the awful risk of sin. At the same time, He gives “more grace,” so that where sin abounds, grace much more abounds. Rom. 5:20. With the passage in Romans, read what the same apostle says in 2 Tim. 2:20, 21; also Jer. 18:1-10.
On whom will God have mercy? Rom. 9:15. First, on the obedient ones. Ex. 20:6. Secondly, on the worst of sinners; for “He delighteth in mercy,” and “He will abundantly pardon.” Micah 7:18, 19; Isa. 55:6, 7. Whom will God harden?—God hardens only those who reject every overture of mercy after repeated appeals, as did Pharaoh, and thus do despite to the Spirit of grace. See Heb. 10:29. Then God withdraws His Spirit.
For brief though fuller treatment, see the tract “Bible Election,” for sale at this office.
BOOK NOTICE
“The Audacious War,” by Clarence W. Barron, Houghton Mifflin Company. Price, $1.10, postpaid.
The author of this book, Mr. Clarence W. Barron, is one of the recognized authorities of the world in financial matters. He is president of the Dow, Jones & Co. Corporation, of New York City; and in consequence of his position with this company, he is managing editor of Wall Street Journal, which is the great financial daily of the United States. All heavy investors, and men who are conducting large business enterprises, feel that they must have the Wall Street Journal for the authentic and high grade information it contains.
Mr. Barron also publishes the Boston News Bureau and the Philadelphia News Bureau, and is prominent in “directing news gathering for the bank and financial communities.”
Last winter, he crossed the Atlantic, spending considerable time in England, and also going over onto the continent of Europe, to study at first hand, and right on the ground, the financial side of the great, barbarous war that is spreading like a mighty conflagration all through Europe. He returned to this country, and immediately prepared the matter that appears in this volume. The book is filled with facts and expert opinions concerning the underlying principles involved in that titanic struggle. It is perhaps superfluous to say that his opinions may be regarded as more or less biased; but the facts he presents, and the conclusions he reaches, are invaluable to the student of present-day conditions.
Mr. Barron seems to be quite clear in reaching the conclusion that “the immediate causes of this war—and I believe they have not been before presented on this side of the ocean—are connected with commercial treaties, protective tariffs, and financial progress.” In other words, commerce, and the struggle for supremacy in the material field of business and finance, have occasioned the great destruction of life and the ruin of homes and other property, along with all of the incidental suffering of the noncombatant men, women, and children.
The volume is printed in large, clear type. It presents its story within a reasonable compass; and the artisan or the farmer, as well as the financier and the man of great affairs, will find it profitable for study.
Suggestions for Gift Buyers
Don’t waste your money on toys or silly story books that are positively harmful to children. Give them clean, truthful, educational, interesting books like those described below. Such gifts will reflect your good taste and judgment. Hundreds of thousands of children have been delighted with them.
$1.00 WILL BUY ANY ONE OF THESE FOUR BOOKS
UNCLE BEN’S COBBLESTONES
Uncle Ben is loved by all who know him. He has endeared himself to thousands of boys and girls because of his pleasing way of telling about common things, such as the origin and use of fire, smoke, glass, coal, salt, paper, etc. Uncle Ben draws frequent moral lessons from these things of nature, for his purpose is twofold—to impart useful information, and to assist in character building.
221 pages, bound in durable cloth.
ELO THE EAGLE & Other Stories
Everybody loves animals. We never tire of real stories of clever dogs, horses, birds, and the forest denizens. The author of this book has lived close to nature, and has had unusual opportunity to become acquainted with and observe their sly practices and queer antics. Both young and old will be delighted with his tales of furred and feathered friends.
200 pages, handsomely bound in cloth.
THE HOUSE WE LIVE IN
Physiology as generally taught is often uninteresting to children. The author of this book employs the conversational style in presenting studies on the wonders, uses, and functions of the body. Mothers will enjoy this simple and interesting way of teaching their children how to care for their bodies. The many pictures will illustrate the thoughts expressed.
216 pages. Cloth bound.
THE VEGETARIAN COOKBOOK
Written by a vegetarian restaurateur of long experience. The recipes—about 300 of them—are simple and easily followed. The combinations are correct and the foods healthful. Several pages are devoted to tables which show the comparative value of foods. Rules for the proper setting of tables, and instruction concerning the duties of servants, are also given. This book ought to be in every housekeeper’s kitchen. Would make an appreciated gift to mother. Bound in cloth to withstand the hard treatment usually given cookbooks.
Getting well on toward the holidays now. Better order at once, to avoid possible disappointment. Stock is carried by our representative in your state. See list on page 15. Prices 10% higher in Canada.
Pacific Press Publishing Association
Mountain View, California
Desirable Reading Course
THE Young People’s Department of our General Conference is conducting a very desirable reading course. The outline of the course for 1915-16 has reached us. It tells of the “Possibilities in Spare Moments,” and how “Knowledge Is Power.”
A course is presented for both seniors and juniors. Courses are also furnished in the German and Swedish languages.
Encouraging young men and women to build up a library for themselves is one very desirable feature of this reading course. There are many individuals engaged in active work who cannot have the advantages of attending school or college, who may, in their spare moments, educate themselves by following some well planned course of reading.
Those desiring the leaflet giving the outline of the plan, may address the Young People’s Missionary Volunteer Department of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, Takoma Park, Washington, D. C.
The books and the Youth’s Instructor called for in the course may be secured through any of our tract societies, or from the Review and Herald Publishing Association, Takoma Park, Washington, D. C.
Memorial Planned for James B. Angell
Dr. JAMES B. ANGELL, of Ann Arbor, president emeritus of the University of Michigan, is to have a memorial in his honor—a million dollar structure on the campus of the university.
FINE VEGETABLE COOKING OIL and MOTTOES
Bible mottoes are selling as they once did. One agent who has sent in for another 1,000 to-day, says to rush his order. We would like to see many more agents in the field. 200 for $7.50, 1,000 for $25.00, express prepaid.
We are headquarters for fine Vegetable Cooking Oil. Two 5-gallon cans, $7.40. The more you buy, the less the price will be. Hampton Art Co., Nevada, Iowa.
OLIVES, DRIED FRUIT, and NUTS
By A. E. Crist
Large olives, excellent quality, five eighths of an inch to three fourths of an inch, 50-gal. bbl., 55c per gal.; 25 gal. @ 65c; 5 gal. @ 70c; 1 gal. 80c. Canned for keeping through summer in 1-gal. and 5-gal. cans, 10c extra per gal. In one quart cans, $3.00 per doz. One half to five eighths of an inch, 10c less per gal. The fruit is choice grade. Peaches 5½c; figs 5½c; raisins 10c; prunes 8½c; apricots 11c; apples 9c; peanuts 9c, roasted 11c, skinned and salted 20c; almonds 15c and 18c; walnuts 18c; extra fine pure honey, light, gal. $1.00, five gals. $4.00. Satisfaction guaranteed.
A. E. Crist, Chico, California.
OWARI NO FUKUINSHA
By Editor
Japanese
OWARI NO FUKUINSHA
(Gospel for the Last Days)
A special New Year's edition of this magazine, featuring the rise and progress of the message in the United States, together with a more detailed account of the development of our work in the Japanese empire, is being prepared at the office of publication in Japan. The cover will be distinctively Japanese, and the inside pages will be well illustrated with pictures of buildings at the new denominational headquarters in Tokyo, also other illustrations of interest.
The leading points of faith held by Seventh-day Adventists will be presented in a strong way.
Your Japanese neighbors would appreciate gift copies of this beautiful number. 5c a copy in quantities of 5 or more. Order of our representative in your state (see list on page 15) at once, for orders ought to reach Japan early in December.
Gospel Lessons in Geography
By Eliza H. Morton
What the Earth May Teach Us — The Universe a Great Lesson Book
By ELIZA H. MORTON
(All rights reserved)
There was an air of expectancy in the Arnold home one evening as Mrs. Arnold came into the parlor with her Bible in her hands. She had promised the children, Kate and Will, that she would give them a series of gospel lessons supplementary to their regular geography lessons in the public school.
“What is there in the Bible about geography?” asked Kate, with an amused look on her face.
“I do not know,” replied Will, “but I am sure that mother does, and she will tell us all about it.”
Mrs. Arnold smiled, and replied, “The first thing we want to know is, what is the great object of all geographical study? Read Rom. 1:20.”
Tom read, “For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.” What does that mean?
“It means,” said Kate, “that by studying geography, we may learn about God; for there is enough in the natural world to teach us that there is a God.”
“Good!” exclaimed Mrs. Arnold. “You expressed that thought very clearly. The whole physical world is full of object lessons that impart spiritual truths. ‘The earth is God’s universal temple, where everything speaks of His glory.’ Read Job 12:8.”
“Speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee.”
“Yes,” said Mrs. Arnold, “the earth is God’s picture book, illustrating His written word, the Bible. When we study the one in the light of the other, God draws near by His Spirit, and becomes our Teacher. ‘Who is a teacher like unto Him?’ Job 36:22, A. R. V.
“You have learned in Sabbath school how God created the earth through Christ (Col. 1:16), and that we can understand how that was by faith (Heb. 11:3). ‘He spake, and it was done.’ Ps. 33:9. God’s purpose in creating it was that it should be inhabited. Isa. 45:18. It was a perfect world (Gen. 1:31), but soon was marred by sin (Gen. 3:17, 18). It is about the earth thus marred that geography teaches. Yet, in spite of the curse that came because of sin, the earth is still beautiful. You may read the first gospel note, and tell us what it has to do with geography. Gen. 3:15.”
“And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.”
“I think I can tell what that means,” said Will. “It means that through Christ, the power of Satan was broken. I have often bruised the head of a snake beneath my heel; and so Christ will bruise the head of Satan, although Satan may for a time persecute the church of God.”
“I am glad that you remember so well what you have been taught in Sabbath school,” replied Mrs. Arnold. “When man sinned, he cut himself and the earth entirely off from God; but Christ made a connecting link, as I will show you by a blackboard diagram.
“While geography treats of the earth in its relation to man, it should also include the relation of the earth and man to God.
“Geography in its broadest sense is such a description of the earth as ‘will interpret the things of God, and speak of His glory.’”
“What were the special topics in your geography lesson to-day?”
“We studied about the relation of the earth to the universe, and about our solar system.”
“We have seen,” said Mrs. Arnold, “that God has associated spiritual lessons with every object in nature, and He desires us to think of those lessons when we look at the objects. The firmament, with its suns, moons, and stars, is a silent witness that there is a God. Ps. 19:1-6; Job 26:14.”
“You must always bear in mind the fact that nature is not God, as some men affirm, but simply that which God has made.”
“The earth, compared with the universe, is but as a grain of sand on the seashore. Jer. 33:22. Its vastness shows the infinity of its Maker. God counts the stars, and knows the name of each. Ps. 147:4.”
“Yes,” replied Kate; “and I have been thinking, as you read that passage of Scripture, that the smallest thing on earth is not beneath God’s notice; for He counts the hairs of our head, and notices when a sparrow falls to the ground.”
“That is true,” said Mrs. Arnold; “and as God has a plan for each star (Job 38:31, 32), so also He has a plan for each life. One must, however, cooperate with God in working out the plan of his life, if he would have it perfected. The earth is the workshop, and Christ is the perfect pattern.”
“While talking about the universe,” said Will, “we might speak of the beauty of the stars. It says in 1 Cor. 15:41 that ‘one star differeth from another star in glory.’ I wonder what that means.”
“It means,” replied Mrs. Arnold, “that each one has its own distinctive individuality. When viewed through a telescope, they show all the colors of the rainbow, and fill the mind with delight. They are as beautiful in detail and finish as the flowers of the earth.”
“We talked about the sun at school,” said Kate. “I wonder if we can find any spiritual lesson in that.”
“Yes,” said Mrs. Arnold. “Our sun is the controlling center of our solar system; and as it is upheld by God, so we may be kept from sin by God’s power. Heb. 1:3; Isa. 41:10.”
“Our sun is a light-bearer. It reflects light from God. When we sit down in the sunlight, we sit down in God’s glory.”
“Our solar system may be compared to a family. As there are many solar systems in the universe, so there are many families on the earth. God cares for all; but there is one special family, to which if we do not belong, we are not light-bearers for Him. Eph. 3:15; Luke 16:13.”
“I think,” said Will, “that there is a lesson in the fact that the sun shines alike on the evil and on the good.”
“But the Sun of Righteousness does not shine with saving power on the wicked,” said Kate.
“No,” replied Mrs. Arnold; “one must yield one’s self to its influence in order to be benefited by it. John 1:9, 12.”
“I read something the other day,” said Will, “that has a bearing on this subject. It was to the effect that our earth, compared with the other planets, is neither the largest nor the smallest, neither the swiftest nor the slowest, neither the warmest nor the coldest; yet it is the one world that Christ came down from heaven to redeem from sin—the one lost sheep.”
“That is to the point,” said Mrs. Arnold. “It is a beautiful thought, also, that this earth where Jesus suffered and died will eventually be honored above all the other worlds, for God’s throne will be here. Rev. 22:3.”
“We shall not have time to carry this subject farther this evening. Next time, we will take up the same topics you have in your school.”
“What a delightful evening we have had!” exclaimed the children.
A Time to Laugh
By George B. Starr
The Health-Giving Blessing of Proper Laughter
Times Not to Laugh
By GEORGE B. STARR
“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; . . . a time to weep, and a time to laugh; . . . a time to keep silence, and a time to speak.” — Solomon. Eccl. 3:1, 2, 4, and 7.
God, who made the innocent child and the matured man with powers to laugh, and connected with laughter health-giving enjoyment, and made laughter the avenue through which expression was to be given to pleasure, happiness, gladness, and appreciation; certainly designed that all members of the human family should laugh. The power to laugh is one of the features that distinguishes man from the brute creation. Jesus Christ Himself was anointed “with the oil of gladness” above His fellows (Heb. 1:9); and that by God the Father.
LAUGHTER IS HEALTHFUL
Laughter at the proper time, and about proper things — clean, pure, sweet, innocent, and truly funny things — is a most healthful exercise, and is one of the symptoms of a healthy condition of mind and heart and body. Moroseness, continued sadness, imagining that happiness and laughter are sinful, are symptoms of a diseased condition. “A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.” Prov. 15:13. “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.” Prov. 17:22. A heavy, broken, sorrowful spirit hinders the formation of the red blood corpuscles.
Mealtime is a good time to laugh. Laughing then aids digestion.
Laugh with the children in the early morning and at bedtime. It will help to keep sickness out of the home, and so make “the outgoings of the evenings and mornings to rejoice as do our bird neighbors.”751
TIMES NOT TO LAUGH
As there is “a time to laugh,” so there are times when laughter is altogether inappropriate and untimely.
It is not fitting to laugh in the presence of death, or a great calamity, or a great misfortune. Only fools laugh at such times. Funeral occasions are not times to laugh. And last, but not least, the church service is no time to laugh. Nor is it appropriate or permissible for a minister of the gospel to introduce into his discourses that which will create merriment or laughter.
The good common sense of propriety on the part of the best of the world's folk of all lands is shocked at any attempt, on the part of one representing the sacred calling of the ministry, to introduce into a discourse that which will create levity in any degree; and such an attempt is not offset by an effort to play upon the emotions and cause weeping during the same service. It is a commingling of the sacred and the common, forbidden by the word of God, and should be frowned down by any audience. “What is the object of the ministry? Is it to mix the comical with the religious? . . . If Christ is formed within, if the truth with its sanctifying power is brought into the inner sanctuary of the soul, you will not have jolly men, neither will you have sour, cross, crabbed men, to teach the precious lessons of Christ to perishing souls.” “A jovial minister in the pulpit, or one who is stretching beyond his measure to win praise, is a spectacle that crucifies the Son of God afresh, and puts Him to open shame.” — “Special Counsel to Ministers,” pages 2 and 5.
Voice of Prophecy
By Editor
THE nations will “prepare war” when the day of the Lord is near. Joel 3: 9-16. What about preparedness that we hear so much about nowadays? This prophecy, and one found in Revelation 16, are made use of by Prof. George W. Rine in his “War, Peace, and Prophecy” article, which appears in the Signs of the Times Magazine for December.
If but one or two or even three last-day prophecies fitted the times, it might be possible for unbelievers to explain them away; but there is no room for doubt when not a few, but many — nearly all — have actually met their fulfillment.
Specializing on the prophecies is what distinguishes the Signs Magazine from most periodicals of the day. Read it regularly.
For we have seen his star
Besides “War, Peace, and Prophecy,” this month’s number tells the truth about the churches of to-day—declension of spirituality, cause of weakness, only possible remedy—shows from the Bible that the present perilous times were predicted, contains a very instructive and interesting article entitled “Prophecy and Progress.” You will find these questions quite fully presented also: Sunday Observance, the Sabbath of the New Testament, the Curse of the Common Cold (good to keep for reference), and an array of well selected current events.
The December number is only one reason why you should read the Signs Magazine regularly. There will be twelve other equally good reasons during 1916. $1.00 is all it will cost you for the twelve numbers. Get four other persons to send in their subscriptions with yours. $3.00 for the five to separate names and addresses. Premium offer: Signs Magazine one year, and a copy of the cloth-bound book “Questions and Answers,” for $1.50.
Address our representative in your state (see list on this page), or
Signs of the Times Magazine
Mountain View, California
The New Birth Revealed in Christian Character
“WHEN the people of God experience the new birth, their honesty, their uprightness, their fidelity, their steadfast principles, will unfailingly reveal it.”
