Earlier text: Our Publishing WorkThe Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollar Fund
By Arthur G. Daniells
For Special Work at Home and Abroad SOME weeks ago I reported through the columns of the REVIEW the plan adopted by the churches in the District of Columbia for raising their share of the $150,000. In that report it was stated that there were 467 members in the District, and that on the basis of an equal sum from each church-member in the United States, the amount to be raised in the District was $1,181.51. Owing to certain conditions, it was decided by the District Committee to request the churches that would take part in this effort to place the amount for each member to raise at $4 instead of $2.53, the exact sum that would be required from each providing all the members paid an equal sum. Then there was placed on blackboards for the different churches, a block of small squares. There was a square for each member of the church, and each square represented the sum of $4. On the first Sabbath in December this matter was presented to the churches of the District in the regular services. Short, earnest talks were given on the needs of God's cause, and the spiritual as well as temporal blessings that come to us as a result of giving. It was then explained that each square on the board represented $4, that there was a square for every member of the church, and that every square should be taken by the church. The members began immediately to respond; and as fast as squares were taken, the names of those who took them were written down, and the squares were crossed off. In the regular service of the day, which lasted only about an hour and a half, nearly every square was taken, all of which represented the full amount to be raised. This made our people rejoice, “for the thing was done suddenly.” 2 Chron. 2:36. Within a few days, more than our share was provided for. The members were given forty days to raise the sums they promised to pay. It was pointed out that by laying aside ten cents a day for each square during that time, they could pay the sum promised. Collectors were appointed to collect this money each week or month. It is now fifty days since this obligation was assumed by our brethren and sisters, and nearly one thousand dollars has been paid into the General Conference treasury. The small amount unpaid may be in the hands of the collectors, or may be ready for them to gather up. No doubt the whole sum could have been paid in by the expiration of the forty days if a special effort had been made by the collectors to do so. This is a plan that works. It works smoothly. There was no friction, nothing unseemly, and nothing unpleasant about it. It works quickly. In one hour and thirty minutes practically the whole sum was provided for, and in sixty days it will all have been raised. It works successfully. It materializes. It produces just what is wanted,—the money. The District Committee, the church officers, and the brethren and sisters are happy over the fact that in so short a time this task is performed. No one has been overtaxed. All are now ready for the next thing. I believe that the experience of the churches in the District of Columbia could have been the experience of all our churches if they had worked on the same plan. It is not too late now to adopt this plan in many of our conferences. A letter has just come from a conference president, in which he says:— I want to say, Elder Daniells, I have become fully converted to your plan of raising the $150,000 fund. We held Thanksgiving day services at ——, and I presided at the meeting. We took up a special collection each Sabbath during the month of December; all told, the collections amounted to only $25.80. We have 69 members, and I know of one family that gave $10 of this $25.80. Last Sabbath we took up the block plan, and when we closed the service, not only 69 blocks had been taken, but two additional blocks had been taken, making 71 in all. A number of the members were not present. I spent the Sabbath prior in ——, and by request took up the block plan in that church, where the fund had not been presented at all. They have 150 names upon their records. When the services closed, we had taken 154 blocks. There were only about 80 present. I think this is just an ideal way of securing the funds, because it interests the young people who are not members, to agree to take squares, and thus they become interested in missionary work. This is a clear, practical illustration of the way the plan works. I earnestly recommend it to every conference president, minister, and church elder in his effort to assist in raising this fund. The 150,000 Fund
By W. J. Stone
WE are very glad to see this fund growing, and we trust that every Seventh-day Adventist will take a special interest in raising this money. It is not a large amount, and we shall feel glad that we have had a part in this work when it is completed. If not then, we shall rejoice when we see, in the kingdom of God, souls saved by these gifts which have aided our publishing houses in sending forth the light of present truth, and the completion of a sanitarium at Washington, where we hope some of our legislators will hear and accept the truth; and also the different fields where this fund will be distributed. What an impetus this money will give this message if raised at once to push forward these different enterprises. Must our work in Chile, where our headquarters at Valparaiso were recently destroyed by earthquake, lag because we will not do what we are well able to do? and shall our school in the West Indies wait and wait on account of our tardiness? There are many young people waiting to get a better preparation for the work, and they are most anxious that their school be established at once. The same is true in England, Canada, and other places where this fund is to be distributed. God is placing his seal on the work. Will any withhold their gifts and hinder the work of God because they can not have their way? Will God approve of such a course? We may retard the work a little; but if we will not give, God will put in into the hearts of others to give, and they will receive the blessing that we might have had; but can we afford it? I am certain we can not. The Door Closing Forever
By J. S. Washburn
IN a Testimony written April 27, 1899, occurs the following: “I awoke, but my soul was burdened. I felt that peculiar trials were to come upon the people of God. Then was presented before me the situation in the Southern field. The work which should have been done in that field has not been done.” Under date of July 2, 1899, appear these words: “That which might have been done years ago in the South can not now be done.” Seven years and six months ago the Lord declared through his servant that some opportunities even then were closed forever. Since that time we fear that other doors have been shut and locked, never to be opened; and it is a terrible truth that the situation in the South is becoming more difficult, and that the time must come soon when our work shall be finished here. We gaze, as it were, into a room where the great need appeals to us, as messengers of the last message of salvation. Helpless hands are reached out for that which alone can save, enlighten, and deliver. But O, the door is slowly swinging shut, never to open! Who will work for the South now? Who will give of his means, if he can not give himself and his entire service, to accomplish that which must be done in the South before the Lord comes? J. S. WASHBURN. The Wayfarer
By Ella M. Robinson
“O the hope of Israel, the savior thereof in time of trouble, why shouldest thou be as a stranger in the land, and as a wayfaring man that turneth aside to tarry for a night?” I SEE HIM; yes, I see amid the throng
The One whom I have sought for many a day;
I’ll hasten to his side ere he be gone,
And ask him to abide with me to-day;
I hope—I know he will not turn away. And then perchance he longer will abide;
For why should he in whom all hearts delight
Be as a stranger,—one who turns aside,—
A wayfarer who tarries for a night,
And then is gone before the morning light? The Saviour of us all in time of need—
How can we careless of his presence be?
Although his heart of pitying love doth bleed
For human love and human sympathy,
They must entreat who’d have his company. And when we slight his love, divine, serene,
And seek the jostling, jesting crowd once more,
We find that he has slipped away unseen.
Can he who Calvary’s awful torture bore,
And cruel taunts, endure for us no more? And is this why he hastes away?—Ah, no;
He knows ’twere best that we seek patiently
To find the blessing he would fain bestow.
He yearns for us;—divinest mystery
That he, the Prince of heaven, should so love me! And so I plead: “O, never leave me more!
Though from thy presence I should turn away;
Though I should slight thee, as so oft before;
E’en though this heart deceitfully should say,
‘Depart,’ still, blessed Master, stay!
O stay!” “When thou art gone, my heart is lone and chill;
No mockery of pleasure giveth rest,
And naught I find the empty void to fill.
Ah, then I know, of all, I loved thee best,
And turn again to thee for peace and rest.” MRS. E. G. WHITE
By Ellen G. White
Self-Denial—Self-Sacrifice
How many there are who accept Christ, and apparently live a Christian life, until their circumstances change! Perhaps they come into the possession of property. Thus God tests them, to see if they will be wise stewards. But they fail to endure the proving. They use for self-gratification that which they should devote to feeding the hungry and clothing the naked. In want and distress, God's children are calling to him. Many are dying for want of the necessaries of life. Their cries have entered the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. He will call to a strict account those who have neglected his needy ones. What will these selfish rich men do when the Lord asks them, "What did you do with the money I gave you to use for me?" "These shall go away into everlasting punishment." The Lord will say to them, "Depart from me, ye cursed; . . . for I was an hungered, and ye gave me no meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink; I was a stranger, and ye took me not in; naked, and ye clothed me not; sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not." The wails of a world's sorrow are heard all around us. Sin is casting its shadow over us. Let us make ourselves ready to co-operate with the Lord. The pleasure and power of this world will pass away. No one can carry his earthly treasures into the eternal world. But the life spent in doing the will of God will abide forever. The result of that which is given to advance the work of God will be seen in the kingdom of God. There is a world to be warned. To us has been entrusted this work. At any cost we must practise the truth. We are to stand as self-sacrificing minutemen, willing to suffer the loss of life itself, if need be, in the service of God. There is a great work to be done in a short time. We need to understand our work, and to do it with fidelity. Every one who is finally crowned victor will, by noble, determined effort to serve God, have earned the right to be clothed with Christ's righteousness. To enter the crusade against Satan, bearing aloft the blood-stained banner of the cross of Christ—this is the duty of every Christian. This work calls for self-sacrifice. Self-denial and the cross stand all along the way of life. "He that will come after me," Christ said, "let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." Those who secure the treasures of this world are obliged to toil and sacrifice. Should those who are seeking for an eternal reward think that they need make no sacrifices? The most difficult sermon to preach and the hardest to practise is self-denial. The greedy sinner, self, closes the door to the good which might be done, but which is not done because money is invested for selfish purposes. But it is impossible for any one to retain the favor of God and enjoy communion with the Saviour, and at the same time be indifferent to the interests of his fellow beings who have no life in Christ, who are perishing in their sins. Christ has left us a wonderful example of self-sacrifice. He pleased not himself, but spent his life in the service of others. He made sacrifices at every step, sacrifices which none of his followers can ever make, because they have never occupied the position he occupied before he came to this earth. He was commander of the heavenly host, but he came here to suffer for sinners. He was rich, yet for our sakes he became poor, that through his poverty we might be made rich. Because he loved us, he laid aside his glory and took upon him the form of a servant. He gave his life for us. What are we giving for him? Shall we not, in the new year just before us, consecrate ourselves entirely to him? Shall we not make him a New-year's offering of a portion of the means he has given us? As we follow him in the path of self-denial, lifting the cross and bearing it after him to his Father's home, we shall reveal in our lives the beauty of the Christ-life. At the altar of self-sacrifice,—the appointed place of meeting between God and the soul,—we receive from the hand of God the celestial torch which searches the heart, revealing the need of an abiding Christ. The Minister's Visit
By Daniel Nettleton
It was about the year 1865. We were living on our homestead in Nebraska. There were no railroads west of the Missouri River at that time. Nebraska was a territory, and Omaha its capital. We were in the wild West. The Indian's wigwam and the coyote's call were familiar. But the church bell call to prayer and the gospel hymns of praise were sounds unheard. Settlers came, and soon all the “claims” were taken. Then came also the pioneer Methodist preacher, the man that has done more to make the great Methodist Church what it is to-day than any other agency. He held meetings in the home of one of our neighbors, then organized a Sunday-school. Later he held a revival or “protracted meeting” in our schoolhouse. There was no prayer or hymn of praise in father's home then. My parents were worldly people, “strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world.” But we attended the meetings, and the minister came to our home. I shall never forget his visit. When his horse was cared for, he entered our home, with saddle-bags on his arm, in which were his Bible, hymn-book, and gospel tracts. He talked with us a little about the weather and crops, but much about Jesus and his great salvation. He read in the Book of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused us to understand the reading. Then he sang one of those blessed gospel hymns, through which the Spirit of God finds access to the heart. Then he knelt with us and prayed, and as he prayed, his voice and countenance were altered. He wept over our sins, as9 Jesus wept over Jerusalem. He prayed not God to have mercy on us, and send repentance and peace to this house. He was not the only one who wept. God touched our hearts, and answered his prayer. That day salvation came to our house. He spoke to us children, laid his hands on our heads, and blessed us. Many years have passed since then, but that blessing is still on my head. He gave us some good tracts, and we subscribed for a religious paper. All fictitious reading was put away from our home, and such books as the Holy Bible, “Pilgrim's Progress,” “Saints' Rest,” etc., took their place. That minister's visit was an “Ebenezer” to our home, for there the Lord “helped us,” and blessed us. Dear brethren, let us go and do likewise. Let us visit our neighbors, speak to them kindly of Jesus' coming and kingdom, take them our good tracts and papers, pray with them, sing the glorious advent hymns, and thus seek and save that which is lost. Read Matt. 25: 31-45. Observe that these words of Christ were spoken concerning his coming and kingdom. “He is not willing that any should perish. Jesus, enthroned in the glory above, loved our poor fallen world, pitied our sorrows, poured out his life for us. Wonderful love!” A Blessing to Individuals
By Wm. Covert
A Blessing to Individuals
1. When Jesus was approaching the time of his sacrifice, and was preparing the minds of his disciples for the trying ordeal, what sweet promise did he make to them? “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever.” John 14: 16. 2. How was this Spirit to be related to God’s people? “Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world can not receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.” John 14: 17. 3. What important service does it render to the child of God? “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” John 14: 26. 4. Who sends the Comforter, and from whence? “When the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me.” John 15: 26. 5. By what power alone can man be made conscious of sin and also of righteousness? “Nevertheless I tell you the truth: It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.” John 16: 7, 8. 6. John 16: 9 shows that the primary cause of sin is unbelief. “Of sin, because they believe not on me.” 7. The fact that Jesus ascended to the Father and remains in heaven is evidence to his followers that his righteousness avails for them. This may be seen by reading John 16: 10. “Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more.” 8. It is through the Spirit that the Christian is to be guided in the truth, and by it he is enabled to comprehend the things which belong to Christ. He is actually made a Christian through the power and enlightenment of the Holy Spirit, as may be seen by studying John 16: 13-15. “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak, and he will show you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall show it unto you.” 9. What legacy does the Spirit bring as a gift from Jesus? “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14: 27. 10. Who will be kept in perfect peace? and why? “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” Isa. 26: 3. 11. What will this blessed peace do for the believer? “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4: 7. 12. Who is declared to be the author of this peace? “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.” 1 Cor. 14: 33. 13. In what way will this gift direct us? “To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” Luke 1: 79. 14. Our Father in heaven is called the God of peace. “Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant.” Heb. 13: 20. 15. What great and blessed share do all who keep God’s commandments have in this wonderful peace? “Great peace have they which love thy law: nothing shall offend them.” Ps. 119: 165. GEO. B. THOMPSON
By George B. Thompson
In Rev. 20: 1-9 is brought to view the millennial period, the time during which Satan is to be bound, and in which, according to Millennial Dawn teaching, there will be a “second chance” for sinners, and righteousness will fill the earth. The following two brief extracts set forth their position:— “But God’s plan will not always be shrouded in mystery: the dawn of the millennial day brings the fuller light of God to men, and ‘the knowledge of the Lord shall fill the whole earth.’ The Sun of Righteousness, which shall arise with healing in his wings, dispelling the darkness of ignorance, is the Christ in millennial glory—not the Head alone, but also the members of his body; for it is written: If we suffer with him, we shall also be glorified together. ‘When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall we also appear with him in glory;’ and ‘then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father.’” “Thus the work will progress during the millennial age, until every creature, of every nature, in heaven and in earth, will be praising and serving God in conformity with the lines of perfect obedience. The universe will then be clean; for in that day ‘it shall come to pass that the soul that will not hear that Prophet shall be cut off from among the people’—in the second death. Acts 3: 22, 23.”—‘Plan of the Ages,’ pages 86, 243. In a previous article it was, we think, clearly shown that during the thousand years mentioned in Rev. 20: 5 (which is the time in which it is claimed there is to be another probation) the wicked, instead of being alive and under the influence of the gospel, are dead. They are not resurrected until the close of this millennial period. They remain in their graves during that time. This settles forever the question as to a probation for sinners during the millennial period. In this article, however, we wish to notice briefly the condition of the earth during the millennium, from which it will be clearly seen that there can not be probation for any one on the earth during this time. The Bible contains uncontrovertable evidence sustaining a literal resurrection of all, both righteous and wicked. “All that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth.” John 5: 28, 29. Without a resurrection, they that are “fallen asleep in Christ are perished.” But while all are to be raised from the dead, all are not resurrected at the same time. There will be two resurrections, as before shown, occurring one thousand years apart. The first resurrection, which occurs at the coming of Christ, is called the “resurrection of the just.” Luke 14: 13, 14. Only those who have been accounted in the investigative judgment to be “just,” those who are “blessed and holy,” have any part in this sublime event. “For the Lord himself10 shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” 1 Thess. 4: 16, 17. When Jesus comes, the elect, instead of remaining here during the one thousand years to preach the gospel to sinners, leave the earth; they are “caught up” to meet the Lord in the air. Not a single saint of God remains here on the earth. And we are not left in doubt as to where they are taken. “And I saw thrones, and they [the resurrected and translated saints] sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshiped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.” Rev. 20: 4. These thrones are not on the earth, but in heaven. Instead of preaching the gospel to the antediluvians, Sodomites, etc., the redeemed are sitting on thrones of judgment. They are determining, in conjunction with Christ and holy angels, the degree of punishment Satan and his angels and each lost soul is to receive. 1 Cor. 6: 2, 3. The destiny of all having been irrevocably fixed in the judgment, all that remains is to carry into effect the sentence which is written. But what about the wicked during this time? Of those who are in the grave, we are told that they “lived not again until the thousand years were finished.” Rev. 20: 5. And what about those living in sin when the Lord appears at the beginning of the thousand years? “And to you that are afflicted rest with us, at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with the angels of his power in flaming fire, rendering vengeance to them that know not God, and to them that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus: who shall suffer punishment, even eternal destruction from the face of the Lord and from the glory of his might.” 2 Thess. 1: 7-9, A. R. V. Because they failed to “obey” the gospel when it was preached, they are now visited with “vengeance,” or “eternal destruction.” This is vastly different from a “second probation.” It is of this time which the prophet Jeremiah speaks when he portrays before us this terrible scene: “And the slain of Jehovah shall be at that day [the coming of the Lord] from one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth: they shall not be lamented, neither gathered, nor buried; they shall be dung upon the face of the ground.” Jer. 25: 33. This is not descriptive of the work of grace upon the heart, during a glorious millennial age, when a power against which it is “vain to resist” is changing the stormy, sinful passions of men’s hearts. Having been left here in the earth when all the saints were “caught up,” their day of salvation is passed forever, and they are destroyed by the brightness of the glory attending the coming of Christ. This same prophet gives us a further description of the earth at this time, in which our Millennial Dawn friends tell us the “fuller light of God to men” is shining forth in the earth: “I beheld the earth, and, lo, it was waste and void, and the heavens, and they had no light. I beheld the mountains, and, lo, they trembled, and all the hills moved to and fro. I beheld, and, lo, there was no man, and all the birds of the heavens were fled. I beheld, and, lo, the fruitful field was a wilderness, and all the cities thereof were broken down at the presence of Jehovah, and before his fierce anger.” Jer. 4: 23-26. Here is a description of such a scene of chaos and darkness as reigned only before the fiat of the Almighty gave birth to light. The earth is not filled with a numberless horde of the resurrected wicked, but is entirely depopulated, for there is “no man.” The saints are all in heaven, and the wicked are all dead. What could more clearly show that the doctrine of a “second probation” is entirely foreign to the Bible. Men may plan about it, but in God’s “plan of the ages” it has no part. The seer of Patmos has also given us a graphic description of the terrible scenes which take place when the Lord comes, and the one thousand years begin. In Rev. 14: 14 is given a description of the coming of the Lord on the white cloud. The time of the harvest has come, and an angel bids him thrust in his sickle and reap. “And he that sat on the cloud cast his sickle upon the earth; and the earth was reaped.” The sheaves from that great reaping are gathered into the heavenly garner, they are “caught up” to God and to his throne. But what about the unbelievers? Do they have another opportunity? Listen: “And the angel cast his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vintage of the earth [the wicked], and cast it into the wine-press, the great wine-press, of the wrath of God.” Rev. 14: 19. The gospel, like dew and sunshine, has ripened both the wheat and the tares, and in the end of the world the wheat is gathered into the heavenly garner, while the tares are gathered and burned in the fire. Matt. 13: 36-43. Once more the exiled prophet portrays before us the scene which attends the coming of Jesus, and the beginning of the millennial period. Having given us a glorious description of the time when he comes as King of kings, followed by all the armies which are in heaven, to take his people unto himself, the scene changes, and our attention is directed to sinners. Do they have another chance?—No, indeed! “And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in mid-heaven, Come and be gathered together unto the great supper of God; that ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses and of them that sit thereon, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, and small and great.” Rev. 19: 17, 18. The beast, the false prophet, and all the image worshipers “were cast alive” into the lake of fire. It seems unnecessary to multiply further evidence on this point, as it must be clear to all who study these scriptures, that there is no hope held out to man of another age in which the gospel will be proclaimed. To-day is the day of salvation. T. E. BOWEN
By T. E. BOWEN
In Jude we are told that in the last days, when the enemy of all righteousness shall work with all deceivableness of unrighteousness, the people of God will be in danger of being enticed into following in the way of Balaam, who “ran greedily” after a reward. Because of that, Balaam is classed by the inspired pen of Jude among such ones as Cain and Korah, men positively ranged on the side of opposition to the work of God. As Jude points out this danger to the people of God living in “the last time,” it certainly will not be unprofitable to consider the work of Balaam, and its result upon God’s chosen people of his time. Balaam was not a false prophet. This is proved by referring to Num. 24:4. Speaking of Balaam, it says, “He hath said, which heard the words of God, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open.” He heard the words of the Almighty,—words that can not lie. He saw a vision given him by God. He heard what God had said about his people. He knew the will of God concerning them, that they were to inhabit the fertile country just across the Jordan. All these things Balaam knew, and yet there was something in his mind of greater worth than all this revelation of the Almighty concerning his purposes for Israel. After long years of weary wandering about in the wilderness, Israel had been led at last by the pillar of cloud to the plains of Moab, on the east side of Jordan, just opposite Jericho. They already had begun the conquest of the promised land, having slain Og, the king of Bashan, and Sihon, king of the Amorites. The next event on the program was to cross the Jordan into the long-looked-forward-to land of promise. Nestled in perfect order upon the plains of Moab, the encampment of Israel presented a most imposing sight; so much so that Balak, the king of the Moabites, was very much disturbed by their presence, although Israel was to have nothing to do with Moab at this time. God had commanded them not to touch Moab, yet of course Balak knew nothing of this. Balak sent a request to Balaam to11 come and curse Israel. Balak’s messengers went to Balaam “with the rewards of divination in their hand.” These messengers found Balaam and delivered unto him the message. Balaam entertained them overnight, and told them he would tell them the words of God concerning the matter “as the Lord shall speak unto me.” Before Balaam asked the Lord about the matter, God told him what to tell these messengers. “And God came unto Balaam [not Balaam unto God], and said, What men are these with thee?” Then Balaam gave the Lord the contents of the message from Balak. “And God said unto Balaam, thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed.” This was a very simple, direct message, which should have at once ended the whole affair. Balak wanted Balaam to come to him. God’s direct answer was, “Thou shalt not go with them.” Balak wanted him, after he was come to him, to curse Israel. God said clearly and emphatically, “Thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed.” Balaam spoke to the messengers in the morning his own words, saying, “Get you into your land: for the Lord refuseth to give me leave to go with you.” He had said he would bring them the words of God, but he did not. He smoothed it down by saying, “The Lord refuseth to let me go.” As much as to say, “I would be very glad to go with you, but God objects, and so I can not.” Then more honorable messengers, with greater presents, were sent. Mind, Balak had no connection with God. He could not get word from God direct. But Balaam admitted that God had spoken to him. A message direct from heaven!—not prized very much by Balaam to be sure, but greatly prized by Balak. Balaam was flattered by the king’s word, “I wot that he whom thou blessest is blessed.” But Balak was after a word from God against Israel. In this he was greatly disappointed. The weak, vacillating prophet, when he opened his mouth, had to speak what God said, and God blessed Israel. After repeated trials, God at last said to Balak through Balaam: “God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? Behold, I have received commandment to bless: and he hath blessed; I can not reverse it. He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath he seen perverseness in Israel: the Lord his God is with him, and the shout of a king is among them.” Balaam spoke the words of God,—true, unchangeable words,—but he goes down upon the sacred history with infamy attached to his name, because at heart he was not right with God. He tried to please the enemies of God’s people, and at the same time pose as true to God. He said in vision, “Let me die the death of the righteous [an Israelite], and let my last end be like his,” but this prayer never was answered. Just before Moses’ death, the Lord told him to avenge Israel of the Midianites. During this battle Balaam and the kings of the Midianites were slain by the sword of Israel. But Balaam’s counsel to Balak gave some hint how Israel might be defeated. Could they be led into sin, then their blessing would be changed. Thus, Moses tells us, came about the great plague when twenty-four thousand of Israel perished, and this, too, after they had endured the long wilderness pilgrimage, and were about to enter the promised land. Moses, in meeting the warriors as they returned from the battle of the Midianites, saw they had saved all the women alive, and said, “Have ye saved all the women alive? Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the Lord in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the Lord.” Israel was enticed in some manner into the worship of the Moabites. They sacrificed with them to their gods. “And the people [Israel] did eat, and bowed down to their [Moab’s] gods. And Israel joined himself unto Baal-peor: and the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel.” God is still with his people. He is directing them what to do. He expects that we shall obey implicitly what he tells us to do. The warning of Balaam is before us. If we are set to have our way, God may permit us to have it, though a foot may be crushed against a wall in the Lord’s endeavor to arouse us to see we are in opposition to him. If we still go on, Balaam’s fate is before us also. He died the death of the alien, apart from God, among God’s avowed enemies, unhonored, and covered with disgrace. But think of the awful results of his evil counsel! Thousands in Israel fell, and that, too, in sight of the promised land. Reader, is your heart fixed to serve God? Is there in your heart a desire to do differently than what God says Israel ought to do? If so, rest not one moment until that thing is obliterated from your soul. Plead with God until the victory is gained, and you know that rather than disobey God you would choose death. This is the obedience of the Son, and this only is the obedience that will pass the final test for admittance into the kingdom of God. Iniquity “shall not rise up the second time.” And a tested people God will have. Let us beware of the doctrine of Balaam (see Rev. 2:14), and thus escape the woe pronounced upon those who follow his example in doing contrary to the plain words of the Lord. Let us take good heed to cleave unto the Lord and love the Lord our God with all our hearts, harkening unto the voice of his word. This shall be our glory among the people: the Lord is nigh unto this people. “For them that honor me I will honor,” saith the Lord. Takoma Park, Washington, D. C. “The Light of Thy Countenance”
By J. C. Brower
Moses, Israel's sage, was commanded by the Lord to instruct Aaron and his sons how they should bless the people of God. One of the most gracious, most beautiful, indeed one of the sublimest benedictions ever pronounced is then given. Knowing that this is the Lord's desire toward every one of his people, how can they do anything but his will? This benediction is found in the following words:— “The Lord bless thee, and keep thee:
“The Lord make his face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee;
“The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.”
He who walks day by day in the light of God's countenance need not fear what man may devise, for the Lord will thwart everything that is not for the good of his people. He who knows that the Lord's countenance is upon him must flash that light upon his fellow men. No more can he hide the Lord's countenance when it shines upon him, than Moses could keep his face from shining, or Zacharias when he went up to minister in the temple in his course, and the people perceived that he had been blessed of Jehovah. We can not be lighted and conceal it, neither can man retain such light without reflecting it. The Saviour of men, for this reason, declared, “Ye are the light of the world.” David, in the rapture of his soul, as he longed for that close relation between himself and his God, cried, “Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.” Ps. 4:6. And the Lord heard and answered that cry. So he will do by us if we really desire it. “Ye are the light of the world.” But how many have ever considered what this means? Do we desire titles? Who ever, of earthly princes, was so gloriously titled as the child of God? If lighted with his glorious countenance, we are “ambassadors,” “saints of the Most High,” “a friend of God,” “a chosen people,” “a royal priesthood,” “an holy nation,” “kings and priests,” “sons of God.” We are to the world what lighthouses are to ships voyaging upon the ocean from one country to another. An Eddystone is placed upon a rock-bound coast. Its function is to warn vessels, that they may avoid being wrecked. Our mission, by the Lord's strength, is to keep fellow voyagers from drifting on the rocks—from the fate that would have been ours but for the Lord's mercies, the light of his countenance upon us, yea, “that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” God Is Ever Present With You
“God is ever present with you, if you trust in him. What strength and encouragement are there in that thought! In a moment when in need, or under stress, you can turn to the Rock of refuge.”