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Review and Herald, Vol. 61, No. 46.

RIGHT METHODS IN LABOR

Review and Herald

Nov 18, 1884

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 18, 1884

RIGHT METHODS IN LABOR.

By Ellen G. White

BY MRS. E. G. WHITE.
Ministers, canvassers, colporters, and other laborers in the cause, should be careful to meet the responsibilities that God has laid upon them. Their course of action will mold the churches that have their labor; therefore there should be diligent heart-searching to see whether they are in the love of God, whether Christ is dwelling in them by living faith.
The standard of Bible religion has been greatly lowered. To confess Christ is not what many suppose it to be; and the lax ideas that prevail on this subject have affected ministers as well as people. Personal conflicts and victories will make up the experience of every child of God. But how many there are who profess Christ, and yet know nothing of this Christian warfare. They make no advancement in the Christian life after their baptismal vows are taken. It is not considered essential to carry their religion into their every-day life, into all their business and social relations; and with many, personal experience in the things of God come to an end when they unite with the church.
A worldly religion is now current; and the minister has a work to do to arouse a sleepy, indolent, world-loving church from their dangerous slumbers. If he is a true servant of Christ, he will not cease his prayers, he will not cease his efforts, until every member of his flock has been brought into working order. He will not, if he is a true educator, think to do all the work himself, but will show skill in bringing out and developing the talent that is within his reach. The people must be taught to labor in the vineyard of the Lord, and this is the minister’s great work. All power belongs to God; but he has chosen human instrumentalities to do his work in the earth. Here is something to call into active exercise all the powers which men and women possess, whether mental or physical. They have no right to bury their talents in worldly enterprises, thus depriving the Creator of the service which is his due.
The work of God must be carried forward in the earth, and that which he has determined must be accomplished. But the Lord is just, merciful, and good; he requires nothing of his servants which they cannot do,—nothing but that it is for their interest to do. Sometimes ministers do too much; they seek to embrace the whole work in their arms. It absorbs and dwarfs them; yet they continue to grasp it all. They seem to think that they alone are to work in the cause of God, while the members of the church stand idle. This is not God’s order at all. Jesus inquires of these unemployed ones, “Why stand ye here all the day idle?” And his word of command to them is, “Go ye also into the vineyard.”
Christ is our living head, and we are the members of his body, mutually dependent. It is not his plan that a single member shall become weak for want of exercise. If one member suffers, all the members suffer with it. If one member is honored or enlightened, all the members rejoice with it. Every member receives life from Christ, the living head, “from whom the whole body, fitly framed and knit together through that which every joint supplieth, according to the working in due measure of each several part, maketh the increase of the body unto the building up of itself in love.” “The eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee,” for “unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.” “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ; till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.”
Thus it is plainly stated that each member is to be active, and to use his ability to the utmost for the upbuilding of Christ’s kingdom in the earth. We each have an individuality in our work, but not separate and distinct from our brethren. A living link unites the people of God, and makes them one in spirit, one in knowledge, and one in love to God and their fellow-men. They are branches of the Living Vine, and are partakers of its sap and nourishment. Every branch in the Vine is expected to be fruit-bearing. Said Jesus, “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.”
It is not the will of God that any should perish, but that all should come to a knowledge of the truth, and be saved. And if men and women would unselfishly do the work which God has left for them, not shirking responsibilities, the gospel would be brought within the reach of all. Let none be content to drink of the life-giving fountain themselves, but let them extend the invitation, “Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Christ left his royal throne and high command in heaven, and came into the world to save sinners. Who of those who profess to be his ministers—who of you, my brethren—have such a love for souls as Jesus has shown for you?
God uses simple instruments. With Jesus abiding in the soul by faith, we can do all things. If the soul is sanctified through the truth, it will be revealed in the life. If you labor unselfishly, dear brethren, however imperfect your work may appear, it is accepted in the sight of your Master, and it will accomplish his purpose. But if your work has been done in human wisdom, or has been marred by selfish motives, the divine signet will not be placed upon it, and you will be made ashamed. Your preaching in the desk is only the beginning of your work for Jesus. Your discourses must be followed by holy living, by bearing burdens in the cause of God, by coming close to hearts, by teaching every one how to make the best use of the talents intrusted to him of God.
Everything of a worldly nature must be kept subordinate to the higher, eternal interest. The minister must be Christ-like, forgetful of self; all childishness, weakness, and deformity of character must be overcome. He must be a pattern of piety, having learned to exercise the meekness and lowliness of Christ and to bear his yoke with patience. Jesus lived not to please himself; but how few are the instances where men in this age are willing to deny self, and take up the cross and bear it after him. The present character and works of God’s professed people are not in accordance with their faith. There must be more of a self-sacrificing spirit, more earnestness and faithfulness in their labors, on the part of those who would enter the ministry. Those who professedly represent Christ must keep themselves unspotted from the world. They must be minute men, earnest and true, that the power of God may attend their efforts, while like Paul they labor to present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.
The great deficiency in love and zeal, the manifest backsliding, the easy, contented disposition of many who profess Christ, should alarm the watchmen. They should inquire, What does this mean? Where am I standing? What am I doing to make manifest the truth as it is in Jesus? Am I watching for souls as they that must give an account? What do the books of heaven testify of me? Is faithfulness set down opposite my name, or am I classed with the slothful servants, whose portion will be with hypocrites and unbelievers?
As a people, we profess to believe most sacred, testing truths. God has made us the depositaries of his law. We are chosen to be separate from the world, to be God’s peculiar people, to love him, but to renounce the world and the things of the world. We are called upon to deny self, and to grow in grace and in the knowledge of the truth.
Many youthful ministers have not a sense of the sacredness of the work. They are weak when they should be strong. Christ went without the camp, bearing the reproach of sin, and we are to follow his example. Paul exhorts, “Consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.” The Lord of glory assumed human nature that he might seek and save that which was lost, and link finite man with the infinite God. No other eyes looked upon man with such pity; no other arm was able to save; no other hand could lay hold on man to lift him up. The condescension of Jesus, his self-sacrifice and unparalleled effort, have prepared the way for us to labor in his strength. Now the question is, Will we work as Christ worked, full of love and pity, or will we coldly hold ourselves aloof from our fellow-men?
We should manifest our love for souls by doing what we can for their salvation. We must exercise much forbearance and wisdom, and put forth pains-taking effort. We must be much in prayer that God will work with our efforts. “Abide in me,” is Jesus’ requirement; and this involves careful living, and persevering, untiring efforts to save souls. But how easily we become discouraged, and turn away from souls because the great adversary binds them to his side. Selfishness girds us about as with iron bands, and we do not feel like exerting ourselves for others; but selfishness cannot exist where true faith in Christ is exercised. Self-interest, coldness, sluggishness, cowardice, all shrink from the presence of faith.
There is danger of becoming selfish and sectional in our feelings while laboring for the upbuilding of the cause of God. If men are converted to the truth here in Vermont, is it any reason why you should feel that you have a right to confine their labors to this State? This is not wise policy. They may be adapted to some special work which the Lord has for them to do elsewhere, and let no man reach out his finite arm to bar the way. Let no one manifest a selfishness in this matter, for the world is to be warned. Souls in other States and Conferences are just as much in need of the message of truth as those in your own State, where you are particularly interested. The truth is in our hands to be communicated to those who have it not, and souls are to be reached wherever they are. The standard of Christ is to be raised in many places where as yet it has never been seen.
If duty calls the young men who have been laboring in your State to go elsewhere, do not seek to hold them back. There has been too much of this selfishness shown in various sections. One part of the field is as important as another. Our field is the world. There are no bounds; but, sowers, be diligent, “steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.” If men are moved to other fields, work on, pray on, that God may raise up others, and by the soul-transforming truths for this time fit them to labor in his vineyard, either to remain with you, or to go into other States.
Of those who are just entering the work of the ministry, growth is expected. They should heed the words of Peter, “Giving all diligence, add to your faith, virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance, patience; and to patience, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” How few receive the amazing grace and love of Christ with a deep and permanent sense of their own weakness and unworthiness! If they would cherish true humility, the Lord could do much more for them; but he cannot trust them with any large measure of grace and responsibility without their becoming self-exalted, filled with pride and vain conceit.
What a work might be done for the Master by you, brethren, who are assembled under this tent. But do not overestimate yourselves. “I dwell,” says Jehovah, “with him that is of a contrite and humble spirit.” We shall forfeit the favor of God if we lose the meek and lowly spirit which in his sight is of great price. Love to Jesus must be the motive which impels us to action. He places the highest value upon even the most trivial acts done from love to him. We must love one another as he has loved us; and by and by we shall hear him pronounce the welcome benediction, “Well done, good and faithful servant; . . . enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”

WE SHALL BE CHANGED.

“We shall be changed.” Yes, we, the weak and mortal, Shall lay this flesh robe by; Shall shining stand upon the eternal portal, No tears in any eye; For weeping shall be done—this is earth’s ill, And heaven will never hear A sigh of grief; exultant song shall fill Immanuel’s ear.
“We shall be changed.” No sick and aching frame, No weary, drooping head; The Great Physician, who from Gilead came, His precious balm shall shed Upon our wounds and languor. Once he knew All depths of mortal pain; From his dear cross that root of healing grew And will remain!
“We shall be changed.” No saint, with hoary locks, Like the white almond tree, Shall look through darkened windows; for Christ saved Are young eternally!
They shall not know the failing of desire; No fears shall haunt the way; The incorruptible shall never tire Through heaven’s long day!
How fair and pure will be our changed faces, When we are made like him Whose glory fills Eternity’s vast spaces; No time blight e’er can dim The dazzling beauty of that likeness new, Rare immortality! What perfect bliss to bid decay adieu, And welcome thee!
“We shall be changed.” Oh, blessed change of all! Washed in thy blood divine, Dear Lord, no sin on our pure hearts shall fall; We shall be thine Eternally, beyond temptation’s power To lure away— All hail sweet hope! haste on, triumphant hour! Celestial day! —Selected.

THE TEMPLE IN HEAVEN.

By W. H. Littlejohn

BY ELD. W. H. LITTLEJOHN.

THE TALK ABOUT THE MILLER MOVEMENT CONTINUED.

The Ascension Robes Scandal Exploded.

Mr. BIBLIST.—“At the close of our last night’s sitting, we had advanced so far in the examination of our subject that the commencement of the Judgment had been located in A. D. 1844, and search was being made for some movement in the church at that time that was of sufficient magnitude and power to answer to the prophecy found in Rev. 14: 6, 7. Upon inquiry, it was found that Mr. Thoughtful in his boyhood days had listened to the preaching of a minister who was connected with what was known as the Miller movement. This man, according to Mr. Thoughtful’s account, was a firm believer at that time in the near coming of the Lord, and unhesitatingly preached that the day of Judgment was at hand. It appears, also, that he was able to present a Scripture argument in support of his theory that carried conviction more or less fully to the majority of minds. Had this man been alone in his work, he could not have fulfilled the requirements of the prophecy. But Mr. Thoughtful states, and history supports him in that statement, that there was at the same time a body of Christians known as the Millerites, who believed and advocated the same views that the preacher in question inculcated. The fact is that he was but the advance courier of an array of spiritual warriors as brave and ardent as himself in the advocacy of the doctrines to which he had given his support. It is worth our while, therefore, to pause and consider the claims of a movement which not only took place at the right time, but was also of the right character, at least in some respects. That the men who were engaged in it were most profoundly sincere, there can be no dispute. It is susceptible of proof that hundreds of them believed so firmly in the approach of the end of all things that, like the disciples of old, they disposed of all that they had, and devoted the proceeds to the propagation of their faith.”
“As it regards the extent to which the Judgment message was preached by them and the rapidity with which it went, it may be safely said that it was proclaimed in all the civilized portions of the world, and that it was carried to them in a briefer space of time than any similar proclamation since the days of Christ. To prove this, and to show the spirit of the men who were engaged in the work, I will read an extract or two. Here is one taken from ‘Advent Tracts,’ vol. 2, p. 135, and penned originally by an English writer by the name of Mourant Brock:—”
“‘It is not merely in Great Britain that the expectation of the near return of the Redeemer is entertained, and the voice of warning raised, but also in America, India, and on the continent of Europe. In America about three hundred ministers of the word are thus preaching “this gospel of the kingdom;” while in this country about seven hundred of the Church of England are raising the same cry.’”
“I read again from an editorial in the Voice of Truth, an Adventist paper published in 1845:—”
“‘We are doubtless near that auspicious hour when the harvest of the earth will be reaped as described in Rev. 14:14–16. The history of God’s people in this mortal state, as given in that chapter, before being glorified, is nearly complete. The everlasting gospel, as described in verses 6 and 7, has been preached unto every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his Judgment is come; and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. No case can be more clearly demonstrated by facts than that this message has been borne to every nation and tongue under heaven, within a few past years, in the preaching of the coming of Christ as near at hand. Through the medium of lectures and publications the sound has gone into all the earth, and the word unto the ends of the world.’”
“Please note the fact that in what I have read the author claims distinctly for himself and his co-laborers that they are engaged in giving the Judgment message found in Rev. 14: 6, 7, insisting that it has been carried by them into all parts of the world, agreeably to the predictions of that text. We are now furnished with three important facts which afford a basis upon which to rest our conclusions respecting the Miller movement of 1844. First, it arose at a proper time to meet the requirements of a genuine movement of its kind; secondly, it was characterized by that devotion and power which ever marks the special work of the Lord; thirdly, going, as it did, to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people in the civilized portion of the world, it fully met the demands, so far as scope is concerned, of Rev. 14: 6, 7. Should we, under these circumstances, determine that the great Advent movement of 1844 was a counterfeit work, it is difficult to see how the genuine one could ever be identified. Where the specifications of time, character, and extent are fully met, the presumptions are altogether in favor of the genuineness of any movement that can fulfill them. God would never allow his people to be brought into a position where a portion of them were brought in 1844, unless his hand were guiding. To reject at that time the evidences that the hour had been reached for the proclamation of the Judgment message, would have been to deny the plain teachings of the Scripture.”
“If you please, step to the door, Maud; some one is ringing the bell.”
Maud.—“Father, this is Mr. Clerical; he wishes to see you.”
Mr. B.—“Good evening, Mr. Clerical. I am happy to meet you. Be seated, if you please.”
Mr. Clerical.—“Thank you, sir, I will shake hands with Mr. Thoughtful before sitting down.”
Mr. B.—“I am glad that you have dropped in this evening, Mr. Clerical. I think it is the first time you have ever done me the honor to call.”
Mr. C.—“Yes, sir, I think that it is; and to be frank with you, I must say that I should not have called to-night were it not for the purpose of doing my duty to one who is under my pastoral charge. Mr. Thoughtful, here, is a member of my church, and I hear that you have been filling his head with all sorts of heresies respecting the Judgment and the near coming of the Lord. Indeed, I hear, sir, that you have been trying to make him believe that William Miller and his fanatical horde moved out in the order of God in 1844. Now, sir, it seems to me that you should be in better business than trying to deceive people in regard to the true character of such a man as William Miller. I know all about him, sir. He was a poor, ignorant, hair-brained fanatic, who drew after him a crowd of men and women as ignorant and fanatical as himself. I remember the affair very well, sir. When the day came on which the coming of the Lord was expected, hundreds of his silly dupes went out into the grave-yards and upon the tops of houses, and there, arrayed in ascension robes, expected every moment to be caught up into glory. I am surprised that so intelligent a man as Mr. Thoughtful could be entertained with such nonsense as you have been pouring into his ears. I warn him to-night that he will lose his reputation in our church altogether unless he gives up visiting your house from night to night, and listening to these things. Why, only last evening we had a magnificent social at the house of one of the wealthiest families in town, and he could not be induced to attend, because, forsooth, he wanted to listen to a talk from you on the Miller movement. I bid you good night, sir.”
Mr. B.—“Do not hurry away, Mr. Clerical! Be seated, sir; be seated. If these things which you have said about Mr. Miller and his followers are true, I should be glad to know it myself. You have spoken very positively in regard to the character of Mr. Miller and his associates, and now I would like to know all that you can tell me about them. Did you ever see Mr. Miller, sir?”
Mr. C.—“No, sir, I never did.”
Mr. B.—“Did you ever hear any minister of his faith preach?”
Mr. C.—“No, sir. I was quite young at that time, and besides, my father was a preacher, and was too sensible a man to allow his children to listen to such an ignorant fanatic as Miller was.”
Mr. B.—“Did you ever read any of the writings of Mr. Miller, sir?”
Mr. C.—“No, sir. I doubt whether he knew enough to write anything that would be readable.”
Mr. B.—“Notwithstanding your doubts, Mr. Clerical, it is a fact that Mr. Miller was a controversial writer, whose published works have been read quite extensively. Indeed, sir, I feel quite certain that you have misapprehended the character of the man, both as it regards his talent and his spirit. Let me read to you a few sentences from a volume which I have here in my library.”
Mr. C.—“Written by one of his followers, I presume?”
Mr. B.—“Not so, sir. The title of the work is, ‘Our First Century,’ and it was written by R. M. Devens, a gentleman who in no wise sympathized with the doctrines of Adventists. He is a writer of considerable note, having published a life of Washington and one of Wellington, besides several other important works. Here, on page 437, I find something in point:—”
“As a man, Mr. Miller is described as strictly temperate in all his habits, devoted in his family and social attachments, and proverbial for his integrity. He was naturally very amiable in his temperament, affable and attentive to all,—a kind-heartedness, simplicity, and power peculiarly original characterizing his manner. He was of about medium stature, a little corpulent; hair, a light, glossy brown; countenance full and round, with a peculiar depth of expression in his blue eye, of shrewdness and love. As a preacher, Mr. Miller was generally spoken of as convincing his hearers of his sincerity, and instructing them by his reasoning and information. All acknowledge that his lectures were replete with useful and interesting matter, showing a knowledge of Scripture extensive and minute, that of the prophecies, especially, being surprisingly familiar; and his application of the great prophecies to the great events which have taken place in the moral and natural world, was, to say the least, ingenious and plausible. There was nothing very peculiar in his manner; his gestures were easy and expressive; his style decorous, simple, natural, and forcible. He was always self-possessed and ready; distinct in his utterance, and frequently quaint in his observations; in the management of his subject, exhibiting much tact, holding frequent colloquies with the objector and inquirer, supplying the questions and answers himself in a very apposite manner; and although grave himself, sometimes producing a smile upon the faces of his auditors.”
“Please notice some of the expressions in the selection just read. It says of Mr. Miller, that he was ‘strictly temperate in all his habits,’ ‘devoted in his family and social attachments,’ and ‘proverbial for his integrity.’ These certainly are excellent qualities; but the writer goes still further, and says, ‘He was naturally very amiable in his temperament, affable and attentive to all,—a kind-heartedness, simplicity, and power peculiarly original, characterizing his manner.’ ‘Kind-heartedness,’ ‘simplicity,’ ‘power,’—these are striking words. The man who possesses these traits of character which they represent, assuredly is no ordinary man; for he has the elements of true greatness. Here is something further on that bears directly upon the point of Mr. Miller’s ability: ‘Mr. Miller was generally spoken of as convincing his hearers of his sincerity, and instructing them by his reasoning and information. All acknowledge that his lectures were replete with useful and interesting matter, showing a knowledge of Scripture very extensive and minute—that of the prophecies, especially, being surprisingly familiar; and his application of the great prophecies to the great events which have taken place in the moral and natural world, was, to say the least, ingenious and plausible.’”
Mr. C.—“I don’t care what Mr. Devens says. I know Mr. Miller was a fool. No man that had good common sense would ever put on a cotton ascension robe, as Mr. Miller and his rabble did, with the expectation of ascending to heaven in it.”
Mr. B.—“Well, let us consider the matter calmly, Mr. Clerical. It is of no use to become excited. To my mind, it is evident that a man who, like Mr. Miller, was able to deliver three thousand lectures on the prophecies in ten years, and defend himself in the meantime against the attacks of some of the first scholars of the nation with such manifest success that he was able to gather around him a body of followers numbering scores of thousands, assuredly could have been no idiot. You admit that you did not know Mr. Miller or any of his co-laborers personally; you deny the conclusions reached by a judicious historian; you go against the natural presumptions based upon the inference that marked success won at great odds is a token of decided ability; and for this unusual course the only reason you assign is that Mr. Miller and his associates put on ascension robes for the purpose of ascending in them to meet their Lord. Now, sir, you will pardon me if I say that you, yourself, have been sadly duped if you have accepted as true the idle reports which have been floating about for years respecting the ascension robes alleged to have been worn by Mr. Miller and his followers in 1844. These stories are but canards, as foolish as they are false. Of course it is not to your advantage to be deceived in a matter of this kind; so if you will come to our interview to-morrow evening, I will bring out the proofs necessary to demonstrate that what I say about the matter is correct. It is now time to adjourn.”

“NOT EVERY ONE THAT SAITH, LORD, LORD.”

By Helen L. Morse

BY HELEN L. MORSE.
WHAT a fearful thing it is to go up to the Judgment deceived! Many feel secure because they make a profession of service to God. But the warnings, entreaties, cautions, exhortations, and admonitions of God’s word are mainly addressed to believers. The Bible is made up largely of records of those who have been God’s professed followers in the past, and of instruction to such as may be in all future time. Little reference is had to those who have not even professed to seek the Lord. Those who walk in open unbelief or defiance of God, are of no esteem in his word; and while they thus continue, their part of God’s message is “the terror of the Lord,” the threatenings and the condemnations. The words of sweet counsel, cheering encouragement, loving kindness, and tender mercy, with the precious promises, are nothing to them. They are not entitled even to a part in the Judgment: “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God; and if it first begin at us, what shall be the end of them that obey not the gospel of God? For if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?” They are condemned already.
Thus those who feel rich and increased with goods because they have the form, and turn the Bible with its searching and solemn admonitions over to those outside, are depriving themselves of what God expressly designs for and addresses to them. They were all the children of Israel who had seen God’s power exercised in their behalf, whom God addressed through Moses when he said, “He that is on the Lord’s side, let him come over to me,” and, “Separate yourselves from among this congregation that I may consume them in a moment.” Num. 16:21. All the children of Israel came out of Egypt, and beheld God’s wonderful providence in delivering them from their enemies, and all joined in the song of triumph and praise to God. Only two, however, endured to the end, and reached the promised land.
Christ performed works of mercy to arrest the attention and teach the ignorant, but his sermons were all addressed to believers or seekers. It was God’s chosen people, those who made the highest profession and occupied the most prominent position, who rejected and crucified our Saviour; and this profession they continued to make after “the veil of the temple was rent in twain,” after the solemn declaration had gone into effect, “Behold your house is left unto you desolate.” It was those who had “a name to live,” and who represented the church militant, who imbrued their hands in the blood of upward of fifty millions of the saints of the Most High, who stoned Stephen, crucified Peter, beheaded Paul, and afterward attempted to quench the light of the Reformation by stopping the voices of Huss, Jerome, Wickliffe, and many messengers whom God sent to warn them.
It is those who have a form of godliness in these days who will make an image to the beast, “and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed;” and, sadder than this, it is those who have the light of this last truth and a knowledge of the perils and dangers of these last days, who are “wretched and miserable, and poor and blind and naked,” and know it not. But the saddest of all is, that many in the full light of our gospel privileges and in sympathy with the work of God,—who have committed themselves to it, and are associated with his people,—are failing to have that individual experience in the things of God, that deep, thorough work, that aims at perfect purity of thought and motive, and that high standard of Christian character required in God’s word. So in self-deception they are swept along in the broad current, past the privilege of choosing whom they will serve, past the opportunity to be overcomers, past the solemn warnings and searching tests, past the time when their lives can produce fruit, or repentance can avail them, to the close of probation, to cry in vain in the Judgment, “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name, and in thy name done many wonderful works?” to hear, “Depart from me ye that work iniquity,” and to see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom and themselves thrust out.
Who will not rather welcome chastisement, reproof, humiliation,—anything that will show them their need, cause them to realize their danger, enable them to have their sins go before them to Judgment, and thus avert this fearful doom, and save them from the bitter lamentation, “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.”

SABBATH EVENING THOUGHTS.

By Isaac Morrison

BY ISAAC MORRISON.
To-night, O Lord, we come to thee, Our six days’ earthly labor done; Within ourselves no good we see, Nor can we for our faults atone.
We are but creatures of the dust; And only “Guilty” can we plead; But in thy name we fain would trust; Does not our Saviour intercede?
So oft in word and deed we’ve failed, Thy love we scarcely dare to claim; But thy compassion has prevailed, And brought us help in thy dear name
We long, O Lord, to taste thy grace, The blessing found in thee alone; By faith to gaze upon thy face, And all thy sweet forgiveness own.
Forgive the failings of the past, Blot out our sin and guilt and shame. And long as earthly trials last, Grant us a refuge in thy name.
We know that thou art good and kind; Thy nature, tenderness and love. And sins of heart and hand and mind Thy blood will evermore remove.
Dear Saviour, may we walk with thee, In sweet communion day by day, In peace earth’s blindness cannot see, Earth’s turmoil never take away.
Supported by thy loving arm, We fear not trials deep and sore. Be thou our refuge safe from harm, Till storms and conflicts are no more.

WHAT GOD REQUIRES.

By D. F. Ewen

BY D. F. EWEN.
“My son, give me thine heart.” Prov. 23:26.
The greatest results often succeed our smallest actions; and so, in the same way, the deepest truths of Holy Scripture often underlie the plainest language and the simplest words; for words are only instruments to awaken the feelings of the mind, and through the mind to reach the heart. Oftentimes the simplest words, spoken in season, have a power and a force which whole volumes of eloquence at other times cannot raise; and why? Because that word spoken in season is the word that touches the heart, and rouses the feelings you wish to excite. The request quoted from the word of God carries at once conviction to us: O “my son, hear the instructions of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother.” Carry out in all the difficulties and trials and temptations of life the lessons which you have learned in the sacred sanctuary of home. Let there be a steady obedience to what you have learned. “My son, give me thine heart.” Not going beyond the human meaning, these words are very eloquent and instructive. Lift up the eye around you, and see the atmosphere filled with the hosts of the eternal God, and hear the words spoken to every sinful man. The words then have a force and a meaning which ought to come home to us all, to give God our heart.
God says, “Give me thine heart.” This is the language of tender affection; it is the language of earnest entreaty. It is the language of fatherly love, the will of God to every soul of man. He cannot use a figure you understand better. He cannot employ language which touches your spirit more. It is God speaking to the individual. The words send us back—ought to send us back—to our knees in shame. They ought to make every one of us say, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son; ‘give me the crumbs that fall from thy table, not the plenteousness of thy fatherly banquet.’” We know no one can truly say he is God’s son to the full extent he ought to be,—an obedient, faithful son. And yet God does not wait for our goodness, any more than he does for our merit. He does not wait for our goodness to help us. It is a proof of his love that while we are sinners, he offers us his blessings, and while we are his wayward children—far-away prodigals, denying the Lord who bought us,—that he calls us back. Well may we be ashamed to think how God deals with us, in spite of our conduct toward him. He giveth us all things,—life, kind parents, and friends. He giveth us rain to fructify the products of the earth, and tries to bring us back by the divinest mercy and the most plenteous grace, now blessing and then chastening us, if need be,—how tenderly, how gently, how perseveringly, because we are his children! My child, your heart is the only gift God wants. He asks your thoughts, energy, and time, as well as your substance; but all these gifts are included in the one,—your heart.

WILL YOU CONSIDER?

By F. Peabody

BY F. PEABODY.
My dear friend, stop a moment. Stop thinking? No; but think about something else. The Lord has said things in his book you ought to know. Have you seen them? You say you have no time. Lay aside some of your care, and give a little attention to that book. It is a wonderful book. Read it much; I am sure you would be interested. It tells of men in the past who did just what you are doing; they neglected to give attention to what the Lord said, and they were swept away by that flood of water. Then there was one large city where the people spent their time in nothing but telling or hearing some new thing. They had left the one true God and had become loaded down with thirty thousand false ones.
You say you have no doubt that God is the author of that book called the Bible, but you have no time to read it. My dear friend, he has certainly spoken about you, and I think you would better take time to learn what he has said. He has given you such good counsel about all your affairs in life; and such sympathy as you can find nowhere else in the world is vouchsafed when cares and trials weigh heavily. It tells of prophets who lived and wrote ages ago. They said that one should come who would change the order of things wonderfully, and that he would be of heavenly origin. And then in another part of it, we learn that he came, how he staid a short time, and returned to heaven; but not until he had made arrangements to have his work carried on in his absence. He assured those he left that he would come again, but not alone then. Do you ask the reason of his coming again? Why, to make all things new, and give long life to his people. Not on this old earth as it is, groaning under the curse of sin; but it will be so renovated that it will be a desirable place to live. Tears and sighs will not be known; and death, that enemy whom you and I would give all we possess to conquer when he approaches our homes, will be destroyed. All these, and many more things, this same Bible will reveal to you. Give it your attention. “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Phil. 4:8.
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