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Review and Herald, Vol. 83, No. 7.

Our Publishing Work
Earlier text: Our Publishing Work

A Statement of Facts Concerning Our Present Situation—No. 2

By Arthur Grosvenor Daniells

IN the preceding article of this series, the position was taken that one of the causes of the trouble between the general body and what was formerly the medical missionary department of this cause, is a difference of views regarding some of the fundamentals of our faith. As proof of this, two quotations were given from instruction which has been imparted through the spirit of prophecy. The first quotation was taken from a chapter in “Early Writings,” page 121. This was first published in 1858.
This quotation presents the following outline: (1) “A solid, immovable platform;” (2) three steps leading to this platform; namely, “the first, second, and third angels’ messages;” (3) God led his people up these steps onto the platform; (4) some found fault with the platform, stepped off to examine it, and declared that it was laid wrong; (5) an angel said, “Woe to him who shall move a block or stir a pin;” (6) nearly all who stepped onto the platform remained true, and “stood well guarded and firm, giving no countenance to those who would unsettle the established faith of the body;” (7) God looked upon these with approbation; (8) “they recounted the wonderful work of God, which had led them to the firm platform, and in union raised their eyes to heaven, and with a loud voice glorified God;” (9) they declared that God was the Master Builder of the platform; (10) this affected some who had left the platform, and they again stepped upon it.
The second quotation was taken from “Testimonies for the Church,” Series B, No. 7, pages 38, 39. This message was first published in 1904, in a leaflet entitled, “Decided Action to Be Taken Now.” It relates to the doctrinal teaching of “Living Temple.” The outline presented in this Testimony is a fulfilment of the one referred to above, and printed forty-six years before. It is this: (1) “A platform, braced with solid timbers;” (2) these timbers were “the truths of the Word of God;” (3) “some one high in responsibility in the medical work was directing this man and that man to loosen the timbers supporting this platform;” (4) a voice said, “Where are the watchmen that ought to be standing on the walls of Zion? Are they asleep?” (5) this foundation was built by the Master Worker; (6) will the watchmen “permit this man to present doctrines that deny the past experience of the people of God?” (7) “the enemy of souls has sought to bring in the supposition that a great reformation was to take place among Seventh-day Adventists, and that this reformation would consist in giving up the doctrines which stand as the pillars of our faith;” (8) “were this reformation to take place, what would result?—The principles of truth that God in his wisdom has given to the remnant church would be discarded. Our religion would be changed. The fundamental principles that have sustained the work for the last fifty years would be accounted error. A new organization would be established;” (9) “the time has come to take decided action.”
The foundation for these attempted changes in our cause which the spirit of prophecy places before us so graphically, began to be laid many years ago, and the Testimonies raised the danger-signal at the time. In a message written at Christiania, Oct. 3, 1885, and addressed to the Directors of the Battle Creek Sanitarium, this statement is made:—
I was shown that he [the medical superintendent] had been in danger, great danger, in the past, of making shipwreck of faith, by exalting science above the God of science. He has not a clearly defined position in regard to his faith, and he should be guarded or he will certainly wander in the mazes of skepticism. I have not felt that the enlargement of the sanitarium was advisable, for several reasons. The foregoing is one.
Seven years later a Testimony was written in Melbourne, Australia, April 15, 1892, to the Superintendent of the Battle Creek Sanitarium, containing the following warning:—
I have been shown that in the sanitarium at Battle Creek there is great need of walking humbly before God, for Satan is devising snares to take every mind that is not entirely surrendered to God, looking to God for light and wisdom daily. There are constant temptations for physicians to exalt science above the God who is the ruler of the universe. . . . Here, my brother, has been and will be your danger in scientific researches; unless you are daily increasing in the knowledge and love of the truth, growing up into Christ your living head, you are in positive danger. . . . I know that the Lord has been pleased to show me, in clear lines, your danger, in the past, and at the present time. . . . It is fatal for man to feel safe to walk in the sparks of his own kindling. Sophistry will weave for you a very fine web; I fear that it will ensnare you. . . .
I remember well the reproof given to Drs. — and —, that they had made the mistake common with physicians, that science was everything. Satan was weaving his net about their feet, and very much was made of the powers inherent in man and in nature, and this matter became so subtle in its influence, as they viewed it, that the power and glory of God were not exalted. They were wandering in the mazes of skepticism. . . .
Once these young men were willing to submit their wills and their ideas to God’s will and ways. But they became confused through your ideas of science. While you could start them on a track of investigation, you could not control their imagination. Human ideas, contracted, confused, and obscure, were to them like the bright shining of a candle at midnight. They were simply walking in the sparks of their own kindling.
In December, 1899, seven years after the warning given above was written, another was sent from Cooranbong, New South Wales, Australia. In this message the following paragraph is found:—
The sanitarium will be a memorial for God, if it is conducted in all lines as it should be. . . . The medical missionary work might better be named the Missionary Health Restoration Work. The powers of darkness, which have long been watching for a chance to come in and counteract the Lord’s work, have found no better open door than this work which has done some good, but O! so limited an amount in comparison with the outlay of effort and means!
From the general trend of the large amount of instruction which has been given through the spirit of prophecy concerning the medical missionary work, it is evident that it is not this department of work in itself which has served as an open door to the enemy. It is the fact that this line of work has been made the channel for the introduction of teaching contrary to the fundamental principles of the gospel, and that perverted methods of administration have been employed, which has turned this agency for good into such an opportunity for evil.
The danger pointed out in this last quotation came into full view when “Living Temple” was printed. Of the teaching set forth in that book the spirit of prophecy says:— God has permitted the presentation of the combination of good and evil in “Living Temple” to be made to reveal the danger threatening us. The working that has been so ingeniously carried on he has permitted in order that certain developments might be made, and that it might be seen what a man can do with human minds when he has obtained their confidence as a physician. God has permitted the present crisis to come to open the eyes of those who desire to know the truth. He would have his people understand to what lengths the sophistry and devising of the enemy would lead. . . .
Few can see the meaning of the present apostasy. But the Lord has lifted the curtain, and has shown me its meaning, and the result that it will have if allowed to continue. We must now lift our voices in warning. Will our people acknowledge God as the supreme Ruler, or will they choose the misleading arguments and views that when fully developed, make him, in the minds of those who accept them, as nothingness? . . .
It is something that can not be treated as a small matter that men who have had so much light, and such clear evidence as to the genuineness of the truth we hold, should become unsettled, and led to accept spiritualistic theories regarding the personality of God. Those doctrines, followed to their logical conclusion, sweep away the whole Christian economy.—“Testimonies for the Church,” Series B, No. 7, pages 36, 37.
In view of the facts set forth in these statements, is it at all surprising that there has been conflict in our ranks? Could there be union and harmony? On this point the spirit of prophecy has spoken very plainly:—
It will be said that “Living Temple” has been revised. But the Lord has shown me that the writer has not changed, and that there can be no unity between him and the ministers of the gospel while he continues to cherish his present sentiments. I am bidden to lift my voice in warning to our people, saying, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked.” . . . While the misleading theories of this book are entertained by our physicians, there can not be union between them and the ministers who are bearing the gospel message. There should be no union until there is a change—Ibid., Series B, No. 2, page 49.
It is perfectly plain that the introduction of a teaching that would result in such sweeping, destructive changes would cause controversy. For one in a leading place of influence in the denomination to even hold such views personally, could not fail to bring him into conflict with other leaders who held firmly to the original faith of the cause. The views one holds regarding Bible doctrines, mold his mind, form his ideals, and shape his purposes and plans. Men holding conflicting theories and convictions regarding the teaching of the Bible can not work in harmony in their efforts to make known their views. This is a primary cause of the friction which has existed among us during the last twenty years, and which has culminated in what the spirit of prophecy has designated as “the present apostasy.”
A. G. DANIELLS,
President General Conference.

A Signal for Help

By W. A. S.

The Maritime Conference is manfully extending its work in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. They have an interesting school enterprise well started in the Williamsdale Academy, and two of their young people, trained in Melrose, have returned to Nova Scotia, to take up medical missionary work. Every one of the little staff of workers is covering all the ground possible, and the believers are faithfully lifting and doing.
There is new life stirring in this far northeastern field. But their numbers are few, and resources small. Hence it is that such a field as Prince Edward Island, called the “Garden of the Gulf,” lies unworked in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Two sisters represent the truth there. A portable church building stands in Charlottetown, waiting for the coming of a laborer. The last conference of the believers passed the following resolution, which we print here as a signal to some of the stronger conferences that might be able to supply and support some young laborer:—
Whereas, We have been unable to send a laborer to Prince Edward Island; therefore,— Resolved, That we call the attention of the older conferences to that populous island off our eastern coast, and that we still invite any of our sister conferences who can do so to supply and support a laborer for that waiting field.
The population of the island is one hundred thousand, mostly engaged in agriculture. Would that some conference were able to annex this unworked territory this coming season.
W. A. S.

The Joy Set Before Us

By L. A. S.

Of the secret of the stedfastness of Jesus during the years of his ministry in human flesh, it is written that he “endured the cross, despising the shame,” “for the joy that was set before him.” The same joy is set before his followers, for at the close of their earthly labors and trials it will be said to each of them, “Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”
The question of the nature of the thing that is set before us as the goal of our ambitions, is a very important one; for it may be that we have put something of our own in the place of that which God has set before us. It may be that we are directing our efforts toward some earthly goal, something dear to earthly ambition, as power, wealth, or the applause of men. It is impossible to run successfully the Christian race while the joy that is set before us as the Christian’s reward is eclipsed by some other desire. If such is the case, we need not be surprised that our efforts do not prove satisfactory, and we make crooked paths and uncertain progress in the heavenward journey.
The joy is still set before us, though we may not see it. But if we do not, let us set everything else aside, and make that joy the goal of our efforts in the Christian life. By having the faith of Jesus, we shall be able to keep that goal always within our view. L. A. S.

The Annual Collection for Religious Liberty Work

By K. C. Russell

WHILE it is true that no department of the third angel's message is more important than the others, yet there is a sense in which the prosperity of all is largely contingent upon the success of the Religious Liberty department. The reason for this is the fact that when we are deprived of our civil and religious rights, we shall then be unable to use some of the most effective agencies that we now employ in the proclamation of the third angel's message; namely, free speech, the public press, and the use of our literature.
It will require no argument to convince every Seventh-day Adventist that these statements are neither extreme nor fanciful. The truthfulness of these propositions can be grasped quickly when we consider the far-reaching effect of the terrible meaning of the words, “And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.”
From the rapidly growing demand for religious legislation in the city, state, and nation, we can all see that the final struggle is not in the distant future. I wish that all the readers might have been present at the hearing, February 8, of H. R. bill 10570 before the commissioners of the District of Columbia, and observed the intensity of spirit on the part of those who were pleading for a more rigid Sunday observance in the District of Columbia.
While we do not know what the present outcome of this measure will be, we are impressed with the importance of exerting ourselves as never before in disseminating the true principles of liberty.
All understand that this must be done largely with our literature, and a large amount of means is required to do this work successfully. It has seemed necessary for our department to publish already three times as much matter to effectively explain the two bills now before Congress as it did to explain the bills last year, and it is also true that our work is enlarging, and will continue to increase until it is finished, and they that get “the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb.”
It should be remembered that the Religious Liberty Bureau has no resources of its own, and is therefore dependent upon the returns from this annual collection which was voted at the last General Conference.
Let all put forth a special effort to make this religious liberty annual offering for 1906, which is to be taken Sabbath, February 24, a large and liberal one. Remember how much depends upon the work we do in enlightening the people before the final crisis comes.
K. C. RUSSELL, Chairman Religious Liberty Bureau.

Europe’s Sunday Legislation Movement

THE REV. DR. CHAS. L. THOMPSON, a religious writer of note, points to the present wide-spread movement in Europe for Sunday legislation as one that will greatly help to preserve in America “the Anglo-Saxon idea of Sunday.” In a recent address to the Woman’s National Sabbath Alliance Dr. Thompson said:— The motive of this movement is purely secular, but it has great religious significance. Immigrants who come here in the future will have an idea of Sunday rather different from that of those who have come in the past, and it will not be so hard to get them to keep the day as we do. Up to the present time they have had only half a Sunday in continental Europe. Now the governments are beginning to recognize the economic value of a complete cessation from labor on that day. In Germany the Sunday-train schedule is being cut down all the time. In France and Italy one sees much less Sunday work of all kinds than in former years. In Spain, even, the Sunday bull-fights have been restricted.
The sentiment for Sunday legislation is alive in the Old World, and only needs that the American republic should set an example in legislating to compel the conscience in the matter of Sabbath observance, to manifest itself there in the form of active despotism.

Note and Comment

THE church-federation idea is spreading rapidly. The churches left out of the great gathering in New York City in November last, have determined upon a federation of their own, and there will be two inter-church conferences in the year 1908, representing the Unitarian as well as the Trinitarian beliefs. The Unitarian conference will include the Universalists and some other “liberal” bodies, and will be a world conference. A press telegram from New York says:—
British Unitarians are taking a foremost place in the plans for the American meeting, and are raising a special fund to be applied on expenses. They expect to send fully two hundred delegates to Boston. A number of delegates will come from France, and one of them is likely to be Pastor Charles Wagner, famed as the author of “The Simple Life.” There will be a large German delegation, including Harnack, whose theological writings have made him famous. Other foreign countries to be represented by delegates are Hungary, where Unitarianism was born in the sixteenth century, and where it now flourishes with an episcopal form of government; Switzerland, where the liberal churches are strong; Holland, which has a number of scattered congregations; and Japan. Rev. Charles W. Wendte, one of the Unitarian secretaries, has been appointed to promote the interest of the coming meeting, to which fully five hundred delegates are expected.
Every religious body which does not depend for power upon union with God alone, will naturally be led to seek power by this plan of a religious confederacy.

Communication Between the Living and Dead

The following paragraph relating to the question of communication between the living and the dead, appeared in a recent issue of the Christian Register:—
The death of Mr. Hodgson raises a question like that which was asked after the death of Mr. Myers in England. These two men have made careful and thoroughgoing studies of occult and psychical phenomena. Mr. Hodgson had for his principal occupation for years the study and control of the phenomena manifested in the case of Mrs. Piper. Now these men have passed on. They were expert in all that concerned the study of such phenomena on this side of the grave. Both of them promised, when their turn came, to send back, if possible, intelligible messages. In the case of Mr. Myers it is a fact, we believe, that the test he devised has failed since his death. If this happens in the case of Mr. Hodgson, is it not better for us to believe that, for wise reasons which we should approve if we knew them, the blessed ones who have passed within the veil are as much restrained from communication with us as we are from communication with them?
The question whether the dead communicate with the living depends, according to this, upon the evidence furnished by the reception or the absence of a message from the dead Mr. Hodgson. A great many messages purporting to be from other dead people have come to the living, and it is not clear what additional proof on the subject would be furnished by a message claiming to be from this particular person. Is it not vastly better to accept the plain evidence of Scripture, which states that “the dead know not anything” (Eccl. 9:5), that the living should not seek to the dead for knowledge, but to the Lord (Isa. 8:19), and that communication with “familiar spirits” was contrary to the will of God and was strictly forbidden, showing that such communications were from a lying source?

The Power of Influence

By Ellen G. White

Lessons From the Life of Solomon—No. 22

The Power of Influence

MRS. E. G. WHITE
For hundreds of years after the death of Solomon, a strange and melancholy sight could be seen opposite Mount Moriah. Crowning the eminence of the Mount of Olives, and peering above the groves of myrtle and olive trees, were imposing piles of buildings, for the idolatrous worship of gigantic, unseemly images of wood and stone. Many a devout stranger, seeing these shrines for the first time, was led to inquire, “How came these buildings and idols on the opposite side of the Jehoshaphat ravine, thus impiously confronting the temple of God?” The truthful answer must be given: “The builder was Solomon. He whom God so wonderfully honored, failed to give God the glory, and finally was persuaded by his heathen wives to build these altars for idol worship.”
Little did Solomon think when he built the unholy shrines on the hill before Jerusalem, that these evidences of his apostasy would remain from generation to generation, to testify against him. Notwithstanding his repentance, the evil that he did lived after him, witnessing to the terrible fall of the greatest and wisest of kings.
More than three centuries later, Josiah, the youthful reformer, in his religious zeal demolished these buildings and all the images of Ashtoreth and Chemosh and Moloch. Many of the broken fragments rolled down the channel of the Kedron, but great masses of ruins remained. Even as late as the days of Christ, the ruins on the “Mount of Offense,” as the place was called by many of the true-hearted of Israel, might still be seen. Could Solomon, when rearing these idolatrous shrines, have looked into the future, how he would have started back in horror to think of the sad testimony they would bear to the Messiah!
By a life of loyalty and integrity, Solomon could have done much to preserve God’s people from backsliding. His early piety and his great wisdom, the power and the prosperity that attended his reign, the respect and the honor shown the kingdom of Israel by the surrounding nations,—all these favorable conditions combined to increase greatly the influence wielded by the king. Had he remained sincere, earnest, and true, had no taint of apostasy marred his life, he might have exerted a most powerful influence for good on the lives of others. But he swerved from his allegiance to God; and the nation, of which he had been the pride, followed his leading. So powerful was his influence, that through his apostasy he became their seducer.
Solomon’s repentance was sincere, but the harm that his example of evil-doing had done the people, could not well be remedied. In the anguish of bitter reflection on the evil influence of his sinful course, he was constrained to declare: “Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good.” “There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler: folly is set in great dignity.” “Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savor: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honor.”
During the king’s apostasy, there were faithful men who remained true to their trust, maintaining their allegiance to purity and loyalty. Many, however, were led astray by his example, and the forces of evil that were set in operation as the result of the introduction of idolatry and worldly practises, could not easily be stayed by the penitent king after his return to God. His influence for good was broken. Many hesitated to place full confidence in his leadership.
How sad the thought that the far-reaching influence of Solomon’s apostasy could never be fully counteracted! The king confessed his sins, and wrote out, for the benefit of after generations, a record of his folly and repentance; but he could never hope to destroy the baleful influence of his evil deeds. Emboldened by his apostasy, many continued to do evil, and evil only. And in the downward course of many of the rulers that followed him, may be traced the sad influence of the prostitution of his God-given powers.
Among the manifold lessons that we may learn from Solomon’s life, none are more plainly taught than the power of influence for good or for ill. However contracted may be one’s sphere, he exerts an influence. That our influence should be a savor of death unto death, is a fearful thought, yet this is possible. One soul misled—forfeiting eternal bliss—who can estimate the loss! And yet one rash act, one thoughtless word, on our part, may exert so deep an influence on the life of another that it will prove the ruin of his soul! One blemish on the character may turn many away from Christ.
God calls for strong, brave Christians, whose influence is always exerted for the right. His cause needs men and women whose every word and act draws those around them to Christ, binding them to him by the persuasive force of loving service. Men and women who commune with God, who, because they co-operate with the heavenly angels, are surrounded by a holy influence, are needed at this time.
It is only through the grace of God that we can make a right use of our influence. There is nothing in us of ourselves by which we can influence others for good. If we realize our helplessness, and our need of divine power, we shall not trust to ourselves. We know not what results a day, an hour, or a moment may determine, and never should we begin the day without committing our ways to our Heavenly Father. His angels are appointed to watch over us, and if we put ourselves under their guardianship, then in every time of danger they will be at our right hand. When unconsciously we are in danger of exerting a wrong influence, the angels will be by our side, prompting us to a better course, choosing words for us, and influencing our actions. Thus our influence may be a silent, unconscious, but mighty power in drawing others to Christ and the heavenly world.

Prayer

By Wm. Covert

WM. COVERT
The church and church people who do not earnestly seek the Lord in prayer will become cold and careless about Christianity and their own salvation. The Lord, through the writings of Paul, advised that prayer be made without ceasing. Indeed, all men everywhere are admonished to pray. The same need exists everywhere to-day that was seen by the apostle when he wrote as he did. Could all our people now be enabled to see their principal need, they would arouse to the necessity of prayer.
Churches should not fail to maintain regular prayer-meetings. Every effective church has essential interests under consideration, and these interests need to be earnestly considered before the throne of God. No church should think of executing important plans until the members have unitedly considered the things together with the Lord. It should always be understood that church organization exists for the benefit of the members belonging to the church, and also for the good they can unitedly accomplish in advancing the cause of the Lord. The church is the Lord’s organization, maintained upon the earth for the purpose of transacting the Lord’s business on the earth. The Lord communicates his will to the church through the study of his Word, and the illumination of the mind by the Holy Spirit in prayer.
This holy association of the church with God is too much neglected. It is this sad neglect that makes the church weak and ineffective in its work. The church walks in the dark because it does not pray enough to learn the mind of God, and is feeble in its work because it does not pray enough to secure the strength of God. The church-members walk and work apart from the Lord much of the time, because their prayers are not sufficiently earnest and frequent to keep them in touch with the presence of the Lord’s Spirit. They lose the Lord when they cease to pray, or while they fail to seek him.
One of the most essential things for the people of God to do now is to carefully study the Bible to learn from its teachings just what the Lord advises relative to prayer. Much more should be known about the possibilities that are wrapped up in the medium of prayer. God’s people need to know how to pray. The disciples of Christ requested that he teach them how to pray. And should not his disciples at this time renew the request? They should earnestly covet a deeper love for prayer, and should carefully watch against the neglect of prayer. They should pray more for the success of God’s cause, and pray oftener for those who are sent forth to labor in the cause. They should pray that many more may soon be sent, and pray for those who do not have a mind to go. They should pray for more earnestness, more liberality. There should be prayer for more unity, more wisdom, more devotion, and more copious showers of the Holy Spirit.
Chicago, Ill.

The Transformed Life

By Ernest G. Wesley

ONE morning as I careless stood, And from a window facing east, Looked down upon the grass beneath, A dazzling gem before me lay— So clear, so bright, so beautiful, That beams of rising sun were grasped, Reflected back with rainbow hues, And splendors, deepening, revealed.
I looked, surprised and overjoyed, A prize so radiant to find Within my easy reach, my own. Entranced, its beauty held me there. From every view new glories flashed; And from the bower where it lay Its rays now shone with brighter light, Declaring value yet untold.
Then, as I watched and thought to take That priceless gem within my hand, It passed from sight, and left no more Than drop of dew upon the grass,— A drop of dew transformed by light Which shone upon its surface pure; Its glories were reflected rays.
As drop of dew by light transformed To diamond of spotless form, So, when in light of Christ we live, Transformed are we by Life divine, No longer self, but Christ is seen; His life is ours, his light, his love; We shine, but in his glory beams; All that we are, we are in him.
—Ernest G. Wesley, in Christian Advocate.

Why Are We a Separate People?

By Stephen Nelson Haskell

S. N. HASKELL
BETWEEN the years 1833 and 1844 Adventists held the position that the Lord would come on the tenth day of the seventh month of the last-mentioned year, which would be some time in October. Their reckoning was based on the twenty-three hundred days, or years, of Dan. 8: 14. They reasoned: (1) The sanctuary is the earth or the land of Palestine; (2) the cleansing of the sanctuary is the burning of the earth or the cleansing of Palestine at the coming of Christ. Hence the conclusion drawn was that our great High Priest would come to the earth on the tenth day of the seventh month in the autumn of 1844.
After the passing of the time, they soon learned that of the one hundred and forty-seven times the word “sanctuary” occurs in the Bible, it never in a single instance refers to this earth. But during the Mosaic economy it referred, first, to the tabernacle built by Moses, then to the temple built by Solomon, and finally to the temple built after the captivity by Zerubbabel, and rebuilt by Herod. But when Christ expired on the cross, and said it was finished, the veil of the temple was rent in twain, and God no longer had a sanctuary on earth.
The apostle Paul speaks of the heavenly sanctuary, and of Christ its minister, as follows: “Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.” The eighth and ninth chapters of Hebrews are full of this thought, and that the earthly sanctuary and its service is typical of the one in heaven where Christ officiates as our high priest.
The argument for the ending of the days can be briefly stated. It was demonstrated that the only starting-point for the twenty-three hundred days was the decree issued by Artaxerxes, recorded in the seventh chapter of Ezra. It is the only decree that has all the specifications mentioned in the ninth chapter of Daniel where the Lord speaks of the beginning of the seventy weeks, which began with “the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem.” This embraced all the features that were in the decree of Cyrus given in Ezra 1, and of the decree of Darius the Persian as given in the sixth chapter.
On this point the divine record states: “They builded, and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes, king of Persia.” Ezra 6: 14. So this last decree, the only one that bears all the specifications, is said by the Lord to be the decree. This also embraces the two preceding decrees. It is found in the seventh chapter of Ezra. The date in the margin is given as 457 B. C. This date was established by more than twenty eclipses. The preaching of the advent message based on these dates from 1838 to 1844, moved the world. The bitterest opposers to the Adventists at that time acknowledged the correctness of the dates, but denied the events which they said would take place.
To destroy a date established by eclipses would undermine every chronological fact in history. It is well known that in ancient history events are associated with an eclipse; the date of a certain battle or some great event is made certain by such association. Thus a date is given whose correctness can be established by astronomy to the very day. In this way many a disputed point has been established. It is God's infallible clock, always pointing out the true time.
Having established the date of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem in 457 B. C., it was very easy to subtract 457 from the 2300 years, leaving the number of years A. D. to be 1843. Then it was shown that the decree went forth six months later, i. e., six months in 457 B. C. This carried the termination of the period six months later, to the autumn of 1844. It was at this point of time that thousands upon thousands looked for Christ to come in the clouds of heaven. It was not in this country alone, but in Europe, Asia, and Africa; and among those most ignorant of God and the Bible, there was a general expectation that in some way the Desire of all ages would appear on this earth.
This movement laid the foundation of a separate people. To go back would be to deny the prophecy that had led us out. To go forward was the only course to pursue. Then upon further investigation it was found that the belief that the sanctuary was the earth was without any foundation whatever; and that God had a sanctuary still in the heavens where Christ is a minister. This opened up the Scriptures in an entirely new light.
Then the Adventists saw that “the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament,” which contained the ten commandments. To change the Sabbath it would be necessary to change it on the original copy of the law in heaven, which could not be done; therefore they began to look for Bible evidences for the change from the seventh day to the first. They found that in the observance of the Sabbath they had been as much mistaken as in the sanctuary question. From this time on there has been heralded to the world, “Here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” Rev. 14: 12. For the truthfulness of our position we appeal directly to the Word of God, and the past experience to which thousands bear witness.
Loma Linda, Cal.

A Double Rebuke

“Is she a Christian?” asked a celebrated missionary in the East, of one of the converts who was speaking unkindly of another person.
“Yes, I think she is,” was the reply.
“Well, then, since Jesus loves her in spite of that, why is it that you can’t?”
The rebuke was felt, and the fault-finder instantly withdrew. Some days later, the same one was speaking to the missionary in a similar spirit about another person. The same question was put—“Is she a Christian?”
In a half-triumphant tone, as if the speaker were beyond the reach of gunshot this time, it was answered, “I doubt if she truly is.”
“O, then,” rejoined the missionary, “I think you and I should feel such tender pity for her soul as to make any harsher feeling about her quite impossible.” — Family Treasury.

In Everything Give Thanks

“IN everything give thanks.”

Are All the Children In?

ARE all the children in? The night is falling, And storm-clouds gather in the threatening west; The lowing cattle seek a friendly shelter, The bird hies to her nest; The thunder crashes; wilder grows the tempest; And darkness settles o'er the fearful din; Come, shut the door, and gather round the hearthstone; Are all the children in?
Are all the children in? The night is falling When gilded sin doth walk about the streets. O, “at the last it biteth like a serpent!” Poisoned are stolen sweets. O mothers, guard the feet of inexperience, Too prone to wander in the paths of sin! O, shut the door of love against temptation! Are all the children in?
Are all the children in? The night is falling; The night of death is hastening on apace! The Lord is calling, “Enter thou thy chamber, And tarry there a space.” And when he comes, the King in all his glory, Who died the shameful death our hearts to win, O may the gates of heaven shut about us, With all the children in. — Selected.
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