WE gave proof in our last that three horns were plucked up by the little horn, the Papacy, in its rise to supreme power, according to the prophecy. We now compare this power still further with the predictions concerning the little horn, to ascertain if it meets the remaining specifications.
2. "And he shall speak great words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High, and shall think to change times and laws." A sufficient commentary on the words of arrogance and blasphemy which this little horn was to speak will be found in the titles which the Pope has assumed. He claims to be "'Universal Father,' 'Holy Father,' 'His Holiness,' 'Sovereign Pontiff,' 'Supreme Head of the Church on Earth,' 'Pater Familias,' (i. e., Father of the family of God,) 'Successor of Peter,' 'the Infallible One,' 'Prince of the Apostles,' 'Vicar of Christ,' 'Father of Fathers,' 'Lieutenant of Christ,' 'Father and Doctor of all Christians,' 'Lord of lords,' 'A God on Earth,' 'Lord God the Pope,' 'Prince of the World,' 'Monarch of the Earth,' 'King of kings.'"
"And shall wear out the saints of the Most High." No phrase could better denote the long and tedious persecutions of the saints by the Catholic Church. "It has been computed," says the Religious Encyclopedia, "that fifty millions of Protestants have at different times, been the victims of the persecutions of the Papists, and put to death for their religious opinions."
"And think to change times and laws." There are but two kinds of laws with which the Pope could have anything to do; and these are the laws of men, and the laws of God. But the laws designated in the text, are those over which he has no control, and no power to change; for it does not say that he should change them, but only think to do it. But human laws the Pope has instituted, changed or abrogated at his pleasure, and has also in this respect had a perfect right to do as he has done; these cannot therefore be the laws referred to; they must be the laws of God. Has the Papacy interfered with these? Read the following from Prof. Gaussen:—
"Daniel says of the little horn: A king diverse from the other ten shall think to change times and laws. This denotes the unparalleled attempt which the Pope has made upon the laws of God: pretended to change the law in its sovereignty, in its sanction, in the extent of its promulgation, in its contents, in its morals, and in its doctrines. He alone on earth, proclaiming himself infallible, has dared to put his decrees and traditions on a level with, and above the Scriptures. He alone on earth has pretended to pardon the sins which the law condemns, and to dispense from the duties which the law commands."
According to the boast and testimony of all Catholics, the Pope has directly changed the fourth commandment; he has abolished the second, divided the tenth, and transposed nearly all. For proof of these statements we refer to the various Catholic Catechisms in the land.
3. "And they shall be given into his hand until a time, and times, and the dividing of time." How long a period is denoted by this expression? This can easily be determined by reference to the Bible computation of time. In the language of Scripture a month has 30 days. Compare together Gen. 7:11, 24; 8:3, 4. There being twelve months in a year, a year would consist, according to this computation, of 360 days. A full year is also called a time. See Dan. 11:13, margin. Compare also the marginal chronology of Dan. 4:28, 34, which allots seven years to fulfill the period of Nebuchadnezzar's degradation till seven times should pass over him. Josephus also plainly tells us that Nebuchadnezzar was driven from his kingdom seven years. The period denoted by the text would therefore be, 1st, a time, one year, 360 days, 2d, times, two years, (the least that can be denoted by the plural number,) 720 days, and 3d, the dividing of time, half a year, or 180 days; which being all put together, make 1260 days. And a day in symbolic language, signifying just a year, (Num. 14:34; Eze. 4:6,) the period turns out, divested of all mystery, to be just 1260 years. This is the same that Dr. Clarke gives us in his note on Dan. 7:25, where he says, "In prophetic language a time signifies a year; and a prophetic year has127a year for each day. Three years and a half (a day standing for a year as in chap. 9:24) will amount to one thousand two hundred and sixty years, if we reckon thirty days to a month as the Jews do."
But the same period and same power are elsewhere brought to view in the word of God. In Rev. 12:6, we read of a woman (the acknowledged symbol of the church) who fled from the face of the dragon to a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and three score (1260) days. The same woman is again mentioned in the 14th verse, and the time during which she was to be nourished in the wilderness, as brought to view in verse 6, is here called a time, and times, and half a time. These two expressions therefore, the word of inspiration for it, denote the same period.
Again: In Rev. 13, John speaks of a beast to whom there was given a mouth, which he opened in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in Heaven. This power is on all hands acknowledged to be the Papacy; and who can fail to see its identity with the little horn of Dan. 7? But it is said of this beast, that "power was given him to continue forty and two months." As we have seen that in Bible language, a month consists of thirty days, forty-two months would amount to just 1260 days; which is farther proof that the two powers are identical, and that the expression, a time, times, and dividing of time through which the little horn was to continue, denotes in prophetic language, 1260 days, and in literal language 1260 years. There can be no doubt therefore in regard to the duration of the little horn's dominion over the saints, and times, and laws; and this being settled we are prepared for the application.
Having shown that the Papal supremacy commenced in 538, we have but to add 1260 years to that date to find its termination. They carry us to A. D. 1798; and here history has set up a towering waymark for the comfort and encouragement of all those who, waiting for the consolation of Israel, are watching the signs of the times, and patiently studying the word of prophecy. If clothing the Pope with temporal power gave the saints into his hands, and marked the commencement of his career, depriving him of that power, would terminate his supremacy; and the Pope was thus deprived of his civil authority in 1798. It is a notable fact of history, that on the 10th of February, 1798, Berthier, a French general, at the head of the Republican army of France, entered the city of Rome and took it. On the 15th of the same month, the Pope and his cardinals were taken prisoners, and shut up in the Vatican. The Papal government was abolished, and Rome and Italy, at the request of the people, were erected into the Roman republic. The Pope was carried a captive to France, where in 1799, he died a prisoner and an exile.
But the Papacy was still to exist after this event; for the prophet goes right on to say, "And they shall take away his dominion to consume and to destroy it unto the end." This abolition of the Papal government, is set forth in Rev. 13, by the captivity and deadly wound of the blasphemous beast; but the wound was to be healed. The Papacy has indeed been restored, but not to its former dominion: it has no more power to depose kings, and put the saints to death; and it is compelled to tolerate Protestantism.
A clearer and more definite fulfillment of prophecy, than is afforded us in this instance, could not be required. From 538 to 1798 is just 1260 years. The prophet saw the Man of sin arise, and the saints given into his power. He ran his eye over the long period of his grinding persecutions, and told us that at a given point he should be driven from his throne and his power broken. Time rolled on to the period specified, and it was so! Eighty-two years have elapsed since that event, and his power has been consuming and wearing away. In 1870 he lost the last vestige of his temporal sovereignty. The Bible has been circulated by millions of copies, which it was always the policy of the Pope to suppress; and the ancient institutions of Papacy are crumbling in her strongest holds. What is the next event in this chain of prophecy? The beast shall be slain, and his body given to the burning flame, and the kingdom and dominion and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven shall be given to the saints of the Most High. What more could we require? If a chain of prophecy like this will not convince mankind that earth is acting its final scenes, that time's last sands are falling, would a hundred more just like it? If one solemn "Thus saith the Lord," from the mouth of Jehovah, that the end of all things is at hand, will not convince and arouse, would it though uttered an hundred times? For us it is enough. When a prophet has told us with unerring certainty ninety-nine particulars in a series of events, for our part, we can trust him for the hundredth. The beast will be slain and his body given to the burning flame. The Man of sin will be consumed by the spirit of Christ's mouth, and destroyed by the brightness of his coming. The saints will take the kingdom. Blessed privilege to be among them! There is always good spoken concerning them. There is no chain of prophecy but carries them to a glorious end. There is an endless age of utterable glory always held up before them. They shall take the kingdom. They shall be delivered, whose names are found written in the book. They shall shine as the brightness of the firmament forever and ever. They shall stand on Mount Zion with the Lamb having the harps of God, and shout victory over the beast and his image, and the number of his name. May the writer and the reader of these imperfect lines help swell the ranks of God's mighty, shining ones, when they go in to possess the kingdom.
U. S.
WHICH IS THE GLOOMY DOCTRINE?
By John Nevins Andrews
The sleep of the dead is often designated a gloomy doctrine, and many refuse to listen to the testimony of the Bible on this subject, choosing rather to remain "ignorant concerning them which are asleep" than to consider the stern realities of death and the grave. "Your doctrine," say they, is chilling, repulsive, forbidding. The sleep of the dead! why, the very idea is enough to freeze one. But the immortality of the soul, and the reward of the saints at death, this is the very marrow and fatness of the gospel; this is indeed that blessed hope.
But stop, friends, a few moments. It may be that you are blinded by prejudice. Be not too hasty. If you are not willing to devote the needed time for weighing this subject in the balances of the Scriptures, will you not wait long enough to try the justice of this objection in the balances of reason.
You say that the doctrine is full of gloom, and that the departed saints have experienced a bitter disappointment in being consigned to the cold grave for long ages, instead of being received into glory. You think the idea full of gloom to the living, and dreadful to the dead. But you forget that, if the doctrine be true, there is no chill, no gloom, no darkness, no disappointment, no lapse of time, no waiting through long ages, to the dead. The interval between their decease and their resurrection will to them be no time at all. The twinkling of an eye, in which the righteous will be changed to immortality, will be as long to them as the whole period during which righteous Abel has slept in death will be to him. And to him, so far as his own knowledge of the case is concerned, it will be precisely as though he entered Heaven at the very moment he was slain.
You say that this helps the matter a little; but that, for all this, the sleep of the dead will no more compare in consolation with the soul's immortality and the reward at death than the desert of Sahara will compare in beauty with the garden of Eden. Do not be too hasty, friends. You may discover facts that will change this opinion. You find great consolation in the thought that the soul is immortal, and that men are rewarded as soon as they die. Answer me a few questions. How large a part of mankind lead lives of holiness, and die with good evidence of their acceptance with God? Truth compels you to answer that a minority are all that can be said to do this. What becomes, then, of this great majority of men who have died out of Christ, and entered their reward? Oh! they have gone into the furnace of fire where there is wailing and gnashing of teeth. What is the condition, then, at this very moment, of the greater part of the dead, according to this cheering doctrine of yours? You have to answer, They are in unspeakable torment. You admit that this dreadful fact somewhat abates the consolation you have hitherto found in this doctrine. But I want you to answer one question more. If the soul is immortal, as you affirm, how long are these impenitent men thus to suffer? You answer again, and this time surely with a shudder, THEY MUST SUFFER TO ALL ETERNITY. Before we part with the gloomy doctrine? Is it not a relief to your mind to think that men are to be judged BEFORE they are rewarded or punished? and that till the day of Judgment men wait for their reward? And is not that doctrine best which teaches that immortality is the gift of God, and that it is to be given only to the righteous? J. N. A.
Delighting in God
HE who truly loves God delights to meditate of him, and to discourse of him, and to hear the mention of his name, and is weary of the conversations where God is irreverently mentioned, or seldom or slightly remembered.
WALK IN THE LIGHT.
By Ellen G. White
JESUS is light, and in him is no darkness at all. His people should be children of light, since they are renewed in his image, and called out of darkness into his marvelous light. As he is the light of the world, so also they that represent him should be the light of the world. They should not walk in darkness, but should have the light of life. The more closely people strive to imitate Christ, the more perseveringly will they be pursued by the enemy. But their nearness to Christ will strengthen them to resist the wily foe in his efforts to lead them from the truth.
There is too much comparing ourselves among ourselves, taking fallible mortals for a pattern when we have a sure, unerring Pattern. The people of God should not measure themselves by the world, nor by the opinions of men, nor by what they once were. But their present faith and position in the world must be compared with what they would have been if their course had been continually onward and upward since they professed to be followers of Christ. This is the only safe comparison that can be made. In every other, there will be self-deception. If the moral character and spiritual state of God's people, do not correspond with the blessings, privileges, and light, which has been conferred upon them, they will be weighed in the balance and found wanting.
With some, the knowledge of their true state seems to be hidden from them. They see the truth, but perceive not its importance, or its claims. They hear the truth, but do not fully understand it, because they do not conform their lives to it, and therefore are not sanctified through obeying it. And yet they rest as unconcerned, and well satisfied, as though the cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night, as tokens of God's favor, went before them. They profess to know God, but in works deny him. They reckon themselves as his chosen, peculiar people, yet his presence and power to save to the uttermost are seldom manifested among them. How great is the darkness of such! yet they know it not. The light shines, but they do not comprehend it. No stronger delusion can deceive the human mind, than that which makes them believe that they are right, and that God accepts their works, when they are sinning against him. They mistake the form of godliness for the spirit and power thereof. They suppose that they are rich, and have need of nothing, when they are poor, wretched, blind, and naked, and need all things.
There are some who profess to be Christ's followers, yet have no labor in spiritual things. In any worldly enterprise they put forth efforts, and manifest ambition to accomplish their object, and bring about their desired end; but in the enterprise of everlasting life, where all is at stake, and their eternal happiness depends upon their success, they act as indifferent as though they were not moral agents, and another was playing the game of life for them, and they had nothing to do but wait the result. Oh, what folly! what madness! If all will only manifest that degree of ambition, zeal, and earnestness, for everlasting life that they manifest in their worldly pursuits, they will be victorious overcomers. All must obtain an experience for themselves and act well and faithfully their part in the game of life. While Satan is watching an opportunity when the Christian is unguarded, to seize the precious graces, the Christian will have a severe conflict with the powers of darkness to retain them; or, if he has lost a heavenly grace through lack of watchfulness, he will have a struggle to regain it.
It is the privilege of Christians to obtain strength from God to hold every precious gift. Fervent and effectual prayer will be regarded in Heaven. When the servants of Christ take the shield of faith for their defense, and the sword of the Spirit for war, they will succeed. When the truth in its simplicity and strength prevails among believers, and is brought to bear against the spirit of the world, it will be evident that between Christ and Belial there is no concord. The disciples of Christ must be living examples of the life and spirit of their Master.
Young and old have a conflict and warfare before them. They should not sleep for a moment. A wily foe is constantly on the alert to lead them astray and overcome them. Believers in present truth must be as watchful as their enemy, and manifest wisdom in resisting him. Will they do this? Will they persevere in this warfare? Will they be careful to depart from all128iniquity? Christ is denied in many ways. We may deny him in our words, by speaking contrary to truth, or by speaking evil of others, or by idle or foolish talking or jesting. In these things we manifest but little shrewdness or wisdom. We make ourselves weak, and our efforts are feeble to resist our great enemy, and we are conquered. From the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh, and through lack of watchfulness we confess that Christ is not in us.
Those who hesitate to devote themselves unreservedly to God, make poor work of following Christ. They follow him at such a distance they do not really know whether they are following in his footsteps or in those of their great enemy. Why are we so slow to give up our interest in the things of this world, and take Christ for our only portion? Why should we wish to keep the friendship of our Lord's enemies, and follow their customs and be led by their opinions? There must be an entire, unreserved surrender to God, a forsaking and turning away from the love of the world and earthly things, or we cannot be his disciples.
The life and spirit of Christ is the only standard of excellence and perfection, and our only safe course is in following his example. In doing this he will guide us by his counsel, and afterward receive us to glory. We must strive diligently, and be willing to suffer much, in order to walk in the footsteps of our Redeemer. God is willing to work for us, to give us of his free Spirit, if we will strive for it, live for it, believe for it; and then we can walk in the light as he is in the light. We can feast upon his love, and drink in of his rich fullness.
SOME in this age are so afraid of legalism, as they call it, that they cannot endure the idea of commandments in the gospel dispensation. They profess that love supersedes obedience, whereas obedience is the test and proof of love. More than this; it is the embodiment of love. They will have it—"Love is a substitution for the law." But the word of the Lord has it—"Love is the fulfilling of the law."
Let us trace the terms used in Rom. 5:19, and see what relation is there brought to view of the work of Christ and our obedience to the law. The verse speaks of "obedience," "disobedience," "sinners," and the "righteous." Remembering that the whole connection is a dissertation on the law and its relations, we examine the definitions. Unrighteousness is the same as sin. "All unrighteousness is sin." 1 John 5:17. And, "Sin is the transgression of the law." 1 John 3:4. Righteousness is the opposite of unrighteousness; but unrighteousness is sin, or the transgression of the law; therefore righteousness is the opposite of the transgression of the law; which is to say that righteousness is obedience to the law.
These definitions or synonyms are "by authority," being given in the Scriptures. We may properly read them in the text, Rom. 5:19, as follows: For as by the disobedience, or sin, of one, many were made disobedient; so by the obedience of one, shall many be made obedient.
Obedient to what? As sin is the transgression of the law, their reversed condition makes them obedient to the law, which is here the subject of the apostle's discourse. If sin is disobedience to the law, the remedy must of course be effected by obedience to the law. I say, of course, for how shall disobedience be cured except in obedience? Can any one tell? How shall our sins or transgressions of the law cease, except by our ceasing to transgress it? The truth on this subject is so plain that nothing but prejudice can prevent any one seeing it.
J. H. WAGGONER.
CAN WE KNOW THE DAY?
By R. F. Cottrell
It is said that it is impossible to find the day of the Sabbath. If this is so, of course you cannot keep it. Then who is to blame if we do not keep it? Not ourselves surely. No one is to be blamed for not doing what he cannot do.
Now who believes in God, believes he commands us to keep his Sabbath, and yet believes he has left it by his word and his providence so that we cannot obey his commandment, because it is impossible to find the day? I do not believe in nor worship such a God as that. If this is a true description of God, it is no wonder you do not care to honor him by keeping his Sabbath. But if God is not of this character, you can keep his Sabbath, and you ought to do so. Make sure on which party the fault lies, before you come to the Judgment.
R. F. COTTRELL.
Sin and Repentance
SIN rides the sled down hill. Repentance draws it back again.
EXTRACTS FROM LETTERS.
By Editor
WE give below some extracts of letters received in response to copies of the SIGNS sent out by our missionary workers.
A brother writing of his courage in the missionary work says: “I am sending out sixty-three copies of the SIGNS every week, and twenty copies of Good Health every month. It is sweet to work for Jesus. I am in hopes that my prayers will soon be answered, and that I shall have at least one hundred and twenty copies of the SIGNS to send out weekly. Not long since I received a letter from a gentleman in Kentucky, stating that he had heard so much of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, that he wanted me to send him a sample copy, with subscription price for one year. We have received letters from Australia, England, Wales, Italy, Egypt, South Africa, and we have correspondents in many other parts of the world.”
A friend writing from N. C., says: “I have received several copies of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES. Have read them with great care and interest. I am well pleased with the doctrines they advocate. I agree with you exactly in regard to the immortality of the soul, and eternal punishment. I think the application of the two-horned beast to the United States must be correct. Judging from the religious tone of the SIGNS, Seventh day Adventists certainly possess a greater Christian zeal than most other Christians. I feel very grateful to you for being so kind to me a stranger. May God speed you in your labor. I shall do all I can to circulate the SIGNS. I am satisfied that you are right in regard to the Sabbath. I have not given the sanctuary subject much study yet, but will study on that next. I understand that you have a tract entitled ‘The Rich Man and Lazarus,’ which I would like to read. Although satisfied on the subject myself, I would like to be able to satisfy others.”
Another writes from Scotland: “I have received several copies of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES. I read the paper with interest, and give it away when I129am through. But though there are frequently articles with which I fully sympathize, I must candidly tell you that my views on the meaning of prophecy are widely different from yours, and are, I think, hardly likely to be changed without more reason than I have yet seen.”
A lady replying to a letter sent with copies of the SIGNS to Jamaica, by a member of the Oakland V. M. Society, says: “I have to acknowledge the receipt of your kind note together with your little treasure, for such they are to me. I have read them with profit and delight. One matter that has puzzled me, was the state of the dead. Other things that I desired to know more about, have been clearly brought to my mind’s eye through these little messengers. Thanks for opening my understanding.”
A gentleman writes from Ireland: “Many thanks for your kindness in sending the SIGNS OF THE TIMES. I find them very interesting and edifying. I should feel grateful to have them continued.”
Another from Yuba City, Col., writes: “I have received several numbers of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES. They contain much excellent reading matter, and their general tone seems well calculated to assist the good cause to which the paper is devoted.”
A lady in Essex, Conn., writes to a friend who has recently commenced to observe the Sabbath: “I was somewhat surprised to learn of your ‘new departure,’ but have no condemnatory words for you. I once had my attention called to the subject of the seventh-day Sabbath, and partially investigated it, but something came in my way; yet now I want the very best light there is. If you have anything to help me, please let me have it. I wonder what the mark of the beast is. Can you tell me? I feel an intense desire to belong to the Lord’s family here, and to be gathered with them by-and-by.”
A JOKE WITH A POINT.
By J. H. Waggoner
The Santa Barbara Press contains the following:—
"Mamma, I'm going to start a Sunday-school, next Saturday, for the Spanish children. I think that would be doing something for God, don't you? asked a little Santa Barbara miss of nine years, the other day."
To which the San Francisco daily Alta appends the following:—
"But it will mix up the recording angel's books. How can he run in a Sunday-school among Saturday's matinees and fights?"
Coming to facts, the Alta overlooks the abundance of "Sunday entertainments" in its own vicinity. With the Sunday excursions, Sunday picnics, the open Gardens, the match games of base ball, shooting matches, special Sunday attractions at Woodward's Gardens, open saloons, and cigar stands, and other sports literally "too numerous to mention," the Sunday-school occupies a very small place in a San Francisco Sunday.
But the point made by the Press is worthy of note It refers to the incongruity of a Sunday-school on Saturday. But there is little chance to laugh over the mistake of the "little Santa Barbara miss of nine years," while so many aged people, of large opportunities, are continually making the blunder of thinking that they hold Sabbath-school on Sunday! Look at the following facts:—
There is no chance to question the fact that Sunday is the first day of the week. And all that we can know of the Sabbath we learn from the Bible—it is entirely a Bible institution. But the Bible distinctly says that "the seventh day is the Sabbath." This is the unvarying testimony of the Old Testament; and every one of the many mentions of the Sabbath in the New Testament refers to the same day. As in Luke 23:56, and 24:1, the Sabbath day, upon which they rested "according to the commandment," was immediately followed by the first day of the week. Indeed, no day but the seventh day can possibly be the Sabbath of the Lord; for Sabbath means rest, and as the Sabbath institution is based solely on the facts of creation, that day alone can be the Sabbath, or rest of the Lord upon which he rested, which was the seventh day. There is no hint in all the Bible of any institution of a Sabbath on the first day, of any commandment or obligation for its observance. It is not the Sabbath. Now, if it can be truly considered an incongruity to hold Sunday-school on Saturday, is not the incongruity equally great to hold Sabbath-school on Sunday? The idea of holding Sunday-school on another day than Sunday, is quite as reasonable as that of holding Sabbath-school on another day than the Sabbath.
J. H. WAGGONER.
TEMPERANCE.
By S. N. Haskell
“God's people are the light of the world.” It is by their good works that others are to see reflected in them the character of Christ. His character should ever be exemplified in their lives that the world through them may learn of him.
Every true reform should receive the support of all Christians. The standard should be raised high, and their lives bear testimony to a more exalted platform than that raised by those not professing His name. When the Christian fails in this respect, he lowers the standard of piety and holiness, and the cause of Christ is reproached.
The platform presented by the American Health and Temperance Association recognizes three pledges, viz., the Anti-Whisky Pledge, the Anti-Rum and Tobacco Pledge, and the Teetotal Pledge, which excludes in addition to the others, the use of tea, coffee, and opium. This is the pledge which all church members are expected to sign. True temperance, taken from a Bible standpoint, prohibits the use of improper and stimulating food as well as intoxicating drinks. Our Saviour's caution is, “and take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.” Daniel “purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank.”
It is a universally acknowledged fact that tobacco and opium not only enslave the appetite but create a thirst for intoxicants. The Christian, therefore, should renounce every connecting link that serves to enslave him in the bondage of intemperance, whether it be food or drink.
Tea and coffee contain a certain amount of that which is absolutely poisonous. In fact, the so-called virtue of these beverages is due to the narcotic poison which they contain. A writer in the Atlantic Monthly remarks: “Next to tobacco and alcohol, tea and coffee have supplied more of the needed (?) excitement of mankind than any other stimulants. Many sober minds make tea the vis a tergo [propelling force from behind] of their daily intellectual labor. Just as a few, of greater imagination or genius, seek in opium the spur of their ephemeral efforts.”
Is it too much for the professed children of God to take their stand against these injurious stimulants? Should we not consider the moral bearing of this question? May God bless the army of Christian men and women who will not in their practice countenance any habit that will enslave the appetite or compromise the sternest integrity.
S. N. HASKELL.
SIGNS OF THE END.
THE Illustrated Christian Weekly says: “It cannot be denied that in the moral and religious tone of society at large all the world over, there has been a deterioration and a failure to respond to former remedies, of increasing and notable character. The average Christian conscience has lost much of its tenderness, and does not hesitate to act upon principles, which even a generation since would have been accepted with great hesitation.
“The lines of Christian conformity to the maxims and amusements of the world are much more loosely drawn. The participation in theatrical and operatic exhibitions, the mingling in dances, and Sabbath indulgences of reading, and riding, and neglect of the service of God, were very differently regarded then by most professors of religion. And as the evil has extended the old remedies of religious warning and instruction have greatly failed of their former effects.
“Is there then, some general cause which is affecting the world morally and spiritually, as well as physically? Are we drawing nigh to the ‘last day,’ when ‘perilous times shall come?’ ‘For men shall’ then, the apostle tells us, ‘be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high minded, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God, having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.’”
The feature of depravity described in the concluding clause, which no one but God could have foreseen, is peculiarly characteristic of the present age.
The Missionary.
YE who have labored since the morn,
The heat and burden of the day,
Still nobly bear as ye have borne;
The Lord of harvest will repay
The work your loving hands have wrought.
Already have your faces caught
A kind of glory from the sky,
A radiance which can never die!
PROVOKING TO GOOD WORKS.
By John Norton Loughborough
THE officers of our missionary societies should stimulate the members to work, and the members by their example should encourage each other. It is in harmony with Scripture teaching "to provoke" one another to good works. Says Paul, "Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and good works." Heb. 10:24. "For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many." 2 Cor. 9:2.
There are various kinds of work to be done in the missionary cause. Absent members should be corresponded with, not simply to ascertain their worldly prospects, but to learn their spiritual standing and advancement, and to stimulate and assist them if possible in performing missionary labor in their new place of residence.
Those in the church who may be faltering, in trial, or in need of help, as well as those who may be interested to learn the truth, and have not yet taken their stand upon it, should be visited. In many instances, when a minister comes to a church, he is met by some of the members who say, "There is a brother or sister so and so, who ought to be visited. I don't think any one has called on them in a long time."
This branch of the missionary work is just calculated to furnish helpers to the ministry, and to furnish nursing fathers and mothers in the church. With the lack of ministers among us the missionary society has been wisely ordered of the Lord to raise up many helpers. Judicious missionary labor is calculated to accomplish as much or more than all the ministers in bringing souls to the truth.
Shall we meet the Master, doing all we can in his cause and receive the plaudit "Well done, good and faithful servant"? or shall he come seeking fruit and find with us "Nothing but leaves"?
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.
MEETING AT SANTA ROSA.
By S. N. Haskell
THIS meeting was one of special interest to the friends of the cause in that section. The companies at Healdsburg, Green Valley, Sonoma, St. Helena, Petaluma, and Stony Point were represented, besides many scattered brethren from the surrounding country. The testimony of Sister White was well received and appreciated by the friends present. On Sunday P. M., the matter of Bro. Corliss and others coming to this coast to labor was mentioned. After some spirited remarks by the leading brethren present, the following was moved by Elder Healey, seconded by Bro. John Morrison, and carried by a unanimous vote:—
Resolved, That we cordially invite Brethren Corliss and Farnsworth, or such other Brethren as the general Conference may see fit to send us, to labor on this coast, and promise to sustain them by our prayers and means to the best of our ability.
The propriety of purchasing a tent for such laborers to enter new fields was suggested, whereupon Elder Healey presented the following:—
WHEREAS, We hope and expect that Elder Corliss and colaborers will be sent to labor on this coast the coming season, and in order to make their labors the more effectual, we must have a tent in addition to those now used by us in this State, one of which is much worn; therefore,
Resolved, That we raise a fund of five hundred dollars to purchase such a tent as the Conference Committee may decide to be needed, and to this end pledge ourselves to pay at or before our next Northern Camp-meeting the sum set opposite our names.
Instead of a formal adoption by vote, all had the privilege of expressing their minds in a more practical manner by signing their names opposite certain amounts they felt able to give. Nearly all present, including children, signed the above; some, representing other churches, preferred to wait and head a list in their own church. The sum of over one hundred and fifty dollars was immediately pledged.
Each church and company in the State, through the tract society officers, will have the privilege of assisting in raising a tent fund, to be appropriated in furthering the cause in this Conference.
At 7 P. M., on Sunday, Sister White spoke to a large and interested audience from 1 Peter 1: 13–16. The influence of this meeting was excellent, and the brethren return to their homes with renewed courage. S. N. HASKELL.
Measuring a Man’s Virtues
A man's virtues should be measured, not by his occasional exertions, but by doings of his ordinary life.
LAFAYETTE, CAL.
By B. A. Stephens
MARCH 7, a Health and Temperance club was organized, with Melville Grant as leader, and Mrs. W. Downey, secretary.
All here are now supplied with Testimony, No. 29, and nearly all with tithing-boxes. The Sabbath-school class contribution boxes work well, and at the present rate will more than furnish all necessary supplies.
Elder W. S. Urmy, the Methodist pastor here, threw out a challenge for discussion on the Sabbath question, which I accepted, and it came off March 11. He took strong antinomian ground, denied that Christ was our example, and said that it was unnecessary to keep the Father's commandments. The Lord gave force to the truth in reply.
The Alhambra school-house near here was burned in a gale last week, and so closed the way for my giving a course of lectures there before the tent season, as I had intended.