What Each Has Done for the World—Will the Papacy Regain Her Power?—What Does the Prophecy Forecast?—The Healing of the Deadly Wound
By I. A. CRANE
The question of Catholic control has become a burning one before the American people. Neither is the present agitation on this question without a cause and a purpose. In recent years, things have transpired that have aroused suspicion in the minds of many. All that is needed to put persons on guard is the memory of past wrongs, when the rights of the minority in matters of conscience were denied.
As is often the case with questions which agitate the public mind, much that is said savors of popular prejudice rather than truth. However, we believe that the present awakening regarding Rome and her work, like that regarding the gospel in Paul’s day, whether in pretense or in truth, whether by contention or by good will, is according to the purpose of God. The people are becoming aroused to appreciate and understand the truth concerning a question which involves all that is sacred and dear to mankind.
It must be apparent to Catholics, as well as to Protestants, that until the present time, the words “Rome” and “America” have been terms opposite in meaning, at least so far as church control is concerned. May we not profitably consider what effect the principles for which each has stood have had upon the world?
WHAT ROME AND HER POLICY HAVE DONE
If we desire to know what Rome and her principles have accomplished for the world, we need only look to that time when she had undisputed control over the world. No one could say that those days were days of enlightenment. To us they are known as the Dark Ages. The more complete the rule of Rome, the more intense the darkness that prevailed. Truly, as has been said, “the noonday of Rome was the moral midnight of the world.”
As to the blessings of liberty enjoyed during her rule, let millions of martyrs answer. If any enjoyed liberty to obey the call of the gospel and the dictates of conscience, it was in some mountain fastness, unknown to the emissaries of Rome. Her subjects could have banishment, torture, and death, but liberty never! Hers was the unchangeable policy pursued by the dragon from whom she received her great authority and power. Rev. 13:2. It was a determined policy to hinder obedience to the commands and teachings of the Word, and to compel the observance of doctrines and customs received by her from the false religions of heathendom.
True to principle, she who hated light must surely do all in her power to suppress that Book which is a lamp to the feet and a light to the path.
SHACKLED SCIENTIFIC MINDS
Not only did she shackle the minds and bodies of men in all matters of religion and conscience, but in temporal things as well. She manifested her wrath against truth and enlightenment by her relentless persecution of Galileo, who invented the telescope, and dared teach the truth he had learned concerning the movements of the planetary system. The pope was “infallible”; how dared Galileo claim to know more than he! How dare any man teach what the pope and his colleagues deny!
No man could with safety pursue or teach knowledge in advance of his time, lest suspicion be aroused, and he be required by some zealous churchman to show that he was not guilty of heresy. Any truth not already indorsed by the church could be made heresy, and its advocates punished with imprisonment and death.
It follows as a natural consequence that when men are deprived of liberty in matters that pertain to the highest and noblest aspiration of the mind—the right to respond to the claims of Deity—the mind becomes enslaved indeed, and can never develop even in common learning. In Rome’s palmiest days, there could therefore be no marked713development in science, no wonderful inventions, such as immediately appeared when her power was broken. No steam printing press, no telephone, no steamship or railroad train, belongs to the days of Rome’s supremacy. Her principles stand condemned as being not conducive, but detrimental, to the peace and prosperity of the world. They stand opposed to development in science and invention, as well as in morals and religion. Not liberty, but oppression; not peace, but trouble; not enlightenment, but darkness and superstition, characterize the time of her control.
WAS THE AGE RESPONSIBLE?
Some may say that the moral degeneration and superstition of the age, rather than Catholic principles, were responsible for the evils that then prevailed. To this we reply that since she had universal control of the nations in civil as well as spiritual affairs, it was her duty and privilege to dispel the darkness, and provide a remedy for the existing evils. Yet this she never attempted to do, or if attempting, utterly failed to accomplish; so that to-day her claim to infallible changelessness certainly affords us but little hope that she would control America to any better advantage. She has never in times past been a willing partaker in anything that brought liberty and light to the world. Even to this day, in Spain and in South American countries, and wherever her influence still prevails, it may be seen that her rule breeds superstition, darkness, and oppression. In every land and in every age, the testimony is ever the same,—that the more fully a nation repudiates her policies and resents her control, the safer are the people of that nation to enjoy liberty and peace.
Since the blessings of peace and liberty are not found in Rome, let us turn to the history of America, and the principles for which America stands.
WHAT AMERICA AND HER PRINCIPLES HAVE ACCOMPLISHED
Rome’s grinding oppression, her stifling of conscience, her wearing out of the saints of God, who are the light of the world (Dan. 7:25; Matt. 5:14), did not leave the world in a favorable condition for rapid progress and enlightenment. For the elect’s sake, God had shortened the days of Rome’s oppression. Matt. 24:21, 22. Her power had been weakened by the Reformation. The faithful of God had fled from her wrath to the wilderness and the mountains. Then, as it were, the earth opened her mouth, and there was revealed a new place of refuge to the oppressed of earth. A new world—America—offered an asylum. Here, under the fostering care of the Almighty, was planted the seed of a mighty nation, under whose influence the downtrodden millions of earth were encouraged to continue the struggle for liberty.
In America was to be found a new order of things indeed. It was in America that the declaration was made: “We hold these truths to be self-evident,—that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
America was declaring to the world that the only legitimate reason for the existence of governments among men was to protect men in these God-given rights. Governments were to make these rights “secure” to the people to whom they were bequeathed by their Creator. No nation could give men rights. These are inherent in the people. Bigots may invade these rights, but justice still confirms them.
Men of other nations recognized and believed the principles for which the American people were struggling, and some of them yielded their lives to aid in the struggle.
Rome lent no aid to America in her struggle. The principles advocated in America were clearly a denial of Rome’s most cherished creed. Yet she remained neutral. This was not because she was yielding to light, but because England also was her enemy. To curse America and her declaration would be giving aid to England, whom she would gladly see humbled.
STRUGGLE FOR RIGHTS OF CONSCIENCE
The doctrines of the equality of men and the rights of conscience were not crystallized into law, even in America, without a struggle. Neither have they continued except against the most determined opposition.
America stands for liberty and equality. Her first organic act, after her constitution was ratified, was to place religion and conscience above the realms of civil law, by the enactment of the first amendment. This, with the Declaration of Independence, is the great bulwark of religious liberty. It declares that “Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”
This first amendment became a part of “the supreme law of the land”; and by article 6 of the same constitution, it binds all judges in all the several states above any law in any state.
A LIBERTY DEARER THAN LIFE
Absolute liberty of conscience and religion were thus guaranteed by the American constitution. Men were to be free to heed the voice of conscience and right.
The very word “liberty” is dear to the heart of man. The love of liberty is heaven-born. Liberty is dearer than life itself. Without it there can be no enjoyment. This great boon is granted by American law. If the law has not been upheld, that is not because of the failure of these glorious principles, but rather because of a counterworking of the opposite principles, upheld by men who are untrue to American ideals.
THE SUCCESS OF THE PRINCIPLES
What have been the results of the carrying out of these American principles? It had been said that such principles would lead to anarchy, infidelity, and ruin.
The papacy received her deadly wound when the French army took Rome, and made Pope Pius VI prisoner, in 1798. Rev. 13:3, 10. America was just beginning her career. The facts as to America’s policy and principles are before us in the peace and progress of the nation. No other nation has ever made such wonderful advancement in so short a time and in so peaceable a manner. Never has there been such remarkable progress in science and invention. All that made for peace and happiness and enlightenment, which could not exist while Rome bound the minds and consciences of men, now sprang into activity. Rome had ruled, but made no advancement, for over a thousand years. Now, when her power was broken in the Old World, and America became free in the New, what marvelous changes do we behold! Who dares assert that the change was not for the better? Not a voice dares affirm that the change from Catholic to American principles was for the worse.
Shall the world return to Catholic rule? Shall America repudiate her declaration and her constitution? Will she apostatize? Reader, do you desire again those days of religious tyranny? Are you ready to yield your right to worship God according to the dictates of conscience?
THE WARNING OF PROPHECY
Take warning. The sure word of prophecy says of Rome, “His deadly wound was healed.” Rev. 13:3. It foretells of an image yet to be made “to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.” Rev. 13:14, 15. Rome can never control America so long as Americans stand by her constitution as it is.
Again we ask, Will America apostatize, and repudiate her constitution? The prophecy gives the warning; and the widespread move on the part of Protestants to enact and enforce religious laws, seems to indicate that our nation is about to fulfill the prophecy, and open the way for Catholic control. Let every American and every Christian stand for religious liberty as set forth in the United States Constitution. Our constitution is the logical outgrowth of the principles of soul liberty taught by Jesus Christ.
Put First Things First
“Put first things first.”
DISTINCTIONS IN LAW
By L. A. R.
Three Sets of Laws in the Divine Plan — Distinctions Made in Giving Them What Has Been Abolished, and What Remains
God has three sets of laws.
First, there is the great law of love — love to God and love to man. Love to God is interpreted by the first four commandments, and love to man is interpreted by the last six of the commandments. These laws are for God’s moral government in the earth; and they are binding upon all, for the speaking of the law makes all the world guilty before God. Rom. 3: 19.
But man sinned, transgressed this law of love. Then there was instituted a remedial system, a sacrificial system; and it necessitated laws, rules, and regulations. These laws are summarized in Lev. 7: 37, 38. The law of the sin offering presupposes some previous law that has been transgressed, else there would be no sin, and no need of a law of sin offering.
PLAN OF THE THEOCRACY
Third, God instituted a theocracy, a nation under His direction. And a nation must necessarily have a government, laws that would involve every avenue of life. These were the national laws. The nation having ceased to exist, it cannot carry out its national laws, although they were based upon moral principles — in fact, based upon the principles of the Ten Commandment law. The penalties for transgression of that law that were meted out by that nation when it ruled, will not now be meted out until the Judgment day. They were all good laws, and beneficial; and by studying them, we can learn much as to God’s thought concerning governments. The principles of those laws still endure, though the nation that executed them has ceased to exist.
SEPARATE FROM ALL OTHER LAW
God gave the Ten Commandment law separate from all other laws. He uttered it with His own voice. He wrote it with His own finger. It was placed upon enduring stone. It was kept in a place separate from all the other laws, and when referred to, was referred to as distinctive from all other law. The following scriptures from Deuteronomy alone refer to the Ten Commandment law, distinctive from any that Moses said or wrote: Deut. 33: 2; 4: 30; 5: 22; 8: 20.
The expression “hearken to” or “obey” the voice of God has direct reference to the Ten Commandments, and it declares that the prosperity of Israel depends upon their keeping all of the Ten Commandments, particularly those that refer to their worship of God. Deut. 8: 19, 20 shows that idolatrous worship would be their ruin. Sabbath breaking was another one of the great national sins that brought the captivity of Israel.
The ark of the covenant was built especially to contain the law of God. Its name, “the ark of the covenant,” referred directly to the Ten Commandments, the basis of God’s covenant with any people.
THE CEREMONIAL LAW
The other law, the ceremonial law, containing certain provisions and penalties, was written by Moses, and delivered to the priests, the sons of Levi. Its reading was made compulsory, and it was to be obeyed “as long as ye live in the land whither ye go over Jordan to possess it.” Deut. 31: 13. It was placed by the side of the ark. This law of Moses was not inside the ark, nor in the side of the ark, but by the side of it. Our Authorized Version does not give it correctly. It was where the priests could get it during the times when they must take it out and read it to the people.
It is very easy to see how different this law was considered from that law which God Himself proclaimed and wrote. That was placed inside the ark, and the mercy seat was placed upon it; and above that mercy seat, God’s glory shone, the Shekinah of His presence. In this we have a perfect picture of God’s throne, and the relation of His law to His government. It is the foundation of His rule. His law is underneath His throne. No man can get at that law to change it one whit, unless he goes by the Shekinah of God’s presence, causes God to abdicate His throne, lifts up the mercy seat, where justice and mercy meet, and withdraws the law from the place where God originally placed it.
I do not see how any one can go against such evidence as this, and say that all law God ever gave is alike, and to be treated alike; that if any part goes — circumcision, or any of the law — the Sabbath goes too. I can understand how one might want it to be this way; but that it is this way, there is not one thing in the Bible to show.
We have, however, direct word upon this question of the penalty of the law. In the third chapter of 2 Corinthians are given the following contrasts: that the law under the old covenant was written on stone; that the law of to-day — the same law, for there is no intimation of any change — is upon tables that are hearts of flesh. Verse 3.
THE TWO MINISTRATIONS OF THE LAW
In this connection, read also Heb. 10: 16. The ministration of the law was carried out to the letter, and meant death to the transgressor. The new covenant ministration is by the Spirit, and enables one to keep that law fully, so that he receives life. This is the statement also of Rom. 8: 3, 4: “For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Through Christ, the requirement of the law may be fulfilled in us. And so it is that Paul can say that we do not make void the law of God through faith; God forbid; nay, we establish the law. Rom. 3: 31.
Christ plainly shows the difference between the ministration of the mere letter of the law, and its spiritual application, after declaring that He does not come to destroy the law, or to change it one whit, and that if any one shall break one of the least of these commandments, and teach men so, he shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven.
He quotes from that Ten Commandment law, and says, “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; . . . but I say unto you, that whosoever is angry with his brother,” breaks this commandment. So with the seventh commandment. Matt. 5: 21 and onward.
The Spirit applies the law to the very heart and mind, and thus reaches the secret things, the intents and purposes. Yet Paul declares, in 2 Cor. 3: 7, that the ministration of the old covenant was glorious. However glorious that ministration715of condemnation may have been, the ministration of righteousness exceeds in glory. So the ministration of the old covenant, the carrying out of penalties by man, which could apply only to the letter of the law, and not to the spirit, has passed away. We are now in the days of the ministration of the law by the Spirit of God. Man cannot execute the penalties of the law, for he cannot know another’s thoughts. He could only judge in so far as one transgressed the letter of the law — failed to conform outwardly to that law. This shows plainly enough that such a ministration was not a final ministration even in those days. It was merely that part of the work which God committed to man. The thoughts still remained to be judged by God.
MINISTRATION OF THE LETTER GONE
2 Cor. 3: 7, 11 tells us that the ministration of the letter, the ministration of death, has passed away. Now the law is ministered by the Spirit, and the executing of its penalties is reserved for the day of Judgment. See Matt. 5: 22, 29, 30. Read in this connection particularly Rom. 2: 12-16.
2 Cor. 3: 9 declares that the new covenant is a ministration of righteousness; and Rom. 8: 4 declares that this righteousness is the righteousness of the law (Authorized Version), or the requirement of the law (American Standard Version, margin), or the ordinance of the law — that is, the thing commanded in the law. And this righteousness which comes through Christ, and is given to us apart from the law, is nevertheless the righteousness of the law, the right doing of the law, and is witnessed by the law and the prophets. Rom. 3: 21, 22.
The seventh chapter of Romans shows that the law is not annulled thereby — that the law declares what is sin, and what is righteousness. The man who does not get righteousness through Christ, the law points out as a sinner; for like a looking-glass, it shows his defective life. See James 1: 22-25.
The man who receives the righteousness of Christ, does not fulfill the mind of the flesh, which is enmity against God, and rebels against the law of God (Rom. 8: 7); but he receives the Spirit of Christ, and is thus able to fulfill the requirements of the law. Verse 4.
L. A. R.
Question Corner
By Milton C. Wilcox
Conducted by Milton C. Wilcox, Mountain View, California
Note.—This department is for the purpose of helping Bible students. Answers must of necessity be brief, often only suggestive, never exhaustive, never infallible except as they agree with the infallible Word. Such questions only will be answered as seem to the editors to minister to the mission of the paper. Questions of the same import cannot be answered repeatedly in the same volume. Name and address must be given, not for publication, but as evidence of good faith and to insure reply by letter if thought best. It is well always to inclose stamp, not stamped envelope, unless answer is desired by letter alone.
197 — The Day of the Sabbath
By what means do you know whether the Sabbath day that you keep is the Sabbath day that was kept when Christ was here or before He came? You have no way by history or by the Bible of telling whether you are keeping Thursday, Wednesday, Tuesday, Monday, or Saturday.
N. J. E.
There are some things, however, that are worthy of consideration. First of all, we have the making of the Sabbath by the Creator, as recorded in Gen. 2: 2, 3. It may be granted, for the argument’s sake, that for twenty-five hundred years, more or less, after that, the people of the earth forgot the day. There came a time when God called His people to observe the day; therefore He called them out of Egypt, that they might do that among other important duties. In order that He might fix in their minds the sacredness of the day, He wrought the miracle of the fall of the manna—a threefold miracle every week, which pointed out the day in a more specific, emphatic way than could be conceived by man. And that threefold miracle continued for forty years, during the wilderness wandering of the children of Israel. God fixed the day there. It was not a mere seventh part of time; it was the seventh day, on which no manna fell. No one contends that from that time on to the first advent of our Lord, the day was lost by the Jewish nation. It was kept by devoted, earnest Jews all the way through the fifteen centuries lying between those two events—Sinai and Calvary.
We will grant, however, that they may have lost the time during that period. There comes into the world the infallible Teacher, our Lord Jesus Christ, the One through whom the Father wrought everything. Whether men knew which the seventh day was or not, He knew. He observed God’s commandments, kept the seventh day; and those who were with Him at the time of His death, it is recorded, “rested the Sabbath day according to the commandment.” Luke 23: 56. The next day, according to the next verse, was the first day of the week. The same thing is recorded in Matt. 28: 1 and in Mark 16: 1, 2—the positive proof that the Sabbath day was the day just before the first day of the week.
Since the days of our Lord, there is no question as regards the order of the days of the week. All records of all countries, with no exception worthy of note, give us the same order of days that we have at the present time. Those who keep Sunday, claim to observe it for the resurrection of Jesus. They themselves consider the proof sufficient that Sunday is the first day of the week. The same thing that proves that Sunday is the first day of the week, proves that the day before Sunday is the seventh day of the week. Therefore we do know, just as much as anything can be known, that the last day of the week is the Sabbath of the Lord.
198 — Was Sin Foreordained?
Was not the plan of salvation formulated before the creation of man, and sin foreordained? See 1 Peter 1: 19, 20; Rev. 13: 8; Eph. 1: 4, 5; 2 Tim. 1: 9. To state this in the form of language which we use to-day, would it not mean in substance, the purpose of God was given us and made secure in Christ Jesus before the beginning of the world? See also Rom. 8: 28-30. When did this predestination take place? Did He not predestinate those who are called according to His purpose before the world began?
L. C. R.
It has been necessary to condense greatly the above question, but we do not think we have misstated it. The greater part omitted is the scriptures cited. Let us suggest to this candid inquirer:
1. God does not foreordain sin or iniquity or unrighteousness. He does not foreordain sinners or evil men.
2. What God does foreordain is character. That is the most precious thing in the universe in the sight of God. “The righteous God loveth righteousness.”
3. It would seem clearly evident that the all-perfect and infinite God would plan to people this earth with a perfect number of beings, of perfect individual characters; that these characters would persist forever, and that they would therefore be written before the foundation of the world in the book of life. Rev. 13: 8.
4. The all-wise God would foreknow that evil would seek to thwart His perfect plan. But in the storehouse of the Infinite are potencies to meet every exigency which might arise. If this were not the case, He would not be God. The evil was not foreordained; the exigency was not decreed; but should it arise, it would be met by the infinite resources of the wisdom and power of God for the salvation of the trusting ones, and the vindication of His own character. In other words, God’s plan could not be overthrown, thwarted, or found defective. It may seem to be, for a time; but the end will vindicate His love, His wisdom, His power.
5. When God calls a man, He calls him to one of these names, one of these characters. The man responds. His own probationary name is written in the book of life. Phil. 4: 3; Luke 10: 20. The man is a candidate for the name and character written in the book of life before the foundation of the world. If he proves faithful, his election is made sure, he has in victorious experience spelled out the new name. 2 Peter 1: 10; Rev. 2: 17. If faithless, his own name is blotted out. Rev. 3: 5. And the soul who yields to God’s leading, submits to His molding and polishing, drinks of His Spirit and life and love, and thus identifies himself with the perfect plan, is among the called, and justified, and glorified. Rom. 8: 30.
199 — The German Nation
How far back do we have a record of Germany as a nation? How early in history?
“Germany” was a name applied in olden times to the country bounded by the Rhine on the west, the Baltic on the north, the Vistula and the Carpathian Mountains on the east, and the Danube on the south. The inhabitants of that land are described as men of great stature and strength, with fair complexion and blue eyes. Many of these tribes were nomadic; that is, they journeyed from place to place. Their chief occupation was war, and they were ardently attached to liberty. Their women were noted for their chastity, and were held in high honor.
The people were divided into four classes; nobles, freemen, vassals, and slaves. The king’s power was limited. He was elected from among the nobles. The Roman general Marius fought against them in 102 and 101 B. C., and conquered them. Julius Cæsar fought with them between the years 58 and 53 B. C., and Drusus between 12 and 9 B. C.; but in A. D. 9, the Germans annihilated one Roman army, and this practically decided the Roman Empire not to undertake the conquest of Germany. Later, however, Cæsar Germanicus, son of Nero Claudius, the Roman, carried on some successful wars against them. In later times, the Germans often entered the Roman armies, and finally invaded the empire under various tribes. Noted among these were the Alemanni and the Franks, but these afterward divided.
Germany as a separate kingdom dates from the treaty of Verdun, in 843. By that treaty, the empire of Charles the Great was finally divided, and Germany fell to the share of Ludwig, or Louis, the grandson of the emperor. Since that time, there has been more or less division in the various petty kingdoms and states; and, at the present time, Germany is a confederation, the state having the largest influence being Prussia. Since the German confederation, it has been one of the leading powers of the world.
Circulating Our Literature in China
By F. A. Allum
By F. A. ALLUM
We are energetically pushing the colporter work in this field. Over four hundred yearly subscriptions have been taken, 2,250 single copies of the paper have been sold, 3,000 Sabbath calendars have been sold, and over 7,500 tracts. Besides these, some 2,000 papers have been posted or given away. Thus we are sowing the seed, and some day we will reap the harvest, for we cannot reap till we have sown. The above literature has been disposed of mainly by our two evangelists. We now have one colporter, who is a native of Szechuan.
FIRST CONTACT WITH TIBETANS
We recently had an interesting interview with three Tibetan priests who had come to Chungking on a pilgrimage. We were pleased to know that we could converse with them freely in the Mandarin language, which they readily understood. They told us that there are many Tibetans who understand the Mandarin, and so we gave them a generous supply of our literature, which they promised to give to their friends on their return to Tibet. What the result of this literature will be we cannot say. It is interesting, however, to note that this, so far as the writer knows, is the first real contact of this people with the message.
Brother Warren and I and the two evangelists are working the outlying villages in a systematic way. Brother Warren takes one evangelist on Mondays and Wednesdays, and visits two villages each week. I take the other evangelist on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and visit two other villages. We preach, sell calendars and papers, and finally leave a tract in each home. The following week we repeat the process. We intend to keep this up till we have been to these places twelve or thirteen times, and believe that we will see some results from this method of working. In this way we are actively training our evangelists in real missionary work.
The first time the evangelist went out with me he sold only four calendars. I sold sixteen. The second time he sold thirty-two, and I sold sixty-six. The third time he went out with Brother Warren. This time he sold fifty, Brother Warren selling an equal amount.
This man while in Ichang did not sell a thing scarcely in the three or four months that he was there, but you can see from this experience how he has climbed up each time he has gone out. Each one of our workers, both foreign and native, has his heart on fire to do all he can to sell this literature and thus spread the message. I am very much encouraged as I see the earnest spirit that is taking hold of them.
Never Expected to See a Miracle
By E. D. Thomas
Nevertheless He Saw a Miracle of Transforming Power
By E. D. THOMAS
Native pastor in India
On the evening of the last Sabbath in March, I had the blessed privilege of burying two souls with their Lord in baptism. When I walked into the clear water of the beautiful lake, which is near our mission bungalow, my heart was much impressed, and began to review the time of my own baptism in that same place in April, 1910. At that time, I had little idea of this blessed privilege I have had of baptizing my own people in the same place. I thank God for all the rich blessing He has bestowed on me ever since I began to accept this message and obey Him. That day was a day of great blessing to me. I reconsecrated myself to my God and His work.
POWER TO CHANGE HIS LIFE
The evening before the baptism, we had a testimony service. These two men gave very encouraging testimonies. One of them was much moved in his heart, and gave a full story of his past wicked life, and the power of the gospel which has helped him to make a thorough change in his life. I will try to express his testimony in a few words.
He said: “I was born in a semi-heathen family. My parents were members of the Hindu Christian church of this community. I have never had a liking to read in the word of God; but on the other hand, I got hold of a company of friends, who gave me all their possible help in training me to be a confirmed drunkard. I have tasted nearly all kinds of Indian and foreign liquors.
“Six years ago, when Pastor James was conducting meetings on the veranda of this mission bungalow, I had the privilege of attending some of those meetings. When I went back to Ceylon to my trade, a change began to dawn in my life. I bought a Bible, and read a portion of it every day. Whenever I read it, it condemned me as a great sinner. And I have read all the Tamil tracts and papers published by this mission. I began to accept all the light received from them day by day.
NEVER EXPECTED TO SEE A MIRACLE
“It was very hard for me for a time to give up all my wicked life; but every day, I became stronger in doing the will of God. I praise the Lord that the anchor still holds. I thank Him for the victories I have gained. The Bible is the most wonderful book in the world. I have just begun to learn how to study it. I never expected to see any miracle performed; but it is a wonderful miracle that I am a changed man. Praise God for the power that can keep any one from smoking, swearing, drinking, and bad company.”
I am glad for the text, “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” Dear brethren and sisters, kindly remember me, and the work in this part of His vineyard, before the throne of Grace. The interest still holds good. Many more precious souls are planning to follow our Lord in baptism before long. I hope and pray that I shall be ever faithful to Him until the end; and would use all my strength and influence in winning many more souls in my country to His kingdom.
The Testimony of Converts from Heathenism
In one of the recent meetings in our Mandarin training school in Shanghai, several very interesting testimonies were borne by Chinese young men, telling how the gospel had won them from the worship of idols to the blessedness of faith and hope in Christ.
THE DEVIL HIS RIGHT-HAND HELPER
Brother Swen Yu Tang said: “In former days, the devil was my right-hand helper. I was in the army in the province of Anhwei, and later obtained a captaincy. Several years before this last revolution, there was a revolution started in the Anhwei army. But it did not accomplish its purpose, and the leaders717had to flee; so I fled to Peking with one of the leaders in that insurrection. Later I had to flee to Manchuria; and in the course of time, I came back home. It was still my purpose to enter the army again.”
“When I reached home, I met our evangelists Wu and Du, who exhorted me to believe the gospel. The first meeting I attended, I heard the evangelist Du preach on the second of Daniel. He talked about an image, and about a whole lot of countries; and although I did not understand much that he said, yet the fact that he talked about those countries so much made an impression on me.
“Since the preacher mentioned many countries that I had never heard of, it stirred up a desire on my part to know what those countries were; so I continued to go to the Seventh-day Adventist chapel. From attending meetings there, I learned to believe the gospel, and accepted this truth. It is the only Christian religion I have ever known.”
CAPTIVATED THROUGH PERSONAL WORK
Brother Dung Siu Seng said: “My conversion is the result of personal work,—the work of Brother Swen Yu Tang. I was a business man in Ying Shang Hsien, an ordinary heathen; and before he met me, I was running wild, and didn’t have any settled aim or purpose in life.
“Then I met Mr. Swen, and he exhorted me to believe the gospel. He said: ‘You believe the gospel, and then we both will be traveling the same road. This is a good road that we are traveling.’
“From this one statement of Brother Swen, I was led to attend the chapel. There I heard the evangelist Han preach; and the very first sermon that I ever heard, Brother Han preached about the various false gods that the Chinese worship, and showed up their falsity.
“From that time, I knew the error of worshiping idols, and knew there was only one true God that we should worship. Now I am thankful for this opportunity to come here to school, and learn more about the worship of this true God.”
