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Review and Herald, Vol. 80, No. 28.

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Note and Comment

The Rev. Newell Dwight Hillis, the Brooklyn clergyman, recently advocated the formation in this country of a religious trust, his views being also favored by the Rev. Charles F. Patterson, of New York City. The latter is quoted by the New York Times as saying:—
“We can’t expect all men to agree to a single set of dogmas and opinions, but all the Christian churches can without prejudice to their existing creeds and ideas unite in an American religion, a religion that conforms to the principles and spirit of the American republic and the American people. It must be democratic and hospitable, so broad as to open the doors for the admission of all believers in God, regardless of their attitude toward obscure theological distinctions and non-essential dogmas. When that time comes, there will be a union of forces, and the church will say: ‘Come in, atheist, doubter, believer, Baptist, Methodist, Catholic, Buddhist, laborer, employer, ignorant or cultured, of whatever estate or belief.’”
A religious trust, however, like other trusts, will not only take in some, but will shut others out. In religion there is always a minority which is more objectionable to the majority than is the case in matters of secular business.

Pope Leo Reaffirms Devotion to Mary

In a recent letter to certain of the Catholic cardinals, on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the dogmatic definition of the “Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin,” Pope Leo reaffirms the Catholic doctrine that the Virgin Mary is the being to whom Catholics specially look for help in times of difficulty and trial. The letter says:—
LORD CARDINALS: From many sides evidence has been manifested to us of an earnest desire on the part of the faithful to celebrate with extraordinary solemnity the fiftieth anniversary of the Dogmatic Definition of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin. How dear to our heart this desire has been may well be imagined. Devotion to the mother of God not only has been from our tender years among our most cherished affections, but it is for us one of the most potent means of defense granted by Providence to the Catholic Church. At all times and in all trials and persecutions the church has had recourse to Mary, and in her has ever found solace and protection. And now that the days in which we live are so stormy and so big with menace for the church herself, we are rejoiced and stimulated to hope when we see the faithful seizing the auspicious opportunity presented by this fiftieth anniversary, turn with a unanimous impulse of love and confidence to her who is invoked as the Help of Christians. This longed-for fiftieth anniversary is rendered all the dearer to us, too, by the fact that we are the only survivors of all the cardinals and bishops who gathered around our predecessor at the promulgation of the dogmatic decree. But as it is our wish that the anniversary celebrations shall have the stamp of greatness befitting this Rome of ours, and be of a nature to serve as a stimulus and a guide to the devotion of Catholics throughout the world, we have determined to form a Cardinalial Commission, whose care it will be to regulate and direct them. You, Lord Cardinals, we nominate as members of this commission. And with the certainty that through your wise solicitude our own wishes and those of all will be fully gratified, we impart to you, as a pledge of heavenly favors, the Apostolic Benediction.
LEO XIII, Pope.
From the Vatican, May 26, 1903.

Justice Prevails Over Religious Intolerance

JUSTICE has prevailed over religious intolerance in the case of Brother H. Syar, of Wilburton, I. T., whose arrest for not keeping Sunday was mentioned in the REVIEW of June 30. Word from Brother J. J. Jobe, who reported the arrest, says:—
Brother H. Syar was cleared on the last charge for Sunday work. Messrs. Gordan and Young, attorneys for the defendant, nobly championed the case, not for a fee, but from the standpoint of justice.
Sunday legislation always interferes with the right to work, which is no less sacred a right than the right to rest. A just law will protect a person in the enjoyment of both these rights.

Declaration of Independence to Be Preserved

THE Declaration of Independence drawn up by Thomas Jefferson, and containing the signatures of the statesmen associated with him in separating this country from Great Britain, is henceforth to be locked up in a fire-proof and light-proof safe, says a Washington dispatch, the writing on the historic document having become almost illegible.

The Increase of Card Playing

“SOME idea of the extent to which card playing is carried in this country,” says the Pittsburg Christian Advocate, “may be formed by noting the number of cards manufactured. Under the Spanish war internal revenue tax law a tax of two cents was laid on each pack of cards manufactured in the United States. The revenue from this source amounted to about $1,000 for every working-day in the year. It is said that each pack consists of fifty-two cards,—on this point this deponent saith not,—and that the number of packs on which revenue was paid was fifteen millions. Congress fixed the size of the pack at fifty-four, and thus the whole number of cards manufactured was seven hundred and eighty millions. This is enormous. The total revenue derived from this source was $300,000 annually. To this sum Ohio contributed $140,000, New York $90,000, and Michigan and Illinois $40,000 each. The four States named have almost a monopoly of the card-manufacturing business.”
A contributor to the same journal touches on the same point by saying:—
One of the prominent hindrances to the conspicuous spiritual success of many of our churches is the alarming increase of card playing among our most influential members. During the last ten years there has been a steady enlargement in the number of Methodist families patronizing card parties and maintaining card tables in their own residences. Especially is this true among the communicants who regard themselves as “society” people.
But in this statement there is a slight mistake. The card playing among church-members is not so much a hindrance to spiritual success as an evidence of the previous loss of spirituality in the churches. These are the days spoken of by Paul (2 Tim. 3:1-5), when men have a form of godliness, but deny the power thereof.

HARRY G. LUCAS

By Harry G. Lucas

From Earth to Heaven

HARRY G. LUCAS

Now quickly ticks the clock of time; Our work on earth will soon be done; Soon we our Saviour’s praise will chime In heaven, around our Father’s throne.
Purchased of God at wondrous cost, We’ll speed the work, to sinners call; We’ll seek the jewels Christ has lost, Whose heart is yearning for them all.
In home, in shop, in busy street, We’ll find the pearls our God has lost; The rich and poor the message greet, And quickly join the waiting host.
The fruits of earth are gathered now; Firmly we stand for that great day When ’gainst all men God’s vials flow; To scatter them as chaff away.
Upward we look. Our faces shine While lightnings flash and thunders roar; In heaven appears the promised sign That Jesus gave salvation’s hour.
We hear the voice of God’s dear Son Call forth his sleeping saints from dust; Of every nation, kindred, tongue, Rides forth the army of the just.
Then we that live, with them ascend To meet our Saviour in the sky; We ride toward New Jerusalem With songs of praise to God most high.
At Zion’s gates our faces beamed With smiles of satisfying love, As through the ranks of earth’s redeemed We saw the King of glory move.
On every head a crown is placed, To every hand a harp is given; In triumph song God’s name is praised, As kings and priests we enter heaven.
Welcomed to Eden now restored, God’s love and justice we declare, Receive bright mansions from our Lord, And dwell with him forever there.

Sowing Beside All Waters

By Ellen G. White

MRS. E. G. WHITE
By invitation I attended the meeting held at Healdsburg in connection with the closing of the school year, May 29, 1903. I was glad to learn that teachers and students had united in dispensing with the wearisome and profitless exercises that usually attend the closing of a school, and that the energies of all, to the very close, were devoted to profitable study.
On Friday morning the certificates were quietly handed to those who were entitled to them, and then students and teachers united in an experience meeting, in which many recounted the blessings that they had freely received from God during the year.
On Sabbath morning I spoke to a large audience in the commodious meeting-house of the Healdsburg church. The students and teachers were seated in front, and I was blessed in presenting to them their responsibility as laborers together with God. The Saviour calls upon our teachers and students to render efficient service as fishers of men.
In the evening a large audience assembled in the church to listen to a musical program rendered by Brother Beardslee and his pupils. Good singing is an important part of the worship of God. I am glad that Brother Beardslee is training the students, so that they can be singing evangelists.
I was much pleased with what I saw of the school. During the past year it has made marked progress. Both teachers and students are reaching higher and still higher in the spiritual life. During the past year there have been remarkable conversions. Lost sheep have been found and brought back to the fold.
For some months we have been planning to hold grove meetings near St. Helena, Calistoga, and other places in the Napa Valley. The first one was held on Sunday, June 7, in the Hot Springs Park, at Calistoga. The conference lent us some folding chairs. The members of the Calistoga church are anxious to carry the truth to those who have not heard it, and they made thoughtful preparation for the meeting. We were confident that open-air meetings would be the means of reaching some who would not attend a service held in a church. And thus they have proved.
Although the day was oppressively warm, a goodly number were present at the meeting. The Lord gave me much freedom in speaking. The people seemed to enjoy the meeting very much, and an appointment was given out that meetings would be held in the same place the following Sabbath and Sunday. Our people gathered early Sunday morning, and spent the day together in the grove. A larger number were present on the second Sunday than on the first.
We expect to continue these open-air meetings. I believe that by them much good will be accomplished. The next one is to be held near St. Helena, if a suitable place can be found.
We desire to do all we can to warn those around us of the soon coming of the Saviour. My heart is drawn out to those who know not the truth for this time.
I hope soon to speak in the Soldiers' Home at Yountville, a place about eleven miles from here. In this Home there are more than eight hundred veterans, who are cared for by the State. For several months a company of workers from the Sanitarium church has been going there every other Sabbath to hold a song service. At first only a few of the soldiers attended the service, but now there are from seventy-five to one hundred in attendance.
Sometimes a thirty-minute talk on a Bible subject is given. At a meeting a few weeks ago the soldiers were asked if they would like to have a short Bible study after the song service. About a dozen said that they would; but when the time came to hold the study, more than fifty remained.
Last Sabbath an intelligent-looking man in the Home said to one of the workers, “Before you came here to sing for us, I spent nearly all my time in drinking and carousing with my companions. But since you have been coming, I have found a better way of spending my time. I have given up liquor drinking, and am reading ‘The Desire of Ages.’”
A few weeks ago about twenty of the children from our church school here went to the Home to sing for the soldiers. They had been carefully trained by their teacher, and they sang well. The soldiers were greatly pleased, and asked that the children come again.
Reading-matter is freely distributed to the soldiers. Many are interested, and those in charge of the Home recognize the good work that is being done. This work must be carried forward. The Lord looks with loving pity upon the aged men in such institutions. I fully believe that many who are now indifferent will be won to Christ.

Opportunities for Service

God expects those who claim to be his children to bring others to him. I wish that all our people could see the many doors that are opening before them. Beside all waters the seeds of truth are to be sown. To all the world—to every nation and kindred and tongue and people—the message is to be proclaimed. If those who have received the light of present truth would have a living faith in Christ, if they would realize that they are to be his workers, wholly consecrated to his service, what a work might be done! When God's people surrender themselves unreservedly to him, they will use every power of mind and body to his glory; and his work will make rapid advancement.
The things that concern our eternal welfare are now to absorb our attention. We can not afford to give heavenly things the second place. Christ says, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

A Closing Work

As I hear of the terrible calamities that from week to week are taking place in the world, I ask myself, What do these things mean? Are they permitted to come to arouse those who are transgressing the law of God? The most awful disasters, by fire and flood, are following one another in quick succession. The judgments of God are in the land. They speak in solemn warning, saying, “Be ye also ready; for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.”
There are many, many in our churches who know little of the real meaning of the truth for this time. I appeal to them not to disregard the fulfilling of the signs of the times, which say so plainly that the end is near. O how many who have not sought their soul's salvation will soon make the bitter lamentation, “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and my soul is not saved”!
We are living in the closing scenes of this earth's history. Prophecy is rapidly fulfilling. The hours of probation are fast passing. We have no time—not a moment—to lose. Let us not be found sleeping on guard. Let no one say in his heart or by his works, “My Lord delayeth his coming.” Let the message of Christ's soon return sound forth in earnest words of warning. Let us persuade men and women everywhere to repent, and flee from the wrath to come. Let us arouse them to immediate preparation; for we little know what is before us. Let ministers and lay members go forth into the ripening fields. They will find their harvest wherever they proclaim the forgotten truths of the Bible. They will find those who will accept the truth, and who will devote their lives to winning souls to Christ.

Homeward Bound

The Lord is soon to come, and we must be prepared to meet him in peace. Let us be determined to do all in our power to impart light to those around us. We are not to be sad, but cheerful, and we are to keep the Lord Jesus ever before us. He is coming soon, and we must be ready and waiting for his appearing. O how glorious it will be to see him, and be welcomed as his redeemed ones! Long have we waited, but our faith is not to become weak. If we can but see the King in his beauty, we shall be forever and forever blessed. I feel as if I must cry aloud, “Homeward bound.” We are nearing the time when Christ will come with power and great glory, to take his ransomed ones to their eternal home.

Accepting and Rejecting God’s Prophets

By John Norton Loughborough

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH
“The wise men are ashamed, they are dismayed and taken: lo, they have rejected the word of the Lord; and what wisdom is in them?” Jer. 8:9.
The Scriptures contain a record of those “aforetime” who accepted, and those who rejected, the instruction which the Lord sent by his prophets. This, with the account of his dealing with them, is written for “our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.”
One general statement of this fact is found in these words: “They served idols, whereof the Lord had said unto them, Ye shall not do this thing, yet the Lord testified against Israel, and against Judah, by all the prophets, and by all the seers, saying, Turn ye from your evil ways, and keep my commandments and my statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by my servants the prophets. Notwithstanding they would not hear, but hardened their necks, like to the neck of their fathers, that did not believe in the Lord their God. . . . “They left all the commandments of the Lord their God, and made them molten images, even two calves, and made a grove, and worshiped all the host of heaven, and served Baal. . . . They feared the Lord, and served their own gods. . . . These nations feared the Lord, and served their graven images.” 2 Kings 17:12-41.
Another record of their course, which was made after their being carried into captivity under Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, is found in 2 Chron. 36:14-20: “Moreover all the chief of the priests, and the people, transgressed very much after all the abominations of the heathen; and polluted the house of the Lord which he had hallowed in Jerusalem. And the Lord God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes [“continually,” margin], and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place: but they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the Lord arose against his people, till there was no remedy. Therefore he brought upon them the king of the Chaldees, who slew their young men with the sword. . . . And them that had escaped from the sword carried he away to Babylon.”
After the people were scattered from Jerusalem, the prophet Jeremiah spoke to them on this wise: “They went to burn incense, and to serve other gods, whom they knew not, neither they, ye, nor your fathers. Howbeit I sent unto you all my servants the prophets, rising early and sending them, saying, Oh, do not this abominable thing that I hate. But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear to turn from their wickedness, to burn no incense unto other gods. Wherefore my fury and mine anger was poured forth, and was kindled in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem; and they are wasted and desolate, as at this day.” Jer. 44:3-6.
The Israelites had become so blinded by the fascination of this idol worship that they were not prepared to acknowledge at once that their captivity was in consequence of their transgressions. Of this the Lord spoke by Jeremiah, as follows: “What thing shall I liken to thee, O daughter of Jerusalem? what shall I equal to thee, that I may comfort thee, O virgin daughter of Zion? for thy breach is great like the sea: who can heal thee? Thy prophets [false prophets] have seen vain and foolish things for thee: and they have not discovered thine iniquity, to turn away thy captivity; but have seen for thee false burdens and causes of banishment.” Lam. 2:13, 14.
The manner in which the people received the instruction sent through Jeremiah is shown in these words: “As for the word that thou hast spoken unto us in the name of the Lord, we will not hearken unto thee. But we will certainly do whatsoever thing goeth forth out of our own mouth, to burn incense unto the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, as we have done, we, and our fathers, our kings, and our princes, in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem: for then had we plenty of victuals, and were well, and saw no evil. But since we left off to burn incense to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, we have wanted all things, and have been consumed by the sword and by the famine.” Jer. 44:16-18. Thus we see they had exactly reversed the matter in their explanation of the cause of their difficulty, claiming that it was because they had ceased to make offerings to the heavenly bodies that they lacked food, and were in bondage. The message sent to them from the Lord was, “Because ye have burned incense, and because ye have sinned against the Lord, and have not obeyed the voice of the Lord, nor walked in his law, nor in his statutes, nor in his testimonies; therefore this evil is happened unto you, as at this day.” Verse 23.
A few instances are recorded in which the reproofs sent by the Lord were accepted, and favorable results followed. The case of King Uzziah is one of that character: “Sixteen years old was Uzziah when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and two years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name also was Jecoliah of Jerusalem. And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father Amaziah did. And he sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God: and as long as he sought the Lord, God made him to prosper. . . . And God helped him against the Philistines, and against the Arabians that dwelt in Gur-baal, and the Mehunims. And the Amonites gave gifts to Uzziah: and his name spread abroad even to the entering in of Egypt; for he strengthened himself exceedingly. . . . And his name spread far abroad; for he was marvelously helped, till he was strong.”
In this instance is a striking illustration of self-confidence, which always draws one away from the Lord and his leadings. We read still further: “But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the Lord his God, and went into the temple of the Lord to burn incense upon the altar of incense. And Azariah the priest went in after him, and with him fourscore priests of the Lord, that were valiant men: and they withstood Uzziah the king, and said unto him, It appertaineth not unto thee, Uzziah, to burn incense unto the Lord, but to the priests the sons of Aaron, that are consecrated to burn incense: go out of the sanctuary; for thou hast trespassed; neither shall it be for thine honor from the Lord God. Then Uzziah was wroth, and had a censer in his hand to burn incense: and while he was wroth with the priests, the leprosy even rose up in his forehead before the priests in the house of the Lord, from beside the incense altar. . . . And they thrust him out from thence; yea, himself hasted also to go out, because the Lord had smitten him. And Uzziah the king was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt in a several house, being a leper; for he was cut off from the house of the Lord: and Jotham his son was over the king’s house, judging the people of the land.” 2 Chron. 26: 3-21.
Another striking instance of success attending the heeding of the Lord’s counsel by his prophets is found in the days of Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah. The Ammonites, Moabites, and the inhabitants of Mount Seir, “a great multitude,” came against the king. In the straitened circumstances in which he and the people found themselves, the king sought the Lord, and pleaded thus with him: “O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee. . . . Then upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah . . . came the Spirit of the Lord in the midst of the congregation; and he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the Lord unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s. . . . Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you.”
As they rose in the morning, and went forth, “Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.”
“And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the Lord, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the Lord; for his mercy endureth forever. And when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten. . . . And when Judah came toward the watch-tower in the wilderness, they looked unto the multitude, and, behold, they were dead bodies fallen to the earth, and none escaped. And when Jehoshaphat and his people came to take away the spoil of them, . . . they were three days in gathering of the spoil, it was so much.” 2 Chron.
As the Lord’s people anciently regarded or disregarded prophetic instruction sent them by the Lord, and witnessed the result of obedience or disobedience, they could say with Solomon, “Where there is no vision, the people perish [“cast off restraint,” R. V.]; but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” Prov. 29: 18.

House-to-House and Heart-to-Heart Missionary Work

By D. T. Bourdeau

D. T. BOURDEAU
Labor from house to house and heart to heart is the kind of work that tells most in laboring for souls. The minister who neglects it can not expect to be eminently successful, however much he may shine as a public speaker with those who are captivated by what the world and worldly Christians regard as oratory. And this is true of all classes of gospel workers, including even those whose principal occupation is to use their pens in bringing out saving truths for the people. These, as well as others laboring in the Lord's vineyard, need to come in contact with the people and associate with them, that they may better know their wants, and be in a better condition to meet them, lest the following words, which were said of a lady who had much to do in keeping up the business and correspondence of an important branch of the work, be applicable to them: “She is a good penholder; but O that she were more social, and less shut up to herself, less like an iceberg!”
As far as possible we must come heart to heart with those whom we would benefit, enter into their feelings, inquire into their temporal and spiritual condition, and bestow upon them genuine sympathy, if we would expect to gain the object we have in view in laboring for them. If we neglect doing this, we evince that we do not conform to the way in which our Saviour and his apostles used to labor for souls, and can not expect to be as successful in winning souls to Christ as it is our privilege to be. It is not in keeping away from those whom we would help, and with whom we may associate, that we can help them the most. We must not approach them stoically, nor with icy coldness, nor as if we had something to say of which we were ashamed, but with hearts aglow with the love of Christ, showing by our words that we esteem it a great honor to communicate to them the message that we hear.
Our words and manners should be to those with whom we associate an assurance that we have been with Jesus, and have learned of him as to his methods of labor. Those who will take an extended survey of the labors of Jesus will be surprised to see how considerable a portion of them was bestowed with single individuals, or in private houses with a single family, or with one family and with those who would unite with it to be benefited by what the Saviour had to say. So with the early disciples and apostles of our divine Lord. These men were deeply affected by the message they bore. They threw their whole souls into it, and labored largely “from house to house.” Acts 20: 20. And they drew near to the hearts of those for whom they labored.
And what does all this mean to us? Does it mean that only ministers in our day are to imitate our Saviour and his first disciples in these respects? that they are the only ones who are to labor from house to house, and to draw near to their friends and neighbors?—Nay, verily. The rank and file of our people must, as a general thing, do more of this kind of work if they would meet the mind of God, enjoy the plenitude of his Spirit, and soon see the work of the third angel concluded. If we have the most solemn and important message that was ever given for mortals, should we not associate with the people in order to make it known to them?
Our literature is good, indispensable, but let us never be deluded by the thought that sending it to the people by others or through the mail will supersede the necessity of our mingling with the people and telling them personally of present truth and what it has done for us. Here is where many fail because of the cross and the self-denial confronting them, and leave it with the minister, colporteur, or Bible worker to do the personal, house-to-house and heart-to-heart work with their friends and neighbors. Do you pray that your friends and neighbors may receive present truth? Prepare the way for your prayers to be answered by bearing them that truth in the warmth and earnestness of that love which Jesus alone can implant in the soul, and the manifestation of which by you, personally, will win souls to Jesus and to the message of his love.
Thus you will gain a blessing and obtain an experience to which you would be strangers if you neglected to do this very work. Then take up the cross that lies in your pathway, remembering that the heavier the cross, the greater the help that God is willing to grant to enable you to lift it, and the greater the blessing that God is anxious to bestow upon you for lifting it by the infinite, almighty grace that he so freely offers you for doing the work he has assigned you.
Twenty-five years ago it was my privilege to be present at a meeting of about fifty ministers of our faith, including our lamented brother, Elder James White. At that time a Testimony came to us, like this: “If you will visit more and do more personal, heart-to-heart work, you will accomplish four times as much as you will if you neglect this kind of work.” One of those present who had ever believed this doctrine and tried to carry it out, said to himself, “I will do more of this kind of work, and do it better than formerly.” He went to a distant Western State, labored in a new field, and in less than four weeks raised a church of over twenty members, another minister joining him at the close of the effort, to baptize and help round up the work. After this he went to another Western State, and in a few months fifty persons were baptized, and a new church was formed. And these two efforts were made principally in the dead of winter. But God can bless and give success to his workers in all seasons of the year, if they will only regard the instructions he gives in his Word, and through those who are faithful exponents of that Word.
Brethren and sisters, shall we do more of this house-to-house, heart-to-heart work? Shall we cultivate more Christian sociability among ourselves and with those outside the pale of our church? In the early days of this message, this was the chief work done, and Christian sociability was a very prominent feature among Seventh-day Adventists. Then we would go many miles on the Sabbath to visit and worship with an isolated family of believers; and the Lord would meet with us, and give us baptisms of the Holy Spirit. In those days believers within our reach were not afflicted and did not die without our knowing it. All our brethren and sisters were inscribed on the tables of our hearts, and a fervent, undying love drew us to them when they were in affliction, and we would do all in our power to alleviate their sufferings, supply their wants, and cheer them with words of sympathy and consolation.
God grant that the fervent love of those early days may speedily be restored to the remnant church. Then the loud cry of the third angel will be heard; the whole earth will be lightened with the glory of present truth; the work in which we are engaged will be consummated in glorious victory; and the “well done” will fall from the gracious lips of Jesus on the ears of those who shall have faithfully accomplished the work assigned them by a God of love and mercy.

Hints to Bible Students

THERE are three kinds of Bible readers. First, there is the reader; second, the student; third, the listener. The mere reader gathers very little, if anything. The student knows the Bible from cover to cover. The listener knows God. “Canst thou by searching find out God?”—No! To the natural man the “deep things of God” are foolishness, and we are told that he will neither receive them, nor can he know them. Why?—Because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Cor. 2:14. The revelation of God is not given to the reader, nor to the mere student, but to the listener. Therefore the “babe” can make more progress in real Bible study than the philosopher. Some one has said, “Tarry at a promise until God meets you there.” Carry this plan out in your study, and be sure never to leave a promise until you have really met the Promisor. Look upon your Bible as the trysting-place where your Beloved has promised to meet you.
The next thing I would say is, Don’t run away with the idea that it is necessary to have a library at your command in order to gain a good knowledge of the Bible. Books may be helpful, but they are not essential; and what is more, they may become a snare in leading you from dependence upon the Holy Spirit, who is sent to teach you all things, to take of the things of Christ, and to lead you into all truth. The Bible is its own best interpreter. A lady once wrote me: “While learning is desirable, and knowledge is power, the Spirit-taught workers are pre-eminent, and are those whom the Lord will account chosen vessels unto him.”
In studying an epistle try to read it through at a sitting. This is called the ‘telescopic’ method, whereby one takes a grand sweep of the book. Then take it chapter by chapter, and verse by verse. This is the ‘microscopic’ method.
A word about difficulties, for they will certainly meet you. Don’t make a blockade of one, and say, “Until that is explained, I’ll go no farther.” The best plan is to walk round it, and get on higher ground; then you will have a better view of it. Difficulties seldom overthrow us; too often we throw ourselves down before the difficulty. Never let the things you can not understand hinder you from getting help and comfort from the things you can understand.
God did not give us the Bible as a kind of Chinese puzzle to please our fancy or test our brain power. He gave it to show us his will, and as far as we are willing to do his will, we shall know of the doctrine. John 7:17.
“The law of progress in understanding the Word is that the truth already received shall have been obeyed in the life. The Bible is a sealed book to thousands of people because there has not been response in their lives to the measure of truth received.”—J. P. Hill, in the Bugle Call.

Our Character Sealed

By C. H. Bates

C. H. BATES
“And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” Eph. 4:30.
The questions that would naturally arise in one's mind are, What is it to “grieve the Spirit of God,” and, What is meant by being “sealed” by the Spirit?
There are many ways by which we may grieve God's Holy Spirit away from us. Any thing that we do contrary to his will, grieves him, just as we are grieved by the disobedience of our children. The verses following tell us how we may avoid grieving the Spirit of God. I quote all of verses 31 and 32: “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: and be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.” There is much to consider here if space would permit. One thing is certain: if these admonitions are carried out, the Holy Spirit will never be grieved.
What is sealed? and what is the seal? Our character is that which is sealed; upon this the Spirit of God is stamped. Character is the only thing that we can take from this world to the next. The name of God is the seal. Rev. 7:3; 14:1. Will the Lord place his name upon us while we are in sin? Read Rev. 14:5: “And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.” We are living in a time when God is sealing his people. How important, then, that our character be such that God can place his name upon it.
I hear some one say: “I thought the Sabbath was the seal.” The Sabbath is the sign of the seal, but not the seal itself. We might outwardly observe the Sabbath as long as we live, and never have the seal of God placed upon us. We would only be hanging out a false sign. This is illustrated many times by those selling spirituous liquors; you will often see displayed in large letters the words: “Soft drinks,” “Pool Room,” “Drugs,” etc. Thus it may plainly be seen that the sign is not always an index of the character.
A noble character is not something that we inherit; it does not come to us by chance. It comes to us only by earnest effort through the merits and grace of Christ. “It is formed by hard, stern battle with self.” Let us remember that every day we are forming character for time or eternity. That character is formed by the little every-day acts of life; it may be but a look, a word, or a smile, yet it all has weight in deciding our destiny for weal or woe. How vital to our interests it is, then, that our words and acts shall be those that shall build up, and not those that destroy; such as shall encourage and not discourage the one who needs our help. “And be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted,” “in honor preferring one another.”

The Lesser Ministries

By James Buckham

A FLOWER upon my threshold laid, A little kindness wrought unseen; I know not who love’s tribute paid, I only know that it has made Life’s pathway smooth, life’s borders green.
God bless the gracious hands that e’er Such tender ministries essay! Dear hands that helped the pilgrim bear His load of weariness and care More bravely up the toilsome way.
O, what a little thing can turn A heavy heart from sighs to song! A smile can make the world less stern; A word can cause the soul to burn With glow of heaven all night long!
It needs not that love’s gift be great— Some splendid jewel of the soul For which a king might supplicate. Nay! true love’s least, at love’s true rate, Is tithe most loyal of the whole. — James Buckham.

Be Patient

O HEART of mine! be patient: Some glad day, With all life's puzzling problems Solved for aye, With all its storms and doubtings Cleared away, With all its little disappointments past, It shall be thine to understand at last.
Be patient! Some sweet day The anxious care, The fears and trials, and the Hidden snare, The grief that comes upon thee Unaware, Shall with the fleeting years be laid aside, And thou shalt then be fully satisfied.
Be patient! Keep thy life work Well in hand; Be trustful where thou canst not Understand; Thy lot, whate'er it be, is Wisely planned; Whate'er its mysteries, God holds the key; Thou well canst trust him, and bide patiently.
— Selected.
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