p. 10 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 32, No. 27 (7/11/1906)

Earlier text: COMPROMISING WITH THE SALOONS

IN CHRIST.

By John Campbell Shairp

I HAVE a life with Christ to live, But, ere I live it, must I wait Till learning can clear answer give Of this and that book’s date? I have a life in Christ to live, I have a death in Christ to die, And must I wait till science give All doubts a full reply?

Nay, rather, while the sea of doubt Is raging wildly round about, Questioning of life and death and sin, Let me but creep within Thy fold, O Christ, and at Thy feet Take but the lowest seat, And hear Thine awful voice repeat, In gentlest accents, heavenly sweet, “Come unto Me, and rest; Believe Me, and be blest.”

—John Campbell Shairp.

IN THE INTERIOR OF CHINA.

By A. C. Selmon

PREACHING the Gospel to the people in the interior of China presents some problems that are peculiar to the field. While there is but one Gospel, yet its presentation must be adapted to the people. In the first place, the Gospel is a new doctrine to the Chinese, and one that is diametrically opposed to the doctrines that they and their fathers have held for ages.

It is very difficult for them to understand any abstract terms. This is evidenced in their written language, since the characters used show very plainly, in many cases, that they were originally pictures of the thought to be expressed. We find it true in preaching the Gospel, that a picture, or some kind of illustration, is almost indispensable in order to make them understand. The truth must be pictured or acted out before they can comprehend it.

The accompanying picture shows my native evangelist preaching to a crowd in a market place. The subject is a painting showing the broad and narrow way. On the table before him are Bible portions and tracts for sale. The people are always attracted by a picture, and hundreds of people hear the Gospel truth for the first time. An interest is awakened in some, which leads them to buy a Gospel portion or tract, in order that they may learn more of this strange, new doctrine.

The proportion of illiterate people is very large. This is especially true of the working class and tradesmen in both country and city. The women are practically all illiterate, the estimate being that only one in ten thousand can read. Those who become interested in the Gospel, and yet can not read, make very slow progress as a rule; and so it is that, no matter how old they may be, we endeavor to teach them to read.

A glance at a list of Chinese characters will convince you that even for a native to learn to read Chinese is a far different problem from that confronting one who starts to learn to read English. It is encouraging to see that those who accept the Gospel learn to read the New Testament very quickly, in spite of all difficulties. One man of sixty-five who first heard the Gospel here a few months ago, has already learned to read a good portion of Matthew and John; and, in addition, has learned several songs. A. C. Selmon, M. D.

Siang Ch'eng, Honan.

Excellence and Dignity of the Scriptural Penmen

By Dr. David Hartley

NO WRITERS, from the invention of letters to the present time, are equal to the penmen of the Old and New Testaments in true excellence, utility, and dignity.—Dr. David Hartley.

The Bible as the Book of Wisdom

By Sir Matthew Hale

THERE is no book like the Bible for excellent learning, wisdom, and use.—Sir Matthew Hale.

MOTHERS AND CHILDREN.

What part of the household deserves more careful thought and attention than the children? Truly, childhood may well be likened to a beautiful spring morning, to the glistening of dewdrops on the grass, the chirruping of songsters in the forest, a scent of blossoms in the air, and sunshine over all; and how strange and cold and dark the world would be without the sunny eyes and joyous voice of the young!

Do we realize the responsibility that is upon us when God lends us one of these dear little ones? Are we anxious to train them up for His service, or for a place in the most fashionable society?

I am sure if we always go to that Source where, for the asking, we shall receive the needed wisdom—liberally and without any upbraiding—we shall be enabled to speak the right words and sow the right seed very early in life. Let us try to make them happy. It is the little things we do that have a far more lasting influence than the many greater deeds.

The little opportunities that come to us day by day, and that are fleeing so rapidly—must be seized upon to reach the deep recesses of the child's nature if we would cultivate refinement and delicacy of feeling and tender thoughtfulness, and make those natures wide, and deep, and broad.

Many children are stunted and dwarfed for want of these little attentions; and the deeper feelings of love, gratitude, respect, and reverence lie dead or unawakened, and they grow up cold and indifferent—worse even than that—stony-hearted unbelievers.

Above all, send the children to bed happy. Never let them sleep with a threatened punishment in anticipation. Settle all such things before dark, that the child may go to rest with a sense of forgiveness and peace in its heart. They will not be children long; let them be as free from care and pain as possible these few short years. Send them to rest with a smile and a good-night kiss as your last act.

Yes, tuck them in bed with a gentle good-night; The mantle of shadows is veiling the light, And maybe—God knows—on this little face May fall deeper shadows in life's weary race.

Drop sweet benedictions on each little head, And fold them in prayer as they nestle in bed; A guard of bright angels around them invite; The spirit may slip from the mooring to-night.

—Mail and Express.

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The Failure of the Higher Criticism of the Bible.

By Emil Reich, Doctor Juris. Cloth, 204 pages; price, $1.00 net. Jennings and Graham, Cincinnati, Ohio; Eaton and Mains, New York.

Doctor Reich is well qualified to discuss the subject upon which this book treats. He is the author of “Græco-Roman Institutions,” “Atlas of English History,” “Select Documents Illustrating Mediaeval and Modern History,” “Imperialism,” “Success among Nations,” “General History,” etc. But it may be safely said that none of his works is of more importance than his last, which is the outgrowth of two articles which appeared in the Contemporary Review in 1905, and three lectures given in Edinburgh, London, and elsewhere. The entire book is the result of a historic study of Higher Criticism extending over a period of many years. He tells us that he is not a clergyman, and has no intention of becoming one. He writes to serve the ends of no ecclesiastic party. Many years ago he fully believed in the “scientific character” of “Higher Criticism”; but in his deeper, wider researches he has come to the conclusion that Higher Criticism is bankrupt as a method of research, and pernicious as a teaching of religious truth.” He discusses the subject under five heads, as follows: “The Argument from the Masai Legends;” “The Argument from the Border Nations;” “The Argument from the Method. The Inquisitorial Principle;” “The Argument from the Theory of Names, of the Foreigner, and of the Myths;” “The Argument from the Prophets and the Theory of Personality.” All that we need to say is that Dr. Reich has done his work thoroughly and well. His arguments are learned, trenchant, conclusive. He has certainly in this little work demonstrated that “Higher Criticism stands condemned by history fully as much as by true religion. It is neither true nor helpful. It is the distortion of historic truth, as well as the desecration of true religion.” We advise all clergymen among our readers to purchase and read the book.

Songs for Service in Church and Home

By Charles P. Whitford

Songs for Service in Church and Home. By Charles P. Whitford. Published by Southern Publishing Ass'n, Nashville, Tenn. Board bound, 252 pages; price 50 cents, or $5.00 per dozen.

Recommendation of a New Sacred Song Book

We take great pleasure in commending to the readers of this paper the above-named song book. A close examination of the work shows that it contains very many excellent songs, mostly new, and all singable. There is a refreshing absence of that striving for originality which runs into difficult composition, and makes so much of the new music impracticable for church, Sabbath-school, and home singing. While some of the musical critics may deem some of the compositions common-place, the lover of sacred song will take them up and sing them with a will. To such we freely recommend this little book.

What a Young Boy Ought to Know.

By Sylvanus Stall, D.D. Vir Publishing Company, Land Title Bldg., Philadelphia, Pa. Cloth, 193 pages; price, $1.00 net.

This is the revised edition of a book which tells in chaste, and plain language those mysteries of sex concerning which the majority of children have been kept in ignorance to their own lasting hurt. This delicate subject is treated in a most delicate manner. The book should be in the hands of every parent. It will enable father or mother to answer in a manner at once satisfactory and beneficial to the child the questions which he is sure to ask—first of them and then (if not satisfactorily answered) of some playmate whose own mind has been corrupted by impure companions. It is a book which can be advantageously placed in the hands of the growing boy himself if the parent feels incapable of conveying to him the instruction which it contains. As showing the importance which thinking parents attach to these books of the “Self and Sex Series,” they have now been translated into fourteen different languages.

Forty Years an Advertising Agent.

By Geo. P. Rowell. Published by Printers' Ink Publishing Co., 10 Spruce St., New York City. Cloth, 517 pages.

This is a series of fifty-two papers by Mr. Rowell covering his experiences with newspapers, and especially newspaper and magazine advertising, during the past forty years. Mr. Rowell is an easy writer, and all his reminiscences are full of interest, even to a person not particularly interested in the advertising business. To those who are, however, this book will afford much more than entertainment. It will be found full of helpful suggestions to the advertising man.

The Uncompahgre Valley and the Gunnison Tunnel

The Uncompahgre Valley and the Gunnison Tunnel. By Barton W. Marsh. Published by Marsh and Torrence, Montrose, Colo. White cloth, 151 pages; price 65 cents, post-paid. Address the author.

There has been much said concerning the wonderful fertility of the Uncompahgre Valley in Colorado, since its opening for settlement by the government. This little book gives a history of the valley, of the irrigation project which made it cultivable, of the great Gunnison Tunnel project now under way to furnish sufficient water for the irrigation of the entire valley, and tells just what the homeseeker would wish to know concerning productiveness and price of land.

Outlines of Modern Science and Modern Christianity

“Outlines of Modern Science and Modern Christianity.”—We would like to commend to our readers the book with the above title by Prof. George McCready Price. We are sure that those who read it candidly will see more of a harmony between true science and the Bible. It may be obtained of this publishing house. Price, cloth, 75 cents.

Write Me To-day

By Alfred Mallett

If you are out of work or not, for a position that will start you in a paying manufacturing business on a few dollars, suitable for either sex. I will give you all information and find all material. You can start on $5. This is a chance for every S. D. A. to be independent of others for work. I can not offer my proposition to any in the following states at present: California, Oregon, Arizona, Nevada, or Washington, but shall be glad to hear from every village and town in the balance of the states and Canada. Don't wait; write to-day. Address, ALFRED MALLETT, Eldridge Sta., Baltimore, Md.

MILLENNIAL TEXT-BOOK.

By Eugene A. Brown

—Every known reference, over 500 arranged according to events, adapted for instant reference or profound Bible study; result of 12 years' search. Mailed for 10 one-cent stamps, or a dime. Eugene A. Brown, Phoenix, Ariz.

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THE ATONEMENT.—

An examination of the remedial system in the light of nature and revelation. By J. H. Waggoner. This work is a critical and exhaustive treatise on the plan of salvation as revealed in the Scriptures, showing its harmony with the principles of justice and mercy, its consistency with reason, and its final results as affecting the destiny of the human race. Third edition, revised and enlarged, 368 pp. Cloth. Sent post-paid for 50 cents.

Address PUBLISHERS OF THIS PAPER.

BE PATIENT.

They are such tiny feet! They have gone such a little way to meet The years which are required to break Their steps to evenness, and make Them go More sure and slow!

They are such little hands! Be kind—things are so new, and life but stands A step beyond the doorway. All around New day has found Such tempting things to shine upon, and so The hands are tempted oft, you know.

They are such fond, clear eyes, That widen to surprise At every turn! They are so often held To sun or showers—showers soon dispelled By looking in our face; Love asks, for such, much grace!

They are such fair, frail gifts! Uncertain as the rifts Of light that lie along the sky— They may not be here by and by; Give them not love, but more—above And harder—patience with the love.

—Selected.

INFLUENCE AND RESPONSIBILITY OF MOTHERS.

By Mrs. L. D. Avery-Stuttle

V. TRAINING TO HABITS OF NEATNESS AND ORDER.

“Now, see here,” sighs Mrs. Sanctimonious, “you’d far better let this subject alone. If I bring my children up in the fear of the Lord,” she continues, wiping her eyes on a corner of her soiled apron, “it’s all that ought to be expected of me. There isn’t a single thing said about order nor neatness in the Lord’s Prayer, nor in the Ten Commandments; and you must not forget that it was pride that cast Lucifer out of heaven.” Then Mrs. Sanctimonious sighed softly and looked very virtuous.

But we must not forget that God’s law is exceeding broad; and I suppose the apostle was inspired when he exhorted, “Let everything be done decently and in order.”

“O well, but that refers to work that is done especially for the Lord; I don’t believe it refers to common family affairs.”

Don’t you? but it says “everything;” and if the bringing up of the children is not work done for the Lord, I am sure it ought to be; at least parents are commanded to bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Did you ever think how particular the divine Leader of ancient Israel was with His chosen people? He even told them how to make their clothes, and how to clean house. I tell you if the housewives of to-day were obliged to clean their houses as thoroughly as the ancient Israelites were instructed to do, they would think it a great hardship. O, the fight against the deadly microbe was carried on more remorselessly then than it is now.

“But how are we to train our young children to be neat and particular?” asks some conscientious, tired little woman. “Now, I’m not like Mrs. Sanctimonious. I believe we ought to teach them these things, but I don’t know just how. Johnny will insist on making mud pies, and he just covers himself all over with dirt. He enjoys it so well I hate to stop him, but if it is—”

Why, bless the child! let him make mud pies if he wants to, there are a lot of things he might do which are much worse, and indeed, mud pies are less harmful than some other kinds. But there are times when Johnny ought to be clean. When the high chair is placed at the table, and the little owner is seated therein, do you not agree with me that every suggestion of mud pie ought to have been removed from face, hands, and apron? But if Mary is allowed to come to the table with a dirty face, and Jimmie is placed in his high chair unwashed and uncombed, are you not setting them an example of untidiness, the bad effects of which it will take a long time to overcome? I have seen little ones at table whose appearance ought to bring a blush to the mother’s cheek; and I have seen those mothers hurry with a broom and dust-pan to remove the remnants of food from the floor, which the heedless child has scattered about his chair. Now I am of the opinion that it is easier to teach children to be careful and neat, than it is to follow them about with broom and dust-pan.

Then there is the matter of washing the hands. The children will be particular in this respect if they see that mother is. I think this thing should be made a matter of conscience.

“What makes you wash your hands so many times every day, mama? they don’t look dirty,” questioned little Edna, to whom the wash-bowl and towel were an offense.

“No, dear, I suppose they do not,” replies the mother, “but I know they should be washed, just as tho the dirt were quite visible to everybody.” The little one thought for a moment.

“Mama, do you s’pose God would know,—and would He care?”

“I am sure He would, my child.”

This may seem to be a small matter; but that mother had taught her child a most important lesson in conscientious neatness, and had illustrated it by her own example. Would you like to eat a meal prepared by another, whose hands were unclean? Then you can not afford to smother the voice of conscience in this respect, and do the same thing yourself. The children must be taught to realize that the eye of God is always upon them, and that even in the humblest affairs of life He requires a conscientious application of the Golden Rule; that He sees whether the rugs are well shaken, or whether the dirt is hidden away in some dark corner; whether Mary hangs her jacket up carefully upon its own peg, or throws it carelessly in a heap on the floor; whether Jane mends her stockings neatly, or whether she puckers the holes together in the easiest way, because the shoes will hide them; He knows whether Susie combs her hair smoothly and neatly, or whether she hides the tangles under a big bow until mama gets time to straighten them.

If John notices that his father brushes old Brindle carefully before sitting down to milk, so that the milk will be clean and sweet, he will be very apt to do the same when he gets large enough to attend to the milking himself. If James sees that his father and his older brothers brush and fold their own clothes, he will naturally imitate them, instead of leaving the work for his tired mother to do; and if father takes the trouble carefully to wipe the mud from his boots before entering the house, it will be an easy matter to teach James to do the same.

And so, my friends, it is all a matter of example. We can not teach order and neatness to a child, and be untidy and slovenly ourselves. MRS. L. D. AVERY-STUTTLE.

IN THE HOME LAUNDRY.

By M. H.

It may save the economical house mother some trouble and annoyance to know that the color may be set in cotton fabrics and the goods shrunk at the same time by pouring a strong, hot brine over the goods, and allowing it to stand until cold. The goods must be taken out of the salt bath and pinned on the line evenly so as not to wrinkle the fabric.

It is a good thing to keep a bottle of alcohol in the house, as it will remove grass stains, and fruit stains of every sort may be removed if they are wet through and through with alcohol before going into the wash.

Spirits of salt may be used on colored as well as white cloth for removing iron rust. Hold the cloth over a bowl of hot water, dip a feather in the spirits of salt, and lightly touch the spots; then rinse well before washing in suds. Pretty gingham and percale dresses may be kept fresh and new looking by washing them quickly through a warm pearline suds, and then rinsing carefully through clear, warm water, using starch of the same temperature.

In hanging colored garments on the line, they should always be hung wrong-side-out, then they should be ironed on the wrong side, and with a little care a wash dress can be kept looking new until it is nearly worn out.

M. H.

THE ONE WAY.

By M. S. Babcock

ADAM and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden. “Your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have made Him hide His face from you.” Isa. 59: 2, margin.

“To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne.”

“And He that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new.” “I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away.” “There shall be no more curse; but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and His servants shall serve Him.” “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people.” “God Himself shall be with them, and be their God.” “They shall see His face; and His name shall be in their foreheads.”

Thus reads the record, the two witnesses to God’s truth and the facts of human history to the end. Man was, is not, yet may be and abide, in the actual presence of God. Man saw, sees not, and yet may see; His face and live. Tho there be “one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all,” still the Creator was and is no part of the creature, nor ever will be.

“The invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead.” He speaks, and it is; breathes, and it lives; radiates His ceaseless activity and power, but retains all He is without loss or lesion. He reveals what He is by what He does, and still Himself continues the same throughout eternity. Giving doth not impoverish, nor withholding His hand enrich, the eternal God. No friction, no waste, no want. Furthermore, “we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.” O, the mystery!

Of His crowning creation we read that the first Adam was made “upright.” Moment by moment God gave him power to overcome everywhere, at all times, in every experience.

The wise man says (Eccl. 7: 29), “God hath made man upright,” literally Israel, “he will rule as God.” An Israelite, an overcomer, God made him to be and remain, that humanity and the Lord God might dwell face to face in the same perfect home, united in heart and life, always. What God did, and planned for man to do, by no possibility could be better. The very law of God’s own being permeated and connected with Himself, man, made in His own image, so that he, man, might be a prince with God and “rule as God.”

“But they have sought out many inventions.” From love of God to love of self; from Godlike prince to servile slave; from plenty to penury; from priceless peace with God to direful death and destruction; a change from the love of the law of God to the love of a brief life lived in the face of self and Satan, the prince of “inventions,”—these be fruits of human inventions against the plan, the purpose, the law of God, ordained unto life.

Your “iniquities” have separated. “Your sins have made Him hide His face from you.” God’s foreordained plan will prevail. His Word shall not return unto Him void. The law of life remains the same—supreme love to God, and love of thy brother man as if he were thyself. “He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be My son.”

Still to the overcomer runs the assurance that “God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish”—might not suffer complete separation from the source of life in lawlessness—but “live by means of Him” (Syriac) in lawfulness. “We [sons of God] know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is.”

Mark well: “I delight to do Thy will, O my God; yea, Thy law is within my heart.” “O how love I Thy law! it is my meditation all the day.” “Give me understanding, and I shall keep Thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.” “I will never forget Thy precepts; for with them Thou hast quickened me.” “Thy law do I love.” Delight in the law is the mark of discipleship, Christian rectitude. “Let Israel hope in the Lord; and He shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.” “Unto you first, God having raised up His Son Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.” “Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin” (transgression of the law, lawlessness). “I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.” “I will put My laws into their hearts and in their minds will I write them; and their sins and iniquities I will remember no more.” “Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity.” “The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies.” But “his iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden by the cords of his sins.” “Thou hast hid Thy face from us, and hast consumed us, by the hand of our iniquities” (margin).

This is our lesson: In all ages, iniquity and sin, transgression of God’s law, at the last bring death and destruction—complete separation from God. So in all ages, love of God and love of His law shown in the keeping of it all through Christ, delivers from iniquity and sin, and restores to Paradise and life eternal in the presence of the Lord God, face to face. There is no other name under heaven nor any other way given, that can give liberty to the captive. M. S. BABCOCK.

TEMPORAL POWER OF THE PAPACY

By C. E. Milton

Current Arguments for the Return of the Temporal Power.

As one may readily imagine, the current arguments in favor of the return of the temporal power of the Papacy are those that emanate from Catholic sources; and therefore in the main they are but a repetition of the arguments that have long been in vogue in the Catholic Church. They were largely formulated by Thomas Aquinas whose theology is the basis of almost all Catholic teaching. The old saying which we repeat so often that “the church never changes” is a truth easily susceptible of verification here at Rome. In fact one who is now a teacher of truth, while a professor in the Catholic seminary, objected to some of the teachings of the church as being out of harmony with the spirit of the times. To which the head of the seminary responded that “the church is founded on God, and as God never changes, so the church never changes.” It is from all testimony clearly evident that their position remains always practically the same, and differs only in the statement of it.

The Main Arguments.

The main arguments employed by the church to sustain its claims to the temporal power may be reduced to a few statements:

1. The Catholic Church claims to have received from God the commission and the authority to teach men the right way to live. As they are invested with the authority to teach individuals, they claim that this authority extends itself over the state likewise, for a state is only a collection of individuals. Therefore to exert this authority it is necessary that the church should occupy a position which is independent of the state. If the church were subject to the state it could not exert its authority over the state; for the teacher must occupy a position superior to the one taught; or otherwise, there could be no discipline and consequently no progress. Then it would follow that one could not have a discipline without some punishment attached, and some authority to enforce such punishment when the case should demand it. Consequently, the church claims that it must occupy a position in society where it is subject to no government, and yet have secured to itself at the same time the power to make laws for the furtherance of its God-given work, and also the authority to see that its commands are obeyed. Therefore, Catholics claim that they are entitled to a government of their own where they can be independent to do the work assigned them according to the best interests of the church.

2. The church is a regularly constituted institution, established in the midst of society by God. As every society has the right to make laws for the furtherance and protection of its interests, the Catholics claim such a right for their church. Therefore, they also insist that by the nature of the case they are entitled to a position where they can protect their own interests, and where they can deal decisively with such as are trying to break down their institutions. Thus persecution is simply their attempt to stamp out the enemies of their society and those that are plotting against the best interests of their church.

3. The moral capability of the pope to rule. As the pope is the vicar of Christ on earth, and has been appointed by God to rule the church, why should not such a person be also a splendid ruler for the state? And after all the state that has a good moral basis is more sure to succeed than the one which is irreligious and corrupt. As the pope is morality personified, according to the Catholic conception, his rule would certainly be preferable to that of kings and emperors who often make no pretensions to religion.

Perhaps these statements may suffice to give the general underlying principles, which form the basis of the arguments for the return of the temporal power. These principles are manipulated and woven together according to the necessity of the case; but the Catholic position always remains the same. C. E. MILTON.

[The next article will consider some of the Arguments against the Restoration of the Temporal Power.]

A HYMN OF PRAISE.

By L. D. Santee

I thank Thee, O Most High, For that most wondrous, grand, and glad existence, That home beyond the sky. 'Tis shrouded by the veil of cloud and distance, But O, 'tis drawing nigh; And waiting hearts repeat the thrilling story, That Jesus, in the sky, Will come to give His children life and glory.

I thank Thee, gracious Lord, For all the promises Thy love has given, For Thy unfailing Word, Which tells us that our feet shall rest in heaven; And while time's surges roll, And wrathful winds lift high the heaving billow, Sweet peace pervades the soul, E'en tho' the head may press affliction's pillow.

We have not long to wait, Not long to bear life's burdens and its crosses, For soon the "pearly gate" Will recompense us for the toils and losses, And starry crowns shall glow, And hands redeemed shall clasp in joyous meeting; And friends of long ago, Shall then embrace in glad, ecstatic greeting.

L. D. SANTEE.

Dixon, Ill.

THE GOSPEL GRAIN FIELD.

1. What is the scope of this field?

“The field is the world.” Matt. 13: 38.

2. Who is the sower of the good seed?

“He that soweth the good seed is the Son of Man.” Verse 37.

3. What is the good seed?

“The seed [represented by wheat, Matt. 13: 25] is the Word of God.” Luke 8: 11.

4. In what does the sowing and growth of the good seed result?

“The good seed are the children of the kingdom.” Matt. 13: 38.

5. Who sows the evil seed?

“His enemy came and sowed;” “the enemy that sowed them is the devil.” Verses 25, 39.

6. What is the evil seed called? and in what does it result?

“His enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat.” “The tares are the children of the wicked one; the enemy that sowed them is the devil.” Verses 25, 38, 39.

7. Will the evil be rooted out from among the good?

“Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.” Verse 29.

8. How long will these two classes exist together?

“Let both grow together until the harvest.” Verse 30.

9. What is the harvest?

“The harvest is the end of the world [age.]” Verse 39.

10. Who are the reapers?

“The reapers are the angels.” Same verse.

11. What became of those represented by the tares?

“As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. The Son of Man shall send forth His angels, and they shall gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; and shall cast them into a furnace of fire; there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.” Verses 40-42.

12. How will it be with the “children of the kingdom?”

“Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father.” Verse 43.

Testimonies to the Bible's Enduring Influence

I CAN easily conceive why the Bible was one of the four volumes which always lay on Byron’s table; and it would be easy to fill a lecture with the testimonies, written or unwritten, which painters, sculptors, orators, and poets have rendered to the most thought-suggesting Book in the world.—Hamilton.

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