As we stated in the commencement of these articles, it would be impracticable to consider under this head, all or even the greater portion of the false doctrines of the day, and even now perhaps we have dwelt sufficiently long upon these subjects. There is, however, another class of popular errors which directly affect the outward acts, and involve a positive disobedience of God's requirements, and which we can hardly excuse ourselves from noticing in this connection.
Prominent among these comes the practice of Sunday-keeping. To say nothing of the benefits and blessings resulting from the practice of keeping the Lord's memorial Sabbath, which are lost to those who keep another day, there is in this practice a downright refusal to obey one of God's commandments. This as one of the evil fruits of Sunday-keeping, is sufficiently frightful to induce us to make war against it, and hold up the true Sabbath before the minds of the people.
This practice also exhibits itself as one of the inconsistencies of professed Christianity, thus supplying fuel for the fires of infidelity now raging all over our land. The manifest delinquency on the part of those who profess to keep the commandments of God and yet fail in this particular, is excused by the plea that "God is not particular," and judging from the conduct of the mass of those who urge this plea, we might conclude that they indulged this spirit to an unlimited extent, and rather decided that God was not very particular about anything.
Closely related to this doctrine, and so closely that it has sometimes been called its "twin sister," we have that of sprinkling for baptism. This error lacks even as good a plea in its defense as that presented for Sunday-keeping, for while the latter has in its favor the fact that rest is secured by it, the former has nothing in common with the true ordinance of baptism. The original design of baptism is to memorialize, and signify the believer's faith in the burial and resurrection of Christ, and this design can be carried out in no other way than by the immersion of the candidate in water. This man-made substitute for the ordinance of God, by thus destroying the divinely-appointed memorial of the resurrection, puts into the mouth of the
Sunday-keeper the plea that "the first day of the week must be kept in honor of the resurrection of Christ." Restore the ordinance of baptism to its place in the church and in the understanding of the people, and one argument is removed from the catalogue of excuses for breaking the fourth commandment, as there will then be no occasion to rob God of obedience to it in order to commemorate that for which he has given us a perfectly fitting memorial.
The evil fruits of popular errors are felt because they are popular, and the higher they stand in public opinion, the more injurious they are. We have now noticed most of the errors in religious belief which are very extensively endorsed and thus rendered popular, and endeavored to show some of the evils resulting from them. There are multitudes of others, however, which do not properly come under this head, the investigation of which might be interesting and profitable, but we will notice only one of them, as approximating to the others in point of popularity, because so generally endorsed by a large body of believers in the second advent faith. We allude to the erroneous views in regard to the sanctuary. By still clinging to the position that the sanctuary is the earth or some part of it, false time movements are made and confusion results, and at the present time the great mass of advent believers who reject the Bible view of the sanctuary, are divided among themselves upon the question of another definite time movement, until it would seem that the declaration of one of their preachers was about to be realized, that "unless something is done for us we shall all go to pieces."
While we as a people do not profess infallibility, yet we know that by steering clear of popular religion we avoid a goodly number of popular errors, and by refusing to take anything for granted because everybody believes it, but on the contrary investigating for ourselves, we may keep clear of the fog banks of error, and sail under the banner of truth until we come to a unity of the faith.
WM. C. GAGE.
Norridgewock, Me.
“And God Blessed the Seventh Day and Sanctified It.”
By G. W. A.
The Notes of Prof. Bush did good service for these columns last week. Again we draw from the same source. The following paragraph sets forth in plain and logical terms the duty of the human race in reference to God’s Sabbath,—the seventh-day. Let those who deny a primeval Sabbath, meet his arguments,—if they can. G. W. A.
God’s sanctifying the day is equivalent to his commanding men to sanctify it. As at the close of the creation the seventh day was thus set apart by the Most High for such purposes, without limitation to age or country, the observance of it is obligatory upon the whole human race to whom, in the wisdom of Providence, it may be communicated. This further appears from the reason why God blessed and sanctified it, viz., “because that in it he had rested,” &c., which is a reason of equal force at all times, and equally applying to all the posterity of Adam; and if it formed a just ground for sanctifying the first day which dawned upon the finished system of the universe, it must be equally so for sanctifying every seventh day to the end of time. The observance of the day is moreover enjoined in the decalogue, which was not abolished with the peculiar polity of the Jews,133but remains unalterably binding upon Christians in every age of the world. Some commentators and divines have indeed thought that the mention here made of the Sabbath is merely by anticipation; and that the appointment never took place till the days of Moses, Ex. xx, 11. But if this were the case it is not easy to see how Moses came to specify the circumstance of God’s resting on the seventh day, as the reason for that appointment. It would have been a good reason for our first parents and their immediate descendants to hallow the day; but it could be no reason at all to those who lived almost five and twenty hundred years after the event; more especially, when so obvious and cogent a reason as their deliverance out of Egypt was assigned at the very same time. But if the command given to the Jews was a repetition of the injunction given to Adam, then there was an obvious propriety in assigning the reason that was obligatory upon all, as well as that which formed an additional obligation on the Jewish nation in particular. Besides, there are traces of a Sabbath from the beginning of the world. For if no Sabbath had ever been given, whence came the practice of measuring time by weeks? Yet that custom obtained both in the antediluvian and the patriarchal ages, Gen. viii, 10, 12. xxix, 27, 28. Again, although the observance of the Sabbath had no doubt been much neglected in Egypt, yet the remembrance of it was not wholly effaced; for Moses, before the giving of the law, speaks of the Sabbath as an institution known and received among them, Ex. xvi, 23. And without any express direction, they gathered on the sixth day a double portion of manna to serve them on the Sabbath, which surely should not have been expected that they would have done had no such institution existed. It can scarcely be doubted, therefore, that the Sabbath is as old as the creation, and of the wisdom of such an appointment a moment’s reflection will convince us. As God made all things for himself, so he instituted the Sabbath in order that his rational creatures might have stated opportunities of paying him their tribute of prayer and praise. If no period had been fixed by him for the solemnities of public worship, it would have been impossible to bring mankind to an agreement respecting the time when they should render to him their united homage. They would all acknowledge the propriety of serving him in concert; but each would be ready to consult his own convenience. And probably a difference of sentiment would arise as to the length of time to be allotted to his service. Thus there would never be one hour when all should join together in celebrating their Creator’s praise. But by an authoritative separation of the seventh day, God has provided that the whole race of men shall acknowledge him, and that his goodness shall be had in everlasting remembrance. This act of separation he has seen good to express by the word “sanctify,” which is used in the Scriptures primarily to denote the setting apart, devoting, or appropriating any thing from a common to a peculiar and generally to a sacred use. Thus God is said to have “sanctified,” or set apart for a holy use, the first-fruits of the earth, the tabernacle with its various furniture, the tribe of Levi to the office of priests, &c. In this sense to sanctify is the same as to “hallow,” and is opposed to calling or treating anything as “unclean,” or “common.” The sanctification of the seventh day in the present case, can only be understood of its being set apart to the special worship and service of God; for it is to be remembered, that at this time, every thing was holy as far as moral purity was concerned.
By the Way.
By Editor
NOTES by the way is with us a novelty. Having been confined to the Review Office for over ten years so closely that the longest period of absence has been but a few days, and the greatest distance not over fifty miles, we have never had occasion, or perhaps opportunity, for this kind of writing. The present occasion has arisen on this wise.
We stated last week that Bro. White designed to accompany Bro. Dr. Lay on his return to Dansville. According to arrangement he left Battle Creek the 14th inst. By the advice of friends, and in order to enjoy the benefits of a little relaxation from the confinement and labors of Office duties, we accompany him. This morning, (the 15th) at 7 o'clock found us in Rochester, quite comfortable, through the combined agencies of sleeping cars, and a quick passage. Bro. White has endured the journey remarkably well. With the exception of being somewhat wearied, as was to be expected, no unfavorable effects are thus far experienced from the journey. We spend the Sabbath here, and proceed the first of the coming week to Dansville. That Bro. White will be able to accomplish the journey comfortably, through the blessing of the Lord, we are more than ever confident, and also that through the rest which he will enjoy at that place, and the healthful agencies there in operation, he will rapidly recover the vitality and energies which he has exhausted by arduous labors in the cause of truth.
During our absence, Bro. Amadon and sister Van Horn will furnish the readers of the Review with a well-filled paper. "Thoughts on the Revelation," like some persons of which the Revelation speaks, will "rest for a little season." We design to spend a few weeks at Dansville, hearing, seeing, practicing, and holding fast that which is good. And after a few weeks more, spent with friends in New Hampshire, near both by the ties of nature and the truth, and whom we have not seen for over ten years, we hope to return with renewed energies to the sphere of action in which at present it seems to be our lot to labor.
Luther and the Reformation.
By J. Clarke
LUTHER was not a Lutheran, he was a Reformer, and his whole soul was in the work. To reformers of this age we would say, Luther was like you, and you may claim him a brother; he is yours, and you are his; and could he now arise from the tomb, he would turn with disgust from those who shut their eyes and ears to the light, by whatever name they may be called.
He read from the Bible that a few centuries from his day would bring the close of time, and could he now arise from the dead, finding those centuries elapsed, with what eagerness would he investigate history and prophecy, to determine his position on the ocean of time.
Luther was raised up at the right time, and how mightily he worked. Only a peasant boy, he became a noble and powerful man, by diligence, honesty, and devotion to God. At his birth, the world was dark in morals and in education, wrong and perverted and distorted ideas of God and his character, wrong ideas of duty in all the social, domestic, and private and public walks of life, wrong ideas of government, civil and ecclesiastical, existed in the minds of men, and whole nations were moved by superstition, ignorance, and bigotry. A good thought was not known as such, and wicked deeds were often applauded as virtuous, for the Bible existed only in the dead languages, and it being carefully kept from the common people, Satan exalted in the ruin and confusions he had wrought.
A mother might forsake her darling children, and leave them exposed to want, neglect, and sorrow, while she, by taking the veil, and becoming a recluse in some convent, smothered her grief and dried her tears in the consolations held out to her of becoming a saint. Papal priests applauded her devotion, and sister nuns welcomed her as one of the faithful. A faithful and devoted son or daughter, or father, or friend, might at any time leave his or her home, however afflictive or embarrassing such a step might be to friends or relatives left behind, and seek for a home in the cloister, where he could be of as little service or comfort to them, as if he were dead.
Violence was committed upon the moral and intellectual powers of man, by the Romish priest, who taught relatives to sunder their ties of nature, and break the bonds of natural affection; and the cloistered nun fasted and prayed and did penance, because her heart still longed for dear ones left at home, in the valley or on the mountain side, weeping the loss of a devoted relative, self-buried from home, and friends, and usefulness.
Or if a monk, yet a novice, perhaps a dutiful son wishing most fervently to do the will of God, and being taught that the cloister was the school of the prophets, and having entered, he finds a school of immorality and idleness, his doubts and fears and conscientious scruples, only call for fasting and penance, or perhaps the prison and the rack.
Or, if some mighty man appeared, and endeavored to enlighten the world, and break the fetters which held men and governments, he was quickly disposed of, as in the case of Huss and others.
But Luther, the peasant boy, arose, and as he fought his way, at every step encountering difficulties, and obstacles, and all patiently removed, he, by slow degrees, opened his eyes to the evils of his age.
He saw with pain, the priest at the altar acting his part as a mountebank at a show; and the same priest who declaimed against marriage, was a companion of prostitutes; and the coarseness of the street was transferred to the sanctuary, and the pardon of sin was bought and sold as goods are disposed of in the market.
More than this, he found a Greek Bible in his cloister, for he too was early taught that here he would find his God and his salvation, and truly he did, but this book pointed him to a nobler work, and resurrected him from a living grave.
Bloody racks and damp dungeons waited anxiously for him, and poisoned meats and drinks were prepared, and cruel monks and haughty bishops longed to rid the earth of him, but in vain, for God determined otherwise.
By little and little, Luther, the peasant's son, opened his eyes to the scene around him; all was darkness. He looked within, all was weakness and sin; but in his newly discovered Bible, all was light; angels strengthened and encouraged him, and his kind, loving, but powerful words, entered the hearts of men. At his reasoning, so simple yet so deep, kings and magistrates, peasants and citizens yielded; the time had come for the power of the Papacy to be subdued, and nuns left the cloister and reassumed their place at the fireside, and monks became teachers, and professors, or mechanics, farmers, or tradesmen; and those who had meditated entering upon seclusion, abandoned so wild a plan and entered upon the walks of life.
Never since the days of Jesus Christ has so great a revolution taken place in society, and without tumult and strife, bigotry, superstition, and ignorance failed to hold the masses, and truth gained the victory.
At the same time, God raised up other workmen in Switzerland, France, England, and various other places; and although at first unknown to each other, they worked for the same end, and the Papacy reeled almost to its downfall, and ever since it is slowly fading away.
Luther worked hard to establish good schools everywhere, for the common people; and used all his influence to have them upheld by government; and he strove hard to find competent teachers for them, and with all he taught the Germans to sing in the schools, and witness the result! And shall we say that our civil and religious liberty, our schools for the people, our extended and wise policy, our intelligence as a people, are not in a great measure the fruit of the labors of those wise reformers, of whom Luther was the leader?
Let not the world despise reformers; this was what the monks did to Luther, and what the Jews did to Christ; the world has no friends like the reformers, who leveled old corrupt systems, and set up the banner of truth, and ye reformers take heart to think of what Luther, your brother, accomplished.
J. CLARKE.
Portage, Ohio.
Report from Bro. Matteson.
By John Matteson
BRO. WHITE: Aug. 27 we finished a series of meetings in Irving, Jackson Co., Wis. We had twenty-four meetings. It was a very busy time, and the meetings were not so well attended as they would have been otherwise. The first week, a goodly number came to hear, but at the end of that time, our Methodist friends received orders from some high quarter, and came to meeting no more. Their preacher had two meetings while I was there. The first time he was present at our meeting I made some remarks about the Sabbath, which seemed to affect him very much. At his meeting he said that he would reply to my remarks at some future time. He believed there was a way to discuss such subjects without abusing any one, or shedding blood. I understood that afterwards. He tried to get another preacher to help him, but failed. At his next meeting I asked him what he meant by his expressions, if he wanted to discuss the Sabbath question? He seemed to feel very uneasy, and said that he smelled the trap, and he was not going to be caught. But he wanted the people to well digest all they could find out about the Sabbath, and then, in his own good time, he would show them that Sunday was the original Sabbath. He prayed fervently for the time soon to come when all the people in this town should be keeping the commandments of God!
Bro. Steward has labored in this place some years ago, and once there were about twenty Sabbath-keepers. About half of that number are left, and they were in a backslidden state. It was very difficult for me to labor among them. There seemed to be a strong influence of evil spirits which had gained a foothold in these hearts, and were determined not to give it up. Like others in the same condition, they could not see their own poverty. Sometimes I did well nigh despair. Neither did I come off from this battle without some wounds. But the Lord was merciful. His loving-kindness, oh, how great! Occasionally he would smile on us, and the last Sabbath I was there, his Spirit moved powerfully upon our hearts. All wept, and confessed their sins, and cried for mercy. It was a blessed time, which I shall not soon forget. When our pathway is very dark, the good Shepherd is often nearest, and light breaks upon us from the heavenly sanctuary. In the evening, we had a meeting to settle old difficulties. We commenced at seven o'clock. Had a hard time, and if God had not moved upon our hearts, those things would never have been settled. But the Lord helped us, and at two o'clock in the morning we had gained a victory, and went home. Having rested a little, we had a good meeting in the forenoon. Seven covenanted together to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Systematic Benevolence was arranged, amounting to $15.00 a year. A Sabbath-School was organized with about ten scholars. Four were buried with Christ in baptism. We had an evening meeting, and then I parted with them, while they wept. Then I felt to praise the Lord that our Saviour is stronger than Satan.
Aug. 30, I came to Mankato, Minn., having traveled one night and three days. Here I had to lay over. I looked round to find some work. Found a Norwegian settlement three miles from there. Had a meeting in the evening. They gave good attention, and wanted me to come again.134Sept. 1, I arrived at Blue Earth City, and Sabbath and Sunday we had meetings about five miles from that place. I intend to have a few more meetings before I leave, and then go to the frontiers about fifty miles west. I go trapping, and will probably stay there about three months.
This may be a little unexpected to my friends who are looking for my soon return, but I hope that you will excuse me when I tell you my reasons. 1. I am not in debt, and don't want to be; but I am poor, having spent some of my own means, and all my earnings for the last two years to pay expenses. 2. I know some friends who are ready to sacrifice to help me along, but I do not like now to draw upon their charity, and do not consider it right. 3. My brains are somewhat worn from constant labor. This will give me time for recreation and rest of mind, and will likely improve my health. 4. This is a fine opportunity to earn some means in a short time.
My address is Blue Earth City, Faribault Co., Minn.
JOHN MATTESON.
Blue Earth City, Sept. 4, 1865.
"I Am Not Free."
By G.
Some persons are ever complaining of being bound, and suffering great bondage of spirit. Perhaps the following common-sense thoughts from a writer in the Golden Rule may help indicate where their trouble is. Let a person do his duty prayerfully and persistently, and he will be free. To say that we are in bondage is generally about the same as saying that we have done wrong. G.
I AM NOT FREE! No wonder! You have grieved the Holy Spirit. How? Perhaps by cherishing unkind feelings toward some one. Search and see if this is not the case. Open your heart and welcome the light. Don't dodge now. Don't be afraid of making an unpleasant discovery, but pray as did David, "search me, O God." How is it now, is your heart just right with everybody? Lord help you in this investigation. Be thorough! You will soon be at the bar of God. Perhaps your tongue is not sanctified; let us see. Are you worldly in your conversation on the Sabbath? Do you indulge in trifling conversation at any time? Do you speak of another's faults when he is not present to plead his own cause? If so, no wonder you are not free. "Let your conversation be in Heaven." "Speak evil of no man." Perhaps you have become unduly prejudiced against one or more. Have you not entered your judgment against persons without sufficient evidence that they were wrong, and thus your heart leans away from them? These persons may be blessed of God in your presence, and you feel it not, because your heart is upside-down. In other words, your mind is so biased against them that you cannot enjoy the heavenly freedom with them. While this is the case, salvation may come down in showers, and you will be dry. Get in the right position before God, and your eyes on Jesus, and you will not be bound long. Perhaps you have been disobedient. It is as impossible for you to retain your freedom in the Lord while disobedient, as it is to build a granite wall upon a fog. "Obedience is better than sacrifice." "As ye have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him." "Mind the same things and walk by the same rule." You may have been led to disobedience through fear of reproach. You dread being regarded as singular in your religious life. When you first set out in the heavenly way, the Lord blessed you much. You were willing he should have his way with you, but when your wisdom and prudence began to be called in question, you paused so long to consider what was best, that you got your eyes off from Jesus, and began to look after your reputation; and thus your soul became ensnared by the enemy. Do you dress as plain as the Lord requires? Do you reprove sin as the Lord requires? How many fail here. They fear the face of clay. "The fear of man brings a snare." You must be willing to be reproached for Christ's sake. He laid down his life for you. "Let us go with him without the camp bearing his reproach." Dressing plain, reproving sin, renouncing the Devil and all his works, the vain pomp and glory of the world, for Christ's sake, will bring reproach, but "happy are such, for the Spirit of glory and of God resteth upon them." You may have disobeyed by shrinking from responsibility. God has called you out to labor for him, but you have halted so long "between two opinions," that you have grieved the Spirit away from your heart, and the cause of Christ has bled as a consequence. Dear reader, how can you be free while at ease in sin. Has not God called you to take higher ground in religious experience? To be definite, have you seen it your privilege and duty to be sanctified to God? If so, have you walked in the light of this conviction of want, so that, to say the least, you now are panting, yea groaning, to be delivered from sins remaining, or have you concluded that this blessing is not for you, and so you have ceased to wrestle with God for it? If so, this is enough to bind your soul. God help you; take courage, you may be fully redeemed. Benevolence is part of obedience to God. How is it with you in this respect? Are you doing all God has made known to be your duty? You cannot, under God, be proprietor and steward of your temporal effects. God is proprietor and you steward. The grace that converts a man's soul converts his pocket also; where the soul is saved it is saved from the love of the world. Hence all temporal effects are to be consecrated to the use God would have us make of them. "He that hath this world's goods, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him." Alas! no wonder many complain, "I am not free." Instead of having the "well of water in them springing up into everlasting life," they have "hewed out to themselves broken cisterns that can hold no water." Reader, if you are not free, stop up the leaks in your soul, and you will then find that you are "kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation." Follow Christ, and you shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. Honor God and he will honor you with peace, joy, light, life and freedom.
Musings.
By M. W. Howard
"The shadows lift—
*From my waked spirit airily and swift;
And I could paint the bow*
Upon the bended heavens—around me playColors of such bright divinity to-day."
Who can tell why is this? that at times there should be as it were a blank, a pall, resting upon the mind, unfitting it for action. Then all at once the vail seems lifted, or as the poet has it
"The shadows liftFrom the waked spirit airily and swift."
The fancy has full play, and without effort comes forth a pen or pencil sketch.
It has been said that the gifts of genius are intermittent. And who of earth's gifted ones, have not at times realized this? One of those, or rather two, who in their work were so united that it was more like one, when asked what they did when, as they had just expressed, "the shadows rested on them sometimes for weeks together," replied, "We kneel down and pray." And in this answer lurks the secret of that power, we call "the gifts of genius." It is given of God.—Not always for the asking; for all the gifted ones do not recognize the giving hand of God in what they are enabled to do. But there are weak ones, who feel that they are but as clay in the hands of the potter,—perchance to be molded for some use, and when so, sees that not only the ability to perform, but the needed leisure are alike, God-given. Reader, was it ever thus with thee? Just now I feel the "shadows lifting," and my mind reverts to a tragic scene, witnessed a few nights ago. At early bedtime, the stillness of the evening hour was broken by hurrying feet, running through our streets, and the startling cry of fire! fire! fire! resounded on every side! Then came the "clamor and the clang of bells" and every dwelling seemed to pour its inmates into the streets, to hasten to a nearer proximity to the raging element. And what a sight was there? A fire that seemingly a few pails of water might have quenched when first discovered, had gained the mastery, and spread as if by magic to the surrounding buildings and tenements, which stood in rear of a row of those imposing structures, which, as in other towns and cities, always front on Broadway and Main streets.135Busy workers were there with the appliances for throwing water; yet the fiery demon raged on, for four long hours before it was in the least controllable. When it was found that one row of blocks was on fire, and must inevitably be burned, consternation indeed filled all. A busy work went on, as store after store was stripped of everything movable and carried across the streets, and there heaped in promiscuous piles. In shops more remote, a hurried packing was going on, for who could tell but before the morning light the entire street might not be wrapped in flame!
When all that was movable which was in immediate danger had been secured, there came an interval of suspense to the eager, watching crowds, who stood, walked, or were seated, as opportunity offered them, to see. Suspense, for, for the time nothing could be done, but to steadily pour the streams of water where it would do most effectual service; while the angry flames all undaunted by it, would rush down a stairway curving around a corner, forking out their fiery tongues as if in greedy search for everything combustible. Crash! crash! as the beautiful front show windows fell upon the pavement below; then a huge dense volume of smoke rolled upward amid the lurid glare, as it issued from some resinous substance; again, an explosion of the heated pent up gases in an adjoining store made every heart to quake, and sorrowfully to ask, "Where will the conflagration end?" Water! water! blessed gift from God. The flames began to yield, and with relieved hearts one after another begin to turn their feet homewards. How many carried with them the lessons that might be taught?
Seated upon the arm of an office sofa which extended an inviting seat as it stood there among the piles of saved goods, I gazed and pondered. My mind was carried forward to that terrific hour, to which the scene before me bore but the faintest comparison,—of which Inspiration hath said, "But the heavens and earth which are now kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men." 2 Pet. iii, 7. "Behold the day cometh that shall burn as an oven." Mal. iv, 1.
How many do really believe that there is a day coming when "every man's work shall be tried by fire," a day "when the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also (shall melt) and the works therein be burned up." I know that this is assented to theoretically by all believers of the Bible, for it cannot well be evaded. But how few are living as if such a day is hastening onward, that day when all are to be individually tested by "the records of a book unscanned by mortal eyes, but which has been made up in figures of living light."
Passing the locality of the fire a few days afterwards, I noticed in the charred rubbish a ponderous safe, too large for a hasty removal from its position in an upper story, so its valuables had been removed and it had been left to its fate. And it had gone through the fire but little burned. Again I thought, at that greater conflagration that is coming, there are to be those who shall escape. And who would not desire to be of that number? Yes, who does not mean, or hope, somehow to be among the saved in that day? But what saith the scriptures? "Escape as for thy life!" Gen. xix, 17. Yes! now, "escape as for thy life." The words have all their first significance to you; to me, to-day—a place of refuge to-day is offered, we are not sure of the same opportunity to-morrow. But even if we were, is it wise to delay a matter which it is so all-important that we perform?
"Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold the destruction of the wicked," the Psalmist is made to exclaim. Then surely there are to be those who are to see all this. I know how prone mankind are, not quite perhaps to explain away the destruction of the wicked, but what amounts to nearly the same thing. But with the word of God in our hands, none need be at a loss to determine, not only the manner of this destruction, but the period of its accomplishment. Indeed the one passage, 2 Thess. i, 7-10 completely settles this point. Look at it now if any are skeptical, and ponder its import well. Oh, who will not now like Noah, "by faith being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved by fear, prepare for the saving of thy house?" Heb. xi, 7. Let it not suffice us for ourselves to "escape for our lives," but let each seek to induce others "to seek the Lord while he may be found;" for he is our ark and safety in that deluge of fire, that is surely coming upon our earth.
M. W. Howard.
Malone, N. Y.
Spirituality.
By S. B. Whitney
"For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace." Rom. viii, 6.
No truth can be clearer than the declaration made in the above text. Forasmuch as the carnal mind, which is enmity against God, manifests itself in the transgression of his law, the fruit of which is death; so on the contrary, the spiritual mind is manifested in obedience to the law of God, which is as surely to be rewarded with eternal life. The importance of this truth has always been felt by true gospel believers, and the object of their efforts has ever been to be "transformed by the renewing of their minds." Rom. xii, 2. But the majority of professing Christians of this generation, seem to be laboring under a serious misapprehension on this subject, so much so, that in many cases they make the degree of feeling or animation they exhibit in the performance of their religious exercises, the index to the depth of their spirituality. As a legitimate consequence, inasmuch as they hunger and thirst more for feeling than for righteousness, many are satisfied with an excitement purely animal or mesmeric; and which, in some instances, is the result of satanic agency; supposing it to be the influence of the Holy Spirit.
This class can have a large measure of their supposed spirituality, and yet bitterly oppose the present truth, and accuse those who are obeying it, because they run not with them to the same excess of riot, of a lack of spirituality. But a brief consideration of Paul's testimony is sufficient to show, except in the case of those whose service is lukewarm and formal, and therefore not acceptable, that this accusation is not only unjust, but that the direct effect of spiritually mindedness is conformity to God's holy law. For he says in verses 3 and 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 by a sacrifice for sin, (margin,) condemned sin (transgression of the law), in the flesh." For what? "That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit."
So then to be spiritually minded, is to have the righteousness of the law fulfilled in us, and while animation and shouting are proper and good in their place, they are to be considered rather as the occasional attendant, than as positive evidence, of a high-toned spirituality. And the humble, earnest Christian, who seeks to have his walk and conversation as it becometh the gospel, and with whose spirit, the "Spirit itself beareth witness" that he is a child of God, proves the correctness of what the apostle further says in verse 1. "There is therefore now no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit."
S. B. WHITNEY.
Much Speaking
MUCH SPEAKING.—An open mouth is a sign of an empty heart, as a chest open is a sign there is nothing in it. When money or jewels are within, it is kept locked.
Rest Yonder.
By Bonar
THIS is not my place of resting,
Mine's a city yet to come;
Onward to it I am hasting—
On to my eternal home.
In it all is light and glory,
O'er it shines a nightless day;
Every trace of sin's sad story,
All the curse, has passed away.
There the Lamb, our Shepherd, leads us,
By the streams of life along;
On the freshest pastures feeds us,
Turns our sighing into song.
Soon we pass this desert dreary,
Soon we bid farewell to pain;
Never more be sad or weary,
Never, never sin again.
—Bonar.
Words of Comfort.
By Mary Jeanett Cottrill
“Neither pray I for those alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word.” John xvii, 20.
OFTEN I repeat these words of our Saviour's prayer to myself, and feel comforted thereby. He was praying for his disciples, those who had been led to accept the poor despised Nazarene as their Saviour and King, through hearing him speak as “no man ever spake,” and seeing him perform miracles, such miracles as none had ever performed before. They were mocked at, derisive, scornful words greeted them, but the sweet voice of Jesus is heard saying: “The world hath hated them because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world, I pray not that thou shouldst take them out of the world, but that thou shouldst keep them from the evil.” And a little further on he says: “Neither pray I for those alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word.” This verse bears comfort to my heart, for it brings the sweet thought that JESUS PRAYED FOR ME; yes dear reader, if you are a believer on him, you and I may take comfort in the thought, that Jesus prayed FOR US. Yes, the Son of God while here on earth bent the knee and prayed for mortals. Then let us not sink 'neath trials; but may this thought, together with that, that he is now pleading before the throne, that his spilled blood may wash away our every stain, send comfort to each tried one, and nerve us all to greater watchfulness, that we may live so as to please him.