I was lately asked the following question by a representative man of the “holiness people: “Do you not think, in view of the relations existing between the two parties (God and man), that in order to live a holy life, something more is necessary than the mere keeping of the law?” He thought that the law of the ten commandments was a part,—“a very essential part,”—of holiness, but not enough; that in order to be holy, a knowledge of the law was not absolutely necessary; that a man who disobeyed the law unwittingly, so that he was conscientious in his disobedience, had as much right to be considered holy as one who faithfully kept the whole law, having a full knowledge of its requirements; and that if this were not so, then all who perished by torture and at the stake through the long rule of the popes of Rome, were lost, as “without holiness no man can see the Lord.” He thought also that those who did thus perish from off the earth, gave the best proof that could be given (that of laying down their lives for their faith) that they loved God in all sincerity and truth.
The position taken really amounts to saying that there is a holiness outside of God’s law; that the law does not cover all the grounds, is too low a standard of holiness; and that a man may be holy above and beyond the law. This is about the belief of the votaries of the holiness theory as it is commonly preached and practiced in the orthodox churches; and it would seem as if people must be poor readers of the Bible to give credence to any such ideas. They must be really ignorant of what the law of God is, as well as of what it requires.
In Luke 10: 26, Jesus asks the question of the lawyer, “What is written in the law? how readest thou?” And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind, and thy neighbor as thyself.” Now if love to God to the very utmost extent of our ability, and love to our neighbor as ourself, “is written in the law,” he should be a holy man indeed who should keep all the law, and yet find possible attainments of holiness of so high and pure a quality that the law could not in its weakness and inadequacy cover them.
As I understand Scripture, every prayer recorded by God’s servants upon its hallowed pages was offered up in order that weak human beings might be forgiven the transgression of the pure law of God, or be enabled to keep its requirements. Every threatening given to the “peculiar people,” or to any people, every punishment visited upon any one in the world, has been in consequence of the violation of the law, and thus shall it ever be; and every mercy vouchsafed, or promised for the present or for the glorious future, has been and shall be for those who keep God’s commandments. Take the long 119th Psalm; read it through carefully from beginning to end, and note how the Psalmist in his pursuit of holiness uses over and over again in terms of highest praise the words “commandment,” “law,” “precepts,” “testimonies.” Read John’s opinion of those who claim to be holy and yet break the commandments, 1 John, chapters 1, 2, 3. Let some one who has in this present life ascended above that law which is perfect, above that commandment which is holy and just and good, just tell the rest of us weary pilgrims what noble acts, what shining duties, he finds to perform, which are not included in loving God with every power of the soul and body, and our neighbor as ourselves.
I have heard the complaint made that Seventh-day Adventists have no settled or satisfactory theory as to what constitutes holiness; but I think that as long as we hold that God’s law is in full force, and is a complete rule of action, and that it is explained and commented upon and exemplified by the remainder of the Bible, binding every man and woman and responsible child upon the whole earth to the utmost possible extent of every effort of the heart, will, and life, and that not even an approach can be made to its fulfillment in human conduct without the continual assistance of divine grace, we have about as good a theory in explanation of the requirements for holy living as can be found upon the earth.
And now about the martyrs,—I would not rob them of a single glory, nor cast upon their names the shadow of an accusation. They sealed their testimony with their blood, and are not amenable to our judgment; but we have the right to say that what agrees with the law of the ten commandments is right, and what violates that law is wrong in any age, whether in their time or ours. They were mistaken in keeping the first day of the week instead of the seventh day, where they did so. They were mistaken in not preserving inviolate the ordinances of feet-washing and baptism in the forms originated by the Lord himself. See also the message of the Spirit to the church of Thyatira, given in Rev. 2: 18 and to the end of the chapter; and as there were sacrifices appointed in ancient Israel for those sins which were unwittingly committed (thus showing that infractions of God’s rules are sin always), so, according to the testimony of the Spirit of God, Jesus offers special intercession for those who were truly his, yet who (under a mistake) kept those erroneous practices.
Giving one’s life for the gospel is not the highest test of love for the gospel. There were many during our late war who died lingering deaths in the prisons of the South because of their unwillingness to join hands with the confederate government against their country, who yet committed small crimes, and even crimes of some magnitude, such as stealing from their friends, sometimes petty articles, sometimes the very food which kept their comrades alive. Some of them were actually put to death for their robberies and depredations by a court of the prisoners themselves. Many a man in the ranks of the army evinced his willingness to give his life for his country, who yet while he lived failed, as did the prisoners already cited, to keep his country’s laws, and thus prove himself the highest kind of friend that a nation can have. A man may give his life for a principle, and yet while living be unwilling to be governed in every action and thought by that principle.
The quality of firmness will, if possessed in large degree, so set a man in a determination to oppose all odds and all enemies and all torture, that nothing can move him from his set purpose, while yet his life may be but indifferently controlled by the motives which give him inflexibility in death. I do not say these things to prove that the martyrs who died so gloriously for the faith were guilty of crimes, or that they did not love God, but to prove that the giving of one’s life is not the highest proof of devotion to principle, and can never take the place, as a test of devotion, of the faithful adherence to known duty in every particular through life. A general commanding a body of men would find those the most efficient and useful soldiers who understood and faithfully obeyed all of his orders; and he would love them best too, knowing that in the performance of duty they would not hesitate to give their lives also if that were required. Of course he would love those who under the stress of suffering and terrible temptation refused to desert him, though they constantly misconstrued and misunderstood his plainly written commands; but the first mentioned would in his estimation be worthy of the highest honor. “To obey is better than sacrifice;” “Though I give my body to be burned, and have not love, it profiteth me nothing.” This last quoted scripture shows that even the suffering of death by fire is possible without love, and that such a death is entirely without profit.
The only test of love to God or his law given in the Bible is the keeping of the commandments: “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me.” “But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected.” “For this is the love of God that we keep his commandments.” Everything that God requires of us, everything that we can do, the very utmost that an angel can do, aye, the very utmost that the Son of God can do, is contained in these two commands which are “written in the law.”
The law is everything; without it God’s government would fail. In order to explain it clearly, kings and prophets have lived and written. To reveal its perfect beauty, inspired poets have sung their most ecstatic strains. For its broad and benign liberty, men have freely given their lives. To vindicate its honor and majesty, Jesus lived, and taught, and suffered crucifixion. In heaven, earth, the sea, or in the stars that blaze on forever in the limitless space above, a creature is not to be found who is or who can be holy above the requirements of the law of God. Life in obedience to it is in nearer accordance with the Scriptural test of love, than death in its defense, with a mind in error as to its requirements. Tennyson says, “Obedience is the courtesy due to kings:” God is our King.
Tallmadge, O.
KENTUCKY TRACT SOCIETY.
By Bettie C. Saxby
Report for Quarter Ending Dec. 31, 1884.
No. of reports returned, …
“ “ missionary visits, … 27
“ “ letters written, … 10
“ “ Signs taken in clubs, …
“ “ new subscriptions obtained, …
“ “ pages tracts and pamphlets distributed, … 16,000
“ “ periodicals distributed, …
Received on membership and donations, $5.10; on [unclear] $351.70; on periodicals, $54.10. The Societies at [unclear] and Rio failed to report. BETTIE C. SAXBY, Sec’y.
NEBRASKA TRACT SOCIETY.
By Thos. P. Lippincott
Report for Quarter Ending Dec. 31, 1884.
No. of members,
“ “ reports returned,
“ “ members added,
“ “ dismissed,
“ “ missionary visits,
“ “ letters written,
“ “ Signs taken in clubs,
“ “ new subscriptions obtained,
“ “ pages tracts and pamphlets distributed,
“ “ periodicals distributed,
Received on membership and donations, $829.95; on sales, $45.31; on periodicals, $61.51; on other funds, $10.
THOS. P. LIPPINCOTT, Sec’y.
MISSOURI TRACT SOCIETY.
By CLARA E. LOW
Report for Quarter Ending Dec. 31, 1884.
No of members, ........................................
“ “ reports returned, ..................................
“ “ members added, .....................................
“ “ dismissed, ..........................................
“ “ missionary visits, ..................................
“ “ letters written, ....................................
“ “ Signs taken in clubs, .............................
“ “ new subscriptions obtained, .........................
“ “ pages tracts and pamphlets distributed, ........ 44,
“ “ periodicals distributed, ........................ 2
Received on membership and donations, $24; on book sales, $451.30; on periodicals, $66.24; on reserve fund, $75; on twenty-thousand-dollar fund, $240; on other funds, $47.50.
The societies at Emporia, Warrensburg, and Greenfield failed to report. CLARA E. LOW, Sec'y.
MUSKEGON MISSION.
By Frank Carr; Julia Carr
The interest is increasing here. We have the invitations for Bible-readings and visits we can fill. A good many who have decided in favor of the truth are kept from obeying by present circumstances. We hope, however, to see some of them take hold of God’s promises, and walk out in faith. There are now twenty names on the covenant. Quite a number of them have moved away, but we still have a good attendance at our Sabbath-school and meetings. The friends and brethren of this place have united and furnished a comfortable room for meetings, large enough to accommodate our present attendance, but with God’s help it will be more than filled before spring is ended. One man, not in the truth, donated $5, and others, smaller sums, assist in fitting up the room. Many who are interested have been kept away on account of the bad weather, and we have been hindered from visiting and holding Bible-readings for the same reason. We are of good courage and feel anxious to use our time and whatever talents we may have in the service of the Master.
FRANK AND JULIA CARR.
Muskegon, Mich.
Good and Evil Set Before Mankind
No good or lovely thing exists in the world without its correspondent darkness. The universe presents itself continually to mankind under the same aspect of warning or of choice, the good and evil set on the right and the left.
PROVIDENCE MISSION.
By F. A. Buzzell; H. F. Phelps
In June last, Brn. J. C. Tucker and son, H. B. Tucker, of Kingston, R. I., came to this city, having in view the establishment of mission work. Looking about them a place was found, which, from location, rent, fixtures, etc., appeared providential. With the approval of the Conference, yet under somewhat discouraging circumstances and considerable financial and other responsibility, they opened the rooms. A good supply of publications was put upon the shelves, and a large show window was well filled with works calculated to arrest attention. By frequent change of subjects and arrangement, the attention was gained of hundreds of thousands passing by; and as a result, our works have been read, sold, and some are attending our Sabbath meetings, held in the mission rooms. The attention thus drawn toward the mission has given considerable force to the work in Providence, and has a beneficial effect upon canvassing.
Bro. H. B. Tucker, manager of the mission, in canvassing, Bible-reading, and ship work, is getting a good interest; and through the distribution of publications by Bro. Horace Sweet, several openings have been made for readings, which are being filled by Bro. Tucker. By Bible-reading held on a vessel, a man and wife have evinced decided relish for present truth; and a vessel cleared from this port last week with its mate a believer in the law of God, and converted, he said, through the readings. And now, in a few days, Bro. Morgan and wife will sail out of port Seventh-day Adventists. We feel here that already the mission work has been profitable. There is a good interest manifested by several families and individuals as the result of Bible-readings. Several are looking the Sabbath question boldly in the face, who say they “want the truth.” As elsewhere, “the harvest is great and the laborers few.” A dozen, yes, thrice the number, can find plenty to do in this city with its 112,000 inhabitants; and probably there is as good material for the message in little Rhode Island as in any of the larger States.
The little company of Sabbath-keepers here in Providence have regular Sabbath-school and meeting, and feel greatly benefited and encouraged by the mission. They are endeavoring to assist as ability and opportunity offer. Mention is due to J. C. Tucker for the interest he has taken in the work. It has cost him sacrifice and self-denial, and his watch-care over this mission deserves appreciation. Other brethren and sisters in the southern part of the State have also aided by their presence, sympathy, and means.
As a partial result of the work in this city and suburbs, something over seventy orders for “Sunshine” have been taken, and nearly all have been delivered. Eight or ten are also subscribers for Signs, and about the same number for Good Health. Something over $40 worth of publications have been sold, and about 2,000 back numbers of periodicals have been distributed. We think the Providence mission is prospering, and have reason to thank God and take courage. Will those who have the missionary work at heart, remember in prayer the work in this city; and especially Bro. Tucker, who is earnestly endeavoring to make it a success. Like others, this mission has its discouragements; yet we believe it will “prosper whereunto it is sent.” F. A. BUZZELL.
March 2.
BEWARE OF COVETOUSNESS.
In this covetous age men are “lovers of their own selves.” The love of the world and a desire to get gain have taken possession of the mind. Everywhere there is a mania to get riches. Each one seems to be actuated by a desire to be thought the most wealthy by his associates; and the majority have entirely forgotten that it is God that giveth them power to get wealth. No time is given to a preparation for the future. The god of this world has blinded their eyes that they cannot see, and they have no time, and very few have any disposition, to consider those things which pertain to their eternal welfare. Drunken with the cares of this life, and the deceitfulness of riches, the Judgment will come upon them unawares, and it will find them unprepared,—unprepared before God and eternity; and being in this condition they will reap the fate of the unfaithful steward.
And can it be that any of those who profess to be looking for and loving the coming of the Lord shall be overcome by this spirit of the world? Yes, there is great danger that such will be the case. If there were no danger, Christ would not have thus addressed a warning to his people. He says: “And take heed to yourselves lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting and drunkenness and cares of this life.” And what would be the result, if this were the case? “And so that day come upon you unawares, and find you unprepared.” And no matter how much we may have believed, or how high our profession, to be unprepared is to reap the fate of the finally impenitent and ungodly. To be unprepared is to be lost; and to be lost is to suffer the punishment of the damned in the lake of fire.
Then where will be all the wealth we have accumulated? for which we have toiled and suffered; which we have not employed in the service of the Master; which we have not used to bless others; which we have only used to please self, and in so doing, have never learned that “it is more blessed to give than to receive”? Our selfishness has increased, and hedged us in with a defense that is utterly impervious to all the wants of the cause. Alas! it will all perish in the flames of the last day; and still worse, our gold will not save us; our wealth will not alleviate our distress. On the contrary, the very “rust of them shall be a witness against us, and shall eat our flesh as it were fire.”
Then what is the proper course for S. D. Adventists to pursue? How shall we wean our affections from the world?—Simply by transferring our property to the bank of heaven. “Sell that ye have and give alms,” is the advice of the Son of God. Now is the time to invest, while the cause of God needs means, and while his providence is going before us and there are openings on every hand for doing good. Now is the accepted time, while missions are being opened in all lands for the spread of the truth, and such glorious opportunities are before us where we may invest our means, and by investing may save souls in the kingdom of God. Now is the time when a hundred or a thousand dollars may do more, may go farther in the work than ten times as much in the near future. Now seed may be sown that will return to the sower a thousand fold in the kingdom of God. Now salvation may be sent to many honest souls who will be gathered when Jesus comes.
The course that Abraham took is a fitting example, and may be commended to all as worthy of emulation. Before his death, while yet the powers of his mind were active and able to decide what was proper and right, he called his sons around him and gave to each a portion and sent them away; but kept the rest of his property—for his children to quarrel over? No, not by any means. He put it where it would do the most good. He gave it to the son of promise; with his own hands, as a faithful steward, he distributed his property. Oh, how much means could be saved to the cause of God if all would act with the same wisdom! May God help us to be faithful in this world’s goods that the true riches may finally be given us, and we be permitted to enter into the joy of our Lord. H. F. PHELPS.
NATURE OF MAN.
By R. F. Cottrell
BY ELD. R. F. COTTRELL.
1. Of what was man formed?
“And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” Gen. 2:7.
2. Having been formed, what was breathed into him?
3. Through what did the breath of life enter?
4. Have the lower animals also the breath of life?
“And all flesh died that moved upon the earth, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of beast, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth, and every man; all in whose nostrils was the breath of life, of all that was in the dry land, died.” Gen. 7:21, 22. See verses 14, 15.
5. On receiving the breath of life, what did man become? Gen. 2:7.
6. Was a living soul added to him, or did the man of dust become a living soul?
7. Are beasts also living souls?
“Every beast . . . wherein there is LIFE.” [Margin, “Hebrew, a living soul.”] Gen. 1:30. “And every living soul died in the sea.” Rev. 16:3.
9. In case man should disobey God, what was to be the penalty?
“Thou shalt not eat of it; for in the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” Gen. 2:17.
10. What did God mean by dying? What kind of death was man to die?
“In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken; for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.” Gen. 3:19.
11. Why was man, when he had sinned, excluded from the tree of life?
“Lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever.” Gen. 3:22.
12. Will those who get the victory over sin, hereafter eat of the tree of life?
“To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life.” Rev. 2:7.
13. How long will they live who eat of that tree? Gen. 3:22.
14. Will those who do not overcome live just as long? Eze. 18:4.
15. How is the death of man described?
“Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was; and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.” Eccl. 12:7.
16. The dust returns to earth as it was before man was formed. Is it right to infer that the spirit returns to be as it was before?
17. Was the spirit a conscious being before man was formed?
18. How is this spirit described?
“All the while my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils.” Job 27:3.
19. How do the translators explain the spirit of God in the nostrils, in the margin?
“That is, the breath which God gave him.” Gen. 2:7.
20. Is the spirit, then, nothing but atmospheric air?
It is more; it is “the breath of the spirit of life.” Gen. 7:22 (margin).
21. Who alone has the power to give life?
22. Did God give life to man through the breath? Gen. 2:7.
23. When he takes away the breath of living creatures, what is the result?
“Thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust.” Ps. 104:29.
24. In the creation of all living creatures, what does God do?
“Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created.” Verse 30.
25. What would become of man, should God gather to himself his spirit and his breath?
“If he set his heart upon man, if he gather unto himself his spirit and his breath; all flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again unto dust.” Job 34:14, 15.
26. Have the lower animals “the breath of the life” in common with man? Gen. 7:22 (margin).
TO OUR WORKERS.
By B. F. M.
An individual who circulates a good book in a neighborhood is doing a good work for the people, though he may not know it at the time. It is desirable to benefit others, and to try to make a good sale; and the method of canvassing we have adopted enables the worker to do both. Feel that the territory assigned you is your mission field. Visit every house. Go, not so much to get their money or to please yourself, as to bear a message of love to them. Love those you visit. Expect to become better acquainted with them, and to help them more and more. Let the first visit pave the way for the next. Expect to go over the field with another useful book soon. Let every word and act be in harmony with the religion of Jesus. Treat all with kindness and respect, be honest and upright in all you do. Adopt the “cash on delivery” principle. B. F. M.
Thinking, Loving, and Laboring: Keys to a Valuable Life
—If we would have powerful minds, we must think; if we would have strong hearts, we must love; if we would have strong muscles, we must labor; these include all that is valuable in life.— Intelligencer.
28. Is death, then, the reverse of the process by which man was made? Gen. 2:7.
29. If so, can he be conscious in death? Will he not be as he was before he was created?
THAT TEXT.
BOUND TO HAVE IT IF MONEY WILL BUY IT.
The following articles were published in the Los Angeles (Cal.) Sunday Times, at the dates respectively given, and tell their own story:—
“A RELIGIOUS CHALLENGE.
“To the Editor of the Times—SIR: On last Monday evening, from the pulpit of the Cathedral, an offer was made of a thousand dollars to any one presenting a single text from the Bible calling the first day of the week (Sunday) the Sabbath, or attaching any sacredness whatever to it. I have not heard of any one claiming the prize, and thinking the challenge should have a wider publicity, I ask you to be so good as to give this a place in your columns. The speaker stated that the Bible taught that the seventh day (Saturday) is the Sabbath. He said the Catholic Church changed the Sabbath, and that it is a sign of the power of the Church, even over the law of God. Said he: ‘It is a standing miracle, and Protestants, in keeping Sunday, yield obedience to the authority of the Church.’ Now who will disprove his statements, and obtain the prize offered. When the text is found, please mention the chapter and verse in your columns, and oblige. A SEEKER FOR TRUTH.
“Los Angeles, Cal., Jan. 15, 1885.”
“WHY.
“To the Editor of the Times—SIR: A correspondent in your issue of this morning makes many assertions about the Bible and history sustaining Sunday as the Sabbath, without giving one reference to either. Two thousand dollars has been offered in this city; one thousand last June, at the S. D. A. tent on Sixth Street, and the other lately at the Cathedral, for one text from the Bible calling the first day (Sunday) the Sabbath. Why does he not claim the prize? Then he falls back on the ‘Can’t-keep-the-same-day’ excuse. Now, all astronomical calculations, and scientific, chronological, and legal records regard Sunday as the first and Saturday as the seventh day of the week. Bishop Haven, in a work on the Ten Commandments, says: ‘There is no reason to be given why our seventh day of the week is not the original Sabbath day.’ God appointed the Sabbath as a memorial of creation and a safeguard against idolatry; and had its observance been continued, mankind would not have gone to worshiping the sun instead of its Creator. The consecration of the first day of the week to sun worship is more ancient than the deliverance of Israel from Egypt. (‘Jewish Antiquities,’ book 3, chapters 1 and 3.) In Vol. 18, page 409, of the North British Review, Sunday is called ‘the wild solar holiday of all pagan times.’ And on the same page the attempt is made to justify its adoption into the church, on the grounds of ‘expediency’ and ‘patriotism.’ But Bible teachings are not so accommodating.
“Sir William Domville says: ‘Centuries of the Christian era passed away before the Sunday was observed by the Christian Church as a Sabbath.’—‘Examination of the Six Texts,’ page 291. Andrews, in his ‘History of the Sabbath,’ quotes many authorities who testify to the gradual introduction of Sunday into the Church, and that it met with much opposition; also that no writer of the first three centuries ever attributed the origin of Sunday observance to either Christ or his apostles. Andrews gives the proof that Christian churches in almost all the countries of Europe, and in parts of Asia and Africa, did observe the Bible Sabbath all along through the Dark Ages, and since the Reformation down to the present time. The book referred to may be found in our city library. We may learn from history what has been the practice of others, but to know what is our duty we should consult the Bible. In the New Testament the first day is mentioned eight times, but never called the Sabbath. The seventh day is spoken of fifty-nine times, and always designated as the Sabbath. The first day is recorded as occurring immediately after the Sabbath was past. Matt. 28:1; Mark 16:1-2; Luke 23:56; 24:1. Notice that Luke asserts that the day before the first day was the ‘Sabbath according to the commandment.’
“Thus he speaks of how the day was observed after the death of Christ. If the seventh day was the Sabbath then—‘according to the commandment’—it is now; for no change can lawfully be made in a testament, after it has been confirmed by the death of the testator. Heb. 9:16, 17; Matt. 26:28. Paul uses the words testament and covenant as meaning the same thing. Heb. 8:6; 9:15. In Gal. 3:15, he says: ‘Though it be a man’s covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth or addeth thereto.’ That is to say, if such a covenant stands fast, how unalterable sure are all the conditions and promises of the testament that was sealed with the blood of Christ. “Surely the good people need an earnest thought on this important subject. TRUTH. “Feb. 12, 1885.”
Crafty Deception and the Evils It Breeds
—When it once enters a man's head to have an ambition to be thoroughly crafty, all other evils are necessary consequences. To deceive is the immediate endeavor of him who is proud of the capacity of doing so.
WHO CAN DOUBT
By R. A. Underwood
THAT “the angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.” A most striking illustration of the fulfillment of the above promise of God was brought forcibly to our notice a few evenings since. The night was bitter cold. We were holding meetings in the Adventist church at Berea, W. Va. Bro. E. B. and wife left three small children at home while they came to meeting. The children retired, and soon were wrapped in sound sleep. A fire had been left burning in the open fire-place; and by some means (we know not how) the casement surrounding it was ignited. The fire extended nearly four feet up the side of the dry ceiling, reaching out in breadth, with dry poplar lumber and other combustible material upon which to prey. One moment more, and the whole room would have been in flames, with three innocent children to perish. The parents were at church. No human eye or hand was near to avert the inevitable fate of the slumbering little ones! But He that doth not slumber was watching that scene. Imagine the feelings of those parents on their return as they entered their home and beheld the ashes, coals, charred ceiling which told the story of fire! The children were wakened, but knew nothing of its existence or how it was put out. The parents fell upon their knees, and with tears of joy thanked God for the wonderful deliverance of their children from a burning home. As I examined the ceiling that had been burned to coals and blackened by flames, I was thoroughly convinced that God sent an angel to extinguish that fire, as were others also who examined the same. Oh that we might ever remember “he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.” Zech. 2:8. R. A. Underwood
TELEGRAPHING FROM A MOVING TRAIN.
Lucius S. Phelps, electrician, has been engaged during the past sixty days in constructing a section of the socophone, or railway telegraph system, of which he is the inventor, along one track of the Harlem River branch of the New York and New Haven River Railroad, from the Harlem River station to the junction with the main line at New Rochelle. It is designed to establish communication between moving trains; also to give instant and constant communication between trains in motion and any fixed station, “way” or “terminal,” so that the exact situation of any train on a road can be ascertained at any moment; and, if desired, a passenger while traveling at the rate of forty miles an hour can send a message to the station which he has left behind, or announce his approach to the point of his destination. Mr. Phelps recently promised the directors of the company interested to demonstrate yesterday the practical value of his invention. To test his instruments he had the operator at the Harlem River station make a trip over the line on Tuesday afternoon. Shortly after starting, Mr. Conley, conductor of train No. 15, including baggage car No. 116, containing the train apparatus, sent the following message to Mr. Phelps:— “On the Road, Jan. 27.—To Lucius S. Phelps, Esq.: Accept congratulations from the employees of the New York, New Haven, and Hudson River Railroad Company for your success in your great undertaking. H. A. CONLEY, Conductor.
Before the train had gone more than two or three miles a reply was received on board the train, giving Mr. Phelps’s thanks. Yesterday the President and directors of the company entered Mr. Conley’s train at Harlem River Station at 2 o’clock P. M., to see a formal test of the invention. The President telegraphed: “We are at Williams Bridge (West Farms) all right.” Other messages were exchanged.—New York Tribune.
THE OLD TESTAMENT AND THE NEW.
The plan of the International Sunday-School Lessons having been assailed by sundry religious papers, the Sunday-School Times of March 11, 1885, takes occasion to defend the plan against the attacks of its enemies. The language with which the “study of the Old Testament in equal prominence with the New” is urged, is so sound and forcible that the readers of the REVIEW will be glad to see it in print; and it can doubtless be used with good effect by our ministers before the conflict is over. Below is the passage referred to:—
“As to the study of the Old Testament in equal prominence with the New, it was claimed then, as it is even more zealously claimed now, by the intelligent advocates of this system of Bible lessons, that only by such study can the New Testament be fully understood or appreciated, even by children; and that Christ himself is best known to and best loved by those who become familiar with the Book which he loved, which he commended to his loved ones for their study, and which breathes of him in its every page of narrative, of precept, of poetry, and of prophecy. As a matter of fact, the scholars in our Sunday-schools are better informed now of Christ and his salvation than those who preceded them, or than they themselves could have been without their intelligent study of the Old Testament with the New, in the last dozen years or so. Meanwhile, they have been enabled to see more clearly the unity of the Bible as a whole, and they are, in consequence, better prepared to meet the persistent assaults which are making upon the very foundations of our religion, in the current criticisms of our day,—scholarly, sophistical, sneering, or silly,—against the Old Testament writings, all the way along from Abraham Kuenen and Robertson Smith to David Swing and Heber Newton.
“The suggestion that Christ is not found in the Old Testament, and that turning away from the study of the New Testament we necessarily turn away from the study of Christ’s life and work, is a suggestion that indicates a lack of familiarity with the innermost teachings of both Old Testament and New. ‘If I were younger,’ says Martin Luther, in his Table Talk, ‘I would seek all the words of the New Testament in Moses and the Prophets. By placing expressions and texts of the two together, grand and wonderful expositions of Scripture would be obtained.’ How Martin Luther would enjoy the International Lessons, if he were here now to have a part in their weekly expositions! ‘He who possesses a genuine love of Scripture,’ says Adolph Saphir, pungently, ‘can bear the attempt to separate the New from the Old Testament as little as that mother who appeared before King Solomon could endure the thought of her living child being divided by the sword into two. “In no wise slay it!” was her eager exclamation. To divide is to slay. And thus it is with the living child of God’s Spirit—the Scripture. It is one. The same God who hath spoken in these last days by the Son, spoke at sundry times and in divers manners by the prophets unto the fathers. The foundation of the temple of revelation is Moses; the superstructure, the prophets, evangelists, and apostles; Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone.’ ‘Oh that we were wise and read the Scripture, the whole Scripture from Genesis to Malachi, and the inspired commentary from Matthew to the Revelation.’”
LESSON FOR THE FOURTH SABBATH IN MARCH.
(See Instructor of March 18, 1885.)
ANALYSIS OF THE LESSON.
The Inheritance of the Saints.
Definitions of Terms.
Promised to the Meek.
Obtained How and When.
The First Dominion.
The Dominion Lost through Sin.
The Dominion Restored.
Since Satan obtained the dominion by conquest, if he should in turn be conquered by another, the dominion would fall to that other. Luke 11:21, 22.
A great conflict between Satan and some other power is foreshadowed in Gen. 3:14, 15.
The destruction of Satan will be accomplished through the death of Christ. Heb. 2:9, 14.
Christ, then, is the “seed” referred to in Gen. 3:15.
When Christ destroys Satan he will of course gain his dominion.
This regaining of the dominion was foretold in Micah 4:8.
The extent of Christ’s dominion will be world-wide, as was the first. Ps. 2:7, 8.
A MOVING TRAIN.
An electrician has been engaged in constructing a special railway telegraph system along one track of the New York and New Haven Railroad, from the Harlem River to the main line at New Rochelle, to establish communication; also to give instant communication between trains in motion, by “way” or “terminal” stations, of any train on a road at any moment; and, if traveling at the rate of speed, to send a message to the station, or announce his destination. Mr. Phelps, one of the directors of the company, yesterday made the practical test of his instruments at the Harlem River station. On Tuesday afternoon Mr. Conley, conductor of baggage car No. 116, sent the following message:
“To Lucius S. Phelps: Congratulations from the employees of the New Haven and Hudson River. Greater success in your work. CONLEY, Conductor.”
The train had gone more than two miles when the message was received on board. Yesterday the company entered the Harlem River Station at 2 for the final test of the invention. “We are all right.” Other messages. New York Tribune.