In the first article of this series we spoke of the testimony of earthly governments relative to the nearness of the end of the world. Babylon, Media and Persia, Grecia, and Rome, and the ten kingdoms of modern Europe, in whose hands the dominion of the world has been for hundreds of years, testify, by their successive appearance in the time and manner that the prophet of God declared 2500 years ago that they would appear, that we have reached the time of the end.
This same succession of kingdoms is presented again in Dan. 7, under the symbols of various beasts: The first, a lion with an eagle's wings, representing Babylon; the second, a bear with three ribs in its mouth, symbolizing Medo-Persia; the third, a leopard with four heads and four wings, representing Grecia with her four divisions, which appeared after the death of Alexander the Great; the fourth, the dreadful and terrible beast, too ferocious to be properly symbolized by any actual creature that God ever made, with great iron teeth and with ten horns, symbolizing Rome—the most powerful, cruel, and destructive of all kingdoms—and the ten kingdoms which came from that power. These ten kingdoms received their territory, civilization, laws, religion, and language largely from Rome. A large part of the Anglo-Saxon language is derived from the Latin; which is more or less true of the French, Spanish, Italian, and other languages. Hence these ten kingdoms are represented as growing out of this fourth beast, Rome.
Then comes the time when the Ancient of days does sit, and ten thousand times ten thousand holy angels minister before him, when the Judgment is set, and the books are opened. In verse 11, we have an account of the destruction of the papal power in the “burning flames” of the last day. If any doubt the application of these symbols to earthly governments, we quote verses 17, 18: “These great beasts, which are four, are four kings [or kingdoms] which shall arise out of the earth. But the saints of the Most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever.” And verse 23: “The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth.” Daniel lived in Babylon. Rome was the fourth in succession. There is no guess-work about this. The great and terrible beast appears in two different characters: First, as a heathen power; secondly as a professedly Christian power, with three of the ten horns plucked up, and a little horn with eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking great things, taking their place. Rome certainly appeared in these two characters. Every pope of Rome is represented as wearing a triple crown, three crowns in one, as if to represent its conquest of the three kingdoms. These were the Heruli, the Vandals, and the Ostrogoths, whose religion was Arianism, opposed to Catholicism. This made it necessary that these be put out of the way before the pope could become supreme.
In verses 25–27, the papacy is thus described: “And he shall speak great words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High, and shall think to change times and laws; and they shall be given into his hands until a time, times, and the dividing of time. But the Judgment shall set, and they shall take away his dominion to consume and to destroy it unto the end. And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.”
A wonderful amount of information is condensed into these few words. The papacy was the result of a great apostasy in the church. In the passing of centuries, the purity of apostolic religion was lost. Heathen doctrines were blended with the religion of Jesus. The bishops became proud, and contended for the superiority. After Constantine's nominal conversion, the Bishop of Rome, as the bishop of the greatest city of the empire, rapidly assumed power; and his pretensions as head of the church, were generally acknowledged among the Catholics throughout Western Europe. In A. D. 538 Justinian's decree making him head over the church, went into effect; and from that time to this his “great words” have continued to be spoken. He is called “Lord God the Pope,” “a God on earth,” “the Vicegerent of the Son of God,” etc., etc. He has destroyed by his power and influence many millions of God's saints. More have been put to death for religious opinion by this power than by all the rest of the world for six thousand years. He has dared to place his impious hand upon the law of God and his holy Sabbath,—“the time and the law of the Most High,”—virtually leaving out the command against worshiping images, and claiming directly to have changed the Sabbath from the seventh to the first day of the week, which change is accepted by nearly all Christendom. He was to wield this power for a “time, times, and a half.” A “time” is one Jewish year, 360 prophetic days; “times,” plural, 720 days; “half a time,” 180 days, making in all 1260 years. Commencing in A. D. 538, they would end in 1798, when the French general, Berthier, entered Rome, and carried the pope away prisoner.
Since then we have been in the “time of the end,” when they shall take away his dominion to consume and destroy it. To-day we see the Pope without troops, territory, or political power, all these having been taken from him. The king of Italy holds Rome as his capital city, and the pope has to pay taxes like a private citizen. Much of his riches and many of his fine buildings have been confiscated. What is the next step? The kingdom and the dominion under the whole heaven (which must include the whole earth) is to be given to the people of the saints of the Most High. How could a prophecy be more clearly fulfilled?
Verse 11 speaks of the close of this power: “I beheld then, because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake; I beheld even till the beast was slain and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame.” These great words were heard in the last great Council held in Rome, 1868–70, when the church voted that the pope was virtually infallible,—that a weak, mortal man could not err! Were ever greater and more blasphemous words uttered by man? The next step the beast is to be slain, and his body (the subjects) given to the burning flame. How clear that we are just before the burning day. We know that these events have transpired in our time. We know they are so. We know that Babylon, Medo-Persia, Grecia, and pagan Rome are gone long ago. We know that papal Rome has stood its allotted 1260 years, and that its dominion has gone in our own time. Once the pope had power to humble kings. Sovereigns led his horse, and helped him into his saddle like common servants, yea, and kissed his toe. Nations were absolved from their allegiance to their rulers by his dictation. Now how changed! He himself has to pay his taxes, pleads for help, even for a castle in which to exercise his sovereignty! Cannot we see the difference? What does it mean? That we have reached the last days, and that the next event is the setting up of the kingdom of God, the great burning day, the destruction of this great, apostate, so-called Christian power, and the triumph of God's people. We are just before the end. May God prepare us for these solemn scenes.
G. I. B.
Signs of the Second Advent
By Dudley Marvin Canright
The Bible declares in the most positive manner many times over, that the end will come sometime. The world will not always go on as it is now. He hath appointed a day in the which He will judge the world.” Acts. 17:31. Jesus will come the second time. “Behold he cometh with clouds.” Rev. 1:7. “The Lord himself shall descend from heaven.” 1 Thess. 4:16. The dead will be raised. “The hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth.” John 5:28, 29. The end of the world will come. “The harvest is the end of the world.” Matt. 13:39.
No one can tell the definite time,—the hour, or day, or year,—when these awful events will come. “But of that day and hour knoweth no man.” Matt. 24:36. Hence we have no fellowship with those who set time for the Lord to come. Nor, on the other extreme, can we agree with those who assert that we can know nothing about the end; that it may come to-night or that it may not come for a thousand years yet; that there will be no signs, no warning to the world, no preparation of the righteous. Is this the way God has done in the past? Go back to the first advent. God warned the world of the coming event. The righteous knew it was coming, and were ready for it. Sodom was warned, Nineveh was warned, and John came preaching before the first advent. Will God act differently in the last days than he has always done before? No, there will be signs, and a warning, too.
In answer to the question as to what should be the sign of his coming, Jesus said, “There shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars.” Luke 21:25. What are these signs for? “When these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” Verse 28. Then there certainly will be signs to show when that event is near. The generation which has these signs is not to pass away till the Lord comes. Verses 25–32. We firmly believe these signs have already appeared, and that we are now living in the last generation. The coming of Christ is right at the doors. We can only briefly notice a few of these signs.
Daniel 12 relates wholly to last day events,—time of trouble, the judgment, the resurrection, the “time of the end.” The prophet says that “the time of the end many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.” Verse 4. Then in the time of the end there is to be a marked increase in travel, so that people would be properly described as running to and fro, traveling as never before. The invention of the steamboat and cars in this country has exactly fulfilled this prophecy. Now people are constantly running to and fro. The prophet says “and knowledge shall be increased.” The most remarkable characteristic of our age is the wonderful increase of knowledge in every possible direction. It is so remarked by everybody, by the private citizen, by the public speaker, and by the daily press. All agree that more has been done in this respect within this century than in all the previous history of the world. What does this mean? Is it accidental? No, indeed. It is a sign of the end. God foretold and meant it should be so. The last generation has more light and knowledge, and a clearer warning, than any previous age.
Take another sign. Jesus said: “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” Matt. 24:14. This sign is plain and positive. A child can understand it. Just as soon as the gospel is preached in all the world to every nation, then the end will come. Jesus says so. Then it will be so. This has been literally fulfilled within the last few years. Bible societies, tract societies, mission societies, have rapidly sprung up in all Christian lands, till every nation on earth has the gospel preached to it. Says the Christian Union: “The whole world has been ransacked and explored; there is not a corner on the globe where Christianity is not known.” Says the Phrenological Journal: “The whole heathen world is dotted with missions.” Bible is translated into about three hundred languages, while religious reading is scattered all over the earth like leaves of autumn. This sign is fulfilled, the gospel is now preached to all nations, the end is at hand.
Take another fact. The light of the Bible has made the entire circuit of the globe. It began in Asia, and has gradually gone westward with empire171and civilization till the whole world has been enlightened. Why shouldn’t the end come? It has always been the traditional faith of the church that the termination of the 6,000 years would bring us to the end. That this time expires just about here all agree. It is a little less than 2,000 years from the creation to Christ; a little over 2,000 years thence to the first advent; and now a little less than 2,000 years till the end. Just when the 6,000 years expire none can tell; it cannot be far off.
In the last generation, as signs of the end, the sun was to be darkened, the moon was not to give her light, and the stars were to fall. We have not space to quote these prophecies, so the reader is referred to Matt. 24:29–33; Mark 13:24–30; Luke 21:25–33. Nothing could be plainer. These signs are to mark the last generation. The sun was supernaturally darkened May 19, 1780. It was generally accepted at the time as a sign of the end. It was referred to by the writers of those times as something fearful and supernatural. The following night, the moon, though full, gave not one ray of light. The darkness was total. In 1833 the stars fell. For hours the heavens was one blaze of falling stars, tens of thousands falling in every direction. Nothing like it was ever seen before or since. Thus these signs were fulfilled.
Fearful storms on sea and land, thunders, lightnings, hailstones, earthquakes, and other fearful convulsions in the elements, were to mark the end near. Luke 21:25; Rev. 11:18, 19. All these have been increasing at a fearful rate during the past few years. All are familiar with the fearful destruction of late that has been wrought by cyclones, tornadoes, waterspouts, freshets, and earthquakes. Coal and natural gas are coming to the surface all over the earth. Why just now? To prepare the earth for the burning day.
Moral corruption, like that in the days of the flood, was to characterize the last days. Matt. 24:37. Now we see the rapidly increasing wickedness, dishonesty, and crime of our times. In the church, formality, fashion, style, and love of pleasure were to abound. Is not this painfully true? Miracles were to be wrought everywhere by “the spirits.” Rev. 16:14. This is being literally fulfilled by Spiritualism, which sprang up in 1848. In connection with all these, there was to be a warning to all the world that “the hour of God’s Judgment is come.” Rev. 14:6, 7. For forty years the Adventists have been giving such a warning. Everywhere the cry has been heard, “The Lord is coming, the end is at hand.” Their papers are numbered by hundreds, their converts by thousands, and their publications by millions. All things show that the end is at hand. Look at our list and read further.
D. M. Canright.
THE TRUTH IS ONWARD.
By S. N. Haskell
It is evident that God’s providence has gone before his work, and that it is preparing hearts in all parts of the wide harvest field for the reception of the solemn truths which relate to this time. The work itself is developing character, and people are brought to take a stand for or against the truth. The prophet, in describing these times in which we live, says that there are “multitudes, multitudes, in the valley of decision.” Even among those who are connected with the work, there are those who do not recognize the special providence of God which is over it. The truth of God is reaching the hearts of the honest, and one here and another there is being affected by it, and taking his stand.
We are in constant receipt of encouraging letters from our city missions, the South, and in fact from all points where efforts have been put forth for the advancement of the truth. The work is progressing in New Orleans. In a letter received from there, dated Feb. 23, I take the following:— “I write to let you know that the work is onward in this place. The brethren thought they would try to sell the Signs, and yesterday they sold two dollars and ten cents’ worth. The Signs are prized very highly here, and we could use a thousand copies. People come to the exhibit and ask for them. After they take one copy they want more. Eld. — preached in the Presbyterian church north of the Exposition grounds last evening, and has an appointment to give the people a Bible-reading on Wednesday next. A Bible-reading has been held in another part of the city, and there are appointments for more. Two families have embraced the Sabbath, and others are interested. Bro. — is doing well with the “Sunshine” and Signs.”
Respecting the city mission in Portland, we make the following extract from a letter just received:— “We need more laborers. There are quite a number of places where Bible-readings might be held every week, but those who do that kind of work have all they can attend to now. Bro. H. is busy all the time; holds Bible-readings afternoons and evenings. Several new ones are becoming interested, and I think some of them will obey. One young lady made a start yesterday, and her husband thought that he ought to, but wished first to give the subject a more thorough investigation. Three of our canvassers took eighty-three orders for ‘Sunshine’ last week, besides delivering some for which they had taken orders before. We have encouraging reports from different parts of the State. Many books are being sold, and many subscriptions are being taken for the REVIEW and Signs.”
Bro. Robinson writes from the Boston mission:— “During the month of February I have held Bible-readings nearly every night, and visited what I could during the day. Wherever I have met people and conversed with them, I have tried to sell them something if nothing more than a few tracts or a copy of the Signs. In this way I have taken $20 during the month, and have succeeded in getting into many new homes. If we had five or ten who could go out and hold Bible-readings, places could be found for them every night. One person, a lady, kept last Sabbath, and we have just heard of a man who has decided to keep next Sabbath. One man last night subscribed for the Signs a year without our asking him to do so. L. — went out part of three days last week and took twelve good, reliable orders for Vol. IV. of ‘Great Controversy,’ several conditional orders, and two subscriptions for the Signs one year.”
The New York reading-room reports an increasing interest:— “The table is filled much of the time during the day with readers, and the Sunday afternoon meetings are also increasing in interest. Quite a number have become interested, and several seem to be on the point of keeping the Sabbath.”
Thus the work is progressing in the eastern cities. Cities in the West where we have missions could doubtless report even more favorably than these. Those who had a part in the Advent movement, forty years ago, will remember that just before the loud cry of the first angel’s message the truth went to the cities. There seems to be every indication that this experience may soon be repeated in the third angel’s message.
Since writing the above we have received the following from New Orleans:— “The work here is still progressing. I will send you the name of a lady who wishes to engage in the missionary work. She is anxious to send reading matter to friends who do not have church privileges. Those persons of whom I wrote you, observed last Sabbath with us, and there are others who are interested and I think will take hold of the truth. It seems to me that we ought to have a more respectable place in which to hold meetings, but I hardly know what course to take to secure one. Bro. — is doing a good work canvassing for ‘Sunshine’; has taken forty orders, and is giving Bible-readings. He is doing all he can. I sold a man from Tennessee, who never heard of S. D. Adventists before, a prophetic chart, ‘Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation,’‘Man’s Nature and Destiny,’ and he went home a happy man.” S. N. HASKELL.
A CHANGE.
By S. N. Haskell
Twelve years ago, when the tract societies were organized, the letters received in response to the tracts written by the missionary workers were few. Letters of an encouraging nature were sometimes carried week after week, until they were completely worn out to be read to those who were interested in such correspondence. This was because interesting missionary correspondence was so small. It is not so at the present time.
Wherever we go there are multitudes of letters which are more encouraging than many of the letters which were so highly prized at that time.
Those letters which now interest us most are from individuals who have embraced the Sabbath, and gone to work to disseminate the light of truth, many of whom have never seen one of like faith. In some such places, and there are many of them, where an interest has been awakened to read, quite a large number have accepted the truth. Some who have embraced the Sabbath, and have labored conscientiously on the first day of the week, though on their own premises, have been imprisoned. It will be a happy thing when scores of such ones come up around the great white throne, and join the one hundred and forty-four thousand of the redeemed. Especially will this be the case with those who have by correspondence encouraged each other in the truth.
The following is from a man who has never seen a Seventh-day Adventist, or any one who cares for these things, expressing the feelings of those who had read publications in his immediate neighborhood:—
Dear friend: You have cause to be thankful to the Heavenly Father for the spread of the truth in this place. There are several ready to embrace it and obey God in all his requirements. The Rev. — and wife have avowed their faith in the truth, and Mr. — told me a few days ago that he would keep the seventh day the remainder of his days. He is one of the pillars of the Methodist Church South. The papers you sent him he prizes highly. He told me he was going to subscribe for it. I am sure of getting you several subscribers as soon as the proper time comes. Bro. — says that all we need here is for the people to read the papers. If they would once read, one-half of the people would accept the truth as it is in God’s word. I am having daily talks in the store to meet their arguments, and I trust through the help of Him who aids his truth by his Spirit some good is being done. All the papers and pamphlets you send me are read from house to house. There are several ready to embrace the truth. Could you not induce one of your missionaries to come into our midst? We would help to bear his expenses and take care of him while here.”
We inquire, What shall be done in such cases? Are there not those who have the burden of the work upon them,—individuals of good repute, those whom God loves and will accept,—who for the love of souls will start out, even without purse or scrip, if necessary? There are cities in the South where the people show a greater readiness to embrace the truth than they do in the North. How shall these cities be entered, is an important question. Individuals are embracing the truth and calling for help. What shall be done? Are there men among us who will pay the rent of rooms in such cities, if the proper persons will occupy them and support themselves by selling our publications? When friends are raised up, they can with a little help carry on the work. Some are beginning to feel inclined to aid the cause in this way. A short time ago, one of our brethren held a few Bible-readings in one of the most hopeless fields that we know of. As the result, a brother who was keeping the Sabbath, but who had never fully united with us, became revived, and proposed to become responsible for five hundred dollars, providing a mission could be opened in an adjoining city. He also began to hold Bible-readings himself. God has chosen servants who will step in and help to carry forward this work, and we invite them now to come to the front. The battle is waxing hotter and hotter, and what we do must be done quickly. May God speed on his truth until it shall echo from city to city, and the whole earth be lighted with its rays.
S. N. Haskell.
IMPORTANT MATTER FOR THE CHURCH QUARTERLY MEETINGS IN APRIL.
By George I. Butler
The church quarterly meetings, April 4, 5, will be very important. For weeks past we have been preparing matter which we wish to be read to our people in those meetings. It relates to the interests and prosperity of the cause of God. Our hearts have been burdened with anxiety as to how the wants of the cause should be met. We see evils among our people, which, if not removed, will hinder the work of God, and bring the frown of God upon us. But if these can be eradicated, great prosperity will result.
This matter which has been prepared has been read before five or six of our leading brethren, and they are all of the opinion that it should be published, and that it would do great good. At first we intended to bring it out in the form of a supplement, and send it to every subscriber of the REVIEW east of the Mountains; but after more mature consideration, the Board of Trustees thought it would be better to put it in the form of a pamphlet, and send one to every church. This pamphlet has been prepared. A sufficient number will be sent at once to every State Secretary of the Tract Society for the churches in that Conference. We expect that a person will be selected in each church to read a portion of this pamphlet on Sabbath forenoon, and the remainder on Sunday forenoon, April 4 and 5. We shall send them at once, so that they will be in time, and we ask the Presidents and Secretaries to see that they are sent to their destinations in season. We want every church to have these read, and ask that the matter receive careful attention.
We speak of this early, so that our people everywhere can be preparing to be present at the church on this occasion. We ask our ministers to use their influence to get out a large congregation. Take especial pains to have those present who are somewhat cold and indifferent. They will need this instruction more than any others. Remember to be present at the church April 4 and 5. The REVIEW Office will supply these to the churches at its own expense, excepting the postage or express, hoping they will do great good.
GEO. I. BUTLER,
Pres. Gen. Conf.
INSTRUCTION FOR LABORERS.
There will be a special course of instruction for those who wish to work in the cause of God, connected with the closing of the long term of the College, commencing Wednesday, April 1, and closing Tuesday, April 21. This course was contemplated by the vote of the last General Conference, and preparations have been in progress since that time to make this an important blessing to the cause.
The present course of lectures in the Tabernacle, which are largely attended by the citizens, students, etc., will close just before this course at the College begins. It is expected that revival meetings will be held, and efforts made to settle and confirm those who shall embrace the truth. We hope to see thorough conversions also. There are a large number at the College who intend to labor in the ministry or as colporters, canvassers, or city missionaries. We expect thorough instructions will be given, not only in methods of working, organizing churches, canvassing, holding Bible-readings, working in city missions, etc., but that the underlying principles of successful work in this cause will be thoroughly considered.
We want to know what kind of men and women we must be in order that God may use us. We need to study the principles of humility, sacrifice, and true devotion to the work. We must understand the immense importance of the present truth, and how to consecrate ourselves to it, as well as to know the minutiae of methods of labor. We propose to take time to consider these things every day during the course, and shall have special services to fit those who take it for the duties they take upon themselves.
For years in the past we have seen the importance of schools of instruction. They had schools of the prophets anciently, where men of experience and deep devotion taught those who were younger the important lessons they would need to qualify them for usefulness. The testimonies of the Spirit have instructed us in the past that courses of instruction should be held where the inexperienced could be benefited. There has been a lamentable lack in the past among many who have gone out to labor. Many of them need to drink deeper draughts at the well of salvation and to understand more fully the duties of the positions they propose to fill. Why should we not every year have such seasons of instruction? We propose to have those present who are qualified to give instruction, and thus make these three weeks a season of great interest theoretically, practically, and spiritually.
We have thought that there might be many young laborers who are not at the College who would be glad to share the benefits of this special course. Why should not young and middle-aged directors, licentiates, and some young ministers, and many missionary workers, canvassers, colporters, etc., be present, to learn all they can of the nature of the work? Might we not expect God’s blessing on such a meeting? May not these courses of instruction in our schools at the close of the winter term become very important instrumentalities in the preparation of laborers in the future? We believe they will.
Those who come to attend this three weeks’ course can obtain board and lodging for $2 per week. Reduction of railroad fare can be obtained from most points by corresponding with A. R. Henry, Battle Creek, Mich. Will not the Conference officers of States lying within reasonable distance desire to send persons whom they think should attend?
TRUSTEES OF BATTLE CREEK COLLEGE.
AN APPROPRIATE ANSWER.
By G. W. A.
Eld. J. Byington has recently been sending papers and tracts in the missionary work to an old-time acquaintance of his, Myron Breckenridge, of Norwalk, Ohio. Mr. B. is a Methodist minister, now nearly ninety, hale and inflexible. In the lively correspondence that ensued he remarked that he had “supposed that Eld. B. and wife were too thoroughly rooted and grounded, in the doctrines of Methodism to be scared by the small artillery of Seventh-day Adventists.” In the reply that followed, Father Byington remarked that “it was not the small artillery of Adventists that changed his views, but the heavy artillery of Mount Sinai that convinced him that the seventh day was the Sabbath of the Lord.” G. W. A.
MINNESOTA
By John W. Moore; E. A. Curtis
Goss Mills, Crow Wing Co., March 2.—Our meetings at this place continue with unabated interest. The house is well filled at every service. At our Sabbath meeting and Sabbath-school nearly fifty present, and many requested prayers who were seeking God. We have ordered twenty copies of Instructor, and have supplied the school with charts and lesson books. We think that among those who are now obeying the truth there is the need of talent, with the blessing of God, to make this one of the best Sabbath-schools in our Conference. We have met with a spirit of bitter and determined opposition from the Free Methodists and First-day Adventists; from the first, more especially from the First-day Adventists, who make it a point to visit all who become interested in the truth, and do all they can to oppose it. They have sent for two of their men to come here and oppose us. We would gladly avoid a spirit of controversy; still we shall try to hold forth. The truth is steadily gaining ground in spite of all opposition, for which we praise God. Our friends at Crow Wing with us are observing to-day, March 2, as a day of fasting and prayer for the blessing of God upon this work. The Macedonian cry for help comes to us from many places. We feel to thank God we are permitted to bear some humble part in the work, and we pray God that he will raise up laborers for the destitute fields. We very much desire the prayers of God's people. John W. Moore. E. A. Curtis.
SCRIPTURE QUESTIONS.
By W. H. Littlejohn
ANSWERS BY W. H. LITTLEJOHN.
319.—THE IMAGE OF GOD.
H. H. S.: If man is necessarily immortal because he was created in the image of God, then he is also necessarily omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent; for the three latter attributes belong to God equally with that of immortality.
For a full discussion of the subject, see “Man’s Nature and Destiny.” This work discusses every passage worthy of mention which bears on the immortality question. It should be in the hands of every Sabbath-keeper. The price is $1.50 per copy, post-paid. Send to REVIEW AND HERALD Office, Battle Creek, Mich.
N. H. H.: I do not know that we have anything better on Zechariah than the articles by Eld. J. N. Andrews recently published in the Signs of the Times. They will be reproduced in the REVIEW soon.
321.—SON OF MAN.
J. D. C.: The title “Son of man” was assumed by our Lord because of the fact that he was born of the Virgin. He was also called the Son of God because he was begotten of God. In him were united a human and a divine nature. It was therefore fitting that titles should be applied to him which when taken together, should express this fact.
322.—BAPTIZED FOR THE DEAD.
J. D. C.: 1 Cor. 15:29 has nothing to do with the baptism of living men for the benefit of dead men. The passage presents no difficulties to those who believe that immersion is the true form of baptism, and that it symbolizes the resurrection from the dead. Paul, in the chapter in question, is dealing with the resurrection, and he substantiates the doctrine by an appeal to the nature of the act of baptism as then administered. The following paraphrase will set forth the drift of his argument: “When we were baptized, we were plunged under the water, and raised up out of the water in the likeness of the burial and resurrection of the dead. Rom. 6:5. It must be, therefore, that the dead will rise, else there was no force in the form of baptism to which we submitted.”
323.—BEHOLD HE IS IN THE DESERT.
C. D. J.: The expression, “Behold, He is in the desert” (Matt. 24:26), is not yet fully realized in Mormonism. It is not impossible that the time is near at hand when something in their history will take place which will exactly fulfill the prophecy in question. They believe that the Lord will make his advent in person at Salt Lake, and it would be a very easy matter for some impostor, under favorable circumstances, to so far deceive them that they would be willing to receive him as the long-looked-for Christ. For the sentiments of this reply, you will please hold me alone responsible.
324.—RENTING TO NON-SABBATH-KEEPERS.
J. E. S.: I see no reason why a Sabbath-keeper could not rent a portion of his house to one who does not observe the Sabbath, provided the latter should not be allowed to do anything on the premises outside of the portion he has rented, which is inconsistent with proper Sabbath observance. The same system of reasoning which would justify, in the case in question, the renting of the whole, would also justify the renting of a part, of a house.
325.—THE CATTLE OF PHARAOH.
J. E. S.: It is true that in Ex. 9:6 it is declared that all the cattle of Egypt died. It is also a fact that in the 20th verse of the same chapter it is made clear that there were some of them left which survived the plague of the murrain spoken of in the 3d verse. It is probable that the great majority of the Egyptian cattle died. This being true, it would be admissible according to Bible usage to say that they all died; since the inspired writers frequently use the word in that sense. An example of this use of the word will be found in Matt. 9:5, 6, as follows: “Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judea, and all the region round about Jordan, and were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.” It is very certain from the context that Matthew did not intend to be understood as saying that without exception every person in Judea and Jerusalem was baptized of John; since that would imply the baptism of the Pharisees; whereas the majority of the latter rejected the baptism of John, as we learn from Luke 7:28, 30.
326.—THE RICH MAN AND LAZARUS.
U. M.: For my views on the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, I must refer you to a series of articles which I published in the REVIEW during 1878. The question department is too limited to admit of the discussion of such a subject.
LOUISIANA
By G. G. Hurst
NEW ORLEANS.—Feb. 19-23 I was at New Orleans. While so many are there seeking pleasure, I was glad to find that God had a few there for the purpose of spreading the light of the last message. While I was there, Bro. Vickery, of Illinois, and Bro. Woodbury, of Wisconsin, came to engage in the good work. The way to accomplish the desired result seems to be opening more favorably than at any time since the work commenced. Several Bible-readings were held during my visit, and Bro. Owen spoke, upon invitation, in a Presbyterian church. Sunday nearly two dollars worth of Signs were sold, at five cents a copy. The people at the Exposition inquire about the work, and seem anxious to read. Probably one hundred are daily supplied with reading matter, and register names.
The meeting of the workers on the Sabbath was excellent. The Spirit of God was present with us. If a score of devoted workers could be in New Orleans from now till the close, the truth would surely be extended in the South at least.
G. G. Hurst.
SWEDEN
By John G. Matteson
STOCKHOLM.—The interest is still good. Thirty-four brethren and sisters have united with us on the last two Sabbaths. Some of them have heretofore received baptism, but most of them are to be baptized soon. We have now fifty-six members. Several others keep the Sabbath who meet with us, and still others are near the deciding point. Last Sabbath sixty-five persons attended the meeting. We have commenced a Sabbath-school with thirty-two members. The friends who have united with us have all had a good deal of opposition to struggle against, but through faith in Christ and his blessed truth they have been enabled to overcome thus far, and to rejoice in the light of the message. Some of them are promising young men. Three can read and understand English readily, and one brother is also acquainted with other languages.
We have hired a smaller hall in a central place for one year; but we keep the hall we have now till the middle of next month. During the past month we have obtained sixty-five subscribers for our papers, and have received for tracts and subscriptions $48, and in donations $23. The outside interest is increasing. I am now slowly giving my second course of lectures on the prophecies, presenting a new subject every Sunday evening. I take up other subjects during the week,—the law, the Sabbath, life and immortality, second coming of Christ, practical religion, etc. When I first came the people seemed very uneasy and afraid, and would come and go all the time. Some would leave before the sermon commenced, and most of them would hurry off as soon as the last word was pronounced. In contrast with this it is really pleasing to see them now sit quietly for more than an hour, giving the very best of attention. We thank God for his great mercy toward us, and take courage.
Bro. Johnson is holding meetings in Örebro with good interest. JOHN G. MATTESON.
Feb. 16.
ILLINOIS
By G. F. Shonk
WEST SALEM, MARCH 4.—I commenced meetings three miles north of this place Feb. 15, and continued two weeks. I preached fourteen times, conducted fifteen Bible-readings, and held one social meeting; and as the result four persons decided to keep the Sabbath. I obtained one subscriber for the REVIEW. These friends became interested through reading matter. I go from here to Allendale. G. F. SHONK.