T.

H~

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IJ~~:~t_
VOL.

12.

No. 11.

AUCKLAND,

N.Z., NOVEMBER,

1892.

TWOPENCE.

was en fete to welcome Lord Glasgow. As Her Majesty's H.epresen tati ve to New Zealand, he was accorded a most enthusiastic welcome. A triumphal arch had been erected, brass bands engaged, children drilled to sing the National Anthem, and the expectant people seemed glad to show their loyalty to the Representative of the distant Queen. How many of these would be glad to see the nobleman who has gone into a far country to receive for Himself a kingdom and to return ~ Would such provision be made for Him, such an enthusiastic welcome be accorded to Him 'I Would admiring crowds shout themselves hoarse by reason of the gladness ~ We fear not. Why not? His return means 1ighte01{Sness. Righteousness between buyer and seller, between master and servant, in house and street, in business and legislature, and there is no city that is prepared for that yet. It would be a serious loss to some, and yet their present . attitude means a more serious loss. 'vYhat shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own life l' Yet that will be lost by many when the King of Righteousness returns. Readers, are you ready to give Him welcome? Prepare for Him. He is coming speedily. Make ready, that you may not be ashamed before Him.

I~

~~~~~~~~UOKLAND

upon have managed to have their way and to break the federation opposed to them. In A uckland, the Tailoresses' Union has been struggling for recognition and a just log, but, whilst courteously met by some employers, there seems no immediate prospect of either aim bcing affected. The demands made are reasonable, but the determination of a few to employ labour at starvation rates blocks the way to settlement. The case has been submitted to the Employers' Association by the Union, and it remains to be seen how faL' this body can go in aringing about a better state of things. In England the opinion prevails that strong unions must be formed, and these must be federated. 1\1r. J-. H. Wilson, M.P., in an address to the Shipping Trades Federation, said: 'Federate your unions and make them really scrong ; they can be made irresistible. Look with favour on a similar step being taken by employers. Such elaborate preparations seem like war; ill reality they will probably bring about peace. When the rival com binations are perfect, then only will both sides begin to respect each other, and to meet and trea t each other on gi ve and take terms.' Such language as the above presents very clearly the attitude of capital and labour, Just; as nations are spending treasure to keep huge armies and navies in existence, and are creating destructive weapons and missiles, on the ground that peace is presel'ved by being prepared fOL' war, so in the labour world strength in combination is encouraged that both sides may keep peace lest a frightful contest be begun. Few strikes have been successful. The whole history of labour yields evidence t.hat it is at a disadvantage. One of the most absurd things we noticed lately is that a well known Christian employer of labour is a member of an association which exists mainly to prevent strikes, and to this end it recognises the representatives of labour, but this gentleman refuses to recognise unionism at all. How then can he act upon the Association ~ There are many anomalies which present themselves in connection with labour troubles, but the most serious of all is that many on hoth sides claim to be Christians ; and yet the

'H ow to prevent strikes' is the question continually put, and continually baffling all attempts at satisfactory reply. Boards of Conciliation have been suggested, and in some parts have admirably succeeded, but in others they have fuiled by the wilful opposition of perhaps one 01' two employers who have stood out against an amicable settlement, and having the ranks of the' free labourers' to draw

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THE BIBLE STANDARD.

the ghost of a righteous reason why. forgot their

NOVEMBER,

1892.

Christian-taught principles seem never to have a chance to appear in an endeavour to effect settlement. The Judgment day will reveal the The wrath of God will rest upon those who

and predicting that very speedily Old Mother Earth would cease to yield sufficient food -for the many mouths seeking to be filled, and the population of the whole earth would be as thickly herded as that of our present congested cities. Pestilence, disease, and disaster seem to be at work, Christian duty. determined 1:0 falsify the prediction and to confound the Additional notoriety has been gi ven to Mr. "IV orthington prophet. Much of the talk about the limit of subsistence of Christchurch, by the action of some of the lady residents is so much rubbish, and so is the talk about the increase of of that city. It seems that he has issued some views on population; but the chronicle of destruction is a matter sexology which are highly objectionable to them, on the calling for serious thought. Is there never to be an escape? ground that they tend to destroy morality and the sanctity If there is, How? There is one answer: 'The creation of the marriage tie. Such of the gentleman's publications shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption.' When? as we have seen, do not give a very exalted idea of his , It waiteth 01' the revealing of the sons of God.' religious views, in spite of the fact that he has attracted a large following in the cathedral city; and if the teachings This papel' ad vocates the restoration of the Jews to the objected to are such as we are given to understand they promised land, and believes that in the good time when are, we c.m quite believe that there is good reason for God sees fit this will be brought about. We believe that protest. But we venture to suggest that the mode adopted the all wise Ruler will in this, as in other works, use men is not the right one. Such action has already served to to accomplish this encl. The expulsion of the Jews from give greater notoriety, and, no doubt, the gentleman is very Russia has caused many theories to be advanced as to their glad for the sake of his cause, to be a bugbear, or he may destination, and Baron de Hirsch has undertaken the settlefeel a martyr to truth! The fact is that those who oppose ment of large numbers of them in the Argentine Republic. him have conceded unquestioningly the ground on which The news of dissatisfaction in this large colony was not his vagaries are based. Grant the possibility of continued unlooked for by the watchers on Zion's walls, and now conscious existence after death, as a certainty for all men, comes a letter in tlte Jewish Chronicle telling of the comand the base has been given on which almost any foolish plete breaking up of the whole scheme. Hundreds of the system can be reared, and teachings may be given in con- colonists sailed for Europe, where they will sooner or later nection therewith which con vey that merit attaches to those turn their faces towards Palestine. This is just as sure as things which the majority consider to be wrong and hurtful. God's Word can make it.' -Restitution. It is a singular thing that that for which science, philosophy and revelation give not a particle of support should During the four days' mission of D. L. Moody in Darlingbe the foundation which so many accept as divinely laid, ton, the eminent evangelist was the guest of an out-and-out and on which the countless divergent theories are reared. Conditionalist, Dr. E. W. Forster. 'vVriting to The Paith The' Students of Truth' theory is but one amongst many regarding the visit, the preacher, and his themes, Dr. having the same root error---an error common to almost all Forster testifies th'l,t Moody works along distinctly conphases of religion, but not the less an error-which gives ditionallines. He gives unusual prominence to the neceswrong views of God, and . t'ong views of man's relationship v sity of mortal man striving after a life for his soul that will to Him. This is the battle-ground: if the combatants do last. Life and Eternal Death were his themes. 'What you not marshal their forces here, there is little hope that the want is life that will last, not life like that of a matchcontest will end satisfactorily to either party. one that is temporary and run down to the end j such is your material life; it will perish. Man must, if he is to Disasters affecting the inhabitants of the world are endure, get to be a partaker of the Divine nature.' Mr. following fast upon the heels of each other. Hardly do we Moody did not refer to eternal torments, but to death. hear of one calamity than another is reported, and the story Though the word 'conditional' was not used, the doctrine of casualty, destruction, -and death is swelled by other so impressively set forth was that of immortality through chapters of horror. The record of recent years has been Christ alone. an awful one. The cholera stiil holds sway, although we are assured that its grasp is weakening. From China it is It is with sadness that we chronicle the death of another reported that the River Hoengho has broken its banks faithful witness for truth, John Wilson, of Halifax, Engand fifty thousand people have been drowned. Think of it land, who died 011 July 2:3rd, at the age of sixty. We -a number equal to the population of the largest city were pri vilegecl to know him, and to enjoy close friendship in New Zealand destroyed by the flood: We read of with him; and out' intimate acquaiu tanoeship enables us this with far less emotion than we hear of the death of to say that the loss to the Life and Advent cause is a half a dozen by some accident in our midst. As a con- heavy OIlP. He was a very quiet and unassuming believer. sequence of the flood, famine is imminent, in which it is But his writings show that he was deeply' taught of God.' believed a million will die of starvation. Some recent His latest bouk, 'Taught by the Scriptures,' is a mine of writers have endeavoured to frighten their readers by wealth to Bible students, embodying, as it does, the results statistics showing the rate of the increase of population, of many years Scripture searching. To the last he was a

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1892.

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163

learner, as he has said, 'I must hold myself ready for being taught ~l1ny new truths out of God's Word ; and only a fool will suppose he knows all its teachings-even all its leading ones.' His kind and encouraging words, when one . crudely and haltingly endeavoured to set forth the message of life, will always be remembered with gratitude. But now, he to whom many looked as a teacher has' fallen on sleev,' and we doubt not that in that day the humble ~ervant of God will receivc high honour at his Master's hands, and mnny will seek to know him for the help he has been to them. In the preface to his latest book, he says, 'To most of you I may be personally a stranger; but such a Spirit communion as I have desired will be at this time an unseen good; hereafter, in the age to come, an introduction to each other, and a bond of association in the Master's Bible class.' We give to Sister Wilson our expresssions of sympathy with her in her bereavement, and pray that the God of all Comfort may minister consolation in the time of need.

Some teachers, indeed, assert that we have reached the millennial age already; and that the evangelical light which surrounds us, and the innumerable religious ad vantages we enjoy, are nothing less than the early beams of a glorious spiritual sunrise, which will gradually brighten into the splendour of a perfect day of gospel triumph and universal submission to the Saviour's gentle sway. But we learn from 2 COl'. iv. 4, that Satan, and not Christ, is the Lord of the present age, so that this fanciful notion cannot be true. Others again assure us that the golden age is dawning upon us, that Socialism is the panacea for all human ills, and that it is necessary only that its doctrines should be universally accepted and carried into practice, in order to the realisation of every possible earthly good. But whether Socialism shall be linked with Atheism, Deism, Spiritism, Communism, Polygamy, or Christian purity and truth, does not appear to be yet quite decided. In the meantime, however, it is known to be intensely democratic, revolutionary, boastful, and arbitrary, though promising universal peace, prosperity, and brotherhood; and we cannot doubt it will shortly prove a veritable utopian dream. I need hardly say that we regard these views as essentially unscriptual and decepti ve ; and that we can form no conception of the dawn of an age of perfect blessedness, except as introduced by crisis, judgment, and the personal presence of the Prince of Peace. The great doctrine which lies at the foundation of all our hopes regarding this joyous reign of righteousness, is that there will be at least two resurrections of the dead. This appears to be implied in the language of the prophet Daniel, for we read (xiii. 2) that, 'Many (not all) of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.' It was clearly taught by Paul (Acts xxiv. 15), , There shall be a resurrection both of the just and unjust.' And in Phil. iii. 11, 'If by any means I may attain unto the resurrection from the dead.' Also, in 1 Cor. xv, 2~-4, 'As in Adam all die, so in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits ; then they that are Christ's at His coming. Then cometh the end.' By Peter and John (Acts iv, 2) for they' taught the people, and proclaimed in Jesus the resurrection fron (not oJ) the dead.' Certainly this doctrine was taught by the Lord Himself in Luke xiv, 14, where He speaks of recompense at 'the resurrection of the just , in Luke xx. 35, where he refers to the sons of God as being 'worthy to attain to the resurrection from. (not of) the dead;' and in J ohn v, 29, where He says, 'all that are in the tombs shall come forth; they that have done good unto the resurrection of life, and they that have done ill, unto the resurrection of judgment.' Now by the millennium is to be understood just that period-a thousand years-between the first and second resu rrections. For we are told (Rev. xx. 4-5) that the 'blessed and holy' ones who are first raised, 'lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years,' and that' the rest of

'[be IDtllclltlial

tlge.
(It

(From a Paper recui by Pastor '1'. A. Fieidioick, Second Atlrent meetings in Adelaide.}

the recent

THE wonderful history of man begins in Paradise. The newly-formed pair awoke to sensibility in a scene of unbroken loveliness. The earth overspread with a carpet of refreshing verdure, the trees bending under a burden of delicious fruits, the air laden with the fragrance of flowers of every hue, nnd bearing aloft birds of varied plumage. and sweetest song, creatures in endless variety of size and shape on every hand, e.ll harmless and admirable, and glad with the joys of newly-tasted life. Adam and his fair queenconsort must have surveyed their beautiful domain with unspeakable delight, their hearts swelling with love and gratitude to their adorable Creator. Well might it be so, for it was' Eden, the gai'den of God.' Too soon, alas, sin entered; man fell from his high estate, and the curse, with banishment, ensued. Then in due time was unfolded the divine plan of human redemption, regeneration, and restoration, through the gracious intervention of a second Adam, the Son of God, the Lord from heaven. In due time He came; and having atoned for sin with His own blood, He ascended again on high, and sent down the Holy Spirit, by whose wondrous power a new generation of men is in process of formation. These are now awaiting the Great Deliverer's return to perfect His glorious enterprise by completely destroying the works of the devil-restoring the earth to its pristine purity and beauty-and peopling it with It race which shall be for ever loyal, obedient, and happy. \Ve are now looking for the 'restitution of all things,' and shall find, as one justly remarks, that 'each step forward is a step backward towards Paradise.' It devolves upon me to point out what the Scriptures unfold respecting this state of surpassing blessedness, and to submit some considerations which seem naturally to arise therefrom,

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THE BIBLE STANDAHD.

NOVEIVLBE{t,

1892.

the dectd lived not again until the thousand years were This, then, is the millennial age of which I have finished.' to speak. The expression just quoted, 'lived and ?'eigne(l with

Christ,' shows that a kingdom is implied, of which the Lord' Jesus Christ will be the undisputed and supreme Ruler. It
will be rem em bered that Herod spoke of Him as being , born King of the .Jews.' Then N athanael presented to Him accepted homage, when he exclaimed (John i. 49), 'Habbi, Thou art the' Son of God, Thou art the King of Israel.' Satan offered him the kingdom, but the Lord .J esus could not accept the dignity from his soiled and wicked hands. Again, some witnesses of the Lord's miracles would have come and taken Him by force and made Him king; but the time appointed of the Father not having yet arrived, .Iesus declined the honour, and left the neighbourhood. And yet again, at the Lord's last passover time, as recorded (John xiii. 13), 'a great multitude went forth to meet Him, and cried out, 'Hosanna, blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel.' This was probably that glimpse of His kingdom to which Jesus referred in His parable of the treasure hid in the field (Matt. xiii. 44), which, having found, He covered up again, and went away and sold all that He had that He might buy the field, for the sake of the treasure which He knew was hid therein. 'When He departed, He smoothed so well the broken ground, that every trace of the buried treasure was removed, and many now in their unbelief deny that it is there at all. But he has bought the field, and the day is not far distant when He will return to claim His own, disinter His treasure, and display its glory to admiring worlds. Moreover, Jesus claimed the dignity for Himself, when, in answer to Pilate's question (.John x vii i. 37), he replied, 'Thou sayest that I am a king; to this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world.' The Roman Governor also un wittingly gaye his attestation to his victim's royal dignity, by attaching to His very cross the label, 'This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.' Having thus recognised the King', we may next consider when, and under what circumstances, His kingdom will be set up. What will be the peculiarities and advantages of His rule, and how it will terminate.

have the warrior prince, subduing the enemies of Israel, and extending its borders to their utmost limits; while in Solomon we have the gracious monarch who reigns in undisturbed peace' and splendour over a happy and prosperous people, Both these are to be realised in the millennial reign; for the Lord Jesus will not ascend the throne of a peaceful and orderly kingdom, but will have to act the part of the warlike David before He succeeds to t.ha.L of the peaceful Solomon, When, after the Marriage Feast, the Lord descends with His holy ones towards the earth, He will come both to destroy and deliver. He will find J udah, and, at least, the representatives (J er. iii. 15) of Israel occupying their land, the great majority still in impenitence and unbelief. He will find Antichrist the dominant power in the earth, tyrannising over the nations with arbitrary and cruel rule; and He, personally, with His confederate kings, surrounding the holy city, and anticipating its early capture. The descending Saviour, with His attendant hosts, will hover above the devoted city for its succour and deliverance; for 'like as when the lion growleth and the young lion over his prey, if a multitude of shepherds be called forth against Him, He will not be dismayed at their voice, nor abase Himself for the noise of them; so shall the Lord of Hosts come down to fight upon Mount Zion, and upon the hill thereof. As birds flying, so will the Lord of hosts protect Jerusalem; He will protect and deliver. He will pass over and pre3erve it.' Tsa. x xx i. 4, 5. The strife will not last long, for Paul teaches us (2 Thess. ii. 8) that 'the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth, and destroy with the brightness of His coming, that lawless one himself ;' and at the same time his vast army, consisting of kings, captains, mighty men, and others free and bond, small and great, and their horses, will be utterly destroyed. I'heir flesh supplies the material for a great supper; and all the birds that fly in mid-heaven are summoned to partake of it. The beast and the false prophet are cast alive into the lake of fire; and that old dragon-the Devil--is fettered, locked up, and sealed in the abyss, to emerge no more till after a thousand years, and then but for a little season. (Rev. xx. 1-3.)

'-

'"-'

Now, as J udah beholds her Mighty Deliverer, and recognizes in Him that .J esus of N azareth they .had once The royal title without a sovereignty over which to reign rejected and crucified, there shall be fulfilled the words of (xii. 10, xiii. 1-9)-' In that day I will pour would be but an empty honour; so a kingdom without a Zechariah of visible monarch is hardly conceivable. Accordingly, we upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants hold that the millennial kingdom can be set up' only at the Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplication, and they appearance of the king himself; and then only by his shall look unto .\1 e whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for Him as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.' winning for himself the throne of monarchy by the defeat and overthrow of all a ntagonisbic forces. This leads me to 'In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and refer to David and Solomon, the successive kings of Israel, ' And I will refine them as silver is refined, as types of the coming King, the Lord J esu s Christ, No uncleanness.' they shall call single earthly type, whether human or otherwise, can and will try them as gold is tried; on My name and I will hear them: I will say, "It adequately set forth the perfections, either in character or and they shall say, "The Lord is my work, of our blessed Lord; and so the two reigns of David is my people,' God.'" 'And so all Israel shall be saved: even as it is and Solomon are required to typify the one glorious He administration of the King of Righteousness, In David we written, "There shall come out of Zion the Deliverer;

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165

shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: and this is My and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.'" mountain shall move toward the north, and half of it (Horn. xi. 26.) toward the south, And it shall come to pass in that day Here, it appears, will intervene the judgment of the living that living waters shall go out from .Ierusalem ; half of nations as recorded in Matthew xxv, 31--!6, and probably them toward the eastern sea, and half of them toward the also set forth in the parable of the Drag-Net, in Matthew western sea; in summer and in winter shall it be. And xiii. 47-50; the question involved being the treatment of the Lord shall be King over all the earth.' the Lord's' least brother,' i.e., the .Iew, by the nations of Now will converted Israel, as the fig tree in the spring the earth; the verdict being in accordance with the time, 'blossom and bud, and fill the face of the world with promise made to Abram. Genesis xii. 3, 'I will bless them fruit.' (Isa. xxvii. 6.) Now. too, will be realised the full that bless thee, and him that curseth thee will I curse.' answer to Israel's prayer, in Psalm lxvii, 1, 2, 'God be The prophet J oel foretells this event, when (in chapter iii, merciful unto U8, and bless W;, and cause His face to shine 1, 2, and 12) he says, 'Behold, in those days and at that upon 118, that Thy way may be known upon earth, Thy time, when I shall bring again the captivity of Judah and saving health among all nations ~' See also Rom. xi. 11-15, Jerusalem, I will gather all nations, and will bring them and he whole of the sublime chapter of Isaiah. down into the Valley of Jehoshaphat ; and I will plead U rider the benign reign of the Prince of Peace, the with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, nations of the earth will then, and not till then, realise the whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted blessings of the loftiest socialism. Wars will cease; and my land.' 'Let the nations bestir themselves and come up selfishness, injustice, and mutual jealousies be subdued. to the Valley of J ehoshaphat : for there will 1 sit to judge The curse being removed, the earth will once more freely all the nations round about.' yield her increase. All idols will be utterly abolished, for After this Davidic warfare, and this great and solemn assize, will succeed the empire of Solomon the just and peaceful. The reign of millennial rest and blessednessearth's golden age of love and truth and righteousnesswill, in very fact, commence. Two circumstances will render this most certain-first, the absence of the great deceivet' and source of all mischief; and second, the personal presence of the Son of God the Saviour. The Lord Jesus will make J'erusalem the seat of His government-the centre of that authority which will rule the world. 'Then shall the Lord of hosts reign in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, and before His ancients gloriously.' (Isa. xxiv. 3.) 'Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth is Mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the Great King. (Ps. xlviii. 2.) 'In the latter days,' says Micah (iv. 1-4), 'it shall come to P1l.SS that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established at the head of the mountains; and it shall be exalted above the hills, and peoples shall flow into it. And many nations shall go and say, 'Oome ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths;' for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of .the Lord from Jerusalem. And He shall judge among great peoples, and shall decide concerning strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree, and none shall make them afraid; for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.' Great changes will be effected ill the city itself, as well as in the adjacent country; for Zechariah tells us (xiv. -1-8) that 'the Lord's feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof towards the east and toward the west, the Lord alone will be exalted in that day; all things will be put under his feet; men, everywhere, will be blessed in Him; and 'all nations shall call Him blessed.' In Psalm Ixxiii, we have a sublime description of the universality of His kingdom and the magnificence of His reign. ' He shall have dominion from sea to sea; the kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents, the kings of Sheba and Seba (of whom the Queen of Sheba, in Solomon's days, was a striking type) shall offer gifts. All kings shall bow down before Him, all nations shall serve Him.' In fact, He will be acknowledged King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The blessed results of the rule of such a sovereign will be innumerable, and even inconceivable. A Scriptural writer anticipating Paradise Restored says, 'Peace and plenty abound. Locomotion is wonderfully perfected; electricity has entirely superseded steam and gas as a motive power; and artificial light is no longer needed, the nights being now as bright as the days were of old. Universal temperance now abounds; and all the horrors born of drunkenness are known only as warning memories of the past. Prisons, lunatic asylums, and poor houses have wholly disappeared. The magistracy of each state is the executive of the saints, and the police its honest and God-fearing citizens. Flowers and fruits abound; more beautiful, various, fragrant, and delicious than Adam's Eden knew. The face of the earth is cbanged, owing to the enormous increase of light. With the moon as powerful as the sun was of old, the sun seven times more powerful than before, the wondrous light of the New Jerusalem as a golden lamp in heaven, and the glory of the Saviour and His saints, the whole earth is flooded with light, which has changed the Sahara into fruitful fields and smiling gardens, and immensely increased the comfort and aided in the higher development of man.' 'The whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now,' but then it ' shall be delivered from the

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bondage of corruption into the liberty of the glory of the children of God.' (Rom. viii. 21, 22.) 'The mountains and the hills shall break forth iuto singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree; and it shall be to the Lord for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.' (Isa. lv. ] 3.) The nature of savage beasts shall be exchanged for their Paradisaic state; they shall not hurt nor destroy in all God's holy mountain, and 'the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.' (Isa. xi. 9.) It is probable that the ordinary occupations be continued, but all tempered by truth, justice, at present so often wanting. of men will honesty, and

who had been David's wife, sat at the right hand of Solomon when seated on his throne. We read in Revelation xxi. 2, of a heavenly city coming down from God out of heaven, suspended probably, over the earthly Jerusalem, giving light to the earth below, and the nations of the saved walking in the light thereof. This will be the heavenly home of the glorified bride; and, possibly, there will be some means of communicating with the earth below, antitypical of J acob's vision of the ladder uniting heaven and earth. The personal members of this illustrious body, it seems likely, will preside over the numerous cities of the millennial earth, and minister to the prosperity and happiness of their respective peoples. Thus, we have Jesus, the son of David, after having subdued all enemies, and brought the world into subjection, seated upon His father's throne, and reigning amongst His ancients gloriously-the nations of the eart.h peaceful and submissive-their kings bringing their rich offerings to increase the splendour of the newly-built Jerusalem-and the heavenly city overhead, glittering in all the radiance of gold and precious stones and pearls, the palace home of the royal consort, who is engaged with her Lord in maintaining the universal rest and blessedness. To this glorious-period the Transfiguration scene seems to point; for in Elijah we have the type of the changed saints living at the time of our Lord's return, who do not pa.ss through death; in Moses, the saints raised from their long sleep of death by the last trump; in the wondering Apostles, the onlooking people of earth; while Jesus, in His glorified body, appeal's as He will when holding His court in regal splendour in the royal city.

Man himself will realise most marvellous experiences. Miracles of healing will be wrought upon the blind, the deaf, the dumb, and the lame. There will still be death; but human life will be so prolonged that one dying at 100 years of age shall be deemed still a child. Without doubt, the intellectual faculties will be enlarged, and the organs of sense be perfected. It may be also that men will be endowed with new powers, such, for example, as some easier method of locomotion, and some more facile and perfect mode of communicating thought. Above all, the personal presence and control of our blessed Lord will be so distinctly realised throughout the world-its vastly improved condition so manifested-and the proof of the Great King's love and goodness so convincing, that 'they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, saying, "Know the Lord," for they shall all know Me, saith the Lord, from the least of them unto the greatest.' (Jer. xxxi. 34.) This promise evidently refers primarily to Israel and J udah : but they will be the instruments in the hands of God of spreading abroad the glad tidings of the everlasting Gospel amongst the nations.

Who can describe,' who indeed can conceive, the blessed condition of the world under the absolute control of a monarch so wise, so just, so benevolent, and so powerful as the Lord Himself. His righteous governmeut extended to all lands, and His risen and glorified saints ministering to the order and happiness of till His subjects. 'Ye may well The Spirit of God will, with greatly increased eneL'gy, apply to this Great Sovereign the language of the Queen of operate upon the hearts of men. (J'oel ii. 28.) Conversions Sheba addressed to Solomon: 'The half of the greatness 01' will take place as at present, till all men are blessed in Thy wisdom was not told me, 'Thou exceedest the fame Him, till all nations shall call Him blessed, and the whole that I heard. Happy are Thy men, and happy are these earth be filled with His glot,y. The short chapter, Isaiah Thy servants, who stand continually before Thee and hear Thy wisdom. Blessed be the Lord Thy God who delighted xxxv., presents a beautiful summary of Israel's gladness, in Thee to set Thee on His throne to be king for the Lord and the wide earth's share of blessing. So far, our attention has been entirely occupied with Thy God. Because the LOL:cl Thy Goel loved Israel to establish them for ever and ever, therefore made He Thee occurrences upon our earth under the peaceful administration of the King of Kings, and it is now high time to king over them to do judgment and justice.' No wonder that on the contemplation of such a scene the remark that though the kingdom is His, Ho does not reign heavenly multitude should rejoice with untold gladness, and alone. He has a bride, who, since the marriage celebration in the heavenlies, has become His wife; and she, by His 'as with the voice of many waters, and as with the voice of exclaim, Hallelujah! for the Lord God infinite grace, shares with Him in all His dignity and mighty thunderings, glory-the Adam and Eve of the restored Eden. This Omnipotent reigneth !' highly-fayourecl consort is none other than His redeemed and glorified Church. Men and women, who having conHere is a good though t from good John Bunyan : 'I fessed Him before an unbelieving world, who having would labour to take the W ord as God hath laid it down, suffered with Him here below, will reign with Him then and without restraining the natural force of one syllable there. Even, as we are told (l Kings ii. 19), Bathsheba, thereof.'

NOVEMBER,

1892.

THE BIBLE STANDARD.

167

ttbe ttrutb about ttbeo60pb\?

DURING the last month or two various attacks have been made on Theosophy, the 'new religion,' as it has been frequently, but incorrectly, called, and in the September number of the BIBLg STANDARDan article appeared stating that it is a 'Godless, anti-Christian system, teaching doctrine subversive of all belief and all true morality,' that it is in short a 'system of deviltry.' Now there are certain elements in Theosophy which, to my mind are quite inconsistent with such a judgment as this, and it is these elements that I wish to place before the readers of this paper in as brief and simple a way as possible. In the first place, it is not a new religion, nor indeed is it a religion at all, though it contains much- both of religion and of philosophy. There have been, and still are, in the world very many forms of religion, differing greatly from each other in creeds and ceremonies; but in all religions that are in any way worthy of the name, there are certain broad principles that never change. It is these principles that constitute Theosophy, and that is why Theosophy cannot be out of harmony with any religion in its essence, though it may be, and is, opposed to many of the outward forms and creeds that pass under the name of religion. The attitude of Theosophy to religion has been thus described :-' It goes below to the foundation on which all are reared, and considers each as a varying interpretation of the common truth. No one can be absolutely false, else it would not endure a day; no one can be absolutely true, or it would be universal. Its measure of truth keeps each ali ve, its measure of error keeps each restricted. In the endurance of religious systems Theosophy sees the undying vigour of the principle of spirit; in their hardening into dogma and ceremonial the influence of materialising forces; in the appearance of prophets and reformers the earnest of a better freer life. For the founders of the world's great faith it has reverent homage. It brushes away indeed the myths and legends which conceal them, but only that it may honour what they have said and done, rather than what their followers have said and done about them. It knows that Jesus uttered no creed, that Buddha founded no church, and if disciples have invented what the Master never did, the responsible ones are they, not He. It itself proclaims neither creed nor church, for it notes the history and the present of both; yet it does not seek to abolish, but to enlighten them.' - (S'lmday jJ;[o1'l1,in.? Leader,

go, considering that God, is so far above us that we can form no further adequate conception of Him; and the Theosophist claims that his idea of God is, so far from being Atheism, far superior to the frequently accepted idea. Theosophy is certainly not anti-Ohristian, and the only exruse the editor of the Literct1'y Digest has for his statement is that Theosophy opposes the outer form and ceremonial that have too often taken the place of the true teachings of Christ. But, at the same time, Theosophy incites men to a high ideal of duty and of religion; and no such system can be a system of de vil try. For, as the article referred to states, Theosophy does 'propose :t lofty morality,' but not 'with the object to throw into the shade the Christian morality,' for the morality of 'I'heosophy is identical with that of Ohristianity. Christianity tenches and insists on perfect unselfishness in every deed, word, and even thought-so does Theosophy. Theosophy teaches that we are all brethren, and that our every act affects not only ourselves, but others, and that therefore, fOI' the sake of others more than of ourselves, every act should be inspired by a spirit of love-so does Christianity. Theosophy teaches that only the spiritual part of our nature is real and permanent, and that therefore the energies of our life should be devoted to developing our spiritual natures, and not to accumulating material wealth, or acquiring merely intellectual lmowledge-Ohristianity teaches the same. It will, perhaps, then be asked, if Ohristianity and Theosophy are so far identical, why t.rouble about the latter -why not be satisfied with Christianity? To this our answer is as follows :-- With Ohristianity, as taught by

Wilkesbarre, U.S.A.)
The first great truth which we find in all religions is the existence of a Deity. Now, not only has every sect a slightly different conception of the character of Deity, but even individuals belonging to the same sect differ in their ideas on this point. Some can accept only a God who has a human form; others conceive of God as having no human form, but as having a mental and spiritual 'personality' which is outside of nature and of man. Theosophy goes a little further, and teaches that God is Infinite Spirit, Wisdom, Love, and Goodness; but beyond that it does not

Christ; we are perfectly satisfied, an] we endeavour to make it the basis of all our action; but we are not satisfied with the perversion of Ohristianity which is too often preached and practised in the world around us. And further, we believe that the cause of the disunion between the various religions, and the various sects of the same religion, is that too much stress has been laid on the outward aspect of religion; and that therefore Theosophy, by substituting the inner truths which underlie all religions for the outer forms and ceremonies, will help in bringing about that religious unity for which many of our best and most truly Christian ministers are now seeking; and if it can help in bringing this about, then Theosophy will not have existed in vain. In conclusion, permit me to commend to the readers of this paper Gamaliel's advice to the Oouncil. (See Acts v. 38, 39). P.T.S.
"Ve don't believe that when God makes a man 01' a woman holy, He bestows any new faculties, 01' destroys any old ones. We believe that Goel simply restores our faculties to their original uses, bringing them back into harmony with each other and Himself.-11f1s. Booth.

..

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l\OVK~l13l!;H, 1892.

of these we have reprinted as an able presentation of the truth of the coming Kingdom. We are grateful for such testimony, and feel that it would have been an unspeakable pleasure to have shared in this Conference, Although as a body the Convention does not profess to occupy common e ~ MONTHLY ORGAN ~-...' 10 ~/G~ OF 'f![" 0)~~.9 t ground on the Life Question, we know that the more r;iiW Zealand Evangelistic and [lublicatioll Association prominent members are believers in Conditional Immortality; and, may we not say, in consequence, the Advent EDITED BY GEO. ALDRIDGE. truths are more clearly defined. But whether we all agree AS::JlSTED BY SPECIAL CONTRIBUTORS. on this matter or not, we can do no other than greet our It7iJ" 'I'hc Editor wishes it to be understood that, while he exercises a fellow believers in the coming of our Lord, and assure them general supcrvislon over the articles and correspondence appearing in the that we too watch with them as they that watch for the Standard, responsibility for sentiments expressed rests upon the individual writer. morning.

'~~"I13tble
~~\) ~~

$ta~l~~W C1l'() ..

i'

tlssociation

1Ftotes.

'VB learn from the WQ1ld's Criee that Bro. Miles Grant has reached his home safely. He had very pleasant passage across to San Francisco, and was home in time for the annual camp meetings. The Auckland Church ga\'e a hearty welcome to Bro. CaIT on his arrival from the South. The theme of the evening W:l.S the' Return of the Lord and our assembling together with Him.' Whilst He tarries work must be done, and we hope all the workers will keep in mind the Master's word, 'Occupy till I come.' An item of news especially interesting to us appeal's in the September issue of The /t'(tith. Before leaving England, Bro, Edgehill visited Lincoln, and, true to his custom, he had open-air preaching each night till ten o'clock. Large crowds listened attentively. As a result. of these meetings, an Anglican clergyman gave a challenge to debate, which was accepted. The meeting was held in the Temperance Hall. Recently at the Brougliam Place Congregational Church, Adelaide, the Pastor (Rev. H. Hastings) gave an address on Dr. Petavel's book, 'The Problem of Immortality,' and said it was a book destined to have all immense influence not only in Europe but in America and Australia. The doctrine held would stimulate to missionary zeal and afford some light on the perplexing: problem of evolution and elections. We have read with pleasure the report of the Nineteenth Annual Ad vent Meetings, held in' Adelaide on September 1st, as it is given in 'I'lce Attst1'alian Qt~a)"te1"ly Journal of Prophecy. The morning and evening meetings were held in Bentham-street Chapel, and the evening meeting in the Flinders-street Baptist Church. At the afternoon session, the venerable Pastor Abbott presided. Addresses were gi ven by Pastor '1'. Adcock on a 'Brief Ou tline of Premillennial Truth,' by B. Cornish on the 'Predicted Corruption and Fall of Christianity,' by Pastor It, K. Finlayson on 'The Last Day and the Last Trump,' by Pastor T. Lees Oil 'The Parable of the Tares of the Field,' by Mr. lVI. J. Clarke on 'The Second Advent-e-a Stimulus to Missionary Work,' and by Pastor T. A. Field wick on , The Millennial Age, or the Good Time Coming.' The last

ThE' brethren in Melbourne are awake to the Heed for aggressi ve effort, and are using present opportunities for the spread of truth. In addition to the services and Bible Schools already inaugurated, and which are attended by increasing numbers, Sunday evening services have been commenced in the M.lT. Hall, Burwood Road, Hawthorn. Bro, Geo. A. Brown is the preacher, and his opening themes are such as should call attention to the world's true hope, and the nature of the share in its realisation which man may obtain by the provision of Divine grace. Bro, E. H. Taylor has resumed his labours at the Thames. After a long and serious illness, be feels that he will act wisely to take things quietly, but at the same time feels well enough to be in harness. In our September issue, we published all article from the on 'Theosophy.' As certain statements therein are objected to by local members of the Theosophical Society as unfa.ir, we have thought it right to insert a disclaimer written by one of their number. 'Ye reserve to oursel ves the right to comment upon some of the statements in the communication, but think it best to insert this without any present comment, asking our readers to consider- it carefully, and to note whether it fills, as far as it goes, the requirements of 'sound doctrine.'

Litel"al"Y Digest,

It is a matter on our hearts and in our pmyers, how best to increase the circulation of the BIBLB STANDARD, and augment its value as an exponent of important latterday truth, and as a medium of communication between brethren in the various colonies, At present it is sent to all of these, and we know it is appreciated by those who receive it; but these are comparatively -few. Is it not possible that the number of subscribers and readers may be increased? following ",Ve should like the opinion points: be altered to suit general of brethren on the

(I) That the title of pnper mission work in the colonies.

(:!) That it be printed by the l iith of each month, and forwarded to reach centres for the first, as elated. (3) That a responsible brother shall be chosen in each centre to supply items of information concerning the work, or such as would be of general interest to readers of the
paper. (4) That each centre guarantee to take anum bel', say

THE BIBLE STANDARD, 169 NOVllV1l:lJ<;R, 1892, =-==~-=-======.=-~~~==-=~~~=-=.============~=====-=-====---========================

250 and receivers. upwards, at cost price, transit to be paid by 'Ye should like to receive comments on the above suggestions, and should especially wish that the brethren in the Australian colonies should well consider if there' be not here an opportunity of spreading the truth at a low cost, Try it for one year, brethren.
--~

~apel'5 on tbe 'Ikingbom.

No. XV. EL E C T ION.

He tells us that the spread of the Reformation led the Reformers to study chiefly the doctrinal parts of the Bible, more especially the writings of the Apostle Paul, and of these more especially the Epistles to the Colossians, and Romans. But these were largely closed to the readers because of the neglect to apply the historic sight to them. His words are 'Cal vin's doctrine of predestination is a proof how severely the neglect of historic studies avenged itself.' With that statement I am inclined to agree. There is far too little acquaintance with the Olel Testament history and its intent, and in consequence it is utterly impossible to ani ve at a true idea of the New Testament doctrine. Our former papeL's give in detail our view of the purpose of Old Testament doctrine of the history, Kingdom, and we here briefly state: (l) The aspect, language relating

. ..

IE

have

now

reached

stage

where

an

investigation of the Bible doctrine of election seems necessalY. If the teaching gi\-en hitherto should doctrine, be no especial so much has been difficulty carefully to followed, there That be in such a search. many,

in its covenanted of election, the purpose

gives us the key to the doctrine concerning

which is based on the Divine

of a bugbear

should

intelligible from the truths already examined. In last month's paper, the question of the relation of the Church to the Kingdom was under consideration, and we found that it was a Divine arrangement that the Kingdom should be given to the descendants of Abraham, and we saw that Divine grace has so planned it, that those even, who are not the sons of Abraham according to the flesh, should yet become his <eed by faith, that believing Gentiles might share in the provision made for the establishment of the Kingdom and in its glories. But here comes in the entire question of , election,' and believers should endeavour to understand it, chiefly because of its Bible importance, and because of the conflicting theories held concerning it. The common view is, 1hat it signifies the exercise of lt Divine and sovereign choice of the individual for an entrance into heal-en, and implies for those not elected an irrevocable condemnation to hell. By some the doctrine of reprobation is deemed to be the necessary counterpart to election. Election is called a qracioue purpose, and reprobation is a [us! purpose. God from eternity has 'determined' not to save millions of immortal beings from everlasting misery, and therefore withholds from them the regenerating influence of His Spirit. In the Assembly's Larger Catechism, it is distinctly stated that God, 'by an eternal and immutable decree,' hath fore-ordained all but the elect to 'wrath to be for their sin inflicted to the praise of the glory of His justice.' That' wrath ' is to be manifested in 'sepal'f1tion from the comfortable presence of God, and most grievous torments of soul and body, without intermission, in hell fire for ever.' But why should it be assumed so readily that the doctrine of election must carry with it the idea of reprobation 1 Is it not because there is held a wrong and limited view of man's nature, and of the purpose of God 1 -. b I I 1 f '1 I I. Is it not ecause t iere ias oeen ai ure to see t ie teac llng ., .. concerruug the Kingdom, and thus the key which fits all the wards of the lock has not been found? Auberlen long ago saw the folly of much of our modern interpretation.

to this theocratic Kingdom. out a people (2) That purpose demands the gnthering whose character is predetermined, to whom the Kingdom through which they

can be entrusted. (3) On the acceptance of conditions come into line with that purpose.

Election is, then, so far as God is concerned, preordained. Such a people will be gathered to be 'a Kingdom and priests,' God changes not and His purpose will be carried into effect. Man comes into the predestined order, as 'elect' 01" chosen,' just so soon DS he falls in with the determined process of engmfting through faith in Christ. Throughout the Scriptures the principle of choice is declared, but invariably with the design of blessing others beside the chosen. Whilst undoubtedly there is a choice of the faithful for high blessings, yet the Yel'Y choice implies blessings to be bestowed upon others through their means. In no case do es the blessing end at OL'with the chosen. If this can be established, then the idea of 'reprobation' as a necessary counterpart to 'election' is done away with. Can it be established 1 Easily. Examine the history of Abraham, The whole of it bears testimony to that great fact. Why was Abraham chosen: 'I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; nd be thou. et blcssinq. . and in thee shail all families of tile earth. be blessed.' Gen. xii, 2,3. Inasmuch as that is the great object in view throughout the Old Testament, and as the New Testament message has the same object in view (see Gal. iii. 8), wc may hold to it as a clear principle that the election in the New Testament does not differ in its put'pose from that of the Old. Election in the Old Testament is iuvariably connected with the well-being of the Kingdom, and with its final and complete establishment as its ultimate object. God made choice of the centre of government-the place of His palace: 'U t till' J J I I'd n 0 le pace W IIC 1 the "0]'( your bo shall choose out of all yoUI' tribes to put his name there, even unto His habitation shall ye seek, and thither thou shalt come.' Dent. x ii, 5, 11, 14. Of the people:

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1892.

, For thou art a holy people unto the Lord thy God, and the Lord hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto Himself above all (other) peoples that are upon the face of the earth.' Dent. xiv, 2. Of the king: 'Thou shalt in any wise set him king over thee whom the Lord thy God shall choose.' Deut. xvii. 15. But the choice of these was that the promised blessing might spread out upon' all families of the earth.' Let me re-affirm these' first principles.' (1) The Jewish nation was chosen because of J ehovah, having in view [1, Divine political world dominion. Tt is pre-eminently suitable that a nation, alone susceptible of kingly goverument, should be selected for its acceptance and final realisation, God in His sovereignty and mercy

{tbe IDluce IDrepareb for

tbe

:fJ3ribe.

TH~~place prepared for- the bride! Oh, what a subject for mortal man to write about. Who would dare think of dealing with such an one, were it not for the fact that God' in His infinite goodness has, here and there, by the hands of his messengers, lifted the curtain of futurity sufficiently to give a glimpse, though only a very faint one, of the zlories that are vet to be revea led. Be it ours, with God's 'help, to range these glimpses side by side, and if possible, " " bring up a picture to the mind's eye that shall be worthy the subject, When a young man has bestowed his affections on one of the opposite sex, and feels sure in his own mind that she i~ worthy, and that his love is returned, the one great desire of his life for the time being, is to make her his bride, his wife, so that she may be always near him, that together they may tread the path of life, and together share the good or ill that life may have in store for them.

raised up this nation. (2) The 'election' embraced a nationality, viz., the natural descendants of Abraharn in their associated capacity. It includes them aJI so far as descent in a certain line is concerned. This is clearly seen by what SOlOeterm exclusiveness, or 'the middle wall of partition. To this end he prepares ,t place for his hride-a home to In other words, none but a member of that nation had take her to, when they twain shall have been made one by this Kinzdom offered to him until the election embraced the law of the land. The best house, best furniture, and others by'" way of adoption as the seed of Abraham. in fact, the best of everything as far as his means will (3) This election was an absolute unconditional election allow, are got together to make a fitting place wherein to so far as the national descent from Abraham was affected. install his bride, and we may be sure that J'esus will be The Kingdom is solely promised to the descendants of content with nothing short of the best for His bride. Abrahani in their national aspect, and hence arises the Sometimes when reading of the pomp and magnificence necessity for the engrafting of the Gentiles if they are to displayed at the marriages of royal personages, we exclaim, become' rnem bel's of the common wealth of Israel.' how grand, how beautiful it must have been; and without (4) The unbelief and sinfulness of the nation lOay for a doubt, the sight must be a grand and beautiful one. This time remove the mercy and the favour of God, but it does beauty and magnificence, however, is the result of a few not remove the election, for when the children of Abraliam, weeks, 01' at most, months, of man's puny efforts and composing the nation, are gathered out, both natural and limited resources, and if it seems so splendid, what must engrafted, the election, never set aside, denotes the that be which shall be the result of two thousand years restoration of the nation in' order that the promises made to labour of God's son, with His limitless resources and the nation as such, and to the faithful ones as members of boundless power? for we must remember that He it was the nation, mn,y be fulfilled. who said, 'J go to prepare a place for you.' We may search (5) Whilst the nation comprising the natural descendants the Old Testament through, and shall not find any mention, of Abraham is thus chosen, it does not follow that every or even any hint of such a body as the Church, or bride of individual is personally elected. The election is two-foldOhrist. The Messiah, as we all know, is often mentioned; first of the nation, and second of the individual member of but His bride never. Some perhaps will say, 'Who is this the nation. In the latter case it belongs only to the bride 1 and how is she constituted, 01' of what composed 1 believing obedient portion of the nation, and these are The answer to the first question is found in 1. Cor, xv., 23, chosen because they are obedient to the conditions provided 'They that are Christ's at His coming.' That to the second for acceptation. one is found in ReI". Y. la, 'Men (and women) of every So far, then, this paper is designed to emphasise the tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation,' who have washed Bible doctrine of election, and to make prominent the their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb; fact, that it is designed by its means to bless not only the that is those who have believed the Gospel as set forth by elected ones, but by it they are fitted to become the means of Christ and His Apostles, and believing, have been obedient blessing others. In our next papeL' we hope to give a few thereto, and made it the rule of their lives. 'For as the thoughts on election as it affects the Ohurch. body is one, and hath many members, and all the members ALPHA. of the body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ, For in one spirit were we all baptised into one body, In my estimation the Church, as a body, . "...', have whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free. . Now ye entirely mistaken the nature and means, or condl~LOns,.of are the body of Christ, and members each in his own part sanctification. . . . Thy have regarded sanctificabiou 1. Oar. xii. 12, 13-27. This is that which in as oonsistins in the annriliilatiori of the constitutional pro- thereof.' other ages was not made known to men-the Mystery of pensities, in~tead of the controlling them. -P"I'o! li'inney.

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1892.

THE BIBLE stANDARD .

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171

God. 'God having raised up Christ from the dead, and made Him to sit at His right hand, far above all rule, power, etc., hath put all things into subjection under Him, and gave Him to be head over all things to the Church, which is His body, the fullness of Him that filleth j all in all.' Eph.i. 20-23. 'This mystery is great j but I speak in regard of Christ and of the Church.' Eph. v, 32. Says Christ (Matthew vi. 20), 'Lay up for yourselves treasure in heaven.' In John xiv. 2, 'I go to prepare a place for you.' Acts i. 11, declares by the mouth of the angelic witness, speaking to us through Peter, that He went to heaven j while Paul, in his Epistle to the Ephesians, repeatedly makes mention of the heavenly places, or heaven lies. 'Our citizenship or commonwealth (says Paul, in Ph ill. iii. 20) is in heaven, from whence also we wait for a Saviour, the Lord J'esus Christ.' Speaking of Abraham, in Heb. xi. 10, Paul says, 'He looked for the city which hath tile foundations, whose builder and maker is God.' Again, in xii. 22, he says, 'But ye are come unto Mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, to the general assembly and church of the first born who are enrolled in heaven j' and in Gal. iv, 26, 'But the Jerusalem which is above, is free, which is our Mother.' From these passages we learn then, that the place preparing for the bride is above, in heaven 01' the heavenly place, and heaven is where God dwells. But do men, 01' any part of them, go to this heavenly Jerusalem at death 1 and will the city always remain in its present position in the heavens 1 A most emphatic no can fearlessly be given to both these questions, for .Iesus, in .Iohn Y. 28, says, 'All that are in the tombs shall heal' His voice and shall come forth' j and in speaking of those who are His by gift, in vi. 39, 40, 44, 55, 'I will raise him np at the last day,' clearly proving that instead of being in heaven, they are in their graves j while Paul, in I. Cor. 15, shows conclusively that everything depends upon a resurrection from the dead for a future existence. In I. Thes. iv. 16, he says, 'For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God j and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we that are alive, that are left, shall together with them be caught up in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air.' These passages we think sufficiently answer the first question, while Rev. v. 10, and xxi. 2-9, 10, just as clearly and sufficiently answer the second. How long the city with its blessed inhabitants will remain in the heavenlies we cannot say, for we are not told definitely. There are those who incline to the opinion that it will be seven years, the last seven of Daniel's seventy sevens, or from the secret rapture of the saints to the appearing of Jesus with great power, to put down evil, and take the government into His own hands. This view we also favour. Others, however, think that while the saints have power to pass to and fro from the glorious city to the earth, for which idea they think they have warrant in J acob's vision of the ladder reaching from earth to heaven, with angels ascending and

descending, the city itself will not actually descend to the earth until after the Great White Throne Judgment, or more than a thousand years after the secret rapture of the saints. Personally, as before stated, we think the shorter period IS more nearly correct. And now we come to the second part of our self imposed and pleasurable task--viz., 'The Marriage Supper of the Lamb.' Adelaide, October 4, 1892.
o

F. B. H.

Won wtll nceer oo it.

THEJU~is many a thing resting upon your mind which you believe to be of importance, and to which you purpose to gi ve attention ,: and yet you will neve1' do ft. People seem to know nothing of the flight of time, and before they are aware their time is gone. A Christian worker was persuading a man to seek the Lord, and turn to Christ. The man was afraid he should not hold O1{t. He had been thinking of it for some time, but hesitated for fear he should not hold out. The worker inquired how old be was. He was over el:yhty yeal's 01(1, and still was putting off present repentance and present duty, for feaa: he might not hold out! There is nothing, perhaps, more deceptive than old age. It creeps stealthily and silently along. Day by day men put oft' things to which they should give attention, till at last, to their amazement, the last day spent, their strength is exhausted, their life is gone, and their work is undone. If a man has anything that must be done, the sooner it is done the better. If there is anything he fully intends to do, let him do it with his might. If he has business to close up, a will to make, affairs to settle, good works to do, property to dispose of, money to give away, now is the time, the only certain time. The future is hidden where no angel's eye can pierce it. God deals with us in the present. He bids us act in the present. It is now or never. Make Hp your mind what you want to do, and do it. Things which you have little interest in 01' care for can be deferred j but the needful work must be done, and done quickly, for the night cometh wherein no work can be done. Above all let the great concerns of salvation be attended to. Let not the hours pass by unimproved. Let not the time come when in the bitterness of helpless despair you shall say, 'The harvest is passed, and the summer is ended, . and we are not saved.' 'Behold now is the accepted time. Behold to-day is the day of salvation.' 'To-day if ye will heal' his voice harden not your hearts.' 'Whatever else you neglect do not neglect the great salvation. 'Whatever else you forget do not forget God. Whatever else you postpone do not postpone repentance, but bring forth fruits meet for repentance, and make ready to stand with the redeemed in the presence of the Lord. What wade are YOU putting oil till it shall be too late? -The SafegltCwd.

172
____ ; 0

tHE
~

BIBLE
_

STA:NDARD.
H

l\OVEMBER,

1892.

~bc

)plank :meal's."

A YOUNG man of missions lay dreaming, In the roseate dawn of the day, Of what he could do as a teacher, At home or in isles far away. The city seemed folded in slumber=The sleepers unheeding the morn, The breath of the dew-laden roses, The May-bush by strips of fresh corn. Outstretched was the city around him, In silence, \I ith sunshine aglow, With streets, massive buildings, and churches, And purlieus of shadow and woe. High over the scene were the heavens And white clouds in fathomless space, Where nought of grim want or dark error His lim ted vision cattle! trace. lle
I

A SHIP was wrecked some time in the last century on the coast of Cornwall: All hands went down save one sailor boy, who was washed on to the shore, barely living, and who lay bruised and ready to perish for weeks on a sick bed. He was visited by a young man-e-whether in or out of the pastoral office matters little-a young man who strove to lead the sinking sailor lad to the Cross of Christ as the anchor of the soul, sure and steadfast, in the storm which destroys both soul and body in hell. 'Suppose,' said the missionary, , that when your vessel was in pieces round about you off' the coast, and you felt yourself sinking, exhausted, beneath the surge-s-suppose you had caught hold of a plank as it floated by you, and felt that, as you clutched it, it bore yoU!' weight, and held you up till relief could come, you would thank God for that plank, would you not?' 'Yes, sir,' gasped the boy; and the boy was made to understand that the plank was Christ, bearing up the spirit of the sinner in the tempest of wrath. Many years rolled away, and the Christian missionary toiled on, miles and miles from the southern coast, in the midst of some northern city. One day he was again in a sick room. Everything showed that it was also a room ready for a death. They moved about silently and reverently, as men do when they expect the coming of the king of terrors. The sufferer was nearly, nearly gone. The visitor, true to his old calling, bent down to whisper to the dying man words about the great salvation and the life after death. 'Is it well with your spirit l' said the old mISSlOnaty. And there was a sudden glance of the eye that had begun to fix, and the head turned round, and a last flush covered the white face, and then a smile-such a smile-' God bless you, sir! The plank bears, sir! The plank bears!' ~I\ d so it did. n It had borne him ever since, and clinging to it he got safe to land!

fancied he heard a soft whisper, lIis doubts and his dreaming above; The city is misty, benighted, Uncheered by the spirit of love.' sun-lighted pillow, of what had been said. wiil list to Thy message, thy servan t be led.'

He turned on his Half-conscious Speak, Lord, I By Thee shall

The voice in a whisper said, 'Young man, A-weary, soul-troubled and tossed, My sheep from life's pastures are straying, My lambs without care lIlay be lost. , In the hurry and crush of the city, Gold gathering, revel and scorn, There are thousands ready to perish, And thousands depressed and forlorn. The overcrowded by -ways and alleys Are full of my wandering sheep, While some of the college-taught pastors A ppear to have fallen asleep. , Formality. coldness. and vestments, And music, so pleasing to youth, Have taken the place of devotion, And nearly subverted the Truth. , Few point to the still, living waters, Few lead to the pastures of green, . Where flowers of peace ever flourish. And lights of the ages have been. , In the skirts of the populous city Are scenes fraught with fever and pain, From dens in deep, pestilent shadows Come sounels of life's stress and its strain. with paper-patched windows, Wrong marks misery's features with scars; God's light never streams through the casements, Not even the light of the stars.'
I

lPractical )pra\?er.
A POOR man who had a large family gave them a very comfortable support while he was in health. But he broke his leg, and was laid up for some weeks. As he would be for some time destitute of the means of grace, it was proposed to hold a prayer meeting 1l,t his house. The meeting was led by Deacon Brown. A loud knock at the door interrupted the service. A tall, lank, blue-frocked youngster stood at the door, with an ox-goad in his hand, and asked to see Deacon Brown. , Father could not attend this meeting,' he said, 'but he sent his prayers, and they are out in the cart.' They were brought in, in the shape of potatoes, beef, pork, and corn. The meeting broke up without the benediction. Many who pray would do well, we fancy, sometimes send their prayers in such a way.-Golden Rule. to

In attics,

, I know that Thy words, gracious Spirit, Are loving, and tender, and true; I fain would be active and useful, Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do? ' , Go forth to the haunts of the wretched, Of sinners from virtue enticed, , rend the lambs with the care of a shepherd, And tell of Life only in Christ. , Show the dishonest gambler his folly, Stay the drunkard's wild steps to the grave. For these I have sorrowed and suffered; Go forth in My Spirit and save.'

-John Biaclcmau.

NOVEMBER,

1892.

THE BIBLE STANDARD.

Ignominious we die.' indeed, 'Let u,s eat and drink,

173
for to-morrow

:f13apti5eb for tbe IDea~.

, If the dead rise not, why are they then baptised for the dead .,. T. Cor. XL, 29. Now, seeing that the action of baptism 01' immersion is emblematic of burial, it does not at first sight wear a very logical aspect when we see the Apostle putting forth as suggestive of a futuro resurrection-life, an action which is figurati ve only of death and burial. But when it is remembered that the initiatory Christian rite consists of two actions-first, the burial, then the being lifted up again out of the watery grave, the explanation is not so far to seek. Strictly speaking, the Greek term baptism refers solely to the first action, that of immersion or burial; but the Peschito or Syriac version invariably alludes to the rite, not in thesense of burial, but in the sense of rising up and being made to stand firm (from the root word translated pillar, as in the passage in the Epistle to the Galatians, 'James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars '). By both of these representative figures-viz., the figure of burial and the figure of rising again, believers are privileged to follow their Lord; and the Apostle is careful to place and rctain them both in evidence, as alike pregnant with meaning and equally fraught with superlative issues. He therefore reminds the Colossians th~t they had not only been buried with Christ in baptism, but that they had also been raised up with Him, through faith in the working of God, who raised Jesus from the dead-such faith, by fellowship with their illustrious Leader, resulting in the fact of their personally becoming 'quickened '-in other words, in their receiving the gift of immortality. 'If then,' as he proceeds further to plead with them, 'ye be risen with Christ., seek those things which are above, ctc.' With the like logical fitness he could urgc in his prophetic discourse on the Resurrection, 'If by that declaratory and symbolic action of yours, you have arisen and been made to stand up with Christ, in what does the meaning or value of that declaratory action consist, if it does not point to fl, new

Here, in this Syriac version, it will be observed that in place of the expression' baptised for the dead,' we have the phrase, 'being made to stand up after the death.' Various are the conjectures which from time to time have been brought forward by commentators to throw some historic light on the term' baptised for the dead'; but as they are all eminently unsatisfactory, they will not be here recited. The difficulty has arisen from the Greek word baptism being understood to embrace the entire ceremony. The Syriao term, on the other hand, goes farther than the Greek, and looking beyond the symbolic burial prefers to designate the transaction by a salutation-phrase, expressi ve of the solid foundation of the Christian hope. The new converts, therefore, are declared to be 'confirmed,' not by pontifical hands, but fortified like their Master by the joy that was set before them. And good need had those early confessors for this sustaining hope. By the personal manifestation which they had of that hope, they bad rendered themselves gazing stocks to a scoffing world, and would have to look forward to the very extremity of trial. Entirely cut oft' and separated from .their former lives, they were now to become of all men most miserable.' The prospect of a resurrection could alone suffice to enable them to sustain the cross; but then also, they well knew, it would bring them off at last more than conquerors.

While the illustrious apotheosis of the Great Day remains the culminating object of the martyrs' hopes, let it be remarked in conclusion, that there were other subordinate features of the Christian life set forth and mirrored by the baptismal service which the popular practices of succeeding ages have long put out of sight. One of these uses may he thus stated: 'That, while the communion feast was designed to teach the corporate cneness of the entire Church, it was otherwise with the baptismal service, which dealt expressly with units.' Here, in baptism, the dominant idea was the individual bestowal and reception of eternal life. Here no stranger might intrude; the whole value of the service or resurrection life l' consisting in the personal request of the penitent to be It comes then to this, that what the first part of the permitted to undergo the rite. Here, then, there was no initiatory rite, viewed by itself, does not predicate, the omi operatum manipulated on the person either of infant secondary or consummating part does predicate. The first or of adult; and proxyism, under the circumstances, could points to an indispensable condition-indispensable because not fail to be regarded as a profane interference no less without first dying to sin there can be no rising to a life of than a philosophical absurdity. We have no right to usurp holiness. But the secondary, or completing action, points or to anticipate the Christian actions of our children, or of not only to a life of holiness, but to resurrection. In the other persons. Let every man be fully persuaded in his language of Peter, it is the appeal of a good conscience, of own mind.-J AMES vV AYLRN, in The Faith. a conscience set at rest for ever in the fruition of a hope full of immortality. The Rev. Dr. Pierson, preaching on Sunday, May 8, to a Before going farther let us recite the passage in question in the Metropolitan Tabernacle, in the Peschito sense-' If the dead rise not, alas for those very large congregation who have been made to stand up after the death,' that is to said he had been a student of the Prophetic Scriptures for say, 'Why are they, by the lifting of them up out of the more than thirty years, and from Daniel's prophecies he was convinced that we were nearing the end of the times watery grave, dramatically represented as rising to newness of the Gentiles. Yet the Church appeared to be asleep to of life, if all their resurrection hopes thereby symbolised the question of the nearness of the end of the Gospel Age, are to perish in the ignominious issue of annihilation l'

174

THE BIBLE

STANDARD.

NOVEMBER,

1892.

$ometbtllg

1be IDit) Iknow.

trbe cbnenau'e

atntuoe U:owart)t: 1tfe

3nellranCe.

IN former days candidates for admission to certain churches were examined as to their knowledge of sundry doctrines. Questions which no theologian could answer were gravely put to uneducated men, and even to boys. On the length of his reply and the frequency with which he used the stereotyped phrases depended, in some degree, the approval which the Church committee showed the candidate. Among the young people in a New England village who professed themsel ves Christians was a simple-minded youth of the smallest possible amount of wit consistent with moral responsibility. But being sincerely anxious to join the Church, he presented himself to the Church committee. The first question put to him was :'Do you understand the doctrine of the Trinity? ' , No, I can't say I do.' 'Can you give the committee a definition of regeneration?' , I don't think I can.' 'Well, what do you understand by fore-ordination? Take plenty of time to answer,' said a kind-hearted old deacon, thinking the candidate was confused. , I don't know much about it.' , Can't you give us some opinion respecting God's decrees?' , I'm afraid not.' , 'Veil, then,' said the minister, (),little impatiently, ' what do you know l' Promptly came the answer ;, I know that I'm a sinner, and I know that Christ died to save me. And I want to join the Church to get more help from Christ and His people.' Every member of that committee felt rebuked, and one of them said afterwards: 'I learned from that moment to respect the spiritual knowledge of the humblest man or woman, and not to think so much of that knowledge which comes from the head alone-.'-Sel.
---+--

U:be :fJ3etHpplee on U:op.

Two worthy deacons from a village church have just left my study. They came to see if I knew of a 'good even minister for their parish.' They did not want a great or brilliant man, but an even man. Said one: 'We have had five pastors in twelve years, and all of them" put their best apples on top," preaching first-rate sermons for three 01' foul' months and then growing poorer and poorer.' The good men were anxious to find a man who would hold out. It is surely bad for ministers or farmers to put their best apples on top. This is the main reason for so many short pastorates. A man to wear must not only preach as well but better each succeeding year. As long as a man grows the people will be content with him. Pulpit sluggishness has more to do with short pastorates than the fastidiousness of the pew. Too many preachers mistake facility for growth, but this very increased ease on the part of the preacher frequently decreases his power as a speaker. That which costs us but little moves others less. Preachers, like trees, should give more and larger fruit the older they grow.-Rev. Smith Bake?',oj Loioell.

I HADhoped that some of the leading brethren would have taken up this subject and thoroughly thrashed it out in the STANDARD. All must admit that to the Christian it is a very important matter 01' careful consideration, especially at this time, when life insurance is all but universal.. I beg to submit the following, not as an exhaustive dealing with the subject, but merely as a few stray ideas and thoughts hastily thrown together, which seem to tend rather towards discountenancing than upholding the pmctice of life insurance. However, I am only a learner, and I hope ere long to see a clear expression of opinion from those who are taught in the Word. It will be admitted on nearly all hands that fear of poverty, either of the insurers or of those dependent on them, is the chief motive that mduces persons to insure, and thus to lay up a- fund that will be available by-and-bye. To my mind there is no special principle involved in the matter of insurance more than in the investment of spare cash by banking, investing in property, or any other means. In each case the principle is the same, viz., laying by a reserve against a time of need j hence the line of argument that would condemn life insurance would in like manner condemn the making any provision for the future by means of investment 01' otherwiseBut, to the Word; OUI' Saviour mys (Matt. vi. 19, 20), 'Lay no up treasure upon earth. but lay up enduring treasure in Heaven,' giving as his reason (v. 21), 'Where your treasure is there will your heart be also.' His instructions were, 'Take no thought for your life what ye shall eat,' etc. (see Luke xii. 22 to 40), 'Sell that ye have and give alms to the poor, and lay up treasure in Heaven.' See also our Saviour's reply to the young ruler, 'If thou wouldest be perfect, sell all that thou hast, , etc. (:\1att. xix. 21 j Luke, xviii. 18 to 22). When Jesus sent out the seventy they were not to take changes of clothing or money, 'for the labourer is worthy of his hire.' He has laid it down that it is hard for those who have riches to enter the Kingdom of God. The question is, What are riches? Where is the line to be drawn 1 Paul says (Heb. xiii. 5), 'Be content \~itlt SUCll things as ye have. for He hath said, I WIll never leave or forsake thee.' Is the object of in surance to provide 01' those we may leave behind us? Then I read, , Leave thy fatherless children j I will preserve them alive; and let thy widows trust in me' (Jer. xlix. 11). If the Christian has been 'diligent in business, fervent in spirit serving the Lord' with his increase, he need have no fear of those he may leave behind him coming to poverty (Ps. xxxvii. 25). But we have not to look for death, but the Lord's coming (James Y. 8). It is near at hand. Whose then shall be the mOtley we have saved up (which was, in fact, the Lord's money, and should have been spent in his work) ? We are God's-s-spirit, soul,. and body; hence all we possess is his too; and as we have freely received, we should freely give. Trusting in fiJ,ith on Him to supply all our future needs, A PRIMI'I.'lVE CATHOLIC.

NOVEMBER,

1892.

THE BIBLE STANDARD.

6. Citizens appointed to preside over the annual games

175
(Bible

rf:.)fS:. ?,;~~

~~ft:~-<--=---

~i4
~-

n' ~~~~~t
@ut
---=~p;5;;.~~~Ol'ller
HINTS.

~~:,~~ -

----:~~--.J>-_~~~ h\lb re) t' S /rc~~~,'t~~

Dictionaru-; 7. Acts xxi. 12.

t!f

MPETITOR.s must be under eighteen years of age. It will be understood that the answers sent are tlc entire work of the children.

8. Acts xvii. 5-6. 9. The image of Diana enshrined in the temple and supposed to have fallen from heaven (Classical Dictiol1ct1'y). 10. Accuse (R. V.). RESULTS. -- Ten correct: May Brewster, Helen Brewster, Margaret Green, Fanny French, James J. French, Louis Falkner, Sydney Smith, W. Judkins, Nine correct : Ernest Aldridge.
ANSWERS TO EXTRA QUESTlONS.

Begin with the present set. Do not write the questions, but send the answ~rs numbered to correspond with the questions, and state where you found them. "Trite in ink. See that your note contains name and address, and reaches me not later than the 18th of the month. Competitors South of Wellington, and in Australia are allowed extension of time equivalent to the time taken for the STA TDARDto reach their homes. To give an opportunity to those who are over the above-stated age, and who would like to compete, we have decided to form another class; age from eighteen to twenty-one. These will be expected to answer the stated questions, and the extra ones, which latter the yonnger class need not attempt. 'Y rite answers to extra questions on separate sheet of paper. Do not keep hack, though yon cannot sol ve every question.
THE APOSTLE OF THE GENTILES.

Margaret Green, Helen J. Brewster, Louis Falkner, 'V. J ud kins, 1. Alexander was put forward to speak on behalf of the Jews against Paul and his companions. Some writers think that Alexander had been a Christian, but had changed to Judaism, and was therefore drawn out as a propel' person to accuse Paul, and that he was that Alexander the coppersmith (2 'I'iru. iv. 14) who did Paul so much harm, and who had been delivered by him unto Satan (1 Tim. i. 20). 2. Ephesus was a free city under Rome, and should the emperor hear of the coming together of such a riotous mob, without a proper cause, there was a danger of its charter of freedom being taken awfty. H.J.B.
EXTH_\

Qv ESTION~.
mission? by 1 Cor.
XI'.

11. What 12. "'I:at

was Paul's special do you understand

8.

'1Lonel\? !Il)en.
THERE are men who, though possessed of sympathetic natures, tender hearts, and social inclinations, are yet often obliged to walk alone. He who walks with God must of necessity walk alone. He must go when others stay; he must halt when others press on; he must tUI'I1back when others go forward; he must listen to inward voices, and heed admonitions of which others know nothing. He cannot follow the multitude to do evil. He cannot rush lawlessly or carelessly. He has thoughts which do not enter the minds of those around him, and com munings and questionings which others do not have. Sometimes he may be counted unsocial and morose. Sometimes his deeper thoughts withdraw him from the fellowship and the friendship of the careless and the fri \'010U5; and these conditions he cannot change. But though he may be alone, yet God is with him; and, walking with God, he has peace within, though there may be clouds above, and storms on every hand. Let us not be too hasty to judge the lonely, silent, solitary men. Prophets and saints have walked alone; and men who lack the fellowship of their neighbours may often hold communion with their God.

SECOND

SERIES-ELEVEXTIf
(tlld

SET. XX.

Poul rrvisits Mocedoni

Gl'eecr-Acts

1-7.

1. Where before this do we rend tltltt Paul intended to pass through Macedonia? 2. In what three towns in Macedonia had he previously preached 3. What was the chief city in Greece (or Achaia)? 4. "There (10 we read that 'I'itus JIIet Paul in this journey': 5. What is the meaning of purposed in verse 3? 6. \Vhich of the companions mentioned here accompnnied Paul to Rome? 7. Which of them is mentioned nowhere else than in this passage ? 8. In which of his Epistles does Paul speak of t his visit to Troas? 9. Where do we read of his first visit to Troas .: 10. 'V here in 1. Corinthians is there a reference to the first day of the week ':
ANSWERS TO TENTH
SET.

1. The Christian Religion (Bible Dictionarm. 2. Artemis tmarqi of R. V.). 3. Miniature models of the temple and image

of Diana

(Bible

Dictionarus.
4. The temple was 425 feet. long by 220 feet broad, and was surrounded by 127 columns, 60 feet high, each the gift of a king. The building was of pure white marble, its folding doors were of cypress wood, the colonnades were roofed over with cedar, supported on columns of green jasper; and the staircase was formed of the wood of a single vine from Cyprus. The image enshrined in this magnificent temple- was a rude wooden female figure. (Classical Dictionary.) 5. Athens (Acts xvii, 29).

The Simla correspondent of the London Times says: 'A sign of the anti-English Ieelicg in Russia is that all !--lindoos have been ordered to quit Turkestan within six months. Many bankers and traders who have been settled for ge"erations in Bokhara, Samarakand and elsewhere, have been vi: tually ruined. Fresh centres of disturbance have appeared in Afghan Turkestan, probably due to emissaries of the Russian government.' The authorities in India are becoming more and more suspicious of Russia's movements in Central Asia. The Chinese government has also been aroused, and has demanded an explanation of the appearance of Russian troops in the Pamir.

17G

THE BIBLE STANDARD.

N OV:KMB Efl,

1892.

U:be :fJ3ible$tan~ar().
'I'he BIBLE 8TA"DARD can be ordered direct from the Publisher, E. H. FALKl\ER, Karangahape Road, Auckland, 01' obtaiued from any of the Agents. 2". 6ll. PRICE per annum, post free ... beyond New Zealand, per annum, post free 3s. Od.

A UCKJ.ANn.--Sillce writing our last report, our work has g:one on steadily. The wet Sundays have somewhat thinned the atte ndance, hut now finer weather is coming we expect to see the accustomed number present. On the evening of Wednesday, October 9, a welcome meeting was given to TIro. and Sister Can on their arrival from the South. Short addresses, with music from the choir, and time given for conversation, helped to pass the hours pleasantly. By the kindness of friends all who attended were invited to partake of cake, fruit and tea, when midway through the meeting. The Bible-class has now resumed its work, and a series of studies on 'Conditional Immortality in the Light of Latest Research,' has been commenced. The attendance at the first cf these was gratifying, and the interest keen. DUKEDTN.-The parting with Bro, Carr is to us a serious loss. The farewell meeting was well attended, and the addressesgiven l.etok eued the esteem in which Bro, and Sister Can are held by the little hand here. The music rendered was appreciated. October 16..-\Ve were refreshed and cheered with the company of Brc. Slinn to clay, who comfortingly led our worship. He has the faculty of speaking from the heart to the heart, and in his homely, unpretentious way, fixing- the attention of the brethren to some Gospel narrative or other suitable to the occasion of his visit. \Ve are animated by his presence, and are in this respect his debtor. We pray the Lord will help him on his way, and give him peace.
----+--

Reputation is what men and women think of us ; eharactee is what God and angels know of us.
AGENTS FOR THE BIBLE
NEW ZEALAND.

STANDARD

Auckland-Mr. C. Mackay, Bookseller, Grey-street. " Mr. C. Mackay, Bookseller, Knrangnha pe Road. Dunedin -Mr. Aitken, Arcade. Gisbome=-Xl 1'_ A. Slack. lIamilton-Mr. John Steadman. Invercargill-Neil's Botanic Dispensary. Kamo=-Mr. J. Heape, Kaia por-s-Mr . j arnes Holland. Milton-Mr. Gregg. New Plymouth--Mr. Fred, Goodacre, COUItney Road. Timaru-Mr. J. Rowbotham, Cash Store, Church Street Thames=-Mr. W. H. Cropp. Wangaloa-Mr. Taylor.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA.

Adelaide=--Mr. Adelaide-e-Mr. Sydney-Mr.

C. Gamble, Life and Advent Book Room, William-street, City. C. Gamble, Magill Road, Stepney,
NEW SOUTH WALES.

King

W .. H. Carr, Lyndhurst.

Ebley Street,

\\"al"erle)'.

current '1Rews ano 1Rotes.

A SECOND Holiness Convention was held in Geelong from Sept. 12th to 16th. Overflowing meetings, with much enthusiasm, characterised this gathering. More than forty persons offered themselves for the mission field, and a good sum of money was received (or missionary work. Though all the world is said to open to the Gospel, there are yet some langtiages in which it is not uttered. The British and Foreign Bible Society added nine new translations of the Scriptures last year to the list. Four of these are for Africa, two for the Russian Empire, and one each for China, the New Hebrides, and the West Indies, The uprising of the Arabs in the Congo Free State, is said to be a holy' war, undertaken in compliance with decrees issued from Mecca. While the preservation of the horrible slave trade, with all its terrors and all its profits, has unquestionably much to do with the uprising, the Mohammedan authorities doubtless share the sentiments of the Archbishop of Canterbury, in regretting the too great progress of a professed Christianity. Of the deleterious effects of the Arab outbreak upon the cause of civilization and of Christianity, there can be no question, yet how those who share Dr. llenson's estimate of Mohammedans, in maintaining and supporting their religion, can heartily engage in opposing it, lye do not exactly see. The celebrated showman, Barnum, was asked on one occasion what' lie thought of evangelical orthodoxy. 'This is my opinion,' said he. , A horrid buccaneer has committed a number of assassinations, he is afterwards captured and sentenced to death. lIe repents and dies in a stale of grace; hut among his numerous victims were some who were not in 1, state of grace, and who were hastened into eternity by him, without having the necessary time to make their peace with God. Torments without end are their portion, whilst the former buccaneer will taste all the delights of an eternal state of beatitude. Is there not in this a contrast which revolts the moral sense ?' The Sword and Troioei thus criticises Dr. Petavel's book, 'The Problem of Immortality.' 'A hold and outspoken manifesto and defence of the Conditional Immortality School of Teaching. It is probably t!,e best that ca!, be, said from this point of view, and is strikingly inconclusive, 1he Scriptures are Interpreted unnaturallymeanings foisted on them to fit a preconceived theory-and the result then received with acclaim as being original and true. Those who still believe the Bible to be the perfect expression of God's will, will not he ensnared by this clever volume, but tyroes may. We should earnestly hope that few will buy it, fewer read it, fewest of all be moved from the truth of God thereby. The annihilation of the ungodly is by no means the destruction of difficulties about future life questions. It is only a change of mysteries, and to our minds a change for Ihe worse.'

Communications to the Editor to be addressed i=-G EO. A LDR I DGE, Boston Road, Auckland. All Communications to the Association to be addressed to the Secretary, \V~1. RATTRA Y, Victoria Avenue, off Eden Terrace, Auckland.

CHURCH

OF

CHRIST

Hold services as under:AUCKLAND-Foresters' Hall, Karangahape Road. Sunday, at 11 o'clock a.m., Fellowship ~leeting. 6.45 p.m., Lecture on some important Bible Theme. Sunday School at 3. Wednesday evening, Bible Class at 7.30. Evangelist's address-Geo. Aldridge, Boston Road. G rSBoRNE--c-Meeting held in private houses. Address=-Mr. A Slack. North Gisborne. ])UNED1 N-Oddfellows' 1I.l1l, Stuart-street. Sunday, at 11 a.m., Fellowship Meeting. Lecture at 6.45. Sunday School at 2.45. Prayer Meeting and Bible Class every Friday evening at 7.30. Evangelist's Address-s-Edwin Carr, Stafford Street. TIiA~IES Pollen Street Lecture Hall. Sunday, at II a.rn., Fellowship Meeting. Evening Service at 6.30. Sunday School at 2.30. Bible Class every Wednesday nening at 7.30. Evangelist's Address-E. H. Taylor, Thames.

~l F.J.RouRNE-Ilanover Rooms, Eastern Arcade. Sunday, at 11 a.rn., Breaking of Bread. Evening at 7 1'.111., Lecture on some Bihle Theme. Monday at 7.30 p.m., Bible Class, ADELAIDE, S.. \.Inquiry and Discussion Class, Black eby's Boot Shop, 226, Rundle Street, every Thursday, at 7.45 p. m. Secretary's address-F. B. Hughes, 96, North Terrace. SVo:-lEy-Warwick Hall, Station Street, Newtown. Morning meeting at 11. Bible Class Wednesday at 7.45. Secretary's address- W. Wal ner, 16 Pitt-streer,

Redfern,

Prir ' ed hv IT. ERETT, Evening Star Office, Short land-street, for i he N ell' Zealand Evangelistic and Publication Association, and published by E. H. FALKNER, Karangahape Road, Auckland, NOVEMIlEt(, 1892.