(c) Copyright 2000 Research Applications International. All Rights Reserved.
VOL. SSIII ALLEGHENY’, PA.,
NEW YEAR
We extend to our list of subscribers, and to all friends of
our cause (all of whom we hope to have on our lists soon, as
per suggestion3 in our December 15th issue), most hearty greet-
ings, wishing you all A Very Happy and Spiritually Prosperous
New Year-1902.
We trust that you were all greatly pleased with our report
for last year. Its showing of a previous deficiency wiped out,
and a snug sum on hand wherewith to begin this year’s opera-
tionq, are good cause for joy and for thankfulness to God.
The outlook for the present year, you will be glad to learn,
fieems to us verv encouraging. We are expecting much, and
believe the Lord’s nrovidences and his Word iustifv these ex-
pectations. \Ve hdpe to prepare, shortly, an” article dealing
further with the Call of this Gosnel Ace: showinn some of our
reasons for surmising that the Arxt ‘iour years”should quite
donhle the present numbers of the interested, and the present
operations in the service of the “harvest” message. It will
apprar as soon as possible, and we believe will be convincing
to all. We mention the matter now. in advance. because we
think that some are slackening thei; efforts, through a mis-
VIEWS FROM THE
THE TWENTIETH
An ’ ‘Orbhodox’
The Rev. Haweis, of St. James Church, London, England,
gives his views of this subject in the London DatZy Chrok$e,
from which we extract the following interesting items:-
“The only hope for the church of the Twentieth Century
is that it should make a clean sweep of 1900 veers of theology
and get back to Christ. We now know what this theology can
do for us. It has done a great deal. for its statements at dif-
ferent times have approveYd themsefvcs to different ages, and
been the vehicles of a certain amount of Christian truth: but
as Dean Milman said in his wise History of Christianity,
Theophilus of Antioch, who invented the doctrine of the Trinity
or, at all events, coined that theological word-did not therebv
very great.lp benefit the church. The same mav be said of ever?
other Christian dogma. It isn’t that we don’t believe the very
important spiritual truths underlying every Christian dogma,
but a form of expression of truth which is a living and a sat-
isfactory one to an ape immediatelv becomes false and dan-
gerous when a better >nd a more complete expression is de-
vised.
THE NEED FOR RE-STATEMENT
“The Twentieth Century church will insist upon re-state-
ment on a large scale. Present theological text books are obso-
lete. They p%ctically teach men ani women infidelity. The
Cimmerian darkness of Sundav-school teachin_n must be aban-
doned ; the conscientious agoni& of devout Sun&y-school teach-
ers must he relieved. They don’t believe in the old hell them-
selves, but they have to teach it; the children don’t believe it,
but they have to put their hands behind their backs and tell
the teachers these naughty lies every Sunday. The teacher does
not believe in the Bible in the way in which he is supposed
129291
.JANUAIZY 1, 1902
GREETINGS
taken supposition that little more is to be done. We hope to
convince and revive them; that they may renew their efiorts
in the service, and thus increase their joy and their usefulness.
We know not what is before US in the year, dear brethren-
nor do we need to know. If we have committed our all. for
time and eternity, to the Lord’s care, let us assure our hearts,
afresh, of divine wisdom and Dower as well as love. Resting
L
confidently in the everlasting arms, we may take whatever hi’;
providence may permit; noE only willingly, but joyfully. If
the year shall bring us blessings, prosperity and encouragement
in spiritual matters, we can while rejoicing lay by a store of
grace;
., for stormv times of trial later on. If the *vear brines
us sorrows, physical or mental anguish, let us receive them
with resignation: saying, with the Afaster, “The cup which my
Father hath poured for me, shall I not drink it?”
If, dear brethren, life’s experiences are accepted with faith,
in the manner indicated, we may rest assured that tlliq will
he not on?y a happy but a blessed year for us. It is with each
to determine this for himself under the Lord’s grace. Faithful
is he who hath called us;-let us be faithful.
WATCH TOWER
CENTURY CHURCH
’ View
to teach it. No one believes It unless he IS a fool or a brain-
less idot. . . . His creed, in the same way, as has been finelv
said, “merely stands sentinel over the hea& to keep it empty.”
“I believe,” hc says, “in the resurrcctlon of thr hodv ” Ile
doesn’t; nobody does.; but he is not allowed to tearh jnstenll:
“I believe in the survival of myself,” which was practically all
those of old meant bv the phrase, “the survival of the self.’
being to them inconce&able -apart ‘from the resurrertion of the
bodv, and so on ad infinitum. Our mistake is in nretendinz to
beli&e obsolete statements which once expresseh truth, “but
which are now qeen to be defective. We should discard them
openly and plead for proDer re-statements. . . .
* “people now despiie the clergy on account of the old rubbish
they are not ashamed to teach. ‘The twentieth centurv will not
to&ate them unless they mend their ways. The twentieth
century will go solid fo; fact in the shabe of re-statement.
‘Dear me!’ people say, ‘the working man doesn’t (IO to church.
How odd!’ *Very much odder if he-did. The twen’iieth century
will insist upon a clear statement of what we may call exact
knowledge of God or the moral nature of the Sovereirn Will
ruling t&e universe. . . . Then the twentieth century will have
to entirely change its attitude to the religions of the world,
and it will have to admit that God has always been revealing
himself, his will, his nurpose. as fast as man could receive it
and that the different’& i&perfect faiths and creeds are the
result of the obscured mediums of the intelligence and the
undeveloped spiritual faculties of man. The sun that always
shines is seen through many diverse and distorting media-
smoked glass, clouds or mere tiny cracks in a darkened room,
or again the prism, sunset clouds, or through folded lids of
(SUPPLEMENT-~)
(4-S) ZION’S WATCH TOWER ALLEGHENY. Pa.

closed eves seen hardlv at all. but still the sun is always there. what they mostly see is a whirl of Bibles, beer, brandy, mutual
The teachings of Buddha, Zoroaster, Confucius, Moses, by a jealousies, ahoddv stores and bad lives. The twentieth century
certain moral and spiritual solidaritv. show that all religums bust change all “that.
are of divine origin,* though Christianity is the religion which “Don’t I think the clergy want educating in their own
belongs to the fulness of time. theology ?
MISSIONS AND THE CHRISTIAN LIFE “Yes, but the more you educate them on the present lines,
“Then all this will surely alter the twentieth century the worse thev will be. The nroner education of the clergy
church’s ideas of missions ! Just think for a moment. When would consist -in teaching them- to-understand the real nature
missions were most active last century the universal belief was of the Bible, instead of only teaching them what various theo-
that all savages were doomed to everlasting fire. With the logians in the past have thought about the Bible, which is a
abatement of that fear there will be a certain diminution of very different thing from what modern research has shown
enthusiasm to break up the privacy of their lives. We must about its records and the value to be attached to them. It is
distinguish between missions and missions. There is an enor- unfortunate that the chief doctrines of Christianity, as under-
mous difference between attacking with the most inferior state- stood by the clergy, should have been left out of the Sermon
ments of Christianity, ancient civilizations and religious philos- on the Mount, the most perfect expression as some suppose
ophies promulgated by some of the greatest and best men and of the Christian religion. It is also unfortunate to note that
deepest thinkers of antiquity, and simply interposing in case no one can read the closing chapters of St. John without seeing
of savages in order to prevent cannibalism and slaughter. Any- that our Lord can hardly be accounted quite sound on the doc-
thing which stops that is, on the face of it, more than respect- trine of the Trinity, as it is stated in the Athanasian Formula.
able, although under the influence of clothes and the brandy The twentieth century will probably read the Sermon on the
bottle, which seem to follow disastrously in the wake of the Mount again. . . .
Bible, what we call the lower races show a tendency to im- “Humanitarianism, or pulpit interest in Politics and So-
prove themselves off the face of the earth. ciology, is a wholesome tendency as far as it goes, because
“The whole missionary method must be altered in the com- it shows the irresistible pressure put upon the clergy to make
ing century. their moral instruction bear directly on affairs of practical
“The Christian religion can only spread properly from the life; but it is dangerous as tending to confuse what is roughly
Christian life-the lives of Englishmen and Englishwomen. not called the secular with the spiritual. You can’t insist too
merely from the Christian dogma, nor the Chrigtian machinery, much on the fact that culture is not religion: religion alwavs
the Christian calico, or even the Christian bavonet. The onlv means one and the same thing-the sense-of a spiritual nature
way for missions to ‘be healthy is for the Engli”sh people abroad -and dependence upon a spiritual source external to ourselves.
so to improve their minds and intelligences as to make the I hope the twentieth century will develop both. They run on
natives come and implore them to reveal the secret of such parallel not antagonistic lines, though it would not be fair to
marked superiority and goodness, which under their own faulty say they will never meet, for there is moral and physical inter-
svstem thev seem unable to attain. The real Christian in- communication between the two. The church of the twentieth
&enee sho;ld spread as Christ spread his religion, by enthu- centurv will be deenlv sniritual. even sniritualistic. I am sure,
siasm for ameliorating the physical as well as the spiritual in a very wide sense of t’he word. Spiritualism, in all its many
condition of the people. These things must spread not by way forms however people may dislike it, does, nevertheless, stand
of proselytism-plucking the brand from the burning, which as a stout protest on behalf of man’s spiritual nature and his
was the way of the Inquisition; true Christianity is the uncon- spiritual affinities, and the twentieth century church will have
scious outflow from a nositive life. ‘Let vour lipht so shine to look very largely to the recognition and development and
before men that they may see your good works.’ ” At present purification of these spiritual manifestations and beliefs.”

THE EARLY CHURCH

ACTS 2 :37-47.-JAN. 19.
“The Lord added to the Church daily such as should be saved.”
The meager outlines of the preaching on the day of Pen- and prearranged plan-that it was necessary that Messiah
tecost, afforded us by the estracts from Peter’s discourse, indi- should die as the Redeemer of the people, before he could de-
cate simplicity, wisdom and courage, such as we should expect liver them fully. He pointed out that although it was neces-
in those who were guided by the holy Spirit. The Apostle first sary for Christ to die, nevertheless a heavy responsibility, a
took advantage of the charge of some that the speakers were curse, hung over that nation which had thus, in its wicked-
intoxicated. He showed the unreasonableness of the proposi- ness of heart, reiected and crucified God’s Son.
tion on the surface and then explained the true meaning of The word.of Iruth, as always, was a savor of life unto life
the nhenomena. referrine his readers directlv to Joel’s DroDhecv. or death unto death. (2 Cor. 2:16) To manv the words were
“And upon the servants and the handmaids in thos’c: days-i foolishness and had the death odor, and they passed on; but
will pour out my spirit.“Joel 2:29. to those deeply interested ones who remained, the Apostle’s
It may be well to note in DaSSiDE that Joel’s nronhecv is a explanation of matters was forceful,-especiallv as he backed
double one, and that, probably for the very purpose-of hiding this up by quotations from the prophets, showing that God had
the truth until due, it states matters in their reverse order; foreknown the death of Messiah. and had foretold his resurrec-
telling first about the general blessing of the Millennial age tion also, and this miraculous outpouring of his spirit, of which
“a f temard,” and telling subsequently about the blessing of the they all were witnesses. The record is that many of the hear-
Gospel age, which is confined exclusivelv to God’s servants and ers were pricked to the heart-conscience-smitten. They noted
handmaidens-‘% those day&-during the Gospel age, prior the aptness of the Apostle’s quotations and their application,
to the general outpouring of the spirit which will follow the and the logic of his reasoning; and doubtless in all these things
establishment of the kingdom. they remarked of the apostles what they had previously re-
Having gotten the attention of his hearers, many of whom marked of our Lord-that the teaching was not like that of
were believers in the prophets-and “waiting for the conso- the scribes and Pharisees,. uncertain, indefinite, but with force,
lation of Israel,” which they promised-the Apostle proceeded with authority, with distmctness, with conviction of its truth.
to nreach Christ unto them. He did not becloud his subiect And after this same sort is all the preaching of God’s true
and confuse his hearers by saying: You have heard of great servants, done under the influence of the holy Spirit. It is
philosophers and great teachers amongst the Gentiles, and as illuminating and not confusing. Error is never clear; it is
Jews we have had some great nrophets ourselves, one of whom always confused and confusing. Clearness and simplicity, on
was Jesus: but he came dire&l< to the point he wished to the contrary, are marks of the truth. For various reasons the
impress, and declared to them that Jesus. the desnised Naz- old. old story, which the Apostles here preached, is considerably
ar&e, of whom, doubtless, the majority had heard ‘something, neglected in our day by professed ministers of the Gospel of
probably derogatory, was indeed the Messiah; that though he Christ. One reason is that those who attempt to teach realize
had died, he had arisen: and having arisen and ascended on their own confusion of thought, and need first to be taught of
high, he had shed forth his power upon these speakers, who God through his Word, by his’ holy Spirit, and through such
were now his representatives and mouthpieces in the world, to channels as the holv Snirit mav use in granting illumination
declare his mercy. Neither fear of rulers nor shame in con- of mind and appreciation of the”Word. Another<reason is that
fessing the crucified one to be his Master is the least apparent the nominal churches have in great measure ceased to believe
in the Apostle’s language. He fully identified himself with the the old, old story, and have accented instead an evolution
crucified one, and as plainly declared that the rulers had been theorv. Only to & small minority -of Christian people, there-
wickedly and sinfully responsible for his death, in that they fore. ‘is the true Gosnel nrecious. The maioritv more and more
had incited the Roman governor to its accomplishment. He have itching ears for something new-a new “gospel of educa-
pointed out that this was no mischance, but God’s foreknown tion, refinement and wealth.-2 Tim. 4:3, 4.
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JANUARY 1, 1902 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (S-6)

As the Apostle clinched one feature after another of his Law Covenant, -including their national sin in the rejection of
argument, and showed how completely Jesus had fulfill&. the the Messiah. With these purged away, with the symbolical
declaration of the prophets in respect to his life, his teachmgs, washing, they would be back to the standpoint of true Israel-
his miracles, his death, his resurrection, and the holy Spirit ites, “Israelites mtleed:” and as such thev would llave everv
now Domed out unon his followers, conviction of the truth was right and privilege belonging to the Israelites, but belonging
force’d upon the minds of many of the hearers, and they cried to members of no other nation.
out. “Men and brethren. what shall we do?“-is there any GENTILES GRAFTED IN
mercy for us, seeing we’ are members of this nation, whose The Apostle Paul explains this relationship (Rom. ll), say-
rulers have thus despised God’s grace, and crucified his Son? ing that the Israelites were the natural branches in the olive
This was exactlv the condition of heart which Peter desired
root of the Abrahamic promise. As branches alreadv in that
to awaken. He w&ely realized that people must see the pro-
vision for their forgiveness and rescue before they will lay hold root they would not need to be grafted in, as do we who by
upon salvation. He would not begin by tendering mercy, but nature are Gentiles. They were already in relationship to God,
by showing the right, the truth, and the wrong. Rut now that and all that they needed to do was to repent of their sins and
his hearers were in the right condition of heart the Apostle did figuratively wash them away, when they would be fully accept-
not seek to terrify them, but promptly told them of God’s able branches in the olive tree, which would not be broken off,
mercy and love, assuring them that they were still his favored but, on the contrary, would receive now a special share in the
people, and that if they would come to the repentant condition Pentecostal blessing. Subsequently, when exhorting Gentile
of heart they would be accepted of the Lord, even as the other converts to baptism, the Apostle Paul explained most clearly
believers were alreadv accented: and that they, too, would its difference from this baptism of Jews for the remission of
h&e the blessing of the holy Spirit and its gifts: There is a sins. (Acts 19:1-61 He shows that our bantism signifies or
pattern in this preaching which all of the Lord’s royal priest- emblemizes our introduction into the bodv df Christ as wild
hood should take note of and practice as they have opportunity olive branches grafted into the approved stock, to be partakers
to dispense the good tidings. Instead of ranting, they should of the richness of the nromrses tlnoueh the root. (Rom. 6:3-5)
use logic, reason and Scriptural quotations;-and those con- We should, however. remark that the .Jew no longer holds this
victed, and seeking to know the way, should not be terrorized, same peculiar relationship : so that if the Apostle were ad-
but should be promptly assisted and guided in the Lord’s way, dressing Jews today we believe he would address them exactly
and assured of his mercy. as he would address Gentiles on this point of seeking union
The Anostle was fullv iustified in telling his hearers that with Christ. Our reasons for so thinking are: That as the
the prom&es were still <hiirs as a people; For it was clearly wtzonal favor to Israel ended with the death of Christ. in the
declared by the Lord, through the prophet, that Christ should mid& of their “weelF” of favor, so the r~rdiu~Zz~n2favor to the
be cut off in the midst of the seventieth symbolical week of Jew above the Gentie ceased with the breaking off of the nat-
Israel’s favor, leaving one-half of that seventieth week, viz., ural olive branches during the remaining thirtv-three vears of
3% years. of snecial favor to Israelites individually, after their their “harvest,” which ended with the” destruction of their
national favor had ceased.*-Dan. 9 : 25-27 ; Matt. 23 : 37, 38. nolitv. A. D. 70. A natural branch once broken 06 could be
GODLY SORROW WORKRTH REPENTANCE reunited only by engrafting-in no way drfferently from a wild-
Specifically, Peter’s answer was that his conscience-stricken olive branch. Consequently any Jew, seeking to come into
hearers should individuallv renent and be bantized. He did not Christ since the dav of wrath unon his nation. could rome in
make the mistake that “some are inclined to make, when or& under the same terms and conditions as a’Gentile.
they suppose that sorrow for a wrong is repentance. Peter -The Apostle would have his hearers understand that the
nerceived that thev alreadv were sorry, “perplexed in their rejection of Christ and his crucifixion did not end the mercy
hearts.” Sorrow is”not repentance, but, as the Apostle explains, of God toward them. These matters were merelv steps in the
“Godlv sorrow leadeth to renentance.” (2 Cor. 7 :9, 101 Re- divine plan for the execution of divme mercy ;&he -promises
pentance would be the proper fruitage or result of a proper were still theirs. vea. thev would be for their children. and
Y

sorrow. Repentance would mean a full retraction of all share ultimately for all mankind, however far they might be from
in the g.~eeatnational sin of Israel, the rejection and crucifixion God at that time. Rut he intimates distinctly that a divine
of Messiah. It would mean, therefore, an acceptance of Jesus election is connected with the matter, and that only those
as the Messiah. and the confession of him as such. And this, called of God could at present be expected to hear and to
in turn, would ‘mean that confessing him to be the Son of God respond. And this we see ahout US today, and as we look back
they would become fully submissive to his teachings, become through the nast. As Abraham sent his servant. and invited
his discinles. Repentance, therefore, rightlv understood, meant RebelFah to be the bride of his son, Isaac. so the heavenly
a great deal, and-it means no less today than then. Whoever Father has sent his servant, the holy Spirit, during this Gospel
todav refuses to acknowledge Christ as the Messiah. the sent of age, to call the xntitype of Rebckah, the church, to be the bride
GodLwhoever refuses to obey his teachings, to follow him-is of Christ-joint-heir with his Son. As not all the women of
unrepentant; no matter how fully he may believe that Jesus the world &re called to he the bride of Isaac. so at nresent
of Nazareth was the Messiah, the sent of God, the Redeemer; not all mankind are ralled to be the bride of ‘Christ. ’ Those
and, even though he sorrow at the record of the sufferings of invited to this joint-heirship must first be related to God, even
Christ, he has not come to the point of repentance until he ns the nne invited to be Isaac’s hride was a relative of Abra-
has renounced the sins for which Christ suffered, and become ham. IIence the step preparatory to this call to joint-heirship
a follower of his teachings. Only such as are thus repentant with Christ is justification through faith. The gpostlc’s hear-
have Dart or lot in the household of faith. God’s proposition ers, bein,g members of the typicallv justified nation, needed onlv
is not& to save people in their sins, but to save them-from their to accept Christ, as the &type ‘of Moses, and to recognize
sins: and durina this Gospel age the first condition of accept- sniritunl Israel as the antitvne of natural Israel. in order to
ance; and even ‘a reckoned salvation, is that the sinner shail bk fully in relationship to the Lord’s call. ’
renounce his sin and accept the Lord and the righteousness and Evidently the Lord was guiding in respect to every feature
harmony with God for which he stands as representative. “He of the establishment of thr church, and it was on this account
that hath the Son hath life, and he that hath not the Son of that so large a number as three thousand persons were prepared
God bath not life.“--1 John 5 : 12. to accept the message-to accept Jesus as thrir Redeemer and
The persons whom the Apostle addressed were all Jews, and King. and to avow themselves his followers. his discinles. It
hence he said, “Be baptized for the remission of your sins.” is not necessary that we should suppose that they were all
Bantism is not God’s appointed channel for the remission of baptized in the one day, nor are we, indeed, certain that they
sins; for, as the Apostle’ declares, “Without the shedding of all avowed their allegiance to Messiah in the same day; but
blood there is no remission.” (Heb. 9 :221 However. the Jewish that as a result of that one day’s preaching about three thou-
nation, under God’s arrangement through Moses, was accepted
of him as a whole, as a nation, and sin-offerings had been made sand were added to the church. These were not added to a
for them all as a nation, and had been accepted, and a covenant denomination, a party, a sect, but were additions to the one
had been made called the Law Covenant. Those whom the church, the body of Christ-members added to the one head of
Apostles addressed, being under the Law Covenant, were under the church. We do not read that their names were enrolled as
all these favorable conditions, under the blood of the typical members of the church, nor that they took certain vows, nor
sacrifices, typically justified and reconciled; and to them, con- that they assented to certain confessions of faith. He who
sequently, God’s promises pertained, as they did not pertain to accepts Christ as his Redeemer and as his instructor, who
the Gentiles, who had not come under such typical reconcilia- pledges himself to obedience to him, and to walk in his foot-
tion through typical sacrifices. The sin which the Apostle steps, has taken the only obligation which the Scriptures define
wished his hearers to emblematically wash away in baptism as marking those who are probationary members of the true
was not, therefore, original sin, but was a sin against their church. And it is still proper to make an outward acknowl-
l MILLENNIAL DAWN, VOL. II, p. 201. edgment or sign of this acceptance of Christ by a symbolical
[2931]
(7-s) ZION’S WATCH TOWER ALLEGHENY, PA.

baptism. The real baptism, the real consecration of the heart, also of the robe of justification. There is abundant opportunity
or will, its burial into Christ, takes Dlace first: the outward for all to join in dispensing these blessings, worth so much
or symbolical representation of this ii water is ‘the good con- more than temporal good things to those who have need ot
fesslon 11v which the intlividual shows. in God’s annointed wav. them.
to his feylows or to whoever mav witness, that hy has died to It is noteworthy that the apostles neither commanded nor
the world and become alive tow&d God through Jesus Christ advised communism ; nor do their writings intimate that it
our Lord. prevailed in the earlv church. As showinp that there were both
That the new converts were “Israelites indeed” wae demon- rich and poor in thi assemblies of the {rimitive church, note
strnttntl bv the fart thxt thcv did not speedilv fall away and the Apostle Paul’s words to Timothy, “Charge them that are
hccomc c&l. On the contrari, WC are &form& that the? con- rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust. in
t~nllrd st(~ndfa~t, rccnznizinrr the teachin-rrs of the anostles- uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly
that Got1 sp~~ci:tl~y u-Cal the,; as his repre&tatives anh mouth- all things to enjoy: that they do good, that they be rich in
l)i(~ccs for the ln\tructlon of hi? church. They thus continued good works, read!/ to distribute, ~zlll?lg to communicate; lay-
in fclln~~~l~ip ~1ith thp hou~rholtl of faith, and this would imply ing up in store for themselves a good foundation a,oainst the
nlc~c+irlg \~ith them csrc~ly first-tlnv of the week to celebrate the time to come, that they may lay h&l of eternal life.‘;’ (1 Tim.
Lord’s rrsurrection, to umtr their prayers at the throne of 6 : li ) The same Auobtle renroves some of the mealthv brethren
gr:lcc, ant1 to Ir1111cl one another up in the most holv faith.
Iit c~al,ing tl)cn sljir ituxl 1)tend on these occasions, thcv also for improper displa& in co;nrction with the Memorlil Supper,
unit(l[l in a (‘oItl1llon meal. in renreml)r:incr of tbr Lord’s first saying, “Have ye not houses to eat and drink in, or despise ye
ItlcA(+lrrg with tll(Lnl :1nt1 m:~kln~ llirnsclf known after his recur- the church of God, and shame them that have not [wenlth]-Y
rascalion in thr lllr-\inz ant1 1)tcsnkinrr of hrrad. ( Luke 21: 35) (1 Cor. 11:22) The Anostle John intimates differences in
‘1111\ hn~ ttn rcbf(atc~ttw’& tile ~lcrnnr’~al Supper, which was cele- financial contiiiion when ‘he asks, How could he who lorcs~G&~
b~nt~l yrnrly. xnrl not \vith bread alone, but also with the cup, shut up the bowels of compassion against a brother, who lacks
of e(1ilal ini;iortarrcc. llfc’s nvcmhities? (1 John 3: li) The Apohtlc James says, “lt
“Fear C.lille upon every soul”-reverence-an appreciation, a brother or sister be naked and destitute of daily fooil, and
to WIII~ cs\-tcarlt at I(an<t. of the wnntlerful rclationshin to God one of you say unto them, Depart, and be ye warmed and fed,
into !\llich tl,ey hntl brcn it!trollurrtl, and of the \i.onderful notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are need-
TIo\\clr of Cot1 \rnrkinrr tt~ their mltl~t, ant1 esnecinllv manifested ful to the body, >that doth it profit?“-James 2:15, 1G.
tllr1111z11 the mirnclc~s and signs which the &poqtl& were thus Indeed, in our judgment, the necessary lessons of life could
]I(*I ~~-ittcd to 1x1 form for the establishment of the faith of the not be so well learned, either by the rich or tlte poor, if com-
ju>tlfied. munity of goods were either the law or the rule amongst Chrls-
tians. There can be no questlon, however, respecting the pro-
COMMUKISM AT PRESENT IMPRACTICAL prirtv of cunlnz~~~i~ of p~~zslon for those u ho arc m x\ant,
Tt has brcm assumed 11r snmc that communism as that term in di;tress. It is in harmony with thrs thought that the Xpos-
1s :tppltcvl toc!:t.v, x\as prnrttrctl in ttle early cllurch; and it is tle advises earl1 to 1.1~ by him on the first dnv of tllr peek,
111~rla1m of some that it sl~ould never have been discontinued, according as God hnth prospered him, a share of his lncornc
lrllt sllr~ul~l aln ays obtain arnnngbt the Lord’s people. We an- for good service to the Lord and to tile brrthren, in temporal
‘\\ car, first, th;it the rnllv chxlrch did not practice what is now and spiritual things. (1 Cor. lG.2) Ko doubt, after t!le i\Ill-
l,rro\: n 8s (Wtt1tnuni~tn ; “srrnntl. tli.~t somEthing akin to what lennial kingdom shall have brought the willing and obrtllcnt of
tllc c:lrly rllulch c!id prnctirc (but motlifiecl) still is the rule mankind to perfection. there will be some kind of communism
nrnnng\t tllcx Lorcl’s saints : third, the estleme view (and prac- such a? we -may presume obtains amongst the angels. Even
ttrv) of the cn11y rhurch nas apparently not intende’d to then it will be a communism which will recognize some brad or
rcnlnin, xv14 nrvcr cnininchd br the Lnld nor the apostles. and authority: for amongst the angels, we arc informed, there are
SOI\ w r:ltllc>r as nn e6tlcllce &amst the feasibility- of the doc- prmcipalities and powers, cherubim and seraphim, and God
trincs of cnn~munism under pr(sscnt conditions. over all.
Fo f:lr as the rrcortl shnw there was no compulsory division The early church, full of love for the Lord and for each
of 11cl.lltli, siich as cnnmlunism purposes. On the contrnrv, other, is a beautiful and in many respects an ideal picture, in
(‘~~l~llllrl,~ \\as volurltal~: and erervthing of the same kind is which we can rejoice: no wonder it is recorded that tbcv bad
ju-t ni frc’r, jukt a~ voluntary, ant1 just as proper, nnw as then JOY, gladness, in their hearts, and in their thanksgivIng t,; God,
-r:o n1ti,r(Jhn, no lc~~qsn. Some of thoqr who owned farms and and that the people in general, their neighbors, were pIeaGed
TN’Ison:11 l,rllpfsrty soltl thym an11 brought the money and placed with them and rejoiced in their l~vmg spirit. IJOW tlell~~!ltfLll
it at tltc> Apostl(,s’ fret-gnvc it into their charae. Some may it would be if all the Lord’s mnnle in the world toclav~could
tiaxc givrn ‘all that tlicy had in this manner, litit it is not SO he thus in harmony with each. o&er and apprecintrd 1;~ thrir
stated. On the contrarv, various tlrinqs give the inference that friends and neighbors, Indeed, we mu5t supljose that tl;e Lold
l?lrnab:lq, x\ho s~ltl thr ficltl and gnrr the money, may still specially shielded the infant church for a sllnrt srawtt, until it
II,IW rot;jinrd othrr nronertlcxs. which no doubt he would have should become somewhat established in knn\\letlge and in f.lith,
1~~1 11illlng to have ;liq&e~l of lxtrr. and to havr made similar else the great adversary would have raisctl up opl)os~tlon and
11~ nf the mnnpv as it might be nrpded. The sin of Ananias persecution more quickly than he dtd. Even as it W:IS, It was
atid Snpphirn dicl not ronslst in their not putting all of their but a little time until the persecution arose, and wtth It the
propC~tp into t11~ cnrnmon trrasury, but in their deceitfulness testing of those who had espousrd the cnu.+z of Jesus. Then
in thr mnttcar;-in tllc>ir prrtrndinr to give the entire proceeds came the great scattering unrlrr rrsecution, so that tb1,se who
of nnc prnprrty whrn th(>y did not do so. Some Scriptures had learned the way of the Lor B learned adtllt~nnally pnticnce
rlcnrlv intrmatr that snmr of the T>ord’s people at that time and obedirnce;-some of them even unto death, and others
ha11 priv.ltr pnrsrsqionq aside from those which were put into being scattered abroad herame preachers of the gospel of Jesus
tllca c~~mninn fund. (Fer Acts 12:12: 21:1C,) It is possible, and their newly-found hopes in him.
of ro11t\r, thnt in the two instances cited the properties might The Lord “added to the church daily such as should be
lla\r bcc>n ,rrlrrn to the community and might have been re- saved,” sa-s our Golden Trst ; or, as the Revtsptl Velslon ren-
lllrrlc~l 11hrn the community fnilrtl, and when the brlierers were ders it, “such as were being saved.” As the same Apostle
vnttc-ml nl~roxd. On tllr nthrr hano, we think it reasonable Peter declares, the salvation promised us is still future,--we
tn q1ippo-p tllnt the sellin g of the possessions was merely to are waiting for it; it is “to be brought unto, q1.sat tbc revela-
~11~11 an c,\tont RS nns nrccssnry to &pply the wants of all-so tton of our Lord and Savior Jesus,” at his second advent. (1
Ilrnt nr\n(l of tlln Lnrtl’s ncoi)lr minht lack while others had Pet. 1:13) But meantime there is a beginning of this salva-
: illlr~rllilitv This 1,1n11ni b&thcrlinrqs and common interest tion in the present life. Even now we arc, as the Apostle
.illo~:lrl still prrrnil amongst tllc Lord’s people. Indeed, to a declarer, “savetl by. hope.” (Ram. 8 :24) The salvation is not
cc~n<ltlrinl)!r cxtcxnt it mu<t prcvnil. or else we are none of his. mcrcly of hope, &her, but it bcgms to take hold upon us
11-r are not to forg:rt, however, that the necessity for private mentally, morally and physically-the regenrrating -vork be-
prnvi\ion of this kind today is lc\< than it nns eighteen cen- gms: the ne,v mind, the nc’w nill, is the start, and from that
tulIc5 ago, for nnw tllrrcl arc mnnp more opportunities for proceed5 true obetllence to the Lord’s Kortl, progress in knowl-
earning a lirellltond. ant1 many prnvisions for tile aged, the sick edge anti progress in grace, nr’tl all the prngrc’sq of the new
ant1 t!,r in4rm. Thr nul)lic nrnrision for the noor todav is creature. It often. indred. means the sacrifice of the earthly
yrnb~ll~ly quite supcrm; to til:rt nhirh was accirded todthe interest3 of thtn natural mxn, but it means thr devrlnpment of
poorer brpthrrn unclrr cnnsitlrration. The same spirit of ?haritv the new crratllre. It means the progress of the wnrli of sal-
iind4 ample npportunitv today. On evrrr sicle 1i.e sre brethren vation in the heart, which alone God rrcoxnizes. and thr new
ant1 si\ttars havinc need. not of the ment’thxt ncriqhrtb. but of creature thus making progress is ultimately to be perfected in
the “meat in due’season,” the spiritual food, ind having need salvation by a shnr~ in the “first resurrection.”
[29321
 SUCH AS I HAVE,
ACTS 3 : I-10.-JAN.
“The Lord ds my strength a& my song;
Probably it was not long after the day of Pentecost that
the events of this lesson transpired. Our last lesson notes the
fact that the believers, filled with their new joy, went fre-
quently to the Temple fbr prayer and thanksgiving: This lesson
shows us Peter and John attending the Temple service at the
hour of prayer, three o’clock in thg afternoon: These two had
been with the Lord and with each other for now several years.
Both had been disciples of John the Baptist, and previously
they two had been together in the fishing business. They were
also specially favored amongst the twelve, being with Jesus on
the Mount of Transfiguration, and in the inner circle in the
Garden of Gethsemane, etc. Although Peter was probably the
eldest of the disciples, and John probably the youngest, and
although their dispositions were quite different in many re-
spects, apparently there was a strong element of harmony be-
tween them-they both loved the Lord very intensely, and they
were both of ardent temperament. It was natural, therefore,
that these two should be considerably in each other’s company
because of special compatibility. While it is well for the
stronger brethren to pray with and company with the weaker
sometimes, for the assistance of the latter, it is well also that
kindred spirits should come together in communion with each
other and with the Lord, as in this case.
As the apostles evidentlv went frequently to the Temple,
and probably often by the same route, ihrough the “Beautiful
Gate,” it is more than likely that the lame beggar, who had
long been accustomed to that locality, in seeking alms, had
seen them almost dailv. Indeed. it would not be surmising
if a knowledge of the gentecostal’wonders which had coiverteud
several thousand, and been “noised abroad,” had reached the
Door bespar. as well as manv others of the relieious class, who
issembl:eYd aimost daily at tvhe Temple. Quite evidently, there-
fore. the be-nnar knew Peter and John in advance of his heal-
ing.’ if SO,“~ would to some extent account for his readiness
of faith, by which, accepting the Apostle’s word and hand, he
was healed.
Why the Apostle Peter on this particular occasion was led
to bestow a blessing upon this man we may never know, for it
is probable that in that time, when there were no hospitals for
the lame and blind, etc., the Apostles frequently passed by
others as badly crippled and distressed as this one, without
proffering aid. It would seem, however, that the man was an
“Israelite indeed”-from the way in which he received the
Lord’s blessing. Otherwise, instead of having a heart over-
flowing with gratitude and thankfulness, he before would have
been in an attitude of discontent, reninine at his lot and com-
plaining of divine providence; and *in s&h a frame of mind
his attitude after his healing would have been one of comnla-
cent satisfaction rather than-of gratitude. He would have ielt
that he had received no more than his due. The connection,
therefore, seem to indicate that the Lord’s providence directed
the apostles to him specially, on this accoint. And so it is
with those of the Lord’s neonle todav who are in a riaht atti-
tude of heart. They will: w6atever iheir condition, fiid much
to be thankful for, and can trace the Lord’s providence and
grace in life’s affairs, notwithstanding its trials and difficul-
Ties. Such people are the objects of God’s care, and have the
assurance that all things are workinn together for their good.
The Lord’s providence -may not always”bring them ph$ical
health and strength, but it will surely bring to such the highest
blessings which it brought to the poor cripple of this lesson-a
A-owledge of the Lord and a share of his spimtual favors.
At that time, when there was no nrovision for the indigent
and helpless, alms-begging and alms-giving were entirely proper.
It is creditable to the civilization of our dav and land. how-
ever, that the helpless are provided for at piblic expense-all
property paying a poor tax or alms tax. It strikes us as being
as much wrong to encourage public begging now as it was
right to respond to it at the time mentioned. If the friends
of the indigent cannot amply provide for them the public can,
and should, and generally does; and it would be a false pride
which would ignore these ample provisions and not blush to
seek others.
The Apostle said, “Silver and gold have I none.” We can
scarcely suppose that he intended this statement to be taken
literally, for in the preceding verses we have the record that
considerable property was sold, and the proceeds laid at the
Apostles’ feet-put at their disposal. But this evidently the
apostles considered as belonging to the Lord and not to them-
selves-as trust funds. We assume. therefore. that the Anostle
meant, Silver and gold we have none to give ‘you, but we’ have
something better to give you, something which God intended
we should dispense. And undoubtedly what the Apostles gave
was more valuable than money to the poor cripple.
c29331
GIVE I UNTO YOU
26.
he is become my salvation.“-Exod. 15:2.
So it is today; we are unable to respond as liberally as we
would like to the requests which sometimes come to us for
financial aid. The means which the Lord has put into our
hands we understand him to intend us to transform in the main
into spiritual food and clothing and strength and help, for the
sin-sick and lame and for the error-blinded; and accordingly
we are sometimes compelled to say, Silver and gold we have
little to give; but of the spiritual blessings we are willing to
give liberally-without money and without price.
Our Lord’s words were, “The poor ye have always with you;
but me ye have not always.” In seeking to be helpful to breth-
ren in the church and to the unfortunate in the world it is well
that all should cultivate a largeness of heart; and vet it is well
also to remember that in the>ases of many of the Lord’s chil-
dren adversity has evidently been of the Lord’s intention, to
bring to them blessings which they would not be prepared to
receive in any other manner. We are to endeavor to be helpful
to each other, while seeking not to conflict with the operations
of divine providence, and the learning of important lessons by
those whose welfare we seek. We should never forget the
Apostle’s inspired words.-2 Thes. 3 : IO.
“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Undoubtedly
every child of God has realized the truthfulness of this; God
is ever a bountiful giver, and his people, in proportion as they
cultivate this quality, generosity, are therefore cultivating a
grand, God-like quality. “Do good and lend, hoping for noth-
mnp main [no reward1 : and ve shall be children of the Hizh-
es;.” w (Luke 6:35) ?r we c”annot always give much money,
or if we cannot give as much as we would like to give, to those
who are in need, we may always, like Peter, give something.
We cannot, like him, give health and strength miraculously,
since we are not endued with those apostolic powers; but we
can give R word of encouragement, a kindly look, a helping
hand over difficulties; and these will often be more valuable
than money, and sometimes more appreciated. Even an
“enemy” should be fed, if hungry; but neither friend nor foe
should be encouraged in indole&&nor in wastefulness.
We notice how distinctly Peter acknowledged the source of
his power, and how he was not ashamed of any feature of divine
truth. He boldlv declared his miracle to be in the name of
“Jesus of Nazareth.” He did not say, In the name of .Iesus.
the greatest of all Jews, the highly esteemed friend of Joseph
of Arimathea. and of Nicodemus. one of vour influential rulers :
but, ignoring’ all such human weakness&, he plainly derlared
that it was Jesus the Nazarene, the despised one. whose power
had healed. We find some of the Lord’s people today far less
courageous than Peter; inclined rather to’ feel ashamkd of the
truth and ashamed of the wencies God has used in its dis-
semination;-for fear that t&se would be a reflection against
it. We should rather follow the Apostle’s course, and be very
courageous and ready to publicly affirm whatever we find pos-
sessing diwine sanction. Whatever agencies God may make use
of in connection with his service we may be sure that he has
some purpose, some object in view, and that his purposes will
best be accomplished by plain, candid, truthful statements,
like Peter%.
The description of standing, leaping and walking, may well
represent the first efforts of one who had been born lame, and
who consequently had never learned how to walk. However,
the strength was in his limbs, and abundantlv testilied to the
miracle wrought. The poor man was not asha&ed of the agents
whom God had used in his restoration. HP shouted urai\r to
God, and held on to his two benrfactols, advertisinfr’tlle,ll to
the people, and thus advertising also the Gospel message, which
they had to give, which undoubtedly was the very purpose the
Lord intended. Here, too, is a lesson for us, not to be ashamed
of those whom the Lord may use in connection with our spir-
itual healing- much more valuable, much more to be appre-
ciated and acknowledged before God and men, than any trm-
poral blessing. Indeed, the natural sight, natural hearing,
natural walking, and natural enjoyment of every kind, are in-
significant in comparison with the spiritual enlightenment and
hearing and strength to walk in a spiritual way, as the spir-
itual joys are higher than the natural.
Peter was not self-seeking; he was alert to use everv oppor-
tunity, every opening, that might come to himself, to the glory
of the Lord and of his cause. And so when the multitude gath-
tred together he used the miracle of healing as his text-as a
demonstration of the power of the risen Jesus, operating
through him; and he straightway declared to the people that
this was the same Jesus whom their rulers had crucified some
two months previously. He distinctly disowned that either he
or John had any power of themselves to perform such a mir
acle; he did not say, either, that the healing was by a natural
(S-10)
 ZION’S WATCH TOWER ALLEGHENY, PA.

law operated by the man’s faith; nor did he say that the heal-
ing was by “Science;” nor did he deny the facts, and claim
that the man’s impotence was merely a wrong thought, the cor-
rection of which had given relief. He told the truth-that the
man had been ill, but was now made sound by the power of
Jesus. Nor did he spare his hearers, but pressed home the
truth of the responsibility of their nation for the crucifixion
of one who not only was innocent and just, but who was the
sent of God, the Messiah, the Prince of Life.
Here is another lesson for us. When we obtain the atten-
tion of men it is not to be frittered away, either in the dis-
cussion of unprofitable topics or in personal boastfulness; but
is to be turned directly to the Lord’s glory, to the preaching
of the good tidings of redemption through the precious blood,
that it may be known that all blessing of every kind comes
through the merit of that sacrifice, and from our risen glorified
Lord.
Our Golden Text surely represents the heart-sentiments of
every member of the household of faith. The Lord is our
strength; we lean not upon human might-neither of our own
or of other men. We hold the Head, from whom not only come
the laws which govern us, but from whom come the strength,
the direction, the protection, the care, which we need and which
we enjoy. The Lord is become our salvation; he has saved US
from the condemnation of sin through faith in the blood; he
has rescued us from the love of sin. He has not only revived
us, but strengthened us, and enabled us to walk in the narrow
way, and to do so with joy and gladness and leaping. He is
our salvation already-the salvation that is to be brought unto
us, and thus to be complete in us, in the first resurrection, is
already begun-for we are already passed from death unto life,
and have the witness of this in the holy Spirit.

QUESTIONS OF GENERAL INTEREST

ABRAHAX’S WIFE-HIS NIECE?
Questions.--In the TOWER for July 15, 1901, p. 233, Sarah is
mentioned as Abraham’s niece. How can this be harmonized
with Gen. 20 : 12, “She is my sister; she is the daughter of my
father, but not the daughter of my mother?”
Answer.--In olden times it was customarv. instead of sueak-
ing of grandchildren, to call them childre;,’ as, for inst’rtnce,
“the children of Israel.” “All the souls which came out of the
loins of Jacob were seventv souls”-vet some of these were
grandchildren and some great grand&ldren. The thought is
that Haran was the eldest son of Terah: that he had two chil-
dren-Lot and Sarah-and that these were near enough their
uncle Abraham’s age to be his companions. Under the rule
above mentioned Sarah, if the daughter of Haran. would be
counted the daughter of. Terah, not byy his wife, but ‘by Haran’s
wife. We would not insist that this view of the matter is be-
yond question, however, and those who think differently have
full right to do so.
PALESTINE AS A REFUGE
Qu&zon.-What are the facts respecting Palestine at the
present time? Is it being rapidly se&led bi the Jews in colo-
nies or otherwise? Would it be a good place for those who
have a knowledge of present truth to emigrate to? Would it
be a good place for serving the truth, or would it be a favorable
place as respects escaping the coming time of financial and
~ocml trouble?
ilnszt;cr.-We could not recommend friends of the truth to
emigratr to Palestine. They would find almost no opportunity
for servinzz the truth. and, as resnects the time of trouble. we
might say”that the pdor oi that l&d are continually in trouble
enough, and that even in the future the Scriptures assure US
that tlw time of trouble will reach Palestine. Furthermore,
not on!y wnuld it be impossible to circumvent the Lord and
tllns f~:lpc’ the coming trouble. but addsltionallv the Lord en-
cou~ng’s Giq fcrlt7lfuZ people to believe that he will deliver them
from tllp trc:lll)le wherever they may be. As respects the re-
st>ttlemrnt of the land; it progresses very slowly; first, because
few of the .Tws are interested deeply enough to live in such a
cnllntry unrl(~r preqcttt contlit~ons. becond, because Jews have
not l)ec~n pr~mitted to settle there since the Sultan’s ukase pro-
hll~itirr~ tllcir settlement in 1802. Jews going thither are only
pc~1rnltte(l to land if provided with permits, which allow them
to ~~~rnnin about thirty days. The Zionists are hoping to report
snmc new and more favorable arrangement at their next Con-
g1 t’s+.
CONVENTIONS ARE “HOLY CONVOCATIONS”
Q?leslion.-Are the conventions, such as the one recently
hr Id in Clcvc~land, and the One-Day Conventions mentioned
fll)nl time to time in the Tfatch Tower, of real benefit?
tllry liot reach merely the rich, who can afford to make the
jnlll nry, etc.? Arc they in harmony with Scriptural prece-
dents?
Am~w..--Yes, we have every reason to believe that the
J.ord’s b1essin-n is with this department of the work, as well as
with the 0th;; departments. bf course all of the friends are
1~11 able tn attend the ccnvcntions. but this is not, we think,
an argument against them. All are not able to attend the
regular gatherings of the church every time, sometimes be-
cnllse of sickness, and sometimes for other reasons. If both
husband and wife cannot attend a meeting it should be to the
advantage of the absent one that the other does attend, be-
cause of the rehearsal of truth upon his return. Similarly
with the Conventions. Our experience 1s that those who at-
tend the Conventions and return home are greatly blessed
themselves, as they endeavor to repeat to the brethren some
of the precious thoughts they have gleaned, and to inspire
[2934]
their hearts with the letter and sentiment and spirit of the
truth.
Furthermore, it would be quite a mistake to suppose that
those who gather at these Conventions are wealthy; very few
cf the Lord’s people are rich in this world’s goods. We never
advise anyone to spend for travel money that is needed for
bread or clothing; but as a rule those who are in attendance
find themselves abundantly rewarded for the time and money
extended. In our iudgment the conventions are indeed a meat
b&sing, and it is* IoF this reason that we are Qxtcnding the
One-Dav Conventions in -~ various directions. The Pilwim visits
are somewhat similar : they cannot visit everv -tow?, but
friends from nearby places, seeing mention of their commg to
the vicinity, can :&tend at gmall expense, upon writing us for
any particulars necessary.
We remind you that the Jews
As to Scriptural precedent:
had numerous Holy Convocations; and that our Lord and his
disciples frequently attended these, especially the Feast of the
Passover. The Apostle Paul also hasted in his iourney that
he might be preseit at the Passover, and en route we remember
that he sent on for the elders of the church at Enhesus to meet
him, and hold a little by-convention. However,- in matters of
this kind, where the spirit of the truth is being carried out, it
would not matter if we had not an exact correspondence in
deed in the early church. For instance, they had neithtr books
nor tracts nor ‘journals, nor Bibles with marginal references,
or otherwise. Some of these things are blessings which accrue
to us because we are living in xlle most favored day which
the world has ever seen. As our dav brings many additional
trials, besetments, enticements and c&es, tG“choke” the Word,”
so, by God’s grace, it brings also many opportunities for as-
sembling ourselves in little and in larger groups. For all of
these we aive thanks, and all of them we endeavor to use t0
the itTaste& praise and to the comfort and upbuilding of one
another.
THE FATHER DRAWS NOW. THE SON THEN
Questiolz.-In the Watch Towa you have pointed out that
in the nresent time onlv a limited nllmber are drawn, and they
by the’Father, to the “intent that, following on, the$ may b&
come members of the church, which is the bride of Christ; you
have also pointed out as Scriptural that during the Millennial
age the drawing will be general-“all men”-and that it will
be done. not bv the Father, but bv the Christ. I recognize that
these stateme& are in f;ll accord with the presen&ons of
Scripture, but am at a loss to know in what manner the draw-
ing of the future will differ from the drawing of the present
time, and this is my question.
DO rinswer .-The drawing or influencing of all men, by and
by, will be through the truth; and the same is the drawing
power now. Few are drawn now, because darkness, ignorance,
prejudice and superstition prevail, the god of this world blind-
ing the masses and keeping them deaf to the voice of right-
eousness and truth, so that only they can now hear and ap-
preciate the truth who have “an ear to hear.” The majority
of the race are fallen, and their appreciation of the principles
of righteousness is too warped and twisted to permit the truth
to have its proper weight and influence upon their hearts in
drawing them to the Lord. Yet this is the only class that
God wishes speciallv to draw now, and even of those who are
thus amenable to *the influences -of righteousness now, and
somewhat drawn by it, comparatively few are so in love with
truth and righteousness that they are willing to sacrifice eveq
other interest as respects the present life, on its behalf. Yet
only such are now sought by the Heavenly Father to be joint-
heirs with his son.
JANUARY1, 1902 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (12-13)

But by and by, when under the Father’s arrangement the
Son shall begin his reign as King of the earth, he will exercise
a drawing. influence upon all, by restraining Satan from de-
ceiving, and by opening the eyes and ears of understandin
and by causing the knowledge of the truth to fill the who Pe
earth as the waters cover the great deep. Thus, although the
drawing of that Millennial age will be very similar to the
drawing of this present time, as to kind, it will be much more
general, reaching every class and every dondition, and helping
each and all, who will respond, out of degradation and ignor-
ante and sin and death, back to full harmony with the prin-
ciples of righteousness. The special drawing which the Father
accomplishes is in connection with what is called “the electti
according to favor,” while the drawing which Christ will ac-
complish in the next age will be the operation of free grace,
upon all and for the benefit of all.

DRINKING AT THE BROOK

“He shall drink of the brook Cn the way: ths*sfore shall he lift up the head.“-Psalm 110 :7.
Our text refers directly to our Lord Jesus, and secondlv to who shall be willing in the day of Christ’s power, the Millen-
all the members of the church, his body, each one of whom must nial age, are those whom our Lord represents as his “sheep,”
share his experiences-walking in his steps and drinkin of in the parable of the sheep and the goats. They are those who
the same ‘brook,” if they would in due time share with t5 elr after the Son of Man shall be seated on the throne of his glory,
Lord in his exaltation, to glory, honor, and immortality; this and after his church is seated with him in his throne, and
exaltation being represented in our text by the expression, after the judgment or trial day for the nations, the world, is
“lift up the head.” In ancient times as at present, human ended ,-after the knowledge of the Lord has filled the earth,
language was full of figures and symbols, water representing after it has gradually proved the savor of life unto life, or
truth, and drinking of water representing appropriation of the death unto death to the world, shall be found truly “his peo-
truth, namely, wisdom (See Prov. 18: 4) ; and lifting up the ple, “-willing, nay, glad to serve him when they know him and
head, exaltation.-See Gen. 40 : 13. understand his will. As his sheep they will desire to follow
Our text is given as the reason for the glorious blessings in the way of righteousness, truth and holiness; as his people
and honors predicted of the Christ and described in the pre- they will not need to be coerced further, but learning the truth
ceding verses of the same psalm. Let us notice these. The first in the day of his power, when the adversary is bound and when
verse is directly applied to our Lord by the Apostles (Acts the eyes of their understandings are opened, they will be will-
2 :34; Heb. 1: 13 ; 1 Pet. 3 :22), and our Lord applied the same iltgly his people. And all who shall not then become willingly
to himself. (Ma& 22 :44) A figure of speech is again em- his people will be esteemed his enemies, “goats,” angeis or
ployed, descriptive of our Lord’s relationship to the Father in messengers or servants of the adversary, and be destroyed
Glory; he is not literally seated beside him at his right hand, with him in the Second Death.
but he has been honored with a superior station, a position “In the beauties of holiness, from the womb of the morning
above all others-he specially is at the right hand cf divine thou hast the dew of thy youth.” That is to say, as morning
power. Nor does his second coming hinder or change this re- after morning comes forth fresh and vigorous as its predeces-
lationship ; at his second coming he will still be at his Fath- sor, as the sun grows not old and feeble, so with Messiah, and
er’s riaht hnnd as he himself. declared. (Matt. 26:64) At the so also with those accepted as the members of his body, they
Fathe?s right hand during’ the Millennial Age, the Father, will have perpetually the freshness and vigor of youth,-
throu@ him, shall subdue all things to himself-put down all glory, honor, immortality, the divine nature-this is part of
oppovmg authority and insubordination ; blessing those who the blessing that is promised, and which will result, our text
come into heart-harmony with his kingdom of righteousness, tells us, from drinking of the brook in the way.
and destroying from the earth all who after fair knowledge of Having told us of the kingly power and authority of Mes-
good as well as evil, choose the evil. These will be considered siah, it is appropriate that the Lord through the prophet ex-
as followers of Sntan instead of followers of God and the second plains to us that Messiah’s priestly office is to be also of a
death, we are specifically told, is for the Devil and his messen- higher type than the earthly,-that his priest and kingly offices
gers, servants.-Matt. 25 :41. are to be blended and united as was typified in Melchisedec,
The description of the Millennial kingdom is continued by who was both king and priest. Our Lord when on earth was
the Prophet, who declares, “Jehovah shall send the rod of thy not of the Aaronic priesthood, nevertheless, Aaron was his type,
strength out of (or through) Zion”-primarily the Church, the and the sacrifices which Aaron performed were typical of the
“Bride,” the “body” of Christ; the rod or sceptre or author- “better sacrifices” performed by the antitypical priest, in the
ity shall be exercised through the Church, by the Lord Jesus laying down of his own life and in the consecration and sacri-
the Head of the Church, under the divine commission,-“Rule fice also of all those who are his during this Gospel age, who
thou in the midst of thine enemies.” This is not in any meas- thus “fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ.”
ure fulfillrd yet. Jesus when in the flesh did not rule in the By and II?: our High Priest will havr completctl all that was II-
midst of his enemies, and the Church has not thus ruled; on lustrated m the Aaronic type, he will have finished the Day of
the contrary, both he and his followers have been subject to the Atonement sacrifices, and then the glory promised will follow-
powers that be, and the violent have taken the kingdom by instead of a suffering priesthood there will be “a royal priest-
force and have despitefully used the Head and the body mem- hood”-a reigning priesthood.-1 Pet. 2 : 9 ; Rev. 5 : 10.
bers. (Matt. 11: 12) The enemies are not yet made the foot- Then follow assurances that this glorious priest-king will
stool of the Lord, Zion has not yet been glorified, and Mes- prosper, that his reign of righteousness will be successful; the
siah’s sceptre or authority has not yet gone forth therefrom. assurance being that God will he at his right hand supporting
On the contrary we are still in “this present evil world,” we him and brinpine matters to a successful issue.-smitine down
still wait for the completion of the elect church that together kings and w&n’din,n the heads over many countries, an”a sub-
she may be glorified with her Lord-enter into his glory- duing all things mightily. The great day of trouble coming is
when he, the due time having come, “shall take unto himself very generally referred to as “the day of Jehovah,“* the day of
his great power and reign;“-then the nations will be angry, His wrath, although it will be under the direct supervison of
etc., (Rev. 11: 18) and divine wrath will come upon them; and our Lord Jesus, for the purpose of introducing and establish-
following that “day of wrath” shall come the promised hless- ing his Millennial dominion.
ing, upon all who shall demonstrate under the good opportuni- These, foregoing, descriptions of the greatness of Messiah
ties of that Millennial kingdom, that they love righteousness and his kingdom, lead up to our text; and it, as before sug-
and hate iniquity. gested, is given as the reason why so great blessings, honors.
This latter class-those who during the Millennial age, and dignities and authority are conferred. “He shall drink of
during that day of his presence, shall become the Lord’s peo- the brook in the way; therefore shall he lift up the head-
ple ( 1 Cor. 15 :23)-are referred to by the Prophet when he [he exalted.]”
says,-“Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power.” LEARNINCl OBEDIENCE BY THE TIIINW3 SUFFEILEZD.
The day of his pouzr is not yet here, as the poet declares: As we look into the Word for testimony upon the subject,
“Wrong and evil triumph now.” The “Prince of this world” we find that our dear Master did indeed learn certain lessons
still rules and is “god of this world” a9 the Apostle aqserts; of experience ; as the apostle declares, he “leamed obedience
because our Lord has not yet taken to himself his great power in the things which he suffered.” Not that he had ever been
nor begun his reign. The people who shall be willing in the disobedient to the Father’s will, but that his testing at the time
day of his power are not, therefore, the saints of this Gospel that he came into the world to do the Father’s will was of a
age: these latter are only the “first fruits unto God of his character and of an intensity such as never before had been
creatures” and are willing before the day of his power-willing brought to him nor any other creature. His obedience at-
to hear the Shepherd’s voice and to follow him; willing to sac- tested his love to the Father, attested his faith in the Father’s
rifice all and to lay down their lives in his service, for the love and justice, and in all these things he fully approved him-
brethren. self of the Father; he overcame every trial, he drank fre-
Evidently, therefore, those referred to as “Thy people” l MILLENNIAL DAWN, VOL. I, Chap. 15.

c29351
(13 14) ZION’S WATCH
quently of the brook of wisdom., in connection with these ,les-
sons. Moreover, it was expedient that he, to be the great
High Priest of mankind, should be touched with a feeling of
their infirmities, and therefore that he should be tempted in
all points like as his followers are tested-along the line of
personality, of self will; along the line of worldly ambition;
alone the line of faith and trust: along all the lines of obe-
dienze to God’s plan. He drank’ deeply of the cup, and re-
joicingly said, ‘The cup which my Father hath poured for me,
shall I not drink it ?“---John 18 :ll.
And now we come to a point of special interest in our
text; for we perceive that if it was necessary for our glorious
Lord from the hravenlv courts to drink of the brook of ex-
perience, and gain wisdom by the things he suffered, endured,
and therebv to demonstrate iis confi(lence in God, it is equallv
necessary that all the members of his body shbuld litiewisk
drink of the brook in the way, if they would hope to share
with the Lord in the kingdom blessings-glory, honor and im-
mortality, the divine nature.
Our dear Master’s time for drinking at the brook is past,
yet the lrssons and encouragements therefrom are still before
us in the Scrinture records. It is now our time to drink of the
brook of expdriencr,-to learn the lessons that are necessary
to our preparation for the kingdom. It is not enough that we
have tasted of the brook of experience, that we have learned
something of obedience. that we have endured some trials,
that on some occasions we have learned obechence through the
things we have suffered; we must continue drinking- until
we can Pladlv sav-Father. thv will. not ours be done! If we
drink ngt of< the” brook in’th; way ‘we shall not share in the
glnrv to follow.
Some of the Lord’s neonle not discerning the matter in its
true light, are disposed ‘to ‘pray that they Gay be spared from
trials and temntations : where& thev oupht to understand that
the trials and jifficulti& of the cons&raied are witnesses of the
spirit *that they are children of God. and are under his train
inr! and nrenaration for a glorious share in the kingdom, to
wj;ich he’lla; called us. Because if we are not tried-we can-
not be “overcomers”. if we do not suffer with him, and learn
to endure hardness ks good soldiers, and to esteem our trials
and difflcultirs from the rieht standnoint. and to count it all
jnv when they come to us,“knowing &their’ object and knowing
the Lord’s sustaining grace and strength, we will not be “fit
for the kinedom.”
Others ynterpret the trials of life as evidence of divine dis-
favor. and fail to realize that thev are desipned of the Lord
to shape and polish our character: and thus-to work out for
us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. Because
of their misunderstanding they are profited little by many of
life’s experiences through-whiEh they are called to pass---they
frrl the rod. but not discerning the loving purpose behind it,
INTERESTING LETTERS
Dear Brother Russell :-
Pray do not think that I write in a captious spirit, but the
extracts from “The Jew,” are statements so grossly overdrawn,
if not absolutely and entirelv untrue, that if you were to cause
such accusations to be verified here before inserting them in
the TOUT, where absolute truth alone should appear, they cer-
tainlv would not appear therein, except so far as true
Thrre is. and has been of late, a great influx of Jews (In-
fidels, Turks and offscouring of E,broI;‘e) into EnSland, London
pnrtirnlnrly, and it is not surprising that their ignorance of
the language and generally, their clannish herding together,
their filthiness and their habits and manner% as well as their
injury to the employment of others, should be resented almost
exclu’sivt~ly by a poor and uneducated people whom they dis-
place or come into unpleasant contact with (and particularly
&t this time).
Precisely the same feeling is manifested toward Chinamen
in San Francisco, and on the Pacific coast, rtc.. the difference
being that in the United States thrre is legislation against
them.-but here Jews and anv nationnlitv have absolute free-
dom &d assured and certain”protection ,?nd even-handed jus-
tire.
Such nrtic,les as that from “The Jew” are calculated to
produce hatred, because they manifest a spirit of gross in-
Pratitllde. and wilful lving (there is no other word for it),
Ghrn the’Jew question ;s c’dndidered hroadlv and not from per-
haps some isolated case. As to the political parties being
pledged to anti-Semitism, or any other charger against them
;ts a’ people, or even against their capitalists (except it may
be one or two German Jew South African firms)! these are on
a par with the rest of it and not worthy of notlce. The fact
is that newly found freedom, with some, cause them, from
[29361
TOWER ALLEGHENY, PA.
they fail to learn the lesson intended. Let us become more
and more awake, more and more alive to the things of God,-
to the facts of the case as he presents them to us% his Word
-to our call to ioint-heirshin to the kingdom, and incidentally
to the drinking Lf the brooc of experiegce and wisdom in th;
way that will fit and prepare us for the glories to follow.
Drinking of the brook does not, however, imply that we
sorrow and are disconsolate above others; on the contrary,
those who drink of the brook properly are full of joy. As the
apostle declares, they are enabled in every thing to give thanks
unto God .-in life’s difficulties, as well as in its pleasures-
even as he again says, Count it’all joy when ye fall-into divers
difficulties, knowing that under divine providence they will
work out for you a greater blessing. (James 1:2) It is the
world. which must also share its Dart of life’s difficulties. that
sorro\;s as those who have no hobe, or who have false hopes.
The apostle points out side by si& the world’s condition &nd
the church’s condition under the trials and difficulties of this
present evil world, saying, “The whole creation groaneth and
travaileth in pain until now, waiting for the manifestation of
the sons of God.” Then he explains the position of God’s peo-
ple, begotten of his spirit, who are walking in the Lord’s foot-
steps, and drinking of the brook in the way, saying, “We our-
selves also groan within ourselveS waiting for the adnptlon. to-
wit, the deliverance of the body”-the body of Christ, the
church. This hope. which we have, gives a changed coloring
and silver lining io every dark and-troubled scbject whi&
comes to us in common with mankind: so that insnired bv
draughts from the brook we can sing in’ the house of-our pii-
grimage, even though as yet we must also groan, because we
are in this imperfect tabernacle, this unsatisfactory mortal
body.
We want to ask the Lord, our Master and Head. that he
will bless us more and more,. as with fresh zeal we ‘shall en-
deavor faithfulb and reioicinglv to drink of the brook of life’s
experiences, and gain wisdom-therefrom that will fit and pre-
pare us for his service by and by; and which will the better
fit and prepare us for his service also in the present time. and
enable 6s Gy his grace to show forth his praises in all the try-
ing circumstances and vicissitudes of hfe so as to elorifv him
in our bodies and spirits which are his. Let us, i, we’drink
of the brook, take a lesson from the little birds, which when
drinking repeatedly lift the head as though giving thanks to
God. Let us continually give thanks to our Lord for every
taste of life’s experience, for every lesson, for every trial-
appropriating them all to our spiritual development. The time
for lifting up our heads in glory is nearing, too, and alread?
the Master directs that seeing (with the eye of faith) the evl-
dences of their approach, we may lift up our heads and re-
joice, knowing that our redemption draweth nigh.-Luke
21:28.
FROM FRIENDS
ignorance, to be aggressively and offensively assertive, and pre-
sume upon the liberty of action and speech, etc., according
them-and so they assist largely in bringing about that of
which they complain.
I write out of warmest personal regard, and respect and
sincere Christian love.
I am, dear Brother, Yours truly in Christ,
B. C. HUGHES,---h’ngkmd.
* l l
[Nothing was farther from our intention than to intimate
that the masses of the British are Jew-baiters: nor that those
who do the baiting are without provocation. We merely men-
tioned it as “news;” and as evidence that the Jew will yet, as
the Bible declares, be persecuted in every nation and thus be
driven back to Palestine when Zionism shall succeed in opening
that door.-Editor.]
Dear Brother Russell :-
Greetings from the Church of Los Angeles!
According to 1 Cor. 16:2, we have endeavored to follow
Paul’s advice, and have provided a treasury, from which is
drawn, the expenses of the church, the expenses for volunteer
service, also the expenses of any in need, and from this treas-
ury we now send the Tract Society a little thank-offering. We,
as a body, unite in the desire, to express our appreciation of
the prlvllege of obtaining this literature for “Vnluntrc~r” work.
and of the opportunity to serve it, while it is yet called day.
Our earnest desire is to help the Bride to make herself ready;
our earnest prayer is for the establishment of the kingdom.
We desire to thank you and the “Tower” ofice assistants,
JANUARY1. 1902 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (14-15)

for your labor of love to the church, especially for all efforts which I have carefully read. I am more than ever convinced
exnended in our behalf. Above all we thank our Heavenlv of the correctness of vour views of Scriptural truth. I trv to
Father, who is the giver of every good and perfect gift, and make the Word of G’bd the Counsellor and Guide of my “life,
we know of no better way to express our gratitude than to and I rejoice in every development of light and truth.
send to the fund the enclosed $50.00, which has been raised for Have you a church organization? If so, what is it called,
this urpose together with the surplus in our treasury. and what-is the form of your church government?
d e cannot hone to nav for the thousands of uaaes we have What is required of persons desiring to unite with the
distributed ; but ‘we t&t” you will accept this as-an” expression church? Have you a regular ministry 1 &id how are they ap-
of our gratitude. nointed and emnloved? An answer to the foreaoinn auestions.
We ask your prayers, that each of our number may be more and all information you may be able to furni:h will be much
zealous, more faithful, more fervent in spirit to serve our God appreciated.
and lay down our lives for the brethren, loving His approval That you may not be in ignorance as to whom you address,
above all else. I will say, that I am a minister in the Congregational church,
With Christian love and prayers for your steadfastness, we and if vou desire can give vou satisfactorv references.
remain, your fellow-servants, in Christ. Singe writing you, bol i., “The Plan or the Ages,” has been
Church of Los Angeles. recovered. and thoueh much mutilated. is still readable. I
herewith ‘enclose yo< 25; in stamps for’which please send me
My dearly beloved Bro. Russell :- Vol. II., “The Time is at Hand.” The other volumes, I will
My poor heart overflows with gratitude to our dear Lord, order later on. or after carefullv readinn this.
for the beneficial and sweet moments we have so richly en- There is great unrest and dTssatisfa&on among professing
joyed with you during this, the first Christian convention that Christians, and it seems to me they desire, as they truly need,
I have ever seen in the city of Richmond. Dear brother, rest instruction concerning the truth as it is in Jesus. How shall
assured that vour labor is not in vain here: for the 12th and this be furnished? 1% may be you have tracts for free distri-
13th of October, 1901, will long be a pleasure to think of. The bution; if SO. and vou feel like entrusting me with a small SUP-
feast of good things continued with some of us the next dav, while ply, I will endeavor to place them where-they will do the most
God’s dear child&n before leaving the city have been telling of good.
the iov and benefits received. No iars. no obiections. no Pardon my long letter, and if you find time, amidst your
schismUor worldly contention ; but praise’ and thanks to ‘God arduous labors, I would be glad to receive a reply.
from every quarter,-that we attended the convention and all Yours in Christ,
received such a blessing.
Truly our nrayers for this season of refreshing were an- L. F. WAY,--!Z’e%:as.
swered. 1 We thought that we loved you, very dearly before. [We sent the Brother a copy of “Zion’s Watch Tower” con
and esteemed vou verv highlv for your works’ sake: but these taining an articlr on “W’hlch is thr True Churc~h’~” w:th our
sessions with +ou ha;e k&died our love so much, that we al- answer and hope to hear from him further, and still more en-
most feel impatient for the beginning of eternity when in God’s thusiastically after he has read more.-Editor.]
kingdom we Dart no more. 0 brother, the Lord knows that I
febcl>these sentiments, and I believe that the other dear ones Dear Brother Russell :-
<also do. This season with you has built us up in the most holy The brethren have done excellently in distributing the tracts
faith, and we pray that it may long, yea, very long last us. sent us.
The dear brethren leavine for their homes were saving. “How They had an amusing, though joyful experience in distribut-
clear this point was made; and how rich was that thought; ing at the last meeting of the “Christian” Churrh Convention.
and how long I have wanted to see dear brother Russell,-the They began distributing to the few stragglers that came out be-
channel through which our God has sent us the blessed truth, fore the close of the meeting. Among these was a minister who
and my longings have been realized.” upbraided them and told them that ‘he should warn the people
\Ye do hope, that it may meet with your approval to still against them. This he did, announcing from the pulpit that
further encourage us by reporting our convention in the next there was literature being distributed at the door that should
“Tower.” W’ith this hope, I give as nearlp as I could count not be read and everyone’should refuse to accept it The re-
them, the number present, i. e.;believers. Imade the count one sult was that the people crowded around the brethren with
hundred and twenty-eight, possibly a few over or under. Four- outstretched hands eager to get them. The clerical grritleman
teen symbolized their consecration by water baptism Five nrobablv never served God better in his life than he did when
states and District of Columbia were reuresented. Prav for us he forbade the people reading the tracts. Everyone was surely
here,.dear brother, that we may continue faithful, and”let our read in search of forbidden fruit.
light shine, through love and humility as well as otherwise. We have already had an illustration of the truth of your
Mav our Father’s richest blessings be with vou to the end. prediction in the last Tower. Last Sundav a local preacher in
‘Your brother in the love and service of “our dear Lord. talking of the people who had “jumped “the track” after de-
M. L. ST1+pLEs,-Virgania. fining Christian Science and the Dowieites said.-“There is an-
[This report is late;-crowded out of our previous issues. Ed.] othey class of people, who claim to hear the call ‘come out of
her,’ who separate themselves and put a weird interpretation
Dear Brother Russell :- to the Scriptures. What are these? ‘Religious anarchists!
How I long to see vou. I have had a big fight and gamed nothing more, nothing less.’ ”
a glorious victory. I- send you my article-prepared for the Surely this is an-indication of what we may expect in the
Conference. I had a hard time to get a hearing, as my name near future. May the dear Lord strengthen us that we may
was called before I reached the seatsof Conferen&. Had I been be prepared to stand fast in the faith when that evil day shall
there then I could have had the floor: but after that it was dif- come.
ficult. After pressing the matter they allowed me five minutes
to speak and I read rapidly until I reached the sentence, “Thy Yours in the blessed hope,
kingdom come,” two-thirds through. and there the Bishop (Mrs.) J. M. WIIITE,--Z~UXX
called me to order. He said I had-u&d up six minutes and I
asked for an extension of time but could not get it. (Thev had Dear Brother Russell :-
enough. ) So I asked our own City Editor if-he would 16e to 1 want you to rest assured, dear brother, of my increasing
publish it and he consented. love for you, and appreciation of your work in the Lord. As
There was a great surprise I assure you, at Syracuse Con- Paul was to Timothy. so, in a great mensurr at Icart, have
ference, when I withdrew from it and gave mv reasons even you been to me, a father in Christ; aud 111the Lord’s own
partially. I commenced giving out tracts-until all were gone. good time and way, I hope to testify more fully to you my
When I gave one I said. “Read that carefullv. when vou are appreciation of all you have done and are doing. It comforts
all alone? I have a good many old friends in’the Conference me to tell you that in every prayer-secret-1 hrnr you to
and church (Nominal), but thanks be to God, I am the Lord’s the throne of favor, realizing that as the Lord has appomtrd
free man. you to be so prominent a teacher. vou receive a rorrrsponding-
Some have asked me what church I am goin,g to unite with, is severer trial, or testing. Thank God, we know IIis gra&
and mv answer is the “church of the first born, whose names is sufficient for all vour needs. and that havine becun He ran
are written in heaven.” finish His good wo;k in you. ’ May your faith fail not.
Yours in love, B F. WEATHERWAX,--Nezo York. I did not intend so long a letter. realizing how fully your
Dear Brother Russell :- time is occupied. Remember me in love to the household with
you.
1 wrote you a short time since for some samples of your
publications to which you kindly replied, by forwarding me In the bonds of Christian fellowship,
several copies of the “Watch Tower” and some tracts, all of W. E. PAGE,---1~tsc0n~~&.
[2937]
VOL XXIII ALLEGHENY, PA., JANUARY 15, No. 2

VIEWS FRQM THE WATCH TOWER

America is forcing a revolution on Europe as certainly as volume I., when they notice that it was published in 1886.
God reigns. Our Master, who gives us in his Word t-he inside informa-
How? By taking the bread out of European mouths, by tion, tells us to note the fulfillments: and adds. “When ve see
sending men, women and children to bed supperless, by forcing these things begin to come to pass, then know’that the” king-
European millions to live upon two meals a day, and those dom of God is nigh at hand. Look up, lift up your heads and
two scant ones, in reality not more than one and one-half. rejoice, for your deliverance draweth nigh.“-Luke 21~25-31.
American genius, American machinery, American push, Amer- ANTI-SEMITIC MOVE RENEWED IN RUSSIA
ican capital is doing that, and each revolution of American Vienna Dispatch.-Again the Jews in Russia are being
engines brings the inevitable day of doom for Europe nearer. harassed. Presumably this is by order of the government,
How long has it been since the American manufacturer be- since the oppressive measures are not confined to anv one
gan to realize his power? Ten years, perhaps. W-hat has he place. The -ministry of the interior has appointed a special
accomplished toward the inevitable end in that time? He has commission, under the presidency of M. Dournovo, to revise
closed European factories; he has cut European profits on the laws and regulations governing the Jews. Heretofore
manufactured goods to the minimum; he has thrown Euro- Jewish matters have been discussed and reported upon by the
ean workmen out of employment, he has forced Europe a clerical denartmcnt. Intervention bv the ministrv of the
Pong step ahead toward the day of revolution. interior, a&ing on its own discretion-, is likely to iead to a
But the end is not yet. Scarely hare we seen the begin- more stringent policy than ever.
ning. Wait until a heavier over-production than we have yet Jews of all classes are now prevented from moving freely
witnessed cuts prices on manufactured articles still lower. about Russia in pursuit of their professions. For example,
Who can best stand such a cut? The Smerican. Why? the law allows certain classes of Jews to reside in St. Peters-
Because he has not already been forced to the last notch. He burg or Moscow, but it does not expressly say that a Jew
does not know the meaning of small profits. When he begins merchant has the right to trade in those cities. Therefore, if
to sell on a small margin of profit the European manufac- a Moscow Jew merchant wishes, he may go to St. Petersburg
turer will go out of business, and the revolution will be on. and he may even live there, but he mav not trade there. If
Of all the nations of Europe England, blood-stained Eng- he dies his- wife and children are imme-diately “cleaned out.”
land, is least able to stand the dark days that are to come. This is the nhrase used. Thev are compelled to eo to the
Our people have drank more liberally of the liquor of pros- Jewish ‘“pale? or the place f&m which they originilly went
perity and financial freedom than have those of other nations. to St. Petersburg or Moscow.
We have cultivated a taste for the luxuries of life that is In every form of activity known in Russia today the Jew
hardly known among the peasant classes of the continent. It is in some way represented, and, as he has no friends except
will be hard to renounce these, and I fear they will not be those of his own religious persuasion, he is a convenient anvil
renounced without a struggle that will be the dearest and for everv official hammer. The Russians hate the Jews because
darkest in the history of the English empire. they fear them even more than they fear the Germans or the
American prosperity means- European bankruptcy, and Poles.
bankruptcy means anarchy.--TV. 7’. Stead. NOW that the ministry of the interior has taken a hand in
This is a gloomy picture, not only for Europe but for the the persecution, there will be no refuge. The officials will
entire world: for the world todav is bound tooether as never treat them with less mercy even than the clerical department,
before. If Europe suffers, America will just a: surely suffer. which formerly had them under supervision. There are in-
The poor world, the “groaning creation” has our sympathy as stances where “the clerical authorities have shown some mercy
it oacns its eves to the erand result of its highest civiliza- toward Jews, but there is none where the nurelv nolitical
tion: under its’ inexorable-law of selfishness. Would that we officials have ‘treated him as anything better than -convenient
could point out to this brilliant editor, and to all men, the scape-goat.-Chicago Record-Herald.
zlorious prospect we see in the Word of God-the silver lining
of the cloud,- which they see not ;-the dawning of the long THE ZIONIST CONGRESS
nromised Millennial dav. But a clear insight into the lenaths As per announcement, the Zionist Congress o ened Decem-
Ilntl breadths and hcr,$ts and depths of The divine love and ber 26th. at Basle, Switzerland. It was atten rxed bv about
plan is intended only for the “little flock,” yet. “None of the one thousand delegates, twentv-five of them from the” United
wvlcked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.“- States. Dr. Herzl-of Vienna,“the founder, presided, but had
Dan. 12 : 10. nothing definite to reuort from the Sultan of Turkev. resnect-
Those who were readers of Zion’s Wutch Tower twenty ing Palestine. He deported, however, that in his* ‘audience
years ago, will remember how astonished they and others were with him, in May last, the Sultan had expressed his sympa-
at its presentation, from the Scriptures, of the very conditions thy with Zionism’s ambitions, declared himself the friend of
which all men now perceive to be fast hastening toward us;- the Jews, and that he considered them desirable as colonists.
anarchy in the midst of the greatest prosperity the world has Failure to receive something more tangible was a source of
ever known. Those who have newly come into the truth, and disappointment to the Congress; but it is not discouraged. It
who never saw the earlier issues of our journal, are often has thus far accumulated about $1,000,000.00 toward its ob-
amazed at the statements they find in the Afallennial Dawn, ject ;-nearly all from the poor Jews of the world.

THE DECAY OF BELIEF

President Cyrus Northrop, of the Minnesota State Univer- the religions of the world-a purely human device, like Con-
sity, rrcently delivered an address before the Chicago Baptist fucianism or Mohammedanism, of no more authority than
Social Union. In it he made the following reference to the these and to be preferred to these only as its teachings are
present religious conditions. IIe said in part :- more reasonable and uplifting. There is a world of difference
It seems to me that in looking at the religious condition between saying this thing is true because God said it and God
of the countrv-I”
do not mean the statistics of the churches, said this because it is true. The former carries with it the
nor the amount of gifts to missions and philanthropy, nor certainty of “Thus saith the Lord.” The latter is of no
the general condition of the church as an organization-but I validitv. because manv things mav be true which God never
do mean the state of thought in the church itself in reference said. “And if God n&er szid anything to men inspiration
to its own faith; it seems to me that we are confronted by becomes so attenuated that it is hardly discoverable under
four marked changes which have grown into prominence in the more or less theory which grants inspiration of some de-
the last few vears. If I am wrong I shall be glad to know gree to every one who voices a noble truth, and grants no
it, and if I am rivht I shall be grateful, as I am sure you all higher inspiration, though perhaps a greater degree of in-
will be. to anv gblical scholar who will show us the truth. spiration, to anv one else. Under this arrangement a man
These changes: stated briefly, are: First-A decay of belief in must first get his idea of God and then determine whether
the supernatural. Second-What I may call the disintegra- anything is the product of divine inspiration according as it
tion of the Bible. Third-New views respecting inspiration. meets or does not meet that idea. There is in this no possi-
Fourth-Loss of the sense of accountability. bilitv of revelation in the usual sense. The order is inverted
These four changes are essentiallv one. They are at least -GGd does not reveal truth to men; the truth on the con-
shoots from a common root-and t,hat root is doubt as to trary, reveals God. Now this may or may not be satisfactory
whether God ever has had any communication with men. to some. But it is, to say the least, very unsettling to human
Under this doubt Christinnitv ceases to be the religion which faith and very depressing to the ordinary Christian who does
God intended for men to cherish, and becomes simply one of not know enough about God’s style to determine whether h(o
(19-20) [2938]
:ANUARY 15, 1902 ZION’S WATCH TOWER

oaid a thing or not, and who is not sufficiently familiar with d. “The fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man,”
the internal signs of inspiration to determine whether any as SO often indiscriminately and universally applied to ;aint
particular writhg reveals-God truly or not. And this condi- and sinner alike, is equally unscriptural and misleading.
tion of thinas is the darkest part of the outlook at the onen- I There is no spiritual Fatherhood without spiritual birth.
ing of the twentieth century.- “That which is born of the flesh is flesh.” “Ye mustbe born
SOME SUGGESTED REMEDIES again.”
For the Pulpit:
a. “Preach the Word.” Restore the Bible to its rightful For the Pew:
place as the Word of God divinely inspired and sup&mely
authoritative. Use the Old Testament Scrintures as our Lord a. “Take heed what ye hear.” “Let no man deceive you
used them; freely and without apology. l%e never explained with vain words.” “To the law and to the testimony; if
them away. You need not. To discredit your text book is to they speak not according to this word, it is because there is
discredit your message. Eliminate the “iis” and “perhapses,” no light in them.” “Examine yours&es whether ye be in the
and nroclaim the Word in the Dower and demonstration of the faith.,’ “Be ve readv at all times to eive . . . . an answer
. for the hope {hat is i% you.”
Spirit.
b. Remember your calling; it is not to exploit shifting b. “Be not conformed to this world, but be ye trans-
philosophies and passing fads; sociology, evolution or even formed by the renewin of your mind.” “Be ye blameless and
higher criticism; but to declare the gospel of the grace of harmless, the sons of 8 od in the midst of a crooked and per-
God. The former never edified a church or saved a sinner or verse generation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world,
comforted a human heart. The latter is the wisdom of God holding forth the word of life.”
and the power of God unto salvation. c. Live and walk habitually in the light of Titus 2: 11-14.
“The Dronhet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; A PASTOR’S TESTIMONY
and he thit hath my word let him speak my word faithfully.” Joseph Parker, of London, on the 40th anniversary of his
c. If the Bible doctrine is true that the one sufficient pastorate of the City Temple, said: “Looking back upon all
remedy for man’s sin is the sacrificial death of the divine the chequered way, I have to say that the only preaching that
*Substitute-not his teachin or his example-then the pop- has done me good is the preaching of a Savior who bore my
ular teaching of “salvation %y character,” is manifestly un- sins in his own body on the tree, and the only preaching by
scriptural and unwarranted. “He suffered for us, the just which God has enabled me to do good to others is the preach-
for the unjust, that he might bring us to God.” ing in which I have held up my Savior, not as a sublime ex-
l We must understand this to mean,-the substitute which God ample, but as the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of
furnished: otherwise it would be out of accord with the Scripture testi- the world.”
mony, and the meaning of the word ransom,-“a correspondlng pr’ce.”

THE FIRST PERSECUTION

ACTS 4: l-Ii?.--FEB. 2.
6cTh~~ is none other mme m&r heavengiven among men whereby we must be saved.”
The commotion caused by the healing of the cripple by dignity of the Court-the Lord evidently fulfilling to them
James and John, and the gathering of the crowd of worshipers his promise, “Ye shall be brought before kings and governors
to whom thev preached, brought upon the apostles a new for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles;
difliculty. Thk firiests, whose &ni&ies were more or less in- but when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what
terrunted bv the disturbance. felt a grievance against those ye shall s eak; for it shall be given you in that hour what yo
who thus attracted attention .away from themselv& and their shall spea K)). (Matt. 10: 18-20) That Peter, as spokesman for
services, and the officers of the Temple, whose duty it was to the three, was supernaturally assisted, is implied in the nar-
preserve order, were also disturbed. These, coming upon the rative. “He was filled with the holy Spirit.”
preaching Apostle and the interested multitude, arrested the It is not amiss here to notice that the Jewish party which
three who were the cause of such a commotion, that the mat- most particularly persecuted our Lord was the sect of the
ter might be enquired into. It was toward evening, and there- Ph?rjsees, the holiness people of that ti?e, basing thrir op-
fore too late to gather the members of the Sanhedrin Court. posltlon upon our Lords public declarations of their hypoc-
The three who had been witnessing for God and for Christ risies,-the Sadducees taking less interest in the persecution.
were put in ward, in the prison; not as felons, but for trial. But, on the contrary, in the Acts of the Apostles, the pcrse-
It would have been nossible for the imprisoned men t0 have cutions of the church seem to have been largely at the hands
viewed their situation from- the standpdint of unbelief. and of the Sadducees. The Sadducees should scarcely be consid-
to have said to themselves and each other: God did not ered a religious party, for they denied the resurrectlon of the
approve our work, and hence has permitted us to be thus dead, and denied also the existence of spirit beings, and hence
arrested and imprisoned, and now we know not what the believed principally in a religion for the present life merely.
result will be on the morrow, for those who crucified our Lord The Sadducees were the policy-men of that time. They fa-
may crucify us also. vored harmony with the Roman Empire, and might, indeed, be
Or they might, in unbelief, have reasoned still otherwise, termed the politicians of the Jewish nation. History says
and have said to each other: After all, what right have we that the high priest and his family, and those principally In
to think that God has anything to do with these matters? We influence, were Sadducees. It is evident, therefore, that the
are like other men, and have merely found some new way in preaching of the resurrection of Jesus, and of some spiritual
which natural law operates in the healing of the sick: God power by which he could work through the apostles to the
evidently is not concerned in this work; for if he were, surely healing of the man born lame, would be an aggravation to
he would not have ncrmitted us to come into these straits, these Sadducees. because it was directlv ” in con&t with their
while we were seek&g to serve him and to declare the good belief and teachings.
tidings. But we may safely assume that the thoughts and Indeed, it is worthy of notice, here and in subsequent les-
words of the prisoners took a totally different direction. Full sons, that one of the main features of the Gospel which the
of faith, they no doubt said to themselves: We know not in. apostles preached was the doctrme of the resurrection-that
what wav the Lord may intend to use this, which seems to be Christ had risen from the dead, and that through him in due
a disadvantage to us, a”nd an interruption to his work; doubt- time not only believers should be raised from ‘ihe tomb, but
less however, he will use it in some manner to forward his ultimately all the world of mankind be released from death,-
cause and to reach more of his people with the truth. that each and all might have a full share in the judgment or
As a matter of fact, the Lord evidently intended through trial for life everlasting, which had been secured by the ran-
this seeming calamity to bring to the apostles a still grander som sacrifice of Christ. No wonder, then, that the Sadducees
opportunity of testifying to the truth on the next day-of specially resented this new doctrine, which antagonized their
preaching to a class which they might never again have op- views and to some extent supported their religious opponents,
portunity to reach-the priestly class, the ruling class, repre- the Pharisees.
sented in the Sanhedrin, and those who would gather at its It may at first seem peculiar that a court trial should be
sessions. When the Sanhedrin Court opened the next morn- held in respect to the healinn of a crinnle. However. the
ing, amongst its seventy members, representatives of the most object of th; trial evidently w\s, if poss%e, to conde& the
influential classes in Jerusalem, were Annas, the high priest, apostles for having practiced necromancy, sorcery, the black
and Caiaphas, his son, both of whom had about two months art. For, according to t,he law, a witch or wizard or necro-
prrviouslv presirlcd in the trial of the Master himself. Never- mancer, a spirit medium, was to be put to death.
theless, the apostles were evidently not at all dismayed by the If Peter had been filled with fear he would not have
[29391
 ZION’S WATCH TOWER ALLEGHENY, PA.

spoken as he did to this Courb, or if he had been filled with are, if all could but realize that the whole world was already
the spirit of egotism and boastfulness he would have spoken lost, already condemned, by one man’s disobedience; already
differently ;-he would have spoken unwisely, rashly, no doubt. under sentence of death and passing into it. Peter’s declara-
But filled as he was with the holy spirit, the spirit of meek- tion is that onlv those who have accepted Jesus have vet
ness, patience, gentleness, long-suffering, brotherly kindness, come under the terms of the only salvation God has provided:
and guided in his words by this spirit, he made an address and. since Jesus “tasted death for every man,” it follows that
which is beautiful, both for its simplicity, its directness, and in God’s “due time” every man must c”ome to an opportunity
its meek-boldness. His opening sentence had in it, possibly, a of hearing of the only name, and of accepting the one salva-
gentle irony respecting a trial for a good deed; but, as on tion. This opportumty, according to the Scriptures, will be
previous occasions, he immediately proceeded to disclaim for during Messiah’s reign in the Millennial age, when “the
himself and his associate, John, any power, any authority, in knowledge of the Lord will fill the whole earth,” and “all the
connection with the matter, and declares that the miracle was families of the earth shall be blessed” by the glorified Christ
pcrformrd in the name, hy the authority, by the power, of and his glorified church unitedly, the spiritual seed of Abra-
Jcius of Nazarrth. (incar ag:~ln, he is not ashamed to own ham.-Gal. 3: 16, 29; Jer. 31:34.
that the one he acknowledges was contemntuouslv called the Blindrd by the inconsistencies of doctrines received from
hamrwr . ror to sav thslt> he is a follower of the one who the “dark ages,” many of the Lord’s professed people are
was crucified as a malefactor. iVhile telline the slain truth, today grapplmg with this question of who shall bc saved,
that this very Sanhrdrin h;id caused the dgath of Jesus, he many or few, and fail to see that the greater part of God’s
states the matter witlrout bltterncss or acrimony. plan of salvation is to come after the calling and perfecting
Pctcr allowed the fact th:lt God raised up Jesus from the of the “elect,” the church. Thiukinrr that the prchcnt life
drad to stand as the proof that they had erred in their con- ends all trial for every creature, many are convrncing thrm-
denmatlon of him ; and, without oarlevine the ouestion. he selves that the Aoostle erred. and that instead of one name
proccctled to assure 111s hearers that thls”one, Jesus, whom only being grren fbr salvation there are many namcs---lnclud-
they dehpised and rejected, had nevertheless been owned of ing those of heathen divinities and teachers. They fail to see
God as the “chief corner stone” of the great Temple which the ransom and its importance. as paving the way for teaching
God nurooses to build. He thus rcfcrrrd their minds directlv of any value or assistance. Hence they vainly hope that the
to a& i\I&sixnic Psalm ( 118:22) familiar to them, pointing ministries of Confucius and others will somehow or othrr save
out its fulfilment in Christ, and declares, “Neither is the them, separate and apart from Christ, whom the hcrlptures
salvntlon in any other.” This expression, “the salvation,” to declare to be God’s appointed Savior for the 11hole \\OI Itl.-
his hearers would have the sense of, The salvatiou for which and of whom Peter, under the nlenarv inspiration of the holy
%‘C Jrwx, as a nation, have been waiting and longing,-a spirit, declares that his is the- only “name whrrcbv s‘l i\:itlou
national salvation, and an individual salvation in the kingdom must be obtained. if obtained at all. These false ‘hooch turn
of (:otl. the eyes of many away, so thnt thev ce:~se to look- for the
Let us mark well also the insoired utterance of the ADOS- God-ordained “Sun of righteousness,’ who-e be;~n~s, we are
tle, “There is none other name sunder heaven given among promised, shall shortly enlIghten and bless all.--hIal. 4 :2.
men whcrcby we must be saved.” This would be a difficult Very evidently the testing for the saints in thi< c*nd of the
h+on for hrs hearers to recclve. It would mean a total revo- age is coming along this very line-belief or unbcllc~f in the
lutlon ot their theories, hopes, aims, plans and projects. It testimony which God has given us throug!r 11:s Son, and
would mc:Ln tllat thrv had been wrong, utterlv wronz. in all throlrgh his chosen apostles,-“the twelve.” Those who are
their expectations fo: some time. It-would mean that they faithful to the Word of the Lord will cnmc ofI conquerors;
h :d, aq teachers, been mi\rcprcsenting the divine plan and those who yield to human theory, miscallrd wisdom, will fail,
mihlcading the people. The Apostle’s course, however, was will stumble. will be seoarated from the true wheat, the
plain. It wks proprr that he should state the matter clearly, entire remnant of which ‘must shortly be gathered into the
without ncradventure, that his hearers might have a full garner. We thank God that this stumbling and unbelief will
tc.stirnony respecting the truth. not mean the second death to all who stumble, because very
The Aaortle’a words are “a hard savina” todav. also. in few today evidently have that sufficiency of light and oppor-
the nomir;al church. False doctrines ha;e made it*appear an tunitv essential to a sentence to the second death;--very few
Irnrcasonablc statement in the minds of Christian people obtaih their full trial. We are to judge ourselves closely,
~encrally. They say, This cannot be so, because if true, it
wvouhl mean that the heathen are lost. If true, it would however, and build no false hopes for ourselves, if we are
mean that our friends and neighbors and relatives who have among the favored few who have tasted the good word of
never believed in the name of Jesus, who have never accepted God and been made partakers of the holy spirit. We are to
Itim as their Savior, are lost; and by “lost” they would mean rememher the Apostie’s caution that such as have enjoyed
-gone into rtrrnal torment. Thus does false doctrine be- these favors. if thev should fall awav. would be doing despite
cloud and contradict the truth. But how beautifully and to God’s grace, and would afterward find no place for - re-
how simply might the Apostle’s words be received just as they pentance.-IIeb. 10 : 29.

“WITH HIM-CALLED AND CHOSEN AND FAITHFUL”

Because considerable interest is being manifested, by our
readers, on the subject of the Gospel age call, and the pros-
pects of those who” have consecrated themselves to the Lord
since 1881. we take this occasion to nresent some thoughts
supplrmcntal to what we have already presented, in our i&e
of Nov. 1, l!lOl, and in Dawn, Vol. Ill., pages 212-216.
The terms of the gospel are necessarilv those of a call or
invitation ; leaving the matter of acceptance open and optional
with the invited ones. Hence we read, ‘Manv are called. but
few chosen ;” and note that, the invited are advised, not .com- sacrifice ,-beyond
mandcd, to make their “ calling and their election sure,” by
compliance with the terms of their call. (Matt. 20:14: 2 Pet.
1:16) Commands to accept an invitation to joint-heirship
with Christ. and nenalties for not accenting that invitation,
would be as incongruous cs to have give% a”cal1 or invitation
to keep the Law Covenant, or, in the Millennium, to invite
the keeninn of the Laws then to be nromuloated. We cannot
even suppose that the holy angels ale merely invited to obey
the divine mnndates. We must suppose that they are under
a law commanding their obedience. We must assume that
they have much of the spirit expressed by our dear Master,
who is renresented as savine. “I delight to do thv will, 0 mv
God; thy’ law is written in my heart.” If this were not
their attitude they would surely not be ho7y angels.
The reasonableness of a Creator, through his representa-
tive, giving his just and good commands rather than invita-
tions, becomes ao apparent upon a little reflection, that we
129401
want to scrutinize all the more closely this question:-Why
did God, during this age, apparently depart from so reason-
able a rule, and. instead, to allure us with a high-calling,
inviting us to become joint-heirs with his Son in the kingdom?
Whv does he send word to us savinm-“Ye are not under the
Law, but under grace”-favor?
The reason is, that divine law can demand no more than
even-handed justice; and the Lord’s purpose during this Gos-
pel aqe is to select a “little flock” along lines of self-denial,
what Justice could demand. Hence of neces-
sity this must be accomplished by a call-an invitation, with
exceeding great and precious promises attached as incentives;
“that by these we might [be encouraged to faithfulness, and
so] become partakers of the divine nature,“-in the kingdom.
-2 Pet. 1:4.
God foreknew us; we were “Elect according to the fore-
knowledge of God the Father.” “And whom he did foreknow,
he also did predestinate must be conformed to the image of
his Son.” He determined in advance that as the Son must
pass through severe tests before being accepted to the divine
nature, so also, all who would be acceptable to joint-heirship
with him must exhibit and demonstrate that they have his
epirit ; that they are copies of him:-the verv image of him,
in their hearts. And the object of this Gospel age is to call,
and find, and test this predetermined class.-1 Pet. 1:2; Rom.
8:29.
The promises made to the seed of Abraham (though appro-
J~nuhar 15, 1902 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (24-Z)

priated by the twelve tribes of Israel, without divine disap- THE PREDESTINED NUMBER OF THE ELECT
nroval) belonged reallv to antitvnical Israel-sniritual
fsrael.. The n&ural seed, as natural-branches in thi olive- The more our knowledge and experience expand our judg-
tree (representing divine favor) were allowed to grow for a ments, the smaller is apt to be our estimate of the number
time and be tested, but on failure they were broken off ;- who ever reach the point of making such a consecration or
new branches coming forward continually, until our Lord’s self-sacrifice as we have above delineated. And, on the other
first advent. The branches then in nlace were sneciallv fa- hand, growing experience is apt to convince us that compara-
vored with the offer of the highest spiritual favor%ot tively few of these who have consecrated themselves. fullv
&rder
the Law, but under Grace. and ;ntelligently, ever draw back;-in the sense of dhngiy
But few. “a remnant,” were in the heart-condition and heartily renouncing the Lord and their covenant obliga-
to an-
preciate and accept this.great favor. The majority tions.
cIung io
attemnts at self-iustification: and like their fathers were The large numbers who profess conversion during “re-
broken off. Then-the message was broadened; the invitation vivals,” etc.. and soon fall awav. are not to be reckoned as of
went to the Gentiles, “wild olive branches” to fill up the this ciass. ‘They merely heard *i call to repentance and refor-
nlaces of the broken off natural branches:-to comnlete the mation; a call which any and all are authorized to make, at
ioreordained number of the elect. The’ total number of anv time. The maioritv never nroaressed
I v
bevond
” renentance.
I
branches in the tree is 144.000. snrineine from twelve main even to the extent of j&tzficatiorr;-the chaffy, confused pres-
limbs or tribes. Keeping up’the’S&iptirai figure, we may say entations of most of revivalists. and so-called teachers. being
that as we who were by nature Gentiles, are grafted into the quite insufficient knowledge, to lead even to justifying faith:
Abrahamic Covenant, we are reckoned as members of the much less to sanctifying faith.
original twelve tribes,-sealed, spiritual Israelites-until the Accepting the word “called” as applying only to those who
predestined number, 144,000, shall have been completed. come under the conditions of iustification. Y
and subseauent 1 full
The methods by which the Lord has proceeded to call these sanctification through a belief of the truth; and admitting
“elect” are worthy of careful notice. that these, in all, have been very few at any period-truly a
(1) Our Lord declares that he called “sinners” “little flock”-can
in Israel we suppose the number so small as 144,000
“to reDentance.” This call was no Dart of “our high callino” from Pentecost until now?
to a share with Christ in the heaveily kingdom; but it was”a Examining our own day, and the views of consecration
preparatory step : guilty sinners are not invited now prevalent,
to, nor and the general scarcity of that quality;-
desired in the kingdom. The call to faith and repentance. if remembering that love for the truth and the brethren is
heartily accepted by the sinner, brings him justification among the %ests of devotion to God;-remembering,
from too, that
sin-release from divine condemnation-reconciliation with
a lcnowledae of nresent truth is to be an indication of those
the Father. now close “to the&Lord in favor;-we are inclined to look into
(‘1) “Being justified by faith [after repentance], we have the past with far less optimism than in years past. With a
neace with God lrealizing that our sins and imnerfections are
clearer eve than formerlv, for what constitutes a saint. and a
covered] through the sacrifice of our Lord Je&s Christ; by martyr ‘beheaded for the witneqs of Jesus,” we incline to
whom also ladditionallvl we have access into this grace think that but few of the millions of martyrs were really
wherein we stand, [viz.,]- rejoicing in the hope of the glory of saints,-from the Scriptural standpoint.
God,“-the hope of sharing the kingdom glories of our Lord For instance, St. Bartholomew’s day-and its slaughter of
Jesus. How did we gain access into this grace, after justifica- French Huguenots : Have we any sound reason for supposing
tion ? By another call or another part of the one call-God that the hapless victims were any more saintly or more sin-
“ccxlled us to glory and virtue [excellence].“-2 Pet. 1:3 ;
ful than the Galileans who suffered death at the hands of
Rom. 5 : 1, 2. Pilate?-or than the eighteen upon whom the tower of Siloam
In a ‘general way all repentant believers, justified, are
fell, and slew them?-or than a like number slain today in
called or invited to consecrate themselves to the Lord: be- Paris, or London, or Berlin, or Vienna, or Rome, or St. Peters-
cause. as each starts out desirous of doing right-(with no
burg, or Washington? Today, when religious questions hive
thought of self-sacrifice), he goes but a short distance until been largely removed from the arena of party strife. it is
he finds great opposition to right-doing, and even to right- somewhat difficult for us to realize that, in olden timeq. a11
thinking. He finds his opposition coming not only from the nolitics turned chieflv on religious questions. Suppose that
wo~ltl and the devil. as he might have exnected. but also ihe Boers were Catholics and %he British Protestants, or the
from his own flesh, and from nominal Christians. These four
Filininos Protestants and the Amcr~~w~s (‘ntilollc,r.--;tlltl tllc,n
opponents harass the newly justified will-whiles in anger,
imagine how partizan historians could write up both silles of
whrles in pity and sympathy-declaring that the right way is these wars, and describe their victims as Christran martyrs.
an impossible one, and that an attempt even to follow it will We are not meaning by this to intimate that there were
mean the ruin of every earthly prospect. no true saints martvred in olden times, anv more than we
Y

THE EFFECTUAL CALLING are denying that some true saints may ha;e fallen in the
This is a testing time. Will the justified one heed the South African and Philippine and Cuban and Chinese wars.
voices of the world, the flesh and the devil, and choose a What we do mean to imnlv is, that any estimate wblc*h would
downward or, at least, a compromise path? Or will he heed rank all those millions of- the past (who, nobly, and ignobly.
the voice of God, inviting him to walk in the foot&ens of died for their convictions), as “saints,” “overcomers,” mrm-
Jesus, in the “narrow way” which leads to glory, honor and bers of the “little flock,“-would be nearly as gross a mistake
lmmortalitv? If he obevs God’s invitation. he is one of the as to sunnose that all who have fallen for their convictions in
-- -~~I1 ~~

effectually “called. His aiceptance means a full consecration to modern warfare are such We must remember that the reck-
God,-a renouncing of all earthly hopes and prospects, to ords of martyrs such as Cranmer and Latimcr, and others less
obev God rather than self or others: and to have the bless- notable, who surely gave strong evidences of saintship, and
ing: God has provided for his faithful: (though at this stage whom we hope to meet in the kingdom, were exccptrons, and
he cannot clearlv discern the reward). This is self-sacrifice. by no means the rule.
God’s acceptan& of the sacrifice (the consecrationj is guar- Our estimate of the past must and should be based con-
anteed bg the terms of the general ‘call: further, it is attested siderablv unon our findings of the present: and rcckonlnn
bv reccint of “the snirit of holiness.” “the snirit of the truth:” thus, l&l.OdO would seem ‘hot only ample, but large. a3 ar;
nbdltionally, by an&ability to discern spirit’ual things, and ‘&to enumeration of the “conies of God’s dear Son.” J&t 114 not
comprehend with all saints the heights and depths and lengths forget that in the Priniitive Church the congregations were
and hrendths of the love of God.“-Eph. 3:lS. small, and usually met in private houses. (Arts 1: 13: 5 :Jt ;
Since our standing is the result of our acceptance of God’s 12:12; Rom. 16:5; Col. 4:X; Philem. 2) It was not until
gracious call, and since the Father seeketh only such as wor- the apostles fell asleep in death, and errors came in and
ship and serve him in spirit and in truth, it follows that, in attracted the unconsecrated-by false threats and false
the exercise of our free wills, we may if we choose renounce promises-that the numbers became large, and costly edifices
our consecration, withdraw our sacrifice, and thenceforth walk were erected. And yet, the apostles dealt chiefly with Jews,
after the flesh, and not after the spirit. But whoever does so, who for centuries had been under the Law Covenant, whose
of course loses the spirit of God, the spirit of his begetting to mission was to guide them to Christ. Out of all the millions
the new nature,-he is no longer to be classed among those of Jews in Palestine only a few thousand “received the word:”
begotten of God;-he is of those who “draw back unto perdi- -so few that Josephus did not even mention them in his
tion,” destruction, second death, nonentity. He who is in the histories of that time.
begotten condition “sinneth not [willingly, designedly, or pref- That the result of the Apostle Paul’s renowned missionary
erably] because his seed [the holy spirit] remaineth in him;” journeys was only small congregations, as a rule, seems evi-
while it remains he cannot love or wrllingly serve sm.-Heb. dent ;-because he set forth the Gospel so clearly, so unrom-
10:39; 1 John 3:9. promisingly;-showing the narrowness of the way, as well as
IV-13 [2941]
 ZION’S WATCH TOWER ALLEGHENY, Pa.

the glories of the reward;-not shunning to declare the whole also, that education being much more general now, a more
counsel of God. Yes, it was afterward-after the anostles fell extensive and intensive “harvest” work is nossible now. than
asleep-that the mixed and misrepresenting preaching drew in the Jewish “harvest.” On the whole, we-cannot think that
and drove multitudes into an anostate
s svstem:-“tares”
” to these figures can be considered immoderate.
choke the “wheat ” “THE WISE SHALL UNDERSTAND”-DAN. 12:lO
And even though the apostles, through faithful preaching This brings us to another point. We believe that the Lord
of the truth, kept out the “tares” in their dav, we find that meant us to understand, that one evidence of faithfulness
the congregations which they established we& not by any today, would be a knowledge of present trut7b. This seems to
means all saints. St. Paul’s enistles eenerallv indicate this: be the only possible deduction from the Parable of the Ten
for he sometimes addresses thdm to ‘The saiits and faithful Virgins, from the Apostle’s words in 1 Thes. 5:4, etc. And
brethren” and to those “called to be saints.” In these epis- is it not as reasonable to suppose that the “elect” will all
tles, too, he intimates that many are called compared to the learn of our Lord’s secolzd p&smce, as that every Israelite
number who will make their calling and election sure. He indeed was informed of our Lord’s first advent, in that
urge> thorn to take heed lest any should seem to come short separating of wheat from chaff 1 We are to remember, how-
of the rcciuirrrnents; but to so run as to obtain the prize. ever, that some of those who at first were in such darkness
Hcnc c we could not count all of the “household of faith” then, that thev persecuted the faithful, were subsequently rescued
any more than now, in the number of the final overcomers,- from their blindness, and became zealous brethren and servants
144.000. of the truth. So here;-our thought is, that none could now
Jf we keep in memory the Apostle’s statement, that God’s be esteemed “overcome&,” victors, khrle ignorant of our Lord’s
special favors, liglrt, etc., have come upon “the ends of the purousza, etc.; but we believe that many, if not the majority
ages” (1 Car. 1O:ll). and note its correctness-that snecial of the above mentioned 31,500, still in darkness, may yet
light am1 favor came at the first end, and now also at the prove amenable to their consecration and come into the light
latter end of this Gosnel are-it will be helnful in this studv. of present truth.
\\‘e mrght almoht be ;usti%ed in expecting ihat the first and As is generallv understood, we believe the prophetic Scrip-
last half-centuries of this age have not only enjoyed special tures to ‘ieach that the general call or invitation ceased in
light ant1 favor, but possibly may supply a full half of the 1851; and on the foregoing calculation this would imply that
elect number. the conjectured 31,500 consecrated, were written in the
THE GREAT COMPANY WHOSE NUMl3F.B NO MAN KNOWS Lamb’s book of life at that date, as fully sanctified persons,
Rut, another matter is to be considered: The 144,000 are who had nresented their all to the Lord in living sacrifice, to
the “called and chosen and faithful ;” the “overcomers;” walk in the footsteps of Jesus.
whereas the real ronvcrts. the true saints, in the apostles’ day Our hypothesis being correct, these 31,500 hare been on
nrltl since, rnclude not on!y the “overcomers” who make their trial, for now over twenty years; and. meantime, the only
c’al1111::and election sure, but also those [probably few] who chance for others to come into this elect class has been as
“draw track” and become subjects of the second death (Heb. the trial time of some of these may have lapsed, wrthout
8 :6; 10: :<Q) , and also those who-while not rejecting the their making their callmg and electron sure;-thcrr names
Lurtl. nor turning to love sin-still fail to fulfill their sacri- being blotted out of the Lamb’s book of life, and their claims
fire willi zeal; and, becoming overcharged with the cares of upon crowns of life being forfeited, as our Lord forewarned
this life, can 0x11~ be “saved so as by fire,” and must “come up (Rev. 2 : 10 ; 3 : 11) ,-they being numbered either among God’s
out of great tribulation and wash their robes and make them enemies (Heb. 10:26, 27) or among those whom the Son will
wbrtc in the blood of the Lamb,” and take a lower place than deliver, “so as by fire,” in the “great company” of Revelation
that to w-111& they were callerl.-Rev. 7 :Q-14. 7:9, 13.
Would It be safe to estimate that this “great company If we are correct in supposing that a knowledge and con-
whoie number is known to no man” (because, unlike the fession of present truth are essential to overcommp. now. we
“littlc flock,” it was not predestznated, and consists of such may give a fair guess at the number thus far fa&ful from
only as fail to reach the standard required) would be twice as the Watch Tower lists and our general knowlrdne of the
numerous as Ihe “little flock”? If so, it would mean that the friends. A liberal estimate would ube 10,000, walk;g in the
total number of the trulv sanctified and spirit-begotten. during light of present truth, and sanctified thereby. This would
this Gospel age, has been 432,000. But we are-not to forge? leave 21,500 yet in darkness; and probably most of them in
that no more than the 144.000 could be under invitation at “Babylon.” Of the 10,000 whom we will assume that we
one time; because it is not reasonable to suppose that God know, our estimate would be that nearly or quite one half of
would ever invite anyone for whom there would be no place if them were not consecrated in lSSl,-not amongst the 31,500.
he proved faithful. accepting this as a basis of estimate, it would teach us what 7
A COMPARATIVE ESTIMATE OF THE ELECTION THE WISE VIRGINS GOING IN TO THE WEDDING
Suppose, for instance, that 45.000 made full consecration It would teach us that since 1SSl about 5,000 had aone
during the remainder of the first century, and that one out of on faithfully and been granted the light of present truth,“and
three gained the victor’s crown; that would represent 15,000 have good hopes if thev stand fast that thev will finish their
of the “elect :” the result sav of GS vears’ labor of the ADOS- course with joy-m diath. It implies, thkt the 5,000 -who
ties,-garnering the ripe wheat of -the Jewisb nation ‘and have consecrated and received the light of present truth since
starting the work among such Gentiles as were “feeling after 18S1, took tire places of 5,000 whose period of probation
God, if haply they might find him.” If for every period of ended without proving them so far over comers a~ to be
6S years, from the year 100 to the year 1851, A. D., we esti- worthy of the light. Thus 10,000 of the 31,500 are already
mate the results to have been one fourth what they were disposed of. Kow, of the 21,500 yet to be dealt with, what
under the very favorable Spostolic ministration, it would prob- may we expect? (1) That one third, or possibly one half
ably be very lrheral, viz., 3,750. We are not to forget that in the number, wili yet prove themselves “overcomers” (Rev.
Israel, as the Master said, the fields were already white for 15:2-4; 20:4) ; and (2) that the remainder-10,000 to 14,000
harvesting. In those fields the Apostles needed not to do sow- -would represent the numbers of those whom we might expect
ing, but merely to gather in the fruitage of the Law dispensa- yet to come into divine favor by a full consecration;-to take
tion. After the cream of the Gentiles had also been gathered the places vacated and prospective crowns forfeited by the
in, the work would surely go more slowly. “overcharged ” And more than this: we must reckon that of
Calculating on this reasonable and liberal basrs, the year those consecrating now, even in the light of present truth,
A. D. lSS1, would see 112,500 who had already finished their there must be a testing. a sifting: and that if one half of the
course with joy as “overcomers,“- and a remainder of 31,500 smaller estimate fail, yt would mean 5,000 more to make con-
yet needed, to complete the predestinated number. Or, rf the secration and stand testing: and if one half of these fail, rt
YI

perfect fruitage of the Apostolic period were estimated at would mean 2,500 more, and so on.
12,000, and the remainder on the same basis, the total number n-e should not forget, however, that those entering the
garnered up to 1881 would have been 00,000; leaving a bal- “race” now have many advantages. (1) W’e may assume, in
ance of 54,000 to bc perfected since 1581, A. D.,-up to,-say harmony with reason and our observations, that a considerable
1910. number- who have consecrated since 1881. have been under the
For our estimates, let 113 take the former figures, as being Lord’s care and instruction, along thr Iinch of dlnc~lpllne and
very conservative;-viz., 31.500, to be developed-during, say character-builtlin:!, with a virw to their being accepted to fill
30 years. Thus would be considcrablv above the ratio esti- the places of those fallmg to make t1re.r calling and &&on
mated for the Apostolic period; but we are not to forget, on sure,-to joint-lieirship in the kingdom. (2 ) \T’e may assume
the other hand, that this IS the harvest time for Christendom. that, since the general call has ceased. none of these wnuld be
-many times more numerous than was fleshiy Israel. We are instructed in “the deep things of God,” except as they are
not to forget. either, that not only present-day inventions, permitted to take their pl,rres in the race. (3) \Ve may
conveniences, etc.. permit each lahorcr to do more work, but cspect that those cnusr(rnted 111 IS81 must close th-ir prnh?-
[29421
JANUARY15, 1902 ZION’S WATCH TOWER

tion for the prize very shortly now. (4) As the “present the growing numbers of Watch Tower subscribers, etc., now
truth” is now shining very clearly, and is getting more gen- have, in the foregoing, our reply to their queries. We doubt
erally shed abroad. and is in a condensed form. , easv* of auick not that the arguments will commend themselves to the ma-
assimilation, we should expect that characters would “form jority, if not all of our readers. We trust that it will come
and expand and crystalize, now, much more rapidly than ever to you all as a fresh incentive to energy and zeal in the
before. (5) We see that the cleavage or gulf is growing hardest work. Faith and patience are qualities necessary to
wider and wider, between “wheat” (true believers, fully co; every soldier of the cross. Be valiant! Quit you like men !
secrated) and “tares” (deceived persons misnaming them- is the Apostolic exhortation, and it is ours also. Go forth in
selves Christians, because mistaught by churchianity) . As the the name of our glorified Head, giving to all true Israelites
“tares” more and more openly ;epudiate faith in the blood the “three sians” of the Lord’s presence. And if in nourinn
of Christ, and more and more boldlv declare for “higher criti- the water up& the land it turn- into blood. even your bloo<
cism” and “evolution,” the “wheai” who have beei halting rejoice and be exceeding glad. Remember that your covenant
and fearful toward the truth and its true servants. will begin is, to lay down sour life for the brethren,-even unto death.
to see that they must decide quickly ;-and all of the “wheat” Let each go at once to the throne of grace, petitioning the
class will decide correctly; and some of them promptly enough Lord, that in so far as these presentations are the truth, they
to be classed with the “elect little flock.” (6) We anticipate may be blest to his own heart. Pray also that the Lord will
continued and increasing opposition; so that it will be fair to send forth more laborers into his vineyard and inspire your-
suppose that those giving adherence to the truth will gen- self and all of his faithful “brethren” (Heb. 2: 11) to renewed
erally so well count the cost in advance that comparatively ener,ny and effectiveness during the year 1002. Among the
few of them will need to be sifted out. estimated 21,500 consecrated brethren yet in Babylon, several
LABOR,-FOR THE NIGHT COMETH
thousand should be ready for the sanctifying truth this year.
Watch and pray for opportunities to serve them, and for
Those who for some time have inclined to wonder at our wisdom from on high to rightly use the opportunities as they
sanguine expectations, respecting the progress of the truth, come to you. May the grace of God abide with us I

ATTEMPTING TO DECEIVE GOD

ACTS 5:1-ll.-FEB. 9.
GOLDEN TEXT :-“ Wherefore, putting away Q&g, 8p8uh every mum truth with his neighbor.“-Eph. 4:25.
“While men slept the enemy came and sowed tares.” our cause, but also to all who for some time thereafter would
Lord’s parable explains. After the apostles fell asleep in identify themselves with the church, that any who were in-
death the adversary had a comparatively free hand in the sincere would best make no pretensions to discipleship. Quite
sowing of the seeds of error, and cultivated in the church probably the influence of the lesson lasted for a considerable
the tare class, as a result. But at the time of our lesson- time-during the lives of the apostles. Since the death of the
shortly after Pentecost-circumstances were different. The apostles, however, any number of hypocrites have come into
apostles were still in the church, and exercised the special the church,-indeed, have been dragged and coaxed in to swell
powers of the holy spirit conferred upon them, as the Lord’s the numbers: and God has been pieased to permit the many
representatives, for the establishment of the church-sowing false assumntions and false pretenses of these “tares” to go
only the good seed, and hindering the adversary from sowing unpunished *and unchallenged: (Matt. 13:30) This does not
tares or hypocrites in it. Our lesson illustrates the method mean a change on God’s part as respects such characters, but
by which the Lord, through the apostles, kept the infant rather that the case of Ananias and Sapphira was made a
church free from hypocrites. special one to serve as a lesson in the church. Likewise, the
As previously suggested, a partial community of interest first offence of Sabbath-breaking was punished with death
amongst the believers was early established. A number of (Num. 15 : 32-36)) although Sabbath-breaking was not simi-
the faithful had already sold possessions and contributed to larly punished subsequently under the law. We are not to
the general fund. Joses was one of these whose case is par- think of Ananias and Sapphira as being sinners above others
ticularly cited. (Acts. 4:36, 37 ) He was one of t,he noble of their class, because summary punishment was meted out to
brethren whose generosity and helpfulness in the church was them.
generally recognized, so that amongst the believers he re- Those who believe that eternal torment is the punishment
ceived a new name, Barnabas, which signifies “son of consola- for sin must, to be logical, suppose that Ananias and Sap-
tion,” or son of comfort and helpfulness. phira passed on to torments at the hands of devils, from which
Although there was nothing compulsory upon any in re- they have since been suffering, and such must wonder that
spect to this selling of goods and giving to the common treas- many who are equally hypocritical in nominal churches of
ury, the very fact that those who did so were highly esteemed today, so far as human judgment can discern, go unpunished,
in the church would naturally become a dnart to some who, and are encouraged by their spiritual leaders to hope for a
without the real spirit of helpfulness and sacrifice, would share in the best the future has to give.
appreciate and desire to have the approbation of the brethren. Erom our standpoint-the Bible standpoint-these two de-
Snanias and Sapphira, his wife, were of this class, desirous ceivers received no other punishment than the loss cl the
of the approval of the church, yet deficient in the real spirit present life; and as they were evidently not of the “wv%eat”
of sacrifice. They had a property which they determined to class at all, and had not become partakers of the holy spirit,
sell, and in order to pass before the believers as saints of the but deceived themselves, as they attempted to deceive others,
same order as Barnabas, they pretended to give to the general their conduct did not affect their cases everlastingly, but
fund the full amount received for the property. Secretly, merely as respects the present life. They were made an illus-
however, they had much less generous sentiments; they agreed tration of a principle-they served as ensamples for the in-
together that they would retain part of the sale-money for struction of the church. They received the full penalty of
future contingencies,-yet would pass as sacrificers to the full their decention in the loss of nresent life. As respects the
amount. future life: an opportunity for which the Lord Jesus-has pur-
The wrong of their course is manifest. As the Avostle chased for all mankind. it will “in due time” be thrown open
Peter declared, the property was their own, and after- they to them and to the whole world, to be accepted or rejected,
had sold it thev still had a rieht to do as thcv nleased with under terms of clear knowledge and obedienre. They are still
the proceeds; but they should have been honest “about the mat- heirs to a share of those blessings which will come to the
ter, and if they wished to give a tenth, a half or all of the world after the spirit-begotten church shall have been glori-
amount, it was a matter of their own business alone, and no fied, and begun the work of blessing all the families of the
one would have had the least right to find fault with or criti- earth.
cise them. The entire wrong consisted in the deception prac- The particulars of the lesson require no further detailing.
ticed-the palming off of a part of the price as the whole, for We merely note the fact that the Apostle Peter evidently had
the purpose or deceiving the church and of gaining an applause the gift of discerning spirits (1 Cor. 12:10), and that God
for an amount of sacrifice more than they made. In this and fortified the knowledge granted him, as evidence or proof of
in this alone consisted the sin for which they both died. his apostleship. We proceed next to consider some of the les-
The record is that “great fear came Gpon all the com- sons which may properly be learned from this incident of the
I
nanv”--ereat
* :’
reverence for God and for the apostles. his rep- past, by the Lord’s consecrated people of today. The lesson
resentatives. It brought also a realization that consecratioks is that God desires “truth in the inward Darts”--in the heart
to the Lord were far from meaningless forms. This would -and that any who have not this quality-candor, honesty,
mean, not only to those who had already espouqed the Lord’s truthfulness-cannot be pleasing to God; and therefore cannot
c29431
(29-30) ZION’S WAT”” -------
LH I‘UWEK ALLECHJWY. PA.

share in the glories shortly to he dispensed to the elect class a dreadful condition. The church of today, instead of being
of this Gospel age.-Psa. 51:6. free from deceivers, has them in its verv highest nositions
As we look at ourselves, we come to realize how imperfect of trust and honor-,-as representatives of t-he Lgrd, p&porting
are all the members of the fallen race; and when we consider to be his mouthpieces.
God’s perfection, we can conceive of only one quality that the This is an individual matter still, as it was in the days of
fallen creature could possibly possess, that would meet with the apostles. Each individual of the Lord’s ueonle must
divine approval-even when viewed through the merit of answer for his own course, to the Lord himself. -It-therefore
Christ’s atonement. That ono quality is honesty. The true behooves all those who are seeking divine approval to see to
Christian must, in honesty, confess his own shortcomings, his it that they are not influenced by the prevalent disposition to
own deficiencies. He must, in honesty, acknowledge that his hypocrisy, but that they deal with the Lord in purity and
sufficiency is of God, through Christ and not of hymself. He honesty of heart. They should see to it that, having cov-
must honestly strive for the standard set before him in the enanted to give to God and his service their all, they keep
Gospel. He must honestly admit that he cannot do the things nothing back, but consider their time, their influence, their
that he would. He must‘ candidly and fully ‘accept the riglit- means, their lives, fully devoted to the Lord, and that they use
eousness of God in Christ Jesus, as the corerina for his these as his-as they believe he would wish to have them
blemishes. We are inclined to the belief that thg nreatert used-as stewards. He who is honest with himself will be
bin in the church-even amongst the consecrated belie;ers-is honest with God, and be honest also with his fellow-men. As
the sin of dishonesty-the sin of which divine tliaapproval is so Shakespeare expresses it,-
excellently illustrated in the case of Annnlns and Sapphlra.
We have no desire to distort. or to make matters appear “To thine own self be true;
worse than they real1.v are; but from our standpoint the And it must follow, as the night the day,
nominal church terms &xl overflow\ s with just such hypocrites Thou canst not then be false to any man.”
--self-deceived, to some extent. These are the tares. or imita-
tion wheat. Our Golden Text is quite to the point, and requires no
Do not all who claim to be Christians profess to be fol- comment. We perhaps should, however, guard some against a
lowing in the footsteps of J(\qus,-to bear his name, to be his mistaken view of truthfulness. Some persons of large con-
t him 11, liic l~ncly, and to take up his cross and follow him’ scientiousness fall to properly balance the subject, and reach
Yet how comnarativelv few of the nominal whole have or the conclusion that they are bound to answer every question
have ever had. any thought of so doing. By their profession that may be asked them, telling all that they know upon any
they declare that they-hare sold their earthly possessions subject. This is a mistaken view: we are not bound by any
and presented the whole matter as a loving eift and sacrifice laws of honesty to tell all that we know in all cases. Some
to the Lord; yet in reality they have done nothing of the people ask questions which they have no proper right to ask-
kmd. and never for a moment thought of even as much about things which are not their proper business: such per-
liberality to the Lord’s cause, keeping as proportionately little sons should not be encouraged; their queries should not be
to th,mseIves, as did Ananias and Sapphira. satisfied. Nor is it necessary to truthfulness that we should
We cannot judge the heart, and will not attempt to do so. say to them in so many words,-You are busybodies, and your
We caannot even always tell which are grains of “wheat” and auestions are imnertinent. and I will not answer them. On
which “tares,” but out of their own mouths we may judge {he contrary, a sbft answer will he better-an answer which
those who profess to be “wheat.” Some professing thus, will tell them as much or as little as suits convenience, per-
and occupying very high positions in the rhurch, even as mitting them to draw the conclusion that for some reason
ministers of the Gospel. tell us nlainlv, not onlv bv their unmentioned you would not care to give a fuller statement of
actions, but also at times by their words, that in Wpre’tending the facts. An excention to this rule would be a case in which
to +ell out their Interests and to turn over the entire pro- the keeping back of the information would be to the injury of
ceeds in consecration to the Lord’s service, thev have grossly the inquirer. Then, love for our neighbor should prompt the
falsified-some of them tell us that they do not even believe giving of the information; perhaps, indeed, the volunteering of
the things which thev vowed thev would nreach. Thev thus it without being asked-especially if it be concerning a matter
tell us that they have” been dishonest with men and with- them- of which you have not merely an opinion but actual knowl-
selves, in respect to the things of God. Truly this is a serious, edge, without the revealing of which he would suffer injury.

MAY WE DEFEND OUR EARTHLY INTERESTS?

DEAR BROTHER Russn~ :- examples of the flock in the New Testament. To illustrate:
At our Dawn Circle the postal ruling was referred to. When our Lord was assailed by the scribes and Pharisees, who
One sister expressed surprise ihat you should take the posi- sought to entrap him in his teachings, he was meek and gen-
tion vou have in contendine against it: which remark led to a tle, as the Lamb of God, but not foolish;-he did not run
further exchange of thought. Y A brother said he thought he away from the questions, but, as the narrative shows us, he
was supposed to give up anything when asked for it, and let entrapped in their own arguments those who were seeking to
people imnose upon him-that that was a part of his sacri- entrap him. When his arrest was threatened in Gethsemane,
iice: Another brother stated he once had *a house and lot although he knew that “his hour was come,” he did not go
whlcil was two-thirds paid for, when some obstacle arose, and forward and say, I know all about this; just take me along.
rather than have any trouble he sent the contractor his deed He enauired. Whv did vou come here to take me as a
to the place, letting him have it without standing up for any prisoner, after night? Why were you not courageous enough
of his rights. If our little meeting is any criterion, it seems to take me prisoner in the day time, when the multitudes were
to me very many of our dear brethren are allowing Satan’s surroundrng me, as I taught in the Temple? Then he seems
followers to defraud them of not a little oi. tzirC stewardship. to have exercised some influence upon them which caused them
to go back and fall to the ground. But having thus asserted
We publish this letter, with its answer, believing that some the right. and knowing that it was the Father’s will that he
of the Lord’s dear sheen have need of counsel along the lines
I
should now be delivered over to their power, he subsequently
of the inquiry. nermitted them to take him prisoner. In the iudgment hall,
It is difficult for many, to rightly adjust the relationship &when reproved and smitten unjustly, our Lord defended himself,
between the two parts of our Lord’s command, “Be wise as to the extent of reasoning with his assailant, and declaring
serpents, harmless as doves.” The harmlessness of the sheep his own rectitude.
and of the dove beautifullv renresent what should be the char- The Apostle Paul defended himself, frequently, before
acter of all the Lord’s consecrated people as respects violation nriests and kings: exnlaining the iustice of his cause: and on
of the rights of others; but a sheep is stupid as well as harm- bne occasion replied 10 his uassailant, “God shall smite thee,
less and the Lord does not recommend that his followers shall thou whited wall.” In every instance he seems to have used
conqider stupidity a Christian grace. Rather. he enconraees the law, so far as there was a law, for his defence, on one
us. in the words above ouoted. to be wise;-not.
1
like serpents, occasion going so far as to appeal his case to a higher court-
in \‘enom and disposition to injure and attack; but like ser- Caesar’s at Rome, Nevertheless, whenever the laws did not
pents in wisdom; that this wisdom in us may be combined support him we find the Apostle bringing no railing accusa-
with the harmlessness of the dove and of the sheep. tion against the laws nor against magistrates, but submitting
This combination of wisdom and gentleness-a wisdom used himself, and counselling the church to “he subject to the pow-
for eood and not for evil purposes,-is in the Scriptures de- ers that be, for the powers that be are ordained [permitted]
nomynated “the spirit of a sound .mind.” This sound mind of God.” In all this we understand that the Apostle was en-
was well illustrated in the conduct of our Lord and of the tirely right ;-within the letter and spirit of the Master’s
Apostle Paul, the leading representatives of the truth and teaching, when he said, “If any man sue thee at the law, and
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JANUARYIS, 1902 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (30-23)

take away thy cloak, begrudge him not thy coat also,“-if he have been wrong. God opened a wide door of opportunity for
secure it by process of law.-Luke 6:29. the spread of the truth through the postal laws as they now
We consider that the brothers mentioned in the letter erred stand; but a man has arisen, and without the authority of the
in judgment; but we are glad to be able to fully approve their law has deprived us of this open door. We are right in ap-
heart-intentions. Although, by doing as he did, one failed pealing to the law; and to the President, as the head of all
somewhat in his stewardship of the means entrusted to his the departments of the Government; to protect us in the privi-
care, and to that extent is to be criticized; nevertheless, we leges which the law grants us as it stands. We have the same
are sure that the Lord, who looks at the heart, would be bet- right to anneal for iustice that our Lord exercised and that
ter pleased- to see him thus fail in his stewardship than to thi Apostle- Paul so” frequently exercised. We believed that
have seen him violate his conscience in the matter. If the the Lord was nleased with the Anostle’s internretation
A
of his
property under consideration was worth contesting for, in our will; and we b&ieve that he is pleased with o& interpretation
judgment, it would have been his duty to have resisted the of it in this matter of appealing to the President for rectifica-
iniustice ma&iced, in so far as the laws of his State would tion of an injustice,-a violation of law, defrauding us of our
grant him justice: The Apostle’s words, “Dare any of you, rights.
having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, But now, suppose that our protests avail nothing;-what
and not before the saints?” ( 1 Cor. 6: 1) , has no reference to will we do? We answer that we will allow the sheep and
such a case as this. It applies only to differences between dove nature to control fully; we will neither become an-
brethren in the Church;-amongst the consecrated. A brother archists, nor vicious maligners of the Government; nor make
is to shield a brother in the church, and to condone any injus- any attacks upon either the laws or those who have defrauded
tice suffered at his hands, even as he would shield a natural us. We will neither dynamite them literally nor with our
brother and condone his injustice, rather than make the mat- mouths and pens;-we will submit. Why? Because we under-
ter public before the world. But we would have no scruple stand this to be a part of the Lord’s injunction; that we shall
about going into the State courts in an action against a nom- be subject to the powers that be; that we shall be harmless, as
inal Christian. if he attempted to defraud us, provided the sheen and doves. When all the wisdom we possess has been
amount involved seemed to- justify the trouble *and expense exercised, we shall be content; and take the-results as being
incidental to the trial of the case. The reason for this dis- the will of God:-knowing that he is nerfectlv * able to over-
tinction between a brother in the church and a nominal Chris- rule in the matter as may”please him. *
tian would be that nominal Christendom accepts present gov-
ernments and present courts as “Christian’‘-part and parcel Besides, our readers know that for years we have been ex-
of Christendom itself. Therefore, in trying a case against a pecting that the door to opportunities of service would soon
nominal Chrihtian in the public courts we would be trying close; and we are not surprised if it closes gradually rather
him before a Christzan court, according to his acceptance or than abruptly. We will not be surprised that our protests
the term. shall be of no avail in this matter. We will consider, never-
As respects our appeal to the President against the viola- theless, that we have done our duty; and that failure to effect
tion of the law by his representatives in the Post Office De- anything should be to us an evidence that the Lord’s provi-
partment. We hold that our action was proper, right; and dence is coiiperating in the matter with a view to restraining,
that any other course,-a failure to take such action, might to some extent, the opportunities at our disposal.

THE GREAT JEHOVAH’S PLAN

I am so small, and thou so great;
So weak, and thou so strong;
Yet from my heart there flows to thee
A true and loving song.
Thou art Jehovah, God!
And hast in thy control
The empire of the universe,
Where suns and systems roll
In wide expanse of trackless space,
Yet held -in place by thee; -
Each sphere into its orbit set,
Through vast immensity.
Of dust am I. and to earth’s dust
I’11 molder ‘and decay;
This living frame and pulsing heart
Will soon have passed away;
But is it all of life to live,
Or all of death to die?
Thy Word proclaims a ransom found,
On whom we can rely.
Thou art the mighty King,
Thy name, the Holy One,
But unto thee a living way
Was opened by thy Son.
He is our righteousness:
Through him comes peace with
And in his name we favor seek,
And are from sin set free.
De tasted death for every man;
He dieth once-no more;
And by his sacrifice secured
Man’s rights he will restore.
“Death” was the penalty of sin,
But Love o’er Death hath won;
For the gift of God is life supreme,
Eternal, through his Son.
He died for all of human kind;
He rose that thev might live;
And, as God’s Word is &er true,
This greater life he’ll give!
In sheol, hades, hell,
In earth, or oceans’ deep,
His voice and power will soon be felt,
To wake from death’s long sleep.
The one true church, the “little flock,”
The Holy Spirit sought,
As kings and “royal priests” of God,
Are to the Father brought.
“First fruits” are they of those who slept:
Joint-heirs with Christ, their Lord,
When he, who is their life, appears,
He’ll bring them their reward.
Made like the One they serve and love,
His nature to them given;
His power, glory, honors share;
Their home, with him, in heaven.
As “Abraham’s seed,” they’ll bless the earth
And rule with loving sway;
Instruct and teach the way to life
Is to God’s laws obey.
But they who will not hear this Priest-
Christ and the Church-his wife,
Will be cut off by second death,
Destroyed from hope of life.
But they “who will” need never die,
And glories, yet unknown,
Are kept reserved in store for those
thee; Who loyal love have shown.
Thus up the scale to perfect life,
In “highway” wide and broad,
The ransomed race can seek and find
Full harmony with God.
A race redeemed, an earth new made,
Riches and wealth untold;
A world where righteousness will dwell
And man his GGd behold !
Where pain and sickness, grief and death
Are memories of the past;
Where loving faithfulness to God
Forever more will last,
With curse removed, the blight of sin
Entirely swept away, -
And man God’s image evermore
Abides in perfect-day.
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 ZION’S WATCH TOWER ALLEGHENY. PA.

This is thy finished work, Oh, Israel’s God! How great art thou!
Thy own most glorious plan; What wisdom, love and grace
And this the wondrous love thou’st shown The eye of faith will always find
Toward sinful, fallen man. When we thy dealings trace!
---Mrs. Jennie hf. Stratton.
VOL. XXIII ALLEGHENY, PA., FEBRUARY 1, 1902 No. 3

VIEWS FROM THE WATCH TOWER

A GLOOMY OUTLOOK ZIONISM’S PROSPECTS AS SEEN BY THE N. Y. TRIBUNE
l’rcsident Eliot, of Harvard University, takes a rather “Has the Zionist movement any prospect of attaining
gloomy view of the future outlook. He says that “churches, its end?
courts and legislatures command less respect and have less “Very little. It looks as though the scornful indifference
inliuenrc now than thirty years ago.” He thinks the church of the intellectual and wealthy among the Jews were suffi-
has tltgencrated into poetic generalities or to ritualistic cient to promptly dissipate their co-religionists’ dream of re-
pomp. He notes in the iudiciarv a decline in nersonal merit
Y Y
turning to the promised land. The latter, to be sure, have
and * in public cstunntlon. “Legislative bodies,” says the in their favor the greater number and faith, but against
president of Harvard, “have fallen into popular contempt.” these are arrayed the rationalists, for whom the true Messiah
But, gloomy as all this is, he does not despair of his country. is the French Revolution that brought them emnnripation;
W’hilc the years have been laying successive layers of black the prudence of the rabbis, proclaiming that henceforth the
paint on the religious bodlc~, on the judges of our courts, and Jews have no other country but that of their birth (declara-
on ttie lawmakers, there is still one ray of light shining tion of the grand rabbis of France, England, Austria, Hun-
through the gloom. For meanwhile, the school has become gary, at the Congress of Basle, 1897) ; the money dealers,
more powerful, “and education is the one agency for promoting without whom nothing can be done, and who are not willing
intelligence and righteousness which has gained strength in to exchange their banks, their industries, their palaces, for
the last half century.” the barren and poor soil of Palestine; the politicians, for
“CHURCH PERIL-GROUND BEINU LOST” whom the integrity of the Ottoman Empire has become a
lk. George C. Lorimcr, the noted Boston preacher, now dogma, and who would not permit a Jewish state to rise in
pastor of the Madison Avenue Baptist church, savs the Prot- the midst of the Sultan’s Asiatic dominions. All these powers
estant church is in peril; that the dangers are from within, of the modern world, rationalism, wealth, politics, are barring
not without: that the church is losing hold on intelligent the way of those simple minded, pious souls who persist in
thought. In’hin Srrndav sermon he said: striving for a redemption of Israel, who dream of a temple
“Every now and then certain things are said which betray other than the Exchange and who long for the promised land
an urieasg feeling as to the future stability and supremacy with all the ardor of the Jews of the Babylonian captivity.”
of Protestantisni. l (I *
“But whatever may he said of the gloomy outlook, it is
not due, as many suppose, to the hostility of Romanism. The Just SO! Worldly wisdom fails to discern some matters
1’aparv has its own troubles. even while they are transpiring. The Watch Tower and
“The l’resc*nt perils of our faith are not primarily from Dawn. pointed out the present Zionist movement from God’s
without. Tllcv arc from within, and they are similar to those Word long before its founders thought of it. Ever since
which endangc red tl:e standing and usefulness of the Galatian 1878, when Israel’s “double” of chastisement expired, the
church. land has been preparing for the people and the people for the
“Romnniqm is dogmatic. She has come to the front as land. In God’s due time, and that soon, they will come to-
the chammon of the Bible against the destructive critics. and gether. Meantime persecutions in various lands are the prods,
as the dcfcntlcr of the sacrcd’mpsteries against the naturalism the “staff” of their Shepherd, to awaken them and direct their
of the rntionnllsts, while we have fallen into the cheap and hearts toward the promises of which they are heirs.-Rom.
idle fnehion of decrying doctrine; and we fail to see that as 11:26-29.
we drift from the I th~ologza s&-a we are losing our hold ZIONISM FROM A LITERARY JEW’S STANDPOINT
on intelligent thought. To the Editor N. Y. Journal:
“An additional peril springs from the nresent snirit of I am not a prophet, but it certainly seems to me that
Pl.Ot.O’ltiLl1t.l Sill ‘I’lle- psi il is tl;at genuine Christians mnv de without the Zionistic movement, and without persecution
sire to make their rhurchs centres of social influence rather from without, isolated Jewish communities have no suffi-
than sources of regenerating power. Protestantism today cient seeds of permanence in a world whose civilization is
suffers from wnrltllinrss. already built up on Old Testament lines. Unfortunatelv.
“Diminished eongregntions and depleted treasuries are persecution is still unfailing, especially in Russia and Rou:
other danger signs.“-N. Y. Journal. mania, and fortunately Zionism is making great strides.
WATER AGAIN FLOWS IN THE POOL OF SILOAM Nineteen hundred and one will be memorable as the year in
“For over ten years the Pool of Siloam has been only a which the ruler of Palestine-the Sultan of Turkev-received
name. Visitors to Palestine who have seen this historic Dr. Herzl, and will end characteristically with the*fifth Zion-
spot of late years have found that its healing waters have istic congress. Every congress shows an augmentation in
vnnishrd. Just rcccntlv the waters of Siloam have been enthusiasm and in the prospects of what seemed five years
made to flow once again, and there has been great rejoicing ago to be the mad vision of a dreamer of the Ghetto. In
in the Holv Land. It annears that Jerusalem has been espec- striking the racial chord Dr. Herzl has struck the chord which
ially short’ of w-nter of ‘lnte, and it occurred to some of -the rings truest, and there is no doubt the brotherhood of Israel
inhabitants of Silonm lo trv to find out whether the snrine contains the elements of a political force. When even America
which uqrtl to supply the no01 was really dry. Tons of ac”- is beginning to exclude Jewish emigrants, there will be no
cumulatrtl rul,l,ish- were cleared away, -and - after about a place left for the sole of their foot but Palestine, and thus
mont,h’y work the spring was found. The excavators dis- forces external and internal are beginning to coincide and
covered behind sonic’ fallen rocks an old aqueduct running work together for good-the evil force of persecution, the
into the volley of the Chadron, and into this aqueduct the righteous force of Zionism. Faithfully yours,
bealitlflrl. cool, r!rnr water had run and been wasting for years.” I. ZANOWILL.

GOD’S MESSAGE ON PEACE

PGl. 31: 14. “Depart from evil and do good; seek peace 1 Tim. 2:2. “Lead a quiet and peacea& life in all godli-
and pursue it.” ness and honesty.”
Heh. 12: 14. “Follow pence with all men and holiness Jas. 3:17. “The wisdom that is from above is first pure
without which no m?n shall see the Lord.” then peaccnble.”
Rom. 14 17. “The kingdom of God is not meat and drink, Isa. 26:3. “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose
but rightcnusness and pence and iov in the Holy Spirit.” mind is stayed on thee.”
Rom. 14:19. “Follow after the thinas which make for
peace 2nd things wherewith one may edify another.” - Prov. 19:7. “When a man’s ways please the Lord, he
Rom. 12:18. “Live peclcenbly with all men.” maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.”
1 Cor. 14:33. “God is not the author of confusion. but 1 Thes. 5:13. “Be at peace among yourselves.”
of pence” 2 Cor. 13:ll. “Be of one mind, live in peace and the God
1 Cor. 7.15. “God has called us to peace.” of love and peace shall be with you.”
[2946]
FEBRUARY1, 1902 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (36-38)

Mark 9:50. “Have peace one with another.”
Job 22:21. “Acquaint now thyself with God and be at
peace: thereby good shall come unto thee.”
Jas. 3:18. “The fruit of righteousness is sown in peace
of them that make peace.”
2 Tim. 2:22. “Follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace
with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”
Cal. 3:15. “Let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to
the which also ye are called in one body.”
Eph. 4:3. “Keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of
peace.”
Rom. 10: 15. “Preach the gospel of peace.”
Rom. 8:6. “To be spiritually minded is life and peace.”
Zech. 8 : 19. “Love the truth and peace.”
Prov. 12:20. “Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine
evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy.”
Psa. 119 : 165. “Great peace have they which love thy law,
and nothing shall offend them.”
Psa. 37 : 37. “Mark the perfect man and behold the up-
right: for the end of that man is peace.”
Psa. 37:ll. “The meek shall inherit the earth; and shall
delight themselves in abundance of peace.”
2 Peter 3:13, 14. “We, according to his promise, look
for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteous-
ness; wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things,
be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without
spot and blameless.”
Rom. 14: 18. “He that in these things serceth Christ is
acceptable to God and approved of men.”

PERSECUTION RIGHTLY RECEIVED

ACTS 5 :33-42.-FED. 16.
“Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake; for Ilr.eirs is the kingdom of heaven.“-Matt. 5 : IO.
We saw, in a previous lesson, Peter and John before the salaries. As one of them declared, “My bread is not buttered
Sanhedrin, and the subsequent growth of the church in num- on that side!”
bers and in the graces of the holy spirit, including joy and The city officials desirous of being on good terms with influ-
peace with God and with each other and with fellow-men. ential citizens, called at our office, rehearsed the facts, and
The Lord’s blessing upon the apostles, through the gifts of notified us to discontinue the work. We replied that we are
the holy spirit, enabled them to heal the sick. and at the same living in the United States, and not in Russia: and that there
time to declare that the work was done by the power of Jesus: is no law here yet, against giving men hooklets. any more
whom the rulers had crucified; but whom God had raised than against giving them hank-bills, if thev desire to take
from the dead, and who was now in heavenly glory, a prince, them, and if the procedure is conducted in”a quiet, orderly
a Savior, a glorified High Priest, ready and willing to grant manner. We assured them that if there were any breaches of
forgiveness of sins and the blessing of the holy spirit to those the peace they would not come from the dist&hutore, and
who would accept. explained further that those who engaged in this volunteer
For a time the chief priests and their associates in religi- service were as truly preaching the Gospel by the printed
ous power, ignored the new movement and the fact that it page as were those who’taught orally inside the church build-
refleited against them: but by and by they were aroused, and ings; and further, that the real objection was, that our friends
used the power at their hand for the arrest of the apostles; were circulating the true gospel, “good tidings of great joy
at the command of the chief ones the latter were put into which shall be unto all neonle.” while those inside the churches
urison. The account savs thev had “indianation’‘-marain. were deceiving their cbniding flocks. misrepresenting God’s
i1envy.” Thus the truth, in whatever way presented, has either character and plan, and withal reaping goodly rewards for
a savor of life unto life, or of death unto death, according their evil services;-whereas our friends, the volunteers, were
to the heart-conditions of those comine under its influence. preaching the true gospel without money and without price:
In the present case the simplicity of theipostles. their earnest- -seeking to educate the people in a knowledge of God and
ness in presenting their message, their power and kindness of his nlan, as revealed in the Scriptures. The civil nuthori-
in respect to the healing of disease and casting out of devils, ties readily saw the justice of our position, and there was no
and their evident sincerity, had a right influence upon all “Is- interference. Is not this a case of the blind seeing better than
raelites indeed:” but the formal. nerfunctorv Israelites. in those who hoast of having escaprd from blindness?
favored positions of honor and a&ence, were provoked to The Lord’s power was wonderfully manifested in the early
hatred and envy; envy because of a power over the people davs, not onlv in the healinc of the sick. but afterwards in
which thev could not exercise: hatred because of a feeling th;? deliveranck of the apostles from imprisonment. The angel
that these’ teachings were assailing and weakening their in”- of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them forth:
fluence. and tendinr to break down the relinious svstem * which instructinp them to proceed in the proclamation of the truth
they represented. o as before:’ The apostles and early- church at this time al-
So, too, we see matters today in nominal spiritual Israel. most walked bv sieht: for. under such conditions. faith would
The spirit of sectarianism is jealous and envious, and resents be very secondary:’ However, we see that the object of this
and opposes whatever is not in accord with it;-fearful of was the establishment of the church upon broad, sure foundn-
its own fall ,-realizing continually the weakness of its own tions. Suhseouentlv the miraculous features were withdrawn,
position. On the contrary, now as ever, the truth, presented and are still-withdrawn; frequently the Lord’s people have
in simplicity and under the guidance of the holy spirit, will been imnrisoned and otherwise mistreated throuehout the are.
appeal to all who are in a right attitude of heart, all Israel- without’any special physical deliverance,-even as the mirac-
ites indeed, all whose eyes of understanding are open to see ulous gift of healing also passed away. We walk by faith,
the inconsistencies of sectarianism and formalism. Sectarian not hv sight: we can see the spiritual healings and casting
leaders in our day have not the power to imprison those to- out of evil spirits progress, hut are not granted physical dem-
ward whom they feel enmity; nevertheless, having the same onstrations ; and if imprisoned or otherwise despitefully used,
spirit as their prototypes, they manifest it to the extent of our consolations must be those of the heart, grasped by the
their ability. For instance; during the “volunteer” service arms of our faith.
in Allegheny-in which brethren and’ sisters quietly and pleas- The next morning, on the assembling of the Sanhedrin
antly tendered tracts and booklets free to Christian neonle (also termed the Senate), when it was found that the apon-
on Sunday-some of the modern Pharisees and Sadducees were ties were not in the prison, but holdly teaching as before in
envious, and manifested their envy as nearly as possibly after the Temnle. the chief nriests found matters more comnlicated:
the manner described in our lesson. Some of the nreachers and fearina the influence of such miracles upon the minds of
commanded their congregations not to take the pamphlets, and the people,- they caused the next arrest of thp apostles to be
heaped abuse and scandalous enithets 1lDOn God‘s faithful made with great lenienry, bringing them hefore the Snnhedrin.
chiidren, whose onlv object in the matter was to serve his Thus another opportunity was afforded God’s servants to tes-
cause, and to feed his flock. A committee of preachers waited tifv. and to the chirf nriests and rulers to hear n ntrictlv ------i
upon the city officials and endeavored to have their coiineration goipel serninn ; and the speaker failed not to impress the same
-to secure the arrest and imprisonment of the brethren and points RR on previous occasions. What an opportunity this
sisters unless thev would cease to nreach this “Gosnel of the would have heen for honest men, Israelites indeed! What a
kingdom,” and let them alone to continue their blinding and blessing it might have brought them! Rnt being in an evil
deceiving of the Lord’s flock. Thev perceive that the truth condition of heart they were merely angered, rmhittered, “cut
is against them: against their positions: against their false to the heart.”
theologies. They perceive that the truth has Scriptual sup- Their words hetray the source ot their fear. when they
port, which they cannot answer; and they fear lest it should said to the apostles: We have already forbidden vnu tn teach
“turn the world upside down,” and that, in the melee, they the pconle, but instead of obeying us you have “filled Jerusa-
would lose some of their dignity, honor of men and good lem with your doctrines” (teachings), and you evidently in-
[2947]
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tend to bring upon us the ill-will of those who receive your
teachines. bv char&E us with the blood of this Jesus. Thev
feared “n&t, only fey tYhe safety of their sectarian systems, bu”t
thev had a Dersonal fear as well. And so we believe it is
wit*h the chi>f priests, scribes and Pharisees of today; they
feel not only a necessity for supporting their various denom-
inational structures, but, additionally, they realize that their
personal standing is at stake. In DroDortion as what we Dre-
sent as the trut% is accepted by the &people, the ministers of
the nominal churches are seen to be false teachers. false
prophets, deceivers, who ignorantly or wilfully have wbefully
misrepresented the divine character and plan.
llowevcr. if the chief priests, etc., hid only understood
matters better thev would not have been so alarmed. Thev
would have real&d that the apostles and their teaching”s
would infiuence only a comparatively small number ;-that
the large maioritv of Israelites were such onlv in name;
drawing nigh “to God in outword forms and lip”service,
far from him in heart. The same is true todav. The Dreach-
erR of Babylon need have little fear that the t&e Gosp’el ~111
affect the maJority of thrir hearers in the least. On the con-
trarv. now. as at the first advent, onlv such as “have an ear
to h&r” will hear, can hear; the iemafnder will continue under
the leading of their blind guides, until, by and by, both shall
fall into the ditch of lreneral doubt and unbelief here, as their
prototypes did in the trouble which closed the Jewish age.
Suhscoucnt events moved that. altho the aDosties filled Jer-
usal& with their doctrine (teachinEs), a cohparatively small
number were ready and able and willing to deceive l%e good
messaces. as the ADostle and the Prophet declare.-Isa. 10 :22;
Ram. ‘9 :27. A the Lord and his truth brings us extra hardships, as it did
Gamaliel was a great teacher amongst the Jews. It will
ho lc~memhc~rrtl that the ,Zpostlc Paul, as Saul of Tarsus. was
one of his pupils. Gamali’el was a member of the Sanhedrin,
and Dreqent on the occasion of this trial. and his wise counsel
turned aside the murderous intentions’ of the chief priests
toward the apostles. His wise and moderate language draws
our cstcTm, and it swayed fully those who heard him say,-
“Refrain from these men and let them alone; for if this
counsel or this work be of men it will come to nought; but
if it be of God yc cannot overthrow it, lest haply ye be found
even to be fighting against God.” We must esteem these
words as merclv worldlv wisdom. and their author not as an
Israelite indeed”, hut s&ply prudknt and, possibly, a just man.
So todav. we find men in the councils of the nominal church
and in ihe civil councils who are broad-minded, wise and lib-
erally disposed. This does not mean, however, that these,
anv more that Gamaliel. are Israelites indeed. Thev are
noble-minded, and should’ have our respect accordingly”;
we are.not to be surprised if we find that they do not accept
the truth. and that thrv arc! not of the “little flock.”
are to re&nbcr, on the contrary, the inspired word-that
manv great or wise or miehtv hath God chosen. but “chiefly
Y c1
the poor of this world, ri& ih faith, to be heirs of the king-
dom.” ( 1 Cor. 1:2G-29 ; Jaq 2 :5) We would like to press
this point, hrcnuse we have found at times that some of the
Lord’s people who have received the truth themselves are
morr or leqs stumbled by the fact that they see good, hon-
orable, noble Dcoplc who seem to have no ear to hear the
truth. and no hcnrt to arrept discipleship amongst the Lord’s
Deonle untlrr the terms of his discinleshin-full consecration,
&eh unto death. The number of ivise, ‘learned people who
are willing to become fools, in the estimation of men, for
Chriqt’s sake, is exceedingly small now, as ever.
Thr Sanhetlrin warned the apostles to preach no more in
this name,-the name of Jesus-and sentenced them to be
whipped. Thus they would discredit the ministers of the new
tench’ing in the cy& of the many, for then, as now, the ma-
jority of people were disposed to look to their leaders, and to
accept their judgment as superior. It is well indeed that
wise. trur lcadcrs should be aDnrec!iated and acknowledned
and ‘followed: but it is a lesson& ‘that all need to learn, i<xt
the Lord is the real leader and commander of all those who
claim to he his DeoDle: and that while lookin? to leaders of
abilitv for guitlnirc ind for help, all of the Lord’s people need
to look bevond the leader also to the Lord: and to have their
senses fx?rcised in respect to the righteousness, the justice,
the truthfulness, of the advice and example of their leaders.
REJOICING IN TRIBULATION
As the apostles departed, at liberty, altho sore from the
thirteen strokes of a three-tailed whip (“forty stripes save
one”) thev doubtless remembered our Lord’s words, “Blessed
are .ye, <hen men shall revile you, and persecute you, and
say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake.”
far from being cast down, their experiences, because right!y
received, made them stronger in the Lord. They were again
before the people to teach, but in no wrong attitude. They
did not threaten the scribes and Pharisees. reviling them as
corrupt, etc., nor did they bemoan their’ fate, &inking it
strange that the Lord should permit these fiery trials to come
uDon them. No: thev were true soldiers of the cross; they
knew that they had enlisted in the Lord’s army for service,
and not merely for dress parade. They realized that present
lessons and experiences were under providential guidance, and
would work out for their good. They suffered pain-we are
not to suppose that a miracle was performed to hinder their
feeling the lashes, else there would have been no merit in
endurance;-but their faith so firmly grasped the situation,
and the Lord’s word of Dromise. that we read, “They rejoiced
that they were counted Worthy to suffer shame for his N&me.”
The world is full of grumblers, and with good cause often;
as the Apostle remarks. “The whole creation groaneth and
travaileth together.” But as he also declares, “We, who have
but the first-fruits of the spirit, groan within ‘ourselves.” The
Lord’s people are not to Darade their difficulties, bemoaning
their loi; on the contrary,&they have the throne ok grare, ana
the instructions of the Word of God teaching them why present
evil conditions are Dermitted at all: and how and when and
why the time is nearing in which all tears will be wiped off
all faces, and there shall be no more sighing and crying and
dying. Instead therefore, of groaning before the world they
should rejoice and show forth the praises of him who has
called us out of darkness into his marvelous light. Our
sympathy for the poor world without these advantages should
so bestir us to tell them the BosDel. that our own woes would
be smothered;-partially fo;bo&e& And if faithfulness to
to the apostles, this, also, is a cause for rejoicing as it was
with them. The Master instructed us that we should first
hnve sat down and counted the cost of discipleship, so that
thereafter none of the things coming to us as his disciples
would move us. True, we may all have in our natural dis-
positions a tendency to repine, to grumble, to bemoan afflic-
tions which come to us, even in the service of the truth; but
as we become more and more developed in the heavenly chnr-
acter the Lord surelr will expect of us that we shall aradu-
ally attain more anh more tb that standard which h’? sets
for us: in which the trials and difficulties of the Dresent will
be more than offset, more than over-balanced by $is gracious
promises, and bv the witness of his spirit, that all these
things are work&g together for good to us,-working out for
us the greater glory d$ preparini us therefor. The Developed
Christian will surelv find himself countine Dresent trials and
difficulties, even thoUugh severe to the nat”u& man, to be but
but “light afflictions, not worthy to be compared with the glory
which shall be revealed in us.”
We The record is that the apostles so rejoiced that the threat-
not eninns of the Sanhedrin were Dowerless to stoD them from
de&ring the good tidings-thly preached not* only in the
Temple, but in their homes,-wherever they had opportunity.
And so it must be with the same message in all those who
receive it now, as well as then. They & not need to he
“called” bv a large salarv Y to thr miniqtrv of the truth: but
‘:
without a;y salaries, and even with the wages of tribulation,
stripes and imprisonment, they rejoice in the privilege saying,
“He hath put a new song into my mouth;-even his loving
kindness.”
We must again call attention to the attitude of the apos-
tles-their boldness and their meekness. They knew wdl the
Lord’s regulation, that his people should be “subject to the
powers that be,” and that they “should not speak evil of the
rulers of their people;” and following this instruction we
find that while stating the truth very plainly their words con-
tain nothing of venom or bitterness or threat. No wonder
that the pexple took note of them, that they had been with
*Jesus! At the same time, in respect to religious matters they
recognized a hipher law. and that the same God who directed
thatOthey shouib be subject to the powers that be, had given
them a message of Deace and iov and blessing which was to
he declared ev&ywh<re. They c’b;ld not permicthe civil power
Dar the religious power of their time to hinder their ohedi-
ence to God in this matter.
So it should be with us today; we are to be strictly law-
abiding, speaking no evil of the government, nor of its serv-
ants : if God sees fit to permit them, that is reason enough
why we should be subject to them. When his time shall come
he will institute his own King upon his own throne, and we
shall rejoice thereat; but meantime we can have neither part
SO nor lot with those who defame the laws and defame the rulers.
We may see various things which our consciences and judgment
of the Lord’s Word indicate to us are seriously wrong; yet
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we are to remember that even the poorest government our knowledge, resulted in evil. Those who seem to need boia-
in the world is far superior to anarchy, and our sentiments terous argument evidently have not an ear for the truth, and
are to be always on the law-abiding side of every question. should be let alone. If the Lord’s servants adopt such meth-
This, however, must not hinder UE from defending the truth ods they are likely not only to do no good to their hearers,
and its interests whenever they are assailed;-in love, and but evil, and especially likely to do injury to their own hearts.
with the wisdom from above. If the Lord has opened a door The spirit of strife is not the spirit of the Lord: his spirit
of opportunity for us for the promulgation of the truth, and is described in the Scriptures as “the meek and quiet spirit,”
if. in his nrovidence. the laws are favorable, we are to use not the contentious, boastful, arrogant spirit; and whoever at-
II;, opportunities, and to protest against any obstruction of tempts to serve the truth and to spread it abroad in boister-
them-yet not with bitterness. (For instance, our appeal ous argument and boastful manner, is doing injury to the
from illegal Postoffice rulings.) If special privileges then are cause as well as to himself and his hearer.
closed to us, we are to submit, remembering that no power The truth was impressed by the plain, simple statement of
could prevail against us except as God would permit It. But, the facts of the case, by men whose hearts had been cleansed
like the apostles, we are to continue to use our talents, our by the truth and whose lives were irreproachably moral-
tongues, our pens, in the service of the truth, in making whose conduct demonstrated their honesty, whose joy and re-
known the good tidings of great joy, wholly regardless of
what this obedience to God shall cost us in the way of earthly joicing proved that they had in them the new mind of the
interests. holy Spirit making them glad. It was by these manifestations
While touching this subject we urge upon all of our read- of the spirit and power of the truth that the Lord was glori-
ers to copy the methods of the apostles in their quiet, forceful fied, and that the hearers were blessed; and so it will be
speaking of the truth. Rarely have we found much good to today, and we should order our conduct and words and senti-
result from boisterous argument; and frequently it has, to ments accordingly.

THE WORD OF GOD OUR SPIRITUAL FOOD

RY ARCHBISIIOP LEIGHTON
This is the end of the ministry, that you may be brought
unto Christ, that you may be led to the sweet pastures and
pleasant streams of the Gospel; that you may be spiritually
fed, and may grow in that heavenly life, which is here be-
gun in all those in whom it shall hereafter be perfected.
As the milk that infants draw from the breast, is most
connatural food to them, being of that same substance that
nourished them in the womb; so when they are brought forth,
that food follows them as it were for their supply in that
way that is provided in nature for it; by certain veins it
ascends into the breasts, and is there fitted for them, and
they are by nature directed to find it there. Thus as a Chris-
tian begins to live by the power of the Word, he 1s by the
nature of that spiritual life directed to that same Word as
his nourishment.
Whereas natural men cannot love spiritual things for
themselves, desire not the Word for its own sweetness, but
would have it sauced with such conceits as possibly spoil the
simplicity of it; or at the best love to hear it for the wit,
and learning, which, without any wrongful mixture of it,
they find rn one delrvering It more than another. But the
natural and genuine appetite of the children of God,
is to the Word, for itself, and only as milk, “sincere milk;”
and where they find it so, from whomsoever, or in what way
soever delivered unto them. they feed upon it with delight.
Desire the Word, not that you may-only hear it; that is
to fall very far short of its true end; yea, it is to take the
beginning of the work for the end of it. The ear is indeed
the mouth of the mind, by which it receives the Word (as
Elihu compares it, Job 34:3), but Feat that goes no further
thsn the mouth (you know) cannot nourish. Neither ought
this desire of the Word to be only to satisfy a custom; it
were an exceeding folly to make so superficial a thing the
end of 30 serious a work.
Again, to hear it only to stop the mouth of conscience,
that it may not clamor more for the gross impiety of con-
temning it; thus is to hear it not out of desire, but out of
fear. To desire it only for some present pleasure and delight
that a man may find in it, is not the due use and end of it;
that there is de!ight in it, may help commend it to those
that find it so, and so be a means to advance the end; but
the end it is not.
To seek no more but a present delight that vanisheth
with the sound of the words, that die in the air, is not to
desire the Word as meat, but as music, as God tells the proph-
et Ezekiel of his neonle. “And lo, thou art unto them as
a very lovely son,’ of one that hath a pleasant voice, and
can play well upon an instrument; for they hear thy words,
and they do them not.”
To desire the Word for the increase of knowledge, al-
though this is necessary and commendable, and being rightly
qualified, is a part of spiritual accretion, yet take it as
going no further, it is not the true end of the Word. Nor
is the venting of that knowledge in speech and frequent dis-
course of the Word and the divine truths that are in it;
which, where it is governed with Christian prudence, is not
to be despised, but commended: yet certainly the highest
knowledge, and the most frequent and skilful speaking of the
Word, severed from the growth here mentioned, misses the
true end of the word. If any one’s head or tongue should
[29491
(ABOUT A. D., 1675.)
grow apace, and all the rest stay at a stand, it would certain-
ly make him a monster; and they are no other, that are
knowing and discoursing Christians, and grow daily in that,
but not at all in holiness of heart and life, which is the proper
growth of the children of God.
And as we ought in preaching, so you in hearing, to pro-
pound this end to yourselves, that you may be spiritually re-
freshed, and walk in the strength of that divine nourishment.
Is this your purpose when you come hither? Inquire of your
own hearts, and see what you seek, and what you find, in the
public ordinances of God’s house. Certainly the most do not
so much as think on the due intendment of them, aim at no
end, and therefore can attain none ; seek nothing; but sit
out their hour, asleep or awake, as it may happen, or, possibly,
some seek to be delighted for the time, as the Lord tells the
prophet, “to hear as it were a pleasant song,” if the gifts
and strain of the speaker be anything pleasing.
Or, it may be, they want to gain some new notions, to
add somewhat to their stock of knowledge, either that they
may be enabled for discourse, or, simply, that they may know.
Some, it may be, go a little further; they like to be stirred
and moved for the time, and to have some touch of good af-
fection kindled in them; but this lasts but for a while, till
their other thoughts and affairs get in, and smother and
quench it; and they are not careful to blow it up and im-
prove it. How many, when they have been a little affected
with the Word, go out and fall into other discourses and
thoughts, and either take in their affairs secretly, as it were,
under their cloak, and their hearts keep a conference with
them; or if they forbear this, yet, as soon as they go out,
plunge themselves over head and ears in the world, and lose
all which might have any way advantaged their spiritual
condition. It may be, one will say, “It was a good sermon.”
Is that to the purpose ? But what think you it hath for your
praise or dispraise? Instead of saying “Oh! how well was
that spoken,” you should say, “Oh! how hard is repentance!
how sweet a thing is faith! how excellent the love of .Jesus
Christ!” That were your best and most real commendation
of the sermon, with true benefit to yourselves.
How sounds it to many of us at least, but as a well con-
trived story, whose use is to amuse us, and possibly delight
us a little, and there is an end?-and indeed no end, for thrs
turns the most serious and most glorious of all messages into
an empty sound. If we keep awake, and give it a hearing,
it is much; but for anything further, how few deeply before-
hand consider, “I have a dead heart; therefore will I go unto
the Word of life, that it may be quickened; it is frozen, I
will go and lay it before the warm beams of that sun that
shines in the gospel: my corruptions are mighty and strong,
and grace, if there be any in my heart, is exceeding weak:
but there is in the gospel a power to weaken and kill sin,
and to strengthen grace: and this being the intent of my
wise God in appointing it, it shall be my desire and purpose
in resorting to it, to find it to me according to his gracious
intendment; to have faith in my Christ, the fountain of my
life, more strengthened, and made more active in drawing
from him; to have my heart more refined and spiritualized,
and to have the sluice of repentance opened, and my affections
to divine things enlarged; more hatred of sin, and more love
of God and Communion with him.”
 DECISION IN CHARACTER BUILDING
“How long halt ye between two opinions? Zf the Lord be Qod follow him, but, if Baal, follow him.“-1 Kings 18:21.
hlultrtudes are in an undecided condition of mind. not onlv it will not ultimately cost too much, thus give evidence that
as respects the worship of God, and as respects their faith, their love for the truth is not great enough,-that it is mixed
but also in reaard to the common affairs of life. Thev are with selfishness. Such must cultivate love of the truth until
not devoid of good intentions. good resolutions, hones and imbi- it outweighs all other things, else they will not be fit for the
tions; but these are rather- vague and shapeless. Their kingdom. The Lord’s charge against those who are about to
thoughts, their intentions, have not crystalized. As a result fall in the present testing time, is that,-They received not
they are making little progress and accomplishing little good, the truth in the love of it.-2 Thes. 2:10-12.
either in or for themselves or others. Even worldlv neonle “CHOOSE YE THIS DAY”
who manifest great decision in business Andy-social aid ‘modal
matters lack decision in religious agairs. After Israel had reached the promised land, Joshua sought
to bring them to such a noint of decision. He called them
The poet has truly said, “Life is real, life is earnest; and togethe;, recited to them ‘the Lord’s favor and blessing en-
the grave is not the goal;” but the difficulty with many is joyed thus far, and expressed himself in noble language, say-
that they have not even so good a goal as the grave would ing, “Choose ye this day whom ye will serve; . . . . as for
be. If they could even have that before their mind as an me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Josh. 24:15)
end ; if they could even think of how they would wish to So, dear friends, we who realize that the Lord has been bless-
terminate their li;es eventually, and leave some luminous foot ing, guiding and sustaining us in the past, should come to a
prints in the sands of time that would be helpful to others full, positive deczsion. as respects our course of life. We should
and an honor to themselves, it would be very much better, not be content for one moment longer to go along indefinitely,
indeed, than to pass through life with no aim. no wish, no serving whiles the Lord, and whiles Mammon (selfishness).
thought, except to rat, to drmk, to sleep, to gratify earthly We should settle the matter at once, and for all time, that
tastes. \\‘o b(~lr~~xethat It is even much better that men set we will be the Lord%.
their ambrtron upon money or fame or some other object, The very fact of coming to a positive decision is a great
than to have no lived purpose before them in life; yet money blessing, and a great heln in the formation of character.
and fame and such matters end with the r>prave, and the Lord’s Every time we come to a de’cision, on any question, it strength-
consec~ratetl pcoplc, inspired by new hoprs, new aims, new am- ens mind and character and makes us that much more ready
bitions, b~yontl the grnve, have much advantage every way for another test-along some other line, perhaps. One deci-
over all others. sion for the right prepares the way for others in the same
Nevertheless, even those who have been so highly favored direction, just as hesitancy, indecision upon one point pre-
of God that the eyes of their understanding have been opened, pares us for hesitancy upon all points, and more or less stops
-that t1my have caught glimpses of the glorious things in our Christian progress and character-building.
rescrvntion for the Lord’s farthful, are frequently lax and W7e are not advocating rashness-the doing of something
measurably indifferent to these wonderful thmgs which should without a reasonable, proper amount of consrderntion. But
induce them to zeal and inspire them with courage and we are urging upon the Lord’s people the cultivation of
strength. What is the difhcult.y? Why do tllev not accom- promptness, clec*ision of mind. rn rehpp’c’t to qmstions \vts lla\-~*
plish-more? The answer frequ&tly should be that it is be- sufficiently examined. Some things may of necessity re-
cause of indecision. They sl~ouhl decide promptly, but they quire pondering, but many things in life require no such delay
hesitate-holding important questions in abeyance, and con- tb reich a proper decision. The majority of the questions
tinuing to balanrr and to weigh matters which they already which present themselves before the bar of our minds could be
determined are vioht. Thev halt between two ooinions: thev decided in a moment; and the less time we take in reaching
hesitate to take the Lord’s Word fully and entirely and t’, a decision on such problems the better for us, and for the
walk boldly forward in the right dire&on, even when they upbuilding of proper character in this regard.
clearly discern the footsteps of Jesus and the nrouer course We need to have some touchstone, as it were, some matter
for them as his followers. - 9s one point after another comes which will help us to decide, which will enable the mind to
UD and is thus set aside indefinitelv. the whole Christian reach a decision quickly. This touchstone should be God’s
course of that individual is stagnated and fresh duties and u:iZZ; so that to perceive the Lord’s will in respect to any
privileges as they appear, are ‘stopped in the way by the question would be to settle it-as quickly as discerned. There
muddle of mind which unsettled questions of vears produce: should be no thought of opposing the divine will. There
thus indecision has more or less hindered them”al1 their lives. should be no temporizing, no haggling to see what a thing
By and by t!rere is such an accumulation of undecided points would cost, once we discern that yt is ‘the Lord’s will. The6
and matters that they feel the case is almost hopeless, be- should be no further question about the rejection of any mat-
come discouraged, grow cold, indifferent, and perhaps fall com- ter which me discern to be contrary to the Lord’s will; no
nletelv awav from the faith and its service. matter how enticing, no matter how much of profit or of ad-
For all &I~ our text is especially appropriate. We want rantace there mav be connected therewith.
to decide. first of all. who is our Master. who is our God: Ability to de$de quickly, and to decide always on the right
then, having concluded, we want to decide’ promptly that his side. what the Lord’s will is. reauires some experience and
servants we should and will be. The Master warned us of the discipline; but the sooner we be&n the sooner-we will be-
impossibility of any other course being satisfactory, saying, come proficient; the more energetically we set ourselves to
“Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Attempt to do so will know the Lord’s will and to do it, and to show him by our
make us and all with whom we are particularly identified promptness that we delight to do his will, the better and the
unhappy.
_.1
Almost everyone will acknowledee that there is a ouicker will we find our characters established on nroner lines.
Supreme Being, and that it is the duty or his creatures, to * There are many gods presenting their claims’ to’ US, and
serve and obey him. The whole question then should be, not seeking our revere&& To some, -perhaps to the vast ma-
as to obedience and service, but merely, Who is our God? We ioritv. self is the most nrominent idol and false nod: to others
see many of the worshipers of Baal, Mammon, energetic in it is” fame; to others the family; to others wealth: But all
their service, and we should feel ashamed if we who. bv the these false gods are more or less related, and the one name,
grace of God, know the true God and his gracious &an’, are Mammon, selfishness, is appropriate to them all. It requires
not as zealous, :IS persevering, as energetic, a< are the-servants not a great deal of discernment to deoltlc thnt none of these
of error. “What manner of persons ought we to be?” We ambitions is worthy of us, and that the worship of our hearts
ought most positively to be committed to that which we be- and the sacrifices of life should all be to the true God.
lieve to be the truth, and we ought to be most zealous in its TODAY IF YOU SHOULD HEAR HIS VOICE, OBEY!
service. The Scriptures appeal to us along these lines of prompt
A part of the mistake is in the exercise of a wrong kind decision, and it is because these appeals are neglected, not
of caution;-proper enough in respect to earthly affarrs, in obeyed, that many of the Lord’s people are so lean and so un-
which we have to guard our interests against unscrupulous developed, both in knowledge and in character. Mark the an-
fellows: but out of place, impedimenta, rn our dealings with “Today, if ye will ‘hear his voice, harden not your
God. This wrong caution says,-Do nothing, until you see hearts.” peal,
The sueeestion is that the matter be not nut off
how it will all end;-1 must walk by mental sight at least. for another day. ““We cannot tell how distinctly we will hear
But this kind of worldly wisdom will not do, in dealing with the voice of the Lord’s providence speaking to us tomorrow.
God. He makes the rules by which we may approach hrm and On the contrary, we know that even as we may become ac-
progress in his favor. One of his rules is, that every item of customed to an earthly call, or an earthly alarm, so that by
truth we learn must be accepted and acted upon before we and bv it would cease to awaken us, so our spiritual ears be-
are ready for more. They that receive the truth in the love come Uaaccustomed to the important’ messages reaching them
of it, will surely serve it with all the decision they can com- from the Lord’s Word. Thev will have less and less weight and
mand and acquire;-piece by piece, as they receive it. They influence, and will become less and less helpful to us In pro-
who on receiving truth balance it and ponder long whether nortion as we neglect them and fail to act upon them. Does
(41-43) 129601
FELIRUARY
1, I902 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (43-44)

not this explain the fact that some who have newly come into
the truth, are farther along both in faith and good works than
some whose ears were blest long ago?
We are still in the beginning of a new year and a new
century, and now is a favorable time for us to make good
resolutions. One of these should surely be that henceforth we
will cultivate decision of character;-that when we hear the
voice of the Lord we will respond promptly. So that when
we see a work of the Lord, which we have the privilege of at-
tending to, it will be performed not only willingly &id well,
but also sDeedilv. ‘The Lord loveth a &e&u2 giver”-a
prompt giv&;-iot merely as respects money matters, as this
text is generally applied, but in respect to all of our little of-
ferings and sacrifices to him and for his cause’ sake. If we
would be pleasing to the Lord and grow in his favor and in
nearness to him, we must bring our hearts more and more into
the condition that he aDDroves. that he loves, viz., heartiness,
cheerfulness, promptne&= in every service we may render.
The trouble with manv Christians is. that thev have not thor-
oughly learned what L great privilege we of *this Gospel age
enjoy,- in being permitted to present our little sacrifices and
self-denials to the Lord, under the assurance that our im-
Derfcct works shall be acceptable through Christ to God.
We have all noted with pleasure %he wonderful success
of that wonderful Apostle Paul. It is well, therefore! that
we shall note that one of the chief elements contributmg to
the success of his apostleship was this element of character
-decision. Mark how this quality of his shines out in the
statement, “This one thing I do,” etc. He had only one real
aim or purpose in life, toward which he was bending all his
enrrgics. He had cast aside all others as weights and hind-
rances, and as not being worthy to be compared with this one
seiv:ce, so high in its point of privilege. llie one thing he
did was to serve the Lord, to serve the brethren, to serve the
truth. All other mattels were secondary to this. If he could
accomplish this one thing the results would be so blessed,
so hnppifying, both now and everlastingly, that he could afford
to count all other things and objects and aims as loss and
dross and not worthy of comparison.-Phil. 3:7, 8, 13, 14.
This is the spirit that all of the Lord’s overcoming people
should have. All do not have this character or qualit of
disposition by nature; but in proportion as we lack, the E ord
will reckon to us of his own merit to compensate, if he finds
in us the spirit, the will, the disposition, to thus follow the
example of Jesus and the apostles and all the faithful. If
we are weak in this respect, lacking in this quality of deci-
sion and firmness of character, we need to be more alert, and
to go the more frequently to the throne of grace to obtain
mercy and to find grace to help. But those who are natur-
ally weak, and who yet have tiied this matter according to
the lines here laid down .-who have souaht to cultivate this
principle of character and decision and firmness for the-right,
give abundant testimony that the Lord is their helper &id
that in thus followina the directions of his Word and the ex-
amples of faithfulnesl, they have become strong in the Lord
and in power of his might. May this be a blessed year for
all the faithful in Christ Jesus, along the lines of character-
building, energy and firmness for the right and for the truth,
as God grants us to see these.
Let us not forget that it is iust such a class that the
Lord is seeking, to be the bride “and joint-heir of his Son.
He is not looking for those who are Derfect in this resDect:
for there is weakness along this line throughout the \:thole
human family; there is none perfect in this or in other re-
spects,
- none fit for the kingdom bv nature. It will encour-
age us, perhaps to remember that the Lord is taking the weak
thinas of the world and making them stronlr. and that in
prop&tion as WC submit our &is to his wili”wc arc tran;
formed by the renewing of our minds, and that he thus works
in us to will and to do his good Dlensure in the cstnllish-
ment of strong, decisive characters, I through the prom&s of
his m’ord. To it, as represented in Jesus, he exhorts us to
look, while ue endeavor to run with patience the race set be-
fore us, trusting in him who has redeemed us and cniled us
and who has promised to be our ever-present helper in every
time of need.

DEACON STEPHEN, CHRISTIAN MARTYR

L4CTS 6 : 7-IL?.--FEB. 23.
“Fear not them which kill the body, but are 7tOt able to kill the EOU~.‘~
Stephen mxv be acknowledged the second Christian martyr manifested their honesty of purpose in the matter bv prompt-
-for surely o;r Lord Jesus was the first. We must begin ly instituting measures for the correction of the ‘dilllcultv.
with the first verse of our lesson-chapter in order to trace There is a l&son in this for all of the Lord’s people: if di&-
the history of this worthy soldier of the cross. An emerg- culties arise, based upon temporal questions, likely to sprout
ency arose in the church, calling for a force of seven deacons a “ root of bitterness” or to cause a schism in the church. the
to Ior:!< after various temporal matters, and Stephen was one proper course would be to throw the responsibility upon the
of these seven, all of whom were chosen by the congregation, shoulders of the whole congregation-to ask for the election of
not by the apostles, as men of honest reputation, wise, and some of the number who could give the mnttcr better attention,
full of the holv spirit. This incident suggests to us the loose and see that all were justly dealt with. We arc not to for-
character of the -organization of the early church. It had get that in this as in other wavs the Lord has clcarlv indi-
not cast-iron rules and laws, exceDt that the Lord, the Re- cated that the church ns a whole is under his supcrvisi&, his
deemer, was the Head of the’ church, and that none’ could be care, and that it is therefore proper that the general affairs
recognized as members thereto except as they recognized him of the church be conducted by the congregation and not by
ss their Saviour and Lord, and made consecration to him, one man, nor by a clerical class.
receiving his spirit, and recognized as of his appointment and No doubt some of these chosen for the serving of tables
of the holy spirit’s designation his specially chosen apostles, -the money collection and tho food distribution-were rep-
as the authorized instructors of the church. Aside from this, resentative of the Grecian brethren who knowing the pecu-
the necessities of each case seem to have guided: and yet, we liarities of the Grecian customs, would bc the better able to
may safely presume that in all the arrangements in the see to the welfare of the Grecian widows. It is here that
church, as well as in the teachings of the apostles, the holy we get acquainted with Stephen, as one of the seven chosen
snirit directed:-for the benefit also of those believing on deacons. The word “deacon” sigrrifies runner. attendant. ser-
the L’ord through their word, throughout the entire age. y vant. The “elders” of the ch&ch were more particularly
In a previous lesson we saw that a measure of commun- chosen according to their Christian character and aDtness to
ism was earlv established in the church: but the incidents of teach, while the deacons were chosen according to Christian
this lesson clearly imply that it was only limited, and not character and aptness in business affairs. In both instances,
a comD1et.e division of DroDertv. It was evidentlv the inten- however, the Christian character, the holiness of spirit and
tion of the earlv church’to&pro%de for the poor of their num- wisdom were primary considerations. So with the Lord’s peo-
ber who were without means of livelihood. Prominent ple today: those chosen to any part of the service should first
amongst those provided for, if not the only ones, were widows of all be rerognized as the best and the wisest of the number
without income; such at that time must have been compara- -the possession of a holy, meek and quiet spirit. of great
tively helpless and dependent upon charity, since there were value, being carefullv considered-then natural abilities.
so few opportunities for earning a living, especially amongst In Stephen’s case” we see an illustration of the Lord’s
women. methods of advancing his people step by step in his service:
We are not to suppose that there was any intentional par- (1) He was honored with a knowledge of the truth: faith-
tialitv or neglect of the Grecian more than of the Hebrew ful in his acceptance of it, and zealous towards the Lord, he
women. Apparently it was unintentional and possibly arose ere long manifested these qualities; and under the guidance
from the fact that the auostles. native-born. aDDreciated more of the holy spirit, was chosen a deacon. (2) Faithfulness in
keenly the needs of the-native widows than ‘of the foreign: this, servmg tables, prepared him for further opportunities,
born These were all Jewesses, of course, whether born in and (3) we find him exercising the gift of healing and per-
Palestine or born in Greece. Up to this time the Gospel had forming signs in attestation of his ministry of the truth;
not been sent to others,-Gentiles. No doubt there was some which implies that he had actually attained to the position
reasonable cause for the murmur. In any event the apostles of an elder in the church tho’ the apostles residing in Jeru-
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salem, perhaps, made an unnecessary election of elders,-for
they were all elders. ( 1 Pet. 5:l) Stephen was so full of
the spirit of the truth and devotion to its service that he
had the high honor (4) of being the first one of the brethren
to follow the Master’s footstens in a sacrificial death. Here
surely was an advancement in-service and its honor that may
well “quicken and energize all of the Lord’s people to greate;
efforts to serve and please the same Master. He who thus
accepted the consecrated Stephen. and advanced him sten by
step- in his service, is ready- and willing today to take- and
use those who are similarly consecrated, and burning with
heavenly zeal. He is willing to make of such burning and
shining lights in the church, if they in turn are willing to
suffer with him, that they may also be glorified together in due
time.-Born. 8 : 17.
Stephen’s faith and power and opportunities for service
came to him along the same lines as faith and power have
come to the Lord’s people since- whole-hearted devotion to the
Lord, to his neonle and to his truth. “He that humbleth him-
self ‘shall be exalted.,, Had Stephen been self-seeking and
ambitious for honor of men or of the brethren we may be
sure we would have heard little of him. unless, like Ananias,
his approbativencss had resulted in his being made an ex:
ample of evil-doinn. This is a danger which besets everv
brother chosen by the church to any suervice. Hence the apes-
tle’s caution, “Be not many of you teachers brethren.” Hence
the necessity that the church choose for its servants only those
of humble” mind; and the need of care amongst these
servants that they fall not into the snare of the adversary,
and after having preached to others, themselves become cast-
aways.-Jas. 3: 1; 1 Tim, 3 :6, 7 ; 1 Cor. 9:27.
Stenhen in nreachin? got into a debate with some of his
dav, and was &more th%n” a match for them. As we read,
“They were not able to withstand the wisdom and the spirit
by which he snake.” We are not to SuPPOse that Stephen
was the greatesi of all orators, nor even that he had no peers
smonrrst those with whom he clisnuted. In this case the ad-
age was well applied, ‘Thrice armed is he who hath his quar-
rel iust.” It was because Steohen had the truth. the right
sideUof the controversy, and be’cause God was with him, that
he was more than a matrh for any of his adversaries.
The sa.me God is still with his people; and the Lord’s
Word, therefore, is still worthy of all acceptance,-“1
give you a mouth and wisdom which none of your adversaries
shall be able to gainsay or resist.” (Luke 21:15) Do we not
see this s2me p%ncipl”e illustrated today, when humble ones
amongst the Lord’s people are more than a match for all their
adverse ries 1 The truth being powerful, prevails, though it
is not nlways acknowledged to prevail, even as it was not
acknowledged by Stephen’9 enemies.
We are not advocating public debating of the truth.
believe that debates, as a rule, accomplish little good; because
the opponents of the truth are apt to conduct their argu-
ments unfairly, dcceptively- apt to strive for victory, rather
than to strive for the truth. However. there are cases to&v.
like this case of Stephen’s, in which’ the opponents of the
truth are the aggressors; and in such cases those who have
the truth are not to be sshnmcd of it, nor fearful, but to trust
in the promise of the Lord for word9 and wisdom for the oc-
casion. We are not given a report of the discussion, but from
what we know of Stephen’s character, so well illustrated
the diqcourse subsequently delivered,. we cannot escape the
conviction that he spoke to his onnonents in a kind. generous.
rensonnhlct manner-f-that he neither ranted nor stbr”med nor
endeavored to throw a dust of false arguments. He had the
truth, which is sharper than a two-edggd sword, and we may
be sure that he spoke the truth “in love,,, according to the
anostolic command.-Enh. 4 : 15.
A Stephen’s disputants were evidently of the Grecian Jews,
and Stcnhen himself was also nrobablv of this class. Pos-
sibly Snul of Tarsus, afterwaids th;? Apostle Paul, was
amongst those who disputed with him, as he himself tells us
that he was a sort of rinnlcadcr nmoncst those who killed
him. (Acts 22:20) We cannot help wondering to what ex-
tent youn,q Saul. the lawyer, instructed by Gamaliel, and an
adept in logic, may have taken some lessons and caught some
ideas from Strphrn’s rclqoning-not enough, however, to make
transformation of his career.
It was Stephen’s turn to be called before the Sanhedrin,
that he might give the leaders of his people a gospel sermon,
the basis of which was Jesus and the resurrection. His op-
ponents who could not down him in argument, were deter-
mined to destroy him; and like other zealots, deluded by su-
perstition. they were nrrerthele~s influenrctl by their higher
principles to desire to accomplish his destruction legall?/-
that is to sar,; with a form of law. Alas, how many people
now, as well as then, of comparatively noblo mind, succeed
in “deceiving their own selves” into thinking that a wrong
becomes a virtue, becomes rigbt, if to any extent they can
wrap it in the folds of the law! The Lord’s people need to
have the spirct of the law, the spirit of justice, the spkit of
righteousness: without this even the best balanced minds may
be led astray under the pressure of zeal, superstition, or error.
The doctors of the law and member9 of the Sanhedrin
(Saul of Tarsus is supposed to have been a member) did not
wish to be parties directly to the charges, nor to seem to
be interested in the destruction of a noble man. They there-
fore procured others to give testimony that would be of the
kind desired-testimony upon which it would be possible for
their distorted judgments and consciences to render a death
verdict. Strangely enough, the second martyr, li!ce the first,
was convicted of blasphemy against God and against the Tem-
ple, and without any more foundation for the charges than
in the case of his illustrious Master. Of course the charges
were distorted, and yet there was a measure of truth in them.
Just how much allowance should be made for those who con-
victed the Lord and Stephen on such evidence is perhaps difh-
cult for us to judge. Nor is it necessary, because the judg-
ment of such matters is not yet put into our hands. The
Lord alone knows to what extent the prejudiced mind was
unable to discern the truth. and to what extent the adver-
sary succeeded in blinding the judgment, -90 as to make the
light appear darkness, the truth appear error.
Doubtless, as Stephen heard the charges against him, and
noticed the advancement of the case, he mentally remar!ced
the correspondence between these charges against him and
those upon which his Master was convicted. We may be
sure that some such thoughts were passing through his mind
when his face was so wonderfulv lit UD with the indwelling
joy, that it is recorded that all sitting in the Slnhcdr~n ‘.loul\~
mg steadfastlv on him saw his face. as it had been the face
of‘>an angel.” ” But even an anzelic face could not move such
hearts, some of the same, doubtless, that had sat in condem-
nation of the Master himself. Seeminglv. Stephen’s witness
was fruitless, so far as his auditors we~V~once&d; the same
might have been said resnectine our Master’s trial and testi-
m&y. And yet, as the latter ‘bore fruit on the day of Pw-
tecost and afterward, so, doubtless, Stephen’s testimony bore
will fruit subsequently. Who can say that that beamine and
angelic face-was hot one of the ““pricks” against which Saul
of Tarsus had been contending for some time. when the Lord
interrupted him enroute to Dimascus ?
Who can tell that experiences connected with this martyr-
dom may not have been valuable not onlv to Saul. hut to
others? -At all events, it was Stephen’s duty, as it is our
duty, to be faithful under all circumstances. under all condi-
We tions, regardless of whether appearances indicate the accom-
plishment of much, or of little eood. We are to remember
that the Lord’s work is in his ow”n hands, and that our part
is to be faithful to him and to the truth, to the extent of our
opportunities.
The Editor would like, for himself and for all the nil-
grims, and for all the elders of the church everywhere, and
for all the brethren who speak at all, publicly or privately,
in the name of Jesus, that Stephen’s beaming face might be
impressed upon our memories. If it is, and if every time we
in stand forth before men publicly or privately, as the repre-
sentatives of our Lord, we could so realize his blessing and
our privilege as his servants. that it would fill our hearts
and beam forth from our faces, in gladness, in thankfulness,
for the privilege of serving, then indeed we would have the
highest degree of blessing to ourselves, and doubtless also
would bring the largest degree of blessing to all those whose
hearts would be prepared for the truth. and also for those
not yet ready for &i&-but who are under the Lord’s discipline
and guidance, in nrenaration for it. as was Saul of Tarsus.
Our Golden Text ‘is very appropriate in this connection:
It is well that the Lord’s people, especially when they come
into trying positions on account of their infidelity to the truth,
should remember these, the Master’s words. Men may kill
our bodies, or they may speak evil of them, or despitefully
use them otherwise; but it is beyond their power to iniure
uq as new creatures, or to ruin our prospects- as respects” the
future life. That life which the Lord has nromised to his
faithful,-the resurrection life,-& beyond the’ power of man.
It is the eternal, the invaluable life. If we gain it, no mat-
ter what the cost may be, as respects the present life, and
mortal-body condition, we shall have made a great bargain,
we shall have pained a great nrize. All who reallv aonre-
ciate it see it to be a “pearl of’great price,” for which they,
like the Master, are willing to lay down all,-to sell all that
they have that they may obtain it.
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God is able to kill the soul-able to blot out existence
entirely-and he has threatened to do so in all cases of wilful
dellberate sin, against full light and knowledge. This is a
cause both for comfort and for fear. For comfort, as opposed
to the false human teaching that the masses ~11 spend an
eternity of woe: for fear, lest after having tasted of divine
goodness and learned of God’s gracious provisions for such as
obey him, any of us should seem to come short and lose
our all-life!
To have the proper course in life, to be able to meet the
trials and difficulties of life as they come to us, and to meet
them in the proper spilit which the Lord directs-m the spirit
of rejoicing in tribulation, and counting such experiences all
joy,-it is necessary that all fear of man, which brings a
snare, shall be removed. And it is our Lord’s direction that
we shall fear Jehovah, and not fear our mortal fellows. The
righteous are bold as a lion, as well as gentle a3 a dove, and
meek as a lamb. This peculiar combination should be found
in every Christian, and we doubt if it will be found elsewhere.

“BETWEEN EVENING S”--A JEWISH VIEW

Dear Brother Russell:-Allow me to express to you my sacrifice was offered up and immediately after the Passover
deep gratitude for your kindness in supplying- me gratiitousiy lamb was killed and prepared. But if the passover fell on
with the Tl’atckb Tower and booklets. I have not language the weekly Sabbath, i. e.. on Fridav, thev began an hour
at my command to convey to you how thankful I feel t% o;r sooner, that they might dkspatch the& business-by the time
heavenly Father for raising you up as one of his honored that the Sabbath becan. Hence that dav is called the-I DreDd-I
servants in the spreading of the present truth, and trying ration of the passo’fer.--John 19:14.
to build up and assist those of the household of faith in their The Jews computed their days from evening to evening;
walk in the narrow way. It is proving a great blessing to i. e.. from the setting of the sun of one dav to the settinrr
me. I la? awake for hours mediatirfg on the great and preci- again on the nest d:y. This appears to 6e the command
ous promises of God and the glorious prospect there is in given by Moses, “From even to even shall ye celebrate your
store for those whom he has called according to his purpose. Sabbath.” (Lev. 23 :31) Moses, in piving an account of the
In reading the last Tourer for December -I&, I was kuch Creation, says, “And there was &en&g aid there was morn-
helped hy your interpretations of “The Voices of the Three inr,u, one dav.”” (Gen. 1.5) BvY the eveninen and the morn-
Signs,” also with the typical meaning of “The Passover ing the Jews understand the same portion of time that xve
Lamb.” But I can not quite understand what you mean when tail day and night, or twenty-four ‘hours; the formel COIl-
you say, “On the fourtrenth day of the month it was to be tinued from the rising of the sun until its settmg, and from
killed between evenings (between six o’clock the one evening that time till his reappearance was called the night. The
and six o’clock the next evening-the usual Jewish day) .” division of time into hours was not known in the days of
If the lamb had to be killed on the fourteenth day, between Moses.-Compare Gen. 15 : 12 ; 15 : 1: 19 : 1.
the evening of that day and the evening of the nest, which The day was again divided into two equal portidns, from
would be the fifteenth, it would have to take place after six the rising of the sun until noon was the mornq, and after
o’t*loc.k 111tilcb evt>nlng on the foul teenth day, and that w0111tl that, until the sun had gone down. was the evening. Hence
not correspond with the time of the death of the antitype as we read only of morning and evening sacrifice;. Again, the
lecnldcd 11111ntt. 26 :45, 46, 50; Luke 23:44, 46, and yet the morning and the evening were divided each into two equal
properties which the passover lamb was to possess, the manner parts, for the regulation of the morning and evening sacrl-
in nhicah it was to die. the effects which were to be produced, ficea and prayers.
and the crremonies which were to be observed, as recorded The morning ii,lciificae ant1 pr‘1yvr w‘l’i :~lluwvtd tt) 1~ oltcl e;t
in the twelfth chapter of Exodus, have been fulfilled in a at any time between the rising of the sun and the third hour,
most remnrknhle and stri!<ing manner in the promised Mes- i. e., 9 a. m., and the evening sacrifice and prayer may be of-
siah. Jcsns of Nazareth, our blessed Lord. fered up at any time daring the first evening. Hebrew, crew
~rEkvlIlg becln brought up in the Jewish faith up to the katon, the short or lesser evening, i. e., from noon until ninth
a~‘e of 20. I alwavs understood the matter to be thus: The hour, or 3 p. m.; and from that time until sun setting, is
killing of ‘the lam6 was on the evening of the fourteenth day, called in the Hebrew erev godol, i e., the greater evening. It
or more correctly speaking, according to the original, Barn was between these two evenings the paschal lamb was to be
Haarbar/im. between the evenings, that is, between the sun’s slain, and so was Jesus. the antitype, the Lamb of God, who
declinillg \\eht and his setting about three o’clock p. m. For taketh away the sin of the world as recorded.
the .Jews observe two evenings in each day. The first com- I remain, dear Brother Russell.
mences after twelve o’clock it noon, and the second at three Faithfully yours in the Lord,
o’clock p m. Between these two evenings the daily evening J. Gronowsky,--England.

VOL. XXIII ALLEGHENY, PA., FEBRUARY 1.5, I!%)? No. 4

THE HOPES OF THE EARLY CHURCH RESPECTING OUR LORD’S SECOND

COMING
Some earnest and faithful Bible student has published a warning being required not to stand “gazing up into hravr,n.”
little trart treating the above subject so simply and beautifully The hope thus cheli&d was not of a private kind, attain-
that we feel constrained to lay before our readers conious able by this believer at a certain time, and that one at an-
extracts therefrom, as follows:- other. It was one great hope, to be fulfilled to all the church,
No one can read the h’ew Testament with care without not even Pscluding them that slrpt, at one defined and selr-
discovering that the members of the early church were men same time. “No prophecg of ,Scrlpture is of a nrlvate intro
of hope as well as men of faith. Indeed, hope seems, more pretation,” and this liope,- it is e&lent, was not to be fulfilled
than faith, to have been the outstanding feature of the char- to individual believers. It was not a matter of ncrsonal nnll
artrr. Not that they really had more of this than that; the private eupcrience; not the coming of Clilist to the intlividual
twain were one; they formed one noble edifice, one stately heart. nor the approach of death to each sc>paratc p~>on, but
ship. But faith way the foundation work; hope, raised upon snrnrt!ling affecting the entire community of Chrislmn~ at the
it. caurrht the eve i of the beholder. Faith lav” beneath the same point of tlmc.
w.ltrr 6r:e; hope reared the mast and spread the sail high in I. 1Vhat was that hope which so controlled and cheered
the sight of men. Their faith looked back to Calvary; but, in those early saints? None other than “that blessc>d hope. the
a sense. it was an act comnleted. Thcv were not always look- glorious appealing of the great God and our ,Savior, Jesus
ing backward; forward t&y peered, ivith steady gaze. The Christ.” They bellevrd with all their hearts in *Jesus Christ.
attitude of exnectation was their dailv. hourlv attitude. Some- in hi? wnntlro;ls life of miracle and grace, and in hi3 sarrificial
thing was abbut to happen-someonk was coming-and they death on Calvary’s sad tree. They believed that he had
are seen to be on tip-toe, looking for and hasting unto the triumphed o’er the grave, and had come forth to resurrection
event. To them it clearlv seemed a consummation most de- life. Many of them had seen him in his resurrection form,
voutly to be wished. They constantly referred to it as “a and had been witnessrs of his ascension to the heavens. Thev
lively hope,” “that blessed hope,” “this hope,” “one hope,” rrmeml~rcd the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said unto
“our hope,” “the hope of our calling,” “the hope set before them, “I go to prepare a place for you; and if I go and pre-
us.” Every reference shows that it completely filled their pare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto
hearts. and was the dominating influence in their lives. It myself, that where I am., there ye may be also.” They had
almost diverted them from ordinary work and duty, the heard “two men in white apparel” say, “This same Jesus
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which is taken UD from vou into heaven, shall so come in like ye also appear with him in glory.,’ Everything in the early
manner as ye have see; him go into deaven.” With simple church was made to hinge upon the coming of the Lord.
faith they all accepted these great promises. The authority To Timothy, the apostle Paul gives various charges, and
appeared to them sufficient, the meaning transparent. The he makes each binding “until the appearing of the Lord Jesus
Lord had gone: the Lord would come. He had disappeared Christ.” In view of the same event he shows that he can
from view. but onlv for “a little while.,’ until the “times of hold death in contempt: “I am now readv to be offered. and
restitution. “, When* these times came, hi would appear again, the time of my depariure is at hand; he&eforth there is laid
and each one seemed to say, ‘Whom I shall see for myself, up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the
and mine eyes shall behold, and not another.” This was to righteous judge, shall give me at that dav, and not to me
them the “one far-off divine event to which the whole creation oily, but into all the& also that love his “ippearing.,,
moves.” To Titus, too, he makes it clear that. bv this truth. not
IT WAS THE LODESTAR OF TREIR LIFE, only is the iear bf death removed, but life i”s made pure and
the goal and climax of their being, and round it their com- beautiful, men “live soberly, righteously, and godly,” “looking
munion with each other, hke their testimony to the world, for that blessed hope.”
continuallv revolved. The Epistle to the IIebrews agrees with all the other
Even ii men tty, they cannot keep this subject out of sight, apostolic writings. Repeatedly it speaks of the expected dJy.
‘20 long as the Kcw Testament is read. The late beloved “UNTO THEM THAT LOOK FOR HIM
evangelist, D. L. Moody, made the admission that he was shall he appear the second time, without sin unto salva-
orlginally much opposed to this doctrine, “until,” tion.”
said he, “Consider one another to provoke unto love an,! to
“from constantly mcetmg with it in the reading of Scripture, good works . . . . and so much the more as ve see tbc dav
I was constrzlned to bcctime a bdllevcr in it; and now it is, to approa chmg.” “Cast not away therefore four confidence
my mind, one of the most prcciuur truths in the whole Bible.,’ . . . . for yet a little while, and he that shall come will come,
One verse in everv thirteen in the Xew Testament refers to and will not tarry.”
it more or less d&ectly ; in the Epistles alone the proportion The apostle J&mes adopts the same appeal; “Be patient,
is much greater, being more l&c one in ten. In First Thes- therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the
salonians it is fully OI;C in seven, and in the Second Epistle husbandman waiteth for the DreciOUS fruit of the eartlr, and
nearly ‘me in tbrce. hath long pati ‘nce for it until he receive the early and 1:ltter
First Thessalonlans is usually recognized as the earliest rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts; for the coming
Epistle we possess. In our inquiry now it is of value, then, of the Lord drawetb nigh.”
to note that the belief in Christ’s return was a conspicuous The apostle Peter mavltes much use of second advent truth.
feature of the church to which it was addressed. In t6e open- It is the vermilion and the nold with which he illuminates
inq chanter the anostle testifies, “Ye turned to God from
0 I
his precious manuscripts. To iaints in suffering he write<. ant1
idols, to serve the*livlng and trde God, and to wait for his thus he seeks to cheer their hearts: “Ye are in heaviness
Son from heaven.” The second chapter ends with a reference through manifold temptations, that the trial of your fall11
to the Drosocct of meeting “in the presence of our Lord Jesus
1
. . . . might be for:nd unto praise, and honour, and glory at
Christ at iis coming.” -At the (lose of chapter three the the appearing of Jesus Christ.” “Hope to the end, for the
nravrr is offered. “That he mav stabllsh vour hearts unblama- grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelatlon or
tle*in holiness defore God, evgn our Fat&r, at the coming ofJesus Christ.” “When his glory shall be revealed, ye shall be
olir Lord Jerus Christ with all his saints.” Chapter fourglad with exceeding great joy.” “When the Chief Sbrpherd
finishes with the announecmcnt. made by direct inspiration. shall appear ye shall receive a crown of llfc that fadcth not
that “tbc Lord himself shall &scend from heaven- with a away.” “There shall come in the last days scoffers, walking
shout. with the voice of the erchanrel. and with the trumn of after their own lusts, and saying. Where is the promise of
God.” In chapter five the letter & &ought to a concluiion his coming? For since the fathers fell asleep all things con-
with the prayer that they who received it may be “preserved tinue as they were from the beginning of the creation . . . .
blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” But, beloved, . . . . the Lord is not slack concerning his prom-
In Second Thessalonlans there are but forty-seven verses, ises as some men count slackness, but the day of the
yet in no fewer than fifteen reference to the Lord’s return is Lord will come as a thief in the night.” “What manner of
made. The apostle declares “the Lord Jesus shall be revealed persons ought ye to be, m D . D looking for and hastmg unto
from bcavcn- wit11 his mighty angels.” He beseeches the the coming of the day of God?” “Wherefore, beloved, seeing
brethren to steadfastness “by the coming of our Lord Jesus that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found
Christ, and by our gathering together unto him.” He speaks of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.”
of “the blightnesd of his coming,,’ and the “consolation and Saint John cherishes the same glad hope, and seeks by it to
good hope” it brings; also he prays, “The Lord direct your strengthen and to stimulate the church. “My little rhildren,
hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for abide in him, that, when he shall appear, we may have con-
Christ.” fidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.” “We
First Corinthians is another of the older writings; and itknow that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we
proves that there at Corinth, as at Thessalonica, the church shall see him as he is; and every man that hath this hope in
had taken UD the hope of which we sneak. “Ye come behind him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.”
in no gift.” Asays the- apostle, “waitini for the coming of our As for the Book of the Revelation, it really is the “Revela-
Lord Jesus Christ.” He tells them not to sit in Judgment upon tim of Jesus Christ,” and is all about the second advent. In
one another, but to wait “until the Lord come, who both will it we have the facts, circumstances and judgments connected
brinn to light the hidden things of darkness, ‘and will make with the Lord’s unveiling, or apocalypse. “Behold he cometh,”
manyfest the counsels of the heart.” Above the table where is the burden of the book; and there can be no understanding
they sit to celebrate the scene on Calvary, he writes the of the “words of this prophecy,” if the coming of the Lord be
superscription, doubted, or be lost to view. Again and again, in the midst of
“TILL RE COl’UB”; its mysteries, the Master’s voice is heard crying, “Hold fasO
and over all the tombs where sleep the silent saints, he carves till I come!” “Behold I come as a thief;
the sentence, bringlug hupe and JOY, “Christ the Firstfruits, BLESSED IS BE THAT WATCHETH”
afterward they that arc Christ’s at his coming,,’ Even when “Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give
the SDOStle has to uttrr the dread word “Anathema,,’ he every man according as his work shall be.” To this, the seer
straipfktway softens it with “Maranatha,” “The Lord comes,,, himself would have us all say, “Amen. Even so, come, Lord
as though to let them know that, after all, judgment belongeth Jesus.”
to another; men need not quickly curse their fellows. It is well for us to scan the Scriptures thus, in order that,
In the Epistle to Philippians the time of the Advent is by line on line, we may convince ourselves what was the hope
repeatedly referred to as “The Day of Jesus Christ,,’ and for that cheered and edified the early church. After a reading,
it they are taught to wait. “He which has begun a good such as this, there is no room for doubt regarding it. The
work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” hope they had was that of Jesus Christ’s return, and nothing
“That ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of else can be maintained as answering to the language they
Christ.” “That I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I emnloved.
have not run in yain.” It is clear that the Philippians shared ‘It *could not be a spirit blessing they were looking for-a
the apostle’s hope, because he says, “Our conversation is in coming of the Lord into their hearts, for quickening and
heaven, from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord enlightenment; for such sweet spiritual presence they had
Jesus Christ. who shall change our vile body that it mav1 be never lost. “Lo, I am with you alway,” he had said, “even
fashioned like unto his gloriois body.” - to the end of the world”; and evermore “Christ in the heart
In the Epistle to Colossian se :,:cs, the same glad note is the hope of glory” was to them a living, grand reality. They
rung; “When Christ who is JP life shall appear, then shall did not need a coming of that kind.
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Nor c*ould thev mean the destruction of the cltv of Jerusa- hoping for, their Lord’s return, as they possessed for trust-
lem; and passing strange it seems that this should ever have ing and rejolcmg in his first appearing. Back to the first by
been thoueht to have fulfilled the DroDhecv. What was there
I
faith, and forward to the next by hope, they looked, with a4
In this sad event to constitute a hop;? it was a hope these solid assurance in one case as in the other. These were the
men possessed ! What had this city’s fall to do with Gentile two pivots on which revolved their Christian life, the two
saints? Yet thev, as well as Jews, were made Dartakers of wings on which they mounted up as eagles; neither pivot
the church’s hop:: above all, why; if the destr&tion of Je- could be weakened, nor could either wing be clipped, without
rusalem fulfilled the ScriDtures relative to Christ’s return- grave injury lmmedlately ensuing. “Take- unto s,-ou the whole
why was the coming of * the Lord proclaimed, and eagerly armour of God,” said the apostles, and we mav bc bure tllev
desired, long after Salem’s towers were in the dust? The Gos- gave as good reasons why ^the Cl&i&inn should “tsl,e for ‘a
Del arcortlinzz to John was surelv written after that. So were helmet the hope of salvation,” as for his “putting on tbe
&is three Ep’iitles. and the Book”of Revelation The testimony breastplate of faith and love.”
of the earlv Fathers is also to the effect that the hoae ot The foremost reason must have been, that Christ him-elf
Christ’s le<Llrn remained. like a meteor in the heavens,’ long had said he would return. The weld of seer9 and prophets,
after .Jcrusalem was removed. Clement of Rome, in his firs? of apostles and of angels, was of use, and theqe had all un~lc~l
Enistle. w11ttcn about A. I). 05. savs. “Let LIS be followers of to affirm that he would come again; bnt, atter all. the ?.I,l-ter
tl;o<e ~110 went about in goat ‘skiis’and sheep skins, preach- of the House, rather than any servant, was the One whose
ing tllc canming of Chiist.” IgnatlUS Of h~lK!h. iLhOllt. A. J). word was to be heard. If he s;id, even once, be \\o~!l~l ~“(urn,
100, wrote to Polvcarp, “Be every dav better than another;
I .
tllnt would be quite sufficient for the fllthful beart. =\i:tatlv I
consider the times, and expect I;im who is abovp all time, we hare seen that many times the
eternal, in\ lrlble. though for our sakes made vlslble ” l’oly- LORD HAD PLEDGED HIS WORD
carp, in an l~~l:l”stle dated about A. D. 105, said, “that God !r,ld to this effect. He said distinctly, “If I go . . . . I \\111 coille
raised un our Lord Jesus from the dead. and that he will agaIn.” “I will come to you.” “I go away and conic ;Ig:~iii
come to ;udcre the world and raise the saints, when if we walk nnto you.” He spoke of himself as the “Son of man.” who
worthy of l;im we shall reign together with .him.” Pnpias ot 4lould “come in the ”alorvY of his Father”: as the “Xobl~~man”
Hlerwuolls. the intimate friend and romDan!on of PolvcarD. wlin “went into a far country to rereivc fol himself a kin%:-
taughi the toming of the I,ord In all &e churches t&t Le dom and to return”; as the “blaster” for whose rnrn~n~ the
visited. .Jnclln Xlartyr, about A. D. 150, spoke of those as servants were to watch; the “Bridegroom.” whnscb app~~ar~ng
“destltutr of lust reason who did not understand that which the wise virgins all would hail; and as the “Lorcl” \\ho y(jt
is clear from all Scripture, that would come and reckon with the stewards of his hn11sc. In
TWO COMINGS OF CHRIST ARE ANNOUNCED” these, and many ways beside, the gracious Lorcl nss~ll(‘d III<
Irrneuq al-o, ~110 flourished as a writer about A. D. lS0, says, loved ones he would come again, and they, with truxttlll 1!(,.11ts.
“The Lord shall come from heaven 111 the clouds with the zlorv just took him at his word. “To doubt would be tii+loy I It\- to
3f his Fat,l:rr. casting the Antichrist and them that 0bey”hir.n falter would be sin.” Then, as their faith laid h:)ltl. their
into a lnkc of fire; bUt bringing to the just the times of the hope was born; for they soon found., wrapped in tllrb i)r:lmlsl‘q
kingdom.” These men all, with one accord, waited for the of his return, as in a garment fair, all scented with sweet
co&g of God’s Son from heaven. They did nothing so ridic- lavender, things rare and beautiful, that made t,llo~(~ 1°C’ IOLI’,
promises the richest heirloom of the Christian rburc*b.
ulous as to believe that the nromises to that end were ful-
filled when .JF~usalem was buined. The first thing they discovered there was tbi3. tll it ln the
?r‘or waq it death for which these early saints were wait- certaintv of Christ’s return tbere lnv the zuamntrc-the 0111~
inz. Sot one of them is known to have confounded that with guarantke they had-that they would see &elr I,ortl. Some (it
c’1;I Iht*h 1 etlll Il. lil 110 epislle 1s tlwth set belore the Chris-
those early saints had seen the Savior when he stood on
tian as 111~ oiJ,rcl. of his hone. The armroach of death. the earth; but now 11is words were true, “you see mc no mo1 e ”
encmv, ( :,I, n(l\‘cr 1~ then co&ing of the’cold-his fr lend: It Oh, how they longed to view him nnce again. To m:rIry of

m’ry 11(,th,lt the time between the hour of death and the morn them the apostle Peter’s words w(‘re more spprop~ !:lt(‘.

of I e+urlcJc,tlon 4lall pass even as “the twinkling of an eye”; “Whom having not seen, ye love; :and 111 whom, llrou~11 now
me mnmrnt mop be heard the voicrs of earthly friends around ye see him not, yet believing. ye rejoice.” IhIt all tilt’ r~llll~c~l1
tllcl hl, and the rielt (:1.3 it appears) that c311 that 1VYalieS mo<t carnrstlv d&red to look on him \vllorca lnvcb in 1r1 V,II~I
the sleepers in the tomb. But we must carefully tllstingulsh
brtwt>cx thlnes that dllt’er. E’alling asleeD Is not the same as
waking!. tholl~ll hardly an instant ;;lay apbear to pas9 between King in his beauty.” &I ’
them: 110r 15 zrlrn death the coming of the Lord. thourrh no -%p,~rt flnrn the Savior’s coming most assuredly tbt>re is
time Seems to”clapse between the tu’b events. If ‘it be Gther- nr, warrant plvcn that tllcse antic>ip,ltlonq shall bc r~~ai~~;~cl
wise, and the return of Christ means the believer’s death, then It is then t&t “every eye shall ~(k& him.” So wlx~(l~~l tll.lt
is the iehlil rcction “past already,” for that 14 always associ- the earlv Christians “Dnnted for the apgointxl honl ” T;ll*!l
ated with the Lord’s return. But agrninst this heresy we are would b; the revelatioi, the unveilmg b’f the Lord; “tllca (lay
expressly warned. of this appearing and his kingdom;” and till It ~:lIne t11ts~
No; if Greek and English words have an)! meaning, those could not be at rest.
employed by tile apa,tles and the F!‘ntllerr, with their cquiva- WE SHALL BE “CHANGED” AND “SEC HIM AS HE IS”
lents 111our own mother tongue, all go to show that a Der- They also learned to say, “when he shall appear.” md “ne
sonal and glorious comin, 0 of the Lord‘& what those me; of shall see him as he is,” “we shall be like him,” “rhan~cd intn
God were \WltiIIg for. No other coming ever crossed their the same image. from glory to glory”; for “a? we have I)orne
minds. It was not till the middle of the Tblrd rentuly that the imare of the earthv, we shall also bear the imax of the
serious opposition, or even question. arose as to the doctrine heavenli:” This is a “marvelous announrcmcnt, nnh 1Iartlly
of the Dersnnal coming and reign of *Jesus Christ. ‘*NOW,” could we credit it, unless it were mo\t clearly g~\en 111Cotl’;i
says Mdsheim, “its credit began & decline, principally throngh most Holv Word. For the assistanre of our faith, It I:, c’\cn
the influence and nuthoritv v of Orieen. who onnosed II it with given repiatedlp, and we can only gratefully accept the trlltb
the greatest warmth, because it w& incompatible with some The early Christians certainly did this.
of his favorite sentiments.” Ttlry I)cllc~\-c~tlthat thi,; “glxtl c*~I:~II~:c”in tbc~m, “\\ llrc.11 .,I (a
The Enaliih Baptist churches in their Confession of Faith. alive, and remain unto the coming of the Lord,” wnnltl 1~
presented to ChaIl& II. in 1660, said, “We believe . . . . that arcomnanird bv the awakening of them “which sleep in tT~l~u~.”
the same Lord *Jesus who showed himself alive after his Das- For their dc;lr’ one3 who were’dead, as well aq for’them~clrc~s,
sion, by many infallible proofs, which was taken up from’the their only hope lay in the second advent. They did not \‘~y,
disciDles and carried into heaven. shall so come in like manner “There is no death; what seems so is transition.” Xo, they
as he was qeen to go into heaven, and when Christ, who is our accepted death as a reality. “We believe that Jesus died,”
life, shall apprar,.we shall also appear with him in glory. thev said. “even so.” there are “tll~~lrl also \TlllvIl >l:‘Cl, Ill
for then shall he be King of kings and Lord of lords.” Here Jesus.” “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord.“ htill,
there is quite enough to :how wheat was the hope within them they are dead, and resurrection is required to make them 11vt~
when the earlv Christians stoke with one another of the Not bv making light of death did thev attemDt to comfnrt
coming of the Zord. It was ‘“the Lord himself”-for whom ono another; b;;t buy making much, yea, &erythiig, of the sure
they looked and longed. and certain hoDe of iovful resurrection. to take Dlace at the
II. The reason for such unanimitv and enthusiasm in the coming of the Lord. ” l%e was the mighty maghet’ that would
entertainment of thiq hope must have been both weighty and yet “descend from heaven,” and as steel is drawn to steel, so
worthv. The earlv Christians did not lightlv hold it, and it they declared “the dead in Christ” would rise to him.
would” not be with light and careless h&d Ihey took it up. They believed that that would be the day of their presenta-
Thev must have had as cogent reasons for believing in, and tion to the King. By the apostle Paul they were distinctly so
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informed. In writing to Corinthian saints, he said: “Know- us; this 1s the Lord; we have waited for him, we will be glad,
ing thnt he which raised up the Lord Jesus, shall raise up us and rejoice in his salvation.”
also by Jesus, and shall present us with ~011.” Until that dav. The thought of Israel’s salvation at the Lord’s return
on various grounds, they‘could not be pr&ented. Christ would would make glad the hearts of the Gentile saints as well as
not even. until then. be King. So lone as he was Prie\t within Jews; for Israel’s restoration, they were told, would girdle
the veil. they could’not go “to him. Ti;c type forbade it: “There the whole globe with the glory of the Lord. “If the fall of
l hdll be no man 111the tabtlrnacle of the <,ongregatluu when he them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them
gotA1h in to make an atonemrnt in the holy place, until lie the riches of the Gentiles, how much more their fulnessl”
1omc out.” Tile Lord hims;c~lf declared it: “1Vhlther 1 go ye Then it is that the Lord, by his Advent, “shall set up an
WnnOt come ” “I will come again am1 receive you unto my- ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of
Lcllf.” For that tlav of lovful welcome to his court thcv had Tarael”; then it is. and not in this the Gospel day, that “the
to w:11t. Th:ay tlld &t d,(&n of “going to heaven one by hne” ; earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord. as thca
rlley lvnuld “IKZ caugl!t up together to meet the Lord ” Thcp waters cover the. sea.” Then “He 0bhall judge a,& the
~onld not think of entering his glorious preyence until thev nations, and rebuke many people; and they tihrtll beat thrlr
were “prcsc~ntcd.” They ciuld not be p<ehcsuted until the> swords into ploughshares, and thclr spears into pruning
werr nrrnaretl and fitlv robetl. Not in the drab dress of this
1 I
11001ts.”
rn,,l tal body could th& stand before him. “This corruptible
must put on incorruplion, and this mortal must Put on im- Peace shall spread through all the earth,
mortalltv.” l:llt thev bplievcd that when hc came tllis ncces- When the Lord doth come.
qry <&nye in thei; al)palel would he wrought; and then Truth and righteousness go forth,
4lould thrr ~JC brounht into the nresence of the I<mn in When the Lord doth come.
“raiment df needlew~~~k and clothi& of wrought gold,” “a God with men shall then be found,
<giorlous church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such Every place be hallowed ground,
thing.” Life and beauty shall abound,
That would be the time, then, of their triumph and re- When the Lord doth come,
Wi-ard. Sometlme~ when men die their friends affirm they hn\e With such results expected from the coming of the King.
gone to their reward; but it is no surprise that it became the early ChristIan’s hope.
NOT SO SAID THE EARLY CHURCH Each member of the church seems to have held it. 9 Chr!s-
tlan who had not this hone was an anomalv. Nilner bars.
Thcv c*oul(l not ; for the Lold hat1 definitely named another “This constituted in the second century so dec”idedly an article
tlm& than that of death: “Thou &alt he rrcomnensed.” snid of faith that Justin held it up as a criterion of nrthodo.\g.”
hr. “at thp rcsnrrectlon of the lust”; “in the ;cqeneration, Bishop Newton savs, “It was generallv believed in the
when tile Son of man shall Fit in the throne of his glorv.” - FIRST TIlX&,’ AKD PUhT, A;!%3 [ CEKIWRIES] .”
“Brhold. I come . . . . and mv reward is with me to give Bishon Russell. thoueh an anti-Millennarian. sari. “11own
cverv m’an [then] according aq’hls work &all 1)~” The a.poq- to the biginnIng df the cfourth century the be&f ~\~a, unlvcr-
tic Peter confirms that with the word. “\\‘hen the rhlef Shrp- sal and undisputed.” While Gibbon, with no prejudIcr either
hr~d shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory.” “We way, says, “It appears to have been the reigning -rntimcnt of
mu\t all appear before the judgment spat of Christ” before orthodox believers.” He also adds, “It wan, productive of the
rc~\r,~rd (‘an be tlihtrllluted. dint1 we :,I‘(’ diitinctlv told It IS at most salutary effects on the faith and practice of Chrlsti~ns.”
“His appearing” that this seat shall be set up. . “Henceforth.” Of course its effects were salutarv! It disposed the cl1111c.11to
paid the expiring Paul, “there is laid up for me a crown of prayerfulness and patience, to p”uritg and’ peace. to ilnvcrity
rlghtcousneqs which the Lord the righteous Judge. shall give and soberness. to lovaltv and love. to fitlelitv and firmnc+s. to
me at that day; anal not to me only, but unto all them also watchfulness and \;ork Y Solace it gave in’ suffering. and in
th2t love his appearing.” He had no thou;ght of going by bereavement balm; in pcrserution perfect peace. and 1’1(‘II In
himcelf into thP presence chamber. and in snme private way the martvr’s fire the Master’s inv.
rcc.ririnrr his Lord’s “welcome” and “well done.” X:0 1 he Won12 God this were the c~u”rch’s hope today: Only cnm-
~vantctl “all tlrem. also.” whom he had known on earth to 11e paratively few within her bounds lay hold of it. Tl;c tloc-
lle<itle him then : ripecially those whom he had led to taste trine of the second advent is by most neglected, although the
rrdcemlnp love. “For what is our hope, or joy. or rrown of word of God is full of it.
rploirinc? Are not even vc in the presence of our Lord .Jesuq When not entirelv rele,rrated to the lumbrr room. it is
(‘liriqt kt his r’oming7” it is vrllpn’the nobleman return- th?t often held UT) to ridi&lc, a;;d thcv who dare to say thnt thn‘y
h(a w111 ~111 hi< qflrvantq and hold rerknninz with them. No lJ?lieVe in it -are treated as-well-r%eaning folk. pcrilaps. tn:t-
wnntler. then. tliat faithful men lcpllt ever in their m;nds that simole souls. and far behind the ace. Well, some of us are
El-cant (~.vc~nt. The corninS of thp Lord \vas not dpnicd. nor lnqt quit’e content to be behind the age. ‘\Vhenev& It. In anv mat-
to riot. until. in later days than thnsr of which we speyk, ter, goes ahead of Jesus Christ and his immedlnte fnlln\\rr\.
tl(e Chliktian rhurch had lost its zeal, and 1n sad. wanton we shall let it go. “The gootlly fellowship of the apoqtl~-” IS
Wv:IS’ wns walking with the world pnorl enough for us. and on thr sublert now b?fOre I!S wr are
“‘1‘11~ kinptlnm comr.” 11~ hqd ll;m=cif instructrd thrm to with that nohle company. Simp!e we may scrxm to mc’tlcrn
prnv t1111*. and thrr llr*licvrd tllat till hc r?mr thr kinrrdom men to be: but it is the ancient truth we hold, thr goo,l old
would not cnmr. fint for the gradual sprP?d of truth and way we tread. * * x
th? conversion of the world. thev lookcti . . . . Thev knrw
th?t all the purpn’es of God rrgaraino. mrn wild be fulfilled. FAROUSIA FIRST-EPIPHANIA AND APOHALUPSIS FOLLOW
!mt flrrv apprar nnt to have thonrrbt of thnt as one. The As in the distance the various peaks of thr mountain are
Gncprl muqt be prc>ac+hpd in all the would. ‘tiq true: hut they blended so as to be undiscernible, so in the di&ncae the
i3cr+ptptl Christ’< own wnrdq. that thil should he hut “fnr a various features of the second advent of our Lord wcrc in-
witnrqs unto all natinns”: and aq .Tnmec: the apnqtle said. “tn distinct. But now is our salvation near-“nearer 111::n why
tqko o,rt of i71w7 a T)POT>~Pfor hi< nnmp.” Thnv-did pot v2inlp we first believed” ; and we should expect that the hnlv spirit,
hone the world would better and vet brtter clrnw: thev knew which we were assured would brin g iruth to the atte”ntihn of
t&t “rvil mm and scnucers shall was worse and worse.” the Lord’s people as “meat in due season,” would c~utlnuc~ to
Thrv nrvrr said that things w1~1ld so improve that the last, “show them things to come” as thcv would br due to bc undcr-
3:nvb of thic dark age wnnltl hr its brl!zhtrst and its best. stood And thus we have found it. nraise the Lord! God’s
“Thiq know.” said thcp. “that in the last days word is as a shining light shining’kore nud more unto the
perfert day. In its-li$it we can’ now see that: our Muster
PERILOUS TIMES SHALL COME” ; will be pwsent for a time, in the harvest time of tllis pge-
fnr wlc.krdnrsq shall he rampant even with “a form of endll- in~istbly present doing a work in his church, before any out-
r(b’ic; ” Kith one consent these earlv Christians waited for ward s&n or revealing to the world takes nlace. His work in
the T,nrd Rv his appearing would his kingdom be secured. his chu&h will be thg separating of the t&P from tile mcrclV
ATany me<ibers of-&e early church were .Tkws, and for their nominal-the “wheat” from the- “tares.” His rewaling will
nntion’s qnke thev wanted Christ to come. That dav would be be in the “flaming fire” the great time of trouble with which
a glorious day fbr them. the time of Israel’s repentance and this ape will close, and in w&h the “tares” shall ceasr to be
rcroverv. Then “the rebuke of his people shall he take away “tares” : but before that fire can come, as the parable was
from off all the earth,” and from their eves the veil shall be given to show, he will be present in his wheatfield gathering
removed. “I will pour upon the house of ‘David, and upon the the wheat into the garner and bundling the tares for the
inhahitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of sunnli- burning.
cations : and they shall look &upon &e whom they ikve Another parable also shows that before reveating himself
pierced. and mourn.” “And it shall be said in that day, Lo, in any manner to the world, he calls first his own servants
thiq IS our God; we hare waited for him, and he will save and reckons with them (Luke 19 : 15-27 ) Ah ! dear brethren,
[2956]
FEBRUARY 15, 1902 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (56-57)

what a holy awe it brings to our hearts to know that we are the judgments of the Lord shall be abroad in the earth and
note living in the presence of the Son of Man; that now the the inhabitants of the world shall learn righteousness, and
“wheat” is being gathered and the “tares” being bundled;- say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain [kingdom] of the
that now the servants are reporting their use of the pounds Lord’s house. He shall teach us of his ways and we shall
and talents entrusted to them, while the world sees nothing walk in his paths.“-Isa. 2:3.
and enquires, “Where is the promise of his presence, while all Think up the addresses of all your earnest and pious Chris-
things continue as they were from the beginning?” Nor can tian friends and send them to us for samples of this issue;
any but the few hear and appreciate the evidences, or under- and if they are interested assure them that if they will request
stand the Master’s words that as the world Icnew riot in the it, mentioning this offer, we will send them a pamphlrt on
days of Noah, even thus shall it be in the presence of the Son “The Pavousia, Epiphania avtd Apokalupszs of our Lord,”
of Man (Matt. 24:37)-they shall Icaow not, and the ordinary free ! Call to their atttention, also, the still fuller treatment
avocations of daily life shall continue.-until disturbed by the of this subject in “The Time is at Hand,” 360 pages, 25c, or
commotion and trouble of the Bpiphania, the Apokalupsis of loaned free to all who promise a careful reading and to return
t!le King in the pouring out of the seven last plagues-when it postpaid.

“THE MORNING COMETH”

“Lo! from his Eastern heights sublime, “ ‘Tib coming. Yes. our night of tears
I hear the herald’s joyous warning; Shall fade before Immanuel’s glory,
Day’s glory deepens; far upclimb Which now, to gild our earth, appears,
The rosy splendors of the morning; Foretold in ancient song and story;
Foretold in that seraphic strain,
See yon triumphant steeds of light With notes which haunt our world again,
Chase the retreating hosts of night; For traveling through the shadowy years,
The valleys sing, the hills rejoiee, The Just. the Merciful appears.
‘TlS ( :mllllg. Yw, ‘tls coming. Behold ! the Lord of glory.”

FURTHER OBSTACLES TO THE “DAWNS”

When unlawfully cut off from the cheap rates for mai]ing and by, they will be more sought and more studied by the
the paper-rovered Darcyns, we did the next best thing, and masses than now;-and we well know that the lower the cost
availed ourselves of the special rates granted on this class of the more can be circulated.
matter, in ten pound lots, by the Express Companies. Thus WC propose meeting the issue by supplying our readers
we have been enabled, up till now, to send the Dawns, in with the cloth-bound Dawns (prepaid to any part of the
packs of ten or more, to any Express office in the United States world) for twenty-five cents per volume. By having the bind-
at the rate of thirteen cents per volume, ing done in very large quantities we hope to nearly get out
But now this. too, is changed! The Express Companies, whole: but if at a slight loss we will consider it money well
finding us at their mercy, have adopted the same rule as the spent in the wider circulation of the truth.
Post Offire. Undoubtedly they would be willing to raise their One good result will be the better ap earance the books will
rates on books and everything-just as high as Post OHice com- make, wherever they may go ; another, t &-err greater durability ;
petition will permit. and, additionally, they will appear more frequently on the
In view of these facts, we have been obliged to increase the bookshelf, and thus become the better known. Order hereafter in
wholesaie rates on Dawns. Tt may be argued that the in- cloth binding.
creased price will make no difference to us, as the Dawns are The retail price of Dawns will hereafter be 35 cents, plus
sold at cost anyway; but we answer that our object is to put postage, 10 cents; but all Watch Tower subscribers are wel-
as large a number into clrrulatlon as possible-hoping that. by come to the wholesale rate as above.

STEPHEN’S DEFENCE AND EXECUTION

ACTS 7 -54-8 : 2.-N.~RCII 2.
“Pray for them which despitefully u8e you and persecute you.“-Matt. 5:44.
Strphen’s defence before the Sanhedrin Court turned-out stated them, and the conclusions which he drew from them,
to be a dcfence of the truth. rather than of himself. Full of must have shown his judges clearly that so far from being a
zeal for the Lord and for a. proper use of his privileges as a blasphemer of Moses and his institutions and holy things, he
ministrr of the truth, Stephen was courageous-seemingly to was a firm believer in these, and a zealous advocate of them.
the extent of ignoring
c c
all thought
c
of nersonal safetv.I His So with us: when discussing holy things there may at times
tlefrnce is not part of this lesion, but it is. nevertheless, be those who, intentionally or ignorantly, will attribute to us
worthr of consideration. It displays a clear insight into the evil conditions or evil motives. With us, as with Stephen, the
past history of his people. ant1 a rlear appreciation of the best manner of dealing with such charges is to show, without
lesson+ inculcated through thrir experiences. In a word. it ostentation, and by deeply reverent manner, that we are trust-
givev rvidence that Stephen was a Bible student--“a work- ing implicitly in the gracious promises of God, and that we
man who needed not to be ashamed. rightlv dividing the word annreoiate fullv his various providential leadinas<, and dealings
of truth.” Stephen in all this was a‘wo&hg example to the in-the past, not only as respects ourselves, but with all his
Lortl’s flock. tht* lesson still being appropriate. With us alqo holy people. Now, as in Stephen’s dase, the best answer re-
the first thought should be the privilege of serving the truth, snecting our fidelity to the holy things is represented in our
and if the will of God be such, the p;ivilege of laying down knowledge of them, and in the reverent manner in which we
life. even. in its service. -4 full consecration to the Lord on mention them.
our part. and a keen appreciation of the truths of the Scrip- Stephen rehearsed to his hearers the fact that Moses, the
turn>,* will ultimntely mate us courageous-not careful for the great Law-giver, whom they now reverenced, had at one time
present life when weighed in the balance with the interests been reieeted bv Israel, saving. “Who made thee a judge or a
of the Lord’s cause. But now, as in Stephen’s day, such ruler over us?” ” But he \;as%od’s agent and repr”esentative,
colirngr can only rome from a knowledge of the divine plan, and hence, in due time, he became Israel’s deliverer. He re-
and the knowledge can only come through a right dzridzna of minded them also that Moses had said. “A prophet shall the
the word of truth ;-and such abilitieg imply< a devotion of Lord your God raise up unto you from’ among your brethren,
time and energy to the study of truth, and the guidance of like unto me.” The lesson which Stenhen desired his hearers
the holy spirit in the understanding of it. to draw is, that as Moses was rejected at his first offering to
The charge against Stephen was blasphemy against the the Israelites so the one like unto Moses would, like him, be
!loly place, Jerusalem (and especially its holy Temple, which rejected-had been rejected, in the person of Jesus. Never-
sanctified it), and against the law of Moses. Passing bv the theless, as Moses subsequently became the leader and com-
charges. Stephen went into a history of the Lord’s leading of mander of the people, and delivered them, so also Jesus would
Tsracl from the time of Abraham down to his own time; and in due time become the great deliverer of his peonle.-at his
thus showed his full faith in the holy places and in the second advent. He po&ted further to the -fac’t that the
promises and presence of God, which made them holy. His prophets all down through the Jewish age had been refused by
familiarity with the facts, and the reverent manner in which he the people in the time of their presence and ministry with
IV-14 [2957-J
 ZION’S WATCH TOWER ;\LLEGKENY, PA.

them, many of them being foully dealt with: but nevertheless human eyes have not seen nor ears heard.-1 Cor. 2: 10, 13.
subsequently they were drscernea to have be& the Lord’s rep- The stoning of Stephen would seem to have been a viola-
resentatives. Stephen would have his hearers recognize Christ tion of the Roman law. The Mosaic law, indeed, commanded
as the great prophet, whom God had set forth to” be the in: stoning as a penalty for blasphemy; but from the time the
structor of the people. We see no attempt to defend himself, Romans took possession of the country they seem to have
except by showing up the truth. He evidently relied upon his decreed that life could not be taken in anv legal form except
course of conduct and teaching corroborating the history which that of the Roman law: but Stephen’s en&es were so enraged
he was now delineating. Let us also, in our intercourse with that they were evidently willing to risk some personal lnlury
others whom we would- lead Into the truth, pay less attention rather than be defeated in their purpose of destroying their
to self-defence than to a nresentation of the divine Word. As enemy, whom they could not match w-ith Scripture or logic.
the Apostle declares, the sword of the spirit, the Word of God, The Lord’s servants todav are in no Dartlcular danzcr of
is sharper than any two-edged sword.-Heb. 4: 12. being stoned to death aft& the same’ mlnner; buT the
About this time, apparently, some manlfestatlon of impa- majority of them have had experiences, nevertheless, which in
tience on the part of the Court caused Stephen to hasten to many respects correspond. False representations,
his concluymnii abruptly, saying, “Ye stiff-necked and uncir- angrr,
malice, hatred, strife, etc., hurled against thr Lord’s people,
cumcised In heart an(l cars, ye do always reylst the holy spirit; are often hard to bear; and yet all those who rrreire such
as your fathers die! so do ye. \Vhicah of the prophets have not
figurative stoning in the same manner that Stephen received
your fathers p(Lr:,ecuted, and they have slain them which his literal stoning. are sure to be ereatlv bleh\ed Thev fi:jd
showed bcfc;re the corumg of the .Just One; of whom ye have that although s&h experiences aie sr<ere as respec& the
bren now the betrayers and murderers; who have received the flesh, they are nevertheless helpful, profitable, ns rrsppcts the
law by the dispensation of angels, and have not kcnt it.” new nature. They thus demonstrate the truth of the Apostle’s
(L-S?. 51-5.1) It! is not necessary to suppose that theie sim-
ple, true words were uttered in anv harsh tone or strifeiul statement, “The outward man perisheth, hut the inward man
is renewed day by day,“-by just such experiences rightly
manner; for everything about Stephen’s attitude seems to received.
irnplv gentleness, fol bcarance, love. It was the truth, and it
way the right time to tell it. He evlclcntly knew what was It is here that attention is drawn to the fact that &ul of
likely to be the result anyway, and wished to give his testi- Tarsus was probably a member of the Sanhe~irin. wh11.11trlrd
mony, that as those who had foretold the iust one had been Stephen, and sure17 one of those who consented to his death:-
lclllrd it was no more rem:trknt)le that thdse who afterward standing guard over the outer garments of those who cxsecutcd
bore witness to him should be killed also. the will of the Sanhednn. in doing the actual stonlncr. 110
111s persecautors wrre thwarted; their attempt to traduce refers to the matter himself subskcjuentlp, in caontrlce l.~n-
him and show him an enpmy of the Lord, of the nation, and guage. (Acts 22 :20) Let us have hope, therefore, that some
of the law, had abuntlantlv failed. He stood ?)cforc the San- of those who today assault us, because of lovaltv to thr I,ortl
hedi In a .gl eat teacher, rrprovin g them, and showing from their and his Word, rniy yet be amongst those who 6111 pemtcntly
own ScrIptural records that tlr,lv were now intent on doinr acknowledge the error of their ways. Y
Indeed. a nnmher of
toward him as their fathers had Tlone toward the Lord’s faith: instances of this kind have occurred; a number of thoye who
fill in every age. His he:rrrjrs were “cut to the heart.” Th!s are now deeply interested in present truth at one time wI>re
expression rrmmnds us of the record (Acts 2 :37) of those so bitterly ” *-
opposed that thev burned the puhlicntions which
who hr;lrtl Peter prcnrh on Ihe same theme--thcxy were represent these truths, and gloried In the drell. It ~llo\vs us,
“pricked to the heart.” IJut people can be pricked to the too. how God looks at the heart. and teaches us th:lt qomc
heart, and yet have very rlii‘felent results follow. Much will who are not had at heart may at times he so blinded by pleju-
depentl upon what is in the heart when it is pricked. dice that 1iBht annears darkness to them and darkness li&t.
If it
he good the results will be good; if it be evil the results will Stephen’; at&de in receiving his persecution was Iiost
be ev11. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks, noble. He prayed for himself and for h!s enemies--that the
and the course of action is guided. These men were in a latter might he forgiven, so far as he waq roncerned;-they
wickctl condition of heart, nndu the truths uttered by Stephen will have enough to answer for and to receive “stripeq” or just
were to them stmgs, rebukes, arousing their hatred to a pitch retribution-for himself, that the Lord would receive his
of Ercnzy-“they gnashed on him with their teeth.” spirit. There has been some query as to what would be
Undauntrd by their manifestations of hatred and malice, implied in this expression, “Receive my spirit.” We have
Stephen was so filled with an appreciation of the Lord’s good- alrkady shown* tha?, the primary sense hf {he word spirit is
ness, and of his being. a servant of the truth, that he was all enerev or “life.” and that the snirit. energv or life. of all
aglow with interest In his theme. and his face illuminated flesh-has forfeited through sin; bit thit hel&era, recognizing
with an angelic expression, such as’the truth only can impart. the fact that Christ has died for our sins. r<,connlzinr the
It was then that looking away from his own surroundings- fact also that whosoever accepts Christ, as his“ Redcymer,
away from his enemies’ faces-he was granted a glimpse of the receives through him a new rrght to life-that to such the
Lord at the right hand of the Father. Whether it was a snirit of life is no longer reckoned as forfeited, hut reckoned
mental vision, such as any of us can awaken in our minds. a$ being restored to t&m again,-and that unto eternal life,
such as the Apostle referred to when he said that we should if they are faithful. Not that Christians are privllpgcd to
be continuallv “looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of retain their hold upon the spirit of life now, and thus avoid
our faith,” o’r wheth& it was actually a vision granted to dying, but that Goa has promised us, through his Word, that
Stephen at this particular time, we know not;-most probably he who has the Son has life-has received back acain bv faith
it was a vision. through him a future right to life, to be fglly aitained
He of course did not see in reality what he described, as through a resurrection. Nevertheless, it is explained to us
that would he an impossibility ;-“No man hath seen God at that “our life is hid with Christ in God,” and will not be ours
any time,” and the Only Begotten of the Father is now the until “he who is our life shall appear” at his second advent,-
express image of his person, and he also would be invisible and grant, according to the Father’s plan, new or resurrec-
to humanitv; even the light of his glorv would have smitten tion bodies to his people. (Cor. 3 :3, 4) Stephen meant to
Stephen do&, as it srnoci Saul of !i!ars;s a short time after- express to the Lord his confidence, his trust, in a future life
ward. But that Stephen should have had a vision or revela- through a resurrection, when he made this expression, “Lord
tion of his Master and his high exaltation is entirely reason- Jesus, receive my spirit”-receive my life, preserve my life,
able; he told what he saw, and this furnished the occasion that it may be granted to me again in the resurrection,
of his death. His adversaries could have found nothing against according to thy gracious promise: I commit my all to thee,
him in anything he had said, or that any witness c&la” have in hope.
moved, but now. affectine great indienation at the thought Stkphen’s attitude under persecution may well commend
that J&us, whom they h$d &ucified, Jesus the imposter, gad itself to us: our love for the Lord and our benevolent svm-
become exalted to heavenly glory, next to Jehovah himself- pathy with all the gracious features of his plan should Ulift
this furnished an opportunity for the claim that Stephen was us above any and everything like vindictiveness or spiteful-
a blasphemer, and &erefore bught to be stoned to de’ath. All ness against our enemies: and should permit us to see that
being in a wrong attitude of heart. the same imnulse affected their Mistreatment of us,.is largely because they are blind to
all, ind they rushed upon the faithful servant *of the truth, the truth. Thev know not us, even as thev knew not the
pushing him out of the city to a secluded spot, where they Lord; and, as h;? said, if they called the Ma&er of the house
stoned him to death. Let us likewise be faithful to the Lord, Beelzebub, and said all manner of evil against him falsely,
and we also shall have revelations of our Lord’s glory--not, we must not be surprised if the same should be our lot. We
probably, visions or dreams, but such mental pictures as are know, therefore, to-count it all joy when we fall into such
clearly “delineated before us in God’s Word, *which now is matters; and should rejoice that we are counted worthy of a
commonlv in the hands of his oeoDle: and under the leadings share with the Lord in the trials and difficulties of this
of the holy spirit reveals to us’ thl deep things of God which *MILLENNIAL DAWN, VOL. v, Chap. 13.
[2968]
FEBRUARY
15. 1902 ZION’S WATCH TOWER

Dresent time, that in due time we made be made partakers tion, “The maid is not dead, but sleepeth,” and again, “Laza-
&so of the glory to follow. With us also the one’ thought rus sleepeth,” etc., we have the term sleep commonly used
should be the aleasine of our Lord and the attainment. amongst the followers of Jesus in the various New Testament
through him, of -the llf”e everlasting-having him to care fo; writings. (See Matt. 9:24; John 11:ll) Many, however,
o~ll spirit of life, and to revive us again in the resurrection who use the term sleep, and who place it upon the tombstones
in due time. in their cemeteries, overlook entirely the fact that it im-
“HE FELL ASLEEP” plies that the sleeping one is uncons&us, that he will not be
In the midst of his prayer he fell asleep-he died. Com- conscious until the waking time, the resurrection. The figure
menting on these words an “orthodox” writer savs: “Though is a beautiful one, viewed from the right standpoint, the
the pagan authors sometimes used sleep to sipiify death, -it standpoint of divine revelation, which shows us the blessines
was onlvi a noetic fieure. When Christ, on the other hand. of m&kind, restitution, which are to be expected as soon--ii
said, ‘Our friend, Lagarus, sleepeth,’ he used the word, not ai the morning of the new Millennial day shall have been fully
a figure but as an expression of a fact. In that mystery of ushered in.
death in which the DaBan saw only nothingness. Jesus saw Doubtless there were many who considered the martvrdom
continued life, rest, -walking-the elements &hi& enter into of Stephen a great calamity- to the church, a great l&s of
sleen. And thus in Christian sneech and thourht. as the doc- influence ; a cutting off of one of the ablest exponents of the
trmk of the resurrection strugk its roots deipe>, the word Gospel. But we are not sure that they took a correct view.
‘dead,’ with its hopeless finality, gave place to the more Viewed from God’s standpoint, quite possibly the testimony
gracious and hopeful word, ‘sleep.’ The pagans’ burying place which Stephen gave at the close of his life was a most
carried in its name no suggestion of hope or comfort. It was beneficial one; first in its influence uDon the believers. in
a burying place, a hiding place, monumentum, a mere memorial teacliin~ them’bg precept an11 example fiithfulness. even ;nto
of something gone; . . . . but the Christian thought of death death; ‘and that‘ the Lord’s people could die as they lived,-
a4 sleep brought with it, in the Christian speech, the kindred joyful through the faith that is in Christ. His death also
thought of a chamber of rest, and embodied it in the word probably bore a valuable witness to some of his enemies.
cemetery-the plclce to Ize down to sleep”-Word Studzes. Quite possibly the Apostle Paul’s first favorable impressions
Tbrougbout the Scriptures the word “sleep” is frequently toward Christianitv were received throurh his witness of the
used as a synonym for death-but only in view of the hoped- courage and zeal 01 this noble martyr,-&lose spirit of Christ
for awakenmg--the resurrectlon. It was becauye Abraham he doubtless witnessed in others of the hated “sect, everywhere
and his posterity believed God that he was able to raise them spoken against.”
up from the dead. and that his agreement so to do was im- So wiih us; we know not which act in life may glorify the
plied in the promise that all the families of the earth should Lord most, or whether our livine or dvinn would be most
be blessed, that it was impossible for them to think of their helpful to ’ his cause. We are to” leave” tl& in the Lord’8
departed ones as being totally estinct in death;-from thnt hands, and to remember that our course in any event must be
time onward sleep, as a synonym of death, became common one of faithfulness, and that if faithful nothmg can by any
amongst those who waited for the consolation of Isrnel. And means harm us, but all things must work together for our
in New Testament times, in harmony with our Lord’s declara- good.

PERSECUTION AND ITS GOOD FRUIT

ACTS 8:3-13.-MAsCn 9.
“Therefore, they that were scattered abroad went everywhere, preaching the Word.”
Persecution is never right, nor is it a joyous matter; those who, by his providential arrangements, had been gath-
nevertheless, God can overrule this, as well as all wrongs, for ered to one center, he now scattered them, as llghts through-
the good of his people, who can l&n also the lessons of “re- out Palestine and the adjacent country.
ioicinp in trihulatlon.” and of tracinp divine nrovidences Drawing applications to ourselves from this feature of our
through them,--zeelng’ by faith the desirable results. The lesson, we note how the Lord has gathered to this new land.
first persecution of the church began about the time of America, a specially prepared cla& of people, liberty-lover;
Stephen’s death, noted in our last lesson. This is variously and truth-lovers, from all parts of the world. We note how
estimated as having been from three to seven years after th& he has lighted the torch of hbertv and civilization here more
day of Pentecost, though we have no means of definite in- generally- than elsewhere. We note how, in this specially
formation. Saul of Tarsus (afterward called Paul the Apos- .
Drenared soil, he has slanted the nresent truth. the “harvest”
. I .

tle), was evidently a leader in the heresy-huntin and perse- message which is now shining forth in a feeble manner, not
cution which started with Stephen and extended in a general only to all the people of tblx fa\orctl land, but, to the world
way to all believers,--excep< the apostles, who, fo; some in general. We note a corrcspondency, also, in the fact that
reason, seem to have been providentially protected. thus far in this harvest our persecutions have been @et,--
The persecution began in Jerusalem, because this so far rather than public, open, and demonstrative. We llke the
had been the center of the work, as our Lord had directed,- early church, have had an excellent opportunity for culti-
“beginning at Jerusalem.” Not only was it the principal city vating the knowledge of the truth and th;? graces-of the holy
of Palestine, but, ag we have nreviouslv seen. it was the Spirit.. Surelv it will not surmise us now. or shortlv. if the
resort of pious Je& from all quirters of-the world, many of L&d’s provid&cc would permit some open persecutioi:’ and%
whom sought to make it their home in the close of life, even this should be the divine will, are we in that proper condi-
if they had previously lived abroad. The Lord bad gra- tion of heart that it would profit, instead of discourage us,
ciously granted a season of development for those brought and destroy our faith? Would it mean to us, as to the faith-
into the church at Pentecost, and subsequently; and now ful of the early church, merely an enlargement of our oppor-
that they had reached a fair degree of growth in grace and tunities, and the broadening of the Lord’s work today? We
in knowledge, he permitted the winds of persecution to blow trust it would be so.
against the church, and to scatter the ripened seeds hither An important lesson for all of the Lord’s neonle to learn.
and thither, in every direction. is that t&e Lord himself has full charge and hi&ion of the
The same God who directed thus in the affairs of the early affairs of his church; that he who blesses it with his holy
church, still loves and cherishes his own; still directs and Spirit, and with the light of the knowledge of God, is the
guides in respect to the interests of his own cause, his Zion. same one who has permitted a restraining of the persecutions
NOW, as then, it is with him to permit or to hinder persecu- and siftings from without and from within. Those who learn
tion, according as in his wisdoi would be for the best in- this lesson thoroughly are the only ones who, amid all the
terests of his people, and the outworking of his glorious affairs of life, can rest themselves fully in “the peace of God
plans. The persecution which then arose had, doubtless, a which passeth all understanding.” Let us learn to trace
two-fold effect: (1) It served to test and to sift those who divine providences in the past, and to appreciate them and
had already named the name of Christ:-to Drove their lov- to aDplv them as far as Dossible. to affairs of the nresent
alty, their willingness to endure hardness as good soldiers;: time: *aid then to trust the Lord, &en where we can&t trace
their worthiness to be reckoned amonest the overcomers. Not him, knowing that all things shall work together for good to
only did it test them, but it undoubt%dly strengthened them; them that love him.
for experience shows us that every trial and test endured
with faithfulness brings an increase of victory and strength HOW TYNDALE’S PEBSECUTION RESULTED
of character. (2) It became the Lord’s means of spreading the As an illuetration of how persecutions sometimes, indeed
truth in every direction, and thus of greatly broadening, as generally, greatly prosper the cause of truth, note the follow-
well as deepening, his work in the world. Having first blessed ing respecting that eminent English reformer, William Tgn-
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 (60-61) ZION’S WATCH TOWER ALLECIIENY. PA.

dale, who was amongst the first to publish the holy Scrip- food, as they passed by. It was in resenting this affront that
tures in the English language. Not being permitted to do his
work of Bible translating in Great Britain, he removed to the James and John, the apostles, said to our Lord, “Wilt thou
city of Worms, Ccrmany, and published there his first com- that we command fire from heaven to consume their city?”
plete edition of the New Testament. Several hundred copies Jesus answered, “Ye know not what spirit ye are of; the Son
of the work went to England. These, by order of King Henry of Man came not to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.”
VIII., were bought up for destruction, by the Bishop of Lon- It was a woman from this same city who later met the Lord at
don; but Tyndale read the meaning of this providential hin- the well, and got from him a little taste of the water of life,
drance of the circulation of the work thus: “I shall get then brought many of her friends and neighbors, who also
money of him for these books to buy myself out of debt, and tasted and were refreshed, and many of them believed on him.
the whole world shall cry out at the burning of God’s Word; Nevertheless, our Lord’s testimony then was, “Ye worship ye
and the overplus of money shall help me to correct again. and know not what; . . . . salvation is of the Jews.“-John 3;
nearly to imprint the same.” And so it was. Bishop”Tunstall Luke 9:54-56; John 4:22.
purchased not only all he could secure in Great Britain. but
also purchased copies in the city of Antwerp, and had a’pub The fact that Philip now came into Samaria, under the
Iic burning of these at St. Paul’s Cross, London, A. D. 1526. leading of divine providence, and preached the Gospel there,
Later on, in spite of the prohibitions of the king, and the signifies that the time had come for the Gospel to be extended
ener,T of the clergy, copies of the New Testament, published beyond Judaism. It implies, therefore, that this incident oc-
in the English language, were smuggled in by vessels laden curred at least three and a half years after our Lord’s death-
with grain. after the close of the seventieth symbolical week, and the full
What we all need is implicit trust in God and a burninn end of Israel’s special favor as respects the gospel invitation
zeal for the service of the truth, which nothing can daunt o”r of this age. Evidently the apostles had less strenuous feel-
hinder. If thwarted in one way we are to adopt another ings of opposition against the Samaritans than against Gen-
l)lnn ; if Il~r~~l~~rc~d
in th:rt, to change again-always obsrrvlng
tiles in general, because they were of mixed Jewish blood.
the laws and principles of righteousness, and relying upon the
Lord to overrule the results to his own praise. Under the The Samaritans were ripe for the Gospel, and the fact that
Lord’s providence hundreds of thousands of copies of Xlllelz- the Jews had disdained them much as they did the Gentiles
T&Z Dau;n and millions of tracts have been scattered as seed no doubt made them all the more ready to receive the Gospel
in all civilized lands. It would not surprise us at all if message, which ignored all caste and class distinction, and
some persecution or opposition were to arise which wou!d accepted into its brotherhood all who confessed their sins,
cause these seeds of truth to germinate. The man who, in his accepted Jesus as the Redeemer, and made full consecration
anger, stamped his feet upon the seeds, merely pressed them to him. Philip’s preaching was backed bv the onen mnnifesta-
into the earth, where they the better took root. 9nd so It tions of the spirit, in hea%ngs, etc., as was all-the preaching
may be in respect to any opposition which the great adver- of that time-intended to establish the faith. and to counteract
sary may raise up now, and which the Lord mav permit. We the wonder-workings of Satan, through n&romanCers, those
may not pray for temptations, trials and pe&e&tions, nor possessed of a spirit of divination, etc.
may we pray to escape them; but it is surely our privilege to The truth reached the Samaritans just in time to rescue
ask that the Lord will not abandon us in temptation, but them from some of Satan’s wily arts, known at that time as
will ultimately deliver us from the evil one-in his own time “Black Art,” etc., practiced by Simon Magus, the sorcerer.
and way-and generally, to overrule our affairs to his own The record is, that his influence with the neonle had been
praise. great, both with rich and poor; and that they recognized him
as possessed of “the great power of God.” Times have changed
DEACON PHILIP’S MINISTRY since then; sorcery and magic no longer captivate the world
There was a Philip amongst the twelve apostles, but it is to the same extent, and th; great deceiver- has changed his
not he that is referred to in this lesson. This Philip was one tactics with the times. As the Apostle decIares, he assumes a
of the seven deacons whose choice bv the church has been garment of light, and presents himself as a messenger of light,
related. (Acts 6 :5) Evidently he hadU used well the opportu- for the deception of those who are seeking the truth. Today
nities thus afforded him, by attending not only to the distribu- he has a variety of devices, snares and trams for those who are
tion of the natural food to the needv. but bv the feeding of awaking out ‘of the slumbers of gro& superstition and
his own heart upon the spiritual food also,-%us preparing ignorance brought down from the dark ages. To these he
himself, as a servant and messenger of the Lord. for further variously prese& himself as a Higher C&c. searching for
service of a more spiritual kind: Philip was one of those the truth in the Bible, and finding 3 a mass of contradigtion.
whom the persecution drove out of Jerusalem. Let us stop To others he annears as an Evolutionist. teaching doctrine
here to notice that the early church might have said,-Perse- wholly contradi%ory to that of the Scriptures, przving that
cution is getting severe; b& we will s&y where we are, suf- there was no fall; and hence that there could be no redemp-
fer imprisonment, etc., esteeming that the Lord is able to tion from a fall, no times of restitution from its consequences.
protect us here as well as elsewhere. This would have been To others he appears as a Christian Scientist, affecting the
sound reasoning; but it would indicate a neglect of the Lord’s name of Christ as one decention. and the name of Science as
directions to his church, saying, “When they persecute you in another, and presenting a confused medley opposed to both-
this city, flee ye into another.” (Matt. 10:23) The persecu- yet backed, nevertheless, by certain physical reliefs and cures
tion was intended to scatter them. and failure to take heed to distributed (by the same power which worked through Simon
the Lord’s directions might have led some of the most earnest Magus) to those who wili yield themselves to the deception,
and faithful of the church to obstinately resist the designs of and who will deny the truth and persistently stick to the
providence. So now, let those who may be called upon to denia1 *,-they shaI1 have the reward of healing.
endure persecution remember the Lord’s direction; and after We who now oppose the adversarv and his methods are not
giving a proper testimony, if the door of opportunity opens, let armed with the powers of physical healing, whereby to appeal
them remove to another locality, where their faithfulness and to the people; but we are nossessed of the truth. which
increased knowledge and wisdom in the handling of “the operates-as-an.eye-salve upon {he eyes of the understanding of
sword of the spirit” mav give them otmortunities for still those who accept ;-as a cleansing from sin and a relief from
greater usefulness. This-was the case *with Philip, who re- burdens;-as the oil of jov unon their heads and in their
moved to &maria, and apparently lost no time in beginning hearts. The whole matter” h”as {aken a higher plane, by reason
the ministry of the truth, preaching Christ. of the advancement in general knowledge and civilization
It will be remembered that this citv of Samaria was the which have come to the world as a result of the shining of the
capital of a district called Samaria, whose people were known light through God’s faithful ones in the nast. Now. as then.
as Samaritans: being of mixed blood. Jewish and Gentile. they the truth brings conviction to those who are in ‘a proper
were counted by the Jews as though they were Gentiles”; attitude of heart, and relieves them from the bondage of
hence “the Jews had no dealings with the Samaritans.” We ignorance, superstition, priestcraft, and sectarianism,-bring-
remember, further, that it was respecting these people that ing them into the liberty wherewith Christ makes free indeed
our Lord said to his disciples, when sending them forth, “Go all who become truly his.
not into the way of the Gentiles. and into anv citv of the Those who accepted Philip’s message, and made a consecra-
Ramarztnns ente; ye not; but go ‘rather to theUlost isheep of tion to the Lord, signified it by baptism-immersion-in water,
the house of Israel.” (Matt. 10:5, 6 ; 15:24) Our Lord thus symbolizing the immersion (burial) of their wills into the
marked the Samaritans as being separate and distinct from will of God as expressed in. Christ;-signifying that hence-
the Israelites. We remember, further, that it was because our forth thev would be dead to self and to the world. and rise
Lord would not enter into the City of Samaria, and heal its to walk & newness of life, as members of the body ‘of Christ.
sick, that the people of that city refused to sell the disciples We read nothing about a creed or a sect or a denominational
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FEBRUARY 15, 1902 ZION’S WATCH TOWER

name, nor about the recolding of the names in a denomina- Simon Magus, while astonished with what he had seen,
tional register. The early church recognized, as we do, that and interested from that standpoint, and convinced that the
the important matter is that believers should be jotncd to power was a holy one; and although he had cast in his lot
Christ, and that their names, on this account, should be “writ- with the believer& and.received a g;ft,-was still “in the gall
ten in heaven.” Simon, who had previously been the reli- of bitterness, and in bonds of iniauitv,” as the ADOStk Peter
gious ( ?) leader of the people-th& leader into darkness, subsequently told him. He was th;s 31 the time,‘but neither
into the wiles of the adversarv,-became one of Philip’s con- recognized the fact himself, nor did the others recognize it. It
verts, one of those immersed, ‘and a constant attendant upon was then that his interest in the matters under consideration
Philip‘s ministry, beholding with amazement the p0we1 of God led him to the point of asking Peter to give him the apostolic
operating through him, which power he recognized as being bu- power of communicating gifts; promising him in return a
pe11or to the power of Satan nluch had operated 111 hmiaelf. good compensation in money;-thus showing that he was not
interested in the truth and its service from the right stand-
A MAN WITH AN UNREGENERATE HEART point:-that his was merely a curiosity interest,-and that
News of God’s favor to the Samaritans, and of their ac- selfishness had not given place to love: that he would like to
ceptance of the Lord, soon reached Jerusalem; and repre- have this apostolic power- so that he could use it in a selfish
sentatives of the whole company of the apostles and others at way, for his own aggrandizement, and for his own advantage
Jerusalem went down to Samaria to note the work of the amongst the people.
Lord, and, no doubt, to encourage the believers. But they A SIMON MAGUS CLASS TODAY
went sneciallv because the gzfts of the holy spirit (miracles,
healm& tonkues, etc.) could’ only be com&&cated through There have been many of this same disposition since. They
the anostles. However well Philip might proclaim the gospel are not necessarily worse men than many others in the world,
and &merse believers, he, not bei@ one of the chosen t%elie, because they give evidence th<xt they have neither part nor
had not the power of communicatmg those gifts. (As those lot with the Lord’s people. It is safe to say that there are
gifts were communicated only by the apostles it is evident hundreds of thousands. yes, millions, of the Simon RPagus
That they must have ceased in the chu&h shortly after the class in the nominal churches of today; men and women who
anostles died.) Peter was one of those sent, and John, the have never discerned the real spirit of the Gospel: but who
vily one who had said, “Lord, wilt thou thflt we com&nd look a1 its varioll\ alra:1g:rrnc~ut s from a mci c*c7mry point of
fire from heaven, to destroy these men and their city?” was view, considering what shall be the gain or 104s. the advan-
the other delegate. How much change the Gospel of Christ tage or disadvantage, of their relationship thereto;-and
had wrcught, even in this good man! He had learned of maintaining the relatlonshhip because of the honor or social
Jesus, and now had the same spirit, which sought not to positlou or worldly l)ro+erlty nhic*h It 11ah i)iou~llt tlirni,
dcbtroy men’s lives but to save them. or is bringing them. or whic*h tbey hope y(+, to obtain
\\hen the apostles arrived they prayed with the disciples, tlirou@i it. To all such WC would like to siy, klndlv but
and then laid their hands upon them, communicating some of iii iiilr, “Thou hast neither Dart nor lot in this matter.”
the gifts,-power to speak with tongues, to interpret tongues, We would not say, nor did Peter say to Simon, Your day of
to perform miracles, etc. As Simon Rlagus was one of the grace is past, and you shall be eternally tormented. What
hell&ers, one of the baptized ones, he, vith the rest, un- God may have for such in the future, under dlfTerent condi-
doubtedly received some gift of the holy spirit. Yet he, and
quite probably others of the number, were not in full har- tions, we may or may not see clearly; but the point which we
mony wth the Lord and his gracious plans. The gifts of the are now noting is that such characters have no share in the
spirit might be imparted instantaneously; but the fruits of kitzgdoont ; neither in its present, nor in its future devclop-
the spirit could only be had by growth. Those gifts, there- ment. Even amongst those who have received present truth,
fore, are not to bc esteemed as being such good evidence of we have reason to fear that some have received it, not in the
the divine favor, and nearness to the Lord. as are the fruits of love of zt, but merely in a spirit of curiosity; or with a view
the spirit. which all of the Lold’s consecrited people of today to having something which they can use as a means for bring-
should possess in some degree.-meekness, patience, gentle- ing themselves into some place of prominence amongst the
ness. brotherly kindness, love. The Apostle Paul declares that brethren. Such persons are dangerous characters-dangerou?
if he had no{ merely one of those g&s, but all of them, yet as respects themselves, and dangerous as respects their influ-
lacked love, it would profit him nothing, eventually, as respects ence in the church. Such should be carefully avoided in the
the great favor to \111~41 the Lord has called his church-l selection of leaders amongst the Lord’s people, DO matter what
Cor. 13:1-S. their natural gifts, riches, or talents may be.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

BELIEVERS, AND THE BANKRUPTCY ACT mankind are, in a general sense, human brothers, and that
Question : Would it be right or wrong for the footstep- they should not oppress one another, but he ready to forglvc
followers of our Lord Jesus Christ to take advantage of the one another their debts, when the circumstances are such that
l3anhuptcy Act for the relief of Insolvent Debtors ? the debtor 1s unable to meet the obligations! and when he
Answer: It would be entirely proper for any person to will probahly never he able to meet them without unjustly
take advantage of the law. The thou.ght which lies hack of depriving his family of life’s neressities. In harmony wltb
this law is that in the vicissitudes of life some persons become this thought IS the general law of civllizrd lands, that debts
hopelessly insolvent, and that it is the proper ihing for their are not perpetual, but that at the expiration of five year< tlroy
nel&hors to relinouish their hold uuon them and let them become void and legally dead, unless specially stated to the
h:lFe a fresh start ‘in life, provided tl;ev give up all that they contrary by the rrc&dlng of thrm as juligmcm6s. Howthver, on
have to their creditors. This hum&e law reminds us the other hantl. should anyone living In debt corns’ Into pos-
htrikinrlv I.
of the divine law given to Israel, and renrescnted
”
session of wealth, so that he could pay his ob!lgations. - it
111 their Jubilee system, under which, every fiftieth year, all should be his pleasure to pay them, whcthcr he 11,ld taken
debts of every kind were cancelled, and each family inheritance advantagr of the Eankruptc~y Art or not.
was restored; and that, we again remember, is but a tyl>e, or
illustration of the heavenly l&ther’s dealings with the” world THE GARMENT SPOTTED WITH THE FLESH
of manl&id, who are all 111sdebtors, and who. by appliration Quest.ioii . \Vhat is meant hy the ApoTtlc in tbc st Itc-
to the Mediator of the New Covenant, will be ,rrr:lntcd shortly ment, “Hating even the garment spotted by the flesh”
immunity from every previous debt, and oppbrtunity to r& (Jude 23) ?
trieve their fortunes and to build new characters, without The garment to he worn by Christians is the
Answer:
prejudice from original sin and condemnation. robe of Christ’s righteousness, the spotless robe which is given
1Vhlle it would be lawful and proper enough for you to to those who come unto the Father. All who have lore for
avail yourself of the nrivileres of this Bankruntcv
” * .I
Act, it mavI . ” the Lord and for righteousness will desire to maintain as far
not be convenient for you to do so, because it would require as possible this absolute perfection of righteousness imputed to
some considerable attorney’s fees to put the matter through, them through faith. To do this they will seek to walk after
and unless you have some purpose or object respecting this in the spirit, and not after the flesh. But notwithstanding their
the future that would make it worth while to have the dockets good desires they may not infrequently come short of the glory
cleared and to permit you to go into some kind of business, of God, and fail to live up to all even of their opportunities.
you had, perhaps, better let the matter stand as it is. All such shortcomings of every kind are reckoned as stains or
The general principle is a correct one, that the world of spots on the imputed garment of Christ’s righteousness-spots,
[2961]
(63-64) ZION’S WATCH TOWER ALLEGHENY, PA.

marks of fleshlv weakness. Those who have the right attitude viewed, it will be seen that God’s arrangement for
of heart will h&te sin, and hence will hate all fleshily spots or the world in the next age is complete, and it is in
weaknesses of everv kind. and will make haste to take the this feature of future judgment, or future trial, or
matter to the Lo&d in draper, and, so far as possible, to opportunity which will be granted to all mankind for attain-
make good any wrong the> may. have.committted, &en thdugh ing to everlasting life, that God commands that every one
unwilfullv done: and that under the *New Covenant the blood should repent of sins and make effort to come back into har-
of Christ”cleansks such from all sins, and in this manner thev mony with him and to receive the boon of eternal life. Had
are able to keep themselves unspotted from the world. By a&l God made no arrangement through the ransom for the giving
bv this faithful class will exnerience the resurrection chance. of eternal life to the world, it would have been useless to
aid being possessed of new bodies in full accord with th% have commanded repentance; for why should men seek by re-
new minds they will thenceforth be without spot or wrinkle pentance and striving against sin to attain a life eternal if
or any such thing. It were unattainabl&if no arrangement had been made
From this it will be plain that none need have spots upon through the redemption by which God might be just and yet
his garment except he be careless respecting the matter; and the justifier of those who believe in Jesus and who seek to
such ar arc thus careless are to that extent lacking of the follow his directions and to attain the gift of life in him?
Master’s splrlt-they arc not overcomers of the world, but to THE ANNUAL MEMORIAL SUPPER
some extent sympathize with sin. This is the class which, for
this reason, ~111 fail to be accounted overcomers and will fail Question: If, as you claim, the Scriptures teach that the
to obtain the great prize of joint-heirshir, in the kingdom. annual celebration of-the Memdrial Supper is the only proper
This is the CIRS~ which will be bbliged to go through the&eat one, please say when and whv a change has been made to a
tribulation with which thiq ace will close. to the intent that more- frequent” observance 1 ”
in that trlhulntlon thrv map ‘iearn lessons which will be val- Answer : ( 1st) You know, and all know that the Roman
uable to them to all etrrniiy, and this learning of lessons is Catholic, the Greek Catholic and the Svriac churches. as well
scrinturallv called “washmE their robes. and makinr them as the Church of England, celebrate” Good Friday’ as the
white in tile blood of the Limb.“--Rev. 7’:14. memorial of our Lord’s death. and the histories of all these
churches show its observance as far back as church history
WITH SUCH AN ONE NO, NOT TO EAT goes,-any of them,-all of them.
Question: W11at about 1 Cor. 5: 11 ? “With such an one (2nd) You know, and all know. that the so-ralletl Prot-
no, not to eat.” estant Churches (Methodist, Presbyterian, Disciples, Congre-
Answer : ~V’O llnc!cBrstand the Apostle to refer to church gational) ignore Good Friday. Really they protert in l&t
relation~hll)s, and that tile TJold’s people are in duty bound against it, but ignorantly, without good reason, becausr of
to m:llntain a vcly high standard of purity of morals; so having lost sight of the origmal sigmficancc and importance
much so that thev would not even fellowshlo in the church or of the day from a Scriptural standpoint. Those called “Prot-
at tllc common meal or love-feast with any who were known estants” reco@ze no particular day, but keep the feast
poaitl\c*ly to be of disreputable character. This would not weekly, monthly, bi-monthly, tri-monthly, etc., according to
mean one against whom merely an evil thought had been their fancy or convenience.
cncoura:cxd ; “or one against wh;jrn the shaft oi slander bad The above facts are known to all; but the reason for this
been 11~1Icd : fur other Scl iutures show us distinctlv that the change on the part of Protestants is known to but few of those
Lord’s lJ?~‘i’l? arc not to 6e evil surmisers in their careful- even who practice the change, and is not to be found recorded
ncss to maintain a high standard of Christian hving. Verse in hlrtorles of anv kind. The reason for this we ~111 esal,Lm. I
10 seems to lndlcate that in our social and busmess affairs and it will he m&fest to all, although we rannot refer you
WC ~hc~ultl to a reasonable degree avold fellowships and dealmgs to any other writings than our ow11 011 the sub~cct. It is :-
wvlth the disreputable. (3rd) The Protestant reformation against Roman Catholi-
cism was very properly specially agal& what Papists de-
IS GOD THE FATHER OF ALL MEN?
nominate “the sacrifice of the mass.” And it was because
Question : The Apostle, m Acts 17 :29, seems to speak of Papists celebrated Good Friday as the mobt particular mass
the natural man as the offsnrine of God. How should we
A -
day, that Protestants were so particular to ignore that day.
understand this? (4th) The original deflection in Papacy, by which the
Answer : God renrescnts himself as the Life-giver, or sacrifice of the mass took the place of the original sacrifice
Father of every livini thing, since all life proceeds from him; made at Calvary, was gradual, and covered a long pcrlotl of
but, specially, he is the Father, or Life-giver of all created in time, and is not to be found in the particular edict by Ihe
his l~ltcness. The natural man was thus created, represented Pope or others This, Iike many other false thcorles, grew
in Adam ; and althou.qh much of that orlglnal likeness has gradually and spread itself gradually and unob~l~ edly over
since be& lost throngi; sin and depravity, it is, nevertheless, the nominal church of that time; and the records of the true
still proper to speak of the man from the standpoint of his church of that time are not to be had, for it was so mslg-
original creation. It is to be remembered, however, that nificnnt, in the eves of the nominal svstem. that its views
accordinn to the Scrintnres all in the transgression lost the were iinored, but” later on its writing;, p&tests, etc., were
standing of sonship. A All are God’s offspr&lg, that is, all destroyed as heretical.
spring from, or derived their hfc from the Almighty; but he The custom of performing the mass afiy and every day,
recognizes as sonr only those who are in harmony, in fellow- and at any and every hour of the dap and night, as might suit,
ship with him, and this now includes only those who are the convenience of “its observers, hiving g&ned a thorough
reconciled through the precious blood. foothold, the original dav (Good Frldxr) and its commemora-
GOD COMMANDETH ALL MEN EVERYWHERE TO REPENT tion of ihe origigal sac&&, was gradiaily merged hy Papists
into a great mass day. Nevertheless, even in this respect it
Question : In the 30th and 31st verses of the same chap- has held a predominant position above all other dates with
ter we scrm to have a contradiction. Verse 30 declares that the devotees- of the syste-m, and every Roman Catholic who
God “commandcth all men everywhere to repent,” and verse makes the slightest claim to faithfulness to his church. is
31 declares that the appointed day for the world’s judgment expected to be-present and participate in the service of Good
is future. If the iud&ment of the world has not yet begun, in Friday, whether he attends mass at any other time of the
what sense and kiti; what justice does God Eomm&d all year or not. This is a matter of fact that can be readllv ,
everywhere to repent now 1 demonstrated by application to any Catholic.
Answer : While the command to repent is to “all men (5th) Ch&chhistory, as reprksented, not only in denomi-
everywhere,” nevertheless it reaches only those who have an national literature, but also in the cvclonedias. records the
ear to hear. The vast majority of mankind have not yet been fact that the methbd of computing the” t&e for ‘Good Friday
commanded to renent. because God’s voice through his messen- was early changed from the- Jewish method of counting thi
gers has not yet ;eacied every creature. The assurance, how- Passover, to a very slightly modified counting which always
ever, is that the message shall reach all in due time. And brings the anniversary on Friday and the anniversary of
whoever hears the message will receive with it a full knowl- Easter on a Sundav. The Jewish method of reckonine made
edge of the gracious opportunity for complymg with its con- the days fall irre&larlg on anv or various davs of th> week
ditions and arrangements. In the present age the arrange- from sear to year. H&ce the”change to the present method
ment is that thcv will be iudrred according to their faith, of counting was considered to be justified. So universal is this
while those who gear in this n;xt age will be informed of a custom that the principal almanacs give not only the date of
justification bs works-that they “shall be judged every man the Passover according to the Jewish reckoning, but also its
according to his works.” date according to this modified counting c of Christendom-“the
--
* See June 15, 1919, for crltical examination of Covenants church calendar.”
[2962]
VOL. XXIII ALLEGHENY, PA.,
VIEWS FROM THE
HERMOGENRS TO TXTUS
Perhaps the best article which has yet appeared in the r&
ligious press bearing upon the higher criticism, came out in
the last number of Yhe TVesZeyrtn. Chrzstinn LZdrocatc over the
title of “The Epistle of Hermogenes to Titus,” written in ar-
chaic style, belonging to the apostolic days and purporting to
explain many passages of Scriptures which have furnished the
bones of contention in recent controversies. Every Bible stu-
dent will enjoy reading it, In part, the article reads as fol-
lows :
“Hermogenes, a servant of God, and a minister of Christ,
and a teacher of the true faith of the Gospel, according to the
ripe judgment of the present age; to Titus, mine own brother,
whom I greatly love in the truth: Grace, mercy and peace be
unto thee.
“Thou hast heard, beloved, of our aged brother Paul, that
he hath written epistle9 to Timotheus; and I hear, al90 to
thee: in the which he hath set forth manv things in exhorta-
tions unto each one of vou. In some of these hi hath sought
to hinder my usefulnessV with thee, and with many others. Re-
member, brother, that he is old and hath diver9 infirmities,
and hath little knowledge of sound philosophy which edifieth.
Therefore. I bear no malice toward him. But I write to set in
order for’ thine instruction a more reasonable Go9pe1, which
will make thee wise and will enable thee to instruct others also.
“Thou hast heard how our brother Demag hath written
Timotheus, to teach him how he may gain favor with them
that be somewhat in authority above us; and, moreover, with
high esteem among them that will not endure the hard doc-
trines declared by Paul in his preaching and epistles. I know
thee, thy promise and great talent, and earnestly desire that
thou mayest rise above thi9 Timotheus. Thou hast gifts many,
and I would that thou mightest be a bishop over the church.
Give heed, therefore, to my counsel.
“This Paul hath a lively imagination, such as maketh him
exceedingly superstitious concerning the Scriptures, and an un-
safe guide for such as would be wise; whilst I am yet young
and have had long training in the schools of men skilled in rea-
coning concerning divine thingq. bring rn their company no It’s
than sixty and seven days. Those great men instructed me
fully in the approved laws, by the which we may know of the
things which cannot be taken; wherefore, I think mvself able
to lid thee in a broad way. I will now set in order unto thee
that which I have learned.
“The fathers did teach that Moses hath written how God
made the heaven and the earth, having been instructed in this
of God. Know thou, therefore, that Moses did beguile them.
He obtained many accounts of .a tradition of creation among
several ancient peoples, and did patch them together for the
Hebrews. That Paul accepteth this book of Moses as true his-
tory, doth show him to lack sound judgment.
“Thou knowest also that it hath been taught that the law
and the prophets were given by inspiration of God. Herein is
grievous error. The priests of the people of Israel, greatly
desiring to lead our fathers into righteousness and to make of
them a great nation, devised those great books. It is true, I
cannot make known unto thee bv which wav this is moved:
but beware of questioning my knowledge in “this thing’; thou
wilt show thvself iworant shouldest thou at all call in aues-
tion our judhnent.” None but the instructed can fullv under-
stand these matters. The simple and unlearned m&t needs
believe what we teach. If thev fail to hearken. thev are blind
and cannot see into the deep “things of our wisdom.
“We now conclude that at the least one thousand scribes
were required to devise the law and the prophets; and perad-
venture, if that number doth not appear sufficient we can en-
large it to be even five thousand. It was a ereat work of
imagination, and God must needs have many men to imagine
each a little. Moreover, in these books the wise find many
things contrary to sound reason. I will inform thee concern-
ing Borne of them, in order that thou mayest be able to ex-
plain them to thv people. The writing which beareth the name
of Moses doth declare*that God did feud our fathers in the wil-
derness with manna from heaven. It is most confidently taught
among us who are wise that the-v did lick with their tongues
a honey, which is found on the ieaves of the trees in the-wil-
derness, and named it manna. The rock which gave forth
water when this Moses did strike it flowed from a-deep well,
which he and his servants bored through a great rock by night
while the people slept. The great pillar of cloud by day and
fire by night which followed the people was produced by cun-
[2963]
MARCH 1, 1902 No. 5
WATCH TOWER
ningly mixed powders. Moreover, this Moses was a wise magi-
cian, and did charm these people into a deep sleep, and while
they slept, with his chosen helpers, he prepared many vessels
into which, when full of water; they did cast a fine powder.
After this they soaked the garments of all the people in the
vessels of water, and it was so that thev could no more wear
out. Give heed -concerning what we de&re to be the truth of
the record of the walls of Jericho. how thev fell. Thev that
be searchers after truth set forth that the h;rns and trumpets
which the men of Israel did blow, mightily made a great com-
motion in the air, insomuch that the walls began to tremble
greatly, which continuing many days they were shaken down
and did fall. Know thou also that Joshua did. bv cunning
magic, cause the ignorant people to imagine thahai: the su”n
obeyed him to stand still. They were decerved, for their own
eood. that it miaht nrofit them withal. Joshua did cause
Their’ memory to ztand still. But we are wiser than & teach
men that reason that this record is more than a fable.
“I will instruct thee, moreover, concerning the book which
beareth the name of Esnias. The learned now show unto us
that many men did bear that name, and every one a little part
hath written; how many it doth not yet appear. When the
searching in the matter hath ended, it may be shown that per-
adventure a score of scrrbes had part in making the book as
it now is. We are now assured that Esaias prophesied nothing
concerning the sufferings and glory of Christ. He spake only
of the sutferings of all lsrael for the ~111~of King -4h1z. (0’11)
Israel should be called to suffer because of wicked Ahaz’s sins,
or why Esaias did write of this, it doth not concern us.) The
book speaketh nothing of Jesus Christ. Then we say, and if
any teach otherwise, he is thereby shown to be in ignorant
company, with Paul and Peter and John, who have fallen into
error, and teach old wives’ fables, which the instructed reject.
“We have, also, a deep knowledge of the truth of Daniel ‘and
his prophecy, which will greatly edify thee, and will satisfy
those who doubt concerning the miracles. Daniel was a man
acquainted with many strange secrets. He knew how to charm
the bon9 that they should not devour him when he should be
cast into their den. So he feared not to pray; and when he
was thrown to the lions, he cast a spell over them. that thev
could not bite or hurt him. Thou sekst he saved himself, an&
gave God the praise. The record of the three Hebrew children
and their trial in the fiery furnace hath also been shown to be
according to reason. It hath been made known unto us by the
teachers of science at whom Pa111 dot11 only sneer, that at tl!c.
center of the hottest fire there doth always remain a cool lace
which will neither burn nor scorch garments. nor flesh. 8 hese
Hebrew children were aforetrme inst&ted regarding this; and
therefore they feared not the wrath or powc~ of the klnC:; and
when cast into the fire they knew immediately the place of
safety and so were protected. See how reason doth make clear
things hard to be believed, brother . . .
“Finally, I declare unto thee the true c\-planatlon of the
record of Jonah. He fled before the Lord that he miabt not
perish at Ninevah. He had not sought that appointm&t and
rebelled against going. When he took ship, the Lord ordered
a vessel bearing the name “Great Fish” to follow .Jonah’s <111n.
So when the sailors did throw Jonah overboard he was picked
up bv the crew of the ‘Great Fish” and tarried with them
tfiree” days. These earnestly persuaded him to accept his ap-
pointment, and had such weight with him that he conuentcd,
and so went to Ninevah.
“Thou sees& brother, how our views do appeal to reason
and sound iud,ment. I am assured that thou wilt eladlv ac-
cept them, ‘and assist us in spreading them, especially iince
Paul hath proven himself unable to lead the thinking classes
of this great age. Thou mayest now be a leader in our school
and get-unto t‘iyself a great name, for much learning, if thou
dost act with US in this great warfare of the wise against the
dull and ignorant. Parry hath had the help of Peter, John,
James and Jude in this contention against uq, llut wr taint Itc’t
and continue to teach the people everywhere this doctrine, wln1.11
maketh faith an easy matter. Meditate on these thing9 I have
written, and thy profiting will appear to all. When thou hast
fully understood this, I will instruct thee in the correct knowl-
edge of the gospel of Jesus Christ in another knistle. The salu-
tacion of me., Hermogenes, by mine own hand: Farewell.”
PROGRESS IN CIXJRCH FEDERATION ABROAD MD AT HOME
English Journals are noting and commenting upon the un-
usual conduct of the Rrv. R. C. Fillineh:rm ot the Enrsc~~).rl
church. He has recently been exchanging pulpits with Bap-
tist and Congregational ministers. This is contrary, not only
(67-65)
 ZION’S WATCH TOWER ALLEGHENY, Pa.

to usage, but to Episcopal law on the subject, and the query interests. Local federations of Protestant denominations have
is respecting what action may be taken by the Episcopal au- been formed in this country, and seven or eight State Federa-
thorities,-whether his course will be ignored, and thus indi- tIntis. hut, so far as we are lniormetl. the move:llent has not
rectly sinctloned as being in the interest of ‘Christian unity yet attained a general or national scope. Evidently the com-
and fcllow~hlp, or wbrther he ~111 be rcplovcd, or dlhmlsseu. plete federation, which surely is to come, is still a few years
and thus thr scparatlnr: fence hr kept iltt,act in his hprmon in advance of us. The nearest approach to it, thus far, is rep-
in the Carleton- Hill Baptist church, Mr. Fillingham is re- resented in the “Second Annual Conference of the National Fed-
oorted bv the English Journals, as follows:-
‘
eration of churches and Christian Workers.” held in Washing
“Mr.- Flllingh& took his text from Revelation, 5th chap ton, City, February 4 and 5, in Y. hl. C. A. Hall.
trr, and part of the 10th verse: ‘And hast made us unto our MADAME GUYON’S FULL SURRENDER TO THE LORD
God kings and priests.’ There had always. he said, been an Madame Jeanne De La hlothe Guyon was educated in con-
rr~ly sound about prieqtcraft; it was a word of evil associa- vents, saved at the foot of the cross in 16G8, sanctified in Notre
tions. It was connected with persecution and with human mis- Dame, witnessed for Jesus in the Court of Louis XIV., in
rr) If a number of mrn cot hold of the idea that they alone France, Switzerland, and Italy, to bishops, priests, nuns and
had the truth, it was not unlikely but that they would perse- common people ; was itnprisoned for seven vears, and died.
cute. But, acain. it was an unwarrantable attempt to rule I I ”

Of her c.onver\ion day she sn~d : “1 I~~ttlr~f,ri c\voII forever

oler the cons&en&s of men. Every little curate, who had but to assemblies which I had visited, to plavs and diversions,
lu\;t scranetl tbrounh 1113theolo$cal college, claimed to have danring, unprnfita1)le v~,ilkh ant1 partIe< 01- t~lwillw.
1 The pleas-
the kc~y~ of hc 11rn‘~antl 111~11 In i;l~ w;;iitc%t pocakct. wherea? ures and amusements so much prized and esteemed by the
a Spurgeon and a Clifford were to be outside altogether. world now apneared to me dull and insipid-so much so that
“After dwelling on these points. Mr. Flllingham declared I nondered h’;w I ever could have enjoye’d them.”
such claims to bc contemptible as well as dangerous. The truth -4fter makinn a full consecration she wrote: “I henceforth
was their Orders were no better than those of the Nonconfor- take Jesus Chr& to be mine. I promise to receive him as a
mi\ts. Their claims were preposterous. The first Brchblshop husband to me. And I give myself to him, unworthy though
of the church of ll:n~lantt w,is Arc~hbishop t’,lrker ant1 hc Iv,, I am, to be his spouse. I ask of him, in this marriage of spirit,
consecrated bv Barlow. But all the evidence went to show that .I may be 01 the same mind with him-meek, ‘bure, noth:
that Barlow flimself was never a bishop at all. He was ap- ing in myself, and united in God’s will. And, pledged as I am
nomted in lR3G to the bishonric of St. Asaph, and then to St. to he his, I accept, as a part of my marriage portion, the temp-
bavid’s. But there was only one consecratibn of Bishops in tations and sorrows. the crosses and contemnt which fell to
that year-namely, on *June llth, and Barlow’s name did not him.” Concerning her imprisonment, she wrofe as follows: “I
appear among them. Still further, Cromwell, the Vicar-Gen- pas\ed mv time In great peace. r%)ntent to ht~vnd the rrmaltider
eral, atldrcs\~ tt him as Bishop-l’:lrc.t IIcnry VI II. tticrrforc, of my life there, if such should be the will of God. I employed
apparently made Barlow a Bishop by his mere word. There- part of mg time in writing religious songs. I and my maid, La
fore, even from :I sacramentarinn point of view, Ritualism was Gautiere, who was with me in prison, committed them to heart
a mere imposture. Priestcraft must be fought, and one of the as fast as I made them. Together we sang praises to Thee,
best ways of fighting it was a union of Protestants of all de- 0. our God ! It sometimes seemed to me as if I were a little
nott~it~ations.” bird whom the Lord had Dlared in a cage, and that I had
nothing to do now but to Sing. The joy bf my heart gave a
Church federation is in Great Britain. All the brightness to the objects around me. The stones of my prison
large Nonconformists bo of l’roteqtants looked in my eyes like rubies. I esteemed them more than
outside of the Episcopal church-have effected a general union all the gaudy brllliancies of a vain world. 31~ heart was full
or ro-operativr arrang:c~mcnt as rciprctq m1sdnt1 walk. etr. ‘l‘tllq of that joy which thou @vest to them who love Thee in the
1s supposetl to he the forerunner of a still closer federation of midst of their greatest crosses.”

GOD’S PROVIDENCES COOPERATE

ACTS 8:2$30.-&IARCII 16.
“Vith the heart man bclzewth unto righteowness, ad with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.“-Rom. 1O:lO.
Di\inc> providenccs in our experiences as Christians should taee everv wav. even over those of that time. We are to re-
Y “,

bc hollgltt for, If we would find them and enJoy their blessings member that up to the time of this lesson there were no New
to the full. But this requires faith, In a larger measure than Testament writings; nothing, therefore, aside from the Law
\\(’ at first ~OSWSR; and the increase of faith requires knowl- and the Prophets to assist and guide the apostles and early
c~tl~(~antI cs;,cricnc&. Our lesson illustrates God’s- providential evangelists except the more or less miraculous interpositions
,‘:I I ,’ nver his neonte from two standpoints. (1) His care of God’s providence.
for thnw who a’rc &eking the light of tfuth ; h:s intention that Even after we have learned of God’s particular care for all
their c:lrnest longinfrs for it shall be rewarded, and his pro- of his people, we are inclined to snrpr& that a solttary indi-
v:\ltrn tllat the frutll shall reach them under favorable condi- vidual should be so particularlv cared for as was this eunuch:
tions (2) Ttr,~ lAnrd’s willingness to use m his service, as -that a special messenger shbuld be sent to him for his in:
~nstlmncntq of 111snroritlencc, tbnse of his consecrated people struction in righteousness. Very evidently divine providence
1,I:o 1)11t thc~msc~lves’in the prnppr condition for his service. does not guard the going of all mankind to this same degree.
I)cxron t’hllrp. the lnqtrumcnt of dirme providence in Verv erldentlv there was ~trmettiine in the cli‘rr,ictcr of tlils
:,t:lrtlrl;: 111(,T’thioplnn cunurh 111the narrow way of disciple- e&ch, some<hinc in his heart-attitude toward God. that was
\1111j-:~n,1 tllrollgl~ him possibly introducing the good tidings pleasing and acce>table to the Lord, and caused the dorking of
11110.\:r.c,.r--WC II,I;.c nlrcatlv LI(~,‘T~ wvil\ 1li.t yii(.h a ma!1 <I< this miracle on his behalf-that he mleht have needed instruc-
ill15 Imrtl 1x plrascd to use as’ his mouthplrce in the service of t:on m the truth.
tllc truth. Ifa\ irIg p tovcn himself faithful in the inferior work The eunuch belonged to the kingdom of Meroe, which lay
0i k,(‘r\ in2 tal)l(~~~.11e had been advanced, and been made an am- on the right bank of the Nile River, from its junction with the
I,.ls\arlrlr’fnr Cod In thr preaching of the Gospel at Samaria; Stbara-as far south as Khartoum, and thence to the east of
iLll(l thcl nrc+cnt lesson shows him still further guldcd and used the Blue Nllc to the mountains of Abysstnia. He was a court
of the T,ortl in lris blrssed service. There 1s‘ An encouraging nfhcer. evidtxtlp derbl>ty rctl&lous. who had rnmc In contact
lrssnn hrtcb for all who have the same spirit-the same desire with, and been Impressed bv, the Jewish religion: and in his
to s(xrlc the Lord and his cause Faithfulness in little things rfllg.lnur frrror he-had gon; up to .Jerusalcm-to &orship, and
ih hurt to brinx tntgcr opportunities. to gain additional knowledge of the true God. His case, like
\Vr are not infntmed by what means the Lord “spake to that of the Samaritans and of Cornelius, indicates that this 00
Philip,” srnc!ing him to the road in which he would find the currencap was after the r!nse of Israel’s “heventy weeks.” of
ritnurh’s chariot. \VV~ mav be sure however, that the mdica- special favor. for this eunuch was not a Jew in the fullest
tinn was sullicicntly clear‘ to Philip to be &ore than a mere sense,-eunuchs not being fully accepted as proselytes, nor
xucss or impression. \Ve are to remember, too, that it was granted the privileges of the congregation. (Deut. 23 : 1) Up
at a time when thr Lord used miraculous means of communi- to this time the eunuch, like Cornelius and the believing Sa-
ration. mole than at presrnt-doubtless for the very purpose of maritans. had been a part of the Lazarus class, lying at the
establishing the faith of his servants as well as their work. To- gate of Dives, desiring to be fed with some of the crumbs from
dnv we walk more bv faith, less by sight and miracle. Yet SO the bountiful table of blessing and promises which God had
br;L’ht is the llcrht df truth now &nine unon the divine Dtan spread for Israel. Now the change had come. The house of
an; Word that“we may safely say that”we have much ad;an- Israel had been cast off; the end of Israel’s special favor aa
[ 29641
MARCH 1, 1902 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (70-71)

respects the Gospel had come; and the time for receiving the of approaching his errand. It is well to use tact, but we have
Lazarus class to Abraham’s bosom had arrived. the thought that many of the Lord’s people are inclined to use
Philip, as an
aneel or messeneer of the Lord, was sent to carry this repre- rather too much tact, and are not sufficiently direct in their
seitative of theLazarus endeavors to present the Gospel message. Had Philip been too
class to the arms of father abraham,
as a true child of Abraham, through faith. much under the control of this wrong sentiment respecting
The eunuch had been to the head centre of the religion tact, he might have talked to the eunuch quite a while about
which he esteemed to be the true one. He had come away from the weather and the crops; about his home in Ethionia: the
Jerusalem with a manuscript copy of one of the holy prophets- peace and prosperity of that country: its exports and imports;
Isaiah-a and the religious status of the people; and might thus grad-
treasure in those times, costly. That his manuscript
was written in the Greek language, and not in the Hebrew, ually have gotten his hearer’s mind quite off the most import-
seems to be indicated by the word Esaias! which is the Greek ant of all subjects. Considering that he heard him and knew
form of Isaiah. the subject of his study, we cannot think of a better introduc-
He was hungering and thirsting for the truth,
and making his best possible endeavor to obtain it, as is evi- tion to his message than the method and language which Philip
denced by his purchase of the manuscript, and his long journey, adopted : “Understandeth thou what thou readest?”
and his reading. That he was doing more than simply reading, This was a test question, so to speak. If the eunuch did
-that he was studying, is evidenced by his language to Philip.
have an understanding of what he was reading he would take
Can we wonder that God’s special providences would be mani- no offense at this, but would gladly have said. “Yes. friend. I
fested toward such an one--toward a person in such a condition
thank God that I do, and the knowledge is very precious ‘to
of heart, hungering and thirsting for the truth? We cannot
me. Do you also understand it?” But had he been of the wrong
wonder at it. It is in full accord with the Lord’s promise, that condition of heart his answer might have been, with more or
such shall be filled ; that such seekers shall find; that such less manifestation of ofl’ence, “What isI t,hn.t._..-_ t,o
__ .~ ~~. Mind
VOU?
knockers shall have the door of truth onened to them. Let us your own business.” Or had’he been of a hypocritical cast of
remember that we are under the care of the same God, and that mind, like the Pharisees to whom Jesus spoke, he would have
he changes not; and let us learn the lesson that he is as well professed a knowledge of the subject, and then, to cover his
able today as ever to assist the sincere truth-seeker. own ignorance of it, he would have made some eeneral remarks
Another lesson connected with this matter pertains to
and have turned the subject into another channel. We are not
times and seasons. God could have directed the eunuch to the to expect tlio+e who are in the Phariral~al condition to rcreivr
meeting of the Church at Jerusalem, and to the instructions the truth from us, any more than from the Lord. We are to
of the\postles there. But this probablv would not have been know, according to the Lord’s Word, that the truth is pur-
so favorable for the eunuch. After receiving the apostolic in- posely hidden from all not In the right attitude of heart to T?-
struction he might have referred the matter to the scribes and ceire it-it is indefinite, indistinct, unintelligible to them. This
Pharisees, and have received in return explanations more or
i+ one dithculty with the teachers of churchianit~v today; like
less confusine. In the Lord’s providence he quite likely heard
the Pharisees *and scribes and chief priests of old, they say,
something of-the Christians, and their claims that Messiah had “Are we blind also?” They claim to know; but we know that
come and had been crucified. and he auite nrobablv knew the thev know that they don’t know. Therefore. as our Lortl said
other side of the story, that the chief priests and teachers to ‘their prototypes; their blindness continues; for no one can
claimed that the whole matter was a fraud. an imposition. Pos- expect to be taught of God while in that self-sufficient and drs-
siblv these very thoughts had led him to’ procure the manu- honest condition of mind which boasts of knowledge and the
script he was reading, and had brought him into the attitude faith which it lacks.-John 5:40, 41.
of mind favorable for the reception of the truth when Philip All those to whom the Lord specially sends the message of
expounded it. his grace during this Gospel age are in considerable degree like
Let us learn from this, not only in respect to our own af- this eunuch of our lesson-earnest, honest. truth-seekers. not
fairs, but also in respect to the general service of the truth, afraid to acknowledge that they do not know, and not afraid
to trust implicitly in divine wisdom and power-to remem-
nor ashamed to receive whatever assistance the Lord may
ber that the Lord knoweth them that are his, and that he
provide. The eunuch did not stop to inquire of Philip, “Are
knoweth how best to bring them in contact with the truth. you a priest? or or Pharisee? or a Doctor of the Law?” It was
Pronerlv learned. his lesson will not slack our hands in the sufficient to him that he held in his hand what he believed to
divine skrvice: for true servants will still be anxious and ready
to serve, as was Philip; be a message from God, and that he knew it contained various
but it will serve to strengthen our
statements. promises, etc., which he did not understand. He
hearts and to take from us that fearfulness that is a hindrance believed that the God who gave this prophecy was both able
to the peace of many of God’s children. Let us not fear for the
and willing to furnish an interpretation of it, and he was
Lord’s Word, but remember his declaration. through the Proph-
et “RIv word, that goeth forth out of my ‘mouth,-shall not -re- seeking that interpretation ; and whoever could give such an
t&n unto me void : it shall accomplish that which, I please. and interpretation as would shed light upon his questions would
it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.“-& by that means be proven a teacher of God, a servant of the
55:ll.
The chariot probably overtook and passed Philip in the truth, a light-bearer.
road, the eunuch drivine leisurely, in order that he might read. The eunuch’s answer implied this, when he said, “How can
He was readino aloud, after the custom of that time and coun- I understand, unless some man should guide me?” So earnest
try, and accor”ding to the injunctions was he in his quest of the truth that the bare suggestion of as-
laid upon the people by
the Jewish teachers. sistance implied in Philip’s question was sufficient to arouse
Indeed, it was one of the Jewish rules
that the faithful. in traveline. should read if thev had no com- fully his interest; and he entreated Philip to have a seat with
panionship. We’ are not informed how the spirit told Philip him in his chariot, and thus grant him the benefit of whatever
to hail the eunuch; possibly in the same miraculous way in information could be given. We are not surnriscd that a hrart
which he was sent to this road. or possible having been sent so noble, and yet so humble and teachable, should be specially
to this road he was on the lookLout ‘for the object‘of his mis- favored of the Lord, and have a messenger sent specially to him
sion, and hearine the eunuch readine from the nronhecv. Philin for his instruction, while others by the million were passed by
may’ have understood at once that-this -not
was the ‘favored per- esteemed worthy. It is the same today: and while the
son, and a favorable time for delivering the message to the Lord does not generally direct his people in the miraculous
service of which his life had been consecrated. manner in which he directed Philip to the eunuch, we never-
This gives us a
suggestion-all theless have general instructions
of the Lord’s people, in proportion ai they de- along the same line; viz.,
sire to be the servants of the truth, should be continually “Preach the Gospel to the meek.”
on “He that hath an ear, let
the alert to note opportunities him hear.“-Isa.
for service, and should expect 61:l; Matt. 13:Q; Rev. 2:7.
to be guided and used of the Lord. All of the Lord’s people Our message, as the Prophet declares, is to bind up broken
are m’inisters, servants, of the truth; and each should seek
hearts, and not to break hearts: we are to preach to the
to use every opportunitv presenting itself, knowing not which
meek, and not to the froward, the Gospel of Christ. The hard
may be specially prospered of the Lord. hearts, and the froward, God will deal with in another way.
Wherever we see
evidences of devotion to the Lord and to his Word, we should He will break them upon the anvil of affliction and trouble and
be on the alert to extend a helping hand. We should, as Philip, discipline in his own due time and manner. Meantime. in
did, se& an opportunitv for c’onl;ersing with such, with a view
this Gospel age, he is seeking for the bride amongst those aho
to oivinp them the heln which thev need. the v(rv assistance nre alreadv broken, and already to some extent meek and
wh&h the T,ord has ex&ded teachable. ‘We should not waste our time in futile efforts, con-
to us ‘through some channel. We
are to be on the alert to pass along the blesqing which we have trary to this Scriptural rule. Let those who have not the
received, and to esteem that this is the chief business of life Gospel, but who have merely a message of reformation, preach
with those who have consecrated themselves to the service of nnlitical reforms, social reforms, moral _ reforms. _.- The Lord’s
\Vord to his consecrated servants, the royal priesthood, is,
the P~~i~‘~fi~~%sy, “Understandest thou what thou readest I” “Preach the good tidings to the meek, bind up the broken
may not always be well received; but it was a very direct way hearted!”
[2965]
 ZION’S WATCH TOWER ALLEGHENY,PA.

It was evidently not of chance, hut of providence that the dence of having accepted the Lard, and having made coneecra-
eunuch had under consideration the particular part of Isaiah’e tion to him. He made no request that the eunuch learn the
prophecy which refers to our Lord as the Lamb before his catechism. nor that he confess somethine else such as well-
shearers opening not his mouth in protest; telling about his meaning but mistaken men in the dark zges promulgated aa
humiliation, and how his life would be taken from the earth; necessary, and as explanatory of the Bible. Neither did he
and instituting a query respecting his posterity. No wonder say, “Now I will write your name, and YOU will be considered
the poor eunuch was mystified; no wonder the Jews were all a member of the church -on that account,“and I will procure for
mystified. Unquestionably this prophecy, like the majority of you some authoritv to preach the Goswl in Ethionia.” No: at
prophecies, could be but imperfectly comprehended until ful- ‘that time the sub-ject had not been Eonfused and befogged as
filled-could be understood only in the light of its fulfilment. now. Philip preached the Gospel in its simplicity, and the
and then only by those in a proper attitude of heart and un- eunuch received it in like manner; and with the Gospel it-
der the instruction, the guidance, of the holy Spirit. self went the right and authority to declare it. “He that bath
We should notice in this connection, (1) that while the my word let him speak my word.” (Jer. 23 :28) All who have
Scrintures are “the sword of the spirit, the Word of God.” received the anointing of the spirit, the unction from the holy
able’tc make wise, they cannot be understood until the Lord’s one, are thus reccenized as members of the “roval Driesthood.”
due time. (2) They can only be understood under the leading and fully commiss:oned to tell forth the good tidings.
and instruction of the holy spirit, and yet (3) the holy Spirit This is in full accord with our Golden Text which does nob
was not exercised upon the truth-seeker either through the say, “With the mouth a creed is confessed,” which is neither
Scrlntures nor through anv mental process, but through the understood by the head nor believed in the heart, and thus P
living representative ‘of the spirit,-through the Gospel mes- membership is gained in a nominal church of human establish-
sage, delivered by a fellow-servant. The true child of God, ment, and without divine sanction or authority as to name or
the rral truthscc~krr, following the proper lines, and properly methods. It does state, on the contrarv. most simnlv and
trustimr to the Lord. accordine to his Word. will neither ignore beautifully, that whatever is believed that has any io;ce or
nor rej&. the assistance which God has been pleased to render weight in the Lord’s estimation is that which is believed bv
through teachers in the church. He will merely seek to find the-individual himself, in his own heart, and he can belie&
such teachers as God shall raise un, and tbe distinction between nothing in his heart that he does not to some extent compre-
these and sectarian teachers ; anil one of his best, safest and hend. It is not a belief of mysteries, but a belief of facts, and
surest methods of knowing the teachers whom the Lord will subsequently coming to a comprehension of things which are
raise up, will be by their ability to make simple, clear, plain, still mysteries to “those that are without.“+utside the true
the Word of God.-“written nforrtime for our admonition.” church.-
This was the only’credential offered by Philip in his ministry The second Dart of the text is evidentlv as imnortant as the
of the truth. He had been taught of God through the apos- first part: ‘With the mouth confession*is made unto salval
tles, and was now able, in turn, to communicate to the hear- tion.’ This imnlies that a dumb believer will never make his
I

ing kar of the eunuch the simple- story of how Christ had come
into the world to redeem the world. had died for man’s sins,
had arisen, and ascended up to glory-: that now, meantime, be:
fore blessing the world through Christ according to promise,
God was calling out an elect “little flock” to be joint-heirs
with Jesus in the kingdom; and that as soon as this election
should be completed the hlessiah (Jesus, the Head, and the
church, his body) would be m:lnifested in glory and in ruling
end blessing power to the world of mankind,-the long looked-
for hlessiah, whose work had been foretold by all the holy
prophets since the world began.
Philip undoubtedly further explained to the eunuch, that
those who accepted Christ :I* tbcrr Savior, and ubo tlccired
to become his disciples, taking up their cross to follow him,
should give their assent to this matter b,: baptism. Appar-
entlv it did not take tbe eunuch long to decide what his course
should be, and his readiness of heart to follow the Lamb,
wbithersoever he would lead, is indicated by his promptness to
be baptized.
Philip was ready to receive him as a fellow-member of the
church of Christ, and ready to give him the symbol of introduc-
tion into the body of Christ-baptism-as soon as he gave evi-
calling and his election sure. We do not refer to those who are
naturally dumb; but understand the word “mouth” in the
same sense that we speak of the “e;lrb” of our heart, and the
“eyes of our understanding.” A heart that sees and hears
the grace of God, and that truly accepts the same, must in
due time become so enthused with the things heard and seen,
that it cannot refrain from some outward manifestation of its
joy and peace and hope and trust and thankfulness. As the
apostles declared, “IYe cannot but speak the things which we
have seen and heard.” All Christians who, having received the
light of truth, having seen the grace of God in thv divine plan,
having tasted that the Lord is gracious, having heard the won-
ders of “so great salratlon, which began to bc spoken by our
Lord. and was confirmed unto us bv them that heard him”-
these must not, cannot, keep silence nor put their light under a
bushel. If they do, it means the extinguishment of their light,
the stonnage of their growth; snd perscvrretl in this would ul-
timateii mean to them destruction in the second death;-for
those who are ashamed of the Lord and of his Word, after they
have discerned clearly, not only are not fit for the kingdom,
but of such the Lord would be ashamed under any and all con-
ditions.-Luke 9 :26.

AWAKE THOU THAT SLEEPEST, AND ARISE

EPR. 5 : 11-21.--MARCH 23.
“Be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the spirit.”
Our lesson inculcates the transforming tendency of the New converts, like new-born babes, are much inclined t0
truth. Like all of the New Testament epistles, it is ad- sleep ; but while this in nature is profitable, in grace it is
dressed, not to the wicked, not to the worldly, but to Chris- dangerous; for the new creature to slrrp in self-satisfaction
tians. The Lord’s spirit, the spirit of truth and of righteous- means death; the begettin of the spirit has been for the very
ness, received as a result of faith in the Redeemer and con- purpose of energizing; an f hence, the Apostle here calls upon
secration to him as a follower, a pupil, is the beginning of a such “babes in Christ,” fallen asleep under the spirit of the
new life, which starting in the will, should grow, develop, in- world and of the nominal church, and thus in danger of com-
crease, until it pcrmcntes and fills all the avenues of life-its plete failure in the way of character development, saying,-
affcctlons, its ambitions, its cravings. “Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ
Today, as in the Apostle’s day, those who have become tha shall ghlnc upon thee.” (I~. V.) The “new creature” IY to rcc-
Lorll’s people through faith and consecration need to be in- ognize the fact, that the whole world is dead;-not merely
formed rccpccting the possibilities of their new life! else they under a dcnth sentence, nor merely figuratively dead-but in a
may permit it to lie comparatively dormant-permit it to be death condition, as respects the highest and noblest things of
covered up, and finally to be extinguished, smothered by the old righteousness and truth. Our begetting of the holy Spirit of
nature-the ~111 of the Acqh. it- affections, its ambitions. its truth &es us merely a first suggestion of our own condition
cravings. While, therefore, it is important that conversion by nat”ure, and the condition of ihe whole world, in trespasses
should take nlacc-a turning of the will, the intention, from and sin-in thought, word, and deed. It is necessary that the
sin to holineks, from self to” God,-it is very important that mind should first be awakened to scpk for other things; it is
conversion be not esteemed to be the end, but merely the be- necessary that the ear should hear the voice of him who now
ginning of the Christian’s course. It is, of course, important speaks unto us from above-the anointed Head of the anointed
that the begetting should be of the truth, and not of error, so body; it is necessary that the eyes of our understanding should
that the new mind may be of the proper kind; but even when be opened that we may see the true situation of things; and
properly begotten of the truth, as a child of the kingdom, it 1s all this is well represented in the Apostle’s figure of awakening.
essential that the new creature shall be nourished first with the We regret to say that the general tendency in Christendom
“milk,” subsequently with the “meat” of the truth, which is not to awaken the sleepers, but rather to lull them to sleep.
God has provided for this very purpose. This, however, is not always, nor generally, done with a view
[2966-J
WWH 1, 1902 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (73-74)

to serving the adversary, and permitting the new life to be- tionally, it generally prefers literal darkness for the accom-
coma extinct, iust as not manv nurses and mothers wilfully plishment of its purposes. The Lord’s children are children of
contribute to ihe weaknesses, diseases, and death of the in- the light, and are to walk in the light of truth; they are to
fants under their charge. In both cases good intentions are have their hearts enlightened and their minds so illuminated
often thwarted by ignorance of the governing laws. Those who as to make them burning and shining lights in the midst of a
occupy the position of teachers in the various denomina- crooked and preverse generation, blinded and darkened by
tions, while not devoid of good intentions as respects the babe the prince of darkness. And all such while endeavorinn
in Christ, lack the theoretycal and practical knowledge which to afise from the dead and to live separate from the World
thev should inculcate-thev are babes in spiritual matters are recommended to walk in the light of truth; and so far as
themselves, as the Apostle &rote in one of his epistles,-“For possible to live in the light actually,-to see that their homes
when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that are well lighted,-recognizing that even the natural light is a
one teach you again which be the first principles [rudiments] foe to the darkness of sin.
of the orailes of-God.-Heb. 5 : 12. - - The Apostle suggests the necessity of taking the various
When the believing. converted. consecrated. begotten. skP- steps above outlined, before the Christian will get fully into
ing, “new creature” has been akakened-when The el;es and the light himself. It is after he has arisen from the dead bv
ears of his understanding have been opened, as above sug- the Lord’s help, by the help of the brethren, by the aserhtanc-e
gested, to see the true conditions of the world, and to realize of the exceeding great and precious promises of the iVord, by
himself as a “new creature” in Christ,-his next duty is to the indwelling spirit of the Word;-after he has arisen from
arose. His arising from the dead signifies the activitv of the the dead and indeed while he is arisinc from the state of sin
new mind, the new” will, in directing and controlling hi: mortal and death, while he is attempting to bring his members into
body. This implies effort; the putting forth of all the energy subjection to the new life, a new light is shining upon him-
of the new creature. It requires no effort to sleep, or to lie his light is increasing, hrs knowledge of the Lord, his knowl-
after one gets awake; but to rise requires the exercise of every edge of sin, his kno\iledge of righteousness, his nppreciation
muscle. Arising is not an instantaneous act. but a process of truth and righteousness “in the inward parts,” as the
requiring one movement after another, until it’is fully &ccom- prophet expresses it. The light shininv upon him, and deep
nliahed: so also is the ari>inc of the “new creature” from the into the recesses of his heart. mav somezmes cause distress. as
dead conditions of sin and tr&nass against the laws of right- he finds that his own natural &aknesses and imperfections
eousness and truth and purity; -it req;ires his every effort, and are even greater than IIP li:1(1 at flrct bcncn i~w:Il e Of: iie\cr-
is a work of time. Indeed all exnericnced Christrans who theless, as a child of the light, begotten by the Father of
have followed the Apostle’s injunction to arise from the dead, lights, he loves the right, and hates the sin; and the more
have found that it requires days, months, years, of energetic clearlv the licht slrines unon him and shows him the blemishes
effort to rise up above, superior to the fallen tendencies of his of his own mortal body, ‘the more he runs for and strives for
own flesh,-common to the world of mankind. He finds that the perfection which the Lord asinres him he shall attain to
even after he has risen fullv up. so that he does not wilfullg in the actual resurrection-of which the nresent “rising to walk
practice sin, nor countenance it-in any sense or degree, he still in newness of life,” is but the figure. I
must be on his ruard lest he be enh%DDed bv the weaknesses The Apostle. progressing with the thought before us. de-
of his mortal body; or by the allureme& of ihe world; or by clares thai the one vyho thuds arises from the dead is not ‘even
the temptations of the adversary; and thus stumble again over then to stand still. He must walk-not atter or toward the
some of the things of sin and death from which he had arisen flesh and its standard, but after and toward the spirit and its
by the Lord’s grace. standard. And he will need to walk circumspectly--with care-
The Anostle in the nrevious verses has explained some of ful scrutinv of each footstep. The Anostle suegc-ts tlrat anv
these things of sin and death to which the Lord’s people should other course than this n*ould be foolish. We are to remembe”r
become thoroughly awake, and from which they should arise that our advcrsarv was more dl*poscd to let II+ alone whllc we
completely. In verse 3, he mentions some evils which should were asleep, but that now, when we are awake and seeking to
be “not so much as named among you-as becometh saints.” walk after the spirit, he &ill be on the alert to ensnare %nd
In vs. 4, he mentions, “foolish talking” as among the things entrap us;-hence the need of our circumspection. The Lord
of sin and death from which the I&d’s people-must arise. gives-us light, not only on our own characters, and upon sin
While we believe that the saints will make most progress and ricbteousness in eenernl. but. additionnllv, he L'IV~S LIY Ii&t
themselves, and be most helpful to others, by avoiding all upon the road we are-to travel. This light upon “our patb\;ay
kinds of licht and unedifvinn conversation. and while we is the light shining from the Scriptures of which the Prophet
strongly recommend this c&r& to all, nevertheless, we do not declares, “Thy Word is a lamp to my feet, a lantern to my
understand the Apostle here to refer to what might be desig- footsteps.” He who neglects the lamp, neglects one of the very
nated as harmless jokes or levitv. From the text we under- important means of walking circuni~pcc~tly. And Z&Y, how
stand him to refer eo coarse, lasdvioz~s talking, and to a more many Christian people today, with the Bible in their homes. are
refined jesting with half-suggestions of profanity or vice, some- neglecting to trim and use. it as a lamp;-if not standin’g in
times practiced by the educated and witty. the dark tbev are walking in the darkness, stumbling. or in
We are to arise from all such low conditions of thought. danger of stumbling contmually. Let us remember ?be im-
word, and deed as we find prevalent about us: because as chil: portance of this lamp and use it; to the intent tliat ours may
dren of God, begotten by his spirit, we can have no fellowship be the “path of the just, shining more and more unto the per-
with these things. We must regard them as the Apostle sug- fect day.”
gests, as “unfruitful works of darkness.” The Apostle by this Thus we are to redeem the time-to purchase opportunities
word. unfruitful. no doubt intended to eive us the thoucht for the new creature and its interests and concerns, at tlie ex-
that sin is dcstr&~ve instead of productige-that its tende&$ pense of the old nature. 11-e as new creatures are to escbanre
is toward death. On the contrary, the tendency of the new the things of darknrss for the things of light; the opportu-
mind of Christ is toward fruit-bearing, development. blessing. nities for sowing to the flesh for tlie onnortunities of so\\inc to
uplifting, refreshment. Not only is th<s true in the individual the spirit. The opportunities must bc ‘thus purchased elsgwe
Christian. but as our Lord’s words suaaest. the individual will have none: if we give way to the inclinations of the flesh,
Christian’ exercises a preservative influence on others ; wher- its appetites
.. and desires. it will consume all there is of time
ever he may live he is a shining light dispelling the darkness and opportunity, strength and influence, and leave notlllng for
of sin; he is the salt of the earth, preserving the mass from the new creature.-“ because the davs are evil :” t!lat is because
corruption. The moral standing of the civilized world today, is they are unfavorable to spirrtu:;l progrcsi. Tbcy pi ebciit
unquestionably largely due to the indirect influence of the holy thousands of temptations for worldly pleasure and worldly ease
Spirit in God’s people ;-which as the Apostle declares, rc and worldlv fame and worldlv nrogres?: and thns tbev multr-
proves the world. Our reproof of sin may alwavs be through ply the tests which come upon us a”s “new crcaturcs.” iVe must
the living epistles of our daily lives which, as bright and shin- remember that the Lord desires that these tests shall tlemon-
ing lights, should ever repro+e by manner, look, “act and tone, strate the degree of our love, the dcqrce of our sincerity, the
everything tending toward darkness and sin,-“Let your light degree of our consecration to him: the more our love for the
so shine before men that they seeing your good works may Lord and for riahteouiness, the creatrr will be our zeal in
glorify your Father in Heaven.” Occasionally it may be proper snatching time, opportunity; influence from the flesb and con-
and still more occasionally it may be duty, for us to speak or secratlne it to spiritual things. In so doing we will not be
to act in opposition to d&kness,“but the “light of a godly life, unwise, but will display our understanding of the Lord’s will.
testifying for the truth and exhibiting the holv Snirit. 1s cer- -Verses 16, 17. Unless we are a\V:llic we cannot arise to
tainly one of the most forceful reproofs of sin-that can be ad- present newness of life: and unless this arising to ncwnrss of
ministered. jife is arcomplished we’ cannot share in the first rc~urrectmn.
VVhile passing, we might have in mind the Apostle’s words, The Golden Text of the lesson is the 18th verse: in it the
“unfruitful works of darkness,” laying emphasis upon the last Apostle contrasts two spirits. Under present condrtrons men
word. Sin is figuratively represented by darkness; and, addi- naturally look for something to exhilarate them, to refresh, to
C29671
 ZION’S WATCH TOWER ALLEGHENY, PA.

revive-to counteract life’s trials, burdens and sorrows: many
of the dead in trespasses and sins find this stimulant and relief
from care, in varidus intoxicatjn stimulants-wine, spirituous
liauors. opium, etc.; but the chll-f of God is to look in a totallv
dikerent direction for his stimulant, his exhilaration, his relie”f
from care and trouble-he is to be “filled with the Spirit” of
the Lord. He is not merely to have a little of it, but is to
become intoxicated with it to the extent that it will change
the general appearance of all his surroundings and condltlons
in life. And cannot each advanced Christian, filled with the
Lord’s splrlt, testify that this is true?-that all things are
changed from the new standnoint and its new hopes, new ambi-
tlonsy new relationships? &n he not say, “Ofd things have
r~nss~tl a~av. all thinp$ have become new?” What need has he
ior the wi& cup to -drown his troubles, or smother his sor-
rows? He knows from observation if not from experience that
all such exhilaration and oblivion to sorrow brings an after
effect of pain: he knows also from experience and <observation
that to be filled with the Lord’s snirit need not be a’tcmporarv
oblivion to sorrow, but a permaient one-that,-“E&h ha”s
no sorrows that heaven cannot cure;“-that even the deepest
p,lins and sorrows of the heart are more than counterbalanced
and canceled by the joys of the Lord secured through the pos-
stBs<ion of a fullness of his spirit.
The lightness of lleart of the intoxicated “drad in trrppnpsrs
and sin” often lends to bacchanalian revelry and song, repulsive
even to the same person when sober; but the filling of the
Spirit of the Lord leads to songs and iejoicings, not only with
the linq but with the heart.-refreshinc, comfortinp and UD-
ljftlni, not only to the singe; but also to”the hearer. YIt is th&
“new song” 2/n the heart that constitutes the Christian a sepa-
rate and distinct being from all others about him. “Thou hast
put a new song in my mouth, even thy loving kindness, 0
Lord 1” Because it is in the heart, therefore, it must be in
the mouth also, and must influence all the affairs of life: for
\se cannot but speak the things which have so wonderfully
uplifted and refreshed our souls. And the speaking of these
things is the proclamation of the Gospel-“good tidings of great
joy which shall be to all people.”
In our new attitude, figuratively risen from the dead and
walking in newness of life with the Lord our Redeemer and
Head, all of life’s affairs have a new coloring. Not only can
we sing-
“Sweet prospects, sweet birds and sweet flowers,
Have all g:1rlnc4 new hweetneys to me”
but we can glory in tribulation also, and give thanks for these,
as well as life’s blessings. to the heavenly Father. in the name
of our Lord Jesus; knowing, having the conviction, the assur-
ante. that life’s discinlines are working out for us a “for more
exceeding and eternal weight of glory.? And not only SO, but
this dependence upon the Lord and filling with his spirit makes
us humble; so that we do not think of ourselves above what
we ought to think, but think soberly. It is in view of the
humilitv of this class that the Apostle suggests that they SUb
mit th&selves one to another ih the ret&ence of the-lord.
Those who have the Lord’s spirit will have the brotherly kind-
ness which is a Dart of it; and will be quite willing to defer to
each other’s preferences in many thing&in all thiigs not con-
trarv to the nrincinles of righteousness-in all thinEs in har-
mo& with reberence to the zord, his Word, and the-principles
It inculcates.
It mav not be amiss here to remind the brethren that the
Scriptures show two kinds of symhollc or figurative intoxica-
tions: the one above described, filling with the spirit of the
Lord and its joys. and prac’c, and ronlfort: the rt’hult-: of the
frultage of the vine which the heavenly Father planted, of
which Christ is the central stock, and of which his followers
are all “branches.” The other wine is a counterfeit, an illicit
wine : it is not produced by the vine of the Father’s planting,
but from the grapes of the “vine of the earth.” It is of this
wine that the Lord tells us Great Babvlon has made all the
nations drunken-the wine of her inconsistency, of her infi-
delity. This is the wine or spirit of the world--of church-
ianity.
Looking all about us we fear that many, who think they
are filled with the holv Spirit of the truth, are rcnllv filled
w1ih this intoxication Gf cimrchianity. Thoqe intoxicatdd with
thic: wine will shortly be aroused to a realization that it was
sadly adulterated. and the effects will be painful. Those nho
are intoxicated with this wine of churchiamty arr rejoicing not
in the cup of the world and of devils. not in gross sins, but
nevertheless not in the spiritual things. They glofy each in
the prosperity of his own sect, they are generally mtoxicated
with love for sectarianism, so that worldly persons, dead in
trespasses and sins are often loved and brothered by those in-
toxicated with this adulterated spirit, while saints are spurned
and treated as enemies because oi faithfulness to God inrebuk-
ing sectarian churchianity and its doctrinal falsities
Let us, dear brethren, beware of the natural wine and its
drunkenness-of the cup of devils, gross sins and immoralities;
let us beware of the still more deceptive wine of Babylon’s cup
of mixture which has a form of godliness, in which church and
world and lodge combinations tend to stupefy and to give illicit
joy; let us. however, having made sure of the Lord’s cup, drink
thereof and be filled with the spirit of our Master and with
his joys.

SANCTIFIED THROUGH A KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUTH

ACTS 0:1-"O.-APRIL 6.
“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreslting Shd Come I’w’*
the presence of the Lord; and he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you; whom the heaven
must reca’ve until the times of restitution of all thinos, which God hath spoken by the mouth of dl
his holy. prophets since the world begm.“-Acts 3 : 19-21. -
Conversion is a proper enough word to use respecting the a special miracle was wrought for the opening of the eyes of
change of course necessary for Jews to make in becoming Chris- his understanding-that he might see the truth. HIP sincerity
tlans. The word is used in a totallv different sense, however, is amply attested by the promptness of his obedience as soon
today, when we refer to the conve&ion of the dissolute and as his mental eyes were opened. He changed not as respected
unbelieving to faith and obedience as disciples of Christ. Bny his zeal for God and his cause, but merely in the directlon in
radical change or revolution of thought or conduct is not im- which that zeal was exerc*isetl, and in thr mannrr of It? ?xrlc*lse,
properly called conversion. It is well that this point be clearly after it was subjected to the mind of Christ through the holy
enunciated, because the misapprehension is so general. Paul’s Spirit received. So today, while we have the Scriptural assur-
conversion, for instance, is likened to the conversion of sinners, ance that “None of the wicked shall understand,” we have also
strangers, aliens and foreigners from God; whereas it more the assurance that “The wise shall understand.” The ’ WIV”
nearly resembled the conversion of a Christian of today from are not the “wicked,” and we esteem those who have manifested
opposition to present truth to its love and service. Such con- a bitter onDosition toward present truth to be not “wicked” at
versions todav are quite frequent-many who once burned heart, bu{ 2eeeived, blinded.
MiZZennzaZ Dawn no; love it‘, and are- doing all in thclr We ronfidentlv expect that many of this class will yet be
power to spread abroad its teachings, its views of the divine found amongrt tile “&4e” to whom”it shall be granted to un-
chnracter and plan. its presrntatioq of Rlesslah and 111swork, derstand the glorious things of the divine plan now being
past and future. The change. or conversion of such persons is revealed through the Scriptures. It will br revealed to them
acknowledged to be rem:1rk;~l)lr--tlillt~:s they onrc hat4 now because they are not of the wicked; but are like Saul of Tarsus,
they love-things they once lo\-cd now they a bominatr--old true rhildrrn of God, whose zeal for him hiIS hecn misdiie(+d
things are become new to them, from the new standpoint-the misguided, misused. Some may kick against the pricks of
new light upon the divine plan which has shined into their facts, credence, conscience, etc., longer than others; but event-
hearts. uallv the Lord will grant to earh of them some experience, or
Saul of Tarsus, the bitter enemy of the Lord Jesus and his trial, the hitter experience of which will prrpare them to SW
fnllowers, was, at the same time,‘a zealous servant of God; t!le light. the truth, in the right dir&ion. Thus many of them
and his pcrsccutions of the truth, as he himself assures US, sing,--“E’en though it be a cross that raisrth mr.”
were undertaken and prosecuted with zeal, because he thought sn ill’, father was a Roman citizrn; prnbnhly a man of
that thus he did God service. He was a good man according ncalth and influence: he was a Jew of the holiness sect called
to his light-hut that light was a dim one. It was because Pharisees--the most exact and rigid in respect to the divine
he was at heart honest, sincere, good, loyal to the Lord, that law. His son named after Saul, the first king of Tsrarl, was
[2968]
MARCH 1, 1902 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (76-77)

also given a Roman name, Paul. because of his father’s Roman in the very same spirit. It is not that they love or appre-
citizenship. The Apostle’s reference to having suffered the ciate persecution, but that they believe they are doing God ser-
loss of all things for Christ’s sake, is understood to imply that vice,-that the promulgation of present truth means the shak-
he had been disinherited bv his father because of his accept- ing if not the overthrow of all religious svstems in which thev
ance of Jesus as the Messiah. Quite evidently he was poor-in trust-which they believe to be of-divine” origin, and through
the beginning of his ministrv, as is evident from his laboring which thev are honing to bring about the kingdom of God
I c.7

at tenet’-making while preaching. The fact that subsequently condition through missionarv effort-. and tllr con;:cr~ion of tht*
the record represents him as a man of considerable influence, world. Present truth declares all these efforts to be misdi-
and with one or more servants. is considered by Anar,v to iustifv rected and futile; it points out the fall of Rabvlon and every
the inference tha.t at a later date he inherited property, pos- thing pertaining to her; it declares the establishing of God’s
siblv bv reason of his father’s death. In no other wav can his kmgdom, and the exaltation of the royal priesthood outside
‘(o&i hired house” in Rome, and his influence withY officials, of sectarian lines; ignoring sect membership, it acknowledges
shipmasters, etc., be accounted for;-little attention and con- only “Israelites indeed.” perionallv attaehc>tl to tllrx Rcdcc>mcr.
sideration are given to a pauper prisoner. The revolution of thought. the conversion necrssnrv now, is al-
As to Paul’s personal appearance: An iron medal was re- rnoyt as great, and almost as diiiicult :ts w:li that wllic Ii came
cently found nhich purported to give a likeness. There is also to Paul and other sectarians of his nation. Let us rcioicc then,
a Roman tablet of ahout the fourth centurv. which shows Paul if bv the Lord’s grace our eves are opening to the truth: and
seated in a curule chair; both represent hi& as of fine appear- let ;IS have more‘of compassion for others‘\vbo are still in the
ance, somewhat bald, with beard, and a fine open countenance; conditinn in which Saul of Tarsus was vvhen he ncrsecuted
about medium stature and weight. In the “Acts of Paul and those of “this mav ”
ThccIu,” the first Christian romance, written about’ A. D. 150, The light whirl1 shone about Saul and those who went with
there is a description of Paul which is probably the best, and him, was evidentlv a sunernatural one. becaunc the time of the
a trnr tratlIt ton 111tlllr hr is tlrscril~rtl as “small in size, bald- manifestation was about noon (Acts 22 :6) and the light was
headed, bandy-legged, well built, with eyebrows meeting ; rather far brighter than that of the sun which at the same timr. no
long nosed; with motion full of rrace. for sometimes he seemed doubt, was shining with great hriehtnrss, as is general in that
like a man, and sometimes likz an ‘angel. His manner was countrv. The phenomenon was soen by the cntirr band, but
singularly winning.” Verv evidentlv his eood education and its spt+ial features were known only to Saul; and others saw
contact \;ith peopir in the* higher walks of-life gave him that something of the light but thry salv not the vision which Saul
grnrc and ease of manner and speech he manifested so con- saw representing the Son of 3Ian in 111sglorifi4 cnntlrtlnn mu
spicnonsly in the presence of the many high officials with whom others heard a sound but did not distinguish the wnrtls which
he Came 111contact in various ways, as the representative of Saul heard. 811 fell to the ground, hut all apparcntlv wrre
the Lord. able to rise again and to stand wondering, except Saul whose
Our lesson connects with the narrative of Philip; while eyes were seriously injured so that he was blind. Similarlv
the latter was preaching Christ, Saul was breathing out threat- Stephen saw a visionW while those who were near him sa&
ening? against all of “this way,” and doing all that he could nothing: similarly John saw the dove descending upon Jesus
to stamp nut Christianity. In-as-much as the persecution had while the others ahout saw nothing: similarlv .IPSIIS hrar11 WV
caused the scattering of believers, Saul was pursuing them- tain words of the Father while the multitude‘said it thundered.
going even outside the provinre of .Judea in his zeal to crush It is even mentioned here that the voice spoke in the Hebrew
out that whirl1 he believed to be dangerous heresv. Some mav tongue : whereas those who were with Saul probably spoke in
wonder how he could be at heart loyal to the Lord, and yet the Syriac or the Greek language.
in mind be so bitter against the Lord’s faithful. Let us sug- Saul’s astonisned answer was, “II’hn art thou, Lnrtl7” Thus
gest how the matter probably appeared to Saul’s mind: was the entire difficulty, he did not know the Lord: and as
Doubtless he was full of the Jewish sentiment respecting Mes- our Master himself declared. this lack of knowledee of the Son
siah, respecting his nation, Israel; he considered it a certain implied a lack of correct knowledge of the Father. We have
and urquestionahle fact that the Pharisees represented God his further explanation that however others in the past might
and all the glnrious prophecies and traditinns of the nation: have known something abowt God, thep could never really
and that as Jehovah had favored this nation for now these know him, in the sense of personal aequamtance and apprrcia-
many centuries, his favor, undoubtedly must still be with it: tion of his character and spirit, except through the Son-a
so that if he had any further revelations to make they would Dart of whose obirct in coming was to reveal the Father. SO
nndonl~tctlly (‘o~nc tllrou~h thr scribes and Phnrikeer &ho “sit &e might sav of Wall who have persecuted the bodv of Christ,
in Moses’ seat”-as representatives of God and of the Law. even when thev did it irnorantlv. it was because thev did not
He cxprctrd a Messiah of dignitv and wealth and so&l stand- know Jesus-because they had”not received of his”spirit in
ing in- the nation ;-if born in the natural wav at all to be of sufficient measure. Let us beware that no such spirit of per-
one of the best families. He expected him ‘to establish the <ecution finds anv svmnathv . a
or lodpment in our hearts. or
dignity of Israel upon a plane similar to, but higher than that any expression ’ in our bwnrds ‘or arras. This will
of Solomon;-that he would be a great leader and commander not mean. howevrr. that we shall never offer criticism either
to his people, who would successfully carry them through every of prrsons or doctrines: nor that we shall never reprove or
difhculty and opposition like as did Moses, Joshua, David,- rebuke and that publirly (2 Tim. 4:2) ; but it surely does
but still greater, still grander, still more successful. mean that our removing and rebuking. of teachin,gs and of
It is surely difficult for us to imagine how absurd would be teachers, shall be ‘done from a Scriptural standpoint--riving
the claims of .Jesus, to a mind filled with such exnectations. reasons, giving them plainly hut without bitterness, without
*Jesus had neither wealth nor social standing no; influence harshness, without unkindness in any degree.
amongst his own people; he was despised and rejected bv the The statement, “Snd he trembling and astonished said,
religious chiefs and elders of the nation Moses represented; Lord. what wilt thou have me to do?““quite probablv well PX-
he could have no power or influence whatever with the Roman nlains Paul’s condition of bodv and mind at the time: hut
Emperor or othrrs-in the way of establishing Israel as the the*e wnrds are not found in the ancient Grcrk manuscripts:
chief nation of the world, whose laws should ultimatelv extend likewise the words. “It is hard for thpe to kick against the
to every nation, carrvine with them the foretold Messianic pricks,” are omitted.
blcsringn. No, from Paui’s standpoint Jesus was a-fraud, a de- For three davs Saul neither atr nor drank, and W:I~ int:lll\
ceiver. a false Messiah. his disciples were rrark-hrainetl tlupcs. 1,lind. Khat a ‘season for reflection! What a humiliation to
and thrir doctrines were calculated to brina‘-, odium unon L the think that he had foueht against the truth! n’hat nravers frill
religious rulers, who represented Moses in the nation.- cal- forglrenccc. and what’pletl& of rnnsecration to .Je+n\ \\(I III:I\
culatetl to stir UD strife and division amongst the nronla and Imnglnc filled his heart during those days! Unquestionably it
to mislead them and trim their minds entirely awa; -from 1%a~: a time of good recnliition as respected the future, if per-
bInsen and the Law and the hopes of Israel; and thus’to hin- ac;ventnrr. the Lnrll woultl grariouslv forgive him and grant an
der the gnntl cause of God which had been gradually develop- opportunrtr to retrieve tllc past. He had a dream, too, ant1 in
ing for centuries. It he hehpltl a man anointin, cr his ryes, rrstorinz his sight. On
It was Paul’s zeal for God and his cause that made him a thr fourth day a man, a pnnr and humble disciple of .Jesus,
perscrutor, and not his love for persecution itself,-nor any named Ananias, came, not without fear, to visit Saul;-knnw-
brntal desire+ that gloried in the sugerings of others, His im- in’ him by reputation. as an cnemr of all who bclirvcd 111
pulse was duty-toward God and toward his nation; for if the “tllis wav:” knowin-rr that he was lndretl in the house of one
false tlnctrinrs spread it meant to him a spreading of nppo- who \vns’ nnt a frirnd of the truth. but assured of the Lord
sitinn tn both, and temporarily, at least, a frustration of the tltat Salll was praying and would welcome him, having hrpn
hopes of Israel-putting further off the glorious dav of bless- informetl II? a vision: Ananias when sent of the Lord conr-
ing for \thich all Israel had longed and hoped. Similarly we ag,ously did his part.
find today noljle Christian people opposing the present truth There is a lrsson here for all of us; the Lord did not send
[2969]
 ZION’S WATCH TOWER ALLEGHENY. Pa

one of the Apostles from Jerusalem, nor was Ananias one of ural sight was restored; but oh, how much greater was the
the elder8 or deacons, as far as we know; but he was a plain, spiritual sight which he received,-the illumination of his
humble, obedient disciple, “A broken and emptied vessel, for hiart, his Gnd’ The darkness and obsrurlty of tradltlon upon
the Master’s use made meet.” Let all of the Lord’s dear peo- the Law and the Prophet8 were now largely dissipated, be-
ple be similarly filled with the Lord’8 spirit, and on the alert; cause he saw Jesus-Jesus a8 the Redeemer suffering death
emptied of self. feeling their own brokenness and littleness, let for the sins of the whole world;-Jesus glorified, directing the
th<m be ready and anzious to do God’s service; that they may election of the Church, his members, his body, his joint-heirs,
be used of him as onnortunitv shall occur. What a blessing -and who were, by and by, to be with Jesus the Messiah in
must have come to Anamas “& connection with his service? glory and majesty to bless, to restore, to uplift Israel and all
Ever afterward he could think how he had been a humble in- the fnmilles of the earth. True, the evidence8 are that Paul
strument m the Lord’s hands in carrying a blessing to one never fully recovered his eyesight; xn11 he lllcrwlse trstlfieq that
who subsequently became such a noble servant of the cross his sniritual sight never reached perfection. saying, “Now. we
of Christ. Likewise some of the Lord’s faithful ones in re- see through a iiass obscurely, the;, face to’face.” -’
cent times have taken the Lord’s message either by word or Having taken his stand for Christ, he acknowledged him in
tract or pamphlet, and have opened the eyes of some who sub- the usual way. bv baptism. and not bv ioining a sectarian sys-
h(~(ll1(~lltlv h.l\cb be(73inr migtlty for thr trllth and for thr plllllllg tern. He joTied’ the&body’ of Christ,” ind th‘us became a fel-
down of the strongholds of error. What a rejoicing such have low-member with all who are joined to Christ, the one Head
had m the p~lvllexeq of their service! We know not which will of the-one body. Immediately ile met with the’ Lord’s people;
prospcsr, t1u-j or that, therefore let us diligently use every op- he was no longer ashamed of them; he could not now do too
portunity as it mav come to us; praying the while for much much for them: any honor and dignity whic!l were 111~ b,v
virtue of his birth, and wealth, and Roman citizenship, were
. 1 Y

wisdom and grace and many opportnnltie8 for service.

The Lorcl’s forcknowledpe is clearlv dlsplaved in verses 15: none too good to be sacrificed for the Lord, and having iearned
16; he knew Saul-knew ‘;f l,is ho&sty rind- of his zeal;-he that in persecuting the Lord’s people he persecuted the Lord
knew th:tt this honc\ty and zeal as soon as they should be himself, io he now-understood that&in meeiing with the Lord’s
rl,rrhtlv dirc&d would make iu8t such an inqtrument for his people and honoring them, he was meeting with and honoring
s&vi& a8 he desired to use. The Apostle Paul recognized this the Lord. Forthwith he preached Jesus. He preached him a8
himself. and even traces divine nrovidencc so far back as his the Son of God, the one-in whom the prophecies of the past
birth, Ileclaring that the Lord hid chosen him from his moth- were bein-rr fulfilled. the Messiah who had redeemed, and who
er’s womb. He rould see in the light of subsequent events in God’s ;ue tlme’would deliver Israel and the world from
how all of his affairs, from earliest childhood, had been tend- the bondage of Satan-sin and tlenth.
ing in a favorable direction to prepare him for his work of OUR GOLDEN TEXT
ministry, as an apostle;-and rrcbn Iii4 euppriences as a perse- This is from Peter’s discourse shortly after the day of Pen-
cutor prnvrtl prnfitabha, for thev humbled hi8 estimate of him- tecost ; his words were doubtless in some degree prophecies;
self ait1 undoubtedly gave him a larxer degree of sympathy they point down to the second coming of our Lord-though
for those suff’ermn from a sunilar blindness. increasinr his Pet& &may not have comprehended ho\\- far distant th:lt clvrlnt
hclpfulncss toward’ them. This doeq not signify, however: that would be. The exhortation to be converted to the Lord was de-
God had predetermined that Paul should have a place in the livered to the <Jews who were already hiq typl(%l people. in
kingdom. that he detcrmincd for him-elf,-making his callm? rovenant relationship, hut who needed now to accept the con-
<ant1election sure by faith ant1 obrdiencr. The Lord providen- ditions of the New Covenant and to make a corresponding
tially guitic~tl hlq step9 in childhoo~l and youth, so that he change in their lives-from membership in the house of ser-
learned crzrtam Ic8sons, and gained certain preparations which vants, to membership in the house of sons-from being amongst
might be useful in d11p tlmr: apt1 in due time he opened the those for whom atonement sacrifices were made year by year
eyes of his untlerst:rntllng. knowing well what would be his continually, which could never take away sin, to be of those
o&n choice thereafter. Nrvrrthrlcss, this same Apostle de- accenting the one sacrifice of Christ and it8 redeeming merit,
clarcq that rven nftcr hnvin,g prea~*bccl thr gospel to others, he. --toAt&& for a precent covering for tllrlr qins. throll~ll faith
himscllf, might havr hecnme a castaway:-having borne the in the nrecious blood. and to hoDe for an ultimate bZotti?zq out
Lord’8 n:lme hcfore the Gent,iles and Israelites and kings, and of t,heG at the 8econi cnminrr of’the Lord, as the text declares.
hnvinp sufftsred great things for the Lord’s sake, he might So long a8 the believer ?8 blemished physically, mentally,
still fail to maintain, fnithfllllv to the end, the character of an morallv. bv sin. so long he has the evidence that his sins
overCoItl~r, and thus fail to lmmnc a joint-heir with his Lord. are noi. blotted but. Kc may, nevertheless, rejoice greatly as
Annnias comin,rr to Saul introduced himself beautifully- the nronhet indicates. savinp “Blessed is the man whose sins
I
he had the Lord’!i spirit: he was glad to know Saul ab a are ‘coz:ered,‘* but h6 8h”oul; look forward longingly to the
brothrr ; rlad to forget that he had been a nersecutor of the time when every evidence of the sin, every mark of guilt, will
church : hc did not upbraid him; he did iot say, You de- be so completelv blottd out aq to 1~4 nn further covering.
serve t+rngl torment; nor You deserve a cowhiding;-he Thiq to tl;e saiGt8 of the Goqpcl aye will occur nt thp qecon;l
made no unkind allusion to the nnst. hut addressed him on the coming of Christ. when thev shall be “changed,” in an instant,
contrnrr in the light of the injormation the Lord had given receivyng the new spiritual bodies which l%e ‘Lord has prom:
hini. s.1) in?. “/~,-oIhcr Surrl.” '1'11~1 v i< n lwnnt~f~~l i-+c0l l;rrr ised them in the first resurrection. To the world this blotting
for man?- of the Lord’s proplt who seem more disposed to out of sins will come gradually, during the Millennial age. In
chide and llphraid than to commend and rejoice with former proportion as each being comes into full harmony with the
persccntors . thi8 i8 one of the nrcesqxry lessons to be learned great Prophet, Priest and King then reigning, each will grad-
by all-it is nn evidence of the indwelling of the spirit of ually experience the blessings of restitution-eliminating all
Christ, the spirit of lorr, parts of which are brotherly kind- traces of evil and sin, and restoring gradually to the original
nest. gentleness. meekness. perfection lost in Adam, redeem4 bv .JPFIIR. 2nd rpstorotl hy
Great qcnles fell from Saul’s ryes. and a measure of nat- the blotting out of sins under the ministry of his Kingdom.

LETTERS OF INTEREST
Dear Editor :- Now Brother, I do not wish to be misunderstood in my re-
For some time T have hren 8omcnhnt puzzled ovrr the pres- quest as advocating a division or color line between the white
ent and future problem of the Children of Ham. Our progeni- and colored brethren : we want no color division; but, what
tor8 naid hut little or nq attention to the stutlv of the “Time<
1
we do want is to stand together to work UD some Dlan that
of Rcqtitution of all Thix@’ and a “Rnnsnm fbr all to be tes- they may be an aid in this-good work of haivest and present
tified in due time.” And‘lonking at the matter a8 I do, past, truth.
present and future. I must with sorrow confess that the prob- My Dear Brother, 1 have read the fivr?volumcs of dftZ/unnlaZ
lem, as it now stands, presents one of the darkest pictures Dawn, and have been studying them for nearly three years
known to the Children of Ham. TOP sons of .Tapheth have sent with their charts, etc. I have been a minister many yearn
out their pilgrim sons all over the United States and in por- Pray for us all. Yours in Christian love,
tions of Great Britain. But the poor African race of the J. J. H. DozEn,--Tema.
TJnited States takrs no Dart in that nrccious work of trying to [We are not aware that there arc many” .Igroups of negro
set forth or send out he; colored pil&imq to work amo@ their brethren, interested in present truth, nltho WC ha& had f&r
own race. offers like the above ouite recentlv. If therp RTC ~31c.11. thpv are
What would br the rhnnre of puttinn R few colored pil- as welcome as the Jdhites-propbrtionatrly to their numbere
grims in the field to travel in Tcsn8 nnd nther states? It i8 and intelligent interest-and they should aend the Pilgrlm-
the opinion of several of my colored hrethren of Texas that request postal card8 mentioned in ,T:ln. 15 issue, pggc 2, stat-
such a plan if rlglitlv c3rrictl into csffect. would do miicli god ing that they are colored. Tln~s \VP will know nnrl be able to
in opening tlic hlintlcd e~-r4 of oi*r wlnrcd hrcthien and friend;. judge ---Ed.]
[29701
VOL. XXIII ALLEGHENY, PA., MARCH 15, 1902 No. 6

TRUTH “WOUNDED IN THE HOUSE OF ITS FRIENDS’*

“My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are you7 plms my $am, saith the Lord; for as the heavem are htgher than
the earth, so are my plans higher thm your plan-% and my thoughts thrvn your thoughts.“-Isa. 55:8, 9.
Those who claim that the second advent of Christ means a period whose burning will not entirely cease until the close
the end of probation, the burning up of this world, and the of the Millennial age. bv which time it shall have destroved,
death-knell of hope for poor, fallen humanity, are responsible root and branch, ev&ything that is evil-everything contrary
in a very large degree for the intense prejudice which exists to righteousness, truth and goodness. This fire of God’s jeal-
on this subject, Amongst those who thus hold, are some who ousy or zeal for righteousness will, we understand, burn in a
are thoroughly conscientious and are, after a fashion at least, very natural manner as regards humanity and its ‘affairs. In
Bible students, but study not according to knowledge. They the present time God is letting ‘.T the lmht of truth shine in the
love the Lord, not because of hi8 character, exemplified in his world marvelously; not that light only which is shining upon
plans. but in spite of their misconception of his plans and. the path of the just, leading God’s people onward to the per-
therefore, of his character. Thcv have looked at certain pass- fect day, but a light is also being reflected now unon the nath
ages of Scripture from the wr0n.g standpoint, and have failed of the world, opening its eyes t; human rights and prerb,aa-
to discern which are it8 symbolical and which are its literal tives, liberties and nrlvileaes. to which formerlv it was blinded
statements. We hope that this paper will come to the atten- through ignorance and superstition. As the light now comes
tion of many of this kind, and that it will come also to the in, the result is unrest; and thus the Lord seems to purpose,
attention of many of those who, because of these misrepre- that the very blessings of this time. the end of this Gosnel
sentations of the divine plan are thoroughly out of sympathy age, the verv condition of thinas which, rightlr receivkd,
with the nromises of the second comine of the Lord, but de- should be bringing men happiness: is bringing more and more
sirous, rather, that he should not come at all, and especially of discontent, and thus leading them step bv sten into the
that he should not come soon. We hope that all of this class great period of anarchy, which-the Scriptures’distlnctlv show
who are earnest, honest, and spiritually minded, will, with the will be the fire of trouble in the end of this age. whiih will
presentation we are about to make, be able to see the Lord’s consume church and state, religious, political -and financial
character and plan from a different standpoint, and thence- institutions, and reduce the whole world to a general level
forth to long for it and to pray in the language of the Apos- -“a time of trouble such as was not since there was a nn-
tle, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus !” realizing the blessings that tion.“-Dan. 12 : 1.
are due to come with that blessed prcsencezflooding the world This trouble is coming as the direct result of the bless-
with the lioht, of the knowledpec of the goodness of God as it ings of our day. the increased enlightenment which we enjoy,
shines in the face of Jesus Christ our Lord, and bringing and which selfi8hness does not permit to take its proper course
to mankind in general all the blessing which divine grace has and to bring proportional blessings for the world as a whole;
prearranged, and which divine mercy and truth have declared but, rather, attempts to corral and to apportion merely to the
for the consolation and encouragement of God’s people. great. the wise, the efficient, allowing the burdens of life to
fall with disproportionate weight upon the masses until the
“THE EARTH ABIDETH FOREVER” groaning creation shall not onlv cry out in despair but will
Notwithstanding the Scriptural statement that “The earth also arise in despair bringing in the anarchy and disarrange-
abideth forever” (Eccl. 1:4), all the creeds of Christendom ment foretold-the fire of God’s iealousv which shall con-
take the same view of this subiect that is entertained bv sume the whole earth (societ,v in &nernl -in its every depart-
our Second Adventist friends: except that the latter expect the ment) . After this symbolicalfire shall have consumed present
burning of the world soon, wliilc the majority of Christendom institutions. on their ruins shall arise the triumphant kingdom
presume that it will be in the remote future. We do not of God so long foretold-the same for which the RInster‘him-
Ehnrge intentional misrepresentation of the divine plan upon self taught us to pray “Thy kingdom come: thy will be done
nnv of our Christian brethren. Rather. we sav. in the lan- on earth as it is done in heaven.” The Prophet as nc have
gu>gc of our text. that their conrcptions are not God’s con- seen declares that then the Lord will turn unto tllc people. “a
ceptiona, and their plans are not the divine plans-theg have pure language”-1itcrally a pure word. In tlir pait, and at
misunderstood. unintentionally, to their own detriment, the present the people a8 a whole have brrn unable to discern the
testimonv of God’8 Word on this subject. They have read of pure Word of God. They have hrnrtl various creeds and
the burning of the world, and have remembered in the same theories more or les8 reasonable and the effect of so mnnv
connection the account in the Lord’8 parable, of the burning of “voices” has been to them as a Babel in which thcg were un-
the “tares.” and have entirely overlooked the fact that these able to discern the voice of God. But when the nromised dav
fire8 are figurative and svmbolical, as are the fiery trials which shall have come and present institutions, religious as well a>
now try us, as God’8 people, and the furnaces of affliction ir. secular, shall have succumbed to the fierce hurnmg wrath of
which. bv divine nermi&on. we have sometimes been refined. the neonle with all of its attendant miseries and iniustices
(1 Pet. 4: 12 ; Isa.‘48 : 10) In the brief space at our command the mists and fogs of prejudice and superqtition wiil clear
we cannot take up this subject thoroughly and discuss every away and the bright orb of truth will shine forth to give man-
text of Scripture bearing upon it, but we will brieflv call kind a clearer and a better comprehension, not only of the
attention to ‘one, which will ‘serve a8 a key to others. * divine character and the divine plan. but of the rights of
We quote from the Pronhet (Zenh. 3 :s’) : “Wait ve uvon men, and of the proper course of action and dealing one with
me, saith the Lord. until the day that I rise up to the prey; another. The result8 will he blessed, however awful will be
for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may the cup of divine wrath which t,he world will hare drunk to
assemble the kingdoms, to nour upon them mine indignation, its dregs previously; figuratively called “the fire of God’s
even all mv fierc’e anger; for all ‘the earth shall be o%vourea jealousy.”
with the fire of mv iealousv.” Thi8 is ccrtainlv as eranhic Altho, as thus seen. the fire of God’s jealousv will burn
a picture ‘of the b&&g day as could be asked-for, &en’ by itself out quicklv in the close of this age, other Scriptures
the most zealous advocates of that theory: and they consider give us to undcr&and that it will not entirely ccasr until the
that it is quite sufficient to overbalance the other statement8 close of the Millennial age-that it will burn against every-
of Scripture, to the effect that the “earth abideth forever.” thing that is contrary to the pure, the good, the true, the
They assume, of course, that this burning day will incinerate right. the iust. Evil of everv kind shall be burned un root
not only the earth, itself, but all of its inhabitants. But a and branch:’ so that ultimatel;’ “all the nroud. vca, all that do
careful reading of the Prophet’s succeding word8 will make wickedly, shall [figuratively] .be as stuhhlr and” a8 ashe under
clear to us that this is not the case: but that after the burn- the feet.” in full suhiectinn to the righteous. who. shall then
ing day has passed a population will still remain in the earth, have been brought into full accord with the Lord and have
and that for a blessinrr. We read (Verse 9) : “Then will I his blessing unto eternal life.
turn to the people [n% consumed, but alive and capable] a
pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the THE REAL OBJECT OF OUR LORD'S RETURN
Lord, to serve him with one consent.” Who could question, If the real obiect of our Lord’s return could be clearlv ”
in the light of this further statement bv the Prophet, that understood by all of his true people, unquestionably every sin-
the fire and devastation previously mentioned are figurative cere Christian would be longing and waiting for that event,
-not, however. unreal, but real in another sense, in a figura- as the glorious realization of their best hones
I and desires, the
tive sense, instead of in a literal sense. one without which all others would be valueless, meaning-
This burning day, so frequently referred to in the Scrip- less. The second coming of our Lord is closely related to the
tures, will, to our understanding, be more than a twenty-four- first advent as respects the divine plan of salvation. The en-
hour day-the day of wrath will he a period of several years’ trance of sin into our world six thousand years ago (com-
duration, so far as the intensity of it8 burnin,g i8 concerned- mnnlv called “original sin”) brought to us as a rare mental,
[ 29711 (83 -e4)
 ZION’S WATCH TOWER ALLEGHENY, PA.

moral and physical degeneracy (commonly called “the fall”), mankind, altho redeemed, must wait still longer-a little
the culmination of wh~eh is death. According to the Scrip- longer; for it will not be long after the elect church shall have
tures this death would have been an interminable one, an been glorified with their LoYd, and become his joint-heirs in
everlasting one, had God not in his mercy, provided for our his kmgdom, until thev. with him. as the Sun of Rirhteous-
succor-provided a ransom-price in the Lord Jesus and his ness shall shine forth”‘with healing in his beams, to bless
sacrifice. This rcdemptlou provision was accomplished by our the world, to scatter its night, to dispel its fogs of supersti-
Lord at his first advent. ‘1Ve were “redeemed with the pre- tion and its miasms of error.
cious blood of Christ.” From this standpoint it will be seen that the second com-
But there is a difference between our redemption and our ing of Christ means, not only the blessing of the Lord’s faith-
deliverance, as there is a dlflerence between the purchase of fill in the first resurrection, but the blessing of all the fnmi-
any article and the delivery of it. The wolld has been pur- lies of the earth, even as the Lord nromised to father Abrn-
chased with the nrecious blood: but the world has not been ham. qaying, “In thy seed shall all ihe families of the earth
delivered; it is still laboring and heavy laden, under the curbe 1~ blessed.” The great mass of mankind have gone down
under 011ginal sin. under its weights and dllhculties and (11s Into the prisnn-house of death unblessed-ignorant of God
advantages of every kind. \Vliat”is necessary now? IVe an- and of the only name given under heaven or amongst men
swer, with the Apostle, that “the whole creation groxneth and Jfhereby they muqt be saved. Even of those who are now liv-
travaileth in nam together until now. waiting for the mani- II~, nnlv a small fraction have ever heard of the great Rc-
festation of the sons ‘of God”-through whom-the deliverance tlermcr ‘and of the great redemption which he has already
is vet to be accomnl~rhcd. (Rnm. S : 19-22) And when will ncromplished in the sacrifice of hunself. and of the great de-
th&e sons of God be mnnif&ted? The answer is that theje liverance which he is about to effect, through the kistablish-
song of God are the elect church of this Gospel age, who in nent of his kingdom of righteousness, and the subjugation
the present time ale bring tried and tested: not according to of evil and sin, and the binding of Satan. Not only the living
the flesh, but arcortling to the spirit, according to their will, nations to earth’s remotest bound, must all know, that the
their desires of henit. These sons of God are such as after Year of Jubilee has come, returning ransomed sinners home
the Lord’s discinlines ant1 chastening3 are nnssed, will be but all those who have gone down into death, the great prison-
found in hcnrt “copies of God’s dear Son,” however ‘imperfect house which now contams approximately fifty thousand mil-
thev mav still be resnectinr their flesh. These are to be the lions of our race-all these also must hear the good tnlinns,
first who will experience deliverance at the second coming of for it is to be. according to the angel’s promise. “Good ‘ii-
the Lord. They are variously designated in the Scriptures as dings of great joy which shall he to all people.” It is to be.
“the roral DI iesthood.” under the great high priest: as the according to the promise made to i\brahnm. a blessing “to all
member; of the body of Christ, under Jesus, as their Head; as the families of the earth.” Thank God for the redemptive
the “brirlr. the Lamb’s wife.” These are the “iewels.” whose feature of his plan; and thanks also to him for the deliverance
number the Loid is to make up in the first resurrection, who
shall be his. and joint-heirs with him in the kingdom. It is feature. shortlv t,o be effected. even the the introduction of
for the manifestation of these that the world is waiting, as the that deliveranie be accomplished by a time of trouble such as
Apn\tlc drclnre~.-‘ waiting for the mnnifcstation of ‘the sons wa4 not since there was a nntnn-a time of fiery indignation
of God.” and thev., will not be manifested until the second which shall eventually devour all the adversaries of ri<hteous-
advent of their 5lnster. “U’hrn he shall appear, we also shall ness, and bring in that blessed condition respecting which we
appear with him in glorv.” IYe see. then, that so far as the are assured that every knee shall how, and every tongue
rhurch is cnncernrtl she ‘is waiting for the completion of the confess, to the glory of God-the disobedient and unwilling
elect numhcr ~vhich constitutes her membership-in all, “a being destroyed in the second death, from which there will
little flock,” to whom it is the Father’s good pleasure to give be no recovery.-Isa. 45323; Phil. 2:lO; Acts 3:19-23; 2
the kingdom. (Luke 12 :32) 11-e see also that the world of Thess. 1: 9.

THE PAROUSIA OF OUR LORD JESUS AND HIS SUBSEQUENT APOKALUPSIS

AND EPIPHANIA AT HIS SECOND ADVENT
“ll*atch, thweforc,; for l/e Xnox mot the day* your Lord doth come.” “What Z say unto you, Z say unto all [believers],
IVotch.“--hlatt. 24:42: XIark 13:37.
\Vhnterer the character of the watrhing, and whatever would not be left in darkness with the would. It is vain to
the thing to be lookctl for, there can be no question that the urge, as contradicting this, our Lord’s statement, “Of that
exhortation to watch for an event whose precise time is not tlav and hour knoweth no man; no, not the angels which are
stated. imnlics that when the event does take place. the watch- in’heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.” (34ark 13:32)
ing ones hiill know it. IVatch, because ye know not, in order Those who use this Scripture to prove to themselves and to
that at the proper time ye map know, i, the thought; and the others that no man will erxr k?lo1o anything respecting thr
intimation clearlv is, that those who do not watch will not time of the second advent. find it to prove too much, and tlloA
know: that the ‘events which are to be known in due time Gpoil their own argument; for if it means that no man will
to the \\‘ntchers, will be rerognizctl by them, and not recog- ei cr i?noto, it mnyt similarly mean that no angel will c? CJ
nized hv others, at the time of accomplishment. ,~,vco/c~, and that the Son himself will never know. This, evi-
This, the only logical interpretation of our Lord’s ex- dently, would be an absurd construction to place upon the
hortntion, is fully corroborated by several of the apostles. The pnswLge. The Son did not know at the time he uttered this
Apostle Paul urges us, saying: “Yonr selves know perfectly <tatement : the angels did not know then; and no man knew
that the dav of the Lord so comrth ai a thief in the night: then; but the Son certainly must know of the time of his
for when thev Tthe world, unbclievcrsl shall sav, Peace and ov n second advent, at least a little while before it takes
safety, then sudilen destruction rometk upon the&t as travail place; the angels also, must know a little while before it
upon a wnmnn with child: and thev shall not escape. But ye. takes place; and the true children of God, the “watchers,” as
brethren, are not in darkness. that that day should overtake we have seen above, are to watch in order that they, too.
you as a thief” (1 Thrs. 5:2-4) ; hrcause, being children of map know at the proper season and not be in darkness, in
the light ye, brethren, will he watching and be enlightened ignorance, with the world; and that their watching shall be
and taught of the Lord. The Apostle Peter suggests the icwnrdrtl is guaranteed:-“Sane of the wicked shall under-
mrans by which the Lord will teach us. and informs us re- stand; but the w-me [in heavenly wisdom] shall understand.”
spccting our location upon the path of “the just which shinrth -Dan. 12 : 10.
more and more unto the perfect day.” He shows that it will FOR WHAT ARE WE WATCHING?
not be bv mirnrnlous revelations. nor by dreams: but through This is an important question. Alany of God’s people have
the FVnrd of testirnnny, the Bible. He says, “Ke have a more heen offended, “stumbled,” as respects the doctrine of the
sure word of prophecy. whereunto ye do well that ye take second coming of our dear Redeemer, by reason of peculiar,
bred, as unto a light which shlnrth in a dark place, until the rxtravneant. unreasonable, illogical and unsrriptural news on
day dawn. and the day-star arise in vour hearts.“-2 Pet. 1: l!). the subject; presented by some. who professedlv love the
The united testimony of these Scriptures teaches us that, Lord’s appearing, known as Second Adventists. But this is
altho it was neither uroper nor possible for the Lord’s peo- all wrong; ne are not to reject one of the grandest and most
pie to know in ad&n&, anything definite, respecting -the prominent dortrlnes of the Scripture, simply because some
exact
_.-.. time of the second presence of the Lord Jesus, and the fellow-Christians have erred egregiously respecting the matter,
establishment of his kingdom, pet when the due time would and brought a certain amount of worldly-wise contempt upon
come the faithful ones, the watchers, would be informed,- evervthing connected with this subject. On the contrary, this
--__ doctrine, as a glorious gem, should be given the first place
l Thus read the oldest Greek MSS.
[29721
MARCH 15, 1901 ZION’S WATCH TOWER B-86)

amonE the nrecIous jewels of divine truth, where it can cast Those who have taken heed to the landmarks, pointed out
its halo anh splendor and brlllancy over all connected and by the Lord through Daniel and Isaiah and Jeremmh and
related nromises and blessings. It should not be left m ail the holy prophets, realize that, we have come already a
the imperfect setting which h;des its gioly and beauty, but much longer journey than was expected by the church when
should be recovered, remounted, set in its true place, to the first she started out; but we realize also from these land-
glory of God and to the blessing of all who are sincerely and marks, that we have approached very close to the end of the
truly his people. journey ; very near to the time when the great hlesqing, for
We need offer no apology for the interest which we feel which God’s people hare so long waited and prayed, is at
in this grand subiect. which is the center upon which ail the hand. For instancr. the \I’atcherq have noted the Lord’s tcsti-
testimolyv of div&e grace, through all the ‘holy prophets, is mony through the Prophet Daniel that “the time of the end”
focused. ” Rather do thev need to anoioeize who. knowing that
Y
would be a period of time (more than a century), and that in
nest to the doctrine of the atonemgnt f‘& sin, the seconds com- this “ttme of the end” there \\nlllti be a grca.lt mrrease of
mg of the Lord and the resurrection of the dead hold the travel, runnmg to and fro throughout the ealth, and a great
mo5t important places in the Scriptures, have nevertheless increase of general intelligence, increna’sd knowledge, as it 1+
neglected tills, \rhile they have qualreied, skirmished, fought written, “in the time of the end many shall run to and fro,
and bietl over trifling things of no real importance, doctrin- and knowledge shall be increased.“-Dan. 12:4.
ailv or otherwise. Watching carefuliv rcsnecting our whereabouts, hopeful
‘Our natching is to be for the second coming of him who and soiicito& respeciing tile gracious things which’ God has
redeemed us: who said. “If I go. I will come again and re- Dromised. nnne of the watchers is indifferent to these fulfil-
ceive you unto myself.“’ The watching is to be siecialiy with 1

ments of prophecy, nhich are to be seen on every hand today.

the thought that ocr Lord ,Jesus comes at his second advent, All men discern these things, but not ail alike, thp faithful,
in the malesty and glory of the Father, King of kings and the Watchers, discern them not oniv as facts but also as fui-
J,ord of lords. The watching includes not only the thought of fiiments of prophecy: as proofs thit we arc alreadr/ 211 the
the second nresence of our Lord. as King. but it has attached zwriod termed “the time of the end.” Further investiEntion
to it the w’onderfui results which are I;romised to flow from and applications of the prophetic measurements prove to the
the coming of the King: for the corn&g of the King means watchers that we have been in “the time of the end” since
the coming of the kingdom for which he taught us to pray. 1799. and that it is also termed “the dav of his [Jehovah’s]
“Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is done preparation.” Looking about them, they” see the pwpamtior*
in heaven.” And the comin_rr of our Master. the Kine. and that Jehovah God is makin for the kincdom of hi, dear Son.
the establishment of this slor;bus kingdom me& the fui%ment They see the liftink of themcurtain of iinorance, and the iet-
of the long-waited-for pr6miqe made xo the seed of Abraham; ting in of the light, and that thus God is using mankmti at
the promise which Israel after the flesh was not found worthy the present time to make ready, in a natural way, the me-
to inherit; the promise for which God has been selecting the chanical and other arrangements and conveniences which uitl-
members of the bride of Christ during this Gospel age, to be mateiy shall be so great blessings to the world;-when the
with the Lord Jesus, and his ioint-heir in carrymg out his Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in his beams,
beneficent prnvislons f the prom”ise which is sure, 6ut which and the Millennial day shall be ushered in, with all its multi-
has never vet had. in anv sense of the word, a fuifiiment; Diied blessings and mercies and onnortunities;-“the time? of
the promis;? which reads, “In thy seed shall ail the families destitution df: al! things, which GnLclL hat,h spoken by the mouth
of the earth be blessed.” of ail his holy prophets since the world began.“-Acts 3:21.
Watching implies hoping, and it also implies waiting. We
are waiting for what the Apostle terms “that blessed hope, Watching intently, earnestly, interestediv, hecnure they
the glorious appearing of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,” know of the eood things God bath in reservaiion (1 Cor. 2 :O-
who shall transform his Church to his own spiritual image 13; 1 Pet. 1:2), the watchers note that Daniel’s prophecy fur-
and likeness, in order that we (“changed”) may be like him, ther points out that as the increase of travel brings the iI)-
see him as he is, and share his glory, and be associated with crease of knowledge, so the increase of knowledge will brinr:
him in his great work of bringing in the Millennial blessings an inrrease of dis&ntcnt to the world of mankinj in generni;
to the world of mankind. Nevertheless, this waiting time and and the result will be, as DrODhetiCallV stated, that “there
hooinp time is a time of more or less tribulation, not only shall be a time of trouble &h&as nevc; was s&e there was
on’ th: world, which still lies under the yoke of sin, anh a nation.” The Watchers, seeking to note whether these
untler the biindinrr influences of Satan. but also to the waiting, things have yet had a fuifiiment or not, look about them and
hoping and watch‘ing church. of whom the Apostle say?, “wk behditl on cb\‘ery hand discontent, unllxppiness ; much more>
ourselves croan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to than when the world enioved far fewer of the mercies and
wit, the deliverance [from death] of our body”-the body of blessings of 1lcavc.n. TLege latter day gifts of Providence
Chriht, of which we are members in particular.-Rom. 8:23. (preparations for the Millennial age), instead of provoking
thankfulness. gratitude
..’ and love to God, and aeneroiitv to
HOW ARE WE TO WATCH? man, produce m unregenerate hearts amtiition, $cater &\-al-
Our watching consists not in looking up into the sky,- ice. selfishness. envr. hatred. strife. and other wor!<s of thcb
“htargazing ;” for those who study the Lord’s Word to any flesh and of t6e deJi1. Yes:‘thcs wntchrrs can clmmlv disrcrn
purpc&e SC& learn that “the day- of the Lord so cometh a% the approach of the great climax of human trouble, ‘in \\llicll
lilkel a thief in the night.” and that its dawning cannot be the Scrintures distinctiv declare that all the present human
disceined with the natur<i eye. If the Lord’s people could dis- institutions shall go down in anarclly, in conflisinn. in rllnos.
cern anything by watching the sky with their natural eyes, Rut the watchers do not lnsr sight of God and his nrovltl’~ncc~.
could not the world discern the same thing? Jf the second They see that the approaching ‘social and ecciesinsiical catas-
advent nf our Lord were to be an open, outward manifesta- trophe will be the natural result of the operation of sclii+h-
tion, would no+ the world know of it jast as soon as the saints, ness under highly favored conditions: nrverthelrss, they re-
the watchers? In such event it could not be true that the member that God is at the helm, and that he is nbic to c.luse
day of the Lord should come as a thief, as a snare, unawares, the wrath of man to praise him, and the remaintltr of man’s
upon the world. while the Church would have foreknowi- wrath (which would not praise him) he ~111 restrain.-
edge thereof-not be left in darkness.-1 Thes. 5:2-4. Psa. 76 : 10.
We are to watch the sigrts of the times, in the light of The watchers look not mcrelv at the nutwald signs, as
the Lord’s Wopd, our lamp: as the apostle declares, “We have seen in the world. Thry scrutinize carefully and repeatedly
a more sure W&d of prophecy, . . : as a light shining in a their “chart,” the Bible’s nronhetic outline of the world’s his-
dark place,-until the Dav dawn.” The Gospel age has been a tory furnished by the K&g ‘himself. It is hecnuse thev see
night-time ; and the Lor&s people have been waiting for the the time of trouble outlined in the nronhetic chart that’thev
dawn of the Millennial morning, with the promise ringing in know that it is sure to come, and a;e ible in advance of o&-
their ears, “God will help her [the church], and that right ers to “discern the signs of the times,” and not to be in
early [in the morning].” (Psa. 46:5) The Word of the darkness resnectinp the “thinas to come.” It was in respect
Lord. through the prophets, has been the lamplight all through to this that’ the cord promised the watchers that the holy
this Gospel age, upon the church’s pathway; as the Lord ex- spirit should guide them into all truth, as each feature be-
pressed it through the Prophet David, “Thy word is a lamp came due, and would show them things to rome-future
unto mv feet, a lantern unto my footsteps.” (Psa. 119: 105) things-i& advance of the world’s knowledge, and in advance
The la;p of ‘the truth of revela’tion has-guided all the faith- of the facts themselves. (*John 16.13) Rut the same chart
ful. watchful nilprims in their iournev toward the Celestial which shows the downfall of all earthly institutions, political,
Cl&--the IIea;en?y kingdom. Oh: what”a comfort it has been, social and ecclesiastical. shows also that their fall is so timed
and how dreary would have been our pilgrimage without it! in the great plan of Jehovah that it shall be the very hour
“Looking back, we praise the way in which he will establish his kingdom in the hands of the
God has led us, day by day!” elect church (who then shall be a royal priesthood glorified,-
I\‘15 [2973]
 - - ___ - -
(86 -87) ZION’S 1VAT ---

priests upon their thrones,-the religious as well as the cavil 1)uring tile la‘11ol of the parousza (presence I preceding
rulers of the world), whose exaltation shall be to the rlorv of the cp~I~l~~~~/:n(hllining forth ) a certain woi k will be ac-
God and to the ble&ng of every creature. ro:upll4lec!; unknown to the world, unknown to the nominal
The watchers remember well that the King gave them church, known only to the watchers. Ah, how important to
an outline of the history of the Gospel age at the very time us the words of our Master, exhorting us to be Watchers!
that he told them to watch; intim&mgvto them that they And, by the way, this watching includes a watching of our
were to watch for the things which he therein noted. The own hearts as well as of the Lord’s \‘Vord and the outward
watchers are those who are-in harmony with the King, and signs-to insure our worthiness to be continued in the light,
who have respect to his promise, and they, therefore, do not and under the instruction of the great Teacher. “If any man
neglect the words which he spoke. And as they note this very have not the sprrit of Christ he is none of his;” therefore if
prophecy in connection with which he tells them to watch, any man lose the spirit of Christ he ceases to be his; and
thev see in it clearlv that the dav of the Lord will be ushered hence we all need to “watch” that we may, as the Scriptures
in “at the close of” this Gospel “age, secretly, quietly, unob- direct, “Keep our garments unspotted from the world,” and
trusively, “as a thief in the night, “-unawares to the world, “keep ourselves in the love of God, while looking for the
and known only to the watchers. grace [aid] of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is able to keep us
PAROUSIA VS. EPIPHANIA, APOKALUPSIS
from falling and to present us faultless in the presence of
his glory with exceeding joy.” (Jude ‘L-4) For whoever
Because not heedless, careless, indifferent servants 01 the has the spirit of Christ may be a watcher, and as a watcher
King, but faithful and earnest ones, the Watchers have scru- may know of the gracious things connected with the great
tinized every little particular which fell from the lins of him “salvation which shall be brought unto us at the revelation
who spake as never &man spake; and all the message; which he of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ ;” but whoever ceases
has sent them through his faithful apostles and prophets. to have the spirit of Christ must, of necessity, cease also to
And discriminating carefullv, thev discern that there are be a watcher, and shall be in ignorance of the things of the
three words of diitinctly dr@erent” signification, used in re- day of the Lord, like the world, of which he would then prob-
spect to the Lord’s second advent: namelv. varousia and ably be a part.
epiphaniu and apolcalupsis. Parousia is us&l in respect to As the light by which the eye of faith may discern the
the earliest stage of the second advent, while apogaZupszs parousiu, we have the “more sure word of prophecy to which
relates to the same advent later *,-not that avokaluvsis and we do well to take heed.” It has shone upon the pathway of
epiphania relate to another, or & third advent, bui merely the watchers all along through this night; but now its various
to a later feature of the second advent. These Greek words, prophetic rays have focussed and clearly indicate that we are
it is true, are somewhat obscure or hidden in the Common already living ‘h tke days of the Bon of Nan,” while, as he
Version of the Bible, and undoubtedly for a purpose. The expressly foretold, the world in general goes on as usual,
Lord’s purpose evidentlv was to keen the world and the in utter ignorance of his presence and of his harvest work
wicked in ignorance of his gracious pl& until his due time; and of the beginning of the Day of the Lord; it continues
nor did he wish the particulars to be understood by the as usual-eating and drinkmg, marrying and giving in mar-
watchers until near the time of the fulfilment. But now we riage, planting and building. It is a mistake to suppose that
are “in the time of the end,” in “the day of his preparation,” our Lord, in giving this information respecting the events
in the time in which it was foretold that then “the wise [not of the time of his presence, meant us to understand that it
the worldlywise, but the humble watchers who are wise would be wicked for the world to eat, drink, plant, build and
enough to take heed to the Word of the Lord1 shall under- marry; these are not improper things, and any such interpre-
stand.” (Dan. 12: 10) And hence, since manv-of the watch- tation is strained and faulty, and results from an utter mis-
ers are not Greek scholars, God has made gracious provision conception of the subject. Our Lord wished merely to show
through valuable helps (such as Young’s Analytical Con- that the world would be in agnorance of hzs presence “in the
cordance and the Emphatic Diaglott), so that the very hum- days of the Son of Man,” and in utter ignorance of the great
blest of his people may have a clear and discriminate under- time of trouble, or “Day of Vengeance” which the inaugura-
standing of the meaning of certain features of his Word tion of his kingdom will signify to the kingdoms of this world,
which, hitherto, have been kept hidden under imperfect trans- w&h are to be dashed to pieces as potters’ vessels. The
lations ; and these matters God himself has been bringing ignorance of the impending trouble here will be similar to
to the attention of his people, through MILLENNIAL DAWN, that of the people who lived in the days of Noah. “As it
ZION'S WATCH TOWEH. and the OLD THEOLOGY TRACTS. The was in tI[e days of Noah, so also shall it be in the days of the
watchers all over the world are being reached by these “Help- Son of Man.“-Luke 17 :26.
ing Hands for Bible Students,” which the Lord himself is As “the days of Noa!]” were not days before Noah’s time,
extending to them. neither are “the days of the Son of Man” days before the Son
By these helps, the watchers are ranidlv coming to see of Man’s presence. The days of the Son of Man are the days
that -the word “~rouszo,” in our Common Version translated of his parousza, or presence,-invisible and unknown to the
“coming,” does not mean what our Enalish word sianifies: world; known only to the watchers and seen by them only
namelyy.to be on the way, approaching; ‘but that on tvhe con: with the eye of faith. “As in the days that were before the
trary rt signifies presence. as of one who has already arrived. flood they were eating, drinking, marrying, . . . . and knew
The watchers note also that the Scriptures predicate certain not, . . . . so shall also the [parousia] presence of the Son
things respecting the Lord, and respecting his parousia (his of Man be;“-the world will simply go on about its usual
presence) which clearlv intimate that he will be vresent and affairs, and know not of the Lord’s presence.-Matt. 24:38.
aoang hts work, his g;eat work (of setting up his kingdom But why should our Lord be thus present? What will be
and smiting the nations with the sword of *his mouth) wholly his work during the period of presence preceding his epiphania
unknown to the ~uorld,---as a thief in the night. The Watch- or manifestation to the world?
ers also notice that the Scriptures clearly i;dicate that after
the Lord has done certain things during his presence (par- THE LORD’S WORK FORESHOWN IN HIS PARABLES
ousia) and unknown to the world, he will later make a 11~m- His work is clearly outlined in various of his parables,
ifestation of his presence;-a manifest.ation which will be which were given that the watchers might know-might not
discerned by all mankind: and this outward manifestation is be in darkness. The parable of the wheat and the tares shows
designated his “epiphania” which signifies “shining forth” or this period of the parousia (presence) preceding the epiphrcnicc
“bright shining.” (manifestation), and represents it as the “harvest” time of
??he watch& keep separate these two thoughts (presence this age. The Son of Man sowed the good seed, and his
and manifestation) respecting the Lord’s second coming: that servant”s followed, doing work in the fields down through the
altho really present a-spirit- being (like the angels who, we age; finally the end of the age comes when the full crop of
are told, encamn round about them that fear God and deliver wheat is ripe, and then the harvest is reaped. The parable
them, and whd are “all ministering spirits, sent forth to shows the separation of the two classes of the nominal church
minister to those who shall be heirs of salvation,” and whose during the “harvest.” For be it noted that the wheat-field ia
ministry is an invisible one) our Lord, now a glorious spirit not the entire world, but merely the professedly Christian
being. of the divine nature. will not be manifest to the nat- Dart of the world-Christendom:
A
much of the field is not yet
uralOeye during his presence-his parousti.-Psa. 34 : 7 ; Heb. sown. And the parable relates only to the wheat-field, and
1:14. Hence the necessity that the Lord’s faithful ones shall particularly to the wheat. The tares (spurious Christians)
“watch,” because they, no more than the world, can discern are dealt with only incidentallv. The tares choke the wheat,
a spirit being with their natural eyes. The watchers in due yet, nevertheless, ‘the Master will obtain a sufficiently large
time are to discern, the presence (~rousiu) of their Lord by crop, for-“All his purposes shall be accomplished.”
the eye of faith. The sleepless eye of faith will in due time The separation of the tares from the wheat, and the gath-
take note of the “sign of the Son of Man,“-the indications ering of the wheat into the garner of heavenly conditions,
of the presence of the King. precedes the work of cleaning the wheat-field of its symbolic
[a9741
 MARCIA 15, 1902 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (87-88)

tares bv svmbolic “fire:” and this entire harvest work is to conditions, to be like him, see him as he is, and share his
take place” during the &rrti~s~a (presence) of our Lord, be- glory. And since the samts have always been “the salt of
fore his epiphan~a (manrfestatlon). He is the Chief-Reaper, the earth,” we may readrly discern that the takrng away
and all the under-reaoers will work under his direction and of the salt of the earth would leave mankind proportronately
eye; and every kernel-of true symbolic “wheat” will be gath- In a deplorable condition, in which corruptron would spread
ered into the glorious symbolic “garner” by resurrection and rapidly, and this is exactly what the Scriptures indicate.
“change.” We are not, however, to understand that the Lord will
The sickle of truth will be the separating medium; and take the church away to heaven, and then come back agazn,
not until the seuaration is nearlv complete and the “wheat” and make his etiphania or apokalupsis; for that would be a
nearly all garnered into the glory of’ the heavenly nature, third advent, which is nowhere even hinted in Scriptures.
will the “fire” the great time of trouble mentioned by the The “charrae” of the church from earthlv conditions and
Prophet and ‘bv our Lord, burn and consume, symbolically, nature to hkavenly, spirit conditions and nazure, will be first
all the “tares :” so that thereafter none will make false prb- in order; and then they twain, the Bridegroom, Christ, and
fessions of beinn Christians while reallv w of the world, and the church, his bride, thus made one in nature and in henven-
possessed of its ipirit. ly, or spirit power, will commence the work of putting down
The parables of the Pounds and of the Talents cover all rule and authority contrary to the divine rule;-bringing
this same period of time. In both of these the Lord repre- all things into subjection to the heavenly kingdom, the Mrl-
sents himself as a great householder and heir to a throne, lennial kingdom. Our Lord and his church will not be absent
who has eone into a far countrv to be invested with kingly from the earth during the period of the world’s tribulation:
powers, and to return to use those powers. Departing, -he but, on the contrary, will* continue present, but invisible;
left with his servants various riches of grace and privrlege, bringing upon the world the tribulation foretold in the Scrip-
“to every man according to his several ability,” saying to tures, which will result in the humbling of the hearts of
them, “Occupy till I come.” The return of the nobleman of mankind, that they may say, eventually, “Come, let US go
the parables, unquestionably, represents the second coming up to the mountain [kingdom] of the house of the Lord,
of our Lord and Master. Now note the work due first to take that he may teach us of his ways, that we may walk in his
place upon his return as King, as shown by these parables. paths.“-Isa. 2 :3.
He does not first deal with the rebellious world,-those who This fact is abundantly proved by the Lord’s statement
would not have him to rule over them; but, first calls “his of what shall be the reward to the overcomers, a part of
02&n servants,” and reckons with them-rejecting some from which is, “He that ovrrcometh, and keep&h my words to the
further service because of unfaithfulness, and accepting oth- end, to him will I give power over the nations- and he shall
ers to a participation in the joys of the kingdom, whrch he rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall
at once establishes. they be broken in pieces: even as I have received of mv
This reckoning with the servants signifies a reckoning Father.” (Rev. 2.26, 27) Again, the same matter is -me;-
with the church first, after his return; and corresponds to the tioned by the Prophet David, saying, “This honor have all
separating of the wheat and tares, in the other parable. It his saints,-to execute the judanrents written.”
is comparatively easy for anyone to realize that this part of This, however, need not -be “understood to mean that none
the Lord’s work at his second advent is the work which pre- of the faithful members of the bodv of Christ will be in the
cedes the eyipha?zia. or manifestation to the world. It is dur- flesh during the trouble. The majority will have gone be;
ing this period that the watchers are to be aware of the yond the vail-by first resurrection change to spirit condi-
presence (parousic~) of the Lord, and of his scrutiny, or tions; but others may remain in the flesh for a time, to serve
judgment of them which will then be in progress. Only the further on this side the vail. True, our Lord has said,
faithful will know. however;--onlv thev will be “accounted “Watch ye; that ye may be accounted worthy to escape aEl
worthy to stand before the Son of “Man,‘- in that judgment ;- these thongs that shall come to oass” (TAuke 21:X) : but we
“The wicked land map not bc too certain which wav he meant we
all found unworthv shall “stumble.” uhould escape ; and we well know that there are two wavs.
slothful servants] ghall not stand in the assembly of- the
righteous.” (See Psa. 1:5 ) It is of this period of Christ’s WB might escape by avoidance of the trouble, or by being
presence, and this feature of his work. that the world is to kept from feeling its poignancv. hy “grace suflic~rent” to
be in total ignorance and “know not,“’ until, having finished enable us to reioice in tribulation. To wliic*hcvcr wav it
reckoning with his servants, and having glorified the faithful, may be the Father’s pleasure the Lord will krep his own-
the judgment of the world shall begin with “a time of trouble out of the furnace of affliction. or in the furnace heated seven
such as was not since there was- a nation.” That trouble times.-Dan. 3 :27.
is svmbolicallv pictured as a fire. and we are told bv the THE TIME OF THE PAROUSIA
Apostle that ‘ou> Lord shall be kevealed (apokalnptl-un- It will doubtless surprise many to learn that there is
covered, disclosed, made manifest) in flaming fire (judg- much Scripture proof that we are alreadv in the time of the
ments), taking veneeance. presence (parousia) of the Son of Man&hat we are-already
All .who aye watchers, all who have taken heed to “the living “in the days of the Son of Man.” At first some will
more sure word of nronhecv,” including the Master’s descrip- be inclined to say, “Where is the promise of his (varousia)
tion of the events oa “ihe &ys of the goon of Man,” can read- presence, while ail things continue as they were from the be-
ily discern that the world would not go on in its usual rou- ginning?” Peter foretold that some would thus ouestion.
tme-eating, drinking, planting, building, marrying, etc.-if being surprised at the information that we are living in the
they knew of the Lord’s presence, and the progress of the days of the Son of Man, while there is as yet no outward
“harvest” of the Gospel age. If they knew of the Lord’s manifestation of his presence, but the affairs of the world
presence, and that the reckoning with the servants had com- continue in their ordinary channels. (2 Pet. 3:4) The
menced, and that the next thing in order would be judgments answer to the question is, as we have already pointed out,
upon themselves, thev would change their usual order of our Lord’s own declaratron that in the days of his presence
affairs considerably; they would be -in great trepidation; be- the world would be eating, drinking, planting and building,
cause onlv those who are in svmnathv with the Lord and the and h-now not. That is “the promise of his presence” while
righteous” government which he -is ibout to establish, when “all things continue as they were.” Could it be more ex-
he shall lay judgment to the line, and justice to the plummet plicit ? A totally different question, however, is-
-only these can in any degree be ready to welcome him: all WHAT ARE THE PROOFS OF CHRIST’S PRESENCE?
others have the spirit of fear, and are under the blinding in- This is a reasonable inquiry. W-e would not be justified
fluences and misrepresentations of Satan. “The god of this in believing upon any slight evidence that the Lord 1s prea-
world hath blinded the minds of them that believe not, lest ent; even tho we know in advance that he is a spirit being,
the glorious light of the gospel of Christ. . . . should shine whose presence would be invisible without a miracle:-and
unto them.” Because of ignorance, therefore, the world even thb we know in advance, from the parables, that he will
would be in great fear, if they knew the fact of the begin- be present, but invisible, in the harvest time of this age, in
ning of the day of the Lord, which is to be to them the “day the time of reckoning with his servants preparatory to their
of vengeance.“* Very evidently, therefore, this reckoning glorification. We have a rieht to exnect clear. reasonahlc
vith the church and the reward of the faithful will precede ~~~u~hfor faith, before accepting any&matter which implies
our Lord’s avokaluvsis. or revealing. To use one of his own We are not, however, to ask or to expect evidences
figures, we might say that his day-or time of presence-“the to natural sight; if we are of the watchers, who have “the
day of the Lord”-will come “as a thief in the night ;” and eyes of their understanding” opened to see wonderful things
in this time he will gather his virgin church, discrimi- in the divine Word, then these eyes of our understanding
natingly, and take her as his bride to himself,-changing her must also be the eyes of our faith. Hence the true matchers
from earthlv nature and conditions to spiritual
Y I
or heavenlv 1
are to expert reasonable, satisfactory evidence for f&h, and
* see MILLENNIAL DAWN, VOL IY, “The Day of Vengeanre.” not ocular demonstrations of an invisible parousia. As the
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Apostle explains, “We walk by faith, not by sight.“-Eph. the divine Word, now due to be understood; to c&t of the
1:18: 2 Cor. 5:7. meat of present truth, “things new and old,” if they hunger
To our understanding there are strong proofs that our and thirst after righteousness and true knowledge.
Lord’s parousta began in the Autumn of 1874. We have seen
“IN THE DAYS OF TEESE KINGS”
nothing with our natural eyes; only with the eyes of the un-
derstanding, only in the light of “the more sure word of ( 1) We have a number of general prophecies, indicating
prophecy,” -do we know this, which we sincerely believe and that we are living in about the time of the Master’s second
affirm, and which is important news to all who claim to be presence. We have already referred to Daniel’s testimony re-
watchers. The fact tha‘t any watcher should have remained specting “the time of the end,” in which manv will run to pnd
in ignorance of this important event for now more than twen- fro, a<d knowledge will be increased, and” the wise under-
ty-seven years, would sclern of itself to be an indication that stand; and later. and as a result. will follow the ereat time
tie had not been properly awake to the use of his privileges of trouble foretold. Then we have the inspired -dream of
and opportunities-that he had not lreen sut&iently watrhful of Nebuchadnezzar, and its inspired interpretat‘ion by Daniel,
the sure word of prophecy to which he was instructed to take showinr the earthly governments which would bear rule over
heed; and that therefore he had been left, at least nartiallv the ea;th ;--during- tKe interim between the overthrow of the
ignorant of the impoktant things transpiring throughout thk typical kingdom of God, whose last king to sit upon the
world during these years. To this extent, many of the Lord’s throne of David was Zedekiah, and the installation of the
people have been with the world and are similarlv irmorant: true King, Immanuel, in his Millennial kin.gdom glory. These
ind- yet we may reasonably assume that the Lord”diz not ex: different governments of earth are there pictured as a great
pect all of his watching servants to discern the matter at the image ; Nebuchadnezzar’s government, the first universal
same instant of time. True, those who saw earlv have had empire of earth, being represented by the head of gold; the
special blessing for the longer time; but, as we -saw above, Mrdo-Persian Empire, which, according to history, was the
the pregaration for the knowledge of the time lies larcrelv in second universal empire, is there shown as the breast and
the tight attitude of heart-in-its humility and pos&s”sion arms of silver: the Grecian empire. which overthrew the
of thp various graces of the spirit of Christ. Persian and becamp the third univ&sil empire, is represented
Lest WC should get a misapprehension respecting this mat- by the belly and thighs of brass; the Roman empire, which
ter of the discerning the Lord’s pnrousza, we do well to take succeeded the Grecian and constituted itself the fourth uni-
heed to the parable of the ten virgins, which evidentlv was versal empire of earth, was represented in the image by the
given to throw special light upon ‘this’ point. That p&able legs of iron--strong exceedingly: and the later development
shows a false announcement of the arrival of the Brideeroom of the same Reman empire, with the intermixture of papal
in 1844, which brought to the subiect considerable repyoach, influence, is represented in the image by the feet, which were
but which, neverthel&s. was of grcai advantage, as stiriing up partly iron (civil government), and partly of clay (rcclesi-
the “virgm” class (the pure, the consecrated) tY fresh trim- astical government--Papacy) . These were to constitute the
ming of‘ the lamp of truth-investigating tge sure word of sum total of Gentile dominion; and “in tbc days of these
Dronhecv. The narable shows. alyo. that the “virpins” in kings” (represented by the ten toes of the image), *Jehovah
ken&al ‘fell aslee;; yet, never&eless, ;n due time all would be God himself would establish his kingdom--the very kingdom
reawakened by the prophetic h-raocking, and the lcaook&g of for which we pray, “Thy kingdom come ! ”
the signs of the times, which would indicate the Bridewoom’s We are all witnesses that the heavenlv kingdom has not
prese&. And the parable shows that the result will-depend set come,-that we are still under the dom’inion of “the nrince
upon how much oil (holy Spirit) the “virgins” may have in of this world”-the prince of darkness. All the effoits to
their vessels (in their own hearts), as well as in their lamps prove to us that the greedy and bloody governments of Chris-
(the Scriptures). Applying this parable. then, we may r&a- tendom, so-called. are the kingdom for which we nray. and
sonablv sunnose that some of the Lord’s true neonle have were tnught to pray, zould not-prevail; we could n&er-recog-
temporarily ‘fallen asleep on this subject of his sec&d com- nize these as Immanuel’s kingdom; they are only the king-
ine : and that the sleenina ones will include some who have doms established by antichrist, and recogniwd bv antl-
bib; spirit in their hearts: and who will be fully ready to rhrist, and named bv antichrist “Christelzdonz.” The true
welcome the Master when they shall awake; and whose lamps kingdom waits for &ablishment at the hands of him whose
will be dulv trimmed and burning and readv to enable them right it is; and he has promised that, when bc sits upon his
to dlsccrn ihe signs of hl:s prwo&a, when Lbnce their atten- throne, all his faithful ones. the “little flock” of the GOSDP~
tion iq broucht to the subiect. In harmonv with this we find age, shall sit in that throne &th him, and be 1sTocintes in ihc
that many ;iho now get n&lic on this suI;iect, come into the work and in the honor of blessing the world.
clear light of present truth much more rapidly than did some The church is not neglected in the picture of earthlv do-
in thr nast: doubtless partlv because nresent truth can now minion given tc Nebuchadnezzar, a&l interpreted by the
be presnted to them ‘throigh the @inted page more con- Pronhet Daniel. She is shown therein as a stone taken out of
cretelv than ever before. It is in the interest of this true the ‘mountain without hands (by divine power). This stone
“vir_rrin” rlnss that we now write: we have no desire to awah- represents God’s kingdom (Chri’st and the church) ; and the
en tire mnrldly; this knocking of the prophecies announcing inspired dream and explanation show that the disaster whirh
the parousia IS not for them;--besides, the worldly are so shall come to the kinidoms of this world, represented in the
Round aslee? that it will require the terrific crashing of pres- image and in the toes of its feet, would come through the im-
ent institutions. 2nd thr enrthouake shakinns of social revolu- pact, or smiting of the image by the stone. Daniel says: “A
tion to xwaken’them thorouchiy to a realiiation of the pres- stone was cut out. which. without beine in hands. smotp the
nce of the great Judge-Immjnuel. The true watchers, on imace upon his feet. . . .’ . Then was t%e iron, the clav. the
the rontrnrv, if they slumber at all, sleep lightly, being on bra&, tie silver and the gold broken to pieces together,’ and
thtx qut ri7.e of expectancy and hone for the long-waited-for became like the chaff of the summer threshing floors, and the
Briderronm. We wnuld merelv whisner in the exrs of this wind carried them away, that no place was iound for them;
claqs ‘the one word. “PnrolLsia !‘, asqn;ed that all true watch- and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain
ers (and the Lord alone kno?cetrb them that are his) will be [kingdom], and filled the whole earth.” Dan. 2:34, 35.
aroused bv that word. and trim their lamns on the subiect. The explanation is that-“The great God hath made
1s the’question asked,-What portions *of the sure word of known to the king land indirectlv more narticularlv to the
prophecy indicate that the presence ot our Lord began in the watchers] what shali come to pass hereaftkr.” “In ‘the days
Autumn of 18749 We answer that there are several lines of of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom which
prophecy which interlace and corroborate each other in this shall never be destroved, and the kingdom shall not be left
testimony; but. as might, be eunected. since the entire matter to other people [it shall have no successors, for the others
was to 6e hidden fro& the world, and “none of the wicked,” will all be destropedl : break in nieces and consume all these
but onlv the “wise” were to understand (Dan. 12:lO). and kingdoms, and ‘it - shall staid forever.” Here is a
these &se only to understand when the due time ‘would prophecy which gives a full delineation of the empires of
come,-it must be evident to all that these prophecies, while earth, to which God granted dominion during the interim
clear and forcible and positive, are nevertheless somewhat between the removal di the typical crown frc& his typical
umler cover. WP cannot here attempt to give a complete and kingdom. and the institution of the crown of riohteousness
comnrehensive statement of these DroDhecies: that has al- an$’ glo;y upon the true King, in the inauguration of the
ready been done in five volumes 8giregatiig twenty-three kingdom of heaven.
hundred pages.” Here we can only give a very brief resume, Even the surface evidences are that human empire has
leaving it for the true watchers to seek that thev mav find; nearly run its course, and that heavenly empire is nbpded to
to k&ck if they would have the door of divine revelation deliver the world from its own selfishness. But the sure
onened to them: to use the kevs which God has nrovided. if word of prophecy, if carefully scrutinized by the watcher,
t&v
____ are interested irk ppnetraiing into “the deep’ things’; of reveals still more. It shows that the next universal empire
l MILLENNIAL DAWN, VOL. x-v. will be the kingdom of God’s dear Son; and further the in-
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MARCH 15, 1902 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (89-90)

tereating fact that the total lease of power to the Gentiles is such as were “Israelites indeed,” previous to the great time
in the Scrintures known as “the times of the Gentiles.,’ and of trouble which came upon the nation, and which utterly
that these “times,, are s&en times, and that each of the seven destroyed their national polity A. D. 70. All of this is lik-
times is a period of three hundred and sixty years, and that ened to a “harvest” season, and its first garnering of the
conseauentlv the comnlete Deriod of the seven times is 2,620 wheat, and subsequent burning of the chaff. And our Lord
years: He&e the waiche&*may reckon that Gentile rule will gives instructions to us (Matt. 13) that this Gospel age of
terminate and Immanuel’s rule be fully set up in 2,520 years spiritual Israel’s favor will likewise end with a time of har-
from the time the Lord removed the diadem from Zedekiah, vest, gathering the wheat together, and ultimately destroying
saying: “Oh thou profane and wicked prince, . . . . take oft’ the tares. In the harvestinp of the fleshlv house our Lord. in
the diadem, remove the crown; I will overturn, overturn, the flesh, was the Chief-Rzaper, and hi% Apostles were ‘co-
overturn it, until he comes whose right it is, and I will give laborers ; in the harvesting of the spiritual house our Lord,
it unto hi&.‘,-Ezek. 21:25-27. The-period of overturning of a spirit being, is to be wesent as the Chief-Reaper, and mem-
the Lord’s tvnical kingdom and the removal of the crown bers of the spiritual house are also to be reaper&-some on
must correspL;d to thg period of the lease of empire to the each side of the vail.
Gentiles and be 2,520 years. And measuring this period, we ISRAEL’S PARALLELS
find that 2.520 vears will expire with the close of the year Now note the time correspondencies. The Jewish age,
1914, A. D.; and” consequently- that by that time Gentile -rule from the death of Jacob to the death of Christ, was 1,845 years
will be no more. while God’s kingdom will then hold sway.* lone-to the beginning of our Lord’s ministrv 1,841% vears
But the scrutinizing watcher will readily perceive that- it lonz, and to thi timg of the utter destructibn of thei; na-
is one thing to know the time when earthly dominion shall tion, in A. D. 70, l,SSll/, years long. Notice how the Gospel
cease, and iive place to the completed kingdom of God, while aee corresponds to this. The Gospel age did not begin with
it would be a totallv different matter to know when the o;r Lord’s birth: it began after our L&d’s death a<d resur-
“stone” kingdom would begin to smite the image upon its rection. when he commissioned his disciples to %-each the
feet, prepargtory to its de&ruction. This period of smiting Gospel ‘to every creature.” (Our Lord’s p>evious wbrk during
of the image, which nrecedes its destruction, must also pre- the three and a half vears of his mini&v d was the offerinn
cede the fuT1 ‘establish*ment of God’s kingdom .to fill the whole of the kingdom to the fleshly house, to test them, and to prove
earth. This smiting period is the period of the parousia; the that they mere unready to receive the true kingdom.) Ap-
period in which Christ is present, gathering his “jewels,,’ his plying the foreg0in.g measurements of the Jewish age to the
“elect,” and in which he will smite the nations with the rod Gospel ace, beginning at the time of our Lord’s death and
of iron and with the two-edged sword of his mouth, dashing re&rection a&l the ‘Pentecostal blessing, in the Spring of A.
them in pieces as a potter’s vessel, and preparing mankind D. 33, we find that the period of 1,8411/2 years from the death
for the royal majesty of the heavens. Let the watchers note of Jacob to the beginning of our Lord’s ministry, would
criticallv the Prophet Daniel’s explanation that it will be measure from the Spring of A. D. 33 to the Autumn of 1874;
“in the *days of these kings” (the l&ngdom represented in the and the 1,845 years of the Jewish age, from the death of
feet and toes of the image-the divisions of Papal Rome) Jacob to the rejection of fleshly Israel: ipplied here, measur-
that the God of heaven will set up his kingdom. God began ing from the Snrine of A. D. 33. would reach to the Snring
the selection of his kingdom class in the days of Civil Rome of-1878; and tile i:SSll,‘, years >rom the death of JacGb t”o
-represented by the legs of iron; he has continued the selec- the full destruction of Israel’s polity in A. D. 70, finds its
tion ever since, and the setting up or bringing of his church corresnondencv in this Gospel1 age.
s. .*
bv* mensurine 1.881% Tears
(kingdom ) into power comes toward the close of Gentile from the Sprlnz of ,4. D. 33, which would bri&lg us Xact1y
Dower. but before it ends: for it is to be “in the days of these to (Autumn) 1914 A. D.-the very year and time shown us
kings,, and not after their days. Now note the -similarity bv Daniel’s prophecv to he the full end and limit of the “Gen-
of the exnressions “in the davs of the Son of Man” and “in tile times.‘,’ dnn “this be accidental 1 Nay ; it is design.
the davs bf these kings.” and’ give both the same significance What stronger testimony could be asked by the eve and ear
and remember that, a$ we have proven, they will be the same of faith? Surely, anything plainer or clearer would be sight,
&?/s--days before the lease of Gentile power expires, in which and leave no room for faith.
the Son of Man will be present to “set up” his kingdom, THE JUBILEE PROPHECY
which shall a little latrr destroy all these Gentile kingdoms. (3) Note another prophecy, similarly bidden in type in
TYPICAL ISRAEL’S EXPERIENCES WERE PROPHETIC the Mosaic !aw.-Israel’s Jubilee Year. No one is plrpared
(2) Take another line of prophecy, concealed, and to understand this line of prophecy who has not first’ lekrned
ret very simple and ensv of appreciation when once the mind that the second coming of our Lord is not for the purpose of
irasps ‘it. ‘J!hc Scrip&es show us that the flesblv house of destroying the world, but for the purpose of blessing it ac-
Israel and all of its institutions and affairs were t&cnl”a fore- cording t-0 the promise made to Abiaham, “in thy Sied shall
shadowings of the spiritual house of Israel and its higher in- alI the families of the earth be blessed.“-with the favors lost
stitutions, better sacrifices, etc. It need not, therefore, sur- in Adam. These will be offered to all and mill be made per-
prise us to find that the length of the Jewish age-the length petual to those who will accept them on tbc terms nf the New
of the divine favor to fleshly Israel,-was typical also, and Covenant. None can see anv beautv or typical simificanre in
that it gives us the emact measwemer~t of the Gospel age,- Israel’s Jubilee, who have not learhed thai God has provided
God’s dealings with, and favor toward spiritual Israel. “times of restitution of all tbin& which arr to brain in
Jacob’s name was changed to Israel,- which signifies “A connection with the second advent’bf the Redeemer.-%; Acts
Prince with God,” and his descendants were therefore termed 3 : 19-23.
Israelites-the people of the Prince with God. Rut the anti- We find that Israel’s Jubilee vear. in which evew person
type of Jacob i$ Christ, the true Prince with God; not after and family had every lost possessi’on and all personal”lihertics
the flesh. but after the snirit: and his house is soiritual Is- restored to them, was intended to he a type of the coming time
rael. Jacob’s twelve sons’ first inherited his name’ and bless- of restitution, when a full opportunity for attaining freedom
ing, and through them it descended to all the fleshly house of from sin and from Satan, and from the hereditary weakness of
Israel; Christ’s twelve Apostles inherited his name and bless- the flesh, shall br presented to all. and when the earth shall
ing, and through them it has descended to all the spiritual again revert to the human family in general, for whom it was
house of Israel. As the typical house had a high priest, Aaron created, and for whom, after h&g lost through Adam’s trans-
so the antitypical house has a greater high priest, Christ pression. it was redeemed by Christ. We find that the Scrip-
Jesus our Lord, the high priest of our profession. As the iurer, indicate, in connection with theqr jubilees, a system of
fleshlv house had a nriesthood under Aaron. so the sniritual rountinc by multiples: and that a Juhiler of .Tuhileeq, or fifty
house has “a royal priesthood,, under Chri$t, to wh’om the times fifty pears (2,500 yearq) constitutes a Great .Tubilee
promise is made that they shall be kings and priests unto cycle and‘ that such a cycle began to count after fleshly Is-
God, who shall reign on the earth. after their present time rael had observed her last tvnical Jubilee. We find from the
of sacrificing is e;ded. So we might proceed Awith every- Scriptures, that Israel’s ninetkenth Jubilee year,-in the year
thing that fleshlv Israel had and find its dunlicate on a higher B. C. 626.-was her last. KnowinP that ihe Jubilee was a
plan:, in spirit”ua1 Israel, but we will nbt go into det’ails part of th\ law, and that nn feature of that inw. not-one jot
here: suffice it to notice further that the Jewish age or period or tittle, ran pass awav without rrarhinq a fulfillmrnt or
of fleshly Israel’s favor ended with a “harvest” period of antitype, we measure the cvcle of the Great Jubilee 2,500
forty years. This began with our Lord’s baptism, lasted gears from the date when the last tvpical Jubilee was kept
three and a half years, as a natioNa test, and when that ‘(626 B. C.), Fnd find accnrdinglv thnt the adit?ypical Judi-
nation was rejected at the time of our Lord’s crucifixion, the 1~ or (:rrat .Jnhilee of .Tnbilrrs should have hrzun in October.
harvest work proper began-a separation of the wheat from 1874. Thus,-625 years B C. plus 1875 years A. D. are
t.he chaff-a time of gathering out of that rejected nation 2,500 years. which would include the Jubilee ye&r: conse-
-“Seeleading article in issue of November 1. 1914. quently, with the end of the year 1874 (Jewish time, Octo-
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 ZION’S WATCH TOWER ALLEGHENY, Pa.

ber) , the antitvnical Jubilee of 1.000 years. instead of another secretly, quietly, stealthily, unknown;-the only ones favored
typical one yea;, was due to begin. - . with a knowledge of events transpiring on the other side of
Watchers will note carefullv the corresnondencv of this the vail being the watchers who, if they have slumbered at
date, and the charact% of the &ent to be eipected: with the all, have nevertheless, maintained a waiting attitude of readi-
finding of our previous examinations (1 and Zj, which showed ness for the announcement,-
us this very same date, October, 1874, was the time when the
“harvest” of this age was due to begin, and when the Lord ‘ ‘BEHOLD THE BBIDEC+ROOM! ”
himself. as the Chief R.eaner. was due to be wesent. The onlv This is the announcement which we are now giving-
thing Necessary to con&ct’ th& Jubilee -p’rophecy with th; Not, Behold, the Bridegroom comet%, but “Behold the Bride-
others, is the statement of the Apostle Peter in Acts 3:21, 1” already here, present, knocking gently with the proph-
which shows that our Lord must be present (at his second EiEtrnio arouse the Virgins but not to arouse the world.
advent) at the beginning of the times of restitution of all (Rev. 3 :20) This is the reAdin of the oldest Greek Manu-
things, and as already seen, these restitution times are the scripts, which omit “cometh.” %ur Lord says, “If any man
AntitvDical Jubilee times tvpified bv Israel’s Jubilees. Thus hea; my voice [knock] and open the door, I- will come in to
we hi;e two very simple bui*clear a;d very important lines of him, and sup with ham.” This message to the present La-
Scrioture testimonv which indicate clearlv that the mzrousia odicean phase of the church, intimates very clearly ( 1) that
of o;r Lord was d;e to begin in October, i874, and b&h show the “knock” and “voice” will be inaudible to natural ears,
us the character of the work which we should expect would and heard only by the ears of the understanding, the bearing
be in progress during the time of his presence, preceding his of faith; (2) that it will not be a denominational knock or
open manifestation to the world, his epiphania, his apo- call (as to Adventists. Presbvterians, etc.), but (3) that it
kalupszs. will be a knock that’ must “be heaid individually,’ and re-
THE DAYS OF WAITING ARE FULFILLED sponded to individual!y,-“any man” who hears the “knock”
or “voice,” if he so wills, may eaercise faith, open the door of
(4) Take another line of prophecy: we find that the 1,260 his understanding, and realize his Lord’s second presence.
days, and the 1,290 days, and the 1,335 days, so particularly The man who never hears the “knock” is evidently not
set forth in Daniel’s prophecy, and corroborated in Revelation, counted worthy to hear it. But those who hear are just as
have had fulfillments;-the 1,260 days ending in 1799, the evidently not compelled to respond and to accept the present,
1,290 days ending in 1829 and the 1,335 days ending in 1874. knocking King: hence he says, if the hearing one open the
Our friends known as “Second Adventists” were wont to use door, I will come in. However, only those who recognize the
these “days of Daniel,” and once applied them as we do here: “knock,” and who respond and by faith open to the Lord and
but they abandoned th?m after 1874 passed and they failed receive him as their present King-only these are to have the
to see Jesus with their natural eyesight, in a body of flesh great blessing of spiritual nourishment-the feast of “meat in
and with Calvary’s scars. They have dropped these “days of due season,” “things new and old,” which the Master promised
Daniel” entirely, because they find no way of applying them to provide at that time to strengthen the faithful for th(%
which would prolong them beyond 1874. The fault is not judgments, trials, testings and siftings which must “begin
with the days nor with their application as above; but with with the house of God.” “I will come into him, and sup
the wrong things expected. They, in common with others who with him, and he with me.“-Compare Rev. 3:20, and Luke
look for the Second Advent, err in expecting that the Gospel 12:37.
age, which has been a spirit and faith epoch, will end with As, therefore, we softly whisper-“Behold the Bride-
a”fl&h and sight deterioration ;-in expeciing -that the spirit- groom ! ” it is not with any hope of arousing the world to faith
ual kingdom of Satan will be followed bv a fleshlv kingdom in the Lord’s presence, etc. They are not worthy to know
of Chri&. But the watchers amongst the Adventists as-well and would only misuse the knowledge now. By and by, in the
as in other denominations are gettmg the eyes of their under- Lord’s due time, they shall know-in the period of the
standing opened by the anointing of the promised eyesalve.- epiphania and apokalupsis of the Son of Man. They will be
Rev. 3:18. awakened by the great crash of the day of trouble. We do,
It was concerning this last period that the angel declared however, promulgate the message, “Behold the Bridegroom
to the Prophet, “Oh, the blessedness of him that waiteth, and [present] !” with the confident expectation that all who are of
cometh to the 1,335 days. . . . . Thou shalt rest, and stand the “Virgin” class (the pure, the justified and consecrated),
in thv lot at the end of the davs.” What blessedness 4 We will be permitted to hear the message, will be aroused by it,
anew&, a joy of heart and rejoi*cing to the watchers is what and will trim their lamps (examine the Scriptures, investi-
is here intimated. It is since this date, October., 1874, where gate the subject), and find the message true, before the “door
Daniel’s 1.335 davs intimated that a areat blesszno would be- is shut” and the great trouble begun. We well know, how-
gzn; wherk the Jkbilee types indicatei that the r&tztution of ever, from the Lord’s prophetic parable, that among those
all things would begin (which implies the second presence of who will be aroused to investigation, there will be two classes,
the Great Redeemer), and where the parallehsm of the two because there are both wise and foolish “Virgins.” The wise
houses of Israel shows that the second presence of our Lord are those who have not onlv consecrated their all to the Lord.
as the Great Reaper is due;-from this date a great blessing but who are living accordiLgly,-not unto sin, nor unto self;
has come to the watchers. Since then the Word of God has nor unto sectariamsm, but unto the Lord: these, as intimated
opened before us in a most marvelous manner. Since then in the parable, will find no difficulty in trimming their lamps
the sure word of prophecy as a lamp to our feet has shown us and recognizing the pesertce of the Bridegroom. But the
many evidences &at -we a’re in the eid of the age. Since then foolish Virgins, overcharged with the cares of this life, or the
the day-star has been rising in the hearts of the Watchers deceitfulness of riches (wealth, reputation, influence, etc.),
and has illuminated our minds, releasing us from the terrible will not have within themselves (“m their vessels”) a suffi-
nightmare of error respecting- eternal -torment, revealing to ciency of the oil (holy. spirit) ; and consequent!y they will
us the true character of our heavenlv Father, making .I _plain to be unable to get the light in time to go in with the wise
us the necessity for the great atonement for sin, and showing virgins before the elect number shall be completed, and the
us distinctly the object of the permission of evil, and reveal- door of opportunity to become part of the bride of Christ
ing, one bv one, various features of the divine plan,-the high shall forever close. True, they will later obtain the oil, as is
cajiing of”the church to the divine nature, ana to joint-herr- shown in the parable, but too late to be t,he “little flock” who
shio with Christ in his Millennial kingdom. and the resulting shall be acrounted worthy to share the kingdom, and to es-
bleising of restitution to human perf&tioi for the world df cape the great time of trouble coming upon the world: the
mankind in general. Ah, yes! all who have been brought “out foolish virgins will be obliged to pass through the trouble
of darkness into this marvelous light” can appreciate the with the world, and will share thus in its distress, repre-
words of the angel, and heartily say, Blessed are our ears, fol sented in the parable by the words, “wailing and gnashing of
they hear, and our eyes, for they see, for many prophets and teeth.”
many righteous persons have desired to know these things,
and have not known them. PAROUSIA IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
(5) We might refer to other prophecies and types in the The word paro-usia occurs in the following texts of the
Scriptures, which show that we are living in the “harvest” New Testament in each of which it should be properly trans-
times of this age, in the parousta of the Son of Man, but our lated “presence:“-
space forbids. The fact that this world, as he predicted, con- “What shall be the sign of thy presence?“-Matt. 24:3.
tinues in its usual course, eating, drinking, planting and “So shall also the presence of the Son of Man be.“--Matt.
building, etc., and knows not of his presence, so far from being 24:27, 37, 39.
an evidence against these prophetic testimonies, quite to the “They that are Christ’s at his prese~occ.“---1 Cor. 15:23.
contrary, shows us that the fulfillment is coming, just as the “What is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are
Master predicted: that the day of the Lord, the day of his not even ye, presented before our Lord ,Jesus Christ at his
presence, has come upon the world as a thief in the night, presencetYiil ‘rhes. 2 : 19.
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That “he may establish your hearts unblamable in holi- of “harvest” beforehand, and shall share in the revealment.3
ness before God. even our Father. at the Dresence of our Lord “That the trial of your faith . . . . might be found unto
Jesus Christ.“Ll Thes. 3: 13. ’ - praise and honor and glory at the appearang apokalupszs-
“We which are alive and remain unto the presmce of the revealment] of Jesus Christ.“-1 Pet. 1:7.
Lord shall not precede them which are asleep.“-Thes. 4: 15. “For the earnest expectation of the creature [mankind]
“Be preserved blameless unto the presence of our Lord waiteth for the manitestatian ravokaluvsis-revealinal “- of the
Jesus Christ.“-1 Thes. 5 :23. sons of God [the church] .“‘-Ram. 8 : lb.
“Now we beseech you, brethren, by [respecting] the pres- “The same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire
ence of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our gathering together and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even
unto him.“---2 Thes. 2 : 1. thus shall it be in the day ‘when the Son of Man is revealed
“Then shall be revealed the lawless one, whom the Lord [apokalupsis].” (Luke 17:29, 30) That is to say, the judg-
Jesus shall slay with the breath of his mouth! and bring to ments of the coming “time of trouble” as predicted, will be-
nought bv the manifestation [epiptiia] of his presence.“- gin as soon as the “salt of the earth.” the saints. have all
2 Thes. 2”:s. See R. V. - - - &en changed; and thus the Son of iIian will be ;eveal& a
“Be patient, therefore, brethren, unto the presence of the present Judge, who already had for some time betn present
Lord.“-James 5 : 7. sealing and gathering his “elect.”
“Be ye also patient, establish your hearts; for the presence PRESENCE GRADUALLY REVEALED
of the Lord draweth nigh.“--James 5 :8. Foregoing we drew the line of distinctlon between the
“There shall come in the last davs scoffers [in the church] parousia and the epiphania or apokalupsis of our Lord, quite
walking after their own lusts [desires], and saying, Where sharply, to assist the reader in noting their difference of slg-
is the promise of his presence?“-2 Pet. 3 :3, 4. nificat,lon. As a matter of fact, however. the hrrght ,sll~l~rg
The word parousia is properly translated (“presence”) in of the present One is due to begin shortlv after the warousia
2 Cor. 10: 10. and Phil. 2:12. begins:‘ and again as at the firct advent “it will be tiue that
EPIPHANIA IN THE NEW TESTAMENT “the Lizht shin&h in the darkness. and the darkness comure-
The Greek word epiphartia signifies bright shining or ntM1- hendeth- it not.” The ievealmg of’the Lord’s presence b&s
ifestntion. It is rendered “appearing” and “brightness,” and with the faithful of the church speedily, and gradually ey-
occurs as follows:- tends to the world in general. Up to the time when the
“Keen this commandment without snot unrebukable until strength of the trouble breaks forth, only the faithful watch-
the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which in his times ers discern the parousia, and only by them can the bright-
he shall show. who is the blessed and onlv Potentate. the shining of the Lord’- s presence be appreciated. To these the
King of kings’ and L&d of lords.“-1 Tim. %:14, 15. ’ bright-shining of the Lord’s presence, the incrcascd brilliancy
“I charge thee, therefore, before God and the Lord Jesus of the light of truth resuectine the Word and character and
Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appea+ plan of God, is an ever increa:ing joy and pleasure: thus it
~ng and his kinadorn.“- Tim. 4 :l. is that “ve. brethren. are not in darkness.” rcsoectimr the
“There is laid UD for me a crown of righteousness. which events of ‘the day of the Lord, but know in’advance that its
the Lord, the righteous judge shall give mewat that day; and tribulation will come upon the world as travail upon a woman.
nnt be me only, but unto all them also that love his appear- -1 Thes. 5:3, 4.
znc.“-2 Tim. 4:8. While the revealment of our Lord’s presence thus illumin-
” “Looking for the blessed hope, and the glorious appealing ates the hearts of his faithful ones as the Day-star (2 Pet.
of the rreat God and our Savior Jesus Christ.“-Titus 2:13. 1:19) and causes them to understand, and not be in darkness
“Then shall the wicked one be exposed. whom the Lord with the world in respect to his plans, present and future, the
shall consume with the spirit of his mbuth,‘and shall destroy bright-shining of the Lord’s presence shall affect nominal
with the brightness [epiphan;ia--bright shining] of his com- Christians, and the civilized world in general, ~1140,but in a
ing [purousia-presenoe] .“-2 Thes. 2 : 8. totally different manner; for the character of Christ’s “har-
APOKALUPSIS IN THE NEW TESTAMENT vest” work during this period of his prcsenre, is such as to
The Greek words avokaluasis and avokaluvto sianifv re- cause a general oneninn of eves alone the lines of iuytice and
wnlnlent, zcncozering, *unve&g (as of a th\ng p‘;evibusly injustice, righteousness and “sin, the rights of m,;nkinrl and
present but hidden). The name of the last book of the Bible the wrongs of mankind. The light whlcb has been shinina
IS from the same root--Apocalypse or Revelation. :tpold- out for the past twenty years is” awake&g the world to g
upsia is rendered revealed, -rev&&an, appearing, coming aad realization of its rights and its wrongs; to a realization that
manifestation, in the following texts which relate to the the earth belongs to mankind in Lreneral and not exclusivelv
Lord’s second presence and power and glory, as these shall be to a few who have seized it and ‘fenced it. This same ligh’t
made known.-uncovered or revealed to the world. Manv of is exposing the corruption and falsity of many long-venerated
these texts also show that when he shall thus be revealed: his theories and institutions, religious, political, soci*rl and finnn-
church will be with the Lord and be revealed or manifested cial. It was in reference to this lifiht of his pre3ence at the
at the same time and in the same manner. second advent that our Lord declared that this t1.1~ of his
‘The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be presence would bring to light the hidden things of darkness,
comnared with the Q elorvI which shall be revealed in us.“- and make manifest the secret counsels of the heart -for there
Ram. 8:lS. is nothing hidden that shall not be uncovered. (Luke 8~17)
“Rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s suffer- And in this cnnnertinn let it not be overlooked that the Apos-
ings; that when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad tle declares that Satan’s power to deceive the wnrld through
also with exceeding joy.“-1 Pet. 4:13. antichrist is to he consumed by “the bright-shining [epzpha-
“An inherrtance incorruptible. and undefiled, and that nia] of his wresence Jwarousial.“-2 Thes. 2:s.
fadeth not away, reserved in’heavkn for you, who are kept by Thus seen: the bri$t-shinini of the prcwnt One is c~us-
the Dower of God throueh faith unto salvation readv* to be ing great joy to the hearts of the faithful, who wait patiently
reveiled in the last timz’-1 Pet. 1:4, 5. for him and for the deliverance which he his promised: but
“A partaker of the glory that shall be revealed.“-1 Pet. the bright-shining, as it affects the worldly, has the effect of
5:l. quickening their selfish propensities, prnducinq discontent,
“Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the dav and is thus preparing the world for the great climax of cntas-
shall decl”are it; because it shall be revealed by fire.“-- 1 Co;. trophe, predicted in the Word of the Lord. as the consumma-
3:13) Here the reference eridentlv is to the testimrs of the tion of this aye;--the overthrow of all the-governments and
Lord’s people during the period of “his presence in the end of institutions of this present order of things, in anarchv,-“a
the age. The Apostle’s n-ords thus agree with our Lord’s time of trouble such as was not since there was a nation.”
prophecy of thr same testings, saying that “there is nothing We noticed that it was predicted 2,FiOOyears a?o through
covered thst shall not be revealed”-uncovered.-Luke 12:2. the Prophet Daniel, that “in the days of these king?’ the rrp-
“‘Hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto resentatives of the fourth universal empire, Rome (ecclcsinsti-
you at the rcaelntimz of Jesus Christ.“-1 Pet. 1:13. callp conglomerated, shown in the feet and toes of the image),
“The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven . . . .in the God of heaven would cause the kingdom of God to smite
flaming fire [judgments against all unrighteousness], taking the image upon its feet,-to utterly crush it; and that it
vengeance.“-2 Thes. 1:7. 8. would he after smiting the image that God’s kingdom. rrpre-
“So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the com- Rented bv the stone, would wax great and fill the whole earth.
ing [apokalupsis-revealment] of our Lord Jesus Christ.“- As we have just shown, we are now in this time in which
1 Cnr. 1:7. [The Lord’s people will need to keep active, the kingdom of God is exerting its force against the kingdoms
watching and waiting for the great blessing until the mani- of this world: the Kin,g himself is oresent, must be present
festation or revealment of the Lord; but if watchers, they before he could destroy present kingdoms and take their
shall be made aware of his presence (parouti) and the work power ; he is already exerting the influences which will event-
CL?9791
(93) ZION’S WATCH TOWER ALLEGHENY, PA.

uate in their destruction; and he is prepared, backed by all the hearts of the class addressed, which elsewhere he styled
the Dower of God. aulcklv to establish uuon their ruins his “hypocrites, whited walls and sepulchers, full of all manner
own glorious kingdloh, co&isting of himself the King, and his of corruption.”
faithful 011~s of the Gospel church as his bride and joint- “THAT WHICH IS BORN OF THE SPIRIT IS SPIRIT”
heir. We call to mmd also our Lord’s explanation of spiritual
The influence exerted by our prrsent Lord, the Light, the things to Nicodemus, m which he declared plainly that only
Truth, is already breaking the power of ignorance and super: those who are born again can either enter into, or see the
stition, which for long centuries has held the masses of man- kingdom of God. (John 3 :3, 6) Nor does this refer merely to
kind in subserviency to Papacy; and the same bright-shining the begett?ng of the spirit, as at consecration; it includes also
is likewise dissolving the lighter shackles of ignorance and the bzrth of the spirit m resurrection-“born from the dead.”
error forged for their faithful by the various sects of Prot- The Apostle Paul gives the same assurance, saying, “Flesh
estantism. Ultimatelv. all sunerstition and false reverence and blood [human nature] cannot inherit the kingdom of
will be dissolved, anti false insiitutions ~111 fall; then will be God.” Hence he informs us that all those who &all be
manifest the fact that error and falsehood and fear never sharers of that heavenlv kingdom must be “changed” from
truly sanctifv the hPnrt,-and the world of mankind being re- human, or flesh conditions to” spirit conditionp,. f&m weak-
lea&l tt on1 it, s(*r\ 1II ty’ to fc,\r will spcedlly mamfrst its-true ness to power, from animal to spiritual conditions.-1 Cor.
charnctcl of sclfishncrs and ungodliness, and will speedily 15:42-44.
prec*ipltate the great trouble predicted. One matter whici, more than anv other seems to hinder
IjIlt it wonid be a mistaGe to suppose that the puromsia the Lord’s people from grasping thi”s subject clearly is, the
of our Lord is merelv or chieflv in connection with the world prevalent but mistaken view which is entertained respecting
and its preparation “for the ihaos of the present order of the resurrection of the dead. We shall not attempt to dls-
thimzs. On the contrarv. the chief work of the Lord durine CUSS this subject at length here, and we shall omit entirely
this-period of his par-o&a is for and in connection with h& reference to the world’s resurrection. which will be to human
church. As we saw above, he foretold that on his return he conditions, nature, etc. : but it is necessary that we notice
will reckon with his servants, to whom he entrusted the something respecting “the first [chief, best, highest] resul-
pounds and talents, before manifesting his wrath against evil- rection,” which Dertains onlv to Christ Jesus and ttlc rhurc*h,
doers in the trouble of this “dav of ven-neancc.“-in the slaugh- which is his bddy-the kirigdom class. These all are sacri-
ter of all who would not havevhim to Teign over them. ThYat ficers. who “Dresent their bodies living sacrifices. holv and
slaughter time, in which all who will not accept the reign of acceptable to * God.” In view of this s&rifice of ‘the huma?&
rqhteousncss will be destroyed flom among the people nature, the gift of God in exchange is, to these, a spmtctal
(Acts 3:23), begins with the burning of the “tares” in the nntztre.-and hence they are termed “new creatures.” Their
end of this age, when there shall be great trouble, “weeping exaltation in nature is” very high: lifted out of the human
and mashing of teeth;” and to some extent it will continue nature, which is a little lo&r than that of an-aels (the low-
thro@hout zhhr I\llllen;lial age; for all the way to the very est order of spirit beings), they are to be exalTed to the na-
last (Isa. 65:20: Acts 3:23: Rev. 20:8. 9) all who wilfullv
, I

ture and likeness of their Lord, “far above angels, principnli-

oppoxk the Lord will perish. ties and powers:” and to be made Dartakers of the highest
The kingdom which we are expecting, and which we be- form of the spirit nature; namely. tlie divine nature, with its
lieve is now in Droress of establishment, and iq soon to smite wonderful Deculiaritv.-immortaiitv. or inherent life.* - 2
the kingdoms of this world and to supplant them, is not an Pet. 1:4. A “’
earthly kingdom. but a heavenly one; not a fleshly king- The one point which more than any other seems to con-
dom, but a spiritual one: not a kingdom which will fuse the student of this subject, is our Lord’s resurrection.
be visible to the natural eye, but an inviiible yet powerful They note the fact that he appeared in a body of flesh and
kingdom. We find nothimz m the Scriptures to corroborate bones. after his resurrection. and thev therefore conclude that
the< thought entertained bf some that tdis Gospel age having he still has a body of flesh gnd bone; bearing all the scars of
begun in the spirit, is to culminate in a reign of Christ and Calvary; hence, In thinking of his second advent they in\n-
his church in the flesh with an earthly throne, etc. Quite to riably expect it to be another advent as a human bpmg (in
the contrary, thr King and his joint-heirs, .the church, as flesh and bones), “a little lower than the angels ” These (IX-
spirit beings, will have a spiritual empire, though their sub- pectatlons are wrong, as we shall show from the Scrlpturtj+.
jects, to whom they will offer the blessings of the restitution Our Lord after his resurrection was a spirit being. and hi3
purchased at Calvary, will be men in the flesh, whose highest manifestations of himself to his disciple: in van&s firJ11y
hope and amhition will be restitution to the mand perfection bodies then. were similar exactlv to manifestations made Ije-
of I the human nature lost in Eden, redeem& at dalvary,- ”

fore he heeccnlc the ~9% Chrzst Jesus, while he still pnssesscl

an earthlv imare of the heavenlv Father. We hold that Christ the glory which he had with the Father before the world \\as;.
and his &ints ‘during the Millehnial age will be no more vis- -the glorv of a spirit being. For instance. are we not D‘lr-
ible to mankind than is the Prince of this world, Satan, whose titularly thld that &the Lord-and two angels’appeared as ;nrn
associates in the misrule of the present evil world, the fallen in bodies of flesh and blood and bones. and in ordinarv hun~an
angels, are likewise invisible. garb, to Moses, not in a bodv of flesh, but “as a flame of fire”
“THE EINGDOM OF HEAVEN COMETH NOT WITH in a bush which apparently “burned, and from which he spokt
OBSERVATION” to Abraham and Sarah? And the record is that “thev did eat
The Pharisees at the first advent made the mistake of and talk with Abraham.” On another occasion the ‘Lord ap-
supposing that the kingdom which Christ proclaimed would peared to Moses. We contend that such a power to appear in
be a visible kingdom, composed of himself and his followers anv kind of a bodv is a Dower which in the Dast was consid-
in the flesh: and seeinp no armv or other evidences of tem- erably used in cdmmunicating the divine Gill to mankind,
poral power ‘for the es&blishmenc of an earthly kingdom, they and that it. is discontinued now, only because the canon of
thought to expose the hollowness of our Lord’s claims before divine revelation is complete, so that in it the man of God
his followers, bv asking him the question;-When will your is thoroughly furnished &to-every good word and work, and
kingdom of God appeal?---when will we $ee it? Mark “well needs no suecial message or revelations.-2 Tim. 3: 17.
our Lord’s reDlv. which. if the Pharisees had understood it.
L II
In reading the narrative of our Lord’s appearance to his
might have been a great revelation to them. He answered; disciples after his resurrection, the fact seems generally to
“The kingdom of God cometh not with observation.” HOW
be overlooked that he appeared only a few times, in all,” and
strange they must have thought this answer! The king- that these visits were alwavs brief. and that between these
dom of God, then, would be a kingdom which could not visits after the day of his re&recti&, there were long periods
be observed or seen:-an invisible kinedom. But our Lord of days and weeks in which the disciples saw nothing of him.
continued the explanation and increase2 their peiplexity by It is penerallv overlooked, also. that he aDDeared in various
adding, “Neither shall ye say, Lo here! or Lo there!” (Luke forms,- one of which was’ identical with iGe body that was
17 :21) Then our Lord gave the key to the matter by adding, crucified, because Thomas had said he would not believe un-
“Because the kingdom of heaven is [to be] in the midst of less he could have such a demonstration. Even then our
you.” That is to say, when the kingdom of heaven shall come Lord rather upbraided Thomas, assuring him that there was a
it will be amongst mankind, evervwhere Dresent. but wholly still greater blessing in store for those who ask not for such
invisible; so that they cannot observe it with the’natural eye, <I

ocular demonstration.
.,

It is generally forgotten that none of

nor can they point it out or locate it, although it will be the world ever saw our Lord after his resurrection, bllt
everywhere present amongst men; an omnipresent and omnip- merely his disciDles. to whom. it is said. he “showed hlmself.”
oten‘t rule, br reign of righteousness. In -our Common Vei- This -was in h&m&y with ‘his statement made before his
sion the true thought is obscured bv the words “within VOU.” death. “Yet a little while and the world se&h me no nto+e.”
which would betted be “among yo;.” Anyone, however; can -John 14 : 19.
see that it could not have been our Lord’s intention to say
that the kingdom of God was then or ever would be within l Send for our tract, “The Hope of Immortality,” samples free.
[29801
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The change of nature which our Lord experienced in his Heavenly Father is, and as our Lord Jesus was after his
resurrection was no less a step upward from the earthly to resurrection ; and when it is remembered that this church
the heavenly condition, than was the change of nature which constitutes the kingdom of God, the “royal prlesthood,” which
he experienced at his birth a step downward from the heaven- is to rule and bless the world during the hlillennial age, our
ly to the earthly condition, called “humbling hi??zself,‘: laying Lord’s words to the Pharisees are quite intelligible,---“The
aside his glory. As he laid aside the glory of his splrlt .bemg kingdom of God cometh not with observation-neither shall
to become a man, so he, in turn, laid aside his humanity in ye say, Lo here! or, Lo there! for behold, the kingdom of
death in order to assume the glory and dignity of the divine God is in the midst of you”-a nresent but invisible authority,
nature, “far above.” Concerning the change which he expe- government, rule of r”ighteousness.-Luke 17 :21.
rienced at his resurrection, the Apostle declares, “God hath THEY KNEW NOT TIiE TIME OF THEIR VISITATION-
highly exalted him.” It should be manifest to all that, since LUKE 19:44
our Lord left his rich condition as a spirit being, and hum- Our Lord reproved the teachers of Israel because they did
bled himself and became comparatively poor in the taking of not discern the signs of the times; because they “knew not
the human nature, that this was for some particular reason the tzme of their visitation.” His words imply that tbelr lg-
and object, and that, when that object would be accomplished, norance was a mark of carelessness and unwortbmess, and
the ric’hes of the spiritual condition would be fully restored of divine disfavor. He said: “Ye can discern the face of the
to him. But instead, the general thought is that our Lord sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times’!” There
Jesus is not only encumbered in heaven with a body of flesh, was a reason, and the realization of that reason might have
wholly unsuitable to heavenly conditions, but that, in addi- meant, to some at least, a correction of it--a draw%g near
tion to this, that body of flesh has all the marks of mental to God to be taught of him. So now in the time of our Lord’6
and physical suffering which it received through contact with second presence we find the world largely increasing in wis-
sin and sinners as our ransom price. dom along various lines, and many hearts in perplexity and
Such a view is dishonoring to the heavenly Father; for wonderment looking for those things \vhich arc coming upon
it should not be supposed that he would tolerate a loss to all the world, their hearts failing them for fear of the impend-
eternity on the part of his well beloved One, because of his ing dissolution of the social structure in anarchy, and yet none
faithfu’lness and obedience to the divine will. The Scripture are so blind respecting the times in which ne hve and the
declaration is to the contrary; namely, that our Lord was great changes impending, as the leaders of religious thought.
“made flesh,” took upon him our nature “jar the suffering of They are blinded bv their false theories. They have de-
death ;” and not to be encumbered with fleshly conditions to clared “that the Lord’s”commission to his church i”s that she
all eternitv. Besides. if our Lord must bear the scars of his should convert the world into a kingdom of God, and thus
wounds to all eternity, the implication would be that his peo- bring about the reign of righteousness; and they are so de-
ple would also bear all their blemishes and scars to all etern- termined that their theories must not fail that tllev cannot
ity. Surely, if such were the divine arrangement, that which see what is rapidly becoming apparect even to the ‘;vorldly ;
is perfect would never come,-we should be encumbered with namely, that the numbers even nominally convelted every
the imnerfect forever.-1 Cor. 13:lO. year are increasing far less, proportionately, than the natural
m’hkn we get the correct view of this matter, every dif- increase of the world’s population: so that if they had mil-
ficultv-i and obiection ceases. As the Scriptures declare, so it
--~ lions of years before them, the conversion could never be
wns : “He w& put to death in flesh, hk was quickened in hoped for; but at the end of millions of years, true Chris-
sp?rit.” “Tho we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now ti&nity could not expect to claim as large d percentage as at
henceforth know we him no more [so].” (2 Cor. 5: 16; 1 Pet. I
nresent. Their theorv also blinds them to the fact that much
Y

3: 18) It was at his resurrection that he became the second of the increase of church membership in civilized lands is
Adam-“the last Adam, a quickening spirit.” (1 Cor. 15:45) merely for popularity’s sake, and for the sake of worldly
“Now the Lord is that spirit.” (2 Cor. 3: 17) After ap- prosperity, social standing, etc., and not the result of love
pearing to his disciples under various peculiar conditions for God and righteousness, nor significant of a consecration
after his resurrection, and in various bodies, the Lord in- to walk in the “narrow way” of self-denial. self-sncrlfice, etc.
variably va?~~hed,-as’ soon as he had communicated to them The worldly, therefore, are really in a bcttcr condition to
the appropriate lessons, causing, as they declared, their hearts discern the sicns of the times than manv nreiutliced nominal
to burn within them. He appeared in these various forms Christians. gut none can ace these tili&s” from the true
for two reasons:- standpoint except as they take that standpoint, and it is only
(1) They could best receive his instructions under such granted to those who are fully consecrated to the Lord and
renditions. for, if he had appeared to them in the glory of Gho hearken to his Word. !l%ese shall not be in darkness,
his spirit ‘being, and had peifbrmed a miracle upon their eyes the Lord will not hide from them either his crood purI)oscs
bv which thcv could have discerned his spiritual glory, they as respects the blessing of the church and, su’l&cqu&tly, of
should have bhen too much affrighted to ha<e benefit‘ed bjr what the world, or his purposes respecting the cbastiscmcnt of the
he would have said. world in a great time of trouble, preparatory to its blessing,
(2) Thev were still natural men, not fully begotten of which will come after it has been humbled.
the holv spirit. because Pentecost was not yet come (John “THE DEAD IN CHRIST SHALL RISE FIRST”
7:39; Acts 2:1-4)) and hence they were unprepared to under- The chief work of our Lord during this “harvest” time,
stand sniritunl thinrs : “for the natural man receiveth not the and especia!ly in the forepart of it (when he c:llls his faith-
things ;,f thr spirit”oi God, neither can he know [appreciate] ful servants of the Gospel are and reckons wltb th<Brn and
them, because they are spiritually discerned.“-1 Car. 2:14. rewards them), respects his church as a whole, and not mcre-
The Apostle Paul was the only one of the discipies who ly its living memb;rs. And here we should .note the Apos-
saw the Lord “as he is.” He tells us that the Lord’s real tle’s statement respecting this time and work. He informa
spiritual presence, so far from being fleshly, or human-like, us that the Lord’s dealings during this harvest mill be first
shone nith a brightness “above the brightness of the sun at with “the dead in Christ.” savinp. “Lye which are alive and
noantlny.” The effect upon Paul’s eyes was serious; and, we remain tb the coming [p;esen>e]“bf the I,ord, shill not pre-
map rpndilv hcl~cvc the effects remained with him to his dying vent [precede] themYwh’lch are asleep [those of the ch&ch
day, notwithstanding the miraculous removal of the callous already dead], . . for the dead in Christ shall rise first.”
scale<, which pcarmitted him to see, tho indistinctly. Very (1 Thes. 4:15, 16). Taking this statement in connection
cvitlent1.v n:.lr Lord’s design was to educate his apostles up to with our Lord’s narable. it means that the faithful slcrninlr
the thought of his resurrection; and, also, to the thought I

in death will be resurrected. reckoned with, rrwartletl, before

of his rc,surrection being not to former conditions. limited the reckoning with and re>iarding of the living member3 of
by the flesh, but to new conditions, in which he (as he had the church begins. Accordingly, if it be true. as we have
alreadr esplxined to Nicodemus) could come and go like briefly presented it, foregoing,---that we are now living “in
the wind, and nnne could know whence he came nor whither the davs of the Son of hfan.” and that his wresencc? beean
be ncnt: he could appear in one body or in another body; or in the “Autumn-of 1874, then ‘we should also dfheve that The
bc nrerent with them without their being aware of it. iust as rcsurrcction of the saints which “were asleep” was due, and
“thk angel of the Lord enrampeth round>bout them thkt fear took nlace at some oeriod not long after our Lord’s warous~a
him,” yet is invisible to them, because he is a spirit being. began: And we a& able to fix upon a date for this with
“WE SHALL BE LIKE HIM FOR WE SHALL SEE HIM comnarative certaintv. altho the entire matter is invisible
AS HE IS” to Natural eyes andO&an be discerned onlv vith the eye of
When the right conception of our Lord in his glorified faith and by the light of our lamp, the S&iptures.
condition is gained. and when the Apostle’s statement is re- Our lamp, as we have already seen, shows us that tho
membered, &at hi?’ church shall be like him, and “see him as Jewish age was in every particular a pattern, or illustration of
he IS.” it is comparatively easy to understand thnt the entire this Gospel age; and keeping this in mind, we can judge
glorified church will be as invisible to the world as the something respecting the order of the divine arrangement
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in the “harvest” of this age, from the order of the divine
arraneement in the “harvest” of the Jewish age. Observing
the Jgwish age, we find the first three and a halve years of their
“harvest” were devoted to the simple announcement of the
Master’s nresence. and an offer to the nominal church then
living ; and that ‘they ended by the rejection of the nominal
church at the time of our Lord’s death: and that afterward
while their nominal system, or church was ignored, the Israel-
ites indeed were called out of it into fellowship with the Lord,
through his snirit. We note also, that it was at the very
ner in which none of the preceding members of this same class
were blessed; namely, in that their death will not interrupt
their works, which will continue right along, the labor and
weariness alone ceasing, the work itself continuing under more
glorious and more favorable conditions.
This means that since 1878 the fully consecrated of the
Lord’s people, those who are completely “dead with him,”
will not sleep in death. as has been necessary with all the
preceding members of the body of Christ throughout the Gos-
Del aee: it means that from 1878. onward. the dead. who die
-2 , I

time Gf the rejection of the Jewish house that our Lord as- in the Lord, will in the moment of dying experience their
sumed before them. tvoicallv. his office of King, and rode “change,” or share in the first resurrection-in a moment,
upon the ass as the I&g or ‘the Jews: and looking for the in the twinkling of an eye, pass from mortality to immortali-
time when our Lord, in the end of the age should ty; from weakness to power; from dishonor to glory; from
assume his full regal Dower and authority as the King of natural to spiritual condition.
kings, we find it shuould be at the corresponding date in-this It is to this that the Apostle referred when he said, “Be-
“harvest:” namelv. in the Snring of 1878. And as the first hold, I show you a mystery; we shall not all sZeep, but we
work oft ‘our Lord,’ after taking zhe kingly office, in the typi- shall all be ch&ged, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye,
cal “harvest,” was to reject the nominal house of Israel, that at the last trump.” To our understanding. the last trump.
he might begin the work of gathering out of it the Israelites the seventh of the series of symbolical trumpets, began cn
indeed, so we understand that in the present harvest trme 1874, just before our Lord took to himself his great power
the first work of our King is the rejection of the nominal and began its exercise-began his reign: its sound is to con-
Gospel house of Sons,-to the the intent that he may gather tinue intil the close of the Millennial age, a thousand years.
out of it the “wheat,” his “elect,” from one end of the ecclesi- This “chanee” “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eve,”
astical heavens to the other. (Matt. 24:31) This rejectionthat is to &cur to the living ‘members of the b;;dy of Christ,
of- the nominal church, and the call to his ‘people to ““Come will indeed be a momentary change as respects each indi-
out of her,” we understand to be symbolically styled the fallvidual after he shall have rendered his accounts before the
of Babylon, and the spewing out of Laodicea. See Rev. 3:16; great King, and been accepted of him as a joint-heir in the
18 : 2-4. kingdom: but it does not imnlv that all of these will be
Here, then, we have an indication of the time when the chagged ‘in the same moment: “Quite to the contrary, the
x
iudgment
-
of the Lord’s servants was due to begin, represented judging of the living members of the church, the going in of
in the parable by the king’s calling to himself his own serv- the wise virgins in the end of this age, will be a gradual
ants to hear their renorts: and in the light of the Apostle’s work; it has-already been in progress for over twenty years,
statement just noticed, namely, that the -living will nbt pre- and is not vet finished. It will include the reiection of the
cede those that are asleep, it is clear that at that time, and “foolish virgins,” and the utter casting out of “any who may
before the reckoning with the living began, “them that sleep,” take off the “wedding garment” of Christ’s righteousness, as
“the dead in Christ,” were awakened, granted a part in the shown in one of the parables.
first resurrection-raised in glory, honor, power, spiritual Thus we see thai immediately after this taking of the
bodies, invisible to mankind. Nor would the resurrection of
crown in the Spring of 1878, our Lord gathered to himself
the spirit bodies necessitate any disturbance of graveyards or those of his saints, “his jewels,” who had already been
tombstones, or anything earthly. “That which is born of polished and fitted and prepared, and who slept, awaiting
the spirit is spirit”,” a&l as our Lord after his resurrection the time for the establishment of the kingdom; and that
was invisible to the world, and invisible also to his church since then, one by one, his faithful saints of the- same class
(except as he miraculously manifested himself), so with these : of “iewels” are beine gathered to himself. as thev finish their
t‘hey ‘are invisible; there is no necessity for miraculous mani- ”

course. But as it %a’s necessary that our Redeemer should

festation; none has been made, neither is any expected. “Weactually die, so it is necessary that every member of the
walk by faith, and not by sight.” not onlv consecrate his life to death, but that he should
To all who understand the necessitv for the sleep of the body of” Christ shall not only consecrate himself to be dead
saints (namely, that it was because the call of the church with him, but that each also shall actually die. They are
took place before the time divinely arranged for the estab- already reckoned dead, but this is not sufficient; our Lord’s
lishment of the kingdom), it will seem eminently proper that words are, “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give
the King should, immediateb on taking office as King, liberate thee a crown of life:” and again, “Blessed are the dead in
from the prisonhouse of death his faithful followers, who the Lord [reckonedly dead, &n&crated unto death], dying
during his absence manifested their faithfulness, and for from henceforth.” So also it had been foretold in other
whom crowns of righteousness have been set aside, to be Scriptures, that all who would be of the body of Christ must,
given them at his return in power and great glory. Indeed,like the Head, pass through the portals of death; thus it is
it would be unreasonable to suppose any prolonged delay of written, “I have said, Ye are gods [mighty ones], all of you
their resurrection, after our Lord takes to himself his great sons of the Most High; ye shall ALL DIE like men, and fall
power and begins reign. We hold, therefore, that the resur- like one of the princes.” The two princes of our race were
rection of the dead in Christ was due to take place in the Adam and Christ Jesus. Adam went into death because of
Spring of 1878. disobedience; Christ as a sacrifice for the sins of others, en-
“BLESSED THE DEAD WHO DIE” tered death in obedience; and the church, the body of Christ,
Furthermore, we note a beautiful analogy here ; for, thus his “brethren.” being iustified out of the Adamic death by
considered, our Lord’s resurrection a few days after his taking faith in his sacrifice,“a;e reckoned as joint-sacrificers with him
of office as King in typical Israel, corresponds to, or parallels in his death of obedience, that they may be accounted also
the resurrection of the church, “the body of Christ” a few sharers in “his resurrection”-the first resurrection, to the
days after his taking to himself honor and glory and power divine nature and glory and joint-heirship.-Psa. 82 :6, 7 ;
as the King of nations, in the Spring of 1878. Not only SO, Rom. 5:12, 17; 2 Pet. 1:4.
but the Book of Revelation, in a scene which belongs to that We have given here only the briefest possible summary
particular time, and in a description of the opening of the of the Scriptural evidences that we are living in the parousur,
“harvest” of this Gospel age, shows “one like unto the Son the presence, “the days of the Son of Man,” in the “harvest”
of Man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand time of this age, and that the work which he, directly and
a sharp sickle,” beginning the work of reaping the harvest through his apostles, instructed us to expect, is now in prog-
of this age: and there we find the significant statement, ress ; namely, the “sealing” of the saints of the Most High
“Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord front hmcefwth; God in their foreheads (Eph. 1: 13, 14), and giving them a
yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors, mental appreciation of the divine plan and its times and sea-
for their works follow them.“-Rev. 14:13, 14, 16. sons, together with a judgment, or testing of all who have
This text has been so frequently misapplied by theologians covenanted themselves to be the Lord’s and to lav down their
that its true significance will be apt to elude all who have lives in his service. And all who refuse to live up to their
not their senses exercised by reason of use, and who do not covenant, even tho sealed and blessed, and enlightened with
closely discriminate. It signifies that from the time of the present truth, will, we understand, be rejected from it, and
beginning of the reaping of the “harvest” of this age by the cast again “into outer darkness” with the world, to share
crowned reaper (the Spring of 1878), there will be a wonder- in the great time of trouble coming upon it. We understand
ful blessing not previously possible, upon the certain class also, that the elect number will soon be completed, and the
described. From this particular date onward those of this last one of the class who shall be blessed by the glorious
particular class who die will be favored or blessed in a man- “change” from mortality to immortality, in a moment, in the
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twinkling of an eye, shall soon obtain that blessing, and that Lord is already affecting the world also, tho not through the
then the reat time of trouble will fully burst upon the world, eyes of the understanding: for thev have no eyes for such
and spee 2.rly bring down the high, the lofty, and the proud, spiritual things: neverthe&s, the bright shining of the Lord’s
and prepare the world for the reign of the Prince of Peace. Presence is influencing and affectine the whole course of the
Here we have consistency, at least, and harmony of Scrip- world, through an in&ease of knowledge on every subject-
tures which have never been harmonized in the past, and specially noticeable since 1878. Eventually, all the blinded
which cannot now be harmonized from any other standpoint shall have opened eyes of understanding, and
or with anv other interpretation. Here we have the spiritual “EVERY EYE SBALL SEE HIM”
kingdom of Messiah, with all power, displacing the spiritual Many even who are not of the watchers are noting the
kingdom of Satan, and establishing order and righteousness signs of our times and are startled, and led to exclaim, What
thr&gh earthly agents of its own, and overthrowing the do these things mean ?-this remarkable latter-day advance
earthly agents of the prince of darkness, many of whom are in science, art and mechanical invention?-this latter-dav
his servants merely because “the god of this world [age] discontent’ in the midst of plenty and luxury ?-this lattep-
has blended the minds of them that believe not.” day growth of millionaires and paupers?-this growth of
“THEY WITHOUT US ;I&LLIN~; BE MADE PERFBOT” giant corporations of world-wide power and influence?-Why
are national policies and public men and their utterances and
We remark, incidentally, that following the gathering of doings criticized (judged) by the masses as never before?-
the Church to glory, as above outlined, will come the resurrec- And what means it that with an apparent growth in wealth
tion of the holy ones of the past,-“Abraham, Isaac and and numbers in all denominations of Christians, there is a
Jacob, and all the holy prophets,” whose resurrection will be growing dissatisfaction, discontent in them all: a growing
to perfect earthly conditions, and who shall be the “princes rendency to criticize the creeds and the preaching OF every-
in all the earth,” seen of men, and representatives of the thinrl-How comes it that nine-tenths of the Dreachers in all
invisible but all-powerful spiritual kingdom-the glorified denominations know that their hearers desire. a change, and
Christ. Thus, chosen representatives of fleshly Israel will would gladly “move on,” if they knew how to better them-
indeed rule the world, and bless it, as the representatives and selves even at smaller salaries ?
agencies of the Spiritual Israel, and the nation of Israel will The Scriptural answer is, The hour of God’s judgment is
he first to respond to the standard of the Lord thus set up. come ; the time when “Christendom,” political, financial,
-Psa. 45:16: Porn. 11:25-31: Zech. 12:lO. social and ecclesiastical is being judged-being tried iu tire
Our Lord’s parousia (presence in the world) begun in divine balances. And the Scriptures declare that she will be
1874, will continue till the end of the Millennial age. The found wanting, and will be adjudged unworthy to further
word is not aDDlicable merelv to a little period of presence at administer the affairs of earth, which will be turned over to
the beginning- ‘of the Millennial age; Christ’s pakousia and the elect “little flock,” according to the divine promise.-
that of his church will continue throughout the age. Nor Luke 12 : 32.
will the epiphania and apolcalupsas be- a sudden burst of The secret of the matter now is the same as in the Jewish
glorious light; nor do these words signify a visible showing to “harvest,” which John explained, saying,
mankind of the Lord’s person, or of the persons of his church. “THERE STAN-BETH ONE AMONG YOU WEOlld YOU KNOW
Let us remember his words, “Yet a little while, and the NOT’ ‘JOHN 1: 26
lrorld seeth me no more.” Let us remember also that, as “Mine eyes can see the glory of the presence of the Lord;
his church is to be in his lzkeness, so his likeness is declared He is trampling out the winepress where the grapes of wrath
to be an “express image of the Father’s person;” it is written are stored ;
that he is the King eternal, immortal, inwisible. (1 Tim. I see the flaming tempest of his swift descending sword:
1:17) Nor will it be any more necessary that the world Cur King is marching on.
should see with their natural eves the Lord and his glorified
ones, than that they should see the Heavenly Father: the “I can see his coming judgments, as they circle all the earth,
world will see the earthly representatives of God and of The signs aud groanings promised, to precede a second birth;
Christ and of the church, when they “see Abraham, Isaac I read his righteous sentence, in the crumbling thrones of
and Jacob, and all the holy prophets,” for they will be sam- earth :
ples of perfect manhood, which is the earthly image of the Our King is marching on.
invisible God. “The ‘Gentile Times’ are closing, for their kings have had
Our Lord’s evivhaltia (bripht shining) and his avokaluDssis their day;
(unveiling) began’ shortly ‘after his par&a began; the bright And with them sin and sorrow will forever pass away;
shining of his presence is now visible to those who are walk- For the tribe of Judah’s Lion now comes to hold the swav:
ing “in the light”-to those who “are not in darkness with Our King is marching on.”
the world.” It is a mental illumination, an illumination to
the eyes of our understanding, and not to our natural eyes. “Behold, Z stand at th> doe’, anndfknock. Zf any man hear
The eyes of our understanding have been opened to see him my voice [knock], and open the door, Z wilt come in to him
that is invisible to the natural sight. The epiphcMzicc of our and sup with him, and he with me.“--Rev 3 :20.

VOL. XXIII ALLEGHENY, PA., APRIL 1, 1902 No. 7

VIEWS FROM THE WATCH TOWER

A PRESBYTERIAN %¶INXSTER’S LONGINGS tioning ‘elect infants’ the Westminster Confession leaves open
Rev. Henry Van Dyke, one of the prominent ministers of the supposition that there may be ‘non-elect infants.’ Presby-
the Presbyterian denomination, has felt constrained to give terians today believe that all who die in infancy are saved by
utterance to his conception of the needs of his church for a bet- Jesus Christ. The W’estminster Confession has a long metaphy-
ter and clearer statement of its present belief. We clip the sical chapter on God’s eternal decree, which at least seems to
below quotations :- teach that some men are created to be saved and others created
“There is a twofold need for revision of the Westminster to be damned. The Presbyterian Church today does not be-
Confession of Faith. In the first place., the church has been lieve this, and to guard against misapprehension on the sub-
studying her supreme standard, the Bible, for two hundred ject it wishes to say clearly and unmistakably that God has
and fifty years since the Confession was written. She has not put any barrier between any human soul and salvation.
been educated by Christ for one hundred years in the great “Moreover, the Westminster Confession has no chapter on
work of missions. It is reasonable to suppose that she has the love of God for all men, on the Holy Spirit, on the Gospel,
learned something. Why should she not express it in her or on missions. Now the Presbyterian Church has come to be-
creed ? lieve in these things with all its heart; and it wishes to put
“Another reason for revision arises out of the fact that the its belief into words.
Westminster Confession was made in a time of fierce confiict
and controversy. It was natural that certain things should be “Therefore revision is needed, not because of a conflict in
stated then with greater emphasis than they would have other- the church, nor because of a lack of liberty, but because faith,
wise received ; that the metaphyics of the seventeenth century deepening and broadening through the study of God’s Word,
should creep into certain chapters; and that certain points craves an utterance in the language of living men.
* l 0 l
should represent a judgment of that age rather than a per-
manent truth. For example, the Westminster Confession “Finally, this revision movement should give us a stronger
speaks of the Pope of Rome as the Antichrist. Presbyterians emphasis on the truth that God is love.
today do not generally believe this. Again, by expressly men- “Sovereignty and grace have always been the two great pil-
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lars of the Reformed faith. Sovereignty means that God is standing you had in Presbyterianism that fettered you? And,
supreme. Grace means that God alone can save. if so, instead of praising and lauding your present belated
“Take these two words separately, emphasize the sover- movement, which you hope will bring you some “honor of men,”
eignty, limit the grace, and you have a hard creed. But take should we not rather pity you and sympathize with you, not to
them together, believe in the sovereignty of grace and the say despise you, for your supineness ?-for having failed to
grace of sovereignty and you have a creed that is infinitely break your creedal fetters long ago? Should we not fear for
sweet and glorious. you that for years you have been willing to sell God’s characte,r
“No man can be saved without God. There is no man and your own consciences for earthly considerations? Indeed,
whom God is not willing to save. since you now admit that your present action is because you
“That is the whole of it. That is the creed which is in- believe it the more popular, can we give you any credit at all,
carnate in Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. That is the or see cause to believe you one whit more honest or noble than
creed which our faith longs to utter.” you were in previous years ? Their answer to this would
We rejoice that this gentleman, and others of the Presby- doubtless be,-We all stand or fall together, and we do not
terian connect:on, realize the situation thus, if not more in- believe that the world or the nominal churches take a higher
tensely. We hope they may soon secure all the relief they SO ear- plane of thought or action than we have taken. And their es-
nestly and so properly crave. At the same time we cannot timate is probably a correct one; alas, that Christian con-
avoid a few reflective questions:- science in general is not on a higher plane!
( 1) Have these learned men, who have been posing for THE ABSURDITIES OF THE HIGHER CRITICS
vears as
d ----- -~-
ambassadors for God, onlv now awakened to thought Dr. Eaton, editor of The Western Recorder takes firm
upon so important a subject’?--only now begun to feel un- ground against the absurdities of the methods and logic of the
comfortable in respect to their creed? Their answer would so-called higher critics of our time. As illustrating their fal-
probably generally be,-No ; we have long been troubled,- lacies he furnishes the following incidents:-
long felt our bondage. “At the Baptist Congress in Detroit (1894) Dr. Howard Os-
(2) Why, brethren, did you not end your difficulties long good-the greatest Hebrew scholar in America-in the pres-
ago by asserting your moral and religious stamina, and with- ence of men who were well informed on the subject and who
drawing from the denomination whose creed, you admit, has were quite favorable to the alleged ‘results of the higher criti-
not begn the creed of your heart for many years,-possibly cism,’ *stated what those ‘resul&’ are, as told bv their advo-
was not such even when you subscribed to it and took your cates. He asked to be corrected if in any particular he erred;
present ministerial vows to uphold and teach it? Was it be- but no correction was offered. From slins of naner he read
cause you supposed that creed inspired? Was it because YOU statements of these ‘results,’ and when all preseni dad assented
believed that our Lord and the twelve Apostles established to the correctness of the presentation, Dr. Osgood startled them
the Presbyterian system ?--Surely not; surely as educated by saying that all his quotations were from Thomas Morgan,
men you made no such mistake, but knew that it was instituted a Deist of the early part of the eighteenth century, and from
nearly fifteen centuries after the death of the founders of the Tom Paine, the well-known infidel of the latter part of that
Lord’s one true church.-What can have held you, fettered century.”
you, in thought and word and act so long and so thoroughly? “Not long ago two leading ministers in the North united
The answer should doubtless be; -No good opportunity pre- in writing an account of a great religious gathering, and they
sented itself, until now. We could not think of withdrawing sent their combined article to a number of higher critics,’ re-
from the system on so slight an account as that of a defile- questing that they separate it into the two documents, giving
ment of our consciences and a misrepresentation of the divine to each of the two authors his portion. Their failures were most
character and plan. We, therefore, bore the burden without egregious, and no two of them agreed, because they worked
much inconvenience until now popular thought favors a independently. And vet these men, utterlv unable to resolve
change;-yes, we might almost say demands it. No, we hope an article, avowedly written by two’men, in’ plain English, and
to carry the denomination for a creedal restatement. written in their own time and country, into its original docu-
(3) Another query, friends:-Since you knew that the ments ; these men are cock-sure they can correctly divide a
Presbyterian system was no more the church which our Lord book, written in Hebrew thousands of years ago, with no evi-
and his Apostles founded than others of the sects,-Metho- dence of composite authorship, so as to give each supposed au-
dists, Roman Catholic, Lutherans, Episcopalians, etc., etc., thor his exact portion! And they claim to do this so accu-
and since that idea did not hold you all these years, and still, rately that they divide a single sentence among three authors,
---was it not the honor, the salary, the good name, the social with perfect confidencel”

GOD FIRST-HIS APPOINTMENTS

“Giving tlumks unto the Father . . . who huth delivered ua from the power of akrlcneas, and huth translated us into the
kingdom of his alear Bon . . . He is the Head Of the body the church: who is the beg&m&g, the first
bomb from the dead; that in all things he might have the pre&ninence.“-GA. 1:12-18.
Scarcely could we hope to find a more suitable motto for the telligent,-the autocratic form, should most nearly represent
Lord’s people during the present year, than, the words, “God the form of government which the Almighty has instituted for
First.” A thorough devotion to him, a full recognition of all the entire realm of creation. If an autocratic form of gov-
his appointments, acknowledges our Lord Jesus: as our text ernment has proven itself so unfavorable to human liberty and
declares.
- __. _~, hp_ has the nreeminence.-he is Lord of all. This progress amongst men now, can it be possible that this form
motto was adopted bi the Allegheny church for the present of government is the very best for the universe in general, and
‘ assuredly all who shall endeavor to live up to this motto forever ? If so, wherein lies the difference? Bv what process
z.?trhL best of their ability will enjoy much of divine favor, and of reasoning shall we demonstrate that that which experimen-
make considerable progress in the narrow way. tally amongst men has proven itself to be bad, should ulti-
The text suggests the thought that the divine government mately prove itself to be best? We answer that the differ-
is an autocratic one-the reverse of a democratic government, ence is because all men are fallen and imperfect; hence are un-
“of the people, by the people, for the people.” As we look over der the dominion of sin and selfishness to a greater or less de-
the governments of civilized nations, we find that the more gree : and additionally, all are imperfect in knowledge and in
autocratic the government the less intelligent the people who jud,aent, even if their hearts were fully disposed for right-
will support it. For instance, the Russian government is au- eousness. On the contrary, the Almighty is perfect in his at-
tocratic ; the authority, the power, being very largely held by tributes, and in his knowledge; and the law of his being as
the Czar, without responsibilitv to a parliament or Congress well as the law of his empire is-the reverse of selfishness-the
representing the people. As an example of a liberal mon- law of Love. It is indeed dangerous to be fully under the power
archy, Great Britain is perhaps best, for there the powers of of any fallen imperfect being, however well intentioned; but
the sovereign are quite limited; the aristocracy being repre- it is a most desirable thing to be under the guidance and con-
sented in the House of Lords, and the populace in the House trol of a perfect being, possessed of all knowledge, wisdom,
of Commons: these two renresentative bodies share with the justice, love, power. This is the situation: Jehovah, our God,
monarch the responsibilities^ of the government. The govern- is a dictator, his laws are perfect, just and good, and all of his
ment of the United States, in which all the citizens are osten- creatures subject to those laws are blessed. Under these con-
sibly on an equality, and in which the Citizen President, as ditions, the autocratic, theocratic government which now ob-
their choice, is the chief executive, is recognized as the highest tains in heaven, is the most desirable one of all; hence as
type of civic government, most favorable to the masses-a re- our Lord suggests, we pray that this same government may
public, a democracy. ere long come to earth; saying,-“Thy kingdom come, thy will
It may at first seem strange to some that the tvpe -of be done in earth as it is done in heaven.”
earthly government least favorable, least esteemed by the in- Altho Jehovah God, our Creator, is not elected to his posi-
129841
APRIL 1, 1902 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (101-102)

tion, and does not hold it through the consent of his creatures.; tutions called chn*ches, but to the church “whose names are
vet all of his creatures who are in harmonv with the prince- written in heaven,” and whose leadership and membership as
pies of righteousness delight to hold him as their King and a body are directed by the Lord Jesus, their appointed Head.
Lord,-their Dictator, whose every wish it is their pleasure As for religious systems amongst men,. we believe that on ac-
to obev. As a Dictator he has appointed Christ Jesus to be count of the weaknesses of the race and the fact that even the
“Head” of the body, the church.” --But although we are not best are more or leas contaminated by selfish impulses, the dea-
asked to vote. >~aa to whether or not Christ shall be the head potic forms of church government are most evil, and the dem-
of the church, God, nevertheless, respects our free moral ocratic forms of church government proportionately the less
agency, to the-extent that we are not compelled to accept his evil, after the aame manner as in civil governments. And here
arrangement in this matter. But. if we object, it means that we note the Lord’s arrangement for his church to be a combi-
we ar; not of the body, the chur&; for the”Al&ghty proceeds nation of the two forms of government. (1) It is democratic,
with his own Dlans. and those who do not fall in with inasmuch as the choice of tEe leaders, is’to be determined by
those plans merily fail to that extent to secure to themselves the judgment of the members. (2) It is theocratic in the sense
the proffered blessings. that”themembers are not to exercise their own preferences in re-
Similarly the Almighty did not inquire of the angels spect to their choice (votes), but are to use -their best intelli-
whether or not thev would accept the glorified Jesus as their gence in ascertaining the u%ll of the Lord, their Head, in the
Lord ; he autocratically elevated-our L&d Jesus, because of his matter; and hence are to express by their votes so far as they
implicit obedience even unto death, even the death of the cross, are able, not their own wills. but the will of the Lord. Here
as the Apostle declares, “Wherefore [on account of his obe- is the most harmonious and simple and beneficent arrange-
dience unto death] God also hath highly exalted him, and given ment imaginable under present conbitions. Each individual,-or
him a name which is above every name; that at the name of unit of the church, member in the “bodv” of Christ. is to sav
Jesus every knee should bow . .” . . and every tongue confess within his OWP heart, “God first,” and” God’s appo&tm& <f
. . . . to the elorv of God the Father.” Similarlv, our context Christ as a Bishop or Shepherd of his flock makes him and his
declares, that” in “his prehuman condition our L&d Jesus was will preeminent in our thoughts, in our hearts, in our words, in
from the beginning the head, the chief of all his Father’s crea- our deeds. We must, so far as we can discern his will,
tures, works, arrannements. “For bv him were all things follow the same; so far as we can understand his Word, we
created, that’ are in ‘heaven and that a”re in earth, visible, a6d are to speak his Word; and in our choice nf leaders his will
invisible. whether thev be thrones. or dominions. or principali- and not- our own is to control. Thus in the church, in the
tie3, or powers; all ihings were created by him; ani for 6im: “body,” in all of its associated interests and affairs. , God --- first
~~~
and he is before all things, and by him all things consist.” and Christ, his representative, preeminent, is to be the order,-
(Cal. 1: 16. 17 ) This agrees also with the statement of John’s in proportion as each member grows in grace and in the knowl-
Gospel ( I:‘1 ) , .“In the b<ginning was the Logoa, and the Logos edge of the divine will. Thus God, through his faithful, still
with with the God. and the LOPOS was a God: the same was sets in the church the various members, according as it
in the beginning with the God. “All things were made by him ; pleases him. (1 Cor. 12: 18) But this applies to each little
and without him was not one thing made that was made.” group of the Lord’s people, and to the whole churc,h in o+~nrral.
It appears from this, that the Heavenly Father has exer- only m proportion & they conform to his will and Word,-
cised his autocratic government from the beginning; choosing making God first and Chiist. the Head. , nreeminent.I
his first-born Son to be his representative in the entire work This same principle is tb be carried beyond the church
of creation. It annears further that it waa to this first-born into tne homes of the Lord’s people. There, alsn, God is to he
Son that the p&iege or opportunity of becoming man’s Re- first and his representative, Christ, to be preeminent. If the
deempr was first proffered-as a privilege; because the Al- head of the family be a Gemher bf the 6ody of Christ and
mightv autocratically intended that this matter of man’s re- recognizes him to be his Head, he must reroenize his la&s in
drmpcinn should not only display his justice and love, his the Family as well as in the &urch. And rehbgnizinr his law
wisdom and his power, in respect to mankind, but it should he must -oppose every thing approximating an&chy~lawless-
ndtlitionallv be a test, a manifestation, of the loyalty of his ness ; he must hold up before the family as well as before
First-begot&n ; and that such loyalty, being fully- demon- himself, Jehovah the autocratic governor and law-giver; and
stmtcd. would Dronerlv become the occasion for the still Christ Jesus his autocratic representative: and the perfect l;lw
ful tber’ ntlvance;eni of’ his First-begotten One,-to the divine of love, which he sets forth, to be the law of all those who
llatllrc, “glory. honor, immortahtp,“-demonstrat~lng his worth- are members of his body ;-to rule in their hearts perfectly,
lnrhr In all things to be precmlnent. and in their mortal flesh as far as lieth in them,--to the PY-
It is not, of course. the Apostle’s thought that the Father tent of their ability. The reign of law in every family should
made the Lord Jesus preeminent above himself, Jehovah. We he enforced both by precept ant1 example: but it m&t never
arp continually to remrmber the Apostle’s suggestion of 1 Cor. be forgotten that it is the law of love-nrornntedL I
bv love. 1 rxe-
IS :27. where,’ after declaring that the Father hath put all cuted in love, accompanied hy every kind and helpful influence
thing: under’the Son, he adds, “It is manzf~st [need-not he possible.
stntdl that he r.Tehovah] is excepted. which did DUt all things This will mean that so far as possible each member of the
untler i)irn [Jes&] .” So; gather&g the proper thought of otir church recognizing Christ, as his lIt&ad, will se& to do the wvlll
text,. WP are still to remember that God is first. and that our of God in his family; and this will mean that if hc 1~1s not
I,nrtl .T&us is first- to us, aa the Head of the ohurch, because already established the Fan+ Altar of praver, he will jmmerli-
(:o(I 11x4 fiivrn him this pregminence. In lecoxniTin,rr Jesus’ full atelv do so,-to the rutcnt that this is p&hlr. If on arrnunt
of work or business it is impossible to have familv devotions
daily, he can probahlv have thrm weekly, and we p&aumc tlrat
the Lord will accept the good intentions and hrst endrnrorr
thus evidenced. If the man, the divinely appointed h(>ntl of
the- family, is not a member of the hodv of Christ. the mifp.
thol.lph a~ Christian, iq to rrcoxnize thr’tlivlnr 1.1~ upon Illi<
the uill of thr Father who sent him, and who exalted him to snhl&, that the man is the brad of the wnmnn anrl nf tl~
his position of preeminence over all his creatures. The Apoqtlr fnmi!,v, and shrx is not to rstabli~h inmill/ worshii in any m:ln-
exnl,,ins this relationqhin fnllv and rmnhatlcallv when he de- f’cr In rnnflict with the c\-prr*sscd will of her hu&and. She
tln~rs that,-The head of the women is the man: * and the head l hollld srrk the Lord’s blcssin,l and guidanre and over-ruling
of the rn’ln is Christ; and the head of Christ is God--,Teho- l)ro\ itlrnrrs, that hc>r husbnnd may be agrpeablr to the ;lr-
VA.-1 Cnr. 11.3. rancrmcnt. and should await thp results The hn+nntl who is
While reioicinc in liberal governments amongst men, and not a Christian bnt is. nevertheless, morally and rcli=ionsly
esteeming po”pular-‘governmenta-the most desirable under pres- disposed, will under thrar conditions feel all the more the re
ent conditions. we nevertheless, recognize that this is so merely sponsibilities of his position ; and the wise and moderate and
because conditions are evil ones; because srlfiahness is th”e noble conduct of the wife will have the greater wright with
reigning law amongst men: the selfish interests and instincts him because of her moderation in this matter, and the evi-
of the masses mav be trusted a9 safer for the whole population dencr he has that she i4 subject to a higher law and lawgiver,
than the selfish instincts of one individual or one ciasi. Con- to whom he alqo should he nubiect.
seoupntlv. while rcioicin-n in the government of this land. and
1 , ,, <> I,
Putting God first, and Christ preeminent as his represen-
in the favor which cornea to us under this government, we are tative, should have an inflnenre also unon our businesq deal-
still praying for the glorionq kingdom which God has promised, ings in which WC come in contact with ‘the world: so that in
in which his will alone shall be the law, and his representa- our buying or selling, or whatsoever we do, we should remcm-
tive. thr KinR over all the earth. ber continually to seek to do those things pleasing in the sight
In the church the divine law or theocracy is already to of the one whom we desire to please, and who is preeminent in
snme extent established. We do not refer to the human insti- our hearts. This will mean a decrease of selfishness and an
[29851
(102-104) ZION’S WATCH
increase of love, and a decrease of meanness and an increase
of nobility of character toward all; and the result $11 be a3
our Master suggested, saymg, “Let your light so shme before
men that they seemg your good works shall glorify your Fath-
er which is m heaven.”
But while this matter of putting God first, and recognizing
his appointments, laws and will in all of life’s affairs, will
exercise the foregoing influences in matters of the church, mat-
ters of the home and family and matter3 of business and con-
tact with the world, yet the chief influence of all will surely
be found In our own hearts and lives. The thought of the
will of Chllst preeminent, connecting with all the doings of
life in pubhe and in private,-the thought that we wish God
to have the first place in our affections, and his blessmg in
respect to our influence, our joys, our pleasures, our hopes, our
a1111s%--\\l1at a bles,ing this will bring!-what godlines+ what
g,rlo\\ th in the fruit3 and graces of the spirit! Very quickly
fhlr preeminence of Christ will expand beyond the u&ions of
llfc and attach itself to our wgrds. The true Christian will
seek nut only to act gently, as he believes the Lord would be
pleased to have him act, but additionally, he will seek to speak
evntly, kind!y, moderately, modestly,-and thus to show forth
the praises of him who hath called us out of darkness into his
marvelous light. No better homage and worship can we offer
to the Lord, and no greater honor can we do to his name
amongst men, than by exemplifying his teachings in the words
and acts of our !ives
But now we come’to the most important point of all; for
behind all our doings and teachings, in public and in private,
are our thoughts. It is of paramount importance that in
scaekinr to have God first in lift’s afl’airs, we shall see to it
that he is first in our thoughts;-that Jestis there has the pre-
eminence which God intends he should have;-that our affec-
tions should be preeminently set upon him more than upon
husband, wife, or children ; more than upon houses or lands;
more than uI,on honors of men. Christ 13 to be enthroned in
our hearts preeminent over all things,-yea, preeminent over
VISITING, WITH PETER,
ACTS 0:31-4.7.-A~n1~ 13.
“Jesus Christ maketh thee whole.”
The persecution which scattered the disciples from Jerusa-
lem throughout all Jutlea, and of which Paul was one of the
leaders, subsldetl shortly after his converslon; and was fol-
lowed by a period of lest, recuperation, edification, etc., as that we should do unto others as we wou!tl thry should do unto
mentioned in the first verse of our lesson. Paul’3 conversion
may have had somcthmg to do with this, but in all probability
a trouble which arose about this time between the Jews and
their Roman rulers had more to do with it.
About the vear A. D. 38 the Emperor, Caligula Caesar, who
had but rece<tlv come into his office, promulgated an order
that 1113statue should be set up in various qua&ers of the em-
pire, and should be worshipped. When the Jews learned of
this order, and that it was the intention to put these statues
in Jerusalem, and even in the Temple itself, as well as else-
where, their indignation and trouble knew no bounds. They
gathered in fireat masqes, young and old, to entreat the local
governor to mtercrde for them that such a desecration of their
holy temple and holy city and holy land should not be permit-
ted. Speaking of one of these protest-gatherings, the historian
says : “A vast throng, arranged in six columns of ( 1) old
women, (2) matlons. (3) maids, (4) old men, (5) men in
their strennth, and (6) boys , gathered before the palace of the
orocurator?and threw theAselves on the earth, with wild and
bitrous rries of despair, when he showed himself on the bal-
cony. Thcg dcclnretl they would die, but never give way.
tronius [the governor] made every effort to have the Emperor
change the edict, but the most he could arrange was a com-
mand to lcave the Temple untouched. But many altars were
rnisptl to the Emperor outside of its gates; and news came
that ,711 the synagogues in Alessndria had been turned into
temples to Caesar. These thing.3 lasted till January, A.D. 41,
021 the 24th day of which Callgula was murdered.”
It is not surprising that such outside persecution and in-
terfelence with their own religious rites and liberties caused
thr Jews to relax their persecutions of the Christians,
thus hrouzht about the ncriod of rp<t mentioned. Persecutcrs
ncvcr likr persecution ior themselves. Those who have the
mind of Christ are never nersecutors: thev feel it to be their
bounden duty not to caopeiate, not to &is!,, thing3 which they
believe to he wrong; they may even find it necessary or expe-
dient to denounce the wrong, and to show up its inconsisten-
cies ; and in some instances to name the active agents in these
wrong teachings and wrong doings-as the apostles have done on
TOWER ALLEGHENY, PA.
self, and with many this submission of self is the most diffi-
cult proposition. This is exactly what our Lord taught, say-
ing,--” If any man come to me, and hate not [love not less]
his father, and mother, and wife anJ children, and brethren,
and sisters, yea, his own life, [bemg] also he cannot be my
disciple. “-Luke 14 : 26.
Recurring to the illustration of our text-that of the hu-
man body, of which Christ is the head and all we are mem-
bers: let us notice how intimate is the connection bet\\een the
head and the members in a healthy, ,properb constituted body.
Each member is in direct commulllcatlon with the head by
means of the nerves (hc.iever rapidly it is effected) ; in case
of trouble, accident, pain,---the matter is at once reported to
the head, and lmmecliate!y a member of the body, perhaps a
hand, is .prompt to give service. The head has $uli dire&n
because the spirit of the head pervades all the member3 of the
body; so that--“If one membei suffer, all suffer with it ,” and
every member, in proportion a3 it is in harmony with the head
and its spirit of love for the members, ~111 be prompt to act.
Sometimes in our human bodies the hand may stretch forth as-
sistance to the injured member so quickly that it seems impos-
sible to conceive that the message first went to the head, and
that our hand was subsequently directed by the head to as-
sist ; and so it is with the members of the body of Christ ; those
who are in full touch and sympathy with the Head, the Lord,
are to so large an extent of”‘?& s~tr~t” wvlth him, 30 anxious
to do his ~iill. and so well informed in respect to what his will
is, that they ‘sometimes seem to act almdst automatically, in
respect to rendering help by nerd, or deed, or otherwise to
those with whom they are in contact.
Let us, dear brethren and sisters, during the year dating
from the Memorial Supper, have for the watchword of our
hearts, “God First”-and Christ “preeminent” bv tllvlne ap-
pointment ;-remembering that it i$ out of the abundance bf
the heart that the mouth speaketh, and the general conduct of
life proceeds. “Keep thy heart with all dilgence: for out of it
are the issues of life.“--I’lov. 4:23.
THE PRIMITIVE SAINTS
several occasions in their writings. But as for persecuting
others, the Lord’s people can take no part in this: we are
hindered by the spirit if love, the mind o? Christ, which direct3
us-our Golden Rule, our “perfect law of liberty.”
The record says that the churches were edified. This word
edified carries in it the thought of construction or building. We
get the thought, therefore, that this time of peace was a time
of upbuilding amongst the little groups of the Lord’s people m
Palestine. There is a two-fold sense in which the church may
be built up or edified-in numbers, and also in the graces of
the spirit. Apparently the infant church was edified both
wavs. It was erowine in numbers, and nrowine in grace. That
the latter is &elude; is shown bi the”follow‘i:ng dueclaration,
that the believers walked in the fear of the Lord and in the
comfort of the holy spirit.
The Scriptures declare that the fear of the Lord is the be-
ginning of wisdom (Psa. 111: lO)-not a selfish fear; but a
reverential fear ; not a fear that the Lord is evil instead of
good ; not a fear that he will eternally torment or otherwise
uniustlv deal with his enemies: but a reverence of the Lord
which recognize3 his greatness .and his goodness, appreciates
the same. and fears to do aunht that would be displeasine to
him or ihat would separate ‘irom his love and favor. This
Pe- proper kind of fear, which is the beginning of wisdom will
never be lost. so lone as the wisdom is maintained. We crea-
tures of the ‘dust %y nature children of wrath, even as oth-
ers,” and transformed and renewed only by the Lord’s grace
and power and truth, must never lose slight of our own little-
ness and insufficiency, and of our complete dependence upon
the Lord’s mercy and favor. To lose sight of this would surely
mean our fall. Hence, altho the Apostle declares that perfect
love casteth out fear, we esteem his meaning in this passage
to be the dread fear rather than reverentiR1 fear. Perfect love
and will cast out dread and slavish fear, but it will cultivate and
stimulate and increase our reverence for the Lord; so that, as
the Apostle again declares, even the advanced Christian who
has lost his slavish fear, will, from love of God, and from a
desire to please him and to attain the end which he has indi-
cated for us, “fear, lest a promise being left us . . . . any
shouid seem to come short of it.“-1 John 4: 18 ; Heb. 4: 1.
But reverence of God was not the only grace developed in
[2986]
APRIL 1, 1902 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (104-105)

the primitive church. To it was added the comfort of the holy rather boastful,-some would even say hypocritical ; because
spmt. (The use ot the word “ghost’ as a translation of the having loat siglit of “Justrficatron by faith” in its proper appli-
Gieek word pneuma is very unfortunate, and confusing to the cation they have become accustomed to think of and to nrav
Eneliah reader. The word should never be used. Pneutna for all C~tr istians as “miserable sinners”-overlooking the&fact
shc%ld invariahlv IJ~’ tranhlatcd “‘pi1 it.’ + ) The hole Spirit that there ale some in whom “the righteousness of the Law is
1s the spirit, mind or disposition of God; and the primitive fulfilled,” because “walkmg not after the flesh, but ufter the
church was cultivating this, developing it in their hearts, spirit,” the merit of Christ covers all their unwillmg short-
walking in it, that is, livmg it. The word conlfort signifies comings.-Rom. 8 : 4.
united, cemented or strengthened together; and the thought The Lord’s people, however, are to remember to apply and
of the passage as a whole, therefore. would be that the church take pleasure in all the names and practises authorized by
was not^ only-multiplying in numbers, ‘and being edrfied or built apostolic usage ; and the term “saint” certainly thus ap-
UD together as God’s holv church or temPle, but that the vari- proves itself to us. Almost all of the epistles of the New Tes-
ohs “Yiving stones” were” being cemented-or’ bound together by tament are addressed to the saints; and those who can not
the holy Spirit. This is a forcible and graphic description of a properly apply the term to themselves can not properly apply
glorious condition in the primitive church. It is what should to themselves the exceeding great and precious promises con-
be striven for by the Lord’s dear people everywhere today as tained in those epistles,-for all the promises are addressd to
well ; indeed it is as true of the true church of Christ now and meant for the saints-the sanctified in Christ Jesus. (Rom.
as it was then. 1:7; 1 Cor. 1:2; 2 Cor. 1:9: E~ll. 1:l. etc.) Let it be horne
The thought of building together, building up, etc., when in mind that the word “saint” does not signify actual perfec-
applied to the individual, signifies his own faith structure, tion, merely, as in our Lord’s case, but also those reckotied
which the Apostle tells us is to be composed of gold, silver holy through him; and that the apostles who were saints,
and Precious stones-divine truth and character-from which and who classed themselves with the saints of God, declared
shotrid be excluded all wood, hay and stubble of error, sin respecting themselves, “We also are men of like passions with
and hvPocrisv. The same thoueht mav be armlied to the church you.“-Acts 14: 15.
assem”biies ih a slightly diff&ent way; ‘for each little con- The term saints, then, properly applied in the church re-
gregation of the church may be considered as a temporary fers to those who altho originally “children of wrath, even as
ternme. or abiding place of God in the world, as represented others,” have been rescued from that condition of condemna-
by his’ holv spir%*indwelling. In a still larger sense the tion, and been washed, cleansed, and thus brought into accord
whole church in anv neriod mav be considered as God’s tem- with God through the forgiveness of their sins and the covering
Pie. in which he re”P&entativel”v resides, and through which of their weaknesses and blemishes; and who. in connection
he -speaks to such as have an eai to hear. It is in this sense with these blessings of God, and in appreciation of them,
of the word that the seven churches of Revelation represent became the “sanctified in Christ Jesus” by making full con-
the one church of the Lord throughout the world, in seven dif- secration of themselves to live, not perfect lives (an impossi-
ferent epochs of its history. But let it be distinctly borne in bility), but as nearly perfect as they may be able;-the Lord’s
mind that none of these proper enough uses of the word “tem- grace making them continually “holy, acceptable to God” the
ple,” etc., interfere at all with the still larger, and still more Father, through the merit of Christ Jesus. Let us not be
ezoct thought respecting the divine temple, the church. ashamed of this name, “saints” : if it Present before our
This still more exact thought is with reference to the minds saintship, holiness, separateness from the world, that is
church glorifird, which has not- been under construction, just the very thought which should be there continually.
buildinp, durinp the Gospel age, but is to be constructed sPer%: It is a thought which will help us, and enable us the bet-
ily at the seco;d advent-of &e’Lord and the gathering togeth- ter to live separate from the world, as our Alaster indicated,
er of his saints unto him. In this last view, be it noticed, saying, “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the
each of the Lord’s followers is svmbolically a “living stone,” world.“-John 17 : 16.
now being chiseled, fitted, polished, prepared, for a-place in “JESUS CHRIST MAKETH THEE WHOLE”
the elorious temnle. whose construction was delaved until the Our Golden Text is from Peter’s words to Xneas, the para-
end ‘of the age, when, as typified bp Solomon’s “temple, each lytic, whom the Apostle found at Lydda and healed. We are
part will come together with exactness, “without the sound of not told that he was one of the saints; the presumption, there-
a hammer.“- without the slightest need of trimmirra or al- fore, is that he was not, but that at most he was a friend to
tering any’ of those perfected ‘ones, all of whom together will some of them, and that thus the Apostle’s attention was drawn
constitute the nlorious Temnle of God. which will be filled with to him. The fact that he had been bedfast, helpless, eight
his presence fig the fullest zand most ‘complete sense, and con- years, testified that the healing was a miracle. Its fame spread
stitute the center of his blessing and instruction to all the fam- abroad, and resulted, we are told, in the drawing of many unto
ilies of the earth during the Millennium;-“the New Jerusa- the Lord and to the church. Thus did the Lord establish the
lem, which comcth down from God out of heaven.“-1 Pet. church and attract to it those who were in the rieht attitude
2.4-i ; Rev. 21:27, 10; 1 Kings G:7. of heart, using miracles then, as he now uses other means.
“THE SAINTS WHICH DWELT AT LYDDA” Those miracles, as already pointed out, can not have lasted
We see from this narrative that altho the Apostles made much longer than the apostles themselves; the gifts of heal-
<Jerusalem the headquarters for their work they, -nevertheless, ing, etc., being granted only through the laying on of the hands
went hither and thither throughout Judea, meeting with the of the apostles-and the twelve had no successors-the heav-
Lord’s people scattered by the previous persecution, etc., and enly Jerusalem had twelve foundations, and no more, and in
forming nuclei of little congregations in every direction. In them were written the names of the twelve apostles, and no
these travels Peter came to Lvdda. the chief citv in t!ie Plain others.
of Sharon (Saran), about midway between Jerusalem and “THIS WOMAN WAS FULL OF GOOD WOEKS”
Joppa-about ten miles from each; and his special mission, One of the discipies, that is, one of the saints, residing at
\np are told. was the visiting of the saints. We like this word .Toppn, on the seacoast. was apparently a woman of means
“saints.” It signifies holy; set apart, sanctified believers in and education. and if her name represented her appearance,
C’III 1st Thcrr is nruch ormosition
.. to the use of the word to- she was verv beautiful. Tabitha, in thr Svrinc language, Dor-
(Ial . nttrihutnblc, we hclicve, to two reasons. One is that the cas, in the Greek, signifies graceful, beautiful. But this wom-
vast maloritv of professing Christians know that they are not an was famed for a beauty and a grace entirelv separate and dic-
saints. not snnrtifird, not living as near to the Lord as they trnct from whatever she possessed of these qualities naturally.
rould lile-not separate, even in heart, from the world, the 11~1s v:ls the beauty of a meek and quiet spirit, full of lo;e
flesh. and the devil. Such persons have strong reasons for and helpfulness. She was a burning and a shinine light for
tlisliking the word “saints,” realizing that it would exclude the Lord in that vicinity, evidently: She was no: “L Bible
thrm and nearly ail of their friends ‘and special associates in reader.” for there were no Bibles in the language of the people
Christian work Another reason for opposition to the word at that timr. She was not a tract distributor nor a colporteur.
“~o~ntx” is that in the dark ages it became the custom for the for there was no printing done then; but she did what she
Roman and Greek Catholic churches to “canonize.” or legallv c0111d ; she served the Lord. his brethren and all needing helm
set, aPart as obiects of reverence, certain persons respectink nccordin,g to the best opportunities afforded her. She helPe’d
whom’, after several centuries had elapsed,- nothing specially the poor; and particularly widows, who as a class at that time
evil was remembered. but onlv thinas esteemed as honorable were apt to be in verv trying Position. especiallv if Door. Dor-
and praisewnrthv. The word: saints, thus became separated cds h,rd been in the &bit- (&e&Greek text’ indicates)X of assist-
from living Christians ; and, indeed, this mav have been be- incr the Poor with garments. etc., probably, almost certainly, as-
cause there were few Christians reallv so “al&e toward God” misting them also with words of encouragement and helpfulness,
as to be representatives of saintship. Another reason why and minihtcring to them the truth. Under these circumstancee
some dislike this term. “saints,” is that thev. consider it to be it. is not strnn,ge that her death should have produced sorrow,
l See MILLENHIAL DAWN, VOL v Chap 8. especially amongst the beneficiaries of her charities, and
[2987]
(106-107) ZION’S WATCH TOWER ALLEGHENY. P.\

amongst the numerous friends which a beautiful Christ-like ple all the way. Nevertheless, quite probably some in her day
spirit of this kind is sure to make. spoke evil of her; perhaps even some who were the recipients
While it, is very true that the civilized conditions of the of her favors may have declared that she performed her chari-
present time take from us many of the opportunities possessed ties that she might glory in them, and to be seen and known
by Dorcas, by supplying means of employment for poor wid- of men, rather than for the love of those to whom she minis-
ows and other indigent, and by providing County Homes, etc., tered: and such may be our experience, as we seek to do good
for the needy, nevertheless, all who have the spirit of the unto all men as we have opportunity. But the fact that good
Lord, which Dorcas had, and which she so nobly exemplified, may be evil spoken of must not deter us. We seek to please the
will surely still find opportunities for laying down their lives, Lord, and to cultivate in our hearts his spirit, and to exemplify
snme way or other, in the service of the household of faith. AS this spirit before others, thus letting our light shine: this is
the Apostle says, “We ought also to lay down our lives for our only proper course, whatever may be said of it by the
the brethren.” (1 John 3:lti) Some one has suggested that skeptical world, or an enrims class of “tnrrs.” \V(> arc to sckek
posiibly Dorcns was a martyr-that her death probably re- chiefly the approval of our Father and our Bridegroom;-to be
sulted from her service to others. A Christian poet has said content therewith, and to be content with nothing less.
of such as she:- Apparently Dorcas took sick and died suddenly, at about
the time that others of the saints at JODDCL heard of Peter’s
“These, tho their names appear not on the scroll heing at Lydda and the cure performed Lthere. They sent
Of martvrologists, laid down their lives. for him immediately ; probably with no thought of his per-
No less a martyrdom in Jesus’ eyes- ’ forming such a miracle as to bring Dorcas back to life; but
For his dear brethren’s sake;-watching the couch rather with the thought that they had lost a highly esteemed
Of loathsome sickness or of slow decay, member of their little group, and that Peter could give them
Or visiting the captive in his cell, some consolation at this time. There was no telegranh or tel-
Or struggiing wrth a burden not their own, ephone or mail service then, and some of the bre&ren became
Until their weary life sinks slow awav. the messengers to take the word to Peter,-to request his pres-
These, too, are martyrs, brother.” “’ encap. and that hr would not delay. In the c&It> 01 .l(~rur.tl~m
Yes, all of the Lord’s saints are to be martyrs;-their con- a corpse must be buried the same day, but in the smaller cities
secration is to lay down their lives in the service of the Lord, and villages they might remain as much as three days un-
the brethren and the truth: and as nearlv as thev can under- huried. Peter’s presence was wanted without delay, before
stand in the way which he shall direct them, through his Word Dorcas would be buried; and he went at once.
and his providenccs. Our covenant is not one of sclf-preserva- An affecting scene was before Peter as he entered the death-
tion, but one of self-sacrifice. True, we are looking for and chamber. Poor-widows and others were lamenting the loss of
hoping for a life eternal and glorious as spirit beings; but their friend, and showing the garments which she had made
the terms and conditions upon which we are scripturally hoping for them. That surely was a n&e tribute to the usefulness of
to attain that perfect and new life are that we shall sacrifice her life. No millionaire has ever left monuments which will
what remains of this present earthly life. Another thought, endure so long, or which will reflect so much glory upon his
that comes in this connection, is that while, undoubtedly, our character, as were left by this humble woman. And even the
chief service under present conditions is tbc ministry of the humblest and poorest of us may to some extent emulate this
. example and leave some such monuments of love and testi-
spiritual foofl. cl,11111111 tlr rnk antI hp~ritual (*loilllng, to tile
household of faith, yet nevertheless we are to remember that monies of appreciation behind us when we die It is a sad
to the extent of our ahilities and opportunities WC are to do end when any, especialIy of those who have named the name of
good unto ~11 men, as the Apostle enjoins. Christ, die and leave none who sincerely, truly, mourn for
Evervone of tlw Lord’s saints should be recognized in his them and miss them, It testifies to a life that was either
neighborhood as of generous heart, of kind1.y impulses; wheth- selfish or misunderstood. We who are looking forward to the
c,
er he have dollars t‘o give, or only pennies: Of kind words at close of our earthly journey, and that before very long, should
least, he should be noted as a giver, remembering that it is see to it that our lives are spent day by day in such a manner
more blessed and more God-like,-to give than to receive. And that some will be the happier for them; and that our decease
those who lnck the wherewithal for generosity in this world’s will be recognized by some, at least, as a loss.
goods, so that tbcy have nothing wherewith to minster in a Peter’s most notable miracle was the bringing of Dorcas
temporal way, to the necpssitics of the saints or others, are not back from the portals of death. Like the other miracle, it
to forget thnt they hnve the still more precious, more valuable, was peculiar to that time, and for the special purpose of the
more helpful, more cheering, consolations of the spirit of the establishment of the church. We are not to suppose that it
truth, and kindnrss to dispense to such as are in any need. was the Lord’s intention that all of his people during this
Would that all of the Lord’s people would cultivate these Gospel age should be thus snatched back from death, nor that
Dorcas qualities, and thus become more and more beautiful they should be all relieved from beds of sickness, nor that
and grac,rful in the eyes of their Lord as well a4 In the ryes they should all have powers such as the Apostle here exer-
of the world! cised. There is a ministry of evrl-of calamity, sickness, death,
Today, as the traveler passes from Joppa, going toward Je- e&-which has often been valuable indeed to the Lord’s peo-
rusalem, the guide shows him on the outskirts of Joppa, at ple, inculcating various lessons and developing various fruits of
the side of the public road, a large, and at one time very the spirit, meekness, patience, gentleness, etc. Let us after
beautiful and costly, monument to Dorcas. It is a fournn~n,a;~ consecrating our all to the Lord, and while using our conse-
which many weary ones have refreshed themselves. crated all as wiselv as we know how. accent whatever divine
rative of Dorcas’ good works and Christ-likeness, like the wa- wisdom shall mete” out to us. Let us remember our Lord’s
ters of a fountain, hare come down the rugged channel of the words,-“The cup which my Father hath given (poured for)
centuries,-encouraging, refreshing, and stimulating God’s peo- me, shall I not drink it?“-John 18:ll.

“GOD IS NO RESPECTER OF PERSONS*’

ACTS 10 : 34-44.-APR~. 20.
Many serm totally to misunderstand the Apostle’s state- tians, are responsible for much of this wrong condition exist,
ment that “God is no respecter of persons”; -they apply these inp in nominal Christendom. Let us learn to follow carefullv
words in a very different way from that in which the Apostle the Scriptural program and precedent; let us not give thk
used them. The Apostle perceived that God is a respecter of misimnression that God is no resnecter of character. Let us.
character: hut that he is not a respecter of outward appear- on the contrary, as Peter did, poi& out that reverence for-God
ances, conditions, color of skin, nationality, etc. That this is is an essential,-that an endeavor to live righteously is an
the Anostle’s meanine is evidenced bv hrq next statcmcnt “But essential,-a reformation of life, a turning from Sin to
in ev&y nation he that feareth him *and worketh righteousness righteousness ; and that, even then, none can be acceptable to
is accepted of him.” It is a misapprehension, far too common, God except through the appointed way-faith in the atonement
that anybody and everybody may come to the Lord upon terms work of our Lord Jesus Christ.
of intimacy and familiarity. In consequence of such misappre- Cornelius, the centurion, whose acceptance with God is the
hensions manv approach the throne of heavenly grace without subject of this lesson. was evidentlv converted to God and to
authority, without invitation, and without acceptance; -be- righteousness years prior to this incident. This is the testi-
cause (reversing the Apostle’s words) they do not fear the many ;-he was a worshiper of God, a benevolent alms-giver,
Lord, are not workers of righteousness, and are not accepted and his love of righteousness and his consistent life were rec-
with him. Lack of instruction, and misinstruction by Chris- ognized amongst those with whom he had to do; yet, neverthe-
[2988]
APRIL I, 1902 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (107-108)

less. something was necessary before he could be accepted fellow-heirs with them of the Abrahamic promises. They con-
with God in the proper sense of that word. There is a lesson sidered it a settled matter that God’s favor had been set apart
here for those who imagine that a reverence of God and moral- to their nation; and that it could not possibly go outside that
itv are all that are Gecessarv to divine acceptance. As Cor- nation to others, in the sense of making those others equally
n&us had these qualities in “large measure for some time be- acceptable to God. These views were based, first, upon the
fore his acceptance, the Lord’s dealing with him may well be promises of God to Abraham, “Thy seed,” etc.; secondly, upon
a guide for all others who desire to approach him in covenant the fact that Israelites were not permitted to have general
relationship. dealings with the Gentiles, nor to intermarry with them;
Altho devout, etc., as we have seen, Cornelius was not a thirdlv. added to all this. the rulers of the Jews had even gone
Jew; and realized himself to be outside the pale of special furthe%, and exaggerated’& some extent these differences. -
divine favor. Still he nraved to God: -we are not told for But now a new dispensation had come: the “seventy weeks”
what he prayed, but i; hirmony with the records, we may of favor to Israel had expired; and the Lord began to extend
readily suppose that he prayed for enlightenment respecting his favor beyond the Jews-as we have already seen, to the
the divine character and plan, and for a closer approach and a Samaritans and the Ethiopian eunuch. We may readily sup-
realization of divine favor and acceptance. Perhaps he had pose that those innovations, altho causing surprise to the apos-
heard of Jesus and was perplexed on this very subject; perhaps tles, would be much easier for them to grasp than the exten-
this led him to the earnest prayers which the Lord saw fit to sion of favor to the Gentiles: they perhsps paved the way to
answer in a miraculous manner, sending an angel to him, as- the latter. When Peter arrived at the house of Cornelius, and
surmg him that his prayers and his alms were appreciated of the latter saw him and recognized him as God’s appointed ser-
the Lord as memorials of his piety. (Verse 4) The angel vant for the bringing of this message to him, he prostrated
intimated that something further than prayers and good himself at Peter’s feet in worship. How different Cornelius
deeds was necessarv; but the additional things the angel was was from the majority of Romans,-especially of Roman sol-
not commissioned -to tell. Cornelius needed-to know-of the diers and officers! Instead of looking down upon the Jew,-
Lord Jesus from the true standnoint: he must exercise faith instead of thinking of himself as a reiresentative of the great-
in him as his Redeemer, befor;! the- memorials of his piety est government in the world, at the time, Cornelius W:IS filled
would count for anything with God, or bring him into the with the spirit of humility, and the fact that his visitor repre-
desired relationshin and under the divine favor. sented the Lord called forth from him some of the same feel-
We know very-well that the Lord could have promulgated ings that were filling his heart in respect to the Lord himself,
the gospel through the instrumentality of angels; but here, --feelings of reverence.
as elsewhere, we see that this was not his purpose-that he But if the centurion was noble and humble, the Apostle
was pleased to use consecrated human sons as-his-ambassadors, Peter showed himself in response to be no less noble and loyal
to proclaim the “good tidings of great joy-for all people-” to God-for he at once began to lift up the centurion, saying,
W’hat a great honor God has thus done us who “were by na- “Stand up ; I myself also am a man.” (Verse 2G) Peter com-
ture children of wrath, even as others” of the race, but who, mends himself to our hearts by this noble course-by this re-
having accepted divine favor in Christ, are not only “accepted fusal to receive unauthorized homage; and he saved himself
in the Beloved” but are made the channels of divine blessing also from a great deal of trial by thus disowning supernatural
and favor in the callin out of others. The divine course in honor and authority promptly,-by recognizing his true posi-
this respect has not on9 y been an honor to his adopted chil- tion, that he was only a broken and emptied vessel, valuable
dren, but, additionally, it has been a blessing;-for what only because of the filling of the vessel with the Lord’s spirit;
Christian does not know from experience that great blessing -distinguished only becuase the Lord had been pleased to use
comes upon all who are faithful in serving the Word to others. him as a vessel of mercy and truth. Not many today are dis-
Cornelius was instructed to send for the Anostle Peter, and posed to offer worship to fellow-creatures, and not many, ex-
was informed in advance that certain words he would tell him cept high dignitaries in the nominal churches, such as popes
were of importance, .-essential to his further progress in and prelates, consent to receive worship; but all such have a
knowledge and in faith,-and through these into divine favor. rebuke in the course of the Apostle Peter in this case. There
Cornelius’ readiness of mind is shown by the promptness of is perhaps little danger in our day that any of the “brethren”
his obedience. He not only prayed, but prepared to cooperate would receive too much honor of men, because the spirit of
with God in the answering of his own prayer. The three per- our time is running in the opposite direction. Nevertheless,
sons sent (two of them household servants, and one of them a wherever a spirit of sevility is manifest, it becomes the duty
soldier. all devout persons, who feared God) give us good of the brother to whom it is offered to refuse it; and to point
evidence that this G&tile who was feeling after G%d, and striv- his fellow-servant to the Lord, as the real benefactor of us all.
ing to the best of his ability to please and honor him, had -from whom comes every good and perfect gift, by whatever
not been keening his light and his faith under a bushel. It channels he may be pleased to use.
had shone out before his family and servants, and before the
a‘WOEDS WHEREBY THOU SHALT BE SAVED”
soldiers under his control. This is the kind of man whom God
delights to acknowledge, whatever may be his nationality or Peter coming into the house, and finding a congregation of
the color of his skin, and all such are recognized of the Lord, earnest God-fearing Gentiles assembled, asked the pointed
and favored above others with light and truth-ever since the question. “For what intent have ye sent for me?” (Verse 2’3)
close of typical Israel’s special favor. There is a lesson here Cornelius then related something of his nast experience, his
that some of the Lord’s neonle need. It is that thev should desire for fellowship with God, 6s endeavor to live in a man-
let the light of truth shin; through them upon all with whom ner pleasing to him, the vision that he had received, and now
they come in contact,-that the spirit of devotion should per- Peter’s arrival in response to that vision, and his expectancg
vade every family, every household, including the servants. that he was about t-o hear what had been promised him-
Evidently Cornelius was full of faith in the Lord. He did “words whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.” (Acts
not wait to see if Peter would come: he knew that he would 11: 14) He was not saved by his almsgiving, not saved by his
come; he had faith in the Lord’s promise through the angel: prayers, nor yet by the message which Peter delivered; but
accordingly he gathered together his friends and relatives and Peter’s message. “words.” exnlaininp matters. enabled Corne-
household-those upon whom he had been exercising an influ- lius and his h%usehold to grasp by Faith the great redemption
ence, and who, like himself, were pious and earnestly desirous which is in Christ Jesus.-and thus to be saved. Saved at once
of knowing all that thev might learn concerning the way of from alienation from God and from condemnation, as sinners;
lifes-the wav of recondiliation and harmony with God and a foretaste of the complete salvation to be granted unto them
all the principles of righteousness which he represents. at the second coming of the Lord.
Meantime Peter, with all the prejudices belonging to the We note with keen interest the Anostle’s meaching, that
Jew:9 for centuries. needed to be nrenared to receive this first we may clearly discern the life-giving me&age whidh he
out-and-out Gentile brought into&the church. This was done brought, from which Cornelius and his associates derived their
by means of a vision, so that Peter, with six brethren from saving faith. We find that Peter’s discourse was the same
JoDoa. came nromntlv to the centurion’s home on the foilowine: gospel message which he had delivered repeatedlv before. It
da&“doubting nothIng,” because evidently the Lord was lea& was Jesus-the good, the obedient-and the sacrifice for gins
ing him in the matter. We see, too, that of all the disciples which he accomplished when he died on the cross. It was the
Peter was the best one to be chosen for this work, because of his message of the hope of a resurrection from the dead through
impetuous disposition and zeal to follow the Lord’s directions him, as attested by his resurrection by the mighty polrrr of
auicklv and heartllv: secondlv, because being the oldest of God. It was the message that a ransom for sinner; having
t’he apostles, and in ‘many respects the most “influential one, been paid to Justice the Lord is now pleased to accept sinners
his course would have thr greater weight with the others. It on conditions of faith, revrrcnce and obedience to rightcons-
is difficult for us to conreive the prejudice of centuries, in the ness acenrding to ability. Peter’s disrourse was “the old, old
minds of the Jews, against any thought of the Gentiles being story” which to many has become tedious and distasteful; but
IV-16 [2989]
(109-110) ZION’S WATCH
which to everv soul, in the right attitude. is the Father’s mes-
sage of forgit-eness’ of sins, “and reconc;liation, through the
death of his Son This is the same message which God is still
sending by all who arp his true ambassadors. There is no
other gospel, and those who present another message are not,
in their service, ambassadors for God, messengers and mouth-
pieces of his spirit.
The Apostle Paul tells us that “It pleased God through the
foolishness of nreachinn to save them which believe”-that is,
it pleased God’to adopz this method of declaring the truth re:
spectmg his redemptive plan, and to accept and justify those
who moultl believe and accent and iustifv those who would be-
lieve and accept this testimony. “The “testimony may reach
people today through letters or tracts or books, or through oral
preaching; it matters not in what manner; it merely matters
that the true message shall be delivered, and received; but
the message vv.
goes, mvariablv. 1. through the human channel, and
not through angels, nor by the holy Spirit’s power or opera-
tion aside from human agents. We are to bear in mind these
lessons of God’s methods, and to apply them appropriately in
connection with the affairs of life. We are not to expect the
Lord to move upon or instruct our friends or kindred or neigh-
bors ; but are to remember that this honor he has conferred
upon his “royal priesthood ;” and accordingly we are to be
“not slothful in business: fervent in snirit: servinp the
Lord ;“-serving the truth in any and every-manner open “to us.
After telling the message itself, Peter explained to Corne-
lius that Jesus commanded the apostles to preach unto the
the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained
of God to be the Judge of the quick and the dead. (Verse 42)
The coming judgment, or trial, of the world, is an important
part of the gospel message; and is not to be neg!ected in the
preaching of the gospel.
What advantage could accrue to the world through the
death of Christ if-there were no future judgment or &al for
them 1 All were iudeed once in the nerson of Adam: and his
condemnation passed” upon all. The’ world needs no further
judgment along the lines of the Adamic transgression and its
weaknesses. The sentence for that transgression was complete.
and leaves nothing that could be added;-the Judge was Jeho-
vah himself, and the sentence was death. And now the good
tidings includes the fact that Christ is to be the Judge of the
world-which signifies that a new trial for life is to be&corded
to Adam and his race. This of itself imnlies a release from the
original death sentence; it implies a redemption from Adam’s
sentence, and an individual trial to determine which members
of the redeemed and to-be-tried race will be accounted worthy
of everlasting life. Yes, this is “good tidings of great joy” for
the world;-even though the great adversary has deluded the
vast majority, even of Christians, into thinking to the contrary
-that no new trial such as Adam had at first is to be granted
to the whole world. boueht with the nrecious blood of Christ.
All are witnesses that this triai -could not have begun
before Jesus became the Judge-hence that none of those who
had died in the four thousand years preceding could have been
judged bv him:-none of them could have been on trial for
&e&al 1i”fe. All should likewise be aware of the fact that the
world in general has not been on trial since our Redeemer was
appointed the Judge, and that it is not on trial today;-that,
on the contrary, the great mass of the world neither knows
the *Judge nor understands the law, nor has any conception of
the conditions and requirements necessary to life everlasting.
This agrees exactly with the statement of Peter, under consid-
eration; and it agrers also with the statement of the Anostle
Paul, “God hath ‘appointed a day in the which he will *judge
the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath or-
dained.” (Acts 17 :31) The appointed dav, as the Bnostle
indicates, was still future in his b;y, and is still future in our
day. That day, as we see from other Scriptures, is the Millen-
nial day, “a day with the Lord, a thousand years.” (2 Pet.
3 :8 1 The only judgment-trial-since our Lord’s resurrection,
which has resulted to any, determining the question of life or
death eternal, has been to the church. The church, as spiritual
Israel, has had much advantage every way over the remainder
of mankind ; because, during this Gospel age, it is being “called
of God according to his purpose,“-that the overcomers may be
joint-heirs with Jesus in his comineI_ work of iudgine the
world. “Know ye not that the saints shall judge ihe-w&Id?”
Peter, in discoursing on the matter, evidently had his mind
more widely opened than ever before to a realization of what
our Lord meant in giving the general commission to preach the
Gospel, not merely to the Jews, but to whoever would have an
ear to hear. Peter was not expecting “ears” amongst the
Gentiles; but now he perceived that God was not a respecter
of nations and features, etc., but that the message was open for
all, and he did his best to present it. He proceeded to show
[29901
TOWER ALLEGHENY, PA
that Jesus, as the Messiah, was not evidenced merely by the
things connected with his ministry, and the ministry of his
followers; but that all these things were foreknown to God,
and planned, and foretold through the holy prophets of Israel,
and that only in and through the name and merit of Jesus,-
only to those exercising faith in him, was God pleased to show
a reconciled face, and from such only was he willing to take
away all sin and shame, and to adopt them into his family.
Cornelius and his devout household and friends had been
waitine for iust such a messaee of divine grace: and as the
words ‘fell from Peter’s lips thei were quickly-and gladly appro-
priated in the hearts of his hearers, who were by this time
accepting Jesus with the same fullness and appreciation as
Peter himself. Their hearts being thus in the right condition
before God, it would have been appropriate for Peter to have
said to them, Now, brethren, vour proper course will be to be
baptized into Jesus by a w&er baptism-symbolizing your
faith in him and vour full consecration to be dead with him,
as his faithful followers. But Peter was not ready to take
such a step, we may be sure. He was surprised that God was
willing that the Gentiles should even know about the won-
derful provisions of salvation in Jesus; which of itself would
have been a blessing. But he was not yet prepared to expect
that the Gentiles would be received of the Lord on practically
the same terms, and with exactly the same manifestations of
divine favor as were the Jews. To make good Peter’s insuffi-
ciency of knowledge to baptize them, and to lay his hands upon
them that they might receive the gifts of the spirit,-and as a
lesson to Peter also,-the holv Snirit was given to Cornelius
and his companions’ without ihe *laying on-of hands-in the
same manner that it was bestowed upon the assembly at
Pentecost.
Peter quickly learned the lesson, and undoubtedly his readi-
ness to learn it was in large measure due to his humilitv and
sincerity of heart, the fuln%s of his consecration to the ‘Lord,
and his desire that the divine will should be done in every
narticular. Peter and his companions from Joppa, “thev of
the circumcision,” were astonished at God’s fa6r upon” the
Gentiles, yet they were not envious. They were glad to wel-
come as cleansed, as brothers, all whom the Lord indicated that
he had received into his fellowship. The result of this out-
pouring of the spirit was a grand testimony meeting: . The
record is that they “magnified God,” praising him, rejpmrng
in their acceptance, etc. Then Peter drew their attention to
the svmbolical baptism and the nronrietv of observing it. We
are not given his arguments on’ the snbject; possibly he ex-
plained that in thus publicly symbolizing their consecration to
the Lord they would be strengthening their own faith; but-
tressing thei; own determinati%n to five and die the Lord’s;
nossiblv. too. he showed them how beautiful is the significance
if the -water’ immersion as a symbol of death and b&al with
Christ; as a symbol also of a resurrection to newness of life
in the nresent time and to a newness of life in per-
feet bodies at the second advent of the Lord. Or possibly
he merelv contented himself with exnlainine to them that it
was the Lord’s own method of doingLand thYat he commanded
that all of his followers should similarly be immersed.
Having called for an expression from those present-espe-
cially from the brethren who accompanied him from Joppa-to
know if any objection could be thought of why these dear
brethren, who had believed in the Lord, who had given evidence
of their consecration and good works, even before they knew
of the Lord and his glorious plan, and who now had been ac-
cented of God. and his accentance manifested-whv these
&ould not be’ admitted to e;ery blessing and arrangement
which God had provided for his faithful ones-irrespective of
their beine Gentiles bv birth. No obiection being offered Peter
command& [directedj them to be baptized in tl& name of the
Lord. He had been sent to teach them. and he delivered his
message with no uncertain sound. Similarly the Lord directs
all of’his people, all who have an ear to listen and to hear his
message. throueh the Anostle Peter, in this lesson. We com-
mand% one, for we have no authority; we are not apostles.
We can merely point out the command of the apostle; the
example of all the apostles; the example of our Lord, etc , and
leave the matter with the “ear” and conscience of each. Indeed,
where we rrcoanize that the true immersion of the will, into
the will of Christ, has been accomplished, we may properly
recognize the brother or sister in full fellowship, even tho he
or she has not nerformed the outward symbolic immersion in
water ; because *we are living in a time “when great confusion
on this subject prevails, and when it would be improper that
we should cast off, reject, or even temporarilv disfellowship
any brother or sister who gives evidence of having had the
real antitvuical ban&m into Christ. For a general examina-
tion of the-question’ of baptism, see our issue of June 15, 1893.
 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
“ELSE WERE YOUR CHILDREN UNHOLY”
Question.-The Apostle says in 1 Cor. 7:13 that “the be- though not what is generally represented as holiness in the
lieving husband aanctifieth the unbelieving wife; likewise the Scriptures, through an entire “cons&ration to the Lord as living
believma wife sanctifieth the unbelieving husband; else were sacrifices. Such children nartakine of the justification of their
your chyldren unholy, but now are they-holy.” ( 1) In what parents, might properly’be cons?dered is belonging to the
sense of the word does the believine one sanctifv the unbeliever? “household of faith,” although they had not in any sense of the
Is it not the truth that sancti&s? and is -it not God who word become saints, by a presentation of themselves as living
sanctifies through the truth? and is it not ourselves he sanc- sacrifices. Hence also they could not in any sense of the word
tifies in the sense of settinn apart to the Lord and to his be considered “members of the body of Christ,” nor as being
service ? What does the A<ostie mean by a different state- begotten of the spilit of adoption to the spiritual nature.
ment? (2 ) In what sense are the children holy in this text? As respects the sense in which the believing husband or
Is there anv imputed holiness? Can thev be said to be par- wife sanctifies the unbelieving one: The thought is that in the
takers of the div?ne nature through their parents? What does exercise of the procreative powers the Lord’s favor upon his
the Apostle mean ? consecrated child extends, to this necessary degree, to the
Answer.-The words “sanctify” and “holy,” as used in this partner in life-so that the children shall not be counted as
text, do not have at all the same signification that is properly partially the Lord’s and partially children of wrath; but shall
attached to them elsewhere in the Scriptures. The Apostle is be counted as entirely the Lord’s and as under his protection
z&cussing the fact that amongst the consecrated of the Lord’s and care during the period of infancy, to the same extent as is
people were some unequally voked with unbelievers-married the believing parent.
io unbelievers before receivmg the truth and coming under the
enlinhtenina influence of the suirit of truth and counsel from IF ANY lMAN DRAW BACK
abode through the Word. A Questson.-A brother who has manifested considerable in-
The question discussed is respecting the holiness of the chil- terest in present truth in the past, seems to have lost it to
dren born of mixed (believin and unbelieving) parentage. some extent, and has re-united with the denominational sect he
\Voultl surh rhrldren be rounte 3 strangers, aliens and toreigners withdrew from previously. In what position would you think
to God and his favor, because of the unbelieving parent, or such a course places an individual? What is the right and
would thev occupy the relationship of favor with God through wrong involved in such conduct?
the believing parent? This important question is not so clearly Answer.-- 1st) While we may safely rerkon that many
discerned today as it was in the days of the apostles, when members of denominations are properly true children of God,
people knew from the Jewish pattern that all the posterity of and mav uroperlv fellowshin them as brethren in Christ, not-
Adam shared in his fall and in the condemnation which came withstandingzthe”fact that they are still in Babylon, and’blind
upon all through him, and that all by nature were “children of to the harvest message, yet the case seems quite different when
wrath.” ( Eph. 2 : 3) They perceived that Israel had been we apply it to those who by God’s grace have once been deliv-
lifted out from amonnst the nations bv the Lord through a ered out of Babylon, and who return thither “as a dog to his
Law Covenant, and that all born into ihat nation were born vomit, as a sow that was washed to wallowing again in the
under the terms of that covenant, while all born outside of it mire,” of sectarianism and blasphemy against God. I think
were strangers and aliens and foreigners to God and his pro- this is a case such as the Apostle Peter mentions, where “it
visions. Now they understood that a New Covenant had been would have been better for them that they had never known
introduced, taking the place of the Law Covenant; but they the way or righteousness, than that they should know it and
could readily discern that as it requires some means of coming turn again from the holy commandment.“-2 Pet. 2:21, 22.
under the Law Covenant in order to be recipients of its favors, (2) However, on the question of right, I suggest that it is
so now it requires some process to come under the terms of all right that those who are not appreciative of the light
favor represented in the New Covenant. Thev could see that should go into the outer darkness. It is all right, because it
the believing husband or the believing wife would be under the is the divine arrangement, that those who have tasted of the
New Covenant. but thev could see eouallv that the unbelieving good word of God and the powers of the age to come, and have
husband or unbeliel ini wife would ‘have neither Part nor lot not appreciated them, should lose them. We are not saying
in the matter. The query which the Apostle is answering may that they lose them forever; that is not for us to decide, but
be stated thus: How about our children? Must we wait until for ourselves we safely can say--
they come to years of discretion before we can introduce them
to the l,ord. and consider them to be under his nrotection. if “My soul, be on thy guard:
thev then accept him ? or is there anv way in which children Ten thousand foes arise.
might be brought under the terms of the New Covenant? The The hosts of sin are pressing hard
Anostle’s answer is that God counts the children as belonging To draw thee from the prize.
to’ whichever parent belongs to him: and thus counting-thi
children, they-are reckonedly treated of him, not as sinners, “Ne’er think the victory won,
but as without sin. that is. iustified. As the uniustified state Nor once at ease sit down;
is a state of sin, so the j’uitified state is one of removal or Thine arduous work will not be done
covering or passing over of sin, and hence one of holiness- Till thou hast gained thy crown.”

THE MEMORIAL SUPPER

APBIL 20TK, 1902.
As alreadv announced. the true anniversarv date for the specting this early
observance, the authority quoted above
commemorat&n of our L&d’s Memorial Supper, according to (NcC. & S. E. Enc~yclopmha) says:-
Jewish Passover. Bv this the first Fridav after the 14th of “In the earliest ages of the church, the day of our Lord’s
April 20th, after six<o’&ock. The fact that Roman Catholics, rrucifixion was rellgiourly observed, not Intl~~l)r~~(l(~rltl~, hut 8~
Episcopalians, and others, will this year celebrate Good Friday part of the sacred season of Easter [Passover] which was cele.
as its memorial, nearly three weeks earlier than the true date, brated by Christians instead of the Jewish Passover, in com-
has caused confusion of thought to some, who have written memoration at once of the death and resurrection of Christ.“
inquiring if we had not miscalculated. We answer, No. The
discrepancy is the result of a change of method of counting,
adopted in the second century for the purpose of avoiding the The meaning of this Memorial Supper and its appropriate-
Jewrsh Passover. Bv this the first Friday after the 14th of ness at the time and manner of commemorating our Lord’s
thr Jewish month, Nisan, took the place of the irregular days death has already been presented in these columns. (March
upon which the 14th of Nisan itself would occur. Later this I&, 18988, Dec. lst, 1901).
was confirmed by the Council of Nice,-“which decreed that We hope that the celebration this year will be quite general
Easter (Passover) should be celebrated throughout the church among our readers;-not *only where there are little groups
after the equinox, on the Friday following the 14th of Nisan.” or churches to assemble themselves, but also where there are
--ilicClintoc7~ & Strong’s Ecclesia.stfcal Encyclopdia. only “two or three” to meet in the Lord’s name; or where
We still pursue the earliest method of reckoning, which was solitary individuals must perforce celebrate alone. We are
long and strenuously defended bv the churches of Asia Minor, solicitous because we know that those who observe it in the
to whom most of St. Paul’s epistles were addressed ;- counting right spirit will have a special blessing and uplift, and that
Nisan from the Spring equinox, the usual Jewish method, and those who neglect it ~111 miss correspondingly.
letting the date fall as it may on any day of the week. Re- The Allegheny church will convene for the celebration at
c29911 (IlO-ill)
(115-116) ZION’S WATCH TOWER ALLEGIIENY, 1'~

7:30 p. m., in Bible House Chapel. Friends will be cordially
welcomed; but we advise that on such occasions each should
so far as possible avoid absence from his usual meeting. If
unfermented wine eannot be procured, “fruit of the vine” can
be made by stewing raisins. If regular unleavened bread can-
not be secured from some Jewish baker or family, biscuit would
be the best substitute.
We hope that each little gathering will appoint one of its
members to send us a postal card report of the number attend-
ing and the interest manifested.

T’OL. XXIII ALLEGHENY, PA., APRIL 15, 1902 No. 8

GREAT VOICES IN HEAVEN

“And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, say&g, The kingdom of this world is becom+- the
kzngdom of our Lord and of h&s Christ; and he shall rezgn for ever and ever.“-Rev. 11:15. R. V.
We are not surprised that it is difficult for the Lord’s ruins of present institutions;-to the close of the 2.300 days
people, and imposslhie for the world, to recognize clearly and of Daniei’s prophecy, and the cleansing of God’s ahtitypical
distinctly the fulfilment of prophecy at the time of its ful- temple, the true church, from the defilement of the dark ages,
filment. It has ever been thus. Looking back to the first as now being due;-to the end of the 1,335 days of Damel’s
advent of our Lord, where many prophecies converged and prophecy which were to bring in the present “harvest” time,
met fulfilment, we notice with what difficulty even the “Israel- which, as foretold, has brought, and is bringing to God’s peo-
ites indeed” were then enabled to grasp the reality of their ple great joy and blessings through an expanded view of the
fulfilment. We remember how the Lord’s brethren and his divine plan of salvation, enabling them to appreciate better
disciples, although in close contact with the Master, hearing the heights and depths and lengths and breadths of the love
him who “spake as never man spake,” and seeing miracles of God, which manifests itself in the divine plan;-to the
p~~~formed sllc~h as had never been performed b&ore, were, completion of the parallels between fleshly Israel, the type,
ncbvertheleys LL1 “slow to believe all the things written [con- and spiritual Israel, the antitvne. bv which we see that we are
cernmg the Messiah] in the law and the prophets”-slow now i’n the “harve& of the ,eie& age, and can know what
to rc,Llize the fnlfilment of these predictions. Bvcn to expect in its remaining years if we look back at the closing
John the Baptist, who realized that he had been specially years of the Jewish harvest, the type. As our Lord Jesus said
commissioned of God to do the work of a forerunner, to to some of his faithful ones whkn explaining the prophecies
introduce Messiah, and who had been given the token that due at the first advent, so, also, might now be applied, to some
the one upon whom he should see the dove descend, he of God’s people, the Master’s words,-“Oh, slow of heart to
might know to be the real Messiah,-after he had borne this belleve all that the prophets have spoken.”
wi&ss to Jesus, saying, “Behold ‘the Lamb of God which Our text is another nronhecv which we believe annlies
taketh awav the sin of the world”-after all this. was not in this harvest time, aid which, consequently, has a’ be-
thoroughly “convinced of the fulfilment of either’ his own ginning of its fulfilment now. As already pointed out in
prophecies or the prophecies of others; and while languish- these columns, we, in common with almost all expositors,
ing in prison sent messengers to our Lord inquiring, “Art recognize that the seven trumpets of Revelation are symbolical
thou he that should come, or look we for another?” Jesus and not literal-indeed that this entire book is a book of
offered him no new demonstration, but merely pointed out symbols, and that so far it has been symbolically fulfilled.
that the Scriptures were being fulfilled by him day by day,- i’hristian people in general understand that five of these
clemonstratmg that he was the very Christ. trumpets have already “sounded” and are in the past;-we
Indeed, we see clearly that all prophecies were written would say six. It is admitted that those that have already
with the divme intention that they should be so obscured as “sounded” have not been literal blasts of a bugle on the air,
to be unintelligible except to a particular class for whom their but divine decrees and their fulfilments; and we esteem that
informatlon w%s mtend:d; and to be made known to these it is reasonable to expect that the seventh trumpet will be
only through the &dance and interpretation of the holy similar in this respect to the preceding six. But literal thrngs
SpGit. 1t“is in p&feet accord with ihis that we find thit are so much more easily received by the natural man that,
our Lortl’s teachmgs at his first advent were spoken m parables even though absurd, th6y commend themselves as instead of
and dark sayings; that hearing, 111shearers might not undcr- the truth.-until our minds are guided of the holy snlrit
stalld-except the frw, the “Israelites indeed,” the chosen, the Into the proper channel by “comp&ing spiritual thir& &ith
clcct. To these our Lord so explained his course; saying, spiritual”-by comparing the seventh trumpet with the pre-
“l:nto you It 1s given to know the mystery of the kingdom cctlinq six trumpets, and not with a natural blast upon the
of Gotl; but unto them that are wlthout [to outsiders] all air. So firmly entrenched is the error that mnny atlvancl>(l
thw~ th~rqs arc done in parables [and dark sayings] ; . . . . (‘hriqtians, Bible students and ministers are really expecting
that hearing they may hear and not understand.” (Mark 4:11, i,,nl(~ t!:~v to hrar what 14 sometlmcx:, tlcnctIin~!:ltc~~l “( ::~1~rlcl c.
It’ ) AntI these cho?cxn “Tsraelittls indeed” needed speri?l ln- 310~11.” &rlll enough and loud enough to awaken the de:111.
~trllc~tlon eren after 111s rc3urrection; for we read that he it 13 both proper and nrcessary that TTO cserc,i9(, front lj:L~
~~pla~ncd unto them the Scrlpturcs; saying. “Thus it is writ- tlc;!c- nlth ChristIan hrclthrcn, who thus dlsplap thclr III-
tt~u :ln(l thus it l~houvecl the Son of illan to suffer and to t’antilc tlevrlol,ment of knowletlge in r:,spect to splrltual things,
cntcr in?o 111s itlorv.” S:lrnllarly It was with dlfficultv, am! v.hlle wr point out io them that this seventh trumpet-“The
I)!I~\- Ilrllior the &,1;lance of the- spcrmlly instructed apostles, Last Trlimpet”-“The Trump of God,” is as much symbolll:
:!I I; the r)rirnltivc* church learned of the partial fulfilment
I
of .IY lucre its pr~~<l(~(~(9sor~and m:~rlts a mn(*J~ laxer :Illtl nl~ll(’
lc,rxl’s pi-ojbhec’y 111 the Prritecostal blessmg; and, later on, II~I~I~,Jixnt ill!!ilnrt~nt thaii .LIIV of Ilrenl. Its flilfilment cutcsirtls
~\(‘I’c’ tnufiht i-cspcctin~ the fulfilment of other prophecies thr’r,,lgh a period of 1,000 years; Its events mark and coinbdltle
t!11o11~:h the w~tlcmr~;: of the message of reconcllmtlon and rvlth a11 the various features of the Mlll~nnlnl rclgn of Christ.
loint ht>irshlp in the kmgdom, so as to include such Gentiles its herinrllng, we understand, was in 1678, and its ternuna-
:IS ~olil~l comr unto the Lor11 through faith and obedience. tion will be a thousand years future from that date. It ~111
These things Ileing oi~v~ously true, we are not to wonder be “sounding” for all that time-during which its events
that tha, fulfilment of prophecies now, in the end of the will be In process of accomplishment.
(:ospcl ape, in its harvest time, should be similarly obscure, What the events represented by this Seventh Trumpet
an,1 require elucidation, and then be comprchenslble only to arc, is briefly explained in the verses following our text (17,
the true spiritual Israelites, now keenly awake, and seeking 18). The first feature of this Trumpet is the announcc-
to know ant1 to do the Lord’s good pleasure. In the M&n- ment of Christ’s kingdom in the earth-the assumption of
,tlaZ Dnlcn series, we have called attention to many of these his great office, the beginning of his reign. This, as we have
Ijroph(+ic fulfllmt,nts now transpiring;-to the end of the already shown from other Scriptures, was chronologically due
6,000 years of the reign of evil, and to the opening of the to begin in 1878. The results of this assumption of au-
revcnth thousand, or period of rest and blessing;-to the great thorlty by Messiah follow in due course as narrated. (1)
antitypical Jubilee, a thousand years long, in whose begin- “The nations were angry and thy wrath is come.” The lay-
nmg we are now living, and whose trumpets of Jnhilee ing of judgment to the line and justice to the plummet, and
announcement are now antitypically being blown in the the sweeping away of the refuge of lies, an early feature in
proclamation of the restitution- bf ali thInye, which God hath onr Lorci’s &En, as tlescribed in the proilhecy of -Isaiah (Isa.
spoken hv the months of all the holy nrophets (Acts 3:21) : 28:17>. will necessarilv result in crreat commotion in the af-
2 to the ‘;Tlmes of the Gentiles” whose ‘fuli end &ll be with’s fairs ,‘f the “present &-il world;” ;6ecause its serial, finnnri;ll.
prcxnt time of trouble. political. erclesiastical, social, witness- political and religious conditions and arrangements will not
inc the full establishment of Christ’s kingdom upon tho square with the Lord’s line and plummet of righteousness.
129921
APRIL 15, 1902 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (116-117)

And because he will not put a new patch upon an old garment. ALL REWARDS AND Pt$ffgIXX;NTS UNDER SEVENTH
present institutions in their entirety wili be overthrown, ai
has been medicted. in the “time of trouble such as was After having thus summarized the work of the Millennial
not since tiere was g nation”-no, nor ever shall be afterward. age to be a work of judgment, beginning with a national judg-
How graphically in a few words is this trouble pointed out,- ment and wrath upon the nations in the establishment of
“The nations were angry, and thy wrath is come.” God’s kingdom, and gradually accomplishing for every member
of the race of Adam an individual judgment, the declaration
TIME OF THE DEAD-TO EE JUDGED proceeds to give certain particulars; saying,&t is the time
Then follows a statement of the object of the establish- “That thou shouldst nive reward unto thv servants the
ment of the kingdom upon the ruins of present institutions; prophets, and to the saints, and them that “fear thy name,
namely, because That will be “the time of- the dead that they small and great; and shouldst destroy them that corrupt the
should be judged.” The dead-who are they but the whole earth.” Here the entire work of the Millennial age, all the
human fa&lyvwhich came under divine sen?ence of death4 events covered by this seventh symbolic trumpet, are enumer-
“Death has passed upon all men, for that all are sinners.” ated, the prophets, the ancient worthies, and the teachers
Only those who have heard of and have received Jesus upon or exponents of the Lord’s words, of this Gospel age, together
divine conditions have life; all the remainder of mankind, with all the saints, all the faithful in Christ Jesus, all the
from the divine standpoint, are dead-under sentence of holy ones, are to be rewarded early in this Millennial day:
death, and rapidly hastening to the tomb. “He that hath the their reward is to be amongst the first events under this seventh
Son, hath life; he that hath not the Son of God, hath not trumpet. Subsequently, all the dead world shall “hear the
life.“-John 5 *. 12 . voice of the Son of God: and thev that hear robevl shall
live [attain to full perfection of belig, hfe everlas~mgi 1” thus
But are the dead to be judged? If they have not al- will be fulfilled the rewarding of “them that fear God’s name.
ready been judged, why should they be dead? Is not death small and great.” They tha; reverence God will reverence hi;
the penalty of sin, the sentence, the result, of a judgment7 laws, and come into full and hearty obedience to the same; and
Truly so; but a redemption has taken place. All became to all such the Lord will be pleased to give the great reward
involved in sin and its penalty, death, through one man’s dis- of life eternal.
obedience (Adam’s), and even so through the obedience of As for the others, such as will refuse to hear the voice of
one (Jesus) justification to life has passed upon all the con- the Son of Man, such as will neglect, when they hear them,
demned.-the dead world. As a result of the atonement the the wonderful words of life, such as will prefer injustice. in-
whole world of dead humanity is to have an opportunity of equity, even when they know.thoroughly the-good from the kvll,
hearing the voice of the Son- of Man (his commands),-and -what of these? These are corrunt. and their influence will
of obeying, and of thus being judged by his words, to be be corrupting, defiling; and hence- the divine decree is that
either worthy or unworthy of everlasting life. They cannot be they shall be destroyed in the second death. And all this re-
judged without his words, and the vast majority,-“dead in wardine: and judging and cleansing of the earth from every
tresDasses and sins.” blinded and deafened by the adversary. defilement, b&g&g -it back to its-primitive holiness, perfee%.
throigh sin,-have’not thus far been enablid to hear the% harmony with God-all this will be accomnlished under the
Redeemer’s wonderful words of life. In the Dresent aceonlv soundi& of the seventh trumpet-by the - time Immanuel’s
“so many as the Lord your God shall call”~have be& abie reign 07 righteousness shall h&e accomplished its intended
to hear with any distinctness; only such, therefore, have had work: for. “he must reign until he hath DUt all enemies under
any responslblllty tar, or been able in any degree to reject, the his beet” ;-until
’
.7

he shall have rescued from condemnation

wonderful words of life, and to bring upon themselves and death, and brought back into harmony with the Almighty,
afresh the sentence of death,-the second death. The present every member of the human family desiring such reconcilia-
age therefore. witnesses the call and the acceDtance of onlv a tion with God and found to be a lover of righteousness and
“Gttlc flock” ‘to whom it is the Father’s good&plrnqure to &ve a hater of iniquity.
the kingdom.-to make ioint-heirs with Jesus Christ their Lord
in the killehnial kingdom. They will be with him In all the WHOSE ARE THE GREAT VOICES7
work of his one thousands years’ reign, for the blessing and
unliftinn of the dead. The dead world will then have the If now we have gotten a glimpse of the purport of the
&es of “its understanding opened and its ears unstopped, and Seventh Trumpet, and are no longer expecting its fulfilment
the knowlellge of the Lord shall fill the whole earth and reach as a voice upon the air, but in the glorious events of the
every member of the dead lace. not only those who have not Kingdom. what sh;rll we say respectlug the “L’I~:L~ \oi(*(*s”
J-et “gone down into the tomb,* but Wi the families of the which, at its very beginning, are to announce that the time
earth:” for. “all that are in the grave shall come forth” for has come for the establishment of the kingdom? We answer
the &rv &pose of hearing the ‘wonderful words of life,” that we are not to expect them to be angelic shoutmgs in the
and of- b&n-g judged by <hem. If they shall accept them sky, nor muttermgs of thunder. We are to remember that
heartily they shall, by restitution processes, be brought fully the voices are symbolic as well as the trumpets, and in this
UD to life conditions; such as Adam possessed before sin and direction we look for the fulfilment of this declaration which
&ath took hold upon’ him; if they shall reject them and clmg must be due at about the present time, if we are correct in our
to sm and iniustice. thcv shall be adludeed worthy of the understandinc of the nronhetic teachings. to the effect that
second death and be “destroyed from amongst the people”- the kingdom”power of iI\lcs’slah was ass&&d in lS78, and that
Acts 3:23. the King has since been ordering the events which will shop tly
l,ring about the grcnt tint<, of troulllr, the angrv natlonq, antI
What is here termed “the time of the dead that they the wrath of God manifesting ltsclf in th(tir dcstrurtion, as
sliould be Judged,” is elsewhere termed the “day of ~udg nations and institutions-not as people, thoucrh. undoubtedly,
merit,” of which the Apostle declares, “A day with the Lord IF~V hmrrla~ llrcs will 1~ sacrificed in that trouble.
1s as a thousand years”-with men. We remember that the As we examine some of the parallels glvrn to jllustrnte thr
inspired declaration respecting this day of Judgment is-“God work of this Gospel age, especially the work of this “harvest”
hath apnointetl a dav [the Millennial day-the thousand years In the close of the ace. we learn that llke as the L,ortl and
of Ch&t’s reign], in ‘which hc will ,J<dpe the wor!d (dead 111s l’ollowers at the i&t allvent tlltl a reapInK work in the
In trespasses and sins, but redeemed by the precious blood] !~an~‘st of the Jewish age, separatmq the “wheat” from the
in righteousness [that is with a just trial or judgment] by “clrnff’‘--gathcrlng the wheat into the garner of the higher
that man whom he hath ordained”-the Christ, Head and spirit dispensation, and leavmg the chaff to be consumed with
body --A%c’tR 17 : 3 1. the fire of trouble which c3me upon the Jewish nation nttcbrly
What a glorious judgment day that will be, and how destroylny its r)olltv.--so likewise will it be ln the harvest
miscrablv false have heen our conceotions of it in the oast- mg of th’ls Gospel a&, in the separating here of the “wheat”
how foolish, how ridiculous, how dishonoring to God a$d re- from the “tares:” In the gathering
I-, cz
the. wheat to the Earner
_.
pulsive to Justice, wisdom and love divine! Yes, this is an of the heavenly ‘kingdom and the abandonment of the tares
object worthy of -the Millennial kingdom ;-it is emphatically to the burrunq time of trouble which will destroy the present
“the time of the dead [world] that they should bc judged,” institutions of the angry nations. As the reapers, who in the
that they should have their trial for life or for death ever- Jewish harvest gathered the wheat into the garner, were the
lasting,-their share of the great ransom. Then will not bc Lord’s faithful srrvants (men in the flesh), so the reapers
the time for the Judgment of the church, for that takes place in this present harvest will be the Lord’s faithful servants
in the present axe ; as it is written, “Juclgment must bragin at (men in the flesh), under the guidance and instruction of his
the house of God”; as it is written again, “When we are Word.
judged of the Lord, we are chastened, that we should not Similarly we find that the Lord’s people living at the
be condemned [judged] with the world”-ir the coming present time arc again referred to by the Lord in figurative
Millennial age of judgment or trial. language, when he declares that he will send forth his mes-
[2993]
(118-119) ZION’S WATCH TOWER ALLECH~NY. P'a

sengers with the sound of the great trumpet [the Seventh they have been heard by many. But although they have
Trumpet1 and shall eather together his elect unto him. from been tendlng in the direction of the announcement mentioned
the f&r wind? of heaven. Thicwork we understand to de now in our text, they have not, up to the present time, made a
in progress; each one who receives a knowledge of present distinct annunciation of the important matter mentioned in
truth is not only made glad and strengthened. refreshed individ- our text; namely, that the kingdom time has come; that the
ually, but is also put into service forihwith And permitted in a King is present-and has assumed the authority; ana that hl:
suecial sense to be a co-worker with his Lord in the harvest work is henceforth to be accounted the chief factor in COX-
work,--the gathering unto the Lord of all the ripe wheat of nection with all of earth’s affairs;-as leading up to the great
this present time. According to the parable the wheat and disintegration of present institutions in the approaching time
the tares were to grow together until the harvest :-there of trouble which shall make his people willlne to hear his
was to be no general ga&ering or separating befbre the voice-when many nations and people shall say, ‘*i&t us go up to
harvest: and so we see that in all denominations. wheat and the mountain [kingdom] of the Lord’s house; he will teach us
tares are to be found very generally commingled: But now of his ways and we shall walk In his paths,‘-when he “will
the harvest time has come, and the harvest truth, as a sickle, turn to tile people a pure language [a-pure word of instruc-
is to scnarate and gather the wheat. that it mav all be tion which they can understand-in contrast with the Dresent
safely garnered. The wheat is not td be gathered”into an- mysticism and- confusion] that they may all call u&n the
other new sect, or denomination, with another new sectarian name of thl: Lord. to serve him with one consent.“-Zeuh. 3:9.
name, but is to be gathered to the Lord,-“Gather my The volunteer’matter prepared for this present yiar (the
saints together unto me; those who have m$de a covenant issues of our lournal for February 15 and March 15) had
with me bv sacrifice.” (Psa. 50:51 This work is Point onward already been prepared, and contracts had already been’ made
gradually.“steadil-v; mole and mo;e the Lord’s tr;e p:ople are for a million couies of these issues. in eaual uarts. for this
coming id a knowledge of his true plan and getting-free from volunteer season, which will begI; imm&hat:ly after the
the ignorance and suuerstition and blindness of the dark ages. Memorial-April Zith-before we thought of how wonderfully
supe&duced by the .great ac?versary, Satan. Gradually thus; this year’s distribution will agree with the declaration of
faithful ones are beinp individuallv riuened. Derfected and out text. The matter was call& to OLU attention by one of
made meet for the kin”gdom*, and <ass&g intoLit, they shall the brethren of the office force. Here will be a million voices
be “changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye”-the proclaiming throughout the nominal church (symbolic heavens)
moment of death. the great message of this present tune; namely, the second
As in these various parables and figures, representing the presence of our Lord as the reaper of the harvest of the
end of this age, the living members of the church are evi- Gospel age, gathering the wheat into the “garner” and de-
dentlv the active agents in the Lord’s service-as we do not stroying the tares (as tarts-not as human beings) and es-
see &gels going about through the world binding the tares tablishing his glorious kingdom upon a firm foundation of
with literal cords into literal bundles. and entherine the wheat righteousness and equity, for the blessing of every creature re-
into a literal barn ,-neither do we sek the &gels flvyng through deemed by his own precious blood. These voices summarize
the heavens [symbolic of the religious institutions of the in a brief way some of the testimonies of the Scripture re-
present time] ; so we are not to expect that the voices under specting the presence of Christ, its time, its order 03 events,
the Seventh Trumpet! proclaiming the kingdom, uill be any and his final manifestation in the alorv of kingdom power.
more than human voices and human agents. Nor should we We have no assurance that the “h;avens” mill “hear, br re-
exnect them to be other than the voices of those who have
1
spond to the message, and glorify God on this behalf; indeed
snme mexhure of light in rr,-pert tn the timrs in wh~c*h we pre we can only expect that at most only a remnant ‘0~111be
now living, the harvest time, the time of the establishment counted worthy to understand respecting the great work of
of the kingdom. Those who utter these voices declaring God now in progress-just as only a few in the entl of
that the “kingdom [dominion] of this world, has become the the Jewish age were found worthy to understand and ap-
kingdom of our Lord, and of his Christ” must of necessity preciate the truths concerning their harvest time.
be &eh as have first ‘learned this fact from some quarter. THE PRIVILEGE OF THE SERVICE
There are some of God’s ueople in all Darts of the world Referring to the reapers of the Jewish harvest, his faith-
(and their number is incrra&ni daily) w60 do realize fully ful disciules. our Lord said. “He that reaueth recelveth
&d thoroughly these very things, ai:i who are doing all in wages a& gathereth fruit &to eternal life:” The same
their Dower to gather together. unto the Lord, all who are his words are evidently applicable in this present harvest: it is a
conseirated on&;-seek&g to’ separate the wheat from the urivileee to serve our Lord at any time and in any manner.
tares and to prepare them for the garner, the kingdom; and 6ut a special privilege came to the faithful in the e”nd of thd
to these we must look expecting to hear from them the Jewish age ; and similarly a special privilege of service has
“great voices” announcing the kingdom. come to God’s people LLOW.in the end of the Gospel age. The
We might say that the volumes of &fillennial Dawn message may &l&d be iesented, and those whb promulgate
have to some extent been such voices, announcing the kingdom, it mav be suoken evil of and uersecuted. as were the auosties
and giving the reasons for believing that it begsn to be estab- and iaiaithfui brethren in the sast; but ‘what of this%’ A Shall
lished in 187s : tllat it will reach full establishment in *October, we not like them and like our Lord “learn obedience” by the
1914; and that ultimately it Ehall bless all the families of things which we may suffer for the truth’s sake? Shall not
the earth. These voices have been circulated here and there we also learn to “rejoice in tribulation” and to “count it all
throughout the whole civilized world, not by worldy agents, joy” when our names are cast out as evil, and when all
not through book-sellers, but k*y those who have th-mselres manner of evil is said against us falsely for Christ’s sake?
l?een blessed hy the light, and who desire to render a service to Yea, verily! We do rejoice, and we will rejoice yet mole,
the Lord and to the truth, and to lay down their lives for in the great privilege granted us of being co-laborers together
the brethren by taking to thrm the glbrious and encouraging with God in this grandest and most momentous day the world
message now due to the Lord’s people. These voices have been has ever known.
uttered, and to some extent heard, in the symbolic heavens, The number of those engaging in this volunteer service
the nominal church; yet they do not seem to fulfill all that is is auite considerable--esuecially in some localities where the
imulied by the great voices of our text ;-we note other love; the zeal for the Lo&l, and-for the truth, abounds grentlv.
vo&es, all “however;’ from the- (Those who cannot thus engage can find other opportunities
“HERALD OF CHRIST’S PRESENCE”
For some three years past a “volunteer work” has been tho none better, except, perhaps, the colporteur work.) In
steadily progressing amongst the brethren-the work of render- Washington, Toronto and Boston, are found three of the most
in_n nqsistanrr to th- membrrs of the l~onsrl~old of faith still energetic companies, probably ‘i0 per cent of whom are so
in’babylon, still in darkness respecting the Lord, hi: trlle char- full of zeal as to be able so to arrange their affairs as to
acter, his true plan, and respecting the nearness of his King- participate in this service of the truth. It is not surprising
dom. This consists generally in the circulation of printed mat- to know also that nowhere does the love of the Lord, and
ter, not far from the exits of the various churches of all interest in his cause more abound than among the brethren
denominations, especially in the United Sta.tes, Canada and of these three cities. The friends particiuatin9: gratefullv ac-
Great Britain. Their services are all rendered freely “as knowledge that they have received blesiings -f& more “than
unto the Lord”-time, energy, carfare, etc., are gladly sacri- compensating them for every trial and every sacrifice in-
ficed in the service of the truth and of the brethren; and, volved. Yes, indeed “He that reapeth receivcth wages.” daily,
additionally, contributions are sent in from which the “am- hourly : -his service brings its rica recompense; he realizes that
munition” ‘is Drovided.-the tracts, booklets, papers, etc., for God is accepting his imperfect work th;ough’Jesus, and that
free distrihutibn. These “Voices,” uttered $0; the past three thus he is confirming and establishing his faith and demon-
years, have been “great voices” in the sense of being wide- strating the honesty-of his consecrati;n to the Lord, the re-
spread and in the sense of exercising considerable influence- ward of which God has promised shall be life everlasting
* See leading article in issue of November 1, 1914. through Jesus Christ our Lord.
[ 29941
Amrr. 15, 1902 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (119-120)

We hope, dear brethren and sisters, that in view, of what Christ “saying unto Zion,-Thy God reigneth”-the reign of
we saw in our issue of December 1, 1901, respecting the the anointed one has commenced.
“Three Signs” and respecting our share in the making of 1902 VOLUNTEER WORK AND AMHUNITION ORDERS, 1902
those signs ; and in view also of what we saw respecting our Let each little group elect as its captain for this “volunteer”
privilege as reapers in the harvest, gathering the “wheat”: service the brother manifesting the greatest executive skill
and what we saw respecting the gathering together of the and judgment. Ascertain how many “volunteers” you can
elect unto the Lord; and what we see in this article respecting secure. Meet weekly for conference, prayer and encourage-
the “great voices” which are to declare the dominion of this ment. Estimate the quantity of papers necessary to serve
world transferred to the Lord: and that now he is a King the attendants at all the churches you can serve, and order from
among the nations; and that it’is our privilege to be engage; us at once one-half of these. Order the remaining half one
in the work of sounding forth the announcement in the month before you will be ready to use them.
“heavens” ;-in view of all these things we trust that fresh The object in having the two different papers for this
zeal, fresh energy, fresh courage, will be the portion of each year is, to- avoid sending duplicates into the -homes-because
of the Lord’s consecrated ones, so that this year more than members of the same family usually leave church together.
ever we may show forth the praises of him who hath called We will send the papers of -equal parts in each bundle; but
us out of darkness into his marvelous light. when you open the bundles, please, first thing, separate the
Should all the Lord’s people, who enjoy this light of present two kinds and then combine them so that each paper of one
truth, become thoroughly awake to their privileges, it would date will be followed by another of the other date in the
probably require two million papers to supply their require- entire pile. Then as they are handed out they will go equally
ments during the coming season, and if this quantity should and alternately. We have no opportunity for thus mixing
be called for, we believe that the Lord would, in due time, them before sending to you. Large orders will be filled in
enable us to meet the requirements. Let us each resolve that bundles of 800 and 1,600 (half and half, the two dates) and
others may do as seems proper to them; but that we will will be shipped by our printers by freight. Use up whatever
exercise our God-given judgments and opportunities in the old “ammunition” you have on hand, but order no more for
service of the truth-as the feet members of the body of this service.

WHAT DOTH IT PROFIT?

MAL. 3 : 14-18.
“What doth it profit meS” I hear a weary pilgrim say, The path that leads to Heavenly heights finds many sunless
As he sinks beside his burden upon the “narrow way,” days ;
“What do I gain,” he plaintive moans, “in service of my Qod, The “narrow way” to Life Divine, oft leads through shadow-
Save weary pain and labor, bearing this heavy load? land,
For many dreary years I’ve toiled through sunshine and through Yet the ;;;,g Master walks beside, and holds our trembling
rain,
Through chilling winds and wintry blasts, I’ve suffered keen-
est pain, The “shield of faith” we must not fail to use as on we go,
The rocks have cut my weary feet, I’ve left a bleeding track, For “darts” are flying thick and fast from the Christran’s
I cannot climb this mountain side, my feet are slipping back. wily foe;
The world has not been “called” to walk upon our “narrow
Why should I suffer day by day, bearing this heavy cross? way.”
Why may I not the ‘promise’ gain without this pain and loss? The shallow pleasures they enjoy are only for a day.
I see so many all around who do not serve the Lord, 0, who would covet their poor joys, or look with envious eye
Upon the flow’rs which deck their path and blossom but to
Yet they are not thus burdened and their lives hold rich reward;
die?
Their barns are filled with plenty and their vats with wine Happy your lot, ye sons of God! 0, “Jewels” of the Lord
o’erflow, Press on ! Nor faint upon the road that leads to your
While I am made to drink the dregs of bitterness and woe.” reward !
And thus he faints upon his way, and darkness fills his heart.
0, foolish one, with “armor” loosed, and pierced by Satan’s The way is weary, yet it ends in life, in bliss, in God!
“dart”- Press on ! Nor longing look ye back o’er the path that ye
have trod.
Dost thou not hear the Master: “The servant’s like his Lord;’ Keep looking upward toward the “Prize,” and let its glory
0, listen to His message and heed His Holy Word: wake
“If ye will suffer with me, then with me ye shall reign; Glad “Hallelujahs” to our King, who suffered for our sake;
He who would shine in glory, is perfected through pain.” Who died to give us life, that we might also with Him die,
We cannot walk with Christ our Lord and still find flowery Then share “His Resurrection” and His glorious throne on
ways, high ! -ALICE G. JAMES.

NOTING DISPENSATIONAL CHANGES

ACTS 11 :4-15.-APRIL 27.
g6Whosoe~ be%eth i?t h&n 8h& receive remission of tins."-Acts 10:43.
The news of Peter’s visit to Cornelius and the baptism of rather by their exneriences and his providential leadings. He
the latter, a Gentile, into the Christian church, created quite could have sent an angel to the apostles, at the appointed
a hubbub-not in Jerusalem only, but throughout Judea. Peter time, to inform them definitely that the “seventy weeks” of
may have been called to Jerusalem by the brethren to give Israel’s favor had expired; and that now, in harmony with
some explanation of such an innovation;-or, learning of the the divine plan, the Gospel was to be preached not to Jews
commotion, he may have gone voluntarily to explain the situa- only. but to neoole of anv or every nation who might be found
tion and to set the minds of the brethren at rest respecting wit-h’ “ears io hear”-w&h hear& to appreciate-it. But to
the propriety of his course. He took with him the six-of the have made such a revelation would have had three disad-
JODDa brethren who had accomoanied him to the house of vantages: (1) the church would thus be caused to walk by
CoZelius. This was a wise course; Peter recognized that sight ‘rather than by faith ; (2) a precedent would have been
however well satisfied he himself might be respecting the established under which at anv future time the Lord’s ueo-
propriety of what he had done, it was but just to the brethren ple would have been warrante”d in expecting miraculous- in-
to give as explicit a testimony on the subject as possible-to struction, and thus their minds would have been diverted from
avoid the least around for criticism or division of sentiment the Scriptures which God intended should be the light upon
in the church. - our pathway; (3) miraculous instruction is opposed to thought,
We note the divine providence which guided in this matter reflection and examination of underlying principles-so im-
-that (1) it was Peter, the eldest, and in some respects the portant to the progress of the Lord’s people in grace and in
strongest ‘of the apostles who was chosen for this- service; knowledge.
and (2’1 that he was guided in iudament in resoect to takine We should not be surprised that the apostles would be
with him six of the pr>minent Jippi brethren. &Thus does th; opposed to Peter’s going to the Gentiles with the gospel mes-
Lord supervise the affairs of his people, while yet leaving the sage ; such a course was contrary to all the traditions of their
matter without a special direct revelation-teaching them nation for over sixteen centuries-seemingly in contradiction
[2995]
(121-122) ZION’S WATCH
of many of the statements of the prophets: prudence, there-
fore, n1ade them beware lest the new 11eht and blessmrr which
they had received should mislead them &to too great liberty-
into license contrary to the Lord’s Word. They probably
called to mind that the promises indicated that God’s blessings
were to come to the &orld through Israel-“the forces of
the Gentiles should come unto thee”-the “sons of strangers
shall build up thy walls”-“the nation and kingdom chat
will not serve thee, shall perish,” etc. They may also have
recalled our Lord’s words at the beginning of his ministry
when sending forth the apostles, and- subs<quently, the “se+-
entr.” he said. “Go not into the wav of the Gentiles. and into
” , I
any city of the Samaritans enter yc not; for I a771not sent
but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.“--Matt. 15:24.
In view of these things the auostles and brethren did onlv
their duty in calling PAer to account-in seeing to it tha%
they took no liberty with the Lord’s directions-that they did
not attempt to get beyond or to circumvent his arrangements.
They did rcal1zc that a rhangc of dihpensatlon wns upon them,
and that in some important sense Israel was rejected by the
Lord, so that only the remnant accepting Christ were now in
divine favor; but they did not realize fully what this meant,
nor see clearly how the Lord’s promises centering in Israel
were yet to be fulfilled. We can see now, in the light of
provicicntial leadings and apostolic teachings; and in the light
of Drouhet1c fulfilment. what it was not *Dossible for them to
see&cl&arly at that time.
We can see that natural Israel was being rejected,-
bhnded with a hlindnrss which would last for nearly nineteen
centurirs. We can see God’s purpose to elect, in the interim,
the suiritual seed of Abraham: taking. firstlv. from the natural
Tsraeiites all found worthy;’ and Tecondl”i, completing the
election with chosen ones selected from among the Gentiles-
possessing the spirit of Abraham, the spirit of faith and obed-
ience. \\ c (*an see, that this Spiritual Israel was not fully
explained through the promises and through the prophets;
but that the elect church in the prophecies was counted in
the Messianic promises-as members of the body of Messiah
of which Jesus is the Head, “God blessed forever.” (Rom
B.ri) \\‘c can see, that not until this hotlv of Mes:inh shall he
complete will the Lord’s promises to natural Israel have ful-
filment ,-then their hl1ndness bcina turned awav (Ram. 11:
26-32),’ they will become the leading nation of ‘earth, repre-
sentative of the sniritual kingdom of God. the glorified church.
the Messianic boiy: then the forces of the Ge&iles will corn;
to them, and all earthly interests will co-operate, and a bless-
1ng through Israel shall procred to all the families of the earth.
THE CHARGES AGAINST PETER
It is rather pecnllar, that the charges made against Peter
were not that he had recognized Cornelius as a Christian and
baptized him and his housegold, but that he hatI gone 111totheir
17071seand had eaten bread with them-proceedings which
were conrrary to Jewish custom entirely-the recognition of
the Gentiles as being on an equality with the Jews-a matter
which had been settled to the contrary with them, from time
immemorial. Singularly, too, the Apostle Peter in his defense
entirely ignored *iheir “ihargks and-proceeded to acquit him-
self as thongh they had charged him in the way we would
have expected--with receiving a Gentile into Christian brother-
hood. Let Peter’s co77rse <as Just the proper one, and, un-
donhtedlg, hc was g771ded thereto. There is a lesson in this
for the Lord’s people to the effect that it is always better to
discuss fundamental principles and divine laws than t,o dis-
nute over trad7t7ons of men and mere techmeal olzrrvances,
I
customs, etc. When Peter got the fundamental features
straight hefore the minds of all, the question of social cus-
tams WRS settled; whereas. if he had discussed the proprieties
of the social custom, the larger question would still have been
ansettled.
Peter’s simple, hnmble, unvarnished explanation was a
rehearsal of the facts in the case. He considered that the
evidence which had convinced him that he was right, would
similarly convince the others; and he was correct in this. He
might on the contrarv have “stood on his dignity” and have in-
0
sistcd that what he (iid was none of the bu&ne& of the others
-that he was an apostle and the eldest of them, and specially
pidetl of thr Lord ; and that the Lord had even declared in
advance that he sho77ld have and use the krps of the kingdom,
and that as he had used the first of these in announcing
the divine favor on the day of Pentecost, so now he had
nsed the other in opening the door of favor to the Gentiles.
Such a course while it would have had a great deal of truth
in it, would have heen an unwise one to say the least ;-the
hnmbler, kinder, more brotherly course he did take speaks well
to 77s of his heart condition, his humilit:, his love to the
brethren, his desire to make matters so simple, so clear, so
[29961
TOWER ALLEGHENY.PA.
explicit, that none could have any occasion for stumbling over
his action. Had he been arrogantly disposed, a great breach
in the church might have resulTed;-but-no; the Lord was at
the helm. and had Peter been out of urouer condition of heart
would not have used him, but some huibler brother for this
service. There is a good lesson in this for us all-especially for
such as are chosen leaders of the various little companies of
the Lord’s people: the lesson, is humility, brotherly kindness,
love. Any appearance of haughtiness, anythinS dictato~lal 1n
manner or tone would be unbeconlinp in any of the Lord’s people.
hut especially so in any seeking to serve him: lentlers n7anlfest:
ing a haughty spirit should be considered, in that respect and
degree, unsuited to the position they fill,-while those who
m&if&t the hnmbler manner and spirit 02 Peter on this oc-
casion. should be DroDortionatelv the more esteemed bv all.
Peter rehearsed lhis experlencks, the Lord’s leatliqgs, “going
into the smallest details, so that the brethren might have
the benefit of the s7tuat1on as iully as tho71gh they hacl lIeen
in lus stead; and to their crecht, the record saps, that, when
they had heard the particulars, so far from further mur1nuring
against Peter or finding fault with his course, thC,v glorified
God. This shows us clearly that their oppo&ion to the
extension of the gospel favor was not the result of any nar-
rowness or meanness of heart; but was the result of conscien-
tious conviction respecting the divine program. They were
gradually learning the lesson that a new dispensation was be-
ing ushered m, by divine prov1tlence, and their ent17e anxiety
was that they might 7,711 7:o f:1-tear tl1:711 111(1I,q)r,l’\ hlb1111,
through his Word and pror1dences, would direct them-glad,
however, to note the leadings and to receive the lessons and
to act accordmgly.
Similarly, we today are living in a time of changing dis-
pensations; similarly, the Lord’s providence IR now gu7tl1nC
his people to a clearer appreciation of his plan-to a dis-
cernment of certain changes of dispensation now 1n progress:
First, that as in th? e&l of the Jewish age the- nominal
systems of fleshly Israel were reJected of the Lord, anal ignored,
so now the nominal systems of spiritual Israel are rejected of
the Lord, and all “18raelites indeed” are being gathered out
of them. Second. as it was a difficult matter for the Jews
to realize that divine favor wo77l11 extenll l~hyo11(1 their na-
t7on to the Gentllcs, so now it ii: a difficult mattrr for Chris-
tian neoule to comprehend that divine favor does not end with
the election of the&Christian church; but that, on the contrary,
the hlessinp of all the families of the earth mnst there herin -
‘3
and that the new dispensation, the Mlilennium, in which ‘ihi<
favor to the world is to be hestowed by the church, is nigh,
even at the door. As Peter was patient in his esplannt1on
of the Lord’s providence and leadings in respect to the greater
lengths and breadths of divine favor, so now it behooves all of
the Lord’s DroDle to he very patient, verv gentle, and aq wise
I L
as serpents 1n presenting to”tge1r fellow eh&tians, true Israel-
ites. the evidence which the Lord’s urovidence has furnishccl
to us, in respect to the worl(l-wide blessings and their near-
ness. Our Lord’s words are applicable, “Be ye wise as
serpents, harmless as doves.“-Matt. 10 : 16.
Peter explained to his hearers the simple Gospel mes-
sage which he had presented to the Gentiles, and which they
had so glatlly received ; that it was in no sense a perversion of
the n1esaage preached to the Jews, and in no degree were
any of the‘Go;pel’s conditions modifiecl to win Ge71t7lc approval :
it was the same gospel that had blessed them wh7ch now re
freshed and bless;1 {he Gentiles. He told them of his snrprise
when the Lord manifested 111sfaror toward the Gcntilcs by
b&owing some of the gifts of the holy spirit upon them-
similar i6 those bestowed upon the Jewish believe& at Pente-
cost and subsequently transmitted through the apostles. He
declnres that tl7is manifestation of divine favor called to his
mind the words of the Lord, “John indeed baptized with
water: hut ve sl1all br bantizrcl with the holy spirit.” (Acts
1:5) ’ By &is he understdotl clearly that the h&ly spirit bap-
tism was of much greater importance than water baptism; and
he understood. further, that only the “.v~u” class would be
baptized with the holy ‘spirit : and hence be could not logically
ignore the fact that the Gentiles harmg received the same spirit
must be in the Lord’s estimation reckoned as members of the
same body of Christ, and eligible to baptism, etc. He con-
cluded his argument with a question which must have appealed
to all of his hearers; “Who was I that I should withstand
God 9”
The whole company agreed, that Peter would have had
no right to withstand the will of the Lord; but that every
propriety called upon him to conform his teachings and his
conduct t,o the Lord’s arrangements; and so under this wise
presentation the entire company came into full harmony of
heart and mind, on an important subject which, had it not
APRIL 15, 1902 ZION’S
been properly handled, might have meant rending and discord
in the earlv church, and have made two or more factions of
those who were at deart desirous of being right and in accord
with the Lord’s will. Let us each and all resolve to follow
Peter’s example in every such matter, and thus to study the
welfare, the best interest, the peace, bf Zion.
The decision of the conference was. that the evidence
educed by Peter was unquestionable, that a new step in the
divine plan had been taken, and that henceforth God had
granted to the Gentiles as well as to the Jews the privilege
of “repentance unto life.” Very properly none of them-thought
of calling into auestion God’s right. God’s Drivilene in this
matter tf gran&ng repentance “unto life. L These faithful
brethren were not disposed to run into either of two extremes
common to some today-they neither claimed that God was
bound to give his favors only to Israel, nor on the other hand
did they claim that he was bound to make a free offer of re-
pentance unto life to everybody alike. Some today go to even
i greater extreme than &is, claiming not only ai opportunity
for reDentance unto life to all. but that God must eventuallv
and everlastingly save all-grant all everlasting life. Let ail
the Lord’s people beware that they do not attempt to dictate
to the Almighty.; that they recognize him as a sovereign, and
seek to know ins ~111, and not to dictate according to their
WlllS.
The brethren evidently drew the lesson which the Lord
wished them to draw; namely, that God was thenceforth willing
to grant forgiveness of sins to Gentiles as well as Jews who
would repent and seek to be in harmony with him. There is
no suggestion in this of coercion nor acceptance upon any other
contlltion than repentance and pardon of sins; and this
implies faith in the Lord Jesus and in his work as the ransom
fo; sinners, and turning to God with full sincerity of heart,
to know and, as far as possible, to do those things which
would please him. This is still the position of the Lord’s people
and must be to the end of the age; it is the established
“THE DISCIPLES WERE FIRST
ACTS ll :%SO.-MAY 4.
“The hand of the Lord toas with them; a& a p-eat number
Antioch, at the time of our lesson, was the third city in
the world in rank of commercial importance and population,
the latter being estimated at 500,000. Its situation was about
309 miles north from Jerusalem,--a long distance in those
days of foot and camel and sailboat traveling. It is noted
as being the first city outside of Palestine in which a Chris-
tian church assembly was formed; and indeed, we might say
that as Jerusalem was the center of influence in Palestine, so
Antioch became a center of influence as respected the gospel
amonrst the Gentiles. It seems that the start of the work of
the &rd at Antloch, the little spark of light and truth which
stal ted that Important work, resulted from the persecution
at the time of Stephen’s death. Sonre of those forced out of
Jerusalem by the persecution settled m Antloch, and, of course,
they coul11 not live and walk in the light of the Gospel without
lettmg the light shine out for others. This at first was done
only toward those who were of the Jewish faith, for in a large
commercial city such as Antioch there were sure to be large
numljers of Jews. TVr know not horn mnnv of’ these wc’c
reached ~lth thp Gospel; but It was confined’ to them, surely,
until thr en{1 of Israel’s srventr svml~olic:~l weeks-until A. I>.
IC
Il.3 At the S~IIIC tlrnp that the ?iord ~-as sentling Phdip to
to open the door to the Gentiles iverywhere; ‘and under th>
Ieactmg of divine pi-ov~rleucc some of the ChristIan Hebrews
got the proper thought at the proper time,-that a Gentlle whr:
moultl receive the Lord Jesus, and conform his life to his
teachlugs, could he classed as a disciple equally as tho he had
been born a Jew. The work thus started amongst the Gentiles
at .lnt l0a.h spr~~;~d (~~~n~itl(~ralrlv. tilt- (:ontll(~.i ;;(>mlnp to t;rkr
more notice of it than had the Jews to Prhom the gospel was
first preached, and, as our Golden Text assures us, large num-
hers believed. There is a lesson here, to the effect that while
the Lord made clear to the apostles first the matter of re-
cciving the Gentiles into the church, he, nevertheless, did not
confine his message to them, but was willing to use any con-
vcnlent disciple no matter how hnmhle, as a mouthpiece for the
truth, and was pleased to bless the consecrated ambassadors
and their service. So today let each and all of the Lord’s
people he alert to notice opportunities for service, and let
those who occupy a position as teachers in the church emulate
the example of the apostles, who manifested no spirit of
jealousy in respect to this broadening of the work-rejoicing,
WATCH TOWER (122-123)
principle underlying all of the Lord’s dealings and promises.
Our Golden Text is in full accord with this. The remission
of sins, typically, year by year, was Israel’s favor only, for
centuries: and when the real sacrifice for sin had been offered,
the privilege of repentance unto remission of sins, tho confined
for a time (three and a half years) to the Jews was there-
after thrown open to all alike-“He that hath an ear let him
hear” the message. There is no other means of approach to
God than through the remission, the covering of our sins;
and there is no other means of covering than through faith
in the precious blood of Christ. “No man cometh &to the
Father but bv me.” “There is none other name under heaven
given among -men whereby we must be saved.” All suggestions
therefore of salvation without a belief in Jesus,-all sug-
gestions of salvation of the heathen in ignorance, all sugpes-
iions of there being no necessity for a k\owledge of the”his-
toric Christ,-all suggestions that a recogmtlon of the Christ
spirit of righteousness is sufficient,-all suggestions of har-
iony with -6od through any other’ than the-‘one, appointed,
“Mediator of the New Covenant.“-receive a thorough con-
demnation in the words of tins text. The entire plan‘bf God
sets forth and honors not only divine justice, wisdom, love,
and Dower, but it likewise sets forth and honors the Lord
.Te& as t’he onlv wav IW which r~(~c’ess~I;IV IIC had to the
Father. and bv which &er’&ting life mar be’attained bv anv.
In vie& of these limitations, ho; comforting are the ass&an&s
of the Scriptures, that for the vast majority of our race the
time of knowledge and, hence, the time of probation for
everlasting life is future; during the Millennium. In that,
their “due time,” all the deaf ears shall be unstopped and ali
shall hear the voice of the Son of Man (and his bride. nlori-
fied) directing the right ways of the L&d;--“and th$yc’that
hear [obey] shall live. “--It is a further cause of joy that this
blessing and opportunity for resurrection to perfection, under
the judgments of such gracious judges, is to extend also to
“all that are in their graves.“-John 5:25, 28; 1 Tim. 2:6.
CALLED CHRISTIANS AT ANTIOCH”
believed and turned unto the Lord.”
rather, at the spread of the good news by whatever instru-
mentalitv the Lord might be nleasetl to UW. This i\ the true
spirit of discipleship, ‘ihe spiiit of humility. Jt is in accord
&th the Apostie’s w;rds, “In honoring prefeiring one another ;”
“Rejoice not in inicruitv. but rejoice in the truth.”
‘?he news of the G&e1 goiig to the Gentiles at Antioch,
and that large numbers were turning to the Lord, reachell the
church at Jerusalem-the head-center of the Chrlstlan work,
<n to ~]“‘<ll<. Tile nlmitl(~< :rutl ;I11 of tlrc, l)r(li III (‘11 Ir,ltL :\I1 cs;Ltly
been prepared by the Lord’s manifest dcahng in the case of
Cornelius, and this, untlouhtedly, would take away from their
surprise and largely correct any preludlee on thk subject of
the G(>ntilcs as fellow-heirs of the uroliiscs which had nr&iouslv
pertained to them alone. Nevcrthkloss, we note that &cs recorh
does not say that this nems caused rcx.lolcing in the Jelnsalem
churc*h. We mav Infer, thllrrforr, that they he:rrrl wvlth holrl~~
considerable trepidation that large nllmbers of the Gent&s
mere attaching themsclrc,s to the faith and may have renyoncd
that this would have an In,Jnrlous rff& upon the (‘311~ they
lo\-(~1 to ~r~~ve-inniln~lc~l~ .LS the .Tc\rs ~oul(l say, YIS-, >onr
ulc’-inge i< jinotl ~~nougll for tllc l);lb::l i,lrls or thr (~:crltIIc3, it
takes holql of the non-religious; but it attracts vt’r? frw of
the deq)ly pious of God’s chosen peollle, to wl~m~ l~lon:! the
I)ronlii63 an(l thcl cdo\‘csnantsoi the Lnr(l, Vt(*. 1 t xroulll :tl~l~c3r,
then, th:~t the origin:11 motive ;n sending Barnaba? to Ant&h
(rislting other Intermediate churches en route) was that ho
might see an<1 jutlgc: of the true conllition of things. :111(1ci\e
some report as to whether the new converts were worthy in
their lives and characters to be recognized as fellow-ht,irs with
the saints. Barnabaa, when he had come, took note of “the
grace of God,” manifested amongst the believers at Antioch-
it must have been manifested not only in their faith ln the
Lord as their Redeemer and Master, bit also in their conduct
as discinles or followers of Jesus. It is wrltten. “He that hath
this hoie In him purifieth himself even as he is’ pure,” and we
may suppose t,hat Barnabas quickly discerned the cleansing
and samctifying power of the truth amongst these believers at
Antioch, and thus realized that the cause, instead of being
hindereci by such accessions, would bc honored. We rcarl thax
he was glad; and we may assume, altho it is not stated, that
he promptly made a report to the brcthrcn at Jtrns:llettl, and
that they were glad also. A good man, out of the good
treasure of his heart, is always made glad by evltlences of
God’s grace operating in himself anal in others. It is nnc cvi-
[2997’1
(124-125) ZION’S WATCH
dence of the possession of the holy spirit, and that in good
measure, when we rejoice in all good things-“Whatsoever
things are true, whatsoever thmgs are honest, whatsoever
things are just. whatsoever things are pure. whatsoever things
are iovely, whatsoever things are of gbod deport; if there 6e preciate him when he was amongst them. But by this time all
any virtue, and if there be anvWADraise. , think on these thines.”
--Phil. 4 : 6.
The apostles evidently made an excellent choice when they
sent Barnabas. We remember that he was a Levite by birth, and
this, unquestionably, would make him very careful of every
Jewish interest connected with the faith, and, undoubtedly, he
was well learned in the law. We remember, too, that he was a
native of Cyprus, an island in the Mediterranean Sea. near
Antioch. B&n thus at a distance from Jerusalem, aiongst
Gentiles. he was Drobablv a broadminded man. as well as reasoned themselves into a different course, and a wrong one;
familia; with the dialect of the people of Antioch, and added
to these good reasons for sending him, was a fourth; namely,
his beautiful character, his helpfulness as a brother and a
teacher in the church. We remember that he sold a part of
his property in the interest of the poor in Jerusalem. We rc-
member, too, that he received the name Barnabas as a title
of love. and respect in the church, which thus designated
him “a son of consolation.” a “he]Der.” The fact that this
good man was glad, is an ‘assuranc8 to us that the conditions
he found in the Antiocb cburcb were good conditions, for a effect upon their own hearts would be a serious one. All cf
good man “rejoicetb not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth.”
Barnabas at once overflowed toward the Antioch brethren,
and in the same comforting and helpful manner as at Jeru-
salem he exhorted them all. The Greek word here is from the
same root as his name, and siznifies comfort. stimulation. as-
sistance. No doubt hi saw vayious things needing to be’cor-
rccted: but instead of beeinninp with fault-fin&e. instead
of lacerating their feel&$ anUd chiding them, he began,
properly, by acknowledgment of what he saw in them as a
cause for rejoicing. His comforting message was to the ef-
fect that they should cleave unto the Lord with DurDose of
heart. The word “cleave” here in the Greek signif& to glue,
to adhere. He wished the dear brethren. new in the truth. to
see to it that their hearts were firmly &ited unto the Lbr8,
that their minds were fully mado up, hat their consecration td
him was complete. This was the matter of first imnortance.
Later on he might show them kindly, gently, certain weaknesses
of the flesh to which thev were addicted: or their hearts being
more firmly united to tie Lord they might very speedily see
these inconsistencies of themselves, without a word being said.
The Doint we would imDress is that it was not a restrainina
of th6 flesh, nor a perfeeling of it, that waa sought, but a m&E
deeper work of grace than this; a purity of heart, of intention,
a heart-aclhesion to the Lord. We today cannot do better than
follow this same course in our endeavors to do good unto others
as we would have opportunity. The brethren needed strength-
ening rather than tearing. They needed building UD in the
moscholy faith and love.- They heeded encouraging in heart-
adhesion to the Lord. and that criticisms of the flesh come in
afterward gradually ’ and very carefully and kindly. There
were three elements co-operating which made Barnabas so suit-
able a person for this service, and the same three elements in
any of us today will surely make us able ministers of th-
truth. Those elements are stated here; viz., “He was a good
man [moral, upright, reverential1 full of the holy Spirit [he
had not received the grace of God in vain: it was in him a liv-
ing power, the new r&d guiding and co&rolling in all of his
affairs] and of faith.” However good a man may be, and
however much of the Lord’s character and spirit he may have,
faith is essential. “Without faith it is imnossible to dease
God." Let us strive to have all of these o/alifications fn our
ministry, that we may be true sons of co&olation, helpful in
the Lord’s service. and to his DeoDle wherever we mav be. No
wonder we read that as a result of his labors at Antioch much
DCOD!e was added unto the Lord!
‘~-I
The last we heard of Saul of Tarsus (Acts 9:30) was that
after the opening of th? eyes of his understanding, after he
hecame the diqciple of the Lord Jesus, and had preached in
Damascus, and then in Jerusalem, his life being endangered
the brethren sent him down to Caesarea. and then probably
by ship to his native city, Tarsus. We are not infoimecl r&
sardine the nature of his work in his home city. but can
Feadily suppose that one of his character and -disposition
would not long remain idle. And if the sphere of outward
activities was a narrow one we may be sure that his mind was
active in the study of the divine plan. and that his meat
heart was active too, in comprehending ‘the divine grace-and
considering ways of service. He was in Tarsus while Barnabas
was at Antioch, and the latter now had in mind the talents,
the force, the logic, of Brother Saul, whom he had met in
Jerusalem, and he concluded that Tarsus being not very far
[ 29981
TOWER hL%OCHLNY. PA.
from Antioch he would look hi up, interest him in the yerv-
ice of the Antioch church, etc. He probably remembered that
Saul’s ideaa were extremeiy broad in-respect-to the gospel-too
broad, perhaps, for the brethren at Jerusalem to fully ap-
the brethren. and esoeciallv large-hearted Barnabas. had come
to see the divine plai in a’broavder lightmore nea;ly as Saul
of Tarsus had comprehended it. Barnabas concluded that the
conditions at Antioch were iust such as would deenlv interest
Saul, and that the brethren there would be greatly *p&ted by
his assistance. He found him: he broueht him to the church
at Antioch, where his influence was no” doubt great for the
good of all. We rejoice in noting the heart nobility of
Barnabas. Many Christian men of smaller caliber would have
saying, As it is, I am the chief one amongst the brethren here,
having had larger opportunities than the others, and having
had close contact with the apostles at Jerusalem; but if I
bring Saul into our midst his superior abilities as a loeician.
as an expounder of the Script&es, will cast me qui& into
the shade, etc. Brethren who reason thus are misguided by
their own selfishness. They forget that the Lord’s work is in
his own hands, and with such a spirit they could neither please
him nor be prospered in his service, and that the reactionary
the Lord’s people should be noble and unselfish; and the closer
any of us approximate this character the more will we be loved
of the Lord. the more will we be loved of the brethren. and
the more useful will be our sphere of influence for righteous-
ness, for truth, for the Lord.
DISCIPLES WEBE FIRST OALLED OHRISTIANS
It is noteworthy that our Lord never gave any name to his
people; he called them disciples, which signifies pupils, learn-
ers. The apostles have applied to the church various terms,
“church of the living God;” “church of God:” “church of
Christ ; ” “the church?’ but ‘gradually the namb “Christians,”
identifying God’s oeoole with their Redeemer and leader. came
to be ihcugeneral- &me throughout the world. It is 6 ~pity
that any have thought it necessary to adopt any other names
than these. common to the entire church of Christ, or to use
these names in a sectarian manner. Evidently the name Chris-
tian should represent one who trusts in Christ as the Messiah
-one, therefore, who trusts in him also as the Redeemer, snd
who accepts all the fundamental doctrines of the Scriptures,
based, as they are, upon these two declarations-(l) that
men were sinners, needing to be redeemed before they could be
acceptable to God, and t&t they were redeemed by the precious
blood of Christ : (2) that thev have accented the name of their
Redeemer, and ’ a&’ seeking to walk in-his footsteps. There
was a start toward sectarianism in the early church, some say-
ing, I am a Christian, but of the order of Paul- othera, I
am a Christian, but of the order of Apollos; others, I am
a Christian. but of the order of Peter. etc.. But the
Apostle profnptly rebuked this spirit, assurihg thkm that the
relationshiD in Christ was all that was necessarv: that neither
Peter nor &Paul had redeemed them, and that-n’either, there-
fore, could occupy the place of a head to the church. The
Apostle, furthermore, calls our attention to the fact that such
a spirit on their part was an evidence of that much of carnality
still remaining; that much of a worldly partisan spirit con-
trary to the thought and teaching of the holy spirit. It is to
be regretted that ever since the Reformation times this spirit
has prevailed to a large extent, some taking the name of Luther,
others of Wesley, others of Calvin, others non-personal, hut
nevertheless, sectarian or party names, as Methodist, Presby-
terian, Congregational, Baptist, etc. We are not claiming that
those who do these things are wholly carnal, without the Lord%
spirit, but WC do claim with the Apostle that a disposition to
such a partisanship is contrary to the spirit of the Lord, and
to that extent is carnal, fleshly, and should be overcome by all
who would be recognized of the Lord as overcomers.
Let no one misunderstand us to advocate one sect or
party as instead of many. On the contrary, we know that if
there must be sects there is an advantage in havinp many, as
they serve to keep each other within more reasonable bounds,
serving to some extent to hinder gross arrogance and perse-
cution. What WC ought to have is one church, one house-
hold of faith, accepting the plain fundamentals of Scripture,
and with limitations as ‘io acceptance of more or less conje&rai
views outside of those fundamentals-all fraternizinp. fellow-
shipping each other, and all known as Christians, “s’nd thue
separated from all who deny the atonement, from all who
dcnv the results of the atonement in the resurrection, and from
all &ho deny the propriety of a newness of life in the present
time. In this view of the matter each individual Christian
would have an independence aa respected hi8 own thought,
APRIL 15. 1902 ZION’S
aside from fundamentals which are clearly stated
Scriptures.
BENEVOLENCE A FEATURE OF PIETY
In view of the fact that the condition of the Antioch
church made Barnabas glad, and in view of the instruction
and assistance rendered it by Paul and Barnabas, we are not
surprised that it was a living church instead of a dead one,
and we are not surprised thatran opportunity offering through
a famine esneciallv affecting the vicinitv of Jerusalem. this
congregation of believers at-Antioch was” prompt to make up
a relief fund and send it to the church at Jerusalem., *as an
expression of its love and sympathy and oneness of spirit. It
is more blessed to give than to receive, not only as respects
the sentiment of the matter, but the results are still more
blessed. No doubt the contributions sent were a comfort and
a help to the Jerusalem brethren, but the blessing to the
givers we may be sure was far greater. The Lord would re-
ward them, and that in proportion as they had given, at some
sacrifice as respects earthly things, luxuries, etc.
“Is thy cruse of comfort failing?
Rise and share it with another,
And through all the years of famine
It shall serve thee and thy brother.
Love divine will fill thy storehouse,
All thy handful still renew;
Scanty fare for one will often
Make a royal feast for two.”
We do not mean to say that this principle could be worked
out now, under present conditions, with the nominal church
full of “tares ’ ” and thoroughly soaked in false doctrines. What
we do mean to say is that had it not been for the sectarian
spirit which early crept into the church after the death of
the apostles, there would not have been the present numbers
of tares, professed Christians, nor the same amount of false
LETTER
DEAR BROTHER RUSSELL:-
Having just finished carefully reading the recent “R’atoh
Tower,” and with profit comparing spiritual things in them
with the spiritual things contained in the Book ( 1 Cor. 2 : 13) ;
and having found much food, both milk and meat (Heb.
5:12-14), I discovered among the papers in ths hotel in Mt.
Jewett, the March, 1902, number of “World Wic’e Missiolzs.”
a twenty page monthly, now in its fourteenth year and which
from its attractive appearance bade fair to furnish an appe-
tizing dessert to the full meal just partaken. But I studied
its gggressive frontispiece and” turned its pages in disap-
oointment. At her bare cunboard Mother Hubbard’s poor
dog was equally fortunate; n: food was thece, not even a*dis-
cussion of the Sunday Sohool lesson.
What it did contain was five portraits of as many Rev-
erend gentlemen, and two groups of missionary subjects; nine-
ty-four articles of various lengths concerning meetings, work,
services, revivals, conferences, discipline, rum and opium,
church erection, impecunious missions, money, Buddhist opnosi-
tion, addresses; colleges, health and food; ‘Epworth L&gue,
charcoal. one short noem. New England. China and war. travels.
Africa, ‘Europe, Mexico, Korea; Port0 Rico, Chicago, self:
denial, charity, mission-giving, benevolence and six com-
nlimentarv notices and six nersonals: it believes thev are lust
bn the eve of success in China, and ‘that by proper-effort-the
world will be evangelized during the twentieth century. There
was much regarding persons and things, in which the first
AN INTERESTING
Question.-When and how is the Adamic sentence lifted
from the human race-the church and the world?
Answer.-This subject has been treated at length in Dawn
Vol. V., and also in our issue of August 1, 1901. For these
reasons our answer here will be brief, for so large a question.
(1) The legal condemnation of the race has rested upon
the world since Adam’s disobedience, and this has led to the
actual sufferings and dying of mankind. There is a difference,
however. between the legal and actual “curse.” The leeal
curse or sentence went i&o force against Adam immediatily
after he had sinned, but the effects of that legal sentence in
pain and suffering came on him and his posterity gradually,
and are still with them. Similarly, there will be a difference
between the cancellation of the legal sentence and the rescue of
man from the difficulties which came upon him as the result of
the legal sentence.
(2) The work of Christ, the work of the atonement, em-
WATCH TOWER (125-127)
in the doctrine discounting the true. Ambition for numbers and
for influence led to the formulation of doctrines which at-
tracted the tares into the church. Without these false ambi-
tions, and with the fundamentals of the ransom and full resti-
tution clearly recognized by all, the nominal church today
would be amazingly smaller than it is, but it would be com-
paratively pure, and it would be at one with itself, and there
would be no desire for any other name than that of the one
Lord and Head.
The question then may arise, In view of this what should
we do8 Should we join with those who are trying to form a
federation of all the churches? We answer. No. for two
reasons: First, because common sense tells us that such a union
as is proposed is not along the principles which the Lord laid
down, but is merely a human expedient. (Second) The Lord’s
Word shows us an illustration in the harvest time, and that it
is not the time for organizing, etc., but a time for reaping,
separating, threshing, winnowing, and gathering into the barn
of the true wheat-the time also in which the tares will be
bundled for the day of burning or great time of trouble with
which this age shall close.
Our proper course is to separate ourselves from all the
Babylonian systems and to “stand fast in the libertv where-
with Christ has made free,” and to own no other name than
his, and to accept no other standards than those of his Word.
Our duty, after coming ourselves into this position, is to help
others into the same liberty, and to avoid putting restraints
upon the brethren, or making tests of any kind, except such
as are fundamental-faith in the ransom and full consecration
to the Lord, which would include an honest desire to know
the meaning of his Word. There can be no danger amongst
such as are taking this position, and where only this class is
recognized as the church, and where this liberty wherewith
Christ has made us free IS strictly observed.
OF INTEREST
person, singular and plural, predominated; and finally, six
and one-half of its twenty pages were devoted to thirty-eight
miscellaneous and illy selected advertisements.
The brethren who edit the paper seem full of zeal; but,
alas! it does not appear to be according to knowledge (Rom.
10:2). There was not a single Scripture reference, nor did
I notice any Scripture quotations. They were very anxious
to prevent the use of profanity, liquor, opium and tobacco,
but the coarser sins are not mentioned, while the more refined,
as envy, lust, gossip, are overlooked. Meekness is mentioned
approvingly, as an adjunct to benevolence, and for the benefit
of the missions’ coffers; but love, joy, peace (Gal. 5:22, 23)
receive little attention. “Zions Watch Tower,” on the con-
trary, contains of Scripture references nearly a thousand 8
vear. and of auotations several times as many.
” But if we -are more favored by the light- now due and
shininsr unon us from the nages of the Bible. the “Dawns”
and 6s ‘?l’owers,” we have nothing of which to’boast, nothing
that we have not received (1 Cor. 4:7) ; and we may well
remember with fear that our duties and obligations increase
as we advance from opportunity to knowledge, and from
knowledge to still farther opportunity. Will you not pray for
me, dear brother, as I do daily for you, that this wonderful
glorious opportunity and light may not have come to us in vain.
With Christian love, Your fellow-servant,
WM. M. WRIGHT,--Pen ns~~lranm.
QUESTION ANSWERED
LIFTING THE CURSE
braces both of these features-man’s release from the legal
sentence of the divine law, and subsequently his release from
the actual pains and weaknesses which came upon him as a
result of that divine sentence. Our Lord’s death was a full
offset to the sentence against Adam, and could have been so
applied at once, had this been the divine arrangement. If
so applied it would have canceled at once the legal sentence
against man, but it would have done nothing in the way of re-
covering him from his fallen and dead condition-that work
of restitution is separate and apart from his redemption or pur-
chase from the curse or legal condemnation of the law.
(3) Instead of applying 111sdeath at once. as d full can-
cellation of the legal penalty against the race, the teachings
of the Scriptures give us the thought that our Lord Jesus
presented the whole matter of his death sacrifice on man’s be-
half before the Father, and that it became a credit on his ac-
count, but that it was not yet applied to the world. The next
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step in the divine program was the arrangement for the justi- arrangements which God has provided in Christ and the
fication of the Gospel church-not actually, but by faith, church, and of which all the holy prophets have spoken since
reckonedly. So mani as believed, so many as acceptid Jesus’, the world began.-Acts 3 : 19-23.
were reckonedlv justified-reckonedlv had the leeal curse lifted (6) Thus seen, the curse or condemnation for Adam’s
from them, the t”hey were actually Glowed to revmain under the sin %ll be no more-as a legal sentence against mankind from
weaknesses and difficulties resulting from that curse. To such thenceforth forever. Full atonement will have been made and
of these. reckonedlv justified ones, as made full consecration of accepted, for the sins of the whole world.* But this will
themselves to the -L&d, the privilege was granted of walking not mean that the effects of the curse will then instantly dis-
by faith in the footsteps of Jesus, and being conformed to his appear; just as if a man imprisoned for crime by an earthly
sacrificial death;-the promised reward for this being a share court lost his hair, his sight, his hearing, and in general his
in the Lord’s glbry, honor and immortality. But not-until the entire health, while serving out the imprisonment; if he were
last member of this elect body of Christ shall have been ac- then pardoned and set free the pardon would not restore to
cepted as faithful will this Gbspel age of sacrifice terminate. him his hair, his sight, his hearing, all his health. These must
(4) As the Apostle explains, the Lord 1s reckoning that be sought for in some other directlon. Justice is not responsi-
the various members of the body of Christ are filling up a ble for their loss, and has nothing to do with their restoration.
measure of the afflictions of Christ (they are joined with him The freed man must look for some good physician. Just SO
in the atonement sacrifice; not that their sacrifice could have with the race and its release from the sentence-from the
been acceptable with God at all without that of their Lord condemnation to death. It must also look to the “Good
Jesus, bu< that they are acceptable to God through and under Phvsician.” And this is iust what God is Drovidinp for the
the merit of his sscrifice1. “I beseech vou. therefore. brethren. world in the glorified Christ-a wonderful and- faithful
that ye present your babies a living s&r&e, holy, hccPptablk Prophet, Priest and King-to rule and bless and upllft the
io God, your reasonable service.” (Rom. 12: 1) When the redeemed world, or so many of the race as will accept his Just
church’s sacrifice is complete the whole work of suffering for and gracious terms,
sin ends, and forthwith the church will be received to condi- (7) Here, then, we see the distinctions between Christ,
tions of glory with her Lord, m the first resnrrertlon, as he was the Redeemer, and Christ, the Life-giver. We wrre recleerned
received by the Father from the dead after he had finished his by the sacrifice of Christ, and through the merits of that
sacrifice. - ’i’hen, according to the Scriptures, the Lord will sacrifice all will be freed from the condemnation; and then, as
appropriate on behalf of the whole human family so mulch of the Life-giver, he who previously redeemed will restore as
the merit of his own sacrifice, and of the entire sacrifice of manv as -will ‘accept his-favors, hrinqing them back to the
the church, as Justice could demancl., and Justice will be fully conditions of nerfection from which they fell-back to a con-
satisfied of all its legal claims against mankind. dition in har&ony with their Creator,- and thus back to a
(5) As a result of such a legal satisfaction of the claims condition of at-one-ment with God by the close of the Millcn-
of Justice, early in the Millennial da?, there will be no nial age.
hindrance whatever to prevent the institution of the restitution * See “Tabernacle Shndoas of Brtfcr Sacrificrs ”
- ____~~
__ -
-~~-~ - -.~ - ---
VOL. SXIlI ALLEGHENY, PA., MAY 1. 1902 No. !I
I_-- ___~~____ .- .___ --..~ ~~~~-- ------ ~- .---

YEARLY RECKONINGS-SPIRITUAL ACCOUNTS

“Many, 0 Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which the* hast done, amd thy thoughts whzch are to uszcard: they can not
be reckoned up in order unto thee; if Z would declare and speak of them, they are more than
can be numbered.“-Psalm 40 : 5.
Business men are at great expense to secure accuracy in syJirit, and growing also in our knowledge and appreciation of
their accounts. Millions of dollars are spent every year in t’he I&d a<d of h‘is wonderful plan. -
details of bookkeeping, an important part of which is to enable We trust that each reader, as he takes a conscientious viclv
proprietors to know definitely upon which items of their busi- of the situation, whichever wiy he feels that the balance stands
ness thclre is a profit, and upon which there is a loss,-to the (favorable or unfavorable, as compared with a year $1~0), can
intent that the profitable branches may be increased, and the nevertheless thank God that by his grace we are what we are,
unprofitable ones corrected. This is admittedly a wise pro- and where we are;-still his.“with ‘hearts striving for things
cedure. of the spirit, and not for things of the flesh. If nny have
If the case be such with those who are seeking temporal slipped to some extent backward, let such thank the Lord that
wealth and its honors, how much more careful accounting matters are not worse than they are, that they hare not wholly
should 1)~ attempted in connection ~11th spiritual matters! let go of his hand, and relinquished their share in the exceeding
The Lord’s people are not merely seeking for wealth, which great and precious promises of his Word. Let them thank
will last for a few years, and then must be parted with-at God that this dav of reckoninr and reviewing of accounts finds
the tomb, If not sooner;-they are seeking for the riches which them desirous ofYbeing on the-lord’s side, nnh m:tking a better
peg IPI~ not, and whirh thieves do not break into and steal. record during the year before us. Let us look togcthc,r at OUT
More than this, with the heavenly riches they are assuredly text, and see if we cannot join heartily with the Prop!lct in
seeking also heavenly honors and glories-even joint-heirship the sentiment expressed. He divides the subject into two parts:
with the King of kings and Lord of lords, in the Millennial (1) Thankfulness to God for his wonderful work of grace
KinKdonl, and in the glorious opportunities which it will bring already done or accomplished; and (2) for his thoughts. his
in connection with the promised blessing._ of all the families of
I
plans, his purposes, toward us, which are not yet accomplished
the caI th. anal w!lich we have grasped by his promises, with our arms
The general settlement day with the world is at the close of faith.
of the old year, and the beginning of a new one, but with the Looking back at the things that God already ban done for
church an equally appropriate occasion, or, indeed, a still more 115,we see that the Prophet has defined some of these. saying,
annronriatr one. comes with the annual rcmembraucer of our “Tfe brought me up also out of an horrible pit, and out of the
Lxrd’i death as’our Passover L’ambnnd of our participation miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock and established my
with him in his sacrifice: and in the Easter celphration of his goings.” (Verse 2) If we can apply this heartily to our-
resurrection. and of our firmrative rising with him to walk in selves, what a cause it is for thankfulness. As we look about
newness of life-in prospect of the actuai’resurrection in which, us and see the whole world lying in the Wicked One, without
if faithful, we shall be changed in a moment, in the twinkling God and having no real hope,-merely vague impressions-and
of an eye, to be like our glorious Redeemer, to see him as he when we look back and see how the Lord has delivered us from
is, and to share his glory. the horrible pit of condemnation and sin, how he has had
Let us see how our sDiritua1 accounts stand for the vear mercy upon & and delivered us, and established our fret of
past-since last we brok; together the emblems of our-Re- faith upon the rock foundation, Christ and his redemptive
deemer’s sacrifice and of our own participation with him. Let work, well may we give thanks, and tell his mercies all abroad.
us note whether or not the year’s experiences have brought US Looking back we may see that happy day that fixed our choice
nearer to the Lord, or have”in any measure separated us from uoon our Saviour and our God, as being the time from which
the warmth of his love and fellowship, and from fellowship o;r goings have heen establish&--our ‘course no longer vacil-
with fellow members of his body. Every year should find US lating. It was there that we obtained a fixed purpose, a
nearer to the Lord, not only in the purposes of our hearts, but ballast which has hindered us from being upset when tossed.
in the conduct of our lives,-nearer to the perfect standard. hither and thither, by the varying winds of philosophy and
We should be making progress, growing in 011 the graces of the human speculation. Praise God for this which he already has
[30003
MAY 1, 1902 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (132-133)

done for us! No wonder, as the Prophet proceeds to Say, we [earthly] but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ
realize that “He has put a new song into our mouth,-even Jesus mv Lord.” I Phil. 3 :8) Paul’s estimation was not
praise unto our God.” The new song is not one of doubt or merely that the fut&e glories were worthy of some loss in the
of fear, nor concerning anguish of sinners; but a song of God’s present time, but that even the knowledge of Christ (including
justice and mercy and love,- reasonable and harmonious in its the knowledge of God’s grace toward uS through him. and the
every cadence. Thank God ! It has brought a new life to US; knowledge and consequ&t opportunities of rinning ‘the race
a new pleasure in life, as well as new &pirations and new for the great prize)-was alone worth the price; he estimated
hones for others as well as for ourselves. We can never thank that the loss of all things. in order to obtain this knowledge
thi Lord enough for the blessings which we have already re- (and its opportunities) ,- would
’ be a great bargain. Let US
ceived at his hands-for the things which he has already done thank God if we have this good asset-a knowledEe of Christ.-
for us. a knowledge of his chara&&, and a deep apprediation of it; a
And yet the things that we already enjoy of the Lord’s knowledge-of the plan whicl7. centers in ‘him-no matter what
favor we are assured are but a foretaste of the blessings yet it has cost us of earthlv good: if we have this knowledge, if to
” .I

in reservation for them that love him-blessings which eve hath us he is precious, we are rich today, thank God! Tile same
not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath entered into the heart Apostle proceeds to say that already he had suffered the Ioss
of man to see or appreciate, but which God hath lovingly of all things and did “‘couwt them but dung,” that he might
drclnred, and which we grasp bv faith, seeing through a glass “win Christ, and be found in him”-a member of his bodv.
only obsc77rel.v, as yet, &e giory~ honor and i-&mortility prom- A further suggestion as to how to count is found in the
ised to the faithful. What we now have are not realities so Apostle James’ words, “Count it all ior, when ye fall into
mnch aci promises and hopes. Present experiences being but di;Ters temptations, knowing that the t&l- of pour-faith work-
thr beginning our comfort, we agree with the Prophet that the eth nnticnce.” etc. (James 1:2) h‘o doubt. as each looks back
number of God’s favors cannot be reckoned, computed. We are for i year, we see thit there were numerous’snares and tempta-
rsceedingly his debtors : we can never discharge‘the obligation. tions ‘in ol7r pathway. Over some, no douht, we gained vic-
Rut then we are his children: he is nleased to nive us these tories readily ; others perhaps we conquered with a severer
things. ant1 his request in rethrn is that we shail act toward Struggle ; and still others perhaps were only partial victories,
hin7. i71 qu(‘h a manner as will betoken our gratitude, and that -they were partially reverses, partially victories for our
we RIP intlpetl his offsnrinar. begotten of his Snirit. enemy.
T,et us proceed in (;ur calcuiution of preaeni assets, and in What did these temptations brinp us? What has been their
our bnlnncin~ of the year: and let us not be content simply value 7 One value, as-the Apostle“suggests, iq the lesson of
wit17 :‘nrrnlitieq in the balance. Let us retrospectively scru- forbearance. They proved to us that we are still in the school-
tinize the privileges and mercies enjoyed during the year, and ing time, in the testing time;-to demonstrate our lo,valty to
the USC nc made of thrm nnd the blessings we derived. Let us the Lord, and our worthiness, through his merit, to a share in
carrfnllv note whirh fraturcs of our daily course have been his kingdom. All wish frequently, no doubt, that the testings
most hclpfnl to us. and which have to any extent retarded our were all over, and that we were accepted to a plarc amongst
spiritual progress, hindered our fellowshi’p with the Lord, pre- the overcomers; but patience and faiih and t&t are to do n
I-cnte(l nl7r rl7nninc with patiencr or with best results the race refininp work in our hearts. makinr us mrllow. willine ant1
rc,t ltcforc> 77s in the Gospel. These items will necessarily vary obedient to the Lord. Let the good \i.ork go on. T>rt us rejoice
with car11 individual-for no two are alike in temperament or if oiir trials have bro77ght 174 lessnns of any kind that‘ are
c~i~riion7nn7t l’Yar11 in hi9 rounting shn17ld wei,rrh the advan- profitable to us,--that have tendrtl to mak+ 17s stronger in
tn:c’q tl(x7iv~d frr\nr fellowship and communion wi-j’th the Lord in character, more firm for truth and rightenus77es9, more aware
prnyrr: nnc! shnuld determine whether or not this feature of of our own weaknesses, and more on guard against the same.
his spi7 il11:71 inter&s could be advantageously expanded during Even those conflicts which have resulted in onlv partial vic-
thr I;c~iiinin~ renr. tories have possibly been to o77r advantage. Rurelp so, in pro-
Ench shnuid consider, alto, not merelv how much time he portion as we contended cnmestlq against our wcxknrs9es or
had sl)cllt in fnllcinq to the Lord, but nl;o how much time he against the besctmrnts of the adversary. Ercn nn points in
hat1 spent in lislcnil7q to the Lord’s voice-in searchinE the which there may have been absolute fnihlre, the rcq77lt may he
Scrip67rcq : in scrkingt‘to know thr divine mind, the divine‘plnn, ‘a stren,&heninp of character, a crvstalixntion of d&rrmin:ltion
aq it phi tail15 to liiin?rlf i~tl7rid711llr rnd to the chi7rrali an<1 to for grrater z&l in that direction again; and a lii7militv of
thr n-orld. Tncluded in this matter of listening to the Lnrd’s heart hefore the Lord in DraLVer. which has c.177~1>11 II!: to re-
roirc. hr shnl7ld reckon the hrlns to Bible st77dv nrnvidcd hv the rlrmher tile thronr of grace ifrcbsh, nnrl that thither we mav
T,nrtl thrn77:h the hrethren, ihhp mrmhers of t%e farnil+, the flee in rrery moment of temptation and find the succor nliici7
mrmbrrs of the one body of Christ ;-remembering the state- wc nerd.
mrnt of thr -4po~tlc, that God himself had set the various The Apostle Paul summed un J7iq accoiint ant1 h:llnnrctl it
memhrrs in the hodv as it hath pleased him: and that he set as follows: “T reckon that the s77ffrringq of this prc,srnt time
thrsr :nrwhPri: for the vcrv purpose of blesqinp nne another, are not wnrthv to be cornDared with the zlorv whirl7 shall bc
rtlifyinz thr church. building it up in the most holy faith. revealed in us”---the faithf;71. (Rnm. 8.ld) IJI ci7r rcrkoninrr.
True,. \a,~ nrc to rnnsillrr that thr Apostle were set first, fore- in ni7r acrnunt fnr thr year, let 17s similarlv rrrknn the things
moyt. ant1 l~c~ncr,that their traohin,rq are paramount: and that which we hare s77fferet1, whrthrr thrv bc frw or m:7nv. small
~11 other tcx?c!linTs arc to he submitted to the tent of harmony or great-whatrver we suffered for ‘Christ’s sake. fir riyllt-
nit11 the tc>stimnnieq of the apnitles and thr prophets. eo77snrTs’ sake, for the tr77th’s sake,-lrt us rcjnicr thrrc,in.
Tf an\‘. on ~rrlroninz up, shall find that. thev have not made Pm1 endravnr for the cnminr Tear. to he so much morr fn7thfnl
~17ch UXI~~ prngrpss as they had hoped, or perhaps apparently in all thrsr respects. that it may be n77r high privilcgc of suf-
less prngrrss in the narrnw way. than snme others ahout them, firing snmcthinr fi7rther for the name of Christ. for his cm7q;e.
lrt them consider to what extrnt this failure to pro.qress was and i& his hrethrrn.
due to n fni77lrc to USCthe divinely appointed means for growth As wc reckon the profit and loss sidrs of the xrro77nt for the
in pr:rce and knnwl&e and love:-namelv. the Word and the year, let 179 he thnnkf771 that amnnrst the shnrtrnrninrs which
br~t?rerlinotl. If the progress has nnt h&n so great as col7ld all may have to deplore none of us‘find one item of &il which
be hnpcd. let another point hr examined: SOP whether or not thp Apostle mrntinns; l;i~.. none of US “rnunt the blnntl of the
you lrnl-c bern as active as waq possible in servinr the truth. covenant, wherewith wp wrre snnctifird. an 77nlrolv rorrlinarrl
Conqidrr that mu have consecrat&d your entire life ;o the Lord, thing.” !l?hank God, we still appreciate the pr(‘cinus l~lnnd ‘of
and that hv his direction it is to be laid down. sacrificed. Christ; we will appreciate the fart that w’c arc accepted, not
ricltlctl 77~in the interest of hiq brethren. the rhurrh. Consider. in anv merit or worthiness of n77r own. but in him whn loved
&ount, r&lion. whrther or not ~077 havr been faithful in this 77s and ~vho hnu@ 77s with his nwn prrrinuq blnntl. Oh. how
mntter of laying down your lift during the past year-faithful much wr hart to hc thankfill for in this one feature of our
in sprvmr the church, the body of Christ, to the best of your experienrr. even if, as we look bark, wr fintl that there have
nhilitr. Remember that it is a Dart. of the Lnrd’s nrovision been vnrillationq or slips or slidings in the pathway! How
that hr who watereth shall himqllf 1~~watered; thai he who murh WP may thank the Lord, that hy his <grace we still are
Rerres the tr77th to others mxv appropriate to himself the more what wr are. and still have the oppnrtunitp of perscvrrinq and
ah77ntlantlv at the IArd’s table of grnrp and tnith. running with renrwed zeal and patience the race set brforr
EXAMPLES OF PROPER COUNTING, VALUATION, ETC. us.--lonking unto .Tfw19 for our example.
Tn o77r rnuntinp let US take some hints and suggestions from HOW THE LORD IS ACCOUNTING RESPECTING US
the inspirrd apostles: let u$ note how they counted matters Finally. in nur arcnunt of matters. let 179take cn77rage from
and things-which matters they set down to the profit account, the Lord’s statement respecting how he counts things. and let
and which to the loss account. Hearken to the Apostle Paul’s us count accordingly. The Apostle said himself, “I thank
words. “Neither count I rnv [earthly] life dear [precious, Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he
valual~le] unto me.” (Acts 20 :24) Again, “I count all things cowted me faithfuz, putting me into the ministry.” (1 Tim.
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1: 12) Ah, yes, what a blessed satisfaction it is to US to know the extent of our sufferings may be the wounding of our feel-
that while the Lord knows of our every word and every deed inns. when-“ The workers of iniouitv . . . whet their tongue
he ia pleased to count us something different, even from our 1iku.a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even
words and our deeds-something better! Our words do not bitter words, that they may shoot in secret at the innocent.”
always represent the full sentiments of our hearts; our conduct (Psa. 64:3) Perhaps our sufferings, even, will be still less
does not come up to the standard: after the words have been than this, as the Apostle explains (Heb. 10:33-35) : “Partly
snoken and after the deeds have been done-perhaps to the whilst ye were made a gazing stock, both by reproaches and
very best of our ability-we realize that they have come short afflictions, and partly whilst ye became companions of them
of the elorv of God. and short of our own ideals, desires and that were so used.” Let us resolve to carry this good asset
efforts.” How consoling it is to us, then, to know that our im- over into the new year, rejoicing that we have been privileged
perfect work shall be acceptable through Christ to God; that thus far to suffer some little for the Lord’s sake and for the
the Lord counts us according to our intentions, according to sake of the truth, and in companionship with the brethren;
our wills. Praise his name! We would have no hope of com- heeding the Apostle’s words, “Cast not away, therefore, your
ing up to any standard of perfection which he would approve, co?zfi&&ce, which hath great recompense of reward.“~ -God
were it not for his gracious arrangement by which our imper- wishes us to trust him accordimr to his nromises. and will
fections are covered by our Redeemer’s perfection and sacrifice, reward such faith.
and our works accepted according to the intentions and desires We conclude this exhortation to spiritual accounting by
of our hearts. calling attention to the Apostle’s words: “We nrav always for
The Apostle rejoiced that by the Lord’s counting him ac- y-o&that God would count you worthy of this”calling and
cording to his intentions, and not according to his deeds, he fulfill all the eood nleasure of his goodness. and the work of
was c&ted worthy a place in the ministry: Let us similarly faith with power.” A (2 Thess. 13117 This’is our prayer for
reioice. and let us remember that the word “ministrv” signifies you, beloved in the Lord; and we trust also that this is your
service; and the word “minister” signifies servant. “Let is re- prayer for us. What more could we ask than that the Lord
member that all of the royal priesthood, all of the truly conse- would count us worthy of the great high-calling of this Gospel
crated church of God, are ministers, servants of God and of ape-to ioint-heirshin with his Son in the kinedom? We have
each other. The Lord has put us all into the ministry; and h% assurance respecting the terms on which &e will count us
there is a ministry, a service of kindness and of love toward worthy. We realize that the terms are very reasonable indeed,
the Lord, in honoring his name and declaring his riphteous- and that what we do sacrifice in conforming to those terms
ness ; and a ministry-toward the brethren, in opening the eves would be reallv onlv as loss and dross to us, so long as we
of their understandine and enabling them to appreciate the were filled with a proper zeal for the Lord and his cause. And
lengths and breadths”and heights <nd depths of’ the Lord’s now notice the Apostle’s words. that these good things which
character. A share in this ministry belongs to each one of US, our heavenly Father has called us to rece&-to prove our-
and it is a great privilege. It is a ministry or service which, selves worthy of receiving, according to his gracious terms in
if neglected, or in proportion as neglected, brings us corre- Christ-are not things which he offers us grudgingly, but things
sponding loss in spiritual progress and character. Let us count which he is well pleased to bestow. There was a time, per-
this privilege a valuable asset, to carry over into the new year, haps, with each of us when, under misinterpretations of the
to be used with greater diligence than ever in the service of Lord’s Word, we supposed that coldly and heartlessly, our
our King. heavenlv Father preferred not to give many blessings, and
The Apostle, in writing to the church at Thessalonica (2 would give them to but few, and to them in a grudging manner,
because impelled thereto by Jesus; and that for the great ma-
Thes. 1:5). sags: ‘That ve may be counted worthv of the king- jority he had determined, before hand, that they should be
dom for which ye also suffer.” Ah, yes; this is’ more of the delivered over to devils for an eternitv of misery. Thank God
Lord’s countina. We are not worthv of the kinadorn of God. for a clearer opening of the eyes of our undkrstanding, by
No human be&g is worthy; but the Lord purp&es to count which now we mav know him as our Father, and annreciate to
his faithful ones worthy. He will do this through the merit of AL
his own great atonement-sacrifice which permits the accep- some extent his wonderful plan!
And, as respects our own share, let us settle it in our hearts
tance of our wills, our intentions, as instead of the perfect that these gracious things to which we are called are “all the
works of righteousness. Thank God for this generous account-
ing! Let it encourage us, and let us remember the Apostle’s good pleas&-e of his goodness.” Let us start into the new year
with good couraae. remembering that if God loved us while
statement that those who will be counted of our Lord thus fit we were yet sinners, strangers, aliens, foreigners, much more
for the kingdom, will be such as suffer something for it. Let does he now love us since we have come into relationship with
us then strive in a reasonable, rational manner, according to him through Jesus Christ our Lord;-since we are seeking to
the divine Word and plan, to suffer for the kingdom’s sake. walk, not-after the flesh, but after the spirit; since we are
We are not to seek suffering in a foolish way by doing seeking to be copies of his dear Son, our Lord; since we have
foolish things. We have no such example in our Lord’s case, been begotten bv his holy Spirit. Truly, faith may confidently
nor in the case of the apostles. It is not even necessary that exclaim, “All things are ours, for we are Christ’s and Christ
we should suffer martyrdom or physical persecution. Possibly is God’s ! ”

CONTRASTING EXPERIENCES OF THE SAINTS

ACTS 12: l-Q.-MAY 11.
“The angel of the Lord encampeth. ~OUOI~about them that fear him, and delivereth them.“-Psalm 34:7.
Herod was a family name. There were several kings over in his veins he might incur the hatred his grandfather, Herod
Israel by this name ; ( 1) Herod the Great, who flourished about the Great, had borne, and took his way to gain the political
the time of our Lord’s birth, and who murdered the babes of favor of the Jews, who cried out, ‘Do not weep, Agrippa; thou
Bethlehem. (2) Herod Archelaus, son and successor to Herod art our brother.“’ Within a month after the events of this
the Great-deposed A. D. 6. (3) Herod Antipas, another son lesson he was a corpse. His tragic end at Cresarea, whither he
of Herod the Great, the murderer of John the Baptist, who had aone to a magnificent festival. in honor of Claudius Caesar.
subsequently, with his men of war, set at naught and mocked is this summed u: by Geike, from’ Josephus’ account :-
Jesus, just prior to his crucifixion-deposed A. D. 40. (4) “A vast multitude assembled to see the festival and games,
Herod Agrippa I., grandson of Herod the Great, mentioned in and before these the king, in all the pride of hizh state, ap-
the present lesson as the murderer of the Apostle James. (5) peared in robes inwroughZwith silver threads. The time chosen
Herod Agrippa II., the last of the Herods, before whom the was davbreak. so that the kindling sun shininr on his grand
Anostle Paul defended himself.-Acts 26 :28. mantle Ylighted it into dazzling saendor. Preientlv some of
- The Herod of our lesson (Agripps I.) was given his king- his flatte;ers, always at hand-beside a king, raised the cry,
dom by Claudius Czsnr, Emperor of Rome, whom he saved echoine a reminiscence of the davs of Calieula. ‘Deign to be
from a violent death. History says of him: “He curried favor praciois to us, thou divine one!” Hitherto we’have-honored
with the Jews in every way; he huna in the Temple, as a votive thee as a man ; henceforth we own thee as more than mortal !’
offering. the nold chain which the Emnrror Calipula had given
. .I
Instead of rebuking such Ivina servilitv he drank in this adu-
him ; he livedin .Jerusalem, and punrtiliously observed the’ tra- lation with high pleasure. ” Ngxt moment a great pain racked
drtions of the fathers, and srcured the fervent loyalty of the his bowels. Conscience-stricken at this blasphemous folly, the
Pharisees. At the Feast of Tabernacles, A. D. 41, he took the noor wretch felt that the wrath of God had struck him down,
reader’s stand and read the whole Book of Deuteronomy aloud, and the cry arose from him in his agony, ‘See, your god must
bursting into tears, as if quite overcome, when he reached the now eive UD life and hasten into the arms of corruntion!’ In
words, ‘Thou mayest not set a stranger over thee, who is not the Acts ( 12:23) we are told that he ‘was eaten of worms.“’
thy brother.’ He feared that because he had Edomite blood Knowing thus much about the man, Herod, enables us to
[30021
?rf‘\Y 1, 1902 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (135 -136)

lmderstsnd why he made his attack upon the church. Although but it is well that we should note also his good pleasure that
not a descendant of Jacob, but of Esau, he had espoused the his people should come so fully into accord-with-him and his
religion prevalent in his kingdom, and was seeking favor with plans that they would neither be surprised nor disappointed in
the *Jews by his zeal for Judaism,-which meant, of course, their fulfilment.
his zeal and energy correspondingly against Christianity. AS Probably James’ death was accomplished suddenly, while,
we have already seen, the -Jews had begun a work of pkrsecu- as we have seen, Peter was held over in bonds. This gave the
tion against the church. but were hindered bv their own church time to ‘consider how much she had already lost, and
tioub& with Caligula C&ar ; but the latter was now dead, how much she might lose further were not the Lord to inter-
and the persecuting tendencies of misconducted fervor could pose for her protection. No doubt they reasoned that they had
again be exercised. The Lord, of course, was not subject to already sustained a great loss; and no doubt Peter’s life and
these conditions, and could have miraculously prevented the his service seemed much more precious to them since the 10s~
nersecutions recorded. But. as the lesson shows, he nermitted of James. In any event, the Lord’s people were getting a bless-
ihe evil to triumph in part’and restrained it in part.- ing through their experiences and through their prayers. Peter
The Apostle James, whose death is here recorded, in few also was getting a valuable experience: and doubtless the Lord
words was as a matter of fact one of the most noble and was overr\ling% the matter sb that a-great blessing and stim-
notable of the apostles. He was one of the three who usually ulus to the faith of all would ensue through Peter’s release.
accompanied our Lord in the most confidential capacity ;-with Peter, his heart filled with the peace of God which passeth
his brother John, and Peter, he was with the Lord in the Mount all understanding, was enabled to sleep peacefully in the prison,
of Transfiguration. In the same company he was present at notwithstanding the unfavorable conditions in which he was
the awakening of Jairus’ daughter. In the same company he placed, and his expectancy that on the morrow he would. be
was one of the inner circle of the Lord’s friends in the trying called before the king and publicly executed. What a blessing
hour in the Garden of Gethsemane. It was he and his brother is this rest of heart, this abilitv to entrust to the Lord all of
whom our Lord surnamed Boanerges-“sons of thunder”- life’s affairs! It is written. “He giveth his beloved sleep.”
.1

probably because of their eloquence and forcefulness of speech.
It was he and his brother whose mother entreated the Lord
that they might sit “the one on his right hand and the other
on his left, in the kingdom,” and who, when questioned by our
Lord, declared their willingness to share in his work and suf-
fering, even unto death. They were both faithful, James being
amongst the earliest of the martyrs for the cause, and John
living to a life of old age,-being probably the last survivor
of the anostles. Althoueh the record of James’ mini&v is
brief in the extreme, it &ta.ins nothing that gives the slrght-
est suggestion of anything except zeal and faithfulness to the
Lord and to his cause. This James, who died enrlv in the
Christian era, should not be confounded with the other James,
the author of the Epistle of James-known as “James the
Less,” the son of Alnheus (Cleopas-Mark 3 :18)-husband of
Mary, supposed to have been s&.ond cousin to our Lord, and
for this reason. accordinn to Jewish custom. , &led ” “the Lord’s
brother.“‘-Gal: 1: 19. ” cell. The doors onened before them; thev passed the sentinel
When Herod saw what satisfaction it gave his subjects, and
especially their leaders, the Pharisees, that he should thus
persecute the Christians, he proceeded to take Peter also. The
implication is that James and Peter were two of the foremost
amongst the apostles in the church at this time. The expres-
sion, “When he had apprehended him,” implies that some delay
occurred between the order for his arrest and the time of his
imprisonment. He was delivered to four quaternions of sol-
diers. A quaternion consisted of four soldiers to guard a pris-
oner, two of them being chained to him, one on each side, by
the wrists: the other two doing sentinel dutv. one at the door
of the cell. and the other in an” outer court. ” ‘The four quater-
nions were in the nature of relief guards, so that each quater-
nion would have charge of the Apostle for six hours of the
twentv-four.
1t’;vas at the season of Easter, or more properly, the Pass-
over-“the davs of unleavened bread,” The time of his arrest
was too close”to this religious festival to make it proper for
such a public execution as Herocl had determined upon. He
would reserve his show of zeal for the Jews’ religion until this
festival was at an end. Meantime, the infant church at .Jeru-
salem was evidently sadly perplexed b-y the trend of affairs
-at a loss to know how to interpret the Lord’s providences.
Doubtless they held their memorial of the Redeemer’s death
at this time, as we now do, and their hearts were sadly stricken
with a realization of the fact that the Lord’s faithful must
all drink of his cup-of ignominy and death. Although a con-
siderable number of Jews had accented Jesus. as we saw in a
previous lesson, apparently the majority of the believers were
Rcnttered abroad, but few of them residing in Jerusalem.
These few it seems met in little groups, in p&ate houses, for
prayer and praise, for study of the Lord’s Word and for build-
ing one another up in the most holy faith; and such a meeting
was in progress during this eventful Passover week. We are
informed that the burden of their prayer was for Peter.
Well instructed by the apostles, we may be sure that they
strove not to ask amiss; and that they copied the Master’s
petition, at least in so far as the expression, “Nevertheless,
not my will, but thine, be done.” We have no record that the
church met in prayer for James, tho quite possibly it did;
neither are we bound to suppose that if thev had not met and
prayed for Peter, Herod would have succeeded in killing him
also. It is sufficient for us that we remember that God has
planq of his own, irrespective of the plans and prayers of his
people, and that all of his good purposes will be accomplished;
c30031
(Psa. 127 :2) We cannot say that the Lord’s people are never
troubled with insomnia, sleeplessness, but we can say that
many, previously troubled with the cares of this life, exciting
to nervousness, have by the Lord’s grace been enabled so to cast
all their care upon him that it has in great measure controlled
their nerves and brought back to them the ability to enjoy
sweet refreshing rest in sleep. Nothing is more favorable to
this nlace of heart than B full consecration to the tird-“all
to his wisdom resigned;” it’entitles to a full confidence in the
divine promises,-through faith in the divine wisdom, love and
newer. which has gvaranteed that all things shall work ti
&her for go,od to those wlm love God. who-&e called accord-
ing to his purpose.
Peter was aroused from his sleep, loosed from his chains,
bidden to arise and fasten the girdle usuallv relaxed in slum-
ber, to put on his sandals,-wrap himself in his outer cloak and
follow the messenger, the light of whose glory filled the prison
unobserved, and Peter was led from the castle of Antonia into
the city proper. There the heavenly messenger left him. There
is a simplicity to this narrative which, even on the surface,
commends it as truthful. Were it a fiction, doubtless the
author would have stated matters altogether differently. He
would have represented the angel as doing homage to the AMOS-
tle, or delivering to him some complimentary message from
the Lord, or lifting him un or putting on his sandals and fas-
tening him for him, or assisting in girding him or putting on
his mantle. He would have had him give Peter certain direc-
tions at the time of leaving, etc. But this simple account
merely represents the angel & doing for Peter what he could
not do for himself. and no more. and leaving him without a
word as soon as he had brought him properlv-into the city.
The record shows that Peter was so surprised with what
had transpired that he for a time fancied himself in a dream,
in a trance.-exnectine that he would awaken shortlp to realize
himself still bound; ‘but the cool morning air, between three
and six o’clock, and being left alone, brought him to his senses
and convinced him that he was actuallv at liberty. He knew
well the usual meeting place, and thithkr he bent-his steps. It
was the home of Marv. mother of John Mark-cousin of Bar-
nabas, (so “sister’s s&i” should read in Col. 4: 10) John wae
his Hebrew name and Marcus his Latin name. It was this
Mark who was the Evaneelist. the author of the Book of Mark.
-the same who accomp&ied’Barnabas and Paul on their first
missionary journey.
Altho the hour was an unusual one, the inmates of the house
were awake, the prayer-meeting was still going on at the very
time when the Lord was answering the petition. Peter’s knock
on the outer door was responded to by the little maid-servant
of the familv. Rhoda (Rose). who, child-like, discerning the
voice of Pete; (for it was customary to make inquiries before
opening the door) was SO surprised and delighted that she
neglected to open the door before running back to give word
to the assembled disciples.
The fact that the- praying ones were amazed, astonished,
and could scarcelv believe it was Peter who had come, does not
prove that they had not faith in their own prayers.. Rather,
we may say that their faith in prayer was-well attested by
their continuance in it all night, and to such an hour in the
and that they were not asleep at the time Peter
ETzendi but, knowing something regarding the prison and the
appointment of four quaternions of soldiers, they would rea-
sonably expect that whatever answer might come to their
(136-138) ZION’S
prayers would not be a release of Peter under such circum-
stances, but might rather be some interference at the time of
of the trial, EoX&ething to change the mind of the king, who
would he the iudrre In this case, and thus to bring about Pe-
ter’s release. “nu’t’ “God works in a mysterious way his won-
ders to perform,” and not infrequentlv his ways are not as our
wavs, and sometimes we learn valuable lessons under iust such
circumstances. Doubtless the faith of some was shaken con-
siderably by the death of the Apostle James; doubtless they
queried concerning the lack of the manifestation of divine
favor and interference for the protection of the Apostle and
for bis prc>servation as a helper in the church. But if they were
thus tempted and tried, and their faith sorely tested for a
while, they had now, in Peter’s experience, a valuable lesson
on the other side-an illustration of God’s power to intervene
uhrn he will and how he will on his people’s behalf.
Here again, in this contrast between the experiences of
James and those of Peter, we have something that would be
entire!p contrarv to the manner or thought of a forger at-
tempting to write such an account from his imagination.
would not occur to him to have so marked a manifestation
divine providential rare in the CRW of Peter. and to leave
James’ case with apparently no evidences of divine protection.
And this calls to our mind the fact that divine providence
seem9 frequentI? to operate along these lines-contrastinq be-
tween the experiences of different members of the body of Christ,
and qometimes instituting contrasts in our own individual ex-
neriences as Christians. In Some of life’s events we can see
the Lord’s protecting and guiding care most markedly, while
in others it would seem absolutelv lackimz. The lesson it
should bring to us is one of full faith in <‘the Lord, and of
full submission to all his providences. Indeed, we are to note
that in the majority of cases our experiences are far more
like that of .Tames than like this experience of Peter%. The
miracles which we can trace in our bwn experience are cer-
tainlv few and far between. Whatever we have had. or what-
ever ‘the apostles or others have had in this direction, which
serves to demonstrate to us God’s supervision of his own af-
fairs, is evidently intended to give us strength and courage,
whereby we can walk fearlessly and courageously in the dark,
for, as the Apostle says, under divine providence we generally
are called upon to “walk by faith, not by sight.“-2 Cor. 5:7.
“IT IS HIS ANGEL!”
“Are they [angels] not all ministering spirits sent forth
to minister for them [unto those] who shall be heirs of sal-
vation 7” (Heb. 1: 10) Knowing the Apostle Peter to be one
of the heirs of salvation, and never for a moment considering
the possibility of his escape from prison, the brethren queried
if their visitor might not be Peter’s angel as his representa-
tive, come in answer to their prayers, to give them consola-
tion. Soon, however, they realized that it waq Peter him-
self, and afterward learned of his miraculous deliverance by
the angel.
Verse 17 implies that when the brethren realized that it
was actuallv Peter who stood before them thev were excited
with joy. and would probablv have created quit& a commotion
had not the Apostle beckoned to them with his hand that they
should be quiet. Then calmlv explaining to them his provi-
dential deliverance, and sending a message to James (“the
Less”) “the Lord’s brother” or second cousin and to all the
brethren, he at once left the place-left Jerusalem. When Pe-
ter and John were delivered from prison it was by the Lord’s
instruction that they went back to the Temple and continued to
proclaim; but no’w, in the absence of any instruction from the
Lord to the contrary, the Apostle wisely understood by his
proper course, in co-operation with the Lord’s providences, was
that he should flee, that he should not put himself unneces-
sarily into danger, nor attempt to wage a warfare with the
THE EARLY
ACTS
“Go ye therefore,
Our Golden Text is Lptly illustrated in this lesson. Our
Lord’s commission* was not, as some have supposed, a com-
mand to convert the world, nor is there any suggestion any-
where in the Scriptures that the preaching of the gospel ~a.3
with such an end in view. Quite to the contrary, every intima-
tion of our Lord’s parables illustrating the subject, and all of
the words of the apostles, were to the effect that at the end of
the ape. at the second comine of Christ, he would not find
faith -p&dominating in the e&h; he would not find God’s
will done on earth as in heaven; but he would find merely a
l The word “therefore” in this text, is omitted by the
MS., the Sinaitic, and also by the Alexandrine.
WA TCH TOWER
representative of the Roman government, trusting to further
miraculous deliverances.
We know some who would have been inclined, in Peter’s
place, to have made a great hurrah about the escape, and to
have boasted that prison-walls and Roman soldiers were pow-
erless against the Lord; and who, perhaps, would have gone
the length of daring the king to arrest them again. But we
believe such a course would’ not have been thk will of the
Lord, and that Peter evidentlv took the nroner course. This
suggestion may be valuable to *some of the’L&d’s people. This
is the time in which “the prince of this world” is permitted to
maintain his general control ; and we are to expect miracu-
lous deliverances to be the exception rather than the rule, and
are to act accordingly ;-so far as lieth in us, preserving the
peace, living peaceably with all men. Peter’s conduct in not
baring the i;ing was not a manifestation of lack of confidence
in divine power, but it was in obedience to the Master’s words,
“When they shall persecute you in one citv flee ye to another.”
The persecution had reached him personally; he had been de-
It livered from it, and now was his time to flee to another nlace,
of where doubtless, the Lord had other work for him to do.- Let
us be prompt in following a similar course in proportion as
our circumstances correspond. When the persecution gets too
severe, cry to the Lord fbr help, and if he’opens a do& of de-
liverance flee to another nlace or condition. where. with eaual
boldness and courage and faith you will, as befoie, lift 6igh
the royal banner.
OUR GOLDEN TEXT
It is comparativelv easy for us to associate our Golden
Text with Peter and &is deliverance, and with ourselves in in-
stances of peculiar assistance from the Lord in our affairs,
temporal or spiritual; but it is much more difficult for us to
associate it with the experiences of the Apostle James and
with our own experiences, in which disasters, difficulties and
fiery trials are permitted -to come upon us. Such experiences
are douhtless sent of the Lord for the development and testinc
of our faith. The Lord’s providential care w& none the less in
the case of James. and we may he sure that nothing happened
to him contrary to divine intention and permission; and so
with ourselves ; ~ we may be sure. not only that the Lord know-
eth them that are his. but sure also that “Precious in the sight
of the Lord is the death of his saints,” and that he “will ;lot
suffer us to be tempted above that we are able, but will with the
temptation provide also a wav of escape.” In James’ case the
“e&ape” wis final and decisive; in Peter’s it was temporary.
Our trials and difficulties are not. therefore. to be esteemed
as the results of divine carelessness in respect to our interests,
but as the outworkinga of divine providence for our*gnnd. Tbnic
who are able to view the matter from this standpolnt are thus
enabled to learn some of the very best and most helpful of
life’s lessons, and are thereby prepared for the glorious things
coming; whereas those who allow faith to falter in times of
trial, and who will walk with the Lord and have confidence in
him only when they are the recipients of miraculous favors.
are correspondingly weak, and correspondingly unprepared for
the kingdom. And as these lessons are necessary to the indi-
vidual, -so thev are necessarv 1150 to the church as a whole.
as in the case-of James and’the church in our lesson. So far
as James was concerned. it could matter little to him which
way the Lord effected his “escape” if, in the Lord’s wisdom, he
had finished his course. perfected his character and stood the
test. As for the church, it could learn an important lesson;
viz., that God, while pleased to use the Apostles and vari-
ouq agencies in the prosecution of his work, was not at all
dependent upon them, hut that one or all of them could he
dropped out, and yet the Lord be thoroughly competent to
manage his own work and to accomplish all the gracious prom-
ises of his Word.
CHRISTIAN MISSIONARIES
13:1-~~.-MAY 18, 1902.
and teach all nations.“Matt. 28 : 19.
little flock, selected from the world through the preaching of
the truth. These would be made meet to be the bride. the
Lamb’s wife, and joint-heir with him in the glorious king-
dom then to be established for the purpose of binding Satan,
restraining evil, and causing truth and righteousness to fill
the earth and bless all the nations.-Luke 18:8; 12:32; Rev.
20:1-3.
The commission meant merely-You are no longer re-
stricted to the Jews in preaching this Gospel of the kingdom;
you may now deliver it to all the world, every nation, so that
oldest Greek
“he that hath an ear” may hear-to the intent that a little
flock, the elect, spiritual Israel, a royal priesthood, a holy na-
[30043
MAY 1, 1902 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (138-139)

tion, a peculiar people, may be selected from all nations for fu- into service. The object of the church should, in every case, be
ture service in the kingdom. In accord with this, our Lord’s to develon. to use. to exercise. all of its different members:
instruction, as related by Luke, says! “Repentance and remis- each accdr’ding to ‘his ability and development, spiritual and
sion of sins should be nreached in his name unto all nations. natural.
beginning at Jerusalem.” (Luke 24: 27) And again, as re: It would be specially unfortunate if any companies of the
corded in Acts 1:8, he said, “Ye shall be witnesses unto me, Lord’s neonle whom he had brought into the light of present
both in Jerusalem and in all Judea and in Samaria and unto truth should become ensnared with the wrong vipws and- wrong
the uttermost parts of the earth.” The apostles evidently did practices of the nominal church systems, so as to consider pub-
not at first-comprehend the scope of the Master’s commission. lic preaching (prophesying) the only proper and satisfactory
They were reads enough to begin at Jerusalem: ready also, service. Rather, let us remember to look for the various mem-
as we have seen; to extend the work throughout Judea:” ready bers whom the Lord shall set in the body and endeavor to use
also when the Lord’s urovidence so Irtl. to Drench to the Sa- all of them. (1 Cor. 12) We will find that he sets manv more
maritans ; but it required veiy special’instructions for Peter teachers than prophets, orators; and we will find that our
to preach to the Gentiles also. As the Gospel was not in- blessing, as little companies of his people, will be greater in
tended to convert all of the Jews. but onlv to take from them proportion as we note the Lord’s providences and fall in line
a remnant while the rest were left blinded for a time, so, like- with them. We trust that the new Bibles will prove very help-
wise it was intended to take from amongst the Gentiles also ful in this respect-in enabling manv to teach---to lead meet-
only a remnant, so that the entire comnanv of the elect of this ings-to draw* out the thoughts of “the brethren-to present
age” is properly termed “a little flock,“” to whom it is the before their minds the Word of the Lord and the true under-
Father’s good pleasure to give the kingdom,-which kingdom, standing of the same. The Topical Index will be found very
it is also the Father’s good pleasure, shall bless all the famr- helpful too, we trust.
lies of the earth. The church at Antioch evidently had an oversupply of
Antioch was the first church of believers, so far as we teachers, as compared to its own requirements; but having
know, outside of Palestine-the first church amongst the Gen- the proper spirit in the matter, desiring to accomplish as large
tiles. Its members were probably chiefly Jews, and these results in the Lord’s service as possible, the brethren had no
chieflv foreign born. The Jews residing abroad doubtless ap- thought of crushing out or holding down any who manifested
preciated the fact that amongst their Gentile neighbors were ability for the Lord’s service. On the contrary, they began to
some of noble character. not less worthv of divine favor than look about them for larger fields of usefulness. They were un-
were the Jews; and these doubtless would, on this account, certain regarding the course they should pursue, and hence
the more quickly fall into line with the Lord’s instruction and looked to the Lord as the real Head and guide in the church’s
leading respecting the gospel- that it was thenceforth not for affairs. They served and they fasted, and we may be sure that
Jrws cxrlus~vcly, but for people of all nationalities who were they prayed also; and as x result they came to the conclusion
in licart-readiness to receive it. to send forth two of their number-Barnabas and Paul-as
A previous lesson showed us Barnabas and Paul meeting renresentatives of the whole in mission work. We are not in-
with the brethren at Antioch. for a considerable time. in the formed in what manner the Lord directed them to this. It is
worship of the Lord and in the study of his Word. The result possible that it was after the same manner that we today, un-
of theqe stutlies was to develop the church as a whole, and to der similar circumstances, considering such a case, would say-
hiing it to the point of considering and praying about means We believe, after studying the Scriptures and praying, &d
for the service of the truth-the spread of the Gospel. There seekino to know the mind of the Lord, that it would be his
were a number of prophets (public orators) and teachers in will that surh ones of our number should go out for a public
the church, and cvidentlv thev began to think of how they service of the truth. We believe that we-are guided to this
might hc used to the glory of God and to the blessing of others, conclusion, not by an-y wrong spirit of pride or fond ambition
as thev themselves had been blessed by the truth. This is al- to have the name of sending out missionaries, nor with any
wavs the case with those who receive the truth into good and mercenary motive,-but that we are actuated by the spirit of
honest hearts. Properly enough, they desire to feed thereon the truth, the spirit of Christ, the holy Spirit, in this dcter-
themselves and to grow strong in the Lord, but iust so surely mination-that our motives are sincere. We believe that we
ns the truth is re’ceivcd, with its spirit, it gives a strength have the Lord’s mind on the subiect: we helieve that it is
and a desire to use that strength. This is as true today as it the Lord’s will that we as a congregation should send forth
was then: the consecration whirh the truth brings is identical these two as representatives of our number, to carry the
with our begetting of the spirit; and the energy for service light to others.
corresponds to the quickening of the spirit. In this manner, or in some manner, the conviction came
We see a distinction drawn in our lesson between prophets stronnlv to the entire church at Antioch that this was its duty
and teachers. The Greek word rendered “prophet” signifies a and i‘t’s”privilege. It is worthv of note, too, that it sought OUT
‘,fortli-teller.” It might be understood to mean one who tells its verv best for this service~thus lettinrr the snirit of self-
in advance, or foretells, or prophesies coming events; but in sacrificl nrevail. Thev still had Simeon Ni&er and Lucius and
its general use in the New Testament the word seems to indi- hlenaen, ‘talented brethren, and the latter one of considerable
cate one who tells forth, in the sense of proclaiming, giving worldly standing and influence, the evidently an aged man-
public utterance to, or standin g up before the people in decla- foster-brother to Herod Antlpas. But none of these rrm:tlnin~
ration of the Lord’s message. . The distinction between urophets
. - were the equals of Paul and Rarnahas. This liberal tlisposi-
and teachers, as here used, seems to be that the former were tion on the unrt of the church is worthy of praise, 2nd we
oersons of natural talent and ahilitv for teaching the truth are sure brought to it a lnrge mensure of. the Lord’s blessing.
in a public manner, in orderly discourse, etc., whiie the teach- Not that we should be reckless of the interests of the home
ers would he those possessing talent as instructors, but not congregation in scrring others, so as to lrsve ourselves desti-
necesaarilv in a uublic. or oratorical manner. The same dis- tuth': ‘but in making ‘our sacrifices to the Lord and his ser-
tinctions *are true today amongst the Lord’s people; compar- vice we are to scrk to give the best we have. No doubt the
atively few have the qualifications for public speaking-for Lord blessed the church rnrrcspondingly. and made up to them
urcsentinr an address in an orderly manner, that will be the loss su\tainetl in thr nivinn of thtse two brethren to the
truly helpful to the hearers. Some others, who have not ability miiqion work. No doubt the n?hcr mrmbcrs of the cnngregn-
as nuhlic discoursers. have talent for nresenting the truth in a tlnn wrre all the mnre enrrgized, stimulated, brought for-
lexd public manner, as in Bible studies, etc. U ward in activity, and made the more useful.
It is for the Lord to supnlv the talents as he mav deem The nrouer course decided nnon, thr conpregatinn
1 I .
fasted
best. and it is for each individual and the church as a whole and prayed and laid thrir hands on Paul and Tiarnnbas, and
to utilize the talents of which they find themselves possessed. sent them on their missionary tour with their blrssing and
Little companies of the Lord’s people are not to determine God-speed. In our practical time some of us may be inclined
that they must have public preaching, and then endeavor to to pay too little heed to incidentals of this kind: there might
have it. pood r.
or bad. Rather. , thevY are to seek to know the be today too much disposition amongst us to takr a vote on
mind of the Lord on the subject, and to have such meetings as what WC believed to be the Lord’s will, and to shake hands
the Lord’s providence may make possible and proper. If there with the brethren, and say “Goodbye,” without the fasting
be one or two or more brethren in the congregation who have and nravino and imnosition of hands. We would be inclined
the ability to tearh-to conduct the services of the church, and to akk, ‘What good’would these things do? What purpose
to draw ou! the brethren in questions and answers as a Bible would they serve? They would do good to all; they would
class, in a Rible study, giving their own opinions with the serve to impress upon all-the missionaries starting and the
others, the church should seek to use such brethren in its ser- brethren remaining-the importance of the Lord’s service, and
vices as thev may consent. And if there be in the number one the fact that those who remained were having a share with
or more with talent for a public or connected presentation, in those who went. The laying on of hands would probably be
the nature of a discourse, let them also, if they will, be put done by the cnngrrgatinn, through the other representatives or
IV-17 [30053
(140-141) ZION’S WATCH TOWER ALLEGHENY. Pt.

Elders. But this proceeding did not signify, as is generally to exercise ourselves therein as best we are able;-continuing,
understood today, an “Ordination;” for the Apostle Paul and if the will of God be such, to abide in that condition and ser-
Barnabas had been recognized in the church at Antioch for a vice forever, and thankful for the privilege of serving the
considerable time as amongst their principal prophets and body of Christ in any capacity. In the Lord’s providence, how-
teachers. It would not signify authority to preach, as Ordi- ever, those who serve faithfullv in the humbler positions of ser-
nation sometimes means today amongst Christians of various vice.are very apt to be advanced to some still gieater and more
sects and parties. It simply meant that-We, the congrega- important service. Nevertheless. it is not for us to cultivate
tion, by this laying on of -hands of our representative elders, ambitions, with their accompanying spirit of envy; but to say
are sending forth these two men. Paul and Barnabas. on a rather,
mi88ionaryvtour; and that they go, not only as the represen-
tatives of the Lord, and as representatives of themselves, but “Content whatever lot I see
also as representatives of the church of the Lord at Antioch. Since ‘tis my God that leadeth me.”
and as such we hold ourselves responsible for their m&&e: If the Lord opens before us more important doors of ser-
nalme. W’e will suunlv thrm the needful assistance. and thus vice, and we are sure that the opening is of him, we are to go
will be co-laborers zth them,-sharers in their labors, sympa- forward rejoicing in his service in any capacity, and confi-
thizers with them in their dificulties and trials, helpers of dent of a blessing in return.
them in their necessities. and partakers with them also in Altho these brethren, Paul and Barnabas, fullv appreciated
whatever results shall come to the Lord’s praise through their the fact that Gentiles might now have access to”the^ blessings
efforts. Accordingly, we find that after this missionary tour of the Gospel, nevertheless, in every place they entered into
the two brethren returned to Antioch. and made report. It the synagogues of the Jews; because the Jews who alreadv
would appear that subsequently the Apostle Paul, at least, believed -Moses and the prophets, and who alreadv expected
travelled without anv such dependence unon the church at An- Messiah, would necessarilv be in a much better attitude of
tioch,-without any” such priying and’ laying on of hands, mind to receive their me&age, than would be the Gentiles,
and without any subsequent reports of results of labors,-+tho who had no knowledge of such matters, and who, therefore,
still in love and in sympathy with them, so far as we may would have to approach the subject more gradually, and would
judge. require more instruction. Indeed, we may suppose that the
The nature of the praying offered in connection with the larger proportion of converts made between the time of our
sending forth of the missionaries we can rendily imagine;- Lord’s resurrection and the fall of Jerusalem, A. D. 70, were
they were, doubtless, prayers for the Lord’s blessing upon them, made amongst the Jews, and that comparatively few Gentiles
for their guidance, for their support and strengthening, and accented Christ up to that time. Even tho the door was open
that their journey might be profitable and to the Lord’s praise. for them, still we ‘are to remember that only those who had the
But whv the fastina? savs one. What advantage could ac- hearing ear could hear the message: that only those with the
true fro”m fasting at’ such a time? We answer that the Lord anointed sight could see and appreciate the open door.
and the apostles and prophets have all set us an example in Similarly, now, in the end of this Gospel age, the work is
the matter of fasting. It is claimed, no doubt with truth. that chiefly with Christians-it is a harvest work. As Paul and
many people overelit ; and that restraints in the matter of Rarnabas went chiefly to the synagogues, so we today are to
diet would be nrofitablc to them nhvsicallv .I and mentallv and
1 .J go chiefly to the churches. As they found in the synagogue8 a
morally, without any reference whatever to its being a sac- few ready to receive their message, so we today find a few in
rifire or oblation unto the Lord. No doubt this is tr;k, yet it the churches who are prepared to receive the truth as it is
is for each person to decide for himself as to what would be now shining in the Lord’s Word. The majority, now as then,
the proper amount and kind of food for him-best calculated are deenlv immersed in formalism. and draw nigh to the Lord
to help him in spiritual matters, that his time and talent and with their lips when their hearts’are far from-him, set upon
influence may count as largelv as possible for the Lord’s praise 1 the cares of this life, or filled with endeavors to attain riches,
and for his -own spiritual progress. We remind our readers or fame or something. We todav are at a disadvantee in
again that there are other annetites besides those for food that the sects of Ch&tendom and” their synagogues are deter-
and drink which mav properly be considered in connection with minedlv shut against the Gosnel of the kingdom: whereas. in
this matter of fasting-all the various desires of the flesh the apostle’s day there was access and an opportunity, at least,
need restraining, and such self-restraint and the bringing of for the presentation of the truth. Now, even our attempt to
our minds, our thoughts, our words, our conduct and our food speak to the sheen, through the printed page, on the outside
under such restraints as will be most beneficial to us as new of their synagogues would be r&isted;-% the laws of the
creatures in Christ, is the verv essence and spirit of true fast- world would permit it there would be no onnortunitv for even
ing, and such fasting will surely bring a blessing and permit handing a t&t or a paper to our dear biethren, “whom we
a closer approach to the Lord and a keener realization of his long to help into the glorious light of present truth, which
love and favor. has done so much for us.
Luke, the narrator, keens nrominentlv before us the fact The missionarv tour consumed probablv considerable time,
that these two missionaries’ w&e not sen’t forth regardless of as the three went from village to- village, preaching Christ;
the Lord’s will, but by the holy spirit--however the Lord’s until thev reached the citv of Panhos. at the far end of the is-
mind may have been ascertained. We believe that it was as- land. Wk are not to suppose they made many converts. What
certained- by a vote of the church; that the church, having thev did do was to witness to the truth:-here and there find-
come into the attitude of harmonv with God. through nraver. ing” an “Israelite indeed” who would have an “ear” and re-
fasting, consecration, etc., was possessed of’ the h& -Spirit; ceive a blessing. At Paphos they found Sergius Paulus, a man
and that to such a degree that their action woulld properly be of good judgment, the governor of the Island, procurator or
considered the action of the holy spirit throu,gh them. representative of the Roman Senate. He had a hearing ear
The missionaries went from Antioch. a distance of eighteen even before the apostle8 got there, and the Adversary, &ing
miles, to the seaport town of Seleucia; where they took ship this. was at work upon him throueh on of his servants. Elvmas.
for the nearest large citv in the Island of Cvnrus. It was a sorcerer or magi’cian, who had already ingratiated hcmself
probably as good a ilace “to begin as any, and ‘had the advan- with the proconsul and gained considerable influence, and was
tage of being the home country of Barnabas, who would be fa- esteemed his friend. We are not to wonder that a man of
miliar with the dialect of the people, their customs, etc. sound judgment, as the proconsul is represented to have been,
John Mark, the writer of the Gospel bv Mark. cousin of should be so interested in the maeician and his doinns. We
I>

Barnabas, and son of one of the Mary8 ai Jerusalem
12:12, 25). is noted as beine their minister. attendant
vant, .and this, together with- the fact that he was not sent
out by the church-as a missionary with the others, shows us
clearly that while all brethren are to be very highly esteemed as
brethren this does not signify that they have all one office or
one work. It is the same lesson which the apostle inculcates
in 1 Cor. 12, saying, “If the whole body we& an eye, where
were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the
smelling? But now hat11 God set the members everv one of
them in the body, as it hath pleased him.” The eye serves
the hand in some respects; the hand serves the eye in other
respects ; the foot serves both in still other respects, and
both hand and eye serve the foot. The lesson here is that each
of us should seek to find the position in which the Lord is
pleased to have us and to usi us, and finding this we are
(Acts are to remember, on the contrary, that similarly there are some
ser- men of ability today who are to some extent under the in-
ffuence of the same adversary and his bewitching agents-
spirit mediums. Besides, the magicians in olden times were
a compound or mixture of scientists and miracle workers, and
usually very bright men.
When the proconsul heard something respecting the teach-
ings of Paul and Barnabas he sent for them. desirinp to know
m&e. Then came a conflict between the powers of-light and
the powers of darkness, between the truth and the error. There
is no harmony between the two, there can be no partnership;
they are opponents at every point; and so in this case, as soon
as the magician discovered that the proconsul was coming un-
der the influence of the truth, he used his every power to dis-
suade him, to turn him from the doctrines4oubtless by mis-
representation, which is one of the adversary’s most common
[3006]
MAY 1, 1902 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (141-147)

methods ; perhaps also by slander, back-biting, evil speaking,
which are works of the flesh and of the devil, but never works
of the Lord or prompted by his spirit.
This furnished the occasion for a remarkable manifestation
of divine power through the apostle Paul, who denounced the
magician, and pronounced upon him, in the name of the Lord,
a curse, that is, a blight-blindness for a time. We are not to
understand that such power and auth0rit.y belong to us, or
the Lord’s people in general; nor did it belong: even to Barna-
baa. Paul*was chos& of the Lord to be an ipostle-to take
the place of Judas-and the power of discerning spirit8 and
of restraining them was accordinglv his. It was appropriate
that some su<h manifestation of divine power should-be-given
at the beginning of this age, not only for the establishment of
the truth then, and thus the establishment of the believers of
that time, but also for the establishment and information of
all the household of faith from then until now.
The Apostle upbraided the magician by a plain statement of
his case-that he was full of cunning and deceit and villainy;
that the spirit operating in him was not the spirit of God but
the spirit of the adversary of God, and that therefore he was
an enemy of all that was right and true, and seeking to per-
vert the right ways of the Lord; and that as a punishment
the hand of the Lord (not the hand of Paul)-the judgment of
the Lord-was upon him; and that he would become so blind
that he could not even see the light of the sun for a time. The
blindness came upon him gradually, first a mistiness, which
subsequently settled into complete darkness.
We are not to think of the apostle as pronounccing this sen-
tence in any harsh attitude of mind. We believe, on he con-
trary, that he was full of sympathetic interest and kindly de-
sire for the wrong doer, hoping that the result of his experi-
ences would be profitable to him. Doubtless Paul remembered
his own case, and what blessing had come to him when he was
smitten with blindness. and doubtless he hoped for the magi-
cian a similar recognition of the Lord and similarly the open-
ing of the eyes of his understanding, as well as of his natural
eyes.
This manifestation of the Lord’8 power was convincing to
the deputy (proconsul)-not that this incident converted him,
but that having already heard the teachings, and being in the
process of comparing these, in his judgment contrasting them
with his previous views, and with the presentation of Ely-
mas, he was enabled, by this incident, to reach the right con-
clusion ; and to decide his matters on the Lord’s side.
It would be difficult to find an exact parallel to this in our
experiences. The nearest anuroach probablv would be when the
truth comes in conflict with the e&or, w&n the sword of the
spirit, wielded by some of the Lord’s simple followers, proves
mighty in the overthrow of error; when the light of present
truth, and the clearness with which it is presented, and the
beauty in which it can be seen and appreciated, is contrasted
with the error, the result is either that the truth is seen in its
beautv, or the erring one opposing it becomes more densely
blinded than before. -But only for-a season, let us hope: the
time is near at hand when the great Deliverer, in his Millen-
nial kingdom, shall not only restrain the great’adversary, but
spoil all of his house, overthrowing all the works of evil, and
opening the blinded eyes and permitting all to see out of the
obscurity of sin and darkness and misconception and preju-
dice.

“THY \-ILL BE DONE!”

My Lord, thy will not mine be done: My Father, let thy will be done:
Whatever path thy love shall choose for me, If szoeet the Cup thou pourest for me to drink,
Through desert sands, or if beside the sea,- I’ll praise thee; but, if bitter, I’ll not shrink,-
Thy will be done! Thy will be done!
Oh, may thy will in me be done! Forever may thy will be done:
Should “harvest” labor be for me thy will, I would not choose, I leave it all with thee,-
Or if I may but suffer and be still,- The pilgrimage, if short or long it be,-
Thy will be done ! Thy will be done!
-G. W. SEIBEET.
VOL. XXIII ALLEGHENY, PA., MAY 15, 1902 No. li
--
VIEWS FROM THE WATCH TOWER
SCIENCE FALSELY SO OALLED lia. instead of the original centers of population? Besides,
We are glad to note that the Rich?nond Christ&n Aduo- Professor Haerkel must have known that the evidences he
care is not yet ready to repudiate God’s Word and accept adduces from certain fossil remains in Madagascar and Aus-
the theory of evolution. tralia have been demonstrated to be utterly unreliable. What
We agree that scientist8 who deal in millions and billion8 particular find he refers to in Java we do not know; but
of years evidently forget the meanin of the word “science.” take it for granted that it is worthless as the rest. The fact
We clip from its issue of March 6 tfl e following:- is, the evolutionists have been so pushed to find that ‘miss-
ina link.’ without which their whole svstem falls to the
“THE ORIGIN OF MAN
gr&nd as incomp!ete and insupportable,~tbat they have been
“We had hoped that after the repeated failures to And ready to snatch at anything which would seem in the remotest
the missinp link in the chain of evolution the advocates of manner to connect-the broken series.
that theory would be less bold and positive in their asser- “The Professor evidently intends to allow himself ample
tions. True science is always cautious in its statements. time to work out his progressive developments from a pro-
Its teachings are supposed to be based on determinate and toplasm to an ape, and from an ape to a man. He assumes
well-ascertained facts. Otherwise it ceases to be science a round billion of- years. We say- assumes it, for every one
and becomes mere speculation. These remarks have been must see that it is sheer assumption. Why not say five bil-
suggested by the following extract from the Chicago Inter- lions instead? There is no geological table by which he
Ocean * could fix the time at one billion of years. When science thus
“ ‘The International Congress of Zoology, in session at goes out of the domain of exact truth, we have a right to
Cnmbridge, England, during-the current week, was remark- question its statements and its calculations. We don’t know
able for a fascinating paper bv Professor Haeckel on the where Professor Haeckel eot his arithmetic, and he does not
world’s present knowledge. of the descent of man. He did know- himself. When he ‘declares, and does not ‘hesitate’ to
not hesitate to declare that science has now established the declare, that ‘science has now established the absolute cer-
absolute certaintv that man has descended through various tainty that man has descended through various stages of evo-
stages of evolution from the lowest form of animal life dur- lution from the lowest form of animal life during a period
ine-, a period estimated at 1.000.000.000 vears. This knowl- estimated at one billion of years,’ we demand proof; but the
edge, which must now be accepted as thk crowning achieve- proof is not forthcoming. The declaration is about as satis-
ment of science during the nineteenth century, was won factory and sensible as the silly reply that Aaron made to
throuah recent discoveries of fossil remains in Java, Mada- Moses when the latter questioned him about the golden calf.
gascay, and Australia and is made still more complete evi- He said: I cast the gold in the Are, and there came out
dence by available proof of discoveries wherewith Darwin’s this calf.’ So the evolutionist8 would have us believe that
name is most commonly associated.’
“Professor Haeckel is known to be a Darwin of the Dar- all these wonderful things in nature just ‘came out’ of them-
winites. Indeed, in some of his views upon his pet theory selves entirely apart from divine agency.
he hag gone far beyond Darwin himself. Why does he seek “Which is the more rational theory, that all things were
for proofs of the doctrine of evolution in such remote and made by Him ‘who is before all things and by whom all
widely-separated regions as Java, Madagascar, and Austra- things consist,’ or that things just evolbcd of their own free
130071
(147-148) ZION’S WATCH TOWER ALLEGHENY,Pa.

will and accord ? Which is worthier of our credence, that wholly mythical personages. This will be a sad loss to liter-
‘God made man in His own image and after His own like- ature and art, but it will relieve the human race from a
ness,’ or that man developed
^ out of an animal of the Simian sense of long standing injustice.”
species ? AGNOSTICISM IN JEWISH PVLPITS. TOO
“Evolutionists admit that man is the final product of Baltimore, Md., April 13. -Rabbi Emil G. Hirsch, of
the series. If so, why is it that the fossil remains of the Chicago, delivered a lecture at the Har Sinai Temple here
animal connecting men with his ancestral ape cannot be today, which took the breath of moat of his listeners, despite
found? It would be the latest fossil. and should be most the fact that it is the most liberal congregation in the city.
easily found. 0, where is the -living link, if the fossil can- In his sermon Dr. Hirsch said:
not be found? Echo answers, Where?” “Think of God as you may, 80 long as you have the proper
WHO IS ON THE LORD’S SIDE? conception of man you are in harmony with Judaism. Even
The Presbyterian, of Philadelphia, attacks the Evolution if Moses never existed, if the ten commandments did not
and Higher Criticism errors of our time in good style, as come from Sinai-and I don’t believe they did-Judaism still
fOllOW8 :- lives.
“There has arisen a class of preachers, who are pro- “The Rihle is literature: it is mvtholn,gv. It, did not
claiming a social gospel, a scientific gospel, a literary gospel, come from heaven in a mechanical way. A” new Bihlr has
a refntmntory gospel. The cry appears to he, Anything to come forth. straneelv different from what our fathers loved.
grt rid of the Old Gospel, which ‘the orthodox religion’ up- The old idea is a-G’od who holds in one hand a club and in
holds and preaches. All kinds of political reforms are in- the other a stick of candy. This God was man. He has
itiatcd , critical theories in theolo, are ventilnted; the new- been dethroned. Our soul needs a God who is superior to
est industrial formation8 are given currency; and the thought man.”
and eflort are centered upon the material, intellectual, and Yes, truly a great falling away from the faith is in prog-
moral improvcmcnt of earth. It is no wonder that in the ress amongst all nationalities-especially among the “wise”
enthusiasm kindled over these and other efforts for human and “learned.” This poor Rabbi is no more to be blamed
amelioration, there is considerable diversion from ‘the ortho- than Christian ministers who are taking the same position.
dox religion ;’ but it has a staying and conquering power, and No wonder, then, that leading mimsters join in dedicating
it will always have myriads in this and the oncoming ages Jewish synagogues and Rabbis in dedicating Christian
to heed its teachings as a message from God and His Son, churches. It is only a “ceremony” anyway-to impress and
Jesus Christ. It w&h1 he a magnificent thing if all would please the common people.
turn away from the siren voices which lure away from the Evidently, however, the secret of nearly all the rebellion
Old Gospel of salvation through personal repentance of sin, against the Bible is the result of a lack of knowledge of God
faith in Christ as the only Redeemer of mankind, and holy and his plan and his Book. How thankful we should be for
living, or through a renovated soul and life by the trans- the opening of the eyes of our understanding, which alone
forming grace of the Holy Ghost; hut where any prefer to keeps us firm and secure when all around is shaking! Wrll
pa88 it by as of no account at such a time a8 this, the re- did the Lord foretell the blindness coming upon the “learned”
sponsibility rests with them, not with those who Dress it and worldly-wise and of the blinded followers of the blind
upon the mind end heart of old and young. A conceited age leaders. “My people are destroyed [dumbfounded] for lack
may think it has a different messape than that which t,he of knowledge.“-Ho8 4:6 ; Isa. 29 : 14.
Son of God ha8 given it, but the Christian religion, which THE MEANING OF EUROPE’S GREAT ARMIES
has done so much for all classes and conditions in the past,
will ever vindicate its right to exist? and will work out the The brother who sends the below clipping remarks: “How
purposes for which God gave it until latest periods.,’ trulv this bears out the statements of ilfillenn~ctl Dawn, vol.
IV.,- respecting the “Lord’s great army!”
REJECTED FOR UNBELIEF If vou look at the man of Eurone vou will see in Russia a
The New York Times tells (April 15) of an examination Czar with a million armeh men thit he can use as he pleases.
of a theological student, Mr. Noll, before a Presbytery, as A million rifles, or five million, if reserves are called upon, the
follow8 :- Czar can aim this way or that as a child aims its bow and
He was being examined on a chapter from the Epistle arrow. In Germany a vigorous young man, controlled par-
of St. Paul to the Romans, where the Apostle speaks about tially by custom, common sense and the fear of the Social-
Adam. The examiner asked Mr. No11 what he thought about Democratic party, has another million of armed men to play
Adam, and he said he did not think Adam was a historical with. In Italy, in Austria, in Spain, you find monarchical
character, but rather a myth. The ministers, or at least figureheads directing huge bodies of armed men. If you look
many of the older ones, began to move uneasily in their seats. superficially at these great armies, you will say that they are
“What!” said one of them, ‘Then you must have come a permanent menace to liberty. You will say to yourself:
to the conclusion that St. Paul did not know what he was “How can kings be destroyed when such power is in their
talking about.,’ control?”
It was here the trouble began. but this was not the onlv As a matter of fact, the greatest DANGER TO KINGS
point of doctrine on which th; candidate had shown himself lies in the work that is done by these great standing armies.
“unsound.” When he was examined on the fiftv-third chan- Apparently, they mean security for the monarchical idea. In
ter of Isaiah he boldly asserted that the prophetic sayings reality, they mean education of the people! the spreading of
there referred to the Hebrew people, not to Christ, as a ma- radicalism, and rebellion against the claims of birth and
joritv of the ministers would have it. money.
He was rejected by a majority vote after considerable The German army system capture8 the yellow-haired
discussion; but the account says further that the Rev. Dr. peasant of Wurtemburg. He is dull of speech, slow in
Gregg of the Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian church was a thought, kind-hearted, simple, reconciled to his own inferi-
visitor at the meeting, and remarked: ‘This young man ority, ready to pull off his felt hat at the sight of livery worn
would have hren received with a hurrah in the Brooklyn by the servant of the great. This peasant is taken to Berlin
Presbytery. We do things differently there.” or Frankfort. If he is slow at drill he is slapped in the face
How evident it is to every observing mind that “the faith kicked, ridiculed. He is compelled to hold himself for hours
once delivered unto the saints” is becoming more and more in a certain rigid position. He learns that he is entirely at
scarce in Babylon;-and properly it is becoming more and the mercy of a whippersnapper in a lieutenant’s uniform.
more precious to those who have it to the extent that they He bitterly hates his own degradation and those responsible
are able to “give to them that ask it a reason for the hope for it. During his hours of rest he meets and talks with an-
that is within them.” Harken to the inspired advice, other soldier, perhaps the orderly on duty at the officer’8
“Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be casino, who drags the lieutenant to a narrow lounge behind
strong! “-1 Cor. 16 : 13. the curtains when the lieutenant is too drunk to stand up.
“THE EXTINCTION OF ADAM” Or he meets the young soldier from the city, the intelligent
Exchanges of April 29th report the matter further as Jew with five hundred years of independent thinking behind
follows:- him, or the non-commissioned officer, who sticks in the army
“The Elizabeth, N. J., Presbytery yesterday granted a because he takes pleasure in making socialists out of country
license to preach to one of the applicants who had expressed recruits.
his dishelirf in the story of Adam and Eve, although he still That humble peasant arrived from Wurtemburg believing
adhered to his conviction that the story was merely ‘allegor- himself of less importance than the dog of a country noble-
ical.’ He will be ordained for foreign mission duty. man, and looking upon the German Emperor as the abstract
“With the sanction of so eminent a religious body to SUB- equal and the concrete superior of Providence itself. At the
tain us we may now all freely admit that we no longer con- end of his five year8 the German peasant is transformed
sider Adam and Eve our first parents, but regard them as sometimes into a man of force, oftener into one with a supply
[3008]
MAY 15, 1902 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (149-150)

of revolutionary catch phrases that make him dangerous be- into him. This is a serious thing for the kings. It means
cause he has not brains enough to assimilate them. their ultimate undoing.
Millions of such simple-minded peasants are changing into Already they are finding this out in Belgium, where the
radicals and socialists all over Europe. The far-reaching King is afraid of his own troops, knowing that their sym-
arm of enforced military service leaves no quiet, peaceful, pathies are with the striking men and women in the streets,
title-fearing corner in any of the empires. Every young man and not with him, or his preposterous pretensions,. or his
as he reaches maturity has the veneration for rank kicked spending of public money on ballet dancers in the Parls opera.
out of him, and the knowledge of HOW TO FIGHT kicked --N. Y. Journal.

THE GOSPEL OF FORGIVENESS OF SINS

ACTS 13 :43-52.-MAY 25.
“Through this malt [Jesus] is preach& unto you the forgiveness of sins.“-Acts 13:38.
Paul and his company, passing through the Island of ner divine forgiveness of the world’s sins could first be se-
Cyprus to the city of Paphos, at its southern end, did not cured.
tarry there. Its climate is miasmatic, and this is presumed The trend of his discourse, therefore, was to show how
to have been the reason for a hasty departure for the high God had established a (twical) kincdom in the Dart. which
lands of Asia Minor-Galatia. etc. The Anostle is presumed had never-reached the g;&;d stdge esiential to the& fulhllment
to have referred to his own’ semi-invalid&condition at this of the Abrahnmic promises, and that the thing necessary and
time when later, in writing the Epistle to the Galatians, he lacking \\as a rcden~ptzo~~ of the worltl and tbc folglveners of
said, “Through infirmity of the flesh I preached the Gospel to sins. Then he presented to their attention Jesus as the hlcs-
you at first.” (Gal. 4 :13, 14) Galatia was the name of a siah,-not merely a crucified Messiah, but also a risen one
district or state in which were located a number of cities and who, because of his death for the sins of the world, w:l+ nble
churches mentioned in the account of Paul’s missionary tours to save unto the uttermost all that should cnme unto God
-Iconium, Lystra, Derbe, and Antioch on the borders bf Gal- through him. Having put the matter squarely before them,
atia. in the state of Pisidia. The Antioch of this lesson the Apostle, in the words of our Golden Text, offered his
sho&d not be confounded with the larger, city, Antioch of hearer: forgiveness of sins as the very essence oi the Gospel.
Syria. Forgiveness of sin is still the essence of the Gospel, nltho
In our last lesson we noticed Mark as the companion and mank&d now, as then, are generally 10th to accept it thus,-
servant of the two missionaries, but he discontinued his serv- it disappoints them by condemning them, and showing up the
ice at Paphos and returned to Jerusalem; hardships or dis- fact that all are sinners;--that there IS none righteous, no,
couragements or home-sickness, we know not what, evidently, not one. ,-that all need just such a redemption ‘& God has
for the time quenched his zeal as a servant of the Lord and Drovided in the sacrificse of Christ. It diqappoints al-o In
of the truth,-assuredly much to Mark’8 disadvantage. ihat it shows a necessity for repudiation of sin In the hllart,
Whatever the cause, evidently the Apostle Paul considered and, so far as possible, resisting it in all the conduct of life.
it quite insufficient; so that on another occasion, when Barna- Few are nrepared for this-few have an ear to hear this me+
bas suggested Mark’s accompanying them similarly, the Apes- sage. Thk kajority are ready to say, Preach unto us smooth
tle declined-which he evidently would not have done had thinns! Praise us for our religious fervor! Point out to us
Mark’s desertion been fullv iustified bv considerations of howamuch superior we are, nzt only to the heathen world,
health or necessity. It was “a labor 01 love, however; no but to the masses of those who are about us! Tell us that
salaries were attached. and if Mark chose to discontinue his we are God’s people, and that he could not get along without
sacrifice it was his 0161 business, and he was the loser. ! Do not tell us that we are sinners, and under rondemna-
So it is today, the Lord leaves his people free from re- %n as others, and that all who would come unto God through
straints: free from threats; free from compulsion; to the in- Jesus Christ must come by the same strait and narrow gate
tent that they may present their bodies lcving sacrifices day of faith, and repudintlon of sin, and lieart-~on~ec,1Rtinll!
by day. Now, as then, whoever grows cold may discontinue The discourse had its effect,-a two-fold effect. The hon-
his sacrificing, but himself will be the loser. We want to est hearted, realizing the truth regarding God’s perfection and
keep distinctly before our minds that while God condemns their own imperfection, realized their need of just such a
ein. and while his Deonle have no libertv in this respect, but Savior as the Apostle had preached: these were specially
are obligated to doLtheir best to withstlnd sin, it is-different drawn to the missionaries, who, recognizing their right atti-
in the matter of sacrifice. The Lord is calling for free-will tude of heart, assured them that they were already in God’s
offe&s, and whatever is not &iven with a hearty good-will, grace or favor; and that now the message of salvation through
yea, with an earnest desire, with zeal, may as well-be kept; Jesus was an additional unfolding and development of the
-but the rewards Dromised to those who imitate the spirit same favor that had already been extended to the Jews; and
of the Master and iis devotion will be lost also. that they should continue in the grace of God,-continue to
There is an element of encouragement, however, in Mark’s let God lead and puide them in his wav,-continue to be the
experience. Later on he evidentlv became quite a thorough recipients of his mercies and blessings, “Which now were mul-
an’d devoted soldier of the cross,“was again- accepted to the tiplied to them through Christ Jesus, and the atonement work
Lord’s service. and we find that the Apostle Paul made ac- he had accomplished. Others were much less prepared for the
knowledgment’ of appreciation of hiss faithfulness. (Col. Apostle’s words, and rather inclined to be envious of the at-
4: 10 ; 2 Tim. 4 : 11) Mark’s recovery of lost ground and his tention bestowed upon the missionaries and their teachings,-
reinstatement bv the Lord in his service should be an encour- which meant corresponding diPregard for tbc uqunl 1ende:s of
agement for an-y who similarly have grown cold and lax as the meeting and for the doctrines previously set forth, which
resnects their devotion and sacrifice. and who have been con- the new views were calculated to supersede entirely.
seqLently dropped out of active service of the truth. The So we find it today also: the essence of the Gospel preach-
Lord is very merciful to us in our weaknesses and imperfec- ing of today, as eighteen centuries ago, must be man’s sinful
tions, and as he restored Mark, undoubtedly he is willing and condemned condition, and his need of redemption, recon-
also to restore all who will similarly learn a lesson from their ciliation and recovery from sin and its wageg, denth. ‘This is
failures, and who earnestly desire and strive for reinstate- the Gosnel. which is falling into disuse in the pulpit,s of church-
ment and the privileges of service. ianity, ‘in ‘response to the itching ears of tile majority, the
The first stop made in Asia Minor was at Antioch of “tareg,” and their call for the preaching nf qmont,h thing?.
Pisidia. The usual custom was followed, of going first to Additionally, it is proper now to emphasize the Gnsprl of
the Jews-to their synagogue. The missionaries were rec- the kingdom, which the Lbrd and the apbstles made so Promi-
ogmized as strangers and also as men of talent, and after the nent: and to show that the little flock. the elect to this ape,
remlIar services of the synagogue had been introduced by the are to constitute the kingdom--\vhirh in the coming ngcx. is-to
reading of the usual les~on‘&m the Law, thev were invited rule and bless the world, hy restraining Satan and every evil
to address the assembled People-Jews bv birth, and Jewish device, and causing the knowledge of the Lord to abound.
proselvtes from the Gentiies.& The Apostle Paul was the Now, as then, the larger unfolding of the truth. the divine
speaker, and made a telling address. He recognized thr fact plan of salvation. is interesting to some-to thr lroncqt-
that his hearers had faith in God’s promise? regarding the hearted; and rppulsivc to some-the vain-$nrinus t11c s&a-
coming kingdom: he did not need, ihereforc, to emphasize rian, the proud, the self-satisfied. Now, as then. when we are
thr kinrrdom fenture in this discourse. Rather. his hearers annealed to hv those who have an ear to hear nrescnt truth,
needed to see that there could be no kingdom and no perma- tl& should hr mcournged to “continue in the &ace qf God.”
ment hlesqin,g of all the families of the earth, such as was im- Th& should not he told that their ignorance of present truth
plied in the promises made to Abraham, unless in some man- implies that they have none of the grace of God, but that be,
c30091
(150-151) ZION’S WATCH TOWER ALLEGHENY, PI.

cause they have received of his grace into good and honest rance of the only name given under heaven or among men
hearts it is the will of God that they should continue therein whereby we must be saved. But all the faithful, all the hon-
and grow and increase and abound;-that to this intent he est-hearted, will ultimately rejoice at the lengths and breadths
is sending forth present truth to his people in every quarter, and heights and depths of God’s plan, to be consummated dur-
that the true wheat may be ripened and gathered to his ing the Millennium by the glorified Christ, Head and body.
garner. Many of the Gentiles were glad as thev heard of God’s
News of the new religion-supplemental to the Jewish- favor being broader than they havd previously supposed-some,
spread throughout the little city in which Judaism had evi- we may infer were merely pleased that something had been
dently gained a good foothold and great respect ;-so that the shown up that was broader than the Jewish teachings, hut
whole city gathered on the next Sabbath to hear the message some others, we are assured, believed in the true sense of the
of the miss&naries-probably the majority coming merely o;t word-accepting Christ as their Redeemer and as their Law-
of curiosity, to see the difference between the doctrines of giver. And so today also we see two classes among those
these and of the regular Jewish teachers. “The whole city” who favor the present truth: some who hail it with ‘oy and
may be understood hyperbolically, as signifying a large con- gratefully worship and serve the Lord more fervent 1y than
course; or that all classes and conditions of citizens were well ever; and some who are merely glad to find that there is no
represented. The gathering of such a multitude could not be Scriptural ground for the popular theory of an eternal tor-
held, probably, in the synagogue, but we may presume, in the ment for the vast majority of mankind; but are not specially
yard or‘ court surrounding it, or both. Such attention to two drawn or constrained bv divine love and mercy.
strangers and their new doctrine, which threatened an over- The more the truth -spread the more angry-became its op-
throw of Judaism, naturally awakened a spirit of jealousy in uonents. the Jewish leaders: and what thev could not onnose
those whose interest was much in forms and ceremonies, with argument or logic they did oppose su&essfully with hre-
honor amongst men and denominational nride. and as a result. judice and superstition, arousing these baser sentiments by
they contradicted Paul’3 statements with .blasphcmy. Not misrepresentation. They secured thus the coiiperation of some
that they blasphemed God’s name, but that they slandered of the most honorable and notable people of the city, to such
or blasphemed the Apostle and Barnabas-speaking evil of an extent that the missionaries were obliged to depart from
them; we may surmise, misrepresenting their motives, their them. The adversary’s methods are the same today in this
characters, etc. This is the usual course of those who fight respect also, that by misrepresentation he secures for his
against the truth, and it is so today. The truth cannot”be agents, often unwillingly, some who are noble and honorable
gainsaid : it is irresistible ; but it can be misrepresented ; it can people. This teaches us two lessons: First, to he careful
be denied; the presentations of it can be distorted, and its &&elves-to be on guard against the adversary’s methods, if
messengers can be slandered, vilified. The adversary seems we are honorable and well-intentioned; to see to it that we
to adopt this method on every occasio.1. It is the method are not inveigled into opposing the truth while supposing
now in vogue. Those who oppose present truth will not dare that we are doine God service. It teaches us also to hnue
to meet it openly in public *disc&on before the people, but respect for those;vho are our opponents, and who give evi-
thev will distort and misreuresent it. and sav all manner of dence of sincerity, even in their -persecution. Some of the
evil against its advocates. and wiil perse&te those who best friends of present truth today were once its hitter ene-
favor it. mies, revilers and persecutors. We are hoping for many
The missionaries were not discourared bv the onnosition. more recruits for the truth from this cInss of people. Their
but were rather made the more courageous,” and bidught to opposition is the result of misapprehension of the facts; they
the noint where tbev e\nlained to their vilifiers. nlainlv. the are blinded by the adversary. Some may not get proper sight
true-state of the cake: that tbep were reiecting’ God’s favor, of the matter until the kingdom hinds Satan and opens their
God’s plan, against themselves:to their own injury, to their eyes; but others we may hope are the King’s 06 and will
own loss. Thev nointed out that God. in his mercy, had lone be helped in time for them to make their calling and election
favored Israel,” and that in sending the message “of Messiah sure in the kingdom “little flock.”
to them first he was still favoring them; but that according
to his direction it was their dutv to nroceed, and to tell the A8 MANY AS WEBE ORDAINED TO ETERNAL LIFB,
BELIEVED
Gospel to whoever had ears to hear-to the Jew first, but also
to the Gentiles. They pointed out that the lamp of truth The word “ordained” here, may properly be translated
which God had now lighted was not to be to the Jews exclu- disposed; and thus we get the thought that as many of those
sively, as had heen his previous favnrs, hut, 33 the Prophet who heard the Gosnel and its offer of everlasting life, and
bad already declared, was to hr “a light, to lighten the Gen- were disposed to accept the terms, became believers-obedient
tiles”-salvation unto the ends of the earth&Luke 2:32; to the faith. So it is still. The truth. wherever it goes, finds
Isa. 42:6; 52~10. some who like it and some who dislike it; some who ipprecinte
This feature of the Gospel sneeiallv aroused the opposition the doctrines and rewards which it presents, and some who
of such Jews as were in the wrong condition of heart; but was prefer the pleasures of sin or the affairs and rewards of the
proportionately attractive to the few who were in the right world. It is the time for each one who has heard to take his
attitude. So it is today: the message which is now due to choice. Soon the number of the elect will be complete, and
Christendom is-More Light! It shows that the lamo of then the work of the elect will begin-the blessing of man-
God’s Word of promise, Which at the beginning of this age kind.
was permitted to bless both Jews and Gentiles in proportion We assume that the expression, “shook off the dust of their
as the eyes of their understanding were opened to see it, is feet” is a figurative one, as we would use it today, meaning
shortlv now to give place to a greater light; that whereas that we took our departure. Our departure, under such cir-
the Word of God has been a lamp to the feet and a lantern cumstances, would be a witness against those who rejected
to the footsteps of his faithful for over eighteen centuries, our message and those who persecuted us-a witness which
God’s purpose now, shortly, is that this lamp shall become they would remember in coming time. Yet the departure of
unnecessary, because “the Sun of Righteousness shall rise,” the missionaries was not in anger, for we are assured that
and the whole world shall he flooded with the light of the they were filled with joy and with the holy spirit-rejoicing
knowledge of the goodness of God.-Mal. 4:2. - that they were counted worthy to suffer for Christ’s sake,
Those of God’s people who are in the right attitude of and to have their names cast out as evil;-rejoicing also that
heart will be gladdened hy this expansion and unfolding of they had. by the Lord’s grace, accomplished something in the
the truth: no feelings of jealousy will be theirs. But the se&ice. The expression, however, included more than merely
maioritv. full of srctarian theories and nlnns and selfish sen- the missionaries: it included those who remained as well as
timents: ‘and hlindrd lnrcclv hv false thcolnpy and bv miq- those who went. All were rejoicing. The truth and its spirit
representations of the Word of God, are violently opposed to are constant causes for joy of heart to those who have them.
anv thouaht of God’s general noodness being extended to everu On the contrarv. the nersecuting spirit, the iealous spirit, is
cr&ture,&ot only those who’have not yet-gone to the prison- always the unhappy oue. Let us see that our rejoicing is of
house to death. hut also to the fiftv thousand millions who the same kind-in the Lord, in the truth, in the service, not-
have already gone down into the silence of death, in igno- withstanding persecutions, trials and difficulties.

GOOD FRIDAY AND THE MASS

In our issue of February 15 we referred to Good Friday to have our explanation. We reply that the word Mass sig
as representing to Roman Catholic3 the “great ilfnss day.” nifies ‘oblation,” “offering”; and that the Roman Catholic
One of our readers, formerly a Roman Catholic, calls our at- church does specially set apart Good Friday as the day of
tention to the fact that on this one day the Mass service is a]1 the year for celebrating the great “oblation,” “offering” or
less used than on any other day of all the year, and wants “Mass” which our Lord Jesus gave for us at Calvary. How-
[3010]
MAY 15, 1902 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (152-153)

ever, it is customary among Catholics to reserve this word the divine mercy, ( 1) Graces of contrition and repentance for
Mass as the special name for what they term “the unbloody the forgiveness of sins; and (2) Remission of temporal pun-
sacrifice,” which their priests perform repeatedly, daily, for ishment deserved for sins. . . . . The temporal punishment
the cancellation of sins of the people. due to our sins is that punishment which we have to suffer
The original bloody “offering, ,, “oblation” or Mass at Cal- here on earth or in Purgatory.‘,
vary, Catholics recognize as the basis of atonement-cancel- The difference between the Romanist and the Protestant
ing orzoinal sari and making nosslble the sinner’s acceptance view then is, chiefly, that the latter would claim that there
wrth God. “The sacrifice Ef Xthe Mass” offered by iriests, was but one offerin “oblation’, or “Mass’, for the sins of the
reweats the orizinal “oblation.” Mass or “offerine.” for divine whole world, and t%at its sacrifice was finished at Calvary;
aipeasement, i; connection with subsequent, ikrsonal sins. and that the Lord’s Supper merely commemorates this; while
We quote from Deharbe’s Roman Catholic Catechism, pages the former claim that the sacrificing of the “oblation” “of-
263, 265, 288, as follows:- fering” [or Mass] is to be continuously repeated, in an un-
“The Sacrifice of the Mass was instituted by Jesus Christ, bloody form.
when at the Last Supper he offered himself up under the ap- In the same article Z. 11”. T., page 64, we say, “Every Ro-
pearances of bread and wine to his heavenly Father, and com- man Catholic who makes the slightest claim to faithfulness
manded his Apostles thenceforth to celebrate this his sac- to his church is expected to be present and participate in the
rifice.
“The Mass is the perpetual Sacrifice of the New Law, in services of Good Friday, whether he attends Mass at any
which Christ our Lord offers himself, by the hands of the other time of the year or not.” We regret this error. In-
priest, in an mbloody manner, under the appearance of bread stead of saying Good Friday we should have said Easter-time
2nd wine to his heavenly Father, as he once offered himself -that is, Passover-time-which begins on Palm Sunday and
on the cross in a bloody manner. The sacrifice of the Mass is continues two weeks-till Low Sunday. The Council of
essejltially the same Sacrifice as that of the cross; the only Latcran (A. D. 1215) commanded that all the “faithful” must
difference is in the manner of offering. Because, in both it is receive communion at least once a year, and that within the
the $3,118 High Priest who offers, and the same Victim who Easter-time. Altho the distinctions are quite small, and in
is offered-namely, Jesus Christ our Lord; and because in the our opinion nothing of importance is involved, we suggest
Sacrifice of the Mass the oblation [synonym for Mass1 which that any who think otherwise have our full consent to the
Christ mnde of himself on the cross, for us, to the Father, is cutting off of said page 64, so as not to loosen the front
commemorated and co)ltznucd. . . . . By it we obtain from page, before handing out any of those papers.

ENDURING HARDNESS AS GOOD SOLDIERS

,4CTS 14:8-lg.---JUNE 1.
“Thou, therefore, endure hardness aa OLgood soldier of Jesus Clkst.“--2 Tim. 2 :3.
Leaving Antioch of Pisidia, Paul and Barnabas went to ent with them as men, in the persons of Barnabas and Paul.
Iconium. about 100 miles distant. There also they preached The missionaries were probably preaching, or conversing
the Word faithfully, and there also opposition was-aroused and explaining quietly, to the more interested ones, when the
and persecution threatened ; “and when there was an assault heard of the commotion in the city, and of the sacrifice whlc-K
made, both of the Gentiles and also of the Jews, with their was about to be offered. They did not for a moment think of
rulers, to use them despitefully and to stone them, they were taking advantage of the superstition of the people to make
aware of it, and fled unto Lystra.” They did not allow fear of themselves some great ones, nor did they attempt to turn
to hinder them from the preaching of the gospel with cour- the event to a service of the truth by claiming that God was
age, boldness ; neither did they fear threats; but when the Jupiter, and that Jesus was Mercury, and that they repre-
persecution took a positive form they delayed no longer, but sented them. On the contrary, most earnestly and simply
fled. Why did they not wait, and expect the Lord to grant they entreated the people to desist: explaming to them that
them some miraculous deliverance? Why did they not chal- they were nothing but imperfect men like themselves, “of
lenee their opponents to see whether the power of God or the like passions,” and that their mission was the very reverse
poker of Saca\ was the stronger? We inswe:, Because they of what they supposed, and that Jupiter and Mercury and
were better instructed respecting the divine ~111. They were their fabled deeds were only products of imagination, igno-
following the instructions of the Lord. He did not say to rance and superstition. They ran in amongst the neonle
them, Be fearful of persecution, withhold your message, and while they, f&l of excitement, were preparing for the sa&i-
I
nut vour lipht under a bushel: but the reverse. He did not fice, and with difficulty, even then, amid protests of their own
say, *Flee in” fear, when there is no danger; but he did say, nothingness, did they restrain the people from sacrificing in
“When they persecute you in one city flee ye to another.” their honor. Noble men they were, and their faithfulness to
Arriving at Lystra, the preaching of the gospel was begun the Lord and to the truth attested the wisdom of the divine
afresh, as courageously as tho there had been no previous OP- choice in sending them on this missionary errand.
position. Amongst the auditors was a cripple, presumably We may draw a lesson from the incident, helpful to all
a Jew or a proselyte, who manifested much interest in the of the Lord’s people who are to any extent his ambassadors,
Apostle’s words. Paul, perceiving this, and that the man representatives; tiachers of the truth. The truth itself, es:
had faith. StoDDed in his preaching and called out to him, Decially in the light of our day, is so wonderful. so brilliant.
“Stand uprighi-on thy feei!” - a lhing he had never done. that it naturally reflects some- of its .‘brilliancy upon those
He had the necessary faith and obeyed the Apostle’s com- who represent it, causing men to marvel, and to say, as of
mand : and thus a miracle resulted, evidently to the aston- old, “Whence hath this man this wisdom?” In some instances
ishment of the entire congregation. The effect upon the peo- it might lead to an undue deference, to an ascription of un-
ple was electrical, and they shouted in their own dialect, “The due honor, and to a subserviency which would not be proper
gods have come down to visit us!” for the Lord’s ambassadors to receive, and which thev should
The city of Lystra figured as the scene of a mythological as promptly and as thoroughly repudiate and refuse as did
event, the tradition being that Jupiter and Mercury, two of Paul and Barnabas refuse the honors which the Lvstrians
the gods of mythology, having once come to their city in the were about to bestow upon them. From the worldli stand-
form of men, had been everywhere refused lodgings until point this would be an unwise course. Those who will ac-
they came to the lowly hut of a poor man who entertained cept flattery and adulation and honor more than is due, are
them to the extent of his ability. They rewarded him by likely to be prospered in this course to some extent by the
turning his hut into a gorgeous temple, and punished the adversary, and apt to find that the worldly spirit likes to
others-of the city with a fiood. Thefie traditions were very worship worldly heroes, Jupiters, Elijahs, etc. The only wise
old, but were perpetuated by a statue of Jupiter at the gate course for the Lord’s servants is, therefore, the one followed
of the city, as its protecting god. bv these missionaries of our lesson-to renudiate the entire
It is easy to discern how a comparatively ignorant and niatter ; to confess that they are men of iike passions with
superstitious people might jump to the conclusion that the others ; to hold up the light of God’s Word, and behind it to
visit of Paul and Barnabas was a repetition of this visit of hide and ignore themselves entirely. Not alone ~111 this be
Jupiter and Mercury, handed down io them through tradi- profitable as respects the finding and development of the true
tion. They called Paul, Mercury. because in their tradition, children of God whom he is now gatherinp out of the world.
Mercury was the orator, the speaker; and they called Barna- but it will be profitable also for the Lord’s ambassadors; fo;
bas, Jupiter, and forthwith the priest of Jupiter prepared in this way they will grow in the Lord’s grace and likeness;
to offer a sacrifice of oxen before the statue of Jupiter, at of which humility was a prominent trait. Thus they will
the gate of their city, in honor of the supposed gdds tires- best abide in his love, and ultimately attain to the still
c30111
i153-154) ZION’S WATCH TOWER ALLEGHENY,Pa.

greater exaltation which God has promised to all of his chil- paratively, he could and did influence in the right direction
dren who are faithful and humble under present conditions. -for the truth and for riehteousness. in obedience to God.
The Apostle, in pointing out to the Listrians that their The world is in many respects the same world that it was
ideas were vanities, well knew that this could not bring him then, altho civilization and general intelligence have done
the favor of his hearers; for it is not human nature to appre- considerable to lift it out of that abject benightedness which
ciate being told of our folhes. To have worked his wav into leads to idol worship-altho Rlohammedanl~m. Confucianism.
their good‘ graces he would have needed to tell them l lie- churchianity and a certain kind of Christianity, have put a
that they were very wise, and that their course was a very veneer of respectabilitv and reason and cnmmon sense upon
proper one, etc. He, therefore, in his endeavor to be candid, the world, yet under ‘this veneer the masses are still in a
and to serve the truth, risked their disappointment and dis- very unsatisfactory condition-disposed to be humbugged :
pleasure : and he was undoubtedly keen enough to know this disposed to appreciate those who would be boastful and pre-
in ndvancc~, and what result to expect. Nevertheless, as God’s tend to be arcat: disnosrd to wnrshio that which demands
mouthpiece, he shlrnnetl not to declare the whole message, wors!lip, rather than ‘that which is vkorthg of it; disposed
whntcaver Its results might be as regarded himself and his to mrirmderstnnd God and his plan, and “to consider ‘th(>se
work. T7(~1~are good lessons for all of the Lord’s pcoplc. It from a devilish standnoint. rather than to auurccinte the
rcqul~w comparatively little courage to be a soldier of the lengths and breadths and heights and depths of ‘the love of
crosy and fartbful to the ti 11th among:st thocc~ of 111~~prec*ioir5 Gnll,-rather than to understand that as the heavens are
faith and obc(lience; but it requires great courage to resist higher than the rnarth, so are God’s ways higher than man’s
improper honor of men when we know in advance that this ways, and God’s plans than man’s conceptions.
resistau(~c will not onlv drprivc 11s of their honor ;rn(l frirud- But God was not through with the Apostle Paul; he was
ship. but make us ignhblcAin their sight, and turn them into not stoned hccnnsp of God’s indifferenre, nor because of his
encmirs. True soldiers of the cross still have the same trial. lark of power to protect his servant. On the contrary, quite
and it still requires hardness-a hardening campaign of es- probably the Lord was teaching the Apostle some great les-
periencc in the Lord’s service-to endure these things and son, valuable hoth to himself and to the church, for whom
cnme off joyful in the Lord. The babes in Christ, the weak, he was a creneral minister.-and to whom even today he min-
the untiied, those who have not passed through trial* and isters in the matter of these experiences. Quite prdbablv the
experiences and development of character, are not hardened, Anostle. while heina stoned. remembered afresh thr dra’th of
and roultl not stand such experiences. Hence it is that the Stephen, to which he had consented : and quite prnhnhly, too,
apostle advises the churrh that even proper exaltation to a the result was a fresh realization of his own unwnrthinrss to
servtre in the churrh shoul~l not be accorded to a novice, lest be so prominent a representative of the Lord and of hi+ truth,
he sl~onltl be puffed up aud thus be injured himself, as’ wvcnll -a humhlin,g of his heart before the Lord, profitable to him
as hccnrne injurinuq to others. (1 Tim. 3:G) It requires and to the churrh also.
time and seasoning to know how to either rightly accept and Had the inc*itlcnt of the <,lcrifi inc not Len thu. followfcl
npprc~ratc~ the honors of the brethren or others along proper by some trying experiences, who knows but that the Apostle
lines, or to decline honors and dignities along improper lines might have felt a little of self-gratulation. such as would be
The Apostle pomtrd out to his hearers that in times past natural to any man who, having honors thrust upon him, had
God had bran permitting a11 the nations to walk in their own voluntarily renounced them. He might have been disposed
ways. lie had interfered particularly in the affairs of only to glory in the strength of character c hut his esperiencis led
the one nation, Israel; all the others had been permitted to him in an ononsite direction-as he himself subseouentlv
take their own cnursp, except in so far as they might be wrote, “I wili ‘glory in tribulation.” All of the Lord’s’ faith-
crossing some feature of the divine plan. Thus the Prophet ful ones can learn good lessons here; can learn to trust to
expressed the matter to Tqrael, “You only have I known of all the Lord’s nrovidences in all of their affairs;-not onlv in
the families of the earth.” (Amos 3:2) The reference to those which- seem to go favorably, but in those also which
“time past,” implies the change of dispensation which had ”
annarentlvY
are workina disadvantaee and disaster. The Lord
just occurred in connection with the death of Jesus and the said concerning I’aul, when declaring that he was a chosen
cutting off of Israel from any special favor, and the throw- vessel for his service, “I will show him how great things he
ing open of thr gospel call to all who had ears to hear;- must suffer for my name’s sake.” From this lesson we may
to the Jew first and also to the Greek. Now God was send- draw the inference that when the Lord’s servants are per-
ine a messaae of instruction to all the nations, that they mitted to suffer for his name’s sake (not for wrong-doing,
should turn from such vanities and should recognize the only not for anger, malice, hatred, strife, evil-speaking, etc., but
living and true God. and his Son who had redeemed the world. for his sake) it is an attestation of the Lord’s favor, in the
and whom hp had ordained should in due time become its acceptance of his sacrifice-as in the type, Abel’s sacrifice was
King and ruler, to put down sin and death, and bless with accepted with fire.
his reign of nghtenusness all the families of the earth. The As the disciples stood about the prostrate form of Paul,
Apostle points nut that xltho God had left the nations with- supposing, as the others had, that he was dead, he rose up
nut the instructions of the IJaw Covenant and the Prophecies, and returned to the city. We are not to suppose that all
he had given them some indications of his care in making of the citizens ioined in the mob which stoned him, tho we
provision for their nec*essitie*,--musing the sun to shine and are to suppose that there must have been a general sympathy
the rain to fall upon the just and the unjust, upon the evil on the Dart of the maioritv. else such mob violence would
and the gnod. not have been possible. ” It ia quite probable, therefore, that
The sudden change of public sentiment, the result of the the Apostle’s return to the city- was in a very quiet manner,
Apostle’s explanations and plain statements of the truth, led so as not to unduly re-arouse the passions of the mob. The
the Lystrinns to look at the missionaries with very different spirit of bravado which impels some people seems to have
eyes, now that they were, according to their own declarations, been absent in the case of these missionaries. Thev had the
cnmmnn men like themselves. We may even suppose that true courage and endured hardness as good soldiers in the
they felt rather mean ahnut their own superstition, which way which-the Lord approved ; but we iever see them tan-
had so quicklv aroused them to do reverence to men who re- talizing the neonle bv boastful manner or words. Thev. and
pudiated’ it and acknowledged their unworthiness of it. It not others who’misinterpret the divine will by an opposite
was while the oonulace was in this snirit that certain Jews course, should be our patterns, our examples, in such matters.
from Antiorh and Iconium came thither, explaining to them Their entire public preaching at Lystra was at an end, and
that the missionaries were impostors, working upon the the next day the missionaries went to Derbe, a distance of
credulitv of the neonle, “turning the world upside down,” thirtv-five miles-whirh implies that the Lord wrought a
raising ‘questions about theology, -and disturbing the minds of wonderful miracle in Paul, in that, after receiving so severe
the nennle. The oooulace was readv for iust such leading treatment, a stoning unto apparent death, he was able on
in the reverse di&tion, and disposed’ to fee’i somehow that if the next day to continue his journey. The Lord sometimes
these mpn were not reallv Jupiter and Mercury thev were pre- works marvelously for his people, as in this instance; at
tenders and falsifiers who had deceived them and should be other times he leaves them to the general vicissitudes of life
put to death. As a result, Paul was stoned, and dragged as other men.
outside the city, and left for dead. We are not informed that the Apostle made special prayer
How erratic is the natural mind, in its condition of ig- for his recovery, but are reminded of Timothy, who was one
norance and sunerstitinn! How easily the priest of *Jupiter of the converts at Lvstra, and to whom the Apostle, years
could lead the ‘ignorant in one wrong courie, to make gods afterward. wrote in his eoistle that he should use some nat-
of men.-and how readilv he could lead them again in an ural means “for his stomach’s sake and his often infirmities”
opposite direction ! But “altho the greatest of ali’ the apos- -without a su,ggestion of miraculous intervention, other than
tles, and one of the most remarkable orators and logicians whatever the Lord might be pleased to give voluntarily with-
the world has ever known, was in their midst, how few, com- out special request. And so it should be with us. We should
[30121
MAY 15, 1902 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (155-156)

use natural means for the reasonable care of our health or for (Acts 15: 14) They had witnessed the truth to these people,
recovery from sickness ; not denying or ignoring the divine and had confidence that the Lord was behind them, and that
power, but accepting the divine providence in all of our af- such as had the hearing ear and the understanding heart (the
fairs: reloicing if, in the Lord’s providence, our health and only one, therefore, worthy of the truth) had already been
strength -and Opportunities for service are preserved to us; reached by them, or would be reached through those who had
rejoicing also if they suffer impairment, especially if the im- already been enlightened. They accordingly contented them-
pairment
. . come in connection with the service of the truth; selves with the work of upbuildmg the little flock,-encour-
rcioicmp. if the will of God be such. if we are quickly and aging them to make their calling and election sure to a place
m;‘raculo&.ly -healed, and rejoicing equally if, in ‘the Lord’s in the Millennial kingdom which, in God’s due time, in the
providence, we use natural means for the alleviation of our age to come, shall be glorified, empowered, and then be used
often infirmities. as the Apostle directed in the case of Tim- of the Lord in the world’s blessing, the world’s conversion,
othy. The child of God, is’to recognize that all of his affairs the world’s uplift.
are in the Lord’s hands and under his direction. In the The brethren of these various places were, doubtless, sur-
meantime he is to seek to use his everg talent and oppor- prised that if the Gosoel was of God its servants. its min-
tumty to the best of his judgment, according to the spirit isters, should be so at& the mercy of the forces of ‘evil ; and
of a sound mind. remembering that the Lords will concern- this may have tended to shake their confidence considerably,
ing us is that we should learn not to walk by sight, finding because the natural expectation would be that God would
everything going favorable to us, but that we should learn protect his servants. The Apostle explained this to the be-
rather to walk bv faith, tho this necessitates that at times lievers-that tribulations are necessary for the perfecting of
things should go “unfavorably and that we should be without the saints, for the trial of faith, for the testing and the prep-
any special manifestations of divine protection or relief. aration of those who would be joint-heirs with Christ in the
No particulars are given regarding the ministry of the kingdom ; and that after the permission of evil shall thus
truth at Derbe. We mav nresume that it was without special have served its purpose during-this gospel age-the purpose
Incident. Having gone- “thus far, instead of proceedin - and of keeninp the little flock senarate from the world and nol-
returning homeward by the nearer route, via Tarsus? B aul’s I c, I
ishing and refining of them for the kingdom-then the time
home city, the missionaries determined to retrace their steps, will come when Satan shall be bound,-when the righteous
-their motive in so doing apparently being their realization shall be persecuted no more, but reign as joint-heirs in Christ’s
that the little groups of believers at Lystra, Iconium and kingdom.
A\ntloch in l’iqidin would by this time need some encourage- Concerning the return of the apostles to these cities where
ment and establishment in the truth;-that because of the
fierce opposition in these places there would probably be they had previously been persecuted, an able writer suggests:
more or less contention and trouble, and questions arising “Precautions of secrecy they doubtless took, and cheerfully
which the new converts would not be competent to solve. faced the degrading necessity of guarded movements, and of
This was pastoral work; and in the homeward journey entering cities perhaps in disguise;perhaps only at late night-
there is no intimation that the missionaries attempted fur- fall and earlv dawn. The Christians had earlv to learn those
Y

ther missionary work. They had no expectation whatever secreR trysts and midnight gatherings and private watch-
of converting all the people at these cities; they understood words by which alone they could elude the fury of their en-
the plan of-God too kli to have any such expectations as emies.” The missionaries returned, without further incident,
modern mission workers seem to have. They knew very well to the church whose special representatives on this journey
that the mission of the gospel was, not to convert the world, they had been, and made their report to the church at An-
but to choose or select out of the world a special people. tioch in Syria.

THE MEMORIAL SUPPER CELEBRATED

The memorial celebration appears to have been quite gen- (3 ) As its merits have already led to the call and ac-
eral this year. More and more it comes to be a distinguish- ceptance of the “elect,” it implies that ultimately all of the
rnp sign of those who trust in the ransom:-as was evidently dead world shall be awakened, granted hearing ears and thus
th: divine intention. And why not? Why should those who the opportunity of coming ba:k into harmony with their
“count the blood of the Covenant common [ordinary]” spe- Creator, during the Millennium of his grace;-“the times of
ciallv celebrate its shedding? Why should those who believe restitution of all things which God hath spoken by the mouth
that” our Lord was slnfud flesh expect any greater results of all his holy prophets since the world began.“-Acts
from his death than from the death of other men of the sin- 3 : 19-23.
ner race-knowing that divine justice cannot look upon any (4) Naturally enough those who do not believe in the
sin with allowance? Whv. either. should those who denv ransom do not believe in the nromised restitution either. The
that our Lord was “made ‘flesh,” and who, on the contrary, ransom of something lost, forfeited, implies that it was val-
claim that he was a spirit being who merely used the flesh uable. ant1 the promise of its restitution signifies the qame;
as a cloak, who deny that the spirit being died, and claim and both these words ransom and restitution contradict and
that onlv the “cloak of flesh” di&-why should they feel are in violent conflict with all evolutionary idcas-rcspect-
any spc&nl interest in commemorating such a farcical pro- ing Adam’s original imperfection-that he was so low that
ceeding as the crucifixion of the “cloak”?--\Ghy should they he could not fall and did not fall and did not need to be
nttril,;ite any merit to that, or anticipate any virtue from it?’ redeemed from a fall, and that restitution to his original
Onlv those who sec., as we do, that our Lord was wholly condition would be a sad calamitv instead of a blessing.
and solely for the time “the man Christ desus who gave him- To those who appreciate the divine plan of the age; the
h(,lf a rnnqom for all. to hr testified in due time,” and who rnn~om and its memorial arc sure to become more and more
realize that he was not as other men, not contaminated with precious as the few remaining vears of their nilgrirnage roll
sin ant1 the sinner race, but “holy, harmless, undefiled, sep- nround: rxrh venr will scc th&“the more zcalous’tn “do this”
arate from sinners.” can see how he could be, and as the in remembrance of the death of the Lamb of God which tnk-
Scriptnrcs declare was, a mhso)n-sacrifice, a corresponding rth away the sins of the world;-which is the propitiation
price for the sins of the whole world;-that as the world was (satisfaction) for our sins (the church’s), and not for nurs
in Adam wllen he sinned and shared his sentence, so Adam onlv but also for the sins of the whole world.-1 Cor, 5 :7;
bring +crlnerilctl,-l,onfiht hack from under the curse by Jesus, 11.2326: .Jno. 1:29; 1 Jno. 2:2.
his substltutr-the benefits of that atonement must extend Tht occasion was surely a very enjoyable one to all who
hevnnrl Adam to all his posterity; insuring to all a possi- participated in a right spirit. It could not he otherwise. If
bilitv of return to divine favor under the Millennial
Y
kingdom
ci anv true believer &ght’ a blessing in commemorating, and
soon to he established for that purpose, by the Redeemer. failed to nhtain it, let him inauire within. and find that it
In this doctrine of the ranwm we have the firm foundation was hecause he had not first “purged out the old leaven;“-
of all our hopes. (1) Its necessity lay in God’s justice and because envy, malice, hatred, evil-speaking or evil-surmising-
unchangeahleness. works of the flesh and the devil-still had a place in his heart,
(2) It evidenced his love toward those he had iustlv sen- which should, instead, have been filled with the T,ord’s spirit
tenckd to death: so that, if ever temptrd to doubt ‘the Lord’s of love,--gentleness, meekness, patience, brotherly-kindness ;-
love and care for us as his people, we can with the Apostle the love which is not puffed up, envieth not, thinketh no evil
go hack to the ransom and reasnn ourselves right again, say- and is full of mercy and good works. If any find themselves
ing, If God so loved us as to give his Son for us while we to have missed the real communion. bv reason of such “defile-
were vet sinners, much mow will he love us and grant us ments” let them purge their hearts with the water of truth,
all things needful,-now that we are justified by faith in his the Word of God. and let them celebrate four weeks later-
blood; yea, and begotten and sanctified by the holy spirit. on May 18th, as ‘was arranged for the typical Israelite who
[3013]
(158-159) ZION’S WATCH TOWER ALLEGHENY, l’n.

because af defilements was hindered from keeping the feast him and his even unto death, at any sacrifice;-his grace as-
at its appointed season.-Num. 9:10, 11. sisting, according to his promise. “Endeavoring to -preserve
The occasion was a very enjoyable one in Allegheny;- the blessed communion with our Lord we consented to forego
solemnity commingled with joy as we thought of our dear usual greetings and conversation at the end of the service,
Redeemer’s sufferings and ignominous death on our behalf; and after singing, “What a friend we have in Jesus” we went
yet rejoiced in its blessed results already experienced by us silently to our homes,-full of holy joy and thankfulness.
and in prospect for the world. In few and simple words we Twelve, prevented by illness, from being with us, were served
recounted the meaning of the ordinance-in type and anti- subsequently by friends on their way home.
type. We viewed the unleavened bread, which symbolized to
THE CELEBRATION ELSEWHERE AS REPORTED
us our Lord’s humanity, given as our ransom, that we by
partaking of his merits might have justification and life im- Some of the reports expected are a little slow in reaching
puted to us by the Father ,-so fully as to permit us to be us, but those rececved are-encouraging. We give you a very
reckoned in with our Lord as members of the one loaf, the few of these for vour iov and encouragement.-believine that
one body, and to be broken with him, sharing his sacrifice like ourself our “readers” generally esteem the interestamani-
that in-due time we may participate -in the Teeding of the fested at the Memorial season a good index to the spiritual
whole world with this bread of life. We considered “the cup” health of the church.
similarly, as our Lord’s consecrated blood (sacrificed life) The fellow-members of the Lord’s body everywhere were
sealinn the New Covenant for the world of mankind. We remembered in prayers by the Allegheny congregation; and
partoo?< of it thus, and also as joint-participators with him- letters received show that this appreciation of the oneness
pledged to be dead with him that we may also live and reign and fellowship of the church was general. One hundred and
with him.-1 Cor. 10: 16, 17; Rom. 6:s. seventv-five reports received un to this writing, show an aver-
About 335 were present at the Memorial service, and fully age participatibn of twenty-se+en. The average last year was
366 of the number partook of the emblems with every evi- twelve and the nrevious vear ten. This is verv encoura-oinr.
dence of intelligent sincerity ;-witnessing to each other our to us all, sureli. The g&era1 tone of the reports too ‘&id6
faith in the Lord and his work for us, and our devotion to cates fervency of spirit.

THE NEW BIBLES THOROUGHLY APPRECIATED

-4lthough we have not yet been able to fill all the orders much the more as you see the day approaching.“-Heb. 10 :25.
for the new Bibles-sending them out as rapidly as the bind- The custom of the nominal church systems, to have one
era can furnish them-nevertheless, we have heard from quite member of the congregation do all the preaching, all the teach-
a number who have received them that they give great sat- ing, is one that has done much injury, in that it has given
isfaction. rise to a division of the church into classes--clergy and laity;
We felt sure in advance that all the dear friends of the -additionally it has laid too much work upon the few called
truth would appreciate having just such a copy of our the clergy to permit of their attention to things of this
Father’s Word, and are glad that we were not mistaken. present life, providing things honest in the sight of all men;
The publishers werr astounded when they learned that the and by taking away from the majority of the Lord’s people
edition of 5,000 hat1 been nearly all subscribed for in ad- their responsibility and share in the ministry it has deprived
Vance. It is now the turn of those who receive them to feel them of a great blessing, and hindered their growth in grace
amazed that so splendid a book could be produced for the and their development as servants of the truth.
money. We are glad indeed to know of your appreciation of We are not opposing the preaching of the gospel by those
our efforts in vour behalf: and now we trust that a syste- who have the talent for it; but our thought is that the Lord
matic use of the New Bible will be instituted as quickly as never intended the meetings of his pople to be all of the
possible amongst the friends. preaching kind. It was not so in the early church as the
We trust that all of you will promptly acquaint your- Spostlr explains. (1 Csor.. 12: 1; 1 The*s. 5: 11) *4n eltort
selves with the various new features of this new Bible; and should be made to develop whatever talent there is in any
for a complete explanation we refer you to a description little company-to incite and draw out thought and expres-
which follows its title page, under the heading, “Special Fea- sion respecting the divine plan as presented in the Word.
tures of This Edition-Berean Bible Study Helps.“-Therein Let those who have ability to preach do so in moderation;
we offer some suggestions respecting Bible-study meetings. let them also help others to various shares in the service of
The regular leaders everywhere will have no difficulty in un-
derstanding the suggestions, and we believe that they will be the truth. As each seeks to grow in grace and to assist oth-
found so hrlpful that speedily such meetings will be a part era, the Lord will open further and wider doors of oppor-
of the regular order amongst the friends in general. Indeed tunity-perhaps in near-by towns or in other quarters of the
where there is no experienced leader, there should be no diffi- same city. The harvest is great and the laborers are few,
culty in conducting not only an interesting but a profitable and it should be the constant effort of all who are faithful
and instructive service. If you cannot have a large meeting, to the Lord and to the cause, not only to serve one another,
remember the Lord’s special promise to the twos and threes but to help one another into the service. We pray the
gathering in his name-claim the promise by fulfilling your Lord that the new Bible may be greatly blessed of him in this
part of it. “Forget not the assembling of yourselves to- way-in helping many to engage in the ministry of the truth
gether,” as the Lord, through the Apostle enjoins,-and “SO as leaders of Berean Bible classes.

WE ARE NOT COMPLiiNING, BUT-

As the Editor goes from place to place holding “One Day We felt specially hopeful of the last of these recommenda-
Conventions,” he f?ndq that nbont one:half of thosv who greet tions in connection with the others; but only a few, compara-
him heartilv are not Watch. Tower subscribers :-manv of them tivelv. seem to have noticed the request or put forth anv suc-
coming Ioni distanrcs, at considerable expense. Th&e is en- cessful effort. What more can we do, td secure the”other
couraeraent as well as discoiimgemcnt in this: it is encour- 13,500 interested friends for our list-for their spiritual up-
agin!Y to know that the 13,500 names on our lists are bv no building? We have well-nigh exhausted our ingenuity. No;
means all of those deeply interested in present truth. “The we will not resort to “Premiums”;-we should feel ashamed
discouragement comes with the thought that these dear friends to offer our readers “premiums” for subscriptions. The Lord’s
surely need the twice-a-month visits of the Watch Tower to approval and the privilege of helping to wash fellow-members
encourage and assist them in this evil day; and yet, that all of the “feet” class is nremium enough. surelv. We anneal to
we have done. or seem able to do. avails little in the matter all who desire a servic’e to the Lord and to thk brethreh’to put
of getting and keeping their names on our list. forth another effort to gather to our lists all who are in-
(1) We have offered credit on subscriptions as long and terested in present truth in any degree--either for a cash
as often as desired, with the privilege of writing us at any subscription or on either of the terms mentioned above.
future time reauesting the cancelation of the debt. (2) We This is not a matter of personal, financial profit; for the
have offered thi TV&~ Tower free to those requesting’ it, and Tower now belongs to the Society, and hence if more money
saying that their circumstances do not justify their sending were received than would meet the cost of publication, it would
the money. (3) We have asked all the dear friends who do be spent in sending out God’s light and truth to reach others
get the Tower, and who believe that it would benefit others, to as it reached you. Our whole concern is that what is being
draw it to their attention and get their subscription-cash or published may reach as many eyes and hearts as possible to
credit. encourage and bless them.
130141
vat. xx111 - ALLEGHENY, PA., JUNE 1, 1902 No. 11

VIEWS FROM THE WATCH TOWER

“MAKING VOID THE WORD OF GOD BY YOUR TBADITIONB” The editor of the (New York) Yail and Express, not
-MARK 7:13 being a trained theologian and Doctor of Divinity, shows hia
Comparatively few of the “common people” of Christendom “backwoods” ideas on the subiect as follows:-
realize how thoroughly the Word of God has already been “It is one thing to say that the story of Adam and Eve is
rejected by the leading Doctors of theology. When, over a myth, and quite another to say that it is false. Embodied
twenty years ago, we pointed out from the Word of God that in the Scriptural account in the first chapter of Genesis is
all classes ‘of Christendom were about to be tested on the the most profound bit of wisdom, the most searching dip into
fundamentals of Christian faith, and that according to Psalm the springs of human action in the face of the great mystery
91. a thousand would fall into unbelief to one who would of life and divinitv that surrounds us. the most vivid revela-
stand fuitkful, some mocked-considering that no more absurd tion of the power< of God and the helplessness, yet hopeful-
proposition could possibly be made. Apply this rule now to ness of life, that all the world’s literature has brought down
the 300.000.000 of Christendom and the number to stand would to us. It is fundamental in many ways. That the guardians
be 30,060. ’ of religious doctrine should seek to hold neophytes to a belief
In our last issue we noted that some candidates for minis- in it is not to be wondered at.
terial oflice in the Presbyterian church had publicly disowned “A myth is but old, old speech. All things are ypokcn in
belief in Adam and Eve as the first parents of our race- some shape before they are written. The myth is the spoken,
considering that portion of the Scripture mythical, unreal,
elder Scripture. Not all myths are entitled to become Scrip-
untrue ; and how t,he Elizabeth (N. J.), Presbytery finally
ture; but this one was so entitled-and it is true. If any-
passed such an one,-who purposes to become a missionary. thing possesses authoritv in this doubting age’. this record
Sinre then the subject has been considerably discussed in the does: *There may be moie wisdom in the a& of simple domi-
secular and religious Dress, and so far as we have noted, nies who reauire rieid adherence to its letter than in the
generally in sympathy with ~the ultbeZiecer;-generally in con:
proceedings of those-who treat it with flippant doubt.”
demnation of those who called in auestion the unbeliever’s This learned editor, in his anxiety to “straddle” tbc sub-
right to accentance as “orthodox.” ‘This is trulv a peculiar ject and to please both parties, has used the word m!yth in an
world : any one who believes in the second coming- of our unusual and unauthorized manner, which merely shows that
Lord to be the Kina of earth. as foretold in the Scrintures he and others are well shaken in their credence of the Bible,
scoies of times, is “off-color,” “tainted” or “non-orthodox,” though not yet ready to abandon it completely. We quote
according to the bias of his critics. Tho man who denier the Standard Dictionarv’s definition of this use of the word
eternal torment as both unreasonable and unscriptural, and
myth, as follows:- ”
who calls for proof texts from the Bible (not parable and “A fictitious or conjectural narrative presented as his-
symbolic statements, but literal), or who denies that the Bible torical, but without any basis of fact; hence, an imaginary or
offers immortality in any sense or condition to the wicked, fictitious person, object, or event; as Santa Claus is a myth.
and asks for proof texts,-is denounced as a “heretic,” as is “The difference between legend and myth is now well
alho the mxn who declares that he believes in the Father and known. . . . The myth is purely the work of imagination, the
in the Son and in the holy Spirit, and that these are at one,
or in full harmony, but who denies that it can be true that leaend has a nucleus of fact.”
- “Synonyms, Antonyms and Prepositlokis,” save::-
thev are one zn Person. or that the Scriptures so state, and “A legend may be true, but can not be historically verified;
invites proof texts. On the other hand, whoever professes to
believe these things which the Bible does not teach, and which a myth has been received as true at some time, but is now
reason repudiates, and who denies the Bible record of crea- known to be false.”
tion, accepting instead the unscriptural theory of evolution,- How long will it require for people to learn that the Bible
that man is oromntlv labeled orthodox. and any unwilling is so thoroughly
to one, and its story one, that a repudiation of
SC) concede a;e pr’om”ptly denounced as unenlightened one part means the repudiation
fo&ls. of the whole? For instance,
Surely this is what the Lord referred to as putting light for some may reason that the truth or falsity of the story of
darkness and darkness for light-calling evil good, and good Adam and Eve and their original perfection in their Eden
evil.-Isa. 5:20. home, has no bearing upon the general plan of salvation pre-
The following is from the comment of the New York sented in the Scriptures; but in this they greatly err. If
Independent, one of the leading “orthodox” religious journals there was no fall from holiness and perfection, there could
of the world :- be no need of ‘a Redeemer to ransom him and ‘his posterity
from such a condemnation; and the promised blessing of a
“VVe venture to say that there is not a competent educated restitution of man to Adam’s primeval estate would be an
professor of biology or geology in the obscurest Presbyterian
college in the United States who believes that the Adam and absurdity.
Eve of Genesis were historical characters. One would have But let the good work go on. For, as the Apostle said in
to rake all our colleges and universities with a fine-toothed his day,-“There must be heresies also among you, that they
comb to find such a teacher, and very few they would he. which are approved may be made manifest.” (1 Cor. 11:19)
The belief, in scientific circles, of such an Adam and Eve is Much more is this the case now: the “harvest” time of
dead, and is no longer considered or discussed. Of course, the separating wheat from tares having come this seems to be the
doctrine of a literal Adam lingers in popular belief, just as Lord’s method of hastening it in its due season. “None of
once did the belief in the world made in six literal days; but the wicked will understand, but the wise shall understand.”
it is held by those who got their education a generation or (Dan. 12: 10) The wise toward God, counted fools by the
two ago, or who. never got any education at all. 7’he olderwisdom of this world, will begin to open their eyes to the
men tn the presbytem’es, especially those who have, for one true situation as this breach grows wider. They will begin
reason or another, dropped out of the educative stress of to “inquire for the old paths,” and then will be in the right
pastoral life, have not learnem what the colleges now teach; conditibn to hear and heed the true Shepherd’s voice and-to
and Zt is they that oppose their large ignorance to modern comprehend with all saints the divine plan of the ages. These
knowledqe.” (“not many”) are hungry for it now, but are deterred by the
What plainer statement of present conditions could we misrepresentations of the shepherds of Babylon whom they
ask and from what higher authority could it come? Notice trust too implicitly,-taking their word without proving it by
again the last sentence, which we have italicized: only old the Word of the Lord.
fogies-country preachers and the unlearned-any longer be- RUSBIAN SOLDIER8 REFUSE TO SHOOT AT MOB
lieve the Bible to be God’s revelation. To the “cultured” it is
a book of fairv tales mixed with pessimistic nonsense of weep- The following quotation from the London Pall Mall Ga-
ing prophets who never dreamed of the grand time coming zette, indicates that already the great “European public
when the trust-giants shall hold full sway and bring in the school” (the standing army), is learning its lesson and getting
Millennium of Gealth and aristocracy. Nit knowing io much ready for the coming conflict:-
as these modern teachers, “higher critics,” the prophets “During the demonstration in the Hazan Square, in St.
dreamed and wrote of a second coming of Christ, and of the Petersburg, a detachment of infantry was called upon to fire
establishment of a kingdom of God under the whole heavens; upon the crowd. The men thrice refused to obey, and were
-of a lifting up of the poor and the needy and a humbling marched back to barracks, no inquiry being subsequently
of the great ;- of a laying of righteousness to the line and held. Similar incidents have occurred elsrwhere. With uni-
justice to the plummet. Well, we prefer to be with the Lord versal service, the army is only the people in uniform. Anv
and the Apostles: we prefer to believe “all things spoken by popular feeling must, sooner or later, touch the army, and if
the mouth of all the holy prophets since the world began.“- the soldiers cannot be depended upon to shoot, the game of
Acts 3:19-21. absolutism is up.”
130153 (163-164)
(164-165) ZION’S WATCH TOWER ALLEGHENY. PA.

THE NEXT GREAT RELIGIOUS AWAKENING must be ‘sustalned.’ ” It is doing “much to ronaerve the
The Rev. l)r. John \Vatson (“Ian hfaclaren”), In a recent heritage ot the past, but not much to mold the future.” l)r.
widelv ”
quoted heI mon at the London C\‘e\lqan
-
~Z~~slon’s Strong c0ntlnue.s :-
anniversary, noted the fact that in late years great spiritual “L;t us huppose a church somewhere, whose membrrs 11Ire
revl\,Ils have becln lackln: 111I~n~land and that the prexmt such an enthuhlasm for humamtv that when thevY lit awake
Y

temper of mind 1h not p’epa~c(l i;,r huch revivals. Hk went nights they are planning. not how to make monc’y, but how
on to say that he belle\ed \\e ale on the eve of a great re- to make men. Their supreme desire is to help the world in
vi\al. but that it will bc primarllv a social revival, inspired general and their own commumtv xi r)artic*ular. Thev are
by the religious spirit. 11 hat if ‘God \Je calling on men, he strlvlng dally to remove every modal an,i physical evil; t&ing
asketl. not to build more chur~hc~,, but to secure better and to give every child who comes into the world the best -nos-
nurrr’ homes for Ills pcol)le? Tb clennie communities of sihle chance; lnngmg and working and praymg and spcnilni
iiqu0rsaloons ant1 h.cun& 0-f vice? To see that every man for themselves and their substance to save men from XIII and
whom Chrl\t died should have a fair chance to do honcht work ignorance and suflerlng. Let us suppoie the whole callurch is
with liomst pay, and to have a home where he ran live in co-operating to this end. \Vliat a transformation such a
dcc.cnry with wife and children? RIay not these be the most church would ~~01k in any community How it would ‘peach
efTifalc%ntmeans to bring men into co~~sc~ous fellowship with the masqes’! How it would grow! 110~ it would lw talked
Got1 ‘/ about and written up! hien woultl make pilgrimageh to htudy
‘J’hc Rev. I)r. Josiah Strong, of New York, takes the same its workings and its success. Yet such a church ourht not, to
position in hi5 new book, “The n’ext Great Awakening.” All be in the feast degree peculiar. Tli~h is simply tile ;JlcturE of
great rcllglous revlva1q in the past, declares Dr. Strong, have a church whose member&ip is imbued with the sor~nl ideal
come as thca rclsult of “the preaching of a neglected Scriptural of Jesus, and has taken seriously his social laws of service,
trlitli w1iir.h was prWli(‘ly n(l:lpte:l to the pcWlhar nerd4 of sacrifice, and love; and this picture ought to be the llkcne~s
the times.” \\‘c.ilry and \\Xitc~fifld, in an age in which rrli- of every Christian church in e&y comm&ty. If it were, huw
rrlon sermcd to be ~‘J\cn over to outwat d and formal ob- many hour3 would it be before the kmgdom would come \rlth
blessed fulncss?“--L)lgest.
INEPPECTUAL LABORS AMONG NAVAJO INDIANS
ti&e wh& “the tlivincsL soverc>ignty of (:otl was held in” such a A Christian minister and his wife who left a Colorado
way a3 to drstloy all appr(,c.intic;n of human freedom,” thlln- pastorate six and a half years ago to do what they could to
derrd fo1 t11 “the ncglwtcd truth of man’s free-agpnrg and civilize and Chrlstlanize the Xavalo Indians. , n~1~s the fol-
guilt, and tll? retribution tluc to \ln ” iUoodp, following close lowing report:
unnn the c’lvil \\‘ar. wh(ln ‘*miIlinllr of hearts were IonLIinp “\Ve cannot either civilize or Christianize this tribe of
for ~oJlil,l:\tloll,” p~‘e”‘.lwd “the low of God.” And no\;; Indians. We are not sure we can accomplish that for a single
clw~l:~rw lb. Strorrp. the church is on the verge of a new one of them. We cannot overcome the harriers of i:nnrnrrr,c,
L,,Ll ltll:ll x\\‘;II<~lllIIL:: superstition, barbarian language and physical contour of the
“It is tluite 011\ iouc:
that the great questions peculiar to countlp, that In every way prevents practical nn(l e!fcctivc
n11r t:mca :(I c’ snrial T!rr industrial revolution has producetl evangelistic work. We cannot go beyond individual and
<I h~i(*~iil rrvolntion : we have passed, witlnn three genera- donlest 1c adaptabilities and limitations. \vhich in so many
tiolr~.. f10m an itifti\ itlnallhti~ to a social or collective type of ways dctermlnc our place and our cllling.
(i\ :Ilz7tinn Rcxlatlnns whlcsh a hundred yrars ago were few
nfttl iirn1)le ar(a nclw l:c~minp many and romples. sew qll’s- “\Vhat we ran do is to wait on God by prayer, believe hi4
tlc,n< c~c,nc*c~rni~l~rights an,1 duties are heing as!ced. Society Word, follow him wholly, and try at least to prepare the xvay
J\ ~,‘;~,,,111~ h,~1f-,~,I11,~~1011’I11~.s, which nJ,rJlcs one of the most
of the Lord in the hearts of the children. that he entrusts to
importmlt +q)q III the progress of thr rare. We are begin- our care. Perhaps, after a while we can hare access to some
ninx to WC that socblety lives one lust life, of which every of the older ones, through the children, or the children may be
able to do it, when they have themsclres learnrd the Gospel,
nlan is a p:“t. \Ve are gaining what Walter Besant calls ‘the and we have passed on to our reward.
scll’i(r of hlininnity ’ \Ve are discovering that life is some-
thIrq largcsr and farther related than we had thought; and “Will not our friends all pray often. that the Word of the
wt11 this perq)tinn of wider and multiplied relations comes Lord may have free course &d” God dc glorified among this
n I~W sense of so(*ial obli$Ttions. That 1s. a social conscience poor heathen people? And the work that we do, be wholly
i> growing, thnu~:h RS yet it is uninstructed. unto his pleasing, and the accomDlishmrnt of his will?
“Thr wontlerful inrzrease of wealth and of knowledge during “IVe are no< so much conceined over the question as to
the Ilast century has served to create a new discontent and to what good we can accomplish here, a$ WC are about our own
kiulllr a new hope. It has transferled the golden age of conformity to God’s purposes and methods of work for uq,
tll(x wor1tl from the pst to the future; and this golden age, and our appointed part in the fnlfilment of his Word. It is
ycst to (9rne. constitiltes a new social ideal. his ‘counsEl that &all stand.’ (Isa. 46: 11) He ‘has spoken,
“ I he social ideal of Jesus is prrcirely what is needed to and he will bring things to pass; He has purposed and he
infolrn and spiritualize and perfect this new social ideal, and will do it.’ If, therefore, we can only know, morning by
tile s~lal laws of .Jcru:, are precisely what is needed to educate morning, our place and work and really he co-lahorcls with
the II~V cncial rnJihrlt’ll(‘e ” him In the fulfihnent of his pnrnose; and if we ~11 hone&Iv
Ur. Strong interprcti the “social laws of Jesus” under and loyally ‘walk as Jesus <valkcd,’ intent only on pleasini
three mairi I~~ntls. :w fnllon h: our Father. we shall feel that we have at least approximated
‘I’htt r,,LxIr of SFJ viw. Our substance, our time, nilr thr fulfilment of our calling, though to human sizlit it may
(1) sceni that we have spent all our strength for nought, ant1 all
pf”: cbri, 0111‘oppo~ tllnltll5 arc all entriistcd to 11s for service.
rJl fr itwlf IS :I ..:I(.IP~~ triirt, and the whole life of evrl;,y our labor has been vain.”
tlisci1:lr of (!lll;st. 1s to bc sl)cnt, like that of his master,. In
t:ics 5cbrvic.c.01 the l,ln:;tloni, and 111 ha&mng Its full caommg IVe heartily sympathize with these tlesr fellnw-servants in
in tilr, eartli. their dltiappointment, but believe that their efforts :lnd lal)orz
(2) ‘l’h(x T,:kw of S.lcrifig,c The spirit of sarrificc gives h\-C llut b~J1 in vain ;-th:Lt thy tllcmwl WS h:lVC bee11
all. alIt long3 for mo*(l to iill the nieaqure of the world’s sore blessed. brcau5e they self-sacr&+qly have sought to do the
Jl,V~~l It is tlic h!-li picxloi-:iti\-c of csonrcious and intelligent Lord’s will-to be co-laborers with him. il’e trust that th::v
man to offer consciour and intelligent sacrifice. Hr receivcls ant1 otl~c>iY like them may soon learn “the way of the Lord
:~t~i~ttrl~n:; to 1115 rrc~~tl tll:lt he may give accortllng to his more periectlp “;--may soon learn of the divine plan of the
:rl,lllr \ , ri>r.lLi\(as foocl th:lt he may give slrcn~th, receives aILt?s. Then thev will see t,hat the noor Indians are in no
I;r~c~nl~~l~c~ that he may gi\e it forth as power. I) &ng~~r of t>tcrn”al torment; but wlli 111 God’s “due time”
(2) Tlic JAW of Love. This is the supreme sncial law, (during the PIIillennium-I Tim. 2 :G) be brou$t to a knowl-
orqnizin.g, inttgratin:: power. precisely as its op- edge ok the truth in a way thtv cannot brlnrr it to them
fi<!lnrss, 19 the ~grrat disolgnnizing, disintegrating, noI\ The same great plan “of thr ages will sh& them that
power. Disintercstcd love 1s dlvme; it 1s the lo~e 0~11‘ Lord Jesus and his ,unostles did not rnrrv the ~osnel to
that God is, and makes possible Christian service and Christian the most dcgradcd nations: but to the moqt in:ellige;;t bcople
sacrifice. they could ‘fnd. And that the gospel is intended now only
l)r. Strong proceeds to asks whether either church or to select an “elect” or bride class aa their Master’s jomt-
societv is making anv serious attemnt to realize these funda- heir3 in the coming kingdom-who, jointly with their Lord,
men&l Christian“ la&, and he answ&s in the negative. “TO shall “blcqs all the families of the earth.” But their labor,
be enthusiastic about the church in its present condition,” he honestly though not wisely spent, shall not be in vain in the
says. quoting the words of Professor Bruce, “is impossible.” Lord. He is speaking now to all such. and they will hear
The church has become “a very respectable institution which and will know the great Shepherd’s voice.
[30161
JUNE 1, 1902 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (166-167)

ROME’S POSITION IN THE COMING CONFLICT action. Your attack is an unprovoked one, for the Socialist
In accord with the Pope’s recent Encyclicals? Roman Cath- party makes no attack upon you or your church or your be-
olic newspapers and clergy are seeking to unify all Roman liefs. But if you persist in the attack, let us tell you that
Catholic societies, and to put them on more of a8 political there is no organization on earth that can fight as we can.
basis ; and are correspond!ngly opposing Labor societies and Bismarck has measured strength with us, and failed. Russian
especially Socialism. The object evidently IS to make every czars and French dictators have tried to’ crush our movement,
Catholic vote here count for the interests of Rome, as in and thev have failed. You will not succeed.
Europe-only more so, on account of our more liberal laws. “There is nothing more fearful than the fires of religious
A ppominen”t Roman ‘Catholic bishop recently expressed in prejudice and antagonism. We have sought to let them ilium-
nubllc the conviction that ere lonp Catholics ~111 be in prac- ber till they should at last die out. Beware how you stir them
‘tical control of the United States”government. Nor was-this UP. The people of America are patient and good-natured;
an idle boast. If the Romanlst vote can be controlled sohdly thev endure much. But at heart-Catholic and Protestant and
by their clerics they could ask almost anything they please Je\G and Atheist alike-they hold dear the principle of reli-
of politicians and be sure of getting it,-from one party if gious liberty and the separ”ation of church &d state. Once
refused by another. awake them and it ~111 not be well for him who attacks that
LVe are not to forget either that the Scriptures clearly principle.
show that church influence (Protestantism co-operating with “The Democratic party may be afraid of you, bishop. The
Catholicism) is soon to gain control of Christendom and rule Republican paztv mav be afraid of vou. But the Socialist
the world with an iron h&d. The combining of the Catholics pa&y is not a&aid bf you, because”,4t is right, because it
may soon lead to semi-political combinations amongst Prot- stands for all that is best in American historv v and in the
&ant*-Good Citizenship Leagues, etc., for which Christian world’s history, and because it knows that, the fiercer your
Entlrnvor, Epworth Lea&e an& similar societies, are prepara- attack, the greater forces will you rally to our side.”
tions. All this is in full accord with the desire now so prev- A PECULIAR ITEM FROM A CATHOLIC JOURNAL
alent to have a church trust or combine for the “controi” of “How can we describe it so as to make it real! Some day
the world’q spiritual interests. All this, as our constant this old earth will be perfect. Sin and wrong, pasblon an;1
rraderi well know, we consider part of the evtl which the conflict, danger and weakness will be driven awav. and onlv
Loi tl IS permitting, and which will result in the complete the good andY the beautiful things will remain. S;me day o&
~llaps~ of present- institutions in anarchy;-preparatory to powers will be unlimited ancl we can do Just what we purely
the establishment of the kingdom of heaven. desire. No mistakes then in reaching the highest ideals ! No
BISHOP QUIGLEY ON SOCIALISM failures in bringing the noblest sound with musician’s finger,
As indicating the line of battle outlined, we quote from or the most glorious scenes from artist’s brush! No misun-
B11-hop Quigley’s address as printed in the Catholzc CTnzon and derstandings or misconceptions, no criticisms to cut and hurt:
‘I’ir~s. Buffalo, N. Y., as follows:- for our w&k will be perfect. Some day our frlcnrl\hlps wili
“Bs a polltical party Social-Democracy is a recent importa- be rich and lasting and without disappointment, and heart
tion from continental Europe. Here, as there, its avowed will touch heart with an enduring lovc.“~Rcv. F. \Y. Tomklns.
oblect IS the creation of a new order of things totally de- WHAT HIGHER CRITICISM HAS DONE
structure of the existing social, political, and economic condi- A writer in the W’ashznyton I’ost, summa1iziltg an article
tions under which we live. The attainment of this new order on this sqbject in the Outlook, says, among other thin,qs of the
of things 14 to be effected by political agitation in the main, higher cntlcs us@uZ (?) work,-
but revolutionary and violent methods are freely urged by its “The divinitv of Christ is retained, but 111 s new s(3n.e.
leading advocates as soon as the masses shall be sufficiently He is divine j&t as all men have that spark of divinity,
organ&et1 to cope with the powers of capital and class. - although not to such a marked degree. His divlnlly rchts
“I+:vervwhere this movement is characterized by unbelief, not on proof texts of doubtful interpretation, lJllt on the
hostility uto religion, and above all, uncompromisin”g and bit: evident manifestation of his whole life.
tcr hatred and dcnunclation of the Catholic church. Its official “The nlan of salvation is not founded on a vicarious sac-
nroprrams, the nlatforms of Its nartv conventions, the public
I </ rifice where God bargains to accept the punishment of the
utterances of I& leading advoca&s, its newspaper organs and innocent for the sins of the guilty. Redemption 1s the result
neriodicalq. bleathe hatred and threats against revealed reli-
I- ~~ of repentance, a psychological process thoroughly logical, and
glen, its doctrines and institutions. . . . - in the light of human frailty perfectly adequate.
“Social-Democracy denies the existence of God, the im- “Our faith in future life is not less firm. althoueh our con-
mortality of the soul, eternal punishment, the right of private ception of immortalitv is not so clear. The won&rs of the
ownershIp, the rightful existence of our present social organi- hereafter, so vivid to” the Indian, who belic\cs in his happy
z‘ltlon, and the independence of the church as a society com- hunting grounds. do not present themselves in a definite form.
I

plete In itself and founded by God. Therefore no Catholic can and th& may seem to many a distinct loss. Its compensntir,r;
become a Social-Democrat. Therefore no Catholic can is found, however, in the fact that we do not regard the
bccaome a member of a Social-Democratic organization or sub- attainment of heaven our only aim in life. Right for right’s
sc*rlbc for or in any way contribute to the support of a Social- sake, with the barter element eliminated, cannot be less noble
Democratic newspaper organ.” than living up to the best that is in us, with the hope
THE REPLY OF SOCIAL-DEMOCRACY of reward or the fear of punishment continually bangulg
Under the caption,-“Shall the Church Rule the Labor over us.”
* l l
nfovement 7” The TVorLcr of New York City says :-
“The bishon’s charge is a sweeping one. We now challenge We can see no reason in the world why any infidel or
him. as bishoi> or as honest man, To prove, not the whore, agnostic in the world should object to Higher Criticism; but
but one-hundredth Dart of what he has alleged.
1
He can not we do see cverv rraion in the world why true (‘hri+ans who
do it. for it is not true. Our national $rty platform is trust for salvation in “the precious blood of Christ” should
prmt&l in this paper; let readers search -there for ‘hatred, disown all fellowshin and brotherhood with such unbelief.
I
Yet
denunciation. and threats’ against the Catholic church or any some good men as well as many others, have fallen into this
other. We hare in our razks, not only men holding to tKe error: the only safeguard against it to a reasonable mind is
beliefs of Protestant churches, but men belonging to the same the divine plan of the ages. We must do all in our power to
communion with Bishop Quigley and wearing the same cloth get it into the hands and heads and hearts of such before the
nf priesthood. In the &ocialy?t”movement we ask no man his error catches thrm: for those who once eet the noison of
crertl. We demand only his faithful adherence to the working human philosophy into their hearts, and i%JCCt the ransom,
class in its battle with the forces of capitalism. . . . are, so far as observation goes, beyond help in the present
“Biqhop Qu~glry, let us adliso you to rPcousidcr your age.

ATTAINING CHRISTIAN LIBERTY

ACTS 15:22-33.-Ju~~ 8. 1902.
“Stand fast, therefore, in the liberty wheremth Christ has made us free.“--Gal. 5: 1.
Clhristian liberty ii to bt sharply dltrercntlated from the tions, many of which were typirnl and etlnc:ltlonal-hllited to
libclty of license. lawlessness, anarc<hy ; and this lesson fur- the “house of servants,” but not appropriate to the “house of
nlbhes a good illustration of this fact. To the Jews who had sons.” To the Gentiles, to whom God had never given the
been under the PIIosaic ritual and its washings, fastings, Law, and who were therefore not under any of Its provisions
feasts, new moons, sabbaths and holy days, Christian liberty or conditions or requirements, but who were under certain
meant a release from a considerable measure of these institu- superstitions, wrong appetites and customs, Christian liberty
[3017]
(16/G168) ZION’S WA 7 ‘CH TOWER ALLECHEN Y, Pa.

meant the abrogation of all wrong customs and superstitions, ex-missionaries were glad to tell them, of God’s favors upon
and. addltionallv. the imnoslng of a law;-not the Mosaic Law their missionarv labors in Galatia and vicinltv: and althoueh
and’ its mstit&ns and ceremuonies, however, but “the Perfect the brethren reached were almost exclusively jewish conve&.
Law of Liberty;” the “Law of the spirit of life in Christ it is with pleasure we read that the report “caused great JOY
Jesus”-restraints of the will of the flesh, under the law of unto all the brethren.” (Acts 15: 3) This shows that they
love. (Jas. 1:25 ; Rom. 8:2) We are not to be surprised that had the true Christian spirit-that they had largely, if ndt
both Jews and Gentiles. coming from onnosite directions into completely. lost the Jewish prejudice and jealousy, a5 con-
the church of Christ ani its peyfect law-of liberty, were some- cerned the giving of the gospel to the Gentiles. It shows us
what confused and bewildered respecting its requirements and that with the majority of the previously Jewish brethren the
proprieties. contention for the Mosaic Law and ceremonies implied no or)-
It was nearly twenty years after the day of Pentecost that position to the Gentiles themselves, but merely a confusion bf
the conference noted in our lesson took nlace in Jerusalem. mind concerning the Lord’s will on these subJects;-they had
It was held for the purpose of reaching a’declsion respecting not vet discerned the lengths and breadths and heights and
this very sutjjcct-the Law of Christ, Its bearing upon Gentile depths of the divine plan,-as they subsequently learned these,
converts, and upon Jewlsh converts-to what extent the Mosaic and came to anareciate the nerfect Law of Llbertv wherewith
requirements were abolished as regarded the Jews, and to what Christ makes %ee indeed, i& the true sense, all -who become
extent the Law of Christ put restramts upon the converts from truly his.
amongst the GentlIes. and to what extent these two classes, Arrived at Jerusalem. the representative5 of the Antlocal
prcvlbuhly separated soc~lly and religiously, by the requlre- congregation were met with a heirty welcome, for such IS the
ments of the hlosaic Law. mizht now come torrether with full significance of the Greek word rendered “received,” in verbe -1.
brotherly fellow\hlp and &i&y, without the iiolatlon of the Bs they had given to the others en route, so the returned
bong I(‘nces of any, and without unnecessary restramt of the missionaries gave the Jerusalem brethren detailed accounts of
libertiej of any. the Lord’s blessing unon their iournev. telling what miracles
The church at Antioch had bc*rorne the center of Chris- and wonders he hid &ought, &at a &nsider~ble number had
tianity amongst the Gentiles, and .Tews born in GentlIe land<. helieretl. and how loyal. faithful and enduring were some of
Its (:cnf Ile surroundings. no lrhs than it+ memberahll). tclI&ti Illr\e newly-found brrt,hre11 111Christ, who had plevlously been
to cultivate 1n It a broad Lplrlt of Christian liberty,--some allens, strangers, Gentilek.
of its mrmbcr&lp, under the Influence of brethren who had There is some reason for believing that previous to this
come from Jerusalem, feared that it had gone too far In the Paul and Barnabas and Titus had made a visit to Jerusalem,
111attc1 of Christian liberty, and held that Gentiles. upon in which they did not, as now, appear publicly before the con-
accepting Christ through fai”th, should likewise accept J&da&m gregation to give their testimonies. but had secret confcrcncrs
and the Mosaic Law. and come as fullv under the conditions
Y
kith the apostles and chief brethren, Paul explaining to them
of these, including circumcision, as though they had been born what he understood to be the perfect Law of Liberty under the
eJews. Certain brethren who had recently arrived from Jerusa- New Covenant-the will and plan of God regardinK thr go+
lem accentuated these fears, and as a result there was quite a pel amongst the Gentiles. It would appear &at the apostles
tllssrn\ion in the Antloch church, amounting, as the Greek had been largely influenced bv those presentations, although
word shows, almost to a schism, a split. But the right spirit thev had not uttered anv nubiic testimonv on the subiect. nor
evidently prevailed; because, instead of splitting over a rexecl eniaged in any manner’ I; the mIssIona& work amongst the
question, each party respected the conscientious convictions of Gentiles. ADDarenth thev had not conkidered it necessary
the other, and it was wisely determined to appeal the matter to stir up ihi subi:& to” any extent, and thus pos5ibly t;
to the church at Jerusalem for such words of counsel and breed mote or less” of strife” amongst the Jewish convirts.
advice as its leaders, the apostles and elders. should see fit to Thus the subject had been left for some years for gradual
give. The Antioch brethren evidently had full confidence that development and enlargement of heart and mind on the part
God had appointed the apostles, and that their conclusion on of the believers. This thought is based upon the Apostle
the matter would ultimately be the correct one. At the same Paul’s statement in his letter to the Galatians, on this subject.
time, knowing that the brethren at Jerusalem were surrounded --Gal. 2.
by the .Judaizing influence, tending rather to narrowness of But now the question of receiving Gentiles, and how they
view as respected the Mosaic customs, thev sent their two should be treated, and what were their obligations, etc., came
leading representatives, Paul and Barnabas, “to present before up in a natural way, without forcing-rather, it forceci itself
the Jerusalem Council the views which seemed to the maioritv for decision. The anostles and elder5 heard the renorts of
of the church to be the correct ones,-that thus the entire God’s blessing upon ‘the Gentiles, and offered no objection,
subject might be fully, fairly. thoroughly investigated, and evidently being quite in accord with the matter from the first;
the mind of the Lord determined as accuratelv as Dossible. but, as was to be expected. there was dissatisfaction amongst
This was a beautiful spirit-the right spirit: far more brethren who previo;sly had been Pharisees. This sect of &e
commendable in God’s sight and in the judgment of sound- Jews was firmlv set. not onlv for the Law of Moses and all of
minded men than any immoderate course they could have its ceremonies, but also for many additions and accretions to
taken. People who take the immoderate codrse-are generally it: so that they were quite dissatisfied, we remember, with
those who do not have sutficient faith in the Lord as the real our Lord’s observance of the Law, which we know waq per-
Heat1 of the church, and in his overruling providence in the fect. These, in all honesty, obiected that the missionaries
affairs of those who are seeking to know and to do his will;-
I I

were too lax, too slack in their work, and that all believers
thev are generally those who feel too much self-assurance, as should be reouired to be circumcised and to keen the Mosaic
tlltl” even the mee-k Moses, when he erred in smiting the rock laws respertiig fasts, new moons, sabbath days, washings, etc.
in the wilderness the second time saying: “Ye rebels, must Thus the question was brought forward, and a special
we fetch you water out of this rock ?“-Num. 20: 10. meeting was appointed, at which the apostles and elders
The truth has nothing to lose bv fairness, openness, and a heard all that was to be said on the subject,-and we read
reaqonablr moderation and the turning on of all light obtain- that there was “much dispute.” We do not want to say a
able. And while the church at Antibch evidently-had great word in favor of disputes, wrangling, etc., amongst the Lord’s
confidence in Paul and Barnabas, they properly also had great people. On the contrary, we understand the Scriptures to
confidence and respect for the npostles at Jerusalem, and rea- iea6h that wranglings in general are improper, out-of order,
soned that since these men all *gave evidence that they were iniurious to the interests of the church and of the truth:-
trulv the Lord’s snecial servants and mouthnieces. it would be because such wranglings and disputes are generally about
stra;ge indeed if ‘meeting together and heaAng ail that could things to no profit, but to the subverting or unsettling of the
be said on both sides of the question. they could not arrive at believers, and especially of those who are new or weak in the
a unanimous derision respertinp the Lord’s \vill. that would faith. But it is a different matter when the question is an
assure the church in general. We commend this noble prin- important one, as was this under discussion; and at such a
clple which IS as applicable now as it was then. Today, how- time dispute, in the proper manner, with the spirit of love,
ever, as we cannot refer questions to the living Bpostles, we with force and yet with kindness, love and gentleness of word
must refer them to the recorded teaching of our Lord and and manner, is most appropriate.
the apostles,-seeking assistance in this amongst the brethren We reJoice that there was such a spirit of broadminded-
who appear to have the best knowledge of God’s Word and the ness in the early church as is represented by this statement-
greatest insight into the divine plan. we rejoice that-when an important subject”was to be consid-
EN ROUTE TO THE JEWISH CONFERENCE ered, with a view to knowing the mind of the Lord. that there
The journey from Antioch to Jerusalem brought Paul and was.fullest liberty granted Tar as much dispute or debate, in
Barnabas in contact with many of the household of faith, a a proper manner, as was necessary to bring the whole subject
few, here and there, in almost every city through which they before those who had it under consideration. There is a dif-
passed. Of course, the brethren were glad to hear, as these ference, however, between disputes and discussions inside the
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pale of faith and disputes tutside that boundary. As the to their hearts and to their reasons, and covered four points.
Apostle says, “He that is weak in the faith receive ye [do (1) Abstaining from meats offered to idols, which might ap-
no’t reject “him because he has not such full, strong, vigorous pear to be giving sanction to idol worship. (2) Abstaining
faith as we should like to see], but not to doubttul disputa- from the eating of the blood of animals. (Y) Abstaining from
tions”-do not receive him to dispute his doubts,-what he eating things -that had been strangled, in which the- blood
does not believe. Let him have a full opportunity for hearing would remain, which would imnlv the eating of blood. (4)
the faith discussed: if his doubts do not then disappear prob- The avoidance of fornication. * ”
ably he himself iill disappear,-drop out of the-assembly. In considering these rules we are to keep in memory the
111 harmony with this we are not to recognize disputes re- circumstances and conditions of the times, and the objects
specting the foundation principles of the gospel of Christ. sought to be attained. (1) The idol worship which prevailed
The church i$ composed- only- of those who ‘recognize the at &at time had connected with it a great deal of sensuality,
foundation-that Christ died for our sins. for our redemption which would be contrarv to the snirit of Christ in everv sense
from sin and from its penalty; and that all who would share of the word. (2) The “object was to permit a ground”of fel-
his blessing must accept these simple facts of his death for lowship and brotherhood between those whose previous expe-
us and his resurrection by the power of God for our ultimate riences and instructions had been lax, and those whose pre-
deliverance;-and then in harmony with their desire to be his vious instructions had been rigid. And the things here re-
disciples they must make a consecration of themselves to him, quired of the Gentiles were not merely features of the
to do his will and to serve his cause. These foundation prin- Mosaic Law, for the forbidding of the use of blood, and the
ciples of the church of Christ are not subject to dispute. explanation .that it represented the life, was given .long pre-
Those who reiect these are not of the church and should not vious to Moses’ dav-to Noah after the flood. when he and his
be heard in the church. They are intruders; doubtless wolves posterity were gra”nted the privilege of eating meat, because
in sheep’s clothing, of evil and not of good intentions and of the changed conditions and the impoverishment of the race,
ultimate results. and the need of more stimulating food. The uqe of blood was
But as respects discussions amongst those who are truly still more common then than now, being used not only in
the Lord’s on any point of importance,-opportunity for blood puddings, but also as a drink mixed with wine, as some
freedom of discussion, within reasonable limits, is absolutely today use beef extract blended with wine.
necessary to spiritual health and progress. To shut it off The message was received in faith bv all, and caused uni-
means to crush proper activities of thought, and in many versal rejoicing in the church. There \Gas a general rccogni-
instances means to accumulate a force which would ultimately tion of the Lord’s providential care in the church’s affairs, and
result in an explosion, which would be damaging in some this faith and confidence in God prepared all parties to receive
respects at least. Let us remember, in this matter, the the message on this subject, whicl; they believed God would
Gohlen Rule; and let us accord to others differing from us assuredlv eive them. and which thev had rightlv looked for
the same reasonable libertv. inside the boundaries of founda- throughUthu channels which God hadpreviously bhen using for
tion principles, that we w&d like to have them accord to us, their blessing and edification. Thus we have a lesson respect-
if our positions were reversed. ing the proper course of the Lord’s dear people today,-not to
The fact that the question at issue was-the obligation of carry disputes, even on important matters (not fundamental)
Gentile converts to the law, is not to be understood as signify- to the length of rupture, division, but, with hearts anxious to
ing that the law of Moses ‘was recognized as being of binding know and obev the truth, inquiry should be made of the
force uoon Jewish converts. All were bound to concede that oracles of God: and the results, after a fair hearing of all
the La\;-Covenant had saved none-that Christ’s fulfilment of the testimonv.“I
should be conclusive. satisfactorv, Y, and bring
it brought all under divine grace. It was more a question of consolation-peace and joy-so that the unity of the faith in
usage-the Jews were used to circumcision which nreceded the the bonds of love may continue within the walls of Zion.
law: used to abstaining from pork, not only me;ely because The two brethren who came as representatives of the Jcru-
the law forbade it. but because aside from the law thev con- salem Church were uronhets. or public teachers. and, as was
sidered it unclean.’ What the Jew did in the exercise *of his intended, they exhoried’the church in harmony with the letter
liberty he thought the Gentile should be forced to do;-a very they bore, and confirmed and strengthened them. Thus what
common error with many. It requires development to learn might have been a serious rupture, resulting >’ in much damage
to use our conscience and liberty and to let others use theirs, and in many roots of bitterness,. antagonisms. etc., became
even though they differ. reallv a means of increased blessing to all connected therewith,
When a fair hearing had been granted to both sides of becamse wisely and properly handled. May such occasions be
the question, Peter, one of the leading apostles, and doubtless likewise treated by the Lord’s people today, and with similar
the eldest, rehearsed his experience< with Cornelius; then blessed results, under the guidance of the same Lord and
Paul and Barnabas were heard. and James closed the discus- Ifaster who more than eighteen centuries ago guided by his
sion. All upheld the teachings and practices of Paul and Word and spirit.
Barnabas, and cited the leadings of the Lord’s spirit, as well
THE LIBERTY WHEREWITH CHRIST HAS MADE US FREE
as the nronhecies of the Old Testament in corroboration of
this pos’itidn which, doubtless, as above suggested, they had Our Golden Text is a precious one. The value of true
held tcntativelv for some time. though thev onlv now thought liberty amongst the Lord’s* people cannot be overestimated.
it necessary t& make a public statement “rega;ding it. The It becomes a Dart of their verv life. It was because. under a
conclusion was satisfactory to the apostles and elders and the wrong concepiion of union, this spirit of true liberty was
whole church; and an answer in harmony with this was sent crushed out of the church shortlv after the anostlcs fell
to the friends at Antioch, Syria, and throughout Sihcia-the asleep in death that the “dark ages” resulted,-with all their
regions which had been affected by the Judaizing teachers. It ignorance, superstition, blindness, persecution, etc. The Ret-
is here that the lesson proper beeins. ormation movement of the sixteenth centurv was but a rc-
To give weight to the letter, t&o of the prominent brethren awakening of the spirit of liberty mentione”d in our text,-
of Jerusalem were sent with Paul and Barnabas and the letter, libertv to think inside the foundation lines of the doctrines
that thev might confirm the letter orally, and thus establish of Christ ;-liberty to believe as much or as little more, in
the hearts of- those who had been somewhat troubled by the harmony with this, as the mental conditions and circumstances
false teachines. The letter first disclaims any authoritv for will permit, without being branded as a heretic or persecute,1
those person; who had, however honestly intentioned, taught by brethren, either in word or deed.
error with truth, and confused the hearts of the believers on Strange to sav, a neculiar combination-of too murh lib-
the subiect of circumcision and the law. It states also the erty and-too little liberty-is creeping over nominal Christen-
conclusions of the conference, and commends Barnabas and dom today. The too little liberty feature objects to any c!is-
Paul. calling them “beloved.” and noting the fact tbat thev cussion of the doctrines of Christ, and the teachings of the
had hazarded their lives in’ the Lord’s >ause. The decision apostles, for fear some differences of opinion should-be mani-
rendered is expressed as being the mind of “the holy Spirit fested. This is an endeavor to have an outward “union”
and us.” We may reasonably presume that the mraning of without a union of the heart and a union of the head. It is
this is that the church not only found the teachings of the injurious, both to those who hold the error, which cannot be
Scripture and the leadings of the divine providence to be in exposed, and injurious also to those who hold the truth and
favor of the acceptance of the Gentiles to Christian liberty, who permit themselves thus to be bound, and bindered from
without becoming- Jews or coming under the Law, but that growth in grace and knowledge by the proper exercise of the
this finding of the Lord’s will was not against the wishes or liberties wherewith Christ has made his people free. The gen-
prejudices -of the apostles and elders at -Jerusalem;-that it eral trend along this line favors the covering over, the con-
found a ready echo, a hearty response in their hearts. cealment, of truths as well as errors, in a wrong assumption
RECOMMENDATION RESPECTING OUTWARD UONDUCT that the appearance of union will serve the purpose of real
God’s dealings and instructions commended themselves both union, and be really effective as respects the prosperity of
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the true members of the body of Christ. Such a false union, systems, that they may stand firmly and loyally with the
however, is coming and will be effected, and to such extent Lord, our Redeemer. our Instructor. our Kina.
cause prosperity in the nominal church, but only for a brief The question may arise, Does ‘this direction to abstain
season, when the time of trouble shall overwhelm all. from mrat offered to Idols conflict with the Apostle’s later
On the other hand the too great liberty which we see draw- teachings addressed to the Corinthians? (1 Cor. 8) We
ing on, is that represented by the teachings of the higher answer, No. The Apostle is not advocating the eating of
critics and evolutionists. Their teachings are given in quiet, meat previously offered to idols; but on Ehe contrary, is
in the theological seminaries, at the fireside, in the daily answering some who so nracticed. He is admitting the loeic
interchanges, and in the pulpit: and any attempt to contra- of their >rgument, that-an idol being nothing bux so m&h
dict these false doctrines is tabooed, a$ being calculated to wood or metal or stone the meat could be neither benefited nor
stir up strife. and destroy the unity of the church. Thus the injured by the offering. But he shows that the restriction
too great lll)erty and the too great bondage are working to- should be practiced in the interest of some of less logical
gether in the nominal church systems today, to thoroughly mind who would be unable to comnrehend this and who would
c\rpel and ortraclze the truth, ant1 all who love it and wish to thus be led to defile their cons&nces, and thus into sin;-
stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ has made them free. whrch might abound more and more, eventually, to their de-
It is calculated to install and multiply and qualify and honor struction. For the voice of conscience must be obeyed: it is at
tbc error, which so raprdlp is gaining control, altho the con- our peril that it is violated-no matter how erroneous and
trol be acne: allv denied. Let all who are the Lord’s neonle. superstitious may be its standards. Let conscience be edu-
and who’ have tastrtl of the liberty wherewith Chrrst ‘ma&kes cated; but let its ignorance never be violated. Every violation
free, see to it that they &and fakt in that liberty, and as of conscience is so much of character destruction. All need
snnn as an attempt ii made to restrain it, if not sooner, let to remember this in respect to their own consciences as well
them get out completely from all the bondages of human as in dealing with others-especially with children.

ABIDING IN DIVINE LOVE, CONDITIONAL

“If ye keep rn~y commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments and
abzde in his love.“-John 15: 10.
Since all mankind are alienated from their Creator through the neglect of which would mean the loss of our Rrdeemer’e
sin and its rnndcmnatlon. the nnnlication of tbc text bv any love and favor,-and hence, the loss of all the blessings spe-
intlivirlunl implie? that previously hr has come to a knowledge ciallv prepared for those who love him? We answer, that our
of Gncl’s grace in C’brist. and has arrrntrd his shnrc of the Lord’s statement of these commantlmcnts brirflv rnmprrbrnds
cnmc thrc’jugh faith and has thus hid ‘accc~s to the love of them all in one word, love. Dividing the matter, we find that
God, as one of the sons of God. hrgnttcn by the holy Spirit. it has two Darts-love
1
for God and love for ollr fellows. W’rth-
Tbiq is an imnortnnt matter nrcrlnnkctl bv vrrv mnnv who out this quality or rharncteristir. of love, being 50 devclopcd
think to krcp tbcmqelvcs in dirlne lnve and”under divine pro- in us as to be the controlling influence of our minds, we can-
tcchtlng cake without first complving wlth the conditions of not hope to abide in the Lord’s favor. True, he does not
admission to mcml)crship in thr T,ord’s family. There is but expect to gathrr ripe grapes from the new vim-shoot when
nnr doorway of entranre “into tbls grace wherein we stand first it makes Its appearance; rather, the great Ilushandman
and la4 SOI~CIof Go111 rclnicc in tbc 11opc of tbc coming glory,” (1 Cor. 3 :I)) waits for the gradual development of the fruit, if
ant1 th:lt is the doorway of fnltb in end acceptance of the after the shoot has come forth he scrs upon it thr bud of
atoncntcnt. nrcoml~i~~betl for us by our Retlrrmer at the cost promise. which ouicklv develops, manrfesting itself as the
of llia own sacrifice at Calvnrv. anyone attempting to climb sower of the grapes. “Nevertheless, manifesta’tinns of a com-
into tbc iamllv of God otherwire “the same is a thief and a ing fruitaee of love are exnected of the Lord, auicklv after
rnl~brr”-a relcctor of the only way and name under heaven our union with him; and any smallness of develnpment”of this
pircn among men, whereby we must be saved.-Rom. 5: 1, 2; fruitage would indicate a corresponding lack of lore and ap
Acts 4:12. preciation on our part, and would mean correspondingly small
But nur trxt. like all of the holy Scriptures, is addressed love for the truth and its principles: hence, the Lord’s love for
to the Lord’s people, who once were “rhrldren of wrath even uq would be correspondingly less than if more rapid progress
aq otbrrs.” but have cnme into divine favor through the ap- were made.
pnintcd way ; and it calls our attention to something that is Love would necessarily mean the according of justicr;
necessary to us beyond, after our full caonversmn or consecra- because the law or requirements of the Lord are based upon
tion to the Lord. It implirq that gcttlng into God’s love is by justice, “the foundation of his throne.” We are to view the
no means the end of the Christian way. but merely the begin- commandments of the Lord from this standpoint, therefore, and
ning of it: after wc are in tbr way the Lord gives us com- to see first that our love for God is just,-must recognize that
mandmcnts as his sons, and expects us to manifest the spirit we owe him love, devotion, appreciation, berause of what he
of lopal snn\blp bv obetlicnrc :-full obedience so far as the has done and promises yet to do for us. Justice calls for our
bcart nr intcntinn ‘is concrrncd, and RS complete obedience as loving. reverential obedience to the Lord. It is the same with
possible $0 far as the control of the flcqh is concerned. Who- respect to our love for our fellowmen. Justice, as well as
ever neglcctq eithrr to learn or to obcv the commandments respect for our Heavenly Father’s regulations, calls on us to
of the I,o~d. tbcrcbv manifests a lack “nf the true spirit of do right to our neighbor,-to do toward him as we would have
sonshin. and thus condemns himself as unworthv to be longer him do toward us. This is not more than absolute justire, and
rrck~&d or trratrtl as a son of God. Thus scen’the rommand- vet it is the verv essence and snirit of the divine law of love.
mcnts of the Lord to those who have consecrated themselves But while just& is the first feature of the commandment of
and rntcr his spirit-bcpnttcn family, are tests, proving them love, it is not the end of its requirements: it requires that
either wort1r.v or unworthy of the divine favors and promises going beyond strict justice, our love shall prompt us to the
ahiurcll to tlic faithful overcomers. exercise of mercy and forgiveness. And in thus exercising
The object of these tests is manifest from the time we mercy, we are again but copying divine love; for our Heavenly
cnmr to unllcrstnntl the divine plan of the ages-to compre- Father not only deals with all his creatures arcordlng to lus-
hrnd how the Lord is nnw making selection of a roval priest- tice, but going beyond the lines of justice, in great compassion
hoot1 to bc joint-llrirs with Cbrlst the grrat King, and t’o join and mercy he provided in Christ Jesus a Redeemer for sinners.
in the work of surrorin~, ruling, Ijlessing and uplifting the True, he did not provide this in violation of his justice; yet SO
world of mankind in God’s due time, the world’s “day of far as we are concerned it is iust the same as though out of
iudement.” the 1llllennial age. We can readilir see that divine love and compassion, he had overridden justice in our assis-
‘iaw-is ncceqsarv. in heaven”and in earth. in &der that God’s tance. Hence in our dealings with others, who like ourselves,
will may be tlbnc-that rigbtcousneas, truth and love shall are fallen and imperfect, we are to remember this feature and
prevail : and it is manifest that whoever is not sufficiently in not only be just toward them but additionally to be merciful,
symp:~tby with the principles of rightrousness cxpresscd in the generous. kind. even to the unthankful,-that
c. thus we may be
Lord’s rommandments. so as to will and to strive to obev children of our Father in heaven.
tbcm. would not be a fit person to be used of the Lord ih The Lord through the Prophet expresses this thought of
enforc.ing the divine laws’ durlnp the Millennial age. and how the law of love is divisihle and cnvcrs all the require-
asiiqtinn mankind in discerninn their righteousness and the ments of Christian character: he savs. “What doth the Lord
blcssing’whul~ will follow theil:‘obht,rvan;,~. require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy. and tc
WHAT ARE THESE COMMANDMENTS? walk humhlv with thv God?” (Micah 6.8) That these are
Properly, we inquire, What arc thcqc commandments, the very reasonable &quirements w~ill be conceded hy all; that
keeping of which is attended with such momentous results, and God could not require less from those whom he is educating
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for the future iudgmg of the world, is evident: and, vet. all Seeing the depths of our Lord’s requirements. manv will be I

three of these q~lai~t& specifietl thr&gh the Prophet,‘aie corn- inciinetl to say,.Ah. yes, it 1s true that WC must attain to
m-ehentied in the one word love. Love reauires that we shall such character-likeness of our Lortl. but that transformation
heal justly with our neighbors, with the’brethren, with our and renewing of the mind is not our part of the work but the
families, \yith ourselves; -that we shall seek to cultivate our Lord’s : He must do this for us, else it will never l)e done.
appreciation of the riehts of others,-their nhvsicai rinhts. Partly rigltt and partly wrong, we answer. It 1s true that
t&r moral and intellectual rights, their ilbe&&; and t’hat. when we consitler ourselves, how weak and imperfect \ve are
appreclatlng these, WC shall in no sense of the word, seek to arcording to the old nature, according to the flesh, we have
abridge or deny them. gnod cause for despalrmg and deciding that we never rould
r.lo “iorr mercv” is to go even bevond lovlnrr iustice, and accomplish such a great transformation from selfishness to
bignifies a delight in yielding person”a1 rights a”n;i privileges love, in our own strength. It is true. alho. that the Lorti
111 tile interest of others. where no nrmcioies I I
are involved. It proposes to work in us--“both to will And td tlo of his gnod
ltnplles readiness to for&ive the faults of others-a disinciina- pleasure.” (Phil. 2: 13) But it is just as true that WC have
tion to be too exacting ;n respect to others, as well as a desire a burden of responsibility in respect to this mattrr of over-
to be vcrv exactinrr in respect to our treatment of others. The coming. It is tile Lord’s” part to* provide the wav. the truth.
humble <Talk with-God is-included, also, in the commandment the life,-the means bv wltich we mav attain unio the condo-
of love; because, whoever loves his Creator anti appreciates his tion to which he has called us; but it is our part to ube the
I)rovlsions for his creatures, in natural and in spiritual means and thus to attain the prize.
&mgs, will love and appreciate God in return. And-having The Lord has provided for our lustification. our reconcilia-
su(~il a proper conception of the greatness of the Almighty and tion to himself, our arceptance to sonihip, our anointing with
of his own littleness and insufficiency, except by divine grace, the holy Spirit. our instructions with the word of his grace,
he wvlll be diqposed indeed, to walk humbly with the Lord-not the word of promise: He works in us. to ~111 and to do,
seeking paths of 111sown, but, truatinglv. seeking to walk in through these-exceeding great and preriouq promises and the
the pitI; wh~h the Lord has marked &&--in the footsteps of plorious prospects and rewards that attach to them: but the
Jesus. amount t-hat ‘he will work in us and the results that will be
The same Apostle John who recorded our Lord’s words of worked out through theqe promises, drpcnd upon us. As It
our text, commented further upon this subiect of the love of depended upon us whether or not we would come into the
(:cltl and of Christ ’ A “This ’ the love of grace whic& he has provitied for us, anti as we could have
Got1 12. e.. Droves or demo?zz!es our lovi’of Godl. that we kept ourselves out of the love of God bv refusinn or nerrlect-
kwp -his ’ commandments, and his commandments’ are not Ini the offer of his mercy and love, so*we rouldc neglect’ the
grit*vous. ” (1 John 5 :3) This gives us the suggestion that the w&d of his promise, neglect the various means of grace wh~$
Lottl not only expects us to keep his commandments of love to he provides for our strenethenine, establishinz and uubulid-
him and to the brethren, but that he expects also that in ing;n the knowledge and grace of %he truth. A&l thus n’eglect-
keeninn these we should hecome so filled with an annreciatiott i?g his provisions we would proportionately fail to abltle in
of thec‘commandments and the Drincipies that und’eiiie them, his love-fail to obtain the promised favors. The apostle
that we would dehght therein;- not merely because they are intimates this, saying:-
God’s commandments, but, additionally, because they are right, “KEEP YOURSELVES IN THE LOVE OF COD.“-JUDE 21.
good, proper. This thought the Apostle expresses in the words.
“And his comntantiments are not erievous.” It is one thing What then is the essense of what we have foregoing found
to keep the divine commands or to-seek to do so, all the whiii to be the divine instruction upon this subject? It is this.
freiin$ more or less of restraint, lack of liberty, compulsion, (1) Our hearts from the btlginning are to apprt’t+‘tt, ttte
duty, etc. ; it is another thing to obey joyfully. imperfections of our own flesh and to look away to the Lord
It is not imnroner to esnect something of this spirit at for the needed assistance to abide in his love.
the beginning of ‘WI; experience as the Lord% people, se&ring to (2) The exceeding great and precious promises must be
keep his commandments; but we should expect, also, that as studied, earnestly, thct ;ye may thbs have them con*tltute in
we 210~ in grace and erow in knowiedrre and prow in love, all us “the Dower of God” for good-keening us in the knowi-
the& feelin& of conr&aint, duty, et&, would disappear; so edge of t6e Lord and, throughYobedienr& i; his love.
that. in&ad. we should delipht to do the Lord’s will. delight (3) This knowledge will profit us only as \\e put it in
to l<erp his commandments Ef love, delight to do j&tly,Uto practice and seek to regulate our minds, our tltoughts, our
love mercy, to walk humbly with God-and that there should nerds, and 60 far as possible all our actions of life. accordinn
bc a total abscnre of the feeling‘: that the Lord’s command- to this standard whfch God, through his \Vord, rstnblishe;i
mt,nts 211e ~1 ievouq, ~JIlrdeliSome, Irksome. This is the higher bt*forc u? as an ideal IVc are to rrmrmbrr that If \\e hatl
(‘In I\tian dr\-t,lol)tliclit. anti can onlv bc found where the indi- ail ktiowl(~tljie yet had not love, it \\oiiltl I)1ofit us nothlnz,
but \\r sic ‘to &menibrr, also, that in thr tl;vinr nii;tngIt~nlt~;lt
it seems to be impn~sit)ir that nlir knclwlrtl_nr < sl~~~~il~iIrrocre<s
I
niuch in ntlvnncc of our nl)cdienre to 1, hat \I 1%.1lrc7ttly know.
(4) \Ve are to npprcrinte t’vrlv r\ Idcntac> 11Iric*li ~1r find,
in ourselves or others, of sucsh xtn\\ tlr 111cll~r(lit~nrc~to tlic Ia\\
of God.-the ln\v of love wit11 It- Conntxctlorts of 1llsticr anal
meI cv :~iici I everencc.

and \vr are to eyprct that ati wc conI(~ t 0 hnnw

Ianruage put l)y the Prophet Into ltis mouth, his ifxntlmrnt the Lnitl ant1 to under~tnntl his pl:~~i brttrr, tlrcs rT(‘. nf our
M’R 6, “I tleltpht to tlo thv will. C) tny Gtr~i. thy law is in my lJndcrst;tntiing will open thts witlcr so that it \lill 1~. poc.hJhle
heart.” (Psalm -20:s) \?e are to untier\tand the Lorrl, thcre- for u? not only “tn comprt~henti with all saints,” hilt to npljre-
fore, to mean, that 111 order to abide in his love we must reach caiatr with a.11 saints, the princip1t.q underlying and rnnstltut-
silch a heart contiitlon as this which lte hati;-a love for the incr the divine law of love.
Fat,her’s ways, for the principles of riglltcousne-s and truth. “Thus WC may daily ami hourly kprp ourselves in thca T,nrd’s
\Vc may abide in his lore at first untler other conditions. love hy obedience to, and a grow1n.g love for, the principles of
feeling ihrough our love the restraints of his commandment of rightcnusness. Anti WC are to rrlnicr in cvcry esperirncr in
love, but as we grow in knowledge, we muit grow in grace, life,-its trials, difficulties. sorrows. tlisappointment9, ctc , no
and outK:row those srntlments. and grow up into the Lord’s 1~s than in its 1,leasurrs. if bv anv or ail of these mean:: the
qplrit and sentiment in this matttr;cso thai ohetiience to the Lord shall instruct us anti give us rlearer in+ht into our own
Lord wtll be the tirlleht of our hearts. anti anv failure to do dcficBicncies, and a still rirarrr insight into that perf& law
111s~111 would cause a pain. a <hadow, an ear&born cloud, to of liberty and love which he has estnbli~hetl, and to which he
hide us from the Father’s smile. requires our full and loyal heart-suhtnission.
IV-18 [3021]
 COD’S SUPERVISION OF HIS PEOPLE AND HIS MESSAGE
ACTS 16:6-lFi.-Jor?~ 15.
“Thou shalt bs ?& witntws wsto all msn.“-Acts 22: 16.
For his second missionary tour Paul chose Silas for a com- Gentile believers. (Gal. 2 : 11) This is manifest also in hir
. The original plan was that he and Barnabas should letter to the Galatians, in which he most positively declares
l?glether again, but they disagreed respecting the suitability to those who had been Gentiles, that to them circumcision
of Mark to be their companion. The result was a division of was not an optional matter as with the Jew; but that if they
the work, Barnabas taking Mark, and revisiting the brethren should become circumcised it would imp17 that they were not
in the Island of Cyprus, while Paul went overland to the trusting wholly to the merit of Christ s sacrifice for their
churches of Galatia, probably visiting en route his home city of acceptance with God, their salvation; but were trustin par-
Tarsus. Apparently Silas, whose home was at Jerusalem, found tially to laws and ceremonies. His words to them are, F‘If ye
it necessary to go there to close up his affair!, before starting be circumcised, Christ shall nrofit vou nothing. . . . Christ
on the tour, and joined Paul later in Asia Minor. This infer- is become of no effect unto you, whoioever of y&r are justified
ence is based upon the fact that Luke, the historian, says by the law: ye are fallen from grwe.” (Gal. 5:2-4) Let us
“he” instead of “they,” at the beginning of Paul’s journey; likewise clearly distinguish between concessions in respect to
then uses the word “they” after Paul bad been joined by Silas forms, dress, ceremony, etc., which may properly be made to
and Timothy at Lystra, and finally uses the word “we” when the prejudice or ignorance of those about us, and concessions
he would include himself ;-Luke probably joining the com- of principles, which are not permissible to anyone under any
pany at Troas. circumstances.
The apostle’s journeys amongst the churches of Asia Minor, The journey through Galatia and Phrygia having been
nlanted in his previous tour, was for the purpose of their accomplished, the next question was respecting future labors,
&couragement, strengthening, advancement in knowledge and -other fields. The Apostle’s intention was to “go into [lesser]
incitement to growth in grace. Doubtless also the Apostle Asia”4he region in which subsequently the seven churchee
experienced refreshment from contact with these fruits of his of Asia were located. But for some reason this was not the
labor. At Lystra he found that the grace of God and the Lord’s plan at this time ; and so we read that they were pre-
knowledge of the Gospel had reached a considerable develop vented or forbidden (whichever way the word might be trans-
ment in a young man, probably about twenty-one years of age, lated) to preach the Word there. We are neither informed
named Timothy, whose father had been a Greek and his mother why nor how. The Lord possibly had some other agent or
a Jewess,- the latter at this time, according to the Greek better means or more favorable time for sending the word of
text, apparently a widow. his grace into that quarter, as well aa some other work for
Although devoutly raised, Timothy had never been circum- Paul and his company. As soon as the missionaries discerned
cised according to Jewish regulations, and when it was deter- the Lord’s leading in this respect they turned their attention
mined that he”should accompany Paul in his missionary work northward, to go into the province of Bythinia; but again the
the latter caused him to be circumcised. To some this has Lord’s spirit, power, influence, hindered their proposed plans.
seemed strangely inconsistent, in view of the fact that the So they passed onward to the coast-to Troas-doubtless won-
Apostle at the same time was calling to the attention of the dering at the Lord’s nrovidences. and sneculatinn as to whether
Christian brethren wherever he went the decision of the or no’t this meant that their work for-the pres&t was accom-
Council of Apostles et Jcrusalcm-to the effect that circum- plished, and that they should return homeward. It was at
cision was not necessary to Christian brotherhood. We are this iuncture that the Lord instructed them respecting their
reminded also that the Apostle would not consent to the cir- jou&ey, by means of a vision or dream in which Paul-saw a
cumcision of Titus, who was a Gentile. (Gal. 2:3) In view man dressed in the garb of Macedonia. standine before him.
of these things, why did he countenance the circumcision of and beseeching him, “saying, “Come over into I&acedonia and
Timothv? We answer that, properly understood, the Apostle’s help us!”
conduct was thoroughly con&stent ;- circumcision was no part In these verses we have three positive, distinct statements,
of the Mosaic law. but was instituted with Abraham centuries showing the Lord’s supervision of his cause and of his ser-
previous, and was intended as a mark or sign upon all the vants. And when we remember that our God changes not,
children of Abraham. The council at Jerusalem did not decide that he is the same yesterday, today and forever, it gives US
that no Jew must be circumcised thenceforth; but it did decide assurance that he is still careful and interested as ever in his
that circumcision should not be considered necessary to a work, and in the affairs of all his servants. It gives us assur-
Christian. The Apostle Paul’s own argument on this subject ance that the harvest work in the end of this age is not going
is most specific: he says, “In Jesus Christ neither circum- haphazard, as it extends hither and thither from one to an-
cision avnileth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith which other, by letter, by tract, by book, by word, to the uttermost
worketh by love.‘--Gal. 5 :6. parts of the earth. What a comfort there is for the Lord’s
The thought is that, being children of Abraham, according people in this. How completely overwhelmed we would be if
to the flesh, is not sufficient to make us new creatures in we were to lose sight of this fact, and feel the weight and
Christ Jesus; and therefore circumcision of the flesh will not burden of the responsibility of the work pressing us down!
accomplish this. As the new creature is received of God as a In proportion as we are able to exercise faith, trust in the
member of the body of Christ through a living faith, he must Lord in regard to the work, in that same proportion are we
as a new creature have the circumcision of the heart, in order enabled to-joy in the Lord -and to possess *the peace of God
to be a Spiritual Israelite, whether he was previously a Jew which nasseth all understandinn:-and to have it ruline in
or a Gentile. Circumcision of the heart signifies a cutting off our heirts, controlling our lives-and keeping us balanced,“not
-a separation from the flesh, its aims, hopes, desires, etc. We only regarding the things of this present time, but also con-
see, then. thnt there could be no objection to the circumcision cerning the glorious outcome,-things to come.
of Timothv-it would neither help nor hinder him spiritually, This faith is largely a matter of education, too; for in-
-if done’ with the clear understanding that it was only a stance, as we observe the Lord’s providential care, as taught
figure, and not the real circumcision which constituted Timothy us in this lesson and other lessons from his Word, we are
<amember of the body of Christ, the church. Timothy’s mother more and more enabled to apply the same ca.re and the same
being a Jew, he was a Jew,-cven tho his father had been a promises to ourselves. Nothing will calm our fears more than
Greek. And this fact becoming known to Jews in general with this, and enable us to be strong in the Lord and in the power
whom in traveling they would come in contact, inquiry might of his might; and in our contldence that he will. ultimately
be made as to whether or not he had been circumcised. If the brinn off his work victorious. “This is the victorv that over-
nnswer were No, the implicntion would IIA that he bad never comgth the world, even our faith.” “Lord, increase our faith.”
been a good Jew but a renegade. If tile ililSW?r were Prs, it The Apostle’s confidence in the Lord’s supervision of his work
would remove this olFtar*lc and grant him c~nrrespondiagly enabled him to read the lessons of his time, snd to act accord-
greater influence with them--n closer access to their hearts. ingly with full faith respecting the results. The Lord could
If there was one thing more than another characteristic of have directed him otherwise, and could direct us also other-
the Apostle Paul it was his honesty, his candor; and it is wise than as he does+ould speak to us audibly, if he chose.
necessarv that we should see his conduct in respect to Tim*
.I
We are, therefore, to presume that it is for some wise purpose
othv and Titus in the proper light, in order to do him justice; as concerns the develonment of our faith that he requires his
in order also to counteract a compromise spirit in some who followers to walk by faith,-not by sight and sound. -
consider that Paul’s course in this matter justifies them in As soon as the Lord’s guidance was recognized no time was
duplicity and compromising. It was in this perfectly legiti- lost, and matters in general seemed to co-operate for the iour-
mate way that Paul meant, “Unto the Jews I became as a Jew, ney’of the missionaries into Macedonia. They went direct to
that I might gain the Jews.” (1 Cor. 9:20) That he had no PhiliDDi the nrincinal citv in that vicinitv. ADDarentlV thep
thought of compromising the truth in any degree, is evident found no J&&h &ago&e there, but o&de ^the plqrb th&
from his withstanding of Peter on one occasion, when the found a spot on the river bank where services were customarily
latter to some exten: dissembled in dealing with Jew and held. This place is supposed to have been a temporary shed,
(173-174) [3022]
JUNE I, 1902 ZION’S WATCH
such as, it would appear, was not unusual where the numbers
were insufficient to erect a synagogue. It is possible, too, that
this city, being dnectly under the Roman government, pro-
hiblted synagogues within its walls.
LYe note the course of the apostles here, in the presenta-
tion of the gospel. They did not go to the chief magistrates
of the city and say, Please direct us to your most degraded
population, the wickedest people you have in this city, for we
wish to preach the gospel to them and reform them. On the
contrary, they evidently made inquiries respecting people who
already knew God, and reverenced and worshiped him; and
however small their number and unimposing their meeting
place, thither the Apostle and his companions went. He knew,
as many at the present time seem not to know, that God’s
~oork now is not that of reforming the world, is not a “slum
v-ox k,” but a seeking and gathering of the “jewels;“--a mis-
sion for those who are hungering and thirsting after right-
eousness;-a hunt for those whose hearts ale tender and
broken, and thelefole ready for the balm of Gilead, the gospel
message of redemption and deliverance from sin and its pen-
alty. 1Vbatever others may do, let us follow the Scriptural
precedents--let us be laborers together with God in his work;
the results will justify this course, when this age shall have
fully ended, and the things now hidden to so many shall be
revealed, and they shall learn that God’s ways were not their
ways, nor his plans their plans, but that his were higher,
broader, grander, as the heavens are higher than the earth-
t!lat his time for the reformation of the world is future, and
that the preseut is his time for selecting the kingdom class,
which shall bring about this reformation.
The text of the Apostle’s discourse is not given. We know.
nevel theless, quite distinctly what his message was. He had
only the one message; viz., that God’s promises made to Abra-
ham were begmning to be fulfilled; that Messiah. had come
and had paid the ransom-price for the world, as its sin-offering,
and that now forgiveness, recocciliation to God, and a privi-
lege of joint-heirsbip in the kingdom, was being offered, “to
the Jew first, and also to the Gentile;“-and that whosoever
accepted the call in honesty of heart, and was faithful to it,
would have not only the joy and peace of the Lord’s spirit
and blesblng m the present time, but also a share in the glory
to follow by and by.
In the audience was a woman from Thyatira, of the very
tlistrirt (Asia Minor) into which the Apostle was not per-
mitted to enter and nreach. She was in Philippi, probably
tempornrlly, engaged ‘In merchandising-a seller- -of purple-
perhaps of purple dyes, or possibly of purple-dyed cloth. Dye-
mg and dyes had not reached present development, and the
processes were generally secret, and profitable to those who
understood them. It is presumed, therefore, that Lydia was
well to do in this world’s goods, as well as rich toward God
in faith. Like the Apostle, she had sought out the place of
nrnver. and now the Lord had rewarded her and answered her
i,,a$er, by sending her the truth for which she had been hun-
Lperi& anh thirsting. She and some of her household believed
&d n&e promptly baptized in confession of their faith;-
possibly on this very Sabbath day in which she first heard.
Where the heart is in a condition of readiness, obelience
does not need to be delayed, nor does it require long to de-
VOL. XXIII ALLEGHENY, PA., JUNE
VIEWS FROM THE
THE UNREST IN RUSSIA
Under this heading the London “Spectator” (a very con-
srrvntive journal) gives further details of recent occurrences
and grounds for expectation that some sort of a revolution
in Russia is rather to be expected soon. It represents the
Czar as the helpless and unwilling tool of the Russinu no-
bility, and points out that the latter may feel forced to go to
war in order to awaken “patriotism,” and keep its hold on
the government. Evidently Russia will hold together as a
great nation for some time, for it seems indicated as one of
the leading actors, up to the close in the great time of trou-
ble impending. We give some extracts from the “S~ctator,”
(May 3) which go to show that the least enlightened of the
civilized peoples of the world is awakening and getting ready
for the great affray,-as follows:-
“Accounts of the unrest in Russia grow more serious.
It is stated that the sufferings of the peasantry in the South,
the most populous and richest division of the Empire, involve
actual hunger, and that in the provinces of Pultawa and Khar.
koff the peasants have proclaimed ‘war to the castle.’ Eighty
residences of landlords have been sacked, and the local offi-
[3023]
TOWER (175-179)
cide to be on the Lord’s side, and to be obedient to the voice
of the good message which he sends us. This attitude of
Lydia’s heart is not‘ed in the lesson, in the words, “whose
heart the Lord had opened.” We are not to suppose a miracle
wrought 111her case, to open her heart to the truth; we are
rather to suppose that it was in her case as it is in the case
of all tbe Lord’s people; that none are ready for the truth
unless the Lord has prepared their hearts. And 0, how much
this preparation of heart means!-ofteu trials, disappoint-
ments, difficulties,
etc.--the processes by which the Lord
breaks up and mellows and makes the sol1 of our hearts fit
for the receiving of his truth and grace. No doubt Lydia,
after receiving the truth, looked back at past experiences, se-
veIe ordeals, etc., and could praise God for the leadings of his
providence by which her heart had bern *‘broken” and humbled
and made ready for the seed of truth-leady to appreciate,
not only the good things which God hat11 in reservation for
them that love him, but ready also to apprcclalc his promised
watcli-care in their affairs m the present time, guaranteed to
aork out blessings to those w110 abide in his lore.
Having received the truth, and some of its joy, Lyc?in not
only confessed the Lord, but sought means to s~lre him. She
could not join the Apostle’s company as an evangelist of the
good tidings, but she could entertain and selve Paul and his
associates, and did so. No doubt she received more than com
pensation for the expense and trouble, in spiritual ri&s aud
refreshment ;-but nothing in the narrative implies that even
this laudable selfishness actuated her. Apparently her sole
desire was to serve the Lord, and she saw the opportunity for
this in rendering service to his representatives. She esteemed
it a privilege, and so esprcssed herself, saying, “If ye have
judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into mvI house
and abide.”
When we remember the Master’s own words. “He that re-
ceiveth you, receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth
him that sent me,” we can see that Lydia took no .- extreme
view of her privilege and opportunity iti connection with this
service. Her whole question was whether the Apostle and
his companions would honor her dwelling with their presence.
The same principle is true and applicable today, and conduct
similar to that of Lydia is always to be considered a favorable
sign indicating deep love for the Lord and for the good tidings.
The messengers of the good tidings must necessxrlly always be
associated in our minds with the message which they bear, and
the great King whom they represent.
Our Golden Text calls for just a wortl of comment. It
represents the Lord’s message to Paul. It can be untlclstood
only when we remember that up to that time God’s message
was not sent to all men, nor to all nations, but merely to the
men of one nation, the Jews. Henceforth it was open to all;
---to be delivered to all, as they might have ears to hear it.
This explanation will be found a key also for various other
Scriptures, referring to all people, all nations, and the prcach-
ing of the Gospel to them during the present age. It is to
and for as many as “have an ear to hear”-we are to let
such hear. Tho these will in all be but a “little flock,” get it
is the Father’s good pleasure to give to this little flock the
kingdom under which all the families of the earth shall be
blessed and brought to an accurate knowledge of the truth.-
Luke 12 : 32 ; 1 Tim. 2:4, Diaglott.
15, 1902
WATCH TOWER
cials are SO terrified that the Ministry of the Interior, i\f.
l’lehve, has gone himself to the disturbed districts to brace
up the bureaucracy. The artisans everywhere are clamoring
against their employers, who, poor people, find oldcrs so short
that they recently appealed for Government help, and circu-
lars have been discovered directed against the ‘foreign devils’
who as foremen and overseers try to execute the owners’
commands. The students have, it is said, circulated a forged
ukase bestowing the land on the peasantry, and the leaders of
the artisans have formulated their demands, which are the
ordinary demands of English workmen, with the significant
exception that they ask for a day of ten and a half hours.
It is reported, moreover, that the ‘moral tone’ of the non-
commissioned officers can only be trusted when they are peas-
ants, and that peasants of sufficient cultivation are not al-
ways in the ranks. Altogether, there is an ominous stirring
amo?g the dry bones, society In St. Petersburg and Moscow
is d:vlded, and there are furious dissensions among the group
around the Czar.
“The unrest is more serious even than we thought. . . . .
As far as we can ascertain, the case stands thus: There has
 ZION’S WATCH TOWER AZLEGHENY, PA.

been all over Southern Russia, where, be it remembered, the around this question and insist that at the next general con-
mass of Russian cultmatols have since the emancipation ference the present regulations and restrictions be removed”
elected to live, a fall in prices so serious that the peasant -Washington, (D. C.) Star.
cannot nay either his taxes or his debts, which neverthe-
SOCIAL EMANCIPATION LEADS NOT TO GODLINESS
less are-rglentlessly exacted.
“There have always been agitators in Russia, and just now We often hear of the prosperity of Australia, and of its
thev are verv numerous. the educated having convinced them- people being farther advanced along lines of social emanci-
sel;es that <hey must convert the cultivator; before anything patron than are others;-indeed, that in it the poor man’s
will be done to modify the system. They, therefore preach interests receive greater consideration than in any other land
insurrection as a panacea, and are holding out to the peasants on earth. A reasonable question is, To what extent are these
the hope that th-e land,. which they, like Irishmen; believe blessings working out spiritual advantages? The following
would belo,la to them zf riaht were done. will be restored bv article, sent US by a brother who resides there, and who en-
decree. They have even, ii a correspondent of the Morning dorsed the sentiments expressed, is from an Australian jour-
Post may be trusted, resorted to an expedient not without nal, the Northam Advertiser. It showe deolorablv immoral
preceded in Russian history, and have forged a ukase from conditions,-such as we must expect everywhere In propor-
the Czar bestowing the land upon them by what they them- tion as prosperity, short hours and idleness prevail. tivi-
selves regard as a suprfme fiat. dently that feature of the curse which declares, “ln the sweab
of thy face shalt thou eat bread,” was necessary to our race
“UKASE OF HIS MAJESTY THE EMPEROR NICHOLAS”
in its fallen condition.
“AIy grandfather now resting in Cod, the Emperor Xles- We could not hope that a Millennium of the kind gen-
ander, by abolishing serfdom gave you peasants liberty, and erallv wished for and esuectetl 1)~ the wo~ltl. would be a real
at the same time divided the land among you. The magnates blessmg. Our confidence inspired by God’s Word is, that
of the land, however, were discontented with this, and they when those blessings and releases which he has promised,
brought the land again into their nossession, and thus robbed come, the kingdom of God will be here in Dower: and that it
you.” The country yvhich, for a needy wage; you cultivate in will -enforce righteousness and a proper use of ‘the liberties
the sweat of your brows is your own land, and the corn in and blessings it will bring;-until all shall have had full
the barns of your oppres’ors is your corn. I love you, and opportunity to develop characters. Then whoever shall not
as I desire to be a Just Emperor I allow and command you have reached the place of loving rrghteousness and hating in-
to demand back your nroncrtv and to divide it among your-
” &-”
iquity, will be cut off in the second death.
selves as your legal possessions. If they refuse to gibe -it to The fact that present-day blessings are producing an in-
you neacenblv. then take it from them bv force. together with crease of crimes and a lowerinn of moral standards. 1s in full
‘the c’attle mU their stalls and the corn ih their’ barns.” accord with the Scriptural po%rayals of the ending of this
“In the peabant’s eyes this is simple justice, and he de- Gospel age.-2 Tim. 3: 13.
mands the land of the stewards, who, and not the landlords, The article follows :-
manage the e<tates. Being refused, and probably mocked, he “The increase of crime, not only in the State of Western
seizes any arms he can find, and proceeds to destroy the cha- Australia, but also all over Australasia, is a matter of deep
teau and its papers. . . . . If their feeling spread to the regret to the community as a whole and must cause those
Army the rataclyqm so long dreaded for Russia would have responsib!e for the moral and religious well-being of the
arrived, and the Empire 70 slowly and so strongly built would people profound pain as well as distress. Crime is rampant
be thrown into the crunblc.” everywhere, and the cases that are tried in our law courts
The same journal clscwhrre says :- only too plainly manifest the corruption of society and the
“THE UNREST OF THE CONTINENT” loss of moral influence in restrainma from vice. There is
“The dry bones are stirring on the Continent in a way no effect without its cause, and hence”the cause of the moral
which. even if the ultimate result should prove not to be decadence of our people should command careful and orudent I
great,’ should keenly interest all politicians. We write in inquiry.
& &

this cnuntrv about Continental ‘Socialists,’ and ‘Collectivists,’ “That our boasted civilization is only a sham it would
and ‘Rntl&s.’ and ‘riotmgs,’ but those familiar words do be idle to deny. The list of crimes which weeklv fill the
but ohsrure the great general movements actually going on. newspapers of the Commonwealth is only too direci proof of
Everywhere, except perhaps m Switzerland, those who work the low standards of our oeonle. sociallv and morallv. Vices
with their hands, including in all countries the agricultural that would disgrace pagans- are common amongst” us, and
laborerq, and in some a large section of the peasants besides, crimes that make us hang our heads with shame are com-
arc e\l)re\sing with violence three ideas; one that they are mitted with comparative impunity. Laws, both human and
ovc~rworketl, another that they ought to have, and therefore divine, are scouted and openly violated. ‘The principles of
will hnvr, mnre physical comfort m their daily lives, and a honor and good faith are ignored and ridiculed. Theft. em-
thirtl that they can alter neither toll or payment for toll bezzlement, -fraud, forgery<vithout mentioning more revolt-
until they become an effective force in the government of the ing crimes -are seemingly the appreciated pastime of a
country. The cause of tbr rapid growth of the first idea is numerous class that live and thrive in our midst. The guide
still obscure, for men who are not yet old can remember of conscience is apparently lost. People take oaths now-a-
when the government notion of the immense majority was that days without any reference to conscience. Moral responsi-
a working man when not eating or sleeping was hound to be bility is not generally recognized, and, as a consequence, our
at, work-a notion w!lich still rules throunhnut thp greater downward grade is yearly becoming more and more pro-
part of AsIn. \Ve fancy the change is one cbnsequence-of the nounced. Drunkenness, of course, 1s prevalent everywhere,
small modicum of etluc~ation which has at last filtered down and Bacchus is norshipped in every city, town, hamlet, or
to the bottom, but of the revolt against the traditional opin- camp in Austrnla~ia. Eucrssrve drmking, no doubt, loads to
ion thclre can be no doubt I\ hatever.” crime, but drunkenness will not account for the low state of
CONCESSIONS TO YOUNG PEOPLE civilization which is perceptibly ruining Australian society.
CIITCACO, April 25.-“If the clrrgy of the Methodist Epis- The cause whrch is effecting such dire calamities must have a
rnpal rhurrb csprrt to keep their young men and women in deeper depth than even drunkenness itself, baneful as that
the field, thev must do awav with their restrictions against vice is in its effects.
cart1 plnyin~,‘danrin,~ and nttmdnnce at the theaters. If they “No one can view the moral state of Australia without
arc not allowed to follow the dictates of their conscience thev” feelings of dismay. Christianitv. it cannot be sainsaid. is
will attend churches where they will be allowed to do so or fast losing its infI”uence, and in “its place we are &bstituting
they will not attend church at all.” a gross form of paganism, and being dominated by a corrod-
This, in substance, wnq thr declaration set forth at the ing system of infide1it.v which, if not arrested, will compass
dinner last night at thp Vninn TAeague Club, attended br sixty- the complete destruction of society. Crime in Australia is
five prominent Methodist ministers and laymen of Chicago. alarmingly on the increase, and if the friends and admirers
Thr prnpnqitinn received grneral discussion, in which Bishop of Christian civilization do not make a bold attempt at stem-
J. W. Hamilton. L. D. Condre and Robert Quavle- . took lead- ming the visible torrent of vice, there is a danger of their
ing partq. Mr. Qua>llc said :- being carried away in the fast approaching cataclysm of
“If we do not take active steps toward arousing interest shocking immorality.”
in the church on tbr part of our young men and women we
~1~~11stand alone in our old age; there will be none to take THE OF RITUALISM
PROGRESS
the hurtlcn from nnr shonldprs when we pass aw:~v If WC The New York 8~1s commenting on this subject, says:-
seek to hind thp vonng people damn too clnselv or draw too “On Easter Sunday the Washington Heights Baptist
tight a rpin we cannot hone’tn keep them with iis. church (New York) started the innovation of a vested choir
“I recommend that all Iarmen and clcr~vmrn to whom nf sixty vnircs, with casqock and cotta and the women wear-
the inter&a of the Methodist church are dear organize ing also mortar-board hats. That is, the vestments are the
[3024]
JUNE 15, 1902 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (181-182)

same as in Episcopal churches. The introduction of such a altar, with all its religious significance. This is, therefore,
choir into the Metropolitan Methodist Temple, a year ago, a serious innovation, scggestivg of a radical doct&nal trans:
proved so successful, apparently, that the example has been formatlon in the future. rye have seen how ritualism in
followed bv other Methotllst churches, one at Chicago having the Episcopal church has advanced to a bold teaching of the
come into ‘the line recently and conspicuously. - Real Presence.”
“This is verv suenrestive because the two Protestant On the same subject, endeavoring to solve the significance
churches which ih the”“past were always most distingulshed of the movement, the Zndependellt (N. Y.) says:-
by the extreme simplicity of their worship and their church “In our Roman Catholic and other sacramentarian
architecture, and were most violently opposed to anything churches the ritual grows out of the faith and can be thus
like mere estheticism in religious services, were the Bap- justified, but the new ritualism being adopted in our non-
tist and the Methodist. They were plain people, and all liturgical churches is of another order. It seems to have
worldly display in raiment and in social life, was eschewed two &ferent explanations. To some extent it may, as Pro-
by them. Methodists were enjoined by Wesley, in his ‘Gen- fessor Goldwin Smith latelv said. indicate ‘the growth of a
eral Rules,’ to ‘evidence their desire of salvation’ by refmin- vacuum In the region of Religious belief, which music, art,
ing from ‘putting on of gold and costly apparel.’ Like flowers, and pageantry are required to fill.’ Men and women
austerity of life was the Baptist rule, and the meeting houses who do not really believe very much yet want a quasl-re-
of both dcnommations were usually without steeples or any ligious sentimentality which can pass for religion. The
other marks of a distinctively ecclesiastical architecture.” form of godliness may be kept where its power is lost, and
“Will these ritualistic BaDtist and Methodist churches the form must be enlarged where the power is reduced. Even
stop with vested choirs merely! Will they not go on, natur- light may be ‘dimly religious’--very dimly-and music and
ally and logically, to the adoption of other features of the vested choirs and resnonres and all the succession of forms
liturgical churches they are imitating? 1Ve are likely to see may persuade one thai he has hat1 a religious hour, when it
the cross introduced, and perhaps the time will come when has only been quieting and soothing, and has marked the
the plain communion table will give place to a veritable loss of real faith and religious force.”

PRESBYTERIAN CREED REVISION

The Presbyterian General Assembly recently convened, in His providence IIe makes all things work together in the
in New York Citv. and has received and adopted the report fulfilment of His sovereign design and the mnnlfestntion of
of its Creed Revision Committee. All broad-minded thinkers Hir plor,v; wherefore, hu&bly acknowledging the mystery of
will sympathize with our Presbyterian friends in their en- this truth. we trust in His nrotectine CI care and set our hearts
I

deavor to hold to their 1Vestmlnstcr Confession of Faith as to do His n-ill.

an infallible dorurncnt, and yet to adopt an explanation of [l’hls sulrly is a wise statement which it would be difli-
it as a sunnlement. that will be more reasonable and that
L L
cult to improve upon.]
tlwv can confe+i with less twinging of conscience. We re-
Article IV.-Of the Creation
I0ic.c with thoqe who have some conscience left that can be
t\\Inptatl: the wonder is that after vears of stultification con- We believe that God is the Creator, Upholder, and Gov-
scit&c 19 not $0 toughcncd as to ‘be beyond twinging. ernor of all things; that He is above all His walks and in
Our them all; and that He made man in His own image, meet
bc<t ~isll for them. wnultl have been that thev had been still
more noble--that they had possessed consciences whoac twing- for fcllonship nit11 Him, free and able to choose between good
ing? would not have nllonctl them even to “enjoy the pleas- and evil, and forever responsible to his Maker and Lord.
UICS of sin for a scaqon”-the sin of misrepresenting the [We ran endorse this statement too: but wonder how the
divine character and plan and of misrepresenting their own large and growing number of evolutionists in the Presby-
hearts-for the sake of name and place and emoluments. terian denomination can endorse it without mental reserva-
Anyway, we are glad to note some of the changes now tions and twings of conscience. If Adam was created in God’s
made, though wp regret the dishonesty attaching to the whole image. was meet for companionship with him, and free, and
matter in the claim that the new creed is exactly the same capable of deciding his destiny by his actions, he surely was
as the old one, only differently stated. Ex-Prekitlent Lin- far ~emorrtl from being a monkeyman:-and surely, too, far
coln’s words should be remembered bv the Aqsemblv; viz., superior to his posterity tnday, all of whom arc sadly deficient
“You can fool all the people sometim+ and some” of the in the divine imngc and quahfications for companionship with
their Creator. 1’:ven the saints, with their much advantage
people all the time, but you can’t fool all the people all the
time.” every way, are still lacking in these respects, and are accepted
THE TEXT OF THE NEW CREED of God only on a basis of faith in their Redeemer.]
WI!give below the text of the revised creed with brief Article V.-Of the Sin of Man
comments on each division of it in brackets. Italics are We believe that our first parents, being tempted, chose
ours. evil. n r.J so fell awav from God and came under the Dower
Articla I.-Of God of sin, then penalty df which is etwnal death; and we’ con-
We believe in the ever-living God, who is a Spirit, and fess that, by reasnn of this disobedience, we and all men are
the Father of our spirits; infinite, eternal and unchangeable born with a sinful nature, that we have hrokcn God’s law, and
in His Being and perfections: the Lord Almighty, most that no man can be saved but by his grace.
ju\t in all tiis way;. most glorious in holiness,- unscarch- [This important truth is also well expressed. Eternal
able in wisdom and plenteous in mercv, full of love and com- death [cessation of life], not eternal dying, nor eternal life
pnqsinn. nnd abunda*;t in goodness a& truth. We worship in torment, is “the wages of sin.” (Rom. 6:23) Hence
Him, ITather, Son and Holy Ghost, three persons in one Jesus Christ “by the grace of God tasted death. for every
Godhentl. one in substance and equal in power and glory. man”-“poured out his soul unto death” for us.-Hcb. 2.0;
[Ke can assent to this fully except- the last s<nt<nce. Isa. Fi3: 12.1
which snace forbide us to reDlv to here: our showing of the Article VI.-Of the Grace of God
Scriptur’al tr:lrhing upon the’ subject of’ the Trinity ‘is to be r17p believe that God, out of Hiq great love for the worl~l,
found in Mzllcnnial Dawn, vol. V.] has rrirrn liis onlv berrntten Son to be the Savior of sinners,
and “in the gospel freely offers His all-su!licicnt Salrntlon
Article II.-Of Revelation to all men. -Anh tee p&me ZZltn for the tb?z.speuhb?e qtoce
We believe that God is revealed in nature, in history, whcwln lit hns providfd a way of etemal Ilfp for all nlaltl;ind.
and In the heart of man: that he has made gracious and [n’c are glad for this statement, that God’s love is for
clearer revelations of Himself to men of God nho spoke thp nllole world and not merrlv for the “elect” church: and
I

as they were moved by the Holy Spirit; and that Jesus that "all me11" are providd an “all-sufficient salvation.”
Christ, the Word made flesh, is thr brightness of the Fathrr’s Good! very good! It only remains to remember the Apostle’s
glory and the express image of His person. We gratefully word, “How shall they believe on him of whom they have not
rerelve the Holy Scriptures, given by inspiration to be the heard?” to prove that the “due time” for the majority of our
faithful record of God’s gracious revelations and the sure race to be saved, by acceptance of the only name given under
witness to Christ. as the Word of God, the only infallible heaven or amongst men, must be in the Millennium.-Acts
rule of faith and life. 4:12; 1 Tim. 2:6: Rom. 10.14.1
[We can endorse this statement heartily.] Article VII.-Of Election
Article III.-Of the Eternal Purpose We believe that God, from the beginning, in His own good
We believe that the eternal, wise, holy and loving pur- pleasure, gave to I-Ii3 Son a people, an innztmerable multitude,
pose of God embraces all events, so that while the freedom chosen in Christ unto holiness, service and salvation; we
of man is not taken away nor is God the author of sin, yet believe that all who come to years of discretion can receive
[3025]
(182-183) ZION’S WATCH TOWER ALLEGKENY. Pa.

this salvation only through faith and repentance: and we proper sense of perfest life. complete freedom from death.
believe that all who die i: infancy, and ill others- given by i&l the Millennfum is finished. it will be an age of uplift:
the Father to the Son. who are bevond the reach of the out- inn, or restitution. in which the revivifvine influences of the
ward means of grace,’ are regenergted and saved by Christ ‘%&es of life” anh the “river bf the Gate”r of life clear as
through the Spirit, who works when and where and how He crystal, proceeding out of the throne,” shall be for the non-
pleas& elect; for the world of mankind in general-all of these who
[This statement is the blindest and least satisfactory of wall may take of the water of life-freely and live forever;
all the Articles. It is God’s election. not man’s that is dls- while those who refuse those life opportunities will, as the
cussed; hence the word “innumerablk” here must be under- Apostle declares, “be destroyed from among the people.”
stood to mean that to God the “elect” are either not num- The “how” of this great work of God for the whole world
bered or beyond numeration or both. Surely this is incon- is further exolained bv our Lord: savine. of that future in-
sistent with divine foreknowledge and predestination,-wlth- vitation to tde symbolical trees oi life, &d the water of life
out which the word “elect” would be meaningless. On the which ~111 flow from the glorified hllllennial kingdom, “The
contrary, the S:riptures represent the elect as bemg, not only Spirit and the bride say Come. and let him that heareth say,
numerable but numbelrd and limitctl;--ln all a “httle flocnk. ’ Cbme ! And let him that is ‘athirst come. And whosoever
tile very reverse of lnnumelablr. In Revelatlon (14:1-5) th(, will, let him take the water of life freelv.” The election will
number of these “very elect” overcomers” is elven as 144,000; be bver and past then and the elect “will be the glorified
and in chap. 7:1-4 tge same ones are shown-as filling up the “bride” whose work it shall be, in unison with the Spirit
suecial election first ouened to Fleshlv Israel (Ram. 11 :i, of God, to invite the whole world to share God’s grace.
It-lo), and the same iumber is given: It is another class The “elect” are not the “bride” yet, but only-the chaste
altogether, not the “elect” “little flock” who shall inherit virgin esDoused to Christ and waiting on the Heavenlv Bride-
the kingdom. that is subseouentlv described as “a ereat multi- gro;m td make her, at his second coking his bride aid jomt-
tude which no man could iumber,” or whose numb& is known heir. Neither is there a “river of water of life” now flow-
to no man (Rev. 7:9) These latter never sit with the Lord 111~: hut merelv “wells of water sorinrrlne nn" in l11r “clt%‘t.”
in his throne as “joint-heirs,” but are “before the throne;” N&her is theie this general invit’atiol to “whosoever wills;”
neither are they thk temple of “living stones,” but are hon- for now the God of this world still blinds the eves and closes
ored in oermission to serve God in his tcmDle.-Rev. 7:9-1.5. the ears of all but the comparatively few;-deceiving nearly
The &fXculty with the theory of our dear Presbyterian the whole world. It will be after Satan shall be bound for
friends is that they misapply the election to salvation. True, the thousand vears. that he should deceive the nations no
the elect will all be saved, but thev are not elected to salvn- more, that the promised blessings upon the non-elect, who
tion. There is but one iround, ok condition on which any are now beine “oassed hv.” shall be fulfilled. Then all the
can now bc saved; namely, by faath attested by obedience blind eyes ah;11 ie openei’and all the deaf ears shall be un-
to the extent of abilitv. God ‘is not unjust that he should stopped.-Isa. 35 : 5.
make some short cut,” or easier condition for the “elect.” The Apostle Paul clearly shows that the “elect” are the
Rather. indeed. thoueh the standard of salvation now and “seed of Abraham”-Christ the head, his church the body.
forever’ must de the-same-perfect love-the holy Spirit 01 He declares also what is most obvious; namely, that the
disposition of the Redeemer-the non-elect, the world in gen- fulfilment of the promise to Abraham of which his “seed”
eral, will in their time of trial (the Millennium) have easier “the elect” are he’irs, is still futrlre; and that promise is,
condittons of attaining to the divine standard than have the “In thy seed shnll all thr famalaes of the enrth be blrssed.”
elect during this Gospel age. The “elect” are “the holy nation, the peculiar people, the
Our dear friends need to see that the divine plan has roval Driesthood.” called now to offer sacrifices that therebv
heights and depths, lengths and breadths which Brother thiy iay specially attest their loyalty to God and his righi-
Calvin and his associates never dreamed of; namely, that eousness and crystalize their character-likeness to their Re-
favor of God which thev obscurely refer to by saying that deemer. and thus be aualified to be the kines. Driests and
those “beyond the reach of outward means -of &a&, are judges’ of the world ‘during the Mlllenniu&-ihe world’s
regenerated
D
and saved bv Christ throueh
II
the Spirit who judgment day or trial day. Speaking of the “elect” the
works when and u:here and how he pleases.c”’ The \;orld as a Apostle asks, “Know ye not that the saints shall judge the
whole is now “beyond the reach of outward means of grace” world?“-1 Cor. 6 :2.
and there are no other; “for there is none other name un- The- “Elec*t” are tried, tested. judged, along a very “narrow
der heaven given among men whereby we must be saved.” wav”-of onnosition from the world. the flesh and the devil;
But when we beein to seek for “when” and “where” and the’ world’s’&ay of the Millennial ake & designated a “high-
“710~” the spirit 02 God will work for the world’s reclamation way” of holiness, free from stumbling stones so that the
we find it ail clearly stated in the Scriptures. wavfarer through unsonhisticated need not err therrin. (Isa.
The Aoostle savs that God’s grace in Christ for all shall 35 IS, 9 ; 5 :27)- The path of the “elect” is a dark way, a
be “testified in due’ time.” ( 1 Tii. 2:6) The Prophet points nieht time. in which thev need constantlv the Word of their
us to the Millennium as that due time, and assures us that L&d as a ‘“Zamn to the;; feet ;” the pat; of the non-elect in
then the knowledge of the Lord shall fill the whole earth as the Millennium will be radiant because the Sun of Righteous-
the waters cover the great deep;-and then there shall be no ness shall arise with healine in his beams and drive away
longer need to “teach every man his nei hbor and every man completely the darkness whi& now covers the earth, and tkk
his brother, saymg, Know thou the Lor If ! for all shall know gross darkness which covers the people-drive away the
me from the &a& of them unto the greatest of them saith miasma of sin. error. ipnorance. preiudice. selfishness, etc.
the Lord.” (Isa. 11:9 : Jer. 31:34) The Apostle Peter de- Ah yes! the eject rniy -rejoice ‘w&h “the ]irophet saying,-
clares that tilis grand ‘and universal “refreshing from the “Weenine mav endure for the nieht.-iov cometh in the
presence of the Lord,” shall come at odr Lord’s second ad- morni;lg?--Pia. 30 : 5.
vent which shall be followed bv “times of restitution of all “The elect” who now during this Gospel night of sin and
things which God hath spoken “by the mouth of all his holy ignorance are to be “burning-and shining liihts,” and are
prophets since the world began:” St. Peter tells us just exhorted not to hide their lights under a bushel, but to set
“how” IIllmanitv lq them to 1,~ bles+d ; *aging, “For Mosc>~ them upon candlesticks-to let the light shine out to the
truly said unto* the fathers [not fulfilled in Peter’s day nor extent of their abi1it.y and thus to glorify their Father in
since. but as sure as God’s Wordl. ‘A Drophet shall the Lord heaven-are all to come together by and by, are all to be
your ‘God raise up unto you of your biethren, like unto me; changed from human to spi& beings, like tKe Redeemer, and
him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto then thev with him shall constitute the great Sun of Rieht-
vou. And it shall come to pass that every soul which will eousness”whose shining is to bring so grist blessings to -the
hot hear [heed, obey] that Prophet, shall be destroyed from world. See the Lord’s own statement of this: The wheat
among the people’-second death-Acts 3 : 19-23. are the children of God-“children of the kingdom;” . . .
Our Lord himself tells “how” his grace will work or During this Gospel age wheat and tares-true saints, the
operate bv and by, at his second advent. _ His words are “All “elect,” and mere professors, the tares-are to grow together
that are ‘in the eraves shall hear his voice and shall come until the end or harvest of the age. . . . Then the wheat are
forth; they that‘have done good [the faithful, the “elect”1 to be garnered and “shine forth as the Sun in the kingdom
unto resurrection of life [the First Resurrection-“they shall of their Father.“-M.&t. 13 :43.
be Driests of God and of Christ and shall reign on the earth. If all who pray “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on
--R’ev. 20:6] ; and they that have done evil [shall come forth1 earth as it is done in heaven,” could see that God’s great
unto resurrection bv iudements.” (See Revised Version.) plan for the world’s salvation is as yet only beginning, that
Jno. 5:28, 29. This” r&&;ection then is the hope of all ex- it will not properly begin until the Millennial Kingdom of
cept the saints, the elect. When they come forth from the Christ comes, then they would be prepared to see clearly that
tomb during the Millennium thev will not be fullv alive. for during this Gospel age God is merely selecting or electing
full life m>ans perfection. N&e will Zice agiin in ‘that from among men the kingdom class, and fitting and preparing
130261
JUNE 15, 1902 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (184-185)

them for their grand and elorious service as the world’s mis- shall convince or convict the world of sin, of righteousness
sionaries-prophets or te;hers ; priests, or helpers ; kings, and of a coming of judgment or judicial recompense. Space
or rulers; judges, or disciplinarians. From this standpomt here does not permit of a full discussion of this great theme:
the doctrine of election is grand indeed, but from no other we refer our readers to “The At-one-ment between God and
standpoint.] Man”-Vol. V., of iliillenniai Dawn, chapters ~VIII-XI.1
Article VIII.-Of Our Lord Jesus Christ Article XI.-Of the New Birth and the New Life
We believe in and confess the Lord Jesus Christ, the We believe that the Holy Spirit only is the author and
only Mediator between God and man, who, bemg the Eter- source of new birth; we rejoice in the new life, wherein
nal Son of God. for us men and for our salvation, became He is given unto us as the seal of sonship in Christ, and
truly man, being conceived by the Holy Ghost and. born of keeps loving fellowship with us, helps us in our infirmities,
the Virgin Mary, without sin; unto us He has revealed the purges us from our faults and ever continues His trans-
Father, by His Word and spirit making known the perfect forming work in us until we are perfected in the likeness of
will of God; for us He fulfilled all righteousness and satisfied Christ, in the glory of the life to come.
eternal justice, offering Hamself a perfect sacrtfice upon the [This peculiar statement is confusing however it he read.
cross to take away the szn of the world; for us He rose from There is no Scriptural declaration that <he Holy Spirit is our
the dead and ascended into heaven. where He ever intercedes father but rather that the Father begot us by his holy Spirit
for us, zn our hearts, joined to him by faith, He ever abides to newness of life-to be new creatures in Christ Jesus, ner-
forever as the indwelling Christ, over us, and over all for us, fected in the First Resurrection. If this is the though{ of
He rules; wherefore, unto Him we render love, obedience the first sentence it is Biblical. otherwise not. With the re-
and adoration as our. Prophet, Priest and King, forever. mainder we must be in hearty ‘agreement.]
rThis is a snlendid confession of the truth whose Scrin-
turalness rejoic& us. We would have preferred a little Article XII.-Of the Resurrection and the Lile to Come
clearer and fuller expression than “He ever intercedes for US We believe that in the life to come the spirits of the
in our hearts.” It is true in an indirect sense that the spirit just, at death made free from sin, enjoy immediate com-
of Christ in our hearts intercedes for holiness as against the munion with God and the vision of His glory; and we con-
weaknesses of the flesh: we prefer to suppose that the comma fidently look for the general resurrection in the last day,
after hearts is a typographical error and should be omitted, when the bodies of those who sleep in Christ shall be fashioned
thus expressing the- &riptural thought that our Redeemer in the likeness of the glorious body of their Lord, with whom
“maketh intercession for us” with the Father. This omits they shall live and reign forever.
the old and erroneous thought of intercession expressed by the [This statement emphasizes the general ronfusion of
hymn : - thought on this subject prevalent in aly denominations. Our
“Five bleeding wounds he bears fleshlv bodies are continuallv Y charming--science Y u
declares that
Received on Calvary ; a complete change is effected about every seven years. It
They pour effectual prayers, seems very absurd to think that the last atoms of matter
They intercede for me; were any better than those previouslv slouahed off. or that
For&e him, oh forgive! they cry, any other “dust” for resurr&tion purposes, -when it’ must be
Nor let the ransomed sinner die.” confessed that divine power is the all-essential of resurrection,
anyway. It is peculiar reasoning, too, that urges that Adam
No; the thought is that having paid to Justice the ransom and Abraham and David and Paul have been in heaven for
price for the sins of the whole world he has ascended to the centuries in perfect bliss without bodies, and even to claim
Father and is there ready to apply of his merit to the cover- that death set them free, and then to speak of “the hope of
ing of our share in Adamic condemnation, and also for our the resurrection” of their bodies, at the last day. If they
unwilled sins present and future, the results of Adamic were imprisoned while in them and if thev are sunremelv
weaknesses and denravitv. His entire work is one of inter- happy without them, the doctrine of resurrection asLa hope
cession,-now for ‘his ihurch, the household of faith, the is absurd. And if thev needed the molecules of dust to make
anti-typical Levites, and by and by for all the people-all them still happier than they are why should God delay the
who when the knowledge and opportunity are granted will matter until the last da?/?
desire to come unto the Father by Him. Intercede signifies The fact is that all this ahsurditv belongs to a misundcr-
ao-between : our Lord Jesus became the Mediator of the New standing of the grand doctrine of r&urre&on taught in the
Covenant and thus the “go-between” who took the responsi- Bible. The Bible does not teach a resurrection of the body,
bilities of the sinner Adam (and his race) and naid to hut of the so&. It declares “The [being] that sinneth it
Justice the price and now stands ready to apply the be’nefit of shall die.” (Ezek. 18:4, 20) It declares that because of
his sacrifice to all who will accept it upon *New Covenant sin all souls die, and that to redeem our souls our Lord
terms.] became a man, a human soul, or being, and “poured out his
Article IX.-Of Faith and Repentance soul unto death,” “made his soul an offrrin-n for sin.” (Isa.
We believe that God pardons our sins and accepts us as 53 :lO, 12) The Bible further shows that i”t was our Lord’s
righteous solelv on the ground of the perfect obedience and soul that was resurrected on the third day, “His soul was
sacrifice of Christ, received bv faith alone; and that this not left in hades”-the death-state. (Acts 2:27) So. also
saving faith is alwavs accomdlished bv renentance. wherein the Apostle treats the subject, declaring, “Zt [t&e sdul or
we confess and forsake our sins with” full purpose of and being1</- is sown Tin death1 in weakness: at Ithe soul1 is
endeavor after, a new obedience to God. raised in power.“. In the resurrection Go’d giveth it a -body
[Another exrellent statement to which we can give our as it hnth pleased him.-1 Cor. 15 :43, 38.
heartiest assent.] Our word souE signifies “sentient being,” a cessation of
Article X.-Of the Holy Spirit which we call death. The Adamic sentence was death, which
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of would have been the final end of us all but for the redemp-
life, who moves evervwhcre upon the hearts of men, to re- tive work of Christ. That redcmntivc work IS not vet com-
strain them from evil and to incite them unto good. and pleted-the price has been paid, but the recovrry of “man out
whom the Father is ever willing to give unto all- who ask of death awaits the time appointed of the Father. Mean-
Him. We believe that He has spoken by holy men of God time the dead are no longer thought of nor spoken of as
in making known His truth to men for their salvation; that, dead (extinct) by God who purposes their rrsurrcction, the
through our Exalted Savior, He was sent forth in power resuscitation of their beings, or souls; hence the frrqucnt. II~C
to convict the world of sin, to enlighten men’s minds in the in the Scriptures of the very word uicd hy the erred-revisers
knowledge of Christ, and to persuade and enable them to in the ahove article; namelv, “sZcep,” when rrferring to the
ohev the call of the posnel: and that He abides with the dead.-“Them also which sleep in Jesus.” (1 Thes. 4:14)
church, dwelling in every’believer as the spirit of truth, of “We shall not all sleep, but we shall all he changed.” (1 Cor.
holiness and of comfort. 15:51) “Whether we wake or sleep.” (1 Thes. 5: 10) “He
[This is a most peculiar statement and quite unscrip- saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus slccpeth; but I go that
tural. The I’criptures do mention the holy spirit or power I may awake him out of sleep. . . . Then said Jesus unto
of Gnd moving or acting upon the waters during the creative them plainly [coming down to their comprehension] Lazarus
period (Grn. 1:2) ; and they also speak of its moving holy is dead.” John ll:ll, 14) “The maid is not dead, but
men of old to speak and to write divine messages (2 Pet. sleepeth.” (Mat. 9:24) “David after he had served his own
1:21) ; and thev also sneak of its operation U~OA the church, generation by the will of God, fell on sleep.” “David is not
the elect, but nowhere is it said to ‘be imparted to any other ascended into the heavens.” (Acts 2:34; 13:36) Martyr
than God’s consecrated children. It shall be in ~JOU. the Stephen “cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to
church, as God’s power, witness and anointing, and-t1~roug.h their charge. And when he had said this he fell asleep.”
its operation in you, through your words and conduct, it (Acts 7 :60) Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, etc., good and bad
l See June 15, 1919, issue for critical examination of Covenants. “slept with their fathers.”
C30271
ClSS-186) ZION’S WATCH TOWER ALLEGHENY. Pa.

The Revision Committee’s statement, is in harmony with self, from the prison-house of death in which thev sleen.
the above when it, speaks not of the bodies sleeping ind be- “iour life is hih w1t.h Christ in God [in divine po&er a;d
Inp anakenetl at th(b last dav. but refers to “the bodies of promise] ; when Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then
th‘hse 11ho sleep (1~ Chnst.” d;t if they sleep in Christ wait- shall we also appear with him in glory.“-Cal. 3 :3, 4.
III:: for their bodies, how can it be also true that “they enjoy The glad welcome of the Lord’s-se&d advent,, so notice-
~l~~mt~diate communion ~1lth God and the vision of his glory”? able in the New Testament. is not found renerallv amone
110 the Re\lzers \\ISII l15 to understand that the holy dead Christians of today for two ‘reasons; one, we” have j&t me;
(11(“~III or tllnt thcsy are somnambulists? tioned ; the other is because of false views respectmg the
‘1’11~ Scripture proposition is clearly stated, “The dead judgment our Lord crimes to perform. When father Adam
hno\: ilot alivtlling.“ “111~ sons come to honor and they kno\\ iras in IMcn he cxpericnrctd hii firbt trial or judgment, and
it ilot. to tlislionor ant1 tlicxv perceive it not, of them:” “for for disnbed~cnce he was condemned to death-a sentence which
111spo~tr~lty hns shared. dying mentally, morally and phy-
~lc~:~lly----i~g1onI1Jng crcntlon under divine scntrnce or curse.
Wb:it wol11tt Adam and all of his children specmlly desire
of t,lie I,ortl‘!
Their pra!.rr n ould surely be: Lord, that we might have
1111111 xrarcq hl~all llrar 1119 voice and Gome forth”--the ap- illl(ltll(‘l tt Ial. nnotbcar jlltlgnient ;-peradvcnturc our cxperi-
I)1I)\ I?1 tllcb %I&” to the liie-rtsurrcction. n111! the Il3l~iJ- rnt t s w:tll sin may lr:lvr taught us such lcqions th:lt we
LIC;;‘~tl \\OJ It1 in g’.n(‘r”l to tbc judg’nent-reiur1ect~on.-Jol;!l \vt111lJ br fnl!y obc~tlic~nt hereafter and abide forever 111 thv
-1 “s , 94)
- . f:lvor. l!nt. tile Lord’s \Ynrd ashurt’s that 1x-e could not suE-
Artxlo XIII ---Of the Law of God ctlrtl if grantrtl another trial under similar contlitlnnr: be-
WC 1~~11c~~c~ tll:tt tl:c 1;rw of God revcnlell in the Ten c’.\ll\e wr, :~lthou~b rxpcrient*ctl now. arc’ fallcan anti Imprrfcct,
~‘clllll,l‘nltllllc~llt~, antI mor(’ rlenlly disclosed III the words of ant1 cannot (10 thts tluncrs which wc would wiqh to do. Furtbcr-
(‘III ict. is forcvc>r c~5tnlJlihhc~l in truth arltl eqaitv. so that no more. he Shows us thnd justice is the foundation of his throne
hllJ:l:ln uork .11,Ill ;1111tlr cJxc*c*pt lt 1~ biiilt onAtlils’ fonnd:itiun. ant1 that having derlarrd us sentenced to death he cannot
WC lic,lit~vt~ tllat, (ioti rtquires of every man to do justly, to Justly rcvokr hi9 own scntenre.
IOV~~III~J CT. anti to walk humbly with his God; and that only l’hcsn, \rhile we wonder and despair, the I,ortl reveals to
throrlph this hnrmonv with the will of God shall be fulfilled us his plan for our salvation, wonderful in its complete-
tll:lt ii1 c,tllt~I 11oo(l ot -man Mherein the kingdom of God is to ness. (1) He provided for our rcdcm~~tion bv the death of
lw 1ll:Ltic Jll;lnlfcqt. lllq Son who todk Adam’s place, and &y rpde’eming him re-
I .\n c,sccllent stntcrnent: but it, might have been imnroved tlrcmt~d all of 111s race who lost in hiq failure. ‘rllll~ God
JII ;,ur jntl~nicnt. by a tltclaration ihowing that the’ Law bhows us his law and justice inviolate. Nor was this effected
(‘OIYUQ)~~ nlntle with Israel of mhlch the T& Commandments bg an injustice to his Son, whose full consent was first se-
\\ :IS tbth I~slr, Iins given place to the P;ew Covenant, mediated rured hy “the joy that was srt before him.” (I-Id1 12 9) The
lry C’llriyt and bacetl upon an ability-obedience to its basic obedient Son has been abundantly rewarded-“God also bath
law of love.] hirrhlv exalted and given him a name above evervI name.“--
ArtMe XIV.-Of the Church and the Sacraments Piiil. ” 2 : 9.
\\-c bclit~vc in tbc holy catholic church of \vh!ch Christ But why this redemption of Adam and his race? What
is the only licnd. Lt’e believe that the church invisible con- is its ultimate object? We answer that it is God’s response
and that the church visible em- to the 6000 years’ prayer of our race;-Lord that we might
sist of all the rttlrcmetl, have another trial or iud,ment. God nronoses to answer that
brnccnq all who profess the true religion together with their prayer in a better wiy ihan any exceptL himself could have
chiltlrc~n. 1\‘e receive to our communion all who confess
an11 obry Christ, as their divine Lord and Savior, and we devised,-as he declares : “My thoughts are not your thoughts,
holtl fellowship with all believers in Him. neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord; for as the
\\‘r believe tbc sncramcnts of baptism and the Lord’s heavens are higher than the earth so are my ways higher
hilpp(*r, :I~OJIC divinrly established and committed to the than your ways and my plans higher than your plans.“-Isa.
55!8 9.
chn~c~h. tnerther with the Word as means of grace; made ----3 -.

tafl’(*(*tllai n;llv by the Holy Spirit, and always to be used by Foreseeing that fallen man could not obey the divine law,
(‘brirtianx with prayer and praise to God. which requires the full measure of a perfect man’s ability,
[Herr wr have another excellent statement seemingly God has *not only redeemed our race, ‘but proposes also in
full of hrendth and liberty m Christ; but it can be interpreted “due time” to establish the Redeemer as the Kinr! over all
n.lrrowlv rnougrh : and vast e?rDeriencrs and our general the earth, to rule and judge and regulate the morld. and
Icn~,nlc~~~geof h;lmnn natuie lead ;q t,o fear that it, wrll gen- bring order out, of present confusion and darkncqs and sin,
t~l:111y bta given this narrow interpretation; viz., to make the and by corrcc*tions in rightrnu~nt~~q cradunllv to raise men
\vortls “ollr rnmniilnion,” i. c., our fellowship, to mean those ll?, up, up, to perfection and the divine likcnesq in heart.
This tim? of resurrection. also called the “times of rcatitu-
only who will bcnrtily and honestly accept -the Westminster
Confession of Faith ant1 accent these articles, foregoing, as tion.” is to be the world’s “day of judgment,” in which each
n later stntcincnt of the snmc meaning.
L

Ani who- bvcthus member of Adam’s fallen race, redeemed by the precious blood,
ioininrr 0~9 c*hurrh and who bv thus corn& behiid our shall taste of divine mercy and have the fullest opportunity
that could be reasonably asked for re-attaining all that was
rrrrd:ll ftnrc srparntr5 hinisclf * from all o&r Christians lost in Adam: and meantime for developing <urh characters
wo will fcllow~hlp. as would br fully approved by God as would bc fnllV ap-
J~‘I> 23~1 (xc tlt:lt tbcrc is bllt one c*burcb inviqihlc. and one
rllllrrh v‘islf)lv: I)lIt nlly t?lcn !l.lvc diffrrcnt brands. dlffcrent provrd bp Got1 as fit for the (~zft of God--everln\tinz life
“cnmmnninn~ .“-nrnft~sctllv tlitrcrcnt “bodies” of Christ? tbrongh Jesus Christ our Lord:-all others, failing under
ITTt~itx 0lIr T.ortl or llis Bpo’tlrq T’rr<hytrrJ:ln< or ntll,Lr wr-
those favorable conditions being re-condemned.-judged
t:Jli:rJIi? Ant1 if not, haye \rc any Sciiptiiral authority for worthy of the second death from which there will be no
snch di\ irions \\bicli scl>.lr:l ttx the nlrml~crc of tbr botlv of recovery
This is the Lnrtl’s declaration: “God hath appointed a
Christ 7 W11v not COIIJC bllt of all srrts :Jntl rierdq and &ml
rlav r“Onr dnv with thr Lord is as a 1000 years.“-11 Pet.
tocrc>tbrr as :It firit, 01) tbc one foundntinn. tbnt Christ died :1 81 -in the wh~t*ll hr wili jIItlyr [grant trini to] the world
fo; ollr sin? anI1 rn;c :q.lin for ollr jnstilir.ltinn, and that all in righteousness reqnity] by that man whom he bath [aforel
50 arcrptinz Iii< \\ork :Intl frilly ronsccrnting themselves t0
ordained [the Christ] ; whereof he hath given assurance
111~~ to tit, Iii-. will ron4fitnir 7~7sc7cct church?1 r?rnund for hnnrl unto all men. in that he hath raised him
Article XV.-Of the Last Judgment ilq>ln the dcnti ‘ (:4ctq 17.31 ) I’hiq is thr “rpqurrrction hy
We believe that thr Lord ,TCRIIS Christ will conic again judgment” to which our I,nrci rt,fcrs. (.Tohn 5329) No
in glorioiis majrqty to judge thr norltl ant1 to malie :I final wonder then that the prophet Davitl rejoiced so in the pros-
sc~p:lration l)cat\rcc>n tllcs rightrons and the wicked. The prct of the wnrld’s coming judgment day; saying (1 Chron.
~lckrd qhnll rercirr the eternal award of their sins and 16:31-34) :-
the Lord will manifest the glory of His mcrrp in the salva- “Let the heavens be glad,
tion of ITiq proplr and their entrance upon the full enjoy- Snd let the earth rejoice;
ment of eternal lifr. And let men snv among the nations, Jehovah rcigneth.
IWO are clad to note this arknowledyrment of faith in T,et the sea roar, and “-ihe fulness thereof: -
(>ur‘I,ord’s s&nnd coming. so prominently- taught throu,qhout T,et. the firlds reioire. and all that is therein.
thr Bible. Could these dear friends cet a more cnrrect view Then shall the trees of the wood sing out
of the resurrection thcv would see that our Lord’s coming At the preqenre of Jehovah,
is :>s the T,ifr-girrr: anh that none of hi4 redeemed can enter llccu~tsc Ilc Cometh
into hfc rtcrnal until he come4 to receive them unto him- To Jtrtlge the Earth!
[3028]
JUNE 15, 1902 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (187-188)

0 give thanks unto Jehovah; for he is good; kingdom of our God and of His Christ. In this faith we
For his mercy endureth forever!” abide ; m this service we labor, and in this hope we pray.
Does someone inquire why the Day of .Judgment should Even so, come Lord Jesus.
be put off-why it dud not b&n at once, as soon as the sacri- [iYe are specially glad that the two Scripture citationr
fire of Calvary \~a+ finlshetl” IYe answer, that Got1 hath ap- we have ital~cizetl have been made prominent m the Revised
pointed a day-the seventh or last day of the week for this Confession. These may assist some to see that the election
judgment-the world’s great Sabbath of rest after the 6000 of the church is for the purpose of bringing the whole world
?ea& of sin and death, and that 1s sufficient. But we axe to a knon~letlge of the tiuth I; order to tfieireverla$tlng salva-
glad to WC ju>t why our Father so “appointed;” viz., be- tion. If it w;1< the thought of the ltc>visera that the church
cause in the Interim hr designed the calling and perfectmg in her pirscnt condition can accomplish this, let them lcflcet
of the church. the haints. the “elect.” to be ioint-heirs with that ninclteen cc~ntulies have nrcomphshed little for the WOIId
the Retlcv~ittel and shai e l;is glofy and work--i;is ruling, Judg- in yencr,il 1n the matter of knowledge of the Lord. Ixt them
ing and I)lrhilng of all the families of the earth. rtfiect, too, tllat even in this day oi‘ missionary effort. statlr-
For fuitllel discussion of this subject me must refer ou1 tics she\\ that the \\hole annual cli,~rcli increase inclutllnrr xl1
rentlt,rs to .lfille~cr~~ctl Daum, Vol. l., Chap. 51. even nominally Chli5tliins, is less prvpo’ tlomtel!/ th:tii” the
Artlclo XVI.-Of ChrIstian Service and the Final Trinmph natuial inc1rasv of tlic human farnilS ; so that if the liopc er-
\\.e l)ellc~ve that it is our duty, as servants and filentls prcssc~tl, that the kinctloins of this xvorltl 11111l*come tile kin::-
of Chi iht. to tlo gout1 unto all nicn, to ninintaln the public ;loms of our TAoid, illeiim a hope of converting the \\orlrl, .~t
ant1 ~ttlv~lte nolsltlp of (:od, to hallow the Lord’s day, to is a blind and baseless one. Tllc S~~liptnlal thollght, a~
n~e~rrc’ the sanctitv of the familv, to uphold the just au- shown by old NSS.. i5 cliiitr a tlitfcrcnt onr; namclv. tliat tllcl
ihoritv of the rtntr,*and so to lire’in all honesty, purity and doniinion of this world Tis to1 brcomc the tlomlnlon of Got1
charit’v thnt our lives shall testlfv of Christ. \Ve iovfully and of llis Christ. If tllc entile \\olItl \\rro broncht into
reccivL the Kord of Christ, bitldi;lg His people go into ail the contlition of eai th’s best kin~tloni5 it wnuld st;ll le.ivfs
the world ant1 make tllsciplcs of all nations, and declare unto much. oh ! so much. to be tlrsii cat1 ant1 nr:i) cltl for-“Tllv
thcnl that (;otl 1,US NIL Chrzst reconcll~~tq the u orld unto Him- kingdom conic ; tlty will bc done on calth- a~’ it, iq tlonca 111
self, and that llc ~111 haw a11 men to- bc saved UMZ to come llf3lrm.“ llrnre wtx pray this l)l”yer, ant1 e\l”‘ct ant1 patWIlt-
to the Lnorc-Idgc of the truth. We confidently trust that by ly wait foi that kingdom which will now specdlly Ix, inti o-
Hi? po\\(~l and grace all His enctmies and ours shall be finally ducctl by “a timf of tioublr su(ah as was not since there \\a-
ovc1come, and tile kingdoms of this wolld shall be made the a nation.” “Even so, Come, T,oI d .Jc~lii.“]

LET US PUT ON THE ARMOR OF LIGHT

Roar. 13 :8-l&---JUNE 22.
“Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the avwor of light.”
Kot the natriral man. but the now creature, 1s atldlessed
in this lesson. The natural man is a bundle of selfislrnes+-
pei sonal selti4inc5+-family selfishness-sect and pnrty hrlf-
ixhnezy-clan ant1 natiomtl selfishness. True, the organs of Tiue, sonic argument+ nlay be mntle on the other side of
the br;rm reprtc;enting love are not wholly lacking in any the proposition, but theic are not lo1 11s; \I(’ 11:ttl 110 c*lalm~.
mcmbc~r of the race, and so far as they exist may be reckoned we had no rlchrs, we hnd nothing unt,il we had a being. \\‘e
as repre\entatives of the original mental image of God, in might perh,>ps wish that our parent< itligllt have bccln more
which man \\ as created. But even such fragmentary ele- wi*r, axd tltat thcrcforr we mqht hare been boln with a
ments of love as still remain are warped and twisted and more liberal endowmc>nt mentally, morally and physically ;
dlvcbrtctl into seltiyh channels;- self love, family love, father- we might perhaps wish that our rommunlty and cnmmnn-
land love, patriotihm. The natural man does not realize this wealth were still more advanced, still ninre bcnclficent. still
selfish charac.tcr of the natural heart a5 does thr new crca- more lihrral than they are; we inigltt perhaps wish that our
tare : because thr latter, being begotten by the spirit of nation had still bettrr lags and still bcatter recrulatlons than
truth, the holy spirit of lore divine, finds now a wide difYFer- it has : we might perhaps wish that 0111 Clenthr had favored
rncle I)clt\\ren his old kind of love and his new ideal. rYlnle u4 with natural and ca1 thly things ytlll more than he 1~3s
this tllrtinction mav be clrnrlv recognized from our start in favoretl uLi. But, au before rtatctl, wc :II‘P tlebtnis for all that
the (‘III l>tl,ln 11:I!:. mw-thrim, dur discernment at first wc have; it is, therefore, appropriate that we should be thank-
b&wern the sc~lfish loves of the natural man and the divine ful for c>vervthina that \ve do no~ess and eniov.. trmporal
love are intliqtlnct and indefinite, as compared with the clear- and spiritual; and
’ that we should realize that whiltl *it is
er rie\vs and sharper distinctions realized as we grow in our privilege to do for others and to assist others, to encour‘lg(’
glacae. in knowledgr ant1 In the spirit of love divine, and come and bless and help othtsls. nevertheless, bring debtors for a11
to know Minitely the love of God which passeth all [human] that we have. we-have no grounds on whlc~ to rlaim more.
untlerhtandme. A realization of the suhiert. from this standpoint. should
The A4poitle exhorts these new creatures, justified by faith tend to make all of the Lo’&l’s people, all of th “n&v rrea-
in .Jesuq Christ, called of God and begotten of the holy spirit, turrs in Christ ,Jesus,” very contented, very appreciative,
to glow as ral)ldly a$ possible 111their appreciation and heart- very thankful for mercies. both temporal and spiritual. Sre-
+ynip:i thy with thca T,nrtl’x spirit of love. These should realize ing that in all thests respect4 we are clebtnra,, we should seek
that thtbv are tlrbtoi ‘i to the Lord to an untold amount. be- to tliwliarge our duty toward all our hcwdiri:~ries: toward
caiiv of’his lovcx ant1 mercv extended toward them in Christ; God the fount:rin of c’vc’ry go011 :kii(l pc,rfcct gift: tow,lrtl our
ant1 they E.l10111~1 see, al&, that having thus received the nation, toward our commonwealth and commllnitv, toward
Lor<l’s grace anrl the spil It of it, thrv are to have so broad nllr parents. FT-e should sre to it not only that non,’ of thcw
and *o ‘g<Jnerons a feeling toward all mankind that they will are in jul cd by reasnn of our livin, cr in the wnrltl, hut that our
desire firqt of all to l~;ly off every obligation, of every kind, lives shall In qome nieahuie ant1 clcgrcc te\tify to our :rp-
and to “o\\e no man anything.” preciation of them all, and tlir&lv or indirectly bt a 11elp.
Tltcs .\nnitle th~clarctl that he waq a debtor both to the an assistance, toward the best intrrc+ts of racah and all with
<Ten-s and‘ to the Grr4;s ; and looking at matters from a whom we have to do. This is hut simple iustice-lustIce de-
similar standpoint, we may say likewise, that we are under mands that we pay our tlr4& that we ;)wP“ no m:ln”;tnvthln~
mnnp oblifiition5 to many people We owe a real debt to our But WC are to co bevond this iust di4charee of our ‘oblirra-
parents, throng11 whom, in God’s providence, we have come tinnq and arc to i&e hod and &r fellow n&-to seek ;;ot
into being: 15~ owe a debt to the community and common- only to do our dutv, to pay our share of the taxrq and biil.
nealtli in wh~clr we live for the measure of peace, order, dens and responsibilities of life and social order and lxlrrntal
social conv(~nlenre and advantages every way, which we, in protcrtion alit1 comfort, Ijilt 10~e 1~ to pl onipt 113 acac.o;tling to
rnnimon \vitli othf~rs, share ; we owe a debt to our nation our best iud~mrnt. ruidrd bv the nrw mintl. the Lurd’h snir it. tn
at large in ronsiJeration of the many blessings, liberties, do somrthin’i morr’than mere duty might demand-in sacri-
atlvantapc5. etr.. nhirh come to us through it by divine provi- Ace something in the interests of the Lord’q service and in
dence Ant1 al)ovcx and h(byond all these dehty to our fellow the hlwsin_rr nncl comfurtin,rr of our ftxllow rrrxturcs. as the
rrentlir(ss, wr rccngni;le a Ilebt and obligation to our Creator spirit Lord may dir&
of the through his inspired Word
-not onlv for rnrthlr life, its hlessiws, its nrivileces. itr He that lovcth all others so that hp is ronqtnntlr qepkinn
oppnrtunitieq, \urh lityerties’as WC enio$;’ but still iore for to do them good. is followinfr the hold lam, the p&frct ltiii
our redemption with the prerious blond, for our knowledge of God. Tt is le% a quf5tion of outward rnntlrirt th:ln of
of the same. for our rail to jpint-heirship with our Lord, for heart intention, though untloubtedlv the heart intcntinn will
the begetting of the holy spirit, for the assistance and en- generally find appropriate espre3sion through the lips and
130291
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through the actions of life. The Lord, however, knows the still unabated, we are still not at liberty under the law of
imperfections of our judgments and the weaknesses of the love to make mention of the case to others, but to call a
flesh, and therefore, very graciouslv under the *New Covenant meetin of the entire congregation and there., with the con-
arcepts the perfection - oi our iritentions, of our wills, as demne Lf one present, to have a hearing and a Judgment of the
instead of the absolute perfection of our every word and church in respect to the matter.
deed. Thus “The righteousness of the law 1~ fulfilled m us Let us learn much more thorouehlv the meanine of this
who walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit”-and as expression “Love worketh no ill to %s”neighbor;” a;d again,
nearly up to the spirit as possible. “Sneak evil of no man.” Love IS the fulfilline rT of the law:
"THOU SHALT NOT" anb. our hearts, at least, must fulfill this law-whatever
The Apostle explains that the commands of the decalogue mistakes of tongue or deed we may unintentionally make-
were merely attempts to bring down to the natural man’s else we cannot hope to be reckoned as having reached the
comprehensions the* real spirit- of the divine law. ‘Lmark” for the prize for which we are called to run with
And yet patience. It will require patience in dealing. with ourselves
the prohibitions of that law, “Thou shalt not,” in respect
to various things that would be injurious to the neighbor, and bringing our hearts into conformity with this divine
could never full,? evpress the comprchensivenccs of the divine law, but it is necessary, and the sooner and the more per-
will. The prohibitions of the decalogue were proper enough severingly undertaken, the greater and surer will be the
for the “house of servants,” but when the “house of sons” blessings, and our ultimate acceptance to joint-heirship in
was instituted (Heb. 3..5, 6), and when these sons were be- the kingdom.
gotten of the holy spirit so that they could appreciate the HIGH TIME TO AWAHE OUT OF SLEEP
law of Love, it was substituted, as higher every way and
mnre comprrlicn~lve titan the prolril)ltiolir of the tlrc~~lo,rrur The Lord’s people may know now just where we are on
Thou shalt not commit adultery; Thou shalt not kill; Thou the stream of time. but this matter was sealed UP and hidden
shalt not steal; Thou shalt not bear false witness; Thou until “the time oi the end,” as the Lord infor*med Daniel:
shalt not covet ;-because all these thm_ns would be contrxrv hence the Apostle and early church could onlv speak of the
to the law of love under which alone ihe “new creature” i’s time question from a general standpoint. They knew that
placed. time was passing, that the day of tlcli\c~r;ln(*(~ VHS drawing
lsnt the new law of the New Covenant-love-is so much nearer and nearer, and was thus surely closer at hand than
mar? comprehensive than the decaloguc which was the basis when they had first believed. If thr wnrltl’s ?;r\cn thnl~santl
of the .Je\\i<h Covcnnnt, that as the Apostle savs. if there years be considered as a week, and the Millenninl age reckoned
be a!~>: other commnnth~cnt, any other t’hing that $hould be as the seventh day-the Sabbath or rest day-then the pre-
plohlbltctl, any other things contrary to the law of God, it ceding six days cbnstitutes the night time, in which *sin
it hricflp comprehcntletl in the declaration. “Thou shalt love abounds, in which “darkness covers the earth and gro$s dark-
thy neighbor as thyself.” The law of love mtirks a3 trans- ness the people” ;-in which the true children of cod as can-
gressionq many things u hich would not have been violations dles arc to set themselves upon the candlestick (and not to
of the tlccalogue; for inst:lnccb, the decalqgue commanded put their light under a bushel) to give light to all in darkness
the house of servants not to brnr false witness against a nhout theme It is the time me&ionedu hv the Prophet in
neighbor; hut the law of love indicates to the house of sons which “weeping endures for the night,” be’cause sin abounds
that they should “speak evil of no man” even if such witness and because thi wages of sin, death: and its comcomitants of
wnuld not be false: it instructs them further. that even If sickness, pain and trouble prevail; but if weeping endures
it he necessary to tell an unpleasant truth-if it becomes for a night of six thousand gears,” the Prophet also assures
duty or obligation of law-even the truth is to be spoken in us, that‘ “JOY cometh in the morning” of thk (seventh) Mil-
love without acrimony, hatred, malice, envy or strife. Oh, lennium when “the Sun of riehteousness.” the Lord of elorv.
whnt a valuable less& it wouhl be td the ‘house of sons ii shall shine forth and chase t& darkness.away; and cause t&
they could all equally grasp this comprehensive thought,- earth to be filled with the lieht of the knowledge of the elorv
if their obligations not only to each other and to their fam- of God. From this standpofnt the 6,000 year”&ght wai fai
ilies and friends, but also to their neighbors and their ene- spent in the Apostle’s day, and whether he realized this fully,
mics-to love them, to so consider their interests and their or whether he wrote as he did prophetically, under inspira-
welfare in general, that they would do nothing and say tion, no matter; his declaration was strictly true; the night
nothinp to the contrarv: but eladlv at the sacrifice of their was far spent because over two-thirds of it had passed. The
own c&eniencc, assist” them i: ani7 and every way,-“Doing Apostle wrote this letter somewhere about the year 4188 A.
good unto all men as we have opportu+, especiallv to the M.-about 1812 years of the night remaining before the Mil-
household of faith ! ” This is loving our neighbor as ourselves lennial dawning.
-not as he loves us. The Apostle’s words were true, as uttered, and his exhor-
tation was appropriate then; but how much more appropriate
THIS IS THE GOLDEN XULE-LOVE is that exhortation to us who are now living;-to us who
Since love works blessings to the neighbor and seeks his already see with the eye of faith the Day St&, and the first
welfare, it follows as a matler of course-ihnt “Love worketh rays of the Millennial morning’s light. “Let us therefore
no ill to his neinrhbor.”
. Will we not. as the Lord’s conse- cait off the works of darkness, “and 1st us put on the armor
crstid people, seek to put this lesson into practice in our of light.” He who casts off the works of darkness. thus inti-
dally lives? Will we not learn to consider the words of our mate; that he is no longer in sympathy with td things of
months, and to remember that we can smite and iniure a darkness, the things of sin, or selfishness, of injustice. He
hrother or a neirhbnr with the tongue as truly and mire who nuts on the armor of light not onlv intimates that he
seriouslv than with our hands? Will we not learn that in has e&ted on the side of GGd! of righ&ousness, truth, up-
even mentioning anything uncomplimentary respecting a rightness, light,-but he also intimates, in putting on an
brother or a neighbor, we are surely working him ill, doing armor, that he realizes that he will be obliged to contend, to
him an iniurv,-iniurinrr his reputation and standine-how- battle’ with the forces of darkness, which- will oppose him
ever true ‘ihe ‘unc&pli~entary ‘thing may be; and ‘that in now that he has enlisted on the side of the light. as thev
so doing WC arc violating the law of God, the law of love? never before assailed him when he was one with-them either
Will we not learn that the onlv instance in which we would in heart or in hand.
have a right to mention an uncomplimentary thing would be
in the event of our sccinp a brother or a nrirrhbor in dancer THE ARB¶OB OF LIGHT
of injury by another nnd’thus nut of love fo’i him be died This armor of light the Apostle elsewhere describes: Its
upon to warn him of the snurcc of danger9 helmet of salvation-reDresents intellectual protection, which
This wnrnin,n we should be sure was neccssnrv..I before giv- .J we all need from the -time we .aioin the Lord’s standard:-
ing it; and it should be couched in such language as sincere we need to know something, to have our sanctified rea&ns
love for the dnnecrous one would dictate. Will we not learn guided through the Word of the Lord. The breastplate of
to think rhnritnily of the words and actions of others, and to ri,rrhteousness we need also-not the filthv rags of our own
suppose thrir intentions Food, until we hnrc poqitive evidence riihteousness, but the righteousness of 6od ‘in Christ-the
to the cnntrnrg: and will we not learn that thrn we should iustification from sin which God has nrovided throueh the
po to the offender, alone. accordinS to Mstt. 18 :lFi: subse- sacrifice of his Son. Our faith in ~thk ransom is ill im-
qupntly. if occasion require and the mattrr srtm to be of portant to our protection in this battle. The shzeld of faith
vital importance, taking with us two others, fair and im- is another Dart of our armor, ahsnlutelv necessary: without
partial in jud,ment, t&t in the presence of thr wrong-doer it, the fiery darts of the Adversary might frequently reach
thpv mav hear from him as well as from 119 and -nive their us, between the joints of our breastplate of imputed right-
iudgmcn’t or opinion. And even if they ngrre with us and eousness, and our helmet of intellectual appreciation. The
the wrong-doer is not vet rorrerted nnd the iniurv to us is
<1 . . . .
SIC-ord of the spirit, the Word of God, is also absolutely in-
l See June 15, 1919, issw for crltlcal examination of Covenants dispensable for our protection against the wiles of the ad-
c30301
JUNE 15, 1902 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (190-191)

versary and his deluded followers; otherwise they would come in living wantonly and illicitly in worldliness or sectarian-
close up to us and smite us notwithstanding our armor. We ism. We are to remember on the contrary, that we are not
should be comparatively at their mercy without the sword of this world, that we are citizens of the heavenly kingdom,
of the spirit, used in conjunction with the shield of faith, that we are betrothed to the Lord Jesus, as his bride and are
the breastplate of imputd righteousness, and the helmet of to be separate from the world, pure in heart, undefiled by
knowledge. But with all these we shall, bv the grace of God, wrong union with Babylon. (R ev. 14:4) As new creatures
be able-to fight the good fight of faith -and b> enabled to in Christ we are neither to indulge in the strifes and envy-
come off conquerors and more than conquerors through him ings of the national sort, leading to wars, nor of the commer-
who loved us and bought us with his own precious blood. For cial sort leading to injustice and unkind competition; neither
although we will have nothmg to spare but will still have need are we to indulge in strifes and envyings amongst the breth-
ot Christ’s grace. imnuted to make un for our deficiencreh. ren; but are in honor to prefer one another wherever the
nevertheless’since we ‘are his, all of his’ is ours, and not only conditions and talents permit, contending, earnestly as well as
are we comnlete in him. but abidina in him shall have an lovingly, only when it is for the faith once delivered to the
abundant entrance into the everlasticg kingdom. saints.
Let us “walk honestly as in the day.” It is not yet day, These strifes, envyings, self-indulgences and improper as-
the shadows of night still linger; injustice and sin are every- sociations, are to be put away from us, as so much of “the
where about us; it is, therefore, much more difficult now to works of darkness” still clinging to us, notwithstanding our
walk honestly than it would be if the day had fully come, having become the Lord’s people, “a royal priesthood,” and
and all the temptations and allurements of darkness were as another statement corresponding to that concerning the
thoroughly banished by the bright shining of the Sun of right- armor of light, the Apostle says, “Put ye on the Lord Jesus
eousness. Thank God! the world in general during the Mil- Christ, and make no provision for the flesh to fulfill the lusts
lennial age will have an opportunity for walking in the full thereof.” Putting on Christ implies a change of the will,
light of the Millennial day, up the highway of holiness, unto which when renewed, desires to be Christ-like; but it implies
its grand consummation, perfection and eternal life. We also such a change of the outward appcaranve, conduc~t, hnblts
praise God on their behalf, that not only will the darkness of life, etc., as will enable us more and more to rightly rrp-
be gone and the evil influences be restrained. but that all resent our Lord before men, as his ambassadors. Thus are
stumbling-stones will be gathered out of the ‘way. But as we changed, into our Lord’s likeness of character, as day by
ne are still in the nieht-time. we still need the lamn of the day we get clearer views of his glorious character and seek
divine Word to guide”our steps. There are still st;mbling- to copy it,-until, by and by we shall be actually changed 111
stones, there are still inducements from the evil one toward the first resurrection and made actually l&e him.--8 Car.
sin, righteousness, selfishness, envy, malice, hatred, strife. 3:18; 1 Cor. 15:42-51.
And yet ours is a time and condition in some respects to “And make no provision of the flesh to fulfill the lusts
be appreciated more highly than that which the world will thereof.” Ah, yes! how often the Lord’s people have made
occupy during the Millennial age; because to us who are a mistake on this point. Although the heart, the new mind,
“called” now during the night season, to walk by faith and be thoroughly consecrated to the Lord. we still have the flehhly
not by sight-to walk contrary to the course of this world- bodies and they still have their natural appetites and these
to walk in love and not in selfishness,-to us “are given ex- call out loudly to us that they should not be ignored. They
ceeding great and precious promises” of glory, honor, im- insist upon their rights, etc.; but the Apostle instrusts us
mortalrty, if we prove faithful in following the Captain of that having started to walk after the spirit, as new creatures,
our salvation who assures us not only that he has-trodden we should make no provision for gratifying the flesh;-we
the way before us and left us his footprints that we should should not shape our affairs so as to yield to any of the de-
wnlk in his steps hut, additionally, that he will be with us, mands of the flesh which we recognize to be contrary to the
an ever present helper in time of need. This matter of walk- will of the Lord. In proportion as we yield to the improper
ing honestly at the present time, therefore, signifies consid- desires of the flesh, in that same proportion the flesh will
erable;-to be honest with God, to love him with all our prosper and the spiritual new nature will languish. In pro-
heart, mind, being, strength; to be honest with ourselves, portion as we deny all the illegitimate appetites of the flesh
honest with our neighbors, honest with the brethren-to ex- and mortify them, put them to death, in that same propor-
ercise toward all the law of the spirit of love, to love them tion will we grow strong in the Lord and in the power of his
as we love ourselves. might. As the Apostle again says, “The flesh lusteth [de-
We are not to indulge in the revelries and drunkenness, sireth] against the spirit [the new will or mind] and the
the lasciviousness and debaucherv of the crossest sinners. nor spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary the one to the
are we to indulge in these things-in the more refined figurative other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.“-
sense of rerel;ng in worldliness, fashion and ostentation, and Gal. 5:17.

QUARTERLY REVIEW-JUNE 29
“A light to lighten the Qelttiles, and the $ory of my people Israel.“-Luke 2:32.
9 review of the lessons of the past quarter will undoubt- carrying the same light to othrrq who are still in nerd of it.
edly prove interesting and profitable to all. The design of Our Golden Text sets forth the thought that Christ is the
rhe committee selecting the lessons seems to have been to light of the world. Not yet is the Sun of rrghtcousnrsq shin-
bring prominently before our minds the thought first, of how ing in glory, and dispelling earth’s darkness; not yet is it cn-
Jerusalem became the general center from which the Gospel lightening all the Gentiles; not yet has Christ become the
light, as lamps in a dark place, was carried in various direc- glory of his people Israel. He is, nevertheless, all through
tions ; and secondly, how one of these places receiving the this Gospel age, a great light to all those whose eyes are
light from Jerusalem-Antioch-became itself a center from opened that they may see it. This light is still shining in
which the Lord sent forth Paul and Barnabas, who in turn the darkness and the darkness romprchendq it not: but blessed
lighted other lamps, in other places, and thus spread abroad are our eyes for they see; and correspondingly the responsi-
the knowledge of the Lord-especially in Asia Minor, and bility of the light is with us. Let us walk as children of
even unto Europe. The same principle still applies ;-God light, even before the day dawns, rejoiring also in the bless-
still IISP’Shuman agencies. He who now receives the light of ings that are ultimately to come to all the families of the
truth is to be the agent, channel, representative of God in earth through God’s Anointed.

INTERESTING QUESTIONS ANSWERED

THE CURSE UPON THE EARTH
Qztestion.-What do you understand to be the significance
of the statement in Gen. 3 :17. “Cursed is the ground for thy
sake” 7
Amer.-To our understanding the Lord is not here etc-
pressing a curse against the ground, bringing a blight upon
it, but is merely stating a fact, that the earth at the time
was in an accursed or unfit condition for man. He explains
that its condition is for man’s sake, implying that had it been
more favorable for man to have had the earth in a better
condition, the Lord would have so arranged matters. In other
words, the earth had never been in a perfect condition up to
[3031]
that time, and would not be fully ready for man’s occupancy
for seven thousand vears: but the Lord. foreknowing the fall
into sin, and the p&u& he would prescribe, arranged that
man should be introduced to the earth as a felon. and should
as a culprit, do such penal service in the premises as would
not only bring him valuable lessons and experiences, but would
be the divine agent for bringing the earth up to the perfection
of the Garden of Eden by the time that God foresaw would
be the proper period for ‘it to be in such a condition. From
this standpoint you perceive that the statement of Genesis has
a special force when it says that “God prepared a garden east-
ward in Eden.” Had the whole earth been in a perfect or
(191-195) ZION’S WATCH TOWER ALLEGHENY, PA.

Edenic condition, the preparation of the garden for man’s use trol of the world, or the right to brine it from under subjec-
would have been unnecessary; neither would it have been in tion to sin and Satan, back-into harm&y with God. In this
harmony with divine economy to have first brought the earth sense of the word “this world.” or the order of things then in
to perfection, and then to have blasted and blighted it; rather, vogue, and still in vogue with the world, was condemned, sen-
by the method adopted, God is showing his foreknowledge of tenccd to overthrow, from the time that our Lord Jesus was
whatsoever has come to pass. lifted up, finished his work of redemntion. and was accepted
The curse is lifting f;om the earth, in proportion as man of the pather as the purchaser and ‘King of the earth,- the
IS gaining victories, intellectual and chemical and mechanical, Second Adam. “Now shall the mince of this world be cast
over it, by which he is subduing it. These are under divine out : ” The casting out of SaLan follow&the redemptive
puitlnnce, -and undoubtedly will‘-greatly increase throughout work hy Christ. He is cast out so far as the C’hur& is con-
the Rllllennial age, and as thev increase the curse will to that cerned: for we are not to allow Satan or sm to bear rule In
extent disappear, .untll by t6e close of the Millennial age, our mortal bodies, but are to esteem ourselves free from his
with human prrfcctlon, there will also be earth-prrfection. yoke, that we may serve the Lord. Moreover, the influence
of the truth is more and more liberating in the world of man-
THE JUDGMENT OF “THE PRINCE OF THIS WORLD”
kind, breakin the Sllarkles of <upc~r~lition. But tli(~ gr(lat
Qncst~omn.-To whom or what do vou understand our Lord’3 overthrow of Satan, and the great liberation of mankind has
Wol(ls in .Tohn 12.31; l.l.30, to rhfer? Is not the Dlaglott been delayed, waiting for the-gathering out of the elect. the
foot-notca on this verse a misconception 1 full liftine up of the whole botlv of Christ. As soon as this
.Irl.s~ cr.--\\‘c undcarstand the “prince of this world” here is acrompllrhktl the sentenre up;n Satan and his govrrnment,
mcntionctl to bc the same elsewhere denominated, “the prince pnssrd eighteen hundred years ago. will go Into ctfert tbor-
of tbt po\\cr of the air nho now aorketh in the hearts of on,ghly. Satan’s house and household will be spoiled, wrecked,
tllc cllllIlrcn of tllsobetlic~nc~~~
” From thiq you will see that pm1 a new Prince and his associates will take the kingdom
\\(b \\ould not at all agrc’c with Wakefieltl’~ suggestion, as and possess it forever.
given In the I)m!/lott foot-notP. SHE SHALL BE SAVED
III refelcncc to .Tobn 12:X0, 31, our thought is that the Qzcestto)l.--Do ) 01, nnderrtantl 1 TI~I 2 13 to III> llt~~rnl?
“prlncc” thc>rcbrefcrrctl to is Satan also. Satan and his ruler- Ansrl;pr.-Yes. WP understand that the Christian mother
<hip of dlhordtr and \in had rereived no particular sentence may rcnsonahly ‘expect to be saved (preserved) from much
or 1c1)uke from tlrc Lord up to this time; indeed, the appear- of the anguish incident to motherhood;--to this end hear mind
RIIC(‘S ~cI(’ that cithc~r God’s law or God’s creatures were im- should rest fully upon the Lord, his love, his care-dread
1)c1frrt. and hence that sin was unnvoltlnbl~~. nut when our should be dismissed, and thus some of thp rhlef factors of
Lord .T~YIIH, by 111s obedience and sarrifice, upheld the law, anguish would be removed. Feeling intensifies nearly all the
ant1 nlatle it honorable, and proved that it was within the difliculties and trials of life; and with the Christian pcrfrct
rang’s of a perfect man’s abihty to keep it, he thereby “coxi- love for God and the complete realization of the Lord’s love
t1emnc.d sin in the flesh.” and. incidentnllv. condemned Satan’s for him, should cast, out all fear, and produce, instead, the
cntirc rule. And not ‘only so, but by “t&e purchase of the peace of God which passeth all understanding, not only in
world of mankind Jvlth his own life, he secured the legal con- our hearts, but also in large measure in our flesh.

VOL. XXIII ALLEGHENY, PA., JULY 1, 1902 No. 13

VIEWS FROM THE WATCH TOWER

NOT MERELY A REWORDING, BUT A NEW CREED ‘elect infants dying in infancy’ being saved-( as though it
As many Presbyterian ministers will, undoubtedly, claim was possible for any other than infants to die in mfancy)-
that their new creed is precisely the old one except that. it is while a very painful silence is allowed to hanc arnund thr fate
wortlrd in more modern language,-that they never did believe of other babes that breathe and gasp, and die ere they had
in “non-elect infants” and never professed to so believe, etc., made acquaintance with joy or sorrow, sin or goodness-& now
etc., it is well that we now record the utterances of some of to be explained as teaching, what a formidable party in the
these brethren who having so long felt uneasy about professing Westminster Assembly opposed with such persistence that they
untruths and vowing to teach them to others, are now over- forced the Assembly to place this ambiguous statement in thk
joyed by the relief of the nrw confession We give extracts Confession (that they believed in the damnation of un-elect
below from Rev. Donehoo’s first sermon after the adoption of infants) that God’s election embraces all that die in infancy
the new creed (evidently the gentleman’s own report) from in His purposes of grace. I am glad-of that. . . .
the “P?ttsburg Post,” May 26. “Henceforth may we not hope that men will preach God, not
as He would be if they could have had their way about it, and
REJOICES OVER THE CREED REVISION not acting as they would have done if they had been in His
Thr paqtor of the West End Presbyterian Church yesterday place, but. a4 He has revealed Himself In hlr \\.ortl nnrl prove-
morning tlt~lirc~i cd a sermon on tbc, following teat: I1 Thch,. dence, a God of infinite mercy and love, who is not willing that
1 :R. “ ‘\Ve are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, any should perish, but who would have all men to be saved and
as it ir meet, becnuye that your faith groweth exceedingly, and to rnme to the knowledge of the truth?”
thcx charltg of every one of you all toward each other abound- Rev. L. P. Crawford, of Pasadena, Cal., , says 1 in the Califor-
Pth
_.. ’ nia press :-
“The time was when it was regarded as the very essence of “When I was ordained there were three things that I would
orthodo\-v to bclirrc that religious discovery had reached its ut- not subscribe to. To these three points I said ‘No.’ The
most lin;it with the deliverances of the %Vestminster divines, first was this, in Chader III:
.lnrl that furthrr lnvrqti,yntion into the realms of truth exposed “‘By the decree of-God, for the manifestation of his glory,
tbca ;~~~tl:lc~ioll~inveiti,rrator to the charce ~ of dislovaltv to the some men and angels are predestined unto everlasting life, and
stantlnrtls. nnd made a man unwortbp of the confidence or others foreordained to everlasting death!’
rv(111 fc~llonship of his more orthodox brethren. This is not an- "1 said: *I can’t go it-I’ll Ilave to Ilr ni:l(l(~ o\(‘r ’
cicnt history. but sohcr facts occurring within a score of years “Dr. Adams asked me: ‘Is there anything else, young man?’
ant1 clos~n,~ on last Thursday with the practically unanimous “ ‘Yeq, sir, there is.’ I said. ‘If where it speaks of elect in-
nc!ol)tion of the committc~c report on creed revision in our Gen- fants, it is to hc implied that there are infant3 that are not
cr,ll :\+cbml)lv in New Ynrk rity. The highest court of our elect, then I don’t believe it.’
cl~iif rli. c~~n~posrtl nf mrn who argued and voted against such a “‘Anything else, young brother?’ asked Dr. Adams, and I
tblng. glllp(*cl down rc,risinn with a relish which seemed to indi- remrmher it as well as if it was gcsterday.
c7tc, that It \\3s not such nn unpleasant dose. after all. “ ‘Yes.’ I <aid. ‘If it is mcnnt that I am to hr held rcsponsi-
“lt 19 in no spirit of triumph nver a prostrate foe that I 1~1~ for Adam’s sinq. in the sense that I can be puniihahlc for
nlll111e to th(>sc tbin,gs, hut simplp becnusc I cannot, repreys my thenl. then I don’t believe it.’
10~ that the mistr, bnvc cleared nwnv, and that a brighter day “ ‘Well, my dear hrnthrr.’ said Dr. Adams, ‘Tlrrrc arc a
112q tin wncbtl upon the. cliiirch. It i’s to me an rsprrial cause good many of us in the same fix:’ ant1 tlicv licensed me.
for rrloirlnrr that I can stand up in the pulpit and offer sal- “Now, these three points that I rcfuscd to suhscribc to are
vation withn!lt any mental reservation, and without nnv stip- the principal ones taken up in the reviqinn.”
nlntlnn that the one to whom the offer is eutendrd must first We are glad that the General Sssemblv hss civcn these
of all hr nnr of thnt select numher who had been choqen from hrnrc men their lihertv at last: tho we ‘rnnf& we would
nil rternity to hp the object of God’s sovereign compassion sim- hare admired them still more if t,hev had bprn courageous
ply for ‘His mere good pleasure. . . . enough to hare promptlv and vigorously obeved the voices of
“I am glad besides that the ambiguous declaration about their consciences:-if they had refused to lend one mite of
[3032]
JULY 1, 1902 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (196-197)

their time or influence to God-dishonoring and conscience- sands of his poor children, even at the moment when they were
searing confession9 for the sake of human endorsement. We upon their knees returning thanks to him?”
cannot sunnose either that God was pleased to have Drs. Adams In view of the fact that the world is now in transition-
and Crawfbrd privately and secret& confess their disbelief to from “the present evil world” to the “new earth wherein dwell
each other while practicing deceit toward the other hundreds eth righte&sness,“- from the reign of sin and death under
of thousands of Presbyterians;---manv of whom, unlearned “the Prince of darkness” to the Millennial reign of the great
“laity,” trusted their public profess& too confidingly, and Life Giver-it will not surprise us at all if ihe next &elve
looked not bevond them to the Lamn of God’s Word. years shall prove to be full of horrors. The conditions now
But if th”e boldest are not to be too much praised what prevailing in the earth are not such as will be appropriate
shall we say of those who have seemed to have no consciences, during the Millennium, and the changes will mean great dis-
or whose r;asoning faculties are so dull that even in the light turbances of celestial and terrestrial affairs pertaining to our
of this twentieth century they are such “blind guides” that the earth. These will naturally occasion great suffering and loss
old Confession is still good enough for them? We say that only of life unless divine power be miraculously interposed for IIU-
very young or bewildered or stupid sheep will any longer ac- manity’s protection ; and we see no reason to expect .wch in-
cent the IWSC &xxt of such Shepherds. We advise that their terposition. On the contrary, we understand the Scripture> to
rrkry expr’ession be scrutinized ih the light of God’s Word, as teach that the divine plan is so timed that these physical dis-
more likelv to be false than true. We brin,rr no railinrr accu- turbance+ will constitute a Dart of the great chastisement
sation ng&nst any of them, but merely sta?e facts an; their which the Lord designs shall&break the proud hearts of mm
own confessions. As we under&and t&e Word, the Lord will nrennratorv to his offer to all of the Balm of Gilead-restitu-
rebuke them shortly. in the approaching great time of trouble. &on’.-Act: 3.19-21.
But, alay for the poor blind sheep who are following them into One effect of these cnlamities will surely be the orertlliow
that ditch! of the faith of manv,-of all who are merely nomlnal believ(,rs.
whose faith Icd the& to no love for the L&l and to no study
“CALAMITIES-WHY GOD PERMITS THEM” of his Word and to no self-consecration to good works. Of
The Chicago Tribune has kept record of the calami- these, as the Prophet has declaretl:-
tics of the year and makes the following report.- “‘4 thousand shall fall at thy side
“Nntule has not been so busy with hrr .orces of devasta- Ten thousand at thy right hand.“-I’sa. 91:‘7.
tion for many spars past as she has been during the first five
nmnths of the present year. Volcanic eruptions and earth- Of this time and its peculiar work not only in the convul-
quakes have destroyed 4g,450 lives, storms 7bf, tornadoes 416, sions of nature. hut also in it+ soc*l:ll. iillilll~~lrll an(1 1Cllgl~~11~
cvclonrs 220. floods, 333. avalanches 225. tidal waves 103, convulsions, the Lord’s Word declnleq . “Forasmuch as this pea-
s;low-slides 39 ant1 &t&pouts 12, a total’ of 50,505 lives de: pie dlaw near unto me with their mouth, and with their lips do
stloyed by nature’s elemental disturbances. If to this were honor me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their
added the lives lost by agencies over which man has more or fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: Therefore,
less control, such as fires, mine disasters, explosions, railroad behold, 1 wvlll proceed to do a marvelous work and a wonder
accidents, and vessel wrecks, it would be increased to over 60,- among this people; . . . for the wisdom of their wise men
000, and this takes no account of individual lives lost in this shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall
country, which would bring the grand total up to about lOO,- be hid.” “None of the wicked shall understand; but the
000 lives lost in the short neriod of five months.” wvlse [the taught of God1 shall understand.“-Isa. 29: 13, 14;
The Boston Tvatchrna,~ iBaptist) says of the divine per- Dan. i2:4, 9,‘iO.
mis&m of calamities :- We are now in the little season appointed of the Lord for
“This problem baffles the author of the Book of Job, and the sealing of his servants in their foreheads-intellectually.
all the discoveries of science and the light of the Christian It behooves us therefore to give heed to the sealing of our
revelation do not resolve the thick darkness that settles about own heads and hearts by availing ourselves of the assistances
it. 1Vhen trouble comes for which we can see no moral ante- which the Lord now provides. Failure to do this and the giv-
cedent and no good result, the irrepressible crv bursts from i?g of heart and time to the world or pleasure and self means
every human h&rt. ‘Why? And th’cre is no aiswer but the d1rrespec.t to the great Teacher. and love of tllc l)re+nt w~~rltl
answer of Joh: ‘The he slnv me. vet will I trust in him.’ rather than of that which is to come; and the reward of such
“From our point of vikw tile events of life are often a course is-to be left in darkness with the world. ( 1 Cor. 4.2 :
wholl\ lrrcc~c,nc*ili~lrle wlth ollr f:1lth in tllc, tlinne t'oorlrlriq Bfatt. 25 :30) Another dutv of the hour, that will be appre-
r\ntl vet we do not lose our faith. We believe that God is ciated only by the faithful,‘is the gathering togcthcr unto the
work1n.g nut for us and for thr race purposes of goodness that Lord (out of sectarianism and darkness) of the Lord’s iewels,
wc cannot understand. That, it seems to us, is the Christian the elect whose eyes of understanding have not yet been bpencd
attitude toward this problem. Christinnitv does not resolve to nresent truth. These calamities. which will overthrow the
it. while it makes manv other solutions of ‘it untenable. But faiih of some, will stir un the trul; consecrated to a closer in-
Christianity. in its reielation of the Father, inspires a con- vestigation of the divine ‘W70rd an& plan, and thus prove helps
fidence in Him that is not shaken bv our inabilitv to under- not hindrances, even as all things work together for good to
stand His way.” them that love God.
Now is the time to be on the alert to render assistance to
The Truth Reeker says:- this class of our “brethren” still asleep and in darkness but
“It was the Lisbon earthquake which shook Voltaire’s faith now awakening and needing sympathizing hearts and helping
in a God who governs, who pervades all places and ages, and hands. Our late issue of the tract “Calamities-Why God Per-
who has entzblished a direct relation between himself and mits Them,” may prove a help, an entering wedge to something
mankind He was coml~elletl to aik, What was mv God doing? more elaborate--to some volume of ~fillennial Da~clt. Order
LYhy did the ITniversal Father crush to shapelessness thou- these to use as sample copies, freely.

“LOVE-MAKING A DIFFERENCE”
“Keep yourselves in the love of God . . and of some hove compassion, making a differerence; and others snrc with fcnr.
.
pulling them out of the fire.“-Jude 21-23.
With our minds all unbalanced through the fall, resulting intclest of the brother. Let us note the different kinds, or
from original sin.--the not all fallen exactly in the same di- degrees of love which the Heavenly Father exercises and man-
rection,-it is not surprising that we frequentlv find our- ifestq.
selves and other brethren in Christ in more or less confusion First, we have the love for the world. “God so loved the
respecting the application of certain principles laid down in world that he gave his only begotten Son” to die for US. (John
the Word of God. For instance, we are instructed that love 3: 16) Second, m a much higher and special sense, “The Father
is the fulfilling of the divine law; and that love of the breth- hlrn~elf lovcth you”-you who have accepted Jesus Christ
ren is one of the evidences of our having passed from death as your Redeemer, and who, in his name and strem$h and
unto life; and that if wc lore not our t,rothcr, whom wp h,\xr mcbrit have -onsecrated vourselves to him-you are seeking now
seen, it is a sure evidence that we do not truly love our Heav- to walk not after the flesh but after the spirit. (John 16:27)
enlp Father, whom we have not seen. (Rom 13 :lO; 1 John But that this special love of God can be lost in part, or event-
3:14; 4:20) In their endeavor to measure up to these re- uxllv wholly, is clearly set forth bv the Apostle’s statement,
quirements of the divine standard, some are in danger of err- “Keep yourselves in the love of God:” (Jude 21) If any, after
ing in an opposite direction-in danger of manifesting a having tasted of the good Word of God, the powers of the
brotherly love where it should be withheld, and that in the world- to come, and being made partakers of the holy Spirit,
[30331
(197-198) ZION’S WA
etc., shall walk after the flesh and not after the spirit, we may
be sure that such will proportionately lose the love of God;-
and, if he persist in this course, a8 a result will ultimately be
“none of his.” For, instead of loving Such, who through their
knowledge and attalnments and disobedient course have be-
come wicked, the Lord declares that he is “angry with the
wwkrd,” and that “all thcx wl~*l<etl ~111 he destroy.’ -1’sa. ‘i : 1 1 ;
145:20; Heb. 6:4-6; 10:26-29.
As sons of the Highest, who are seeking to be like unto
our Father in heaven, and like unto the copy which he has set
before us in 111s dear Son, our Lord, we are to have for the
world in general that broad sympathetic pity and mercy-love
which would delight in doing any and everything possible to
be done for their uplifting, in accord with the divine program,
in the divine time and order. Like our Father and our Elder
Brother, we are to love the brethren “with a pure heart, fer-
ve?lt@“-with sincerity. This love for the brethren is nothinp
like the love for the world. It is not the pity-love, nor mer”e
penerosltv. It is far more: it iq brotherlv love. All of the chil-
&en of Got1 are brethren,‘as new creatutes; all these brethren
havtb hopcas. ambition?, interests and promises linked together
in the Lord ,Jesus and in the heavenly kingdom in which they
hope to shale. All these brethren are joint-heirs, fellow-heir8
one with the other and with the Lord. They are partners;
their interests are mutual and co-ordinatinp.
Additionally, thev have a special mutual sympathy
compassion ; for while. as new creatures. , thev* are rich in di-
vme favor and promises, they all have serious weaknesses, ac-
cording to the flesh-draw-backs; altho the Lord is not reck-
oning with them according to the flesh, but according to the
hplrit, the ititcntlon. tIlta lics:\rt tlrqircss. nevc~rtllrlr~ss, they clac*li truly, and with patience, but not with marks of the same love
and all have besetments arising from these weaknesses and im-
JJerfcclions of the earthly tabernacle, which cause them to
“groan.” and to sympathize one with the other in their groan-
ings. -4s the Apostle says. “We which have the first-fruits
thb spirit, even’ we oursel;es groan within ourselves, waiting
for the ac!option. to-wit, the deliverance of our body”-the com-
plete church. Thus the sons of God have a further mutual
sympathy and love and care for each other, an interest in each
otlrcr, helpfulness toward each other, which is entirely beyond
and above and outside of any feelings which could possibly be
apprccintcd by the world or exercised toward it;-because
the world has no such conflict between the old nature and the
new; no such covenant of sacrifice; no such acceptance in the
Bclovcd ; no such union of heart and purpose and aim and
spirit. Oh, yes! the exhortation to love as brethren, fer-
vently, is one which appeals to us specially.
But now we come to another point. Our love for the breth-
ren cannot be exactly of the same measure and exactly of the
snme intrnsity or fervency toward all. There is something
which gauges-or regulates -it. What is it? It is that we 106
God and the nlorious nrincinles of richteousness. which are
A quor ; if he had been heard to utter vile or otherwise improper
rcpresmted in-his character: and wg love our ‘Lord Jesus
from the qnmc standpoint, as being Che very exrmplificatlon
of all that is good, noble, true, just, generous, loving; and
our love for the brethren must, of necessity, be in proportion
as WC find the brethren to be copies of our Lord. We do not
n’<‘an copies in the flesh, but viewed from the Lord’s stand-
point ; copies in spirit, copies in heart, copies in motive, copie8
in intention, copirs in lovin ,g zeal for righteousness, truth, etc.
‘i’hu5, 2s wr grow 111tll(l 10~0 of (:ntl and 111the love of Chri>t
ant1 in the 101c of thr pl inc*lplrs whlc+ll thrr reprr$t>nt, we yrnw
aI50 in love toward all men ant1 toward the brethren. but nar-
tirulnl Iv toward those who are growing most in liken&s tdthe
Lord. This is not nnrtinlitv: this is not doinp to others dif-
fcrcnt from what \Ge shoul(i wish thrm to do”to us. %‘l& Is
following the Lord .Jcsus’ example; for me find that amongst
his npoqtlcs, even, all of whom were chosen. there were three
S,iK’Clill~ brlovrd ; ant1 of those three one is specially
noted as “lllnt disciple whom .Jcslls loved.” He was
specially loved, because’he was specially lovable; and so with
us and the brethren. We should love them all warmly, fer-
vently, hut of necessity with varying degrees cf fervor, and the
fervor should increase with each in nrobortion as we note his
growth in heart-likeness to our Lord: L spirit of love, gentleness, meekness, patience, and with a sin-
And, if this be so, what shall we say of those who, after
having come to a knowledge of the truth, and after having
taqted and appreciated its goodness, fall away into sin?-of
those who cease to walk after the spirit, and hegin to walk
after the flesh? Can our love for them burn with the same
fervency a9 before? Bv no means; it should not do so. A8
the Apostle saps in our text, wr should make a di@rmce.
doing so we are following the example of our Heavenly Father ;
for we have just noted that only b,v walkinn after the spirit
cnn anp of us keep ourselves in the love of God. Only by fol-
lowing the same course, therefore, should any be able to keep
TCH TOWER ALLEGHZNY, PA
himself in the love of the brethren. Any deflection should bring
correspondin loss of brotherly love and fellowship.
This makmg of a difference is really essential to the purity
and progress of the church. If we make no difference between
those brethren who walk after the spirit and those who walk
disorderly, or after the flesh, we are taking away the very
premium and blessing which the Lord intended should go to
those who walk after the spirit; and we are giving a premium,
which the Lord did not intend should be given, to those who
walk contrary to his Word, after the flesh. It is as much our
dutv to withdraw fellowshin from those who are unworthv of
it a’s it is our duty to grjnt fellowship, and that with”fer-
vency, to those whom we see to be walking in the footsteps of
Jesus. We are not to think that it is love that is DrOmptinp
us to take the wrong course of encouraging wrongdders,lit ii
not love, but ignorance; and the remedy for ignorance is to
learn of the Lord, from his Word and from his example.
The Apostle Paul calls our attention to our duty respecting
the brethren, and how we should conduct ourselves toward
them under varying circumstances, saying that faithful breth-
ren should be &teemed very highly in ‘iove for their works’
sake: that other brethren who are unrulv should be warned ;
that ‘those who are feeble in their me&al comprehension of
the truth should be strengthened; that those who are weak
should be helped, supported: and that we should exercise pa-
tience toward-all:---I- ‘rhess. 5: 12-14.
of We are at nresent sneciallv referring to the nroner attitude
to be observed towardL unruly brethr&-they &are not to hr
treated as those who are esteemed very highly in love for their
works ; otherwise they would be encouraged in being unruly.
On the contrary they are to be warned, cautioned,-in lore,
and esteem as tho they were walking orderly in the footsteps of
.Jesus and in harmony with the direction3 of his Word. The
marks and evidences of our love and esteem must be sincere;
of and must be in proportion as we see in the brethren evidences
of the richt desires of heart.--to walk after the snirit of the
truth. ‘I%e Apostle Paul intimates how our disapproval ought
to be shown, in cases which seem, in our judgment, to be of
sufficient imnortance to demand a manifestation of disannroval
Evidently the Apostle did not mean that the Glethren
should be watching each other for an occasion of f,lult-findIn:
in every word and-every act; but that, on the contrary, they
should be so full of love one for the other that trivial mat-
ters would be entirely passed over, as merely of the weakness
of the flesh, and not at all of intention, of the heart. The mat-
ters to be considered worthy of manifestation8 of disapproval
and warnins are. rather. those which are so onen and mani-
fest on the”surf&e as tb leave no room to question the fact
that thev are disnleasine to the Lord. and iniurious in their
influencgupon ihe’ broth& or uion the’ househild of faith. For
instance, if the brother had been seen under the influence of li-
language ; if it were a matter of general knowledge that he
was livin,a in sin; these would be such grounds as we believe
the Apostle had in mind. But. evidently the Apostle had no
intention of cultivating a spirit of fault-finding and judging
one another as respects the heart and private affairs,-use of
time or money, etc. These helonp to our individual stewardshIp
and none shoild endeavor to interfere with the proper 1ibertieG
of conscience and conduct which the Lord has granted to each.
The Apostle is verv stringent in his condemnation of such
judging of one another, which so often leads to roots of bit-
terness, misunderstanding, disfellowship, etc., and which, a8 the
old learen, should be purged out of our hearts and lives.-
nom. 14:10, 13.
But now, for those who “obey not our word,” the apostolic
Scriptural directions in respect to their conduct, etc., is “note
that man, and have no company with him, that he may be
ashamed.” Nevertheless, knowing the tendency of the fallen
mind to go from one extreme to another, either of too great
leniencv or of too great severity, the apostle continues, “Yet
count iirn not an enemy, but admonish as a brother.” (2 Thess.
3: 13-15) To admonish as a brother does not mean to de-
nounce roundly and severely ; it means to admonish in a
cere desire to help the brother to see the fault which we are
certain exists, and which we are sure is not evil surmising on
our part.
The Apostle John shows us that this matter of distin-
.glishing as between brethren that are to be esteemed and
hrethren that are to be warned, appertains not merely to con-
In duct but also to doctrinal matt&st- Yet we may be sure that
he does not mean that we are to disfellowshin a brother merely
because of some differences of view on non-&sential questions.
We map be sure that he does mean his words to apply strictly
and only to the fundamentals of the doctrine of Christ: for
[30343
JULY 1. 1902 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (199-200)

instance, faith in God; faith in Jesus as our Redeemer; faith a view, as the Apostle says, to the restoring of such an one.
in the romises of the divine Word. These will be marks of “Ye that are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of
a “brot R er,” if supported by Christian conduct, walking after meekness ; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted”;-if
the spirit of the truth ;-even tho the brother might have other not in the same manner, possibly in some other manner, in
views which would differ from ours in respect to certain fea- which you are weaker.-Gal. 6: 1.
tures of the plan of God not so clearly and specifically set forth As to what would be a sufficiency of evidence of repentance
in the Scriptures. But for those whom we recognize as being and reformation, each will require great wisdom and grace to
doctrinally astray from the foundation principles of Christ, determine. The heart in which brotherly love dwells richly,
the Apostle intimates that very drastic measures are appro- the heart which loves righteousness and hates iniquity, the
nriate :-not nersecutions. nor railing: not bitter and acrimo- heart which realizes its own imperfections, and that it is ac-
nious dispute; ; not hatred, either o&n or secret; but a pro- ceptable only through the Beloved and the New Covenant-
per showine of our disfellowshin I
with the false doctrines held that heart will rejoice at the first evidences of contrition and
and taught bv them; a moper protection. so that our influ- repentance on the part of the disorderly brother. If very full
ence shall no< be in any manner br degree. used to uphold his of love, his heart may go out to him almost too quickly; he
denial of the fundamentals of the Gosnel. This drastic course may need to restrain himself; especially if it be a second or a
is outlined by the Apostle in these words: “If there come third offense of the kind, or the circumstances otherwise very
any unto you, and bring not this doctrine [confessing Christ to grievous. It will be apparently his duty to look for works in
have come into the world, in the flesh, to redeem our race, etc.] harmony with the repentance, and to wait to see some demon-
receive him not into your house, neither bid him God-speed; for stration, in the nature of restitution for wrong done. or such
he that biddeth him God-speed is partaker of his evil deeds.” an open and radical change of conduct as will give evidence
-2 ,John 10, 11. that the heart ha9 returned to its loyalty to God, to the truth,
But, as our text intimates, we are to use discretion, judg- and to righteousness.
merit,-“and of some have compassion, making a difference.” The erring brother, truly repentant, will not be averse to
Some we may recognize as being merely entrapped of the ad- giving such evidences, nor -consider it unreasonable that his
versary, either in sin or in false doctrine, as the case may be, nrofessed reformation shall be thus attested. Indeed.-/ WP- mav
---~J
and not wilfully, intelligently, of their own volition. Toward expect that such will feel so humbled in respect to his attitude,
such, still maintainmg an attitude of firmness, we are never- and the disgrace which he may have brought upon the cauqe,
theless to express freely our trust that they are only tempo- that he will feel disposed of himself, either to remain absent
ral ilv wrona : and to 9eek to restore them. either doctrinally for a while from the company of the brethren., in penitence,
or in” respec; ‘to their perverse moral course; to the position of or, if acceptable to their company, he will feel disposed to take
fellowshio with the Lord and with all the brethren who are in a back seat-a very humble position amongst the brethren.
fellowshi; with him. Others we are to “save with fear, pulling And if the repentant offender bad occupied the position of a
them out of the fire.” We may be obliged to speak very plainly leader in the company, humility on his part, no less than dis-
to them; we may be obliged to tear open and expose before cretion on the part of the brethren, would seem to indicate
their eyes the sores of their own immoral course, showing them, that he should not be restored to any official or leading posi-
as the case may be, the grossness of the 9in or the grossness of tion in the congregation for a considerable time,-until am-
the error in which they are involved; and doing so perhaps ple evidence had-been given of the sincerity of his reformation.
in strong language, if we realize that nothing short of this has But we close as we began, by urging that facts, evil deeds
availed to arouse them from their lethargy. In pulling them or evil doctrines, and not evil surmisings, knowledge, and not
out of sin we are “pulling them out of the file”-out of the rumors, are the basis of Scriptural disfellowship. Hence the
second death-as the Ap&tle James say9, speaking of this necessity for the observance of the Lord’s rule. (Matt 18.15)
same class : “Let him know that he who converteth a sinner While we are not to close our eyes to wrong in a brother, love
from the error of his way shall save a soul from death”-a will refuse to keep picking to find fault where none is openly
brother who is a sinner, a brother, he explains, who has “erred apparent. And if fault is apparently discovered it is not to
from the truth.“-James 5: 19, 20. be “discussed among the brethren,” but as the Lord directs
Finally, we remark that the dealing of the brethren with should be taken direct to the offender by the discoverer and
the disorderly is not to be in the nature of a punishment; for not so much as mentioned to others unless offenders refuse to
it is not with us to punish. “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, hear;-refuses to correct the fault. Oh, how much trouble
saith the Lord.” Our warnings or reproofs or withdrawals of would be saved, how many mistakes and heart-aches avoided
fellowship, are to be merely in the nature of correctives, with if this rule were strictly followed!

“GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD”

EXOD. 16:4-15.-JULY 6, 1962.
Followine the International Sundav School course, which and they murmured against Moses. He in turn cried unto the
9eems to l&l us in a very diversified and profitable course of Lord for help, and in-response wa9 shown a tree which being
general Bible studv. we return now to studies in the Old Testa- cast into the water9 nurified them. This was the fir9t-” le99on __--___of
__
ment,--taking UT)“the thread where we left it, in the Passhi? of trust, and the Lord’ impressed it upon them as such. (Ex.
Israel through the Red Sea into the wilderness. -The new 15:25, 26) This experience was followed by a joyful one when
nuarter’s lesson9 consider God’s dealinas with Israel. and the their journey brought them to Elim, to its many water-springs
instructions given them in the wilderness‘I. These were’evidently and its palm groves, where they rested. Similarly the spir-
intended to prepare a nation for self-government, which for itual Israelite is not long out of Egypt before he is permitted
nearly two hundred years had been in bondage, almost slavery. to have trying experiences; and seeking refreshment he per-
The first of this series of wilderness lessons may be designated haps finds bitter disappointments, corresponding to the waters
a lesson of trust; and as we note Israel’s experiences and the of Marah. The first impulse of the beginner in this wav will
Lord’s guidance of their affairs, doubtless we will all find les- probably be in the nature of murmuring which, whether SO
sons that will be helpful to u9 who, as spiritual Israelites, are intended or not, is a reflection upon the wisdom and guidance
being led by the antitypical Moses out of E,oypt, the world, of our Leader. The lesson to be learned is perfect trust: to
through a wilderness of instruction and trial and testing. look to the Lord to turn our bitter disappointments into profit-
toward the heavenlv Canaan. able lessons. As Moses purified the waters of Marah, so our
Three routes led from Egypt toward Canaan, and the Lord still mightier Leader can make our bitter experience9 sweet
chose for his people the most roundabout way of the three: if we will but trust him. Then to us also comes a season of
he ha<i in view from the first, their need of training. Their rest and refreshment. an Elim condition. The Lord does not
lonp bondaae had made them servile and weak. lacking in self-
CI <
permit us to have bitterness and trial9 continually, lest we
reliance in the new wav and fearful that their lender,‘in whom should become thoroughly discouraged. He leads u9 sometimes
thcv trusted remarkably, might yet prove incompetent for their lw still waters, restoring our soul, refreshing and restinrr us in
deliverance. What a resemblance to all this we find in the his grace, and’ these exberiences rightly received and Froduc-
spiritual Israelites 1 when first leaving the world and its rudi- ing in us thankfulneses and appreciation, tend to make us
ments-althouoh trustina in Christ. our fullv accented Leader, stron.ger for the further journey and lessons in the wilderness
how apt we a;e to feel -fearful of our abilitv, even under his school of t,he present life.” -
guidance, to gain the promised glorious deliverance from sin But evidentlv the lessons at Marah and Elim were not
and its slaverv! sufficient for Israel; they had not yet learned to trust the
The first disappcintment in the journey was when the sup- Lord, nor that murmuring was an improper course; and so we
ply of water which they were carrying became exhausted and find them murmuring again that Moses had led them out into
they had reached the waters of Marah (bitter) and found them the wilderness, away from the flesh-pots and leek9 and onions
brackish and unfit to drink; their disappointment was intense of Egypt, to perish of hunger in the wilderness. How much
[3035-J
(200-202) ZION’S WA TCH TOWER ALLEGHENY, PA.

more appropriate it would have been had they said to them- and the manna. A strong wind from the sea brought quail in
selves, The Lord through Moses 1s our leader, and we will trust immense numbers, which, wearied with the journey, were un-
in him. Let us pray unto the Lord our God that he will supply able to fly high and thus came within the reach of the Israelit-s,
all our needs according to the abundance of his wisdom and many of them falling from sheer exhaustion. This wss no less
grace and power. However, they were not sufficiently advanced a miracle than if natural means had not been used in connec-
to take such a reasonable positron, and were, therefore, infan- tion with it; the lesson of trust which it taught was that God
tile of disposition, 30 merely gave a wail of despair and dis- is abundantly able to control the natural means in fulfilment
appointment. But the Lord was gracious and patient, and of his promises. Travelers in that region tell us that such
although he upbraitled and mstructed them respecting impro- occurrences are not uncommon; one of these says, “I have
prieties of their course, he, nevertheless, answered their wail myself found the ground in Algeria, in the month of April.
as he nould have answered their more appropriate petition for covered with quail for an extent of many acres, at daybreak,
“thmgs needful.” where the previous evening there had not been one.”
QUAILS AND MANNA The provision of the manna was a miracle of another kind:
It XF\:ISnecessary that the I~raelrtes should learn the lesson wholly aside from the natural order of things, so far as we may
of therr complete depentl~~nct~ rruon the Lord-the lesson of he ably to discern. The manna fell early in the morning and
trust-hence the Lord tlitl not prepare for them the bounties could be gathered after the dew had drsappeared; it was evi-
of ma1111;t antI quails untrl thc,y felt their need. Had these been dently deposited in or from the dew by some power of God
gi\cn u ithut their nectl kwmg first felt, no doubt the Lord’s working probably in harmony with the natural laws of chem-
bounty uoultl have been consrderetl as merely a part of his istry, not yet thoroughly understood. The grains were small
respon4iblc duty; whereas. having learned of their need, they and white and required painstaking labor to gather; nor WVRS
mere tile lsattrr prcparc*tl to appreciate the provisron, and also it then ready for use, but required to be eithrr boiled or baked
to rc*ali~ its miraculous source. So it is with the spiritual to prepare it as food. (verse 23) Everything conmeted with
Israclrtc, rn respect to spiritual necessities, encouragements, the manna indicates not only that it was a most stupendous
fooll, srlstcnnance: they are pcarmitted to feel their needs, and miracle, but a continuous one-lasting from this time for forty
to a& that they may recrive spiritual nutriment freely. gears,; until Israel had entered the land of Canaan and ate of
That thus lesion might bc the more impressed, the Lord first the old corn of the land. Sgain, it was miraculous that a
txplainctl to Jlosrs what he was about to do, and that there double portion fell on the sixth day of the week and none on
the seventh ; and that it would spoil if kept over any night
was a lesson to the people in connection with it; subsequently
Riosc~ ant1 Aaron laid the promise before the people-that the excrpt the one following the sixth day.
Lord woultl eivc thrm flesh to eat that verv evening: and that Ry these two miracles Israel was taught the great lesson
beginning ~r?h the next morning God would provide them with of confidence in God ,-that to him and him alone they were
I)r,~atl tro~tl hc~v13n. ‘I’licv nroncrlv took no credit for this to to look as their Leader. And so to spiritual Israel the Lord
tliorlwlv~~, hiit on the contrary, appealed to the people that gives providential leadings, teaching them the same lesson of
thcby tli(l 11ioirf in murmuring against them as their leaders, trust in himself. To us this applies not only in respect to
and aSsIrring tbrm that they mere really murmuring against eartbly food, in supplp of our physrral necessities, but RISO to
thr J,ortl, tlrrir rcnl learler. Ilatl Rlosrs and his assistant the heavenly food and the supply of all our spiritual necessities.
Aaron, and not tlrci I~ortl, bern thc,ir Irnder~, thry would have It teaches the same lesson that is expressed in our Lord’s
takcsn grcnt risks intlrcd in coniinp out. even from bondage, prayer, our Golden Text; namely, “Give us this day our daily
into tllc 11iltlrr Ire<‘: ; brrnuso hnwerrr wrll-intentioned Moses bread.” The Lord’s people are to rerognizp God’s providences
miglrt havr brc~n, he 11as incnmpctcnt to supply the necrssities daily: to walk by faith, not bv sight. We see but the one
for so va’t a niultitutlr. Evitlentlv the ueoule believed when step before us, and that somctimps indistinctly in the light
thry l(Lft I<Igy1jt that tbcl Lord was leadm& and that Moses was of the lamp of the drvine Word; its mnre drstrnct utterances
mcrrly ltii rcpresentativr, and the fact that they now mur- are in respect to the ultimate end of the Lord’s leadings;--
murctl against Moses nnd not against the Lord implied a lack that he has accepted ~3, as his people, under the Mediator of
of faith ‘and a lack of trust, a cdisposition to fear&that Moses the New Covenant; that he is leading u3 by him through pres-
\vas lrntling them on his own responsibility. Moses, on the ent experiences, trials and testings, in order that we map be
otbcr lrnntl, meekly ignores his own relationship to the work. made meet for the inheritance of the saints in light ;-that he
and loyally points them to the Lord as being the one who had will continue to lead us if we will continue to follow, and will
lrtl tlum thus far, and who was thoroughly competent to sup- ultimately bring all of his faithful into the promised land, the
ply all thrir nerds and to prrform toward them all of his good heavenly Canaan.
pronrrses 6piritnnl Israrlites are similarly to keep in mind The Lord’s supplv of our earthly needs is perhaps best rtp-
thr fart that thro are not following human leaders; that the resented by the provision of the quails. He overrules natural
rcl.rl Director of thr Cn,rrse of spiritual Israel, the real Leader, affairs to provide us the things needful, sometimes more and
ii tllr I.nr(l: and that mm. at thr verv most. are his honored sometimes less abundantly. And as the Israelites doubtless
rc1)r?‘srntatircs. Tn Casrs of disappointment of expectation3 we ate of the quails not only at the time of their gathering. but
a~(* to r(~mcmbrr that God was and is our real Leader, and are preserved some of them for future use, so we in respect to
not to tlnllllt. not to murmur, but to learn the lesson of trust, earthly things are to use the things of this world as not abus-
of cnnfitl~~ncc. and to cry unto the Lord for further drliver- ing them. We are to use them wisely, remembering that while
ancrs. they come to us in the ordinary course of life, they are, never-
Hnmnn natrrrc is vividly illustrated in the cry of the Isra- theless, God’s provision and to be used with frugality and
rlrtcs nzarnct Rloseq: tbrir plaint \!a3 “\Vould to God we had judgment. to his praise. If the supply is abundant, we are
die(l by’thc hand of the Lord in the land of E,gypt, when we sat to be thankful, and rf it is deficient we are to trust. We are
1)~ tllcx flr+h ijots. wlitn we (lit1 cat bread to the full1 for ve to learn the lesson of trust; and that after having done what
I~:I\(% 1,rnrrgl~t’ us forth into this wildrrnrss to kill this whole we are able to do in the way of providing for our necessities,
ir~sr1111)lv1, It11 bungfr ” Thry forgot all nhnlrt the bitter bond- we can safely leave all else to him with whom we have to
agcl of lSyy1)t : thr maltin, m of bricks without straw; the task do,-our Father in heaven.
IIIRst(‘l $ : and bow tlrcy hat1 nird nrrt to the Lord for deliver- The lesson from the manna seems more particularly to illus-
nnw . thcb\- I cmt>mbrrrtl nnlr snrnc of the pleasant things-and trate our spiritual supplies, which come wholly from above.
wc art’ rrnt to expect. nntlcr a11 tlrc rircumstances narrated, The manna is called in the Scriptures, “The rorn of heaven.”
that tlltsy h:r(l nnv suprrnbnntlancr in the matter of food. So “the bread of the mighty”-“angels’ food.” ( Psa. 78 :24, 25 ;
nnw tllcb tlr~c~ontrntrd mint1 fails to ser the leading3 of God’s 1 Cnr. 10 :3) Our Lord interprets the manna as a symbol of
pi o\i(lcncc,s.-lcavc~ him nut of its calculations,-forgrts the himself.-the Truth,-of which a man map eat and never die.
cxcrc~tlinp grtat and prcrions prnmisrs set hcfnre us in the Nevertheless, this bread, although given freely, demands labor
Srriptlrrr-. for the timr thinks nnlv of the things given up. m the part of those who would appropriate it and obtain from
ITon: apt arc all to rnn~mbrr the pleasures and gratification3 it spiritual sustenance; it must be gathered, and it
of thr sinfIr rnndrtinn. and to forret < its burdens and heartaches must be prepared as food. We cannot expect to come to
and tli\:r1~pointmf9ts I Christ and to receive in an instant and without effort on our
All Jsrarl probably was assembled. in its representatives, own part all the gracious mercy, blessing and truth that is
the rhipf men of all the tribes, ancl these matters were ex- in him. The truth is God’s gift, to be sure: but it is so given
plninc~tl. ant1 the lrsson still flrrther impressed, h.y the mani- as to require the putting forth of energy on our part, which
festation to thrm of the brightness of the Iord’s glory in a will demonstrate our need, our hunger, our appreciation of this
rlnrrd. Tlrr lesson of trust was being impressed; thev were to “bread of life.” Neither can we receive enough in one day or
know the Lord as their Leader and that all the provisions for one month or one year to sustain us perpetually; we need to
their necrssitirs were from him, although they were announced come to the Lord daily, and to receive from him through his
to them hy the Lord’s servants. This lesson, too, is for us. Word and spirit the life-giving forces by which we may be SUS-
After these instructions had prepared them, the quails came tained day by day in the trials of life,-and by which we may
130361
JULY 1, 1902 ZION’S WATCH
grow strong rn the Lord our God and in the power of 1113might.
Lord, evermore give us this bread!-day by day, until,
entering into the antitypical Canaan, the heavenly kingdom,
GOD FIRST-IN
Exon. 20: l-1 I .-.JUI,Y
GOLDEN TEXT:-“Thou shalt love the Lord
After leaving Elim, in our last lesson, the journey of the
Israelites led to Mount Sinai; but before reaching it their faith
In the Lord was tested severely hy a conflict wrtll the Amalek-
ltrs. :I war-lrkc trrhe of thr de~rrt. lTnu\rd to milrtary mat-
ters and encumbered with their families, flocks and herds, the
men of Israel were forced to a conflict, and, strange to say,
their leader, Moses, who some fortv vears previouslv had been
a notable Egyptian general, did “not attemept n&v to take
charge of the battle, but entrusted it to Joshua, while he went
to the top of a hill overlooking the field of battle, and there
in the sight of the contending peoples, engaged in prayer with
nnlrftcd hands. It was here that Aaron. Moses’ brother. and
Hur, his brother-in-law (husband of Miriam), upheld the hands
of hloses in prayer; because it was noticed that the Lord’s
special blessing attended the Israelites when Moses’ hands were
upheld. Thus“Israe1 vanquished the foe, and thus it was dem-
onstrated that it was the Jmrd who fought with Israel and
conquered their enemies. No doubt Israe learned a lesson of
faith in the Lord, and through Moses’ example learned to trust,
not in Mosra. but in the Lord as their Leader. And the humble
conduct of Aaron and Hnr in this incident hecame the ground
work of a great lesson of helpfulness in the Lord’s service-
showing how assistance in the service is recognized of the Lord
and such co-operation acceptable. So with spiritual Israelites.
Tn all the trials and conflicts with our adversarv and his de-
luded followers, we are to learn distinctly the l&son that all
our trust is to he in the Lord, our Leader, the antitype of
110~s. Captain of our Salvation: who does not, in an earthly
sense. actually lead us in the conflict. but is in the Mountain,
in the kingtlnm: his merit prevails for our blessing and succor,
and nll of his faithful servants in turn recognize themselves as
merely co-operating with him.
=\nother incident worthy of notice occurred about this time:
.Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, came to meet him here, bringing
Moses’ family (Ex. 18) ; moreover, the Lord used this man for
giving Moses snme valuable suggestions respecting the govern-
mrnt‘ of the Israelites ; and Moses was humble enough”to re-
ceive such instruction as of the Lord. notwithstandina the fact
that it came from an Ethiopian, one vvho was not of trhe~seed of
Abraham, and who did not join himself to them. Thus God
qnmetimes even now uses outsiders to give suggestions and
lessons to his covenant people; and wise is the man or woman
humble enough to recrive instruction from anv quarter-when
fount1 to be in hnrmonv with the divine will. The advice
given to RTnses.--that he should no longer attempt to be the
law-giver for the neonle in all the minutiae of their affairs.
but .a sort of supreme judge, and Mediator between God and
the people, was a wise suggestion, evidently from the Lord, by
whomsoever given. So also was the next suggestion. that the
people be organized according to their tribes&d families, and
that rach tribe should thus have, in itself. its own nroner
servants and officers and judges for minor ‘details. df t’his
arrangement some one has said, “This [arrangement] became
the hasis (Kalisch) of Alfred the Great’s Saxon constitution,
and thus the basis of the constitution of modern England and
America”-a government of the people, by the people, through
their own representatives.
THE OIVINO OF THE LAW
The transaction at Mount Sinai was so arranged as deeplv
to impress all who were present.
It was to be another lesson
for the pcople respecting God, his right to control them and
his will concerning them. Boundary marks were fixed around
the mountain, whmh was declared holy because of the Lord’s
presence in it; a man or beast trespassing upon it was subject
to death: meantime the mountain shook with earthquakes, and
fire and smoke, thunders and lightnings, and trumpet-like
sonnds and voices manifested to the Israelites the importance
of the event at hand. Rut if the TJord thus impressed them by
the solemnitv of their surroundings with the importance of the
covenant wh.ich he was about to make with them, his message
to them, introducing the commandments, was very gracious and
gentle. In this preamble he reminds them that he, the Lord,
had brnnght them out of the land of Ewnt: thev had bv this
time gotten beyond any desire to returi”io Egypt; thei were The law delivered to Moses was upon two tables of stone.
learning to trust in the Lord. to realize his care and nrotection Although not so specified, it is a generally accepted opinion
and deliverance from enemies and from want. that the first four commandments were upon one stone and the
IV-19 130373
TOWER (202-203)
we shall have no further need of this daily supply, but be
changed, perfected as new creatures in Christ Jesus in the
first resurrection!
THE DECALOGUE
13, 1902.
thy God with all thy hea&.“-Luke 10:27.
iMeantime the people, in obedience to the Lord’s direction,
had purified themselves, their clothing and their camp; and,
as directed, they were endeavoring to abstain from all impuri-
ties as a prerequisite to their meeting with and entering into
covenant relationshin with the Lord of Hosts. The sniritual
Israelite also has something analogous to this. First he must
realize the justice of God and the greatness of God, and his own
unworthiness and weaknesses ; he must see something of the
terrors of Sinai before he will be in the proper condition to
receive the favors which our Lord desires to bestow. Pronerlv.
he, too, will seek to purge himself so far as possible froAm a%
filth of the flesh; properlv also, he will seek a mediator, and
as the Israelites said to Moses, so will he sav to Christ. “En-
treat the Lord for us, that we may speak to thee, and ‘speak
thou to him.” We realize our need of a mediator through
whom the Word of the Lord will come to us, and by whose
merit and grace we shall be helped in satisfying the demands
of the divine law.
Rut a greater lesson is included in this type. In this still
larger view Moses typified Christ ,Jesus the Head, and the
church, his body, complete; in this larger view Israel typifies
so many of the world of mankind as are desirous of entering
covenant relationship with God; in this larger view the fire
and smoke and voices and trumpets and earthquakes of Mount
Sinai represent the great time of trouble and manifestations of
divine power which are to come in the end of this Gospel age
to convince the world of its need of the Lord’s help and to
make the world ready to enter into the New Covenant. In this
larger view the three days of purification, setting bounds about
the Mount, etc., represent the period of this Gospel age from
the first advent down to the glorification of the church-typi-
fied in the going up of Moses into the mountain, to be the rep-
resentative of the people, to receive the Lord’s Law and to bring
it down to the people. Thus counting the matter according to
the days of the week-a thousand years to each day--our
Lord’s first advent occurred early on the fifth day ;-the fifth
day has passed, the sixth dav has nasscd, and we are now in
the earlv- morning of the seventh or “Millennial” day; and it
is in this third dav “earlv in the mornina” that the antitvnical
Moses [Christ and the church] is to ascend into the mouytain,
kingdom of the Lord. It is in this third day, and very shortly
now we believe, that the great and terrible manifestations of
divine dignity and majesty are to be made known to the world
in general.
This is in full accord with the statement of the Anostle
referring to this time, and to this same type. (Hrb. 12:22-2!J)
For some time the Lord has been dealinn with the world with
a view to the bringing in of this New Covenant. Two (thou-
sand year) days ago we approached the mountain, the kingdom
of God; there God, through the antitvne of Moses. beean to
mark nut the bounds of the kingdom class, who might aud who
might not approach, come into the kingdom. From that time
the proclamation of pnriflration has been made, the people
being commanded to cleanse themselves; or, as the Apostle
agam saps, “The times of this ignorance God winked at: but
now commandeth all men everywhere to repent: hecause he
hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in
righteousness, hv that man whom he hath ‘ordained”-Christ.
--Acts 17:x), 31.
The instruction to pnrify and to get rrady has been more
nr less heard and more nr less heeded throughout the world;
and now shortly we may expect the marshaling of the people,
as deqcrihetl in Ex. 19.17-20. so graphically described by the
Apostle as picturing the events with which the present age is
to close. “Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also
heaven.” HP explains that in the great changes now at hand
the transformation will be a complete one, which will thor-
nyhly shake nut and remove everything in connectron with the
clvrl, religious and social affairs of man that is not in harmony
with the law5 of the kingdom-the Millennial kingdom. Only
the faithful who shall constitute the kingdom class shall
stand the shaking of this time.-Heb. 12:26-28.
THE FIRST FOUR COMMANDMENTS
(204-205) ZION’S WATCH
remaining six upon the other. This would make about an even
division as respects the matter ; but more particularly it divides
as between the duties of Israel toward God and toward men.
Although the Decalogue (the law in ten commandments) was
FIven to fleshlv Israel and not to sniritual Israel, nevertheless,
The latter ma; learn from it some v&y valuable l&sons respect:
ing the divine will. God does not address the house of Sons
as he addrrsses the house of servants-urs are not commands
as to what we shall not do; ours is one command respecting
our dutv toward God, and it is so comprehensive that it takes
in all t’hat was said to Israel in the ten commandments, and
as we shall presently see much more.
(1) “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” The
thought is not that they were prohibited from having other
gods before Jehovah, in the sense of superiority, implying that
they might ha\c some gods on an equality with or inferior to
him. Rather, the thought is that they should have no other
gods in his presence-that so long as they recognized Jehovah
as their God, none others were to be recognized in any sense
or degree.
(2 ) The second commandment is an elaboration of the Hurst, rendered a thousand generations, and that this would imply a
lert the neonle minrht say. “We will have no other gods, but
we will &al& for is ima”&s to represent our one Go; so.that
thev mav heln the mind throunh the eve.” But the Lord pro-
hibits t&s, a;d we can reaclil; see the” wisdom of the proGibi-
tion. M&y Christian people- have felt that they could pray
before aictures of the Lord or while lookinn at a crucifix better
than &thont such an aid. indeed, we kgow that Greek and
Roman Catholirs throughout the world (nearly three times as
numerous as those telrnetl Protestants) continunllv use im-
a<ges, picturrs, beads, etc., as reminders, ‘and helps to” the mind
and faith: but we believe that the effect has been seriouslv
injurious ; the tendency downward rather than upward, anb
that this, to some extent, accounts for the fact that the races
using images, etc., are inferior to those not using them, but
practicing the higher and purer worship of God which rec-
ognizes no intermediary, no crucifix, no image, no picture, but
cnmmuncs tlirrctlv with the Lord.
The Gospel ch;lrrh has a still higher thought than was given
to the Jrws on this subiect. Our Master’s words suggest that
even fathers and mothe;k and wives and children mi& intrude
upon our lovo and devotion and take the place of the Lord in
our affections : and that this must not be nermitted bv anv who
would he of the elect. In comparison we must love less than
God all other beings, so that the first strenqth of our love and
devotion mnv be rriven to our Creator. “Thou shalt love the
Lord thv G&l wiih all thv heart, mind, soul and strength.”
This w&~ld also include the thought that wealth. or self or
II
ambition must not be permitted to take the chief nlace in those
who would be the LoEd’s. Many seem to be in ‘danger along
these lines. We cannot read their hearts. but the vast ma-
jority not only of the world, but of those who profess devotion
to the LoTd! are bowing themselves down to idols of wealth,
social ambition, personal ambition, etc., and serving these with
all the strength and time and means and knowledge which they
have consecrated to the Lord. We are not saying a word
against the nrorurinn of “things needful” in a manner “honest
in the sight’of all &in:” we defer to something beyond this,-
the attemnt to IRV UD riches. honor. etc.. with the time and
knowled,rrr’and talent; conqer&ted to’ the TAord. Is it not this
idol no&hip from the standpoint of the New Covenant?
The T,ord announces himself as a jealous God, who wants
all of our affections, all of our confidence, our entire trust.
He wvnnts that we should be so fully in acrord with him that
his will shall be supreme in all the affairs of life. This is
not to be considcrcd sclfiqhness on the part of the Almi,qhty;
because this, untlrr his overruling providencea. means to his
rrcntures the larccst amount of happiness, the lar,gest amount
of sureesq in the tlutics and affairs of the present life, and the
lnrpest, amount of nrcnaration for thr blcsqincs whirh the Lord
has prppnrcd for a;ld ‘promised to those who love him.
The dcrlaration that the Lord will visit the iniquities of the
fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation
of those that hate him, and show mercv unto thousands of
them that love him ar,i keep his commandments, does not rep-
resent anger, bitterness, resentment. selfishness :-rather these
words express the law of nature, under which in wisdom God
has placed humanitv. Every one who uses his mind and his
talents in accord ditl. the Lord’s will, brings a blessing not
only upon himself, but extends, in a natural way. that blessing
to ‘his children and theirs. On the contmrv. those who live
contrary to the Lord, who mind earthly things, become more
a14 more “earthly.” “sensual,” “devilish,” and surelr transmit
these groveling and deficient tendencies to their children, in-
fluencing and injuring them unto the third and fourth genera-
tion, in a perfectly natural manner.
[30381
TOWER ALLEGHENY,Pa.
The Apostle points out to us that this is the secret of the
extreme degradation that we see about us in various parts of
the world today. There was a start to all this degradation.
Of course the original start to degradation and sin waz in tht
disobedience of father Adam, and In the death sentence upon
him. But in proportion as people since have disregarded the
Lord’s will and arrangement and laws, so far as they knew
them, in the same proportion have they injured and degraded
themselves and their posterity. The Apostle’s words are,
“When they knew God they glorified him not as God, neither
were thankful; but became vam In their imaglnatlons and
their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be
wise, they became fools and changed the glory of the incor-
ruptible God into an image made iike to corruptible man, and
to birds, and to four-footed beasts and creeping things. Where-
fore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts
of their own hearts to dishonor their own bodies between them-
selves: who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshiped
and served the creature more than the Creator.“-Rom. 1:21-31.
It has been suggested that the original of verse 6 might be
continuation of present conditions of imperfection and need for
divine mercy for a period of at least 20,000 years, instead of
one thousand-the Millennium. We disagree with such an
interpretation entirely, suggesting that in a very proper sense
of the word every child is generated, and hence might not im-
properly be spoken of as a generation. This is in accord with
the translation given in the common version which we approve.
The command to the Israelite that he should not take God’s
name in vain, did not signify that he should not name the
name of the Lord, yet going to an extreme in the matter the
Israelites avoided the covenant name of God-Jehovah. The
expression, “in vain,” evidently signified lightly, frivolously or
in any other than a sacred or reverential manner. No such
command is needed bv the “new creature in Christ.” HOW
could he willingly or iitentionally speak lightly or irreverently
of his heavenly Father, after being begotten of the holy Spirit P
To have a will to speak otherwise than rerrrent1.v wol11d he
sure indication that he had not been begotten of the holy
Spirit:-that he was a bastard and not a son. However, there
is a sense in which we may well take a lesson from this com-
mand to Israel, a sense in which it is applicable to spiritual
as well as natural Israel. As a people Israel had taken God’s
name,-they had professed themselves to be God’s people, under
his guidance and leadership; it was their duty to see to it that
this should not be a vain, empty, or meaningless covenant, or
agreement; that it should be carried out to the full. So with
us spiritual Israelites, we have entered into a covenant with
God; we have named the name of the Lord upon us, calling
ourselves his people, claiming him as our Father, and con-
fessing Jesus as our Redeemer. It is proper for us to remem-
ber that this solemn profession or obligation or covenant is not
a vain, frivolous matter; that it should be entered into with
solemnity, and with full appreciation of its importance and of
our responsibilities under it. The Lord will not hold us guilt-
less if, having taken his name upon us and rereiving hia
benediction as his children, we then either sin wilfully or in
any degree reflect dishonor upon him whose name we bear.
“REMEMBER THE SABBATH DAY”
The fourth commandment designates the seventh day of the
week for rest, not only for the head of the family, but for
every member of it, including servants and cattle and visitors.
It was made the duty of the head of the family to see to it
that this divine cornhand was carried out in his home, for
the blessing of himself as well as for the comfort and good of
those under his care. The new law, love, the basis of the New
Covenant into which we spiritual Israelites, as the “house of
sons,” have entered, has no command respecting the seventh
day of the week, nor indeed respecting any day. If it was
good that the Israelites should rest, would it not be good also
that we should rest one dav in the seven? Yes, surely; on
general principles it is advi$able that all men observe such a
rule of physical rest from toil one day in seven. Is there any
reason why we should object to the seventh day of the week
for such a rest? None whatever so far as the Christian is con-
cerned.
Being left without a specific law on the subject, he is at
liberty to make such arrangements for his rest as will be most
profitable to him under the general law of love. Being without
a specific law on the subject Christian people, desiring to have
one day of seven for worship, gradually fixed upon the first day
of the week as being the one which to them would have the
largest meaning, because of its being the Memorial of the
Lord’s resurrection. and hence, the Memorial of the Christian’s
joy and faith and hope with respect to the eternal life prnmiscd
through our Redeemer. Do you consider the choice of the first
JULY 1. 1902 ZION’S WATCH TOWE (206-207)

day of the week a good one? We certainly are glad that member this injunction put upon them, respecting the seventh
throughout the civilized lands the first day of the week is so day, and that thenceforth it shob’d be kept holy, sacred, free
observed; we are glad, too, that it is not observed according to from work, as unto the Lord. All this is implied further in
the Jewish law, merely as a day of physical rest, but rather the declaration of the 11th verse respecting God’s having rested
that it is much used by Christians as a day of fellowship of on the seventh day; and the explanation is that similarly.
spirit and growth in grace, knowledge and love. now, in the giving- of the law, God was blessing the seven&
But why did the Lord not put in the law of the New Cove day and honoring it as a reminder of the six days of creation,
nant some mention respecting some day of the week, first, and the seventh day in which God rested from creative work.
seventh or some other da.y? We answer because the entire law We have heretofore explained why the days of creation
is a “Law of Liberty,“Aesigned to test by its liberty those to should not be understood as literal days of twenty-four houra
whom it is given. It leaves each one unfettered that he may each, But as larger davs of seven thousand years each: and
the more abundantly show the kind and extent of his devo- this .subject we-hope to treat still more at’ length (0. V.)
tion to the Lord. Instead of demanding one dav of the seven in Millennial Dawn. Vol. 6. We merelv note here. that the
the Law of Love really controls, regulates ou; entire time; seventh day which hod observed was on: of these larger days
seven days in the week we are to love the Lord our God with of seven thousand years; and that it began just after the
all our heart, mind, soul and strength; and seven days of the creation of our first parents and that since then God has
week we are to love our neighbor as ourselves; and Feven rested from any creative work, and has merely permitted, as
days in the week we are to rest also-rest from our works- far as earth is concerned, that things already created should
rest Ey faith in the finished work of Christ-rest in the love take their course;-many of them a downward course, as in
of God-rest in the peace of God which passeth all understand- the case of man in his fall from primeval perfection into sin
ing, ruling in our hearts continually. The seventh day com- and death. The Apostle explains that God is still resting,
manded to the Jew as his rest day, while it was beneficial to and waiting for something,-leaving a further work for the
him, was also typical: it typified the Christians’ rest of faith, Lord Jesus to do,-the work of redemption and restitution.
this heart relaiionship to the Lord, in which. as children of The redemptive work he has already accomplished; the resti-
God, all such may continually rejdice-every’ dav and every tution work he will begin as soon ai the election of his church
night. So the Anostle exnlains the matter (Heb. ~4:4-11 j. de- -the “bride.” the “Lamb’s wife” is accomnlished. Meantime
cliring further ihat therk is a still large;-&$ remai&ng;
namely, the eternal life condition to be entered into on the God rests, leaving the matter in the hand’s of him whom he
great seventh day,-the Millennial age. hath ordained to be “Lord of all,” and to whom he has de-
Some have sug,nested that in the exnression “Remember the creed all things shall be subject, for the purposes of restitu-
.,- tion,-so far as possible. And as God is thus resting and
Sabbath day to keep it holy” the word’ remember implies that
the Sabbath dav had been nreviouslv instituted and com- leaving the matter in the hands of Christ, so all who come to
manded ; and t&at this was kerely adreminder of it. From a knowledge of the truth, to a knowledge of God’s plan, are to
this we dissent. There was no law given previous to Israel’s rest similarly,-leaving the case in the hands of our glorious
arrival at Sinai; there was no mention of the keeping of a Redeemer and seeking so far as we may be able, no: to direct
Sabbath previous to Israel’s arrival at the wilderness of Sin him, not to do the work for him, but to co-operate with him in
of which Mt. Sinai is the center. It was instituted in connec- the work which he is now doing in selecting the church; and
tion with the giving of the manna. (Exod. 16:23) We are not by and by, to co-operate as he has promised we may, in the
to read into the Lord’s Word what is not there. The words of work of blessing and restoring all the families of the earth who
the text signify that Israel should be careful continually to re- will hear his voice and become obedient to his law.

LETTERS OF INTEREST
DEAR BROTHER RussnL:-On the occasion of your last lished fact that there will be a convention here in October.
visit to our house, you lost on the floor the check ydu had re- Bra. Fowler, our captain, told me a few days ago that he be-
ceived for your satchel, etc., at the hotel onnosite the depot. I lieved everv one would engage in this work:-and why
felt sure ;V&I woultl be.ab1e’t.o get them wiih’ont the check, yet shouldn’t wk? If we nppreckt; the opportunity .extended is
I concluded to return it and learn positively that you had pro- bv our dear Lord. we will not onlv.s delicht <1 to do his will. but
-I
cured them. While on this errand I met a man I hadn’t seen will earnestly strive to do it in the most acceptable mannkr.
for veals, whom formel Iv I had known well. I WRS compelled Experience has taught us that there is much to be learned;
to i&roduce myself to him, because he said he couldn’t recog we have realized the necessity of being as “wise as serpents
nize me. When I made myself known he was astounded and and as harmless as doves.” A soft answer has many times
said, “Why, what have you been doing to yourself? You look turned away wrath; a quiet
* courteous manner has pined for
younger than you did when I saw you last, which is more us respect, and been the means of obtaining an audience with
than ten years ago; besides you have lost that careworn-look the person, for the printed sermon we have presented, that
you had, and now appear so much happier. What has caused could not have been accomplished in a loud or boisterous was.
such a change in you 1” I answered “Good news! The influ- To get into a contention, e;en for the truth, on these occnqio&
ence of the truth &using me to cast all my care on Him.” He diverts from the snecific service. There is a time when silence
said, “I would like to hear something that would be the means is golden; it seem’s to me that while engaged in the volunteer
of making so great a change in me.” I said, “You can hear work is that time; the message we deliver will speak more
it if you have ears to hear.” I then questioned him as to eloquently than mortal tongue, for it is our Lord knocking at
whether he was still a Christian, and he told me he was seek- the door of the hearts of his people.
ing diligently to know what was truth, had once left the And now, Bro. Russell, I entreat you to make use of every
Methodist church and attached himself to the Advent denom- opportunity to say to the brethren where ever you may “0, to
ination, but soon learned he had gained nothing bv the change put forth earnest efforts to come to the Annual Convent& in
and returned to the Methodists, only to be as dissatisfied as hrashington, D. C., October 4th, 5th and 6th. Warm hearts
ever. He was really anxious to hear the details of my experi- will meet them here. We hone for a Plorious time of heln to
ence, and seemed glad that I didn’t have to go out&de God’s the church, not forgetting the nearlv-starved and blind ‘and
Word to get the message of comfort. I then told him how ignorant who are y& where we werk once. May our Lord’s
MILLENNIAL DAWN came to me and opened the eyes of my un- blessing he on all efforts tendine to make this convention a
derstand@, enabling me to realize the truth that God is love, succe& ant1 may it be with us “in this as in all else, “God
and showmg me my privilege to be joint sacrificer with the first,” to his honor and glory through Jesus.
Lord and co-laborer with him in this the greatest period of With Love, I am your brother in the love and service of
all time (thus far)-the harvest of the age. His interest was our Master. J. T. D. PYLEs,-District of Gol?Lmbia.
awakened, he was eager to get the book, even desiring to pur-
chase one at once if I could tell him where to procure it. We DEAR BROTIIER RUSSELL .-I
* know that vour time is verv
were several blocks from Bro. Brown’s. He went there with me much taken up; but I would love so to tkll you of a den>
and took awnv what I hope will be as great a treasure to him Sister J-. whom we met in P-. She came into the
as it has been to me. DAWN Truth; about 1800, and has been a TOWER reader since
So you see, dear brother, the loss of your check, though 1892. She said that in all her Christian life she had felt the
it may have caused you some annoyance, occasioned that seem- riced of “lieht.” and that the DAWN Truth didn’t, seem some-
ingly chance meeting and started another MILLENNIAL DAWN thing neu,,“but onlv the exDression of somethinr she has nl-
on its wonderful mission. ways tmnted. She had no e&cation at all, could-barelv read;
Two causes make the WashingtAn folks very joyous now; and couldn’t write. She said when she read the first’ DAWN,
viz., The early prospect of the volunteer work, and the estab- she had to speU owt the words. But, notwithstanding, she
130391
(206-211) ZION’S WATCH TOWER ALLEGHZNY, PA.

said, ‘WY heart just nma over with joy all the time, and lived on. May God bless him always is my constant prayer !”
please say to Brother Russell for me that he has made one How often my own heart feels the blessedness this dear old
poor ignorant old woman’s life rich, oh, so rich and that sister speaks of. Truly your sister,
every word he has written I have read, and not only read, but HELEN Ba~ws~~~,-Znrlianrs

MORE VOLUNTEER AMMUNITION

The friends are displaying great ener,rry this year in the issued 400,000 more of these issues, so as to be ready for your
distribution of literature near Christian meeting places. We later orders.
bid you all God-speed in this very effective preaching .of the
Gospel. Our first order for the special ibsues of our journal Meantime let those who have not been engaged in thia
used this year was for 1,000,OUO coplrs. 01 er one-li,~Ii 01 illit3 branch of the service inquire of themselves whether or not they
quantity ha3 already gone out to fill large requisitions and can afford to miss so grand an opportunity for show&g forth
nearly 600,000 are on back orders waiting for the papers as the praises of him who has called us out of darkness into ins
fast a.3 the printers can suppiy them. Lie hope to get caught marvelous light. Do you know of and arc you using a better
up very 3oon now, and request that those who hare sent US method of preaching the truth? “He that reapeth, recelveth
small orders for mail shipment exercise just a little more pa- wages [JOY and peace and blessing in the present life even]
tience. “Let patience have her perfect work.” We have just and gatheleth fruit tillto e\ erlastmg life,”

INTERESTING QUESTIONS ANSWERED

IN MY FLESE SHALL I SEE GOD evident that the Sinaitic MS. origjnallp contained these verses;
Queslioti.-In \\h:tt srnse can the statrmrnt in Job IO:%, but some later hand obIiterated”them, thus making this MS.
be trur, since we untlerstand he will not have power to “see to concur with the Vatican and Alexandrine. On the whole we
God” as a human being? are inclined to think these verses genuine, partly from the fact
Awl:-fr .-The passage might be understood in two different that tlley are in old ;\lSS.. and partly ir01ii tile tact tlixt Lllc
ways : (a.) A+ an c:.pression of Job’s trust in the Lord that incident narrated is only what we should expect under the cir-
tlc,t\\.illl,l:lfrll111_: tllcl hc~:‘ious mcrlafl,v wltlr whl1.11 11~ was a!'fl~ctkxl, cumstances.
and the anparcnt utter destruction of his skin. bv a loathsome CHANGED FEOP GLORY TO GLORY
tliseas?, & he hoped for recovery and that ge should yet
IJiitI<e t!ltl 1,0rd II> tflc flc,ft :lrt(l in hCi~ltl1. Cir (b) It may be Question.-In what sense of the word are we “changed
untlelstood to retor to R fuillrc* life nntl .Job’s confi~lcnc~e that fro: $;;y to glory, ” even as by the spirit of the Lord?-2
I
tljough his siokncgs might result in death, complete dissolu-
tion, vc-t it did not mean ir! him an evellastmp extinction. AR bn.&ce;.-After we are justified by faith we are called t0
pre&usly statctl, God \vould call and he \~ot8~1 answer in his the adoption of sonship; and after we accept that call by
flcsl:. 15s szcip:? :-- Got1 in the flesh shouid not be understood as making a full consecration of ourselves to the Lord we are
that, which is Impos~itl~, of which o~lr Lord sags, “No man made recipients of the spirit of his holiness, the spirit of
hnth seen God at any time,” ocd of which the Apostle says, adoption into his family, and after WP receive this spirit of
“Whcm no man hlt!l qeen nor can sec.” It sbouid be under- adoption we are guided by it and taught by it respecting the
stood in the wnv in lvhich 1‘t is commonlv used today, viz., things pleasing and acceptnhle to our heavenly Fathrr; we
that God’s prople SW him in his works. as”wc sometimes say; are, so to speak, under this influence moulded and fashioned
“I SW God’s hand in this.” A;J~ ac:,in. we are informed that
into the likeness of his dear Son our Lord ,Tesus. This mouirl-
“all fresh shall sre tbc salmtion 0;’ God.” And again, “Look ing and fashioning we are required to do to a considerable
unto me and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth.‘3 extent for ourselves, but are siimulated to such transforma-
tion of character by the light of the knowledge of the divine
‘GARIOUS READIXGS OF CZD TOSS. character which we behold in God’s Word. This transforming
Questions.---Wiv do you nuotr ant1 corrrncut on Luke 22 ~43, of our characters is not instantaneous but gradual-we grow
44, when old MSS: omit these verses? more and more like Christ, we are changed from glory to
alzswcr.-Brcause while some old XI%. omit these verses, glory in our minds, our wills, our hearts, our characters-
we find that others do not. If you ~$111look in the foot-notes this change will not be complete until our resurrection, when
of Tischendorf Testament, you will find that “S2” omits these we shall be like him and see him as he is, and share his glory
verses: the S reprrsents the Sinaitic &IS. but the 2 represents to the full. An article on thia subject ~111 be found in our issue
a secondary or :lltercd reading of that MS. From this it is of March 1, 1893.
I-
T,.OL. XXIII ALLEGHENY, PA., JULY 15, 1902 No. 14

VIEWS FROM THE WATCH TOWER

THE “HIGHER CRITICISM” IN SCoTLANI)
Scathing Press Comments
A Scottish reader of .?%01z’sWatch Tower writes:-The fore the Assembly for disposal extraordinary interest was
month of May annually witnesses the great ecclesiastical taken in the proceedings, and the large St. Andre\v’s Hall was
rncactirI,rrs knon n AS the (‘:rneInl As~emblics of the Presbyterian crowded all day. Rev. Dr. Kidd, Glasgow, submitted the re-
~hu~chcs in Scotland. This year the Assemblies of the Estab- port. Principal Rainy moved that the Assembly adopt th:
liqhed church ,rnd of the Free church (the latter consisting of recommendation of the report to the effect “that it was not
tboqc nho di(l :lot entt,r the union between the former Free the duty of the church to institute any process against PIofeq-
church a!‘11 the former United Presbyterian church, now called sor Smith in connection with his lectures recently published:
in union the United Free c!lur&) met in Edinburgh, the his- but at the same time declared that they mere not to be held
toric mpitzl of the country. while the Assembly of the United as accepting or authorizing the critical theories therein set
Frecl churth way held in Glas,now. To rratfers of Dnl~ the forth.” The motion also called upon ministers and professors
l)rincipal interest in the voluminous discussions, extending to take care that reverence for Holy Scripture should be con-
over some ten days, will he In rcspcct to tlre’qucqtion of the spicuously manifest in their writings.
“Higher Criticism” in corm&inn \\ith nhiclr there was a In a long speech in support of the motion, Principal Rn$
grcat debate in the U. F. Assembly at Glasgow on Friday? May contended that the present was not a fitting time to enter
23rd. The matter arose in this way: Ctlrtnin memorlallsts into the large question that had been raiqrd, and that a COm-
had called attention to the trachings of l’rofpssor George mittee of the church could not satisfactorilv deal with the
Adam Smith (one of the Prcfrssors nf the church) in a vol- matter. Neither he nor those associated with him had any
ume of lectures recently published bv him, in whirb. they con- desire to make things uncomfortable for Professor Smith. The
tended, views are Srt forth whollv subversivp of the divine au- Bible would live triumphantly through all facts established
tkority and authenticitv of thr Scriptures. The mrmnrinl had ns facts, and all the consequences follawinz from them. Pro-
been remitted to the Collcre Committee for considrmtion. and fessor Orr seconded. Dr. John Smith, Edinburgh, moved 1
this committee, after drlibrratiny. resolved unanimouslv to long amendment, setting forth tbai the recommendation of the
recommend that the Assembly should not take any action College Committee did not deal with the most serious matter
against Professor Smith. When this recommendation came be- raised by the memorialists, and that, in view of the manifest
c30403
JULY 15, 1902 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (211-213)

danger to the peace and prosperity of the church arising di- ethical teaching just as a skilled moralist may extract a few
rectly from the intrusion of this critical controversy in its grains of ethical teachmg from “ZEsop’s Fables.” The work-
present form, the Assembly appoint a large and representa- ing classes are not fools. They will not attend church to lis-
tive Committee to take account of the whole situation with ten to men who themselves are living in a mental fog, men
a view to arriving at such conclusions as shall dispel anxiety who, if they were honest, would prefer breaking stones on the
and clear the testimony of the church before the world. Dr. highway to saturating their souls with hypocrisy for the sake
John McEwan, Ethnhnrgh, seconded. Dr. Wells moved that of the loaves and fishes.
the Assembly resolve to appoint a Committee to confer with [We are quoting the above not endorsing it all. The editor
Dr. George Adam Smith in the hope that the perplexities be would be very interested in seeing Bible &00/s about the trin-
removed. Lord Overtoun seconded. Considerable discussion itv. He is sure that neither the thought nor the word trrnit?
followed. Professor George Adam Smith addressed the House, is” Scriptural. -It is such careless us; of the Bible that his
complaining that he had been misrepresented. Amid loud ap- given higher critics the foothold they have obtained.]
plause he declared- “From the bottom of my heart I believe The second-also a leading article-appeared on the day
in the Bible as the revelation of God to sinful man-a thing following the decision in the Professor Smith case:-
which found me long before I found it.” On a division, Dr. There is no use mincing matters. The Protestant church
Smith’s amendment was defeated by that of Dr. Wells; and on is an organized hypocrisy, and its leaders arrant humbugs.
a further division, the report of the College Committee was It is actuallv come to this that if the author of the “Age of
approved by 634 to 263 given for Dr. Wells’ amendment. This Reason” werk alive today he would not be spoken of derisively
decision, together with the whole attitude in which the as Tom Paine, the infidel, but the Rev. Thomas Paine, D. D.,
churches stand towards the Higher Criticism in view of their Professor of Hebrew and Old Testament Exegesis, U. F. Col-
creeds and standards, such as the “Confession of Faith,” has lege, Glasgow. He would have no difficultv in preaching from
been estensively commented upon by the press of the COUP- a Protestant pulpit. That means that while professing to pin
try. There have, of course. been various opinions expressed; its faith on the Bible as an authoritative, supernatural reve-
but the following extracts will be found as instructive and lation, the Protestant church is now willing to tolerate in
suggestive of the real state of matters in Scotland as they are its pulpits and its professorial chairs men who hold the views
undoubtedly plain and incisive in terms. They are both from of the famous Paine. What were the conclusions reached by
the Edinburoh Euenina Xezus. an ablv edited and influential Paine? Pretty much the conclusions reached by the higher
daily of the*Scottish &pital. ’ The fir& extract, a leading ar- critics who today fill the highest positions in Protestant
ticle, deals with the general question:- churches. In ordkr to justify this assertion it will be neces-
Some of the influential among the clergy are getting sarv to examine the views of’the higher critics in detail.
” ~~
Let
alarmed about the Higher Criticism. This feeling found ex- us begin with the first book in the-Bible, Genesis. What do
pression vesterday in the Established Church Assembly. the higher critics say about that book? For answer let US
Speaking on the indifference of the masses, Dr Mair attributed turn to the article on Genesis by Professor G. F. Moore in the
it laraelv to the Hirrher Criticism. His words are worth re- second volume of the “Encyclopedia Biblica.” According to
produTti&r : “The iapsing class cared nothing at all about Professor Moore, Genesis was written about the eighth century
creeds, but they did care about their squabbling. They said, B. C. Consequently, Moses could not be the author. As to its
‘When vou have made uu vour own minds then we may hear historical value, the Professor shows what he thinks of it by
you.’ The prime cause- was the change in the way “of re- talking of “the legends of Abraham, and especially of Isaac.”
garding Scripture that had arisen largely from scientific nat- In a similar strain writes Professor Adam Smith, whose case
uralism and from the Higher Criticism acting upon an age was before the U. F. Assembly yesterday. Paine in his book
which worshiped progress and seemed to think that the new- gives ground also for believing that Genesis could not be the
est was alwavs best.
Y
He condemned reckless unscientific work of Moses, and that it was a collection of traditions,
criticism, which only and always did mischief, and it was re- stories and fables. Thus both the theological professors and
markable that these things percolated down into the lowest Paine reach substantially the same cormlusion. The close
classes even. Had the churches changed in their way of re- aareement between the higher critics of todnv and Paine is
garding the Word of God?” Dr. &Iairhtls hit the nail on the &ll further seen in the article on Historical Literature, also
head. Whv should the workina classes attend church ? In the by Professor Moore, who remarks that “the stories of the pa-
days of orthodoxy, when the Bible was believed to be an au- triarchs Abraham, Isaac, Israel, and his sons, are told with
thoritative revelation, preacher and hearer held definite rela- a wealth of circumstance and a vividness of color which show
tions to each other. Sheltered behind a “Thus saith the Lord,” that we have entered the realm of pure legend.” Let us turn
the preacher could unfold before his hearers, after the style to the article “Elijah.” and what d; we fi<d? At the opening
of Jonathan Edwards, a scheme of Redemption, which in es- of the article we find the author, the Rev. W. E. Addis, Man-
sence was a philosophv of historv. Man’s creation, his fall, chester. writina as follows : “We shall be better able to ap-
the progressi<e upward movements under supernatural guid: preciate his (Elijah’s) position when we have examinetl the
ante. as exhibited in the call of Abraham. the seleotion of the legendary narratives in which his history is enshrined.” It is
children of Israel, the wilderness legislation, sacrificial and the same with Elisha. Mr. Addis here also complains of the
ritualistic, typical of the New Testament revelation-these difficulty of reaching historic fact on account of the legendarv
things formed the staple of orthodox preaching, and gave to nature of the Biblical account. This is verv much the nosi-
human lift an organic unity. To the anxious inquirer, with tion of Professor Smith. Here, too, is subsiantial agreement
hir. “\Vhat must I do to be saved?” the old divines had a with Paine, who, instead of using the word “legendary.” uses
readv and intelligent answer. They could point him to the the word “romancing.” Take a crucial instance, the famous
cross’ upon which-the second person- in the trinity died as an prediction in Isaiah ‘about the Messiah. Here is what Profes-
exniation for human guilt. If nuestioned as to the authoritv sor Smith says: “Isaiah meant no more than that some one
for all this, the orthodox divine’ could appeal to the Bible a’s should be born whose character and hopes should be proof
an inspired and infallible record. He co<ld show the organic that God was with his people. Whether the promised unborn
unitv between the Old and New Testaments. and without dif- was an individual or a future generation of Israel it is dlffr-
ficulty could prove from the wilderness legislation and pro- cult to make out; but probablv the latter is what Isaiah in-
phetic predictions the transcendent greatness of Christ and the tends.” Professor Smith further knocks the feet from the fa.
sacrificial nature of his death. What has the higher critic mous nrediotion bv stating that the word “virgin” should be
to say to the anxious inquirer with his cry, “What-must I do really ‘translated “marriageable woman.” That ‘i’s rather a se-
to be saved ?” The higher critic can no loneer noint to’ Christ. vere blow at the incarnation as detailed by Matthew. The nota-
the second person in the trinitv, as the Sa;‘ior’of sinners. AC: ble feature is that this is precisely the theory of Paine, who, if
cording to the “Encyclopedia Biblica,” there was nothing spe- alive today, instead of being persecuted as a base infidel,
cially supernatural about Christ. The miraculous birth is would be drawing a handsome salarv as a professor of theol-
explained away or ignored, the miracles are attributed tc mis- ogy in the U. F. church. Dr. Rainv ‘justifies this kind of tom-
understandmgs or exaggerations, the supernatural, in short, foolery on the plea that the question about the authenticity
is reduced to a minimum. Then Professor George Adam of the Bihle is under grave discussion, and that we had better
‘Smith has torn to tatters the old Redemption drama, which wait for light. That”is to say, the ‘church is no longer the
charmed the heart of .John Calvin, Jonathan Edwards. John witness of ‘God upon earth, but a huge debating society, in
Knox, Luther, and our own Candlish and Cunningham. Ac- which large salaries are paid to those who set themselves to
cording to the higher critics, there was no fall, no call of destroy the creed to which they have subscribed. The pro-
Abraham, no special legislation in the wilderness. no sacri- ceedings of yesterday confirm us in our old opinion, that the
ficral svmbols of the great sarrifice on Calvary, no predictions church has become a colossal sham, and the clergy a band of
of Christ. In a word. the Bible is a collection of mvthical sleek-faced Jesuitical trimmers, whose moral obliquity is only
stories, from which a. ‘preacher may extract a few grains of equaled by their intellectual dishonesty.
130411
 THE NEGRO NOT A BEAST
9 brother sends us with the following questions, a book cepted? And if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the d&r.
now having an extensive sale in the South, and calculated And unto thee shall be his desire and thou shalt rule over
to stir up strife with its teaching that the negro is not human, him.” (Gen. 4:7) Thig latter statement is still further
but a beast. 0ur answers review the statements of said book. twisted out of shape to prove the point bv makIng It rc%tl.
( 1) Questzon.-Are there any grounds for the belief of “Unto thee shall her desire be, and thou shalt rule over her,”
some that the nepro is one of the lower animals, in the Scrip- and making the “her” apply to the negress, whom Cain is
tures called a “b;aqt” and created, like the other beasts, prior sunposed to have accepted as a Wife. On the contrary, the
to the creation of Adam. who was the first that was called a Sc;iptural account shows that Cain had no wife at the time
man ? of this injunction. It was subsequent to this that Gain went
Ans~cer.-Of course whoever advances such a theory must and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden, and knew
at least fancv that he has proofs to support it, and fre- his wife. and she conceived. (Verses 16. 17) Cain’s wife
qllently the &ish to find such proofs misleads the. judgment was undouhtedlv one of-his sisters, for s&h &as the custom
and rauq(~4 thca individual to accent as nroofs. matters which of early times, nor was it necessary to bar by law intermar-
wonltl not he proofs of regarded in an ;npre.iudiced manner. rlaae between blood relations. The necessitv for this at the
In our nplnion’thrre are <& such proofs, b&, strong testimony present time lies in the fact that the race hgs greatly degen-
of the Scrlntnrrs to the contrarv. Science has proven that erated, and that the idiosyncrasies of one family need td be
somc~hnw th’e C’I (‘ator haq fixed ” boundaries and Alimitations offset bv different neculiarities of another-and sound advice
which hind(br thr tliffcrent snecies from interminolina.
1
Even
\, -
IS that ‘all mating ihould be between those of dissimilar tem-
whcI(b the sp&eC: rloselv resemble each other in many re- peraments. In the present run-down mental and physical
spects, as for instance, the horse and donkey, the dog and the condition of the human family in-breeding tends to produce
cat, n cror+hrc& with powers of propagation cannot be se- insanity and physical degenergcy, while inter-breeding gives
currd. This law, which it is well known obtains throughout better results. bv scattering and offsettine the weaknesses of
the animal kingdom, should in all reason be applicable to each tribe or’fahily. ”
ntankintl: And hence, if whites and negroes were of different There is nothing said respecting any sin on Cain’s part up
sprcicq they could not, by commingling, produce offspring ca- to the time he became jealous of his brother, and his mur-
nshlc of nronartntion. Brieflv stated. this is the scientific derer. He did entirelv right to bring to the Lord the offering
kltle of the’ ql;e;t’ion, which ca&ot be set aside bv any amount which he did bring oi the” fruits of ‘the ground; nor was th;!
of sophirtrv or theorizing. It will stand as a ‘fact after the Lord displeased with this. The fact that Abel’s offering was
thcol izinnr ‘is dead. From the Scriptural standpoint the an- accepted while Cain’s was rejected, should have been under-
swe~ is e&ally specific. Note the Apostle’s words, “God that stoob by him as indicating tile kinh of sacrifice which would
made the world and all things therein. . . . . hath made of be best pleasing to the Lord, and straightway he should have
one blood all nations of men “for to dliell on all the face of procured and presented animal sacrifices: then, undoubtedly.
the earth “-Acts 17 :24-28. his would have been as truly acceptable as Abel%. The Lord
MISCEGENATION NOT SCRIPTURALLY A CRIME from the verv first wished to teach his creatures that the onlv
(2) Qucstio?~.-Those u ho take the view I mention, claim reconciliation for sin would be through the shedding of blood”;
that Cain’s siu consisted in marrying a negless, and that it thus he foreshadowed to them the great sacrifice for sin-the
was for this reason that God wo;ld-not a&ept’his sacrifice. blodd of Christ. “Without sheddilg of blood there is no re-
It claims also that the crime of all nations, leadinE to their mission.”
degcncrnry and divine disfavor, has in everp i&an& been the Cain should, therefore, have congratulated his brother
cornminollurr of the white “man” and the black “beast :” and ;\bel, and have heen thankful for this clear manifestation of
that the dii?erc*nt colored raceq. yellow-red, brown, are the re- what kind of a sacrifice would be pleasing to his Creator;
sult of th(x\r atlmiyturcq. nnrl Ih:xt ll~n(.r~ he:lthenclnn~ prev:llis hut instead we are told that he was wroth, anmy. It was for
amongst t!le various rolored races, while Christianity pre- thir anger that the Lord reproved him as. the-c”ontext clearly
~~11s amongst the ~1hites. What answer would you make to shows. The Lord said to Cain in substance: Whv are vou
this pi oposition? angry 7 Do you wish to bring me a sacrifice? Are ‘you anyqry
iln.c!r rr.-The p1 oposition is n hollv illogical. It is not hcarnuse I have shown vou the kind of sacrifice which I wished
true that, divine fnvor has gone with ‘ihe whites exclusively, to 1eceive? Are you iealous because this manifestation of mv
and arrainst* the blarks and other colnred races: civilizinp the wip.hes came to ybu tfirough your brother? Evidently you are
whites and barbarizing the others. If civilization and-bar- in a wrong condition. If YOU would do the acceptable thing.
harlty are to bc the tests entirely, we have only to take in a would you-not be accepted”as well as Abel, and iour sacrifiie
\!itle scone of history to see the fallacv of the view presented. as well as his ? Bnd if now that you know what would please
Eighteen centuries ‘ago the white peoples of Eurbpe, with me you do not do so, would it not prove that sin lies at the
their strairht silkv hair. were savaces. idolaters. barbarians door, that your heart is not right4 ‘Then follow8 the twisted
--far mnrcvdegrad&l than were the &iions of Iidia and the statement bhich we here give from Leeser’s translation-“If
nlil!iorry of China at the same time. This disproves this theory thou doest not well (now &at you know what my will is) sin
at a glnnre. lieth at the door, and unto thee is its desire, but thou canst
Furthermnrc, the Children of Israel, who for eighteen cen- rule over it :“-vou can net the victorv over this wrong atti-
tulips hrfore that had heen the fnvored people of God, and re- tude of mind if “you but 90 desire. &t instead of get&g the
sr)ectinn whom it was written, “You onlv have I known (rec- I-ictorv over his ;ealousv. Cain nermitted it to crow: and net-
” ,

&nhcij of all the families of t,he ea+th,” are not a -fair ting into an altercation with ‘his brother the- envious, Gur-
skinned and strairht and silkv haired neonle. Their hair is tlerous feelings of his heart gave vent to the blow which made
quit? klnkv, and ‘their skin ii quite &arthy, although they him the first murderer.
jlso nlc‘ a’ part of the Caucasian race. Furthermore,-we no- The Scrintural evidence8 are whollv against the theorv
tire in the case of that nation that whereas thev were sub- mentioned ii the question. Take, for &s&&e, the fact tha”t
jrctq of divine favor for eighteen hundred years, and then Moses married a negress, and had children by her. According
brc:lmc nhjwts of divine disfavor for a similar period, it was to the theory we are criticisinp this would have been an un-
not lwcanse of their having intermarried with blacks, but for pardonable {in in God’s sight, “a carnal union between a man
a very tliffrrcnt reason-h&ause of their rejection of ‘Messiah. and a beast. Accordine to this theorv Moses would have been
This nroves that alienation from God which constitutes the rejected utterly from -divine favor. ” But what do we find?
hea tht:n “strangers, aliens and foreigners,” was not because Quite to the contrary. It was after this marriage that God
of intermarriage with the blacks. chose Moses to be his representative and the leader of his peg-
If those who fnvol this theorv should Dersist in sapin,a that ple out of Egyctian bondage. Moreover, it was when M&es’
all who are strnng:rs fr,ml Goti and from the common;ealth brother Aaron and his sister Miriam. esneciallv the latter, ug
of Tsrael, wcrc relented and uttrrl,v cast off because of im- braided him for his marriage to a iegriss, teat the Lora d‘e-
purity of blnotl through negrn admixture, let hq reflect further fended him in the matter, and smote Miriam with the plague
that -these Gentile n&ions inrlude our own forefathers, the of leurosv as a punishment for her improper conduct and lan-
barbarians of Europe. And let us further reflect that how- guagk r&pecting this subject. (See ihe- account, Num. 12)
ever cast off they were, and from whatever reason they were %iDDOrah was an Ethionian. described in the Hebrew text as a
cast off, their debt, their penalty, was paid b.y the great ran- C&hite. Ebed-melech,. also an Ethiopian, was one of King
som sacrifice which our Lord Jesus gave-not .>. for the Jews Zedekiah’s household, and be it noted that he was both
only, but for the Gentiles also, by which we, who were once thouehtful and zealous for the Lord’s prophet, Jeremiah, and
aliens and strangers and foreimers. have been brought niah was ‘<he commander of the thirty men Ghddelivered him from
to God, and gra;ted the privilege of becoming his 8ns. - nrison (.Jer. 38 :7-12 1 Hence the argument of those who
But the entire argument is fallacious. Their conjecture ~ir%~~ that the negro’is devoid of organiz1n.g lntclli~cnrP or
respecting Cain’8 transgression is trumped up based upon a ability, except as he may have an admixture of white blood,
slight imnerfeotion in the translation of our common version is shown to be fallacious.
Bibles, which read, “Jf thou doest well, shalt thou not be ac- We have already quoted from the Apostle Paul that all
(21.1 214) [3042]
JULY 15, 1902 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (215-216)

nations are mentioned as of one blood; and this again borne When we find that Europe, which was settled much more
out by his statement that those who accept Christ, whether recently by its present inhabitants, has in so short a time di-
Jew or Gentile, barbarian or Scythian, bond or free, are “all vided itself into so many different nations, and when we re-
one in Christ Jesus.“--C;al. 3:28 ; Col. 3 : 11. member that Europeans have stirred and commingled with
The Ethiopian eunuch to whom Philip was sent with the each other far more than the peoples of other parts of the
messages of salvation was unquestionably a black man- earth, it helps us to see how gradually, through many centu-
“Can the Ethiooinn channe his skm?” (Jer. 13 :23: Acts 8 :27) ries, other peoples have undergone still greater changes.
We find no suggestion &r Philip’s part that this Ethiopian In considering this matter we are not to forget the strong
was not a man, but a beast; but quite to the contrary, he pre-natal influence of the mother’s mind upon her olfspring,-
was ready to preach the Gospel to him and to accept him as a co-operating with the influences of climate and soil. To illus-
brother in Christ upon his confession of faith. trate: Suppose a missionary and his wife removed to China;
The Queen of Shcba who visited Solomon in the height of not onlg would the influence of the climate and soil be mani-
his glory 1s presumed to have been a negress: the present fested upon themselves, but the same would be still more man-
Emperor of Abyssmia claims to be a descendant of Solomon ifested in their children. Whoever will grve careful attention
by thus Queen-he is a black man, and an able warrior and to this matter will notice that each succeeding child born in
general, as the Italian army, attempting to invade his coun- that foreign country will have increasingly more resemblance
try a few years ago, learned to its cost-its serious defeat. to the Chinese-the hair, the skin, the shape of the eves, and
Solomon is presumed, by some, to have referred to the Queen in general all features will bear closer resemblance with each
of Sheba in his Songs or Canticles 1:5, 6. succeeding child. We can readily suppose that if so much
HOW SHALL WE ACCOUNT FOR RACIAL DIFFERENCES7 change occurs in a few years, ten or tnentv centuries under
(3) Queslzon.-If the foregoing is not the solution of the aim&r conditions would- turn any white people into regular
racial distinctions amongst men, what would you suggest as Chinese, even supposing there were no intermarrvinz. The
a reasonable explanation? mother,. while carrying-her unborn child, has cont%al!y be-
Anstccr.-From the Scriptural standpoint we must and do fore her the Chinese type of countenance-eyes, hair, color,
recognize all of the hum&r family as oue race, of which etc., and the continual impress of these upon her mind could
father Adam was the orirrinal head: a later head beinu Noah. not fail, according to the law of our being, to influence her
Accepting as we do the uI)ible narrative of the flood -(and it offspring in the manner noted.
is confirmed by similar, though less explicit, narratives Indeed a traveler, a scientist, has lately reported to the
amongst all ancient peoples) we need not go back of Noah and civilized world that he found in China a district where there
his family in seeking a cause for the differences. Taking Mt. were ruins of a very ancient Hebrew temple, and tablets in
Ararat as the central joint from which postdiluvian humanity Hebrew. The people of the district informed him that thev
spread itself over the earth, we may reasonably suppose that had a tradition that their fathers once spoke and understood
his three sons and their posterity went in different directions, the language of the tablets (Hebrew). had emigrated thither
the one northward, the other southward, and the third eaat- many c&t&es before, adoptin g the Chinese cuitoms and lan-
ward. There is a general concensus of opinion that it was guage and, gradually, their appearance also.
Ham who went southward, and whose posterity afterward The effect would be similar in India. Undoubtedly the
peopled Africa: that it was Shem who remained near the stronger contrast between the white and the black would re-
~Irdrtcrranran and became the millions of Armenia, Persia, quire a longer time to be brought about; but we should ex-
As<vria. Eavot and India: and that Janheth went north- pect that neither of these ertremes fairly represented the
warOd and %&ard, and that his posterity is represented in original, if we may judge of Adam, Noah and Abraham by the
the Turks, Russians, Chinese, etc. only nation whose ancestors can be traced unblemished back
In attempting to account for the wide differences between to these heads of the race,-the Jews. We may suppose that
whites and blacks, and the lesser diffexences between these and they were neither as white as some of us, nor as black as the
the yellow, brown, and red, we are treading upon uncertain negro, but of a swarthy, tawny color. If this be true, the ex-
ground,-as all ground must be in which our imperfect knowl- treme whiteness of some peoples is not to be considered the
edge and imperfect reasoning powers have not inspired direc- original standard, but a deflection on the one side, as the ne-
tion from the Lord’s Word. Hence it should be understood at gro and others are deflections on the other side. We are not
the outstart that all that we or others can do is to guess on to forget, either, that Africa is inhabited bv various tribes or
this subject-respectrng the differences in shape of head, color nations of negroes-some more and some less degraded than
of skin, shape of eyes, peculiasitles of hair, the nose, lips, the average. Those brought to America as slaves were of
etc. Undoubtedly, the climate and the soil have much to do various tribes;-from among whom no donht the Lord is
with these differences. , .1 iust as thev have much to do with making choice of some for the prospective “roral priesthood.”
changes in vegetation. For instance, the apple which reaches While it is true that the white race exhibits snme quali-
to a great degree of perfection in a cold cbmatc, if transterred, ties of superiority over any other, we are to remember that
even graduallv, to a warm one will do noorlv. and if it there are wide differences in the same Caucasian (Semitic and
does not dre out entirely will at least untle;po i transforma- Aryan) family ; and also we should remember that some of
tion, in harmony with the change of soil and climate. The the qualities which have given this branch of the human
same is noticeable in the quince, the plum and the grape. the family its preeminence in the world are not such as can be
orange, etc. Is there more difference between the diflerent pointed to as in all respects admirable. Indeed we can not
races of human species than between the different kinds of but wonder whether if the Gospel had been sent into Asia in-
grapes-some sweet, some sour; some larger, some smaller; stead of into Europe it might not have fouud amongst the
some round, some oblong, some pear-shaped; some white, some people of India a soil much more naturally adapted to the tle-
green, some reddish, some purple; some with solid meat, some velopment of the peaceable fruits of righteousness. However,
half full of .juice, some with seeds and some without? Yet it that the Gospel was divinelv directed into Euronc is most
is not questioned that all grapes are of one family. manifest (AC& 16 : 6, 0) , and sooner or rater we shall see the
Again, consider the dog species. Some are sleek and full meaning of this divine providence. Perhaps the Lord
some are rough; some are very woolly and some are without intends to show that as tynical Israel was a stiff-necked gen-
hair; some white, some brown, some tan; some large, some eration, so also spiritual Israel will be taken from amongst
small, etc. Does any one dispute that all dogs are of one similar classes ; and all the more show forth the power of
species? Appropriately we find that locality ad climate and the truth, by taking the elect church chiefly from amongst
the kind of food subsisted upon had much to do with t!lese the most quarrelsome, aggressive, selfish and dominating of
differences. True, we see dogs in various countries of dif- humanity, and transforming these through the power of the
ferent breeds now, yet we recognize each breed as having truth into exemplifications of patience, humility, love and
had originally a distinctive home: as for instance. the St. peace. The secret of the greater intelligence and aptitude of
Brrnard’of the Alps, the Spitz of the Arctic regions, the Scotch the Caucasian undoubtedly in great measure ir to be attri-
texrier, the Collie and the Newfoundland-each had its own buted to the commingling of blood amongst its various
place, and was developed under peculiar conditions, which for branches ; and this was evidently forced in !nrgc measure by
the time kept it separate from others. We are to remember circumstances under divine control. It remains to he proven
that for long centuries neither dogs nor their masters roamed that the similar commingling of the various tribes of Chinese
the world over as at present, but were content with their own for several centuries would not ermallp hriyhtcn their intel-
home country. which, with its peculiar conditions and cus- lects ; and the same with the peoples of India and Africa.
toms, .grnduallv fixed certain characteristics of thought. man- NOAH’S CHARACTER AND HIS “CURSE” UPON HAM
ner, lanflragcl and outer appearance. As a consequen’ie, ‘an ex- (4) Question.-Those who hold that the negro is a, beast
perienced eve will know a Scotchman fresh from his native deny that he is the offspring of Noah’s sons, and claim that
hrxth as quicklv as he would recognize his dog. And the same the curse of Noah was not upon Ham, but upon one of Ham’s
with other peoples, sons, Canaan. They belittle Noah’s curse, by saying that it
130431
(216-217) ZION’S WATCH TOWER ALLEGHENY, Pa.

was the senseless babbling of a drunken sot. What say YOU tain it; the gainsaying of Core was his rebellion against di-
on this point? vinely instituted arrangements. The Lord’s people are t0
Answer.-Those who use such language evidently are not uotr all of tile,c \vrong (~oui ~PLY,1nt1 to axoirl them all
familiar with the subject sufficiently to discuss it at all. The We trust that we have answered the questions satisfac-
word “curse” is used by Noah after the same manner that torily, and have thoroughly disproven the ‘theory under ex-
God is said to have cursed the earth, and cursed mankind: amination. We will, however, notice a few other points
from which curse man was redeemed by our Lord. The word made in the pamphlet: for instance, the negro is blamed
“curse” here is used in the sense of penalty, retribution, and with being peaceable and submissive, and his white brother is
not in the sense of an imprecation or a profane denunciation. credited with beine of a higher order, because he is unsub-
God declared man to be under the sentence of his divine law, missive and war-liku. Is it n% a fact that in these particulars,
--;; death-sentence “curse” or penalty. Soah declared, pro- if true, the colored man resembles Abel, and the white man
phetically, that Ham’s characteristics which had led him to Cain ?-that the colored man resembles Jesus, and the white
unseemlv conduct disresnectful to his father. would be found man Nero?-that the colored man resembles Moses, and the
cropping out later, inherited by his son,-and prophetically white man Pharaoh ? If the negro is more peaceable by na-
he foretold that this degeneracy would mark the posterity of ture, he is that much by nature nearer to the standard which
Canaan, degrading him, making him servile. We are not the Christian, as a new creature, is to copy. But we dispute
able to determine to a certainty that the sons of Ham and the proposition entirely.
Canaan are the negroes; but we consider that general view It is argued further that in Jonah 3:s. the word “beast”
as probable as any other. refers to the negro because it says that both “man and beast”
Respecting Noah : It is a great mistake to charge him were commanded to wear sackcloth as the sign of humilia-
with being a drunken sot, and thus slanderously to set forth tion before God, and that it would be inappropriate for cattle
in a disreputable light one whom the Lord esteemed. (See and sheep. But this argument loses any little force it at
Ezrk. 14:14, 20) The fact is that the conditions after the first seemed to have, when we read in the preceding verse that
flood were so different from those which preceded it that Noah “herds and flocks” were to participate in this fast before God.
was probnblv ignorant of the fact that the changed atmos- The argument drawn from Exodus 19: 13, that the beasts
pheric renditions produced a ferment in the grape juice, giv- referred to had ha&s, is easily answered by showing that the
ing to the liquor alcoholic and intoxicating qualities. We have Hebrews used the word hanci for beasts as well as for man.
not the space here to consider the wonderful change in climate, The Hebrew word rendered hand in the citation is uad: and
etc., which occurred at the time of the flood; but everything the same word is used in 1 Sam, 17.37, where it is rendered
connected with the narrative supports our conclusion that “paw’‘-“The paw of the lion and the paw of the bear.”
Noah drank of the fruit of his vineyard in ignorance of its The writer makes a noint of the use of the word “beast” in
stupefying qnalitles. Sef our wsue flj Fou. 2.i. Ih!l9. contradiction to the word “cattle.” But if we refer to Young’s
Concordance under the head of “beast” we find the word behe-
OTHER INCONSISTENCIES IN THE ARGUMENTS REVIEWED
mah, which, while the general word for cattle, is rendered
(5) Qvpsfzon.--\Vhen .Tude says, “W~or unto th(>m! for beast more frequently than oattle. The distinctive word for
thev have atone in the wav of Cain, and ran preedilv after the beast not rendered cattle. is (Hebrew) chai, and its signifi-
error of B&am for reward, and perished in i’he g&saying of cation is “living creature:” Chai is used in’&. 104:20,-and
Core” (.Jude 11)) has it any bearing on this negro question? the description of verses 21, 22, shows that it refers, not to
Anme?---It has no bearing upon this question in the in- man-eating negroes, but to lions, and such wild beasts. The
terest of the theory which we are opposing;. but it has decided lack of candor on the part of the author of the pamphlet crit-
iorrc in oanosition to it. Thr Anostle Jude (Thaddeus- icised. is shown bv the fact that in one place he accuses the
Matt. 10:3’)’ mentions Cain, Balsam, and Core. The sin of negro’of being too”peaceabIe, while in another place, to suit his
Cain was hatred of his brother-murder; the error of Balaam theory, he makes of him the man-eating wild beaat of the Old
was love of reward, so that he was willing to do evil to ob- Testament.

OBLIGATIONS TOWARD FEL.LOW-MEN-IN THE DECALOCUE

Ex. 20: 12-17.-JULY 20.
“Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.“-Mat. 19:9.
As the first four commands of the Deoalogue note man’s should do no murder, that he should not steal, etc., than that he
first obligation and responsibility to his Creator, so the re- should not take God’s name profanely. None of these things
mining six mark out his responsibilities toward his fellow- would anvone begotten of the enirit of God be disnosed to do;
creaturrq. We can, undoubtedly, gain some valuable lessons and hen& it would not have been appropriate in *God to have
in the study of these commands given to Israel at Mt. Sinai, made that Jewish Law the basis of the Covenant into which he
ronstituting the basis of the Law Covenant: nevertheless, it has invited the church to enter, as children, heirs of God,
is moper, especiallv in view of the gross misunderstanding and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ their Lord, if so be that
pre~~nl&rt upon thi subject, that in <onsidering these co& they suffer with him.
mands Christians should remember that they were not given The first of these commandments taught the Jew the sac-
to t,hem, but to the Jews; that as ye have a New Covenant* SO redness of the family relationship-that the children should
we have a new law as the basis of that Covenant, as well as honor the parents, which implies that the parents should not
a new Mediator. Old thinee have mtssed awav and all things only so instruct their children, but that, so far as possible,
have berome new to the new creature in Christ Jesus, whethir they should strive to live before them such lives as would
Jew or Gentile. The profitable lessons we may learn through reasonably call forth such respect, obedience, honor. A prom-
the study of these commands given to others, are of the same ise of long life is attached to this commandment. We may
kind RR the lessons we learn in studying the various types and esteem on general principles that children obedient to their
rercmonies of that ,Jewish Covenant, which the Apostle assures narents would be the more inclined to be obedient to the laws
11%were hut shadows of good things coming after them. (Heb. of their country and to the laws of their Creator, and that
10 1) We have the good things, the spiritual things, the such obedience would be favorable to old ape. But we are not
higher things : nevertheless, we learned to appreciate these certain that there was not more than this intended. The
hi&her things ‘thrs more hv notiring their type** and shadows words, “That thv days mav be long upon the land which the
and bv rontrastine them with the higher thinrrq. For in~t~anrP,
,
Lord thy God giveth thee,” would seem to connect this prom-
altliont’h we stutlv the thinaq written in the law concerning ise with Israel’s possession of the land of promise. And if
tht tvpicnl dilV of atonement. and its sarrificinl reremonirs. we have reasoned logically that obedience to parents would
etc., we do not do so with a view to repeating those sarrifices I
lead to obedience to God, we may reason reversely that Israel’s
of hulls and of goats which can never take away sin; but with disobedience to God which resulted in the various captivities,
a view to seeing the more rlcarly the full force and meaning taking them out of the land of promise, and finally in their
of the hrtter sacrifices, the antitypical, which do take away the complete banishment from that land, means that this lesson
sin of the world. So with the Ten Commandments. God would of obedience to parents was not well learned, and that this re-
not address thrse to :lnv mrmlwr of the houw of sons, adopted ward of continuing in their own land was therefore taken
into his family and begotten of his Spirit, because the-y would from them.
he inappropriate to such, and really be a denial on God’s part If we would seek a higher meaning for thiq commandment,
that they had become snns, or that they had his spirit; for under the law of love, its first meaning to the Lord’s people
“If anv man have not the spirit of Christ he is none of his,” would be that they should honor their Father in heaven, and
and rertainlv the man beentten of the holv Soirit. nossessed of the Abrahamic Covenant under which they have been begotten
the
--- mint1 ni Christ, wndld no more need td be’tbld that he to the new nature. (Gal. 4:22-31) ; and such honor to God
l SLY Tur-e 15. 1913. issue for cntlcal examinatmn of Covenants and such respect for their covenant with him are certainly the
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JULY 15, 1902 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (218-219)

terms upon which they may hope for a share in the heavenly bargain had been practiced. From this standpoint there is a
Canaan with its eternal life. And in proportion as God’s great deal of ‘frespectable” stealing done today ;-not only by
people reverence tim and honor him in word and in deed the mrsrepresentatron of the goods by shop-keepers and by un.
Inflience of such lives upon their children should be weighty, truthful advertisements, but also amonest dealers of stock
and should call forth their resnect. Thev should seek to rule exchanges who, directly or indirectly, throw out -w&n;- in-
their own homes in love, remembering, n&ertheless, the Lord’s formation to mislead, and by others- in fraudulent org&isa-
admomtlon, ‘*A man’s foes shall be they of his own house- tions, whose financial standing. etc., is often grosslv misren-
hold.” They need not be surprised if, despite their every ef- resented to enable the organ&era to steal fr&m those who
fort to do good and properly to inculcate duty, the influences become the purchasers of the stock at more than its real value.
of the world and its false views of matters, should make their The law of love is very difficult to apply to business under
homes very different from what they would prefer. present condrtions; but it always insists upon absolute fair-
“Thou shalt do no murder”-the Revised Version render- ness and truthfulness in resnect to all statements made. It
ing-is much to be preferred to the Common Version, “Thou is not incumbent upon us, however, after making known the
shalt not kill.” Murder is always wrong; killing is some- facts in any matter, to either directly or indirectly force upon
times rieht, sometimes dutv. The life of the lower animals others our opinions or judgment in respect to the value of the
was give> to man according to his necessities (Gen. 9 :3 ) , but facts explained. We may safely allow other men to use their
we deprecate that which is misnamed sport-the destruction judgment, while we use ours, when we have told them frankly
of birds and beasts and fishes wantonly-for no good purpose, the truth in regard to any matter.
but merely to gratify a savage desire to take life. That this The fifth of these commands, altho it does not directly
command was not intended to prohibit the taking of human prohrbrt false statements, does necessarilv nrnhillit itnv htat+
life under certain circumstances is evident from the fact that ment which would mislead a neighbor to his-iniurv. and herein
the same law made provision for the killing of murderers. we see a superior wisdom in the light of this command. i
To the church, the new creatures in Christ, a still higher might make a declaration that at a certain hour I will do -- a~.
law governs on this subject. Our law of love: the New Com- certain thing. I am at full liberty to change my mind and
mand, covers it completely. He who loves his neighbor will not to do that thina h, provided my conduct in this shall not
surcsly not murder him. I3ut our Teacher gave a still higher injure my neighbor in any sense or degree. To whatever ex-
thought respecting this feature of the law, and the way in tent our testimony on any subject would be inclined to lead
which we, his followers, should view it, when he declared friends or neighbors or any one to take any course which
that for one brother to have hatred toward another was to would be injurious to themselves or others, and which they
have the murder spirit-the spirit which, under certain con- would not otherwise have taken, to that extent we are bound
ditions, might lead to murder. According to this definition under the law of love. We may do all the good we please to
the person who angrily wishes that another were dead com- a neighbor, but we may do him no injury. This is the spirit
mits murder in his heart. On the contrary. the snirit of love of the Apostle’s injunction that we say, “If the Lord will” we
wishes well to the neighbor-yea, even the he d an enemy, will do thus and so. We are to consider the Lord’s will in
desires that he mav come into harmonv with the Lord. and all we undertake, and his will in brief is that we honor him
ultimately attain l<fe everlasting, and s*o desires these things to do good, not evil to fellow-men.
as to seek by word and act to render him any assistance pos- False witness applies to the telling of lies, but it goes
sible. deeper than this and applies to any misrepresentation, whether
The third of these commands. “Thou shalt not commit it be by direct statement or indirectly by such a statement
adultery,” was greatly magnified by our Lord’s declaration to as would permit a wrong inference to be drawn. Indeed,
the effect that evil desires, tho not accomplished for lack of amongst refined people this subterfuge, by which they palliate
opportunity, were as really violations of this commandment their consciences, and at the same time gratify their spiteful
aS-tho the-act had been committed. How the magnifying glass hearts, is very common. One may even bear false witness by
of the law of love enlarges and intensifies the words. the acts. the nod of his head, by the shrugging of his shoulder, or by
the thoughts, of life! There is in this a lesson of’purity of silence-if a misstatement be made in such a connection that
thought which should be profitable to all the Lord’s people; silence might be understood to mean consent. If a Jew, a
for although we are not in the flesh but in the suirit. as new member of the house of servants under Moses the Mediator of
creatures, and in our trial or judgment, nevertheless, ‘the new the Law Covenant, was required to be particular upon this
mind deals with and operates through the mortal body, and point, how much more particular should all be who essay to
must continually strive to bring it into the fullest subjection be members of the house of sons, under the New Covena.nt and
possible. Hence it is valuable for us to know just how the Lord the New Mediator! Does not the New Covenant law of love
esteems such matters, that we may put the greater guard upon go still deeper on this point? It surely does. It prohibits in
the very thoughts and intentions of our hearts. We mav be specific terms, not only the speaking of untruths in respect
sure that it was not of accident that the Apostle wrog r+ to a neighbor, but the speaking of anything concerning him
apecting the wisdom from a.bove, “first pure.” Our own purity, that would be to his discredit, even tho it were true-unless
in the sense of our justification bv faith, comes before we can under certain circumstances which love could fully endorse-
have any standmg of relationship with the Lord or be begotten if the testimony were required by a court of law, or if the
into his familv; and this same nuritv which is made the foun- testimony were necessary for the prntection of another from
dation of the” new life, and given tb us reckonedly, must be injury. And even in such cases as little of derogatory truth
aonreciated bv us and lived UD to as closelv as nossible. And as possible should be uttered, and it only in love. The Apos-
tbd clearer view we get as to what constitute; impurity in tle’s word on this subject is, “Speak evil of no man.”
the T,ord’s sight, the better will we be able so to regulate There is no point, or feature, of the entire law of love as
and govern our mortal bodies, our acts, our words, our very it benrs upon our relationship to fellow-creaturea, that nfeds
thnughtq, as to bring them into as close conformity to the more of our attention than tliis point. It seem9 difficult for
will of God as nossible. Christians to learn thoroughly the Master’s lessons. that, if
Snothrr thbught in connection with this command is given thev have anything unpleasant to sav respecting a brother or
to us as new creatures. We have been betrothed to our Lord. sister, any criticism of the privatr life or affairs to offer, it
:lntl to Itim nq our Rritlc~room WC owe full nllc~i,,nrr-~~l,Pthnl; should he offered to him or hrr alone and not to others.
we regard this from thr standpoint of the church a4 a whole, Prrhnps on no other score does the adversnrv succeed so
or from the standpoint of each individual united with the well in doing mischief amongst the I,ord’s proplc-in planting
T,Ol d From this . standpoint, as the Lord’s betrothed we roots nf bittrrness, producing mi~undrrstnndin,rr. nngcr, mnlire,
arc to be unrontnminntcd, unadulterated-senarate from the hatred. strife and other works of the dcril. I,ct us permit love
\vor1 Il. “Yr arc not of the world, even as r’ am not of the to do hrr perfrct work in this relationship to our fellows.
world :” “I have chosen you out of t,he world.” A diffrrenrr iq to hc obicrred in rrspcrt to critirisms of
The fonrtb of these commands, “Thou shalt not steal,” is dnctrincs pnhliclp utterrd. The criticism of an crrnr should
of miirb greater depth and breadth than many are inclined he as publirly mndc as tbc errnr was publirlv set fnrtb, if it
to ~ll~~nw. In the lipht of the Nrw Covenant and ita law hc of importxnco. The tbin,g then to determine would hr our
of ln\P’ : stealin,y mav nroprrlv he understood to apply to the libertirs and rcsponsibilitirs. and wr might have neithrr. But
defrauding of a neighbor, friend nr enemy, in any manner- if we Imsscsqcd bntb our criticisms sl~niil~l br nnlv in love,
dcpririnq him of his rights nr liberties a9 well ns of his money not in hnnstfulncxs but in hlrmilitv; clrqiring onlv to Serve t!r#%
or property. It would applv also to the stealing nf a good truth ant1 the lrrrtbrrn TIumilitv will snpcrc& too. t,lnt wvc
namp from another, as Shakespeare has pnintrd out. This hc surcb wr are ri~&t h(bfnrc prncrrtling to rriticizc Ercn thrn
rommnnd would be infracted, in the light af the law of love, snmc points of Ir!itlr c*‘ln ~encrnllv hr apprnvrd while the
bv nnv trnnssrtinn in which a neighbor would be worsted in a points of rrrnr arr bring rritirizetl. .
bnrgain, provided anything had been serrcted or any dccep- The siatlr of tbric cnmmnntlmrnts, and the last of the
tion ralculnted to warp his judgment in the making of tile whole, dcalq with cnrrtnnsness. As the last it stands in an
[3045]
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important place, and when fully appreciated is seen to have
a bearing upon all the other commandments. Covetousness
implies discontent. It therefore generally lies at the bottom
of slander, false witness, theft, adultery, murder and disobe-
dience to barents. Indeed, in some respkcts we may suppose
that it lies at the bottom of anv dislovaltv to God also. Was
it not covetousness on the part* of Satan”which first led him
to disloyalty and sin?
In becoming new creatures in Christ we are supposed to
eradicate from our hearts everything that could in any sense
of the word develop into covetousne&-by the consecration of
our wills, our hearts, to the Lord. bv the acceptance of his
will as instead of our own. From “this standpoint, as the
Apostle declares “Gotllrncs, with contentment [absence of cove-
tousnessl is preat gain.” Indeed, viewed from the proper
standpoint of %he new creature, we have nothing to covet, be-
cause in becomine the Lord’s we have become ”ioint-heirs with
our Rrdeemcr to all the riches of divine grace, so that the
Apostle could say, “All things are yours, . . . and ye are
Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.”
But let us as new creatures remember that covetousness
can come into a heart otherwise pure, and defile the whole,
as we see illustrated in the case of Satan, so that of all the
things which we need to guard against most carefully this ie
one of the chief. All the graces of the spirit are opposed to
covetousness-meekness, gentleness, brotherly kindness, love,
all forbid that we should covet the things of our brethren or
the things of the world. Rather, thankfulness should so fill
our hearts-gratitude for the manifold mercies and blessings
already received, that there will be no room for a covetous
thought. True, the Apostle, in our Common Version, is made
to say, “Covet earnestly the best gifts” ( 1 Cor. 12 :31) . but
it would be a great mistake to suppose that the Apostle
taught that the Lord’s people were to covet positions of in-
fluence in the church. We are indeed to desire to have, to
enjoy and to use in the Lord’s service, as many talents and
gifts as possible, but we find the very reverse of the Apostle’s
thought and teaching that we should covet the honors or pos-
sessions of one another. This stems to be a danger point with
many, and when we remember that it has proven to be the
wreck-rock for many, it behooves us to be extremely careful
to covet merely the Lord’s favor and the gifts and talents by
which we can best serve one another and not ourselves.

THESE MANY YEARS

[This poem was a reprint of that published in issue of September 15, 1894, which please see.]

WORSHIPPING THE GOLDEN CALF

Ex. 32:1-6, 30-~~.-JuLY 27.
“Thou shalt hame no other Gods before me.“-Ex. 20:3.
The Ten Commandments became the foundation, or basis, in the mountain. The wide difference between the character
of the Law Covenant between God and Israel-Moses being the and disposition of Moses and that of the majority of the
Mediator. These commandments were written on parchment, Israelites is shown bv the fact that at this very time, while
and added to them were about seventy enactments, or expla- they were thus speaking lightly of him, Moses was imbrtun-
nations in accord with them, based upon them, and these all, ine the Lord for them. The Lord made known to Moses in
recorded in Exodus 20-23, constituted what was termed the thi mountain that Israel had otten into serious sin, and by
Book of the Covenant. After the people had assented to the way of testing his fidelity as-%t eir appointed mediator, whose
law and the covenant based unon it. Moses killed an animal, blood had typically sprinkled the people and thus pledged
which represented himself, the’Mediator of that covenant, and itself on their behalf, the Lord proposed to him the blotting
he sprinkled the blood of the animal upon the Book of the out of the entire nation of Israel, and the taking of Moses as
Covenant, which represent,ed the Lord and his faithfulness to the seed of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and the head of a new
all of his promises; and he sprinkled of the blood also upon nation. But faithfully Moses had plead for those whom he
the people-probably not upon the two millions, but upon rep- represented. He thus showed himself a worthy type of the
resentatives of the whole, the heads or chiefs of the tribes. great Mediator of the New Covenant, Christ Jesus our Lord,
Tl+us in type, or symbol, Moses stood pledged to God on behalf who has made mediation for the sins of the people-recon-
of the neonle, and to the neonle on behalf of God that the ciliation through his blood.
provisions on both sides should’be carried out. The conduct of the Israelites in this matter shows UD the
It was after this solemn and significant ceremony that by weaknesses of the fallen human nature. They wanted to* wor-
the Lord’s direction Moses went up into the mountain as the ship, and thev desired to gratify this natural inclination in
people’s representative--for communion with the Lord, and to connection with fallen tendencies. They would worship God.
receive from him the Decalogue written on tables of stone, but they would have an outward emblem or sign representing
which the Jews traditionally claim were of sapphire. His mis- him-additionallv, no doubt. thev craved some gratification
sion lasted forty days. of lewdness and- licentiousness, which were marked elements
This absence of their leader, in whom thev reposed areat of the idolatrous worship of Egypt, with which for a long time
ronfidence, might have resulted .in great blessing to the ‘Isra- thev had heen in contact. Thev annealed to Aaron. Moses’
elites had thev been in a nroner condition of heart. Altho. brother, as second in command‘of ‘the host-telling’ him of
under the cir&mstances, fo;tv ‘davs-nearlv six weeks-would their religious sentiments, their desires for worship, their need
seem to he quite a cnnsiderible nbsence, without communica- of some external sign or representation of God. and that this
tion. it miaht have had the effect of imnressinrz unon the minds was the more necessary in view of the long absence of Moses
of the people the fact that, after all, not M&es-but God was and the possibility that he would never return to the lead-
their leader, and that he had merely used Moses thus far as ership, and that the people must have something upon which
his servant, and that if anvthing had befallen this servant the to center their attention, either a living man representing God,
Tmrd, who had begun tbc”good’work of their deliverance, in or an idol, an image, representing him, etc., etc. The weak-
ful6lment of the promises made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, ness of Aaron, in contrast with the strength of his brother
was ahundantly able to provide them another leader, and that Moses, is very markedly shown in this incident, and clearly
nothine could have hannened to Moses aside from divine fore- exemplifies the wisdom of God in the choice of Moses to be
knowledge and abilitv t’o’nrevent. This would have been a ereat the leader of the people, even tho at the outset the latter in
lesson of faith and” patience, beneficial to them for th’! re- meekness ignored his own abilities and suggested to the Lord
mainder of life. Rut, instead, they had “an evil heart of his brother Aaron for the leader.
unbelief,” which quickly forgot the Lord’s deliverance from Whether Aaron really entered into the spirit of the people,
the Egyptians, his leading through the Red Sea, the destruc- and concluded with the leaders who appealed to him that it
tion of the hosts of Pharaoh in nursuit of them. the cove- would be the wisest thing to make the image, or whether he
nant promise which he had just executed with them, and the did it as an exnedient to hold the neonle in check until Moses’
manna which they were gathering daily; all these mercies of return, by conceding the demand’s which he really did not
God were evidentlv underestimated-not fullv and rightlv ap- approve, we are unable to determine. It is possible that his
preciated, and their measureable unthankfulness and ingrafi- course in calling for the earrings. etc., was first of all with
tude became the basis of their fall into sin and idolatrv. in a view to dissuading the people from the course suggested, by
gross violation of the covenant thev had iust made. “’ making it cost them considerable sacrifice in the wav of their
Ingratitude toward God would ‘naturally mean ingratitude personal adornments. It may be, too, that he t&t&l that
toward the servant whom he had used for their deliverance: during the time necessary to the engraving of the moulds. the
hence the disrespectful language in which they referred th melting of the jewels, and the moulding of the calf, Moses
their great deliverer as “this Moses, the man that brought us would appear and re-assume the leadership and command the
up out of the land of Egypt”-the man who was to lead us people. However, whatever were his thoughts and motives,
into the land of promise, and who nr)w has gotten lost himself he displayed a weakness of character far from commendable,
[3046]
JULY 15, 1902 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (221-222)

one which should teach all who providentially come into worship of the mammon of wealth, of earthly riches, honor,
places of influence and power amongst God’s people, that there influence, etc. At our Lord’s first advent he found Israel
is but one right way to do; namely, not to participate in sin nominally worshiping Jehovah, nominally very zealous of his
-not to become a participator in wrong, but meekly. yet worship, but really worshipers of mammon, worshipers of
firmly, to stand up -for p&ciple, for righteousness, at any riches and honor of men, of dignities and titles, of place and
cost-leavinrr the results with the Lord without fear, knowing position. The Pharisees, who were confessedly as wei1 as pro-
that he is the real Leader of the people, and that attempts ted fessedly the most religious class of Jews at that time, the
compromise with wrong would be at the expense of divine holiness people, our Lord accused of “covetousness- which is
approval, ahd therefore too costly to be considered for a idolatry”-and in the Emphatic Diaglott translation this
moment. statement, “for thev were covetous,” is rendered. “for thev
The golden calf having been made, the next thing in order, wei e money-lovers.” _ (Luke 16:14; Col. 3:5) It’was to th:
of course, would be an altar for sacrilicing to it, which accord- whole nation in general, and to the Pharisees in particular,
ingly was made, and then the program of a “feast to Jehovah.” that our Lord declared, “ Ye T cannot serve God and Gammon”
This shows that the idolatry here started was not different -thus implying that they were worshipers of the Mammon of
from the kind practiced today in Christian churches, where wealth in its various foims. Referring to one form of hlam-
images, pictures, crucifixes, etc., are worshiped. Those who mm. he apn said to them: “How can ye believe who receive
use these assure us that they do not worship the crucifixes, honor one of another, and seek not that honor which cometh
statues, etc., but merely use -these as symbols or emblems of from God only?” He referred to another form of mammon-
the Lord. and that their worship is to him. So evidently the worship, and the prevalent but erroneous thought that it was
Israelites were not worshiping ihe golden calf as being their compatible with the worship of God, when he said, “Ye devour
god, but as merely to represent God; for the program which widows’ houses, and for a pretense make lon_rr pravers.” and
drew them together to the worship distinctly specified that it he denounced surh religion and mammon-wor&p~as”hypbcrisy.
was a feast unto Jehovah-altho Jehovah did not acknowledge The antitypical ~letlialor . who tl1lfillcd the la\v on I~~ll:llf 01
their feast nor accept the worship connected therewith, because true Israelites, and who declared that, so far as that seonle
it was in violation of the principles
_ _ and regulations which he were concerned, the tables of the law and the covenant-based
had enjoined. upon them were broken-dashed to pieces,-fullv exnlained
Full of religious fervor, the people arose early on the morn- that their difficulty consisted in worshiping the golden calf,
ing of the feast, oRering to the Lord burnt offerings which he worshiping mammon, bowing down to the opinions of men,
could not accept, and peace offerings under conditions upon traditions of the elders; their love of the praise of men and
I\-hich he could not be at peace. ‘The burnt offerings were titles, and honor of man, and their love of wealth, had to do
cntirelv consumed, but the peace offerings were eaten by the largely with their rcprcbensible course in the sight of the Lord
people: and constituted their feast. The-day was given up to and their inharmony with their Xlediator when he appeared.
revelry ; they sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to As Moses, the typical mediator, called for those who were on
play-dances and supposedly lewd conduct, after the manner the Lord’s side to come to him, so Christ called for all the
of heathen,-professedly to the honor of God. It was at this “Israelites indeed,” the household of faith. the roval nriest-
juncture, at the close of the forty days, that Moses reappeared hood, to come to him: and as there was in the tvpe*a d&true-
in their nudst, and soon caused consternation by his proper tion of the leaders of the remainder. so there came a time of
and emphatic denunciation of the proceedings and of all who trouble upon the remainder of the house of Israel which re-
were instrumental in their inauguration. As he rame down sulted in the complete overthrow of their national polity the
from the mountain he heard the shouts of the people, but dis- destruction of their city, etc. And 3s the tvnical mediator
ceinctl that they did not indicate either victory or dispute in then went up into the-mountain to make re”&nciliation for
warfare, but rather that they were voices of smging and rev- their sins, so Christ as the High Priest ascended to make
elr:,, and as he came in sight of the golden calf and the idola- atonement for the sins of the people.
tious uorsbip, and realized how quickly and grossly the people We may draw another lesson still closer to ourselves and
had violated the divine command on the subiect. he dashed in full harmony with the foregoing. We may remember that
the tables of the law upon the rocks and broke them in frag- natural Israel and the first advent of our Lord were patterns
Inents-sv~l~bolicallv thus intimating an illustration of the of spiritual Israel and the second advent of Christ; that as
failure of Israel to’ keep the law, and ultimately the complete he came to his own professed Israelites, yet found them un-
failure of the Law Covenant, as we know it did fall in respect ready to receive him, so at this second coming professed spir-
to Israel in general at our Lord’s first advent. itual Israel, styled Christendom, will be equally unready to
The revelers were disquieted by the appearance of the great receive him: and that as he found only a remnant of the whole
commander and his indignant rebuke of their irreligious fervor. of natural Israel ready for the higher plane of the Gospel age,
Aaron came in for his share of this, but promptly acknowl- so in the end of this age he will find only a little flock in all
edged his error, pleading as an excuse the demands of the ready for the higher plane of the kingdom--ready for the
people, his own weakness in the matter being too evident to change to glory, honor, immortality and joint-brirsbip with
require pleading. The one man stood up against a nation of himself and participation in the kingdom work. As this class
two millions of people, denounced their sin, announced himself was the stone of stumbling and rock of offense to lltrrnl IsraeI,
as being on the side of the Lord and thoroughly opposed to that was but the foreshadowing of how the same class would
such infractions of his law, and called upon such of the people be a stone of stumbling and rock of offense to spiritual Israel;
as were on the Lord’s side to desist from sin and come to his as it is written, “He shall be for a stone of stumbling and
side in opposition to it. Altho overmastered and cowed in the rock of offense, to both the houses of Israel.” As the nntliral
presence of their God-appointed leader, the chief men of all the Israelites stumbled because thev and their leaders were out.-
__.~~_
tribes except one seem to have resented Moses’ reproofs. That wardly loyal to the Lord and -his purposes, yet reallv were
one tribe was the tribe of Levi, typical of the household of selfish and self-willed, and therefore not ready to receive him
faith from which the royal priesthood is now being selected. and to fall in line with his reproofs and corrections in rirrht-
This tribe. altho to some extent led astrav with the rest. and eousness, so likewise it will be with the leaders and the masses
to some extent leaders, through Aaron, in the wrong course, of nominal spiritual Israel at the second advent of the Lord; so
was at heart on the Lord’s side; and when the rebuke came that now, as with Israel, onlv a remnant will be found. onlv
and the Lord’s will and way were clearly set before them the Levites-on the side of the Lord; and the time of troubG
through the Mediator, they promptly came to the side of the which came upon natural Israel for its overthrow was typical
Lord on the question. The leaders of the other tribes were of the great overthrow and great time of trouble, “such as was
not readv to admit that their course was a wrong one, not not since there was a nation,” about to come on nominal Chris-
willing to submit themselves promptly, and the result was the tendom for Its c.ompletc nverthlow as a so(7al. ~~WIIVI:L~. j)ollt-
destruction of about three thousand of the leaders in the wrone ical and religious institution. nut following this trouble the
may, and the full return of the remainder of Israel into bar? antitype of Moses will have the full command, and will indeed
many with the Lord and with acknowled,gment of their trans- lead the people throw@ the wilderness, and altho during the
et&ion. On the next dav after this nunishment of the leaders Millennial age of therr leading, they will experience chastise
%oses more fully explained to the’ people the enormity of ments for their wrong-doing, these chastisements will be cor-
their sin, and went up again into the mountain for them, as rective rather than destructive, to the intent that they mav
their representative, to make an atonement for them with the learn well the lesson of our Golden Text, “Thou shalt have no
Lord. other gods before me.”
This incident well illustrates the general tendency, more We have seen that one of the prinripal difficulties in the
or less. of fallen man to substitute something of his own crea- way of ISFad at the first advent was the fact that they were
tion, either as instead of the Lord or in addition to the Lord. mnmmon worshipers. Is this also illustrative 0; the condition
as an object of worship. The worship of the golden calf sym- of nominal spiritual Israel at the present time? Is it, or is it
holizes or pictures in a general and very forceful way the not, true that nominal Israel of today blends the worship of
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God and the worship of Mammon ? Is it, or is it not, true Moses as a Mediator showed himself grandly as a man,
that while nommallv worslnpmg Jehovah the vast majority and beautifully typified the faithfulness -of our Lord and
are bowing down to”the golden calf of wealth, honor of- men, Redeemer. How pathetic is Moses’ plea-“If thou wilt forgive
dmnltv. titles. etc.. etr. \\e fear that it is onlv too true that their sins-.” He left the sentence incomplete, as tho it were
there unever was a time when money, infiuence, power and beyond thinking that God could permit such an infraction
honors of men were more exalted or worshiped or more striven of the Covenant he had iust made. But Moses nroceeds
for than at present. We are not making wholesale condem- and expresses to the Lord his willingness, his preference,
nations, nor suggesting that no excuse or allowance should be but if Israel’s sin cannot be forgiven be also may be
made in this matter. On the contrary, we would claim that blotted out of the book of life. We exclaim, Noble man!
it is true of many today, as it was true of Aaron, that they Pure patriot! And we take to ourselves a lesson of unselfish
are led, yea, almost forced, into the positions which they OC- devotion to others. But when we look from Moses the type,
cupy in respect to the worship of Mammon, in respect to their to *Jesus the antitype we see the same lesson brought out in a
obedience and servility to the popular sentiment--co the gen- still more pronounced form. The Mediator of the New Cove-
eral craze for the worship of t-he- golden calf; the worship of nant, realizing that it is impossible for God to forgive sin,
areat human institutions: the worshin of wealth: the worship to blot out sin, gave his own life as the redemption price for
of titles and influence, and the tendency to be identified with sinners. He actually did what Moses proffered to do and
these and in some measure to share in the glory, both by con- meant, for he gave not merely a prospect of life and a tem-
tributing to and by participation in their revels. porary existence such as Moses possessed, but he gave his all,
It is nearly nineteen centuries since the New Covenant* was with his rights to eternal life as a man, on our behalf. But
sealed with the precious blood of our Mediator, and he left tho the Father was pleased with his devotion-indeed had fore-
his people and ascended up on high,--going up into the moun- seen it, and had made this arrangement for the cancelation of
tain, into the prcsenre of God. His absence was longer pro- man’s guilt and sentence of death, yet he purposed that the
tracted than had been expected, and meantime many of those great Mediator of the Covenant, through whose blood-death
who had trusted in him and waited for him and expected his -it was sealed, should not suffer everlastmg extinction, but
commg again to lead his people into the land of promise, have that on the contrarv he would reward him for his nobility
ceased to expect him, and are claiming that he will not come and devotion, both to men and to God’s law, by raising him
again to lead and deliver them-are claiming that it is neces- from the dead to a still higher plane of life-to glory, honor
sary that other leaders should take charge and deliver the and immortality.-Phil. 2:5-11.
people. The heads of the various parties in conference have And as the Lord said to h1oses, “Go now; and lead the
d~c~dcd. not that Mammon shall be to them instead of God, but people unto the place” designated, so he has appointed that
that Gammon shall be the representative of God, to lead the our Mediator who has actually given his life for us and has
people to success; that hlammon shall convert and civilize received the new life with superior power and glory, should
the world: that hinmmon shall brine in for the groaning crea- be the leader and the commander of the people, and bring
tion, in a ‘natural way, the various blessings craved, and cause whosoever of them wills back into full accord with God, back
the earth to blossom as the rose. Meantime the leader whom to the Edenic conditions. the land of oromise. But as the
God hat1 appointed to bring the deliverance returns, is present. Lord said to Moses in respect to the people and their sin, so
He is justly wrotb and indignant at present conditions. He it will be with mankind; viz., “Their sins shall be visited
has set up his standard of truth and righteousness, and is upon them.” Thev will receive stripes or chastisements in
even now standing at the gate of the camp, and is calling, as proportion as thei participated willcngly or knowingly in a
did Moses in the type, “1F’ho is on the Lord’s side? Let him course of sin. So it will be during the Millennial age; altho
come unto met And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves the Lord will forgive the original sin, and remit its penalty
unto him.” (Bxotl. 32:2B) Let all who are truly the Lord’s, of death, nevertheless, to whatever extent men have sinned
howcvrr murh they may have been entangled with the popular wilfully, on their own account, against light and knowledge
fallacies of our dav, with its love of money and titles, its sel- and opportunity, in that same proportion they are personally
fishnrss, love of honor of men, etc.,-let all of the true-hearted responsible, and will be obliged to suffer stripes of chastise-
be nromnt to take their nlacrs on the Lord’s side. Shortly the ments even while being brought by the Redeemer back from
great time of trouble is’ to begin, which will mean the “com- the plane of death to the plane of perfection, harmony with
plete overthrow of all who uphold the worship of Mammon, God and everlastine life. And those who will not nrofit bv
howrvcr murh they claim that it is really the worship and the lessons, who wnl not obey the great Teacher and Leade;,
service of #Jehovah.
__-- the antitype of Moses, shall be “cut off from amongst the
* See February 15. 1909. and June 15. 1919, issues in re Covenants. people,” as the Lord has declared.-Acts 3:23.

TenI,. XX I rI ALLEGHENY, PA., AUGUST 1, 1902 No. 15

VIEWS FROM THE WATCH TOWER

TROUBLE AMONGST METHODISTS ity of their teachings, and send the people for instruction to the
For many years Rev. Agar Beet, D. D., has been theological Bible instead of to creeds and catechisms of the dark ages and
tutor of Richmond College, England. Of him a prominent Eng- to other blind guides.
lish journal says: “Dr. Beet occupies a unique position in The “\\‘r+y:ln Iirhtitiition Committer” c~oncliitlf~tl that tllch
hlethodism. He is the only Methodist theologian today who has foregoing grounds were quite sufficient for dropping Dr. Beet
won a very great rcputatlon outside his own denomination. from the college facult,y. There is plenty of room for Higher
His writings, partmularlv on the question of eschatology, have Criticism Infidelity and- for anti-scriptural evolution theories in
won a very wille circulation, and have produced a profound ef- all such institutions. but no room for the truth-the Bible must
frrt iii many quarters.” Dr Beet, it stems, got to stnllylng the not he heard, for it; being the great antagonist of error, would
Rihlo and fonntl in it nothing to support thr common supposi- speedily make havoc of the multitudinous errors developed in
tion that God has so constituted man that he can never cease medieval times and duly labeled “Orthodoxy.” In a defense of
to be. HP has found it to teach, on the contrarv, that ever- his position, published-in The Methodist !&mes (London), Dr.
lasting life is God’s gift through Christ to our dying race, and Bert says:
that, a refusal of that rift would sinifv death-not life, in “During the lnst rentnrv Methodist opinion shout the (loom
torment or otherwise: that “the wages of sin is death;” that of the lost has completely ‘changed. Very few Wesleyan mm-
“the sol11 that. qinnrth it qhall die :” that “hr that hnth the Son isters can now read Weslev’s sermons on ‘Hell’ and on
bath life, and he that hath not t,he Son hath not life, but the ‘Eternity,’ Nos. 73 and 54, without repudiating much of their
wrath of God [the curse-the sentence of death] ahideth on tcarhlng with indignation. Evitlcntlv the wrltcxr acrrptrd on
him.” these tonics current nhraseolow without duly weiahinn its
Dr Bet’s crime consisted in teaching these Bible truths meaning. But I notice that, when selecting fifty-three sermons
with which Methodist doctrines, like those of so many other as an embodiment of his distinctive teachine Weslev did not in-
“traditions of the ancients,” conflict. To teach along these clude these sermons ; and that, in the s&mon on ‘The Great
Bihlicnl lines would quickly extinguish all the “fires of hell” Assize.’ whirl1 he did inrlude, there is very little which con-
which hfetho(lists have’ pok;d so industriously for a century; it tradicts the teaching of my book.
would rc,licve God of the charprs of injustice and lovelessness “This change of opinion has bern carefully ignored. Many
an11 devilishness hurled against him by some of his fallen crea- scholarly and godly ministers have nursed their doubts in
tures who, nevertheless, know well that they are not so depraved silence, some under a sense of guilt for concealing their
as either to plan or work out such diabolical tortures; it would opinions, until the need for concealment has become to them a
show up Mrthodisnt as well as other “isms” as slanderers of God humiliating and intolerable bondage. Jn some cases, men have
m thesr respects, and would undermine confidence in the infallibil- not dared even to think, lest the thoughts they dared not utter
[30481
i\VGUST 1, 1902 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (228-23)

should make them the more conscious of their bondage. Thm cldentally awakening all true Israelites to the fact that
doubt and fear are very wrdespread. There has been a retreat for a long time they have been subJccts of “nocturual hallucrna-
from the posrtlon held by our iathers, along the whole line; for tions” and horrible mghtmares, without basm or reason.
the more Dart in darkness and solitude. Of all this, I have LAWS OF NATURE VS. LAWS OF GOD
abundant Bnd pathetic proof, some of which I am ’ able to The Christian, accepting the Bible as his standard of
produce.” philosophy, long ago f&ml-himself in conflict with so called
A reviewer writing in one of the leading London dailies Science which, ignoring a personal and almighty God whose ~111
says on this subject :- controls Nature, defies Nature ; nlaces Nature’s Laws h~all above
“For my own part I have no quarrel with Dr. Beet on this all others and attempts to prove Nature to be her own-Creator
matter. I presume that few men of intelligence and culture by evolutionary nrocesses under the Laws of Nature. The
accept today the old dogma of eternal sufferrng which was followers of the Lord, Jehovah, recognize his right to control
preached wrth so much fervor forty or fifty years ago. Even the umverse and-both directly and through his Son and hrs
the Wesleyan Conf,rence itself has expunged from its catechism apostles and others-to so control nature that winds and waves
the definite statements that once found so lurid an expressron. and demons and disease would obey. Those who believe in the
I remember very well in the days of my childhood being asked miracles of the Blhle neither defy Nature nor rcvercruc it,
the questions and giving the answers, both of which I had learnt operations as unalterable laws, but they do, on the contrary,
from the catechism. ‘What sort of nlace is hell?’ Answer: sanctify the Lord God in their hearm.
‘Hell is a dark and bottomless pit fuil of fire and brimstone. It is pleasant to find a Scientist committing himself on these
Question : ‘How will the wicked-be punished there8” Answer: lines and renouncing his worship of Nature as a eod. Prof. S.
‘The wicked will be nunished in hell bv havinp their bodies P. Langley, Secretary of the Smithsonian Ins&ute, recently
tormented by fire, and their souls by a sense ofu the wrath of took this position in a paper read before the Philosophical
God.’ Question : ‘How long will those torments last $’ Answer : Society of Washington. Among other thines he said:-
‘The torments of hell will last for ever and ever.’ These oues- “It is perhaps a hard saymg to most that there are no
tions and answers were in a catcchmm designed, as was sai’d on such things as ‘laws of nature’: but this is the theme on which
its title uaae. for children of tender years. I nresume. there- I have to-sneak.
~~ -r--p-
fore, tha’t the Methodist Conference has changed its views on “These, then, are the laws of man’s own mind, or the effects
these particular questions, or these questions and answers would of his own mind, which he nrolects outslde of himself and
not have been expunged from their catechism. imagines to be due to some permanent and unalterable cause
“In theory, however, there has been no change in Methodist having an independent existence. . . . .
doctrmes or dogmas. The standards are the same today as at “To decorate our own guesses at nature’s meaning with the
the begrnnlng. Wcbley’s ‘Fifty-three Sermons,’ with his ‘Notes name ‘lows of nature is a prc~umption tluc to our own fcc!)lc
on the New Testament,” remain the ultimate court of appeal. human nature, which we can forgive for demanding something
At the Synods Wesleyan mmisters are still asked the old ques- more permanent than itself, but whici; also leatls us to have
tions, and are expected to give an affirmative answer. Though such ah exalted conceit of our own opinions as to hide from our-
there has been no change in Methodist dogmas or standards. selves that it is these verv ooinions which we call nature’s laws.
there has been an un&takable change in the character of “The history of the past&shows that once mos: philosophers,
Methodist preaching, and that change has been noticed, not so even atheists, thus regarded ‘the laws of naure,’ not as their
much in what has been said as in what has been left unsaid. own interpretations of her, but as something external to them-
Questions on which forty years ago, or even twenty years ago, sclvcs. as entities partaking the attributes of Deity-entities
Methodist ministers were emnhatic. todav thev are verv lareelv which they deified in print with capital letters-as we sometimes
silent on, and this silence is’ not always because the mini&e& do still, tho these ‘laws’ now are shorn of ‘the glories of their
themse!res feel in any doubt or uncertainty on the questions, birth and state’ which thqi once wore, and are not turning out
but because it is not considered wise or prudent to stir up any to be, ‘substantial things.’
Bind of religious controversy. The gospel of expediency is very “But are there not really things (like the fact of gravita-
popular in most religious communions. tion, for instance) external to onrselvcs, which would es&t
“Dr. Beet. in hismanifesto, says: ‘This change of opinion whether we were here or not, and which arc part of the order
has been carefully ignored. Many scholarly and godly ministers of nature? Apparently, yes,-but part of the laws of
have nursed their doubts in silence. some under a sense of guilt. nature, no !
If this statement be true, it seems to me to show a lame&able “The present generation has begun. if not to be modest or
lack of moral courage on the part of the ministers in question. humble, to be somewhat less arrogant in the assumntion of ltr
It is sincerely to be hoped that none of these ministers preached knowledge. We are perhaps beginning to understand, not in
what they have ceased to believe. I am afraid that the at- a uurrlv noetical sense. but in a vcrv real one. that thcrc mav
mosphere of ecclesiastical communions generally is not favour- be all around us; in heaven and earth, things beyond measure,
able to the growth of courage or the development of an inde- of which ‘philosophy’ not only knows nothing, but has not
pendent spirit. The dead hand of the ancient creed-makers dreamed.
is still upon us. “As a consequence of this, there is growing to be an un-
“I am told that those who are anxious that Dr. Beet should spoken, rather than clearly formulate(1, admission that WP know
no longer occupy the Professor’s chair at Richmond College little of the order of nature, and nothing at all of the laws of
are very desirous of maintamrng what they call ‘the purity of nature. . . . .
doctrine.’ It is all very well to stand for ‘purity of “Let us repeat, and repeat once more, that tho nature be
do&me,’ if we only knew what purity of doctrine is. One, of external to ourselves, the so-called ‘laws of nature’ arc from
course, can admire their zeal, and in some measure share their within-laws of our own minds-and a simple protluct of our
nnsrcty. But It stems to me that if we were one-half as anxious human nature. Let us agree that the sclentlfic imagrnation can
about purity of conduct as we are about purity of doctrine it suggest questions to put to nature, but not her answers. Let
woul(l bc very much better for the world. There are a hundred us read Bacon again, and agree with him that WI‘ un~lcrstan~l
qurstionq of doctrine on whrch wc mav disagree, and our dis- only what we have observed. Finally, let us add that wc never
agrccmcnt will not nffcct hv a hair’s breadth the condition or understand even that, in the fulncss of Its menninrr: for rcm(‘m-
the destiny of communitic~ or of individuals. . . . . We are her that of all the so-called laws of nature the most constnntlv
horrifietl at what we call heresv. but WC wink at drunkenness. ohserrell, and moPt intimately and personally known to ! ci, 31,’
\Vr plunge the whole dcnominn”tion into convulsions because a those of lift and tleath-and how much do we know allorlt the
man dares to depart, even in thr small& degrrc.from what we meaning of tiwm?” . . . .
conceived to be the standard set up a hundred and fifty years “The lesson for us is we must not consider that anything is
aSo ; and yet we allow publicans and brewrrs and Stock Ex- absolutely settled or true.”
change gamblers and company promoters and swinrllers and Ah yes! Now wc know that they know that thy 11or1’:
oppressors to occupy prominent positions in the Church, to know. Believers alone know the knowable things, and all rhc
take the chair at missionary meetings, and lay foundation stones tlicr Icave to the all \viic Oiic in wl~om tlicv trllh>t. “Tllv \\‘ol tl
of churches and Sunday schools. is Truth,” and it is scientific from the stantlpoint of thk divine
Notwithstanlling tbc fact that all nations have been matle plan of the ages and from no other standpoint.
drunk with Bahylon’s wine of false doctrine (Rev. 17:2) we “WITHOUT RELIGION MAN IS LOST”
find the non-professors rather less intoxmnted than are nrofca- 1 ~~- Thr Atheists of Brrlin, n numrrous body, arc criticjsing
sing Christians and able to give some rather sound advrcc, as the Kaiser for his pronounced religious tenrlencics aud tl,c pub
in the artrcle just quoted. Thank God that the Millennial licity he is giving his views on the snhject. Thev rc!niu*l him
Morning is here and that it will not be possible to keep the that the ablest minds in Gtrmnnv tlo not share h>s l)clic; in a
worhl anI1 the church asleep, etnpitl, thoughtless much longer! hereafter, that in proof of it the Brrlineyc are the lcaqt gi.\.c.n to
The silver Jubilee trumpets are being sounded by the priests (of church attendance of anv lar-e citv in the worl(& and that tlis.
the “royal priesthood”) announcing the Jubilee and in hclief instead of hintlering actually does more to adrauce the
r30491
(229-230) ZION’S WATCH TOWER ALLEGHmY. PA.

material well-being of the empire than Christianity has done or
can do. The critics inveigh particularly against the royal pro-
nouncement that a man whose life is not founded on religion is
a lost man. This reasoning they contend belongs to the be-
nighted centuries and is a reflection upon enlightened Germany
of-today. The address which has aroused th% complaint was
delivered last week in Posen. Here is the part obiectionable to
infidelity : “The German empire today 1s -rooted “in simplicity
and fear of God. I look to all, priests and laymen, to help me
uphold religion among the people, in its health and strength.
This apphes equally to the two creeds, Catholic and Protestant.
“It is with pride and joy that I am able to tell you that the
pope said to my special ambassador who went to Rome on the
occasion of the Holy Father’s jubilee that he had always had a
high opinion of the piety of the Germans, and especially of that
of the German army. The pope asked my ambassador to tell
his sovereign that the one country in Europe where order and
discipline still prevailed, with respect for authority and regard
for the church, and where the church could live, was the German
Empire, and for that the Papal See was indebted to the
German Emperor.
“This justifies me in saying that our two great creeds must,
while living side by side, keep in view their one great aim-
to unhold and strengthen the fear of God and reverence for
religion. Whether we are ‘moderns’ or whether we labor in this
or that field. does not matter at all. He who does not found
his life on r&iglon is a lost man. I rejoice that I have placed
my whole empyre, my people and my army, as well as myself
and mv house. beneath the Cross and under the Drotection of
Him ~110 said,’ ‘Heaven and earth shall pass away, \ut my word
shall not pass away.’ ”
We are living m a peculiar time in more respects than one.
While the whole “religious world” is losing its faith in the Bible
and accepting instead a hclief in Evo!ution;-that Nature is our
god which made us and is evolving us into higher conditions by
some kind of “Laws of Nature”-and while doubt IS growing
respecting a personal Creator or any interest he takes in man-
kind ;-at the same time each skeptical person seems more
anxious than ever that the common people should maintain their
resoeet for “religion.” Thev care little what kind of religion-
go& or bad-s; long as ii has some fear, some terror< con-
nected with it that will restrain the common people. They
realize that if the latter ever get to see matters in the same
skeptical light in which the wealthy and educated view them
it woulcl mean a death knell to the present order of things
social, political, financial and ccclesi&tical. Thev want *lo
change: realizing that any possible change would surely be to
the dcti imc~nt of their “lntcre~tq.”
The Kaiser is one of the world’s wise men; and it is for
this reason that he throws his influence more and more toward
Panacv which, he realizes. will hold its influence upon the “com-
mo\ pkople” longer than’ will Protestantism; because it has a
firm Prasn unon the reason and intellect of its votaries. This
dispo;itio’n is’ a growing one: Patronize every religion that will
nl:llllt.Lln 311!,1’1.tltloll
WC do not romplnin at this worldly nistlom, hpliering, as
we have frequently stated, that the worst form of government is
better than anarchy, and that even gross superstition has points
of ndvantage over scofing atheism. It is for this reason that
we seek to avoid setting free with the truth those who would
use their liberty as a license for evil doing.
But in this general tendency we forsee some of our coming
tribulations. As the Pharisees and rulers and Doctors of Law.
in the harvest of the Jewish Age, were “grieved that they
taught the people” and fearful that the truth would lead to dire
calamities upon their nation, so we apprehend it will ere long
be in this harvest of the Gospel Age. Not only will the nominal
church preachers feel jealous that their flocks should under-
stand the Bible better than themselves, but civil rulers, public
men, legislators, etc., will sympathize with and assist in sup-
pressing anything that would “unsettle the faith” of Christen-
dom.
Poor fellows ! they do not realize that the people generally
have almost no faith to unsettle; and that the vast majority
are too indifferent to heed and search fur and thus ol~lnli! the
truth and too weak-kneed to stand up for it if they did see it.
Nor do they know, as we do, that tde Lord has so-arranged it
that-“None of the wicked shall understand but the wise shall
understand.“-Dan. 12 : 10.
HIGHER CRITICISM INFIDELITY EEAUHING THE SUNDAY
SCHOOL
Having conquered the collepe nrofessors and through them
the minis&y, d&ing the last Tw&ty-five years this lat&t form
of Infidelitv has Dermeated denominational literature and nublic
I
school text”booksi and now the question is how to deal it out in
the Sunday Srhool< u~lsel~: 1. e., how to in~idiouslp Introduc*e it
to the young so as not to shock them and lead them to a total
repudiation of Churchianity and all else built upon the Bible.
aid so as not to shock any of the parents who rnab still be “old:
fogy” believers in the Bible’s divine authorship. The ideas of
one prominent in the preparation of the “sincere milk of thG>
Word : ”
Rev. A. E. Dunning, D. D., editor of The Congrogationalist
and one of the International Committee on the Sunday school
lessons, describes the situation as follows:
“A widening chasm divides the teaching of the Bible in
schools and colikges from its teaching in miy Sunday schools.
The accepted principles of the develonment of life and of the
growth oi? literature; as taught in public schools, are being con-
tradicted in Sunday schools, in the effort to defend theories
of the creation of the universe and of the composition of the
Bible which are contrary to known laws of the evolution of
nature and of literature. The consequences of such opposing
teachings are not difficult to predict.
“The main conclusions of Biblical criticism are now accepted
with practical unanimity by all scholars who have given atten-
tion to them. They have been reached by patient investigation,
and have displaced traditional theories among educated people.
Zion’s Watch Tower cheerfully takes its place amongst the
uneducated who refuse to accept the guesses, philosophies and
conclusions of “science falsely so called” in contradiction to
the testimony of “holy men of old who spoke and wrote as they
were moved by the holy Spirit,“-the Bible. All of Satan’s
attacks of the past have heen weak and puerile as compared with
this one,-this deflection, or revolution, rather, inside the ranks
of those professing loyalty to God and the Bible. Our expecta-
tion is that it will sp~eatl with anlaz~nq rnpi~ilt~. end ronhtutc~
a part of the sifting of wheat from tares and chaff. And many
will be surprised at the results unless forewarned by the voice of
the Lord through his Word, that-“A thousand shall fall at thy
side, ten thousand at thy right hand.“-Psa. 91:7.

WHO IS HE THAT CONDEMNETH?

“No weapon that is formed against thee shall pWOS$WT;and every tongue that s?dl rise against thee in judgment thou
shalt condemn. This is the kitage of the 8WVonts of the Lord. and thar ,rrghteousness zs of
me, smth the Lord.l’-Isa. 64: 17.
What a heritage! What would one not give, sacrifice, to apparently permitted the great adversary or his deluded
have this assurance which pertains not only to the life which servants to forge against them grievous weapons of destruction,
now is, but goes far bevond, lays hold upon and blesses the and to assail them in health or in their social peace or finan-
eternal interests of all who attain this heritage. It is not ap- cially; sometimes these weapons of the adversary have aeemed
plicahle to one individual alone, but as declared, it belongs to to do terrible execution against them, and many may wonder
all the servants of the Lord-every true spiritual Israelite may how the Lord’s good promise of our text is being fulfilled: “No
claim it, rest upon it and rejoice in it. weapon that is formed against her shall prosper.”
Our text may to some extent be applicable to regathered and Many tongues have arisen against the Lord’s Zion as a
re-favored Israel after the flesh, in the near future when the whole and against each member individually-tongues laden
Lord will fulfil to them all his good promises; but without with the “poison of asps,” tongues bitter with envy, malice,
question it belongs to spiritual Israel-new creatures in Christ hatred and strife,-tongues which hesitate not to slander and
.JC~IIR. joint-heirs with hill> of the Ahrahamic promises as the misrepresent, to say all manner of evil falsely. And to a large
seed of Abraham.-Gal. 3:29. extent these weapons and tongues have succeeded, have wrought
Spiritual Israel may sometimes feel as our Lord, himself havoc with the sheep, as also with the Shepherd ; and God
expressed the matter, “My God, my God, why hast thou for- permitted it-he neither stopped the weapon nor stilled the
saken me?” and may not always realize the object and necessity tongue; and yet he assures us apparently to the contrary of this
for some of the experiences through which the Lord permits in our text. What is the true explanation of this situation?
Zion as a whole, and each individual Christian as her members The explanation is that “Ye are not in the flesh, but in
or children, to pass; they may see that at times the Lord has the spirit if so be the spirit of God dwell in you”---ye are
[30501
\UC”ST 1, 1902 ZION’S WATCH
“new creatures” In Christ Jesus, “old things are passed away,
behold all things have become new.” (Rom. 8 :!) ; ‘,! Car. 5: li )
‘The weapons and tongue+ merely do injuly to the old creature
-to the flesh, mluch we have a!ready caonsecrated to death
anyway. By helping to kill or to mortify the flesh, our ad-
hersaries are really helping uh as “nc)w creatures” lnstpad of
hindering us as designed. God thus turns what seems to
harm us into everlastmg joy and h!tlbsmg.
The context bears out this thought, declaring, “All thy chil-
dren shall be taught of the Lord: and great shall be the peace
of thy children.“-(v. 13) Ah yes, these spiritual sons of God
need the instructions of the Lord’s Word in order to understand
his dealiqgs-in order to enable them to have the great peace
here predicted. God’s children in the school of Christ learn not
their lessons all at once, hut gr:idually, “Line upon line, prrtac,pt
upon precept, here a little, and there a little,” by degrees they
come to comprehend the exceeding great and precious promises
of the Father’s Word which unite in declaring that under his
supervision “All things shall work together f& good to them
that love God-to the called ones according to his DurDose”:
this is a sufficiency for the beginning of fgith and, iherefore;
a sufficiency for the beginning of the peace. As our instruction
progresses we learn the philosophy of our experience-that by
the trials and vicissitudes of this present life, by our warfare
with the world, the flesh and the devil, by our strivings in this
battle, we are forming characters in accord with righteousness;
and, additionally, we learn that God seeketh such characters,
and is thus developing us because he has for the world in gen-
eral a great and wonderful plan of salvation not yet fully made
known,-in which he desires that the “elect” church-of this-Gospel
ape shall be co-workers, joint-heirs with their Lord and Re-
deemer, as the royal pheithood under him, their Head,-the
great Prophet, Priest and King so long promised, whose work
shall be to overthrow the Dowers of evil, to bind the adversary.
to lift up and enlighten t&e world of mankind and to grant 6
every redeemed child of Adam a full, gracious opportunity of
return to the Father’s favor through obedience and restitution.
When once the eyes of our understanding are opened to
appreciate the lengths and breadths and heigh& and depths of
our Father’s nlans. we see that the world of mankind are not in
torture and hbpeless misery, but are in the great prison house
of death; we see that our Lord Jesus has by the grace of God
tasted death for every man ; and we see that it is on the
strength of this redemption for the whole world by the one sac-
rifice of sin that the promise has gone forth that all shall be
brought to a knowledge of the truth that they mav be saved.
From this standpoint-everything becomes new; old fears and
perplexities pass away, and the light of the knowledge of the
goodness of God shining into our hearts, becomes more and
&ore a transforming power therein,-changing us from glory to
qlory. And if we continue in this way it will eventually fit us
for partlcipntlon with our Redeemer In all thiq glorious Millen-
nial work. We see that it is because of God’s desires to have
us thus members of his “elect” church that he has favored us in
advance of the world with the knowledge of his goodness and
redeeming love. and that he has anointed us with his soirit and
called us”to this high, heavenly calling. Praise his name!
As the teaching of the Lord to the church belongs to the
present time, so does the peace of those who are taught apply
in the present time, and is in proportion to our readiness to
receive instruction and come to a knowlcdne of God. Those
who instructed by the divine Word have reached a large degree
of knowledge of the divine character through the divine plan,
mav, should. must have the nesce of God which nag&h ~11 do indeed fear to displease or offend him: and yet, having
understanding, ruling in the& hearts. If they have not the
peace they cannot have the joy of the Lord; and if they have
not this, even under the present trying circumstances and con-
ditions, ‘it is because they have noi been sufficiently taught of
the Lord: and if thev have been long in the school of Christ
without this attainment, it is an evidence that thev have not
been giving the proper earnest heed to the Word,-it is an evi-
dence that they have been following the traditions of men rather
than inquiring for the old paths, &e way of the Lord. Let us
all take heed lest we let sliD those thinrm which we have heard.
remembering that the eart’hen vessels”in which we have the’
treasure of the new mind are leaky! and that this necessitates
our keeping near to the fountain spring-near to the Lord, near
to his Word and. hence, near to all others who are close to the
Lord and to his Word.
The context further declares respecting this class under con-
sideration. “In riehteousness shalt thou rthe godlvl be estab-
lished; thhu shalt’be far from oppression, fo; thb; shalt not
fear; and from terror, for it shall not come near thee.” (vs.
14) This also applies to the present life and not to the life
of glory. Those who are not established in righteousness now
will not be accounted worthy to be sharers in the first resur-
[30611
TOWER (231-232)
rectlon respectmg which it is wrlttcn, “l3les~oti ant1
holy is he that hath part In the first resurrect:on ”
Righteousness, justice, must be the foundation of every
character acceptah!e to God: as Justlee is the foundation
of the Lord’s throne, so it is the foundation of all with which
he has to do; and if we are his it must be the sub-stratum of
our Christian character. ‘A’e must learu to he iust berore we
are generous; we must learn that while love mai call for sacrl-
fices, duty, obhgatlon calls for justice first. In the blmdness
and darkness which came to us from the dark ages. - , before the
anointing of our eyes with the eyesalve of truth from the wort!s
of the Lord and his apostles-when in our blindness we con-
ceived of God as unjust and unloving because of misrepresenta-
tion of his plan, we had so low an ideal before our minds that
we found it easy to excuse injustice or cruelty or selfishness,
since, according to our false standard and misconceptions of
God, he was the exemplar of all this. The Lord undoubtedly
had mercy upon us on account of our ignorance and blindness
but now since he has opened the eyes of our understanding
has shown us his own justice and his own boundless love, ana
since we are seeking to copy these, there is no longer room for
us to excuse unrighteousness or injustice in our hearts. It may
require time to bring every word and act and thought into
harmony with the new mind instructed from the Word :-we mav
never succeed to our own satisfaction in this matter in our
present life, because of the weaknesses of the flesh through
which our &Is must operate; but we can at least make stro&
effort, and by the Lord’s assisting grare ;tcrornpll~h grcst tl~l~~~-
in righteousness, not only of intention, but in righteousness of
thought, of judgment, of conduct.
This righteousness in which the Lord’s children are to be
established, is further explained by the statement, “Thou shalt
be far from oppression, for thou shalt not fear.” As we look
back into the dark ages we see that it was full of oppression
practiced in the name of the Lord and in the name of right-
eousness and in many cases, undoubted1.v. practiced conscien-
tiously. In all good conscier&ze men oppr%&d one another be-
cause of their fears, their false theories declaring that the Lord
was about to torture to all eternity all who did not accept a
certain theory of belief, and it seemed to them the veriest kind-
ness to inflict torture by thumbscrew, rack and stake for the
correction of heretics-with a view to saving them possibly
from an eternity of suffering; and with the view also to hinder
them from misleading others to such an awful eternitv. * This
oppression, this cruelty, was the result of fear, and the fear
was the result of misunderstanding of God’s character-because
they were taught of men and not taught of the Lord, as the
Prophet declares, “Their fear toward me is taught by the
precept of men.“-Isa. 29 : 13.
As the light of the truth comes into our hearts giving us a
true knowledge of the Lord, instructing us as his children, per-
fect love casts out fear, and porportionately it casts out super-
stition and intolerance and oppression, as the Prophet here de-
clares. The Lord’s people are to love religious liberty for them-
selves and are correspondingly to grant <he same td all others.
“Thou shalt be far from oppression, for thou shalt not frar.”
This class will be anxious to set men free, not anxious to en-
slave them. On the other hand the declaration is, “Thou shalt
be far from terror, for it shall not come near thee;” the Lord’s
people ought to be the most fearless people in the world as
respects earthly disasters and calamities; taught of the Lord
they have learned that there is only one being who needs to be
feared-the one who has the power to destroy the soul. They
learned of his goodness, mercy and love, they do not fear him
in the ordinary sense of the word, but rejoice in him, confide
in him, trust him as a child trusts a father, and this confidence
grows in proportion as they are taught of the Lord-in propor-
tion as they learn to trust, both from the Word of the Lord
and from his providences, his dealings with them.
The text further shows that there will be not only individual
oppositions to be encountered, but that Zion as a whole will be
assailed by foes; as we read, “Behold, they shall surely gather
together, but not by me ; whosoever shall gather together against
thee shall fall for thy sake.” (vs. 15) Wonderful words of
consolation! We cannot at present judge to what extent this
may have a fulfilment not many years hence, when there shall
be a general gathering together of opponents to the trnth and
its servants. Already there have been various combinations in-
stigated by the adversary, and they have all come to naught.
They have really harmed none because it is impos+le to injure
the very elect. They have indeed caused the stumblinr? of some,
and heartaches to many, yet, nevertheless, under the Lord’s
providmrr they hsvr worked out dvprr :and richrr cunwicnres in
all who were in the proper attitude of heart to be thus taught
(232-233) ZION’S WATCH
“Nearer my God to thee,
E’en though It be a cross that raiseth me.”
The assurance here given is nothmg but what we might
reasonably know when we consider the Lord’s own declaration,
“So shall my word ire that goeth forth out of my mouth; it shall
not return unto me void? but shall accomplish that which I
plcase, and shall prosper m the thing whereto I sent it.” (Isa.
T,T,.ll) So surely as our Heavenly Father has purposed the
blessing of all the families of the earth through the seed of
Abraham, just so surely it will be accomplished. And as the
power of the Adversary rai>ed against our Lord Jesus autl the
wrapons formcsd :rxalnst him, and which smote him down in
dcnth prevailed for a time, yet merely so much of the out-
working of the foreknown divine plan, so all of the machma-
tions of the nclversary and the oppositions of the world and
the flesh as well, cannot hintlcr the development of the various
mc:nb,,rs of the ho:ly of Christ who, as the Heavenly Father
has p~c~llrtr,l, are to 1 e jomt-heirs with his Son in the Mil-
l(Bnrl :1 kln~vioni of lJleh<ing.
The Wortl of the Lord declares that even those who crucified
the ?+Inq!rr, anIl who, in thrir conscrcntious conviction that they
rime doing riG*ht, saicl “His blood 1.e upon us and upon our
clul(!rc n,‘--these 31c a!1 vi t to 1 e the sul~,lects of tlirine mercy
in dlle time; l~ccnu+~ r,b tlir Allo*t!e Peter dcclarcs that they
(lit1 it “thronrh ionol an(sc.” (Acts 3 17) The Lorll foretells the
time th:?t they su:tll look u~pon him whom they hnve pierced,
an11 sha!l all nourn llccouse of him; and he foretcllc, too, that
at. th:Lt tirrlr so fnr flom crushing them or torturing them, he
will fnror thrm lly pouring upon them the spirit of prayer and
s~~l~l~l~cat~or,.-2crli. 12.111.
It is a different matter, however, when those who “have
hcnl cnli~htr~ned anI1 have taster1 of the good Word of God and
of the powers of the aye to come aud hale been made partakers
or t11c 11g~IvS,J~IIt,” illall 11,>, 01*1(~ii(‘( ll-(lrs of the IJretllrt~n, awl-
vcr57rics. prr&c:ltn:a. No hle+ngs are promised to these: but
the tlcclarntion is that “It were hetrer for him that a ml&tone
IWTI~ hanqeil nlollt his neck, anI1 he were cast into the sea.”
.JIlcIaq w:!q :t71 csm~~itlt~ of this class in his tiny; of him the
?+lnstrr soid in lore and in sorrow,-not in anper,-“It Were
1 c’:fcr for th:It nlnn hntl he never hecn l’orn”-his life has hcen
no: (2tll‘rn wo+r,d It is not our thought that the Lor11 will hnve
?c,:~~~c~r;ts for these in the future, hut rather that they die the
se(.nnd (1,xth, an<1 thnt in snwc manner they receive retribution
in tl,e pr*ssclnt 1:f: as tlid Jllclas.
Ent ho t!lnt is one of the Lord’s people, possessed lip his
spi-it, cn:Il(L not 1 e a pcrserutor or opponent of the hrethreq-
noi>c si:rc,ly exe+ those who brcome poisoned with the ad-
vcp.sary’s covetous tllspoeition, with the desire for srlf-exalta-
bon. No wnnclrr that the Lord cautioned us against this sin of
rnvrtousness unllcr which Satan originally fell. by which Mother
Erc was srfluc~.~l from loyaltv to the Lord, an’d by which Judas
and variolls other enemies of the Lord have hern mislead. Let
us he more and more on guard against it. Let others do what
THE DESIRE OF ALL NATIONS
“For thus saith the Lord of hosts: Yet once [morel it is a little while and Z will shake the heavens and the earth
the sea and the dry land. And Z luill shake all notions and the Desire of all Nattons
and Z will fill this house with glory, saith the Lord of hosts.“-Hag. 2:6, 7.
Here is one of the richest promises in the blessed Word
of clotl. It is the gospel in a nutshell-the gospel of grace to
the world anI1 of glory to the church; ant1 it is signed at both
rII(ls wi!h the simnatnre of the Sovcreicrn of the universe, Je-
I;ovah of hosts. Jt was thus uttered by the mouth of one of his
11,)‘:: 1’707bl1t--RnyFni Bllt thnu~:h with the other ToritinTs of
the prophets it wns hrlcl sacrrll as the Word of tho Lord and
rc,vri-entlv read hp his anciently chosen people, flcshlv Israel,
their understanding of it frill far short of its true significance;
and not until the holv Spirit was given as a comforter, a guide
illto all truth en,1 a”revealer of thines to romc (John l.i:26;
1:; .I?). was the nrecious imnort of this declaration of Jehovah
I
nlnde nlanifcqt to his saints (the gospel chnrcl!), as it has been
throutvh his holy annst! 1s ant1 prophets.--Eph. 3 :5.
I”li>hlv Israc-1 thn~l~ht they saw in this d-claration an inti-
mat-on of Ihe Cxaltntiou anI1 unit-ersal dominion of their nation,
tile f:,ll of the Persian kingclom and the subserviency of ali
o!ilrr nation\ to them. anti1 thnt the hnl,se of TLrarl. thlls (xx-
altc~l ant! e~.t~~~oncti above all the nations, would be filled with
the g!ory of the Lord and recognized by all the world as God’s
sneci,llli choqrn np11 honnrr~d rmrtlc-a hn!v nation and a roonl
pric-\thooil. V:;th such a hope’ in view they diligently and eheer-
fulls workr,l to rcl1ll1111the ruincl teynnlc ancl to renair the fnilrn
I
wal!s of Jerusalem aftrr the decree of the Persian monarch,
Cyrus, grx,;ted them lihertv to return from captivity. But
centuries rolled on; the Persian empire fell but Israel’s glory
TOWER ALLEGHENY, PA.
they will-whatever the Lord may permit-as for us, Ict us say
with the Apostle, “we can do nothing against the truth, but for
the truth”-all of our energies and powers must be enlisted on
the side of the Lord and on the side of all those who are his.
Not a finger dare we move, not a whmper dare we utter injurious
to the members of the body of Christ. of whom the Lord de-
clares, “No weapon formed against thee shall prosper, and
every tongue that shall raise against thee in judgment shalt thou
condemn.”
WHO IS HE THAT CONDEMNETH?
The closing words of our text remind us of the language of
the Anostle (Ram. 8:31-39). “If God be for us. who can be
again&usS”‘Lwho can prosper against us, who can accomplish
anything against us? That GotI is for us is already mani-
fested in that he snared not his own Son, but redeemed us with
his precious blood ;* and in that he has called us in Christ Jeius to
1)~ his “elrct” church. his bride. “\Ilo shall lav anythIng to the
charge of God’s elect ? Tt iq God that justlfic’th.“.ln harmony
with-this, our text declares of these “servants of the Lord,
“Their riohtcousness is of me. saith the Lord.” Some may en-
dravor too condemn them and may indeed succeed in finding
fault with them for having imperfect judgments, and being
sometimes imuerfect in them conduct or words: but what mi!l
it matter thai such should condemn those whom the Lord ap-
proves, The Lorcl informs us that he knows our imperfections
better than any coul~l know them; but that of his own grace he
has provided a covering for our unintentional blemishes‘through
the merit of the sacrifice of his Son. Who then shall sucred
in condemning these whom God approves, whom Got1 justifies,
whom Go11 declares to be right and acccptalle to him through
Jesus Christ ‘I Others may claim that they are actnallr as nrarly
pCrfert as some of the faithful “cl&,” lint the tll!T,,r,rnc,, 1~ th 1-t
whereas God must reject all to any degree blemished, these he\e
the covering of his Grace in Christ and are accepted according
to thrair intentions and endeavors; and, therefore, they shall
br allle to stand, for he is able to make them stand in their
testing or judgment.-Rom. 14 :4.
Let us as members of the house of Sons, accepted in the
Beloved. take from our Father’s Word in this text the strong
rnnqnlnt’inn whirl1 he intends it chnald give us. Let 0111‘faith
triumnhantlv sine. and our iov and rcioicino in the Lord know
no bo;lntls. “According unto” our faith”it witi be unto us. But
while it ~111 be on account of our faith that the Lord will ap-
proye of LIS, accept us, ant1 bless us, he has, neverthelcas, as-
sured us in allvance that where the tree of faith exists and
grows, th? character development, the fruitage of the faith will
surelv alto alound, and that thus 1,~ our works (imperfect
though they may be’) we shall give evidence of the faith that is
in us. Such a living faith mav well cause reioicing in the
house of our pilgrimage, with Uthis assurance ‘that even the
machinations of our enemies shall work out for us blessings,
under our Heavenly Father’s supervising care, wisdom, love and
power.
SHALL COME
and
shall come;
still tarried; for they only passed from under the dominion
of Persia to that of Greece, and then of Rome; and then, as a
nation sclattcrd ant1 pcelrd, they were driven out of th(a land
of their fathers-the land of divine promise-and scattered
among all nations and persecuted among them all unto this day.
What then? has God’s promise failed $ or has he forgotten it?
No; for the Apostle Pauc under the leading of the holv Spirit,
palls it to mind again (Heb. 12:26-28) and shows that the
house which is to be-thus filled with the glory of the Lord is not
the fleshly house or kingdom o f Jsrael, but the spiritual house
or kingdom of Gall-the Gocpel church.
The shaking of the earth mentioned in this text presupposes
a former shaking, and this one is shown to be the last. The
former shaking was that typified in the quaking of the earth at
the giving of the law at Sinai; for under the law, says the
Apostle, every transgression and disobedience received a just
rrcomnense of rewartl. and at various intervals the nation was
thoro<rhlv shaken and siftecl by captivities and otherwise, that
onlv
----.,
thn
----
lovnl
--a --~
and true mirrht remain. (See Hebrews 12 :25, 26 :
2:2; 3:17; 19:29) But this last shaking is to be a greater
shaking than fleshly Israel ever espcriznccd; it is to he a shak-
ing of the heavens rsm-mhoi of the ruling power] and the earth
[sll orqanizcd and law-abiding society] and the sea [the law-
less and anarrhistir elements1 and the drv land [the established
aristocracy of wealth and social independence]. And it is to be
n shaking, not only of one nation, but of all nations-“And I
AUGUST 1, 1902 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (234-235)

will shake all nations.” Surely this predicted shaking of all
nations IS but a repetition of the prophecy of Daniel (12 : 1) of
a great time of trouble such as never was since there was a
nation.
But the Apostle Paul gives us the comforting assurance that
“This word. vet once more, sipmfieth the removang of those
things that’aie shaken, that thi things that cannot be shaken
mav remain.” And he further shows (Heb. 12:28) that that
which will- remuln after the shaking,‘ and which. cannot be
moved, will be the kingdom of God, which we shall inherit if
we prove worthy--l. e., lf we stand all the tests and shakings
and cannot be shaken out.
The Apostle, in stating that the kingdom of God-the
church, the elect--cannot be shaken, thereby lntimatcs that it
shall not be exempted from those blasts that shall shake and
utterly remove all-other orgamzations, but rather that the true,
elect church shall not be moved bv them. Her founclatlon 19
sure. “God is in the midst of her, 6nd she shall not be moved.”
(Psa. 46 : 5) As a matter of fact, we find ourselves today in the
midst of these perilous and disintegrating influences.
storm is rising, and, as predicted, it is felt first by the Lord’s
little flock of consecrated believers. Their faith and patience
and zeal and endurance are being tried by every means that the
adversary can devise. Every device of error is being put forth
in its most pleasing and subtle form; and advantage is being
taken of every weakness of the flesh to overcome those who are
endeavoring to fight the good fight of faith and to overcome the
world, the flesh and the devil.
And when we consider that “we wrestle not with flesh and
blood, but against principalities, and powers, and against the
rulers of the darkness of this world. against sDirltua1 wickedness
in high places” (Ephesians 6: 12), we-realize-that the contest is
a very unequal one unless we lay hold upon the strength which
God supplies to us through Christ.
The Apostle’s language further intimates that since only
that which cannot be shaken will remain and will inherit the
kingdom, all others will fall. And in this light the words of
the Psalmist-“A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thou-
sand at thy right hand”-are seen to be no exaggeration.
should thr faithful few be at all dismayed when the various
shakings sift out their number ; for so it must he until only that
which cannot he shaken shall remain. Thus the whole nominal
church, both within and outside the various organizations, must
be shaken until onlv the true and faithful remain; for Gorl
will gather out of his kingdom all things that offend.-Matt.
13 :41.
But this shaking is permitted, not only to sift out of the
church all shakeable thmes. but lt is to extend to all the na-
tions; and so unprepared “ark they for the storm that is coming,
and $0 unable to resist it, that the Apostle, with prophetic
foresight, declares that their shaking signifies their removal
(Heb,1$:27) ; and further, that th& reGova1 is not in order
that anarchy may prevail, but In order that the kingdom of God,
winch cannot be shaken, may take their place.
Thank God for the prospect of an unshakeable kingdom,
whose kmgs shall reign in righteousness and whose princes shall
decree justice (Isa. 32 :l; Prov. 8 : 15), and under whose
dominion the whole earth shall be at rest. (Isa. 14:7) This
IS the kingdom which the Prophet declares will indeed be “the
true desire of all nations,” when it is once established and its bless-
ings begin to be le&zed by the world. Yes, truly “the desire
of all nations shall come”-with blessings of life and health
&nd peace and prosperity and good goverlment. It 1s for this
coming kingdom and its blessings that the whole creation groans
and travails together in pain, waiting for the adoption, viz.,
“the redemption of our body”-the body of Christ, the heirs of
The the kingdo&. (Rom. 6 :22) -AASsoon as &is body li all selected,
fitted and tested. then the kingdom will be established and the
desire of all natibns will have come-the long desired peace and
prosperity which every experiment of their own will have failed
to secure. And doubtless every possible experiment will have
been tried and proved futile before that time; the last, that of
socialism, ending in umversal anarchy. ’
It is this body of Christ, this spiritual house of Israel,
which, though lashed by many a storm, nevertheless “cannot
he shaken,“-because it is firmly founded’upon the Rock Chrmt
Jesus: it is this house that Paul calls “the temple of God” (1
Cor. 3 : 16 ; 6 :19) that is to inherit the kingdo-m of God, aid
that Jchoiah says he is going to fill with l& glory. ’
He will fill it with the elorv of the divine nature: he will
make every member of it l;ke hnto Christ’s glorious body: he
will rnlllle them with power from on lll~ll to f~\<*~~utc~ t~lltlltull~
all of the divine purpose for human restitution, and for the es-
tablishment of universal harmony and peace. Praise the Lord
for such a prospect for both the Church and the world. May its
Nor inspiration be felt by every devoted heart, and its warning be
heeded by every one who feels to any degree inclined to be un-
stable. Take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may
be able to stand unshaken in the midst of the storms of this
evil day, and be counted worthy to be a living stone In that
glorious ‘temple of God, now shortly to be filled-with his glory,
and to be an heir of that kingdom which cannot be moved. and
:’
which shall indeed be the desire of all nations.

“HE CARETH FOR YOU”

[Reprint of poem published in issue of March 15, 1892, which please see.]

ISRAEL’S TYPICAL TABERNACLE

ES. 41 : 1x--.l\rwrwr 3
“Enter into his gates with tha*tksgiving, a7td into his courts with praise.“-Psalm 100:4.
We cannot do justice to this lesson here; nor is it necessary.
We refer our readers to the booklet, “Tabernacle Shadows of
Better Sacmfices.” * which a majority of them already possess,
and which we believe has been helpfnl to the Ilord’s I)eo-
pie,-deepening the work of grace in their heart by its explana-
tions of the riches of divine grace already bestowed upon us Quite to the contrary of this description, the lsraelltcs in
and those yet future, illustrated in Israel’s typical tabernacle general were not permitted wlthin even thts outermost of the
and its typical arrangements, sacrifices, etc. Tabernacle enclosures, the Court Nor conltl thev see over the
Tncidcntallv we guard our readers against certain misap- high linen curtam which enclosed it, nor tllrl,ctlp S(YLthroll<h
plications which, from contemporary reviews of the lesson, we its doorway, which was behind a “qatc” of heavy cllrtalns.
may Infer to he quite common. The tabernacle and its court, Only the trihe of Levi, consecrated to the JAord’s service, way
etc., were not, as many suppose, a church edifice, or place of permitted inside this enclosure in thr (‘onrt, and of thtbscs only
worshtr, for Israel. An ordinarily able minister and writer the one priestly family, consisting at first of tho five persons,
whollv misrepresents the tabernacle and its services as follows: Aaron and his four sons, were permitted to enter the Taber-
“Snpposc yourself approaching the Tabernacle at some nacle proper, whose curtains, so far from Veiny looprd “p
desert camping place. . . . . It is a brilliant sight; the white about the gold-covered pillars, so as to permit the T,pvlte\ to
hangings of the court contrast with the dark coverings of the see the candlestick, tables, etc., were kept down, with the very
tnbernarle within The ~orgeoun cntrnnce cnrtain IS 1001~~1VP, object of hindering them from sc>elng anythin: within. And
for the Court is fllll of worshipers bringing sacrifices. White- that they might not seek to look in when the officiattinq prirsts
rohcd priests are hurninq offerings at the large bronze altar lifted the curtain and passed under it, a dlvlne law was prornul-
in the center, while another is using the sacred laver near the gated forbidding them to look, and prescribing a penalty of
txbcrnacle entrance preparatory to rnterinq. The manv-colored death for disobedience.-Num. 4: 19, 20
curtain i< hrrp 10c~~)t~lh:>(*li on itq ~oltlrn plllarq From withln wc
All of this has a deep significance in connertion with the
ctatch a gleam of the golden table and evquisitclg wrnught lnmp-
proper understanding of the meaning of these types. As the
stand, while a fragrance of rare incense floats out upon us.
Deep in the rrccsses of the Holy Place we can see the resplend- Court represented the cond~fio?~ of jnstlfcation through fnlth
ent rnrtain, and we tremhle as it seems almost luminous with in the sacrifice for sins in the atonement accomphshed 1)~ the
high-priest, so its brazen altar represented primarily the per-
I’rlce 10~ each: 50~ per doz --free to those too poor to pay. upon
postal
l

card appllcatlon fection of the man Christ Jesus, upon which his offering wvnq
I\‘--20 [30533
 ZION’S WATCH
accepted of God, as our sin-atonement, sanctifying in turn any
offering of others that might be presented upon It. Likewise
the larer taught in type a cleansing of the flesh, and a put-
ting away, so far as possible, of all filthiness of the flesh and
spirit ou the part of those in the justified condition as prepara-
tory to their entering the Tabernacle itself. As only the priest8
were permitted to enter the Tabernacle, or even to see its
glories and beauties, the teaching is that as the Court represents
one condition, the “Holy” represents another, and the “Most
Holy” still another condition. As the priests, before being con-
secrated to the priestly offlce, must be Levites, so those who
would be of the royal priesthood must previously have been
justified believers, otherwise they would not be acceptable as
members of the royal priesthood. Their entrance as priests
into the Holy symb&zcs- their change of nature-from justified
human nature to that of “new creatures.,’ beeotten of the spirit.
The Holy represents the state or conditionUof these new crea-
tures in- this present life, while still in the flesh, and only
reckonedZ?/ new creatures. while the Most Holv represents their
future s&e or condition, in which they wili be-perfected as
new creatures by participation in the first resurrection-beyond
the “Vail.”
Our Forerunner, the “High Priest of our profession,,, or
order. passed through the Court condition as the perfect man,
presenting himself jn consecration when thirty years of age;
and then Dassed from the Court condition into the Holy, the
sanctified or new creature condition, when begotten of the’holy
spirit. The three and a half years of our Lord’s ministry are
represented in the Holy of the Tabernacle; and as the First
Vail represented his consecration to death, so the Second Vail
represented his actual death, beyond which he arose in the per-
fect spiritual condition-the Most Holy. In all this he was the
Forerunner of those who will constitute the royal priesthood, his
house, the members of his “body.” We by nature are sinners,
and hence must enter the Court condition of justification
through faith in our Lord’s sacrifice; we must be cleansed from
the defilements of the flesh, FO far as possible, through the
word spoken unto us, represented in the washing at the Laver;
am1 then we must make our consecration full and complete,
represented by the Vail at the door, if we would enter thus into
the Holy, enjoy the privileges typically represented in the light
of the Golden Candlestick and the Shew-bread and the Incense
Altar, which signify the light, the truth, and the spiritual
privileres, praises, prayers and communion which we have with
the T,ord as members of the body of Christ, this side the Second
Vail. And for all who shall finish their course faithfully and
joyfuliy, there remains beyond the Second Vail of actual death
a glorious share in our Lord’s resurrection to perfect spiritual
conditions, to he partakers of the divine nature and to behold
his glory in the first resurrection.
The natural man, even tho *justified, represented by the
Levite, cannot see into, cannot discern, cannot appreciate, can-
not enjoy, the privileges of the consecrated. He can hear
thronph the priests some description of the glorious things be-
yond, hut he cannot fully comprehend them or see their beauty
---cur+ bv hccoming a priest-by consecration, by self-sacri-
fice to the Lord.
The same expositor whom we quoted above, erra again, as
follows:-
“Christian ministers continue the Tabernacle service of
Aaron and his sons, pointing men to Christ, leading men in
prayer, and inciting them to offer their bodies a living sacri-
fice. They are to be revered a8 standing in this noble succes-
sion.”
We fear them are many ministers in the nominal church
who have neither part nor lot in the Royal Priesthood. Many of
them confess that they are not Pven Levites, not even in the
Court condition, when they acknowledge that they disbelieve the
Scriptural teaching of man’s fall into sin and the atonement
for his sin effected by the great High Priest-when they claim,
NADAB AND
LEV. 10: 1-l I.-AUGUST
GOLDFIT TEXT:-“Lc~ us watch
Although not directly so stated, there is sufficient ground
for the inference that the sin for which Nadab and Abihu
were smitten by the Lord, was committed while they were under
the influence of intoxicatmg liquor. The basis for this inference
is that immediately following the description of their wrong do-
ing and its punishment comes the Lord’s injunction,-“Do not
drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when
ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die; . . . .
130541
TOWER ib.tCRtNY, Ph.
on the contrary, that there was no fall and no need of a re-
demption, but that man has reached his present plane of intel-
ligence by a process of evolution. These evolutionists, of whom
t&re are-manly in the nominal church ministry, are not in the
Court condition of justification. nor have thev anv rieht or
standing there. They are not ‘even of the Lvite’ clais, the
household of faith; consequently, they could not be of the
priestly class.
Altho many others of the ministers of the nominal church,
as well as of the laity, have reached the position of justification
through faith in the Lord’s redemptive work, and altho some of
them -have washed at the brazen laver, p;rifying their lives
through the Word of truth, yet comparatively few have gone on
to take the step of full consecration necessary to their becoming
members of thk royal priesthood-necessary-to their having thg
right to enter into the Holy, to discern the glorious truths repre-
sented therein, “the deep things of God,,, which can be seen
only in the light coming from the Golden Candlestick, symbol-
izing the enlightenment of the holy spirit. But if the word
“mi&sters” be-used in the Scriptural sense, as signifying serv-
ants-persons devoted to the service of God, consecrated to do
his will even unto death, then the term “minister” will be ap-
plicable, not only to those of this class who do public preaching,
but to those of this class also who with different talents are
serving the Lord and laying down their lives for the brethren in
other ways public and private.
Human systems, misnamed churches of Christ, have raised
false standards on the subjects of the priesthood, and have
separated God’s people contrary to his arrangement, into
“clergy” -._ and “laity.” Very shortly now the Lord will show how
different is the di&ne stanhard of-measurement, for surely then
will be demonstrated what our Lord and the auostles exulicitlv
declared, that “not manv wise men after the-flesh, noi mall?
mighty, .not many noble, are called” and accepted into hie
Driesthood: but chieflv “the Door of this world. rich in faith. to
6e heirs~ o? the kin&om.,,~l Co-r. 1:26; Ja&. 2:5. ’
Amongst the Lord’s priests will be found some very lightly
esteemed amongst men, some who have been mechanics or farm-
ers or laborers or housekeepers. but whose hearts were fully
devoted to the Lord, and whose ministry consisted in doing with
their might whatsoever their hands found to do, as unto the
Lord-doing good unto all men as they had opportunity, es-
ueciallv to the houcebold of faith-lnvine down their lives
ior th;? brethren. When the lists ahalf be”proclaimed doubt-
less the names of manv highlv esteemed amongst men, the
names of many great and noble and wiqe and learned, hon-
ored of men and expected to be honored of the Lord, may
be found wanting; because, in their love for the approval of
men they sought not exclusively the honor which cometh
from God only-becsuse either of their failure in not exer-
cising the proper faith in the ransom, or because of their
failure to exercise the proper consecration,-devotion of their
lives to the Lord’s service.
It is to this priestly class that the Golden Text is ap-
ulicable. Their thankfulness to the Lord for his mercies and
blessings leads them to count not their lives dear unto them-
selves, but to lay down their lives willingly in his service. Their
hearts are filled with praise, because, having made consecration
of themselves, and having entered thus the courts of the Lord
to be seated with Christ in heavenly conditions, the heavenly
light and food supplied them enables them to rejoice exceed-
ingly even in tribulation, even in matters which otherwise, ac-
cording to the flesh, without the strength and enlightenment of
the truth, would discourage them and cause them fear. Be-
cause they have entered into this fellowship with the Lord in
his sufferings. with his snirit of auureciation. therefore thev
may be joy&i even in the’house of ihiir pilgrikageand whe&
the pilgrimage of the present life is ended, and as new crea-
tures thev shall nass beyond the vail. there shall be fulness of
joy for them as&they enter into the ‘joys of their Lord in the
full and complete sense-made like him, seeing him as he is, and
sharing his glory.
ABIHU CUT OFF
10.
and be sober.“-1 Thess. 5:6.
that ye may put difference between holy and unholy, and be-
twern unclean and clean.“-Vs. 9, 10.
The two young men smitten in the prime of life, were
Aaron’s oldest sons ; there were two younger brothers. All had
just been consecrated to the priesthood, under their father
Aaron as the chief priest, by the direction of their uncle Moses,
carrying out the divine arrangement. With many advantages
every way, they had corresponding responsibilities as well as
AUGUST 1, 1902 ZION’S
grand prospects for the future, all of which were destroyed be-
cause of their lack of reverence for the Lord-their carelessness
respecting his regulations, and the vows which they had just
taken upon themselves as his special servants. Their experience
furnishes an excellent temperance lesson. How many others in
highly favored situations in life have come to disrespect the Al-
mrghty’s arrangements through the use of intoxicating liquors!
-how manv have similarly blighted their prospects in life,
hastened their death, and broughTsorrow upon th&r kindred! . of the holy spirit, has permitted us to enter into the holy and to
The Chtcago Tmbune has collected statistics respecting the
murders in the United States, between the years 1891 and 1901,
and declares that 53.000 of these murders resulted more or less
directly from the us;? of intoxicating liquors. The statistics of
tllr. Xt.ctr ot ~Iits,Jc~llllhetts for the yc:cr IS’)3
ninety-six per cent of those convicted for crime in that State,
were users of strong drink. In 1899 the New voice obtained
the testimony of one thousand jailors (whose terms of office
\\ ollltl agrlcy‘lte IllOre Milan ,I\: tl1011s311d > t”drY
and the;; &turns showed that seventy two per cent of the
criminals then in iails under their charge. were brought there
by drink. The A”merzcan Grocer using- government statistics
(April 1901) figures the total bill of this country for llqnid re-
freshments during the year at $1,228,674,925. And of this
amount it figures that alcoholic liquors cost $1,059,563,787,-the
remainder representing the sum spent for tea, cocoa, coffee,
soda water and the like. Some one has calculated that the
money spent for alcoholic liquor would equal a pile of silver
dollars 1754 miles hiph: and the Chrzstian Observor remarks,
“ii would take ten me: with scoop shovels to throw away money
as fast as we are wasting it for grog.”
In the presence of such a stupendous evil, blighting earthly
prospects for so many, depriving zo many of the reasonable corn-
forts and necessities of life, disqualifying so many for thoughts
ant1 deeds of purity and gobdness, ana a&omplishing Instead so
much misclrv and sorrow. what Christian could feel interested in
the traflir?“\1 hat C’l111\t’l:1n would Ilot. 1,~ willI+ to flhrrago p1*1-
soni 1IgIlts ;\ud libeltlc,s 111conncctlon with this tc,rnble adrer-
h:l1v of ttlcl mc’e iIll: rciolrv 111 R*ly Vlf-tlclli?l~ it llllr!!lt c:tI:Le
Iiln;. t\ (anthour~h hr mipllt fpel himself strnn_n:,r tll $11 tilt* m,linr-
ity of men, and thoroughly capable of withstanding its insidious
attacks and undermining tendencies as respects character, etc?
It IS not for us at the present time to make “sumptuary laws”
for the world, nor in any manner to attempt to rule the world;
but as surely’as we helikve that when the Lord’s kingdom shall
have fullv come it will thorouehlv chain up this monster evil, as
one of the most powerful of- Satan’s agincies, lust so suiely
should all who so believe show to others by precept and example
their opposition to this curse.
There is. however. a deeper lesson for us in the experiences
of the two priests under consideration. As they were -members
of the tribe of Levi. so those whom they tvnified would be
members of the “houkehold of faith.” A’3 %y went further
than this and consecrated to the priesthood and were truly and
properly accepted of the Lord as priests, their anti-types mu8t
be persons, classes, who have come under the terms of the “royal
priesthood” in the full! proper srnse of the word. They do not
represent merely nominal Christians-merely such as imagine
themselves consecrated to the Lord through a misunderstanding,
as iq the case with many in the nominal church of today: they
represent persons, classes, in the true, consecrated church of
the Lord.
The Scriptural account does not specify respecting the wrong
doing of Nadab and Abihu. The expression “stranqe fire” does
not clearly indicate to us whether their wrong doing consisted
in using an incense other than the kind that the Lord had nre-
scrihedyor whether they used it at the wrong time, or in a wr-ong
ulace. or whether the fire which enkindled the incense was taken
‘from’ some other place than the altar, as the Lord has pre-
scribed, or whether their incense was repulsive to the Lord be-
cause the offerers were in a state of intoxication-possessed
a wrorrg spirit. The latter, as we have suggested, seems to be
implied in the declaration of the 10th verse respecting holy and
unholy, clean and unclean conditions of approaching the Lord.
The great lesson here for the royal priesthood is not so
much in respect to intoxicating liquors, as in respect to a wrong
spirit and unclean condition of mind and heart in approaching
the Lord. We are bound to suppose that those who have made
a consecration to the Lord and are seekinn to “cleanse them-
selves from all filthiness of the flesh and spyrit, perfectinrr holi-
nes8 in the fear of God” 12 Cor. 7 : 1). will not be guiltv of
literal intoxication. Those who have received to any d&re: the
spirit of the truth and have come to appreciate in any measure
the spirit of a sound mind, surely realize that in our soberest
and most favorable condition, our minds are none too sound ;--
they realize that continually the Lord’8 people have need of his
assisting grace supporting their imperfect judgments, and they
WATCH TOWER (237-238)
could not ask for such grace to help were they not also using
their best endeavors to preserve and exercise what sense they
have naturally.
The lesson for the consecrated, therefore, is in accord with
what the Apostle has written, “Let us therefore fear, lest a
promise being left us of entering into his rest, any -of you
should seem to come short of it.” (Heb. 4 : 1) Our consecration
through faith in the Lord has brought us inder the anomtmg
enjoy the privileges and favors of those “deep things of God”
which none can see or appreciate without the anomtlng of the
8plrit. Outsiders-not of the consecrated and accepted class,
not of the royal priesthood, the peculiar people, and who there-
rt10w tlllt O\C’l fore have no privilege in the way of offering incense to the
Lord, have no such opportumties as we of offendmg the Lord
by offering him unacceptable sacrifices,-unacceptable prayers,
unacceptable services. As we do not know in which way these
ot <‘spy” I(‘1IC’P I , two sons of Aaron offended against the divine arrangement or
whether they both offended alike, we may lay to ourscives, as
the antitypical priesthood, lessons all along the line.
(1) When we approach the Lord we are not to come to him
under the influence &? an evil splrlt, intoxicated with the spirit
of the world or of Babylon, bv whose wine It 1s declared all the
nations have been mad; drunken.---Rev. 14 :8 ; 18 :3.
(2) When we would approach the Lord even In a right
spirit, we must make sure that we have the proper incense which
he has stipulated will be acceptable to him, whose ingredients
represent the perfections of our Lord Jesus reckonedly ap-
propriated to us.
( 3 1 Addltlonally we must be sure that w(’ do not gc+ firr fol
our iureiise from any otllrl qlld~ tei tllitll trc)rll tllr ~llti~l-(YJl~hfx-
cr,ltcd file or zeal. sauc%lliirtl I)>,tl~cbmelit of oui Lo~(l L,+:tci I~I(,I~
In “Tabernacle Shadows of the Better Sacrafices” we have
offered the suggestion that these two priests possibly represent
two different classes in the church-two classes amongst thosic>
who have made consecration to the royal priesthood and have
been accepted, both of which classes will fall from the nriest-
hood. We ha;e suggested that one may represent the class who
will die in the second death (Heb. 6:4-6: 10:26. 27) and that
the other may represent the class who lo& their ‘men;b&sbil~ In
the royal priesthood because of an insuficiency of zeal to make
their callmg and election sure; but who, nevertheless, are at
heart loyal to God and will be “saved so as by fire,” through
great tribulation. (Rev. 7:14) True there is nothing in the
type to indicate any difference between these two, nothing to
indicate any hope in the future for either of them. We tlilnk
it not unreasonable, ho\vevcr, to surmise that the type mc’iely
shows that both men lost their standing In the priest!v coml)anv
by reason of failure to rightly appreciate th& privileges. I w’e
are assured that all these matters are tvnical. vet we find it
difficult to suppose this type to mean thai o&half of all who
consecrate to the Lord as members of the royal prIesthood, will
suffer the second death. Yet this would seem to bc the only
alternative interpretation, if we reJect the thought that the two
i~icn mc,rrly r(~l)ie~(~lit(~(l tlic t\\o c.laybe\ w!lo 1~141~ t11c~1,~;c+tll~,ud
without indicating their proportion as respect8 the whole. The
two should have a meaning;-either as one half of the whole or
as two classes. We accept the latter view; because the Scrip-
tures clearly show two classes who will lose the royal - priesthood.
I
and because the other proposition, that they represented oncx-
half of the consecrated lost in second death. seems to u$ wbollv I
untenable.
In any event the lesson to those who desire to he falthfnl tq
their privileges, is a strong one; having made our cousecration
to the Lord, having received of his anointing, let us seek care
fully to “make our calling and our election sure” to the blcss-
ings and privileges of the future-as the dispensers of divine
bounties to mankind in general, in the Millenmal kingdom, asp
wv’~:l red wlt!~ ollr I,01 tl 1,ct 1,s t:th<l ,111t II n I~~\-I,II> o:rt. I,, 1111.
of that we can, as respects due reverence to him with whom WC
have to do, and due sppreciation of the proper spirit, the proller
incense and the proper zeal to be used in coming before the
Lord, that we may abide in his love and favor.
MISCONCEPTIONS CAUSE DIFFICULTIES TO MANY
Those who do not see with us the great divine plan of the
ages, with its wonderful opportunities of the future for the
blessing of all the families of the earth;-who do not see with
us that the present age is merely for the selection of the royal
priesthood for the future work of glory and blessing of man-
kind;-who do not see with us that the Jewish system with its
priesthood, sacrifices, incense, etc., etc., were merely types or
shadows of the higher things in God’s plan now being developed ;
-such are apt to look at the statements of this lesson with
astonishment; and are apt to feel that God acted in a very
arbitrary manner toward these two priests in striking them
down in death, because of some failure to approach him in the
130653
(239-243) ZION’S WATCH TOWER ALLECIIENY, PA

pi-escribetl manner. They fall to see that the Lord was insti- and will then, as did the priest in the type, come out to the
tuting types which must be carried out to the very letter, and altar and lift up his hands and bless all the people-the dead
winch must Illustrate the exactness of lus dealings with the and dymg world. The day of blessing will be a long one, be-
“royal priesthood.” cause “a day with the Lord 1s as a thousand years.” It ~111 bu
-Loo&g at the matter in a wrong light, they not only see quite sufficient to accomplish the purposes Intended, of llftmg
the two men sudtlenlv deurivcd of life. but thev reason that if up, helping, strengthening, blesbmg, bringing to full restitution,
God’s anger thus de&roy&l them-the;, the veiy next moment, all who will come into harmony with the Father. In that day
accordmg to their theory, they would appear at God’s bar for Nadab and Abihu with others of mankind, who have done better
their ctornal sentence; and smce they could not believe that the and who have done worse, will be on trial before the judgment
two men who were unfit to hve amongst men were any more fit seat of Christ,-the church, the royal Driesthood. being as-
to llve In heave’n, they feel obhged to conclude, according to sociated with l&m m the judgment. - (1 car. 6:2) ’ In propor-
lll(‘II tllc C,IY. :Il:tt t!lcfi IA01 cl not cu1ly 111d&111~ ~IIlotc~ tllrm tl~l\vIl tion as anv have had favorable onnortumtles and used them un-
as respects their earthly hfp, hut additionally turned them favorably,” in similar proportion heave they degraded themselves
o\er for an etrrnlty of torture at the hands ot devils. Those so that they will proportionately experience stripes and ClIffi-
who really believe this misrepresentation of the divine plan cultles In getting started upon the great “highway of holmess,”
mu-t necessarily be unfavorably Influenced by It 1n their own which will then be opened up for the whole world of mankmtl,
dral~nga with their chlldlcn, their neighbors, etc.,-their ideas -that they may ret&n the&on to the Lord and to eternal life;
of Justice and of love, etr.. must nrccsiarily he blunted by huch and only those who fail to come back under such gracious op
misc9nc~rptions of the tlivincn c~harac*tcr and proretlurr. portunities, into full harmony with the gracious divine plan,
To our understandmg of the teachings of the Lord’s Word, will be destroyed irrevocably in the second death.
on the contrary, there would be no such difficulty as this. Nadab
and Ablhu were men, members of the fallen race, all whom are “LET US WATCH AND BE SOBER”
under sentence of death. They had heen merely reckonedly, not The Apostle’s exhortation in our Golden Text is well worthy
;,, tll.lll~ 1”~llllWl. 1K~~~,llI.f~“t 11,. I,10011 ot l,Ull\ ant1 go<1t* c~c~llltl of being contlnuallv borne in mind bv all who would make their
never take away sin.” Th(by were, therefore, althonah typleally calling&a election sure to a place ii the glorious priesthood of
occupying
_. ._ the place
_ of priests. not really different from the re- the future-“Let us watch and be sober.” Let us watch in the
ma~ndrr of tllcb worltl-for tllcy Ilntl I ec~l\ Cal no I ol(Ld~ t7 1bn1 sense of taking careful notice of all the d&&ions which the
the Adarmc condemnation. Hence, smce their position and all Lord our God has given us, respecting what would not be ac-
were typical, so also their death under the circumstances could ceptable service to him. Let us watch ourselves, striving to
mean no greater loss to them than death under other circum- w,ll!i as nearly :I- ~~chhil,lr in t!ltl flwt\tc*py ot tlit, gi(slt Illill
stances would mean to their fellows-they merely went into the Priest, who was, we are sure, right and acceptable to the Father
tomb a little sooner than they otherwise would have done. But in every particular. Let us be sober-not only not hterally In-
long centuries after their death and the death of their fellows, toxicated with ardent spirits, but let us not be intoxicated with
-1)tBttrr itn(l worhr.-in (:otl’~ appolntt~tl time. the cl tlat wntl- “the spirit of the world,” or the spirit of Babylon, churchiamty.
typical sin-offering appeared;-and the great antitypical Priest, Let us have the spirit of Christ, the spirit of a sound mind, the
offered the great sacrifice for sins accomphshed at Calvary, and spirit of meekness, the spirit of gentleness, the spirit of love for
the whole worltl was brought back from the sentence of sin and God, for our fellows, and for all men, seeking as we have op-
death---lncludmg Nadab and Abihu, Aaron and Moses, and all portunity, to do them good. Let us be sober in the sense that
the remainder of our race,-including also us who were not yet we will not be frivolous ; that while happy, joyous in the Lord,
born. free from the anxious cares that are upon many others through
The Atonement day sacrifices begun by our Lord and Re- misapprehension of our Father’s character and plan, we miy,
deemer, continue; and we, his called ones of this Gospel age, are nevertheless, be sober in the sense of earnest, appreciative of
privileged to participate in the sacrificing work with our great present opportunities and privileges in connection with the
High Priest, as the sons of Aaron participated with their father. Lord’s service;-not thoughtlessly negligent, lyttinz opljor-
Soon the entire work of sacrificing will be at an end ; soon the tunities and privileges slip through our hands to be afterwards
great High Priest will finish the work of making an atonement, regretted.

VOL. XXIII ilI,LECiHEST, PA., AUGUST 15, 1002 NO. Ifi

~__

VIEWS FROM THE WATCH TOWER

INDUSTRIAL FEUDALISM sihle a collective bargain for wages and hours. The growth of
The Zndcpendcnt has recently published an article from the commerce raised up an enormous class of clerks and helpers,
pen of Rir. iV. J. Ghent whirh IlaG attracted general attention. perhaps the most dependent class in the community. The
Mr Ghent noints us back to the davs of feudalism when lords growth and partial dif?‘usion of wealth in Amerirn has in fifty
and barons’lrd and govrrnctl the r&dents of their estates al- years largely altered the character of domestic service and in-
most like slaves through under chiefs, and declares that in creased the number of servants many fold. Railroad pool* ant1
many respects similar conditions are now approaching. “The farm-implement trusts have drawn a tightening cordon about
next distinct stage in the socio-economic development of the farmers. The professions, too, have frlt the change. Be-
ilmericn . . . . will bc sornrthirq in the nature of a benevo- hind many of our important newspnpcrs are private rommer-
lent feii~lalism,” is the 1%:~y hc puts it ; “concentration of Cap- rial interests which dictate their general policy, if not, a9 is
ital ant1 the increase of wealth lvill rnntinue, . . . . ‘the rich frctquent1.y the case. their particular attitude upon everv pub-
\\ III iI o\\ 1 l~~l11’1. illI< IllI I~~illtl-1lI1Il1llII~\I1l~~ \\ Ill “l’l,lo II”1 1111’ lic qucqtinn : while the race for endowmc,nts made $y the
t)illic,n-clollnr stnndnrtl ’ ” IIe proceeds:- greater number of the churches and by all colleges exrrpt a
“7%~ mnrc the grcnt comhinationa inrrensc their power, f(s\v state-support& ones, compels a cautious regard on the
the Treater is the sllbnrtlin:ltion of the small concerns. They part of synod and faculty for the wishes, the views, and pre-
may: for onr reason 01 :inotlrcr, find it possible, and even judiccs of men of areat wealth. To thiq nrowin? deference
fairly I)rofitnblc. to continue; but thcv will hc more and more of prcnrher, trnrlicr;‘ancl editor is ac!tlpd thn7 of t\\o yet more
confinrii to particular artlvitirs, to p”rticnlnr teiritories, and important classes---the makers and the interpreters of law.
In t 1rnc1to particular mrtllotl~, all dlctntctl and enforced by ‘I’hc record of legislation and judicial interpretation regarding
thr n~~ssur~’ of the lnrzcr conrrrns. The petty tradesmen and <I i\,‘i v 1’10\ ioli\ to tli(b !‘i\11 \\ :ir 11.ih INYW 1li~all1~!c~l 111 I(‘-
procinccrs are t?ilis an &onomicnlly depend&t class ; and their cent icars by the record of legislatures and courts in matters
lirncntlencc inrrrascls n ith the vcnrs. In a like position. also, rrlntmc tn the lives and health of manual workers, especially
:,r, lhr o\vnCrs of small and nlntleratc hohlings in the trusts. In such r:i\es as employers’ liability and factory inspectlon.
l71(, 1:irz:cr holding<-often the single largest holdmg-deter- T!lus, with a grrnt addition to the numhrr of slthordinate
niinct- 111~Tiil(>s of the game; the smaller ones are either ac- clnssrs. with a trcmendouq increase of their individual cnm-
qillc~9ct~nt. or, if rccnlcit rant. are powerless to enforce their ponents. and with a corresponding growth of po\<er in the
\?ill 12~nc~c~i:lllri, this true in Amrricn. nhere the head of n hands of a few score magnates, there is needed little furthcbr
corporal Ion iq oftcxn an absolute ruler, wl;o detrrmines not only to make up a socio-economir status that contains all the essen-
the policy of the enterprise, but the pcrson)leZ of the board of 11(1. 0f .I , ( ~~.I-wII~ t,‘llti BII-IH
IllI cY$oI. “Marnulny’s famous dictum, that the privileged classes,
“The laborers and mrrhanirs were long ago brought under when their rule is threatrned, nlwavs bring about their own
the \oke through their divorrcment from the land and the ap- luln by making further exactions, is li!;ely, in this case, to
plication of steam to factory operation. They are economi- prove untrue. A wiser forethought hegins to prevail among
S+aIl) un-fire except in so far il9 their organizations make pOS- the nntorrats of today-n forethought drstinrtl to grow and
[3056]
.'irGrST 15, 1902 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (243-244)

expand and to prove of inestimable value when bequeathed to are to be carefully sifted; for the truth which they give is
their successors. Our nobility will thus temper their exactions mingled with error-the error of imperfect report and imper-
to an endurable limit; and they will distribute benefits to a fect transmission. Besides this, so we are further given to
degree that makes a tolerant, if not a satisfied people. They understand, there is the error, an uncertain amount, to whmh
may even make a working principle of Bentham’s maxim, and *Jesus himself, as proved by his own admissions of ignorance
after, of course, appropriatmg the first and choicest fruits of on some points, was liable.”
industry to themselves, may seek to promote the ‘greatest From this “pitiable state of hopeless mcei titudr,” Paul
happiness to the greatest number.’ For therein will lie their rescues us by his witness to a “living, an ascended, a glorrfied
greater security.” - Christ.” It was for the sake of this service that Christ waited
Mr. Ghent considers “the present state machinery is ad. until after his resurrection and ascension before callmg Paul
mlrably adapted for the subtle and extra-legal exertion of to.the apostleship. It is Paul alone who gives to Christ’s pre-
power by an autocracy” and hence that neither new laws nor existence and to his exaltation after death the proper promi-
violent methods will be invoked. He continues:- nence, making almost nothing, in comparison, of the Lord’s
“The prevention of discontent will be the prior study, to earthly life. It was not upon Jesus as a man among men, but
which the intellect and the energies of the nobles and their upon Jesus as supreme divine Lord over men that Paul laid
legates ~111 be ever bent. To that end the teachings of the commanding emphasis. Dr. Wilkinson continues :
schools and colleges, the sermons, the editoriols, the styrmp ora- “The (‘hrlstian church c.an not allold to ol~v thr I*.III
tions, and even the ulavs at the theaters will be skillfullv and ‘Back to C(hli?rt 1’ if that ~11 br iinul~rstc~otl to ~n(‘~rn I~ddi to
persuasively molded-; ind the questioning heart of theYpoor, the earthly Christ of the Gospel histories, away from the
which perpetually seeks some answer to the painful riddle of heavenly Christ of the enistles of Paul.
1
The tendency, now
the earth, will meet with a multitude of mollifving responses. so strong and prevalent so widely, to deal with ,Jesus‘on se-
. . . Literature will take on the hues and tones Gf the good- verely ‘scientific’ principles of historical criticism, simply as
natured days of Charles II. Instead of poetry, however, the a man who lived once in Palestine, and whose words and deeds
innocuous novel will flourish best; every flowerv courtier will were very imperfectly reported by very ill-qualified biogra-
write romance and the literary darling of the &aissance will phers, biogiaphcrz that muht IW halttstl 1, lth (~11~~11~~~~~ at
be an Edmund Wnller of fiction. A lienal descendant of the every point and not confidently relied upon, unless they all
famous Lely, who three happen to relate the same thing in the same way-1
‘ . . . on animated canvas stole say all ‘three,’ not all four, because John is to a great extent
The sleenv eve that spoke the melting soul,’ discredited and counted out as not John, but anothrr man by
will be the laureled chief of our painters; and sculpture, ar- the name of John-this tendency, however it may suppose it-
chitecture. and the lesser arts. under the snell of changed in- self to be peculiarly loyal to Jesus is, in deepest truth, the
fluenccs, &ill undergo a like transformation. most specious and the most dangerous disloyalty to him that
“This, then, in the rough, is our benevolent feudalism to- he has ever encountered in all the centuries since he finished
be. It is not ureciselv a Utouia. not an ‘island vallev of Avil- the work on earth that was given him to do.
ion’ ; and yet jt has i”ts commendable, even its fascinating fea- “Let it be duly con&lcred, if Chriht corn(Lc,at length to Irr
tureq. ‘The empire is peace,’ shouted the partizans of Louis measured by this rule, the time will then not be distant
Napoleon ; and a like crv, with an eaual ardencv of enthusi- when he will be still further reduced; and from being the
asm, will be uttered by” ‘the supporters of the”new regime. pre-eminent, the ideal, the flawless man. will be found out to
Peace and stabilitv will be its defensive arguments. and ueaee be at best a man not well enough known to deserve such dis-
and stability it ~~11 probably bring. But tyanquil ‘or un{uiet, tinction, and, at worst, a man shown to have had his limita-
whatever it may be, its triumph is assured; and existent tions, his weaknesses, his infatuations, even his faults of tem-
forces are cnrrvine us toward it with an ever-accelerating per in speech and in behavior, such as bring him down after
speed. One power -alone might prevent it--the collective po6 all quite comfortably near the level of the better sort of aver-
ular ail1 th ,at it shall not be. But of this there is no fear on age human nature.”
the Dart of the barons, and but little expectation on the part In the opinion of Dr. Wilkinson, however, “nothing even
of the underlings.” conceivable, except the actual literal resurrection of Jesus
The writer of the above seems to have a clear grasp of Christ from the dead, can account for the undoubtedly histori-
the subject and presents it well. Our only disagreement with cal phenomenon of the Apostle Paul, his career, and his writ-
his hypothesis is that it will not work out as the wealthy in- ten words.”
tend it shall. The next great world-wide financial depression The alto\ c from tlitb l)i{/c’st is a great s:ltiht.u+on 10 II\. \\ (1
which we believe to be but a few years ahead of us will dis- rejoice that the Chicago University has one professor still
ronccrt these plans and confound the whole world. Stock- sufllciently true to God’s Word and to logic to acknowledge
holdrrs will demand dividends even on watered stocks: and the -1postle Paul’s sound words, and their accord with the
managers however benevolently disposed and however prudent mind and words of our Lord Jesus. None who appreciate the
nil1 be compelled either to advance prices or to curtail ex- divine plan of the ages can for a moment questron that the
penscs or both and in the end the lower classes are sure to Lord specially raised up the great Apostle to the Gentiles.
be so hard pressed that the Scripture predictions respecting We, yes, the entire cause stands or falls with this great mouth-
our times ~111 be fulfilled.-James 5: 1-5; Dan. 12: 1. piece of God.
WHAT WILL THE HIGHER CRITICS DO WITH PAUL? IS THERE A CRISIS IN METHODISM7
“Let the Gospel accounts of the resurrection of Jesus be Rev. Dr. L. \T7. Munhall, an evangelist of thr Mrthodist
given up as non-historical, there still remains the unquestion- l+iscnpnl rhurch, is verv sure that there is n rriqis and that
ablv historic and authentic testimonv of Paul.” This is the he khnks what his cause,1 it. The car& is “the dishonor put
keynote of an article by Rev. Dr. William Cleaver Wilkinson, upon Grid’s lloly VVord” bv Rlethodist professors, editors, and
of Chicago IJniversity, in which he dwells upon the incalcula- preachers.. He does not hesitate to name them. and his list
ble need the Christian church has for Paul, as one whose tes- mclutles the names of many of the most notable in the denomi-
timony “no fiercest crucible fires of historical critictqm can nation. Dr. Munhall’s charges are not strictly new He h,~s
pnqsihlp in the least affect.” Dr. Wilkinson (who writes in been making them for at least three vears. On June 23 he
Thr Ilomlletic R.er+~, *June) does not think this importance repeated them before a Methodist ministers’ meetinm in l’llil-
of Paul’s testimonv is adequately appreciated. He says:- ntlcll,lll:l( whrre he securrtl the na~~:mc of iesoll;tions tlr-
“The cry, so rife everywhere about us, ‘Bark to’ Christ!’ nounc4ng “ltigh(xr criticism” as “wr&ched stuff.” He has noI\
reallv means, from the lips of many who utter it, ‘Away from pnbl~~hetl hii \ic\\s in a pamphlet entitlrll “A CI isis in Meth-
I’illll “-ll.l\. ,‘\,‘I,. AIlllcl~t, ‘-ina\ \\ it11 1’:1111” \\ ItI1 1:)III, olii<ni.” in which he asserts that the spiritual life of 1Ietho-
zealously a’ctive and widely influential Christian teachers and clism is dying nut. Hc Xvrites.
wrrters, the frellng has been growing strongc>r ctvc’r.v day for “\\‘hat ih tlica real cause of our spiritual decline? Many
now a decade of vears or more that the Apostle Paul has too musts have bcrn named, some of which explain in part; biit,
long been suffered to dominate, too escl&vcly, our concep- for mysrlf. I belirve the real cause of it all is the dishonor
tions of Christianity. The view has been propagating itself l)ut, upon God’s IInlv Word in mnnv of our educational initi-
bp boldly declaring itself that the proper way to regard Paul’s tutions, by some editors of church periodicals, and not :I few
n:ltings is to regard them as setting forth, not nutborita- preachers; because of nhich the holv Snirit, has heen grievrd
*, 1-m -

tively the true doctrines of Christ, but onlv as setting forth and withtlrawn his power in large mrasure from us. Because
on,’ great mind’s own intlivdual way of conceiving those doc- of their commanding infliicncr, our cdurational institutions are
trincs. The doctrines themselves. it is urged. in their unadul- tlie chief offrntlcrs. Of course. I knom that all these institu-
terated purity, are to be sought in the ‘words of the living tions arc not given to this mischirvous business, hut most of
Jesus, as those words are reported by the four cvnngelists, but the hadin:: nnes are. Jn the farulties of these institutions are
especially hy the three synoptic evangelists so called, Matthew, mm who arr skeptirs nntl rationalists: who do not at all he-
Mark, and Luke. The records of these historians, we are told, lirre thr Rible is Cod’s Wnrd and in the doctrines of Metho-
c30571
 (245-246) ZION’S WATCH TOWER ALLEGHENY, a.

dism, and who do not hesitate to let the students know their tion” ; President J. W. Bashford, of Ohio Wesleyan Univer-
position- They repeat infidel objections to the Bible and call sity, who is “a little more cautious in his statements than the
it modern scholarship, and then give the young men under other presidents named, but sympathizes with their views’;
them for instruction to understand that they belreve it all, and, especially, Chancellor James R. Day, of Syracuse Univer-
and many of these young men take up with these skeptical sity, who is charged with staying away from Dr. Munhall’s
views, and go out into the ministry, not to preach the Gospel evangelistic meetings in that city three years ago because the
of the blessed God, but their questionings, rationalism, and latter assailed the critics who “teach infidel oblections to the
agnosticism.” Bible.” Others named in the indictment are the editors of
Dr. hlunhall includes in this indictment, by name, Prof. Zion’s Herald and The Methodast Remew, and Prof. “Borden
H. G. Mitchell, of Boston University School of Theology, who P. Bower?’ (Bowne), of Boston University. Dr. Munhall
is accused of boasting that “he would revolutionize Methodist quotes Dr. James M. Buckley as saying three years ago to
theology” ; Prof. C. W. Rishill, acting dean of the same insti- Prof. M. S. Terry that if the latter were a professor in Drew,
tution, whose book, “The Foundations of Christian Faith,” “is he (Dr. Buckley) would prefer charges of heresy against him.
full of poison”; Prof. Milton S. Terry, of Garrett Biblical In- Dr. Munhall expresses himself as follows:
stitute, who is charged with teaching the unhistoric character “I solemnly, positively, and most emphatically declare
of Genesis; President Charles J. Little, of the same institute, such teachings to be unbiblical, unmethodistic, and infidel;
and President Samuel Plantz, of Lawrence University, who that they are destructive of spiritual life in the church and
are charged with “a denial of the omniscience of Jesus” ; PreS- subversive of the Christian faith and hope. If any one doubts
ident Bradford P. Raymond, of Wesleyan University, who also this, it is with him to explain why revivals that were once
teaches the limitation of Christ’s knowledge; President Wil- common in our educational institutions are seldom or never
liam F. Warren, of Boston IJniversity, who indorses Profes- known ; and why the faith of many of our young men is being
sor Mitchell’s “extremely rationalistic and Unitarian posi- wrecked while in college.”

LIVING BY EVERY WORD OUT OF THE MOUTH OF COD

LCMan shall not live by bread alone; but by every Word that
Uread is a general name for food; for that which satisfies
the cravings of”hunger ; for that which builds up and strength-
ens. for that ~hicb enables the continuation of life. It was
appropriate, therefore, that the Lord should use bread as a
symbol, or figure of that heavenly sustenance, which God has
arranged should now upbuild and strengthen his people, and
eventually, by the first resurrection, impart to them life ever-
lasting. Divine truth is represented as being such spiritual
food : and our Lord himself, because in the divine plan he is
the channel of the truth,-“the way, the truth, the life,“-is
spoken of as being also “the bread of life” for his people. We
are to eat, or partake of the life-giving qualities which he
freely gives us in himself, if we would reach the goal of our
hope-eternal life.
Our text is our Lord’s reply to the tempter when he was
in the wilderness fasting and hungry. The tempter had sug-
gested the use of the powers which Jesus had received a few
davs nrevious when. at his baptism in Jordan, he received the
ho’iv ipirit, and with it the-gifts and powers which subse-
quently enabled him not only to heal the sick, but to turn
water ‘into wine and to feed a multitude by increasing the two
barley loaves and the two small fishes. The adversary’s prop-
osition was that the Lord should use this power for the grati-
fication of his own appetite. He said, “Command that these
stones be made bread.”
However pleased the Lord was to have these divine pow-
ers communicated through the holv Spirit he had received,
however glad he was, ax appropriate times, to perform the
miracles incidental to his ministry, he knew that the powers
were not given him for any selfish’use, for any self-gratifica-
tion ; and, therefore, he declined the suggestion and his reply
is our text. In passing, we note that there is a lesson here
worthy of the attention of all God’s people; that spiritual
and divine things are not to be used in a mercenary or selfish
manner. So far as thev can discern matters, the Lord’s people
are to keep separate and distinct their own personal prefer-
ences. desirrs and appetites. from the heavenly and spiritual
thing; ; and not use’the latter for the servicks of the flesh,
however pure and good the flesh1.y desires may be.
Our Lord’s words accept the suggestion that bread, food,
is necessary to human suytcnanre under present conditions; but
they carry” the thought further-they draw our attention to a
hi-nher life than the uresent one. Th’e nresent life is not reallv
lit?, but death ; the’world is under divine sentence of death-;
and only those who have come by faith into -relationship with
God have “nassed from death unto life;” as our Master on
another occasion said, “He that hath the Son hath life, he
that hnth not the Son shall not see life.” And again he said
to one who was thinking of becoming his servant, his follower
-“Let the dead bury their dead, follow thou me.”
From this standpoint we see that man cannot live by bread
alone. He has the divine sentence against him, “dying thou
shalt die” ; and he can find no kind of bread, no kind of food,
that will produce life in the full and c*ornplrte sence of th?t
word-that will swallow UD death in life. He must look for
another kind of “bread of life” than any earthly food: he must
have another kind of “water of life” than anv earthlv drink.
It is this heavenly food or supply to which &r Lord* refers;
[3068]
proceedeth out of the mouth of God.“-Matt. 4th.
saying, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word
that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”
But how is it possible for us to live by the words that pro-
ceed out of the mouth of God? What did Jesus mean? How
can God’s words give us life?
He meant that all hopes of eternal life depend upon God-
upon the divine plan and its promises. Looking &to these
promises we can see distinctlv that the divine ulan. dating
from before the foundation of “the world. is that \I1 of God’s
creatures, created in his likeness and abiding in faith, love
and obedience, in harmonv with him, shall have life everlast-
ing. This is ~God’s geneGal word upon the subject; namely,
that obedience is the condition of life everlasting. This is,
undoubtedly, what our Lord had in mind in using the words
of our text; he may also have had the thought that he had
come into the world upon a special mission, to do the Father’s
will, and that his understanding from the beginning was that
his perfect obedience to the divine will would insure him glory,
honor, immortality with the Father, eventually; but that any
disobedience would mean the forfeiture of divine favor, and
would involve the sentence of disobedience; namely, death.
Our Lord’s prompt decision, therefore, was that to dis-
obey the Father’s will, and thus to secure bread for the sus-
tenance of his body, would be a great mistake; that food thus
secured could sustain life for but a little while:-that his
better plan would be to trust in the Word of God; the divine
promise that those who love and serve and obey him shall ulti-
mately come off conquerors and more. and have eternal life
with -God. And this; our Master’s conclusion, is full of in-
struction for us who are his disciples. seeking to walk in his
footsteps. We are to learn the l&son that 2 man’s life con-
sists not in the abundance of things which he possesseth-
food and raiment-but that his life in the fullest. grandest.
highest sence, is dependent upon his complete subm&sion td
the divine will-his careful attention to evervd word ~~ that -Anro-
ceedcth out of the mouth of God.
The words of God’s mouth to us are not exactly the same
as to our Lord Jesus and to the holy angels;-because we are
by nature children of wrath even as others-sinners: we must,
therefore, be addressed from a true standpoint to begin with.
Thus it is that we hear the words of God’s mouth in different
languages at different times in our experiences.
( 1) The first word of God’s mouth to us is the message
of justice-informing us that we are sinners, imperfect, help-
less, as respects our own restoration to the divine image. This
first word which proceedeth out of God’s mouth to us is alarm-
ing; he declares us to be under a sentence or curse of death
because of sin;-that “the soul that sinneth shall die”; that
“the wages of sin is death.” It tells us that by nature we
are “children of wrath even as others,“-strangers and for-
eigners, aliens from God and all his blessings, which are held
in reservation for those who love him and obey him and main-
tain the perfection in which they were created. It is neces-
sary that we should hear this voice; necessary that we should
be alarmed and feel fearful of the penaltv of death: and nec-
essary that we feel lonely and dis&ouragkd in our .separation
from God and our alienation from his gracious provisions for
those who love him and whom he loves. This fear and dejec-
AUGUST 15, 1902 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (246-247)

tion are necessary in a general way to prepare us for the next glories of the heavenly things which “eye bath not seen nor
word which proceedeth out of the mouth of God; namely, ear heard, neither hath entered into the heart of man to con-
THE WORD OF GOD’S PITY AND AID ceive” -the things which God hath in reservation for them
that love him;-an understanding and appreciation of which
(2) The message that God, while manifesting his abso- God, in some measure, gives to such by his spirit, which
lute justice and the immutable integrity of his first word and “searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.”
sentence, is, nevertheless, kindly disposed toward us-that he
This word is not to the ef- FEEDING ON THE WORD OF ADMONITION
cities us in our fallen condition.
&$that divine pity-will admit us as sinners into divine favor, (6) Hearkening further for the words which proceed
present and future; but that divine pity contemplated in ad- from the mouth of God-“Beautiful words, wonderful words,
vance a ransom-price which, meeting the claims of divine jus- wonderful words of 1ife”Te hear a word of admonition. The
tice, would permit of man’s recovery from his condition of sin Father instructs us, that the glorious things to which he now
and death,-back to a condition of holiness and life everlasting calls us cannot possibly be ours unless our consecration to him
-as though he had never sinned, had never been sentenced. and submission to the influences of his providences and prom-
This word which proceeded out of the mouth of God, prophe- ises shall change, transform, renew our minds;-so that the
sying a blessing &id opportunity for recovery to as many as things once loved we will hate, and the things once hated we
will accent. was first a voice to Abraham saying, “In thee will”love. As a father spareth not the rod- of chastisement
and in thy ‘seed shall ail the families of the earth be blessed.” from the son whom he loves, so the Lord will not spare the
As this hope begins to dawn in the heart of the pentitent one, rod of affliction and chastisement from those who are truly
seeking life-eternal at the fountain of grace and truth, the his; because he loves them, and because he desires to develop
ears of his understanding listen intently for other words of in them such a character as will be pleasing to him, and as
life from his Creator and he hears (Acts 10:36), will permit him eventually to make them his sons on the
plane of glory, heirs of God, joint-heirs with Jesus Christ,
THE VOICE OF GOD “SPEAHING PEACE BY JESUS CHRIST” their Lord.
(3) The message of peace is that God has already pro- This word respecting the necessity of chastisement and our
vided the ransom price for sinners;-that Jesus Christ by the correction in righteousness, that we may become conformed to
grace of God tasted death for every man; that “Christ died the image of God’s dear Son (Rom. 8 : 29 ) , is accompanied with
for our sins according to the Scriptures and rose again for assurances of love from the Father-assurances that “Like &B
our justification.” This word from God’s mouth informs US a father nitieth his children. so the Ilord mtieth them that
that through this transaction, which is entirely his own with- reverence him.” He says to us also, through another apostle,
nut our instigation or aid, “He may be just and yet the justi- “Faint not when thou art rebuked of him: for whom the Lord
fier of those who believe in Jesus.” (Rom. 3:26) Oh, what loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he re-
joy, what hope of life comes into our hearts as we hear this ceiveth.” He explains that such discipline is not prompted
word which proceeded out of the mouth of God! We exclaim by anger towards us, but by his love, and if we are rightly
with the Apostle, “If God be for us who can be against US?” exercised bv the disciplines. trials. exneriences of life. they
If God so loved us while we were yet sinners, much more will “work “out for us a. far more exceeding and eternal weight
glees he love us since we are seeking him, desirous of re- of glory ;” -they will work out in us such characters as the
turnincr to fellowslrio with him, and since we accept the pro- Lord will be able to use in the service to which he hath called
vision’of his grace in Christ Jesus our Lord. Thus-to all who us-the service of the Millennial age-the service of the royal
accent the atonement which is in Christ Jesus. throueh his priesthood, to be associated with Christ in the work of judging
blood, God indeed speaks words of grace and pkace-forgive- and blessing the world of mankind. The proper response of
ness, reconciliation, mercy, love, kindness. all who have the true spirit of sonship is expressed in the
GOD’S WORD TO RECLAIMED SONS language of our Lord and Master, “Not my will but thine be
(4) Another word or message proceeds from the mouth done.” 0 Lord; “I delight to do thy will, 0 my God; yea, thy
of God, to such as have heard of his grace in Christ and have law is within my heart.” Such as thus respond to the chas-
accepted it. He calls them children-not now “children of tisement of the Lord, step more and more into divine favor,
wrath.” not now “children of the evil one,” but he addresses and hear other words of comfort, of grace, of help.
them as reclaimed children, as his own, as those to whom he is “YE HAVE NEED OF PATIENCE”
pleased to give his blessings upon certain conditions which he (7) God’s Word or message of patience is, “Let patience
soerifles: saying. “Mv son, give me thine heart.” This rail have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire,
for the heart is-‘a call” for full consecration, for complete set- wanting nothing.” (Jas. 1 :4) H ow necessary to our perfection
ting apart to the Lord and to his service. Our will is the is this divine counsel-this Word which proceeds from the
center of our intelligence, our being: if the heart, the will, mouth of God! We might imagine that we-had received suffi-
be given to God, it carries with it the title to every action, cient testing and proving to indicate our loyalty to the Lord,
word and thought. It is such onlv as delight to respond to to the principles of righteousness, long before wc had been
this Word or -message from the “mouth of’ God that he is sufficientlv moved accordina to the Lord’s standards in the
pleased to own in the special sense of sonship which pertains testing oi’ character. He therefore-graciouslv explains to us
to this Gospel age-sonship in the house of sons, of which how necessary patience will he, that we should not think it
Christ Jesus, our Lord, is the Head. strange concerning the fiery trials which must test us, as
“THE WORD OF PROMISE” thoqh some strange thing had happened unto us. (1 Pet.
(5) In our ignorance of the greatness of our Heavenly 4:12) On the contrary he points out to us as we grow in
Father and the richness of his grace toward us in Christ Jesus grsce and in knowledge and in ability to comprehend-that the
our Lord, we might fail to appreciate the necessity or desira- glory, honor and immortality to which he has invited the
bilitv of a full consecration of our hearts to him. In our I*hurch of this Gospel age, is so high, so grand a position,
ignorance we might prefer to say, that those who would share those honors must expert, neces-
“Some of self and some of thee.” sarily, to be severely tried and tested that their absolute loy-
Knowing this, God, in his compassion, has been pleased to set 7lt.v to the Lord and to the nrincinles of his riphteonsness-
before us certain features of his plan, and hence we hear his Justice. truth, love--shall be beyond question. Our characters
voice again in the “exceeding great and precious promises” of must become crystalized along these lines, firm as adamant,
his Word. In these he points out to us the wisdom of a full before we shall be readv to he received as the “overcomers”
consecration and complete obedience to him-assuring us in who shall inherit all things, and share the kingdom and glory
these promises that by obedience to them we may become with the Captain of our salvation. He points out to us, fur-
partakers of the greatest of all blessings,-the divine nature. ther, that if it was necessary for the Captain of our salvation
(2 Pet. 1:4) Oh, how wonderful that the great Creator to be tempted and tried, tested and proved, much more reason-
should condescend not only to redeem sinners but to urge, able is it that we who were children of wrath. and iustified
to entice them to receive his bounties and blessings’ From only through his grace, should be thoroughly ‘proven as re-
the time the consecration begins a measure of the holy spirit spects our loyalty.
is granted, that the consecrated one may, by application-by WORDS OF CONSOLATION FROM THE MOUTH OF DOD
hungering and thirstine for the words which proceed out of (8) We might well be exercised with the strictness of the
the ‘;nout‘h of God, and’ by feeding upon them:be enabled to divine requirements as respects this overcoming class, and
“Comprehend with all saints what is the breadth and length might say to ourselves, Others may attain to such glories and
and depth and height, and to know the love of Christ which blessings ; but we are too weak in the flesh through the fall
passeth knowledge.” (Eph. 3:18, 19) Ah, yes! those who have and cannot hope to come off victors--cannot hope to stand the
heard and have fed unon “the words which proceed out of the trials and tests which the Lord would impose. And here the
mouth of God” thus far, find indeed a new-life begun, a new Lord speaks again, a gracious word of comfort, consolation
vitality, a new energy,-new hopes, new aims, new ambitions, and encouragement, informing us that the perfection he is ex-
“old things are passed away,” everything is tinged with the pecting is not a perfection in the flesh and of the flesh which
[30591
(248-249) ZION’S WATCH TOWER ALLEGHENY,PA.

1s weak and imperfect, but a perfection of the heart, of the THE WOBD OF BESURRECTION
will, of the mind, of the intention. He inform3 us that he is (9) A further tcord from the mouth of God assures us
not judging us as human beings according to the flesh, but as that he knoweth our frame, he remembereth that we are dust
new creatures according to the mind, the new will. He in- -under sentence of death, “Dust thou art and unto dust shalt
forms us that although-he will expect the new mind to do it.3 thou return”-weak, imperfect, dying; and that it is not hi3
very best m the matter of controlling the flesh and bringing it purpose that we shall alwavs be in conflict with ourselves-
into subjection, yet, nevertheless, he knows that the flesh be- perfect will against imperfect body,-that he has provided
ing imperfect, perfectlon according to the flesh is an impossi- that in the resurrection we shall have new. perfect bodies in
bllitv to anv of the fallen race: and that, therefore. his ar- full accord with our new minds. He assures us that he is
rangement &rough Christ under the New Covenant is,‘that the able and willing to do all this, and that he proposes to give to
imperfections of the flesh which are not assented to by our his “elect” bodies of a still higher order than the human-
wills are not counted as ours. They are covered by the merit that he will give us spiritual bgdies. They shall have a part
of Chxist’s sacrifice, and are lgnoled in the Heavenly Father’s in the first resurrection, and thenceforth be able to do the
reckoning with us. He assures us that we are to be judged Father’s will perfec*tly in ertlry ic+l~~(&-a* tllca\. no\\ +IIII\\
according to the spirit (will, intent) and not according to the themselves desirous of doing his will so far as thry are able.
flesh. 0 grac*lolls pro\ 1~1ons’ 0 wontlrrtul wor(lh of c’~,nll>,i~~~,,~~
\Vhat comfort and consolation are in these assurances! inspiring us to wonderful hopes of eternal life and glorv! It
Thrse are wonderful words of life. indeed! Thev inspire us wili be ‘to such as thus over%ome in spirit, in faiths (i John
with hope. If God will accept perfect heart-intentions; as in- 5 :4), that the Lord will give the final zoord of his mouth-
3tcl:ltl of the absolute prrfectlon of the flesh,-then indeed we “Well done good and faith&l servant, enter thou into the joys
hare hope of attaining to the standard which he has marked of thy Lord.”
for us,-the standard of perfection. We can be perfect in in- Every word that proceed&h out of the mouth of God-
tention. In will, or as the Master expre\srs it, “pure in heart,” every admonition, every encouragement, every promise, is nec-
evf*n though we cannot be perfect in the flesh. We hear essary to the development of those whom God is now calline
to eternal life as joi&-heirs with his Son in the kingdom. Th:
through the Apostle the ltord proceeding out of the mouth
eating of natural food could not bring this life-eternal, nor its
of God to this effect. “The righteousness of the law is ful- attendant glories; but the eating and appropriating of there
fillrtl in us who walk not after the flesh but after the spirit.” words from the mouth of God can bring to us all these bleis-
(Rom. 8 :4) IVe can walk after the spirit, though, so far as ings which rn~ crave. Let us then, n&e and more, as the
our moxtal hodies are concerned. we cannot walk up to the disciples, pupils. of the Lord Jesus, keep in memory and act
sl”l It’s rc~rllllr(~rnc~nt’~. 0111 minds can walk up to tlip spirit. upon the suggestion of the words of this text, “Man shall not
our intentions can be perfect; and this is what our Heavenly live by bread alone: but by every word which proceedeth out
Father seeks in us, perfection of intention. of the mouth of God.

JOURNEYING TOWARD CANAAN

NUM. 10.11-13.
GOLDEN TEXT:--“For thy sake lead me, and guide me.“-Psa.
name’s
Israel spent nearly a year in the vicinitv of Mt. Sinai. It
was about a vear and fiftv davs after their departure from
F&pt that, dy the Lord’; insiruction, they brbke camp to
journcv toward the promised land-Canaan. Doubtless, their
first impressions respecting the matter were that the Lord,
through Moses, would lead them directly into the Land of
Promise, and no doubt they wondered at the delay. We can
see, however, that a nation reduced almost to the condition
of slavery, would need many lessons to prepare the people for
the glorious heritage which the Lord had promised them. In
previous studies we have seen how the Lord inculcated lessons
of trust, duty, obedience, worship and temperance, and subse-
quent events will prove to us that even with all theqe instruc-
tions the people were not yet ready to trust and obey the Lord
so as to be properly fit for their inheritance.
During the eleven months spent in the vicinity of Mt. Si
nai. important arrangements were effected-all tending to a
larger degree of organization, government and personal respon-
sibility amongst the people. W%en ready to leave Mt. Sinai
they had not only their tribal organizations. but were addI-
tionallv erouned in comnanies of ten and these into fifties
and t<esF a&n into la&r groups or commands, so that the
ent,irp host was well marshalled. Besides this. thrv had in
d
each tribe a Judge or lawgiver for minor questions; weightier
matter< being brought to Moses and through him to the Lord.
Moreover, the Lord put his spirit upon seventy of the elders
of tllr nc~onlr. of all the tribes, so that, ther prophesied or
taught ‘the’ people, each in his own department; ‘while the
tribe of Levi had been sncriallv set anart to the divine service.
The Tahernncle had hrei made with ill its appurtenances, and
the regular order of worship had been esiabliahed-typical,
like thr neor)le. of the hettrr things coming afterward.
If. as’ wi see, it wa3 appropriite that i$rael according to
the flesh should have training-lessons in trust, obedience, etc.,
we can readily understand that their antitype, spiritual Israel,
has much need of instruction, much need to learn lessons
alon,n the same lines, -and still more particularlv, if they
wou111 hc prepared to enter into typical Canaan \T7e need ts,
lrarn to trust the Lord implicitly after we leave Egypt, the
world. and set forth on the way to our Canaan; we need
to learn that he nlonr is able to deliver us from the spirit
of the worltl whirl1 wollld still pursue us and bring us back
into cnptivitv: we need to learn to trust the Lord for the
heaven]; manna and to gather it dav by day; we need to learn
confidrnre in the Lord. not onlv in ‘the nrekence of the lraders
ahom he raises up for us. b& also in ‘their absence, and not
to set up for ourselves earthly idol3 to draw our hearts away
in any measure from the Lord and his arrangements, and
[3060]
2%36.--AUGUST 17.
31:3.
the great purpose for which we have started under his lead-
ersh:p; we- ne&l to learn the import of the covenant which he
has r(raciouslv made with us, sealed with the precious blood;
-to-be faithful to our share’therein to the extknt of our abill
ity, and to trust the remainder to our great Mediator.*
We need also to learn the Tabernacle lessons-how and
under what conditions we may have fellowship with God-
may er,ter into the court and still further into the Holy, and
ultimately, as members of the High Priest’s body, into the
Most Holy. We need to learn order in respect to natural as
well as spiritual things; and that while the liberties of the
Lord’s people are to he conserved and bondage to evil is to be
avoided, that, nevertheless, in all of the Lord’3 arrangements
there is order, as represented in the order established amongst
the Israelites. We are to learn first of all to be subject to the
Lord, and secondly, to every ordinance of God; we are to
consider the truly consecrated people of God as a unit and
are to seek to co-operate one with another, and to remember
the Apostle’s words, “Rememher them which have the rule
over ybu,” (Heh. 13 :7), and again, “Yea, all of you he sub-
iect one to another.” ( 1 Pet. 6:s) All of these lessons are nec-
essary to us, as similar lessons in type were necessary to
typical Israel.
The cloud, representing the Lord, rested over the Taber-
nacle during the sojourn in the vicinity of Sinai: but in bar-
monv with the instructions given through Moses, when the
appointed t,ime had come, the cloud lifted from the Tabernacle
.~ntl wcbnt bc~torr th(i peoplr and, about onca hundred ant1 tty
miles distant, rested over another wilderness nearer Canaan.
Thr people followed it in marching order and apparently at
first with great enthusiasm, praising the Lord. Vs. 35 seems
to refer to Psalm 68 which describes the journey; see also
Psa. 132 8. But whatever were the joyful anticipations of the
people, they found the wilderness of Paran into which the
Lord lrd them the scene of great trial, for it was much more
rugged than the wilderness of Sinai and much less adapted to
the care of their flocks and herds. This brought to thr people
fresh trials of faith and rourage and endurance and ‘co&-
dence in the Lord and appreciation of his promises.
So with spiritual Israelites: after the Lord has given us
certain lessons and experiences, some of which come to us un-
der ouiet and restful conditions. the order of nrocedure mav
be ch’anEet1, and the intliration of the T,ord’s p;ovidences ma>
lead to some brrakine no of renditions which had bren both
favorable and unfaro~~bl~ in some respects-leading into new
circumstances and conditions. It is not for the true spiritual
Israelite to murmur or complain or even to express a choice;
See “The Word Medmtor
l Used Differently,” Jan. 1, 1909, issue.
ALGUZT 15. 1902 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (249-251)

but to look to the Lord for guidance. If he can discern the made and when all the chances seemed to be against the SUC-
leadings of divine providence; even though it be in a wilder- cess of the movement.
ness condition more arid and undesirable than that in which Poor Moses ! If it almost crushed him when the people
he has previously been, he is to follow the Lord’s leadings un- murmured against him, how must he have felt when his
questlonmgly and with songs of faith and confidence. We are two most trusted advisers thus showed that they too had a
marching toward Canaan and know that other experiences are wrong view of the Exodus, and considered Moses a self-ap-
due us and must be undergone qre we can inherit the prom- pointed leader! True, it does appear to us as though his
ises. The lesson for us 1s prompt and thorough obedience to meekness had led him into a marriage in every way beneath
the Lord’s leadings without murmurings-with joyfulness ; his education and station In life; but then, was he not under
and this can only be expected on the vart of those who have divine supervision in all his affairs? And could not the Lord
learned the lesso& previously given them, and above all the have hindered the marriage unless he saw some way in which
lesson of faith-confidence in the Lord’s vower
I and noodness It could prove advantageous? And should not Miriam and
and rnithfulness. Aaron have remembered this, and minded their own business?
As a matter of fact we believe that the Lord was favorable to
REBELLION AGAINST GOD’S PROVIDENCE
the marriage:-that thus he forebtalled any inclination on the
It was while in Paran that the people began to murmur part of Israel to accevt the children of Moses as thell kmrrs
L u-
again-for the leeks and onions and garlic and fish. etc.. of &cl lawgivers to the subversion of the divine program.
Egypt. As little children to a father, They lamented to M&es The Lord’s indignation was shown in smiting Miriam with
--cren regretting that they had been led out of bondage. leprosy and refusing to heal her for seven davs even at the en-
Aroses appealed the matter to the Lord, and the latter granted treaty of Moses;-that thus the camp of Israel might also
the request in displeasure, telling Moses that he esteemed the get a lesson in harmony with a subsequent statement,--“Touch
people to be murmurers against himself; because he was the not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.”
real Tchader and Rloses merelv his servant. The veovle wanted The lesson of trusting to the L&l’s vigilance in minding
more meat, expressing themselves as wearied of the manna, so his business and the lesson that each Israelite indeed should
Got1 sent them quails. An immense flock of quails was blown mind his own business, are still closely identified. Many. nay
1)~ a providential storm from the south and east over the Elan- all, still need to learn these lessons. The ofIic1ou4neqs which
tic Gulf into their camp. A writer on Eastern subjects says: inclines so many to think that the Lord’s work will go to
--“Thrv quails cannot sustain themselves lone on the wing. wreck unless they control the lever and pass their jud,mrnt
and after -crossing the desert 30 or 40 mil& they wo& upon everybody and everything, is tlnngcarous to all who hare
scn~c~ly be able to fly. . . . When exhausted they would easily it, and their name is legion. It iq born of too Lrreat self-
be taken as they flew at a height of about two cubits (3 or 4 conceit mired with lack of respect for Co(l’f wistlnnlUancl with
fret) from the ground ” The people got an abundance; but a desire to meddle aq “busy-bodies in other men’s matters”
ate so greedily that a pestilence broke out among them, Each should early learn that while doing his own part with
:\hlch case the lives of many, so that they called that place his might he should trust much to the Lord, and that to him
Kihroth-Hattaavah-“Graves of Greediness.” Thus the Lord each servant stands or falls. Failure to do this leads to len- 1
permitted their cliqcontent and spirit of rebellion to work out rosy-sin.
a severe penalty in a natural way.
“COME THOU WITH US AND WE WILL DO THEE GOOD”
Is it not sometimes after the same manner with the Spir-
itual Israelites? no not some after beinE well fed on svir- Hobab, here introduced to our attention (vs. 29)) was
itual manna permit a selfish, craving spiri’i to interrupt their Moses brother-in-law. (Judg. 4: 11-R. V.) Raguel is here
fellow-hip with thr Lord to some extent-hankering for given as the name of Moses’ father-in-law and is supposed to
earthly, fleshly, good things:-forgetting the wisdom of our refer to the same person called Jethro in another nlace. The
T,e,rcler, the Lord, and that his love which thus far has de- explanation offered is that Raguel was his proper’ name and
l!rcrecl 119, and fed and led us, is still with us, as wise and Jettiro, which signifies Escellellt, way his tltlr :I$ a chieftain
as good as ever? Sometimes it ‘is a repining against our lot in of the Midianltes, of the clan known as Kenltes which dwelt in
llfc, a desire for more ease and comfort and wealth and social Miclian east of Sinai. Hobab, therefore, was alSo a chieftain
influence. than are within our reach: sometimes it iq a pro- amongst the Kenites and undoubtedlv. av Moses’ words sue-
test against our share of the aches and pains of the groa&ng gest, -was well acquainted with the” country through which
creation and our inability to get rid of theqe: sometimes it is Israel would pass. MOSPS invited him to cast in his lot with
.I plotcst against the illness and death of a loved one. the Israelites promising him that thus he. and such of his
How unwise! Should not those who have hpen fed on the tribe as would‘come with him, should become jnmt-participa-
qpiritunl manna realize that all of Spiritual Israel’s affairs tors with the Israelites in the nromises God had made them.
are under thr Lord’s Care and supervison? Should they not -“Come thou with us ancl we \;ill do ther good. for the Lori
remmlher that.-ITe dnth not willingly afflirt the children of bath spoken good concerning Isrnrl. . . . nntl it shall be, if
mm. but for their good? (Lam. X:33; Heb. 12:lO) Ah! thou go with us, yea, it shall be, that what goodness the Lord
come harr found that the prayers of murmurers, even when shall do to us, the same will we do unto thee.” Although Ho-
answered. aq wrre Tsrael’s, sometimes brinz unexvectcd draw- bat) at first refused, the promise of a share with Israel appar-
bnrl;~.-that selfish prayers are too exp&qive. A Some have ently influenced him favorably; because mention is made
gninetl wealth and lost the truth and its service. somr have elsewhere bf the Kenites as having share with Tsracl in the
cninptl health only to find that with it thev gained other trials prnmi\ed land--.Judgrs 1 : I(i: 4: 11 , 1 Sam. 15 :(i: 1 Ctirnn.
no 1~s SPWI~: some have had their dear one’; restored to them 2.55
from the very jaws of death, onlv to wish afterward that God I)olll)tl(~*s this nnrrati\ 4%of tlivlnc :irr.in~rc~mc~ut 1, ItI\ 1101110
hat1 not an&&l their prnyersi-or, more correctly, to wish through Moses, was intended to convey a lesson to spiritual
that thry had acrcptecl the Lord’s miqdom and providences T*raelites also. It represents that snme who are not ch~ltlren
trustfully, contentedly, uncnmplninin.glp. of the promiTes according to thr flesh, were. neverthclrss, ar-
The lcsqnn to I<rarl was, that they should trust the Lord crptrcl of God hrrauqr of thr e~\Pr(~lsc nf fnitll.-l,c,~,;111.(, of
implicitly ; and accepting and using all that thcv had, all their willingness al-0 to endure tlip trials ant1 tll8iniltiPq
that the snrrountlingr would supply, thev should ‘have used ant1 welfare of the childrrn of Tqrael. that thev mioht 1)~ nar-
It a$ wisely and as thoroughly aq po&ible-accepting all tlcipatorti with thrm 111the rewards and protilses.- So to&v,
things. natural as ~~11 as miraculous, a9 God’s gift. And we may say to those who are still aliens, ntrangprs. for&m-
thcrcwith they should have heen content. thankful, ‘Aappy. So, ers to the I,nrd’s covenantq. “Come thou with uq and we will
too. Spiritual Israrl should use wisely such things as are do thpe good.” WTp may tell whoever has an ear to hcnr of the
wIthin their reach-accrptin g all as God’s gifts with thanks- erariniis things whic*h thr IJnrd ha\ rjrorniqpd. of c\-c~rl:l*tinz
giving . ltiit thc,ir I)ctitinns ~lioiil~l br for spiritual gifts-in- life in Paradise, to nil who are his.~f:iithful to thcb cntl nf
cluding patient-encluranre and heart-contentment the jnurnry , and yet, it will he a matter for the cvrrrise of
their wills . if thrv sharp in the blcqsinzq. tll(,v muqt, alsn he
REBELLION AGAINST THE DIVINE ORDER
milling to share th’e tliflirllltieq of the wav. and the rrprnnrhrs
It was in Parnn that Miriam and Aaron rebelled against of thr T,orll’q people h;nt onlv mav we thns sprak to pco-
Jlnses’ lendership assrrtin g themselves his equals in author- pie nrnllv, inviting them to inin with u$. but our lives in
itp. Miriam, the prime mnver In the matter, referred to Ernernl shnltld br ~“llvlnq cxpistlrs.” giving trstimonv of our
?loces’ mnrriajic to a nepress (Ethiopian) as an evidence of fait11 in thr T.nrd 2nd in hi< r)?nnii~rs:-llrlnful. rn&llrarrinrr
7 7
111sgcln?rnl incapncitv to manage his own xffairs. murh lesq and attractive to others
thocc of a nation. The tevt nf ‘the rnmplaint is given only in Our Golden Text npplie~ to ev(l~y spiritunl TSra(~lit(~. and
paIt, but llntloubtetlly the fact that thrp were now nrnf to surely all surh muqt rrconniyr the lrarlrrqhin of thr Lord. elqe
Canaan and well nrganized and that it was now comparatively thrvcnnnnt have prarr anI1 joy an{1 blc~qsin~. and rannot make
easv to l~ncl the people, led to this wrnng position. Both wpre pmzress toward our Canaan. Thr Jsrarlitrs learnetl to look
qui’te willing that Moses sl~oultl be leader when the start was inr the movement nf the rlond by which the Lord led them,
[3061]
(251-252) ZION’S
and only once is it recorded that they ever disobeyed its lead-
ing-and that once was accompanied by their reverse in battle
before their enemies, which doubtless impressed the lesson.
(Num. 14 :44,45) Similarly, one of the most important les-
sons for the spiritual Israelite is to learn to look to the Lord
for leading in all of life’s affairs-never to attempt any un-
dertaking either temporal or spiritual without seeking to note
the will of the Lord concerning the same,
The sooner this lesson is learned, the sooner disasters in
life will be obviated; nevertheless, we are to remember that
the Lord’s providences may lead us into trying circumstances
and conditions, and not always into pastures green. Yet in
these, faith will be tested and developed and faithfulness to
INTERESTING
IS THE COVENANT STILL BINDING ON THE
Qurstzon.-Does the Jewish Law Covenant still exist? or
waq it fullv terminated at the introduction
”
of the *New Cove-
nnnt sealed by our Lord’s death? If it still exists as a cove-
nant, are all “Jews now living still under and bound by that
Pinaitlc covenant? and if so. is the offer to the Jew still nood
that If he can still fulfil his bart of that Law Covenan{* he
may have eternal life as a reward therefor aside from Christ?
AnsIcer.-The Law Covenant was an agreement between
(:od and the nation of Israel b- which God pledged himself to
give certain rewards to that nation if obedient: and Israel in
turn bound itself to keep that law, and consented in event of
failnre to do so, that they had no claim upon the promises,
but that they would justly come under divine sentence afresh.
That covenant ceased, so far as God was concerned, when that
nation was rejected at the time they rejected Jesus, and their
rejection was noted in our Lord’s words, “Your house is left
unto *you desolate.” The rewards of the law were, neverthe-
less, secured by one Jew; namely, our Lord Jesus, because of
his perfect obedience-even unto death. To him therefore,
1cg:tlly \\ent all the blessings and privileges contained in and
implied by the Law Covenant and the Abrahamic Covenant,
to which it was merely “added.” Thus we see that from
God’s standpoint the covenant arrangements have been ful-
filled in Jesus, the faithful Jew, and that its provisions, there-
fore, cannot in any manner be extended to others now-nor
could others ever hope to claim its provisions, even if they
were open now.
However, while God has thus accomplished his side of the
covenant, the Jews have never accomplished their side. Every
circumcised Jew comes under the provisions of the Law Cove-
nant and is subject to all its conditions, and can escape those
conditions only in the divinely appointed way- by accepting
Jesus as his Savior, the curse of the law: for he is the end
of the law for righteousness [righteously] to every one that
believeth, (Rom. 10:4), but not to others. A believing Jew,
in accepting Christ, ceases to be a Jew and becomes a Chris-
tian Consequently all Jews not thus believing are still under
the Iaw Covenant to which they have subscribed and to which
they nrr bound by their own covenant or engagement; and
there iy no way for them to get free from their obligation to
keep the whole law, except by believing into Jesus and thus
in his sacrifice, having the righteousnessof the law fulfilled in
them (Rom. 8 :4) The curse which thev brought UDOn their
o\\n heads remains with them. “His bl&d be uion us’ and our
thiltlrcn.” (Mntt. 27 :25) They can only escape the curse of
the law and the additional curse of this gross violation of it,
hv having the merit of his blood, his sacrifice, imputed to
I hem. as a sin sacrifice, the atonement of their guilt.
A COMPARATIVE ESTIMATE OF THE ELECTION
Question.-There is a. difference of opinion amongst us
respecting your mraning in the article “A- Comparativ: Esti-
mate of the Election,” page 26. in Jan. 15. 1902 number of
the WATCH TOWER, h&e ‘I inquire, Is it your thought that
the> consecrated nnmher includes only those who have come to
a knowlrclge of present truth? If so. are we to understand
that for every one who now comeq into fellowship in the light
of present truth, some other one has gone dut of this light
int,o darkness?
Ansuer.--Quite to the contrary. We understand that con-
secration to thr Lord is neressarv in everv case before there
will 1~ n proper nhilitr to rcreivr”the trutl; in the love of it-
the truth respecting the deep things of God. It is our thought
that of the suggested 31,500 already consecrated in 1881,
scarcely any had any knowledge of what we term “present
truth.” Our thought is that a knowledre of nresent truth
will be brought to-all of these consecrated ones and will con-
stitutc a test of their consecration, of their sincerity; just as
at the first advent our Lord offered himself not to the Gentiles,
l SW June 15, 1919. ISSW for cntxal exnminntlon
WATCH TOWER ALLECHENY, PA.
the Lord’s leading will gradually bring us assurances that all
things are working together for our good, for our spiritual
welfare-the matters which appear to be favorable and com-
forting, and the experiences which seem to be rough and dis-
tressing. We are not to ask or expect the Lord’s leading for
our own sakes, nor for any merit or worthiness in us, but, as
our Golden Text expresses it, for the Lord’s sake-in accord-
ante with his promise to us as spiritual Israelites, the seed
of Abraham;-for his own name’s sake and work’s sake, in
that he has purchased the blessing of the world, and is now
taking out a people for his name to be his agents in this work
of blessing,-for his own name’s sake in that he has invited
us, promised us the victory if we abide in his love.
QUESTIONS ANSWERED
J’EW? the unconsecrated, but to Israel the consecrated, typical peo-
ple. The offering constituted a test to the Israelites; such as
were meek and lowly of heart were the better prepared to re-
ceive the Messiah; such as were Droud. vain-glorious either of
their own persons or of their s&s 0; partyes, were thereby
blinded and stumbled and hindered from accepting the truth.
So it is today; the meek, the humble, the lowly of heart who
are following the Lord implicitly have much advantage every
way over th; majority of bod’s”consecrated people now, be&t
bv worldliness and oersonal and sectarian Dride and ambition.
gevertheless, having made a consecration a’nd having been ac-
cepted of the Lord, a reasonable time should properly be
manted to such to make their calling and election sure, to
yearn life’s lessons respecting the empxiness of pride and &m-
bition. and the fact that the true neace and iov in the Lord
are td be found in humility of he& and closeie& to the Mas-
ter. We believe that in the Lord’s providence “present truth”
has been presented time and again to many of these conse-
crated ones and that some were ready and received it the
first time, while to others it came two, three, four times be-
fore they had learned their lessons properly so as to be able
to discern the emptiness of sectarianism and the bitterness
and nausea of human creeds and theories in order that thev
might be able to appreciate the good tidings of the Word anh
nlan of God. Others failing to nrofit bv exneriences granted
ihem will, we believe, be re&ctedXfrom t,$e “&ercomer@ class.
In all reason we must expect that the period of favor with
many of these is expired and that the crowns apportioned to
them at the time of their consecration are no longer held for
them, but will be granted to others who will take their places;
and that their names will no longer be written amongst the
victors, but will be blotted out from that glorious place,
though not blotted out of God’s memory, nor blotted out of
existence, but rather that they may be re-entered as members
of another class, the “great company,” who shall pass through
the meat tribulation which, peradventure, may work in them
bles&ngs which they were not prepared otherwise to receive.
We are not to expect that the Lord would wait until these
names began to be siricken from the list before he would be-
gin to prepare others for their places: rather we are to pre-
sume that he would have in training a considerable number al-
ready consecrated but not accepted to the high calling (be-
cause the general call has ceased) and therefore not at once
made acquainted with present truth. As vacancies shall occur
amongst the accepted, or “elect” class because of failure to
fulfil consecration vows, it will open the wav for these later
consecrated ones to be accepted -to the “high calling” and
then it will be nroner for them to come to an aDDreciation
of present truth,-a&l to discern clearly the prize oi bur high-
calling, the race course leading to it and the requirements of
every faithful runner. That this has been the Lord’s method
since 1881 is evidenced very clearly by the fact that now at
the time when we would expect that a good many names would
br blotted from the roll as having failed to be victors, there
are, we find, a considerable number consecrated since 1881,
readv to receive the truth. And so deeD is their consecration
and -earnestness and zeal that once they come into contact
with the truth thev assimilate it auicklv. with understandinn
and appreciation, ind make rapid brogr&s in the race course
toward the mark of the prize-perfect love.
Of course we must expect that some, even after receiving
the light of present truth: will prove u&aithful to it and gz
out into the “outer darkness” of the world. where shortly. in
the great time of trouble, they will share in the predicted
“weeping and gnashing of teeth;” and we must expect that
the going out of the race by these will be followed by the let.
ting of others into the race course as well as in case of those
who were consecrated prior to 1881, and whose testing largely
consists in their coming into contact with the light of present
truth. However. those who have come into the light of pres-
of Cnvenants ent truth under consecration made since October, 1881, will be
[3062]
hWUST 1s. 1902 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (252-253)

much less likely to be finally rejected than those who were “them that sleep in Jesus.” (1 Thess. 4: 13, 14) All who were
consecrated prior to 1881: because the receiving of the linht dead in Adam, having been bought by Jesus are not yet made
of present tiuth constitutes one trial or sifting%i every c&e, alive by him, nor even in any measure resuscitated, but are
and this test is already past by those now being accepted. spoken - of as no longer extinct but reckonedly sleeping-
“GOD GIVETH IT A BODY” waiting for the Millennial morning, when all that are in their
Question.-In explainng the resurrection of the dead, in 1 graves shall hear the voice of the Son of Man and shall come
Cor. 15:36-38, tne Apostle uses the illustration of wheat, or forth again to being and to the opportunities of a raising up,
any kind of grain, saying, “That which thou sowest, thou SOW- or restoration to all that was lost-the process of raising up
est not the- body that shall be, but a bare gram,” “but God being betokened by the judgments of the hlillenmal age-re-
giveth it a body as it hath pleased him.” My question is re- wards for those who will do well. chastisements for those who
specting this latter part of the text-“giveth it a body.” do 111, destruction if they persel’ere in ill doing. ‘lhls iudg-
Would not this seem to imply that as in a grain of wheat or ment, in our common version Bible, is mistranslated “da’mns
corn there is a germ which survives the death of the remainder tion.‘-John 5 :29.
of the kernel, so in mankind there must be something to sur- The “it” in the case of the world is the soul, or being
vive the death of the body-some kind of an “it” to which the which became extinct in death, but which was redeemed by the
Lord will give a body in the resurrection ? What is this “it” precious blood of Christ, and is to be the subject of restitution
in humanity? power at his second advent. Each “it,” each soul, each sen-
Bllszcer.-If we say that the “it” represents the soul we tient being of the human family, redeemed by our Lord, was
state the matter truthfully, but in a manner liable to be mis- designed to have a body. Indeed, it cannot awake or come
understood by the average reader or hearer, because very few into being at all without a body. It will be necessary that the
seem to understand what a soul is, according to the Bible body shall be produced, created, and that, so far as the brain
usage There are any number of views and theories respect- at least is concerned, identical with the body that peii4~ed
in-r what a soul is, vet all of them, except the Scriptural defi- when the soul fell asleep. Thus for the vvoitd the Loud will
rition, are vague, indefinite, inconsistent, unreasonable. Ac- give “it” a body of its own kind:-human kind-a body \vllich
cord 1ng to the’ Scriptures the word “soul” is the equivalent can go onward-and upward to restitution and full lrumnn per-
of t’*ch wore! “being:” and stands for the intelligent nerson or fection, if the mind, the will, the soul, aove~ning it, shall he-
“,srntlrnt being.” !l’he body is not t,he soul, thol;hh there could come obedient to the great Prophet, Priest and Kmg. the glo-
be no ~OLII without a body”; and the breath of life or spirit of rified Christ. during the Mlllenmal are: otherwise it Ivill be
life is not the soul, thouah there can be no soul without the cut off in the second death, and that &thout hope of recovery.
opirlt of life. As elsewhere explained,” when a body has been -Acts 3 :21-23.
organized and infused with the spirit or energy of life, so In the case of the church, a justification by faith is
that intel!igence and thought result, that resultant condition granted to believers, by which they are accounted free from
is scnticnt being or soul condition. the sentence of death, and pernnttrd to conseciatc their jus-
God’s sentence of death as the wages of sin is against the tified lives 2~s sacrifices in the Lorcl’s service-joint-sacrificers
a0111: “The soul that sinneth, it shall die.” And this sentence with their Lord, in whose footsteps they are called to follow.
is executed through the deterioration of the body, either by These, in their consecration, are reckcned as dying to the hu-
sickness or otherwise, snapping the golden cord of life, caus- man nature entirely, and their nem minds are reckoned as hav-
ing the spirit or encrpy of life to break its union with the ing been transformed, as being no longer human minds or
body. The result we call death, even before the putrefaction wills, but spiritual minds or wllla-“\\-e have t!le mmd of
sets in which destrovs the bodv. It is the death of the soul, Christ.” This will, still exercised through a human body, is
the cessation of being, which has occurred. by the Lord and by his children accounted as the beginning of
In the divine arrangement God has provided in the death the new nature, the nucleus or new will of the “new crea-
of our Lord Jesus a ransom for all ( 1 Tim. 2 :5,61 .-all the ture.” This new creature, however, has no suitable spirit body
soul9 of the human family-for Adam and Eve,’ and all the at the present time, but tabernacles in the earthly, dying
souls bcrrotten. eenerated. bv them. Conseauentlv. although body-which indeed perishes as the new creature develops. The
the clivinc sentence is upon every soul of ma’n unto death, ‘in faithful of this class will constitute tile first resurrection, de-
view of this ~tonrment which God has provided WP who have scribed by the Apostle. (1 Cor. 15 :42-44) The new mind is
faltb in the effirarv of the atonement and in the ultimate rarry- the “it” in this case: no longer a buman mind or will or
ing out of thP divine plan are permitted to speak of these dead spirit, but a new spiritual one, cbnngr)c! : and in thr rpsurrec-
souls an though they were not dead, but merely asleep- tion God will ive “it” this embrvo new creature, a spiritua!
* MILLENNIAL DAWN, VOL. v, Chap. 12 body, as he ha: promi& ., en,1 aq it l!n{h pleased him.

“WE ARE WELL ABLE TO OVERCOME IT”

NUM. 13:26-14:10.-AUGUST 24.
“Blessed is the mm that maketh the Lord tis trust.“-Psa. 40:4.
Israel having been taught certain great lessons in the to overcome it.” However, the people had not fully learned
wilderness, journeying toward Canaan, and havmg learned the lesson of faith in God, their Leader, and hence the report
them to some extent, was now at Kadesh Barnea on the south- of the majority thorouahly arousrtl their fears and discour-
ern borders of the land of promise. The people suggested the aged them from attempting the conquest.
sending of spies to investigate the condition of things in Pal- The majority report was airen with an annearnncc
.. of great
estine before going further. (Deut. I:22 1 The Lord arcedcd to equity, telling,?on ‘the one hand, that the land intlred n;lq a
the nronostion and through Moses made selection of twelve rhicf goodly one, and exhibiting in demonstration some fruits,
men: one from each of &e tribes-excepting the tribe of Levi amongst which was the renowned bunrb of ,graprs from Eshrol,
and counting both Ephraim and Manasseh for Joseph. This which thev had carried susr~cndc~l on a nolc brtnccn two of
caution in sending the spies was not condemned of the Lord; their number; but, on the 0th~ hantl. t& seem to bnve exng-
nevertheless, tho nemle who for more than a Year had been gerated in their description of tbc dil~cnlti~s.-llaril;S renclnd
guided in all of their-affairs by the pillar of cloud by day and a ronclu4on in tinelr own minds thev soueht > to imnlrsq it upon
the pillar of fire by nightdirecting their marchings, loca- their report; and, like many of our own day, con=iticrrtl that
tions and camps! the time of their stay, etc.,-the people in order to secure their end, a little esng:eratinn was jncti-
whc hat! been mlraculouslv fed with the auall and who had fiable ;-the neonle were giants and the Israelites in comparison
experienced the continuoui miracle of the’ manna, and who as grasshoppers: the cities were immense and were wallecl up
had witnessed the discomfiture of their enemies by divino to heaven: the land thotmh rich. as evidcncrd bv the fruits
power when the hands of Moses were held us:-these people thev brouiht, thev report& “ratetb un t!le inhabitants thrrc-
might have had faith enough in the Lord to have continued of;“--meaning either ‘that local warfare was prevalent or that
under his leadership whensoever and wheresoever he led them, it was a pestilential land. not hen‘thv. or that as a whole it
confident of his care and of his power. was a barren land and the samples of fruitage they brought
The twelve spies quite probably separated into small groups represented exceptional portions.
and thus made the more extensive investigation: however, their No wonder the neople who had loo!<ecl forward so longingly
return seems to have been at one time, which is rather against to this land nf promise felt ,grcntlv discouraged; such a report
this supposition. Ten of the number reported favorablv as would he well calculated to discourarrc anvhndv. Yet it \vaa
respect&& the land, but unfavorably respeckq the possibilities just such a report as the people in &&era1 would hare made,
of conquering it: the other two. Joshua and Caleb. with rrreater since it was made by their representatives out of everv trihe.
faith in the‘Lord, were less apprehensive and assured the pen- The report was an “evil” one, not onlv in that it exaggerated
pie, “I.& US go up at once and possess it; for we are well able the difficulties, but in that it also entirely ignored the divine
[3063]
(254~-255) ZION’S WATCH
sunervision of the DaSt. Among other things that inspired fear
was the report of t’he giants-gephilim: these they represented
as being descendants of the Nephilim, or giants which bad
caused such terror to the world before the flood. (Gen. 6:4)
The people were so thoroughly disheartened that they set up
a great wail of despair,-it was a night of sadness when they
had espectrtl iov . it seemed to crush out all the hope which had
previously buoyed them up in the journey; they murmured
against the Loid as well as against Moses and Aaron, declaring
that thev would have preferred to have died in Egypt or in the
u iltlern&s. Thev seem to have conrlucled that the Lord through
110s~~ would now force them into the land of Canaan,-seemed
to \cc’ tllrmselves destroyed bv the sword, and their families a
prey to their enemies. In their frenzy they said, Let US choose
finm our numbrr a lcatler instead of Moses, reverse the pro-
gram-i etui n to Egypt and call it the land of favor!
It must have been a sad occasion for the meek Moses: once
brforc the people had proposed to choose another captain or
lender, brit, this was during his absenre in Mount Sinai; now
in llis nrcscmcc thcv remnlintetl him and all that he had endeav-
ored to tin for them. i)nlv .Joshua and Caleb stood bv the Lord
and defended Moses and ‘Aaron. who had fallen on their faces
before the assembly 1 thcsr two professed faith in the Lord;
saving, “If the Lord delight in us, then he will bring us into
this land. and rive it us: a land which floweth with milk and
honev. Only rebel not ye against the Lord, neither fear ye the
pcoplc of the land: for thcv are bread for us; their defense is
drnartrfl from them. and the Lord is with us: fear them not.”
Put thrsr noble and courageous words of faith were lost upon
the nnrrrr neonle: discontent and fear had gained thorough
control’of their minds, so that instead of loving and appre-
cintin,z these noble men and their counsel, they were about to
stem them to death.
Thrn the T,ord interfered as on a previous occasion; a bright
lirrht. slrinirm out from thr Tahernnrle reminded the n~onl~ that
the T,ord. their TeatIer. was not onlv gracious and careful, but
iuct: and that he could and would punish transgression as
befnrr. A pestilcncc broke out amongst them, and among its
first, victims were the ten spies who had brought the discour-
eying rc*port. Moses pointed out these matters to them and
showctl what a lack of cnnfitlence in God, their Leader, thev had
manifc\trrl. He gave them also the Lord’s message that be-
rnnsr of unhelirf they had failed to improve their opportunities,
ant1 in rcrnsequence none of them above twentv years of age
should evrr rnter the land of promise-the youth and children,
bein<: lrcld of thr Lord as not responsible, were exempted. The
Tort1 ruplainetl to them that for’every dav that the-spies had
anrnt in srarrhing the land to bring an evil report. there should
he a vrni of drlnv in rventually reaching it. Thus God here
nnswrrerl thrir nrnrer. “Wnnld to God that we had died in
thr wiltlrrne&I”--God determined- that they should all die
there-.
Sh~utlv their rourage rrvivad and they determined that
hg\-in!z come thus far to rnter the land of promise they would
co fern n1r.l ant1 takr possession of it ;-thrp would ignore the
Lor~l’~ drcl~~rntinn that thrv might not nnw hare it:-they
11olll~l tnkc it anvnav for themselves Another evidence is here
“ivcn of thrir lack of faith in the Lnrd: thev did not realize
as thev should have done how much the Lord’s hand had been
ronnc&ed with all thrir progress thus far. and that without
llrn thcv could do nothing. When thev informed Moses of
thrir purpose, he refused his’ consent and co-operation, and fore-
P arnrtl them of disaster in anv enterprise in which the Lord
wa\ not thrir leader. nevertheless thev marshalled a host and
wrnt forth. soon to retreat in disorder before their enemies,
lenvinr numbers of their brethren slain unon the firld of battle.
It was a difficult mattrr for them to learn to rely, not upon
themselves. hut upon the Lord. Thence their journey turned
n~gain into the wilderness.
LESSONS FOR SPIRITUAL ISRAELITES
That thr land of Canaan and its rest from the wilderness
inurncvincr is intended to be a trne for thr sniritual Tsraelites,
is clra’rlv”shnwn hv thr Apostle ‘in his refer’ence to it, and to
how .Jnshlia led the prople into its rest. (Heh 4:3-S) Canaan
rridentlv rannot tvnifv the nerfect heavenly state into which
the rhr;rrh hopes ” ‘to ’ enter ;’ herause when Tsracl did enter
Canaan there were vears of battling with the inhabitants there-
of -finnllv overcoming them hv the Lord’s assisting power.
Thr Srripturrs tearh 1;s. on the contrary. that when the church
shill hnvr evpericnretl the first resurrection change. all her
trill3 and difficulties, her conflicts with the Amalekites and
Hittites and Jehusitcs and Philistines will br ended:-that
which is perfect shall have come, and that which is in part
shall have been done away. We must, therefore, understand
Canaan to represent the Millennial kingdom condition, into
which all who are the Tmrd’s people shall be brought, under
[30641
TOWER ALLEGHENY. P4.
the leadership of the antitypical Joshua (Jesus), the church
being the priesthood glorified. The antitype of Canaan’s trials
and difficulties will be experienced m overcoming the weak-
nesses pertaining to the flesh, and in developing more and more
under the Lord’s guidance and blessing into the full nerfectlon
of human nature=by restitution processes then in &ikration,
rewarding evrry act of obedience and reproving and punishing
every act of disobedience.
Fleshly Israel not only made this type in the wilderness,
hut accomplished in considerable measure its antitype; for
during the 1600 years of their experience they were, under the
Lord’s guidance, being prepared for the Millennial kingdom
(Canaan). At our Lord’s first advent they as a nation had reach-
ed a place corresponding to Kadesh Barnea, a place of decision
in respect to entering into the kingdom condition. Had they
been in the right attitude of heart, full of faith and trust in
the Lord, thev would have received him, and the kingdom of
God could at ‘once have been established. But in unbelief they
relectetl him who was the antitype of hloses and Aaron ~1nc1
thereforr did not enter into rest; instead, another long, weari-
some journey in the wilderness has been their portion, for now
nclarlv I!100 vears. Shnrtlv. at the hec~~lld advent of oili lAoi 11
he. as the antitype of Joshua, will lead all his people Israel,
as many as shall come into the faith of Abraham. and thus
become his people, into the land of promise-into the’hlillennial
kingdom with its blessings, mercies and promises.
But is there a lesson-for spiritual Israelites in connection
with these Canaan fightings, etc. 1 Yes, we answer : we are to
be like *Joshua and Caleb, and b?/ faith are to enter into the
land and confirm the Lord’s promises and give a good report
thereof. By faith we have already entered into divine favor;
we must have already tasted that the Lord is gracious; we have
already experienced forgiveness of sins; we know as the re-
mainder of mankind know no&--even those who seek right-
eousness and harmony with God-that the Lord’s power is not
limited. We realize that we are fullv able to meet the con-
flicts and difficulties and trials belonging to a consecrated life.
By faith we are already living in this kingdom; already we
are battling with the world, the flesh and the devil. day by day.
but at the same time resting-in the promiser of the T,ord; m
the strength and grace which he supplies; in the victories
which he grants us.
It will- be remembered that the name Joshua is otherwise
translated Jesus (see Heb. 4:8) and means “deliverer _.__ of~_ his_.~-
people-help of G&l.” The name Caleb signifies “dog;” and
this reminds us that the poor of this world, rich in faith, who
are to be heirs of the kingdom with their Lord Jesus, were
represented in our Lord’s parable as being on a level with the
dogs. As the rich man, representing fleshly Israel, to whom
belonged the promises as the child of Abraham, failed to enter
into them because of his unbelief and rejection of Jesus, and
was cast off from divine favor for a time, so Lazarns renre- ---- --1.-
sented those “dogs” who have, during this Gospel age bren
accepted as children of Abraham through faith. Viewing
Joshua and Caleb from this standpoint as representing the
Lord and the faithful though despised few who share with him
the people’s wrath for their good report, we can see that these
alone, at the present time, have the proper faith in God to
enter into his rest in advance of the world, and to make full
consecration of themselves to him and his service, and to battle
with the world, the flesh and the devil, and to conquer through
the blood of the Lamb. And these, now by faith fighting the
good fight, shall in the near future as God’s representatives
lead forward all the hosts of his people-redeemed mankind-
who, learning lessons of bitter experience in the wilderness con-
dition, will eventually be glad to enter into Millennial Canaan,
there to inherit the rich promises of God’s Word.
The essence of this lesson is represented in the Golden Text.
Faith and trust in the Lord is the paramount essential for
acceptance and blessing at his hand,-“Without faith it is
impossible to please God.” “This is the victory that over-
cometh the world, even our faith.” If we leave the world
(Qypt) to become the Lord’s people, and receive the lessons
of experience at his hand with proper faith in him, the out-
come nil1 surely be a readiness and promptness to make a full
consecration, a full submission of ourselves to do the Lord’s
will; to follow his leadings: to inherit whatsoever he has for
us. And if the faith be of the proper kind we will say with
the Pronhet. “I will fear no evil for Thou art with m+-+hv rod
I
.-
v--J ---
and th.v staff, they comfort me” Such, and such alone, can be
lead of the Lord m this present Gospel age, in which we must
walk by faith, not by sight. Such alone will have the confi-
dence to go forward encountering the various oppositions within
and without in the present time. Such will eventually be God’s
representatives and leaders in the blessing of the world in the
Millennial age. Let us learn well the lesson of faith, of trust:
Avt I ST 15, I?03 ZIO:V’S Lt’L-lTCH TOIVER (259 2fJi)

:I> (lo 1 inform< ud of his appreciation of this quality, and that our own experiences we find that we love most to assist and
tI(s viii den1 \\ith us only in proportion as we possess it, 80 in encourage those who manflest an abiding confidence in UY.

ALLEGHENY, PA., SEPTEMBER 1, 1902

VIEWS FROM THE WATCH TOWER

DR. HENSON AND THE FALL it must some day and In some way be determined whose will
Having been obliged in the past to criticize the teachings of was to be law upon this planet. If that matter once for all
the celebrated Baptist preacher, P. S. Henson, in respect to the were to be tested, can any complainant conceive of a test more
eternal torment of the large proportion of our race bemg the di- wise, more considerate, more coneluslve than the one that was
vine program, we are the more pleased now to be able to quote was adopted? But what an outrage to interdict knowledge’ and
with approval his public utterances respecting original sm-the thr tlevll has rung the changes on that outrage all tlown the
Fall of man-from the image and likeness of his creator. He ages. But he lies about this, as 1s 111swont about eve1 ythlng
says : else. It was not the tree of knowledge about which God drew
“The Bible does not declare how old are the heavens and the a cordon, but the tree of the knowledge of good and evil-such
eal th, but only that in the ‘beginning,’ whenever that was, the knowledge of good and evil as comes from experience ln evil
Lord created them. How long were the creative processes we doing. And the very words employed suggest their syml)ollc
ale not informed, for the word translated, ‘day in Genesis is significance.
often employed in the Bible to denote great tracts of time. MAN’S NATURE POLLUTED
“As to the method of creation the Scriptures make no ex- “The third great fact that looms up darkly is that man
plicit statement, though an evolutlomst might mlagine that hz tlanslrressetl the interdict and went beyond the bounds that God
found some shadow of support for his theory when he leads 111wl~dom and in love, and from the “very necessities of bring,
that the Lord said: ‘Let the waters bring forth such creatures had appomtetl, and so laitl hnllscblf hal~le to the penalty whlc*h
as live m the water, and let the earth bring forth such creature+ tliv Sovcic ign of the unirc r\(’ ~ni:~t ncc~i:, att I(*11to x iolatc~tl l,t\\
as live on the land.’ As to man, indeed, a different formula en Kot only so, but 111 the act of tranhgresslon he did violenc*r to 111s
tlrely IS used, for God said: ‘Let us make man in our image own nature as well as to the law of God, and so became crlp-
after our likeness.’ pled am1 depraved. That nature he transmittctl to his posterity;
THE FIRST MAN for the Word reads that ‘he begat a son in his own likeness.’
“But whether He made man bv direct creative act or bv the God never made a thing like Cam. Hnmaiiity in Its totality
slow evolutionary processes of the ages. the grclat fact remains was in Adam, and therefore in a very true sense what was done
that He macle bun. ant1 tlus is all that the Bible tlirectlv by Adam was done by us all, for the nature that was in
declares. But whel;ever made and however made therr mu& Adam is in us all. It is not then without reason that we speak
have lIeen a first man, and as he had a name, or ought to have of the ‘old man’ in us, for it comes down to us from the very
hall, at least, for the proposes of history there would sdem to be fountain head of humanity, and If the fountain head he foul
no valid ol~j&lon, save that which arises from the ‘otlium nothing but the salt of the grace of God can purify the stream
theologlcum’ to the tradltionary name of ‘Adam.’ So far, then, that flows from it.
there would seem to be no reasons for controversy between the THE BIBLICAL REMEDY
forenlost scientist and the most literal Scripturalist. “However much the language may be abused, there is such
“The great battle ground is rather to be found in the third a thing as ‘the solidarity of society’ and the ‘nmty of race.’ It
chapter of Genesis, which gives an account of that tremendous is true that ‘God hath made of one blood all nations to dwell
transaction which by common consent through all the ages has on the face of the earth,’ and hence if one member suffer all
hwn tlenomlnatetl ‘the fall of man.’ And never was there a the mcmhers suffer with it, and being partakers of a common
mole witlely prevalent disposition than there is today to dis- nature and all its heritage of pain ant1 penalty, up from the
Cldlt the whole Scripture narrative and to brand it as depth of the sin and sorrow into which the first Atlam has
plel~osterous and absurd. And many timid souls have been so plunged us, we riced to look to the Serontl Adam through whose
0, (‘1 dwcvl hy tllP toploitlrlw of tlrr mtrtlern (wtlch that thq atoning death WC hare redenrl)ticn from ihe (*urst’ of hln, :lncl
scarcely dare affirm their belief in the substantial verity of the through ldentlfication with whose risen life we are ma<lc par-
Bible story. takers of the divine nature and arc reimtatetl In the relation-
FACTS FOR DOUBTERS ship of sonship to God.
“Sow, for the confirmation and the consolation of such quak- “Such wr believe to be substantially thr Scripture doctrine
ing Ells there are a few things it may be helpful to remember. of the fall of man through Adam and the restoration of man
The opening ant1 the closing bcenes 03 man’s ‘strange, eventful through Jesus Christ.”
hlrtorv as Dortravrtl in the Bihle are each laid in a garden-the “‘THE WAY OF THE LORD MORE PERFECTLY”
one>in Eden and the other in Paradise Whether thYe trees and The foregoing is good-Scriptural and loelcal; hut Brother
rivers described in hoth stand for literal trees and rivers, such Henson should c&-ry &e question farther on &e same Scriptural
as we are accustomed to, does not concern our present purpose and loglcal plane if he would have the whole truth. For in-
Bnt they stand for something, and no doubt the real fact will stance :
at last he fount1 to he far beyond the figure. WAS THE REAL PENALTY NOT STATED IN THE SENTENCE’t
ARGUMENT PROVING FALL (1) Where does the Doctor get his thcorv of et+xrnpl
“Now, whatever may be said of the figurative character of torment? Answer. lindouhtcdlv from this tloctrinr of the
the language of Genesis, some things loom up as indnhitably Fall where all other “orthodox” “people claim to find It. The
tl 11(1:~rll(s-. tllc, \YIIoI~~\tr,l 1’ II~Ldlsc.ic~littd a’: :I tl\sucb of lirs. claim is that our Creator not only meant all that he said in his
“011~ is that man’s original state was a state of innocence. threat to our first parents, and in the curse or sentclnce follow-
Of t’ollrse it was if he came fresh from the hand of God bv ing it, hnt unutterably anh infernally more: that when he said,
dircbct creative act. iZnt1 the like might hc affirmed if th> “Dying thou shalt die,” and, “Dust thou art and unto dust shalt
life he wore was the last result of evolution from the brute thou return,” he meant not only all the degradation and pain
rreatlon. No hrnte is a sinner, for he always acts up to the and anguish and dying of the- past 6,00O“years, refer&l to
nature that is in him, but man is a sinner, and therefore some above hv Dr. Hmson. but included also an ctrrnitr ot
tlrllta, somehow hc must have fallen, for now he consciously lives anguish hevond this mentzoned dying-for the disohedlent pa”
1 clnm his proper level. His very nature is depraved in its and for all their unfortunate offspring who would not. he so
Ilrol~cwsltlc~s, and therefore now ‘when he would do good evil is blessed as to escape it by being of the “elect,‘‘-hronght to a
prr+cnt with him.’ knowledge of the Lord, assisted to faith and obrdlence and
“Wr excuse the sinner of today on the ground of bad sanctification of spirit, and to correct views of baptism and
ht>rcBrlitv , hut how c.arne hi 1)~ tlw- had herd&v 7 We only obedience thereto.
dotln<~ the difficultv hv removine it farther hack.’ And .s
,1
vet we Where in the Scripture will the Doctor find for 17s this
cannot hrlp asking whence flows the filthy stream that befouls diabolical nlan set forth as the divine Dlan of the aecs which
all h111ran history? The Scriptures locate the foundation. Has our Heaveily Father purposed in himselr before the w&l<1 was%
philosophy been aMe to do any better? Nowhere! Where will he find logic or reason to support such
INTERDICT AGAINST EVIL a theory9 Nowhere !
“The second indubitable thing is that God laid upon man Logic and all thr facts known to men corroborate thr Scrip-
an inttrdict. What a pity and a shame, cries the horrified ture teachings that God declared the whole truth in the death
?rltic* fhjt Got1 l ho111d ‘I) t :J sn tre hy wi1lc.h to entrap the un- sentence promulgated against our first parents when thev smned,
susllcctlng creature of His hand! and inherited by their posterity in a natural way. This sen-
“Ant1 yet if man were to be a subject and not a sovereign trnce includes mental, moral and physical degeneracy, as
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Brother Henson rn the foregoing statement admits; and both heard of this only name? We answer in the Apostle’s language
lotic and Scripture declare that death, the total absence of life, that it is “The hope of the resurrection of the dead.” Only the
is-the climax hf this course of degeneracy. “The soul that sin: saints of this Gospel age may hope to have share in the “First
neth it shall die.” (Ezek. 18:4, 20) “The wages of sin is Resurrection”-to “glory, honor and immortality” and to ioint
death.” (Rom. 6:23) Eternal life is a geft of God through heirship with their Lord ‘in the kingdom; but there is hop;? for
Jesus Christ our Lord, to be given only to the believing and almost all others of our race in the after-resurrection. which
obedient. He that hath the Son hath life: he that hath not the our Lord calls “the resurrection by judgment.” (John 5 : 28.
Son of God hath not life.” 1 Jno. 5:12. ’ 29. See Revised Version) That resurrection will be for all the
(2) Brother Henson also lacks the appreciation of “The “unjust” (unlustified by faith and obedience) ; it will be for all
Biblical Remedy” as he states it. the “evil,‘‘--all who have not been approved of God in Christ as
He perceives the solidarity of the race in the first Adam,- “good’‘-all who have not escaped “the condemnation that is on
in the ‘prevalence of his condemnation upon all his posterity. the world.”
Whv can he not see the sobdaritv of the race in resoect to the That resurrection., open to earth’s billions, will require a
sacrifice of Christ, that he “by the grace of God tasted death thousand years for its accomplishment-the Millennium-and
for every man.” (Heb. 2:9) Why can he not see that the the attainment of it at the close of the Millennium will reauirc
divine provision of a remetly for sinners is co-extensive with the the development of meekness, patience, pcrsevei ance, gentleness,
blight of sin? Why does he fail to give weight to the clear brotherlv kindness, love on the part of all who would receive
Scriptural tlcclaration that-Christ’s sacrifice is “a propitiation its blessing; all others being hipelessly cut off in the second
[satisfnctwm] for our sins [the church’s sins] and not for ours death. To participate in this grand resurrection privilege will
only, but also for the sins of the whole world”? (1 Jno. 2 :2) necessitate the awakelrzng of all who “sleep in the dust of the
If under the gloomy shadow&s of creeds and theories formu- earth,” or as our Lord expressed it, all that are in their graves
lated in “dark ages” or in the haze just following them, the shall hear his mandate and come forth before they can share in
Doctor has been in the habit of applying all thsse‘texts which the privileges of the “resurrection by judgment.” The expres-
so clearlv soecifv “the whole world” to merelv the elect church. sion “by judgment” signifies (harmoniously with other Scrip-
it is surelyAtime”to set the error and to note”the fact that our tures), that the hlillennial age arrangements will difrcr from
Heavenly Father’s plan centered in Christ Jesus our Lord, is those of the present and past ages, in that while now jutlg-
so high and so deep, so long and so broad, as to provide not ments (rewards and punishments) are deferred then they will
only the special heavenly salvation of the elect church of this follow immetliatelv each act and word of obedience or dis-
age, to “the divine nature,” but also to provide through this obedience. “When” the judgments of the Lord are ahroah in the
elect church, the spiritual seed of Abraham, a general salvation, earth (as they will then be) the inhabitants of the world will
-which, beginning with fleshly Israel, shall extend through the learn righteousness.” And the Lord through th(> Prophet as-
Millenmal ape to “all the families of the earth”-as God’s sures us that in that blessed day every sinner refusing for one
promise rea&--Ram. 11:25-32 ; Gal. 3 :29. hundred years to make progress shall be acconntrd ir-
In this time whrn Evolutionism and Higher Criticism are reconcilable and shall be cut off forever-even though as com-
makinq void the Word of God we are trnstinx that the true pared with the life privileges of that time he would be but an
believers who hold fsst to the Word may get still more widely infant at one hundred years of age-as in the antediluvian age.
opened “the eyes of their understanding,” that they and we may ---Isa. 26:9; 65:20.
be thus rnaljle to see “eye to eye,” by being enabled to compre- The only exceptions to the privileges of that “resurrection
h!>nd with all saints the true dimensions of our gracious by judgments” will be the few who in the present life commit
Father’s wonderful plans. (Eph. 3 : 18) We are trusting in the the sm‘unto death-“second death.” These as described hv the
same Savior and in the same Father; but by their prace our Apostle can be only such as by faith and consecration as” trnr
eves have been opened a little wider, a little sooner than those Christians, have received the blessings of special knowledge and
of some of our brethren whom we sincerely love and long to as- the holy spirit, and then fall away either by turmng hcarttl!l
sist out of darkness into the wonderful light of the Millennial into wilful sin or by rejecting the wedding garment of Christ‘s
(lawn, now streaming in upon all who are awake and looking in imputed righteousness.
the iie.ht tlilc~rtion to set the glorious Sunrise of the new dis- We long to assist all the true “brethren” and ur,gr any reatl-
pensation--uo\v llrirtc ushrrcsll in hv olir Tord’s porousin. in? this and still finding any obstacles to faith and ohrdience to
THE RESULTS OF WORLD-REDEMPTION the “only name” to correspond with us. We will take pleasure
(3) As dcqradatinn evrn unto death was the penalty of sin, in lending you a helping hand to the heavenly kingdom, and will
so God’s ploviuion is thnt rcctitutwn rvcn unto lrfe 1s the rcmetlv. gladly loan you the “Bible Keys,” through the faithful and
As the penalty was world-wide through Adam, so the remedy prayerful use of which the Bible will become to you “a new
is to he worldwide through Christ :-an opportunitv for recon- book”-the best of all books.
ciliation to God has been secured for evrry~memher of Adam’s A L3NELY VOICE OF PROTEST AGAINST EVOLUTION AND
race hv the snrrifice of Christ. who did not cro to eternal tor- HIGHER CRITICISM HERESIES
ment for our sins, btcanso eternal torment was not the penalty The Chicago Record IIernZd recently &voted a column ar-
for sin; hut who’did pay the full penalty azainst Adam (and ticle to a farewell sermon of Rev. W. T. Eustcr at \Vheat!on M.
incidentallv against his race) in that “he dird for our sins” he E. Church, Evanston, Lid., e:,poqincr lhe rcli~lol~s ts>achln,r of
“died the just for the unjust.“--1 Cor. Ifi:.?; 1 Pet. 3:13. professors at “Garrett Biblical Institute” in that city, Follow-
“BELIEVE CN THE LORD JEXIS CHRIST AND THOU SHALT ing are some extracts.
BE SAVED” “What T say ahoct the resuits and influenec cf ‘l:i?hr1’ (I: ItI-
We agree to this: we are not areninp for a glorification of cism’ here in this field may startlr some, hut no on can
sinners : we are prepared to go with the Scriptures farther adeouatcly realize this without living here for seine lcnot,!l of
along this line than Dr. Hcnson may be willing to follow. We time: I have in my ministrv here taken every occasion to (adnvCr”r
hold that the above quoted words of the Apostle (Acts 16:31) and argue with every thcolr$cal student I conld get ncqunintrd
are meant to teach not only that none hut believers in Christ with. Many of them have lived on the same street with mc, and
can he saved, but t,hat, beyond believing, fuli conqrcration to the many have attended on my ministry. T hare askelI them nil
Lord is necrssary to eternal salvation-eternal life. Dare the sorts of questions. I have not found one who would say that
Doctor go so far and interpret this Scripture at its face value. he accepted the miracles of the Old Testament as drclare(l thcrr
rca1izin.g as he does so that it would cut off from salvation only four have I found in all this number who had enough faith
the vast majority of Baptists and of all other denominations of in the Bible as it is. to stand the test. of the discipline;
Christendom and the heathen world almost ent,irely? Dare any many of them I found Unitarian and infidel in belief; not one
do this, having in mind the “orthodox view” that all not saved could I find that would say that Jesus Christ knew more or as
now must spend eternitv with demons and in tortureo To their much about the Old Testament as some of these Unitarian
credit he it said that they cannot so apply this Scripture. To professors.
their credit he it noted that they hope there is some great “The saddest thing is the number of bright young men and
blunder somewhere, and that it will not come true as it seems women whose faith is utterly wrecked here each year. Many of
to them to teach. But their great danger is, that the adversary these voung men sav thev never would have taken any interest
will preiudice and blind them against the onlr interpretatlnn of in destructive criticism of the Bible had it not been forced upon
God’s Word which can harmonize the Bible and satisfy reason, them bv those who are employed to teach the doctrines of the
until they shall have rejected the Bible in toto, because viewed church.”
from their wrong standpoint its teachings must more and “It is sad, indeed, when young men come to the place where
more appear unreasonable, nonsense. they feel that modern infidel professors know more ahout the
“THERB IS NO OTHER NAME GIVEN UNDER HEAVEN AND Old Testament than did Jesus Christ! I have not been able
AMONGST MEN WHEREBY WE MUST BE SAVED” to find one theological student here that would contradict this.
Accepting this declaration as inspired and true, wherein is “I am not a pessimist. I believe God will bring order out
the hope for the world, not one-twentieth of whom have ever of this confusion, and that many of these preachers who go
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out of here Unitarian and infidel will be honest enough to step In reply to Dr. Herzl’s written statements on the subject the
out of the Methodist pulpits unless they can get back the faith sultan expressed sympathy with the Jews in their purpose and
and loyalty to the church which has educated them. named certain concessions which he would grant. These, how-
ever, did not meet the requirements of the Zionists.
ZIONISTS FAIL TO OBTAIN FROM THE SULTAN THE RIND OF Dr. Herzl says he still has hopes of being able to convince
CONCESSIONS IN PALESTINE THEY DESIRE the Porte of the beneficial results which would result from the
Vienna, Aug 7.-Dr Theodore Herzl, founder of the Zionist settlement of Jews in Palestine.
movement and head of the Palestine association and Dr. Wolff- This set-back is of course only a temporary one; prophecy
son, president of the Jewish colonial trust, have returned here must eventually be fulfilled. Jews are still (since 3892) de-
from Constantinople. They report that their conference with prived of permission to settle in the Holy Land, and may only
representatives of the sultan with reference to the proposed set- visit it by special permit for from 30 to 90 days. Ere long it
tlement of Zionists in Palestine has been without result. will be different.

TOUCHED WITH THE FEELING OF OUR INFIRMITIES

“For we 1uzLat.e
not am hqgh priest which cannot be touched un’th the feeling of our infimnitles; but one who was ti all points
tempted like as we are yet mithout sin.“-Heb. 4: 15.
While in this our judgment day we find great comfort in this of a more healthful sentiment on the part of thoughtful and
blessed assurance, realizing as we do our own weaknesses and well disposed people, and a greater realization on the part of
shortcomings and manifold temptations, we call to mind this many of the giant proportions and exceeding hatefulness of sin.
statement now for another purpose; viz., to remind the mem- We sympathize. too, with the demand of another class of
bers of the elect church of God who are to constitute the royal reformers for a single standard of virtue for men and women
priesthood of the new dispensation, that they, like their Lord alike-that tmblic sentiment should be no more lenient toward
and Head, must also be touched with the feeling of the world’s tbc sins of *men than toward the sins of women; and believe
Infirmities, else they would be totally unfit for so exalted and that a single standard of virtue, which would as completely
responsible a position. ostracize a guilty man from society as a guilty woman, would
In the royal priesthood of that age the world is to have be a safeguard to many a young man to whom the path & of vice
the same comfort in its priesthood that we in our present in- is made, alas! too easy. - -
firmities find in Christ. For this cause, chiefly, we apprehend We svmnathize with Law and Order Societies in their ef-
that the priesthood is chosen from among men-that redeemed forts to “en?orce laws, although their methods are not always
men who were once in the same plight with all the rest of hu- the wisest.
manity, being thus exalted to the divine nature with all its We have much sympathy with the Salvation Army in its
power to bless, might also, from their past experience and obser- attempts to rescue the submerged victims of the world’s selflsh-
vations while they were men amongst men, be qualified to be ness and wickedness.
very wise and merciful priests, knowing well how to deal with We are glad, too, to see the evidences of philanthropy ant1
the poor, sin-sick world; and that the world might find comfort moral reform in some heathen lands, though we know how
and consolation in t,he realization of such sympathy. necessarily feeble must be the resistance to the mighty waves of
Such being the mission of the church in the not far distant corruption against which they battle.
future, all who expect to be of its approved membership in And SO iith every good work and with every noble sentl-
glory should now be cultivating a broad and generous sympathy ment our hearts are and should be in accord: and we rejoice
for all their fellows of the “groaning rreation”-a sympathy with them over every victory they gain for righteousness ard
which considers the weaknesses and temptations-mental, moral truth, however small,-although we &-not with thYem on the ssme
and physical,-of fallen men, and which is ready to forgive and plane of endeavor: for God has niven us the hinher commission.
to help the repentant erring; a sympat,hy illustrated by the ?‘he priesthood m”y not despise”the Levi&, n;r eren the chil-
verse- dren of the camp. We rejoice that there are Levites-hewers
“A bending staff I would not break, of wood and drawers of water*, and that even in the world’s
A feeble faith I would not shake; great camp there are some who not only incline to righteous-
Nor even rudely pluck away ness, but who are bravely endeavoring to stem the overwhelm-
The error which some truth may stay, ing tide of evil. But we re]olCe mole in thaw fact that It ~111
Whose sudden loss might leave without erk long be our privilege to take hold of all these much needed
A shield against the shafts of doubt.” reforms with enerev and Dower. and nush them forward to glor-
ious success, when”in Go;l’s die tim; we shall be endued with
It is not enough that we know the truth and rejoice in hope power from on high.-Matt. 13:43; Gal. 3 :29.
of a future personal exaltation: we must not forget the very Dearly beloved of the consecrated household, let us not for-
object of that exaltation-the blessing of all the families of get to keep in touch with the groaning creation ; to sympathize
the earth-and the present duty of convformity to the word and with its sorrows and its woes; to realize its deep dperadation
examnle of our Lord. that thus bv his Word and Providence he and misery; to remember its frailties, its awful burden of
may &t us for the d;ties and honors to which he has called us. hereditary taints and consequent weaknesses; its present c’nrlron
Only by so doing can we make our calling and election sure. ments of ignorance and superstition; and its long established
If we turn our eyes to the pattern, we see in our Lord Jesus error of public sentiment; remembering that we too r,re still in
one who was deeply moved at the sight of human degradation, the sinful flesh, and that the motions of sin are still often pain-
moral and physical. So must it be with all his followers. We fully manifest in us, in some directions, at least, if not in many.
must be in sympathy with every impulse of the world which is And as the cries of the groaning creation come LID into the ears
toward righteousness and reformation of character and life; of the Lord of hosts (JG. 5:4)-with strong and i,athctlca plca(l-
we must rejoice at every movement that is made in this direc, inrr to his lovine heart. so let them come into our ears and gain
tion ; and our sympathies should go out toward all who are our sympathies, and qnu&n our zeal to co-opcrntr with 0111
laboring for the common uplifting as well as for all the op- Heavenly Father’s plan for the establishment of his kingdom of
pressed everywhere. And so we trust they do. We sympathize righteousness and peace.
with the temperance work and woul(l not hare one ahanclon the But let us bear in mind that a real pity for the world, a full
ranks of its laborers, except to engaqe in the higher work of sympathy with every good work of reform, and an active co-
thiq hprl-rit tilne. to which thr elrct. consecrated sons of God operation with God in the necessary Drcparation for our great
are now specially called. And we sap, God bless every truly f&are work, implv also that we h”avk n’o f~~llomhlp c-lth the
philanthrollic heart and hand that is trying to rescue the Iin- unfruitful works of clarkncys and that OIIT IIVCS 1)~ a ct:inrl:n;:
fortunate victims of strong drink! We would have all such go rebuke to them. “How,” says the Apostle, “shall we that are
on until the Master. nothing their zeal. where it snrings from dead tq sin live any lonycl- therrin? . . . . Our old man [our
love to him, shall say, “It ii enough; come up higier”oto the justified human nature] 1s crucified with Christ that the body
higher work, the harvesting or pathering together of his elect [organization1 of Sin miqht be destroyed, that hcncrforth we
from the four winds.-Matt. 24:31. should not serve Sin”-nor in any sense recognize Sin as our
We sympathize also with the social purity movement, which master. Rom. 6 : 2-6.
aims at the emancipation of woman and the elevation of man, It should be our constant effort, therefore, to seek to discern
and which eloquently appeals to the conscience of the present the course of righteousness on every question of moral obliga-
generation for the prenatal rights of the pet unborn genera- tion, and to see to it that our conduct, our sympathies and our
tions of the twentieth century-their right to be well born and influence, however small, are on the side of righteousness. In
bred-with as little of the taint of hereditary evil as the present this day of searching ludvcnt it should be observed that
generation can give. It, however, grapples with an evil EO deep- every principle of moral obligation is being brought forward
seated that little can be hoped for from it, except the creating l See “Tabernacle Shadows of Better Sacrifices”
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for searching examination. One cannot thoughtfully read the But right and truth must and shall prevail when our King-
daily press without observing this tendency of the times In dom has been established (Matt. 6:lO; Luke 12:32; 22:29),
which we live. No matter how long and firmly established have however feeble now may be the voices lifted in their defense.
been the old ideas, nothing can escape this scrutiny. And the Let our sentiments and our course of action always be noble
principles of righteousness are being boldly set forth-here on and pure, and on the right side of every suhJect that comes
one subject, and there on another; and that in defiance of the forward for ventilation and investigation; for we should be “a
thundering anathemas from all the old fortresses of sin, iniquity peculiar people, zealous of good works.“-Titus 2 : 14.
and superstition.

THAT I MAY KNOW HIM

[Reprint of poem in issue of December 1, 1894, which please see.]

A PROPHET LIKE MOSES

“Thus is of a truth that prophet that should come into the tuorld.“-John 6: 14.
Among the great ones of earth, Moses stands dut pre-eminent able to exercise a power over the affairs of others, in many
as a leatler, lawgiver and ruler. He reallv combined in him- cases does so, though not to the degree he has frequently gotten
self the thrke of&es, prophet, priest and k&g. As a king, the credit for, and certainly never in oDDosition to divine Dower. I
representative of the great King, Jehovah, he would be classed (5) A &armer-serpent charmers, -eic including also those
as an autocrat whose meekness and gentleness, nevertheless, who claim to be able to put spells upon beople and animals, to
protected those under his care against any arbitrary use of his tie magic knots, etc., by a power something akin to hynotlsm.
power and authority. Although Aaron was the high-priest (6 I (‘oniultcr* \vith f;lniillar hpirits A1nioilgit hpirltlii~listh to-
proper, yet in a still larger sense he performed his services day there are mediums who claim to have their special familiar
&cier, ant1 as representayive of Mospi-and the latter had spirit while others claim a general intercourse with the spirits.
equal privilege of going into the Holy and Most Holy, and (7) A wizard, one who claims to be wise in hidden or occult
joined with Aaron at the close of the atonement day in giving wisdom-possibly as some suggest, describing one who has
the atonement hlessmg to the people. As a prophet, or teacher general intercourse with the spirits as In contradistinction to
and lawgiver. he. under the instruction of the Lord. , was far one who has intercourse only with the “familiar spirit.” (8)
in advance, Got bnly of others of his time but, of the many A necromancer, one who professes to hold communion with the
who have &ought to-copy and to improve upon the laws which dead-as do the spirit mediums of today. Moses declared that
he laid down. In all of this. however. he was merelv a tvne all who take part in such proceedings -are an abomination to
of the great Prophet, Priest’ and Kidg whom God hurp&;?d the Lord and that the nations already inhabitatmg Canaan
should in due time, accomplish a still greater deliverance for a were being dispossessed and their land iiven to Israe!; in large
still mightier host to a still better kingdom of promise,-the measure because they had gone over to these doctrmes of devils
MillrnnFal kingtlom. Moses did not take the title of king or and communion with devils. The Israelites in this respects
priest, although the humhler title of prophet, teacher or repre- were to be perfectly free from everythlng of this klntl-were
sentative of God, represented also in his case the kingly and to obtain their information, not from fallen spirits personat-
priestly functions that we have seen. ing the dead or otherwise, hut from God through his appointed
Ry this time Israel had reached the borders of Palestine oracles, laws, commands, etc.
on the east of the river Jordan, and had conquered the Amorites We feel that we cannot too strongly impress upon spiritual
and the forces of Og, king of. Bashan,-famous in the Psalms, Israelites everywhere the necessity of having nothing whattbver to
-the giant of the noted iron bedstead. Moses. now one hun- do with the present day representatives of these evils. It is not
dred and twenty years old, heing forewarned ok the Lord that a light thing, therefore, for one who has heard the message
his mission was at an end and that because of his transgrcs- of the Lord on this subJect, to attend spiritualistic seances, to
sion in the matter of striking the rock the second time he visit a fortune-teller, or to practice or he practiced upon In any
could not enter into the land of promise, had called the manner by hypnotists, or any other representatives of Satan
Israelites to deliver to them a closing message-a valedictory, and the fallen angels and the black arts, or to use any of the
as it were. various implements of divination now in vogue, such as
Our lesson is a part of that valedictory address which, we planchets, etc. In olden times as well as now many of these
may presume, was delivered in the great teacher’s most im- villainies were practiced by the same individual, as for instance,
pressivcl style, and represented his most solicitous thought in the witch of Endor was also a necromancer. So stringent were
the Interests of the people in whose behalf he had sa&ficpd the laws of ancient times that not only the practitioners of
the honors of Egypt and for whom he had spent his life. these wrongs were condemned to death, but also those who
For forty years the people had been trained and dia- encouraged them by seeking their counsels, etc. Had it not
eiplined in the ways of the Lord, and yet their great leader been for these drastic laws no doubt Israel would have come
realized that they needed special guarding against the evils under these debasing influences to a much larger extent than it
which had degraded the people of Canaan;-the hesetments did, and would have been correspondingly degraded like the
of Satan, and the fallen angels oneratinp throueh human heathen nations whose worship is, as The Apostle declarcss,
agents n&l mediums. Wherever we &lay look, amonist all the divergent from the worship of God to the worshin of devils.
heathen nations, we find that the evil spirits have had much to and ‘their instructions instead of being from thd Lord are
do with the degradation of the human family. Operating along from devils, evil spirits., “seducing spirits.”
the lines of man’s natural and religious instincts, they have We have no heritatlnn whatever in saying that these evil
prrvcrted thrse to sensualities of various kinds and have spirits which ever since the flood have been seeking to gain
diverted his worship from God, sometimes directly to them- power over humanity through deceptions and through the
selves and devils, and sometimes to four-footed beasts and operation of various occult powers, have enticed them, be-
creeplng things and idols of wood and stone, as the Apostle witched them, broug!lt them under the influence of fear and
declare.-Rom. 1:23: Rev. 9:20; 1 Cor. 10:20. superstition, and into mental slavery so that they can be and
Those who investigate the matter will find no room, we are guided by falsrhood Instead of hy the truth. This IS
believe, to donht our statement that the fallen snirits are at one of the ways in which, as the Apostle states, “The got1
the hottom b of all the religious delusions of the morld,-their of this world blinded the minds of them which believeth
ability to decrive and mislead being correspondingly less in not,” and has hindered the light of the goodness of God in
proportion as the gospel of Christ has shined into a heart or the face of Jesus Christ from shining into the hearts of men.
a community or a nation.* As already intimated this same pow& is still at work even in
The great lawgiver enumerates here eight different forms of Christendom, operating througl; spiritism, theosophy, hyno-
spint-deception and miracle-working; (1) Divination, the re- tism and Christian Science-yea, and we helieve also oDerating
crivlng of information from occult sources, from the spirits by deceptively in some who claim ’ to be filled with, ani move;
lllt’9’1, c,t “,ll(‘llcI. nr:lc~ll~s vtc* (2) Aligiiry. the fiuino of Ii1ckv by the holy spirit, producing trance conditions, the vagaries
and unlucky periods and the observance of theFe which tends of the “Holy Rollers” and various unseemly things done by
to I,rinp thr mind into l)ontl:1~c~ to the evil hplrits .?t the people who mistakenly claim that they are filled with the holy
present time amongst many, Friday is considered an unlucky spirit, hut who are in fart, filled with and controlled hy the
day, as also certain stages of the moon. (3) An enchanter, one evil spirits,-for their works they do. Our Lord Jesus and the
ahle to exercise superior mental control, known today as a Apostles were filled with the holy Spirit and we may he sure
hypnotism. (4) A witch or sorcerer, one who claims to be that its character and its manifestations have not changed
l See pamphlet, “Proofs that Sprrrtism is Demoncsm.“-This office. since their day: we may he sure. therefore, that spirits that
130681
 (26%264)

caubc people to behave themselves unseemly are “lying spirits.” heard the thunderings, and felt the tremblmgs of the earth,
It was under the tcachmg of these evil spirits that the which Ieltresented the great tlmc of trouble In the end of this
people of Canaan first estalrllshed the valley of Hinnom as ape; then they cried out unto the Lord entreating that instead
a place of torture. This \alley outside the city of Jerusalem, 07 hlrectly cimmunicatmg mith them he would ao so through
now known m the Greek language as Gehenna, had erected m it Noses as mecliator. It was there that the Lord intlmatetl
a brass figure of thca god Xoloch which, being hollow was that in the lntroductlon of the antitgplcal hTem Covenant it
heated lntcnscly and then into its outstretched arms were oc- would be 111 the hands of a still greater Nedlator than Xoces,
caslonally placed children offtIred thus in sacrifice. God fore- -that great Prophet whom the Lord would raise up.
warned 111speople against this and every form of cruelty and Our Golden Text points us to the Nan Christ Jesus as this
also aeamst the evd spirits which would so seduce them and great Prophet! but the people who made this declaration did
perverT thclr mm& as- to lead them to such horrible and m- not fully ConiDrehend the situation. Had thev done so they
sane ulactlces and behefs. With Israel, therefore. this valley would n”ot a iew days after have crucified tl;e Lord. As a
Insteid of being a valley of sacrifice, became the symbol of matter of fact, Jesus in the flesh was not the great Prophet,
the second death m that It was made a crematory for the though his work in the sealing of the Kew Covenant with his
carcasses of dead animals, and for the bodies of certain vile blood at Calvary was necessary before he could be made alive
criminals not deemed worthy of honorable burial. Under the in the spirit-as the new creature, put to death m the flesh
Lord’s arrangement, however, no torture lvas permitted in this but cmickened in the spirit: put to death in weakness but raised
vallcv or elsewhere in Israrl-not the living, but the dead were in power; put to dea‘th in *dishonor, but raised in glory, put
con&med in it. to death in dishonor. but raised in zlorv. Dut to death in the
We are glad that we are living in a day when this Noloch flesh, an animal or h;man body, but yais”eh ‘a spiritual body on
torture is detested, a day in which civilized people, at least, a plane of glory, honor, immortahty. This great Prophet that
lank upnn all l li(.ll 1” .rc.tlc,e- \F It11 al)1101 renr~e : nr\ ertllelrqs. tllc God has promised is not a man, not of the human nature; but
evil spirits operating upon the higher plane to suit the higher IS the Lord of glory who has bought the whole world at the
conditions of the sruritual Israel, have introduced false doc- cost of his own lif-e and shortly Is to be its great Prophet,
trines among them-to such an extent that for centuries the Priest. and KmP. to lead. to direct. to rule, to correct. to uplift
‘I,

masses of Christendom hare attributed to the Almiehtv God of and to ultimately bring to perfection whosoever wills to 6e in
lore a character and disposition far worse than thar 0; Noloch. harmony with God-and the remainder will be cut off in the
These false theories have cast into the fire not only a few second death. The Apostle Peter brings out this feature of the
‘AVI tti~~t~h to \:rtl\t\, .J~Iov~I~I. Ilnt IMW ~natle tlw u-holr Iimnaii ultimate end of all who will not obey the great Prophet, in
famllv to occuuv this l>ositlon, to be subjects of eternal torture his discourse recorded in Acts 3:23, “It shall come to pass
-es&pt a conlparati& few nho with iincerity of heart and that every soul which will not hear [ohey] that Prophet, shall
faith and obetllence. lav hold unon Christ in this Dresent life and be destroyed from among the people”-the second death.
are thus saved fro’m in eter&ty of suffering.& This doctrine But still more wonderful than this is the divine plan: from
of devils was introduced amongst spiritual Israel during the the divine standpoint our glorified Lord Jesus is to he the Head,
DeriOtl which we denominate the dark apes: it finds no coun- and the faithful of his church are to constitute the members
ienance whatever in the Word of God, neither in the Law nor in of this great Prophet. The Lord God raised up our Lord
the prophets, nor in all the dissertations of the apostles of the Jesus as the Head of this Prophet more than eighteen cen-
New Testament : at very most it claims to base itself upon turies ago, and since then he has been finding amongst the
certain misunde;stood parables of our Lord and upon certain redeemed children of men, those who shall ultimately be
misunderstood symbolical figures of speech in the Apocalypse. counted worthy through him to be reckoned in as joint-heirs
Yet, so completely have the evil spirits done their work., that of the kingdom, members of the body of this great Prophet.
the masses of Christendom thoroughly believe that the Bible is Although in all a little flock, 144,000, the calling has been so
the authorltv and groundwork for that awful doctine of eternal special and the testing or approving and disciplinmq, so
torment,-&is Molocl~ cruelty ascribed to the God of love, and thorough, that it requires the entire Gospel aye to fin61 and
now that their minds are becoming emancipated so that they to perfect these members, and when all shall have been found,
can no longer believe such doctrines, they are disposed to and all shall have been raised up by first resurrection power
reject the cntlre Bible, the Word of the Lord, because they to glory, honor and immortality and joint-hcirship with their
think that it is the foundation for this awful, blasphemous er- Lorvd ayd Head, then the great Prophet shall hx6e come and
ror. Thus the fallen spirits again mislead many into new thpn lliq great work will be before him Thm n ill come
devices-Christian Science, Theoaophy, Spiritism, etc , anything, the deliverance of all who are God’s people, who lIesire to
erervthing to get thrm away from the simplicity, beauty and sacrifice to him, to worship him ant1 to be separate flom sin,
qrantleur of the divine Word and plan. all such will have an opportunity for deliverance and for lead-
THE ANTITYPICAL PROPHET mg and guidance intb- Millen&al Canaan under thla great
Having thus forewarned the people, Noses reminds them Pronhet. Praise God on behalf of the world for such a
that he is only a type of the greater Prophet whom the Lord plorLious outlook! praise God for the privilege of our present
had previously promised. The previous promise was at Mt. idlessings of invitation and opportunity to ‘bccomc &ntlfied
Sinai in Horeb, when God typically represented the giving of with this great Pronhet. bv faithfulness to him who bought
the New Covenant and when the people saw the lightnings, us with his own p&o,& 6i00df

STRIVING LAWFULLY
“No soldier on sert’tcc entangleth himself in the affairs of this lzfc, that hc may pleosc him who rnrollcd hon as a soldier.
Arrd cllso if a mn,n contend 211 the games, h,e is not crowned cxccpt he hwze contended latnfzcllr~.” “Know ye not
that thy ~110 HUH vn a race all run, but one recetveth tht prizep So run that ylc may obtain. iind wery
man that strlreth for the mastery is temperate irt all thin,qs. Row the!/ do It to obtuln a corrupti-
ble WOWN; but WC an irvzorruptlble CTOIC‘N..I, thercforc, so r(Ln. not as uncerto~nly : so fight
I, not as one beatcth the air: but I keep my body under and brang zt 2nto sub-
jcctlon, lest that by any means, when I have preochcd to others, I myself
should be a castaway.” 2 Tim. 2~4, 5; 1 Cor. 9:24-2’7.
These earnest exhortations of the faithful Apostle to the rnltt 1ng our niin<lq to clwell upon theqc we WI lli 111~ l!nW
Gentiles Rere most clearly illustrated in his noble course of life. rapidly approaching dawn of the day of Christ a n(‘w hcavenq
He shunned no danger, shrank from no labor or reproach or and a new earth; and by faith we sit togc,ther with (‘hrlst In
privation, anal bravely and cheerfully enduretl hardness and the heavrnly places of glory and honor, and togcthcr n-It11 him
suffered the loss of all thing temporal that he might win Christ are crowned with immortality. By faith we see also the blessed
and be approved of him. As we look upon such a course and privileges of such all exaltell station. and thcl divmcXly appointed
consider the fortitude and the strength of character necessary work In which we will he engaged to&ier with Chri\t.
so to rnn. we mnv well conclulle, that, except WC’ he slmilarl,v A weary, groaning crcatlon amalts our ministry of power;
supplied with the help of divine grace, we shall not be al)lc to an<1In thtl ~*ro~~ortlon that we partake, nf the loving, pltlflll s;)lrit
pcrsrycre to the tn~l. of our Master will we be al)lc to appreciate such a pfivilcge.
Paul spetl aIonS In that race, not in his on-n strength, hut If we arc cold ant1 s~~lfi+ and untouchctl with the feeling of
in the strc,neth which Got1 sllilplicd. And the promise of such earth’s lnfirmitlcs; if the woes of our fellow-men awaken in US
aid is none the le<q ours than It waq his. The divine grace IS no ft,elillps nf 5vrrip:llhv ant1 of tlw~rr to llclp, vc can ll:lVc~ 110
imparted to us through the exceeding great and precious nppreclation of the prize of our high calling. But if, on the
promises of Got1 insljlring us with new and glorious hopes l)e- contrary, we lcve our fellow-men as God and Christ loved them;
yond the wreck and ruin of the present order of things. Per- if we pity their weakness and remember the hereditary cause,
I \*--3 1 C30691
(264-265) ZION’S WATCH
we will lay not all their sins and short-comings to their personal
charge. We will be anxious to clear their minds from the mists
of ignorance and superstltlon and the bias of preJudices; and
to help them to more rational modes of thought and action, and
to better Itleas of life and its relationships and responslbilitles.
We will seek to gather out of their pathway all the stumbling
stones whereby so many are now precipitated into a course of
vice; and to cast up a highway of holiness upon which no lion
of intemperance or other evil thing may be found. We will be
ready to declare to them all the everlasting gospel of salva-
tion, and to open their deaf ears to hear and their blmd eyes to
see the salvation of God. If such are our sympathies toward
the worhl of sinners which God so loved, then we are able to
appreciate to some extent the privileges of our high calling,
when. as ioint-heirs with Christ in His klnndom and Dower. we
shall’bc able to put into actual executlog all our ienevdlent
desires for the upllfllng and healing of our sin-sick world.
Any who have ever experienced the joy of convertmr: even
one saner from the error of his ways, or of establishing the feet
of one of (‘hrist’s little ones, mav hare some idea of the JOY
that will attend the ministry of the saints when they are fully
endued with tllvinc power for the great work of their Millen-
nial reign; for they ~111 not Fe hampered as now, but every
effort vut forth will 1;e a success.
ThS privilege of such a I;lessetl wor& even aside from the
nrcclous thoueht of assocmtion with Christ and of our blessed
L
relatinnship to the Father is a wonderful inspiration to every
benevolrnt heart which, even now, would fam take upon itself
the burdens which it sees oppressing others whom they love
and pity.
I!nt though ilspirctl with such a hope of benevolent service
for the whole world in God’s appointed time, and of blessed as-
eociation with Cbrlst in it, wc must remember that we have yet
to “strive” for the prize of our high calling; and not only so,
but we must strive “lawfully.” We must run our race, not only
with diligrxnee, energy, patience ant1 perseverancae, but we must
run according to the prescribed rules, as otherwise our labor
will l#e in vain. First-of all we must knter into this course by
the “strait r~at(~“-bv a full consecration of our all to the Lord.
after exercising fallh in the precious blood of Chllst as our
ransom price. If we do not enter by this door, WC’ are not
counted in the race for the prize, no matter how zealously we
run. This 1s the first rule for those who would so run as to
obtain. “Enter ye at the strait gate; . . . . because strait is
the gate and narrow is the way that leadeth unto life, and few
that be that find it.”
THE CLAIMS OF LOVE
There is nothing more necessary to the peace and pros-
perity of the church of God than that its members should have
i clear understanding and appreciation of moral principles, with
a full determination to be controlled by them. Even among
Christians there are often differences of opinion, with reference
to principles of action, which greatly interfere with spiritual
growth and prosperty. Such difficulties most freqncntly arise
through a failure to rightly distinpish between the relative
claims of love and justice. Therefore we deem it profitable
brirflv to consider these principles and the operation among the
children of God.
Justice is sometimes represented by a pair of evenly poised
balances, and sometimes by the square and compass, both of
which are fitting emblems of its character. Justlee knows no
compromise anci~no deviation from its fixed rule of action. It
is mathematically precise. It gives nothing, over for “qood
weight” or “good measure :” there is no grace in it, no heart,
no lorr, no sympathy, no favor of any kind. It is the cold, cll-
eulating. exact measures of truth and righteousness. When ius-
tire is’clone, there is no thanks due to’ the one who metes it
out: such a one has only done a dutl/, the nrqlect of which
would have been culnahlc, and the doing of which merits no
favor or praise. And yet,‘cold, firm and relentless as this prin-
cinle is. it is declared to he the verv fouridation of God’s
&one. ’ It is the principle which underlies all his dealings with
all his crentures: it iq his unchanngeablr buazness prznciple.
And how firmly he ndhpres to it is manifest to everv one RC-
quaintcd with the plan of salvation, the first step of which WRS
to satisfv the claims of justice against our race. Though it
coct the lifp of his only begotten and well beloved Son to do
this SO importnnt wns this principle that he freely gave him
up for us all-to satisfy its legal claims against us
The principle of love, unlike that of justice, overflows with
tenderness and longs to bless. It is full of .rrra,‘e, and de-
liphts in the hestowment of favor. Tt is manifcsk, hnwev>r.
ihat no action can ha regarded as a favor or a manifestation of
r30701
TOWER ALLEGHENY. PA.
Having so entered, the Apostle now urges that we be filled
with the Spirit of Christ, that we may not be led by the desires
of the flesh away from God and from the course which he has
marked out. Then the body, the human nature, must be kept
under the control of the new mind, the Spirit of Christ in us.
Its ambitions and hopes and desires must be kept down: and
the only way to do this is to keep filled with the spirit. “Walk
in the spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the desires of the flesh.“-
Gal. 5:16.
If we are filled with the spirit-with the same mind that
was in Jesus Christ-we will act from the same motives: it will
be our meat and drink to do the Fathrr’s will. We will engage
in his work because we love to do it, even aside from the inspir-
ing Drize at the end of our course. Christ was so full of svm-
pa?h:v with hnmamtv, and so thoroughly of one mind with “the
Father, that be could not do otherwise than to devote his life to
the good of others. Yet in all his labors he strictlv observed
the &vine plan. Though, likr the Father, he loved the whole
world. he did not go beyond Israel to bless the Gentiles with his
mimstry, because ‘ihe appointed time for that work had not yet
come.
He observed God’s times and seasons and methods. He
never recklessly exposed his life until from the prophets he
recognized that his hour had come to he delivered into the
hands of his enemies. He taught his disciples not to go into
the way of the Gentiles until the dce time; and then he sent
them forth. He did not make long prayers on the street cor-
ners to be heard of men, nor exhort the multitude with noisy
harangue; as the prophet indicated. he did not lift UD his voice
nor cry &loud in the streets. (Isa. 42 :2) He c$osp God’s
methods which are rational and wise. and which are effective in
selectinq out from among men the class which hc desires to he
heirs of th- promised kingdom. Let those who wonld so run
as to obtain the prize, mark these footnrints of the Master. and
be filled more an2 moie with his spirit:
If so fil!ed with the same mind that was in Christ Jrsns. we.
like him, will desire to be as free as possible from entanilins
earthly affairs, and to have our time as free zs posshle for the
Lord’s sprvice, and then to devote all energy, ahility and effort
to that service.
To have the mind of Christ is indeed the one requirement of
lawful striving-a mind which humbly and faithfully submits it-
self to the will of Go11 as expressed in his great plan of the arreg,
and which devotes all energy to the accomplishment of his will,
because of an intelligent appreciation of the ends he has iu
view.
AND JUSTICE
love, which has not underneath it the substantial foundation of
justice. Thus, for instance, if one comes to you with a gift,
and at the same time disregards a just debt to you, thn gift
falls far short of appreciation as an expression of IOVP; and
you say, We should be just before we attempt t? ho generous.
And this is right: if justice is the foundation prll~ciplc in
all of God’s dealings, it should be in ours also; ant1 none the
less so among brethren in Christ than among those of the world.
As brethren in Christ, we have no right to presume upon tho
favor of one another. All that we have a right to cZal?n from
one another is simple just&-justice in the pngment of our
honest debts to each other, justlee in our judgment one of an-
other (which must make due allowance for frailties, etc., be-
cause we realize in ourselves some measure of similar imper-
fection), and justice in fair and friendly treatment one of an-
other. This is all we have any right tb clazm; and we must
also bear in mind that while we have a rinht to claim this for
ourselves from others, we are just as full; obligated to render
the same to them.
But while we mu/ claim. justice-though there is no obliqs-
tion to demand it for ourselves, and we may if we chooce even
suffer injustice uncomplainingly-we must, if we am Christ’s,
render it. In other words, we are not responsible for the ac-
tions of others in these respects, but we are rrsponsiblc for
our own. $nd, therefore, we must see to it that all our actions
are squared by the exact rule of justice, before we ever present
a single act as an expression of love.
The principle of love is not an exact principle to be
measured and weighed like that of justice. It ir: three-fold
in its character, being pitiful. svmpathetic or reverential, ac-
cording to the object upon which it is eentered. The love of
pity is the lowest form of love: it takes coP;nizance of rven the
vile and degraded, and is active in mrasures of relief The love
of sympathy rise:! hiphcr, and proffers fellowship. Rut the love
of reverence rises ahovc all these, and delights in the co11
templation of the good, the pure and the beautiful. In this
SEPTEMBER
1, 1902 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (266-269)

latter sense we may indeed love God supremely, as the personifi-
atlon of all that 1s truly worthy of admiration and reverence,
and our fellow men m proportion as they bear his likeness.
Although we owe to every man the duty of love in some
one of these sense:, we may not demand it one of another, as
we may the principle of justice, for love is the overflow of
justice. Justice fills the measure full, but love shakes it,
presses it down, heaps it up and overflows justice. It is there-
fore something not to be demanded, nor its lack to be com-
plained of, but to be gratefully appreciated as a favor and to
be generously reciprocated. Every one who craves it at all
should crave it in its highest sense-the sense of admiration and
reverence. But this sort of love is the most costly, and the only
way to secure it is to manifest that nobility of character which
calls it forth from others who are truly noble.
The love of sympathy and fellowship is also very precious;
but, if it come merely in response to a demand, it comes robted
of its choicest aroma: therefore never demand it, but rather
by manifestation of it toward others court its reciprocation.
The love of pity is not called out by the nobility of the
subject, but rather by the nobility of the bestower, who is SO
full of the principle of love that it overflows in its generous
impulses toward even the unworthy. All of the objects of pity
are not, however, unworthy of love in the higher senses; and
some such often (Iraw upon our love in all the sc’nses.
To demand love’s overflow of blessing-which is beyond the
claims of justl(*(B--14 only nn rxhibition of covetousness. We
may act on this principle of love ourselves, but we may not
claim it from others. The reverse of this exhibits a manifest
lack of lo\r and a considerable nleaTure of selfishness.
Thus, for instance, two of the Lord’s children were once
rooming together and, through a failure to rightly consider the
relative claims of lore and justice, one presumed upon the
brotherly love of the other to the extent of expecting him to
pay the entire rent; and when the other urged the claims of jus-
tice, he pushed the claim of brotherly love, and the former
reluctantly yielded to it, not knowing how to refute the
claim, yet feeling that somehow some Chrlstlans had less
principle than many worldly people. How strange that any of
God’s children should take so narrow and one-sided a view!
Cannot all see that love and justice should work both ways and
that it is the busmess of each not to oversee others III these
respects, but to look well to his own course, and, if he would
teach others, let it be rather by example than by precepts
Let us beware of a disposition to covetousness, and let each
remember that he is steward over his own goods, and not over
his neighbor’s, and that each is accountable to the Lord, and
not to his brother, for the right use of that which the Master
has entrusted to him. There is nothing much more unlovely
and unbecoming to the children of God than a dlsnosition to
petty criticismuof the indivdual affairs of one anotlher. It is
a business too small for the saints, and manifests a sad lack
of that brotherly love which should be specially manifest in
broad and generous consideration, which would rather cover a
multitude of sins than magnify one.
May love and justice find their proper and relative places
in the hearts of all of God’s people, that so the enemy may have
no occasion to glory! The Psalmist says, “Oh, how love I thy
law [the law of love, whose foundation is justice] ! it is my
meditation all the day.” (Psa. 119:97) Surely, if it were the
constant meditation of all, there would be fewer and less
glaring mistakes than we often see. Let us watch and be sober,
that the enemy may not gain an advantage over us.

LOVE OF GOD IN MOUTH AND HEART

DEUT. 11: 20.~SEPTEMBER 14.
In his valedictory Moses proceeded to rehearse to Israel of the spiritual Israelite now, beforehand, by the exercise
the Law of the Lord in full. recitinp the blessings that would of faith to realize in himself acceptance with God, justlfica-
come from obedience to this’ law, a;d the cursecwhich would tion by faith; to realize further that the merit of Christ
surely follow a disobedient course. He even proceeded to covering all his imperfections, which are not of the heart, con-
prophesy, and in the same chapter, in verses preceding our tinues him in this iustified relationshin with God. notwithstand-
lesson, he points out that Israel would experience both the ing the imperfe&ns of his flesh and his works-for we “are
blessings and the curses, and that as a result they would not under the law hut under grace.” To those who can now
ultimately be scattered throughout the earth, but that God, in exercise the faith, all the blessings that will come to the world
infinite mercy, would remember them and finally bring them in the Millennial age are possible-and more. To such these
back to himself, and clrcumclse their hearts, a type of which greater blessings are not hidden, but may be seen with the
( 11~‘um(*ision they alrt,atly had iii the flesh --Compare loom. eye of faith. To such they are not far off-pertaining to
11:25-30. another age-but are possibl”lities of the present time, thriugh
Here the words of our lesson come in and seem to apply the oneration of faith.
I
Such. havln-rr the ear of faith. are not
c7

specially to Israel restored under the new conditions of grace.
&en tile most faithful under the law were obliged continually
to say. “0 wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver
me from this death-condemnation” in which I am, under this
law%--Behold the Law of God is just and good and right,
and I anurove the same with my heart, but am unable to
comply 6&h its conditions hecause of weakness,-death work-
ine in mv mortal bodv! The time of Israel’s return to di-
vine favor at the close of the Gospel age is the period men-
tioned by the Lord through the Prop&t JeremAh; saying,
“After those davs. saith the Lord. I will nut mv law in their
inward parts, and’ write it in their hear&; and* will be their
God, and they shall be my people; and they shall teach no
more evrrv mau his neighbor and every man his brother,
saying. Know the Lord, for they shall ali know me, from the
least of them unto the _oreatest of them. saith the Lord. for I
will forgive their iniqiity, and I will remember their sin
no more:“-Jer. 31:33, 34.
Under that blessed arrangement of the New Covrnant,
established in the hands of the greater Mediator, the Christ,
the great Prophet, the desires and intentions of the heart, ac-
companied with the best endeavors of the flesh, will be ac-
cepted, even the the latter be imperfect for a time, and require
the blessed influences of the %imes of restitutidn” to dring
them to perfrctinn. nIose5 prophecy look5 c1ow11to t!tis timr,
gl,1\p+ tlicl iirw l itllatloil. <rc”1 Tsl;r~l turned to t,hr Lord with
new hearts, enabled to keep his Law perfectly; it will not
be too difficult for them. hut new and Dlain and nossible.
That this is the proper thought td be attacied to this
prophecy of Moses, is shown by the Apostle Paul. (Rom. 10:
4-10) He annlies thrsc words to the Church durina this Gosael
age,‘as in cbitrast to the conditions of the Jewish age, which
had iust closed. The Gosnel church enters into the nrivilepes
”
and opportunities of the& *New Covenant now, in’&di&e
of TRrael and the world in general. It is the privilege
* See Jane 15, 1919, issue for critical examination of Covenants.
[3071]
saying, We cannot know the mind of the Lord, for h; is afar
off in heaven; who shall bring LIS a clear, tlcfinlte statemclnt of
his ~111, Thc5e alrratlv lid\(. tlicb 1 rirrlnrntluli ot tllc tliui~icb
will in the person of Christ, in his teachings, personally and
through the apostles. Neither ~111 such say, Christ indecld has
come, has died, has gone into the sleep of death; who shall
now bring him forth that he may lnstrllct ~1s" For with the
same eye and ear of faith they both hrar and see that he is
no longer dead, but XI risen, glorified, empowered of the
Father, and that he ever lives to be the blcsscr and High-
priest Por all those who approach the Father thron~h him. -
What then is this message which ran thus he hear11 with
the ear and recognizcxd by t’hc eye of faith? The prophet as
well as the Apostle declares that it is possible for LIS to have
this salvation, an ever-present power within US, in ollr hearts
and in our mouths. The Apostle d~~clares that this which
Moses prophesied is the Gospel which he preach@1 which we
have received ; viz., the confession of the Lord with our
mouths and faith IG him in our hearts.
It is noteworthy that both the Prophet Moses and the
Apostle Paul state the matter in the same manner; first,
the confession with the mouth; second, the belief in the
heart. This form of statement is nrohablv not of accident.
either. The confession with the mbuth 1s” the first outward
evidence given of a faith in the heart; and indeed it seems to
be a part of the divine arrangement that all confession of
the truth is necessary to a full appreciation of it. True we
cannot properly confess what we do not helleve hence a be-
lief must have precedence to a confession: but the confes-
sion is nccesqary- to the expanding, enlargixig and completing
of faith in the heart. Whoever thinks that the lieht he has
recrived in his heart can be maintained without a public con-
fession of it is deceived, and hence it is declared, “With the
heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth
confession is made unto salvation.” The righteousness started
by faith cannot go on and reach the completion which will
;270-271) ZION’S WATCH
mean eternal salvation, unless it be accompanied by acts of
faith. most nrominent of which is the confesslon of the lips.
$e would like to imnress this feature of the divine tr&h
upon all of the Lord’s dear people everywhere, realizing that
many are weak, puny, sickly, in their spiritual health, be-
cause of their failure to follow the Lord’s direction-to de-
clare courageously-and as wisely and lovingly as possible-
what great things the Lord hath done for our souls. It is not
sufficient that we confess the first blessing received, tho that
IS necessary before we can receive addi&nal blesiing. But
each bless&g as received should be promptly confessed, to
the praise of him who has called 77s out of darkness into his
marvelous light. This is the law of spiritual development.
This is the commantl to the snlritual Israelite. If he is not
obedient, that which was night; in his heart and in his mouth,
will ere long become far off to him;-the eye of his under-
standinp ml11 cease to see clearly: the ear of faith will cease
to distgguish plainly and he &l gradually go further and
further away from the glorious privileges which are ours, as
new creatures In Christ under the New Covenant.
LIFE AND GOOD; DEAi'H AND EVIL
To Spiritual Israelites, who have been begotten of the
spirit, adoDtcd into the family of sons of God, and made
l&osp&tiveL Joint-heirs with Jesus Christ thclr Lord, the mes-
sage is the same that it will be during the Millennial age to
tho world of mankind; viz., choose life or death. Thank God
we have gotten free from that horrible doctrine of Moloch
which llervertlurr the slain Wortl of God. would declare to 77s
that G&l has set befo;o us eternal blessink or eternal torment!
Not so; his Word is most explicit; the rewards are life or
death. Thus our Lord positively announced, “He that hat11
the Son hath life; he that bath not the Son shall not see
life”-and those not seeing life, of course could not experience
eternal torment. Nevertheless, this proposition of life or death
1s a very serious one; much more potent in its influence than
nnv other, heca7me we can believe it; because we can see its
rcazonablencss. How reasonable it is that God should declare
to his spiritual Israel of this Gospel age that if, after they
come to know him, taste of his good Wortl, experience the
power of the age to come; after thry had the eyes of their
nnderstanding opened; after they have heard, seen, appreciated,
the divine nlan--lf after all this they do not love the Lord
their God, &d trust him in their heafts, and sufficiently, too,
to confess him with their mouths, they are unworthy of eternal
1)lessing which he has to give-their lack of appreciation of
divine mercy means their unworthiness of life!
How re~zonable, too, is this declaration as respects the
world of mankind during the Millennial ape! Life and death
will be the alternatives szt before them al6 The great Prophet,
the Christ, Head and body, az representative of the Father
and of his Law, will make matters very clear, very plain, to
all tho+e who, whe77 thev know the Lord’s goodness, have any
tlesirc. or npprcciation thereof. n77t they, too, mu& learn tb
:~cknn\rlrtlcrc the Lortl in thtir lives. in their hearts. and to
confess hi;;1 with their mouths, else they ~111 be unworthy of
the f77t717elife. The tllffercncc ‘rjetwcen the two classes,-we of
the C:oqr~el arc. thrv of the Millennial
I
age,-will not 1 c as re-
spc( ts the q77est7on of life and death. The l”nalty in either case
\I 1111)~ serontl tl(>atlr : the rewartl in either caqe will be eternal
life. The (lifi’crrnee 7n the re~~nrd ~111 1)~ that the faithfill over-
(‘orners of spirit77al Israel will be granted joint-heirship with
their Lord on a higher plane of life, sharing with him his
glory, lionor, immortality; while the faithful of the world,
tho hlessecl in lower degree with a r&oratlon of human per-
fection ant1 life. will, nevertheless, be blessed fully and com-
pletely up to their very highest ability to appreciate and
desire.
The rssence of this command, now applicable to the Gospel
church, by and by to be applicable to restored Israel and
all who, nndrr the favorable rontlitions of that Millenmal ane,
will be accepted as the children of Abraham, is the law of love.
“I command thee this day to observe the Law of the Lord
thy God, to walk in his ways and keep his statutes, and his
cornmandmcnts and his andgmrnts.” lt is his correct thouaht
that love to God must be from the hcnrt.--voluntarilv, in order
to be of the kind which he desires and will appreciate. “He
seeketh such to worship Him as worship Him in spirit and in
truth.” Why, then, does Moses say, “I command you”? Why
does the Lord command love, through the Prophet, since a
commanded love would not come up to the standard
roluntary love?
We answer that the Lord sets before us the standard of
love necessary to be attained if we would enjoy the blessings
which he purposes to give. He commands, in the sense of
laying before us plainly and distinctly His only terms for life
[30721
TOWER ALLEGHENY, PA.
eternal. As previously pointed out, love is a matter of develop-
ment and begins with a kind of duty love, which gradually
growing out as we grow in grace and in knowledge, expands
into gratitude, then Into admiration, and finally ridding itself
of all dross and selfishness, becomes pure and fervent love.
The Lord IS pleased if In our hearts he sees this endeavor to
approach in truth the way of life which he has opened through
the death of his Son. He is pleased to note our expansion
and development under the light of his favor. He is pleased
to grant us the covering of the Lord Jesus’ merit, and to
reckon to us perfection, and to adopt us from the very begin-
ning of our love and consecration; and he will be’ pleased
when we have finished our course, when we have attained the
mark, when we have come up to the standard he has set-
perfect love-to grant us the blessing of life eternal, which
He cannot grant upon any other condition.
These things, really intended for spiritual Israelites, were
spoken to natural Israel, as were all the prophecies of the
Old Testament. Hearing,._. Israel heard but did not understand,
as now it IS o7lr privilege to understand, heca77sclWC are of the
“house of sons.” adopted and begotten of the spirit ; whclreas they
were of the ‘“house of serv&ts,” for “Mises verily, as &
servant, was faithful over al’l his house; but Christ as a
son, over his own house, whose honse are we, if we hold fast
the beginning of o77r confidence firm unto the end.” To the
extent that any natural Israelite comprehended even in part
this law of love, and endeavored to grasp it, in that proportion
he was blessed, notwithstanding the fact that he was under
the law and hound by the law, and thns a servant and unable
to become a Son. We set noljle dlnstratlons of those faithfnl
ones of the past, In Moses himself, Joshua, Caleb, Samnel,
David. and all the DrODhetS. whose faithfulness the ADostIe
records, as having been pleaiinp to God, and who shall- have
correspbntling re$ards, &ho they w711 not have the reward
that IS nromised to the church-“they without us shall not
he madeA perfect.“-Heb. 11:39, 40. -
In the closing words of this grand oration, the Prophet
rautloned his brethren again concerning any disposition to
lrave the 1,ortl and accept illstead other gads. 17is words arc
rspecially applicahlr to spiritual Israelites, ant1 wc do well
to give thrm earnest heed. We are alrea~ly 1)~ faith 7’7
this blessed condition : we have heard the words of ctcrnal
life. We alrradv harr entered the Canaan-rest contiitinn 1)~
faith in o77r Lord. We therefore, are in danger from heset-
ments of our own flesh and from the hesetmenta of sin
ahonnding and from the adversary-in danger of making other
gods, and turning our hearts away from the proper ccntcr of
their affections. either to the gnd of wenlth or thtb pot1 of
fame or the lesser gods of the family circle and home, or to
the most ignoble of all, self. We arc not to be drawn away
by any of these from our lovalty to God, nor to wnclw xwrdtll~
or service in any sense to any of these. To do PO wonld
mean to tnrn away from the hopes and joys and blessings now
ours. To resist these temptations, and to abldc in the Lord’s
favor, on the other hand, will mean to tontinne in the joys
and blessings and rest of our present state and grace. Thus
the Lord sets hefore 71s the blessings and the c77rscs, the ad-
vantages and the disadvantages, the right COIII’SC and the
wrong course, life and death.
Our choosing of life and blessing and righteo7jsncss and
God are not mcrclv the choice of a moment; the dailv trials
and testings of life prove whom we love and whom we serve.
Let 773 examine our hearts and o77r dailv course, of life. and
note for what we are spending life’s enerqics. what fills n77r
affections, what “satisfies our longings as nothing rlse ronld
do.” To the extent that we find the Lord the center of o77r
lives, o77r hopes, our aims, and his will the ruling law in every
affair of life, in that same proportion we find joy and ppace
and blessing and growth spiritually. If we thus, under present
conditions and trials and oppositions of the world, thr flesh
and the devil, scparatc from them and cleave to tl7cl T,o~tl. we
are choosing the better part, the part of blessing, choosing
life, and we shall live and shall inherit the goodly land of
promise, the Millennial Canaan, and there bc joint-participators
with our Master in bringing God’s promised blessing to the
world, that they also may hear and know and obey his voice,
and cleave to him and thus have life, and inherit the other,
the rarthly, features of the Abrahamic blessing.
Our Golden Text is quite appropriate to this lesson. It
of is in vain that we say we love the Lord if we do not seek to
do those things pleasing in his sight. He is not seeking
those who merely give outward allegiance, hut those who at
heart love him and his righteous arrangements. Re is satisfied,
Indeed, to accept us at the beginning, largely upon our profez-
s7ons of faith and devotion, under the robe of Christ’s right-
SEPTEMBER
1, 1903 Z I 0 hT ‘S TVA T C N 1‘ 0 TV E R (275-276)

eousness, knowing that in our ilnperfect development rre could and only by abiding 177 his lore can we hope to attain the
not love perfectly; b77t he expects 77s to grow 7n grace. linowl- glorious thmgs which he has in reserration only for those who
edge and love, and only by so doing can we abide in his love, love him.
-__ -___~--.
YOL. XXIII ALLEGHENY, PA., SEPTEMBER 15, l!W No. G
-

VIEWS FROM THE WATCH TOWER

“THERE WERE GIANTS IN THOSE DAYS” to detect iiifi177te wikdom iitting at a17v of the coal presideut-’
Recently W. F. Clarke, of Wilkesbn7re, Pa., addressed t0 desks, but doubtless they were mistaken. In their blindncsy
President Baer of the Rending R. R.. annealing to him 077 they have said it was the duty of the operators to operati:
religious grounds to end tl<G anth<aci& coal-strike Mr. that they should either meet their me71 half-way and settle
Baer’s reply, which has excited general criticism, follows.- the difficulty, or, under the protection of the State, put other
“Xv dear Mr. Claik : I hare vour letter of the 1Gth inst. 1nen to work and mine coal. Thev 17arc had ‘1 notion that
“I 30 770t k17ow who ~077 are- 1 see that YOU are a re- c:nd nut the cod in the earth tu f77;mish heat for men’s needs,
linious man. but vou nrb evidently biased in’ favor of the and thought there was some slip in the cog3 of the universe
right of the workingman to control n business in which he wlrcn they could not b77y coal because Prci7tlent Baer, God’*
has no other 7nte7clst than to secure fair wages for the work riccgerent at the mines, wonld not n’ork tl7c777. But if it 7s
lir doe=. a part of the divine order that we shoultl all pay $10 a to77
“I beg of ~OII 17ot to be discouraged. The rights and in- till the surplns stock is worked off, so let 7t lx. Only WC
terests of the laboring man will be’ protected and cared for sl7nnld like to ask a q77estion or two. Brc the coal operator-
-not bv the labor agitators, hut br the Cllristian men to inf,7117blr indiridnally, or only when they arc gathered to.
whom eocl in His ingnite wisdom l;as given the control of gt’tl7cr. like a ch77rcl7 co77nci1, ab077t an office ta1ble to fix 7ates
the property interests of the coantry, and 77pnn the SIICWSS- and say wlint carli ietailer must sell his coal for on pai of
f771 177nna~c117entof ~~177~11 sn m77ci7 depends. Do not be dis- hnri17x 17is God-given s77pply c77t off? n’as tl7c agrecn7e17t of
couragrtl.c fray ear77estly tl7at 7igl7t -may tliumph, always two vears ago, wliicl7 the operators say xvi75 s0 unw7sr 2lltl
remc7nl*7 inr that the Lord Got1 on7r7:~mtent still reign\. c and 11;~s1~iatlc so rnuc~li trouble. also dictatc~tl 11~ inlinite wisdoiu””
that 1114 tc~ig11 i< one of law ant1 order, i117d riot of ciolence The Xew York .I1,7clxcnl~ a)7tZ t7011rtru2, always estrcnicl)
and cri771e. “Wn77rs triily, r,.777>tic in leferring to labor troubles, ant1 evidently predis-
“GEORGE F. BAER, Presitlent ” l~~-o<l to score the \vcalthr to the c\trenic+t lim7t. 77srs the toI-
Sow that the nn1lcl is passing 71nder the dominion of the 10~ in: very scre1e lnllgllnge :-
“cria77tS” (tr77sts. combines. etc.). it should not surprise 71s
THE ASTOUNDING BLASPHEMY OF A MODERN PIRATE
t; find the clai17; adranceci that’ these are of divine creation
nn(l 17are tliv7nc rights. Mr. Baer’s view is not hypocritical, “ ‘The riglits and interests of the laboring man,’ writcy
in o77r opinion; hut is the reT71lt of failure to discern that l’~(+ident Baer, of the Philadelphia & Reading Railway Conl-
Snta17 is tl7e “p75ncr of this world” or dispensation, who under pan?, to a correspondent who appealed to hi777 a9 a Christian
17ih law of selfishness is prrmittrd of God to “deceive the whole to end the coal strike, ‘will be prntectetl and cared for, not
world :” in order that eventually all mar see to what lengths 11~the labor anitatory. b77t bv the Chlietian men to T\~OIU Got1
qelfishnc;q woiild lcatl-77ltimatc~lv wrecl&g the present ordei 711His infinit;r wisdo7;7 has ‘given contlnl of tl7c property lll-
-5ocin1, pnliticnl. financial and religious-ant1 thur preparing tcwsts of the country.’
for thr r~tal1liuh177mt of Clirist’S ~filleniiial kingdom of love “Xr. Baer, as one of the most infl77rntial 77ie7ul~crs of tl7c
ant1 7i~l7teni7s77csx 717mntlic 1uins of Satan’< dominion nntl tllc (‘(~1 Trust. no tlo77bt si77crrely feel< that Ire is cs~~c~allv cnn7-
hiiirlincr of Satnn tl;at he iiiav “deccivc the nations no more missioned to carry ant the dir177e will as a protcrtor of: lab
iiiitil tlir tlm77sa77tl year+ are ended.“--Rev. 20: 1-4. .1n11managrr of the prope7 ty 717teir5ts of the co7i77irg. He iti
Scciii~ p7’r~riit co17tlitinn~ forctnltl in Scripture. we cn17 ‘0 Iiapp7ly cnn~titiitt~tl Lliat lie ,377 SCI~ 770 hati7c ii7 the 0111
IOOli n it11 iyinpstll\- 0:) I~otl1 partirq to the cnn7717~rnnfl7ct -J Ilngism .
Ke srp tlir l)attl,a l)c~t\rc~cli them rlrn7lv Sot forth in God’? *. ‘The earth is the T>nrtl’q ant1 tile f77117eSStlrcsreof. Hi<
\Vnrtl. 11-c see Imtll 1~11tics-: to that st;uz,zle awake to cer- s.iints shall ililirrit the cai tli.
tain trnths a1711hlintl tn ~~7~17otlier’s nrg777iiPnts. From 077r “ ‘We are the saints.
vantape point wr SW hot17 right ant1 both w7.o77g---both cnn- “ ‘Thr7cforp vc i1717e7 it tl7e rarth.
tcntlinc &*7~cioitio77ilr fnr “rifihtq”. yet both ‘missing the “Hrare77, wlmsc dcp77ty Mr. Barr so inge1777ouily and moc!-
1ml ~tnntlnrtl of ricl;t. I)rcnii~(~ blind~~l bv *rlfiqhness. WC c-tly tlccla1es himself to he, while endowing 177m lv7tl7 a
src that tllc fnlllt lirc less with tile peoplr 077 both s7deq of cllnrk’q appetite and capacity for seizing things, 17~s merci-
tlipfp rnntrorersicl4. a7711mow wit17 tl1p falcr selfish stn77dRrtls f71llr d~~iiirtl 171ni t11~ WII~C ot 1~177nn7~TIu7, ii: IIC k1)dwtl tl7cB
~171~17constit77tc tl7r warp and woof of all present in;tit77- cc*nsrinusness of sit7 11lien lie l~laspl7rmcs. Indeed, ivlicn Mr
tinns . so murh so tl7nt. it cannot be patched, but will be per- Ban 1~1asl~litnie~ lit clnr7 10 solemnly, with a wa1117ii~~ an(l
m1ttetl of the TJn7tl to work n77t it? n\\71 tle<tr77ctinn. as a u7rn- iiplifting feeling that hc is prrfnrniin, cr a rrli~ions rltck a17cl (lo-
nintinn for thr nc\r nrtlcr of tli717gq prnm7qctl the grogniii,z 717: a v1rt77niis dectl. This blrsqing is ronchsnfcd only tn tlmqp
c7cat,io77 nntler the elorified Ch7ist ant1 liiq Iii7ldOnl. who in all things rsrept mniiry-getting are dense beyond the
The NCW Yolk ?‘l,,lcs tl(Bcl:7rcs that I’re~ident Bacr’s nt- 77ndcrstnnding of oi.tl7n.iIy 771c1I7.
tcrnncc “v.cro.rd vcr,v cloqc up077 ~incoii~cinns l~la~l~lie117r.” TlW “Not 5rnc.e 1:1-t F~l1177;77v17:1qone of tl7c pion- plutor~lac’\
SCW Ynik Tl+hftne drrlares: ---n-ho protrrt tlic ‘I izllt< ant1 intcrrsts of the labori17rr 111:111’
“Strict -ro:19tr77(.t10x1 tlicolngi2ns lrarcl Ilcforc now iiihistrd n17tl ‘to whn7n Go<1 in HIS infinite wistlnm has give17 tlrr con-
ll]““’ t11e c*lo<c 1c,l;rt 1017qIlrtwc~cii Calvini+m and coal It 14 trol of tlir n~oncrtv intcrrqts nf tlir ro7717t1v’-farclrctl a hill)-
~ninetliiii~ 176’\v.Iin\ evrr. to fintl a 17art117eadedfinancier settinT jP(*t, people \viti7 a’ sprrimc~17 ot 77n~~oi7~~~1077~’ l1la~l~llc7ll~ nt all
771)as a ‘dnrtrinc of tile bii;inc~r world the pretleqtinatinn of npl)roachina in stiip~ntlo77s in~oleiice n17cl monst7 077s scilf-1 igltt-
the Pennivlvnni:~ con1 nii77r~ to the all-wise control of Prcsi- cn77qne9q that of B7nt!7cr Barr
dent B:7(*7-:7nd his fclln\v prc-itlcnts of coal companies. Doubt- “It Tfa$ 717 F~~1)7 17arv tll:at ~~7717~111. Rockcfcll(~r. hei
lcsq go0tl Calviiiistr havcl accepted the management of tlir ai,i)arcnt to the Stantlarcl Oil 7i;illinns. informed the J~oung
coal nprintorq, like everything else that is, as brinq sn77lehnw .\I&7’s Cl7riitia17 Association of Brn& Unlvcrsity tllnt the
or otlitr i77 s0mc niv’teriniis wYv in hRr1nnnv nit11 the ulti- tr71StS are God’s work-that it 7s 1)s tl7c Almighty’s drsign tl7at
inatc dciigns of a Got1 who cntliurs ev71 and makes even tlit 51ti:ill competitors arc killctl off 7n order tl1at a g7cLat lllo-
\\ratl7 of mm to praise Hi177 B77t feJv of then7 have reached nnpnlv map arise. He soared to flowery 7llustration. 11777s:
the point of cnnsitlerinc the so-called ‘coal baroiis,’ as shininp “ ‘T11r America77 Brauty roSe ran bc prctl77cctl in the splrn-
c~amnlcs of Gotl’r nr7fect w0rk, in which HIP lovinrr<. design3 I dor aiid frao,rancc v;liirli br777~. cl7ccr to its I1017oldcr nnlv b\
f01 tl1p welfare of tlip nllolr 1777mnn rare wrrc mado man- ~nrlifiring the early bnds wl77cl7 grow up nronnd it. Thiq
fcst Tt see177s.hnwrver. tl7at is the true doctrine which all i< not an evil tendency in business. It is merrly the mnrkin~
religiniiq men ~liniild hold. . . . . n77t of a law of nntnre and a lnw of Gntl. There is 170 real
“It nil1 take a lnatl from the rnn~ciencec of many wr- difference between business and tire Christian life.’
xcst pmplc to linrr thi3 niithoritative tlrclarat7nn that God, “And thr whole hiqtnry of the Standard Oil monopoly i*
thrnn,rrh the kintlneqs of the rnal oprrators, will bc ablr to tlie liistory of a crimPI
n7nnngre tlii+ strlkc iii accortlanrc with tlic dictates nf i77- “Brother Baer, proclaimetl by liimself an agent sent of
finitr wisdom. Thrrr hnre bren somr persons who believe God to take poqsessinn of ant1 rare for the prnprrtv of t11(*
in lnw ant1 nidcr, an11 have no qrnipat!iv wit17 rintniis Strik- rest of us, tllougl7 blind to blaspl7rmy in him~rlf, has dnuht-
erR or demagogic nritatnrq, who have not hitherto her-17 able lrqs a hawk’s eye for detecti7ig a ~ac~rilrgionq il)lrit 717 others.
[30731
(276-271) ZION’S WATCH TOWER ALLEGHENY, PA.

“The Coal Trusf, according to Mr. Eaer, being, like that PROF. MOOREHEAD MUCH TROUBLED
American Beauty rose in the commercial garden, the Stand- Professor W. G. Moorehead of Xenia College, is sell known
ard Oil Trust, a dlvlne institution, it mamfestly follows that to readers of Jlillennial Dawn and Zion’s Watch TOWW, as
he regards any meddlmg with Its sacrosanct operations as an the one man in the world found capable of writing a tract
affront to heaven. It is true the Coal Trust violates those against di~llennial Dawn that has circulated widely. His has
human laws which forbid the railroad companies that com- made the Professor famous in heaven and in earth; because
prise it to engage in coal mining and to form a combine, but no one else being able to write anything on thk subject
the Coal Trust being of celestial origin and under the direct worthy of printers’ ink, his tract has been reprinted by the
protection of Deity (President Baer vicegerent), what are hundreds of thousands bv various of our enemies North,
human laws to it? South, East and West. !l?he Professor owes something to
“The pious pirate is no new thing. Often in the old days Mtllennial Dawn for 111searthlv fame surelv: but. alas. we fear
the prayerful buccaneer imperillcd in a stormy sea vowed he has a contra account in ceaven- wher; ‘sophistical “dust”
candles to the Virgm in exchange for a safe deliverance, and deceives none, and where a man’s condemnation corresponds
to add a wing or a tower to a church was not an unheard-of with his misuse of his talents!-Matt. 25 :20.
act of gratitude after a voyage in which much booty had been The “Plfoorchrad Tract” may have blindtd some, we know
gathered and many passengers and seamen on captured gal- not. “God knoweth”: but we fe’el sure that it has iniured and
leons made to walk the plank.
“But l’resltlent Baer and the relations between a just aiving ourselves no concern about it, but are trusting that
God and the thieving trusts must be left to the pulpit for the Lord will overrule it and all things to his praise, accord-
adequate tre,rtment. Only the pulplt can deal with blasphemy ing to his own wisdom. Those who have seen It will re.nem-
so crass and borrlble as it ought to be dealt with, without ber that the Professor’s chief obiection to the Millenolial
‘.NIlllll~ to bC a, ~JhhIJ!lCXllWS as: h‘3 hlnEdi. And all the Dna,>n was that it was bpinz “for&l upon the Deor)le at thr
prlvlleges and immunltles of the sacred desk will be needed ridiculously low price of 25 cents.” Why he sho&d ohjcct
tor a task which no layman may undertake who would not to this we do not know, unless he has some uublications wblch
sin agaliibt re\ ercnce e\ en in appearance. look dear in comparis&. However, he is &en with us now,
“ ‘The Lord God Omnipotent still reigns,’ exclaims the since his tract is absolutely free and being literally forced
amazing Baer of the Coal Trust, ‘and his ieign is one of law upon many.
and order, and not of violence and crime. Brother Moorehead is a “Pre-Millennialist,” too! by the
“And still stands the Commandment, delivered through way; and we presume that his wrath against Jlilla,lnzal Dnwn
Mosc~ (:I, awful Sinai tu all men: is cbieflv on account of our “following not with him.” (Mark
“ ‘THOU SHALT NOT STEAL! ’ ” 9.38. 39) His tract was his met&d of forhiddin,rr us, and
ic + * stopping us: though he must admit that it has nrortstl a ml+
eraMe iailure; for Nillenvial IIn,cn has gone forwnrd nmaz-
To avoid est:emes of sentiment on questions of this kind inply and his opposition and that of his friends h?s hsd no
wluch appeal to the favored classes in one light and to the evil effect so far as we are aware, except upon those who use
mabses In another, it is necessary that we take a broad com- it to fight against God, and against the truth.
prehensl\e view ot the sublect-past and plesent. Se&h- Wh; do these so tailed “Ppe-Millen~ialists” of whcm Prof.
ness has been the law of our race ever since sin and death Moorehead is an acknowledged leader, oppose the truths her-
gamed control ; and even where the nobler organs are given alded by Jfillenninl D(twn and Zion’s Wntch Towcr~ What
a voice in shaning our convictions and conduct, selfishness, different views do thev hold? We don’t. mind advertisinF
mole or less, twlsti and colors all conclusions. E%en amongst their views, and are s&e that all of-our readers are sufficien<
those begotten of the Splrlt to newness of mind the fact that lg in advance of them to appreciate the distinctions quite
the new mind mubt bc exercised through the fallen flesh 1s clearly.
very sure to pervert its Judgment in some measure, for a (1) They are generally members of so-called “Orthodox”
t111ML at 1cnst. unt.11 the new will learns to use the Golden sects and hold in common with them that the great mass of
Rule’ 11ith acc&acy. mankind have gone to an eternal hell and a small minority
It \\a~ natural th.lt the doctrine of “the dtwzme rzght of to heaven: and that the conditions of all of these are eternallv
IilngA" &ou!d ebtabllsh itself-that the favored classes and fixed at death, so that “the kingdom of God’s dear Son” (Cnl.
indlvldual, should cl,tlm dlvme power In attaining and mam- 1: 13) will nrofit them nothing. Thev hold that all who wili
talnlng tllcir authol:ty and power over mankind. Indeed in be so lucky’ as to be alive when the” kin+om is esttbliahed,
ancient tlmcs tile gle,Lt ruleis clamled not only divine favor, will be blessed with extrava,gant opportunities and privileges
but further tbut they were related to the gods and were, of which their fellow-members of Adam’s race have for six
tbcrefore, properly objects of 1)o~shlp: m accordance with this thousand gears been deprived, to the eternal torment of al-
tho~~~~ht the l<mperols of Rome nele styled Potitifex illaxzntus most all of them? True. thev accent as true the Lord’s \vords
(Chief l’riest) , and their statues 11ere set up for homage and “All that are in the L*ra& shall he’ar his voice and shall come
adoration. This vlcw possibly came o~lglnally from Israel, forth,” (.John 5 ~28, 29) but they explain the transaction a lit-
who+: lilIl!?s \\eere, indeed, of divine appomtment a5 part of a tle differently-that all that are in heaven shall come down
typlc>Il sj;tem nhlch foreshadowed the yet to be kuigdom of and all that are in hell shall come up, at the Lord’s com-
heavcsn est:~bll~hed upon earth, for nhlcll we St111 pray, “Thy msnd. Thev generallv contrive this to be the work of a 24-
kingllom come.” \Vltli the passing of Israel’s kingdom as a hour iudpmbng day af: the cloqe of the Millennium. and that
typr, all kingdom-tvpcs passed away and we now look only tl~ p&r‘creatures will merely come forth for a farcical ex-
for tllc antltvne. ~~vcltheless, the’czar of Rursia and the hibition and be remanded to’ heaven and hell. and that at
I’oI)~~ of 1:(#111;‘are c:tcb still accepted as “l’o?ttz/ca: illaxtmus” the same time the Lord and the good of earth’will go off to
by Illlllloll~, antI all l,mg+--especially the German Emperor- hcnvpn and t?le earth then take fire and burn up.
11ke 70 :~ppcal to tbelr people for obedience and support along We. on the contrary, hold that none but the elect have
t111s 11nr. Pane into the heavenly condition: that the remainder of man-
Air. lsacr in a recrnt interview with Senator Quay on the kind are still qlcrnino in the tomb (sheol. hades) unconscious
SRI~(\ Subject declared:- of the lapse of time ‘br of anythinp‘ else ‘(see E&l. 9 :5), and
“\\.c are not fi<:llt:nfi labor organizations. We fully ret- that the Millennium is the promised time for the hlessing
ognize the right of men to organize to protect themselves of all with a clear knowlrdpe of the truth and a full op-
fiotn opprcsqion and to benefit themselves in any legitimate portunity to embrace and obev it under the guidance and as-
W:IV J:ut we do oppose tbcir unrensonable interference with sistance of their Redeemer and his bride: and that wilful re-
tllc: ;liscll,lme nnc! ortllnary management of our business. We jectors will eventually be destroyed--not tormented.-4cts
\Vlll not permit thc~m to se1cc.t ollr cmployes. Neither poli- 3:23. We hold. with the Scriutures. that “the earth n hideth
tics, r,,ligion, nationality nor membership in labor organiza- forever” and that the “fire” cbminp’is~~svmbolir of the great
tions sliall debar any competent man from working for us. social, financial and religious trouble whirh will overwhelm
We are figlltlnq the h:Iftle of frctltlom for the individual, and “the present evil world” and usher in the Millennium.-Eccl.
his right to iabor on his own terms. 1:4; Zeph. 1:18; 3:8: Gal. 1:4.
“The coal operators say that they cannot mine coal, be- (3) They still hold the dark age3 view of trinitv-that
cause the miners m:lke demands wll~ph rrnder it impossible three times one is one. That Father, Son and Holy Spirit
to mine coal profitnblq; and that the state has enacted laws ore thr+ namer. for one God. Hence, that the Father and
prohibiting the employment of mrn in the mines unless they Holy Spirit died if Christ died. But that since God cannot
have worked two years in the anthracite mines. and therefore die, and the nnivprse could not be supposed to go on for even
thev rnnnot, for the time hcinq. mine ronl How. t,hen, un- one day without its Creator and Ruler. and since Christ is
tlcr the circumstances can thee be acv %-iolsiion of public “the same in SuhStanre” with the F:lther and Hnlv Spirit,
duty?” therefore Christ cannot have died really, but merely in apn
SEPTEMBER 15, 1902 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (278-279)

pearance-dxeptively. That similarly, to produce an effect, yes; he has read “this,” and had read it before with some
our Lord cried on the cross. “hlv God! NV God! W hv hast attention. Here ,t is: “in the beginning was the L(,gos, and
thou forsaken me ?” That agam’for effect”and decepti;ely he the Logos was with the God, and the Logos was a God: the
said to Mary, “1 ascend to my Bather and your bather, to same <is m the beginning with tl~e God?’ (The italics are
my God and your God.” in the uauer refeired to above.) \Vhen I first read this trans-
That we may be seen not to misrepresent the subject of lation ^r rubbed my eyes and ‘stared. When the last of the
three Gods in one, we quote from the Presbyterian “Shorter three came with its blue pencil emphasis and the marginal
Catechism:” exhortation, I polished my glasses. re-read and stared! Ob-
“Q. 5. Are there more Gods than one? viously the inlport of it’ 1,. to remove this text from tile
“A. There IS but one o?llu. the livina and true God. sphere of testimonr to our Lord’s Die-incarnate Deitv. It is
“Q. 6. flow many persons are thei: m the Godhead? thus employed 111 ihe little tract. *‘Ibexin it is as&ted the
“A. There are three persons in the Godhead: the Pather, verse teaches ( 1) . Christ’s eternitv : (2). His eternal sena-
the Son, and the Holv Ghost; and these three are one God, rate existence:‘ (‘i), His Deity. The ,ti&n~zzal Dama trams-
the sami 111substance,” equal 1, power and piorv.” lation seems intended to exclude this interpretation and to
Surtblv it is high time that thinking Christians should fasten another and a very different meaning on the verse. It
repudiate such noniense for which not a Tvord of Bible testi- makes Christ a God as distinguished from the God!
mony can be produced! W’ill not the Professor, if he still The UzlleullzaZ Dato,z people may perhaps ask: “but is
differs with us, take the trouble to uubliclv meet the editor not cur translation of the verse rsactlv literal?“ Yes. sur-
of this journal.in a, candid, Christian: brotherly discussion of prisingly literal. The reader who is” not acquainted’ with
the disouted uoints. usine for nroof the Word of God onlv?
I I D
the Greek mav be here informed that the definite article the
\Ve will bear all the expense, &llingly. We suggest to h;m is vclv often “attxhetl (not always) to the ttrm God in the
that in our opinion this would be a much more noble, much nri&il of the K. T. Its use there is idiomatic. Our Erlg-
more gentlemanly, murli more Cllristian method of procedure lish forbids it save in ccrtam well-delined cases, as e. g.
than sending out a scurrilous tract full of invectives and “The God of -\br,~hnm,” etc.. Its pic’~enc~t~01 al,rt~il;*c~ 111t,ich
appealing only to the piejudicc5, and calling the writer “hydro- iq goveined b,v tile genius of the txvo tongues respectively.
]~lld111.’ ‘LIltI It\ 1111;: IIlllo,rrrctl /Jkllr-,l * Ilclc~trll n.:l Iln llLt(~llk;1- But let 119 follow the exam!)le ot t!ir abo\ (1 queer ren-
tion” illltl “thr, 1” o<lllc+ of insanity,” hecalise it is perhaps too tleiing of ,Jno. 1: 1, and apply the method to other piaces of
reasonahle and loeical and Scrintural for him to auareciate it. SCI inture. In tlri, sxtl~ first clmnter of John four tunes the
\\ t, pIoPI1.6’ -,,ot 1’) 1 c2t.r ;,:itc) I,ld. ,111 t11e ;At,nl y, to (+rer’k \\pord (:otl is found without tlre definite article tile.
treat tlie Pinfeqsoi as though he were a Christian gentleman Let 115r(ad t!iese ant1 hear how thtlv sountl: verse 6. “There
in evei \- .cnqe of the word. was P man sent fium (I (:otl whose name was .John.” verse
(4)‘ They believe with us that Jesus was a spirit being 12, “But as mdn7 as rtccivctl him to then1 pavr he power
hefole hc bec‘ime a man; hut they deny that in his resurrec- to become the ch”iltlien of (L God:” rcr*e 13. “\Vliicli were
tion hr hecxn~t a cpii it-lIein:: a9 in the brginning. Ther claim born . . . . of a (&xl:” vclse 18 “So man hat11 seen a God at
th.lt hr :5 still “tlkc man (‘hiict .Jesns” in heaven. althouah anv time.” Qttltt~ ltwntl~ I li:,i(i tin ~~i:!ltli ~l~,ilbtc~~ cd Ko-
tlxy :ItlmIt that all t!:e holy angels are ministering spiri&: m.;nr; through in the oriiinnl, anti fount1 tltat tcau times the
anti woul!l clouhtltx*s admit th.it conditions suitable to splrzt apostle uses the name w:thout the article. ant1 III each in-
hcinp. would bc quite un+uitc~l to fleshly belnps. They hold stance the name is emgloved to tlrsi.cn rte the Supreme (:od.
that 0111 Lord’s secaonll coming will be in flesh and that he Let us read but one verse‘mith DawnList trnnslition inserted:
and tlic apoytleq and all the qaints will have thrones and pal- verse 11. “For as manv as are led 1)~ the Sniiit of u God,
a(+ and earthly court and pomp and splendor much as earthly thev are’ the sons of n”God.” How dbeq it sounli, brethren?
king< now do, onlv on a more lavish scale, etc.. etc. This sillr nonsense is matched onlv bv the Reims version of
We object to this as being contrarv both to the Scriptures Heh. 11121. “Xv faith Jacob when ‘he was a dying I v . . . .
and to sound judgment. It is not reasonable to suppose that adored the top of” his staff.”
0111 T>oi{l’s obctl~ence to t!le uerformance of the Father’s will Sor is this all. One of the commonest rules of Greek
even Iinto death (Hcb. 10 :!) )I ~hoiiltl to all eternitr co5t him Grammar as touching the ure of the dcfinitc article the :S
thcl cncumhrancc of the He+--and that with scars and wounds, this : in a simple sentence the siil11c<t gc~nc~rally t:lkC+ the
a< i< claimeci. \\-(a hold with the Bible that “Now the Lord article while its predicate omits it. Jno. 1 :l, third clause,
is tllat spirit” (2 Car. 3:li’) ; and that though he was “put is a simple, defini’te 5tntement with a subject anil a predicate;
to tlt~atll III tllt~ t/f-VA lrt, \\til. qIlI(‘kcllP,l 111 spil-If” (1 Pet. 3:1x\ ; the subject iq. “tlirx \Vnrti” (Lopo~ I . ant1 1t. ]‘:““llcxte Llllc~llcs-
and that “tllo we ha\-? known C’hrist after the flesh. yet tionablv is, “God.” and hence the latter word does not take
nn\r henceforth. know we him rs0l no more.” (2 Cor. R:lG) the article. Will some one kindly loan these gentlemen a
We hold with the Rible that ?%sh and blood can not inherit Grerk Grammar 7
the kingdom of God” (1 Cor. 15:50), and that when that Furthermore, there ic: a Greek ad,ie(*ti\e that Cxpresqes
kinadorn is estahlishtd it will be spiritual and invisible: and exactly the idea of a divine or pod-like bring. l)lit who is not
hence that men shall not say, “Lo& here” or “Lo there’” for nrccssarily himself God. It is the \vnrd fh~os. This word
“the kinetlom of God con~ctlc not with obsercnt~om” (outward
‘.
.Jnhn might have used had he wished to conrev the idea that
show) hilt, shall he in the midst of men unseen.-See Luke Chribt in his nre-incarnate stntr was like a GotI. But John
17:20. 21. does not use this term, instead he employs the ~npremr title
IVe hold that Christ and his glorified church will be as of God and applies it most eml:hatically to thr Lord Jesus
invisibl(~ to men as are Satan and his angels now;-because Christ in his eternal pre-esistrnt st.ite.
thcv will 1~ snirit beings: that this is the meaninrr of the Once more. if .John had inserted t!le article the hpfore
“ch’nnge” promised ; “changed in a moment, in the twinkling the term God ‘in the third clause of the verse, then the word
of an rye” (1 Cor. 15.51, 52), “we shall be like him, for we would have embraced the rntirc C:odli(~>l(!. a11(1 a tlistlnc~tinn
shall sre him as he is” (1 John 3 :2), and share his elorv; of the Persons in tlir Trmity wo111ti 11x1 p JIN:~ olllltcrated.
and h:+ glory and presenre are now like those of the fither, Had hc written (to follow again the esnmple of the Dn~cn
“whom no man hat11 seen nor can see.” “dwelling in lieht translation), “and the Word wa< tllv &(I.” then (‘III 1st ~roultl
which no man can approach unto.” (1 Tim. G:‘lG) Only have been the whole of the Trinity. IIc might as well have
hcau~~ of her “change” can the church behold her Lord’s written, “The Son is the Father,” for tllat woultl have been
g101y and -that of the ‘gather. the exact euuivalent.
THE PROFESSOR'S GRIEVANCE But enough of this. The onlv juqtificntinn of thi; hrief
WP will let the Professor te!l us of his troubles-how he article lies in the hiznrre rentlerinrr of .Tno. 1.1 which has
stared. and rubbed his ereq and felt vexed and annoved bv our been offensively thrust upon the writer as a triumphant re-
“a~tcvriqlrliif t.1 nnilntlon* of .Tnliii 1 . 1.“-the more So b&nn~e ply to his use of that trst as proof of Christ’s everlasting
hr cnulrl not drny itq cborrectness. The clipping (from Watch- equality with the Father, as himself God; ant1 this, too, with
uord and Truth) reads thus:- blue pencil emphasis and marginal admonition.
--W. G. MOOREHEAD.
A NEW RENDERING OF JOHN 1:l * * *
The publication of the little tract entitled “Brief Review We are snrrv that snrh trifl(xs SO worry thr Professor,
of Vzlloll~zinl Dawn” by the Watchword and Truth seems to and advise nur friends that thcv hereafter remcmher that the
have disturbed somewhat the defenders of the heresies of that more heat1 a Professor hns the more bother he has in using
book. From three different sources there has come to the ft,-if the arguments are against him. \\ie reflect, that if
writer an astonishing translation of Jno. 1 :I. One is found the brief reference to .lohn 1 : 1 mntlc~ so rnnca!l rubbing of evrs
in “Zion’s Watch Tower,” dated April 1. 1902, and received ncccssary, it is fortunate that the Professor did nnt‘*first see
a few tlars aeo. The translation in this paner is heavilv the fllll and extentletl trratment of this and cognate passages
marked with a blue pencil, and on the margin-are written ih in Mrllen,~rnl Drrwn, vol. V., for then he might have rubbed
blue pencil the words, “Moorehead should read this.” Well. his eyes out. However, on the other hand, blind eyes need
[3075]
(279-280) ZIOiV’S Il’ATCII TOll’EI< \Ll.EGIICUY, PA.

considerable rubb!nt( and waAi!!z and eir)sc!allv .Lnointinrr \\ords fuli? attested: say!ng, “Sly F.Lther 1s greater tlknn I.”
before sight co!!!c~.- \VC hop aii IJr‘!y tih ttk PI 0fessoY “I r:!!l!e 11o\\n f! nm heaven not to do m!ne o\vn ~111, but thr
may have such a ~Jksilllg ill this re*pect aS the apohtk hui nil1 of htrr~ that hp!!t me.” “I swk !!ot to do !!!i!!e own will,
prayed foi the l’;plieh~l!~ Ch!!2tia!ln --I;ph. 1 . 17, 18 ; 3 : 17, l)!!t the will of the Father wh!ch hath sent me.“--John 13:28;
18, 10. li.iS: 5.30.
And now, nhat about the above? It is certainly an im- Sotice carefully the next to last paragraph of the Pro.
provrmc!lt on tl!e “~Ioorc~head Tracat” in that it IS a little fesjor’s article. He here most po5itlvcJlv ac~l~nnwlrd~c~s tl!tt
more honest and Christian in its general style, avoiding some correctness of our translation;-acknowledges that tl!e art!cJe
of the slang and invective of the latter; pet we must confess i the) in the third clause must he omitted, in order to show
disappointment that ten years of “growth in grace” has ac- that Christ is not the God hut a God. The Professor cvidcntlv
compliqlied so little improrenicnt: that the Professor is still has a Greek grammar and knows how to use it too. if onlv it
so 1~ill!ng to “handle the \Vord of God tleceitfully” and to suited his thgorv to tell the whole truth.
throw “dust” into the eyes of tbosp who have reason to cx- bUR PRESENT CIVILIZATION
pert better things of l!im as a m!!!!ster and a. Professor of \Yhat is the rcnl rl!aracter of our present civilizatiui!?
throlo~~! See wl!nt the Lord says respecting such bell- 1Ve may as well face the facts. It is gigantic in invention,
wethcr professors who befoul the waters of trutl! so tl!nt his d!scover y, entrrprise. achievement; but it is gigantlcnlly
sl!ecp cannot drink at the streams of truth.-Ezek. 34: 18, II). worldly ; somet!mes and somrwherrs monstrously God-de!!y-
read xlqo verses lo-16 i!!p and God-defvmp. Th!s “Christmn civilization” has nrn-
d!;&l ginntq in ‘th&c day?, men of renown, but they o;te!l
The Professor being unable to deny the exactness and lit- use their mtellect, knowledge and fame only to break dew!!.
erahiess of the tral!slation. arknonletl~~~q it i!! iucl~ a malinpr a3 \Fitl! tl!e iron flail of Talus, all Christian faith. Phlloso-
a~ to mislcxtl those unncqunintecl n!th the Greek and wl!o phy now blooms into a rtfined and poetic Pantheism, or a
fr!!st to his candor, br effcctinq ironv, saying, “Yes, sz~rpris- gross, blank Materialism, or a subtle Rationalism, or an al)-
tiiqly litr!nI” and n,rlin !cferr&g to it ats “tl!!s queer rcnder- siird Agnosticisn!. Science constructs its systems of evolu-
in:: of .Jol!n 1 :l.” Again, without denying the ahsol!!tr COT- tio!!. and lenvcs out a per-onal God; Spontnnrous Generatio!!
! I,l+!!c% of tJlr rendcring, ILp throws more “duSt” into the bccou~rs the nnlv creator. Saturn1 Law the nnlv determining
+L>W of l!is credulous fricndq by n l!ttle “acting.” to deceive: pou rr, ant1 SatUral Selert!nn the onlv Providence.
-ay!nr, “\VilI come one kindlv loan tJ!(lse gentlemcr! a Greek “SllCb lllCI1 as Strauss and Renan. Here1 and Comtc.
(:rnn!i!!nr’~” 1119 assurance in this !J J)aie(l u1)nn the fact ‘i
Cortlrc ant1 Kant. hlill and Spenrer, Darwm and Huxley:
that only a s!nall m!nority of h!~ rcndciq have Greek New N:!ttl!c\r :1rnoltl an11 Tl!cotlorc Parker arc spcciiuenq of inei!
‘J?estnn!r!!ts nr anv ab!litr to undcritantl tl!c!n m!d to see his wlin 011-e tl!e!r education. refine!nent, accon!l~lisl!ment, to tJ!e
trickery. ver\r Christ!a!!itv thcr :!tt:!c*k. The cnlh fii c! !!!!rse the da!!!
We mnkc no claim to originality !n respect to .Tohn 1 .I. and then t!!rn And strike their fang3 i!!to hrr breast ClVll-
It, Teas \\ritt(a!i and p!intrd nearly eiglitcer! centuries before lzatinn itself is tur!!etl into the strongl!old of !u!hclief, !t*
ivc w(br(’ IJo] II It i< GotI’, \\‘nrd afit1 Ilot oil! ~--tllc~ 0rticlc in!aginat!ons n!!d mrpnt!on 9 ale high towers that rxalt tlicn-
clio\ving cmI)hnsis and all, and any sport made of it i+ an- \el\-(‘S Rjiillll~t tllP I\llO\\l?<l2P Of (:Otl. ,111(1 tile tllOIl~llt~ Ibt
\v.eraJ)le fqr to God. and to him wl!o saitl “\Vhosoever i3 our great thinkers hare not been brought into c*uptivlty to
:~shnmctl of me and of mr words of hi!!! shall the Son of Man the obedience of Christ.
JW a+ha!!!Pd.” We do not oven rl:ri!n nriginnlitv as to the “il’e 11u1.c the wpcst form of ncorldl!! cicrlfzntion, but tlrrt
prnppr translation of .Tolln 1 .l. O!!r nttrntinn 4as called to vipcne8s horde-s *IL j ottenncns : while men boast of the fnJ)i II:
it hy Tllc 1:~ll$frtic Dirfqlofl-an iiiterlinary wnrd for word its foundations arc falling into decay. and that awful -A!!-
Grcrk and 1’:ii~li~l~ N(a\v Tr~t.i!!!c~t!t, iii general use and of nrrhp nl!ich is the last result of Athelwi even now thrr.ltclls
hi~lr rep!!tcx. to tlibqnlvc societv it\elf. ~~nvem!!lent is rendered lielplc-3
The l’lnfcwll’s q!!ot,!tinr!s from .Tohn 1. and Roman5 8, 1)~ t!le tl&ruc~tive fo! c’es w1lic.h h(*icn(le Ii,lr p!it !!!to rhcl
“a God” is so much mow “dust ” We n!ake no claim that L!!!tlY of the ignorant ant1 lawle3~ The b.il!l,t ant1 tlie 111111~i
fhc Creek nrtichb sl!o\\i!!y e!npJlnsis is used every time the :~llkc bernmr \TWl< in comp~~tition 11ith dyiinmite, and nal 9
Iq’athcr is lrfcrrctl to as God; Jn!t, on the contrary, that its 1Mw114~ iriipo~~il~l~~ until n,,‘n i,ltb rratl\- f01 mut1lal estwm-
IIW in .Tnhn 1 :I i< matle nwc+s:rrJ to tliytinguish between God nation
tlie F,lth0r ant1 Got1 thr Snn, and to show what our Savior’s

OUR ANNUAL CONVENTIONS

On the la-t pngc nil1 lrc fount1 nnt.irrs of the two conven- rhurrl!es will be on l!nn(l at the vnrinuq dc!)oty. to as-;ist ant1
tions for this year. In snmc ~wpcrts WV would have pre- dirccst nrr!vinm f!!e!!il\ ?‘II~w mxv 1~ I;IIII\\ :I 1)~ (~1)rl-:I!;; !!I
fcrlcbtl tr, have hut one, but the tli+tnnce-, tn bc tlnvelccl, and their liantls & other cnii~pwuoiis ‘place copies of the’ TT-((tr’j~
l)Pnce tl!e rvpense invnlved. \voultl l!nve bern to9 <- great for 7’orr cr, an11 nil visitix!<g fr!e!!(ls should liltrwi,e tl~iplav ro~~i(~~
inany. Bv hnri!!:: the nnr at 1Vnshington and tlie other at of the V’utcic Tntr-er. that tbpv. mav* lw idcntifietl ITnwc\ ri .
Oes Aloin& a much l:!!ger n!!mber of tJ!c J*ord’s people ra!! shniil~l vnil ari ivr at :iii~~il~ri~ time or iho!!ltl lo!! fa!i to r!!~~t
J)e served, mid thiis the hlr<sit!g nhich !15~unlly attends thcs? thr \\ntchrrs. tllp adtlrr=.iri frirni4hed in tlLr announremeilt
!!!cetings can 1~ diStrib!!tc(l to ;I latgcr nllmbel. (hilt ycster- on last I,azr nf tllis iwile nil1 br quite siificient to ennl)l(~
(I:I,v we henltl f!o~!! it brnthcr who la;t >~nr attendrtl the Cleve- J oii to ; r4rli tllr roi!ve!!tinn witho;it t!oul!lc.
land (Ynnvcutlon. rclntlng ho\> great n blt~ssiil~ lw 11ad re- TYc are lioninr for delirrhtfiil seasons of rrfrr;ll!!!rr fro!!!
rcivcd, and that it had wntinuetl \\!tll liim tl~inu~l~ont the tl!e presrnce o’f the Lord, a’? usual, ancl tr!!st that nil who
? ear, and that he would :!ttend onr of the corlwnkon5 tlnj attend will comr srrliin~ to bwtow a bles+iug upon others :lr
wason. 11-r do not \\rltp to ur:<r nnv to atten(l \vhn nit not well .tq to re,,‘ci\ e l)leY~l~~gs ilpi)n tlicni9~l\-c- JNt t11ct ‘pll it
linnnrinllv nlblc-anrl wc ltno\v thnt this i4 true of nl,\nv nf the of 10~0. ppare. ~ontrntmrnt. 1’” !!I tl:c hnlr Sl)il it. iiilr ill 0111
T,nld’s faithflll ones-hut 1,v do ur::c that thnsp \\ho ‘propnhc ;IP:!I ts nncl makr tl!n!! tl!!!s ! cxc*captrveto 111~i)lww~l !!I~~!!~~II~Y~-
attending r;Jlall promptlv scnti !!9 tllri! ndtlie~uc~s tJ!,!t accom- of tl!e word of grac*e a11t1tr!!tl!
motlntio!!~ mnv hr seruletl fnr tlrrm in allvance. and that thus Tho*e u;ho cannot. attentl, of coI1rw. Ikill br manv mnrr
i hry ma‘: he freed fi om nnP~~y:!nce :)ritl we al30 be spar4 the than tlic frw who will 1~ pieSrut; but thev will he ‘remem-
inconvcn’icnre of nrinnfmg d!iri!!,z roiirrntion hnllrs Gich mat- bnrl 111 nin‘ pPt.itlnils. :I< wc tiiist we 511all !I(\ ! ~~!nc~!~!~(~ro~i
ter% as miyllt twtter t)r all al raiq:etl brfnlPliarlt1. WP clesii e !!I tl!r,l! Y 1Vc liop~ that thaw not in nttri~tlaiirr skill, dur-
that. tFc rnnvcntinn time be nppiopl intctl I\-hnllr to si’irittlnl ii]:! Llie wsGniis of tile conventions, lrt 11s 11,ivr their IieartM
lllnttcr\-not onlv bv the viqitnrs, but also l,y the brrthren an(l -impathies, that they ton ma\’ share thtb blessing. AnIl
<knd siste! s of th’ca home rh!!rch Tf, the! rfo! c. you I!:!\-? do- nIli- tiust is that. as n:i fo!!!!cr ocrasioiis, tl!o,e \vho (11, at-
jriniinrtl to nttcntl (,itl!Pr cnnvcntinn. ::ntl lr:-c\r nnt yc$ srnt tcmt1 t11c (‘011~ elltlc~l!~ \\-I11 Pill IV llO?l!C' TVit!l tllP111 1 !(‘?I !ll(‘h-Ill (‘a
ii< vour ntldrrs< w!tl! f!!ll J>ait!(*!!li!! 5 a. +(I thy !!;!n!t’y. w\. of thr spnltunl I efrrsliiwnt pouretl nut upon the nwxnbli~~~
cmnlor, rtr.. of volir party. do so i!n!!!rtli:!trl\--l)cfnr(, you for- ?ccortli!!g tu diri!!e J1roinice. J.rt !I$ srr to it that \vr brink
3% it. .211 i ooii!$ for tile ronr0!!tin!!s nu~ht to br cnqagc~l our ron;errnted heart; and pnwflrs fully into nrrnrtl with nllr
J),v now. a? l)nth cities will he full to overflowing on account T,ord and his provitlrntial arra!lge!n~~nt~. that thus we :l!.!>
of the chip rsr!!r.ion rntcs. claim hiq prnmiqe to pn\ir iis nut a hlw~ing that we will !!ot
Such of the, flitbntl+ as nrdv 1~1 ah112to affnrd the cxprncr hr atjlr fully to rrwlvr. l,l!l \1111(~11 x\ Ill 0, e1 liO\\ !lpnl! cltllc~!P
of tlarrl. but nnt tlir r-\1)rn-(~ of c~ritr~rtninin~ \\111 l)lcxse xxrltcl far and iirnr.
us speciallv to tl!!. cdTrc*t. :rntl ~O!l!<’ cl1 1 n!lp!llt!lt Wll! 1,e m:\tlc \Vc learn that tickcty to Ka+llin~tnn Cnnrention will not
for them by nllr kind rnteltnincrs. hc on salt, in sP1qon to primit all to grt there for the opcri-
On thr mor!!i!!g< of the, nprnlq of the C’onrrntions (and irig. \Te have therefore added another day.
on preceding evc~!r!nps if notifird 1 repre~~~!!tative- of the l!omr Some qtfm to get a wrong iniprraiion rcspc>rting the pur-
C30761
31 I ‘l.M”!R 15, I?02 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (281~283)

chn~2 of the c.\c,,rp,on tickets to tllc<e convcntlons, they seem fully understood by the :ailnajs, and not only ourselves but
to think that it wouh: be \~iung for us who are not “Odd others make It a hablt to hold conventions at the same time
Fcllonb” 1101 member- oi tire ’ Gland Army,” to aVaIl OW- \\ la1 the l.ll,<c! (‘o11v(~llt1l~l1. co :I\ to takr, a~!\‘kllta~e of t11r
belves of these cheap esc,,r>ions. This is a decided mistake; cheap rates granted by the railways-which are only granted
tlica cs(‘ur~:o!I~ arc 01~Jn to .inyllc~tly illltl l)rOilctlJl~ Ilot 11101‘e because of the large numbc~s espccted to be in attendance.
than ene-half of those using the tickets will be members of the The railways do \\hat thcsy can to get as much travel as pos-
0: drry named. T!le, e 1, r,&l,,ng diyhonorable about it. It is sible on these e\cursmn tickets.

A SAVIOR AND A GREAT ONE!

[Reprint of January 15, 1894, which please see.]

“SO MOSES THE SERVANT OF GOD DIED”

(-)11r LLIYI~ alone excepted. no character of history StWldS our .i,,s, and as a ir-uit oi tll:rt one simting at Calvary the
out tefo,e 1,s bo giandl;; and n,ajestically as that of Noses, \\ate, of life nould be obta,ned for all true Israelites to ‘~11
the FI cat Apoqtlc P‘~ul, ercn, being overshadowed by him. time: ar1c1 ii 101 Cl r(‘,-0,) lilts flak\\ \\.,Q -t11!11~tl ,t \v.lh t,nl\
If \\t’ th,,,l; c,f him ab a man. ,562\t’(’ ;I WIIIIIW RI ,~nfhr and necessary that t!,e Rock -ho,,ld IX invokr~l in t!iP name of tlie
nobilltr of character. combinin z strength with humiht.y, wis- Lord, t&it the wati, d might ag‘“n flow forth. Christ diet11
dom &th love and gentleness. U If & consider him -is the no n,o, e; death has no tlon,!nlon over him; therefore ln the
leader :,11d dclive,el of Israel, we find that he nccompllshed t) I”’ the l:o(~l, hllC~ll1d not II I\(, IKY~11 ~lillltell 0 rty!u11tl tlmc~.
& Tc-'1ttI
. c \VOl:: tj]i(ll <\RJ' ,,f the kind lJ?tOtY 01 +ll,,‘(’ it \vtl HIIt t11;. .,‘( (*lIti .Irll:lil~, I,(‘\ 01 tllcl(,.-. 111‘1(1(3 i: llC\V tvpcfi, II<,-
con<lrler him ns tht !aw$ver, \ve find in his code of laws ju+ C.lllSe as tile ;Ii)OSilC (~X1~1:llIl~, there are some now Who cru-
tier. niitl<,nl. 1llC'iP~ and an appreciation of human nature far cify Christ afresh, ant1 put liini to an open shame-some of
Yll;,*',,t,, t,i ,lrly~llll~~ c,t il,. (!:ly. illl,l ti1v 1,X-~-. ","',I \\illCl! 111s professed followC’15 (!my~ng or ignoring the value of the
tl,; l.lv -: UE Ch~i~tcndom in thi$ twentieth cent,,rv-are built. original ia<‘, llic~c, ticBll>;,I; t1,c 1,1,1:,,1t1i:,t Ilrw~llt tlli~rll, <i*t’
If \I ~3coi,,!dtxr li\m ;I+ n statesman. we find liini wise. p,udcnt, counted as committing the -,n unto death-second death-and
t.~~ci,:l, yet iI1 o:,d. \Yc see how 1,~ brought order out of con- of tl,c<c AIOSW became ;, +cJpc, . and as a type of a class which
fus1or1. :Illll ~+11~!1rerta diiorcanizcd rabble of over a nnlllon \\0llltl ll:l\c to do w,ti, 11i” ,r1,1lt\pl 0t liti, 10(1,. II? \\,ln (I(,.
into :; t!!oloI,,~l,l<- urgcln17ecr and n-e11 ordered nation. nut balled from Canaan -1Ieb. 0:4-G.
1t Ii \bfir;t \vc’ r01vc to consid(lr him as the servant of Cod l!ut even aside from the making of tliij type, AfOies would
that hi< cir trarter shine4 out most brilliantly. His faithful- not have gone into the land of Canaan: becau5e. from another
ne..: to ~,o,l : hi< faithfulnc~s to the trust committed to hnn point of \-lrw, he \tas the t:,p(i UE the; 1, ,I\ t ,;\,‘ni,,,t, uh!~*ll
:ic tltc 3r,Jthiltnr f(.r hi- neonle: his self-sncrificinr sDirit in lilust end bcforc the people can enter into tlleir rest. As
connection \\:ll, the entir’c ;vork. indicating that”he- served Irloses wab the rrprc wr~t‘,tl\c ot the J,.l,, ~‘~l\t’rl:lrlt. -0 Jo-1111:,
not tllc ::oII nf fame or of ambitions or of self-love, but the l,(~ame the rcpreientnt,\ tk or lyp(b ot 11113 SCb\V (‘l,iell:rrlt ;~I111
Lord of linitc. of its mediator, Jesus, thr Deliverer. “Tl,e law came by
l-11? grc:,tncii of 5focrc would be incomprehensible to US Noses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” The law
fro’n RI:’ ot!,tr +tnndpoint than that which the Scriptures was a pedagogue or &wide to prepare and bring the Israelites
wt iv, tll : VI, . tl,,) t hf. wn> lt,,tlrr spcc.inl tllr~nt~ dir&ion as along to the borders of Canaan, but the law could never
G I,,!‘~ ccr\ant. and that, therefore, being naturally an able, ~1T-e them rest, could never tnkr them into the land of
cf!,cirnt. hl~n:Llc. rood man. had these manifold qualities of promise. Christ, the antitvue of Joshua. must do that. \\‘e
hi. (~ll.,r.,(~l(‘r Ir,tc~l’~~lfit~~l1~ reaeon of the Tlortl’\ l&cr 1~or k- 51e to remember; too. that~~ioses’ error in smiting the Rock,
:ng it, 11,m and t!lro,:gh ‘him for the effecting of the divine did not involve him in the second death, nor \rill it work any
purpocc;. injuly to him as rrspects the future. It was comparatively
Nose< \I:,\ no\.; 1% years old; 40 years of hi4 life had a trivial matter, and tnu$t him a valuable lesson which he
been cpcnt ,ls an Egvptian prince in tli& court of Egypt, edu- evidently le‘trned to 111~ JNI (1’. plc:,~cmc~r,t :~r~tl III, falltire
I-ntrd. trnincd, ant1 in tlic niiblic service as a rencral and a to go into the land of promise, thereforr. should not indicate
rtil(jr. Tltc Fcxcon:l forty )-e&s of his life he \x:~s a shepherd a continuance of dirind indignation against him, but merely
11, tl,tx 11,!deriit~+q. I,c~c,,u~~ of hi< love for the T,ord. 111. :,lq~re- a. continuance of the divine nurpose in makinr of him a trne
I+,tie:i of tli(, divine promiec, and his preference to sliarc, of a clnsq who would I,;,\,, i(t (+I(, w1111 tllcb .,it,i\ 1,1~‘“1 I~&,
tilcqr ~itl, 11:5 Ib1~rtllwn. the I~raclite,s, rather than to continue the antitypical water, and the antitypical smiting.
in tIltI ial <it of t!,~, Ezvntianh. their rnrn,,rs ant1 ol)I)rrhsor.. IYe might remark here, tou. that those who smote the
\Ye have already see;i’ how this wilderness esperieice way Lord the first time, at Calvary, have the promise of full for-
probably vnlu,ll~lz to him. enabling him to transform and givrness. They shall look upon him whom they pierced, and
tranhniutc the know?rdge met experience; alrrarlp gained illtO &hall mourn for him. a1111tllll 1~1rtl 1%III 1~1ttv ottt t,i)ott tllcm
.t broad ant1 derp philosol~ll~, the foundation of which wag the spirit of prayer and supplication, and they shall have
faith in Go11 :8n11 I-c-pe(at for his pi nrni~o~. ‘1‘!11,~ (lot’. (hi full opportunity of recornpensl: and reconciliation. (Zech. 12 :
;oinetirnrs 11OIli br natural nienn4 to preparc the initrunicnts 10 1 It is thosr who. I\ ,t I, cIrtb:,i(,r ktlowlr(l~c~. :1r1(1:, ft,,r tl,c,v
for hi\ serrlcc. Tl,c cloelnrr forty I-cnr; of hi4 life wet? tlr- havr hcconrc partakers of the holy Pr),rit. and have tasted tlie
voted to the exerc,se of ill the knowledge, experience and
rllcnt‘ll pllllo.~q’lr~~ <9II< 1 faith previously gainrtl, to the srrvicc
of l\riirl a\ tl,tLir lo;~clr, . lnn’~ivrr. htatr-m:ln-i~rclp1lc.t. prics\t -th& are thev who commit thr rc’al sin unto death, and foe
2nd king. And now his work wa5 finished--the work which whom thr Scnptllwi i,li’zr-+ it\, 11olh~. ol firrtll~ oppo1 tlllllty,
tl,ca Lor(l inten~led him to do. ilnotl,er, ,Joshua, was to take herausr they have sinnc,l \vilfl,!lv.
LIP tlll2 IVvOYli Of lc%dt’r. and 11~~ hd alrcB;,tly. Irv tli0 Lord’s do- MOUNT PIEGAH VIEWS
r&ion, b(ar,, formally xntl public.ly ortl:a,nccl to Illis nffi(*?, -it this timr thr I*r:,cl,tc ‘q w(~w in the lnntl of &Ioab, at
and 1\Iose$ was ready to dir. the northern end of the &ad Fc.,, opposite Jericho, and nearly
In conqiderinp the fact that lIoq:es was not permitted to in line with the city of ,Jcru~ale,,,. Tl~cy nwnited the Lord’s
cPO into the nromisetl Iand. we are to bear in mind that he. direction, by the p~llnr of cloud, before crossing cJordan to
as well <~q the nnlior, of Icrarl. wa L l,ein+q u\c~tl 01 thr Lorci take possesslnn of Canaan. IIer~~, Sloses’ work beinr accom-
in a typical manner. KT’e are not to go to the extreme of plished the Lord Ircl hrrr, rrp to Irount Pisg;th’h top: a lofty
hi&er c*r,tic~ihrn. antI to think of tltr tlclivernrice from E:“\yl)t peak 3.586 feet above the sea-level. From this noint an ex-
:I$’ an nllrgory. It wx’: all trur; the liiitorv of a ,+cricL’ ;,f irnded panoramic virw was posiible-is possible ioday. -Here
facts: but truths and facts, under the Lord’$ guidance, may ?vlnses saw much with his natural eyes, but much more with
be so arrangrtl as to he types of St111 higher facts;. Illu\tra- the eye of faith, scaring the promises which God had made to
tions of still higher principles. One of the leasons mentioned the tribes of Israel, through Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and
why Noses was not permitted to lead Israel into the land of by his own mouth. He saw of the travail of his soul, and
promise wnq tl,r secontl qmitinx of thr rock. T11e hrnitinc the was satisfied. \Ye hear not a murmur reqrJectine the trans-
first time (Exotl. 17 : l-7) was l,y the Lord’s direction. and the fer of leadership and tl,r ccqsation of hi’s ow;’ labors. If
~1ntrrs gurhed forth, bnt thr second time (Sun,. 20 :2-12 1 the God had used him in hiq service to the extent that he was
T,ord said to 3Iosrs. “Sneak unto the rock.” but instead he pleased to do, the servant was thankful and satisfied.
hn,otr the rOrk a second ‘tin,e. “So Moses, the servant of God, died”-not from weakness
In this he spoiled a type, while he made another type. and infirmity of age, for “his eye was not dimmed nor his
Christ Jesus, the true Rock, was to be smitten but once for natural force abated”. ,-he died according to the word of the
[3077]
(283-287) ZION’S WA TCH TOWER .hLECHENY, PA.

Lord. Throughout his life he had been the Lord’s servant, This song, after telling of trying experiences, ends with re-
used and blessed as such, protected and kept by the power of joicing, saying, “Rejoice all ye nations with his people!” The
God through the many vicissitudes of life, and he who thus poem of blessing, which applied most particularly to the
kept him, buried him in one of the many little inaccessible tribes of Israel, tho doubtlehs al-0 typical ot the elect 144;
valleys of this Mount Pisgah. The Lord not only hid Moses 000, ends with reJoicmg, saying, “Happy art thou, 0 Israel!
in the grave, but hid the grave, so that no man knoweth its Who is like unto thee, 0 people saved by the Lord?“--Deut.
place. This also illustrates the divine wisdom; for (1) had 32 and 33.
the place of the grave been known it no doubt would have The scribe who wrote the Book of Deuteronomv at Moses’
been an object of veneration amongst the Israehtes, a Mecca, dictation finished its account as a hlstorlnn, describing the
to which pilgrimages would have been made, and the man death and burial of Israel’s great leader. and declarinp the
Moses would have been honored, rather than the God whom great honor in which he was esteemed, redounting 111snGg1~t.y
this man represented, and whose servant and mouthpiece he works, and ascribing these as did hloses himself, not to
was. (2) Doubtless, also, the hiding of the grave was typi- Moses personally, but to the Lord, who sent hnn to do them.
cal, and represented that the Law COIXUIO~:, \\h~(*h (lied a11tt
JOSHUA THE NEW LEADER
passed away, was not to be revived; that the New Covenant,
not only displaced, but thoroughly replaced it, so that there Joshua nas now eighty years of age, ancl was accepted
would never more be need for the Law Covenant in connec- bv the lsraelites as Moses’ succesbor Without murmur. Thev
tion with the bringing of Israel to ail the precious promlse3 hid, doubtless, learned valuable lessons in their wlidernes;
of God. disciplme. Joshua, it ~111 be xemembered, was hfoses’ com-
panion when he went up into the mountain, Sinai, and there
“Lives of great men all remind us received the law, and indeed throughout the wilderness Jour-
1Ve can make our lives sublime; ney he seems to have been the one above all others upon
And departing leave behind us whom Moses could thoroughly rely. He and Caleb were the
Footprints in the sands of time.” two spies who brought tGe “favoiable report, declaring that
bv the heln of the Lord lsrael misht PO un and assuredlv
This great truth. SO heautifuli~~ mpxwwd h.y the pm t, take po5se~sion. In the ch,lnge of ulead&slllE lsrael learn&
finds a grand illustration in Moses. His life and clL%racter another great lesson; viz., that their confidence and trust
are a noble esamplr, not only for the Lord’s saints, but also must not be in man; that so long as they recognized the
for natural men. No one can study the life of Moses, and T,ord as their Leader they might feel safe and confident; be-
note its purity, its lofty ideals, its Immllitv, its olvdiawf to cause, altho others might pass away, the Lord would abide
the Lord, its faithfulness to his fellows, \;ithout being bet- faithful and could raise them up at any time Just such lead-
tered, en;lobled. hv the contemplation. ‘And each one- thus ers as he saw best.
bettered himself bv contemnlatinp
”
this noble character, should Thcrc is a lesson in this matter for spiritual Israelites
in turn seek to leave noble-and &during footprints for others, as 1:ell. 1\‘e are not to put our trust in leaders, but in the
that perchnnc~e “somr forlorn or shIpwrecked brother seeing Lord. This does not signifv that ae are not to trust lend-
may take heart again.” exs, :xnd not to acknowTed& leaders, for all the history of
The Book of Deuteronomy is chiefly composed of addresses the Lord’s dealings with his people, the typical as well as
by Moses to the Israelites, setting before them the various the :~iititypical, shows us that he 1~ pleased to use human
lessons they had received from the Lord, expounding to them agencies as his representatives in the teaching and leading
the divine law, their duty to God and to man. It closes with of his people from grace to grace, from knowledge to knowl-
the Song of Moses, and Moses’ blessing of the nation, two edge. The lesson to be learned is that the Lord is thoroughly
poems whose beauty and literary merit are acknowledged competent to manage his own work, and that while \\e may
as being of the highest order. Jacob called his twelve sons look for his leading through human agencies our trust is
when dying and pronounced over them certain blessings. So not in them, their wisdom, their strength, but in the Lord’s
now Moses, as the father of the nation, in these poems, com- wisdom and strength. guiding them and us through them.
pletes his admonitions respecting them, his warnings and Another lesyol; tier’ setvforth is found in %he words,
encouragements; and in these prophecies, not only their trials “Israel hearkened unto him [Joshua1 and did as the Lord
and difficulties and fniiures are foretold, but also their final commanded Moses.” Joshua was to be followed only as the
victories, as we believe these victories shall ultimately be people could realize that he was following God’s instruc-
.attained by all the Israel of God-all who will become by tions, given through Moses-through the law. In the anti-
faith the children of Abraham-the Jew first and also the type the great Deliverer Jesus. will be the commander of the
Gentile, during the Millennial age.-Rom. 11 :ll, 12. 28-32. people, will bless the people durin, 0 the Millennial age, and
This song of Moses was evidently not merely for Israel but they must hear him and must obey him, but all that he will
prophetical, and was referred to by our Lord (Rev. 15 :3, 4)) speak and all that he will order will be in full accord with
but long after t!lnt nation Ilad been blinded and given up as 1~ the divine law, as represented bv Moses. The Christ. during
spects the high calling of this Gospel age. This is the song the Millennia< kingdbm, will a’ttempt nothing on bkhalf 01
of Moses and the Lamb which the overcomers are to sing, mankind in violation of the laws of righteousness, the laws
those who, with Christ, shall be members of the body of the of God. But everything in the way of lifting mankind up,
great Prophet who shall bless, not onlv the literal- seed of will be by magnifying the Law of God, and making it honor-
Abraham. but all the true Israel of God*all who shall become able, and assisting all to conform their lives thereto, but
Israelites according to the faith and obedience of Abraham. not by that Law Covenant which is forever dead.

INTERESTING QUESTIONS ANSWERED

TOTTEN’S ONE YEAR MINISTRY sented by the taking of the blood into the “Holy,” the offering
Question.-I’lcase state in what respect Prof. C. A. L. of the incense there, while the fat was being burned in the
Totten is in error concerning the length of our Lord’s earth- “Court,” and the offal outside the Camp, and all this sacri-
ly ministry? ficing ceased when our Lord died at Calvary. But the point
Answer.-One of the points made by Mr. Totten is that is that his death was reckoned to him from the very moment
the lamb must be of the first year; and on this he builds his of consecration, just as it is the case with u$: “Reckon ye
conviction that our Lord was in his first year at the time yourselves dead indeed.” This is the only sense that we know
of his death; at the same time you (and so far as we know of in which our Lord can be shown to have been the Lamb
he also) reckon that our Lord did not die in his first year, of the first year.
but in his second year; that is to say, that his ministry, be- SATAN’S POWER OVER INSECT LIFE
ginning in the fall, lasted at least for one and a half years. Question.-In an old WATCH TOWER the suggestion is
We, with many others, claim three and a half years, on the made that Satan possesses some special power relating to
evidences. In any case it was not the first year, except in the insect life, etc. Are we to infer from this that your thought
way in which we regard the matter; viz., That our Lord’s is that he has power to create life? and if so, by what au-
sacrifice was made when he was exactly thirty years of age: thority?
this was his first year, and the very beginning of it. Accord- Answer .-We had no thought that anyone would under-
ing to our understanding that was where the sacrifice was stand us to mean that Satan would have life-giving power,
made and completed. There the human nature, typified by the or power to create something out of nothing. The thought
bullock, was slain in the sense of consecration, by the new which we wished to convey is that just as a mule is hybrid,
creature, typified by the priest. The subsequent work in the or a cross between the horse and a donkey, so various mix-
three and a half years of ministry was in the types repre- tures and conglomerations are possible, especially in the
[30781
StPTrMBrR 15, 1907 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (234-285)

lower forms of life-insects, etc. Satan is probably much exposed are the result cf evil species of animalculae. Sim-
better informed on many of these than is mankind, and yet ilarly diseases in plant-life are caused frequently by little
mankind has learned how to develop life in varied forms, and creatures, so small as to be only discernible with high-power
this is one of the studies amongst doctors, scientists, etc. microscopes.
They find various kinds of bacilli, for instance, and learn We suggested that many of the insects of modern times,
now that they can propagate these various species, and to the pests which so greatly annoy farmers and g.\rdeners, are
some extent modify and alter them under various conditions. probably developments of these infinitesimal or microscopic
For instance, it is claimed by the best scientific men of the animals-developed into larger kinds and species, along lines
schools, that nearly all the diseases to which humanity is which our adversary thoroughly understands.

“BE STRONG AND OF GOOD COURAGE”

.Josrrrr i 1. I-Il.--OC?‘OLIEI~ 5.
Joshua, the newly appomted leader of Israel, had been these experiences, they, as well as spiritual Israel, are again
Jloses’ “minister” or servant, not in a meni.~l sense, but in on the borders of the land of momme---t!m Millennial kinp-
that hig!ler sense in 11hich we speak of “ministcis of the tlo111. This time Joshua will take rommand, the .JUJdan will
Lord,” Ninisters of State, Prime Ministers, etc., He was be crossed and the gracious promxser begin to 11ave their fulfil-
eighty yeai s of age at this time, and hence ‘must’ have been ment. Meantime, the Joshua class, the chur&. 11.1sbeen in
fo1 tv n 11tw J*1 ;1eI 1eit 1+vr,t ,.. . He \\‘:\s of the, t1 1he of l!J:n11lx1111. process of development, and after the great time of trouble
of one of its lendinv families, his grandfather, Elishama, which is near at hand. thl> wurld in eenernl will 1~ read)
having been a captai; of the army of the Ephroimites, 40,- to follow the leadership of Jesus as ;t is written 01 that
600 in number, at the organization of the Israelites soon time, “Many nations shall come and s:ly, Cc:iilr, and 1, t u3
after the e.\-odu+ \\:e find Joshua with nloses as his special go up to the mountain of the Lord, an1 to the hou~ of the
companion, in Mt. Sinai ; we find him again as the represeu- God of Jacob; and he will teach IJ~ of his ways, and we will
tntirc of ~Iosc,, the gemrnl of all Israel in the lirst battle \valk in his paths.“---hIirah 4 :2.
fought with the Am:~lekitcs , TVC find him again one of the -\s, meantime, Joshua neellctl c~l~.onr.~gelrlc~l1t, :,o ilo\\’ the
leading men of all the tlibc3, sent to suv oilt the land of Lord’s con;ccrated ems. the mcnlbers ot the body 0i C’l\rid,
momi%, and on this occas!on he and Cxleb mere the only need encouragement, nc1~ld to have lmintrsd out to them thl:
t\vo nhose faith in the Lord enabled thrm to return a favor- suienees of the itivine lnomise, its hngths and breadths and
able report, and, as we harp already seen, in the giving of depths, just as the Lore! nolntcd out to Joshua the land of
t!us report these men hazarded their lives:--so great was the promise,” from the n ildei n;ns to Xt. Lebanon an11 cast,nni d
chagrin and disappointment of the Israeiiteq, and so fully to the river Euphrates and westward to the’ %3litcrranean
were they in sympathy with the report of the majority. Lien. Does faith waver and are UC mclined to nonder how
All these events seem to indicate that Joshua was a man it will be possible for the new dispensation to accomplish
of laigc faith and large courage; moreover, we remember that such wonderful things as are nec~s~aiv./ to bc acconlplished for
notwithstanding his high position as Moses’ chosen minister, tlie blessing and ul&ftin g of the n orb1 of mankind? If so,
he teems to have been entirelv void of that ambition which let US 1001; backwaid and SW how the c!ivine power \\ds eser-
I
1~1 to the overthrow of I<orah.“Dathnn and Abiram and man) clWct 111 2 Illil:~ClllOi~3 Illililll:‘l, ?lot Olil\- tllrouoll Alobes af, the
c:f the oiincri of Israel. and which nreviousirI
had affected Clo~slng l:f tile Rrrl 613 ;:ncI ‘in tile giving o’f the manna, in
Miriam ant1 Xar,on Aithougli he is not mentioned as being the rxtor~ of the Amalekite~ and 111 the uatc~r from the
so meek as Moses, we mayi from all then ~~nn~i(lrrnt:on- rock. hut let us also notice IIOY; tlto I,nrtl’s prcjviilcnc~s weie
ludgta tllnt the one \\liorii tlip Lord chose for Noses’ successor miraculously with Israel II: various nays during the period
was indeed a meek man, and that his coura.ye, exemplified in of t:1:*11 f.l\or , an(l l& :I:: i(l~il(.nrl~t~i th.lt tliis s‘tme pti\ber of
PV~I\; featllir of 111~historv, w<rs the result of his faith in the God 111 still lnigcsr m~dhn~ ~1 in to IW w;t:z th0 antitvpe of
b-d ant1 not tile IC~UI~ :;f i~~lf-~mfidenc~~ ‘fhr ltahson to bc lil,sr:,. xx1t1: tl:J; ntw J,eadcr of the world. ?IIC alcat 1ies5mh
tlr:,wn from tllis hy spiritual Israel is the one mentioned br -Christ tli(a Read and the chnrrh. his borly. in thcl work of
our Loi d ; namely. “1Yhoioevcr euaiteth himself shall IW blessing and restitution on behalf of all t!lose who shall,
:ll,.~4 : and !lC t!rnt hn~mbletl~ himself shall be exalted.” IlXk’r tht hill ellhgllt~Wnl~Ilt. dwr~ t0 1Jr tll~ 11cOpk of (:od.
(Luke 14.11) In this Joshua was a tape of our Lord ,Te~u< A$ it was God w:th Rl6)ic~ an;1 (:o:l wlth .1~~~1:11.3 tliat l~io;i~l~t
~110. in turn, is the pattern which must be followed by all t lie victories, elc., SO it will br the power of Go11 \vltll t!le
those who would be finally acceptable in the Loid. The church that will bring the cominrr victories “Tht, Lord at
Apostle’s argument along this line, to al! the spiritual Is- thy right hand shall strike through kings in the dav of his
raelites, is, “Humble yourselves thei efore under the mightv $1ratli.“ ! t’qa. ilO.5) “I sll~lll give thee tllr 1ienthc:n for
hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.“--1 Pet. 5:6. thinc mberlt:lnce, and the uttermost parts of the cart11 for
Israel unquestionably accepted the Lord’s choice of a tlly possession.” (Psn. 2 :8) Again the Apostle declares tlmt
lrxdrr. As a neonle thev were evidentlr lexrninlr something the iUillcnnia1 victory of Christ s!mll be by and through the
bv their esperienie in the wilderness ‘training \chool. At Fnthei’s power. (1 Cor. 15.27) As none were able to stand
the beginning of their sojourn they were scarcely willing to before ~Joshua as the Lord’s renrckscntatire. so none of the
recogmre even Closes: but now thev had come along so far as aleat forces of evil and the obstructions now in the pathway
to hc able to see that the Lord wax their real Leader. and of the fulfilmmt of God’s nromI~(~\ ~11.~11Ytalld: all lllubt ial.1
that even though Rloses had died without bringing them into before the antitypical Joshua. “As I live, saith the Lord,
the promised land, God who had made the promise of Canaan every knee shall bow to me. and eve~v tongnr hlmll confer
to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and themselves, was abumlxntly to God.” (Ram. 14:ll) Satan himself shall be amongst
able to accomplish his promise, and hence they were willing these great rncmies to be overthrown and utterly destroyed,
to accept whatever leadership the Lord should indicate. and all of his works of evil-death itself being finally com-
Spiritual Israelites, too. are to learn the same lesson; human pletely blotted out as an opponent of those in harmony with
lentlcrs are important in their way-in so far as they aie the God and approved by him.-all others having been destroyed
divine choice-so far as we can see fulfilled in them the in the second death, which is not an enemy either to God or to
Lord’s promised guidance of his people. But we are never those who are in accord with him or to any principle of right-
to think of human leaders as indispensable; and God is likely eousness or truth or goodness.
to do again as in this case of Moses: namelv, to remove a The land of promise is here mentioned as being the “land
trusted ‘leader and to appoint another in hid. stead, to the of the Hittites.” Higher Critics were once inclined to think
intent that his people mav learn that he is their real Leader, this reference to the ‘Hittites an egregious error because they
that with him as their Guide they will surely have succe’ss, could find no record of such a people, and because from their
and that without him all earthlv leadershin would be in vain. standpoint the Bible is to be considered on a lower plane
As we have seen, Moses prefigured the law, the school: than are the secular histories of the world. However, all
master which was to’bring God’s people to the promised land, this has been changed because in the last few years excava-
to the nromised blessing. restitution. etc. We have seen that tions made in Assyria have disclosed ancient tablets whose
as Israel was unready-to enter in’ and to possess the land testimony fully corroborates the statement that the Hittites
because of lack of faith in the beginning and, therefore, had were at this time a mighty people. Those who discount the
its wilderness iournev extended to fortv years. so on account Bible statements are at a disadvantage, while those who ac-
of lack of faith at “our Lord’s first adGent they were pre- cept them are sure to be on the right side and, sooner or
vented from ioinine with him in the restitution work and later, to have confidence and faith justified by evidences.
were made towand& to gain further experiences and leadings Three times in this lesson is Joshua encouraged by the
during the past nineteen centuries; and now at the close of Lord, “Be strong and of a good courage,” “Be thou strong and
[SO791
(28&2813 ZION’S WATCH TOWER ALLEGHENY, PA.

very courageous, ‘, etc. (vs. 6, 7, 9) There are different kinds getting in advance of the divine requirement they are show-
of courage, one sort is begotten of egotism and self-reliance, rnp the Lord n. snecial zeal for righteousness. Some of the
another kmd is begottrn of a recklesness which fails to take %caryiees of the cord’s day were thus disposed to add to the
into account the difficulties of the situation; but the courage Word of God and to lay heavy burdens upon the people be-
which the Lord inculcates and nlhch all the spirit- yond what the Lord had required of them in the law. The
ual Israelites qre to seek to possess 14 the one whlc*h, Lord’s faithful ones are not to do this any more than to sub-
while coolly and calmly discerning the trials and difficulties tract from the divine requirements. T&h is truth; God’s
of the way and while humbly realizing its insufficiency for Word is God’s Word; we are not authorized to take from it
the occasion, is supported by a faith in the Lord-a trust in or to add to it. Many today have come to realize that the
the divine promises whirh enables thtlrn to be strong in the Bible does not teach an eternity of torment, and yet feeling
Lord and in the power of his might. This was to be Joshua’s that this doctrine may possibly help through fear to drive
courage and It is to be our3 In respect to all the things of some into church membership, or to deter some from grosser
the present life, as wcsll as in respect to all the things of the forms of sin, they arc rather inc*llnetl to favor thr doctrine
kingdom, confidence in the Lord whose servants wc arc, and even though they admit it to be a blasphemy against the
whose work he has commissioned us to perform. The espres- divine character. and in total violation of all principles of
sion, “Turn not from it (the law) to the right hand or to righteousness. Those who would be of the Joshua class are
the left” dots not slgnlfp a turning aside completely, but to learn that it is not their right or privilege to ma!t:c laws
rather, according to the original, it means, Require neither
more nor lc~ss than the dlvlne standard; seek to keep as or to ignore those already made, but so far as lies wlthiu
ncarlv as pos~,~hle in nb~olute alignment with the &vine their power to observe the divine principles of righteousness
Word. We find some Christian people disposed to add to laid down in the divine \Vord, and to teach the same to ath-
the law of God m great complacency, feeling that in thus crs, leaving the consequences with the Lord.

QUARTERLY REVIEW-SEPTEMBER 28
Thou shalt remember the Lord thy Clod.-Deut. 8:18.
A very profitable review of this quarter’s lessons may be their wills, in their intentions, and so far as possible each
found 111 Deuteronomy, 8th chapter. Thcare Moses, himself, must see to it that this divine law is obeved in all the affairs
summarizes the experiences of Israel’s humiliations, and bases of life. As Jesus was to have hi3 success’ in proportIon to his
upon them great and important lr9qons respecting their fu- obedience to the divine law, so we will make our mlllng and
ture. He shows that the lessons properly learned and applied, election sure in proportion as \\e shall strive to cl)mr into
will bring lasting blessings, riches and divine favor; and these conformity with the regulations of thr tli\tnca law whlrh 11~s
to be rightly enjoyed and really profitable, must continually come to us, the sum and suhstnnce of wllirh. a;; our Master
draw their hearts to God in thankfulness and in acknowledge- declared, is that we love the Lord our God with all nllr mind,
ment of his providential care and guidance. Any neglect of being and strength ; and love our nei,ghljor a$ ourwlvrs. In
such recognition of divine favor would be sure to lead to proportion as we do these things, wc shall hnvta “,cnntl sue-
ride, and thus more and more toward sin and farther and cess.” Not good success as respects earthly plosperitv per-
r arther away from the Lord, and ultimately to the cutting haps, enrthlv fame and name, but good sucre’is as rrsperts
off of the supply of blessings because of separation from their our real object in life, the attainment of the prim of the
fountain. high-calling “set before .us in the Gospel, the nt’talnment of
All of this lesson may well be applied to spiritual Israel. joint-heirship with our Master in the kinxdnm. And nothing
As the poet has expressed it, can more thoroughly stimulate us and encourage us in this
direction than absolute faith. confidence in the Lord. To
“My highest place is lying low battle with the world. the kesh and devil requires more
At my Redeemer’s feet.” strength than we posse&; we need the courage coming to us
The more we come into possession of the spiritual bless- from the divine assurance given to Joshua. “Be strnne and of
ings whirh the Lord has promised us, and which we have ac- a good courage, be not af&id, neither be thou dismayed; for
cepted hv faith, thn more need we wili have of humilit?: and the Lord thy God is with thee whithersover thou goest.”
our humilit,v will be proportionate to our apprcriatlon of The time had come for entering thr promisrd land and
divine goo(lness and our thankfulness therefor. The grateful, Joshua, full of the proper couragk; gave’ the necessary in-
thankful heart may go on from grace to grace, from strength structions-that the neonle should nrenare victuals for ‘three
to strength. from knowledge to knowledge, from attainment days during which th’ey would be m&ghnlled as an army and
to attainment; but if gratitude begins to wane and our ad- be in process of crossing over Jordan into thr promised land.
vantaacs are accepted either as matters of our own nttain- When we remember that our Lord Jesus derlart>tl that his
ment >r of good iurk, in that same proportion we will find flesh which he would give for the life of the world is the
ourselves crowing cold spiritually, and with unthankfulness hread which comes down from heaven. and whrn we remem-
will cnme unholiness, spiritual self-conceit and pride, and all her that the preparation of this bread meant the death of our
of this nil1 lead to spiritual dearth, and if persisted in to Lord JPSUS, and not only so but hia resurrection as a spirit
spiritual death. being, and when we remember further that he waq in thi5
“Give me a thankful heart, from every murmur free, state of death or preparation, for parts of three days and
A heart which always feels thy blood, so freely shed for that he arose on the third dav. it eives us the sucrrstion that
me.” quite probably the Lord meant a’ lesson for us ‘spiritual Is-
Althourrh the entire Pentatpuch-the five books of Moses raelites in connection with those three davs of preparing of
-was dcsignntetl the law of fiIose:, the Book of Deuteronomy victuals as mentioned in our lesson. Our Lord swrnR to have
was in .Joshua’s dav oarticularlv the book of the law, it be- referred to three lar,ger days also on several occasions: aq, for
ing rather a sum&n;y of the “teachings of the other four instance. when he said. “I do cures todav and tomorrow. and
books TTowevrxr, we are not to confine the thought of the the third day I shall’ be perfected,” we’ understand him to
Lord’s ~ortla. simnlv to the Pentateuch, but are rather to have included with himself his church, and that he spoke
remcml)cr that “eve& word that proceedeth out of the mouth respecting large, or thnuqand year days. Hr was living in
of God” is a Dart df the divine law which we, as the anti- the beginning of the fifth thousand; this would he the first of
typirnl .Jo*hun’ are to reverence, to study and, ‘to the extent the three days, then followed the sixth thnns:lnd year day,
that we are Ehle, obey. We have already seen that the divine the second, and the third would be the seventh thnuqand. Dur-
law in thiq smsc sneaks mnre than si’mplv forms and cere- ing the first two of thrse dnrs the Lord and his church have
monies and iustice.’ to u9. spiritual Isrflclites: we see that dnne cures, cures of sin. hindinE UD the broken hearted and
sneakinr thrd-u-rrh .Tcsus Christ. our Lord. God has in our later assistina whoever was willinn ‘t’o n measure nf newness of
times ~&ken mercy and peace and reconciliation and love life, and in prneral doins pod to all men as opportunity has
and adoption into his family. As the antitvpe of ;lnshua, hccn afforded and on the third dav, that is in the seventh
our T,orrl *Jesus drclares, as reprenrnted through the Prophet, preat dav, or the Millennium, eqrlv in the Millennial mnrn-
‘7 delight to do thy will, 0 my God: yea. thy 11w is within in?. he shall be perfected, the entire bodv of Christ complete,
mv heart,” and thus it mu4 he with all those who shall be and then the great work of restitution will hprrin. Again the
nltimntelv acceptable a9 mcmhers of Christ’s hndy. the ,glori- same three days are referred tn. nnd the temple is mpntionrd
fi4 church. the rnpal priesthood: they, each and all to be of as a figure or illustration: our T,nrd’s words were. “Destroy
t)llt rnmnanv. must be in this respect copies of God’s dear this temnle and in three davs I will raise it UD:” the writer
Pon-they m&t all have the divink law in their hearts, in adds, “But he spake of the temple of his body.” (.John
[30801
SEPTEMBER
15, 1902 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (291~292)

2 : 19-21) The Apostle assures us that the church is the
temple of God, and that it is the body of Christ under Jesus
its Head. Various agencies have been in antagonism with
the church, Head and body for the two days mentioned, the
fifth thousand year period and the sixth thousand year period,
and it still continues while we are in the beginning of the
seventh period; but the Lord’s promise is that now shortly
the temple, the church, his body, shall be complete and he
will raise it up, raise it from ruin, raise it to the perfection
and glory of the Millennial kingdom. It is in harmony with
this that we may recognize the church with her Lord as be-
in@ a part of the bread which God is preparing. Our Lord
Jesus was the bread which came down from heaven, and we
have partaken of him, of his merit, and have been thereby
transformed; and we, as the Apostle declares, have become
part of the one loaf, the one bread, and we also, as part cf
the one bread, are being broken with our Lord, and thus in-
directly this preparation of the church and her association
with her Lord are represented in the three days victualling
which is provided for the world of mankind, and necessary
to them before they can pass over Jordan and enter into the
Millennial Canaan.

VOL. XXIII ALLEGHENY, PA., OCTOBER 1, 1902 No. 19

-
VIEWS FROM THE WATCH TOWER
BLINDNESS GRADUALLY COMING OVER NOMINAL keep closed or sealed because of its iniquity or infamy. Then
CHRISTENDOM AND GRADUALLY TURNING you are in hell now; in the hell where men skulk and start
AWAY FROM FLESHLY ISRAEL
and fail; in the heli where the limbs tremble and the heart
Is it not remarkable that as nominal Spiritual lsrael thumps and the flesh creeps and the teeth chatter and the
begins to stumble into unbelief over “the stone of stumbling” blood runs cold and the hair stands on end, the heart stops
-rciectinp the ransom-sacrifice of Christ--the Jews, Israel and the cold sweat overpours the face.”
after the -flesh, begin to get glimpses of Jesus such as they
nave never before had? Note the following eulogistic ex- JEWISH HOPES RESPECTING PALESTINE
pressions respecting our Lord, from the lips gf emigent Jews The Jewish Exponent furnishes the following information :
of our day:- The failure to secure satisfactory terms from the Sultan of
“I regard Jesus of Nazareth as a Jew of the Jews, one Turkey, as noted recently in these columns, is felt keenly
whom all Jewish people are learning to love.“-Isadore but has not discouraged the leaders.
Singer, Editor of Jewish Encyclopedia. “Dr. Herzl set forth the standpoint of the Zionists and
“Jesus was the gentlest and noblest rabbi of them all. formulated the conditions of Jewish settlements in a’ self-
In Jesus there is the very flowering of Judaism.“-Henry contained part of Palestine and in other parts of Asia hlinor,
Berkowitz, Rabbi of Rodeph Shalam Congregation, Pennsyl- on the basis of a Charter.
vania. “These proposals were carefully -considered from the
“Jesus is soul of our soul, as He is flesh of our flesh. Turkish side. Through his representatives the Sultan de-
\Vho, then, could think of excluding him from the people of clared his fullest sympathy for the Jewish people; but the
lsrael ?“-Max Nordau, M. D., Paris, France. concessions which His Majesty expressed himself ready to
“Even the most conscientious Jew may, without hesita- make for a Jewish settlement could not be considered ade-
tion, recognize in view of the immense effect and success of quate according to our Zionist nrogram. The ne_notiations
His life, that Jesus has become a figure of the highest order have thus, this time also, remaincd”without rcsulc Never-
in the historv of religion. The fact that Jesus was a Jew theless, the Sultan caused Dr. Herzl to be assured of his es-
should, I think in our eyes, rather help than hinder the ac- teem and sympathy. The relations have in no wav been
knowledgment of his high significance.“-N. Porges, Ph. D., broken off. On the contrary, we may hope that the “advan-
Rabbi, Leipsig, Germany. tages which a regular and legally guaranteed settlement of
‘We Jews honor and revere Jesus as we do our own Jews present according to our program, will be recognized
prophets who preceded him. “-Jacob H. Schiff, New York by the Turkish Government to their full extent.
Citr. “For that moment the Zionist organizations must be pre-
‘“I am of the opinion that we should endeavor with all pared; the agitation must be carried on incessantly, and the
possible zeal to obiain an exact understanding of the great material means must be collected. The more efficient our
personality of Jesus, and to reclaim him for Judaism.“-M. movement, becomes, the more speedily and surely will it
Lazarus, Ph. D., Professor of Philas University of Berlin. reach its goal.
“If he (Jesus) has added to their spiritual bequests new “It is rumored that the Actions Comite of the Zionist
jewels of religion, truth and spoken words., which are words movement in Vienna is now seriouslv considering mtllcx pro-
of life, because they touch the deepest springs of the human position to hold the next Zionist Conrrcss in New York.
heart. why should not Jews glory in him?“-Gustav Gott- The question will probably be decided Upon at the October
heil. Ph. D., Rabbi Emeritus of Temple Emanuel, New York. meeting of the comite.
“We want our children to know that in Jesus of Nazar- “Lord Salisburv is credited with having said on the
eth, Judaism produced one of the most beautiful types of Zionist solution. “It is a question of sixty per cent; if sixty
humanity, one of the world’s greatest teachers.“-Dr. K. per cent of the Jews desire Palestine, they will get it.’ It
Kohler, New York. is, however, rumored that Lord Rothschild. impressed bv
A MINISTER ENCOURAGES HIS FLOCK the Alien Immigration Commission-which, ‘when it aga&
Rev. Dr. Reid, of Watertown, thus explains to his people meets, will sit in Soho, the French auarter of the metrono-
the present status of the doctrine of hell. and meantime gives lis-and his conversations with Dr.’ Herzl will had in’ a
us a suggestion of how impious he considers his congregation movement for the settlement of a large number of Russian
of “saints” to reallv be at heart. He evidently knows “his Jews in lands, as Disraeli put it, ‘in nroninquitv’ to Pales-
sheep” to be downriiht hypocrites. He says, as reported, evi- tine, and at present under the British ‘flag. -Wh?n his lord-
dently by himself, in the public press:- ship will move, or whether at all. a short few months should
“The age of religious barbarism is past. Science, the ac- teli, but from. excellent sources ‘I know that he has some
centuation of the Fatherhood of God, man’s moral nature such scheme in mind, and that the details are being investi-
and sniritual exnerience make the hvnothesis of a material gated on his behalf.
hell incredible. ‘The world would castA out the preacher who “Lord Rothschild has heretofore held outwardly a most
would dare to repeat today the message of .Jonnthxn Ed- impartial attitude on all solutions. and whilst steerinrr clear
wards, that the view of the miseries of the damned would of ‘Zionism has let it be known that he does not view attacks
double the ardor of the love and gratitude of the saints in upon the movement with favor. Hence the idea he is study-
heaven. ir may prove one that will unite all parties, and with h’is
“Yet there is a hell. Yet there are lost souls. Yet the name at the back of it there would be no financial diffi-
guiltv do go into everlasting punishment. culties.”
“You are in hell when you cannot look your fellow crea- STARTLING STATEMENT IN NEW YORE PULPIT
ture in the face because of the wrong you have done him; New York, Sept. ‘I.-The Rev. Dr. R. S. MacArthur, at
in hell when you would like to wring your own neck; in the 100th me&inn in the Evanecl 0 tent todav.“I assailed fhr
hell when you do not have a word to say for yourself, but doctrine of baptism. He declared that the dropping of writer
arc struck dumb bp the consciousness of your own meanness on an infant at birth was heathenism, and that the idea that
and nrrocnnce and baseness. You are in hell when envy, God would forever condemn an innocent but unbaptized babe
hatred and malice hold carnival in vour heart; in hell when makes Him a tyrant.
vou know that vou are not telling -the whole truth: in hell That utterance, coming from Dr. MacArthur, had a won-
with all your lies, losses and perversions and distortions of derful effect on his hearers. They rose to their feet and
the truth. Perhaps there is a chapter in your lives that you applauded wildly. The scene was striking.
[30811
(292-293) ZION’S WATCH TOWER ALLEGHENY, Pa.

“Baptism,” he declared, “never saved a human soul. The Very good! Excellent! But while this eminent Baptist
doctrine of baptismal regeneration is both unreasonable and D. D. is plucking beams out of the eyes of others, let him not
unscriptural. The superstitions that have gathered about overlook the Baptist beam in his own; viz., that zmme-rszon
infant- baptism form one of the saddest cha$ers in church in water zs the door znto the Church of Christ. If that were
historv. Thousands throueh all the aees have believed that true it would mean that all not so immersed are out of the
a child dying without being baptized was eternally lost. church of Christ. And according to the misunderstanding of
This dark and dreary superstition has cast a gloom over the Baptists and others this would mean outside of dzvzne Merck;
history of the church for centuries. for- do not Christians generally claim that mercy ends w&l
“This doctrine is heathenism, pure and simple. The idea this age and that this age is merely for the gathering of
that God would forever condemn an innocent babe because God’s elect church?-And that the prospect of all others is
some one had not put a few drops of water on its head and eternal torment? We trust that Bro. Mac-Qrthur and other
face makes God a tyrant. Rather than believe in such a God Baptists will not stop their investieation. u
but moceedine 1

I would be an avowed infidel. learn what the real baptism is, and the distinction between
“This doctrine of baptismal regeneration makes the minis- it and its water-symbol; and what the tlue churrh is and
ter of religion a worker of magic, a fakir, a performer of the distinction between it and the sects of Christendom. We
ecclesiastical miracles. Such teaching is a violation of all shall be glad to help all the sincere ones in the soultion of
sound reason and true scriptural teaching.” these problems, on receipt of postal card request,s.

THE OUTCOME OF THIS AGE

W. G. MOREHE9D, D. D.
Professor in United Presbyterian Theological Seminary.
There are principles at work in modern society, which, The result is a blindness much more dense than that of
if left unchecked. will soon make the advent of the Sntl- the wolld on a subject of which they profess to be past-mast-
Christ not only possible, but certain. THE LL4WLESS DRIFT ers. Worldly people “can discern the signs of the times”
IS ALREADY ON US, precursor of worse to come. Vho does far better than to suppose, as these self-blinded brethren do,
not perceive that the forces are already loose which tend to that the trend of the world is toward greater veneration for
the disintegration of the whole social fabric! Kho does not fellow-mortals. The world well sees that the trend is in the
perceive that the axe is already aimed at the chief hoops rererse direction,-toward a denial of all authority and pow-
which bind together the staves of the clrll polltg! The lest- er,-divine as well as human.
lessnecs uiitler reitlalnt. the revolt against authority and
law, the spread of Soclnlism, the growth of agnosticism, the How strange it seems that sane minds can imagine that
prevalence of materialism, fostered, as it largely is, by both “the gallopwg man on horseback,” a eneral, or emperor, or
the science and the politics of our time, the enormous greed who not, would ever deceive the wor 7 d-“the whole world”
of those who have and who want still more, the deep, omm- into thinking him greater than God. and doing him homage
ous growl of those who have not, and who want and will accordingly ’ In our Judgm(snt. this is ju>t <ohJmpiobable as
have all this, and much more than this. betokens the break- that “the cow will jump over the moon.”
in2 down of the barriers.
I
the overthrow of the restraining This man-Anti-Christ, is expected to convert the world
inlluences, and the speedy advent of the great adversary. and build the Jews a temple at Jerusalem,-all in three and
The Frenchman snake well. perhaps better than he knew, a half years after he makes a start; and he has not yet made
whb lately said, “i think I heir the galloping of the man on a start, and only “portentous movements of the times” are
horseback !” in evidence. Christ’s advent is to be just three and a half
We have only to suppose the portentous movements of years after the advent of this preposterous man. And yet
the times to grow and gather head until the hindrance is these brethren deceive themselves into thinking that they
gnne, the breakwater is down-and then-yes, what then? are not time setters. and that they are loolcil?g for Christ’s
Illen cometh “the Man of Sin,” the world deceiver, whom advent. We are sorry for them!
the Lord shall slay with the breath of His mouth, and shall In conclusion : We kindly suggest to the Professor that
bring to nought by the appearing of His Coming. Then the the Common Version rendering of 2 The<. 2:s. “the> tnlehtnesq
kingdoms of this world shall become the kingdom of our of his coming” poor as it is, is better than his substitution:
Lord and of Hi? Christ and He shall reign forever and ever. viz., “the apsaiing of his coming.” If he will look at these
words in his Greek New Testament he will find that “co1?~ino”
is not the proper word at all: that the Greek word he;e
The above clipping is from the pen that attacks “diiZZem- rendered “comi$’ is pal-ousin, and that all scholars agree
nzrr? I~fl~n” as being “the product of insanity ” It is surely that in English it means presence (as of one who has alreadv
a poor blind pen, or, at least, a somnambulistic one, when come). We suggest as h literal translation of the words,:
it cannot see that the “Man of Sin” of prophecy flourished for “The bright-shining of the present one,“--the revealing or
over a thousand years as Papacy: and that since the Reforma- manifestation of one previously present, but unseen, unre-
tion movement he has been slain with the sword of the Spirit, vealed.
the Word of God. True the wound has to some extent been
healed; but yet a little while and the bright-shining of the Our position is that Anti-Christ has already fulfilled his
presence (parousia) of the Lord shall utterly destroy him, part, and a wonderful and awful part it was;-that now ac-
and all other kindred systems of error which now counter- cording to promise the true Christ has come a second time,
feit, with varying degrees of accuracy, the true Christ- in glory, and not in flesh, to reign, and not to sacrifice;-
Head, and “body.“--2 Thess. 2:s; Rev. 13:3, 12.--M. Dawn, that his first work is the sifting of his church-the separa-
Vol. II., Chapter 9. tion of the tares, etc., and the gathering of the true “wheat”
into the kingdom garner-beyond the vail, as spirit beings
LOOKING FOR THE WRONG ADVENT
like their Lord: the sleeping ones awakened to first resur-
Prof. Moorehead and others of his school of thought tell rection glory, honor and immortality, and those who are
the world generally that they set no time for Christ’s second alive and remain “changed” in the moment of dying to the
coming. They give the impression, surely, that they are in same glory condition. Soon, perhaps before all the “wheat”
daily, yea, hourly expectation of seeing our Lord reappear has been garnered, the fire of tribulation and anarchy will
in flesh on a cloud in the sky. But in tb.e above the Pro- break out in the world-“a time of trouble such as was not
fess& tells the truth plainly.: viz., that he and those who
share his expectations are not at all looking momenBarily since there was a nation”-a time when faith in God and man
for the Lord. Instead they are looking for “tlze speedy ad- and a disbelief of the Bible will be rampant throughout
vent of the great adoersary.” i. e., “Then comet11 the ‘Man “Christendom” nominal. In that trouble and its overthrow of
of Sin.’ ” all law and order, government and religion, the world will
How is that? Why such an expectation of the advent of learn an everlasting lesson, and he prepared for the reign
Antichrist instead of the advent of the true Christ? of righteousness.-The rulers of the kingdom of light will,
It is because these dear brethren are sadly blinded by a however, be as unseen to mortal eyes as are the present rulers
literal interpretation of the symbolical Book- of Revelation, of the darkness of this world-Satan and his coadjutors;-
and an exnectation of Christ’s kingdom in the flesh; where- the earthly representatives of the kingdom being men-per-
as the W&d declares: “Flesh and” blood cannot inherit the fect men-the ancient worthies, approved of God before the
kingdom of God. “-1 Cor. 15:50; John 3:3, 5. call to “change” of nature was given.-Heb. 11:39, 40.
[30821
 “ARE THERE FEW I’HAT BE SAVED?”
Emerging from that blackness of error called Calvinism typical teacher], much more shall not we escape, if we turn
(with its heaven of blessing for the “little flock” and its eter- asway from him that speaketh from heaven.”
nal torment for all others, as taught by good but sadly de- “Looking diligently, lest any man fail of the grace of
ceived men-John Calvm, Jonathan Edwards, Charles H. God.“-Heb. 12:25, 15.
Spurgeon and others-) into the glorious light *of the good- “The soul that will not hear that prophet shall be de-
ness of God, shining in the face of Jesus Christ our Lord stroyed from among his people.“-Acts 3 :23.
and revealed in the divine Plan of the Ages, the writer was “By one offering he [Christ] hath perfected forever them that
subjected to the same attacks of Satan (the great enemy are sanctified. . . . Let us [therefore] draw near with a true
of God and man) to which all others seem to be exposed. heart, in full assurance of faith. . . . Let us hold fast the
Coming as an angel of light, he seemed to welcome us into profession of our faith without wavering, . . . exhorting one
the light out of the gross darkness which he himself had brou,nht another, and so much the more as ye see the [Millennial]
upon the world. And while our heart trembled with lay, Day drawing on. For if we stn wtlfully, after that we have re-
and yet with fear also, lest after all we should find some ceived the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more
evidence that God would do some terrible and unjust thing, [part for us in thg] sacrifice for .sins, but a certain fearful
to some of his creatures, at least, the suggestion came, God looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall
will not permit any to be lost. consume the adversaries.“-Heb. 10 : 14, 22-27.
At this time the word lost still had associated with it If “he who [in the typical nation] despised the law of
that unscriptural, wicked and awful meaning of eternal tar- Moses [the typical lawgiver] died without mercy, of how
ment; for, although we had gotten rid of that misbelief, and much sorer [more serious] punishment shall he be thought
saw that lost means dead, destroyed, the influence of that worthy who hath trodden under foot [disgraced] the Son of
old error still gave a false coloring to the words formerly God, and hath counted the blood of the [New] Covenant,
supposed to teach it. Hence the greater force in the sugges- wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy [ordinary] thing,
tion that God would not permit any to be lost ;-for surely and hath done despite unto the spirit of grace?” Surely the
no enlightened mind can candidly imagine the eternal mis- wages of such conduct would be everlasting, while that in
ery of a solitary individual in all of God’s universe. the type was not, but was covered by the great sacrifice for
Reason and judgment swaved for a time, first to one side sins once for all. “It is a fearful thing to fall into the
and then to the other, according to circumstances and moods, hands of the living God.“-Heb. 10:28, 29, 31.
until we learned that our reasoning powers are not to be “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life; and
relied upon to settle such questions; that they are imperfect he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath
as well as liable to be prejudiced; and that for this cause of God abideth on him.” -John 3:36: 1 John 5:12.
God had given us his inspired Word to guide our reasonmg “His servants ye are to whom ye render service; whether
faculties into proper channels. Then, appealing to the Scrip- of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness.“-Ram.
tures, we found abundant proof that unless God therem 6:16.
trifles with his children’s confidence (and as men would say “The end of those things is death.“-Rom. F:21.
“bluffs” them, with suggestions and threats which he knows “To be carnally minded is [to reap the penalty1 death;
he will never execute) there surely will be some lost as well but to be spiritually minded is [to reap the reward1 life and
as some saved. peace. “-Rom. 8 : 6.
Among these Scriptures are not only those similes which “Sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.“--.las.
speak of the salt which lost its value, and was thenceforth 1:15.
good for naught, but to be trodden under foot, and of the “There is a [kind of] sin unto death; . . . . and there
d~strz~tion of those servants which would “not have this man is a [kind of] sin not unto death.“-1 John 5: 16, 17.
to rule over” them (Matt. 5: 13; Luke 19:14, 27)) etc., but the “Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to
following plain statements :- kill [destroy] the soul [being] : but rather fear !iim which is
Some “wrest . . . the Scriptures even to their own destruc- able to destroy both soul and body in Gehenna [the setond
tlon”---O
. . .
- Pet,. 3.1G death] .“-Matt. 10 :28.
“Pride goeth before destruction.“-Prov. 16 : 18. “The wages of sin is death.“-Ram. 6 :23.
“The Lord preserveth [saves] the souls of his saints.“- “As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the
Paa. 97 : 10. death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way
“The Lord preserveth all them that love him, but all the and live. Turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why
wicked [not the ignorant] will he destroy.“-Psa. I45:20. will ye die?“-Ezek. 15:32; 33:ll.
“False teachers . . . bring in damnable heresies, . . . and ‘All the wicked will God destroy.“-Psa. 145 :20; 147 :6.
bring upon themselves swift destrzcotzon.“-2 Pet. 2: 1. What could be more explicit than this testimony of GoJ’s
Some are “vessels of wrath fitted to destruction.“-Ram. Word? And how reasonable it all is! Torment might urop-
9:22. erly be objected to as unjust as well as unmerciful: but*tak-
“Them that walk after the flesh . . . shall utterly perish ing away life from those who will not conform their lives to
in their own corruntion.“-2 Pet. 2 :lO-12. the. just and holy and kind regulations of the New Covenant
“The destructiok of the transgressors and of the [wilfull which God has opened to our race, through Chri#s great
sinners shill1 be together, and they that forsake the Lord shall atoning sacrifice, is reasonable, iust and merciful.
be consumed.“-Isa. 1:28. It is reasonable: why should God continue his blessings,
The Lord will “destroy them that corrupt the earth.“- of which life is the chief, to those who after knowing and
Rev. 11: 18. being enabled to conform to his just requirements, will not
“The way of the Lord is strength to the upright: but do so?
destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.“-Prov. 10: It is just: because God is under no obligation to man.
_ Man is already his debtor ten thousand times; and if he will
29, 30; 21:l.i;.
not render lovmg respect to his Creator’s wise and good com-
Some fall into “many foolish and hurtful lusts [desires],
which drown men in destruction.“-1 Tim. 6:9. mands, justice would demand that those blessings be stopped.
It is merciful on God’s part to destroy the incorrigibly
“For many walk, . . . the enemies of the cross of Christ, wicked-those who, after full knowledge and opportunity
whose end is destruction.“-Phil. 3:18, 19. have been enjoyed, refuse to be conformed to the lines of the
“Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction.“- law of God’s kingdom-the law of love. ( 1) Because all who
2 Thess. 1:9. will live ungodly-out of harmony with God’s law of love-
“If any man defile the temple of God, him will God de- will always be like the restless sea, more or less discontented
stroy. “-1 Cor. 3:17. and unhappy. (2) Because such characters, be they ever so
“The judgment of God [is] that they who do such things few, would mar the enjoyment of those who do love neace and
are worthy of death.“-Ram. 1:32. righteousness. And to” these God has promised thatL the time
“Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of shall come when sin and its results, weeping and pain and
entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short dying, shall cease (Rev. 21:4), when he will destroy out of
of it.“-Heb. 4: 1. the earth those who corrupt it. (Rev. 11:18) (3) Because
“For it is impossible for those who were once enlight- God has promised that there shall vet be a clean world (Isa.
ened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made 11 :9 ; Rbv. 21 :5), in which the unholy and abominable‘ and
partakers of the holy Spirit, . . . if they shall fall away, all who love and make lies shall have no nlace. IRev. 21:8)
to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify “Thou shalt diligently consider his place ind it shall not be.”
to themselvcs the Son of God afresh and put him to an open -Psa. 37 : 10.
shame “-Heb 6 -4-6 Only such as have preferred their own wisdom to that of
“See that ‘ye’ refuse not him that speaketh; for if they the Bible can read the foregoing words of God, and yet be-
escaped not who refused him that spake on earth [Moses, the lieve that all men will be everlastingly saved.
C30831 (294-295)
(295-296) ZION’S WATCH TOWER

Only such as are puffed up with a sense of their own “abode not In the truth,” but became “the father of lies” and
benevolence can hold that God never would be satisfied or “a murderer.” And, after six thousand years’ witness of sin
happy if one of the race perished. God has gotten along very and its results, he is still the adversary of righteousness.
well without the sinners thus far, and could do so forever. After nearly two thousand years’ knowledge of the love and
It was not for selfish reasons that he redeemed all, and is mercy of God manifested in Christ’s sacrifice for sin, he is
:thout to rthtol(’ all who \\I11 a~‘(rpt 111~fn\or 111Cllrl*t still -as unmoved by that love as he is unmoved by pity for
But some attempt to evade the foregoing statements of human woe. And more than this: God. who knows the fu-
Scripture with tile claim that thc~v refer to wirkrtlne--. anti ture as well as the past, shows us. unqukstionably, that after
not ‘to \\icked people; that they &ean that all wicked people being restrained (bound) for a tLousa;d years 6i the power
will be destroved bv their conversion-bv havm,rr their wick- of Christ’s kingdom. and durine that time witnessine the
edness destroted. \Ve auk those who so” think “to read over blessings of ri&teo&ness, he wi’ll, when granted libe%y at
these words of God again, carefully, and see that they co16ld the close of the Millennium, still manifest a preference for
not, rcn~onnblg, be so construed. Notice that even though the way of sin and opposition to God’s arrangements. Surely
the Word mentioned nothln g about the destruction of wicked this prOZCS tllat lntclll~ent Il~lIlpc, ilI1d perf(sc+ lJClllg+. too c’i\ll
doe-s. hut rnert~ly mentionrd the dcstru(+ion of wl( Imlncw know God and yet choose a way of disobedience.-whethkr or
and wipkcd tl1ltzq.s. this would nevertheless mclude wicked not our minds can grasp the philosophy of their course.
doers, because, oi nil wicked things, ilztclElr/e,jce, wllful evil- But the philosophy of the matter is this: A perfect be-
doers are the worst. Ilnt the Word does specify wicked per- inE. angel or man. is a blank rage upon which character must
son5 : ant1 all nho are familiar with rule5 of grammar coyer- Ill. ,‘11gl,I\ rvl 1<nl~\\l~~tlnc~ ll#d i, t1 C’P \Ylll ;I:(’ t11:. c’Ilg:r.I\ t’l l .
in? the qu&ion know that when the person is specified the Prltlr, srlfirhnrsq and aml~it~on mnv be engraved. or love. hu-
destruction of his wickctlnrss merely could not be meant. mility and meekness. The latter’is the blessed or God-like
“The \ripl;e(l shall he [re] turnetl [back] into hell [shcoll character. the former is the smful or devilish character. ,4c-
and all nntions [Gentiles, people] that forget God.” (PXl. cording to which are engraved will be the character. If
!):lO) “The lake of fire, which iq the serond death” (Rev. the ~111 decide for sin and cultivate the wicker1 character.
50.14). is “prepared for the devil and his angels [messen- t!lcn rrsnlt will 1~ R wiPlcet1 lleing. Tf the will deride for right-
cet s or scsi-vantq] .” (Mntt. 05.41) And all who, with Satan, eousness and God-likeness, the result will be a holy being.
3erl’e sin are hlq servants or messengers. (Rom. 6:16) Par The same principles in a general way apply also to fallen
such, xc”i, for r12Zsuch, and for sue< only, God has prepared men. T\‘o matter how fallen and weak they may be, they have
the neilaltv of “cvcrlastinr dcstr~ction from the prerence of the free-IrIlls Thcr rnn jr111 aright, even wlirii thpy wllrlot, (10
Lor;l and’ from the ~10;; of his power.” Ani from Satan aripht. And under the New Covenant God accepts, through
their rhicf down to the ‘least one of his children who, not- Christ, the imperfect deeds where the wills are perfect.
withstanding knowledge and opportunity to the contrary:
c.linfi to evil and choose it rather than ri,nhteouaness, this For hmne wlio aie now cvll-doers and lorors of sin. our
trilje ~111 he hlottctl out to the praise of God’s justice, to the hope is, that ther are such because of blindinr of the devil
1nv am1 welfare of the hnlv and to their own real advantage. (2 Car. 4:4), which leads them to make a choice they would
” L It, will not do to judce”others by ourselves, in all respect% not make if they h:lIl n full, clear knowledge. God’s guaran-
The fart that God’s &ints do not feel opposition to God’s will, tee to all. through Chriqt. is that all shall come to an aecu-
nnd cannot understand how others can entertain such senti- rate knowledge of the truth, and thus to a full opportunity
ments, sometimes lends to the false conclusion that if all to choose between righteousness and sin. 11-e have no hnl~e
oth(brs cnjnyed a similar knowledge of God they too woultl for anv who. after coming to a clcnr Iainwlc~l~r. rll410v hlil.
tl(~li~ht in his service. That such a conclusion is false is evi- wilfullg : neither in this age nor in the nest is there hope
rlcnt. from the fact that Satan, who knew God thoroughly, for such, according to God.3 Word.

CROSSING JORDAN INTO CANAAN

.TOSHLJ.\ .7.9-l’i.--OC!TOBlX 12.
“Ti’hen thou passed through the waters I will be with thee,& through the ricers, they &all not ol;erflow thee.“-Isa. 43.2.
Four huntlrcd and scvcnty years had elapsed from the time illustration of the “land-grabbing” disposition of natural
Gad gave Canaan to Abraham, by promise, before his descend- man, which seems to increase century by century. notwlth-
mnts actually clossctl Jordan and began to inherit the land. standing the increase of civilization and the general apprecia-
The promise had been lonx of fulfilment, and doubtless had tlon of luktlre. \\‘e <trtl not of those who nnuld clefcx~l the tour-r
<everely tahed the faith of the people, to whom it belonged: of nations of modern times along these lines. As Christians,
yet r\ en in this rcipcc.t 111~tlvlny wan a hl(~=.~ing to them. :I- guided h;y our i\laster’P example and instruction, we should
.zerving to stimulnt~~ and develop faith. Nor are we to for- seek to do good unto all men as we have opportunity, and to
r?;et that the original promise haq not yet been fulfilled: he- leave them in pencclablc possession of their homes, property
cause the land nas prcnniTet1. not only to Abraham’s seed, but and liberties. We arc to recognize a difference, however, be-
also to himself, and the noble patriarch still rests and waits tween the divine law of lore. plac.rll upon and acaCc,ptcdlry the
in the sleep of d(Lnth for the accomplishment of the divine Lord’s consecrated nennlr. and the law of selfishness. under
promise, which will br fulfilled on a far larger scale when which the mass of ‘nin;ll~-i;id-including the vast majority of
r11c pmple of God shall have passed the nntlt.ypicnl Jordan nnminnl Christendom--still operates, and will continue to op-
intn tllr antit.yl,icnl Canaan-the Mlllcnnial kingdom condi- erate until the new dispensation and its new laws shall be
tion. \\.c xi ,’ not l(bft iI1 clnnht l~lmli tllii matter. \Ve ha\-c Ilihered in bv divine nowc’r. Severtlirlc~~ wxn~ that the
the .\pnqtle’s wortls in ITch 11:1X, RD. 40. that _4hraham and rhurch is seiarate fr&n the world, in the Lord’9 plan and in
othrr faitllful servnntq of the Lord still wait for the fulfil- his dealings. we can look with comparative eouanimitv unon
mcfint nf the plomicr m,lde to them, until first the still higher, the overribing of justice and equity’ bv the kingdom4 “of ihis
spiritual. l~c:i~enly promiheq, made to the Gospel church, the world, and may realize that in many instances the Lord may
Chii\t. bhall 11:1rc hrcn ;I~~~~~~ni~~li~l~rtl. “Got1 having 1” ovitlcd take advantage of their natural dinpncitinn tnwartl wv,trfartb
snmc better thing for us, tllat thlly without us should not be and conquest‘ and empire-building, and may allow the wrath
matltx perfect ” Strphen n.\urc5 ub along this same line. say- of man thus to work out certain features that will be ulti-
mg tllat Abraham reccivctl not so much of the land as to set mately favorable to the accomplishment of the divine pur-
his font upon, and his argument. haqctl upon this fact, is Shra- post=.
ham’s resurrection in the future. am1 the fulfilment to him Not being able to see hehind the vail all the gracious nur-
pcrqnnnlly of his share in the divine promise.-Acts 7.25. pnqes of on; heavenly Father, and not being wise cnougi to
Tf in all this therr was a ICY+OII of patient waiting on thr know how they ran hrst, hr carried nut, the Lord’s people
T.ortl and cnnfitl(bnt trn\t in his prnmi<r. to Ahr,lhnm and his orrnpv lar_rrclv the lmqitinn of spectators in resnect to the
nntii>.al if&. there> is a still larger and fuller l(*sson in it to rour;; of ihiS n-orltl.---its politir;. rnnqurstq. etc: Were we
Spiritual Israel. the spirit1ial Seed. along the same lmes of to take a hand ln the world’- affairs on elthrr \idp of such
fxithfrll. nxtirnt uniting on the Lord for the fulfilmcnt of questions we might, for aught \ve know. he workinfr contrnrv
the* ,T\-ccrtling great and precinus things he has promised u*. to the divine will and prnzrnm. D’hilr. therefore, we seek
Some hnve hccn inclined to que<tlon the just& of God’q to he separate frnm the world and its alfairs. and to give our
gi\-inc to Tsrnel the land of Canaan. already inhabited hy thought and attention, sympnthv and interest, to the affairs
other9 :-the iustirr of not onlv permittin,c but commnndinp of the heavenlv kingdom; and &ile our voicer. if ever raised
them to destroy the inhnhitants of that land, and to take PO+ at all on such questions. should be raised on behalf of ius-
session of it as their own. This transaction is held up as an tire, mercy and -peace. n&ertheless, we can view with -&eat
[30843
&TUBEK 1, I%,2 ZION’S WATCH TOLVER (-‘97--79&j

composure whatever changes may take place in the world,

knowing that our heavenly Father has all power to overrule disaster had come up& them. They sullered the death-pen-
these matters dlflcrently 1f he chooses. alty. as all the human familv sufler it. and our confident !lope
We say to ourselves, “All the good purposes which he Ies*iecting them and all ma;ikind is L;u1lt upon the fact that
hath purposed in himself shall be accomplished;” and he God so loved the lrorld tl1at he gave h1s 0111~begotten Son to
knoweth how to accomplish these in the manner tliat WI11 bo rellecm all iruin tlicb (‘111-e or ~~II~(w~(~ ol death \vh~ch cdme
most to 111spraise and most for the good of his cause, as It upon all through father Adam’s disobedience;-and that he
shall ult1matcly be developed, and me remember the Blaster’s \jlto retlcenicd tlir x\orltl 1. *Ii01 tlv to blc-Y all tli(s fiinl!l1e*
words, “Ye- are not of this world, even as I am not of this of the earth with a gracious opportunity to come back into
world. I 11ave chosen you out of the world, that ye should harmony with God, back to human perfection. And nhen xe
go and bring forth f1ui’t, and that your fruit should remain” rcal1z(l tllxt tlic. ~11 of this cllurc*h 11~tlici nrc’hent tiine 1~ ior
-fruit unto eternal life. Our work is the work of him that association in this work. it gives a meanin, ‘CPto the tiials and
sent us; we are ambassadors for God; and present work is difliculties which constitute nart of our instructions in that
the callin,rr, upbuiltling, instructing and generai preparation of great work ; and it also give: the royal priesthood a hope to-
the church to be the bride. the Lamb’s wife, and our mis>ion ward God which overb~~lnnces al! the trials of the present
is to c~o-c1[~~~1:~t~~ 1:i li(zr call’anti to make ready. Later 011 \\ 111 time.
(*ornc 0111 il12rca !11 the rnl11!g and jutlgmy of the world, ah The Land of Promise. Canaan, ii frequr,ntly dcscrlbed in
kings and priests of the divine order. in the divine time, and the Scriptures as a goodly land, “a lalld fhJ\Vlng With niik
backed by the dlvinc power to success and the blessing of all and honey,” a figulatire eslne~ion representing its general
the famihes t)f the earth. pio~~~iitr and n1 oductivene\\. ‘I’llat the mhnbitant> were
“The earth IS the Lord’s and the fulnes3 thereof.” Iie, \veal’tlly ;i xttes’tctl bv rccentlv unearthed Egyptian 1116toric3
therefore, had the right to give Canaan to the descendant< of nbout that tiinc I Geike Sa>b :-
of Abraham without giving a reason why to any crtb,~ture. “Tltc rcroltl* of Rninc~~5 II show the condition of Pa-
He hali a right to pivc it when nnct 1:nw and to wllrt111 11~ e-tine ant1 adjacent rcluntrir<, in tlie :1=c of 1\Inm it-c*lf
pleased. Hc doe?, liowevcr. condescend to inform u9 that In [pl ior tl, tl;e exotlu5 of I<ratil]. Thr Epypti:1n kinc bro1l;l,t
blotting out these manv little nations of Palestine, descend- bark from them, 11e tells II-. cold, clasz. plm, cattle. +la\c-.
ants o’f Soah’s .grancls& Canaan, he did so not along arbi- ivory, ebony. bon& horx~. chjriots‘inwroup!it n1tll gnltl ant1
trnrv lines. but alon? lines of iuqticr. These Canaamtes (al?;0 silver or painted, iro11, steel, da&, oil, nlnc, ah-c>, cc11:11,
kno&n as IT1ttiteq. aid br varibus other tribal names, Hivltes. suits of armor, fragrant wood, war galleys, incense, goltl,
Perizzlteq, Glrgashitrs, Jebusites and Amorites) were not IR- (11.hcc with 11antllc~. or1lafnt~nts of lapi:, lazuli, hllrrr :li*h(+,
norant snvnge~. but quite riviliyed peoples who, after the man- precious stones, honey, Icad, spe~,r$ of hrnsq. colors-the
ner of the Sodomitcq. had gone into great excesses of licen. piilndcs1 ijr fart, of a rich and civilized country. ‘XIII* rnc~111-
tious idolatrv. In Sbrahnm’s time God foresaw where their bws of Palestine, 1ts fortresses, its g1ovcs and Its orchards,
course wnuld lead them, but he delayed to bring the promised arc nientinne~l 5110~111~ that p105pei lty ot ever) k111tl
seed of Sbrahnm into their land for n time. hecnuqe. as WC’ abounded.”
read, “the iniauitv of the Amorites was not vet Y come to the The Iqraelites needed to be encouracetl for so great an
full.“-Gen . lb. . lb . 1iml~~1t:lking. and he11~ thcl 1 a1 iou, trll)c>.- of ~~:lll,1:llll~~ . \V(‘l (’
These proplc wcrc to be destrorcd by the Israelites for mentioned b!; Joshua, that they might know that they we1c’
two reasons ; first, to have permitted them to live and to be- all included 1n the Lord’s bequest: and that they might know
come incorporatrd with the Israelites 1n the land, by inter- that he had taken cornizance of tl1r whole situation. It I\:IS
marriage. etc.. nn11ld IIRW bren injulinnq to the seed of -4bra- mu& to Israel’s advzntage that these various tribes of C’a-
ham which God intended to develou. and of which he designed naxliltr. wrrc dl~tlll~~tly -lsp:lriltc, and did not co-crp(ar,ctc to
to make types of spiritual Israel.- ’ Furthermore, in the ?rpe any p:lrtic*ular degrre. Nor ~01e1. tlicar ev1tlrntlv ftilt ir(71r(~
which the Lord was making on a large scale, these Canaanites in that the River Jordan separated betneen thb host? of 15
or -4mnriteg represented the weaknesses and imperfections of rael and thrir land, and hc~bg cllutc ;I +w1ft, r1v(11. 1t \xn111(1
the fallen nature They symbolized sin; and their destruc- be very difficult for a multitude to croqs without boats OI
tion by the Isrxelitcs preigured the destruction of sin, the bridgeq, and many of them. Tl1c crossing took plnre wlir11
blotting out of the blemishes of sin, and the gradual uplift- the Jordan was orerfloninr its banks. and was tlirrcfnre
ing of God’< people 1n the antitype of Canaan-in the 3111- much wider than usual: anti‘ we may p;.equme that the C:I-
lenninl kingdom. naanites would feel so much thr more secure. and less ~121.
The chief difficulty in most minds, in connection with this lant in any attempt to rrpel a11 inm;i~,n, ~iippo~iiig the 11\01
slaughtering of the &habitants of Canaan lies in the unscrip- to be specially impassable at this particular season. Had
tural thought, brought into Christian creeds during the dark the cro+sing been undertaken when the 11vcr was 111\v, 111+*
ages, that the apparent death of an indlvidunl is really his Canaamtes would hare, undoubtedly, disputetl the way ; and
entrnnre into more abundant lifr, either under pleasurable Iqrarl woultl have had a icvrrc liattle 111tll p,,,~r \\~‘:~1,~,1~~
or tormenting conditions. And since these Canaanites were against a probably well equipped enemy. Ce~ide~, tl1(2 mi1.1clc
tlerlnrc<l to be disnnprorcd of God, the general thought re- God Intended to wn11; nnulll 11:1\c’ ~c~rt~c11111111311 11,.i 1111 ~~1111(~
cpectinc them is tl;nt while the Israelite< killed them and at anr otlirr srncnn of the rrar. Iyracl i~c~,tl~~l tlii- ~11rfl1~1
took nossresinn of their nronertv, they, without further op- miracle and evidence of divine namer and llltcxrvchntion on
pnrtn;lity. xi err thrown it dncc”;lnde; the control of devils their behalf to give them courage. for tl1e 11nrk lIt,fo1 (1 tll(s111
7nct into an rtt,rnitr nt flaming torture. There is nothing of 9 man from each of the twelve tribei, n-a-3 qrlcc,tcstl; ~~:l~-ll
tl1iS kind ronncctctl \\ith the I31blr narrative. It is all the one was to carry a stone from the midqt of thr .Jnr(i:ln to the
nd;lition of 1111mln imarination. built upon numerous fan- shore, and these txelvc Inrgcb iton+ alert to ht ict ii;) :I+ n
tastic spcc11lntions of the dark ages. Sccordi?g to the Scrip- memorial, a reminder to Israelitcr for coming g:c~nc~r.lt~on~ot
t11rcts. death iq renllv death, and thrse Cannanlteq. when slain how tllc T.orll had brollC!ht thcn1 over Jordan. (<Josh. 4.0. 0)
hv th(a swnrd of I&cl, hecame unconscinu;. and ~111 remain The priests hraring th‘c ark \\ere srpnrntpd‘ from tl1& rc-
50 until the Lord’s time shall rome for their awakening from mamder of the Israelites hy about three-qunrtcrq of a mile
the sleep nf death. Thrv shall come forth in the Millennial (two tlinu~.nnd r11111t< 1. Thc>v ~c~11t ul)cfr(s:tn1 th1. I~I-~:IIIIV
morninp. as our Lord’s word indicates-‘All that are in their and were thuy prominent hrforr the eyrq of Tsrnel in what
grave4 shall hear the voice of the Son of Man, and shall come thev did. As soon as the feet of thr priests brfnre thr ark
forth “-,Tnhn 5.28. 29. tn11’ched the waters of ,Tordnn the waters bcgnn to illhide,
Thcv will not come fortb as saints to the resurrection of ant1 as tl1e IT-ateri suhqided they took another step nn(l an-
lif(.. tl1;l firht reiiirrectinn, hut a4 mcmhrrr of the world in othrr and another until thc~ \\crc lllllt~ to w:11lT 011 firm
rreneral. redeemed br the nrecious
n I blood of Chriqt. ther will ~xo111.d to thus rcntcr of tllr rix~(~r-l~rl, \\llcre the;\- itnocl firmly
come forth to the ‘judgment-rrsurrrction . that is, to thr 11nti! all th(l llo~t~ of 1qr:1(.1-111 a!1 allout two n1lll1rln-- l~.~tl
qrnitual raising np that will he inctitutctl d11rinr the 3\zil- pniicd nrrr. Still in no 11nPtr. thry waitptl until twclrr
lrnninl age, a raising 111)of all who mill be obedirnt to the itnnrk w(‘rr pl;I(*(d \\llc*r6> tl!tl\- ll.ld ifrlotl, :111tltl1tan tllc p11( *t.
jn~lpmrnts. the disriplines. the corrections in righteousness, wit11 the ark of thy T,ortl pa+ic,tl (Ixcr.
wl1i1~11n-111lw thrn hron:ht to hear npnn thr whnlr world of 11-1~:31e riot to qu(+tlc,ii tl1tl poU(‘r of Go11 in rrcl)Wt to tliis
mnnkind bv tl1r crclnt .Tucl~r. our Lord pTesns, and ly the mirnclr. in n-hntrver mannrr it W:I~ accomplishrtl : lbnt in
royal p~ir~~hnntl, ‘the church, h1s ncsistant judges. of ivhom looking for thr ninnnc’r \\e nrr to prC~:nne, a+ far ah pn<s1ble,
thr Am\tlfl saw. “ Know VP not that the saints shall ”iudze _, that the Lnrtl 11~d ~111~ natural mrnn\ in rnnnclctinn \\ith it.
thr nkrlcl 7”-i Cnr. (i “2, ‘3. If nc were to 511ppoxb that thr rivrr rofe 11p liktl ;1 wall at
In \-icw elf tlii\. thrn, wc can rradily ~17.7that no iniu<tice thr riPlIt hand of tllp nrirsts. ai thon~l1 it hatI hwn cnt hv a
was tlnnv to thr Cannaniteq by the Lnrd’~ decrer, and that kniff.-it ~onltl spem ;inrrawn:~l~lr , nn(l ~ thp tlnwnflnn1ng wn-
so far nq they w(‘re concerned they suffered no more than, if tears n-nultl ri-e higher and h1ghrr, until it ~011ltl overflow the
IV-23 [3085]
<L98-299) ZION’S WATCH TOWER ALLEGHENY. Pa.

banks on either side more and more, and the water of even a
small river, at this flood time, would amount to a conslder-
able quantity and flood a considerable space. It is preferable,
therefore, that we understand the words of the record, as im-
plied in the Revised Version, to mean that the banking up of
the waters was “a great way off, at Adam, the city that is
beside Zeretan.” In other words, we are not to understand
that the dammed up wall of waters was close by the priests,
but about twenty miles further up the river, near the town of
Adam, where the river passes through a comparatively
gorge. How they were banked up there we are not informed
by the record; no matter in what manner, it was a miracle
-no less a miracle if we understood the method pursued by
the Lord in its accomplishment. It may have been that an
earthquake temporarily elevated the channel at this narrow
place, and thus gorged the water for a time; and it is said
that there are evidences at that point that some such physi-
cal disturbances did once occur. Or a slip in a hillside might
have carried a large body of soil into the valley, and thus
have choked the stream, which even down at Jericho is nor-
mally only ninety feet wide and thirteen feet deep. As an
illustration of how this mav have occurred we quote the fol-
lowing from Canon Tristram:-
M. Ganneau has drawn attention to the fact, mentioned
in the history of Sultan Ruybars, that in A. D. 1267, whilst
the bridge at Grrr Dami~li (or Adam) was being repaired a
laudslip some milts above damned 11p the Jordan tor sev-
eral hours and the bed of the river below was left dry, the
lvatcr being drained off to the Dead Sea. What occurred 650
years ago, by what we call natllral causes, may well have
occurred 3,000 years before, timed by divine interposition.”
In our previous studies we noticed that these things were
written aforetime for our admonition-that they were exam-
ples or types of matters respecting God’s dealings in the fu-
ture: now the question arises. What did this passing of Jor-
dan by the typiral people symbolize? and, especially, what
did the bearing of the ark bv the priests have to do with it?
We have already indirated that for various reasons we can-
not accept the view of Jordan and of Canaan so long held
by many Christians, which represents Jordan as being death
and Cnnann as being heaven, as expressed by the familiar
lines of the poet:
“On ;lordan’s stormy banks I stand,
And test a wishful eye
To (::lnaan’s fair and happy land,
Whrtre my possessions lie.
No chilling winds nor boisterous breath
Can reach that healthful shore;
Sickness and sorrow, pain and death,
Are felt and feared no more.”
The vrry fact that the Israelites did have trials and pains
and sorro\vs and battles, aftrr they entered into Canaan,
seems to contradict the thought that it represented heaven
itself. As we have already intimated, our understanding is
that Canaan typified the new earth condition, under the ad-
ministration of the Millennial kingdom. What, then, does
the River Jordan signify? We answer, that it would seem
to stand for, represent, the divine condemnation., the curse,
the sentence agamst our race which has for six thousand
years hindered mankind from entering into the blessed king-
dom conditions and opportunities and blessings which shall
narrow ultimately prevail for all. In this sense of the word death,
Jordan, would stand for it well-the death sentence. This
seems rather to be implied in the name of the river, which
is derived from the names of the two main springs by which
it is formed; viz., ior, signifying “down,” and dun, which
signifies “judge.” The word Jordan would thus have the sig-
nificance of “judged down,” that is, condemned, and as a type
it would stand for the divine condemnation which hindered
even those who desired to be the servants of God from enter-
ing into peace and rest and blessing and favor with God.
In this view of the matter, we see how appropriate it was
that the Ark of God’s covenant, representing the Lord him-
self, his grace, his goodness, his promises, should stand in the
midst of Jordan-effecting a cancellation of the sentence of
death-in order that the P1Zillennial hlessmgs might be at-
tamed by all under the lead of Joshua’s antrtype. That the
Ark of God was borne by the high-priest and the under-
priests, and that these first passed into Jordan, is also sig-
nificant: it represented how our great High Priest and the
royal priesthood, his church, must first pass into Jordan be-
fore any of the people could pass over. And the fact that
the high-priest and the under-pricits stootl in the midst of
Jordan while the people all crossed over. illustrates how the
passing over, free from divine condemnation, will be effected
by the work of the great High-Priest, and his associated
“brethren.” He gave himself for our sins; he became a curse
for us; he, as the man Christ Jesus, stopped in the midst of
Jordan, that the world might pass over; the royal priesthood
are following him in this sacrifice, and they too are stopping
in the midst of Jordan; they also, as joint-heirs with their
Lord, lay down their lives on behalf of the brethren,-to the
intent that the whole world of mankind, or as many as will,
may enter into the glorious kingdom pxivileges, according to
the divine arrangement.
It was not necessary that the priests should remain in
Jordan, and die there, on behalf of the delivered Israelites, in
order to complete the type, for instead, by the Lord’s direr-
tion, twelve stones were placed where they stood, represent-
ing the twelve tribes of Israel-representing the 144.000 out
of all the twelve tribes (Rev. 7 :l-8) who constitute the royal
priesthood, and who become dead with Christ, according to
the flesh, that they may live with him as new creatures, par-
takers of the divine nature, and participators with him in the
great work of blessing all the families of the earth.

JUDGE NOT BY OUTWARD APPEARANCE

[Reprint of poem in issue of April 15, 1803, which phasesee.

GRACE SUFFICIENT; ONLY BELIEVE

JOSHUA 6:12-%I.--OCTORER 19.
“By faith the walls of Jericho fell down.“-Heb. 11:30.
After entering Canaan the covenant of circumcision was comparatively few in number. It was while on this recon-
renewed by the Israelites. Evidently their long journeying noiterinn exnedition that he met an angel of the Lord with
in the wilderness, because of unreadiness to enter into Ca- drawn s”worh in hand, who, in answer-to his question. in-
naan at the first, was to be understood by the Israelites as formed him that he was the Captain of the Lord’s hosts.
a period of parttal disfavor with the Lord; hence both the Joshua, after doing reverence to him, received instructions
circumcision of their clrildren and the annual commemoration how he should proieed for the capture of Jericho, and our
of the passover ceased during that period. The renewal of lesson details the manner in which those instructions were
both when they had entered Canaan marked the return of followed out, and the great victory resulting-Joshua 6.
divine favor and evidenced their more acceptable condition We have already seen that the land of Canaan prefigures
of faith toward God. Another change occurred: the manna, the Millennial kingdom with its rich blessings which may be
the bread from heaven on which thcv had fed for thirty-nine secured by all who, under the command of the greater Joshua
years, ceased after they had gotten into Canaan and had-eaten -Jesus and his glorified royal priesthood, desire to be the
their first passover there. Lord’s people. The renewal of circumcision on entering the
Thev were now readv to take possession of the land which land, would thus signify that one of the first institutions of
God had given them, and were -encamped near the city of the Millennial age will be a consecration to the Lord-to put
Jericho. which occunies a sort of key nosition to Canaan from . to live separate from sin as the Lord’s assisting
the direction of their approach. Joshua, the new leader, evi- zz:z % enable. The renewal of the passover would sym-
dently had in mind the necessity of prompt action against bolize that in the Millennial dispensation the important work
Jericho, and was, no doubt, considering the fact that his of redemption by the precious blood will again be brought
army had no implements suitable for attacking such a walled prominently to the attention of all who desire to be God’s
city defended by well armed men, even though the latter were people, and that they can only be his people by a full recog-
[3086]
 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (SOO-301 I

mtion of the Lamb that was slain, and by an eating of his trumpets of warning against sin, and declare themselves a:
flesh-pal taking ot the melrleti and ‘bles,mgs flowing &on1 his “new creatures” opposed to it, and announce that ultimately
saci ifice. The ceasing of the manna. and the eating. instead, if must completely iall; and dulmg the Ullennlal age this
of the fruits and g:ains of Canaan, may be understood to hame priestly class, glorified, will still sound the trumpet
slgmly that the new dlspensatlon will have spiritual food and note ot obedience to tied and opposltlun to bin, and in hal-
sustenance of its own, and that in great variety and abund- many with their mstructlons they shall finally sound a gleat
ance; and that mankind will no longer be dependent upon the blast, and all who are on the Lord’s side will ~0111In, and
divine revelation contained in the Scriptures-upon the Word by the Lord’s grace the power of bin will be utterly over-
of God through ancient prophets and apostles. Good and thrown, it* wall> w111 fall down 11&t, aud no lunge1 conat;-
necessary as these are under present conditions, they cannot tute opposition, and every one who is on the Lord’s side will
be to the lvorld all that the more direct teachings and bless- be enelgetlc in the complete destruction of sin not only as
ings and instructions and guidance of the Millenn;al kingdom relates to his own person, but as respects the utter exterml-
wlT1 be, and will, therefore: not be needed under the new-con- nation of sin in every form and in every phase.
ditions. Now. the Word of God is a lamn for the feet of his The people were told in advance that the entire city was
saints, and &me of Its light shines beyond his hdmts and condemned of God; that he had taken the matter in charge
others in this night time; -but by and by, when the Sun ot and thdt tlicsy 11crc me: rly to esccute thca tli\ lile tiec i cc’ ,t~alnrt
rlnhteousness shall arise and the whole earth be flooded with that citv in its utter destruction and the extermination of
tl; glorious light of truth and knowledge, the lamp which at every h&g thmg therem, all of which comblnedly symbullxed
present we cannot prize too highly, will cease to occupy its Wl!. The UlllJ’ tlllllg~ that \vt’,e 11ut to lx ticaL10~ cd c !tllc.r
present exalted and indispensable position, a!though it will with file or sword, were the metal?, such as gold, sliver, etc ;
always be appicc*iated and reverenced. and these were not to be appropriated by the Israelites, but
;inother - -thought respecting Canaan : we have already were to be considered the Lord’s. Special caution was givtn,
noted that the roval nriesthood mav in some sense of the and the warning that any violation of these terms would
word be said to be”al&ady in the laid of Canaan throughout bring a corresponding curse upon the person or persons
this Gospel age-by faith-already in the place or condition offendin and unon the whole camp of the Israelites wherever
which Israel after the flesh and the ni:Lss of mankind ‘.en- the condemned ilnngs should be found.
tered not into because of unbelief.” (Heb. 4 :3, 6, 10) To Thus during the Millennial age the general lesson fill be
this class, Jordan would fitly represent consecration unto that ~111 must be exterminated utterly, and whoever shall
death ; and Canaan would represent our present newness of seek to hold on to any portion of it will thereby bring a cor-
life while still in the flesh. To these, the circumcision rep- responding curse upon himself as did Achan in this lnstnnce
resents, as the Apostle explains, circumcision of the heart and for seeming to himself a “wedge of gold,” and “a goodly
putting away of sin from the wills; to these the passover BabFlonish garment.”
signifies not only the acceptance of the merit of Christ’s The lesson to the royal priesthood now, as well as to the
atonement on our behalf, but also a communion and partici- world in the hlillennial age, 1s that the Lord requires not
parion wltli him in his ~acrificp. Tlie~2, as justified personh, merely an outward conllnmity to his \\ oi tl, but a hc~tl: Joy-
having been fed with the manna from heaven, have been alty to him. which will enter fully into sympathy with right-
strenpthened and brought across Jordan; and now as new eou”sness and into hatred of i~llq~uty-otiieiwlsc the p&ity
crentllrfs they live “ by every word that proceedeth out of will be the second death. as evmbohzed 111 the destluctloll
, I
(i
the mouth of God”-thev live unon the divine nromises- Achan.
“Thy words were found and I did eat them.” (Jkr. 15: 16) In respect to the slaughter of the people of cTv~~(ho, VK
To these the capture of Jericho and all the battlings with the must remmd our readers of the points in our plevlous lesson
Cannamtes represent victories of the “new creatures” over in which we showed that the people thus put to death were
the flesh; not accomplished by their own strength, but ac- not cast into an eternity of torture, but that they merely
complished for them by the Lord in recognition of their faith died with probably as little, or lebs pain thnn lf they llad
and trust in him. been smitten with some lingering disease; and that they
The capture of Jericho was accomplished in a peculiar have a share in the di\me mercy and a provl~lon 111thcx grt;ct
manner; the methods which, by the Lord’s command, Joshua atonement which the Lord ,Jcsus, our gleat H1g11 I’rleht. 1s
adopted, would certainly appear foolish. For six days the accomplishing for the sms of the whole world, and which ~111
armed men of Israel wele to pass around the city, one time shortly be finished and permit the blessing of all the families
each day, followed by priests bearing the ark of the covenant of the earth through their Redeemer.
and by other priests tooting with rams’ horns, keeping time Just a word respecting the miracle of the overthrow of
as they marched. The program on the seventh day was the the walls of Jericho. It was a miracle, however it was to be
same except that the armed men and the priests bearing the accounted for, as is demonstrated by the connecting facts,
ark and others with the trumpets passed around the city the order of the procedure and the particular time, shout,
seven times, and that when they had passed around it the etc. Doubtless God, in the accomplishing of this miracle,
last time the priests with the rams’ horns ceased their tooting used some natural means as in other instances. Possibly an
and gave a l&g blast upon the horns which was the signal earthquake may have been caused at that particular spot,
for all the neonle of Israel to give a shout as thev” had me-
1 so as-to affect- the walls without alerting o-r alarming ihe
viously been d&ected bv Joshua according to the Lord’s& in- neonle of Israel but a short distance outside of the city.
structions. It required” faith on the part-of Joshua to issue k&her suggestion offered is that there is a dynamic force
such instructions: it required faith on the Dart of the armed in certain chords of sound which as yet is but slightly under-
men of Israel aid of tile priests to carry but their part of stood, and that it is possible that the Lord operated along
the program which seemed so senseless, so little likely to the line of this law but little understood by us, for the ac-
effect anything against the city which was to be captured; it complishment of the overthrow of this wall, using the hound
required”faithu on’ the part of all the people to expect that chord of the long blast, and of the voices of the people, in
when these procedures had been accomplished and the final conjunction with the marching. This does not seem to us a
Ion? blast on the trumpet had come ($7. 5), that the walls of verv reasonable view of the matter, nevertheless we rive some
Jericho would fall down flat. No doubt it, was Dart of the curious incidents cited, as rabher confirmatory by those who
divine program thus to develop and test and s&n&hen the favor such a view. These illustrations follow :-
faith of Israel, and to teach them that the victories they “‘All structures, large or small, simple or complex, have
were about to gain would not be in their own strength or a definite rate of vihrntion. drnrntlinn on thnr m;lterial,
might, but by the Lord’s power. size and shape, as fixed as the fundamental note of a musical
Just how this would apply during the Millennial age we chord. When the bridge at Colebrooke Dale (the first iron
may not yet clearly discern; - but we are sure that in-some bridge in the world) was building, a fiddler came along and
manner the lesson will be given to all who then desire to said” he could fiddle it down. “rhe workmen laugh&l in
come into harmony with Go& that the power of sin, its fort- scorn and told him to fiddle away to his heart’s content. He
resses and entrenchments in the fallen race, cannot be over- played until he struck the keynote of the bridge, and it swayed
come without divine assistance, and that reliance upon God so viol-ntly that the astonished workmen commanded him to
and obedience to the great Captain of the Lord’s ho& will stop. At one time considerable annoyance was experienced
be essential to every victory. The royal priesthood who have in one of the mills in Lowell. Some days the building was
alreadv entered, b; faith, into the favors or privileges of so shaken that a pail of water would be nearly emptied, while
the Millennial kinidom (forgiveness of sins and harmonv with on other days all was quiet. Experiment proved it was only
the Father and diessin& a’;; new creatures), already -;ealize when the machinery was running at a certain rate that the
the lesson, that sin is so thoroughly entrenched in their fallen building was disturbed. The simple remedy was in running
human nature that it can be overcome only by divine power. it slower OI faster so as to put it out of tihe with the build-
All through the present time the royal priesthood sound the ing. We have here the reason of the rule observed by march-
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<3OZ303) ZION’S WATCH TOWER ALLEGRCNY. PA.

ing armies when they cross a bridge, viz., Stop the music, tinkling would start an avalanche.’ “----Harper’s Yozotg
break step and open column, lest the measured cadence of a People.
condensed mass of men should urge the bridge to vibrate be- The sum and essence of our lesson is expressed in the
yond its sphere of cohesion. Neglect of this has led to fear- words of the Apostle, “I can do all things through Christ
ful accidents. The celebrated engineer, Stephenson, has said which strenetheneth me.” (Phil. 4: 131 Faith is an essen-
that there IS not so much danger to a bridge when crowded tial; but wi must have crossed the Jordan; we must have
with men and cattle, as when men go in marching order. The
Broughton bridge near Manchester, gave way beneath the been justified; must have partaken of the antitypmal passover ;
tread of only sixty men. A terrible disaster befell a bat- must have been sanctified before we could have of the Lord
talmn of French infantry while crossmg the suspension bridge either a promise of victory over our Jericho, or before we
at Angiers, in France. Repeated orders were given the could exercise such a faith as would result in that victory.
troops-to break into sections, but in the hurry of the moment If in the type faith could brin g the fall of the strong walls
and m the rain they disregarded the order, and the bridge of a city, how great must be the value of faith in the antr-
fell.‘-Professor Lovering, of Cambridge. Tyndall tells us type ! “This is the victory which overcometh the world, even
that ‘while away up amid the Alpine aolitudes of Switzerland your faith,” but only so long as we trust in the Lord and
a few years ago, 1 noticed the muleteers tie up the bells of seek to do those things pleasing to him, can we exercise thus
tlrc~lr Jnules. and was told that the protracted combined overcoming faith.

“YE WERE BOUGHT WITH A PRICE”

()ucstio?t.-In considering the subject of the ransom in the “That he might be just, and the justifier of hrm that be-
lmht of a commercral transaction. as expressed bv the Anos- lieveth in Jesus.” Without the payment of Adam’s penalty
tl’e’ in the words, “Ye are not your own: ye are dought wrth for him, God could not have iustlv released the sinner from
:L nrice” ( 1 Cor. 7 :23). will vou kindlv state in as few words his sentence;-to have done sodmou!d have been an injustice-
as’possiblb what was ‘the prcce paid? hy whom was the pur- a violation of justice-as surely as the original sentence was
c,hnsc rnatlc ? when was it bought? To whom was the price a just one.
paid I! \\‘hen will thnt whrch was purchased he delivered‘! As already indicated, the payment of this penalty began
.%~~.slce~ -The Scriptures most distinctly declare that the when our Lord reached perfect manhood and made his con-
\:hole human family was “sold under sin,” by the first Adam. secration to death at Jordan, symbolizing rt in baptism. It
The price paid him was the fruits of disobedience to God, was finished on Calvary. As the ransom, the man Christ
which eventually proved to be very bitter rewards. The race Jesus must stay dead;- but in harmony with the previous
thus sold under sin became subject to sin’s wages; viz., proposition of the Father he was granted life on a hither
tlcath, by divine sentence. This sentence was irrevocable, and, ilane, as a partaker of the divine gature. in reward for”his
hence, would have meant everlasting death, everlasting de- obedrence unto death, even the death of the cross. When he
\tructron, had not the Almighty gracrously provided for us a ascended up on high and anneared in the nresence of God,
J ansom. The word “ransom” (Greek, antilutron) , signifying he presented befor: him the- iacriflce which he had made in
r~orrc~sponding price (l\fatt. 20.28; 1 Tim. S:G), indicates to the flesh, appropriating a part of it at once to those who had
119 tile nlethod kJV Avhich God lJTOpOhC!d to ashiht Ullr race already believed 011 him the apostles and other farthful ones
without compromising his own justice and its sentence of of that time-and to all those who would believe on him
death. In order to be our ransom price it was necessary that through their word throughout this Gospel age. In evidence
our Lord Jesus should become “l&c man Christ Jesus,” yet that this was accepted of the Father and accounted sufficient
without sin. without taint. without blemish. This condition to cancel our sins, note the fact that the Redeemer was at
was attained through his miraculous birth,-and this purity once granted the privilege of pouring out at Pentecost upon
and freedom from the death sentence upon the rest of man- his faithful disciples the holy spirit of adoption, as evidenc-
kind was maintained, to the end of his life, in that “he was ing to them the full forgiveness of their sins; and thus indi-
holy, harmless, undefiled, separate” from the sinner-race. In rectly testifying not only t.hat Jesus had arisen from the
this condition he was ready, prepared thus to become our dead and ascended up on high, but, also, that his sacrifice
i ansom-price, and this he did become by sacrificing himself, for sins was full, sufficient and acceptable to justice.
laying down his life on our behalf. As to when the thing purchased will be delivered, we re-
A\ the condemnation upon the entire race came through ply, that in the case of the church there is a reckoned deliv-
one man’s disobedience, so the voluntary sacrifice of the man erance granted at once, when we believe. We are counted
C’hri,st Jesus who was without sin, was a complete offset to free from sin-justified by faith, iustified bv his blood, bv
the come arid condemnation of the first man, Adam; and as the grace of God: and thi‘s justification becomes to believet-y
the race of Adam partook of his penalty, so also his race par- the ground or foundation of their ronsecration to the Father
takes rn his redcmptron; and thus, as by one man’s disobedi- as joint-sacrificers with Christ in the sufferings of this pres
cnce the many became sinners, so by the obedience of one ent time. and the foundation of their hone of beina loint-nar-
the manv were iustified to life-freed from the condemnation ticipators with him in the glories to follow. In xh; cas;! of
of death: y the-world in general, practically no benefit from the death of
Here we see Adam and his race lost under the sentence Christ comes in the present time. The world must wait until
of death. neetlina to be nurchased or redeemed. Here we see the church of Christ, admitted by divine grace to a share in
the marl Christm Jesus, t!re Redeemer, and perceive that he his sufferings, shall have filled up that which is behind of
gave the corresponding price for all. Here we see God, the the afflictions of Christ (Cal. 1:2. 4). and shall have been
.Tudge, who sentenced -4dam, accepting the man Christ Jesus glorified with him. Then ‘these, as’ the’ glorified sons of God
in his stead, as his substitute, a ransom, or corresponding shall shine forth in Millennial grandeur for the blessing of
We have additionally the words of the Apostle, assur-
ylF”,;s that Christ “through the eternal spirit offered himself the world, by the rollmg away of the clouds of ignorance.
wrthout spot to God”-a sacritice well-pleasing. (Heb. 9:14) superstition, prejudice, etc., and by lifting up so many as
\Vc hale hesides, his testimony that our Lord Jesus took upon will, out of present slavery to sin and death into the liberty
hirn<elf our human nature, that “he by the grace of God of the sons of God. That Millennial day, then, will be the
~houlcl taste death for every IllaJl.” WC have, also, the testi- great day of delivering that which Christ purchased with his
mono that this plan was su(*li an 8 r rangcment as to preserve precious blood-delivering mankind in general (so many as
the ‘honor sntl dtgmtp of divine justic?, and yet to bring shall heartily accept divine favor on the original terms prof-
mercy and forgiveness to the human culprit, in the words, fered to Adam; viz., thorough obedience).

FIDELITY TO EARTHLY AND HEAVENLY BRIDEGROOMS

Dear >Ir. Russell: again. But each attack was worse, and finally my husband
Since appreriating the light of present truth and endcav- said : “If I see any more of those books or tracts about I’ll
oring to walk in it I have been much restrained in my read- burn them.” My son has a Leeser. a Diaglott, etc.; tliev as
mg, and have several times been forbidden to attend any well as the “Dawns,” were all taken care of by my oldest
meetings held, or to hold any communications with any of the son, who is not in the truth.
dear brethren. I find I must read the “D~ux?‘; thev are more to me
For a while I quietly submitted and never had any read- than mv daily food, yet when I surreptitiously get one and
ing matter around, except the Bible, when my husband came am reading, I tremble and hide it if J hear a footfall. I am
home. Then I grew bolder, and began to leave a tract about not happy, especially since it was shown to me that we should
[30881
OCTOBER 1, 1902 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (303-307)

obey God, rather than man. Ought I to obey my husband will of the Lord; that If this led to any breach between u9
in this, seeing that Christ is my Head? I feel like a coward the fault and the change were certalnlv on his side. as I had
in this. never given away my lrberty of consciekce and never Intended
OUR REPLY to do so, and Gould not ask him to violate his; that 1 be-
Dear Sister: lieved that my view of this would not onlv stand the test
Your favor of the 22nd is before me. I am glad that of the Script&es but also of all men and Ywomen possessed
you have expressed yourself freely, and am glad to note that of sound common sense.
you have the spirit of a sound mind on this important sub- In harmony with this I would assure my husband that
ject. Your husband, probably a strong-minded man, has not the truth, so far from making me less careful of his interests
fully recognized to &at extent his altitude toward you on and my obligation as a wife, should make me more careful;
this subject is unreasonable and tvranmcal. We are fullv and that I believed that if he took a right view and stand
in sympathy with the Scriptural inj&ction that wives-shoul& upon the subject, as I was determined to do, it would mean
obey their husbands; but this does not, as you have per- an increase of blessing to us both and to the household.
ceived, imply that the wife should obev her husband in mat- If after a reasonable season of patient, loving remon-
ters contr&$ to the admonitions of the heavenly Bridegroom. strance against such attempts to fetter my conscience there
No reasonable earthly husband will make such requirements, was no change for the better, I would consider that I had
and we will trust that yours will consider the matter differ- been deserted by my husband;-that he had ceased to be a
ently ere long. He wiil be helped, however, in seeing the husband and become an oppressor and was not treating me
right way b.y ‘your kind and loving treatment of him. and as even a slave might hope to be treated in respect to his
y&l earnest” endeavor to please h7m in all legltimatd and or her conscientious convictions. Taking the matter to the
proper ways, but by your positiveness, your firm decision Lord I should look for relief-for the libertv wherewith Christ
and resolute conduct in the matters which appertain to your makes free. Sot liberty to remarry, ho~~ever. lntleetl rren
proper liberties of conscience. I would readily agree to keep aside from the divine law making marriage nernetual
<1
(es-
Q I I

my books and papers out of sight during my husband’s pres- cept upon one condition-Matt. 1Y :!I) such an experience
ence in the home; but I would neither agree not to think should be sufficient for anybody.
nor to read, nor would I agree to absent- my9elf from the I will remember you at the throne of grace, that the
meetings of those of like precious faith. Lord mill guide in your affairs.
I would tell my husband plainly that it is our duty to ‘ ‘THE GREAT COMPANY”
obey the heavenly Bridegroom first, and that when he says QztestzolL.--When and how did the class that fails to
“Forpet not the asscmblmg of youraelvcs together,” I con- keep its consecration get “before the throne”? I understand
sidered it duty to follow thit admonition at a& cost; that 1 that this class is to pass through the tribulation and “wash
honed this would anneal to him as a reasonable and correct
I
it9 robe9 and make them white in the blood of the lamb.”
course. that I hZ no thought of neglecting legitimate, Answer.---This class seems to be located most particu-
proper: home obligations and duties toward him, and the larly at the present time-altho there may have been some
otbcr members of mv familv. but would be as faithful or throughout this age, who, because of failure \olunturlly to
more faithful, than i’f under”the influence of any other than suffer, have been forced to suffer either with C’hrlst in trlb-
mp present convictions. I would tell him that this much ulation experiences. or to deny him and thus be condemned
lihertv at leaet was thorouphlv understood bv me when enter- to the second death. In the t,ribulxtion time which will fol-
ing the marriage relationsiiip”; that if in his marriage vows low the church’s glorification we anticipate crucial tests upon
ho did not intend to accord liberties of conscience he had all the Lord’s true people, and faithfulness then will mean
mislrtl and deceived me, and that in any event I would not “great tribulation” ending in death, which to these will sin-
submit to that kind of bondage. and that the quicker the nyfy change to spiritual conditions.. On the other hand fag-
matter was decided the better; that under no circumstances urn to meet the trials devotedlv will mean full. intellicent
or conditions would I move one iota from this position, so rejkction of Christ, and will bring the full pena’lty of &ch
long as I considered that my position was according to the a course: viz., second death.
- .--___
I-OL. XXIII ALLEGHENY, PA., OCTOBER 15, MO:? No. 20
- -
THOUGH YE BE ESTABLISHED
“I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though you l<nolO them,
ad be established in the present truth.“-2 Peter 1:12.
&hat things are here referred to? Assuredly the necessity Wit of faith,” remembering. too, that “the weaDons of our
of giving all diligence to add to our faith virtue [fortitude] ; \\irfare ale liot carnal, buz’ [GoA’s truth is] mfghty to the
and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, temperance [self- pulling down of the strongholds” of error and sufierstitlon
control] ; and to temperance, patience; and to patience, god- and of inbred sin; and remembering, also, that “we wrestle not
liness ; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly with flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers,
kindness, charity [love]. . . . . For if ye do these things ye against the rulers of the darkness of this world. against spir-
shall never fall ; for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you itual wickedness in high places.“-2 Cor. 10:4; I’:pll. 6: 12.
abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior It is in view of these facts-of the warfare before us, of
Jesus Ch&t.-Verse9 5-11. the subtletv of our temDtations and of the weakness of the
To be established in the truth signifies that we have care- llesh-that” the faithful *Apostle Peter urges all diligence in
flllly studiocl aud thoroughly proved it by “the law and the tes- the cultivation of the Christian graces and a contlniinl calling
timony” (Isa. S:OO), and that as a consequence we arc con- to remembrance of the precious truths we have learned, that
1 inced of its verity, so that our faith is steadfast and immova- we may be stren$hened thelrbv to make our cnlllng and clcc+-
ble we know whom \\e have believed; we have tasted and seen tion sure. Faith is a root1 thinz: but fxith nithout virtuou9
II ,,

that tile La~tl i9 good; we 11,lvc partaken of the sweets of felloxv- works is dead; and to hold the truth in unritrhteollsncss is
.hip x\ it11 him , 1;; 11,lve partaken of his spirit of meekness, faith worse than never to have received it. The truthPis given to US
x111 c?otll~nc~~sto such an cstcnt as to be led into a joyful reali- for its sanctifying effect upon our brarty and lives. Therefore
x.:Ltlin of the fulne\s of his grace as manifested in the Wonderful iclt it hare flee cour>c and he gloIifiet1. Let its precious fruit4
tllvlnc plan of tlic ages; and we have been permitted to see, appear mole and more flom day to (lap. Adtl to your faith
llot onlv thr \.nlious features of that plan, but also the necessity x irtue-true excellence of rlinracter, such cscellence of chnr-
;~tl ~&sonnbleness of all its various measures in order to the nctel as will mnlk you iIS scparnte flom the \voIld and its
full :~crollll,li.llm~nt of its glorious outcome in the fulnes4 of spirit. In all such the world will see thox! moral qualitie9
Ihe appoill’tctl times. This ‘is what it is to he “established in which thev must approve, however they mav oppose our faith.
that nresent truth.” It is intlcctl a most blessed condition. bring- Adtl sicrling hone+x. truth and fair dealing. in all business
ing with it such peace and joy as the world can neither give relations : moral integrity, in all social relations ; manifestly
1101 take Z\\'kly, elean hands ant1 a pure Ilcru t, and a bridled tongue that works
nut tllourrb we bc thus c.tablished in thr present, truth, we no ill to a ncqhlmr. ,111 of these the world has a right to
nretl to bear‘ in mind that 0u1 ele:tion to th& tllgli position to rxpect from tho,c who call themselves Christians: and all of
which ne are called is not yet ~a& SWC. The race for the tllcssc a~ e indisprn5nble tratllres of that virtuous character
l,xizc of our hi,+ calling is still before us, and me are yet in nhirh must be added to our faith. The clean hands will not
the encmv’s country, surrounded by many sub& ncrl powerful dabble in anything that is not virtuous: they will have nothing
foes, so that if \ve would be successful we must “fight the good to do with unrighteous schemes or projects in business. The
130891
(308-309) ZION’S WATCH TOWER ALLECHSNY, 1’~

pure heart will not devise evil things, or harbor evil thoughts, warned, but “sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof,” and
or plot mischief. And the bridled tol:gue ~111 not be given to also, thank God, sufficient unto the day is the grace thereof,
evi! speaking, but ~111 hold its peace \\lien it cannot speak well if me earnestlv lav hold of it and natlentlv contlnur in it. AS
and I\ isely. Uut the promptmgs of vlltue go further than each day bIir& I& trials, so, if we’ hare 6een rlglltly exercised
mc~ely these negatl\e fedtutes 1)hlch refuse to do anything by the trials, each day should brmg its victories-thus leaving
which would work ill to a neighbor; they incite not only to us strengthened aud mole firmly established in character, as
parve, but aI”o to actlle, goudneh>-m benevolent charity well as in faith.
ahich seeks to AlIe\-ldte sufielliig, to sympathize with sorrow, 11-ith the end in view of specially promoting the growth of
to comfol t those 111di>t?ess and to elevate and bless others- to Christian character. our suzcestion. which has alreadv beeu
assiht *‘all men as we have 0ppoItunity.” made and adopted 6y the co@regatl6n in Allegheny and many
To such a virtuous chalactel we ale counseled to add knowl- other places, 1s that wherever a few of the consecrated can
edge-the knowledge of God s character, that we may the more arrange to meet together, it would be well to ap])oint a mid-
thorouehl\r ‘1 v lmltate it. and of his truth, that we mav more fully week meeting for tds sp&ial purpose. Such a m&eting should
conform to its tc.~cllmgs : and to kno\~~ledge, tenipe?ance-moci- be devoted to worshin, nraver and nraise. and to brotherlv ex-
eration, self-lesti‘1int. m all tliingb. “Let your moderation be hortation, conference& ‘aAd &unsel. but iot to Bible study or
knon n unto all men.” \i e are not to be hasty and kot-tem- controversy. All discussions of doctrinal matters shoul(1 he
perrd~ or rash 2nd thou~htles5. But we should strive to be eliminated from such a mee$ing, and such subJects as would
csvcnly balanced, tilO\Igllttul and cou>lderate: our Mhole mannt’r elicit controrer>y avoided, leabing such matters for another
shoul~l be charactcl lzetl by that carefulness 11hlch \\ ould inch- meeting. at an appropl iate hour on the Lord’s day. \\hc:i all
catr that we ale (‘1(‘I m~ntllul of the Lord’s pleasul e. of our meet togetllel : the object being, not to ignore doctrine, nor to
responsibility to him as 111srepresentatives, and of our inHuenre discourage Bible-study ; but, while meeting this neccassity at
up011 our lelltn-men, to hw that it always l3 foi good, never the one meeting (on the Lord’s day), to devote the other (the
for rv1l mid-week meeting) to the other equal neces-ity, wlt!lout d~s-
“_htl to tt~lllpei.~lllC(~, p”tlellce.” “Let patience have her per- TVaction.
feet \voi I~, 1Il.kt ; (1 ~ir,\~ IJIBIBe1tect ant1 entire, 11antin; nothing.” Our al rangement brie in Allegheny ant1 l’ittsburgh i< a< fol-
YM, this g:l;kce bu100ths the way for every other, because all lows: As our congre,rratlon is much scattered, nc hare them
m:iYt IIC accluiie(l 11i111c,rthe p1ows3 of patient anti continuous parceled into as n&l, neighborhood galhelingi as 1s necessary
self-tli2~ipline. Sot a step of progress can be galnc’c! without for the arcommotlation of all de4rin;: to attend: and a leader
111~CS.\C’iClh(’ of tlii, zl.~ce of patience: and not one of the ZSracrs is appointctl for each nlcrtin:r, tllscletinn Ijring nb~?rvecl :I$ to
lnorc’ l~.~ut~lullv atlo~ns thtr Cllrl,tmn character, or 156s tll:, cauabllitv.
I ThrvY should bc brethren estabhshrd in the faith-
anr,lo\ al of tile” n o~lcl’:, consclcnce. or glorifies the God of all sound in doctlme, faithful ant1 plnu% These meetings are held
gl;#,‘,’ \\llOW tmt11 111?1)11(‘, 1t. It ’ 15 long-suffering
” meekness on Wednesday evenilqs at the rciitlence of some member of
~:XIriclntly strl\ iq to hl~311the tide of lium,in imperfcctlon anll each little group. The meetnq 1s opened ~lth a hymn and
\V~;II;IIC~~R,ant1 en0cavo1 lng with painstaking care to rcgnln the player, the reading, J)y the le;r:lr~r. of Sundxy aftcl! nooil’s trxt :
cli\ lnr lil,(fitl(~~s. It I\ hlo\\ to niatli and plenteous in mercy; tlirn each me is ahkr(l to give his or 11vr pei~nnal cspcrlencc nc
it is C~lllCli to IXlce1ve the lzlths of truth and iigbtc~ou5ne~3, to mozress iii the n,1lin\v way-as to how !IC or 51~ is CrowinS
:1a~11In OIIIIJ~ to I\ alk III tilem . it ii mintltul of its o\vn imlwr- In &a&+ and striving to nv.clrnnip tilr ~011~1. the flesh nntl the
icctioil~ :clltl Y\ 11il~:ltlletic with the impelfectlons ,ind sll0ltcolll- devil. Here thev” mav. humI)lv tell of thcil vlctolles, or speak
Inca4 of otlirsis. of their trials, or ask for CI;ii*ti:ln coiinstJ1 and sympathy in
c “:\ntl to ~~nticiicr, :otllinesy”--a careful study and imitation hard places, spc~lkin~ mole flcxel\- in 5ucIl little gatherings than
of tlic (Ii\ ind rli:iIactei as prescntetl m the divine 1Vord. would be possible or ploprr in larger aisrmblles. Here they
“And to rodlinesr. brotherly kindness”--an exercise and ran hear each other’s petitions for earl\ other, and Christian
malllic+tatioii of the I”.~uc~l>Ies of ” the divine character toward love and svmpath;\ flow the mo1 c freely from heart to heart.
0111’f,~llo\~-nlen. The ob:ject kept in mind at these mertings is a fresh, living,
“.\III~ lo Inotll~~1 1~ I,i!ltlnc+-, rlr,~iity”--love. Kindness mar weekly and daily experience with the Lord and in his service.
IW llli~lllt(‘~t(‘ll \v!l(il(t I)llt llttl~~ Io\e exists to\valtl the subject and not merely a stale experience of the remote past A clear
of \nch klntlncqs; bllt WC cannot long persevere in such acts of nn5t experience is good. bllt a clear f7ie~nt experience is better ;
kintlnc\s hc~fol(~:I ~ynlpatlrctic intel elt IS awakened ; and by and --much& more vit<ljlv important. do&line id qnoled at these
by that interest, continually exercised, deepens into love. And meetinps escent as ihe word doctrine nenlies to all Scrillture
(‘1(‘11tholt,:h tllc hlibject may be unlovely in character, the love teachings, inciuding hope, truit, obedle;lre, ~otllinchs. pi;lycr,
of synlpatlly fol the fallen and degraded grows, until it becomes etc. Too many, we find, have heen contentlng themsclvrs with
tendpi an(l holirit0113 ant1 akin to tliat of a parent for an h-nolcing the truth, without making special efforts to live it,
erring 5011. tlailv and Iiou1 ly. Ai honest\- of llealt ant1 fnlth in the Re-
l’ctpr ~ntlcrtl dcscl ibes a most amiable character, but who dec&er’s fini-hetl nook ant1 bnnsrcr.ltinn to his serylr(b are
can eon-itl(al it nithout frelinp that to attaln it will be a life- necessary to a f1111rntlance into the “holy,” where the deeper
work. It cannot bc accomplidilctl iu a dar. nor a year, but the features”of the divine plan can br di+c~rnetl and fullv nppre-
whole life must be devoted to it; and day by day, if we are elated. so these auallties must remain, must abide. or the light
faitllful, we should rcalire a measure of gro\\th in grace and will decome darkness-you will be c&t out of the light into
of tle~elopmcnt of Ch1 i5tinii clial acter. It is not proper that the outer darkness in which the world and the nominal
\ve knoiv the truth, and are contented to hold it in unright- church grope after the phosphorescent glimmerings of error
cousness. \Ye must set to it that tile truth is having its legit- -Spiritism, Christian Science, Theosophg and Univelsalism.
imate ant1 designed efrcct upon the character. And if the The leader of such a meeting should study to adapt his
truth is thus received into good and honest hearts, we have counsel, correctness or encouragement to the special needs of
the assurance of the Apostle that we shall never fall, and that each of the little group over which he is placed, and his rev-
in due time me shall be received into the kinzdom of our Lord erent piety and personal interest in earl1 should inqplre the
and Savior, Jesus Christ. confidence of all We believe that surll mitl-week meetings
Hence we see the necessity of ever keeping the instructions prove steppingstones to higher attainments in the divine life.
and precepts of the Lord fresh in our minds, and of drinking and that thus all lnar 1~ rreatlv blesqetl and piofitetl: and
deep into its inspiring spilit, although WC are already estab- the 11hole bodv will be’ able ‘the mbre effectually to minister to
lished in the faith. To be c&~bllahed in the faith is one thing, one another in spiritual things. On the middle Wednesday
hut, to he e~tahll~hetl in Christian character and in all the evening of each month the prayer feature is given more atten-
graces of the spirit is quite another. tion and an opportunity granted for all to address the throne
A PRACTICAL SUGGESTION of grace two or three in immediate Miqcession. At a quarterly
Feeling as we do the necessity of a deeper work of grace, Sunday evening peneral meeting of the same character, we
both in our own hearts and in the hearts of all of the dear hear o’f the spiritual progress of‘the various little groups both
household of faith. the thought has occurred to us that more from the leaders and the various attendants, and quarterly the
snecial effort in this particular direction on the part of US leaders are transferred to other groups. - ”
ail would probably be oi great benefit. We do not know through May the blessing of the Lord .go with the suggestion, and
what discipline of faith and patience we may yet be called to may the outcome be a strengthenmg of the bond of Christian
pas? in the approaching dark night of which we are fore- love and mutual sympathy and fellowship everywhere.

“Iis prayer support4 the soul that’s weak, Depend on him; thou canst not fail;
Though thought be broken, language lame; But ask according to his will;
God thronph his Word to us doth speak; Then always shall thy prayer prevail,
And we to him in .Jesus’ name. And nothing shall to thee work ill.
[30901
 “HE WHOLLY FOLLOWED
JOSHUA l-I:&IS.-OCTOBER
What a grand, what a wonderful testimony this is re-
specting any man, *--he wholly followed the Lord. And the
words have special force and weight in Caleb’s case, because by
nature he was not of the childlen of Israel, but only by adop-
tion into the tribe of Judah. He was of the seed of -4braham,
but through the rejected son Esau. The lesson of his faith-
fulness and reward is, therefore, of special force and weight
to us who by nature are children of wrath, member? of the
worldly class of humanity, whose natural disposltlon was
typified m Esau whose little faith in the promises of God,
and greater appreciation of the good things of this world,
led him to sell his birthright for a mess of pottage. Many of
us who now rejoice that we are counted in as Israelites in-
deed, justified by faith, sanctified by the truth,-of the people
of God, sharers in the great inheritance,-realize that many
of us once loved the thing\ of this present life more than the
things of the life to come, and were disposed to grasp the tan-
gible things of the pIebent rather than to sacrifice these in the
interc+t of the future glories and blessings of the divine
promise.
After the f.111 of .Jel~cho Lrael passed through various ex-
pclienccs 111taking ~O~~H~II of the land of promise. First,
there 11a~ tile sin of .~cll;u~, his covetousness which led him to
tli-ol)rtlience of the (Ii\ WJ command respecting the posses-
SIOII:, of the I)oople of J~I ICIIO Ills love for the condemned
thmgs not only cost him llis life, but brought consitlelable in-
jury to the cause, just as with us one whose consecration is
tlefectlvr and ~110 loves the present evil world, and contrary to
the dlvirle c~ommand sect etly encourages evil in hi3 own life,
mav bling conridelable disnater to the Lord’s cause before the
w&t sill IS Itlade manifest, and eventually brings upon the
\I tong doer thf weightv penalty implied in the Apostle’s
volcl~, ‘.If we live aft;r the fresh, we shall die.” Achan’a
c6bul.e al,o lep,p;ented the ~nle of the Millennial age. when all
\\-ho cvrll aeclctly love evil will be made manifest and will
be tiestl oyetl tram amongst the people.-Acts 3 :23 ; Rev. 20: 9.
Later on the Lord brought the people to the valley between
11t. libal and Mt. Gerizim. In the wonderful natural amphi-
tlienter between the two mountains the people were gathered
11hilt flom the one mountain was read the blessings of the
l,l\r nntl Its l;eel,mp, and from the other curses which would
come upon those \<ho would fail to keep the law; thus did
the Lord reimpless upon the people their continued obligation
to him and the fact that their p~ospelity would depend upon
their faithfulnesi to his law. So it is also with the royal
pLiesthooc1 who by faith have reckonedly entered the land of
promise , from the time of their consecration the Lord speaks
to them throurh his \Vord and through his providence, in-
structlng them tllat although free from the -Law Covenant
which U:IR upon Israel they have come under the still higher
statement. of the divine law, brielly comprehended in the word,
lvve ; ant1 that on the one hand spiritual blessing, refresh-
nlent, and growth will come to them in the line of obedience to
this law of love, and on the other hand weakness, inability
overrome the world,. the flesh and the adversary, and general
spiritual disaster ~111 be their portion if they neglect this di-
vine law of the New Covenant, love. So in the Millennial age
after the antitypical Joshua shall have brought the world un-
der the new conditions of the Millennial kingdom, the law of
God will be distinctly set before all as the standard of con-
duet, it will be the law of love, the highest expression of the
divine law with its many illustrations and explanations and
assistance as may be necessary to bring the matter to the
coninrrhension of evelv creature. “The law shall go forth
out bf Zion. and the wo;d of the Lord from Jerusalem.” (Micah
4 :2 ) Tho$e who will obev the leadings of the glorious Joshua,
the ‘Deliverer, the Chrlst,U will by hi; help an$ encouragement
and guidance be brought off victors in the end; and those who
will not obey that Law-giver and the law expressed through
him, shall be chastened, judged, and if these corrections in
righteousness do not serve to bring their hearts into accord
with the Lord, there will be but one end possible; the wages
of sin (no longer Adam’s sin) will call for their death-
second death-from which there will be no redemption,
recovery, no release.
Later on came the great battle between the Israelites under
.Joshua and the confederated kings of that region, resulting in
the defeat and destruction of the latter and their armies on
what is generally known as Joshua’s long day. Then followed
sundrv other defeats of Israel’s enemies until a sufficient
port&n of the land had been conquered to permit of its distri-
bution between the tribes.
It was at this time when the enemies had been reduced
in a general way and a considerable portion of the land of
Canaan was in possession of the Israelites, that a division of
THE LORD”
26.
the land was made between the tribes, each tribe still having
considerable to do in the wav of concluerina its own province
and destroying the inhabitaht- 3 remaining -therein to- dispute
their possession. Joshua occupied the place of judge, formerly
held bv hIoses. and the various tribes were assigned their por-
tion b; him; ‘Judah evidently was one of the l&t to make-ap-
plication for an allotment, and Caleb was one of the represen-
tative men in the tribe of which he was an adopted member.
The representative elders of Judah came also wit% him as im-
nlvina their indorsement of his reauest for Hebron, promised
&<rn byy Moses, and because they also considered that tb be one
of the most desirable localities of Palestine.
Caleb rehearsed to Joshua the story of the spying out of
Canaan and reminded him that hloses promised that the partic-
ular part of Canaan he trod upon in spying should be his por-
tion. He showed how this aromise had fullv entered into his
heart; that not only had lie the faith which enabled him to
make.the good repor?. as to the possibility of Israel, under the
Lord’s favor, taking nossession of the land of momise at once,
but the same faltly &as with him afterward; Ahe believed the
Word of the Lord through Moses respecting his ultimate in-
heritance in it. The same promise and faith had been with
him and actuated him durini the wars of Israel in taking pos-
session of the land. and now he still had full confidence that
God would accomplish all the promises of Moses through the
new leader Joshua. He was not unmindfnl of the fact that
Hebron, which was the portion promised him by Moses, was
not yet conquered; that it was in possession of the Anakim,
giants, and that there \iould be serious battles to be fought
before he could take full possession. His confidence was, how-
ever, that the same God who had made him the promise in
the beginning, who had kept him thus far and who hat1 ful-
filled the promise un to this time, would be with him still and
give him &tory over the entrenched and fortressed enemies in
Hebron. How well this illustrates the nrorress of the snirltual
Israelites who in the present time, by I faith,
‘> are living the
new life in the land of promise, battling with the enemies and
overcoming them in the name and by the power of the Lord!
They look back to the beginning of their experiences and re-
joice that the Lord has kept them and blessed them in all
spiritual things up to the present,, and in proportion as they
realize this they have faith to look forward into the future
and to see the final outcome,-see themselre~ victors in their
contests even with the strongest and most entrenched enemies
of the flesh,-its giant passions, customs, etc. amongst these
enemies of spiritual Israelites, living high up in the mountain
fastnesses , giant in form and thoroughly fortified, are relig
ious customs, traditions of men, nominalism, sectarian pride
and ambition and love of show. But the same erace of God
which was sufficient to enable us to gain the vicrory over the
common sins, in the valley, is able still to give us the victory
over all these enemies of the new mind, the new creature, and
to bring us off conquerors and “more than conquerors through
to him that loved US” and bought us with his precious blood. But
as faith was necessary at every step of the journey-to spv out
the land, to enter in, to fight the battles, so the same faith in-
creasing as it has progressed, is necessary now for our final
victory and our entrance into the full promised inheritance.
Doubtless, the same condition in some respect will be true
during the Millennial ape to the world also: at first the re-
quilement of the kingdo‘m will be obedience in outward form;
but ultimately the requirement will be the full submissiom of
the heart to <he will oi God ere the restitution class will riach
full perfection and enter upon the inheritance of everlasting
life at the close of the Millennial age.
It is pleasant in passing to note the generous language of
Caleb in respect to the ten other spies who were with Joshua
and himself, and who brought back the evil report. Here
would have been a fine opportunity for an ignoble man to have
spoken evil of those ais-ociates and to h‘jve endeavored to
plorifv his own faithfulness and that of Joshua in contrast
with “the unfaithfulness of the ten. But no; generously he
passes over their wrong conduct in as mild language as Qossi-
no
ble, and so far from denouncing them or reviling them, he
speaks of them as “my brethren.” The spiritual Israelite
must have this same d&position, only with us it should be
still more pronounced than with Caleb, because we, having
been anointed with the holy spirit and through this anointing
having been taught many of the “deep things of God,” may
well judge ourselves by a standard much higher than any
with which Caleb was acquainted; purely spiritual Israelites
have much advantage every way over natural Israelites. When-
ever, therefore, we hear those professing the new life and
large attainments of grace speaking evil of their brethren, we
[30911 (309-310)
IJll-511) ZION’S WATCH TOWER

are to 1cmcmber the xord of the Lord, that revilers shall have love, to ~hatexer extent possible, our assistance as the Apos-
no pal t m the kingdom of God; we are to remember that it tle suggests. \Ve are to “do good unto all men as we have
1s ~litten of our Lord that “when he was reviled he reviled oppoi tunity,” especially unto the llousellold of faith,-the
Ilot ilg.llIl” . l\e are to remember that evil speaking 1~ classed brethren. Brethren are still to be recognized even thouqh
by the Apdstle as amongst the works of the flesh and of the they fall into difliculty, dangerous snares of the adversary;
<leviI, and the conduct of Xchael, the archangel, is held up and if it be necessary that our fellowship be withdrawn for a
before us as a shining example of propriety, in that he did not time, it is merely Rlth the view to assist them back to their
1lring a railing accusation against Satan, but merely said, proper relationship to the Lord and back to our love and
“The Lord rebuke thee”; we are to remember too the Apos- sympathy in fullest measure; as the Apostle says even such
tle’s specific tleclaratlon, that evil speaking against others IS a are to be treated, not as enemies, but, as misguided brethren
part of the filth of the fresh from which \\e, as the Lord’s peo- for whose recovery rse are to be willing to lay down even our
ple, muit be cleansed if we would be acceptable to him through lives-an hour here, another hour there, an effort for this one
*rebus Christ our Lord; and that revilers “shall not inherit and an effort for another one because they are the Lord’s. It
the kingdom of God.“-1 Cor. 6:lO. is only after such brethren have turned back from the Lord’s
Let us not be misunderstood ; the Scriptures nowhere teach servick like a “sow to her wallowing in the mire” or after they
that all men are brethren in the spiritual sense; on the con- have discnidcd the redemptive work of Christ like the man
trnr)., thcv teach that the unjustified are not God’s children, in the parable who took o^ff the wedding garment-only then
but. U”cllildren of wrath ” and ;ome of them are so thoroughly are we to esteem them as enemies, adversaries, and even then
evil that from God’s standnoint thev are of “their father the we are not to bring against them a railing accusation, but to
derll” ; vc are to recogni;e as bre”thren in Christ only the leave the matter f& t‘ile Lo~cl’s judgment.:2 Thcss. 3115.
l~ousel~old of faith, and to draw a sharp line of demarcation in The essence of this lcbson to the spiritual Isrncllte is that
our minds and In our salutations as between these and the in older to inheiit tlie g81od 1)iomises of Cod, we, like Caleb,
c~liiltlren of this woild. This does not imply either that the must bavc faith In C:od at111.I corre>ponding obedience, that of
~~llll~lrrn of this \\011d are to be treated unkindly by us or in- 11s. a< of him, the Lord 1~111 \\ I ite, “He wholly followed the
sultt’d or offended ; rather they are to have our sympatlly, Our Lord.”

“God is our refuge and strength, a uery present help in trouble.“-Psa. 46: 1.
Vrry WOW mdettl ~\as the divine arrangement of cities of special oblect of persuadmg the avenger should he overtake
refurre for the Israelites. Six of these \\ere designated, so tile culprft, to pirmit him- to reach the city of refuge and
+ca&eti throughout the length and breadth of Pal&tine that there have a nroner trial of his cause to hear what could be
lhcv were convenient for the whole DeOple. Thev were of divine said on his bihaif. This was a recognition of the justice of
np$ointment and had already been’ reserred to” through Moses vengeance, but it was also an inculcation of mercy. Appar-
(Sum. X:9-34; Deut. 4:41-43; 19.1.9), and by him their ently the whole people felt a sympathy for every person flee-
purpose had been fully set forth. Now that Israel had entered ing from an avenger to a city of refuge, as each one realized
tile land of promiqe and taken possession of it, the time had his own liability at some time to commit a slmllar offense
COIIIC for the putting of this measure into effect. The six and thus likewise need to seek refuge and mercy.
citie.- chosen as refuges were all of them cities of the Levites Arrived at the city of refuge, th< culprit wis not free, but
which ~oultl all the more insure their being free from all tribal was obliged to stand trial before the elders of the city repre-
bias or prejudice. The tribe of Levi stood separate and dis- senting <he congregation of Israel. He was received into -the
tinct from all the other tribes and was specially interested in city and protected until such time as the trial could take place.
all. a< the religious representatives of the nation it was fit- His cause was carefully investigated ;-Prof. Beecher remarks
tinp. therefore, that these refuges from justice should be of respecting these trials: ” “Much stress is laid upon the previous
the Levites wards-under their protection. conduct of the slayer, and the relations between him and his
Flom earliest times and in almost all countries the taking victim, whether he lay in wait for the slain man (Deut. 19: 11) ,
of 11ic has IKYW a capital offense calling for the death of the whether he ‘hunted’ for him or not (Ex. 21:13 : Num. 35:20,
slnvcr. In almost all countries, too, particularly in the East, 22). whether he smote him ‘in secret.’ (Deut. i7:24) Was it
it I, concidered the bounden duty of the person nest of kin pre&mptuou? ,-that is to sav, malicious? (Ex. 21:14) Was
to the one slain, to avenge his death; with some it is permis- It with ,guile? (Es. 21: 14) i<sneciallv, was there enmitr prtx-
si!jle io take money as a compensation for the loqs of llfc, but viously between the two men 7 ‘( Num: 35 :21, 22) Was‘ there
nith the Jews it was not so; the law “an erc for an eye and hatred of the slain on the part of the slayer? (Num. 35 :21, 23;
a tooth for a tooth” held with special r@dity in respect to a Deut. 19:4, 6. 11; Josh. 20.5).”
life for a life. We can see the wisdom of this central law rec- The fact that so many particulars were enumerated sho\vs
ognized bv the whole human family-that hunl& life must be that the trial contemplated was to be a careful one; it was
considered sacred and that he who would slay another must not therefore the intention of these cities of refuge to defeat
be chown no pity. Life was originally a divine Cift, although the ends of justice, but that while serving the ends of justice.
forft,ited through sin. and whatever remnant of it is tmnsmit- mercy might be extended to those who were proper subjects for
ted front parent to child is still to be esteemed a< so much of it. If the man were found guilty of deliberate murder, inten-
the (original divine gift, and no one is at liberty to treat it tional, premeditated, the city of iefuge did not save him from
lightly. the death penalty; and if he were acquitted of any malice, he,
T?le cities of refuge were a step in advance alone the line nevertheless, was obliged to remain in the city of refuge or
of itlmpering justice with mercy; they were established, not within its suburbs of 1.000 cubits bevond the walls (Num 35 :
for the protection of wilful murderers but, for those who un- 26, 28), for the remainder of his life; or until the death of the
Intcntionnlly, throll,ch error or arcldent took the life of an- high priest. This was putting a heavy penalty upon careless-
othrr : any one who even thus committed man-slaughter was ness, passion, etc., a penalty of separation from family, a re-
reallv noithv of death under the decree. “HP that sheddeth striction of libertv which, undoubtedly, would be beneficial, not
man’< blood,‘bv man shall his blood be bhed,“-regardless of onlv to the indivdual under restriction but, in its influence ben-
anr excu<e &hi& hc might be able to offer, either of a_ngrava- efic”ia1 upon the whole people. The careless man is culpable,
ti& or passion or self-defense or accident. The arrangement and when his rarelessness results in serious injury. to another it
wa. tlrnt nnvone bclic~vin, fl him~c~lf to be free from malice, wil- is but right that the matter should result in 111sown incon-
ful. Int(~l~fio;>:ll murder. mlgllt flee to one of thric cities of venience-that it should cost him something.
rcsfrlccbnntl tllc’rc hc protected from the full drmnndq of the law The high priest was in bo1nr respects the most prominent
agI:rin-t his life-lip might thus have a mcasurc of mcrcv ex- individual in the nation. ant1 his death, therefore, would be
tc~n,lr~~lto hil>l ~~itllont the rondonintr of his offrn~. Tt was quch a notable event aL; to be known throumhout, all the tribes,
a furtllr,r rcLgl:lnt ,011 that tllc rolltcs ‘lcndinp to thcqe ritici of and on that ocrnqinn all rcfli~ee* in all ciGec; of rrfuge nould
rpfllrp ~lronld IW lrllilt and kept in thorough order, free from he at liberty to return to their homes free from danyrrer from
stumlllln~ <tones. \\ itb brid,nes over wntrr-courseq, et?.. $0 as the avenger, the avenger’s opportunity expiring with the death
to affortl the guiltv ones full opportunity for a rapid flioht to of the high priest; and were he to avenge after that, he would
secure safrty. hloreover at frequent intervals sign boards hr the murderer and he obliged to flre to a city of refuge. This
were crectptl pointing in the direction of the city of refuge unique arrangement, it will he observed, is the verv reverse
and bearing the word, “Refuge.” It was nlqo a custom among of our preqent-day arrangements of jails, penitentiaries, etc.,
,T~~ls that two scribes should accompany the refugee with the and in some respects, at least, it presents advantages. The cul-
c30921
 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (31-7-313)

prit hlmaelf was the one who sought the prison and ~110 de- Our responsibilities for wilful sin may therefore, be said to
slred to stay therein for his own protection during the ap- begin with and keep pace with our l&owledge of the divine
pomted time. This certainly avoided the necessity of building Law. Although acquitted as respects wilful sin whose Denaltv
massive walled, Iron-barred jails from which prisoners con- would be the “second death, it is-necessary that we cont&ue t>
tinually seek to escape. And instead of inciting the people to “abide in him”-that we do not put off the robe of Christ’s
the pursuit of the offender under the presumption of his guilt righteousness. If we leave the city of refuge,-if we abandon
even before his trial, it rather conduced to a reverse condition our trust in the precious blood which cleanseth us from all
If sentiment--the supposltion of the culprit’s innocence and sin, we become liable again to the demands of justice and that
he desire ,wld sympathy on the part of the people to assist him wlthout mercy. Divine iustice is represented in the avenger,
o safety and protection and mercy. as divine me&y is represented in th^e city of refuge, and-he
Our Golden Text draws to our attention an antitgpical who \<ould leave the citv of refuge necessarilv falls into the
ignificance of these cities of refuge: “God is our refugeand hands of Justice ; as aga’in the Apostle explai&, “It is a fear-
strength. a very present helD in time of trouble.” From the ful thing to fall into the hands of the living God”-to depart
time we’become” aiquainted &th the real facts of our case, we from Christ, to abandon the mercy and forgiveness which the
realize that a death sentence has been issued which invclves Father has extended toward us, as culprits,-through the Be-
each one of us. \Ve realize, too, that justice has a full right loved One.
to pursue US unto death because we have “all sinned and come How long must me abide thus in the mercy of Christ and
short of the glory of God” ; and because the “wages of sin is have no standing or liberty outside of his robe of righteousness,
death.” The Spo3tle Paul points out thi3 matter distinctly no safety outside his prov’ision of refuge? We answer that we
(Ron]. 5: 12)) saying “Bv one man [‘s disobedience] sin en- must thus abide “until the death of the high priest.” This is
tered into the norld anti death bv sin: and so lthusl death already in a large measure accomplished-the Head of the anti-
passed upon all men, for that all l;ave sinned.” &om ihe mo- tvpiral high priest. our Lord ant1 Master, alrratlv li,l* finl*llt~(l
ment, therefore, that we recognize that we are sinners-that the work ‘that the Father gave him to do, and the members of
we could not stand approved in the divine presence,-from that the body of the high priest, his church in the flesh, are filling
moment we realize that the avenger, Justice, 1s upon our trail, up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ, and soon
and that it i4 only a question of time when we will be ovel- the entire high priest, its every member, mill have died. Then
taken and destroyed unless ne reach some place of refuge. As the new disnensation will be ushered in and no longer mill we
ne flee we see finger-posts which God has set for our mstruc- be obliged io own our own imperfection and the-need of a
tion pointing us to Christ as the only place of refuge, and to covering before justice; from thenceforth having been made
him we have to flee. perfect by a share in the First Resurrection, having been made
\Vc are nbitllng now nithin the hallowed precincts of ?ike our Lord and Master, me shall be presented before the
this qnlvation. deliverance. refuge. ~lrich God himself has
‘.
Father blameless, unreprorable, without spot or wrinkle or
provitletl for Us ; even as it is nritten. “It is God that justi- any such thing, without any vengeance against us on the part
tieth; 11ho is he tllat condcmneth ?” And yet it is with us even of divine justice.
a5 it is shonn in tllr t>pe. a place of refuge not from wilful The eniire arrangement is of God---Justice is the avenger of
and intentional violatmtl of the divine Law, but a refuge to sin, and Christ is the refuge and deliverance: therefore, while
cover our llenknesses nnd ignorance-the results of the fall. As acknowledging the Lord Jesus and appreciating very highly
a thorough investigation ~a3 matle in the tvpe, so we may be his work for us, the redemption accomplished through his sac-
sule that in our case- :I thorough investigaiion of motives, in- rifice and all the blessings which come from the Father
tention, etc., will be instituted. through him, and thus honoring the Son as we honor the
Fol tunately for us, this refuge in Christ is specially in- Vather also, it is nerertheles5 appropriate that \\e should re-
tended for those ~11o are “new creatures in Christ Jesus,” member that all these blessings are of the Father through the
whose sinful course plier to coming to a knowledge of the Lord Son. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in
is accounted. not as lntentionnl or nilful, but, as of ignorance. time of trouble.”

“CHOOSE YOU THIS DAY WHOM YE SHALL SERVE”

<JOSHPA 24. l‘&%.--,YOVFXBEB 9.
Dc0sion, one of the mo5t important elements of Christian gospel age. Noting the differences of dispensations. he can see
chn!:lc$er. 15 the essence of this lesson. nllen Joshua was that God’s blessings were of a temporal kind during the Jew-
about 110 years old, realizing that 111s cnurse was about run. iqh age; that those who were faithful to the Lord l&e blessed
Iit* cdlle(l a general a~~~~l~ly of the Israelites, presumably the in their flocks and herds and earthlv advantages and health,
hcntls of every trlhc and family, and reviewed brfore them the while during this Gospel a,ne thoseOwho reve;kntlv obey the
Lnrtl’~ mercies from the trme of the call of i\braliam It was Lord and seek to walk in ‘his ways are blessed in sp~~.itunl
no\v ahnut thll tv veal< since ,Joshun 11nd succeeded Moses as things ; he opens the eyes of their understanding, feeds their
the leader and ifld-gl\Cl. tlrc judge of the nation Vntler his hearts ; grants them refreshment of the water of life, and
able 3dlilinistr;ltlnJl Canaan bad heen divitlcd nmon,rrt the light of the knowledge of the goodness of God which shines
tl ibc., :1i1(1 :I qnaitcl of a crntnry of prosperitv in the new In the fare of .J++ur Christ our T,nrd, and makes known to
lnntl ha11 folln\~~tl, not, honever. wlthout its coniiicts and difii- his faithful the lengths and breadths And depths and heights
CllltlC~. In Ic,nving the people tJnqllua sought to impress upon of divine love, wisdom, and power. They now realize a protec-
fhpn! not only the b;es.ing+ and favor3 that thev had received tion from the world, the flesh and the adversary, and the peace
of tlrr J,o~d. bnt nlw th(x ob1ig.ltinn.s which the{? had assumed of God which pnsseth all understandinr( rules in thrir hearts,
in flecoming his people prnspectivel,v: Ireirs of ‘the Abrahamic even thn~l,oh the same divine providence may prrmit them to
rovrnant. ant1 blecins of nil the nations of the earth. He have various trials and dificulties, persecutions and tliqap-
shows how Abraham’s fore-fathers had been idolaters “on the pointments and reverses, phpsic?l,. financial ant1 qoclal. The
other <itIe of the flootl.” that is. on the other side of the great spiritual Israelite’s eviden(,e of dlvlnr favor on his behalf 1~ in
rirrr I<aphlntes: ant1 that God’s favor had been markedlv the healing of his soul from the sicknesses of sin, and in the
\\ith zlb~nhnm ant1 hi, postrrlt+v up to the time of which h’e invigoration of the new life, and in the victories over the
spoke. In ortlcr to IIJI~JTSS upon their minds what they might weaknesses of the flesh and the oppositions of the Adversnrp-
expert of the Lord III tllcb future. he calls pointedly to their at- these are potent arguments with the spiritual Israelite re-
tention lli- tlealing-; ~itlr them in the past, the lessons in specting the goodness and faithfulness of our God, as the tem-
Egypt, the deliverances. the cln+nz of the Red Sea, the CY- poral victories recited by Joshua were evidences of them to the
perienccs of the wilderness. their rroqsing of Jordan into the natural Israelite.
Iand of promise. their ronquest of the land acninst the various -4s ilfnses before he died had called upon Israel to renew
iJlll;ll,itn;lt. HP v null! i1nvr them rem&bcr that these their covenant with the Lord, so Joshua hesired at the close
vlrtorieq \\ere not of their own strength or nhility or wis- of his dnvs to make an anma to his brethren on behalf of
dom, hut t!mt the Lord \\aq on their side: calling attention fnithfulniss to the Lord, &t would long be remembctetl by
al.0 to 01,~ of tllc> ,rrlt,nt I)nttlrq in which their enemies were them. He recognized the fact that God seeketh such to war-
discomfitted hv great snnrms of hornets. nnd then he comes ship him as worship him in spirit and in truth-not of fear,
to the eulinrtjtlon \\hirli ronstitutes this lessor,. not’ of compulsion b& of a wiliing vind, and his argunlent ac-
It i+ profitnblt~. too thnt the qniritual Jqrnclitc freouentlv cordin& was alnnp this line-Brethren. let us make a firm
tnkr surl; a review nt God’< prnvi;lenrep. He may look back resolve’ ‘that in vie;; of God’s goodness to us we will ever be
not only to CM’s mnnifrqtntions of favor and power during faithful to him; let us fear him in the sense of reverenclug his
the .Jeniqh a=~ to nntnrnl Iqrnel, but he may see also divine commands, in the sense of fearing to displease one ~110 has
favor of another time granted to spiritual TsraeI during this been so gracious to us; Iet us remember, too, that notwith-
c30931
t314-315) ZION’S WATCH
standmg his graciousness, he is dealing with us along the line
of principle, and that if \\e depnlt from the principles he ap-
proves his blrsslnp and favor \\lll depart from us. Let us put
iway, therefore, tYhe gods which ~016 fathers served, and seyve
Jehovah onlv. It mav have bee;l that there was still a lurk-
ing of idolairy amonist the people, or It may have been that
Joshua was merely guardmg them against the idolatrous ten-
dencies \\hich mole or less assail all mankind-a tendency to
forget more or less the mvlslble God and to set upon eal’thly
objects-idols-the affections and reverence 1%hich properly
belong to him. Joshua would inclte the people to a good reho-
lution.
Just so, too, we see tllnt spiritual Israelites need fre-
quently to incltc one another to faithfulness to Go& to an ap-
preclatlon of what he has done for us and n hat he rightly ex-
pectq rjf us, and to caution one another against what we recog-
nize to hc tllc tr~iitlencic~~ of tlw world --tile din\\ ing away of
our heal ti an11 aliectlon5 toward earthly thing-.
The Islaehtes had come into a land whose people practiced
idolatry ac~~nml~anIrt1 1,:; a lascivious form of \vorhtiip, anti
thcl c the Ian i of Got1 111,on tilrni \\oiIld necessarily mean re-
stralnt against \\hicll their fallen natures \voultl more or less
rebel, and .ro~hua v Ished them to have the-e mattels well be-
fore thei mlntl~ and to tlrcltle the question of loyalty to God
in full view of the facts a3 they already Imlixetl tllem, or
woul:l +:il~scc1i~eiitly :i!ipieciate them : on the one hand \\eie
the llc~c~nsc~ ail!1 atti act10114 of tllca l n~uous folms ot idolatry
and tt,e plrarures of sin such as they are, for a season, witi1
dlvme diLfa\or ; on the other hand \\ere the rcstiaints of the
divmc law acconlp,tnle:l IJ\T tllvine faror, ~,lotcction and care,
relating net only-to the iiresent life, but’ to that also \\hich
is to &me. IIc inclulred whether it seemed evil-that is un-
desirable-to them io be Israelites, to be Gotl’s people, to be
lll’d(11 ttle rritlalnts nf 111sl.t\\ 5 in oitlcr to :I:I\ e 111sfavor and a fnll cnn\(~8:iatioii of tlir I\ ill antI IIPIICC of fwi v lie ye, anti-
blessing. Thrv would as a neoplc now be tested alunc tlu9
line inc!ivitluajly ant1 natinn:<lIy,- and he de;ircscl to anti&pate
the rominlr, te\ts and trials of their f.iith and obetlience bv fol-
tlf\‘lng their mm& and leatllng them to make a dccislon one
way or another. ‘I’llen as a lender he too!; his o\vn position
nlw-t poiltivciy on the sitle of the Lortl, snylnP, “& fol me and
my house (my family) \%e nil1 serve the Lord.”
MAN’S FREE WILL OPERATIVE NOW
Many Voultl lie lIlclIiled to doubt the wisdom of setting be-
fore the peop!e such a choice; they would be inclined, on the
~ontr;:1~, to IWVC no clloice atlollt it, but to ln\l4t and demand
t!l:tt, the I,o~tl bc rrco,rralze,l n11tl obevctl at all hazards. But
re:t 11~ .iosl~ua \~a, nrirelv emphaiixi~g the choice which God
Dlit> before iKor)le contiI<iiallv : he IP,I\ (‘5 t!lem onen to choose
;CWI 01 cvllr-tb serve him, ‘or to Ferve self or sin or wealth
or other idols. As a matter of fact we have no right to at-
tmlpt compulsion, because the Lord lenvrs the matter open for
choice, ni Joshua did ; he IS seekin:: those who desire to be
hi9 sctrvantq, his royal 1lrie::t?iootl, 111s!loly naticn, his pecu-
liar yrople; those who do not so desire he does not desire, and
11c iq-nnt rallin;t t!lcm nntl tl~nw~n~ them nod. Our Master em-
Ijtl;I~I7etl tills lesson in Ilis nrencflinrr. savinz to the Jews. “If
any man \lill c~mc after mb (as a ‘riirc;plc’j, let him ta6e up
!!i- cro<s and follo\v me“: he estior t3 them fui thermore to sit
tlo\\n anti count the cost of dlrciplesllin before undertaking to
mnkc a rhoire, j!!-t as .ioGlllla in this’lesqon drew before-the
mind5 of his hcnrrrr aqmethinn of the two sides of the aues-
tirln v 111ch he e\-lrort+ them to” decide prn:)crly on the Lord’s
si(lr.-on the s:(le of life and pr.lcc end blessing and the
promises of Go<!.
Although this matter of r?loosinrr w:i~, left oi)cn to the
people tlu<in,g tile J(a\V;ibtl ace, and u,&r the still *higher call
during this Gospel age, yetLit ~111 not be so left oven during
the Jlillcnnial age; 111~11will not tllen he in\-itr,r to choose
whom they will scxrve :uI(! worship; on t!le conti ary, when the
kiri.::tlom
., has bc,en e&blislied. the law shall ~0 foi tli. and with-
OlIt nSlilII’ g for tllc preferences of any for”good dr for evil,
ohc~:~c~ncr\: ili IW cnforrctl an,1 tllc cvillv tlisnosetl wail be forciblv
re~traii~c~l. %~ch a reign of law and ;r,lcr& nil1 be maintained,
anal th:bW v ho n i!l not conforn! thereto nrll be chastened as
~~11 a~ instruc tee!. nn:l all ti Ilo sllnll not come into accord with
that kirlptlom .11:t1 it* I.tw of righteousnrss outwardly, and alti-
mdtciy rcmfolm to It heartily, will be cut off in the second
death.--1ct-j X:2’<.
The people responded no>ly, that they appreciated God’s
care and blessi;lgs and that t11e.y nould be faithful and loyal
to him: but rca tlsing t!lat pronuscs are easily made and need
to tc deeply Impressed, Joshua repeated the injunction the
secctntl time (verse 19) savm,rr in substance: Ye can not serve
the Lord easily,--you must not imagine that the promises you
are n:aklnx earl be kept without considerable effort, neither
must you imagine that a partial perfunctory observance of
TOWER ALI.EGHENY, PA.
the divine law will please the Lord or have his blessing,-he
is a iealous God. -4s a husband or wife having entered into
the &arriage relationship would properly be jealous of any
intrusion or indifference or coldness, so the Lord having ac-
cepted Israel as his peculiar people would watch over them
\rlth a 1~10~s rare, would not be indiff’erent if they divided
their affections or worship as between him and others. And
God is the same today and forever, and wishes his Spiritual
Israel to understand tilat to abide in his love means obedience
to his regulations. all of which ale reasonable services. He
would haye us unberstand, clearly, that while he has favored
us by lifting our feet from the horrible pit and miry clay of
sin, condemnation and death, and has reckonedly justified us,
placing our feet upon the rock, Christ Jesus,-although he
has adonted us mto his fnmllv as sons robed in Christ’s right-
eniisnrys, accrptetl in the Beloved one, nevertheless, having
done these favors for US he n 0~1~1disown II? and cast us off as
unworthy of ful ther favor if 1,e de1iberateIy pro\ e unfaithful
to him.
As tllc I<raelitcq rcX-nifrrned their decision to be faithful f0
the Lor,l so let us Sp~iitunl Israelites engrave c!eepl:) upon
our htirts our consecIatlon, and let us frequently ~evlve and
review that conqeclation ttlat the cares of life do not obllt-
crate It to any degree.
THREE WITNESSES TO THE CONTRACT
I%iit tllete two e~holtntions and t\\o rf+pcjnhcs \\ere still not
enough for Joshua, for a thlrtl time. :I% still further ant1 more
~lc~pl,~ implrrsin,rr the lesson, he cullortetl them not onlv to
put away all tliought of itlolatrg, but. on the other hantl, to
incline tttcllr hrartr to the Lord. It is nftrr we have become
God’s people tilron:;h justif) i!lg faith. :Iftrr he IIns cnll~~l us no
IOII~CI. qrrvnnts. but qons, that he ipeaks to 113, saying, “3Ip
snn“gire me thin? h(Jarl ” To give the 1:rn1t to thr J,orci~meal~~s
tion ant1 illtrlwt : and thiq is ~rallv tllc only w.1~ 1n \vhlch
1:e can 2 --Ii1 c ourvalves that no form of worldly idolatry wi!l
Irave anv nlnce in our lives. If we merely attempt to serve
the ~,nlrl ix an olltwaIt1 wav ceremoniousl; and nc;minally, it
~111 1~ IJut a little while until insitliouslv’t?l~ \\o~ltl. the flesh
and t11e ntlversnrv will din-x our attention and energies away
from the Loud tb various tilings. cntnngllnc them in rarions
enrthlr alliances and worships that mill mean spilitunl POV-
ri tv Ant1 IIike-\rnriiiliess. if not at)G:“Iute colrlnc~~q of henIt to-
W;I~tls the cord. Let us. therefore. like those adtlrepsed by
.Joshua, reach a positive drciqion once for ~11. ant1 whatev&
it mav coqt and ho\rerrr sctluctive ant1 beautiful the service
and war-bin of self or JInn!mon niav appear to 119. let Us, in
view of th; experiences of the past: nl;cf the ]IIO~?IWS which
reach into the future. tlcciglc that I\-e will serve the Lord: not
waiting for him to rniie llii liantlq in ludgmcntq and denun-
ciations. but Ilstening for his voice that wc may know !liS
nil1 and do it.
T!if>rc \vele thrcp u.itnrsWs to thi4 contract cr covenant.
The flqt Q:\S the pcnl)le themselves vlin un:ll~l now long re-
memhcr thiq covenant thrice rcpeale~l. T!le srrnnd was
.Joshu:t’s tlrclnration, in connection prnh?b!y \\itll the tables of
the law, that Israel’s cnrcnant nn’~ rene<vecl l)\- statute and
oldinane+-that the ori3ml rovf~nnnt of Sin,Ii !1nc1 lW3 rnti-
fid. re-affirmed. The third witnccs was a monumental stone
which he “erpcted under an oak” [or oak grove] that was
about [near1 the sanctunrv of the Lord. This nlio would be a
witness to them of what they had done-of their pledge to the
Lord in the presence of Joshua. So it is well for the Lord’s
spirlt~ual people to do more than merely make a covenant or
agreement with the 120~d in their hearts and minc!s. That de-
cisioll of the mind is important first: but it needs besides
helps, such for instance,- as a confession of it before the
fellow mcmber~ of the bodv of Christ. the Church : and it
needs snnle memorial of it, as for instance in the baptismal me-
molial of consecration unto death.
Because of our weaknesses t!lrough the fall. and because of
the seductions of the Adversarv and the world. we need to
hedge about tho new creature a;d its good resolutions so that
we may be stromg in the Lord and in the power of his might.
Let evei>’ true Israelite adopt the words of Joshua “As for me
and my house, we will serve-the Lord.” and as this would mean
no light matter for himself so, also, it should be no meaning-
less phrase as respects his household; it should mean that his
children shsil be trained in the nurture and admonition of the
Lord: it shoulfl mean that minor children shall not he allowed
to rule thr house nor to discredit parents outside the home,
but that the narental influence exercised in kindness. in love
and in firmne&, shall seek to bring the children of eac’h family
so far as possible into covenant relationship to the Lord, ii-
strutting them in the way of the Lord, both by precept aild
example.
c30941
 THE MORN
Our age’s sphere of light,
Though widening still, is walled around by night;
With slow, reluctant eye, the Church has read,
Skeptic at heart, the lesson of its Head.-Whittier.
Despite the light that cheers the world today,
Shadows surround ~9, on our heavenward way,
And Error darkens Truth’s celestial ray.
Not yet the beams, whose radiant splendors dart
From the fair realms of Science and of Art,
With equal glory shine from soul and heart:
Men worship golden calves and serpents still;
Like cringing slaves bow to their master’s will-
Obey the letter, but the spirit kill;
Still tremble at the Priest’s uplifted rod,
For fear that he may doom them, by a nod,
To endless hell-fire in the name of God.
False prophets still the wrath of Heaven provoke;
And hypocrite, and Pharisee, and rogue,
Sit in high places in the synagogue.
As sheep disguised, wolves still make sheep their prey;
The blind still lead the blind the downward way;
And sneaking Judases their Lord betray.
Still is assailed the free soul that aspires;
Still persecution feeds her smoldering fires;
And still, to murder Truth, are leagued the Liars.
Still everywhere a selfish spirit rules-
Men herd themselves in squabbling sects and schools,
And deem dissenting brethren knaves or fools;
Still hack their heads with dull, polemic swords,
Fan the fierce flames of hate with windy words,
And take the Devil’s plaudits for the Lord’s.
YE ARE NOT IGNORANT
The follolving e\tra& from a letter in which one dear
sister in Christ relates to another her temptation of the ad
versary along Christian Science lines will be interesting, and
we trust, profitable, to many of our readers. She writes :
“1My dear mother seemed always to ‘hunger and thirst after
righteousness.’ She was so glad to know and understand every
word of truth as it was brought to her, and rested in it. She
used to say, ‘It is all perfect peace now.’ That was after you
were gone. She had never rend any of the Dawns except the
first Volume and part of the fifth. I read part of the second ta
her, but it was only just the beginning. I cannot be glad
enough that it was given her to know so much of the blessed
truth In the short time that she had left; yet I have thought
that if she had never known she might have been living even
no\\ in that same tired, almost hopelrss way. Indeed the doc-
tor blames the truth entirely, and has been very bitter against
it and all (lur people ever since. When mamma was taken
down sick she was not nenrly so bad as usual, but she did not
seem to change much, either for better or worse for a long
time. One day the doctor called me into the parlor and said:
‘I do not know what to make of your mothel’s case; unless she
can be aroused to exert herself and trv to throw off the disease
she will run down verg fast, and nothing can then be done for
her. She seems bright and cheerful, but she has no power of
resistance in herself, or else she is not trying to live. I am
doing all I ran; if you know any way to arouse her you can
do more for her than any of us.’
“After he \-rent away I told mother just what he had said.
She replied : ‘That is not so: I am trying to get well; but it
must be just as the Lord wills, he knows best.’ The doctor
had told me that had it not been for her strong will she could
not have lived through several previous bad attacks (she said
she must get well for the sake of her children), and it was
now so tliffcrent’ Thiq time when I reminded her that the
children needed her more than ever, she said: ‘The Lord knows
best what they need, and I will be with them as long as he
pleases.’
“Years before I had heard some people-and intelligent
ones, too-argue that any strong willed person could not only
keep another alive for years, but could even raise the dead by
sheer force of ~~‘1’11.Isn’t that a crazy idea? Well, just then
I would have believed anything; I became simply possessed
with the thought that since the Lord would not help her I
[3095]
IS COMING
The world, which God gave to his children all,
They parcel into sections, large or small,
And round each petty church “patch” build a wall;
Shout their strange shibboleths and battle cries,
Assert pre-emptlon title to the skies,
And curbe him as a heathen who denle-.
Thus bigotry and sect intolerance
Sharpen the infidel’s else harmless lance,
And cause the Devil’s imps for joy to dance!
Thank God! Religion is a plant that grows:
Its perfect flower perennially blows,
More fragrant and more fair than Sharon’s rose.
It yet shall rise from out the sloughs and swamps,
Shed from its shining leaves the dungeon damps,
Break every bond that yet its free growth cramps!
Methinks I see it rising and expand!
Its mighty branches arching every land,
From Zembia’s snows to India’s sunny strand.
Upward, forever up, I see it rise,
Flashing resplendent glory on our eyes,
Until its crown is lost within the skies.
And t!lere, beneath this everlasting tree,
This Tree of Life and Human Destinv,
I see the nations gather, bond and free,
Gentile and Jew, of every clime and race-
God’s children all-and standing face to face,
Own but one God, their Father, and embrace!
TheI,, only then, will men indeed be free,
Then will the Golden Age we dream of be,
And Jesus Christ reign universally.
-Charles II’. H uonw .
OF HIS DEVICES
cozbld and wouZd, if only my strength would hold out until
spring.
“For months I never left her room except for a few min-
utes at a time, not even going down stairs to meals for days
in succession ; I just took a cup of coffee in the hall, and
sometimes I would not leave even for that. Of course, I used
every means in my power; giving her medicine regularly until
the doctor told me to leave them off as her stomach was too
weak for them to have any beneficial effect. I spent a great
deal of time rubbing her until she became so sensitive that
slie c011ltl not bear dint: lnlt WIICII tlrc13cbtri I 1111~~
1.1,ln~;)- 01
sharp pains came in different pnrts of the body, thev were
stopped almost instantly if I laid my hand on her. I could
put ber to sleep in less‘than two minites by putting my hand
on her head, or bv taking hold of her hand, and she slcnt iust
as long as i sat “beside ‘her even if I rrmoved my hand; -but
if I left the room she was awake instantly. One day she told
me it made her nervous for me to look at her. so I went over
on the other side of the room to sit. In a few minutes she
called me to come back because she felt so strange if she could
not see me all the time. I was almost afraid to think of other
things for fear of forgetting my purpose even for a moment.
“After a while she began to think that somethin:: was not
just right, and said so; but for a time she was puzzled not
knowing what to make of it. One da!- she said. ‘L could die
so easy if you would on!v let me!’ Another time she said,
‘The Lord & goin,n to take me anyway, but if you would only
let me go it would be so much easier. I did the same thing
with your father and kept him alive ant1 suffering for weeks,
knowing that it was resisting the Lord’s will; but he took
him at last in spite of all I could do, and it will be the same
with you.’ Of course, I pretended not to understand hrr, but
I was never so frightened in all my life, nor so determined to
have my own way whatever came of it. So I did not lie down
dap or nipht for three weeks. for fear of getting sleepv; and I
did not dare to feel tired during all this time. The doctor
came regularly every day, but he gave no medicine; he would
inquire how she had passed the night and all about her; once
he told a funny story to make her laugh, and said to me, ‘KeeD
right on as yo; are aoing, she is getting. along splendidly.’ Anh
she really seemed to be doing so, and she grew strong enough
to sit up and talk and read, and even walked a few steps one
day. At last the doctor said: ‘If you could hold out two
(317-315)
(317-318) ZION’S WATCH TOWER .\LLECHENP, PA.

weeks longer we shall have her out of doors, and she will his children’ reminded me so much of my own dear father, with
soon be as strong as ever, once she gets out into the air, and whom I should have been glad to leave everything;-and the
you can have a long rest.’ I said I was not tired-did not matter uxxs decided.
believe in resting, etc. He wanted to know if I was not a “Mamma knew the difference from the first though I never
( ‘hl iktian Scientist ; I said, ‘No; of all silly things told her m words, and she was so glad and so satisfied. Uur
Chrlstlan Science is the worst; every one of those pe~plc must dear Father and his precious promises-our blessed hope-she
have softening of the brain.’ ‘Well,’ said he, ‘you are the could not talk enough of these things; but she grew so much
queerest person I ever saw; what do you believe?’ I answered, weaker that she could not bear to have anything read to her,
‘I am too busy to think about beliefs.’ so I used to lead and tell her just a few words at a time;
“About that time came your letter in which you spoke of even talking made her head ache and Z could do nothing for
the high calling, and of consecration as the giving up of your her after t&t time. Yet she was so patient and continted
own wills entirely to the Lord. You seemed to think it a duty (though she suffered all the time) : still we thought it ~219
as dell as a plivilegr f01 those ~110 saw it,--but it seemed t,o t‘he bgd, rainy weather, and I never thought that <he Lord’s
me that I had never SO much need of my o~on WU as just then; will was so different from mine until it was too late to change.
-for t\\o \rccl;q longrr to get mother Out. I thought if your Then I was Sure that I had done wrong in order to selfishly se-
letter had Only come two weeks later, when she would be cure u hat I had thought would be place with God.-th:t in
strong enoagh”to grt along \\lthout me it would have been all abandoning mv self-will Z had delzberatelu sacrified a hurnnll
right; for as she rained strength I let her heln herself. onlv ltfe, whic<wai a blessing to and needed b> others, and which
wn’tc1mg her all tl;e time SO a$‘to he ready to help her ivhed- roultl not be recalled! Has not Satan the strangest way Of
rver h11e nrrtlcd me. I never forgot that she was my mother, helping us to reason backwards, and twisting things out of
and that I had no right to have anv Influence over her place until one can not tell right from wrong? During the day
acttons, Only while it was necessary to’ help her during her hll was confusion. but at night the house was quiet, jnd there
treat wraknrss. ‘IXnt was the mav I looked at it: besides. I was time for studv and pravcr. The dear Lord showed me SO
i;nd begun to be tired as the &a’& grew less. -1’was so es- plainly that all tl;ese things were in his hands, not mine. and
cited over that letter Of yours that mamma noticed it and vOu know how close he will come when we are anxious only to
asked nh~nt it. %OI read her that part of it where you spoke know and to do his will. Romans 8 made so clear that which
of anFry parents bemg ‘imitators of God as dear children’ by was partly explained in the very letter that had seemed to
torturing thclr rh~ltlren with red-hat pokers, etc.! How we e:1ii5e 40 miirli trouble 111tlic brginning. Finf(s tlicn I ran trllly
both l:\il~hc~l Ov(lr that! Hut for the rest--\Vhat if the Lord RRY,
wantcat to she\\ tltat his \ray waq different from mine, and
shoultl undo 011 of my zcork (for I certainly thought that it “This is my heart’s sincere desire (to he)
was all my Own doing) 1 On the other hand, he might take Xenrclr. my God, to Thee ”
his onn \inv nnvhow -He pax stronger than I, and co& do it,
that I knch. ‘I studied then as I had never done before- I ant PO glad to leave everything in his care. Perhaps one
mnstlv the Bible-to see if there wa9 not some promise or reason is that I have had no great temptation to do otherwiw
cOmething chl~r which pave 114 the right to demand certain since: but I am not looking ahead for temptations. only trust-
thlnrs In rrturn for service. York know. how discouraging such ing for today. When I think of all the dear Ihrd has done
a. qcarrll as that wol11d be! Thr verse ‘I,ike nr a father piticth anti ha-: promised it seems almost ton n111rl11”

“A VESSEL UNTO HONOR, SANCTIFIED”

“I/ ,I nt~n tl:wcfrl)c p,rrvgc himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanct@cd awd made meet for the Ilustcr’s use,
trtrd prewred unto every good work.“---:! Tim. 2:21.
It is iml)ortalit to notice tliat thi+ instruction is civcn, not onc*tl 1 I,~lltwll.ll(~‘h il II cl(‘tll.ll tlllIl;l I,\- il cnllst.llll c~Ilde:rvnl to
to the wo~ltl, hut to the church-to those who are believers in purge out the old leaven of sin: if we are content to let it
(~‘lrrist ant1 who are consecrated to him and desirous Of being remain and to work in us, and if we neglect to striye against
used in hi4 srrvicc. If the counsel were given to worldly ped: it, then we are proving by such a course that our lore of
nl~. no such incentive would be held out: for such hare no am- righteourness is gr0min.g weaker, and we are proving our nn-
ijitjon to be in tlic Lord’s service T11n world cm better ap- worthiness of then Lord s gracious reckoning in our favor. But
ljrecinte such maxims as, “Honestv is the best pnhcy,” etc.: if, on the cnntrarv. ~vr are striving dnilp to pnrrc Out the Old
for tJ3~lpOrill Knot1 is all thry seek. Yet it is indred a good It>nren of sin. if we arc not merely working it down occasion-
thing for worldly men to purfre thrmsclves of erll dispositions allv and nllow~ng it again and again to ferment am1 disturb
and practices. aloral reforms are nlnayq commendable a< tit& ~liolr ~nit~ltll:ll hrinz. rndnn~~1 in_n its complrtr 40111ing and
steps in the right dire&ion, and vr arc :ilwnrs glad to see spoilinp (hut purging it out by ‘constantlv res:lsting it) cieans-
n-orltlly men trying to brrak a\vny from the bondage of bad 1iilt‘-. Otis tlinri!zhts. \\nril, alit1 tlettls witll’tllr truth. am1 culti-
hal,ltq-frnm the (11llrk h::l)lt nnrl from lying, profanity and \-ating the l~l~~~~~lfIiiit.4 of the spirit of 10~. lov and pt’acr,--
other vices. then, Indeed. a? thr Apostle afirms, we shall be vessels meet
Ihit such pur$ng from the filth of the fl~h can never for thr I\faster’s URP.
rpndri such \rs<cl fit fnr ihc, Jlnstcr’s use. \Vith all their -4nd not only so, but the Lord ran honor such reqqels be-
tbffortq at cleansing tllry arc still unclean; and the Lord de- cause thrp honor him ; they fairlv represent him and his cause.
*ii e. ClWll \.C9.1’14 fO? 111411’C It iq nnlr when. hr faith, WC If they are muck and humble-miided. not inclined to think of
:lr(l nlunzrd in tllc clcansinc l~1ootl of our Redeemer that we themsrlvps morP highly than thev ought to think, but to think
arc rlcnq nntl ncrrptnhle to God. soberly. the Lord can exalt them to positlonq of trust and honor
without injury either to themselves or to the cause: and thus
“‘l‘tlrre is T. fountain filled with blood they are more and mnre sanctified and prepared for every good
Drawn from Immanuel’s veins ; work.
=\ntl sinnrrs plunged beneath that flood, Lrt as many, therefore. as would be honored nntl used of
Idose all their guilty stains.” the RIaqter now and hereafter-as many as hnvr this hope in
them-spek to purify themselves, to purge Out the oh1 lravcn
TXllt lt:l~ing been thus reckonedly cleansed from sin, and of sin. In the language of another forceful illustration, let us
rlnthrtl in the pure rnhp of Christ’q righteousness. it iq all- ondealrnr to war n good warfarp against the world, the flesh
important that wc strive to make this reckotietl righteousness ant1 tllr tlrvil. And he assured that in thece dntirs we have
nn actual thing to the pxtent of our ahilitv; for only so can thr work of a lifetime: and even at its rinse wr will still fmd
we prove nllrselves worthy of the imputed &hteouqness lt is thr nrrcssitv for thr rnhe of Chriqt’s ri~hterm.nrss to corer
I,iirclv of divine rrraee that we arc rccliorled of Got1 as tll~ remaining deformities of our character
&~lrt&nu~. before W’Chave actnallr hecome SO. Seeinn in us the While the purging here qpnken of refcrq to the general
d&ire to be lirhteous and the effort to be so in hismapnointed clennsilrp from all sin ant1 unrlcnnnrns. the Apostlr had spe-
way, God. accc$ing the mill for the deed. rrckons us r$hteous cial reference on that occasion to pnr$ng froi’n a diqpositi‘on
now. and treats 11s aq sons, since we have hern redeemed from t? ltparken to the false dnrtl ineq nf thnsc \f ho would subvert
the rllrse and have accepted this gracious provision for recon- the faith of the church. HIP ronnsrl is to nvnitl foolish ques-
ciliation. tions and strife about words to no profit: to shun profane
Tf. hO\\~ver. nftrr being thus reconciled to God and reck- 2nd rain babblings which Inrreasp onlv nntn more ungodli-
nnrtl righteous, our cnurse of conduct proves that we no longer npss, which savnr more of homhaqt and self-exaltation than
love righteousness; if we do not endeavor to make the reck- of truth and Aodlinees, and, on the contrary, to studv tn show
[3096]
OCTOeER 15, 1902 ZION’S
ourselves approved unto God, workmen that need not be
ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth.-2 Tim. 2 : 15.
Tbere is much significance in that word “study”; and only
the studious find the narrow way to the divine approval and
acceptance. Study to show thyself approved--study the doc-
trine ; study your course of conduct, to keep it in harmony
with the doctrine. Study how to promote the peace and pros-
perity of Zion, and how to shield yourself and others from
the missiles of error and from the poison or an evil, worldly
spirit. Study to perform the duties of a faithful soldier of
the cross-the seemingly insignificant, as well as the bravest
and noblest deeds. A soldier has many seemingly trivial duties
to perform, and he is as reallv doing his duty as a soldier when
he is polishing his armor, foraging; cooking” his meal, cleaning
camp, clearing the way or building bridges for the army to
pass as when he is fighting the enemy. All such necessary in-
cidental work is entirelv comuatible with his commission as a
soldier, and is not to be-considered “entanglements” or hin-
drances. And these things cannot be avoided or carelessly done
without a measure of unfaithfulness.
So with the Christian soldier. The routine of life, house-
work, daily toil, any and everything incidental to a proper and
honest urorision of “th2na.s needful” for ourselves and those
dependent on us for suppoft, as well as provision for the prose-
cution and care of the-Lord’s work,-ail this is a proper part
of our engagement as soldiers of the Lord. The Auostle Peter
was as truly serving the Lord when catching the fish from
whose mouth he got the coin wherewith to pay the Lord’s
taxes and his own, aa when proclaiming, The kingdom of God
is come nigh unto you. The Apostle Paul was as truly a sol-
dier of the cross and doing his proper work as such when mak-
ing tents (rather than be chargeable to any) as when, at
Mars hill, he preached Jesus and the resurre”ction. Whatever
is done with a view to the elorv of our Lord. the Cautain of
our salvation, or for the benefit” of any of our fellow-soldiers,
or for 0111own preparation for tltiq warfare. or in the discharge
of obligations which our Captain has recognized and approved,
LETTERS
DEAR BROTHER:
I drop you a line to inform you that Pilgrim Brother Hap
has been here and has done us all good. We held two meet-
ings, one a Bible study and the othera sermon on the resurrec-
tion. both of which were instructive and edifvine. The meet-
ings’ were held in the house I occupy. I presum;Brother Hay
has written you telling you of our meeting.
9t nrtsent and for the last couple of weeks two Colporteurs
are in Belfast canvassing for the Dazcns They report having
made satlhfactorv progress thus far. I do hope they will be
successful in fhiing quite a number of hearing ears. We meet
at my homcl on P&tl:~y~. and spend our time ‘in praise, prayer
and searching of thp Sciiptures, thus confirming our faith in
the good things of the kingdom.
I am hoping and trustin g that before long others will come
into the light of the truth and rejoice with us.
I have received the Sew Bible cuts or pictures for which I
thank you. I did not expect any such addition. The Bible is
provmi v&y helpful ar~cl I p;ize it more every day. The
friends in the truth here all desire to he remembered to YOU
in warmest regards.
I am still rejoicing in the love of God and trying day by
dav to keep in the race toward the mark for the prize of the
high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Your Brother in Christ,
JAMES BRIGHT,--Ireland.
VOL. XXIII ALLE(:HE,NT,
VIEWS FROM THE
INSANITY OF THE DOUKHOBOBS
Various are the forms of insanity or mental unbalance.
The whole world of mankind is mentally unbalanced some to
one degree some to another degree, as the result of original
sin and its death sentence which assails all the energies-
mental and moral as well as physical. All are not wicked to
the same degree or in the same manner. Some are insanely
jealons, some insanely cruel, some insanely covetous or sel-
fish, and the Doukhobors furnish an illustration of insane un-
selfishness. The lesson is that none of us have good sense
enough to direct our own courses. All need the divine aid
WATCH TOWER (319-323)
-this is proper work for us as soldiers, and not entanglement
in the affairs of this life.
But the Christian soldier must stud to perform even the
commonest duties in a manner creditab f e to his calling. Nor
must he permit himself to become entangled with other things
which do not relate to his duties as a soldier, and thus to be
side-tracked. For instance, if a soldier knowing how to re-
pair watches were to divert his attention from his regular du-
ties, neglect his camp and battle duties, and the commands of
his Captain and the proper work of a soldier to acquire some
extra compensation by this means, he would be an unfaithful
soldier. And so the Christian who turns aside to seek some
personal, temporal advantage, to the detriment of his duties
as a soldier, is likewise, to some extent, an unfaithful soldier
and likely to be drawn out of the ranks entirely.
Study to show thyself approved. Study the Word. Study
yourself that you may become well acquainted with yourself-
that you may know your talents for service and in what direc-
tion they lie, and your weak points and how they may be
guarded against; that you may know both your abilities and
vour shortcomings. Then studv to avoid error and to shun
all foolish questions and profane and vain babblings. Remem-
ber that onlv the foundation of God standeth sure. and that
all other foundations are worthless and all other theories must
come to naught. But “The foundation of God stnndeth sure,
having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And
let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from in-
iquity. “-2 Tim 2:19.
And if anv man desire honor from God, let him not fail to
seek it in God’s appointecl way-along the pathway of hu-
militv: for the Lord niveth his favors to the humble. If you
would’ he a vessel fit” for the Master’s use and a vessei of
honor, humble yourself under the mighty hand of God and
hr will exalt you in due time. Do not be in a hurry about it
either : hut whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with
thy might, beginning and ever continuing to please your earth-
en vessel, that It may he fit for the Master’s use
OF INTEREST
DEAR BROTHER RUSSELL:
I have just returned from a two weeks’ trip to Dublin, Bel-
fast, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Middlesboro and Leeds, and last
Sunday, London. In every place I met with the same loving
feelings of gratitude to God for present truth, and of appre-
ciation of your loving service to the church. Every church
sends you 1ovin.g greetings, and the assurance that they hope
the Lord’s nrovidences will nermit your visiting this side some
day. As I’told you once before, so I repeat it that I believe
nohody on earth has so many people who love them as your-
self, and I voice the expression of all the churches here in my
own fpelings of gratitude to yourself for your labors for us
all. God bless vou Brother Russell. and mav vou to its CODI-
plete fnlncss realize the meaning of those words, “Fnr as much
as ye have done it to the least of one of these my brethren ye
hnw done it unto me.”
I never met with such a reception in my life as the Glas-
gow Churrh gave me-16 of them at the station to greet me,
and in ererv hand a “TT’atch Tof(e?*.” It is verv hart1 to leave
the church& here. _IIy me&mgs ranged in sizc”from 3 at Mid-
tllesboro to 200 at Glasgow. It seems to me that there is a
wonderful work going on here. The “wheat” seems coming out
far faster than on the -4merican side. I could have found many
more little groups to visit had I had the time.
With loving regards to yourself and all the Allegheny
household, Your Brother in Christ,
1%'. HOPE HAY,-England.
PA., NOPEMREK 1, InO:!
WATCH TOWER
provided for us in the Word of God. Those who do accept
this divine guidance by full consecration and submission to the
holy spirit are Scripturally said to possess “the spirit of a
sound mind,” and to be “wise” with a wisdom which cometh
from above.
It will be remembered that about three years ago the pub-
lic press gave detailed accounts of the arrival in Canada of
about 4,000 Russian peasants styled Doukhobors, who were
emigrating on account of their religious convictions-refusal
to serve in the Russian army, etc., etc. Next we learned that
they were in conflict with Canatllan marriage laws l~e~~i~se
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(323-324) ZION’S t;‘ATCH TOWER ALLEGHENY. PA.

averse to perpetual marriage obligations and ceremonies. Now standing” but should seek the wisdom of God, and nowhere is
we learn that their false conceptions of liberty have taken a this wisdom better illustrated than in him who was “holy,
new form and that they have concluded that it is not rzght harmless and separate from sinners.” Whatever our Master
to dt,prlve horses and cattle 01 tkzr lzberty, makmg them did and taught it would be blasphemy for us as his disclplee
servant8 and menial slaves. In consequence their fields are to call wren, or sinful for us or ^for others.
idle and their good harvests unreaped while their horses and M. A. St. John, an Enpllshman who became converted to
cattle disport themselves at liberty. Consequently many are Tolstoyan philosophy instea; of Chrlstlamty, and who recently
likely to - llle of pr]ratJon (luring the approa&ing winter. visited America in the interest of the Doukhobors, gives his
Truly conscience is a dangerous thing unless instructed bv views of their present craze in the “Midland Herald” (Eng
God’; Wortl and thus puidbd by the spirit of a sound mind. land) as follows:-
Concerning these people and their troubles we give some “The time of emigration, of change of circumstances, of
extracts below. unsettlement and resettlement, proved to be a perhaps severer
The Boston Transmpf 1rmarl<q that it is “a religious mania, strain on the character of these peasants than all their suf-
the like cf nliich has pcihnps never l)ren seen In this country,” fermgs in the Caucasus and Siber<a. They were worn out to
and continues:- some extent. I think, in body and spirit. ‘and thev came into
clrcumstanc& where* the woik was *nep’ to the&, and they
“Fnllv four thousanll Doukhobors, who s,ttled in the k-ork- came into an atmosphere-well, perhaps where a little mate-
ton distkict, Northnest Territory, will starve or freeze to rialism prevailed. At cnc time some of them seemed lazy and
death, or he on thr VW:- of c?ar\ation this year, If the Domm unrehahle-and then some of them seemed to become demoral-
ion Govc~rnment tloes not take active steps to prevent their pres- ized and materialized There were cases of quarreling and
ent religious mama from pomg fnrther. . . . . Nearly every one fault-finding here and there. The leading men were mostly In
of the ‘bonkhobors seen -was- clatl in the lizhtest of cotton Siberia. The state of affairs was lamented. ‘I don’t know
garments. Thev wo\illl afford no protcctlon from an October what has come over our people. They arc quite changed. If
&ecze to say <othmg of a severe Awinter blast; and they say only we had our Siberian exiles here: then it would be auite
thev will wear no other. In manv of the houPes visited a bae different.’ This is the sort of thi;g I heard occaslon’ally.
of “flour was the only fool1 vl&b!e. The Doukhobors wil”l Many were sad and ashamed.
eat a few vegetables; but in few instances had they even “But the old spirit was there still. And now it has revived,
lrrought them into thsxir homes. Men originally strong were I think. And I &pposc that, in reaction from the period o$
~:lllnt. hllIl~1 v \VI Iv4.n; all(l on a rec,cnt tr lp into To&ton for materialism. has come a time of heightened sDiritualltv (what
aonr a dozen’big men, harnessed like mu!es&to a heavy wagon, shall we tail It?) Some have gone” to grcai cxtleme”~. ’ OIIC
almost frill bv the roallslde throush cxhnustlon and starvation. letter told me of a man who hacl fasted thirty-six days, amt
The women, “so far, have escape,\’ any of the work that must was not expected to live. But for the moat palt It has l.een
fall ou t?l? ‘men since they have disc&led the u:e of animals; evident from their letters that they have been for some time
bl,t. if this vear’s cron is to he harvested. thcv will soon have quietly and carefully thmkmg out the p101 1~~s of llrmg UI
to harness t~c~mselres*up to the heavv wagons as the men do. their present surroundings while fulfillmg the highest demands
They have made absolutely no pro&ion for the future; and, of conscience. Thus, tho some feel inclined to ylve up milk
what is perhaps worsE, the religious mania that possesses them and butter, yet they do not want their children and old aud
is lIecoming more intense and is spreading. The attempt by sick folk to suffer in consequence. And while they feel COIII-
the Donlirjlon Govrrmrent to help these people has apparently punction m makmg animals work for them, those same am-
had no effect. How it will cntl will probably be told when mals whom they can see enjoymg so immensely the free 11fc
the intence cold of Ihat district sets in.” on the prairie, yet they do not wish to sell them to others, nor
The London dforn~n~7 Journal says of this matter:- by giving up old habits too suddenly, or too wholesale, to
“These ‘maniacs ale apparently simply a gentle Christian entail suffering 011 the weak, or unpreparetlnc~ss for emergency
sect who have been surlglenly seized with the question which “What I want to impre% upon people here is that these
Bu<ltlhists answc>red trclnchantly cnou,oh many a century ago. are-a great many of them at least-thmkmp Deasantrv. Thev
Asking themselves by what right they dared to cxplolt any are not-all the same. This IS one of the po% 111w&h t arj”l
living and sentient creature with caparities of pleasure and so proud of them. They have their conservative old stagers
and their moderates anti their progressives.
,

intlependence as great as their own, ihcy became strict vege- They hare trlclr
tarians. But the Rur-sian idealist is capable of a fierce con- formalists and the broad free&ink&s. And they are human,
sistencv. Be he tyrant or nihilist, Tolstoyan or Doukhobor. he oh. so human 1 Of course the Canadians don’t understand them.
makes ‘no pact with ideas. Having ceasca to slay animals’for Bit if the Canadian Government goes on with the kind and
food. the Doukhobors could find no sanction for qublectinn sympathetic forbearance that it has hitherto pursued, and if
thcsm to thr sc,rrltude and mutilation of the farm-yard.” They we will wait and watch what comes of it all, we may learn
released their horses ant1 cattle, ~rnolinced eggi and milk, wool x lot.”
and leather, and now they are attempting to live ou bread and “Let your moderation be known unto all men,” says the
water--clad. we suppo*e. in cotton. It is a hardy enterprise, Apostle. A live conscience needs to be “taught of God” in
but. nnlrss indecxd, like Pythagoras. they have scruples about or*der that moderation and not menta; unbalaice shall resuit.
tIcan\. thrre is no r“‘l+on why they should fare worse than the The truth in its purity will seem erratic enough to worldly
millInns of good Buddhists who even strain water lest there people who cannot comprehend it, and every other peculiarity
shollld he life in it.” should be carefully avoided. Conscientious blunders are
Quite true, millions of Buddhists died in the recent famine amongst the most injurious. Note the mistaken conscientious
in Inllia, refusing to eat nnunal food-the animal9 starvmp also conviction of Saul of Tarsus that he ought to Dersecute Chris-
We rclgret to note a similar tlelusion and false conception of tians. Note also the claim of Seven& Day idventlsts that
hol~nr~s creeping in amongst “I.egetanans”;--a disposition to they must world on the first day of the week If they would have
conqi(ler the rating of meat “unclean” and “unholy”; a disposi- divine approval and everlasting life. As an illustration of a
tion to consider themselves superior to meat-eaters, and to misguided conscience and its baneful effect in social affairs we
despise th:m ;-to call them “cannibalistic,” etc. We offer mention the case of an editor’s wife. She at one time took
no objection to those> who claim that they have better health as pleasure in assisting him in his work. By and bv a deluded
a result of a purely re:etable tlict; it is every man’8 dutv and misguided con&ence told her that G&d wish&d her to be
to supply t> his sy?em the diet which will in his judgment editor in chief and publish what she nleased. When the
yiclld the largest degree of comfort and efficiency in his case. editor demurred that *he dare not aband’on his stewardship,
But we do obiect to the claim of special sanctity and ac- the deluded conscience told its owner that she should no longer
ceptableness wfih God on account of a purely vegetable diet. co-operate, but more, that she should break her marriaqe
Thocc, who tnke that pocition are distinctly setting themselves covenant in deserting her husband and home, and that she
ur) as wiser than God. and holier than our Lord Jesus who not should say all manner of evil against him, falselg, until such
onlv ate animal food ‘(lamb and fish at least) but who miracu- time as he would yield to her ‘the liberties of ihe journal-
lonhlv created fish for food. (John 6.11: 21:6-11) The whirh her consc~mc~ told her wa$ God’s will.
insplretl Apostle “hound” the question and settled it’ (Matt. The moral of all such lessons is, “Be not wise above what
16:19; 18:18; Acts 15:28, 23) : the Apostle Paul declar- is written.” “Study to show thysrlf approved unto God! a
IllE’ “Now the Spirit spenketh expressly, that in the latter times workman that needeth not to be ashamed,-rightly dividmg
some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits the Word of truth.”
and doctrines of devils; . . . . forhiddinc to marry and com- “AWAY FROM ROME” MOVEMENT IN ENGLAND
mam1in.q to ahstain from meats which God created to be re-
ceived with thanksgiving bv them that believe and know the The Fortniqhtly Review contains an article from the pen of
truth.” (1 Tim. 4:1-4) Realizing man’s natural unsoundness Rev. Arthur Galton, a clergyman of the church of England,
of judgment, Christians should “not lean to their own under- who formerly went over to the Roman Catholic communion
r3098J
NOVEMBER 1, 1902 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (325-326)

but returned. Rev. Galton in serious vein declares “that he
has been made the spokesman for one hundred and fifty secular
clergymen” of the Roman Catholic church, pledged “to work
join’tiy as a corporate body, by constitutlonai means and
through canonical methods. for the reformatlon they desire”
in the” Roman Catholic ch&ch and its “unlawful aithority.”
He declares : “It is obvious to everyone who studies history with
an imnartial mind. that the English people and the Roman
court are incompatible,” and ad&:- - -
“Between the Norman conquest and the middle of the
fourteenth century, when our rulers generally were strong, when
our sense of a national and an independent life was growing,
that incompatibility and the friction caused by it are manifest
in contemporary annals. The grievances then complained of
were dealt with by legislation in the century that followed.
These grievances, to sum up shortly, were all attributed to the
misgov&nment, the cupidit-y, and the ever-gowing usurpations
of the Roman court. Some of our forefathers entered the
Christian church with a grateful and generous devotion for
the Roman bishons. which continued until their sentimental af-
fection was destpoied by the scandalous reality. Their practi-
cal experience of the methods and officials of the Roman court
forced them to repudiate its authority, for pohtical, financial
and ethlcal reasons. In spirit, in aims, in methods and insti-
tutions, the English people and thad narrow oligarchy of
Italians. which Dretends to be the Catholic church, are by their
respectlie qualcties necessarily opposed to one knothe;. Re-
ligious questions enter much less into the mutual estrange-
mrut I)&\\ ~6’11Home :~ntl I~:n~l:~rltl than mllht throlopic*:ll con-
troversialists imagine. Numerous and flagrant individual
ca\es, as well as the general effects of the Roman system in
polltlcal ant1 ecelrslastlcal affairs, must compel serious thmk-
ers to ask themselves whether the Papal Government, as such,
has any rel:g:lon at all, except 111phrases; or whether it can
have hat1 any as a corporate institution, since the pontificate
of Nicholas the First. The most prominent and abiding im-
pression conveyed by the papacy, since the ninth century,
is that it has been a political and financial organization mas-
querading in a thecloglcal disguise for the attainment
temporal domination.”
“The writer and his friends see no hope of a reform by
any ordinary means. Their plan is to combine, and to act to-
gether. They do not wish to make a new sect, nor do they
wish to be merged into the Church of England. They intend
to set up a lnshop of their own, the vahdlty of whose orders
cannot be challenged b? the papal theologians, or doubted by
any Catholic. They wish to work still among and for their
own people. Tllcx details for this are all arranged. For the
lawfulness of this course, they appeal to ancient precedent
and to the regulations of canon law. It is admitted, as they
argue, that in a case of necessity, if lawful requests be denied
by the existing authorities, the sufferers may provide an
alternative authority for themselves. Few people, who know
and face the facts, can deny the existence of grave abuses,
which are a danger to faith and morals, as well as a vloltttion
of constitutional and canon law. Few, probably, can say
with any truth that they expect a reformation by ordinary
means. and through the Curia. The utteranc*p of the Pope.
the declared policy of his advisers, the growth of the religious
orders, the w&olc -condition of affairs in-the Papal church,-plo-
claim surely a state of necessity. This of itself clears the
reforming Inovement from that Charge of schism to which it
might be liable in ordinary times. These reformers look upon
themselves as Englishmen by inheritance and birth, but not
quite as Englishmen in church affairs. Their atti&de, both
with regard to Rome and Canterbury, is similar to that of
cetain communities in early days who were allowed, without
any taint of heresy or schism, to be ministered to by their
own bishop, and not by the local bishops where they happen to
reside. These reformers, then, propose to establish a subsidiary
or strangers’ bishop. They mein -to repudiate the jurisdiction
of bishops u ho are merelv delegates and nominees of the Roman
court. By severing them”selves%om the abuses and the usurped
authority of that mundane organization, they do not abdicate
their rights in the Catholic church, they do not give up their
reverence for the lawful and primatial authority of the Roman
bishops, nor do they forget the precedence which is due by right
to the historical posltion and the long services of their vener-
able See. If the papacy will only accept an unreasonable
service. and continue to assert an unlawful authority, ths
charges of heresy and schism recoil of necessity upon itself.
The uosition of these new reformers. with regard to Rome, is
preciiely the position and attitude oP our own-reformers in the
sixteenth century.”
“The reformers, for whom this article is written, have no
drawing toward these neo-Anglicans, whom they consider more
Romanized and narrow than the Roman% They bid them re-
member the position, the traditions, and the history of the
English church which they appear so strangely to have
sophisticated or forgotten. They implore them to realize that
the eslitinp Curia may be broken to pIeves. 01 rnxy be broken
away from lawfully, but it will never yield to persuasion, or
grant any constitutional reform. Those who know it are com-
pelled to give up all hope of reformation and reunion by means
of it. Those who have only a theoretical imagination of it,
who dream about it as an ideal, are surely ill-advised and
worse, not to profit by the experiences and warnings of those
who knew it only too well through its mundane, arbitrary,
scheming, and un-English administration.”
JEWISH WOES IN ROUMANIA
“It is the time of Jacob’s trouble,” as the prophets fore-
told. The poor Jews are snb;lected to tribulattons In one coun
trv after another by so-called Christians who are totally
Ig;lorant of real C’hrlstianity. Now it is Ronmania that peg-
secutes, and all right-minded people are pleased to note that
Mr. Hav. U. S. Secretary of State, has addressed a commun~ca-
tion to‘ the great powers of Euiope calling attention to the
fact that the “Berlin Conference” of European Powers (1X7X)
I.reatrd Koumanin ;L separate State llpoll c*ondltlon tlint Its
laws r-hould maintain religious liberty, and that this arrange-
meut is being vlolntetl. \Vhethr~r the appeal WI11 hear any
friilt IS doubtfu! ; but it can sulcly do no harm to tllll\ lltt
up a voice for <Ju>tlce.
Concrrning the persecutions the Roumanln?~ Bullctlll (Lon-
don) says :-
“These conditions of life, humiliating the they be, would
not in themselves have sufliced to render the lot of the Rou-
of manian Jews desperate, for it is conceivable that even without
civil rights and opportunities of culture human beings may
still manage to live with some degree of comfort. It soon be-
came clear to the Roumanian Government, however, that a
large and increasing unassimilated element in the country
would inevitably lead to serious social and economic compli-
cations, anll accordingly measures were taken to guard against
this fresh danper. These measures have had for their object
the increase oiZmisery and of the difficulties of life among-the
Jews, with the ultimate view of keeping their numbers sta-
tionary.
“In pursuance of this terrible policy, almost every form
of Jewish economic activity has heeu the snbaect of restrictive
legislation aimed ostensibly at aliens in general, but in reality
affecting only the Jews. They have been expelled from the
revenue service, the tobacco regime, and the railway organiza-
tlon. They are excluded from government tenders and con-
tracts. They are placed at the mercy of their Christian com-
petitors in tratle, who alone are nllowtd to be mcmllers of
chambers of commerce. Their participation in the manage-
ment of financial corporations and joint-stock companies is
srverelv limited. They may not act as brokers in any trade,
and thiy and their agints gre excluded from grain aid cattle
markets. Their exnulsion from the drink traffic has ruined
thousands of them.* It is calculated that 20,000 were reduced
to beggary by the law of 1884, which prohibited them from
trading as pedlars.”
The Roumanian government evidently desires to force the
Jews to emigrate, and the Jews are dbing so as rapidly as
uosslble. On this noint the Spectator (London) says:-
A --“They wish to-reach America, but ‘the Americans will not
receive them unless they can prove that they are not paupers;
and as they are two hundred thousand in number, the col-
lection of the necessary funds is a work of difficulty and time.
In Roumania they have absolutely no rights, and live at the
mercy of a nonulation which hates them to such a degree that
their-parliarficit has declared all Jews to be foreign&s, altho
they have been resident for centuries. Neither Germany nor
Austria will do anything for them, and it seems imposeible
for Western Europe, which is more tolerant, either to protect
them or to find them a new habitat.”

OUR GENERAL CONVENTIONS

Our two annual conventions (one at Des Moines, Iowa, and was attended chiefly by friends residing in Iowa, Illinois,
the other at Washington, D. C.) belong to the past. The Minnesota, North and South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas,
first, held September 13-15, served a large western district, Arkansas and Texas,-the attendance at the largest session be-
[30991
(336-327) ZION’S WATCH TOWER .‘,LLEGIIENY. I’A

ing about 350. The interest of those present was both deep lo\-P tci~t--thnlip?lr trll!ir to tc.11 t11~ +.(‘.s,,,,,< tlll.0ll~Ilollt \\(‘I!2
and fervent, as attested both by words and looks. God’s love feasts with the Lord through his word and splrlt nnd In
blessing was with us, our cup of joy and sympathy ran over, prayer and praise. The “pilgrim” brethren, supported by the
and wc trust contlnue(l to do so after our return to our homes, elders of the local congregation, and by the colporteurs to the
so that the convention’s JOYS and blessings reached and is still number of about thirty, bade goodhy to the convention vipltors
refreshing many times the number privileged to be in at- m general who (about 500) filed past them, led by such of the
tendance. Thirty symbolized their consecration by water im- number as were the chosen elders of various congregations,
mersion. The convention was addressed by a large number numbering about forty. Many eyes were dimmed with tears
of speakers, of one heart and one mind. The Christian church of joy and sympathy, and many lips expressed longing for the
kindly put its meeting house at our disposal on the entire day great Convention mentioned by the Apostle. when all the elect
of the baptism service, which was preceded by a discourse shall meet in glory;-“the General Assembly and church of
explanatory of its deep import from our standpoint. first-borns, whose names are written in heaven.” Many too
Each convention seems better than the one previous, which were the eaaculntlons of praise for divine blessmgs upon the
at the time seemed so full of divine favor as to leave nothing eyes of our understanding, and of prayer for continued lead-
to be desired. The last convention, at Washington, was no ing and instruction In the right ways of the Lord; and “The
exception to the general rule in this respect: it was the largest Lord bless thee and keep thee” seemed to be upon every lip.
Ke have ever had in point of numbers, and, so far as WC In one way these Conventions are quite espcnhlve, but in
were able to ~udgc, a fuller measure of the holy spirit could not another way they are very inexpensive. Probably $15 or $?5
be looked for ever, in the earthen vessels. Over 800 attended; per head, would not be too high an average estimate as respects
--al)orlt 5511to 600 of theqe IwIng from abroad-from Pennsyl- the visitors; and about the same amount per capita for the
vama, Ohio, Indiana, Xchigan, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ala. home congregation. But who can estimate the value of the
bama, Illinois, Kansas, California, Georgia, North and South knowledge and spiritual uplift thus secured, and carried to
Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, New York, New Jersey, other hundreds in every direction? Good results have already
Massachusetts, and Ontario. been noted also from quartering the friends with Christian
The Calvary Baptist Church edifice of Washington was families of Washington. Several have already become in-
kindly put at our disposal for a discourse on baptism, which terested and are reading; and we doubt not the Washington
was followed by the immersion of 45 sisters and 42 brothers, church will have a blessing in numbers as well as in interest
amongst the latter being five formerly ministers, one Methodist, and love and zeal-tho in these last respects it is difficult to
one a Second Adventist and three Baptists. Two of the lat- imagine any great improvement, ahove what was shown by
ter remarked that they had immersed many without understand- their untiring efforts to serve and please the brethren and in
ing the true significance of the ceremony or of the command careful preparations made beforehand.
back of it.
Like the Des Moines Convention, this one concluded with a “Praise God from whom all blessings flow.”

THE BLIGHT OF SIN AND ITS ONLY CURE

‘..ls Moses lifted zip the scment in the zcilderrless even so must the Rex of Uan be llftsrl up: That u;llosoe, er bcllc~eth 2n
him should not perish but have cccrlastmg ’ lrfe.y~-Joh~~ 3 : 1-k; l-5.
Israel’s experience in the wilderness prolonged thirty powers, privileges and divine authority which they claimed; and
eight years on account of their unreadiness, lack of faith to appointed that they should the next day meet with himself and
enter Canaan at first, was doubtless a season of valuable in- Aaron and let the Lord bv his Drovidences decide matters.
struction in various ways; tho very little is told us respecting Korah’s influence over the Wwhole *c.onpregation was evidently
this period. Evidently those years of drilling in the laws, sac- very great; it is generally easier to indueice people by telling
rifice?, etc., brought the people to a comparatively moral and them that thev are better and greater than thev had Dreviously
religious condition ; so much so that their next prominent sin supposed-it works upon their lyride. However,-the L&d spare0
was- in the naturk of boasting of their holi&s-pride of the people, tho he gave an illustration of his indignation
heart. Admittine degradation and sin and faithlessness in the against their assumptions,-by causing the earth to open and
past, they felt tYhat <hey had made great progress and should swallow up these three leading “holiness” rebels, their tents,
no longer be dealt with as formerly. Admitting that it had families, etc., and by causing-a plague to break out in the
been necessary for Moses and Aaron to rule them imDeriouslv. camD. in which the two hundred and fifty chief men who had
they denied that this was any longer necessary; aid und& join& in the conspiracy, died. One lesson here is that we
the leadershin of Korah. Dathan and Abiram. auite a sedition should beware that our holiness is of the proper kind-not
developed;-ihe influence extending so far that it included two self-righteousness, but subnusslon to the r&teonsnesa which
hundred and fifty leaders and most prominent men of Israel 1s of God. Although these men did not die the second death,
Their contention was that all Israel was now holy (Num. but ~11, in due time, share in the benefits of the great atone-
16:0, 3) : and that, therefore, Moses and Aaron shoul(1 no longer ment accomplished by the antltypical Priest, nevertheless, they
lw coli~~tlric~l tllr 0~1~ nnw wltlr wllom (:otl \volil~l (*ommuni- typified persons who enjoying great favors of the Lord mis-
cate,--the intimation being that they were endeavoring to appropriate these, applying them selfishly and in pride, will
])l'l‘J)PtlliltP 3 lli(~l .a* c.lly Wlll~h C:Od hat1 Ilot estahli~lwtl, Xlld die the second death, and with them their allies, sharers in
which true Israelites should not recognize. their sin.
There is a lesson here for spiritual Israelites: It teaches One would suppose that so striking a manifestation of the
us not to l,ecome hcadp or highminded or boastful or proud divine will would thoroughly correct the wrong spirit amongst
of spiritual attainments and godliness. It teaches us that in the people, and show them the difference between their boastful
God’s estimation there is no holiness that does not include self-righteousness and the rightousness of full submission to the
humility and full submission to the divine arrangement. It divine arrangement which alone could have the divine ap-
remIndi us also of the prophesied rebellion that wiii take place proval. But not so; human perverseness is shown in the fact
in the cloc;e of the Millennial ape. amongst those who will that on the next day the leaders of Israel assailed Moses and
have reached perfection under the<illennia? kingdom, some of Aaron with the charges that they were unholy men, murderers-
whom will manifest their unfitness for eternal life by their that they had killed on the previous day, by some power of
lack of full submission to the divine arrangement. their own, some who were truly the Lord’s people. As a con-
Moses called to him the representatives of the insubordina- sequence the Lord’s indignation was enkindled against the peo-
tion; klnrlly and patiently he reasoned with Korah, the one ple and they were spared, by the interposltlon of those whom
who responded to his call, Dointing out to him the Lord’s ar- they had traduced, only after 14,700 of their number had per-
ran~clrnent ; from the o&&s he -received hut an insulting ished by pestilence. This same spirit of pride, rebellion, and
refusal to discuss the auestion. This kindness. forbearance it3 consequences may he nohl in our dav: how many there
and endeavor to help those whose feet were slipping out of the are who, because not right at heart, are i”n more or less svm-
way, all the more commends the leader to our sympathy and pnthy \\;th those \\ith u-horn the Lnid has no svmpnthv! ‘l%(~v
appreciation, and teaches us to be gentle and patient with have seen “heady” ones rise up in the congregation of the Lord,
“those that oppose themselves” to the divine order. (2 Tim. seeking to draw away disciples after thcmsclves. and afterward
2:25) But we are not to expect success in every instance, even have seen these rejected of the Lord, instead of becoming great
aq llthw 11It1 no 5ut~*v-_I 111 tlllh c’,iw: whwe thct hwrt 15 urnng leaders as they expected; they have seen how, in the Lord’s
it cannot be guided by reason; and pride, boastfulness and providence, the earth (worldliness or various false ideas)
ambition are evidence of a wrong condition of heart. swallowed them up, buried them in oblivion so far as leadership
So far from endeavoring to use force against these men, was concerned; yet after witnessing the Lord’s dealings with
Moses took them at their word and invited them to display the these, in putting them out of the light of present truth, etc.,
r.31003
NOVEMBEB 1, 1902 ZION’S WATCH
they are still sympathetic with them and complain that their
fall into the darkness and oblivion was not of the Lord, but the
fault of his “faithful ” These resemble the Israelites who
blamed the loss of these “renowned” would-be leaders upon the
Lord’s truly appointed servants, Moses and Aaron. Let u8 learn
from this lesson to be alwavs on the Lord’s side. and to keep
our hearts so free from pre$rdice, pride and self-will, that we
may always be able to discern which is the Lord’s side in every
controversy. Those who do not so, are likely to lose their
spiritual life as the 14,700 in this type lost natural life.
After impressing the lesson of divine appointment, the
Lord called for the rod8 of the chief men of every tribe-Aaron
representing the tribe of Levi, and these rods were laid over
night in the Most Holy; they were brought forth the next
morning in the sight of all the people, and no change had taken
place & any of- them except the one belonging to Aaron,
which was covered with buds. blossoms and almonds, Thus did
the Lord emnhasize his choide of the tribe of Levi and of the
Aaronic priesthood, and impress the lesson of their recognition
uuon all Israel. So. too. the Lord has chosen Christ as the
High Priest of our ‘order, or profession, and the church and
household of faith, to be ‘associated with him in the work of
the ministrv. These will ultimately be made known to all who
desire harmony with the Lord; to ali who will enter into the
Mlllenninl Canaan :-all the people will then know that God puts
a wide difference between the “household of faith” and various
teachers of morality, higher criticism, etc., who have denied the
faith and who are attempting to teach upon other lines than
those laid down in the Scriptures, of which the cross of Christ
is the center. The light, the vitality and the fruits of righteous-
ness are centered in the household of faith, and this will be
made manifest to all.
Two other incidents of about this time-the close of the
wilderness detention,- were the death of Miriam, Moses’ sister,
and the death of Aaron, his brother. The forty years being
about completed, the people were ready now, under the Lord’s
direction, to enter Canaan. Kadesh Barnea had evidently re-
mained the center of their encampment, and their Tabernacle
had evidently continued there, tho of necessity so large a
body of neoole with their flocks and herds must have roamed
over quite an extensive area during those thirty-eight years,
and of this we find various indications. (Num. 33 : 19-36)
The Canaanites probably feared an invasion and had to some
extent fortified the country in the vicinity of Kadesh Barnea,
the southern borders of Canaan, and perceiving now that the
Israelites were preparing to move, they made an attack upon
them and took- some l%isoners;-probably by way of fore-
warning and intimidating them. This was the occasion for the
vow mentioned in verse 2, that the cities of the Canaanites
should be utterly destroyed when taken.
Verse 3 need not be understood to mean that Israel van-
ouished the Canaanites and destroyed their cities at this time:
it is rather to be viewed as a parenthesis, an explanation that
afterward, during the campaign of Israel in Palestine, God
in harmony with their vow, did deliver to them the cities of
the land, and that they did destroy them, They called the place
Hormah as a remembrance of their vow. The right of such
a total destruction of an enemy and his property would not
he allowed in the civilized world today; we are to remember,
however that the Lord in these dealings with Israel was making
tvpes far reaching in their significance. In the type, the
Canaanite and his citadels, etc., represented sin, its entice-
ments, itr banishments and strong entrenchments in the weak-
nesses of the flesh. No compromise or truce with sin is to
be made on the part of the new creature: it is to be a war
of extermination;-and this was the signification of the type.
It helps us to understand the matter much better, too, when
we know that those Canaanites who were destroyed were not
turned over by the Lord to devils for eternal torment :-but
simply went down into the great prison-house of death, just
the same as their fathers had done before them, only in a
different form of death. It mattered nothing whether these
died of pestilence or by the sword;-the time will come any
wav. when they shall all be brought forth from the prison-house
of ‘death hy the great Redeemer, the antiypical seed of Abra-
ham. to have an ounortunitv
II
of coming to a full knowledge
of the truth that they mav be saved;-&d that evrrlastingl~,
if they will, upon condition of their obedience and heartcon-
formity with the divine will.
Israel made a reqncst of the Edomites (descendants of
Esau, their father Jacob’s brother) that they might pass
through their countrv with a view of entering Canaan from
I~,
its eastern side instead of from the southern. - The Edomites
refused the request, and thus compelled a long and tedious
journey around their territory through a very arid., barren
country. It was here that the people so recently claiming to
IV-23 [31011
TOWER (328-329)
he “all holy” became so discouraged that they again wished that
they were back in the land of Egypt and murmured againat
God and against Moses and against the manna upon which
they were still being fed. It was at this juncture as a DUII-
ishment for their &patience and their despising of the I&d’s
leading and provision for them, that the Lord sent them the
plague of
THE FIEBY SEXPENTS
Whether the Lord specially created these serpents, or
whether he merely took advantage of circumstances and con-
ditions, as when he sent them the quail, we do not know, nor
does it matter. In God’s miracles he generally uses means to
every end: these are to us miracles because we do not fully
comprehen’d the means employed. As for instance, if we could
imagine the knowledge of the method of telenhonine. or the
method of wireless telegraphy to be entirely blotted uf;om the
knowledge of man, the results, told in succeeding ages to peo-
nle who knew not of the methods, would be miracles: we do
not class them as such, because ‘we understand the modus
operandi. The fierceness of the attack of the serpents and
the great mortalitv resulting amongst the Israelites might
causeus to wonder;-but we are to remember that it is estimaTed
that in India, even at the present time “ several thousand peo-
ple annually die from the bite of the cobra.” One writer
describing the bite of a certain Brazilian serpent, says: “Even
in those cases where the sufferer recovers, for a time the system
is injured and the latent virulence of the poison can hardly
be eliminated from the same even at the cost of festers, boils
and ulcerations which last for many years. The nervous system
is also very much affected as giddiness and paralysis are usually
amongst the evidence8 of the strong venom which this reptile
extracts by some inexplicable chemistry from perfectly harm-
less food.”
The people had learned something through their experiences,
and hence needed not to be told that this visitation of the
fiery serpents was a chastisement from the Lord for their
murmuring and rebellion. We are to learn in this connection
to differentiate between such experiences on the nart of the
Israelites and similar experiences on the part of the world in
general. We are to remember that by the Law Covenant which
God made with Israel at Mt. Sinai. he specially nledned their
protection from disease and every adverse influence so long as
thev were faithful and loval to him. and sneciallv threatened
that disloyalty and unfaithfulness would b< punished by sick-
ness, calamities, death, etc.-Lev. 26 :3-46.
To the Israelite, therefore, sickness and pestilence meant
divine wrath-to the other nations it meant the ordinary course
of events; they were neither protected from the various scourges
of the world nor were these death-dealing scourges specially
sent upon them.
The people came to Moses confessing their sin and asking
his mediation with the Lord on their behalf: and, God-like. he
did not stop to chide them when they were penitent and’ re-
morseful, but presented their case before the Lord most heartily.
The Lord heard and answered the petition, but in a roundabout
manner, well calculated to impress upon them their dependence
upon him,-and to provide for us, spiritual Israelites; a great
spiritual lesson. The remedy for the bites of the serpents
was to look at a brazen (co per) serpent fastened to the top of
a pole, said pole probably il.eing carried throughout the camp
of Israel, that all the sick, suffering ones might have the
opportunity of looking upon’ it and thus being healed.
We are not to question the meaning of this as a type, for
our Lord himself in our Golden Text declares it. The serpent
on the pole represented Christ on the cross. True, the serj,ent
represents sin, vileness, evil, pain, suffering; while our Lord
Jesus could be our Redeemer only because he was holy, harm-
less, separate from sinners. The question arises then, Whv was
the scrnent used to renresent our Lord? Whv was not Moses
instructed to make a brazen dove, or a brazen lamb-as repre-
sentative of the meekness and harmlessness and purity of him
who died for us? We answer that a correct apprecration of
the answer to this question is the key to an understanding of
the great atonement provided hv God for man, through the
“Man Christ Jesus; who gave himself a ransom for all, to be
testified in due time.” (1 Tim. 2:5, 6) The serpent repre-
sented the atonement transaction better than any other emblem
could. The serpent in Eden was Satan’s agent and representa-
tive in the alluring of our first parents into sin: in this sense
of the word the bite of that serpent, the devil, upon our race
through our first parents, is destroying all the human family
in death,-with the attendant pains, and sufferings on account
of which the Apostle declares, “The whole creation groaneth
and travaileth in pain together.” (Rom. 8:22) It is impos-
sible to get rid of the sin virus of “that old serpent;” there is
(3L9-331) ZION’S WATCH TOWER ALLEGHENY. PA.

no remedy that we can apply: mankind can only look to God
for help ; and the help which God provides is through the sending
of his Son. the undefiled One. s-or will it do that that undefiled
One should visit us and know our troubles and svmnathize with
us, and counsel us how to get rid of sin. No, ihis is not suf-
ficient, he may not contradict 01 undo the Father’s decrees, tho
he may fulfil them-he may take our place. he may bear our
penalty. And thus the Apostle expresses it,.“He who knew no
sin was made sin for us,” that we might be made right in the
sight of God through him. The serpent then represented sin,
in every sense of the word; and as the whole world was ser-
pented or inoculated our Lord must take the nlace of the sinner
in order that the sinner might get free from the sentence; and
this is why it was a scroent that was raised on the Dole. “He
was made-sin for us”-treated as the one in whom c&tered the
sin of the whole world.
As the bitten Israelite looked to the brazen seroent and
was healed in response, so in the antitype we who are bitten
by the serpent of sin, and who are writhing and dying under
its virus must look away with the eye of our understanding
(now the eye of faith),-we must look unto Jesus. We must see
him as the serpent, as the one who took our place, bore our
sin-penalty, became our substitute, and thus bought us from
under the sentence of death. It was not sufficient that the
Israelite looked into the sky or looked at a lamb or looked
at a bird overhead, it was necessary that he look at the brazen
serpent. So with us, it will not do that man look at Jesus in
various lights and shadows, some believing one thing and some
another respecting him ; for according to the divine arrangement
only the one kind of faith in Christ is efficacious-and that is
the faith which recognizes him as the ransomer, as our substi-
tute, “Made sin for us.” Men may get some blessing from
looking at Jesus as a great, model man, a great Jew, a great
teacher, etc. ; they may find such a look profitable, morally,
mentally, physically; but from such a view they cannot get
eternal life, they will still perish from the hite of sin unless
they do more than this;-only those who view him as the
antitype of the serpent in the wilderness have his promise of
forgiveness, and acceptance with God unto eternal life.

“HE GAVE THEM JUDGES”

.Tr-new 2 7-l ft.--SOVEIIRER 16.

“They cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he uaveth them. out of their distresses.“-Psa. 107:19.
Israel’s history from the time of the division of Canaan ons, although they are all soldiers of the cross, plrdged to
amongst the tribes until the anointing of Saul to be their king, a fight against sin, esoeciallv each within himself, and to lay
period of 450 vears,* is called the period of the judges-Joshua down their lives for each other--“the brethren.” ’
being the first’judge and Samuel the last. These’judge were evi- If the Book of Judges be read as a fully comulete history
dently not eleeted~ to their position, but raised to it providcn- of Israel for those fou;’ and one-half centuries, it’would he a
tially. But as these judges had no power or authority, collected discouraging picture, and to some extent give the inference
no revenues and held no office which they could entail uuon others. that they were continually in sin and idolatry. and suffering
it follows that any power or influence-they possessed&was a pcr- punishment therefor. But this would be an” unfair view to
sonal one, and to give it weight or force implied a proper take. On the contrary, the record passes by the happy period
acknowledgement of them as divinely appointed or raised up. of Israel’s prosperity, and specially points out their deflectIons
This arrangement led the people continually to look to God for from obedience to God and punishments for such transgressions
their helpers and leaders rather than to engage in an ordinary and the deliverances from their troubles through the judges or
claptrap of politics in which personal ambitions and spoils deliverers whom God raised up for them. That this was in
would dominate and control. God did the nominatimr. and the manv respects a favorable time for the Israelites is implied in
people in proportion as they would come into ha&&y with the Lord’s promisp, “I will restore thy judges as at the first,
him took cognizance of his choice (and practically endorsed it and thy counselors’as at the beginnin,b.“-Isa. 1:26.
or voted for it) by their acceptance of the judge. There may Incidentallv the story of Ruth and of the narents of Samuel
have been a more methodical procedure in some instances, as is (1 Sam. 1) give us little glimpses of the othir side of the mat-
intimated in our lesson (verse 7), where the elders of Israel ter-of the God-fearing piety prevalent amongst many of the
who had witnessed God’s miraculous interposition on their be- people, the happiness and contentment enjoyed. In our own
half and who outlived Joshua, seem to have constituted the day if we judge of the affairs of the world wholly by the daily
judges in the different tribes. history and details, in the newspapers, we might get the impres-
This arrangement by which God gave Israel its judges is in sion that crimes, strikes and accidents and imprisonments con-
considerable harmony with his dealings with spiritual Israel stituted the whole life in our own land; the g;eat mass of the
during this Gospel age-raising up for them from time to time neonle attendinn to the ordinary affairs of life are scarcelv men-
special counselors, deliverers, ministers. Similarly Spiritual Is- tioned. In ace&dance with this are the following lines from
raelites are not to caucus and wire-pull and decide for them- Whittier in which he rejoices in this land of liberty and bless-
selves who shall be their spiritual leaders: but are to regard ing, notwithstanding the unfavorable reports thereof which go
the Lord as the great Chief -Captain, and to’look to him to raise out to the world daily through the press,-
up from time to time such spiritual chieftains as he mav nlease. “Whate’er of folly, shame, or crime
The acceptance of the leadings of these as God’s appointees Within thy mighty bounds transpires,
does not necessarily mean their selection by ballot, but may he With speed defying space or time
indicated merely by giving ear to their teachings in harmony Comes to us on the accusing wires;
with the Word of the Lord. The lead of such spiritual lieu-
tenants of divine appointment will always be marked bv snirit- “While all thy wealth of noble deeds,
ual victories and the bringing of the L&d’s people i&o iloser Thy homes of peace, thy votes unsold,
heart-relationshin with him. Anv leadershio which does not Thy love that nleads for human needs.
produce such fruits is evidently not of the Lord; the spirit of The wrongs redressed, but half is told!”
the Lord leads not to bondage, ignorance or strife, but to love, The Israelites had been instructed by the Lord to utterly
joy, peace of heart, liberty of conscience. exterminate the people of the land, which extermination we
Israel needed no congress or legislature, for it had one Law- 8aw in previous lesson prefigured our conauests as sniritual
giver-the Lord-and the Law given at Mt. Sinai was to be Israelites over the desires of-the fallen nature. Israe?. how-
perpetually the guide to the nation. The priests and Levites ever. settled down to eniov the Land of Promise without fullv
under the law were the appointed helpers of the people in things exterminating the conde”m&ed ones; and the false religion o*f
pertaining to God-to instruct them in the law and renresent the latter, later on contaminated the Israelites through friend-
them in the typical sacrificing, atonement work, etc. In each ship and fellowship; and thus these whom God had condemned
tribe, also, the elders, according to their capacity, had charge gradually alienated the hearts of many from their full, proper
of the civil affairs of the tribe. As for soldiers and a war loyalty to the Lord ; seducing many of them into a lascivious
department, they had none. The divine law was to separate idolatry. So with the spiritual Israelites who do not wage a
them from other nations, and if they would remain faithful to valiant battle against the natural desires of their own fallen
the Lord he was to be their protector against all antagonists. flesh-they find shortlv that the flesh nrosners at the expense
Similarly sniritual Zion in everv conoreeation is to look out of the spfritual life and that truces with fhe flesh mean-that
from amongst themselves fit men for” the services needed ; their love for the Lord is gradually coo!ed until some form
God’s law is to keep them separate from the schemes and war- of idolatry creeps in-the love of money, or of praise of men or
fares and entanglements of the world: they are to be his ne- of self, etc., dividing with the Lord the love and reverence
culiar people, and his pledge to them’ is that all things shall of their hearts.
work together for their good so lona as thev abide faithful to We are not to suppose that all the Israelites fell away into
him. They therefore, need no arm& armed with carnal wcap- idolatry; we are rather to understand that a considerable num-
l MILLENNIAL DAWN, VOL. II. page 49. ber of them became alienated for a time, repeatedly, from the
[ 31021
NOVHMBER 1, 1902 ZION’S WATCH
love and worship of the Lord, an?. thus repeatedly brought upon
them the Lord’s dlsfa\or. Verse 16 supports this thought, sug-
gestlng to our minds that our lesson ;s a condensed statement
of the whole Dcriod of the iudnes-over four hundred years.
Applying this-to spiritual Isiael-we are not to expect that the
Lord’s displeasure with his people would delay until they had
fully and completely gone into idolatry to self or wealth or
fame; but rather that when some of the affections of the heart
begin to go out to other things, the Lord’s chastisements would
be sent to reprove and rebuke and correct, while still there is
in our hearts* something of obedience and .love toward him;-
before the world, the flesh and the adversary should have time
to capture us completely.
These records of divine chastisements. and Israel’s subse-
quent repentance, and the Lortl’s delivcra&ces, were all proofs
of the divine love and care for that consecrated people. So far
as we have information divine l!ower was not exercised thus
upon other unconsecrated natlcns, for their reproof and cor-
r&tion, etc. They were left as .&rangers, foieigners, aliens
from God and from his promises. So now the Lord’s corrections
in righteousness, his ch&tisements, etc., are evidences of special
protection and care and relationship to the “house of sons.” It
is btcause of our acceptance in Christ and our consecration to
the Lord, that he, in turn, has accepted us as sons and gives
us the experiences, trials and difficulties needful to our testing
WHO IS WORTHY?
REV.
In the visions of the Apocalypse we read of a wonderful
scroll in the right hand of the great King who sits upon the
throne of universal dominion. Thvis scroll isa forceful represen-
tation of the divine Dlan, originally existing only in the mind of
God, and which could? not behade”known t; men until some one
was found worthy to open the seals and display it to view.
But “no one in heaven nor in earth was able to open the scroll,
neither to look thereon,” until one came whom the Revelator
describes as “The Lion [the strong one] of the tribe of
Judah, the foot of David,” of whom the testimony is given-
“Thou art worthy to take the scroll and to open the seals there-
of; for thou wast slain and hast redeemed to God by thy
blood out of every kindred and people and nation; and hast
made them unto our God a kingdom and priesthood; and they
shall reign on the earth.“-Rev. 5:1-5, 9, 10.
Excepting the bare promise (written on the orltside of the
scroll-<erse- 1) of salvation thrbugh the Seed of the woman,
nothing could be known of the wonderful scheme for human
restitu%on until the Son of God, having left the glory of the
spiritual nature, took our nature and by the sacrifice of him-
self redeemed us from death. Then, having his righteousness
imputed to us by faith, we are counted worthy to look upon the
scroll as he opens the seals one after another.
Great was the favor bestowed upon the Strong One of the
tribe of Judah, in being permitted to open the seals-to carry
out and make manifest the grand designs of infinite love-and
great is the privilege of those who are permitted to look thereon
as the seals are opened. It is not our purpose here, however,
to treat of the peculiar symbols relating to the opening of the
seals, but rather of what constitutes worthiness in us to look
thereon. and what favor of God to us is implied in this privi- - have been counted worthy even to look with intelligent
lege of ‘looking.
The knowledge of God’s purposes is due only to those able
and anxious to co-onerate with him in their develoDment: for
God does not displiy his plans to satisfy mere idl’e curiosity.
First, then, if we would comprehend what is revealed within the
scroll we must have faith in what is written on the outside-
the promised redemption through the precious blood of Cbrist-
and must be sincerelv desirous of knowinn the details of God’s
plan in order to an e&nest co-operation wi:h it. In other words,
there must be the earnest inquiry arising from a heart grate-
ful for the promise of life through the Redeemer-“Lord, what
wilt thou have me to do”?” Such, and such on!y, are worthy to
know, and such only ever come to see, in the senTe of under-
sta:ltlm,rr and appreciating, the deep things of God written
within the scroll.- Such a% the call&l accoyding to the divine
purpose, to be educated in and to serve the truth. Such are
the righteous for whom the light (truth) is sown. Such was
our Lord’s attitude when he said. “Lo. I come to do thv will.
0 God.” (Heb. 10:7) He wap &eek ‘and lowly of hea;t and
ever ready to render implicit obedience to the will of God ; and
it is to those who are similarly meek that he was sent to preach
the good tidings (Isa. 61: l)-to open the scroll. “The meek
will he guide in judgment; the meek will he teach his way.”
(1’s~. 2.?:9) If any mnn h?re thiq evidence of worthineqs-this
acquaintance with the truth-let him rejoice in his privilcgc and
[31031
TOWER (331-332)
and character-development; and it is to the intent that we may
realize the treachery and the seductive mfluences of our own
fallen natures, represented by the Amalekites and Canaanites,
and that we may utterly destroy these, and thus come eventually
into the condition mentioned by the Apostle when he declares
that the consecrated should bring every thought Into captivity
to the will of God in Christ.-2 Cor. 10 : 5.
When fleshly Israel learned one lesson after another, and
as fast as each was learned sent a cry of loyalty up to God,
his power was exercised on their behalf and their deliverance
was effected. So with the Spiritual Israelite when he r:,cognizes
the true situation and with thorough repentance turns unto the
Lord and cries for deliverance from his own weaknesses and
imperfections according to the flesh;-his prayer is heard and
his deliverance is provided for with the assurance that the
Lord’s grace is su&eient. The condition of the sllirltual Is-
ranlite is renresented in our Golden Text. “Thev crv unto the
Lord in their trouble and he saves them out” of” their dls-
tresses.” Such a cry to the Lord, however, implies that the
sins and weaknesses of the flesh were contrary to the transgres-
sor’s will; it implies that in some manner he was seduced or
entangled by the world, the flesh of the adversary and that his
heart is still loyal to the Lord and to the truth. All such who
cry unto the Lord in sincerity and faith shall be heard,
shall be delivered,-his grace is sufficient for us.
5 :2.
by his works manlteit hii contiuued \vortlliuess.--l’hn 19: 13.
This worthiness is inquired for not only at the beginning,
but all along the path of light. If we are not found worthy
by the various tests applied from time to time, we cannot
proceed in the path of light; and unless the unfaithful ones
arouse themselv& to greiter’ diligence and watchfulness, the
light that already is in them will become darkness. And how
great, how intense must be the darkness of one cast out of
light! (Matt. 6:23) To find the glorious hope that once
inspired our hearts slipping away and the truth whereon we
built that hope beginn&g ti seem like an old song or an idle
tale. or as relics of the Dast to be disnlaced at anv time bv anv
pla&ible subterfuge of kerror which &r wily adversary m&y b”e
pleased to palm off as advanced divine truth, are indications
that should arouse any one who discovers them to a realization
of the fact that he is going into darkness-a darkness that
will onlv become the more intense as he sliDs I and slides alone
the backward track.
All along the way, as we have said, we will find tests applied
to prove our worthiness to proceed from knowledge to knowl-
edge and from grace to grace. Who is worthy&-worthy to re-
ceive the truth, worthy to continue in the truth, worthy to
suffer and to endure hardness as a good soldier for the truth,
and finally to be exalted to power aid great glory when trutd
and rirhteousness shall be exalted in the earth and their elor-
ious t&mph begun $
Jesus said, “If any man will come after me, let him deny
himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” (Luke
9:23) At the very beginning of our course we each found the
cross confronting us, and had we not taken it up we would not
aD-
preciation into the precious truths of God’s plan. AnA as we
advance from steD to ster, and find the truth increasin&
precious-sweeter ihan hanky from the honev comb-we hzvi
these additional evidences of continued wo&ness and should
greatly rejoice in them as such. Our possession of these truths
hns thus far proved us meek erongh to discard the popular
theoiogy of the nominal church and be counted as hcletics, turn-
coats, fanatics, cranks, or whatever our former frirnds are, in
their ignorance, now pleased to term us. And it has proved
us meek enough to bear willingly this Irproach for the great
joy of thus realizing the Lord’s approval, and of seeing by
faith the great blessings in store for us if faithful unto the end.
But “let him that thinketh he stand&h take heed lest he
fall;” for sudden and sharp will be many of the tests ap-
plied to prove our continued faithfulness. The world, the flesh
and the devil all compire to allure, ensnare and overcome us.
The world will present its allurements through friends or wife
or husband or children. Thev ~111 trv to encroach unon the
clearly defined line which you &ave dradPn between yourself and
the world. Then the flesh will grow weary in fighting the good
fight of faith. weary of the reproaches of the world. weary of
thee alienation’of former friend; and weary of the self-denying,
sacrlficinn and dailv cross-bearing life. Then if YOU turn aside
for a mdment to pbnder on they; things the dev”i1 will quickly
see his opportunity and will cunningly devise some trial specially
(333-334) ZION’S WATCH TOWER ALLBGIIENY, Pa.

suited to your peculiar condition of mind, and a crisis comes
in your experience, the result of which will prove the exact
strength of your devotion to God and his truth. These tests
God pern ;ts and even desires to have come upon us, in order
that we may be thoroughly tried and proved either worthy or
unworthy of the great reward he has in keeping for t,hose who
remain faithful unto death.
The Lord is seeking his precious jewels. Many of them
are mdeed diamonds in the rough, The real diamond is a
noLl(,, loyal, faithful character, devoted and uncompromising in
its allegiance to God. Sometimes the circumstances of life have
deprlred such of education or culture and have left them only
suflicient means for the barest necessities of life. But no mat-
ter, God’s eye is on them: character is what he is lookmg for,
and in due time. when that character is sufficiently developed,
confilmtxtl, tested and proved worthy of exaltation,” he can ami
will alltl to it all the glories of knowledge and wisdom and
grace and fJeallty. But ‘&St he will subJec7 it to all the neces-
Sary tests. If it is a true diamond it WI11 receive and it ml11
also tranqrnit to others the lieht of divine truth. Nothlnp so
gloriously reflects the truth ai ‘the worthy character of the ?rue
ant1 faithful saint.
;\notllcl day of testing a diamond is to put it under pres-
5111 e If it is a real dlamontl it \\ill stand the pressure, for the
dianron~l ~b the hardett substance known; but if it is not a real
di:lnlon~l It n111 go to pieces and tlitls prove ithelf spurious. So
Goal allows us to come under the constant pressure of years of
toil anIl care am1 self-sacrifice to see how we will endure; and
bl~~svxl IS that diamond-proved character that endures to the
en(l.-Jas. 1: 12 ; Matt. 10 : 22.
Somc’times the tests come in the way of trials of faith, and
wc are called upon to prove ourselves whether we be in the faith
(2 Car. 13 :5) when some subtle errors are presented to us as
atlranced truth. But if we know the voice of the “Good
Shenhertl” we will not he easilv benulled. We remember the
insI;ired counsel, “To the law” a& the testimony: if they
speak not according to this word it is because there is no hght
in them” (Isa. 8:20) ; and to the law and the testimony we
go, and relying implicitly upon this as the mfallible teaching of
the Spirit of God, we are enabled to arrive at definite, clear
and positive doctrine. We are not left in doubt as to what is
truth, but are enabled to give a solid ScrIptural reason for the
hope -that is in us, on w&h hope we d&e implicitly to rest
our faith, and with humble boldness to successfullv withstand
the assaults of error. But oh, how dead to selfish a&bition, how
fully devoted to the will of God such must be!
Let us, dearly beloved, as we realize that thus far God
has counted us -worthy to look upon the scroll of his plan
which has been unsealed for us bv our 1JkSSed Lord Jesus. the
Lion of the trlhe of Judah, prove”our worthiness to cont&e to
look therein and to read the wondrous things of his law, by
faithful obedience and loyalty to it in all things. Let us not
undervalue our great privilege in being counted worthy to
suffer iome reproach and some hardness as good soldiers for
the truth’s sake; and al50 in being counted worthy to have
some part in the blessed ministry of reflecting the light of
divine truth; let us Drove ourselves iewels of rarest value.
diamonds indeed, heartily receivmg and beautifully transmitting
to others the lirht of tmth. and faithfullv enduring the serere<t
pressure that god may pekmit to come $on us; ?oi, if faith:
ful in these small things we shall in due time be counted worthy
also to reign with Christ in power and great glory. Let us not
be hke some who hare only a llttle good ealth ou the suriace
of their hearts n-hlle the heart is really hard and stony. Let
the good seed of dirine truth sink down and take deen root.
and then let it branch out in the light and bear its al,;lnclant
fruitaee to the Master’s rlorv. So shall we be accounted worthv
to see-the King in his <en&y and to live and reign with hiI;
ns his beloved bride and joint-heir. And when to the “worthy
Lamb that was slain” the voices of the multitude ascribe ble-s-
ing and honor and glory and power. they will also esc!aim,
“Let US be glad and rejoice and give honor to him for the mnr-
rinpe of the Lamb is qome, and his wife hat11 made herself
ready.“-Rev. 5 : 13 ; 19 : 7.

THEY ALSO HAVE ERRED THROUGH WINE

ISAIAH 28 :I-i'.--NOVEMBER 23.
This is set before us as a temperance lesson. We will not misled the so-called Christian world. Thus the Adversary has
say that it was not built upon certain conditions obtainina in used the nominal church of God as his tool to deceive all that
Isaiah’s time-that intoxi&ion was a crying evil amongst-the dwell upon the face of the whole earth-to misrepresent the
Israelites: but we do say that in our understanding this is a divine character and plan. (Rev. 14:18) Thank God for the
prophecy ‘belonging specially to our day-whatever-may have promise that the time is cdming when’ that old serpent, the
been the force, meaning or application in the day in which it devil. Satan. shall be bound a thousand years that he shall
was written. The whole tenor of this chapter as well as the decefve the ‘nations no more until the thousand years are
following one, the twenty-ninth, in our judgment, proves this. finished !-Rev. 20 : 3.
Euhraim. used bv the DroDhet as a name for the ten tribes of In the midst of such a general declaration of the drunken-
Iirael in’contradistinct~on~to the two tribes called Judah, would ness of mystic Babylon and the storm of divine indignation
seem to represent in our day nominal Christendom, and the about to &erflow churchianity, it is comforting to find that
drunkards of Ephraim would represent the intoxication of the Lord breaks in uDon the narrative. sugaestine that in the
Christendom--not literal alcoholic intoxication, but the intoxica- midst of such general intoxication of’ erF& there will he a
tion of error, of false doctrine, of human schemes and plans, residue of God’s people whom he can approve and bless.
the spirit of man and of the adversary in contradistinction to Verses 5. 6. call the little flock to our attention-the Lord’s
the spirit, the teaching of the Lord. This intoxication is jewels. in’the midst of all this confusion incidental to the
referred to later on by the same prophet, saying, “They are fall of Babvlon. the Lord himself will crown his faithful with
drunken, but not with wine; they stagger but not with strong glory and Geauiy. Even in the present life his truth in their
drink. For the Lord hath poured out upon you the spirit of hearts shall cause their faces to shine, and their table shall be
deep sleep [spiritual stupor], and hath closed your eyes.” (Isa. spread even in the midst of those who are their enemies, who
29.9-12) It is again referred to as the wine of Babylon with will be compelled to admit that thepe have meat to eat that
which all people have been intoxicated.-Rev. 17:2 ; 18 :3. the world knoweth not of and that they have a filling of the
The fall of nominal spiritual Israel, the fall of Babylon in Lord’s spirit that &es them joy and Deace even in the midst
the great time of trouble now approaching, is described in of trials* and diffic<lties. It wiil be m&e than this; for very
verses 2, 3. All who do not get rid of this intoxication of error, shortlv it will mean that thev shall receive at the Lord’s hands
even tho members of the spiritual house, will have their Dortion the &own of life-be change”d and receive the fulness of divine
with the world and with hipocrites in this coming storm; which favor and blessing-glory, honor, immortality and joint-helr-
will wreck completely our present civilization, social, political, ship with their Redeemer in his kingdom.
financial and ecclesiastical. The glory of Babylon at the These enlightened by the Lord and filled with his spirit ~111
present time is as that of a beautiful flower, but it shall quickly have sounder iudgment-even in the present life and be able to
fade, its riches and its pride will cause it to be the more auicklv do valiantlv in disDutin&? and disDrovine the snirit of error
devobred-as are the f&t fruits of the summer-by the iawlcscj and its prou”d and bdastfui claims; a^nd by&d by,&when changed
ones, the anarchists, who will be bred of discontent, and who and made partakers of the kingdom glories, the Apostle as-
will be developed rapidly as a result of the iniquity that will sures us that these shall be amongst the judges of the world,
pr~~vall hrrauar of this tlrunkenness of 13ab,vlon wltll false saying, “Know ye not that the sa‘ints shall j&ge the worldj”
doctrines and false expectation and blind stupor to the great They will then with their dear Redeemer occupy the place of
changes of dispensation now taking place. judgment during the Judgment day, the Millennial age, and
The explanation of a blindness, stupor and drunkenness so overcome all the forces of error and darkness and evil, so that
general as to affect not only the Driests and prophets but all eventually the Lord shall bruise Satan under their feet, wholly
the people of Christendom, is refeired to in v&se 7. Babylon overthrow his kingdom and influence, and establish in its stead
has had indeed the golden CUD of the Lord’s Word in her the kingdom of God under the whole heavens, destroying all
hands and has affected to give Tram it to the people the spirit who would corrupt the earth, bringing it, in harmony with the
of the Lord, but instead she has filled the cup and presents Lord’s prayer, to that condition in which God’s will shall be
as the teaching of God’s Word intoxicating errors which have done on earth even as it is done in heaven.
c31041
 INTERESTING QUESTIONS ANSWERED
POSITION OF THE WORLD IN MILLENNIAL AGE Jews; but it is a mistake to suppose that wine contains any
Question.-Are the sins of the world class all canceled at leaven after it is made. Leaven is sometimes added to grape
death? or. is onlv their Adamic Denaltv Daid? and do they have juice in order to hasten the fermentation; but when the
an individual penalty still to p&y4 - A fermentation has all worked off the remainmg wine is pnrer,
Answer.-The sins of the whole world are paid, as far as freer from ferment and everything that would produce ferment
divine justice is concerned--that is to say-God’s account than ever it was before. So far as we are aware. the Jews
against Adam and his posterity has been sold, transferred and had no method of preserving grape juice unfermented. Their
set over to him who purchased the same with his own precious bottles were made of skin. and our Lord’s Darable shows that
blood. if new wine (grape juice)’ were put into olb skin bottles that
The sins of the world are not canceled, so far as they are had lost their elasticity, the ferment would burst them, and the
concerned; but a way is opened up, under the New Covenant, wine be lost; and hence the custom of putting new wine into
by which each can obtain a release. The terms are that when new bottles, which would resist the strain of fermentation.
brought to a knowledge of Christ and the redemption in him Since the fermentation of grape juice sets in speedily, you can
each for himself shall will to reform and no longer to serve readily see that there would be no wine in all Palestine that
sin, but to serve the Redeemer and to obey him. had not finished its working or fermentation several months
In view of this opportunity of retracing steps, it is proper before the Passover season.
for us to say that every word and action on the part of the There are few persons more appreciative than onrselves of
world is either building up character or undermining it-either total abstinence from all intoxicating liquors; yet we do not
blessing or injuring the doer-either increasing or decreasing permit ol7r opposition to intemperance to warp our judgment
the number and weight of his stripes of punishment, all of in respect to the use of wine mentioned in the Scriptures. I ex-
which will be corrective. plain the difference between the customs of that time and this
Thus we may say that the Adamic penalty is set asille by the fact, first, that they had a comparatively mild wine,
unt71 such ti7ne as the individual shall have been granted a trial which contained dnly a sm& quantity of alcohol; the protlnct
on his own account. If in this trial on his otin account he of the (IraDe: and further, bv the fact that their &mate and
sins wilfully refusing to follow the instructions of his Redeemer, other cinciitions w(‘re less incline,1 to lead to excesses than
he will be dropped back again into the original penalty-“re- are ours. As you perhaps have noticed, we general1.v use, as
turned into sheol”-which will be the second death. “fruit of the vine,” at o77r Memorial Supper, at Allegheuy,
Thus seen, the only individual penalty they hare to pay will either hermetically sealed grape juice, or the strained juice of
bc that represented in their own degradation. We might in- cru+etl and stewed rnisins
clude in this penalty any sins which they might commit in the Some tell 77s that the Hebrews never use the ordinary fer-
present life against any degree of light; for such sins bring a menteG1 wine during the Passover week. They no donbt are
special searing of conscience which the same deeds committed honest in intention,*‘althongh they misrepresent” the facts. For
in ignorance Gould not bring. Hence all who thus sin against instance, if thev inanre of a Hebrew-“Do the Jews durinp the
light receive proportionately a deeper degradation and will Passover week” use’ the ordinary wine?” the Hebrew would
hare correspondingly the more difficulty in extricating them- answer, “Oh, my, no, never-never !” From this they draw the
selves, and returning to perfection under the favorable con- inference that he means that they use nonalcoholic wine, and
ditions of the next age. perhaps they are foreigners of ton&e to each other, and h7& im-
The world of mankind are not reckoned as coming into Derfectlv catch each other’s thourhts and unintentionallv deceive
existence a second time, but as having their previous existence each otder. But what the Hebrew did mean was that he wodd
revived and continued, with the Drivileee of accepting Christ not think of buying wine which he would use during
under the New Coven&, and bein regenerated iffy Girn, and Passocer week from any ordinary wine-seller-just as the strict
thus attaining life-resurrection f v iudgment.
“UC.
which will
I
Hebrew would not think at any-time of buying his meat from
progress throughout the Millennial age, and reach completion an ordinary butcher, but only from a Hebrew butcher, whose
at its close-those who accept there will reach perfect life, beef was killed in the presence of a rabbi, and duly attested
n-hile those who reject will there be destroyed in the second to have been killed according to the Mosaic Law. This to the
death. From this standpoint the only effect of good and evil Jew would be clean meat. while any other would be unclean.
in the present life will be upon man’s own conscience and Similarly would the orthodox Jew act in respect to his wine,
character. especially that used during the Passover week. It must come
In respect to 1 Pet. 4:6, briefly, I understand this to mean: through what he recognizes as the legitimate channels guaran-
that for instance we who hear the GosDel and who acceDt its teed that no leaven ever came in contact with it, and that no
terms hare a two-fold standing-or ape viewed in lifeLfrom Gentile ever had anything to do with it. To satisfy ourselves
two different StandDoints. The world views us and iudres us on the subject, we pro&&d from a very particular >ew a bot-
according to the fleih, as human beings, just the sake “as the tle of the kind of wine thus aDDroved. We found it to be of
remainder of the world, but God judges us differently-to him the ordinary alcoholic kind.
WP are new creatures, and he judges us according to our sDirit. YOUR HOUSE LEFT DESOLATE
will, intention, and not accord&g-to the weakne&es and &per: Question.-Were the Jews cast into outer darkness about
fections of the flesh. Hence it is that althouph we know that A. D. 70? or five days before the crucifixion, when our Lord
in our flesh dwelleth no perfection, neverthe& “The righteons- said, “Your house is left unto you desolate”?-Matt. 8:12;
ness of the law is fulfilled in us”-because God judges us not 23 : 38.
according to the flesh but according to the spirit. Answer.-As a house. or nation. Israel was rejected of the
USE OF FERMENTED WINE Lord at the time of the’crucifixion; because of unpreparedness
Question.--Is there any prohibition in the Mosaic Law to receive the Lamb of God. the Messiah: but while the nation
respecting the use of fermented wine? Was the 77se of un- was there rejected and co;ld no longer’ hope to be the seed
fermented grape juice not authorized by the Jewish arrange- which should be tmlle blessed of all natIon+. ncvcrthelcs*, 111
ment ? selecting the new nation, the holy nation out of every kindred,
Answer .-W’e do not know of any place in the Mosaic people and tongue, God was pleased to give the first oppor-
Law In which the Driests of that svstem were Drohibited the tunity of identification with the new nation to any of the
use of wine. But ifLyou know of such a stateme& kindly draw fleshlv Israelites who were Israelites indeed, and without guile.
077r attention to it. But even if this had been the case, it Consequently the Gospel went first to them and was confined
would not tvpifv o77r Lord’s life from Jordan to Calvarv; for to them for three and a half years,-Cornelius being the first
the Scrlptuiai d”eclaration respecting our Lord is that ie~ did Gentile convert. All of the period from our Lord’s crucifixion
77s~ wine. You remember thcv said of him. “Bcholtl a wine- down to the utter destruction of the Jewish polltv A. D. 70,
bibber and a glutton”-not, we presume, bcause he over-in- was the period of testing to that people: sake o? them, in
dulged, in either eating or drinking, but simply hecauee he right condition of heart, were accepted into the light and
was less abstemious in respect to food and drink than John privileges then due; others, unworthy, were rejected from all
the Baptist, his Forerunner. divine favor and were in consequent darkness respecting
The prohibition of leaven would certainly apply as mnch transpiring events and ultimately felt the severity of the trou-
to liquids as to solids during the Passover season amongst the ble figuratively called “weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

FRIENDSHIPS
“c(r+7r’s friends? or friends of Jcs77s? If ye pause for man’s forbidding,
Solemn question for today ! CEsar’s frIendship ye secure ;
Friends of Casar ! friends of Jesus! If ye do the Father’s bidding,
Take your sides without delay. Scorn, reproach, ye shall endure.”
131051 (334-335)
VOL. XXIII ALLEGHENY, PA., NOVEMBER 15, 1902 No. 22

VIEWS FROM THE WATCH TOWER

IS BELIEF IN MIRACLES ESSENTIAL TO CHRISTIANITY? of nature. But they hold with equal firmness that God has
No question in modern religious thought is weightier than made man for Himself! and that if He has sent His Son to
this one which Professor Charles W. Pearson’s much-discussed die for them, the physical order can not set the rule for the
utterance has served to bring once more into prominence. way of grace. If God has relented, nature may relent. They
The problem, of course, is far from being a new one. In- believe that if there is a personal God miracles are possible,
deed, it has been noted in several quarters that the Methodist and revelation, which is a miracle, is also possible. They are
professor used much the same arguments as those embodied not dismayed when they are told that the Gospel age was the
in Hurne’s e-pay on miracles, publlshed a hundred and fifty age when legendary stories and superstitions and miraculous
Seals ago. In none of the theological controversies of the pretentions of the most fanciful and grotesque kind abounded.
past ccntnry was the confiict more earn& than in this one Nay, rather their faith is firmer, for they take these stories
over miracles. Rcnnn, Strauss. and Huxley ranging them- and compare them with the Gospel miracles, and they say,
se!ves nctivelv on the one &de, Bishop “Lightfoot; Dean How is it that the stories of the New Testament are lofty
Pnrrnr. and ilr. Gladstone on the other. The Rev. Dr. W. and tender and beautiful and significant, while the rest are
Robertson Siroll. who 1s best known ~5 a iournnhst, but who monstrosities? . . . . Granting the entrance of the Son of God .--- “_ - --

has also done considerable work in the field of theology as into human history, granting the miracle of the Incarnation
editor of the London Expositor and “The Expositor’s Bible,” of the Sunreme. there is little to cause anv difficu1t.v
I ,
With- . . - -. .

goes nrer the ground agnin in his new book, “The Church’s out the Incarnation, without the Resurre”ction, wz have no
One Foundation.” The first few sentences of the book show form of religion left to us that will control or serve or com-
th7t‘ this. “foundation ” according to Dr. Nicoll, is the miracu- fort mankind.” -Lzterary Digest.
c l l
lous Christ, and thai, if there be no such Christ, “Christian-
ity losses into the mist and goes down the wind.” He de- It is comforting to find some few of God’s servants, tho
clnreq .- still in “Babylon,” keen enough to discern the real situation,
“The church cannot without disloyalty and cowardice, and courageous enough to lift up voice and pen in defense of
quarrel 111th rriticism as such. It is not held absolutely to his cause. Very evidently, however, the nominal “Christian
any theory of any book. It asks, and it is entitled to ask, ministry” has gone or is rapidly going so far into unbelief
the critic: Do vou believe in the Incarnation and Resur- of the very fundamentals of Christianity as to forfeit all
rection of Christ? If his reply ii in the affirmative, his pro- claim to the name Christian-as Rev. Nicoll suggests. It
cess end results are to be examined earnestly and calmly. is not Ghristzan faith to acknowledge that Jesus lived a noble
If he replies in the negative, he has missed the way, and has life, superior to that of other men, and that his teachings
uut himself outside the church of Christ. If he refuses to were superior to others of his day. It is not Christzam faith

answer, Ins silence has to bc interpreted. . . . No one argues to claim what the Bible denies respecting “the fatherhood of
arninst the right of uhilosonhers to affirm that goodness is
‘1
God and the brotherhood of man;” nor to proceed on this
everything, ttlat miracles are impossible, and that nothing basis to claim that Jesus was a son of God in common with
in Jesus Christ has any importance except his moral teach- all others of our race, and peculiarlv acceptable in propor-
ing. But Christian believers in revelation are compelled to tion as he was superior to others of his race.
say that these philosophers are not Christians. If -they re- No, this is not Christianity: will not, and do not Jews,
fuse to do so, they are declaring that in their opinion these Mohammedans. Confucians Buddhists and manvI other9 - “yl.r. -,

beliefs have no supreme importance. To say this is to incur admit all this respecting our Master,-and some of them
the penalty of extinction. For Christianity dies when rt more? Are these all Christians? And if not. are those minis-
passes altogether into the philosophic region. To believe in ters Christians who still wear the livery of Christ in colleges
the Incarnation and the Resurrection is to put these facts and pulpits, for valuable considerations, and who are still
in the forenround. Either thev are first or they are nowhere. under solemn vows to a faith which they sometimes publirly.
The man dho thinks he can hold them and keep them in the but more often semi-privately, disavow? Assuredly not. Let
background deceives himself. They are, and they ever must us get back to that honesty of thought and word which calls
be, first of all. So, then, the battle turns on their truth or disbelief in the fundamentals of Christianity, “unbelief,” i. e.,
falsehood. It does not turn on the inerrancy of the Gospel “infidelity.”
nnrratlve. It dors not turn even on the authorship of the We are told that Infidelity has disappeared;- that Renan,
Go.pelq. Faith is not a belief in a book, but a belief in a Paine and Ingersoll have lost their place and power as op-
living Christ.” posers of Christianity. The very contrary is true: every
Dr. Nichol holds that here is a discussion which every college and seminary, secular and theological, has become a
Christian believer must enter upon with the keenest zest, hotbed of infidelity, in which the leaders in world-politics,
since “it is a controversy not for theologians merely, but for world-business, and world-religion are being taught, under
evc,ry man who has seen the face of Christ, and can bear the sanction of the “highest authorities,” the verv disbelief
pel sonal testimony to his power and glory.” He continues:- in the Bible which Infidelity has all along urged. The places
“If we assume at the threshold of Gospel study that of Renan, Paine and Ingersoll are more than filled by classi-
evervthing in the nature of miracle is impossible, then the cal, scientific and theological doctors;-blind leaders of the
snec’ific oucstions are decided before the criticism beeins to blind.
onrrate in earnest. The naturalistic critics approach the Let no one be confused by these false shepherds, who are
Ch~istinn records with an a priori theory, and impose it upon rapidly leading astray their confiding flocks: saying. Pcac,e
them. tnizting the history into agreement with it, and cutting and safety! All who follow them will soon find in their
oilt what (‘.1n not be twiqtcri. For example. the earlier natur- hearts an aching void,-a leanness of soul.-a Christles~ness
nlrrtic critic. Paulus. Eichhorn. and the rest, insisted on giv- which will render miserable indeed all who have once “tasted
ir? a non-miraculous interpretation. -Strauss perceived %he of the heavenly gift and been made partakers of the holy
unscientific character of this method, and set out with the spirit.”
m\ thic,ll hvnotbcsis. Bnur set to work with a belief in the Christ and the apostles were either right or wrong in their
all-snfliricncy of tl:e Hegelian theory of development through teachings;-their claims were either true or false. If false,
antagonism. Jle saw tendency everywhere. . . . Dr. Abbott everything built upon them must logically fall with them;-
sets out nit11 the foregone conclusion of the impossibility of including the very name Christianity, their synonym. If
mir nc!rs. ATatthrw Arnold savs: ‘Our popular religion at they were true, all that they taught stands together; and
I
mesent conccivrq the birth. ministrv. and death of Christ as the name Christian belongs to these doctrines, and its appli-
altoretbrr cterped in prod&, brimful of miracles, and rni?~ cation to other teachings is a sin; and its appropriation by
clnr f?o not hrrppn.“’ others is grand larceny-robbery.
The tlouhle with all these and similar critics. declares The fundamental teachings of Christ and his apostles
Dr. Nirnll, lies in the fact that they start out with the as- (true Christianity) are (1) The fall of man into sin and
sumntlen that “God can not visit and redeem his people” under its penalty-death. (Rom. 5:12, 17-19; 1 Cor. 15:22;
and th?t “His arm is chained and can not save.” Is* it -not 2 Cor. 5:14; Rom. 6:23). (2) The ransom of the race from
much more rational he asks, to take the view that miracle condemnation by virtue of the sacrifice of Christ “finished”
is “the fit accnmnan’iment of a religion that moves and satis- at Calvary. (1 Tim. 2:5, 6; Rom. 5:lS; Jno. 19:30) (3)
fies the soul of men, and that asserts itself to be derived di- The salvation, or recovery of the race. or so many of the
rectly frnm God?” He goes on to say:- same as will accept the grace of God in Christ when brought
“1liracle is part of the accompaniment, as well as part to a knowledge of the same, by a judgment-trial and restitu-
of the rontent, of a true revelation, its appropriate conn- t,ion, called resurrection. (Acts 3: 19, 23 ; Jno. 5 *28, 29) (4)
tcrsign Of rnurw, those who take this ground do not deny, The previous and preparatory trial, testing, judgment of an
but rather firmly assert, the steadfast and glorious order “elect” class whose resurrection to “glory, honor and im-
(339-340) 131061
NOVEMBER15, 1902 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (341-342)

mortality” will be instantaneous at the second advent of A few years ago, during the congressional recess, all of
the Redeemer for the establishment of the kingdom of heaven the wise men of this latitude were habitually ridiculing the
in the earth.-Rom. 2:7; 8: 17, 28, 29; 2 Tim. 2:11, 12; 1 idea that Congress could take any action regarding the duly
Pet. 4:12, 13; 1 Cor. 15:51. 52; 1 Thess. 4:15-17. elected representatives from the State of Utah. These wise
Upon these scriptural premises the entire fabric of Chris- men went into discussions of the constitutional phases of the
tianity was built, and in proportion as any one of them is question, and of how impossible it would be to do anything
either denied or omitted “the faith once delivered to the consistent with our fundamental law and the rights under it
saints” is lost, and the door is opened to false beliefs, and of a sovereign State. Any man who ventured to dissent from
ultimately to utter unbelief ;-cutting the babies by which this prediction had but one argument: “Do not forget the
the anchor of faith serves securely to hold us to heavenly Southern Presbyterianism. Brigham H. Roberts must look to
hopes. The cutting of these faith-cables means the temporary, his Democratic associates of the South for support, if he is
if not the eternal loss of vital union with our Lord the Life- to have any, but they can not forget the rugged Presbyterian-
giver. The growingly popular evolution theory is diametri- ism of a large share of their constituents.” The prediction
cally opposed to all these fundamentals of Christianity, and was entirely sound. There was little constitutional ground
that is warning enc,ugh to the wise, hut no others. for throwing Mr. Roberts out, but he had to go, and this VCXY
FORTY MILLION DOLLARS FOR RELIGION Reform Bureau played no small part in bringing that result
At the beginning of the twentieth century, an interde- to pass.
nominational movement was organized in England and this Seven bills have been passed as drawn by the Bureau and
country for the purpo-c of raising $5O,OOO,OO?J as a special introduced at its request, including the new and drastic cl:-
fund to be devoted to various nroiects for the furtherance vorce law of the District of Columbia, which will seemingI>
of religion, such as the payment’of” church debts, h:me mis- compel the establishment of a divorce colony at Chevy Chase,
sionary work, the endowment of religious institutions, etc. across the Maryland line. Others are the new tllvorce law
The Church Economzst (New York). which has been making in the Territories, the anti-canteen law. the reiolutlon l”o-
an investigation into the present condition of this fund, find; posing a treaty to prevent the sale of intoYicant5 *md 011ium
tknt about $40,000.000 has already been raised. “If it be to native races of the South Seas. and the Sunday-closing
true that money talks,” comments the Chicago TrLbune, “then amendment to the Ft. Louis fair bill. The Bureau, by sunila~
it is talking in a most convincing way as to the great inter- activities, doubtless prevents the passage of such legislation
eqt at present in the cause of religion and the fundamental as might otherwise get through.-N. Y. ?JuEJI~~~ I’ost.
prospect of the churches.” AUSTRIA’S TROUBLES
Fully half of this great total, declares The Church Eco-
nomast, was raised in this country, the Methodists North It is stated that the Austrian Government has grave rca-
alone claiming $17,000.000. The Canadian Methodists and son to fear an agrarian rising in Galicia, where in the l.lit
Presbyterians, each of which bodies set out to raise $l,OOO,- rising nearly two thousand landlords were murllcrcd. Tlie
000, have collected respectively $1,250,000 and $1,430,000. landlords of Galicia are Poles, and, being doubtless pressed
The English Wesleyans have secured $4,500,000.; and the by the low prices, are reducing wages already too low for
English Congregationalists $3.312.000. Congregationalists in even tolerable existence. The peasantry, who are Ruthenians,
Wales have raised $SGO,OOO ; in Australia $415,000.--Digest. and have a traditional quarrel of race with the gentry, are
RELIGION MIXING IN POLITICS therefore rioting in all directions: and there is a demand
The National Reform Bureau has established what corre- from the noble: that the province shall be placed in a state
spends to a mercantile agency concerning the leading people of siege. The demand will probably be granted, and the
in every town in the United States, except that their religious peasantry cannot resist the troops ; but unless its view3 h.?ve
status instead of their financial capital- and resources is the sreatlv altered of late. the Government of Vienna will be
snhject of the work. Old telephone books have been secured greatlb annoyed and perplexed, the Ruthenians being far more
of every town in the United States having a telephone sys- loyal to the house of Hapsburg than the Polish aristocracy
tem, and these books have a large share of the people of are. This question of tenure is becoming a very serious one
nrominence on their rolls. This is the nucleus of the index. throughout Eastern Europe. From the Ural to the Danube
Then, through trusted confidential helpers in each town. the the actual cultivators of the soil hardlv get enough to live
names are checked off with signs showing what each indi- on, and, partly from suffering, partly from a growing con-
vidual can be depended on to do.- Perhap; one man will be sciousness that others are happier, are beginning to demand
decidedly irreligious, and not interested in [political] re- proprietary rights. A wealthy Government could manage a
forms. but. for personal or familv concerns may be greatly compromise through large loans, but in Eastern Europe there
I I

agitated over the question of tempersnce.

Y

The same mav be is no money to spare, and the policy adopted both in Russia
true with divorce lerislation. and with Sundav questions of and Austria is to enforce a nearly impossible stcftus quo.-
all kinds. The bureau has twelve lines of work, -but it does London Spectator.
not limit its requests for assistance to persons who happen l l l

to sympathize with it in all of its lines. Of course, the rec- The industrial boom of recent vears, combined with the
ords show a large number of names as in favor of everything. phenomenal crops of this favored land, have tendered to close
The Congressman who is “shaky” on any vital measure the eyes of the world to the fact that the conditions of the
finds himself deluged with communications. Perhaps the gold standard are unfavorable to the agriculturists. As al-
churches in his district adopt resolutions which are forwarded readv pointed out, from Scripture, these conditions will not
to him. Petitions from the Women’s Christian Temperance be c’tinaed bv anv nolitical nartv: but will eventuate in the
Unions are hastily transmitted. And there is no overesti- cry of ihe rkape&,’ the agr&&rists; and be followed by
mating the influence of such things on the congressional anarchv, which shall cause “ all faces to gather blackness”
mind. . . . Senator Blackburn, of Kentucky, once said to Dr. and “the mightv man shall ween there bitterlv;“-the time
Crafts : “Why, you have put my whole state in a turmoil described as the”“time of trouble: such as was not since there
over this matter. I would wager that I have got as many was a nation.” in view of which the Anostle says: “Go to
as twenty letters about it.” Since twenty votes would not now ye rich men, weep and howl for the’ miseries” which shall
be a large percentage in Kentucky, the impression which a rome upon you.“- James 5:1-4; Joel 2:6-11; Zeph. 1:14-18;
few letters make can not be better ‘illustrated. Dan. 12:l.

“MY COVENANT WILL I NOT BREAK”

“My covena9G will I not break, nor alter th6 thing that is gone out of my Zips.“-Psa. 89:34.
These words of Jehovah God are very comforting and equally unchangeable concerning :111 the goocl prclmlkrs and
satisfying to his faithful children. As faith becomes a basis covenants which he has made to us.
for things hoped for, so confidence and experience constitute As an illustration of this unchanpeableness. we note the
a basis for faith to rest unon. The unchangeableness of our fact that under the death sentence six thousand pears have
God is one of the attractive features of his character: his elapsed, and over 50,000.000.000 of our race have gone
assurance is, “I am the same, I change not.” Even when into the prisonhouse of death;-yet God has not relented or
the Lord’s word or sentence is against us-as in the case of shown the slightest sign of change. Hi5 sentence was a just
his pronouncement against sin and sinners-and even though one, and it could not be revoked. Then came in 111slove; and
his unchaneeableness will not oermit him to excuse sin or without violatina his iustice he nrnvided a great sin offer-
clear the guilty, this very constancy becomes an assurance ing,-“a ransomrfor ali.” In connection with%his mnnifesta-
to us that as God has been strict and unchangeable in regard tion of love, in man’s redemption, the Creator gave certain
to the penalty pronounced, he will be equally strict and covenants and promises ; and as we have learned of his un-
[31071
(342-343) ZION’S WATCH TOWER ALLEGHENY, PA.

changeableness in respect to the curse, the sentence, we learn
proportionately to have confidence in his unchangeableness in
respect to the promises he has made our race, based upon
the great redemption effected for us.
“0, what comfort it brings,
My soul sweetly sings,
I am safe from all danger
While under his wings.”
It is considered worldly wisdom to take for granted that
no man will keep a covenant which he subsequently finds to
be to his own disadvantage, unless he is bound by some kind
of penalty-by the law. And those who have not learned to
espect something of this kind of worldly wisdom in connec-
tion with their worldly affairs, have ofttimes been sadly dls-
appointed and worsted ; and their plans and arrangements
based upon the covenants of others have been marred. The
tendency of such experiences is to shake our confidence in
humanity in general-and alas, sometimes, to shake our con-
fidence even in some who have named the name of Christ and
professed to be our brethren. Nevertheless, even such trying
exneriences have alwavs worked blessings to such of the
Lord’s children as have accepted them in-the proper manner.
Such have said to themselves, The more I find of unfaithful-
ness and injustice in mankind, the more do I appreciate the
absolute faithfulness and justice of the Lord, and of such
of his ueonle as do Drove themselves loyal to principle; and
the more harnestly do I determine that my own* course in life
shall be such as will always acknowledge the principle
justice, and make mv positive and finished bargain and en-
gagement like our Lbrd’s-unbreakable, unalterable.
The Lord ,indicates not onlv his own estimation of this
principle but his desire to see “it in all who aspire to mem-
bership in his family. To such he says, “Blessed is the man
who voweth to his own hurt and altereth not.” The Lord
would have us careful how we would make covenants, VOWS,
either to him or to others; but having made them, his will
is that we shall consider them sacred, inviolate; even though
we should find subsequently that the arrangement was work-
ing out unfavorably as respects our temporal interests. There
are some limitations in this direction which we will consider
later on.
DIVINE COVENANTS AND PROEdISES
There is a difference between conditional and uncondi-
tional promises which should not be overlooked. Some of
the Lord’s covenants are conditional, as for instance, the Law
Covenant, which begins, “If ye obey my laws and keep my
statutes.” etc.. I will do thus and so unto vou. The Cove-
nant of’the Law, while it did bring to Israel “much-advan-
tnge every way, chiefly in that to them were committed the
oracles of God” (Ram. 3:l. 2). was. nevertheless. a condi-
tional covenant; and since Israel did ‘not and could not keep
its side of that covenant, therefore the divine promises at-
tached to it and made conditional upon obedience, passed
away sn far as the people of Israel were concerned.. -All of
the law’s demand were met bv our Lord Jesus, and to him
nnd him alonr passed all the”divine agreements and obliga-
tions under that covenant. The Lord has, however, made
unconditional covenants with mankind: the first of these was
through our representative, Noah, after the flood. As rep-
resentinn the race. God covenanted with Noah that he would
never niain destroy the world with a flood of waters; and
the plcclae of that covenant was the rainbow. It was wholly
r~nconditinnnl-it did not stipulate that no flood would come
if Noah and his posterity would be faithful to the Lord, etc.
,$nnthcr unconditional covenant was that made with
~4br;lham wllleh reads. “ In tllrr and in thv seed +a11 all the
fzmilics of the rnrth be blessed.” (Gem 12 :3) There are no
conditions or limitations here. It does not say, If you and
vour sect1 will he faithful, I will bless all the families of the
bnrth thrnuoh them: nor does it sav. If all the families of
the cgrth will seek ‘me, they shall be blessed through your
6tXVl. There are no conditions or limitations whatever.
a matter of fact, God knew from the beginning that the nnt-
urn1 seed of Abraham would not bc fit to he the channel of
bhsinn. From the very heginning he foreknew Jesus as the
srerl of Ahrnham and the Head of the Gospel church, his
hndv--a3 unitedly the foreseen and promised “seed of Ahrn-
ham.” He foresaw. evrn. that manv who would he called
dnrina this Gosprl age wnllld fail to’make their calling and
elertinn sure : and from the vcrv heninninrr he had in mind
a$ the seed- ‘of Abraham only the %alled7 and chosen and
fnithflll.”
God knew the end from the heginning. he knew that he
would find such a class. He has been seeking them through-
out this Gospel age, out of every kindred and people and
tongue : he has been trying them, as the Apostle Peter snvs,
with “fiery trials; “-proving their love and loyalty, and de-
veloping in them fruits and graces of spirit, in harmony with
his own, such as will fit and prepare them as a whole, under
their Lord and Head, for the great work of blessing the world,
when the appointed time shall have fully arrived-during the
hlillennial age. Nor was it necessary to place limitations
upon the blessing of all the families of the earth; because
the blessing to be conferred upon all is not an everlasting
one, but merely a blessing of knowledge, of opportunity, of
assistance-to the intent that so many of mankind as will
to do so may come to a full knowledge of the truth, into har-
mony with God, and to full perfection of being. Afterward
they will be tested as to their loyalty, and only the worthy
will be granted life everlasting-all others bclng ultimately
destroyed in the second death. Evidently there was no neces-
sity for putting conditions and limitations upon this core-
nant. It represents God’s good and benevolent purposes to-
ward our race. He knew that his only begotten Son would
be glad to become man’s Redeemer, for the joy that he would
set before him; he knew also that, in the time appointed for
it, he could find amongst mankind a sufficient number who
would appreciate the privilege of fellowship and joint-heir-
ship with their Redeemer, and gladly and faithfully endure
the tests, and acquire the character necessary to this work of
blessing which he had purposed in himself.
Another covenant mentioned in the Scriptures as an un-
conditional one was that made to Israel’s king, David-that
of his throne should be established forever-that of the fruit
of his loins he would raise up a great one to sit on his throne
in perpetuity. God could make this covenant without any
limitations whatever, because he had already arranged that
Jesus, according to the flesh, should be born of the house,
of the lineage, of David and that his throne should be for-
ever. David’s throne, we are to remember, was the throne
of the Lord, as we read, “Solomon sat upon the throne of the
Lord in the room of his father David.” God never acknowl-
edged any throne in Israel except his own. It was entrusted
to David for a time, and after him for a time to his pos-
terity according to the flesh: it has been “overturned” dur-
ing “the times of the Gentiles,” but eventually, “he shall come
whose right it is,” and the Lord will give it unto him--the
throne of the Lord, the throne of David. Indeed, even the
name of David was a synonym for Immanuel, since its mean-
ing is “Beloved.” Christ is God’s beloved Son in whom he
is well pleased, and to whom therefore he has appointed the
honors, dignities and authority of the kingdom which is to
bless all the families of the earth, according to the promise8
made to Abraham.
Another unconditional promise, or covenant, is called the
“New Covenant.” This one is also without limitations, with-
out conditions; the divine Word says, “Behold the days come,
saith the Lord, when I will make a New Covenant with the
house of Israel and with the house of Judah: not according
to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day
when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the Land
of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I
regarded them not [that being a conditional covenantl, saith
the Lord. But this is the covenant that I will make with
the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord: I will
put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts;
and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a peo-
ple: and they shall not teach every man his neighbor, and
every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for they shall
all know me from the least to the greatest. For I will be
merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their
iniquities will I remember no more.“-Heb. S:S-12.
Nothing can be more clear than that this New Covenant
is without a solitary condition, so far as the people to be
blessed by it are concerned. It is a covenant or a:rerment
wholly on one side-an unconditional promise on the Lord’s
part of what he will do for the world. We say for the world
As advisedly, because we are to remember that in respect to the
Day of Atonement sacrifices and the blessings therefrom, Is-
rael is a type of all the world of mankind desiring to come
into covenant relationship with the Lord, as the Leviteq rep-
resented the household of faith. and the priesthood was tppiral
of the royal priesthood, the church.-Jesus the High Priest,
and consecrated believers the undrrpriesthood.-l Pet. 2 : 9.
What a wealth of blessing God has bound himself to ac-
complish for our race! How glad we are that there are no
human conditions or limitations to hinder the fulfilment of
these gracious promises, nor to unsettle our faith and our
rejoicing therein! We do not mean to say that man will
ultimately have nothing to do toward his own deliverance
from sin and death: on the contrary, he will certainly not
he delivered against his own will. But the blessings men-
[3108]
Nov~aasta 15, 1902 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (344-345)

tioned in these covenants are not the everlastinrr blessings now is. They give us new joy, new courage, new .zeal, new
pertaining to the eternity beyond the Millennium: %hey relale incentive in connection with the common tasks and duties of
to the blessings of the Millennial age, which are, in divine life,-to our families, to our neighbors, and to ourselves,
nrovidence. arraneed to be world wide-to include “all the and above all to our God. And thev eive us confidence and
families of the earth” for all of whom a blessing of knowl- assurances in all the great and grac:o& hopes set before us
edge and assistance and opportunity for return to divine in the Gospel-in the Lord’s willingness to do for us, and in
favor has been provided bv the Creator. his power to do exceedingly and abundantly more than we
But how could God d”o this, may be inquired,-if he is can ask or think.
iust and will not clear the auiltv? How could he promise GODLIKE FAITHFULNESS TO COVENANTS
all these blessings and oppoytuni?ies to those who are ad- In two ways we who are nunils in the school of Christ
mittedly guilty-sinners? W’e answer that this part of the are instructed.- (1) By being shown through the perfect law
divine nroaram and arrangement is specified particularlg in of liberty our weakness and imperfections. (2) By being
the proph& of Isaiah (42: l-7.) There Jehocah points- out shown God’s greatness and perfection. We need to see that
his honored servant. the Lord Jesus. through whose faithful- we are not riiht, that we co-me far short of the glorious con-
ness the entire work of blessing the world shall be accom- dition in which we (in Adam) were created. and which condo-
plished ; and the key to the entire matter is found in the tion alone God could pronounce or consider ‘<very good.” The
statement “I . . . . will annoirit thee for a covenant of the longer and more intently we look into the perfect law of lib-
people, for a light of the n~1~ion~.“--Vs. 6. Leescr. erty, the more we will discern our own blemishes, an11 tl:c
Israel’s experiences under the Law Covenant prove to us less favorably we are likely to think of ourselves; so that
what God knew beforehand; namely, that the fallen race was we might become discouraged were it not for the Lord’- ‘I,-
so out of condition as to- be unable to kee any covenant surance that while he linows our imperfections bettcli tllan we
which he could nroacrlv make with them. f he proposition, do, yet he is not regarding these, but covering them-allow-
thtrcfoit, upon \;h&h the Abrahannc Covenant and the New ing the merit of our dear Redeemer as a robe of rnhteous-
Covenant are based, is that God would provide a substitute n&s to make us perfect and acceptable before hnn;-&l that
for Adam in the nerson of his well beloved Son, who, first this acceptance and covering applies to us as long as we arc
c!c:llon~tratmg his bwn worthiness, would delight in carrying seeking to walk in the Lord’s way-“not after the flesh. but
nut his Father’s nlan for the blessing of our race: and with after the spirit.” We see the Lord’s character portrayed in
him God would~ make the covenant “for the blessing of the his law given to Israel; and again in the still higher statc-
n orld. As the world’s representative, he would appoint or ment of that law, expressed by Jesus as the perfert law, the
enttar into a covenant with him, on behalf of the people. And comprehensive law, the Law of Love-God’s law, necessarily
to this our Lord assents, declaring that his deaih -was “for representing his character. Furthermore, God’s pronnscs
the sins of the whole world” and that it was “the blood of also represent his character, and this double revealma to us
the New Covenant” that sealed, made binding, made effective, of the divine character is with a view to an incitement of
God’s New Covenant. The New Covenant is given to Israel our love for those principles of righteousness, goodness, truth.
and the wolltl only indirectIy: the Father’s dealings are not While seeking to copy the Lord in every particular, and
with Israel nor with the world under this New Covenant, but to be fullv rounded out in character-likeness to him. let us
with the Jlcdiator of the Yew Covenant,-the Christ. Dur- now have”specially in mind as a part of the lesson’ of this
ing this Gospel age he is accepting the church as the mem- text, God’s faithfulness to his engagements; and let us, as
l~>rs of the ltotlv of this great Mediator, through the merit of his people, resolve that bv his assistance and grace we will
the Head. When the entire Mediator shall be complete, the grow daily in this quality,” in his likeness-that we, al\o, may
corcnant nil1 come into force, hecome eflective to all-the fam- say of ourselves, concerning our covenants or agreements,
ilics of the earth,-thus constituting the blessing mentioned as the Lord says of himself, “My covenant will I not break,
in the covenant made with -4braha.m. nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips.”
l’hr curqc of the divine sentence will then end., and di-
COVENANTS COMPLETE AND INCOMPLETE
vlncb f.l\or oncl noner will be given the great PIJediator who
shall then b+n’his great work of ruling and teachmg man- As there are some who are not suflicientlv conscientious
kind in righteousness, and administering laws and regulations in their covenants and engagements-not suilicientlv aware
for their benetit;-for their nhvsical, social, mental and of the responsibilities assumed in makinr a rove&nt. and
moral uplifting. The whole arangement shall be in the hands who are, therefore, disposed to break then; or to alter them,
of the Mediator and his work of helping and restoring the SO there are some, on the other hand, who have not their
race which he pmchased with his- brood shall progress conscience sufficiently balanced by their other reasoning fnc-
throughout the Millennial age. At the close of the Millen- ulties to understand the difference between complete and in-
nial age, having accomplished all that can possibly be accom- complete agreements. These have need of a word of caution
plihhetl for the race,-having brought all to a knowledge of on what constitutes a final and irrevocable covenant, bargain,
the truth, having given all an opportunity of restoration to agreement. Mankind in general has long recognized the dif-
tli;vinc favor and restitution to perfection,-there will be a ference between the discussion of an agreement and t!ie con-
final testing on the Father’s par6 and all found worthy-all summation of the same; hence it is that civil law, in the in-
~110 shall have learned to appreciate the divine character terest of peace and justice, makes the arrangement that in
:tntl the princ*il)l(~s of the dirlnc^ law-will be gianted liic-erer- matters pertaining to the purchase or sale of real estate, a
Instin,g; and all found contrary to this shall be esteemed binding agreement or contract shall be in writing, and shall
wickctl. and shall be destroyed from amongst the people.- be signed and sealed as final and irrevocable. The conversa-
Arts 3 :2R; Psa. 145 :20. tion Qespecting the matter may pingress for minutes. for
hours, for weeks, for months, as the case may be, and one
“THAT WE MIGHT HAVE STRONG CONSOLATION, WHO feature after another may be discussed pro and con, and
HAVE FLED FOR REFUGE TO LAY HOLD UPON THE
terms may be discussed over and over,-but the bargain is
ROPE SET BEFORE US: WHICH HOPE WE HAVE
AS AN ANCHOR 0~ THE SOUL, BOTH SURE not complete until the matter has been finally stated in
AND STEADFAST”-HEB. 6:18, 19 writing in a manner acceptable to hoth parties, and their a(‘-
The words of our text apply to these exceeding great and ceptance of the same indicated by their signatures, and the
precious covenant-promises of the divine Word. They assure passing of some money or other consideration. Once such
us that our Gcd will never break these covenants-yea, more, an absolute contract has been made, no child of God should
that he will not even alter, or amend, or change them in any think of breaking it, unless it should develop that he had been
particular. We can rest in hope, assured thit he who has the subject of fraud and misrepresentation, and through this
hrrnn the Food work in us and on behalf of the world. is able had been induced to sign. But the point we wish to make
noi only -to” complete the work in us, but to accomplish more lis, that there was a definite time when the covenant was
for the world than it or we can ask or comprehend. Does made, after which it must not be broken, and that up to that
not this knowledge of the immutability of the divine cove- time. either party had the unquestionable right ‘to alter,
nants give us a confidence, a faith in the Lord which brings chanrre. or amend his views resnectina it and to act accord-
it strong consolation for every trial, every difficulty, every ingIg ’ The Lord’s people should learn more and more, to
disappointment of this present time-assuring us that all of exercise the “spirit of a sound mind;“-to think well of what
our experiences are working together as parts of a great thev are about to do, before doing it ;-and this implies also
whole of the divine program, not only for our glory, honor, thag they will seek for divine guidance in what thk; do, In-
immortality. but for the blessing of the world of mankind7 deed. havinp covenanted themselves to the Lord. with all of
They surely do! Hallelujah, what a Savior! their inter&s and affairs, they are to treat every matter
If now we allow our minds to gather in to some extent from this standpoint, and .to consult the divine will and to
the scope of these promises as expanded and explained by the follow it to the best of their understanding. leaving all the
apostles in the New Testament, we see that they take hold subsequent consequences and results in the‘Lord’s c&e.
of, not only the life which is to come, but also of that which A matter which sometimes has given rise to considerable
[31091
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difficulty among the Lord’s people, is marriage engagements. a woman eligible to marriage to keep each other’s company
There 1s confusion of thought as to how much obligation w&h a view to marriage-with a view to such an intimate
goes wltli an “engagement.” Under the Jewish arrangement acquaintance with each other’s characters, dispositions, af-
the betrothal preceded the marriage festivities by about a fairs! etc., as would give to each reasonable opportunity of
yeax, but the betrothal was really the marriage. It was dis- judgmg as to the desirability of consummating a marriage
cussed pro and con by the friends of the bride and bride- covenant. Of course this implies equally an opportunity and
groom, and all particulars arranged and put into writing and right to decide not to marry if in his or her judgment it
signed. It was so binding that unfaithfulness on the part would not be desirable. In breaking any ordinary agreement
of the bride to her betrothal vows was punishable under the or “engagement” for marriage there is nothing, therefore,
1aw. This Jewish custom was evidently arranged purposely that is dishonorable or covenant breaking,-but everything
to be a type of the betrothal of the Gospel church to Christ, that is reasonable, right, proper. It is in the interests of
her heav&ly Bridegroom. Our contracq of union with the both parties that it should be so. If either partv is disposed
Lord, both in his part and ours, is entered into now. during to cancel the “engagement,” it would certaiily bk unwise, as
the Gospel age, b& the actual &ion or “nuptial feast,” wil? well as unjust, for the other Dartv to selfishlv insist on con-
not take place until, at his second advent, the entire company summating- it -with a marriage Eovenant, w”hich would be
of the bride shall have passed beyond the vail,. “changed”- binding; because a marriage is only for those who are one,
entcsrtd into the joys of her Lord. But marriage “engage- and if either party feels to the contrary of this, it is the
ments,” as they are known amongst us today, are totally dif- very best reason why both should conclude they are not ooze
ferent from Jewish “bethrothals.” in their interests, tastes, preferences, etc.
Ac~co~dlng to our custom, the marriage rorenant is entered We mention this matter here particularly because it is a
into in a legal manner either before an officer representing question that is frequently referred to us by persons engaged
the civil authorities, or by a ceremony performed 6y a rni; to be married at the time the truth reaches them. They
ister of the Gospel. This is the marriage povmnnt: this 1s come to see matters in a new light: life comes to have a
binding; this is* unalterable ; this must “not be broken; the new meaning for them under the illumination of the truth,
pledges here made must be observed, in letter and spirit. But and marriage comes to have a new force and weight; a deci-
the “engafrements,”
. _ which frequently last for weeks. months. sion respecting a partner in life comes to be a question in
or years preceding the marriage covenant, are not covenant6 which the Lord’s will is recognized as naramount. The other
at all-in the strict, proner sense of the word. Thev are party to the engagement geierally fiils to see the change
merely provisional a%ng6ments between the parties 6oking in conditions, and DerhaDs admires the DrODOSt?d comnanion
forward to a ma,rriage covenant and ceremony as their con- all the more,’ because of -the graces whicd tie truth ahds to
summation;-and so much so, that any treat& of the “en- character. The unregenerate may perhaps incline to be in-
gagement” as a consummated union is declare8 illegal, un- sistent, and to urge that it would be wrong for the Chris-
lawful. Of cnurse it might be nossible for two nersons to tian to break an “engagement.” Thiq is unsound reasoning,
make such vows to each other without the presence’of a min- whollv sophistical: and those who use it are generallv fullv
ister or other ceremony, as to be properly binding and oblig- aware of this ; and yet it is sufficient at times 70 caus;? grea%
atnrv throughout life; but this is unusual, extremely excep- trouble of conscience to some who are anxious to fulfil their
tional and generally forbidden by State laws. obligations in every particular.
The marriage “engagement” therefore properly under- This is our justification for these extended remarks ‘on
stood is merely a provisional agreement between a man and this phase of the subject.

GIDEON’S BAND TRIUMPHANT

[Reprinted in issue of November 1, 1907, which please see.]

“THY PEOPLE SHALL BE MY PEOPLE”

RUTH 1: 16-22.-DECEMBER 7.
“Be kindly afeotioned me toward another.“-Ram. 12:lO.
While the I3ook of Ruth is not prophetical, but merely To be on the Lord’s side amonest the Lord’s Deonle should
historical. it is valuable to us in various ways. (1) It fur- have been esteemed far more ikportant than karihly pros-
nishes nn important link in the chronological chain leading pects. Naomi. however. is not to blame in connection with
clown to Kin<; David and, hence, a part gf the chronological this matter; the responsibility rested with her husband, and
line legdinl down to the Man Christ Jesus. (2) It eives a it is evident that her heart was never fully in sympathy with
glimpse of <he habits and customs of the Israelites in Eeneral the move, because about ten years subsequently, when her
as an agricultural people. In this respect it is in marked husband and two sons died, she promptly determined on a
contrast with the Books of Judges. Kings and Chronicles, return to the Lord’s people and to the land which he had
whirh dealt mnre particularly wiih ‘the r;lers, generals and given them.
\l>lIS. (3) The storv of Ruth uoints a verv beautiful lesson Human nature is much the same everywhere and always.
of fidel&, sympathi and love’ amongst t6e people at that How many there are today who mistakenly seek to map out
titnc. and inculcates a similar lesson of kindness nf disposi- their plans for the present life in disregard of their highest
tion amon,& the spiritual Israelites, guaranteeing them, along interests, in disregard of the Lord’s promises and the rela-
th19 line, blessings both for the present and for the future. tionship which they have entered into by covenant with him!
Somewhere about Gideon’s time, when scarcity amount- How many there are who forget that the Lord’s arrangement
in? almost to famine prevailed in Palestine, as a judgment with all of his covenant people is that he will supervise
of the Lord upon his people for some measure of coldness their affairs and cause all things to work together for good
or unfaithfulness to him and to their covenant, Naomi’s hus- to them! Instead of making temporal interests the chief
bqnd dctprmincd to emigrate with his family to the other concern, Naomi’s husband should have been making the re-
side of the Dead Sea-to the land of Moab. The Moabites ligious interests of himself and family his chief concern, so
were the descendants of Lot, but, nevertheless, the Lord that if he had been living in Moab under greater DrosDeritv.
marked out to his people Israel that they were not to be con- he should rather have b;en willing to go- into tde land of
sidered thr children of Abraham--that they ‘were not fellow- promise amongst the Lord’s people, though such a course
heirs of the promises made to Abraham, and, therefore, they would seem to mean a blighting of some of his earthly
were not subjects of special dealings, disciplines, providences, interests.
etr.. a9 were the Israelites. Naomi and her two son5 went The Lord’s people of Spiritual Israel will do well to bear
with her husband apparently without regret, to the land of this thought continually in mind-that spiritual interests
Moab. honine therebv to better the DrosDects of the familv. are to be given the preference always; that temporal affairs
It was a’m&ake, however, as she after&ards realized, to a& are to be managed and controlled from the standpoint of the
attempt to regulate their own affairs when they were specially everlasting welf&e;-from the standpoint of spiri‘tual growth
under the Lord’s Drotection and guidance. and develonment and DrosDeritv:-from the standDoint of the
As Tsraelites they should havg esteemed the divine prom- best interests and in&en&s U~O; their children. ‘They should
ises so highly that they would not have left the land of prom- not only hesitate to follow any suggestion that would take
ise and the people of promise to rommingle with those who themselves and their families into unfavorable, godless sur-
were strangers to those promises and more or less idolaters. roundings, but they should determine that not under any
[31103
NOVEMBER15. 1902 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (350-351)

consideration would they follow such a suggestion;-that on Arrived at her home city, Bethlehem, Naomi., who had
the contrary the Lord’s people should be their people, even been well known ten years before, and whose frrends prob-
though this meant less of the comforts and luxuries of this ablv never exnected to see her again. was greeted bv her
pres&t life : it would surely mean greater spiritual bless- name; but she replied, Call me no”longer Natmi (which sig-
ings and favors for the present time, and persevering would nifies lovable, pleasant), but call me rather Marah (which
mean the gaining of the glorious reward which our Lord has signifies bitter). She explained to them that the Lord’s
promised to the faithful who love him more than they love providences in. respect td her affairs had been severe afflic-
houses and lands and kindred, etc. tions:-the Lord had testified against her course-had not
Evidently Naomi’s life and example and her faithful- prospered herself and family in xhe course they had taken.
ness to the Lord had made an impression amongst those with No doubt later on she came to see that the Lord’s afflictions
whom she was speciallv in contact,-her two daughters-in- upon her had reallv been for her good, brinaine her back to
law, both of whom resolved to go back with her to-the land the land of promise and to fellowship with her
of Canaan. On the iournev. however. she reflected that these that her last davs were nrobablv the best of her 11 e.
*rple9 so
two young women would “be sacrificing much-leaving kin- So at times it may be with”some of the Lord’s spiritual
dred, homes, acquaintances, customs, and good prospects to Israelites; his chastisements and afflictions and disciplines
go with her to a land where they would be considered for- may seem to indicate his displeasure, but really, from the
eigners and probably be discriminated against. She, there- standpoint of faith and knowledge. thev mav afterward be
fore, urged them to return to their own people, to the re- seen to have been blessings in d&guise.” HoGever, much de-
ligious worship, etc., to which they had been accustomed. pends upon the way in which the Lord’s disciplines are re-
She feared that their resolution to accompany her would re- ceived. Had Naomi suffered herself to become sour and mo-
sult in disannointment later on. Her disinterested course rose and rebellious against the Lord, no blessing would have
in this matter& reminds us very much of our Lord’s words to followed her trvinn exoeriences: but the fact that she ner-
some who proposed to become his disciples. He advised them mitted these to “d&w h& closer to the Lord and to his people
first of all to sit down and count the cost; this he did, not formed the channel of her blessines. And this lesson also
because he wished to stumble or to turn back any who- had is easily applied by us all as spir%ual Israelites to our ex-
inclinations to follow in his footsteps, but because it is best neriences.
on general principles that people should not undertake that ’ The remainder of the lesson gives us an insight into the
in which their hearts are not fully and deeply interested; customs of the time. and incidentallv shows us how the Lord
because otherwise they are sure to make a failure. They rewarded the noble ‘character and faith of Ruth. That she
who sit down and count the cost and then rejoicingly follow did not come to Bethlehem with great expectations and sel-
in the Lord’s footsteps of suffering and trial glad to be ac- fish motives is evidenced bv the fact that she set out to earn
counted worthy to suffer for his name’s sake and to walk in a living for herself and her mother-in-law. She was young
his footstep&they alone are the kind who will gain the and strong, and could, after the manner of the times, go into
nrize. Those who would follow without the snirit of sacri- the harvest fields and plean such strav handfuls of the grain
ice would be sure to miss the prize and all ihe sacrificing as were missed by the-men who did “the reaping. This was
they might do would be burdensome and measurably disap- permitted bv the Jewish law: the grain nrowine in the fence
pointing. corners might be gathered by any %f the poor ?or their own
Naomi’s argument appealed to one of her daughters-in- use. Providentially Ruth was guided in her humble efforts
law, who did return to her Moabitish home, concluding that to make a livinp, to the field of a man who was a kinsman
after all it would be too much of a sacrifice for her t; part to Naomi, and to whom she (Ruth) was subsequently mar-
with her kindred. etc. Ruth. on the contrarv. had come to ried and became one of the mothers in Israel, from whom de-
love her mother-in-law so deeply and to respect her religion scended King David and ultimately Mary,’ the mother of
so thoroughly that although it cost a tear to part with home Jesus.
and kindred and to contemplate the trials of poverty in a It is well that the Lord’s people note even in this little
foreign land, she, nevertheless, fully resolved that such a incident something that may be helpful to them. We are
home amongst those who reverenced the true God and were to commit our way to the Lord and sincerely and unselfishly
heirs of his promises was more to be esteemed than anything determine to follow the nath of riphteousness: then the Lord
she was leaving. Her impassioned words to her mother-in- shall be our God; then his peoplevshall be our people. Test-
law are noted throughout the world as being amongst the ings will come as to whether or not we are willing to do our
most beautiful expressions of sympathy, kind:ess and devo- duty in respect to the common affairs of life, laborinp with
tion. Some one has arranged them in poetic form, thus:- our- hands, -providing things honest in the sight of ali men.
As we PO forward in the line of dutv. the Lord guides our
“Entreat me not to leave thee, steps and overrules in our affairs and brings us” blessings,
And to return from following after thee; but if we fail to take the proper steps and to do with our
For whither thou goes& I ~711 go; might what our hands find to do, we miss the blessings.
And where thou lodeest. I will lodge: The fact that these two women could journey from Moab
Thy people shall be my ‘people, v ’ to Bethlehem by themselves and without molestation, and
And thy God, my God; the fact that Ruth, unknown and unprotected, could safely
Where thou diest I will die, and there will I be buried, glean in the fields without interference of any kind, speaks
The Lord do so to me, and more also, to us strongly of the general law and order prevalent
If aught but death part thee and me.“-Vs. 16, 17. amongst the Israelites-the general recognition of the divine
law and the general conformity thereto. We are to remem-
A good and faithful, God-fearing, God-serving, God-hon- ber, too, that at this time the laws were liberally adminis-
oring mother-in-law, Naomi surelv was, to have so deeply in- tered, and that, so far as we are made aware, there was
terested Ruth in herself and in her God and in his promises neither armv or nolice organization to enforce them. The
to her people. There is a lesson here, not only for mothers- people were” comGratively”free and evidently -in some re-
in-law, but for all of the Lord’s people. Not all are able to spects moral, noble and trustworthy. This is illustrated fur-
preach and to teach the Word of God publicly or privately, ther in the course of Boaz. How few emnlovers of labor to-
but all can teach through their daily lives and glorify their day, as they visit their farms, would beA in’ any degree in-
Father in heaven in their bodies and spirits which are his, clined to salute laborers as Boaz did his; saying, “The Lord
by living a godly life, by telling in the simplest manner of be with you!” And how few farm laborers of todav would
the hopes and promises which control their own hearts and respond as did these of Boaz;-‘They answered him, The Lord
inspire their own courage and devotion. The Apostle Paul bless thee.” Evidentlv the emnlovers and emnlovees of our
had in mind this same thought of the general influence of life dav could learn some” profitable lessons from *the past, not-
and character when he said, “Ye are manifestly declared to withstanding the fact that Evolutionists would endeavor to
be the epistle of Christ.” Our Lord had the same thought convince us”that back in the days of Boaz men must have
in mind when he declared, “Ye are the light of the world. . . . been much nearer the monkey condition than today. The
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your facts are to the contrary.
good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Furthermore. we notice the eenerositv of Boaz. that in-
That Naomi had told her daughters-in-law respecting her God stead of dealing selfishly and miserly in iespect to the glean-
and his promises to his people is evident; but to have told ings of the woman, he gave directions to his servants that
them of this and not to have acted and spoken and lived in thev nurnoselv let fall an occasional handful when binding
accord with this faith and hope, would have been contra- the” grain, that Ruth’s gleanings might thus be enlargex
dictory and, undoubtedly, never would have influenced Ruth Christian emnlovers and emnlovees need not to PO back to
to forsake her own people and her father’s house, and to cast the Jewish I% and to the* customs of the Jew> as illus-
in her lot with her mother-in-law and the Israelites. trated by Boaz and his laborers; for we have a still higher
[3111]
(;55-356) ZION’S WATCH TOWER ALLEGHENY,Pa.

law and much advantage every way over them. If their his laborers. Let us with increasing light and knowledge
knowledge of the Lord led them to kindly salutations and and privilege make still further progress m all the fruits of
kindly actions, much more should the Christian’s greater the splrlt of love.
knowledge of the divine will and his anointing of the holy Finally,--It is unsafe to neglect to have the Lord for our
Spirit enable him to be kind, considerate and atfectionate to- God, and to neglect to make his people our people. Accept-
ward others--doing eood unto all men as we have oppor A- ance of the Lord means ultimately a change in all of life’s
tunity, especially tg t”he household of faith. interests and affairs if we would abide in his love and favor.
Our Golden Text IS an exhortation to spiritual Israelites The sacrifice of earthly things may cost us tears and heart-
and is in full accord with the sentiments of this lesson as aches at first: but eventually we will be more than compen-
witnessed by the conduct of Naomi and Ruth and Boaz and sated-as was Ruth, only in higher, spiritual blessings.

YOL. XXIII ALLEGHENY, PA., DECEMBER 1, 1902 No. 23

VIEWS FROM THE WATCH TOWER

THE CHURCH AS THE MAKER OF THE WORLD’S CONSCIENCE
This topic is treated in a manner with which we sympa-
thize hut do not acree, bv Rev. S. Z. Batten. in an article in
the Anwrtcan Jou&‘nal’ of Soczology. He asserts that money
and military glory are the “false ideals” before the world, and
inquires whether or not the church has really spoken out
acainst either of these. He thinks not and proceeds:-
” “In church and college, in society and in the press, rich
men are honored and flattered and held up as models to be
adored and lmltated. The influence of all tfiis, as any one can
see, is to degrade the common morals; it is to set up a false
ideal of life; it is to fire the imagination of the young with
unholy and ‘unworthy ambitions ; -it is to cast discre&t
the poorer and humbler workers in the kingdom of God. Every
careful student of modern society declares that the reign of
commerclahsm has come, and with the reign of this commer-
cinllsm there has come a sad confusion of moral values. This
commercinllsm places money above life, and things before men,
‘Our whole societv,’ says I;‘elix Adler. ‘is infiltrated with the
money-getting id&.’ %‘here 1s danger lest a commercialism
utterly destitute of moral and spiritual conceptions shall usurp
the place which should be held by truer and Christlier ideals.
“Closely akin to this is another false ideal which is set up
before the people for honor and imitation. As every one
knows. the military ideal has held sway for untold ages over
the minds and hea& of men, and the gieat men of history are
lareelv militarv leaders and conquerors. How far militarism
is ieckssary in” an imperfect and evolving society it does not
concern us here to Inquire. The military captain no doubt has
llad his work to do in the world, and let him have his wreath
of laurel leaves. But the mihtary ideal, it is needless to say,
is not the Christian ideal, and the two can never be completely
harmonized.”
Mr. Batten considers it the Church’s duty to quicken the
political conscience of the world; and considers it a dangerous
sign that people have ceased to expect unselfishness in polltlcs.
He continues :-
“As every one knows, a double standard of morality pre-
vails, and men have one kind of right for their personal and
family lives, and a different kind of right for their political
and commercial lives. All such things as sentiment, conscience
and love are ruled out of politics, and we are told that the
Decalogue and the Sermon on the Mount have nothing to do
111th a political campaign. . . . The chancellor of the German
clnaire has lntelv declared ; ‘I can not conduct foreign policy
from the point ‘bf view of pure moral philosophy. It is not
ollrs to ask what is rirht and what is wrong. The politician
is no judge of morals;-he has solely to m&tain the-interests
and rights of his country.’ Another man, not himself a prac-
tical politician, but a political philosopher, Professor Wil-
loughby, declares: ‘It is, in fact, quite superfluous to show in
this age that from their own inherent nature divine and moral
sanctions can have no application to political matters’
10~~. as such sentiments prevail in high places, it is not sur-
prl*:‘ng that they should appear in low places. And so long
as such sentiments prevail, whether in high places or in low,
that long the church of Jesus Christ will have a most fiery and
xelentless mission.”
Inquiring into the church’s attitude on social questions, he
declares that “in our time the power of Christianity is to be
proved by its ability to create a Christian type of human SO-
cietv.” and adds:-
“it is intolerable to all right religion that numbers of
I~
neonle should be miserable and needv while there is plenty to
1
snare in the Father’s house. No ohe who believes -in J&US
Christ can believe that it is the will of the heavenly Father
that one part of the human family shall go hungry and des-
titute while another part is living in luxury and ease. The
most tragic fact about this poverty and ignorance is not the
hunger and suffering, though these are sad enough. The sad-
131121
dest feature about It all is the waste of human life, the fact
that the wonderful possibilitie s in these human brothers are
never unfolded and realized. A social and industrial system
in which one man controls thousands of lives and is possessed
of millions of money; in which able-bodied men willing to work
walk the streets in desperation looking for a job; in whic!r
thousands of women, owing to oppressive labor and small re-
muneration, are under a continual temptation to barter woman-
hood for gain; in which are tenements not fit for pig-sties
where women fight with fever, and infants pant for air and
wail out their little lives; in which the sweater’s den and the
glog-shop thrive--such a .society is very far, indeed, from that
on order which God wishes and ordains.”
To the query, Isn’t this a hazardous topic ? he replies :-
“That may be; but hazardous to whom? To the preacher?
All the real hazard to him arises from the fact that he is
faithless to his trust. To the hearers? Would to God it were
more hazardous to those who are guilty of the monstrous
wrongs which hurt their fellows and hinder the kingdom of
God! . . . .
“The mlysion of the rhurch is evident; the churc*h’s c,re&n-
tials are clear; the need of the world is great. Nothing could
be more weak and pitiful than for the chuuches to conf& that
whole provinces of life lie bevond their interest. Nothine
could bi more cruel and cowardly than for the churches to sai
that they have no word to offer on the problems which make
the peril and the opportunity of our time. Nothing could be
more calamitous and short-sighted than for the churches to
leave to outsiders, to unbelievers often, the discussion of cur-
rent wrongs and the leadership in moral reform.”
THE GENTLEMAN’S WRONG VIEW-POINT
We admire Mr. Batten’s zeal and courage for the right,
but discern that, like many more, he is in trouble by reas’on
of a misconception of the divine plan of the ages and the
church’s mission thereunder.
The church should, indeed, “lift up a standard for the peo-
ple,” the would;---in her pulpits, in her press, and in the “hv-
ing epistles” of her people. But she is not to blame that the
world in general will not follow her precepts and example. Did
our Lord himself or his apostles transform politics? or recon-
struct society? or abolish wars and injustices in their day?
Assuredly not. Unsatisfactory as is the condition of things at
present it was much worse for the poor “groanin creation”
then. (Rom. 8.22) Were our lord and the apost kes at fault
then? Cv no means. Neither is the church to blame that pres-
ent conditions are what they are.
But perhaps Rev. Batten would reply: The conditions now
are different from what they were in the days of the apostles;
-now we have what we call the “Christian World” of Europe
and America and in these lands of “Christendom” ; surely we
should expect Christian methods in politics, finance and society.
So What folly, dear brother! Is it possible for us to deceive
ourselves into thinking that the world is Christianized? Is it
possible for us even to consider that the professed church-
membership is Christianized? Surely the term Christnun world
is as much a misnomer as the term Christzan Scientist. Call-
ing worldliness Christianity no more makes it so than oalling
black white would change it.
The church “whose names are written in heaven” consists
only of those who have the spirit, mind, will, disposition of
their Lord and Master, their Redeemer. These, today as ever,
are but a “little flock” as compared to even the nominal
church, and are scattered here and there throughout the sects,
whose Babylonish, worldlv, fleshly spirit troubles them. but
whose wine of false doctrihe deceives them. (Rev. 14:8 ; 17 :2;
18:3) Wherever they are, they are striving after and more
and more attaining to the high ideals of their Teacher, whose
word they hear, reverence and follow. During the absence of
the Chief Shepherd the flock has become greatly scattered by
L)ECEMBER1, 1902 ZION’S WATCH
“wolves,” and misled by “goats” into various sectarian pens,
where the wolf and goat influences are very unfavorable and
trying to them; but they still remain sheep and still listen
for the Shepherd’s voice.
We are living now in the day of the Shepherd’s return;-
he is calling hi: sheep not int,o”a different ,en and bondage,
but to Christian freedom, with himself. And they are hearing
his voice, “Come out of her, my people, that ye be not par-
takers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.”
(Rev. 18 :4) As at his first advent he gathered the Israelites
indeed out of the fleshly house, so now hi will gather the same
class out of the nominal spiritual house. Then will his king-
dom come and his faithful have a share in it with their
Lord.
Then, the social and moral and religious and political and
financial standards of the world will he in their hands (1 Cor.
6.2) ; with full power and authority to execute justice and
iudcment. and to lift un the noor and the needv, and him that
hat% no helper under ihe pr’esent regime of sklfishness. But
now. the true church does not rule the world, but is an in-
sirnificant minorltv. charged by their Master to learn lessons
in-meekness, patieyce, fazh and character-likeness to himself
and merely to let their “light” shine before men whom they
are forewarned they will be unable to influence to any appre-
ciable extent ;-because the darkness hateth the light and will
refuse to be scattered bv their tinv lamps. and will flee only
when the Lord and his glorious kligdo& shall shine forth as
the Sun of Righteousness.
The church indeed is to have as corrert standards as possi-
ble now, and to display these before the world. They ha;e al-
readv., modified and do continuallv modifv the world’s con-
scicncr ant! standards ; but they ca”nnot tr&sform them. The
few who are transformed become soldiers of the cross :-“not of
the world” even as their Master was not of the world.
l l *
AR for the world, it is probably no worse at heart than it
has ever bren, but it has greater opportunities than ever for
c\crciqlng its selfishness : moreover the world is probably more
SIIICPIC, more candid, less hypocritical than of yore, and with
:I greater freedom each encourages the other to speak and act
more ncnlly out of the abundance of the heart than formerly.
Th19, however, it cannot be denied is dangerous under present
rnntlitions. Fnll liberty is sure to be more or less dangerous
lo all except saints,-the true church-and even they. must
kprp constant guard, and realize that theg are not their own
--that they have given up their liberty to the Lord and be-
come his bond-servants, at liberty only to do what he approves.
OURS A HIGHER STANDARD
The Lord’s people are not to forget that while they should
live up to the spirit of the world’s b&t laws, they may “go much
farther than these in many respects. These laws represent the
\\nrltl’s itleals as respects justice and generosity and kindness
ant1 unkindness : and freouentlv fall far short of the Lord’s
ht,Lntlards. It i$ not eno& &erefore, that we keep within
thcb laws of man. it is for the trur members of Christ to “lift
~~1~a standard for the people”-God’s standard, the Golden
T:lll?.
THE MOUNTAIN OF THE
“7’hc earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dfoell therein.
sw,s and cstahllshed it upon ihc floods. Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand
in hts 7101~ place? He that hath clean hands, awl a pure heart;
his soul utlto canzty, MOT sworn deceitfully.“-Psalm
In thi+ Psalm the prophet David takes the standpoint of
111~tlnnn of the &rlllenhdage, when, after the great-time of
tl oul)lr, tile killgtlonls of this world ~~111have become the king-
do111~ of onr Lord and of 111s Christ (Rev. 11 : 15) ,--nhen the
’ iinlrs of the GentlIes” will hnvr bern fulfilled. and “he whose
rigbt it 1s” will 11nve taken unto him his great power and
ljclgun his glorious reign. Those who have stndied the plan of
tlte ages and its timrq and seasons know tbnt thiq is dne to be brrnusc all the now rrstlcss masse;. of men will have brcome
accomplished by the year 1915,-onl,v 12 or 13 years from the
present time Then nil1 the words of this prophecy be ful-
filled-“The rarth is the T,or(l’s and the fullness thereof; the
world. and they that dwell therein; for he hath founded it
upon [instead of] tbc se’ls. and established it upon [in place
of] the floods.“-Verses 1, 2.
The earth, the world, the seas and the floods, the hills and
the mountains are all used here, as in numerous other instances,
in a symbolic, and not in a literal sense, which would be ab-
snrd in this connection. The earth and the world represent the
present social order of things, GT human society as at present
organized. The seas and the floods represent an increasingly
large class of mankind which restlessly recoils against the
[3113]
TOWER (356-358)
In morals, too, the Lord’s people are not to measure them-
selves by the world’s standards; but to remember that it is
their duty as exponents of the divine standards to discern
sin and meanness and selfishness In the bright light of the
spirit of the Truth and to measure UD to that as nearlv as
tilelr imperfect bodies and their envirohment, with the L&d’s
grace assisting, will permit.
SEES INDUSTRIAL WAR JUST AHEAD
Dr. E. G. Hirsch sees in the struggle between the rich and
powerful of America and the dependent classes the same con-
ditions that existed in France just prior to the French Revolu-
tion. In a sermon delivered last night at Temple Israel, treatr
ing on the situation in the anthracite coal region of Pennsyl-
vania, he sounded a note of warning to the “men who so auda-
ciously declare that the treasures gf the earth are by unquea-
tionable right their own, to have and to hold anainst all man-
kind.” -
Today he reiterated the statement< of the sermon.
“Our religion teaches,” he said, “ttiat a man’s ploneltv is
not his own, but is merely held bv ‘him in trust fol -thd benefit
of all The uowerful of earth shiuld realize that wc are in the
midst of the&same conditions that existed in France and which
brought on the Revolution.
“The rich and powerful classes in France refused to take
warning from whai was going on about them and relied upon
the Dower which thev fancied thev had. The Revolution came
like &the eruption of ; volcano, an> we in America should take
warmnrr.
‘.Tlii earth belongs to God awl not to ind~r~dual mm.
Therefore whatever man nroduces shnald be administered to
the benefit of all and not ‘for that of the selfish few. --
“The proper social condition is not one where men crush
down the multitudes and disrecard their claims upon their
consideration, but where ncnlth Ts so distributed and &organized
that social well-being is within the reach of all honest and vir-
tuous men.
“Right now we are st,~ntlinx over a volcano which map
burst forth with all the furv of Pclec. Tire securitr of the men
who despise the don-ntrodilen burden-bearers is i fancied se-
curity.
“In times past the police and militarv forces of the coun-
try have been willing to protect them. They forget that these
forces are drawn from the very ranks of the people they are
oppressing, and that theil svmpathics are naturally with their
o& people. Therefore if th& rontinue to diqremarcl the nishes
of the neonle and to flinr in’sults at them the ‘?ime will come
~lieri tileir calls for protection will fall upon nnheeding ears
“It is a saddening thonght that a ‘captain of industry’
could become so inflated with his own arrogance as to lav God-
piren claim to hi? hnltlm~~ upon tllc cartb. Such a man”is bllt
fanning the smoldering embers of hate, discnntent and unrest,
so that the prosperity for which he hopes will pap the penalty.
If they are temporarily successful in their oppression they
must expect the discontent and hatred of the conquered to con-
tinue to rankle and to burjt forth anew as soon as the op-
p1c~secl have rejted and recruited their strengtll.“--ChrcnCro
Anleriaan.
LORD’S HOUSE
For hc hnth fouwded it upon the
who hath ?zot lift& up
24~1-4.
restraints of the present social order, and at times pans trlr-
bulent and threatening. The hills and mountains reprc?cnt
governments.
1Jllen the earth is the Lord’s and the fallnrsq thereof, it
nil1 not be because all the kingdoms of this world will have
hcen conrelted to God and purified. and their kings permitted
to reign by the grace of God, as they now claim to do, and
docile and submis&c to thr present g0vernin.c powers, but it
nil1 br as the prophet drclareq. brcnuse Got1 will hnvr “fotlndetl
it upon the s&s And established it upon the flnods ” That is,
the present earth, or social organization, and the present
heavens. or ruling powers. will have passed away. and the new
earth will be established upon the ruins of the old. When the
waves of the restlrqs sea-element of snriety shall have arisen
in their might and overwhelmed the whole nresrnt social order,
so that the-wild and stormy sea of anarchy’shall prevail every:
where, then, amidst the wreck and ruin, the desolation and
universal drspondencv and despair, the voice of Jehovah will
br heard, saying, “Be still, and know that I am God; I
will be exalted among the nationq, I will be exalted in the
(358-362) ZION’S WATCH TOWER ALLEGHENY,PA.

earth.” (I’sa. 46.10) And out of the wild commotion of that promptly frill saken. The hantls mnst not 11(, clc~fil~~tl~itll the
stolnq sea God will bring order and peace. holding of bribes, nor with the gain of oppression, and every
Instead of this restless sea of humanity he will found the evil thing must be resolutely put away. (Isa 33 : 15) It is in
Ned earth, the ne\v order of things; yea,- and he will firmly vain that any profess loyalty to God and to his anointed King
( s/trtrZ,sh rt upon [in place of] the floods; there he nil1 estab- and kingdom while they continue in a sinful course of action.
llhil 111s lil!i~tlom (‘ which cannot be moved.” (Heb. 12:28) Loyalty to the kingdom signifies determined opposition to sin
AntI l!e 11111 svt hi, King upon his holy hill of Zion and give in all its forms and a firm resistance of it.
to lilrn tlic nations for hi5 inheritance, and the uttermost parts “A pure heart. “-That signifies purity of will, intention
of the eai th for his possession. (Psa. 2:6, 8) Then, indeed, or purpose, which, like the needle to the pole, always turns
~1x11 the liln~‘. the Lord’s anointed. reilrn in rlzhteousness and toward rlglkteousness. Though some sudden or strong tempta-
!,11ncc5 s’>:ill ‘ilccrer justice (Isa. 32 : 1” ; and-in consequence tion may for an instant, through the weakness of the flesh,
tllcs:c s!1:111br alluntlnnce of peace so long as the moon en- draw it ‘to the right or to the Irft, yet qulcklp it recovers its
~:llrr4ll.--l’sx 72 .;. normal poqltlon. which is true to righteousness and truth. ,I
‘1‘111~rc1,111ihm 1~ but one kingdom (mountain or hill) in pure heart loves righteousness and truth, and hates iniquity.
all tllc world-the k~ngtlom of God: and his anointed will be It loves nurlty. and dcsmses all that is imnure and unholv. It
I\~nr 111all thr earth III that tlnv. (Zech. 14:O) This hill or loves cle:dnliie& of person, of clothing, bf language ant1 of
1~~~1~~1~~1n ot’ the J,or(l 1, that to &hich the Psalmist refers when habits. It delights only in the society of thp pure, and shuns
IIC# r:rlY,,! t11c (Ille~tlr~rl. “\\.IIo shall ascend into the 11111of the all others, knowing that “evil communications corrupt good
l,or(l. ant1 nho’s!lnll stantl in his holv glare?” To ascend into manners.”
the llill of the Lold IS to come into ‘his kingdom RR loyal and “\Vhn hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity.“-Pride
c)bc(llcBnt subiect5, as trur cltixrns. worthv of all its blessings is an abomination to the Lord and to all those who partake of
nnfl grivilr& ; and not as aliens and foreigners, having no his spirit. It is a weed which, if once permitted to tnkc root in
part ;tor lotin the common interests and inheritance of aff the the hpart, will soon crowd ollt. every grace. The Psalmist says,
tulle and 10~1 people of God. viz., eternal life and all its bless- “I hate vain thoughts:” and such sl~oultl br nw sentiments.
inps of nghtroLsn&s, peare ‘and ‘everlasting joy. Who indeed The grace of humlhty, meekness, is one of the mnst bealltiful
shall bc counted worthv thus to ascend into the mountain of that .cnn adorn the character. It takes a sober estimate of per-
the Lord? “And who shall stand in his ho!y place?” The ref- sonal quallticntions, is not Duffed UD. does not behave unbe-
WVIIW hrrc is to the antitype of the typlcnl temple of God, comingiy, and seeks to exercise its tilents, not for pride and
~1hich, standing upon the top of Mount Zion, prefigured the rain glory, hut for the iov of doing good. It is modest, candid
glorious true temple, the church of the living God, in kingdom and sincere, both in consideration of its own qualifications and
power and glory. Who shall stand in that holy place in that those of others. What comfort and pleasure are found in the
age of glory and blessing now so near at hand ?-who shall be society of those possesqed of such a spirit!
counted worthy to reign with Christ in his kingdom? “Nor sworn deceitfully.“-Those who make n solemn cove-
The answer to both inquiries is the same, “He that hath nant with the Lord, and who thereafter wilfully despise or
clean hands and a pure heart: who hath not lifted up his soul ignore it, hare swnrn deceitfully; and surely no such diqloynl
unto vnnitv, nor sworn deceitfullv.” These will be the required subjects can be admitted either to citizenship or heirship in
ql~alificntions for cltlnUens/zip In the kingdom, when the kingdom the kingdom of God. Rut those who, in this age. have made a
15 cstnblishetl : and thev are also the auslifications recluired solemn covenant with God and who are true to their covenant,
now of all those who wbuld be heirs of ihat coming kingdom. even unto death, they Fhall ascend into the holy place, the
Tt will br observed that the qualifications mentioned are not temple of God-thev shall he the heirs of the kingdom, joint-
those of faith (for faith in the gospel of the kingdom, which heirs with .Tesus Christ; while all such, in the age to come,
inrludcs faith in Christ the King and Redeemer, is zmplied in shall be rerognized and privileged citizens of the kingdom.
the deqire to be in the kingdom in any capacity) ; but the These shall receive the blessings of the Lord promised in his
qunlilications mentioned here are those of character. The Scrip- Word. After first receiving the imputed righteousness of
t’urcq elqe\vhrre make more specific mention of the necessaiy Christ through faith, they may, under divine grace, be made
faith, but always implying a character consistent with the perfect in righteousness and worthy of eternal life.
f,i itll. (Xds 16.31 : John 3:16, 36). The prophet does not This is the generation of them that seek the face of the
ignore faith, but points to that character which is the legiti- God of .Tacob. Men do not obtain these blessings without seek-
mate consequence of a true faith exercised unto godliness. A in? them, nor wvlthout seeking them in God’s wav-throurh
faith which (km not produce character is null and void. (Jas. Chlist, bir humble reliance up& his finished work ‘of redemi-
2: 17) Therefore it is plain that both the heirs and the sub- tion, and by the full conserration of all their ransomed powers
Irct+ of tile kincdom of God must have that character which is of mind and body to his holy will, which is only our reasonable
Ilnth hecottcn nnd developed bv the faith of the gospel; for if service.
tlrc faith of the eospel he held in unrighteousness there is no Beloved, ye who are called by his grace to stand in hiq holv
1)I:lcc itr t11e kin&l& for any such. (Ram. 1 .18) Let us con- place, let us nonder these thinps. Are our hands clean and our
sltler t?w chnrartcr-requirements here mentioned. hearts pure?& are we humble”and faithful to our covenant?
“Clean hands.“-That means clean actions, clean conduct. Let us see that we meet these conditions, and let us run with
If bad hnbit~ of any kind have been cultivated, they must be patience the race set before us, looking unto Jesus.

“SPEAK, LORD; FOR THY SERVANT HEARETH”

[Reprinted in issue of November 15, 1907, which please see.]

CHRISTMAS HOPES AND JOYS

LUKE 2 : 8-20.-DEC. 31.
“For unto you is born this day in the city of Darrzd a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.”
Christmas (or Christ’s festival) by general usage is cele- ness from time to time throughout the preceding 4,000 years.
brntcd on Decemhcr 25th; and since its commemoration is not He who does not discern something, at least, of the divine plan
enjoined in the Scriptures, but is merely a voluntary commemo- of the ages in connection with our Savior? his birth, his three
ration of n. ,grext fact rather than of a particular date, we do and one-half years’ ministry, his sacrifillal death, his resur-
well to celebrate it decorously at the usual time;-notwith- rection, his ascension, etc., fails to get the real strength of the
standing the fact that we disagree with the date, and hold, divine revelation, designed by the Lord to be the firm foun-
according to the evidences, that our Lord was born about dation for his people’s confidence in him and in all the glorious
October lqt, and that December 25th, nine months previous, things which he has promised he would yet accomplish through
wa$ probably the date of the annunciation.*-Luke 1:30, 31. this great Savior.
Our confidence in Jesus that he was the sent of God, the Note the original promise of the Savior shortly after sin
Redeemer, the Jlessinh, the Deliverer of his people, rests not had wounded our first parents and brought them under divine
merely upon the lestimony of the apostles in the New Testa- sentence. (Gen. 3: 15) Note the promise made to Abraham
ment records, wonderful and convincing as these testimonies respecting Messiah that he should be of his posterity. ( Gen.
are: they gain nine-tenths of their weight and importance from 22: 18) Notice the same to Jacob. (Gen. 28: 14) To David.
the fact that thrv evidence the fulfilment of promises, types (2 Sam. 7:12-16) Through Isaiah the prophet, his coming
and prophecies given by the Lord with more or less explicit- and his greatness are foretold. (9:6, 7; ll:l-9) Daniel, the
l See MILLENNIAL DAWN, VOL. II, p. 54. prophet, also refers to the importance of his work of making
131141
DECEMBER I, 1902 ZION’S WATCH
an end of sin and bringing in everlasting righteousness, and
thus sealing the visions and prophecies which the Lord had
just given respecting him and -the favor to come through him.
(Dan. 9:24) We recall also how he was tvnified in Isaac, who
was not only the heir of the promises mide to Abraham, but
who was also in a figure put to death and received again from
the dead. We remember also the types and figures of the
Mosaic arrangement, and how Moses himself was declared to be
like unto the greater one to come after him.
Had the hopes of Israel been merely concoctions to deceive
the people, we may be sure that the deceiver would have been
careful to have marked out some remarkable line of parentage
for the coming Messiah ;-free from blights, scandals, etc.: but
this was not aone; instead, the weakneGes of the flesh amongst
our Lord’s progenitors are fearlessly noted. Judah, the son of
Jacob, and head of the tribe from which our Lord sprang, was
not above reproach and his general character was- faithfully
portraved; his son. Phares, through whom our Lord’s lineage
runs, was. born of’an unlawful union. Rahab, the harlot “of
.Jericho, a foreigner who became an Israelite indeed, was
amongst our Lord’s progenitors; so was Ruth, the Moabitess,
another foreigner, adopted as .an Israelite. .The line, even
through David, is comnromised bv coming through Bathsheba.
the w;dow of Uriah, the Hittite.” The NEW TesGment writers
are similarly candid and make no hesitation in recording the
genealogy. All of this is in full accord with the scriptural
presentation of the matter; namely, that our Lord’s virtue, his
sinlessness, his separateness from sinners, was not through the
flesh, not through his mother, but through his Father, God.”
According to the flesh, Jesus Christ took hold of the seed
of Abraham, as the Apostle explains; but as we have already
seen, through various circumstances he was indirectly related
also to the outside world. All of this is interesting to us, but
nothing to be compared to our still greater interest in the
fact that our Lord Jesus, although born a Jew under the law,
and redeeming those who were under the law, did more than
this. in that his death as planned bv the Father and accented
bv himself was a propitiation “for the sins of the whole woild.”
He died as the ransom price for Adam and his sin, and thus
purchased from condemnation not only Adam, but his entire
posterity involved through his transgression; hence, as the
Apostle points out, “He is able to save [deliver] unto the
uttermost all who come unto God through him.” (Heb. 7:25)
Not only so, but our Lord’s circumstances of birth and early
experiences in comparative poverty as a working man, impress
LIS u lth the thought that he is indeed able to sympathize with
mankind in every station of life; having passed from the glory
of the Father to the lowest condition of humanity and back
again, he is surely able to appreciate and to sympathize with
all conditions and classes.
The narrative of our lesson is so simple as to require few
comments; our chief interest centers in the message which our
heavenly Father sent us through the angels at the time they
announced the birth of Jesus: “Fear not”-the angel under-
stood well that through sin and degradation a fearful appre-
hension comes over man when he finds himself in contact with
sprrit beings; he is apprehensive of certain further condem-
nation or punishment; his acquaintance with man in influence,
authority and power, leads him to dread the still greater au-
thority and power of the Almighty, lest it should b’: injurious
to him. Only the true Christian, having the eyes of his under-
stancling opened to appreciate the length and breadth and
height and depth of the love of God, can have that perfect love
toward the heavenly Father, which is built upon an intimate
knowledge of his Word, and which casteth out all fear. We
arc‘ reminded of the prophet’s words respecting the Lord’s
people of today. “Their fear toward me is taught by t,he precept,
of men.” (Isa. 29: 13) The Lord would have his people free
from this fear, though not free from a proper reverence toward
him
The message continues, “I bring you good tidings of great
ior, which shall be to all neonle.” How slow the Lord’s D~OD~P
have been to believe this ‘message and to accept the Sa;ior’at
his full worth! How prone they seem to be to suppose first
of all that he was to be a Savior merelv for the Jews: or sec-
ondlv, a Savior merely for a special elect class; or thirdly, a
Savi”or onlv for those who under nresent darkness. i-nnorance.
prejudice, &pcrstltion and d~~vilisjl influc~nre~. man1fZ.t a qpc:
cial love for righteousness! Rut how bread is the statement
-great joy-for all people! Our faith is not broader than the
positive declaration of the Scriptures, when we hold firmly
that our God graciously has arranged that everv member of
our poor fallen race shall yet bc blessed with a clear under-
standing not only of his own weaknesses and imperfections
through the fall, but also hy a clear understanding of the great
l See MILLENNIAL DAWN, VOL. v, chap. 4.
131151
TOWER (363-364)
redemption price paid by the Savior, and a share in the glorious
oppo~ tunities thus secured to return, if he will, back-to full
harmony with God and to full blessings and everlasting life.
The angels did not declare that our Lord came to bring
universal and everlasting salvation to all people; but they do
declare that the good message of joy, of privilege, love, hope,
shall extend to all people. The explanation of this is that a
Savior had been born, a delivcier of the wrak, thc Irc~lplrss, the
dying, able to succor to the utmost all who would come to the
Father through him; able to open the blind eyes and to unstop
the deaf ears that all may come to an appreciation of the good-
ness of God shining toward them in the face of the Lord Jesus.
The word Savior. otherwise rendered Deliverer. sie?lifien 1n
the Syraic language, literally Life-giver. What ‘a ~Gonderful
thought is conveyed by that word! What is it that our poor.
dying race needs? It needs deliverance from the sentence of
death, and then it needs deliverance from death itself, into life
complete and abundant and everlasting. Our Lord has alreadv
become our deliverer in the sense that he has bought us with
his precious blood, that he had settled our account with Jus-
tice. As a result of this work already done (since the church
which is the body of Christ has followed in the footsteps of
our Lord and has about “filled up that which is behind of the
afflictions of Christ,” (Col. 1:24) very shortly now, under the
sounding of the Seventh Trumpet; the mystery of God will be
finished,-completed ,-and atonement for the sins of the world
shall be proclaimed with a full emancination nroclamation to
all people. Good tidings of great joy itwill s&elv be! full of
gracious opportunities for enlightenment. restitution and obe-
dience, and* for a full return 50 all that was lost by father
Adam, including life in perfect degree-lasting life'
No wonder after this message had been delivered, the Lord
permitted an angel host to serenade tbe proclamation, and inci-
dentally to prophesy also of the grand results yet to flow from
the great work of redemption, which was then only beginning
in the birth of the Redeemer! Properly the anthem begins
with praise to him that sitteth upon the throne, to him who
devised the great and wonderful plan of redemption and who
sent his Son, our willing Redeemer; glory to him in the highest
-in the highest strain of heart and voice, with fullest appre-
ciation of him as a Savior! Next came the consequences on
earth; namely, peace:-not such a peace as men might patch
up between themselves and between nations and parties. and
that under present conditions would be sure very sonn to be
scattered to the winds: but a peace with God, a peace which
comes from a restoration to the race of the divine good will.
It was because divine justice could not spare the guilty, that
the sentence of death, the “curse,” has borne down upon our
race for now six thousand years. Under that divine sentence
of death the dying race has become inpoveriqhed. not onlv physi-
cally, but mentallv and morally, and selfis!mcss hns’hecome
the rule, and in its wake have come all our selfish ambitions
and pride and strife and vain-glory and moncv love which have
caused so much of the trouble that mankind’has exnerienced.
But now ., glory to God in the highest! because-peace h<as
been establrshed upon a firm foundation-the lifting of the
curse through the payment of our penalty by the Lord’s own
arrangement! As soon as the body of Christ has suffered with
tlre Head, the great antitypical day of atonement will be com-
plete, and peace between God and man will be estnhlished, will
be renewed, and as a consequence the Redeemer shall take to
himself his great power and reign for the purpose of blessing
and uplifting those whom he purchased with his own preciolls
blood. In their interest it will be nccesnarv that the treat
peace shall be introduced by the breaking in”pieces of present
institutions with the iron rod of the new kingdom. aq the
vessel of a potter they shall be crushed as hrnccfnrth LIWIWC:
that in their stead may come the grander and perfect inqtitu-
tions of the Lord’s kingdom Hc will wound to heal. to bless.
to bring in peace on the haSis of everlasting ri,:htcnusness: for
ultimatrly he will destrnv all tbosr who, after beinp brought to
a knowledge of the truth, will still love unrighteousness and
tend to the corruption of the earth. He will drstroy them. not
in anger hut in justice, in love, that an everlasting peace in
full accord with that which is in hraven may prevail upon
earth.
Wherever the story of God’s redeeming love has gone, even
though confused bv various falsities. it has carried more or less
of blessing with it;-even to neglectful hearers and not doers
of the Word, it has brought blessing; and still more blessing
to other+ who hear partlv and obey partly; but its greatest
blessing has been to the little flock, the royal priesthood who,
entering into the spirit of the divine arrangement. have real-
ized themselves justified through faith in the precious blood,
and in harmony with the invitation of the Lord have gone for-
ward, presenting themselves living sacrifices that they might
(365-366) ZION’S WATCH TOWER ALLEGHENY. Pa.

have fellowship with Christ in the sufferings of this present
time, and also, by and by, in the kingdom glories that shall
follow. It is this class chiefly that is now rejoicing in a still
fuller opening up of the divine Word so long beclouded by the
fal*rties coming down from the dark ages; it is this class that
is chiefly now rejoicing in the discernment of the lengths and
breadths and heights and depths of the divine love and & the
divine lan which has purchased the whole world and will
eventua f ly recover from present degradation all who under the
favorable conditions of the Millennial kingdom will develop the
character which God demands of all who shall have eternal
life-a love of righteousness and hatred of iniquity.

REVIEW OF THE YEAR

D~c~nrn~n 28.
GOLDEN !bxr:---“Lord, thou hast bcc~ our dxelllng place [refuge] in all generations.“-Psa. 0O:l.
Hannv surelv nil1 all those be who at the close of the vear
I I”
the cover of his merit and his robe of righteousness. It will
can look back&-d throunh rt and realize that safe and secure comfort our hearts, in any event, to remember the suggestion
in tile cite" of refuse n%ch God has nrovidcd for us as hi8 of the Aoostle that if God so loved us while we were vet sin-
ptoplt., we have been prospering, rejoicmg, growing under his ners thai he gave his only begotten Son for our rede”mption,
fsror and guidance in a knowledge of hm~sclf and of his plans muc!l more does he love us-more even than that, now that we
respectrng mankind ; and cspcc~ally re~pcctmg t!le elect church, arc adopted into his family and seeking to walk in the foot-
the bo,l,v of Christ, which in the school of Christ i8 now being steps of ,Jesui, however imperfectly our good desires may be
prcl~aretl for the glorious \Icrl; of the hlillennial kingdom. 1Ve accomplished.
trust that our dear readers will find much of encouragement as \\.e need to make fresh resolutions continuallv along the
thry look back. If WC can see that we have faithfully sought way, and now at the close of the year is a favorable time for
at every step to walk in the footsteps of Jesus, we will have this. Not that we liberate ourselves in anv degree from the
special cause for rcjoicmg; an,1 if we see, on the contrary, everlasting covenant into which we entered &th%rr Lord, but
t!lnt soxne of the steps IIn\ e been crooked and perverte, autl if that recognizing its permanence, me strengthen oursclves by
n e mourn for slrc~h digr+iions fi om t!lo n:Irio\v w,rv, 11e may rz-as-eltq it to the Lord, telling him of Our good desires
be sure that the Lord i; \~~~rv pitiful. of tcxncler compassion, and intentions in respect to faith for the future, and improv-
It 15 tor t!rI> ';t'iy
ready to forgave, to lie41. to 11~~11~. re.l\~~Il tl:at ing so notable an occasion as the beginning of another year
he provided this city of refugr, and for this vrry rcahcni that for thi8 reiteration of our loyalty and of our confidence in his
\\e must needs abide in it continually--abide in Christ under f,:ithfulness.

“THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD”

The Lord, in calling hi8 people his sheep, chose a very
significant emblem of the character he woulcl have manifested
m them. The most noticeable characteristics of the sheep are
meekness, docility and obedienct to the shepherd to whose care
they fully entrust tliemselvcs. They are very true to the shep-
herd: they etutly his voice, watch for the indications of his
~111, and trustfully obey him. VVhen they hear his voice,
quickly, and nitbout the 8lrghte8t he\itntion or faltering, they
run to obey it. Cut the voice of a stranger they mill not fol-
low, for they know not the voice of strangers.
1Vhat a lesson ix here for the Lord’s “little ilock,” over
nhom hc is the good Shepherc!. The weakest lamb in the flock
knows his voice and hears him say, “This is the way: walk ye
in it.” And while there are thou8ands of voices calling, now
m this direction and now in that, the Lord’s sheep, acquainted
with hi8 Spirit and his Kord, turn away from all save the well
known voice of the Shepherd. In various ways our Shepherd
speaks to his flock of sheep ant1 lambs. His written words
treasured uu in the heart mark the way of truth continually;
lli8 8pcinl Aprovitlence8 further shape -the peculiar course -of
each individual : and ths ahiclina nresence of his holv Spirit
makes mnnifest’evrrv intrusion o‘f’ any other spirit whiih seeks
to beguile and to Itad astray. The true sheep will carefully
listen for the faintest accents of the voice of the Shepherd-
’ t., he ~11 treasure up his words in his heart:
1. ile will
cturly his proviclences : and he will cultivate that communion
and perqonnl fellow&rip \rith the Lord which are his privilege.
Tho\e who thus abide in him can never go astray.
“Tll~v can never, never lose their way.”
Thry may not have much learnill~, nnZ. hum&Iv speaking,
would not be able to rrnvnlc with all the 8onhistries of error.
But. being so well acquainted with the Xaqter’s voice, they
quickly perceive that iuch vcices are the voices of strangers,
and thev \\ill not follow them; for thev are loyal and obe-
dient to* the Shepherd only.
In such an attitude of mind and heart is our onlv safetv
in the midst of all the difficulties and confusion of this evil
clay. And all such mav confidrntly sing with the PRalmist-
“The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He maketh
me to lit down [to rest-the rest of faith] in green pastures
[with abundance of satisfying food] ; he lesdeth me beside the
still waters [deep, refreshing truths]. He restoreth my soul
[reclaims it from death] ; he leadeth me in the paths of
righteousness for his name’s sake [because I am his child and
bcdr hi8 honored name]. Yea, though I walk through the ral-
Icy of the shado:v of death [The entire iournev of life since
the fall has been through a vale of tears, upon &ch rests the
shadow of death], I will fear no evil; for thou art with me;
thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me. [Thy word and provi-
dences discinline and guide me in the wavl.” Our Shenherd’a
providence not only disciplines the true* sheep, but protects
them from the “wolvem”u and other foes.
With the Prophet, we can also say, “Thou nrenarest a table
before me in tlie presence of mine- enemies *[for even while
beset bv Satan and Sin. we are sustained bv the Lord’s abun-
dant provision for every necessity] : thou anointest my head
nith [the] oil [of joy], my cup [pleasure] runneth over [even
while, as a pilgrim, I am beset with life’s difficultlts].” And,
in view of ihe‘ Lord’s present and past leading, all, who con-
tinue to be truly his sheep, can certainly trust that-“Surely
goodness and mercy shall follow me, all the days of my hfe;
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord [will be recognized
as a member of his household, as his child] forever.”
Let us seek to cultivate more and more the meek, docile and
loyal character of the sheep, that so we may be abundantly
blessed by the care of the good Shepherd. Such a disposition
does not commend itself to the world-the wayward goat. the
bold lion, or the stealthy bear, the suhtle serpent and vicious
vampire are nlore fitting emblem8 of their ideals, and are us-
ually the emblems selected for their escutcheons. But let the
world love its own, while we remember that we are not of the
world, but are sent forth as sheep, in the midst of wolves, and
that our safety and spiritual prosperity depend, not upon our
own wisdom and sagacity, but entirely upon our diligent
hearkening to, and patient following of, the voice of the good
Shepherd, who will very soon highly exalt his little flock and
crown them with an exceeding and eternal weight of glory.

LETTERS
DE.IR BROTITER :-
Gratitude and love to a gracious God and to you, his ser-
vant, constrain me to write this note. I resigned the Southern
Methodist pulpit in the town of-, this state. I resigned
supposedly on account of my health, but really on account of
my faith. I had not yet “added” courage to my faith (2 Pet.
1:5) ; was not yet really in the truth, but feeling for it. Keep-
ing my “heretical” doubts to myself, I continued searching.
Meanwhile, until la& week, I have sustained supernumerary
relations to the Conference which met last week, and, if they
13116 J
OF INTEREST
granted my request, which I suppose they did, John 8:32 is
fulfilled in my experience. For the first time in my life “I
stand erect and free.”
I was searching earnestly for the light in the city library
in Denver, Cola., reading everything that promised to throw
light on the hard problems of life and death, when my eye
fell on your God-directed work, MILLENNIAL DAWN. I had
heard of it and knew that it was much despised; nevertheless,
I resolved to read it earnestly and with an open mind, for in
my distress I had reached that point where I was willing to
DECEMBER 1. 1902 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (367-371)

receive truth even from “Nazareth.” I read all five volumes correct rendering. Now, gentlemen, why don’t you preach the
with my Bible always open and with ever-increasing delight. Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ?” Bv this time Bro. H-
Again I thank you for pointing 80 constantly and faith- had- Bro. C-by the arm, pulling hcrn down the street, and
fully to the “more sure word of prophecy;” truly it “shines said to me, “Well. I reckon YOU will have to make the ministers
as a light in a dark place.” preach it fight.‘, . May God have mercy on the preacher8 who
Enclosed find one dollar for the WATCH TOWER. I am are promulgating false doctrine! Yours in Christian love,
working at my old trade, stone-cutting, and shall continue at W. B. SUTTON,--Virginlo.
it (D. V.). I should like to distribute some more tracts. MY DEAR BROTHER RUSSELL:-
Your brother, E. L. KENDRICK,-M~ssou?-~. I want, in a few words, to express my appreciation of the
MY DEAR BROTHER RUSSELL:- good things which we all received at the Washington conven-
I enclose you $-; please send me one of those new ref- tion. It was the grandest feast it has ever been my privilege
erence Bibles, and the remainder please apply to the “Good to attend, and the memory of it will remain with me as lonn
Hopes” of myself and wife. I am sorry we cannot at this time as I remain in this tabernacle. I wish to express my thank;
send a larger expression or our “Good Hopes,” for the “glad trcl- both to the Washington brethren, who contributed so much to
ings of great joy which shall be to all people.” We hope t0 the welfare and eniovment of visiting brethren, and also to
supplement this offering shortly. yourself and cowork& for the part wh:ch you contributed unto
And now I want to express to you and all those of the Bible edifving
Y u
the “bodv of Christ :” but above all I wish to thank
House at Allegheny how we enjoyed the conve’rtion at Wash- our dear Lord for” his manifest presence and blessing. I believe
ington. It was the greatest privilege of our lives to meet with it is impossible to estimate the good resulting from theye con-
so many dear friends of like precrous faith. It was truly a ventions, in the wav of spiritual blessinps. Each nerson
I nets
“time of refreshing from the nresence of the Lord.” Especi- some new light on different features of the plan and purp&,
ally was I delightgd to witness on this occasion the symbolic and these are taken home and civen to the Lord’s truth-hun-
bnotism of mv wife into the death of our Lord Jesus Christ. gry people who could not at&d; and the “unitv of the
We are now not only one in the flesh, but one in the spirit and spirit?’ is so manifest at these gatherings, that the “body,, is
body of Christ, and probationary members of the church trium- more and more “knit toeether rn love.” while all realize the
phant. We nrav that we mav oass our trial successfullv and significance of Paul’s sta?ement, “Forsake not the assembling
“rejoice in dur “sufferings and All up that which is behind of of-yourselves together,” as they otherwise would not. In my
the nfllictions of Christ in our flesh for his bodv’s sake.” and in own case, I can trulv sav that I received such an unlift and
so doing mav finish our course with iov. ” blessing as it has Geve; been mv lot to experienck before.
For-your- benefit and encouragement I want to say, dear Praise God for hi8 goodness, blessing and love, as it is now
Bro. Russell. the literature vou are sending forth as “meat in manifested to his chosen people. May his favor and his spirit
due season,” is making the household of’ faith strong, yea. be continued to you, dear Bro. Russell, and to all the brothers
brave in the Lord, by truth. This morning I was hailed on and sisters everywhere, and may we all be kept by the power
the street bv mv former castor. a D. D. (in whose presence two of God until we shall receive the “change” promised,-is my
years ago I’ would have- quailed). He .mtroduced me to an- daily prayer.
other D. D.. and asked if I had anv news. I said, “Yes, rood Sincerely, your brother and servant in the Lord,
nens!” and drew from my pocket one of the discourse8 “as I R. H. BARBER,-Neti York.
had taken rt down at Washington. I said, “Look here,-in DEAR BROTHER RUSSELL :-
Arts 3:21 God has promised restitution of all things, and that 1 am an old man 78 years of age, with a very limited edu-
ail the holy prophets had spoken of it,” and I showed him cation, but a subscriber to WATCH TOWER for two years and
in their respective order from 1 Samuel to Malachi they all have MILLENNIAL DAWN. Pardon me for intruding on vour
had spoken of it copiously, and that further God himself had precious time in telling you how I enjoy reading- tge DA&-S
made a covenant with Abraham as to this restitution and and TOWERS; and now after being a member of the M. E.
nfhrmed the same to Isaac and Jacob; and now that these church for 35 vears I have withdrawn from that church as I
patriarchs were dead, together with countless millions who could not endorse its doctrines; am no member now, but try-
had not received those blessings, said I, “the Lord has shown US ing to serve the Master as best I can. Pray for me. -
in Jno. 5 :25, 29 when and where to look for the solution of Yours truly, A. J. JONES,-Pennsylvania.
this matter ” In repeating the last clause of the 29th verse [We trust, dear brother, that you may never withdraw
he broke in and said “damnation.” I said, “No str! ‘bv judg- from the true church-“whose names are written in heaven.”
ment,’ and you know as well as I do that ‘by judgment’ is the -Editor.]

VOL. XXIII ALLEGHENY, PA., DECEMBER 15, 1903 No. 24

VIEWS FROM THE WATCH TOWER

THE REAPERS NOT YET CRYING OUT firmer inside hold upon all the industries of the world. It is
In view of our interpretation of James 5:1-g* and in view, to their interest to have just as little )nonef/ afloat as nossible-
further, of the present prosperous times amongst farmers and they can the more easily control the financial ke$ of the
others in the United States ant1 Canada, Eolne are inquiring world’s business. If there were no money, the bankers’ credits
when and how we should now expect the’ fulfilment of James’ would be the substitute. The manufacturer would then deposit
prophecy. We answer that we are not sorry the American farm- deeds or mortgages or stocks with his banker and secure c&dtt
ers are not pinched, but prosperous. No one of noble heart could and be permitted to Issue bank checks against that credit:
take delight at the distress of others. We account for the and those bank checks, or representations of credit, would pns;
delay of the pinch and the cries, here, as follows:- current instead of money, and the bankers would have the
(1) The Spanish war, the Boer war, the Philippine war, entire control of the credit and charge interest, or toll. on
the China war and several small wars and preparations for all the business of the earth. Conditrons are approximating
war, in Abyssina, Hayti, Colombia, Argentine, Peru, and Chile, this at present in that nrobahlv nine-tenths of the worlcl’s
anal the immense naval expenditures of Japan, Great Britain, business - is done on imerest-bearing credits, whrle actual
Germany and the United States, have put thousands of millions motley suffice8 merely for small retail transactions.
of dollars into circulation during the past five years; and the But what is the difference so long as we have prosperitv?
effect could not be other than to bring great prosperity in The difference is that the treating of stock shares as money”is
manufacturing lines. bringing fabulous wealth to a numerous class ; but since many
(2) The -famines in India and Russia and China, and crop of these stocks are over-valued, over-capitalized, it follows that
shortages in Eurone and South America. and the drouth in as war-expenditures decrease a panic will occur the like of
Australia, have al< conspired to make a great demand for all which the world has never known. “The miahtv man shall
the cattle and crops of this country, and at good prices. weep then bitterly”-the rich shall “weep and howl.,, That
(3) The deficiency of money (decreased by the demonetiza- will be a time of general loss of confidence when bankers’
tion of silver) would surely have hindered this wave of pros- credits will be at their ebb. Under the new conditions. and with
perity from rising as it has risen, were it not for the shrewd- the money and the moneymaking property in the hands of the
ness of the American bankers who have much more than made bankers, it would be unwise to attemnt to outline or to nar-
up for the loss of silver by organizing immense corporations I ticulariie the character of event8 that-will ultimately lead’the
and trusts whose stocks, like railway shares, are given a money reapers to cry out; but we have confidence in the correctness
value in all banks. The bankers thus make interest on loans of the prediction and believe that the demonetizing of silver
represented by those shares, and at the same time have a and the consequent decrease of the world’s money will be seen
l See MILLENNIAL DAWN, VOL. rv, p. 392. Also see Z. May 1, 1919, to be at the bottom of that trouble, directly or indirectly pre-
p. 133. cipitating it.
IV-24 [3117]
(372-373) ZION’S
THE AQRARIANS OF GERMANY
Even at uresent urices of agricultural products, the farmers
I A
of Germany, contendrng with poorer soil and smaller farms, are
“crvina out” that they can no longer compete with Ameri-
can” pr:ducts, and demanding tariff-protect;on. The Govern-
ment (the Emperor) is not averse to the tariff, but fears that
even a small rise in the price of food necessities would uinch
the mechanics and laborers of the cities, and necessitate a-raise
of wages which. in turn. would further hinder the industries of
Germ&y, which have been much depressed for over a year.
The Agrarian party in the German Parliament has hitherto been
the Government’s standby: but now the Agrarians freely hint
that if they do not get tariff protection they will oppose bating
ouhlic moneys for the buildma of new warshins. and otherwise
endeavor to thwart the Emper&% will until theLtariff is granted.
The Emperor, who is thus without his regular supporters,
sc’es the Socialist party increasing in numbers and influence
yearly; and now notes-the threat: of the Agrarians, and that
many of them favor affiliation with their former ouuonents (the
Socialists). The Emperor is thus forced to conhiliate more
and more the third party, the Centrists (the Roman Catholic
party), who are apparently ready and willing to trade every
other ‘measure in the interest of their church.- Thus the Pope,
throuah this nartv. is likely to dominate the Emueror A verv
thoroighly : indeed
A ” ’ under the circumstances it is no wonder
the Emperor is reputed to have a leaning toward Catholicism.
His first conviction is that he reigns by “divine right,” “by
the grace of God.” His second convictron is that those who
favor him must be right.
Present conditions favor Catholicism in Germany more than
at any time since the days of the Reformation; but we are
not to look for a religious war; rather we may expect a greater
equnltty of all systems, with Romanism taking a leading part.
Let it not be forgotten that this religious fraternization, or
federation, is to come before the worst of the trouble comes:
and this evrdently is several years future even in these days of
rapid transformations and aggregations.
A PRESBYTERIAN PREACHER LOOKING IN THE RIGHT
DIRECTION
At the Presbyterian Synod’s session in Joplin, MO., Oct.,
28th, Rev. C. C. Hemenway delivered an Interesting discourse,
reported in the Joplzn Globe, as follows:-
“Rev. Hemenwav preached an eloquent and able sermon.
The address was a ilea for the appreccation of spiritual truth,
a call to Christians to live more deeolv in the heart of religious
truth. The text was taken from *Luke X3:8: ‘Neverthiless
when the Son of Man cometh shall he find faith on the earth?’
“The speaker said in beginning his address: At no time
during the present generation has it been so easy to be a pessi-
mist. so drflicult to be an ootimist. Whether the interests be
politmal or industrial, sociol<gical or spiritual, the same general
conditions everywhere prevail,-a state of doubt and unrest and
tear. For such a tune assuredly was asked the ambiguous
question of our Lord of hrs disc:ples: Nevertheless, when the
Son of Man comcth. shall he find faith on earth?
“I do not profess to be able to interpret with confidence
this searching question of Jesus. I can not feel sure of his
mind in this conversation. Was it a warnmg to his believers not
be lacking in faith as a guard against worldly influences, the
power of-which we now perhaps-can realize more fully -than
those to whom Jesus was sneaking? Was it a declaration that
the time would come when *faith Gould become weak and small
in the hearts and lives of men? Or was it the pleading voice of a
loving hIaster who would win our loyalty by suggesting the
possrbility of our failing in devotion,---as once h-e-said -when
men were deserting him. Will ye also ao away? Disclaiming
any dogmatic zeal” in the rnterpretatioz of this difficult con’-
elusion to a not less diflirult parable I feel confident that the
unclellving thought of every possible interorctation of this
sentence ii pecubarly applicable to the times-rn which we now
b\e. Whether it be a ulea for faith. or a warnine not to be
1;anting in faith, or an ahnouncement of a loss of fagh, in every
ease there are srgnifieant and responsive aspects and character-
istics of the meaning to be found in the religious world today.
Nevertheless, when fhe Son of Man comcth, shall he find faith
on the earth? If the Son of Man should come to the world of
this twentieth century wou!d he find faith on the earth? If he
were to visit the church universal, which bears his name through-
out our land and the world, would he find faith on the earth?
Answering neither for the optimist nor the pessimist, and turn-
ina from the theoretical to the practical. I ask your serious
co%ideration of some of the aspects of modern s&al and re-
ligious life most seriously significant of this inquiry of Jesus.
“Perhaps I can express my fundamental thought this eve-
ning most clearly by quoting from a report of a sermon by
WATCH TOWER ALLEGXKENY.PA.
President Charles Cuthbert Hall in Highgate Congregational
church, London. He was speaking on ‘The Appreciation of
Spiritual Truth as a Primary Duty of the Church,’ and was
reported as saying, that the conventionalism of life today creates
a strong temptation to be more interested in what we do than
in what we believe, and to get away from the responsibility of
thinking for ourselves. ‘We need,’ he says, ‘to live more deeply
in the ‘heart of religious truth, and 6 have a growing sp-
preciation of the beauty and nobleness of the fundamental
ideas of our religion.’
“Is there not here a clear and profound statement of the
religious condition of our time? Are we not more interested in
what we do than what we believe; and have we a worthy ap-
preciation of the beauty and nobleness of the fundamental ideas
of our religion?
“With all our zeal and all our activity.-buildinp churches
in beauty, like this in which we gather “tonight,-cushing on
the agencies of the church with treasuries unburdened with
debt; revising and improving our creed statements,-with all
our zeal and activity, are we searching deep into the nature of
the thin s of the kingdom of God for a better understanding
of the Bundamental verities of our faith? While in science,
in biology and chemistry and physics and electricity,-men are
studying deep into the nature of material things, is not the
church of God, in the main, dealing with superficials and satis-
fied to live on the surface of spiritual things? The call to the
revision of our creed (a voice which I am not to condemn to-
night), is a voice to which we may all, perhaps, respond Amen;
but is the call to revision sounding through our great church,
out of a new and profounder research into the eternal verities
of our faith than -the studies of an Edwards or a Calvin? or
is the call rather out of a desire to adiust ” our creed to the
times in which we live?
“Far more important than the mere question of revision
may be the inquiry as to its cause. Far more significant to
you and to me may be the real spiritual condition of the church
seeking a revision of its creed statements, than the mere ques-
tion of a verbal statement to be desired. We shall ncrer grow
strong by mere excision or even by addition; but only by secur-
ing deeper and surer foundatrons.
-“Re<. Hemenway showed how and why the question of
Jesus which formed his text. was addressed to our day and
generation, and showed different reasons. First: Within the
church : Instead of the wonders of creation, the consequence
of the fall of man, or the mysteries of redemption exciting the
interest or inquiry, the question of the inspiration, accuracy
and authority of the Bible-in a word, the higher criticism-
holds the attention.
“Second: Pulpit themes; the speaker said, ‘In studying the
trend of the times, I have found that business men say the pul-
pit has no message for them.’
“Third : The wavs of the church: Rev. Hemenway made
an earnest plea for the old hymns, such as ‘My faith looks up
to thee.’ ‘All hail the Dower of Jesus’ name.’ and others. as bet-
ter than the popular gospel hymn. He said that mu& of the
modern religious poetry is set to music that stirs the feet more
than the soul.
“Fourth : The neglect of parents to bring up their children
in the nurture and admonition of the Lord: dne of the best
evidences, Rev. Hemenway thinks, that parents do not teach
their children religion as once they did, is that the candidates
for the ministry in 1899 were 1433: in 1992 onlv 810.
“For reasons without the church: The speak& did not at-
tempt a sharp and close discrimination between the church and
the world, but looked for the general evidences of the decadence
of faith ‘which, he said, appear almost as frequently in the
lives of Christians as those not professing Christ. He pave as
first among the causes of this:& the chayacter of the :resent
strife for wealth. He said. While unscruuulous means for
acquiring riches have been employed for aies, the power of
passion for wealth over all is new and of our time. We need
to turn from the subject of the saloon on the Sunday to that
of the office on the Sunday. The second commandment means
no more to the community in its struggle for wealth than the
excise laws to the man of appetite. He said the motive for
obtaining wealth has changed, and quoted:
‘Gold! Gold! Gold! Gold!
Bright and yellow. hard and cold:
MoGen, car;en, hammered, rolled’;
Heavy to get and light to hold;
Hoarded. bartered. bought and sold:
Stolen, borrowed, squandered, doled;’
Spurned by the young, but hugged by the old
To the very verge of the churchyard mold;
Price of many a crime untold;
Gold! Gold! Gold! Gold!’
C31181
D~cerrs~m 15. 1902 ZION'S WATCH TOWER (373-375)

“As a second reason outside the church, was given: The the church that was occupied by the latter, caused expressions
love of pleasure, ease and self-indulgence. of indignation among his hearers.
“Third : Unrest under authority. Anarchy, said the CHURCH UNION IN CANADA
speaker, flourishes in the home, the school and the church. The Methodist General Conference recently held in Win-
“Fourth: The prevalence of suicide. nipeg, Man., near the close of its session passed resolutions
“Fifth : The ready acceptance of the various forms of looking toward a union of all the “evangelical” denominations
new thought.” of Canada. It aDDointed an influential committee to confer
WHAT BEV. EILLIS SEES first and speciallt -with Presbyterians and Congregationalists.
Rev. Hillis, successor to Henry Ward Beecher, now sees The Methodists of Canada number 847.765: the Presbyterians
some of the things nointed out in the WATCH TOWER for the 755,326; the Congregationalists 26,157. ’ Commenting upon this
past twenty-three-ye&s. The public press reports the following the Outlook says:-
from his discourse of October 19th:- “This comprehensive and far-reachiag proposition was
adopted with practical unanimity by the Conference, only two
YII&IONAIRES BULE THE COUNTRY or three delegates voting against it. This forward movement
“Just now our country is entering upon a crisis that is to acquires additional significance from the fact that the Methodist
strain its institutions to the last point before breaking. For and Presbyterian churches in Canada are themselves the result
a generation the tide of illiteracy, intellectual and moral, has of the integration of several minor divisions, which has been
been slowly rising, until the better social element is being signally marked with the seal of the divine approval. It was
submerged by the worse. This social deterioration has been further emphasized by the cordial greetings of representatives
progressive. A century ago the great figures in the community of the Presbyterian Church-the Rev. Dr. Bryce, moderator of
were the magistrate and the minister. In the middle of the its General Assembly, Prof. Kilpatrick, of Manitoba College,
last century the statesman and the politician were the contrast- and the Rev. C. W. Gordon, better know as ‘Ralph Connor,’
ing figures, representing weight of intellect. Those were the author of ‘The Sky Pilot,’ and the ‘The Man from Glengarry.’
days of Daniel Webster and Henry Clay. Then came an era, Union sentiment was strongly reciprocated also by the Rev.
about five years ago, when the statesman was submerged by Messrs. Silcox and Hamilton, representatives of the Congre-
the multi-millionaire. gational Union.”
“Wealth, riches, the love of gold and power, control our The Chzcaao Interior (Presbvterian) declares:-
statesmen now. Individuals representing hundreds of millions “Were theleading denominati&al body of the Presbyterian,
cause the politician to pass under an eclipse. This Cromsus Congregational or Methodist Churches in this country to ap-
who can own his private car, his private yacht, owns also his noint a committee on organic union with the other two, the news
private Governor, his private Representative, and last summer of it would be put by ‘the daily papers in the earthquake col-
his private Congress. These men, whose millions have enabled umn. Yet the Methodist General Conference in Canada has
them to form the trusts, control our Congress and used this done precisely that-named a commission of its most prominent
legislative body to pull their chestnuts out of the fire. men to invite the Presbyterians and Congregationalis& to come
“Men who would solemnly pledge themselves to give certain in and talk union. We should not, indeed, like to believe that
rights to Cuba were forbidden by their political masters to there is any more actual antagonism among denominations in
f&l their obligation. Men have the aithority today who the Republic than in the Dominion; we are certainly learning
don’t have any offices. Men rule as Governor who haven’t here in the United States to be mighty good friends and
been elected. mighty neighborly neighbors across the old sectarian chasms;
THE DANGER OF THE MOB but of union. other than within the lines of our different ‘fam-
“The next stage is the multimillionaire’s submergence by ilies’ of churches, we have scarcely thought at all-it hardly
the numbers of his workmen acting under the control of a single seemed possible. But certainly these advancing Canadian folks
Will. But the rule of the many because they have the votes are going to make us think about it, and we shall all be watch-
needed by the Governor who seeks re-election, is a rule of peril ing intently from this country to see how they succeed.”
that threatens every institution that we love. A mob is always SOUIAL UNREST IN RUSSIA
controlled by the most ignorant and vicious element. Put a “The struggle between the Russian agriculturists and the
thousand men in a group; the one man who can control the bureaucracy still continues. The members of the Zemstvos
thousand men in the mob is the man who can strike the chord or local Councils ask for greater liberty of speech, and some-
to which all will respond. The man who has the last fact times when this is refused resign in a body. They demand
in the case is nature’s uncrowned king, who alone has the right also, as a first instalment of reform, a revision of the system
to rule. of taxation, which, they say, presses unduly upon the agricul-
“Fortunately, in a democracy, when the people make a mis- turists. The reactionaries are furiously angry at the demand
take, it is the people who suffer,‘so that the*fol%es and sins of for more freedom of speech and we can understand their fear of
the Renublic cure themselves. as Wendell Phillios once said. publicity if the horrible story told to the correspondent of the
and th& fact makes and keeps up optimists.” A 7’r?tlr.r is as well founded as he believes. In one district of
A ripple of surprise went over his congregation when Dr. Kharkov some peasants were being tried for resisting authority,
Hillis. discussing the percentage of great men in America who when their counsel asked permission to give evidence as to the
owe their splen&d qualities to-the clergymen in their ancestry, conduct of the soldiers, who had not only flogged the peasants
said : “Henrv Clav. Wendell Phillins. Daniel Webster. Robert but outraged a great number of their women, It was pleaded
Ingersoll and He&y Ward Beech&; five great inspirational that they had therefore been punished enough; but permission
orators, got their early education and principles of life from to give evidence was refused, and the peasants were sentenced
the clergymen from whom they sprung.” to fines or short terms of imprisonment. There had been, in
That Dr. Hillis should mention the names of Robert Inger- fact, a Dragonnade of the locality, and there is no redress.“-
soll and Henry Ward Beecher in the same breath, speaking in London Spectator.

WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY

ANNUAL REPORVDEC. lST,
We well know how the dear friends of the Truth watch for
these annual reports. Recognizing that the Lord of the harvest
is using the TOWER offlce as a kind of headquarters for the
reaping work now in progress this side the vail, they are deeply
concerned, not only respecting their own services in their own
quarters, but also respecting the entire field as seen from this
vantage point. Believing that such an interest is pleasing to
the Lord and profitable to his people, we shall do our best to
satisfy it.
(1) The general aspect of the work is favorable. The
little gatherings for worship and study of the Word are more
numerous and better attended than ever: and still better than
this, the general spiritual condition of the flock is favorable;
even the financial prosperity of the year-an insidious foe to
spiritual development-has not prevented a great increase of
love and zeal for the Lord and his Word and his brethren. We
rejoice in this far more than in the items below, indicating the
activity displayed by you all in the circulation of the harvest
[31191
1961, TO DEC. 1ST. 1962.
message: nevertheless it should not be forgotten that the two
are intimately related; for as it is the zeal that leads to the
service, so also does service inspire fresh zeal in ourselves as
well as in others.
But while thus rejoicing, let us take heed; let us remember
that our adversary is still on the alert, and that so long as he
is “the prince of this world” it will be an “evil world,” an
enemy’s country to all true followers of the Lamb until we shall
be “changed” or until Satan’s rule shall be fully overthrown
and our Immanuel shall have full sway. Our Lord, through his
Word, forewarns us to expect that neither Satan nor the systems
of men organized under his supervision, or more or less con-
trolled by him, will yield peaceably to the new rule; but must
be overthrown by Christ after a violent struggle;-during which
Satan will be forced to appear “as an angel of lrght” in order to
perpetuate the delusions wherewith he has so long deceived the
whole world-putting light for darkness, and darkness for light.
(375-376) ZION’S WATCH TOWER ALLEGHENY. Pa.

-Compare Rev. 20:3; 16:13, 14; 13:16; 1 Tim. 4:l; 2 Thess. will not accept healings from such sources again. What we
2 :9-12. now desire to do is to save some from being ensnared by these
While we see good evidences pointing to continued prosperity false doctrines by vointine out that none of these channels
for the truth during the new year just opening, we note many of healing give kvfdence That they are such as God would
evidences that it is likely to be a year of severe testing. These Drobablv choose. To our understanding. Satan uses faith-heal-
evidences are more general, as well as more particular, than ings as- bait to catch the Lord’s people and turn them away
heretofore: and it is our duty to give a note of warning to all from the truth.
the watch&s-putting them -on guard against our adversary; “Ye shall know the truth. and the truth shall make you
for “we are not ignorant of his devices.” (2 Cor. 2 : 11) One free;” and “he that doeth truth cometh to the light,” are
of his old “devices ” 9, (new, however, to some) is his ‘denial our Lord’s declarations. “Ye, brethren, are not in darkness,
(through his agents--and tie always *secures and uses the best that that day should overtake you as a thief ;” is the Apostle
servants he can for his mouthpieces.-Ro.n. 6: 16) of his own Paul’s prediction. (John 8 :32-; 3 :21; 1 Th&s. 5 :4) gxcuse
existence. He comes in a gaiment’ of “light;” haying, Your mav well bc made for those who lived and died before the dawn-
ideas of an old devil are all wrong-a part of the general de- ing began; but for those now living and continually brought
lusion from which all the intelligent people of our day are in contact with the light of present truth, what shall we con-
getting free-Higher Critics, Evolutionists, Christian Scientists, elude7 We must conclude that if servants at all they are such
and the educated world all now admit this. and YOU must not lae as know not what their Lord doeth; such, therefore, as we
behind In the mire of error. Never mind the Sible’s numerou”s should not regard either as favored sons or favored servants of
references to a personal devil and a host of demons who oc- God, as our Lord explains.-John 15: 15.
casionally were cast, by the Lord and his apostles, out of those Viewed thus, all of these doers of “many wonderful works
“possess&l.” Take -my word for it; and pay nd attention to in Christ’s name” (Natt. 7:22) lack the DroDer credentids,
Jesus’ declaration that I was “a murderer from the beginning in that they do not have the iruth which-th& surely wonhi
and abode not in the truth;” nor to the Apostles’ warning have if thev were in the Lord’s favor and confidence. Worse
that I would deceive and calm mvself off as a minister of the than this, tke vast majority of them are Christless-deniers of
lqht, denying my former self and practices and, instead, work- the ran&m, its necessity and its results-as well as blind to
ing miracles to deceive, if it were possible, the very elect. the linht of nresent truth. The Eliiahites are deceived into
Another device in line with the foregoing yet strictly new, an anz-Christ&position similar to that”of Papacy; for whi!e the
is that Satan has become a worker of miracles. This is a latter’s pontiff poses as Christ’s representative and substitute
token that his “house” is tottering to its fall-else it would in ruling authority. and misaDDlies DroDhecies of Christ’s kingly
not need support so opposed to the-general policy of Satan-as power and authority to the pbpes,* ihe*Elijahites similarly &is--
our Lord declared, If Satan cast out Satan his house is divided annlv to their leader the DroDhecies which refer to our Lord and
against itself and cannot long stand. (Mark 3 :23-26; Natt. 12: tie’ ilorified church, as -thl great “Prophet like unto Noses”
26) He has long calmed himself off as a teacher-a lipht- (Act% 3 :22, 23), anh the “N&senger of the Covenant,” whose
bearer, clothed in-liiht; but Satan in the role of faithheale;-is mission. in the flesh, failing of turning the hearts of fathers and
a novilty belonging chiefly to our day-though, undoubtedly, he childrei will result’in the’lsmiting tf the earth with a curse”
has had to do with the relic-miracles of Papacy for centuries. -“a time of trouble such as was not since thele was a nation.“?
The worshiping of a relic-bone of St. Anne or of the “holy -Nal. 4:6; Dan. 12:l.
shroud” or of a “nail from the cross” served for less intellipent The Christian Allianceists are thick in the medieval darkness,
people in a less intelligent epoch; but now, and amongst &e teaching eternal torment and various other blasphemies and
enlightened people, faith and prayer are more apt to deceive, falsehoods. The “Christian Scientists” repudiate al! sin, and,
and he is using and blessing these, and thus attlactinp the at- hence, all redemption from sin, and thus plainly show that they
tention of peoile away froi the iruth which is now Dawning have neither part nor lot with Christ or his message or power.
gradually unon nominal “Christendom.” The Spiritualists similarly deny the foundations of Biblical
U Do w”c d&y that “faith cures” are performed by “Christian faith.
Scientists” and “Mormons” and “Spiritualists” and “Nesmer- The Mormons teach a transmigration of soul, and, hence,
ists” and “Hypnotists” and “Nagnetists” and “Comeouters” and deny Adam as the head of the race; hence, deny the death sen-
“Christian Allianceists” and “Eliiahites”? Surely no one can tence on all mankind through him; hence, cannot logically hold
deny that some cures are perforlned by all these “systems; and the Scriptural theory that all die in Adam’s sentence and were
JUST as surely none can deny that earnest, well-meaning people redeemed by Christ’s sacrifice.
are to be found in all of these systems. PerhaDs some of the What reason have we to expect that the power of healing
“very elect” are in them and delu&d by Satan’ssubstitution of manifested in these variously -blinded peopl& is of Christ3
darkness for light; if so, we may be sure that the Lord will None whatever. Indeed. they each brand the other as deluded
use some means for their deliverance;-we should be glad if servants of Satan, and we see no reason to doubt that this is
he would so use this very item of warmng. true of them all to a greater or less extent. The Lord instructs
We cannot blame “the groaning creation” for desirinp re- us to put this test. saving: “The secret of the Lord is with
lief from pain and death; and we-are glad that we can taint them ihat fear him, and-he will show them hzs covenant.”
them to the real relief which God has nrovided. so near at hand: (Pea. 25-14) Do any of these miracle-workers see the lengths
-the Millennial kingdom. We can& wonder. however. if the and breadths and heights and depths of the divine plan and
poor world in gross darkness fails to see cdming restitution covenant’8 Surelv not. else thev would be with us heart and
clearly enough to trust in it and wait for it: but we should voice, declaring tie “good tidings of great joy which shall be to
expect that -the Kew Creation, begotten of the spirit. would all pkople.“-&ke 2rlO. - - _ -
s:e that the general blessing &d removal of the ‘curse is not The signs by which the Gospel age was introduced to fleshly
&te until the great Day of Atonement (the Gospel age) is Israel were such as would aDpea to sincere natural men,-
fully ended and the Sons of God, the “very elect,” are all physical blessings typical of -&eater things in the kingddm.
glorified with their Lord and Head. These, the saints taught The signs with which the new disnensation now anueals to
of Go11, should clearly see that now is not the time for restitu- spirit& Israelites are spiritual signs: or proofs-the ozning of
tlon, but still the time for sacrificing; and accordingly should the eyes and ears of our-hearts to-discernin God’s plan wonder-
joyfully suffer with Christ as members of his body and not ful things which the natural man can not appreciate. Let those
ask back the physical powers exchanged in consecration for whose chief desire is for physical blessings and healings
spiritual hopes-a& pro&es. If our wili adversary could get us take these: Satan will be Dleased thus to turn them aside:
all to coretlne and striving for Dhvsical healing and comfort and -to turn their faces from t&e direction of the rising Sun oi
to teaching &ch a gospel to &ers, it woulod please him and Righteousness and the great and perpetual blessings which God
serve his purposes; for time and thought spent thus would proposes, to transient expedients and creature consolations, en-
be turned aside from spiritual interests and studies and efforts. couraging the thoughts that such physical gains are evidences of
Restitution hopes and efforts, which will be in order for the podli<e&Or evidences of divine ?aior. !l%e New Creatures in
wo!ltl very soon now, are surely not the hopes or ambitions of Christ will follow the footstens of self-sacrifice and reioice in
the Church called out of the world during this aBe to be “liv- the evidences of God’s favor which the Scriptures warrant. It
ing sacrifices”-to lay down their loves an”a become “dead with is our understanding that these delusions will be so strong as
him.” to deceive all except the elect, who will be kent bv their clearer
It will be noted that we are not condemning those who in knowledge of the- divine plan. It is our duty”to sound the
the various systems “perform many wonderful works.”I but alarm, the warning, the caution, even though we know that
not by divme-power. (-Natt. 7:22, 23) Nor are we blaming some will, nevertheless, be led away from their own steadfast-
those who have sought and found relief-they only followed a ness. Our warning is that the coming year means much of trial
natural course. 4nd if they gave God thanks for the healing, and testing along these lines and that zeal in studying and in
they have the same blessing as though God had performed the
l See MILLENNIAL DAWN, VOL. II, pp. 292-308.
cure, If sincere, however, to learn better will mean that they t MILLENNIAL DAWN, VOL. II, chap. 8.
131201
DECEMBER 15, 1902 ZION’S WATCH
serving the truth is the only position of safety for any of US.
The question of the Apostle is apropos, “Who shall be able
to stand $” Let all who have tasted that the Lord is gracious,
-all to whom he has shown his covenant, stand shoulder to
shoulder with each other and with the Lord. in defense of the
truth and in aid of one another. Thus standing, the opening
year will surely result favorably to us.
THE CORRESPONDENCE DEPARTMENT
This is an important branch of the service-our “Corres-
pondence School.” The BIBLE is our text book, the DAWNS
and TOWERS are our comments, explanations, etc., and our mail
department enables us to point out and emphasize misunder-
stood parts of the instruction. We believe, however, that the
references and indexes in the new “Watch Tower Bibles” will
decrease the written communications by enabling students to
find answers to their aueries in DAWNS and TOWERS. During
the present year we received 42,375 letters and cards, and sen?.
out 40,601.
We are alwavs1 vglad of your letters: many a time their kind,
encouraging words have come like a cup of cold water in a
drv and thirstv land. Some. indeed. are filled with acrimonv.
an”d would cause us pain and’discouragement did not the Lord”‘;
grace and truth sustain us and show us that Satan and ignor-
ance are the rrnl assailants aud that the vail of mnorance
and power of Satan will soon be cast aside and trampled upon.
-Ram. 16 :20.
THE COLPORTEURING DEPARTMENT
The postal ruling which seemed likely to greatly interrupt
the work has really proved a blessing: -it led us to renewed
efforts to reduce the cost of the cloth-bound DAWKS, which
efforts were very successful, And these, in turn, are so much
more attractive that the general sales of DAWNS this year
are above our highest previous standard-over 93,000 copies
of Vol. I., alone, and of all volumes, over 125,000. The
total sales of booklets for the vear are nearlv 56.000. The zeal
for colporteuring is increasing, and we hear from many who
are seekino to adiust their affairs so as to be readv to
engage in This evan”gelistic service by spring. If these dopes
are realized, it will increase the above large figures nearly one-
half. Our printers are increasing their facilities to keep pace
with the demand. We know of no field of service yielding bet-
ter results than this one ; besides, many of these books, little
cared for now, will, doubtless, be a helping hand for many in
the time of trouble.
THE TRACT DEPARTMENT
The showing here is equally good;-evidencing great zeal
for the Master and his Word amonest TOWER readers. some of
whom circulate the message at depo& some on trains and ferry-
boats and street cals; some privately and some by mail.
The blessings are surely as great to those who aire as to those
who receive-them. Total disyributed during the-year, 1,895,435.
The volunteer work with the WATCH TOWER is a Dart of
the same tract work and it alone amounted to 1,512.5$8, or a
total of both of nearly three and a half milbon’pieces. This
would represent 122.432.732 tract vaoes. This is a grand show-
ing, in which we ma’y all rejoice. - -
Is it any wonder that those who attest their loyalty to the
Lord and his message thus publicly should have a sm+aZ bless-
ing at his hand in<eturn?- No; -it is in full accord with the
Lord’s general dealinos. Them who honor him he will honor:
them who confess him-he will own and confess; they who water
others shall themselves be watered. Not only are those eon-
gregations which have done volunteering most persistently, in
the most robust conclition, but those brethren and sisters who
have courageously shown their colors are amongst the most clear
and most staunch in the truth. How glad all will be when in
the future they look back and note theyittle services and sacri-
ficcs they were privileged to make, as an expression to their
Lord of their love for him and for his brethren!
The Lord willing, we will have some fresh volunteer matter
for next year-ready in the spring. We suggest that the various
“captains” send in reports for the year, to January 1, as soon
as possible ; and that enlistments for next year be recorded
and a new election of captains take place as soon as possible.
THE PILGRIM SERVICE DEPARTMENT
This work is still growing, and we are continually seeing
new evidences that the Lord is owning and blessing it to the
spiritual welfare of his dear flock. The announcements of
routes, etc., in each issue of the TOWER tends to auicken the
general interest, too; the solitary ones can now not’only think
of and mentally fellowship with the Allegheny church and at
the One Day Conventions, but also in spirit, travel with each
of the dear pilgrims and gather with the various bands of hope
and love in sundry quarters.
During the past year the “pilgrim” service of the Society
[3121]
TOWER (377-378)
has been administered through twenty-one brethren, who have
visited 1208 places, held 1335 public meetings and 2057 parlor
meetings, covering- a total of -117,746 mile; This record in-
cludes the Editor’s One Day Conventions and General Con-
ventions. The interest in the “pilgrim” meetings is steadily
increasing, and many of the friends are learning to cooperate
with US by appointing some one of their number to send us
their request for visits, with particulars, which we now request,
for 1903, on page 383 of this issue. In a couple of instances
the local leader has seemed a little jealous of the “pilgrims,”
and fearful that their superior knowledge or ability or influence
would discount his own and undermine it. This is wrong every
way: vainglory has no proper place in the hearts of the-lord’s
true people; and it should be mortified. The “pilgrims” are
humble and earnest, and clear in the truth-on the funda-
mentals, at least-otherwise they could not represent this So-
cietv or travel under its ausnices. Thev will never be found tres-
pasiing on the rights of thg congregations visited; but, on the
contrary, conservators of the peace and liberty of all. Welcome
them as Ambassadors of the Great King.
Remember that these services are entirely free, traveliug
expenses and all; and that no collections are ever taken up by
them. The society meets everv expense-except food and
lodging, which the- friends at e&h place are always glad to
provide. Your donations to the fund, and ours, are the Lord’s
provisions, by which, in this manner, much good is, we believe,
being accomplished. We again repeat, as last year, our sug-
gestion that one half or more of the sessions be Parlor hleet-
&gs,--specially for the interested.
THE CONVENTIONS OF THE YEAR
The Conventions-Annual and One-Day-are evidently en-
trenching themselves in the esteem of those who love the truth,
and who love to “speak often one to another.” The Lord still
hearkens, too, and still pours out blessings as of yore-abund-
ant and spiritual blessings. (Mnl. 3 :16, 17) These gatherings
are expensive, both as to time and traveling expense, and,
therefore, all cannot enjoy their privileges: however, all do
share their blessings; for we have good evidence that those at-
tendinn carrv back blessines to those at home. We will D. V.
continie these during the “year 1903. Locations have not yet
been decided upon: these will be announced in due season in the
TOWER.
THE COST OF THIS FINANCIALLY
After reviewing the figures foregoing, and rendering thanks
to God for the privilege enioved in the service by so many of
us-including ai1 who-have-shared in any degree” in this wide
circulation of the good tidings-we naturally ask, What has
all this cost, in money, additional to the free labor bestowed by
so many? kou will-be surprised that it could be done for sb
modest a sum. You would be astounded if YOU could comnare
these figures and results with those of other Tract Societies:
Receipts.
From Good Hones and all other sources. . . , . . . . . . . .$28,284.80
Zxpenditures.
For Pilgrim exnenses . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . .$ 4.621.08
Por Publishing Amatter, circulated free. . . . 131953.51
For Expense, Insurance, etc., acct.. . . . . . . . 5,742.10
$24,346.69
Sztrpzus. . . . . . . . . . . * . . . . . . . * . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 3,936.11
We request that all who in any manner have co-labored with
us to the attainment of these results-either by contributing
money or by circulating the literature, or both-will, after
reading and digesting this Report, join with us in a prayer of
thanksgiving to our Lord, the giver of every good, for the
privileges enjoyed in his service.
REPORT OF BRITISH BRANCH
We give Bro. Hemery’s very interesting aud satisfactory re-
port below, merely remarking that its item?. are all included
in the foregoing.
LONDON, Nov. 14, 1902.
DEAR BROTHER RUSSELL :
I have much pleasure in sending you the enclosed report
of the British Rranch onerations. and I am sure it will give
pleasure to you also. F&u a perusal of the statement of Tracts
circulated you will find that there is quite an increase on the
figures of last year; and the same will be noticed from the
figures relating to the DAWNS, nearly 2,000 more of these hav-
ing been sold than were sold iast year. I am sure you will be
glad to note this increased activity on the Dart of the brethren
here. The circulation of the DA&NS has &creased despite the
fact that the Colporteurs are less in number than last year.
Much has been done through the year by those who have been
able to devote only a little time to the- work.; sometimes this
has meant that part of a holiday has been given to it; some-
times that the home work or home life has been arranged that
(379-380) ZION’S WATCH
time mirht be obtained. Much still remains to be done, and the
time is ihort. Many of the large towns of England are prac-
tically nntouched, either with Volunteer literature or DAWNS.
We continually pray the Lord of the Harvest that he will send
more labourers into the vineyard.
The Volunteer work. and the general distribution of tracts.
has been eagerly push&l forwarvd by the brethren, and, fo;
thrir encouragement, we would say that the work is having an
eC’ect in gathering the Lord’s “Jewels.” You ml11 see, too, that
the donations to the Tract Fund show a cocsiderablc increase
on the previous year, nearly flO@ more being received than last
year. I hare already reported concerning some of these dona-
tions.
Besides the above increases, there is, as you will have noticed
a marked increase in the number of TOWER suh~crlbers. As
may be expected all this increase h:!s not come from the im-
mediate neighborhood of meeting places; the truth is asscl tine
itself here and there, gathering ‘to-it those whose hearts are so
disposrd. In Ireland, too. much literature has been Fcattcred.
chikfly in Dublin an& BBrliast. In the latter place a consider-
ahle amount of Colporteur work has been done. Our hearts are
glad because of all the favor of God, and because the knowl-
edge of him is increasing. For all the goodness that has been
shown we are deenlv thankful.
The Pilgrim vb<t of Bro. Hope Hay was very much enjoyed
bv all the friends. I am sure I sneak for all when I sav we
&ould much appreciate a sight oi yourself amongst ~1s. ” We
remember your promise to come on the first opportunity.
REJOICING IN TRIBULATION
ACTS 16 :22-34.--J~~.
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.”
The International Lessons change with the New Year from
the Old Testament to the New, taking up the theme where
we left it six months ago. That series of lessons noted (1)
Christ as the central figure of Christianity: (2) the holy Spirit
as the motive power 02 Christianity; (3j ‘thk gradual he&lop-
ment of the church from its birth at Pentecost: (41 missionarv
work by Paul and Barnabas; (5) Paul’s second’m‘i&ionary to&,
with Silas and others as his companions, and by them the first
entrance of the Gospel into Europe. We now take UD the sub-
ject at this point. ‘The first city in Macedonia-the-first city,
therefore, in Europe-to hear the Gospel message, was Philippi.
One of the Apostle Paul’s epistles, addressed to the church
there established, is known to us as the “Epistle to the Philip-
pians.”
At Philippi the Apostle and his companions, in seeking for
those who reverenced the Lord. and hence most likelv to have
hearing ears for the Gospel, f&nd a little group wh*o &et by
the riverside for worship. Lydia, one of the number, became
prominent for her thorough accentance of the GosDel message.
and her zeal in entertain&g the ‘Apostle and his company, a%
in forwarding, as best she could, the interests of the cause.
The meetings were held outside the city, doubtless, on a
similar pretext to that which, until recent -iears, excluded the
worship of Protestants in the citv of Rome. comnellinn them to
go outiide the city if they would hold any’gatheringgfor wor-
ship. Philippi had its approved religious system, and would
grant liberty for meetings to no other.
It was while the ap&tles were day by day passing from
Lydia’s home to the place of worship outside the citv &te that
they were met repeatedly bv a yo;ng woman knok; in that
city as a Pythoness, or Sybil (a sooth-sayer or truth-teller or
fortune-teller ; a fore-teller of future events, or prophetess).
She was evidently well known to all the people, and the
exercise of her profession brought large income to a joint-
stock company which owned her as its slave. As the evange-
lists pass&d daily she called out after them, “These men ire
the servants of the most high God. which show unto us the
way of salvation.” These words, tdough true enough, coming
from such a source, and possibly in a jesting voice, might be
understood by those who heard them to be sarcasm, ridicule, and,
therefore, a hindrance to the Lord’s work; or even if uttered
in serious tones their coming from such an unsanctified auarter
would probably preclude t&r having any favorable inhuence
with those of such cast of mind and heart as might otherwise
have a hearing ear for the Gospel of Christ. Tohis continued
many days, the Apostle gradually becoming more and more
grieved by it-probably because it was hindering his mission,
and perhaps, also, because he was grieved to see a fellow-crea-
ture thus made tool of by the fallen angels, the wicked spirits
which controlled her. Similarly our Lord refused to recognize
the testimony of the evil spirit who acknowledged him, saying,
“I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God,” and had
[3122]
TOWER ALLEGHENY, PA.
If I may add a personal word, I would say how much I
appreciate the privilege of working with, and in any way serv-
ing, the Lord’s people.
The opportunities for service in this country are very many:
the “harvest” is indeed “great,” and the labourers are few.
We hope for great things. In the meantime “we thank God,
and take courage.”
I am, dear -brother, Yours in the Lord, J. HEMERY.
Tract Fund receiDts and exDenditurcs of the British Branch
of the Society from ‘Nov. 1, l&l, to Nov. 1, 1902 :-
Expenddures. E s d
Deficit from last year.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .537 4 11
Paper, printing, postage, etc., on matter circu-
lated free . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .222 14 6
“Pilgrim” expenses ........................... 50 15 0
Totnl ................................... ..810 14 5
Recrlpts from Great Britain ................... 268 15 9
Defied .................................. ..54 1 18 8
Letters received 3,445
Letters sent out .................................... . : 1 1: 1: 1: 11 1: 111: .. 4,329
Total DamNs sold ................................. .17,668
Total Booklets sold ............................... 2,516
Tracts and Towers circulated free. ............... 670,200
Representing tract pages ........................ .23,131440
4.
compassion upon the one who had the evil spirit, and delivered
him.-Mark 1:24; Luke 4:34.
Present-day higher critics and lower critics are disposed to
dispute that there are evil spirits, and that human beings ever
are or ever were possessed by demons. Such incline to sunnose
that either deception or insanity was mistaken by the -Lord
and the apostles in these cases of obsession. However. to those
who have-learned to respect the Word of God there is no room
for questioning the accounts. Our Lord commanded evil spirits
to come out of possessed ones, and they obeyed him; and in this
case the Apostle Paul invoked the same divine power for the
healing of this young woman-for her deliverance from the
evil spirit being which had obtained possession of her and made
her its slave, speaking through her, and otherwise using her
mouth, ears, etc., as channels of communication. These fallen
angels adapt themselves to the varying conditions of humanity
in all parts of the world, and in connection with all the various
systems of religion, all of which we may properly accredit, more
or less directly, to the great adversary of the truth, who worketh
by and through those who will submit themselves.*
As this young woman was a money-winner for the people
who owned her, we can imagine what consternation was aroused
amongst them when they found that not only was their source of
gain for the future gone, but also that the large amount of
money invested in this slave was lost (for such spirit-possessed
ones had a high market value) : they became desperately angry.
Nothing will so greatly move men as love or selfishness; and
under present conditions qelfishness moves the vast majority,
and with intense power. They had no hope of getting the evil
spirit back into tKe woman; they must hate reve<ge uion those
who had financially ruined them. There is much of this soirit
abroad in the worid today: so long as the truth and the L&d’s
servants quietly go their way the world will generally be too
busy with its affairs to molest them; but so soon as they per-
ceive that truth and righteousness are inimical to their earthly
interests and prospects their opposition becomes intense. Nor
should we consider it to be the chief business of the Lord’s
people to stir up the animosity of the world and to bring perse-
cution upon themselves. As a rule it is best that we leave the
world to-watch its own affairs, while we preach the Gospel, not
using it as a sledge-hammer, to break men’s hearts, but as the
message of peace and love and blessing and joy to those whose
hearts under divine Drovidence has been alreadv broken: and
who have ears to hea; the message of the grace”of God. ‘veil
generally the apostles pursued as smooth < course as principc
would permit, and in this instance very evidently Paul acted
under special guidance of the Lord. The Apostle’s general in-
struction is, “So far as lieth in you, live peaceably with all
men”-do not go out of your way to stir up trouble, but if the
Lord in his providence allows it to arise, be courageous and full
l See What Say the Scriptures About Spititualismf Proofs that it is
Demon&n.
DECEMBER 15, 1902 ZION’S WATCH TOWER (380-382)

of faith in him who has permitted it, that he will overrule it for give thanks-we need not, like the world, wait for special mani-
good. festations of divine favor to call forth our Draise. our homage
The owners of the Pythoness evidently had influence, and of heart and our grateful obedience to the L&d. fiather, learn-
succeeded quickly in arousing a mob determined to have revenge ing that divine providence is in all our affairs, ready to shape
against Paul and Silas. Of course they did not attempt this them for our good, we may rejoice “whatever lot we see, since
b’; telling the truth. They did not say,- We were using a poor ‘tis God’s hand that leadeth us.” Some one has well said:-
slave girl. Dossessed of an evil spirit. for our financial Drofit. “If we are not ready to Draise God where we are. and with
and thus; Aen have restored her- mind, her will-releasid he; our conditions and cir&m&ances as they are, we should not
from mental enslavement to saneness of mind. No ; like all be likely to nraise him if we were differentlv circumstanced and
who are engaged in a bad cause, they ignored the truth of the our coiditio& just that which now seems t’o us most desirable.
matter, andY raised spurious ch&gesLtThat the prisoners were Daniel could sleep better in the den of lions than Darius in the
teaching a religion contrarv to the laws of Rome. and likely royal nalace: he who could not find rest in a lion’s den. when
thus to”raise szdition. We’ see that this was contrary to the thht was the place for him, could not gain rest by a mkre re-
truth, for the Lord’s servants went, according to law, outside moval to a palace. It is the man’s self which must be changed,
the city gates for their Worship. However, under the circum- not his circumstances or his possessions, in order to his having a
stances ti;e false charge, witho& proofs, was sufficient to bring heart overflow with joy and praise.”
down upon the Lord’s representatives the severest penalties their When, in 1695, Madame Guyon was imprisoned in the Castle
judges could inflict: their clothing was torn from them, and the of Vincennes, she sang praises to the Lord, composing one of
command was niven that thev should be beaten with rods and her own hymns, as follows:
imprisoned. fhe customary” sentence of the time was, “Go, “A little bird I am,
victors! Tear off their garments! Scourge them!” This was Shut from the fields and air;
one of the three times Paul was thus beaten. (2 Cor. 11:25) He And in my songs I sit and sing
referred to it in his letter to the Thessalonians, declaring that To him who placed me there:
he was “shamefullv” treated at PhiliDDi.-1 Thess. 2 : 2. Well pleased a - risoner thus to be,
The prison was constructed wit6 outer cells, which were Because. my 8 od. it Dleaseth thee.
more or less accessible to the light and air, and with an inner “My cage Con&es de rbund,
or central dungeon for the most vicious criminals. It was into Abroad I cannot fly;
the latter that Paul and Silas were thrust, and their feet made But though my wing is closely bound,
fast in the stocks, which often were so constructed as to sepa- My heart’s at liberty ;
rate the limbs widely and to make any movement very painful. My prison walls can not control
It was under these unfavorable circumstances, with their backs The flight, the freedom, of the soul.”
bleeding and raw from the scourging, that r&lecting upon the The shaking of the prison, the loosing of the chains, the
wonders of the divine plan, and their own association with opening of the doors, the waking of the jailer, his dismay and
that plan! these faithful-brethren were BO filled with the spirit
of rejoicmg that they gave vent to their feelings in hymn- intended suicide. fearinp the innominv which would attach to
prayers of thankfulness for their privilege of suffering in con- him from the escape of=ihe pr&oners.“Paul’s call to him -to do
himself no harm, &suring him that the prisoners were all safe,
nection with the Lord’s service, of enduring tribulation for constituted together a thrilling eDisode. more remarkable to the
righteousness’ sake. jailer than to-anyone else. fioubtless’he had heard something
‘> How remarkable it must seem to the worldly, who have never respecting these men, so different from the ordinary criminals
tasted of the joys of the Lord, that these men could thus re- with which he had to do. Doubtless, he had been impressed with
joice in tribulation-rejoice that they were counted worthy to their unresisting attitude; their Christlike demeanor even under
&ffer affliction for the-cause of Christ! How little the world
knows of the peace of God which passeth all understanding, that severe provocation ; their moderate submission even to their se-
rules in the hearts of the Lord’s people who have grown in his vere treatment at his hands. In any event he seems to have felt
grace and heart-likeness! How little can thev aunreciate the a heart-hunger for fellowship with his Creator such as these
hct expressed by our Lord when he said, “Pe’ace’f leave with discredited men under his care enjoyed. Quite probably he
you; <y peace f give unto you; not as the world giveth give had already been reading the Gospel of Christ in the features
I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be and conduct of his Drisoners. whose living eDistles were alwavs
afraid.” And again, ihrough the Apostle, “tie glory in tribu- open to be known and read’by those abGut& them. Had the&
not been some such Dreliminarv instruction of his heart. we can
lation, also; knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and pa- scarcely suppose tha\ he would so quickly have resolved’to walk
tience experience ; and experience hoDe: and hoDe maketh not in the footsteps of the prisoners-that their God should be his
ashamed;- because the love-of God is shed abroad in our hearts.”
(John 14:27: Rom. 5:3-5) And as these faithful servants of God, and their salvation which was able to make them iovful in
the Lord coltid rejoice in’whatever experiences God permitted tribblation, should, if possible, be his salvation. And”tdis was
to come to them in the discharge of duty, BO may we remember his inauirv : “What must I do to be saved?“--saved from sin.
that ours is the same God, that he changes not; that he is saved ‘fro& its penalty,-death, qaved from its degrading in-
equally able and equally willing today to grant the sunshine of fluence, saved from its unrest cf heart and mind, saved to the
his favor to those who trust him and seek to walk in his ways. same Deace and joy and comfort and consolation which his
It is the reverse condition that the followers of Christ need*to prison&s exempli6e;l.
dread, need to fear, as expressed by the poet, We are not surprised at the reply given by the Lord%
servants: we are not surprised that they did not sav. Go to the
“Oh, let no earthborn cloud arise confessidnal, get the priest to sprinkle holy water ’ upon you,
To hide thee from thy servant’s eyes!” pay him to sav masses for vour sins, and ioin t,he Catholic
In a general sense., the entire Gospel age is represented as chbrch. Nei’- -r are we surprsed that the me&age was not that
being a night, in which sin and distress prevail, and, as the he must feel ‘iis nuilt a lona while. and nrav to the Lord a
Prophet has declared, “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy good while, and Gek forgiv&ess ai a mdurnkr’s bench night
cometh in the mormng”-when the Sun of Righteousness shall after night, and join a Methodist or Presbyterian or other hu-
arise with healing in his beams, to scatter all the miasm of man system. How evident it is that these servants of the true
sin and death! But even in this night-time the Lord’s people Gospei and builders of the true church were not Ca’.nolics, nor
do not need to sorrow as others, who have no hope. On the Presbyterians. nor Methodists: and that thev neither founded
contrary, to his people, “He giveth songs in the night.” (Job these “sects ndr taught along their lines; and that they would
35: 10) While they are watching, hoping, praying, for the no more affiliate with or encourage their methods today than
glorious morning of deliverance, their trust in the Lord is as an they would then have done.
anchor to their souls within the vail. How could such children The answer to the jailer is one which commends itself to
of the great King go mourning all their daysO Surely especially the Christian mind as i-,:og the proper one-no more, no less :
now, as the Millennial morning is dawning. we can sav. “He he should believe on the tiord Jesus Christ :&Yhis Redeemer, as
hath put a new song into our mouths, even-the loving kiidness the one who had died on %is behalf, through whose stripes he
of our God !” He has given his people the blessed privilege of might be healed, saved and through whose sacrifice he might re-
singing the new song of Moses and the Lamb, that others cannot joi%e in at-one-ment with God; and having thus believe2 with
sing-as least not set. These who sing aid make melody in all his heart. whether it reauired a moment or an hour to exnlain
their hearts unto the Lord will surely also show forth the~- r--~---- nraises and to undeistand these r&ple first principles of the Gospel, his
of him who hath called them out of darkness into his mar- next step was to consecrate himself, to be baptized into death
veloua light-theirs will be the psalm of life, manifesting in with his Redeemer, and to symbolize this consecration into death
looks and words and tones and sentiments the love of God by a baptism in water. And he was encouraged to hope, not
received into good and honest hearts. only for his Dersonal salvation. but that his familv mieht o- be
Since as Christians we have learned that it is our privilege sharers with dim. We may reasonably suppose that ihis conver-
to be always rejoicing-to rejoice evermore and in everything sation about his salvation progressed while he was ministering
131231
(382-383) ZION’S WATCH
to the evangelists-washing their wounds, seeking to make them
comfortable and Droviding them food. We may also reasonably
suppose that with many-more words than are here presente?
the ADostle set before t.he iailer and his assembled familv the
simple story of the love of” God manifested in the gift if his
Son; and of the love of Christ mauifested in his sacrifice on our
behalf: and the evidence of the aCCeDtableneS6 of that sacrifice,
as testified to by our Lord’s resurre&ion and by his sending of
the holv SDirit uDon the infant church: and the subseaueut
messag;! n&v go&g forth to whomsoevei had an ear to hear,
that there is salvation in him and in no other.
There is a lesson here for us in regard to the promulgation
of God’s message. We are not to use words of man’s wisdom;
not to attempt to philosophize and to show our learning; nor
are we to Bay, Now, do not be in too much haste; there is plenty
of time, and after n-e are comfortably fixed we will have a!1
day tomorrow to talk this matter over. We are to remember
the tlt>cla<ation of the wise man, “A word in season, how good
it is’” We are to remember. when talkioa with those who have
an car to hear and arc iu&iring the w:y to the Lord, that
there are fircat c&es iii the lives of men, momeutouB occaTion6,
in which one worll map lie more vnlaable, more potent, than
wonld he a hnmlrctl wo& or a thousand words at another time,
nndcsr different circunlstanccs; aud we are to be instant in the
Lord’s service, whether seasonable or unseasonable to O~uBehes.
-gladly reaciy to lay down our lives for the brethren. The
disl)osltlon of Paul and Silas to Dreach Christ to the iailer re-
g&lless of their own conrenience~and comfort and nee”a of rest
Gas in perfect accord with the iov of the Lord which filled their
hearts and led them to sing. tiis~atisfied Christians. disnosed to
,gr~irnhle, would be inclinch neither to sing praises un6er such
circumstances, nor to preach the Gospel to a poor inquiring
fellow on so out-of-season an OCCaSiOn. We are to distinguish,
however, between out-of-season to others; and to be willing to
serve others at any time, however out-of-season to ourselves, if
it lie not in Fenton am1 opportune for them. We are not to
intrnlle even the Gospel its:clf at inopportune times, however con-
rcnient the occasion map he to ourselves.
The next morning the ru!ers, h~arning something of the
circumstances of the night, ordered the re!ease of Paul and
Silas: but the Apostle songht to forward the interests of the
canse he served bi returning word that he was a Roman citizen,
nnd that Roman lnw hall been violated in three Darticulars in
his cnqe: (1) That they htxl “beaten” him; (2) ihat this had
heen done “pihlicly ;” (3) that it was specially reprehensi-
ble in that he had not bern legally “condemned.”
These chnr,rres against the rulers might have gone hard with
them; hence, it is not to he wondered at that they came to the
prison, as the Apostle requested, and brought their Drisoners
?orth ‘publicly, till16 givini evidence to the’ people that they
conceded that au injustice had been done them on the previous
night. It was agreed that the Lord’s representatives should
leave the place, and evidently this was as wise a thing as could
hare been done, at the time, for the publicity given to the
Apostles and their teaching would now have opportunity to
work, and the new disciDle might have a better chance for
pre&ting the truth qui&y, in-the absence of their leaders,
against whom stroug enmity had been aroused on account of
the healing of the woman. From here the servants of the Lord
at,nt to Thcssalonica, and undal;nted by their experiences (in-
REQUESTS FOR PILGRIM
The foliowing iuformation is very important in connection
with arrangements for “pilgrim” services. There is no charge
for these services. nor for the traveling expenses; nor are col-
lections ever to &e taken up. We expect-that ill friends of
the truth will be clad to entertain the “Dilprims” during their
brief stays, with “such things as ye have;” but where c’ircum-
stances do not permit this, the “pilgrims” are prepared to pay
their way. If you desire to be remembered by us when we lay
out the routes for these “pilgrims,” please answer the following
auestions-on a Dostal card or on BeDarate DaDer from your
Iktter. You need-not repeat the questions, bt& merely number
the answers. thus: No. l-Yes (or No). No. 2-Twice a week
-Sunday ahd Wednesday (or &&ever’may be the truth). No.
3-Sunday at 3 p m. at Bible House, 610 Arch Street; Wednes-
day 8 p. m., same place (or whatever may be the facts of your
case). And thus with each question.
Such as neglect answering these questions, or so many of
them as they can answer, must not be surprised if no meetings
are arranged for them, or at most for one day. The information
aids us greatly in arranging the “pilgrim” routes.
ANSWEB AS MANY AS POSSIBLE OF THE5E QUEBIES:
( 1) Are regular meetings now held in your vicinity?
(2) How frequently?
[3124]
TOWER ALLECKENY,PA.
deed, rejoicing in them) they boldly spoke the word of grace
to such as would hear them there.
“Many men of many minds,” writes the poet; hence it is not
surprising that some with too little reverence and too much
self-consciousness are disposed to criticise the Apostle’s course in
claiming Roman citizenship here and on another occasion. We
should approach such criticism from the standpoint of reverence,
recognizing the apostles as specially chosen and specially in-
spired of the Lord and specially guided of him and fit to be our
exemplars in all matters (Matt. 18:18) unless (as in Gal. 2: 11)
the criticism of their conduct or words is found in the Scrip-
tlmB themSelveS. Unquestionably it was proper for the Apostle
to appeal to his Roman citizenship as a means to secure Justice,
not injustice.
Similarly we may properly appeal to every item of the hu-
man laws under which we may be living that would Drotect
LW in our just rights; but we may not-go beyond this and
denounce the laws or violate them. Our Lord’s admonition was
in line with such submission to the ordinances or lauv of men,
in respect to our earthly affairs; and he explains,-If any mau
s?ie thee at the lazu and take away thv coat resist not. but even
let him take thy cloak also. If, however, any man attempts to
rob us of our coat without due process of law we are not
bound to yield except it seem to be the better policy. In all
civilized lands we would have the right to call on the Zazo to
protect us from violence.
Such a course would not mean an acknowledgment that
we are citizens of this world and renouncers of our heavenly
citizenship-even as the ApOBtle’B course did not mean this.
It would mean merely that as strangers and pilgrims, we are
required to pay taxes for the Support of law and order, and
that worldly people recognize our rights to certain protection
in the laws which they framed.
Similarly the Apostle at the6 referred to himself as a
Jew-not as denying his Christianity, but as one now might say,
-1 am a German, or an American, thus to appeal not to a
religious prejudice, but to a national sympathy. which, if men’s
hearts we& iight, would not need to bi abpe&d to, hecausc it
would be quite sufficient to sav.-I am a fellow man. The
Apostle on hue occasion, perceivi@ that his enemies were chiefly
Pharisees, cried out, “I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee!
For the hope of the resurrection I am called in au&ion!” To
imagine a similar case now, suppose that Christ&s were prac-
tically of two parties, one professing faith in the resurrection
of the dead, and the other denying a resurrection and future
life; suppose the latter were called “Evolutionists,” and the
former “the Faithful,” and that some of us were misunderstood
and caught by a mob, and that we perceived that a goodly num-
ber of our assailants were of “the Faithfula,” and that we
were to cry out, “I am one of the ‘Faithful’ and the son of a
‘Faithful!’ It is because I believe in the resurrection of the
dead that I am now being molested!” Surely there would he
nothing amiss in such a position. And this was exactly Paul’s
case;-the name Pharisee BtOOd for faith in God and iu a
future life by a resurrection and for obedience to the Law, and,
in general, full loyalty to God. The word Pharisee signifies-
wholly separated to God; and only that the word has since
come to be proverbial for hypocrite any of the Lord’s people
could Still say, I am a Pharisee-I am one of those wholly
separated to God.
VISITS IN 1903*
(3) Give addresses of meeting places and hours.
(4) What is the p1 esent average attendance 1
(5) At what date are leaders or elders chosen?
(6) Give full name and address of regularly elected elders,
-that arrangements for pilgrim visits may be committed to
them.
(7) Is request for a pilgrim visit the publicly expressed
wish of those who usually attend meetings8
(8) To whom should the pilgrim be referred for enter-
tainment B
(0) Will suitable places be secured for parlor meetings?
(10) Can suitable room for public meeting be secured?
(11) If no regularly chosen elders, give at least one ad-
dress in full, besides your own.
(12) Give your own name and address in full (state if
colored) and any other information likely to be useful.
(13) If not on the railroad give name of proper station and
your distance from it, and the direction. State also if a con-
veyance would meet the Pilgrim at station and return him to it.
l [First appearance of this notice which subsequently appeared once
each year.]